A system and method of managing tax-deferred retirement accounts may allow a plurality of participants to invest in a portfolio having a plurality of exchange traded funds (ETFs) according to an asset allocation model. The system and method may use at least one regular contribution to selectively buy at least one underweighted exchange traded fund to cause a participant's portfolio to more closely conform to the asset allocation model. The system and method may allow a plurality of participants to conduct calculations of estimated retirement savings based on a plurality of parameters.

Policy-makers and researchers have an acute interest in the growth of pension plans and their relationship in influencing work and retirement, saving and consumption, and well-being in old age. Analysts concerned about poverty and income sufficiency acknowledge that pensions play a key role in the well-being of the elderly. Traditional pension plans, such as defined benefit plans that promised each employee a certain amount of his or her salary at retirement, placed responsibility for retirement planning for each employee on the employer, making the employer a "fiduciary." However, over the past several years, there has been a shift from defined benefit plans to self-directed defined contribution plans, such as 401(k) plans. Consequently, with the proliferation of 401(k) plans, responsibility for retirement planning has shifted away from the employer and now rests squarely on the shoulders of each individual plan participant. By and large, the plan participants are not well equipped to handle such responsibility.
In 1995, researcher John Shoven confirmed that pension assets grew faster than total wealth in the United States during the 1980's, leading Shoven to conclude that "pensions are how America saves." At the same time that pension wealth has grown, there has been a revolution in the pension industry, as defined contribution plans, and 401(k) plans in particular, have become the pension plans of choice. Defined contribution plans increased from 13 to 30 percent between 1975 and 1985 and then to 42 percent in 1992. By 1997, defined contribution plans rose to 53 percent. See Defined Contribution Plan Dominance Grows Across Sectors . . . , special report by Kelly Olsen and Jack Van Derhei, Employee Benefit Research Institute, October 1997, Special Report 190, Washington, D.C. By projecting trends on pension contributions, the U.S. Department of Labor in 1997 concluded that more money is going into private 401(k) plans than all other private pension plans combined. Most of the contributions are coming directly from workers.
At the same time, there was a similar shift in the responsibility for managing assets in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Previously, the Chief Investment Officers and Chief Financial Officers of employer companies acted not only as the trustee for the plan but also as the investment officer for the plan. However, with the shift to defined contribution plans, the overwhelming majority of workers participating in 401(k) plans are required to manage the investment of their retirement savings directly. In this brave new world, workers not only have to determine when to start saving for retirement and how much to contribute to their retirement accounts, they also must decide how to allocate their retirement funds across various types of assets.
Unfortunately, as illustrated by a Watson Wyatt study, participant directed 401(k) plans are lagging behind institutional investors' returns in defined benefit plans by four percent (4%) annually. At first blush, a four percent (4%) difference may appear insignificant; however, the difference over a thirty-year period is staggering. For workers, a thirty-year period represents the average time horizon between mid-career and mid-retirement. Over a period of thirty years, $100,000 invested at ten percent (10%) will earn $1,744,940, while the same $100,000 invested at six percent (6%) will earn only $574,349. In this example, the missing four percent compounds to over one million missing dollars.
As reported by the Investment Company Institute (ICI), by the end of 2006 investors held $2.7 trillion in 401(k) plans and $8.4 billion in 403(b) and 457 plans. With the proliferation of participant-directed plans, more employees are directing the investment of their pension plan assets, despite the fact that most of them do not feel up to the task as evidenced by a number of surveys. The surveys reveal that most participants do not have a sufficient understanding of investment concepts and principles in order to make their own, well-informed investment decisions. For example, in a 1996 survey by Merrill Lynch, 53% of employees said that their employers do not provide sufficient investment related materials; 80% said that educational materials or assistance would help them make better decisions; and 66% said that estimating the amount needed to be saved for retirement was the least covered topic. Similarly, in a Watson Wyatt survey of 622 companies, 66% of the employees rated printed information as not effective, 58% said that their plan does not project future account balances, and 90% said that their employers were not effective in communication. Clearly, 401(k) participants do understand that they are not prepared to make basic investment decisions which are necessary in order for them to achieve their retirement goals. Faced with overwhelming doubt, participants often turn to coworkers, friends, and the anecdotal information they read in newspaper and magazine articles for guidance in making their investment decisions. In 1996, Dalbar Financial Services reported that 83% of the respondents expect their employers to provide them with "investment education." The September 1997 issue of Pension and Investments confirms this trend: "Participant demand for investment education and information grows . . . " Participants are requesting help from their employers. Unfortunately, today's typical 401(k) plan service provider simply directs a participant's attention to numerous mutual funds, focusing on "past performance" rather than concentrating on the retirement goal of each plan participant. The consequence of the "performance disease" is low returns, high costs, and inattention to the risks and rewards of asset allocation.
