A weapon transport device transports along a path toward a target in hostile territory, (1) a target-intended weapon and (2) biological, chemical and/or radioactive agents for attacking the occupants of such territory should they execute countermeasures against the weapon transport device. Separation of the biological, chemical and/or radioactive agents is initiated or, where appropriate, inhibited, by signals from either the guidance system of the transport device or from on-board Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers when the transport device strays by more than a predetermined distance from the path, the sensor is blinded, or the transport device passes beyond a predetermined point while en route to the target.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to weapon transport devices for transporting target-intended weapons along paths toward targets and more particularly to weapon transport devices for transporting target-intended weapons along paths toward targets embedded in hostile territories, and that respond to countermeasures by attacking the occupants of those territories with means other than those target-intended weapons.
2. Description of the Related Art
Transport devices for transporting a plurality of weapons along paths toward their targets are familiar from the patent literature, and examples include Adimari, U.S Pat. No. 3,981,244; Lair et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,356; Boeder, U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,694; Romer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,567; Pinson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,646; McIngvale, U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,737; Minovitch, U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,850; and Lew et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,905.
Adimari teaches an arrangement for dispensing submunitions from projectiles, Boeder and Romer from bombs, Lew, Lair, Pinson and McIngvale from missiles, and Minovitch from electromagnetically launched canisters. While the actual submunitions of all of these arrangements are target directed, Lew teaches a MIRVed (Multiple Independent Renentry Vehicle) ICBM that also dispenses dummy warheads. Each of these arrangements, however, is made more effective by submunition separation, and thus, unlike the present invention, invites attack before separation, i.e., with all of the submunitions still aboard the weapon transport device.
While the present invention can discourage countermeasures against not only the transport devices mentioned but also against almost any such devices for transporting target-intended weapons toward targets, some of these transport devices are more effectively served by some of the features of this invention than by others. The TOMAHAWK cruise missile was chosen for purposes of illustrating and explaining this invention because it can be effectively served by all of the features of the present invention.
Cruise missiles are described in Janes' Weapons Systems, 17th Edition, 1986-7, in greater detail in The Evolution of the Cruise Missile, Werrell, Kenneth P., Air University Press, Maxwell AFB 1985, and elsewhere. These references not only describe these missiles and their operating systems, subsystems and payloads, they also make it clear that cruise missiles such as the TOMAHAWK can transport various kinds of munitions and submunitions, some of which, including nuclear, are of interest here.
The weapon transport devices of the present invention respond to countermeasures by dispensing biological, chemical, or radioactive substances, with salvage-fusing arrangements that scatter radioactive substances or increase the neutron production of nuclear payloads, or with combinations of these responses. Biological and chemical agents are described in Weapons, St. Martin's Press, New York 1980, as is the neutron option, and "salvage-fusing" is explained in The New York Times, Tuesday, Mar. 25, 1986.
Some of the countermeasure-discouraging arrangements of this invention are activated by separation from weapon transport devices, and others by detonation of the weapons being transported thereby. Separation is initiated or, where appropriate, inhibited, by signals from either the guidance systems of the transport devices or from on-board Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Separation is effected via solenoid valve actuated spray nozzles, by energizing explosive bolts, by solenoid latches that otherwise secure detachably secured canisters to the weapon transport devices, etc. These GPS receivers, solenoid valve activated spray nozzles, explosive bolts such as those that detachably secure hatches to military and space vehicles, and solenoid latches such as those found on car trunks and apartment house doors are, of course, familiar devices, the details of which are well known to persons having ordinary skill in the art.

Process and apparatus for discouraging countermeasures against a weapon transport device


A septic tank system including a tank and a downstream fluid system. The tank is adapted to receive sewerage and discharge liquid effluent into the downstream fluid system. A treatment chamber is located in the downstream fluid system and receives an ultraviolet light transmitting device which is removably insertable into the treatment chamber. A photoelectric device can be positioned in the downstream fluid system proximate the ultraviolet light transmitting device to monitor the operation of the device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to septic tank systems and, more particularly, to ultraviolet light disinfection units for septic tank systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many people living in rural areas are not served by municipal sewage systems and must utilize a septic tank system or other method to treat their domestic wastewater. A conventional septic tank system includes two primary components, a septic tank and a drainfield. The septic tank receives the raw sewage. In the septic tank, the heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank where the organic solids are decomposed by anaerobic digestion. Lighter solids float to the top of the liquid layer in the septic tank and form a layer of scum. The liquid effluent, with the solids removed therefrom, is then discharged from the septic tank. Septic tanks can have a simple single compartment design or may include multiple compartments, baffles and other structures designed to remove a larger percentage of the solids from the wastewater before the liquid effluent is discharged from the septic tank. A pump may be utilized to discharge the liquid effluent from the septic tank, or, in a gravity flow system, liquid effluent is discharged from the tank as additional sewage enters the tank.
After the liquid effluent is discharged from the septic tank, a downstream fluid system conveys the effluent to a location where it is discharged into the environment. Typically, the effluent is discharged into a drainfield or from a surface discharge pipe. The use of a drainfield is more common and a typical drainfield includes a distribution box that receives the effluent and then distributes it to several perforated pipes. The perforated pipes are located below grade in a gravel-filled trench. The effluent is discharged from the perforated pipes into the gravel-filled trench where it percolates into the surrounding soil. As the effluent percolates through the surrounding soil the effluent is filtered by the soil and undergoes treatment by chemical and biological processes that occur within the soil layer before the effluent reaches an underlying water table or a body of surface water.
Recently, it has become more common to treat the effluent within the septic tank system with ultraviolet light before it is discharged into the surrounding environment either through a drainfield or surface discharge pipe. Exposure to ultraviolet light kills many of the microorganisms present in the liquid effluent discharged from the septic tank system and many of the governmental bodies responsible for regulating the installation and operation of septic tanks are mandating performance levels that require a secondary treatment, e.g., exposure to ultraviolet light, of the liquid effluent before it is released to the environment.
Although septic tank systems which utilize ultraviolet light treatment of the liquid effluent discharged from the septic tank are known, the improvement of such systems is desirable.

Ultraviolet treatment unit and septic tank system


A method for manufacturing a fuse of a semiconductor device comprises forming an island-type metal fuse in a region where a laser is irradiated, so that laser energy may not be dispersed in a fuse blowing process, thereby improving repair efficiency.

The invention relates generally to a fuse of a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same and, more specifically, to technology for forming an island-type metal fuse in a region where a laser is irradiated so that laser energy may not be dispersed in a fuse blowing process, thereby improving repair efficiency.
In manufacturing semiconductor devices, if even a single fine cell of the device has a defect, the device does not serve as a memory, and is treated as a defective device.
However, it is inefficient to disuse the device as defective when a cell of the memory has a defect.
In some cases, a redundancy cell which is previously installed in the memory device is replaced with a defective cell to repair the entire memory, thereby improving yield.
The repair method using a redundancy cell includes replacing a normal word line having a defect or a normal bit line having a defect with a redundancy word line or a redundancy bit line which is disposed in each cell array.
When a defective cell is found through a test after processing a wafer, an internal circuit performs a program to replace an address corresponding to the defective cell with an address of a redundancy cell. As a result, in use an address signal corresponding to the defective cell is inputted to access data of the redundancy cell, which is replaced corresponding to the defective cell.
Generally, the program system includes burning and blowing a fuse with a laser beam to replace a path of an address. As a result, a common memory device includes a fuse unit configured to replace an address path by irradiating and blowing (opening) a fuse with a laser. A "fuse" refers to a line cut by irradiation of laser, and a "fuse box" refers to the cut site and its surrounding region.
The fuse unit has a plurality of fuse sets. One fuse set can replace an address path. The number of fuse sets in the fuse box corresponds to the number of redundancy word lines or redundancy bit lines in the memory device.
In general, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming and planarizing an interlayer insulating film over a fuse region of a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of fuses over the interlayer insulating film, and forming an insulating film over the semiconductor substrate to cover the fuses.
A partial thickness of the insulating film is etched to form a fuse open region so that the insulating film having a given thickness may remain on the fuse of a local blowing region. The fuse open region is then irradiated with laser, and a blowing process is performed to cut a given metal fuse.
The remaining insulating film generally has a thickness ranging from 1000 Å to 3000 Å over the fuse. However, laser energy is not absorbed in the insulating film but passed through the insulating film because the insulating film has a transparent property such as glass. As a result, most laser energy is absorbed by the fuse. The fuse is thermally expanded by the laser energy, and the insulating film surrounding the fuse is broken when the thermal expansion reaches a critical point. As a result, most of the residual fuse is vaporized.
The fuse is not formed by an additional process but by using an electrically conductive layer including a bit line, a word line, or a plate line of a capacitor. As the device is highly-integrated in 60 nm, a fuse is formed using a metal line formed on the plate line.
When the fuse is formed with a metal line, the fuse typically has a resistance smaller than that of the plate line by ten times, with excellent thermal conductivity. However, the excellent thermal conductivity disperses laser energy in the blowing process, so that the fuse may not be cut.

