An electronic system for presenting information relating to products on offer at a place of sale comprises: a central unit; a mass memory containing image sequences respectively associated with products belonging to a given group from amongst the products on offer at the place of sale; a display device; and a bar code or other reader to which a particular item on sale can be presented. The central unit includes a comparator for comparing a product code delivered by a reader with a series of product codes corresponding respectively to the products in the group. The central unit causes the sequence of images associated with the presented item to be run when the product code is contained in the series of product codes, and otherwise it displays a non-correspondence message. The system is particularly applicable to promoting perfumery.

Various electronic systems are presently known for enabling consumers to obtain information about goods or services on offer at a given place of sale.
Typically, such a system comprises a CPU having the usual memories, an input device such as a keyboard, a display screen, and loudspeakers.
When the consumer presses on a particular key of the keyboard, the CPU causes the screen to display a sequence of still or moving images, optionally accompanied by a sound track.
Nevertheless, that system is disadvantageous in that it requires the consumer to act on keyboard, which can be off-putting.
Another known system, that is in use in large stores, enables a consumer to verify that the price displayed on the shelves for an item does indeed correspond with the price which will be applied at the checkout. That system comprises a bar code reader to which the item to be verified is presented, and a display screen for telling the consumer the price presently associated with that item in the central computer of the store.
A drawback of that known system lies in that the information given is extremely restricted, and in that it can be used with all of the goods in the store. This makes it completely unsuitable for promotional applications, and in particular for selective applications concerning a given group of goods, such as goods sold under the same trademark.

Electronic system for selective presentation of information at a place of sale


In an imaging apparatus, a magnified image of an object is formed on a predetermined plane through a plurality of lens groups. A plurality of filters are selectively inserted into the light path between the object and the predetermined plane. An optical device is provided in the imaging apparatus, in which the plurality of lens groups are driven as a unit along the optical axis while the positional relation among the respective lens groups are correspondingly changed, wherein at least one of the plurality of lens groups is independently driven along the optical axis. The plurality of lens groups are driven to move in accordance with a desired image magnification, and at-least-one of the plurality of lens groups is independently driven, depending upon the selected filter, so as to place the object image on the predetermined plane.

The present invention relates to an optical device for a color copy machine and the like which is capable of forming an object image on a light receiving plane at different magnifications.
Conventionally, this kind of optical device is constructed as follows:
A zoom lens is mounted on a carriage, and a carriage drive mechanism is disposed on the base plate on the side of the main body of the copy machine. Further, a guide rail for guiding the carriage is disposed in the direction of the optical axis of the zoom lens. Further, pulleys and a wire are interposed between the carriage and the carriage drive mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the drive mechanism to the carriage. Thus, the carriage is driven by the carriage drive mechanism by means of the pulleys and the wire, and is moved in the direction of the optical axis of the zoom lens as the carriage drive mechanism is operated.
In the construction described above, a stray light prevention member covering the zoom lens from the upper side thereof is provided for preventing stray light caused by an illuminating light from entering the zoom lens.
Nevertheless, in the conventional devices, since the carriage drive mechanism is mounted on the main body, an escape portion is interposed between the stray light prevention mechanism and the carriage drive mechanism so that they are not brought into contact to each other. Even if a small amount of a stray light enters the zoom lens through the slight gap of the escape portion, a formed image may become unclear, and furthermore, the stray light may affect the formed image significantly in the case of a color copy.
Further, the length of the guide rail must be increased with maintaining the accuracy of a copied image when the magnification changing range is widened. Accordingly, if a fragile guide rail is used, the carriage may jolt to the right and left on the horizontal plane. As a result, a long and thick guide rail of high strength is required, which causes weight of the device and manufacture cost to be raised.
Furthermore, since a base plate should be provided with the main body of the device in order to mount the carriage drive mechanism thereon, the size of the device is increased as a whole, efficiency for shipping of the device becomes low and the cost of the device is increased.
Recently, a copy machine capable of producing a colored copy has become known. In such a copy machine capable of producing a colored copy of an original, a plurality of filters: M (monochrome); B (blue); G (Green); and R (red) filters, are selectively inserted between the original and the image receiving plane in order to obtain the image data corresponding to respective colors.
In this case, since a lens brings the different colors of light of focus at different points, i.e., a chromatic abberation exists, it is necessary to use a lens having less chromatic abberation. However, the problem arises in that it is difficult to make a lens to have low chromatic abberation in various magnification ranges. Further, there exists a manufacturing error of the lens, and device, which makes it further difficult to compensate the chromatic abberation.


A method for congestion mitigation via admission control in a shared-backhaul telecommunications network is disclosed, comprising: assessing a congestion state in a multi-node radio access network having a shared backhaul connection, the congestion state based on congestion of the shared backhaul connection; retrieving an admission control policy based on the congestion state of the shared backhaul connection; performing a policy action of the admission control policy at a first base station acting as a gateway for the multi-node radio access network with respect to the shared backhaul connection; and sending the admission control policy to other nodes in the multi-node radio access network, thereby causing the other nodes to perform the policy action, wherein the policy action is denying a request from a user equipment to attach to the radio access network.

It is possible to create a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network where certain base stations are backhauled using a wireless network, such as a mesh, Wi-Fi or LTE-based backhaul connection. Depending on usage by mobile subscribers, the number of base stations being backhauled, available bandwidth, applications running, traffic activity on various user equipment devices, severe traffic or bad radio connections, congestion may occur at one or more mesh network links or backhaul links. Congestion may of course adversely impact network operations and providing reasonable service. The case of congestion occurring at the backhaul connection has a greater adverse effect on the network than other types of congestion. This is because all traffic from all users accessing the radio access network shared backhaul connection need to use the shared backhaul connection.
The radio access network generally has traffic of different kinds, such as wired or wireless internet traffic, 3G/4G Voice/Data, signaling traffic such as S1, X2, Iu, radio access bearer assignment, operations administrations and management, etc.; and each type of traffic has its own mechanism to indicate priority of the message. The traffic is generally transported over private virtual private network tunnels, e.g. using IPSec, and are therefore encrypted and encapsulated. Prioritization is particularly needed for emergency services traffic. The trend of using industry-standard LTE and VoLTE for first responders makes this issue more pressing as well.
A solution is therefore needed for prioritizing messages in a radio access network that utilizes shared backhaul.

Access network collective admission control


An X-ray source arrangement (10) for generating X-ray radiation (102), a method for operating the X-ray source arrangement (10), and an X-ray imaging apparatus (100) are provided. The X-ray source arrangement (10) comprises an X-ray tube (22), a converter arrangement (16) with an inverter (18) and a resonant converter (20) for providing a source voltage to the X-ray tube (22), a pre-controller (12), and a modulator (14). The pre-controller (12) is configured for determining a reference duty ratio (r, 26) of the resonant converter (20) as a continuous function of time based on a mathematical model of the resonant converter (20), and for providing a control signal (13) correlating with the reference duty ratio (r, 26) to the modulator (14). The modulator (14) is configured for determining a switching signal (15) based on the control signal (13), and for providing the switching signal (15) to the inverter (18) of the converter arrangement (16) for actuating the inverter (18).

