In an automatic analyzer for performing qualitative and quantitative analyses of living samples, such as blood and urine, a capability of recognizing the analyzer state, e.g., the state under run of analysis or the stopped state, from a distance is provided without increasing the cost. To realize that capability, the screen saver function of a display is modified to have the function of recognizing the analyzer state and reflecting the recognized analyzer state on a design of a screen image displayed with the screen saver function.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer for performing qualitative and quantitative analyses of living samples, such as blood and urine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic analyzer provided with a display for displaying an operating screen.
2. Description of the Related Art
An automatic analyzer for analyzing the quantities of particular components in living samples, such as blood and urine, or detecting the presence of a particular antigen or antibody has been more increasingly employed primarily in large-scaled hospitals and test centers for the reasons that the automatic analyzer can more quickly perform measurements than manual operations and has higher reproducibility of the analysis results. In some of recent situations, a plurality of automatic analyzers are installed and operated by one clinic test operator for the purposes of increasing analysis efficiency and saving time and labor required.
In such a situation, the test operator has to check a display of each analyzer or come close to each analyzer to directly look the operating states of analyzer mechanisms in order to confirm conditions in the progress of analyses in the individual automatic analyzers.
In recent automatic analyzers, however, each analyzer is covered with a cover for safety or other reasons, and it is difficult to recognize the operating states of analyzer mechanisms by looking at them from a distance.
Also, when checking the display, the test operator is required to closely look at an image on a display screen and cannot recognize the operating state of each analyzer at a glance. Further, because recent displays usually have the screen saver function to prevent burning of the display screen, the image on the display screen cannot be viewed once the screen saver is started.
Though not being included in the technical field of the above-described automatic analyzer, Patent Document 1 (JP,A 2003-290196) discloses a medical image capturing system with the function of, when information to be notified of a user, such as run of image capturing or addition of a reservation, arrives via no input units, switching over a screen to be able to display that information even during the execution of a screen saver.


A method and system allows a part of a database to be restored using a subset of the backup files stored for a database. A working copy of the data dictionary of the database, which stores data definitions, is restored using the latest backup file stored not later than the point in time specified and the names of tablespaces related to the table names specified are identified using the data dictionary. The files storing the database tablespaces specified and those identified as related are identified for restoration along with the point in time specified, so that the backup files may be used to restore the files to the latest time prior to the point in time specified. The database data files are [restored, they] are rolled forward from the point in time of the backup files to the point in time specified, using transaction logs restored with the database data files and the restored working data dictionary is updated as described by the transaction logs. The working data dictionary is then spliced into the database data dictionary, and the database control file is adjusted to point to the restored database data files.

Computer database programs allow a user to store data in one or more tables of a database. Some conventional computer database programs group one or more tables or portions of tables into a single named unit, such as a tablespace in the conventional Oracle8 product available from Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, Calif. As used herein, a "tablespace" is any group of one or more tables or portions of tables in a database.
Computer database programs store information in one or more files. In addition to storing the data used by the users of the database, conventional database programs maintain information about the data in the database in order to allow the database to operate. Information about the data may include definition information about the type and arrangement of the data stored in the data files, and information about the locations and names of the files that store the information used by, or stored in, the database. Some conventional databases, such as the Oracle8 product available from Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, Calif., store data in a database in one or more data files, store information about the type and arrangement of the data in the database in a data dictionary file, and store information about the files related to a database in a control file.
Because computer files such as database files may become damaged or corrupted, an operator may make backup copies of the database files. Backup copies made at many points in time may be retained to allow the file to be restored as of any of those points in time.
If any one of the database files is damaged or corrupted, some conventional database programs require an operator to use the backup files to restore all of the files associated with a database. Because large databases may contain many files of data, this approach can be burdensome to the person who must restore the various files and can seem especially burdensome if only one of the many files to be restored is actually damaged or corrupted.
There is an additional reason why restoration to a particular point in time of only part of a database is desirable. If erroneous changes are made to one part of the database, but correct changes are made to another part of the database, the user must correct the erroneous changes. To do this, the user is faced with two choices to correct the database. The erroneous changes can be backed out, manually for example, and then reentered, a laborious process that itself is prone to error. Alternatively, the user can first restore the database to the point in time of the most recent backup file in which the erroneous changes did not exist in the database. However, if the database does not allow transaction logs to be used to automatically enter only the correct changes without the erroneous changes, the user must re-enter the correct changes, a potentially laborious process prone to error.
Even if the database is restored to a point in time of one of the backup files, because the backup files are made at discrete intervals, it may not be possible to restore the database to just before the precise point in time the erroneous changes were first introduced into the database. As a result, correct changes in both portions of the database from the point in time of the backup used to restore the database to the point in time the erroneous changes were made to the database will not exist in the database following the restoration, and may have to be reentered.
Because the files not damaged or corrupted may be interrelated with the damaged or corrupted file or files, it may not be possible to simply restore the file containing the damaged or corrupt information. For example, the information contained in the database tablespaces may be stored in one file and the data definition information may be stored in another file. If the definitions of the data in the data dictionary have changed since a damaged database data file was last backed up, merely restoring the damaged data file would cause the restored data file to be inconsistent with the definitions stored in the data dictionary file. If other database tablespaces are stored in other database data files, other database data files may be related to the damaged data file, and these files may have also changed after the backup of the damaged data file. Merely restoring the damaged the data file could cause the other related database data files to become inconsistent with the restored database data file.
Some conventional database programs implement built in mechanisms to allow automated recovery of a part of the database. However, to allow the recovery of a part of the database, the database program must compute and maintain additional information during regular operation of the database. This can slow the operation of the database during processing of regular, day-to-day transactions.
There is therefore a need for a system and method to allow a party to restore a part of a database to a particular point in time that may not match a point in time the database was backed up, without restoring all of the files associated with the database and without slowing the performance of the database in processing regular transactions.

Method and apparatus for restoring a portion of a database


A control system includes a communications unit, an acquisition unit, and an output unit. The communications unit communicates with a transmitter that transmits a wireless signal. The acquisition unit acquires location information about a location of the transmitter based on the wireless signal that has been transmitted from the transmitter and received by the communications unit. The output unit has an instruction signal including adjustment information transmitted, in accordance with the location information acquired by the acquisition unit, from the communications unit to the transmitter. The adjustment information is used to vary at least one of a time interval at which the transmitter transmits the wireless signal or transmission power with which the transmitter transmits the wireless signal.

An indoor positioning system has been known which includes a positioning server (control system) and a positioning client (transmitter) (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).
In the indoor positioning system of Patent Literature 1, the positioning server receives, from the positioning client, sensor information, such as radio wave strength and acoustic wave intensity, collected indoors by the positioning client, thus determining, based on the sensor information thus received, an estimated location of the positioning client.
In the indoor positioning system of Patent Literature 1, to determine an estimated location of the positioning client, the positioning server makes the positioning client transmit the sensor information that the positioning client has collected. The positioning client consumes power in communication with the positioning server. The positioning client is a mobile telecommunications device such as a smartphone, and therefore, there has been an increasing demand for cutting down its power consumption.

Control system, control program, control method, and transmitter used in control system

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


Image acquisition device, method and computer program for digital image acquisition, where the image acquisition device comprises an actuated user interface, where the image acquisition device receives control information from a user indicative of actuation of the user interface, initiates an image acquisition process by receiving lighting data on its sensor and detecting light information. A processor in the image acquisition device analyzes then the detected light information and converts these to image data and acquires image data related to at least two different light configurations, where at least one of the light configuration comprises an image acquired by means of a flash output in the image acquisition device.

When using a camera for making photographs in low light conditions, be it an analog or a digital camera, one is confronted with a common problem of whether to use a usually built-in flashlight or to photograph without the flashlight (e.g., with or without the "flash").
Usually, the user of the camera chooses to take two shots, one with and one without the flashlight, or vice versa. However, this method has the disadvantage of taking two different shots, since the camera will have to be moved when turning on the flashlight and taking the next picture. Additionally, the object to be photographed may have moved after the first picture was taken. This may be a problem with living objects, such as animals or human beings.
Also, while in older analog cameras, the end result is not seen until the film is developed. In some analog cameras of the active-pixel sensor type (APS-type) a preview of the picture may be seen before the film is developed. In a digital camera, a preview of the end result may be seen in the camera display, but usually this is not possible for a photograph which is intended to be taken with a flashlight.
By the same token, sometimes the photographer is interested in retaining the atmosphere seen in the scenery on the photograph and objects in the background, while sometimes he or she may be interested in details in the foreground.
Some solutions exist to the too dark/too bright photograph problem, such as when a picture is taken without and with flashlight.
These solutions are mostly based on using the exposure compensation function, by taking two or more pictures where some of the photographs are underexposed and some overexposed. The user may then select the pictures he or she thinks is the best one or let the camera processor calculate a mean exposure picture representing the best picture.
The same procedure may be performed with the white balance function on a digital camera. A common term for the taking of multiple photographs using by changing one parameter is bracketing.

