Simulated eye structure for plush toys, dolls, mannequins or other simulated or fanciful inanimate articles, sculptures, figurines and the like including at least one receptacle housing for a light source such as a light emitting diode. The receptacle housing has an external surface constructed as a substantially translucent cover having generally opaque regions representing iris/pupil and/or eyelid areas. The receptacle housing is provided with circuitry including a switch which may be a pressure activated type providing power to the light source. A timing circuit may be reset for circuitry activation cycles. The fabrication of the simulated eye structures with covered housings results in an inanimate article with softly illuminated eyes with uses ranging from retail advertising displays to interactive nightlights safely enjoyed by children as nighttime companions.

The present invention relates to the field of plush and mechanical toys, stuffed animals and other fanciful creatures of play, as well as object representations configured to bear postural and visual verisimilitude with human adults or children, other mammals, fish, and insects configured, for instance, for display as mannequins, sculptures, taxidermy, figurines and the like. More directly, the present invention involves illuminated, artificial eye structures for inclusion in such products for interactive, playful entertainment, exhibition and/or merchandising and which are electromechanically adapted to provide a response or reaction when engaged by users.
The present invention relates particularly electrically powered illumination features for fanciful and a unique method of use thereof. Such figures, for example toys or mannequins typically would be readily manipulated or operated by users for their own purposes. The effect of light passing from a light source within the novel artificial eye structure housing and through a substantially translucent material surface fabric which is blocked by generally opaque regions of the fabric is to depict a softly glowing image of an open eye.
For generations, display mannequins and conventional toys, whether plush, stuffed or of the more rigid variety, have fascinated children and adults alike. Popular toys, collectables and inanimate figures have included plush or soft varieties ranging from the timeless Teddy Bear to the more contemporary BEANIE BABY®.
Still others of a more rigid nature are exemplified by typical department store mannequins such as those from Decter—American Mannequin or Greneker, both based in Los Angeles, Calif. or as illustrated in McMullen's U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,212. Then, there are the fantasy toys such as CABBAGE PATCH®, BARBIE®, GI Joe® and Furby® dolls. Toy planes, trucks and cars may be made to appear animated with (human-like) facial features such as eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, and may also be afforded a soft pushiness so as to join the space traditionally filled by the ubiquitous "Teddy."
From a review of the history of commercially available toys, sculptures and collectables of the types described above it is evident that continuous efforts, many of those successful, have been undertaken to enhance their value to prospective customers or more especially where small children are concerned. For example, plush and rigid toys alike may be provided with flexible limbs and other articulation features. With the help of clever inventors, such artifacts may seem to walk, bark, moo, sing, and even blush on command.
Many products of the type described hereabove are equipped with bells, rattles, squeakers, voice boxes, sirens, and a wide range of other sound producing elements and recorded message/playback devices. Recent high-tech features even enable dolls and/or plush toys to react to ambient conditions or to the presence of, or signals from, other similarly equipped toys. Toys now perform certain robotic tasks, simulate a conversation, and sense light and darkness. Such toys can be both entertaining and demanding. Realistic mannequins of all shapes and sizes can indeed influence consumer decisions.
Toys also may be equipped to make, or emit, light themselves. Devices have been devised to accessorize and enhance toys from the earliest days of light bulbs to the more recently introduced light emitting diodes. Lighting accessories play different roles in different applications. For example, they may provide toys, dolls and plush/stuffed animals with dazzling decorative features, or simply suggest humanesque qualities of character and warmth. They may generate entertaining light shows, or simply illuminate a room or pathway.
For example, Bailey's U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,209 presents a doll designed to provide an interactive experience for a caretaker as the doll demands feeding, picking up, and rocking. The doll communicates its needs by LED (light emitting diode) eyes. The eyes are lit when the doll is "awake." A crying sound is provided by a speaker that further offers burping sounds following "feeding." The LED changes colors and blinks in a coded manner to signal the doll's "needs." Of course, this doll is not for very young children or infants.
Gahly's U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,393 shows another high-tech version of an interactive doll. Eye and lip movements are simulated as well as skin color changes. An electromechanical device controlled by a micro-processor enables the eye and lip movements. Skin color changes are implemented using a plurality of LED's in various colors located inside the doll and also controlled by the microprocessor.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,117, Hampton et al. show yet another high-tech interactive doll. This is believed to be one of the reactive Furby® line, and includes an audio sensor in the form of an interior microphone. Between the animal's eye openings a light sensor is mounted between an IR transmitter element and IR receiver element. This permits communication between a plurality of similarly equipped toys. Like the inventions of Gahly and Bailey, discussed above, the Hampton et al. toy is for action play, as compared to comforting, and apparently not for very young children.
Catalano, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,640, illustrates a doll that can be made to "cry" by pumping fluid from an internal container and through conduit outlets positioned adjacent the doll's eyes. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,376, Copley et al. illustrate a stuffed toy having an animal-shaped body and including a belly portion that can be illuminated. Electrical circuitry and a power source, triggered by a touch sensor of a well known variety, generate a current flow to illuminate a dome-shaped member at the belly portion. A timer circuit automatically turns of the illumination source a predetermined time after is has been activated by touching the touch sensor.
Illustrated by DeMars in U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,424 is another animal-shaped toy (in this instance a bear is simulated) equipped with imaginative lighting that provides the bear with a bashful demeanor. Lamps are positioned behind the bear's face and activated by a manual pressure switch. As the lamps illuminate, the bear appears to blush.
Fisher, in U.S. Pat. No. 928,744 shows an early 20th Century version of a stuffed bear, provided with a lighted nose and movable jaw. An external switch activates the animal's nose and jaw. It is not uncommon to use electric light bulbs or, more recently, LED's to represent the eyes of a doll, stuffed animal or other novelty toy. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,743 Hanson et al. depict a novelty toy in the form of a skull having lights placed in the eye sockets, and made to generate different shades of color. Rubenstein's U.S. Pat. No. 2,098,166 illustrates a combined tail-wagging, eye blinking device where lights are placed in a simulated dog's head.
Kinberg et al. present U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,074 demonstrating a stuffed toy simulating an animated creature, as for example an owl. The creature includes eyes depicted by light bulbs or LED's of the blinking variety. The body of the device is formed of a resilient or flexible material such that when pressed it will return to its original shape. Within the body is a collapsible bellows associated with a voice box that will generate a sound associated with the animated creature.
Also associated with the bellows of the Kinberg et al. device is an electrical circuit and power source connected with the blinking light bulbs or LED's. This is meant to be sufficiently interesting to a small child who would squeeze the toy so as to force air through the voice box thus generating a simulated creature sound (e.g., a "hoot"). Simultaneously with the voice box sound or, as suggested, independently, interconnection between the power source and bulbs/LED's will activate the blinking lights.
Kinberg et al. go on to state that this joint activity (i.e., blinking lights and sound) greatly adds to the play value of the device and enhances the child's enjoyment. While this device would be entertaining, it could hardly be comforting. Further, this toy lacks concern for safety measures with respect to exposed bulbs/LED's. This toy, in Applicant's estimation, would not be a preferred toy for a small child's bed.
Unlike other toys discussed above, patentee Woods recognizes the hazards of exposed bulbs/LED's in his depiction, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,273, of yet another toy configured as a doll or other animal. Woods' toy includes a pair of eyes fashioned with two flashlight bulbs. These bulbs are mounted within pupil passages in the toy's eyes and connected to a source of electrical energy by means of an externally operated switch. As a safety feature, the passages are restricted to prevent accidental removal of the bulbs. The Woods toy and others discussed herein as having lights or diodes replicating eyes fall short in the simulation of eyes. Mannequins, too, may be provided realistic eyes as shown by Pembor in U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,053 deploying simulated eyelashes formed from "imporous (sic.) braid." Another inventor Johnson presents artificial eyes inserted and aligned in taxidermy mannequins or lifelike sculptures in US Published Patent Application No. 20070190510. Johnson, by the way, temporarily employs a light source positioned behind eye pupils for sight alignment of the eyes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,214 granted to Parsons et al. is referenced herein for its discussion of diodes powered by batteries and controlled by pressure switches. Of particular interest is the discussion of well known micro light technology involving diodes and pressure switches, and the improvements described as the Parsons et al. invention. Included in Parsons et al. are different kinds of LED's and suggested applications therefor.
Regardless of their intensity and precise placement, internal light sources are perceived in the prior art only as brightly lit spots; not as actual eyes with pupils and expressions. Exposed light sources may prove unsafe for users. Bulbs or LED's may be forced from their sockets even by a relatively young child or infant, and easily broken or swallowed. Removal of bulbs/diodes from the wiring circuits pose further obvious hazards.
Despite continued technical advances and a growing variety of ancillary features, prior art mannequins and toys of the plush or doll type fall short of engendering in the consumer a sense of connection. Users of inanimate mannequins, toys and the like desire a simulated inanimate human, animal or other fanciful characterizations endowed with a capability for seemingly conveying a sense of connectivity and security, and to do so in a safe manner. The present invention effectively resolves the shortcomings and inadequacies of the prior art in satisfying a long felt need. For all purposes as appropriate, the above discussed patent documents in their entirety are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Illuminated artificial eye structures for toys, mannequins and the like


A method is shown for handling content in a data processing device, the data processing device comprising at least a first application and a data-handling module. The method comprises: synchronizing, in the control of said data-handling module, content of a first external device and at least one file residing in a specific folder of the data processing device, the file being accessible by at least one first application, and the file being generated by means of the first application or the file being directed to the first application, or both.