X-ray sources, X-ray source arrangements and/or X-ray generators usually comprise a converter with an inverter coupled to a resonant converter, also referred to as resonant tank, wherein the inverter may e.g. comprise a half-bridge and/or a full-bridge module for supplying electrical power to the resonant tank. By means of the converter, a certain output voltage and/or a certain output current may be supplied to an X-ray tube, such that X-ray radiation of a certain energy and/or intensity may be generated.
Particularly in the field of medical X-ray applications, X-ray sources are usually operated in a pulsed mode, in which pulses of X-ray radiation with a certain energy, intensity and/or frequency are generated. For this purpose, usually a modulation signal with slowly varying voltage is converted into a discrete switching signal by means of a modulator, which is then used to actuate the inverter of the X-ray source such that a desired voltage pulse is generated by the converter leading to a desired pulse of X-ray radiation emitted by the X-ray tube.
Further, a feedback loop may set and/or adjust the modulation signal by processing some measured variables and/or quantities of the X-ray source. By way of example, a measured output voltage may be compared to a desired reference output voltage. The feedback loop usually comprises a controller for compensating deviations of the measured output voltage from the desired reference output voltage, wherein the controller may have a proportional part and a significant integral part in order to generate an error signal indicative of the deviation. With this conventional approach it may be difficult to generate reproducible high-voltage pulses with the converter having a flat-top pulse shape, which may be desired in medical imaging applications.

X-ray source arrangement for generating X-ray radiation


Methods and systems for reliably exchanging a message among collaborating applications are disclosed. The methods and systems utilize a central exchange infrastructure (XI) for executing collaborative business processes among heterogeneous applications. Reliable message transmission is guaranteed by an Exactly Once Protocol (EOP), in which a database associated with the messaging and transport layer (MTL) of an HTTP-compliant server is used for storing a message identifier and comparing the message identifier to previously received message identifiers. If there is no match, the XI facilitates an exchange of message content of application data from a sending application to a receiving application.

Software components that are designed to perform a certain function are known as applications. Applications are widely used in a variety of business processes, and are increasingly used in collaborative situations, i.e. situations in which one or more applications receive data from another application.
Applications in a collaborative environment frequently update their data and transmit data to collaborating applications, which are triggered by an incoming message to update their own data with the contents of the message. Application data updates are typically of considerable relevance in a business scenario or process. Accordingly, three natural requirements have arisen for collaborative data exchanges: 1) application data is stored in a persistent medium, typically a relational database system; 2) data updates within applications and the message transport processes that move data must be reliably integrated; and 3) the message transport process itself must be reliable.

Exactly once protocol for message-based collaboration


A 0.1 to 0.5 mm-thick plated steel sheet having high coercive force and magnetic flux density is provided by hot rolling a slab comprising by weight carbon: 0.01 to 0.09%, silicon: not more than 1.0%, phosphorus: not more than 0.3%, manganese: not more than 1.5%, sulfur: not more than 0.04%, aluminum: not more than 1.0%, and nitrogen: not more than 0.01% with the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities, cold rolling the hot rolled sheet, annealing the cold rolled sheet to prepare a steel sheet having an average grain diameter of 3 to 15 .mu.m, temper rolling the steel sheet with a reduction ratio of not more than 3%, and plating the temper rolled sheet with chromium or nickel. This enables the provision of a magnetic shielding material having no significant drift and very good electron beam landing properties.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic shielding material for a television (TV) cathode-ray tube, particularly for a color TV cathode-ray tube, and more particularly to a material of a magnetic shielding component disposed on the interior or exterior of the cathode-ray tube to surround an electron beam in a funnel of the tube, that is, a magnetic shielding material for a TV cathode-ray tube, and a process for producing the same.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A color TV cathode-ray tube basically comprises an electron gun and a fluorescent screen for converting an electron beam to an image and, further, a magnetic shielding component, for preventing the electron beam from being deflected by geomagnetism, surrounding an inside of the funnel of the cathode-ray tube. This magnetic shielding component is known also as an inner shielding component or an inner magnetic shielding component. In some cases, an outer shielding component for shielding geomagnetism on the exterior of the cathode-ray tube is used. In the present invention, the materials for these components are generally called "magnetic shielding materials."
The magnetic shielding material is generally a steel sheet having a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, and a coil of this steel sheet is pressed by an electric appliance manufacturer and then incorporated into the interior of the cathode-ray tube. In order to shield geomagnetism, it is common practice to use a method wherein a degaussing coil wound around the exterior of the color cathode-ray tube is energized by an alternating current and an anti-magnetic field is created by the residual magnetism in the interior of the inner shield component to reduce the effect of external geomagnetism.
The general properties required of the magnetic shielding material are a high magnetic permeability .mu., in the geomagnetic field (a very low strength magnetic field of about 0.3 Oe (Oe is oersted)), necessary for facilitating passage of magnetism, and a low coercive force Hc for improving the degaussing properties (elimination of residual magnetism). In order to ensure the above magnetic properties of the magnetic shielding material, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2-282423, aluminum (not more than 0.001%) as the constituent of steel is minimized, and, at the same time, boron is added so that the fine precipitate in the steel is brought to substantially BN alone, thereby attempting to improve the magnetic permeability and to lower the coercive force and, at the same time, to improve the press moldability.
Similarly, in order to improve the magnetic properties, moldability, spot weldability, graphitizability and other properties of the magnetic shielding material, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 3-146644 discloses a technique, where the total amount of silicon, manganese, and aluminum is specified and a given amount of boron is added, and describes that, in this case, a coercive force of not more than 1 Oe at a magnetic field of 10 Oe is desired.
Further, Japanese Examined Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 5-64698 discloses an inner shielding material wherein, in order to improve the magnetic properties of the inner shielding material for a TV cathode-ray tube, the grain size and residual strain are regulated to provide an inner shielding material having a magnetic permeability of not less than 750 emu and a coercive force of not more than 1.2 Oe (maximum magnetizing force 10 Oe) at a d.c. magnetic field of 0.3 Oe.
In recent years, however, the size and the width of domestic TVs have been markedly increased, lengthening the travel distance and scanning distance of an electron beam and increasing the migration of the electron beam deflected by the geomagnetism. This is causative of color shading. A demand for personal computers has been rapidly increased, and since the image on the monitor of the personal computers is a static image and viewed at short range, what is particularly required is a landing property of a high precision electron beam.
That is, at the present time, there is a strong demand, in TV cathode-ray tubes, for a magnetic shielding material which can reduce the drift of electron beam landing.