Digital image acquisition arranged to acquire image data related to different light configurations


A method and apparatus for creating management information specifications in a schema by a user. According to various embodiments of the method, a first file is defined by using a metaschema. The metaschema is represented in a schema definition format. Subsequently, a second file corresponding to the first file is defined. The second file includes directives for depicting various elements of a metaschema. The user is then prompted to fill various fields that correspond to the various elements of the metaschema. As a result, the management information specifications are included in a document corresponding to the metaschema. The management information specifications in the document are then converted to form the management information specifications into a metaschema document. The metaschema document represents a schema. The schema includes the management information specifications.

1. Field of Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate in general to network management technology. More specifically, the embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for creating Management Information Base (MIB) specifications.
2. Description of the Background Art
With the advent of exchange of management information between network devices, there has been a tremendous growth in the area of network management technology. For example, the network devices include routers, gateways, and switches. One such network management technology is a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). The SNMP is an application layer protocol that facilitates the exchange of management information between the networked devices. The SNMP uses a logical database of network management information. Such a logical database is often referred to as a Management Information Base (MIB). Management applications can use SNMP to access the MIB for managing the network performance, detecting and solving the network problems, and planning for the network growth.
One fundamental problem with the MIB is defining MIB specifications or a schema. The MIB includes various MIB objects. The MIB is a conceptual database and the queries are addressed through Object Identifiers (OIDs). The MIB includes various MIB objects. The MIB objects are addressed using the OIDs. Further, there are instances of MIB object types, which are specified using a specification language. The specification language or metaschema for SNMP MIB is referred to as Structure of Management Information (SMI). For example, Structure of Management Information version 1 (SMIv1) or a Structure of Management Information version 2 (SMIv2). The SMI defines MIB object types that can be accessed, inspected, and altered through operations of the SNMP protocol.
According to one of the conventional methods, a graphical environment is used for creating the MIB specifications. For example, the user can enter various artifacts through a series of pop-up windows. However, this method is more suitable for MIB experts than for actual MIB developers. This is because the conventional methods do not provide guidelines to the user for creating the MIB specifications. Further, the conventional methods do not facilitate additional support in entering the artifacts. Furthermore, conventional methods do not facilitate creation of the MIB specifications, depending on the earlier user input.
In addition, the user may not be aware of many guidelines and best practices that are available for creating the MIB specifications. The conventional methods do not also guide the user to create syntactically and semantically correct MIB specifications that conform to the best practices.

Method and system for creating management information base specifications


[Object] To propose a novel and improved fragrance providing device that can be reduced in size.

In recent years, technologies related to a fragrance providing device having a plurality of spaces each holding a fragrance material have been proposed, for purposes such as providing a plurality of types of fragrances. Such a fragrance providing device can provide a plurality of fragrances by, for example, causing a plurality of spaces to hold different types of fragrance materials.
For example, for the purpose of reducing the size of the device itself, Patent Literature 1 discloses an olfactory display which presents a fragrance within a range bounded in terms of time and space, including: a housing having an emitting port; a plurality of fragrance chambers formed by partitioning an internal space of the housing with the partitioning walls; a solid-like fragrance source accommodated in at least one of the fragrance chambers; a plurality of airflow sources each of which is provided in each of the fragrance chambers and sends an air into the fragrance chamber by using a diaphragm provided with a piezoelectric element; and a plurality of fragrance passages each extending from the fragrance chambers toward the emitting port, in which the plurality of fragrance passages are joined to each other in a position near the emitting port to form a single common passage and Venturi tube structure is formed at the joining portion.

Abstract: [Solution] Provided is a fragrance providing device including: a fragrance material holding member in which a plurality of holding passages each holding a fragrance material are provided to penetrate the fragrance material holding member; and a rotation mechanism capable of relatively rotating the fragrance material holding member and a member provided with an introduction port that communicates with part of the plurality of holding passages and introduces air supplied from an airflow source to the part of the holding passages, in a manner that the part of the holding passages that communicates with the introduction port is switched.


An audiocassette adapter (10) for coupling a mobile wireless communication station (20) to an audiocassette player, including a cassette head coupling device (12), a cassette adapter insertion detect switch (14), a mobile wireless communication station coupling device (50) having a mobile wireless communication station audio input coupled to the cassette head coupling device, the mobile wireless communication station coupling device having an insertion detect signal output (54) coupled to the cassette adapter insertion detect switch.

Audiocassette adapters for coupling audio outputs of cellular telephones and MP3 players to audio systems via audiocassette players are known generally.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,850 entitled "Live Voice Device For Cellular Phones Particularly Operable In Combination With Radio Receiver Apparatus in Motor Vehicles", for example, discloses a dummy cassette adapter having an audio input coupled, via an amplifier circuit, to a magnetic transducer in the adapter that communicates audio signals from the cellular telephone to a cassette tape player head in a vehicle audio system. The cassette adapter includes a remote microphone for use with the cellular telephone. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,672 entitled "Adapter For Coupling Audio Signals To Front-Loading Or Side-Loading Cassette Playback Decks, And Method For Using Same", and U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,897 entitled "Cassette Adapter For Playback Device, Such As A Compact Disk Player".
The various aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the following Detailed Description with the accompanying drawings described below.

Cellular telephone and multimedia accessory audio system adaptor and methods therefor


An organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display includes a first thin film transistor disposed on a substrate; a first insulating layer disposed on the first thin film transistor; a reflective electrode disposed on the first insulating layer; a common voltage line disposed on the first insulating layer and separated from the reflective electrode; a second insulating layer disposed on the reflective electrode and the common voltage line; a pixel electrode disposed on the second insulating layer and electrically connected to the first thin film transistor; an organic light-emitting member disposed on the pixel electrode; and a common electrode disposed on the organic light-emitting member, wherein the common voltage line is electrically connected to the common electrode.

(1) Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to an organic light-emitting diode ("OLED") display.
(2) Description of the Related Art
An OLED display includes a plurality of organic light-emitting elements and a plurality of thin film transistors ("TFT"s), which control the organic light-emitting elements. A TFT includes a plurality of thin films and can be disposed at a lower side of an OLED display, while an organic light-emitting element can be disposed at an upper side of the OLED display. An anode of the organic light-emitting element can be disposed at the lower side of the OLED display, and a cathode of the organic light-emitting element can be disposed at the upper side of the OLED display.
An OLED display may be classified as a top emission type, which emits light upward, and a bottom emission type, which emits light downward. In a bottom emission OLED display, an area where light is emitted is decreased due to the TFTs disposed under the organic light-emitting elements, therefore the top emission type can have a more desirable aperture ratio. Also, a bottom emission OLED display can include a spot due to optical interference, which can occur when light passes through the thin films. A top emission OLED display includes very few thin films on the light path, thus substantially reducing or preventing a spot.
Identifying a suitable transparent material that satisfies the work function requirements for a cathode in a top emission OLED display is difficult. Therefore a very thin film of an opaque metal can be disposed for use as the cathode while allowing for the passage of light. A resistance of a very thin film cathode can be large. To address the high resistance of a thin film cathode, an additional common voltage line for transmitting a common voltage can be disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the cathode of the organic light-emitting element.
However, manufacturing a common voltage line separately from the cathode can be difficult, and an aperture ratio may be reduced due to the area occupied by the common voltage line.


Apparatus for optically surveying and/or examining a welding componentry, in particular a vehicle axle or instrument panel, includes a measuring space for accommodating a plurality of cameras for taking images of the welding componentry. The images are combined and evaluated in an evaluation unit. Disposed in the measuring space is a support unit for support of the welding componentry. The support unit includes a base plate and at least two vertically adjustable support columns on the base plate. Provided on the free end of each support column is a clamping unit which includes two clamping elements constructed for movement relative to one another for clamping the welding componentry. In addition, the support columns have each a pin which is movable in relation to the clamping unit.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for optically surveying and/or examining a welding componentry, in particular a vehicle axle or instrument panel. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of surveying and examining a welding componentry.
Nothing in the following discussion of the state of the art is to be construed as an admission of prior art.
Heretofore, a welding componentry, e.g. a vehicle axle or an instrument panel, manufactured on a large scale, has been examined, either attributively or through measurement, for determining whether the welding componentry is true to size. Attributive tests involve mechanical tracing gauges. This procedure is time-consuming, inflexible and oftentimes inaccurate and prone to fail. Another approach is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,285,397 or 6,651,351 and involves a random surveying of a welding componentry through use of a coordinate measuring machine. This procedure requires long cycle times and thus is essentially unsuitable for application during production. Components may also be surveyed through scanning of relevant component zones by means of a light section sensor or by means of laser-optical triangulation sensors. The sensors are hereby guided by robots. This in turn incurs high costs and involves also long cycle times.
All afore-mentioned systems assume the task to survey or check complex welding componentries at certain cycle times. To attain at least a required minimum precision, it is important to properly clamp the welding componentry and to precisely configure the optical equipment. A problem encountered to date is hereby to correctly configure the mechanical clamping mechanism so as to ensure a high mechanical stability while still enabling free accessibility for optical sensors to all features being surveyed.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved apparatus and method for optical surveying and/or examining a welding componentry, to obviate prior art shortcomings and to effect a high mechanical stability when the welding componentry is clamped while providing a sufficient viewing field for the sensors to realize a reliable operation.

