A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft into which power of an engine is input, an output shaft that outputs shifted power, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, a first rotational shaft selectively connected to a transmission housing, a second rotational shaft directly connected to the input shaft, a third rotational shaft selectively connected to the transmission housing, a fourth rotational shaft selectively connected to the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft, a fifth rotational shaft, a sixth rotational shaft selectively connected to the first rotational shaft, a seventh rotational shaft directly connected to the output shaft, and selectively connected to the fifth rotational shaft, an eighth rotational shaft, and six friction elements.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic transmission for vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for vehicles that implements 10 forward speeds with a minimal configuration to improve power transmission performance and fuel efficiency.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, increasing oil prices have forced auto manufacturers into extreme competition in order to enhance fuel efficiency.
As a result, research into reduction of weight and enhancement of fuel efficiency through down-sizing has been conducted in the case of an engine, and research for simultaneously securing operability and fuel efficiency competitiveness through multi-stages has been conducted in the case of an automatic transmission.
However, in the automatic transmission, as the number of speeds increases, the number of internal components increases, and as a result, work efficiency while mounting the transmission in a vehicle and power transmission efficiency may deteriorate and the manufacturing cost and weight of the vehicle may increase.
Accordingly, development of a planetary gear train which may bring about maximum efficiency with a small number of components may be important in order to increase a fuel efficiency enhancement effect through the multi-stages.
In this aspect, in recent years, 8- and 9-speed automated transmissions have tended to be implemented, and research and development of a planetary gear train capable of implementing more speeds has also been actively conducted.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles


When three primary color inks and a particular color ink having a hue different from those of the three colors are used, the number of passes with regard to the same printing area is changeable, thereby speeding up a printing operation and improving color development at a gamut expressed by the particular color ink to achieve high quality images. Use or non-use of the particular color ink is switched according to the number of passes corresponding to quality information. If a high speed data generation processing is not required but sufficient color development is achieved, namely if the number of passes is large, the use of the particular color will expand the color reproduction gamut. If the high speed is required, namely if the number of passes is small, non-use of the particular color ink will reduce the number of colors of the usable inks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink jet printing method, a program for carrying out the method and an ink jet printing apparatus, and more specifically, it relates to the method applicable to a system including an ink jet printing apparatus using of three subtractive primary printing agents (ink) and a particular printing agent (ink) having hue different therefrom.
2. Description of the Related Art
A so-called serial scanning type image printing apparatus has been widely used for forming various images, wherein the printing operation is carried out while scanning a printing medium with a printing head which is a printing means. Particularly, such an image printing apparatus belonging to an ink jet system has rapidly prevailed in the market because the resolution or colorization has recently been improved to significantly increase the image quality. While a so-called multi-nozzle head in which ejection openings for ejecting ink, in the form of droplet for example, are disposed at a high density is used in the apparatus of this kind, it has been possible at present to form an image of high resolution by increasing the integrated density of the ejection openings.
Under such a condition, if the number of ink droplets ejected to a unit area of the printing medium in one main scan increases, the ink is liable to blot between ink dots formed on the printing medium. Accordingly, there may be a case in that an image is formed in the same area of the printing medium by a plurality of main scans wherein the printing is carried out so that the respective main scan has a complementary relationship to the other.
By adopting such a printing method, since image data printed by one main scan is properly thinned and all the image data are formed by the plurality of main scans, an amount of ink to be imparted to a unit area of the printing medium by one main scan is decreased, whereby the blot of ink decreases. Since such an effect is enhanced as the number of main scans (the number of passes) is large in the same printing area, it is preferable to increase the number of passes for the purpose of obtaining a high quality image due to the reduction of the blots. When the number of the passes increases however, the total printing time increases so as to decrease to disturb the high speed operation. As described above, the high quality image and the high speed operation are in a trade-off relationship.
To reconcile the high quality image with the high speed operation, there is a method wherein the number of passes is changed in accordance with amounts of ink to be imparted (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5-309874 (1993)). More specifically, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5-309874 (1993), the number of passes is changed to be larger or smaller in accordance with amounts of ink to be imparted, because when the amount of ink is increased, the blot of ink is liable to occur, and vice versa.
On the other hand, as the color ink jet printing apparatus has rapidly prevailed at present, further improvement in the quality of color image is desired. Particularly, a clear output image is desired, having a wider color area which could be reproduced by the printing apparatus. In this regard, it is possible to enlarge a color reproduction area in which one of three colors; yellow, magenta and cyan; can be reproduced, by improving the color development characteristic or the condensation of a color material of the printing agent (ink). However, it is difficult to reproduce a clearer color in red, green and blue areas formed by two or more printing agents, especially in a color area having a high chroma, solely by using three colors of yellow, magenta and cyan or four colors adding black thereto, because there is a limit in the color area capable of being reproduced thereby.
To enlarge the color reproduction area, it has been known to use particular color inks such as red, green or blue, in addition to three color inks of subtractive primary colors; yellow, magenta and cyan; or four color inks in which black is further added to the former, each of the particular color inks having a medium hue angle between them in the color space (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-244254 (1996)). In this Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-244254 (1996), it is contemplated, in addition to the enlargement of the color reproduction area, to reduce the blotting of ink by using the particular color inks. That is, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-244254 (1996), the area of secondary colors (red, green and blue) is not expressed by the mixture of inks, but expressed by directly using the particular color inks as they are, whereby an amount of ink applied to a unit area is reduced to minimize the ink blotting. In such a manner, when the particular color inks are used, it is possible to reduce the blotting of ink since the ink amount can be decreased when the area of the secondary colors is formed.

Ink jet printing with switched use of particular color ink depending on number of print head passes corresponding to print quality and speed


A device control system including at least one device operable by the system, at least one processor, software executing on the at least one processor for receiving message data and determining a corresponding XML document type, software executing on the at least one processor for generating a XML document based on the XML document type, the XML document including the message data, software executing on the processor for packetizing the XML document, and two or more communication components, each communication component including an XML parser for parsing the XML document and extracting the message data.

Device control systems are used for many applications including the control of devices in the medical, scientific and industrial fields. One type of device control system is a speech recognition command and control system.
Speech recognition is the process by which an acoustic signal received by a microphone is converted to a set of text words, numbers, or symbols by a computer. These recognized words then can be used in a variety of computer software applications for purposes such as document preparation, data entry, and command and control. A speech recognition control system may be used in modern operating rooms to control various medical systems and devices. A surgeon or other user, by giving a simple voice command, may direct the functionality of a device controlled by the speech recognition system. For example, the surgeon may deliver a voice command to adjust a patient table or adjust the pressure of a pump.
To enable speech recognition or voice-driven device control in an operating room, medical devices and/or other equipment are connected via communication channels (e.g., an Ethernet connection, device bus, etc.). A speech recognition application may also be connected providing the voice driven user interface and recognition software. When a voice command is issued, the command may be recognized and converted to a text string. If it is successfully identified as valid command corresponding to one of the connected devices or applications, the system will send an appropriate signal so that the desired control action is taken.
One critical problem with prior art device control systems, such as speech recognition command and control systems, is how to effectively define different types of information that is exchanged between different components of the system. The information may include, for example, device information, control information, system feedback information, and voice interface behavior information. The effectiveness of the control system depends on this diversified information which needs to be clearly defined and managed in order to facilitate information exchange between the different components of the system.
In prior art systems, proprietary syntax and semantics are used for defining the information resources enumerated above. This results in confusing and/or conflicting information formats that often prolong the development and deployment of the product. More importantly, it imposes critical limitations to the interoperability of different devices across a variety of systems.
It is therefore desired to provide a speech recognition system including an improved means for defining information exchange.

Device control system employing extensible markup language for defining information resources


A method for interacting with multi-dimensional object relationships, including: opening an expandable dialog in response to detecting a cursor hover event by a cursor on a first object in a user interface, wherein the user interface is displayed on a display device; expanding the dialog according to a navigable chain of object relationships, wherein the chain of object relationships includes progressive lists of possible objects linked by lists of possible relationships, wherein the dialog is responsive to compound hovering by the cursor; and saving a relationship path selected from the chain of object relationships according to a user selection of a second object, wherein the relationship path includes the second object linked to the first object by a first relationship.