Magnetic shielding material for television cathode-ray tube and process for producing the same


Two layers of flexible material, each of which is resistant to the passage of fluids and microbes, include spacers between them, and are hermetically sealed, for maintaining reduced atmospheric pressure in the space between them. Open cell foam supported in the space is compressed by the layers until one of the layers is torn, upon which the resulting increase in atmospheric pressure in the space allows the foam to resile, increasing the space between the layers as a warning to the user of the break. An electric switch which is responsive to pressure change is in communication with the space to also signal a warning of the break.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a surgical glove, or similar protective apparel which provides a septic barrier between the user and the application, and more particularly in which the protective apparel is designed to respond to and indicate diminution in the effectiveness of the barrier.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The art is replete with gloves and similar body coverings which can provide a septic barrier between the user and the application.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,150, patented by R. E. Mohler on Mar. 16, 1965, discloses a glove of a laminated construction comprising open celled foam insulating material between inner and outer fabric layers to which it is in bonded connection throughout the glove to form a unitary structure. The inner layer forms a glove lining. At least the palm portion of the glove has an elastomeric water-repellant coating infused in the outer fabric layer. In order to prevent impregnation of the foam by the water-repellant elastomeric coating, the cells at the surface of the foam are collapsed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,216, patented Jan. 11, 1972 by George J. Schonholtz, describes a rubber surgical glove having a finger stall constructed of an inner and an outer layer which are spaced from one another. The space between the layers is filled with any conventional indicator substance such as colored saline solution. If the cover is ruptured or pierced, the indicator will leak out through the resistant opening and contrasting color the exterior of the cover, so that a surgeon will immediately be made aware of the rupture. The indicator substance may also include a conventional antibacterial substance such as hexachlorophane.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,372, patented Feb. 20, 1990 by William S. Pierce, describes a surgical glove of tri-laminar construction comprising a continuous inner barrier layer, a continuous outer barrier layer, and a continuous central layer of flexible, resilient and puncture-resistant closed cell foam between the inner and outer layers. The inner and outer layers are formed of flexible, resilient, and imperforate material.
Each of the three layers help to resist needle puncture. Preferably the foam central layer is made of closed cells so that the layer forms a closed third barrier against contamination. The foam barrier closes a needle puncture path and resists subsequent contamination along the puncture path. The tri-laminar construction has an advantage over a two-layer construction in that the foam prevents spread of viral or bacterial contamination that would otherwise occur along a joined interface between two layers when a layer is punctured.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,966, patented by Robin R. T. Shienker on Apr. 24, 1990 discloses a covering such as a glove, condom, or sheath for the extremity of a person, comprising two layers, each layer being an array of side by side, sealed chambers, with each chamber containing a sterilizing fluid. The layers are arranged so that the chambers of one layer bridge the spaces between the chambers of the other layer, so that it is likely that accidental puncture of the covering by a needle or scalpel will open a chamber, releasing the sterilizing fluid to protect the user and application from cross infection by microbes.
In another embodiment of the '966 invention, the covering comprises a sponge-like layer of material comprising a plurality of chambers containing the sterilizing fluid. The chambers are in sufficient quantity so that accidental puncture of the covering by needle, scalpel or the like will have a high likelihood of puncturing at least one of the chambers and release the sterilizing fluid.

Seal indicator surgical glove or body covering


Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition simultaneously having a rapid acting property and a long-acting property, comprising a sustained-release part coated with a water-insoluble polymer on the surface, comprising a first active pharmaceutical ingredient, at least one release control base selected from the group consisting of water-insoluble polymer, and water-soluble viscous polymer, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and, an immediate release part comprising a second active pharmaceutical ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition exhibits independent release properties of the immediate release part and the sustained-release part by coating the surface of the sustained-release part comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient, a release control base and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier with a water-insoluble polymer to separate it from the immediate release part, and it may be prepared by a relatively simple process without specification limitation to the contents and the kinds of usable pharmaceutically active ingredients.

(a) Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a pharmaceutical composition simultaneously having a rapid-acting property and a long-acting property. The pharmaceutical composition exhibits independent release properties of an immediate release part and a sustained-release part, and it may be prepared by a relatively simple process without limitation to the composition and the kinds of usable active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).
(b) Description of the Related Art
Currently, according to the progress of preparation technologies, developments of technologies for sustained-release of various drugs are under progress in order to improve compliance of patients. A sustained-release preparation decreases the number of administration while effectively inducing potential effects of drugs by maintaining pharmaceutical effects, compared to an immediate-release preparation, and it has a lot of advantages in terms of effectiveness and safety such as reduction in side-effects or toxicity. However, for analgesics, etc. requiring immediate effects, a rapid acting property of rapidly reaching effective blood concentration to exhibit analgesic effect, etc. after administration is also required. Thus, a development of preparation simultaneously having a rapid-acting property and a long-acting property is required.
A representative preparation simultaneously having a rapid-acting property and a long-acting property includes Tylenol ER currently marketed by Janssen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,522), which simultaneously contains a determined drug dose containing a wicking agent and an erosion promoter in an immediate-release drug layer, and a powder composition and a determined drug dose containing an active matrix binder (hydroxyethylcellulose) and a wicking agent (microcrystalline cellulose) in a sustained-release drug layer, and is a dual-layered tablet prepared using a specific tableting machine.
As the existing technologies having the immediate-release part and the sustained-release part, a multi layer tablet prepared by depositing an immediate-release part and a sustained-release part, a core tablet prepared by forming a sustained-release part and then inserting it in an immediate-release part and dually tableting, an osmotic pump tablet, and spherical granules prepared by extrusion and spheronization have been reported.
However, according to the existing technologies, specific equipments are required and the process is complicated. And, since in the existing technologies, both the immediate-release part and the sustained-release part are tableted in the form of a matrix or compression-molded, disintegration or release of the immediate-release part may be delayed due to the base contained in the sustained-release part, and thus, it may be difficult that the immediate-release part and the sustained-release independently exhibit release properties. Furthermore, they are difficult to be applied for a drug requiring high content.

Pharmaceutical composition simultaneously having rapid-acting property and long-acting property


A photoelectric conversion element according to an embodiment includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a photoelectric conversion layer that is in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode and includes an active layer containing a perovskite compound. The active layer gives an X-ray diffraction pattern having a first diffraction peak ascribed to the (004) plane of the perovskite compound and a second diffraction peak ascribed to the (220) plane of the perovskite compound. The ratio of the maximum intensity of the first diffraction peak to the maximum intensity of the second diffraction peak is 0.18 or more.

A photoelectric conversion element is manufactured by using a relatively complex method such as a vapor deposition method. However, using a coating method or a printing method makes it possible to simply manufacture the photoelectric conversion element at a cost lower than ever before.
As the photoelectric conversion element, a solar cell, a sensor, a light emitting element, and so on each using an organic material or an organic material and an inorganic material, for example, are under development. In developing the above-described photoelectric conversion element, an improvement in photoelectric conversion characteristics is required.

Photoelectric conversion element, and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same


A mask to protect a horse from insects is attachable to the horse's bridle. The mask has a cover member, such as flexible plastic screen material, that extends between the brow band, the nose band and the cheek pieces of the horse's bridle. The mask is removably attachable to the bridle, such as by loop and hook fastener. When attached to the bridle, the edges of the mask can be positioned either above or underneath the corresponding part of the bridle. A snug fit between the mask and the corresponding part of the bridle prevents insects from getting under the mask. Two darts space the mask away from horse's eyes. Elastic portions of the mask allow a snug fit between the mask and bridle while the invention is being worn.

