A crushing apparatus includes a substantially U-shaped spring member having a first beam portion having a first free end, a second beam portion having a second free end, and a fixed center portion. The first and second free ends are in opposed, spaced relation with each other. A first crushing mass is positioned on the first free end, and a second crushing mass is positioned on the second free end of the spring member. An exciter is configured to excite the first and second beam portions at about a common first modal frequency. When so excited, the first and second crushing masses reciprocally converge and diverge such that material positioned between the crushing masses is at least partially crushed therebetween.

Quarries and aggregate suppliers utilize various types of rock crushing equipment to fragment or comminute rocks into various desired sizes or grades of aggregate. Such equipment generally is classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary crushing equipment. Primary crushers include large devices that are sized to receive large rocks and boulders up to about 60 inches in diameter, and are capable of comminuting such rocks or boulders into fragments to less than about 4 inches in diameter. Smaller secondary and tertiary crushers are used to further comminute such reduced fragments to a desired final size or grade.
One common type of rock crusher is a jaw crusher. Jaw crushers typically include a stationary mandrel and an opposed, pivoting jaw that reciprocates between an open position and a crushing position. Rock is fed between the stationary mandrel and pivoting jaw, where the rock is compressed and crushed into smaller fragments. Jaw crushers commonly are used as both primary and secondary crushers.
Gyratory cone crushers typically include a stationary bowl or cone having substantially upright sides and an open top. A central gyrating mandrel within the bowl forms alternating open and closed gaps between the mandrel and the sides of the bowl as the mandrel eccentrically gyrates within the bowl. Rock that is introduced into the open top of the bowl is crushed between the upright sides and the gyrating mandrel as the mandrel reciprocally approaches the upright sides. Like jaw crushers, gyratory cone crushers commonly are used as either primary or secondary crushers.
Roll crushers primarily are used as secondary or tertiary crushers due to their characteristically low reduction ratios. Roll crushers include a plurality of spaced and opposed rolls. Opposed rolls rotate in opposite directions and form a crushing region between the rolls. The rolls may have substantially smooth outer surfaces, or may include cooperating spaced teeth or picks.
Unlike the compressive crushing action of jaw crushers, gyratory cone crushers, and roll crushers, impact crushers crush rock by imparting sudden impact forces to the rock. Horizontal shaft impact crushers typically include one or more rotating horizontal shafts having a plurality of outwardly extending arms or paddles. As the horizontal shafts are rotated at high speeds, rock is fed to the paddles and shattered by the rock's impact with the rapidly moving paddles. Horizontal shaft impact crushers commonly are used as primary, secondary, or tertiary crushers. Because of the high impact forces that are characteristic of such crushers, these devices require substantial periodic maintenance. Vertical shaft impact crushers include a central spindle or drum that is rotated at high speeds. As rock is fed to the center of the rotating spindle, the rock is centrifugally cast at high velocity against a surrounding ring of anvils, where the rock is shattered into fragments. Vertical shaft impact crushers primarily are used as secondary or tertiary crushers.
All of the traditional types of rock crushers described above include electric motors to drive the various types of crushing mechanisms. Due to the large amount of energy required to crush or shatter rock, such electric motors necessarily consume substantial amounts of electric power during operation. Accordingly, the traditional forms of rock crushing equipment described above are not energy efficient. In other words, such devices use brute force to break rock, and require large energy inputs to attain such substantial crushing forces.
Others have attempted to improve the energy efficiency of rock crushing equipment by harnessing the amplified vibratory motion and vibrational energy of various resonant spring-mass systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,859 to Gurries describes a resonantly-powered rock crusher that includes two opposed, elongated pendulous beams having cooperating crushing jaws located at their lower ends. The upper ends of the beams are pinned to a frame such that the beams swing on the frame in a common plane. Oscillatory drivers at the upper, pinned ends of the beams synchronously drive the beams 180 degrees out of phase with each other such that the crushing jaws converge toward and diverge away from each other. The system is driven at a frequency that is slightly below the resonant frequency of the pendulous beams. Unfortunately, such a device has several shortcomings. First, the massive pivotally supported beams described and shown in this patent characteristically must have high natural frequencies and low amplitudes of vibration. Such low amplitudes limit the maximum separation of the crushing jaws, and thereby limit the size of rock that can be introduced between the jaws for crushing. In addition, the oscillatory drivers used to actuate the resonant system necessarily induce forces in the beams that are often misaligned with the beams' swinging motions. Such forces necessarily induce undesirable stresses in the beams, bearings, and frame. Furthermore, only a small fraction of the electric energy supplied to the oscillatory drivers is effectively transferred to the beams for crushing rocks. Accordingly, such a system is less energy efficient than desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,481 to Bodine describes another rock crushing device that includes two opposed jaws mounted on a pair of opposed horizontal bars. The bars are substantially simply supported at spaced intervals, and are independently driven such that the bars synchronously resonate in a lateral mode. A resonant frequency excitation sets up a standing wave in the bars. The jaws are located on the bars' vibrational antinodes (maximum deflection), and the bars are supported on their vibrational nodes (minimum deflection). This device also appears to include several shortcomings. The device uses independent rotating eccentric weights to excite the bars to resonance. Though the rotating weights induce useful horizontal excitation forces that are in plane with the desired standing waves of the bars, the rotating weights also induce cyclic out-of-plane forces that act to deflect the longitudinal beams in a vertical direction. Because such out-of-plane forces place substantial loads on the device's bars, bearings, and supports, and contribute nothing to the breaking of rock, these forces are both stressful and wasteful. In addition, because the bars must endure substantial deflections in order to provide sufficient spacing between the opposed jaws to receive rock materials for crushing, the bars also are subjected to substantial stresses during operation. Furthermore, the separate independent rotating drivers must be closely synchronized in rotation to cause the bars to vibrate in harmony with one another.
Another rock crushing device that attempts to harness resonant vibrational energy to crush rock is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,878 to Bodine. In one described embodiment, the device includes a stationary anvil or fixed jaw, and a movable jaw. The movable jaw is mounted on the end of an elongated shaft. A vibration generator produces a resonant, longitudinal standing wave in the shaft, thereby causing the movable jaw to cyclically approach and retreat from the fixed jaw. In another described embodiment, the "fixed" jaw is similarly driven at a longitudinal resonant frequency 180 degrees out of phase with the movable jaw. Because the device operates at a high frequency, the resulting jaw displacement must be relatively small. In addition, the device appears to be substantially incapable of imparting substantial impact forces to rock. Accordingly, the device appears incapable of fracturing large rocks, and appears unsuitable for use as a primary crusher.
The conventional crushing devices typically use one or more basic techniques or methods to fracture material such as rocks. Impact crushers, for example, apply high acceleration forces to rock to shatter the rock into smaller fragments. Jaw, cone, gyratory, and roll crushers, on the other hand, use cleavage to squeeze rock at high pressures to fracture the rock. Such cleavage machines also typically cause localized cleavage failure or abrasion that produces fine unwanted particles or fines.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved crushing device and method that is more reliable and more efficient than known crushing machines. In particular, there is a need for an energy efficient crushing device and method that utilizes resonant vibrational energy to efficiently convert energy inputs into substantial impact and compression forces that are capable of effectively fracturing large rocks. Such a device should be exceptionally durable, and require minimal maintenance. In particular, the device should minimize the use of bearings, gearboxes, sheaves, belts, and other moving parts and mechanical speed reducing equipment. In addition, such a device should operate at an optimum frequency and at an optimum amplitude of vibration to permit the device to effectively fragment both large and smaller rocks by imparting substantial impact and compression forces to the rock. Such a device should apply multiple impacts to crush a rock to provide superior size control and minimize the quantity of fines produced during crushing. In addition, there is a need for an apparatus and method that crushes rock to produce aggregate having a desired size and grade without the need for multiple passes through various forms of crushing equipment. The device and method should apply an optimal combination of shatter and cleavage crushing forces to produce a desired grade of aggregate with a minimum amount of waste or fines.