Artifacts of different types spanning different domains, projects, and/or applications can be related and linked across a multitude of possible relationships. Exploring, navigating, and searching the resulting potential object-by-relationship space can be useful in many scenarios to identify specific relationship paths that link or trace a set of specific artifacts or objects along a specific set of relationships between.
One scenario in which this can be especially useful is during software development dealing with relationships (for example, "Is Child of", "Is Parent of", "Tested by", "Implemented by", "Is Tracked by", etc.) among artifact types (for example, "Requirements", "Stories", "Defects", "Tasks", "Test Cases", etc.). Allowing multiple entities involved in various phases of the development process to interact with the object-relationship paths can be beneficial.

Efficient browsing, selection, visualization, and tracing of complex multi-dimensional relationships among objects

International Business Machines Corporation


A fuel system includes a fuel injector having an inlet conduit which extends along an inlet conduit axis and has an inlet conduit shoulder which is travers to the inlet conduit axis. A fuel distribution conduit supplies fuel to the fuel injector, extends along a fuel distribution conduit axis, and has external threads which threadably engage internal threads of a connection nut. A retention member is a segment of an annulus and includes a central passage extending axially therethrough and external threads which threadably engage the internal threads of the connection nut. The retention member is terminated in a direction circumferentially about the fuel distribution conduit axis by first and second end surfaces which together form a retention member slot therebetween sized to permit the inlet conduit to pass therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the fuel distribution conduit axis.

Fuel injection systems that deliver fuel to fuel consuming devices, for example internal combustion engines, have been known for many years. In modern internal combustion engines, it is increasingly common to provide fuel injectors which inject fuel, for example gasoline, directly into combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine. These internal combustion engines commonly include multiple combustion chambers, and consequently, each combustion chamber is provided with a respective fuel injector to inject fuel therein. A common conduit, typically referred to as a fuel rail, includes an inlet which receives fuel from a fuel source, such as one or more fuel pumps, and also includes a plurality of outlets, each of which is connected to a respective one of the fuel injectors.
Fuel injectors in gasoline fuel injection systems currently are predominantly sealed to a fuel distribution conduit, which supplies fuel to the fuel injector from the fuel rail, by an O-ring which is made of an elastomeric material. One such arrangement which uses an elastomeric O-ring is shown in United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2017/0350358 to Bayer et al. While O-rings may be adequate for sealing in current systems which operate below 35 MPa, in order to meet more stringent emissions requirements and fuel economy demands, gasoline fuel injection systems are expected to exceed 35 MPa and will likely exceed 50 MPa. Sealing with an elastomeric O-ring in systems using these elevated pressures may be difficult. Consequently, metal-to-metal sealing arrangements are being explored to provide robust sealing between the fuel injector and the fuel supply conduit. Many metal-to-metal sealing arrangements are known for joining a first metal conduit to a second metal conduit. Such arrangements may include an external thread formed on the first metal conduit while the second metal conduit includes a radially enlarged region which is used to engage a connection nut having internal threads. Consequently, when the connection nut is tightened, force from the connection nut is transferred through the radially enlarged region of the second metal conduit, thereby causing complementary sealing surfaces of the first metal conduit and the second metal conduit to be sealingly compressed against each other. One such arrangement is shown in United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2008/0042434 A1 to Kenny. However, such arrangements require the radially enlarged region to be formed after the nut has been applied to second metal conduit. This may be accomplished by deformation of the second metal conduit or by fixing another component to the second metal conduit. While this may be practical when the second metal conduit is thin-walled tubing, this approach may not be practical when the second metal conduit is integrally formed with the fuel rail, for example in a casting or forging operation or is integrally formed with the fuel injector since deformation may result in damage to sensitive internal components or may alter fuel spray characteristics of the fuel injector. Furthermore, arrangements such as those disclosed by Kenny may require multiple interfaces to be sealed which results in a higher risk of fuel leakage.
What is needed is an arrangement for joining a fuel injector to a fuel distribution conduit which minimizes or eliminates one or more of the shortcomings set forth above.

Fuel system having a connection between a fuel injector and a fuel distribution conduit


An electronic control device is connected in the power supply line to an electrical appliance to limit the amount of time the appliance can be used. In the illustrated embodiments, the invention permits a television to be put under parental control in order to limit the viewing time of each child in the family to a predetermined "allowance," for example, ten hours per week. The allowance is automatically refreshed at the end of each week. A current sensing circuit is included in the device to enable the device to monitor the on/off status of the television under control. The provision of the on/off information enables the control device to operate with numerous advantages, including permitting each child to simply turn off the television when he has completed his viewing without the necessity of "signing off" at the control device. Also disclosed is a system for controlling multiple televisions in a household by providing a master control device at one television and a slave control device at each remote television.

For many years, parents have struggled with finding a workable way to control the amount of time their children spend in front of the television set. Reduced television viewing in the household is known by child development experts and parents alike to promote family togetherness, increase reading time, increase the appreciation of reading and improve scholastic grades, among other benefits.
Early attempts in controlling television viewing time, dating back to the advent of home television, include various attempts at temporarily disabling televisions. Also used have been parental directives, which, of course, were difficult to enforce during parental absences.
Beier U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,696 and Smith et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,157 disclose television viewing control devices permitting parental control over television viewing time of a plurality of children. However, these devices appear to have numerous drawbacks and have not gained commercial acceptance.
One primary disadvantage of known television viewing control devices is that they do not contain an information loop with the television that informs the device whether the television is in an on or off condition. Thus, when a child decides to stop watching television and he simply turns off the television--without "signing off" at the control device--his account will continue to be debited by the control device. This results in a lack of integrity in the overall operation of the system because a child is likely to occasionally, if not frequently, simply turn the television off without regard to the control device. Thus, there is a need for a more user friendly and practical television control device that prevents a child who simply turns off the television from losing his entire allotment or allowance of viewing time. This and other advantages flow from such a current sensing system.
Another drawback of prior television viewing control devices is that their use as teaching tools is not optimized. For example, the prior art devices automatically replenish the child's time allowance at the end of each daily or weekly viewing period to a predetermined level, for example, two hours. Thus, the child has no incentive to "save up" time from one viewing period to the next and thereby learn the valuable lessons associated with saving.
Another disadvantage of known television control devices is that they do not address the reality that many households have multiple televisions. In such households, a television control device connected to only one television does nothing to prevent a child from exceeding his viewing allowance by simply tuning in to a different television. Likewise, providing multiple television control devices (one per television) is also unsatisfactory since this leads to maintaining accounts on several control units or restricting television viewers to specific sets. Thus, there is a need for a system that permits a multiple television household, where desired, to control a child's total viewing through a single time allowance while giving the child access to all televisions in the house.

Device for limiting the amount of time an electrical appliance such as a television may be used


A thermoplastic molding composition having improved melt flow and chemical resistance is disclosed. The composition contains A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of aromatic polycarbonate and polyester carbonate, B) a graft polymer of at least one vinyl monomer on at least one rubber having a glass transition temperature of <10° C. as graft base and C) vinyl (co)polymer having weight-average molecular weight of 1500 to 5000 g/mol and glass transition temperature of >40° C. The composition may optionally further contain D) a phosphorus-based flame retardant and E) an anti-dripping agent.

Polymer blends made from polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) have long been known. Their full range of properties, comprising high heat resistance, good (low-temperature) strength and improved processing properties in comparison to pure polycarbonate, make PC+ABS blends particularly suitable for interior and exterior automotive applications, for example.
These blends may be made flame resistant with halogen-based and in particular with halogen-free flame retardants. Flame-resistant PC+ABS blends, particularly those based on halogen-free phosphoric acid esters as flame retardants, have become established in electrical and information technology applications over the last 15 years.
For the processing, i.e., the shaping, of molding compositions, which for most of the afore-mentioned applications is carried out by injection molding, good melt flow is essential. Improved melt flow allows greater design freedom, the production of larger molded parts with few gate marks (i.e., few weld lines, which generally indicate a mechanical weak spot in the molded parts), or a reduction in the processing temperature, through which
On the other hand, the consumer articles produced from the molding compositions are expected to display mechanical and thermal ruggedness, i.e., good strength and heat resistance, but also in particular a good resistance to chemicals, greases and oils and household cleaning products.
A simultaneous improvement in processing behavior and chemical resistance, with sustained heat resistance, is not generally achievable. For example, although the flowability of PC+ABS blends may be improved by reducing the average molecular weight of the polycarbonate used, the chemical resistance of the material suffers severely as a consequence. The chemical resistance may be increased by using special ABS components, but the flowability of the molding composition generally suffers as a consequence. In PC+ABS blends that have been treated with phosphoric acid esters to make them flame resistant, the flowability may be improved by increasing the amount of flame retardant, but the heat resistance in particular suffers as a consequence.
The object of the present invention was thus to provide PC+ABS compositions which are characterized by improved melt flow combined with improved chemical resistance, with sustained heat resistance.