Mosquitos, flies and other insects are a common irritation for horses, particularly around their eyes. The presence of insects around a horse's eyes can annoy the horse and can cause infections to develop.
The presence of insects on a horse's eyes and face can distract the horse and cause it to be inattentive to the rider, therefore affecting the safety of both the rider and the horse.
A variety of masks for horses have previously been developed to protect a horse's eyes from flies. Many existing masks are cumbersome and hot for the horse to wear, particularly when the horse is being ridden and wearing a bridle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,864 issued 15 Aug. 1995 to Green discloses an insect control apparatus suitable for horses comprising a piece of material, which the horse can see through, darts to force the shape of the apparatus away from the horse's eyes and a hook and loop fastener (i.e., Velcro®) to affix the apparatus to the horse under the jaw and behind the ears.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,789 issued 20 Sep. 1983 to Denning discloses an animal eye protection device suitable for horses comprising a net-like material affixed in a bubble that is spaced from the horse's eyes. The Denning device has an edge lying around the front of the head below the ears and another across the nose. The Denning mask may be attached to the horse by Velcro® straps under the jaw and behind the ears.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,156 issued 5 May 1987 to Oettel discloses a protective mask for animals suitable for horses comprising a continuous one-piece screen for covering the eyes and adjacent facial area. The Oettel mask has a single cutout area for the animal's ears, and can be attached to the horse by Velcro® under the jaw.
There exists a need for a protective mask for horses that removably attaches to a bridle, that is not cumbersome and is comfortable for the horse to wear while the horse is being ridden.

Protective horse mask removably attachable to bridle


The present invention provides a diblock copolymer comprising: (a) a first block of polyester wherein said first block is made from aromatic polyester having: (i) an intrinsic viscosity which is measured in a 60/40 by weight mixture of phenol and tetrachloroethane and is at least about 0.6 deciliter/gram and (ii) a Newtonian melt viscosity which is measured by capillary rheometer and is at least about 7,000 poise at 280.degree. C.; and (b) a second block of polyester wherein said second block is made from lactone monomer. The diblock copolymer is useful in engineered materials, films, and in spinning fibers for industrial applications such as seat belts. A process for making the diblock copolymer uses a twin screw extruder for melting the aromatic polyester and mixing it with monomer.

Known copolymers comprising aromatic polyester and lactone therein are limited to those formed from aromatic polyester having intrinsic viscosities ("IV") which are low and melt viscosities ("MV") which are low. Japanese Patent Publication 4115 published Feb. 5, 1973 ("Publication 4115") teaches the use of aromatic polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) ("PET") and poly(butylene terephthalate) ("PBT"). Publication 4115 has Examples illustrating PET's use in a copolymer wherein the PET has a number average molecular weight ("M.sub.n ") of 500-5,000 which corresponds to an IV of less than 0.3 as measured in a 60/40 by weight mixture of phenol and tetrachloroethane solvents according to William L. Hergenrother and Charles Jay Nelson, "Viscosity-Molecular Weight Relationship for Fractionated Poly(ethylene Terephthalate)", Journal of Polymer Science 12, 2905-2915 (1974). These low M.sub.n and low IV PETs also have low melt viscosities, i.e., less than 100 poises at 280.degree. C., according to Andrzej Ziabicki, "Effects of Molecular Weight on Melt Spinning and Mechanical Properties of High-Performance Poly(ethylene Terephthalate) Fibers", Textile Res. J. 66(11), 705-712 (1996). The Ziabicki article uses data from A. Dutta, "Identifying Critical Process Variables in Poly(ethylene Terephthalate) Melt Spinning", Textile Res. J. 54, 35-42 (1984) which teaches that rheological studies of the shear viscosity of PET indicate that PET behaves like a Newtonian liquid for shear rates up to about 200/seconds. Publication 4115 teaches that even when using such low IV and MV PET, at least 50 weight percent .epsilon.-caprolactone is still required in order to plasticize PET melt and then mix with PET.
Publication 4115 also has an Example illustrating PBT's use in a copolymer wherein the PBT has a M.sub.n of 1,200 which corresponds to an IV of less than 0.1 as measured in a 60/40 by weight mixture of phenol and tetrachloroethane solvents according to W. F. H. Borman, "Molecular Weight-Viscosity Relationships for Poly(1,4-butylene Terephthalate)", Journal of Applied Polymer Science 22, 2119-2126 (1978). This low M.sub.n and low IV PBT also has a low melt viscosity, i.e., less than 10 poises at 250.degree. C., according to the Borman article and the melt viscosity of PBT is Newtonian at low shear stress, i.e. shear rates equal to or less than 100/seconds.
Publication 4115 also teaches an initial reaction between both ends of an aromatic polyester, P, with .epsilon.-caprolactone, L, and then reacting the oligomeric L-P-L with a polyfunctional acylation agent, A to form multiblock copolymer -L-P-L-A-L-P-L-A-L-P-L- in order to extend the chain and obtain high molecular weight polymers which are suitable for use as thermoplastic elastomers. Publication 4115 teaches that the use of a polyfunctional acylation agent results in the preceding regular repeating structure.
Known process for making the foregoing copolymers involve the use of an autoclave or reactor with a stirrer and a nitrogen atmosphere by reaction of oligomeric polyester with .epsilon.-caprolactone at reaction times of at least two hours. Japanese Patent Publication 4116 published Feb. 5, 1973 ("Publication 4116") and Kokai Patent Publication 157117 published Sep. 6, 1984 ("Publication "157117") teach Example reaction times of 2-5 hours. The inventors of Japanese Patent Publication 49037 published Dec. 14, 1977 ("Publication 49037") acknowledge that its prior process, as disclosed in Publication 4116, results in ester interaction between the aromatic polyester and polycaprolactone blocks and thus, the copolymer's block length was short and the copolymer melting point was low. Publication 49037 teaches that to overcome the preceding problem, that the reaction temperature needs to remain below the aromatic polyester's melting point, i.e. solid state polymerization, so that the aromatic polyester powder remains in a solid state throughout the reaction; unfortunately, as a result, each Example teaches a very long reaction time of 24 hours.
Example 1 of Publication 4116 teaches that at least 50 weight percent .epsilon.-caprolactone is required in order to plasticize higher IV PET (M.sub.n =20,400; IV.ltoreq.0.67) and then mix with it. Example 5 of Publication 4116 teaches that at least 50 weight percent caprolactone is required in order to plasticize higher IV PBT (M.sub.n =10,500; IV.ltoreq.0.4) and then mix with it. These extensive mixing results in increased transesterification.
The inventors of Japanese Patent Publication 27268 published May 11, 1992 ("Publication 27268"); Kokai Patent Publication 57302 published Aug. 23, 1993 ("Publication 57302"); Kokai Patent Publication 253764 published Sep. 9, 1992 ("Publication 253764"); Kokai Patent Publication 264156 published Sep. 18, 1992 ("Publication 264156"); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,584,353 and 4,670,510 recognized the deficiencies in the processes of Publications 4115, 4116, and 49037 by stating that the obtained viscosity was low and thus, the applications were limited.
Publications 27268 and 57302 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,500,686; 4,584,353; 4,670,510; and 4,670,948 teach that a block copolymer of PBT and polycaprolactone may be formed according to Publication 4116, i.e, the block copolymer was formed in a reaction vessel under nitrogen gas and stirring at 230.degree. C. for 2 hours. The unreacted .epsilon.-caprolactone was removed from the melt and the block copolymer was then mixed with additional PBT and epoxy at room temperature and then the mixture was extruded at 230.degree. C. to form multiblock copolymers. Pre-mixing PBT and .epsilon.-caprolactone in long reaction times results in increased transesterification which is unacceptable. They also teach that the block copolymer must be mixed with pure PBT in order to achieve desired mechanical properties.
A catalyst may be used in the foregoing reaction of PBT and .epsilon.-caprolactone in a stirrer apparatus as taught by Publications 253764 and 264156 wherein the catalyst was monobutyl monohydroxy tin oxide and the reaction time was 30 minutes. These publications also teach blending epoxy and 5-valenced phosphorus compound with the oligomeric copolymer in order to improve the molecular weight.
Because known oligomeric copolymers are made from starting aromatic polyesters having low IV and MV, known oligomeric copolymers have low IV and MV. Known oligomeric copolymers and resulting multiblock copolymers also have short block lengths and high transesterification because the processes for making them have a long residence time. As a result, fibers which are spun from the foregoing copolymers are undesirable because the fibers have low crystallinity, low melting points, low ultimate tensile strength, and undesired stress/strain behavior.
It would be desirable to have a diblock copolymer wherein the starting aromatic polyester has a high IV, the copolymer block length is long, the transesterification degree is low, the reaction time for making the copolymer is short (minutes instead of hours), and the use of a polyfunctional acylation agent is not required to extend the chain. We tried to accomplish the foregoing by using a reactor with a stirrer to make a diblock copolymer from starting aromatic polyester having a higher IV and melt viscosity than that taught in the prior art but this attempt was unsuccessful as described below in the Comparative Example because an autoclave does not allow mixing between high IV PET and .epsilon.-caprolactone wherein the amount of .epsilon.-caprolactone is less than 50 percent by weight based on the diblock copolymer weight.

