A method and apparatus for synchronizing the presentation of time dependent data to a first dock having a first frequency is disclosed. First, a rate conversion is performed on a data stream for a first time period. Second, the rate of conversion is modified to provide a modified rate of conversion. Third, a rate of conversion having a modified rate of conversion is performed on the data stream for a second time period. The second and third steps are repeated until all samples in the data stream are presented. The rate of conversion is modified from one period to the next based on a measurement of the difference between a rate for the first clock and the rate of a second less precise clock.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of information presentation in a data processing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for synchronizing the presentation of media (i.e., time dependent data) to an arbitrary time reference in a data processing system.
2. Art Background
Computer systems and more generally data processing systems that utilize time dependent data, such as audio data or video data, to produce a time dependent presentation require a synchronization mechanism to synchronize the processing and display of time dependent data. Without synchronization, time dependent data cannot be retrieved, processed, and used at the appropriate time. As a result, the time dependent presentation would have a discontinuity due to the unavailability of the data. In the case of video data, there is typically a sequence of images ("frames") which, when the images are displayed in rapid sequence (e.g., each frame being displayed for 1/30th of a second immediately after displaying a prior frame), creates the impression of a motion picture. The human eye is particularly sensitive to discontinuities in a motion picture. With the video images, the discontinuity would manifest itself as a stutter in the video image or a freeze-up (e.g., a single frame being displayed considerably longer than 1/30th of a second) in the video image. With audio presentations, this discontinuity would manifest itself as a period of silence, a pause, clicks, or stuttering.
FIG. 1A illustrates one prior technique of synchronizing digital audio information (i.e. samples) with digital video information (i.e. samples) is to make the audio clock the master clock and to slave the digital video information to this audio clock. This approach is employed by Microsoft in Windows 3.1, Video for Windows, and by IBM in MMPM for OS/2. In this approach, the audio dock of the sound subsystem (e.g., a Sound Blaster card) is the master clock to which digital audio samples and digital video samples are synchronized. This audio clock determines the rate at which the digital audio samples are sent to a digital to analog converter (DAC), and subsequently, played back through a transducer (e.g., speaker). This audio clock is also used to synchronize the digital video information (i.e., the timing of the frames of video).
Specifically, this approach employs a buffer 2 for receiving audio samples 4 and providing a sample count 6. The sample count 6 is simply the number of samples sent from the buffer 2 to the digital to analog D/A converter 8. The D/A converter 8 receives the samples from the buffer 2 and provides the samples to a transducer 12 (e.g., a speaker). The D/A converter 8 has an input for receiving an audio clock 10.
A graphics controller 14 that processes a video stream of samples is coupled to the buffer 2. The graphics controller 14 has a first input for receiving video samples 16, and a second input for receiving the sample count 6 from buffer 2. The graphics controller 14 provides the video samples 16 to a display 18 at a rate determined indirectly, by determining the sample count (i.e., (.DELTA.T.times.Rate) modulo 2048).
Synchronizing both the digital audio and video information to the audio clock has several disadvantages. First, because the audio clock is typically generated by a low quality, low precision oscillator, the audio clock does not stay in synchronization with real time. Being out of synchronization with real time causes two distinct problems. First, with respect to audio information, being out of synchronization with real time causes the pitch of a sound to be different from the desired and true frequency or tone. Second, in an environment where one workstation is sending time dependent information to another workstation, video and audio continuity and quality are compromised when the video and audio information are not synchronized to a high-quality, high precision clocks. For example, workstation A may be sending samples at a first frequency (rate of transmission) dependent on the audio clock, disposed in workstation A, and workstation B may be presenting these samples at a rate of reception dependent on the audio clock of workstation B. If the frequency of the audio clock of workstation A is different by any amount from the audio clock of workstation B, a delay or overload of information occurs causing buffering issues (too much information) or static/noise (too little information).
Moreover, a second disadvantage of utilizing the audio clock as the master dock for synchronization purposes, is that one cannot directly read the audio clock in the sound subsystem. For example, in the Soundblaster card, although one can observe how many samples are currently queued in the FIFO (i.e., a FIFO buffer flag indicates the number of samples in the buffer), one is not provided the number of samples played through the D/A converter to the speakers. When one cannot read the audio clock and when one is only provided with the status of the FIFO buffer, an error is injected into the system with respect to the actual number of samples played already (e.g. resolution of the data). For example, if the data is at 22KHz, stereo, and the buffer is 16 bits in size, 2K over 88K equals approximately 1/40th of a second. This is the granularity or error of estimating how many samples have been played through the DAC to the speakers by using a sample count from the buffer (i.e., an approximation error of the exact audio playback time). Because the video information is slaved to the audio sample count, this error affects the synchronization of the video samples, as well.
The Windows 3.1, Video for Windows, approach is not interrupt driven and essentially performs the following sequence of steps. First, the program reads an audio count (i.e., the audio frame number). Next, it determines if the audio count is far along enough for the next video frame. If so, it processes or draws the next video frame. In this prior art scheme, the video information always comes at times, approximate to the audio information and so is properly synchronized with the audio information. However, at lower audio rates, the video information is jerky (e.g., a stuttering video) due to the error in the sample count.
FIG. 1B illustrates a graph of the audio clock versus the real time clock for the prior art approach discussed above. It is clear that the prior art demonstrates a low resolution timebase and drift with respect to real time. For example, compare the Real Time line with the Implied Time line. The height of each step of the Implied Time line is simply the size of the FIFO buffer. For example, with a 2K FIFO buffer, the granularity may be calculated using the expression (number of bytes-(number of bytes modulo 2048)).
FIG. 2A illustrates an alternative prior art approach to synchronizing digital audio samples with digital video samples. The improvement of this approach over the approach, illustrated in FIG. 1A is a reduction of the 2K FIFO buffer granularity discussed previously. This approach employs a sample count estimation unit 24 for reducing the granularity. The sample count estimation unit 24 has a first input for receiving the sample count 6 from buffer 2, a second input for receiving a dock 26 that has a greater precision than the audio clock 10, and a third input for receiving a programmed audio rate. For example, clock 26 may be the real time clock of the computer system. The sample count estimation unit 24 based on these inputs, generates an estimated sample count 28 and provides this count 28 to the graphics controller 14.
The sample count estimation unit 24 is responsible for performing the following. First, the sample count 6 is recorded at buffer 2 with a high precision time (provided by the second clock 26) to provide a baseline for the subsequent measurements. Second, the time elapsed since the buffer 2 was last filled is calculated. Third, this elapsed time is multiplied by the sample rate of the audio dock 10 (interpolation step). The result of this calculation is added to the number of samples recorded in the baseline record. Accordingly, the present invention provides an estimate of the sample count played through the D/A converter at any given time.
This prior art technique attempts to eliminate the 2K FIFO buffer granularity in the audio subsystem of the first approach by recording the time at which the FIFO buffer is filled with a sample, and the number of samples stored in the FIFO at that time. This time stamping is accomplished by another higher resolution clock (e.g., a real time system dock). This prior art approach gives the number of samples at any given time. By measuring the elapsed time since the FIFO buffer was filled and multiplying the elapsed time with the audio rate of the samples and adding the number of samples present at an initial time, this prior art technique estimates the number of samples played back through the DAC.
The following steps are employed by this prior art technique. First, a reference sample count is recorded at a first time. Then, additional audio samples are queued. Second, the sample count is recorded, along with the time via a high precision clock (time stamp). The audio information is synchronized by 1) the reading of the high precision time, subtracting the FIFO buffer time stamp, 2) multiplying this difference by the audio rate, 3) and adding the audio FIFO buffer counter to the audio reference sample count.
The term samples is used to denote one or more digital samples of data. These samples may be represented by a digital value having different sizes (e.g., bytes, words, etc.).
FIG. 2B illustrates a graph of the audio clock versus the real time dock for this second prior art approach. Although demonstrating finer granularity synchronization, it still has drift with respect to real time. For example, compare Implied Time line with Real Time line. Although better than the first prior art approach in that it reduces the granularity via interpolation and better approximates the ideal one-to-one correspondence between the audio master time and the real time, this second prior art approach has several disadvantages.
For example, this second prior art approach still synchronizes the video sample to the audio clock, which is not a high precision clock. Thus, the other problems noted above with respect to an imprecise audio clock (i.e., pitch and queuing problems) still exist in this approach.
An alternative way to synchronize video data and audio data is to insure that the audio clock and the real time clock never get out of phase (i.e., are always synchronized). For example, in Macintosh computers, although the audio information was slaved to one clock, and the video information was slaved to another clock, these two docks were very precise in that they were manufactured in such a way that they never got out of phase. Thus, this approach, controls the manufacturing process of the audio and real time clocks (RTCs) to synchronize both the audio and video information. This approach is costly and highly process dependent. For example, for this approach to be effective, generally one manufacturer must provide both audio capabilities, and the real time clock (RTC), and that manufacturer must use the high accuracy manufacturing process on both oscillator parts to ensure synchronization. Moreover, this technique is not conducive for a user to expand the audio capabilities of a computer system with audio cards from other manufacturers.
FIG. 3 illustrates yet another alternative prior art approach to synchronizing digital audio samples to digital video samples. This technique is employed by the Assignee of the present invention in Quicktime for Windows version 1.1. In this approach, a rate conversion unit 30 having a first input for receiving samples audio samples 32. The rate conversion unit 30 includes a second input for receiving a second clock rate 50, hereinafter described. The rate conversion unit 30 has an output for generating samples at a second clock rate 36. The samples at the second clock rate 36 are provided to the D/A converter 8.
The D/A converter 8 has an input for receiving a second clock rate 38, generated by a second oscillator 40 (.O slashed..sub.2) This oscillator is programmed by a program value 42.
Typically, a user may select from a limited number of frequencies and program the oscillator 40 with a desired frequency. However, the actual frequency generated by the oscillator 40 is not identical to the programmed desired frequency. Thus, the discrepancy between the desired programmed frequency value 42 and the actual second clock rate 38 is one source of synchronization errors in the system.
This prior art approach employs a database 46 that is coupled to the rate conversion unit 30 to provide a second clock rate 50 to that rate conversion unit 30. The database 46 includes an input for receiving various hardware configuration parameters 48, and an input for receiving a programmed value 42 (i.e., a user programmed value for the audio clock). The database includes a second clock rate 50 (the best approximation of the actual frequency of the audio clock) for different sets of specific hardware configuration parameters 48 and different programmed values 42. Upon initialization, a user, or computer system, provides the database with its required inputs, and the database generates a second clock rate 50 (i.e., the best approximation of the audio dock frequency). In response to these inputs, the database generates the conversion rate 50. The hardware configuration parameters 48 specify the particular hardware and software components of the computer system. The second clock rate 50 is a predicted frequency of the second clock corresponding to a particular programmed value 42, selected by the user, and the hardware configuration parameters 48. The rate conversion unit 30 uses the same second clock rate 50 thereafter during playback. The first oscillator 35 generates a first clock frequency 34, which is used to time presentation of video information and other types of media information (not shown). The first clock may be the real time clock of the computer system.
This approach has several disadvantages. First, if a database does not contain a second clock rate (.O slashed..sub.2) corresponding to a known hardware configuration (e.g., a new sound card employing a new oscillator), the rate conversion unit 30 is not necessarily provided with a second clock rate 50 that approximates the actual frequency of the second clock rate. Second, with the advent of clocks being implemented with simple resister-capacitor circuits (RC circuits) that generate frequencies susceptible to temperature fluctuations of the circuit (i.e., the frequency of these RC clocks vary as a function of temperature), this approach cannot compensate or adjust for clocks having a dependence on environmental factors.
Accordingly, a method and apparatus of synchronizing the presentation of audio, video, and other media information is desired based upon an arbitrary external reference.

