The invention relates to a process for the film correction of the thickness profile of a blown portion in the production of bubble film in which the flow of cooling air is varied in individual peripheral regions of the film bubble. According to the invention, at least part of the cooling air is taken via an exit slot which is divided into individual separately fed segments in the peripheral direction of the film bubble and the supply of additional cooling air via the exit slot is, for example, controlled per segment using radial blowers. In this manner it is possible accurately to regulate the cooling action and thus the film thickness in the individual peripheral regions of the film bubble.

The invention relates to methods and devices for manufacturing blown films.
In conventional methods for manufacturing blown films, relatively major fluctuations in film thickness occur which can be as great as 20% depending on the film thickness and the quality of the manufacturing installation. These fluctuations in thickness have a variety of causes, for example the inhomogeneity of the melt, temperature differentials in the melt and hence in the tool, and mechanical defects and adjustment errors of the tool and the cooling system. It is known that the film thickness can be controlled by changing the flowrate of the melt within the tool by controlled heating or cooling of the tool in certain circumferential areas. However, the corresponding devices and tools are very expensive, and a regulating system operating in accordance with this method for correction of film thickness is relatively slow, since long delays occur during the heating and cooling of the tool areas.
German Patent 3,627,129 teaches a method of the type recited at the outset in which the film thickness is influenced by controlling the cooling air stream. This method makes use of the fact that hotter areas of the film bubble in the cooling zone between the nozzle and the frost line undergo greater stretching because of the lower viscosity of the melt than do the cooler areas, so that the thickness of the film can be increased by more intensive cooling and reduced by less cooling. To control the cooling air stream, a plurality of pins is distributed on the circumference of the cooling ring near the air outlet, and the flow resistance in the individual circumferential areas of the cooling ring is varied, with the pins, which act as interfering elements in the cooling air flow being extended to a greater or lesser degree. The effect of such interfering elements on the cooling air flow is described in Plesske: "Blown Film Cooling: Developmental Status and Effect of Defects on Film Quality," in Kunststoffe, Vol. 69, No. 4, pages 208 to 214, 1979.
As the cooling air flows around the interfering elements, it is vorticized behind the interfering elements and uncontrollable local fluctuations in the cooling air flow are generated at the die gap, so that a uniform film thickness can be obtained only with difficulty.
Another problem consists in the fact that the increase in flow resistance produced by the interfering elements results in an increased backpressure upstream of the interfering elements at one point on the circumference, so that the air throughput is increased in the adjacent circumferential areas. Hence, a complicated system of interactions exists between the cooling air throughputs in the various circumferential areas which is difficult to control by regulation. Because of this problem, it is difficult to control interfering elements on the basis of areas in such fashion that the thickness profile of the film is regulated in a closed regulating circuit.
DE-OS 36 23 548 teaches a method in which the cooling air is supplied through two annular die gaps. The two die gaps are provided with separate cooling air supply devices, so that the air throughputs through the two die gaps can be controlled independently of one another. In the device proposed for working this method has an essentially uniform flow profile in the circumferential direction of the die gaps, however.
DE-A-26 58 518 describes a method with the general features of the invention. In this method, the thickness profile of the film is regulated with the aid of a crown of correcting air nozzles, in which the cooling air throughput is controllable with the aid of a valve for each. However, since the individual correcting air nozzles are supplied by a common annular line, adjustment of a single valve results in a change in the pressure distribution in the annular line and hence to undesired feedback effects on the throughput through the adjacent correcting air nozzles. This makes regulation of the complete system difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,400 teaches a device by which a greater film thickness can be set in certain circumferential areas of the film. For this purpose, additional air nozzles are provided in the circumferential areas in question, each of said nozzles being connected by a common valve with the annular chamber of the cooling ring. If the valve is opened further, the total flow resistance in the circumferential area in question decreases, and a greater total volume of cooling air is discharged through the die gap of the cooling ring and through the additional nozzles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,475 teaches a device by which the thickness profile can be controlled in such fashion that the width of the die gap of the cooling ring can be narrowed segmentwise. Here again however, undesirable interactions between adjacent segments occur, since the narrowing of the gap in one segment results in an increased cooling air throughput in the adjacent segments.
The goal of the invention is to control the cooling air flow in such fashion that an independent, sensitive, and rapid modification of the cooling effect is possible in the individual circumferential areas of the film bubble and extreme local fluctuations in the cooling effect are avoided.
Solutions according to the invention are described in the independent claims.
According to the basic idea of the invention, at least one cooling ring divided into individual circumferential segments is provided, and the cooling air streams in the individual segments are controlled or regulated independently of one another. In the proposed solutions, assurance is provided by supplementary measures that the cooling air throughputs in the individual segments do not influence one another and that no abrupt changes in the cooling effects occur over the circumference of the cooling ring.
The principle of the solution is that a main cooling air stream is generated with the aid of a conventional cooling ring, in which stream the flowrate of the air over the entire circumference of the film bubble is as uniform as possible and that deliberate local modifications in cooling effect are achieved by either supplying additional cooling air through a separate air gap or drawing off a portion of the main cooling air. The highly efficient and correspondingly slow cooling alr blower to generate the main cooling air stream can therefore be operated at a constant backpressure while the flows in the individual circumferential segments of the additional air gap can be varied rapidly because of the low throughput, so that delicate control of the circumferential distribution of the total cooling air flow becomes possible. In addition, the uniform main cooling air stream erases the differences in throughput between the individual circumferential sections of the additional air gap to a certain extent, so that excessive disturbances of the total cooling air stream and abrupt local changes in cooling effect are avoided.
Since the method according to the invention requires no special design of the cooling ring that serves to generate the main cooling air stream, the method can be worked by suitable retrofitting, even in existing blown film machinery.
The method also has the advantage that the addition of additional cooling air improves the cooling effect overall and allows a corresponding increase in the efficiency of the system. Moreover, an increase in cooling efficiency is achieved by the fact tilat the air flow is more strongly vorticized by blowing the additional cooling air into the main cooling air stream. The initially turbulent upwardly directed main cooling air stream, because of the decreasing flowrate, normally changes to a laminar flow as it moves upward, so that the cooling effect decreases sharply upward. The addition of the additional cooling air at a suitable level can generate new turbulence so that the effective cooling area is increased. Changing the cooling effect is then accomplished without a considerable change in the flowrate and pressure, so that a stable bubble position can be ensured.
The increase in cooling effect can be controlled not only by modifying the throughput of the cooling air supplied through the additional air gap but alternatively, or in addition, by segmental changing of the angle of incidence of the additional cooling air. Optionally, the positions of the individual segments relative to the film bubble in the vertical or radial direction can be varied.
A further increase in the sensitivity during control of the circumferential distribution of the cooling effect can be achieved by supplying precooled air through the additional air gap. In this case, the circumferential distribution of the cooling effect can also be controlled by segmental modification of the temperature of the additional cooling air. This solution can be implemented structurally, for example, by supplying cooled and uncooled different amounts to the individual segments of the additional air gap through mixing valves or by spraying a coolant into the additional air flow.
Optionally, instead of using air, other cooling gases with different heat capacities may be used so that the circumferential distribution of the cooling effect can also be controlled by the composition of the gas mixture.
An important advantage of the solutions described above also consists in the fact that, because of the separate supply of cooling air or cooling gas to the individual segments of the additional air gap and because of the separate exhaustion of the air in the individual segments, influence of the additional cooling air streams on one another is avoided. This permits stable regulation of the thickness profile in a closed regulating circuit.
In another solution, a portion of the cooling air stream is separated at positions distributed circumferentially on the cooling ring, at the die gap or upstream thereof, and the quantity of cooling air thus deflected is controlled by adjustable guide blades or guides.
By separating a portion of the cooling air, the throughput at the die gap can be controlled with precision and a high backpressure can be prevented from developing upstream of the divergence point and the cooling air escapes through adjacent circumferential areas. Changing the position of the guide blades in one circumferential area hence has no effect on throughput in the other circumferential areas. In addition, diverting the cooling air prevents the flowrate from increasing as it flows around the guide blades and produces a strong vorticization downstream from the guide blades. Adjusting the guide blades therefore permits simple, accurate control of the circumferential distribution of the cooling air throughput and hence the thickness profile of the film bubble.
In one preferred embodiment of the device, the upper wall of the cooling ring is surrounded by a crown of exit openings for the diverted cooling air, and each individual exit opening has a guide blade associated therewith which projects from above into the interior of the cooling ring and deflects a portion of the cooling air into the exit opening. The positions of the guide blades can be adjusted vertically so that the volume of diverted cooling air can be varied.
It is possible in this embodiment to divide the cooling ring into individual segments using radial partitions so that the cooling air streams are separated from one another before they reach the die gap or a position a short distance upstream from the die gap. In this manner, the throughput differences between the individual segments downstream from the guide blades are prevented from equalizing once more and the exit openings and guide blades can be located relatively far out on the cooling ring leaving more space for the adjusting mechanisms.
In another embodiment, the guide blades are formed by a lip of flexible material which is continuous in the circumferential direction, the angle of incidence of said lip being adjustable in the individual circumferential areas with the aid of rams or the like. This design provides structural simplification and it is possible to make the shape of the lip streamlined in such a manner that vorticization of the cooling air downstream from the lip is avoided. In addition, in this design discrete transitions in the circumferential distribution of cooling air flow are avoided.
Adjustment of the guide blades and/or rams can be accomplished manually using adjusting screws or the like or with the aid of suitable drives, for example electromagnetic, pneumatic, or piezoelectric adjusting elements. In the latter case it is possible to regulate the cooling air throughput in the individual circumferential areas on the basis of the film thickness measured at various points on the circumference of the film bubble. Since the changes undertaken within the scope of regulation affect the settings of the guide blades only in the affected circumferential area and have no significant feedback on the other circumferential areas, the settings of the regulating system, in other words the positions of the guide blades, are largely decoupled, so that the tendency of the regulating system to oscillate is reduced and stable regulation is made possible.
To reduce even further the influence of the cooling air streams on one another, it can be advantageous to control the flow resistances for the air streams diverted through the outlet openings in such fashion that they correspond to the flow resistance of the die gap of the cooling ring for every position of the guide blades. In this manner, the flow and pressure conditions in the distribution chamber at the outer circumference of the cooling ring can remain practically completely unaffected by the adjusting movements of the guide blades. Adjustment of the flow resistance can be accomplished with the aid of electromagnetically controlled metering valves and the like. However, it is also optionally possible to couple the guide blades mechanically with a throttle part that narrows the corresponding outlet opening to a greater or lesser degree depending on the position of the guide blades.
The cooling effect in the individual segments of the cooling ring can also be varied in such fashion that the flowrate of the cooling air is controlled by narrowing or expanding the die gap. For a given throughput, increasing the flowrate produces an increase in the cooling action. This principle forms the basis of another embodiment. A nearly constant throughput is achieved by virtue of the fact that the change in flow resistance caused by the change in the gap width is compensated by a greater or lesser throttling of the flow upstream of the die gap. This solution has the advantage that the total cooling air throughput in each circumferential segment remains constant. In this manner, a local reduction of the aftercooling of the film bubble above the frost line is prevented and assurance is provided that the film temperature will have decreased everywhere when the film is flattened and wound up so that the film layers will not stick to one another. Because of the uniformly high aftercooling effect, the length of the aftercooling section can be reduced and/or film ejection can be increased.
When working with one of the two solutions described above with a die gap that is divided into individual segments, the disturbances in the cooling air flow produced by the partitions can have different effects on the cooling capacity. As tests have shown, in the case of a die gap which is located close to the film bubble, the vortices produced by the partitions result in intensification of the cooling effect and hence thickening of the film. If on the other hand the die gap is located further from the film bubble, the influences of the different flowrates of the laminar exit flow will predominate. With a uniform width of the die gap, a squared velocity profile is obtained in the circumferential direction, so that the speed in the vicinity of the partitions is less than in the middle of each individual segment. In this case, therefore, there is a reduced cooling effect in the vicinity of the partitions and a thinning of the film. Other embodiments propose various measures for avoiding these disturbing effects.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings.