Diblock polyester copolymer and process for making


A fuel dispenser including a fuel delivery path configured to deliver fuel to a vehicle, a display configured to display the total dispensed fuel volume, and a fuel meter configured to measure a fuel delivery rate. A data set having a plurality of fuel volume compensation values corresponding to a plurality of fuel delivery rate values, and a microprocessor configured to calculate a volume of fuel dispensed and retrieve a fuel volume compensation value. The fuel meter measures the fuel delivery rate at the time of the event, the microprocessor determines which fuel delivery rate value corresponds to the fuel delivery rate, retrieves the corresponding fuel volume compensation value, and adds the retrieved fuel volume compensation value to the calculated volume of fuel dispensed to obtain the total dispensed fuel volume.

In a typical fuel dispensing transaction, a customer arranges for payment, either by paying at the fuel dispenser with a credit card or debit card, or by paying a cashier. Next, a fuel nozzle is inserted into the fill neck of the vehicle, or other selected container, and fuel is dispensed. Displays on the fuel dispenser indicate how much fuel has been dispensed as well as a dollar value of the purchase. Dependent upon the timing and manner of payment for the fuel, either the customer terminates the flow of fuel into the vehicle by manually releasing the fuel nozzle, or the fuel dispenser automatically terminates the flow of fuel either at a pre-selected dollar amount or when the tank of the vehicle is full. In either case, the closing of the fuel valve within the fuel nozzle is herein referred to as a "nozzle snap event."
During such operations, a series of valves are opened and closed along the fuel flow path within the fuel dispenser. Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of a typical prior art fuel dispenser 100 is shown. As shown, fuel is pumped from an underground storage tank 102 through a fuel pipe 104 to a flexible fuel hose 105 which terminates with a fuel nozzle 106 including a fuel valve 108. To initiate fuel flow, the customer manually activates a trigger on fuel nozzle 106 which opens fuel valve 108 so that fuel is dispensed into the vehicle. Fuel flow through fuel valve 108 is detected by a flow switch 116 which, as shown, is a one-way check valve that prevents rearward flow through fuel dispenser 100. Once fuel flow is detected, flow switch 116 sends a signal on communication line 124 to a control system 120. Control system 120 is typically a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or other electronics with associated memory and software programs. Upon receiving the flow initiation signal from flow switch 116, control system 120 starts counting the pulses from a pulser 118. The pulses are generated by the rotation of a fuel meter 114 and are directly proportional to the fuel rate being measured.
As is known, fuel dispensers keep track of the amount of fuel dispensed so that it may be displayed to the customer along with a running total of how much the customer will have to pay to purchase the dispensed fuel. This is typically achieved with fuel meter 114 and a pulser 118. When fuel passes through fuel meter 114, it rotates and pulser 118 generates a pulse signal, with a known number of pulses being generated per gallon of fuel dispensed. The number of pulse signals generated and sent to control system 120 on communication line 126 are processed to arrive at an amount of fuel dispensed and an associated cost to the customer. These numbers are displayed to the customer to aid in making fuel dispensing decisions. As well, control system 120 uses the information provided by fuel meter 114 to regulate the operation of valve 112 during fueling operations.
As shown, fuel dispenser 100 includes a turbine style fuel meter 114, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,561, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Flow switch 116 is used in conjunction with turbine fuel meter 114 since the possibility exists that the rotors (not shown) of fuel meter 114 can bind during use, yet still allow fuel to pass through the meter. As such, pulser 118 does not create pulses, and the flow of fuel can go undetected. However, fuel switch 116 detects fuel flow and sends a signal to control system 120, allowing control system 120 to detect the flow error. Other designs of non-positive displacement type fuel meters can be prone to this same issue.
Fuel flow through fuel nozzle 106 is terminated by a nozzle snap event, that event being caused either manually by the customer or automatically by fuel dispenser 100. As fuel valve 108 snaps shut, fuel flow through flow switch 116 begins to decrease and flow switch 116 begins to shut. As flow switch 116 shuts, it generates a signal that indicates to control system 120 that fuel flow is being terminated. In response, control system 120 disregards any additional pulse signals that are generated by pulser 118.
Potential inaccuracies may exist when attempting to determine the total volume of fuel dispensed from the typical fuel dispenser discussed above when nozzle snaps occur. A typical fuel supply pressure for fuel dispenser 100 is 30 pounds per square inch (psi) upstream of valve 112. As fuel is dispensed at increasing flow rates, the pressure differential between the fuel supply pressure and the fuel pressure at flow valve 108 increases. As shown in FIG. 2, a pressure differential of approximately 3 psi exists at a steady state flow rate of 2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas at a flow rate of 10 gpm, the pressure differential is approximately 15 psi. When flow is terminated by a nozzle snap event, system pressure is equalized until fuel pressure along the entire fuel flow path is approximately equal to the supply pressure, in this case 30 psi. This occurs as fuel is added to the fuel flow path downstream of fuel meter 114 through flow switch 116.
The additional volume of fuel added downstream of fuel meter 114 as pressure is equalized within the system is not added to the total volume of fuel dispensed, as measured by the fuel meter, since flow switch 116 sends a signal to control system 120 at the occurrence of the nozzle snap event indicating that further pulses from the fuel meter should be ignored. The additional, undetected volume of fuel is then dispensed to the tank of the vehicle when fuel flow is reinitiated. As seen in FIG. 2, the volume of fuel required for system pressure equalization increases along with the increase in the pressure differential between the fuel supply pressure and the fuel pressure at fuel valve 108. Because the noted pressure differential increases as the flow rate at which fuel is dispensed increases, inaccuracies in measuring the total volume of fuel dispensed typically increase as the flow rate at which the fuel is being dispensed increases with nozzle snaps.


