An insert tool for pre-existing casing is disclosed which allows the use of existing control line connections to facilitate independent operation of a pair of safety valves. The insert is particularly useful when a pre-existing well is converted to gas lift operation and requires the use of downhole valves, such as tubing safety valve in combination with an annular-type safety valve. The tool can be readily reconfigured if one of the control lines becomes obstructed so that continuing independent operation of the two valve components can continue. Normal and emergency release techniques are also included when it is time to retrieve the insert assembly.

During production, flow from a given formation eventually begins to taper off. Gas lift techniques have been used to obtain additional production when such situations occur. Wells are typically run with a tubing safety valve which can be actuated from the surface by control lines which extend down to a particular segment of the casing. In some designs, the tubing safety valve is actuable by a series of two control lines which run outside the casing and through the casing wall in a section in which the tubing safety valve is to be mounted. When converting a pre-existing well having two connections for a tubing safety valve to future operation by gas lift, a tubing safety valve is used in conjunction with an annular-type safety valve. Since the pre-existing section of the casing has only two connections at a fixed interval, an insert is required that will operate with the pre-existing connections in the locations already in the casing to allow the necessary operations of the tubing safety valve and the annular safety valve to facilitate the continuing operation by gas lift.
Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide for an insert that can be located and secured in the proper position which allows for independent operation of the tubing safety valve and the annular safety valve. In addition, if one of the pre-existing control lines to the casing section becomes obstructed, the insert has as an objective features which will allow the continuing operation independently of the tubing safety valve from the annular safety valve with some minor modifications to the insert, itself. As another object, the insert has an emergency release provision which facilitates simple removal when the standard removal techniques do not result in a release. Another object of the insert tool of the present invention is to provide a fast and simple way to reconfigure the tool to allow independent operation of the tubing safety valve and the annular safety valve in the event one of the control lines becomes obstructed. These objects and how they are achieved can be better understood by a review of drawings and description of the preferred embodiment.


A collapsible wingback chair that includes a seat base portion and to which is secured a lower portion of a pair of side wings that include upper portions that are movable relative to a chair back that is pivotally mounted so as to be movable between an upright position when the chair is in use to a folded position in overlaying relationship with the base with the upper portions of the side wings also being folded relative to the base to thereby form a compact configuration for handling, shipping and storage. The side wings are selectively secured to the chair back when the back is in a raised position to thereby permit use of the chair in a conventional manner.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to folding chairs and more particularly to wingback style chairs that have folding backs and side wings that permit the chairs to be quickly and easily folded into compact units for shipping and storage and that are readily erected for conventional use.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Wingback style chairs are very popular not only for home use but also for business or commercial use, such as in offices, hotels and motels. Wingback chairs are characterized by having a pair of side wings or panels that extend forward of and on opposite sides of the backs of the chairs and upwardly from side arm rests so as to be generally flush with the upper side portions of the backs of the chairs. The side wings were originally provided to reduce drafts across individuals seated in the chairs. Today, the wings serve as head rests or supports that permit individuals to rest or sleep comfortably while seated within the chairs.
A major problem associated with wingback chairs is their size and bulk which is greater than conventional non-wingback style chairs. Because of their size, the cost to ship wingback chairs from a manufacturer to a sales outlet or to an ultimate consumer is increased as fewer numbers of chairs may be loaded into conventional trailers, shipping containers and the like. Further, the amount of storage space required to store wingback chairs for sale is similarly increased, thus adding additional costs that reduce manufactures profit margins or costs that are ultimately passed to consumers.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need to improve upon the design and construction characteristics of wingback style chairs in order to reduce shipping, handling and storage costs and thereby reduce costs to manufacturers and also to reduce sales prices to consumers.


This disclosure relates to a personal computer apparatus and a device for removing a direct access storage device from a personal computer. More particularly, this disclosure describes a tool for easily removing an electromechanical storage device such as hard disk drive which is directly attached to the bus structure provided by a planar board or motherboard of a personal computer system.

This disclosure relates to a personal computer apparatus and a device for removing a direct access storage device from a personal computer. More particularly, this disclosure describes a tool for easily removing an electromechanical storage device such as hard disk drive which is directly attached to the bus structure provided by a planar board or motherboard of a personal computer system.
Personal computer systems in general and IBM personal computers in particular have attained widespread use for providing computing capability to many segments of today's modern society. Personal computer systems can usually be defined as a desk top, floor standing, or portable microcomputer that consists of a system unit having a single system processor and associated volatile and non-volatile memory, a display monitor, a keyboard, one or more electromechanical direct access storage devices (DASD), and an optional printer. One of the distinguishing characteristics of these systems is the use of a motherboard or system planar board to electrically connect these components. These systems are designed primarily to give independent computing capability to a single user and are inexpensively priced for purchase by individuals or small businesses. Examples of such personal computer systems are IBM's PERSONAL COMPUTER AT and IBM's PERSONAL SYSTEM/2 Models 25, 30, 50, 60, 70 and 80. The phrases "AT" and "PERSONAL SYSTEM/2" are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
Heretofore, the conventional practice in providing for data transfer between components of the personal computer located on the planar board (which receive digital data as input from various elements of the system and deliver such data as output to various elements of the system) and an electromechanical direct access storage device has been to interpose a controller card, controller circuitry or the like between the bus or buses provided on the planar board and the storage device or DASD. Typically, data is communicated through electrical connections established by flexible conductors or cables extending between the controller and the storage device.
While such connections between the planar board and DASD have functioned successfully and have become an industry standard, it is recognized that there are problems associated with those connections. Some of those problems relate to the attention to detail necessary during initial assembly or subsequent reassembly of the computer system. The necessity of giving such attention increases the cost of manufacture and the possibility of error in assembly. Further, the cabling required increases the number of components to be stocked, the space required in the assembly, and the possibilities for emitting electromagnetic interference.
One solution recently proposed for the difficulties presented by the prior practices described, and which is the subject matter of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 537,655 filed Jun. 14, 1990 and owned in common with the subject matter here described, has been to provide a DASD which is directly connected to the bus structure of a planar board. While such a solution provides significant advantages, the use of a direct attachment DASD and limited assembly and disassembly space raises problems in removing the DASD in the event that service is necessary or upgrading is to be done. Indeed, in any machine environment in which obtaining access to a DASD is made difficult by space limitations, there is increased risk that efforts to exert on a DASD force sufficient to separate it from its connections and mounting may damage the DASD.

Device for removing a direct access storage device from a personal computer

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An apparatus for processing packets in a high speed router and a method thereof are provided. The high speed router includes a forward processor and a control processor where the forward processor having an input terminal processor and an output terminal processor. The output terminal processor manages a Layer 2 Address Table by dividing the Layer 2 Address Table into a layer 2 indirect address table and a layer 2 direct address table and by managing them. The indirect address table is directly indexed in the Next-hop Table of the input terminal processor table. The direct address table is composed of a hashing table for a destination IP address. Therefore, the system efficiency can be improved by reducing the memory which is used for storing the forwarding information table occupied by the forward processor and by reducing the IPC message between the control processor and the forwarding process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing packets in a high speed router and a method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in order to transmit an Internet protocol (IP) packet in an Ethernet, a layer 2 address of the IP packet should be known at final output terminal. In order to detect the layer 2 address of the opponent party, the address resolution protocol (ARP) is used in the Internet protocol version 4 (IPv4), and the neighbor discovery protocol (NDP) is used in the Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6).
Since a control processor driven by a routing protocol in a general router process packet-forwarding, the general router has a simple structure managing a routing table and a layer 2 address by one processor. In a high speed router, however, since each of a control processor, an input processor and an output processor performs its own roll and is driven by different protocols, each of the control processor, the input processor and the output processor has own Information Table. Therefore, it is necessary to perform complicated procedures to synchronize the Information Tables of the control processor, the input processor and the output processor in the high speed router.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal structure of a high speed router according to the related art.
As shown in FIG. 1, the high speed router includes a control processor 100 and a forward processor 300. The forward processor 300 includes an input processor 310 having an input network processor, an output processor 340 having an output network processor 350 and a switch fabric 330.
The control processor 100 and the forward processor 300 are connected through an Ethernet switch 200 and exchange packets or inter processor communication (IPC) messages each other through the Ethernet switch 200.
Forwarding of input packets is actually performed by the input network processor 320 and output network processor 350 which are included in the input processor 330 and output processor 340 of the forward processor 300.
The input network processor 320 and output network processor 350 in the forward processor 300 are connected each other through the switch fabric 330, and the input processor 310 and the output processor 340 are connected each other through an internal bus such as PCI.
Meanwhile, a router may include a plurality of forward processors 300 according to its capacity.
Hereinafter, a conventional technology for creating a forwarding information table and for forwarding a packet using the forwarding Information Table in the high speed router will be described, briefly.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of Information Tables managed by each processor in the high speed router shown in FIG. 1 according to the related art. Since identical constitute elements in FIGS. 1 and 2 have identical or similar functions, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 2, the input processor 310 manages a Prefix Table 311 and a Next-hop Table 312, and the output processor 340 manages a Layer 2 Address Table 341 in the forward processor 300.
In the forward processor 300, the input processor 310 and input network processor 320 share the Prefix Table 311 and the Next-hop Table 312 of the input processor 310. The output network processor 350 and the output processor 340 share the Layer 2 address Table 341 of the output processor 340. Information stored in the Prefix Table 110, the network-hop table 120 and the Layer 2 Address Table 130 in the control processor 100 must be synchronized with information stored in the Prefix Table 311 and the Next-hop Table 312 of the input processor 310 and the Layer 2 Address Table 341 of the output processor 340 in the forward processor 300 to be identical each other.
In the input processor 310 of the forwarding processor 300, the entry of the Prefix Table 311 occupies one table entry for one prefix and is mapped to the Next-hop Table 312 in a multi-to-one manner.
The Next-hop Table 32 is mapped to the Layer 2 Address Table 314 of the output processor 340 in a one to one manner. However, in case of a direct routing where a destination address of a forwarding packet is same to an address of the next-hop, a packet may have a plurality of layer 2 addresses although the packet is included in a same prefix.
Accordingly, one table entry is not allocated to a corresponding prefix in the Prefix Table 311 of the input processor 310 according to the related art. Instead of allocating the one table entry to a prefix, one table entry is allocated to all of host addresses in the Prefix Table 311. For example, in case of 24 prefixes, the number of entries in the Prefix Table 311 maximally increases 256. It causes the number of the entries in the Next-hop Table 312 increased, accordingly. Such an increment of the number of the entries causes a problem of increasing a capacity of a memory in a router.
Also, in a control processor 100 where all information tables for forwarding are converged in one processor, the above described problems are not occurred even in case of the direct routing. It provides a cause that makes the IPC message for synchronizing the routing tables in the control processor 100 and the forward processor 300 complicated.

