A virtual reality (VR) head mounted display (HMD) includes a display, a processor coupled to the display, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to determine that the available capacity of a resource supporting VR operations being executed by the processor is insufficient and present a graphical user interface on the display with at least one selectable option to reduce usage of at least one resource supporting at least one of non-VR operations and inactive VR operations.

Virtual reality (VR) headsets, including standalone and drop-in VR headset devices, typically have limited resources, including limited storage (non-volatile memory) space, limited volatile memory, and limited battery power. When the limits on an available resource are reached, the user generally must stop the virtual reality experience to address the issue. For example, the user may be forced to take off the headset, change memory settings, reset operating parameters, address a new source of power, and so on. Hence, solutions to the problems caused by limited resources are needed to improved user experiences while experiencing virtual reality.

Virtual reality resource management for virtual reality head mounted display devices


A method of forming a field oxide isolation region is described, in which a masking layer is formed over a silicon substrate. The masking layer is patterned to form an opening for the field oxide isolation region, whereby the remainder of the masking layer forms an implant mask. A conductivity-imparting dopant is implanted through the opening into the silicon substrate. Oxygen is implanted through the opening into the silicon substrate in multiple implantation steps. The implant mask is removed. The field oxide isolation region is formed in and on the silicon substrate, by annealing in a non-oxygen ambient. Alternately, the field oxide isolation region is formed by annealing in oxygen, simultaneously forming a gate oxide in the region between the field oxide isolation regions.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the manufacture of highly dense integrated circuits and more particularly to the formation of field oxide isolation regions within the integrated circuits by selective oxygen implantation.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In the manufacture of highly dense integrated circuits, individual device structures are typically separated and electrically isolated by means of a field oxide isolation region. The isolation region is typically produced by the exposure of a silicon wafer to an oxidizing atmosphere while using an oxidation mask to protect regions which are not desired to be oxidized. These latter regions will be the location for the active device structures. One widely used technique for creating isolation regions is LOCOS--LOCal Oxidation of Silicon.
In the LOCOS technique, a pad oxide is grown on the surface of a silicon substrate. The pad oxide reduces stresses during field oxidation between the silicon substrate and a subsequently deposited silicon nitride layer. The silicon nitride is deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on the surface of the pad oxide, and then patterned to create an oxidation mask. The silicon nitride forms an effective mask during field oxidation due to the slow speed with which oxygen and water vapor diffuses in the nitride. The oxidation mask is formed by dry etching the nitride and pad oxide in the region in which it is desired to form the field oxide. An implant is performed in the field region to create a channel-stop doping layer under the field oxide. The field oxide is then grown by wet oxidation, at a temperature of about 1000.degree. C. The masking layer is removed by a wet etch. A sacrificial pad oxide is then formed and removed, to prepare for subsequent formation of the gate oxide.
The LOCOS technology has been used widely, but it presents several drawbacks at dimensions between 1 and 2 micrometers, and for submicron technology the conventional LOCOS cannot be used without significant modification. Among the problems that have been encountered are (1) "bird's beak" formation, (2) nitride-induced defects, (3) "white ribbon" formation, and (4) field oxide thinning. During oxidation, there is significant lateral oxidation encroachment from under the nitride mask, resulting in the formation of a "bird's beak" structure at the perimeter of the field oxide, which reduces the area available in the active region, thus lowering the total number of devices that can be fit onto a single integrated circuit chip. The presence of silicon nitride causes the formation of line and/or planar defects around the bird's beak, which can cause junction failure.
The "white ribbon", caused by the long wet oxidation required to form the thick field oxide, consists of nitrogen or ammonium which diffuses through the silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2) films so that silicon nitride forms at the SiO.sub.2 --Si boundary along the LOCOS edge. This has a masking action against oxidation and consequently the gate oxide of MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) structures may become too thin near the field oxide edge, leading to gate oxide failure. Finally, the thickness of the field oxide in submicron regions of the exposed silicon is significantly less than that in wider spacings. This field oxide thinning can produce problems with respect to field threshold voltages, interconnect-to-substrate capacitance, and field edge leakage.
Workers in the field are aware of these problems. Improvements in the LOCOS technology fall into three broad categories:
(1) An additional barrier to oxygen diffusion is added around the perimeter of the LOCOS stack, usually in the form of a nitride-sidewall spacer, as in SWAMI (Side WAll Masked Isolation). However, the increased process complexity leads to a prohibitive increase in cost. PA1 (2) The pad oxide is eliminated, and a very thin nitride mask used, to minimize the generation of stress-induced defects, using, for example, the SILO (Sealed Interface Local Oxidation) technique. However, there are difficulties in completely removing the nitride layer after field oxidation, and the enhanced stress, induced by the extremely abrupt nature of the boundary between field oxide and active regions, results in poor gate oxide formation and junction integrity. PA1 (3) The pad oxide is replaced with oxynitride, e.g., in the Philips SLOCOS (Suppressed LOCOS) process. However, there are indications that oxynitride is not as effective as the conventional thermal oxide in relieving nitride-induced stresses, and can also result in gate oxide thinning.
Another approach is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,062 (Verma), in which an impurity such as arsenic, boron, phosphorus or antimony is implanted in the field region prior to field oxidation, to enhance oxide growth. A photoresist mask can be used, instead of nitride, since the field oxidation can be accomplished in a much shorter period of time due to the impurity implant. After field oxidation, the oxide over the active region is removed. An overetch is necessary to insure complete removal of the active region oxide, in preparation for subsequent formation of a gate oxide. However, this overetch can attack the stressed areas at the perimeter of the field oxide, resulting in "bird's neck" morphology and degradation of gate electrode integrity.
A shorter oxidation period can also be obtained by implantation of oxygen in the field region, prior to field oxidation, as described in "Selectively Implanted Oxygen Isolation Technology (SIO)", P. Ratnam et al, Electronics Letters, May 9, 1985, Vol. 21 No. 10, pp. 442-443. Oxygen is selectively implanted to create a damaged Si--SiO.sub.x --Si layer in the field region, which is then thermally oxidized for a short period to form the field oxide. There still exist nitride-induced defects, and "white ribbon" effect problems with this approach.

Field oxidation by implanted oxygen (FIMOX)


Disclosed are methods, apparatus and computer programs for improving performance and resource utilization of cluster-based data processing systems. The number of persistent connections between first and second data processing units of a system is adjusted according to monitored performance of communications between the nodes. The monitored performance measure is the queuing delay between the nodes, and the number of connections is increased and decreased as changing load conditions increase and decrease the queuing delay. A method of establishing and closing persistent connections in response to a monitored queuing-delay between a front-end gateway computer and each of a cluster of back-end servers is used to improve the performance of a cluster-based Web server or provision of Web services. Unwanted connections are closed to enable system resources to be allocated to other processes.

Cluster-based architectures are a useful platform for hosting many Internet applications such as Web servers or Web services. A cluster-based system includes a front-end (gateway) node connected by a local area network to a set of back-end nodes. The front-end node receives the requests and forwards it to a back-end node where the actual processing of the request takes place. There are many advantages to a cluster based system, including incremental scalability, increased availability and performance, cost control and maintenance. Hence, clusters are used for scalable Web servers, as described by M. Aron, D. Sanders, P. Druschel, and W. Zwaenepoel, in "Scalable Content-Aware Request Distribution in Cluster-based Network Servers", Proceedings of 2000 USENIX Annual Technical Conference, June 2000, and described by M. Aron, P. Druschel and W. Zwaenepoel in "Efficient Support for P-HTTP in Cluster-based Web Servers", Proceedings of 1999 USENIX Annual Technical Conference, June 1999.
A specific technique for content-based request distribution within cluster-based network servers is described by V. S. Pai, M. Aron, G. Banga, M. Svendsen, P. Druschel, W. Zwaenepoel, and E. Nahum in "Locality-Aware Request Distribution in Cluster-based Network Servers", Proceedings of 8th ACM Conference on Architectural Support for Programming Languages and Operating Systems, October 1998. Locality-aware request distribution (LARD) involves dividing data into partitions on the back-end servers and using a front-end to distribute incoming requests in a manner that takes account of where the data is stored.
A cluster-based architecture is also suitable for the provision of Web services, as described by E. Casalicchio and M. Colajanni in "A Client-Aware Dispatching Algorithm for Web Clusters Providing Multiple Services", Proceedings of the 10th International World Wide Web Conference, May 2001. The advantages of clusters for Internet service provision are described by A. Fox, S. Gribble, Y. Chawathe, E. Brewer and P. Gauthier in "Cluster-Based Scalable Network Services", Proceedings of the Sixteenth ACM Symposium on Operating Systems Principles, October 1997.
M. Welsh, D. Culler and E. Brewer, in "SEDA: An Architecture for Well-Conditioned, Scalable Internet Services", Proceedings of 18th Symposium on Operating Systems Principles (SOSP'01), October 2001, describe a framework for highly concurrent server applications which uses threading and aspects of event-based programming models to provide automatic tuning in response to large variations in load. The framework is referred to as the staged event-driven architecture (SEDA). Stages are separated by event queues and include controllers which dynamically adjust resource allocation and scheduling in response to changes in load. The size of each stage's thread pool is adjusted based on the monitored length of an event queue.
Various mechanisms have been tried to improve the performance of cluster based systems—including caching, load balancing and client hand-off (e.g. TCP hand-off). The front-end may distribute the requests such that the load among the back-end nodes is balanced and the load may be distributed based on the client, request content, current resource usage or scheduling algorithms. Load distribution based on clusters is known to improve the scalability, availability and fault tolerance of Internet services. Various hand-off mechanisms have been reported in literature for request forwarding. However these typically require changes in the operating system and are not portable.
In "On the Use of Virtual Channels in Networks of Workstations with Irregular Topology", IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems, Vol. 11, No. 8, August 2000, pages 813-828, F. Silla and J. Duato describe a flow control protocol for supporting a number of virtual channels in a network of workstations which implements adaptive routing. The flow control protocol uses channel pipelining and seeks to minimize control traffic.
Published U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 2002/0055980, 2002/0055982 and 2002/0055983 (Goddard) describe a server computer, such as a cluster-based Web server, having a plurality of persistent connections to a dispatcher. The dispatcher monitors the performance of the back-end server and, in order to improve back-end server performance, controls either the number of concurrently processed data requests or the number of concurrently supported connections.
Although a lot of work has been done to improve the performance of cluster-based systems, there is scope for further irnprovement. For example, the existing cluster-based systems do not make effective use of the network bandwidth between the front-end and back-end nodes. Existing cluster-based systems do not fully exploit the benefits of multile connections. The existing systems are generally configured statically and do not adapt to the changing workload on the system. Further, the existing systems are generally based on direct network subsystems (e.g. TCP/IP) and do not exploit the benefits of the mediated network subsystems (e.g. Java Messaging Service).