System for synchronization by modifying the rate of conversion by difference of rate between first clock and audio clock during a second time period


Reducing power consumption in a dual mode wireless phone, such as a CDMA/AMPS phone, that monitors messages from a forward overhead channel in a standby mode is desirable. It includes turning a receiver off after decoding a pertinent word for the receiver in a particular message and turning it on again some time prior to a next pertinent word. The turn-on is initiated only if necessary to satisfy a redundancy check or if the next word is a beginning of a next message.

This invention relates to a power saving mode in a wireless telephone system.
Wireless telephones, using code division multiple access (CDMA) modulation techniques or other analog frequency modulation (FM) based wireless systems such as the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), may be operated in a standby mode to conserve power provided by a battery. During the standby mode, wireless telephones often continuously receive and monitor a stream of signaling data messages sent by a base station while waiting to receive a telephone call. One of these data message streams is on a forward overhead control channel (FOCC).
An FOCC message, shown in FIG. 1, includes a dotting word, a word-sync, and repeating words A and B. The wireless telephone uses the dotting or bit-sync word to synchronize the phone hardware to the clock of the data message. The word-sync indicates the present location in the data stream to the wireless telephone and that the data sequence is about to start. Also imposed on the message data stream are busy-idle bits, each of which is sent between every ten bits of the message to indicate the status of the system channel. The repeat words A and B each contains 40 bits, and each word is repeated five times in the message. The wireless phone receives both of these words but only processes one of them. If the wireless phone""s Mobile Identification Number (MIN) is even, word A is processed; otherwise word B is processed. However, in order to receive and process these words, the wireless phone""s receiver must be on and drawing power the entire time, thereby reducing the time a wireless, battery-powered telephone can be used for communication.
The present disclosure reduces the time that the receiver in the wireless telephone is on, and therefore drawing power, while in a standby mode. Wireless telephones that are particularly suited for this purpose include analog phones such as AMPS phones and other wireless devices that are capable of operating in multiple modes, such as the CDMA and the AMPS.
In one aspect, the disclosure features an improved method of reducing power consumption in a dual mode wireless phone, such as a CDMA/AMPS phone, that monitors messages from a forward overhead channel in a standby mode. The phone has a receiver that receives RF signals. The method includes turning the receiver off after decoding a pertinent word for the receiver in a particular message and turning it on again approximately one millisecond prior to a next pertinent word. The turn-on is initiated only if necessary to satisfy a redundancy check or if the next word is a beginning of a next message. The above steps are repeated for the next message.
In one embodiment, the redundancy check is satisfied if at least three out of five pertinent words are matched. In another embodiment, the redundancy check is satisfied if the pertinent word matches a previously defined control-filler message.
In another aspect, the disclosure features a circuit for providing a sleep state for both modes of the dual mode phone. The circuit includes a transistor having a base, a collector, and an emitter terminals, a supply voltage coupled to the collector terminal, a mode signal providing input to the base terminal, and a sleep signal providing input to the emitter terminal. When the sleep signal is asserted in a particular mode indicated by the mode signal, the collector terminal is driven to turn the receiver off.

Power saving mode for wireless telephones


In a chromatography column one or more of the end plates defining the column are provided with specially designed lands and grooves to more effectively uniformly distribute the input liquid over the column cross-sectional area and thus improve the separation of sample components, the upper end wall of the column being adjustably positionable to vary the axial length of the column by means of novel structure including readily releasable speed nuts engageable with externally threaded rods, the seal between the movable upper plate and the column wall being so designed as to minimize dead space and thus further increase separating power, and the structure for adjustably positioning said top wall includes elements enabling that structure and the top wall connected thereto to be conveniently supported in inverted condition when separated from the remainder of the column structure.

Chromatographic columns are used for the purification, characterization, analysis or preparation of molecular mixtures. Usually the column is packed with a suitable chromatographic packing material, the column is equilibrated with a suitable mobile phase (aqueous or organic), the sample is loaded onto the packing material in the column and the mobile phase is then used to selectively elute discrete molecular species.
In the most rudimentary sense, the column serves to contain the packing material, filters usually being provided at the column inlet and outlet. The mobile phase enters the column through a small diameter opening at high linear velocity, passes through the large diameter column at a relatively low linear velocity, and then exits the column at high linear velocity through a small diameter opening. These changes in flow, cross-sectional area and linear velocity make it difficult to avoid the problems presented by mixing or turbulence of the mobile phase and the presence of dead volume or stagnant areas.
The performance of liquid chromatography separations in column configurations is dependent on the distribution (direction and local linear velocities) of fluid into the column, particularly at the location where the liquid initially impacts the column packing material. The distribution of incoming liquid affects column capacity and efficiency which control the amount of material that can be processed (throughput) and the ability to separate closely related substances (resolution).
In analytical separations (where sample mass is small and the intention is to maximize resolution) column load is typically well below the total binding capacity of the column's packing material. Only a small percentage of the column's total binding capacity is typically used. Because throughput is not of concern in analytical separations, full utilization of total binding capacity is not generally maximized.
In preparative separations, however, the objective is to maximize throughput at an acceptable level of resolution. In an ideal situation both throughput and resolution would be at their independent maximum levels. However, because of the relationship between sample mass, efficiency and economics a trade-off is usually made. In practice, sample mass (load) is increased until an unacceptable reduction in efficiency and resolution is noted. To achieve optimum results in terms of both throughput and resolution, utilization of the column's total binding capacity needs to be maximized. Distribution of fluid onto the column packing material affects utilization of total binding capacity and will substantially affect both throughput and resolution as a function of load.
The predominant effect of increasing load is increased peak width due to local (column inlet) saturation of the packing material's binding sites. Local saturation prevents new sample molecules entering the column from interacting with the packing material at the column entry point. Sample must travel deeper into the column, causing dilution and loss of efficiency. Also, due to fewer interactions with the packing material, separation of the various molecular species is decreased.
Localized saturation can be mitigated by multipoint distribution of sample and mobile phase onto the packing material in the column. In this way, a larger portion of the packing material in the column is utilized.