In order to restore a network after a failure, it is important to have sufficient spare capacity available. To ensure restorability, a Hamiltonian mesh, being a closed sequence of links traversing each network node exactly once, is determined and half of its capacity is reserved for restoration purpose. In the case of a line failure of a link other than the links of the Hamiltonian mesh, affected traffic is split in two portions and rerouted over the two directions of the Hamiltonian mesh. In the case the network has no Hamiltonian mesh, a mesh coverage is determined and sufficient spare capacity reserved for restoration purpose.

One of the very basic aspects of telecommunications networks is their availability and reliability. Hence, the operation of such a network requires a fast fix of failures by some mechanism. In local area networks (LAN) e.g., in a building or a campus, it might be sufficient to have personnel and a spare pool of equipment as due to the vicinity of the installation repairs or replacements can quickly be done.
Simply because of the geographical dimensions this is not possible or prohibitive in terms of cost in transmission networks like metropolitan or wide area networks (MANs and WANs, respectively). Hence, for these networks the network itself or the combination of network and network management needs to provide the means and facilities to ensure sufficient availability. Typically, these network mechanisms are distinguished in protection and restoration.
Protection mechanisms known from transmission systems like SDH systems (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) require a 100% spare capacity of resources for protection in the network and provide the means for a very fast masking of the failure in terms of availability, typically in less than 50 ms.
Restoration mechanisms are more stringent in the usage of spare capacity and however, providing a masking of the failure at a lower speed, typically in the range of a few seconds as completely new paths through the network are established.
An example of restoration is shown in FIG. 2. In case of a failure of one link or node, the affected traffic is re-routed over some other links which have reserved capacity for restoration purpose. The process of re-routing the traffic affected by this failure is called path restoration as new paths are established to replace the failed ones. The time needed to restore a network distinguishes between fast restoration if all paths are restored in about or less than 10 seconds and slow restoration if all paths are restored within a few minutes. If restoration is a functionality provided by the network management it is called centralized restoration, if restoration is a functionality provided by the network itself (like for protection) it is called distributed restoration.
These mechanisms are applicable to basically any network structure—ring, mesh or hub structures or combinations thereof. However, some mechanisms are more suitable to some structure than others—basically the planning requires the specific network at hand to define the optimal configurations.
A basic problem in large networks is to determine where and how much spare capacity needs to be reserved for restoration purpose in order to ensure that any single failure in the network can be fully restored. For most of the today's networks, this has been done manually, by making assumptions and simulating any failures to see whether full restorability is achieved. However, this test has to be performed any time topological changes are made in the network, e.g., by adding or replacing single links or nodes.

Fast restoration mechanism and method of determining minimum restoration capacity in a transmission networks


A switching regulation device includes a switching regulation module and a control module. The switching regulation module generates a first control signal. The control module is coupled to the switching regulation module for receiving the first control signal and performing an over-current protection on the switching regulation module according to a current ratio.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switching regulation device and related method with over-current protection, and more particularly, to a switching regulation device and related method utilizing two charge pumps for charging/discharging a capacitor to achieve an object of over-current protection.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Regulators usually include switching regulators and liner regulators. Liner regulators are inexpensive and easily applicable, but with poor efficiency consuming up to 50% of the power. The switching regulators maintain the output voltage at a predetermined value by a method of switching currents. The power efficiency of the switching regulators is acceptable, but the problem of high-frequency noise exists.

Switching regulation device and related method with over-current protection


A system for cleaning the wheels of railcars as the railcars move along the rails of a railroad track comprises chairs supporting a track rail holding a frame. A movable brush plate is movably mounted on the frame and carries a brush mechanism mounted for moving with the brush plate toward and away from the rail to clean railcar wheels moving along the rail. A linkage system is operably coupled between said brush plate and said frame for moving the plate and brush mechanism. The linkage system includes two actuator arms pivotally mounted to move in opposite directions to direct the brush plate toward the rail when an actuating mechanism is operated. The brushes of the brush mechanism are coupled together by a solid coupling sleeve for easy and inexpensive maintenance. A motor is coupled to the brushes through a coupler which is uniquely shaped to reduce damage during use.

Despite the ever-increasing use of the interstate highway system to ship products, shipment of products by rail is still a very viable alternative. Various different products are delivered across the country in railcars, including livestock, automobiles, food products, liquids, fuel, and a myriad of other products. In fact, truck trailers are often shipped by rail to a destination and are then driven from there to their final delivery point.
During shipment, the railcars containing the shipped goods are often engaged and disengaged with various other groups of railcars and engines, depending upon the ultimate destination for the goods in those railcars. Just as airlines have hubs or centers where incoming and outgoing flights are coordinated, railroads have large rail yard centers or "humps" for arranging railcars into lines which are linked with one or more engines. At the rail yard humps, individual railcars or groups of railcars are disengaged from their current line or engine(s) and are then engaged with new lines and engine(s). For such engagement and disengagement in the rail yard, the railcars must be slowed down or retarded substantially from their travel speed, as will be appreciated. The railcars must be slowed properly so that they can be safely and efficiently engaged with other cars and engines without derailing.
To slow a railcar, rail yards have devices called retarders which are located proximate the two parallel rails of the track. The retarders are operable for engaging the wheels of the railcars as they pass to slow the railcars' forward progression. More specifically, the retarders frictionally engage the wheels by squeezing them as the cars pass the retarder. For example, a retarder would squeeze the wheels of a railcar and reduce the speed of the railcar from approximately 18 miles per hour (mph) to 3 mph so that the railcars may be more easily and safely manipulated for subsequent hookups with other lines and/or engines.
As may be appreciated, suitable friction between the retarder and the railcar wheels must exist for the retarder to function properly. Any factor reducing the friction between the retarder and the railcar wheels will reduce the retarder's effectiveness. That is, the railcar wheels will fail to be sufficiently slowed as they pass through the retarder and the railcar will travel more quickly in the yard than is desired. Not only will a fast railcar be more difficult to control and hook up, but it will also be dangerous for the rail yard workers.
Inevitably, substances get onto the wheels of railcars which reduce the friction between the wheels and the retarder and thus reduce the effectiveness of the retarder. The contaminating substances may be picked up by the wheels during transit or in the rail yard. Very often, such contaminating substances are actually the contents of the railcar, such as a tank car or boxcar. For example, syrup, oils, or other substances shipped in the cars will leak onto the car's wheels. When such contamination of the wheels occurs, the proper slowing of the cars is hindered.
Dirty or contaminated railcar wheels increase the possibility of derailment in the yard. The momentum of a speeding car, which may weigh 290,000 lbs. is tremendous. If the car is not properly slowed, it will slam into other cars on the track causing derailment, or alternatively, it will eventually slam into a rail stop on the hump track.
Accordingly, it is desirable to keep railcar wheels as clean as possible, particularly in the rail yard humps where they must be manipulated. To handle the task of keeping railcar wheels clean, a railcar wheel cleaning system was developed and made commercially available by Bintzler, Inc. of Loveland, Ohio. The original Bintzler system utilizes two opposing sets of brushes, with one set positioned on either side of each of the parallel track rails. In use, the brushes rotate proximate the rails and engage the wheels as they pass the cleaning system. Before the Bintzler system, wheel cleaning was not done at all.
While the original Bintzler system provided significantly improved cleaning of the wheels over the prior art methods, the harsh environment of a rail yard needed to be further addressed. It will be readily recognized that any rail yard equipment must be able to handle a large amount of abuse associated with the large, heavy railcars.
Furthermore, installation issues present further problems. Rail yard workers, as is suitable for their environment, are notoriously hard and rough on the equipment they handle. While heavy railcars and rails are made for such punishment, harsh treatment and improper or sloppy installation of the wheel cleaning system will shorten its effective life and increase the need for and frequency of repairs. The inventors have discovered that in the fast-paced and rough environment of a rail yard, proper attention is not paid to installation and operation of the wheel cleaning system. Any installation steps requiring precision on behalf of the installer are generally overlooked. As such, the original wheel cleaning systems are often not properly installed and are subject to misalignment and improper wear.
Still further, maintenance of the original cleaning system has been somewhat difficult. The railcar wheel cleaning systems are installed on rail lines and usually are left exposed to the elements. As such, due to wear and exposure, various elements of the devices, and particularly the brushes, must be periodically replaced. The original wheel cleaning system has proved somewhat difficult to maintain, requiring additional expensive replacement parts to be purchased for repair, when only one part of the device may actually need replacement.
Additionally, the wheel cleaning system must operate so that all of its elements are free of the rails when the brushes are not engaging the wheels for cleaning. As will be appreciated, the force and momentum of railcar wheels are tremendous and will generally destroy any equipment or part thereof in their path. The original cleaning systems, either through improper installation or subsequent misalignment through usage, have been susceptible to damage from parts thereof exposed to the moving rail wheels.
Still further, the original wheel cleaning systems have sometimes proven to be difficult to properly install and adjust due to the various different conditions along a rail. For example, it is desirable to ensure proper positioning of cleaning brushes once the device is installed. If the brushes are too far away, the wheels are not properly cleaned. If too close, the brushes will wear out prematurely or be damaged by the moving wheels. Positioning and alignment must also be maintained after use of the system for a period of time to ensure proper cleaning.
The cleaning system for cleaning rail car wheels is further limited by railroad track considerations. While engaging the wheels, the components of the system cannot extend over three inches above the top surface of the rails. Portions of the engines, including the cattle catchers on the front thereof, will damage and destroy components higher than 3 inches above the rails.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to improve upon the existing railcar wheel cleaning technology and to overcome the drawbacks discussed above, and other drawbacks to the original cleaning system and existing technology.
It is another objective of the present invention to efficiently and suitably clean the wheels of a passing railcar so that a retarder may properly slow the railcar down.
It is still another objective of the invention to be able to withstand the harsh and damaging environment of a rail yard while cleaning the wheels of a railcar.
It is still another objective for a cleaning system to be easily and efficiently installed without the need for precise steps and measurements by the installer.
It is an objective of the invention to present a cleaning system which is easily and inexpensively maintained.
It is still another objective to provide a durable wheel cleaning system which does not obstruct the passing railcar wheels or railcar, and is less susceptible to being damaged by the wheels or railcar.
It is still another objective to provide precise positioning and alignment of the components of the system with respect to the wheels to be cleaned thereby.


