Disclosed is a guiding device for guiding an elongated element such as a cable or a pipe from the exterior into a hollow interior of a support element, the support element being a support element for supporting an offshore structure and being at least partly submerged in water, wherein the guiding device comprises; a tube having a first opening at a first end for facing the exterior and a second opening at a second end opposite to the first end for facing the hollow interior of the support element. The guiding device is configured to allow water to flow into the first opening and out of the second opening of the tube, and substantially prevent water from flowing into the second opening and out of the first opening whereby the guiding device allows water to enter the hollow interior of the support element but not exit the hollow interior.

Corrosion represents a significant problem in many industries. It damages structures and reduces their lifetime and characteristics. Especially offshore support elements which are submerged in water are greatly exposed to corrosive environments.
Seawater increases the corrosion process because of the presence of salts which acts as electrolytes. It is therefore a very important issue for offshore wind turbines for example. Wind turbines are typically supported by structures such as monopiles, having a hollow interior that is vulnerable to corrosion.
However, if the exchange of water inside the hollow interior is prevented, the oxygen present inside will be consumed. Once it is consumed, the corrosion processes end.
On top of the corrosion problems, offshore wind turbines are also facing marine currents and waves, which can cause damage to structures like for example cables which can be exposed when being on the side of the wind turbine support elements. To overcome this, it is well known to guide the cables into the support elements using guiding devices such as j-tubes.
Nevertheless, the sealing of these guiding devices to prevent exchange of water in the interior of the support element can be challenging.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,873 discloses a method and a device for sealing an entrance of an offshore tube with an elongated element and a device for sealing an entrance of an offshore tube with an elongated element. The sealing device comprises a plug-like device adapted to be fixed on an outer surface of the element at the entrance of the tube, an outer diameter of the plug-like device being smaller than an inner diameter of the tube so as to create a space between an outer surface of the plug-like device and an inner surface of the tube, the plug includes at least one expandable foam container arranged to introduce expandable foam into the space, a gas cartridge arranged to operate the at least one foam container and internal ducts for leading the expandable foam to the space provided between the plug-like device and the tube.
The process is, however, very complex and involves many steps.
Thus, it remains a problem to provide a simple guiding device.


