Curable compositions have high sensitivity and excellent developability, and further have good storage properties as required. The compositions include a hydroxythiol compound represented by Formula (1) below and a compound with an ethylenically unsaturated double bond:

Compositions that are cured with heat or active lights such as UV rays are used in a wide range of fields including coating materials, UV or heat curable paints, molding materials, adhesives, inks, resist materials, optical materials, stereolithography materials, printing plate materials, dental materials, polymer battery materials and polymer materials. For example, uses as optical materials include coating materials for optical lenses or films, cladding materials for optical fibers, and optical adhesives for optical fibers or optical lenses.
Curable compositions are mainly composed of a photopolymerization or thermal polymerization initiator, a compound with an ethylenically unsaturated double bond that is cured by polymerization reaction, and additives. Types of the compositions are wide-ranged depending on use. In particular, the curing technique by the application of active energy rays such as UV rays and electron beams enables room temperature curing and quick drying without solvents, and is attractive in terms of environmental issues, energy saving, operation safety and production costs. Demands for this curing technique have been increasing.
In the development of color filters in particular, pigment-dispersed resists for color filters that are cured with light have been studied actively for the purposes of increased productivity and finer patterning. Studies have been also carried out to increase the plate-making speed and fineness in color proofs and printing plates. Additionally, solder resists for printed boards have been studied.
Compounds for curable compositions are selected depending on what wavelength of light they are sensitive to or how they are polymerizable. Compounds with an ethylenically unsaturated double bond and additives are selected depending on polymerizability and desired properties of cured products, and are used in combination as curable compositions. Demands for curable compositions in the above fields have been increasing, and there has been a demand for compositions that are curable with lower energy, compositions that are cured more quickly, compositions capable of forming finer patterns, compositions that are curable to a greater depth, compositions with higher storage properties, and compositions having enhanced developability.
However, some of the compounds with an ethylenically unsaturated double bond and additives have encountered problems that (1) sufficient energy to induce photopolymerization cannot be obtained, (2) storage properties are bad, (3) the light cannot reach deep in the composition because of the desired thickness of cured product, resulting in insufficient curing, (4) the curable composition is damaged by oxygen during contact with air, and (5) good developability is not obtained. These problems are dealt with by applying greater light energy, using an excessive amount of a photopolymerization initiator, or providing an oxygen-shielding membrane. However, curable compositions of excellent photocuring properties or storage properties are desired for energy saving and reduction of production costs.
In response to such demands, curable compositions having a thiol compound are increasingly studied recently. For example, JP-A-H10-253815 (Patent Document 1) discloses photopolymerizable compounds that contain a polyfunctional thiol and an initiator selected from biimidazole compounds, titanocene compounds, triazine compounds and oxazole compounds. JP-A-2000-249822 (Patent Document 2) discloses a photopolymerization initiator comprising a sensitizer, an organoboron complex and a mercapto compound. However, such attempts to increase the sensitivity with polyfunctional thiols result in bad storage properties.
JP-A-2004-149755 (Patent Document 3) teaches that secondary or tertiary thiol compounds give curable compositions having excellent photocurability and storage stability. However, the increase of aliphatic groups may likely deteriorate developability.    Patent Document 1: JP-A-H10-253815    Patent Document 2: JP-A-2000-249822    Patent Document 3: JP-A-2004-149755

Curable compositions containing hydroxythiol compound, and cured products thereof

Abstract: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a C1-10 alkyl group or an aromatic ring; X is an aliphatic group, an aromatic ring-containing group or a heterocyclic ring-containing group; Y is an ester bond; k and l are each an integer ranging from 1 to 20; m is an integer of 0, 1 or 2; and n is 0 or 1.


Integrated MEMS-CMOS devices and methods for fabricating MEMS devices and CMOS devices are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating a MEMS device and a CMOS device includes forming the CMOS device in and/or over a first side of a semiconductor substrate. Further, the method includes forming the MEMS device in and/or under a second side of the semiconductor substrate. The second side of the semiconductor substrate is opposite the first side of the semiconductor substrate.

Research and development in integrated microelectronics have continued to produce astounding progress in CMOS and MEMS. CMOS technology has become the predominant fabrication technology for integrated circuits. MEMS technology continues to rely upon conventional processing. In layman's terms, microelectronic integrated circuits are the "brains" of an integrated device which provides decision-making capabilities, whereas MEMS are the "eyes" and "arms" that provide the ability to sense and control the environment. Some examples of the widespread application of these technologies are the switches in radio frequency (RF) antenna systems, and accelerometers in sensor-equipped game devices. These technologies are becoming ever more prevalent in society every day. Use of integrated circuits and MEMS has limitless applications through modular measurement devices such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, actuators, microphones, and sensors including magnetic field sensors, pressure sensors, humidity sensors, temperature sensors, chemical sensors, biosensors, and inertial sensors
Monolithic integration of MEMS devices and CMOS devices offers significant benefits enabling high volume production driving down the per-unit costs of sensor and actuator systems significantly. Micromechanical transducer systems not only need to receive analog and digital electrical inputs and transmit the output, but should also be able to measure rotation, strain, temperature, pressure, acceleration, infrared radiation, or micro fluidic chemical properties of liquids and gasses. Effective integration offers other benefits, including, simplifying interconnect issues, reduced packaging and fabrication complexity and significantly improving the overall performance and ease of use for the device.
One approach to the monolithic integration of CMOS and MEMS is to modify the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) foundry facility to fabricate micromechanical structures. In such an approach, CMOS devices and MEMS devices may be fabricated side-by-side on a semiconductor substrate. A disadvantage of this arrangement is cross talk caused by the MEMS devices and CMOS devices. Shielding has been proposed to reduce cross talk; however, use of shielding increases processing costs as well as the chip space required by the devices.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method for fabricating an improved integrated MEMS-CMOS device. Further, it is desirable to provide an improved integrated MEMS-CMOS device. Also, it is desirable to provide an improved method for fabricating MEMS devices and CMOS devices on a substrate. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.


One embodiment of a color filter includes a substrate and a color filter pattern formed on the substrate, the color filter pattern including at least two, substantially identical patterned layers.

Color filters may be used to display color images, such as on display devices including computer monitors, television sets and the like. Heretofore, color filters have been fabricated using a lithographic process wherein photosensitive materials are deposited on a substrate in a vacuum chamber. This fabrication process is time consuming, expensive, and may result in color filters having defects, including inadequate brightness or color inconsistency, such that the color filter may be discarded. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a color filter, and a method of manufacturing the same, that may be manufactured with reduced expensive and time, and may have a reduced number of defects.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Television reporting records are accessed and processed to generate frequency specific reach values and device frequencies for creatives (e.g., television advertisements). The device frequencies indicating the number of times a creative was presented by use of a particular viewing device. The frequency specific reach values indicating the number of unique viewing devices that were used to present the creative a specified number of times. Estimating frequency specific reach values and device frequencies for a creative for a viewing population. The estimated frequency specific reach values and device frequencies for the viewing population are based on known viewing pattern data for multiple creative airings from a sample of the viewing population (e.g., a subset of the viewing population) and estimated viewing pattern data for the airings for the viewing population.

This disclosure relates to television advertising.
Viewing information about creatives, e.g., television advertisements, presented by display devices, e.g., televisions, can be collected by viewing surveys in which members of a viewing population provide information about their viewing patterns; or by viewing devices, e.g., set top boxes, that automatically collect and transmit viewing pattern information to a collection entity. For example, for multiple airings of a particular creative, the number of times the creative was presented (impressions) can be determined based on anonymized viewing information collected through viewing surveys and/or viewing devices, and creative airing information (e.g., creative airing times and corresponding airing channels). To gauge the exposure of the creative or advertising campaign, e.g., a group of related creatives, to the viewing population advertisers look to viewership metrics such as impression figures, the number of times a particular device was used to present the creative ("device frequency"); and, for each unique device frequency (or group of unique device frequencies), the number of devices having that unique device frequency ("frequency specific reach value"); collectively referred to as "exposure data."
Typically, the viewing information collected from the viewer surveys and/or the viewing devices represents the viewing patterns of only a fraction of the viewing population. When viewing information is available only from a sample group of the viewing population, exposure data for the entire viewing population can be estimated based on the exposure data derived from the known viewing information of the sample group. Such estimation provides advertisers a more complete representation of the actual exposure of the creative. However, the accuracy of the estimated exposure data for the viewing population is dependent on both the accuracy of the exposure data for the sample group and the technique employed to estimate the data from the sample group to the viewing population.

Generating reach and frequency data for television advertisements


A steering column assembly comprising a steering column shroud which supports a steering column shaft, the shroud being connected to the vehicle by a clamping mechanism which is operable between a locked position in which the shroud is clamped in position relative to a fixed portion of the vehicle chassis and an unlocked position in which the shroud is adjustable for reach and/or rake relative to the vehicle chassis. The clamping mechanism includes an actuator and a user operated switch that is connected to the actuator and which is operable to control the operation of the actuator to move the clamp between the locked and the unlocked position.