Polycarbonate molding compositions with improved melt flow and chemical resistance


A utility rack provided for carrying loads on vehicles, such as skis, snowboards, bicycles, watersport equipment, lumber, etc., comprises an elongated carrier bar, legs at each end of the carrier bar and adapted to take support on the vehicle, strap and hook assemblies for removably securing the utility rack to the vehicle, a rack-and-pinion ratchet adjustment and locking mechanism in the carrier bar for selectively withdrawing the straps towards the legs and into the carrier bar such as to tighten the hooks to the vehicle until the utility rack is in a firmly mounted position thereof on the vehicle, and for locking the straps in place thereby retaining the utility rack in its mounted position. The thin hooks are made of high strength tempered steel and are PVC coated. The carrier bar defines accessory receiving channels. The legs are provided with swivel feet. A lockable lever actuates the ratchet adjustment and locking mechanism. The straps are angled at about 30.degree. to 40.degree. to the horizontal, preferably around 30.degree., and are flexible yet solid for substantially following the contour of the roof line of the vehicle at the lateral curved edges thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to utility or carrier racks for use on vehicles and, more particularly, to a novel rooftop load-carrying rack.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of utility racks are known for carrying various equipment over the rooftop of a vehicle. Typically, the utility rack consists of a bridge member which extends transversally above the roof of the vehicle and which is detachably secured at its opposite ends to the body of the vehicle, such as to the door frames or to the gutters of the vehicle. The utility rack is adapted for releasably securing thereon various often sport-related equipment, e.g., skis, bicycles, etc.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,955 issued on May 26, 1992 to Dallaire et al. discloses a ski rack comprising a support base member having one or more adjustable ski retention posts secured thereto and extending vertically thereabove. One or more abutment members extend vertically from the base member and are disposed in a spaced aligned relationship with respective ones of the retention posts. The retention posts each have flexible biasing fingers which project toward the abutment members in a ski-receiving space defined between the posts and the abutment members for applying clamping pressure against a pair of skis support on the base member in the ski-receiving space. A bridge member extends above and across the abutment members and the retention posts. Attachment elements are disposed adjacent opposed ends of the ski rack for securing the same to a vehicle and, more particularly, a strap which extends longitudinally throughout the bridge member of the ski rack is provided at its ends protruding from the ski rack with hook which are adapted to be engaged with the gutters of the vehicle with the strap comprising an intermediate rubber section within the housing of the bridge member, whereby once the hooks have been engaged on the gutters, the resilient rubber strap urges the hooks inwardly towards the ski rack thereby firmly securing the ski rack to the vehicle's gutters.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,195 issued on Aug. 11, 1992 to Walter, there is disclosed a utility rack attachable to the rooftop of vehicle of various sizes. More particularly, the utility rack includes a carrier bar containing a hollow compartment. A rubber band or a spring inside this hollow compartment is attached at either end (or at both ends thereof) to a non-elastic strap which extends from the hollow compartment and outside of the carrier bar to hooks or other anchoring devices which can be detachably secured to anchor points on the vehicle and, more particularly, to the vehicle door frames. Locking mechanisms are mounted on the carrier bar to lock the non-elastic straps to the carrier bar by a pawl mechanism or by a pin. Therefore, the utility rack is positioned on the vehicle rooftop and the non-elastic straps are then pulled by their respective hooks such as to engage these hooks to the anchor points of the vehicle with the rubber band resiliently urging the hooks inwardly towards the carrier bar for securing the utility rack to the vehicle. Then, the locking of the non-elastic straps to the carrier bar is achieved by actuating a pawl and ratchet mechanism or a pin-perforated strap locking mechanism and, more particularly, these locking mechanisms are actuated by the pivot of a pair of arms of the utility rack which are used to hold gear thereon.

Universal load-carrying utility rack for vehicles


A method of making a sensor includes the steps of providing a preformed self-supporting flexible substrate; sputter-depositing a metal layer on the substrate; etching the sputter-deposited metal layers to form a sensor electrode having a proximal segment and a distal segment; plating a metal layer on the sensor electrode; and separating the sensor electrode and at least a portion of the substrate underlying the sensor electrode from the remainder of the substrate. Sensors prepared according to the inventive methods, and sensor sets including the sensors, are also provided.

The present invention relates to methods for producing sensors that include flexible substrates and one or more sensor electrodes, and in particular embodiments to sensor sets including such sensors.
Methods for producing sensors, particularly sensors useful in sensor sets for the determination of a body characteristic such as blood glucose levels, are known. Examples of such sensors, sensor sets and methods for production thereof are described, e.g., in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,691; U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,250; U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,473; U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,571; U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,553; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,806, each of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
Certain known methods, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,250, form the sensor electrodes by an etching process. Etching processes are often multi-step procedures that can be time-consuming and expensive. Accordingly, a need exists for a simplified process for producing sensors.
Alternative methods described in PCT/US99/03781, published Sep. 10, 1999 and based on U.S patent application Ser. No. 09/034,422, form sensor electrodes by, for example, first forming a channel in a substrate, which can be a continuous web, and then depositing conductive material in the channel to form the electrode.
A need also exists for an improved process that enables continuous formation of sensors.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making a sensor that includes the steps of providing a pre-formed self-supporting flexible substrate; sputter-depositing a metal layer on the substrate; etching the sputter-deposited metal layers to form a sensor electrode having a proximal segment and a distal segment; plating a metal layer on the sensor electrode; and separating the sensor electrode and at least a portion of the substrate underlying the sensor electrode from the remainder of the substrate. Preferably, the substrate is comprised of a polymeric material, such as a polyimide, and in more particular embodiments, the substrate is supplied in the form of a continuous web.
In particular embodiments, a plurality of metal layers are sequentially sputter-deposited, and the plated layer is formed on the uppermost sputter-deposited layer of the sensor electrode. Preferably, the sputter-deposited metal layers are comprised of different metals, such as layers of chromium and copper.
According to particular embodiments, a plurality of sprocket holes are formed in the substrate adjacent to the sensor electrode. Also, in preferred embodiments, the step of removing the sensor is carried out using a laser.
In other embodiments, prior to the separation step, the sensor electrode is provided with a coating, such as a coating of a polymeric material, and/or a biocompatible polymeric material. Preferably, the coating is subsequently removed from the proximal segment and the distal segment of the sensor electrode. In further embodiments, the coating is removed from the distal segment of the sensor electrode and the distal segment is subsequently provided with an electrode chemistry. In other embodiments, the sensor electrode is provided with a membrane after the distal segment is provided with the electrode chemistry.
According to a particular embodiments, a plurality of sprocket holes are formed in the substrate adjacent to the sensor electrode. Also, in preferred embodiments, the step of removing the sensor is carried out using a laser.
In preferred embodiments, the substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The sensor electrode is formed on the upper surface, and after the etching step a bead is formed on at least one of the lower surface and the sensor electrode. The bead is formed, according to one particular embodiment, below and in alignment with the sensor electrode. According to another particular embodiment, a first bead is formed on the lower surface of the substrate and a second bead is formed on the sensor electrode. Preferably, the bead is formed using a liquid polymer, and is formed using a molding process.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of providing a pre-formed self-supporting flexible substrate; sequentially sputter-depositing a plurality of metal layers on the substrate, the plurality of layers including an uppermost layer; plating a metal layer on the uppermost sputter-deposited metal layer; etching the plated and sputter-deposited metal layers to form a sensor electrode having a proximal segment and a distal segment; sequentially plating first and second metal layers on the sensor electrode; coating the sensor electrode with a polymeric material; forming at least one opening in the coating; and separating the sensor electrode and at least a portion of the substrate underlying the sensor electrode from the remainder of the substrate.
In preferred embodiments, layers of chromium and copper are sequentially sputter-deposited. Preferably, at least one layer of copper is plated on the sputtered layer(s) prior to etching, and layers of copper and gold are sequentially plated after the etching step.
In accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of providing a pre-formed self-supporting flexible substrate; sputter-depositing at least one metal layer on the substrate; etching the at least one metal layer to form a sensor electrode having a proximal segment and a distal segment; and separating the sensor electrode and at least a portion of the substrate underlying the sensor electrode from the remainder of the substrate.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of providing a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; sputter-depositing at least one metal layer on at least one surface of the substrate; etching the at least one metal layer to form a sensor electrode having first and second edges, a proximal segment and a distal segment; forming a bead on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate; and separating the sensor electrode and the portion of the substrate underlying the sensor electrode from the remainder of the substrate.
In preferred embodiments, the sensor electrode is formed on one of the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate and the bead is formed on the other surface of the substrate. In a further embodiments, the bead is formed on the substrate beneath the sensor electrode.
According to particular embodiments, the bead is formed by forming a perforation in the substrate adjacent to the first and second edges of the sensor electrode; securing the lower surface of the substrate to a mold, the mold having a channel that extends beneath the sensor electrode; flowing a liquid polymer over the upper surface of the substrate and through the perforations into the channel until the polymer beads on the upper surface of the substrate and covers at least a portion of the sensor electrode; curing the liquid polymer; and removing the substrate from the mold. In further embodiments, the perforations on each side of the sensor electrode include at least one perforation gap. The liquid polymer that flows over the sensor electrode does not cover the portion of the sensor electrode between the perforation gaps. The perforations on each side of the sensor electrode may include a plurality of perforation gaps. In still other embodiments, each perforation has a perforation gap adjacent to at least one of the proximal and distal segments of the sensor electrode. In a preferred embodiment, the distal segment is provided with an electrode chemistry.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; forming at least one channel in at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate; disposing a conductive material in the at least one channel to form at least one electrode; and forming a bead on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate to produce a sensor.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; disposing a conductive material on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate by non-impact printing to form at least one electrode; and forming a bead on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate to produce a sensor.
According to yet a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; providing a film or sheet comprising a conductive material; transferring the conductive material from the film or sheet to the substrate to form at least one electrode; and forming a bead on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate to produce a sensor.
According to still a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; depositing at least one layer of a metal on the upper surface of the flexible substrate; etching the at least one metal layer to form a sensor electrode having first and second edges, a proximal segment and a distal segment; forming a perforation in the substrate adjacent to the first and second edges of the sensor electrode; securing the lower surface of the substrate to a mold, the mold having a channel that extends below the metal layer; flowing a liquid polymer over the upper surface of the substrate and through the perforations into the channel until the polymer covers the upper surface of the substrate and at least a portion of the sensor electrode; curing the liquid polymer; removing the substrate from the mold; and removing the sensor electrode, the cured polymer and the portion of the substrate between the first and second perforations by separating the substrate adjacent to the perforations.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a bead on a surface of the substrate; forming a sensor electrode on the substrate; and separating the bead, the sensor electrode and at least a portion of the substrate between the bead and the sensor electrode from the remainder of the substrate.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of making a sensor includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a sensor electrode on a surface of the substrate; forming a bead on the substrate; and separating the bead, the sensor electrode and at least a portion of the substrate between the bead and the sensor electrode from the remainder of the substrate.
In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, sensors produced according to the foregoing methods are also provided. In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, sensor sets that include sensors, as described herein, together with appropriate mounting bases and insertion needles are provided. In additional embodiments, the sensor sets include cannula in which portions of the sensor are disposed and which in turn are at least partially disposed within the insertion needles. In other embodiments, the sensor includes a bead, which is at least partially nested within the insertion needle, obviating the need for a cannula.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

