An outlet box assembly for termination of electrical and/or communication wires. The outlet box assembly generally includes a housing defining an interior therein and a cover attached to the housing, wherein a mounting screw guide is formed between the cover and the housing upon attachment of the cover to the housing for holding and guiding a mounting screw during mounting of the box assembly to a structure.

It is well known to use electrical outlet boxes to terminate electrical wires and cables. Such outlet boxes permit the insertion of electrical wires into the box, which are terminated to electrical fixtures, such as switches and receptacles in an electrical outlet box. It has also become necessary to terminate communications wires for such purposes as data, voice and signal transmission and networking computers. While terminations are not required to be housed in an electrical box, as are electrical terminations, aesthetics and convenient usage has dictated the need to place the communication terminations in close proximity to the electrical terminations.
In office spaces and other commercial environments it is often desired to have access to electrical outlets or other electrical connections at locations located a distance from standard wall outlets. In order to safely accommodate such situations, floor boxes and/or ceiling boxes are typically used. These boxes may be located in the floor or ceiling, near or at the location, such as under a work cubicle or near a piece of machinery, where the connection is needed.
Some floor boxes are designed to be supported within a poured concrete floor. One of the problems in positioning a floor box is that the installer must ensure that the floor box is both flush and level with the top of the poured floor in which it is set. Other floor boxes may include a flange which sits on top of the floor surface and including an opening to permit access to the electrical connections. A cover is typically removably positionable over the opening to prevent inadvertent contact with the connectors and to restrict debris from contaminating the connectors.
In any event, conventional electrical boxes are typically installed in a structure by mounting the box to a support stud of the structure by means of a nail or screw attachment that is incorporated in the box design. Some boxes have protruding accessory exterior sheaths for nailing the box to an exposed wood or metal stud within a building. However, because the screw or nail mounting brackets protrude from the external shape of the work box, the brackets may interfere with the flush mounting of the box within a hole of the building wall, floor or ceiling.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide such electrical boxes with an internal fastener mounting means for fasteners such as screws or nails, which does not protrude above the exterior shape of the box. In this regard, it is known in the art to provide fastener holes or mounting brackets on the interior surfaces of the box in which a fastener is accessible, for example, by a screwdriver from the inside of the box. However, one drawback with these type boxes is the necessity for the installer to simultaneously hold the fastener and manually position the electrical box during mounting of the box to a structure. This makes installation difficult and prone to incorrect mounting.
Another disadvantage of this configuration relates to the holes or apertures which must be formed in the side wall of the box to accommodate the fasteners. Many electrical boxes today are formed by molding, wherein specially designed slides or cams, as part of the molding tooling, are required to form holes or apertures in a molded surface. Such specialty tooling becomes even more expensive when angled fastener holes or mounting brackets are desired.
It is therefore desirable to provide an electrical box that provides for simple installation and that is economically manufactured using a standard mold die.

Electrical box with mounting screw guide


A polymer blend is provided, which includes 100 parts by weight of a first polyolefin, 3 to 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and 3 to 10 parts by weight of a modified polyolefin. The modified polyolefin is formed by grafting maleic anhydride or acrylate onto a second polyolefin. The blend can be used to form fiber.

Polypropylene (PP) fiber has low density, low water content, good chemical resistance, and other properties. Moreover, PP fiber is very suitable for making outdoor sports clothing due to its low processing temperature, non-toxicity, easy recoverability, and other advantages. However, PP fiber holds less than 2% of the textiles market, due largely to the low polarity of PP fiber. As such, after being formed, a PP fiber cannot be dyed conventionally in water. The PP fiber should be dyed using the dope dying method, in which the colorant is mixed with PP during melt spinning to form a dyed yarn. The shortcomings of the dope dyeing method are less color change and insufficient color brightness, which is very unfavorable in the apparel business. As such, PP fiber occupies an extremely low global market share in outdoor sports clothing.
Accordingly, an economical, colorfast, and low-cost PP-based fiber raw material is called for to address the PP fiber problem of not easily being dyed in water.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A line of sight detection device for detecting a line of sight of a user by using personal data of the user includes a personal data obtaining device for obtaining personal data related to the line of sight of the user, an attitude detection device for detecting an attitude of the device, a memory for storing the attitude of the device detected by the attitude detection device, the memory storing the attitude of the line of sight detection device at a time when the personal data obtaining device starts an obtaining operation of the personal data, and a determination device for comparing the attitude of the line of sight detection device stored in the memory with the attitude of the device during the obtaining operation for the personal data by the personal data obtaining device, and for outputting information indicative of a failure of the obtaining operation of the personal data when the compared attitudes of the device are different from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a line of sight detection device for detecting a line of sight of a user based on personal data related to an eyeball of the user, and to an apparatus having the line of sight detection device.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, there have been provided several types of devices (apparatuses) for detecting which position on a plane of observation a user or photographer looks at, i.e., for detecting a line of sight (visual axis) of the photographer, such as an eye camera. For example, in U.S. patent application No. 08/331,154, filed on Oct. 28, 1994, an observation point on which a photographer's gaze is fixed is obtained based on a cornea reflection image and an image focusing position of a pupil both detected by projecting parallel rays of light from a light source onto a front portion of the eyeball of the photographer. The same application also discloses an example of a single-lens reflex camera with an observation point detection device in which an automatic focus control of a photo-taking lens is performed by using information indicative of an observation point of the photographer.
FIG. 19 is a diagram explaining how a line of sight of a photographer is detected.
In FIG. 19, there are shown an eyeball 15, a cornea 16 and an iris 17 of the photographer. Referring now to the drawing, a method for detecting a line of sight of the photographer will be described.
At first, a beam of infrared light emitted from a light source 13b is applied to the cornea 16 of the photographer's eyeball 15 so that a cornea reflection image (virtual image) d can be formed by a portion of the infrared light reflected on the cornea 16. The cornea reflection image d is then converged on a light-receiving lens 12 and the converged image is focused at a position d' on an image sensor 14. Similarly, a beam of infrared light emitted from a light source 13a is applied to the cornea 16 of the eyeball 15 so that a cornea reflection image e can be formed by a portion of the infrared light reflected on the cornea 16. The cornea reflection image e is then converged on the light-receiving lens 12 and the converged image is focused at position e' on the image sensor 14.
On the other hand, beams from the ends a, b of the iris 17 are converged through the light-receiving lens 12 on the image sensor 14 so that images of the beams can be focused at positions a', b' on the image sensor 14, respectively. When the eyeball 15 has an optical axis of a small rotation angle .theta. to be rotated with respect to the optical axis of the light-receiving lens 12, if x-coordinates of the ends a, b of the iris 17 are xa, xb, respectively, the center point c of the pupil 19 has an x-coordinate xc represented as: EQU xc=(xa+xb)/2.
Further, an x-coordinate of a midpoint between the cornea reflection images d, e substantially corresponds to an x-coordinate xo of the center of cornea curvature. For this reason, if x-coordinates of the positions d, e at which the cornea reflection images are generated are xd, xe, respectively, and a standard distance between the center o of the cornea curvature and the center c of the pupil 19 is OC, a rotation angle .theta.x of the optical axis 15a of the eyeball 15 can meet the following relationship: EQU OC*sin .theta.x=(xd+xe)/2-xc. (1)
Thus, the rotation angle .theta. of the optical axis 15a of the eyeball 15 can be obtained by detecting the positions of respective characteristics of the eyeball 15 (the cornea reflection images and the center of the pupil) projected on the image sensor 14.
In other words, the rotation angle of the optical axis 15a of the eyeball 15 is obtained from the equation (1) as follows: EQU .beta.*OC*sin .theta.x{(x.sub.po -.delta.x)-x.sub.ic }*pitch,(2)
and, EQU .beta.*OC*sin .theta.y{(y.sub.po -.delta.y)-y.sub.ic }*pitch,(3)
where .theta.x is a rotation angle to rotate the optical axis of the eyeball on a z-x plane, .theta.y is a rotation angle to rotate the optical axis of the eyeball on a y-z plane, (x.sub.po, y.sub.po) are coordinates of the midpoint between the two cornea reflection images formed on the image sensor 14, (x.sub.ic, y.sub.ic) are coordinates of the center of the pupil taken on the image sensor 14, and pitch is a pitch between pixels on the image sensor 14. Further, .beta. is a focusing magnification which is determined based on the relative position of the eyeball 15 to the light-receiving lens 12 and factually obtained as a function of a gap between the two cornea reflection images.
.delta.x, .delta.y are correction terms for correcting an error of the coordinates of the midpoint between the cornea reflection images, the error produced when the eyeball of the photographer is illuminated with divergent rays instead of parallel rays. .delta.y also includes a correction term for correcting offset components produced by illuminating the eyeball of the photographer with the divergent rays from the lower eyelid side.
Next, an observation point on which the photographer's gaze is fixed is obtained from a relationship between the rotation angle of the eyeball and coordinates of the observation point. When the rotation angle of the optical axis of the photographer's eyeball is represented in coordinates (.theta.x, .theta.y), if the attitude of the camera is in a lateral posture, the photographer's observation point (x, y) on a plane of observation is obtained as follows: EQU x=m*(.theta.x+.DELTA.), (4)
and, EQU y=m*.theta.y, (5)
where an x direction and a y direction denote a horizontal direction and a vertical direction for the photographer, respectively, when the camera takes the lateral posture. Also, m is a coefficient of transformation for transforming the rotation angle of the eyeball into coordinates on a focusing plate, and .DELTA. is an angle between the optical axis 15a of the eyeball 15 and the visual axis (observation point). Since there are differences between individuals in the coefficients of transformation m and .DELTA., personal difference correction data for correcting personal differences needs to be predetermined in the form of data inclusive of these coefficients of transformation.
The personal difference correction data can be calculated for each photographer by detecting a rotation angle of the optical axis of the eyeball when the photographer looks at a given plane of coordinates. The detecting operation for obtaining the personal difference correction data is called calibration, and the personal difference correction data obtained by the calibration is called calibration data.
When a photographer looks at points on a plane of observation, the points having coordinates (x1, 0) and (x2, 0), if the rotation angles of the photographer's eyeball are represented in coordinates (.theta.x1, 0) and (.theta.x2, 0), respectively, the personal difference data can be obtained from the following equations: EQU m=(x1-x2)/(.theta.x1-.theta.x2), (6)
and, EQU .DELTA.=(x2.multidot..theta.x1-x1.multidot..theta.x2)/(x1-x2).(7)
The input of the personal difference data is performed in all postures of the camera such as in a posture in which the line of sight detection is not required. For example, since no photographer takes a picture with the camera turned upside down, the personal difference correction data cannot be input in a condition that the camera is turned upside down. Further, when the camera has such a hardware structure as the line of sight detection is prohibited when the camera takes a vertical posture, the personal difference data cannot be input in the vertical posture. Up to this time, various approaches to calibration have been proposed, such as a calibration process of keeping vertical and lateral calibration data, as disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 08/408,281, filed on Mar. 22, 1995. As to the relationship between the vertical and lateral postures, various proposals have been also made, such as a mechanism for prohibiting line of sight detection in the vertical posture and turning off an indication lamp, as disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 08/541,722, filed on Oct. 10, 1995, and a mechanism for changing lighting after detecting the attitude, as disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 08/386,200, filed on Feb. 9, 1995.
Such a line of sight detection device usable in vertical postures as well as in the lateral posture, however, cannot be expected to obtain an adequate accuracy in the vertical postures because the device uses the coefficients of personal differences related to the lateral posture. In the case that the line of sight detection device is used in the lateral posture, horizontal and vertical directions for the device correspond to those for the photographer, respectively. For this reason, the above conventional examples do not divide the coordinate system into a man coordinate system and a camera coordinate system. To clarify the discrimination between both coordinate systems, the man coordinate system is represented by adding e. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the man and camera coordinate systems when the camera is held in the lateral posture.
In the man coordinate system, the rotation angle of the eyeball is (.theta.x.sub.e, .theta.y.sub.e). The rotation angle is transformed into the camera coordinate system as follows:
for the lateral posture, (.theta.x.sub.e, .theta.y.sub.e).fwdarw.(.theta.x, .theta.y) (see FIGS. 18A1 and 18A2), PA1 for a vertical posture with the right side of the camera turned up, (.theta.x.sub.e, .theta.y.sub.e).fwdarw.(-.theta.y, +.theta.x) (see FIGS. 18B1 and 18B2), PA1 for a vertical posture with the right side of the camera turned down, (.theta.x.sub.e, .theta.y.sub.e).fwdarw.(+.theta.y, -.theta.x) (see FIGS. 18C1 and 18C2).
and,
When using the line of sight detection device as a standard for the plane of coordinates on which the photographer's gaze is fixed, a vertical direction for the photographer corresponds to the lateral direction for the line of sight detection device. Further, when taking into account that the coefficients of correction m and .DELTA. are determined for each eyeball of persons, the above equations (4) and (5) can be represented as: EQU x=m.sub.x .multidot.(.theta.x+.DELTA..sub.x), (4')
and, EQU y=m.sub.y .multidot.(.theta.y+.DELTA..sub.y). (5')
Since the values of m.sub.x, .DELTA..sub.x, m.sub.y and .DELTA..sub.y vary with the attitude of the camera, the calibration needs to be performed in each attitude of the camera for obtaining the personal difference correction data. Alternatively, other coefficients of transformation obtained in a corresponding attitude of another camera can be used for calibration in the attitude of the camera in which a line of sight of the photographer should be detected. As shown in the conventional examples, when the calibration is performed by assigning the observation point only to the x direction in the camera coordinate system, although the calculation is easier, strictly speaking, such calibration results in obtaining only the values of m.sub.x, .DELTA..sub.x in the above equation (4'). When using such a calibrating method, it is required to perform calibration in the vertical posture so that the values of m.sub.y, .DELTA..sub.y in the above equation (5') can be obtained. In other words, all the coefficients of transformation cannot be calculated unless the calibration in both postures is performed.