Process and device for producing bubble-film


A method of fabricating a composite tubular member includes providing a mandrel having a central longitudinal axis and wrapping a plurality of composite fiber layers around said mandrel wherein the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel. The composite tubular member produced does not have any longitudinal seams and is thus considerably stronger and more durable than prior art composite tubes.

Various methods are known in the art for manufacturing high strength composite fiber tubular members. Many of these methods involve the use of a filament winding apparatus that is typically complex and costly, as well as limited in manufacturing capacity. U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,175 to Pearson and U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,601 to Weingart are examples of prior art filament winding tube manufacturing processes.
Additionally, methods of manufacturing tubular members using a conveying sheet disposed around a mandrel have been developed to obviate the need for costly winding equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,541 to Burger, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method and apparatus for manufacturing composite tubes comprising wrapping various material layers around a mandrel utilizing a conveying sheet to accurately and evenly wrap said layers.
One difficulty with the prior art methods and the tubes produced thereby is that the composite fiber layers wrapped around the mandrel typically have seams that are generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mandrel. Furthermore, the fibers inherent in a wide variety of composite materials are often oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. This arrangement of seams and composite fibers causes inherent weak points along the longitudinal seams, particularly in composite tubes that are subject to repeated impact, such as those used in the manufacture of baseball bats and the like.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a multi-layer composite fiber tubular member and a method of making such a tube that is devoid of longitudinal seams along its length.

Composite tubes and method of manufacturing same


An electrical connector for connecting a second electrical connector to a printed circuit board. The electrical connector has a housing with spring contacts. The spring contacts are adapted to be displaced by and make electrical and mechanical contact with contact pins of the second electrical connector inserted into the housing. The electrical connector further comprises a contact disconnector for moving the spring contacts away from the contact pins for easier disconnection of the second electrical connector from the electrical connector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to an electrical connector that is adapted to wipe contacts of a second electrical connector while being connected thereto and have the contacts of the electrical connector disengaged from the contacts of the second electrical connector for easier disconnection of the two connectors and, a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Prior Art
Electrical connectors that have spring contacts and electrical connectors that can move these spring contacts for easier insertion of a printed circuit board or contacts of a second electrical connector are well know in the art as can be seen by review of U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 29,223; 4,842,538; 4,705,338; 4,684,194; 4,636,021; 4,165,909; 4,159,861; 4,047,782; 3,899,234; 3,683,317; 3,553,630; and 3,526,869. A problem exists with zero insertion force (ZIF) connectors and low insertion force connector in that they do not provide a good contact wipe between contacts. As is known in the art, contact wipe between contacts allows for a good electrical connection by wiping away non-conductive material from between the contacts.
A good contact wipe is provided by contacts such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,961 that exert a uniform wiping action against a contact or contact trace. However, a problem exists with these types of constant pressure contacts in that they unnecessarily exert pressure during withdrawal or disconnection.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a new and improved electrical connector.

Zero disengagement force connector with wiping insertion


A semiconductor component (1) has a substrate (21) and a structure (22, 23) formed from semiconductor/insulator/conductor layers (24 to 26) on/in the substrate (21). Furthermore, there is an insulator layer (32) which covers the surface and at least parts of the side walls of the semiconductor component (1) but leaves clear part of the surface of the structure (22, 23). Furthermore, there is a conductor layer (33) which is applied to the insulator layer (32) and additionally covers that part of the surface region of the structure (22, 23) which has been left clear by the insulator layer (32).

