A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The MEMS switch includes a substrate; signal lines formed on the substrate; main electrodes spaced apart by a distance and formed over the substrate; an actuating beam installed above the main electrodes at a certain height; a support unit to support the actuating beam; and sub-electrodes formed above the actuating beam at a distance from the actuating beam and facing the corresponding main electrodes. The method includes depositing and patterning a metal layer on a substrate; depositing and patterning a sacrificial layer to form actuator beam support holes and first sub-electrode contact holes; depositing and patterning an actuating beam layer on the sacrificial layer, thereby forming spacers; depositing and patterning second sub-electrode contact holes from another sacrificial layer; depositing and patterning a sub-electrode layer on the sacrificial layer; and removing the two sacrificial layers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) switch and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to an MEMS switch having a three-layer micro-structure (actuating beam) and sub-electrodes, thereby operating at low power, having high thermal stability and preventing short circuits between electrodes, and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In electronic systems using radio frequency bandwidth, small size, light weight and high performance products are very desirable. Thus, a very small size micro-switch realized by using new technologies has been developed widely to replace semiconductor switches such as Field Effect Transistors (FET) and PIN diodes for use in such electronic systems to control signals.
A switch is the most widely manufactured device out of the Radio Frequency (RF) devices using an MEMS technology. An RF switch is an element frequently applied to an impedance matching circuit or a signal selective transmission circuit in wireless communication terminal devices and systems using a signal in a bandwidth of microwaves or millimeter waves.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,169 discloses an MEMS switch which has a hinge for supporting a membrane-type electrode on a substrate. The hinge includes a control electrode coupled to the substrate by an anchor, a hinge collar and a set of hinge arms. The control electrode has a shorting bar coupled thereto and is electrically isolated from another control electrode.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-143595 discloses another MEMS switch which is formed on a substrate using a micro platform structure suspended on a spring suspension. The spring suspension is attached to one end of an anchor structure and extends in a substantially octagonal direction over a signal line. The micro platform has a short bar positioned facing a gap in the signal line. An electrical corset is formed over the signal line to form a capacitor structure which is electrostatically attractable toward a bottom electrode upon application of a selected voltage.
The MEMS switch described above has a drawback in that it needs a large driving voltage because it uses an electro-static force. Generally, the larger the area of an electrode, the lower the driving voltage. However, increasing the electrode area is a difficult issue because it is also desirable to have a small overall system due to the system downsizing.
Furthermore, the micro-structure, i.e. the membrane-type electrode, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,169 and the micro-platform-type electrode disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-143595, need a reinforcement structure to improve thermal stability and a short circuit prevention structure to prevent a short circuit between electrodes.

Micro electro-mechanical system switch and method of manufacturing the same


An optical imager design that is capable of imaging a common scene to two or more optical systems, and is more compact in physical size and superior in throughput than previous designs is disclosed.

These teachings relate generally to optical systems that can re-image an image plane or pupil from a shared location to two or more optical systems.
In common aperture systems, it is often desirable to provide access to a shared optical component, pupil, imager, or system for two or more optical systems simultaneously. This can be difficult to achieve as a result of tradeoffs between the back focal distance requirements of the individual systems, obstructions due to optical or mechanical components, and other concerns.


The subject invention relates to a battery cell structure fabricated from a single fiber containing an electrode or active material of an electrode, a membrane separator, the electrolyte, the active material of a second electrode or a second electrode. Further, the subject invention relates to a cell design fabricated from two single fibers in contact with each other, one containing an electrode, a membrane separator, electrolyte, and the other, a second electrode. The two electrodes here, represent the positive and negative electrodes of a cell. The invention further relates to the process of inserting one fibrous electrode inside a fibrous membrane separator or insulator and to the process of forming one fibrous cell which contains an electrode, porous insulator, the electrolyte, the active material of a second electrode or a second electrode.

The technology of fabricating and manufacturing primary or secondary battery cells has been around for many years. The electrochemistry and the principals of how rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries work have been thoroughly and exhaustively reported in many books and publications. Similarly the material of construction for the electrodes, separator, type of electrolyte, and the cell design parameters for the currently available commercial batteries have been thoroughly investigated. In general, a battery cell consists of two electrodes, positive and negative, a separator to avoid internal short circuiting, and electrolyte, typically in liquid or gel form. The chemical reaction at the electrodes is the source of electron generation that can be transferred from one electrode to the other through an external circuit. In rechargeable batteries, this electrochemical reaction is reversible. i.e., with an external electron source such as a charger, the active material of the electrodes can be reclaimed. Typical rechargeable battery designs are given in "Rechargeable Batteries Application Handbook ", EDN series, 1992. An extensive review of battery cell technology can be found in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia Of Chemical Technology, Wiley. New York.
Commercially available battery cells contain electrode plates on which the active material of the electrodes are deposited. Many different methods of depositing the active material on the electrode plates have been utilized. These methods consist of simple impregnation on a porous substrate, electrochemical plating, sputtering, and many other form of coating techniques. The substrates chosen for depositing the active material, usually have high surface area, such as highly porous surfaces, polymeric foams with open structure, fiber mats, etc. The high surface area of the substrate results in availability of more active sites on each electrode that participates in the electrochemical reaction and generation of electrons, hence increasing the cell capacity. The active material used in construction of the positive and negative electrodes consist of but not limited to nickel, nickel oxy- hydroxide, cadmium, lead, lead oxide, silver, mercury, zinc, oxygen, hydrogen, graphite, nickel-lanthanum alloys, etc. in crystalline or amorphous form. If the substrate is not electrically conductive, it may in turn be deposited or attached to an electrically conductive material typically referred to as current collector. For the purpose of clarity the combination of the active material, the substrate, and the current collector is referred to as the electrode from here thereafter. In commercially available battery cells, the electrode plates are electrically isolated from each other by another plate of a porous material so that an internal short-circuit does not occur. The separator used is typically a porous polymeric material with good wetting characteristics or of the glass fiber type. The media between the two electrodes is filled with an electrolyte solution such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, sulfuric acid or other alkaline and acid solutions. The porous structure of the separator allows for ion transfer between the positive and negative electrode and free diffusion of gases generated at the electrodes. In design of certain sealed rechargeable battery cells, the capacity of the active material of one electrode must be controlled such that full charge is achieved preferentially on one electrode before the other, in order to avoid evolution of excessive gases. Also, the amount of electrolyte used is only enough to wet the surface of the two electrode plates as a thin film and fill the pores of the porous separator material.
The purpose of the separator plate between the two electrodes in a battery cell is to allow minimal space between the two electrodes and hence maximize the amount or the surface area of the electrode that can be packed into a battery container of certain size. In certain commercially available batteries, the electrode plates are fabricated into strip of flat plates which along with a strip of separator material are wound together into a roll configuration and inserted into a container.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure for the configuration of the two electrodes and the separator such that a single fiber or two fibers in contact with each other will make up a single cell or micro-cell. The geometry of the cells of this invention provide an extremely high surface area of the electrodes per unit volume when numerous fibrous cells are packed into a given container size. The extremely high surface area of the electrodes exposed to the electrochemical reaction translates into extremely high energy density per volume.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a process for inserting a fibrous electrode inside a porous insulator or forming a thin layer of a separator material with porous structure around a fibrous electrode.


A process for dynamically separating the enantiomers of a piperidone derivative of formula (1)