Currently 401(k) service providers have no real solution for helping participants meet their retirement goals. Firms such as Financial Engines, Clear Choice, and Plan Tools, who are third party Registered Investment Advisory firms, offer online investment advice through generic risk/reward scenarios after the participant completes a risk/reward questionnaire. Based on the results of the questionnaire indicating the participant's risk tolerance, a portfolio of funds is recommended. However, using this methodology, a portfolio is recommended which may not meet the actual retirement needs of the participant. Furthermore, in the case of Financial Engines, the recommended portfolio only illustrates the highest probability that the participant will achieve his or her retirement goal.
The services offered by such firms as Financial Engines, Clear Choice, and Plan Tools are additional services that are not required to manage and administer a 401(k) plan. Consequently, those firms add additional costs to each plan participant. Furthermore, those firms do not participate in the selection process for choosing appropriate investment vehicles for the plan. Consequently, those firms are not facilitating the plan sponsor or the participants in choosing appropriate investment options for the plan. This deficiency completely precludes their ability to recommend a well-structured asset allocation model.
Another alternative currently available to participants is to choose an asset allocation model based solely on the participant's target retirement date. This alternative is offered by several mutual fund companies and trust companies. Target-date investments, also known as target-date funds, lifestyle funds and lifecycle funds, are funds of funds created by mutual fund families and trust companies. Target-date investments are designed under the assumption that a participant's target date for retirement should automatically adjust the asset mix of the asset allocation model, regardless of current financial status or future income needs.
Participants usually are allowed to select one or more target-date funds based on their planned retirement date or using their current age. That is, as the participant moves closer to retirement age, the portfolio mix continues to increase in bonds and decrease in equities. According to a study conducted by Hewitt Associates, participants don't even understand the principle behind target-date funds and end up choosing several target-date funds for a portfolio mix. According to that study, most of the participants were not matching their risk profile with their age in order to choose a target-date fund. "Many participants who used lifestyle funds weren't choosing one lifestyle fund, but allocating to several lifestyle funds at once," said Lori Lucas, a defined contribution consultant with Hewitt Associates. "Clearly, lifestyle funds are not being used as the simple, straightforward investment solution they are intended to be."
Peter Lynch, former manager of the Fidelity Magellan Fund, disputes the theory that a person's age should dictate the person's investment portfolio. In his book, Beating the Street, Lynch stated that "this popular prescription, stocks for the young, bonds for the old, is . . . obsolete."
Target-date investments have proven to be an expensive investment choice since mutual fund families and trust companies add an additional management fee on top of the other management fees and costs of the underlying funds. Despite the fact that target-date funds are expensive, with investors typically paying two layers of fees: one for the target-date fund itself and another that is an asset-weighted average of the management fees of the underlying funds, target-date funds have soared in popularity. According to David Loeper, CEO of Financeware, "Target date funds 'are loaded with excessive fees.'" In 2000, there were only 23 target-date funds with a little over $8 billion in assets. In 2007, there are more than 205 target-date funds with total assets of over $160 billion with assets in target-date funds growing by 60% to 70% a year since 2002.
A white paper based on research by The Compass Institute LLC, a Chicago-based think tank, which was conducted over a 10-year period, illustrated that target date funds, yield far lower returns than other investment methods. The paper illustrated that investors who start in an up market can expect an annual average return of 8.8% if they are in the best-performing target-date fund and 6.9% in the worst-performing target-date fund, compared with 16.2% using an adaptive asset allocation strategy. The paper also illustrated that investors who start in a down market can expect an annual average return of 4% in the best-performing target-date fund and 2.9% in the worst-performing target-date fund, compared with 11.9% using adaptive allocation. According to Elliot N. Fineman, senior vice president of the Compass Institute, "We feel very strongly that target date is just the worst possible thing." The Compass Institute's white paper concluded that putting participants in target-date funds exposes investors to the higher risks over market cycles and assures their not having nearly enough money in retirement. Mr. Fineman explained that the reason target-date funds don't work in the long run is because in a down market, it is difficult for them to recover. "When the market recovers, they always have 20% to 30% lost money that they can't recover,"
Another major problem with current 401(k) plans involves the high investment costs and expenses which participants are paying for their mutual fund investment options. The 401k Provider Directory Averages Book "found that investment expenses account for upwards of 81% of total plan costs in smaller plans and 98% in larger plans." Seventy-one percent (71%) of all assets in defined contribution plans are mutual funds, which carry high management fees. See Brief of US Retirement Assets 2003, Investment Company Institute, June 2004. Unfortunately, high fees and expenses result in lower retirement income for plan participants.
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have much lower fees and expenses than mutual funds. However, to date, ETFs have been available only through self-directed brokerage accounts or collective trusts. Unfortunately, the commission costs associated with trading ETFs through a self-directed brokerage account makes it prohibitive for 401(k) participants who invest in incremental amounts each pay period to invest in ETFs. Similarly, plan sponsors who may wish to offer ETFs to their plan participants through a collective trust are finding that the annual administrative costs, per collective trust, can be as high as 180 bps, which makes collective trusts prohibitive. Therefore, the costs associated with self-directed brokerage accounts and collective trusts negate any benefit participants might have enjoyed through those investment vehicles.

