A process of expressing a sequence of interest in a plant, plant part, or plant cell culture, comprising: (a) providing a plant, plant part, or plant cell culture containing in cell nuclei a heterologous DNA having a sequence encoding an RNA replicon operably linked or linkable to a transcription promoter, wherein said sequence encoding an RNA replicon contains (i) sequences for replicon function of said RNA replicon, said sequences being derived from a sequence of a plant RNA virus, (ii) a sequence of interest, whereby said sequences for replicon function exhibit at selected localities of said sequences of said plant RNA virus function conservative differences from said sequence of said plant RNA virus, said differences causing an increased frequency of replicon formation compared to an RNA replicon not exhibiting said differences; and (b) causing expression of said sequence of interest.

Among plant transgene expression systems, expression of a transgene under the control of a heterologous promoter has been in use for several years. Apart from such conventional plant expression systems, virus-based expression systems can be used for rapid protein production in plants (for review see: Porta & Lomonossoff, 1996, Mol. Biotechnol., 5, 209-221; Yusibov et al., 1999, Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol., 240, 81-94) and are a powerful tool for functional genomics studies (Dalmay et al., 2000, Plant Cell, 12, 369-379; Ratcliff et al., 2001, Plant J., 25, 237-245; Escobar et al., 2003, Plant Cell, 15, 1507-1523). Numerous publications and patents in the field describe systems based on DNA and RNA viral vectors (Kumagai et al., 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90, 427-430; Mallory et al., 2002, Nature Biotechnol. 20, 622-625; Mor et al., 2003, Biotechnol. Bioeng., 81; 430-437; U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,931; U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,367; U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,785; U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,076; U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,438; U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,236; WO02088369; WO02097080; WO9854342). The existing viral vector systems are usually restricted to a narrow host range in terms of their best performance and even the expression level of such vectors in their most favourable host is far below the upper biological limits of the system. An important issue of virus-based systems is the method of delivery of the viral replicon to a plant cell. The most broadly applied method of delivery for large-scale production (simultaneous production in many plants, e.g. in a farm field or a greenhouse) is the use of infectious copies of RNA viral vectors (Kumagai et al., 1995, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92, 1679-1683). Because of a relatively high tendency of recombinant viral RNA vectors to lose the heterologous inserts during the cycles of their replication, the method requires transcription of DNA templates in vitro, and as a result is inefficient and expensive. Another approach to solve the delivery problem could be the presence of a viral RNA replicon precursor in each cell of a transgenic plant, such that it can be released upon triggering the replication process by complementing a function of the viral vector (e.g. using helper virus—U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,794) or using other regulated switch systems (e.g. site-specific recombination—U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,980).
Despite many publications in the field including patented technologies, there are still no large scale virus-based production systems that work with sufficient efficiency and yield for commercial high-yield production, predominantly due to two main reasons:
Firstly, transient plant virus-based expression systems are generally restricted to specific hosts, which may not be suitable for large scale cultivation due to their susceptibility to environmental factors. Moreover, they are generally restricted to certain parts of a plant host, thus excluding most of the plant biomass from the production process and as a result minimizes the relative yield of the recombinant product per unit of plant biomass down to a level comparable to that achievable by a conventional transcription promoter in a transgenic plant;
Secondly, attempts to scale up the virus-based production system by generating transgenic plant hosts having the viral replicon precursor stably integrated in each cell have not provided a solution either, in particular because of underperformance of said replicons in such position, "leakiness" of the gene of interest to be expressed from said replicon and lack of an efficient switch system for said vectors. Certain progress was achieved with PVX-based vectors by using suppressors of PTGS silencing as trigger of RNA replicon formation (Mallory et al., 2002, Nature Biotechnol., 20, 622-625), but the system is still impractical, as there is no solution provided for an efficient control of the switch (PTGS suppressor) triggering viral vector replication. However, this system provided for an expression level of the GUS gene reaching 3% of total soluble protein (TSP), which is the best known so far for this type of system, but still no better than a conventional transgene expression system under control of a strong promoter. Another inducible system based-on a plant tripartite RNA virus (Mori et al., 2001, Plant J., 27, 79-86), Brome-Mosaic Virus (BMV), gave a very low yield of the protein of interest (3-4 μg/g fresh weight), which is comparable with the yields provided by standard transcriptional promoters.
The low expression levels achieved so far with plant expression systems are a major reason why these systems are hardly competitive with other expression systems like bacterial, fungal, or insect cell expression systems. Low expression levels give rise to very high downstream costs for protein isolation and purification in a huge background of plant material. Therefore, costs for downstream processing quickly decrease, as the yield of the protein or product of interest per unit plant biomass increases.
There is presently no large-scale plant transgene expression system the yield and efficiency of which would be sufficiently high to compete on the market with other large-scale expression systems like bacterial, fungal, or insect cell expression systems. Such a plant expression would have to fulfill the following criteria as good as possible:                (i) high yield, including expression of the protein of interest in as many plant tissues as possible and in as many cells of said tissues;        (ii) for preventing a deleterious effect of protein expression on plant growth, expression of the protein or product of interest should be switchable such that expression can be switched on at a desired point in time.        (iii) the switching should be such that expression can be switched on simultaneously or nearly simultaneously in all tissues or cells of a plant and, at the same time, in all plants of a selected group of plants, e.g. in all plants of a selected lot of plants. Typically, the protein or product of interest accumulates in each cell producing said product or protein up to a certain point. During accumulation, however, degradative processes frequently set on that tend to reduce the yield or quality of the protein or product of interest. Therefore, there is an optimal point in time after switching on expression, where the product or protein of interest should be harvested. This optimal point in time should be reached in all tissues or cells of a plant and in all plants of a selected lot at the same time to make the overall process efficient and profitable.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a transgenic plant, plant part, or plant cell culture for a high-yield plant expression system. It is another object to provide a process of transiently expressing a sequence of interest in a plant, plant part, or plant cell culture. It is another object of the invention to provide an efficient process of expressing one or more sequences of interest in a plant, plant part of plant cell culture, whereby said process can be used efficiently on a large scale. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a method of controlling the expression of nucleic acid sequence(s) of interest in a plant, plant part, or plant cell culture, which is of improved ecological and biological safety.

RNA virus-derived plant expression system


A method for optimizing frequency of a clock signal is provided for operations of a network switch. The network switch includes a clock signal generator for generating the clock signal, and a plurality of input/output ports for communicating therevia with at least one network node. Firstly, a control signal is asserted to the clock signal generator according to a certain condition of the input/output ports, e.g. the count of the I/O ports in use or the overall data transmission rate of the I/O ports in use. Then, the frequency of the clock signal outputted from the clock signal generator is adjusted in response to the control signal.

Network switches are widely used among a plurality of nodes to share open sources. For example, a network switch can be used to connect a plurality of computers or other devices such as network printers or network storages. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional network switch 1 principally comprises a control chip 10, a clock source 11, and a plurality of input/output (I/O) ports. The control chip 10 is formed with a switch matrix 100 for controlling data flows among a plurality of media access controllers (MACs) B1˜Bn, an embedded memory 102 and a phase-locked loop (PLL) clock signal generator 103. For each input/output (I/O) port, a physical device (PHY) A1˜An is in communication with one of the media access controller B1˜Bn. In response to a reference clock signal generated from the clock source 11, the PLL clock signal generator 103 generates a clock signal, which is referred by various units to coordinate operations in the control chip 10. Via the physical layers A1˜An, the media access controllers B1˜Bn communicate with the corresponding network nodes to conduct data transmission.
In practice, bandwidths of network interface cards used in the network nodes connected to the same network switch are likely to differ from one another. Currently, network interface cards of three kinds of bandwidth specifications, i.e. 10, 100 and 1000 Mb/s, are commonly used with the physical devices A1˜An. Alternatively, it is possible for any of the physical devices A1˜An to remain floating. Even if some of the I/O ports of the network switch 1 do not connect to any network node, the frequency of the clock signal provided by the PLL clock signal generator 103 in the prior art still has to conform to the maximal bandwidth requirement just in case that all the I/O ports may be occupied with the highest bandwidth.
For example, for a network switch having two I/O ports supporting three kinds of bandwidth specifications (10/100/1000 Mb/s) and the other twenty two I/O ports supporting two kinds of bandwidth specifications (10/100 Mb/s), the PLL clock signal generator 103 should be designed to generate a high frequency clock signal adapted to the situation that all the I/O ports are operated under their highest bandwidths. The required frequency of the clock signal is generally up to 100 M/s. For supplying such a high frequency clock signal, the control chip 10 always operates at a high speed so as to result in the high temperature and high power consumption of the network switch, or possibly, halt the network switch.