Analyte sensor and method of making the same


A server device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The processor can identify first and second players present at first and second physical locations, to identify first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations, to map the first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations to a virtual gaming space, to capture first and second position and orientation information for the first and second players, to map the first and second position and orientation information to the virtual gaming space, to generate first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players, and to transmit to first goggles information representative of the second virtual player for display superimposed onto a transparent viewing apparatus for viewing of the virtual gaming space. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Electronic games are commonly played on gaming systems, such as a controller box coupled to a display screen or a computer device with an integrated display screen (laptop, mobile phone). Gamers typically engage other players on their system or play against computer-generated players. Gamers also frequently play along with other players in Massively Multiplayer On-line (MMO) games in team or individual competition. Gamers can have at their disposal accessories such as a keyboard, a general purpose gaming pad, a mouse, a gaming console controller, a headset with a built-in microphone to communicate with other players, a joystick, a computer display, or other common gaming accessories. Gamers commonly use such accessories to enjoy the gaming experience from their homes while participating in the gaming experienced generated and displayed on their gaming systems.

Apparatus for adapting virtual gaming with real world information


A system and method are provided for generating a virtual book from a set of electronic documentation. From the documentation, a set of topics (e.g., headings) are copied and saved, along with references to their locations in the documentation. The hierarchy of documentation topics is also recorded so that from one topic, its parent and/or children can be easily reached. The topics are classified into one or more categories (e.g., concept, task, example, reference, troubleshooting) identifying general (and/or specific) types of information. When a subject for a virtual book is received, the topics are searched for those relevant to the subject. A virtual book is then assembled to contain the relevant topics, which may be grouped by category. Within a category, topics may be listed in alphabetical order, in order of relevance, in the order they appear in the documentation or within a given book, etc.

This invention relates to the fields of computer systems and online documentation. More particularly, a system and methods are provided for producing a virtual online book from a compendium of electronically stored documentation.
Documentation for software and other computer-related products has traditionally been produced and delivered in hard-copy form (e.g., books, manuals). More and more frequently, however, documentation is being delivered in electronic form—as PDF (Portable Document Format), HTML (HyperText Markup Language) or other files. Unfortunately, even when possessed in electronic form, finding desired information in a large collection of product documentation, which may span multiple books, volumes, manuals, and so on, can be difficult and frustrating.
Documentation grows as a product evolves (e.g., to augment a portion dealing with an expanded feature) and often fragments as well (e.g., to pull out material for a separate book or manual on a particular topic). The documentation may, however, lose some of its cohesiveness or completeness, for example, to the point where a user does not know which of multiple books contains the information he or she seeks. Although a user may be familiar the topics addressed in one book or manual, if it was decided that a closely related topic should be addressed in a different book, the user may never become aware of the related topic.
Simply searching for specific words or phrases may return many uses of the words/phrases that are unrelated to the desired context, and may return them in an order that frustrates the user's search. For example, a user may be searching for an introductory or conceptual description of a particular command (e.g., what the command does) but the search tool may present portions of the documentation dealing with the syntax or examples instead. Further, the organization of product documentation (both hard-copy and electronic forms) may stymie a user's attempts to find conceptual information by making him or her search through several separate books or files, each of which contains conceptual information concerning different aspects of the product. And, because search tools often fail to analyze their results for relevance, a user may initially select search results leading her to sources that she is familiar with, over a source that she is not familiar with, even though the information she seeks is located in the unfamiliar source.
Efforts to make electronic or online documentation more user-friendly have involved efforts such as tagging portions of the documentation with key words or phrases (e.g., for use by a search engine) and embedding identifiers of the type of information contained in particular topics or sections of the documentation (e.g., conceptual, advanced, troubleshooting). The number of tags and identifiers that can be embedded may be limited, however, and the flexibility of searches and comprehensiveness of search results are limited by the authors' assiduity in their tagging and identification efforts. Further, topics may be misclassified or their appropriate classifications may change over time. Correcting or changing the corresponding tag(s) embedded in the document source code may involve significant time and/or effort.
Online documentation is often stored in smaller units than their hard-copy counterparts. For example, where one hard-copy book may include a dozen top-level topics, the online version may span many files, with each file dedicated to a single second- or third-level topic. This facilitates printing of the online documentation, but the results of a search of the online documentation may include extensive chains of links that a user must follow to find his or her desired information.
Existing methods of producing or presenting electronic or online documentation continue, however, to overwhelm a user with extraneous, irrelevant and/or duplicate information or fail to prevent sufficient information to meet the user's needs.

System and method for producing a virtual online book


Materials and methods inhibit the localized build-up of material with respect to certain additive manufacturing processes, including those based on ultrasonic consolidation. Where an object is fabricated by consolidating material increments from a feedstock in accordance with a description of the object, the invention prevents the consolidation in specified regions to provide for an intrinsic support or to otherwise build a part or component in accordance with the description. The object being fabricated, the feedstock, or both, may be treated so as to inhibit the consolidation of material increments in the localized area. That is, such treatment may affect the surface chemistry of the feedstock to prevent local bonding, or the treatment may be applied to a previously built surface of the object. The treatment may include the introduction of an oxidizer, such as a metal nitrate, chlorate, chromate, peroxide, or manganate; a base or alkali; or a coating of a lubricious material such as tin, Teflon, or petroleum distillates to prevent the breakup of an oxide layer.

Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/532,432 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,500 and Ser. No. 10/088,040 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,823, the entire content of each being incorporated herein by reference, disclose systems and methods for fabricating objects by consolidating material increments in accordance with a description of the object using a process that produces an atomically clean faying surface between the increments without melting the material in bulk. Ultrasonic, electrical resistance, and frictional methodologies, and combinations thereof, may be used for such consolidation.
According to these previous disclosures, the material increments are placed in position to shape the object by a material feeding unit. The raw material may be provided in various forms, including flat sheets, segments of tape, strands of filament or single dots cut from a wire roll. The material may be metallic or plastic, and its composition may vary discontinuously or gradually from one layer to the next, creating a region of functionally gradient material. Plastic or metal matrix composite material feedstocks incorporating reinforcement materials of various compositions and geometries may also be used.
If excess material is applied due to the feedstock geometry employed, such material may be removed after each layer is bonded, or at the end of the process; that is, after sufficient material has been consolidated to realize the final object. A variety of tools may be used for material removal, depending on composition and the target application, including knives, drilling or milling machines, laser cutting beams, grinding, EDM, chemical etch, or ultrasonic cutting tools.
The material increments are fed sequentially and additively according to a computer-model description of the object, which is generated by a computer-aided design (CAD) system, preferably on a layer-by-layer basis. The CAD system, which holds the description of the object, interfaces with a numerical controller, which in turn controls one or more actuators. The actuators impart motion in multiple directions. Three orthogonal directions may be used or five axes, including pitch and yaw as well as XYZ, may be appropriate for certain applications, so that each increment (i.e., layer) of material is accurately placed in position and clamped under pressure.
During these additive manufacturing or free-form fabrication processes, it is often important to provide a support material to the part being produced. This is most often the case when enclosed volumes, or cantilevered sections are being produced, although other types of features with less aggressive unsupported geometries also require the use of supports. There are two types of support structures in free form fabrication, which can be classified as intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic support structures are those which are essentially produced as a result of the process itself. A classic example of this situation is that pertaining in selective laser sintering or 3D printing, wherein a powder layer is spread across an entire build volume. An operation is performed on certain regions of the powder (i.e., passing a laser over it to melt the powders, or printing binder over it to cause the particles to adhere to each other), which correspond to the cross section of the layer of the part being built to cause the particles to adhere. The remainder of the unaffected powder remains in place as another layer is spread and the process repeated. This mass of unbound powder serves the function of supporting additional layers of material as they are deposited.
Extrinsic support are those in which a second material is used to support the growing structure (examples include shape deposition modeling and inkjet based systems), or in which special support structures are built using the build material or a second material (examples include fused deposition modeling and stereolithography) which are later cut off. In general, intrinsic supports have advantages over the extrinsic types, as they are simpler to implement, since they do not require the supply of a second material.

Method and materials to inhibit object consolidation in localized areas


In one aspect, the present application relates to an aminothiol-conjugate of formula (I):

In the current aminothiol drug formulations referred to as the phosphorothioates, protection of the biologically-active aminothiol moiety relies upon conjugation of the aminothiol to a phosphate group. In this formulation, the phosphate group is bound to the sulfhydryl moiety of the aminothiol and it serves the purpose of protecting the active metabolite from adventitious reactivity during the process of drug delivery to target and non-target cells. In the vicinity of cell membranes, the phosphate group is removed by cell membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase. Then the active metabolite (the aminothiol) is taken into the cell by passive diffusion or, under some conditions, active transport by the polyamine transport system.
Delivery of the phosphorothioates to normal cells is successful because many/most non-stressed/non-diseased cells produce alkaline phosphatase that is localized in the cell membrane. However, the same prodrugs are not as effective or are ineffective for the treatment of stressed or diseased cells for several reasons including (i) rapid clearance from circulation, (ii) inability of some cells, and especially stressed or diseased cells, to metabolize the phosphorothioates to their active forms, (iii) vulnerability to metabolism distal to target cells, and (iv) vulnerability to conversion to toxic byproducts (Block et al., "Commentary: the Pharmacological Antioxidant Amifostine—Implications of Recent Research for Integrative Cancer Care," Integr. Cancer Ther. 4:329-351 (2005); Calabro-Jones et al., "The Limits to Radioprotection of Chinese Hamster V79 cells by WR-1065 under Aerobic Conditions," Radiat. Res. 149:550-559 (1998); Meier et al., "Degradation of 2-(3-aminopropylamino)-ethanethiol (WR-1065) by Cu-dependent Amine Oxidases and Influence on Glutathione Status of Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells," Biochem. Pharmacol. 50:489-496 (1995), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). Other limitations include (i) the inability to take advantage of multiple different drug absorption mechanisms, which can differ between diseased versus normal cells and between diseased cells with differing pathologies, (ii) the inability to target cell uptake or transport systems to enhance drug uptake into cells, (iii) the inability to target or exclude specific cell types, (iv) the inability to alter drug circulation or retention times, and (v) the inability to target or exclude specific drug clearance mechanisms. New drug formulations for the aminothiols are needed to overcome these problems and limitations.
The present invention is directed to overcoming these and other deficiencies in the art.

Methods for improved protection and delivery of aminothiols and analogs thereof

Abstract: wherein , , R1, R2, R3, m, n, and p are as described above. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a subject in need of aminothiol therapy using an aminothiol-conjugate of formula (I).


A luminance control device includes a measurement unit configured to measure a pupil diameter of a driver based on an image in which a driver's face is imaged, a luminance estimation unit configured to estimate luminance of light incident on a pupil of the driver based on the image, a pupil diameter estimation unit configured to estimate a pupil diameter with respect to the luminance estimated, a pupil diameter difference calculation unit configured to calculate a pupil diameter difference between the measured pupil diameter and the estimated pupil diameter, and a controller configured to output control information for controlling a control subject so that luminance is increased in at least one display region in which an image of surroundings of a vehicle taken by at least one image device is displayed, when it is determined that a dim portion is being focused on, based on the pupil diameter difference.

A peripheral monitor device including a presenting means for taking the image of surroundings of a vehicle and presenting the taken image to a driver, an obtaining means for obtaining the operation timing of the driving operation by the driver when using the presenting means, and a correcting means for correcting the image presented to the driver by the presenting means in accordance with the operation timing obtained by the obtaining means, is known (refer to Patent Document 1, for example).
In this peripheral monitor device, the image presented to the driver is corrected according to the operation timing of the driving operation by the driver when using the presenting means.
Accordingly, in the peripheral monitor device, the sense of distance and the sense of speed perceived by the driver are also corrected in consideration of the operation timing of the driver, so that the discomfort with respect to the sense of distance or speed can be reduced.

Luminance control device, luminance control system, and luminance control method

KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO


A planetary gear system including a first gear coupled to a shaft, a plurality of second gears in rotational engagement with the first gear, a fluid supply apparatus spaced apart from the second gears, and a carrier. The carrier includes an annular portion having a flow channel configured to receive a fluid deposited onto the carrier by the fluid supply apparatus. A pinion shaft is disposed through each of the second gears and includes a primary fluid conduit in fluid communication with the flow channel and at least one secondary fluid conduit in fluid communication with the primary fluid conduit. The primary fluid conduit and the at least one secondary fluid conduit facilitate a flow of the fluid from the flow channel to at least one bearing disposed on each of the pinion shafts and at least one thrust plate interposed between the second gears and the carrier.

Planetary gear systems typically include a central sun gear, a plurality of planet gears circumferentially spaced around the sun gear and mounted on a planet carrier, and an external ring gear. An input to the planetary gear system can be to one of the sun gear, the ring gear, or the planet carrier, while an output is derived from either of the remaining sun gear, the ring gear, or the planet carrier which is not the input.
Lubrication of the planetary gear system is essential due to a high-speed rotation of the sun gear and rotational engagement amongst the sun gear, the planetary gears, and the ring gear. As such, inadequate lubrication of the planetary gear system causes increased friction between the gears and excessive wear, necessitating frequent inspection thereof. The planetary gear system, however, is often disposed in a compact arrangement making it difficult to inspect without at least partial disassembly thereof.
In certain applications, the planetary gear system is mounted within a housing at least partially filled with a fluid (e.g. a lubricant) to act as a fluid sump. The fluid is provided to the planetary gear system by a separate lubrication system. The lubrication system is an additional component with resulting complications. Further, the lubrication system in a conventional planetary gear system may not cause the fluid to reach friction bearing components of the planetary gear system such as needle bearings and thrust plates, for example.
It would desirable to produce a planetary gear system configured to enhance lubrication as well as militate against friction and excessive wear thereto.