SyncML (Synchronization Markup Language) is a data synchronizing and device management protocol standardized by Open Mobile Alliance (OMA). SyncML can be used for example for transferring data into a terminal and from a terminal.
The term OMA DS (OMA Data Synchronization) is commonly used for referring to data synchronization by means of SyncML. Herein both terms OMA DS and SyncML are used for referring to the same context of data synchronization.
The common XML (eXtensible Markup Language) syntax and semantics used by SyncML protocols are specified in "SyncML Representation Protocol", Version 1.1, 2002-02-15, Open Mobile Alliance. The specification "SyncML Sync Protocol", Version 1.1, 2002-02-15, Open Mobile Alliance, defines synchronization protocol between a SyncML client and server in the form of message sequence charts. It specifies how to use the SyncML Representation protocol so that interoperating SyncML client and server solutions are accomplished.
Communication devices, such as mobile phones and other mobile terminals, are starting to provide access to different kinds of content via OMA DS, which means that SyncML is used as a protocol between the communicating device and connecting party, the connecting party being a suitable data processing device, such as personal computer or some other computing device.
In many cases a suitable computer application is the most feasible way to produce, manipulate and show digital content. Thereby, in order to be able to benefit from OMA DS and wireless data transfer or some other capabilities of external devices there is a need to transfer newly produced content or manipulated content from such a content-handling computer application to an external device and vice versa.

Handling of content in a data processing device


Provided are a charging and discharging system for a solar light power generator in a smart grid environment, a method of operating the same, and a duplex converter for charging and discharging electricity into/from a battery. The system includes: an electricity price monitoring part which collects electricity price information from an electric grid; an electricity charge amount monitoring part which collects electricity charge amount information of a battery; a charge and discharge determination part which determines whether electricity supplied from the electric grid is to be charged into the battery or whether electricity stored in the battery via the electric grid or the solar light power generator is to be discharged to the electric grid, based on the price information and the charge amount information; and a charging and discharging part including the battery, so that electricity is charged into or discharged from the battery based on the determination.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a charging and discharging system for a solar light power generator in a real-time pricing environment used by a smart grid, a duplex converter of the charging and discharging system, and a charging and discharging method for a solar light power generator. More particularly, apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a charging and discharging system in which electricity is charged into a battery of the charging and discharging system from a solar light power generator, the charged electricity is sold to an electric grid (e.g., a power network, a smart grid or a power grid), and the electricity of the electric grid is charged into the battery when the electricity price of the real-time price is determined to be low regardless of solar light power generation, to a duplex converter of the charging and discharging system and to a charging and discharging method for a solar light power generator.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the exceedingly rapid advancements in modern society, energy consumption is geometrically increasing, and causing many environmental problems including the generation of carbon dioxide (CO2). Accordingly, in recent industrial developments, overcoming the environmental problems and efficient use of electric energy are considered very important.
Furthermore, as a result of the development of renewable energy, solar light power generators have remarkably spread. Typically, a solar light power generator produces electric energy from a solar light module so that such electric energy is used as energy, and is connected to an electric grid to sell electricity.
However, in order to increase the effect relative to the investment based on the real-time pricing used by a smart grid, the usability of a battery in which a costly investment is made should be increased, in addition to using a typical method. The battery is bound to a mechanical device of the solar light power generator, and the smart grid is a next-generation intelligent network in which information technology (IT) is added to a related art power network so that a power supplier and a consumer interchange real-time information with each other, thereby optimizing energy efficiency.
In order to increase the usability of the battery, the energy stored as a result of power generation using solar light energy is sold at an optimal price depending on the real-time pricing of the electric grid. In the case where the energy price of the electric grid is low (e.g., at nighttime), there may be a need to store energy in the battery using the energy of the electric grid to sell it at an optimal price.
A system that satisfies such a need may include all four devices of a DC to DC converter (i.e., a battery) for charging solar light energy, a maximum power point tracking or maximum power point transient (MPPT) system for maximally utilizing solar light energy production, a grid-connected inverter for selling electricity charged into the battery to an electric grid, and a rectifier for charging the battery with electricity of the electric grid when the electricity price of the electric grid is low.
When all of four devices are constructed together, cost, efficiency, or installation space problems may occur and there may be a problem related to miniaturization for home use. Hence, there is urgently needed a technique that achieves a single power conversion system having the above four operations.

Charging/discharging system for solar light power generator in smart grid environment with real-time pricing, duplex convertor of charging/discharging system, and charging/discharging method for solar light power generator