Line of sight detection device and apparatus having the line of sight detection device


A slip tube system is configured to transport a load along a conveying path of an overhead conveyor system. A stationary frame has at least one rotating shaft with a shaft axis extending along the conveying path of the stationary frame, and a movable carriage configured to transport a load along the conveying path. A slip tube is placed on at least one of the least one rotating drive shafts and each slip tube has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of a respective drive shaft, and is in rotational sliding engagement therewith. At least one driven wheel is attached to the carriage to engage with an exterior of the slip tube surrounding the at least one rotating drive shaft to push the slip tube into driving engagement with the rotating shaft, and to rotate the slip tube therewith. The driven wheels are canted with respect to a shaft axis of the drive shaft and slip tube, and the canted contact produces a helical loci of engagement between the exterior of the slip tube and each of the driven wheels. As the drive shaft rotates, traction is developed between the rotating shaft and an inner surface of the slip tube, and between an outer surface of the rotating slip tube and the driven wheels to provide sufficient drive force to propel the carriage and the load along the conveying path.

In a conventional factory or distribution warehouse, it is desirable to move loads along a transporting path that is predominately horizontal, but which may also involve travel uphill, downhill, diversion between subpaths, and the like. These systems provide an overhead conveyor system with rotating drive shafts, a carriage that is supported by the drive shaft or by a fixed support rail, and a carriage that has skewed drive wheels to engage with the rotating drive shaft. The engagement of the skewed wheels with the rotating drive shaft propels the carriage along the rotating drive shaft or along a fixed rail.
The present slip tube system relates to overhead conveyors of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,655 issued Sep. 15, 1998 to Tabler, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,168 issued Jul. 28, 1998 to Beall, Jr., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,511 issued May 20, 1980 to Uhing, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,104 issued Jan. 5, 1965 to Hunt, and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,280 issued Nov. 26, 1974 to Ohrnell. Shaft driven overhead conveyors have many advantages over the heavier load type conveyors such as the power and free conveyor; such advantages including quietness, cleanliness, less repair, easy diversion of load carrying carriages, buffering, speed variation along the conveying path, and generally greater flexibility in design.
Conventional prior art rotating shaft driven overhead conveyors may be limited in the amount of weight they may carry, in a slope of the incline/decline they may traverse, or in combinations of weight and the incline or decline. When in these situations, the carriage can undergo an uncontrolled slippage between the drive shaft and the driven wheels. For steep inclines and over heavy loads, the load cannot be propelled along the conveyor. For steep declines, the load can slide in an uncontrolled manner down the decline.
The present slip tube system addresses issues associated with prior art overhead conveyers having fixed axis, rotatable drive shafts engaging skewed driven wheels of a carriage to provide the carriage conveying force, wherein the carriage is supported by the drive shaft and/or a fixed support rail. This well known slippage problem of the rotatable drive shaft type of overhead conveyor has been partially solved by sand-blasting and then anodizing aluminum drive shafts to increase the friction therebetween, which adds expensive processing to the manufacturing. Though this is an improvement for some applications, in many cases, it is not enough. Moreover, sand blasting is hard on the drive wheels and the sand blasted surface loads up with dirt over time, and becomes less effective. Another solution that has been proposed is the over-coating of the drive tube with a high-friction material such as urethane. However, such coatings are expensive and can lift or peel. Also, once a tube has been sandblasted or over-coated, it is not readily available to be used on another part of the same line or another line where the higher friction may not be necessary or even undesirable. In addition to inclines and to a lesser extent, declines, the problem arises in other circumstances, for example: when a carriage with spaced apart trolleys for a single load (two trolleys being used to carry a greater load than can be carried with a single trolley) passes through a switch. Switches re-route a carriage traveling on one line to travel on another line. A trolley passing through the switch may not be powered, so that the rear trolley is the sole drive into the switch, and the front trolley is the sole drive out of the switch. In such a situation, the driving power is cut in half through the switch and slippage is more likely to occur, for example when the load is particularly heavy in the high load overhead conveyor of U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,168 issued Jul. 28, 1998, whose disclosure is incorporated herein in its entirety, by reference. Other solutions to the slippage problem can include drive ridges to increase traction such as that taught by Tabler in U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,661.
Alternately, there can be times when it is desired to have slippage (less friction) between the carriage drive wheels and the drive shaft. These instances can occur when a carriage containing a load is being driven by a rotating shaft, and encounters a stop. Stops can be found in an assembly environment to provide time for workers to complete an assembly task on one item before sending the completed item onto another work station via the overhead conveyer, or to accumulate a stack of items to be released one at a time in timed manufacturing. Once the stop is released, it is also desirable for the slipping system to re-engage with the rotating drive shaft to propel the carriage away from the stop.
Consequently, a significant need exists to be able to change the drive friction between the drive shaft and driven rollers of the rotatable drive shaft type of overhead conveyor systems, to make the drive friction changes work with conventional rotatable drive shafts without modification to the drive shafts, to make the drive friction changes easy to install or remove on existing drive components, and to provide more or less motive/drive force on the carriage as required.