Apparatus and method for optically surveying and/or examining a welding componentry


A surgical clip has a base portion and two generally parallel, spaced arms extending from the base portion and defining an opening therebetween. The arms terminate distally in fingers which are of reduced width and thickness relative to the arms and which are adapted to be bent towards and past each other. A transition section from each arm to the finger provides curved structures which extending away from each other and providing a wider mouth for the opening between the arms. The arms also have a proximal section with an undercut which helps in flexure of the arms. The base is an extended structure having a rounded proximal end with outwardly extending shoulders which are arranged to be engaged by the curved structures of the mouth of another clip.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to surgical devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a surgical clip for clamping and/or suturing ducts, vessels, and other tissues, or for anchoring a tissue, or for attaching a foreign body to a tissue.
2. State of the Art
Surgical clips are generally used to apply clamping force to ducts, vessels, and other tissues. In addition, surgical clips are particularly useful in controlling bleeding of a tissue in lieu of suturing or stapling where suturing or stapling is difficult. However, in certain circumstances, the bleeding tissue is lubricous, and applied clips often slip from the tissue and are dislodged, removing the necessary clamping force thereabout. This is particularly a problem when a clip is provided about tissue which is not a conduit of a size which can be completely surrounded by the clip. For example, it is very difficult to secure a clip about a small peripheral portion of ulcerated stomach tissue and therefore it is difficult to effect hemostasis of such bleeding tissue with a clip. Moreover, the problem is amplified when the clip used is very small.
In order to prevent dislodgement, a combination of a clip and a staple has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,823 to Kuntz et al. In the Kuntz clip, one end portion of the clip is pierced through the tissue and captured in an eye of another end portion of the clip to secure the clip on the tissue. With the clip piercing the tissue, the likelihood that the clip will become inadvertently dislodged is greatly reduced.
While the Kuntz et al. clip represents a step forward, the disclosed clip is not particularly useful in endoscopic procedures. In particular, both the nature of the clip and the manner in which it is applied are complex. For example, in order to facilitate the bending of the clip through various configurations required of its applier, the clip has portions provided with at least four different widths as well as an eye opening. This complex clip structure is not practical for a clip which is to be used in a flexible endoscopy procedure in which the tools used are of very small diameter, e.g., 2-6 mm (0.08-0.24 inch). In addition, for endoscopic procedures it is highly desirable that multiple clips be able to be applied without removing the clip applier from its general location. The Kuntz et al. clip and applier, however, are not particularly adapted for applying multiple clips, as the Kuntz et al. clip does not stack, and the applier with which it is used holds a single clip at a time.
The problems of the Kuntz et al. clip were overcome with the clip described in the parent application hereto. That surgical clip was provided with a generally U-shaped configuration with first and second arms, and a bridge portion therebetween. The first arm was provided with a tip preferably having one or more catches, and the second arm extended into a deformable retainer preferably having a tissue-piercing end and preferably also a hook. During application, the clip was forced over compressed tissue. As the clip was forced over the tissue, the retainer of the second arm was bent and could pierce through the tissue. The retainer was sized to be bent sufficiently toward and around the tip of the first arm so that the hook could engage in one of the catches to secure the clip to the tissue and prevent the clip and tissue from separating. The clip was provided with structure that facilitated the stacking (or chaining) of a plurality of clips in a clip chamber of an applier. The structure included: a notch at a junction of the first arm and the bridge portion adapted to receive the tip of the first arm of another clip; an elongate recess along the exterior of the second arm adapted to receive the retainer of the second arm of another clip; and an interior configuration at the ends of the first and second arms corresponding to an exterior portion of the bridge portion of another clip.
While the clip of the parent application overcame the problems of the prior art, it was found that in certain circumstances, the tip of one arm of the clip did not engage the catch on the other arm. In addition, it was found that to effectively dispense the clip, it was preferable that the clip applier include a mechanism which pulled the penultimate (next) clip proximally after the ultimate clip was dispensed in order to ready the clip applier for use again in firing the next clip. Therefore, it was determined that further improvements to the clip could be made.


A process is described for filtration of fluids, particularly of beverages like beer, utilizing microfiltration membrane modules operated in alternating filtering cycles and cleansing cycles, in which the cleansing cycles are always carried out when the transmembrane pressure exceeds a pre-set pressure which has been set to equal to the optimum trans-membrane pressure for the particular fluid being filtered, based on an analysis of the fluid after it has been filtered. In beer filteration, this value is preferably set at 1.5 bar. The microfiltration facility is equipped with numerous MF modules, arrayed in series and parallel; with a device for cleansing the MF modules and a measuring device for recording trans-membrane pressure that is attached to a control device which, upon attaining the pre-set trans-membrane pressure, interrupts the filtering cycle and starts a cleansing cycle.

The invention has to do with a procedure for filtration of fluids, particularly of heterodisperse suspensions like beer, using MF modules in which filtration cycles alternate with cleansing cycles, and during filtration the trans-membrane pressure is measured constantly.
Although the filtration process is applicable to any fluid, treatment of worts, green beer or aged beer is of primary significance in the invention.
Filtration of beer in the brewery represents an important procedural step to produce a product in accord with user's expectations. For this at present, diatomite and layer filtration are used. These, however, have a disadvantage in that filtration aids requiring disposal are produced to a greater extent. Essentially this applies to used diatomite, the consumption of which comes to about 150,000 tons per annum worldwide. The diatomite sludge to be disposed of has a dry substance content of only about 20 to 25%, so that the quantity of diatomite sludge to be disposed of totals at least four times the above tonnage.
Disposal of diatomite sludge causes major environmental problems. Along with the instability in dumps caused by diatomite sludge, percolating water of diatomite sludge in particular that is released represents a great environmental burden owing to its high BSB*and CSB*values. FNT *BSB and CSB are measures of biochemical oxygen consumption, and chemical oxygen consumption, respectively.
Quite some time ago efforts were made to find alternatives to the traditional treatment methods. Cross flow technology has already been investigated as an alternative, and achieved acceptance particularly in the area of wines. Until now this technology could not be used successfully in breweries, primarily owing to low specific surface performance and analytic changes of the filtered beer during filtration lasting many hours.
In the field of wine we have a possibility to markedly increase the flux rate in cross flow filtration by heating the wine to be filtered, as is known from DE 34 23 594 A1. If the products are heated to considerably above 35.degree., performance with the cross flow process can be raised to double what it was. In the area of beer filtration this measure is not possible, since beer must be filtered at temperatures from -1 to +3.degree. C., so that low-temperature-unstable substances such as certain proteins do not go into solution, thus later causing the beer to become cloudy when the consumer sees it.
Because of beer's particular contents, filtration of beer is considerably more difficult than filtration of wines, for example. In addition, beer contains coarse disperse particles such as yeast, or possibly present beer pests, or colloidal components. Primarily we are dealing here with high-molecular-weight compounds of proteins with carbohydrates, tannin and hops resins. Designated as a third component group are molecular disperse components with a particle size <0.001 .mu.m.
According to G. E. Walla (Cross Flow Microfiltration in Breweries, dissertation in the Department of Technical Microbiology and Brewery Technology, Munich Technical University, 1992, p. 7), the following requirements exist for beer filtration:
1. That the filtrate have sufficient physico-chemical stability.
2. No bad-tasting product degradation from the filtration process.
3. Biological stability of the filtrate.
4. Sparkle quality and clean filtrate; preservation of CO.sub.2 content.
A further requirement has to do with the chemical analysis appearance of the filtrate. This is allowed to be changed by the filtration process only to a trivial extent.
Walla, in the course of his investigations, determined that a trans-membrane pressure can be regarded as optimal (dissertation, p. 66) for beer filtration as regards the components of the filtrate. Filtrate analyses have shown that the original wort content peaks at a trans-membrane pressure of 1.5 bar, as compared to higher or lower trans-membrane pressures.
Proceeding from this knowledge, Walla attempted to raise the flux rates while maintaining a constant trans-membrane pressure of 1.5 bar.
The flux is affected by the cover layer being formed on the membrane. Therefore an attempt was made to eliminate this by periodic back-rinsing. However, this procedure has a disadvantage in that as operating duration increase, the flux rate (both at the start and after back-rinsing with filtrate) is lower than in the previous cycle. This can be explained by the fact that certain adsorption effects take place which lead to a membrane blockage to a limited degree.
In addition, Walla determined (dissertation, p. 83) that in spite of periodic back-rinsing, particularly over a number of hours of filtration using the cross flow process, the original wort, the apparent extract, the thickness and foam stability in the filtrates decline. On average the original wort of the filtrate declined by an average of 0.5 weight % without periodic back-rinsing. With periodic back-rinsing the change was still 0.2 weight %. Without periodic back-rinsing the foam value dropped by 21 foam-points; using periodic back-rinsing, the drop was still 6 foam-points.
Another option for achieving larger flux rates consists in increasing overflow velocities (see Walla, Dissertation, page 62ff). From the investigations it can be clearly gleaned, however, that even a high overflow rate over a long period results in no significantly higher flux rate. The average performance after about six hours of filtration, even at a rate of 6 m/sec, amounted to only 35 L/m.sup.2 h. The cause of this is that even when higher overflow velocities are employed, buildup of a cover layer on the membrane surface cannot be totally avoided.
Additionally, the cover layer that forms considerably affects the filtration result by formation of a so-called secondary membrane in such a way that the selectivity of the actual membrane becomes greater. This means that even if membranes with a large nominal pore size are used, a cover layer is formed that is far under the nominal pore size of the membrane, so that essential components are removed from the beer.
High flow velocities, however, are to be avoided in beer filtration for the following reasons. First, overflow pumping causes an enormous amount of energy to be transferred into the system, so that unless there is supplemental cooling, beer heats up very rapidly. Through mechanical loading of colloidal substances in beer, particularly glucans, the filtration capacity of beer becomes steadily worse owing to pumping transfer in the cross flow system through gelation of .beta.-glucan.
A procedure is known from DE 39 36 797 C2 for separating beer from a raw material flow transferred during a fermentation process. In this process, ceramic membranes are used, for, in contrast to polymeric ones, ceramic membranes can be sterilized by hot water. These ceramic membranes are rinsed at large time intervals using a chemical cleaning solution, and are back-rinsed using hot water until free of chemicals in numerous intermediate cleaning steps. The cleaning steps are only carried out if a decrease in filtrate flow has taken place as a result of increasing blocking of the ceramic membrane. Also in this process there is a danger that possible essential components of the fluid to be filtered are filtered out by the cover layer, thus impairing the analytical appearance of the filtrate.
From DE 39 14 956 A1 is known a process for accelerating material exchange of a continuous bioreactor. In this process, using pressure modulations, formation of a secondary layer on the filtration membrane is prevented. Pressure changes are controlled depending on the pressure difference measured over the membrane. These changes must be oriented to providing the systems produced with fluid and nutrients.
What is recommended in Weinwirtschaft-Technik, 1990, pp. 15-21, is that in every case where the residue temperature increases too much, or filtration performance declines too much, that cross flow filtration be interrupted and a cleaning cycle be undertaken.