A method and apparatus for operating a high pressure discharge lamp is disclosed. Oscillation in the discharge arc periphery, a problem that occurs with high frequency operation, is eliminated. A high pressure discharge lamp is operated by applying thereto a dc or rectangular wave current to which is superposed an ac component shaped by a high frequency ripple signal that has been amplitude modulated by a modulation signal for inducing instantaneous fluctuations in the power supply input to both ends of the arc gap. The ripple level is thereby temporally varied, and stable operating is possible even when exceeding the ripple level at which oscillation in the arc periphery begins.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for operating a high pressure discharge lamp containing a rare gas, mercury, metal halide, or other filler, and relates particularly to an operating method and operating apparatus whereby a high frequency alternating current component is supplied to a discharge lamp to control arc curvature.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An operating method for a high pressure discharge lamp according to related technology is described, for example, in the Proceedings of the 10th Anniversary session in 1983 of Tokyo branch of Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan. The operating method described in these Proceedings operates a lamp by supplying a low frequency (several hundred hertz), rectangular wave ac current to the lamp. A problem with this operating method is that convection causes an undesirable curvature in the discharge arc when the discharge lamp is operated in a non-upright, e.g., horizontal, position, or more specifically, when the arc gap is horizontal. This curvature of the discharge arc creates a higher heat load in the top part of the discharge space, thus deteriorating the discharge envelope and shortening the service life of the lamp.
Various operating methods intending to suppress this discharge arc curvature have been proposed. One of these methods, as disclosed in Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 2-299197 (1990-299197), proposes to select a frequency of the voltage or current supplied to the lamp as a means of exciting acoustic resonance inside the discharge lamp envelope as a means of suppressing discharge arc curvature caused by convection. This specification further describes that modulating the operating frequency is advantageous as a means of expanding the frequency range that can be used for operating a lamp with a stable arc free of curvature, and as a means of compensating for ballast tolerance and the discharge tube manufacturing tolerance.
Another specification, disclosed in Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 7-9835 (1995-9835), teaches a method for supplying to a discharge lamp a unidirectional (dc) current having a superposed high frequency ripple-type ac current component. This ripple-type ac current component causes instantaneous lamp power fluctuations, which have the effect of inducing an acoustic resonance to suppress discharge arc curvature. This specification also teaches a method of frequency modulating the high frequency ripple ac component as a means of increasing the bandwidth of frequencies that can be used to obtain a straight, stable arc.
With the method described in Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 2-299197 (1990-299197), the frequency of the supply current used to operate a discharge lamp is selected for the purpose of inducing acoustic resonance inside the discharge envelope as a means of suppressing discharge arc curvature caused by convection. While this method achieves stability in the high luminance arc center (high temperature arc area), the surrounding low luminance arc area (low temperature arc area) can be unstable. This is described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 1.
Shown in FIG. 1 are the electrodes 100 determining the arc gap, the high luminance arc center 101, and the low luminance arc periphery 102 surrounding the high luminance arc center 101. As shown in FIG. 1, the high luminance arc center 101 is straight and stable. The low luminance arc periphery 102, however, exhibits unstable behavior fluctuating both vertically and horizontally with an appearance similar to a candle wavering In the breeze. It should be noted that this instability (wavering) of the low luminance arc periphery is not suppressed using the frequency modulation technique taught by Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 2-299197 (1990-299197). Details of topics with related conventional operating methods are described next below with reference to a discharge lamp comprised as shown in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 2, a transparent quartz envelope 1 is sealed at both ends by seals 6a and 6b. A metal foil conductor 3a and 3b made from molybdenum is bonded to seals 6a and 6b, respectively. An electrode 2a, 2b and an external lead 4a, 4b also made from molybdenum are electrically connected to metal foil conductor 3a and 3b, respectively.
Each electrode 2a, 2b comprises a tungsten rod 7a, 7b and a tungsten coil 8a, 8b. The coil 8a, 8b is electrically bonded by welding to the end of the corresponding tungsten rod 7a, 7b, and functions as a radiator for the electrode 2a, 2b. The electrodes 2a and 2b are disposed inside the envelope 1 so that the gap therebetween, i.e., the arc gap, is approximately 3.0 mm.
The envelope 1 is roughly spherical with an inside diameter of approximately 10.8 mm and an internal volume of approximately 0.7 cc. The envelope 1 is filled with 4 mg of an iodide of indium (indium iodide, lnl) as a filler; 1 mg of holmium iodide (Hol.sub.3) as a rare earth iodide; 35 mg of mercury as a buffer gas; and 200 mbar of argon as an inert gas for starting.
Concerns relating to generating an arc with a typical sine wave ac supply are described next below.
A high pressure discharge lamp comprised as described above is typically driven by supplying a sine wave shaped ac current supply from external leads 4a, 4b, thus energizing the arc gap in a horizontal position to output 200 W. As taught in Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 2-299197 (1990-299197), the frequency f was then adjusted between 10 kHz and 20 kHz and the arc was observed to select the frequency range acoustically straightening the arc. Observations showed that the high luminance arc center was straight and stable with a currency supply between 14 kHz and 16 kHz. More specifically, acoustic resonance eliminating discharge arc curvature was confirmed to be excited with a currency supply between 14 kHz and 16 kHz. However, careful observation of the arc resulting from this supply current frequency band also showed irregularly oscillating, unstable movement in the low luminance arc periphery as described above with reference to FIG. 1.
The results of these arc observations at various supply frequencies f are shown in FIG. 4. The white areas in FIG. 4 indicate a frequency band at which arc is stable in both the arc center and arc periphery, and the arc is straight. Shaded areas indicate frequencies at which the arc center is stable and straight, but the arc periphery is unstable. It should be noted that this oscillation is extremely irregular: there are cases when oscillation continues uninterrupted, and there are also cases when oscillation occurs only a few times per hour or less.
It should be further noted that while the frequency modulation method taught by Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 2-299197 (1990-299197) is able to suppress this oscillation of the arc periphery to a certain degree, this suppression simply reduces the number of oscillations and does not completely eliminate the oscillations.
Concerns relating to exciting an arc by supplying a rectangular wave current with a superposed high frequency ripple signal to the lamp are described next below.
Referring to the teaching of Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 7-9835 (1995-9835), a current comprising a high frequency ripple signal r superposed to a 100 Hz rectangular wave current k as shown in FIG. 5 was supplied to operate a discharge lamp as shown in FIG. 2. (It should be noted that the frequency fr of the high frequency ripple signal r inducing acoustic resonance must be twice the supply current frequency when a normal sine wave ac supply is used for operating because the lamp power frequency must be the same as when the lamp is operated with a sine wave ac supply.) Using the lamp shown in FIG. 2, the arc was again observed while varying the frequency fr of the high frequency ripple signal between 28 kHz and 32 kHz, the frequency at which acoustic resonance eliminating arc curvature occurs. Based on the teaching of Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 7-9835 (1995-9835) that the arc stabilization frequency band increases as the ripple becomes stronger, tests were conducted with the amplitude Ir of the high frequency ripple signal r set so that the ripple level, i.e., modulation depth (defined here as the amplitude Ir of high frequency ripple signal r divided by twice the effective lamp current) was substantially constant at 0.82. Observations showed that while the arc center was straight and stable throughout the 28 kHz to 32 kHz frequency band, irregular oscillation was present in the arc periphery.
The inventors of the present invention then measured the ripple level at which the arc periphery begins to stabilize at a particular frequency fr of a high frequency ripple signal r when the ripple level is varied by gradually varying the amplitude Ir of high frequency ripple signal r. The result is shown in FIG. 6. Operating points within the shaded area above line 6A in FIG. 6 are where the arc periphery is unstable (irregular oscillation); during operation under the curve, the arc periphery is stable (no oscillation).
As shown by these results, the frequency band at which a completely stable arc is achieved in both the arc center and the arc periphery narrows as the ripple level increases, i.e., as the amplitude Ir of the high frequency ripple signal r increases. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, a stable arc is obtained throughout the full frequency band 7A from 28 kHz to 32 kHz at a steady ripple level of 0.4. At a steady ripple level of 0.7, however, a stable arc is achieved only in frequency bands 7B and 7C, covering approximately 50% of the full band. When the ripple level is approximately 0.8 or above, the arc oscillates across the full frequency band. This result, it should be noted, is different from the teaching of Japan Examined Patent Publication (kokoku) 7-9835 (1995-9835) that the stable arc frequency band increases as the ripple level increases.
The result shown in FIG. 6 also means that as the ripple level increases in a high frequency ripple signal r of a constant frequency fr, i.e., as the amplitude Ir of the high frequency ripple signal r increases, the tolerance range to the ripple level at which oscillation starts in the arc periphery decreases, and arc instability tends to increase. This is described with reference to FIG. 8.
When the frequency fr of the high frequency ripple signal r is a constant 30.2 kHz as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the tolerance range to the start of arc periphery oscillation at a ripple level of 0.4 has a width equivalent to approximately 0.35 ripple level as shown by 8A in FIG. 8. The tolerance range at a ripple level of 0.7, however, narrows to approximately 0.05 ripple level as shown by 8B. This tendency applies to all frequencies fr.
The ripple level at which oscillation of the arc periphery begins (curve 6A in FIG. 8) may drop in a manner narrowing the stability range of the arc periphery (curve 6B, FIG. 8) as a result of manufacturing variations in the lamp and aging. To avoid such oscillation of the arc periphery, the amplitude Ir of high frequency ripple signal r must be set to a level lower than the ripple level at which arc periphery oscillation begins.
A ripple level between 0.5 to 0.6 is considered desirable because the frequency band through which a stable arc can be achieved is relatively wide, and the tolerance to a ripple level at which arc periphery oscillation begins is also relatively great.
The experimental results shown in FIG. 9, however, indicate a separate problem. The graph in FIG. 9 shows a relationship between ripple level and the amount of arc curvature when the frequency fr of the high frequency ripple signal r is a constant 30.2 kHz as above. This graph shows the ripple level on the horizontal axis, and the amount of arc curvature (distance from a center line joining the electrodes to the highest luminance point of the arc). As the value on the vertical axis rises, arc curvature increases (the arc rises to a greater height). FIG. 9 thus shows that arc curvature decreases as the ripple level increases, and that to achieve the smallest arc curvature, the ripple level should be 0.65, or preferably 0.7, or greater. To obtain a straight arc, the ripple level should be 0.5 or greater, and even more preferably should be 0.7 or greater.

Operating method and operating apparatus for a high pressure discharge lamp

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The invention relates to a solids and liquids effluent chemically enhanced treatment system comprising: (a) a pump for grinding solids and pumping ground solids and liquid effluent; (b) an inlet for introducing flocculant and coagulants into the solids and liquid effluent and mixing the flocculant with the solids and liquid effluent; (c) a mixing chamber having an inlet connected to an outlet of the pump, the mixing chamber having sufficient length to enable the flocculant and coagulants to fully mix with the solids and liquids effluent and form flocs which settle from the liquid effluent; (d) a settling chamber connected to an outlet of the mixing chamber, the settling chamber promoting laminar flow to the solids and liquid effluent and having sufficient length to enable the flocs in the liquid effluent to settle from the effluent; (e) a mechanical propulsion device for moving the solids and liquid effluent through the length of the settling chamber; and (f) a clarifier chamber connected to an outlet of the settling chamber, the clarifier chamber separating flocs from the liquid effluent.

Water pollution by mankind is one of the most pressing social and economic problems of our time. Because man irresponsibly discharges great quantities of liquid and solid pollutants into the environment, including river and water bodies, and has thereby disturbed the equilibrium of the ecosystem of the planet, many rivers, lakes and seas no longer have the ability to purify themselves. A main source of water pollution is deleterious sludge or solids contained in sewage and industrial waste.
Throughout the world, industry and governments are increasingly confronted with the challenge and expense of providing modern waste water facilities that meet public demand and enacting stringent regulatory requirements necessary to produce a cleaner environment. In Canada, less than half of all municipal communities have adequate waste water facilities Globally, the need for economic, environmentally friendly sewage and industrial waste water treatment is rapidly approaching a crisis point.
There is a pressing need for a modern, efficient and economical method and apparatus for treating sludge or solids from municipal and industrial wastes to yield clear, liquid effluent (supernatant) which can be readily disposed of, reused or recycled, and solid components which can be broken down into compost and or other environmentally acceptable solids.
A number of purported solutions have been developed over the years for treating effluents of various types. A number of patents which are pertinent to this field of technology have been issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date ______________________________________ 3,045,984 Cochran July, 1962 3,886,073 Briltz May, 1975 3,965,975 Edmundson June, 1976 4,142,970 von Hagel et al. March, 1979 4,164,470 Briltz August, 1979 4,192,746 Arvanitakis March, 1980 4,260,488 Condolios April, 1981 4,710,290 Briltz December, 1987 4,834,878 Anderson May, 1989 4,830,736 Sander et al. June, 1989 ______________________________________
More recently, U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,035, granted Jun. 23, 1992, Dunne et al., has issued for an invention entitled "Apparatus for Treatment of Effluent". That U.S. patent discloses and claims a system for treating effluents such as sewage. The system includes a mixing chamber and a separation chamber. In the mixing chamber, various chemical additives are introduced into the effluent and mixed to create a flocculent. The flocculated solid materials are separated in the separating chamber. The mixing chamber, which is in the form of a long tube, contains a plurality of perforated transverse baffles which are spaced longitudinally in a helical pattern relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube. Each baffle has tapered holes therein to act as a venturi to mix the materials. In the separating chamber, the mixed materials are caused to flow longitudinally in a purported laminar flow condition to allow stratification between the liquid and the solid materials. The separation chamber contains an auger flight rotates slowly. The flight has holes therein which thus purportedly generate a laminar flow. This is said to provide improved separation of the solid and the liquid components.
A prototype of the Dunne et al. system disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,035, has been tested experimentally and has been found to have some serious shortcomings. One is that the grit in the sewage effluent collects on the baffles in the mixing tube over time. Typical sewage contains a large variety of solids including faeces, condoms, tampons, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, coffee grounds, tea bags, coffee filters, rags, ground bones, dirt from laundry facilities, sweepings, vacuum cleaner solids, detergent, fibres from various textile sources, hair, fruit and vegetable peelings, garburator refuse, and numerous other types of household and industrial solids. The coffee grounds, dirt, peelings, fibres, and other solid materials that do not lend themselves readily to flocculation and are collectively termed "grit", quickly collect on the baffles and plug the holes in the baffles. This interferes with the operation of the mixing chamber. Before long, the mixing tube has to be opened and the baffles removed for cleaning. Another problem is that adding the chemicals at one or more locations along the length of the tube does not yield optimum mixing of the chemicals with the solids.