Method for optimizing frequency of clock signal and network switch using same


An artificial heart valve comprises a relatively rigid stent member having a first cylindrical shape and a flexible valve disposed in the stent member, the stent member being self-expandable to a second cylindrical shape and collapsible to its first cylindrical shape. The valve comprises a circular portion comprising a plurality of leaflets extending from the periphery of the circular portion towards the center thereof, the leaflets being configured to allow for flow of blood through the valve in one direction only. The diameter of the circular portion is substantially the same as the inside diameter of the stent member when the stent member is in its second cylindrical shape, the valve member being attached to the stent member.

Over the past several years a number of less invasive or minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed. Examples of such techniques are various endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures, angioplasty procedures, atherectomy procedures, and the like. While the instruments and devices used in these minimally invasive procedures are complex and hence relatively expensive, the procedures are gaining more and more acceptance. It is believed the reasons for this acceptance are the reduced risk to the patient, as the patient often doesn't have to undergo general anesthesia or the time under general anesthesia is greatly reduced. Perhaps, more importantly, the recovery time required after a minimally invasive procedure is much less, thus greatly reducing hospital costs.
One of the more invasive procedures being performed today is open heart surgery. Such procedures require the use of general anesthesia, sternotomy, use of extracoporeal by-pass, recovery in an intensive care unit, and a stay of at least a few days in the hospital. Although such procedures carry a low mortality rate, they are quite expensive.
Currently in the United States approximately 100,000 defective heart valves are replaced annually, at an approximate cost of $30-50,000 per procedure, and thus it would be desirable if heart valves could be replaced using minimally invasive techniques. It would be especially advantageous if a defective heart valve could be removed via an endovascular procedure, that is, a procedure where the invasion into the body is through a blood vessel such as the femoral artery. The procedure is then carried out percutaneously and transluminally using the vascular system to convey appropriate devices to the position in the body wherein it is desired to carry out the desired procedure. An example of such a procedure would be angioplasty, wherein a catheter carrying a small balloon at its distal end is manipulated through the body's vessels to a point where there is a blockage in a vessel. The balloon is expanded to create an opening in the blockage, and then the balloon is deflated and the catheter and balloon are removed from the vessel.
Endovascular procedures have substantial benefits both from the standpoint of health and safety as well as cost. Such procedures require minimal invasion of the human body, and there is consequently considerable reduction and in some instances even elimination, of the use of a general anesthesia and much shorter hospital stays.
In the last few years a number of atherectomy devices have been developed. These are endovascular devices used to remove plaque and other abnormal deposits from vessels. Representative examples of such devices are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,445,509, 4,646,736, and 4,990,134.
A number of minimally invasive techniques for replacing heart valves have been developed. Such techniques have been reported in an article by H. R. Andersen et al., entitled "Transluminal Implantation of Artificial Heart Valves", European Heart Journal (1992), Vol. 13, pp. 704-708; in an article by L. L. Knudsen et al., entitled "Catheter-Implanted Prosthetic Heart Valves", The International Journal of Artificial Organs, Vol. 16, No. 5 (1993), pp. 253-262; and in an article by D. Pavcnik et al., entitled "Development and Initial Experimental Evaluation of a Prosthetic Aortic Valve for Trans-Catheter Placement", Radiology (1992), Vol. 183, pp. 151-154. While the devices and techniques reported are clearly experimental, it appears that each of them suffers from one or more of the following problems: (1) secure placement of the heart valve; (2) durability of the heart valve; (3) ease of placement; (4) thrombogenicity, (5) leakage or regurgitation of blood, (6) excessive pressure gradient across the valve, and (7) size of the device and delivery system, as well as other similar problems. In addition, none of the above described devices or methods deals with the presence of a diseased or defective native valve.
An endovascular valve replacement procedure is described in Stevens, U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,685. While it cannot be discerned whether the procedure disclosed will work, it is evident that the replacement valve is structurally limited and will have the disadvantages associated with the problems discussed above.

Artificial heart valve and method and device for implanting the same

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


A cabinet structure includes an enclosure to complementarily receive a motor vehicle radio unit and effect cooperation with a battery and speaker organization within the cabinet. The battery structure is arranged for ease of maintenance by positioning the battery upon a sliding tray relative to the housing to permit ease of disconnect and connect relative to the radio unit in servicing the battery.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to radio receptacle structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved motor vehicle radio receiving cabinet arranged to provide for selective mounting of a motor vehicle radio with operative communication in a self-contained cabinet structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Motor vehicle radios due to cost and susceptibility to unauthorized tampering and the like are easily removable relative to motor vehicles, wherein the instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by permitting the utilization of a motor vehicle radio within an enclosure to permit operative utilization of the radio with associated speakers and a battery permitting additional utilization of the radio within any desired environment separated from an associated motor vehicle and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism and a control device. The image forming mechanism performs an image forming operation under predetermined image forming conditions, and includes an image carrying member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, a development device for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, and a transfer device for transferring the toner image to a recording medium. The control device controls an amount of toner replenished to the development device, sets a developer mixing time for evenly mixing developer in the development device, causes the development device to mix the developer for the set developer mixing time, causes the image forming mechanism to form toner image patterns, detects the toner image patterns, and determines the predetermined image forming conditions based on the detection of the toner image patterns. An image forming method is also described.

1. Field of the Invention
This patent specification relates to an image forming method and apparatus capable of reducing downtime of an image forming apparatus while maintaining toner density stability.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a background image forming apparatus such as a copier and a printer, image forming conditions need to be controlled to maintain toner density of images formed by the background image forming apparatus at a desirable level. The image forming conditions are controlled to appropriately adjust a toner amount by, for example, forming test toner patterns on a non-image area of a toner-image carrying member and detecting an amount of toner adhered to the test toner patterns. Particularly in a full-color image forming apparatus, such detection needs to cover a wide range from relatively high-density parts to relatively low-density parts of an image to maintain density gradation and color reproductivity of the image at desirable levels.
To obtain a toner gradation sequence, a plurality of toner image patterns need to be formed for detection of a wide range from relatively high-density parts to relatively low-density parts of an image. Generally, a plurality of toner image patterns are formed by applying different development bias voltages, different exposure energies, and so forth to a surface of an image carrying member in a rotation direction thereof. Then, the plurality of toner image patterns sequentially reach a detecting position of a toner density sensor, and the toner density sensor sequentially detects toner density values of the respective toner image patterns. In this case, the detection takes a relatively long time and thus may not be performed frequently. Therefore, the detection is performed after printing a predetermined number of sheets or at predetermined time intervals, for example.
According to a two-component development system, toner is mainly consumed as an image forming operation continues to be performed. Therefore, toner is replenished in a development device and is charged by friction together with carrier by using a conveying screw or the like. Then, the toner is conveyed onto a surface of a magnet roller (i.e., a development roller), and toner images are developed thereon. In a small-size image forming apparatus using this system, however, an amount of carrier is limited. As a result, if toner is replenished in the development device in a relatively short time, concentration distribution of toner supplied onto the surface of the magnet roller may temporarily become uneven.
Therefore, in the background image forming apparatus, toner image patterns are formed after having equalized a concentration distribution of toner by rotating a conveying screw provided at an upstream side of a magnet roller to mix and convey the toner and carrier.
For example, if a development device is replenished with its maximum replenishment amount of toner, and if a predetermined time period is set as a time period required for equalizing the concentration distribution of toner, toner image patterns are formed always after the conveying screw has been rotated for the predetermined time period. An amount of toner replenished, however, corresponds to an amount of toner consumed, which relates to a pixel count of images formed on a printed page, for example. Therefore, the amount of toner replenished is not necessarily the maximum replenishment amount. As a result, if the amount of toner replenished in a toner replenishment is smaller than the maximum replenishment amount, the time required for equalizing the concentration distribution of toner which was made uneven by the toner replenishment may be shorter than the above predetermined time period. As in this case, if the time period required for equalizing the concentration distribution of toner is set at a predetermined value, unnecessary downtime of the image forming apparatus results.
To attempt to resolve this problem, there is a technique using a video counter for counting and summing up image data values of images developed by a plurality of development devices, and a developer density detection device for summing up the image data values and detecting information of toner consumption in the developer. In this technique, toner is replenished in accordance with a toner replenishment signal which is based on a signal output from the developer density detection device, and a speed of driving the mixing member can be varied according to a value of the video counter. This technique, however, is to simply optimize the speed of driving the mixing member and is not based on an idea to reduce the downtime of the image forming apparatus while maintaining toner density detection stability.