Procedure for filtration of fluids using MF modules


A storage system is provided which is capable of realizing a remote copy function for speeding up lines virtually by satisfying such demand to distribute copy data into a plurality of lines. In a storage system for connecting a local storage device and a remote storage device via a plurality of lines, the local storage device includes a remote copy program for distributing data of a plurality of logical volumes accessed from a host computer into a plurality of paths on the basis of status of the plurality of paths interposing the plurality of lines, to perform a remote copy from the local storage device to the remote storage device. Accordingly, the local storage device distributes data of the logical volumes into the plurality of lines to copy the data to the remote storage device, resulting in speeding up the lines virtually.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique of creating a backup of data, and more in particular, to an efficient technique applied to a storage system for performing a remote copy by interposing a plurality of lines.
2. Description of the Background Art
As an IT (Information Technology) is introduced into conducting business in an enterprise, important business data are stored in storage devices. In preparation of a large scale of damages such as an earthquake and so on, the enterprise considers a countermeasure such as reserving backups of the business data in a remote place.
However, an amount invested in the IT is limited in small and medium enterprise and thus a remote backup is required to be realized at a low cost. Such request may become satisfactory by using low-cost lines, for example, for a line for connecting a plurality of bases.
However, since, for example, an ADSL which is a low-cost line and is generally used has a low data rate in an upload speed which is important upon transmitting data, when copy data amount increases, a manager is required to lease a higher data rate line. The higher data rate line is expensive, and thus a remote copy function capable of using a plurality of cheap and low-speed lines is demanded.
Therefore, in order to satisfy such demand, data are required to be distributed into a plurality of lines such that a plurality of low-speed lines are bonded for virtual speed-up. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-145855 discloses a method that the remote copy function distributes loads into a plurality of ports.

Storage system and remote copy control method


A portable multi purpose machine having removable head attachments primarily for personal grooming. The removable head attachments used for multiple purposes include: cutting and vacuuming, shaving, hair clipping, tooth brushing, vacuuming, and massaging. The multi purpose machine comprises a housing having first and second walls and a motor assembly. The motor assembly has an electrically powered drive member to operate each of the heads. A power cord assembly provides power to rechargeable batteries.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable multi purpose machines, and more particularly, to a multi purpose machine having removable head attachments primarily for personal grooming.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many designs for grooming machines have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes removable head attachments used for multiple purposes including: cutting, shaving, clipping, tooth brushing, vacuuming, and massaging.
There are no similar multi purpose machines to the best of applicant's knowledge, having removable head attachments, and are primarily for personal grooming.


An automatic ball balancing system for an optical disk reading device has a rotor mechanism that has a concave annular track formed on the rotor, with at least one ball placed on the annular track to perform automatic balancing. A surface with a low friction coefficient is also provided on the annular track in the gravity direction of the balls to reduce the movement resistance between the ball(s) and the annular track. In the meantime, the stable rotation speed of the rotor and the system phase angle of the ball(s) when the rotor reaches a stable rotation speed are also changed. One way of effecting this change is to bond or coat a material with a low friction coefficient on the annular track in the gravity direction of the balls. In this way, the balancing effect of the automatic ball balancing system can be improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk reading device, and in particular, to a method for improving the balanced position of the balls in an automatic ball balancing system. In particular, the present invention relates to a method which reduces the movement resistance on the surface of a track in the gravity direction of the balls to change the rotation speed of the rotor and the system phase angle of the balls when reaching the rotation speed, so as to improve the balancing effect of the automatic ball balancing system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
General optical disk reading devices, such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, and other optical data reproducing or recording devices, have been widely used in multimedia computer systems and have become an important component among the peripheral devices of computer systems.
The reading speed of an optical disk drive has increased significantly with the development of optical data storage medium technology. At present, most mainstream optical disk devices have a rotation speed of the spindle motor that is higher than 10000 RPM.
When a spindle motor rotates at high speeds, a centrifugal deviation force generated by unbalance of the disk is increased, leading to vibration, noise, and other problems. In the practical application of an optical disk drive, excessive vibration will cause instability in the reading ability of the optical head. As a result, the optical disk drive cannot effectively read data at the highest rotation speed. In addition, the noise generated when the optical disk drive rotates at high speed can bother and disturb the user of the optical disk drive. Consequently, how to effectively suppress vibration so that an optical disk drive can read data from the optical disk correctly and smoothly at the highest rotation speed is a problem that has yet to be effectively addressed.
Conventional optical disk drives are provided with an automatic ball balancing system in order to reduce the vibration of an optical disk drive during high-speed rotation caused by unbalance of the rotor of the rotation mechanism. The automatic ball balancing system is typically provided above or below the spindle motor. The automatic ball balancing system is effective in reducing vibration because it uses a method of adding a balancing mass to directly reduce the unbalance of the vibration.
The theory for the balls of the above-mentioned automatic ball balancing system to reach the desired balanced positions is based on the theory of rotor dynamics. FIGS. 1A–1C illustrate three possible conditions for the balls 2 in the automatic ball balancing system. First, when the stable rotation speed of the spindle motor is lower than the unstable critical rotation speed (called natural frequency of the suspending system), the unbalance amount of the balls 2 and the imbalance center of mass of the disk 3 of the system are in the same phase state (as shown in FIG. 1A). Second, when the stable rotation speed of the spindle motor is equal to the unstable critical rotation speed, there is a phase difference of 90° between the unbalance amount of the balls 2 and the imbalance center of mass of the disk 3 of the system (as shown in FIG. 1B). The numeral 4 in FIG. 1B illustrates the position of the balls 2 during this condition. Third, when the stable rotation speed of the spindle motor is higher than the unstable critical rotation speed, there is a phase difference of 180° between the unbalance amount of the balls 2 and the imbalance center of mass of the disk 3 of the system (as shown in FIG. 1C). Again, the numeral 4 in FIG. 1C illustrates the position of the balls 2 during this condition.
However, when the balancing balls 4 rotate and slide along the tracks within the rotor, the balancing balls 4 typically experience a movement resistance in the form of a frictional force opposite to the their motion. This movement resistance may be caused by the degree of roundness, concentric degree, and surface roughness of the balls 2. As a result, when the rotor (or spindle motor) reaches a stable rotation speed, the balls 2 cannot reach the system phase angle for the aforementioned stable rotation speed (that is lower than the unstable critical rotation speed). This opposite frictional force results in a phase angle delay of the balancing balls 4. The greater the frictional force, the greater the phase angle delay of the balancing balls 4. FIGS. 1A–1C describe the ideal result of the ball balancing system. As shown in FIG. 1C, when the stable rotational speed of the spindle motor is larger than the unstable critical rational speed, the phase angle difference is equal to 180 degrees, and vibration due to rotation will be suppressed significantly. On the other hand, if the phase angle difference is less than 180 degrees due to the frictional force, then the vibration cannot be suppressed significantly. Thus, if the phase angle difference between the balls 2 and the imbalance center of mass of the disk 3 is an integral times of 180 degrees, than the vibration will be reduced significantly. This will allow the rotational speed of rotor to be accelerated to greater speeds even when the rotational speed is larger than the unstable rotational speed.
FIG. 7 illustrates the phase angle delay between the balls 2 and the imbalance center of the disk 3.