A bottle for dispensing oral care fluid is provided. The bottle can include a body portion comprising a mouth, side surfaces, and a bottom surface arranged to hold a volume of oral care fluid; and a cap arranged to be secured to the mouth, wherein the cap comprises a integral cup sized to hold a portion of the volume of oral care fluid, wherein the integral cup includes an open end that mates with the mouth and a closed end including a flip-top member arranged at a distal end of the cap.

Mouthwash users can be typically classified as those who take their mouthwash directly from the bottle, also called swiggers, and those that use a cup to dispense the mouthwash. Surveys have shown that swiggers represent about 30% of mouthwash users. Conventional mouthwash bottles, which include a threaded cap that also serves as the cup, are not well designed for swiggers, who do not need a cup. An improved mouthwash bottle could provide a better user experience for both swiggers and non-swiggers alike.


A gas scrubber includes a canister having a rotatable spiral separator which provides a non-linear path configured to be filled with modular adsorbent material portions between a gas inlet and a gas outlet.

In the manufacture of semiconductor devices, sequences of thin film deposition and etching steps are performed. Process gases including halogens are often used in these steps. Common semiconductor processes which may use halogen gases include etching or layer deposition, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD).
Although useful for the production of semiconductor devices, halogen containing gases are typically toxic and cannot be released into the atmosphere. Therefore, the exhaust gases are typically processed to remove the halogen containing gases from the exhaust gases before venting the exhaust gases to the atmosphere.

Spiral gas adsorption apparatus and method of using the same


Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for removing acid gas from sour gas are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises an absorption zone. The absorption zone is configured for contacting the sour gas with an absorbent solvent that is at a first predetermined temperature of less than about 0° C. to remove the acid gas and form a treated gas stream that includes entrained absorbent solvent. A heat exchanger or heater is configured to heat the treated gas stream to a second predetermined temperature of greater than about 0° C. to form a partially heated treated gas stream. A water wash zone is configured for contacting the partially heated treated gas stream with water to remove the entrained absorbent solvent and form a solvent-depleted treated gas stream.

Acid gas removal processes are widely used in the gas processing industries to separate acid gas from sour gas, such as synthesis gas (hereinafter "syngas"), natural gas, or other process gases that contain acid gas. For example, syngas streams can be produced by gasification of coal, coke, or heavy hydrocarbon oils. Some examples of acid gases are hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide (COS), and other sulfur compounds, carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). By separating the acid gases, the syngas stream is made more suitable for combustion and/or further processing.
One conventional approach for removing acid gas from sour gas uses a physical solvent (i.e., absorbent solvent) in countercurrent contacting flow with a sour gas stream. Physical solvents, unlike chemical solvents, do not involve chemical reactions for acid gas removal but rather involve a physical mechanism(s), such as absorption, for acid gas removal. Some examples of physical solvents include n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, methanol, propylene carbonate, and the like. Additionally, the acid gas absorption capacity of many physical solvents favors lower temperatures.
During countercurrent contacting flow, acid gas from the sour gas is absorbed into the physical solvent, which is in the liquid phase, to form a treated gas stream that is substantially free of acid gas and a loaded physical solvent stream that is partially or substantially saturated with the acid gas. Depending upon the vapor pressure of the physical solvent, some of the physical solvent may be entrained in the treated gas stream. Physical solvents are generally expensive and can cause damage to downstream equipment for further processing of the treated gas stream. As such, it is desirable to recover the physical solvent that is entrained in the treated gas stream. Unfortunately, current approaches for recovering the entrained physical solvent are not necessarily feasible at lower temperatures that otherwise may favor improved acid gas absorption.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide apparatuses and methods for removing acid gas from sour gas using an absorbent solvent with improved acid gas absorption. Additionally, it is desirable to provide apparatuses and methods for removing acid gas from sour gas using an absorbent solvent to form a treated gas stream and for recovering entrained absorbent solvent in the treated gas stream. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

Apparatuses and methods for removing acid gas from sour gas


A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of: (A) executing a game in which the plurality of symbols are variably displayed and then stop-displayed to the symbol display device after game media are BET in number equal to or less than a previously set maximum number of BETs, and game media are paid out in number according to the stop-displayed symbols or a combination thereof; (B) shifting a mode from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode on condition that a predetermined number of game media is inserted; (C) counting the number of games played after shifting to the insurance mode, in the insurance mode; (D) paying out a predetermined number of game media when the number of games counted in the processing (C) reaches a specific number; and (E) clearing the number of games counted in the processing (C), when a game is played in which game media are paid out in number equal to or more than a predetermined number before the number of games counted in the processing (C) reaches the specific number.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slot machine and control method of game.
2. Discussion of the Background
Conventionally, in a facility where a slot machine or the like is installed, a variety of game media such as coins or cash are inserted into the slot machine to play a game. Each slot machine is configured to conduct a payout according to a winning state (game result) occurring along with progression of games.
Examples of such a slot machine are disclosed in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,697, US 2003/0069073-A1, EP 1192975-A, U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,483, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,730, U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,088, U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,981, U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,896, U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,016, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,820, U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,482, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,731, U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,957, U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,048, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,402, U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,013, U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,709, EP0631798-A, DE4137010-A1, GB 2326830-A, DE 3712841-A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,638, U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,980, U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,909, U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,303, U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,409, U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,533, U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,817, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,704, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,707, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,728, EP 1302914-A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,459, U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,700, WO 03/083795-A, DE 3242890-A1, EP 0840264-A, DE 10049444-A1, WO 04/095383-A, EP 1544811-A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,963, EP 1477947-A, and EP 1351180-A.
In a casino where a plurality of slot machines are installed, a so-called "jackpot" is adopted where part of credits consumed in each slot machine is reserved and when the reserved amount reaches a certain amount, an amount too large to be paid out according to normal winning is paid out. In such a slot machine, in the normal case, each winning occurs with its set probability, and the player carries on a game with expectation that the winning will occur. The Jackpot winning occurs on any of the slot machines at certain timing according to a determination different from the normal winning determination based on the probability set in each slot machine.
The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,697, US 2003/0069073-A1, EP 1192975-A, U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,483, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,730, U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,088, U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,981, U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,896, U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,016, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,820, U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,482, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,731, U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,957, U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,048, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,402, U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,013, U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,709, EP 0631798-A, DE 4137010-A1, GB 2326830-A, DE 3712841-A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,638, U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,980, U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,909, U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,303, U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,409, U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,533, U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,817, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,704, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,707, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,728, EP 1302914-A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,459, U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,700, WO 03/083795-A, DE3242890-A1, EP0840264-A, DE 10049444-A1, WO 04/095383-A, EP 1544811-A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,963, EP 1477947-A, and EP 1351180-A are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A batten joint for an internal floating roof of a fluid tank. The floating roof has at least a first panel having a first panel edge and a second panel having a second panel edge. The batten joint comprises a first panel retainer or retaining means adapted for retaining the first panel edge, a second panel retainer or retaining means adapted for retaining the second panel edge, and at least one batten engaging the first and second panel retainer or retaining means in a spaced apart configuration.