Closed chemically enhanced treatment system


Various embodiments of a dual-sensor video camera are disclosed. The dual-sensor video camera includes a color filter array (CFA) sensor, which has a low-pass filter. The dual-sensor video camera also includes a panchromatic sensor. A beam splitter directs an incoming light beam to both sensors. An output image is produced based on image information from the two sensors. The output image includes luminance information based on the image information from the panchromatic sensor and chrominance information based on the image information from the CFA sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital video cameras. More particularly, the invention relates to a dual sensor video camera including a panchromatic sensor and a color filter array (CFA) sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Digital video cameras utilize sensors that capture light from a scene and produce digital information representing images of the scene. The sensors have a large number of sensor sites that each capture light from a particular point within the scene, which is represented as a corresponding pixel in the digital image.
Two basic types of digital video cameras are known in the art: single sensor cameras and 3-sensor cameras. The sensor in a single sensor camera is typically overlaid with an alternating pattern (e.g., Bayer pattern) of color filters referred to as a color filter array (CFA). The color filter array typically comprises a pattern of red color filters, green color filters, and blue color filters, where each color filter is aligned over one of the sensor sites. Thus, the color filter over each sensor site filters either the red, green, or blue component of the light falling onto it so that each sensor site effectively captures either red, green, or blue color information.
A process called demosaicing or CFA interpolation is used to estimate the missing color components for each pixel in the image. For example, if a particular sensor site is overlaid with a red color filter so that it captures the red color component then the demosaicing algorithm estimates the green and blue color components for the corresponding pixel based on the green and blue color components measured by surrounding sensor sites that are overlaid with green and blue color filters.
The demosaicing process works quite well for many images. However, in some images, a problem called color aliasing occurs. For example, in an image with a lot of high frequency information (fine detail), the color information can change as fast as every pixel. In this situation the demosaicing algorithm has difficulty making appropriate estimates as to the missing color components for each pixel, with the result that spurious colors appear in the image.
One approach to this problem has been to overlay a low-pass filter over the sensor. A low-pass filter limits how quickly the image information can change. This solves the problem of color aliasing but destroys fine detail and makes all images fuzzier, whether they suffered from visible color aliasing or not.
The other type of video camera, the 3-sensor camera, uses a beam splitter to split the light into three light beams that are sent to three different sensors. One sensor is overlaid with a red color filter, one is overlaid with a green color filter, and one is overlaid with a blue color filter. The red, green, and blue color components of the image pixels are obtained from the corresponding sensor sites of the respective sensors.
This approach provides a very high quality result with no color aliasing. However, one problem with 3-sensor cameras is the cost and complexity involved in their production. For example, the three sensors are typically precisely mechanically aligned with each other so that their respective sensor sites correspond to the same pixels in the image, which adds manufacturing cost. Also, since the beam splitter splits light into three separate beams, the amount of light that reaches each sensor is reduced. The reduction in light to the sensors results in a lowered signal-to-noise ratio and effectively adds dynamic noise to the image.
Both single sensor and 3-sensor video cameras typically convert the image from RGB 4:4:4 format to an industry standard YCbCr 4:2:2 format.


A method of operating a disk drive including providing the disk drive. The disk drive includes a disk with data tracks and an actuator with a slider including a perpendicular magnetic write head. The write head includes leading and trailing sides defining a taper angle. The write head and the actuator define a maximum skew angle with respect to the data tracks. The maximum skew angle being greater than the taper angle. The method further includes rotating the slider during operation of the disk drive to reduce a difference between the skew and taper angles for aligning the write head with the data tracks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to disk drives, and in particular to a method of operating a disk drive including rotating a perpendicular write head to reduce a difference between skew and taper angles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The typical hard disk drive includes a head disk assembly (HDA) and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) attached to a disk drive base of the HDA. The head disk assembly includes at least one magnetic disk, a spindle motor for rotating the disk, and a head stack assembly (HSA). The spindle motor includes a spindle motor hub that is rotatably attached to the disk drive base.
The head stack assembly has an actuator assembly having at least one transducer head, typically several, for reading and writing data from and to the disk. The printed circuit board assembly includes a servo control system in the form of a disk controller for generating servo control signals. The head stack assembly is controllably positioned in response to the generated servo control signals from the disk controller. In so doing, the attached heads are moved relative to data tracks disposed upon the disk.
In further detail, the head stack assembly includes an actuator assembly, at least one head gimbal assembly, and a flex circuit cable assembly. A conventional "rotary" or "swing-type" actuator assembly typically includes an actuator having an actuator body. The actuator body is configured to rotate on a pivot assembly between limited positions about an axis of rotation. A coil support extends from one side of the actuator body. A coil is supported by the coil support and is configured to interact with one or more permanent magnets to form a voice coil motor. One or more actuator arms extend from an opposite side of the actuator body. To facilitate rotational movement of the actuator, the actuator assembly further includes the actuator body that has a bore and a pivot-bearing cartridge engaged within the bore. Each magnetic disk includes opposing disk surfaces. Data may be recorded on a single surface or both surfaces along data annular regions. As such, the head stack assembly may be pivoted such that each transducer head is disposed adjacent the various data annular regions from adjacent an outer diameter (OD) to an inner diameter (ID) of each disk.
Of particular interest are those transducer heads that include a perpendicular write head. The write head includes a write pole, an opposing return pole and an electrically conductive magnetizing coil disposed about the write pole. The write head includes leading and trailing sides. The leading side of the write head is disposed upon the write pole between the write pole and return pole, and the trailing side of the write head is disposed upon the write pole opposite the leading side.
The magnetic disks that are used with such perpendicular write heads typically include recording media having a hard magnetic recording layer and a soft magnetic underlayer that provide a flux path from the write pole to the return pole. To write to the disk, the write head is separated from the recording media by a distance known as the flying height. The recording media is moved past the write head so that the write head follows the data tracks of disk with the recording media first passing under the return pole and then passing under the write pole. Current is passed through the coil to create magnetic flux within the write pole. The magnetic flux passes from the write pole through the hard magnetic recording layer, into the soft underlayer, and across to the return pole.
Magnetization transitions on the recording media are recorded by the trailing side of the write head and reproduce the shape of the trailing side projection on to the recording media below. During the operation of the disk drive, the slider including its write head travels in an arced path across the disk between the OD and the ID of the disk. This results in a change of skew angle of the slider and its write head in relation to the alignment of the data tracks, with maximum skew angles occurring at either the OD or ID.
Some of the prior art write pole configurations are characterized by a cross section disposed towards the recording media or footprint that is generally rectangular in shape. Thus, the leading and trailing sides on the write pole are the same width. Such a configuration, however, can result in undesirable side erasure problems when the slider is disposed at a skew angle. This is because with the slider skewed the leading side is laterally shifted towards an adjacent data track from that which is currently being written.
Prior art attempts to address this phenomenon have included modifying the cross sectional shape of the write pole to be trapezoidal. In this regard, the leading side is smaller than the trailing side to define a taper angle of the write head. In order to more fully compensate for the skew angle side erasure problem, the taper angle would have to equal the maximum skew angle. However, this has proven to be difficult or impractical to implement due to manufacturing limitations associated with large taper angles. As such, there is a need in the art for an improved disk drive and a method of operating the same in comparison to the prior art.

Method of operating a disk drive including rotating a perpendicular write head to reduce a difference between skew and taper angles, and a disk drive


The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for treatment of opiate addiction and pain. The invention provides a biocompatible nonerodible polymeric device which releases buprenorphine continuously with generally linear release kinetics for extended periods of time. Buprenorphine is released through pores that open to the surface of the polymeric matrix in which it is encapsulated. The device may be administered subcutaneously to an individual in need of continuous treatment with buprenorphine.