The invention relates to a semiconductor component and to a corresponding fabrication/mounting method.
Power semiconductor components are only provided with a small number of pins (generally two to three) compared to IC components. The useability of a component of this type is greatly dependent on how efficiently the heat loss generated in the semiconductor component can be dissipated to the outside. This is because if the heat loss cannot be dissipated sufficiently quickly via the small number of pins, in the most serious scenario the semiconductor component can be destroyed. With surface-mounted semiconductor components, this problem can be counteracted by placing the semiconductor component on a lead frame which is pressed around it and then for its part soldered to a printed circuit board. The heat loss generated in the semiconductor component can then be efficiently dissipated via the lead frame and the soldering contact formed between lead frame and printed circuit board. A further problem with semiconductor components of this type resides in the punctiform connection locations for the load current. These are usually connected to the pins of the housing which surrounds the semiconductor component or lead frame by bonding wires and on the one hand limit the current-carrying capacity and homogeneity of the current distribution on the semiconductor component and on the other hand lead to additional, undesirable leakage inductances. The punctiform connection locations can even become the limiting variable in the semiconductor component with regard to the application of load current to the semiconductor component under surge current or overload conditions.
The abovementioned problems arise in particular with standard housings (for example TO-263 or D-Pak). Furthermore, the costs of these housings and corresponding processes for mounting the semiconductor components in the housings represent cost factors which are by no means negligible. SMD housings or axial housings which do not have a cooling connection that can be soldered to the printed circuit board in turn have the drawback that the heat loss which is generated cannot be dissipated quickly enough, since this can only be achieved via the small connection legs of the housings. Moreover, axial housings can only be arranged on the front surface of a printed circuit board, which greatly restricts the flexibility of the mounting arrangements.
The problems which have been outlined above are to be explained further in the text which follows on the basis of specific examples and with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a semiconductor component 1 which is mounted in various housings (a first to fifth housing 2a to 2e). In a first embodiment 3a, the semiconductor component 1 is contact-connected both on its top side and on its underside, the underside of the semiconductor component 1 bearing directly on a contact layer 4, an extension of which leads out of the first housing 2a as first connection leg 5a. The top side of the semiconductor component 1 is connected via a bonding wire 6 to a contact-connection region, an extension of which leads out of the first housing 2a as second connection leg 5b. In the second embodiment 3b, the top side of the semiconductor component 1 is contact-connected by means of a contact layer 7 which forms an extension of the second connection leg 5b. In the third embodiment 3c, the semiconductor component 1 is contact-connected exclusively at its top side, i.e. the contact layers connected to the first and second connection legs 5a, 5b are both positioned on the top side of the semiconductor component 1, whereas the back surface can be soldered to the printed circuit board directly rather than via a connection leg during subsequent mounting.
In the fourth embodiment 3d, the top side of the semiconductor component 1 is contact-connected by a metal structure 8 which simultaneously represents the top side of the fourth housing 2d. The underside of the semiconductor component 1 can be soldered directly to a printed circuit board via corresponding contacts 9 which lead out of the fourth housing 2d. In the fifth embodiment 3e, the top side of the fifth housing 2e is "nestled" directly against the semiconductor component 1 and, as in the previous exemplary embodiment, serves for contact-connection of the top side of the semiconductor component 1, it being possible for the underside of the semiconductor component 1 to be soldered to a printed circuit board via contacts 9 together with the ends 10 of the top side of the housing 2e.
All the embodiments 3a to 3e described above have the drawback that mounting the semiconductor component is a relatively complex operation. Furthermore, the costs of the housings 2a to 2e are high. Also, at least in the first to third embodiments 3 to 3c, it is difficult for the heat loss generated in the semiconductor component 1 to be dissipated via the first and second connection legs 5a and 5b.
The object on which the invention is based is to provide a semiconductor component and a method for fabricating/mounting it which avoids the drawbacks described above.
To achieve this object, the invention provides a method for fabricating/mounting semiconductor components as described in patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention provides a semiconductor component as described in patent claim 14. Advantageous embodiments and refinements of the subject matter of the invention are given in the subclaims.

Semiconductor component and corresponding fabrication/mounting method


A vehicle pane is disclosed which may have a film arranged on the pane inner side, with a lighting device, which is coupled to the film and which can radiate light into a lighting layer of the film, and with a screen-like cover covering the lighting device, wherein according to the invention the cover forms a fixed connection between a film portion of the film arranged further towards the center of the pane relative to the lighting device and a frame arranged further towards the outer edge of the pane relative to the lighting device or arranged along the edge of the pane.

A roof covering of a vehicle roof has been disclosed in DE 10 2015 000 071 A1, said covering comprising a pane, a lighting and anti-splinter layer arranged on the pane inner side, as well as a lighting device which can radiate light into the lighting and anti-splinter layer. A cover or screen covers the lighting device and shields scattered light if it exits from the light radiation into the lighting and anti-splinter layer. The screen is fastened to the inner side of the cover on either side adjacent to the lighting device.

Vehicle pane with a covered lighting device


In order to efficiently supply CPT, which is a starting compound of irinotecan hydrochloride and a variety of camptothecin derivatives, by a practical total synthesis, the invention provides a means of efficiently preparing a tricyclic ketone that corresponds to a CDE ring moiety of a camptothecin (CPT) skeleton.

Camptothecin (hereinafter, referred to as CPT) isolated from the bark, root, fruit, leaf and the like of Camptotheca acuminata, which is native to China, is a pentacyclic alkaloid, and is known to exhibit antitumor activity by inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis. On the other hand, it has been reported that camptothecin derivatives induce side effects such as diarrhea ('Gan to Kagakuryoho' (Cancer & Chemotherapy) 17, p 115-120, 1990) and disorders of the digestive organs; because of these situations, various types of derivatives have been studied with the object of reducing the toxicity, increasing the effect, etc.
The present inventors have already reported, as a compound having suppressed toxicity compared with CPT, 7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin hydrochloride trihydrate (hereinafter, referred to as CPT-11), which is a water-soluble semisynthetic derivative of CPT and is currently widely used as an antitumor agent (generic name; irinotecan hydrochloride).
Camptothecins such as CPT-11 may be obtained by chemical modification of CPT obtained from natural materials.
However, since the amount of CPT obtained from a natural material such as Camptotheca acuminata, which is a raw material, is extremely small, it is anticipated that it will become difficult to supply a sufficient amount of CPT because of a highly increased demand of CPT-11. Furthermore, preparation methods by total synthesis have been studied, but it is not practical at present.
The present inventors have synthesized 4-iodo-2-methoxy-6-trimethylsilylpyridine-3-carbaldehyde (hereinafter, referred to as compound (b)), which is an intermediate in the synthesis of a tricyclic ketone moiety corresponding to the CDE ring moiety of CPTs, by the scheme below (Patent Publication 1),

however, there is a possibility that it might become difficult to obtain 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl chloride, which is a starting material in the preparation of N-methyl-N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]formamide (FLM) used in this method in the future as it can serve as a starting material in the preparation of a chemical weapon.
On the other hand, alkoxyalkylformamide (formula I) analogs used as formylation reagents of the present invention have been reported (Patent Publications 2 and 3), but these have only been used as starting materials for 6-aminopenicillanic acid or disclosed as a by-product in electrosynthesizing a butanetetracarboxylic acid derivative, and there has been no description at all of their use as formylation reagents.    [Patent Publication 1] WO 02/066416    [Patent Publication 2] JP, B, 51-8955    [Patent Publication 3] JP, A, 2004-514786


Disclosed herein is a thermoformable film or sheet superior in gas barrier properties, mechanical properties, and appearance, a thermoformed container produced therefrom, and a resin composition suitable therefor. A thermoformable multilayer film with a total thickness of 50-300 .mu.m, comprising a layer of a resin composition with a thickness of 3-50 .mu.m, said resin composition comprising 60-99 wt % of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and 40-1 wt % of ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, said ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer being dispersed in the form of particles in the matrix of said ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein said ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of 20-60 mol % and a degree of hydrolysis of not less than than 90%, and said ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer containing 1-30 wt % of (meth)acrylic acid.. The EVOH may be a mixture of more than one kind of EVOH differing in ethylene content. The resin composition may contain each component dispersed in a specific manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermoformable multilayer film or sheet superior in gas barrier properties, thermoformability, mechanical properties, and appearance, to a thermoformed container produced therefrom, and to a resin composition for production thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) is used as a good packaging material for foods and medicines whose quality retention is important. Packaging containers using EVOH are available in various types. One of the most common examples among them are thermoformed containers produced from multilayer films or sheets having an EVOH layers. Such film or sheet is also used for packaging without thermoforming.
The conventional packaging technology of thermoformed containers made from films has been developed to keep lean meat, processed meat, ham, sausage, etc. in good quality until their consumption. This object is achieved by keeping them away from oxygen during their storage, because oxygen deteriorates their quality. One package design for this end is to place contents in a pouch made of laminated film comprising biaxially-oriented layers having improved strength and barrier properties or to tightly enclose contents in oriented film by means of the heat shrink technology.
Another package design which has prevailed recently is an air-assisted or plug-assisted thermoformed film container with its top sealed with film. The advantage of this package design is that contents fit the container and are readily visible to consumers. In addition, it permits a label to be pasted to any desired position. (This is convenient for sales conforming to the recently enforced PL law.) Moreover, such containers are easy to display on the shelf if they are of uniform shape.
The multilayer film suitable for such thermoformed containers having low oxygen permeability is made from polyvinylidene chloride, for instance. Containing halogen, this plastic is not desirable from the standpoint of environmental protection for the use of packaging material. Another example of the multilayer film is one which has a nylon layer for good oxygen barrier properties and thermoformability. Nevertheless, it is still required to improve the oxygen barrier properties in order to meet consumers' demand for extended storage life.
EVOH is known as a material which has good oxygen barrier properties and causes environmental problems only slightly. However, it is liable to extreme thinning at corners and streaking and wrinkling at the time of thermoforming. These defects lead to a decrease in impact resistance. In addition, EVOH film tends to burst or give dull corners (due to lack of close contact with the mold) during thermoforming. This problem is more serious in the case of thin laminate film than in the case of thick laminate sheet.
Although no concrete means has been reported to address the above-mentioned problem involved in thermoforming, there are some analogous ones which resort to lamination of the EVOH layer with nylon or blending of EVOH with polyolefin and thermoplastic polymer containing carbonyl groups (as reported in U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,850). However, combination of EVOH and nylon or other polymers has an adverse effect on gas barrier properties, thermal stability (during film production), and clarity (depending on the dispersion of the resin blended).
A conventional application of comparatively thick sheet having an EVOH layer is to thermoformed containers for food packaging. Nowadays foods are sold in containers (such as cups and trays) which permit consumers to enjoy foods without dishing them up after purchase. Typical examples are containers for jelly, custard pudding, yogurt, and juice. Some of such containers are designed for storage by consumers without the necessity of transferring contents into ordinary containers after purchase (such as cups for miso).
Thermoformed containers for such food packaging as mentioned above need good form stability and oxygen barrier properties so that they keep contents in good quality. The first object is achieved by using polypropylene (or propylene homopolymer) which has balanced stiffness and impact strength. The second object is achieved by using a barrier layer of EVOH (to protect contents from deterioration by oxidation).
When made from a laminate sheet consisting of inner and outer layers of polypropylene and an intermediate layer of EVOH, the resulting thermoformed container would be poor in clarity (making contents less visible) and also poor in impact resistance as a whole (because of the propylene and EVOH layers lacking impact resistance). Moreover, it would have cracks or wavy patterns on its side walls (and hence look poor) because of EVOH's poor thermoformability. In order to improve thermoformability and impact resistance, there have been proposed several methods, including incorporation of nylon into EVOH. However, they still involve problems with unsatisfactory thermoformability, insufficient gas barrier properties, low thermal stability (at the time of sheet production), and decreased clarity (due to incomplete resin dispersion).
The recent widening application area requires thermoformed containers to have good clarity (for contents visibility) and good impact resistance (against dropping) and also to have an intricate shape (formed by deep drawing). A conceivable way to improve clarity is to make the inner and outer layers from propylene random copolymer, which has good clarity. A conceivable way to improve impact resistance is to make the inner and outer layers from propylene block copolymer, which has good impact resistance. Unfortunately, both propylene copolymers have a lower thermoforming temperature than propylene homopolymer, and EVOH (for the barrier layer) is poor in thermoformability at such a temperature (resulting in cracking and wavy patterns).
On the other hand, containers for custard pudding and jelly are made from polystyrene, which is superior in form retention and gloss. For some kinds of contents (such as fruit jelly) which need flavor retention, thermoformed containers made from a polystyrene-EVOH laminate are used. This laminate is poor in thermoformability as in the case of the above-mentioned propylene copolymer because polystyrene has a lower thermoforming temperature than propylene homopolymer.