System and method for managing tax-deferred retirement accounts


A sensor device is disposed in a wheel. It contains an acceleration sensor, the measurement signal of which is representative of the acceleration of the sensor device. Detachment of the sensor device from its mounting position is detected according to the measurement signal of the acceleration sensor. The sensor device can also contain a position sensor, the measurement signal of which is representative of a relative position of the sensor device based on its mounting position. The sensor device can also contain a deformation measuring element disposed in such a way that a measurement signal of the deformation measuring element exhibits a characteristic oscillation if the sensor device has become detached from its mounting position.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sensor device disposed in a wheel, in particular in the wheel of a motor vehicle. It also relates to a method and a device for monitoring the sensor device, and to a system having the sensor device. The monitoring of parameters of a motor vehicle wheel can make a major contribution to the safety of the motor vehicle occupants. Monitoring of the tire pressure, in particular, plays a very important part in this. Falling tire pressure can provide an early warning of damage to the tire of a motor vehicle wheel. This results in that the attention of the driver of the motor vehicle can then be drawn to a damaged tire in good time, before the tire possibly bursts and there is thus considerable risk of an accident.
Published, non-prosecuted German patent application DE 101 35 936 A1 (corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0020604 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,271 B2) discloses a device for monitoring at least one parameter for a plurality of motor vehicle wheels. On each wheel the device has associated detector units, each having a transmitter unit that transmits a phase-modulated or frequency-modulated signal to a central evaluation and control unit. Each detector unit transmits, at specific time intervals, a brief signal containing a unique identifier. After a wheel change, in an assignment mode of the detector unit and of the central evaluation and control unit, the detector unit in question can be reassigned to the relevant wheel positions by registration of a profile of the mean reception power for each detector unit as a function of the angular position of the respective wheel and by comparison of this with stored signature information. Each detector unit contains an acceleration sensor. The measurement signal of the acceleration sensor is used to detect whether there is a wheel revolution.
Published, non-prosecuted German patent Application DE 101 44 326 A1 (corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0079536 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,799 B2) discloses a method and a system for monitoring tire air pressure. A pressure sensor for registering the air pressure inside the tire is disposed in the motor vehicle tire. The output signal from the pressure sensor is transmitted to an evaluation unit via a radio transmission link. The air pressure inside the tire is measured and compared with an optimum tire pressure. If the two pressures differ by more than a predetermined deviation, a deviation signal is generated.
For a sensor device to function properly, it is important for the device to be located in its predefined mounting position inside the wheel. The detachment of the sensor device from its mounting position can lead, first, to failure of the sensor device but also, second, to the destruction of the tire.

Sensor device, method and device for monitoring a sensor device, and system having a sensor device


An item of jewelry preferably in the form of a ring having a first ring portion mechanically interconnected to a second ring portion. Preferably each ring portion includes a plurality of alternating radially inward linking segments and radially outward linking segments. The radially inward linking segments include a groove which mates with a tongue formation on the radially outward linking segments.