The invention relates to a process which can be used on an industrial scale for dynamically separating the enantiomers of piperidone derivatives of general formula (1)
wherein R1, R2, R3, and n have the meanings given in the specification and claims, with simultaneous racemization in situ of the unreacted enantiomer.
Enantiomerically pure piperidone derivatives of general formula (1), wherein
R1 denotes
R2 and R3 each denote a methyl group,
R4 denotes hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, C1-C8-alkoxy, a benzoyl group bound via an oxygen or an alkylcarbonyl group having a straight-chain or branched lower alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl group may optionally be substituted by one or more halogen atom(s), which may be identical to or different from one another, nitro, cyano, amino, amino mono- or disubstituted by C1-C8-alkyl, wherein the alkyl groups may be identical or different, xe2x80x94NH-acyl-(C1-C8-alkyl), wherein acyl denotes benzoyl or an alkylcarbonyl group having a straight-chain or branched lower alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, whilst the alkyl group may optionally be substituted by one or more halogen atom(s), which may be identical to or different from each other, or a group which may be converted into one of the abovementioned groups by simple reactions known per se, and
n denotes 1,
are of major importance as intermediate products for the preparation of pharmaceutically valuable benzomorphan derivatives which may be used, for example, in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and cerebral ischaemias such as cardiac infarct or cerebral stroke.
Processes for preparing enantiomerically enriched piperidone derivatives are known from the prior art. Published German application DE 195 28 472 describes a process which is essential to the invention, in which the desired enantiomer is precipitated from the solution of a mixture of enantiomeric 3,3-dimethyl-4-piperidones by reacting with a suitable organic acid, e.g., tartaric acid, as a salt, i.e., as the tartrate, for example. After separation of the crystals formed, the unwanted enantiomer contained in the mother liquor can be racemized by heating. After various purification processes and changes of the solvent, the desired enantiomer thus formed is again precipitated as described above and isolated. The process can be repeated several times.
This procedure known from the prior art makes it possible to increase the yield to 75%, i.e., to values which are significantly higher than the maximum yield of 50%, which is the maximum theoretical yield for racemate separation. This reduces the waste of materials and increases the efficiency of the synthesis.
The procedure disclosed in DE 195 28 472 comprising crystallization, separation of the crystals from the mother liquor, thermal re-racemization, crystallization, etc., however, is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
To reduce the extra work involved in purification and isolation and to save time and money, it is, particularly for large-scale industrial manufacture, desirable to have a process which carries out enantiomer separation as a dynamic one-pot process.
It is therefore the aim and problem of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the known process as described above by providing a process which can be used on an industrial scale, enabling the precipitation of the desired enantiomer and the racemization of the other enantiomer to be carried out in one step.
Surprisingly, it has now been found that the separation of enantiomeric piperidone derivatives and the racemization of the unwanted enantiomer can be carried out simultaneously in one and the same reaction vessel and in one reaction step. The disadvantages of the process known from the prior art can thereby be avoided and the advantage of having a yield of more than 50% for the racemate separation, however, is unaffected or this yield may even be increased.
Consequently, the present invention relates to a process suitable for use on an industrial scale for separating the enantiomers of piperidone derivatives of general formula (1)
wherein
R1 denotes C1-C8-alkyl, preferably C1-C6-alkyl, which may be straight-chain or branched and is optionally mono- to polysubstituted by halogen, aryl, which may optionally be mono- to polysubstituted, preferably optionally substituted phenyl or naphthyl, particularly preferably a group of general formula
xe2x80x83heteroaryl, preferably pyridine, wherein the heterocyclic group is linked to the chiral center by a carbon atom belonging to the ring or originating from the methylene bridge,
R2 and R3, which may be identical or different, denote C1-C6-alkyl, which may be straight-chain or branched, preferably methyl or ethyl, particularly preferably methyl;
R4 independently of one another denote methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, halogen, hydroxy, C1-C6-alkyl, which may be partially or fully halogenated, such as, e.g., trifluoromethyl, amino, nitro, cyano, benzoyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, preferably methoxy;
n denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, preferably 1, and
m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, preferably 0 or 1,
by crystallization of the desired enantiomer as a salt of a suitable organic acid with simultaneous racemization of the dissolved enantiomer.
In the process according to the invention for obtaining one enantiomer from a mixture of enantiomers of a piperidone derivative (1) a solution of an optically active organic acid is placed in a suitable solvent at a certain temperature, optionally with the addition of catalytic amounts of a sulfonic acid, e.g., toluene- or camphorsulfonic acid. A solution of the mixture of enantiomers of the piperidone derivative (1) is slowly added to this temperature-controlled solution. The optically active organic acid, the solvent or mixture of solvents and the reaction temperature are selected so that the desired enantiomer of the piperidone derivative (1) crystallizes out as a salt of the optically active acid, whilst the other enantiomer remains in solution and racemizes under the reaction conditions. In this way, the desired enantiomer is constantly being formed and precipitated in a dynamic process until equilibrium is achieved.
The process according to the invention for dynamically separating the enantiomers of piperidone derivatives is thus characterized in that
(a) an optically active acid and optionally catalytic amounts of a sulfonic acid are dissolved in a suitable solvent and this solution is kept at a specific temperature,
(b) a solution of the piperidone derivative is slowly metered into this solution, so that the desired enantiomer crystallizes out as a salt of the organic acid used, while at the same time the unwanted isomer is racemized in solution and the content of desired enantiomer thus formed is also precipitated as a salt in a dynamic process, and
(c) the salt of the desired enantiomer is separated off after crystallization has ended.
Suitable organic acids for the precipitation of the desired enantiomer include, for example, (+)- or (xe2x88x92)-ditoluoyltartaric acid or (+)- or (xe2x88x92)-dibenzoyltartaric acid. If desired, the reaction may be carried out in the presence of catalytic amounts of p-toluenesulfonic acid or camphorsulfonic acid. The reaction may be carried out, for example, in solvents such as acetone, acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, tert-butanol, ethyl acetate, water, toluene, methylcyclohexane, n-butyl acetate or mixtures thereof. Preferably, acetonitrile or acetone is used.
By general formula (1)
is meant a racemic or optically active mixture of enantiomers which consists of the two enantiomeric piperidone derivatives of general formulae (1a) and (1b)
A preferred process according to the invention is a process for isolating the enantiomer of general formula (1a)
The (+)-piperidone (1a) is precipitated, for example, by reaction with (+)-ditoluoyltartaric acid or (+)-dibenzoyltartaric acid and thus concentrated. With (xe2x88x92)-ditoluoyltartaric acid or (xe2x88x92)-dibenzoyltartaric acid, on the other hand, the opposite enantiomer is obtained, namely the (xe2x88x92)-piperidone (1b).
Particularly preferred is a process for obtaining the (+)-piperidone derivative of general formula (1a), wherein:
R1 denotes 2-methoxyphenyl;
R2 and R3 each denote methyl; and
n denotes 1,
characterized in that the desired (R)-(+)-enantiomer is precipitated as the salt thereof by reacting with (+)-ditoluoyltartaric acid and at the same time, in the dissolved (S)-(xe2x88x92)-enantiomer, the chiral center is epimerized by heating to a temperature of about 30xc2x0 C.-75xc2x0 C., more preferably to 50xc2x0 C.-65xc2x0 C. The solvent used may be acetonitrile, acetone, or mixtures thereof, preferably acetonitrile.
Also preferred according to the invention is a process which leads to a piperidone of general formula (1a) or (1b) with an enantiomeric excess of xe2x89xa795% ee, more preferably xe2x89xa797% ee.
It is particularly preferred according to the invention to operate as follows: a mixture of the enantiomeric piperidone derivatives of general formula (1) is dissolved in an inert solvent, e.g., acetonitrile, and added slowly to a solution of a suitable tartaric acid derivative, preferably (+)-ditoluoyltartaric acid, in the same solvent, which has been heated to about 35xc2x0 C. to 75xc2x0 C., preferably to 50xc2x0 C. to 65xc2x0 C. Stirring is continued for a further 0.5 to 36 hours at the same temperature until there is no more precipitate being formed as far as the naked eye can tell. After cooling to ambient temperature, the crystals are suction filtered through a filter and the residue is washed with the cold solvent. After drying with gentle heating, the desired enantiomer is obtained in the form of the salt of the organic acid, from which the base can easily be liberated using known methods. The acid may be recovered in very good yields by simple extraction.
The separation of enantiomers of piperidone derivatives according to the invention by crystallization with simultaneous racemization of the unwanted enantiomer may be carried out starting from the free base of formula (1), which may also be used as the crude product containing up to 20% impurities, or starting from an acid addition salt precipitated to purify it, e.g., a hydrochloride or hydrobromide, after previous liberation of the base.
The high yield of 85% or more is certainly due to the following: the acidity of the acid used causes a racemization equilibrium to be achieved. Since the desired isomer is of low solubility as its salt, it is precipitated and is thus withdrawn from the equilibrium. By constant re-adjustment of the equilibrium, the mixture is finally converted almost entirely into the salt of the desired enantiomer which is of low solubility and is precipitated.
Unless otherwise stated, the terms listed below have the following meanings within the context of the present invention: the term alkyl, both on its own and in conjunction with other groups, denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with the specified number of carbon atoms, such as, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, or n-hexyl. Aryl denotes an aromatic hydrocarbon group having up to 10 carbon atoms, such as, for example, phenyl or naphthyl; heteroaryl denotes a mono- or bicyclic aromatic group having up to 10 ring atoms which comprises, in addition to carbon atoms, one or more heteroatom(s) which are selected independently of one another from among N, O, and S, such as, e.g., pyridine or furan. Halogen denotes fluorine, chlorine, or bromine.
The example which follows serves to illustrate one of the separation methods according to the invention, carried out by way of example, for obtaining enantiomerically pure piperidone derivatives of general formula (1). It should be regarded merely as a possible procedure, described by way of example, without restricting the invention to its contents.

Efficient separation of enantiomers of piperidone derivatives by precipitation of the desired eantiomer during in situ racemization of the unwanted enantiomer

Abstract: wherein:

Abstract: R1 is aryl optionally mono- to polysubstituted, heteroaryl, which is linked to the chiral center via at least one carbon atom of its own or a carbon atom belonging to the methylene bridge, or straight-chain or branched C1-C8-alkyl optionally mono- to polysubstituted by halogen;

Abstract: R2 and R3, which are identical or different, are each straight-chain or branched C1-C6-alkyl; and

Abstract: n is 0, 1, 2 or 3,

Abstract: the process comprising:

Abstract: (a) dissolving an optically active acid and optionally catalytic amounts of a sulfonic acid in a solvent to make a first solution maintained at a desired temperature;

Abstract: (b) adding a second solution of the piperidone derivative to the first solution to precipitate out the desired enantiomer of the piperidone derivative as a salt of the optically active acid used while racemizing the unwanted enantiomer of the piperidone derivative in solution and further precipitating the desired enantiomer of the piperidone derivative from the racemizing the unwanted enantiomer of the piperidone derivative in a dynamic process; and

Abstract: (c) separating the desired enantiomer of the piperidone derivative as a salt of the optically active acid.