A door has a core that includes a porous layer having a thickness and two opposing major surfaces. In one construction, the core also includes three fire-retardant layers, and two of the fire-retardant layers are separated by the porous layer. The porous layer and the fire-retardant layers are coupled together. Other constructions include one or more fire-retardant layers in balanced or unbalanced placement around the porous layer.

Fire doors are designed and installed in an attempt to protect lives and property from fire, smoke, and heat by providing a barrier to withstand the fire, smoke, and heat for a period of time. To be labeled or certified as a fire door, a door must fulfill the requirements of certain codes or standards that regulate the construction and installation of such doors. These codes or standards include, among others, the Uniform Building Code (UBC), and codes promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Private testing laboratories, such as Underwriters' Laboratories and Warnock Hersey, may test for adherence to such codes or standards, and may test for additional attributes. The laboratories may also certify that a fire door meets fire protection requirements after conducting testing (such as destructive testing) of the door. Usually, this certification is expressed as a fire-rating offering a specific level of protection from fire, smoke, and/or heat for a limited amount of time. For example, a 20-minute fire-rated door should, if installed correctly, maintain its structural integrity and provide a barrier to fire, heat, and/or smoke for at least 20 minutes. So long as a door meets relevant fire protection requirements, its design may vary to fulfill other design considerations, such as weight, cost of manufacture, and aesthetic appearance.
An interior routed medium-density fiberboard (MDF) fire door meeting current fire protection requirements generally is constructed of a one-and-one-half inch thick sheet of MDF having a minimum density of approximately 42 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) and a one-eighth of an inch hardboard skin on both sides of the MDF. A single-swing wood fire door using MDF having this thickness and density, and that is three feet wide by eight feet high, weighs nearly 153 pounds. Not only is such a door extremely heavy, but manufacturing it can be costly and difficult as well.
For example, manufacturing a molded-panel fire door that meets current fire protection requirements generally requires using a mold. There are several ways known to prepare molds. One common method is to use matching castings or dies. A molded door generally has two exterior skins, and one mold is required for each skin. To make a custom-ordered door, a new mold must be created. While using molds to make a paneled door is generally less costly on a high-volume basis than machining reliefs into a door, molding custom-ordered doors can significantly add to the manufacturing expense—in some cases, this expense can become cost-prohibitive.
Manufacturing paneled wood doors without molds is known in the art. Such doors generally include two exterior skins with a core inserted between the skins. In one such conventional door, the core generally includes a three-eights-of-an-inch-thick layer of MDF, a three-eights-of-an-inch-thick layer of expanded polystyrene, and another three-eights-of-an-inch-thick layer of MDF. The layers of the core are adhered to one another, as are the external skins and the core. Wood side stiles and top and bottom rails are then adhered to an outer perimeter of the door. Panels are formed by routing a series of grooves into the external skins.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Multi-layered fire door and method for making the same


A bottle with integrally coupled flap is provided including a deformable bottle formed of an elastomeric material. A spout is formed of the elastomeric material and integrally coupled to a top of the bottle. The spout has a top face formed of an elastomeric material similar to that of the bottle and spout. The top face is integrally coupled about a circular top opening thereof. Finally, an arcuate slit is formed in the spout in coaxial alignment therewith. The slit is situated directly below the top face of the spout for defining a flap with a radius of curvature equal to that of the top face of the spout.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bottle with integrally coupled flap and more particularly pertains to providing an bottle with an integral unitary flap formed thereon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of liquid dispensing flaps for bottles is known in the prior art. More specifically, liquid dispensing flaps for bottles heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of sealing a bottle are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, the prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,390; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 353,334; U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,082; U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,328; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,968.
In this respect, the bottle with integrally coupled flap according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing an bottle with an integral unitary flap formed thereon.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved bottle with integrally coupled flap which can be used for providing an bottle with an integral unitary flap formed thereon. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A system, method, and computer program product that permits multiple uniquely identifiable handsets to use the same mobile identification number (MIN). The apparatus includes a wireless phone including an electronic serial number (ESN) and an extended MIN (EMIN), the EMIN including a MIN identifying a plurality of wireless phones and an extension code identifying the specific wireless phone within the plurality of wireless phones that includes it; an adjunct processor that generates control codes according to a network-based profile identified by the EMIN; and a mobile switching center that activates a services plan according to the control codes, thereby providing telecommunication service access to the wireless phone.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to sharing a single mobile identification number between multiple uniquely distinguishable wireless handsets.
2. Related Art
Wireless phones are experiencing a dramatic increase in popularity. As handset size and service costs decline, the wireless phone is rapidly becoming the phone of choice. For many users, it has displaced the conventional wireline phone completely.
However, the wireline phone continues to have some advantages over the wireless phone. In particular, some features available with wireline phones are not available for wireless phones. One feature of particular utility is the common telephone xe2x80x9cextension.xe2x80x9d This feature provides a host of advantages.
For example, in a consumer environment, a phone call to a residence can easily be passed from extension to extension. Unfortunately, this feature is not currently available for wireless phones.
As another example, in a business environment, a caller can dial a single number to reach a receptionist, who can then direct the call to individual telephone extensions as desired. The extension feature also permits a number of interoffice services such as conference calling and call transfer. Unfortunately, this feature is not currently available in wireless telephony.
The present invention is a system, method, and computer program product that permits multiple uniquely identifiable handsets to use the same mobile identification number (MIN).
The apparatus includes a wireless phone including an electronic serial number (ESN) and an extended mobile identification number (EMIN), the EMIN including a mobile identification number (MIN) identifying a plurality of wireless phones and an extension code identifying the specific wireless phone within the plurality of wireless phones that includes it; an adjunct processor that generates control codes according to a network-based profile identified by the EMIN and a mobile switching center that activates a services plan according to the control codes, thereby providing telecommunication service access to the wireless phone.
The method includes transmitting from a wireless phone an electronic serial number (ESN) and an extended mobile identification number (EMIN), the EMIN including a mobile identification number (MIN) identifying a plurality of wireless phones and an extension code identifying the specific wireless phone within the plurality of wireless phones that includes it; generating, at an adjunct processor, control codes according to a network-based profile identified by the EMIN; and activating, at a mobile switching center, a services plan according to the control codes, thereby providing telecommunication service access to the wireless phone.
One advantage of the present invention is that it permits a plurality of wireless handsets to share a single mobile identification number (MIN).
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a user-manageable profile associated with the MIN.
Further features and advantages of the present invention as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Multiple uniquely distinguishable wireless handsets using a single mobile identification number