Disclosed herein is an information processing device for recognizing a two-dimensional code in which predetermined information is coded by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of cells according to a predetermined arrangement rule, the information processing device including detecting means and obtaining means. In the information processing device, the detecting means detects the position determining part on a basis of binarized data obtained as a result of binarizing the image of the two-dimensional code on a basis of a first threshold value. The obtaining means detects the arrangement rule of the cells present in the area identified by the position determining part on a basis of binarized data obtained as a result of binarizing the area identified by the position determining part on a basis of a second threshold value different from the first threshold value, and obtains the predetermined information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and a method for information processing, and a program, and particularly to a device and a method for information processing, and a program that can properly recognize a two-dimensional bar code.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows an example of a two-dimensional bar code (hereinafter referred to as a 2D code) 101 recognized by a personal computer or the like, for example. By making the personal computer recognize the 2D code 101, it is possible to make the personal computer perform a process corresponding to predetermined information coded by the 2D code 101.
The 2D code 101 includes a guide part 111 and a code part 112 provided within an area of a rectangle having a length of 7 squares (hereinafter referred to as blocks) in an X-axis direction and a length of 9.5 blocks in a Y-axis direction.
The guide part 111 is formed by a rectangular cell having a length of 7 blocks in the X-axis direction and a length of 1.5 blocks in the Y-axis direction.
The code part 112 is provided one block away from the guide part 111. The code part 112 has square cells arranged in a two-dimensional pattern.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cells forming the code part 112 include an upper left corner cell 121-1 situated seven blocks away from a left end of the guide part 111 in an upward direction in the figure, an upper right corner cell 121-2 situated seven blocks away from a right end of the guide part 111 in the upward direction, a lower left corner cell 121-3 situated one block away from the left end of the guide part 111 in the upward direction, and a lower right corner cell 121-4 situated one block away from the right end of the guide part 111 in the upward direction. Incidentally, when the upper left corner cell 121-1, the upper right corner cell 121-2, the lower left corner cell 121-3, and the lower right corner cell 121-4 do not particularly need to be differentiated from each other, these corner cells will be referred to collectively as corner cells 121.
No cells are present in an area of three adjacent blocks (blocks represented by dotted lines in FIG. 2) around the corner cells 121.
Cells (hereinafter referred to as coded cells as appropriate) 122 other than the corner cells 121 in the code part 112 are arranged two-dimensionally according to predetermined alphanumeric characters and the like.
A personal computer detects the guide part 111 and the corner cells 121 in the code part 112 from an image of the 2D code 101, identifies an area where the code part 112 is present on the basis of the guide part 111 and the corner cells 121, and then obtains coded information from the arrangement pattern of the coded cells 122 present in the area.
A 2D code recognizing process in the past will next be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 3 (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-148904).
In step S1, the value of a counter i counting the setting of a threshold value representing a predetermined luminance value is initialized to one. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the threshold value is set in five steps. The magnitude of the threshold value is decreased stepwise from a threshold value A indicated at setting number 1, the threshold value A being the highest threshold value, to a threshold value E indicated at setting number 5.
Returning to FIG. 3, in step S2, image data of a 2D code 101 captured by a personal computer is subjected to a binarizing process on the basis of a threshold value of a setting number corresponding to the value of the counter i.
A pixel retaining a luminance value higher than the threshold value is coded into "1," and the pixel is made white on display. A pixel thus coded into "1" will hereinafter be referred to as a white pixel.
A pixel retaining a luminance value equal to or lower than the threshold value is coded into "0," and the pixel is made black on display. A pixel thus coded into "0" will hereinafter be referred to as a black pixel.
In next step S3, as shown in FIG. 5, numbers are set to areas where black pixels are connected to each other (hereinafter referred to as black pixel connected areas) (the areas are labeled) in order from an upper left to a lower right with an area where black pixels are connected to each other as one area.
In step S4, a total number M of black pixel connected areas labeled in step S3 is determined, and then whether the obtained total number M of black pixel connected areas is 257 or larger is determined. When M is 257 or larger, it is determined that the binarized image is not an appropriate image for a subsequent process. The process proceeds to step S5.
In step S5, whether the value of the counter i is equal to a number N (=5) of set threshold values (i=5) is determined. When the value of the counter i is not equal to five, the value of the counter i is incremented by one in step S6. The process returns to step S2. In step S2, the captured image data is subjected to the binarizing process again on the basis of a threshold value of a setting number corresponding to the value of the counter i incremented by one.
As described above, the threshold value A indicated at setting number 1 is the highest threshold value. When the binarizing process is performed on the basis of the threshold value A, luminance values of many pixels of the image data is lower than the threshold value A, and therefore many pixels are made to be black pixels, thus resulting in a large total number M of black pixel connected areas. Accordingly, when a result of the determination in step S4 is YES, the value of the counter i is incremented by one in step S5. Thus performing the binarizing process on the basis of a threshold value lower by one step can reduce the number of pixels made to be black pixels, that is, black pixel connected areas.
When it is determined in step S5 that i=5, that is, when an appropriate total number M of black pixel connected areas are not generated on the basis of any of the threshold values A to E, it is determined that the image data for one frame does not include an image of a 2D code 101. Then the process is ended.
When it is determined in step S4 that the total number of black pixel connected areas is smaller than 257, the process proceeds to step S7, where a guide part detecting process is performed. Details of the guide part detecting process in step S7 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 6.
First, in step S21, the value of a counter j counting the number of black pixel connected areas is initialized to one. Next, in step S22, a search is made for a black pixel connected area along a locus of a counterclockwise spiral from a center point of a frame, for example. A black pixel connected area detected first is selected as a guide part candidate area.
In next step S23, a side AT and a side BT of the guide part candidate area selected in step S22 are determined, the side AT and the side BT corresponding to a long axis (hereinafter referred to as a side A) and a short axis (hereinafter referred to as a side B) of a guide part 111. As shown in FIG. 7, the side AT is a line formed by projecting the black pixel connected area on the X-axis of the image (X-axis projection line), and the side BT is a line formed by projecting the black pixel connected area on the Y-axis of the image (Y-axis projection line).
In next step S24, whether the side BT corresponding to the short axis is formed by less than 20 pixels is determined. When a black pixel connected area having a short axis (side B) formed by less than 20 pixels is a guide part 111, for example, the length of one side of one block obtained at a ratio of one to 1.5, 1.5 being the length of the side B, as shown in FIG. 1 is shortened, so that a minimum cell (a cell of a 1×1 block area) is not displayed properly. Thus, when the side BT is formed by less than 20 pixels, it is determined that the black pixel connected area selected this time in step S22 is not a guide part 111. The process proceeds to step S25.
In step S25, whether the value of the counter j is equal to the total number M of black pixel connected areas (j=M) is determined. When it is determined that j is not equal to M, the process proceeds to step S26, where the value of the counter j is incremented by one. The process thereafter returns to step S22. Then, a black pixel connected area detected next is set as a next guide part candidate area, and a similar process is performed.
When it is determined in step S24 that the side BT of the guide part candidate area selected in step S22 is formed by 20 pixels or more, the process proceeds to step S27, where whether the side AT of the guide part candidate area is formed by more than 300 pixels is determined. When a black pixel connected area having a long axis (side A) formed by more than 300 pixels is a guide part 111, for example, the length of one side of one block obtained at a ratio of one to seven, seven being the length of the side A, as shown in FIG. 1 is increased, so that an upper left corner cell 121-1 and an upper right corner cell 121-2 situated seven blocks away from the guide part 111 as shown in FIG. 2 are not displayed. Thus, when the side AT is formed by more than 300 pixels, it is determined that the black pixel connected area selected this time in step S22 is not a guide part 111. The process proceeds to step S25.
When it is determined in step S27 that the side AT of the guide part candidate area selected in step S22 is not formed by more than 300 pixels (is formed by 300 pixels or less), the process proceeds to step S28.
In step S28, whether a total number of black pixels of the guide part candidate area is 20 or larger and smaller than 1500 is determined. When it is determined that the total number of black pixels of the guide part candidate area is smaller than 20 or 1500 or larger, the process proceeds to step S25. When the total number of black pixels is smaller than 20, there occurs a same problem as in the case where the side BT is formed by less than 20 pixels in step S24. When the total number of black pixels is 1500 or larger, there occurs a same problem as in the case where the side AT is formed by more than 300 pixels in step S27. In both cases, it is unlikely that the guide part candidate area is the guide part 111.
When it is determined in step S28 that the total number of black pixels of the guide part candidate area is 20 or larger and smaller than 1500, the process proceeds to step S29, where likelihood (fitness) of the guide part candidate area selected in step S22 being a rectangle is determined. When the guide part candidate area is a rectangle, the process proceeds to step S30.
In step S30, whether a ratio of the long axis to the short axis of the guide part candidate area judged to be a rectangle in step S29 is 2.0 or higher and 25 or lower is determined. When the ratio is 2.0 or higher and 25 or lower, the process proceeds to step S31.
In step S31, the guide part candidate area selected in step S22 is set as (assumed to be) the guide part 111, and for example the number of the black pixel connected area as the guide part candidate area is stored. The process is ended when the guide part 111 is thus detected.
When it is determined in step S28 that the total number of black pixels is smaller than 20 or 1500 or larger, when it is determined in step S29 that the guide part candidate area is not a rectangle, or when it is determined in step S30 that the ratio between the side AT and the side BT is lower than 2.0 or 25 or higher, it is determined that the guide part candidate area selected this time in step S22 is not the guide part 111. The process proceeds to step S25. A black pixel connected area detected next is set as a next guide part candidate area, and the subsequent process is performed.
When it is determined in step S25 that the value of the counter j is equal to the total number M of black pixel connected areas (j=M), the guide part 111 is not set in step S31, and the process is ended. That is, it is determined that the image data (one frame) subjected to the 2D code recognizing process this time does not include the guide part 111.
When the guide part detecting process as described above is completed, the process proceeds to next step S8 in FIG. 3.
In step S8, whether the guide part 111 has been detected in step S7 is determined. When it is determined that the guide part 111 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S9, where a code part detecting process is performed. Details of the code part detecting process will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 8.
In step S41, the value of a counter j counting the number of black pixel connected areas detected in step S3 in FIG. 3 is initialized to one. In step S42, a black pixel connected area having a number corresponding to the value is detected, and the black pixel connected area is selected as an upper left corner cell candidate area.
In next step S43, whether a ratio between the lengths of a side AT and a side BT of the upper left corner cell candidate area selected in step S42, the side AT and the side BT being determined as shown in FIG. 7, is three or lower is determined. When it is determined that the ratio is three or lower, the process proceeds to step S44.
In step S44, whether the upper left corner cell candidate area selected in step S42 is present within a search region set in advance with respect to the guide part 111 detected in step S7 in FIG. 3 is determined. When it is determined that the upper left corner cell candidate area is present within the search region, the upper left corner cell candidate area is set as (assumed to be) an upper left corner cell 121-1 in step S45.
When it is determined in step S43 that the ratio of the length of the side BT to the length of the side AT is higher than three, or when it is determined in step S44 that the upper left corner cell candidate area is not present within the search region, it is determined that the black pixel connected area selected in step S42 is not the upper left corner cell 121-1. The process proceeds to step S46, where whether the value of the counter j is equal to the total number M of black pixel connected areas (j=M) is determined. When it is determined that j is not equal to M, the process proceeds to step S47, where the value of the counter j is incremented by one. The process thereafter returns to step S42. Then, a black pixel connected area having a next number is set as a next upper left corner cell candidate area, and a similar process is performed.
After the upper left corner cell 121-1 is set in step S45, the process proceeds to step S48, where the value of another counter k counting the number of black pixel connected areas is initialized to two. In next step S49, a black pixel connected area having a number corresponding to the value of the counter k is detected, and the black pixel connected area is selected as an upper right corner cell candidate area.
In next step S50, a ratio between the number of pixels (area) of the upper left corner cell 121-1 set in step S45 and the number of pixels (area) of the upper right corner cell candidate area selected in step S49 is calculated, and whether the ratio (area ratio) is six or lower is determined. When it is determined that the ratio is six or lower, the process proceeds to step S51.
In step S51, the area (number of pixels) of the upper left corner cell 121-1 set in step S45, the area (number of pixels) of the upper right corner cell candidate area selected in step S49, and a distance (D) between a center point of the upper left corner cell 121-1 and a center point of the upper right corner cell candidate area are calculated, and whether Equation (1) and Equation (2) hold is determined.(S1/D2)≦900  (1)(S2/D2)≦900  (2)
When it is determined in step S51 that Equation (1) and Equation (2) hold, the process proceeds to step S52, where the upper right corner cell candidate area selected in step S49 is set (assumed to be) an upper right corner cell 121-2.
After the upper right corner cell 121-2 is set (assumed), in step S55, an area defined by the upper left corner cell 121-1 set in step S45, the upper right corner cell 121-2 set in step S52, and the guide part 111 set in step S7 in FIG. 3 is subjected to an affine transformation so as to convert the defined area to an area having a length of seven blocks in an X-axis direction and a length of 9.5 blocks in a Y-axis direction on display. Incidentally, the length of one side of one block is calculated on the basis of the side AT or the side BT of the guide part 111 set in step S7 in FIG. 3.
In next step S56, an area (7×2.5 block area) of the guide part 111 set in step S7 in FIG. 3 and a 7×1 block on an upper side of the guide part 111 (a block corresponding to a 7×1 block between the guide part 111 and a code part 112) (FIG. 1) is removed from the image resulting from the transformation in step S55. The black pixel connected areas are mapped as cells onto the region of a 7×7 block area obtained as a result of the removal, and thereby a code map is generated.
In step S57, four corner cells among the cells on the code map generated in step S56 are detected. Because no cells are present in three-block areas around the corner cells 121 (FIG. 2), whether the three-block areas around the four corner cells are white pixels is determined. When the three-block areas around the four corner cells are white blocks, the process proceeds to step S58, where the code map generated in step S56 is set as (assumed to be) the code part 112 of the 2D code 101. Thus, the code part 112 is detected. Then the process is ended.
When it is determined in step S50 that the area ratio is higher than six, when it is determined in step S51 that Equation (1) and Equation (2) do not hold, or when it is determined in step S57 that the three-block areas around the four corner cells are not white pixels, the process proceeds to step S53, where whether the value of the counter k is equal to the total number M of black pixel connected areas (k=M) is determined. When it is determined that k is not equal to M, the process proceeds to step S54, where the value of the counter k is incremented by one. The process thereafter returns to step S49. Then, a black pixel connected area having a next number is set as a next upper right corner cell candidate area, and a similar process is performed.
When it is determined in step S53 that the value of the counter k is equal to the total number M of black pixel connected areas, the process returns to step S46. When it is determined in the process of step S46 that j is not equal to M, the value of the counter j is incremented by one in step S47. The process returns to step S42, where a black pixel connected area having a next number is set as a next upper left corner cell candidate area. Then the subsequent process is performed.
When it is determined in step S46 that j=M, it is determined that a 2D code 101 is not present in the image being subjected to the 2D code recognizing process this time. Then the process is ended.
When the code part detecting process as described above is completed, the process proceeds to step S10 in FIG. 3, where whether the code part 112 has been detected is determined. When it is determined that the code part 112 has been detected, code data, that is, the value of the 2D code 101 is calculated from the code map of the detected code part 112, and the value of the 2D code 101 is retained in step S11. Thereafter the process is ended.
When it is determined in step S8 that the guide part 111 has not been detected, or when it is determined in step S10 that the code part 112 has not been detected, it is determined that the image data subjected to the 2D code recognizing process this time does not include the 2D code 101. Then the process is ended.
Thus, the 2D code 101 is recognized.

