An earth station interface architecture provides full mesh connectivity for a relatively small number of network stations. A component of the architecture is a switch, which employs' a network interface standard to ‘define the multiplexing of multiple virtual ports across single physical communications port. Through address and control fields of its connectivity control software, the switch can be dynamically configured to provide multilayer addressing, and device selectivity, thereby enabling point-to-point connectivity of multiple terminal devices, such as a plurality of audio circuits, to be effected via a single port. Dial codes on the station side of an audio signal multiplexer link are translated into frame relay addresses (data link connection identifiers) that are added to each frame of data for routing through the network. With this additional layer of routing information, audio (voice) connectivity is now available between any two audio circuits (e.g. trunks) in the network.

The increasing availability of reasonably priced satellite communication services, and a variety of narrow bandwidth (voice/data) and wide bandwidth (video) devices to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of communication system users, has led to communication system architectures that can be tailored in terms of connectivity structure and customer utilization. This diversity of equipment types and signal processing capability has led to the desire to have 'local' area networks (LANs), customarily limited to a terrestrial-based systems, typically limited to geographical area, be expanded to encompass a much larger scale of communication services, preferably those employing satellite link transmission equipment to connect terminal devices among well dispersed office sites.
To facilitate inter-office communications, it is preferred to have such satellite-based systems configured as full mesh networks, diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1, where any terminal device 10 in the network (comprised of a non-limitative example of four earth stations 11, 12, 13, 14 in the illustrated example) has a direct satellite link 20 (via one hop through a relay satellite 30) to any other terminal device 10 in the network. Connectivity between a respective terminal device 10 that is ported to an associated station interface and a respective terminal device ported to another station interface may be effected by providing each earth station with a multiplexing, demultiplexing subsystem, that is operative to controllably uplink messages from any terminal device (e.g. audio (voice), data, video equipment) over an outbound link and to distribute downlink messages to their intended destination terminal devices.
One type of multiplexing scheme that might be used could involve a time division multiplexing (TDM) and demultiplexing arrangement through which a fixed number of bytes for each user port would be allocated within a fixed information frame. The frame size (total number of bytes) may be determined by the number of ports and their data rates, and the number of frames transmitted per second. The number of TDM frames per second determines the aggregate data rate. The aggregate data rate includes the total user port data rate plus framing overhead.
Interfacing respective terminal devices with the TDM subsystem may be effected by means of a dedicated multiport switch associated with the respective multiplexer and demultiplexer units of the earth station, with each multiport switch being configured for an equal number of data communications equipment (DCE) and data terminal equipment (DTE) ports, so as to provide full matrix capability between DCE and DTE ports. The port speed and format (DCE to DTE) must match; however, matrix switches can usually translate between different physical and electrical characteristics.
A problem associated with such a TDM-matrix switch earth station architecture proposal is the fact that its terminal-to-terminal connectivity involves dedicated port connections, which remain fixed unless the system is physically reconfigured. As a result, in such a system, only a very limited selectivity for voice calls is afforded, since only point-to-point connections can be effected between voice multiplexers and not among the voice circuits themselves that connect to the voice multiplexers. In addition, TDM schemes are very sensitive to timing and network synchronization, since no queuing is performed. A master network timing source is required for all network subsystems. Also, because suppliers of multiplexer and matrix switch components are not the same, different monitor and control mechanisms are required for each respective piece of equipment. This requirement is further burdened by the fact that, due to the unique character of a simplex data stream, the required multiplexer/demultiplexer is not an off-the-shelf product. Finally, the cost of such a system is not insubstantial, since each of the multiport switch and the multiplexer and demultiplexer components must be purchased separately.

Multiplex switching scheme for communications network


Circuit arrangement including an interface, a protection circuit and a measurement circuit. The interface is configured to receive a signal. The protection circuit is coupled to the interface. The protection circuit is configured to limit a voltage provided by the interface to a protection voltage. The measurement circuit is coupled to the protection circuit and configured to provide at least one of a signal of a first measurement type and a signal of a second measurement type if a voltage provided by the interface is higher than the protection voltage and configured to provide a signal of a second measurement type if the voltage provided by the interface is lower than the protection voltage.

Frequently, signals with a large dynamic range need to be evaluated. Such a signal may, for example, be provided by a variable reluctance sensor. A variable reluctance sensor may be used to measure a speed of rotation, for example of an automotive crankshaft, camshaft, transmission shaft, etc. Speeds of rotation in the range from 0 rpm to 10,000 rpm may need to be measured. Teeth of a rotating toothed wheel may change a magnetic flux through a ferromagnetic pole when passing by the ferromagnetic pole. The magnetic flux increases when a tooth approaches the ferromagnetic pole and decreases when a tooth leaves the ferromagnetic pole. A coil arranged around the ferromagnetic pole may be used to detect a change in magnetic flux. The teeth of the rotating toothed wheel may induce an alternating voltage in the coil. The amplitude and the frequency of the induced voltage may depend on the speed of rotation. Increasing the speed of rotation may increase both the amplitude and the frequency of the induced voltage. The amplitude of the induced voltage may range from about 10 mVpp at low speeds of rotation to about 400 Vpp at high speeds of rotation.
The amplitude of the induced voltage may be clipped or, in other words, be sliced or clamped at a protection voltage. The clipped voltage may have the same shape as the induced voltage for induced voltages smaller in magnitude than the protection voltage. The amplitude of the clipped voltage will not exceed the protection voltage. Therefore, if the protection voltage is chosen small enough, the clipped voltage will not damage electronic devices by exceed a maximum allowable voltage of the electronic device. Further, the reduced voltage range may easily be measured and processed.
However, clipping the induced voltage may degenerate the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal. This may especially be true for noise caused by mechanical irregularities of the toothed wheel, for example, noise caused by bent teeth or leftovers in the gaps between the teeth after punching the teeth, since they have the same frequency as the desired signal. Further, information about the speed of rotation that may be derived from the amplitude may be lost.

Circuit arrangement and method for evaluating a signal


A displacement machine for compressible mediums exhibits several spiral-shaped conveying spaces, which are disposed in a stationary housing and which span a circumferential angle of approximately 360.degree.. The spiral-shaped displacement bodies, which are assigned to the conveying spaces and which span a circumferential angle of approximately 360.degree., are held in such a manner on a disk-shaped rotor, driven off-centered with respect to the housing, that during service each of their points effects a circular movement defined by the circumferential walls of the conveying spaces. The predominant reach of both the spirals of the conveying spaces and the displacement bodies extends with a first curvature and their exit-sided end exhibits over an angular range (.alpha.) of 45.degree. a second curvature that is clearly smaller.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a displacement machine for compressible mediums with at least one spiral-shaped conveying space, which is disposed in a stationary housing and which spans a circumferential angle of approximately 360.degree.. A spiral-shaped member is assigned to this conveying space, spans a circumferential angle of approximately 360.degree. and is held in such a manner on a disk-shaped rotor, driven off-centered with respect to the housing, that during service each of its points effects a circular movement defined by the circumferential walls of the conveying space, and its curvature with respect to that of the conveying space is dimensioned in such a manner that it almost touches the inner and outer circumferential walls of the conveying space at at least one sealing line that advances continuously during operation.
2. Background of the Invention
Displacement machines of the spiral design are known, for example, from DE-C-26 03 462. A compressor built according to this principle provides an almost pulsation free conveying of the gaseous working medium, which consists of, for example, air or a mixture of air and fuel. It could also be used advantageously for the purpose of charging internal combustion engines. While such a compressor is operating, several possibly crescent-shaped working spaces, which move from the inlet through the displacement chamber to the outlet, are enveloped along the displacement chamber between the spiral-shaped displacement body and the two circumferential walls of the displacement chamber, thus resulting in their volume being continuously decreased and the pressure of the working medium being increased correspondingly. In this machine one proceeds on the assumption that the circumferential angle of the spirals leads to a compressor with internal compression. To this end, a second spiral element having a significantly shorter radius of curvature is attached to produce a spiral extending over 360.degree..
A machine of the aforementioned kind, in which the spirals span a total circumferential angle of approximately 360.degree., is known from the EP-A-0 321 781. In these machines, which are used to charge internal combustion engines, it has been demonstrated that a geometrically internal compression of approximately 1 is the optimal value. Thus, the aforementioned second spiral element having a significantly smaller radius of curvature can be dispensed with. These known machines work with a displacement body whose spiral walls are attached on both sides to a central wall. The radially inner region of this central wall exhibits passage openings which enable the air conveyed by the drive-sided part of the spirals to flow into the air-sided section, in order to be withdrawn from the machine. On each side of the central wall there are two telescoped spirals, whose exits are offset by 180.degree.. The conveying spaces arranged in the housing are configured correspondingly. The result is that the clear diameter between the inner walls of the conveying space at the spiral exit is pertinent for the available space. In this available space, however, must be accommodated not only the working medium displaced by the orbiting spirals, but also the drive shaft with the eccentric and the compensating weights.