Method for reducing the rotation speed of an automatic ball balancing system of an optical disk reading device


A panel edge joint formed on opposing edges of a first panel (12) and second panel (22) for use in refrigeration units. The panel edge joint comprises a male part (10) extending along at least one edge of the first panel (12) and a corresponding female part (20) extending along at least one edge of second panel (22) wherein male part (10) comprises a deformable sleeve (30) forming an outer covering of male part (10). Engagement of male part (10) with female part (20) forms a seal between the first panel (12) and second panel (22).

Refrigeration units are commonly used in commercial environments for storing perishable items at reduced temperatures for example providing a cool room. Typically, such units consist of metal panels sandwiching an insulating material defining the perimeter of the cool room area. The temperature within the cool room may be controlled by a refrigeration system comprising a heat pump to remove heat from the cool room, thereby lowering the temperature of the cool room.
The heat pump operates against the natural flow of heat by removing the heat from the area to keep the temperature at a set point. Thus, when the temperature is higher inside or outside of the cool room, heat flows into the cooler area to overcome the difference in heat temperature gradient. These heat losses and gains affect the efficiency of the system, requiring more work to be done by the refrigeration unit to control the temperature of the room to the desired set point.
The heat pump may include at least one evaporator, compressor, condenser, and engine connected to the cooling room to pump heat out of the room. Typically such units provide 30% efficiency of the refrigeration unit, with heat losses being the major source reducing efficiency.
Commonly heat loss or gain is reduced by providing insulation between the cool room and the outer area. This is usually achieved by using polystyrene or polyurethane foam between a metallic skin to form the panels of the cool room. As the metallic panels are good conductors of heat, these panels rely on the thermal insulation properties of insulating polystyrene foam to restrict the flow of heat into the cool room.
A problem with the construction of insulated cool rooms is that heat gain can occur at the joint between adjacent insulated panels of the cool room thereby reducing the efficiency of the refrigeration unit.
Attempts have been made to overcome this problem by using a sealant such as fluid silicon sealant to seal the panels along the edge of the joints. However, this process is cumbersome and expensive due to the cost of the sealant compound and the necessity to manually pump the fluid into the joints after installation of the cool room panels.
Additionally previous joints have resulted in condensation and the collection of water occurring at the joints between the panels, thereby causing the steel of the panels to corrode and pit.
We have found a way to reduce the heat gains into the cool room thereby increasing the efficiency of the refrigeration unit. We have produced a new panel edge joint which substantially ameliorates the above problems or at least provides the user with a useful commercial choice.


A bleach-containing detergent composition which contains a peroxygen bleaching compound and a bleach activator is disclosed. The bleach activator is in the form of particles having a mean particle diameter of 200 microns to 2000 microns. Also disclosed are bleach activator particles in the form of substantially cylindrically-shaped extrudates having a mean extrudate length of from about 500 microns to about 3500 microns and a mean extrudate diameter of from about 450 microns to about 850 microns.

As is known, surface bleaching of textiles is bleaching wherein the bleaching mechanism takes place on the textile surface and, thereby, removes stains and/or soils. Typical bleaching compositions contain peroxygen bleaches capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions and bleach activators to enhance bleach performance. It has long been known that peroxygen bleaches are effective for stain and/or soil removal from textiles, but that they are also extremely temperature dependent. Such bleaches are essentially only practicable and/or effective in bleaching solutions, i.e., a bleach and water mixture, wherein the solution temperature is above about 60.degree. C. At bleach solution temperatures of about 60.degree. C., peroxygen bleaches are only partially effective and, therefore, in order to obtain a desirable level of bleaching performance extremely high levels of peroxygen bleach must be added to the system. This is economically impracticable for large-scale commercialization of modern detergent products. As the bleach solution temperature is lowered below 60.degree. C., peroxygen bleaches are rendered ineffective, regardless of the level of peroxygen bleach added to the system. The temperature dependence of peroxygen bleaches is significant because such bleaches are commonly used as a detergent adjuvant in textile wash processes that utilize an automatic household washing machine at wash water temperatures below 60.degree. C. Such wash temperatures are utilized because of textile care and energy considerations. As a consequence of such a wash process, there has been much industrial research to develop substances, generally referred to as bleach activators, that render peroxygen bleaches effective at bleach solution temperatures below 60.degree. C.
Numerous substances have been disclosed in the art as effective bleach activators. For example, bleach activators having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group and L is a leaving group, have been disclosed in the art. Such bleach activators have typically been incorporated into detergent products as an admixed granule, agglomerate or other type of particle. However, one problem with such bleach activators is maintaining the stability of the activator prior to use by the consumer. The bleach activator granule or agglomerate has a tendency to degrade over time which is exacerbated by exposure to environmental effects such as heat and humidity. As a consequence of this, the granule, agglomerate or other particulate form of the bleach activator must be relatively large in comparison to the other detergent ingredients in a typical granular detergent product. This, in turn, causes another problem associated with detergent product segregation in that the larger bleach activator particles tend to accumulate at or near the top of the detergent box while relatively smaller particle sized detergent ingredients accumulate at or near the bottom of the box. Additionally, particle segregation occurs during the detergent manufacturing process, leading to increased box to box variability for the detergent active ingredients. The net result of such an undesirable product segregation is decreased performance since the user scoops the product from the top to the bottom and each scoop has a disproportionate amount of bleach activator or other detergent ingredient, and similarly, the performance of product from different boxes is affected by variance in the detergent composition. Thus, it would be desirable to have a detergent composition containing a bleach activator which has improved stability prior to use, and which does not significantly segregate prior to packaging or while stored in the detergent product box. Additionally, it would be desirable to have such a detergent composition which also has acceptable physical properties, for example, acceptable flow properties for bulk handling of the composition as part of large-scale detergent manufacturing.
Yet another problem with the aforementioned bleach activators relates to the inability to advertise the sanitization effects of the above-mentioned bleach/bleach activator systems on fabrics. Currently, most government regulation agencies require that sanitization advertising claims for fabric care can only be made if a relatively high level of microbes are consistently removed from the laundered fabrics as a result of using the bleach-containing detergent product. In the past, however, the relatively large granule, agglomerate or other particle form of the bleach activator has inhibited such sanitization advertising claims in that the product segregation effects of such larger particles prevented the consistent removal of high levels of microbes from the laundered fabrics. The bleach/bleach activator delivery during the laundering process varied too widely to satisfy most governmental agency requirements for sanitization advertising claims. It would therefore be desirable to have a bleach-containing composition detergent which can be used to sanitize fabrics.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art to have detergent composition containing a bleach activator which has improved stability prior to use. Also, there is a need in the art for a detergent composition containing a bleach activator which does not significantly segregate while stored in the detergent product box and has acceptable physical properties. Yet another need in the art remains for such a detergent composition which has a more consistent bleach/bleach activator delivery.

Detergent composition containing optimally sized bleach activator particles


Well treatment particulates are coated with polyionic material and a composite is formed comprising multiple layers of polyelectrolyte, each layer composed of polyionic material counter to the polyionic material of the polyelectrolyte layer to which it is adjacent.

