An improved system and method of analyzing sample data that increases the reliability of peak (compound) detection and identification in the presence of chemical and/or random noise. The sample analysis system includes a compound-separating unit for separating constituent compounds in a sample mixture, a compound-analyzing unit for identifying and quantitating at least one of the separated compounds, and a computer for acquiring data from the compound-separating and compound-analyzing units, for generating a multi-dimensional data set incorporating the acquired data, for executing an algorithm for reducing noise in the data set and for detecting peaks (compounds) in the noise-reduced data set, and for identifying/quantitating the detected compounds.

The present application relates generally to chemical analysis, and more specifically to a system and method of analyzing a multi-dimensional data set having a first dimension corresponding to compound separation and a second dimension corresponding to compound spectra for characterizing compounds present in a sample mixture.
Sample analysis techniques are known that may be employed for identifying and quantitating one or more compounds present in a sample mixture. For purposes of illustration, a conventional system for performing such sample analysis includes a compound-separating unit for chromatographically or electrophoretically separating constituent compounds in a mixture, and a compound-identifying unit such as a mass spectrometer for identifying and quantitating one or more of the separated compounds. The spectrometrical detector typically represents the separated compounds in a chromatogram or an electropherogram as respective peaks with associated elution times. The mass spectrometer typically provides molecular masses-to-charge (m/z) of the compounds ions for the respective peaks to aid in identifying and quantitating the constituent compounds in the mixture.
One drawback of conventional systems for analyzing sample mixtures is that the analysis of data generated by the system often creates a limitation, especially when data generated from complex sample mixtures are analyzed. Another drawback of conventional sample analysis techniques is that noise in the data frequently makes the detection and identification of peaks, particularly, low intensity peaks, less reliable. Such noise may comprise chemical noise and/or random noise having a magnitude high enough to reduce significantly the peak Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N), thereby making the detection of low intensity peaks problematic.
For example, a peak picking algorithm (the CODA algorithm) is known in which a mass chromatographic quality index (MSQ) is calculated as the inner product of an extracted ion chromatogram and its smoothed and mean-subtracted version. The higher the Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N) in the initial chromatogram, the more it is like its smoothed version and the higher the MSQ. Only chromatograms with high MSQ are selected and combined to produce the Total Ion Chromatogram (TIC) with reduced noise and background. The CODA algorithm provides a peak selection technique in which only m/z values corresponding to an MSQ value greater than a predetermined threshold are selected. However, the CODA algorithm is not using the a priori information about the shape and width of chromatographic and MS peaks and is typically not robust to chemical and random noise.
The application of Sequential Paired Covariance (SPC) to the "de-noising" of CE-ESI-TOF data is also known. Electropherograms are reconstructed by considering the intensity of the signal equal to the covariance of two adjacent spectra. The correlation of the two adjacent spectra is employed as a measure of their similarity. Further, noise that is uncorrelated between successive spectra is suppressed. However, such de-noising during SPC can significantly alter the data. For example, information related to the position of peaks in the m/z dimension may be lost, and therefore the spectra may have to be re-analyzed.
Moreover, a Windowed Mass Selection Method (WMSM) is known in which a width for the window in the chromatographic dimension is specified (in terms of the number of spectra N) from the analysis of extracted ion chromatograms. For each extracted ion chromatogram, its mean value is calculated and subtracted, so that in the resultant function the chromatographic peaks are positive, while the noise may be both positive and negative. For each m/z value and for each spectrum, the product of N values of signal intensities (for the given value of m/z) is calculated. If there is at least one zero value inside the specified window, then the product is equal to zero. Accordingly, noisy regions are set to zero in the resultant signal matrix. A second window, typically much wider than the first window, is also specified, and the product of signal intensities inside this window is calculated. If the product for the second window is not equal to zero, then the resultant signal intensity is set to be zero. Peaks are thus eliminated that are much wider than the expected chromatographic peak. However, the WMSM technique is generally not very robust to the non-uniformities connected with limited ion statistics. For example, one missing data point (e.g., a negative spike) in a good chromatographic peak may eliminate this peak from the resultant signal.
It would therefore be desirable to have an improved system and method of analyzing sample data for characterizing compounds in a sample mixture. Such an improved system and method would avoid the drawbacks of the above-described conventional sample analysis techniques.

Matched filtration with experimental noise determination for denoising, peak picking and quantitation in LC-MS


The present invention nondestructively analyzes the position or corrosion state of a magnetic material present in the interior of a non-magnetic material structure. The magnetic material is magnetized from the outside of the structure, and magnetic flux density of the thus-magnetized magnetic material is measured at the outside of the structure, to thereby specify the position of the magnetic material or to analyze the corrosion state of the magnetic material. The magnetic material is magnetized in two stages. After the position of the magnetic material magnetized through first-stage magnetization is specified through measurement of magnetic flux density of the magnetic material, the magnetic material is demagnetized through application of an alternating magnetic field. After second-stage magnetization is performed at a position facing the thus-specified magnetic material position, magnetic flux density of the thus-magnetized magnetic material is measured, to thereby analyze the corrosion state of the magnetic material.

In the field of civil engineering and construction (construction industry), a very important point for the maintenance of a concrete structure (e.g., a tunnel, a bridge, or a building) is to understand the position of corroded reinforcing bars in the concrete structure or the degree of corrosion of the reinforcing bars. However, currently, no convenient technique is available for nondestructively determining or evaluating the corrosion state of reinforcing bars in the interior of a concrete structure, and such determination or evaluation requires a long period of time and high cost.
There have been known apparatuses, including an apparatus for inspecting the state of, for example, reinforcing bars or steel frames in the interior of a concrete structure, which are magnetized by any cause (see Patent Documents 1 and 2); and an apparatus for measuring the amount of metal present (see Patent Document 3). However, these apparatuses do not actively utilize magnetization.
Thus, various methods have been employed for nondestructive inspection of a reinforced concrete structure, but most of the methods are intended to inspect deterioration of the concrete structure, or cavities, cracks, etc. which occur therein. Therefore, demand has arisen for a method for more conveniently inspecting corrosion of reinforcing bars in the interior of a concrete structure (i.e., in a special environment).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2002-77953
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2003-185636
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. H07-151731

Nondestructive inspection method and device


An apparatus and method for maintaining the continuity of a free thread chain between successively sewn fabric parts by tensioning the free thread chain with a puller roller activated by drive means responsive to the sensing of the edges of the fabric parts.

When compound pieces of fabric are sewn together, e.g., two different fabric pieces or parts such as a wool garment and a synthetic fiber lining, or two pieces of the same fabric, as in a hem, shirt pocket, etc., a complex stitch, generally referred to as a chain stitch, is used.
Illustratively, in a hemming operation, successive parts to be sewn are placed on a conveyor belt. The edges of the fabric part are trimmed with edge cutting devices, then folded to create the proper size hem. The fabric part then travels through the machine and is stitched. After exiting the machine the trailing chain of thread, which continues to be generated after the part is no longer under the presser foot and needles of the sewing machine, is cut off with a conventional type chain cutter. The completed, sewn, part is then removed from the conveyor and stacked.
In repetitive operations prevalent in industrial usage of sewing machines, difficulty has been encountered in maintaining the continuity of the thread chain so that when the succeeding fabric part is conveyed under the presser foot and the needles, the integrity of the thread chain between successive parts is sustained. With this continuity of the thread chain between parts, the next succeeding part may be stitched properly.
Historically, however, continuity of the chain between successive parts has presented difficulty, especially with certain texture threads. In the interval between stitching of successive parts, there is a tendency for the thread to break, tangle or separate from the needles. The conveyor and sewing machine must then be stopped and the sewing machine rethreaded, a time consuming procedure which disrupts production.

Method and apparatus for chaining in sewing machine


A hoist assembly and system capable of being adjusted prior to the lifting and transporting of the loads to accommodate infinite center of gravity changes on loads, such that no changes in position occur during the lifting and transporting process.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a mechanism and associated system for stabilizing and controlling a hoisted load.
2. Related Art
Generally, load transporting mechanisms have a single point lifting capability, such as a single lifting cable. The lifting cable is generally stable only in the vertical direction. Under any external influence from the sides, the load may rotate or sway.
Various conventional mechanisms have been developed that are intended to compensate for these motions, and stabilize the hoisted load. Single point hoist mechanisms, for example, typically include a heavy duty hoist mechanism, which may include a winch and block and tackle. However, load movement is a basic problem typical of such mechanisms.
One example of a typical stabilized cargo-handling system uses a means for stabilizing suspended cargo in all six degrees of freedom. These systems have been known to employ at least six individually controlled cables in tension in a kinematic arrangement. Sensors, placed in the complex arrangement with the cables, with high-performance cable drives, are typically used to provide the means to control the multi-cabled system.
While the aforementioned conventional system may provide varying degrees of control of a hoisted load, its complexity causes it to not be easily adapted to existing single point lift mechanisms.
What is needed is a hoist assembly, which is capable of being adjusted to accommodate the lifting and transporting of loads of various sizes and weights.