Slip tube system for adjusting drive force of shaft driven conveyor system


Disclosed is a linear regulator for generating an output voltage from an input voltage with reference to a ground potential, the linear regulator including a semiconductor integrated circuit, and an external diode that is externally connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit, in which the semiconductor integrated circuit includes an input terminal, an output terminal, an output transistor, a parallel diode, and a control circuit, and an anode of the external diode is connected to a ground, and a cathode of the external diode is connected to the output terminal.

The present disclosure relates to a linear regulator and a semiconductor integrated circuit.
FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic configuration of a linear regulator 900 according to a reference configuration (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-100851). The linear regulator 900 depicted in FIG. 12 includes a power supply integrated circuit (IC) 910 and a Zener diode for surge protection 920 (hereinafter may be abbreviated to the Zener diode 920). The power supply IC 910 includes an input terminal 911 and an output terminal 912, and generates an output voltage Vo by decreasing an input voltage Vi applied to the input terminal 911. The output voltage Vo is outputted from the output terminal 912. The input voltage Vi and the output voltage Vo each have a positive direct current (DC) voltage value. In the Zener diode 920, the anode is connected to a ground having a ground potential of 0 V, and the cathode is connected to the input terminal 911 through a wiring 930.
The input voltage Vi is supplied from an undepicted voltage source to the input terminal 911 through the wiring 930. It is presumable that a supply voltage from the voltage source is within a certain range. However, a surge voltage outside the certain range might be applied to the input terminal 911. In order to prevent a positive surge voltage higher than a maximum rated voltage of the input terminal 911 from being applied to the input terminal 911 in the power supply IC 910, the Zener diode 920 having a Zener voltage Vz not higher than the maximum rated voltage is included.
More specifically, when a positive surge voltage is applied to the input terminal 911 in the linear regulator 900, a surge current based on the positive surge voltage flows from the cathode of the Zener diode 920 to the anode as depicted in FIG. 13A so that a positive voltage applied to the input terminal 911 is clamped to the Zener voltage Vz. This protects the power supply IC 910 from the positive surge voltage.
Further, a negative surge voltage might be applied to the input terminal 911. In such an instance, a surge current based on the negative surge voltage flows from the anode of the Zener diode 920 to the cathode as depicted in FIG. 13B so that the magnitude of a negative voltage applied to the input terminal 911 is clamped to a forward voltage (Vf) of the Zener diode 920. This reduces the influence of the negative surge voltage on the power supply IC 910 and a circuit (not depicted) in the output stage of the power supply IC 910.

Linear regulator and semiconductor integrated circuit


An improvement is added to the existing concept of using a mirrored surface to reflect a half symmetrical image which is printed on an adjoining card. The improvement is adding a perspective drawing of a related vertical object on the mirrored surface. The vertical object is positioned to interact in a coherent manner with the reflection of the half symmetrical image. The interaction between the images provides an enhanced 3-D phenomena. Additionally objects such as a ball seem to float out of the 3-D image. One embodiment further adds a movable tab which allows modifying the overall image. The invention can be used for greeting cards, books, baseball hat peaks, and assorted novelty items.

We are all fascinated by 3-D images created by mirrors. U.S. Pat. No. 1,346,017 (1920) to Goodman discloses a novel children's book which uses a mirror mounted on the rear cover and held perpendicularly to the pages of the book. Each page is printed with a symmetrical half figure. The symmetry of the half figure is based on a centerline of the figure which corresponds to the lower edge of the mirror. Thus, the mirror reflects the half figure thereby providing the missing half of the half figure. A 3-D effect is created for the viewer. Additionally Goodman teaches the use of reversed letters on the book pages which are readable in the mirror.
Other relevant prior art patents are noted below.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,565,553 (1951) to Foley discloses a three dimension picture device using a plurality of curved concentric transparent sheets.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,051 (1974) to Barnes, Jr. et al. discloses a curved mirror which reflects a normal picture of a distorted flat image.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,189 (1980) to Kamei discloses a medallion having a mirror beneath the embossed image.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,590 (1984) to Becker et al. discloses a children's book having cut-outs for the child's hands around a steering wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,172 (1993) to Rowley discloses a 3-D greeting card wherein a front panel contains a scene. A shelf extends from the bottom of the front panel and supports a 3-D figure such as a mouse which fits into the scene of the front panel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,355 (1991) to Thomas discloses a 3-D card using two opposing mirrored surfaces. Each surface has a design drawing on it. These designs interact to form 3-D images.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,984,920 (1961) to Acosta et al. discloses a 3-D card using multiple transparent panels.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,147 (1970) to Herrin et al. discloses a 3-D chamber having a transparent front wall and an opaque rear wall. Each wall has a coordinated drawing.
The present invention improves on the Goodman 3-D technique by adding the following three limitations to the half mirror half printed page at a 90.degree. angle technique taught by Goodman. The newly invented limitations embodied in the present invention are:
1. On one side of the folded card there must be a printed half image that is horizontally symmetrical in design usually on a base panel. The printed half image can also be printed on a mirror surface. The printed half image must be an object that is horizontal in nature or commonly recognized as horizontal such as a kitchen floor, table, sidewalk, etc. The printed half image is printed up to a 90.degree. fold line of the card at the line of symmetry.
2. On the other side of the folded card usually on a vertical panel is a perspective drawing of a vertical object(s). The said vertical object could be that of a person, animal, or thing that is commonly seen as standing upright such as a door, wall, fence, person, etc. The perspective drawing is placed on a mirror surface so that the outer contour areas of the perspective drawn objects(s) are surrounded by the reflection of the printed half image from the opposing page. The perspective drawing is printed up to the fold line of the card.
3. There must be a relationship between the full image including the reflection and the half image and the perspective drawing of a vertical object so that interaction occurs in a meaningful coherent fashion that enhances the 3-D phenomena. In cases where the card or book has no base panel but instead has a pair of the 90.degree. hinged vertical panels then the horizontal and vertical rules applied in paragraph 1 above must be reversed.
All symmetrical objects have a line of symmetry but some objects are not symmetrical.
A yet further embodiment teaches the addition of a removable tab which has been printed on both sides. The tab can be placed on the flat horizontal page which contains the printed half image. An example would be a tab of a tricycle which is placed on a sidewalk. On the back side of the tab could be a dog which reflects in the mirror. Thus, the child can creatively change his 3-D picture. Furthermore, the child cannot ruin the pop-up tab by tearing it off of the page which is often the case with traditional pop-up cards.
Yet another feature of the present invention is the creation of forward projecting shadows from the perspective drawing of the vertical object. Thus, a vertical fence post can project a shadow on the printed half image of the horizontal lawn.
In summary, a partial list of the 3-D image enhancing characteristics of the present invention are listed below:
Primarily for sceneries, wherein a 3-D image is created that is very similar to one that is created by the traditional method of using a pop-up figure in front of a mirror. The present invention cannot be destroyed by tearing out a pop-up figure. PA1 Ideal for common scenic views with characters of persons, places and things. (Virtual reality comic or cartoons) PA1 Can use only one mirror to create the graphic image. Some two mirror reflections are workable such as a tree with pop outs in the center of the two mirrors. PA1 3-D scenic features are viewable at many different angles. (From side to side and high above) PA1 The cards images can be seen from 30-40 ft. away walking from side to side. PA1 Opens 90.degree. for viewing a scenic feature. Image is not easily noticeable beyond 95.degree. or below 80.degree.. Does not require a gusset to hold the page halves at a specific angle. PA1 By creating a scenic picture style for new ideas, there are endless possibilities and combinations of illustrations to develop a trend or continuation of comic/cartoon story telling. PA1 A single light source located behind the viewer will create a shadow in the foreground adding realism to the scenic effects. PA1 Removable pop-out figures reflect before the mirror to increase the possible combinations and realism of new effects, such as a Jack in the Box. Non-removable pop-out figures are also workable. PA1 The three steps formula is new. PA1 In the event that the cards/books are opened in a horizontal position, the pop-out features appear to be standing straight up. PA1 It is possible and practical to manufacture the 3-D images as small as a postage stamp. PA1 Able to produce small books and standard mailing postcards. PA1 Able to reflect words, word phrases and symbols that are symmetrical in design.
At some state of manufacturing a traditional childrens pop-out book, an individual must glue or attach paper articles into the unfinished book. Page after page the pieces must be placed accordingly and properly folded to make certain the book operates as expected. In addition to this, each new book series introduced to the manufacturing system requires new methods of engineering design as well as new tooling for punching, cutting, scoring, etc. After producing a number of these books the dyes begin to wear out and must be replaced.
Therefore, there is a need for book manufacturers to be able to produce a children's book with three dimensional images which look like pop-out features, whereas the book production is completely done by machine from start to finish. The present invention allows only required printing methods of which will not require new tooling or extensive preplanning by artists and engineers after each new series is introduced.
Pop-out pieces which are attached to books are often damaged or separated from the books during normal use. Young children have a tendency to tear and remove pieces. Opening and closing the book pages will sometimes result in pop-out features folding incorrectly or wearing out, causing pieces to be damaged. There is a need in the art for three dimensional books for children having images which look like pop-out features that cannot be separated from the book or damaged during normal use and can be opened and closed without wear or tear.