Displacement machine spiral shaped strip with different curvatures


A document detecting apparatus installed and used in an image forming apparatus that projects a scanning light is incident to a document placed on a document mount and a size and a position of the document are detected by detecting light reflected from the document, including a document pressing device which presses the document on the document mount, an opening or closing detecting device which detects opening or closing state of the document pressing device, and while the document pressing device is detected as in an opening state, document detecting operation is executed repeatedly and a detecting result is renewed, and, just before it is detected that the pressing board is closed or just before it to detected that an operation for reading an image of the document starts, the size and the position of the document are calculated on the basis of the of the detecting result in a calculation processing device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to detecting a size and a position of a paper. The present invention is more particularly related to a document detecting apparatus of an image forming apparatus for detecting a size and a position of a document based on directing incident light to the document and detecting light reflected therefrom.
2. Discussion of the Background
In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, it is helpful if a scanning range of an optical system is set and a paper sheet cassette is selected automatically. For this reason, a document detecting apparatus is installed in an image forming apparatus for detecting a size and position of a document by directing incident light to the document and detecting reflected light from the document.
Conventionally, this type of document detecting apparatus has problems resulting from a complicated structure and that an operator may mistakenly operate the apparatus by not distinguishing preliminary light scanning and exposing scanning. Further, a pulsating disturbance light, such as an incandescent lamp is not completely prevented from interfering with detection of incident light reflected from the document.
Whereas, Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 1990-308236 discloses a document size and position detecting apparatus, in which the document size and position is detected accurately and rapidly by a control device, on the basis of information obtained from twice light scanning by a light scanning device which is operated by a closing operation of a document pressing board which fixes the document on a contact glass. The above described patent is further of a simple structure in which wiring of an exposure scanning unit is prevented.
Moreover, Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 1992-67136 discloses a document detecting apparatus in which an on/off controlled impulse light is directed to a document from a light emitting block and an output signal outputted from a light detecting block is filtered in a high pass active filter, and thereby direct light disturbances of a direct current such as a sun light and pulsating light disturbances such as from an incandescent lamp etc. are prevented from being included therein.
Moreover, Japanese Laid open Patent No. 1989-186923 discloses a document size detecting apparatus in which existence of a document is determined by comparing a light detecting signal from a light sensor which is obtained by scanning a document with reference to a predetermined value, and the size of a document is detected based on a measurement timed in accordance with when the light detecting signal changes from a logic value "1" to "0".
Further, a document detecting apparatus is also proposed in which a light detecting signal distribution is acquired by scanning when a light emitting source is on and a second light detecting signal distribution is acquired by scanning when the light emitting source is off. A difference between the first and second signal distributions is calculated, and thereby a document detecting signal is determined with disturbance light influences removed.
In Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 1990-308236, it is necessary that document detecting is executed during a short time while the document pressing board is closed. In order to obtain enough resolution for high accuracy document detecting, high performance parts and a complicated design are required, and thus an apparatus becomes complicated and manufacturing costs are increased.
In Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 1992-67136, the disturbance light is removed effectively when in steady state, however, during scanning, rapid changes in incident light due to disturbances pass the filter and are detected, and further, with respect to some reflecting light, detection becomes unstable by a transient response property of the filter.
Moreover, in some cases, for example, even when a light emitting source is driven at a duty ratio of 50%, a duty ratio of a received binary signal may be shifted largely by properties of an optical system and a circuit system receiving the binary signal. In this case, according to a phase relation between a clock and a received output signal, light reflected from the document is not properly received preventing document detection. Further, on the basis of an on/off driving of the light emitting source, an error range generates at an edge portion of the document that may prevent detection of the edge portion of the document.
Moreover, in the apparatus in which the light detecting signal distribution is acquired by scanning when the light emitting source is on and light detecting signal distribution acquired by scanning when the light emitting source is off, an A/D converter and a large capacity memory are necessary, and thus an apparatus becomes complicated and of large size. Further, signal processing becomes complicated and processing time is extended.
And finally, a small size and low torque motor is often used for driving an optical system of a document detecting apparatus, because of a small size and a simple structure of such apparatus. However, if rotation of the motor becomes abnormal by some cause, proper scanning by the optical system cannot be executed, preventing proper document detection.


Systems and methods for fabricating ordered anisotropic organic monolayers are described. An apparatus includes a substrate including a surface; and an ordered organic monolayer chemically bonded to the surface, the ordered organic monolayer including a plurality of cyclic organic molecules, each of the plurality of cyclic organic molecules being obtained from an unsaturated cyclic organic reactant that is chemically bonded to the surface through an addition reaction. The systems and methods provide advantages in that translational and rotational order from the substrate is extended into the monolayer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of organic thin films. More particularly, the present invention relates to organic monolayers that are formed via an addition reaction. Specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to an organic monolayer that is formed on a silicon (001) surface with the Si.dbd.Si dimers of the surface acting as a template for extending the translational and rotational order of the surface to the organic monolayer. The present invention thus relates to organic monolayers of the type that can be termed ordered and anisotropic.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Within this application several publications are referenced by arabic numerals within parentheses. Full citations for these, and other, publications may be found at the end of the specification immediately preceding the claims. The disclosures of all these publications in their entireties are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application for the purposes of indicating the background of the present invention and illustrating the state of the art.
Historically, the (001) surface of silicon has been very important technologically as the starting point for most microelectronic devices. While microelectronics processing typically involves reactions of silicon surfaces with inorganic compounds, there has been increasing interest in developing methods for coupling existing microelectronics technology with organic-based structures for applications such as non-linear optics, thin-film displays, lithography and molecular electronics.
The Si(001) surface is characterized by a surface reconstruction in which adjacent atoms pair together, forming dimers, (i.e., Si.dbd.Si). Since each silicon atom of the bulk-terminated surface has two dangling bonds, the hybridization of two atoms to form a dimer can be described as the formation of a strong .sigma. bond and a weak .pi. bond.
Scanning tunneling microscope (STM) images of Si(001) have revealed filled and empty electronic states having the symmetry properties expected for .pi.-type electronic states as the highest-occupied and lowest-occupied electronic states..sup.(1) The .pi. bonding of Si(001) suggests that the reactions of this surface should in some way be analogous to those of double-bonded compounds of carbon and of silicon..sup.(2)
Despite the great technological importance of the Si(001) surface, there has been comparatively little work attempting to fabricate well-defined organic layers on this surface. Chidsey and co-workers successfully formed layers of densely-packed alkyl monolayers on hydrogen-terminated Si(111) and Si(001) surfaces through a free-radical mechanism..sup.(3) It has been observed previously that ethylene and acetylene are capable of chemisorbing on Si(001) in a so-called "di-.sigma." configuration, in which the double bonds of the Si dimers and the double bonds of the adsorbed organic species are broken, thereby forming two new Si--C .pi. bonds..sup.(4-7) The chemical process responsible for this reaction can be formally termed a "2+2" cycloaddition reaction.
However, a disadvantage of most these previously recognized approaches is a lack of adhesion unless various chemical bonds of the reactants are broken. Typically, these prior art approaches include the breakage of carbon-hydrogen bonds, or even carbon-carbon bonds. The breakage of these bonds introduces disorder into the deposited organic film.

Ordered organic monolayers and methods of preparation thereof


A metallic receptacle is embedded in the concrete material of a burial vault. The receptacle contains archival quality paper that records information identifying the person interred in the burial vault and the precise location at which the vault was buried. The receptacle is sealed by a cap that may be removed to access the archival information without opening the vault.