Methods, apparatus and computer programs for managing performance and resource utilization within cluster-based systems

International Business Machines Corporation


A dial gauge with a simplified structure and reductions in number of parts and production costs. In the dial gauge having a case 10 which is composed of a case body 11, a front case member 21 provided on the front of the case body 11, and a rear case member 31 provided on the rear of the case body 11, the case body 11 and the front case member 21 are combinedly formed by using plastic materials. The rear case member 31 includes a rear cover and a reinforcing plate covering the rear of the case body 11.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a dial gauge, more specifically, a dial gauge intended for decrease of the number of parts and reduction of production costs.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional dial gauge includes a case that is composed of: a cylinderical case body supporting a movable spindle in the axial direction passing through the outer circumferential wall of the case body; a front case member provided on the front of the case body and having a digital indicator for indicating a moving displacement amount of the spindle; and a rear case member provided on the rear of the case body.
The three members composing the case are individually formed in advance. In assembling processes, the front case member and the rear case member are assembled onto the case body, resulting in the case.
In the conventional fabrication, the case is composed of three individual members of the case body, the front case member and the rear case member, thereby allowing the large number of parts and the complicated process of assembling. Waterproof and dust-proof structures are required to be formed between the case body and the front case member and between the case body and the rear case member. Therefore the elaborate structure leads to increase of production costs.
As a model of the dial gauges, a dial gauge with an electrostatic capacitance type encoder is known. More specifically, a first scale is formed in a case to support a movable spindle in the axial direction as a sensor for measuring a moving displacement amount of the spindle, and a second scale is formed in front of the spindle opposite of the first scale. Relative stroke of the first and second scales is measured by detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance between electrodes arranged in the first and second scales.
In the electrostatic capacitance type encoder, a uniform gap is formed between the first scale and the second scale. But the gap tends to be narrower by reason of, such as the requirement of great precision and saving of electric power for inputting and outputting signals.
In conventional processes for setting the gap, great precision and complication are required for components for holding the first scale and the second scale with the uniform gap, which is a factor in increase of production costs in commercialization.
In the known structure for setting the uniform gap between the first scale and the second scale, plural projections which each have the height corresponding with the gap are formed on one of mutually opposing surfaces of the scales. The scale, not having the projections, is forced toward the scale having the projections by a plate spring portion of a cantilever support structure. The projections formed on the scale are abutted onto the other scale so as to form the uniform gap between the first and second scales.
However, according to the above fabrication, means for forcing one scale toward the other scale are the plate spring portion of the cantilever support structure, so that the scale is forced toward the other scale in the inclined state. It leads into the difference of the touching pressures to the other scale at each projection. Therefore, when the scales are relatively moved, the gap is easily changed between the scales and the degrees of abrasion vary among the projections, with the result that the gap between the scales cannot be maintained at a uniform space for a long period of time.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dial gauge with a simplified structure, a decrease in number of parts and reduced production costs to resolve the conventional disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dial gauge which a gap between scales is retained at a uniform space for a long period of time, in addition to the aforementioned object.


A golf practice device having a simulated putting green surface having artificial turf that is approximately the same height and an appearance similar to an actual grass putting surface. Surrounding the putting surface is a collar of artificial turf with grass blades that are longer than the putting surface portion. The turf surfaces may have the ability to float or a floatable substrate can be disposed below the turf for using the device as a floating target for golf shots.

The game of golf is unique in that the fewer times a player hits a golf ball, the more fun they have playing the game. The objective is to get the ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible. Research done on the game proves that approximately 65% of the strokes made by a player during an 18-hole round occur from 100 yards in. Thus, what is termed the "short game" plays an enormous part in the ultimate golf score for an 18-hole round
Over the many years golf has been played, thousands of books and articles have been written that are devoted to golf instruction. There are thousands of golf professionals who devote their careers to teaching the game to professionals and amateurs alike. Also in the realm of teaching aids are countless inventions designed to either make the game easier to play or to help the golfer improve by way of using the device during practice or during actual play. In addition, there exist myriad practice and playing facilities with golf ball driving ranges, practice sand traps, practice putting greens, and computer simulators; all designed to help the millions of golfers in the world enjoy the game more by effectively playing it less.
Regardless of what approach a golfer takes in their efforts to improve, whether it be lessons, new equipment, or the latest golf invention, the primary constant if one desires to improve their golf game is quite simple. In order to improve, a golfer must practice. While golf can be an immensely enjoyable endeavor, whether the player is a professional or an amateur, it can also be incredibly difficult.
A typical beginning golfer who is serious about achieving even a modest playing ability would begin by obtaining golf clubs at least somewhat suited to their physique. Properly fitted clubs take into account a golfer's height, weight, strength, sex, and level of natural ability possessed by the individual. Having acquired the equipment, the next step would be to take golf lessons from a professional or other instructor. From this point; however, it is highly unlikely that any individual will develop proficiency in the game if they do not practice what they have been taught or have read in an instruction book.
As golf practice can be tedious and tiring, many efforts have been made in the past to make practice enjoyable. It is to this end that the present device is directed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A composition for forming a protective film against basic aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, including a crosslinker having, in one molecule, two or more groups at least one selected from the group consisting of a glycidyl group, a terminal epoxy group, an epoxycyclopentyl group, an epoxycyclohexyl group, an oxetanyl group, a vinyl ether group, an isocyanate group, and a blocked isocyanate, a compound having a group of Formula (1):

A lithography process in which a resist underlayer film is provided between a substrate and a resist film formed on the substrate and a desired resist pattern is formed has been known. However, a conventional resist underlayer film, for example, a resist underlayer film formed from a composition containing an aminoplast-based crosslinker that is described in Patent Document 1 is less resistance to basic aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. Therefore, such a resist underlayer film cannot be used as a mask in an etching process using the basic aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution.
Patent Document 2 describes an underlayer film-forming composition for lithography containing a compound having a protected carboxyl group, a compound having a group capable of reacting with a carboxyl group, and a solvent, or an underlayer film-forming composition for lithography containing a compound having a group capable of reacting with a carboxyl group and a protected carboxyl group and a solvent. The compositions do not contain an aminoplast-based crosslinker as an essential component. However, Patent Document 2 does not describe or suggest the resistance to basic aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution of a resist underlayer film formed from the composition.
Patent Document 3 describes a pattern forming method using a resist underlayer film having resistance to basic aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. A composition for forming the resist underlayer film contains a polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000 and having an epoxy group, and a solvent.

Compositions for forming a protective film against basic aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, and pattern formation method

Abstract: (wherein X1 is a substituent reacting with the crosslinker, R0 is a direct bond or a C1-2 alkylene group, X2 is a C1-2 alkyl group, C1-2 alkoxy group, or fluoro group, a is an integer of 0-2, b is an integer of 1-3, c is an integer of 0-4, and b and c satisfy a relational expression of 1≤(b+c)≤5) on a side chain or a terminal and having a weight average molecular weight of 800 or more, and an organic solvent.


A tube elementary LED includes an elementary glass tube through which light can be transmitted and includes two sealed ends respectively provided with a power plug and a power socket and a LED light emitting base plate disposed in the tube that is powered by the power plug and the power socket. A plurality of LED chips for emitting light are mounted on one surface of the LED light emitting base plate and supports fix the LED light emitting base plates in the chamber of the elementary glass tube. The tube elementary LED may include a reflector attached on an internal surface or an external surface of the elementary glass tube to reflect the light emitted from the LED light emitting base plate to outside of the elementary glass tube.