This invention relates to improvements in steering column assemblies, especially but not exclusively to electric power assisted steering assemblies.
It is known to provide a steering column assembly in which a steering wheel is connected to one or more road wheels through a collapsible or telescopic steering column shaft. The shaft is designed to collapse away from a driver of the vehicle if a load is applied to the steering wheel in the event of an accident. The shaft may comprise a single part shaft which has a weakened central section that will concertina under an axial load. Alternatively it may comprise a two part telescopic shaft in which one part slides axially into the other under an axial load.
To locate the steering shaft relative to the vehicle it is typically supported within one or more bearings carried by a steering column shroud. The shroud is in turn fixed to a part of the vehicle chassis or bulkhead. In the case of a collapsible steering column at least a portion of the shroud must also be capable of collapsing as a load is applied.
In almost all vehicle produced today the column shroud is clamped to a fixed portion of the vehicle in a way that permits the steering shaft to be adjusted for rake and optionally for reach. A lever-which must be located within easy reach of the driver-allows a clamping mechanism to be locked and unlocked to for the position of the steering column shroud to be adjusted. This enables the driver of the vehicle to set the steering wheel at the most comfortable position.


High-speed, automated analyzers for analyzes of biological fluids, such as whole blood or blood-derived components, include specialized analyzer and sample transfer features permitting injection-to-injection analysis times on the order of one minute. The analyzers are particularly designed for HPLC analysis for glycated and nonglycated proteinaceous species in blood samples.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with automated chromatographic analyzer apparatus which can be used to analyze a variety of biological samples, such as whole blood and blood-derived components. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such apparatus which is especially designed for high-speed, accurate analyses of blood samples in order to quantitatively determine glycated and nonglycated proteinaceous fractions therein. Such analyses are valuable to determine diabetes conditions in patients.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The measurement of glycated protein in the blood of a patient suffering from diabetes mellitus provides an attending physician with a means for assessing blood sugar control over different periods of time. As a consequence, considerable research has been done in the past to develop accurate, rapid analyses for glycated proteins. In order to be truly effective, however, such methods should also be capable of measuring the glycated protein content of both hemoglobin and plasma (serum) proteins. This stems from the fact that the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in a sample is a measure of mean blood sugar concentrations for the preceding 45 to 60 days, whereas the percentage of glycated plasma protein reflects blood sugar concentrations over a shorter period, approximately 1-3 weeks prior to analysis.
It is known that non-enzymatically glycated proteins such as hemoglobins and circulating plasma or serum proteins differ from nonglycated species by the attachment of sugar moieties to the proteins at various binding sites by means of a ketoamine bond. Glycated proteins thus contain functional groups (sometimes reported as 1,2-cis-diol groups) not found in nonglycated proteins. The presence of such functional groups thus provides a basis for separation of glycated and nonglycated proteins.
One prior technique for separating glycated and nonglycated protein fractions is known as boronate affinity chromatography. This analysis relies on the fact that borates or boronates, such as m-aminophenylboronic acid (PBA), can under certain conditions, bond with the functional groups in glycated proteins. The bonds in the resulting complex are reversible in aqueous solution. In the typical chromatographic system, the boronate is immobilized on a support medium in a chromatographic column. A solution containing the substance under analysis, such as hemoglobin or plasma (serum), is applied to the column, wherein the glycated components bond with the boronate. Nonglycated components are washed out of the column with a suitable buffer solution, then eluated from the column and collected separately. Eluation of the glycated components is achieved by means of either: 1) a buffer solution containing a competing polyol, which replaces the protein in the boronate complex, or 2) a buffer or acid solution of low (below neutrality) pH.
A number of secondary factors, such as interactions between boronates and amines or carboxyls, influence the chromatographic separation. Complex molecules such as proteins also engage in hydrophobic, ionic, hydrogen-bond, and charge-transfer interactions. The need to design chromatographic systems which maximize the specific binding of boronates with diol-containing glycated proteins is therefore complicated by the need to also minimize the binding of nonglycated proteins through nonspecific interactions. Many factors such as buffer composition, molarity, ion content, ligand concentration and pH are known to influence the boronate affinity chromatographic separation of glycated and nonglycated proteins.
Glycated and nonglycated proteins separated chromatographically are commonly quantitated spectrophotometrically. For hemoglobin quantitation, the spectrophotometer is set to measure the absorbance of light in or near the "Soret region" (413-415 nanometers), which is the range of peak absorbance for hemoglobin. For plasma (serum) protein quantitation, the spectrophotometer is set to measure the absorbance of light in the 280 nanometer range, at which the proteins show peak absorbance. Of course, other wavelength determinations can also be maintained using known chromagens in the eluates. The buffer solution used to elute the non-glycated components is first placed in the light path of the spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer is then adjusted so that zero absorbance is displayed on the scale or readout. This procedure, called a "blank", corrects for the background absorbance of the contents of the buffer solution. The next step is to place the non-glycated protein-containing buffer solution in the light path of the spectrophotometer and record the absorbance of light. By virtue of the "blanking" procedure, any increase in the absorbance of light by the protein-containing solution is due entirely to the protein content.
The same procedure is used for the eluate containing the glycated components; that is, the spectrophotometer is first "blanked" with the elution buffer solution in the light path, after which the increase in absorbance of the protein-containing buffer is recorded. Quantitation is then achieved by calculation. The increase in absorbance over the "blank" solutions of the protein-containing solutions is directly proportional to the protein content. The calculation also takes into account the dilution of the proteins by the buffer solutions. The result of this calculation is the expression of the glycated components as a percentage of the whole, e.g., "10% glycated hemoglobin" or "14% glycated plasma proteins."
The above procedure, although somewhat effective in yielding accurate hemoglobin protein analyses, is generally inaccurate or imprecise in serum protein analyses, and moreover is less suited for commercial laboratories because the protocol is very time consuming and costly. Thus, the need to individually collect and subsequently blank each of the eluates presents a significant drawback in the context of multiple analyses in a large laboratory.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,203 describes significant improvement in the art and is capable of short sample injection-to-injection times on the order of 8 minutes. In this technique, use is made of "spectrophotometrically balanced" reagents to transfer the sample through the PBA column and spectrophotometer, and to regenerate the column after each sample separation. However, the preferred apparatus described in the '203 patent is rather large and cumbersome, and has a significant footprint. Moreover, the equipment is not modularized for optimal operation and servicing.

High-speed, automated chromatographic analyzer for determination of nonglycated and glycated proteinaceous species in blood samples


The present invention relates to a radius surface for use on a ski binding resistance mechanism cartridge. The radius surface of the present invention enables a cable coupled to the resistance mechanism cartridge to bend directly adjacent to the cartridge. Since the cable is able to bend adjacent to the cartridge, the overall functionality of a binding is improved. In addition, the radius surface can be adjusted to specifically dictate the exit bend radius allowed on the cable coupled to the resistance mechanism cartridge.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ski binding resistance mechanism cartridges. More particularly, the present invention relates to a ski binding resistance mechanism cartridge radius surface.
2. Background and Related Art
Telemark skiing refers to a type of skiing in which the ball of a skier's foot is bound to the ski but the heel is free to pivot. This type of connection system between the skier's foot and the ski is also used in traditional and skate style cross-country skiing. In addition, certain types of backcountry snowboards, known as splitboards, utilize a similar system in which the boarder's heel is able to pivot when the board is in its split/ski mode. All of these snow-sport activities require advanced binding systems that connect the skier/boarder to the ski/board but allow the heel to move. If a particular binding does not allow the user's heel to freely pivot, it will impede their ability to ascend a snow slope.
Various characteristics have become increasingly important in the design of ski bindings. These features include the long term durability and the overall performance of a binding. The long term durability refers to the overall life span of a binding. Most bindings include some form of straps or cables which secure a user onto a ski/board. Over time these straps or cables will often wear down and possibly snap causing the binding to fail. If the straps or cables are not easily interchangeable, the binding's life span will be dictated by the life span of the straps or cables thereby reducing the overall value of the binding. However, if the straps or cables are easily replaceable, the life span of the binding can be significantly extended. Therefore, it is desirable for a binding to include replaceable straps or cables to extend the overall life span of the binding.
The overall performance of a binding is a measurement of the binding's ability to function under a wide variety of circumstance. For example, a telemark bindings ability to maintain tension is a factor in the bindings overall performance. In addition, a telemark binding's ability to freely pivot about the ball of the foot of a user is also an important factor in a bindings overall performance. Most telemark bindings include some form of resistance mechanism or cartridge to maintain tension in the binding and reliably secure the user's foot to the ski. The positioning of the resistance mechanism can sometimes impede the horizontal or vertical pivoting allowed by the binding. For example, in many telemark bindings, two resistance mechanisms are disposed in line with the cable attachments system to allow for even tension. For protection and functionality purposes, the resistance mechanisms are often covered with cylindrical tubes/cylinders. In certain circumstances, the tubes/cylinders abut the cables coupling the user's boot to the ski thereby impeding their ability to pivot their boot with respect to the ski. In order to preserve a user's ability to freely pivot his or her foot vertically and horizontally, it is desirable to design an attachment mechanism between a resistance mechanism/cartridge and a cable that allows for a full range of movement.
Therefore, there is a need for an attachment mechanism that allows for full range of movement without preventing the cables or straps to be replaceable.