Historically, floods have been known to carry away burial vaults. When floodwaters recede, burial vaults have been found far away from cemetery grounds, sometimes miles from the original burial site. It has heretofore been necessary to open such displaced vaults and attempt to identify the remains of the deceased and determine the exact location from which the vault was moved. Even if a burial vault is not moved, it is possible that burial records identifying the deceased could be lost over time, thus making it necessary to access the remains within the vault in order to attempt to identify the deceased.
Currently, it is difficult, if not impossible, to identify human remains and locate the precise place of interment. While DNA or dental records may be used for the purpose of identification, these methods can be time consuming and costly. Also, dental records and DNA samples may not be available to match the remains and it may therefore not be possible to identify the deceased.
Although some caskets or burial vaults contain exterior nameplates that identify the deceased, these nameplates do not provide complete identifying information, tend to decompose as a result of long exposure underground, and can become illegible over time. It would therefore be desirable to develop a reliable method for fully identifying the deceased contained within a burial vault and the precise burial location of the vault, without having to open the vault and examine its contents.
Information sheets have been disposed in some caskets to identify the deceased and the cemetery in notes made on the sheets. Some such caskets may be placed in a vault that is then buried and some such caskets may themselves be buried.
The known information materials are either placed directly into the casket or in a steel tube that is inserted into or affixed to the casket. For example, The Batesville Casket Company drills a recess into a casket and welds a steel tube within the recess. A scroll of paper is inserted into the tube to identify the deceased and cemetery. While these information materials are impressive and comforting at the time of interment, they may not provide a record that is relatively impervious to the elements and the passage of time. A steel tube deteriorates due to corrosion over time and the enclosed information materials may also be subject to relatively rapid deterioration.
A problem also occurs in that, compared to a vault, caskets deteriorate relatively quickly. Likewise, information materials contained within caskets may deteriorate relatively rapidly in response to deterioration of the casket. Also, the information provided by such materials may not be sufficiently precise to record the exact burial location of the casket, fully identify the deceased and provide a personal record concerning the deceased. And if any such casket is placed within a burial vault, the vault must be opened in order to access the information contained within the casket.
Thus, there is a need to provide a system, method and apparatus with archival quality records that can be easily accessed from outside a burial vault to fully identify the deceased, the exact location of his interment and perhaps even the nature of his personality and interests a century or more after burial.


A propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a first electric machine coupled to a first drive shaft configured to provide propulsion to the marine vessel, and a second electric machine coupled to a second drive shaft configured to provide propulsion to the marine vessel, in a first mode of propulsion system operation, the first electric machine is configured as a generator to supply power to the second electric machine. The second electric machine is configured as a motor to drive the second drive shaft. A method of operating the propulsion system and a vessel including the propulsion system are also described.

The field of the disclosure relates generally to marine propulsion systems, and more particularly to, a marine propulsion system that includes two propulsion shafts and an electric machine coupled to each respective shaft and a method of operating the same.
At least one known marine propulsion system includes a plurality of gas turbine engines that are utilized to propel a marine vessel through the water. During operation, one or several gas turbine engines may be utilized to drive the vessel at the desired speed. For example, several gas turbine engines may be utilized to drive the vessel at a relatively high speed, with each gas turbine engine operating at peak fuel efficiency. Optionally, the operational speed of one or several of the gas turbine engines may be reduced to facilitate reducing the speed of the vessel.
While reducing the operating speed of the gas turbine engines is effective in reducing the operational speed of the vessel, gas turbine engines generally operate most effectively when the operational speed of the gas turbine engine is maintained near its rated load. As a result, varying the speed of a vessel by varying the speed of the gas turbine engine may result in the gas turbine engines operating at a reduced efficiency, thereby increasing fuel consumption, thus increasing the overall operating costs of the vessel.

Marine propulsion system and method of operating the same


A system for determining an energy-optimum route for a vehicle to take between an origin and a destination includes a computer onboard the vehicle. A global positioning system (GPS) transceiver is also onboard the vehicle for receiving vehicle position data from the satellite. The computer access a database containing both topographical map information and vehicle energy consumption data, and based thereon the computer determines and displays an energy-optimum route. The computer can also display information regarding nearby refueling stations. Also, the vehicle energy consumption data can be modified as appropriate based on the operation of the vehicle, to account for the particular vehicle's actual fuel consumption characteristics.

Making vehicles ever more energy-efficient has been and continues to be a focal point of automotive design. Energy efficient vehicles consume less of the earth's non-renewable hydrocarbon resources, and are also less expensive to operate than vehicles that are not energy efficient.
In addition to the above considerations, energy efficiency is likely to grow in importance in the future. In particular, many future vehicles are likely to be propelled not by internal combustion, but by electric propulsion systems that presently have, and at least into the near future will have, comparatively low energy capacities compared to conventional internal combustion systems. Further, many future vehicles might possibly incorporate a hybrid form of electric propulsion and internal combustion. In any case, the conservation of the vehicles' onboard energy supply will be crucial to convenient operation of the vehicles.
As recognized by the present invention, advances in energy conservation can be realized not only by improving the design of the vehicles and their propulsion systems, but also by intelligently operating the vehicles, apart from any particular vehicle design. More specifically, the present invention recognizes that it is usually the case that more than one route exists between a vehicle origin and a desired destination, and that energy conservation can be enhanced by selecting the most energy efficient route. For example, two routes might exist that connect an origin and a destination, but one route might not be as direct and hence would be longer (and, thus, require higher energy consumption) than the other route. Or, two routes of approximately equal length might exist between two points, but the topography of one route might be relatively rough, whereas the topography of another route might be relatively flat and consequently require less energy to negotiate than the rougher route.
With the above considerations in mind, the present invention further recognizes that modern computers, coupled to newly-compiled topographical map databases and to global positioning satellite (GPS) systems, can be used to select and present energy-efficient routes between operator selected origins and destinations. Still further, as recognized herein the energy consumption characteristics of a vehicle can depend on the manner in which the vehicle is operated by its driver, and on peculiarities of the vehicle itself. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to account for a vehicle's particular energy consumption characteristics, on an individual vehicle basis.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for determining an optimum route between an origin and a destination that accounts for topographical variations among routes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for determining an optimum route between an origin and a destination that receives precise current vehicle position from a GPS system. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for determining an optimum route for a vehicle which accounts for the way in which a particular driver operates the vehicle, and for the particular energy consumption characteristics of the vehicle. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for determining an optimum route that is easy to use and cost-effective.

Energy minimization routing of vehicle using satellite positioning an topographic mapping


A carrying case for hair styling equipment that includes a clamshell briefcase structure having hingedly connected upper and lower briefcase sections. The lower briefcase section has an open topped cavity formed therein that is sealed when the upper and lower briefcase sections are pivoted together and an open sided tray storage compartment having a side opening in connection with the exterior of the lower briefcase section. The upper briefcase section has an exteriorly positioned cover flap affixable in a closed position by a zipper closure. The cover flap covers a hair dryer insertion opening formed in connection with an L-shaped, thermal fabric lined hair dryer storage compartment formed within the upper briefcase section; an accordion fold upper storage compartment member affixed to an interior surface of the upper briefcase section, the accordion fold upper storage compartment member being foldable out to from an accordion fold compartment, the accordion fold upper storage compartment member including a first plurality of storage pockets formed on a surface thereof; a drop-in, molded, anti-bacterial plastic storage insert sized to drop-in fit into the open topped cavity of the lower briefcase section, the storage insert including a second plurality of storage insert cavities formed therein; and a slide-in, molded, anti-bacterial plastic storage tray that is sized to slide into the side opening of the open sided tray storage compartment, the storage tray having a third plurality of storage tray cavities formed therein.

Hair styling requires the use of a variety of tools and preparations. Although it is easy to organize and store the large variety of tools and preparations at a fixed location, such as a styling salon, it is difficult to organize and transport the large variety of tools and preparation to a remote site, such as a bride's home or executive's office. It would, therefore, be a benefit to have a carrying case for hair styling equipment that included compartments for conveniently carrying the hairstyling tools and preparations to a remote location. In addition, because it is necessary to transport warm or hot items, such as recently used curling irons and blow dryers, it would be a benefit to have a carrying case that included a thermal fabric lined compartment within which these hair styling tools could be stored immediately after use. In addition, because hairstyling tools can come into intimate contact with a number of customers, it would of course be a benefit to have storage compartments that included an anti-bacterial action for minimizing transfer of harmful bacteria between customers.

Carrying case for hair styling equipment


In a heat treatment process for material bodies made of nickel base superalloys, in particular for monocrystals made of nickel base superalloys, the heat treatment of the material body comprises the following steps: annealing at 850.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C., heating to 1200.degree. C., heating to a temperature of 1200.degree. C.<T.ltoreq.1300.degree. C. at a heat-up rate of less than or equal to 1.degree. C./min, and a multistage homogenization and dissolution process at a temperature of 1300.degree. C..ltoreq.T.ltoreq.1315.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a heat treatment process for material bodies made of nickel base superalloys.
2. Discussion of Background
Heat treatment processes of this kind for material bodies made of nickel base superalloys are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,782, which describes nickel base superalloys with the trade name "CMSX", from which monocrystal components can be cast, in particular blades for gas turbines. Such a nickel base superalloy having the designation "CMSX-4" is essentially composed of (in % by weight): 9.3-10.0 Co, 6.4-6.8 Cr, 0.5-0.7 Mo, 6.2-6.6 W, 6.3-6.7 Ta, 5.45-5.75 Al, 0.8-1.2 Ti, 0.07-0.12 Hf, 2.8-3.2 Re, remainder nickel.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,782, these nickel base superalloys are subjected to a heat treatment in order to dissolve the .gamma.' phase and the .gamma./.gamma.' eutectic and to produce regular .gamma.' particles in an aging process.
However, due to excessively high stresses in the casting process between mold and casting, uncontrollable recrystallizations may occur following solution annealing of the castings, which leads to high reject rates during production. Furthermore, due to the low cooling rates in the monocrystal casting process, a coarse .gamma.' structure is formed in the casting compared to conventional castings. In addition, the dendritic segregation in the monocrystal casting process is higher, which leads to a lower phase stability. Good diffusion annealing is therefore required in order that no brittle phases should be deposited during use, i.e. aging, of the monocrystalline casting.

