A programmable analog transversal filter suitable for monolithic Bipolar-Complimentary-Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (BiCMOS) realization. The tap weights are digitally programmable by capacitor-switching responsive to binary input signals. Speed is improved by combining the multiplication and summation functions into a single capacitor array without operational amplifiers. A continuous analog input signal is filtered to produce a discrete time analog output signal, which may be made continuous by adding a low-pass filter. The capacitor array performs both multiplication and summation functions simultaneously and automatically normalizes the resulting output signal. Because no operational amplifiers are used in the multiplication/summation functions, they are not limited by operational amplifier dynamic range and slew-rate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to monolithic analog filter circuits and, more specifically, to a programmable switched-capacitor transversal finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter implemented without active summation to avoid operational amplifier slew-rate limitations on filter bandwidth.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The direct form of a Finite-Impulse-Response (FIR) nonrecursive filter is the tapped-delay-line filter or transversal filter in which the continuous input signal is sampled at a sampling rate f.sub.s =1/T. The sampling section is followed by M delay stages (FIG. 1), each of which delays the associated sample by the sampling period T. At each node, the delayed signal sample is multiplied by a weighting coefficient and the products are summed to produce a discrete time filter output signal. FIR filters in symmetrical form provide truly linear phase response at frequencies up to the Nyquist frequency of f.sub.s /2, an advantage not available in other filter forms. Moreover, such filters provide very narrow transition bands on the order of 150dB per octave.
High-speed implementation of the analog transversal filter is readily accomplished using a charge-transfer device such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a bucket brigade device (BBD). Fully digital implementations are also well-known in the art. Although the fully digital implementations can be programmed by employing digital weighting functions, the faster CCD and BBD transversal filters are not programmable because the established tap weight multipliers may not be altered by program control to provide a different transversal filter characteristic. Because a programmable analog transversal filter is very useful, many practitioners have proposed strategies for providing variable tap weight multipliers in an analog transversal filter.
The fastest FIR filters are perhaps those realized on monolithic integrated circuits (ICs) implemented using CCD or BBD technology. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,258, Jean L. Berger discloses a digitally-programmable filter using electrical charge transfer. Berger relies on a digital-analog multiplication and summation scheme whereby digital tap weights are multiplied with analog charge values in a tapped delay line configuration. However, Berger's device has limited dynamic range.
The most versatile and widest dynamic range FIR filters have been realized using fully digital signal processing techniques. These often require external analog-to-digital (A/D) converters and sometimes have limited sampling rates. For general background, reference is made to Y. Tsividis et al, Design of MOS VLSI Circuits for Telecommunications, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1985. The digital transversal filter is too slow for many applications.
A third alternative is to realize FIR filters using analog switched-capacitor (SC) techniques. This approach may have speed superior to the digital signal processing techniques and can exhibit a dynamic range superior to the CCD approach. No A/D converters are necessary and the processing is less specialized than required for CCD or BBD filters. The existing programmable SC FIR filter incorporates digital-analog multiplying techniques to permit the control of tap weights by digital means. Y. Lee, et al ("A Switched-Capacitor Realization of Multiple FIR Filters On A Single Chip", IEEE Journal of Solids-State Circuits, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 536-542, April 1988) observes that even higher signal processing speed is available in exchange for eliminating such digital programming features in SC FIR filters.
Switched-capacitor programming techniques are well-known in the art. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,030, Alain Albarello teaches a switched-capacitor multiplexing filter. As is universally taught in the art, Albarello uses an operational amplifier as a tap signal summing device at his SC filter output.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,534, Gabor C. Temes, et al teach a switched-capacitor technique for overcoming operational amplifier offset effects in a Multiplying Digital-to-Analog Converter (MDAC). Temes, et al switch capacitive compensation during the non-sampling period to avoid output discontinuities and to compensate for the offset voltage of the summing amplifier. These steps are necessary because all useful transversal tap signal summing techniques known in the art require an operational amplifier.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,258, Saul Miodownik teaches a FIR notch filter that uses a switching arrangement to overcome the effects of component variations on narrow filter notches. Miodownik does not consider monolithic realization of his notch filter nor does he employ simultaneous signal summation but he does use an operational amplifier to sequentially sum his tap signals.
In the above-cited reference, Lee, et al describe a 32-input summing amplifier (FIG. 8A) based on the SC gain amplifier described in above-cited U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,534. Lee, et al give considerable attention to their summing amplifier despite its difficulty because all useful tap signal summing methods known in the art require an operational amplifier.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,662, Douglas R. Holberg, et al disclose a method for time-sharing a digitally-programmable capacitive element suitable for use in a SC filter circuit. Holberg, et al primarily consider a method for conserving chip real estate by reducing the area necessary for filter capacitors but they, too, use an operational amplifier in the tap signal summing portion of their programmable filter despite the difficulty related to the use of such an active device.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,126, Yusaf A. Haque discloses a programmable transversal filter (FIG. 2) that employs an analog cross-point switch to sequentially connect analog signal samples to a bank of multipliers, the outputs of which are summed through an operational amplifier. Haque's multipliers include a switched-capacitor bank in which the capacitance can be selected by means of a binary input signal (FIG. 4). The effective tap weight introduced by Haque's programmable multiplier is equal to a digitally-selected variable capacitance divided by a fixed operational amplifier feedback capacitance. Haque neither teaches nor considers a self-normalizing switched-capacitor multiplying and adding scheme that can be implemented without operational amplifiers.
The monolithic transversal filter realizations known in the art are limited in dynamic range and speed (sampling frequency). Digital realizations can eliminate the most troublesome dynamic range problems but are limited to relatively low operating frequencies. High-speed analog monolithic transversal filter realizations may offer better operating frequencies but are often seriously limited in dynamic range. The monolithic SC transversal filter offers the best compromise in dynamic range and operating frequency but improvement is hampered by the slew-rate limitations of the operational amplifiers used in the multiplier and summation elements of the filter.
Accordingly, a technique without operational amplifiers for multiplication and summation in a SC transversal filter represents an extraordinarily useful improvement to the filters known in the art. However, because of the universal presumption that tap signal summation and multiplication require operational amplifiers, no such techniques have before been suggested or proposed by practitioners in the art. The related limiting effects are clearly felt in the art and are solved by this invention in the manner described below.

High-speed programmable analog transversal filter having a large dynamic range

International Business Machines Corporation


A bone anchoring device including a clamping device and a flexible band configured to be secured a vertebra. The clamping device includes a base member and an upper member configured to be secured together with a fastener. The flexible band is configured to be passed around a bone portion and through a passage of the base member to position the flexible band between a clamping surface of the base member and a clamping surface of the upper member. The flexible band is tensioned to urge the clamping device against the bone portion and then clamped between the clamping surfaces of the base member and the upper member. A stabilization member of a vertebral stabilization construct may be secured to the vertebra with the bone anchoring device without invasively altering or impairing the structural integrity of the vertebra.

The spinal column of a patient includes a plurality of vertebrae linked to one another by facet joints and an intervertebral disc located between adjacent vertebrae. The facet joints and intervertebral disc allow one vertebra to move relative to an adjacent vertebra, providing the spinal column a range of motion. Diseased, degenerated, damaged, or otherwise impaired facet joints and/or intervertebral discs may cause the patient to experience pain or discomfort and/or loss of motion, thus prompting surgery to alleviate the pain and/or restore motion of the spinal column. In other instances, the spinal column may include an abnormal curvature, such as scoliosis, prompting remedial measures to attempt to correct or reduce the abnormal curvature.
One possible method of treating these conditions is to stabilize a portion of the spine to allow treatment, reduce curvature, and/or offload compressive loading along a portion of the spine. Traditionally, stabilization has been accomplished by securing a stabilization construct to two or more vertebrae using vertebral anchors, such as pedicle screws installed into bony portions of the vertebrae, such as the pedicles. In such instances, the vertebrae must be modified, such as by drilling holes into the bone, in order to install the pedicle screws, thus impairing the structural integrity of the vertebrae. In some instances, there may be insufficient bony anatomy in which to install a pedicle screw, thus preventing the use of conventional pedicle screw based stabilization constructs.
In some instances, however, it may be desirable or necessary to secure a stabilization construct to one or more vertebrae of a spinal segment, or another bony anatomy, without irreversibly altering or impairing the bone member to which the stabilization construct is secured to. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide alternative bone anchoring devices which may be secured to one or more vertebrae of a spinal segment of a spinal column, or another bony anatomy, in a non-invasive manner without the use of a pedicle screw, or otherwise invasively altering or impairing the integrity of the bone member, thereby preserving the bony anatomy while still anchoring to the bone member.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method of changing phase of a microwave electromagnetic beam in free space is provided wherein a cascade of device layers is located transverse to a path of the microwave beam. Each of the device layers have one or more columns. Each column has a device combination series-coupled to an adjacent device combination in the column. Each device combination has a first device having inductive characteristics at microwave frequencies and a second device series-coupled to the first device. The second device has at microwave frequencies characteristics of a fixed capacitance in parallel with a variable capacitance. The capacitance of one or more of the second devices is variable to establish a desired phase shift and a desired frequency band edge within a desired frequency pass band.