A second order modified block copolymer which can be obtained by reacting a first order modified block copolymer with a second order modifier, wherein the first order modified block copolymer comprises a base block copolymer and a functional group-containing first order modifier group bonded to the base block co-polymer, wherein the base block copolymer comprises at least one polymer block comprised mainly of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units and at least one polymer block comprised mainly of conjugated diene monomer units, and wherein the second order modifier has a specific functional group which is reactive to the functional group of the first order modifier group of the first order modified block copolymer. A second order modified block copolymer containing polymer composition comprising the second order modified block copolymer as well as a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modified block copolymer which can be advantageously used for producing a polymer composition which exhibits an excellent balance of stiffness and impact resistance. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a modified block copolymer (which is hereinafter frequently referred to as "second-order modified block copolymer") which can be obtained by reacting a semi-modified (i.e., first-order modified) block copolymer with a second-order modifier having a specific functional group, wherein the semimodified block copolymer comprises a base block copolymer and a functional group-containing first-order modifier group bonded to the base block copolymer, wherein the base block copolymer comprises at least one polymer block comprised mainly of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units and at least one polymer block comprised mainly of conjugated diene monomer units. Further, the present invention is also concerned with a second-order modified block copolymer-containing polymer composition which is obtained by adding the above-mentioned second-order modified block copolymer (i.e., modified block copolymer) to a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer. The second-order modified block copolymer-containing polymer composition exhibits an excellent balance of stiffness and impact resistance. By injection molding, extrusion molding or the like, this polymer composition containing the second-order modified block copolymer of the present invention can be shaped into various shaped articles. The shaped articles can be advantageously used in various fields, such as the fields of automobile parts (interior and exterior parts for automobiles), various containers (such as food packaging), parts for household electrical appliances, parts for medical equipments, industrial parts, toys and the like.
Furthermore, the present invention is also concerned with a polymer composition comprising the above-mentioned first-order modified block copolymer (i.e., semimodified block copolymer), a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer, and the above-mentioned second-order modifier. Also by melt-kneading this polymer composition, the above-mentioned second-order modified block copolymer-containing polymer composition can be obtained.
2. Prior Art
In the fields of sheets, films and other shaped articles which are produced from polymeric materials, there have been made a number of proposals in which there is used a polymer composition or laminate comprising a plurality of types of polymeric materials in order to obtain advantages in that a satisfactory strength is imparted to the sheets, films or the like, or the processability of the sheets, films or the like is improved, or the production cost of the sheets, films or the like is reduced. However, when producing a polymer composition by mixing different polymeric materials together, the number of combinations of different polymeric materials which exhibit good compatibility with each other, is limited. In the case of a polymer composition comprising different polymeric materials which exhibit poor compatibility with each other, a problem is likely to arise in that, due to the poor compatibility, the composition becomes non-homogeneous, and a delamination occurs between layers of different polymeric materials, thus rendering it impossible to obtain a satisfactory improving effect aimed at by using a combination of different polymeric materials.
It is well known that, as a polymeric material for obtaining a composition having excellent properties, there are used a styrene-butadiene block copolymer or a hydrogenation product thereof, and a styrene-isoprene block copolymer or a hydrogenation product thereof. However, since these block copolymers have poor compatibility with polymers having a polar functional group, such as polyamide, polyester and polyurethane, there cannot be obtained a satisfactory improving effect aimed at by using these block copolymers, and hence a useful composition cannot be obtained.
Various proposals have been made for improving the compatibility between a polymer having a polar functional group and a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of a styrene-butadiene block copolymer, a hydrogenation product thereof, a styrene-isoprene block copolymer and a hydrogenation product thereof. For example, Examined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 4-39495 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,784) discloses a composition comprising a block copolymer having a modified terminal group and a thermoplastic resin. Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 7-173390 discloses a composition comprising a polyamide resin, a graft copolymer comprising a hydrogenated block copolymer having a polyamide grafted thereon, and a hydrogenated block copolymer having bonded thereto a specific amount of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof. Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 2000-219800 discloses a composition comprising a polyester resin, a polyamide resin and an epoxidized block copolymer. Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 2001-55492 discloses a composition comprising a polyester resin, an epoxidized block copolymer, a multifunctional compound and a polyether-ester elastomer.
On the other hand, as a method for producing a block copolymer having a functional group, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Sho 59-98106 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,809) discloses a method for producing a carboxyl group-containing polymer, in which a polymer-alkali metal composition is contacted with an epoxy compound, and the resultant product is directly contacted with a cyclic, acid anhydride, thereby obtaining a carboxyl group-containing polymer. However, such carboxyl group-containing polymer (which has a terminal epoxy compound residue having bonded thereto a cyclic, acid anhydride residue) has poor affinity to a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer, an inorganic filler, and the like.
Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Sho 63-238107 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,023) discloses a polymer which is modified with a terminal acid group (or a salt thereof) which is bonded to the polymer through an acid amido group, and discloses a method for producing the modified polymer as well as applications for the modified polymer. This modified polymer is obtained by a method in which the modification is performed using 1,5-diazabicylo[3.1.0]-hexane and a derivative thereof and a Schiff base derived from an aliphatic or aromatic amine and aldehiyde. The modified polymer (which is modified with a terminal acid group (or a salt thereof) which is bonded to the polymer through an acid amido group) has poor affinity to a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer, an inorganic filler, and the like.
Thus, in the prior art, no composition has been obtained, which comprises a block copolymer comprised of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units and conjugated diene monomer units, and a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer and which exhibits an excellent balance of stiffness and impact resistance.


The present application discloses methods and systems for incrementally collecting replies in a forum and belongs to the technical field of collecting network information. The method comprises periodically determining whether there is a newly-established post and a post having new replies in all forum list pages needed to be collected: if yes, extracting a main post and reply information from the newly-established post, and extracting the information of the new replies from the post having new replies. The system comprises a determining device (11) for periodically determining whether there is a newly-established post and a post having new replies in all forum list pages needed to be collected; and an extracting device (12) for extracting a main post and reply information from the newly-established post, and extracting the information of the new replies from the post having new replies. The present application can quickly, accurately and completely collect all main post/replies of a post, so that the drawback that the information of turned pages of a post are missed to be searched or cannot be searched through a general search engine may be overcome.

With the advent of Internet, especially the wide use of various Internet or network forums and communities users or user groups worldwide can freely express and exchange various ideas together. China now has more than one million Internet forums, and 80% of websites in China have independent forums. There are more than 100 million frequent or active Internet users on various network forums in China. Different from other forums, network forums have the characteristics of reaching audience in a wide range of Internet users in a very short time. A particular hot topic posted on such a network forum may very quickly attract the attention tens of thousands of users to post replies and discussions and the posted replies and discussions may form hundreds or thousands of pages in a very short period of time. At this time, the users are interested in not only the content or opinion of the initiator or the contents of the main post but also the opinions on the main post expressed by other users. However, it is difficult to query the replied information in multiple turned pages through a general search engine. Even if sometimes the replied information in the multiple pages can be queried, the time effectiveness is not ideal due to the large data delay. Current forum collection systems merely collect information in the first page of a post, without the information of the replies in remaining pages of the post.

Method and system for incremental collection of forum replies

Peking University Founder Group Co., Ltd.