Heat treatment process for material bodies made of nickel base superalloys


A system and method for delivering coupon messages to a consumer wireless device utilizes a fixed communication device that functions as a base station for the consumer wireless device. The fixed communication device has limited coverage zone. When the consumer wireless device comes within the coverage zone of the fixed communication device, the consumer wireless device selects the fixed communication device as the preferred base station. Upon completion of registration, the fixed communication device transmits one or more coupon messages to the consumer wireless device. The consumer may enter the associated retail establishment and complete a transaction using the received coupon message. The consumer wireless device may be viewed manually, or the display scanned or read electronically to accept the coupon message in the retail establishment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, to a system and method for wireless communication involving the transmission of coupon data for retail transactions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cellular telephones, personal communication system (PCS) devices, personal digital assistants (PDA) and other forms of wireless communications are ubiquitous. Many individuals have one or more of these communication devices. In some embodiments, multiple functionalities are incorporated into a single device. For example, it is known to combine a wireless telephone with a PDA.
Some wireless devices also allow user access to a computer network, such as the Internet. With Internet access, the user can obtain significant amounts of information, such as directions, retail store locations/hours, and the like. While Internet access through a wireless device provides significant amounts of information, it does not permit a specific retail store to provide information directly to the consumer. Such direct communication can be a benefit to both the consumer and the retail facility. Therefore, it can be appreciated that there is a significant need for a system and method that allows direct communication between a retail facility and the consumer. The present invention provides this, and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.

System and method for wireless coupon transactions


A playback method for an optical disk and an optical disk which records data relating to playback power afford increased data density and accurate playback of high resolution data. The optical disk is played back to retrieve data by first reading out playback beam intensity data and then setting playback beam intensity based on the read playback beam intensity data. Data representing the type of optical disk is also read from the optical disk and then playback beam intensity is set. The disk itself preferably has data relating to optimum playback beam intensity recorded on the substrate in a predetermined position.

The present invention relates to optical disks. More particularly, the present invention relates to optical disks on which data relating to playback power has been recorded.
Optical disks on which it is possible to record data at a high density, and from which it is possible to playback data at a high speed, are of increasing interest as data storage devices for computers. Optical disks having a diameter of 5.25 or 3.5 inches, i.e. conventional magneto-optical or phase change disks, are capable of rewriting recorded data and are internationally standardized as ISO norms. Recently, norms for digital video disks ("DVD") have also been standardized, and further acceleration is expected in the application of optical disks to the multimedia field.
A concave or convex groove is conventionally formed as a spiral in an optical disk. This groove guides a laser beam which is projected from an optical pickup. This is commonly referred to as "tracking," and the concave or convex groove is referred to as a "guide groove." Through use of this guide groove, data is systematically recorded and arrayed in a row. Moreover, by faithfully tracking a recorded row of data, the data is accurately played back.
In the ISO norm for guide grooves, a concave portion viewed from an optical pickup side is referred to as a "land." On the other hand, a convex portion as seen from the optical pickup side is referred to as a "groove." Data is recorded on one of either lands or grooves. The distance from the center of a land (or groove), to the center of an adjacent land (or groove) is referred to as "track pitch."
The width W of a groove, putting the width of the top of the groove as Wtop, and the width of the bottom of the groove as Wbottom, is defined by W=(Wtop+Wbottom)/2. Moreover, the height from groove bottom to groove top, namely, a difference in level of a land portion and a groove portion, is called "groove depth." The dimensions of groove width, of the type in which recording is performed in land portions, is on the order of 0.3-0.6 .mu.m. Moreover, if the wavelength of a beam used for record playback is .lambda., and the refractive index of a substrate is n, the groove depth is on the order of EQU .lambda./(10.multidot.n) to .lambda./(6.multidot.n).
In an optical disk, preformatted signals of track numbers or sector numbers other than the guide groove are formed in advance as rows of marks which become convex as seen from the optical pickup side, in other words, as rows of pits.
In recent years, opportunities have increased for storage of large amounts of data, primarily for pictures and the like. Such circumstances for recording at higher densities and playing back with high accuracy have strict requirements, and various approaches to address these requirements are being attempted.
During recording, if only a high energy region near the center of the beam is used, suitably small marks can, in principle, be formed. For example, in a playback-only (ROM) type of optical disk, concave-convex pits are formed as follows. First, a photoresist surface is applied to a glass plate and irradiated with a narrow laser beam modulated with data to be recorded. Photo-reactions are then caused to take place locally in the photoresist. After a development process, a concave-convex pattern is formed on the photoresist surface. This pattern is then nickel plated.
After separation of the nickel plating from the concave-convex pattern, a nickel plate is obtained with concave-convex pits formed in the surface. This nickel plate is then set in a metal mold for injection molding, and an optical disk substrate having concave-convex pits is formed by molding. A reflective layer is then formed on the optical disk substrate thereby completing the optical disk. In the phase change type or magneto-optical type of optical disk, small marks can be formed during recording if only the high temperature region close to the beam center is arranged to form the recording marks. However, problems in the above process develop with regard to playback. In order to optically detect the concave-convex pits or magneto-optical marks in a playback beam spot, it is not possible to playback only data which is in a portion of the beam. Accordingly, a first problem of high density recording playback is to accurately playback data having continuous small marks.
In order to solve this problem, the following approach is considered. First, track pitch is made closer. Standard track pitch is 1.6 .mu.m; however recent trials have been carried out to make the track pitch narrower, i.e. 1.4 .mu.m or 1.2 .mu.m. Furthermore track pitch of 1.0 .mu.m has been reported. However, in the case of an optical pickup loaded with an objective lens having a numerical aperture (NA) of about 0.5-0.6, when the track pitch is made narrower than about 1.4 .mu.m, data which is recorded on adjacent tracks is simultaneously read out. This is termed "optical crosstalk." Because of this, the recordings cannot be accurately played back.
To afford accurate playback, the wavelength of the playback beam is shortened. In other words, the extent to which the beam is shortened is proportional to the wavelength of the beam. Consequently, playback beam spot size is reduced and recorded data is played back at high density. Thus, the problem of optical crosstalk is avoided.
However, the wavelengths of semiconductor lasers which are presently used as light sources for optical pickups are limited from the standpoint of stability in output power. For example in the prior art, semiconductor lasers were generally of a wavelength of 830 nm. More recently, 680 nm has become the mainstream. That is, by shortening the wavelength to 680 nm, the amount of reduction in beam size is about 18%. However, it is difficult to reduce the beam spot size in rapid progression to 1/2 or 1/3 of its present form.
A record playback method and medium have been invented by which it is possible to accurately playback data recorded at a suitable high density, even with a playback beam of a conventional size. The basic concept of this invention is generally as follows.
The temperature of the recording medium rises due to playback beam irradiation. Because the medium is moving, the temperature of an advancing direction side of the irradiated playback beam spot becomes a higher temperature. By using this characteristic of temperature distribution and by masking a portion within the spot so that it is not seen by the optical pickup, only a portion of the optical medium which can be seen is played back. Thus, playback of only the data of a small portion of the interior of the spot is possible. That is, the playback beam spot size becomes substantially reduced and data recorded at a high density can be accurately played back.
More specifically, a smaller aperture provides: (1) a low temperature portion within a playback beam spot which becomes an aperture (high temperature portion becomes masked), (2) a high temperature portion within the playback beam spot which becomes an aperture (low temperature portion becomes masked), or (3) a high temperature portion which becomes an aperture (but within the aperture portion, a highest temperature portion is masked). Mask formation is also accomplished by a change in transparency through phase change in which a change of magnetization direction results from a change in magnetic coupling force.
The principles of a conventional device in which a change in magnetization direction is controlled through a change in magnetic coupling force is described with reference to FIGS. 4 (PRIOR ART) and 5 (PRIOR ART). FIG. 5 is a cross section of a principal portion of a conventional magneto-optical disk 20 and also of a temperature distribution of a portion which is irradiated by a playback beam 51. Magneto-optical disk 20 has two magnetic layers, namely a mask layer 55 and a recording layer 56. Data is recorded in a perpendicular direction of magnetization 57 in recording layer 56. Mask layer 55 is disposed above recording layer 56.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, playback beam 51 irradiates the surface of magneto-optical disk 20 and forms a temperature distribution 52. Reference numerals 53 and 54 denote, respectively, high and low temperature regions with respect to a predetermined value.
The direction of magnetization for mask layer 55 is in the plane of mask layer 55 for regions having a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, i.e. low temperature regions. However, the direction of magnetization for mask layer 55 is oriented in the same direction as the direction of magnetization of recording layer 56 through an exchange of coupling force with recording layer 56, for regions above a predetermined temperature, i.e. high temperature regions. The predetermined temperature arises in small regions close to a center of temperature distribution 52 through irradiation by playback beam 51.
Turning now to FIG. 4, conventional magneto-optical disk 20 moves in disk movement direction 44 to advance a plurality of marks beneath playback beam spot 41. During operation, playback beam spot 41 irradiates a desired mark 46 to be read out and a masked mark 45. The desired mark 46 is within high temperature region 43 while masked mark 45 is within low temperature region 42. Low temperature region 42 is a region where the direction of magnetization is in the planar direction of the mask layer 55. As a result, only desired mark 46 is read out. Thus, even though a plurality of marks may be within the playback beam spot, marks outside the high temperature region are not read out.
Methods of recording and playback of an optical disk include a constant angular velocity (CAV) method and a constant linear velocity (CLV) method. In the CAV method an optical disk is rotated at a constant rpm and thus, the CAV method is suitable for recording and playback at high speeds. In this method, linear speeds differ at an inner circumference and an outer circumference of the disk. During recording, recording beam power is changed according to a radial position on the disk such that a temperature rise in the medium due to irradiation by the beam is maintained constant regardless of radial position. However, the intensity of the playback beam is constant regardless of radial position because the playback signal is at a level which is greater to a degree.
From the above description of recording beam intensity, in a case where playback beam intensity is maintained constant, a temperature increase of the medium differs at the inner circumference and the outer circumference. In a super resolution medium, because the size of the aperture is set according to temperature of the medium, during playback at a constant playback beam intensity, the aperture at the inner circumference becomes large because a temperature rise at the inner circumference becomes large. Moreover, the aperture becomes small at the outer circumference because the temperature rise is small.
For example, a conventional playback state of an inner circumferential part of an optical disk is illustrated in FIG. 3 (PRIOR ART). As illustrated, playback beam spot 31 irradiates partial mark 34 and desired mark 35. In addition, a region of perpendicular magnetization 33 covers desired mark 35 and a portion of partial mark 34, while a region of planar magnetization 32 partially covers partial mark 34. Thus, partial mark 34 and desired mark 35 are simultaneously read out, and a source of error is presented. In other words, optimum playback conditions are not realized over the whole surface. Consequently, playback beam intensity must change according to radial position.
However, thermal capacity varies according to a particular construction of an optical disk, even for optical disks of similar type, and thermal capacity differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. Moreover, even if construction of optical disks is the same, recording layer thickness differs between individual disks, and therefore, scatter exists in their respective thermal capacities.
In view of the above, optimum beam intensity is considered to change for each manufacturer. Moreover, even from the same manufacturer, individual disks may differ. In particular, for a magnetically-induced super resolution medium which uses a magnetic layer as a recording layer, because optimum playback beam intensity differs according to the thickness of the magnetic layer and also construction, there is a tendency for scatter of optimum playback beam intensities to become even larger between disks. Accordingly, for a light beam to perform magnetically-induced super resolution playback, a problem is that optimum playback beam intensity for each individual disk is not set and accurate playback is not possible.
Furthermore, it is difficult to make thickness and composition of recording layers completely uniform with respect to radial direction in a single disk. Some degree of variation, i.e. bias, unavoidably exists. This bias does not differ uniformly for individual disks. In particular, in the case of optical disks for performance of the above-mentioned super resolution playback, even if two optical disks have similar optimum playback beam intensities in some radial positions, mutual differences in optimum beam intensity are obtained when radial positions change. In such cases, a problem is that in each disk, optimum beam intensity cannot be set according to radial position and accurate playback is not possible.