The present invention relates to phase shifters, and in particular, to phase shifters useable in systems requiring a steerable antenna or an antenna that transmits or receives a modulated signal.
Conventional phase shifters include several classes of devices:
1) Tunable frequency selective surfaces —Tunable frequency selective surfaces provide varying transmission amplitude when the surface is tuned. These structures can also provide a phase shift when they are tuned. However, since this is accompanied by a change in amplitude, they are less useful since it is desirable to have the phase shifter transmit nearly constant amplitude while changing the phase.2) Tunable impedance surfaces —Tunable impedance surfaces provide a phase shift on reflection. However, reflective phase shifters are problematic for many applications where the platform cannot permit the geometry required for an external feed which would be required for a reflective phase shifter.3) Quasi-optical devices —Quasi optical devices typically provide amplification to a signal passing through them, but could also be designed to provide a phase shift. However, such amplification involves active devices needed for amplification, adding more system complexity.
Each class of conventional phase shifters has further difficulties. For example, the tunable frequency selective surface typically occupies a single layer, with that layer creating a frequency-dependent amplitude variation on the wave passing through it. Multi-layer frequency selective surfaces have been studied, but each layer has the same filtering effect and it would be problematic as to how to build up a multi-layer structure where each layer produces a progressive phase shift. For the tunable impedance surfaces, it would be problematic as to how to convert a reflective phase shifter into a transmissive phase shifter. For the quasi-optical devices, these typically also occupy a single layer, so the same problems as for the frequency selective surfaces applies here.

Free-space phase shifter having one or more columns of phase shift devices


A system, method and computer program product is provided for estimating the lateral velocity of a vehicle. The method comprises providing a plurality of estimation structures, each estimation structure corresponding to one of a plurality of dynamic regions in which a vehicle may operate, determining in which of the plurality of dynamic regions the vehicle is operating to identify a first dynamic region, and generating a first regional lateral velocity estimation from a first estimation structure corresponding to the first dynamic region.

Vehicle dynamics control systems are increasingly used in automotive vehicles to improve vehicle safety and satisfy government regulations. Examples of such systems include vehicle active safety systems like vehicle electronic stability control (ESC), comprehensive safety vehicle (CSV), and vehicle lane change assist. For those safety systems to operate effectively, accurate and timely knowledge of vehicle dynamic states are required. One important vehicle dynamic state is the vehicle lateral velocity, which reflects the lateral dynamics of a motor vehicle. For example, in electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle lateral velocity is used to calculate the so-called "vehicle side-slip" angle, which is an important attribute of vehicle lateral dynamics in addition to the yaw rate signal. With side-slip control, the overall vehicle stability control can be more effective in both understeer and oversteer situations. It is also easy to understand that lateral velocity will be crucial for systems like lane change assist, which virtually controls the lateral direction of vehicle dynamics.
Currently there is no production sensor for vehicle velocities that is cost effective. As such, this signal is generally obtained through estimation methods using commonly available sensors such as wheel speed sensors, accelerometers, yaw rate sensors, and other related sensors. There are mainly two categories of methods of estimating vehicle lateral velocity: methods-based observer or Kalman filter theories with a simplified model of the vehicle lateral dynamics, and methods-based tire force estimation together with road surface identification. While many variations of the above two basic methods are proposed to deal with specific difficulties, the main hurdles of the above methods still remain. For the observer/Kalman filter type of methods, all the techniques proposed depends on a model of the vehicle lateral dynamics, such as the so-called Bicycle model or Kinematics model. As no model can effectively reflect all the operating regions of the vehicle dynamics, the methods in this category cannot accurately determine lateral velocity outside the fidelity of the used model. For the second category of methods based on tire force/road surface, the main drawback is that the accuracy of the lateral velocity estimation depends heavily on the accuracy of both tire force and road surface estimations, and on efficiency of the used routine for numerical integration; all those factors are problematic themselves.
Accordingly, it is desirable to implement a system and method for accurately estimating a vehicular velocity in all dynamic regions of a vehicle's operations. In addition, it is desirable to implement such a system and method using the commonly available sensors previously described. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Reconfigurable structure method of estimating vehicle lateral velocity


The system of the present application include a plurality of flow control devices. The device of the present application, an automatic flow control device, provides means for maintaining a constant flow rate of strained fluid despite varying differential pressures and employs a combination of a unitary body with a ball valve assembly, a strainer assembly, and a flow control valve assembly. The unitary body provides a compact valve with minimum threaded joints and access to the various components thereof with minimum disassembly thereby enabling, for example, changing the flow rate within the device without taking the device off-line or removing various components to allow the device, and the system, to be flushed by subjecting it to excessive flow. The methods of the present application relate to the installation and use of the system.

Fluid flow control assemblies of the prior art generally comprise two or more components. The components, as many as six or more, are pieced together in series. The assemblies require many joints, usually threaded, and usually have relatively long lengths. These are major drawbacks of the prior art assemblies because the more threaded joints a device has, the longer it takes to install the device and the higher the risks of leaks occurring in the device. In addition, the longer the length of a device, the more installation room it requires.
Another problem with prior art assemblies is that a plumbing system incorporating a prior art assembly is not easily subjected to excessive flow to flush the system without clogging the various components. Certain components of the assembly impede flow through the assembly and, therefore, would impede a high pressure flow therethrough for flushing. Furthermore, the impeding components of the prior art assemblies are not easily removable. Indeed, some prior art assemblies must be taken off-line to remove or replace such components.

Automatic fluid flow control device, system and method


A system and method for balancing loads during a distribution of a video capturing task. The method may comprise determining first time information related to when a first video capturing task is to be executed, and determine a second plurality of video capturing devices from a first plurality of video capturing devices to distribute the first video capturing task. The method may also comprise, for each of the second plurality of video capturing devices, determining second time information related to when at least one second video capturing task is to be executed by the video capturing device. The method may further comprise determining, based on the first time information and the second time information, a target video capturing device from the second plurality of video capturing devices, and assigning the first video capturing task to the target video capturing device.

A video cloud storage system is a system for capturing videos based on the user's shooting needs, and for storing the obtained videos. The video cloud storage system may include a management server, multiple node servers, and a cloud storage device. The management server may distribute video capturing tasks to the node servers. A node server may direct one or more cameras to capture a corresponding video according to the shooting time slot recorded in the video capturing task, and the video may be transmitted to the cloud storage device for storage through the network.
So far, the management server generally adopts the following two techniques when distributing a video capturing task. Technique 1: After distributing a first to-be-distributed video capturing task to a node server, the management server distributes a second to-be-distributed video capturing task to the next node server according to a preset order. Technique 2: Each time the management server distributes a video capturing task, it first determines the node server that currently has the least number of video capturing tasks assigned, and then distributes the video capturing task to that node server.
As the management server distributes more video capturing tasks to a node server, the work load of the node server performing the video capturing tasks also increases. Due to the randomness of the shooting time recorded in the video capturing task, it may result in that, in a certain period of time, some node servers performs more video capturing tasks while some other node servers performs fewer video capturing tasks, or a work load imbalance of node servers. Therefore, it is desired to improve the video cloud storage system to enhance its load balancing ability for improving the overall system efficiency.


A single carrier modulation scheme suitable for use in high frequency communication systems is provided that achieves improved residual frequency error and phase noise estimation. At a transmitter, cyclically orthogonal constant amplitude pilot signals are inserted at the beginning (or end) of a plurality of SCBT blocks of a block coded data stream. At a receiver, a phase rotation of the received data stream is determined to remove a residual frequency error or to estimate the phase noise.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to high speed communications and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a system and method for providing frequency/phase error tracking in a high-speed high-frequency communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Using conventional packet structures such as those used for WLANs for high-speed communications at high frequencies such as 60 GHz will not lead to an acceptable estimate of the residual frequency error. This is mainly because conventional packet structures contain a pre-amble sequence only at the beginning of the data. The use of such structures leads to performance that is adequate for lower frequency systems (e.g., 5 GHz) as the expected frequency error will not exceed 200 KHz, (40 ppm). However, using a similar structure will not lead to good performance for higher frequency systems (e.g., 60 GHz). To obtain good performance for higher frequency systems, (i.e., good frequency estimation accuracy), very long preambles are required at the beginning of the packet. Unfortunately, this results in a very inefficient system.
A need therefore exists for a system and method capable of tracking and compensating for high residual frequency error, phase noise and multipath in a high frequency communication system.