The present invention is directed to a synthetic biomaterial compound based on stabilized calcium phosphates and more particularly to the molecular, structural and physical characterization of this compound. The compound comprises calcium, oxygen and phosphorous, wherein at least one of the elements is substituted with an element having an ionic radius of approximately 0.1 to 1.1 Å. The knowledge of the specific molecular and chemical properties of the compound allows for the development of several uses of the compound in various bone-related clinical conditions.

Bone is a complex mineralizing system composed of an inorganic or mineral phase, an organic matrix phase, and water. The inorganic mineral phase is composed mainly of crystalline calcium phosphate salts while the organic matrix phase consists mostly of collagen and other noncollagenous proteins. Calcification of bone depends on the close association between the organic and inorganic phases to produce a mineralized tissue.
The process of bone growth is regulated to meet both structural and functional requirements. The cells involved in the processes of bone formation, maintenance, and resorption are osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts synthesize the organic matrix, osteoid, of bone which after calcium phosphate crystal growth and collagen assembly becomes mineralized. Osteocytes regulate the flux of calcium and phosphate between the bone mineral and the extracellular fluid. Osteoclasts function to resorb bone and are essential in the process of bone remodeling. Disturbing the natural balance of bone formation and resorption leads to various bone disorders. Increased osteoclast activity has been demonstrated to lead to bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone density such as that seen in osteoporosis, osteitis fibrosa and in Paget's disease. All of these diseases are a result of increased bone resorption.
In order to understand the mechanisms involved which regulate bone cell function, it is important to be able to assess the normal function of bone cells and also the degree of perturbation of this activity in various bone diseases. This will lead to the identification of drugs targeted to restore abnormal bone cell activity back to within normal levels. Together with the identification of the etiology of abnormal and normal bone cell activity and the assessment of this activity, is the desire and need to develop compositions and methods for the treatment of abnormal bone cell activity, as a result of disease, surgical removal or physiological trauma all of which lead to bone tissue loss. Therapeutics which provide for the replacement and repair of bone tissue, such as with the use of bone implants, are highly desired.
Several groups have attempted to provide compositions suitable for the therapeutic replacement of bone tissue. U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,578 discloses a process for the formation of a non-porous smooth coating of hydroxyapatite suitable for implant use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,182 discloses a ceramic implant which comprises a sintered body of zirconia and a coating of α-TCP and zirconia, or hydroxyapatite and zirconia. U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,362 discloses a composition for the fusion of a bioceramic to another bioceramic. U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,163 discloses a coating used for the production of bioceramics which consist of α-TCP and β-TCP. Although these different compositions may be used as biocompatible coatings for implants and the like, none of these compositions have been demonstrated to participate in the natural bone remodeling process. Furthermore, none of the prior compositions developed, can be manipulated to reliably produce a range of films, thicker coatings and bulk ceramic pieces which share a common composition and morphology which leads to similar bloactive performance in vivo and in vitro.
It has therefore long been the goal of biomaterials researeh in the field of orthopedics to develop synthetic structures exhibiting comprehensive bioactivity. Bioactive synthetic substrates and scaffolds capable of incorporation into the natural process of bone remodeling are of interest in applications which include not only in vitro bone cell assays (Davies, J., G. Shapiro and B. Lowenberg. Cells and Materials 3(3) 1993; pp. 245-56), but also in vivo resorbable bone cements (Gerhart, T., R. Miller, J. Kleshinski and W. Hayes. J Biomed Mater Res 22 1988; pp. 1071-82 and Kurashina, K., H. Kurita, M. Hirano, J. deBlieck, C. Klein and K. deGroot. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 6 1995; pp. 340-7), implantable coatings which enhance the bonding of natural bone to the implant (Tofe, A., G. Brewster and M. Bowerman. Characterization and Performance of Calcium Phosphate Coatings for Implants edited by E. Horowitz and J. Parr. Philadelphia: ASTM, pp. 9-15 (1994), various forms of implantable prostheses and bone repair agents (Tolman, D. and W. Laney. Mayo Clin Proc 68 1993; pp. 323-31 and Levitt, S., P. Crayton, E. Monroe and R. Condrate. J Biomed Mater Res 3 1969; pp. 683-5), and ex vivo tissue engineering (Kadiyala,S., N. Jaiswal, S. Bruder. Tissue Engin 3(2) 1997; pp. 173-84). The prime objective for such materials in vivo is to combine the stimulation of osteogenic activity in associated bone tissues for optimum healing, with the capability to be progressively resorbed by osteoclasts during normal continuous remodeling (Conklin, J., C. Cotell, T. Barnett and D. Hansen. Mat Res Soc Symp Proc 414 1996; pp. 65-70). In vitro, related functions are to provide standardized laboratory test substrates on which osteoclast resorptive function or osteoblast production of mineralized bone matrix can be assessed and quantified (Davies, J., G. Shapiro and B. Lowenberg. Cells and Materials 3(3) 1993; pp. 245-56). Such substrates must be stable and insoluble in the biological environment until acted upon by osteoclasts, the specific bone mineral resorbing cells.
While calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca5(OH)(PO4)3 or HA) is the primary inorganic component of natural bone (Yamashita, K., T. Arashi, K. Kitagaki, S. Yamada and T. Umegaki. J Am Ceram Soc 77 1994; pp. 2401-7), trace elements are also present (Biominerals edited by F. Driessens and R. Verbeeck. Boston: CRC Press (1990). Calcium hydroxyapatite is but one of a number of calcium-phosphorous (Ca—P) compounds which are biocompatible. Others include octacalcium phosphate (Brown, W., M. Mathew and M. Tung. Prog Crys Growth Charact 4 1981; pp. 59-87) and both phases of tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2 or α-TCP/β-TCP) (Elliott J. Structure and Chemistry of the Apatites and Other Calcium Orthophosphates New York: Elsevier (1994). Compounds, particularly HA, may show differing degrees of stoichiometry with the Ca/P ratio ranging from 1.55 to 2.2 (Meyer, J. and B. Fowler. Inorg Chem 21 1997; pp. 3029-35). Such materials can be artificially created by conventional high temperature ceramic processing (Santos, R. and R. Clayton. American Mineralogist 80 1995; pp. 336-44) or by low temperature aqueous chemistry (Brown, P., N. Hocker and S. Hoyle. J Am Ceram Soc 74(8) 1991; pp. 1848-54 and Brown, P. and M. Fulmer. J Am Ceram Soc 74(5) 1991; pp. 934-40). Most of such artificial materials show good biocompatibility in that bone cells tolerate their presence with few deleterious effects, and indeed enhanced bone deposition may occur (Ito, K., Y. Ooi. CRC Handbook of Bioactive Ceramics edited by T. Yamamuro, L. Hench and J. Wilson. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press, pp. 39-51 (1990) and Ohgushi, H., M. Okumura, S. Tamai, E. Shors and A. Caplan. J Biomed Mater Res 24 1990; pp. 1563-70). Currently, the most recognized medical application of calcium phosphates is the coating of implantable prosthetic devices and components by thermal or plasma spray to render the surface osteoconductive. It has been noted that Ca—P ceramics which are stable in biological environments are often a mixture of individual compounds (LeGeros, R., G. Daculsi. CRC Handbook of Bioactive Ceramics edited by T. Yamamuro, L. Hench and J. Wilson. Boca Raton: CRC Press, (1990)). However, despite the osteogenic potential of these artificial materials, none actively participate in the full process of natural bone remodeling.
In an effort to understand the cellular mechanisms involved in the remodeling process, several researeh groups have attempted to develop methods to directly observe the activity of isolated osteoclasts in vitro. Osteoclasts, isolated from bone marrow cell populations, have been cultured on thin slices of natural materials such as sperm whale dentine (Boyde et al Brit. Dent. J. 156, 216, 1984) or bone (Chambers et al J. Cell Sci. 66, 383, 1984). The latter group have been able to show that this resorptive activity is not possessed by other cells of the mononuclear phagocyte series (Chambers & Horton, Calcif Tissue Int. 36, 556, 1984). More recent attempts to use other cell culture techniques to study osteoclast lineage have still had to rely on the use of cortical bone slices (Amano et al. and Kerby et al J. Bone & Min. Res. 7(3)) for which the quantitation of resorptive activity relies upon either two dimensional analysis of resorption pit areas of variable depth or stereo mapping of the resorption volume. Such techniques provide at best an accuracy of approximately 50% when assessing resorption of relatively thick substrata. In addition these analysis techniques are also very time consuming and require highly specialized equipment and training. Furthermore, the preparation and subsequent examination of bone or dentine slices is neither an easy nor practical method for the assessment of osteoclast activity.
The use of artificial calcium phosphate preparations as substrata for osteoclast cultures has also met with little success. Jones et al (Anat. Embryol 170, 247, 1984) reported that osteoclasts resorb synthetic apatites in vitro but failed to provide experimental evidence to support this observation. Shimizu et al (Bone and Mineral 6, 261, 1989) have reported that isolated osteoclasts resorb only devitalized bone surfaces and not synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite. These results would indicate that functional osteoclasts are difficult to culture in vitro.
In the applicant's published international PCT application WO94/26872, cell-mediated resorption was shown to occur on a calcium phosphate-based thin film formed by the high temperature processing of a calcium phosphate colloidal suspension on quartz substrates. When used in vitro, these ceramic films exhibited multiple discrete resorption events (lacunae) across their surface as a result of osteoclast activity, with no evidence of dissolution arising from the culture medium. The regular margins of these lacunae correspond closely to the size and shape of the ruffled borders normally produced by osteoclasts as the means by which they maintain the localized low pH required to naturally resorb bone mineral in vivo. Enhanced deposition of mineralized bone matrix also occurs on these ceramics in the presence of osteoblasts.
It is now demonstrated by the Applicant's that these thin film ceramics exhibit two general characteristics: (1) the presence of a mixture of Ca—P containing phases comprising approximately 33% HA and approximately 67% of a silicon stabilized calcium phosphate and (2) a unique morphology. Importantly, it was noted that the thermal processing of the Ca—P colloid at 1000° C. resulted in an HA powder, while the same colloidal suspension processed on quartz had a mixed HA and silicon stabilized calcium phosphate phase composition. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of the film demonstrated the presence of Si in the coating while cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy indicated a microporous physical structure.
Applicants have discovered that the presence of stabilizing entities can stabilize the composition and prevent its degradation in physiological fluids. Hence, disappearance of calcium phosphate entities from a film, coating or bulk ceramic piece of this composition, is substantially due to the activity of the osteoclasts and not due to a dissolution process. The stabilized artificial bioactive composition is the first such composition which supports both osteoclast and osteoblast activity and which allows for the reliable assessment of the physiological activities of both cell types as well as for the development of both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
In view of the clinical importance of developing a synthetic bone graft that is both osteogenic and can participate in the body's natural cell-based remodeling process, it was important to focus on the role of introduced additives such as silicon in the formation of a calcium phosphate-based biomaterial compound capable of being assimilated and remodeled into natural bone with the aid of the activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Since the compound could only be characterized by the preparation method, it was crucial to be able to both physically and chemically characterize the compound. In particular, it was important to characterize the physical structure of the compound and more importantly, the specific molecular and chemical structure of the stabilized compound in order to be able to understand why the new compound worked so well in biological conditions affecting the skeleton. The physical, molecular and chemical characterization of the compound could also provide for the development of further uses of the compound in the treatment of several different types of bone-related clinical conditions. In addition, this would also allow further chemical alteration of the compound in order that it could be designed for use in specific in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo applications.
The Applicant's work now pointed to the transformation of HA into a stabilized calcium phosphate phase. Surprisingly, during the difficult course of explicit characterization of the compound from a molecular standpoint, it was found that the resultant stabilized compound was an entirely new compound herein described and termed Skelite™.