Fuse of semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same


A connector is configured such that a casing for covering a board is to be mounted on an upper surface of a housing. Connector fitting receptacles are provided side by side in the housing while being spaced apart in a horizontal direction and mating connectors can fit therein. A lever accommodating receptacle is arranged above the connector fitting receptacles and receives a lever for assisting a connection to the mating connector. An upwardly open groove extends along an arrangement direction of the connector fitting receptacles and is provided behind the lever accommodating receptacle in a connecting direction to the mating connector. A hole is provided on a bottom part of the groove and communicates with a clearance between adjacent connector fitting receptacles.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-143286 discloses a connector to be connected to a board. The connector has a housing and terminal fittings extending from the rear surface of a housing are connected to a board. The board is covered by a casing to prevent contact with foreign substances. The connector is fixed at an edge of the board and the casing covers the entire upper surface of the board and a part of the upper surface of the housing.
A drip-proof sheet generally is laid to prevent the entry of liquid, such as water, through a clearance between the casing and the housing. However, to further enhance waterproofness, there has been a demand for preventing the entry of liquid to the board along the upper surface of the housing even if the liquid enters this clearance.
The invention was completed based on the above situation and aims to provide a connector capable of preventing the entry of liquid to a board side along an upper surface of a housing.


An electrical connector for abutting against a metal plate, comprises an insulative housing defining a main body and a tongue plate extending forwardly from the main body, a plurality of terminals retained in the main body and extending into the tongue plate, a metal shell shielding the insulative housing and comprising an upper wall, a pair of side walls extending downwardly from two lateral sides of the upper wall, and a bottom wall in parallel with the upper wall, and a spring member defining a securing portion fixed to the shell and a resilient resisting portion abutting against the metal plate. The securing portion defines a ceiling plate portion shielding the fingers on the upper wall, and a pair of side plate portions extending downwardly from two lateral sides of the ceiling plate portion and shielding the fingers on the respective side walls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector for mounting on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and more particularly to an electrical connector abutting against a metal plate.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional electrical connector for mounting on a PCB usually comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals retained therein, and a shell shielding the insulative housing. The shell includes a polygonal portion surrounding the insulative housing and a fixing portion extending from the polygonal portion. The fixing portion has a through hole formed thereon for a rivet passing therethrough. the fixing portion are fastened to a metal plate via the rivet so as to electrically connect to the metal plate for electrostatic discharge (ESD).
However, the electrical connection between the shell and the metal plate must be realized via a rivet. The step of the rivet installation will complicate the assembly processes, and the production of the rivet will increase the manufacturing costs.
Hence, an improvement over the prior art is required to overcome the problems thereof.

Electrical connector having an improved spring member for abutting against a metal plate


A user recognition system that utilizes two CCD cameras to obtain two images of the user from two different angles of view. A three-dimensional model of the user's face is created from the obtained images in addition. The generated model and an additional facial texture image of the user are compared with a stored user profile. When the obtained 3D model and facial texture information matches the stored profile of the user, access is granted to the system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to recognition systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for user recognition to grant access to computer systems using charged coupled device (CCD) cameras.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer systems often have password-based recognition systems for identifying the user and their authorization to access the system. The passwords are generally user selected and provide a "what you know" type strategy to access the system, i.e., if you know the password you can access the system. These password systems are relatively unreliable because the user may disclose it to anyone else, either intentionally or unintentionally, so they may access the particular computer system and/or service provided by the same. In addition, a user may write down his password so as to not forget it, thereby providing the opportunity for anyone to find and use it. A password is easily learned by actual disclosure or by being viewed by another while the user is typing it in to access the system. Thus, it is clear that a written password is a large security risk as it may provide several people with access to a system that only one person has been authorized to use.
A more secure recognition system focuses on who the user is, i.e., characteristics of the user, as opposed to what the user knows. It would therefore be preferable to provide a recognition system that is not based on what the user knows, but rather is based on who the user is.
One example of a method of determining who the user is, is fingerprint identification systems. These systems require the user to place their finger or hand on a dedicated scanner which will scan the finger or handprint of the individual and compare the scanned print with those stored in memory. Upon approval of the scanned print, the user will be provided access to the computer system. It is understood that that the level of access provided may be limited or tailored to the specific individual.
Other known systems utilize a single camera that takes a two-dimensional image of the user's face and compares it with stored 2-D images in memory. For example, a system based on Connectix QuickCam is not capable of seeing a 3-dimensional object and therefore are limited to 2-dimensional applications. Thus, it is apparent that the primary drawback of such security system is that it must be capable of handling a 2-D photograph of the authorized user.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a user recognition system that is capable of using 3-dimensional models of the user, and would therefor provide a more secure system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for user recognition using CCD cameras


An electronic expansion valve including a rotor, a stator and a circuit board the rotor includes a permanent magnet, and the permanent magnet includes at least two pairs of magnetic poles; the stator includes a coil and a bobbin, wherein the coil is supported by the bobbin, and the bobbin is disposed at the periphery of the permanent magnet. Also included is a Hall sensor, which is disposed on the periphery of the permanent magnet; the Hall sensor and the coil are electrically connected to the circuit board; the Hall sensor includes a sensing portion, and the sensing portion is used for sensing magnetic pole change of the permanent magnet; the sensing portion is always located between the two ends of the permanent magnet during the entire operating process of the rotor.

An electronic expansion valve includes a stepping motor. The stepping motor is controlled to rotate by a controller, and rotor locking may occur in the stepping motor due to existence of an obstacle during rotation of the stepping motor. In order to detect whether the stepping motor is operating normally, the electronic expansion valve needs to be detected with a detecting element. How to ensure the stability of the detecting element is an urgent problem to be solved.

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd.


In order to effectively perform on/off control for an air-conditioning system carried on an automobile during idling operation of the automobile, if a state, in which a difference between a target idling number of revolution and a net idling number of revolution is larger than a preset difference value, is continued for a preset period of time, then an electromagnetic clutch is disconnected, and a compressor is allowed to be in an operation stop state. After that, if the difference is smaller than the preset difference value, and a state, in which the difference is smaller than the preset difference value, is continued for a preset period of time, then the electromagnetic clutch is connected, and the compressor is restored to be in an operating state. By doing so, it is possible to previously avoid the occurrence of vibration of the vehicle body due to vibration of the engine, and the occurrence of booming noise in the vehicle's cabin caused by the vibration. The air-conditioning system is automatically restored to be in the operating state when it is judged that the state of the engine is restored. Therefore, the convenience of use of the air-conditioning system is improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a vehicular air-conditioning system, for controlling the operation of the air-conditioning system when an engine of a vehicle such as an automobile is in a racing state, i.e., in a so-called idling state.
2. Description of the Related Art
A control apparatus for a vehicular air-conditioning system has been hitherto known (see Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 1-147718), which is used in order to prevent the stop of an engine, i.e., so-called engine stop during the operation of the air-conditioning system. In this conventional technique, the operation of the air-conditioning system is stopped when the actual idling number of revolution (net idling number of revolution) of the engine is below a lower limit target value of the idling number of revolution. On the other hand, the operation of the air-conditioning system is started again to use the system when the net idling number of revolution is restored to be not less than an upper limit target value of the idling number of revolution.
However, this conventional technique involves the following problem. That is, if the control is performed so that the number of revolution of the engine is lowered when a large load is exerted on the air-conditioning system and a large load is also exerted on the engine, then the rotation of the engine varies between the upper limit target value of the preset number of revolution (number of revolution to restore the air-conditioning system) and the lower limit target value of the preset number of revolution (number of revolution to stop the air-conditioning system), sometimes resulting in occurrence of hunting.
A technique to solve this problem has been suggested in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-44531. This technique includes a so-called idle-up control means for increasing the idling number of revolution depending on the load exerted on an air-conditioning system when the air-conditioning system is operated. This technique includes an intake amount-correcting means for increasingly correcting the air increment amount value for the idle-up effected by the idle-up control means after the air-conditioning system is allowed to be in a stopped state at the lower limit target value. Incidentally, the idle-up control refers to the control in which the intake amount-correcting means is operated so that the amount of intake air into the engine is increased in response to the operation and the stop of the air-conditioning system during the idling state in order to idle-up the engine.
However, in the technique described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-44531, the problem described above is dealt with such that the amount of air is increasingly corrected by using the intake amount-correcting means after the air-conditioning system is in the stopped state to give no load exerted on the engine by the air-conditioning system. Therefore, the so-called boosting phenomenon tends to occur, in which the number of revolution of the engine is quickly increased depending on the air increment correction amount value and the state of the engine. For this reason, it is difficult to set the air increment correction amount value. In this technique, the control is complicated, in which the increment correction is performed, for example, in a stepwise manner. Further, any of the techniques disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 1-147718 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-44531 involves the following inconvenience. That is, for example, if the number of revolution of the engine is temporarily decreased, due to any cause, to be lower than the lower limit target value in a state in which the air-conditioning system is normally operated with a small load, the air-conditioning system is stopped.
Furthermore, any of the techniques disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 1-147718 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-44531 involves the following problem. That is, for example, if the decrease in number of revolution of the engine continuously occurs, in which the net idling number of revolution does not arrive at the lower limit target value of the idling number of revolution, and the engine stop does not occur, then, for example, the body of the vehicle makes vibration due to vibration of the engine, or the booming noise occurs in the vehicle's cabin due to the vibration, because the air-conditioning system is continuously operated. As a result, the evaluation of so-called sensory properties is deteriorated.