System and method for improved frequency/phase error tracking in high-speed high-frequency communication


A system for controlling the lateral traverse position of a front three-point hitch mounted side-shifting implement and a rear three-point hitch mounted side-shifting implement on a mobile machinery such as an agricultural tractor with an controllable automated steering device, while simultaneously controlling the position of the tractor relative to the positions of each of the two side-shifting implements. The system uses a controller to control the positions of the side-shifting-implements using information received from a position monitoring system communication with roving receivers mounted on the side-shifting-implements. The controller also controls the position of the mobile machinery using local relationship sensors mounted on the side-shifting-implement's position and on the mobile machinery's position. The relationship sensors allow the controller to use two roving data receivers instead of three roving data receivers to control both the position of the side shifting implements and the position of the mobile machinery.

Mobile machinery and attached implements are used in many industries performing various types of work functions, such as in the construction, transportation, excavation and agricultural industries. Current position monitoring systems rely on GPS and laser positioning guidance systems in the excavation and agricultural industries. These position monitoring systems generally involve the use of a signal receiver to receive communication signals from a number of satellites and/or a base station then using at least one controller to direct the position of the implement or the mobile machine or both. Typical to some of these industries are implements with the ability to side-shift its position providing an advantage to the work efficiency of the implement and the mobile machinery. The controller configured to control and adjust the position of the side-shifting-implement in response from information received from a position monitoring system. The controller is the brains of the operation and it encompasses a processor usually measured in bits, for example, a 32 bit processor. The controller may also be combined with a monitor, or provide a data link to a monitor.
Control of the side-shifting-implement and the mobile machinery is normally controlled by a position monitoring system to control the position of the implement and the mobile machine. In the agricultural industry, position monitoring systems are currently utilizing GPS guidence systems to control the steering and position of the mobile machinery tractor using a GPS signal receiver mounted on the tractor and an additional GPS signal receiver mounted on the implement to gauge and adjust the position of the implement. Two GPS receivers allows monitoring and control of the position of the implement and the tractor.
In the excavation field, some motor-graders utilize a side-shifting-implement arrangement to adjust the position of the grading blade in a lateral horizontal plane. Although the position of the motor-grader side-shifting-implement blade can normally be adjusted manually with a valve and lever, in many instances the side-shifting-implement blade and the motor-grader are controlled and positioned using GPS or laser technology or a combination of the both. In these instances, position monitoring receivers with varying degrees of accuracy are placed on both the side-shifting-implement blade and the motor-grader mobile machinery. One example of GPS receivers located on the side-shifting-implement and on a earth moving machine is U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,465 issued to Carlson et al. on Dec. 2, 2003, describes a system and method for the automatic control of a earth moving machine and the side-shifting-implement blade attached to the earth moving machine, claim 2 and claim 11 describing the location of GPS receivers mounted on both the side-shifting-implement blade and also mounted on the earth moving machine.
Using a position monitoring receiver on both the machine and the implement allows the controller to position the mobile machinery independent of the side-shifting-implement. Although this system of position monitoring receivers mounted on the machine and the implement is somewhat effective and currently used extensively in the afore mentioned industries, the accuracy of GPS receivers can be undesirable in some situations. Two receivers interacting in conjunction with each other while comparing measurements can have the effect of doubling a possible measurement error of one receiver when both receivers provide measurements errors. In addition to the possible multiplying effect of measurement errors, the monetary cost of two receivers compared to one receiver can be substantial. Some GPS measurement errors can be reduced but not eliminated entirely. One system to reduce GPS errors is Real-Time Kinematics GPS (RTK-GPS). RTK-GPS uses at least one rover receiver and at least one base station receiver/transmitter with the system providing corrections to the satellite GPS signals the rover receiver utilizes for increased measurment accuracy. Satellite transmitted non-corrected GPS signals are in the range of five meter accuracy, RTK-GPS accuracy claims are in the four to ten centimeter accuracy, although actual field "in use" accuracy may vary from these claims. In addition to accuracy variations, GPS system down time can occur in some instances resulting in a disruption of the GPS signals and a pause in active work in the field. RTK-GPS systems are popular in the agriculture industry.
As mentioned previously, agricultural tractors are currently utilizing side-shifting-implements for precise positioning of implements. Although these side-shifting-implements are relatively new in the mainstream agricultural market place, new devices are seeing improved sales and combined advertising with popular tractor manufacturers guideance systems. One such device is distributed by LaForge Systems in Concord, Calif. 94521, the device is called the Dyna Trac Ultima. This device is a three-point mounted side shifting apparatus designed to attach a variety of implements to.
A purpose of this disclosed invention is directed towards improving the position relationship between the mobile machinery and the attached side-shifting-implement resulting in improved position guidance system accuracy when compared to position guidance systems currently being utilized in industry today.

System for machine and dual implement control


A gradient index liquid crystal optical apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a first substrate having a first face; a second substrate having a second face opposed to the first face of the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of first electrodes provided on the first face of the first substrate, and arranged along a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes provided on the first face of the first substrate to correspond to the first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes being arranged along the first direction; a plurality of third electrodes provided on the first face of the first substrate and arranged along the first direction; and a fourth electrode provided on the second face of the second substrate.

A display apparatus capable of displaying a stereoscopic image (three-dimensional image) is proposed. Furthermore, there is a request to implement two-dimensional image display and three-dimensional image display in the same display apparatus by switching between them, and a technique for satisfying the request is proposed. For example, there is a technique of performing switching between the two-dimensional image display and the three-dimensional image display by using a liquid crystal lens array element. This liquid crystal lens array element has cylindrical electrodes disposed periodically on a first substrate. And electric field distribution is generated between the first substrate and a second substrate which is opposed to the first substrate, and the orientation of the liquid crystal layer is changed by the electric field distribution. As a result, refractive index distribution which acts as a lens is generated. The lens action can be turned on or off by controlling a voltage applied to the electrodes. As a result, switching between the two-dimensional image display and the three-dimensional image display can be conducted. The method for controlling the orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules by the electric field in this way is called liquid crystal gradient index lens method or liquid crystal gradient index (GRIN) lens method.
Furthermore, a technique of applying different voltages of two kinds to the cylindrical electrodes disposed periodically on the first substrate is proposed. And refractive index distribution which is more desirable as the lens array is generated by applying the different voltages of two kinds.
Thus, attempts for implementing the liquid crystal GRIN lens are performed. For implementing favorable three-dimensional image display by using the liquid crystal GRIN lens, however, it is necessary to set the focal length of the liquid crystal GRIN lens nearly equal to a distance between a principal point of the liquid crystal GRIN lens and a pixel plane of an image display unit. For this purpose, refractive power of some degree is required of the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal GRIN lens. Since the refractive index anisotropy of liquid crystal molecules are typically as small as approximately 0.2, it is necessary to make the thickness of the liquid crystal layer considerably greater than that of the ordinary display panel. This brings about a problem that not only the cost increases because of an increased use of liquid crystal but also the difficulty in manufacturing increases, too.
Therefore, it is proposed to form the liquid crystal GRIN lens as a Fresnel lens. In the proposal, refractive index distribution serving as a Fresnel lens is implemented by disposing a large number of cylindrical electrodes on a first substrate and applying a large number of different voltages to the cylindrical electrodes.
In a Fresnel lens type liquid crystal GRIN lens array, however, it is necessary to dispose a large number of cylindrical electrodes in each lens and a technique of processing transparent electrodes finely becomes necessary. The fine processing of the transparent electrodes has a problem that the cost increases because a high precision stepper or dry etching apparatus is needed. Furthermore, there is a problem that the cost increases because it is necessary to apply a large number of different voltages to a large number of cylindrical electrodes and the drive becomes complicated.