Information processing device and method, and program


A technique for offering a reward to an audience member tuned to a broadcast signal which is performed by reproduction equipment, the broadcast signal having commercial content, program content, and commercial content identification codes respectively corresponding to advertisements contained in the commercial content, wherein the audience member captures the commercial content identification codes from the performed broadcast signal and actuates storing of a segment of a program content from the performed broadcast signal. The technique identifies the program based on the segment thereof that was stored in response to the command, and offers the audience member a reward related to the identified program.

The term "program content" as used herein refers to the material that attracts an audience to a particular broadcast station. For example, a television audience will tune in to a particular station in order to watch a certain television program. In the context of radio, program content refers to songs, dialog, such as in the case of "talk" radio, or comedy segments that are played on a radio station.
The terms "advertising content" and "commercial content" which are used interchangeably herein, refer to advertisements (also known as commercials) that are interspersed within the program content, e.g., advertisements that are broadcast between songs in radio program content.
The term "broadcast signal" refers to a signal that contains program content and advertising content.
The "broadcast" of a broadcast signal can be over the airwaves, cable, satellite or any other signal transmission medium. It can also include the time-delayed playback of a broadcast program that was recorded. An "audience" for a broadcast signal is constituted of the persons who perceive it, such as a listener to a radio program.
The broadcast signal is "performed" by any reproduction equipment which results in some form that is perceivable to human beings, namely an audio and/or video signal. The "reproduction equipment" is any and all types of units to convert a broadcast signal into human perceptible form, such as a radio or television tuner and associated components.
The audience can be described as being "tuned" to a specific broadcast signal source, such as a radio broadcast station. The word "tuned" is applied herein to all situations in which a person chooses to be an audience member of program content broadcast by that specific broadcast signal source, such as by twisting a dial or operating a remote control device of a tuner, for example, in order to set that tuner so that it can receive and play the broadcast signal.
The price charged by a broadcaster for broadcasting an advertisement depends on a number of factors. For example, the price can depend on when an advertisement is aired ("aired" is used interchangeably herein with "broadcast"). As an example, a radio advertisement aired during prime commuting times, e.g. "rush hour", will cost more than an advertisement broadcast late at night or at other times which typically have fewer listeners. Also, in many instances an advertiser will pay a radio station to have a specific advertisement aired a number of times per day. For example, an advertiser may contract with a radio station for an advertisement to air three times per day on consecutive days of a week, with the advertisements scheduled for broadcast once during the morning rush hour, once during the evening rush hour, and a third time during the afternoon.
Because advertising rates are dependent on the advertisement broadcast times and the frequency of broadcast (i.e. number of times the advertisement is broadcast), advertisers depend on monitoring data to confirm that the advertisements were in fact aired according to the contracted terms made by agreement with the broadcaster. For obvious reasons, advertisers desire independent, third-party confirmation of such information and do not want to rely on broadcasters to provide it.
When monitoring television programming for advertisements, an identification code, such as a "water mark" which is undetectable by a viewer, is oftentimes embedded in each advertisement included in the advertising content. Detection devices are provided by monitoring services to those audience members who choose to be participants in this effort. The devices are positioned proximate to, or in communication with, the televisions and detect the identification codes from the advertising content when an advertisement is aired. The detected code data is then transmitted or otherwise conveyed to an independent monitoring service. Such a system is more fully disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/391,907, 10/080,949 and 10/779,506, the content of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
In radio, broadcast signals can also include identification codes for some or all of the advertisements contained in the broadcast signal, along with identification codes which identify the radio station. Thus, a monitoring device can be used to detect codes from a radio broadcast signal which identify an advertisement as well as the station that is playing the advertisement.
Unlike television program content which is predominantly viewed in the home, the vast majority of radio listening occurs outside of the home such as in automobiles and in places of employment. As a result, more meaningful monitoring of radio program content to obtain information of advertising broadcast time, station identification and frequency of advertisements in the advertising content is accomplished through the use of portable monitoring devices which can be carried by participants as they move, for example, among the home, the car, and the place of employment. Such devices may be, for example, a data capture device such as a memory stick, smartcard or other portable type of memory unit. The participant can removably connect such a data capture device to a docking station, for example, connected to a car radio and/or an office radio, so that the device will capture identification codes from the broadcast signal. Once a preset amount of data is captured or a preset time of day is reached, the data on the capture device will be transmitted to a monitoring service for processing. Such a monitoring system depends on cooperation of the monitoring participants to obtain accurate and timely capture and uploading of the needed data to monitor the broadcasting of particular advertisements which are of interest.
In order to stimulate monitoring cooperation by monitoring participants, compensation is typically provided. The compensation can be in various forms such as a monetary payment depending on the length of time of participation, e.g., a certain amount of money per day, etc., or giving specific goods and/or services, or discounts for the purchase of such goods or services. When a reward is offered to a person in exchange for some action by that person, the person's level of interest in obtaining the reward is proportional to the amount of time between the action and getting the reward. The highest level of interest is achieved when the reward is given promptly after the action. Such an "immediate" reward may include printed coupons as discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/080,949 and 10/391,907.
Although such rewards have been found to be effective in achieving the desired results, it is thought that still greater cooperation would be obtained if a different type of reward were to be offered to participants for the effort involved in the transport, manipulation of capturing devices used in connection with monitoring advertising content in radio programming, and for the uploading of the captured data to a remote data processing center in a timely manner.

System and method for providing incentive rewards to an audience tuned to a broadcast signal


A sensor assembly for determining a spatial position of a first part relative to a second part has at least one magnet disposed on the first part. The magnet generates a magnetic field that extends to the second part. The sensor assembly further has a pair of magnetic field sensors arranged at a spatial distance from each other on the second part. The magnet is positioned in an interval defined by the spatial distance between the magnetic field sensors. The magnetic field sensors each produce an output signal depending on the magnetic field. The output signals of the two magnetic field sensors are combined to form a common sensor signal related to the spatial position of the first part relative to the second part. The output signals of the two magnetic field sensors essentially represent a direction of the magnetic field at the location of the respective magnetic field sensors.

The present invention relates to a sensor assembly and a method for determining a spatial position of a first part relative to a second part. The method and assembly can advantageously be used in a contact probe head for a coordinate measuring machine in order to determine the relative position of the sensing element of the probe head relative to a probe head base.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,854 discloses a sensor assembly using two Hall elements in order to determine a relative position. The two Hall elements are arranged on opposite sides of a magnet, so that the North pole and the South pole of the magnet each point towards a Hall element. Each Hall element produces an output signal representing the distance between the Hall element and the side of the magnet that is opposite thereto. If the magnet moves closer to one of the Hall elements, the distance to the other Hall element increases. In this way a position change of the first part relative to the second part along a measurement axis, which corresponds to the connecting line between the two Hall elements, is detected twice. A common sensor signal, which is representative of the actual position of the magnet between the two Hall elements, is produced by generating the difference between the two output signals. In some exemplary embodiments, U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,854 also proposes a plurality of magnets and a plurality of Hall element pairs so that the actual spatial position of the first part relative to the second part can be determined along a plurality of measurement axes. For this a magnet is required for each Hall element pair.
Hall elements respond essentially to a change of the magnitude of the magnetic field strength. By forming the difference of the output signals of each two opposing Hall elements, a common sensor signal is produced that is approximately proportional to the position of the magnet between the two Hall elements. The known sensor assembly allegedly has good sensitivity, selectivity and resolution. It is disadvantageous that the known sensor assembly requires a plurality of magnets for position determination in a plurality of measurement axes, which magnets should be disposed as far apart from each other as possible in order to achieve good decoupling between the sensor pairs. Each sensor pair requires "its" magnet. The required distances make it difficult to implement the known sensor assembly for a plurality of measurement axes in a compact manner. Furthermore, the assembly and the installation of the known sensor assembly in a device, such as the probe head of a coordinate measurement machine, require many individual assembly steps.
Sensor assemblies of the above-mentioned type are particularly necessary in coordinate measurement machines. Coordinate measurement machines usually comprise a so-called probe head, which is attached to a frame. With the aid of the frame the probe head can be moved relative to a measurement object. The probe head comprises a movable sensing element, typically in the form of a stylus. The probe head is moved towards the measurement object until the free end of the stylus contacts a target measurement point. The stylus is deflected relative to the probe head as a result of the contacting. Spatial coordinates, which are representative of the sensed measurement point, are then determined from the position of the probe head relative to the measurement object and from the position of the stylus relative to the probe head. Geometric dimensions and/or the shape of the measurement object can be determined by sensing a plurality of measurement points and determining the corresponding spatial coordinates.
DE 103 48 887 A1 discloses a probe head for a coordinate measurement machine. Again, pairs of Hall elements are used to determine the position of the stylus relative to the base of the probe head. As with the arrangement from U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,854, a Hall element pair is required for each measurement axis. Again, the individual Hall element pairs and the associated magnet are disposed at different points of the probe head as far apart as possible.
DE 10 2004 011 728 A1 discloses another probe head for a coordinate measurement machine having Hall elements and magnets. A Hall element is provided for each measurement axis and is disposed between two opposed magnets. Two measurement axes of the sensor assembly are combined on a supporting plate. The third spatial direction must be detected with a Hall element and an associated magnet pair, which must be separately mounted in the probe head.
As an alternative to Hall elements it has been envisaged to use so-called magnetoresistive sensors. DE 37 08 105 A1 discloses such a probe head for a coordinate measurement machine, wherein a single magnet is disposed on the end of the stylus closer to the probe head base. A plurality of magnetoresistive sensors is distributed on a detector surface that is disposed opposite the magnet. The known sensor assembly is quite compact. The measurement accuracy is limited, however, in particular because the Earth's magnetic field can cause unknown disturbances.
The structure and the principle of operation of the magnetoresistive sensors are known from various documents, for example from DE 195 21 617 C1 or from numerous publications in journals or at conferences. The sensors are frequently based on the so-called anisotropic magnetoresistive effect (AMR effect) or on the giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR effect). The AMR effect alters the electrical resistance of a ferromagnetic material through which a current is flowing depending on the angle between the current density vector and the magnetic field vector. The GMR effect is a quantum mechanical effect, which likewise causes a change of the electrical resistance of a ferromagnetic structure. AMR and GMR sensors have replaced the previously used so-called field plates. Field plates are magnetically variable resistances, in which the change in resistance is based on a change in the path length of the electrons in the magnetic field as a result of the Lorentz force.
DE 37 15 698 A1 discloses a probe head having three field plates, which are disposed on an outer circular ring, which is concentric to an inner circular ring having magnetic antipoles. Said sensor assembly appears quite compact. However, the measurement accuracy might be very limited owing to the sensors used and owing to the influences of the Earth's magnetic field.