In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to conveyor systems including liftgates. In some embodiments, a conveyor system including a liftgate comprises a conveyor section including a plurality of rollers, a liftgate section comprising a frame having a proximal end and a distal end and including sidewalls, a plurality of liftgate rollers positioned within the frame, a front bracket and a rear bracket, wherein the front bracket is positioned between the sidewalls toward the proximal end and the rear bracket is positioned toward the distal end, and wherein the rear bracket is pivotably affixed to the conveyor section, and an actuator affixed to the rear bracket and the front bracket configured to provide a linear force acting between the rear bracket and the front bracket, wherein the linear force causes the proximal end of the liftgate portion to raise with respect to the conveyor section.

Conveyor systems are used in many industries to transport objects. For example, a package delivery surface may utilize conveyor systems to move and sort packages in a facility, a retailer may utilize a conveyor system to transport goods at a distribution center, etc. While conveyor systems are useful for moving objects about a facility, they are typically quite large and difficult to maneuver around. For example, if a person wishes to cross a conveyor (e.g., go from one side of the conveyor to another), the person must maneuver around the conveyor by, for example going above the conveyor (e.g., on a catwalk) or around the conveyor. Some conveyor systems include liftgates to make maneuvering about the facility easier. Such liftgates are sections of the conveyor system that lift to allow a person to cross the conveyor. While such liftgates are useful, they have many drawbacks. For example, the liftgates may be heavy and difficult to operate. Additionally, such liftgates can pose a safety risk. For example, a liftgate may fall on or otherwise trap a person. Consequently, a need exists for improved liftgates.
Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.


A mounting bracket (40) for mounting different types of power supplies (10) having different configurations of screw holes (14) to a computer enclosure (20) includes a body (41) for being attached to one of the power supplies. A plurality of countersunk portions (52) is defined in the body to configure such that selected of the through holes correspond to screw holes of the one of the power supplies. An L-shaped latch (44) is formed on a top portion of the body for suspending on the enclosure. A tab (46) depends from the body and defines a screw aperture (48) for engaging with a screw (60) which extends through the enclosure. A first rolled hook (50) and a second rolled hook (58) are formed outwardly from the body for engaging with the enclosure. A plurality of spring fingers (60) is formed in the body for electrically connecting with the enclosure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting brackets for attaching electronic components to equipment such as computer enclosures, and more particularly to a mounting bracket which can mount different types of power supplies having different configurations of screw holes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of electronic equipment such as computer systems include power supplies which convert incoming alternating current to direct current. Direct current is suitable for operating various electrical components within such equipment. With the constant development of new electronic equipment, more and more components are required to be included within an electronic equipment enclosure. A power supply is generally one of the largest components in an electronic equipment enclosure. Thus the means of securing a power supply to electronic equipment determines the overall configuration of the equipment.
A power supply is often directly secured to a rear panel of a computer enclosure by screws. This makes the process of assembly unduly laborious and time-consuming. Furthermore, various different power supplies have screw holes located in a variety of different positions. Generally, a given rear panel defines a plurality of through holes, and can only fit one kind of power supply that has matching screw holes.
As a result, hinges have been developed to secure a power supply to an enclosure. Examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,172,305 and 5,745,342. The hinges allow the power supply to be pivotally moved out of its normal installed position, thereby allowing users to access other components in the enclosure adjacent the power supply. However, manufacturing of such hinges adds extra components and increases costs. In addition, it can be awkward and troublesome to attach a power supply to an enclosure using such hinges.


Embodiments of present system encompass: a plurality of laser sources that produce a plurality of respectively different optical wavelengths; a matrix switch having a plurality of inputs operatively coupled to the plurality of laser sources, each of the plurality of inputs receiving a respective optical wavelength; and the matrix switch having an output that produces a series of interleaved pulses of the different optical wavelengths.

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) enables significant increases in the data rates that can be carried over a single fiber by the use of multiple wavelengths, each carrying a separate "channel". Time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques have limitations since the wider bandwidth required around a single base wavelength leads to impairments that limit the distance achieved. These impairments are: attenuation, reflectance, especially at splices involving flat cleaves, and chromatic dispersion due to slightly different refractive indexes at different wavelengths.
Combinations of TDM/WDM result in a capacity of 100 Gbit/s per fiber. One development has enabled the efficient application of WDM systems in real networks rather than just as point-to-point multiplex systems. The Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) allows for the direct amplification of the optical signal without the need for intermediate electronic circuitry.
Known interrogation methods currently use fiber optic acoustic sensor arrays in what is referred to as TDM-WDM (Time division multiplexing-wavelength division multiplexing). For example, these methods currently allow for the interrogation of a greater number of hydrophones with a lesser number of laser sources.
Associated with each wavelength is a single laser source that runs continuous wave (CW). The output of the laser is gated by a fast optical switch with a low duty cycle that produces a stream of regularly spaced pulses that are amplified and sent down to a remote array of sensors dedicated to a single wavelength. For every optical pulse sent down to the sensors there are N pulses returning to the optical receiver for each of the N sensors under interrogation.
The gating process of one pulse out and N pulses returning is occurs for each laser source with its characteristic wavelength and dedicated sensors. The fast optical switch is designed to gate the light from all laser sources at the same time. This requires the multiplexing of all laser wavelengths onto the same fiber optic line with the losses associated with the multiplexing.
Each optical pulse exiting the optical gate contains all the wavelengths from the multiple laser sources. The pulse is amplified by a chain of erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA's) to a peak power level that can exceed one watt. Such a high power level is required at the launch point to overcome the substantial fiber optic transmission and splitting losses experienced downstream in the fiber optic acoustic sensor system.
Various non-linear optical effects that can severely degrade over-all system performance affect light composed of multiple evenly spaced wavelengths at sufficiently high power. These effects include Brillouin scattering, Raman scattering, self-phase modulation, cross-phase modulation, and four wave mixing. Avoiding the presence of multiple wavelengths on the same fiber optic line at the same time will completely eliminate cross phase modulation and four wave mixing while mitigating the other effects.
It is desirable to use the least number of laser sources as possible to interrogate the largest number possible of sensors. For example, for each pulse of a laser source there may be 64 returning sensor pulses. However, as the number of pulses increase, so does the required bandwidth. Thus, the interrogation is limited by the available bandwidth. Therefore, there is a need for an interrogation system that is an improvement over the prior art systems.

Matrix time division multiplex (MTDM) interrogation


The invention provides compounds of the Formula (I), methods of making the compounds, and devices comprising the compounds.

There is strong interest in methods for the preparation of selectively fluorinated organic compounds, due in part to the profound influence that fluorine incorporation can have on the physical and chemical properties and biological activity of molecules.
Hypervalent sulfur fluorides possess an octahedral geometry unlike carbon-based fluoroorganic systems, which allows the design of linear trans-tetrafluorosulfanyl bridged structures which are of particular interest for highly fluorinated materials, such as liquid crystal for active matrix LCDs (Kirsch, P., et al., Bis(4-nitrophenyl)tetrafluorosulfuranes: Synthesis, Isomerization and Structural Characterization. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1999. 121(49): p. 11277-11280).
While hypervalent sulfur fluorides, e.g., tetrafluorosulfanyl (SF4) compounds, are known to be useful in various applications, such as in electro-optical display devices, these compounds have traditionally been prepared by direct fluorination, which has several significant limitations. For example, the substrates suitable for the oxidative fluorination step must themselves be unreactive toward fluorination. In other words, the substrates are generally limited to electron withdrawing group-substituted diaryl sulfides or trifluoromethylthioarenes. This requirement inherently restricts the nature and type of substitution that can be employed with the SF4 group.
Thus, a need exists for improved methods of preparing tetrafluorosulfanyl compounds that are not limited by the requirement for direct fluorination, and for tetrafluorosulfanyl compounds that can accommodate a broader variety and nature of substitution.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.
In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK


A retention sleeve (140) placed over the rearward end (116) of the outer (102) of a coaxial plug connector (100) providing a rearward stop for retaining the coupling nut (126) on the housing. The retention sleeve includes an inwardly directed flange (146) along the cable-receiving passageway therethrough for retention of solder preforms (128) within cable-receiving bore (114) of the outer conductive housing (102). The retention sleeve can be of low resistance copper having a thin outer layer (152) of magnetic high resistance metal, defining a self-regulating temperature thermal energy source when subjected to RF current, to reflow solder. A recess (154) in rearward portion (148) of retention sleeve (140) provides a site for an additional preform (156) of solder which when reflowed defines a robust solder joint (176,178) of the outer conductor (162) of the cable (160) to not only the outer conductive housing (102) but also axially forwardly and rearwardly of the annular flange (146) of the retention sleeve ( 140).