Gradient refractive index liquid crystal optical apparatus and image display apparatus


A system for supplying network content to a device. The system includes a first interface for communicating with a network content source for retrieving the network content. The system also includes a second interface for communicating with the device for delivering processed network content to the device. The system includes an agent framework operatively connected to the first interface and the second interface and which operates a plurality of autonomous agents including a content retrieval agent, a content personalization agent, and a content delivery agent. The content retrieval agent is for retrieving the network content from the network content source via the first interface. The content personalization agent is for processing the network content thereby producing the processed network content. The content delivery agent is for delivering the processed network content to the device via the second interface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to network communication systems and more particularly to systems for providing remote access to network resources.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic messaging (e.g. e-mail, chat, SMS, MMS) has become a critical tool for doing business: the ability to react rapidly to customer or colleague messages translates into a competitive advantage. Consequently, many commercial solutions have been developed to enable users to receive electronic messages while they are away from their desktop workstations. At one time, special-purpose devices filled this need, but increasingly multi-purpose devices which provide a variety of services including two-way e-mail, instant messaging, telephony, and web surfing are being used.
Many known special- and multi-purpose devices provide for remote e-mail communication. However, such solutions have critical drawbacks. Personal data assistants ("PDAs"), now commonly referred to as 'Smart Phones', and emerging "combo" devices such as the Blackberry™ Pearl™ or the Apple™ iPhone™ are expensive, and the network service charges supporting such devices are prohibitively high. Consequently, only few of the members of typical enterprises have benefited from such devices. Although ubiquitous cell phones are capable of receiving and sending e-mail, they suffer from small displays and small keyboards, and so are relatively difficult to use for electronic messaging.
Despite the fact that known devices provide for remote electronic messaging, they do not address the other part of the problem: overloading is a common complaint, with most corporate users receiving too many electronic messages daily resulting in inefficient work habits as users are continuously interrupted to check incoming messages. (This is above and beyond the spam problem, which in most enterprises is now 80% remedied by anti-spam and anti-virus filtering solutions.) Electronic message overloading is a problem on dedicated mobile messaging devices, and especially on typical cell phone devices with limited storage and display space making the solution generally unusable.
Furthermore, a growing majority of corporate electronic messaging users fall into a new category sometimes called "prosumers": corporate employees with non-corporate commitments that heavily impact their performance at work, such as child-care and personal, family or social networking messages. For these users, a single device providing access to both corporate and personal messages has not been available without forwarding personal messages to the office (or vice-versa), which for privacy and/or governance reasons has thus far not been an acceptable option.
In addition many corporate scenarios involve "communities of interest", or "closed user groups", where employees collaborate on shared research or common goals. In such scenarios, employees may share responsibilities, particularly in their need to act promptly on new information. Furthermore, when key group members are away from their offices, some communications destined for them should be shared to other delegates or to the group in general. However, known mobile solutions attempting to meet these requirements generally require significant effort to configure, and thus have not been particularly successful.
There is therefore a need for a mobile solution which provides combined access to multiple corporate and personal messaging accounts and modalities (e.g. e-mail, chat, web mail, social groups, Skype™ messages), interfacing with corporate infrastructure and Internet mail servers, intelligently supporting collaborating users, but which is agnostic to mobile device or handset type and is sensitive to electronic message overload while mobile. There is further a need for solution which miniaturizes or otherwise tailors message content for rendering on mobile devices generally.
Similarly, the World Wide Web is now widely used for all aspects of business and the ability to be made aware in a timely manner of the availability on the Web of contextually-important new content and services gives a competitive advantage. In cases where a user is away from his or her workstation a handheld device is typically used to search for new content and services. However, most handheld devices are ill-suited to display or otherwise access Web resources not specifically designed with the limitations of mobile devices in mind, and in many areas of the world mobile surfing costs are significant. Although many Web services provide notification of new content via SMS/MMS and e-mail, the more general practice is to use RSS feeds (or competing mechanisms). Such RSS feeds can be rendered in a mobile browser (subject to the same significant surfing costs), but require the user to proactively check for new content. In addition, there are no mechanisms where agents act as user proxies to broker for new services and deliver alerts based on what they find on the Internet.
There is therefore a need for a solution which provides notification of new or updated content and services automatically to handheld devices, which is agnostic to mobile device or handset type, and which miniaturizes or otherwise tailors Web content for rendering on mobile devices generally.
In addition, there are many services available through the Internet and other networks apart from electronic messaging and the Web, and while they may not presently hold as important a place as these two services in general, particular enterprises will sometimes have need of particular services not commonly utilized, including the ability to receive unsolicited content and transactions from these services remotely. Furthermore, as network computing and telecommunications evolves, new services are developed and adopted which users may wish to access remotely or receive notifications from using handheld mobile devices.
There is therefore a need for a solution which provides for automated pushing of changes to Internet or other network resources on an extensible basis, to accommodate the particular needs of a particular group of users, or to adapt to the development of new services, which is agnostic to mobile device or handset type, and which miniatures or otherwise tailors the outputs of such services for rendering on mobile or fixed devices generally.
In addition, a system as described above which is readily capable of implementation in both enterprise and web portal contexts is advantageous, as both operators of enterprise systems as well as systems to be accessed seamlessly in a broader context will be able to implement the system without customization to the context.
Furthermore, a system as described above which works with the mobile device to enable a response to the notification or alert using alternative capabilities of the mobile device, such as voice calls or TXT-ing in response to an e-mail, is advantageous.
Several solutions have been proposed which overcome some, but not all, of the above-described challenges. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,021 to Abu-Hakima describes a computer-readable system and method for interpreting and selectively forwarding an interpreted message derived from a user's received electronic message, such as an e-mail, fax, converted voice and pager messages, to a mobile communications device of the user. However, the reference does not teach a system which is adapted to be extensible to alternative and emergent content types or transactional service content, or that can forward an interpreted message as multiple smaller parts when necessary to meet changing channel capabilities. Furthermore, the reference does not teach a system which is capable of accessing multiple messages sources, and is capable of both enterprise and portal implementations. Neither does the reference teach a system which is capable of forwarding interpreted messages that incorporate 'active content' tags that enable simple initiation of voice or TXT responses to content or transactional services. Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,820,237 and 6,823,331 to Abu-Hakima each describe some, but not all, aspects of the above-described needed solutions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,237 discloses a computer-readable apparatus and method for intelligently analyzing and highlighting key words/phrases, key sentences and/or key components of an electronic document by recognizing and utilizing the context of both the electronic document (which may be any type of electronic message such as e-mail, converted voice, fax or pager message or other type of electronic document) and the user. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,331 discloses a concept identification system useful in reducing and/or representing text content of an electronic document and in highlighting the content of the document. However, neither reference teaches a system which is capable of accessing multiple messages sources or transactional services, of both enterprise and portal implementations, of multiple transmission modes, of finding new web content or services, and of incorporating active content added by knowledge of the user.
Thus, there remains a need for a solution which provides timely notification or alerting of new/updated electronic messages and web content or services, which is readily extensible to provide access to other content types and sources, supports closed user groups, active content for response, and supports multiple ways to reach the mobile device based on availability and cost factors. The solution must be agnostic to mobile device or handset type and be adapted to miniaturize or otherwise tailor content for rendering on mobile or fixed devices generally. In addition, the solution must be readily capable of implementation in both enterprise and web portal contexts. Finally, the solution must be dynamically extensible for handling new and unexpected content types and Internet services.

Processing of network content and services for mobile or fixed devices


A network node maintains an inactive config file of unsuccessfully executed configuration commands. The network node maintains an active config file of active executed configuration commands. In response to a change of conditions that invalidates an active configuration command, the network node moves data from the active config file to the inactive config file. In response to a change of conditions, the network node re-executes inactive commands and moves data from the inactive config file to the active config file if an inactive configuration command is successfully re-executed.

A packet-based network includes multiple nodes that are coupled together to facilitate the forwarding of traffic from one node to some subset of the other nodes. Nodes that intelligently forward traffic between these nodes are often referred to as routers, bridges, or switches. Lookups are performed frequently in the process of handling network traffic. In a lookup, information from incoming packets, such as header information, is used to compare against information stored in a lookup table to determine how the packet should be handled. In the process of handling network traffic, a lookup may entail using information from one or more protocol layers. The International Standards Organization (ISO) defines the layers in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model.
A router must typically be configured before routing packets. Configuring a router typically entails entering a set of configuration commands and waiting for the router to execute the commands. Configuration commands may include, for example, commands to set a hostname (e.g., "hostname name") and commands to set bandwidth (e.g., "bandwidth 128"). Several proprietary configuration command sets are used. The syntax of any given command depends upon the proprietary configuration command set used for a particular router. The configuration commands may be entered one-by-one using a graphical user interface (GUI) or in a batch using a text file that is received at the router via a data interface. When a configuration command is successfully executed (i.e., is accepted by the router), data associated with the configuration command is loaded into a running configuration ("config") file on the router. The running config file includes each active configuration command. The router may or may not provide feedback related to the successful execution of configuration commands, but routers typically have "show config" commands that allow an administrator to check the contents of the running config file.
When a configuration command is unsuccessfully executed at a router, the configuration command is discarded. An administrator is typically informed of the failure of the configuration command through a craft interface or an error log that is output from the router. An administrator may find it difficult to figure out which commands failed due to the limited amount of information that may be derived from a craft interface and incomplete error logs. Nevertheless, in part due to the limited resources, comprehensive configuration tools are typically not available on a router. Accordingly, if there is a change of conditions at the router that would result in successful execution of a configuration command that previously failed, the administrator may not be aware of the change. And even if the administrator consults the error logs or otherwise becomes aware of the change of conditions, the administrator must reenter the configuration command, or commands.
In view of the need to respond to changes in conditions at a router, what is needed is a technique for managing configuration state within a network switch.

