A wheel alignment angle measuring apparatus according to the present invention computes variation energy sums EA″ and EB″ and a reference wheel referencing alignment angle (a toe angle TBR) based on an anteroposterior force variation rate dFx and a lateral force variation rate dFy generated in a reference wheel (RL). Furthermore, the alignment angle measuring apparatus computes a non-reference wheel referencing alignment angle (a toe angle TNBR) of a non-reference wheel (FL), and then computes a toe angle TNBA to be specified for the non-reference wheel, based on the toe angle TNBR and a difference between a toe angle TBR and the toe angle TI. According to the thus configured wheel alignment angle measuring apparatus, it is possible to determine a value of an alignment angle that allows characteristics of lateral forces generated in front and rear wheels to be approximated to each other, when the alignment angles of wheels are adjusted based on the characteristics of the lateral forces generated in the wheels.

For a wheel of a four-wheeled motor vehicle (hereinafter, as appropriate, referred to as a vehicle in short) such as a passenger automobile, certain "alignment angles" including a camber angle (an angle formed by a longitudinal center line of the wheel and a plumb line when the wheel mounted on the vehicle is viewed from a front face of the vehicle), a toe angle (an angle formed by a horizontal diameter line (a equatorial line) of the wheel, and a straight line passing the anteroposterior center of the vehicle when the vehicle travels straight forward), and a caster angle (an angle formed by a king pin shaft and a plumb line when the wheel is viewed from a side face of the vehicle) are generally determined in consideration of: obtainment of traveling stability (for example, steerability and stability); and prevention of local abrasion of a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle.
A specified value of those alignment angles is determined for each vehicle in a designing stage of vehicles, and the alignment angles of each wheel are adjusted, as needed, based on the specified value by use of a wheel alignment angle measuring apparatus (what is termed a wheel alignment measuring apparatus) , for example, in replacing a pneumatic tire or a tire wheel.
Additionally, a method of adjusting an alignment angle (toe angle), which should be specified, is disclosed in consideration of a possibility that an ideal value of the alignment angles may change with a change of vehicle conditions such as a case where pneumatic tires or tire wheels mounted on a vehicle are exchanged (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2000-62639 (pp. 4-7 and FIG. 15)) In this method, the alignment angle (toe angle) is adjusted according to a characteristic of a lateral force Fy generated in a wheel, more specifically, a variation rate of the lateral force Fy (for example, the sum of squares of a first-order differential value).
In this adjusting method, first of all, the lateral force Fy is continuously measured in a predetermined period including a time point when a reference wheel (for example, a rear wheel) runs on a predetermined protrusion (for example, a plate-like object). Subsequently, based on a waveform indicating temporal changes of the lateral force Fy generated in the rear wheel, a toe angle of a non-reference wheel (for example, a front wheel) generating a lateral force Fy forming a waveform approximated as much as possible is obtained through an arithmetic operation.
According to the adjustment method, a variation rate (a characteristic) of the lateral forces Fy generated respectively in the rear wheel and in the front wheel become equal to each other, whereby a steering characteristic of a vehicle can be made close to the neutral steer.
However, the above described method of adjusting an alignment angle (a toe angle) has had a problem that should be solved for improvement. In other words, in the above described method of adjusting an alignment angle (a toe angle), the toe angle of the front wheel generating the lateral force Fy forming the waveform approximated as much as possible to the foregoing waveform is obtained through the arithmetic operation based on the waveform indicating the temporal changes of the lateral force Fy generated in the rear wheel, but there has been a limit in adjusting the toe angle so as to generate the lateral force Fy forming the waveform approximated as much as possible to the foregoing waveform.
That is, there has been a problem that, depending on a kind or the like of a vehicle, a pneumatic tire or a tire wheel, there is a case where temporal changes of the lateral force Fy generated in the front wheel cannot be sufficiently approximated to the temporal changes of the lateral force Fy generated in the rear wheel.
Consequently, the present invention has been made in consideration of a situation as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wheel alignment angle measuring apparatus and a wheel alignment angle measuring method, which can determine an alignment angle enabling characteristics of lateral force generated respectively in a front wheel and in a rear wheel to be approximated to each other.

Wheel alignment angle measuring apparatus and wheel alignment angle measuring method


A specimen for atom probe analysis is prepared by providing a slab of material from which the specimen will be taken; defining a plurality of posts in the slab by in the slab; removing at least one post from the slab; and mounting the post. The post is shaped to a tip shape suitable for use in the atom probe, such as by focused ion beam milling the post to a tip shape. Grooves are cross cut into the slab. If needed, each groove is filled with a supporting material prior to cutting a parallel or intersecting groove thereto. The invention is also defined as a source of specimens for use in atom probe sampling comprising a slab of material from which the specimen will be taken, which has been defined into a plurality of posts and from which slab at least one post is removed from the slab and mounted.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of atom probe field ion microscopy and in particular for application to materials that can not be prepared for atom probe field ion microscopy using electropolishing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The frontiers of geology and material science are constantly pushing the limits of detection of elemental distributions to ever finer scales. Atom probe field ion microscopy (APFIM) is a highly attractive technique in these fields despite the inherent difficulties in analyzing semiconducting and insulating materials. The local electrode atom probe (LEAP) shows potential for overcoming some of the difficulties in analyzing low conductivity samples. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is developing a prototype miniature local electrode atom probe (Mini-LEAP) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for in-situ implementation in remote and extraterrestrial environments.
In conjunction with the development of the Mini-LEAP, a conventional APFIM study of several poorly conducting materials, has been initiated. Previous attempts to study rutile (TiO2) and magnetite (Fe3O4) have shown how difficult samples of poorly conducting materials are to prepare for APFIM analysis.
Sharp APFIM specimens are generally produced using straightforward electropolishing methods. However, metallic multilayered samples and samples with specific geometries are much more difficult to prepare using electropolishing. The focused ion beam (FIB) was first used by Larsen et. al. in 1998 to trim multilayered metallic samples for APFIM using line milling at low angles to the axis of the specimen. Later, in 1999 an annular milling pattern centered on the axis of the specimen was used by Larsen to mill sharp, cylindrical specimens of these metallic multilayers.
Camus, Melmed and Banfield introduced the method of sharp shards (MSS) in 1991 for preparing samples that are not amenable to chemical etching. Sharp shards alone proved insufficient for successful APFM and the technique was abandoned. Kuhlman, et al. (2001) took advantage of the advances in FIB milling in combination with the MSS to produce successful APFIM specimens of poorly conducting magnetite (Fe3O4). The current work takes advantage of advances in microelectronics fabrication to more precisely shape and sharpen poorly conducting materials into APFIM specimens. These specimens require far less FIB milling, a time-intensive and expensive procedure.
The prior method is called the method of sharp shards because it involves crushing the material of interest and selecting microscopic sharp shards of the material for use as specimens. Each selected shard is oriented with its sharp tip facing away from the tip of a stainless-steel pin and is glued to the tip of the pin by use of silver epoxy. The MSS method is extended by use of a focused ion beam (FIB) to make the shard very thin (relative to its length) and to make its tip cylindrical and even sharper. The method of sharp shards is extremely time-consuming because the selection of shards must be performed with the help of a microscope, the shards must be positioned on the pins by use of micromanipulators, and the irregularity of size and shape necessitates days of FIB milling to sharpen each shard.

Method of sample preparation for atom probes and source of specimens


Metal oxide heteropolycondensates of tin and boron, particularly heteropolycondensates of this type wherein the major amount of the metal oxide is tin oxide, and a minor amount is boron oxide. The quantity of boron oxide is sufficient to enhance the conductivity of the composition.