Synthetic biomaterial compound of calcium phosphate phases particularly adapted for supporting bone cell activity


The invention relates to hydrocyclones for ballast water treatment. The invention further relates to ballast water treatment systems comprising such hydrocyclones and methods of operating such hydrocyclones and ballast water treatment systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to hydrocyclones for ballast water treatment. The invention further relates to ballast water treatment systems comprising such hydrocyclones and methods of operating such hydrocyclones and ballast water treatment systems.
Ballast water intake is essential on cargo vessels in order to maintain a high degree of control and stability. During loading of ballast water, large volumes of sediment and marine species from the water columns and harbour floor are sucked into the ballast tanks. Upon deballasting at the vessel's destination, these species can be released into an alien environment. Frequently, the released species are no longer under control of their natural predators and can rapidly multiply in the new environment, thereby forming an invasive threat. Open-ocean exchange of ballast water is practiced with much difficulty, and current methods of ballast sludge removal induce large costs.
Furthermore, sediments sucked into the ballast tanks are difficult to remove therefrom and effectively accumulate in the ballast tanks. The accumulated sediments reduce the capacity of the cargo hold and cause problems with stability.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various methods have been exercised so far to reduce entry of marine species and sediments into ballast water tanks. For example, DE 203 02 516 U1 describes a ballast water treatment system comprising an array of hydrocyclones and optionally a reversible flow filter. The hydrocyclones are intended to remove particles with a density at least slightly higher than that of sea water, thereby producing a particle-reduced overflow stream. The system further comprises, for decontamination of the overflow stream, biocide injection means and/or UV irradiation means. The decontaminated overflow stream is then fed into a vessel's ballast tanks. The dimensions and operation parameters of the ballast water treatment system of DE 203 02 516 U1 are not disclosed therein.
It was an object of the present invention to optimise apparatus, systems and methods of operation for ballast water treatment systems, particularly of the type of system described in DE 203 02 516 U1.


A vehicular lamp has a lamp unit with a light source and controls light from the light source to obtain a predetermined light distribution, and an actuator that rotates the lamp unit using an output shaft to change a direction of illumination. A direction for drawing out an external cord that is connected to a connector, which is provided in the actuator for admitting electric power and/or a signal from outside, is set toward the vehicle front or vehicle side in the actuator.

Techniques are known for changing a lateral illumination direction of a vehicular lamp in accordance with a steering operation.
Such a vehicular lamp is shown, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-160581. There, a lamp unit with a configuration rotatable in a lateral direction is provided with a lamp body (3) and a light source bulb (23) supported by the lamp body (3). In addition, a rotation shaft (output shaft) (16) of a driving portion (actuator) is connected to the lamp body. The rotation shaft (16) is rotated by electric power and a signal supplied via an external cord connected to a connector, whereby the lamp body (3) is rotated in the lateral direction so as to change an illumination direction of light distribution thereof in the lateral direction.
However, in the vehicular lamp described there, the connector of the actuator (11) is disposed facing toward the rear; therefore, the external cord for supplying electric power and a signal from the outside to the actuator (11) is drawn out toward the rear.
Moreover, a cord (27) for supplying electric power to the light source bulb (23) is disposed so as to extend toward the rear of the lamp body (3). If the external cord for supplying electric power and the signal to the actuator (11) is also positioned toward the rear, a wide rear space inside the lamp thus becomes required, which increases the dimensions of a depth direction of the lamp. Moreover, high-voltage electric power is required when a discharge bulb is used in the light source bulb. This necessitates a thicker power cord for the light source bulb in order to supply high-voltage electric power and prevent electromagnetic radiation. Consequently, such a power cord has little flexibility, and moves considerably in the lateral direction in conjunction with rotation of the lamp body (3) in the lateral direction. A significantly large space is thus required in order to ensure that the external cord for supplying electric power and the signal to the actuator (11) is positioned in a rear portion of the lamp so as not to interfere with the movement of the power cord. This inevitably requires the lamp to have a large rear protrusion.
Due to increased function and performance, there is an extremely high density of parts and devices disposed in the space underneath the hoods of recent automobiles, and designers are forced to find increasingly innovative methods for efficiently placing each device and part. In light of such conditions, it is extremely difficult nowadays to secure a large space for the placement of a lamp in a front portion of an automobile, especially space in the depth direction.
The present disclosure was made in light of the foregoing circumstances.

Vehicle headlamp having symmetrical actuator with front connector


A cylinder and sleeve combination, such as those found in fluid control devices, having closely positioned moving elements that leach one or more substances upon sustained contact with the subject, reactive fluid. One embodiment comprises a metering pump which utilizes small clearances that were heretofore unacceptably tight for the applications disclosed. The materials used to form at least one of the moving elements allow a substance to leach out of the moving elements as a result of a chemical reaction with the fluid, and the leached substance undergoes a separate reaction with the fluid which causes it to coagulate. The various embodiments of the present invention avoid binding of the moving elements by providing at least one scraping edge which continuously scrapes away the coagulum forming between these elements. The scraping edge is advantageously configured so as not to interfere with the operative movement of these elements.