System for storing active and inactive configuration commands at a network node for managing its configuration state


A circuit breaker panelbox includes a circuit breaker receiving area for receiving a plurality of circuit breakers; a sliding arm for each of the plurality of circuit breakers, each of the sliding arms including a device for engaging a toggle switch of the respective circuit breaker; a frame for supporting the sliding arms such that the sliding arms can slide with respect to their respective circuit breakers; first and second contacts on each of the sliding arms at spaced locations; and an actuator for each of the sliding arms, the actuator including a device for contacting one of the first and second contacts of the respective sliding arm in order to actuate the respective circuit breaker.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an actuator for a circuit breaker, and in particular, for an actuator enabling remote actuation of the circuit breaker.
2. Description of Related Art
Remote actuators for circuit breakers are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,603 discloses a remote operator for manipulating a toggle of a circuit breaker. The disclosed remote operator enables operation of a circuit breaker within a panel box by a lever extending through a door of the panel box. However, a problem with the prior art remote actuators is that, prior to the present invention, such actuators were not able to be used with narrow circuit breakers that were arranged close together. The closeness of the devices caused difficulty in gripping and operating the correct handle, and only the correct one, particularly with gloved hands.
Another prior art method of remotely operating circuit breakers has been the use of linear actuated shafts. However, such a device has been found to be subject to contamination and thus binding or jamming in field use.
Another method of remotely actuating circuit breakers has been the use of wire in/wire out breakers, rather than chassis mounted breakers. This method permits wider separation of breakers, and the staggering of operators. However, such a method requires additional wire, additional room, and additional labor for wiring the system, as opposed to a simple chassis mounted arrangement.

Actuator for remotely operated circuit breakers


A roller grate arrangement for garbage-incinerating plants, in which a plurality of rollers with horizontal and parallel axes lie in an inclined plane. Primary air is fed to interiors of the rollers by air boxes located below the grate. The rollers have surfaces with air gaps for supplying the primary air, and the rollers are positioned to form a space between adjacent rollers. A component in the space between adjacent rollers bridges the space between adjacent rollers. The component is free of air passages. Blast pipes are positioned in spaces between adjacent rollers and are connected to a separate system for feeding supplemental air.

The point of departure of the roller grate of the present invention is the state of the art known from SU 1 756 741 A1. That document describes a roller grate wherein every intermediate component comprises a system of stationary bars with gaps between them. Accommodated below the intermediate components are air boxes. Air is supplied to the boxes by a fan that is independent of the primary-air system. The particular object is to improve burn-up.
A roller grate wherein air is blown into a nip or space between through bar-like intermediate components is also known from German Patent 600 546. The bar-like components are in two parts. The two are moved relative to one another and to the rollers by a cam. The motion is intended to poke the bed of fuel resting thereon. The intermediate components obtain their air from the adjacent rollers. The streams of air blown in by way of the intermediate components are accordingly component streams of the primary air.
As far as is known, the approaches suggested in these two documents have never been applied to garbage incinerators. The space between the adjacent rollers in the roller-grate combustion systems currently known and being built are bridged over by intermediate components in the form of slender strips, usually called strippers. Specific examples of such strips are described in German 3 420 020 C1 and German 4 300 636 C1 for instance. Supplemental air is not supplied to the nips or spaces between the rollers. All of the primary air supplied to the fuel bed arrives through the surfaces of the rollers.
The layer of fuel in the vicinity of the nip or spaces is considerably thicker than in the areas where it rests against the rollers. The fuel also has a tendency to become denser in the vicinity of the gaps, where there the material is finer. A lot of air is accordingly needed in these areas. The increased impedance offered by the garbage resting there on the other hand forces the primary air out of the nips and into the regions when the layer is thin and loose, at the edges of the grate for example.


A color cathode ray tube for permitting electron beams emitted from an electron gun to pass through apertures of a shadow mask and collide onto phosphors coated on the inner surface of a panel to thereby reproduce image information includes a magnetic shielding body which, for decreasing an influence of a terrestrial magnetic field, is formed of a rectangularly-shaped magnetic material and has one ends supported by the shadow mask to be symmetrical along the horizontal and vertical axes of the tube, and a plurality of notches formed into the magnetic shielding body are classified by the horizontal and vertical axes to be distributed asymmetrical with respect to the horizontal or vertical axes within four quadrants partitioned by the horizontal and vertical axes. Thus, the quantity of the landing variation in a specific portion having the greater quantity of the landing variation is reduced during the change of an outer magnetic field or the direction shift of the cathode ray tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color Braun tube, and more particularly to a color cathode ray tube for decreasing the landing variation caused by the change of an external magnetic field.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, a color cathode ray tube as shown in FIG. 1 has a panel 1 coated with R,G,B phosphors on the inner surface thereof. Panel 1 is closely mated with a funnel 2, having a neck 3 into which is sealed an electron gun 4 therein for emitting multiple electron beams 5. Electron beams 5 emitted from electron gun 4 pass through apertures of a shadow mask 7 connected to a frame 8 accurately corresponding to phosphors. Electron beams 5 land on respective phosphors 6, thereby illuminating phosphors 6. Here, the landing of electron beam is affected by external magnetic fields such as ambient terrestrial magnetic fields. This degrades color purity of a reproduced image. For this reason, a magnetic shielding plate 9 has been conventionally employed, consisting of a metal sheet having one ends connected to frame 8 and the other end extending toward the apex of funnel 2.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. sho 63-67307, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, discloses a magnetic shielding plate 9 that includes a plurality of openings 10 which are symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis x or vertical axis y of the tube (see FIGS. 2B and 2C).
Conventional magnetic shielding plate 9 is formed with openings 10 which are symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis or vertical axis of the tube for converting the vertical component magnetic field of a barrel-type magnetic field A formed by the vertical magnetic field as shown in FIG. 3 into the horizontal component magnetic field to serve as a magnetic resistance B. Therefore, the change into the vertical magnetic field is decreased by the horizontal magnetic field as shown in FIG. 4. A barrel-type magnetic field D decreased at this time reduces errant electron beam landing caused by a change in an external magnetic field or direction shift of the cathode ray tube.
However, the quantity and direction of the electron beam mislanding, occurring at panel 1 of the cathode ray tube when an external magnetic field or the direction of the cathode ray tube changes, are not symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis or vertical axis of the tube.
In more detail, when the horizontal magnetic field is applied from left to right of the cathode ray tube (in the positive direction) as shown in FIG. 3, a barrel-type magnetic field is formed within the cathode ray tube. Also, when the horizontal magnetic field is applied from the right to left (in the negative direction), a barrel-type magnetic field is formed in an opposite direction to the barrel-type magnetic field formed under the horizontal magnetic field along the positive direction. FIG. 5 illustrates the front of the cathode ray tube, especially the corner portions thereof, by separating a difference of the magnetic field formed within the cathode ray tube into the horizontal and vertical components in accordance with the magnetic fields of the positive and negative directions. Since the vertical magnetic field component affects the mislanding in the cathode ray tube for the use in the television, the horizontal magnetic field component is not considered.
Because of problems like structural asymmetry resulting from the manufacturing error of the cathode ray tube, and asymmetry of the substance characteristic and the like in the four quadrants of the front of the cathode ray tube defined by the horizontal axis and vertical axis of the cathode ray tube, the amount of variation in the vertical magnetic field is not the same at any time where an external magnetic field changes or the direction of the cathode ray tube shifts.
Portions having greater magnetic field difference such as at f or s of FIG. 5 occur to therefore differ the quantity of the landing variation by the changed amount of the vertical magnetic field in respective quadrants. The portions having the greater amount of the changed vertical magnetic field such as at f or g have the increased quantity of the landing variation, compares to h or i of FIG. 6. In more detail, the difference of the vertical magnetic field occurring within the cathode ray tube due to the positive and negative horizontal magnetic fields is symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis or vertical axis of the cathode ray tube. Then, the asymmetrical difference of the vertical magnetic field forces the quantity of the landing variation to be asymmetrical at respective corners of the cathode ray tube when the external magnetic field or the direction of the cathode ray tube changes.
FIG. 7 represents the number of times that a landing variation occurs in respective quadrants when the horizontal magnetic field is changed in a 24-inch cathode ray tube. Here, the number of the landing variations in of the first quadrant is the greatest. Thus, color purity of the color cathode ray tube is degraded from the portion having the greatest number of landing variations when an external magnetic field or the direction of the cathode ray tube, thereby inducing the question at issue in the quality of the cathode ray tube changes.