The present invention is generally directed to an interlocking connection for two or more components of an item of jewelry, and more particularly to an interlocking connection for two or more ring portions which are combined into a single finished ring.
There are a variety of jewelry designs which incorporate joining separate pieces into a final product. However, such designs lack the ability to provide an interconnection which permanently and mechanically links two or more pieces together.
One design for a ring is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,887 for a xe2x80x9cRing Remount Wrap Assembly.xe2x80x9d In this design two ring portions are configured to wrap around a central third ring portion. The ring portions are not permanently interconnected and can be easily disassembled. A similar arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,144 for xe2x80x9cInterconnectable Rings.xe2x80x9d In a different approach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,158 for a xe2x80x9cWrap Ring Assemblyxe2x80x9d discloses a pin assembly which is used to secure three ring portions at a common point along the circumference.
Other ring designs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 348,022 and Des. 421,405.
In certain instances, such as when two different metals are desired to effect a particular design, it is advantageous to utilize a method of mechanically interconnecting the metal pieces without welding or chemical bonding. The present invention provides a mechanical interconnection which permanently interconnects two or more pieces of an item of jewelry. For example two or more ring portions can be interconnected to obtain an aesthetically pleasing ring design.
The present invention is directed to an item of jewelry, such as a ring, having one or more ring portions mechanically interlinked or interconnected to form a single piece. Each ring portion includes a linking segment or mechanism which mates with a corresponding linking segment or mechanism on another ring portion. The ring portions are pressed together to permanently form a final aesthetically pleasing ring. Moreover, the ring portions, collectively, form the entire ring, i.e., both the inside surface as well as the outside surface.
In one embodiment of the invention, an item of jewelry in the form of a ring comprises a first generally circular ring portion having a first radially inward linking segment; and a second generally circular ring portion having a first radially outward linking segment. The first radially outward linking segment of the second ring portion is secured to the first radially inward linking segment of the first ring portion.
The first radially inward linking segment may comprise a groove formed in a radially outward surface of the radially inward linking segment. The groove is designed to mate with a tongue formation formed on a radially inward surface of the radially outward linking segment. When the first and second ring portions are pressed together, the tongue formation on the radially outward linking segment, in effect xe2x80x9csnapsxe2x80x9d into the groove of the radially inward linking segment to mechanically interconnect the two ring portions into a single ring.
The first radially inward linking segment of the first ring portion may extend 360 degrees about the first ring portion. In this embodiment, the first radially outward linking segment of the second ring portion would also extend 360 degrees about the second ring portion.
In an alternative embodiment the first ring portion may additionally comprise a first radially outward linking segment, a second radially inward linking segment, and a second radially outward linking segment. These segments would typically alternate around the circumference of the ring. In this embodiment, the second ring portion would further comprise a first radially inward linking segment which would be secured to the first radially outward linking segment of the first ring portion, a second radially outward linking segment which would be secured to the second radially inward linking segment of the first ring portion, and a second radially inward linking segment which would be secured to the second radially inward segment of the first ring portion. Additional corresponding linking segments can also be utilized.
In a further embodiment, the first radially inward linking segment of the first ring portion comprises a generally planar portion, or outer surface, inclined at a first angle with respect to a center axis of the first ring portion and a groove at one edge of the planar portion. Both the planar portion and the groove are formed on a radially outward surface of the first radially inward linking segment. The first radially outward linking segment of the second ring portion comprises a planar portion, or inward surface, inclined at a second angle with respect to a center axis of the ring portion and a tongue formation at one edge of the planar portion of the first radially outward linking segment. Both the planar portion of the first radially outward linking segment and the tongue formation are formed on a radially inward surface of the first radially outward linking segment. Although, described as xe2x80x9cplanarxe2x80x9d portions (in that the surfaces are generally flat when viewed in cross-section), the inward and outward surfaces are arcuate because they follow the curve of the ring, and are more accurately described as conic sections (in instances in which the linking segment extends 360 degrees about the ring) or segments of a conic section (in instances in which the linking segment extends less than 360 degrees about the ring).
In another embodiment, the first ring portion can be formed from a first metal, and the second ring portion can be formed from a second metal different from the first metal. In one embodiment the first metal of the first ring portion is gold, and the second metal of the second ring portion is platinum. Alternatively, other precious metals or metal alloys may be used. Moreover, both the first and the second ring portions can be formed from the same metal.
In an alternative embodiment, the first radially inward linking segment of the first ring portion comprises a socket, and the first radially outward linking segment of the second ring portion comprises a ball formation.
In another embodiment, the ring comprises a gem (or other precious stone or pearl) lock-set between a first and second ring portion. In this embodiment, a first radially inward linking segment of a first ring portion includes a cutaway portion, and a first radially outward linking segment of a second ring portion also includes a cutaway portion. A gem is positioned and set in the space provided by the cutaway portion of the first radially inward linking segment and the cutaway portion of the first radially outward linking segment. The gem is trapped between the first ring portion and said second ring portion when the first and second ring portions are pressed together.
In an embodiment having alternating radially inward and outward linking segments, the linking segments can be generally rectangular. Additionally, other configurations are possible. For example, the linking segment may be generally triangular.
The present invention is also directed to a ring assembly comprising a first ring portion having a first radially inward linking segment, and a second ring portion having a first radially outward linking segment adapt to engage the first radially inward linking segment of the first ring portion. The ring portions can be sold apart, and can then be pressed together during a ceremony, such as a marriage, to symbolically represent a union of two people. When pressed together, the first ring portion will be mechanically interconnected to the second ring portion, and more particularly, the first radially inward linking segment of the first ring portion will be mechanically interconnected to the first radially outward linking segment of the second ring portion. Moreover, in this embodiment, the first ring portion may include a plurality of spaced apart radially inward linking segments disposed about the ring portion and a plurality of spaced apart radially outward linking segments, each of the radially outward linking segments positioned between radially inward linking segments.
In a still further embodiment, more than two ring portions can be interconnected to form a ring. In this embodiment a ring may comprise a first ring portion having a first linking segment and a diametrically opposed second linking segment, a second ring portion having a first linking segment secured to the first linking segment of the first ring portion; and a third ring portion having a first linking segment secured to the second linking segment of the first ring portion. The first linking segment of the first ring portion may be a radially inward segment, and the second linking segment of the first ring portion may also be a radially inward segment.
In a still further embodiment, the invention is directed to an item of jewelry comprising a first piece having a radially inward linking segment, and a second piece having a radially outward linking segment mechanically interconnected with the radially inward linking segment of said first piece. The item of jewelry may be an earring, cuff-link, pendant or other type of jewelry.
Further aspects of the present invention are described in the Brief Description of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment, the Abstract of the Invention, and are shown in the drawings.