Method and apparatus for processing packet in high speed router

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


An automatic emergency radar and proximity sensor activated protection system that could assist to prevent commercial, private, or military aircraft jet engines from being damaged or destroyed by the installment of a Shielding Blade Assembly which will immediately close when detection of objects such as; birds, debris, or other destructive elements try to enter through the engine intake while the aircraft is in FLIGHT causing the Internal Air Injection Unit (A.I.U.) to supply high volumes of air in order for the engine to stay operational and prevent it from stalling while in FLIGHT.

For as long as the jet engine has existed, it has always been plagued by the uncertainty that at any given moment while in flight, the engine or engines of an aircraft could be compromised by external forces. This could normally occur at takeoff when aircraft are most vulnerable to things such as bird strikes or loose debris picked up off the runway. Severe weather fronts containing heavy snow and ice, large hail, or wind shear can be destructive to any jet engine.
Currently, most of the more sophisticated jet engines have ice breakers located on the front intake of the main engine section. Deicing and heating systems are also part of similar designs. Unfortunately those preventive systems can only do a fraction of the job and may not be enough when something more overwhelming is about to compromise a jet engine during flight.
If an jet engine was to be equipped with a fully automated system that could detect incoming objects, be able to close and shield the intake of the engine, and alternatively supply air to the jet engine(s), then that is where the Thrust Enabling Objective System (T.E.O.S.) would come into play and could conceivably change the level of jet engine vulnerability making air travel safer for all.


A pad to be used with a continuous web, such as paper, that provides an area where the web is taut and suitable for use, such as writing, drawing or marking with different utensils. The web is stored as a roll inside a paper web roll housing from where it is passed through a first web guiding and feeding assembly that is characterized by permitting it to travel in one direction only. The web is then passed through a slot below the first web guiding and feeding assembly and under the pad housing to another slot from where it is passed upwardly and through a second web guiding and feeding assembly similar to the first one in function. Both assemblies include an elongated member with a longitudinal edge in contact with the web to permit to travel in one direction only.

1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to a pad assembly, and more particularly, to the type that includes a continuous web that provides an area where the web is kept taut suitable for use against a cooperating flat surface.
2. Description of the Related Art.
Many writing pad designs exist nowadays, however, none of them disclose the features of the present invention as claimed herein. The present invention discloses a pad for writing, drawing or making marks with a paper roll assembly affixed thereon that continuously feeds a paper web for a user to write on it and also includes at least one paper feeding assembly to permit the paper web to travel in one direction only. While paper webs are the most popular ones, other materials such as plastic, can also be used. Also, using the web is typically accomplished with a writing utensil. A user writes, draws or otherwise marks the web with symbols. For the purposes of this application, the term "writing" includes writing, drawing or marking.


A disk drive for implementing a head switch operation is disclosed. The disk drive comprises: an actuator; a first head and a second head attached to the actuator; a disk having a plurality of tracks; and a processor. The processor controls operations in the disk drive including: executing a head switch command from the first head to the second head; determining that a sync-up operation is not successful for the second head at a first track; applying a torque to the actuator to move the second head to a second track; and determining that the sync-up operation is successful.

A huge market exists for disk drives for mass-market computing devices such as desktop computers and laptop computers, as well as small form factor (SFF) disk drives for use in mobile computing devices (e.g. personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell-phones, digital cameras, etc.). To be competitive, a disk drive should be relatively inexpensive and provide substantial capacity, rapid access to data, and reliable performance.
Disk drives typically employ a moveable head actuator to frequently access large amounts of data stored on a disk. One example of a disk drive is a hard disk drive. A conventional hard disk drive has a head disk assembly ("HDA") including at least one magnetic disk ("disk"), a spindle motor for rapidly rotating the disk, and a head stack assembly ("HSA") that includes a head gimbal assembly (HGA) with a moveable transducer head for reading and writing data. The HSA forms part of a servo control system that positions the moveable transducer head over a particular track on the disk to read or write information from and to that track, respectively.
Typically, a conventional hard disk drive includes one or more disks wherein each disk includes a plurality of concentric tracks. Each surface of each disk conventionally contains a plurality of concentric data tracks angularly divided into a plurality of data sectors. In addition, special servo information may be provided on each disk to determine the position of the moveable transducer head.
The most popular form of servo is called "embedded servo" wherein the servo information is written in a plurality of servo sectors that are angularly spaced from one another and are interspersed between data sectors around each track of each disk.
Each servo sector typically includes at least a phase locked loop (PLL) field, a servo sync mark (SSM) field, a track identification (TKID) field, a sector ID field having a sector ID number to identify the sector, and a group of servo bursts (e.g. an alternating pattern of magnetic transitions) that the servo control system of the disk drive samples to align the moveable transducer head with or relative to a particular track. Typically, the servo control system moves the transducer head toward a desired track during a "seek" mode using the TKID field as a control input. Once the moveable transducer head is generally over the desired track, the servo control system uses the servo bursts to keep the moveable transducer head over that track in a "track follow" mode.
When a head switch operation is commanded, a new head of the disk drive attempts to detect a servo sector on the disk as part of a servo sector sync-up operation. Unfortunately, the head switch operation may fail if upon the head switch, the new head is positioned on a defective track or a band of defective tracks, in which case, the servo sector sync-up operation cannot be completed and a servo failure occurs. When the servo failure occurs, the new head is parked and a new servo synchronization process needs to be performed. This degrades the performance of the disk drive.


The restraint assembly includes a mounting plate having a vertical slot. The plate covers an opening in a surface which is located to restrain a patient. An adapter buckle has a “T” stop which is releasably coupled to the vertical slot. The buckle includes an arm and a head. The head includes a horizontal slot for releasable receipt of a strap of the patient restraint. The arm includes an angular bend which positions the head relative to the plate during use. A lock may be used to prevent undesired separation of the buckle from the plate.