Operation of a network which comprises a plurality of mutually connected subordinate-networks is performed. Operation information is unitarily managed transmitted and received in the entirety of the network. An information storing unit stores operation management information used for the network operation management. A communications unit transmits and receives the operation information. Control is performed so that when the operation information is received from a subordinate-network, updating processing is performed if the contents of the operation information should be affected in the operation management information, and, operation information for reporting is produced and distributed to needing subordinate-networks based on the operation management information if reporting processing should be performed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for automatically controlling transmission and reception of information concerning network operations (hereinafter, referred to as `operation information`) in a distributed processing environment in which a plurality of computers are mutually connected via a communications network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a distributed processing environment over a relatively wide area is configured, for example, by connecting various types of computers set in respective business offices to a LAN (Local Area Network), and, further, by mutually connecting those LANs directly or via repeating installations through a wide-area communications network. Each network manager, allocated for a respective predetermined network area, performs operation management of the network area through a respective management-use device.
When operation information of respective network areas is reported between network managers, generally, an electronic mail system is used. Then, each network manager, responding to the contents of thus-received operation information, reports necessary information to users of the respective network area. Further, by using an electronic bulletin board (news) service system, operation information which has been reported between the respective network managers can be managed unitarily, and, also, can be provided for public reading.
When a trouble or problem is detected in such a communications network through a network monitoring system or the like, the network manager who manages the network area having the trouble or problem reports this information to the other network manager and network users via an electronic mail system or the like, similar to the case where operation information is reported.
In the related art, there is no system for controlling and managing operation information through the entire communications network which is configured as a distributed processing environment. Therefore, each network manager of a respective one of network area performs a determination concerning received operation information and determines how to deal with the received operation information. However, recently the size of such a communications network has grown, and, thereby, the amount of information which network managers deal with has increased. As a result, the network load borne by each network manager has increased, and, thus, problems occur which will now be described.
In almost all cases, operation information is transmitted and received through an electronic mail system. Each network manager may receive operation information concerning a network area which has no direct relevance to a particular network manager when the particular network area is included in the area for which the electric mail system is used. Each network manager determines whether or not received operation information is operation information concerning the network area relevant to a particular network manager. Further, each network manager determines, according to the contents of received operation information, whether or not the received operation information should be reported, and, also, to which destinations the received operation information should be reported. Then, the network manager manually distributes the received operation information to appropriate users within the network area managed by the network manager. Thus, a respective network manager determines how to deal with operation information received through an electronic mail system. In other words, such determinations are left to particular network managers. Therefore, personal feelings may influence such determinations, and, thereby, oversights, mistakes, and time losses may occur. Problematic situations may occur in which impartial dealing with operation information may not be ensured, necessary operation information may not be reported to users, timely information provision may not be ensured, and so forth.
With regard to distribution of operation information, generally speaking, destinations are previously determined by a sending side, and, a receiving side only receives sent information without selection. Therefore, a receiving side cannot previously know sources from which information is distributed, and, cannot control as to whether or not reception of unnecessary information is stopped.
In a case where unitary management of operation information using an electronic bulletin board service system or the like is performed, the order of receiving of operation information is not necessarily coincident with the order of sending the operation information because required transmission time of the operation information depends on lengths of transmission lines and other various network conditions. Therefore, if the contents of the electronic bulletin board are updated according to the order of receiving of operation information, time consistency may be lost, and, thereby, inconsistency in the contents may occur. Further, when a method such as use of an electronic bulletin board in which all information is brought together into a single table is used, if a user attempts to refer to only necessary data, a considerable amount of time is required for searching that table for the necessary data, and traffic of the network is unnecessarily increased because such a user has to access unnecessary data during the search.
Further, when a problem or trouble occurs in a communications network, it is possible through a network monitoring system to determine where the problem occurs, and, then, to immediately report this location to a respective network manager. However, other actually necessary information, such as a situation analysis, a problem or trouble restoration plan, a bypass route, restarting of operation when restoration has been achieved, and so forth, is produced and distributed manually. Therefore, such actually necessary information may not be distributed timely, and, thus, it may be difficult to achieve smooth network operation.

Network operation managing system, method and computer program product


Techniques to schedule downlink data transmission to a number of terminals in a wireless communication system. In one method, one or more sets of terminals are formed for possible data transmission, with each set including a unique combination of one or more terminals and corresponding to a hypothesis to be evaluated. One or more sub-hypotheses may further be formed for each hypothesis, with each sub-hypothesis corresponding to specific assignments of a number of transmit antennas to the one or more terminals in the hypothesis. The performance of each sub-hypothesis is then evaluated, and one of the evaluated sub-hypotheses is selected based on their performance. The terminal(s) in the selected sub-hypothesis are then scheduled for data transmission, and data is thereafter coded, modulated, and transmitted to each scheduled terminal from one or more transmit antennas assigned to the terminal.

1. Field
The present invention relates generally to data communication, and more specifically to techniques for allocating downlink resources in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system.
2. Background
Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication such as voice, data, and so on, for a number of users. These systems may be based on code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), or some other multiple access techniques.
A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system employs multiple (NT) transmit antennas and multiple (NR) receive antennas for transmission of multiple independent data streams. In one common MIMO system implementation, the data streams are transmitted to a single terminal at any given time. However, a multiple access communication system having a base station with multiple antennas may also concurrently communicate with a number of terminals. In this case, the base station employs a number of antennas and each terminal employs NR antennas to receive one or more of the multiple data streams.
The connection between a multiple-antenna base station and a single multiple-antenna terminal is called a MIMO channel. A MIMO channel formed by these NT transmit and NR receive antennas may be decomposed into NC independent channels, with NC≦min {NT, NR}. Each of the NC independent channels is also referred to as a spatial subchannel of the MIMO channel and corresponds to a dimension. The MIMO system can provide improved performance (e.g., increased transmission capacity) if the additional dimensionalities of these subchannels created by the multiple transmit and receive antennas are utilized.
Each MIMO channel between the base station and a terminal typically experiences different link characteristics and is associated with different transmission capability, so the spatial subchannels available to each terminal have different effective capacities. Efficient use of the available downlink resources (and higher throughput) may be achieved if the NC available spatial subchannels are effectively allocated such that data is transmitted on these subchannels to a "proper" set of terminals in the MIMO system.
There is therefore a need in the art for techniques to allocate downlink resources in a MIMO system to provide improved system performance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for allocating downlink resources in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system