Existing fluid tank arrangements comprise internal floating roof arrangements. Such internal floating roof arrangements comprise a buoyant internal floating roof structure that floats on the liquid surface and greatly retards the evaporation of the volatile liquids stored in the tank. Vapors escaping from, for example, stored hydrocarbon-based liquids can present a health, safety, or fire hazard. Vapors escaping from, for example, flammable liquids can form an explosive mixture in conjunction with air. As such, internal floating roofs can be used as a safety measure to prevent explosions, asphyxiation of personnel, and to mitigate air pollution.
However, conventional floating roof arrangements suffer from several disadvantages. In one example, some existing arrangements have buoyant members that support a deck above the liquid surface. The buoyant members float on the surface of the stored liquid, leaving several inches of vapor space between the surface of the liquid and the deck, thereby creating a safety hazard as described above.
In an attempt to overcome this problem, some existing internal floating roofs are full contact floating roofs that are designed to float on the liquid directly and leave no space between the internal floating roof and the surface of the liquid. Such arrangements suffer from the disadvantage in that the joins between the one or more constituent roof panels do not provide an adequate seal, thereby allowing vapors to seep through the panel joints.
As such, a need therefore exists for an internal floating roof arrangement that provides an efficient panel joining method.
Existing internal floating roof arrangements have the further disadvantage in that it is generally difficult to control a fire that has developed at the periphery of an internal floating roof.
As such, a need therefore exists for an internal floating roof arrangement that provides measures for controlling a fire at the periphery of the internal floating roof.
Further still, existing internal floating roof arrangements suffer from the disadvantage in the lack of attachment measures. For example, where existing internal floating roof arrangements comprise access apertures, for example, for drawing fluid samples, it is generally difficult to attach an appurtenance to cover the aperture(s) or a lid to selectively seal the apertures.
As such, a need therefore exists for an internal floating roof arrangement comprising attachment measures for fastening various appurtenances in use.
Further still, existing internal floating roof arrangements suffer from the disadvantage on account of manufacture tolerances of the one or more panels of the floating roof, resulting in a floating roof that may be distorted, or an ill fit to the space provided.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
Thus, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art systems, designs, and processes as discussed above.

Batten joint for an internal floating roof of a fluid tank


Disclosed herein is a camera module. The camera module includes a lens barrel having at least one lens which brings an image of a subject into focus. A housing having a space for the lens barrel, and friction member formed in axially. A piezoelectric actuator provided in an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel, and generating vibration when external voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator, with a through hole formed for having the friction member. An elastic member include the friction member, and inserted into the through hole of the piezoelectric actuator, and applying the vibrations to the friction member.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a Lens moving MODULE.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, as a mobile device including a mobile phone pursues the goals of miniaturization and slimness, manufacturers are attempting to reduce the size of parts which are to be mounted on the mobile device. In order to realize improved function as well as the miniaturization of the parts mounted on the mobile device, the high-density integration of technology is being applied.
Currently, a general Lens moving MODULE for a mobile device is gradually changed from a type having a fixed focus function to a high specification type having additional functions. The representative additional functions include an auto-focusing function and an optical zoom function. In order to realize the additional functions, a piezoelectric actuator for feeding a lens is essentially required. The simplification, miniaturization, and high performance of the actuator are further required.
The piezoelectric actuator, used to realize the auto-focusing function which is widely applied to the Lens moving MODULE for the mobile device in recent years, representatively includes a voice coil type, a piezoelectric type, and a step motor type.
Currently, the mobile device has been developed such that a variety of functions are combined with each other. Further, in light of the characteristics of the mobile phone, the size limit increases continuously. Hence, several parts which are applied to the mobile phone must also have subminiature size so as to remain competitive. This is also applicable to the Lens moving MODULE.
Thus, the recent piezoelectric actuators applied to the Lens moving MODULE for the mobile device mainly use the voice coil type and the piezoelectric type, because they can advantageously reduce the size.
Each of the voice coil type and the piezoelectric type has advantages and disadvantages. The voice coil type is superior in terms of the cost of materials and a drive circuit, while the piezoelectric type is superior in terms of the size and reliability.
Therefore, the development of a Lens moving MODULE which realizes high performance, miniaturization, and low cost while having the advantages of the above-mentioned types is urgent.


A chuck assembly configured to provide a shorter longitudinal profile. The chuck assembly includes a chuck body with a support bearing mounted to a rear portion of the chuck body and mounted to a portion of a housing such that a cavity is defined axially rearward of the support bearing and is configured to receive the jaws when the rear portion of the jaws extend axially rearward. The chuck assembly can be incorporated into a tool driven by a motor. In some aspects, the tool may include a speed change mechanism, a torque adjustment mechanism, or both.

Typically, a drill has a chuck assembly that includes jaws that are displaced in passages between axially front and radially closely spaced positions and axially back and radially widely spaced positions. To accommodate the axial travel of the jaws, it has been known to make the chuck fairly long, which may make the drill harder to handle, while not contributing to the overall functionality of the drill.
The present invention provides a chuck assembly that allows the drill and the chuck assembly to be shorter than conventional drills and chuck assemblies. The present invention provides a drill that operates at more than a single speed. For example, the drill of the present invention operates at two or more speeds.

Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited


A laser device includes a target position, an optical component separated a distance J from the target position, and a laser energy source separated a distance H from the optical component, distance H being greater than distance J. A laser source manipulation mechanism exhibits a mechanical resolution of positioning the laser source. The mechanical resolution is less than a spatial resolution of laser energy at the target position as directed through the optical component. A vertical and a lateral index that intersect at an origin can be defined for the optical component. The manipulation mechanism can auto align laser aim through the origin during laser source motion. The laser source manipulation mechanism can include a mechanical index. The mechanical index can include a pivot point for laser source lateral motion and a reference point for laser source vertical motion. The target position can be located within an adverse environment including at least one of a high magnetic field, a vacuum system, a high pressure system, and a hazardous zone. The laser source and an electro-mechanical part of the manipulation mechanism can be located outside the adverse environment. The manipulation mechanism can include a Peaucellier linkage.