Method and apparatus for image forming capable of effectively detecting toner density


A combination of chemicals and electromagnetic radiation is used to alter the physical characteristics of keratinic fibers such as mammalian or human hair. A non-irritating, non-reactive disulfide in the form of a solution or gel is first contacted with the hair. Electromagnetic radiation is then applied to the hair to photochemically convert the disulfide into a dithiol. The dithiol breaks the disulfide bonds in the hair so that the hair can be permanently re-shaped.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,490 describes a method of altering the physical characteristics of keratinic fibers utilizing electromagnetic radiation of a particular frequency. The technique described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,490 disrupts the disulfide bonds in keratinic fibers by electromagnetic radiation that has a frequency corresponding to the natural resonant frequency of the disulfide bond.
It is also well known that the disulfide bonds (S--S) in keratinic fibers can be disrupted by treating the fibers with various reactive chemicals. For example, conventional permanent waving of hair treats hair with sulfur reducing agents such as thioglycolic acid, thioglycerol, thioacetic acid or mercaptoethanol to break the disulfide bonds (For example, see book entitled "Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair" by C. R. Robbins, 1994). Treatment with these chemicals is usually followed by treatment with a neutralizing agent such as peroxide to reestablish the disulfide bonds. All of the conventionally used chemicals for permanently waving hair have various disadvantages. For example some of the chemicals damage the hair and leave it feeling harsh. Others require mixing immediately prior to use since they hydrolyze on contact with water. Also, they are all reactive compounds and begin reacting as soon as they are applied to the hair, making even application difficult, and the desired resultant uniform hair reduction over the whole head complicated.
It has also been suggested that ring forming dithiols are effective in disrupting disulfide bonds to permanently wave hair. For example see U.K. Patent 1,260,227. However, ring forming dithiols have not previously achieved any significant commercial success as chemicals for permanently waving.
Attempts have been previously made to effect the hair reduction and neutralization reactions in a single operation (For example, see book entitled "The Science of Hair Care", C. Zviak (ed.), Vol. 7, Dermatology Series, pg. 194-195, 1986). Such a self-neutralizing system would simplify the process, achieve a permanent wave in a single step, and save considerable time. Unfortunately, none of the techniques previously investigated has led to a satisfactory self-neutralizing system that doesn't require the peroxide neutralization step, or its equivalent.

Method of treating keratinic fibers such as a mammalian hair with a combination of chemicals and electromagnetic radiation


A printer simplifying a sheet feed mechanism, allowing feeding amount of a sheet to be constant regardless of thickness of the sheet, and facilitating installation of an ink ribbon cassette. The printer comprises a printing mechanism, a sheet feed mechanism, and a driving mechanism of the sheet feed mechanism which are respectively mounted on a chassis, wherein the printing mechanism and a driven roller of the sheet feed mechanism are mounted on a fixed frame fixed to the chassis, and driving rollers of the sheet feed mechanism and the driving mechanism of the sheet feed mechanism are supported on a swing frame swingably fixed to the chassis relative to the fixed frame. There is formed a space portion on the fixed frame for facilitating installation and removal of an ink ribbon cassette.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printer for use in printing characters on a sheet, such as a slip.
Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally there is a slip printer which prints characters on a sheet such as a slip as disclosed in JPU No. 62-150148 and JPY 2-8781.
In such a printer, a printing mechanism, a sheet feed mechanism, and a driving mechanism of the sheet feed mechanism are respectively mounted on a chassis, wherein one of feed rollers of the sheet feed mechanism is attached to a swing arm and a gap defined between the feed rollers is adjusted depending on a thickness of a sheet. There has been employed a method for transmitting torque from the chassis side to the feed rollers attached to the swing arm by way of a gear train. In such a case, when the inclination angle of the swing arm is changed depending on the thickness of a sheet, an interval between a shaft of the gear train on the chassis and a shaft of the swing arm is changed, which leads to a change of backlash of the gears. As a result, there is a drawback in that the feeding amount of the sheet is changed.
Since the gear train for transmitting torque from the chassis side to the feed rollers attached to the swing arm extends over two members, it causes a drawback in that the sheet feed mechanism is complex and adjustment of meshing of the gears is troublesome in assembling the printer.
Further, as exemplified in the printer disclosed in JPU No. 62-150148, driving rollers and driven roller constituting the sheet feed mechanism are disposed at a front side of the printing mechanism, namely, at the discharge side of the slip since the slip printer can print characters on the slip to an extent of an end portion thereof in the longitudinal direction thereof, namely, in a feeding direction. Accordingly, in installing an ink ribbon cassette, both arm portions of the ink ribbon cassette need to be moved from the sheet feed mechanism to the printing mechanism so as to insert an ink ribbon through a narrow gap portion defined between a print head and a platen of the printing mechanism. As is well known, an ink ribbon is soft and extends over arm portions of the ink ribbon cassette and can be freely drawn out. There is a possibility that such an ink ribbon is caught by an end of a frame or a concave or convex portion formed in a tip end of the print head, etc., and it is troublesome to install or remove the ink ribbon cassette in a conventional printer having the sheet feed mechanism or the printing mechanism exposed. If the ink ribbon is picked up by a hand so as to be led between the print head and the platen, the hands are made dirty. Even if the ink ribbon cassette is installed, there is another problem in that it is difficult to confirm whether the ink ribbon cassette is appropriately positioned or not.
If printing is performed in a state where the ink ribbon is loosened while it remains caught by the frame etc., there is a likelihood that the ink ribbon is rammed between a print head and a document table, which prevents normal feed of a slip, resulting in a feed failure or a paper jam. Further, if such problem occurs, there is a drawback in that it is difficult to confirm such problem.

Printer structure for facilitating installation and removal of an ink ribbon cassette


A two part system providing initial filtration of free oil and dirt followed by biological filtration with a copper wool and brass wool filter medium.

This invention relates to filter systems, and in particular to a filter system particularly useful for reconditioning water-soluble coolants.
Metalworking oils are used in industries as diverse as machine shops and machinery manufacturing. Water-based cooling and lubricating oils are routinely sprayed into metal-cutting and shaping equipment. Because the oils, especially in water-soluble coolant form, are generally recaptured and recycled, they often end up containing a mixture of bacteria and other contaminates that increase machine operator health risks and corrode machinery. Because machines often spray coolants into the ambient area both in droplet form and vapors, all parts of the machinery are adversely affected. Also, it is common for machine operators to experience chronic dermatitis and lung problems from biological growth in water-soluble machine coolants. Historically, machine operators have tried to protect themselves with gloves and masks. Generally, this has not been practical. Another solution has been to add chemical agents formulated to kill bacteria to the coolant. However, bactericides are themselves harsh and toxic, presenting other dangers to machine operators. To protect machinery and machine operators, coolants must be frequently changed. This raises other problems involving disposal of bacteria-contaminated coolant as well as cost to frequently replace coolant.
Economically speaking, the most important metal-corroding and coolant-destroying microbe are the anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacteria. These bacteria produce hydrogen sulfides, which react with iron, corrode metals and destroy coolants.


A method and system for managing telephone calls includes a personal telephone manager (PTM) (12) and uses out-of-band, wireless, two-way signaling, messaging and alerting to screen, control, route and respond to incoming telephone calls and to communicate called party text messages in auditory form to the caller. Through use of an out-of-band signaling/messaging path (16), the PTM (12) frees the called party from the need to maintain telephone network connectivity, from having to inform others of his/her current location, and from having to subscribe to and use cellular telephone service. Instead, the called party can rely on the availability of existing low bandwidth, wide area, two-way wireless data services, which make efficient and cost effective use of available radio spectrum. Two-way wireless data messaging to a portable computer (18) equipped with radio transceivers is also provided. This feature enables the system to provide a set of real-time options including: call screening by the called party based on information identifying the caller's telephone number; call redirection to a wire-line or wireless telephone number as specified by the called party; call redirection to a third party or to a voice mail system; or the return of a text message specified by the called party and delivered to the caller in an auditory form.