An aspect of the invention for achieving the aforementioned objects relates to a fuel cell including at least one unit cell. The unit cell includes a first separator which is disposed on one side of an MEA, and which includes a first concave groove which constitutes a first gas passage, and a first convex rib whose rear surface constitutes a first refrigerant passage, and on which a first gas cross groove is formed; and a second separator which is disposed on the other side of the MEA, and which includes a second concave groove which constitutes a second gas passage, and a second convex rib whose rear surface constitutes a second refrigerant passage, and on which a second gas cross groove is formed. An integral refrigerant passage whose cross sectional area in a direction in which the integral refrigerant passage extends is equal to or larger than that of the first refrigerant passage and that of the second refrigerant passage is formed by combining the first refrigerant passage and the second refrigerant passage in a cell stacked direction when a plurality of the first separators and a plurality of the second separators are stacked.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a separator passage structure of a fuel cell, particularly a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell.
2. Description of the Related Art
A unit cell of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell is composed of a stack body formed by stacking a membrane-electrode assembly (hereinafter, referred to as MEA) and a separator. The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane composed of an ion-exchange membrane, an electrode (anode, fuel electrode) composed of a catalytic layer disposed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and another electrode (cathode, air electrode) composed of another catalytic layer disposed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane. A diffusion layer is provided between the MEA and the separator. In the separator, passages through which a fuel gas (hydrogen) and an oxidizing gas (oxygen, generally air) are supplied to the anode and the cathode, and a passage through which a refrigerant (generally a coolant) passes are provided. A module includes at least one unit cell. A cell stack body is formed by stacking the modules. A terminal, an insulator, and an end plate are disposed at each of both ends of the cell stack body in a direction in which the cells are stacked (hereinafter, referred to as "cell stacked direction"). The cell stack body is fastened by using a fastening member which is disposed outside the cell stack body and which extends in the cell stacked direction (e.g., a tension plate), whereby a fuel cell stack is formed. In the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell, the reaction which decomposes hydrogen into a hydrogen ion and an electron occurs on the anode side, and the hydrogen ion moves to the cathode side through the electrolyte membrane. The reaction which produces water from oxygen, the hydrogen ion, and the electron (the electron generated on the anode side of the adjacent MEA moves to the cathode side through the separator) occurs on the cathode side.Anode side: H2→2H++2e−Cathode side: 2H++2e−+(½)O2→H2O
A concave groove and a convex rib are formed in the separator. The concave groove on a surface of the separator which faces the MEA constitutes a gas passage through which the fuel gas or the oxidizing gas passes. The convex rib contacts the diffusion layer, and constitutes a conductive passage. When a metal separator is used as the separator, the concave groove and the convex rib are generally formed by press molding. The rear surface of the convex rib (i.e., the surface opposite to the surface facing the MEA) constitutes a refrigerant passage. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-196079 discloses a separator passage structure of a fuel cell, in which multiple convex portions are regularly disposed on a surface of a metal separator so as to be separated from each other, and the gas flows between the convex portions, that is, a divided convex portion structure.
However, there are the following problems concerning this separator passage structure of a fuel cell. i) It is difficult to make both the gas and the refrigerant flow smoothly. ii) It is difficult to reduce the size of the separator in the cell stacked direction, and thus, it is difficult to make the stack small.
The reason why these problems occur, for example, in the case where the metal separator is used will be described. First, the reason why the problem concerning the flow of the gas and the flow of the refrigerant occurs will be described. Flooding may occur in a part of a surface of the separator, and the gas passage may be blocked due to the flooding. Therefore, it is preferable that a gas cross groove should be formed on each of the convex ribs between the gas passages, and the convex rib should be divided in a direction in which the gas passage extends so that the gas can flow from one gas passage to another adjacent gas passage when the one gas passage is blocked. In this case, the depth of the refrigerant passage on the rear surface of the convex rib is reduced, or the refrigerant passage is divided due to formation of the gas cross groove. As a result, there arise a problem concerning the flow of the refrigerant. Thus, it is difficult to allow the gas to flow smoothly using the gas cross groove when flooding occurs, and to allow the refrigerant to flow smoothly in the refrigerant passage on the rear surface of the convex rib at the same time. Next, the reason why the problem concerning the size of the separator in the cell stacked direction occurs will be described. When the depth of the gas cross groove formed on the convex rib is reduced so that the refrigerant passage on the rear surface of the gas cross groove is provided, the thickness of the separator is the sum of the depth of the gas cross groove and the depth of the refrigerant passage on the rear surface of the convex rib. Therefore, when the gas cross groove with a necessary depth and the refrigerant passage with a necessary depth are provided, the size of the separator in the thickness direction, i.e., in the cell stacked direction inevitably increases. Consequently, it is difficult to make the stack small in the cell stacked direction.

Separator passage structure of fuel cell


A clock filter circuit (20), which serves for filtering the clock of non-isochronous data signals having a selected one of at least two nominal data rates, has an auxiliary clock source (21) that generates an auxiliary clock signal (27) with a pulse repetition rate which is in the range between the at least two predetermined data rates, a delay line (22) connected to the auxiliary clock source (21) for creating a set of mutually delayed copies of the auxiliary clock signal and a multiplexer (23) that switches in a cyclic order between the delayed copies according to predetermined rules, which depend on the selected data rate to generate a filtered clock signal (28). A control circuit determines whether the rate of the filtered clock (28) signal must be increased or decreased as compared to said data signal and controls the multiplexer (23) to delay or advance the cyclical switching accordingly.

Network elements in existing transport networks serve for establishing semi-permanent ("cross")connections in the network. Such network elements include crossconnects and add/drop multiplexers. For crossconnecting high bitrate digital signals, it is advantageous to use a synchronous switch matrix. While today transport networks rely basically on the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH, ITU-T G.707), a new Optical Transport Hierarchy has been defined in ITU-T G.709, where the transport signals are no longer synchronous but asynchronous within a predetermined range of ±20 ppm from a nominal frequency.
Even when the transport signals are not synchronous, a synchronous switch matrix may nonetheless be used, if all payload channels are mapped internally into an common synchronous rate which is higher than the highest payload channel rate. Rate adaptation to the internal rate will be performed by bit stuffing. At the output of the network elements, however, the payload channels must then be de-mapped from the internal rate signal and the stuff bits removed. This will cause non-isochronous bit streams that represent the respective payload channels, since the bit clock of a bit stream has gaps from the removed stuff bits. Therefore, a narrow band phase lock loop (PLL) would be required at each payload channel for converting the non-isochronous bit stream back to an isochronous bit stream. Tight output jitter requirements would apply to this function.
Moreover, in certain applications, it would be advantageous if a network element would be able to process transport signals of different types. For instance, transmission equipment for payload bit rates in the Giga-bit range often provides as an option forward error correction (FEC) to the transport signals. The equipment needs therefore the ability to operate at different bit rates, i.e., with or without FEC, on the basis of configuration. On the other hand, it would be advantageous to provide the capability to process SDH and OTH type signals within the same equipment. For such applications, the bit rates must be accommodated to the actually used signal type, which might become very complex for narrow band PLLs at the outputs a network element. Clock circuits with a low Q factor could provide an automatic bit rate accommodation capability with in a range of ±10% with a single oscillator circuit only. High Q clock circuits, however, would require a separate crystal oscillator for each particular bit rate. A clock filter circuit for destuffed non-isochronous transport signals would hence require a particular voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) for every payload channel and for every bit rate.
It is therefore an object of the present invention, to provide a simplified clock circuit that can be configured to operate at least at two different bit rates.

Digital clock filter circuit for a gapped clock of a non-isochronous data signal having a selected one of at least two nominal data rates


A clamping system for detachably connecting two parts, one part has a hollow shaft and the other part has a receiving portion for receiving the hollow shaft with a precise fit, comprising: a main body to be arranged concentrically in the receiving portion, extends into the hollow shaft when the two parts are joined to one another, and bears two clamping bodies, operable in a diametrically opposed manner between release and clamping positions, and comprising an ejector axially adjustable by a defined ejection stroke in a centric through-bore in the main body, the clamping bodies subject the one part to a pressing force in the clamping position, and in the release position subject the one part to an ejection force, the ejector formed from a body of revolution, which is detachably anchored directly in a centric through-bore in the main body with axial play corresponding to the ejection stroke.

Such a clamping system is indicated in DE 102007024552 A1 or DE 102006055422 A1. FIG. 1 shows the clamping system also known as a 4-point clamping system. The clamping system 10 has the function of detachably connecting two preferably rotationally symmetrical parts, of which one part 1 exhibits a preferably cylindrical or conical hollow shaft 2, and the other part 3 exhibits a receiving portion 4 for receiving the hollow shaft 2 with a precise fit. To this end, the clamping system 10 has a main body 11 that is concentrically arranged in the receiving portion of the other part 3, extends into the hollow shaft 2 of the one part 1 when the two parts 1, 3 are joined to each other, and bears two diametrically arranged clamping bodies 12, which can be adjusted in a diametrically opposed manner between a release position and a clamping position (see FIG. 1).
Given an activation in the direction of the clamping position, the two clamping bodies 12 run onto a continuous wedge flank 5 provided in the hollow shaft 2 of the one part 1 and formed by a back-cut clamping shoulder, thereby exposing the hollow shaft of the one part 1 to an axially directed contact force in the direction of the other part 3, and pulling it into the receiving shaft 4 of the other part 3, until a front-end radial annular surface 6 of the inner part 1 hits an opposing front-end radial annular surface 7 of the other part 3. With the two parts 1, 3 joined together, the two clamping bodies 12 not only ensure that enough axial contact force is generated, but also that the hollow shaft 2 of the one part 1 undergoes a certain radial expansion, which offsets the accuracy of fit between the hollow shaft 2 of the one part 1 and the receiving portion 4 of the other part 3, and improves the alignment of the two parts 1, 3. When the two parts 1, 3 are joined together, the hollow shaft 2 of the one part 1 is thus received in the receiving portion 4 of the other part 3 with a tight fit.
Given an activation in the direction of the release position, the two clamping bodies 12 are disengaged from the back-cut shoulder in the hollow shaft 2 of the one part 1. However, the tight fit maintains a tension between the hollow shaft 2 of the one part 1 and the receiving portion 4 of the other part 3, which hampers or even prevents a detachment of the two parts 1, 3.
For this reason, the clamping system indicated in the publications mentioned above has an ejector 13 whose function is to separate the compression bond between the two parts 1, 3 when the two clamping bodies 12 are activated in the direction of the release position. The ejector 13 here consists of two parts. In particular, it is made up of a tubular element 14 and a ring element 15 that envelops the tubular element 14. The tubular element 14 is anchored in the main body 11 by a type of bayonet coupling. The ring element 15 envelops the tubular element 14, and is held in the main body 11 by the tubular element 14 in such a way that it can be axially displaced together with the tubular element 14 for an ejection stroke corresponding to the aforementioned axial play for the ejection process. Given an activation in the release position, the clamping bodies 12 run up onto two wedge flanks 17 provided on the ring element, as a result of which the ring element 15 is exposed to an axially directed ejection force in the direction of one part 1, and presses the one part 1 away from the other part 3. Therefore, the actual ejection function involves the ring element 15, but not the tubular element 14. While the tubular element 14 is taken along by the ring element 15 in the ejection direction, it exerts no ejection force on the one part 1 to be ejected. The two wedge flanks 17 of the ring element 15 are formed on axial extensions 18 of a ring body 16. When the ring body 16 is situated in the centric receiving opening 19, the two axial extensions 18 are positively accommodated in two diametrically opposed, axial driving grooves 20 in the main body 11. The positive accommodation of the two axial extensions 18 in the driving grooves 20 prevents the ring element 15 from twisting in the main body 11, but at the same time ensures the axial displaceability of the ring element 15 required for ejection.
The clamping system 10 indicated in the publications mentioned above has proven itself in terms of function. However, it is still in need of improvement with respect to production. While the centric receiving opening 16 for accommodating the ring body 16 can be fabricated from a production standpoint in an easily initiated drilling process, generating the two eccentric driving grooves 20 for accommodating the two axial extensions 18 requires that the main body 11 be additionally milled. The additional milling of the main body 11 combined with the two-part structure of the ejector 13 comprised of the tubular element 14 and ring element 15 increases the production outlay, and hence the manufacturing costs of the clamping system as a whole. Aside from that, assembly of the ejector 13 and its installation into the main body 11 requires time and technical skill.
Proceeding from the prior art discussed at the outset, i.e., the clamping system illustrated on FIG. 1, the object of the invention is to provide a clamping system, in particular a 4-point clamping system suitable for MQL (minimum quantity lubrication) technology, which is distinguished by a functional structural design that has been simplified in terms of production and assembly.