Devices which rely on the smooth continuous operation of a piston or shaft moving relative to a sleeve which surrounds at least a portion of the outer diameter of the piston or shaft have found many applications. For example, fluid control devices such as metering pumps for delivering precisely measured aliquots of fluid to a fluid outlet have found many uses in research, diagnostic testing and industry. Over the years, the wide variety of fluids delivered by these metering pumps has dictated the use of different compositions in the fabrication of the operative pump elements. The piston and the sleeve, which form the pumping chamber, must be able to function properly with the particular fluid being pumped. Pump designers have crafted pumps using numerous materials in order to keep pace with the growing needs of science. As these needs continue to grow, pump designers typically continue to search for new materials which will meet the needs of new pumping applications.
In addition to the use of new materials for different fluid applications, the technology driven desire to deliver smaller and more precisely controlled aliquots of fluids has provided an incentive for pump designers to reduce the clearances between the pumping elements, i.e. the piston and the sleeve. Those skilled in the art appreciate that in order to reduce the undesired leakage of fluid between the piston and sleeve, the clearance between these pumping elements is preferably minimized. For example, piston to sleeve clearances of about 0.00005-0.0002 are preferred for certain pump applications which require very precise volumetric control over a range of differential pressures in order to aoid syphoning through the pump. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that relatively small pressure differentials between the inlet and outlet of a pump can cause leakage of fluid through a pump if the pump is not constructed with tight enough clearances. Even small leakages through the pump are unacceptable for certain applications, e.g. pharmaceutical applications, requiring high degrees of precision.
While a variety of corrosion resistant materials have been successfully utilized for different pump applications, the use of smaller gap clearances has posed new problems to pump designers. Specifically, it has now been found that certain materials which had been successfully utilized with greater clearances will cause binding between the piston and sleeve when used with certain fluids and smaller clearances. Binding results when fluids cause substances within the pumping elements to leach from the pumping elements, react with the fluid, possibly precipitate, and then coagulate between the moving elements. It is believed that while the greater relative movement between moving elements which accompanies greater clearances is sufficient to prevent binding, smaller clearances allow significantly less relative movement which is insufficient to clear the coagulum. While explained herein in relation to a metering pump, this problem may occur in other devices which rely upon a piston or shaft moving within a sleeve with a tight clearance.
In light of this problem, there is a need to provide a cylinder and sleeve combination which is capable of functioning satisfactorily even when coagulum is building up between the moving elements.

Self cleaning reciprocating and/or rotating device


An electric component includes a first base body that connects to a first contact, and an ally conducting element positioned along a current path between the first contact and a second contact. The electrically conducting element melts when an operating voltage of the electric component is exceeded. The electric component also includes an electrically insulating material that substantially surrounds the electrically conducting element and that is arranged so as to prevent an electric flashover between regions of the current path that are bridged by the electrically conducting element.

Electroceramic components with a temperature fuse includes varistors, for example The base body of such components is often produced from a mixture of various metal oxides, such as zinc oxide. Varistors have a non-linear voltage-dependent resistance change that is used to protect an electric circuit from overvoltage. The resistance value of a varistor drops as the applied voltage increases.
When an overvoltage appears (e.g., operating voltage that exceeds a permitted limit value for the varistor), current passing through the varistor rises sharply. As a result, the varistor heats-up. A long-lasting overvoltage can lead to overheating and set-off a fire.
A varistor fuse element for protecting an electric circuit from overvoltage and overheating is known from printed document DE 331 85 88. It consists of a mechanical construction in which solder with a low melting point is applied to the varistor, which establishes a spring current conductor. When an overvoltage and associated overheating appears, the solder melts, whereupon the spring structure immediately produces an irreversible low-resistance short circuit with a second current conductor. In this case, the spring structure also increases the distance between the spring current conductor and the varistor, in order to prevent an electric flashover. A disadvantage of this mechanical structure is in the fact that it can be achieved only at great cost.
In printed document JP 04 151 804 A, a temperature fuse is disclosed, that is integrated into a varistor housing, and that is connected through an electric line to an internal electrode of the varistor. The temperature fuse, in this case, is surrounded by a material that permits heat to be conducted between the varistor and the temperature fuse. In case of overheating of the varistor due to long-lasting overvoltage, the heat of the varistor can thereby be transferred to the temperature fuse and trigger it. The disadvantage of this structure is that the temperature fuse is not in direct thermal contact with the varistor. Therefore, because of losses during heat transfer, the fuse is triggered only at higher temperatures.


A biaxially stretched, blow molded synthetic resin bottle has a bottom including a sunken bottom portion, and deforms as it draws upward in a direction of the bottle inside and includes a ring groove formed by being successively connected to an inner peripheral edge of a ground contact portion disposed at the foot of an outer peripheral wall of the bottom, a central concave portion disposed at a center of the bottom, and a flat ring portion disposed between an inner peripheral edge of the ring groove and the central concave portion, wherein the sunken bottom portion includes a plurality of short slim ribs disposed at several points of the flat ring portion.

Biaxially stretched and blow-molded bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as "PET"), the so-called PET bottles, have high levels of transparency, mechanical strength, heat resistance, and gas barrier property, and up to now, have been in wide use as the containers for various beverages. Conventionally, what is called hot filling is utilized as a method of filling the PET bottles with content fluids, e.g., juices, teas, and the like, which require pasteurization. This involves filling the bottle with a content fluid at a temperature of about 90 degrees C., sealing the bottle with a cap, and cooling the bottle. This process causes the pressure inside the bottle to decrease considerably.
As regards the application of use involving hot filling described above, Patent Document D1, for example, teaches that the body is provided with the so-called vacuum absorbing panels, which are, by design, easily deformed into a dented state under a reduced pressure condition. At the time of a decrease in internal pressure, these vacuum absorbing panels perform a vacuum absorbing function by deforming into the dented state, thus allowing the bottle to retain good shape while ensuring that the portions of the bottle other than the vacuum absorbing panels have rigidity enough to avoid troubles on the bottle conveyor lines, during storage in piles, and inside the automatic vending machines.
On the other hand, in some cases it is necessary to avoid forming the vacuum absorbing panels on the body out of regard for the design of bottle appearance. Since the vacuum absorbing panels tend to be subject to flexural deformation, it is also necessary for body walls to have high surface rigidity to give the body high shape retainability enough to be able to stack the bottles on their sides inside the vending machines. For these applications of use, Patent Document D2, for example, shows a synthetic resin bottle which has no vacuum absorbing panel in the body wall, but in which the vacuum absorbing function is performed by the upward drawing deformation of a bottom plate. Especially in the cases of small-size bottles with a capacity of 500 ml, 350 ml or 280 ml, the vacuum absorbing panels disposed in the body wall would have a limited panel area. In that case, it would be difficult to fully satisfy both of the vacuum-absorbing function and the rigidity or buckling strength of the body. Therefore, the vacuum-absorbing function need be performed by the deformation of bottom plate as described above.
As an example, FIG. 4 shows a bottle 101 in which the vacuum absorbing function is performed by a bottom plate of a bottom 105, which plate deforms so as to draw upward. FIG. 4(a) is a front view; and FIG. 4(b) is a bottom view. The bottle 101 comprises a body 104 having a thick wall and peripheral groove ribs 107 to give high surface rigidity and high buckling strength to the body 104.
The bottom 105 comprises a ground contact portion 116 disposed at the foot of an outermost peripheral wall and successively connected to the body 104, a ring groove 115 disposed on the inside of the ground contact portion 116, a flat ring portion 113 disposed on the inside of, and integrally connected to, the ring groove 115, and a central concave portion 112 disposed at a center of the bottom 105 and successively connected to the flat ring portion 113. When there is a decrease in the pressure inside the bottle 101, the body 104 keeps its shape, but the ring groove 115 deforms starting from the base of an inner peripheral wall of the ground contact portion 116. Then, the flat ring portion 113 and the central concave portion 112 draw upward (i.e., they deform in the arrowed direction in FIG. 4(a)) so that the bottle performs the vacuum absorbing function.


A random access memory data resetting method is provided. The method includes following steps. First, a state machine resetting signal is provided to a RAM. Next, the state machine resetting signal is extended for a predetermined time period. Afterwards, a data resetting operation is executed in the RAM within the predetermined time period.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a data resetting method, and particularly to a data resetting method for a random access memory having a state machine.
2. Description of Related Art
With the advance of modern technologies, the memory capacity of the dynamic random access memory (DRAM) dramatically increases and thus allows users to process considerable amount of data within a short period of time. In order for the computer system to accelerate processing time, data is often temporarily stored in the DRAM rather than the hard disc.
As far as the existing security technology of the computer system is concerned, data is written in the hard disc and then encrypted to prevent the data from being stolen. However, the DRAM, disposed between the hard disc and the central processing unit (CPU) and served as a volatile storage medium for storing data, does not have the ability to encrypt the stored data. As a result, hackers may directly steal data temporarily stored in the DRAM and need not invade the hard disc to obtain the same. Consequently, data security is compromised.
In addition, a technology called ECC (error correcting code) is adopted and implemented in DRAMs to correct errors in the data. When the DRAM is activated and internal data thereof is not reset at the very beginning of the activation of the DRAM, the internal data thereof thus appears to be unknown, problems would occur in the error correction results.
Although currently resetting pins has already been disposed in some DRAMs, a function of the resetting pin is mere receiving a state machine resetting signal to reset the state machine inside the DRAM. The state machine is only an action management device. Therefore, as far as the existing technologies and the specifications of DRAMs are concerned, there exists no operation of data resetting.

Random access memory data resetting method


An accessory for a bending brake is secured to the brake only by the clamping force of the brake jaws. A pressing member is rotatably affixed to the base plate which is clamped between the jaws when in operation. A pressing member is attached to the base plate by hinge joints and a linkage, including slotted links which permit the metal sheet to be forcibly pressed against and rolled over the surface of a curved die, ensuring a smooth and even curve surface in the resulting workpiece. The die form is affixed to the front edge of the base plate. The base plates may be interchanged to include different diameter die forms for varying the radius of the executed bend. The location of the die at the front edge of the base plate permits the formation of accurate, smooth curves in sheet metal workpieces in angles of 90-degrees or greater.