A method and device for delivering a pulse waveform to a target site of a patient that includes an energy storage device storing electrical energy, and a plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the energy storage device. Control circuitry, coupled to a plurality of switching elements coupled to the plurality of electrodes, selectively switches the plurality of switching elements between a first state and a second state to direct discharge of the stored energy to be simultaneously output at selected electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to generate discrete sequential resultant output pulses across multiple pathways, the discrete sequential resultant output pulses generating a multi-directional waveform at the target site.

Implantable systems for delivering high-energy shocks to defibrillate the heart conventionally use single or multiple simultaneous or sequential electrode vectors to deliver a defibrillation waveform. A single electrode vector, for example, between an electrode located in the right ventricle and an electrode placed outside the right ventricle, often results in undesirably high energy levels being required in order to effectively defibrillate the heart (defibrillation threshold). In delivering a defibrillation shock, it is desirable to deliver the energy in a vector substantially parallel to a large mass of the cardiac myocytes in order to simultaneously depolarize the myocytes and "reset" the timing of myocyte firing, thereby restoring normal sinus rhythm. This shock directionality is approximated through the positioning of defibrillation electrodes relative to the heart. However, because the cardiac structure is complex, a defibrillation pathway selected between two defibrillation coil electrodes, between a defibrillation coil electrode and the implantable device housing used as a "CAN" electrode, or between a defibrillation coil electrode and a subcutaneous patch electrode, may be substantially parallel to a limited cell population.
In an effort to reduce the amount of energy required to effect defibrillation, numerous suggestions have been made with regard to multiple electrode systems. For example, sequential pulse multiple electrodes systems are generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,145 issued to Tacker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,877 issued to Kallok et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,407 issued to Williams et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,427 issued to Keimel.
An alternative approach to multiple electrode sequential pulse defibrillation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,656 to Smits and also in the above-cited Williams patent. An alternative multiple electrode, simultaneous pulse system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,551, issued to Mehra et al., employing right ventricular, superior vena cava and subcutaneous patch electrodes.
Pulse waveforms delivered either simultaneously or sequentially to multiple electrode systems may be monophasic (either of positive or negative polarity), biphasic (having both a negative-going and positive-going pulse), or multiphasic (having two or more polarity reversals). Such waveforms thus include one or more pulses of negative and/or positive polarity that are typically truncated exponential pulses. While the term "multiphasic" is used to refer to a pulse waveform having two or more polarity reversals, the waveform may be described as a "multiple pulse" waveform that includes both positive and negative pulses with intervening pulse delays. These monophasic, biphasic, and multiphasic pulse waveforms are achieved by controlling the discharge of a capacitor or bank of capacitors during shock delivery.
Simultaneous multiple electrode defibrillation configurations provide a defibrillation pathway along more than one vector simultaneously producing a net vector field. However, in multiple electrode configurations, each pathway or vector will have an associated resistance. When multiple pathways are used simultaneously, a current divider effect is created. The path with the least resistance will receive the majority of the defibrillation shock current.
In sequential multiple electrode configurations, a defibrillation waveform is typically delivered along two current pathways sequentially such that one defibrillation vector is produced followed by a second defibrillation vector. The directionality of the sequential vectors is generally limited to two distinct vectors determined by the location of the electrodes used to deliver each pulse. Even when using multiple electrode configurations, a relatively high-energy shock is still required in order to successfully defibrillate the heart.
Reducing device size to an acceptable implantable size was a major obstacle in realizing the first implantable defibrillation devices. Large battery and capacitor requirements for delivering high-energy shock pulses required early devices to be relatively large. Using truncated biphasic exponential waveforms for internal cardiac defibrillation via transvenously positioned electrodes has allowed defibrillation thresholds to be reduced to the point that device size is acceptable for pectoral implant. However, relatively high energy requirements still continue to limit device longevity and size reduction, both of which continue to be motivating factors to improve implantable defibrillation systems by reducing the defibrillation thresholds required to successfully defibrillate the heart. Reduced defibrillation energy may also reduce sensitivity to lead placement and differences in cardiac anatomy and thereby reduce the number of patients in which unacceptable defibrillation thresholds are encountered.
As discussed previously, reduction in defibrillation thresholds may be achievable if a greater number of the cardiac myocytes are parallel to the defibrillation vector field. One approach to addressing this need could be to increase the number of electrodes to allow delivery of simultaneous or sequential defibrillation pulses along a greater number of vectors. Placement of additional electrodes however, adds size, cost, and complexity to the implanted system and would make implantation of the system an arduous task.
There remains a need, therefore, for an improved system and method for defibrillating the heart using a multi-directional defibrillation vector field for achieving successful defibrillation at lower shock energies and that allows a reduction in implantable device size and/or extension of the useful life of the implanted device. By reducing the defibrillation energy required, the number of patients in which acceptable defibrillation thresholds are unachievable may also be reduced.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for delivering multi-directional defibrillation waveforms


Aspects of a method and apparatus for a secure system-on-a-chip (SOC) architecture for multimedia data processing are provided. A processor may configure at least one subsystem within the SOC via at least one unsecured bus while a security processor enables secure functionalities in configured subsystems via at least one secure bus. The unsecure buses may comprise a data bus and/or a control bus, for example. The secure buses may comprise a secure control bus and/or a secure key bus, for example. The configurable subsystems may be multimedia processing units, input and output modules, and/or memory controllers. The security processor may program bits in security registers within the subsystems to enable secure functionalities, such as data routing paths and/or key loading paths, for example. Moreover, the security processor may validate code to be executed by a processor for configuring the SOC subsystems.

In an increasingly security-conscious world, protecting access to information and/or to systems from unwanted discovery and/or corruption is a major issue for both consumers and businesses. Many consumer or business systems may be vulnerable to unwanted access when the level of security provided within the system is not sufficient for providing the appropriate protection. In this regard, consumer systems, such as multimedia systems, for example, may require the use of integrated architectures that enable security management mechanisms for defining and administering user rights or privileges in order to provide the necessary protection from unwanted access.
An example of a multimedia system that may be accessed by many different users may be a set-top box where manufacturers, vendors, operators, and/or home users may have an interest in accessing at least some limited functionality of the system. In some instances, a single device, such as a security processor for example, may be utilized to administer security operations in the multimedia system. The security processor may operate independently of other components in the multimedia system when determining rights or privileges of different users to various features in the multimedia system. For example, vendors may have limited access to some of the functions that may be accessible by the manufacturer. Home users may only have access to a subset of the vendors' access rights. In some instances, secure operations may be managed by specifying, in a single location, secure conditions for each security component supported by the system.
However, there may be several limitations with such a straightforward implementation. On a typical security system, the number of user modes and security components may be sufficiently large that the size of the security management and/or control information may require large amounts of memory. There may be a significant number of access control entries that may correspond to instances when access rights may not be granted and/or instances when the access rights may be the same for multiple user modes and/or for multiple security components, such as default settings, for example. The addition or removal of user modes or security components may pose various implementation challenges, which increases hardware and/or software complexity. As software and/or hardware complexity increases, it may become more challenging to manage security operations without introducing security breaches or other concerns.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Method and system for secure system-on-a-chip architecture for multimedia data processing


A battery with at least one battery cell has two battery poles and current-conducting connections between the battery cells and the battery poles. A safety switching encompasses a current-limiting element in the connection between the battery cells and one of the battery poles. A switch is parallel to the current-limiting element and a control device closes the switch, if the current between the battery cells and the battery poles falls below a predetermined threshold minimum current.