Color cathode ray tube and a magnetic shielding body therefor


A method and system manages content delivery to a multi-modal client device. The system may include a session manager logically connected between a server and the client device. The session manager can maintain a record of the state of a user's session, and if the user or the client device switches from an initial presentation mode to a second presentation mode, the session manager can use the record to effect a seamless transfer from the initial presentation mode to the subsequent presentation mode. The session manager may also transcode content delivered to the client device so that the content is compatible with the presentation mode selected by the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to telecommunications and, more particularly, to managing client/server interactions.
2. General Background
Many people are increasingly relying on World Wide Web resources to obtain information. Many wireless communication devices, such as wireless telephones and wireless PDAs, are now capable of accessing the World Wide Web. In general, such wireless devices can serve as wireless client devices in sessions with servers. During such sessions, the wireless client devices receive, via an air interface, content formatted for a given presentation mode. Such content may include voice, text, graphics, data and/or other media.
The presentation mode refers to the way a user-interface of a wireless device presents content to the user. For example, the wireless device may have a browser function to allow the content to be presented in a screen-based presentation mode, e.g., to be displayed one screen at a time. Content for such a screen-based presentation mode is often written in a markup language, such as Wireless Markup Language (WML) or Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), to facilitate the transmission of data over wireless networks and to facilitate the display of content on the smaller screens that handheld wireless devices typically use.
Presentation modes other than screen-based modes are available in some wireless devices. For example, some wireless devices can use a voice-based presentation mode, in which the wireless device presents the content to the user as voice. Such content may be written in a voice-based markup language, such as the Voice Extensible Markup Language (VXML), to facilitate voice-based presentation. Some client devices are capable of both voice-based and screen-based content presentation. In other words, they are multi-modal, in that they are able to present content to users in more than one presentation mode.

Method and system for multi-modal interaction


A method and storage medium for utilizing excess inventory of parts that are used in end products and having part identifiers are provided. The method includes identifying an excess inventory of parts including part identifiers and a quantity associated with each part identifier. The method also includes identifying potential end products for manufacture comprising a Bill of Materials (BOM) for each end product and where each BOM calls out at least one part identifier in the excess inventory of parts. The method further includes determining a build plan including one or more of the potential end products, the build plan optimized to specific criteria and utilizing an amount of the excess inventory whereby the specific criteria include maximizing the quantity of the excess inventory utilized without exceeding a specific dollar value of additional parts purchased to produce the build plan.

In a manufacturing environment products are built that often comprise many possible configurations while sharing some common lower level assemblies and parts in their bills of material. Due to factors such as market fluctuations and other unanticipated environmental changes, it is not uncommon for a manufacturer to be left with excess inventory on certain parts. These parts may include those that are ordered but not yet received in which the manufacturer incurs liability for cancellation, or they may be parts held by a contract manufacturer, or involve other similar types of situations.
Surplus/excess inventory can be problematic for a manufacturer as it can increase costs and reduce profits. Inventory specialists are continually working to reduce inventory levels by finding ways to shorten the pipeline and reduce lead times. Attempts at solving the surplus/excess inventory problem include developing a build plan for end products that would consume as many of these surplus/excess parts as possible. This build decision has been solved in the past in a manual fashion by investigating individual choices one at a time. Not only is this labor intensive, but when an excess parts could be used on several alternative saleable items, each of which might consume various quantities of other excess parts, the problem becomes too complex for the manual approach.
What is needed is a method of assessing existing surplus/excess parts inventories and developing an optimum build plan for end products that would consume these parts.

Method, system, and storage medium for facilitating excess inventory utilization in a manufacturing environment

International Business Machines Corporation


An expandable display including a central member and two end pieces, the central member including fingers extending laterally from each side, the end pieces each having fingers extending laterally towards the central member, the fingers of the end pieces slidingly engaging the fingers of the central member, permitting the width of the display to be varied by relative sliding movement between the central member fingers and the end piece fingers. Each of the end pieces may include a hinged back for receiving and holding a display card. The central member may include a clamp at the rear for securing the display to another structure.

Retail stores use various means for displaying goods, one kind being the display which is placed on the top of a counter to be readily seen by a customer. Countertop space is, of course, limited, and the dealer has to ration it in accordance with his judgment as to the amount of counter space he wishes to use for a particular product or line of products.
My invention permits the dealer to adjust the width of a given unit. Thus, the dealer can own fewer displays and adjust their width as desired, obviating the need for buying and storing a series of displays of different widths.


Horticulture, particularly limb spreaders. Applicant's variable length limb-spreader may be interposed between the tree central leader and the outwardly extending limbs at a variety of lengths, for example, 3", 6", 9", 12", 15", 18" and 22". Applicant's molded plastic device includes an elongate shaft having pairs of divergent tree-engaging arms at each end and a plurality of outwardly extending limb-engaging struts extending from the top and bottom of the shaft. Tree-engaging spikes may be molded so as to extend between the pairs of arms, as well as between the struts and the top and bottom of the elongate shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
Horticulture, particularly a variable length limb-spreader for use in positioning fruit tree limbs in the horticultural practice of "limb-spreading".
2. Description of the Prior Art
______________________________________ ROARK et al. 4,377,053 McBRIDE 4,649,665 BREADNER 4,918,860 ______________________________________
ROARK is typical of complex telescoping devices for support or spreading of tree branches. BREADNER and McBRIDE are typical of fixed length branch spreaders, which require an inventory of different lengths so as to be practical.
The prior art does not suggest a molded plastic device which may be employed as a limb-spreader at 3", 6", 9", 12", 15", 18" and 21" intervals during the lifetime of the tree.


A trolley structure allowing synchronous retraction or extension of a stand and two wheels includes a main frame, wheel bases, retainers, a stand, and a handlebar; each wheel base inserted onto a respective rod of the main frame and fixed with the respective retainer; the stand pivoted to the retainers; the handlebar inserted into retractable holders of the main frame; a plurality of troughs provided at the bottom of each wheel base; a driven gear pivoted to the outer edge of each retainer; a plurality of checking members provided on the driven gear to be held in the troughs for driving the driven gear to rotate; and an active gear provided on a first pivoting holder of the stand to mesh with the driven gear to drive the driven gear to turn.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a trolley structure, and more particularly, to one that allows reliable transmission and reduced stand area for savings in production cost and space consumed.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Usually a conventional trolley is provided with a fixed stand, which is not easy to carry and consumes too much space. Therefore, an improved structure is therefore introduced, which is retractable as illustrated in FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings. The trolley comprises a main frame (A) and a retractable handlebar (B). The main frame (A) comprises a pair of rods (A1) at respective bottom ends of the main frame (A). A rotary wheel frame (A2) is inserted onto each rod (A1) to hold a wheel (A3). A gear (A4) is provided on the quarter of the outer circumference at the bottom of each wheel frame (A2) as illustrated in FIG. 8. A stand (C) is pivoted to the bottom of each rod (A1) and is connected with a telescopic rod (C1). Another end of the telescopic rod (C1) is connected to the handlebar (B). A U-shaped pivoting section (C2) is each provided on respective sides of the stand (C). One inner side of the pivoting section (C2) is provided with a gear (C3) to engage with the gear (A4) of the wheel base (A2) so that when the stand (C) is folded, the gear (C3) in the pivoting section (C2) of the stand (C) turns upwardly for 90 degrees while the gear (A4) of the wheel frame (A2) relatively rotates for a quarter of a turn. Meanwhile, the wheel frame (A2) turns for a quarter of a turn together with the gear (A4) for the wheel (A3) to be collapsed in flushed against the side age of the rod (A1). Accordingly, both the stand (C) and the wheels (A3) can be easily and synchronously collapsed.
However, the pivoting section (C2) of the stand (C) has to accommodate the rod (A1) of the main frame (A) to prevent the attempt of reducing the spacing between the stand (C) and the rod (A1). As a result the excessively large area of the stand (C) consumes too much space. Furthermore, the gear (A4) of the wheel frame (A2) for being disposed on the outer circumference prevents reliable engagement with the gear (C3) and even the teeth could easily break down to fail the turning.


A resizable device stand includes a suction base, an adjusting module mounted on the suction base, and a load-supporting module mounted on the adjusting module. The load-supporting module includes a housing, a pair of clamps, elastic pieces, and a wedge. The housing defines a first channel and a second channel therein. The clamps include vertical parts and horizontal parts. The horizontal parts are received in the first channel. The vertical parts extend upwardly from the housing. The elastic pieces are configured for driving the clamps to clamp the device. The wedge is received in the second channel, configured to press and open the clamps via the interaction of the inclined surfaces when receiving a user operation. The stand is adapted for supporting different types and sizes of devices.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a device stand.
2. Description of Related Art
A motor vehicle may be used by different drivers who each have their mobile device they would like to be supported by a stand in the vehicle, or a single driver may use different devices at different times. Because stands are usually adapted for a specific device type and size, many different stands must be available in the vehicle, which can be unsightly and waste space.
What is needed is a resizable stand adapted for supporting different types and sizes of devices.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A plastic, easy-opening, retortable container for hermetic sealing is provided, and a closure for such a container. The closure includes a plastic membrane having inner and outer portions defined by a groove therebetween. The groove defines a fail portion that can be torn to open the container. A grip portion is connected to the inner portion so that a user can grasp the grip portion and pull the inner portion from the container. The fail portion is strong enough to resist failure during retort but allows the user to easily remove the inner portion to thereby open the container.