In a cylinder head structure of an engine, a structure of an oil passage is simplified to downside the engine and to provide proper flow of cooling water in the cylinder head. A partition wall is disposed in the cylinder head to separate an upward valve operating chamber from a downward water jacket. A boss section is formed at a position lower than the partition wall in an edge wall of the cylinder head, and has one end joined to a chain case and the other end protruding into the water jacket. A branch oil passage is formed in the boss section. The branch oil passage has a valve upstream-side passage section specified by a section toward the chain case with respect to a junction with a cylinder head-side oil passage. The linear communication passage section communicates between an end portion of the branch oil passage protruding into the water jacket and a camshaft cap coupling surface of a second camshaft bearing section.

An engine with a hydraulically-driven variable valve timing mechanism includes an actuator disposed at an end of a camshaft, an actuator oil passage as an operating oil path for introducing oil from an oil pump to the actuator, and a camshaft oil passage as a lubricating oil path for introducing the oil to the camshaft.
Conventionally, an engine comprises structures forming an oil passage for the engine, which include an operating oil path in communication to an end journal at an end of a camshaft in a cylinder head to introduce the oil to an actuator for a variable valve timing mechanism, and a camshaft lubricating oil path in communication to a camshaft housing of a journal adjacent to the end journal.
Also there are some structures of an oil passage for the engine, which include an operating oil path in communication to a camshaft housing journal section of the end journal of the camshaft to introduce the oil to the actuator for the variable valve timing mechanism, and a lubricating oil path also in communication to the end journal of the camshaft.


A 3-dimensional stack memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a stacked active pattern configured so that a plurality of stripe shape active regions and insulation layers are stacked alternatively over the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode formed in the stacked active pattern, a source and drain formed at both sides of the gate electrode in each of the plurality of active regions, a bit line formed on one side of the drain to be connected to the drain, a resistive device layer formed on one side of the source to be connected to the source, and a source line connected to the resistive device layer. The source is configured of an impurity region having a first conductivity type, and the drain is configured of an impurity region having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type.

1. Technical Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly, to a 3-dimensional (3D) stack memory device.
2. Related Art
With the rapid development of mobile and digital information communication and consumer-electronic industry, further improvements upon existing electronic charge devices are expected to encounter the limitation. Thus, new functional memory device other than the existing electronic charge device needs to be developed. In particular, next-generation memory devices with large capacity, ultra-high speed, and ultra-low power consumption need to be developed.
Currently, resistive memory devices using a resistive device as a memory medium have been suggested as the next generation memory devices and there are typically phase change random access memory (PCRAM), resistive RAM (ReRAM), and magentoresistive RAM (MRAM).
The resistive memory device may be basically configured of a switching device and a resistive device and stores data "0" or "1" according to a resistance state.
Even in the resistive memory devices, the first priority is to improve an integration density and to integrate memory cells in a narrow area as many as possible. Furthermore, when the plurality of memory cells are integrated in a limited area, switching performance has to be ensured.


The invention relates to a flanged bearing ring produced from a high carbon steel profile bar comprising at least one flash butt welded joint, where the bearing ring is provided with an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface and where one peripheral surface comprises a raceway for rolling elements, where the bearing ring further comprises a flange adapted for fixing the bearing ring to a mechanical member, where the flange protrudes from the bearing ring in a substantially radial direction. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a homogenous flanged bearing ring from a straight profile bar. The advantage of the invention is that a homogenous flanged bearing ring is obtained in a simple and cost-effective way.

Bearings are generally used to support and hold a rotating member attached to a non-rotating member. This can be e.g. a wheel on a vehicle, a vane on a wind turbine or a drum in a washing machine. During use, the bearing is subjected to different loads, both static and dynamic. The static load is mainly due to the weight of the machine, while the dynamic loads are due to the working conditions of the machine. A bearing comprises an outer ring with an outer raceway, an inner ring with an inner raceway and rolling elements.
Some bearings are provided with a flange, either on the outer ring or on the inner ring. The flange may be used to aid the positioning of the bearing, or may be used for mounting the bearing.
A flange is normally machined together with the bearing ring. This is not a problem for small bearings, but for larger bearings, with a diameter of more than 0.5 meters, such a traditional method of machining a flanged bearing ring is very expensive. Machine and tool cost are high, and the cost due to the time needed to remove all excess material is also very high, since the bearing is machined form a single piece of metal. Further, the material waste is huge, which is also a drawback when it comes to cost and to a sustainability perspective.
It is known to join a separate flange to a bearing ring. The bearing ring is machined separately and may be provided with some adaptations, such as grooves or protrusions, which will make the joining easier. The flange is machined as a separate part and is joined to the bearing ring by welding. It is however difficult to achieve the required mechanical properties for a welded bearing ring joint. The welded joint region will have different mechanical characteristics, which will constitute a weakening. Such a bearing must thus be dimensioned accordingly, which means that the bearing will be larger and heavier than a non-welded bearing adapted for the same load.
There is thus room for an improved flanged bearing ring and for a method for producing such a flanged bearing ring.

Flanged bearing ring and method for producing such a flanged bearing ring


An apparatus for emptying bags of pulverulent products without the spread of dust on the outside, which is intended to be used in particular in a water treatment plant, the apparatus including a box equipped with a removable closure, a slab situated at the periphery of the box, the slab being able to receive the bags so that they can be opened inside the box, a dust suction situated at the top of the box, a mechanism for dispersing the sucked-up dust or dissolving it in scrubbing water, a hopper situated at the base of the box, able to collect the powder from the bags, a mechanism of transporting the powder from the hopper to a powder storage.

Certain pulverulent chemical products which come in bags give off dust when the bag is being emptied. This dust is likely to be inhaled and certainly inconveniences the operators. To limit this risk, the operators have therefore to wear breathing masks and anti-dust attire.
This problem is encountered both for water-soluble products and for water-insoluble products.
Chemical products of this type are, for example, the polyacrylamides used as flocculants in water treatment. These polymers may be:                anionic and used in the treatment of drinking water and of mineral substances (quarries, truck washes, mines, etc),        cationic and used in the treatment of urban sludge for example, with dust which is an irritant.
When the quantities are large, the pulverulent products are transported in trucks or in big bags, which has led to the development of special installations.
However, for smaller quantities, such means are unsuitable. As far as the applicant is aware, there does not currently exist any suitable installation apart from a few low-quality devices. Aside from the abovementioned problem associated with the inhalation of dust by the operator, it is found that a non-insignificant amount of the dust may be deposited on the ground, and become hydrated, making the surrounding surfaces slippery and dangerous.
In spite of everything, certain solutions have been proposed. One of these involves ventilating the zone in which the bag is emptied and then filtering the dusty air. However, and particularly in the case of hygroscopic or plugging products, the filter sleeves very soon become plugged, making the system ineffective.
It is therefore necessary to develop a system for emptying bags of pulverulent material which is suitable, for example, for small purification stations. It needs in particular to be effective and economical, and require the minimum of maintenance

Installation for emptying bags of pulverulent product and method employing the installation


A habit corrector appliance including a front portion, a first ramp and a second ramp extending from the front portion. The first ramp is located at a high position adjacent to or at a user's palate to ensure the tongue is positioned at the palate which widens the palate and which also prevents or reduces mouth breathing. The second ramp is located at a position lower than and beneath the first ramp, wherein the second ramp substantially prevents the tongue from entering a lower space within the oral cavity, wherein the first ramp aids in an elevated tongue position and the patient learns to swallow with the tongue elevated to substantially reduce or prevent air from entering the oral cavity through the mouth and to prevent mouth breathing. Slits at the ramp sides allow for lateral expansion of the appliance. Lingual tabs promote proper anterior positioning of the jaws. A lingual wire with narrower anterior wire extensions can provide a widening of the arch and movement of the upper incisors and maxilla in a forward position.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and should not be construed as constituting prior art.
Habits such as thumb or finger sucking, poor resting position of the tongue, abnormal swallowing, and tongue thrust influence sleep issues that can seriously affect the health of a patient. For example, a poor resting tongue positioned within the body of the mandible forces a child to develop a narrow posterior maxillary arch. This in turn does not encourage the nose to develop volume and can reduce the amount of air passing through the nasal area. Mouth breathing becomes a common way for these individuals or users to breathe.
Thumb or finger sucking also displaces the tongue from being positioned correctly within the palatal area. A child typically swallows twice a minute during daytime and once every minute while sleeping. This represents about 1920 swallows every 16 hours during the day and 480 swallows while asleep or 2400 swallows per day. A mouth breathing habit can easily be developed with this type of abnormal practice. Mouth breathing is strongly associated with the brain functions, immune system and growth changes (not only in the face but in the body as well). These patterns influence the body to have more frequent infections (swollen tonsils and adenoid tissue) further intensifying the problem.
Mouth breathing also allows the mandible and tongue to be posteriorly displaced at night which tends to narrow the oropharynx by about 6 millimeters (mm) for a ½ inch opening of the mouth while sleeping. This produces less oxygen for the child which has a serious effect on the brain, immune and endocrine systems. This explains why a child with sleep disordered breathing can suffer from neurocognitive, behavioral, and social problems.
A need, therefore, exists for an oral appliance that encourages a child or an adult to address abnormal sleep issues to thereby improve the health of the child or adult.
The present invention is intended to improve upon and resolve some of these known deficiencies of the art.