Portable sheet metal bending brakes are commonly used in the home construction industry for the formation of aluminum sheet metal siding panels. Bending brakes of this type are typically portable so that individual panels may be formed on site. Primarily, the brakes are used to form corner bends in the aluminum sheets which are typically 90-degree angles. As the bend is formed, the sheet metal on either side of the angled bend is flat and straight. There is a need in the home construction industry, however, for the capacity to form curved bends in the sheet metal, such as may be required to form rain gutters or decorative crown molding strips.
The closest patent prior art of which the applicant is aware is U.S. Pat. No. 2,767,762 issued to Peterson on Oct. 23, 1956. This patent discloses an attachment for sheet metal bending brakes which enables the brake to form rounded bends in sheet metal by the use of a die which is rigidly clamped to the frame of the brake. A hinged pressing member is bolted to the jaw of the brake. After the sheet metal piece is firmly clamped between the jaws, the hinged member is pulled down over the top of the sheet which is thereby pressed against the curved surface of the die, thus forming a curved bend in the sheet.
While the Peterson device may be used to form curved bends in a metal sheet, the jaw must be modified to carry the bolted-on hinged pressing member and, similarly, the frame must be modified to carry the clamped die. The Peterson attachment may be disassembled and unbolted between uses, but its attachment and removal is time-consuming and cumbersome. Furthermore, the entire weight of the hinged pressing member is continuously carried by the movable top jaw which makes it cumbersome to use. Finally, because the Peterson pressing member pivots on a fixed axis, it only contacts the sheet at one point and there is no direct pressure applied along the surface of the die, making the formation of smooth bends difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,370 issued to Break on Oct. 21, 1975 discloses a bending attachment for a portable sheet metal brake in which the attachment enables the operator to enlarge the bending range of the brake. The attachment disclosed in this reference is held to the brake only by the clamping pressure of the jaw while it is being used.
There is therefore a need in the art for a bending brake attachment which may be used to easily form smooth, rounded bends in sheet metal which is easily detachable, may be universally applied to different bending brakes, and which requires no modification to the brake on which it is used.


The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint, especially for steering mechanisms and/or wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, with a ball pivot (1), which is accommodated rotatably and tiltably in a one-part or multipart bearing shell (4) within a joint housing (7), wherein the bearing shell (4) is fixed in the joint housing by a closing ring (9), wherein a metallic compressible element (18), which provides a sealing contact surface between the joint housing (7) and the closing ring (9) in the assembled state of the ball-and-socket joint, is arranged between the closing ring (9) and the joint housing (7).

Various designs and sizes of ball-and-socket joints of this type described in the introduction are used in large numbers in all industrial areas, especially also in the automobile industry. Such ball-and-socket joints are usually manufactured by first inserting the bearing shell together with the pivot pin in the joint housing through a mounting opening. The joint housing is subsequently closed by a closing ring, which is connected to the joint housing in a positive-locking manner by means of a rolling operation. The problem that the closing ring, which shall also position the bearing shell in the joint housing in a nonrotatable manner at the same time, will not come into contact with a shoulder of the joint housing, which is provided for that purpose, due to existing tolerances, will sometimes occur during the mounting steps described, especially concerning the connection between the closing ring and the joint housing. This problem inevitably leads to the formation of a housing gap, through which moisture as well as contaminants may possibly enter the interior of the joint ball after the completion of the manufacturing process, because the positive-locking connection established by the rolling operation between the closing ring and the joint housing cannot assume an absolute sealing function. Penetrating moisture as well as contaminants lead to increased friction in the ball-and-socket joint and possibly reduce the service life of the ball-and-socket joint affected in an extremely lasting manner.


Methods and apparatus for generating a binarization threshold are described. A set of input image pixels is processed. Edges including edge pixels are identified. In various embodiments histograms of pixel values and edge pixel values are generated and jointly used in determining an appropriate binarization threshold. In some embodiments a first histogram of edge pixel values is used to determine an interval of pixel values of interest to limit the set of pixel values used for determining a binarization threshold statistically. In some embodiments a first histogram corresponding to edge pixel values and a second histogram corresponding to image pixel values are generated, subjected to one or more smoothing operations, and truncated, based on information derived from the edge histogram. Characteristics of the histograms including, e.g., minima, maxima, are determined, evaluated, and used to generate a best global threshold.

Image binarization refers to the process of converting an image represented by pixel values which may assume multiple levels to pixel values which can be one of two values, e.g., a first value corresponding to foreground and a second value corresponding to background. Image binarization can be used to convert a grayscale or a color image to a black and white image. Frequently, binarization is used as the pre-processing step of document image processing. For example, barcodes are typically captured as grayscale or color images that may require binarization as a first step before processing to decode the barcode to ascertain its value. Similarly, optical character recognition (OCR) algorithms may require binarization as a first step.
One approach to performing image binarization is to choose a single threshold value and classify each of the pixels of the image with values above this threshold as white and each of the other pixels as black. This can be much faster than a locally adaptive binarization method and therefore a good choice when speed is a major consideration. Such a method works well for many images, particularly when the distribution of pixel values has distinct characteristics.
A still unsolved problem is to determine the best global threshold value to use. There are known methods, such as the clustering method due to Otsu for example, for computing a global threshold by using statistics of the distribution of pixel values that work reasonably well but they do not always choose the best value. There remains a need for a better way to find the best global threshold value for a particular image.
Another unsolved problem is to reliably recognize whether or not an image is a good candidate for global binarization instead of locally adaptive binarization where the image must be processed pixel-by-pixel and a threshold specifically computed for each pixel. There remains a need for a better way to make that choice.

Method and apparatus for image binarization


The invention is intended to provide a connectivity checking technology to make it easier to check the connectivity of data communication paths in an IP storage system. The target computer 20 of the storage system 10 transmits an ICMP echo request to an initiator computer 70 through a prescribed IP port 110 in the storage system 10, and determines whether or not the connectivity is normal between the target computer 20 and initiator computer 70 through the prescribed IP port 110 based on a reachable status of the ICMP echo reply from the initiator computer 70.

The present invention relates to connectivity checking technology for checking connectivity on an Internet Protocol (IP) network in a storage system for transmitting storage data across the IP network.
Practical use has recently been made of IP storage systems in which storage data is transmitted across IP networks. Known technologies for realizing the IP storage systems, for example, include an iSCSI (internet Small Computer System Interface) in which SCSI commands are mapped to an IP, a FCIP (Fiber Channel over IP) in which a plurality of independent FC-LANs (Fiber Channel-Local Area Networks) are connected to each other though IP tunnels, and an iFCP (internet Fiber Channel Protocol) for mapping and routing FC (Fiber Channel) addresses and IP addresses. In IP storage systems based on the iSCSI protocol, for example, iSCSI sessions are run on TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) connections via an IP network to transmit storage data across the IP network.
An IP storage system generally comprises a plurality of connecting ports for connecting to an IP network, and a target computer for providing a prescribed storage volume, or storage area, via a prescribed connecting port among the plurality of connecting ports to an initiator computer connected to the IP network. The prescribed connecting port is pre-configured on the target computer side for a data communication path between the initiator computer and the target computer. The initiator computer establishes a communication session with the target computer via the prescribed connecting port which has been pre-configured for the data communication path, so as to utilize the prescribed storage volume provided by the target computer. Japanese Published Unexamined Application 2003-345631, for example, discloses an IP storage system for transmitting storage data across an IP network.

Storage system and method for connectivity checking


Filter element (1) has opposing end sections (3A, 3B) of a filter material sheet (2) that are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner, wherein a molded or extruded plastic casing (5) encloses the end edges (4A, 4B) of the end sections (3A, 3B). A method for producing a corresponding filter element (1) includes the encasing of opposing end edges (4A, 4B) of end sections (3A, 3B) of a filter material sheet (2) with a plastic casing (5) so as to form a continuous bellows.

In order to filter, for example, in the automotive field, fluids such as fuels, operating media or passenger compartment air, often folded or pleated nonwoven filter materials are used. In this connection, it is often required to connect various edges or end sections of these flat filter materials with each other. Known filter elements are produced, for example, from initially zigzag-folded filter material sheets that are formed to a tubular body. In order to close the tubular body, the terminal fold sections must be connected with each other in a fluid-tight way.
In the past, for example, metal clips or clamps were used in order to hold the two flat sections resting on each other together. It is also conventional to adhesively connect the two filter material sheets with each other or to connect them by fusing. In particular in case of multi-layer filter media, for example, several layers of thin nonwoven material that is impregnated or comprises special intermediate layers, it is difficult to prevent fraying of the edges that are resting on each other. A particular difficultly resides in connecting the flat media to be connected fluid-tightly to each other, i.e., the fluid to be filtered may not pass unfiltered the filter material at the connecting location.