Hydraulic fracturing is a common stimulation technique used to enhance production of hydrocarbon fluids and gas from subterranean formations. In a typical hydraulic fracturing treatment, a fracturing fluid containing solid proppants is injected into the wellbore at pressures sufficient to create or enlarge a fracture in the reservoir. The proppant is deposited in the fracture and serves to hold the fracture open, thereby enhancing the ability of hydrocarbons to migrate from the formation to the wellbore through the fracture. Because well productivity depends on the ability of a fracture to conduct hydrocarbons from the formation to the wellbore, fracture conductivity is an important parameter in determining the degree of success of a hydraulic fracturing treatment.
The creation of reservoir "fines" during hydraulic fracturing has been reported to create problems. Most notably, fines are instrumental in reducing fracture conductivity. When proppant materials are subjected to reservoir closure stresses and are compressed together, fines are generated. Production of fines in the reservoir also often results in a reduction in reservoir permeability due to plugging of pore throats by the fines in the reservoir matrix.
Since the degree of stimulation afforded by the fracture treatment is dependent upon the propped width, it is important that the proppant exhibit resistance to crushing from the high stresses in the well. Improvements have been continuously sought to control and prevent the crushing of proppants at in-situ reservoir conditions. For instance, resin-coated proppant materials have been designed to help form a consolidated and permeable fracture pack when placed in the formation wherein the resin coating enhances the crush resistance of the proppant. The coating may further act as a tackifying agent to control fines from migrating into the proppant pack. The coating may be applied to the proppant by mixing proppant particulates with a resinous system and hardening the resin in-situ. Alternatively, a pre-coated proppant may be pumped into the formation with the fracturing fluid. Further, the proppant may be pumped into the formation and then consolidated with a curing solution which is pumped after the proppant material is in place.
Fines may further migrate during gravel packing Gravel packing is a sand-control method employed to prevent the production of formation sand. Gravel packing treatments are used to reduce the migration of unconsolidated formation particulates into the wellbore. Typically, gravel pack operations involve placing a gravel pack screen in the wellbore and packing the surrounding annulus between the screen and the wellbore with gravel designed to prevent the passage of formation sands through the pack. The gravel pack screen is generally a type of filter assembly used to support and retain the gravel placed during the gravel pack operation. Particulates known in the art as gravel are carried to a wellbore by a hydrocarbon or water carrier fluid. The carrier fluid leaks off into the subterranean zone and/or is returned to the surface while the particulates are left in the zone. The resultant gravel pack acts as a filter to separate formation sands from produced fluids while permitting the produced fluids to flow into the wellbore.
In some situations the processes of hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing are combined into a single treatment to provide stimulated production and an annular gravel pack to reduce formation sand production. Such treatments are often referred to as "frac pack" operations. In some cases, the treatments are completed with a gravel pack screen assembly in place, and the hydraulic fracturing treatment being pumped through the annular space between the casing and screen. In such a situation, the hydraulic fracturing treatment usually ends in a screen out condition creating an annular gravel pack between the screen and casing. This allows both the hydraulic fracturing treatment and gravel pack to be placed in a single operation.
To minimize the migration of formation fines, coated and/or uncoated particulates have further been used in gravel packing. While the use of resin coated proppants has been successful in minimizing the generation of fines during hydraulic fracturing and fine migration during gravel packing, such materials are known to erode oil and gas production equipment. There is an ongoing need to develop particulates exhibiting crush resistance that can be used as proppants and gravel for minimizing fines generation and fines migration, reduce proppant pack and gravel pack damage, and which are less eroding to oil and gas production equipment.
In addition to concerns arising from the creation of fines, the use of certain particulates used as proppants during hydraulic fracturing and sand control particulates have presented other challenges. One such concern is presented by the release of dust from those particulates carrying a positive or negative charge. For instance, with certain proppants, such as sand, dust is released during transport of the proppant as well as during usage of the proppant within the well. Recently, the release of dust from fracturing operations has come under close scrutiny as health concerns upon field workers and those within residential areas within the vicinity of on-shore fracturing has risen. There has not been a method developed to date which is specifically designed to reduce the release of dust from proppants. While resin coating of frac sand has been noted to decrease dust production, the addition of a resin coating doubles the cost of frac sand. In addition, the chemicals used to make the resins are not environmentally friendly. Lastly, the application of resin coating to frac sand requires the sand to be heated either by electricity or the burning of natural gas, both of which are costly. Alternative methods for reducing the generation of dust from charged particulates have thus been sought.

Method of reducing dust with self-assembly composites


Disclose are a display substrate, a liquid crystal display panel and a display device. The display substrate is provided with a display region. The display substrate includes: a base substrate, and a black matrix arranged on a side of the base substrate. The black matrix includes: a first region corresponding to the display region, and a plurality of frame regions arranged on a periphery of the first region. At least one rectilinear first slit and at least one rectilinear second slit intersecting with the at least one rectilinear first slit are arranged in the at least one of the frame regions, and an extending direction of the at least one rectilinear first slit is same as an extending direction of the at least one of the frame regions.

In the case of a liquid crystal display panel in the related art, when there is no backlight, an edge of the panel will be whitened; under bright backlight, the edge of the panel will become obviously light transmitting; and under a microscopic condition, light leakage of a black matrix can be clearly seen. In order to achieve an antistatic effect, in a black matrix in the related art, patterning slits are set, but the setting of the patterning slits will cause problems that a transmittance of the display panel is high (the transmittance is about 30%) and is difficult to lower, the antistatic effect is poor, and a process yield is low.

Display substrate, liquid crystal display panel, and display device


A new and distinct variety of Cosmos, named ‘Cacao Choco Sanse 35’, characterized by a very vigorous branching habit, abundance of flowers, high hardiness with high heat resistance, low susceptibility to powdery mildew and mites, large flower size, delayed bloom after pinching and distinctive red color of the flower.

The new variety of Cosmos was created in a controlled breeding program by crossing two parents; in particular, by crossing as seed parent Cosmos atrosanguineus (unpatented) and as pollen parent Cosmos sulphureus (unpatented). The breeding program was conducted in Kubuchizawa, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi, Japan. The crossing was made in March 2002, and seedlings were transplanted and pinched in early September of the same year. With applied lighting, the first flowers were observed in December 2002 and initial selections were made for new flower color and more vigorous growth. Root cuttings obtained from selected seedlings were planted in September 2003, and final selections for new color and more vigorous growth were made in December 2003.
The resulting seedling of the new variety was grown and asexually propagated by rooted cuttings in Yamanashi, Japan, in March 2004. This propagation and subsequent testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Cosmos plant named ‘Cacao Choco Sanse 35’


A signal detection circuit includes band pass filters for detecting frequency components of a Call Alert signal (CAS) signal, a tone detection circuit for detecting whether or not a signal component is present in the output signals of the band pass filters, and two types of guard time setting circuits that have different guard times. When the CAS signal component is present, a transmitting speech signal is muted. Thereafter, with the guard time setting circuit having the normal guard time, it is determined whether or not the signal component lasts for a predetermined time period. Since the CAS signal is detected with two types of guard times, even if the transmitting speech signal contains a frequency component of the CAS signal, the transmitting speech signal is not mis-detected as the CAS signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a telephone apparatus that allows the user to use a caller ID service informing him or her of the telephone number and the name of the calling party and a signal detection circuit for use therewith.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the North American countries, a caller ID service that informs the user of the telephone number and the name of the calling party has been used. In such a caller ID service, when a telephone terminal receives a call, the service informs the user of the telephone number and the name of the calling party. As a modification to the above conventional service, a new type of service has been proposed. In this new service, while a first user is communicating with a second user, if a third user calls the first user, the service informs the first user of the telephone number and the name of the third user who is call-waiting. In other words, when the first user does not know who is the third user, the first user does not know whether or not the third user is superior to the second user. When the first user receives a call waiting signal, however, and if the first user is informed who is the third user, the first user can conveniently determine to whom the first user should talk.
Such a new type caller ID service can be accomplished in the following manner.
While the first user is communicating with the second user, if the third user calls the first user, the telephone exchange sends a dual tone signal referred to as CAS (Call Alert Signal) to the telephone of the first user so as to mute the receiving speech signal. Responding to the CAS signal, the telephone of the first user sends a DTMF signal that represents "D" so as to receive information from the third user. When the telephone exchange has received the "D" signal of the DTMF signal from the telephone terminal of the first user, the telephone exchange sends data of the telephone number and the name of the third user as FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) modulated data. The telephone terminal of the first user demodulates the FSK-modulated data, decodes the data of the telephone number and the name of the third user, and displays the decoded data on the display of the telephone terminal.
In the new type caller ID service corresponding to the call-waiting signal, before the telephone exchange sends the telephone number and the name of the third user, it sends the CAS signal that causes the telephone terminal of the first user to mute the receiving speech signal. The CAS signal is a dual tone signal with frequencies of 2130 Hz and 2750 Hz. The CAS signal lasts for 80 msec. The telephone terminal that accomplishes the new type caller ID service corresponding to the call-waiting signal has a signal detection circuit that detects the dual tone signal with frequencies 2130 Hz and 2750 Hz.
Generally, as shown in FIG. 1, the signal detection circuit that detects such a dual tone signal comprises a frequency band limiting filter 102, a band pass filter 103 that extracts a frequency component of 2130 Hz, a band pass filter 104 that extracts a frequency component of 2750 Hz, a tone detection circuit 105 that detects whether or not the component of the tone signal is present, and a guard time setting circuit 106 that determines whether or not a component of the tone signal is continuously detected for a predetermined guard time that is shorter than the time period of the CAS signal.
In the new type caller ID service corresponding to the call-waiting signal, the CAS signal that is a dual tone signal with frequencies of 2130 Hz and 2750 Hz is supplied from the telephone exchange to an input terminal 101. When the CAS signal is received, the band pass filter 103 extracts a frequency component of 2130 Hz. The band pass filter 104 extracts a frequency component of 2750 Hz. The extracted frequency components are supplied to the tone detection circuit 105. When the tone detection circuit 105 detects these frequency components of the tone signal, it outputs a detection signal. Since the CAS signal lasts for 80 msec, the guard time setting circuit 106 detects the tone signal for a time period more than a predetermined guard time which is shorter than the time period of the CAS signal. A detection signal that represents the dual tone signal is outputted from an output terminal 107.
A transmitting speech signal and a receiving speech signal flow on a telephone line. Not only a signal sent from the telephone exchange, but a transmitting speech signal of the telephone terminal are supplied to the input terminal 101. The transmitting speech signal may contain a component of the tone signal by chance. When the detection signal contains frequency components of 2130 Hz and 2750 Hz and the transmitting speech signal lasts for the predetermined guard time, although the transmitting speech signal is not the dual tone signal of the CAS signal, the detection signal that represents that the tone signal is present is fed to the output terminal 107. In particular, speech signals of some users may have spectrum peaks at frequencies 2130 Hz and 2750 Hz by chance. When such users send calls, mis-detections may frequently take place.
To prevent such mis-detections, the guard time may be set to 30 msec or more. However, in the case that the guard time is set to 30 msec or more, since a transmitting speech signal is present while the dual tone signal is being detected, the sound level of the transmitting speech signal may exceed the sound level of the dual tone signal during the guard time. Thus, frequently, the signal detection is adversely affected. In the case that the guard time is set to around 5 msec, since the dual tone signal can be detected in a no-sound period between words, the probability that the signal detection is adversely affected becomes high. Moreover, as described, the probability that a component of the speech signal is detected as the dual tone signal becomes high.