The present invention relates to a battery with at least one battery cell, comprising two battery poles and current-conducting connections between the battery cell(s) and the battery poles.
For example, a lithium-manganese cell has a capacity of 1.6 Ah at a rated voltage of 3.7 V. Depending on the field of application, a plurality of lithium-manganese cells must thus in practice be interconnected to a battery in parallel or in series, to achieve a desired nominal voltage at the battery poles and a desired capacity.
Lithium-manganese batteries are particularly resistant against high currents. That is, they can also provide high currents without causing the battery voltage to break down. Electrochemically, lithium-manganese batteries react in a relatively slow manner so that, even with error functions, critical temperature increases do not occur, which in other lithium-ion rechargeable batteries could, to some extent, lead to safety problems. Generally, lithium-manganese batteries are thus safe.
The battery voltage is, however, dependent on the charge state of the battery. That is, with an increasing discharge of the battery, the battery voltage slowly decreases. If two batteries, which in each case consist of a plurality of lithium-manganese cells, that are charged to varying degrees and consequently have different terminal voltages, are connected in parallel, an equalizing current flows between the batteries.
Lithium-manganese batteries have a very low internal resistance of approximately 1 mohm. If, in the above-mentioned parallel connection of two batteries, their battery voltages differ by 10 volts, for example, an equalizing current of 10,000 A flows, which can represent a high risk potential, due to the very low internal resistance.
Presently, batteries with high current-capable lithium cells, which are to be interconnected with batteries of the same type, are thus concisely brought into a defined charge state by way of special battery chargers so that no or only very little equalizing current flows in response to a connection of two such batteries. The charging of the batteries thus becomes very complex and can only be carried out by experts.
Furthermore, for safety reasons, such high current-capable batteries can presently not be sold to end users as a separate module because, for example, it cannot be ruled out that the end user improperly interconnects two batteries, that are charged to varying degrees.
DE 44 23 199 A1 describes a battery package with internal batteries and external battery poles for connecting a consumer load, and having a control switch, that connects the battery poles with the internal batteries only if a consumer load is connected to the battery poles. The proper connection of a consumer load to the battery poles is determined via a separate signal input at the battery package.
An object of the present invention is thus based on limiting the equalizing currents in response to the interconnection of two or more batteries.
In particular, an object of the present invention to develop a battery, that encompasses a plurality of high current-capable lithium cells, without the above-mentioned problems.
This object has been solved with a battery with at least one battery cell, having two battery poles and current-conducting connections between the battery cell(s) and the battery poles. Provision is made for a safety switching, which encompasses a current-limiting element in the connection between the battery cells and one of the battery poles. A switch is disposed parallel to the current-limiting element, and provision is made for a control device, which closes the switch, if the current, flowing between the battery cells and one of the battery poles, falls below a predetermined minimum current.
The battery of the present invention represents a direct current supply, which satisfies all necessary safety requirements. The safety switching of the present invention ensures that no safety-critical situations whatsoever occur, even in response to a faulty operation. Generally, a layperson can thus also connect the battery to a current consumer. The present invention is thus the first to make possible selling a lithium-based high-performance battery as a separate module, that is to say, not fixedly connected with a current consumer, to an end user as well.
According to the invention, the battery includes a safety switching which comprises a switch in the connection between the battery cells and one of the battery poles. Parallel to the switch there is disposed a current-limiting element. In general, the switch will be a semiconductor switch or transistor, preferably a field effect transistor, such as a MOSFET.
Without the safety switching as provided in the present invention, the above-mentioned high equalizing currents can occur in response to an inappropriate parallel connection of two lithium-based batteries. To prevent too high equalizing currents, a current-limiting element, which is disposed between the battery cell(s) and one of the battery poles, is provided in the safety switching, and the switch disposed parallel to the current-limiting element is open.
If a battery equipped in such a manner is connected to a second battery with a different terminal voltage, an equalizing current flows across the current-limiting element. Only when the equalizing current falls below a predetermined threshold minimum current, the safety switching causes the switch disposed parallel to the current-limiting element to close, such that the current flows across the closed switch and bypasses the current-limiting element.
If an ohmic resistance in the magnitude of 100 ohm is chosen as the current-limiting element, for example, a non-critical current of 100 mA flows with a voltage difference of 10 Volts. Without this resistance, an equalizing current of 10000 A, which would only be limited by the internal resistance of the battery of approximately 1 mohm, would flow in response to a closed switch.
The term "current-limiting element" will, hereinbelow, refer to active or passive electric or electronic components, which limit the time average of the current, which flows from the battery to one of the battery poles. This can occur, in particular, in that an ohmic resistor is used as current-limiting element or in that the time-averaged current, which only intermittently permits the current flow, is limited by way of a pulse generator. In the latter case, the maximum current can be adjusted via the pulse width and/or via the pulse repetition rate.
To simplify matters, in the following description an ohmic resistance is used as the current-limiting element. But a person skilled in the art will recognize that instead of using an ohmic resistance a pulse generator or any other electric or electronic device which allows the current to flow only intermittently can be used.
For safety reasons it is further advantageous to provide a main switch that is able to interrupt the connection between the battery cells and one of the battery poles, preferably the positive pole. The main switch is either disposed in series with the parallel circuit of the switch and the resistor or within the parallel circuit in series with the resistor. The main switch can preferably be operated manually as well as automatically.
In response to an undercutting of a certain voltage, some battery cells, for example lithium cells, can be destroyed. Advantageously, the voltage applied between the battery poles is thus monitored and the current-conducting connection between at least one of the battery poles and the battery cells is interrupted in response to an undercutting of a certain value. In case the battery of the present invention is provided with a main switch the main switch is opened to completely disconnect the positive battery pole from the battery cell(s).
The present invention is suitable for batteries with high current-capable battery cells, in particular lithium cells. Preferably, lithium-manganese cells are provided in the battery. Lithium-manganese cells have a very high energy density so that a desired battery capacity can be realized with a minimal battery volume and with a minimal battery weight. As compared to other lithium-based battery systems, lithium-manganese batteries fulfill considerably higher safety standards. In connection with the safety switching as claimed in the invention, the invention thus provides a safe high-performance battery module.
Preferably, the safety switching includes a measuring device for current measurement, that cooperates with the control device via an input signal line. Also preferably, the measuring device is integrated in the battery and is connected so that it measures a current, to permit conclusions regarding the current flowing across the battery poles, in particular a current, that is proportional to the current flowing across the battery poles. The measured current is transmitted via the input signal line to the control device which activates the switch and/or the main switch as a function of this input signal. When open, the main switch interrupts the current-conducting connection between the battery cells and at least one of the battery poles, preferably the positive pole, while, when closed, it permits the current flow.
Advantageously, the safety switching also comprises a measuring device for measuring the battery voltage, which is analogously connected with the control device, so that the switch and/or the main switch can also be activated and opened or closed, if predetermined threshold voltages are exceeded or undercut.
In a currently preferred embodiment, the current flowing across the battery poles, in practice across the positive pole of the battery, is constantly measured. This can be carried out, for example, in that a current measuring resistor, a so-called shunt, is connected into the line between the battery cells and the positive pole and in that the voltage drop across this resistor is measured.
If a predetermined maximum current is exceeded in response to this voltage drop measurement, the current-conducting connection between at least one of the battery poles, generally the positive pole, and the battery cells is interrupted. Preferably, this can occur in that the main switch, which is disposed in this current-conducting connection line, is opened. The current flow is interrupted thereby.
Advantageously, the measuring device can accommodate, in addition to the current, that flows across the battery poles, the battery voltage. In response to an exceeding or undercutting of a certain predetermined voltage, the switch and/or the main switch are, in this case, also activated and opened by the control device so that the current flow is interrupted.
It is thus advantageous, for example, to measure the voltage applied between the battery poles and, in response to a predetermined voltage being exceeded, to interrupt the current-conducting connection between at least one of the battery poles, generally the positive pole and the battery cells. For example, with the use of lithium-manganese cells, the current flow is advantageously interrupted, if the voltage exceeds a value that corresponds to the number of lithium-manganese cells connected in series multiplied by 4.2 V to prevent an overcharging of the battery.
In response to an undercutting of a certain voltage, some battery cells, for example lithium cells, can be destroyed. Advantageously, the voltage applied between the battery poles is thus monitored and the current-conducting connection between at least one of the battery poles and the battery cells is interrupted in response to an undercutting of a certain value. For batteries with lithium-manganese cells, it has proven itself of value to open the main switch, if the voltage per cell undercuts a value of 2 volts. If, for example, seven (7) lithium-manganese cells are each connected in series to achieve a rated voltage of 7×3.7 V=25.9 V, a voltage lower limit of 7×2 V=14 V is defined. If the terminal voltage of the battery falls below this value, the main switch is automatically opened.
The present invention provides advantages, in particular with freely accessible batteries, i.e., batteries, that are not fixedly installed in a certain arrangement or device. With such batteries, there exists a danger that the user may also connect consumer loads to the battery, for which the battery is not designed, or that the user connects the battery to another battery in parallel.
Without the safety features as provided by the present invention, very high currents can flow unintentionally, in particular with lithium-based batteries, for example batteries with lithium-manganese cells. The present invention provides enormous safety advantages, in particular with batteries that have a capacity of more than 200 Wh and more. With large batteries having capacities of more than 500 Wh, preferably more than 1000 Wh, these advantages are of considerable importance. Preferably, the present invention is used for batteries encompassing between 4 and 12 lithium-manganese cells connected in series and more than 10 lithium-manganese cells connected in parallel.
The battery of the present invention is particularly suitable for supplying power to electric boat motors. In particular, with limited volume and weight in a boat, the high energy density of lithium batteries is a crucial advantage. If the electric motor is only used as an auxiliary motor or only for specific trips, the battery of the present invention can easily be assembled or disassembled by a layperson. As a supply system for electric boat motors, the present invention achieves the advantages of lithium batteries, namely high energy density, high current resistance, high charge stability even for a longer storage, improved performance at low temperatures, and high safety standards with the use of lithium-manganese batteries. In addition, the battery of the present invention enables a simple and safe assembly and disassembly of the battery, even by non-experts. This is advantageous, in particular, for the use of such a battery for the current supply of a boat auxiliary drive.
Furthermore, the present invention provides protection against an inappropriate series connection of two lithium batteries. If a fully charged lithium-manganese battery cell with a terminal voltage of 4.2 V is connected in series with an only partly charged lithium-manganese cell with a terminal voltage of, e.g., only 2 V, and a consumer load is connected, the only partly charged cell can discharge until it self-destructs. The terminal voltage of the battery is thus monitored and the current-conducting connection between the lithium cells and the battery pole is interrupted, if the terminal voltage decreases too greatly and a destruction of the battery is imminent.
With a series connection of two unevenly charged batteries as in the present invention, the current flow is thus interrupted in time, before the lithium cells of one of the batteries are damaged. If applicable, the discharged battery can be disconnected and the electric consumer load supplied with only one battery.