LED photonics is a key problem of the stationary illumination technology. Light emitted from an active layer of LED is liberated into the environment via a complicated path in the LED chip, and some photon will be lost due to absorption at every travel step through the substrate, the semiconductor layer, the electrode and the resin cap. A general method currently used in high-brightness LED is to employ a thick transparent substrate and increase the number of pyramids for photon liberation; in a rectangular configuration, up to six pyramids are opened; or simply eliminate the absorptive substrate so as to improve the efficiency of the photo liberation. Typical thickness of the active layer in the high-brightness LED is in a range of 0.3-1 μm, the thickness of the active layer can further be decreased to 0.3 μm or less, and a heterostructure for multiquantum-well is introduced to improve the LED performance. In some cases, the external quantum efficiency may only reach 20% and it may be difficult to solve the problem of heat dissipation at joints in high power stationary white-light illumination chip. Many heat-sink devices currently used may be made from metal, resulting in compatibility problems of light extraction with good heat conduction and heat dissipation. The compatibility of LED's, as a white-light illuminator, with the mode employed by ordinary light source may not have been considered, including the compatibility and interchangeability of LED's with conventional tube fluorescent lamps.

Yancheng Haomai Lighting Science & Technology Co., Ltd.


In the aspect of the present invention, an installing a wind turbine is achieved by forming a blade assembly in which a plurality of blades are attached to a rotor head, by attaching a suspension structure to the rotor head, by lifting the blade assembly through the suspension structure by a first crane, and by installing the blade assembly to a nacelle of a wind turbine tower.

Diversification of energy supply has been on progress. As one of the energy supply systems, wind turbine generation using natural energy has been known from ancient times. As wind turbines, vertical axis type wind turbines and horizontal axis wind turbines are known. Many of the vertical axis type wind turbines are small type wind turbines, in which a Darrieus type wind turbine and a straight blade vertical axis type wind turbine are known. In the horizontal axis wind turbines suitable for a large scale of power generation, a three-blade type wind turbine is a mainstream.
As the three-blade type wind turbine stated above, a large-sized wind turbine with the diameter of 60 m and more between a blade end and an opposite blade end in a rotation state is on a practical operation. A wind turbine power generation apparatus includes a wind turbine tower which is higher than the radius length of the blade, a nacelle rotatably installed at the top of the wind turbine tower, and a three-blade assembly rotatably installed to the nacelle. The three-blade assembly includes a rotor head rotatably supported by the nacelle, and three rotating blades installed to the rotor head in a pitch angle adjustable manner. When the three-blade assembly is installed to the nacelle, climbing cranes are employed for the wind turbine tower so that the wind turbine tower is built up from the ground to the height direction successively, as disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 10-205429). The climbing cranes are also used for suspending the three blades.
The mass of the three-blade assembly exceeding 60 m is huge. It is important for suppression of the increase of the construction cost to suspend the three-blade assembly which was integrally assembled, rather than to suspend each one of the three blades. In the suspension of the three-blade assembly, suppression of the rotational movement around the center of gravity and installation of a rotation plane formed by the three blades on a substantially vertical plane are required in order to avoid damages caused by contacts between the three-blade assembly and the wind turbine tower and to provide operational safety.
A conventional construction method includes a manual operation for suspending a suspension technique such as a nylon sling to blades and a head in suspending the three-blade assembly by a crane. A slinging operation is conducted by a slinging skilled worker for sling work in a high place and a skilled work including an operation of adjusting the center of gravity. Accordingly, suspension to eliminate the skilled work as much as possible is required.
A construction method of a wind turbine power generation apparatus related to the above carried-out is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 10-205428). In this conventional example, the climbing crane is used. However blades are installed to the nacelle. Similar techniques are disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Applications (JP-A-Heisei 10-205429, JP-A-Heisei 10-205430, and JP-A-Heisei 11-82285).

Wind turbine blade assembly and method of installing the same on tower


The CHLORELLA cell wall is disrupted by forming partially high- and low-pressure portions at high density in an aqueous suspension of CHLORELLA cells, instantaneously shifting the CHLORELLA cells in the aqueous suspension from a high-pressure state to a low-pressure state by interaction of the movement, dissipation and growth of these high- and low-pressure portions and the flowing of the aqueous suspension, and rupturing the CHLORELLA cells by their rapid expansion upon the shift.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of disrupting the CHLORELLA cell wall by rupturing CHLORELLA cells.
2. Description of the Prior Art
CHLORELLA contains more than about 50% (w/w) high quality protein with an excellent essential amino acid composition and is rich in nutrients, such as various vitamins. In addition, it exhibits high proliferating capability under solar light. To efficiently utilize CHLORELLA as a food, its cell wall is disrupted to increase its digestion and absorption rate.
Although the cell wall may be disrupted by milling, disruption efficiency achieved by such milling is subject to limitation.
The object of the present invention is to provide a method of efficiently disrupting the CHLORELLA cell wall on the basis of non-milling disruption.

Method of disrupting the chlorella cell wall by cell rupture

Daiichi Sun Chlorella Building 868, Monzencho

Hanayamachi-dori, Horikawa Nishiiru Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi 600


A pad positionable upon an inclined surface for supporting a recumbent human being upon the inclined surface in a manner preventing slippage of the human being thereupon. The pad comprises a generally rectangularly substrate formed of a resilient material and having opposed lateral and longitudinal sides, a top surface, and a generally planar bottom surface. Formed within the top surface of the substrate are laterally extending shoulder, tail and foot support regions. Extending between the shoulder, tail and foot support regions is a general support region. The quantity of resilient material per unit volume in the general support region is greater than the quantity of resilient material per unit volume in the shoulder, tail and foot support regions. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the pad may be formed with only a tail support region extending laterally between the longitudinal sides thereof and surrounded by a general support area. The tail support region will have a quantity of resilient material per unit volume that is less than the quantity of resilient material per unit volume in the general support region.

A bed design which is gaining increased recognition in the bedding industry due to its therapeutic benefits is referred to as a "slant bed". The slant bed comprises a bed frame which has a ramped or sloped configuration, such that one end of the bed is elevated relative to the opposite end thereof. Due to the configuration of the bed frame, when a conventional mattress is positioned thereupon, the mattress defines an inclined support surface upon which the human body is rested. In this respect, a user may position himself or herself upon the support surface of the mattress such that the head is elevated relative to the feet or, alternatively, the feet are elevated relative to the head.
As previously indicated, the slant beds have been found to provide therapeutic benefits to the user resting thereupon. In this respect, it is well recognized that orienting the human body at a slight angle rather than horizontally has an effect on blood circulation, and in particular venous blood pressure within certain areas of the human body. These effects are attributable to the manner in which gravitational forces act upon the circulating blood when the human body is disposed in an inclined rather than a horizontal orientation. As such, by elevating the head or feet relative to the remainder of the body, blood circulation may be altered in a manner facilitating a desired therapeutic effect. It has been found that despite their therapeutic benefits, the primary deficiency of slant beds is the tendency of the user to slide or slip toward the non-elevated end of the bed in view of the user resting upon an inclined support surface. In this respect, the prior art mattresses which are positioned upon the slant bed frame are not adapted to maintain the user upon the inclined support surface defined thereby in a non-slip manner.
In addition to the foregoing, it has been documented in the bedding industry that when a human being assumes a supine or reclined position on a mattress or similar support surface, the pressure exerted on the human body is typically the highest beneath the shoulders (the scapulae) and the tail (the buttocks and trochanter). In this respect, since these particular areas of the body are often of the greatest mass and projection, the pressure exerted thereagainst by the support surface is maximized. Other areas of the body subject to substantial pressure include the ankles, heels, and portions of the feet. It has been determined that in these high-pressure areas, the pressure exerted against the body can be sufficient to occlude the capillaries and lymph vessels, thereby preventing the circulation of oxygen and nutrients to the skin. In addition, because airflow over these skin areas is typically prevented due to the intimate contact of the surface of the mattress or similar support surface thereagainst, greater amounts of moisture are excreted for the dissipation of heat and waste. As will be recognized, these types of occurrences facilitate discomfort and, in some instances, seriously degrade the quality of sleep.
In an effort to alleviate the problems associated with the exertion of high pressure on certain body areas of a supine or reclined human being, there has been developed in the prior art certain products including static air, water, and foam support pads which are adapted to be applied to existing mattresses. Although these particular types of pads are not adapted to reduce the overall resistance of the underlying mattress to the weight of the body, they are adapted to reduce the pressure level on the areas of highest pressure by redistributing the load and allowing a greater portion of the pad to support the body. However, each of these prior art support pads possesses certain deficiencies which detract from its overall utility.
Though static air and water support pads generally provide superior high-pressure reduction capabilities at the bony protuberances of the human body, they permit only limited airflow with heat dissipation. Additionally, both static air and water support pads require filling, and are susceptible to leaks. Further, such pads tend to "bottom out" by permitting the weight of the user to displace the air or water in the pad to the extent that the user is supported by the underlying mattress, rather than by the air or water cushion. Static water support pads are also undesirable in that they are heavy and unwieldy to transport. While pumps and valves can be used to vary the pressure resistance of the static air and water pads over time, these features render these pads both expensive and difficult to install and transport.
With regard to convoluted foam pads, such pads are generally relatively inexpensive and easily transported, while providing desirable airflow and moisture reduction capabilities. However, despite considerable design efforts, it is proved exceedingly difficult to develop an easily manufactured convoluted foam pad which is capable of providing pressure reduction characteristics comparable to static air and water support pads.
In view of the foregoing, there exists a need in the art for a support pad which may be applied to the inclined support surface defined by a mattress used in a slant bed for purposes of preventing any sliding or slippage of the user toward the non-elevated end of the bed. There also exists a need in the art for an anatomically conformable support pad which may be applied to an existing mattress and includes distinct shoulder, tail and foot support regions for providing improved support to the corresponding anatomical body portions in order to mitigate the effects of pressure-related discomfort.
The present invention addresses these particular needs in the prior art by providing an anatomically conforming support pad which is positionable upon an inclined surface for supporting a recumbent human being upon the inclined surface in a manner preventing slippage of the body thereupon. The support pad of the present invention includes distinct shoulder, tail and foot support regions which, in addition to providing improved anatomical support to the human body, also aid in maintaining the body in a desired orientation upon the support pad.