A turntable coiler for reeling a strip product, comprising a frame mounted rotatably around a central axis, and at least two fixed cantilever reeling mandrels, each in the alignment of a rotation shaft mounted rotatably on two spaced centering bearings. Each mandrel is connected to a motor comprising a rotor fastened to the shaft of the mandrel, and a stator. Each mandrel, its rotation shaft with both bearings and the motor form a motor-mandrel assembly mounted in an independent chassis on which are fastened the stator of the motor and both centering bearings of the shaft carrying the rotor, and the rotary frame is provided with at least two supporting devices, connected to removable bolts for centering and fastening the chassis of the motor-mandrel assembly, in a position for which the reeling axis defined by the bearings is parallel to the central axis, and each motor-mandrel assembly thus constitutes an interchangeable module.

A production unit of metal strips comprises various pieces of equipment, notably for rolling, dressing, pickling or other treatments. At the exit of a given section of the unit, the strip must, generally, be reeled onto a coil, to facilitate its transportation to another section or any other location in view of its use.
To this end, a coiler comprising at least one mandrel brought into rotation around its axis and on which the strip is reeled to form a coil, is used. The mandrel is provided, according to well-known embodiments, with retractable expansion means, enabling the coiler to be removed upon completion of the reeling sequence, and is generally combined to appended devices such as, for instance, a belt winder facilitating the beginning of the reeling sequence, as well as means for removing the reeled coils.
In certain improved units, especially those working in continuous flow, such as coupled rolling mills or lines, it is necessary to have outlet equipment especially suited to large production capacities.
Particularly, as soon as a coil has reached the desired sizes, the strip must be sheared off and engaged immediately onto another coiler. A strip accumulator permits the rolling process to continue during the replacement of the coiler, but the time necessary for this operation must obviously, remain as short as possible.
Usually, such an installation comprises thus two independent coilers, each having a belt reeler and a carriage for removing the coils. The passage of the product, after shearing, from one coiler to the other, is ensured by a junction system. Such a lay-out is quite cumbersome and expensive, notably further to the infrastructure cost called for.
In order to reduce the space requirements of the coiling unit, it has already been suggested to use, instead of the two independent coilers, a single apparatus comprising two reeling mandrels mounted on a drum-shaped rotary frame, mounted rotatably around a center axis, each mandrel being fastened in cantilever fashion on a driving shaft mounted rotatably on the drum around an axis parallel to the center axis of the latter.
It is thus possible to index successively one mandrel or the other in a position to reel the strip, by simple rotation of the drum around its axis (DEA-3346219, JP-A-61-124478).
Such a coiler, called "turntable coiler", calls for a single reeler and a single removing carriage for the coils, which reduces significantly the infrastructure cost. Moreover, as the engagement geometry of the strips is constant, the junction device is not necessary any longer.
However, to enable positioning of either of the mandrels and of the separate control unit for the rotation of the mandrel, being in reeling position, the existing installations of this type exhibit quite complex mechanisms and require numerous gears, transmission shafts, bearings, clutches, claw couplings, and the like.
In order to simplify the mechanical layouts, it has been suggested, in JP-A-61.124478, to connect to each mandrel an electric motor, comprising a rotor turning inside a stator, the latter being fixed on the drum and the rotor turning together with the driving shaft of the mandrel.
Thus, each driving motor of a mandrel needs simply to be connected to an electrical power supply, by a power supply circuit which can advantageously pass through the center rotation shaft of the drum, so that selective control for the rotation of one mandrel or the other is performed easily.
Such a layout enables the withdrawal of the driving mechanisms of both mandrels while replacing them with autonomous motors. However, the whole assembly remains rather heavy and cumbersome and overheating of the electric motors located inside the drum may be expected.

Turntable coiler for reeling metal strips


An adjustable tie includes a rafter holder with a partially raised bottom surface, an angular plate, and hinge means between them. The holder and angular plate are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the hinge.

A conventional means of securing members in a roof construction is to nail an angular steel plate or tie to two members, for example a rafter and a beamon the top plate. The tie is typically a rigid angular strip of metal extending between and fastened to both members such that they can not separate. Conventional ties use a strip of metal bent into at least two planes intersecting at right angles. Where roofing members intersect at oblique angles the connection must be strengthened by cutting or shaping one of the intersecting members, usually the rafter. Alternatively, the rafter must be buttressed. Moreover, this must normally be done at a high elevation as the roof is being constructed.
Another problem with most prior art ties is that they are not adjustable and therefore can not accommodate varying angles between the rafters and the top plate without significant on site cutting of the wood or other shaping of the metal tie.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved tie which will obviate the above mentioned disadvantages, notably the problem of on site adjustability, and the need for a joint which is adjustable for varying angles of intersection between the rafters and the top plate.


A rake component system consists of a tool bar frame member, a pair of rake assemblies, a pair of pivot heads for mounting the rake assemblies to the tool bar frame member, a lifting and lowering assembly, a three-point hitch assembly mountable to the tool bar frame member and a pull-type hitch assembly mountable to the tool bar frame member. These components are shipped to a dealer or assembler in a knocked-down condition. When desired, the rakes and pivot heads are mounted to the tool bar frame member. Either the three-point hitch assembly or the pull-type hitch assembly is mounted to the tool bar frame member, depending upon the particular configuration desired. The lifting and lowering assembly, which consists of a linkage connected to the rake pivot heads and an extendible and retractable cylinder connected to the linkage, is then mounted to tool bar frame member.

The present invention regards a rake trolley with adjustable working widths suitable for three-point hitch finger wheel rakes characterized by the fact that the trolley is suitable for the majority of hay rakes having a standard international three-point hitch. Two hay rakes can be assembled onto this trolley without further modifications, devices or adapting clamps.
Furthermore, the structure in a working phase can be regulated to different widths without having to modify the optimal angle of inclination of the two rakes, allowing the rake wheels to always have a gentle contact with the forage to be harvested. This aspect of the invention drastically reduces the loss of leaves and thus improves remarkably the nutritive value of the forage. The trolley includes two movable heads (right hand and left hand) that slide on the main frame towards the inside and outside, which allow an operator to modify the working width of the machine, modifying at the same time, in equal measurement, the formation of the back row without modifying the inclination of the two hay rakes.
The two movable heads, able to support hay rakes with a standard international three-point hitch, are actioned by two hydraulic cylinders that allow the rotation on a pivot of the two hay rakes from a working position (lowered) to a transport position (lifted) thus avoiding waste of time on the operator's behalf who does not have to intervene manually, as happens in other known implements, to modify the positions of the two hay rakes.
The cylinders that rotate the two movable heads can be used in four different ways 1) Single hydropneumatic effect with single action as per FIG. 1; 2) Single hydropneumatic effect with double action as per FIG. 2; 3) Double effect single action as per FIG. 3; 4) Double effect double action as per FIG. 4.
This feature allows the maximum flexibility in the use of the two hay rakes which can be adapted onto all types of tractors, from simple, older tractors with only one hydraulic connector (FIG. 1) or on the more modern tractors with four hydraulic connectors (FIG. 4).
The rake trolley has been designed so as to make it easy to disassemble and to reduce to a minimum its space volume, a very important factor in the cost of transport and in particular for the shipping of containers.
At the present state of technology, fixed rakes exist (assembled on structures and carried on three-point hitch on the tractor or on trolleys always attached to the tractor) and other variable parallelogram structures (assembled on wheels) keeping the carrying structure parallel to the ground.
The present invention overcomes the structural complexity of the existing implements with a structure that is simply to carry out and is also of a simple composition.
The rake trolley (which carries from 2 to 6 wheel rakes on each side) has a central drawbar, two rake head supports, one on each side, which are each actioned by an oleodynamic (hydraulic) cylinder on which one places the finger wheel hay rakes.
The rake head supports are orientable in the space there is (registered by hand) and directly actioned with the oleodynamic cylinders with the aid of the tractor.
In a working position, the rake wheels take up a large amount of space on the right hand and left hand side, which can be registered with its proper rods and mechanical clamps, while in a transport position, the geometrical configuration varies from the working position to an oblique lifted position reducing the side space.
One of the main aspects of the present invention is its ability to vary the width of the carriage and consequently the movable heads which support the hay rakes. This allows for one to adapt the height on the basis of the width of the windrow (whose width has been determined by the mower) improving its performance.
As an option to the invention, one can add to the drawbar, an arm carrying rake wheel that works in the middle of the two side rakes. This is to improve the result of work of the machine in particular for the central part which is not taken care of with the side rakes.
The present invention further contemplates a rake component system for assembling either a three-point hitch crop rake or a pull-type crop rake. The crop rake component system includes a tool bar; a three-point hitch assembly and a pull-type hitch assembly, both of which are mountable to the tool bar; a pair of rake assemblies mountable to the tool bar; and a lifting and lowering assembly mountable to the tool bar and to the rake assemblies. The rake assemblies are mounted to the tool bar and the lifting and lowering assembly is mounted to the tool bar and to the rake assemblies for providing movement of the rake assemblies between a lowered working position and a raised transport position. Either the three-point hitch assembly or the pull-type hitch assembly is mounted to the tool bar between the rake assemblies, for connecting the tool bar with the rake assemblies mounted thereto to a tractor.
The three-point hitch assembly includes a pair of side bracket assemblies mountable to the tool bar by means of a pair of spaced plates, and a central bracket assembly. The central bracket assembly also includes a pair of spaced plates for use in mounting the central bracket assembly to the tool bar. The central bracket assembly further includes an upstanding member extending upwardly from one of the plates, with an upper three-point hitch bracket connected to the upper end of the upstanding member.
The pull-type hitch assembly includes a pair of wheel assemblies mountable to the tool bar, and a draw bar assembly mountable to the tool bar between the wheel assemblies. A pair of plates are placed against opposite side surfaces of the tool bar for mounting the wheel assemblies thereto, and are movable along the length of the tool bar for varying the spacing between the wheel assemblies. The draw bar assembly includes a draw bar mounted to a first plate member. The first plate member is placed against a side surface of the tool bar, and a second plate member is placed against an opposite side surface of the tool bar. The first and second plate members are secured together with the tool bar therebetween for mounting the draw bar assembly to the tool bar.
The lifting and lowering assembly mountable to the tool bar consists of an extendible and retractable cylinder assembly mountable to the tool bar, and a linkage connectable between the cylinder assembly and the rake assemblies. The three-point hitch assembly and the pull-type hitch assembly each include an upstanding vertical tube member, and the extendible and retractable cylinder assembly is mountable to the vertical tube member. One of the plates of the three-point hitch assembly and the pull-type hitch assembly includes a cheek plate, and the linkage of the lifting and lowering assembly is connectable to the cheek plate and also the extendible and retractable cylinder assembly.
In addition, the lifting and lowering assembly as summarized above can be mounted in a retrofit manner to an existing rake in which the rake assemblies are manually movable between their raised and lowered positions.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.