Buprenorphine, a semi-synthetic opiate classified as a "partial agonist" behaves very much like classical mu agonists such as morphine, exerting an analgesic effect through high affinity binding to mu subclass opiate receptors in the central nervous system.
Buprenorphine has been used as an analgesic for treatment of moderate to severe pain in postoperative cancer patients. Therapeutic doses administered by intravenous and intramuscular routes range from 0.3 to 0.6 mg. Buprenorphine produces effects similar to morphine but is 25-40 times more potent and has a large therapeutic index. Buprenorphine stimulates the mu opiate receptors in the brain and produces effects associated with other mu agonists such as morphine. Such effects include analgesia, euphoria, sedation, and respiratory depression. For this reason, oral buprenorphine formulations have the potential for misuse (i.e., diversion for recreational, rather than therapeutic, purposes), making them unsuitable for use as a take-home medication.
Many patients with chronic pain require long-term continuous dosing with opiate analgesics. Effective treatment often necessitates the ingestion of multiple tablets per day. Compliance with this dosing scheme is often poor. Further, enteral drug delivery is poorly tolerated or prohibited in patients with particular indications, such as some patients with cancer-related pain in whom continuous drug delivery is a necessity. However, continuous parenteral delivery of opiate analgesics is expensive, cumbersome, and dependent upon the availability of refrigeration, catheters, pumps, and trained personnel. Further, concerns over drug diversion for illicit use often limits availability of opiate analgesics. An oral tablet containing a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist, has been developed to address this issue (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,428). If an opiate addict attempts to abuse the combination tablet by dissolving it and injecting it intravenously, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms brought on by the naloxone component will result. However, opiate antagonists such as naloxone may reduce the analgesic effectiveness of buprenorphine to those who are using it therapeutically for pain relief and such antagonists may cause undesirable side effects. Thus, there is a need for an improved buprenorphine formulation which is administrable to those in need of analgesia but which provides a lower potential for abuse.
Buprenorphine has also been studied as a treatment for addiction to heroin and other opiates. Opiate addiction is a major societal problem throughout the world. The general treatment program for such addiction includes incorporation of a drug substitute, e.g., methadone, into an oral formulation for administration to the drug addict. Typically, such drug substitutes function by binding to receptors specific for the drug of abuse. The effectiveness of such treatment depends largely upon adherence to an established treatment schedule. Often, poor compliance with dosing regimens complicates treatment. Further, the cost of such therapy is significant, a large portion of the cost relating to frequent clinic visits and the monitoring of urine tests to assure compliance with drug dosing, as well as pharmacy charges relating to dispensing of methadone. Another problem with oral dosage forms such as powders or tablets is that they can be dissolved in water and concentrated to provide a solution which may be injected by the addict in lieu of the drug of abuse. A means for long-term continuous administration of a drug suitable for treatment of opiate dependency in a form that is not subject to potential abuse, would significantly reduce the compliance problems encountered in drug addiction treatment programs.
Buprenorphine's unique effects and pharmacology make it a clinically attractive treatment option for opiate dependency. For example, buprenorphine produces less euphoria than morphine and heroin. When compared with other opiates, it also causes a significantly lower degree of sedation. Further, direct dependence studies have shown little physical dependence upon withdrawal of the drug.
There is a need for a buprenorphine formulation, suitable for long-term, continuous administration, that will improve compliance for both pain relief and drug dependency treatment regimens. There is also a need for a buprenorphine formulation that will reduce abuse potential, and in which the addition of an antagonist such as naloxone will not be necessary.

Implantable polymeric device for sustained release of buprenorphine


A separation material includes a saccharide bound via a linker to a matrix for enabling the separation from a liquid of substances that selectively bind to saccharide moieties. A method for preparing the material, a method for separating from a liquid substances that selective bind to saccharides, and a device including the separation material are also disclosed.

EP 1 165 159 B1 is directed to a column for the treatment of whole blood or blood plasma, to a method for extracorporeal removal of blood group A and blood group B antibodies from whole blood or blood plasma, to a saccharide-linker-O-matrix product and to the use thereof in a column during extracorporeal treatments. The saccharide disclosed is a blood group determinant A or a blood determinant B, while the matrix can be a polymeric material or a polysaccharide, especially agarose. The linker is an alkyl that can bear an aromatic moiety, a peptide, a protein or a polysaccharide.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,700,746 B2 discloses a filtration material comprising a saccharide which is coupled to a linker, which in turn is coupled to an agarose matrix, wherein the linker is an alkyldiamine or an anilyl alkyl alcohol derivative.
While these separation materials show good properties in binding and removing e.g. blood antibodies, there is still a desire to provide new materials enabling an enhancement of the performance.

Separation material comprising saccharide ligands


A foam sheet including a blend of polypropylene and homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, wherein the polypropylene is present in the blend at a weight percentage ranging from 70 to 95 and the homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer is present in the blend at a weight percentage ranging from 5 to 30. Foam composite structures in which the aforedescribed foam sheet is bonded to polyethylene and/or polypropylene foam sheets are also disclosed.

The present invention relates generally to polyolefin foams and, more particularly, to extruded polyethylene or polypropylene foam sheets bonded to a foam sheet comprising a blend of polypropylene and homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer.
Polyolefin foams, particularly polyethylene foams, and methods for manufacturing such foams are well known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,984 (Lee), U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,974 (Lee), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,728 (Lee), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. One of the most common polyethylenes used is low density polyethylene (LDPE).
While polyethylene (PE) possesses a number of beneficial physical and chemical properties when used to produce a foamed sheet, a disadvantage of PE is that extruded foam sheets made therefrom have a flexural modulus that is lower than would otherwise be desired for certain applications. For example, PE foams are commonly used to manufacture a type of flotation article known as a xe2x80x9cbodyboard,xe2x80x9d which is a generally planar foamed structure of various shapes and sizes that allows individuals to be carried forward by oceanic waves as the waves break near the shore, i.e., to ride or xe2x80x9csurfxe2x80x9d the waves. This is commonly accomplished by grasping the edges of the bodyboard with a portion of the upper body positioned above, and often in contact with, the upper surface of the board. Individuals engaging in such activity generally prefer that the bodyboard be as stiff as possible as this allows the individual to maneuver the board to control somewhat the individual""s direction of travel relative to the wave surface upon which the individual is xe2x80x9csurfing.xe2x80x9d Too much flexure in the bodyboard detracts from this ability to maneuver the board along the wave surface. Accordingly, efforts have been made to increase the stiffness of the foam used to make bodyboards.
One possible solution would be to construct the bodyboard from polypropylene (PP) foam, which is typically stiffer than PE foam. However, PP foam has generally been found to be overly stiff and brittle, resulting in a bodyboard that is too easily damaged (e.g., gouged) and difficult to firmly grasp and handle, particularly when wet. In addition, PP foam has a surface texture that is uncomfortable against the skin, especially when rubbed against the skin as generally occurs during bodyboarding.
Another possibility is to form a composite structure that includes a PE foam sheet bonded to a PP foam sheet. The PE foam sheet would provide comfort, grippability, and durability, while the PP foam sheet would provide increased stiffness and performance. Unfortunately, PP and PE foams are not chemically compatible and will not readily adhere to one another. Delamination is therefore a significant problem for PE foam/PP foam laminates.
It may be possible, in certain cases, to use special chemical adhesives (i.e., glues) to bond PP and PE foams. However, such adhesives are expensive and the process of coating and bonding is both tedious and expensive. The process involves slow production steps and the adhesives contain volatile organic solvents that are undesirable for release into the air. Extra equipment, therefore, is generally needed to recover the solvents, thus further adding to the expense and complexity of the adhesive coating process.
Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an economical and practical means for improving the stiffness of PE foam, e.g., by bonding PP foam or PP-containing foam to PE foam with sufficient strength that the resultant composite structure is suitable for commercial use, such as for bodyboards or other watersport applications. Such composite structures would also be beneficial in other end-use applications, such as packaging, by providing enhanced cushioning and shock-absorption to packaged articles, e.g., computers, during shipment. A need also exists in the art for a means for improving the brittleness of PP foam.
That need is met by the present invention, which, in one aspect, provides a foam sheet comprising a blend of polypropylene and homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, wherein the polypropylene is present in the blend at a weight percentage ranging from 70 to 95 and the homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer is present in the blend at a weight percentage ranging from 5 to 30. The inventor has discovered that homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer blends well with polypropylene such that a high quality foam can be made from such blend. As compared to a foam made from polypropylene alone, a foam made from a blend of PP and homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer is less brittle while still retaining a high degree of stiffness. In addition, PP-homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer blend foam in accordance with the present invention has surprisingly been found to provide excellent adhesion to both PE foam and to PP foam without the need for adhesives.
Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention is a foam composite structure, comprising:
a. a first foam sheet comprising polyethylene; and
b. a second foam sheet comprising a blend of polypropylene and homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, wherein the first and second foam sheets are bonded together at a bond strength of at least about 2 lbf/inch.
A further aspect of the invention pertains to a foam composite structure, comprising:
a. a first foam sheet comprising polypropylene; and
b. a second foam sheet comprising a blend of polypropylene and homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, wherein the first and second foam sheets are bonded together at a bond strength of at least about 2 lbf/inch.