Frames are disclosed for mounting windows within the walls of enclosures for isolating or sealing substances such as radioactive or other hazardous substances from the surrounding environment. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a window assembly includes a two-piece frame that is welded into the wall of an enclosure. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a window assembly includes a three-piece frame that is clamped to the wall of an enclosure. The frame assemblies may also be used to mount structures other than windows to enclosure walls, such as ducts or pipes intended for passing power, gas, vacuum, or other utilities into the interior of an enclosure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting structures to the walls of enclosures used for isolating or sealing substances within the enclosures from the surrounding environment. More particularly, the present invention relates to window assemblies for such enclosures that provide improved sealing capabilities and facilitate installation and removal of windows thereof.
2. State of the Art
It is often necessary to work with or handle hazardous substances that are associated with many of today's industrial processes. Waste items contaminated with radiation, for example, may require sorting into separate categories before being disposed of. The manufacture of medical products may also require risk-associated handling procedures, such as in making radiopharmaceuticals used in cancer treatments or working with biologically active compounds. When working with these substances, it is essential to isolate them from operating personnel to protect them from harmful exposure. To this end, enclosures are used that typically comprise rigid-walled containers having access portals for insertion, removal and manipulation of the hazardous substances, as well as windows to allow observation of conditions within the container. Enclosure sizes may range from room-sized containers intended for holding and processing large quantities of material, down to small containers called "glove boxes" that have glove ports sealed with gloves for individually handling small quantities of a substance.
To prevent the spread of contamination, the access portals and windows of an enclosure are sealed in a leak-tight fashion. This is especially important in situations where there is a pressure differential between the interior of the enclosure and the surrounding environment, as when substances must be processed in a vacuum or at low pressure. In the case of radioactive substances, it is also necessary to form or line the enclosure walls, access portal covers and windows with shielding that inhibits radiation from escaping from the enclosure. Such radiation-shielded enclosures, sometimes referred to as "hot cells," are commonly formed with walls and access portal covers comprising stainless steel lined with lead and windows impregnated with lead or other radiation-absorbing materials.
In response to the above-described structural requirements, various approaches have been developed for mounting and sealing windows within the walls of enclosures for containing hazardous substances. One widely used approach is a window assembly called a "zipper window." FIGS. 1A and 1B show a glove box 2 constructed with a zipper window assembly. As seen in FIG. 1A, glove box 2 includes top, bottom, and side walls 4 formed from a material such as plates of stainless steel. Stainless steel is desirable for forming walls 4 because it is resistant to corrosion or other reactive effects that may be associated with substances contained within glove box 2. Stainless steel also has a smooth surface finish that is easy to clean, which is important to prevent residual contaminants from building up within glove box 2. Glove ports 6 are provided for accessing the interior of glove box 2, and a window 8 is included to allow observation of interior conditions. Various sealed access ports (not shown) may also be included for inserting and removing substances or for passing power, gas and vacuum lines, or other utilities into the interior of glove box 2.
FIG. 1B is an enlarged sectional side view of a portion of the glove box in FIG. 1A taken along line 1B-1B showing the zipper window assembly for holding and sealing window 8 in place. A gasket 10 of elastomeric material seats window 8 in the window aperture of glove box wall 4. Gasket 10 includes a first U-shaped channel 12 that surrounds the edges of the aperture in wall 4 and an opposing, second U-shaped channel 14 that surrounds the edges of window 8. A wedge member 16 is inserted into a slot 18 in the side of gasket 10 to compress gasket 10 and seal the medial section of gasket 10 between channels 12 and 14 against the peripheries of wall 4 and window 8. A stainless steel frame 20 may also be attached over the interface between wall 4 and window 8 on the interior of glove box 2 in order to protect gasket 10 from corrosion or, in the event of fire, from combustion of substances within glove box 2. Frame 20 is typically attached by welding to the inside of wall 4.
Another approach to a window assembly structure used in the prior art with enclosures for containing hazardous substances involves bolting a window directly to the exterior of the enclosures. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of such a window assembly mounted to the wall 22 of an enclosure constructed as a hot cell. As with glove box 2, wall 22 is formed from plates of stainless steel. To prevent radiation from escaping from the hot cell, the outside of wall 22 may be lined with a layer of lead 24 or a similar radiation-absorbing material. A window 26 is provided that is also formed from radiation-absorbing materials, such as with one or more sheets of glass and/or clear polycarbonates impregnated with lead. Depending on the radioactivity of the substances contained within the hot cell enclosure, window 26 may have a thickness of a few inches or more to prevent the escape of radiation. Window 26 is positioned over the aperture in wall 22 and held in place by a flanged stainless steel frame 28 attached with bolts 30 welded directly to wall 22. As seen in FIG. 2, a U-shaped gasket 32 of elastomeric material surrounds the edges of window 26 to seal the interfaces with wall 22 and frame 28.
While the above-described window assembly designs have been used extensively, they have inherent structural shortcomings that raise concerns in the construction and sealing of enclosures. The structure of the zipper-type window assembly, for example, may encounter problems when sealing against high or low interior pressure conditions. In situations where the pressure differential between the interior of the enclosure and the surrounding environment is substantial, failure of the gasket in a zipper window assembly has even led to windows being blown entirely out of their window apertures. The window assembly wherein a window is bolted to the exterior of an enclosure also presents problems, especially when it is necessary to modify or replace a window. When an enclosure has been used to contain highly toxic or radioactive substances, material forming the enclosure walls may become contaminated to the point that it may not be cut, drilled, ground, or otherwise reworked. Therefore, bolts welded to the enclosure walls that have been stripped or damaged cannot be replaced. Likewise, if a thicker window is required to accommodate increased radiation levels within the enclosure, larger bolt holes may not be drilled in the walls to receive bolts capable of holding the higher window mass.
Another problem with these window assembly designs is that they provide little or no reinforcement for the junction between a window and an enclosure wall. As previously described, enclosure walls are commonly formed from plates of stainless steel. The thickness of this material may vary widely, with a ⅝ inch thick plate of stainless steel having a tolerance of ±⅛ inch, for example. The plates of stainless steel may also be warped or twisted, especially for walls of large-sized enclosures. With the prior art window assemblies, such irregularities around a window aperture may make it difficult to achieve proper sealing or may translate stress into the window itself. It has, therefore, been necessary to planarize the plates of stainless steel around window apertures by welding or grinding prior to attaching a window. These processes are time consuming and difficult to perform, and cannot be carried out on enclosure surfaces that have been contaminated by highly toxic or radioactive substances.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists for improved window assemblies that eliminate sealing problems and that simplify the installation, removal, and modification of enclosure windows.

Three-piece frame assembly for window of enclosure


Apparatus for cleaning of a magnetic read head in an electronic lock assembly includes an elongated, generally flat plate member adapted for insertion into a key card slot in the lock. An absorbent cleaning strip extends lengthwise over the flat plate member and is aligned so as to rub over the magnetic read head in the lock assembly when the plate member is inserted into the lock. The portion of the cleaning strip which extends over the plate member is only a minor portion of the total length of the strip, the remaining portion of the strip being stored in a housing or container attached to the plate member. The strip is advanced from the housing over the plate member each time the lock is desired to be cleaned. The strip is preferably an absorbent material and is saturated in a solvent within the storage housing. The housing further includes a take-up reel for collecting used portions of the strip material.