Optical disk and playback method for setting an optimum playback beam intensity based on read playback beam intensity data


Disclosed are systems and methods for limiting the operation of trusted applications in presence of suspicious programs. An example method includes: identifying one or more trusted applications installed on a computer; collecting data about applications and programs installed on the computer; checking for the presence of one or more suspicious programs using suspicious program detection rules, wherein a program is considered to be suspicious when it can access protected information of a trusted application without authorization; and when at least one suspicious program is found, limiting the operation of the trusted application until the suspicious program is terminated or removed from the computer.

The increasing popularity of the use of mobile telephones is motivating developers to create mobile applications for information processing, including processing of personal user data. Similar trends are resulting in the functionality of malicious applications being often directed at stealing personal data. Information about purchases, personal contacts, SMS messages, photographs, video clips, documents and the like is personal data and can be stolen and used without the knowledge of the owner.
An antivirus program makes it possible to analyze, terminate and remove malicious applications. However, for a number of reasons, the antivirus program cannot provide complete protection and prevent all instances of stealing of personal data. One example might be a situation when a mobile application which has been verified at the moment by the antivirus program and is not malicious has permission for example to read SMS messages (contacts, mail, photographs, video clips, and so forth). In this case, it is necessary to employ other more effective methods of information protection.
The reading of SMS messages or contacts by an application is not a stealing of personal data, but the processing and transmission of information about contacts may result in stealing of this information. For example, when applications are being installed for the Android® OS, a list of permissions is always displayed, which must be approved in order to install the application. For example, an application may require permissions to be included on the list of recipients of incoming SMS messages. After the user approves listed permissions and the application is then installed, it will receive incoming SMS messages. In one instance, the application may be a modified and improved message manager, which makes it possible to shorten the search time for messages desired by the user. In another instance, the application can search among all incoming messages and utilize for its purposes SMS messages containing a onetime password to perform a financial operation (e.g., the Zeus-in-the-mobile Trojan horse).
Thus, situations arise where there is information that some mobile application might be potentially dangerous, but antivirus software is unable to confirm or deny the actual stealing of personal data by the mobile application.

System and method of limiting the operation of trusted applications in presence of suspicious programs


Collision avoidance systems are provided for groups of aircraft operating in close proximity, as during formation flights or cooperative missions. Fixed and rotary airfoil aircraft with separations of 30 feet to 5 miles, for example, participate in a local radio sub-net. An aircraft receiving CAS sub-net signals derives signal transit time values representing differences between send and receive times and which are used to derive data on inter-aircraft range and closing rate. With synchronized clocks, highly-accurate one-way ranging uses assigned time slots with predetermined sub-net time-of-day timing of transmissions. Round-trip ranging operates with less accurate time synchronization, and systems may operatively select between one-way and round-trip ranging. By exchange of range and closing rate data among aircraft, 3-D data for current three-dimensional location of aircraft enables evasive action determination. Data is thus made available for provision of audio and visual flight crew communications indicating alerts and warnings of impending collision danger and appropriate evasive action.