Method and apparatus for controlling vehicular air-conditioning system


An apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic disk wherein a center core having an adhesive substance previously applied thereto is adhered to a magnetic sheet. The apparatus includes a holder having a center core retaining member extending therefrom for receiving and retaining the center core, the holder being rotatable such that the retaining member rotates about an orbital path; a core feed station, disposed along the orbital path, to which the center core having the adhesive applied thereto is fed, the center core being received by the retaining member at the core feed station; an adhering station disposed along the orbital path at a position downstream of the core feed station for adhering the center core to the sheet; and an annular housing substantially surrounding the orbital path an through which hot air is circulated so as to partially dry the adhesive applied to the center core. The apparatus further includes a station disposed along the orbital path for supplying center cores having a double-sided adhesive tape applied thereto so that center cores can be alternatively adhered to the sheet using such tape.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic disk to be rotatably fitted in a cartridge, and more particularly relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic disk in which an adhesive is applied to the flange of a center core.
FIG. 5 shows a magnetic disk and cartridge unit 1 including a magnetic disk made of a center core 3, which is provided for positioning and chucking purposes, a magnetic sheet 4 adhered to the core, and a cartridge composed of a pair of plates 2 for housing the disk. Such a disc is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Published Utility Model Application No. 186565/85.
The process of manufacturing the magnetic disk and cartridge unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. One of the primary steps is an adhering step 5 in which the center core 3 and the magnetic sheet 4 are adhered to each other to form the magnetic disk. Another important step is an assembly step 6 in which the magnetic disk is fitted in the plates 2 of the cartridge. In the adhering step 5, the center core 3, having a flange with an adhesive thereon, is passed through a drier 5b in a direction A of conveyance to partially dry the adhesive, and then magnetically attracted to the attracting portion 8c of an arm of an adhering oscillatory handler 8a. The arm is swung in a direction C to move the center core to a magnetic sheet feed section 9 so that the core is fitted into the circular center hole 4a of the magnetic sheet 4 with the core and the sheet adhered to each other to constitute the magnetic disk 7, which is then conveyed to a prescribed position. The magnetic disk 7 is magnetically attracted to an attracting portion 8d of one of two arms of a double-armed oscillatory handler 8b and then moved to a prescribed accumulating position. The disk 7 is thereafter magnetically attracted to the attracting portion 8e of the other of the arms of the handler 8b. The latter arm is then swung in a direction C so that the disk 7 is sent to the assembly step 6. It should be noted that the latter handler 8b need not be double-armed, but rather may have only one arm.
One of the plates 2 for the cartridge is conveyed to the assembly step 6 in the direction of arrow B in advance of the disk 7. Therefore, the disk 7 is conveyed to a position above the plate 2 by the handler 8b prior to termination of the magnetic attraction of the disk 7 to the attracting portion 8e of the handler 8b so that the disk is placed in the plate. The plate 2 containing the disk 7 is then sent to the next step of the process.
The process in which the adhesive is used to adhere the center core 3 and the magnetic sheet 4 to each other in the above-described manner without using a double-sided adhesive tape has been often adopted in recent years. If the adhesive is a solvent type or emulsion type, it must be subjected to drying after being applied to the center core 3, as described above. Therefore, a drying furnace must be provided for partially drying the adhesive before the core and the magnetic sheet 4 are adhered to each other using the adhesive. If the adhering operation in the step 5 were stopped due to, for example, an assembly operation in step 6, the center core 3 would be caused to remain in the drying furnace for an excessive period of time, resulting in poor adhesion of the adhesive to the magnetic sheet 4 to greatly reduce the adhering strength of the adhesive to the sheet. Also, if the temperature in the furnace is high, the quality of the adhesive would likely change while in the furnace so as to alter the condition and quality of the adherence of the core 3 to the sheet 4. To prevent the condition and quality of adherence of the core 3 to the sheet 4 from being deteriorated due to the presence of the core in the furnace, the magnetic disks 7 can be temporarily stored in the accumulating position.
Since the arms of the oscillatory handlers 8a and 8b are reciprocated and it is necessary to set a time for partially drying the adhesive and control the heating thereof in the furnace, the apparatus for practicing the adhering step 5 and the assembly step 6 has a basic drawback in regard to the inability to increase the speed of the process so as to enhance productivity.
There is also known an apparatus for practicing a process of manufacturing a magnetic disk and cartridge unit with a double-sided adhesive tape, instead of a solution-type adhesive. Since the apparatus does not need to control the temperature of the adhesive by the use of a heating device, the speed of the manufacture can be increased by adopting a rotary assembly section which rotates 360 degrees, rather than oscillating back and forth as the oscillatory handlers 8a and 8b discussed above.
If an apparatus as productive as the above-mentioned apparatus having the rotary assembly section were available to manufacture a magnetic disk and cartridge unit using a solvent type adhesive, productivity could be much improved. However, there are a number of problems in developing such an apparatus. The apparatus having a rotary assembly section includes a plurality of stations such as a center core feed station, a double-sided adhesive tape feed station, an inspection and an adhering station, and a holder which holds the center core. The holder is not only moved up and down but also rotated. If a heating device is provided for each of the stations, there are problems, however, that the adhesive solidifies due to the lack of heat where the holder is stopped, and the apparatus is relatively complicated. If the holder is not of the magnetic attraction type but of the vacuum attraction type, there is a problem that air leaks due to the center core structure making it very difficult to produce a sufficient heating effect. If the entire rotary section of the apparatus is heated, there is a problem in that a very large heating system must be provided, resulting in an apparatus that is uneconomical. For these reasons, the rotary-type apparatus has not been used to manufacture a magnetic disk with a solvent-type adhesive.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic disk and whose use results in as low material cost of the disk as a conventional apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic disk with a solvent-type adhesive and as high productivity as a conventional apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic disk with a double-sided adhesive tape.


A pivot assembly includes a support defining a hole, a pivot insert disposed in the hole and a retainer securing the pivot insert in the hole. The pivot insert defines a circumferential groove, and the retainer is a ring having inwardly directed fingers for engagement in the groove.

Pivoting assemblies are known for use in many different structures. So called "hip pivots" are known for use in furniture and the like and generally include a bracket that can be secured to a frame and a swivel-type insert in a part of the bracket for rotatable securement relative to another structure. It is known to connect chair seats and back rests to the chair frame using pivoting assemblies, to provider greater comfort by changing the angular orientation of the seat or back.
A known pivoting assembly includes a frame member commonly of metal, a cover commonly of plastic, a pivot retainer commonly also of plastic and a snap ring of steel for securing the device. The frame and cover are appropriately configured to receive the pivot retainer. The pivot retainer is snap fit into the associated structures of the frame and cover. A snap ring is positioned into a groove in the pivot retainer, to secure the pivot retainer in place. Snap ring pliers or a similar tool is required to spread the snap ring for sliding over the pivot retainer and into the groove. When properly positioned, the snap ring is released to engage within the groove.
An assembly of this type has a number of drawbacks or disadvantages. Snap rings are cumbersome and sometimes difficult to install. The snap ring must be spread and aligned with the groove in which it will be secured prior to being released. If not properly aligned with the groove, the snap ring may not seat properly in the groove and can become disengaged from its locking position. Further, known snap rings are metal and therefore subject to corrosion, which can result in failure or potentially staining fabric or other materials used on a chair in which the hip pivot is installed. Still further, the groove and associated surface that receives the snap ring, as well as other snap together surfaces, do not provide large support surfaces. Accordingly, the pivot retainer may become disengaged from the associated apparatus and side from its intended position.
What is needed in the art is a retainer for a pivot assembly that is easy to install and secure when installed. Preferably the retainer should be of plastic or other inexpensive material not subject to corrosion.