Signal detection circuit and telephone apparatus


In a lead frame conveying method and apparatus used in, for instance, a wire bonding machine, a detection of the leading end of a lead frame supplied from a lead frame magazine and a positioning of the lead frame on a lead frame path are executed by a positioning sensor which is installed in the vicinity of a bonding position; and after the positioning, the lead frame is chucked by feeding claws so that a first bonding portion on the lead frame is conveyed by the feeding claws to the bonding position, thus avoiding use of the end surfaces of the feeding claws during the execution of positioning of the lead frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lead frame conveying method and conveying apparatus in which lead frames supplied from a loader side magazine are chucked and conveyed by the feeding claws of a frame feeder installed in a bonding apparatus such as a wire bonding apparatus, die bonding apparatus, etc.
2. Prior Art
FIG. 3 shows a conventional bonding apparatus A frame feeder 3 which conveys lead frames 1 includes guide rails 4 that are provided with guide grooves 4a for guiding the lead frames 1; and the feeder 3 further includes loader side feeding claws 5 and unloader side feeding claws 6.
The loader side feeding claws 5 consist of a pair of claws (an upper claw 5a and a lower claw 5b), and the unloader side feeding claws 6 consist of a pair of claws (an upper claw 6b and a lower claw 6b). Furthermore, the loader side and unloader side feeding claws 5 and 6 are opened and closed by a claw opening-and-closing means (not shown) and are moved along the guide rails 4 by a claw moving means (not shown).
Examples of frame feeders 3 of this type are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication (Kokoku) No. 63-56122 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 4-346446.
A bonding apparatus 10 such as a wire bonding apparatus, die bonding apparatus, etc., is installed so as to face the bonding position 7 which is located on one side of the guide rails 4 of the frame feeder 3. This bonding apparatus 10 has an XY table 11 which is driven in the X and Y directions; and a bonding head 12 is mounted on this XY table 11, and a camera holder 14 to which a television camera 13 is attached is fastened to this bonding head 12. Furthermore, a bonding arm 16 to which a bonding tool 15 is attached is installed on the bonding head 12 so that the bonding arm 16 can be raised and lowered. The television camera 13 is positioned above the bonding position 7, and the bonding tool 15 is provided so as to be offset from the television camera 13 by a distance of Y1. The bonding arm 16 is raised and lowered by a Z (vertical) driving motor (not shown).
The bonding apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 5-275502 is an example of a bonding apparatus 10 of this type.
A loader side magazine 20A and an unloader side magazine 20B, which store lead frames therein, are installed at both ends of the guide rails 4. The loader side and unloader side magazines 20A and 20B are respectively positioned and carried on magazine holders 22 which are raised and lowered by a loader side elevator device 21A and an unloader side elevator device 21B. The lead frames 1 inside the loader side magazine 20A are pushed out into the guide grooves 4a of the guide rails 4 by a frame pusher 23.
Examples of systems equipped with elevator devices 21A and 21B of this type are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication (Kokoku) Nos. S63-56122, H1-32127 and H2-4486.
In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 24 indicates a photo sensor which detects the lead frames 1 pushed out by the frame pusher 23.
An outline of the feeding operation of the above conventional frame feeder will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
A plurality of semiconductor chips (five chips in the shown embodiment, and which are hereafter referred to as "IC's") 2A through 2E are mounted on each of the lead frames 1A, 1B . . . shown in FIG. 4.
Beginning in the state shown in FIG. 4(a), the frame pusher 23 (see FIG. 3(b)) performs a push-out operation which pushes out the lead frame 1A at a low speed until the lead frame 1A is detected by the photo sensor 24. In this case, the loader side feeding claws 5 are in an open state, and the position where the loader side feeding claws 5 are located at this point is the feeding claw starting point A. When the photo sensor 24 detects the lead frame 1A, the low-speed push-out operation of the frame pusher 23 is ended.
Next, the frame pusher 23 pushes the lead frame 1A out to the position shown in FIG. 4(b), where the lead frame 1A can be chucked by the loader side feeding claws 5. Then, the loader side feeding claws 5 close and chuck the lead frame 2A; and, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the loader side feeding claws 5 feed the lead frame 1A to a calculated initial alignment position in order to perform an initial alignment (positioning).
Then, an initial alignment operation (which will be described next) is performed. This initial alignment operation is, in the shown embodiment, performed by the frame feeder described in Japanese Patent Application Publication (Kokoku) No. S63-56122.
More specifically, the loader side feeding claws 5 open so as to release the lead frame 1A, and then the loader side feeding claws 5 move slightly in the direction of arrow 30 as shown in FIG. 4(d). At this time, the right-side ends of the loader side feeding claws 5 are positioned at point B.
Next, after the loader side feeding claws 5 close, they are moved in the direction of arrow 31, so that the leading end of the lead frame 1A is pushed back by the loader side feeding claws 5, thus aligning the leading end of the lead frame 1A as shown in FIG. 4(e). Then, the loader side feeding claws 5 again move slightly in the direction of arrow 32 and Open so that the loader side feeding claws 5 will not interfere with the lead frame 1A. Afterward, the loader side feeding claws 5 move in the direction of arrow 33 and return to the feeding claw starting point A as shown in FIG. 4(f).
Next, a single-pitch feeding operation which feeds the lead frame 1A is performed. More specifically, the loader side feeding claws 5 close and chuck the lead frame 1A and then perform a feeding operation corresponding to one pitch as shown in FIG. 4(g). The loader side feeding claws 5 then open and return to the feeding claw starting point A as shown in FIG. 4(h); and then, the loader side feeding claws 5 close and chuck the lead frame 1A so as to perform a feeding operation until the first IC 2A on the lead frame 1A reaches the bonding position 7 as shown in FIG. 4(i). Following the completion of this feeding operation, the lead frame 1A is clamped by a window damper (not shown). In this state, the bonding points on the IC 2A are detected by the television camera 13 shown in FIG. 3, and bonding is performed on the corrected bonding points by the bonding tool 15 of the bonding apparatus 10. Meanwhile, the loader side feeding claws 5 return to the feeding claw starting point A as shown in FIG. 4(j).
After bonding on the IC 2A is completed, the window damper opens; and an operation which feeds the IC 2B to the bonding position 7 is performed by the loader side feeding claws 5. More specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 4(j), the loader side feeding claws 5 close and chuck the lead frame 1A and then perform a feeding operation corresponding to one IC pitch as shown in FIG. 4(k). Afterward, the lead frame 1A is clamped by the window damper in the same fashion as described above, and bonding is performed on the IC 2B; and then, the unloader side feeding claws 5 return to the feeding claw starting point A in an open state as shown in FIG. 4(1). Next, a feeding operation similar to the feeding operation on the IC 2B is performed so that the IC 2C is fed to the bonding position 7 as shown in FIG. 4(m), and bonding is performed on the IC 2C by the same operation as that described above.
Although not mentioned above, the unloader side feeding claws 6 perform the same actions as the loader side feeding claws 5 when the loader side feeding claws 5 feed the lead frame 1A by opening and closing and performing reciprocating motions.
As shown in FIG. 4(n), the loader side feeding claws 5 being opened return to the feeding claw starting point A. At this point, the trailing end of the lead frame 1A is positioned on the bonding position 7 side of the feeding claw starting point A. In addition, the unloader side feeding claws 6 are opened so that these claws can chuck the lead frame 1A. While bonding is being performed on the IC 2C, the next lead frame 1B is fed to a position which allows the lead frame 1B to be chucked by the loader side feeding claws 5, as shown in FIG. 4(o). This operation is the same as the operation shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).
When bonding on the IC 2C is completed and the window damper opens, the unloader side feeding claws 6 close and chuck the lead frame 1A, so that the IC 2D on the lead frame 1A is fed to the bonding position 7 as shown in FIG. 4(p). In this case, since the trailing end of the lead frame 1A has not passed point B, no feeding of the lead frame 1B is performed by the loader side feeding claws 5. This feeding of the lead frame 1B is delayed in order to prevent the lead frame 1B from interfering with the preceding lead frame 1A. In other words, the loader side feeding claws 5 perform a reciprocating movement while in an open state. Once the trailing end of the lead frame 1A has passed point B, conveying of the lead frame 1B becomes possible; and the operation shown in FIG. 4(b) and subsequent steps are performed on the lead frame 1B. As shown in FIG. 4(q), the unloader side feeding claws 6 return to the starting point of the feeding claws 6 in an open state; and when the bonding on the IC 2D is completed, the unloader side feeding claws 6 perform an operation which feeds the IC 2E to the bonding position 7. Subsequently, the IC's 2A, 2B . . . of the lead frame 1B are successively fed to the bonding position 7, and bonding operations are performed on each IC.
Thus, the leading end surface of each lead frame 1 supplied from the loader side magazine 20A is pushed by the end surfaces of the loader side feeding claws 5 so that the lead frame 1 is positioned (aligned). Afterward, the lead frame is conveyed to the bonding position with the loader side feeding claws 5 changing their grip on the lead frame 1 several times by opening and closing.
In the method described above, the positioning of the lead frames 1 is accomplished by pushing the lead frames 1 with the end surfaces of the loader side feeding claws 5, a long-term use wears out the loader side feeding claws 5 as at 35 in FIG. 5, generating a positional discrepancy during positioning.
Furthermore, wide lead frames 1 tend to sag as shown in FIG. 6(a); dimensional errors between individual loader side magazines 20A and looseness between the loader side magazine 20A and the magazine holder holding the loader side magazine 20A cause the lead frames 1 to deform as shown in FIG. 6(c); and looseness of the guide rails 4 in the direction of width and differences in the width adjustment of the guide rails 4 cause the lead frames to deform. Because of these problems, the lead frames 1 may contact the end surfaces 8a or 8b of the loader side feeding claws 5 as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), and it becomes uncertain exactly where the lead frames 1 will contact the end surfaces of the loader slide feeding claws 5; and as a result, positional discrepancies are generated during the positioning of the lead frames 1.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 6(d), since the portion of the end surface of each lead frame 1 contacted by the end surfaces of the loader side feeding claws 5 may be uncertain, depending on the shape of the end surface of the lead frame 1, positional discrepancies are likely to be generated.
In FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d), the two-dot chain lines indicate normal conditions, while the solid lines indicate abnormal conditions.
Furthermore, after each lead frame 1 has been positioned, the lead frame 1 is conveyed to the bonding position 7 while being repeatedly gripped by the loader side feeding claws 5. As result, because of deformation of the lead frame 1 as described above with reference to FIG. 6, as well as deformation of the lead frame 1 caused by the heat of the heater which heats the lead frame 1, and deformation of the lead frame 1 caused by expansion, etc., a positional discrepancy C as shown in FIG. 7(b) is generated in the leading end of the lead frame 1 each time the lead frame 1 is gripped by the loader side feeding claws 5, if the loader side feeding claws 5 are closed under conditions such as those shown in FIG. 7(a). As a result, a lead frame feeding discrepancy is generated while the lead frame 1 is being conveyed to the bonding position 7.