There is disclosed an image processing condition setting apparatus for determining an image processing condition defining contents of an image processing to set up the image processing condition to an image processing apparatus for executing the image processing in accordance with the determined image processing condition. The image processing condition setting apparatus has an image obtaining section for obtaining an image according to an original image to be subjected to an image processing in said image processing apparatus, an initial image processing condition determination section for determining an initial image processing condition in accordance with the image obtained by said image obtaining section, an image processing condition determination section for determining in accordance with an operation an image processing condition having a desired deviation from the initial image processing condition determined by said initial image processing condition determination section, and an image processing condition setting section for setting up the image processing condition determined by said image processing condition determination section to said image processing apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing condition setting apparatus for setting an image processing condition representative of contents of an image processing, which is used in an image processing apparatus for applying an image processing to an image obtained, and an image processing condition setting program storage medium storing an image processing condition setting program which causes a computer system to operate as the image processing condition setting apparatus when the image processing condition setting program is executed by the computer system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, it is widely performed that a printed matter is produced by a printing machine in accordance with an original image obtained through reading a document image by a scanner for example. In a producing process of the printed matter, in order to obtain a good finished image for the original image, usually, an image processing is applied to the original image. The image processing is performed in accordance with a predetermined image processing condition (condition representative of contents of the image processing). When the image processing condition is suitably set, an operator can apply a desired image processing to the original image.
This image processing condition includes, for example, factors representative of curvatures of a highlight curve, a half tone curve and a shadow curve, which represent a transformation relation between density of an image before the image processing and density of an image after the image processing.
In a producing process of the printed matter, as an apparatus for setting such an image processing condition, there is used an image processing condition setting apparatus. As such an image processing condition setting apparatus, there is known an apparatus in which an original image is analyzed, and an image processing condition, which is considered as the optimal one for the original image, is automatically computed and set up in accordance with the analyzed result.
For example, such an image processing condition setting apparatus produces a density profile representative of a density distribution of an image from an image before the processing, and automatically computes a value which is considered to be the optimum one of the factor representative of the curvature of the highlight curve.
However, it happens that a tendency of the image processing is out of an operator's intention, for example, in such a way that an image, which is obtained through the image processing based on the image processing condition automatically computed and set up in the manner as mentioned above, is always slightly dark, or always different from the operator's wish in choice of greens. Thus, there is a requirement to adjust a discrepancy of such a tendency of the image processing.
It is possible to adjust the discrepancy of the tendency of the image processing by rewriting the program for computing the image processing condition. However, in many cases, there is a need to repeat over and over trial and error as to whether the image processing condition computed by the rewritten program meets the image processing intended by the operator. This takes a lot of time and labor.
On the other hand, in the event that the image processing condition is manually controlled and set up, without performing such an automatic computation of the image processing condition, it is possible to obtain a desired image. However, in this case, it is necessary to manually adjust one by one factors representative of curvatures of the highlight curve and the like. This needs skills of a technique of setting of the image processing condition. It is difficult for a general operator to suitably perform setting of the image processing condition.

Image processing condition setting apparatus and image processing condition setting program storage medium


Example methods are provided for a host to perform multicast packet handling a software-defined networking (SDN) environment. One example method may comprise: in response to detecting, from a virtualized computing instance supported by the host, a request to join a first inner multicast group address, obtaining an outer multicast group address that is assigned to the first inner multicast group address and one or more second inner multicast group addresses; and generating and sending a request to join the outer multicast group address to one or more multicast-enabled network devices. In response to detecting an ingress encapsulated multicast packet that includes an outer header addressed to the outer multicast group address and an inner header addressed to the first inner multicast group address, the host may generate and send a decapsulated multicast packet to the virtualized computing instance that has joined the first inner multicast group address.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Virtualization allows the abstraction and pooling of hardware resources to support virtual machines in a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) environment, such as a Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC). For example, through server virtualization, virtualization computing instances such as virtual machines (VMs) running different operating systems may be supported by the same physical machine (e.g., referred to as a "host"). Each virtual machine is generally provisioned with virtual resources to run an operating system and applications. The virtual resources may include central processing unit (CPU) resources, memory resources, storage resources, network resources, etc. In practice, multicasting refers to the transmission of information from a source to a group of destinations simultaneously. In an SDN environment, however, multicast packets are generally treated as unknown unicast packets or broadcast packets, which is inefficient and undesirable.

Multicast packet handling in software-defined networking (SDN) environments


An augmented mirror for use with one or more user objects, the augmented mirror comprising: a partially silvered mirrored surface; a screen underneath the mirrored surface; a camera including a depth scanner; and a computer module for receiving data from the camera and for providing graphical images to the screen; wherein the sole means of communication with the computer module is via the one or more user objects.

A mirror acts as a unique pinch point in the home where activities carried out by a person as part of their daily routine will be reliably and routinely carried out.
For example common activities carried out on a daily basis by a person may include one or more of the following: brushing teeth, brushing hair, shaving, applying make-up.
Furthermore, because mirrors are usually located in specific locations within a house, it is possible to predict, with a reasonable degree of accuracy that a person will be carrying out the everyday activities in a particular location; for example a bathroom, hallway, or bedroom.
Intelligent mirrors are known. For example, US2002/0080494 describes a smart mirror in which is preferably to be placed in the bathroom, since a person spends a certain amount of time in the bathroom preparing for the day. The mirror allows a person to review electronic news and information, as well as their schedule, while preparing for the day, e.g. brushing teeth, shaving, styling hair, washing up, and applying makeup. This aims to address a need for people to be able to plan their day and receive news and information before they leave their homes.
In the prior art mirrors discussed, the user's morning routine is improved since the technology involved in the smart mirror enables them to perform other tasks such as reading/watching the news simultaneously with performing everyday tasks.
The inventors of the present invention have recognised that the unique pinch point provided by a mirror may also be exploited to improve the user's experience of and/or performance of and/or outcome from the everyday tasks themselves. A need exists in the marketplace for smart mirrors capable of interacting with users, particularly users of FMCGs to enhance their experience.
Often, the everyday tasks will involve the use of a handheld object which may include a grooming implement such as a toothbrush, hairbrush, hairdryer, or razor. The grooming implement may or may not be a smart device. In addition, the handheld object may take the form of a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) container. For providers of FMCGs, the unique pinch point provided by the mirror in the home gives rise to an ideal opportunity for the provider to enhance the user experience of the buyer of their products.
As well as user experience in the home, the inventors of the present invention have also recognised that smart mirrors also have the potential to provide an improved user experience in commercial settings such as hair salons.
Examples of FMCG products which may be used by a user in front of a mirror include: oral care products such as toothpaste and toothbrushes; haircare products, such as shampoo, conditioner, treatment, styling product, styling devices; and skin care products such as age creams, make-up, and deodorant.
There is provided, an improved smart mirror suitable for applications involving user and/or object interaction in both household/consumer space as well as in retail applications.


The present invention provides an apparatus and method for characterizing tire pressure on the four tires of a conventional passenger automobile. The method uses an apparatus disposed on a key fob. The key fob includes a tire valve stem interface that is capable of taking manual measurements of tire pressure. The fob further includes a pressure transducer that translates tire pressure into electronic form where it can be displayed on an LCD screen and transmitted by RF to an automobile computer. The automobile computer further includes a program that provides for the measurement of tire pressure in a sequential method thereby assuring that the tires are at placarded pressure or more. The method includes steps of using the key fob to measure the tire pressure and transmitting the tire pressure to the computer for processing.