Organosilicon compounds bearing keto or aldehyde groups are easily prepared in high yield by oxidation of a carbinol-functional precursor by an oxidizing agent in the presence of a nitrogen-containing free radical mediator which contains aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic, or aromatic NO—, NOH—, or H—N—OH group. The oxidation may be conventional, i.e. using air, oxygen, or other oxidant, may be electrochemical, or enzymatic.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for producing organosilicon compounds having carbonyl radicals, and the use thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Aldehydes and ketones are widely used in organic chemistry and are important precursors in the synthesis of, for example, heterocycles, fragrances and dyes. In organosilicon chemistry, on the other hand, aldehyde and ketone functions play only a minor role in spite of their extremely interesting reaction profile. The reason for this is the lack of a suitable synthesis route which permits the production of organosilicon compounds having carbonyl radicals in a simple and rapid manner and with high yields.
Only three methods for preparing siloxanes having aldehyde and ketone functionalities are known to date:
FR 1,531,637 A describes the platinum-catalyzed addition reaction of olefins having a blocked aldehyde or ketone function, such as, for example, 1-trimethylsilyloxy-1,3-butadiene, 2-trimethylsilyloxy-4-methyl-1,3-butadiene or 4-trimethylsilyloxy-2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, with hydrido-functional organosilicon compounds and the subsequent hydrolysis step for liberating the carbonyl function. In comparison, FR 1,224,081 A and U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,637 A claim the hydrosilylation of aliphatically unsaturated aldehyde acetals with subsequent, acidic acetal cleavage. Starting materials suitable for this purpose are, for example, acrolein dimethyl acetal, acrolein diethyl acetal, methacrolein diacetate, undecenyl diethyl acetal, octadecenyl diethyl acetal, ketene diethyl acetal, 3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde diethyl acetal, 5-norbornene-2-carboxaldehyde diethyl acetal or bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene-2-carboxaldehyde diethyl acetal. Common to the processes is that the desired products are obtainable via a plurality of stages only in moderate yield, in particular the hydrolysis step being tedious and generally extremely problematic owing to the heterogeneous system. In addition, the number of aldehyde or ketone substituents obtainable on an industrial scale in this way is greatly limited by the limited commercial availability of suitable acetals.
According to EP 392 948 A1, EP 402 274 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,601 A, polyorganosiloxanes having 1-formylethyl or 2-formylethyl groups are obtainable by hydroformylation of the corresponding vinyl-functional organosilicon compounds. The polysiloxanes which are used as intermediates in DE 36 32 869 A1 and contain tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6] decadiene derivative groups substituted by formyl groups are obtained by basically the same process. A disadvantage of the hydroformylation process is that the conversion of the olefin group takes place only at high pressure and high temperature, and furthermore a quantitative conversion is to be realized only by a very complex procedure. Usually, such sytheses are therefore carried out in an autoclave at a superatmospheric pressure of from 20 to 200 bar and a temperature of 100-150° C. which requires special apparatuses and knowledge about handling the gaseous reactants CO and H2. Moreover, here too the number of aldehyde or ketone substituents obtainable by this method is limited.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,947,770 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,246 A describe a method for preparing carbonyl-functional siloxanes via the ozonolysis of alkenyl-functionalized organosilicon compounds and subsequent reductive cleavage of the ozonide formed. A particular disadvantage of this method is that the ozonolysis of double bonds leads to the degradation of the unsaturated carbon skeleton and hence to a loss of at least one carbon unit.
Furthermore, a large number of by-products formed in the ozonolysis, the costs for producing or handling ozone and the stipulation of a few suitable starting compounds prevent the wide use of this method on the industrial scale.