A power lift for use in body shops for vehicles is described of the type which comprises a bearing plane provided in the lower part with a lifting and lowering group. The lifting group comprises corresponding to each of the lateral sides of the bearing plane a related lifting/lowering mechanism of a scissors arrangement constituted by 2 pairs of parallel levers, articulated between themselves in a middle section, one pair of parallel levers of the lifting group being provided with rollers which slide on the ground along a trajectory parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plane, and another pair of levers being hinged to the ground corresponding to the movable lower ends. The mechanism is operated by at least one fluiddynamic actuator and has one end articulated to the lower arm of one of the two pairs of parallel levers and the other end is articulated by means of a corresponding stirrup to the upper arm of one of two levers. The power lift is characterized by the fact that the stirrup is hinged to the related lever being provided with a free external end provided with a roller in related motion and kinematic coupling in the first part of the lifting phase, with a surface suitably inclined with respect to the ground defined by a related shaped block.

It is known that in shops for vehicles there is the necessity of having access to the lower part of the vehicles to repair those which have been involved in accidents or which have a malfunction.
For the purpose of allowing the operator or operators to have access to the lower part of the vehicle there are used the so called "banchi di tiro" which are roller stands constituted essentially by a base frame of a rectangular shape which has some openings for the passage of templates on which the vehicle is placed and the vehicle is moved in a vertical direction by lifting means which are constituted in many instances by pantograph trolley mechanisms.
The roller stands have a structure which is heavy and complex and are provided with devices for blocking the vehicle which allow the drawing operations in the body shop, operations which impart substantial turnover stresses both on the vehicle and on the roller stands. For this reason the use of the known roller stands constitutes substantial cost, long and complex work procedures which frequently are not justifiable in small operations of repair and servicing.
In the body shops there are also in use simple power lifts which have a bearing plane with a mechanism involving pantograph trolleys which do not have almost totally the blocking devices for the vehicles because the stability of the vehicle is insured only for the operations in which substantial stresses or substantial drawing are not involved.
The problems described hereinabove are further aggravated in the case in which it is necessary to carry out repair operations or layout operations of the body shop or on the frame of heavy autovehicles. In fact, in order to work effectively and with safety on heavy autovehicles a particular stability of the structure of the power lift is required. However the known power lifts presently available for heavy materials require too much space and the operation of lifting the vehicle becomes difficult particularly in the first part of commencing the lifting operation.
In fact the known power lifts are provided with actuators which in the state in which it is necessary to form a pack act for lifting the vehicle in the first phases according to directions which are almost horizontal requiring therefore for lifting the vehicle very high pressures of the fluid and these pressures are incompatible with the common sources of pressure which are available to the body shops.
For the purpose of overcoming the problems related to the stresses and the first phases of lifting the vehicles various devices have been conceived which are constituted by stirrups capable of carrying out the initial push so as to improve the efficacy of the push of the actuators on the lifting levers.
Normally these devices used for improving the ratio between the lifting stroke and the pushing stroke are positioned corresponding to the articulation of the lifting levers but in the known configurations they have been shown to be effective only in the case of light vehicles because if they are used with heavy vehicles they are totally inadequate to limit the pressures necessary for the lifting of the vehicles at least in the initial phase.


A damping roller for the damping unit in a printing press has a roller body that carries a glass, glass ceramic, or enamel outer material, layer, or coating. Suitable coatings can be produced, for example, by enamelling, plasma spraying, or attaching the outer layer to the body with a sealing compound. In another embodiment, the glass, glass ceramic, or enamel material acts as the self-supporting roller member accommodated solely by the journals. Preferably, the outer surface of the roller is polished. The damping roller of the invention has the ability to dispense an optimum amount of damping medium while eliminating or reducing damping medium additives such as alcohol to less than 6% of the total mixture.

The general purpose of a damping roller within a damping unit of a printing press is to apply a damping medium to some preselected surface, such as a printing plate carried on a rotating plate cylinder. To this end, it is desirable to have a damping roller with an optimum amount of "wettability." A damping roller which is wettable can receive and apply the damping medium. A damping roller with comparatively increased wettability denotes that this particular damping roller can receive comparatively increased quantities of damping medium. On the other hand, a decrease in roller wettability results not only in a decrease in the damping medium application rate but also often results in a non-uniform application of the damping medium. Without an optimum damping medium application rate, the printing process yields ink variations and associated printing problems. It is essential to a successful printing process to maintain a steady damping application rate.
Intimately related to the wettability and the damping medium application rate of a particular damping roller is the damping roller's surface material. A large variety of materials, coverings, or surface structures are known for damping rollers. Damping units traditionally have rollers made of steel, rubber, or textile coverings. Other damping roller surfaces are made of material permeable to a liquid such as porcelain or fired clay (DE-PS 580 963). Prior art damping roller coverings have also been made of elastic yarn (DE-PS 2 607 255) or plastic fibers embedded in resin (EP 0 293 551). Yet another patent (EP 0 400 621) discloses a damping roller whose shell is coated with ceramic/metal carbides. In some cases, these roller surfaces can become "wettable" only if hydrophilic agents, such as gum arabic, are applied to the damping roller surface.
The main disadvantage of these damping rollers is that alcohol or another suitable agent must be added to the damping medium to increase the roller's wettability. If the alcohol is eliminated or if the ratio of the alcohol to the total mixture is reduced to less than 6%, the wettability of these rollers significantly decreases. In contrast, however, damping media that contain less than 6% alcohol in the total damping mixture are considered optimum in the printing business. Hence, a need exists for a damping roller which uses a low damping medium additive concentration while still maintaining a high wettability.


A customizable logging and content management system for indexing multimedia, including a synchronized timer object that provides a time reference upon request in connection with the media, and a logger object that logs predefined events that occur in the media by associating the events with respective time references from the timer object. A video server is provided that captures and digitally stores events logged by the logging application as media segments, and a search and retrieval engine is provided that enables the media segments to be located, retrieved and viewed based on the indexes. The system includes a graphical user interface generator that enables customized user interfaces and logging databases to be created from database tables for use in the logging application.