The substantial increase in the use of pagers, car phones, cordless telephones, and other wireless personal communication devices testifies to the fact that mobile communications is perceived by many to be an essential element of life in the 1990's. However, even with these devices, many people are still effectively out of reach because callers do not know which of their many numbers to call.
Communications service providers have proposed a personal number calling or PNC solution to this problem: a personal phone with a single number. The interworking between the plethora of wireline and wireless networks that is required to allow all people to be reached regardless of their location will take a number of years to accomplish.
In the short-term (i.e., the next one to five years), a number of interim solutions to this personal mobility problem are anticipated that will use adjunct processors and the existing wireline and wireless communications infrastructure to achieve the desired end-user functionality. In the longer term, some of these features will be incorporated into the public switched network through the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), and into PBXs and other switches through software additions.
The issue of obtaining a physical connection between caller and called party is not the only problem that must be addressed. Informal research on user attitudes about personal communications has revealed that the idea of being accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone that knows your personal number is an anathema to even the most enthusiastic embracers of new technology. The problem: answering the phone can be a waste of time and even annoying when you are interrupted from something more important. This is one of the objectives of Personal Communications Networks, e.g. "The difference with PCN will be the ability to maintain control without losing calls, screening them in real time so that important calls get through while others are deferred, but none are actually lost." Thus, the problem is how does one allow people to be reachable anywhere and any time, but only by those individuals that they want to reach them?
Studies of highly mobile individuals (e.g., sales people, doctors) show that a good secretary or receptionist is the currently favored solution. However, good receptionists are hard to find, relatively expensive to employ and not on duty 24 hours a day.

Method and system for managing telecommunications such as telephone calls


A siphon flush mechanism is provided for a conventional commode water storage tank in which a siphon metering valve is utilized to control the level of water contained within the flush mechanism. An arcuate flexible connector tube is lifted by the action of an external handle thereby providing fluid communication between two inverted U-shaped traps in the flush mechanism to actuate the flushing cycle.

1. Field Of The Invention
The invention herein pertains to a flush mechanism and particularly to a siphon flush mechanism for use in a conventional bathroom commode storage tank.
2. Description Of The Prior Art And Objectives Of The Invention
Various devices and mechanisms have been used in commodes in the past to allow water to properly discharge from the storage tank when the user flushes the bowl contents. A double siphon flushing device is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 2,612,903. U.S. Pat. No. 2,957,182 likewise demonstrates a siphon mechanism as does U.S. Pat. No. 2,120,856. A hand pump is used in U.S. Pat. No. 2,957,182 to direct air along an air line into one of the inverted U-shaped traps to activate the tank discharge cycle. U.S. Pat. No. 2,120,856 utilizes a mechanical valve within the tank while U.S. Pat. No. 2,612,903 is activated by an air piston arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 2,779,027 illustrates a tube which if placed higher in the tank would cause flushing. Air pumps and pistons readily develop leaks and fail whereas mechanical devices which are in or slightly above the water in the storage tank will oftentimes corrode causing failure and must be frequently removed, cleaned and/or replaced.
The present invention has been conceived with the disadvantages and problems associated with prior art devices recognized and it is one objective of the present invention to provide a siphon flush mechanism which does not require an air pump or cylinder and which can be used for many years without failure, corrosion, repair or replacement.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a conventional double siphon flush mechanism which includes a metering valve attached thereto to insure a proper fill of the liquid within the siphon mechanism and to extend the water level range in the storage tank.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a siphon flush mechanism which includes an arcuate flexible connector tube which can be raised to activate the flush cycle.
Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed presentation is set forth below.


An electric motor comprises bracket shaped end plates having extensions that lead directly to the stator and are connected to the stator by introducing the extensions into grooves. The motor includes a layered arrangement of components on the collector-side, comprising a carrier plate with a punched grid pattern forming the electric wiring. The grid pattern, together with the carrier plate, carry brush holders. Next in the axial direction is a switching ring bridging preselected line connections of the grid pattern by means of short circuiting bridges, and which is rotatably seated in a central recess of a mounting plate provided on the end plate. All connections can be fabricated by simple pressing and plugging and the motor is suited for fully automatic assembly operations.

The present invention relates to an electric universal motor according to the preamble of claim 1. In the case of a known electric drive motor of this type (DE-OS 31 49 106) the stator, which is formed by a permanent magnet, is surrounded by an annular sheet-steel strip forming a magnetic short-circuit, the two sides of the strip being arranged axially adjacent and connected to bearing supports. The bearing supports have the form of brackets and accommodate each one shaft bearing for the rotor shaft. One of the shaft bearings is designed as a roller bearing which is held directly in a pot-shaped recess of the bearing support and projects outwardly therefrom by a predetermined amount. It is thereby possible to use this bearing element, i.e. in the particular case the outer ring of the roller bearing, which necessarily extends absolutely centrically to the bearing element, for receiving and centering another assembly arranged on the motor, such as a gear box. As regards the electric wiring possibilities, no details are provided; but complicated arrangements are certainly not required given the fact that the stator consists of a permanent magnet.
It has been further known (U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,781) in connection with an electric motor to equip one side of the motor with an end cap assembly comprising a plastic component with a plurality of strip-like metallic lines embedded in its interior for establishing electric connections between the motor components and brush holders. To this end, each electric line which is intended to make contact with a brush holder is wound about a base portion of the brush holder, each brush holder being equipped for this purpose with lateral flanges provided on its base.
In addition, the individual brush holders are designed in such a manner that the lateral wall is bent off in the form of a loop and lengthened so that it reaches below the respective carbon brush in the brush holder, in the manner of a hook, for the purpose of holding the brush at a certain distance relative to the collector ring of the armature during the assembly operation. Thereafter, i.e. after completion of the assembly operation, the hook is pressed outwardly whereby the carbon brush is released so that contact can be made between the brush and the collector of the electric motor.
It has been further known in connection with an assembly for an electric motor (DE-GM G 85 20 258.4) to provide a plate consisting of an insulating material and carrying a circuit arrangement with a central opening for the collector of an electric motor, and to design the frame parts, which are arranged on the plate opposite each other and intended for holding brushes that can be connected to the circuit arrangement, in such a manner that resiliently biassed extensions of the springs of spring-loaded mounting means arranged laterally beside the frame parts extend into the frame parts. The springs are wound upon the spring-loaded mounting means in the form of a coil. At least one portion of the electric circuit arrangement is embedded in the plastic carrier plate.
This method of embedding at least the essential components of the wiring required for the operation of an electric motor has been known also from DE-OS 36 04 675. In this case, an insulating component is used for embedding the essential parts of the conductor path and for supporting at the same time other components necessary for operating the motor, such as brush rockers, which are likewise integrated in the same component. The component is designed in the form of a plate with a central bore enabling the collector of the electric motor to be passed through the plate.
In the case of another electric motor of known design (European Patent Application No. 0 235 443), an annular carrier plate carries a plurality of electric components making contacts with electric lines embedded in the carrier plate due to the fact that the electric lines are partially released by the carrier plate for contact-making purposes. Brush holders, which are likewise mounted on the carrier plate, are provided with lateral extensions which are snapped over free conductor areas, in the manner of a snap-on connection, so that a safe form-locking connection is obtained between the lines inside the carrier plate and the housings of the brush holders. But the assembly input required for mounting a plurality of components on the carrier plate, including separate, wound biassing springs for the brushes and their carrier pins, is already very considerable; and in addition, parts of the electric lines which are embedded in the carrier plate extend from the latter in the axial direction in order to establish the contact to the another part, for example the stator.
It has further been known, in connection with an electric motor for a smaller electric tool, to design a cup-shaped bearing support in such a manner that it forms sort of a partial housing for the stator accommodated therein, with the rotor being arranged to rotate freely inside the stator. The rotor shaft is seated on the side of the cup-shaped bearing support, in a roller-bearing formed by the bearing support. In addition, the bearing support is equipped with switching-on and cut-off means, field plugs and a suppression capacitor. A contact grid arranged on the bearing support is designed in the form of a punched grid for the selective connection of reactance coils, change-over switches, diodes and resistors. The punched grid is connected to the side of circuit arrangement facing the rotor. In addition, a switching ring is provided the rotation of which enables different contacts to be made, for example for reversing the sense of rotation or reducing the speed (European Patent Application No. 0 224 054).
It has been further known in this connection (European Patent Application No. 0 224 053), to arrange the plane punched grid on one side of a carbon holder plate, with the carbon brushes being arranged on the other side of the carbon holder plate. The connection contacts for the field windings are obtained in this manner by connection reeds which are bent off at a right angle relative to the main plane of the punched grid. The punched grid takes the form as a continuous metal strip line and is welded, bonded or connected in any other manner to the surface on the rotor side of the carbon holder plate which as such consists of a plastic material.
It is a problem of the known electric motors and/or of their components that although some simplifications can be achieved by certain individual features, the resulting structures are still extremely complex as regards the number of individual components, the operation of fitting them together, and the assembly of the electric motor, and this in particular if one considers that such an electric motor should also be provided with means enabling it to be switched on and off, and, above all, enabling its sense of rotation to be reversed. However, it is exactly the reversal of the sense of rotation which is connected with considerable circuitry input so that considerable problems have to be overcome in this connection, but also as regards the support of the brushes and the establishment of contacts between the latter and other circuit components, and quite generally in connection with the whole basic structure and design of the electric motors, which problems stand in the way of a substantially automatic assembly and low-cost production of electric motors.
Now, it is the object of the present invention to provide an electric universal motor which requires only a small number of individual components, is capable of giving high continuous performance, meets all demands regarding the electric wiring possibilities, including the connection of switch-on, cut-off and change-over switches, and which is still designed in such a manner that it can be produced on automatic production lines, without any sacrifices regarding stability and, above all, the exact centering of the rotor relative to the stator surrounding it or the latter's pole shoes.