Thermoformable multilayer film and thermoformed container


Network performance data is collected, recorded, and normalized. In one embodiment, a set of first performance data collected by an agent in response to network transactions initiated by the agent and a second set of performance data resulting from passively monitoring traffic on the network are received. The first and second sets of performance data are normalized to create a set of constantly formatted network performance data capable of convenient analysis.

Information Technology professionals are faced with unprecedented challenges caused by complex network infrastructures demanding high availability and performance. Tools for managing networks are increasingly important as infrastructures become more complex, organizations are exposed to higher risk and visibility, and business dynamics demand around-the-clock network availability.
Network devices such as routers and switches collect network performance data in the form of "management information bases" (MIBs). These MIBs often vary from vendor to vendor, although there are a few standard MIBs. In general, however, network performance metrics are gathered using varying techniques and in different formats. It can be difficult to utilize such disparate data to effectively diagnose network performance problems. Accordingly, there exists a need for a real-time network monitoring system that collects and normalizes network performance data from a variety of separate sources to facilitate unified management of the network.

Real-time network performance monitoring system and related methods


Described herein are technologies related to performing of a preemption operation in graphics hardware. Particularly, the preemption operation includes tracking of unreported or dropped workload independent of workloads submitted to the graphics hardware.

Graphics subsystem hardware in a computing device may include several independent graphic engines such as a rendering engine, paging engine, display engine, and the like. A software algorithm implemented as a graphics scheduler may be utilized to schedule the graphics engines to execute multiple graphics workloads, which are executed on graphics hardware.
When the graphics scheduler is executed, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) of the computing device, the execution of the graphics scheduler on the CPU may impose significant latency overhead due to communication delays between the graphic engines and the CPU. Furthermore, a typical tracking of unreported or dropped workload through full scanning of memory registers may add additional latency overhead.

Method of submitting graphics workloads and handling dropped workloads


A rear floor module of a motor vehicle is provided that is arranged between two rear longitudinal beams of the vehicle body that essentially extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The floor module features a floor pan that essentially extends in a planar fashion between the longitudinal beams and at least one integrated cross member for separate connection to the longitudinal beams with its end sections that lie in the lateral direction of the vehicle in order to transmit mechanical forces.

Longitudinal beams of a motor vehicle body are typically connected to one another by one or more cross members in the rear region of the vehicle body, e.g., in order to form a closed frame. In this respect, the position of the cross member is varied in the latitudinal direction of the vehicle and adapted to the respective configuration of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle type. Corresponding modifications of the vehicle body design, particularly with respect to the position of the cross member, may be required depending on whether the motor vehicle needs to be equipped with a trailer hitch or an extendable cargo carrier. This likewise applies a different vehicle types such as, for example, sedans, caravans, station wagons, or limousines.
In order to realize the lowest loading level possible in the trunk region of a vehicle, it is furthermore desirable to arrange the vehicle floor and the bottom trunk lining as low as possible, if applicable even below the level of the longitudinal beams. The cross member needs to be provided at the level of the longitudinal beams for stability reasons and may interfere with the above-described lowering of the cargo floor. In addition, new drive concepts for vehicles, particularly vehicles with hybrid drives or fuel cell drives, require a new layout of the installation space for accommodating the energy storage modules or fuel tanks provided for the respective drive. Particularly in vehicles with hybrid drives or outright electric motor drives, it is desirable to accommodate the required accumulators as low as possible in the vehicle, e.g., in order to improve the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle.
For example, DE 10 2007 047 037 A1 discloses a motor vehicle body with two oppositely arranged rear lateral longitudinal beams, wherein at least one subframe and/or one or more cross members can be assigned to and fixed on the rear lateral longitudinal beams. In this case, the lateral longitudinal beams, the subframe or the cross members are already provided with a number of joints beforehand, wherein these joints are realized and arranged such that one or more correspondingly adapted units and/or attachments can be optionally fixed on the lateral longitudinal beams in the region of the joints in a modular fashion depending on the respectively desired equipment of the motor vehicle rear end.
The design with a plurality of joints, of which only one or a few are actually used for connecting the cross member or the subframe to the lateral longitudinal beams during the final assembly of the motor vehicle body, proves to be complex and cost-intensive with respect to the manufacturing and assembly technology. In addition, the large number of joints provided beforehand increases the vehicle weight.
It is at least one objective to make available a rear cross member of a motor vehicle body that is improved with respect to its weight and installation variability and characterized with respect to its manufacturing and assembly costs, as well as with respect to a reduction of its weight. In this context, at least one aim is to develop a comprehensive vehicle-platform rear cross member structure that can be individually adapted to different vehicle types and equipments. In addition, other objects, desirable features, aims, and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.


Disclosed is a system and method for obtaining optical properties of skin on a human face through face video analysis. Video of the face is captured, landmarks on the face and tracked, regions-of-interest are defined and tracked using the landmarks, some measurements/optical properties are obtained, the time-based video is transformed into an angular domain, and additional measurements/optical properties are obtained. Such optical properties can be measured using video in real-time or video that has been pre-recorded.

Digital photographs have been the most popular medium for capturing and evaluating color, shine and morphology effects from cosmetic products. However, even the highest resolution images are not enough: they are static even though humans see the world in motion, they only capture one specific lighting condition, and image processing requires very rigid, standardized geometry to ensure reliable comparative analysis.
To combat that, scientists developed Machine Learning methods to improve photo-analysis, but they have limitations: they are "black boxes", require very large image sets, require very standardized data, train fastest with low-resolution images, and require very specific training objectives.