Many industries such as the sports and entertainment industry require the ability to search through their archive of audio, video and/or multimedia assets and find particular prerecorded information. In the sports industry, this search and retrieval ability is needed for many purposes. For example, when scouting for new players it can be very useful to have the ability to search through an archive of recorded games to find particular events that occurred during the games. For instance, a coach may desire to review every three-point shot that a basketball player has attempted in a game or throughout multiple games. Also, a sports league may desire to collect and review many different types of events that have occurred during the course of game play. In the entertainment industry, producers need access to archival footage for highlights and many other reasons. For example, a sports television show may desire to find and retrieve particular video segments from a particular prerecorded event to show to the public during a news broadcast. For example, when broadcasting sports news, the network may desire to show every video segment from a prerecorded football game that shows a turnover of the ball from one team to another. In fact, in sports, whether from the team, league, entertainment or other related perspective, there are numerous reasons why it is important to have the ability to find and retrieve video and/or audio segments from an archive of prerecorded information (e.g., video, audio and/or multimedia assets). While the ability to manage an archive of recorded assets is particularly useful in connection with sports, such management systems are needed for many other applications as well. In fact, the need extends to practically any situation where significant amounts of audio and/or video is recorded, such as in the movie production business, where one might desire to find and retrieve a particular segment of information (audio, video or multimedia segment).
One technique that has been widely used in the past, particularly in connection with sporting events, is to use manual loggers to log information about an event that is being recorded or has been previously recorded. This technique involves using people, known as "loggers", to view the entire event as it is being recorded (or after it has been recorded) and to index certain pre-defined events that occur during the event that may be of interest to the person or organization for which the logger is working. For example, a logger working in connection with a basketball game may have the job of logging information, such as time of occurrence during the game, that particular events occur, such as fouls, three-point shots, defensive plays, or any other event that may be of interest in connection with the basketball game. The logger typically uses a log sheet on which he manually enters the event and the time of occurrence of the event for later reference. Numerous loggers may be used for any one sporting event. When the loggers are finished logging the event, the log sheets are collected and stored with the recording of the event, so that they can be used as a reference to later find particular segments of interest from the overall recorded event. For example, the log sheet may indicate that a particular basketball player made a three-point shot at a particular point in time during the game. Thus, if a person wanted to see the video segment or clip of this particular three-point shot, the log time indicated on the log sheet can be used to find the point in the recorded game where the shot occurs. Thus, the log sheets act as an index to particular segments within the overall recorded event that may be of interest at a later time. One problem, however, with this manual logging process is that it is time consuming and inefficient, in that the physical log sheets must be reviewed manually in order to find the information or event of interest. Moreover, once the index is found on the log sheet, the tape or other medium on which the event has been recorded must by obtained so that the particular video and/or audio segment can be clipped therefrom. Thus, a more efficient system is needed in connection with the logging of time based media, such as sporting, entertainment or other events.
Video editing software exists for enabling editing of recorded video or multimedia assets. However, such video editing software is very sophisticated and generally requires a knowledgeable and experienced video engineer to properly edit or obtain video clips from a video. In addition, such video editing software is expensive to purchase and operate. Thus, a less expensive and more user friendly video segment indexing and capturing system that can be used in connection with logging and retrieval of time-based media is needed.
The instant invention addresses the above-described needs by providing a computer-based indexing and capturing system for use in connection with logging of audio, video and/or multimedia events. The invention provides a user friendly tool for use by loggers or the like working in connection with a time-based media event, such as but not limited to a sporting event. Specifically, the instant invention enables loggers to easily and efficiently view a live or prerecorded event and document a time-based stamp for predefined events that may occur during the overall event. In accordance with the invention, a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that is customized to the particular application (and optionally for each particular logger using the system) in which the system is being used. The GUI includes user interface objects, such as check boxes, radio buttons, push buttons and text boxes, that are used by the logger to record events. The interface objects are predefined and customized for the particular asset being logged. In other words, the GUI objects are defined so as to correspond with the typical types of events that are generally of interest for the particular overall event that is being logged. In addition, the GUI objects are labeled in a manner that corresponds to the typical nomenclature of these events, thereby facilitating easy event logging by a logger through the GUI. The logged events are then stored in a database for later search and retrieval as desired. Thus, the invention enables parsing, cataloging, storing and retrieval of time based media.
In one embodiment of the invention, the system provides a linear video cataloging system designed to enable easy and efficient logging or indexing of linear (analog) video content. In accordance with this embodiment, the system enables a digital directory of linear video content to be created which facilitates precision retrieval of highlights and clips from recorded videos.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a media management system is provided that accepts analog or digital video content, indexes the video content, indexes each video frame and provides for advanced retrieval of video segments of interest. Thus, in accordance with this embodiment, when a logger logs an event the logging information (index) and the actual video segment are captured by the system, thereby enabling the system to be used to search for, retrieve and actually view a logged video segment. As a result, this embodiment provides a complete video asset management system that can be used to log events and search for and retrieve the actual video segments that have been logged using a dedicated search engine.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system is provided with an automatic logging capability, wherein audio/video analysis technology is employed for speech, sound, object, and text recognition to automatically index video content and create an electronic directory of same. In other words, in this embodiment, manual loggers are not required because the system is programmed to automatically log certain predefined events using audio/video analysis technology.
The invention may be implemented in a stand-alone fashion, or it may be deployed as a client-server application for a LAN or web-based environment. The system is designed to enable multiple loggers to be operating on the same overall event at any one time. Facilities are provided for enabling all of the logged events from all of the loggers to be loaded into a common database for later search and retrieval.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the system is easily customizable for any event that needs logging. Specifically, the GUI can easily be customized to fit any particular application. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user interface generator is provided to facilitate the creation of customized, HTML- or XML-based user interfaces for the collection of standardized information.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a video content management system is provided wherein the end-user can perform complex search functions, such as search by film name, topic, bookmarks (using keywords), user groups, film groups, etc., and in response receive the exact desired content (film, scene or frame). This feature is designed to transform viewing habits and the manner in which people apply the use of video for work, study and entertainment. A video server is at the heart of the video content management system. The video server stores, manages and provides access to data in the form of large and complex video content files.
As will be apparent from the description below, one primary object of the instant invention is to simplify and speed up the process of manually logging audio and/or video or other time based media from a live event or a previously recorded event. The speed at which a person (the logger) can do the logging is especially critical when logging a live event, where there is limited time to perform logging functions. Another primary object of the invention is to provide a complete video content management system that not only enables efficient logging, but also provides a sophisticated search and retrieval function. It is noted that audio, video and other time-based media may simply be referred to as media in the description below, and that the invention is not limited to any particular media type.

System and method for computer-assisted manual and automatic logging of time-based media


A system for assisting a lane-keep traveling of a vehicle is comprised of a camera for detecting a view ahead of the vehicle, a vehicle behavior detector including a vehicle speed sensor and a yaw rate sensor, and a controller. The controller is arranged to estimate a road shape on the basis of lane markers detected by the camera, to detect a target yaw rate necessary to return the vehicle at a center of the lane markers, and to determine that there is a possibility that the vehicle deviates from the lane when a difference between the target yaw rate and an actual yaw rate detected by the yaw rate sensor becomes greater than a threshold.

The present invention relates to a system and method for assisting lane-keep traveling of a vehicle, and more particularly to a lane-keep assisting system which determines whether a vehicle tends to deviate from a lane according to a vehicle traveling condition on the lane.
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 11-348696 discloses a system for assisting a vehicle to travel along a lane. This system is arranged to generate alarm on the basis of a relative position of the vehicle relative to lane markers.
However, in the case that the vehicle travels along a small-radius corner, the alarm is not generated even if the vehicle is not steered along the corner, and the alarm is generated only when the relative distance between the vehicle and the lane marker becomes smaller than a predetermined value. Further, even when the vehicle is turning a corner along a lane, this known system generates alarm continuously or intermittently according to the small relative distance.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lane-keep assisting system which accurately detects that the vehicle tends to deviate from a traveling lane.
An aspect according to the present invention resides in a system for assisting a lane-keep traveling of a vehicle. The system comprises a road image detector, a vehicle behavior detector and a controller. The road image detector takes a view ahead of the vehicle. The vehicle behavior detector detects a behavior of the vehicle. The controller is coupled to the road image sensor and the vehicle behavior detector. The controller is arranged to calculate a road shape on the basis of the view taken by the road image detector, to calculate a target turn indicative value indicative of a target turn for reaching the vehicle to a target position, on the basis of the road shape detected, to calculate an actual turn indicative value indicative of an actual turn of the vehicle, and to determine whether the vehicle approaches a lane boundary of a traveling lane, on the basis of the target turn indicative value and the actual turn indicative value.


A system and method for cognitive communication device operation. In accordance with the system and method, a node (102, 106, 107) that communicates in a wireless multihopping communication network (100) uses a receiver (302, 402, 502, 602) to acquire a digital sample of a communication signal, and extracts at least one feature of the digital sample. The node (102, 106, 107) employs a classifier (306, 406, 506) to determine the signal type, and a transmitter (108) to send feature vectors including information representing the signal type to other nodes (102, 106, 107) in the network (100).

As understood in the art, a cognitive radio is a communication device that is capable of wireless communication in a network, and is also able to change its communication parameters to adapt to a changing communication environment. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 03-322 explains the concept of interruptible spectrum leasing. This type of operation allows for licensing that can be suspended when the spectrum is needed for some urgent reason, such as, for example, emergency operations. The FCC also expects that cognitive radio technologies can identify spectrum that is available for leased use and ensure that the spectrum reverts to the license under predetermined conditions.
One of the techniques for accomplishing access/reversion is to employ handshaking. This technique expects the radio systems to be compatible, that is, able to communicate with each other. Another technique permits a secondary licensee device to operate only if the secondary licensee can verify by handshaking that the device can operate on the frequency. A further technique requires the secondary licensee to cease operations when the secondary licensee receives signaling information from the primary licensee system to stop operating. In a beacon system, as known in the art, the secondary licensee receives a beacon indicating that operations are allowed.
The methods described by FCC 03-322 are critical for suspending secondary licensee operation when spectrum is required for important use. Further, other conditions exist where cognitive radio technologies may be useful, such as when it is desirable to modify the transmission method depending on interference.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

System and method for performing distributed signal classification for a multi-hop cognitive communication device