Universal electric motor with a switch ring mounted adjacent the brushes

Kress-Elektric GmbH & Co. Elektromotorenfabrik


Disclosed is a veil treated with a resin-affecting compound such as a mold release agent, a UV stabilizer, or a UV absorber for use in fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) parts. Also disclosed is a process for altering the chemical or physical properties of a resin during a production process comprising the steps of: (a) treating a veil with at least one resin-affecting compound, alone or in combination with other resin-affecting compounds; (b) applying the treated veil to a resin; (c) forming an article from said veil and said resin; and (d) curing the article.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for altering the chemical or physical properties of a resin during production of a reinforced resin part by applying a treated veil to the resin thereby affecting the resin in the proximity of the treated veil during a production process. More particularly, this invention relates to a process for reducing the pulling force necessary to draw material through a mold during fabrication of a reinforced resin article, and to a process for improving the durability of a reinforced resin article when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This invention also relates to the treated veil and to reinforced resin parts made with the treated veil.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) structural parts have been successfully used in various applications where the part is subjected to corrosive decay, decomposition, rust, and degradation, such as in chemical plants, paper mills, and plating facilities. These FRP parts are used to replace conventional parts made of, e.g., steel, aluminum, and wood, when there are maintenance problems associated with corrosive environments, or other environments which are not conducive to using conventional parts.
FRP parts or articles can be made by a number of processes, including, but not limited to, the following processes.
Pultrusion is a process for fabricating a reinforced resin product, such as a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) article. It involves taking various forms of fiber reinforcements (mats, woven products, continuous rovings, etc.) made of materials such as fiberglass, carbon, aramid, etc. which are saturated or wet-out with an uncured thermoset resin. Normally, a polyester resin is used, but it can also be epoxy, phenolic or other resins. These saturated reinforcements are then pulled through a heated, matched metal die or mold machined to the shape of the desired finished part. While in the die or mold, the time and temperature relationship of the die or mold to the resin formulation transforms the resin from a liquid to a solid. This transformation is known as curing, cross-linking or polymerization. During this transformation, exothermic energy is generated in the chemical reaction.
In the pultrusion process, the amount and type of reinforcement to obtain the desired product is first determined. The reinforcement is put in the proper position and held in that position so that a uniform distribution of reinforcement in the resin is achieved. This is accomplished by using the proper amount of tension on the reinforcement along with guiding the reinforcement. If the reinforcement is not uniformly distributed throughout the cross-section of the resin, the finished product could possess areas of structural weakness.
Next, the reinforcements must be saturated or wet-out with a resin in, e.g., the resin tank. Preferably, all of the reinforcements must be wet-out to insure that a quality product is obtained. Viscosity, residence time, and mechanical action are all variables which influence the wet-out process. Without uniform and adequate wet-out, certain areas of the product may be structurally deficient.
Preformers can be used to manipulate the combination of reinforcement and resin in order to reduce die wear and insure uniformity. The combination of reinforcement and resin is then pulled through heated steel dies. Curing occurs during this step of the pultrusion process. Die temperature, pull speed, and the type of catalysts and cure promoter are all variables which control the rate of curing during formation of the product in the dies. The pull speed remains constant during the pultrusion process. Different shapes will require different speed settings.
The finished pultrusion product is then cut to the desired size.. The resulting product possesses outstanding strength to weight ratio. See FIG. 1 for a schematic design of a typical pultrusion process.
Contact molding or open molding are other FRP processes. Resins and reinforcements are manually (hand lay-up) or mechanically (spray-up) deposited on an open mold surface. The mold surface is preferably previously coated with a gel coat and is provided with a surfacing veil such as a mat or fabric. Once the required amounts of reinforcements and resin have been deposited on the mold, the laminate is worked with rollers, brushes or squeegees, usually manually, to remove any trapped air and to thoroughly saturate or wet-out the reinforcements with resin. Once this is completed, the laminate is allowed to cure, normally at ambient temperature.
Resin transfer molding (RTM) and structural reaction injection molding (S-RIM) are two similar closed mold FRP processes in which the required reinforcement package, including a surfacing veil such as a mat or fabric, is placed on one-half of the mold cavity, usually the bottom half. Once properly positioned, the top half of the mold is closed on the bottom half and secured in place. Next, the resin is injected slowly under minimal (e.g. 50 psi) pressure in RTM or rapidly under high pressure (e.g. 2000 psi) in S-RIM. The mechanical pumping and resulting pressure cause the air to be flushed out of the mold cavity and the resin to saturate or wet-out the reinforcement. The resin impregnated reinforced article is then allowed to cure.
Compression molding is also an FRP mold process. In this process, the reinforcement package including surfacing veil (mat(s) or fabric(s)) and the resin are placed on one-half, usually the bottom half, of the mold cavity. Once properly positioned, the top half of the mold is mechanically closed on the bottom half using a press which compresses the reinforcement package and resin under pressure (from 50 to 1500 psi) to flush out the air and thoroughly saturate or wet-out the reinforcement package with resin. It is then cured normally with the assistance of heat.
Filament winding is an FRP process in which reinforcements, normally continuous rovings, are saturated with resin, normally by pulling them through a pan or bath containing the resin. The reinforcements are then wound on a rotating mandrel in a specific pattern. The mandrel may or may not have been previously covered with a resin impregnated surfacing veil. One or more outer layers of surfacing veil may be wrapped over the resin impregnated reinforcement when required. Once the required amount of resin, reinforcements and surfacing veils are properly placed on the mandrel, the laminate is allowed to cure with or without the assistance of heat.
The continuous panel process is an FRP process for making continuous flat and/or shaped, e.g., corrugated, panels. It involves depositing a resin on a carrier film which then passes under a reinforcement deposition area. Various types of reinforcement are then applied to the film or resin. The reinforcement and resin then go through a compaction section where a series of belts, screens, or rollers force air out and thoroughly saturate or wet-out the reinforcement with resin. A surfacing veil such as a mat or fabric may be placed on either the top or bottom surface of the resulting saturated material and the veil is allowed to be saturated with resin. A carrier film is then applied to the top surface of the resulting article which is passed through a curing station where the resin cures normally with the assistance of heat. Once cured, the carrier film is removed and the article is cut to the desired length.
A publication of Fiberglas Canada, Inc. entitled "An Introduction to Fiberglas-Reinforced Plastics/Composites" provides a detailed overview of FRP production. The teachings of this publication are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
Mold-release agents may used to prevent molded FRP parts from sticking to mold surfaces. Mold-release agents may be classified as internal or external, depending upon the method of their use. Internal additives are added directly to the resin, while external additives are applied directly to the mold surfaces. Presently, the use of external additives is much greater than the use of internal additives. Mold-release agents are further discussed in the 1994 edition of the Modern Plastics Encyclopedia, herein incorporated by reference. External mold additives are generally combined with solvents and propellants that are used to apply the additives to the mold surface. Use of organic materials as solvents and propellants can lead to environmental problems. For example, chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs) have traditionally been used as propellants in external mold-release agents. However, emissions concerns have led to the prohibition of the use of CFCs as propellants. Likewise, more stringent controls on the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have led to a desire to reduce their use in mold-release applications.
UV stabilizers and UV absorbers are used in FRP articles to prevent degradation due to the action of UV light on UV sensitive materials in the FRP articles. UV absorbers, such as benzophenone-based materials, may act by absorbing the UV light, and thus preventing the light from reacting with, for example, the resin in the FRP article. UV stabilizers such as hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), do not directly absorb the UV light, but rather may stabilize the resin by absorbing free-radicals created by the UV light. UV stabilizers and UV absorbers are further discussed in the 1994 edition of the Modern Plastics Encyclopedia, herein incorporated by reference.
Cure promoters are often added in FRP processes. Resin reactivity in FRP processes is controlled by a wide variety of properties. The base resin, as supplied by the resin manufacturer, will vary in reactivity based on formulation, viscosity, temperature in storage, age, etc. The curing of a resin is based on cross-linking the individual molecules to form long chain molecules. Cross-linking can be achieved by the use of a catalyst and/or heat. The rate of cross-linking is determined by how fast the catalyst disassociates into free radicals of active oxygen, which initiates the dross-linking.
The catalyst's rate of disassociation into free radicals can be controlled by heat and/or promoters. It is possible to reduce curing time and/or heating requirements for the manufacture of resin materials by adding a promoter to the resin and curing agent. More heat and/or promoter results in more free radicals, faster cross-linking, faster cure and higher exotherm temperatures. This produces faster cure and faster line speeds. Too high an exotherm temperature, however, causes the finished part to be structurally weaker.