The specification discloses a structure of and a method of operating a subtractive division (SD) cell where a portion of the partial remainder or estimated partial remainder directly indicates the next quotient digit. More particularly, by sufficiently constraining the prescaled range for each possible divisor, only a few bits of the partial remainder (the exact number dependent upon the radix), along with their related carries (if any), directly indicate the value of the next quotient digit. Because fewer bits of the partial remainder are needed to make this determination than needed in related art devices, and further because no look-up table or hard-coded decision tree is required, calculation time within each SD cell is shorter than related art devices. Having a shorter calculation time within each SD cell allows for either completion of a greater number of SD cells within each clock cycle, or completion of the calculation to full precision in less time.

1. Field of the Invention
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to microprocessors. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to floating point dividers in microprocessors.
2. Background of the Invention
Most modern microprocessors have the ability to perform floating point operations in hardware. Particularly difficult among these floating point operations are division and square root operations. There are two commonly used techniques to perform the division operation: the Sweeny-Robertson-Tocher (SRT) technique, and the Newton-Raphson technique. Newton-Raphson operations have the attractive property of a quadratic convergent operation, meaning that the quotient result doubles precision after each iteration. The SRT algorithm is a non-restoring method which iteratively subtracts divisor multiples from a working partial remainder to determine the quotient, with a fixed number of quotients digits determined in each iteration. This specification addresses floating point division using SRT type techniques.
Floating point numbers in computers are generally represented in scientific notation. In more precise mathematical terms, the operands of a binary floating-point division are a dividend, represented by (−1)Sa×Fa×2Ea-Ebias, a divisor given by (−1)Sb×Fb×2Eb-Ebias, which produces a quotient given by (−1)Sr×Fr×2Er-Ebias, where S is the sign bit, F is the mantissa (for 1≦F<2), and E is the biased exponent assuming an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 754 standard normalized numbers. In order to accommodate both positive and negative exponentials without requiring a sign bit for the exponential, each of the exponential numbers is biased based on the precision of the variable. For single precision numbers, the IEEE 754 standard requires an Ebias=127, for double precision numbers, an Ebias=1,023.
In broad terms, performing a floating-point division operation comprises the following steps:
TABLE 1StepOperation1Er = Ea − Eb + Ebias (find the power of the quotient)2Sr = Sa □ Sb (exclusive-OR the sign bits of each mantissa todetermine the sign of the division operation)3Fr = Fa ÷ Fb (In SRT, performed by iterative subtraction ofmultiples of Fb from a working partial remainder which is thenshifted up. The working partial remainder initialized with Fa.)4Rounding of the fractional result to the most significant digit.5Normalize Fr (that is, 1 ≦ Fr < 2)6Detect underflow (if Er is less than one) or overflow (if Er is lessthan 1,023 (for double precision) or 127 (for single precision))While all these steps are required for each floating-point division operation, it is step three that is the primary concern of this specification.
The SRT type algorithms iteratively subtract divisor multiples from a partial remainder to determine the quotient with a fixed number of quotient bits determined in each iteration or cell, according to the following equations:Pi+1=R(Pi−Qi+1D)  (1)Pi*=trunc (Pi)  (2)where Pi+1 is the calculated partial remainder within the cell (in carry-save form), Pi is the partial remainder from the previous iteration (with the initial partial remainder set equal to the dividend), R is the radix of a quotient digit, Qi+1 is the quotient digit at iteration i+1, D is the divisor, and Pi* is an estimated partial remainder where Pi*≦Pi.
In the SRT type algorithms, the precision of the quotient is dependent upon the number of iterations performed (the number of subtraction division cells the calculation propagates through) and the radix of the calculation. In a Radix-4 calculation, two quotient bits are calculated with each cell or stage. With Radix-8, three quotient bits are calculated with each cell, and so on. The more cells that can complete within a given time, the more exact the quotient can be calculated, or the less time it requires to take the calculation to full precision. Thus, speed of the cells is of paramount importance.
Related art SRT type algorithms implement time saving features in an attempt to speed the calculation time through each cell. For example, the partial remainders Pi are in carry-save form and thus may use more efficient carry-save adders to perform the subtraction required of equation (1) (as opposed to fall carry-propagation adders). Further, the multiplication by the radix R (where the radix is a multiple of two—2, 4, 8, 16, etc.) is a simple shift operation in binary systems. Moreover, multiplication of the quotient digit Q times the divisor D is either a simple shift operation (for powers of two), and/or is calculated simultaneously with prescaling of the dividend and a divisor prior to the parameters entering the cells.
A major limitation of related art SRT type cells however is determining the quotient digit (in a Radix-4 system, each quotient digit reveals two quotient bits) from the calculated partial remainder. Understanding this limitation of related art SRT type cells however requires a better understanding of the cells themselves. In defining the parameters of a subtractive division cell, it was mentioned that the partial remainder Pi is in carry-save form. Subtraction of the quotient multiples (the Qi+1 D portion of equation (1)) from the partial remainder Pi therefore takes place with carry-save adders, which are faster than carry-propagate adders. Consider for purposes of explanation the addition of two binary numbers:
TABLE 2AUGEND1010101ADDEND0001101Carry Propagate Add Result1100010Carry-Save Add Sum1011000Carry-Save Add Carry0000101Verification Add of Carry-Save Result1100010The full carry-propagate add produces the result 1100010. However, calculating this result requires the carry from each bit addition to propagate to the next stage before the final result is achieved. If each adder requires two gate delays to complete, the time it takes to complete the full carry-propagate add of the exemplary set of numbers in Table 2 is at least 14 gate delays. The carry-save result, however, in not combining the carries from each bit addition and thus leaving the result in the redundant carry-save form, may be completed in only two gate delays, regardless of the number of bits. Considering that the mantisa of each floating point number may be 50 bits long or more, it is easily seen why the related art SRT cells use this addition method and number form. A verification that the carry-save form is equal to the results of the carry-propagate addition is included in Table 2, which is simply the full carry-propagate add of the sum and carry results. Thus, in SRT cells, partial remainders are calculated using carry-save adders, leaving the resultant in the carry-save form.
A quotient digit determined by each subtractive division cell is selected based on the value of the partial remainder calculated by that cell. The most accurate selection of the quotient digit would be based on the complete partial remainder calculated by the cell, but calculating the complete partial remainder requires a full carry-propagate add of the carry-save resultant, thus negating its benefits. Rather than perform the full carry-propagate add, SRT type cells rely upon an estimated partial remainder Pi* as indicated in equation (2). In this way, only a portion of the partial remainder calculated by the SRT type cell needs to be converted from carry-save form.
To obtain the estimated partial remainder, related art SRT type cells perform a full carry-propagate add of the most significant bits of the calculated partial remainder. U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,789 to Yu et al. (hereinafter the '789 patent) describes in the Background section that conventional wisdom prescribes at least four bits of the calculated partial remainder should be used to determine the next quotient digit for Radix-2 SRT type systems. Similarly, related art Radix-4 implementations need six bits of the partial remainder Pi to determine the next quotient digit. The related art devices apply the estimated partial remainder to a look-up table, or a hard-coded set of logic, to predict the quotient digit. The '789 patent exemplifies just such a look-up table at Table I (spanning columns 4 and 5) for the Radix-2 implementation therein. Thus, related art SRT type cells perform the carry-save add to obtain the partial remainder in carry-save form, perform a full carry-propagate add of the most significant six bits of the partial remainder (for a Radix-4 system) to obtain the estimated partial remainder, and finally apply the estimated partial remainder to a look-up table or hard-coded decision tree to obtain the next quotient digit. Since divisor multiples are calculated in advance, and the subtraction of the divisor multiples from the partial remainder can be accomplished in approximately two gate delays, the limitation of the speed of SRT type cells is calculating the estimated partial remainder (six bit full carry-propagate add for Radix-4 implementations) and applying the estimated partial remainder to the look-up table to determine the next quotient digit.
What is needed in the art is a way to increase the speed of determining the quotient digits of an SRT type floating-point division cell.

Method and system of a microprocessor subtraction-division floating point divider

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A color separation system is disclosed consisted of a mounting frame, a color filter assembly, and a step motor controlled to move the color filter assembly back and forth in a channel. The color filter assembly is consisted of a filter holder frame, a cover frame fastened to the filter holder frame through doweled joints, a series of color filter lenses retained in windows between the filter holder frame and the cover frame, a rack meshed with a gear on the output shaft of the step motor, and top and bottom projecting rods respectively inserted in top and bottom guide slots on the mounting frame.