Patient restraint devices frequently include straps which are used to limit mobility in cases where a patient/individual may pose a danger to themselves or others. The patient restraint devices are used with the utmost concern for patient safety and employ every conceivable feature to avoid causing additional injury to ligature, muscle, bones or other bodily portions or organs of a patient. Patient restraint devices may be used in surgical applications, to limit movement following a medical procedure or in situations where the mobility of a patient/individual is required to be restricted to insure the safety to the patient/individual or to others including medical staff.
A patient restraint devices may be used to maintain a proper bodily position during a medical procedure. Alternatively, a patient may need their arms to be restrained to ensure that tubes and catheters are not removed which are providing critical medicine and fluids. Some restless or confused patients require restraints to prevent the patient from getting out of bed before recovery or reducing the chance of falling and injury. Restraints are also utilized for patients being transported on stretchers to diminish the risk of falling off the stretcher. Patient restraints may also be used in psychiatric settings to prevent patients from harming themselves or others.
In the past, patient restraint devices have been anchored to various locations proximate to a medical bed including the bed rails and adjacent walls. The use of the known anchor locations was frequently problematic and required excessive time to secure an individual into a desired position.
In the past, patient restraint devices have not included components which may be easily and quickly assembled together, in order to provide a desired secure position for a patient/individual. In addition, the known patient restraint devices have not provided the flexibility to be easily disassembled, enabling relocation of a patient/individual to an alternative site or position.
Further, in the past, patient restraint devices have not included a locking feature to reduce risk of inadvertent separation of a patient restraint device from an anchor during use of the patient restraint device.
The art referred to and/or described above is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is "prior art" with respect to this invention. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. § 1.56(a) exists.
All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief description of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72.


Embodiments are directed to managing display hardware for visualizing data a network computer. A modeling engine may provide a data model includes a plurality of data objects and a display model that includes a plurality of display objects that may be based on the plurality of data objects. Action objects may be associated with display objects in the display model. A display engine may display the display model on a hardware display based on context information that includes performance characteristics of the hardware display. In response to a trigger events, action objects may be displayed on the hardware display based on the context information. In response to detecting input signals associated with the action objects the display model may be modified based on the action objects. The modified display model may be displayed on the hardware display based on the context information.

Organizations are generating and collecting an ever increasing amount of data. This data may be associated with disparate parts of the organization, such as, consumer activity, manufacturing activity, customer service, server logs, or the like. For various reasons, it may be inconvenient for such organizations to effectively utilize their vast collections of data. In some cases the quantity of data may make it difficult to effectively utilize the collected data to improve business practices. In some cases, organizations employ various tools to generate visualizations of the some or all of their data. Employing visualizations to represent this data enables organizations to improve their understanding of critical business operations and help monitor key performance indicators. However, generating effective visualizations may require users to have a deep understanding of the data as well the skills to map the data to a visualization using a visualization authoring tool. Further, users creating or author visualizations may be employing processors or display hardware that is significantly different that one or more targeted users. Also, in some cases, visualization authors may have difficulty authoring a single visualization that may be suitable for two or more user or two or more hardware displays. Thus, it is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.

Dynamic view management in visualizations


A method and apparatus for transmitting power to active touch stimulating devices associated with a touch sensing apparatus. In this invention four methods of providing power supply to the touch-input device are presented. These methods are: EM induction transmission using a single loop antenna, EM induction transmission using a conductive layer, acoustic transmission through air, and acoustic transmission through an acoustic conductive layer.

Generally speaking a touch-sensing system, including a digitizer, writing panel, etc, consists of two major parts, namely the touch-sensing tablet and the touch-input devices. The touch-input devices, such as a pen, a stylus, a human finger, a mouse, etc, are used to introduce the touch events. The touch-sensing surface is used to sense the relative position of the touch-input devices on its surface.
A touch-input device can be classified as an active device or a passive device according to whether it emits an excitation signal for the touch-sensing tablet to detect its position. For an active device that emits an excitation signal, a circuit to generate this signal and a method of supplying power to this circuit are needed.
Typical methods in current touch-screen technologies to supply power to the touch-input devices include using a battery, using Electromagnetic (EM) induction, and Infrared induction, etc. To supply power to the touch-input device through EM induction, the touch-sensing tablet first generates an EM field across its sensing surface to establish an energy field. When a touch-input device is placed within this EM field, its couples the energy of this EM field through a coil antenna and feeds this energy into an electrical power supply for its active circuit.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,693,914, 5,594,215, and other similar patents, power supply methods incorporating EM induction in touch systems used as digitizers are disclosed. The touch systems use a 2-D antenna array to introduce the EM field onto the touch-sensing surface. This 2-D array consists of a rectangular loop antennae placed with a given interval in both X and Y directions of the touch sensing surface. In some patent disclosures some power control methods are introduced so that the loop antennae that are closest to the touch-input device are given maximum power, so that the resulting EM field distributes maximum energy to the space near the touch-input device.
This antenna configuration has many drawbacks, one of them being that these loop antennae must be placed underneath the touch-sensing surface so that enough power of the energy field can be introduced to the device. This placement may pose a significant problem in a computer touch screen application, where combining the screen surface and the loop antenna array together is a difficult engineering problem. And it is impossible for this touch-sensing assembly to be built separately, as most touch-screen assemblies are manufactured currently, and integrated with the existing computer systems.
Another drawback is that, as multiple loop antennae are used to generate the EM field, EM fields from these loop antennae could interfere with each other, providing a resulting EM field with poor uniformity and poor directivity. When the touch-input device is expected to couple with this EM field using its coil antenna with strong directivity, the coupling result may be degraded.

Methods and apparatus for supplying power to touch input devices in a touch sensing system


The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering formulation that allows modification of the formulation prior to or concomitant with its transport or at a delivery site. The catheter comprises an elongate body, which defines an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a modifying element, which provides for modification of one or more components of a formulation prior to or concomitant with release at the delivery site.

Precise and accurate delivery of drugs or therapeutic agents to a specific treatment site within a subject represents a substantial challenge in the design of drug delivery systems. Site-specific drug delivery can be particularly challenging when the drug is to be delivered to the subject long-term, e.g., over several hours to several days, weeks or months.
One approach to long-term site-specific drug delivery involves the use of implantable delivery systems, e.g., electrochemical, electromechanical, biodegradable or osmotically-driven drug delivery devices. While these implantable systems avoid the need for repeated injections often associated with long-term drug therapy administration, they have a number of limitations. First, the treatment sites which they can access are limited. In addition, sites to which drug delivery is required can be fragile, sensitive or inaccessible and thus often not amenable to insertion of an implant. The size of the delivery device can also be problematic, since the size of a reservoir large enough to contain an amount of drug sufficient to provide weeks to months of delivery can be quite large and impracticable. Smaller reservoirs can be used and the reservoir refilled with drug during the course of the treatment; however, manipulating, re-filling and/or re-positioning an implantable device can have serious consequences, e.g., increased risk of infection, patient discomfort, and increased costs.
An alternative approach is to provide formulations having high concentrations of drug, such that delivery of small amounts of formulation are sufficient to provide for a desired therapeutic effect. The total amount of formulation required for long-term therapy is thus substantially decreased, thus minimizing the size requirements for the reservoir of the device used to accomplish delivery. While this approach has met with some success, there are still serious limitations for certain therapeutics and for chronic delivery. For example, formulations with high concentrations of drug can be toxic to cells at the delivery site, or can result in irritation, inflammation, and tissue damage at the delivery site. Many drugs are insoluble or unstable at physiological pH (e.g., around pH 4-pH 8), and can only be stored long term in formulations of non-physiological pH (e.g., pH less than about pH 4, or pH greater than about pH 8). Delivery of such non-physiological pH formulations can cause adverse side effects, particularly at the delivery site. In addition, many drugs are stable as inactive prodrugs, but are relatively unstable once modified to the active species. However, providing a drug delivery device with a means for converting the prodrug to an active drug can add to the size and bulkiness of the device. Furthermore, where the delivery site is far from the drug delivery device, the stability of the active drug may be compromised during the course of its transit to the delivery site.
There is thus a need in the field for devices that allow the use of a smaller drug reservoir and highly concentrated, stable drug formulations, provide for safe delivery of same to a treatment site for long-term therapy, and provide for an efficient means for modification of the drug (e.g., from a prodrug to an active drug, modification of the formulation to a physiologically relevant pH, to an active and physiologically relevant state prior to release into a body structure, and the like).

Catheter for modification of agent formulation


An infant respiratory impedance measuring apparatus and method using forced oscillations is disclosed. In order to account for the effects of the mask, a shunt compliance is placed in parallel with the components representing the impedance of the infant.