A highly parallelized parallel tempering technique for simulating dynamic systems, such as quantum processors, is provided. Replica exchange is facilitated by synchronizing grid-level memory. Particular implementations for simulating quantum processors by representing cells of qubits and couplers in grid-, block-, and thread-level memory are discussed. Parallel tempering of such dynamic systems can be assisted by modifying replicas based on isoenergetic cluster moves (ICMs). ICMs are generated via secondary replicas which are maintained alongside primary replicas and exchanged between blocks and/or generated dynamically by blocks without necessarily being exchanged. Certain refinements, such as exchanging energies and temperatures through grid-level memory, are also discussed.

Parallel tempering is a Markov-chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique sometimes used for simulation of dynamic systems (such as molecules), and/or for finding solutions to problems representable as such systems. Although conventional MCMC techniques involve simulating a dynamic system and changing its state through the application of update operations based on a temperature parameter, parallel tempering involves the simulation of multiple replicas of a dynamic system at different temperatures and exchanging replicas between different temperatures. This has been shown to improve mixing (and consequently overall performance) in suitable circumstances.
These benefits may be further improved for certain problem classes by specialized implementations of parallel tempering. An example of such an implementation is parallel tempering with isoenergetic cluster moves (PT-ICM), e.g. as described by Zhu et al., "Efficient Cluster Algorithm for Spin Glasses in Any Space Dimension", Phys. Rev. Lett 115, 077201 (2015), arXiv:1501.05630.
Parallel tempering has been implemented with highly parallelizable systems, such as systems comprising graphical processing units (GPUs). One such implementation is provided by Fang et al., "Parallel Tempering Simulation of the three-dimensional Edwards-Anderson Model with Compact Asynchronous Multispin Coding on GPU", arXiv:1311.5582, albeit with limitations on the size of a system that may be effectively represented in parallel due to architectural considerations.
Certain dynamic systems, such as quantum processors having thousands of qubits, can be challenging to represent efficiently using existing parallel tempering techniques. There is thus a general desire for systems and methods for parallel tempering which allow for efficient computation of at least some complex dynamic systems.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

Systems and methods for simulation of dynamic systems


A multi-format output device includes decoders to decode first encoded data and second encoded data to generate a first video data having a first-type format with first caption data also having the first-type format, and second video data having a second-type format with second caption data also having the second-type format. A conversion unit converts video data of one format type into video data video data having another format-type. A buffer holds the first video data by the period of time needed for the video data conversion processing. A caption conversion unit delays the caption data for the video data conversion processing time and also converts the caption data of one format type to another format type. A multiplexer outputs the first video data with the first caption data followed by the converted video data with the third caption data having the first-type format.

When encoded data of the SD (Standard Definition) format are supplied to a multi-format output device, the encoded data are decoded into SD video data, and the decoded data are then up-converted into HD (High Definition) video data. In this way, the multi-format output device integrates SD video data with HD video data, which is obtained by decoding encoded HD data. The multi-format output device outputs the HD video data when the output format is HD and down converts the HD video data and outputs the down converted data as SD video data when the output format is SD.
Also, the multi-format output device converts SD caption data added to the encoded SD data into HD caption data for the up-conversion of the SD video data into the HD video data. In this way, the multi-format output device integrates the SD caption data with the HD caption data. The multi-format output device multiplexes the HD caption data with the HD video data when the output format is HD, and converts the HD caption data to the SD caption data and multiplexes them with the SD video data when the output format is SD.
However, in the case of outputting the encoded SD data in the SD format, a multi-format output device may have to perform down-conversion after first up-converting the SD video data. As a result, the image quality of the SD video data may deteriorate. Also, in the case of outputting the encoded SD data in the SD format, the multi-format output device may have to convert the caption data into SD caption data after converting them into HD caption data. As a result, the processing becomes complicated.
As described above, since the related multi-format output device carries out conversion twice when outputting SD video data or SD caption data in the SD format, the image quality of the SD video data may deteriorate, and the processing becomes complicated.

Multi-format output device, control method for multi-format output device


Provided are an ink jet recording paper which is provided with a recording layer having a coverage rate of from 0.1 to 10 g/m.sup.2 on at least one side of a base paper and has a basis weight of from 50 to 100 g/m.sup.2, with the recording paper having an irreversible shrinkage factor of from -0.05% to 0.10% in the CD direction when it is put under an environment that the relative humidity thereof is raised to 95% from 35% and then lowered to 35% and further showing a shrinking rate of from 0.15% to 0.25% in the CD direction by the change in relative humidity of the environment from 75% to 60% during the process of lowering the relative humidity from 90% to 35%.

In an ink jet recording method, recording is carried out by jetting fine drops of ink using a variety of mechanisms so as to adhere to a recording paper, and thereby forming ink dots on the recording paper. Therefore, the recording method of ink jet type has advantages in that it is noiseless, can provide full-color prints with ease and enables high-speed printing, compared with the recording method of dot impact type. However, it also has a weak point that printed ink is hard to dry since the ink used for ink jet recording is usually water base ink.
Thus, the paper used in the ink jet recording method is required to have properties of (1) ensuring high-speed drying of ink, (2) providing prints of high optical density, (3) being free from overflowing and feathering of ink, (4) not causing undulation by the absorption of ink, and so on.
The undulation concerning the required property (4) cited above can be classified into two types, namely the undulation of the type called cockling which is caused immediately after printing by expansion of paper due to absorption of ink and the undulation of the other type which is caused by shrinkage of paper due to drying of ink upon standing after printing.
As a measure against the cockle generation, the methods of using base papers having excellent dimensional stability are disclosed (Japanese Tokkai Sho 62-95285 and Japanese Tokkai Hei 4-91901, wherein the term "Tokkai" as used herein means an "unexamined published patent application"). With respect to the undulation of the latter type, on the other hand, the cause thereof has not yet been cleared up, so that measures which have hitherto been taken are insufficient. However, it has been known that the undulation of the latter type became serious when ink easily permeated into a raw paper because of reduced coverage of the recording layer provided thereon or when the ink jet recording paper comprised of a raw paper having a light basis weight and had low stiffness to be liable to undulation.
Further, it has been known that, even when the cockling trouble was avoided by the use of a base paper having good dimensional stability as described in Japanese Tokkai sho 62-95285, the undulation due to standing after printing often showed a tendency to increase so far as not only the base paper had a light basis weight and low stiffness but also the recording layer had a low coverage rate. Conversely, the recording papers having liability to cockling have been known to hardly suffer from the undulation trouble when allowed to stand after printing.
The aforementioned knowledge means that whether or not the recording paper causes cockles immediately after printing depends largely upon the expansibility thereof, while the undulation due to standing after printing depends primarily upon the irreversible shrinkage factor of the recording paper. In general, there is a tendency that the irreversible shrinkage factor is high in a recording paper which has undergone the so-called tension drying treatment, or a drying treatment under a bound condition, to acquire low expansibility and excellent dimensional stability. Accordingly, the physical properties responsible for the cockling are incompatible with those for the undulation due to standing after printing.