A method for assembling a camera device. The camera device has a first camera module including at least one objective device having an optical axis; an electrical heating element; and an electrically conductive contact region; a second camera module which is connectable to the first camera module and has an electrical energy supply for the heating element; and a deflectable connection element for the electrical contacting of the heating element via the contact region, the contacting being a function of an actuation position of an actuating element which is able to be mechanically coupled with the connection element and a connection between the first and the second camera module is established in that the first camera module and the second camera module are mutually fixed in position while the connection element is in a first deflection position.

German Patent Application No. DE 10 2019 200 061 A1 describes a camera device which has an objective device including a lens and a lens holder which accommodates the lens. The lens holder is connected via a holder to a sensor carrier, which has an image sensor. The lens holder is fastened to the holder, and the holder is fastened to the sensor carrier via a bonded connection in each case. Such a bonded connection makes it possible to compensate for deviations between the objective device and the image sensor. For instance, the objective device and the image sensor can be aligned with each other prior to an attachment and then be firmly connected to each other via the bonded connection.
It is furthermore conventional to heat the objective device via a heating element for use of the camera device at low temperatures, for instance. German Patent Application No. DE 10 2019 203 378 A1 describes a lens housing in which a heating element is situated. This makes it possible to operate the lens free of ice or condensed water, for instance. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 2,018,176 431 A1 describes a camera device in which the lens housing has a heating element, which is electrically connected via elastic connection elements to a circuit board provided with an image sensor.

Camera device and method for assembling a camera device


A wiper arm assembly is adapted to support a wiper blade as it moves across a surface to be wiped. The wiper arm assembly includes a body and a head supported by the body and adapted to be mounted to a pivot shaft that defines a pivot axis P and drives the wiper blade in an oscillating manner across the surface to be wiped. The body also includes an opening providing access to the head mounted to the pivot shaft. The wiper arm assembly includes a cover pivotally mounted to the body at the opening and is movable about an axis A substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis P from a first position closing the opening to a second position allowing access to the head. A locking mechanism on the cover locks the cover to a nut on the pivot shaft to retain the cover in the first position closing the opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wiper systems for vehicles and, more specifically, to a wiper arm assembly for a wiper system of a vehicle that is adapted to support a wiper assembly as it moves across a surface to be wiped and having a pivotal cover that allows access to a pivot shaft.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional wiper systems known in the related art include some type of wiper assembly mounted to a wiper arm assembly, which, in turn, is mounted adjacent to a surface to be wiped, such as a windshield. The wiper arm assembly is pivotally driven to impart reciprocal motion to the wiper assembly across the windshield. The wiper assembly includes a wiping element that contacts the windshield across the surface to be wiped. The wiper assembly is commonly either of the "tournament" or "beam blade" type. Both types of wiper assemblies commonly known in the related art typically incorporate one or more metal strips that act to reinforce the wiping element and facilitate wiping contact by the wiping element across what is typically a curved surface. In this context, the wiper arm assembly delivers a downward force to the wiper assembly that is distributed thereacross, pressing the wiping element into contact with the surface to be wiped.
The wiper arm assembly is typically driven by an electric motor through a pivot shaft. The wiper arm assembly is mounted to the shaft via a head. Some wiper arm assemblies include an opening that allows access to the head at the pivot shall and a removable cover is often employed to close the opening when access to the connection between the head and the pivot shaft is not needed.
While such wiper systems known in the related art have generally worked for their intended purposes, some deficiencies still remain. Many covers of these type are susceptible to unintentional latching prior to assembly and may require an extra component for final assembly. Moreover, the covers do not stay up prior to assembly, making final assembly difficult. Farther, the covers may result in more assembly effort of the wiper arm. Moreover, covers of these type are also susceptible to snagging on brushes or cloths, typically employed in car washes, and can be inadvertently removed from the arm and thus lost during this process. These problems are not limited to, but are especially prevalent in connection with wiper systems used to clean a rear window of the vehicle.
Thus, there remains a need in the art for a wiper arm assembly that employs a cover that efficiently and effectively provides for access to the pivot shaft, but which is not susceptible to unintentional latching prior to assembly and which is not easily dislodged or inadvertently removed during the process of washing the car and other interference with the wiper arm assembly.

Wiper arm assembly having pivotal cover allowing access to pivot shaft


Process for the preparation of a foodstuff by extrusion, in which a food substance is introduced into, mixed and cooked in a first section of a twin-screw extruder, the cooking of the mass obtained in a cooker connected up in parallel with the first section and a second section of the extruder dynamically separated from the first is prolonged, and the cooked mass is reintroduced into the second section, the mass is extruded by passing it through a die and the extruded product is cut.

EP0262300 describes a process and an installation for producing a mass of chocolate, which involve the use of an extruder split into zones in which the successive steps of sterilizing and deodorising pieces of raw beans using pressurised steam, roasting the pieces of beans having after reduced them to a powder in a hammer mill connected in parallel with two zones which are separated by an element of screw with a flight of opposite hand, adding and mixing powdered sugar to the roasted bean powder, adding cocoa butter, and finally conducting the steps of mixing and extrusion.