A method for controlling a pedometer includes the steps of: generating a signal correlated to movements of a user of the pedometer; and detecting steps of the user on the basis of the signal. The method moreover envisages the steps of checking whether sequences of detected steps satisfy pre-determined conditions of regularity; updating a total number of valid steps if the conditions of regularity are satisfied; and preventing the updating of the total number of valid steps if the conditions of regularity are not satisfied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to controlling a pedometer based on the use of inertial sensors.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known, a pedometer is a device that can be carried by a user and has the function of counting the number of steps during various walking or running activities for estimating accordingly the distance traveled. The indications supplied are useful for quantifying the motor activity performed by a person in the course of a given period, for instance, for clinical purposes, for assessing the athletic performance, or even just for simple personal interest.
The reliability of a pedometer obviously depends on the precision in estimating the step length of the user at the various rates of locomotion, but also on the selectivity in recognizing and ignoring events not correlated to the gait, which, however, cause perturbations resembling those produced by a step. For example, many pedometers are based on the use of inertial sensors, which detect accelerations along a substantially vertical axis, and recognize that a step has been being made by a user when the time plot of the acceleration signal shows given morphological characteristics. Basically, a step is recognized when the pedometer detects a positive acceleration peak (i.e., a peak directed upwards) having an amplitude greater than a first threshold, followed, at a distance of some tenths of second, by a negative acceleration peak (directed downwards) having an amplitude greater than a second threshold. However, there are many random events that can interfere with correct recognition of the step. Impact or other external vibrations and given movements of the user can, in fact, give rise to so-called "false positives", i.e., to events that are recognized as steps even though in actual fact they are not, because the morphological characteristics produced are compatible. Events of this type are very frequent also in periods of rest, when the user, albeit not walking, in any case performs movements that can be detected by the pedometer. In the majority of cases, also "isolated" steps or very brief sequences of steps are far from significant and should preferably be ignored because they are, in effect, irrelevant in regard to assessment of the motor activity for which the pedometer is being used.
Of course, in all these situations, the count of the steps may prove to be completely erroneous.

Method for controlling a pedometer based on the use of inertial sensors and pedometer implementing the method


A fraction chip correlation device for a spread spectrum receiver for receiving signals modulated with spread spectrum codes and a method for operating fractional chip correlation to spread spectrum signals received by the spread spectrum receiver are disclosed. In the present invention, at least one delayed version of an input signal is generated to be correlated with a local code replica to accomplish fractional chip correlation. By doing so, correlators can operate at a low speed, so that power consumption of the receiver can be significantly reduced.

In a spread spectrum communication system, an input data stream of a received signal is modulated with a series of spreading code. For example, in GPS (Global Positioning System) system, C/A code is used to modulate signals. In a receiver receiving a spread spectrum signal, it is necessary to generate a local code replica and correlate the local code replica with the received signal, so as to de-spread the signal.
To acquire and track satellites with sufficient efficiency, resolution and accuracy, fractional chip correlation is utilized. In fractional chip correlation, delayed version(s) of the local code replica are correlated with the received signal to synchronize the local code with the code received by the satellite by determining which of the delayed version(s) and the original version is the one which correlates with the received code the most accurately. In practice, the delayed chip space used in the fractional chip correlation should be ½ chip at most in acquisition mode. In tracking mode, the fractional chip space should be less, ¼ or even ⅛, for example, so as to provide sufficient accuracy, since one chip indicates a range of 300 meters in positioning.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional fractional chip correlation device of a receiver, in which the chip space is ¼ chip. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the waveform at respective components of the fractional chip correlation device in FIG. 1. To perform the fractional correlation for chip space of ¼ chip, the correlator must operate at a speed that is 4 multiples of the sampling rate fs. A signal received by the receiver is down-converted and digitized into an IF (intermediate frequency) signal, which is sampled at a high sampling rate fs, for example, fs=8 fc (fc is the chipping rate of the spread spectrum system). Then the IF signal is latched by a latch 11. The signal is down-sampling by an integration unit 12. The sampling rate fs of down-sampled signal is reduced to 4 fc. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the samples of the down-sampled signal are not as dense as the input signal. The down-sampled signal is then transmitted to four correlators 140, 142, 144 and 146 to be correlated with a local code replica generated by a local code replica generator 16 and delayed versions of the local code replica delayed by delay units 202, 204 and 206, respectively. Specifically, the correlator 140 correlates the signal with the local code replica without delay; the correlator 142 correlates the signal with the local code replica delayed with ¼ chip from the delay unit 202; the correlator 144 correlates the signal with the local code replica delayed with ½ chip; the correlator 146 correlates the signal with the local code replica delayed with ¾ chip. The waveforms of the various versions of the local code replica are shown in FIG. 2.
In the above example, in order to keep up with the fractional chip code transition, the correlation is executed at a high sampling rate, which is 4 fc is this case. The high operation speed results in heavy power consumption, which is a critical problem to a CDMA receiver.

Fractional chip correlation device and method for operating fractional chip correlation in spread spectrum receiver


In a method of coating a substrate, inner walls of flow channels of the substrate are coated with a slurry. A plurality of flow channels each opened at both end faces are formed in the substrate. The method includes a step of storing a predetermined amount of slurry in a slurry container in which the end of the substrate, where the flow channels of the substrate are opened, can be inserted under pressure into the slurry container. A step of inserting the substrate with the end of the substrate being downward in the slurry container and dipping the substrate under pressure to the slurry liquid surface, and a step of extending the slurry along the inner wall of the flow channels by blow-opening the respective flow channels in a state of up-turning the slurry container together with the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an apparatus and a method of coating a substrate by coating a slurry and extending the coated slurry along a plurality of flow channels formed in parallel to a substrate and, more in particular, the method is suitable to preparation of a catalyst by coating a catalyst slurry to the inner wall of honeycomb flow channels formed to a monolith as a catalyst for use in an exhaust gas purifying catalyst.
2. Statement of Related Art
As a method of uniformly coating a catalyst slurry with no loss to the inner wall of the honeycomb flow channels formed in a monolith as a catalyst substrate, a vacuum coating method of sucking and coating a previously metered slurry has been known, for example, in JP No. 2737837 (Patent Document 1).
In this Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 8(a), after supplying a previously metered slurry S in a slurry container 51, open ends of honeycomb flow channels 53 of a monolith M as a catalyst substrate are brought into contact with a liquid surface 52 of the slurry with the ends being downward, and the slurry S is sucked from the upper end openings of the honeycomb flow channels 53 by vacuum sucking, and the slurry S is introduced uniformly into each of the honeycomb flow channels 53, 53, . . . by a predetermined metered amount.
In this case, since no excess slurry is deposited to the monolith M, troubles of removing, recovering or recyclically using the surplus portion can be saved.
However, as shown in FIG. 8(b), in the case of sucking the slurry under vacuum from the upper end of the monolith, since honeycomb flow channels 53B at the central portion suck more slurry S than the honeycomb flow channels 53A in the peripheral portion, this results in a problem that the flow channels can not be coated with a uniform coating length, for example, in a case of intending to coat the one-half length of the honeycomb flow channels 53 with the slurry S.
Further, in a case of controlling the vacuum degree for each of a plurality of honeycomb flow channels individually thereby controlling the amount of the slurry S to be entered, it is theoretically possible to suck an identical amount of the slurry S to the respective honeycomb flow channels and coat them each for a uniform length, but this complicates the mechanism and the control therefor and can not be practiced actually.