Sensor assembly for determining a spatial position of a first part relative to a second part

CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH


This invention relates to the methanesulfonic acid addition salts of Imatinib and to the synthesis thereof. In particular, this invention relates to the synthesis of crystalline α-form of Imatinib methanesulfonate. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a novel acid addition salt of 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-[(4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]benzamide with two molecules of methanesulfonic acid and to the polymorphic forms thereof, as well as to their pharmaceutical compositions.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to crystalline polymorphs of methanesulfonic acid addition salts of Imatinib and to the synthesis thereof, and in particular to the synthesis of the α-crystal form of Imatinib mesylate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Imatinib, 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-[(4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-yloamino]phenyl]benzamide, has been disclosed in the European Patent Application EP 0564409 A1 as a pharmacologically active substance having anti-tumor activity, especially useful in the treatment of diseases which respond to inhibition of tyrosine kinase receptors.
International Patent Publication WO 2004/026930 relates to the use of Imatinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for reducing inflammation. Although the use of many pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts of Imatinib is mentioned including methanesulfonic acid salts of Imatinib, experimental studies are described in detail only with respect to the monomethanesulfonate salt thereof.
A novel crystal modification of the methanesulfonic acid addition salt of 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-[(4-piperidin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino]phenyl]benzamide, i.e. the β-crystal form, has been described in the International Patent Publication WO 99/03854. The β-crystal form could be obtained, inter alia, from the less thermodynamically stable α-crystal form by triturating a suspension of the latter in a polar solvent, especially an alcoholic solvent, such as methanol. The β-crystal form could be also obtained directly from the free base by treating a suspension of 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-[(4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-yloamino]phenyl]benzamide with methanesulfonic acid in methanol, concentrating the obtained solution and inoculating it with seeds of the β-crystal form.
In WO 99/03854, a general observation was made that the α-crystal form of the methanesulfonic acid addition salt of Imatinib could be obtained, e.g., by precipitating out the salt from its solution in a solvent other than alcohol, such as methanol, and without adding any seeds of the β-crystal form. The method of preparing the α-crystal form, disclosed in Example 1 of WO 99/03854 is as follows:                (1) a suspension of the free base in ethanol is treated with methanesulfonic acid and the solution of the obtained salt is refluxed for 20 min.;        (2) the solution obtained as above is concentrated to a half of its initial volume and the precipitate that has formed is filtered at 25° C., to give the filtration product A;        (3) the filtrate is evaporated to dryness, the filtration product A is then added to the residue followed by appropriate volume of ethanol and water and the mixture is refluxed until completely dissolved;        (4) after cooling the solution slowly down to 25° C., the α-crystal form is isolated by filtration.
However, failed attempts to reproduce Example 1 of WO 99/03854 by Inventors of the present invention have proven that the disclosure of WO 99/03854 is insufficient for preparing the α-crystal form selectively and in a reproducible manner.
On repeating the procedure of the Example 1 with the use of absolute ethyl alcohol (i.e., ethanol containing 0.1% (m/v) of water), Inventors of the present invention have found that the combined filter material A and the residue after evaporating the mother liquor does not completely dissolve in the specified volume of water and ethanol. Despite filtering undissolved crystals and cooling down the reaction mixture to room temperature results in readily crystals formation, comparison of their X-ray powder diffraction pattern with the data provided in WO 99/03854 evidences the formation of β-crystal form. On the other hand, in case of using ethanol containing 4.8% (m/v) of water, the solution concentrated to a half of its volume does not crystallize easily and the final solution of the salt does not crystallize without inoculation with the proper crystal form even after 36 hours after it has been cooled down to about 16° C.
Furthermore, one drawback associated with the process for preparing the α-crystal form, disclosed in the International Publication WO 99/03854, is that it requires several unit operations, such as isolation of crude methanesulfonate crystals from the reaction mixture, evaporating ethanol from the reaction mixture and re-suspending the methanesulfonate salt in the same solvent.
Moreover, Inventors of the present invention have found that without inoculating the reaction mixture with a proper crystal form, crystallization of the methanesulfonic acid addition salt of 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-[4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino]phenyl]benzamide has a random nature, i.e., either the α-crystal form, the β-crystal form or mixtures thereof are obtained randomly without regard to the reaction conditions.
Therefore, it has been necessary to find a selective and reproducible method of preparing the α-crystal form of the methanesulfonic acid addition salt of 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-[4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino]phenyl]benzamide, a method which would be suitable for use as a one-pot reaction.
The problem of the non-selectivity and non-reproducibility of the prior art methods has been solved by a process disclosed in the Polish Patent Application No. P-366885 filed Apr. 2, 2004, in which the reaction of equimolar amounts of methanesulfonic acid and 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]benzamide is carried out in ethyl alcohol or in a mixture of ethyl alcohol with another C1-C4 aliphatic alcohol; then an ester of a carboxylic acid and C1-C4 aliphatic alcohol is added to the reaction mixture, the reaction mixture is cooled down to the internal temperature A, seeded with the crystals of the α-crystal form and the resulting reaction mixture is left with stirring at internal temperature B for the time necessary for crystallization of the α-crystal form.
Although the method allows for obtaining the pure α-crystal form, it requires using two different solvents, the second of which (an ester of a carboxylic acid and C1-C4 aliphatic alcohol) causes precipitation of the acid addition salt from the reaction mixture. Furthermore, the method requires inoculating the reaction mixture with the seeds of the α-crystal form and the yield of crystallization hardly exceeds 80%.

Crystalline polymorphs of methanesulfonic acid addition salts of Imatinib


A pump device includes main and auxiliary eccentric portions integrated with a motor output shaft on the side of its base end and on the side of its pointed end. The main eccentric portion is larger in diameter than the auxiliary eccentric portion. A needle roller bearing and a ball bearing are fitted to the outer peripheries of the eccentric portions. Main and auxiliary pumps include a pair of plungers which abut on the outer peripheries of the bearings, respectively, and are driven by the main and auxiliary eccentric portions.