Tin oxide coatings have been applied to glass to make it more antistatic. For example, such coatings have been applied to the surface of cathode ray tubes and similar devices, where the buildup of static charges is undesirable. Antistatic coatings combat the accumulation of dust on surfaces where dust impairs the function of the article.
Antistatic coatings are useful in other arts as well. For example, it is well known that numerous types of photographic film supports have the tendency to produce charges of static electricity during winding and unwinding, and that these charges do not easily dissipate, because the materials that are used as film supports usually are poor electrical conductors. High potentials that have been created in this manner, may discharge suddenly in the course of manufacture or in the course of utilization of the product by the user, causing flashes of light from static electricity and an undesirable recording of the static electricity discharge on a radiationsensitive layer, such as a layer of photographic emulsion. In order to avoid this result, it is customary in the prior art to apply to the backing of the film support an electrically conductive layer, also referred to as an antistatic layer, to facilitate the dissipation of the static charges, and thus avoid the sudden discharges and the resulting light flashes which otherwise would damage the radiation-sensitive layer. The antistatic coating need not be applied to the backing of the film support, as stated above. Alternatively, it may be applied in a subbing layer or in a conductive overcoat (COC).
Known antistatic layers generally consist of a binder in which is%dispersed an organic or inorganic conductive substance to render the surface on which the layer is coated, for example, a film support, sufficiently conductive to make possible the flow of the electrostatic charges to a discharge means. Most often, antistatic layers are more or less hygroscopic layers, the efficiencies of which vary as a function of the degree of humidity in the air. Some layers may not be very suitable for use under conditions of low relative humidity because they are no longer sufficiently conductive. Likewise, some hygroscopic layers are not very suitable at conditions of high humidity because they become sticky. It is difficult to separate them from the surfaces to which they adhere. The effort that is necessary to separate two superimposed, layers, for example, sometimes creates charges higher than those that would appear in the absence of any antistatic layer.
An object of this invention is to provide a tin oxide composition that has enhanced electroconductive properties. Another object is to provide antistatic coatings produced from the compositions of this invention. Still another object is go provide a low temperature method for producing antistatic coatings.
These objects have been satisfied by providing a composition which comprises tin oxide and boron oxide covalently bound in a polymeric network. These compositions are made in organic solvent solution by a process which does not produce a colloid, but which provides a solution of the inorganic polymer or oligomer. The solution can be used to prepare a coating on a substrate, i.e. the organic solvent can be used as a vehicle for spreading the polymer on the surface to be coated. The solvent can be readily removed by vaporization at low temperature. After solvent removal, the coating, film or layer is transparent, and provides antistatic properties to the surface or substrate being treated.
The coating process of this invention is inexpensive, and readily carried out without the need for costly machinery. Furthermore, it has been found that it is not necessary to cure the coating at elevated temperatures greater than about 150.degree. C. to reduce electrical resistivity. This finding, and the degree of antistatic property conferred by the coating, were entirely unexpected.

Fiber element containing tin oxide heteropolycondensates with enhanced electrical conductivity


A vehicle control apparatus for implementing inter-vehicle distance control of a subject vehicle carrying the apparatus behind a preceding vehicle based on reflected waves from a target that is a reflecting portion of the preceding vehicle. In the apparatus, a distance estimator is configured to calculate an estimated distance as an inter-vehicle distance between a rear end of the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle based on an inter-vehicle distance variation calculated based on a relative speed of the target. A target determiner is configured to determine whether or not the target is displaced forward of the rear end of the preceding vehicle. A controller is configured to, when the target of the preceding vehicle is displaced forward of the rear end of the preceding vehicle, implement the inter-vehicle distance control based on the estimated distance calculated by the distance estimator.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control apparatus for controlling an inter-vehicle distance between a vehicle carrying the apparatus and a preceding vehicle.
2. Related Art
A vehicle control apparatus is known that is configured to control an inter-vehicle distance between a vehicle carrying the apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a subject vehicle) and a preceding vehicle. Such a vehicle control apparatus may use a radar device to calculate a distance to the preceding vehicle and a relative speed of the preceding vehicle. The radar device is configured to transmit radar waves to the front of the subject vehicle and receive reflected waves from a target present forward of the subject vehicle, and calculate a distance to the target and a relative speed and a lateral position of the target to generate target information about the target.
The vehicle control apparatus is configured to, based on the target information, identify a target that is closest to the subject vehicle among a plurality of targets as a preceding vehicle, and control travel of the subject vehicle to bring the inter-vehicle distance between the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle to a preset target inter-vehicle distance.
At a decreased distance from the preceding vehicle, the radar device may fail to detect a target corresponding to the rear end of the preceding vehicle. For example, in a case where the preceding vehicle is a large vehicle having the rear end at an elevated position, approach of the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle may cause "underriding" or the like in some mounting conditions of the radar-device on the vehicle front, which refers to an event that the radar waves travel beneath a chassis of the like of the preceding vehicle. In such a case, a forward portion, rather than the rear end, of the preceding vehicle may be incorrectly identified as a target of the preceding vehicle that is closest to the subject vehicle.
Implementation of the inter-vehicle distance control of the subject vehicle behind such an incorrectly identified target may lead to an event that the inter-vehicle distance between the rear end of the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle rapidly decreases as compared to the target inter-vehicle distance.
To prevent such failure, a known technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-330890 is configured to correct the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle. Such a technique is configured to, when a difference between previous and current values of the inter-vehicle distance increases above a predetermined value, determine that the underriding has occurred, store the difference between previous and current values of the inter-vehicle distance as an offset, and subtract the offset from the current value of the inter-vehicle distance, thereby enabling the inter-vehicle distance control to be implemented behind the rear end of the preceding vehicle even when the rear end of the preceding vehicle fails to be detected as a target.
However, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-330890 does not take into account a case that the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle becomes spaced apart from each other. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the inter-vehicle distance control such that the inter-vehicle distance between the rear end of the preceding vehicle and the subject vehicle can be controlled to the preset target inter-vehicle distance also in such a case.
In consideration of the foregoing, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a vehicle control apparatus capable of properly implementing inter-vehicle distance control of a vehicle carrying the apparatus behind a preceding vehicle.


A computerized engineering database feedback system provides special processing instructions for processing materials in a production process, and provides historical information related to the materials processed according to the special processing instructions. The system includes a request entry device through which requesting personnel may input special processing information indicating a way to process the materials differently from a normal way of processing of the materials. An instruction processing device receives the special processing information and generates the special-processing instructions based thereon. A process station device receives the special-processing instructions, and presents the special-processing instructions to material-processing personnel. The process station device also provides for inputting material information from the material-processing personnel, where the material information indicates one or more characteristics of the material processed according to the special-processing instructions. The system also includes a relational database in which the special processing information and the material information are compiled and related. An information retrieval device accesses the relational database, searches the relational database for material information related to special processing information, or searches the relational database for special processing information related to material information. Using the system, an engineer who wishes to have a lot of material processed in a special way for an engineering experiment may provide process operators with special-processing instructions. The system also allows the process operators to input information and test data related to the material that is processed according to the special instructions. Further, the system makes the results of the engineering experiment readily available to the company community in the relational database. By accessing the database, company engineers may view the results of previously-conducted experiments, and may thereby avoid wasting company resources by unnecessarily repeating the same experiments.

This invention relates to the field of process control. More particularly the invention relates to generating instructions for controlling a process according to an engineering run request, and compiling information concerning materials that are processed according to the engineering run request.
Engineers involved in the design and fabrication of semiconductor devices and materials are constantly seeking ways to make improvements to the product or the manufacturing process used to fabricate the product. To make these improvements, engineers at times wish to perform experiments involving changes to the process or xe2x80x9crecipe.xe2x80x9d The materials processed according to the changed recipe are tested and data is collected to determine whether the changes had the desired effect.
Conventionally, engineers request changes in the manufacturing process by filling out a form, referred to as an Engineering Run Request (ERR). The Engineering Run Request provides specific engineering-related processing instructions that change the process flow used on a particular lot of material. The Engineering Run Request instructions may request additional inspections or processing that is completely different than normal to produce xe2x80x9cskew lots.xe2x80x9d After completion by the engineer, the Engineering Run Request typically receives a number of approval signatures before it may be implemented
Once submitted and approved, the Engineering Run Request is associated with a particular lot of material as the material moves through the factory. At each step in the process flow, the process operators must determine, based on the Engineering Run Request form, what changes in the process are requested, and to which lot of material the changes apply.
Typically, once the materials are processed according to the Engineering Run Request, the requesting engineer collects and analyzes engineering data on the lot of material to verify whether the experiment was successful. A material review board must then determine whether the material meets a customer""s requirements so that it may be shipped to the customer, or whether the material must be scrapped.
There are several problems with this conventional scenario. First, the engineer may not include enough detail in the Engineering Run Request for the process operators to completely understand what changes are being requested. Even if the changed process steps are correctly stated on the Engineering Run Request, the operator may perform the steps incorrectly, or perform the changed steps on the wrong lot of material.
The engineering data collected by the engineer is often never reported, but instead ends up in the engineer""s files where it is never seen by other interested parties. Later, another engineer at the same or another manufacturing facility who is not aware of the other engineer""s work requests the same or a similar experiment on another lot of material. This duplication of effort consumes engineering time and wastes company resources.
When the material review board must determine what to do with the lot of material processed according to an Engineering Run Request, they typically must call the engineer to their meeting to present the results of the experiment. This is another waste of time and resources.
What is needed, therefore, is an automated system for reliably providing to process operators process change instructions associated with an engineering experiment, verifying that the process changes have been correctly implemented at each step in the process, and making the results of the engineering experiment readily available to the company community.
The above and other needs are met by a computerized system for providing special processing instructions for processing materials in a production process, and for providing historical information related to the materials processed according to the special processing instructions. The system includes a request entry device through which requesting personnel may input special processing information indicating a way to process the materials differently from a normal way of processing of the materials. An instruction processing device, which is linked to the request entry device, receives the special processing information and generates the special-processing instructions based thereon. A process station device, which is linked to the instruction processing device, receives the special-processing instructions, and presents the special-processing instructions to material-processing personnel. The process station device also provides for inputting material information from the material-processing personnel, where the material information indicates one or more characteristics of the material processed according to the special-processing instructions. The system also includes a relational database in which the special processing information and the material information are compiled and related. An information retrieval device, which is linked to the relational database, accesses the relational database, searches the relational database for material information related to special processing information, or searches the relational database for special processing information related to material information.
Using the system, an engineer who wishes to have a lot of material processed in a special way for an engineering experiment may provide process operators with special-processing instructions. The system also allows the operators to input information and test data related: to the material that is processed according to the special instructions. Further, the system makes the results of the engineering experiment readily available to the company community in the relational database. By accessing the database, company engineers may view the results of previously-conducted experiments, and may thereby avoid wasting company resources by unnecessarily repeating the same experiments.
In preferred embodiments, the instruction processing device generates the special-processing instructions as a sequential list of actions to be performed to process the materials according to the special processing information, and provides an action from the list to the process station device for presentation to the material-processing personnel. The process station device receives the action from the instruction processing device, presents the action to the material-processing personnel, and receives input from the material-processing personnel indicating that the action is complete. Based on the input from the material-processing personnel indicating that the action has been completed, the process station device generates an action-complete indication and provides the action-complete indication to the instruction processing device. Only after the instruction processing device has received the action-complete indication associated with the most previous action does it provide a next action from the sequential list to the process station device. In this manner, the system ensures that the material-processing personnel proceed to the next action in the list only after completing all previous actions in the list.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method for providing special-processing instructions for processing materials in a production process, and for providing historical information related to the materials processed according to the special-processing instructions. The method includes (a) inputting special processing information indicating a way to process the materials differently from a normal way of processing of the materials, (b) generating the special-processing instructions based on special processing information, (c) presenting the special-processing instructions to material-processing personnel, and (d) receiving material information from the material-processing personnel, where the material information indicates one or more characteristics of the material processed according to the special-processing instruction The method also includes (e) compiling and relating the special processing information and the material information in a relational database.