The present invention relates to cleaning of magnetic read heads and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for cleaning a magnetic read head in an electronic card reader such as that used in hotel electronic door locks.
Plastic cards with magnetic strips for recording data are well known. For example, credit cards, ATM cards, identification cards, data storage cards, i.e., "smart" cards, all include a magnetic strip with selected encoded information. The encoded information can be "read" from the card by a magnetic read head by passing the magnetic strip over the read head. Various types of card readers with such read heads are known in the art. One use of an identification card with magnetic strip is to unlock an electronic lock such as may be used on hotel/motel room doors. The use of such electronic locks is particularly advantageous since such use enables the hotel/motel operator to change unlock codes for each new guest and avoid the theft problem previously associated with fixed key locks. However, maintenance of such card readers requires frequent cleaning of the magnetic read head which is recessed within the lock. Such cleaning is difficult since the typical electronic door lock requires insertion of the key card into a receiving slot rather than a "swiping" slot of the type used in credit card point of purchase devices.
One known method of cleaning magnetic read heads in electronic key locks uses a key card with a strip of solvent absorbing material bonded to the card in place of the magnetic strip. The material is believed to be a fibrous, short nap, synthetic. The cards are packaged in a sealed pouch with one card per pouch and are useable only for cleaning a single lock before discarding. In a hotel environment, the cost of purchasing a separate card for each cleaning of each lock can be a significant portion of the hotel maintenance budget, notwithstanding the time involved in opening each sealed pouch and the requirement of using the card quickly before the solvent evaporates. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide an electronic lock read head cleaning apparatus which is re-useable and can be used to clean multiple locks.


Some embodiments provide a synchronization circuit to receive a synchronization signal, the synchronization signal substantially synchronized with a data transition, to synchronize the synchronization signal with a clock signal, and to generate a load signal based on the synchronized synchronization signal. Also provided may be a ring counter to receive the load signal from the synchronization circuit and to circularly propagate the load signal.

Parallel-to-serial converters receive data from parallel signal lines and output the data in serial form. Many of these converters operate in conjunction with a "load" signal. In one example of operation, a load signal is asserted and one data bit from each parallel signal line is loaded into a respective state element of a parallel-to-serial converter. The data bits are loaded at an edge of a high-speed I/O clock signal that follows the assertion of the load signal. After the load signal is deasserted, the data bits are shifted through the state elements with each subsequent rising edge of the high-speed I/O clock signal.
A timing of the load signal may therefore be based on the high-speed I/O clock signal and on a frequency of the data carried by the parallel signal lines. Many conventional devices generate the load signal by scaling down the high-speed I/O clock signal via a phase-lock loop and transmit the generated load signal to one or more parallel-to-serial converters. Such a load signal may be skewed with respect to its desired timing when it arrives at a converter. Moreover, many conventional devices fail to provide a system to adjust a timing of a previously-generated load signal.


A computer-based method and apparatus for classifying statement types using intonation analysis. The method and apparatus identify a user's potential query when the user responds to information during dialog with an automated dialog system. Pitch information is extracted, via a cepstrum, from the speech signal. In one embodiment, the pitch intonation is processed to form a smoothed pitch or intonation contour. Then the smoothed pitch contour is processed by a set of shape detectors and this output, together with statistical information, is sent to a rule-based algorithm which attempts to classify the statement type. In another embodiment, the smoothed pitch contour is processed by a pattern recognition system such as a neural network trained with a back-propagation learning algorithm.

In dialog where one individual is giving instructions to a second individual, the second individual will often repeat part or all of a previous instruction, sometimes merely to acknowledge correct receipt of the information but also sometimes to act as an abbreviated query which, in natural dialog, would result in repetition or clarification of the previous instruction. In English, this acknowledgment/query distinction is made with reference to intonation cues, typically a rising or falling pitch contour.
In an automated dialog system, even given accurate speech recognition, confusion would result if such a user's query is ignored, or if a user's acknowledging statement is misunderstood and results in the system needlessly repeating a previous instruction. One way of tackling this problem would be to try to constrain the user's responses, and in most current systems, this is the approach that is taken. However, if one wishes to move to natural open dialog then besides trying to determine what is said, one should also pay some attention to how it is said.
To illustrate, some possible interactions for a service which provides road navigation directions to users over a cellular phone are illustrated below. Assume the user has accessed the system and given the details of present location and destination. The system will then proceed to give directions. Ideally during this process, the system should be able to deal with user queries. For example, in response to the instruction "Turn right at main street", the system may have to distinguish between the responses:
(a) Do I turn right at main street? or
(b) so RIGHT? at main, or
(c) right at MAIN? or
(d) Okay, right at main.
In the first example, correct word recognition would result in the user's response being treated as a query. However, in the other examples, a correct response requires dealing with the intonational cues present in the speech signal. In fact, to correctly respond to (b) and (c), a system should not only decide that there is a query but also which item is being queried, i.e. is the direction or the location that is being queried?
The following papers generally describe methods and apparatus for classifying speech using intonational features: Wightman, C. W. and Ostandorf, M. "Automatic Recognition of Intonational Features" and Schmandt, C. "Understanding Speech Without Recognizing Words."

Computer-based method and apparatus for classifying statement types based on intonation analysis


An electrical connector for securing an electrical connection between a conductor and a wire or cable, comprises a first plate, a second plate below the first plate, a hinge attaching the rear portion of the first plate to the rear portion of the second plate, and a wire securing means attached to one of the plates. The first and second plates have tabs attached to their forward portions, and each plate has at least one hole therethrough, the holes being sized to receive a conductor. The hinge allows the forward portion of the second plate to be moved relative to the forward portion of the first plate. Means are provided for biasing the two plates to a closed position, where the holes on the first and second plates are not aligned. In the open position, the holes are aligned. When a conductor is extended through the holes in the open position, the bias means biases the plates toward the closed position to firmly retain the conductor.

This invention relates to an improved electrical connector that firmly secures an electrical connection between a conductor and an electrical wire.
Electrical connectors are commonly used to secure an electrical connection between a conductor, such as the terminal post of a battery, and an electrical wire or cable. The ability to secure and retain a firm electrical connection is a desirable property of an electrical connector. A secure connection is necessary to prevent the unintentional release of the conductor and the consequent breakage of the electrical circuit. This is particularly true for connections to automobile batteries, where a loose connection can cause starting problems.
Locking security mechanisms for electrical connectors are commercially available. However, these mechanisms often involve numerous interlocking components and are thus difficult to assemble and difficult and time-consuming to install. Furthermore, the cost of manufacturing numerous interlocking components makes the electrical connector expensive to purchase.
Thus, there is a need for an electrical connector that can maintain an electrical connection secure, that is relatively inexpensive, and that is simple to assemble and use.


A method for manufacturing a polarization inversion part on the substrate of a ferroelectric crystal that is suitable for the use as a light wavelength conversion element or the like. A deep polarization inversion part or a homogeneous polarization inversion part is formed by one or more of: reinverting polarization in a part of the polarization inversion part; inverting polarization while applying a voltage also in the perpendicular direction to the polarization direction of a crystal; forming a low resistance part between electrodes to which an voltage is applied; inverting polarization from a electrode formed in a concave part on the surface of a substrate; applying a high voltage utilizing a insulating film; or the like. A substrate comprising a polarization inversion part manufactured by such methods is useful not only for a light wavelength conversion element but also for a diffxaction element and is also useful for a short wavelength light generator and an optical pick-up comprising a light wavelength conversion element.