The present invention relates generally to pump devices having two pumps arranged in parallel in the direction of a motor output shaft, and more particularly, to the pump devices applied to brake systems for motor vehicles with anti-lock brake control and cruising stabilizing control such as traction control or yaw-rate feedback control.
Conventionally, pump devices having two pumps arranged in parallel in the direction of a motor output shaft have been proposed to carry out anti-lock brake control, etc. One of the pump devices is known, for example, in JP-A 64-77767. This pump device includes eccentric parts arranged along a motor output shaft on the pointed-end side and on the base-end side, needle roller bearings arranged on the outer peripheries of the eccentric parts, and pairs of plungers arranged to abut on the outer peripheries of the bearings. Note that anti-lock brake control is effective when a master-cylinder pressure is produced by brake operation carried out by a driver.
Recently proposed are brake systems in which when a driver does not depress a brake, i.e., no master-cylinder pressure is produced, a wheel-cylinder pressure is produced to obtain a braking force by which cruising stabilizing control such as traction control or yaw-rate control is carried out. Production of the wheel-cylinder pressure when no master-cylinder pressure is produced needs immediate production or rise of a brake-fluid pressure. The use of a pump with a capacity enough for immediate production of the brake-fluid pressure results in wasteful energy consumption since the capacity is too large for anti-lock brake control, and in an increase in weight, installation space, and manufacturing cost.
For solving such problems, a brake system is proposed including main and auxiliary pumps arranged in parallel, wherein the main pump has a capacity necessary for anti-lock brake control, and the auxiliary pump serves to supply brake fluid to the inlet of the main pump upon cruising stabilizing control to ensure a pump capacity enough for cruising stabilizing control. The use of the pump device disclosed in JP-A 64-77767 for that purpose is advantageous in view of installation space, weight, and manufacturing cost.
However, the pump device disclosed in JP-A 64-77767 has the following inconveniences since the eccentric parts have substantially the same outer diameter:
The bearing is press fitted to the outer periphery of each eccentric part. When press fitted to the base-end side or second eccentric part, the bearing should pass over the pointed-end side or first eccentric part, which is impossible, however, when the motor output shaft is integrated with the eccentric parts since the eccentric parts have substantially the same outer diameter. Therefore, a shank or eccentric member having each eccentric portion arranged is formed separately from the motor output shaft, and the bearings are press fitted to the eccentric member from both ends. Moreover, connecting members are needed to connect the eccentric parts and the motor output shaft. Those result in complicated structure due to increase in the number of component parts, and increased manufacturing cost.
On the other hand, in case of applying the pump device to the brake system with anti-lock brake control and cruising stabilizing control, smooth supply of brake fluid to the main pump is obtained only if the auxiliary pump is in the discharge stroke when the main pump in the suction stroke, which requires driving of the plungers of the main and auxiliary pumps with phase shifted. With the pump device including the first and second eccentric parts having substantially the same outer diameter as disclosed in JP-A 64-77767, formation of the shapes of the first and second eccentric parts with different phases consumes time, and integration of the first and second eccentric parts with the motor output shaft is difficult to be done. Moreover, amounting of two bearings to the motor output shaft from one direction becomes more difficult.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide pump devices which contribute to a reduction in component parts and manufacturing cost with excellent work efficiency, and enable easy formation of first and second eccentric parts with different phases.


A removable discharge gate assembly for a corn shelling machine having a discharge gate rotatably mounted to the machine, a bracket mounted to the machine, and a shock absorber mounted to and extending between the gate and the bracket.

This invention is directed to a discharge gate assembly for a corn shelling machine and more particularly to a discharge gate assembly that is removable and reduces damage to the discharge gate.
Corn shelling machines are well known in the art. Typically, to provide closing tension on a discharge gate, a weighted bar is attached to the end of a rotatable shaft of the discharge gate, that is also attached to a shock absorber connected to the outside of the shelling machine. While closing tension is provided by these devices, the discharge gates have a tendency to fracture along the shaft or break at the connection point of the weighted bar. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device that addresses these deficiencies.
Therefore, an objective of this invention is to provide a discharge gate assembly that provides improved support to the discharge gate under tension.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a discharge gate assembly that is easy to remove.
These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based upon the following written description, drawings and claims.

Removable corn sheller discharge gate assembly


In a system and method for heating one or more materials, a system may comprise a constant current power supply and a furnace having a chamber for receiving the one or more materials. The furnace may comprise an insulating outer section a chamber wall, and two electrodes. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Methods and devices such as furnaces for heating materials have existed for thousands of years. With the increasing sophistication of electronics and other manufactured products and materials that can withstand extreme environments, has come a need for heating materials to higher and higher temperatures for processing or creating these materials such as metal alloys. For example, modern electric arc furnaces can heat their contents to 1800° C. and higher. However, these furnaces require continuous cooling for operation and extra equipment to heat their contents uniformly. Furthermore, there is considerable wear on the electrodes, which require regular replacement.
Other material processing methods require temperatures that are much higher. While plasma arc furnaces can achieve high temperatures, they are costly to build and operate. They require cooling like electric arc furnaces and a carrier gas for operation, both of which reduce their energy efficiency. Furthermore, the localized nature of the plasma are makes uniform heating difficult as well.
Therefore, there remains a need for a furnace design that can heat the materials contained therein uniformly and efficiently.


A selected word line is biased with a program verify voltage. A predetermined quantity of unselected word lines that are between the selected word line and the bit line are biased with a modified Vpass voltage that is determined in response to a predetermined drain resistance. In one embodiment, the predetermined quantity is all of the word lines. Other embodiments can use smaller quantities. The remaining unselected word lines are biased with a normal Vpass voltage. The modified Vpass changes the resistance of the memory cells, acting as pass-gates during the program verification operation, to mimic a resistance of already programmed memory cells.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and flash memory.
Flash memory devices have developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices typically use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Common uses for flash memory include personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and cellular telephones. Program code and system data such as a basic input/output system (BIOS) are typically stored in flash memory devices for use in personal computer systems.
As the performance and complexity of electronic systems increase, the requirement for additional memory in a system also increases. However, in order to continue to reduce the costs of the system, the parts count must be kept to a minimum. This can be accomplished by increasing the memory density of an integrated circuit by using such technologies as multilevel cells (MLC). For example, MLC NAND flash memory is a very cost effective non-volatile memory.
Multilevel cells take advantage of the analog nature of a traditional flash cell by assigning a bit pattern to a specific threshold voltage (Vt) range stored on the cell. This technology permits the storage of two or more bits per cell, depending on the quantity of voltage ranges assigned to the cell and the stability of the assigned voltage ranges during the lifetime operation of the memory cell.
For example, a cell may be assigned four different voltage ranges of 200 mV for each range. Typically, a dead space or margin of 0.2V to 0.4V is between each range to keep the Vt distributions from overlapping. If the voltage stored on the cell is within the first range, the cell is storing a logical 11 state and is typically considered the erased state of the cell. If the voltage is within the second range, the cell is storing a logical 01 state. This continues for as many ranges that are used for the cell provided these voltage ranges remain stable during the lifetime operation of the memory cell.
Since two or more states are stored in each MLC, the width of each of the voltage ranges for each state is very important. The cell Vt distribution width is related to many variables in the operation of a memory circuit. For example, a cell could be verified at one temperature and read at a different temperature. The circuitry that determines if the cell is erased or programmed to the correct Vt window has to make that determination. That circuitry has some of its characteristics influenced by temperature. A Vt window is a sum of all of these types of differences, translating into a shift in the perceived window of the Vt. In order for the window to operate, the width of the four states plus a margin between each state should amount to the available window.
The available window is limited by the fact that a Vpass voltage should turn on all of the cells in the NAND series string regardless of their logic states. This is because NAND cells are read in series in a string. Once a particular cell is accessed, all other cells in that string need to act like pass gates. If the Vt of the highest cells is too high to open up the window of the Vt's then the Vpass has to be higher to allow those cells to be conductive. The higher the Vpass voltage, the more disturb condition it introduces on the cells. This is counter productive to the tight window of the cell Vt's.
One factor that causes a variation in the states that are not logical 11 is the variation due to the program verify operation. In NAND MLC, the cells are programmed upward from the source side of the string. Thus, the entire string above the programmed word line starts as erased. As discussed previously, these cells are biased with Vpass on the word line in order to turn them on when a cell is being read or verified. However, the cell conductance is impacted, depending on the cell Vt value.
For example, when cell 0 in the string experiences a verify operation, all of the 31 cells above it are in the logical 11 erased state. In other words, a Vt of −1V for each cell. If it is assumed that the data pattern for that string happens to be all logical 00, during the read operation, all of the 31 cells will be programmed with a Vt of 3V to 4V. The overdrive from the Vpass is much smaller, causing a higher drain resistance for the cell during a read operation. This causes the cell current to be degraded, translating into a potential 200 mV window loss. Since some of the cells could have remained erased or programmed with different data patterns, the amount of degradation cannot be predicted.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a memory device that reduces the cell degradation during a program verify operation.