Foam composite structure comprising a blend of polypropylene and homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer


Method and system for assigning port addresses for a plurality of network devices based on a link rate associated with each network device is provided. The method includes discovering a link rate associated with each of the plurality of network devices; assigning a device address for each of the plurality of network devices, where at least a portion of the device address is selected based on the discovered link rate; assigning communication lanes among the plurality of network devices for network communication, wherein the communication lanes are assigned such that network devices with similar link rates use a same communication lane.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to computer networks, and more particularly to systems and methods for assigning port addresses based on link rates.
2. Description of Related Art
Network devices are commonly used in computer networks for sending and receiving information. Examples of a network device, without limitation, include a switch, router, a host bus adapter (HBA), a host channel adapter (HCA), a network interface card, and others. Network devices typically include ports for receiving and transmitting information. Network ports may be coupled to links that operate at different speeds, for example, 1 gigabyte per second ("GB"), 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB and others. Network congestion may occur when a port coupled to a link that operates at a higher rate communicates with a network device coupled to a link that operates at a lower rate.
Network devices may use virtual lanes (VLs) to reduce network congestion. Each VL may have independent flow control. In conventional systems. VL assignment is not based on a link's ability to transmit and receive information. In some type of networks (for example, Fibre Channel based networks), the VLs are assigned based on a port's address. However, the port address assignment is not based on link rate and congestion can still occur within a given VL if the link rates are mixed at an Inter-Switch Link (ISL).
FIG. 1 illustrates this problem. The illustrated SAN 20 includes a first switch 22 and a second switch 24. A plurality of host bus adapters (HBAs) 26 are connected to ports 28 of the first switch 22 via links 21, 23 and 25, respectively. The links 21, 23 and 25 may operate at different rates. For example, link 21 may operate at 2 GB, link 25 may operate at 4 Gb and link 23 may operate at 8 GB.
A plurality of storage devices (also referred to as "target") 30 is connected to ports 28 of the second switch 24 via links 27, 29 and 31, respectively. The links 27, 29 and 31 connecting the storage devices 30 to switch 24 may operate at different speeds. For example, links 27 and 29 may operate at 2 Gb and link 31 may operate at 4 GB.
Switches 22 and 24 are operationally coupled via an Inter Switch Link (ISL) 34. The ISL 34 is shown as four lines for illustration purposes only and may be a single or multiple physical links using four independent buffer-to-buffer flow controls (i.e. virtual lanes). A plurality of VLs (for example, VL0, VL1. VL2 and VL3) 32 may be used for communication between switches 22 and 24. VLs 32 are assigned such that HBAs 26 and target 30 can communicate with each other. The VL 32 assignment is based on port address and port address assignment itself is not based on link rate. For example, a first virtual lane (VL0) may be assigned for communication between links 21 (2 GB) and 31 (4 GB); VL1 may be assigned to support communication between links 25 (4 GB) and 27 (2 GB). In conventional systems, there is no correlation between the VL assignment and a link's ability to transmit and receive information. Therefore, conventional systems are susceptible to congestion, there is a need for a method, and system for assigning port addresses such that lanes are assigned based on link rates.

System and method for assigning network device port address based on link rate


A method of inspecting a portion of a weld between at least two materials includes mounting at least one ultrasonic phased array probe including at least one transducer having a plurality of elements within a housing containing a liquid therein, attaching the housing adjacent to an outer surface of the portion of the weld such that the liquid is adjacent to the outer surface of the portion of the weld, and scanning the weld with the at least one ultrasonic phased array probe.

This invention relates generally to inspection of nuclear reactors, and more particularly to ultrasonic examination of welds within a nuclear reactor pressure vessel (RPV).
A typical boiling water reactor (BWR) includes a RPV containing a nuclear fuel core immersed in circulating coolant water which removes heat from the nuclear fuel. The water is boiled to generate steam for driving a steam turbine-generator for generating electric power. The steam is then condensed and the water is returned to the pressure vessel in a closed loop system. Piping circuits carry steam to the turbines and carry re-circulated water or feed-water back to the RPV that contains the nuclear fuel. BWRs have numerous piping systems, and such piping systems are utilized, for example, to transport water throughout the RPV. For example, core spray piping is used to deliver water from outside the RPV to core spargers inside the RPV and to cool the core. Typically, the core spray piping is coupled to a thermal sleeve that is welded to a RPV nozzle and a safe-end is welded to the nozzle.
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a known phenomenon that may occur in reactor components, such as structural members, piping, fasteners, and welds. The reactor components are subject to a variety of stresses associated with, for example, differences in thermal expansion, the operating pressure needed for the containment of the reactor cooling water, and other sources such as residual stresses from welding, cold working and other inhomogeneous metal treatments. In addition, water chemistry, welding, heat treatment and radiation can increase the susceptibility of metal in a component to SCC. Reactor internal piping, such as thermal sleeves and core spray lines, occasionally require replacement as a result of SCC, the replacement may require welding a new pipe member onto an old pipe member.
Some known methods of inspecting welds for SCC utilize a phased array probe. Known phased arrays include a group of transducer elements used together with relative time, or phase shifts between the elements. The combined elements act as a single instrument that can be steered to distinct points in space. Typically, known methods average ten hours to scan a thirty-centimeter weld.