The use of lasers has become increasingly widespread. Lasers can be used for manufacture of products, material analysis, etc. Chemical imaging is one form of material analysis. Chemical imaging using mass spectrometry has attracted increasing interest because of numerous applications for characterizing materials science samples, biological tissues, individual aerosol particles, minerals, forensic evidence, etc. Chemical imaging is often based on secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) by bombarding a surface with atomic primary beams to yield elemental secondary ions from a surface being analyzed. One disadvantage of such techniques includes surface charging that can lead to redeposition of material. Further, for SIMS, chemical imaging usually uses atomic ion primary beams that provide primarily elemental and not molecular chemical information.
Recently, laser desorption (LD) techniques for mass spectrometry have attracted attention because they produce intact molecular ions, avoid surface charging issues, and allow tuning of laser irradiation (wavelength and fluence) to accommodate various sample types. Careful control of laser fluence prevents excessive sputtering that can contaminate adjacent locations of a sample also intended for analysis.
Traditionally, LD microprobe mass spectrometers use scanning techniques that rely on manipulation of a sample target. Alternative LD techniques may accomplish manipulation by moving optical components. In such cases, spatial resolution (minimum controlled displacement of laser energy on the sample target) has been limited to mechanical resolution (minimum controlled displacement per step) of stepper or servo motors used to move the sample target or optical components. Such techniques often encounter problems with reproducible alignment of laser scans with sample targets. Often, such techniques are not easily amenable to analysis under extreme conditions including confined space, high magnetic fields, operation under vacuum, operation under high pressure, operation under hazardous conditions, etc.


An assembly including a control arm and a steering knuckle, one of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a first end with a ball, the other of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a socket that includes a bearing structure formed so as to surround a portion of the ball to securely fasten the ball to the socket. The control arm has a bayonette configuration to receive a first node and a second node is cast directly onto the control arm.

Control arms are used in motor vehicles to assist with supporting and controlling the respective wheels of the motor vehicle. Typically, control arms can be found connected between the frame of the motor vehicle and a wheel assembly, particularly between the frame and a steering knuckle. Control arm construction is generally complicated for a number of reasons including, for example, the number and the nature of the connections between the control arm and other vehicle components and also because of the performance demands and stresses placed on control arms.
Control arms have been formed by joining a pair of stamped steel pieces together or by hydroforming as disclosed in WO 03/101767 for an Hydroformed Control Arm. Other examples of known control arms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,070,445 to Holierhock; and 6,098,437 to Kocer et al.
Prior art control arms tend to be bulky due to the high performance demands and stresses. The bulkiness limits the turning radius capabilities of the vehicle steering.
The steering knuckle operably engages the control arm through a ball joint. The ball joint involves a separate element attached to both the control arm and to steering knuckle. Prior art ball joints utilized with steering mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,556,119 to Buchner et al. and 6,308,970 to Stuart.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0091306 to Wasylewski et al. discloses a snap fit coupler for ball joint connecting a stabilizer bar to the vehicle.


A method is provided for establishing a reliable communication channel between an encapsulation node and a cluster of decapsulation nodes across a communication network. The method is implemented at the encapsulation node and comprises the following steps. A primary session is initialized with a primary decapsulation node in the cluster of decapsulation nodes during which an assigned address is received. A redundant session is initialized with a redundant decapsulation node in the cluster of decapsulation nodes. Data is transmitted to and received from the decapsulation node until a failure is detected. Once the failure is detected, data is transmitted to and received from the redundant decapsulation node instead of the primary decapsulation node.

A tunnel is a network communications channel between two endpoints in a network and is used to transport data by encapsulation of its packets. Internet Protocol (IP) tunnels are often used for connecting two disjoint IP networks that do not have a native routing path to each other, via an underlying routable protocol across an intermediate transport network.
In conjunction with an encryption protocol, such as the IP Security (IPsec) protocol or other known or proprietary encryption protocols, tunnels may be used to create a virtual private network between two or more private networks across a public network such as the Internet.
Accordingly, an encapsulation node and a decapsulation node are provided. The encapsulation node is used to encapsulate data to facilitate communication over the network and is often implemented at a client. The decapsulation node is used to decapsulate the data received from the encapsulation node and is implemented at point in the network that is connected to a next hop destination of the encapsulated data. Thus the decapsulation node can be implemented at a server or at a router within the network. If the decapsulation node is not a target destination server for the data, the decapsulation node further transmits the data to the target destination server via a private or public network, such as the Internet.
Communication between the encapsulation node and the decapsulation node may include one or more authentication sessions, encryption-algorithm negotiations, or other configuration steps before they are ready to transfer data.
The client needs the decapsulation node to remain active in order to be able to communicate with the target destination server. Accordingly, a number of different failover solutions have been implemented. Failover refers to the capability of a computing device to automatically switch to a redundant device upon the failure of the device being used.
Approaches that utilize a stateless transport layer, either directly using IP or wrapping a payload in User Datagram Protocol (UDP), can potentially utilize existing IP-redundancy protocols such as Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) or Virtual Routing Redundacy Protocol (VRRP). In such an environment, two decapsulation nodes are configured to share a single IP address, with the primary decapsulation node receiving all traffic and the standby configured to take over should the primary fail.
However, it is only possible for a single decapsulation node to be the primary server for a specific IP address. Load balancing across HSRP or VRRP requires multiple IP addresses configured on the cluster with each decapsulation node assigned as primary to one of the addresses. This complicates configurations with more than a single decapsulation node because it is necessary to load balance clients across the IP addresses exposed by the system.
Further, the IP-redundancy techiques described above do not work with systems that utilize a stateful transport layer. There is no widely supported mechanism to migrate the state of a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection between operating-system instances. To allow TCP connections to be migrated between independent operating system instances, Fault-Tolerant TCP (FT-TCP) was introduced. FT-TCP combines traditional IP failover protocols with a new component that sits both above and below the existing TCP stack to intercept all packets being send and received using TCP. Thus a redundant decapsulation node can be provided that is maintained in the same state as the primary server. However, supporting this protocol requires tight coupling between the primary decapsulation node and the redundant decapsulation node. Further, it requires a dedicated redundant decapsulation node, which tends not to scale in an efficient manner.
Thus, the solutions currently available for decapsulation node failover are limited in that they do not scale well and require tight control, which often leads to custom equipment requirements, thereby increasing the costs and complexity. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least some of these disadvantages.


The exposure quantity with respect to a wafer is correctly measured under each illumination condition even when illumination conditions are changed over. Under each of conditions where the .sigma. value (coherence factor) of an illumination optical system is set to various values including its small, standard, and large values, a correlation data between the output (E) of a reference illuminance meter and the output (I) of an integrator sensor is obtained. With respect to the correlation data for the respective .sigma. values, approximate lines (24A, 24B, 24C, etc) are determined by the method of least squares and then gradients of these lines are stored as correlation coefficients (.alpha.). Under the illumination condition corresponding to each .sigma. value, the output (I) of the integrator sensor is divided by its corresponding correlation coefficient (.alpha.) so as to compute the exposure energy on the image surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus used for transferring a mask pattern onto a photosensitive substrate in a lithography process for making, for example, a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display device, an image pickup device (CCD or the like), or a thin film magnetic head and, in particular, to an exposure apparatus having a function of controlling its exposure quantity with respect to the photosensitive substrate.
2. Related Background Art
An exposure apparatus is an apparatus for projecting a desired pattern onto an optically sensitive material (photoresist). Such an exposure apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,908,656 and 5,191,374.