The present invention relates to color separation systems, and more particularly to a color separation system which makes true color possible, improves the speed of scanning, and minimizes the size of a color scanner.
A variety of color separation systems have been proposed and widely used in a variety of optical systems, in particular color scanners, FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of color separation system according to the prior art which comprises a sector-like filter disc driven by a step motor to rotate alternatively back and forth on a post. The sector-like filter disc comprises spaced color filter lenses along the periphery, and an internal gear meshed with a driving gear coupled to the output shaft of the step motor. The sector-like filter disk is rotated back and forth on a post as the step motor was started. This structure of color separation system requires much installation space. Further, because the color filter lenses are not moved along a straight line, deflection torsion may occur.
FIG. 2 illustrates another structure of color separation system according to the prior art which uses a step motor to rotate an endless belt on two belt rollers in either direction, and therefore the color filter assembly is reciprocated along a rail for letting different color filter lenses to pass through a light source (not shown) alternatively. This structure of color separation system can not ensure high quality of image because the endless belt vibrates as it is rotated.

Color separation system for a color scanner


A disposable pull-on diaper includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed therebetween. The diaper has a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. The diaper is provided on one of a front half or a rear half thereof with at least one elastically stretchable fastening member transversely extending across a longitudinal center line of the diaper, and a hook member which lies on the longitudinal center line to catch the fastening member. The fastening member has transversely opposite end portions secured to the diaper, and a transversely intermediate portion exposed on an outer surface of the backsheet. After use, the used diaper is rolled-up with an outer peripheral surface thereof surrounded by the intermediate portion, and the intermediate portion is caught by the hook to secure the used diaper in the rolled-up state.

This invention relates to a disposable pull-on diaper adapted to absorb and contain body fluids discharged thereon, and more particularly, to such a diaper having disposal securing means.
Japanese Utility Model Application Disclosure No. 1995-39816 describes a disposable pull-on diaper comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed between the sheets to define, in a longitudinal direction of the diaper, a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending between the waist regions. A pair of end flaps lying in the front and rear waist regions, respectively, define a waist-hole and a pair of side flaps define a pair of leg-holes.
The end flaps are provided therein with a plurality of elastically stretchable members one of which can be drawn out from the end flaps through a cut formed in one of the end flaps. The elastically stretchable member drawn out from the end flaps serves as a rubber band used to fasten the diaper which has been used and rolled up. Thus, the used diaper can be maintained in a rolled up and fastened state for disposal.
In the diaper disclosed above, the waist-hole of the used and rolled up diaper can be closed only in the vicinity of the longitudinal center line along which the elastic member lies when the used diaper is rolled up with the waist-hole facing outside. The elastic members have almost no fastening effect on transversely opposite sides of the waist-hole which are remote from the vicinity of the longitudinal center line. Consequently, the rolled up diaper tends to be unrolled and the waist-hole tends to be opened. As a result, excretion may leak together with its odor outside.
It is an object of this invention to provide a disposable pull-on diaper which can be rolled up for disposal after use without any apprehension that excretion and odor might leak outside.
This and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a disposable pull-on diaper which comprises a diaper body, at least one elastically stretchable fastening member, and a hook member. The diaper body has, in a longitudinal direction thereof, a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending therebetween. The diaper body comprises a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet. The front and rear waist regions are joined together along respective transversely opposite side edges thereof to define a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. At least one elastically stretchable fastening member is provided on one of a front half of the diaper body which front half extends from a transverse center line of the diaper bisecting the crotch region toward the front waist region, and a rear half of the diaper body which rear half extends from the transverse center line toward the rear waist region. The at least one elastically stretchable fastening member extends transversely of the diaper body across a longitudinal center line bisecting a dimension between the transversely opposite side edges of the front and rear waist regions. The at least one elastically stretchable fastening member comprises opposite end portions and an intermediate portion extending between the opposite end portions. The opposite end portions are directly secured to the diaper body whereas the intermediate portion is not directly secured to and separable from the diaper body. The intermediate portion of the fastening member is exposed on an outer surface of the backsheet. A hook member is provided on the longitudinal center line in the one of the front and rear halves to catch the intermediate portion of the fastening member when the diaper body is rolled up, after use, with the intermediate portion of the fastening member extending around the rolled diaper body.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the at least one elastically stretchable fastening member includes at least a pair of elastically stretchable fastening members extending in parallel and spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the intermediate portions of the pair of elastically stretchable fastening members have different dimensions.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the at least one elastically stretchable fastening member includes at least a pair of elastically stretchable fastening members, the intermediate portions of the pair of elastically stretchable fastening members intersect each other in a vicinity of the longitudinal center line.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the intermediate portion extends between transversely opposite side edges of the core.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the at least one fastening member is secured under no tension to the diaper body.
The above mentioned object and other objects of the present invention are also achieved by a disposable pull-on diaper which comprises a diaper body and securing means for securing the diaper body in a rolled-up state, after use. The diaper body has, in a longitudinal direction thereof, a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending therebetween, the front and rear waist regions being joined together along respective transversely opposite side edges thereof to define a waist-hole and a pair of leg-holes. The securing means includes an elastically stretchable fastening member and a hook member. The elastically stretchable fastening member is provided in an upper zone of one of the front and rear waist regions and extends transversely of the diaper body, opposite ends of the elastically stretchable fastening member are secured to the diaper body at locations adjacent the transversely opposite side edges of the front and rear waist regions. The hook member is provided in a middle zone of the one of the front and rear waist regions between the elastically stretchable fastening member and the crotch region, so as to hook the elastically stretchable fastening member which extends around the rolled-up diaper body, after use.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention the diaper body has an outer surface and an inner surface. The opposite ends of the elastically stretchable fastening member are laid between the outer and inner surfaces. The elastically stretchable fastening member further includes a middle portion extending between the opposite ends. The middle portion is exposed on the outer surface of the diaper body in the one of the front and rear waist regions.
In the disposable diaper of the present invention, regions of the diaper which are placed upon each other on the outer peripheral surface of the diaper and rolled up for disposal are collapsed, closed and reliably maintained in the rolled-up state by the fastening member. The fastening member in this state is branched in at least two sections by the hook member and is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the rolled up diaper. The diaper is thus held in the rolled-up state by the at least two sections of the fastening member, and is restrained from being unrolled in a more secure manner than the above mentioned prior art. In this way, it is very unlikely that the rolled diaper might be partially reopened, and excretion and odor might leak outside.

Disposable pull-on diaper having disposal securing means


Techniques relating to story tracking for fixed layout markup documents are described. In one instance, a process identifies stories contained in a fixed layout markup document. The process also determines which portions of the fixed layout markup document relate to an individual story.

In some instances a document, such as an essay or a memorandum, may be thought of as a single individually readable block of data or "story". In the context of an essay or memorandum the story generally flows in a linear fashion from the front or beginning of the document to the back or end of the document. In other instances, a document may contain more than one story. In some such cases the stories may be arranged in a consecutive manner, such that an entirety of a first story is presented and then an entirety of a second story is presented. In other instances, such as in a newspaper or magazine scenario, the stories may be presented as interposed fragments of stories or story fragments.
Modern documents are often defined using a markup language such as XML or HTML and described as markup documents. Modern documents may also be classified as fixed layout documents or adaptive documents. Adaptive documents re-layout the contents of the document based on the desired overall size of the content, such as a single sheet of paper or the size of a display window. Fixed layout documents describe where each discrete unit of a page's content, such as an image or a single run of text, is positioned on the page. Fixed layout documents are also frequently markup documents. The XML Paper Specification (XPS) describes one such document format (the XPS Document format) that is a fixed layout document and also a markup document.
Fixed layout markup document formats, such as the XPS Document format, define a document as a set of markup elements. Individual markup elements define portions of document content and a location where the content should be displayed within the document. Fixed layout markup document formats do not natively handle structural information relating to the document's markup; such as to recognize that a particular portion of the markup relates to a particular story. Accordingly, fixed document formats do not readily distinguish between multiple stories within a document.