Mimicking program verify drain resistance in a memory device


Disclosed are methods for treating a patient suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-sclerostin antibody. Methods for increasing bone formation and reducing bone resorption in an osteogenesis imperfecta patient by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-sclerostin antibody are also disclosed. Further disclosed are compositions for increasing bone formation and reducing bone resorption in an osteogenesis imperfecta patient. The compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-sclerostin antibody. The invention also provides an anti-sclerostin antibody for use in the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder of the connective tissue characterized by bone fragility and reduced bone mass. OI comprises a group of inherited disorders which primarily, but not always, arise from mutations in the genes encoding type I collagen. About 85% of the cases are linked to mutations in one of the two genes encoding type I collagen (COL1A1 and COL1A2). Clinically, OI is characterized by fragile bones that fracture easily and without any trauma. In addition, patients with OI are often affected by muscle weakness, hearing loss, fatigue, joint laxity, curved bones, scoliosis, blue sclerae, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and short stature.
The clinical classification system divides OI into types I-V. Type I OI patients usually suffer from a mild non-deforming disease that is often associated with a premature stop codon in COL1A1. This defect results in a reduced rate of type I collagen production and quantitatively less collagen in bone. Patients with type II OI usually die during the perinatal period, as a result of respiratory failure from multiple severe fractures that include the rib cage. Types III and IV OI are often associated with glycine substitution in COL1A1 and COL1A2, which is a qualitative defect that prevents the 3 polypeptide chains of type I collagen to intertwine properly to form a normal triple alpha helical structure. Type III OI is the most severe form of OI in those affected children who survive infancy, whereas patients with type IV have mild to moderate bone deformities. Type V is infrequent.
There remains a need for therapeutic methods and agents for the treatment of OI.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Use of anti-sclerostin antibodies in the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta


An outer sheath for an electronic device which includes an electronic element is formed by placing a thermosetting resin on the outer surface of the electronic element to form a first thermosetting resin layer, placing a thermoplastic resin on the outer surface of the first thermosetting resin layer to form a thermoplastic layer and placing a thermosetting resin layer on the thermoplastic layer to form a second thermosetting resin layer. All three layers are then heated so as to cure the first and second thermosetting resin layers and to cause the thermoplastic layer to melt and form a non-porous layer which is subsequently solidified.

The present invention relates to an electronic device coated with resin and a method producing the same.
Most ceramic filters, hybrid ICs and ceramic capacitors (as well as many other electronic devices) include a sheath covering the internal electronic element to protect the device from external shock. The sheath is typically made from a thermosetting resin which is resistant to both heat and physical shock. An exemplary structure is shown in FIG. 11. The device 20 includes an electronic element body 21, lead terminals 25 which are electrically connected to the body 21, and an outer sheath 22 covering the body 21. The outer sheath 22 is formed of a thermosetting resin.
The outer sheath 22 is typically formed by dipping the body 21 into a resin paste (prepared by dispersing a coating material of a thermosetting resin in an organic solvent) to adhere the resin paste to the body 21 and then drying the paste and removing the organic solvent from the resin paste through evaporation in air at room temperature. These steps are repeated until a desired thickness of the thermosetting resin has been applied to the electronic element body 21. Next, the thus-coated electronic device 20 is heated at a predetermined temperature to cure the thermosetting resin with the result that the electronic element body 21 is protected with the cured resin.
When the electronic device 20 has vibrating components such as electrodes 24, an empty space 23 must be formed around each such vibrating element to ensure that it is free to vibrate. To this end, a thermo-subliming material (such as wax) is applied to the region corresponding to the empty spaces 23 prior to applying a thermosetting resin onto the body 21. Then, the body 21 is processed as described above. The thermo-subliming material has a sufficiently low melting point that it will melt during the heating step used to cure the thermosetting resin, will evacuate the area corresponding to the empty spaces 23 and will be absorbed in the pores of the outer sheath 22.
The conventional electronic device 20 and the method for producing it have the following drawbacks.
The porosity of the thermosetting resin used for forming the outer sheath provides a good impact resistance, makes it easy to mark the surface of the outer sheath and absorbs the wax or other thermo-subliming material which has been evaporated from the empty spaces 23. However, it exhibits a poor moisture resistance, with the result that the characteristics of the electronic devices are often degraded.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device coated with an outer sheath that is resistant to both physical shocks and moisture, and to provide a method of producing the same.
The present invention includes an electronic device, comprising:
an electronic element;
an outer sheath covering at least substantially all of the outer surface of the electronic element, the outer sheath comprises at least one thermosetting resin layer and at least one thermoplastic resin layer.
The thermoplastic layer is preferably significantly less porous than the thermosetting layer after both layers have been cured with the thermosetting layer preferably having a porosity of about 25 to 40 percent. The thermoplastic layer may have a porosity of about 30 to 60 percent before curing. The thermoplastic layer is preferably a non-porous film layer after curing.
The outer sheath is preferably formed of three layers. A first thermosetting layer covers at least substantially the entire outer surface of the electronic element, a thermoplastic layer covers at least substantially the entire outer surface of the first thermosetting layer and a second thermosetting layer covers at least substantially the entire thermoplastic layer. The first and second thermosetting layers are preferably formed of the same material. When the electronic element includes vibrating portions, empty spaces are formed by areas of the outer sheath which are spaced from the outer surface of the electronic element body.
The electronic device is formed by a method comprising the steps of:
(1) forming a green outer sheath on an outer surface of an electronic element, the outer sheath including at least one thermosetting resin layer and at least one thermoplastic layer;
(2) heating the green outer sheath to thermally cure the thermosetting resin layer and melt the thermoplastic resin layer; and
(3) solidifying the melted thermoplastic layer.
In the preferred embodiment, the green outer sheath comprises a first thermosetting resin layer covering at least substantially the entire outer surface of the electronic element, a thermoplastic layer covering at least substantially the entire outer surface of the first thermoplastic layer and a second thermosetting resin layer covering at least substantially the entire outer surface of the thermoplastic resin layer and wherein both the first and second thermosetting resin layers are cured during the heating step. When it is desirable to form empty spaces in the outer sheath, for example when the electronic element includes vibrating portions, the method further comprises the step of placing a thermo-subliming material, for example wax, on a portion of the outer surface of the electronic element before the step of forming the green outer sheath so that the green outer sheath is spaced from associated portions of the outer surface of the electronic element. In this case, the heating step is carried out in such a manner that the thermo-subliming material melts and dispersed into the first and second thermosetting resin layers before the thermoplastic resin layer is melted and empty spaces are left in the area where the thermo-subliming material was originally placed.
The heating step is carried out by first heating the green outer sheath at a temperature not lower than the melting point of the thermo-subliming material but lower than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin layer to cause the thermo-subliming material to evacuate the empty space and disperse into the first and second thermosetting resin layers and then heating the outer sheath at a temperature not lower than the melting point of the thermosetting resin layer to thermally cure the first and second thermosetting resin layers while melting the thermoplastic resin layer.
The green sheath is preferably formed by:
(1) applying a thermosetting resin to at least substantially the outer surface of the electronic element to form the first thermosetting resin layer;
(2) applying a thermoplastic resin to at least substantially the first thermosetting resin layer to form the thermoplastic resin layer; and
(3) applying a thermosetting resin to at least substantially the outer surface of the thermoplastic resin layer to form the second thermosetting layer.
According to the preferred embodiments of the invention which includes a three layer outer sheath, the outer sheath is advantageous in that the first and second thermosetting resin layers absorb external shock while preventing it from being transmitted to the electronic element, and that the thermoplastic resin layer protects the electronic element from moisture in air. Accordingly, the electronic device of the invention has good moisture resistance, and the adhesion between the electronic element and the outer sheath in the device is good. In addition, since the second thermosetting resin layer is the outermost layer of the outer sheath, the outer sheath is resistant to external shock and is easy to mark.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

Method of producing an electronic device having a sheathed body


An abrasive article includes a base, an abrasive member comprising three distinct phases bonded to each other including abrasive particles, a metal matrix, and an infiltrant. The abrasive article further includes a backing region between the abrasive member and the base, wherein the backing region comprises a laser welded bond joint.

1. Filed of the Disclosure
The following is generally directed to abrasive tools and processes for forming same, and more particularly, to abrasive tools utilizing infiltrated abrasive segments attached to a base and methods of assembling such tools.
2. Description of the Related Art
Tools necessary for furthering infrastructure improvements, such as building additional roads and buildings, are vital to the continued economic expansion of developing regions. Additionally, developed regions have a continuing need to replacing aging infrastructure with new and expanded roads and buildings.
The construction industry utilizes a variety of tools for cutting and grinding of construction materials. Cutting and grinding tools are required for to remove or refinish old sections of roads. Additionally, quarrying and preparing finishing materials, such as stone slabs used for floors and building facades, require tools for drilling, cutting, and polishing. Typically, these tools include abrasive members bonded to a base element, such as a plate or a wheel. Breakage of the bond between the abrasive member and the base element can require replacing the abrasive member and/or the base element, resulting in down time and lost productivity. Additionally, the breakage can pose a safety hazard when portions of the abrasive member are ejected at high speed from the work area. As such, improved bonding between the abrasive member and the base element is desired.

Abrasive article incorporating an infiltrated abrasive segment


An apparatus for stabilizing movement of an ankle comprises in one embodiment a flexible body member for receiving a foot and a stiffening unit secured to selected portions of the body member such that the stiffening unit minimizes movement of upper portions of the body member with respect to lower portions of the body member, without obstructing forward and rearward movement of the upper portions of the body member with respect to the lower portions of the body member.