The present disclosure relates to a casting apparatus including a support block, a die provided on one surface of the support block and configured to form a cavity in cooperation with the support block, and an insert member provided to be movable relative to the support block and configured to selectively move between a first position at which the insert member is received in the cavity and a second position at which the insert member is extracted out of the cavity, thereby obtaining an advantageous effect of simplifying a structure and a manufacturing process.

Squeeze casting refers to a method of forming a product by mechanically applying a high pressure to melted or semi-melted metal injected into a mold until the melted or semi-melted metal is completely solidified. The squeeze casting is also called molten metal forging or forging casting because the squeeze casting directly presses and molds the molten metal.
Die casting is an example of the squeeze casting and refers to precise casting that obtains a casting equal in shape to a steel mold by injecting molten metal into the mold accurately machined to have a shape perfectly equal to a required shape of the casting.
A manufacturing method using the die casting is widely used because of characteristics in which mechanical properties are excellent and mass production is possible in addition to an advantage in that it is possible to implement a casting having an accurate dimension such that the casting need not be finished.
Meanwhile, in forming a product with the squeeze casting (e.g., die casting), a molded body, which has been completely manufactured in a mold, needs to be stably ejected (separated) from the mold.
However, in the related art, in order to eject a molded body that has been completely manufactured in a mold, several tens of (e.g., 20 to 70) ejector pins need to be used to push and separate the molded body attached to an insert fixed to the mold, and various types of additional devices such as an ejector plate and a base for supporting the ejector pins need to be also provided, which causes a problem in that an overall structure of a casting apparatus is complicated and the facility costs are increased.
In addition, in the related art, the ejector pin and the mold are frequently damaged and broken during a process of pushing the molded body from the mold by using the ejector pin, which causes a problem in that maintenance and repair costs are increased. Further, a production process needs to be inevitably stopped in order to repair and replace the ejector pin and the mold, which causes both production efficiency and productivity to deteriorate.
Therefore, recently, various studies are conducted to simplify a structure and a process for ejecting a molded body from a mold, but the study result is still insufficient. Accordingly, there is a need for development of a technology for simplifying a structure and a process for ejecting a molded body from a mold.


A non-volatile memory device includes a control gate electrode disposed on a substrate with a first insulation layer interposed therebetween and a floating gate disposed in a hole exposing substrate through the control gate electrode and the first insulation layer. A second insulation layer is interposed between the floating gate and the substrate, and between the floating gate and the control gate.

The present invention relates to semiconductor devices and to methods of forming the same and, more particularly, to a non-volatile memory device and methods of forming the same.
Non-volatile memory devices continuously hold their stored data even when their power supplies are interrupted. Representative non-volatile memory devices include flash memory devices. For example, a typical flash memory device includes a floating gate and a control gate electrode. As charges are injected/discharged to/from the floating gate, a flash memory device stores data of logic "1" or "0".
For instance, a split-gate type flash memory device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,488. This patent purports to disclose a floating gate formed using a thermal oxide to have a curved-up top surface, thereby resulting in a peak being formed on the floating gate. Conventional flash memory devices, such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,488 will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a gate oxide layer 2, a polysilicon layer 3, and a silicon nitride layer 4 are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate 1. The silicon nitride layer 4 is patterned to form an opening 5 exposing a predetermined region of the polysilicon layer 3. A pair of openings 5 are symmetrically formed at the silicon nitride layer 4.
The substrate 1 is thermally oxidized to form a thermal oxide layer 6 on the exposed polysilicon layer 3. Since a bird's beak is formed at the edge of the thermal oxide layer 6, the thermal oxide layer 6 becomes thinner toward its edge from its center. The bird's beak extends downwardly toward the silicon nitride layer 4 consisting of a sidewall of the opening 5.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the silicon nitride layer 4 is removed. Using the thermal oxide layer 6 as a mask, the polysilicon layer 3 and the gate oxide layer 2 are etched anisotropically successively to form a pair of floating gates 3a disposed symmetrically. A peak is formed on the edge of the floating gate 3a due to the thermal oxide layer 6.
An intergate oxide layer 7 and a control gate conductive layer 8 are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate 1 including the floating gate 3a. A pair of photoresist patterns 9 are symmetrically formed on the control gate conductive layer 8. The photoresist patterns 9 cover a portion of the floating gate 3a and a portion of the semiconductor substrate 1 adjacent to the floating gate 3a.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, using the photoresist pattern 9 as a mask, the control gate conductive layer 8 and the intergate oxide layer 7 are anisotropically etched to form a control gate electrode 8a. The control gate electrode 8a covers a peak of the floating gate 3a and a portion of the semiconductor substrate 1 adjacent to one side of the floating gate 3a.
Following removal of the photoresist pattern 9, impurities are selectively implanted to form first and second impurity doping layers. The first impurity doping layer 10a is formed on the semiconductor substrate 1 between the floating gates 3a, and the second impurity doping layer 10b is formed on the semiconductor substrate 1 adjacent to one side of the floating gate 3a opposite to the first impurity doping layer 10a.
In the above-described conventional flash memory device, an electric field is concentrated on the peak of the floating gate 3a to reduce an erase voltage for discharging charges stored in the floating gate 3a to the control gate electrode 8a.
However, in forming conventional flash memory devices, the spaces of openings 5 continue to decrease due to the continuing demand for higher integration density of semiconductor devices. As a result, when floating gates 3a are formed using the thermal oxide layer 6 as a mask, bird's beaks adjacent the thermal oxide layers 6 may penetrate below the silicon nitride layer 4 between the pair of the thermal oxide layers 6 to be interconnected, thereby causing the adjacent floating gates 3a to become interconnected to one another via the thermal oxide layers 6. However, the floating gates 3a must be isolated electrically because otherwise if adjacent floating gates 3a are instead connected to one another, this results in the malfunction of the flash memory device.
Moreover, the thickness of the control gate conductive layer 8 may vary with its formation location due to the floating gate 3a. Particularly, the gap region between the floating gates 3a has become narrower due to the recent trend toward higher integration density of semiconductor devices. Thus, the control gate conductive layer 8 filling a gap region between the floating gates 3a may now become thicker than a control gate conductive layer 8 formed on a planar substrate 1 that is opposite to the gap region. In other words, the control gate conductive layer 8 on the semiconductor substrate 1 where the first impurity doping layer 10a is formed may be thicker than the control gate conductive layer 8 on the semiconductor substrate 1 where the second impurity doping layer 10b is formed. As a result, when an etch process is performed to form the control gate electrode 8a, a surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 where the second impurity doping layer 10b is formed may be more severely damaged than a surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 where the first impurity doping layer 10a is formed. Also, a surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 adjacent to opposite sides of a gate electrode of a peripheral circuit transistor formed in a peripheral circuit using the control gate conductive layer 8 may be damaged severely. Due to surface damage to the substrate 1, a surface of the second impurity doping layer 10b and/or surfaces of source/drain regions may become rough and their junction depth may decrease. Moreover, the above described damage also results in the generation of a leakage current.

Non-volatile memory device and methods of forming the same


A brake traction control system for a vehicle a braking input member, a brake modulator and a controller. The braking input member can be manually actuated and controllable to manipulate the vehicle braking system by controlling the pressure. The brake modulator can be controllable to manipulate the vehicle braking system by controlling the pressure. The controller can be configured to control the brake modulator in an obstacle crawl control mode such that the controller controls the brake modulator to adjust the pressure. The controller can perform processing in the obstacle control mode including: performing a first determination to determine whether the acceleration input member is actuated to control the power source assembly to propel the vehicle; performing a second determination to determine whether a speed of the vehicle satisfies predetermined criteria; and controlling the pressure based on the first determination and the second determination.

The disclosed subject matter relates to apparatus for a brake traction control system for a vehicle and a method thereof. More particularly the subject matter relates to a brake traction control system that can be configured to apply a braking torque to the drive wheels independently of a difference in wheel speed or torque between the drive wheels.
A self-propelled vehicle can be configured to travel along: (a) an improved path (such as paths paved with a durable surface material, e.g., asphalt, concrete, stone, brick, etc.), (b) an unimproved path (such as a dirt path), and/or (c) any unmarked path of travel (such as along a wooded area, open field, rocky area, water feature, etc.). Off-road vehicles can be specially configured to enhance performance while traveling along an unimproved or unmarked path of travel. This specialized configuration can include increased suspension travel, increased ground clearance, and/or enhanced durability, as compared to vehicles configured for travel along an improved path.
While traversing an unimproved or unmarked path, a vehicle can encounter a travel surface in which the coefficient of friction (μ) on one side of the vehicle is different that the coefficient of friction on the other side of the vehicle. This surface can be referred to as a split μ surface. The vehicle can include a mechanical locking differential or brake based traction control system to deliver torque to the wheel with the most traction while traveling along a split μ surface.