Clamping system for detachably connecting two preferably rotationally symmetrical parts


The present invention provides a device for supporting and positioning an endoscope maneuvering system, the device connectable to a fixed support, the device comprising: a. a support mechanism releasably connectable to said endoscope maneuvering system; b. at least one movable arm comprising at least one first jointed connection to said support mechanism, said at least one movable arm adapted to position and orient said endoscope maneuvering system; and c. a base connector comprising at least one second jointed connection to said at least one movable arm, said base connector fixedly connectable to said fixed support; wherein said device is adapted to maintain said endoscope maneuvering system in a state of quasi-static dynamic equilibrium.

Laparoscopic surgery is becoming increasingly popular with patients because the scars are smaller and their period of recovery is shorter. In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon performs the operation through small holes using long instruments and observing the internal anatomy with an endoscope camera. The endoscope is conventionally held by a camera assistant since the surgeon must perform the operation using both hands.
Laparoscopic surgery requires special training for the surgeon or gynecologist and the theatre nursing staff. The equipment is often expensive and is not available in all hospitals. During laparoscopic surgery, it is often required to shift the spatial placement of the endoscope in order to present the surgeon with an optimal view.
The surgeon's performance is largely dependent on the camera's position relative to the instruments and on a stable image shown by the monitor; also the picture shown must be in the right orientation.
Conventional laparoscopic surgery makes use of either human assistants that manually shift the instrumentation or alternatively robotic automated assistants (such as JP patent No. 06063003). The main problem is the difficulty for the assistant in keeping the endoscope in the right spatial position, holding the endoscope steadily and keeping the scene in the right orientation.
To overcome these problems, several new technologies have been developed, using robots to hold the endoscope while the surgeon performs the procedure, e.g., Lapman, Endoassist, etc. But these technologies are expensive, difficult to install, uncomfortable to use, limit the dexterity of the surgeon and have physical dimension much bigger than all the operating tools. Relative to the required action, they also move in big increments with several arms moving. Another robot, LER, (which was developed by the TEVIC-GMCAO Laboratory) is described in US. Patent Application No. 200/6100501. It consists of a compact camera-holder robot that rests directly on the patient's abdomen and an electronic box containing the electricity supply and robot controllers. LER has relatively small dimensions but has a 110 mm diameter base ring that must be attached, or be very close to, the patient's skin. This ring occupies space over the patient's body, affecting the surgeon's activities: limiting the surgeon's choice of where to place other trocars, changing the surgeon's usual way of making the procedure, sometimes forcing the setup process to be as long as 40 minutes. Also the LER has only 3 degrees of freedom and has no ability to control the orientation of the picture shown to surgeon (the LER cannot rotate the endoscope around its longitudinal axis).
However, even the improved technologies still limit the ability to control the spatial position of an endoscope tube to any orientation during the laparoscopic surgery, such that the surgeon reaches any desired area within the working envelope in the body being operated on and, further, these technologies still permit the endoscope to put pressure on the insertion point of the endoscope into the body, which can cause unwanted movement of the endoscope and can cause damage to the tissue of the patient.
It is therefore a long felt need to provide a support and positioning system for an endoscope maneuvering system that reduces limitations on the range of spacial positions and orientations of the endoscope tube, which reduces mechanical strains on the endoscope maneuvering system and which enables reduction of the pressure exerted on the insertion point by the endoscope tube.

Support and positioner for an endoscope maneuvering system


An electronic apparatus includes: a detector that detects an object present within a predetermined detection range; and an embedded controller that based on a detection result by the detector determines that the object has left the electronic apparatus when the object is no longer detected within a first detection range of the predetermined detection range after the object has previously been detected within the first detection range, and determines that the object has approached the electronic apparatus after the object is detected within a second detection range in the predetermined detection range wider than the first detection range when no objects were previously detected within the predetermined detection range. While the object determined to have left is detected within the second detection range, the embedded controller determines that the object has re-approached based on a detection position of the object moving toward the first detection range.

There is an electronic apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) which detects the approach and leave of a person to control operation. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-255922 discloses a terminal processing device which displays an operation screen in response to detecting an approaching person.
For example, there is an electronic apparatus such as a PC which turns off the screen and makes a transition to a standby state when a user gets away from (leaves) the electronic apparatus, and returns from the standby state and makes a transition to a usable state when the user gets closer to (approaches) the electronic apparatus. For example, it is desired by the user to make the transition to the standby state as soon as possible from the viewpoint of security when the user has left the electronic apparatus (when the user gets away from the electronic apparatus without the need to use the electronic apparatus) and to return from the standby state as soon as possible from the viewpoint of usability when the user has approached the electronic apparatus (when the user gets closer to use the electronic apparatus). In order to detect the leave of the user from the electronic apparatus and the approach of the user to the electronic apparatus as soon as possible, it is considered a method for setting a leave detection range in the case of leave detection narrow and an approach detection range in the case of approach detection wide.
However, when the leave detection range is set narrow and the approach detection range is set wide, the user may stay within the approach detection range even after the transition to the standby state due to the fact that the user went out of the leave detection range. In this case, if the user is determined to have approached, the electronic apparatus may return from the standby state even due to the fact that the user who has left just stays nearby without intention to use the electronic apparatus. However, it is inconvenient if it is set that the user is not determined to have approached unless the user goes out of the approach detection range because the user will need to approach the electronic apparatus again after getting far away from the electronic apparatus when the user really wants to use the electronic apparatus.


A recoil starter includes a reel/cam unit defined with a rope reel wound with a starter rope and urged to pivot in a direction of reeling the starter rope, and a cam in a cylindrical shape for transmitting rotation of the rope reel to an output shaft on a side of an engine. A damper unit connects the rope reel and the cam, and a reel support shaft supports the rope reel and the cam. A draw-out preventing unit restricts the reel/cam unit from being moved along the reel support shaft. One side of the cam is extended to form a cylindrical extended portion, where the rope reel is fitted to an outer side of the cylindrical extended portion. The cylindrical extended portion is rotatably fitted to an outer side of the reel support shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recoil starter for starting an engine by rotating a rope reel by pulling a starter rope wound around the rope reel, transmitting rotation of the rope reel to a cam by way of a damper unit, and rotating a drive pulley or a flywheel magnet connected to a side of the engine by rotating the cam.
2. Background Art
There has already been known a recoil starter for transmitting rotation of a rope reel rotated by pulling a starter rope to a cam, and rotating a drive pulley on a side of an engine by way of a one-directional rotating mechanism of a centrifugal ratchet or the like engaged and disengaged with and from the cam. Other than such a recoil starter integrating the rope reel and the cam, further, there is a recoil starter having a structure in which the rope reel and the cam are constituted by separate members, a damper unit is interposed between the both members to elastically connect the both members, rotation of the rope reel is transmitted to the cam by way of the damper unit to thereby absorb shock propagated to the hand by a variation in a load or the like in starting the engine.
Further, there is known a recoil starter of a damper type in which a reel support shaft in a cylindrical shape for rotatably supporting a rope reel and a cam are formed integrally with an output shaft of an engine to direct to an inner side on an axial line of the output shaft of the engine from the inner side of a starter case formed to cover a side face thereof arranged with the output shaft of the engine. An opening penetrated from the output shaft of the engine to an outer side of the starter case is formed at a center of the reel support shaft, and the output shaft of the engine is made connectable to the outer side of the starter case by way of the opening. According to the recoil starter, the rope reel and the cam rotatably supported by the reel support shaft are supported so as not to be drawn out from the reel support shaft by a draw-out preventing plate screwed to fix to the starter case. The rope reel and the cam are constituted by separate members, a diameter of the rope reel is larger than that of the cam and therefore, the draw-out preventing plate is engaged with both of the rope reel and the cam so as not to be drawn out from the reel support shaft, as disclosed in JP-A-16-60446.