A filter for a washing machine is disclosed. The filter includes a pocket type filter which filters fluff intermingled in washing water and has a front panel. The front panel is provided with a mesh net abutted to an inner surface of reinforcement member of the front panel. In addition, a filter case receives the pocket type filter therein and is provided with a washing water accelerating part at lower rear side. The washing water accelerating part gradually decreases the sectional area of the space defined by the filter case and a dehydrating tub so that the washing water is accelerated and introduced into the interior of the pocket type filter. The fluff attached to the mesh net is prevented the washing water to be easily flew so that the efficiencies of the filter and a washing machine are enhanced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a filter for a washing machine for filtering foreign matters such as fluff from washing water.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional washing machine. Referring to FIG. 1, in the conventional washing machine, a washing tub 120 is suspended by a suspension 130 into inside of a case 110.
A dehydrating tub 170 and a pulsator (or an agitator; hereinafter refer to "a pulsator") 180 selectively driven by a clutch assembly 160 which is connected to a motor 150 by means of a belt 140, are disposed in the inner side of washing tub 120.
An impeller 182 as a pump is integrally formed to the lower side of pulsator 180, and a filter 190 is provided around the upper end of dehydrating tub 170. A guide portion 172 for guiding the washing water pumped by impeller 182 toward filter 190 is formed between impeller 182 and filter 190.
In the washing machine constructed as above, once pulsator 180 is rotated by motor 150 and clutch assembly 160 during a washing or rinsing cycle, the washing water pumped by impeller 182 at the lower portion of pulsator 180 is guided to filter 190 along guide portion 172 to be dropped into the interior of dehydrating tub 170 via filter 190. During this process, foreign matters intermingled in the washing water are filtered by filter 190.
However, according to the conventional washing machine constructed as above, filter 190 is arranged around the upper end of dehydrating tub 170. For this reason, when a small amount of articles is washed in a small quantity of cleaning water, the washing water cannot reach filter 190. That is, the foreign matters intermingled in the washing water cannot be sufficiently filtered by filter 190 to lower washing efficiency.
FIGS. 2 to 4 show other example of a filter for a washing machine proposed to overcome the above described problems as a example.
As illustrated, the filter for a washing machine is attached to the inner lower portion of dehydrating tub 170, which includes a filter case 300 and a pocket type filter 200 for filtering fluff by being inserted into filter case 300.
Filter case 300 is attached to the inner lower portion of dehydrating tub 170 to form a predetermined space with dehydrating tub 170, which includes an attachment portion 310 for attaching itself onto dehydrating tub 170, a front plane portion 320 formed with a plurality of discharging holes 322 and inserting guide portions 330 formed to both rear sides of front plane portion 320 while having the upper portion opened.
Pocket type filter 200 includes a front panel 210, a rear panel 230 and a check valve 250. Front panel 210 and rear panel 230 are coupled to be opened/closed by a hinge shaft 232 formed to rear panel 230, and attached with mesh nets 220 and 240 for filtering the fluff. Check valve 250 for opening/closing the space between front panel 210 and rear panel 230, is fixed to the lower side of rear panel 230 and made of a material such as a rubber.
Pocket type filter 200 as described above is inserted into the interior of the space between filter case 300 and dehydrating tub 170 by being slidably moved along inserting guide portions 330 from the upper portion of inserting guide portions 330 of filter case 300.
According to the filter as described above, the washing water pumped by impeller 182 flows into pocket type filter 200 via the space between dehydrating tub 170 and filter case 300 during the washing or rinsing cycle. Check valve 250 is upwardly pushed away by means of the washing water thereby the washing water is introduced into the interior of pocket type filter 200.
The washing water introduced into inside of pocket type filter 200 is discharged into dehydrating tub 170 via mesh nets 220 and 240 of front panel 210 and rear panel 230. At this time, the fluff within the washing water is filtered by mesh nets 220 and 240 attached to the front panel 210 and rear panel 230. Also, the washing water exhausted out of pocket type filter 200 is discharged into the interior of dehydrating tub 170 via discharging holes 322 formed in front plane portion 320 of filter case 300.
Under the state that the rotation of a pulsator is stopped after completing the washing or rinsing cycle, check valve 250 returns to its original position by means of gravity. Consequently, the filtered fluff is accumulated into the interior of pocket type filter 200 without getting away from pocket type filter 200.
The fluff accumulated on the interior of pocket type filter 200 is closely attached toward rear panel 230 due to a centrifugal force exerting upon the fluff by dehydrating tub 170 which is rotated at high speed during a dehydrating cycle. By doing so, the washing water pumped by impeller 182 can be easily introduced into pocket type filter 200 during the initial period of the next washing or rinsing cycle.
Meanwhile, as the amount of the fluff accumulated within pocket type filter 200 is increased, user grasps the upper portion of the pocket type filter and moved pocket type filter 200 in upper direction along inserting guide 230 of the filter case so as to separating pocket type filter 200 from the space between filter case 300 and dehydrating tub 170, then opens pocket type filter 200 and removes the fluff.
However, according to the other example, there are drawbacks as followed.
The fluff filtered by mesh nets 220 and 240 are attached to mesh nets 220 and 240 when the washing water passes through mesh nets 220 and 240 of front panel 210 and rear panel 230, and the attached fluff is separated from the mesh nets by a stream of the washing water which upwardly pushes check valve 250 away and is introduced into the interior of pocket type filter 200.
However, as shown in FIG. 4B, since mesh nets 220 and 240 are attached along the outside surface of reinforcement members 216 ad 236 of front panel 210 and rear panel 230, reinforcement members 216 and 236 are protruded to the inner side of pocket type filter 200. Thus, reinforcement members 216 and 236 obstructs the stream of the washing water to be introduced toward mesh nets 220 and 240 beyond reinforcement members 216 and 236. Meanwhile, since pumping power is weak when a small quantity of the laundry is washing, the stream of the washing water introduced into the interior of pocket type filter 200 does not have enough to separate the fluff from mesh nets 220 and 240.
By doing so, if the fluff filtered by mesh nets 220 and 240 are attached thereto the stream of the washing is obstructed so that deteriorates the efficiency of the filter and the washing machine.


An abdominal exercise device for exercising the stomach while seated includes a first frame portion for abutting against an upper surface of the legs of a person and includes an elongated rear member, an elongated front member and a pair of elongated side members attached together. A second frame portion for abutting against the torso includes a pair of legs and an elongated central member attached together such that the second frame portion generally has a U-shape. Each of a pair of coupling members pivotally couples free ends of the pair of legs to the first frame portion at junctures of the rear member and the pair of side members. A pair of biasing members biases the central portion away from the front member such that the first frame portion lies in a plane orientated perpendicular to a plane of the second frame portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to stomach muscle exercising devices and more particularly pertains to a new stomach muscle exercising device for exercising stomach muscles while in a seated position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of stomach muscle exercising devices is known in the prior art. However, these devices are not generally well suited for use while in a seated position, such as behind a desk. Additionally, these devices are not easily stored when not in use. Though these devices due suit their intended purposed, the need remains for a device that is easier to use while in a chair and that is easy to store.


In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a bypass valve of a turbine engine control system is described. The bypass valve includes a proportional valve and an integrator valve and the integrator valve includes an integrator spring assembly. The method includes forming the integrator spring assembly using an additive manufacturing technique. The integrator spring assembly comprises first and second end portions with a spring portion disposed between the first and second end portions. The first and second end portions and the spring portion are formed as an integral unit without welding or brazing using the additive manufacturing technique. The method further includes assembling the integrator spring assembly, the integrator valve, and the proportional valve into a complete bypass valve assembly.

A gas turbine engine may be used to power aircraft or various other types of vehicles and systems. The engine typically includes a compressor that receives and compresses an incoming gas such as air; a combustion chamber in which the compressed gas is mixed with fuel and burned to produce exhaust gas; and one or more turbines that extract energy from the high-pressure, high-velocity exhaust gas exiting the combustion chamber.
A gas turbine engine typically further includes an engine control system, which as used herein refers to a system that serves in particular to control the operating speed of the turbine engine. By way of example, the engine control system controls the flow rate of air passing through the turbine engine, the flow rate of fuel into the combustion chamber, etc. A known example of an engine control system is shown in FIG. 1. The engine control system is fitted to a turbine engine having a main fuel circuit 12 including: a low pressure pump 16 connected to a fuel tank 14; a heat exchanger 17; a high pressure pump 18; and a hydro-mechanical unit (HMU) 19. The low pressure and high pressure pumps 16 and 18 are mechanically driven by an accessory gearbox 22 of the turbine engine. The high pressure pump 18 feeds the fuel injectors of the combustion chamber 20 of the turbine engine via the HMU 19. This HMU 19 serves in particular to measure out the fuel needed by the combustion chamber 20, and to return excess fuel to the main circuit 12 upstream from the heat exchanger 17 via a recirculation loop 21.
As part of the assembly provided to allow the HMU 19 to measure fuel, the HMU 19 includes a bypass valve 30, shown in cross-section in FIG. 2. Briefly, an exemplary bypass valve 30 includes an integrator valve 32 and a proportional valve 36. The integrator valve 32 includes an integrator spring assembly 34, and the proportional valve 36 includes a proportional spring 35. The bypass valve further includes a cover 33 surrounding the integrator spring assembly 34, and a sleeve 31 surrounding the proportional spring 35. The integrator spring assembly 34 anti-rotates the integrator valve 32 so as to prevent the introduction of wear debris in the assembly, and to further prevent fractures of the spring assembly 34.
Despite the anti-rotated design of the integrator valve 32, it is hypothesized that, in some rare instances, twisting of the integrator spring assembly 34 in the integrator valve 32 may result in pre-mature wear and/or fracturing of the spring assembly 34. Wear and/or fracturing of the spring assembly 34 could result in degraded performance and/or malfunctioning of the bypass valve 30. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved bypass valve assembly, and in particular an improved integrator spring assembly, that further reduces the likelihood of pre-mature wear and/or fracturing of the integrator spring assembly. It is further desirable to provide methods for the production of such assemblies. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Spring assemblies for use in gas turbine engines and methods for their manufacture