Video analysis for obtaining optical properties of a face


A mounting apparatus for securing a power supply (10) includes a chassis (50), a retainer (30) and a spring (40). The power supply includes a plurality of locking holes (12) at a sidewall thereof, and two screws (14) threaded in the sidewall. The chassis includes a side panel (51) and a rear panel (53). The side panel has two slots (54), and a plurality of locking tabs (52) engaging in the locking holes. The retainer is slidably attached to the side panel, and connected to the side panel via the spring. The retainer includes two receiving portions (33), each having a slanted guiding surface (331). A locking portion (36) is formed near one end of the guiding surface. The screws slide along the slots and the guiding surface, then snappingly engage into the locking portions, thereby securing the power supply in the chassis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses for power supplies, and particularly to a mounting apparatus for readily and securely attaching a power supply to a computer chassis.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, a power supply is necessarily to be assembled in a computer enclosure. The power supply is often directly attached to a rear panel of the computer enclosure by a plurality of screws. However, the assembly or disassembly of those screws requires extra tools such as screwdrivers, and unduly laborious and time-consuming.
Another conventional mounting way is to assemble a power supply to a bracket, and then pivotally attach the bracket together with the power supply to the computer enclosure. An example is disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. 500294. However, by this way, not only a bracket but also a pivot shaft is needed and total manufacturing cost increases due to the inevitably need of making extra parts. In addition, it is inconvenient to detach the pivot shaft. Moreover, the power supply needs a rather long connection line in order to rotate outwardly.
A power supply mounting structure which does not need a bracket is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,150. The power supply is secured in a computer chassis by a retention member. The computer chassis comprises a top panel, a side panel and a rear panel. A support plate is formed from each of the side panel and the rear panel. A pair of spaced L-shaped hooks is formed from the top panel. A biasing mechanism is formed from the top panel at outer sides of the hooks. The retention member is an L-shaped plate, which includes an elongated axis at an end thereof to be pivotally connected to the hooks of the top panel. An L-shaped retainer is fixed to one side of the power supply. In assembly, the power supply is slid toward the rear panel, and supported on the support plates. Then the retention member rotated to abut against the retainer. The biasing mechanism biases the retention mechanism in a secured position. However, this structure includes so many elements and thus is complicated. In addition, because the power supply is directly attached under the top panel by the retention member, the movement along the direction of the elongated axis is not limited, which effects the securing reliability of the power supply.
Thus, a mounting apparatus for a power supply which solves the above-mentioned problems is strongly desired.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


The innovation relates to a pool covering system that is usable as a flooring surface. The pool covering system includes brackets and support beams spanning the pool opening. The beams provide structural support to cross members and flooring placed on top of the beams. The pool covering system does not require significant drainage of the pool and does not damage the pool structure during installation and use.

Pools are a common feature in residences, hotels and other venues. However, they often take up a large amount of space. When the area is being used for activities or entertaining that do not involve swimming or pool use, planning must account for the space that the pool occupies. For some situations, the lost space from the pool may make a location or venue unsuitable for hosting an event. In addition, pools and openings may need to be covered during construction and at other times in order to prevent people, tools and debris from entering the pool.
To make a venue usable, some people may empty the pool so that a floor may be constructed on scaffolding or other supports from the bottom of the pool. This requires significant time and equipment for draining and building a supported floor. This significant time is then repeated to remove the floor and refill the pool. In addition, the scaffolding and other supports may cause damage to the pool's bottom surface or even the liner.
Some venues may invest in and maintain a permanent floor structure that may roll out on top of the pool area as an alternative to having a floor built on scaffolding. This permanent retractable floor requires significant space to house the floor adjacent to the pool and equipment to move the flooring surface. If there is no advance planning for the flooring, permanent retractable flooring may not be an option without significant remodeling to accommodate the flooring feature. In addition, these flooring surfaces are often at a higher level than the surrounding areas, requiring people to step up and down to get onto and off of the flooring surface.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 10,167,647 teaches a "Modular Structure for Extension Over a Pool." This structure uses a series of sections that can be attached to extend over a pool. These sections include longitudinal members and transverse members that form a frame that sits on top of the surface surrounding the pool and extends over the pool. A tile or slat is placed on top of the frame to form a surface. Like the retractable flooring, the modular cover's surface is at a higher level than the surrounding area, requiring people to step up and down to get onto and off of the surface.


The invention is directed to downsized projector optics and projector both of which employ an LED light source attaining the enhanced efficiency of the quantity of the emitted light. The projector optics and the projector respectively include, in position, a polygon-based conical polyhedron prism of which reflection surfaces are opposed to the LED light source; a light tunnel, a PS converting element, a polarized beam splitter and a LCOS all of which are provided in the optical axis of the reflected light from the polygon-based conical polyhedron prism; and a projection lens placed in the optical axis of the transmitted light from the polarized beam splitter.

A light emitting diode, namely, an LED, is commonly used as a light source for an image projecting apparatus, or namely a projector, because of its properties of reduced power consumption and heat release, decreased dimensions, and extended lifetime, as will be described below.
A downsized imaging apparatus has been proposed which is provided with an illumination apparatus consisting of light source of a plurality of low power light emitting elements, an illumination uniformizing means for making beams from the light source homogenous to overlap them onto a light valve, and a polarization converter converting light from the light source in polarization phase suitable to the light valve to raise efficiency of the illumination apparatus, where the illumination apparatus is used along with a projection means to direct rays of three primary colors at the screen (see Patent Document 1).
Another LED light projector is a projector display apparatus having a light source, a light modulator modulating light from the light source, and a projection lens projecting modulated incident light from the light modulator, where the light source is of light emitting elements deployed in arrays, and a light diffusing means is provided to direct beams emitted individually from the light emitting elements throughout the light modulation region on the light modulator (see Patent Document 2).
Still another LED light projector is an image projector that includes a dichroic prism synthesizes trichromatic rays of red, green, and blue emitted from light emitting diodes to illuminate a liquid crystal light valve, and that also includes polarized beam irradiating elements that make beams from the light emitting diodes homogeneous in polarization to illumine the liquid crystal light valve, and the polarized beam irradiating elements function as a polarizer to uniformize polarized incident light upon a polarized beam splitter, namely, upon the liquid crystal light valve, and also as an emitted light analyzer, thereby enabling a projection lens to direct the beams modulated on the liquid crystal light valve at the screen (see Patent Document 3).

Projector optics and projector with light source of LEDs


A method and apparatus for speeding the startup of applications by making available a pre-translated class file to the class loaders. The Java virtual machine (JVM) starts faster if application class loaders can use the pre-translated class files or internal representations instead of fetching classes from Java archive files or system directories. JVM understands java executable format and can start faster by using them without the user application class loaders having to know the complexities of executable files. The Java archive file format is modified to allow the pre-translated class files to be stored in the Java archive file such that the class loaders are able to process the modified Java archive file without requiring any change to the class loader.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system, and in particular to a method and apparatus for executing programming languages. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for processing files in a virtual machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer developers have made a number of different computer microprocessors suited to particular sorts of problems. Machine instructions, are, in a sense, the language for a particular processing unit architecture. Some microprocessors execute complex instruction sets, while others execute reduced instruction sets.
The instructions are usually difficult for a human being to read and understand, let alone write as a program. Consequently, higher-order languages have been conceived that mimic aspects of human languages such as English. Such languages, including Java™, permit rapid development of useful programs, though the resultant code is not immediately executable on a microprocessor. Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Incorporated. In order for such higher-order codes or programs to be used by a microprocessor, the programs must be interpreted and compiled into a machine language that is suited for the particular processor architecture.
Java programs are architecture independent in the sense that all microprocessors that have a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) are able to compile such programs to the machine language of the microprocessor. The compiling step may introduce a delay in executing a program, however, this is the cost of making a program independent of the architecture.
Developers have wanted a more rapid way to execute Java programs. Java programs are often packaged as a bundle of class files. Each class file provides instructions to perform a particular function of a program. However, in order to perform each function, as mentioned above, a Java virtual machine (JVM) must compile the function into machine instructions and then execute the compiled machine instructions. It would be advantageous to have such compiled machine instructions available at the outset of executing a program. Compiled machine instructions are among pre-translated versions of the high-level language. Consequently, pre-translated files might be faster to perform if such compiled machine instructions were accessible to a Java virtual machine without compilation.

Pre-translated files used in a virtual machine

International Business Machines Corporation


An image output system configured of information terminals, each of which includes an identification information storage unit which stores identification information for identifying each of the information terminals and a transmission unit which transmits the identification information, and an image output apparatus which includes: an identification information receiving unit which receives the identification information transmitted by each of the information terminals; an output unit which obtains image information which is information for outputting images, and outputs images based on the obtained image information; a judgment unit which judges whether or not plural pieces of identification received by the identification information receiving unit satisfy a predetermined condition; and an output control unit which controls the output unit based on the judgment made by the judgment unit.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image output system or the like for outputting contents including images, or the like.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Some conventional image output systems control viewable contents depending on the type of remote controlling apparatus, using an ID of a remote controlling apparatus, so as to limit the viewing of the contents (e.g., see reference to page 1, FIG. 1, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-153702).
Also, other conventional image output systems control a connection between a remote controlling apparatus and home electrical appliances by performing authentication at the time of the connection using an ID of the remote controlling apparatus (e.g., see reference to page 1, FIG. 1, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2003-309882).