Polarization inversion, in which the polarization of a single-polarization ferroelectric crystal is partially inverted, enables the control of light waves such as a nonlinear optical effect, an electric optical effect and an acoustic optical effect and is used in a wide variety of fields such as communication, light information processing and measurement. Among them, many studies have made on the application of the polarization inversion to a light wavelength conversion element utilizing the nonlinear optical effect because such application can implement a small-size short wavelength light source in which the wavelength of light from a semiconductor laser is converted.
A conventional method for manufacturing polarization inversion parts comprises forming a comb-shaped electrode and a stripe electrode on the surface of the ferroelectric substrate of an X or Y sheet parallel to a polarization direction and applying a voltage between the electrodes to form polarization inversion parts (Publication of Japanese Patent Application Tokkai Hei No. 4-335620). One conventional method for manufacturing polarization inversion parts will be described with reference to FIG. 58. A first electrode 202 and a second electrode 203 are formed on the ferroelectric LiNbO.sub.3 substrate 201 of an X sheet in the Z direction (the C direction) that is the polarization direction of the LiNbO.sub.3 substrate 201, and the polarization between the electrodes is inverted by applying a voltage between the electrodes from a power supply 205 to periodically form polarization inversion regions 204.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 59, another method for forming polarization inversion parts 204 comprises forming a second electrode 203 on a side of a substrate and applying a voltage between a first electrode 202 on a surface of the substrate and the side electrode 203.
Also, a method using a substrate is proposed in which the polarization direction of a crystal is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate. This method is different from the method shown in FIG. 58 because the spontaneous polarization direction of the substrate is inclined with respect to the crystal surface. Electrodes are formed in the polarization direction of the crystal so that an electric field opposed to the polarization direction of the crystal can be applied. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes, polarization inversion occurs from the first electrode and grows toward the second electrode. Since the polarization inversion grows parallel to the spontaneous polarization of the crystal, the polarization inversion parts get into the substrate along the inclined crystal axis. Therefore, the polarization inversion parts get into the substrate deeper as approaching from the first electrode to the second electrode.
Another conventional method for manufacturing polarization inversion parts is shown in FIG. 60. According to the method shown in FIG. 60, polarization inversion parts are formed in the thickness direction of the substrate.
An electric charge required for polarization inversion is determined by (spontaneous polarization Ps).times.(electrode range area).times.2. The spread of a polarization inversion part is determined by a WIA ratio (A is the period of an electrode and W is the width of the electrode). It is believed that the polarization inversion part spreads only by the value that does not depend on the thickness of the substrate. In the polarization inversion part formed by the method as shown in FIG. 60, the period is about 3 .mu.m, and the area of a region in which the polarization inversion part is formed is about 1 mm.sup.2.
Other examples of the structures of conventional light wavelength conversion elements are shown in FIGS. 61 and 62. The light wavelength conversion element converts the fundamental 208 of light collected in the element to a second harmonic 209 (hereinafter also referred to as SHG) by periodically forming polarization inversion parts 207 on a substrate 206 of a ferroelectric crystal such as LiTaO.sub.3 and performing a phase matching by the polarization inversion parts. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 62, a fundamental 208 is converted to a SHG 209 in an optical waveguide 210 formed on the surface of a substrate 206.
Publication of Japanese Patent Application Tokkai Hei No. 5-273624 discloses a light wavelength conversion element in which a nonlinear deterioration layer is provided near the surface of an optical waveguide. Publication of Japanese Patent Application Tokkai Hei 4-254834 discloses a light wavelength conversion element in which a high refractive index layer having a higher refractive index than an optical waveguide is formed on the optical waveguide. The structural view of this light wavelength conversion element is shown in FIG. 63. In the light wavelength conversion element, a TiO.sub.2 high refractive index layer 211 is formed on the surface of an optical waveguide 210 formed on a LiNbO.sub.3 substrate 206. Since the refractive index of the TiO.sub.2 film 211 is higher than that of the optical waveguide 210, the containment of the fundamental 208 is strong, achieving a more efficient light wavelength conversion element.
Furthermore, another light wavelength conversion element is proposed which uses a ridge-shaped optical waveguide structure to strengthen the containment of an optical waveguide (Publication of Japanese Patent Application Tokkai Hei No. 1-238631).
Problems of the conventional methods for manufacturing polarization inversion parts will be described below.
In a conventional method for manufacturing polarization inversion parts, polarization inversion parts grow from a +C surface, on which polarization inversion cores are formed, to a -C surface. Therefore, a homogeneous polarization inversion structure that has substantially the same shape as an electrode is formed near the +C surface, while the shape of the polarization inversion structure becomes irregular as it approaches the -C surface, forming a polarization inversion structure that does not have a full homogeneity near the -C surface.
Thus, it is difficult to form a light wavelength conversion element that has a deep polarization inversion structure formed by application of an electric field and an optical waveguide formed on a -C surface.
Furthermore, in a conventional method for manufacturing polarization inversion parts using the substrate of an X or Y sheet, it is difficult to form deep polarization inversion parts.
Thus, the depth of polarization inversion parts in a substrate in which the direction of spontaneous polarization is parallel to the surface of the substrate is limited to 1 .mu.m or less. Furthermore, the homogeneity of the polarization inversion parts is not good. Therefore, it is difficult to form polarization inversion parts having a large area, and the interaction length can be only about 10 mm.
In a conventional method for manufacturing polarization inversion parts using a polarization direction and using a substrate in which the polarization direction of a crystal is inclined with respect to the surface of the substrate, polarization inversion parts are formed in the polarization direction of the crystal, so that deep polarization inversion parts are formed. However, the conventional method has the following problems:
1) the effective area that can be used for a light wavelength conversion element is small; and
2) the depth of the polarization inversion parts is limited to about 2 .mu.m, so that it is difficult to form deeper polarization inversion parts.
Polarization inversion parts formed in an oblique substrate get into the substrate from the surface of the substrate. Therefore, only part of the deep polarization inversion parts overlapping an optical waveguide are present near the surface of the substrate. Thus, only part of the polarization inversion parts can be used for an optical waveguide type light wavelength conversion element.
Next, the problems of the conventional light wavelength conversion elements will be described below.
The light wavelength conversion element as shown in FIG. 62 is intended to achieve a high efficiency by forming deep polarization inversion structures using an oblique substrate and enhancing the overlap of the deep polarization inversion structures and an optical waveguide. However, the effective area in which polarization inversion can be used is very narrow and the substrate can have about one optical waveguide overlapping the polarization inversion parts.
The light wavelength conversion element as shown in FIG. 63 is intended to achieve a high efficiency by forming a high refractive index layer 211 having a higher refractive index than a waveguide 210 and strengthening the light containment. However, the high refractive index layer 211 of a ferroelectic film greatly affects the effective refractive index of the waveguide 210, so that a high precision is required for the homogeneity of the thickness of the high refractive index layer 211 on the entire waveguide 210. If the effective refractive index of the waveguide is not controlled well in the propagation direction of light, the conversion efficiency decreases extremely. Therefore, precise homogeneity is required for the thickness of the high refractive index layer 211.
Also, waveguide loss is likely to occur at an interface between the waveguide 210 and the high refractive index layer 211.

Method for producing polarization inversion part, optical wavelength conversion element using the same, and optical waveguide

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A mobile solar collecting device, system and method is disclosed. The system includes an angle adjustable solar collecting device, an electronic storage unit to store electric energy collected by the mobile solar collecting device, a first power connecter to electrically engage with a second power connector affixed to a structure to feed electricity to an electric power grid, a transport unit to move the mobile solar collecting device, a controller. The controller directs the transport unit to periodically move the adjustable solar collecting device to optimum solar collecting locations, provides an indication to adjust an orientation of the adjustable solar collecting device to obtain maximum energy from a sun, and directs the transport unit to move the mobile solar collecting device to a location where the first power connector electrically engages with the second power connector to discharge energy in the electronic storage unit to the power grid.

This application relates to a system and method for collecting and storing solar energy. Stationary solar energy collection systems are typically mounted to a fixed structure and grounded in a single place. These systems are limited in exposure to only the exposure to the direct path sunlight. Consequently, a stationary solar energy collection system may not generate its full potential due to shade from trees or other structures blocking out sun light during the course of a day.


An optical disk player, which comprises: a shell, a plummer fixed in the shell, an optical disk transport mechanism, a guiding mechanism, an optical disk loading final position detection mechanism, and a control part; the shell is 80-90 millimeters wide at the optical disk insertion direction; the detection parts of the guiding mechanism are located between the plummer and the delivery roll of the transport mechanism; the optical disk loading final position detection mechanism comprises a support part and a trigger bar; one end of the support part is rotatablely fixed to the upper base plate near the detection part of one detection bar, and its middle is provided with an assorted part interacting with the detection bar; the middle of the trigger bar is rotatablely fixed to the free end of the support part, of which one end is provided with a contact part for contacting the periphery of an optical disk, and the other end is connected to the control part. When an optical disk is at the playing position, a part of the optical disk will be exposed out of the shell of the optical disk player, so, when the optical disk is played, the status of the optical disk in the optical disk player can be intuitively seen from the outside.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention involves an optical disk player especially involves an optical disk player that transports the optical disk inserted from the insertion inlet to the playing position via a delivery roll.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an existing optical disk player, when the optical disk gets to the playing position, the whole optical disk is entirely contained in the player, and the status of the optical disk being played can not be seen from the outside. Especially for that kind of optical disk players which transports the optical disk to the playing position via a delivery roll, for the internal structure is complicated, the shell of the optical disk player can not be made less than the outer diameter of the optical disk. For example, a Japanese patent application with the publication number of 2008-135106 (P2008-135106A) disclosed such an optical disk playing device.

Optical disk player capable of monitoring the optical disk status

Valley Wood Electrical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


An airblast fuel injector is provided for a fuel spray nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The injector has an annular air passage for the passage of a swirling air flow therethrough. The swirling air flow is used by the injector to produce an atomized fuel spray. The air passage contains a swirler for producing the swirling air flow, the swirler comprising a circumferential row of vanes which span inner and outer side walls of the air passage. Viewed on a longitudinal section through the injector, the air passage has a bend downstream of the swirler, the bend changing the direction of the air passage. The vanes are configured to introduce a radial component to the air flow exiting the swirler, the radial component guiding the air flow around the bend.