Methods and apparatus for detecting cracks in welds


In a spindle motor in which teeth portions of a stator core formed by laminating magnetic plates are bent in order to increase the number of turns of the stator windings, a gap in the teeth portions between the magnetic plates is avoided and a precise attractive force adjustment becomes possible. The stator core is bent such that its teeth portions faces a surface of a rotor magnet at right angles, and the teeth portions and salient pole arm portions around which windings are wound are substantially parallel to each other. The salient pole arm portions locate approximately halfway between a lower surface of a hub and an upper surface of a base. Further, a thickness of a magnetic plate is set to be 0.5 to 0.9 times that of other portions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spindle motor for rotating magnetic discs, optical discs and the like, and a brushless motor having a structure similar to that of the spindle motor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, electronic equipment is becoming smaller and smaller. Thus, there is a growing demand for hard disc drives (HDDs) incorporated therein to become smaller and thinner. For example, until few years ago, HDDs for discs having a diameter of 3.5 inches or 2.5 inches had been used commonly. However, recently, HDDs for discs having a diameter of 1.8 inches or smaller, that is, 1 inch or 0.85 inches are becoming popular. When the disc diameter is reduced, motors such as spindle motors, brushless motors and the like for rotating the disc also have to become smaller and thinner. A reduction in size and thickness of motors is required not only in the field of HDDs but also in many other fields. As HDDs become faster, smaller and thinner, motors are required to rotate with a higher precision, lower vibration, and less noise. Thus, the type of a bearing used in motors is shifted from a conventional ball bearing to a hydrodynamic bearing. The hydrodynamic bearings float and rotate rotors without being in contact therewith by using a pumping force generated by fluid through a dynamic pressure generating groove. Therefore, it is necessary to pull the rotor to a stator in an axial direction with a certain force in order to prevent the rotor from moving in an axial direction and changing its position when a position of the motor is changed. In general, such an attractive force is obtained by two means.
The first means is a method of generating an attractive force between a rotor and a stator by utilizing a magnetic force applied by a rotor magnet to the stator by providing a magnetic member on a stator side of the motor or forming the stator side of the motor of a magnetic material.
The second means is a method of obtaining an attractive force in an axial direction by shifting magnetic centers of a rotor magnet and a stator core of the motor in the axial direction such that a magnetic force of the rotor magnet is generated to the stator side.
In general, the former means is used to obtain most of an attractive force and the latter means is used to achieve fine adjustment of the attractive force. If the attractive force is small, the rotor floats by a large amount. The rotor may float beyond a permissible limit of an upward movement in the bearing and come into contact with other components. An anti-vibration property of the whole device may also deteriorate. If the attractive force is large, the rotor floats by a small amount. When an amount of the oil is decreased in the later stage of the life of the bearing, the life may be shortened due to a bearing contact. In addition, vibration and noise of a spindle motor are also affected by the shift length of the magnetic centers.
Therefore, for a spindle motor employing a fluid bearing, an attractive force has to be adjusted and designed more precisely.
A brushless spindle motor, which is a first conventional example of a motor having a reduced size and thickness, will be described with reference to FIG. 13.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the first conventional example, a brushless motor of an external rotor type described in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 3052540. In FIG. 13, ball bearings 106 are provided in a bearing support 104a in a central portion of a housing 104 having a plate-like shape. A shaft 101 with a rotor yoke 102 fixed thereto is fitted into a hole defined by inner ring 107 of the ball bearings 106. On an inner surface of the outer peripheral portion of the rotor yoke 102, a rotor magnet 103 is provided.
A stator core 108 of the stator is provided on the housing 104. The stator core 108 has projecting teeth portions (salient pole teeth portions) 108a in its outer peripheral portion as shown in a plain view of FIG. 14. The stator core 108 is attached to the housing 104 such that the projecting teeth portions 108a oppose the rotor magnet 103. The stator core 108 is formed by laminating multiple layers of thin magnetic plates punched into the shape shown in FIG. 14. A conducting wire is wound around salient pole arm portions 108b of the stator core 108 to form windings 109. In the stator core 108 of FIG. 14, winding 109 is formed for each of six salient pole arm portions 108b. The six windings 109 are connected as Y connection or Δ connection, for example, in the case of a three-phase motor. When a current flows through the windings 109, an electromagnetic force is generated between the stator core 108 and the rotor magnet 103, causing the rotor yoke 102 and the shaft 101 to rotate in a predetermined direction.
In order to obtain a brushless motor with a high torque, generally, it is necessary to increase a magnetic force of the rotor magnet 103, or the number of turns of the respective windings 109. However, in the structure of FIG. 13, the number of turns can be increased only to an extent that the lower end surfaces of the windings 109 come into contact with an insulating plate 105, which is a print substrate or the like provided on an upper surface of the housing 104. In such a state, a space 111 between the rotor yoke 102 and an upper surface of the windings 109 remains a spare space which is not fully utilized.
Japanese Patent Gazette No. 3052540 discloses a second conventional example obtained by improving the brushless motor shown in FIG. 13 to make full use of the space 111 between the rotor yoke 102 and the upper surfaces of the windings 109. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of a brushless motor of the second conventional example. In FIG. 15A, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.
In the brushless motor shown in FIG. 15A, the shape of a stator core 118 is different from that of the stator core 108 of the first conventional example. Specifically, the stator core 118 includes salient pole arm portions 118b and projecting teeth portions 118a which have the same planar shape as those of the salient pole arm portions 108b and the projecting teeth portions 108a of FIG. 14 but are different in that the projecting teeth portions 118a are bent downward in boundary portions between the salient pole arm portions 118b and the projecting teeth portions 118a as shown in FIG. 15. Since the projecting teeth portions 118a are bent downward, the entire stator core 118 can be moved away from the housing 104 in an upward direction and a gap between the lower end surface of the stator core 118 and the housing 104 can be made larger with the tips of the projecting teeth portions 118a facing the rotor magnet 103. With such a structure, the number of turns of the respective windings 119 can be larger than the number of turns of the windings 109 of the first conventional example. As a result, the space 111 between the stator core 118 and the rotor yoke 102 can be effectively used to achieve a stator having the windings 119 with large number of turns without changing the size of the entirety of the brushless motor.
The second conventional example of the brushless motor has following two problems.
The first problem is as follows. Since the projecting teeth portions (salient pole teeth portions) 118a of the stator core 118 are bent, the cross sections of the projecting teeth portions 118a of multiple core sheets forming the stator core 118 are not perpendicular but diagonal to the inner peripheral surface of the rotor magnet 103. When the projecting teeth portions 118a oppose to the rotor magnet 103 diagonally, an air gap between the rotor magnet 103 and the projecting teeth portions 118a expands substantially. Thus, a magnetic resistance is increased and an operational point of the rotor magnet 103 is lowered. Torque constant Kt (a value represented by a ratio of torque to current) is lowered.
Further, a position of the magnetic center of the stator core is difficult to be determined. A variance in the magnetic centers among the motors becomes large. Thus, there is large variance in attractive forces and motor properties such as an amount of floating and the life are not stabilized.
The second problem is due to a method for producing the stator. In order to produce the stator core 118 having the bent projecting teeth portions 118a, usually, core sheets are first laminated and then the laminated core sheets are collectively subjected to a bending working, or core sheets are first formed into a shape shown in FIG. 14 by a press working (punching), the projecting teeth portions 118a are bent by a bending working (process by a plastic deformation), and then the bent core sheets are laminated to produce the stator core 118. When the stator core 118 is produced by the former method, a large pressing force may be required depending upon the number of laminated layers. When the stator core 118 is produced by the latter method, the core sheets do not adhere closely to each other in the tip portions of the projecting teeth portions 118a, and small gaps 122 may be generated between the core sheets as shown in FIG. 15B. Thus, when the current flows through the windings 119, the projecting teeth portions 118a may vibrate, generating a noise. Furthermore, leakage flux from the stator core 118 increases and the magnetic property deteriorates. This increases power loss. It is also difficult to predict where the magnetic center of the stator core is, and a variance in the magnetic centers among the motors becomes large. Therefore, there is a large variance in attractive forces and the motor properties such as an amount of floating, the life, and the like are not stabilized.
The gaps between the projecting teeth portions 118a of the core sheets described above are generated for the following reasons. When the projecting teeth portions 118a of the plurality of core sheets are bent to form the stator core 118, for example, a flexural center C is set in a lower portion of the stator core 118 as shown in FIG. 16. Bent areas 120 of five core sheets 118g, 118h, 118i, 118j, and 118k are varied as shown in FIG. 16 with the largest being the bent area 120g of the core sheet 118g and the smallest being the bent area 120k of the core sheet 118k. If the core is formed as described above, no gap is formed between the laminated core sheets 118g through 118k. However, for varying the bent areas of the core sheets 118g through 118k, one bending mold is required for each of the core sheets 118g through 118k. If one mold is used for all the core sheets, a large strong bending working machine is required and a process cost is increased significantly.
Usually, the core sheets 118g through 118k are formed with one mold. Thus, the core sheets having the same bent area are laminated. FIG. 17 shows a laminate of a plurality of core sheets 125g through 125k formed with one mold. FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of laminated core sheets 125g, 125k, 125i, 125j, and 125k. As shown in FIG. 17, the core sheets 125g through 125k have planar portions 126 and bent portions 127. The bent portions 127 are formed by bending the right end portions of the core sheets 125g through 125k which have originally had a plate shape by, for example, thirty degrees with one mold. As shown in FIG. 17, when it is tried to laminate the core sheets 125g through 125k with the internal diameter sides of the planar portions 126 thereof being aligned and adhering closely to each other, the bent portions 127 of adjacent core sheets, for example, the core sheets 125g and 125h, overlap each other as shown by a shaded overlap portion 128. Actually, the core sheets 125g and 125h cannot overlap each other in the overlap portion 128. Thus, when the core sheets 125g and 125h are adhered closely to each other in the planar portions 126, they press each other in the bent portions 127 and a gap is generated in tip portions as shown in FIG. 15B. The same is also true of other core sheets 125i through 125k.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


This helically toothed belt power transmitting device (1) has: a toothed belt (10) having a plurality of teeth (12) tilted relative to the width direction of the belt; a drive pulley; and a driven pulley. The width of the helically toothed belt (10) is 1 mm to 20 mm, inclusive. The core (13) of the toothed belt (10) is a twisted cord containing high-strength glass fibers or carbon fibers and has a diameter of 0.2 mm to 0.9 mm, inclusive. The compressibility of the teeth (12) of the toothed belt (10) compressed by the grooves of the drive pulley and the driven pulley is 0% to 5%, inclusive.

A helical toothed belt is a belt having tooth portions arranged obliquely with respect to a belt width direction.
Such helical toothed belt may be used in a belt power-transmission device used in a high load or high-speed rotation environment. In the case where a straight toothed belt having tooth portions extending parallel to a belt width direction is used in a belt power-transmission device used at high load or high-speed rotation, large noise and vibration may be generated at the time of starting and ending of the meshing between the tooth portions of the belt and tooth portions of a pulley in some cases. On the other hand, in the case where the helical toothed belt is used, the meshing between the tooth portions of the belt and the tooth portions of the pulley progresses sequentially from one end to the other end of the tooth portions. Therefore, noise and vibration can be reduced as compared with a belt power-transmission device using the straight toothed belt.
As described above, the helical toothed belt is capable of reducing the noise and vibration as compared with the straight toothed belt. However, depending on the usage of the belt power-transmission device, it is desirable to further reduce the noise. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for further reducing noise and vibration in a helical toothed belt power-transmission device used at high load or high-speed rotation. In Patent Literature 1, a tooth trace angle θ is set to a value that satisfies −0.2≤1−W·tan θ/Pt 0.75 with a tooth pitch being Pt and a belt width being W.
Furthermore, the helical toothed belt power-transmission device is also used in an electric parking brake system. The electric parking brake system is a mechanism that adjusts a braking force applied to wheels by operating an electric motor when the vehicle is parked (see, e.g., Patent Literatures 2 and 3). The helical toothed belt power-transmission device is used to transmit a driving force of the electric motor. In the electric parking brake system, a helical toothed belt whose belt width is relatively narrow with respect to tooth pitch is used.

Helically toothed belt power transmitting device


Methods are disclosed for measuring target structures formed by a lithographic process on a substrate. A grating or other structure within the target is smaller than an illumination spot and field of view of a measurement optical system. The position of an image of the component structure varies between measurements, and a first type of correction is applied to reduce the influence on the measured intensities, caused by differences in the optical path to and from different positions. A plurality of structures may be imaged simultaneously within the field of view of the optical system, and each corrected for its respective position. The measurements may comprise first and second images of the same target under different modes of illumination and/or imaging, for example in a dark field metrology application. A second type of correction may be applied to reduce the influence of asymmetry between the first and second modes of illumination or imaging, for example to permit a more accurate overly measurement in a semiconductor device manufacturing process.