Method for producing carbonyl group-containing organosilicon compounds


Visor comprising a network structure formed of expanded metal, which network structure has a general extension plane (113, 114, 213, 214) and is formed of wire portions (11, 111, 211) and connecting portions (12, 112, 212), the respective ends of four wire portions (11, 111, 211) being joined in each connecting portion (12, 112, 212), and which wire portions (11, 111, 211) have substantially rectangular cross sections having long sides (111A, 211A) and short sides (111B, 211B). The wire portions (11, 111, 211) are arranged such that the long sides (111A, 211A) of their cross sections have a lesser angle to the general extension plane (113, 114, 213, 214) of the network structure than do the short sides (111B, 211B). The invention also relates to a method for use in the production of such a visor.

Visors, sometimes referred to as face shields, are used, for example, in forestry work to protect the face and, in particular, the eyes of the user from particles and small objects which are flying around. The visor is often fixed to a helmet, but can also be arranged on other types of holders, such as, for example, a head band, or the head strap of a pair of earmuffs.
In order not to unnecessarily impair the vision through the visor, they should exhibit high light transmittance. They should also exhibit high strength to prevent particles and objects which hit the visor from penetrating it. Further desirable characteristics are that they do not produce light reflections or other visual disturbances or light distortions, that they prevent an accumulation of condensation and foreign matter, that they are low in weight and that they are easy to clean.

Expanded metal and process of making the same


A connector for electrically connecting a chip electrode of a semiconductor element to a lead constituting an external leading terminal of the chip electrode, includes a first connecting part having an interface joined to the chip electrode; a second connecting part having an interface joined to a base end part of the lead; and a plate-shape coupling part for connecting the first connecting part and the second connecting part to each other, and having a step formed on the interface of the first connecting part in a direction away from the chip electrode by a half blanking process.