Image output system, image output apparatus, information processing apparatus and program


A clock circuit. The clock circuit includes a phase detector and an output unit. The phase detector is coupled to receive a reference clock signal and an output clock signal, and is configured to provide a phase signal indicative of a phase difference between the reference and output clock signals. The output unit is configured to provide the output clock signal, and is coupled to a first supply voltage node and a second supply voltage node. The output unit includes a biasing circuit and a voltage-controlled element. The biasing circuit is coupled to receive a control voltage based on the phase signal and is configured to generate a bias voltage based on the received control voltage. The voltage-controlled element is configured to adjust a parameter of the output clock signal based on the bias voltage. A supply-independent output clock is attained using this configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electronic circuits, and more particularly to clock generation circuits such as phase locked loops and delay locked loops.
2. Description of the Related Art
Phase-locked loops (PLL's) and/or delay-locked loops (DLL's) are commonly used to provide clock signals in digital circuits. A typical PLL or DLL includes a phase detector and a voltage-controlled element (VCE). In a PLL, the voltage-controlled element is a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that outputs a frequency that is proportional to a received input voltage. In a DLL, the voltage-controlled element is a voltage-controlled delay line (VCDL), which delays a clock signal in proportion to a received input voltage.
In digital integrated circuits, PLL's and DLL's may suffer from various noise sources, including input clock noise and power supply noise. These noise sources can produce an unwanted variation in the timing of signals commonly referred to as jitter. In larger, more complex digital systems, the effect of power supply noise on an output clock signal provided by a PLL/DLL may be significant.
Various techniques have been employed to minimize the effects of jitter resulting from power supply noise. One such technique is to implement the circuit (particularly the VCE of a PLL or DLL) using differential amplifiers with symmetric load architecture as a delay element in order to reject power supply noise that appears as common-mode noise. This technique may provide excellent noise rejection characteristics. However, the maximum operating speed may be limited for PLL's and DLL's implemented using this architecture. For digital integrated circuits with clock speeds in the gigahertz range, this architecture may be unsuitable.
Another technique that may be more suitable for high-speed digital integrated circuits is to provide an additional on-chip DC-DC voltage regulator to provide a clean power supply for the PLL/DLL. However, this technique is significantly more complex than using the differential architecture discussed above, and requires additional circuit area. The additional complexity includes the necessity to provide a bandgap circuit for providing a constant voltage reference. The bandgap reference requires parasitic bipolar devices implemented in a CMOS process. Thus, while this technique may be suitable for high-speed digital designs, it involves significant overhead in design complexity, and circuit area.

Noise immunity circuitry for phase locked loops and delay locked loops


A thermal anemometer for measuring airflow includes an ovenized semiconductor device including an internal oven. The oven is powered by an oven current such that the oven current varies with air flow over an outside surface of the semiconductor device. A resistor is electrically coupled between a source of power and the oven. An amplifier has an amplifier input and an amplifier output. The amplifier input is electrically coupled to the oven, wherein the amplifier output amplifier provides an electrical signal related to airflow over the ovenized semiconductor device. Also, a method for measuring airflow includes the steps of: providing a source of power, providing an ovenized semiconductor device, providing an amplifier, amplifying a signal representative of a heater current in the ovenized semiconductor device, and outputting the signal representative of the heater current as an indication of airflow over an outside surface of the ovenized semiconductor device.

A thermal anemometer is a wind measuring instrument based on a heated element, such as a heated wire. The underlying principle of operation of a heated wire thermal anemometer is that the resistance of the wire changes as heat is removed by the air flowing over the wire. Thermal anemometers generally require complex circuits such as a Wheatstone bridge inside of a closed loop analog servo that controls the voltage applied to the bridge circuit. A variable voltage powers the top of the bridge and a control loop adjusts the voltage to keep the bridge in balance. A variable voltage measured across the bridge can then be converted into a wind speed.
What is needed is an inexpensive circuit topology that can measure small wind speeds.


An improved trailer hitch is presented. The tractor trailer has a main trailer frame, the main trailer for hauling cargo. To help couple a trailer cab to the trailer frame a swivel box having a spring-loaded locking pin and a permanent hinge pin is coupled to a tongue that is used to couple the trailer cab and the trailer frame. The swivel box swivels or swings the tongue to a position to accommodate a misaligned trailer cab easing the coupling process.

Connecting the ball of a tow vehicle to the coupler of a trailer is a challenging task. The ball is typically bolted to a ball mount (e.g., a draw bar), which is mounted to a hitch (e.g., in a receiver hitch) located at the rear end of the vehicle. The coupler is mounted on the tongue of the trailer and is adapted to receive the ball of the tow vehicle. Perhaps the most difficult challenge encountered in connecting the ball to the coupler is aligning the two. Doing so typically requires a driver to back up the vehicle and a spotter outside of the vehicle to precisely guide the driver. Even with a spotter, it is not unusual for the driver to take several attempts before the ball and coupler are aligned sufficiently for the coupler to engage the ball when the trailer tongue is lowered.
There are several devices on the market that attempt to alleviate the aforementioned challenges. For example, many new vehicles come standard with backup cameras. Such cameras are typically mounted on the rear end of the vehicle to allow the driver to see the ball from inside the cab of the vehicle. Although such cameras are useful, aligning the ball with the coupler still requires just as much precision and often requires multiple attempts. Furthermore, cameras typically only provide an overhead view which does not show whether or not the ball and coupler are vertically aligned, only horizontally aligned.

Apparatus and method for an improved trailer hitch


A flat cable having at least two conductor planes, in which a number of electrical conductors running in the longitudinal direction of the cable are arranged, in which the electrical conductors in the flat cable thickness direction and/or in the flat cable width direction are kept at a defined distance from each other by means of a central insulation layer of predetermined thickness acting as a spacer insulator and are electrically insulated and positioned relative to each other and to the flat cable exterior by means of an outer insulation layer.

Flat cables, which not only have the smallest possible dimensions and high permanent flexibility, but also permit transmission of very high data rates with minimal transit time differences, for example, in the range of 2.5 Gbit/s, are required for certain applications. Such applications include mobile telephones, PDAs (personal digital system) or small computers called palmtops and laptops, which have parts that can be tilted and/or rotated relative to each other, between which high-speed data transmission is required. Because of the small dimensions, especially in the case of mobile telephones and PDAs, such data connections must be produced via flat cables with the smallest possible dimensions, even micro flat cables.
Particularly reliable data transmission is obtained with so-called differential signal transmission, in which the data pulses being transmitted are transmitted via two signal conductors, in non-negated form via one of the two signal conductors and in negated form via the other signal conductor. A specific data bit is therefore transmitted on one of the two signal conductors with high potential and, at the same time, on the other of the two signal conductors with low potential, in which case descending flanks occur on one of the two signal conductors during rising flanks on the other of the two signal conductors and vice versa. This differential signal transmission, with opposite pulse shape over the two signal conductors, permits particularly reliable data transmission. Common-mode disturbances, like crosstalk, are filtered out by the differential signal transmission and disturbances from radiation and emission are significantly reduced.
A cable having very high uniformity with respect to impedance and surge impedance is required for high-speed data transmission. In a flat cable, this means that electrical conductors adjacent to each other, separated by a dielectric, which form a signal conductor pair, must have a spacing from each other that not only must be very well defined, but also must have high-grade uniformity. This uniformity must not only be ensured over the entire length of the cable, but also during operation of the cable, during which bending, twisting and/or flexing movements of the cable must not lead to a change in impedance.
In the context of the present disclosure, the term adjacent is understood to mean proximity in the flat cable thickness direction and/or in the flat cable width direction.
The electrical parameters required for electrical cables that must be suitable for high-speed data transmission are determined quite essentially by the spacing between the two signal conductors, apart from the material of the dielectrics separating the two signal conductors. This is particularly true for the impedance or surge impedance. Ordinary flat cables are one-layered, i.e., all their electrical conductors are situated in the same plane. Common examples of this are shown in EP 1 271 563 A1, EP 0 961 298 B1 and EP 0 903 757 B1. In all these known flat cables, the electrical conductors are embedded between two insulation sheets corresponding to the width of the flat cable, in which shielding is additionally provided in the case of EP 0 903 757 B1, formed by two electrically conducting layers that enclose the outsides of the two insulation sheets. These cables are suitable only for low frequencies and, in the case of a shielded version, the flexibility and packing density necessary for the applications mentioned in the introduction cannot be reached. The unshielded versions are often not satisfactory with respect to EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) either.
Alternative solutions, like shielded flexible circuit boards and shielded one-layered flat cables, do not satisfy the typical mechanical flex-lifetime requirements of several hundred thousand flex cycles, as are common in the devices mentioned in the introduction with parts that are movable relative to each other.
With the usual methods and equipment for the production of flat cables, it is not possible to ensure a spacing between the electrical conductors lying next to each other in the flat cable width direction with as high a uniformity as would be required for uniformity of impedance of a flat cable suitable for high-speed data transmission.