Certain connectors for coaxial cable which are commercially available, include a coupling nut assembled to the outer conductive shell which threadedly couples with the outer conductive shell of a mating connector to bring together and retain the connectors in an assuredly mated condition to interconnect a coaxial cable to another like cable or to an electrical apparatus or the like. The connector includes an inner contact or inner conductor within a dielectric sleeve all within the outer conductive shell. The inner contact is electrically engageable with a contact terminated onto the signal conductor of the coaxial cable, which is disposed within an insulative jacket, all within an outer cable conductor. Certain coaxial cable has a semirigid outer conductor such as of copper alloy, and the outer conductive shell of the connector is commonly soldered to the semirigid conductor; the center conductor of the cable includes an end section extending forwardly from the cable end and is commonly received into and mated with a rearward socket section of the inner contact of the connector. The coupling nut is secured to the outer conductive shell in a manner permitting rotation thereabout but is stopped from axial movement therealong; the coupling nut is rotated about the first connector to become fully threaded to the mating connector, incrementally drawing the mating connector toward the first connector and its mating face firmly against the mating face of the first connector for the complementary inner and outer conductors to become electrically connected.
One particular such coaxial connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,377. A retention sleeve is disclosed therein to be placed on the outer conductive shell and includes a forward end which defines the rearward stop for coupling nut retention. The retention sleeve includes an inner diameter which is incrementally smaller than the outer diameter of the rearward section of the outer conductive shell to establish an interference fit with at least a portion of the rearward section. The retention sleeve further includes an inwardly directed annular flange at the rearward end thereof which abuts the end of the rearward shell section for controllably locating the fully assembled position of the retention sleeve on the outer conductive shell.
In the connector of U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,377, the bore of the rearward section of the outer conductive shell includes a larger diameter rearward bore portion providing a seat for placement of an annular solder preform or ring thereinto prior to placement of the retention sleeve onto the outer conductive shell. Preferably the periphery of the apertures through the inwardly directed annular flange of the rearward end of the retention sleeve is chamfered to form a lead-in to facilitate insertion therethrough of the end of the semirigid coaxial cable.
Further, the retention sleeve is composed of low resistance non-magnetic metal; the outwardly facing surface of the retention sleeve includes a thin layer of high resistance magnetic material integrally joined thereonto. So fabricated, the retention sleeve defines a Curie point heater of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,252. Such a heater is a self-regulating temperature thermal energy source achieving a temperature sufficient to reflow solder when subjected to radiofrequency current, in the manner as is generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,256,945 and 4,659,912. For cable termination, the connector assembly containing the solder preform therewithin receives the end of the semirigid cable into the rearward section thereof, which electrically engages the inner contact with the signal contact of the cable, and is then subjected to high frequency alternating current such as radiofrequency current (RF) of 13.56 megaHertz for several seconds. The self-regulating temperature heater defined by the retention sleeve generates thermal energy until a Curie point temperature is achieved such as about 240.degree. C., a certain amount higher than the reflow temperature such as about 183.degree. C. The thermal energy reflows the solder of the preform which flows along the surface of the semirigid cable and the inwardly directed annular flange of the retention sleeve to form a solder joint between the cable's outer conductor and the retention sleeve which is assuredly electrically joined to the outer conductive shell of the connector by the interference fit.
It is desired to obtain an assured solder joint of the semirigid cable outer conductor to a coaxial connector having a retention sleeve of the type containing solder therewithin.

Coaxial connector for soldering to semirigid cable


A drawing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a chamber configured to house a processing target; a drawing part configured to draw a predetermined pattern on the processing target with a charged particle beam; a resistance measuring part configured to measure a resistance value of the processing target via a grounding member grounding the processing target in the chamber; a receiver configured to receive earthquake information; a controller configured to stop a drawing process in the chamber when the receiver receives the earthquake information; and an arithmetic processor configured to determine whether the processing target is grounded on a basis of the resistance value from the resistance measuring part, wherein the controller resumes the drawing process when the arithmetic processor determines that the processing target is grounded after the drawing process is stopped.

Mask drawing apparatuses are apparatuses that draw a desired pattern by irradiating plates (mask blanks) with a charged particle beam. Some of the mask drawing apparatuses have an emergency quake stop (hereinafter, EQS) function using an earthquake early warning, and temporarily bring drawing processing into a stopped state (hereinafter, also "emergency suspended state") at the time of an earthquake.
Returning from this emergency suspended state is performed after the state of the mask drawing apparatus is manually confirmed. The mask drawing apparatus is alternatively set to be automatically returned a predetermined time after receiving an emergency suspension instruction.
However, because a writing chamber (W chamber) that performs drawing is kept in a high vacuum state, the inner part thereof cannot be visually checked. Therefore, an operator cannot directly check whether the plate is greatly displaced from a stage or grounding eaves are displaced from the plate. If the drawing processing is continued in such a condition, there are cases where the drawing accuracy decreases or the plate is charged with charged particles without being grounded. If the plate is displaced from the stage, the plate has a risk of colliding with the inner wall of the W chamber. There is also a risk that the mask drawing apparatus is broken due to discharging from the plate if the plate is charged.


A reproducing apparatus comprises an error correcting means which includes first and second input circuits for inputting first and second coded data read out via different series separately, first and second frequency converters for converting the respective timing frequencies of the first and second coded data to higher frequencies, a multiplexer for generating third coded data by time-division multiplexing the first and second coded data of the higher timing frequencies, and an error corrector for executing an error correction of the third coded data. The apparatus further comprises a decode means for decoding the third coded data processed through error detection and correction, and a data output means for outputting the decoded data. The first and second coded data of different series can be inputted in parallel simultaneously due to the first and second input circuits, and such coded data of the higher timing frequencies are time-division multiplexed into third coded data of a single series, so that a process of error correction can be executed in a simplified configuration with a reduction of the power consumption.

The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus, an error correcting device and an error correcting method, and more particularly to those adapted for use in a video tape recorder integrated into a camera where reproduced data is read out from a recording medium, for example, and inputted in two series with regard to one azimuth side and are processed through an error correction circuit.
In the related art VTRs (video tape recorders) known heretofore, there is a type where input data signals composed of video and audio data are recorded in the form of digital signals on a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape. And in such recording, an error correcting code (so called parity bit) generated by an error correction coding process is attached to the data signal so as to correct any error in the video and audio data to be reproduced. In such error correction coding process, it is generally customary to use product codes in many cases.
In a camera-integrated VTR (hereinafter referred to simply as camcorder) where acoustic noise and so forth need to be taken into consideration, the rotation speed of a drum is lowered to reduce such noise, while the number of heads is doubled and the read data are inputted in two series with regard to one azimuth size.
FIG. 8 shows a portable reproducing apparatus 1 consisting of a camcorder or the like, wherein, when data recorded digitally on a recording medium is reproduced therefrom by a plurality of heads so disposed as to correspond respectively to channels A-H for example, the data read out by the heads corresponding to the channels A/E and C/G are inputted in two series. Although the reproducing apparatus 1 is further equipped with heads for the other azimuth side relative to channels B/F and D/H, an explanation will be given below, for the sake of convenience, merely with regard to the one azimuth side composed of channels A/E and C/G.
In the reproducing apparatus 1, reproduced data S1 and S2 supplied via two series of channels A/E and C/G are inputted to a data rate converter 2. Then in converter 2, the reproduced data S1 is stored in a RAM 3 while the reproduced data S2 is stored in a RAM 4. Thus, in the data rate converter 2, rate conversion is executed as the reproduced data, S1 and S2, are stored temporarily in the RAMs 3 and 4 respectively, and are read out therefrom alternately at a rate twice the input rate. Subsequently reproduced data S3 is thus obtained and supplied to an ECC (error correcting code) decoder 5. Then, in the ECC decoder 5, the data S3 is stored in a RAM 6 and the process of error correction is executed while the data S3 is read out. Thereafter the ECC decoder 5 outputs corrected data S4 obtained through the process of error correction executed for the reproduced data S3.
More specifically, since the data is read out from the recording medium by the heads relative to one and the other azimuth sides respectively as shown in FIG. 9, the reproduced data S1 and S2 fed to the data rate converter 2 is inputted to two series of channels A/C and E/G substantially simultaneously in parallel thereto. However, if the reproduced data S1 and S2 inputted in such a state are processed through error correction, there arises a problem that, during the error correction of the data of one channel, the process for the data of the other channel needs to be slowed so that it becomes impossible to execute a real-time process with respect to the input timing.
In the reproducing apparatus 1, the data is read out at double the input rate from the RAMs 3 and 4, and then the reproduced data S1 and S2 are falsely compressed to a reduced data size and are converted into data of a single series through time-division reading by the data rate converter 2. Thereafter, a process of error correction is executed in the ECC decoder 5 to obtain error-corrected data S4.
In the reproducing apparatus 1 of such a configuration, the rotation speed of the drum is lowered to reduce acoustic noise as mentioned, and the number of heads is increased to avoid a decrease of the amount of data read. Since the reproduced data S1 and S2 read out by the heads are thus inputted substantially simultaneously, the reproducing apparatus 1 is so devised that the data rate converter 2 compresses the input data S1 and S2 in individual channels to a reduced data size and reads out the data through time division to thereby convert the data into a single data series.
However, the power required to execute the above process, driving the data rate converter 2 and controlling the accesses to the RAMs 3 and 4 is not small and consequently brings about a problem that the power consumption is increased. Such increase of the power consumption becomes a conspicuous problem particularly in a portable VTR such as a camcorder, and it is difficult to extend the possible driving time.
Although the data rate converter 2 is generally formed into an IC (integrated circuit), the area required for mounting the same is large enough to eventually diminish the area usable for mounting other chip elements and so forth. For this reason, the whole system is rendered dimensionally greater and structurally complicated with a further disadvantage of difficulty in achieving curtailment of the production cost.