Brake traction control system for a vehicle, vehicle including same and method thereof


The present invention relates to a method and system for measuring articles made of a material that is difficult to measure, such as glass. In the system, an elastic film (19) is arranged on top of an article (110). A number of measurement points have been arranged on the film that are imaged using a machine vision system. The location of the measurement points imaged are calculated with respect to one another, and based on this, the shape of the article can be measured.

The present invention relates to machine vision systems and measurement of articles in quality control. In particular, the invention relates to the measurement of surfaces that are difficult to measure, including mirror and glass surfaces. Surfaces of this kind include automotive glasses that reflect light very poorly.
Conventional photogrammetric machine vision systems measure an object being viewed by focusing on them light spots or stripes and by taking images of the object using several cameras. The light pattern to be illuminated forms the object to be measured. The illumination apparatus can also consist of a number of illuminators or of a projector that reflects stripe patterns, enabling one to illuminate and measure several target spots simultaneously. The number of spots being illuminated can be increased by providing more illuminators, but this adds to the physical size of the illumination apparatus. An illumination apparatus alone will not often suffice to illuminate an entire article, instead the lights of an illuminator are often projected onto the desired location by projecting by means of a mirror. A number of cameras are used to take images of the measurement object illuminated by an illumination apparatus; and the locations of the spots are calculated using a central processing unit connected to the system.
The method referred to above is well suited for materials that reflect light. Instead, the method is poorly suited, for example, for the measurement of glass and plastic surfaces, particularly automotive glasses, which are bent in shape, because a regular laser light is not reflected from a glass surface in a manner allowing it to be imaged using cameras. In the case of automotive glasses, the measurement is particularly important also because of the fact that even small manufacturing defects can prevent installation of the glass in a car. Due to the importance of the problem, several different solutions have been developed to solve it.
In one solution, the piece of glass being measured is painted with a paint that reflects light better. Thereafter, the article can be measured using conventional photogrammetric machine vision systems. This method has the disadvantage of being expensive because prior to painting, the glass shall be cooled and washed right after the painting. Using an additional washing machine makes the production line more complicated and more expensive at the same time. In a version that has been further developed from this one, instead of paint, steam can be used that is condensed on the glass surface and need not be washed away. A disadvantage of this method is that the glass must be cooled so as to be so cold that steam is condensed on the glass surface.
In addition to conventional machine vision systems, specific machine vision systems for measuring glass have been developed. As in the manufacture of glass, a little of tin is left on the glass surface, which is due to the manufacturing method of glass, glass can be illuminated using an apparatus whose fluorescence in tin generates a visible measurement object. One such system has been described in publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,217, which discloses a method and system for measuring a bent glass sheet. In the method as shown in the publication, glass is imaged using an ultra violet laser with high intensity, allowing a sufficient amount of light to be reflected back from the glass to image it using, in other respects, however, conventional machine vision systems. The high price of an ultraviolet laser may also become a disadvantage of the solution presented. Furthermore, the high intensity to be used is risky, so due to work safety, the measurement arrangements must be implemented in an environment that is protected from light, because the intensities to be used can be harmful, for instance, to eyes. High intensities also involve problems with the camera devices to be used.
Conventionally, to measure the shape of glasses, mechanical sensors are used that are installed e.g. in a rack that supports the object being measured. In the case of an automotive windscreen, the windscreen is supported on the measurement rack by the same spots by which it would be fastened to the car. Thereafter, the measurement sensors are placed either beneath the glass or on top of it. Mechanical measuring instruments are complicated and slow. Being mechanical devices, they also are parts that wear and expose the glass being measured to measurement forces that can reduce the measurement accuracy. Further, a disadvantage of mechanical measuring instruments is that they are glass-specific, because each glass type must have their own measurement sensors in glass-specific measurement racks. One possibility to measure an article that is difficult to measure, that is to say a windscreen or a glass surface, is to measure and calculate the total reflection. This is, however, difficult because the objects being measured are of different shapes, making it nearly impossible to arrange the necessary total reflections.
Due to the above facts, there is an obvious need for a method and system that can be used to measure surfaces that are difficult to measure, such as glass, advantageously and efficiently.

Method and system for optical measurement of the shape of an article


In a method and apparatus for laminating prepreg sheets, a plurality of heaters and a plurality of fans are installed beneath an operating table and a table temperature sensor and a room temperature sensor are provided in and above the operating table respectively. The heaters, fans, table temperature sensor and the room temperature sensor are controlled by a temperature control device. A face sheet is mounted on the operating table and the prepreg sheets are laminated while maintaining the temperature of the face sheet at a higher value than the temperature of the prepreg sheets, whereby the adhesive force of the face sheet becomes higher than that of a carrier sheet so that the prepreg sheet can be accurately bonded to the face sheet.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a prepreg lamination by laminating prepregs. More particularly, a method and apparatus for laminating a prepreg of the first layer of the lamination on the surface.
Composite materials have been abundantly used for manufacturing parts of aircrafts, parts of mechanical structural members, and sports and leisure articles. As the composite material, is generally used a prepreg lamination which is prepared by impregnating epoxy resin or the like into such reinforcing fibers as glass fibers, carbon fibers, boron fibers or the like to form a prepreg sheet, laminating the prepreg sheets into a prepreg laminated sheet and cutting the prepreg laminated sheet to have a configuration suitable for the products. After subjecting the prepreg laminated sheet to bonding or the like working the prepreg laminated sheet is applied with pressure and heat in vacuum or reduced pressure atmosphere to obtain an article made of composite material. The lamination methods are classified into one in which the lamination is made by a manual operation and the other in which the lamination is made by an automatic machine. However in both methods the lamination methods are substantially the same.
The method of lamination by manual operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(a) through 5(f). Usually one side of a prepreg sheet 1 is bonded with a carrier sheet 2 impregnated with a silicone resin, and a prepreg tape 3 made up of the carrier sheet 2 and the prepreg sheet 1 is wound about a core pipe 4a (see FIG. 5(a)) to form a prepreg roll 4. Then a prepreg tape 3 is payed out from the prepreg roll 4 and cut to have a predetermined dimension and configuration. Then the carrier sheet 2 is peeled off from the prepreg tape 3 (see FIG. 5(c)) and the prepreg sheet 1 from which the carrier sheet 2 has been removed is bonded with a face sheet 5 used as a substratum for lamination, made of a plastic sheet and to be peeled off later. Then on the prepreg sheet 1, a predetermined number of prepreg sheets are laminated with their orientations of fibers changed, for example 45.degree., 90.degree. (see FIG. 5(d)) for laminating prepreg sheets on the face sheet 5. Then only the prepreg laminated sheet is cut to have a predetermined configuration without cutting the face sheet 5. Then the face sheet 5 is peeled off from the prepreg laminated sheet to form a prepreg laminated member 6 (see FIG. 5(e)). Then the prepreg laminated member 6 is bent and applied with pressure and heat in vacuum or in a reduced pressure atmosphere to form a molded member 7 as shown in FIG. 5(f).
Since in the first layer obtained by bonding the prepreg sheet 1 to the face sheet 5, by taking into consideration the fact that the face sheet 5 is peeled off in the subsequent step, a plastic sheet easy to peel off is used, and as the adhesive force is low, there is a tendency of entrapping air bubbles 8 between the prepreg sheet and the plastic sheet when the prepreg sheets are laminated under these conditions, undesirable phenomena of the first layer of the prepreg sheet 1 affect the subsequent lamination operation, thereby decreasing the quality of the prepreg laminated member 6. As a consequence, where these defects are corrected by a manual operation, the surface of the prepreg sheet is pressed by hands or a roller for purging out the air bubbles from the prepreg sheets 1 while observing the operation with the eyes of the operator for removing wrinkles. Since these operations are repeated, large labour and time are necessary. Where the face sheet 5 and the prepreg sheet are laminated by an automatic machine, the most adequate values are utilized by varying the pressure of the prepreg tape 3 applied to the face sheet and the tension and laminating speed of the prepreg tape 3. These methods also accompany the phenomena of air bubbles, wrinkles and peel off. Unless the first layer is perfectly corrected, subsequent laminating operations are affected so that the correction by manual operations are essential, thereby greatly decreasing the operating efficiency.

Method for manufacturing prepreg laminations


This invention is directed to a flame retarded thermoplastic molding composition consisting essentially of a thermoplastic resin and a flame retardant. The thermoplastic resin is a copolyetherimide ester or a copolyether ester or a blend thereof. The flame retardant is magnesium carbonate or a blend of magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate having in combination therewith zinc borate or zinc oxide or a blend of zinc borate and zinc oxide.