In 2000 the United States Congress enacted a bill under the title Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act. One aspect of this law called for the Department of Transportation to initiate rulemaking related to tire inflation. Proposed rulemaking requires implementation of a warning system in new motor vehicles that indicates to the operator when a tire is significantly under-inflated.
Two types of Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) systems have been developed in response to this legislation. These are direct and indirect systems. Direct systems generally operate with a tire pressure sensor in each tire cavity. Indirect TPM systems generally monitor under-inflation by comparing characteristics of tires such as wheel speed. Each such system has limitations. It has now been discovered that a hybrid TPM system offers improvements over these known methods of tire pressure measurement.
One shortcoming of the presently known systems relates to starting tire pressure. An indirect system requires that all of the tires be filled to their nominal pressures. Vehicle manufacturers recommend that tires be filled to placard (for example, 30 PSI) pressure when cold. Typically this requires that a vehicle remain stationary for at least 1 hour. After a vehicle has been driven for more than 20 minutes at speeds between 50 and 100 KPH, manufacturers recommend adjusting all tire pressures to placard plus an additional 4 PSI. This additional pressure accommodates for the friction related heat and pressure increase that occurs in all tires while driving.
Both prior art systems allow tire characterization anytime the reset function or switch is properly deployed even if the tires are not at nominal pressures. The shortcoming lies in the fact that those systems have no direct way to ensure proper inflation levels before starting the characterization procedure. For example, in an indirect system actual pressures that are significantly off of recommended inflation levels can yield the same ratios as do tires with proper inflation. In that case underinflated tires are indistinguishable from each other. The following cases illustrate how differing inflations can nevertheless have similar ratios. (Here, and elsewhere in the application, the convention is used where LF, RF, LR, and RR mean, respectively left front, right front, left rear, and right rear in a conventional, four tire automobile arrangement.)
CASE 1CASE 2LF = 18RF = 17.25LF = 30.6RF = 29.3LR = 18.5RR = 20LR = 31.4RR = 34
In the above example, the system will compare pressures in each tire. The pressure ratios of both Case 1 and Case 2 are similar. Thus the driver will not be warned of a low pressure situation. This represents a worst-case scenario for indirect systems. It relies on the customer to ensure that the tire pressures are optimal before executing a tire characterization procedure.
Hence there is a need for an improved tire pressure measurement system. There is a need for a pressure measurement system that can determine tire pressure at any time, regardless whether the car has been running or not, and regardless whether the actual tire pressure is greater than or less than the placard pressure. Additionally there is a need for a pressure measurement system that individually reports pressure for each of four tires. Further there is a need for a pressure measurement system that visually reports pressure readings to a driver/user. Finally, there is also a need for an improved TPM system that integrates into present operator equipment such as key fobs and remote keyless entry (RKE) systems. The present invention addresses one or more of these needs.

Tire pressure characterization method and key fob


A method for controlling the top width of a trench. A conductive layer is formed on the trench over the substrate, forming an interlayer over a part thereof, above the conductive layer. A sacrifice layer is formed on the trench sidewall above the interlayer, and the interlayer is removed to expose the trench sidewall above the conductive layer and the sacrifice layer, such that the exposed trench sidewalls are oxidized. Thus, the sacrifice layer on the trench sidewall reduces the top width of the trench. In the oxidization process, silicon oxide is formed on the sacrifice layer and the exposed trench sidewall, such that upper width of the trench will is not increased during subsequent wet etching.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a deep trench capacitor, and more particularly, to a method for controlling the upper width of a trench.
2. Description of the Related Art
A DRAM cell comprises a transistor and a capacitor. In order to shrink memory cell size, reduce power consumption and increase speed, the 3 D capacitor of the DRAM cell is formed in the semiconductor as the deep trench capacitor combined with a transistor.
FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the deep trench capacitor of a DRAM. Each active area of the folded bit line structure comprises two word lines (WL1 and WL2) and one bit line and DT indicates the deep trench and CB indicated the bit line contact plug.
FIG. 1B is a cross-section of the deep trench capacitor of the DRAM. The deep trench (DT) is formed in the semiconductor substrate 10 and a trench capacitor 12 is formed at the bottom of the deep trench which comprising a buried plate, a node dielectric and a storage node.
The process steps of the deep trench capacitor 12 are described as follows: The deep trench (DT) is formed in the p-type semiconductor substrate 10 by reactive ion etching (RIE). N-type ions are diffused into the bottom of the deep trench DT to form a n-type diffusion area 14 used as the buried plate by diffusing heavily doped materials such as ASG with the rapid thermal method (RTP). Thereafter, a silicon nitride layer 16 is formed on the sidewall and bottom of the deep trench (DT) used as the node dielectric of the deep trench capacitor. A first poly silicon layer 18 is deposited in the deep trench and then etched back to a target depth, which is used as the storage node of the deep trench capacitor 12.
The collar dielectric layer 20 is formed on the upper sidewall of the deep trench (DT). The n-type doped second poly silicon layer and the third poly silicon layer 24 are formed thereafter. Further, the shallow trench isolation (STI) 26, the word lines (WL1 and WL2), the source/drain 28, the bit lines (BL) and the bit line contact plug (CB) are formed, which in the shallow trench isolation 26 is used to isolate two close DRAM cells.
In order to connect the deep trench capacitor 12 and the transistor, the buried strap out-diffusion area 30 referred to as node junction is formed on the top sidewall of the deep trench (DT). The node junction is formed by out-diffusing n-type ions in the second poly silicon layer 22 through the third poly silicon layer 24, which is called buried strap 24 into the close silicon substrate 10. The collar dielectric layer 20 effectively isolates the buried strap out diffusion area 30 and the buried strap 14 to avoid leakage and increase retention time, however, the upper width of the deep trench is enlarged during the conventional process step forming the collar dielectric layer 20, changing the distribution of the buried strap out diffusion region 30 and the overlap of the active area (AA) and the deep trench (DT). More particularly, the overlap (L) between source/drain region 28 and buried strap out diffusion region 30 is shortened, such that the leakage current through the buried strap out-diffusion region is enlarged and the sub-Vt is decreased.
FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E are cross section showing the process steps of forming the conventional collar dielectric layer. As shown in FIG. 2A, the p-type semiconductor substrate 10 with the deep trench capacitor comprises a silicon nitride pad layer 32, a deep trench (DT), an n-type diffusion area 14 , a silicon nitride layer 16 and an n-type ions doped first poly silicon layer 18. As shown in FIG. 2B, after removing the silicon nitride layer over the deep trench (DT) and etching back the first silicon layer 18, the first silicon oxide layer 34 is formed on the exposed surface of the deep trench (DT) by the thermal process to cover the upper surface of the deep trench (DT), enhancing the isolation between the n-type diffusion region 14 and the buried strap out diffusion region 30. As shown in FIG. 2C, the second silicon oxide layer 36 is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and the portion over the first poly silicon layer 18 is then removed by anisotropic etching.
As shown in FIG. 2D, the n-type ion doped second poly silicon layer 22 is deposited in the deep trench (DT) and then etched to a target depth. As shown in FIG. 2E, a portion of the first silicon oxide layer 34 and the second silicon oxide layer 36 is removed by wet etching, exposing the raised top of the second poly silicon layer 22. The recessed first silicon oxide layer 34 and the second silicon oxide layer 36 are used as the collar dielectric layer 26 of the trench capacitor, however, a portion of the silicon substrate 10 is oxidized during the process step of forming the first silicon oxide layer 34, such that the upper width of the deep trench (DT) is enlarged during the subsequent wet etching, reducing the overlap (L) between the source/drain region 28 and the buried strap out diffusion region 30 as well as the leakage increases and sub-Vt gets lower.
The first silicon oxide layer 34 is necessary for the deep trench (DT) even though top width of the deep trench (DT) is enlarged. If the first silicon oxide layer 34 is skipped or its thickness reduced, leakage through the contact between the n-type diffusion region 14 and the buried strap out-diffusion region 30 becomes bigger. Accordingly, how to improve the collar oxide process to avoid the enlarging of the upper width of the deep trench is important.

Method for controlling the top width of a trench


The present invention relates to various high quality n-type and p-type doped gallium-based semiconductor materials, electronic components incorporating these materials, and processes of producing these materials. In particular, The present invention relates processes to achieve high quality, uniform doping of a whole wafer or a thin layer of gallium-based semiconductor materials for various applications such as a vertical power transistor or diode.