Traditional pulmonary function tests such as spirometry, require patient cooperation and thus are generally inappropriate for infants and are often ineffective for young children. The forced oscillation technique, introduced by Dubois et al. (1956), has been used on healthy adults, as well as adults with respiratory disease, to obtain respiratory impedance data over various frequency ranges. Respiratory impedance (Z.sub.in) is defined as the complex ratio ##EQU1## where P.sub.ao and V.sub.ao are the pressure and flow, respectively, at an airway opening. Z.sub.in is often expressed by its real and imaginary components versus frequency (i.e. an impedance spectrum). Presumably, the Z.sub.in spectrum reflects the mechanical properties of the respiratory system. Consequently, mechanical models have been used to interpret adult human Z.sub.in data. For example, healthy Z.sub.in over the frequency range of 2 to 32 Hz allows the estimation of total respiratory system resistance, inertance and compliance by analysis using a three-element model consisting of a resistance, inertance and a compliance in series. For patients with respiratory disease, these properties can change accordingly. Often, the spectral shape itself changes as well, motivating additional model properties and model structure. For example, in adult human subjects, the Z.sub.in data from 5 to 320 Hz includes an airway acoustic anti-resonance which may permit noninvasive insight on airways alone as proposed by Jackson et al (1989). In smaller mammals such as dogs, both tissue specific and airway specific antiresonances were identified in the Z.sub.in data between 2 and 256 Hz (Jackson and Lutchen, 1991). In the past, a six-element model (FIG. 1) has also been used to describe Z.sub.in. The components of the six-element model are divided into airway parameters (R.sub.aw, I.sub.aw) and tissue parameters (R.sub.t, I.sub.t, C.sub.t) which are separated by a shunt compliance (C.sub.g) representing gas compressibility. However, normal infant Z.sub.in data for frequencies of 256 Hz or less may not justify a model of this complexity.
Because the forced oscillation technique is noninvasive and relatively simple, it can be applied to infants. Using the forced oscillation technique, Z.sub.in measurements can be quickly made during quiet breathing with minimal discomfort to the infant. Few studies have reported measurements in non-intubated infants using the forced oscillation technique (See, for example, Desager et al., 1991; Marchal et al., 1989; Hordvik et al., 1985; Nussbaum and Galant, 1984; Wohl et al., 1969). However, these measurements were typically constrained to low frequencies (e.g., f<40 Hz). Also, unlike adult Z.sub.in data, these data required that a mask be placed over the infants oral and nasal cavities and that the oscillations be presented through the nose. As a consequence, it remains heretofore unresolved as to how the mask and specific physiologic properties contribute to the Z.sub.in spectrum.
While various models have been used in the prior art, none have specifically taken into account the effect of the mask on the Z.sub.in data. This is obviously a drawback which may lead to erroneous results.

Infant respiratory impedance measuring apparatus and methods using forced oscillations


A bottom part refractory includes a center part refractory, an arrangement refractory which is arranged contiguously with the center part refractory, and a connection refractory which is arranged at a position where at least a portion of the connection refractory overlaps with a vertically downward projection view of a side wall refractory. The connection refractory which is contiguously arranged with the arrangement refractory is constituted of two or more force transmission refractories arranged in the direction toward the arrangement refractory from the side-wall refractory. Opposedly facing surfaces between the force transmission refractories at least at a position among the force transmission refractories are inclined such that upper portions of the opposedly facing surfaces are positioned on a more inner side of a bottom portion than lower portions of the opposedly facing surfaces are positioned.

As the lining structure of the lower vessel of the RH degasser, there has been known the structure described in patent document 1, for example. According to the description of the patent document 1, as shown in FIG. 7, there is disclosed the structure where a refractory 61 which constitutes a center block sandwiched between two circulating flow tubes 60 has the downwardly expanding reverse jack arch structure, and constitutes a part of tuyeres of the circulating flow tubes.
By adopting the above-mentioned structure, floating of the refractory 61 which constitutes the center block can be suppressed.
Further, in patent document 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the following structure is described. Ina lining of a bottom part of a vacuum vessel 50 provided with circulating flow holes 51 at two positions respectively, a row of lining bricks which are positioned between the circulating flow holes 51 are stacked in one direction in an inclined manner along a center line of the bottom part, a frontwardly tapered taper which extends toward an upper side of the circulating flow hole is formed on an upper outer peripheral surface 53 of a circulating flow tube brick 52, and side surfaces of a brick 54 which is positioned between the circulating flow holes 51 are widened upward with an angle which matches the taper of the upper peripheral surface of the circulating flow tube brick 52.


A method of providing Location Services (LCS) over an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network in a wireless communication system is provided. An LCS client transmits a service connection request message including a message requesting the location information of a User Equipment (UE). The UE transmits the location information to the LCS client.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method of providing Location Services (LCS) in an IP (Internet Protocol) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based network environment, and in particular, to a method of providing LCS over an IMS network in a broadband wireless network.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of the reasons that an IMS network attracts great interest is that an IMS-based IP core network system provides a vision of the full convergence of wired and wireless services including future-generation mobile communications, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and cable, as well as wired broadband Internet.
LCS is an application system and a service provisioning technology that accurately locates a person or an object over a mobile communication network and utilizes the accurate location. A 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 22.071 notes "Location Services may be considered as a network provided enabling technology consisting of standardized service capabilities which enable the provisioning of location based applications".
The implementation of LCS requires advanced positioning, positioning accuracy development, position processing in wireless Internet, spatial data processing, LCS platform-related technology, LCS application software development, an open geographic information system, LCS-related standardization, and LCS application service development. These technologies enable service providers to provide a variety of associated services such as information about surroundings, location tracking, safety, traffic information, delivery and navigation, and location advertisement.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow of an operation for providing LCS over a typical 3GPP network. Communications are conducted by Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Mobile Location Protocol (MLP) between an LCS client and a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) (steps 131 and 153) and between GMLCs (steps 144 and 148). Communications between the GMLC and a Subscription Locator Function (SLF) and between the GMLC and a Home Location Register (HLR)/Home Subscriber System (HSS) (steps 134 to 139) are made via an IMS interface, Dh (interface between Requesting Location IMS-Interworking Function (LIMS-IWF) and SLF) or Sh (interface between LIMS-IWF and HSS/HLR), or by Media Access Protocol (MAP). The GMLC is interfaced with a 3G network element such as a Serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (SGSN) by MAP (steps 145 and 147).
Referring to FIG. 1, when an LCS client 100 wants to locate a target User Equipment (UE) 120, he transmits an LCS Service Request message to a home LIMS-IWF 106 via a requesting GMLC 102 and a requesting LIMS-IWF 104 in steps 131, 132 and 133.
The requesting GMLC 102 manages an external interface to provide LCS. For example, it is responsible for authentication of an external LCS client, mobility management, determination of the position accuracy of final position estimation for retry and reject, and coordinates transformation for identification of the LCS client. The LIMS-IWF, located within the GMLC, is an interworking function for supporting LCS based on IMS. To obtain the location information of a UE using an IMS Public User Identity (i.e. Session Initiation Protocol-Uniform Resource Identifier (SIP-URI)) in an existing packet-switched network, the LIMS-IWF acquires the Mobile Subscriber ISDN (MSISDN) of the UE.
The LCS Service Request message is defined with MLP. It carries the ID of the target UE be located (SIP-URI in the IMS network), an LCS type (Immediate or Conditional), LCS requirements, the ID of the UE requesting the location information, and authentication information.
The home LIMS-IWF 106 gets the address of an HLR/HSS 110 to which the UE 120 has been registered by querying an SLF 108 via a Dh interface (Dh-SLF) in steps 134 and 135. When two or more HSSs/HLRs reside within the network and they are identified by different addresses, the SLF 108 provides the address of the HSS/HLR 110 to which the UE 120 has been registered.
The home LIMS-IWF 106 then retrieves the MSISDN of the target UE 120 having an SIP-URI from the HSS/HLR 110 via an Sh interface (Sh-PULL) in steps 136 and 137.
The HSS/HLR 110 manages LCS subscription information and location information for terminated routing, to thereby track access. It also provides user profile information directly or via a server and performs authentication.
In steps 138 and 139, the home LIMS-IWF 106 retrieves the network ID of a home GMLC 112 using a MAP message with the MSISDN of the UE 120. The home LIMS-IWF 106 forwards the LCS Service Request message to the home GMLC 112 according to the network ID in step 140.
In step 141, the home GMLC 112 performs a privacy check to determine whether the LCS client 100 is allowed to locate the UE 120. If the privacy check passes, i.e. permission is granted to locate the UE 120, the home GMLC 112 queries the HSS/HLR 110 using a Send Routing Info for LCS message being a MAP message with the MSISDN of the UE 120 to get the address of a visited GMLC 114 in step 142. The HSS/HLR 110 transmits the network ID of the visited GMLC 114 to the home GMLC 112 by a Send Routing Info for LCS Ack message being a MAP message in step 143.
The home GMLC 112 forwards the LCS Service Request message to the visited GMLC 114 according to its network ID in step 144. In step 145, the visited GMLC 114 translates the LCS Service Request message to a Location Request message in the form of a Radio Resource LCS Protocol (RRLP) message and transmits the Location Request message to an SGSN 116. The SGSN 116 contains functionality responsible for management of LCS routing information and authentication of LCS subscribers. The SGSN 116 forwards the Location Request message to the UE 120 via a Base Station System (BSS) 118 and measures the location of the UE 120 in step 146.
After the location measurement, the SGSN 116 notifies the LCS client 100 of the location of the UE 120 by an LCS Service Response message in steps 147 to 153. During the transmission of the location information of the UE 120, the home GMLC 112 performs a privacy check to determine whether the LCS client 100 is allowed to locate the UE 120 in step 149. Only when the privacy check passes, the subsequent steps are carried out.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow of an operation for providing a conditional LCS over the typical 3GPP network. The conditional LCS is a location service contingent on some current or future event specified by an LCS client. Only when the event occurs, the location information of a target LE is provided to the LCS client.
Referring to FIG. 2, when an LCS client 200 wants to locate a target LE 214, he transmits an LCS Service Request message to a requesting GMLC 202 in step 221. The LCS Service Request message is defined with MLP. It carries the ID of the target UE (SIP-URI), an LCS type (Immediate or Conditional), LCS requirements, the ID of the UE requesting the location information, and authentication information. The SIP-URI is an IMS public user ID.
In step 222, the requesting GMLC 202 forwards the LCS Service Request message to a visited GMLC 208 via a home GMLC 204 and an HLR/HSS 206 in the same manner as in steps 134 to 144 of FIG. 1.
The visited GMLC 208 requests the location information of the UE 214 to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)/SGSN 210 by a Provide Subscriber Location message being a MAP message in step 223. The MSC/SGSN 210 contains functionality responsible for management of LCS routing information, and control of authentication of LCS subscribers and LCS provisioning.
The MSC/SGSN 210 locates the LE 214 via a Random Access Network 212 and performs operations needed to communicate with the UE 214, including authentication, in step 224. If a connection is established to the LE 214, the MSC/SGSN 210 transmits an LCS Area Event Invoke message to the UE 214 to indicate that an LCS area event has been set in step 225. In steps 226 to 230, the UE 214 transmits an LCS Service Response message to the LCS client 200, notifying of an acknowledgement for the invoked LCS area event. For example, the LCS area event to be reported is the LE 214 being in an area set by the LCS client 200 (e.g. Cupertino in Santa Clara County).
If the area event occurs, for example, the UE 214 enters Cupertino in Santa Clara County in step 231, the UE 214 transmits its location information to the LCS client 200 by an LCS Service Response message in steps 232 to 238. If the UE 214 moves and thus a network element managing the location information of the UE 214 is changed, the home GMLC 204 retransmits the LCS Service Request message to the changed network element to which the UE 214 is now registered in step 235. During the transmission of the location information of the UE 214, the home GMLC 204 performs a privacy check to determine whether the LCS client 200 is allowed to locate the UE 214 in step 236. Only when the privacy check passes, the subsequent steps are carried out.
As described above, the MLC and the 3G network communicate with each other via the MAP interface to provide LCS. However, implementation of the MAP interface for LCS is inefficient to a network that provides an IP multimedia service independently of a bearer network.
Moreover, when the UE roams and the network element managing its location information is changed in the conditional LCS, the GMLC inconveniently has to retransmit the LCS Service Request message to the new network element.