Fuel injection systems deliver fuel to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, where the fuel is mixed with air before combustion. One form of fuel injection system well-known in the art utilises fuel spray nozzles. These atomise the fuel to ensure its rapid evaporation and burning when mixed with air.
An airblast atomiser nozzle is a type of fuel spray nozzle in which fuel delivered to the combustion chamber by a fuel injector is aerated by air swirlers to ensure rapid mixing of fuel and air, and to create a finely atomised fuel spray. The swirlers impart a swirling motion to the air passing therethrough, so as to create a high level of shear and hence acceleration of the low velocity fuel film.
Typically, an airblast atomiser nozzle will have a number of coaxial air swirler passages. An annular fuel passage between a pair of swirler passages feeds fuel onto a prefilming lip, whereby a sheet of fuel develops on the lip. The sheet breaks down into ligaments which are then broken up into droplets within the shear layers of the surrounding highly swirling air to form the fuel spray stream that enters the combustor.
FIG. 1 shows schematically a longitudinal cross section through a conventional fuel spray nozzle 132 which injects a pilot flow of air and fuel and a mains flow of air and fuel into a combustor 130. The nozzle comprises a pilot airblast fuel injector having an annular fuel passage 134 which allows the fuel to flow as a film on an annular prefilmer surface. A pilot inner swirler 136 located on the centerline 135 of the nozzle and a pilot outer swirler 138, are used to swirl air past the film, causing the liquid fuel to be atomized into small droplets.
The fuel spray nozzle 312 further includes a mains airblast fuel injector which is coaxially located about the pilot airblast fuel injector. The mains airblast fuel injector has inner 142 and outer 144 main swirlers which are located coaxially inward and outward of a mains fuel passage 140.
All four swirlers 136, 138, 142 and 144 are fed from a common air supply system, and the relative volumes of air which flow through each of the swirlers are dependent upon the sizing and geometry of the swirlers and their associated air passages. Each swirler comprises a circumferential row of vanes. The two swirlers of each of the pilot and the mains fuel injectors may be either co-swirl or counter-swirl.
In the conventional fuel spray nozzle 132, the vanes of a given swirler extend generally radially, as depicted in FIG. 2, which shows schematically the trailing edges 146 of a row of vanes as viewed looking upstream along the respective air passage. In addition, to reduce slippage of air leaving the vane trailing edge, the vanes may be twisted so that the chordal lines of successive aerofoil sections are at increasing stagger angle with increasing radial height. An aim is to achieve a direction of flow leaving the vanes that is at a tangent to the pitch circle at all vane radial heights, as shown by the dashed arrowed lines in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the mains inner swirler 142, its corresponding air passage 148, and an outlet port 150 of the mains fuel passage 140 of the fuel spray nozzle 132 of FIG. 1. The swirler is located in a cylindrical section of the air passage. In a following section, the air passage diverges (i.e. turns radially outwards). In the longitudinal cross sectional view of FIG. 3, the transition between the cylindrical and divergent sections appears as a bend 152 in the passage. The outlet port takes the form of an annular slot in the outer side wall of the air passage downstream of the bend. Fuel fed through the outlet port develops into a film on a frustoconical prefilmer surface 154 of the outer side wall. The swirling air flow (indicated by dotted arrowed lines) exiting the swirler travels along the air passage. In the divergent section, the flow area of the air passage may decrease, accelerating the air flow and helping it to atomize the liquid fuel film into small droplets.
The present invention is at least partly based on a recognition that, as a result of the bend 152, a thick boundary layer 156 can develop in the vicinity of the outlet port 150 and over the prefilmer surface 154. This boundary layer can reduce the effectiveness of the air flow in atomizing the fuel film. A related problem is that the bend itself can produce losses in the air flow, as it is forced by the bend to change direction.


Sport drinks, performance drinks, electrolyte drinks and the like are made from at least one carbohydrate and at least two biodegradable polymers selected from the group consisting of copolymers of sucrose and epichlorohydrin having molecular weights of from 70,000 to 400,000, glucose polymers having molecular weights of from 10,000 to 300,000, polyethylene glycols having molecular weights of from 1000 to 100,000, polyvinyl alcohols having molecular weights of from 70,000 to 110,000, polysucrose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl-ethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatine, starch, crosslinked starch, methoxypolyethylene glycol, ethoxypolyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene, lecithin and lysolecithin. Preferred polymers are polyethylene glycol and a copolymer of sucrose and epichlorohydrin.

It is believed that improved sports performance can be attained by the intake of so-called sport drinks. They often contain fructose or other sugars, and complex carbohydrates, which are easily absorbed by the body, and are designed to promote the availability of energy and/or prevent or treat mild dehydration. The main problem with glucose, fructose and glucose polymer drink formulae is that they maintain energy levels for a very short time period, e.g. about 15 to 30 minutes. Sports enthusiasts are therefore are compelled to take booster doses of the drink every so often to help maintain their energy for an extended time period. This problem adds considerable inconvenience to the sports enthusiasts as they are required to drink at intervals during long periods of exercise.
In order to overcome this problem of frequent drink administration to athletes and other sports enthusiasts to maintain the required energy levels, it is desirable to design a drink formula that may be drunk prior to the beginning of exercise or the sport event and which will provide energy levels for an extended time period, e.g. 3 or more hours.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the above mentioned problem.
The present invention is also useful for other kinds of drinks where extending the release of energy from the drink ingredients is desirable. For example, it is desirable for the elderly and for babies, that fewer drinks be taken than are currently the norm in order to give the same amount of energy. One advantage is that care providers spend less time feeding the elederly and young. Other types of drinks that benefit from the present invention are food supplements, so-called performance drinks, post-exercise drinks (recovery drinks) and drinks for use with cereals (breakfast drink).
Molecular weights indicated herein are weight average molecular weights (Mw)and can be determined by known light scattering methods or gel filtration chromatography methods. Light scattering methods are preferred.

Controlled-release formula for performance drinks


The present disclosure relates to improved convenience in helping to improve environmental and animal health and comfort. The present disclosure relates to disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags, series of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags, and the manufacture thereof. More specifically, the present disclosure presents a disposable reversible receptacle for picking up and disposing pet waste, wherein the disposable reversible bag further comprises a moistened wipe, which may allow a user to sanitarily wipe the pet and pick up the waste.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags and the manufacture thereof. More specifically, the present disclosure presents a bag for picking up and disposing pet waste, wherein the bag further comprises a wiping portion, which may allow a user to sanitarily wipe the pet and pick up the waste.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Currently, waste collection bags or even old grocery bags are the primary methods of picking up after a pet, and pet wipes may be separately available as an option for cleaning a pet.
Loizides (U.S. application Ser. No. 12/228,442 filed Aug. 13, 2008) relates to an "anti-bacterial wet wipe, reversible to plastic poop bag 10 [having] the design of a mitten/pouch 20 with a thumb insertion 24" may solve these issues. See para [0016]. In this application, "[t]he outside layer of the mitten/pouch 22, contains the anti-bacterial/sanitizing solution. The inner scented plastic layer 26 once reversed inside out will aid in eliminating odors of the animal waste . . . . The adhesive tape/strip component 40, will contain a strong adhesive compound to ensure that once the poop bag is turned inside out, that the animal waste collected will be adequately secured inside as to avoid any spill or seeping of animal waste collected." See para [0016].

Disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag


A new cultivar of Phlox, ‘Versde’, characterized by its very dwarf and compact plant habit, its dark pink flowers, its dark green, shiny foliage, its vigorous growth habit, its strong basal branching, and its low susceptibility to powdery mildew.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant, botanically known as Phlox paniculata 'Versde' and will be referred to hereafter by its cultivar name, 'Versde'. The new cultivar represents a new herbaceous perennial grown for landscape use.
The Inventor discovered 'Versde' in a field in Haarlem, The Netherlands in August of 2011 as a chance seedling. The probable parentage of 'Versde' is an open pollinated plant of Phlox paniculata 'Younique Purple' (not patented) as the field had been planted with plants of 'Younique Purple'.
Asexual propagation of the new cultivar was first accomplished by stem cuttings in Haarlem, The Netherlands in fall of 2011 by the Inventor. Asexual propagation by stem cuttings, root cuttings, and tissue culture has determined that the characteristics of the new cultivar are stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.

A. VERSCHOOR HORTICULTURE IMPORT-EXPORT B.V.


Systems and methods for prepaid dispatch communications are provided. The system includes a dispatch prepaid server that monitors an amount of prepaid services purchased for a dispatch station. The dispatch prepaid server provides provisioning information to a location register related to dispatch prepaid services. The location register provides an identification of the dispatch prepaid server to a dispatch processor. The dispatch processor monitors the duration of a call for the dispatch station and provides call duration information to the dispatch prepaid server.

Wireless network operators provide access to their wireless communication networks using either postpaid or prepaid accounts. Postpaid accounts allow customers to pay for some portion of their wireless access after such access. For example, a postpaid account may involve prepaying for a set number of minutes of access on one monthly statement, and the customer then pays for the excess minutes of access on the next monthly statement. In contrast to postpaid accounts, prepaid accounts require an upfront payment prior to providing access to the network. The upfront payment is for a predetermined period of access, e.g., a number of minutes or number of days. Upon expiration of the predetermined period of access, the customer is not allowed access to the wireless communication network until they purchase a new or additional predetermined period of access.
Currently most prepaid techniques relate to interconnect voice communications. Interconnect voice communications are those offered by most wireless network operators as circuit-switched communications. Another type of voice communications that is being offered by more wireless network operators is dispatch voice communications. Dispatch voice communications are commonly known as walkie-talkie or push-to-talk (PTT) types of communications, such as Sprint Nextel Corporation's service identified by the trade name Direct Connect.
One technique for offering prepaid services for interconnect voice communication services involves an interconnect prepaid server that is located external to the wireless network operator's network. All interconnect calls for prepaid subscribers are routed through the interconnect prepaid server, which monitors the length of the calls and adjusts the amount of available access remaining based on the length of the interconnect calls. This technique requires all interconnect prepaid calls to be routed through a server located external to the network operator's network. Although there has been a fair amount of development of prepaid interconnect services, due to the relatively recent interest in deploying dispatch communication services, there has been relatively little development of prepaid dispatch services.