A generator system with a generator connected between a first preexisting pipe and a second preexisting pipe. The generating system can have a non-magnetic section of pipe, a flux guide, a plurality of coils, a non-rotating stator a rotating device, a plurality of rare earth, and a controller. Fluid flows through the first preexisting pipe flange towards the second preexisting pipe flange, which causes the rotating device to turn the rotating shaft that rotates the plurality of rare earth magnets to provide a magnetic flux energizing the plurality of coils generating a current of sufficient energy to produce at least six watts continuously.

A need exists for an in-pipe generator system for producing current using momentum of a fluid in a fluid pipe.
A need exists for an in-pipe generator system for a pipeline that requires no holes be created in the preexisting sections of pipe for leak tight integrity during operation.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.


An Active Roll Control System for a motor vehicle that utilizes small valves to control large flows. Flow is supplied by a hydraulic pump which is powered in some fashion by the motor vehicle. Flow is directed to the actuators by a three-position-four-way valve that is controlled by two pairs of small ABS style solenoid valves. This allows for a minimum of power to be supplied by the vehicle to operate the system. Also, this valve arrangement allows a desirable failure mode whereby hydraulic fluid is locked into the hydraulic actuators, there by locking in the anti-roll bar in case of a system failure.

This invention relates in general to vehicle suspension systems and in particular to an integrated control unit for an active roll control system.
Vehicle suspension systems control chassis motion during operation of the vehicle in order to isolate the vehicle load from irregularities in the terrain over which the vehicle travels. One such chassis motion, that is controlled by know suspension systems, is chassis roll. A vehicle experiences chassis roll during a turning maneuver. During chassis roll, the chassis tilts or "rolls" about the vehicle's fore-to-aft axis toward an outside direction of the turn.
In the past, vehicles have been provided with passive suspension systems that normally include a spring and damper connected between sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle. Accordingly, a spring and damper is typically provided for each vehicle wheel. Passive suspension systems are generally self-contained and only react to loads applied to them.
More recently, active suspension systems have been developed that apply positive reactions to applied loads. Active suspension systems typically include hydraulic or pneumatic actuators that are coupled to the passive suspension system components. A typical prior art active suspension system with a roll control system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The roll control system 10 includes an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 12 that is in electrical communication with at least one wheel speed sensor 14, a lateral accelerometer 16 and a steering angle detector 18 that together provide a means for sensing forces that cause the vehicle to roll. The roll control system 10 also includes a front anti-roll bar 20 and a front cylinder and piston assembly 22 associated with the vehicle front wheels 24. Similarly, a rear anti-roll bar 25 and a rear cylinder and piston assembly 26 are associated with the rear wheels 28. The front and rear anti-roll bars 20 and 25 are connected to the vehicle body (not shown) and, via the front and rear cylinder and piston assemblies 22 and 26 and a strut 30a, or via a strut 30b, to the vehicle wheels at pairs of suspension arms 24a and 28a associated with the front and rear wheels 24 and 28, respectively. A pump 32 has an intake port connected by a first hydraulic line to a fluid reservoir 34 and a discharge port connected by a second hydraulic line to a fluid control device 36. The fluid control device 36 is connected by other hydraulic lines to the front and rear cylinder and piston assemblies 22 and 26.
A fluid schematic drawing for the roll control system 10 is shown in FIG. 2 where components that are similar to components shown in FIG. 1 have the same numerical designators. As shown in FIG. 2, the pump 32 also supplies hydraulic fluid to a power steering valve assembly 52. Indeed, because so many vehicles are equipped with power steering, the power steering pump is typically used to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to both the power steering valve assembly 52 and the roll control system 10, as shown in FIG. 2. Hydraulic fluid flows from the power steering valve assembly 52 to a pressure differential valve 54 that can establish a pressure differential thereacross to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the roll control system fluid control device 36. A check valve 56 prevents back flow of hydraulic fluid from the control device 36 to the power steering valve assembly 52. A relief valve 58 that bypasses the pressure differential valve 54 protects the power steering valve assembly 52 from excessive fluid pressures that may develop in the roll control system 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the fluid control device 36 includes a three position solenoid actuated control valve 37 that is operative to apply pressurized hydraulic fluid to one side of the pistons contained in the cylinder and piston assemblies 22 and 26 while venting hydraulic fluid from the other side of the pistons. Operation of the control valve 37 causes each of the pistons to move in a selected axial direction within its associated cylinder. As the vehicle is driven along a straight line, the control device 36 is not actuated. When not actuated, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the control valve 37 connects both sides of the pistons directly to the fluid reservoir 34. As a result, the cylinder and piston assemblies 22 and 25 approach equilibrium with the pistons "floating" within their respective cylinders.
During operation of the vehicle, the ECU 12 receives input signals from the wheel speed sensor 14, the lateral accelerometer 16 and the steering angle detector 18. The ECU 12 processes the input signals to determine any roll of the vehicle relative to the wheels 24 and 28. Based upon the determination, the ECU 12 activates the fluid control device 36 to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to one end of the cylinder and piston assemblies 24 and 26. In response, the pistons move axially within the cylinders to input a torque through the anti-roll bars 20 and 25 to cancel the roll of the vehicle. For example, when the shuttle in the valve 37 is shifted to the right in FIG. 2, the pistons are urged in a downward axial direction. Conversely, when the shuttle is shifted to the left in FIG. 2, the pistons are urged in an upward direction.
Additional details of the roll control system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are included in U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,324, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Integrated control unit for an active roll control system for a vehicle suspension system


In one embodiment, simulation systems and methods perform tessellation, on a GPU in a simulation system, of finite element method (FEM) elements in one or more simulated objects using physics solution data directly obtained by the GPU from the solver. In one embodiment, software compiled to run on the GPU can process the raw, native physics solution data to tessellate non-linear FEM elements without requiring preprocessing or ray tracing. In one embodiment, the tessellation can be performed on the fly based on a user's selected view of the simulated objects, and the selected view can be used to select a subset of the FEM elements and perform a tessellation on only the subset. In one embodiment, a level of tessellation can be dynamically determined based on the user's selected view.