Method of providing location service over IMS network


The invention discloses a wastewater ballast method that includes the steps of collecting wastewater, treating the collected wastewater, storing the treated wastewater, and discharging the treated wastewater during ballast operations.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of ballasting. More particularly, this invention relates to the field of wastewater ballasting.
2. Discussion
Vessels typically take on fuel, food, and water in-port in preparation for seagoing operations. During seagoing operations, the fuel, food, and water are consumed aboard the vessel. The consumption of fuel during seagoing operations requires the in-take of ballast to maintain the stability of the vessel. In addition, the consumption of food and water results in the generation of wastewater, e.g., graywater, blackwater, galley water, that must be stored aboard the vessel. The wastewater must be treated and disinfected before it can be discharged to the sea, or the wastewater must be discharged in-port at dedicated disposal facilities that are able to receive such toxic effluent. When the vessels return to port, the vessels take on additional fuel, food, and water in preparation for further seagoing operations. The in-take of additional fuel, food, and water during in-port operations requires the vessel to perform de-ballast operations to maintain the stability of the vessel.
In such known systems, vessels discharge seawater ballast from ballast tanks during in-port refueling and de-ballast operations. In such known ballast systems and methods, vessels intake and store seawater as ballast during seagoing operations. The vessels discharge this seawater ballast during in-port ballast operations to maintain the stability of the vessel as additional fuel, food, and water is loaded onto the vessel. The intake of seawater ballast from one region of the world and the subsequent discharge of that seawater ballast in another region of the world may contaminate marine sanctuaries, ecosystems, and other biologically-sensitive areas, particularly local or regional waters that surround port locations. This contamination occurs when the seawater ballast is discharged directly into local or regional waters, thereby introducing non-indigenous marine life and similar foreign pathogens and marine organisms that are present in the seawater ballast into local or regional waters.
To reduce such contamination, known systems may treat the seawater ballast with biocides and other toxins prior to discharge of the seawater ballast in local or regional waters. This treatment is designed to kill and remove the marine organisms that are contained in the seawater, so that such organisms do not contaminate local or regional waters during vessel ballast operations that utilize seawater ballast. In such known systems that rely on seawater to ballast the vessel, vessels must store untreated wastewater aboard the vessel in holding tanks and then pump the untreated wastewater ashore during in-port operations to disposal facilities that are qualified to receive such toxic effluent. Alternatively, they may discharge such effluent at sea, or if approved for Alaska, in port.


An elastic joint, in particular for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The joint includes an inner armature, an outer armature surrounding the inner armature, wherein the armatures define an axial direction and two radial directions perpendicular to the axial direction as well as perpendicular to each other and disposed in a circumferential plane, and an elastomeric body for the mutual elastic retention of the armatures, wherein the elastomeric body consists of at least four connecting columns respectively extending from the inner armature to the outer armature.

Aspects of the invention relate to an elastic joint, in particular for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, and may relate in particular to a rear wheel suspension of the vehicle.
In the modern motor vehicle technology it is known, in particular for the rear wheel suspension of a passenger car as well as for a motor lorry, to realize so called elastic mountings or elastic joints, the principal structure of which is formed by a rigid inner armature, in particular made of metal, like a rigid sleeve or a support rod, an outer armature like an outer sleeve, and an elastomeric body disposed between the armatures. The elastomeric body serves to separate, in particular acoustically insulate, the vehicle body from the vibration loaded wheels. Also the high occurring dynamic vehicle loads are to be born in the elastic joints. There is a large number of designs of elastic joints, the elastomeric bodies of which are usually formed by a purely elastic material, wherein hydraulic functional components may also be added.
Aspects of this disclosure are directed in particular towards the elastic joints having a spring body of merely elastomeric material between the rigid armatures.
From EP 1 505 311 A1 a bearing bush is known for a motor vehicle, the bearing bush having a sleeve-shaped, rigid inner armature as well as a sleeve-shaped outer sleeve of weaker form, between which an elastomeric body is injection molded. The outer sleeve is provided with a restriction for the adjustment of the spring characteristic of the elastomeric body, whereby two elastomeric sections are formed, the deformations of which influence each other respectively. In order to reduce the stiffness of the bearing bush in one radial direction so that the bearing bush is soft in one radial direction and stiffer in the other, a recess is realized in the elastomeric body along part of the circumference.
An elastically resilient pivot joint for the mutually pivoting connection of a wheel trunk with a guide member is known from DE 32 05 716 C2. The elastomeric body vulcanized between the armatures can be partitioned into two circular sections with different strength in the radial direction by means of a central bulge. An embodiment of an elastic joint, similar thereto, is known from KR 2009 009 8978, in which the partition by sections of the elastomeric body is realized by a restriction in the outer armature.
It became apparent in the known elastic joints, in particular for motor vehicles, that the ratio of axial stiffness versus radial stiffness, which is an important characteristic for automotive engineers, cannot be realized to be sufficiently high. Ratios of little above 1.0 are common. For automotive engineers it is of particular interest to have a high stiffness ratio, wherein a cardanic stiffness remains as low as possible.
In order to structurally optimize these characteristics, the cost effect and the weight/usage ratio is of course not to be neglected but in particular should also be optimized.
A need therefore exists for an elastic joint, in particular for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, in which the ratio of axial stiffness over radial stiffness is high for a low cardanic stiffness while using cost effective and light materials.

Elastic joint for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle


The present invention relates to a small portable information processing apparatus. A GPS unit (11, 300) is attachable to and detachable from a rear surface of a portable information terminal (10, 350), so that the GPS unit (11, 300) can be mounted on the rear surface of the portable information terminal (10, 350) to make it serviceable only when necessary, thus improving convenience. Power is supplied to the GPS unit (11, 300, 650) only when an antenna unit (112, 500, 613) is set in a serviceable state. This prevents the exhaustion of a battery.