1 . Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector for electrically connecting a chip electrode of a semiconductor element and a lead constituting an external leading terminal thereof, and a resin-sealed semiconductor device using the connector. Particularly, the present invention relates to a connector and resin-sealed semiconductor device that can be used effectively even when the area of the chip electrode is extremely small.
2 . Description of the Related Art
A resin-sealed semiconductor device such as a diode for use with high power has a large number of aluminum wires bonded together to configure internal wiring when connecting a chip electrode of a semiconductor element to an external leading electrode, the semiconductor element having anode potential and cathode potential applied onto the same plane of the semiconductor element.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a resin-sealed semiconductor device completed by a resin sealing process.
A semiconductor device 1 is configured by mold-sealing a discrete semiconductor element using a package outer shape of a TO-3P, wherein internal wiring and a semiconductor chip are protected by a sealing resin 2. Prior to the resin sealing process, wire bonding is implemented in which the semiconductor chip is joined to a chip mounting part (die pad) and inner lead parts of external leading terminals 3 and the like are electrically connected to chip electrodes such as an anode electrode and a cathode electrode.
In order to achieve a high current rating in this type of semiconductor device 1, a large number of aluminum wires need to be bonded sequentially to the chip electrodes of the semiconductor chip mounted on a lead frame. However, an internal wiring method using wire bonding repeatedly performs a step of bonding the aluminum wires between an electrode on a chip surface and a lead of the package, requiring a considerable amount of processing time. Therefore, the number of bonding devices for connecting the aluminum wires increases as the production of semiconductor devices increases, lowering the efficiency in the production output per facility.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-44107 discloses an invention of a terminal board circuit in which each lead leg of a diode is joined to a common terminal board. The terminal board circuit of this invention can ensure safety of its function without degrading its performance, even when the joint part of one of the lead legs has a defect.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-267054 describes an invention of a semiconductor device that mainly has a semiconductor element, an island on which the semiconductor element is mounted, a metal connection plate for connecting the semiconductor element and a lead, and a sealing resin for integrally sealing these components. In this invention, when soldering or fixing the metal connection plate to the lead and the semiconductor element by means of a fixing material, a protruding portion that partially protrudes in a thickness direction is brought into contact with the lead and fixed in a state in which the metal connection plate is disposed in a predetermined position.
Each of these inventions described above adopts a wireless bonding method for connecting wires using the terminal board or metal connection plate. In other words, each of these inventions aims to improve the efficiency of producing a semiconductor device without connecting a large number of wires.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H7-30050 describes an invention of a semiconductor device in which a chip terminal (electrode) and an inner lead of a lead frame are connected with each other by a single wire. This invention describes the lead frame in which a pad is set below the surface of the lead. In this invention, a support bar is subjected to a half blanking process to have steps, and a pad surface on which the semiconductor chip is fixed and mounted is set below the inner lead. This facilitates the bonding work for connecting the chip terminal and the inner lead to each other by a single wire and achieves a reduction of the length of the bonding wire and the resin sealing thickness.
Incidentally, when providing wiring using a single connector instead of providing wiring having a plurality of wires, the size of an interface between the connector and a chip electrode needs to be close to the electrode surface area on the semiconductor chip as much as possible due to the significantly small electrode surface area. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of the connector needs to be increased as much as possible to reduce a current resistance value of the connector in order to achieve a high current rating of a semiconductor device.
However, when forming a connector using a thick metal plate to obtain a small current resistance value, bending the metal plate makes the curved surface shape (R shape) thereof unstable. Moreover, it is difficult to configure the metal plate into the shape of the interface that conforms with the size of the chip electrode or the distance between the chip electrode and the lead when forming the curved surface (curved R) on the connector according to its plate thickness. For this reason, the joint between the chip electrode of the semiconductor element and the connector or between the lead (inner lead part) and the connector becomes insufficient, and the electrical connection between the chip electrode and the external leading terminals 3 and the like becomes insufficient, resulting in a decline of the yield and reliability of the resin-sealed semiconductor device.

Connector and resin-sealed semiconductor device


In order to maintain high security of a job that requires a high security level even after a print interrupt factor has been removed, and to achieve both the effect of maintaining high security of a job that requires a high security level even after the print process is interrupted, and the effect of improving the productivity of jobs other than a job of this type, when a print apparatus which can process a plurality of print jobs including a print job of a first type and that of a second type restarts a print operation of a print job, which is interrupted in the print apparatus, and when the print job is a print of the first type, the print apparatus is controlled to execute an authentication process, and then allowed to restart the print operation of the print job. When the print apparatus restarts a print operation of a print job, which is interrupted in the print apparatus, and when the print job is a print of the second type, the print apparatus is allowed to restart the print operation of the print job without executing the authentication process.