Story tracking for fixed layout markup documents


A cover for an outboard motor is provided to protect an operator from a flywheel. The cover is disposed under the cowl of the outboard motor. The cover is made of a generally rigid material, such as plastic, with first and second sheets being associated together to form conduits with openings extending therefrom. In one particular embodiment, one of the openings is shaped to receive an inlet of a compressor and this provides a positioning aid in attaching the cover to the engine. This device eliminates the need for flexible hoses and accomplishes two tasks with one component. It provides air conduits for the air passing through the cover and it provides a generally rigid means for locating the proper location of the cover.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a cover structure that is specifically shaped to comprise air conduits and, more particularly, to a flywheel cover for an outboard motor which has fluid passages formed therein for the purpose of conducting air between an inlet opening and an outlet opening.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known to those skilled in the art that certain components of an outboard motor, such as a flywheel and other moving parts, should be covered in order to protect the operator when the cowl is removed. In certain applications of outboard motors, the flywheel cover is provided with an opening in its surface through which air can flow. Typically, an air filter is placed within a chamber at the inlet opening and a hose is connected in fluid communication with the chamber to direct a flow of air towards the inlet of a compressor. In other applications, the hose which is connected to the air compressor is not connected to the flywheel cover, but, instead, is independently supported by other means.
Another flow of air is directed from a region around the outside surface of the internal combustion engine toward the air inlet of the engine. This flow of air also passes along a path under the flywheel cover. In certain applications, individual sound dampening structures are used to reduce the noise caused by the air flow.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,307, which issued to Kurihra on Jul. 28, 1992, discloses an air intake system for a marine propulsion engine. The air intake system is provided with an U-shape configuration for facilitating water separation and to provide a long intake passage. An air flow sensor is positioned at the inlet opening of the inlet device with the lift being the inlet opening and the intake port being effective to dampen pulsations in the induction systems from the air flow device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,202, which issued to Watanabe on Mar. 26, 1996, describes an engine component layout for an outboard motor. The engine of an outboard motor includes an improved engine component layout in order to minimize the size of the engine and to improve the performance of the components. A separator of a crankcase ventilation system is located on a cam cover outside the cam chamber in order to reduce the size of the cam cover while providing the necessary spacing between the separator and the valve mechanism within the cam chamber. A fuel pump is positioned at about the center of the cam cover, beneath the separator, in order to generally balance the length of fuel travel to each of the carburetors. A fuel filter is located on the cam cover and positioned to generally isolate the fuel filter from the effects of the heated cylinder head and block. The arrangement of these components does not interfere with the hingelike travel of the top cowling, which surrounds the engine, relative to a lower tray.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,704, which issued to Torigai on Aug. 2, 1988, describes a multi-cylinder engine with a turbo charger. A number of embodiments of a two-cycle, turbo-charged internal combustion engine are described in this patent for providing an improved arrangement for locating the inlet of the turbine stage so as to minimize the necessity for back flow in the exhaust conduit. A number of embodiments are also illustrated for applying this principal to outboard motors and in many of the embodiments, twin turbo-charges are employed. The turbo-chargers are disposed in such a relationship so as to permit a compact relationship and to avoid close proximity between the exhaust conduits and the compressor stages.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,939, which issued to Nakai et al on Feb. 6, 1996, discloses a crankcase ventilation system for an outboard motor. The ventilation system is provided for an engine crankcase of a marine outboard motor in order to distribute blow-by gas generally equally to each cylinder while minimizing the size of an intake silencer of the system. The intake silencer includes a first expansion chamber into which the blow-by gas is introduced from a blow-by gas chamber attached to the cylinder head. The blow-by gas diffuses and mixes with ambient air which is drawn into the first expansion chamber through an inlet port of the induction system. The air/blow-by gas mixture is then drawn into a second expansion chamber where it distributes generally evenly before induction into a charged forming device.
Because of the need of arranging components of an outboard motor efficiently while also performing the necessary functions, which include directing air to an air compressor and to the air inlet of the internal combustion engine, it would be beneficial if a means could be provided for combining the functions of two or more components of the outboard motor. For example, it would be particularly beneficial if a flywheel cover could be constructed in a way that eliminates the need for separate hoses to direct air flow to the air compressor and to the air inlet of the internal combustion engine while also serving as a locator to properly position the flywheel cover on the engine. If these functions could be performed by the flywheel cover, in addition to the normal function of providing protection for an operator when the cowl is removed, a significant improvement in the structure of an outboard motor could be achieved.

Integrated flywheel cover and air conduit passages


A method for classification of a program includes receiving transcript information associated with the program, identifying at least one cue of a plurality of cues in the transcript information wherein each of the plurality of cues has associated therewith a type of program, correlating the at least one cue of the plurality of cues identified in the transcript information to the type of program, and classifying the program based on the correlation of the at least one cue of the plurality of cues identified in the transcript information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to the classification of programs, and more specifically to the classification of television programs using observed cues in transcript information.
2. Description of the Related Art
Television program classification is known and is used in many apparatus and methods which analyze television broadcast signals. Traditionally, the classification of a program is determined by electronic programming guide (EPG) data included with the television broadcast signal. However, when the EPG data is not available or is not included with the television broadcast signal, the program classification cannot be readily identified. Furthermore, finer classification for various retrieval/browsing purposes is not easy with just EPG information.

Apparatus and method of program classification using observed cues in the transcript information


The present invention relates to the evaluation of the performance of a component using a pair of dimer-forming primers. The method using the pair of dimer-forming primers according to the present invention can be used not only for evaluating the performance of components including a nucleic acid polymerase but also as an internal control in the detection of a target nucleic acid sequence.

For detection of target nucleic acid sequences, real-time detection methods are widely used to detect target nucleic acid sequences with monitoring target amplification in a real-time manner. The real-time detection methods generally use labeled probes or primers specifically hybridized with target nucleic acid sequences. The exemplified methods by use of hybridization between labeled probes and target nucleic acid sequences include Molecular beacon method using dual-labeled probes with hairpin structure (Tyagi et al, Nature Biotechnology v.14 MARCH 1996), HyBeacon method (French D J et al., Mol. Cell Probes, 15(6):363-374(2001)), Hybridization probe method using two probes labeled each of donor and acceptor (Bernard et al, 147-148 Clin Chem 2000; 46) and Lux method using single-labeled oligonucleotides (U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,886). TaqMan method (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,210,015 and 5,538,848) using dual-labeled probes and its cleavage by 5′-nuclease activity of DNA polymerase is also widely employed in the art.
The exemplified methods using labeled primers include Sunrise primer method (Nazarenko et al, 2516-2521 Nucleic Acids Research, 1997, v.25 no.12, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,635), Scorpion primer method (Whitcombe et al, 804-807, Nature Biotechnology v.17 AUGUST 1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,145) and TSG primer method (WO 2011/078441).
As alternative approaches, real-time detection methods using duplexes formed depending on the presence of target nucleic acid sequences have been proposed: Invader assay (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,142, 6,358,691 and 6,194,149), PTOCE (PTO cleavage AND extension) method (WO 2012/096523), PCE-SH (PTO Cleavage and Extension-Dependent Signaling Oligonucleotide Hybridization) method (WO 2013/115442), PCE-NH (PTO Cleavage and Extension-Dependent Non-Hybridization) method (WO 2014/104818).
There are a number of components involved in amplification and detection of target nucleic acid sequences. Examples of the components include, without limitation, chemical components such as a primer, a probe, a label, a nucleic acid polymerase, a buffer, dNTPs, a salt, and an additive (e.g., BSA, DMSO, betaine, and a non-ionic surfactant); physical components such as an amplification vessel (e.g., a tube), a thermocycler and a detector; and other components such as a sample (particularly components included in the sample), prepared for detection of a nucleic acid sequence of interest.
The performance of such components has a significant effect on both amplification and detection of a target nucleic acid sequence.
As an example, the performance of a nucleic acid polymerase involved in extending a primer directly affects the amplification of a target nucleic acid sequence to be detected. Nucleic acid polymerases with good performance can produce amplified products at a detectable level with short cycles of PCR; whereas nucleic acid polymerases with poor performance may not yield amplified products at a detectable level even with long cycles of PCR.
As another example, the performance of an amplification device (particularly, a detector) involved in detecting a signal from a target nucleic acid sequence affects the analysis of the target signal. Amplification devices with good performance can detect all of the generated signal intensities; whereas amplification devices with poor performance may detect only some of the generated signal intensities.
The performance of components may vary depending upon various factors such as variations in performance during manufacture and deterioration of performance during storage.
For example, a decrease in polymerization activity of a nucleic acid polymerase due to improper storage conditions and a long storage period causes insufficient amplification of a target nucleic acid sequence, which may result in false-negative results even in the presence of the target nucleic acid sequence in a sample. Furthermore, variation in activity of a nucleic acid polymerase may lead to different results in the analysis for the same sample. This may be equally problematic in other components such as amplification devices.
Therefore, in order to obtain more accurate and consistent results, it would be desirable to accurately evaluate the performance of components and to use those with the same or similar performance based on the evaluation.
Typically, the evaluation of the performance of components has been performed by real-time PCR methods using a template DNA from a standard strain and primers and a labeled probe for amplifying the template DNA. However, these methods have serious drawbacks in accurately determining the performance of actual components, as follows: (i) difficulty in optimizing reaction conditions and sequences of primers and a probe used; (ii) possibility of non-specific interference between components used; (iii) low sensitivity of the reaction.
Accordingly, there remains a need to develop a novel method for evaluating the performance of a component to solve these drawbacks.
Throughout this application, various patents and publications are referenced and citations are provided in parentheses. The disclosure of these patents and publications in their entirety are hereby incorporated by references into this application in order to more fully describe this invention and the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

Evaluation of performance of components using a pair of dimer-forming primers


A range covering integers of an input list is divided into subsets according to a predetermined pattern. The encoding produces coding data including, for each subset containing at least one integer of the input list, data representing the position of this subset in the pattern, and data representing the position of each integer of the input list within this subset. This encoding process may be iterated in several coding layers. It supports very efficient methods for combining the coded integer lists.