The present invention relates to a small portable information processing apparatus referred to as a xe2x80x9cpersonal data assistancexe2x80x9d or a xe2x80x9cmobile computerxe2x80x9d.
In a small portable information terminal referred to as a xe2x80x9cpersonal data assistancexe2x80x9d or a xe2x80x9cmobile computerxe2x80x9d, the main unit of the apparatus is small, so that various units are externally attached as accessory units.
In general, the usability of small portable information processing apparatuses is improved by enhancing their accessory units. Hitherto, however, there has been a problem in that the usability is still unsatisfactory despite enhanced functionality.
For example, in small portable information terminals, most antenna units for receiving signals transmitted from a GPS satellite are folded against the rear surfaces of the portable information terminals as disclosed in, for instance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-55910, and the antenna units are pulled out and used only when necessary. However, in the portable information terminals of such a design, the antenna units are inevitably attached even when the portable information terminals are used for other purposes than GPS. This adds to the size of the apparatus, adversely affecting the usability. There is also a danger in that the antenna units are pulled out with an undue force, damaging the antenna units; however, no considerations have been given to the inconvenience. Furthermore, no members are provided to support the antenna units, which have been pulled out, at the rear surface side, so that a small force may damage the antenna units. addition, various accessories are frequently connected to connectors in portable information processing terminals. In such a case, connector covers that cover the connectors are removed from the portable information terminals, so that there is a danger of losing the removed connector covers.
Furthermore, when portable information terminals include digitizing units for input, it is convenient if the portable information terminals are equipped with input pens. However, the input pens that can be attached to the portable information terminals are short; hence, the input pens would be conveniently used if they are retractable in about two steps. Merely attaching such input pens to the portable information terminals, however, requires users take cumbersome two steps of operation, i.e., a step of removing the input pens from the portable information terminals and another step of extending the input pens.
The conventional portable information equipment provided with built-in or installed GPS units or modules as mentioned above suffers consumption of large power by the GPS units in addition to the unsatisfactory usability set forth above. This has been posing a problem in that batteries run out quickly when the GPS units are operated with the power switch of the equipment turned ON or when the GPS units are interlocked with application software using information regarding current positions.
To operate a GPS unit, it is necessary to catch a plurality of GPS signals from radio wave sources such as a plurality of artificial satellites after turning the power of the unit ON, so that a certain time is required to acquire positioning data. Therefore, during use of predetermined application software of the information equipment, it is possible, for example, to turn the power ON to actuate the GPS unit by software when the information regarding a current position becomes necessary. This method, however, requires that a user wait for a certain time before the positional information is acquired, considerably limiting the functionality of the information equipment capable of quick information processing.
A first object of the present invention is to implement a portable information processing apparatus capable of providing good usability even when various accessories are attached to a portable information terminal.
To this end, a portable information processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention has a portable information terminal equipped with a display surface on a front side thereof, an antenna unit for receiving signals transmitted from a GPS satellite, and an attaching/detaching mechanism that allows the antenna unit to be attached or detached to or from the portable information terminal without changing a projection area from the side of the display surface.
In the specification of the present application, the portable information processing apparatus includes the portable information terminal and accessory units that are to be attached thereto, while the portable information terminal means the terminal alone, excluding the accessory units.
According to the present invention, the antenna unit can be left detached unless the portable information terminal is used for GPS, contributing to improved convenience. Moreover, the projection area from the side of the display surface remains unchanged whether the antenna unit has been removed from or attached to the portable information terminal. This means that the antenna unit does not protrude beyond the portable information terminal sideways even when the antenna unit is installed to the portable information terminal, permitting easy handling of the portable information terminal with the antenna unit attached thereto.
In the present invention, preferably, the antenna unit is equipped with a rotating center axis that permits switching between a folded state, wherein the antenna unit has been folded closely against the rear surface side of the portable information terminal, and an unfolded state wherein the antenna unit has been pulled out from the folded state, while being turned, toward the outer periphery side of the portable information terminal so that it is inclined toward the rear surface with respect to the display surface of the portable information terminal. With this arrangement, the antenna unit can be switched from the folded state to the unfolded state by simple turning the antenna unit. The antenna unit is placed closely against the rear surface of the portable information terminal in the folded state so as not to be obstructive. Furthermore, since the antenna unit is tilted toward the rear surface with respect to the display surface in the unfolded state, the antenna unit will be supported horizontally when the user tilts the portable information terminal for easier viewing of the display surface, thus providing an advantage in that the receiving sensitivity of the antenna unit will be improved.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the antenna unit is folded closely against the rear surface of the portable information terminal, being oriented widthwise, in the folded state as observed from the rotating center position where the antenna unit switches between the folded state and the unfolded state, whereas the antenna unit projects from the distal end side of the portable information terminal when it turns 90 degrees to switch from the above state to the unfolded state. With this arrangement, the antenna unit can be folded and unfolded within an easy-to-handle angle range, namely, 90 degrees, thus contributing to easier use.
In this case, it is preferable that the rotating center axis is inclined at 45 degrees as observed from the side for bisecting an angle range of switching between the folded state and the unfolded state so that the antenna unit remains at the same height widthwise whether it is in the folded state or the unfolded state.
In another mode of the present invention, it is preferable that the turning portion of the antenna unit is provided with a clicking mechanism that switches the magnitude of turning torque between the folded state and the unfolded state so as to inform the user of the completion of the folding and the position immediately before reaching the completion of the unfolding. This arrangement enables the user to adjust his or her applying force according to the clicking feel when he or she turns the antenna unit. Thus, no undue force is applied to the antenna unit, protecting the antenna unit from damage.
In another mode of the present invention, it is preferable to provide the apparatus with a portable information terminal equipped with a display surface on a front surface side thereof, an antenna unit supported by the portable information terminal such that it unfolds from the portable information terminal toward the outer periphery thereof to receive signals transmitted from a GPS satellite, and a spring installed between the antenna unit and the portable information terminal to permit given play in a direction away from the surface of the antenna unit. With this arrangement, even when a force is applied to the antenna unit, the spring absorbs the force to protect the antenna unit and the coupling section thereof from damage. This enables worry-free outdoor use, adding to convenience.
In still another mode of the present invention, a portable information terminal equipped with a display surface on a front surface side thereof and a connector for connecting a unit in an opening in a side surface thereof is provided with a rubber connector cover for covering the opening, the connector cover being retained on the portable information terminal when the connector cover is removed from the opening to release the opening. This obviates the need for removing the connector cover, which covered the connector, from the portable information terminal. Hence, even when various units adapted to be attached as accessories are frequently attached to or detached from a connector, chances of losing the connector cover can be eliminated, contributing to improved usability.
Preferably, the connector cover removed from the opening is placed under the bottom surface of a unit which is attached to the portable information terminal and electrically connected to the connector so that it is used as a rubber foot.
In yet another mode of the present invention, there is provided a portable information processing apparatus having a portable information terminal equipped with a display surface and a digitizing unit for input on a front side thereof, and an input pen housed in an opening of the portable information terminal, wherein the input pen extends while being held in the opening of the portable information terminal when it is subjected to a force for pulling it out of the opening, then it comes off the portable information terminal. With this arrangement, by simply pulling the input pen, the input pen can be removed from the portable information terminal after it has been extended. Thus, only one step of operation is required, adding to convenience.
A further mode of the present invention has a portable information terminal equipped with a display surface on a front side thereof, and a GPS unit detachably installed on the terminal by being folded closely against the rear surface of the terminal, wherein the GPS unit is formed of a support assembly which has a pair of right and left arms extending forward from a main unit and which can be detachably mounted on a rear surface of the portable information terminal, and an antenna unit which is positioned between the paired arms of the support assembly, a rear end portion thereof being rotatably attached to the distal ends of the arms, and which turns toward the support assembly to be folded and held between the paired arms, while it turns in the opposite direction to be brought out to the front of the support assembly. This arrangement of the GPS unit enables the GPS unit to remain detached until it becomes necessary to use the GPS unit, thus contributing to convenience. Moreover, the GPS unit hardly protrudes beyond the portable information terminal, permitting easy handling even when the GPS unit has been attached to the portable information terminal.