A method for determining whether a target of interest located within radar resolution cells in a target area of interest is detectable with a radar system from a location and elevation of the radar system is described. The method includes the steps of (a) developing a topographic map of the terrain in the target area of interest; (b) mapping the radar resolution cells onto the topographic map; (c) modeling radar signal propagation to each of the radar resolution cells on the topographic map; and (d) determining, using the results of the modeling, if the radar system has sufficient signal-to-noise (SNR) to detect the target of interest.

1. Field of the Invention
The method and apparatus described herein are motivated by the need for surveillance and security of the land borders of the United States, including property and facility borders such as military bases and nuclear/petroleum facilities, respectively. The border surveillance system will detect, track, and/or classify people or vehicles automatically and in real-time that are approaching, that may attempt to cross, or have crossed a border. The surveillance method is comprised of (1) a radar for wide-area surveillance to detect, track, and perform 1st stage classification of potential targets that cues (2) one or more optical sensors, which may be comprised of one or more infrared (IR) and electro-optical (EO) sensor systems, and/or coherent radars, for classification of these targets, and (3) a supercomputer such as an IBM® Cell Broadband Engine® supercomputer to process the collected data in real-time. The preferred embodiment is a non-coherent radar cueing a long wavelength IR (LWIR) sensor system, where the non-coherent radar can also be operated as a stand-alone system.
The detection, tracking, and classification will be facilitated by advanced signal processing techniques that allow the use of less expensive and off-the-shelf radars and sensor systems, and at the same time achieve better performance, increased range, and automatic decision making than these off-the-shelf systems. The sensor systems can be implemented on one or more tower-like structures spaced appropriately to cover the border sector of interest, or a mobile vehicle designed to move the surveillance system to a particular location of interest, where it can be used alone or in combination with the tower system. Detection, tracking, and classification are done automatically in real time, and suspected targets are confirmed by visual inspection of the sensor output images by an operator before resources are committed for apprehension. A low-cost tracker UAV can be launched to track the designated target until apprehension. The method includes the sensor suite, the operational strategy, the signal processing approach, the signal processing hardware, and the signal process algorithms. The method has homeland, military, energy, property, building, and facility security applications.
2. Brief Description of Prior Art
The method and apparatus of the present invention is motivated by the need to secure the borders of the United States of America from illegal entry in a cost effective, reliable manner. The invention proposed herein is further motivated by the need to rapidly, accurately, automatically, and cost effectively detect, track, and classify people and vehicles in real time with a fully integrated system. The invention proposed herein is a smart sensor system that can be used to address this surveillance problem using one or more of the system implementation architectures described herein. The same system or subsystems (e.g., the non-coherent radar acting as a stand-alone system) can be used to address a wide range of surveillance and security applications, including military, industrial, and commercial one. For example, a smart sensor system can be used in addition to country borders, for example, to determine all people and vehicles (including aircraft) approach a secure military base, a nuclear power plant, a crucial commercial asset (e.g., water supply), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility, or a petroleum facility/pipeline.
The problem and the significance of the border surveillance problem for the United States are clearly illustrated in a report issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in December 2005[1]. As an example, the Southern Border between Mexico and the United States is 2,000 miles long. The DHS estimates that there may be 3,000 illegal aliens per day crossing the Southern Border, and the report indicates that the border patrol agents are responding to an unwieldy number of possible crossings, one every 44 s [1]. The existing sensor system used at the borders is comprised of seismic and magnetic sensors, and the remote video surveillance (RVS) cameras, which are not cued to the sensors. The report suggests that the probability of false alarm of the system is very high (between 34% and 96% of the sensor alerts) and the probability of detection is very low (between 1% and 57%) [source: Table 1, page 22 of [1]]. Of the seven recommendations made to improve border surveillance, four were technologically driven. They included better integration of assets, standardization of the data collection, processing and reporting, development and application of performance measures, and identify and deploy the use of non-permanent or mobile surveillance platforms. The method and apparatus of the present invention addresses all of these recommendations.
The inadequacy of the current surveillance sensor algorithm and automatic false alarm mitigation technology, the excessively large number of illegal aliens attempting to cross the border, and the lack of sufficient agents to verify possible crossings and to apprehend the illegal aliens makes this a very difficult problem. The invention proposed herein provides the needed surveillance tracking and false alarm mitigation technology that is real-time, integrated, automatic, and has the range to allow the border patrol agents to avoid wasting time on false alarms, enables operators to quickly validate real-targets and determine in advance if they are safety threats, and projects real target locations to future apprehension points. This can be accomplished by the right combination of commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors and advanced signal processing algorithms.
The report further states that the existing RVS cameras do not automatically steer and cover the area where a seismic or magnetic sensor alarm occurs and do not have the ability to detect movement automatically without operator input. Thus, with existing systems being used at the U.S. borders, it is possible for illegal activity to go unnoticed if an agent is not manning the video terminals or misses some activity on the screen. This can be addressed by used of signal processing algorithms that automatically detect, track, and discriminate human activity without the need for operator involvement on the screen.
The report also states that with existing systems, weather conditions and power outages can have a significant impact on the performance of the systems. While the ice and snow can impair visual acuity along the Northern Borders, the hot and humid conditions can impact the performance of the RVS cameras and the resolution of the IR systems. Other sensors, like an X-band tracking Radar that, unlike higher frequency systems that are impacted by weather, has demonstrated reliable performance in high humidity, rain, and ice/snow conditions. In addition, overlapping Radar coverage is needed such that coverage integrity is maintained with the loss of adjacent sensors, and is enhanced with diverse Radar look directions in difficult terrain conditions.
The method and apparatus of the present invention address some of the most significant deficiencies in the current border operations. The poor performance of the present technology-based systems is due partially to the lack of integration between the sensors and the RVS cameras, the high number of false alarms of the sensors, and the lack of automation for the present camera systems. The 24/7 requirement for visual inspection of the camera images by an operator, and the requirement to deal with a sensor alert every 44 s is too people-intensive to work over an extended period of time. Automation can reduce the workload and take better advantage of an operator's inherent ability to discriminate threats from false alarms. It is clear that better coverage, better integration (cueing of sensor and RVS camera resources), the use of advanced signal processing algorithms for automatic detection, and improved operator discrimination can improve the performance of the system.
The method and apparatus of the present invention will increase the PD, reduce the PFA, reduce the PFT (i.e., number of false agent prosecutions after final operator screening), reduce the total number of alerts to deal with, and allow operators to be more effective. The proposed method enables more effective sensor assets because of better integration, automation, and better coverage. The method and apparatus of the proposed system architecture can be integrated with the existing underground seismic and magnetic sensors, the RVS cameras, and other assets presently being used by DHS.
Detection of small cross-section targets such as people or groups of people that can potentially cross a border, especially one that is large, is a challenging technical problem if it is to be accomplished in a cost effective method. The problem is made even more difficult when the measurements need to be made at ranges up 10 km or more for detection, tracking, and classification. People, with very cross sections (less than 1 m2) are very difficult to detect. The Department of Homeland Security has been using unattended ground sensors, EO/IR cameras mounted on towers and in UAVs for visual identification and classification of people and vehicles (at short ranges) by an operator. However, as described below, this approach has experienced problems with an unacceptably high false alarm rate and a poorer than desired probability of detection. The former results in an expensive misuse of limited resources, and the later does not provide the desired border security.
The invention proposed herein whereby a radar is used for wide area surveillance to detect and track potential targets in an area of interest and then cues an optical system such as a long wavelength IR sensor for classification has never been used for border surveillance. The use of the radar allows targets to be detected at sufficient ranges so that potential border crossings can be anticipated in sufficient time for an optical system to identify the target before an illegal crossing is attempted. The invention proposed herein also describes a two-zone implementation, one for wide area surveillance and one for classification and continued tracking until the target is dismissed as a potential problem or through apprehension. The towers or vehicles presently used by DHS do not include radars and consequently have not used such radars to cue the EO/IR sensors. For this border surveillance architecture to be effect requires that the radar have a wide area surveillance capability with frequent updates of the potential targets moving towards the border; this requires many millions to tens of millions of radar samples be collected over the target area. For complete surveillance, the radar should be preferably implemented with 360-degree, 24-h-per-day coverage.
Most modern-day radars developed by the military are coherent radars, which detect moving objects such as people, vehicles, aircraft, ships, and missiles using range-Doppler processing. However, these radars are very expensive and to realize acceptable coverage for border surveillance applications would generally not be cost effective. The less expensive non-coherent radars have not been used for border surveillance applications because of the lack of capability to detect very small cross-section targets like people. Incoherent radars have mainly been used to detect threats much larger than people like aircraft and ships. FIG. 1 illustrates this point with a Furuno® radar mounted on a ship (insert) that has been used for marine applications for many tens of years. These low-cost, non-coherent radars operating at X-band, are used to detect buoys and land and have not been used for detection and tracking of people. FIG. 1 shows a typical output display of such a radar in a port region where people, vehicles, ships, buoys, and land are present, but only the land and buoys are visible. In fact, no people are visible in the display and no attempt has been made to use this type of radar for people detection. (For comparison purposes, contrast the output display from FIG. 1 to the raw data shown below in FIG. 17.)
Besides low cost, these radars have sufficient range and an effective wide-area surveillance capability to cover and provide a large number of samples on the target area of interest. The advantages of such a non-coherent radar is that it is very inexpensive, can put a lot of energy on the target, and can collect a lot of samples on the target. This type of non-coherent radar is the key element of the preferred embodiment of the present invention proposed herein because the advantages of this type of radar, when applying advanced signal processing, can be converted into a radar to detect targets with very small cross sections (i.e., people). The invention proposed herein also describes the use of a radar propagation model, which includes the effects of multi-path, to determine signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of for each resolution cell in the radar target area of interest, where the terrain (in three dimensions), the radar location and elevation, and the target size and height is input to the model. This model can be used (1) in optimally locating the position and elevation of the sensor measurement systems (towers and mobile assets) for maximum coverage and performance, and (2) in developing and maintain a target track even when the target passes through resolutions cells without sufficient SNR for detection.
Our search of the patent literature does not indicate the use of non-coherent for wide area surveillance of people and other targets with small cross sections. Nor does our search indicate the disclosure of the system architecture whereby a radar cues an optical system, the use two-zone method for wide area surveillance in the outer zone and classification in an inner zone. Finally, our search did not indicate the use of a radar propagation model for locating towers or mobile vehicle for optimal coverage, or for use in developing more robust tracks of the targets of interest.
While the use of advanced signal process algorithms and supercomputers automated, real-time measurements with remote sensor systems is not in and of itself novel, it is novel for application to inexpensive non-coherent radar system for detection and tracking people or groups of people.