The present invention relates to the methods of handling integer lists in computer systems.
In a non-limiting manner, the invention is applicable in the field of relational database management systems (RDBMS), where the integer lists may represent identifiers of records in various tables.
It is well known that, in computer systems, integer lists may equivalently be stored and handled in the explicit form of integer lists or in the form of bitmap vectors. A bitmap vector has binary components each indicating whether an integer corresponding to the rank of the component belongs (1) or does not belong (0) to the list. The dimension of the vector has to be at least equal to the largest integer of the list.
The bitmap representation is convenient because a variety of manipulations can be performed on the coded lists by subjecting the binary components of the vectors to Boolean operations, which are the most basic operations in the usual processors. For example integer lists are readily intersected by means of the Boolean AND operation, merged by means of the Boolean OR operation, complemented by means of the Boolean NOT operation, etc.
When the integers of the lists are potentially big, the dimension of the bitmap vectors becomes large, so that the memory space required to store the lists in that form becomes a problem. When the lists are scarcely filled with integers of the big range, the explicit integer format is much more compact: a list of K integers in the range [0, 232[requires K×32 bits vs. 232≈4.3 billion bits in the bitmap format.
Bitmap compression methods have been proposed to overcome this limitation of the bitmap representation. These methods consist in locating regions of the vectors whose components have a constant value, so as to encode only the boundaries of those regions. The remaining regions can be coded as bitmap segments. An appreciable gain is achieved when very large constant regions are found. Examples of such bitmap compression methods as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,363,098 and 5,907,297.
This type of bitmap compression optimizes the storage of the encoded integer lists, but not their handling. Multiple comparisons are required to detect overlapping bitmap segments when performing basic Boolean operation on the bitmaps (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,656). This is not computationally efficient. In addition, when the coding data of the constant regions and bitmap segments are stored in memory devices such as hard drives (i.e. not in RAM), numerous disc read operations are normally required, which is detrimental to the processing speed.
An object of the present invention is to propose alternative methods of encoding and/or combining integer lists, whereby lists of potentially large dimension can be efficiently handled.

Methods of encoding and combining integer lists in a computer system, and computer software product for implementing such methods


A radio handset includes: a signal receiver for receiving signals from a plurality of radio stations; a reception timing analyzer for analyzing reception timings of signals received by the signal reception means; a radio station selector for selecting radio stations to be used in a position calculation; and a position calculator for calculating a position of a signal reception point by using the reception timings of the signals from the selected radio stations. The radio station selector selects the radio stations to be used in the position calculation in such a manner that when reception timings of signals from two or more of the radio stations cannot be separated from one another, it is decided to exclude a signal from at least one of these radio stations.

The present invention relates to a radio handset for detecting its current position using a radio signal and in particular, to a radio handset and a position location system for accurately identifying its current position even when it is difficult to discriminate a base station from which the signal has been transmitted.
In a mobile communication system, there has been suggested a technique to detect a position of a radio handset by using a signal transmitted from a base station. For example, JP-A-7-181242 (laid open on Jul. 21, 1995) discloses a technique for detecting a handset position by using positions of base stations and propagation delay time differences between signals transmitted to a handset from different base stations in a code division multiple access (CDMA) system.
For example, in a radio communication system shown in FIG. 11, a radio handset 800 receives signals from three cellular phone base stations 801, 802, and 803. The radio handset 800 calculates signal propagation time differences, i.e., [propagation time of the signal transmitted from the base station 801xe2x80x94propagation time of the signal transmitted from the base station 802] and [propagation time of the signal transmitted from the base station 801xe2x80x94propagation time of the signal transmitted from the base station 803]. Using the propagation time differences, the radio handset 800 calculates a current position of the radio handset 800.
Here, explanation will be given on a system based on the EIA/TIA-95 specified by the TIA (Telecommunication Industry Association) which is an US CDMA digital moving communication system. In the EIA/TIA-95 system, all the base stations use the same spread code (PN code). Moreover, each of the base stations has a pilot PN offset (PN offset value) as a transmission time difference predetermined for each of the base stations for identification thereof and transmits a signal at a timing shifted from the standard timing by its PN offset value.
A radio handset calculates correlation between the received signal and the PN code so as to obtain a delay profile. For example, a correlation value between the received signal and the PN code is calculated by using a matched filter, the matched filter outputs a delay profile as shown in FIG. 12.
In FIG. 12, 901. 902, and 903 shows correlation values corresponding to signals received from the base stations 801, 802, and 803, respectively. Here, since the base stations have different PN offset values, the correlation values corresponding to the signals from the base stations are temporally separated from one another. Accordingly, in the delay file, it is possible to isolate each of the signals transmitted from the different base stations as well as received timings of the signals from the base stations. Thus, it is possible to detect a location by using the signal propagation time from the base stations.
However, in a large city where base stations are concentrated, there is a case that base stations having the same PN offset value are located in the proximity to each other. For example, when one and the same PN offset is assigned to the base station 801 and the base station 802, a delay profile waveform as shown in FIG. 13 is obtained as matched filter outputs corresponding to the base stations 801, 802, and 803. That is, since the base stations 801 and 802 have the same PN offset value, correlation values corresponding to the signals received from these base stations are overlapped at the same time as a delay profile waveform (matched filter output).
Thus, when the received signals appear almost at the same time in the delay profile, it is difficult to isolate, according to the base station, a received timing of one signal from another signal. That is, there is a high possibility that this correlation value 910 is incorrectly correlated to a signal from a particular base station. Such a mistake introduces a large error to the propagation time measurement of signals from the respective base station, thereby deteriorating the location accuracy. This means that a user cannot receive an appropriate location information service. That is, benefit of the location information service is diminished.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a radio handset capable of accurately measuring its current position even when it is difficult to isolate respective signals from different base stations.
The radio handset according to an aspect of the present invention includes: signal reception means for receiving signals from a plurality of radio stations; reception timing analysis means for analyzing reception timings of signals received by the signal reception means; radio station selection means for selecting radio stations to be used in a position calculation; and position calculation means for calculating a position of a signal reception point by using the reception timings of the signals from the selected radio stations; wherein the radio station selection means selects the radio stations to be used in the position calculation in such a manner that when reception timings of signals from two or more of the radio stations cannot be separated from one another (for example, when a plurality of radio stations have an identical PN offset value and a delay profile base don the signals from two or more radio stations are overlapped), it is decided to exclude a signal from at least one of these radio stations.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the radio handset includes reception means for receiving signals from a plurality of radio stations, delay profile creation means for creating a delay profile of the signals received by the reception means, and information transmission means for transmitting information used for calculating a position of a reception point using the delay profile, wherein when signals from two or more radio stations cannot be separated from one another in the delay profile (for example, when a plurality of radio stations have an identical PN offset value), the information transmission means transmits information used to exclude at least one of the signals from these radio stations.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a position location system including a plurality of radio stations for transmitting signals to a radio handset, reception means for receiving signals from the plurality of radio stations, and a radio handset having delay profile creation means for analyzing a delay profile of signals received by the reception means, wherein position calculation means is built in the radio handset or is provided separately for calculating a position of a reception point by using the delay profile, and wherein the position calculation means calculates the position in such a manner that when signals from two or more of the radio stations cannot be separated from one another in the delay profile (for example, when the plurality of radio stations have the same PN offset value), at least one signal thereof is excluded from the position calculation.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a position calculation apparatus including radio station selection means for selecting radio stations to be used in a position calculation, and position calculation means for calculating a position of a reception point by using reception timings of signals received by a radio handset from a plurality of radio stations, wherein in case reception timings of signals from two or more of the radio stations cannot be separated from one another (for example, when a plurality of radio stations have an identical PN offset value and delay profiles based on the signals from these radio stations are overlapped), the radio station selection means selects radio stations to be used in a position calculation in such a manner that a signal from at least one of these radio station is excluded.
In the radio handset according to the aforementioned aspects of the present invention, in case reception timings of signals from two or more radio stations cannot be separated from one another, radio station selection means excludes a signal from at least one of these radio stations when selecting radio stations to be used in the position calculation. Accordingly, even in an area where radio stations having an identical PN offset value are located in the proximity from each other, it is possible to calculate a current position of the handset with a high accuracy.

Radio handset and position location system


The invention is directed to a measuring cell for electrochemically detecting a gas sample and has at least one measuring electrode and one counter electrode disposed in a housing defining a chamber filled with an electrolyte. The measuring cell also includes a protective disc which is at least partially permeable and is improved so that the configuration of the measuring cell is substantially simpler and is of reduced volume without reducing the ion mobility in the electrolyte and with a significant supply of the electrolyte. The counter electrode is in the form of a layer and is applied to a region of the protective disc facing toward the electrolyte. This region is impermeable to the gas sample and to the electrolyte. The counter electrode is further electrically insulated from the measuring electrode and is in permanent contact with the electrolyte. Only the measuring electrode and the diffusion membrane are applied to a region of the protective disc which is permeable to the gas sample.