Copolyetherimide esters and copolyether esters are well known in art and have been referred to as elastomers. However, in certain applications, it is necessary that such esters be rendered flame retardant where fire can result from the burning of the thermoplastic resin and which can then further contribute to the burning of other combustibles in the immediate area. While halogens, particularly bromine containing compounds, have found usefulness in thermoplastic resins as flame retardant additives, there is, however, the need to move away from such halogen compounds and into non-halogen flame retardants because of the impact halogens have on the environment. However, obtaining successful non-halogen flame retardants with copolyetherimide esters or copolyether esters is not obvious because of the complex nature of the thermoplastic resins of this invention.
Japanese patent publication JP62161850 discloses a vinyl chloride graft polymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate flame retarded with calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide with clay and silica.
European patent disclosure EP230564 discloses a flame retarded rubber flooring composition, containing in combination aluminum hydroxide and either calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide in combination with zinc borate, antimony trioxide or antimony pentoxide.
It has now been discovered that flame retarded polymers of the type disclosed above, namely copolyetherimide esters and copolyether esters, can be obtained employing a particular non-halogen flame retardant. It is surprising that certain hydrated minerals provide a flame retardant composition of this invention that can be molded into a finished article. Other mineral flame retardants have been tried but the resulting composition cannot be injection molded. The mineral flame retardants of this invention have a higher decomposition temperature than other non-mineral flame retardants. However, it has been surprisingly discovered that only certain hydrated minerals are capable of producing the flame retarded moldable thermoplastic compositions of this invention.

Non-halogen flame retardant thermoplastic composition


The harmonic relationship of certain chemical species is exploited to produce an MRI image of a single chemical species in the presence of at least two other chemical species with the acquisition of as few as two NMR images. If the chemical shift frequencies at a particular polarizing field strength can be approximated as the ratio of two odd integers, an evolution time can be chosen for the images acquired to cancel the contributions of two of the species in one image with a corresponding contribution in the other image. A image of the uncanceled species or of the cancelled species alone may be generated. A third image may be used to correct for inhomogeneities in the polarizing B.sub.0 field.

Breast augmentation or reconstructive surgery may employ implants containing silicone. The silicone used in breast prostheses is composed of poly-dimethylsiloxane with varying degrees of polymerization. Dow Corning's implants are approximately 40% polymerized.
Rupture and leakage of the membrane containing the silicone is a known complication of these procedures. The prevalence of complications is not known because patients may be asymptomatic, however, in light of anecdotal reports of a possible link between silicone leakage and systemic autoimmune disease, is important to develop a sensitive noninvasive method to detect leaks.
The leak or rupture may occur anywhere over the surface of an implant and therefore the use of three-dimensional medical imaging techniques is desirable. Such imaging would, in theory, allow careful scrutiny of the entire surface of the implant and the detection of even small pockets of migrating silicone near that surface.
NMR imaging ("MRI") is one technique capable of the necessary three dimensional imaging. A uniform magnetic field B.sub.0 is applied to an imaged object along the z-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the origin of which is within the imaged object. The effect of the magnetic field B.sub.0 is to align the object's nuclear spins along the z-axis. In response to radio frequency (RF) pulses of the proper frequency oriented within the x-y plane, the nuclei resonate at their Larmor frequencies according to the following equation: EQU .omega.=.gamma.B.sub.0 ( 1)
where .omega. is the Larmor frequency, and .gamma. is the gyromagnetic ratio which is a property of the particular nucleus. Water, because of its relevance abundance in biological tissue and the properties of its proton nuclei, is of principle concern in most imaging. The value of the gyromagnetic ratio .gamma. for protons in water is 4.26 kHz/Gauss and therefore in a 1.5 Tesla polarizing magnetic field B.sub.0, the resonant or Larmor frequency of water protons is approximately 63.9 MHz. The other primary constituent of biological tissue is fat. Larmor frequency of protons in fat is approximately 203 Hertz higher than that of the protons in water in a 1.5 Tesla polarizing magnetic field B.sub.0.
In the well known slice selective MRI sequence, a z-axis magnetic field gradient, G.sub.z is applied at the time of an RF pulse so that only the nuclei in a slice through an object in the x-y plane are excited into resonance. The coherence between the nuclei decays as characterized by two relaxation times T.sub.1 and T.sub.2. After excitation of the nuclei, magnetic field gradients are applied along the x and y axes and an NMR signal is acquired. The gradient field along the x-axis, G.sub.x, causes the nuclei to precess at different resonant frequencies depending on their position along the x-axis; that is, G.sub.x spatially encodes the precessing nuclei by frequency. Similarly, the y-axis gradient, G.sub.y, encodes y position into the change of magnetization or NMR signal phase as a function of G.sub.y gradient amplitude. This process is typically referred to as phase encoding.
From this data set, an image may be derived according to well known reconstruction techniques. The image comprises an array of complex pixel values having magnitude and phase. Typically the magnitudes of the pixels are mapped to a gray scale to form the visual image.
In a 1.5 Telsa B.sub.0 field the Larmor frequency of the silicone protons is approximately 102 Hertz higher than the protons of fat and 305 Hertz higher than the protons of water. The difference between the Larmor frequencies of different isotopes or species of the same nucleus, viz., protons, is termed chemical shift, reflecting the different atomic environments of the species.
As noted above, the silicone used in such breast implants is composed of poly-dimethylsiloxane with varying degrees of polymerization. The primary NMR signal is from magnetically equivalent protons on the methyl groups which rapidly rotate about the Si-C bond axis. The single resonance has fairly long T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 relaxation times. Other protons in the silicone gel are present in very low concentrations (e.g., residual D4 monomers) or have very short T.sub.2 relaxation times (e.g., cross-links) and are not detectable by MR imaging.
Critical to imaging a breast prosthesis is the ability to isolate the silicone signal from the water and fat signals comprising the majority of the breast tissue. In theory, because the silicone protons have a discrete and separate resonance from fat or water protons, the signal from the silicone should be capable of isolation from that of fat and water. Nevertheless, the small difference between the frequency of resonance of the fat and silicone protons at even high field strengths of 1.5 Tesla restricts the use of selective excitation techniques, or saturation of the silicone resonance, to cases of extremely good B.sub.0 field homogeneity.

Selective imaging among three or more chemical species


The present invention is directed to a process for fabricating a microelectromechanical device from a substrate carrying at least one layer of a non-erodible material laid out to form at least a portion of the microelectromechanical device, at least one layer of an erodible material, and at least one sacrificial layer. The process includes the step of using the layer of non-erodible material as a mask and anistropically etching any of the layer of erodible material not occluded by the layer of non-erodible material. The process also includes the step of isotropically etching the sacrificial layer under at least a beam portion of the microelectromechanical device to free the beam portion of the microelectromechanical device from the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed broadly to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and more particularly to a microelectromechanical structure which is particularly useful for data storage applications.
2. Description of the Background
The ability of scanning tunneling microscopy ("STM") to modify surfaces on a nanometer scale has been demonstrated in a variety of experiments dating back to the early development of the instrument. Initial efforts focused on the application of mechanical force between the surface and the tip. The ultimate resolution of mechanical manipulation with an STM probe was demonstrated by Eigler and Schweizer who were able to arrange individual xenon atoms to form the letters "IBM" on a nickel surface in a cryogenic vacuum chamber. When an STM tip is held in tunneling or field emission range, voltage pulses applied to the tip can induce surface changes in a non-contacting mode by various physical mechanisms, e.g., heating, material deposition, or field evaporation of material from the tip. Gas molecules ionized by the high electric field at the tip are accelerated toward the sample where they impact with sufficient kinetic energy to remove atoms from the first several atomic layers. The ability of the STM to modify surfaces has led to the investigation of the use of that technology for storing, reading, and writing bits of data.
Some of the storage methods explored to-date have been rewritable, but most have been write once. However, nearly all of the reported techniques have been extremely limited in their ability to write data (on the order of Kb/s) because detailed mechanical motion was required to create or detect bits.
The need therefore exists to construct the components necessary to build a microelectromechanical memory device, using standard fabrication techniques, which can achieve commercially viable storage capacities, i.e. 10 GB in a 1 centimeter by 1 centimeter by 0.2 centimeter volume. To achieve such a device, several problems must be overcome including the ability to precisely fabricate a cantilevered beam which can act as an STM probe. It is also necessary to overcome the problem of how the probe can be precisely positioned for read and write operations.