A satellite sensor system includes a base unit and a packaged motion sensor configured to be removably couplable to the base unit. The base unit is configured to mount to a vehicle and to faithfully transmit vehicle motion to an attached sensor.

It is known in the prior art to use satellite sensors in a vehicle to monitor various vehicle motions for the purposes of engaging safety systems. For example, an accelerometer might be mounted to a vehicle for determining whether the vehicle has been in a crash. The accelerometer's output signal or data is typically processed by an electronic control unit ("ECU") or other vehicle system to determine whether to deploy an airbag, or other vehicle safety system.
Such satellite sensors are typically mounted on circuit boards along with other components such as a wiring harness interface, and sealed in a housing to create a satellite sensor module. The module is then secured to the vehicle. During the manufacture of the vehicle, a worker attaches a flexible portion of the vehicle's wiring harness to the wiring interface in the housing. As such, a satellite sensor module is expensive to manufacture and test, and installing a satellite sensor module is expensive and labor intensive, and replacing or repairing a satellite sensor module is also expensive and labor intensive.

Mounting method for satellite crash sensors


Ions generated by an ES ion supply are introduced into a mass spectrometer portion through a small hole in a second electrode after passing through a small hole in a heated first electrode, and are analyzed by a mass spectrometer. Corresponding to heating of the first electrode, a length of the small hole in the first electrode is determined to a predetermined adequate value.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mass spectrometer, especially to a mass spectrometer suitable for mass spectrometry of ions which are formed by an atmospheric pressure ionization.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A liquid chromatography directly coupled with mass spectrometry utilizing an electro-spray ionization (ESI), which is a type of atmospheric ionizations (LC/ESI-MS), has such a feature that fragment ions of a sample are less likely to be produced in comparison with a gas chromatography directly coupled with mass spectrometry utilizing conventional electron impact ionization (EI), because the sample is ionized moderately. In particular, observation of pseudo-molecular ions and multicharged ions in measurement of high molecules, such as peptide, can be facilitated.
In accordance with the LC/ESI-MS processes utilizing an ESI, a sample and a mobile phase, which are eluates from a liquid chromatograph, are supplied into an ESI probe through a capillary tube, and are neutralized at a top end of the probe with assistance from a nebulizer gas and a high electrostatic field. The nebulized sample molecules are ionized and accelerated under a high electric field so as to pass through a small hole in a first electrode, and are supplied into a medium pressure region which is formed between the first electrode and a second electrode.
At the beginning of the nebulization, the sample molecule is in the form of a small droplet in which a sample molecule is wrapped with the mobile phase (an eluent film for the sample), and is in a charged condition with a high voltage (about 5-8 kV) which is charged with the sample pipe.
A droplet of the nebulized sample is gradually reduced in size owing to evaporation of components in the mobile phase and ejects a sample molecular ion into a gas phase before reaching the first electrode.
That means, when the sample droplet becomes small, a Coulomb repulsive force between the sample ion and an electrostatic force in the mobile phase becomes larger than the surface tension of the mobile phase layer which exists on the surface of the sample particle, and the sample ions in the sample droplet are released from the mobile phase layer and change to ions of only sample molecules. The above phenomenon is called "ion evaporation".
The sample molecular ions are transferred to a stage for mass spectrometry through a small hole in the first electrode and a small hole in the second electrode, and are analyzed by the mass spectrometer. At the mass spectrometry stage, the analytical sensitivity is improved with the injected sample molecular ions having less dispersed distribution of masses.
Furthermore, the larger the ionization tendency of the sample, the higher will be the efficiency of the ion evaporation. Accordingly, the above mass spectrometer is suitable for analyzing a high polymer sample having strong polarities of NH, OH, and CO etc, such as a peptide, for example, with a high sensitivity. Consequently, the spectrometer has attracted a great deal of attention, especially in the field of medical analysis. On the contrary, an analysis of the above high polymer sample by a gas chromatograph direct connection type mass spectrometer (GC/MS) has been impossible because the sample is thermally destroyed easily.
However, actual sample molecules which are ionized by the ion evaporation inevitably still include a large number of mobile phase molecules , especially water molecules, and so sample molecular ions adsorbing water molecules pass through the small hole in the second electrode, although the water molecules are partially dissociated by collisions with neutral molecules when passing through the medium pressure region.
The sample molecular ions adsorbing water molecules collide with neutral particles in a free space at an entrance of an electric field for velocity dispersion in the mass spectrometry stage and a following electric field, and the water molecules are dissociated.
The number of the dissociated water molecules from a sample molecule have been calculated from the width of the kinetic energy of the sample molecular ions which pass through the electric field and are formed to be 30 to 60 molecules.
Similarly, the sample molecular ions dissociate water molecules by collisions with neutral particles in the space from an outlet of the electric field to an outlet of a magnetic field for mass dispersion.
Although a large number of water molecules are dissociated in a manner described above before reaching the entrance of the magnetic field, if the residual amount of water molecules is large, a dispersion of distribution in mass of the sample molecular ions becomes large, and consequently, the analytical sensitivity decreases because not all of the sample molecular ions are able to reach the detector.
A method which proposes to solve the above described problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,320 (Chowdhury, Katta, and Chait). In accordance with Chowdhury et al, a capillary tube which is wound with a heater is installed in front of the first electrode, and a nebulized sample which is injected from an ESI probe is introduced into the capillary tube.
The capillary tube is located between an atmospheric pressure region and a reduced pressure region, and accordingly, restricts gas flow into the reduced pressure region by its flow resistance, concurrently extends the residence time for the nebulized sample which is injected from the ESI probe to reach the small hole in the first electrode, and increases the efficiency of ion evaporation. As a result, an effect for homogenizing the mass of the sample molecular ions is assumed to be increased.
However, the temperature of the nebulized sample decreases while passing through the capillary tube as a result of adiabatic expansion, and consequently, the efficiency of the ion evaporation decreases. But, this undesirable affect on the efficiency can be overcome by elevating the temperature of the nebulized sample with the heater which is wound around the capillary tube.
For instance, in a case of the ESI mass spectrometer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,320, a capillary tube having 0.5 mm in inside diameter and 10-20 cm in length is used, but fabrication of such a capillary tube is very difficult in practice.
Furthermore, washing of the capillary tube necessary for maintenance is difficult, fixing of the capillary tube and an axial adjustment of the tubes during that replacement are troublesome, and the winding of the heater on the capillary tube is difficult. Additionally, a biomolecule sample, such as a peptide, decomposes easily by over-heating, and consequently, it is necessary to keep the heating temperature of the capillary tube below approximately 80.degree. C. when the sample passes through a long capillary tube for a relatively long time.