Treated veil for use in the manufacture of a fiber reinforced plastic


A method for detecting the digital quality of a radio signal includes: receiving a radio signal including a digital portion modulated by a series of symbols each including a plurality of samples; computing correlation points between endpoint samples in cyclic prefix regions of adjacent symbols; and using the correlation points to produce a digital signal quality metric. Receivers that implement the method are also provided.

Digital radio broadcasting technology delivers digital audio and data services to mobile, portable, and fixed receivers. One type of digital radio broadcasting, referred to as in-band on-channel (IBOC) digital audio broadcasting (DAB), uses terrestrial transmitters in the existing Medium Frequency (MF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio bands. HD Radio™ Technology, developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation, is one example of an IBOC implementation for digital radio broadcasting and reception.
IBOC DAB signals can be transmitted in a hybrid format including an analog modulated carrier in combination with a plurality of digitally modulated carriers or in an all-digital format wherein the analog modulated carrier is not used. Using the hybrid mode, broadcasters may continue to transmit analog AM and FM simultaneously with higher-quality and more robust digital signals, allowing themselves and their listeners to convert from analog to digital radio while maintaining their current frequency allocations.
IBOC DAB technology can provide digital quality audio, superior to existing analog broadcasting formats. Because each IBOC DAB signal is transmitted within the spectral mask of an existing AM or FM channel allocation, it requires no new spectral allocations. IBOC DAB promotes economy of spectrum while enabling broadcasters to supply digital quality audio to the present base of listeners.
The National Radio Systems Committee, a standard-setting organization sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Association, adopted an IBOC standard, designated NRSC-5, in September 2005. NRSC-5, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, sets forth the requirements for broadcasting digital audio and ancillary data over AM and FM broadcast channels. The standard and its reference documents contain detailed explanations of the RF/transmission subsystem and the transport and service multiplex subsystems. iBiquity's HD Radio Technology is an implementation of the NRSC-5 IBOC standard.
Other types of digital radio broadcasting systems include satellite systems such as XM Radio, Sirius and WorldSpace, and terrestrial systems such as Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), DRM+, Eureka 147 (branded as DAB), DAB Version 2, and FMeXtra. As used herein, the phrase "digital radio broadcasting" encompasses digital audio broadcasting including in-band on-channel broadcasting, as well as other digital terrestrial broadcasting and satellite broadcasting.
Antenna diversity techniques are used to mitigate the effects of distortion and outages due to multipath propagation of the received FM signal. Diversity can also accommodate the directional characteristics of glass-embedded window antennas. A variety of diversity antenna techniques have been developed and deployed for use with automotive FM receivers. Although all FM receivers, including tabletop, home theater, and portable receivers, could benefit from antenna diversity, only automotive receivers presently employ diversity techniques. Furthermore, the diversity algorithms developed for analog FM receivers are generally not appropriate for HD Radio digital reception.
It would be desirable to have a metric for the quality of a received radio signal that can be used to control antenna diversity switching, as well as switching control logic appropriate for the IBOC signals.

Method and apparatus for implementing signal quality metrics and antenna diversity switching control


The present application provides an inlet bleed heat system for supplying a flow of bleed air to a flow of incoming air into a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The inlet bleed heat system may include an air knife and a silencer panel. The air knife may include a compressor bleed air port in communication with the flow of bleed air and a discharge gap to discharge the flow of bleed air into the flow of incoming air. The air knife may and the silencer panel may form an integrated air knife/silencer panel.

Gas turbine engine compressors often include air inlet systems with heating devices for raising the temperature of the incoming air stream. Compressor IGV icing, surge/stall, combustion lean blowout, and the like may result due to cold ambient conditions and/or due to other types of operating parameters. As such, the compressor pressure ratio may be accommodated by bleeding an amount of compressor discharge air and recirculating the air back to the compressor inlet. Mixing the cooler ambient air with the bleed portion of the hot compressor discharge air reduces the air density and the mass flow to the gas turbine. Current inlet bleed heat systems may use impingement holes for air injection in a direction perpendicular to the main airflow direction. Other known inlet heat bleed systems may use acoustical nozzles in a filter house transition section for injection in the airflow direction. Many other types of inlet bleed heat control systems and methods of bleed injection also may be used.
Although these known inlet bled heat control systems may be adequate for heating the incoming airstream into the compressor, the nozzles and the piping usually involved in injecting the bleed air may disrupt the incoming airflow so as to result in an increase in the pressure drop thereacross. This interference may have an impact on overall gas turbine operation and efficiency when the inlet bled heat system is operational.
There is thus a desire for an improved inlet bleed heat system for a gas turbine engine. Preferably such an improved bleed heat system may adequately heat the incoming airflow with a reduced the pressure drop thereacross so as to provide temperature and flow uniformity while complying with relevant noise limitations and other operational parameters.

Inlet bleed heat system with integrated air knife/silencer panels


An image acquiring device for a component mounting apparatus includes a line sensor provided with photodetecting elements in one array or a plurality of arrays, and a CCD register for transmitting electric charges accumulated in the photodetecting elements to an output part. The device also includes an illumination unit having one or a plurality of light sources of a high directivity for feeding light to illuminate an electronic component. The one or plurality of light sources are arranged to condense the light to an image-acquiring line of the line sensor.

The present invention relates to a component recognition apparatus installed in industrial automated facilities, and more particularly to an image acquiring device of the component recognition apparatus.
The prior art will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the constitution of a conventional component recognition apparatus, in which reference numerals 11, 12 and 31-33 are a component holding nozzle, an electronic component to be recognized, a CCD camera, an illumination device and a lens barrel respectively. The operation of a conventional image acquiring device in the thus-constituted recognition apparatus will now be depicted. Referring to FIG. 7, the component 12 held by the component holding nozzle 11 is temporarily stopped on a vertical line of the CCD camera 31, where the component is recognized. At this time, the electronic component 12 is illuminated by the illumination device 32 with a sufficient amount of light for exposure. After an advancing direction of light is changed by the lens barrel 33, the light is taken into the CCD camera 31 and then, the component is moved to a next stage. The illumination device 32 used here is constituted of, e.g., a plurality of LEDs arranged on a board to uniformly illuminate the whole view field for the electronic component. For example, when the electronic component is 60 mm.times.60 mm, the illumination device 32 is so designed as to uniformly illuminate the 60 mm.times.60 mm view field. For this purpose, in the prior art a diffusing plate or a like arrangement is inserted to prevent an illumination irregularity.
In acquiring an image of the electronic component with the use of a line sensor as the camera, an acquiring line of the line sensor is overlapped with the electronic is component thereby to set a size of the view field. Therefore, if the electronic component is scanned at high speed, the resulting scarcity of illuminance may lead to a shortage of electric charges of photodetecting elements. If a light source is lowered in height to increase the illuminance of the acquiring line in the event that the light source shows a high directivity, the illuminance of the acquiring line is apt to be irregular.