Power semiconductor devices play a crucial role in modern society. The need to regulate and control electrical energy better and more efficiently has increased rapidly in recent years. However, silicon-based power semiconductor devices have reached their theoretical limit and cannot meet growing demands. GaN with superior properties can replace Si for new generation of power semiconductors. Vertical GaN power devices have received significant attention in recent years, with a very high breakdown voltage of over 1 kV. Achieving high quality and uniform doping GaN wafers or very thick GaN layers is therefore crucial to the development of vertical GaN power devices.
Currently, there are four main processes to dope GaN materials: diffusion, ion implantation, doping during GaN growth, and neutron transmutation doping (NTD). The diffusion doping process involves depositing the doping material on the surface of the GaN semiconductor before annealing it to diffuse the dopant into the GaN lattice. In an ion implantation doping process, high energy dopant ions are first driven into a GaN wafer using various processes. The GaN wafer is later annealed at high temperature to defuse the dopant atoms further into the GaN lattice. One drawback of these processes relates to the gradient profile of the doping concentration. The doping concentration is usually much higher on the surface, which affects the operation of the GaN semiconductor device. Doping during growth processes partially solves this problem with a more uniform distribution of dopant. However, extensive modifications to the growth process are required. Moreover, the quality of the wafer is affected, especially on the surface.
Neutron transmutation can provide an exceptionally uniform doping profile for GaN. This process involves irradiating the GaN wafers with a neutron source in a nuclear reactor. The interaction with a neutron turns Ga atom into Ge, an n-type dopant, for GaN. This process provides a very uniform doping profile of Ge in GaN lattice, and can also be conducted after the GaN wafer growth process. Therefore, neutron transmutation can result in a high quality, highly doped n-type GaN wafer. Neutron transmutation solves most of the problems of the aforementioned processes. However, it is not possible to transmute Ga to Zn or other p-type dopants for GaN with neutron transmutation processes of GaN. Accordingly, there remains a need for new doping processes that can achieve high quality and uniform doping of gallium-based semiconductor materials, particularly with p-type dopants.

Photonuclear transmutation doping in gallium-based semiconductor materials

The Curators of the University of Missouri


The invention provides a system for determining the heat flow rate between a first and a second medium, the system including at least two sensor units having signal outputs disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, each of the units including a transducer having apertures allowing fluid to pass therethrough; the transducer of a first sensor unit is affixable to a first surface on the first medium, the heat flow of which is to be determined and a second surface of the first transducer is exposed to the second medium; a first surface of the transducer of a second sensor unit is affixable to a calibration plate, the calibration plate is affixable to the first medium, the heat flow of which is to be determined and the second surface of the transducer is exposed to the second medium; the signal outputs of the transducers are connectable to a processing unit for determining changes in the heat flow between the first and the second sensor units.

Heat flow measurements are widely used in medicine, for diagnosing building walls, the agricultural soils and the like, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,274,475; 5,524,618; 5,803,915; 6,533,731 and 6,595,929. Such measurements are characterized by placing heat flow sensors on opposite surfaces of a wall or barrier. The steady heat flow through the barrier can thus be measured. Heat flux and temperature differences can be digitally determined and recorded.
The shortcoming of these measurements is the fact that it is not always possible to place heat flow sensors on both sides of a wall or barrier. For example, without performing a surgical procedure, it is not possible to place heat flow sensors inside a living body. Similarly, without digging, it is not possible to place a sensor into the ground.


A process for producing a polymer is provided which can comprise, consist essentially of, or consists of, contacting an inorganic compound having the formula of M.sub.x H.sub.y Z.sub.p, in an aqueous medium, with an organic halide under a condition sufficient to effect the production of the polymer in which the polymer comprises repeat units having the formula of (C.sub.m H.sub.2m-q (R'.sub.q)--Z.sub.p).sub.n in which m is a whole number from 1 to about 20; Z can be S, Se, or combinations thereof; n is a number from about 5 to about 400; M is a metal or ammonium ion; x is a number filling the necessary valency of M; y is 0 or 1; q is a whole number from 0 to about 10 and p is a whole number from 1 to 4.

An organosulfur or organoselenium polymer can be used in a variety of applications. For example, an organosulfur polymer such as a solid poly(methylene sulfide) having a melting point of about 180.degree. C. or higher can be used in the synthesis of chloromethanesulfonyl chloride. Poly(methylene sulfide), also called polymethanethial, poly(thiomethylene), or polythioformaldehyde, can react with chlorine to produce a sulfonyl chloride which can be used in agriculture chemicals, herbicides, insecticides, or pharmaceuticals.
Poly(methylene sulfide) can be produced by bubbling hydrogen sulfide through aqueous formaldehyde at 20.degree. C. using H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 as catalyst. The polymer can also be produced by reacting methylene chloride with alkali metal sulfide in the presence of methyltrioctylammonium chloride. Although it has been shown that the polymer can be produced by reacting sodium hydrosulfide in ethanol solvent with methylene chloride, it has to be carried out in an anhydrous medium. Addition of water to the solvent (20% water) results in a weight ratio of methylene sulfide trimer to methylene sulfide polymer as high as 3:2.
Therefore, development of an economical and simple process for producing an organosulfur or organoselenium polymer would be a significant contribution to the art.

Production of organosulfur or organoselenium ploymers


An ECU calculates: a free running distance, which is a distance that a vehicle can travel from a first time point at which a speed-reduction control is started to a second time point at which the relative deceleration begins to increase by the start of the speed-reduction control; an increase travel distance, which is a distance that the vehicle can travel from the second time point to a third time point at which the relative deceleration reaches the target relative deceleration; and a post-completion travel distance, which is a distance that the vehicle can travel from the third time point to a time point at which the relative speed is made equal to or less than the specified speed. The ECU obtains a speed reduction distance based on a result of adding up the free running distance, the increase travel distance, and the post-completion travel distance.

There have been developments of a travel assist apparatus for avoiding collision between a vehicle and a collision avoidance object such as a preceding vehicle present ahead of the first vehicle in a traveling direction. In the above-described device, a speed reduction distance, which is an estimated value of travel distance necessary for stopping the vehicle on the assumption that speed-reduction control for reducing the speed of the vehicle is started at the current time point, is compared with a relative distance between the host vehicle and the collision avoidance object measured by a radar installed in the host vehicle. Then, when the thus detected latest relative distance is equal to or less than an addition value obtained by adding a specified distance (greater than 0 (zero)) to the speed reduction distance, the speed-reduction control is actually started.
A method for calculating the above-described speed reduction distance includes a method for calculation using the relational expression 1 given below (refer to Patent Document 1, for example).R=(VSa2)/(2·a)  (Expression 1)
where R represents speed reduction distance; VSa represents speed of vehicle; a represents estimated deceleration on performance of speed-reduction control


A radiation imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of sensor units each including a plurality of photoelectric converters, a substrate configured to support the plurality of sensor units, and a scintillator, wherein the scintillator comprises scintillator grains configured to convert radiation into light and a binder configured to make the scintillator grains adhere to each other, and the scintillator includes first portions provided between the plurality of sensor units and a second portion provided on the plurality of sensor units and the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radiation imaging apparatus and a radiation imaging system.
2. Description of the Related Art
As one of radiation imaging apparatuses for large-sized screens, there is available an apparatus having a structure including a plurality of sensor units, each having a sensor array, with a scintillator being formed on them. Stress due to heat and the like is produced at boundary portions between the respective sensor units. This makes the scintillator to tend to separate.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-048872 discloses a structure having a scintillator formed on a transparent film formed on the entire surface of a plurality of sensor units. The structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-048872 allows easy formation of a scintillator and prevents the separation of the scintillator.
With an increase in the size of a radiation imaging apparatus, the fabrication yield concerning the separation of a scintillator and the like tends to decrease. Demands have therefore arisen for a technique of further improving the reliability of a radiation imaging apparatus.