The invention relates to a polysilane compound having a structure represented by the following formula 1 and an ultraviolet ray-curable ink composition containing the polysilane compound. Also, an inkjet recording method using the ultraviolet ray-curable ink composition and an ink container and an inkjet recording apparatus each containing the ultraviolet ray-curable ink composition therein are disclosed.

An inkjet recording method is a printing method for performing printing by flying small droplets of an ink composition and making them adhere to a recording medium such as paper. This inkjet recording method has a characteristic feature that an image with high dissolution and high definition can be printed at a high speed. In general, an ink composition to be used in the inkjet recording method contains an aqueous solvent as a major component and further contains a colorant component and a wetting agent such as glycerin for the purpose of preventing clogging from occurring.
Also, in the case where printing is performed on a recording medium into which an aqueous ink composition hardly penetrates, for example, papers and cloths, or plates or films manufactured from a raw material of a metal or a plastic in which an aqueous ink composition does not penetrate, for example, phenol resins, melamine resins, vinyl chloride resins, acrylic resins and polycarbonate resins, the ink composition is required to contain a component capable of stably fixing a colorant to the recording medium. In particular, in the case where printing is performed on a printed wiring board, etc., the ink composition is required to have quick-drying properties or chemical resistance.
In order to meet these requirements, an ink composition containing a component which is polymerized upon irradiation with ultraviolet rays has hitherto been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An ultraviolet ray-curable ink composition containing a colorant, an ultraviolet ray absorber, a photopolymerization initiator and so on has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to these ink compositions and inkjet recording methods, it is considered that bleeding of the ink composition into the recording medium can be prevented, thereby enhancing the image quality.
In the foregoing inkjet recording method using an ink composition containing a component which is polymerized upon irradiation with ultraviolet rays, after making the ink composition adhere to the recording medium, ultraviolet rays are irradiated. Then, the photopolymerization initiator in the ink composition produces a radical, etc., whereby an oligomer or a monomer starts polymerization and is cured. Therefore, the colorant in the ink composition is fixed onto the recording medium. It is thought that according to this fixing, printing with high film strength, solvent resistance and color density and less bleeding and unevenness can be realized.
As to the related-art ultraviolet ray-curable ink compositions, in general, those having high curing properties were low in storage stability, and a viscosity thereof increased with a lapse of time. When stored at high temperatures, they caused gelation so that not only they could not be applied to inkjet recording, but they could not be used by other recording methods. Conversely, when the storage stability was increased, the curing properties were lowered, and strong irradiation with ultraviolet rays was necessary. As a result, the device became large in size, or the consumed electric power increased. Therefore, such was not favorable.
It is thought that this is caused due to the matter that not only the photopolymerization initiator in the ink composition generates a radical, etc. due to irradiation with ultraviolet rays, but it generates a radical, etc. by thermal energy.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-3-216379
Patent Document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,001

Polysilane compound and synthesis method, ultraviolet-ray curable ink composition, inkjet recording method and apparatus, and ink container


A journal including a cap engaged on a head tube of the bicycle, a bowl rotatably engaged on the cap, a nut engaged on the bowl, a sleeve extended downward from the nut and an annular notch formed in the lower portion of the nut, two elastomeric rings engaged in the annular notch of the nut, one of the rings engaged between the nut and the bowl, and the other ring engaged between the sleeve and the bowl in order to absorb shocks and vibrations transmitted to the journal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a journal of a frame fork of a bicycle, and more particularly to a journal of a frame fork of a bicycle having a shock absorption configuration.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The closest prior art of which applicant is aware is his prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,934,839 and 4,960,342, in which no shock absorption configurations are included therein.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional journals of bicycles.

Journal of a bicycle having a shock absorption configuration

No. 139-5, An Mei Rd., Mei Shan Village, Hou Li Hsiang


A television set carries out communications with a remote control. When the television set displays a picture based on a picture signal subjected to quality adjustment, a signal level of a quality adjustment parameter is obtained, and the data indicating the obtained signal level is transmitted to the remote control. The remote control displays the received data. The user checks the displayed data, and enters data for changing the signal level so that the remote control transmits the entered data to the television set. The television set receives the changed level data, and adjusts the quality relating to the picture signal based on the received level data. The television set displays the picture of the quality adjusted according to the signal level changed by the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a picture quality adjusting device and a television set having a picture quality adjusting device, and particularly to a picture quality adjusting device for adjusting a picture quality of a television set or the like by a remote control operation as well as the television set having the picture quality adjusting device.
2. Description of the Background Art
In television sets and projectors, values of related various parameters can be changed. It has been proposed to perform adjustment of various parameter values related to a television set via a remote control of the television set.
For example, in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-196286 has proposed a technique relating to a television set including two receiving and tuning circuits, and particularly a technique in which bidirectional communications are performed between the television set and a remote control having a display screen so that a user can perform channel setting of the television set on the display screen of the remote control. In this case, selected pictures and sounds are transmitted from the television set to the remote control.
Parameters related to the television set include parameters for adjusting a picture quality in addition to parameters relating to receiving channel. Usually, parameter values for adjusting the picture quality are displayed on the television set as shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, a quality adjusting picture 55 displayed by OSD (On Screen Display) overlaps with an actual picture 50. A user adjusts parameters by operating a remote control while viewing actual picture 50. However, it is not easy to determine adjustment amounts for the appropriate picture quality due to quality adjusting picture 55 overlapping with picture 50.
In view of this, it is desired that the parameter values for quality adjustment are output (displayed) on the remote control instead of the television set. In Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-196286, however, the bidirectional communications between the remote control and the television set can be performed only for the pictures and sounds, and cannot be performed for transmitting parameters values for the quality adjustment so that the foregoing problem cannot be overcome.

Picture quality adjusting device and a television set having a picture quality adjusting device


A LED utility light includes a light head and a light head carrier for supporting the light head, wherein the light head has a light housing, a power source, and a LED light arrangement. The light arrangement includes at lest a light source provided within the light housing, wherein the light head is rotatably and detachably coupling with the light head carrier, so that light source having different light effects is selectively and rotatably adjusted by rotating the light head.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a utility light, and more particularly to a LED utility light, which comprises at least a light source having different light effects received in a single light housing such that the user is able to adjustably select the desired light effect for illumination.
2. Description of Related Arts
A conventional light source, such as a conventional head light, usually comprises a main housing, a lighting arrangement received in the main housing, and an attachment strip extended from the main housing to attach onto a head of the user of the conventional head light. The lighting arrangement usually comprises at least one high intensity light bulb or LED for generating light in the direction of the user's face. Thus, the user is able to wear the head light on his or her head and acquire the desired illumination while performing other activities.
However, the head light mounted on the attachment strip can not be detached as other uses such as using as a lamp apparatus, and the light intensity is fixed. Thus, the light head has very limited functions. The illuminating area of the light head is fixed, wherein the light source of the light head such as the bulb only provides a signal light effect, such that a user have no chooses for selecting different light effect regarding their working purpose or environment.


A method for concealing errors in compressed images in the JPEG 2000 format diosclosed. JPEG2000 (ISO/IEC 15444) is the new standard for image compression catering to different needs of various applications. This standard is much more advanced than JPEG and is rich in features. An Error concealment method in JPEG 2000 is provided which mainly deals with estimating the lost regions in a Wavelet Transformed image and works in Wavelet Transform Domain. This results in optimum error concealment and therefore, The method is applied before taking Inverse DWT.