Preferably, the portable information processing apparatus has a locking mechanism that locks the antenna unit with a click at a predetermined angle with respect to the support assembly when the antenna unit is turned to the front of the support assembly. With this arrangement, the antenna unit can be stably retained in a position most advantageous from the viewpoint of the receiving characteristic thereof, permitting use with maximum performance displayed.
Preferably, the locking mechanism unlocks if an undue force is applied to the antenna unit so as to allow the antenna unit to turn, and it recovers the locking function when the antenna unit is put back in place. With this arrangement, the antenna unit is not subjected to an undue force and the antenna unit is therefore protected from damage.
To install the rear end of the antenna unit to a distal end of an arm, an insertion hole partly having a larger diameter is formed in an inner side surface of the distal end of the arm of the support assembly, a shaft is protuberantly provided on the side surface of the rear end of the antenna unit, and a cam acting as a part of the locking mechanism is provided on the distal end of the shaft. The outer periphery of the cam is partly provided with locking protuberances. Preferably, the protuberances are aligned with the larger-diameter portion when the antenna unit has been turned to a position where the antenna unit is not normally used, so that the shaft and the cam can be inserted in the insertion hole, and the rear end of the antenna unit is rotatably attached to the distal end of the arm. This arrangement permits easy installation despite the presence of the cam. Furthermore, firm installation is possible because the side surface portion of the arm is clamped between the protuberance of the cam and the side surface of the rear end of the antenna unit, preventing the shaft from shifting in an axial direction (in a direction of insertion in the hole or a pulling-out direction) during normal use.
Further preferably, the distal ends of the paired right and left arms of the support assembly are interconnected with a coupling plate. With this arrangement, the wide spacing between the paired right and left arms can be controlled by the coupling member, thus allowing the antenna unit to be securely held between the paired right and left arms.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a new configuration of a portable information processing apparatus equipped with a central processing unit for performing information processing and a GPS unit for receiving GPS signals, the new configuration permitting minimized power consumption attributable to the GPS unit and also avoiding impairing usability or functionality of the apparatus.
Means taken by the present invention to attain the object mentioned above is a portable information processing apparatus equipped with: a central processing unit; a GPS unit which is provided with an antenna for receiving GPS signals and receives the GPS signals under control by the central processing unit to provide positioning data; power supplying/interrupting means for supplying or interrupting power to the GPS unit; interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal to the central processing unit when the antenna is operated to a predetermined state; and GPS controlling means for starting supply of power to the GPS unit by the power supplying/interrupting means, when the interrupt signal is generated, so as to actuate the GPS unit.
By this means, the interrupt signal of the central processing unit is generated by operating the antenna to thereby start the supply of power to the GPS unit to actuate the GPS unit, so that the GPS unit can be started in advance by operating the antenna independently of the operation of a main unit (a portable information terminal) so as to acquire positioning data beforehand; hence, the positioning information can be used when it becomes necessary. This makes it possible to suppress power consumption in the GPS unit when not necessary; therefore, the amount of consumed power can be reduced, and when necessary, the GPS unit can be actuated beforehand at an appropriate timing, irrelevantly of the operation of the main unit, permitting a shortened waiting time for acquiring the positional information.
Preferably, the above predetermined state is a state wherein the antenna is ready to receive the GPS signals. By this means, when the antenna is set ready for receiving the signals, power is supplied to the GPS unit by the GPS controlling means and the GPS unit begins operation; hence, the GPS controlling means can be started simply by antenna operation, which is basically required, before the GPS is actuated. This permits improved operability. The antenna is configured so that it can be relatively folded onto or unfolded from the apparatus main unit, and the above predetermined state is preferably a state wherein the antenna has been unfolded from the apparatus main unit to ensure successful reception of the GPS signals.
Preferably, in the means set forth above, the GPS controlling means is configured so that one or a plurality of attempts for capturing the GPS signals by the GPS unit are repeated if the GPS signals are not captured by the GPS unit. By this means, if the GPS signals cannot be captured by the GPS unit for any reason, then the possibility of capturing the signals can be enhanced by the repetition of the capturing operation. In this case, it is further desirable that operation be shifted to a power saving mode or the supply of power be cut off after the operation of capturing the GPS signals is repeatedly attempted a predetermined number of times, as described in claim 18, so as to enhance the possibility of capturing the signals and to suppress power consumption at the same time.
Preferably, in the above means, the GPS controlling means is configured so that it causes the GPS unit to shift from a normal mode to the power saving mode or the supply of power to the GPS unit is cut off if the GPS signals are not captured by the GPS unit. According to this means, if the GPS signals cannot be captured due to an environment where no GPS signals can be captured or for some other reason, then the operation mode is automatically switched to the power saving mode or the supply of power to the GPS unit is cut off, thus avoiding consumption of wasteful power.
Further preferably, in such cases, the GPS controlling means is configured so that, if the GPS signals cannot be captured by the GPS unit, it displays to that effect. By this means, if the GPS signals cannot be captured, then a display to that effect is given to enable an operator to immediately know the capture failure and to easily take an action to deal with the situation.
Further preferably, the GPS controlling means is configured to display the operational suspension of the GPS unit implemented in association with the shift of the GPS unit to the power saving mode or the interruption of the supply of power to the GPS unit. In this case, the operator can immediately recognize the power saving mode or the cutoff of power of the GPS unit, so that he or she can easily take an action to deal with the situation.
Further preferably, the GPS controlling means is configured to display distinguishably whether or not power is being supplied to the GPS unit at any given time at least while the apparatus main unit is in operation. This means enables the operator to easily find whether the antenna has to be actuated again by checking whether power is being supplied to the GPS unit. In this case, it is further desirable that whether power is being supplied is constantly displayed in parallel with the display of the apparatus main unit so as to improve operability.
Further preferably, the GPS controlling means is configured to display the operating state of the GPS unit at any given time at least while the GPS unit is in operation. This means enables the operator to find the possibility of acquiring positional information at will by displaying the operating state of the GPS unit. In this case also, it is further desirable to constantly display the foregoing operating state in parallel with the display of the apparatus main unit so as to improve operability.
In this case, it is further desirable that the GPS controlling means is configured to distinguishably display, as the operating states of the GPS unit, a state wherein the GPS unit is operating in the power saving mode, a state wherein the GPS unit is capturing the GPS signals, and a state wherein the GPS signals have been captured by the GPS unit or the positioning data or the positional information has been acquired.
Preferably, in the three means set forth above, the GPS controlling means is configured to provide the above display regarding the GPS unit in a predetermined display section independent of processing contents or processing results, which are given by the central processing unit, in a display region configured to display the processing contents or the processing results. Thus, the display regarding the GPS unit can be provided independently in the display region for displaying the processing contents or the processing results obtained by the central processing unit, allowing a user to acquire information concerning various states of the GPS unit irrelevantly of the operating state of the apparatus main unit. This makes it possible to take appropriate action for each state of the GPS unit at an appropriate timing convenient to the user.
Further preferably, the GPS unit is configured as an additional unit that can be attached to or detached from the main unit, and the GPS controlling means is configured so that it can be operated by the central processing unit only if the GPS unit has been attached.
In this case, it is desirable to provide unit detecting means for detecting whether the GPS unit has been attached, and it is further desirable to make setting so that whether the actuation of the GPS controlling means implemented by the central processing unit should be performed or not is decided according to a detection state of the unit detecting means. In this case, even if the interrupt signal is generated, the GPS controlling means is not actuated in a state wherein the GPS unit has not been detected by the unit detecting means.
Furthermore, there is provided a portable information processing apparatus equipped with: a central processing unit; a GPS unit which is equipped with an antenna for receiving GPS signals and controlled by the central processing unit to receive the GPS signals so as to acquire positioning data; power supplying/interrupting means for supplying or interrupting power to the GPS unit; interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal to the central processing unit when the antenna is set to a predetermined state; power saving means for stopping or slowing an internal clock of the GPS unit to place the GPS unit in a power saving mode; and GPS controlling means for clearing the power saving mode and actuating the GPS unit when the interrupt signal is generated.
This means makes it possible to reduce power consumption by placing the GPS unit in the power saving mode by the power saving means. In addition, since the power saving mode is cleared by the GPS controlling means when the GPS antenna is operated, the GPS unit can be operated at an appropriate timing independently of the state of the apparatus main unit. At this time, it is desirable, from the standpoint of power saving, that the GPS unit is normally in the power saving mode implemented by the power saving means, that is, for example, immediately after a start or if the GPS unit is not used for a predetermined time, then the GPS unit is placed in the power saving mode, and the power saving mode is cleared by the GPS controlling means only when the antenna is operated.