An orthodontic palate expander apparatus comprises an expansion screw assembly having first and second side plates with a threaded member connected between the plates so that its rotation in a first rotational direction about its longitudinal axis causes the plates to move away from one another in a palate expanding manner and rotation of it in the opposite direction causes the side plates to move toward one another for adjustment of the apparatus. A first gear is fixed to central regions of the threaded member and a second gear is mounted in driving relationship therewith. Manual rotation of the second gear thus causes rotation of the threaded member to thereby move the plates toward or away from each other according to the direction in which the second gear is rotated. The second gear is oriented so that with the apparatus installed in a patient's palate portions of the second gear are accessible through the patient's open mouth for turning the gear, for example, with an Allen wrench or screwdriver. The apparatus includes palate pads molded around the side plates or open frames that are joined to the plates, either of which transmit palate-widening forces to the palate. Metal retainers or bands are connected to outer regions of the palate pads or frames for attaching the apparatus to the patient's teeth to hold the apparatus in place. Instead of tooth retainers, outer ends of the frames are shaped closely to the patient's teeth and (in use) are bonded together as a unit for transmitting palate widening pressure to the patient's teeth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of orthodontics and, more particularly, to cemented-types of palate expander apparatus and related expander screws used for widening the palate of dental patients, especially, young dental patients.
2. Background Discussion
Orthodontia procedures are commonly used for widening, that is, expanding, excessively narrow palates (upper jaws) of dental patients, especially young patients, whose palates still retain some plasticity or malleability. The understanding of the present inventor is, for example, that such palate expansion procedures--which are performed to permit patients to breathe more easily and/or to improve dental malocclusions and/or facial appearance--are performed in the United States at a rate of approximately five hundred per day or about one hundred twenty-five thousand per year.
The orthodontia procedure of palate expansion (i.e., the widening of the upper jaw) of individuals appears to have been first described in about 1860 by E. C. Angell. As historically described, the Angell dental appliance included a jackscrew assembly (now referred to as an expansion screw assembly) having joined thereto a pair of palate-engaging "collars." In use, the appliance was wedged in place in the roof of a patient's mouth with the collars bearing against the patient's opposing bicuspid teeth. The jackscrew of the appliance was described as then being actuated by a "notched dime" in a manner causing the attached collars to be moved apart so as to exert a sidewardly-directed force on the teeth against which the collars pressed. To achieve palate widening, the jackscrew was actuated in small increments of rotation over a period of several weeks such that the wearer's palate was gradually widened by a total of about four to seven millimeters without undue patient discomfort. After the desired palate expansion was attained and stabilized, the jackscrew was re-rotated to loosen the appliance enough so that it could be removed from the patient's palate.
It is significant to note that most orthodontic palate expanders presently used in the dental profession are modeled after the Angell palate expander. In this respect, many modern palate expander apparatus comprise a jackscrew assembly (which is an off-the-shelf item procured from dental supply companies) to which custom-fitted palate blocks or pads are connected through left-hand and right-hand threaded plates which form part of the jackscrew assembly. Other modern types of palate expanders are constructed with a metal framework joined to the jackscrew assembly and terminating in tooth bands soldered to the framework. Expansion of the jackscrew moves opposite side portions of the framework apart and exert palate-widening pressure on the palate through the tooth bands. In still other versions, the metal framework joined to the jackscrew assembly is configured such that no tooth bands are used.
The particular type of palate expander apparatus used by an orthodontist depends upon such factors as the shape of the patient's palate, the amount of palate expansion to be achieved and upon the orthodontists experience and preference. However, all of these versions of palate expanders use the same basic type of jackscrew expansion screw which is operated in a common manner.
One improvement to the Angell palate expander appliances that instead of operating the jackscrew by a "notched dime" (as described by Angell) modern palate expanders utilize a stiff, key-shaped stainless steel wire or pin, called an activation key. In operation, this key is inserted into a hole formed through central regions of the jackscrew and turns the jackscrew in windlass fashion. Because of clearance restrictions--both of the expansion screw assembly and the patient's palate after installation of the apparatus--the arcuate travel of the activation key is limited to only about a quarter turn of the jackscrew (that is, the key can only be pushed from the front of the patient's mouth through about ninety degrees towards the patient's throat) For further turning of the jackscrew, the key has to be removed and reinserted into an adjacent jackscrew hole and the key has to be pushed through the same front-to-rear, ninety degree arc. At least partly because the activation key is restricted to such limited rotational movement, present jackscrew assemblies are constructed so that a quarter rotation of the jackscrew is ordinarily all that is required for any single incremental palate widening step.
Notwithstanding the universal use of such expansion screw assemblies for the construction of palate expander apparatus by orthodontists, this type of expansion screw is difficult to use. To fully understand this difficulty, it is necessary to appreciate that the jackscrews used in expansion screw assemblies are very small. Typically, the jack screws are no longer than about 11 or 12 millimeters and the diameter of the central region of the jackscrew, through which the holes for the activation key are formed is typically only about 3 millimeters, the holes being only about 1 millimeter in diameter. The activation key itself is only about 20-25 millimeters in length. Thus, with the palate expander positioned across a patient's palate and arched along the palate, the insertion of the tip of the small key into the obscure, small keyhole in the jackscrew is very difficult. Moreover, once the key is in the jackscrew keyhole, the key must be pushed fully to the rear of the patient's mouth to properly expose the adjacent jackscrew keyhole for the subsequent key engagement. In pushing the small key toward the patient's throat and in then pulling the key from the jackscrew keyhole, there is a risk of dropping the key down the patient's throat--a key accidentally dropped into a patient's throat and entering one of the patient's lungs constitutes a serious medical emergency. For this reason, one end of a string is ordinarily attached to the key, the other end being formed into a finger loop for the adjustor; nevertheless, several occasions of a key being dropped down a patient's throat have been reported.
A substantial problem associated with the above-described manner in which heretofore available expansion jackscrews are adjusted by a small wire key can be further understood by considering that the frequent adjustment--which may be as often as twice a day--of the palate expander jackscrew in a patient's mouth is necessarily performed by other than the installing orthodontist or his or her staff.
Considering that palate expander apparatus are ordinarily installed only in children between the ages of about six to fourteen years of age, the individuals responsible for the frequent actuation of the jackscrew are ordinarily the child's parents (or guardians). Although instructed in technique, usually by a dental technician, it is, for example, often difficult for patents to properly adjust the jackscrew by use of the wire key. There may be a fear of hurting the child and the child may be apprehensive and may not be a willing patient. Furthermore, a woman's long fingernails may increase the difficulty of holding and pushing the key, and a man may have difficulty in manipulating the small key, especially if he has large fingers and/or is unaccustomed to such relatively delicate and painstaking tasks. Still further, the child's mouth is usually small and has limited access with restricted visibility of the jackscrew to be actuated. Even further, the force required to push the key against the jackscrew's resistance to turning can cause the key to bend and pull out of the jackscrew and/or slip out of the operator's fingers. Such action can cause injury to the patient's mouth or the operator's fingers. Also, as above mentioned, at the extreme of travel, the key must be removed from the jackscrew keyhole very carefully so as not to be dropped down the patient's throat.
It can be appreciated that the orthodontist's initial adjustment of the jackscrew in the above-described manner to fit the palate expander to the patient's palate is made more difficult and potentially unsafe for both the patient and the orthodontist by the current AIDS situation. As a result of concern for both patient and doctor infection of the AIDS virus, most practitioners wear or are required to wear surgical gloves when working in a patients mouth, particularly if there is a possibility of any patient-doctor blood contact. The wearing of surgical gloves can make manipulation of the actuation key more difficult and thereby increase the risk of injury to the patient's mouth or the orthodontists fingers and resulting bleeding.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,420 to Gilbert Ouaknine discloses the use of a rack and pinion-type expansion screw assembly for use in palate expander apparatus and is addressed to certain potential problems associated with the use of a jackscrew-type of expansion screw. Nevertheless, such patent does not address the above-described problems that relate to the necessity of using a pin-type key to adjust the expansion screw. Consequently, so far as is known to the present inventor, the type of palate expander apparatus disclosed in the Ouaknine patent has never been commercialized.
For these and other reasons, practical improvements to presently available expansion screw devices are needed to make them easier and safer to use, and it is the intent of the present invention to provide such an improved expansion screw assembly and palate expansion apparatus for which adjustment of the expansion screw assembly can be easily performed with the fingers outside of the patient's mouth by the use of a conventional Allen wrench, screwdriver or the like.


Methods and devices for a coupled optoelectronic oscillator having optical frequency stabilization. The coupled optoelectronic oscillator includes a harmonically mode-locked laser cavity having a Mach-Zehnder modulator for mode-locking and an intracavity Fabry-Perot etalon to allow only one single supermode to lase, a stabilization loop coupled with the Fabry-Perot etalon to detect changes in the laser cavity optical frequency and generate an error signal to compensate for the frequency change to stabilize the mode-locking of the laser frequency stabilization, and an electrical loop between the laser cavity and the stabilization loop for driving the Mach-Zehnder modulator with the coupled optoelectronic oscillator signal.