As known to participants in athletics, the ankle is often injured as a result of contact with other participants or items of equipment, or as a result of the ankle assuming an unnatural position during play. Injuries typically occur during motions typically associated with athletics such as running, jumping, falling, or the like. Specifically, ankles are particularly vulnerable to sprains, fractures, and the like.
Athletes at risk for ankle injuries often utilize some form of ankle support during participation in sporting events. A large number of ankle injuries occur when the foot rolls inwardly (referred to as "eversion") or outwardly (referred to as "inversion") from the leg. Many athletes rely upon taping to provide supplemental ankle support, whereby the athlete or trainer winds athletic tape around the athlete's ankle to thereby limit the motion of the ankle relative to the leg. Although taping stabilizes the ankle against undesired motion, a number of drawbacks exist. For example, taping may restrict all motion of the ankle, both desirable and undesirable, because the tape is wound circumferentially around the ankle. The restrictive characteristics of taping thus hinder the athlete's ability to perform. Further, tape tends to stretch and loosen as the athlete moves, thereby decreasing its effectiveness in supporting the ankle.
Known stabilizing devices include boot-shaped members or sleeves which cover the athlete's foot and ankle and include supplemental straps designed to wrap around and stabilize certain areas of the individual's foot and ankle. Two such devices are described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,486 and 5,795,316, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The majority of ankle sprains are caused by eversion and inversion of the foot. Seventy-five to ninety percent (75-90%) of sprains are attributable to inversion (i.e., outward rolling of the foot). The devices described in the '486 and '316 patents tend to reduce the incidence of injuries resulting from inversion and eversion. Nevertheless, undesirable movement of the ankle may occur as a result of lateral-as well as vertical-movement of upper portions of the body member relative to lower portions of the body member. Thus, a need exists for an ankle stabilizing device which effectively minimizes lateral and vertical movement of the upper portions of the body member relative to the lower portions of the body member. Stated differently, a need exists for an ankle stabilizing device that further minimizes injuries resulting from inversion and eversion of the ankle.
Further, known devices tend to prohibit the forward movement of upper portions of ankle with respect to the foot (i.e., dorsiflexion) and rearward movement of upper portions of ankle with respect to the foot (i.e., flexion). Thus, a need exists for an ankle stabilizing device that provides sufficient support without unduly restricting forward and rearward movement of upper portions of the ankle with respect to the foot.
Known stabilizing devices also include stiffening units or shells which support portions of the athlete's ankle. One such brace is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,884 to Peters and assigned to Athlete Protection Gear, LLC. The '884 patent discloses an ankle brace having a cuff pivotably connected to a base, wherein the cuff is secured to an ankle with a single strap. The cuff includes a left leg and a right leg that are pivotably connected at a rear pivot point. Unfortunately, the brace fails to provide sufficient support for athletes participating in strenuous activities (e.g., basketball and football). Specifically, the pivoting rear section permits lateral movement of the left and right legs, thus failing to prevent inversion and eversion of the ankle during strenuous exercise. Moreover, the pivoting rear section permits the structural separation of the left and right legs of the brace during strenuous exercise such that the single strap securing the brace to the ankle will release. Furthermore, the '886 patent fails to provide sufficient support about portions of the upper ankle. In other words, the cuff structure of the '886 patent does not extend sufficiently about portions of the upper ankle to provide the support necessary to minimize injury.
Another known device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,202 to Prock that discloses an ankle brace having a foot support shell, an anterior band, lateral and medial uprights that depend from the anterior band and that are pivotably connected to the shell, and straps for securing the brace to the foot. The structural configuration of the foot support shell prohibitively limits the natural movement of the foot during walking and running. Stated differently, the forward and rearward movement of the upper ankle with respect to the foot (i.e., dorsiflexion and flexion) is restricted because the foot support shell encapsulates the entire heel and extends almost the entire length of the bottom of the foot. Further, the three straps disclosed necessarily secure the brace to the foot at fixed points and fail to provide support about the entire ankle.
Unfortunately, the known stiffening units described above are single unit pieces that are not capable of being readily incorporated into a flexible boot shaped body member in a secure fashion that will provide sufficient support for the individual. Thus, still a further need exists for ankle stabilizing apparatus that can be readily incorporated into existing body members in a secure fashion.

Ankle stabilizing apparatus having a pivotable stiffening unit


A formation of deposits on a fuel injector is suppressed by controlling the temperature of the nozzle holder of the fuel injector around the nozzle to maintain at least a part of the fuel remaining on the nozzle holder surface after the fuel injection in a liquid state, to thereby hold precursors of the deposits in the liquid fuel to permit the precursor to be blown out from the nozzle holder surface by a subsequent fuel injection flow.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for suppressing formation of deposits on a fuel injector and a device for injecting fuel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-103456 discloses a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, having a radiating member with a high thermal conductivity, to prevent the temperature of the nozzle holder from being higher, to thereby prevent the evaporation of fuel in the nozzle holder. In general, the nozzle holder should have a durability to ensure the precise control of the fuel amount to be injected, and thus should be formed of a material with a low thermal conductivity. Therefore, this fuel injector is additionally provided with the radiating member with a high thermal conductivity to keep the temperature of the nozzle holder lower. Thus, the actual amount of fuel injected is prevented from being deviated from the target amount.
Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 63-151970 also discloses a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, having a radiating member with a high thermal conductivity surrounding the nozzle, and a coating with an oil repellent covering the tip of the fuel injector. If the temperature of the nozzle holder around the nozzle becomes higher, the fuel remaining on the inner surface of the nozzle after the fuel injection may be oxidized and may form the deposits. Such deposits will reduce the amount of fuel injected. To prevent this, in this fuel injector, the radiating member is provided to shield the nozzle from the radiant heat from the engine, and the coating is provided to allow the remaining fuel on the inner surface of the nozzle leaving away therefrom easily.
However, if the fuel injector is arranged in the combustion chamber of the engine to inject fuel directly into the cylinder, the radiating member or the coating as mentioned above does not suppress the temperature rise of the nozzle sufficiently, and do not suppress the formation of the deposits sufficiently.

Method for suppressing formation of deposits on fuel injector and device for injecting fuel


A composite hose comprises a corrugated metal tube as barrier layer against permeation of conveyed fluid and a reinforcing layer which is formed by braiding a reinforcing wire member made of a metal wire. A braid density of the reinforcing layer is 55% or less.