This disclosure relates to the field of computer simulations of physical objects during the design or evaluation of the objects, and more particularly relates to tessellation methods used in such simulations.
Such simulations typically involve the use of laws, models or principles in physics to analyze physical phenomena such as aerodynamic phenomena caused by an airplane wing's movement through air or thermal behavior of a smartphone that is used in a video conference call and is also exposed to the sun on a hot day during the call, etc. These simulations often use finite element methods (FEM) to compute physics based solutions to equations that describe the physical phenomena. The result of these computed solutions is often displayed on a display device that is coupled to the simulation system, and these computed solutions display data representative of the physics solution data on one or more meshes on the simulated objects. Often, different colors on the displayed mesh represent different physical values (e.g., red for hot temperatures and blue for colder temperatures, etc.). Conventional approaches to generating these meshes uses the central processing unit (CPU) of the simulation system to generate the physics solution data on linear or non-linear FEM elements on the object and then the CPU tessellates the FEM objects into planar 2D (two dimension) elements to create the final mesh. The CPU then provides the tessellated linear 2D mesh to a graphics processing unit (GPU) which can then generate pixel values within each tessellated linear element provided by the CPU, and the GPU will fill the frame buffer with these pixel values. This approach is required because GPUs support only linear (2D or 1D) primitives natively. An alternative approach, ViZiR 4 (see https://pyamg.saclay.inria.fr/vizir4.html), uses a preprocessing step to convert non-linear FEM elements into triangles and then the GPU is provided the resulting triangles. Also see the following publications: Feuillet, R., Maunoury, M., and Loseille, A. (2021). On pixel-exact rendering for high-order mesh and solution. Journal of Computational Physics, 424:109860 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S00210991203); and Loseille, A. and Feuillet, R. (2018). Vizir: High-order mesh and solution visualization using OpenGL 4.0 graphic pipeline. In 2018 AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, page 1174 (https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2018-1174). These prior approaches tend to require too much computational resources to generate an intermediate result mesh from the physics data to display the physics solution data on a mesh on a display.

Efficient shape-accurate finite element mesh visualization


An automatic shut off circuit for controlling the flow of a gas through a gas separation system is disclosed. The gas separation system includes a gas separation module for separating nitrogen from air, and a non-electric automatic shut off circuit for controlling the delivery of air to the gas separation module. The non-electric automatic shut off circuit includes a pneumatically operated valve that enables or inhibits a flow of air to the gas separation module, and a pneumatic pressure switch operatively coupled to the pneumatically operated valve, wherein the pneumatic pressure switch monitors a pressure indicative of a demand for nitrogen, and the pneumatic pressure switch commands the pneumatically operated valve to enable or inhibit the flow of air based on the monitored pressure.

Due to its inert properties, nitrogen gas has long been a widely used industrial gas. Industrial applications include, for example, packaging of perishable foods, provision of non-explosive atmospheres, reducing atmospheres for soldering and brazing, electronic component manufacture and storage, chemical transferring, sparging and mixing, and tire inflation.
Nitrogen gas, when used for tire inflation, has been known to increase the life of the tire. This is due in part to a reduction in oxidative aging, which is caused by the diffusion of oxygen through the wall of the tire. A tire inflated with nitrogen does not experience oxidative aging to the same level as an air-filled tire and, therefore, the life expectancy of the tire is increased. Additionally, the permeation of oxygen through the wall of the tire reduces the tire inflation pressure. If not corrected, improper inflation can cause uneven tire wear, which also reduces the life of the tire. Tests have shown a significant reduction in tire failure for tires inflated with nitrogen as opposed to air.
Traditionally, nitrogen has been produced by distillation of liquified air, and has been provided to industrial users in high pressure canisters. Typically, these canisters are large and heavy. While nitrogen gas is generally readily available and inexpensive, transportation, storage and rental of nitrogen gas containers can be costly for the industrial user. Also, there is always some danger associated with transportation and handling of high pressure gases. In applications where nitrogen gas must be used in remote locations, the danger, cost and inconvenience of transporting and handling large, heavy, high pressure containers is compounded. An example of such situations is the on site repair of refrigeration systems during which nitrogen gas may be used for purging of refrigeration systems before brazing operations, charging systems for leak checking, and for breaking vacuums in large chillers.
Recently, nitrogen gas has been produced utilizing selectively permeable membranes, such as membranes developed by Dow Chemical Company. To produce nitrogen gas, pressurized air is passed through thin hollow fibers fabricated of the selectively permeable membrane material. Oxygen, water and other gases permeate through the membrane wall of the fibers more rapidly than nitrogen, leaving a stream of substantially pure nitrogen.
This method has been used to produce nitrogen on an industrial scale for subsequent distribution in traditional, high pressure canisters. More recently, membrane nitrogen systems have been available for on site installation by industrial users of nitrogen gas. These systems are generally large and operate upon compressed air available from plant systems on location or separate dedicated compressors. Smaller units have been available for specialized applications, such as blanketing aircraft fuel tanks, and have relied upon local sources of compressed air, such as bleed air from a turbine engine compressor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,189 describes a membrane nitrogen gas generator that is capable of meeting the needs of customers having highly variable flow rates. The nitrogen gas generator includes a storage receiver that is capable of storing excess production in periods of low demand. During periods of peak demand, nitrogen gas is provided from both the membrane generator and the storage receiver.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,413 describes a portable nitrogen generator for continuously producing nitrogen at various sites with flow rates controlled by a restrictor assembly adjusted manually to control operation. The nitrogen source uses a membrane for gas separation with air cooling and then air heating to provide proper temperatures to control the membrane temperature for gas separation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,984 describes a system for producing nitrogen gas on a continuous or intermittent basis. The system includes an air compressor, which supplies compressed air to a membrane module. The membrane module separates the nitrogen from the compressed air and discharges oxygen and other gases. The nitrogen gas then flows into a vessel for storage. The system includes a back pressure control valve at both the inlet and outlet of the membrane module. The back pressure valves prevent an over-pressure condition within the system.
Current nitrogen generation systems incorporate an automatic shut off circuit for controlling the flow of compressed air to the nitrogen gas generator. Depending on the demand for nitrogen, the circuit cycles the flow of compressed air through the system. The automatic shut off circuit requires electrical power to operate the circuit and/or provides an electrical signal to control other components within the system.

Pneumatically operated automatic shutoff circuit for controlling the generation of gas


The present invention relates to baculovirus-expressed influenza antigens, in particular, to the influenza A membrane protein, M2, expressed from Autographa Californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV). The present invention further relates to a method to increase the yield of baculovirus-expressed M2 proteins in host cells by culturing the recombinant baculovirus infected host cells with an amantadine-like drug. Other aspect of the present invention relate to the use of baculovirus-expressed M2 proteins in reproducible and routine assays for the seradiagnosis of influenza A virus infections as an alternative to the more burdensome complement fixation and hemagglutination tests.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to baculovirus-expressed influenza antigens, in particular, to the influenza A membrane protein, M2 expressed from Autographa Californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV). The invention further relates to immunoassays for the detection of influenza viral infections and to the use of such protein in vaccines against influenza A.
2. Background Information
The M2-protein of influenza A viruses is a membrane-spanning protein. It is found within membranes of virus-infected cells (R.A. Lamb and P.W. Choppin Virology 112:729-737 (1981) ; R.A. Lamb et al, Cell 40:627-633 (1985)). A small number of M2 proteins are also present in virus particles (S.L. Zebedee and R.A. Lamb J. Virol. 62:2762-2772 (1988)). Mutations occur in the transmembrane region of M2 protein present in viruses selected in vitro or in vivo to be resistant to the anti-viral agents amantadine and rimantadine (A.J. Hay et al, EMBO J. 4:3021-3024 (1985); W.J. Bean et al, J. Infect. Dis. 159:1050-1056 (1989)). One model for the function of M2 protein is that it possess ion-channel activity, which is inhibited by amantadine-like agents (R.J. Sugrue et al, EMBO J. 9:3469-3476, 1990; R.I. Sugrue et al, Virology 180:617-624 (1991). Amantadine-like agents include amantadine and various N-alkyl derivatives of amantadine which inhibit neuromuscular transmission by interacting with the ion channel of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and competitively inhibit the binding of other channel blockers, phencyclidine and histrionicotoxin, to the receptor. Although under some circumstances amantadine may indirectly interfere with the correct processing of the cleaved hemagglutinin of the Rostock strain of Fowl Plague Virus (R.J. Sugrue et al, EMBO J. 9:3469-3476 (1990)), it is a general rule that amantadine-like agents inhibit an early event in the replication of influenza A viruses, which occurs prior to transcription and translation of the genome of infecting virions (Hay et al, (1985); A.J. Hay and M.C. Zambon, Multiple actions of amantadine against influenza viruses. In Becker Y. (ed) Antiviral drugs and interferon: the molecular basis of their activity. Martinus Niihoff Publishing, Boston MA, pp. 301-315, (1984)) including the Rostock virus. Hence, even the small number of M2 proteins within virus particles are presumably involved in the early event blocked by amantadine. However, direct evidence about the function of M2 protein or its interaction with amantadine is lacking.
Since the M2 protein is conserved among various strains of influenza A virus, it may have potential for use as an influenza vaccine. It has recently been demonstrated that mice receiving passively transferred monoclonal antibody to M2 had lower liters of influenza virus in their lungs after intranasal challenge with live influenza virus (J. Treanor et al, J. Virol. 64:1375-1377 (1990)).
To facilitate structure-function studies of M2 protein, as well as to develop reagents needed for immunological studies, the present invention provides, in one particular aspect, the M2 gene of influenza A virus cloned into a recombinant baculovirus allowing its expression in insect cells.
Viral antigens produced by recombinant DNA expression systems can provide an inexhaustible source of chemically defined material for use in serodiagnostic assays, experimental vaccines, and fundamental research. These techniques also eliminate the costs and potential hazards in the large-scale cultivation of pathogenic viruses. For example, the use of baculovirus-expressed Hantaan virus nucleoprotein as a diagnostic antigen has been reported recently (Schmaljohn et al, Journal of General Virology 69:777-786 (1988)).
The recently developed eucaryotic expression system using recombinant baculovirus, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) , should be useful for producing antigens for immunoassays for the serologic diagnosis of viral infections (Luckow et al, Bio-technology 6:47-55 (1987) Infection of insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) with such recombinant baculoviruses allows for the production of large amounts of antigen (R.D. Possee, Virus Research 5:43-59 (1986)). In addition, the baculovirus system has other important advantages over the commonly used methods of producing viral antigens. For example, with the baculovirus system the viral antigens are produced in cells that do not contain antigens that cross-react with antibodies in most human serum. Therefore, the purification of the antigen that is required for proteins expressed in bacterial and yeast expression systems may not be required. Baculoviruses do not infect humans and can therefore be safely handled in large quantities.