Low noise, high repetition rate mode-locked lasers have a number of potential applications in signal processing and coherent communications as described in P. J. Delfyett, S. Gee, M. T. Choi, H. Izadpanah, W. Lee, S. Ozharar, F. Quinlan, T. Yimaz, "Optical frequency combs from semiconductor lasers and applications in ultrawideband signal processing and communications," J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 7, pp. 2701-2719, 2006. For applications such as the generation of arbitrary RF waveforms and photonic sampling, pulse-to-pulse timing and amplitude jitter are more important than optical frequency stability, and laser cavities can be designed that sacrifice optical stability in favor of increased timing stability as described in S. Gee, S. Ozharar, F. Quinlan, J. J. Plant, P. W. Juodawlkis, P. J. Delfyett, "Self stabilization of an actively mode-locked semiconductor-based fiber-ring laser for ultralow jitter," Photon. Technol. Lett., vol. 19. pp. 498-500. However, a number of applications such as optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) and optical arbitrary waveform synthesis require a set of phase locked frequencies with multigigahertz spacing and high stability.
A successful method to simultaneously achieve low timing and amplitude jitter as well as optical frequency stability is using an intracavity etalon in a harmonically mode-locked laser as described in F. Quinlan, S. Gee, S. Ozharar, P. J. Delfyett, "Frequency stabilized low timing jitter mode-locked laser with an intracavity etalon," in Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics/Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference and Photonic Applications Systems Technologies 2007 Technical Digest (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2007), CThHH6. Harmonic mode-locking can be described in the frequency domain as a collection of interleaved optical supermodes. Each optical supermode consists of phase locked modes separated by the pulse repetition rate whereas different supermodes are separated by the inverse of the cavity round trip time as described in T. Yilmaz, C. M. Depriest, A. Braun, J. Abeles, P. J. Delfyett, "Noise in fundamental and harmonic modelocked semiconductor lasers: experiments and simulations," J. Quantum Electron., vol. 39, pp. 838-849, 2003.
Placing a high finesse etalon into the laser cavity with a free spectral range equal to the pulse repetition rate selects a single optical supermode that can then be used for frequency domain applications. Moreover, the optical frequencies can be stabilized via the Pound-Drever-Hall laser frequency stabilization method using the same intracavity etalon as described in F. Quinlan, supra, and in R. W. Dreyer, P. J. L. Hall, F. V. Kowalski, J. Hough, G. M. Ford, A. J. Munley, H. Ward, "Laser phase and frequency stabilization using an optical resonator," Appl. Phys. B. vol. 31, pp. 97-105, 1983. By selecting a single optical supermode, the intracavity etalon also suppresses the supermode noise spurs that contribute to the pulse-to-pulse timing and amplitude noise. Also, by using a long laser cavity and harmonic mode-locking, the linewidth of the individual optical modes can be reduced while a high pulse repetition rate is maintained. The narrow optical linewidths produced are advantageous for high spectral efficiency coherent communication modulation formats as described in J. M. Kahn, "Modulation and Detection Techniques for Optical Communication Systems," in Optical Amplifiers and Their Applications and Coherent Optical Technologies and Applications on CD-ROM (The Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2006), CThC1, and the reduction of the spontaneous emission contribution to the timing jitter as described in T. Yilmaz, supra.
In addition to spontaneous emission, a major source of timing jitter in an actively mode-locked laser is the phase noise of the RF source used for mode-locking. A way to remove this source of timing jitter is to exploit the high Q of a mode-locked laser and convert it into a coupled optoelectronic oscillator as described in N. Yu, E. Salik, L. Maleki, "Ultralow-noise mode-locked laser with coupled optoelectronic oscillator configuration," Opt. Lett., vol. 30, pp. 1231-1233, 2005. However, in the conventional coupled optoelectronic oscillator, no effort is made to generate a stabilized optical frequency comb.
To solve the problems encountered with the prior art, combining the technique of incorporating a high finesse etalon in a harmonically mode-locked laser with the conventional coupled optoelectronic oscillator, a completely self contained optical frequency stabilized oscillator was built and characterized. With the incorporation of an etalon, a coupled optoelectronic oscillator can be utilized for a host of new applications relying on a stabilized optical frequency comb.

Optical frequency self stabilization in a coupled optoelectronic oscillator

University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


A casing includes an insertion recessed portion opened in a front direction via an insertion opening. A shell made of metal for electromagnetic shielding includes a front plate for covering a front face of the casing and side walls extended therefrom. In a state that a modular jack is attached to an apparatus, a portion of the shell exposed to an outer side of a cabinet of the apparatus is covered by an insulating cover. An insertion opening of a front plate of the insulating cover is smaller than an opening of the front plate of the shell.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modular jack mounted to an apparatus such as a notebook type personal computer, a game machine or the like and mated with a modular plug corresponding thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
A modular jack of this kind is for connecting a modular plug from a telephone network or an LAN network and is provided with a casing made of synthetic resin having an insertion recessed portion for inserting and drawing a modular plug. At inside of the insertion recessed portion, there is contained a contact pin for being brought into contact with a contact of the modular plug.
Normally, a portion of the casing, particularly, a surrounding of an insertion opening communicating with the insertion recessed portion, is surrounded by a shell made of a metal to thereby achieve electromagnetic shielding for the contact pin at inside of the insertion recessed portion.
Meanwhile, it is not so much preferable to expose a shell made of a metal formed by normally sheet metal drawing to outside in view of its appearance. Further, there is a concern that a foreign matter is brought into touch with the exposed shell and noise is generated.
The present invention has been carried out in view of the above-described problem and it is an object of the invention to provide a modular jack excellent in appearance and electromagnetic shielding performance.
In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the first object of the invention, there is provided a modular jack characterized in including a casing having an insulating performance and having an insertion recessed portion for a modular plug opened in a front direction; a shell made of a metal for electromagnetic shielding including a front plate covering a front face of the casing and partitioning an insertion opening for the modular plug communicating with the insertion recessed portion at the front plate; and an insulating cover including a front plate covering the front plate of the shell and partitioning an insertion opening for the modular plug communicating with the insertion recessed portion at the front plate, wherein the insertion opening of the insulating cover is made smaller than the insertion opening of the shell such that an edge portion of the insertion opening of the shell is prevented from being exposed by an edge portion of the insertion opening of the insulating cover.
According to the invention, in a state in which the edge portion of the insertion opening of the front plate of the shell is not exposed, the front plate of the shell is covered by the insulating cover and therefore, the appearance is excellent. Further, a foreign matter is prevented from being brought into contact with the shell and electromagnetic shielding is ensured.
According to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided the modular jack according to the first aspect, characterized in that the shell further includes side walls extended from the front plate and provided along corresponding side walls of the casing and the insulating cover further includes side walls extended from the front plate and provided along the corresponding side walls of the shell. In this case, a range of covering the shell by the insulating cover can be widened and therefore, a foreign matter can be prevented from being brought into contact with the shell further firmly.
According to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided the modular jack according to the second aspect, characterized in that the corresponding side walls of the shell and the insulating cover are unitarily locked by locking portions provided at the corresponding side walls of the casing. In this case, the structure can be simplified and the fabrication cost can be made inexpensive.


A computer-based method for maximizing the use of lumber in the production of truss members for a truss assembly using a linear feed saw apparatus. The method comprises storing a list of truss members to be cut by the linear feed saw apparatus, selecting from the list a first truss member for cutting, the first member having a trailing end. A second truss member from the list is selected for cutting, the second member having a first end that will nest with the trailing end of the first member. The second member is oriented such that its first end nests with the trailing end of the first member. The members are then cut using the linear feed saw. The nesting members can abut across the entire member width, only across a portion of the member width or at a single point. The nested ends of the first and second members may be bevel cuts. The selecting of a second truss member may comprise comparing the angles of the cuts to be made on the trailing end of the first member to the angles of the cuts to be made on the ends of at least two of the members on the list. The selected member may have an angle to be cut which is supplementary to one of the angles of the trailing end of the first member or which is close fitting with an angle on the trailing end of the first member. The selected member is oriented such that the supplementary or close fitting angle of the selected member is adjacent the corresponding supplementary or close fitting angle of the first member. Orienting the selected member may further comprise rotating the member around its longitudinal axis, its lateral axis or both.

With the rising cost of wood and lumber, it has become ever more important to reduce the lost costs associated with lumber waste produced in the truss manufacturing industry. Optimization of lumber use has been addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,635 to Blaine, which is incorporated herein for all purposes. However, further optimization is still needed. The instant invention specifically addresses optimization of lumber use in a linear feed saw. The linear feed saw will not be explained in detail, however, examples of such saws can be found in U.S. Pat. Application Publication Nos. US 2004/0069106 to McAdoo and US 2005/0076759 to Westfall, et al., both of which are incorporated herein for all purposes.

Method and apparatus for optimization of cutting lumber


A method of calibrating a multi-projector image display system is provided. According to the method, non-parametric calibration data for the display system is recovered and used to generate a non-parametric model of the display system. Local parametric models relating to the display surface of the projection screen are generated and are compared with data points defined by the non-parametric calibration data to identify one or more local errors in the non-parametric calibration data. The local errors in the non-parametric calibration data are converted to data points defined at least in part by the local parametric models and the projectors are operated to project an image on the image projection screen by utilizing a hybrid calibration model comprising data points taken from the non-parametric model and data points taken from one or more local parametric models. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

The present invention relates to projection systems where multiple projectors are utilized to create respective complementary portions of a projected image, which may be a video or still image. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of calibrating and operating such systems. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of calibrating a multi-projector image display system is provided. According to the method, non-parametric calibration data for the display system is recovered and used to generate a non-parametric mapping of positions in each projector to their position within a common global reference frame of the display system. Local parametric models that relate to the display surface are generated using a canonical description that either represents the image projection screen or the expected position of neighboring points when projected onto the screen. In addition, these local parametric models may represent the expected position of points in one device, e.g., a projector, when they are known in a second device, e.g., a camera. These local parametric models are compared with data points defined by the non-parametric calibration data to identify one or more local errors in the non-parametric calibration data. The local errors in the non-parametric calibration data are converted to data points by referring, at least in part, to the local parametric models. Although the conversion may be solely a function of the parametric model, it is contemplated that the conversion may be a function of both the parametric model and the non-parametric mapping, e.g., by referring to the predicted data points given by the parametric models and measurements taken from the non-parametric mapping. The projectors are operated to project an image on the image projection screen by utilizing a hybrid calibration model comprising data points taken from the non-parametric model and data points taken from one or more local parametric models.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a multi-projector display system is provided. According to the method, the display system is operated according to an image rendering algorithm that incorporates a hybrid parametric/non-parametric calibration model.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of calibrating an image display system is provided. The system comprises a plurality of projectors oriented in the direction of an image projection screen and at least one calibration camera. According to the method, the calibration camera captures k distinct images of the image projection screen. All projectors contributing to each captured image render a set of fiducials captured by the calibration camera. A set of three-dimensional points corresponding to camera image points are computed as respective intersections of back-projected rays defined by the points and a canonical surface approximating the projection screen. The points are matched with projected fiducials to generate a set of corresponding match points. The set of three-dimensional points observed in different camera views are represented as a set of 3D surface points with a known neighborhood function. The 3D points are modeled as a constraint system such that the error distance between two points seen in two different camera views are computed as the geodesic distance between the first point, as seen in the second view, and the second point, as seen in that same view. Points that correspond to the same projector location but have different locations on the 3D surface are adjusted according to an error metric that minimizes the total error represented in the constraint system.