A recording apparatus includes a recording head, a carriage having an opening on which the recording head is mounted in a state that the liquid ejection surface of the recording head faces the opening, the carriage being configured to reciprocate, a ground member that is mounted on the carriage so as to ground the recording head, and a sensor unit that is mounted on the carriage so as to perform sensing by using reciprocation of the carriage and has a ground mechanism which is connected to the ground member, wherein the ground member is disposed at a position in contact with the recording head mounted on the opening.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, such as an ink jet printer, that includes a recording head mounted on a carriage, and more specifically to a ground structure of the recording head.
2. Related Art
As described in JP-A-7-266662, a recording head in a recording apparatus is generally grounded for purposes of stabilization of operation, decrease of the effect of noise and so on. The ground structure described in JP-A-7-266662 is formed by using signal wires installed around the recording head.
However, the ground structure in the recording apparatus has not been easy to assemble and has had a complicated structure, which has led to increase in cost.


An underwater audio communication system to be worn by a diver is connected with and carried by a conventional face mask such that bone conduction occurs through the mastoid bone of the diver (i.e., behind the ear of the diver). The underwater audio communication system includes a face mask with a head strap for placement behind the head of the diver. A transceiver which is connected with and carried by the head strap is configured for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic signals in the water. At least one bone conduction transducer assembly is connected with and carried by the head strap at a location for placement against a mastoid bone of the diver. Each bone conduction transducer assembly is electrically connected with the transceiver.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to audio communication systems, and, more specifically, to underwater audio communication systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Underwater audio communication systems using bone conducted sound are known. For example, it is known to provide a scuba diving mouthpiece having a sound transducer therein which is placed in direct contact with a surface of a tooth of the diver. A problem with this type of arrangement is that it is difficult to maintain continuous contact pressure between the sound transducer and the surface of the tooth. If contact is lost between the sound transducer and tooth, audio communication with the diver is entirely lost. Other problems with this type of a mouthpiece are that the metallic sound transducer may come in contact with a metallic filling in the tooth of the diver, thereby causing galvanic electric currents to flow in the tooth of the diver with accompanying unpleasant sensations. Another problem is that the sound transducer which is in direct contact with the tooth may in fact chip or break the tooth if a biting force is applied to the mouthpiece by the diver or some other external force is applied to the mouthpiece.
An underwater audio communication apparatus providing improved audio communication with greater comfort to the diver and greater clarity and amplitude of sound is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,284 (May) and soon to issue U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,251 (May). Each of these patents broadly incorporate the principal of embedding a sound transducer entirely within a mouthpiece to avoid safety concerns and unpleasant sensations experienced by the diver which are associated with other known mouthpieces for bone conduction of audio sound. The sound transducer and/or sound propagating element associated therewith are provided with an increased surface area which assists in propagation of the sound through the mouthpiece.
What is needed in the art is an underwater audio communication system which is compact, economical and provides other alternative options to a diver for carrying out effective underwater audio communication using bone conducted sound.

Underwater audio communication system using bone conducted sound


An electrical mounting connector for a bi-pin fluorescent bulb has a lamp holder with two terminals and a cap with two pin guiding openings that snaps into the lamp holder such that two pins held in the two pin guiding openings will be held in contact with the two pin-shaped over a substantial portion of the pins along a parallel length of the pins. An alignment marking is provided on the lamp holder and a visual inspection point (such as a hole) is provided on the cap that compliment one another to provide a visual indication of when the lamp holder and the cap are properly assembled together. A drain is formed by one or more slots in the lamp holder to drain a space between the lamp holder and the cap accessed through pin guiding openings when the lamp holder and the cap are properly assembled together. A bi-pin fluorescent bulb is mounted to two lamp holders by inserting the pins of each of its ends into a cap to form an assembly and then sliding the assembly into the two lamp holders so that each pin comes into contact with a terminal in a direction parallel to the bi-pin fluorescent bulb.

Bi-pin fluorescent bulbs are in common use throughout the United States and common in standard and varying lengths. Each bulb has two ends, and each end has two pins used to connect the bulb to an electrical source.
Bi-pin fluorescent bulbs are often used in fluorescent lighting fixtures where the bulbs are inserted into the lighting fixtures by aligning the pins so that they pass through a slit opening. The bi-pins on one end of the bulb is inserted first, and then the other end follows the same way, pushing these pins into the slits and in between two electrical terminals of the lighting fixtures. This is a common procedure for inserting fluorescent bulbs into fluorescent lighting fixtures.
The present invention is directed to commercial lighting displays and other situations where fluorescent lighting may be used in connection with counters and other displays and where increased surface contact with the electrical terminals of the lighting fixtures is of prime importance. In addition, there have been incidents of fires caused by such lighting displays, and it is highly desirable to develop improved connectors that lessen the likelihood or occurrence of such fires.

Electrical mounting connector for a bi-pin fluorescent bulb


A configurable Clos network includes leafs and spines and a switch fabric that connects the leafs and the spines. The switch fabric couples each leaf port of each leaf to at least one spine port of each spine.

Clos architectural features may be used to build large scale networks; i.e., a Clos network. A Clos network uses a multistage switching circuit. Clos networks are useful when the physical switching needs exceed the capacity of the largest feasible single crossbar switch. A further advantage of Clos networks is that the required number of crosspoints (which make up each crossbar switch) can be much fewer than were the entire switching system implemented with one large crossbar switch.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


A semiconductor die has conductors encapsulated in a dielectric material disposed on the active surface extending across the active surface from bond pads to one or more peripheral edges where the conductor ends are disposed at a side surface of the dielectric material. Stacks of such semiconductor dice, wherein one of the dice is configured with discrete conductive elements projecting from the active surface, and the exposed ends of the dice in the stack are connected with vertical interconnects. A probe card is disclosed having bond wires extending from one or more central contacts between one or more peripheral contacts to the edge of the probe card. A probe card having an upper layer bearing contacts and at least one window therethrough, a lower layer bearing conductive traces with ends exposed through the at least one window, and conductors extending from at least some of the contacts to conductive trace ends is also provided. Methods of making the foregoing structures are disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to packaging of semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to single die and multi-die semiconductor device packages as well as to methods of fabricating such packages and subcomponents thereof. The present invention is also directed to methods of fabricating probe cards and resulting structures.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Semiconductor dice are becoming ever-smaller in dimension, both from advances in fabrication technology and as so-called "shrinks" of initial semiconductor die designs are developed to increase the number of dice which may be fabricated on a wafer or other bulk semiconductor substrate. As a consequence, it becomes more difficult to employ lead frame-based packaging techniques using, for example, wire bonds to connect bond pads of a die to lead fingers of a lead frame due to diminishing size of bond pads as well as decreasing pitch (spacing) between adjacent bond pads, rendering it difficult, if not impossible in some circumstances, to place inner ends of lead fingers of a lead frame in close proximity to bond pads to which they are to be wire bonded.
Further, when bond pads are arranged along a central axis of a semiconductor die, such as is conventional in so-called "leads over chip," or "LOC" packages, one may be faced with a choice between elongating and overcrowding lead fingers to place them in close proximity to the bond pads, or forming overly long wire bonds between the bond pads and remotely placed inner ends of lead fingers and risking potential breakage of the wire bonds or shorting between adjacent wire bonds when the package is being transfer-molded in an encapsulant by so-called "wire bond sweep" initiated by the flow front of the molten encapsulant moving over the active surface of the semiconductor die.
In addition, most conventional, lead frame-based packages do not facilitate high device density in conjunction with high multi-die device yields in terms of utilizing available "real estate" on a printed circuit board or other higher-level packaging.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a semiconductor device assembly packaging configuration which would accommodate ever-smaller semiconductor dice and their smaller, more closely pitched bond pads, and which would also facilitate the fabrication of highly reliable multi-die assemblies offering relatively high device densities.
It has also been recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that it is desirable to probe test multiple semiconductor dice simultaneously, and that some dice employ bond pad configurations which render it difficult to fabricate probe cards suitable for probe testing a plurality of such dice without using a substrate including multiple layers of conductive traces. Further, in order to accommodate some bond pad configurations, it may be necessary to provide fairly long conductive paths from the location of a given interior contact to the periphery of the probe card substrate, inducing excessive capacitance, particularly if the paths comprise thin-film, planar metal traces.
Therefore, it would also be desirable to fabricate a relatively simple, yet robust, probe card using a single layer substrate which may be configured to accommodate any bond pad configuration resident on a plurality of dice to be probe tested simultaneously and minimize capacitance along the conductive paths leading from the contacts.

Die package and probe card structures and fabrication methods