Expression of influenza a M2 protein in baculovirus

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


The present invention relates to a method of identifying the hand of traffic applicable to a subject vehicle (3). The subject vehicle (3) travels in a first direction and has a first side and a second side. The method comprises tracking at least a first object vehicle (V) on the first side of the subject vehicle (3), and/or detecting the presence or absence of at least a first stationary target (T) on the first side of the subject vehicle (3). A direction of travel of each first object vehicle (V) is determined in relation to the subject vehicle (3). The hand of traffic is identified based on the direction of travel of each first object vehicle (V), and/or the presence or absence of each first stationary target (T). The invention also relates to a method of implementing Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) using the hand of traffic information. The invention also relates to a control unit (1) for determining the hand of traffic.

It is known to provide motor vehicles with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which is operable to adjust the cruising speed of the subject vehicle to respond to traffic conditions. For example, the ACC can reduce the vehicle speed as the subject vehicle approaches a vehicle travelling slower than a cruise speed specified by the driver. When the driver pulls out from behind the slower vehicle, the ACC will automatically accelerate to resume the specified speed. A radar tracking system is typically provided to track object vehicles and provide control data to the ACC.
A desired feature of ACC is that the resumption to the specified speed starts quickly when the driver starts to pull out. However, there can be a delay before the radar can determine that the road ahead is clear and, therefore, initiation of the vehicle acceleration may be delayed. A typical pathway P for a vehicle operating in this mode is illustrated in FIG. 1A.
To reduce any such delay, it is known to use indicator information to initiate an acceleration surge (also referred to as indicator surge) when the driver indicates to pull out. When the driver operates the vehicle indicators to signal a manoeuvre, the vehicle automatically accelerates. If the driver does not subsequently pull out, the vehicle will slow again and return to its normal follow distance after a few seconds. If the driver proceeds with the manoeuvre, any delay in returning to the set cruise speed is minimised as the vehicle is already accelerating. A typical pathway P for a vehicle operating in this mode is illustrated in FIG. 1B.
One disadvantage of this technique is that when indicating to take an exit ramp from a highway (to the left in regions such as the UK having left-hand traffic), the same acceleration surge function will be triggered, as illustrated by the vehicle pathway P in FIG. 2. The resulting increase in the vehicle speed can prove disconcerting in these circumstances. To address this, the acceleration surge function could be keyed to the hand of traffic of the vehicle (i.e. right-hand traffic, or left-hand traffic) based on its home market. However, any such keyed response would become incorrect if the vehicle is taken out of market (e.g. if a UK car is driven on the continent).
The present invention sets out to address at least some of the shortcomings associated with prior art systems.

Method and control unit for monitoring traffic


A complex coil and a fixture for forming same configured such that loops are formed having various configurations relative to each other. The configurations provide improved thrombus formation and reduced rotation or tumbling once implanted. The complex coil is formed of a material that may deformed for purposes of placing the complex coil into a catheter and returns to a complex shape that includes said loops once deployed.

The prior art contemplates a number of methods and devices for treating a body aneurysm using three-dimensional (3-D) shaped coils, sometimes referred to as "complex" coils. For example, Horton U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,219, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, shows a hollow structure. Phelps U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,259 and Ritchart U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,069, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, show other 3-D coil designs. Teoh U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,069, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, teaches a series of non-overlapping loops. Wallace U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,893, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, shows complex coils. Ferrera U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,291, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, shows a device similar to Teoh's and Wallace's except that a J-shaped proximal segment extends away from the complex portion of the device.
The following patents provide further background and are also incorporated herein by reference: Guglielmi U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,498; Gandhi U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,773; Schaefer 2002/0107534; Mariant U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,948; Pham U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,731; Lahille U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,501; Porter 2005/0192618; Wallace 2005/0192621.
There is, however an ongoing need to provide more advanced and improved complex coils so as to provide better treatment of an aneurysm.


A releasable locking connector wherein the terminals are locked in place by a retainer which has an engagement position and a release position. In the former, a portion of the retainer bears against the rear of the terminals so that they cannot be removed. Also, a lance is provided on the terminals which bears against a stop surface of the housing. To permit removal of the terminal, a tool opening is provided so that the lance can be depressed to a position in which it no longer abuts the stop surface. When the retainer is in the engagement position, a closure thereon overlies the tool opening, thereby preventing entry of unwanted foreign material.

Connectors of this type include a metal terminal inserted into the cavity of the connector housing. An engagement mechanism, such as a lance formed by cutting and bending a section of the terminal, engages the housing and prevents unwanted withdrawal of the terminal from the housing. In addition, a retainer is mounted on the housing at an engagement position which additionally blocks removal of the terminal from the housing.
When servicing such connectors (e.g. replacing the terminals), the old terminal must be removed from the cavity. If the terminal is doubly engaged, the retainer must first be moved out of its engagement position into a release position; this will disable the secondary blocking means. After this has been accomplished, the engagement mechanism (lance) must be released.
While the retainer can be easily moved out of the engagement position, because the lance or other engagement mechanism is positioned inside the cavity, it is not easy to release. The user must insert a specially made long thin tool into the front of the cavity and probe around in order to contact the lance. Once contact is made, the lance can be pressed out of abutment with the housing and the terminal removed.
On the other hand, if a tool opening, to allow access to the lance, is formed in the housing, it would allow debris to enter and adhere to the terminals. This would impair the electrical conductivity and compromise the integrity of the connector.


A heat spreader (50) for a semiconductor package (100) includes a heat dissipating portion (52) having a recessed periphery (54). A thermosetting resin (58) is disposed in the recessed periphery (54). The heat spreader (50) may include a heat absorbing portion (56) coupled to the heat dissipating portion (52).

The present invention relates to the packaging of integrated circuits (ICs) and more particularly to a heat spreader for a semiconductor package and a method of forming a semiconductor package with such a heat spreader.
Heat is generated by an IC die during operation. If inadequately removed, the heat generated by the die may cause the device to fail. As such, heat spreaders are often incorporated into semiconductor packages to improve the thermal performance of the package. For optimal thermal conduction, a heat spreader should ideally be attached to an IC die to provide a direct path for the heat from the die. Consequently, a number of semiconductor packages with heat spreaders attached to IC die surfaces have been proposed. A typical example of one such semiconductor package is described below with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional semiconductor package 10 having a stacked-on heat spreader 12. The semiconductor package 10 includes an IC die 14 having a bottom surface 16 attached to a substrate 18 with an adhesive material 20. The IC die 14 is electrically connected to the substrate 18 with a plurality of wires 22. The heat spreader 12 is attached to a top surface 24 of the IC die 14 with a thermal adhesive 26. A portion of the heat spreader 12, the IC die 14, a portion of the substrate 18 and the wires 22 are covered by a mold compound 28. To prevent bleeding or flashing of the mold compound 28 during mold transfer, which renders the heat spreader 12 ineffective, a significant clamping force (represented by bold arrows in FIG. 1) is exerted by a mold chase 30 on the heat spreader 12 during a molding operation. Because the heat spreader 12 is attached to the IC die 14, the clamping force exerted by the mold chase 30 on the heat spreader 12 is transmitted to the IC die 14. Consequently, the top surface 24 of the IC die 14 experiences significant compressive stress during the molding operation, which can cause the IC die 14 to crack. Thus, there is a need for a way to reliably manufacture semiconductor packages with heat spreaders attached to IC die surfaces.


According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method and system for processing payments may involve receiving a payment file from a paying entity; identifying at least one payee from the payment file; identifying a payment amount for the at least one payee for a contribution based on a pre-existing contract between the paying entity and the at least one payee for recurring payments to the at least one payee; identifying a payment method for the at least one payee from a payee profile; and distributing the payment amount via the payment method to the at least one payee; wherein a group manages the recurring payments for the at least one payee.