1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a plastic, easy-opening closure for hermetic sealing of an open end of a retortable container and an easy-opening container that is hermetically sealed by such a closure.
2) Description of Related Art
A variety of closures are known for the hermetic sealing of a container, such as conventional tin-plated steel cans that are widely used for containing food products. Retortable containers are those that can withstand a pasteurization or retort process comprising heat and pressure for preserving the food contents of the container. During retort, the container can be subjected to temperatures above 212° F. and up to 250° F. under pressures of 15 to 30 psi.
Easy-opening containers are those that can be opened without undue effort and without the use of a special tool such as a rotary can opener. In order for an easy-opening container to be retortable, the closure must be sufficiently strong to resist stresses that develop as a result of the retort heat and pressure but easily overcome during opening. One conventional easy-opening, retortable container includes a closure that is stronger in shear than tension. The closure is strong enough to withstand the shear force that develops during retort, while a relatively small tensile force is required to open the container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,614, titled "Easy-Opening Closure for Hermetic Sealing a Retortable Container," to Nelson describes an easy-opening closure that includes a metal end ring that can be seamed to an open end of a retortable container and defines a central opening that is covered by a membrane patch. The membrane patch is bonded to the end ring such that the bond is unaffected during retort processing but has a predetermined tensile force strength that is preferably less than 5 psi to allow peeling of the membrane patch from the end ring. Thus, the container can be retorted and subsequently easily opened.
Other easy open containers are formed partially or wholly of plastic. For example, a lid that includes a metallic foil can be adhered to a plastic container, which can be used for retort. The adhesive used to bond the foil to the container is strong enough to withstand retort but can be easily overcome when a consumer peels the foil from the container. Attempts have also been made to manufacture retortable containers exclusively of plastic. For example, a plastic membrane can be heat sealed to a plastic container. Alternatively, the plastic membrane can be heat sealed to a plastic end ring that is similar to the metal end ring described by Nelson, and the plastic end ring can be fusion bonded to the container by spin welding. A pull ring or tab can also be provided on the plastic membrane so that a user can grasp the membrane to it from the container, thereby breaking the bond between the plastic membrane and the container or plastic end ring. Such bonds can be difficult to form by heat sealing due to the poor thermal conductivity of the plastic. Further, if the strength of the bond is not controlled precisely, the bond may be insufficiently strong to resist the stresses that are applied during retort or too strong for a user to overcome in order to open the container.
Thus, there exists a need for a plastic, easy-opening closure for hermetically sealing an open end of a retortable container and an easy-opening container that is hermetically sealed by such a closure. The closure should be strong enough to withstand the stresses induced during retort, but easily removed by a user.

Easy-opening container and plastic closure thereof for hermetic sealing


A system includes an oscillator referenced to a frequency extracted from periodic intensity modulations of incident light. The incident light can be intensity modulated based on the frequency of the AC voltage that powers artificial lighting. The system includes a light-sensitive element configured to generate an output signal indicative of an intensity of incident light and a controller. The controller can receive a first input signal based on the output signal from the light-sensitive element. In the presence of artificial lighting, the first input signal has a frequency based on a reference frequency at which an intensity of light incident on the light-sensitive element periodically varies. The controller can generate a control signal based in part on the reference frequency. The controller can provide the generated control signal to the adjustable oscillator to thereby adjust the oscillator frequency.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Artificial fluorescent or incandescent lighting is typically modulated by the mains frequency of the alternating current (AC) electrical power from the grid. Thus, in the US, lighting is typically modulated at 120 Hertz (due to 60 Hertz utility waveform reaching maximum voltage difference twice per cycle), and in Europe, lighting is typically modulated at 100 Hertz (due to the 50 Hertz utility waveform).
In conventional electronics systems, individual electrical components may vary due to variations in the fabrication process. For instance, integrated circuit components may have different values due to variations in the die process that forms the chip. Such process variations can be accounted for, in practice, using at least two precision components, which can be used as references to calibrate the remaining components. One precision value can be provided from the bandgap voltage of silicon. Another precision value may be provided using an off-chip precision resistor that has been separately calibrated. Using the combination of the silicon bandgap voltage and the precision resistor value as references, the remaining components on the chip can then be characterized and calibrated for. In other examples, instead of a precision resistor, a precision timing reference may be provided by a quartz oscillator or another precision component connected to the chip. The precision timing reference can then be used in combination with the silicon bandgap voltage to calibrate other components.

Reference frequency from ambient light signal


Disclosed is a flexible display device capable of preventing contact inferiority with a driving device when the driving device is mounted onto the flexible display device bent in one direction. The flexible display device includes: a substrate having a display region and a dummy region, and forming a curved surface by being bent in one direction; and one or more driving devices mounted onto the dummy region of the substrate, wherein the driving device is mounted such that short sides thereof are disposed along the curved surface of the substrate, and long sides thereof are disposed on a planar surface of the substrate.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a display device, and particularly, to a display device capable of preventing contact inferiority between a driving device and a flexible substrate when the driving device is mounted onto the flexible substrate, the contact inferiority occurring due to a bent state of the flexible substrate.
2. Background of the Disclosure
Recently, various types of flat display devices, capable of overcoming disadvantages of a cathode ray tube, e.g., a large weight and a massive volume, are being developed. Such flat display devices may include liquid crystal display devices, field emission display devices, plasma display panels, organic electroluminescent display devices, etc.
Further, many efforts are ongoing to implement the flat display device as a flexible display device, for portability, implementation of various shapes, prevention of damage, etc. For instance, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and an organic electroluminescent display device are implemented as flexible substrates formed of a flexible material such as plastic, so that a flexible LCD device and a flexible organic electroluminescent display device can be fabricated.
However, the flexible display device may have the following problems.
Generally, an LCD device and an organic electroluminescent display device display images under the following configuration. A plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines are formed on a substrate so as to cross each other, thereby defining pixel regions for displaying images. A thin film transistor (TFT) is formed at each intersection between the gate lines and the data lines. The TFT is turned-on as scan signals are applied to the gate lines, and thus data signals of the data lines are applied to the pixel regions.
A driving circuit includes a gate driving device configured to drive a plurality of gate lines, a data driving device configured to drive a plurality of data lines, a timing controller configured to supply a control signal, a data signal, etc. for controlling the gate driving device and the data driving device, and so on.
Generally, a gate driving device and a data driving device are mounted to a Taped Carrier Package (TCP) attached to a substrate and a printed circuit board (PCB). And a timing controller is mounted to a PCB, and applies a signal to a display panel.
In recent years, a Chip On Glass (COG) technique has been presented in order to reduce the fabrication costs by reducing a volume of a display device and simplifying the fabrication processes. Such COG technique serves to directly attach a gate driving device and/or a data driving device onto a display panel, not to mount the gate driving device and/or the data driving device to a TCP. As such COG technique requires no additional TCP, the fabrication costs can be reduced. Further, as a process to attach a TCP onto a substrate and a PCB is omitted, the fabrication processes can be simplified.
However, in a case where a driving device is directly mounted to a flexible display panel, the following problems may occur.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are conceptual views illustrating that a driving device has been mounted to a flexible display panel.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a display panel 1 includes a display region (P) for displaying images, and a dummy region (D) outside the display region (P). Although not shown, pixel regions defined by a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines are formed in the display region (P). A thin film transistor is formed at each pixel region. A plurality of gate pads and a plurality of data pads, connected to the gate lines and the data lines and configured to apply external signals to the pixel regions through the gate lines and the data lines, are formed at the dummy region (D).
The display panel 1, a Gate In Panel (GIP) type display panel, applies scan signals to the gate lines in the display region (P), through gate pads. The gate pads are formed at two gate-internal circuits 10 disposed at right and left sides of the dummy region (D). The GIP type display panel is used to directly form a gate driving circuit on a substrate, not to mount a gate driving circuit onto a substrate or a TCP. This is advantageous in that the material cost, the number of processes, processing time, etc. can be reduced. A data driving device 20 is attached to an upper portion of the dummy region (D).
As shown in FIG. 1B, the display panel 1 is a flexible display panel which can be bent. The flexible display panel means that the display panel 1 can be bent in various directions. However, more specifically, the flexible display panel means a display panel installed at an electronic device in a bent state in a specific direction. That is, a general display device can not be applied to various types of electronic devices, because it can not be bent. However, the flexible display device can be applied to various types of electronic devices, e.g., an electronic device of which screen is formed to have a curvature, because it can be bent in a specific direction.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the display panel 1 is bent in a horizontal direction (i.e., an extension direction of the gate line), and the data driving device 20 is attached onto the display panel 1. In this case, the display panel 1 is bent with a curvature in a horizontal direction, and the data driving device 20 is attached onto the display panel 1 so that long edges thereof can be arranged in a horizontal direction. Under such configuration, the data driving device 20 may not come in contact with the display panel 1 at edge regions thereof, due to a stress by the curvature. This may cause inferiority of a picture quality, such as dark lines occurring in a vertical direction at parts on a screen corresponding to the edge regions.