A measuring cell of the kind described above is disclosed in British Patent 1,344,616.
The known measuring cell includes an electrolyte chamber accommodating the measuring electrode and the counter electrode. The measuring electrode is applied as an electrically-conductive layer to the back surface of a diffusion membrane facing the electrolyte. The diffusion membrane is protected on the side thereof facing the ambient against mechanical influences by a permeable protective disc. It is necessary to provide an adequately large supply of electrolyte in order that measuring cells of the above-mentioned type are operationally and measurement ready over an adequately long time duration. The charge carriers generated at the boundary interface "electrolyte/measuring electrode/gas sample" diffuse in the electrolyte supply between the measuring electrode and the counter electrode. Accordingly, a good ion mobility is required for an adequate response time for measuring cells of this type to thereby prevent the premature exsiccation or concentration of the electrolyte. This increases the size of such measuring cells so that especially portable measuring apparatus become inconvenient to handle.
Published British patent application 2,094,005 discloses that the electrodes in the form of layers are brought as close to each other as possible. This compact electrode arrangement is however achieved with a complex wick configuration which makes it possible to bring the necessary electrolyte to the surface of the measuring electrode from the electrolyte supply.

Measuring cell for electrochemically detecting a gas


The present invention provides a glom widget to the pen user of a PC that allows them to access contextual tools near a location where they are writing. If the user selects the glom widget, a context menu drops down that contains several of the most common tools and/or commands that a user creating handwriting might want to access. The glom widget menu can also contain contextual commands that are easier to comprehend and use since they are presented directly next to the content on the page to which they relate.

Some personal computers allow a user to "write" on their computer display much as they would write on their notepad. One such computer is a tablet Personal Computer (PC) which typically includes the functionality of a laptop computer but including more input features. For example, a tablet PC allows multi-modal input in which a user can input information into the tablet by writing on the touchscreen with a pen, using a keyboard, or even using their voice. A user can take notes just as they would using traditional pen and paper. Handwriting recognition allows the user's handwriting to be converted into digital text. The form factor of a many touchscreen PCs, however, requires a user to move their entire arm and hand to access the menus and toolbars when they want to perform some sort of command. This is much more difficult and tiring than just moving your hand and wrist a little bit with a mouse on a traditional PC.


An after-air nozzle capable of reducing NOx and CO and a boiler equipped with such a nozzle are provided The after-air nozzle has a vena contracta such that an outside diameter of a flow passage diminishes towards the air-jetting port which supplies air to a boiler, and a changing apparatus changes a flow passage cross-sectional area of the vena contracta. A method of use of such an after-air nozzle and a boiler so equipped is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an after-air nozzle for a two-stage combustion boiler, and to a structure of a two-stage combustion boiler using the after-air nozzle.
2. Prior Art
Boilers are required to reduce the concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and a two-stage combustion method is applied to meet this requirement. In this method, a fuel is burnt under a state of air shortage and then air for complete combustion is supplied from an after-air nozzle. For the after-air nozzle, several structures are proposed for improved fuel-air mixture and combustion states.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 of Patent Reference 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. Hei 10-122546), a structure is proposed that has a vena contracta with its air flow passage outside diameter progressively diminished towards an air-jetting port, in an after-air nozzle. However, although recent boilers are required to reduce NOx and carbon oxide (CO) concentrations at the same time, conventional constructions have only been able to reduce either NOx or CO emissions.
Patent Reference 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. Hei 10-122546

After-air nozzle for two-stage combustion boiler, and a two-stage combustion boiler, boiler and combustion method using the same


A sterile delivery system for delivering an adhesive strip or bandage with one hand. The bandage or strip is encapsulated in a protective sterile covering, whereby the bandage or strip may be removed from its sterile covering and applied with one hand without contaminating any portion of the bandage or strip. The delivery system may be manufactured from suitable thin films and may include a blocking member positioned between the strip and the protective sterile covering. The apparatus and method to manufacture the unique bandage or strip is also disclosed.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a sterile delivery system. More particularly, this invention relates to a sterile adhesive bandage or strip, encapsulated in a protective covering, wherein the bandage or strip may be removed from the protective covering and applied with just one hand without contaminating any portion of the adhesive bandage or strip. This invention also relates to the method and apparatus for producing the sterile adhesive bandage or strip contained in the protective covering, wherein the bandages may be dispensed individually or from an interconnected, continuous roll of bandages.
II. Discussion of the Related Art
Over the years, continued refinements have been made to dispensing bandages and other sterile devices. For exemplary purposes, discussion will be directed to the manufacture and application of a commonly packaged sterile adhesive bandage. The conventional bandage includes a gauze or wound pad attached to an adhesive coated strip. Typically, adhesive bandages are contained within sterile packaging that may be assembled as individual packets or an interconnected series. Removing the sterile adhesive bandage from the package typically requires two hands and user contact with either the sterile gauze or a portion of the adhesive strip. This contact either contaminates the gauze pad or reduces the tactile adhesion of the adhesive strip. Protective gloves may be worn during the removal and handling of the sterile bandage, thereby avoiding contamination of the gauze pad, however, the use of sterile gloves is often times neither economical nor efficient and does not avoid the reduction of tactile adhesion when contacting the adhesive strip.
Various delivery systems have been described that assist the user in removing an individual sterile device from its package with only one hand. The following patents describe delivery systems that dispense the sterile device, requiring only one hand by the user: Haber, U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,797 (the '797 patent); Goldstein, U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,753 (the '753 patent); Moshel, U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,403 (the '403 patent); and Cooper U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,354 (the '354 patent). Although these disclosed delivery systems dispense the sterile device, requiring only one hand, the user must use two hands in the later application of the sterile device. Hence, there is a need for a packaged sterile device that may be dispensed and applied with only one hand.
Taulbee, deceased et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,586 (the '586 patent), and Adams IV, U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,992 (the '992 patent) both disclose an adhesive bandage dispensing package. Taulbee discloses an adhesive bandage sandwiched between an upper and lower protective strip. The adhesive side of the bandage is mounted facing downward on the lower protective strip. One end of the adhesive strip preferably attaches to a mounting pad. The mounting pad facilitates removal of the bandage from the lower protective strip, however, two hands are required to remove the mounting pad from the adhesive strip, and a portion of the sterile bandage must be contacted by the user. Therefore, a need exists for a sterile device, such as a bandage that may be dispensed and applied with one hand without contaminating any portion of the sterile device. Adams, IV, discloses a bandage dispensing package similar to Taulbee et al., which dispenses a bandage from a continuous roll. A mounting pad similar to that described by Taulbee et al. separates one end of the adhesive strips from the lower protective strip. In use, the user must use two hands to separate the mounting pad from the adhesive strip.
Heinecke et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,315 discloses a combined adhesive strip and transparent dressing delivery system. As shown in FIG. 1 the adhesive strip 22 is applied to the outside of a carrier 18 and 20. Apparently, the adhesive strip is removed from the carriers and then is later applied to a transparent backing 12 as shown in FIGS. 2a-2d. Similar to the prior devices, the Heinecke et al. system requires two hands for the removal and application. Hence, there is a need for a bandage that may be dispensed and applied with only one hand.
Gilman in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,018,516 and 4,600,001 discloses a wound dressing sandwiched between upper and lower layers of film. Although Gilman in the '001 patent describes his invention as providing "for sterility of the wound dressing layer during application", the wound dressing, lower and upper layers must be packaged in an additional enclosure to maintain sterility. The additional enclosure may increase manufacturing costs, is cumbersome, and requires additional prep time to remove the packaged wound dressing from the additional enclosure. Also, apparently the removal from the enclosure and application of the wound dressing requires two hands. Hence, a need exists for a sterile delivery system enclosing a sterile device in a single enclosure, wherein the sterile device may be dispensed and applied with only one hand. The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages.

Sterile adhesive bandage and associated methods


A support apparatus for a child's safety seat allows the user to adjust the tilt of the safety seat while maintaining a child in a safe position. The support apparatus comprises a base portion, an upper portion connected to one end of the base portion, and a bottom portion connected to an opposite end of the base portion. The upper and bottom portions may be attached to the base by adjustable hinges, or they may be attached in a fixed position. A foot support is attached to the bottom portion. The bottom portion engages the floor of a vehicle for added support. The bottom portion further includes protective braces extending from the bottom portion and running vertically along its length. Multiple protective braces create channels in which children place their legs on foot supports within each channel. A child safety seat adapted to receive the invention is also disclosed.