Currently, actors receive individual residual payments from Studios depending on the number of programs, movie appearances and/or other contribution by a performer (e.g., actor, musician, etc.) and/or participant (e.g., writers, contractors, etc.). Each Studio provides each actor with a contract which sets forth the residual payment information where each Studio prints and physically mails a check and remittance information to a union or organized group (e.g., Screen Actors Guild (SAG)) for distribution. SAG reconciles the check and remittance information.
The current process for printing and distributing residual payments involves the studios paying residuals to SAG members and non members, where actors or beneficiaries are paid individually or via a nominee/trustee. Each residual check payment from the studios may represent a single production or multiple productions. There are currently 120,000 SAG members. The studios print and send the check and remittance information to SAG for distribution to the SAG members. SAG reconciles the check and remittance information to send to the actor or nominee/trustee. It may take up to four weeks from issuance of a check to receipt by an individual actor or nominee/trustee. SAG deposits all checks returned undeliverable when the actor can not be located or is deceased without a recognized beneficiary or nominee into a SAG Trust Fund account.
In addition, similar problems generally exist with current methods for making payments to members and non-members of a group or union from different paying entities. As there is a disconnect among the participants, the traditional payment process is labor intensive, prone to mistakes and very slow. Other drawbacks may also be present.

Method and system for processing recurring payments


The Resettable Latching MEMS Temperature Sensor provides the capability of recording external temperature extremes without consuming electrical power. The device incorporates a thermal bimorph, contacts, latches, and actuators for device reset. The device can be designed, hardwired, or programmed to trigger at various temperature levels. The device can be fabricated in a simple micromachining process that allows its size to be miniaturized for embedded and portable applications. During operation, the device consumes no quiescent power. The device can be configured to close a circuit, switch an interrupt signal, or switch some other electrical trigger signal between devices at the time of a temperature extreme being reached, or it can be configured to latch and be polled at some time after the temperature limit has occurred.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a temperature sensor and method for ring temperature. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low-power micro-mechanical temperature sensor using a micromechanical thermal bimorph structure.
2. Background of the Invention
Embedding miniature sensors in products, systems, storage and shipping containers, and other items allows the monitoring of those items to determine health, maintenance needs, lifetime, and other item characteristics. Information from miniature temperature sensors can tell a user whether the item has been exposed to temperature levels that can cause damage. In addition, miniature temperature sensors can be used to "wake up," from a low-power sleep mode, a more sophisticated sensing system to collect a more complete set of environmental data.
Current battery-powered embedded sensor systems that perform this type of monitoring often require a low power method of determining when a certain level of temperature has been reached. Many other applications, such as in transportation and shipping monitoring, heating and air conditioning, and food storage, would benefit from the ability to monitor the temperature environment with a completely unpowered sensor. In addition, these applications would benefit from the ability to poll that sensor to determine if a temperature extreme was reached, and then reset the sensor for later use. In either case, an ultra-low power sensor, or even a sensor that consumes no quiescent power, would reduce the overall system power consumption enough to allow embedded sensors to operate for decades in portable battery powered applications, or in systems that scavenge small amounts of power from the environment.
Low power and unpowered temperature sensors currently exist. However, they are large-scale devices such as bimetallic strips in standard thermostats. These devices operate in a somewhat similar fashion (albeit on a much larger scale) and provide a somewhat similar function as the present invention, but are not in a form factor suitable for integration with microdevices, and are not fabricated using techniques that are compatible with microelectronics or micro-electromechanical systems ("MEMS") devices.
Micro-scale temperature sensors exist, as well, but most of the previous work to develop low-power temperature sensors has been focused on minimizing the power consumption of standard miniature devices, and using low-power analog electronics to determine when a specific temperature level has been reached. These devices and systems would then create a low-impedance logic level signal for input to a sleeping microcontroller. The fundamental problem is that such a system must continuously power the temperature sensor and analog trigger circuitry, creating a constant power draw on the batteries. Even using the latest in low-power devices and highest capacity batteries, systems that continuously power any sensor will only operate for 5-10 years.
As embedded miniature sensors get smaller, and as batteries are reduced in size and capacity, the use of lower power and unpowered devices will become more critical. Furthermore, maximizing the sensor functionality, without increasing power consumption, will enhance the capability of embedded sensing systems.
Other inventions have used thermally actuated micro-machined devices to measure temperature, and for switching, but none have had the advantages of the present invention in combining low- or no-power operation with a mechanical latching function.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,226, entitled "Integrated Released Beam, Thermo-mechanical Sensor for Sensing Temperature Variations and Associated Methods," provides an integrated circuit for sensing temperature variations using a thermal bimorph device, but the sensor does not have a latching function and does not operate without quiescent power.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,349, entitled "Latching Piezoelectric Relay," utilizes a thermal bimorph in a latching piezoelectric relay. This invention requires the application of external power to cause the relay to latch and has a latching function that is piezoelectric and not mechanical.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,233, entitled "Micromachined Thermal Switch," utilizes a thermal bimorph device as a temperature-activated switch, but this invention does not have a latching capability.

Resettable latching MEMS temperature sensor apparatus and method


An image signal processing device for correcting color difference signals includes a first correcting unit configured to set a correction amount for input color difference signals to “0” and generating output color difference signals when a colorless area containing the original point of a color difference space in which the two color difference signals are set as two intersecting axes, a first boundary line through which the inside and outside of the colorless area are partitioned, a suppression area which is nearer to the original point than the first boundary line and defined by a color difference suppression width, and a second boundary line through which the interior of suppression area and the inside area of the suppression area are partitioned are set in the color difference space and the values of the color difference signals are at the outside of the colorless area.

An imaging device, such as a digital camera, converts an image signal output from an imaging element, such as CCD type, CMOS type, to a brightness signal (Y) and a color difference signal (Cb, Cr), and records the converted image signal into an external recording medium, such as a memory card.
The image signal contains a lot of noise when the amount of light incident to one pixel is reduced due to high pixelation of an imaging element or when sensitized imaging is executed by night, for example. One method of reducing the noise is to utilize various spatial filters using the value of a noted pixel and the values of peripheral pixels around the noted pixel (for example, see JP-A-2-249365). A low pass filter for removing high frequency components, a median filter adopting a median value, etc. are known as the spatial filters. These spatial filters are particularly effective for noise from high frequency components of brightness components.
Another method of reducing the noise is to determine the color saturation of an image from the color difference signal (Cb, Cr) and make the color difference signal (Cb, Cr) variable with respect to an image having low brightness and color saturation on the basis of the brightness signal (Y) and the color saturation (for example, see JP-A-2006-332732). This method is more effective to color shift noise in which colors different from the original color are speckled, as compared with the spatial filter. This is because it is estimated that noise based on the color shift contains more low frequency components than noise based on the brightness component, and thus it is distributed in a broad range.
However, in connection with the high pixelation of the imaging element requirement and the highly sensitized imaging requirement, observation of the noise based on the color shift is not limited to the dark portion, but expands over the whole area of the brightness level. However, according to this method, the color difference signal is made variable with respect to an image having high brightness and saturation for adaptation, and thus the value of the color difference signal is varied as a whole, so that a color indicated by a signal to be stored is displaced from the color of a subject, that is, color shift occurs over the whole area of the color difference level. Accordingly, in the case of the above method, it is difficult to reduce the color shift noise.
Furthermore, the image signal having the large amount of noise described above also has a large amount of noise in the brightness signal. Therefore, the above method may induce new color shift noise correlated to the brightness noise because its processing is dependent on the brightness.

Color difference correction and imaging device


Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for adaptively reducing the bit size of features in a training data set used to train a machine learning model. An example method generally includes receiving a data set to be used in training a machine learning model and a definition of the machine learning model to be trained. A reduced number of bits to represent features in the data set is determined based on values of each feature in the data set and the definition of the machine learning model. A reduced bit-size data set is generated by reducing a bit size of each feature in the data set according to the reduced number of bits, and the reduced bit-size data set is encrypted using a homomorphic encryption scheme. A machine learning model is trained based on the encrypted reduced bit-size data set.