Microelectromechanical structure and process of making same


A device for driving an auxiliary unit, in particular a high-pressure pump is provided. The device includes a rotatably supported drive shaft of an internal combustion engine coupled to a unit shaft of the auxiliary unit by a coupling. The unit shaft has a first bearing on the side facing away from the coupling, and a second bearing formed by the coupling. The device provides a coupling solution for connecting, for example, a high-pressure pump camshaft to an available intake or exhaust camshaft.

The invention relates to a device for driving an auxiliary unit, particularly a high-pressure pump wherein a rotatably disposed drive shaft of an internal-combustion engine and a unit shaft of the auxiliary unit are in a mutually operative position by way of a coupling.
Concerning the technical background, reference is made, for example, to German Published Patent Application DE 10 2007 029 651 A1, from which a high-pressure fuel pump arrangement having a pump housing is known for operating a self-igniting internal-combustion engine. This high-pressure fuel pump arrangement has a low-pressure and a high-pressure circulation system and a valve camshaft disposed in a cylinder head of the internal-combustion engine, by which valve camshaft the high-pressure fuel pump arrangement can be driven. The valve camshaft further has a polygonal construction, and components of the high-pressure fuel pump arrangement are advantageously integrated in the cylinder head of the internal-combustion engine.
Furthermore, reference is made to German Published Patent Application DE 10 2008 024 532 A1, on which the present invention is based.
From German Patent Document DE 10 2008 024 532 A1, a device is known for driving an auxiliary unit, particularly a high-pressure pump of an internal-combustion engine. For this purpose, the device has a rotatably disposed driveshaft, preferably a camshaft of the internal-combustion engine. The driveshaft and a unit shaft of the auxiliary unit are in a mutually operative connection by way of a coupling. In a preferred and known manner, this coupling is a jaw coupling.
Such a device of the above-mentioned type for driving an auxiliary unit is, however, acoustically conspicuous, i.e. loud, sensitive to tolerance, expensive, and subject and sensitive to wear in the case of high alternating torques.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known devices.
This and other objects are achieved by a device for driving an auxiliary unit, particularly a high-pressure pump wherein a rotatably disposed drive shaft of an internal-combustion engine and a unit shaft of the auxiliary unit are in a mutually operative position by way of a coupling. The unit shaft has a first bearing on the side facing away from the coupling, and the coupling forms a second bearing for the unit shaft.
The further development according to the invention represents a cost-efficient, acoustically inconspicuous coupling solution that is insensitive to tolerance for connecting, for example, a high-pressure pump camshaft to an existing intake or exhaust camshaft or any other shaft.
In a further development, the coupling consists of a shaft end with an interior profile which engages a complementary shaft end of the unit shaft with an exterior profile. Particularly preferably, the interior profiling and the exterior profiling are polygonal profiles. These further developments are particularly preferred embodiments which can be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner and are very advantageous acoustically.
In a further development, at least one of the drive shaft and the unit shaft has at least one cam that generates an alternating torque during operation of the device. The polygonal profile corresponds to the alternating torque. These further development again has a particularly advantageous effect on the acoustic features.
By means of a further development wherein the shaft end with the exterior profile has a circumferential radius in the axial direction, an axial and angular tolerance compensation becomes possible for the unit shaft.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A lighted vehicle cargo area arrangement includes a cargo area wall structure and a lighting system. The cargo area wall structure includes a first wall surface facing a vehicle cargo area. The lighting system includes a rail, a mounting bracket and a lamp. The rail is fixedly coupled to the cargo area wall structure and defines a lamp receiving space located laterally between an outboard surface of the rail and the first wall surface. The mounting bracket includes a rail attachment section rigidly attached to the rail and a lamp attachment section. The lamp is attached to the lamp attachment section. The lamp is aimed to shine light beneath the mounting bracket and the rail toward the vehicle cargo area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a lighted vehicle cargo area arrangement. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle cargo area that includes a lighting arrangement that provides adjustable lighting to illuminate a floor and lower areas of the cargo area.
2. Background Information
Vehicle cargo areas, such as pickup truck cargo beds, are typically not provided with lighting. Thus it is difficult to see items on the floors of such cargo areas at night.


Techniques are described to customize the functional capabilities of a remote control device with one or more modular hardware components. In an implementation, a modular hardware component coupled to a remote control device is identified. A user interface is configured according to the identified modular hardware component and/or the functional capabilities of the identified modular hardware component. The configured user interface corresponds to the modular hardware component and is operable via inputs or data provided through user manipulation of the modular hardware component.

The range of television content that is available to users is ever increasing. For example, users initially received television content from an over-the-air broadcast which was captured by an antenna. Subsequently, delivery techniques and the content available via these techniques have continued to expand, from cable television to digital cable television, satellite television, and so on. As these techniques have expanded so to has the amount of content available to users such that users that were initially provided with a handful of channels via the over-the-air broadcast are now able to access hundreds of channels that may have different types of television content, such as television programs, video-on-demand, and so forth.
One technique that has been developed to help the users navigate through this vast amount of content is through the use of an electronic program guide (EPG). The EPG provides functionality similar to a printed program guide by informing the users as to which television content is available and where that television content is located, e.g., what channel is broadcasting the particular television content. The EPG may also provide additional functionality to enable users to actually navigate to particular television content represented in the EPG, cause the content to be recorded by a digital video recorder, order pay-per-view content, and so on.
To enable the users to locate, select, view and/or record particular television content of interest, techniques were developed to interact with the EPG and particular television content of interest, such as using input from a remote control to navigate the EPG and select different channels. These techniques, however, were limited in that both the functionality of the remote control and the EPG were fixed at the time of manufacture. Therefore, the user was unable to customize the functional capability of a remote control to interact with an EPG and/or content according to preferred input techniques, which may be frustrating to the user and detract from the user experience.

Modular remote control and user interfaces


An automatic clothes washer comprises a wash tub in which is disposed a wash basket defining a wash chamber for receiving fabric articles, and an article mover located within the wash chamber and driven by a motor to impart mechanical energy to the fabric articles upon contact. A method for controlling the operation of the automatic clothes washer comprises determining the work imparted to the fabric articles by the article mover, and controlling an operating cycle of the automatic washer based on the determined work.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of an automatic clothes washer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automatic clothes washers are ubiquitous. Such appliances clean fabric items effectively, enabling the homeowner to complete other tasks or engage in more satisfying activities while doing the laundry. Modem clothes washers provide a multitude of options for matching a selected cleaning operation to the type of fabric comprising the laundry load and the degree of soiling of the laundry load.
In a conventional automatic clothes washer, cleaning of the fabric items is primarily attributable to three factors: chemical energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy. These three factors can be varied within the limits of a particular automatic clothes washer to obtain the desired degree of cleaning.
The chemical energy is related to the types of wash aids, e.g. detergent and bleach, applied to the fabric items. All other things being equal, the more wash aid that is used, the greater will be the cleaning effect.
The thermal energy relates to the temperature of the fabric items. The temperature of the wash liquid typically is the source of the thermal energy. However, other heating sources can be used. For example, it is known to use steam to heat the fabric items. All things being equal, the greater the thermal energy, the greater will be the cleaning effect.
The mechanical energy is attributable to the contact between the clothes mover and the fabric items, the contact between the fabric items themselves, and the passing of the washing liquid through the fabric items. In washing machines with a fabric mover, the fabric mover tends to cause the fabric items to contact themselves, and for the wash liquid to pass through the fabric items. All things being equal, the greater the amount of mechanical energy, the greater will be the cleaning effect. The longer the time during which the fabric items contact the clothes mover and other fabric items, the greater the amount of mechanical energy delivered to the laundry load.
It has not yet been possible to determine the amount of mechanical energy imparted to a particular wash load. Typically, the mechanical energy imparted to a load is estimated based on empirically determined data from a development laboratory that is then stored within the controller for utilization in clothes washers in use in customer homes. The empirical data is normally determined for pre-determined operation conditions such as: load weight, fabric type, and liquid level. However, not every possible combination is tested and stored in the machine as it is impractical. Nor is it possible to do so because the actions of the user cannot be anticipated. For example, a user might mix fabric types, say, normal and delicate, and then pick a delicate wash cycle. Therefore, the empirical data is, to some degree, a best guess of the mechanical energy imparted to the clothes load.
The use of empirical data can lead to either too much or too little mechanical energy being imparted to the clothes load. Too little mechanical energy will typically mean that the clothes load is not cleaned to the desired standard, particularly for certain soils which require mechanical force to be removed. Too much mechanical energy will get the clothes cleaned to the desired standard, but it wastes resources (extra energy consumption) in doing so and adds additional wear or fabric damage to the fabric items.
It would be advantageous to the overall cleaning performance if the mechanical energy imparted to the fabric items could be determined during the washing process.

Mechanical action estimation for washing machines