(Not Applicable)
(Not Applicable)
The invention relates to aircraft collision avoidance systems and, more particularly, to such systems able to provide collision avoidance and evasive action alerts to pilots of fixed wing and other aircraft operating in close proximity, independently of reliance on Global Positioning System (GPS) inputs.
A typical prior type of aircraft collision avoidance system (CAS) may be designed for use by aircraft flying on independent flight paths, such that the aircraft are normally relatively widely separated. A collision risk may arise because, while basically proceeding on disparate flight paths, at some point in time the two aircraft may begin to approach each other unexpectedly. Thus, the intention may be that one aircraft should not come into close proximity to another and a CAS may be designed to give warning to avoid having a close proximity situation arise. For this purpose, a close proximity situation may be considered to arise when two aircraft are within one mile range and one thousand feet vertical separation of each other, or closer.
A wide variety of CAS approaches have previously been proposed, many to address the situation just described. Typically, the two aircraft which become exposed to a close proximity situation have no prior relationship to each other and each was unaware of the intended flight path of the other aircraft. The problem may commonly arise because of an unintended flight path, as where one aircraft unknowingly deviates toward or into an unauthorized altitude or flight path. A common aspect of collision avoidance in such circumstances is that the relevant aircraft are not intended to come within close proximity of each other and the objective is to maintain relatively large aircraft separations in range and altitude. To meet such collision avoidance objectives, prior systems may employ radar, communication, or GPS techniques, or combinations thereof, which are particularly suited to monitoring and detection of the potential for close proximity situations.
A qualitatively different situation exists when aircraft are intentionally placed in a close proximity situation. For example, a group of aircraft may be positioned in a relatively close formation in the course of a flight for military or other purposes. Fixed wing, helicopters and other aircraft of the same or mixed types may also be called upon to operate in relatively close proximity in the course of efforts on common or related projects or missions. In such situations, intended aircraft separations may be as small as one hundred feet vertically and laterally, or less. Prior CAS systems have generally been unsuitable for providing reliable collision avoidance performance under conditions of such small intended separations between aircraft. The basic system parameters may be inapplicable to close aircraft operations and some prior systems may also be limited as to suitable performance where both fixed and rotary wing aircraft are involved. System reliance on GPS data may also limit close formation capabilities of prior system approaches. Thus, with reliance on GPS data, overall system accuracy or potential interruptions in data availability may be unacceptable in the context of close tolerances and quick continuous response characteristics required in close formation operation.
Objects of the present invention are, therefore, to provide new and improved collision avoidance systems, and such systems having one or more of the following characteristics and capabilities;
continuous monitoring of separations and rate of closure between aircraft in close formation or proximity;
direct measurement of range and closing rate based on signal transit time between aircraft;
operable for fixed-wing aircraft at high speed formation flight or dynamic maneuvering;
operable for helicopters operating at separations of two to three rotor diameters;
operable independently of, or supplemented by, GPS data;
mutual ranging and positioning based on signals transmitted by each aircraft;
low power, short range operation;
low probability of detection and interception;
local radio sub-net, with participation by small number of aircraft in a common neighborhood;
continuous position monitoring with critical situation alarms or recommended evasive action alerts, or both; and
fast response and fast updates for close cluster aircraft operations.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a collision avoidance system (CAS), suitable for airborne use on a first aircraft to enable collision avoidance during close proximity operation of a group of CAS equipped aircraft. The system includes a timing device to provide time data, a transmitter to transmit CAS signals at defined send times and in format usable to derive signal transit time values, and a receiver to receive the CAS signals from other aircraft of the group. Also included is a processor coupled to the timing device, transmitter and receiver and responsive to received CAS signals to:
(i) derive received signal parameter values, including signal transit time values representative of differences between send times and receive times of CAS signals received from other aircraft of the group; and
(ii) utilize the signal parameter values to repetitively derive data on range and closing rate between the first aircraft and at least one other aircraft of the group.
Pursuant to the invention, the processor may further be arranged to:
(iii) utilize the data on range and closing rate to derive signals representative of a condition of danger of impending collision between aircraft;
(iv) utilize the data on range and closing rate to repetitively derive 3-D data representative of the three-dimensional relative location of all aircraft of the group;
(v) derive signals representative of evasive action to be taken to remove the first aircraft from a condition of impending collision between aircraft; and
(vi) establish and maintain a local radio sub-net with other aircraft of the group.
Also in accordance with the invention, a method, to operate a collision avoidance system (CAS) within a group of aircraft, includes the steps of:
(a) establishing a local radio sub-net between aircraft of a group of aircraft within a limited volume of airspace;
(b) transmitting aircraft-to-aircraft CAS signals of format usable to derive time reference values;
(c) receiving CAS signals and deriving data on inter-aircraft range and closing rate based on received signal parameter values, including signal transit time between aircraft; and
(d) utilizing data derived in step (c) to derive signals usable to indicate a condition of danger of impending collision between aircraft.
In methods pursuant to the invention, step (c) may include deriving data representative of the three-dimensional location of all aircraft of the group, and step (d) may additionally include deriving signals usable to indicate evasive action to be taken to alleviate a danger of impending collision between aircraft.
For a better understanding of the invention, together with other and further objects, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the accompanying claims.

Close formation aircraft collision avoidance


A product evaluation device includes a receiving means for receiving product specifying information for specifying a product attribute, an acquisition means for acquiring designation in formation corresponding to a product attribute specified by the product specifying information from a storage means storing, for each product attribute, a genuine image showing a characteristic part for evaluating whether a product is a genuine product and designation information designating the characteristic part in association with each other, a request means for requesting a user to take a photograph by designating a characteristic part of the product based on the designation information acquired from the storage means and requesting a photographed image obtained by the photographing, and an output means for outputting an evaluation result obtained based on the photographed image provided in response to the request and the genuine image stored in the storage means.

Auctions on the Internet are widespread today (for example, see Patent Literature 1). In Internet auctions, a seller uploads product information including a photographed image or the like to an auction site. Then, a person who wishes to purchase the product refers to the uploaded product information and considers whether or not to make a bid.

Device, method, and program for commercial product reliability evaluation based on image comparison


The present invention relates to a composition for a non-pneumatic tire spoke. In particular, the non-pneumatic tire spoke prepared from the composition for a non-pneumatic tire spoke has excellent mechanical properties. A composition for a non-pneumatic tire spoke includes a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, a silane-based interfacial binder, and silica particles. The silica particles have an average particle diameter of 100 to 300 μm.

Non-pneumatic tires are attracting attention as next-generation tires since their manufacturing process is simple by virtue of their structure and they allow stable driving even when certain parts thereof are damaged. In particular, unlike conventional tires that require continuous pneumatic management, non-pneumatic tires have the advantage of fewer requirements for maintenance and fewer chances of fatal accidents caused by a puncture.
At present, various tire manufacturers all over the world are focusing on the development of non-pneumatic tires. Representative non-pneumatic tires include Air Free Concept of Bridgestone and Tweel of Michelin. Most non-pneumatic tires currently known are made of thermoplastic resins or polyurethane materials, which are considered to be vulnerable to heat generation and to have low durability and form-retainability. Thus, they are commercialized to limited vehicles of military and special purposes. However, it is possible to maximize the utilization and advantages of tires when they are applicable to general passenger vehicles in light of the features of tires. Thus, efforts have been made to develop non-pneumatic tires for high-speed driving.
Non-pneumatic tires for high-speed driving may have various structures. The spoke part thereof plays an important role in maintaining the shape of the tire and absorbing shock. In particular, a spoke is characterized by frequent deformation during driving and heat generation during braking. Thus, the material constituting a spoke must have high compressive fatigue stability and thermal stability. Meanwhile, polyurethane, which is mainly used as a material for conventional non-pneumatic tire spokes, has low mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 41 MPa and a flexural modulus of 48 MPa. This is a level that cannot satisfy the physical properties required for non-pneumatic tire spokes for high-speed driving. Thus, it is demanded that a material having higher mechanical stability be developed.

Composition for non-pneumatic tire spoke

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


An electronic component module is configured by a passive component mounted on a built-in IC substrate. The passive component is provided with a passive element inductor, and a mounting surface for mounting on a substrate. Concavities are respectively provided at parts of two opposed borders in the mounting surface, and a terminal electrode is provided at the bottom part of the concavities. Since the passive component has a concavity within the mounting surface and the terminal electrode is incorporated within this concavity, the passive component can be mounted low on the substrate surface. Since the terminal electrode is incorporated in the concavity, solder is prevented from spreading fillet-like at the periphery of the inductor, thus increasing the mounting density of the passive component. There is increased freedom for mounting the passive component because the passive component is mounted on the built-in IC substrate in which the IC is embedded in the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a passive component, and particularly relates to a passive component mounted on a substrate and an electronic component module with this passive component mounted on a substrate. The present invention further relates to an electronic component module, and particularly relates to an electronic component module in which a passive component is mounted on a built-in IC substrate.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, compact electronic devices such as portable phones and the like have been configured by various passive components that include passive elements such as inductors and capacitors. Low profile and high density are requirements when mounting passive elements on a substrate and there is no limit to high level integration of electronic components such as portable phones. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-93774 discloses art for fixedly attaching a semiconductor chip and a thin film conductive element through a stud bump using ultrasonic bonding.
Japanese Laid-Open patent Publication No. 2004-63676 discloses art for miniaturizing electronic devices such as portable phones by disposing a stud terminal on a module substrate, mounting a micro-inductor in a mounting configuration on the stud terminal, and overlaying the micro-inductor on a semiconductor integrated circuit in a micro-converter configured by a chip component shaped micro-inductor and a control circuit and the like which is used for converting and stabilizing a power source voltage.