Almost all modes of transportation include seats for drivers or passengers. Most vehicle seats include a horizontal section for supporting an occupant's lower back and upper legs. A substantially vertical portion supports the occupant's back. Seats that are used in cars, trucks, and airplanes also typically include a restraint system (e.g., seat belts) to secure the occupant during rapid deceleration (i.e., collision).
The majority of seats found in cars, trucks, and airplanes are designed for adult passengers. These seats are unsuitable and unsafe for infants and small children. Accordingly, most, if not all states, have passed laws requiring transport of children in seats designed specifically for infants and children. This legal requirement has expanded the market for children's car seats.
Children's car seats typically are of three types, although there are numerous variations of each. The first is the infant car seat. Infant car seats are cradle-like structures that rest on the lower portion of the seat. Infant car seats are usually designed as inserts that can be easily removed from the car without removing the child from the car seat. Infant car seats are held in place by the car's seat belt system or by an anchor system installed in the vehicle seat. Infant car seats have a self-contained restraint system that secures the infant into the seat. Children up to about twenty pounds sit in an infant seat that is usually installed so that the child faces the rear of the car.
The second kind of child safety seat is the forward facing seat that holds children that weigh between about twenty and forty pounds. This seat is also held in place by the vehicle's seat belt system or possibly by anchors that are installed within the vehicle seat.
The third kind of car seat is the booster seat. This type of seat is designed for children that are too large for other safety seats but are not big enough to safely sit in a standard vehicle seat without extra support. A booster seat is typically formed in the shape of a small seat with a lower portion that is generally parallel to the lower portion of the underlying seat and a back support that is generally parallel to the back support of the underlying seat. The booster seat lifts the child up and away from the underlying seat to a position where the child can be safely restrained by the car's seat belt system. The booster seat may or may not be attached to the underlying seat. Booster seats hold children that typically weigh between forty and eighty pounds.
One problem that exists with child safety seats is that current designs tend to have the child sitting in an upright position where the child's back is close to vertical. Although an upright position can be beneficial in many ways, children often fall asleep during car trips. If the child's back is close to vertical and the child falls asleep, the child's head may fall forward and restrict the child's airway.
Another problem that exists with child safety seats is that current designs lack adequate adjustable foot support. This results in discomfort and possible loss of blood circulation in the child's legs on long automobile trips.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,308,315 to Smith discusses a booster type car seat for a child. The seat includes a padded seat portion, an adjustable back rest, and an adjustable foot rest. The back rest and the foot rest may be adjusted to place the child in a reclined position.
Although the Smith seat is capable of placing a child in a reclined position and provides a foot rest, Smith fails to disclose a brace member extending from the foot rest to the floor of the automobile. The Smith seat, therefore, has no support on the bottom.
Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,203 to Henley. The Henley '203 patent discusses a vehicle passenger seat for handicapped persons. The embodiments shown in the patent are primarily designed for adults. The seats comprise a rigid seat and back portion with an adjustable foot rest extending from the seat portion. The seats discussed in Henley are rigid in nature and cannot be reclined. Furthermore, the adjustable foot rest is not described as reaching the floor to provide a point of support for the seat.
Yet another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,745 to Hazel. The Hazel '745 patent discusses an insert for a child or infant car seat having a back portion, a seat portion and a leg portion. The back portion and the seat portion may be hinged together or rigidly joined. The seat portion and the leg portion, however, are rigidly fixed in each embodiment. The leg portion is not designed to reach all the way to the floor of a vehicle or provide support for the seat and back portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,278 to Weimer, et al. is directed to an adjustable foot rest for a car seat. The foot rest is preferably attached to a child's car seat via a hinge. The foot rest includes a vertical plate depending from the hinge and a second plate attached to the vertical plate via a dowel structure. A third plate upon which a child's feet rest is attached to the second plate. The dowel structure slides up and down the vertical plate and is secured by placing the dowel in various holes along the length of the vertical plate. The Weimer foot rest is not designed to make contact with the floor of a vehicle or provide an additional means of support for the child seat. Likewise, the Weimer foot rest is incapable of providing the means to adjust the angle of the car seat's backrest.
Along these lines, U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,911 to Kassai is directed to an infant's car seat or a seat for a very small child. The seat includes an upper base section and a lower base section with an adjustment means connecting the two sections. The adjustment means is designed to change the angle of inclination of a car seat and the child within the seat. The seat is designed to allow the positioning of a child in a substantially horizontal orientation. Although the Kassai seat provides for the horizontal positioning of a child, thus preventing the child's head from falling forward during sleep, the Kassai seat is directed toward infants and very small children. The Kassai seat fails to disclose any means of foot support that would be necessary or desirable for an older child. Likewise, the Kassai seat fails to disclose or suggest the use of a foot support as means of providing support or adjustment of a car seat.
Yet another example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,682 to Rosko. The Rosko '682 patent is directed to a child vehicle seat with a shoulder strap guide. The seat includes a molded plastic seat shell formed to include a seat portion having a back edge and a back support portion coupled thereto. The back support portion has a u-shaped perimeter and a plurality of tabs extending from an outer leg of the u-shaped perimeter. The tabs cooperate with the perimeter to form channels adapted to receive a shoulder portion of a seat belt. The Rosko '682 patent fails to teach or suggest, however, the use of a foot support as a mechanism for providing support or adjustment of a car seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,085 to MacLiver also discloses a child's safety seat, particularly for accommodating more than one child. The seat can be provided with a back portion and a base portion which are sub-divided to provide a plurality of individual seats. The seat may be provided with adjustable support legs that bear down on the inner sills of a motor vehicle to provide additional rigidity and support. The MacLiver '085 patent further provides a rearward-facing seat in a semi-reclined position for small children. The MacLiver '085 patent fails to teach, however, the adjustability of the seat portion to a reclining position for a larger child. The MacLiver '085 patent also fails to teach or suggest the use of a foot rest.
A review of child safety seat technology shows that a need exists for an apparatus that would allow a child to recline more comfortably in a safety seat. One goal of the invention herein is to provide an apparatus that assists in maintaining a child's body in a safe and proper orientation when the child is sitting in the safety seat. Of particular concern is ensuring the optimum position of the safety seat and preventing compromise to neck structures (e.g., airway, neuro-vascular structures, or muscular-skeletal structures) while the child sleeps in the seat and potentially in the case of sudden stops or accidents. A further need exists for an apparatus that safely restrains a child in a safety seat while providing a foot support to prevent a child's legs from dangling downward for prolonged periods of riding.
The devices shown in the prior art further fail to provide any cushioning or protective padding for a child's legs as they hang below the standard car seat. In the case of an accident, the child's legs are vulnerable to shearing forces that could cause serious injury. A need exists in the art for an apparatus that provides a child a secure foot rest while simultaneously protecting the child's legs from harm.


A device for supported by roof structure utilizing a platform having first and second surfaces the second surface bears on the roof. The platform includes a slot between the first and second surfaces which accepts a slidable element. An element is formed with a flange and extending legs which form a chamber within the slot of the platform. The flange portion of the element is provided with an opening to accept a fastener which extends through the chamber into the roof. A filler material occupies the chamber and protects the fastener within the chamber.

The present invention relates to a novel roof structure support device.
Many electronic devices are mounted on rooftops of buildings, such as commercial structures. For example, microwave antennas, communication towers, cellular phone antennas, and the like are commonly mounted on rooftops. Moreover, it is important that virtually all of these apparatuses be fenced or screened for safety and/or aesthetic reasons.
The mounting of any structure to a rooftop inherently involves penetrating the membrane of the roof. Of course, care must be taken to maintain the water tight integrity of a roof membrane when such structures are mounted to the roof.
In the past, items have been erected on rooftops followed by construction of a berm or build-up of roof-like material around the fasteners which have penetrated the roof. It has been found that this system of maintaining the watertight integrity of a roof membrane is expensive and tends to be unreliable over a period of time, since the berm filled with pitch-like material erodes under the influence of weather elements such as rain, ice, ultra-violet light, and the like.
A system for mounting roof supported structures which protects the roof membrane would be a notable advance in the construction and communication fields.


A firearm receiver assembly is disclosed herein. The firearm receiver assembly includes a receiver having at least two pillar apertures. The firearm receiver assembly also includes a chassis having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion. The receiver is configured to be set within the top portion. The firearm receiver assembly also includes a bottom metal having a top side, a bottom side, a proximate end, and a distal end. More so, the firearm receiver assembly includes at least two integrated pillars extending from the top side of the bottom metal. The at least two integrated pillars are configured to align with the pillar apertures of the receiver.

Bolt action firearms are unique weapons comprising a bolt coupled to an operating handle that is cycled within the firearm's receiver when a user manually advances/retracts and rotates the bolt. Bolt action firearms are a favorite among hunters and precision rifle shooters, because bolt action firearms are known for their accuracy and reliability. In most configurations, bolt action firearms comprise a stock, a barrel, a bolt, a magazine, a trigger, a receiver, bottom metal (also known as a trigger guard), and a forestock. Ambient environmental conditions may cause stock distortion (i.e., expansion and contraction of the stock) which, in turn, may decrease the accuracy of the bolt action firearm. Additionally, after substantial use of the bolt action firearm, the forces associated with the firing may change the spacing between the stock, the bottom metal, and the receiver—resulting in a decrease of the firearm's accuracy.
Bolt action firearms are typically assembled by hand and by multiple assemblers. It is well known that the bolt action firearm components (i.e., stock, bottom metal, chassis, and receiver) are very hard to properly space, fit, and install on a consistent basis via hand assembly with multiple users. As a result, consumers who want properly spaced, fitted, and assembled bolt action firearms typically utilize expensive gunsmiths to ensure a proper and correct alignment and adjustment post purchase.
Accordingly, there remains a need for improving the fit and installation of bolt action firearm components that are configured to maintain firearm accuracy with substantial use and that can withstand various ambient environmental conditions.