A butt type contact terminal is disclosed having a plate-like tab portion at one end and an electric wire connecting portion on the other end, one face of the tab portion serving as a contact face. A resilient member is pressed into contact with the other face of the tab portion such that the tab portion moves in a direction of its thickness against a biasing force of the resilient member when a mating terminal is pressed into contact with the contact face. Positioning holes are formed in the tab portion and positioning pins are provided on a first wall member. Engaging portions with respect to the positioning pins are provided on a second wall member and the resilient member is supported by the second wall member. An insertion hole for receiving the mating terminal is formed in the first wall member.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of a butt type contact terminal employed in a power supplying connector or a power receiving connector in an electric car, for example, and having a structure in which the terminal is adapted to slide by way of a coil spring when the connector is engaged or disengaged.
2. Field of Invention
FIG. 5 shows a structure of a conventional butt type contact terminal.
This structure of the butt type contact terminal is applied to the power supplying connector of the electric car, for example, and includes a front end portion 62 and a rear end portion 63 made of conductive metal, a braided wire 64 for connecting the front end portion 62 to the rear end portion 63, and a coil spring 65 resiliently provided between the front end portion 62 and the rear end portion 63 for expanding the braided wire 64.
The braided wire 64 is press-fitted and connected to the front end portion 62 and the rear end portion 63. An electric wire 66 for power supply is connected to the rear end portion 63. When the power supplying connector (not shown) having the structure of the butt type contact terminal is connected to the power receiving connector (not shown) in a vehicle, the front end portion 62 is abutted against a terminal of the power receiving connector to retreat against a force of the coil spring 65, and at the same time, the braided wire 64 is contracted. Electric current flows from the electric wire 66 to a contact 62a at a forward end of the front end portion 62 by way of the braided wire 64, and from the contact 62a through the power receiving connector to be charged into a battery in the vehicle.
However, in the above described conventional structure of the butt type contact terminal, the braided wire 64 is passed inside the coil spring 65, and the front end portion 62 and the rear end portion 63 must be press-fitted and connected to the braided wire 64 in a state where the coil spring 65 is contracted. Therefore, there have been such problems that the structure is complicated, and takes an annoying assembling work, thus, incurring a high cost.
In addition, because on each occasion of battery charging, (each time when the power supplying connector and the power receiving connector are engaged with and disengaged from each other), the braided wire 64 is expanded and contracted, it has been a problem that the braided wire 64 is apt to be cut, and electric resistance is increased resulting in a deterioration of electrical efficiency.
In view of the above described problems, it is an object of the invention to provide a structure of a butt type contact terminal which has a simple structure, can be easily assembled and manufactured at a low cost, and will not be damaged after repeated contacts with a mating connector, enabling the electrical efficiency to be always maintained at a high level.
In order to attain the above described object, the invention employs a structure of a butt type contact terminal characterized in that it comprises a butt type contact terminal having a plate-like tab portion, one face of the tab portion being defined as a contact face, and a resilient member pressed into contact with the other face of the tab portion, wherein the tab portion moves in a direction of its thickness against a biasing force of the resilient member when a mating terminal is pressed into contact with the contact face.
It is also effective that the tab portion is provided with a thrusting projection having the contact face. Moreover, it is also possible that the butt type contact terminal includes an electric wire press-fitting portion.
Further, it is also effective that the tab portion is provided with positioning holes, and positioning pins to be inserted in the positioning holes are provided on a first wall member, the tab portion being adapted to be pressed into contact with the first wall member by means of the biasing force of the resilient member. Still further, it is also effective that engaging portions with which forward ends of the positioning pins are engaged are provided on a second wall member, and the resilient member is supported by the second wall member.
Furthermore, it is also effective that the first wall member is provided with an insertion hole for receiving the mating terminal, and the one face of the tab portion faces with the insertion hole. Still further, it is also effective that the thrusting projection is positioned in the insertion hole. Still further, it is also effective that a tapered portion of the mating terminal is abutted against an end edge of the insertion hole.
Furthermore, it is also effective that the tab portion is folded, and an electric wire extending from the electric wire press-fitting portion is guided out in a folded direction of the tab portion.


An elastic support top 1 is provided having fasteners 4, 5 for attaching to a breast shield 10 for protecting from blows to the breast area. Thus, an improved protective breast shield 10 is provided having an elastic support top 1 attached to the breast shield whereby the support top fits to a body.

In many sports and even in some industry, it is important to protect parts of the body. Helmets, shin guards, teeth guards and even guards for the male groin area are available for impact protection in a variety of sports. However, there is little protection available for the chest area. Protecting the chest area from impact is becoming more important. Blows to the chest area can cause damage to the rib cage, heart and lungs. Females have further vulnerability due to having breasts. There are an increasing number of girls and women participating in sports and there is a lack of protective equipment designed for such females to wear.
In all sports, such as basketball, baseball, softball, and football there are a number of events that cause blows to the chest area of a player. Such blows can be from other players, equipment or the balls used during play of the sport. In soccer, blows from a hard soccer ball are often suffered to the breast and chest area. The ball may be kicked or even thrown by another player. Particularly, if kicked, the impact from the ball to a breast area can be substantial. In men's soccer, men are at an advantage because an effective maneuver is to hit a high ball with the chest area. Without a protective shield such a maneuver would be painful and may cause damage to a female.
The breast area of female includes very sensitive breast tissue. It is not desirable nor is healthy to have such sensitive tissue hit or damaged. In fact, there has been some research that has shown that damage to the breast area may result in a future cancer site. Therefore, it has become even more imperative to protect the breast area of women of all ages, including young girls.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,537 for a Breast Shield Protector discloses a breast shield having an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer is made of an impact resistant material. The inner layer is attached to an inside of the outer layer and the inner layer is made of a soft material. There are straps attached to breast shield for attaching the breast shield to a body. The straps must be strapped around a body and secured to the breast shield. If an adolescent female is wearing the breast shield she may wear a sports bra under the breast shield. Thus, the breast shield may not be held in place as well as if secured directly to the body. The breast shield may slip or slide around the chest area due to sports bra slipping or sliding. As the breast shield slips it becomes less effective.
Thus, there is a need to provide a sports bra or support top that is attachable to an improved breast protector that works as an integral system to stay firmly put on the body providing optimum protection for the chest area.

Protective elastic support top and breast shield


An object of the present invention is to provide a method for an organic EL element in which the organic EL element can be readily produced by a roll to roll method, in the case where the respective components of the organic EL element are sequentially laminated from a cathode. A method for manufacturing an organic EL element of a preferable embodiment is a method for manufacturing an organic EL element by laminating, on a supporting substrate, a cathode, an electron injection layer, a light-emitting layer and an anode to manufacture an organic EL element by a roll to roll method, the manufacturing method including a step for forming an electron injection layer on the cathode of the supporting substrate on which the cathode has been formed, by applying an ink including an ionic polymer so as to form a film, a step for forming a light-emitting layer on the electron injection layer, and a step for forming an anode on the light-emitting layer.

There are a variety of light-emitting elements having different configurations, light-emitting principles, and the like. Currently, organic electro luminescence (EL) elements are being put into practical use as one of the light-emitting elements.
An organic EL element is configured by laminating an anode, a light-emitting layer composed of an organic substance, and a cathode in this order. When a voltage is applied to the organic EL element, holes are injected from the anode, and electrons are injected from the cathode. In addition, the holes and the electrodes, which have been injected from the respective electrodes, combine with each other in the light-emitting layer so as to emit light.
Since it is difficult to obtain desired light-emitting characteristics, in the organic EL having constitution of only an anode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode, prescribed layers other than the light-emitting layer are usually provided between the anode and the cathode. For example, a hole injection layer is provided between the anode and the light-emitting layer, and an electron injection layer is provided between the light-emitting layer and the cathode. Thus, as one example of the constitution of the organic EL element, it is expected the organic EL element including the anode, the hole injection layer, the light-emitting layer, the electron injection layer and the cathode. The hole injection layer is provided in order to facilitate injection of holes from the anode, and the electrode injection layer is provided in order to facilitate injection of electrons from the cathode, respectively.
The organic EL element is formed by laminating the respective components in the order. Examples of laminating order include (1) a laminating order (sequential-laminating) in which the respective components are laminated in order from the anode, and (2) a laminating order (reverse-laminating) in which the respective components are laminated in order from the cathode. In the related art, the organic El element is formed by sequential-laminating using a roll to roll method (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).