Image acquiring device for component mounting apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A semiconductor device includes an electron transit layer formed on a substrate; an electron supply layer formed on the electron transit layer; a doping layer formed on the electron supply layer, the doping layer being formed with a nitride semiconductor in which an impurity element to become p-type and C are doped; a p-type layer formed on the doping layer, the p-type layer being formed with a nitride semiconductor in which the impurity element to become p-type is doped; a gate electrode formed on the p-type layer; and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the doping layer or the electron supply layer. The p-type layer is formed in an area immediately below the gate electrode, and a density of the C doped in the doping layer is greater than or equal to 1×1017 cm−3 and less than or equal to 1×1019 cm−3.

GaN, AlN, InN, which are nitride semiconductors, or materials made of mixed crystals thereof, have a high saturated electron speed and a wide band gap, and studies are made to apply these materials to high breakdown voltage/high output electronic devices. As high breakdown voltage/high output electronic devices, technologies are developed in relation to Field effect transistors (FET), more particularly, High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMT).
As a HEMT using a nitride semiconductor, there is an example in which the electron transit layer is formed with GaN and the electron supply layer is formed with AlGaN. In a HEMT having this structure, high density 2DEG (two-dimensional electron gas) is generated according to a distortion caused by the lattice constant difference between GaN and AlGaN, i.e., a so-called piezo polarization. Therefore, a high-efficiency, high-output semiconductor device is attained.
In a HEMT having a structure in which the electron transit layer is made of GaN and the electron supply layer is made of AlGaN, high density 2DEG is generated, and therefore it is difficult to make the HEMT become normally-off. In order to solve this problem, there is disclosed a method of forming a recess by removing a part of the electron supply layer in the area where the gate electrode is to be formed, and making the 2DEG disappear immediately below the gate electrode (see, for example, patent document 1). Furthermore, there is disclosed a method of forming a p-GaN layer between the gate electrode and the electron supply layer, and reducing the generation of 2DEG immediately below the gate electrode, so that the HEMT becomes normally-off (see, for example, patent document 2.
Patent document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-76845
Patent document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-19309
However, with the method of forming a recess, the damage caused by etching when forming a recess is applied near the electron transit layer, and therefore the on resistance increases and the leak current increases, which leads to deterioration in properties of the HEMT.
Furthermore, when forming a p-GaN layer between the electron supply layer and the gate electrode, generally, the p-GaN layer is formed by forming a p-GaN film on the entire surface of the electron supply layer, and then removing, by dry etching, the p-GaN film from areas excluding the area where a gate electrode is to be formed. However, GaN is a material that is significantly difficult for performing dry etching. Furthermore, it is not possible to perform etching by a high selection ratio between AlGaN and GaN, and therefore, it is difficult to remove only the p-GaN layer. Thus, in the area where the p-GaN layer is to be removed, there are cases where a part of the p-GaN layer remains, or cases where a part of the electron supply layer is removed from the area from which the p-GaN layer is to be removed. In these cases, the on resistance becomes high, and therefore properties of the HEMT are deteriorated. Furthermore, when variations arise in the thickness of the electron supply layer due to variations in etching performed by dry etching, variations arise in the properties of the HEMT, which leads to a decrease in yield ratio.
In the HEMT, when even a part of the electron supply layer is removed, the properties significantly deteriorate. Therefore, in order to prevent the electron supply layer from being damaged, the etching is performed in a state where a part of the p-GaN layer is remaining. However, if a part of the p-GaN layer remains in the area from which the p-GaN layer is to be removed, problems arise in addition to the above. That is, holes are generated in parts where the intervals between bands are discontinuous between the electron supply layer and the p-GaN layer, and a leak current is generated between the source and the drain.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device


A method of communicating with a printer, including: receiving, at the printer, a request for a printer control interface from a remote computer; sending, from the printer, the printer control interface to the remote computer, wherein the printer control interface is in a form of a web page; receiving, at the printer, printer control information from the computer, said printer control information being set using the printer control interface; and updating a memory of the printer based on the printer control information.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a printer or printer system using the Java language to control rasterizing an image and to control printing.
2. Description of the Background
The Internet is undergoing explosive growth and many new technologies are being developed to keep up with this growth. Previously, in order to develop applications quickly, application developers sought to use specialized cross-platform application development techniques which create applications for multiple hardware and software platforms. For example, operating systems (i.e. Solaris, Windows 95, Windows 3.x, OS/2 and Unix) create applications and executable files differently and have been implemented on various processor types (Intel processors, 680×0, Power PCs, and Sun SPARCs). To develop applications for all permutations of operating systems and hardware is difficult and extends the product development cycle. To make cross-platform development faster and easier, Sun Microsystems developed a language called Java which is object-oriented but simple. Java is described in Java in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference for Java Programmers by David Flannagan, published by O'Reilly & Associates, Inc., as well as in the Sun Series of books published by Prentice Hall Books entitled Core Java, Instant Java, Java by Example, and Just Java by Cornell, Pew, Jackson and Van Der Linden, respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference. One of Java's advantages is that it is a portable language which is independent of operating systems and hardware architectures. Further, applications developed using Java are adaptable or extendable using Java's ability to download new classes dynamically and to add the downloaded classes to an existing class hierarchy. Java also provides the advantages of distribution, language interpretation, security, high performance and a multi-threaded implementation.
Java enables applications to be written using an extensible set of objects, with each set of objects being defined in a separate group of objects called a package. The core set of objects for Java are defined in the java.lang package and describe the most central characteristics of the Java language. One of Java's advantages is that the character type that Java uses is the Unicode standard which allows English and Asian characters to be represented consistently and together in applications or documents generated using Java.
Other languages have been used to represent the layout of documents as they appear on printers. PostScript by Adobe is an extendable page-layout language which supports text and graphics on the same page. Some aspects of PostScript are described in PostScript by Example by Henry McGilton and Mary Campione, published by Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. PostScript uses stacks and dictionaries to extend the language. Some PostScript printers also have been equipped with non-volatile memories which are used to store configuration information for the printers. However, PostScript's lack of strong security features has enabled malicious users of the printer to update the parameters stored in the non-volatile memory, thereby disturbing the printer's use in network environments.
Other printer languages, such as PCL by Hewlett-Packard, have evolved from uni-directional, dot-matrix line printers and therefore lack many of the operators needed to control the placement of images on a page. PCL also lacks modularity. The macros defined by PCL use globally scoped variables that can affect the performance of other macros defined by the language.
Currently, all of the applications that print from host systems have to convert their internal document format to PostScript or PCL and then download the document to the printer using a printer driver designed to work with the specifics of the connected printer. Since there is a wide variety of printers that can be used, each with a slightly different set of features and/or bugs, a large number of printer drivers have traditionally been shipped with applications, even though end-users actually only need the printer drivers for their specific printers. Furthermore, using conventional printing techniques, an inadvertent change in the printer driver used could cause the printer to print out the commands which describe how a page is to be laid out rather than interpreting the commands and rendering a resulting image. Further, for printers which support downloadable fonts, downloading of fonts often has been restricted to downloading to the printer's RAM, ROM font cartridge or attached hard disk.
This model of application and printer driver interaction has created an increase in work performed by end-users because of the inflexibility and limited communication capability of the printer when communicating with the application.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Java printer with a printer control interface in a form of a web page


An optical pickup includes a light source module in which first and second light sources that emit first and second light beams of different wavelengths are integrated into a single package, an objective lens that focuses the first and second light beams to form a light spot on a recording surface of a recording medium, a light path changer that changes a path along which the first and second light beams propagate, a photodetector that receives the first and second light beams entered via the objective lens and the light path changer and detects an information signal and/or error signal, and an optical element disposed on a path along which the first and second light beams propagate to act as a lens with respect to only one of the first and second light beams so as to correct a position difference along a light propagation direction between the first and second light sources. Accordingly, it possible to correct a position difference along a light propagation axis between the two light sources in the light source module. Obtaining the same light propagation axis is made possible by using the optical element to make the two light propagation axes coincidental or by using a separate optical element to perform this function. This allows the optical pickup to be used for recording as well as for reproducing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical pickup, and more particularly, to an optical pickup using a two-wavelength light source module in which two light sources that emit different wavelengths of light are integrated into a single package, and a method of correcting an optical position difference between the different light beams.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, DVD-CD compatible optical pickups are configured to have two separate light sources for a DVD and a CD. The problem with this is that it makes the configuration of an optical system more complicated and is subject to restrictions on installation space due to the needs to compose optical lens to best suit the characteristics of the DVD and the CD, and to assemble the two light sources.
In recent years, a light source module called TWIN-LD has been developed. This module is formed by integrating two light sources, that is, two semiconductor laser chips (LDs), to emit different wavelengths of light for a DVD and a CD, into a single package. However, since this light source module suffers from a large position difference between the light sources, it can only be used in optical pickups for reproducing, and not for recording.