Passive component and electronic component module


A semiconductor device, wherein a first metallic member is bonded to a first electrode of a semiconductor element via a first metallic body containing a first precious metal, and a second metallic member is bonded to a second electrode via a second metallic body containing a second precious metal.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, particularly, to a semiconductor package having a structure which is adequate for decreasing the electrical resistance of the semiconductor package without a Si chip.
An example of a conventional transistor package is disclosed in JP-A-8-64634 (1994). A semiconductor chip, whereon electronic circuits are formed, is bonded to a die pad for heat release at a rear plane electrode side by welding. A bump is formed on an Al electrode at a circuit formed plane side of the chip, and an inner lead is connected electrically and mechanically thereon. An inner lead is also connected to the die pad, and the chip, the die pad, and a part of the lead is sealed with resin so as to cover them. In a case when the bump is solder, the lead side is plated with tin (Sn), gold (Au), or solder, and the like, and bonded with the bump by melting the solder of the bump. In a case when the bump is gold, the lead is plated with tin, and bonded with the bump by an Au-Sn eutectic reaction. The inner lead is composed of three lines provided for a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode, respectively. The lead for the source electrode is manufactured in a comb teeth shape. A through opening to the resin is formed on the head. JP-A-5-121615 (1993) discloses a surface mounting type semiconductor package having a wireless structure as another conventional example. Three external connection terminals are connected to electrode terminals of the semiconductor chip. Two electrodes on an upper surface of the chip are connected to the external connection terminals by thermocompression bonding of Au balls. Mounting on a circuit substrate is performed by soldering the tip region of the lead terminals, which protrude forward and backward from the chip mounting portion, to the terminals of the substrate.
In accordance with a conventional standard surface mounting type semiconductor package, the semiconductor chip is bonded to the die pad of the lead for the drain by soldering, and the source electrode and the gate electrode of the semiconductor chip are connected to the leads for the source and the gate of the external connection terminals by Al wire bonding. The chip, each respective lead, and a part of the die pad are molded with resin. The die pad is exposed at the bottom of the resin body so as to allow the structure of the resin body to be connected to the circuit substrate, and its size is set to be larger than the size of the resin mold.
In accordance with the conventional chip die pad bonding structure of a semiconductor chip, a bonding structure using a resin with conductive particles, wherein Pb rich solder having a low yield strength or Ag particles are mixed, has been adopted in order to prevent the chip from generating a high stress when the chip is fixed to a member made of a Cu base alloy.
The electrical resistance of the semiconductor package without a Si chip in the surface mounting type plastic package of a conventional vertical semiconductor element has been from several tens mO to ten and several mO with a wire bonding structure. In accordance with advancement of semiconductor technology, the on-resistance of the element has been decreasing year by year, and at present, a device of several tens to several mO/cm2 has been developed. Further decrease of the resistance can be expected in future. In that case, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the semiconductor package without a Si chip is indispensable for improving the performance of the semiconductor package, because the electrical resistance of a semiconductor package without a Si chip becomes larger than the device resistance. A prior technique regarding the on-resistance of the semiconductor package is disclosed in JP-A-8-64634. The prior proposed technique relates to an insert mounting type package. The insert mounting type package is not restricted in size, and a thick and large size die pad can be used, because the bonding between the substrate and the lead is strong structurally. Therefore, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the semiconductor package without a Si chip is relatively easy. However, the surface mounting type package has a property that the fatigue strength of the bonding portion is weaker than that of the insert mounting type package, because it has a structure in which the tip of the leads protruding from both sides of the resin body are bonded to the terminal of the substrate by soldering two planes of small area to each other. Therefore, it is necessary to absorb the thermal strain between the package and the substrate resulting from heat generation of the chip which causes deformation of the flexible leads. Accordingly, it is necessary to make the shape of the leads thin and slender. In this case, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the semiconductor package without a Si chip is difficult, because the electrical resistance of the lead itself is large.
In the case of a surface mounting type package, the above problem can be solved by adopting a structure wherein the die pad mounting the chip is soldered directly to the circuit substrate. However, if a position where the lead, to be connected to the electrode at an upper surface of the chip, protrudes from the resin body differs in height from the position where the die pad protrudes, the contacting planes of the upper and lower metal molds for molding the resin form a three dimensional structure, such that a problem is created in that the manufacture of the metal molds becomes difficult. The above problem becomes significant when the lead frame is a matrix frame (arranged in X and Y directions) and the objective is to manufacture a large number of the packages, simultaneously. The problem can be solved by making the size of the die pad to be contained in the resin body small, but if so, a pressing portion to press the die pad onto the bottom surface of the metal mold must be provided in the metal mold, in order to expose the die pad at the lower plane of the resin body. If the size of the die pad is sufficiently large, it is possible to press the die pad onto the bottom surface of the metal mold. However, if the size of the die pad is the same as the size of the chip, the pressing portion can not be found on the die pad, and a problem is created in that the die pad is molded while being exposed at the bottom of the resin body. Therefore, in case of a small size semiconductor package, wherein the size of the die pad is the same as the size of the chip, it is difficult to assembly the structure in such a manner that the die pad concurrently operating as the external connection terminals of the rear electrode is contained in the resin body.
On the other hand, conventionally, a soldering connection or an adhering structure with a resin using conductive particles has been adopted for the connection of the rear plane of the chip with the external connection terminals, such as a die pad, and others. The soldering connection is a superior connection with regard electrical resistance, thermal resistance, and heat resistance reliability. However, currently, in view of environmental problems, no use of Pb is employed, and the conventional soldering material containing Pb must be replaced with a new bonding material containing no Pb. There are various soldering materials containing no Pb having a solidus line temperature below 250° C., but actually, there is no adequate soldering material containing no Pb having a solidus line temperature higher than 270° C., which is durable against severe mounting on the substrate of the package. The only exception is Au-Si solder having a solidus line temperature of 370° C. However, Au-Si solder can not be adopted as the soldering material for the electrode at the rear plane of the chip, for two reasons, such as high cost and generation of cracks in the chip during the cooling step after soldering when the size of the chip is large, because of the high yield strength. Therefore, a problem exists in that there is no soldering material containing no Pb to replace the soldering material containing Pb. On the other hand, adhesion with a resin with conductive particles is durable thermally in a short time against the necessary temperature for the mounting, i.e. 270° C., but is weak in mechanical strength, because the adhesion strength is maintained by the resin. Even though tightness of the adhesion is reinforced with a shrinking force by curing the molding resin, a package having a large area or a package used in a high temperature has a problem in that the electric resistance and thermal resistance at the bonding portion are increased in accordance with deterioration of the resin, which is caused by a change with elapsing time or temperature cycles. In particular, because the one plane molding structure, wherein the die pad (external connection terminals) is exposed to the surface of the resin body, is a structure which can not receive sufficient pressing force from the molding resin at the rear plane of the chip, a problem is raised in that the long term reliability of the resin using conductive particles for adhesion is further decreased.


A method for operating a first computational device to facilitate the secure transfer of a message between the first computation device and a second computational device is described. The method comprises operating the first computational device according to the following steps: forming an encrypted message from the message on the basis of a key derived from one or more codes associated with the second computational device; transmitting the encrypted message to the second computational device; purging the message and the encrypted message from the first computational device; receiving the encrypted message and said one or more codes from the second computational device; upon decrypting the message on the basis of the one or more codes transmitting the decrypted message to the second computational device.

Over the past decade the use and penetration of computational devices such as mobile or cellular phones and related technology, such as PDA's (personal digital assistants) has increased dramatically. Apart from providing voice communications, modem cell phones support SMS (short message services) by which a message of up to 160 characters of text may be entered, by means of a sender phone's keypad, or by a PC keyboard via the Internet, and transmitted over a telephone network for display on a receiver phone's display screen.
Various services associated with SMS have developed. According to one of these services text messages, with an associated addressee's cell phone number, may be sent from a content sender such as an Internet connected personal computer to an SMS web-server. The SMS web-server provides a gateway to a telephone network in order to deliver the message to the addressed cell phone where it is displayed in standard SMS format.
Although there have been no reported cases of successful interception of SMS messages via the SMS protocol under the GSM specifications, the use of SMS for transmitting sensitive information, such as financial transaction data, has been limited due to a perception that SMS transactions are potentially insecure. There have been solutions proposed for secure mobile banking that involve the use of a SIM toolkit whereby templates and security procedures are handled by modifying a cell phone user's SIM card. However, permission and agreement must be obtained from each carrier's SIM card provider. In order for a user to make use of a particular financial institution's SMS banking facility the user must purchase a SIM card from a provider with whom the financial institution has an agreement.

Method for authenticating and verifying SMS communications


A method, system, and apparatus are provided for converting numbers to text and to digit shapes expressed in different languages. When a string of text is entered into an application program, the string is analyzed to determine whether the string of text includes a number expressed using digits. If the string of text includes a number expressed using digits, the number is semantically labeled with schema information. When a selection is received of the number, a list of actions may be provided identifying conversion actions available for the number. One of the conversion options may then be selected resulting in the conversion of the selected number to text in one or more languages. A conversion option may also be selected for converting the number digits to digits expressed using other digit shapes. The converted number may then be inserted into the string of text to replace the selected number.