Typical rubber hoses, for example, made of a blend of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and polyvinyl chloride (NBR/PVC blend) which is excellent in resistance to gasoline permeability, have been used for conveying fuel (fuel such as gasoline for engine) for automobiles or the like in view of their high vibration-absorbability, easy assembling or the like. However, for the purpose of global environment protection, the regulations have been recently tighten against permeation of fuel for automobiles or the like, and are anticipated to be further tighten in the future. Therefore, such hoses for conveying fuel are required further permeation resistance to fuel.
And, hoses for conveying fuel such as hydrogen gas used in fuel cells, or for conveying carbon dioxide gas refrigerant are required extremely high permeation resistance to such conveyed fluid as hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas.
However, with regard to this requirement hoses configured by organic materials only such as rubber or resin are difficult to satisfy such required resistance.
Under the circumstances, it is considered to form preferably a composite hose by combining with a corrugated metal tube as a barrier layer against permeation of conveyed fluid.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,332 discloses a composite hose with a corrugated metal tube of this type.
Meanwhile, when an internal pressure is exerted to such composite hose with a corrugated metal tube repeatedly, the corrugated metal tube suffers a large stress, and there is a fear that thereby the corrugated metal tube is fatigue-cracked at an early stage.
In order to prevent such fatigue-crack, the composite hose with a corrugated metal tube is preferably provided with a reinforcing layer in order to restrain the corrugated metal tube from deformation in longitudinal and radial directions by providing longitudinal and radial constrain with the corrugated metal tube.
Then, the inventors of the present invention manufactured a sample of composite hose with a corrugated metal tube which includes one reinforcing layer mainly for reinforcing in a longitudinal direction and the other reinforcing layer mainly for reinforcing in a radial direction, and evaluate the sample.
FIG. 7 shows one example thereof as comparison example.
With reference to FIG. 7, reference numeral 200 indicates a composite hose with a corrugated metal tube (hereinafter just referred to as a hose), which includes a corrugated metal tube 202 as an innermost layer by way of a barrier layer against permeation of conveyed fluid. A radial outer side of the corrugated metal tube 202 is laminated in sequence with a rubber filler layer 204, a first reinforcing layer 206, a middle rubber layer 208, a second reinforcing layer 210 and an outer surface rubber layer (cover rubber layer) 212.
Here, the first reinforcing layer 206 carries a function for pressure resistance when an internal pressure is exerted. The first reinforcing layer 206 is formed by braiding reinforcing thread made of organic fiber, at a braid angle or braiding angle larger than a neutral angle (about 55°).
The first reinforcing layer 206 serves mainly to restrain the hose 200 entirely from deforming in an expanding manner when an internal pressure is exerted.
The expansion restraint effect acts also on the corrugated metal tube 202. And, the first reinforcing layer 206 serves to restrain the corrugated metal tube 202 from deforming in an expanding manner when an internal pressure exerted.
On the other hand, the outer second reinforcing layer 210 mainly serves to restrain the hose 200 from dimensional change in a longitudinal direction, namely deformation in the longitudinal direction. Here, the second reinforcing layer 210 is formed by braiding a reinforcing wire member or filament member made of a metal wire, at a braid angle smaller than the neutral angle.
However, a durability test was conducted where an internal pressure is exerted repeatedly at intervals to the hose 200 which is bent into a U-shape (actually, a hose for automobile use, etc. is often equipped in such a bent form). And, it was found that the hose 200 does not necessarily have sufficient durability.
Then the hose 200 to which the test was conducted is examined with regard to its fatigue-cracked area. And it is recognized that the hose 200, specifically the corrugated metal tube 202 was dimensionally changed, namely deformed excessively in the longitudinal direction resulting in the fatigue-crack initiation at early stage.
From this test result, the inventors estimated that the second reinforcing layer 210 did not have a sufficient effect to restrain deformation in the longitudinal direction, and prepared another sample of the hose 200 including the second reinforcing layer 210 where a braid density or braiding density is increased. Although a durable life of the hose 200 was expected to be prolonged, it was decreased after all.
Then, the inventors pursued the cause why the durability of the hose 200 is lowered after all by forming the second reinforcing layer 210 by braiding the reinforcing wire member made of a metal wire at increased braid density, and recognized in pursuit of the cause the fact that thus formed second reinforcing layer 210 debonded and separated itself from an adjacent rubber layer on an inner peripheral side of the U-shaped bend thereof, so-called dropout phenomenon occurs.
When the second reinforcing layer 210 debonds and separates itself in such manner, as a matter of course, sufficient reinforcing effect is not provided by the second reinforcing layer 210.
Although in this way the second reinforcing layer 210 separates itself at a portion on the inner peripheral side of the U-shape bend thereof when the durable test is conducted by exerting an internal pressure to the hose 200 which is bent into a U-shape, the reason for that is regarded as follows.
The second reinforcing layer 210 is formed from a reinforcing wire member made of a metal wire. Therefore, the second reinforcing layer 210 has very large rigidity compared to that formed from a reinforcing thread made of an organic fiber. So, as shown in FIG. 8(A), when the hose 200 is sharply bent into U-shape, a force is exerted to the metal wire in an axial and compressing direction on an inner peripheral side of U-shape bend, i.e., on a contracting side in a longitudinal direction. On the other hand, at a portion on an outer peripheral side of the U-shape bend, namely on an expanding side in a longitudinal direction, a force is exerted thereto in a pulling direction. As a result, a force is exerted to the metal wire downwardly as shown by an arrow in FIG. 8(B). Then, the metal wire cannot bear the force, debonds and separates itself from an adjacent rubber layer downwardly in the figure. Consequently, drop-out phenomenon seems to occur as shown in FIGS. 9(A) and (B), more specifically there seems to occur the phenomenon that the metal wire, namely the second reinforcing layer hangs downwardly on the inner peripheral side of the U-shape bend thereof.
And, the higher braid density of the metal wire the second reinforcing layer 210 has, the more the phenomenon seems to be promoted.
The reason that the durability of the hose is lowered after all when the braid density of the metal wire is increased seems due to this fact.
The present invention is made under the foregoing circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite hose with a corrugated metal tube wherein although a reinforcing layer is formed by braiding a reinforcing wire member made of a metal wire, the reinforcing layer does separate itself, offers favorably an effect of restraining the composite hose from being deformed in a longitudinal direction, and thereby a favorable durable life is provided.

Composite hose with a corrugated metal tube


One or more processors receive a dataset that includes a plurality of nodes. One or more processors identify relationships between a plurality of interacting nodes within the dataset. One or more processors determine relationship strength values between a plurality of interacting node pairs within the dataset. One or more processors generate a graphical representation that represents the relationship strength values between the plurality of interacting nodes within the dataset. Interacting node pairs are connected by edges and the edges have a length that correlates with the relationship strength value between the interacting node pairs.

The present invention relates generally to the field of data analysis, and more particularly to the visualization of relationship strengths over time.
Data visualization is a modern branch of descriptive statistics. It involves the creation and study of the visual representation of data. The main goal of data visualization is to communicate information clearly and effectively through graphical means. This goal becomes more challenging as datasets become larger. Such challenges are often encountered by organizations that analyze extremely large datasets, such as data containing financial records, email correspondence, and social networks. To visualize such large amounts of data, these organizations often require graphical tools to generate visual models of the data that are intuitively understandable for users.

Visualization of relationships and strengths between data nodes

International Business Machines Corporation


According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a storage device which stores first image files includes location information and time information and a display processor which displays, on a screen, a map image, a plurality of objects on the map image, and lines on the map. Locations of the plurality of objects correspond to location information of the first image files. Shapes of the lines are determined based on location information and time information of the first image files. A line is drawn between a first object corresponding to first time information regarding a first timing of photographing and a second object corresponding to second time information regarding a second timing of photographing next to the first timing of photographing.

Recently, digital cameras with GPS (Global Positioning System) and mobile terminals with a camera and GPS are becoming more prevalent. For this reason, the usage of image files embedded with GPS information (geotag information) is expected to increase. Also, date and time information indicating a photographing date and time is embedded in an image file.
Along with the increased usage of image files including geotag information, it is demanded to visually and intuitively confirm photographing locations in an order of photographing date and time.


Novel compounds having the ability to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase enzyme and having the following formula I: ##STR1## and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Ar.sup.1 is a heterocyclic moiety which is selected from imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl and benzimidazolyl, which is bonded to X.sup.1 through a ring nitrogen atom, and which may be optionally substituted with one or two substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, cyano, amino, and C.sub.1-4 alkyl; X.sup.1 is a direct bond or C.sub.1-4 alkylene; Ar.sup.2 is phenylene optionally substituted with halo, hydroxy, cyano, and amino X.sup.2 is --A--X-- or --X--A-- wherein A is a direct bond or C.sub.1-4 alkylene and X is oxy, thio, sulfinyl or sulfonyl; Ar.sup.3 is phenylene, pyridylene, thienylene, furylene, oxazolylene or thiazolylene optionally substituted with one or two substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, cyano, amino and C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or together they form a group of formula --D.sup.1 --Z--D.sup.2 -- which together with the carbon atom to which it is attached defines a ring having 3 to 8 atoms, wherein D.sup.1 and D.sup.2 are C.sub.1-4 alkylene and Z is a direct bond or oxy, thio, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, or vinylene, and D.sup.1 and D.sup.2 may be substituted by C.sub.1-3 alkyl; and Y is CONR.sup.3 R.sup.4, CN, C(R.sup.3).dbd.N--OR.sup.4, COOR.sup.3, COR.sup.3 or CSNR.sup.3 R.sup.4, wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each H or C.sub.1-4 alkyl. These compounds are useful in the treatment or alleviation of inflammatory diseases, allergy and cardiovascular diseases in mammals and as the active ingredient in pharmaceutical compositions for treating such conditions.

Arachidonic acid is known to be the biological precursor of several groups of biologically active endogenous metabolites. The first step in the metabolism of arachidonic acid is its release from membrane phospholipids, via the action of phospholipase A2. Arachidonic acid is then metabolized either by cyclooxygenase to produce prostaglandins including prostacyclin, and thromboxanes or by lipoxygenase to generate hydroperoxy fatty acids which may be further converted to the leukotrienes.
The leukotrienes are extremely potent substances which elicit a wide variety of biological effects, often in the nanomolar to picomolar concentration range. The peptidoleukotrienes (LTC.sub.4, LTD.sub.4, LTE.sub.4) are important bronchoconstrictors and vaso-constrictors, and also cause plasma extravasation by increasing capillary permeability. LTB.sub.4 is a potent chemotactic agent, enhancing the influx of leukocytes and inducing their subsequent degranulation at the site of inflammation. A pathophysiological role for leukotrienes has been implicated in a number of human disease states including asthma and related obstructive airway diseases, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease), endotoxin shock, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders (e.g. ischemia-induced myocardial injury) and glomerular nephritis. Any agent that inhibits the action of lipoxygenases is expected to be of considerable therapeutic value for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.
For a review article on lipoxygenase inhibitors, see H. Masamune and L. S. Melvin, Sr.: Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, 1989, 24, pp 71-80 (Academic). More recently, further examples of lipoxygenase inhibitors have been disclosed in EP 0 462 830 A2, EP 0 505 122 A1 and EP 0 540 165 A1.