Hybrid system for multi-projector geometry calibration


In some embodiments, an apparatus, system, and method for high frequency signal distribution may input a source signal and provide a plurality of outputs having equal phase and magnitude using a pie-divider 205. The pie-divider 205 may include an input section 305, 315, a body section 320, and a plurality of outputs 310. The body section 320 of the pie-divider 205 may have a generally pie-shaped geometry and distribute an input signal to each of the outputs 310 equally. The pie-divider 205 may comprise a conductive material. Additionally, other embodiments are described and claimed.

In computer systems and communications systems it is often desirable to replicate or divide signals to provide a signal to more than one input. This may be desirable in a variety of systems in which it would be beneficial to replicate a signal for provision to a plurality of devices or a plurality of inputs. One such system may be a testing system in which it would be desirable to test multiple devices simultaneously using substantially identical inputs. In such a system, the input signals may be generated individually, or individual input signals may be divided and provided to a plurality of devices.
In order for accurate testing results to be attained, the inputs may need to be substantially identical. Standard techniques for dividing signals often fail to maintain accurate signal levels or signal phases when dividing the signals. In many systems, this inaccuracy may compromise accurate testing. For example, and not limitation, certain systems may require the testing of the tolerance of input and output levels. If the inputs are not exactly as desired, a device may pass or fail various tests based on faulty inputs and thus produce inaccurate test results.
Additionally, inaccurate testing may increase production costs as accurate devices may fail a test and be rejected due to a faulty input signal. Also, the reverse situation may prove to be even more costly as faulty devices may appear to pass a test due to a faulty input signal. Those skilled in the art of system design and testing will recognize the importance of accurate input data when testing components.
Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize the benefit of testing many devices in parallel without the need for a separate signal generator to generate an input signal for each device to be tested. A low cost signal divider that produces accurate results may eliminate the need for numerous expensive signal generators by allowing a single signal to be divided and provided to a plurality of devices.
In addition to testing systems, the need for accurately dividing a signal into a plurality of substantially identical signals may exist in a variety of contexts. Any system in which a signal is provided to a plurality of devices may benefit from a device capable of accurately dividing the signal while maintaining accurate magnitude and phase.

Apparatus, system, and method for high frequency signal distribution


A circuit is provided for scanning and outputting a pressure sensor having at least one sensor point which sensor point is formed at each intersection of at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode, there being a pressure sensitive resistance between the electrodes at each sensor point. The circuit includes a reference potential generator the output from which is applied at an output end of each second electrode, a first potential source which is connected to each first electrode when a sensor point intersected by the first electrode is to be scanned and a ratiometric A/D converter which has as inputs a second potential source, an output derived from the second electrode intersecting the sensor point being scanned and the reference potential. The output from the converter is the circuit output. Depending on the values of the two potentials, sensitivity either increases or decreases with increasing value of the reference potential, the circuit having a significant gain which provides a relatively large dynamic range for sensitivity.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,072 (hereinafter the No. '072 patent), which is assigned to the assignee of the current application, describes a scanning circuit for a pressure responsive array. Such arrays typically utilize two layers, each of which has a parallel array of electrodes formed thereon with the electrodes for at least one of the arrays being covered with a variable resistance pressure sensitive ink or other pressure sensitive material, which arrays are secured together with the electrodes of one layer crossing the electrodes of the other layer to form pressure points. By sensing the current passing through each pressure point, and thus the resistance thereat, the pressure at the point may be determined.
The circuit of the No. '072 patent provides a number of improvements over prior art sensing circuitry for such arrays, and in particular provides a mechanism for controlling the sensitivity of the array, and thus its dynamic range, by both varying an applied test voltage and providing a reference voltage which varies depending on desired sensitivity to control the circuit output. While the circuit of the No. '072 patent functions very well to perform its sensitivity control and other functions, the circuit requires a fair amount of hardware to perform these functions and is therefore not suitable for some applications of such sensors, including some applications where the array consists of a single pressure point, where very inexpensive sensors are required. A need therefore exists for a pressure sensor output circuit which provides sensitivity control and dynamic range which is at least as good as that for the circuit of the No. '072 patent, but at significantly lower cost.


A target moving configuration includes a weighted base, a shooter's target, a target-moving assembly rotationally connected to the base and a hinge pivotally connecting the target thereto. A target-fall control device operatively connects the hinge to selectively pivot the target when activated. The control device has a balloon, a lock with a removable key, and a pull cord connecting the balloon to the key, which cord holds the key in the lock while the balloon is intact. A target motion device has a drive shaft, a drive cord connected to the target moving assembly and the drive shaft. An electric motor is connected to the drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft. A controller is operable to selectively and randomly power the motor to, thereby, move the target movement arm with respect to the base. Multiple targets and assemblies are provided and connected to the drive shaft for independent movement.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to target systems and, specifically, to a marksmanship and target-identification training system using moving targets.
2. Description of Related Art
The target systems being used to train law enforcement and military shooters today are predominantly one of the following enumerated types.
A first prior art target system places the target image in front of the shooter and is stationary and visible at all times. Such a system has the disadvantage of allowing the shooter to constantly see the target image as a threat. The system gives the user no opportunity to recognize the status (threat or no threat) of the target image. Because there is no requirement to recognize the status of the target image, the target is always recognized by the shooter as being a threat. The shooter simply draws their weapon as quickly as possible and shoots the target image as accurately as possible. No real-time, dynamic indication is given to the shooter regarding their accuracy of shot placement other than by examining the target after a series of shots have been fired. Lastly, the target is stationary and does not mimic the motions a real human person would take if they were actually shooting back.
A second prior art target system suspends the target image on a motor driven cable. This system positions the target image at various distances toward and away from the shooter, which allows the system to decrease or increase the difficulty in hitting the target image by altering the relative size of the target. This system has the same disadvantages of the first target system described above.
A third prior art target system keeps the target image stationary but also rotates the image toward or away from the shooter. First, the target image is hidden from view (e.g., at 0 degrees of rotation). Then, the target image is rotated to face the shooter (e.g., 90 degrees). This system has a disadvantage in that the shooter knows before the target image is rotated that when presented it will be a threat target; the shooter knows the target is a threat because the target is inserted in the turning device by the shooter and the image of the target is known to be a threat. As is known, a range officer would not mount a no-threat target and have it rotate into the shooter's view only to see if the shooter would engage it. It would be a waste of time. This system has the same disadvantages of the first target system described above.
A fourth prior art target system physically moves the target into and out of the shooter's field of view. As an example, a pneumatic system with rubber targets can be brought into view by rapidly filling them with air. This system has a disadvantage because it is limited to making stationary targets appear and disappear from view at the same location. This system also has the disadvantages of the first target system described above.
A fifth prior art target system rotates the target image rotate left and right around a centerline parallel with the ground (like a pendulum). The target rotates around a center point with the target at the top and a fixed counter weight at the bottom. In this system, the target is attached to a counterweight having the same weight as the target (the target is above the axle and the counterweight is below the axle). An instructor pulls the rope and the target rotates back and forth in the vertical plane always in view of the shooter and moving like the pendulum of a clock. This kind of target presentation is a challenge to the shooter because the target moves in an arc. The disadvantage of this system lies in the fact that the movement of the target is controlled by a cord that is attached to the counterweight. The cord is pulled and released by a person to cause the movement. If several shooters are being trained on one mechanical system with several targets connected in tandem, the amplitude and duration of movement of the individual target movements will mimic each other and be rhythmic, much like pendulums on several clocks or musical metronomes swinging in unison. This system also experiences the disadvantages described with respect to the first system above.
It would be desirable to provide a system that overcomes the disadvantages of the aforementioned systems.

Moving target system for training in marksmanship and target identification