Modern desktop operating systems are provided with various localization features for improving usability for users throughout the world. For instance, some desktop operating systems provide support for multiple user interface languages. Through this type of support for multiple user interface languages, users can configure the user interface of the operating system to operate in any of a number languages supported by the host operating system.
In addition to operating system support, many application programs also support the use of multiple languages for international users. For instance, a word processing program may allow a user to create documents in English, Thai, Vietnamese, or any other language installed in the operating system and enabled by the user. Documents may also be created that contain text or other information in a combination of languages. In fact, international users of such applications frequently create documents that include text in more than one language.
When creating foreign language documents, users may wish to express numbers using text (e.g. "one-hundred twenty three") in the language of their target audience. However, if the user does not speak the language of their target audience, it may be difficult for the user to translate the number (e.g. "123") into the target language. (e.g. "cent vingt-trois"). Moreover, when a user receives a foreign language document, the document may contain numbers expressed using digit shapes unfamiliar to the user. In this situation, it may also be very difficult for the user to convert the foreign language digit shapes to digit shapes that the user understands.
Therefore, in light of the above, there is a need for a method, system, and apparatus for easily converting numbers expressed using digit shapes to text in any of a number of languages. Moreover, there is a need for a method, system, and apparatus for converting numbers expressed using digit shapes to different digit shapes.

Method, system, and apparatus for converting numbers based upon semantically labeled strings


A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer through first and second sectors that are a pre-wash zone. Liquid can be counter flowed in the wash interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. The main wash zone can be heated as an option. In the wash zone, there is a pre-rinse and/or a rinse. The fabric articles are transferred to a water extraction device that enables removal of excess water. A sour solution can be added to the fabric articles while extracting excess water.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to continuous batch washers or tunnel washers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method of washing textiles or fabric articles (e.g., on clothing, linen, etc.) in a continuous batch multiple module tunnel washer wherein the textiles are moved sequentially from one module or zone to the next module or zone. These zones can include dual use zones, because the zones are used for both washing and rinsing. Alternatively, all of the modules could be part of multi-use zones (i.e., pre-wash, main wash, and rinse). After a final module, fabric articles are then transferred to a liquid extraction device (e.g., press or centrifuge) that removes excess water. In one embodiment, the dual use zone can function: 1) as a standing bath for washing the fabric articles and 2) as a rinse zone utilizing a counterflow water rinse. In one embodiment a final zone is a finishing zone, where finishing chemicals are transmitted to the fabric articles. In another embodiment, sour solution is transferred to the fabric articles (e.g., sprayed) while those fabric articles are in the extraction device. By using a multi-use zone or a dual use zone, the present invention eliminates a need for a separate wash module(s) and rinse module(s).
2. General Background of the Invention
Currently, washing in a commercial environment is conducted with a continuous batch tunnel washer. Such continuous batch tunnel washers are known (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,237) and are commercially available (www.milnor.com). Continuous batch washers have multiple sectors, zones, stages, or modules including pre-wash, wash, rinse and finishing zone.
Commercial continuous batch washing machines in some cases utilize a constant counter flow of liquor. Such machines are followed by a centrifugal extractor or mechanical press for removing most of the liquor from the goods before the goods are dried. Some machines carry the liquid with the goods throughout the particular zone or zones.
When a counter flow is used, there is counter flow during the entire time that the fabric articles or textiles are in the main wash module zone. This practice dilutes the washing chemical and reduces its effectiveness.
A final rinse with a continuous batch washer has been performed using a centrifugal extractor or mechanical press. In prior art systems, if a centrifugal extractor is used, it is typically necessary to rotate the extractor at a first low speed that is designed to remove soil laden water before a final extract.
Patents have issued that are directed to batch washers or tunnel washers. The following table provides examples, each listed patent hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TABLEISSUEUS PATENT NO.TITLEDATE4,236,393Continuous tunnel batch washer02-12-19804,363,090Process control method and apparatus07-12-19824,485,509Continuous batch type washing machine04-12-1984and method for operating same4,522,046Continuous batch laundry system11-06-19855,211,039Continuous batch type washing machine18-05-19935,454,237Continuous batch type washing machine03-10-1995

Continuous batch tunnel washer and method


A system for managing assets, and facilitating electronic commerce respecting the assets includes a computerized database for storing asset profiles for a plurality of assets. The asset profiles, each include an asset specification and a bid definition. The asset specification includes maintenance history data for the asset and the bid definition outlines the bounds for one of sale, rental or lease of the asset. Users of the system may search the database remotely over the Internet for desired assets, and retrieve detailed information, such as maintenance history, and then bid on the asset for purchase, rental, or lease. Users can also add their own assets to the database for search by others. The system also includes a fantasy fleet feature for conducting “what if” analyses of a simulated fleet containing existing assets and proposed assets.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to an electronic system and method for use in the field of asset management and electronic commerce.
2. Description of the Related Art
The field of industrial equipment, such as forklifts, includes business entities at several different levels, including manufacturers, dealers, third-party financiers, and end-user customers. In one common arrangement, the dealer maintains an inventory of a wide variety of equipment types for rental to its end-user customers (i.e., the dealer's "rental fleet"). Some types of equipment in the dealer's rental fleet, however, are only infrequently needed by the dealer's end-user customers. Accordingly, such seldomly used items experience a reduced utilization rate compared to other items in the rental fleet. The dealer tolerates reduced utilization on the seldomly used items for a number of reasons, including maintaining customer satisfaction, and, hopefully, not giving the customer a reason to "shop around" for a new dealer who may have larger inventory of seldomly used pieces of equipment. Conventional methods of conducting business, particularly providing rental fleets, have obvious shortcomings, inasmuch as the full economic value of some items in the dealer's rental fleet cannot be realized.
Another common business arrangement involves a third-party financing company that buys pieces of industrial equipment from the manufacturer and then leases the equipment to the end-user customer. The customer then utilizes the industrial equipment (the customer's "fleet") in its business. In some circumstance, the customer actively "manages" the fleet of industrial equipment, attending to repair and maintenance, the acquisition of replacement equipment, and the retirement of old or unproductive equipment from the fleet. In other circumstances, however, the leasing company performs the asset management function. In either set of circumstances, challenges to be overcome by fleet managers include how to effectively and efficiently determine the timing, selection, and acquisition of replacement equipment, and the disposal of equipment being retired from the fleet or coming to an end of the lease term.
Known approaches to deal with the foregoing challenges fall mostly into the use of manual methods. For example, determining whether to replace a poorly performing piece of equipment has typically been based on limited data relating to the equipment known by an experienced fleet manager.
Another approach known for asset management pertains to passenger vehicle fleets and involves a computer-based, Internet-enabled vehicle selector program. The vehicle selector program provides average values for a plurality of different operating parameters and vehicle types that may be of interest to a fleet manager considering vehicle replacement. These parameters may include average monthly maintenance cost, and average miles per gallon. While the vehicle selector program provides at least some useful financial and performance information to the fleet manager, such a system fails to address the ultimate question fleet managers encounter: How does a change (i.e., an addition, or a subtraction) in the configuration of my fleet effect its overall performance? The known vehicle selector program simply does not provide information as to how a combined fleet would perform.
Another challenge, particularly acute for third-party financing companies, involves how to effectively and efficiently dispose of assets whose lease has ended, or will end in the near future. Conventional analysis approaches have been haphazard at best. They have included utilization of well-known auction systems, posting of off-lease equipment on electronic bulletin boards and the like for sale purposes, as well as utilization of consignment networks. One key shortcoming of all these known systems of disposing of end-of-lease assets manifests itself in the failure to fully realize the full, remaining economic value of the asset. One factor contributing to this shortcoming involves the lack of information available to potential purchasers, renters and lessees. Information concerning the condition, treatment, and, particularly, the maintenance history of the asset during its operating life up to the time the asset is being offered for disposal are all important in determining a sales price, but are frequently unavailable. In any event, such information is never convenient to obtain. For example, it is known in the passenger vehicle fleet industry to make some level of maintenance history data on particular vehicle available to the potential purchaser. However, to obtain this data, the potential purchaser must make a telephonic request to the asset's fleet manager, who manually looks up the information, and provides it (e.g., by way of facsimile) to the potential purchaser if it is even available. Obtaining such information, therefore, involves a significant investment, both in time and effort. The investment is entirely lost if the purchase is not consummated, and is still partially lost even if the asset is finally transferred. The time lag involved in obtaining the information also leads to undesirable inefficiency. For example, a purchaser may have to make a quick decision regarding whether or not to buy a first asset, which would preclude a lengthy investigation of a second asset (e.g., the first asset may be sold by the time the investigation of the second asset has been completed). This is particularly inefficient if the second asset is a better "fit" for the purchaser than the first asset.
There is therefore a need for a system and method for facilitating transactions, and for managing assets of a fleet, that minimizes or eliminates one or more of the types problems exemplified above.

System and method for disposing of assets