Machine learning models may be used for a variety of purposes. For example, machine learning models may be used to classify data into one of a plurality of categories, identify operations to perform based on a decision tree, predict values of a variable based on values of related variables, and the like. In order for a machine learning model to generate an output, a machine learning model generally needs to be trained to make inferences based on an input. To do so, a training data set may be input into a machine learning model trainer in order to generate the trained machine learning model. These training data sets may be labeled, where a machine learning model is trained using supervised learning techniques, or unlabeled, where a machine learning model is trained using unsupervised learning techniques.
In some cases, machine learning models may be used to perform inferences based on sensitive data. Because such data may be data that is confidential or otherwise of a nature that users would not like to share, such data is typically encrypted. Typical encryption mechanisms, such as the Data Encryption Standard (DES), Triple DES, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), or other widely used encryption schemes, may be used to ensure that only parties that have the appropriate decryption keys are able to retrieve the underlying data from an encrypted payload. However, these encryption mechanisms may not allow for mathematical operations to be performed on the encrypted data without first decrypting the data.
Fully homomorphic encryption schemes may allow for data to be encrypted and for mathematical operations to be performed directly on the encrypted data (i.e., without requiring that the encrypted data be decrypted in order to retrieve the underlying data on which a mathematical operation is to be performed). For example, in an operation X+Y=Z, where X and Y are encrypted values, Z will be an encrypted value Z′ that is the sum of X′ (i.e., the decrypted value of X) and Y′ (i.e., the decrypted value of Y). Because mathematical operations may be performed on data encrypted using a fully homomorphic encryption scheme, fully homomorphic encryption may be used in various cases where the privacy of the underlying data on which an operation is to be performed should be preserved.
However, performing mathematical operations on fully homomorphically encrypted data may be a computationally expensive operation due to the size of ciphertexts used in these mathematical operations, noise reduction operations that are performed to allow computations to be performed on homomorphically encrypted data, and the like. Further, as training a machine learning model is an already computationally expensive task, using fully homomorphically encrypted data to train a machine learning model may further increase the computational expense of training a machine learning model.
Accordingly, techniques are needed to accelerate training of machine learning models using homomorphically encrypted data.

Method and system for adaptively reducing feature bit-size for homomorphically encrypted data sets used to train machine learning models


An operationally dependent external camera system for use with a portable computer device. The system includes a portable computer device, a camera, and an operation cord. The camera may include a lens, image sensor, circuit board, microphone, and control unit. The operation cord is coupled between the camera and the portable computer device to continuously transmit both data and electrical power between the portable computer device and the camera thereby making the camera operationally dependent on the portable computer device.

Portable computing devices (PCD) such as smartphones, tablet phones, tablets, etc. have become ubiquitous among industrialized populations. PCDs are characterized by independent communication and computer processing. For example, PCDs include a radio capable of communicating wirelessly over one or more data frequencies (i.e. cellular, Bluetooth, WiFi). PCDs further include computer components which enable the PCD to function independently of other computing devices, including processors, power sources, memory modules, etc.
PCDs include a variety of input components, including cameras, touch screen, biometric sensors, connectors, microphones, etc., which enable a user to input data into the PCD via various media. For example, a user may input video or photo data via an integrated camera within the PCD. The PCD may then process and display the video or photo data on an output component such as a display screen. The processing of data may include selective manipulation via various applications, or apps.
Conventional PCD-based camera components are limited in their operation and utility. Most PCDs include one or more integrated photo and/or video camera component. However, the integrated camera components are inherently restricted to a location on the PCD device. Therefore, in order to both capture an image and view the real-time input of the photo/video component on the display screen of the PCD, a user is inherently limited in positioning and orienting the photo/video component. Likewise, video capture over a period of time is cumbersome because it requires a user to physically position the entire PCD in a manner so as to capture the desired video view angle.
External camera components such as GO PRO® type devices provide convenient positioning but then require cumbersome data transfer to one or more computing devices. Many external components transfer data onto digital media that cannot be directly transferred into a PCD without additional components (i.e. SD Cards). Likewise, external camera components require independent computer accessories such as power sources, processors, memory modules, user activation/controls, etc. in order to operate.
Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a portable camera system that integrates with a portable computing device to provide optimum positioning and efficient operation.


A mobile cart (10) is disclosed comprising a wheeled platform (12), and a plurality of uprights (18, 20, 22) extending upward therefrom to support a middle shelf (24) at an intermediate level, and an upper shelf (26) at a top level. The intermediate shelf is adapted to provide an arcuate forward surface (98) for receiving and cradling a refuse container positioned upon the wheeled platform (12) to prevent tipping of the container when the cart is turned. A handle (28) affixes to the upper shelf (26) and a bag (214) is suspended from the handle. A compartment comprising a base (30) and a cover (32) is pivotally attached to the handle to move in unison between a lowered position wherein the compartment covers the upper open end of the bag (214), and an upper position wherein the bag top is exposed. The cover and base define an internal storage compartment (156) for isolating objects from surrounding individuals as well as isolating the contents of the bag from contact with the surrounding environment.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates generally to mobile maintenance carts and, in particular, to such carts specifically adapted to transport implements and waste containers utilized in the performance of sanitary maintenance duties.
2. The Prior Art
Mobile carts for use in the performance of sanitary maintenance duties are well known and have found wide application in a range of commercial maintenance functions. Typically, such carts comprise a wheeled elongate platform having a top surface dimensioned to support and transport a cylindrical or square refuse container or mop bucket. Projecting upward from the platform are three uprights which support a tray at an upper end. An intermediary tray is disposed beneath the upper tray, likewise supported by the uprights. Extending rearward from the cart at the upper end is a rectangular handle frame from which a refuse bag may be suspended.
U.S. Pat. No. 273,242, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a maintenance cart of the type described above. As described above, a waste receptacle or mop bucket may be positioned on the forward portion of the wheeled platform and transported thereby to locations requiring sanitary maintenance. The upper and lower shelves are typically used to store cleaning chemicals and paper products thereon, thereby rendering such material accessible to the user from two sides of the cart with regard to the lower shelf, and four sides of the upper shelf. The handle, in addition to providing a handgrip whereby the user may propel the cart, also includes attachment fasteners from which a refuse bag may be attached and suspended therefrom. The refuse bag is thus held open at the top so as to enable the user to conveniently fill the bag with assorted refuse material. The cart further provides various hooks and fasteners along the sides of the upper and lower shelves by which implements such as brooms, dustmops or brushes may be attached to the cart and transported thereby from work site to work site.
The cart described above has found widespread use in a variety of public settings such as airports, hospitals, schools and businesses. The carts have been found to be versatile in meeting the various needs of the sanitary maintenance field. However, because of the ubiquitous public applications in which such carts are used, it has been found that commercially available carts of the type described above have certain deficiencies attendant their use which prevent them from satisfying all of the needs of the user, particularly health and security needs.
For example, the cleaning chemicals used in various applications are frequently harmful if ingested or improperly handled. Storing such material on open and accessible shelves of the cart creates a risk that children or the elderly passing the cart may access the chemicals and be harmed thereby.
Secondly, some materials gathered by sanitary maintenance workers and placed in the rearward bag, particularly in hospital or clinical environments, are contagious or otherwise require isolation from the surrounding environment for health reasons. Available carts, with their open top rearward bags, do not provide the level of isolation necessary to avoid the risk of air-born contamination. Also, it is common for plastic bags to be used as liners inside the semi-rigid vinyl bag suspended from the handle. However, available carts do not have convenient, reliable means for keeping the inner bag from collapsing inside the outer liner. A collapsed inner liner bag is inconvenient to remove and could present a hazard if the contents thereof are hazardous.
Thirdly, there is a tipping risk associated with transporting full waste containers on the forward end of available carts. The high center of gravity of a full container may make it prone to tippage under certain conditions, particularly as a user negotiates turns. If filled with harmful or hazardous material, tippage of the waste container can result in an undesirable exposure of the surrounding environment to such material.
Finally, there is an as yet unmet need for a secure storage compartment in maintenance carts wherein security items such as keys may be stored. Such a compartment must be convenient and accessible to the user of the cart yet be inaccessible and hidden to others passing the cart.
The aforementioned deficiencies summarized above with respect to commercially available maintenance carts are eliminated by the subject invention. A cart is provided having an upper and an intermediary shelf. A secure, lockable enclosure assembly is provided for residence between the space between the shelves, and defines upon the intermediary shelf a secure interior storage chamber for chemicals, cleaning sprays, and other potentially hazardous material commonly used in cleaning activity. A cover member is pivotally attached to a forward side of the handle and pivots rearward to enclose the top opening of the refuse bag suspended from the handle. The contents of the bag are thus isolated and the risk of unwanted exposure with the environment is eliminated.
A forward side of the intermediary tray is formed having an arcuate indentation positioned above the support surface of the wheeled platform. The arcuate indentation is disposed and shaped to receive therein an upper portion of a waste container situated upon the wheeled platform and supports and stabilizes the container against tipping forces.
In addition, a bag clamping system is incorporated into the cart handle and comprises forward and rearward clamping bars which operate to capture and pin upper portions of a refuse bag liner against an internal handle ledge, whereby keeping the liner bag in an open, uncollapsed, and safe orientation for convenient and safe removal.
Finally, the cover member described previously comprises a compartment base and a cover panel which define a storage compartment. The storage compartment is readily accessible to a user stationed behind the cart yet is hidden from view and secure from unauthorized access. The storage compartment provides a place for the storage of keys, or personal items of the user of the cart.
Accordingly, it is an objective to achieve a sanitary maintenance cart having enhanced security.
A further objective is to provide a sanitary maintenance cart having enhanced stability and means for deterring a waste container thereon from tipping.
Still a further objective is to provide a sanitary maintenance cart having lockable means for storing hazardous material.
Another objective is to provide a sanitary maintenance cart which encloses a refuse containing bag so as to deter exposure of the environment to its contents.
Yet another objective is to provide a sanitary maintenance cart having a secure and isolated compartment readily accessible to the user for personal effects.
Moreover, it is a further objective to provide a sanitary maintenance cart which conveniently and reliably maintains an inner bag liner in an open and uncollapsed condition.
A further objective is to provide an enhanced security sanitary maintenance cart which comprises relatively few component parts and which is readily and economically manufactured and assembled.
These and other objectives, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved by a preferred embodiment which is described in detail below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Mobile maintenance cart having a storage compartment, a bag retention system, and a forward facing recess for supporting a container