Lead frame conveying method and conveying apparatus


An electromagnetic pumping assembly (10) for liquid metal is made, which contains an immersible pump section (16) where electromagnetic windings (22) are disposed in the pump section, and an eddy current blocking structure (25) is disposed within the electromagnetic winding (22), providing liquid flow orifices unoccupied by the structure between the eddy current blocking structure and the winding, where there is at least one axial bore (27) through the eddy current blocking structure (25).

Hundreds of millions of aluminum die-cast parts are made in the United States every year. These parts are produced by many manufacturers on a number of different types of casting machines, but quality and yield of the die-cast parts are concerns common to all manufacturers. For those areas of the market where quality is a primary concern, particularly for suppliers to the automotive industry, new improved die-casting processes need to be improved to the extent that die-cast pieces can replace aluminum forgings.
Molten metal transfer for aluminum die casting and other processes generally includes two operations: transfer of the molten metal from the melting furnace to the holding furnace, and transfer from the holding furnace to the shot chamber of the die-casting machine. Usually, a single large-volume melting furnace is used to supply molten metal to smaller holding furnaces at die casting machines. The transfer to the die casting machine is usually accomplished by manual or mechanized ladling. Some problems associated with transfer ladles are the buildup of dross, and agitation, leading to non-metallic inclusions in the product, and the labor intensive nature of such transfer. Electromagnetic pumps have been used to some extent in transfer to the die-casting machine, but those available have proven to be rather fragile and somewhat costly to maintain.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,592 (Olich et al.), teaches a self-priming, low friction, electromagnetic, partial-immersion pump for molten metals. There, a rotating magnetic field, perpendicular to molten aluminum flow, generates currents in the molten metal, and with an inlet swirl inducer causes rotation of the molten metal about the axis of the pump structure, which comprises a high permeability stainless steel cylinder covered with ceramic mat and silicon carbide. The currents produced, interact with the magnetic field and a torpedo inductor to provide a forward propelling force in the molten metal. The swirl inducer of the torpedo comprises a plurality of spaced apart openings along the sides of the torpedo inductor. In this patent an annular ring extends from and circumscribes the solid torpedo inductor body.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,170 (Del Vecchio et al.), monophase electromagnetic field operations are detailed for flow control devices used to control molten metal flow. Here, a variety of torpedo styles are utilized. One torpedo style includes a solid central cylindrical post and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vanes extending radially outward from the post. Another style is a cylindrical plug sized to fit closely within a pump nozzle orifice, where the plug has either a plurality of transversely spaced apart bores (12 are shown) extending axially through the plug, or where the plug is an annular ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart interior ribs to define a large "multi-petal shaped" interior space. Similar type torpedo styles are described in U.S. Ser. No. 07/945,456 filed on Sept. 16, 1992 (Slepian et al. W.E. Case No. 57,142). In all of these torpedo styles, no mechanism is provided for reverse flow. The magnetic forces would tend to drive the molten metal in the pumping direction.
The Del Vecchio et al. and Slepian et al. inventions describe how an axial force can be developed in a molten metal column through the interaction of high frequency electromagnetic fields and induced eddy currents. A device generating this force can be used as either a pump or valve. In developing the force, heat is inherently generated within the molten metal stream. In addition to thermal and mechanical stresses that may develop in the pump as a result of the molten metal overheating, the temperature of the metal delivered to the caster may easily exceed the margins permitted.
Die casting machines work on a cyclical basis in which a controlled volume of metal within a cylinder is periodically injected into the mold of the machine by a ram. It would be desirable to hold the metal close to the cylinder between shots for several reasons. Exposure of the molten aluminum to air results in oxidation of the aluminum, forming inclusions in the casting and thereby reducing the quality of the part. If the aluminum is held in a small diameter pipe near the cylinder, contact with the air is minimized. The other reason is one of economics, the closer the metal is to the cylinder, the faster it can be filled. If the aluminum is allowed to drain from the transfer pipe back into the furnace each time, additional cycle time will be required to pump the aluminum from the furnace to the caster.
What is needed is a means to allow use of electromagnetic fields to operate a molten metal pump in a holding application, where a prolonged static head is maintained while avoiding excessive heating of the molten metal in the pump. It is one of the main objects of this invention to provide such a means.


Systems (100) and methods (400-1000) for providing store intelligence. The methods involve: communicating a First Unique IDentifier (“FUID”) between a beacon of a Proximity System (“PS”) disposed adjacent to an EAS system of a facility and a Mobile Communication Device (“MCD”) possessed by a person; communicating FUID and a Second UID (“SUID”) to an Intelligence System (“IS”), where FUID and SUID collectively comprise a UID of the beacon and a UID of the MCD; capturing a Time Stamped Image (“TSI”) of the person using a camera of the proximity system; communicating TSI to IS for storage; and performing operations at IS to enhance the security/safety of the facility by using FUID to detect an entrance/exit of the person to/from the facility and at least one of SUID and TSI to make a first determination as to an identification of the person.

Indoor proximity systems are well known in the art. One conventional indoor proximity system is known as iBeacon®. iBeacon® employs Bluetooth communication technology to connect to mobile communication devices (e.g., cellular phones). Upon establishment of such connection, the iBeacon® requests and receives first information from each mobile communication device. The first information includes information which has been agreed upon by the cell user for provision to the iBeacon®. The iBeacon® can also push second information to the mobile communication device. The second information can include, but is not limited to, coupon related information which has been selected based on the store a customer is presently in or entering into. The Bluetooth technology is based on a 2.45 GHz transmission, and its data rate ranges from 1 Mbit to 24 Mbit.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Store intelligence platform using proximity sensing