Radiation imaging apparatus and radiation imaging system


The present invention is a spring motor providing an efficient storage of mechanical energy, translating the potential energy of wound springs to mechanical rotation. The invention includes a frame supporting two gears having peripheral teeth. A first coil spring is positioned about a first shaft and is attached to the first gear and the frame. Similarly, a second coil spring is positioned about a second shaft and is attached to the second gear and the frame. The peripheral teeth of the two gears engage with each other so that rotation of the first gear causes rotation of the second gear. The first and second coil springs are opposingly wound so that potential energy stored in the first coil spring is mechanically transferred, in an oscillating manner, to the second coil spring through rotation of the gears. A chain is attached to the peripheral teeth of the gears so that the chain is linearly displaced as the gears oscillate. Means is provided for transforming the linear displacement of the chain to rotational displacement of the first or second gear.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally related to motors for providing rotational mechanical power, and more particularly, to motors that utilize the potential energy of springs to provide such rotational mechanical power.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various spring driven motors have heretofore been developed. See, for example, Holley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,058, and Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,428.
It is an object of the invention to provide a spring motor that translates potential energy of a coil spring into mechanical rotational displacement.


An electrochemical fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell assemblies interposed between a pair of end plate assemblies. The mechanism for securing the stack in its compressed, assembled state includes at least one compression band which circumscribes the end plate assemblies and interposed fuel cell assemblies of the stack. At least one of the end plate assemblies is sufficiently thin so as to deflect under the compressive force if the at least one end plate assembly is supported only at a peripheral edge portion thereof. Preferably, at least one of the end plate assemblies comprises a resilient member which cooperates with each compression band to urge the first end plate assembly toward the second end plate assembly, thereby applying compressive force to the fuel cell assemblies to promote sealing and electrical contact between the layers forming the fuel cell stack.

Electrochemical fuel cells convert fuel and oxidant to electricity and reaction product. Solid polymer electrochemical fuel cells generally employ a membrane electrode assembly ("MEA") consisting of a solid polymer electrolyte or ion exchange membrane disposed between two electrode layers comprising porous, electrically conductive sheet material and an electrocatalyst disposed at each membrane/electrode layer interface to induce the desired electrochemical reaction.
In typical fuel cells, the MEA is disposed between two electrically conductive separator or fluid flow field plates. Fluid flow field plates have at least one flow passage formed therein to direct the fuel and oxidant to the respective electrode layers, namely, the anode on the fuel side and the cathode on the oxidant side. In a single cell arrangement, fluid flow field plates are provided on each of the anode and cathode sides. The plates act as current collectors and provide support for the electrodes.
Two or more fuel cells can be connected together, generally in series but sometimes in parallel, to increase the overall power output of the assembly. In series arrangements, one side of a given plate serves as an anode plate for one cell and the other side of the plate can serve as the cathode plate for the adjacent cell. Such a series connected multiple fuel cell arrangement is referred to as a fuel cell stack, and is typically held together in its assembled state by tie rods and end plates.
The stack typically includes manifolds and inlet ports for directing the fuel and the oxidant to the anode and cathode flow field passages respectively. The stack also usually includes a manifold and inlet port for directing a coolant fluid, typically water, to interior passages within the stack to absorb heat generated by the exothermic reaction in the fuel cells. The stack also generally includes exhaust manifolds and outlet ports for expelling the unreacted fuel and oxidant gases, as well as an exhaust manifold and outlet port for the coolant stream exiting the stack.
In conventional fuel cell designs, such as, for example, the fuel cells described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,134,697, 3,297,490, 4,057,479, 4,214,969 and 4,478,917, the plates which make up each conventional fuel cell assembly are compressed and maintained in their assembled states by tie rods. The tie rods extend through holes formed in the peripheral edge portion of the stack end plates and have associated nuts or other fastening means assembling the tie rods to the stack assembly and compressing the end plates of the fuel cell stack assembly toward each other. Typically the tie rods are external, that is, they do not extend through the fuel cell separator or flow field plates. One reason for employing a peripheral edge location for the tie rods in conventional designs is to avoid the introduction of openings in the central, electrochemically active portion of the fuel cells.
The peripheral edge location of the tie rods in conventional fuel cell designs has inherent disadvantages. It requires that the thickness of the end plates be substantial in order to evenly transmit the compressive force across the entire area of the plate. Also, the peripheral location of the tie rods can induce deflection of the end plates over time if they are not of sufficient thickness. Inadequate compressive forces can compromise the seals associated with the manifolds and flow fields in the central regions of the interior plates, and also compromise the electrical contact required across the surfaces of the plates and membrane electrode assemblies to provide the serial electrical connection among the fuel cells which make up the stack. However, end plates of substantial thickness contribute significantly to the overall weight and volume of the fuel cell stack, which is particularly undesirable in motive fuel cell applications. Also, when external tie rods are employed, each of the end plates must be greater in area than the stacked fuel cell assemblies. The amount by which the end plates protrude beyond the fuel cell assemblies depends on the thickness of the tie rods, and more importantly on the diameter of the washers, nuts and any springs threaded on the ends of tie rods, since preferably these components should not overhang the edges of end plate. Thus the use of external tie rods can increase stack volume significantly.
Various designs in which one or more rigid compression bars extend across each end plate, the bars being connected (typically via external tie rods and fasteners) to corresponding bars at the opposite end plate have been employed in an effort to reduce the end plate thickness and weight, and to distribute compressive forces more evenly. Such a design is described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,430, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A compact fuel cell stack design incorporating internal tie rods which extend between the end plates through openings in the fuel cell plates and membrane electrode assemblies has been reported in U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,666, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The fuel cell stack compression mechanisms described above typically utilize springs, hydraulic or pneumatic pistons, pressure pads or other resilient compressive means which cooperate with the tie rods, which are generally substantially rigid, and end plates to urge the two end plates towards each other to compress the fuel cell stack.
Tie rods typically add significantly to the weight of the stack and are difficult to accommodate without increasing the stack volume. The associated fasteners add to the number of different parts required to assemble a fuel cell stack.
The present invention provides a simple, compact and light-weight compression mechanism for a fuel cell stack.

Electrochemical fuel cell stack with compression bands


A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system control method and a system control apparatus both of which are suitable for use in system control of multimedia devices capable of handling various kinds of information such as texts, sound, still images and moving images.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, so-called AV devices which have chiefly relied on analog techniques, such as audio equipment, video equipment and television sets, have been being digitized more and more. As digitization of text information and still image information becomes more popular, text information, sound information, still-image information and moving-image information are beginning to be unitarily handled within computers.
However, if currently available multimedia devices (for example, sound input/output devices and image input/output devices such as digital cameras, CD-ROM players, scanners, sound boards and video boards) are to be utilized on a computer, it has been necessary to install application software or device drivers dedicated to driving the respective multimedia devices on the computer.
The above-described art has the problem that new software or device drivers must be prepared for new multimedia devices in each computer or OS (Operating System) and software development becomes a heavy burden and efficient and high-rapid control is impossible.
Another problem is that the above-described art generally does not allow a computer connected to a LAN (local area network) to transparently use a multimedia device connected to a different point of the LAN. Accordingly, it has been impossible to realize the concept of a multimedia system to enable a plurality of computers to access individual peripheral devices via a LAN.

System for loading control information from peripheral devices which are represented as objects to a controller in a predetermined format in response to connection operation


A dartboard includes a circular spider disposed on the front portion having series of circunferentially and radially extending ribs for forming a number of dart areas and for slidably receiving a number of dart segments. A further spider of metal material is secured on the upper portion of the ribs of the spider for protecting the ribs and for preventing the ribs from being damaged by darts. The upper portions of the ribs each includes a frustum shape having two tapered side surfaces and having a flat upper surface. A protective outer film is applied onto the upper surface of the further spider and for protecting the ribs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dartboard, and more particularly to a dartboard having a target frame that has a protective device for protecting the target frame from being damaged.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical dartboards comprise a dartboard body having a spider provided in the front portion. The spider is generally circular in shape including a series of circumferentially and radially extending ribs for defining a number of dart areas and for slidably receiving a number of dart segments which are slidably engaged in the dart areas. The spider is normally made by plastic material and includes a number of cusps formed on the top of the series of circumferentially and radially extending ribs. However, the spider including the cusps is made of plastic material and will be easily damaged by the darts. The whole dartboard may be required to be discarded once the cusps are damaged by the darts.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional dartboards.

6F-2, No. 160, 1 Section, Chungkang Road