Increase in number of valves complicates the configuration and control. A temperature control apparatus for controlling a temperature of a device, includes; a heat exchange section exchanging heat with the device; a main flow path causing a fluid to flow; a sub flow path causing, to flow, a fluid having a temperature different from a temperature of the fluid flowing through the main flow path; a mixture flow path merging the fluids from the main flow path and the sub flow path and causing the merged fluids to flow to the heat exchange section; and a flow rate adjusting section adjusting an amount of a fluid flowing from the sub flow path to the mixture flow path, in relation to the fluid flowing through the main flow path.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a temperature control apparatus and a test system.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, a temperature control apparatus for heating or cooling the target to have the targeted temperature by supplying fluids in two systems having different temperatures while adjusting the respective flow rates using valves is known (e.g., Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-526357 (translation of PCT application)
However, with the above-mentioned temperature control apparatus, the flow rates are adjusted by providing a valve on the flow path for a high temperature fluid and a valve on the flow path for a low temperature fluid, which requires many valves to complicate the configuration and control.

Temperature control apparatus and test system using main flow path and sub flow path


An intermediate product transferring apparatus is provided for transferring an intermediate product W between a single-wafer carrying line for carrying the intermediate product W in a single-wafer manner and a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the intermediate product W includes a transferring robot for transferring the intermediate product W between the single-wafer carrying line and the manufacturing apparatus; and a buffer for temporarily storing the intermediate product W which is transferred from the single-wafer carrying line by the transferring robot or the intermediate product W which is processed by the manufacturing apparatus.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an intermediate product transferring apparatus for transferring an intermediate product such as a semiconductor wafer, for example, and a carrying system having the intermediate product transferring apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses for manufacturing a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter, referred to as a wafer) include, for example, a lithography apparatus, a film forming apparatus, an etching apparatus, a cleaning apparatus, an inspection apparatus, and various kinds of wafer manufacturing apparatuses.
In manufacturing semiconductor devices, the wafers are moved among these wafer manufacturing apparatuses, and processed in the manufacturing apparatuses, whereby the manufacturing processes are performed.
Wafer cassettes are used for moving the wafers between these wafer manufacturing apparatuses. The wafer cassettes detachably accommodate a plurality of wafers. The plurality of wafers is accommodated in the wafer cassettes in accordance with lots requested from a process carrying system (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 62-48038 (see page 2 and FIG. 1)).
Instead of carrying the wafer in accordance with the wafer cassette approach, the so-called single-wafer carrying approach of carrying wafers on a conveyer one-by-one in accordance with a request for limited production of a wide variety of wafers has been suggested. The single-wafer carrying approach is intended to be adapted to the limited production of a variety of wafers (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-334917 (see page 1 and FIG. 1)).
However, there are the following problems in the so-called single-wafer carrying approach.
The wafers, which are transferred one-by-one by the conveyor, are subject to transfer between a plurality of the manufacturing apparatuses by a robot. However, if the number of wafers that are transferred by the conveyor is not equal to the number of wafers that can be processed in the manufacturing apparatuses, the supplied wafers are not smoothly processed in the manufacturing apparatuses. For this reason, the productivity of the wafers is deteriorated, and thus, there is a problem that the production efficiency of the wafer can decrease.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problem and to provide an intermediate product transferring apparatus for rapidly and accurately transferring an intermediate product between a single-wafer carrying line for carrying an intermediate product such as a wafer and a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the intermediate product, and a carrying system having the intermediate product transferring apparatus.

Intermediate product transferring apparatus and carrying system having the intermediate product transferring apparatus


An apparatus for retaining building blocks, such as bricks and cement blocks, to a wall structure to form a suitable veneer, without the use of mortar or other binding agent between the blocks. The apparatus is also suitable for use as a brick laying guide in the construction of conventionally mortar and brick wall. The apparatus comprises a base plate attached to the wall structure by nailing, screwing, or other like means. Attached to the base plate and extending generally perpendicularly outward are at least two retainer arms, the inner faces of said arms opposing one another and forming a retaining space therebetween for closely receiving the building block. Each of the arms further comprises at least one prong extending into said retaining space. A brick or other building block, having holes extending vertically therethrough, is inserted into the retaining space to a sufficient depth that the prongs extend into the holes in the brick, thereby holding the brick securely in place at a desired distance from the wall structure and from adjacent bricks. The apparatus may be formed out of sheet metal or other like material, and may have retainer arms attached to a single base plate in sufficient number to hold multiple building blocks.

The present invention relates to apparatus used to form wall veneers from building blocks, such as conventional bricks and cement blocks. With further specificity, the present invention relates to apparatus for forming wall veneers of bricks or other like materials without the use of mortar or other bonding materials between the blocks to bind them together, by retaining said bricks to a wall structure at a desired distance from said wall structure and at a desired distance between the bricks. In addition, the present invention relates to apparatus useful for maintaining the proper alignment of bricks during the construction of conventional mortar and brick walls.
Various devices have been developed to aid masons in constructing conventional brick or building block wall veneers. Such veneers are formed by layers of bricks placed one atop another with mortar or other binding agent therebetween to hold the bricks together. Forming such veneers, by conventional means, requires significant skill and expense in that typically a skilled mason is needed to form brick walls that are plumb and level, with the attendant expense to hire such a skilled person. While various apparatus have been developed to simplify the construction of brick veneer walls, all such apparatus are intended to be used by a skilled mason in constructing brick walls by conventional methods of arranging rows of bricks with mortar therebetween to bond the bricks together, as described hereinafter. Not disclosed is a means by which a person unskilled in the art of masonry or bricklaying can form brick veneer walls or wall sections without the use of mortar to bind the bricks together, and can do so themselves at relatively low cost.
One common application of brick laying projects is in making wall panels for decorative purposes, where the appearance of a whole or partial brick wall is desired at relatively low cost.
The prior art discloses several means intended for use by masons as alignment devices in constructing conventional mortar and brick walls. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,69/8089 to Huston (Oct. 17, 1972), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,162 to Prebeck (Jun. 30,1992) disclose clip means which are attached to bricks to provide an anchor for attachment of an alignment line. Typically, clips of this nature are fastened to bricks near the opposite ends of a brick wall, and a line stretched tautly therebetween to provide an alignment guide for further bricklaying.
However, alignment devices of the type disclosed in Huston and Prebeck depend on an unmoving anchor brick to which the clip means is attached. As the line is tightened to produce a taut alignment guide, such clips tend to slip from the anchor bricks to which they are attached and to shift the brick from its initial location, in the process disrupting the alignment of the line, as it is no longer taut. With the line no longer taut, it is not possible to use it as a guide for laying a level brick row.
The present invention provides a solid, secure anchor point for alignment lines. Instead of relying on the mortar to hold the anchor brick in place, with clip means attaching the line to the brick, the present invention provides a means for solidly anchoring the guide bricks in place and for secure attachment of the alignment line to an unmoving point. After mounting the apparatus on a wall structure, which is typically wood, by nails, screws or other like fastening means, a brick is inserted and locked into place in the apparatus. In such manner, a pair of bricks at either end of a wall section may be mounted to serve as anchor bricks, then an alignment line is attached therebetween by tying the alignment line to the anchor bricks or to the retainer apparatus of the present invention. Then, two or more bricks are installed at the upper corners of the wall structure, plumb with the anchor bricks. Alignment lines are run from the lowermost to the uppermost retainer apparatus to provide plumb lines. In such manner, taut, unmoving alignment lines are provided to simplify the task of laying the next row of bricks at an equal elevation to that of the anchor bricks, and to ensure that the brick corners are plumb.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for retaining bricks and other building blocks on a wall structure to form a brick veneer. Another object is to provide apparatus that will retain bricks to form a brick veneer without the use of mortar between said bricks, and to provide a means of forming a brick veneer that may be implemented by persons unskilled in the art of bricklaying. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for retaining bricks on a wall structure to form a brick veneer over said wall, said apparatus amenable to mass production from relatively low cost materials, and that can be made in various embodiments to suit particularized needs. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple apparatus for installation of one or more "anchor" or "guide" bricks on a wall structure, with said anchor bricks serving as the reference point for installation of the remaining bricks in that row at equal elevation.