Portable information processing apparatus


A fiber splice cassette includes a main chassis, a removable cover, splice sleeve holders, and four cable clamp boots. The main chassis forms a cavity having a plurality of cable organizing tabs for cable management. Splice sleeve holders are located in the cavity of the main chassis, each of the splice sleeve holders being selectively removable from a corresponding splice sleeve holder nest and being configured for specific splicing capabilities while maintaining the structural strength of the holders. The splice sleeve holder nests may be selectively and removably attached to an interior surface of the fiber cable enclosure via a variety of means to allow the splice sleeve holder nests to be easily rotated, relocated, or accessed for maintenance.

Splice trays and small cabinets are widely used in fiber optic cable management. Fiber splice cassettes provide a comprehensive networking solution to fiber splicing management, containing all splices within an individual cassette. With the continuously increasing sizes of data centers, high-performance networks demand high-density terminations and splice capabilities within the nexus of networking. Therefore, there exists a need for a fiber splice cassette configured to house and protect spliced connections between incoming fiber spliced to LC or SC fiber pigtail assemblies, which connect to LC or SC couplers, for superior organization, accessibility, modularity and density.
Within the fiber cable enclosures there are splice sleeve holders configured for cable management. These splice sleeve holders are typically attached to a splice tray or other enclosure via a directly attached self-adhesive. These typical attachment means prevent the splice sleeve holders from being easy to install or relocate, and further, there is no protection provided for these splice sleeve holders. These typical attachment means are also difficult to access for routine maintenance, removal, or relocation. Therefore, there exists a need for splice sleeve holders to be attached to an enclosure via a flexible, customizable, removable, selective attachment means that also provides a protective structure for holding the splice sleeve holder.


A method for determining an optimality coefficient includes receiving an image including a plurality of pixels. A characteristic function is selected for analyzing the received image. Distribution of the plurality of pixels of the received image is analyzed using the selected characteristic function. The analyzed distribution of the plurality of pixels is compared with a normal probability distribution function. An optimality coefficient value for the received image is generated based on the results of the comparison.

The present invention relates to image processing techniques, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for determining an optimality coefficient of an image.
Image capture devices (such as digital cameras) typically work in RGB (red green blue) color space, and each sensor will have its own color response characteristics. In other words, digital images consist of a plurality of pixels. The RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model is the well-known model. The RGB model defines a color space in terms of three components: Red (ranges from 0-255), Green (ranges from 0-255) and Blue (ranges from 0-255). The HSV/B (Hue, Saturation, Value/Brightness) color model defines a color space in terms of three constituent components: Hue (ranges from 0 to 360°), Saturation (ranges from 0 to 100) and Brightness (or Value) (ranges from 0 to 100). The CIELAB model (also known as simply LAB) also defines a color space in terms of three components: L (lightness from black to white), A (lightness from green to red) and B (lightness from blue to yellow).

Determining an optimality coefficient of an image


A method, computer program, and computer network are disclosed for executing database queries. The method includes identifying a first set of conditions corresponding to a selected step for executing a query. A second set of conditions corresponding to one or more steps for executing the query that feed the selected step is identified. Each condition in the first set is checked for mathematical redundancy, including redundancy without equivalency, with regard to the other conditions in the union of the conditions corresponding to the selected step and the conditions in the second set. Each condition in the first set that is redundant is included in a third set. If there is only one condition in the third set, an identifier of the one condition is stored.

Data stored in database systems often is accessed by users who provide queries defining the type of information that they would like to receive. For example, a query in a database that contains employee information could define a range of dates and request information on all employees who started to work for the company in the specified time range. Often, there are a large number of possible approaches that will each produce the information requested by the query. Each approach involves a series of database access steps. For example, a query seeking the last names of all employees who sold more than 100 products in a particular month could require information from different tables stored in the database. One table that includes a record for each product sold including the employee number of the person that sold it could be used to determine the employee numbers with more than 100 sales. Another table could be used to determine the last name that corresponds to each of those employee numbers. The time and system resources expended to provide the query answer can depend on the order in which those steps are performed.
One conventional way to choose the order in which steps will be performed to execute a database query includes estimating the time and system resources that will be necessary for each possible series of steps. The series of steps with the lowest cost can then be selected. Data to be retrieved or manipulated by a step is often chosen in accordance with conditions. For example, retrieving data regarding a certain employee might involve using a condition that the employee_number field be equal to the employee's actual number. Other examples of conditions include a comparison condition, e.g., all employees who started before a particular date, or a range condition, e.g., all products costing between $19 and $99. The database system can determine the conditions corresponding to a step based on the query and the analysis of that query. The database system employees those conditions both to estimate the cost of a particular series of steps and to actually carry out the series of steps chosen to execute the query.

Method and system for executing database queries


One aspect of the present disclosure provides a power source controller including a first battery pack connector, a working machine connector, and a power supply control device. The first battery pack connector is configured to be coupled to a first battery pack including a rechargeable battery. The working machine connector is configured to be detachably coupled to an electric working machine driven by an electric power of the first battery pack. The power supply control device is configured to supply the electric power of the first battery pack to the electric working machine in response to fulfillment of a first condition. The power supply control device is configured to transmit a dummy command signal to the first battery pack in response to fulfillment of a second condition.

The present disclosure relates to a technique for supplying an electric power from a battery pack to an electric working machine. Japanese Patent No. 6392116 discloses a power source controller (adapter) disposed between a battery pack and an electric working machine so as to provide additional functionality (such as a communication function).
Japanese Patent No. 5616104 discloses a power source controller (connection adjuster) that enables a connection between a battery pack and an electric working machine having different connection forms. This power source controller includes a battery pack connector connected to the battery pack, and a working machine connector connected to the electric working machine.
The power source controller performs transmission and reception processes of various signals that are transmitted and received between the electric working machine and the battery pack.

Technique for supplying electric power from battery pack to electric working machine


A method and system for initial and ongoing calibration of the absolute zero throttle plate reference position used in an electronic throttle control system. The method compensates for shifts in the absolute zero throttle plate reference position that occur as a result of aging, wear, and thermal expansion/contraction by monitoring the torque output from a position controller when the throttle is commanded to be at the zero position, and correcting absolute zero position information until the torque required to maintain the absolute zero position is within a window extending between zero and that torque required to overcome a spring pre-load.

Electronic throttle control (ETC) systems position the throttle plate in response to a throttle plate position command from the engine control unit (ECU). One such system is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 554,178 entitled "Method and System for Engine Throttle Control" filed Nov. 6, 1995, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference. All ECU plate position commands are referenced to the position at which the plate is closed in the throttle bore. In this position the throttle plate sector gear impinges upon a throttle return control screw (TRCS). The TRCS serves as an adjustment at the factory to set the plate closed position. TRCS is therefore the absolute zero throttle plate reference position for all ECU plate position commands. In order to accurately position the plate, the ETC control system must then reference all of its actions to the TRCS.
The ETC uses an electric motor to position the plate. The motor is physically connected to the plate shaft via a single stage spur gear train, consisting of a pinion gear which is ground into the end of the motor shaft and a mating sector gear which is attached to the plate shaft. Due to the limitations of mass production machinery, the gear train always has a certain amount of backlash, or "lost motion" from the input (pinion gear) to the output (sector gear). Backlash is the amount of pinion gear angular displacement required to move a pinion gear tooth from a position just engaging the sector gear tooth in the plate closing direction, to a position just engaging the adjacent sector gear tooth in the plate opening direction.
To accurately position the plate, the control system must have accurate information on the position of the motor shaft and the plate. Plate position can either be directly measured via a sensor located at the plate shaft, or inferred via a sensor located on the motor shaft. It is generally more economical to use a motor shaft position sensor to measure both motor and plate position. Accurate measurement of plate location by the motor shaft position sensor then depends on a known relationship between motor shaft rotation and plate rotation. Using a priori knowledge of the transfer function of an ideal (zero backlash) gear train, the ETC control system can infer plate position from the measured motor shaft position.
To establish the initial positional relationship (also known as absolute zero throttle plate reference position calibration) between the motor shaft angle and the plate angle, the plate must be moved to a known location such as TRCS, and the motor shaft position sensor interrogated. This value of position is then assigned as the absolute zero throttle plate reference position for the ETC control system. However, backlash produces a region of uncertainty between the actual plate location (at TRCS) and the inferred plate location from the motor shaft position sensor. This region of uncertainty corresponds exactly to the width of the backlash region, measured in degrees of motor shaft angular position.
In order to remove this uncertainty, the motor shaft pinion tooth should be engaged in the throttle opening direction, with the sector gear, when the absolute zero throttle plate reference position calibration measurement is performed. One method of achieving this objective puts the ETC in an open-loop mode, i.e., ignores the throttle position command and the throttle position. Instead, the ETC commands an amount of torque equals to 1/2 of the torque pre-load value for a short period of time in order to move the motor shaft in the opening direction but not the throttle plate. After the system settles down at the end of the period, it is assume that the motor shaft's pinion gear is in direct contact with the sector gear on the throttle shaft in the opening direction. The ETC stores this position (absolute zero throttle plate reference position) in memory and uses it for actual throttle position computation. The major disadvantage of this method is that it can only be executed when the engine is not running. Therefore, it is not practical for normal operation, but used only in the ETC assembly plant. Subsequent to assembly, shifts in the absolute zero throttle plate reference position occur as a result of aging, wear, and thermal expansion/contraction causing erroneous computation of actual throttle plate position.

Method and system for absolute zero throttle plate position error correction