Filter element, filter device and method for producing a filter element


The invention is a panhard bar that can alter the tracking offset while the car is in motion, and allow the driver of the car the ability to change the tracking as the driver desires, thus improving the turning ability of the car as the track condition changes. The present invention mechanically lengthens or shortens the panhard bar thus moving the axle to the left or right. This then changes the tracking of the front to rear wheels. Adjusting means are placed in reach of the driver to accomplish the change. In another embodiment the adjustment means is not controlled by the driver, but rather by a characteristic reaction of the car. The adjustments means may respond to the front wheels turning to the left or right, to deceleration forces indicating a turn on the track is approaching, and to acceleration forces indicating the straightaway of the track is approaching.

Vehicles, particularly racecars like stock cars and sprint cars, employ a ridged axle. In the case of a stock car the ridged axle is the rear driven axle, while the front-end suspension is typically of an independent design. Sprint cars utilize a ridged axle at both the front and rear of the car. The chassis is typically sprung and dampened near each of the four wheels. A longitudinal rod with pivoting ends couple the axle to the chassis and restrain for and aft axle motion as well as yaw motion. In addition a lateral mounted bar with pivoting ends couples the axle to the chassis, restraining the axle from lateral movement. The racing industry refers to this lateral rod as a panhard bar.
Wheel tracking refers to the offset or lack of offset between a longitudinal line drawn square from the center of the rear wheel to the front wheel. The front wheel center may be in line with the rear wheel, or offset to the inside or outside. Typically the tracking will have no offsets, which allows the cars to turn equally well both left and right. Oval track cars only turn left as they proceed counterclockwise around the oval track. Both rear wheels are locked to the axle, which makes it very difficult to turn the car.
An advantage to turning left can be made by offsetting the wheel tracking such that the right rear tire is offset outside of the right front tire. Thus the rear-driving tire tries to overturn the car to the left. Prior art utilize offset wheels to accomplish the needed tracking offset. Also commonly used are wheel spacers. These can be inserted between the wheel-axle interfaces. The optimum offset is dictated by the available traction in the track surface. However the track surface will change dramatically during the course of the race. The result is the racecar may turn well at the beginning of the race, but poorly at the end of the race.
Therefore, there is a need for a panhard bar that can be adjusted while the vehicle is in motion. As the driver is most aware of the performance and tracking of the vehicle while in motion, there is a need for the driver to have the ability to adjust the panhard bar while the vehicle is in motion. Additionally, as a driver can be very busy focusing on driving, there is also a need for a panhard bar that is automatically adjusted according to the motion of the vehicle without the need for the driver to adjust the panhard bar. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.


A preferred embodiment of a lift and carrier assembly for a personal-transportation vehicle includes a deck frame, a platform, and a trolley assembly mounted on the deck frame. The trolley assembly includes a drive nut, a motor for rotating the drive nut, and a drive screw threadably coupled to the drive nut so that rotation of the drive nut causes the platform and the drive motor to translate linearly in relation to the deck frame. The lift and carrier assembly also includes an arm assembly mounted on the trolley system and comprising a first and a second arm member, and an actuator pivotally coupled to the first and second arm members for moving the first and second arm members so that first and second arm members move the platform between an upper and a lower position in relation to the deck frame.

Personal-transportation vehicles such as power chairs, motorized wheelchairs, and scooters are commonly used by persons with ambulatory difficulties or other disabilities. Personal-transportation vehicles are often transported using a larger motorized vehicle such as a van, pickup truck, passenger car, etc. (hereinafter referred to as a "transporting vehicle").
Lift and carrier assemblies have been developed for lifting personal transportation-vehicles onto and off of transporting vehicles, and for supporting the personal transportation-vehicle on the transporting vehicle. A lift and carrier assembly can be configured to suspend the personal-transportation vehicle external to the transporting vehicle. Alternatively, a lift and carrier assembly can be configured to retract into the transporting vehicle, thereby permitting the personal-transportation vehicle to be transported while located within the transporting vehicle.
The amount of space available to accommodate a personal-transportation vehicle and a lift and carrier assembly with a transporting vehicle is often limited. Hence, lift and carrier assemblies that retract into the transporting vehicle should be relatively compact. Moreover, the floorboard or other mounting surface within the transporting vehicle may be recessed or irregularly-shaped. Hence, the lift and carrier assembly should include provisions to accommodate such surfaces.
Automated operation of a lift and carrier assembly is desirable, as such assemblies are commonly operated by persons with ambulatory difficulties. A lift and carrier assembly should also have provisions for manual operation in the event automated operation is not possible, e.g., when electrical power is not available.
A lift and carrier assembly should be constructed to minimize the possibility of operator injury. For example, a lift and carrier assembly may be operated while the transporting vehicle is parked on a steep or other irregular surface. This scenario can introduce the potential for uncontrolled ("runaway") movement of various components of the lift and carrier assembly (and the personal-transportation vehicle) due to the effects of gravity.

Lift and carrier assembly for a personal-transportation vehicle


A cable-television usage system that enables subscribers to be charged based upon their actual usage of the cable channels offered. The system is compatible with current cable equipment and methods. It can be installed outside of the subscribers dwelling and it is capable of determining usage for multiple sets and various cable configurations including converter boxes. Channel usage is monitored using the local oscillator tuning circuit that tunes the channel for the subscriber's set. An unique switching design permits the carrier frequency to be acurately measured by briefly disconnecting the cable from the set. An electronic switching arrangement enables the measurement to be made during a random manner corresponding to one pixel's time on the TV screen. The invention also permits polling of subscriber's television preferences without any effort required by the subscribers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring, recording, and reporting the channels to which a Cable Television (CATV) user is tuned.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cable Television (CATV) has come to play a dominant role in the television industry of the United States and other countries. It has proven attractive to viewers wishing to receive more than the handful of the television signals normally within range for over-the-air television transmission (in the Very High Frequency, VHF, and Ultra High Frequency, UHF, ranges). In addition to signals originally transmitted over the air by television stations all around the country, CATV subscribers generally have access to closed circuit broadcasts including those of movies, sports events, and other special features. Indeed, entire new television networks transmitting only over cable have grown up in response to the spread of CATV.
CATV companies typically bill their subscribers a flat monthly fee in exchange for a certain basic set of channels including over-the-air stations, Cable News Network (CNN), The Weather Channel, and anything else the particular operator decides to supply. These basic channels are available to the subscriber 24 hours a day, regardless of actual use, for a particular contract period (typically a month). For an additional monthly fee the subscribers can receive supplemental channels-such as HBO. Finally, there are Pay-Per-View (PPV) programs available that subscribers can request and pay for on an individual show basis, if available through the particular operator. To receive a pay-per-view, typically the user must contact the CATV originator in order to request that the desired transmission be made accessible-e.g., by the originator unscrambling a normally scrambled transmission, with the attendant incorporation of specialized equipment in the house.
Another way to characterize the flat monthly fee is to state that the subscriber has to pay this fee even if no one in the subscribing household watches any of the CATV programs during the month for which the fee is charged. One reason for this flat fee arrangement has been the general inability of CATV originators to dependably monitor the subscriber's normal day-to-day channel-by-channel usage. This has not been because of a lack of availability of a two way communication system between the CATV originator and each individual subscriber. Indeed, much of the modern operation of "pay-TV"-as indicated above-has depended upon there being some way for 1) the subscriber to electronically order special programs in advance, and 2) for the CATV originator to ensure that an individual subscriber requesting a particular program receives that program. Nevertheless, this two-way communication has remained very limited and has generally required some participation on the part of the subscriber.
The most common technique (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,954 issued 1988 to MASUKO) for this two-way communication has called for a "polling command signal" to be sent out periodically by the CATV originator, a command designed to elicit a specific response in a single subscriber's in-house cable box. The response sought is a short burst of "upstream" data regarding program requests, billing, and the like which has accumulated since the previous polling signal to that cable subscriber box. The data is processed for each subscriber in turn by circuitry at the CATV originating center. A means must be in place to enable the originator to distinguish one upstream data packet from another.
It is in the nature of the conventional polling system that the data sent upstream has been affirmatively entered at some prior time by a deliberate, discretionary act of the subscriber through the in-house PPV cable box. Although this approach is satisfactory for dealing with orders from the subscriber for limited selective service, it is not practicable for the broader collection of information, especially billing information across the full channel selectivity, which the individual subscriber will not have either the incentive nor the means to provide.
Another approach to providing communication between subscriber and CATV originator has been to suggest the use of local oscillator frequencies generated by the subscriber's television set.
In a cable system, the specific channel frequency allocations are at a separation of 6 MHz starting at 54 MHz and progressing to 546 MHz for a 82 channel system. With even a moderately loaded cable system, of 10 to 20 channels, it is virtually impossible to discriminate the local oscillator frequencies from the channel carrier frequencies, and the intermodulation frequencies. The noise level on the cable also precludes reliable detection of the local oscillator frequency of all channels for a representative set of receivers. It was indicated by FULMER, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,302 issued on Feb. 2, 1988, that known techniques for monitoring the local oscillator frequencies were "prone to errors caused by extraneous signals." Fulmer attempted to solve the reliable detection of the local oscillator frequency by attempting to detect the harmonics of the local oscillator frequency and assigning a numeric value to each of the harmonics for some statistical detection. If the local oscillator frequency was difficult to detect, the harmonics are significantly more difficult to detect because of their significantly lower power levels. With vacuum tube superheterodyned receivers, this technique may have been possible because of the larger r-f power required; but with solid state receivers, no harmonics could be detected down to an average noise level of -58 dbmV for a representative set of television receivers.
An across-the-board usage based system for faithfully and automatically recording all usage of individual channels by the individual subscriber and the relaying this information periodically to the CATV originator is not found in the prior art.