Optical pickup using two-wavelength light source module and method for correcting position difference


A shield is provided for placing around an edge connector that is mounted near the edge of a circuit board, which can be readily mounted on the board. The shield (36, FIG. 2) includes an arm (72) with an outer part (74) that extends down along the outer board edge (70), and an arm inner part (76) that extends inwardly below the board lower surface (46) and that has a clamp end (80) that presses up against the board to thereby clamp the shield to the board without the need to drill holes or the like in the board. The board has a grounded conductive trace (50) on its upper surface, and the shield is formed of sheet metal with tabs (52, 54, 56) at its lower ends which extend horizontally and slightly below the rest of the shield sides, to press directly against the grounded trace on the board. The arm which has an inner part below the board, can include a 90.degree. bend (140, FIG. 5) so that the sheet metal inner arm part (142) lies primarily in a horizontal plane. With the connector contacts having tails with inclined portions (161-164, FIG. 6), the back side of the shield can have an inclined portion (172) at the same angle (A) as the inclined portions of the contact tails (154).

An edge connector is commonly mounted on an edge portion of a circuit board, to enable that circuit board to be connected to another circuit board. In one arrangement, a main circuit board or mother board, has a plurality of open connecters on one of its surfaces, and each of several daughter boards has an edge connector which can mate with one of the connectors on the mother board.
It is common to provide a metal shield, usually of sheet metal, around each connector to provide for electrostatic discharge and to guard against radio frequency interference. It is common to form each shield with depending pin portions which project through grounded plated-through holes in the circuit board, so as to mount the shield on the board and to ground the shield. The need to drill holes in the circuit board, and possibly to plate such holes, adds to the expense of the connector assembly. In some cases, the connector is initially designed without a shield, and it would be desirable if a shield could be retrofitted to the connector and board without having to drill holes in the board. In some cases, the connector is surface mounted so it does not require holes in the board, and it is desirable to enable the shield to be mounted without holes. Thus, a shield for static discharge and electromagnetic interference protection, which could be readily mounted on the edge portion of a circuit board around an edge connector thereon, without the need for the drilling and/or electroplating of board holes to hold and ground the shield, would be of value.


A novelty electric and digital alarm clock with or without a radio is configured as a gambling slot machine or a "one-armed bandit" and computerized to perform various functions. A lever arm on one side sets the alarm by being moved forward. The alarm clock has a red dome light on top which lights up when the preset awakening time is reached. A first display screen comprising light emitting diodes with or without light pipes, electroluminescent devices, or a liquid crystal display initially shows three different fruits in color, but shows three sevens when the alarm is initiated. One or a plurality of switches on the back of the clock permit the selection of a vocal phrase, a tune, a ringing bell or a radio program which will be activated as the alarm. The payout chute at the front and bottom of the clock displays metal or plastic coins under a transparent cover to simulate a payout chute which lights up or flashes when the alarm is activated. Four push buttons on one side of the dome light offer selections of the clock's time in hour and minute, and the setting of the alarm time. The dome light also functions as a snooze push button permitting the cancellation of the alarm for a predetermined time period before the alarm is again activated. Returning the lever arm back to a vertical position shuts off the alarm system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a combination radio and alarm clock and, more particularly, to a novelty electric and digital radio-alarm clock configured as a slot machine or a "one-armed bandit". The radio portion can be omitted for a lower cost model.
2. Description of Related Art
There is a need for a novelty radio-alarm clock for those interested in a simulated "one-armed bandit" radio-alarm clock. The operation of this clock for setting the alarm requires the cocking of a lever arm and being awakened by a selection of either an audible phrase announcing a winner, a catchy tune, a ringing bell or a radio program. Furthermore, a flashing red dome light, and the illuminations of three sevens and a loaded coin payout chute would mitigate, at least somewhat, the rude awakening of one from deep slumber.
The related art describes various alarm clocks and game modules. The art of interest will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 361,516 issued on Aug. 22, 1995, to Richard F. M. Peersmann depicts an ornamental design for a clock based on a one-armed bandit gambling slot machine with windows for displaying unknown indicia and a payout slot. On the back, a door, a switch and apertures presumed to be a speaker grille are shown. The clear lack of functional details and a radio distinguish this clock.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 380,687 issued on Jul. 8, 1997, to Hsi-Pin Hsu depicts an ornamental design for a clock based on a one-armed bandit machine having on the front surface an analog clock face with hour, minute and second hands. The clock face has depicted on it a cube of nine squares with a top row of three "sevens". A payout chute has "BINGO" shown above it. The rear surface has a battery compartment, a grid for an audio source and a projecting appendage of unknown identity. Again, the clear lack of any functional details and a radio including the significantly different clock face distinguish this clock.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,603 issued on Oct. 1, 1996, to Mac R. Seelig et al. describes a combined slot machine (one-armed bandit) and racing game. A clock appears on the upper racing display for the purpose of timing each racing element or horse. A lower display window shows the winning trio of horses as "win, place or show". The displays can be electronic or mechanical with rotating wheels. The lever arm starts the game. A coin slot and an accessory push button for starting play are located on the front surface below the two displays. The clock is distinguishable its reliance on a slot machine for playing racing games, and is not suggestive of a radio-alarm clock.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,764 issued on Dec. 17, 1996, to Haruo Inoue describes a slot machine without an actuating arm on a side surface. Nine observation windows are grouped in three columns and three rows display numbers and pictures from reel bodies driven by individual drivers which are further controlled by a motor controller and a computer processing unit. The front of the main frame also has a coin slot for accepting coins, a coin saucer for payout, and a starting lever below the observation windows. The slot machine is distinguishable for its lack of any suggestion for incorporating an alarm clock and a radio.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,640 issued on Sep. 17, 1974, to Alexander W. Hughes, Jr. describes a talking alarm clock and a method of awakening a user. A bugle replica having a clock sounds off an alarm by generating an audible rendition of the tune reveille. The wind-up alarm clock system contains essentially a digital memory containing the tune, which digital signals when energized are converted to analog signals which are further converted to audio frequency signals to be emitted by an audio speaker. The tune is reproduced from a record by the engagement of a transducer needle with a diaphragm. This clock is distinguish-able for the lack of a radio, and its reliance on a record for audible sounds and on a conventional clock face.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,270 issued on Sep. 19, 1995, to Hidetsugu Ikeda et al. describes a melody alarm timepiece assumed to be a watch. Twelve melodies are played on the hour and automatically reset if discordant. A printed circuit board with a timepiece circuit controls the playing of the melodies by a speaker system. The timepiece is distinguishable for its music playing watch and the lack of a radio.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,346 issued on Nov. 21, 1995, to Paul R. Haut et al. describes a time settable flashing light consisting of a small electronic clock, a light and a battery. The flashlight shaped casing consists of two main parts which enable the setting of the flashing light by extending the bottom end to expose the lens. Closing the telescopic slider stops the flashing of the light. The device is distinguishable as a device dissimilar in structure and function to the present invention.
The disclosures of the relevant art pertaining to the details of the mechanisms of the clock and audio systems are hereby incorporated by reference.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


A method for simultaneously controlling satellite nutation, sun angle and attitude walk using a dual-slit sun sensor and thrusters. The sun angle and nutation angles are computed from sun sensor data, and the thrusters are fired when their use improves both sun angle and nutation. Precession around the sun line is controlled by constraining firing, in the simplest case, firing only when the angular momentum is precessed directly toward or away from the sun. Precession maneuvers are implemented by commanding a new sun angle and precession plane spin phase.

Ejections of satellites at low spin speed are currently problematic because transverse spring ejection torque impulse creates a precession error inversely proportional to the spacecraft spin speed. The firing of thrusters to correct nutation adds to the problem. The present invention permits the reduction of allowable spin speed at separation by enabling an autonomous correction of the sun angle postejection, then maintaining this sun angle and nearly eliminating attitude walk in the transverse direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,716, to Amieux, discloses an active nutation control system for a space vehicle. The system disclosed controls nutation with thrusters and maintains attitude by bookkeeping the transverse angular impulse and restricting firings to those that correct both nutation and precession. The use of a sun sensor as the nutation sensor is mentioned in passing in column 7, line 64, but direct precession measurement is not suggested.
While the prior techniques function with a certain degree of efficiency, none discloses the advantages of the satellite spin vector control with sun sensor of the present invention as is hereinafter more fully described.

Satellite spin vector control with sun sensor