Field of Embodiments of the Present Invention
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for metrology usable, for example, in the manufacture of devices by lithographic techniques and to methods of manufacturing devices using lithographic techniques.
Background Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that instance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g., including part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion at one time, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through a radiation beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti parallel to this direction. It is also possible to transfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate by imprinting the pattern onto the substrate.
In lithographic processes, it is desirable frequently to make measurements of the structures created, e.g., for process control and verification. Various tools for making such measurements are known, including scanning electron microscopes, which are often used to measure critical dimension (CD), and specialized tools to measure overlay, the accuracy of alignment of two layers in a device. Recently, various forms of scatterometers have been developed for use in the lithographic field. These devices direct a beam of radiation onto a target and measure one or more properties of the scattered radiation—e.g., intensity at a single angle of reflection as a function of wavelength; intensity at one or more wavelengths as a function of reflected angle; or polarization as a function of reflected angle—to obtain a "spectrum" from which a property of interest of the target can be determined. Determination of the property of interest may be performed by various techniques: e.g., reconstruction of the target structure by iterative approaches such as rigorous coupled wave analysis or finite element methods; library searches; and principal component analysis.
The targets used by conventional scatterometers are relatively large, e.g., 40 μm by 40 μm, gratings and the measurement beam generates a spot that is smaller than the grating (i.e., the grating is underfilled). This simplifies mathematical reconstruction of the target as it can be regarded as infinite. However, in order to reduce the size of the targets, e.g., to 10 μm by 10 μm or less, e.g., so they can be positioned in amongst product features, rather than in the scribe lane, so-called "small target" metrology has been proposed, in which the grating is made smaller than the measurement spot (i.e., the grating is overfilled). Typically small targets are measured using dark field scatterometry in which the zeroth order of diffraction (corresponding to a specular reflection) is blocked, and only higher orders processed. Diffraction-based overlay using dark-field detection of the diffraction orders enables overlay measurements on smaller targets. These targets can be smaller than the illumination spot and may be surrounded by product structures on a wafer. The intensities from the environment product structures can efficiently be separated from the intensities from the overlay target with the dark-field detection in the image-plane.
In the known dark-field metrology technique, best overlay measurement results are obtained if the target is measured twice under certain conditions, while the wafer is rotated to obtain both the −1st and the +1st diffraction order intensities. The use of exactly the same optical path for both measurements ensures that the different between them is due to target properties, not properties of the instrument. On the other hand, the requirement to rotate the target, which may be on a large substrate, makes the process slow and the apparatus potentially more complex. Also, if the target after rotation is not positioned exactly where it was measured before, it cannot be assumed that the optical system will perform exactly the same in both measurements. Accurate positioning requires more costly equipment and/or costs time in the measurement process. The problem of accurate positioning may arise in other types of metrology instruments and methods, besides the dark field method using scatterometers. For example the same problem may arise where intensity measurements are made using zero order radiation reflected from targets smaller than the illumination spot.

Metrology method and apparatus, and device manufacturing method


A technique of enabling a singer to auditorily recognize how to change the way of singing is provided. The CPU (11) of a karaoke device (1) associates model voice data stored in a model voice data storage area (14c) with inputted learner voice data in a time axis direction. Then the CPU (11) shifts the pitch of the learner voice data so that it may coincide with the corresponding pitch of the model voice data according to the result of the association, compresses or extends the section (mora) of the learner voice data in the time axis direction so that the section length of the learner voice data coincides with the corresponding section length of the model voice data, and outputs the resultant learner voice data to a voice processing section (18). The voice processing section (18) converts the learner voice data supplied from the CPU (11) into an analog signal and generates the sound from a loudspeaker (19).

In karaoke devices, various methods for scoring the singing skill of a singer have recently been proposed. For example, a method is proposed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-128372, in which a pitch is extracted from voice data representative of a user voice signal on a predetermined frame basis, and the pitch extracted on a frame basis is compared with a tone pitch of song data, whereby the accuracy of the pitch of the user's voice is determined. A karaoke device of this type for scoring the singing skill is generally configured to display on a screen a score indicating a result of scoring.
It is also useful for a singer to recognize, by sound, how to correct which part of his/her singing. However, with the conventional scoring method in which the score is simply displayed, the singer cannot recognize, by sound, how to change which part of singing. This also applies to musical instrument performance other than singing a song.
This invention has been created under the above described background, and its object is to provide a technique of enabling a singer to auditorily recognize how to change the way of singing.


A wrist-worn apparatus for monitoring a user's performance while playing golf includes a user input, a processor, a heart rate monitor, a timer, a user input, a display, a processor and a memory for storing a plurality of inputted golf parameters that pertain to a round of golf. The apparatus obtains and displays the user's heart rate, providing feedback on the user's heart rate during a round of golf. In addition, the apparatus can store various inputted golf parameters and compute calculated statistics one or more rounds of golf.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring, tracking and improving a person's performance during a golf game. The apparatus is provided in the form of a portable wrist-worn device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Golfers are always looking to improve their golf game. One of the most effective ways to improve one's golf game is to integrate the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the game. Studies suggest that to play to one's greatest potential, one must be physically relaxed and mentally engaged. Some researchers note that the heart rate slows down just before performing a specific task, such as putting, and that elite golfers' heart rates slow down much more than that of beginners. Elite golfers generally display higher attention levels, suggesting a link between heart rate deceleration and focus and performance.
Various companies, such as Polar Electro, CardioSport and Timex, offer heart rate monitors to help users keep track of their heart rate during physical activities. For example, Puolakanaho et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,502, entitled "Non-Invasive Measuring Device with Different Operating Modes," disclose a measuring device to be carried by a user during exercise. The measurement device operates in different modes, including a watch mode, a set mode, and an operating mode. In one embodiment, the measuring device is a heart rate monitor that includes a wireless transmitter, which is attached to the user's chest, and a wireless receiver, which is attached to the user's wrist.
One problem with conventional heart rate monitors, however, is that they require a separate chest strap to transmit heart rate information to the wrist-worn unit. Wearing a chest strap may not appeal to all users, as some may find a chest strap uncomfortable or inconvenient to wear for extended periods of time.
The MioSHAPE™ sports watch from Physi-Cal Enterprises, the owner of the present invention, provides electrocardiogram (ECG) accurate heart rate monitoring without the use of a chest strap. This sports watch further includes a calorie tracking system that can be tailored to the user's personal file. The calorie tracking features of the MioSHAPE™ sports watch are disclosed in Dickinson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,041, entitled "Electronic Apparatus and Method for Monitoring Net Calorie Intake," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Redwood et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,996, entitled "Articles with Removable Elements," disclose an article to be worn by a user, such as a glove or watch, that includes removable elements. The removable elements may be health enhancing, comfort enhancing or an electronic component. Redwood et al. disclose that the article may be a golf glove and the electronic component may measure heart rate, blood pressure, distance walked, body temperature, external temperature, time, strokes, and/or the speed of the hand of user, and store information, etc.
In addition to the heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) may also be used to monitor a person's physiology. HRV refers to the beat-to-beat alterations in heart rate. The normal variability in heart rate, which can be determined from an ECG, or from a pulse wave, is due to the synergistic action of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The ANS strives toward balance via neural, mechanical, humoral and other physiological mechanisms in order to maintain cardiovascular (and other bodily system) parameters in their most favorable ranges to facilitate optimal reaction to changing external or internal conditions. For most organs including the heart, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the organ's functioning, while the parasympathetic nervous system inhibits function of that organ. An increase in sympathetic stimulation causes an increase in heart rate. In contrast, an increase in parasympathetic stimulation causes a decrease in heart rate. At rest, both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are active with parasympathetic dominance. The actual balance between them changes constantly in an attempt to achieve optimum considering all internal and external stimuli.
HRV may be measured using various time domain or frequency domain methods. Originally, HRV was assessed manually from calculation of the mean R-R interval and its standard deviation measured on short term ECGs. The smaller the standard deviation in R-R intervals, the lower the HRV. Recent developments in microprocessor technology have enabled the calculation of frequency measures based on mathematical manipulations performed on the same ECG-derived data. Further details regarding the various methods of measuring HRV are disclosed in the 1996 article, entitled "Heart Rate Variability: Standards of Measurement, Physiological Interpretation, and Clinical Use" by the Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology.
None of the above-mentioned devices, however, discloses a golf-specific watch that is capable of the following: (1) monitoring heart rate and/or HRV to improve a user's control, accuracy and consistency; (2) enabling the user to input and store information relevant to a round of golf, including the number of strokes and putts; and (3) calculating, based on the user-input information, statistics for the round of golf.

Golf watch having heart rate monitoring for improved golf game


The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for operating a battery exchange station. The present method includes (1) receiving a ratio associated with a plurality of vehicles served by the battery exchange station; and (2) based on the ratio, storing different sets of information in memories associated with the batteries respectively, in accordance with received ratio.

Efficiently managing information in multiple vehicles can be challenging. For example, different vehicles require different types/versions of information for their operation. For example, vehicles made by different manufacturers may need different firmware to operate. Also, even vehicles made by the same manufacturer may need different versions of firmware to operate. Traditionally, information in a vehicle can be updated or managed when the vehicle is brought to a service center, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient. Therefore, it is advantageous to have improved systems and methods to address these issues.
The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of various embodiments. Similarly, some components and/or operations may be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some of the embodiments. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail below, one skilled in the art will recognize that modifications, equivalents, and alternatives will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Systems and methods for managing information in vehicles