An apparatus for securing wire connectors includes a rotatable cylindrical member defining at least one chamber configured to store at least one wire connector. A frame supporting the rotatable cylindrical member is detachably mountable on a drill. A dispensing housing mounted on the frame receives the wire connector from the chamber and dispenses the wire connector though an outlet after a rotator twistably engages and secures the wires onto the wire connector. The rotator is selectively rotatable by actuating the drill when the end of a wire is inserted into the wire connector, the wire connector thereby engaging the rotator.

Wire connectors are typically plastic cone shaped devices that are open at one end to receive electrical wires. The interior of such cone shaped devices are threaded or contain a helical coil spring that they may be twisted onto the ends of electrically conductive wires. The ends of the wires are stripped of their insulation and twisted together. The connector is twisted on the ends of the wires to secure the electrical connection between the wires.
Devices for attaching wire connectors are available and known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,527 describes an automatic wire connector attaching apparatus which includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving the connectors and an outlet for discharging the connectors. The connectors are received in a rotatable but axially fixed hollow drive shaft. A concentric sleeve, which surrounds the drive shaft, is axially movable towards the outlet by manually operated cam means. Such axial movement causes a plurality of fingers secured to one end of the sleeve to grip a connector located adjacent the outlet. An electric motor rotates the drive shaft and the sleeve, causing wires inserted through the outlet to twistably engage to one another and secure to the threaded inner surface of the connector.
Having to obtain a separate tool that can only perform a single function, namely, automatically attaching wire connectors, is costly and unnecessary when other existing tools may be adapted to perform the same function. Therefore, it is an object to provide an apparatus that is capable of being attached to any rotating means, such as a drill or a rotary tool, for securing wire connectors onto electric wires.


A device for measuring and isolating noise-creating imbalances in a paired telecommunications line has an internal circuit which comprises a balanced center tapped termination consisting of precisely equal resistor pairs. The circuit includes an adjustable sine wave burst generator which generates a low voltage longitudinal ac signal that is transmitted across the balanced pathways. A differential amplifier in the circuit measures this difference and displays it in units of noise or balance. The output of the differential amplifier is transmitted to an analog-to-digital converter. A microprocessor collects the samples in an array, and filters the results for presentation on a display. Advantageously, the microprocessor provides for adjustable and selectable bandpass filtering. Preferred bandpass filtering preferably occurs at 1 kHz, 200 KHz, 1 MHz, and 5 MHz with a preferred frequency bandpass of 3 harmonics to provide bandpass ranges of 200-600 KHz, 1-3 MHz, and 5-15 MHz, respectively, and a bandpass of 3 Hz at 1 kHz.

The present invention relates generally to the detection of imbalances in a paired line. More particularly the present invention relates to the accurate measurement of pair balance in the presence of a high level of power influence or other interference. More particularly it relates to the detection of small pair imbalances that can affect the higher frequencies communicated by ADSL and VDSL circuits but may not be detectable with voiceband tests.
Paired lines are a conventional means of carrying telecommunications transmissions. A paired line is made up of two balanced conductors individually insulated and twisted together. Paired lines are typically bunched together in a cable termed a paired cable which contains up to one hundred or more paired lines, wherein each paired line is capable of independently carrying telecommunications signals. Paired lines are generally effective telecommunications carriers. However, it is not unusual for noise to occur in paired lines which is extremely disruptive to the clarity of the transmitted signal.
When noise is reported in a paired telecommunications line, correction of the condition requires confirming the presence of the noise in the line by measuring its level and then isolating and locating the noise source for purposes of eliminating it. There are a wide range of noise sources for which detection is desirable since virtually any condition which can cause an imbalance between two conductors of a paired line can result in noise. Among the causes are series resistance faults, shunt resistance faults, cross faults, shunt capacitance faults, unbalanced series inductance, and power influence. Series resistance faults occur when there is an open in a line, often resulting from a corroded joint. Shunt resistive faults occur when another body grounds a paired line. Cross faults occur when there is communication between adjacent paired lines in a cable. Shunt capacitance faults occur when one conductor of a pair is slightly longer than the other conductor, and the longer conductor possesses a higher capacitance to ground than the shorter conductor. Unbalanced series inductance occurs when only one half of a load coil is connected to a paired line at some point along the length of the line. Power influence is induced voltage from an ac power source adjacent the paired line. Unlike the above-recited causes of imbalance, power influence imbalance can occur even when the paired line is free of faults and appears balanced in the absence of the power influence.
Power influence, which as noted above is induced voltage from line to ground, most commonly occurs when the paired line is near a power line. In the United States, the power line frequency is typically 60 Hz, but power influence can likewise result from other power line frequencies, including 50 Hz, as typically found in many other parts of the world. Power influence can create unique problems for noise detection when it occurs in conjunction with a fault. For example, a series resistance fault may only produce a high level of noise when accompanied by a high power influence. Therefore, a noise caused by the fault may be observed by a user at a time of high power demand on a nearby power line, but when a repairman is dispatched to the site, the power demand and correspondingly the power influence may have diminished so that the noise resulting from the fault alone is no longer detectable by conventional detection devices. Accordingly, such a fault is very difficult to locate and repair.
Another detection problem results from the fact that power influence signals often do not create large longitudinal current flow. Such flow is necessary to detect series resistance faults because longitudinal current flow through a series resistance fault produces a voltage imbalance in the paired line which can be measured metallically. However, because conventional passive detection devices lack the ability to independently generate longitudinal current flow, they accordingly may fail to detect such faults where power influence is relied upon to generate longitudinal current flow.
Various attempts have been made to detect imbalances in paired lines. For example, the "Stress Test" has become the accepted name for the test described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,157,336 and 5,302,905, which provided a new way to test all cable pairs, working or dry, for proper balance. This test has become the telephone industry standard for determining the usability of a pair before placing it in service, and for isolating pair balance trouble to the source. A particular benefit of the Stress Test is in testing dry pairs before placing them into service as the test identifies "killer pairs" that tested good by previous methods yet tend to go bad within 48 hours after being placed in service.
Apparatus implementing the above Stress Test sent out a simplex (both sides of the pair excited equally with respect to ground) "Stress" tone through a balanced center tapped termination. Any unbalance on the pairs converted the simplex tone to metallic (across the conductors) which was amplified and filtered through a C Message filter. The filter output was converted to display either stressed noise or stressed balance, with stressed noise in dBrnC being the most popular.
The Stress Test simplex stress tone acted as an artificial "Power Influence" signal, permitting any pair's balance to be tested, even those pairs having too little power influence to allow a normal Longitudinal Balance reading. Longitudinal Balance readings expressed the difference between passive Power influence and Noise Metallic readings on the pair and thus did not place simplex excitation on the pair. The Stress Test internal termination to ground caused longitudinal current flow on the pair, revealing series resistance unbalances invisible to the Longitudinal Balance test. The pair can be tested from either end and does not require a termination in the C.O.
A problem exists with the above Stress Test in that Induction noise induced onto the tested pair in the voice band adds to the test signal converted from simplex to metallic by any unbalance on the pair causing high stressed noise inferring poor pair balance when balance is not the source. In addition, high Power Influence can swamp out the applied simplex stress voltage causing erroneous high stressed noise readings. In areas with high power influence approaching or above the applied "Stress" voltage, the Stress Test will erroneously read bad on good pairs. Thus, on noisy pairs you may not be measuring stressed noise, but induced noise converted from high Power Influence (50/60 Hz harmonics) on the pair due to the wideness of the C Message filter. This erroneous reading can cause technicians to try to improve pair balance rather than correcting high Power Influence, the true cause of the bad Stress Test indication. Therefore a "Voiceband Stress Test" is needed that can indicate the true stress balance of a pair in the voiceband with the presence of normal or high power influence.
Furthermore, the Stress Test as described above applies a simplex tone, in the voiceband typically near 1 kHz and indicates the balance of the pair at that frequency. Pairs that stress bad in the voiceband usually will not perform in the DSL band. A good Stress Test reading however, does not necessarily indicate the pair will perform well in the DSL band. Minor capacitive or resistive unbalances that do not give a bad reading in the voiceband, can be service-effecting in the DSL bands.
Therefore, a test is needed that performs like the Stress Test in the DSL band, so it can be used to isolate service effecting DSL problems by technicians already familiar with using the Stress Test. Preferably, this test would quickly give a numeric readout allowing a confirmation that the pair is within parameters for service. It would be desirable if the test were faster than a TDR reading, not requiring the technician to interpret whether a TDR squiggle seen at the far end of a pair after he turns up the gain will affect service. Furthermore, the improved test apparatus would work on an in-service DSL circuit where a TDR will not work.

Apparatus for detecting imbalances in a paired line