Image compression is one of the key compression technologies in today's network centric world. There are various image compression techniques available. Among these techniques, JPEG is the standard technique for compression of still images. However this standard has many limitations. JPEG2000 (ISO/IEC 15444) is the new standard for image compression catering to different needs of various applications. This standard is much more advanced than JPEG and is rich in features.
Brief of JPEG 2000 Coding
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows the basic components involved in the JPEG 2000 coding of images.                1. FIG. 1a of the accompanying drawings, shows an image comprising color components. (For example R, G, B or Y, U, V etc).        2. The Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is applied on each of the color components to generate frequency bands and resolution as shown in FIG. 1b. When the DWT is applied only once, LL, HL, LH and HH bands are generated. The DWT can be applied again and again on LL bands. Shown in FIG. 1b of the accompanying drawings is a two level application of DWT. Each of LL, HL, LH and HH are called as sub-bands. These sub-bands together form a resolution.        3. Thus LL2 is resolution level 2, HL2+LH2+HH2 is Resolution level 1 and HL1+LH1+HH1 is resolution level 0 (i.e. original image).        4. The sub-bands are further subdivided in code-blocks (as seen in FIG. 1c). These are the basic building blocks of the JPEG2000 compression scheme. Each sub band is partitioned in the code blocks.        5. The code-block size is flexible.        6. JPEG 2000 stream is composed of coefficients of the code-block coded in efficient manner to give desired bit-rate and compressed visual quality.        7. The code blocks are coded in bit plane fashion starting from most significant bit plane and ending with the least significant.
FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows the hierarchy of the JPEG 2000 bit stream from the basic blocks point of view.
The decoding of the JPEG 2000 happens in the sequential order as outlined below in brief.                1. The bit planes of the code block are first decoded.        2. The code-blocks from bands are collected.        3. Once all the code-blocks from the bands of a particular resolution of a particular color component are formed, Inverse Discrete Wavelet Transform (IDWT) can be applied to get resolution of that color component.        4. This is repeated for other sub-bands of other resolutions and color components.        5. Finally the color components are combined together to give the decoded image.Corruption of the JPEG 2000 Compressed Bit-stream
FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows the block schematics of the image transmission and reception. As it is well known that the wireless channel (or any channel for that matter) is error prone. The additive and multiplicative noises of channel will result in corruption of bits. When such a stream is decoded there could be a loss of picture information.
Effect of Corruption of JPEG 2000 Bit-stream
Channel errors lead to the wrongly decoding of code-blocks. Such code blocks are detected and replaced by zeros to form lost code-blocks.
As shown in FIG. 4a of the accompanying drawings, the code blocks from each of the color component in LL3 band is lost. For the sake of illustration the code-block at different locations is considered to be lost. When the IDWT is taken on this resolution the size of the lost code-block grows, this is due to the nature of Inverse Discrete Wavelet Transformation (IDWT). This is shown in FIG. 4b of the accompanying drawings. Another level of IDWT gives back the original image components as shown in FIG. 4c of the accompanying drawings. So it can be seen that a loss of small size code-block at LL3 band leads to the loss of a major area in the reconstructed (decoded) image.
To remove these errors there is a demand for concealment of errors. These errors are detected by known methods of detection. Detection of errors is done using the error resilient features of the JPEG 2000 Bit-stream. This involves resetting of the arithmetic decoder, use of packet header and so on. By means of these techniques the errors are localized to code-blocks or adjacent code-blocks and the location of these lost code-blocks and their sizes of the lost code-blocks are known by these detection methods.
Once the errors are detected various methods have been applied to conceal these errors. Once such method is the Bi-directional Interpolation Algorithm.
This is the simplest technique and is based on interpolation of boundary coefficients in the layer surrounding the lost block. The top-left lost block coefficient is x0,0 and the bottom-right lost block coefficient is xM−1,N−1. λ=0.5 is used.
FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings shows how the algorithm works. Only the light gray coefficients surrounding the lost block (in black) are used for concealment of all coefficients within the block. Specifically the coefficient shown in light gray at location xi,j is concealed from the four light gray coefficients with coordinates xi,−1,xi,N,x−1,j and xM,j as described by the equation below.
The equation that describes bi-directional interpolation isxi,j=λ{αjxi,−1+(1−αj)xi,N}+(1−λ){βix−1,j+(1−βi)xM,j} for 0≦i≦M−1, 0≦j≦N−1where                1. M is the height of lost block of coefficients        2. N is the width of lost block of coefficients        3. αj=1−(½N+j/N) and        4. βi=1−(½M+i/M) are the distance operators.
In the prior art various methods have been suggested for concealing of these errors. For instance:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,915, discloses an Apparatus and method for error concealment for hierarchical sub-band coding and decoding which conceals error in bands of wavelet using other band coefficient at the same location. This operates on band level error concealment and uses the coefficients in the other sub-bands at the same resolution to conceal the corrupted coefficients. However, this method does not use the bit streams properties of JPEG 2000 and therefore does not use the inter-color-component correlation. The scheme in this patent employs a method to conceal error in the lost sub-band of DWT transformed image using other sub-band data. This is therefore a generic scheme and does not work on JPEG 2000 as such. Also this scheme considers the error concealment in the higher sub-bands only.
Again, U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,532, discloses a Channel Error correction apparatus and method" deals with the errors in the sub-bands of DWT. This technique uses cross-band redundancy to conceal the error. First the error is estimated for location and amplitude and then concealed. There are other error concealment techniques, which are however not applied on DWT image but are depended on the information present in the image itself The method of this patent again does not use the inter color component correlation.
Zeng, W., Liu, B., Geometric-Structure-Based Error Concealment with Novel Applications in Block-Based Low-Bit-Rate Coding, IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, Vol. 9, No. 4, June 1999 identifies the geometrical structures in the lost region. This method implements directional interpolation. The edges going in the lost region are identified and interpolated along with the direction of the edges.
Sofia Tsekeridou, Ioannis Pitas, "MPEG 2 Error Concealment Based on Block Matching Principles", IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, Vol. 10, No 4, JUNE 2000. discloses a method which is suitable for MPEG-2 video but some of the specified techniques could be implemented on images as well. This reference talks about Spatial Anisotropic Diffusion (SAD) Error Concealment method. SAD depends on the diffusion of the surrounding image contents in the lost area.
Finally, Sun, H., Kwok, W., "Concealment of Damaged Block Transform Coded Images Using Projections onto Convex Sets", IEEE Transactions of Image Processing, Vol. 4, No. 4, April 1995. uses spatial interpolation algorithm. The neighboring blocks are used to classify the lost block as monotone area or edge area and incase of edge area an angle for the edge is also computed. Based on this the lost block is connected for smoothness, edge etc.
None of these cited references use the inter color component correlation of JPEG 2000. The advantages of using this correlation is as follows:                1. Information present in the sub-band of the other color component can be used to conceal the error. In case of RGB image there is strong correlation in the color components.        2. As wavelet transformed image splits the details present in the image in various resolution and subbands, the error concealment from the same color component but different resolutions and subbands may not give effective concealment.        3. In JPEG 2000, each of the color component is coded independently so chances of corruption of the code-block at the same location in different color component is somewhat lowered.
An object of this invention is to provide Error concealment in JPEG 2000 which mainly deals with estimating the lost regions in a Wavelet Transformed image and works in Wavelet Transform Domain. This will results in the optimum error concealment and therefore, the method is applied before taking Inverse DWT.
One object of the method of this invention is that it operates on corresponding to the lost block region at the lowest resolution level in wavelet transform domain.
Another object of this invention is that it makes use of coefficients from other color components.
Yet another object of this invention is that it preserves all information from the JPEG 2000 compressed stream.
Still another object of the invention is that, the method is applied only over the lost coefficients in LL subband representing the lowest resolution level. So the information available in all other subbands is preserved. Error Concealment after Inverse DWT would have resulted in loss of this information at regions in reconstructed image.
Another object of this invention is to apply the method of the invention only over the lost coefficients in LL sub-band representing the lowest resolution level. The dimensions of LL sub-band representing the lowest resolution level are smaller than the dimensions of reconstructed image, and therefore another object achieved in accordance with this invention is that computations to be performed are reduced drastically.
Still another object of this invention is to perform concealment only for the blocks lost in LL sub-band representing the lowest resolution level and ignoring other lost blocks taking into account the fact that this sub-band is much more important as compared to any other sub-band.
Another object of this invention is to perform error concealment in one sub band in manner such that information available in all other sub-bands is preserved.
A final object of this invention is to provide a complete error concealment scheme, which selects an appropriate approach for concealing each lost code block, based on the values of coefficients in the neighborhood of the code block under consideration, size of the block (number of coefficients) lost and/or coefficient values in the corresponding region in other sub-bands.
To meet with the aforesaid object there is provided in accordance with this invention, a method and apparatus which takes care of the principle that image compression leads to removal of the redundancies in the image in order to represent the image more compactly resulting in lesser memory disk space and at the same time error concealment needs some redundancy in order to conceal the errors.
This invention also provides a method and apparatus which uses the inter color component redundancy in JPEG 2000.

Method and apparatus for error concealment for JPEG 2000 compressed images and data block-based video data