Reproducing apparatus, error correcting device and error correcting method


A wheel unit for a baby carriage comprises a wheel fixed on a wheel rim, a sleeve member rotatably and releasably disposed in an axial through opening of the wheel rim, and having an axial through bore, and a plurality of hooks and a flange formed on the first and second ends, respectively, of the sleeve member, a pair of pressing plates formed on the flange of the sleeve member, and an axle disposed in the axial through bore of the sleeve member and having an annular groove which is releasably engaged by arcuate-shaped, lower edges of the pressing plates.

A conventional wheel unit used in a conventional baby carriage, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, comprises two wheels 4 and 4' fixed by a shaft support 5 pivotally connected to a support rod 6. The shaft support 5 supports a shaft 7, which passes through the wheel 4' and then through the wheel 4 before being connected to a fixer 72. The fixer 72 has an annular groove 71 which receives a pinch ring 73 for preventing the wheels 4 and 4' from falling off. The wheel unit is covered by a seal cover 74. When the pinch ring 73 is pulled downwardly, it disengages from an annular groove 71, thereby allowing the wheel 4 to be removed from the shaft 7. The conventional wheel unit shown in FIGS. 4-6 has the following disadvantages:
1. The structure of the wheel unit is too complicated.
2. The pinch ring 73 and the shaft 7 are both made of metal, which is susceptible to rust.
3. Wheels 4 and 4' may have different central opening sizes, which increases the manufacturing costs.


A device under test pogo pin type contactor features an active head and an electronic component associated with the active head. A tip is spaced from the active head and a biasing device is between the active head and the tip for biasing the active head against a device under test.

Pogo pins are typically used as contacts or probes in testing systems. For example, a contactor, used to electrically test integrated circuit chips loaded in a test chuck, may include pogo pins, the heads of which contact portions of the chip (e.g., an exposed paddle, device leads, or the like). A load board is electrically connected to the contactor and provides signals to the contactor and processes signals from the contactor via the pogo pins. U.S. Patents and Published Patent Applications Nos. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,042,240; 6,626,682; 2005/0189957; 2006/0164111; and 2006/0145718, relate to various testing system and all incorporated herein by this reference.
In some cases, it is desirable to include in a contactor a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermistor) or other active component to determine one or more characteristics of the device under test (e.g., a chip or an array of chips on a strip). The parasitic effects of regular contact sets with such components are undesirable.

Device under test pogo pin type contact element


A highly compressed covering material is fabricated by pressing a lumpy plastics material or plastics pre-product. The plastics material or plastics pre-product is thereby fed into a double-belt press by continuously and dosedly feeding the plastics material or plastics pre-product into a region formed by lateral delimiting elements at the lower belt of the double-belt press. The continuous pressing to form the highly compressed covering material is accomplished there during heating and with increasing pressure.

The present invention broadly relates to the fabrication of covering material, e.g. for floorings or floor coverings and, more specifically, pertains to a new and improved method of fabricating highly compressed covering material by pressing a lumpy plastics material or a plastics pre-product during heat action. The present invention also relates to a new and improved apparatus for performing the inventive method.
Highly compressed floor coverings made of a plastics material were the response or rather the reaction to the ladies' high-heeled shoes that came into vogue in the early fifties and continued in fashion the greater part of the sixties. Such highly compressed flat or planar products possess a substantially homogeneous structure and have mechanical properties capable of meeting heavy-duty strain and very rough handling. Particularly, a high abrasion resistance as well as a high resilience are requisite for a resilient flooring. Such highly compressed material can be also fabricated in a conductive manner or form which is advantageous for various uses or applications.
Highly compressed floor coverings are hitherto fabricated according to discontinuous batch-processing methods and in presses operating in batch quantities. The lumpy plastics material, which is used as the starting or basic material and provided, for example, in the form of pellets or chips or bits, is brought or fed into a container. A cover is placed on this container, whereupon the container and the cover are put in place between the plates of a press. Simultaneously with the pressing operation, the container is also heated. The process is always carried out with an excess of material which, upon reaching the given or predetermined material volume between the container rim and the cover, can escape or exit from the container. In order to minimize loss or waste of material and avoid rejects or scrap, the starting material must be accurately weighed-in prior to each pressing or molding operation or cycle. According to this known method, the process is performed with pressures between 30 bar and maximum 50 bar. The resulting blocks having, for example, a thickness of 14 mm, are then split into thinner plates or layers. The individual plates are ground and tempered, and cut to smaller sizes and ultimately installed or laid. The produced plates or layers are substantially non-directional, i.e. they possess the same properties in all directions. Such thin plates are suitable as a floor covering, but also as a covering or cover material for other applications or purposes, where they are subjected to heavy-duty strain or load, for instance the loading area of fork lift trucks. Such covering material is so durable that the connection or joining element between the fork lift truck and the plastics covering is sooner damaged than the plastics covering itself.
This prior art method for discontinuous batch processing is disadvantageous in that, apart from the weighing in of each individual batch, the transfer or conveyance of the material, which is to be pressed, to the press uprights, which are arranged in tandem and independent of each other, represents a relatively time-consuming and manually executed preparatory operation. Accordingly, the discontinuous process is uneconomical in every respect. Furthermore, only covering plates of a certain size and of an average thickness can be fabricated. There is also the possibility of rejects when the transfer of the material to be pressed from one press upright to another is not effected rapidly enough. In other words, the quality of production is strongly dependent on the aptitude and the alertness of the operating personnel.
According to a continuous method known to the art, the floor coverings are fabricated from calandered foils by lamination on a steel roll. The required calandered foils must be already available in a highly compressed form. This means that the lamination process is preceded by a relatively energy-consuming pressing or compressing step. As a result of calandering, the properties of the laminated products in the longitudinal direction differ from those in the transverse direction. The mechanical properties thereof are substantially inferior to those of homogeneously pressed coverings. The thickness of these floor coverings is limited, on the one hand, because generally only two to three foils of approximately up to 1 mm thickness can be used and, on the other hand, because--according to belt or roll material--work on a laminating machine or laminator can be carried out only in the pressure range of 2 to 6 bar. In the case of several foils, the heat required to bond the individual foils is substantially weaker towards the center of the floor covering as a result of self-insulation. Accordingly, the melt connection or fusion between the individual layers possesses only a limited wear resistance. Furthermore, since the melt-on of the material in the fringe regions of the layers takes time, this prior art continuous process is relatively slow and thus time-consuming.

Method of fabricating highly compressed covering material from a plastics material