An apparatus for deploying a vehicle tire deflator that can be folded into a compact state and unfolded into an expanded state, comprising a housing adapted to accommodate the vehicle tire deflator in the compact state. The housing has an opening through which a force transmitting element can act upon the tire deflator to unfold the tire deflator from the compact state to the expanded state. The housing is structured to support a weight of a motor vehicle without significant deformation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for deploying a vehicle tire deflator or similar device used, for example, by a law enforcement official to disable a vehicle operated by a violator.
2. Description of Related Art
A portable vehicle tire deflator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,756, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This device provides a foldable frame from which protrudes a plurality of spikes. The frame can be folded into a compact storage state and unfolded into a deployed state.
Effective deployment of this device requires that three mandatory conditions be met: 1) A substantial margin of safety must exist for the deploying official; 2) there must be minimal risk of damaging uninvolved vehicles; and 3) the fleeing vehicle must be substantially and safely disabled.
Unfortunately, current storage and deployment procedures do not make possible the simultaneous fulfillment of all three of the aforementioned conditions. For example, a user typically must open a carrying case, remove the deflator, and prepare to deploy the deflator using one of three methods; pushing, throwing, or pulling. Pushing or throwing the deflator into the path of an oncoming vehicle requires the user to remain in close proximity to the target vehicle's path. This condition is unacceptably hazardous to the user, especially when the target vehicle is moving at high speed and is operated by a person of dubious character or intent.
Furthermore, because of the direct handling of the deflator, the user is exposed to the spikes while removing the device from its case, standing in position, and so forth. This forces the user to move with caution, thereby hindering rapid deployment of the device. Moreover, the official's attention is diverted while deploying the device, whereby an additional element of danger is introduced. Many other factors may be present, some or all of which are beyond the control or the law enforcement official.
Pulling the deflator into deployment by an attached rope is safer to the user, but requires that the deflator be initially positioned in an exposed condition on the roadway where uninvolved vehicles may encounter the spikes and be damaged.
A further problem with the above-mentioned tire deflator is that it is commonly provided with a strong rope attached to aid in deployment of the device. If the device and/or the rope becomes entangled in a passing vehicle, it poses significant danger to a user who may become entangled by the rope and either dragged or otherwise severely injured.
In order to enhance the personal safety of a user of the above-mentioned tire deflator, a deployment method is needed that substantially reduces the number of significant factors affecting deployment and minimizes the possibility of personal injury.

Method and apparatus for deploying a vehicle tire deflator


A local time is modified according to a radio wave time received from a time calibration signal transmitting station, as well as corrected according to an authentic time that is received from a time server when the difference between the local time and the radio wave time is less than a predetermined value as well as when the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value for a predetermined number of successive times. The local time is corrected while taking into consideration a delay period included in receiving the authentic time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for correcting a local time of a time-stamping device that affixes a digital signature including therein the local time to an electronic document.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the recent developments in the field of electronic authentication technology, digital signatures that authenticate a creator or publisher of electronic documents have come to be widely used. The digital signature uses technology such as encryption key, etc. to enhance its reliability. Further, attempts have been made to include the national standard time (hereinafter, "standard time") in the digital signature to authenticate the creation time or transmission time of the electronic document.
A device that affixes a digital signature with a time stamp is generally known as a time-stamping device. The time-stamping device has an internal clock. As well as clocking the local time according to the internal clock, the time-stamping device also corrects the local time by receiving radio waves that include the standard time, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the time stamped in the digital signature.
To affix a digital signature with a time stamp, it is essential to keep the difference between the local time of the time-stamping device and the standard time within a predetermined threshold value. That is, by ensuring that the difference between the time included in the digital signal and the standard time is kept within the predetermined threshold value, the time stamp of the electronic document that is to be digitally signed can be authenticated.
One method that may be employed for keeping the difference between the local time and the standard time within the predetermined threshold level is by receiving the radio wave, as described earlier. Another method is by connecting to a standard time managing server connected to a network and obtaining the standard time from the server. For instance, the standard time managing server disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-229869 transmits the standard time with an expiration data to a client device that is constantly connected to the server, and detects any deviation or tampering with the internal clock of the client device.
However, in the conventional time-stamping device fraudulent falsification of the local time cannot be prevented. For instance, the local time of the time-stamping device can be manipulated to be much ahead of or behind the authentic time with the aid of a radio wave including therein a false standard time instead of the true standard time. Thus, the time stamp on the electronic document cannot be authenticated with this kind of doctored local time.
Even if a mechanism is provided that monitors the difference between the local time of the time-stamping device and the standard time included in the radio wave and determines that the clock has been tampered with if the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the mechanism will not be able to detect falsification of the local time when there is a combined influence of exposure of the time-stamping device to either a high temperature or a low temperature and a false radio wave.
Further, with the public preference for compact devices, the need of the hour is a compact time-stamping device that does not require to be connected all the time to a network, such as a local area network (LAN), and that can be carried around like a wrist watch or a mobile, and used whenever required.
The conventional technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-229869 cannot be applied to a compact time-stamping device since the technology needs the client device to be constantly connected to the network such as the LAN so that it can always be in communication with the standard time managing server.
Thus, it is important to realize a time-stamping device that enhances the reliability of the time included in a digital signal by preventing fraudulent falsification of the time stamp as well as guarantees the authenticity of the time stamp without having to be constantly connected to a network.

Method and apparatus for time calibration


There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor including: a ceramic body in which a plurality of dielectric layers are stacked; a plurality of first and second internal electrodes alternately formed on the plurality of dielectric layers and including first and second lead-out parts having an overlap area exposed to one surface of the ceramic body, respectively; first and second external electrodes formed on one surface of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the first and second lead-out parts, respectively; and a first insulating layer formed on one surface of the ceramic body to cover exposed portions of the first and second lead-out parts, wherein the first and second lead-out parts are formed to have concave-convex portions alternating with each other in the overlap area therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multilayer ceramic capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, electronic components using a ceramic material include capacitors, inductors, piezoelectric elements, varistors, thermistors, and the like.
Among ceramic electronic components, a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) is an electronic component having advantages such as compactness, high capacitance, and ease of mounting.
The multilayer ceramic capacitor is a chip shaped condenser that is mounted on circuit boards of various electronic products such as display devices, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and the like, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, and the like, and serves to charge electricity or discharge electricity.
The multilayer ceramic capacitor may include a plurality of dielectric layers, internal electrodes disposed to face each other, having the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, and external electrodes electrically connected to the internal electrodes.
Recently, as electronic products have been gradually miniaturized, microminiaturization and the implementation of super high capacitance in the multilayer ceramic capacitors used in the electronic products have been required.
Therefore, a ceramic capacitor, in which thicknesses of the dielectric layers and the internal electrodes are thin for micro-miniaturization of the product and the number of stacked dielectric layers is increased for super high capacitance, has been manufactured, but there was a limitation in increasing the capacitance of the product with only this configuration.
A multilayer ceramic capacitor having a structure, in which an overlap area between the internal electrodes is increased in order to increase capacitance of the product, and lead-out parts of the internal electrodes are exposed to the same surface of a ceramic body, for example, a lower surface of the ceramic body to thereby allow the lower surface of the capacitor to be a mounting surface, has been disclosed.
However, in the case of the multilayer ceramic capacitor using the lower surface as the mounting surface, defects due to lateral displacement in the overlap area between the internal electrodes at the time of cutting, or the like, may occur, and the inter-layered internal electrodes may be connected to each other, and thus, it is likely that the possibility of short circuits is increased.
A structure in which lead-out parts of internal electrodes are exposed to the same surface of a substrate is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, but a structure in which first and second lead-out parts are formed to have concave-convex portions alternating with each other in an overlap area therebetween is not disclosed therein.
A structure in which edges of first and second internal electrodes have bent portions, and the internal electrodes are alternately exposed through both end surfaces of a ceramic body is disclosed in the following Patent Document 2.

Multilayer ceramic capacitor with electrodes having lead-out parts and method of manufacturing the same


An information processing device including an image transmission control function includes an image pickup unit that picks up an image including a facial image of a speaker; a transmission unit that transmits a picked-up image; a reception unit that receives an image including a facial image picked up by a communication counterpart device; a display unit that displays a received image; and a transmission control unit that inhibits transmission of the image picked up by the image pickup unit in a case where the facial image is not being picked up by the communication counterpart device.

In recent years, a mobile phone terminal including a video call function has been widespread as an example of an information processing device that transmits/receives a facial image.
This video call function allows voice information and image information, which is obtained through real-time photographing (image pickup) with a camera, to be transmitted/received bidirectionally between a mobile phone terminal used by a calling party and a mobile phone terminal used by a called party. As a result, it is possible to visually grasp a situation of a communication counterpart, which is insufficient with only voice. However, a broad transmission bandwidth is necessary for a communication path including a network due to the bidirectional transmission/reception of the image information.
The following are related arts to the invention.                [Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. JP 2009-4959        [Patent document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. JP 2009-60277

Information processing device including an image transmission control function