In recent years, with the advent of networked business machines, a plurality of client computers commonly use a single print apparatus connected to a network in an office. In such use environment, a third party may remove or take a look at output prints without authorization. Such situation poses a problem in case of a print process to be done while assuring security, e.g., when confidential information or private information which must be kept confidential from any third party is to be printed.
As a method of solving the aforementioned problem, the following technique has been proposed (for example, see Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication Nos. 8-39898, 8-83153, and 9-65148).
A printer driver which submits a password in addition to print job data is installed on a client computer, and an instruction of a print process is issued to a print apparatus using this printer driver.
Upon reception of the print job data and password, the print apparatus temporarily saves these print job data and password data in its internal storage medium in place of immediately starting a print job.
When the user wants to control the print apparatus to print according to this print job data, he or she uses a user interface equipped on the print apparatus to display a print job list on the user interface, selects a print job to be printed from the displayed job list, and inputs a password. Only when the input password matches the password stored in the storage medium, the print apparatus starts a print process according to this print job data. The user can receive a target confidential document without being looked at or stolen by a third party, since he or she is already in front of the print apparatus.
With the above method, the print apparatus must have a storage medium with a certain capacity. As a method that does not require any storage medium with a certain capacity in the print apparatus, a method of preparing a print server, and temporarily saving print job data in the print server is available (for example, see Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 0.11-296327).
More specifically, for example, the user mounts an IC card on a client computer, saves an ID in the IC card, and submits print job data to the print server in a print process. Upon completion of submission of the print job data to the print server, the user goes to the location of the print apparatus and mounts the IC card on the print apparatus. The print apparatus acquires the ID from the mounted IC card, downloads a print job with that ID from the print server, and prints according to that print job. The user can receive a target confidential document without being looked at or stolen by a third party, since he or she is already in front of the print apparatus. Also, since the print job need not be saved in the print apparatus, no storage medium with a certain capacity is required.
When a print job flows through the network, it may be illicitly received or copied. As a method that can cope with such case, a method in which a print job is encrypted and submitted, and the print apparatus that received the encrypted print job decrypts that job by inputting, e.g., a password is disclosed (for example, see Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-134264).
However, in any of the aforementioned prior arts, after the password is input, and the print process of the print job data temporarily saved in the storage medium in the print apparatus starts, the print process itself of the print job read out from the storage medium after the password input is handled as a normal print job in the same manner as that of a print job which can be printed without any password input. That is, a print job that requires an authentication process (e.g., password input) is handled in a different way from a print job that does not require any authentication process (e.g., such print job is held in a storage medium) until its print job starts. However, once the print process has started, such print job is processed in the same manner as the print job that does not require any authentication process.
However, such method poses the following problem.
When a trouble that interrupts a print process has occurred during the print process (e.g., when an out-of-paper error has occurred or when a print sheet has jammed in the print apparatus), the user must attend to such trouble. After the trouble has been removed (e.g., after the user has replenished print sheets or has removed the jamming print sheet), the print process restarts. However, in such case, the print process restarts irrespective of print jobs which require or do not require password input (authentication process). Hence, even in a print job which requires an authentication process for the purpose of assuring security, the security of prints has already been jeopardized at that time.


A linear unit (1) comprising a profiled rail (2) along which a carriage (3) is arranged for sliding motion backwards and forwards by means of a reversible screw (4) which actuates the carriage and on either side of the carriage passes through a bore (7) in a screw support (8). A pull rod (24) displaces the screw support backwards and forwards along the profiled rail between to end stop positions, and the screw support serves as a support bearing carrying the screw between bearings (10) supporting the screw at its ends. A self-centering device for automatic centering of the screw in the screw support is formed with a self-centering element (11) mounted in the screw-support bore, said element slidingly abutting against the screw both when the screw is rotating in either one of its directions of rotation and when the screw support assumes its end stop positions. The pull rod kinetically interconnects the screw supports located on either side of the carriage, whereby as the carriage is displaced in a sliding motion in one direction it will abut against the screw support located on one side of the carriage for displacement of said screw support from one of its end stop positions to the other one while simultaneously, via the pull rod, bringing along in its movement the screw support located on the other side of the carriage, and reversely.

Screw supports of this kind primarily serve to counteract tendencies of the screw, which usually is a ball screw, to start vibrating and bending or being deflected outwards, when the screw reaches a critical rotational speed. Such lateral deflections depend among other things on the length of the screw and its rotational speed. When the screw is long and/or rotates at a high speed, this critical rotational-speed value is reached at an earlier stage than when the screw is shorter and/or rotates at a lower speed.
In the case of long linear units having a length of several meters, up to six meters, and being fitted with a long screw of a corresponding length, such tendencies to deflection outwards of the screw may be counteracted with the aid of two or more such screw supports. To allow the carriage to be slid from one end of the linear unit to the opposite one, various driver means have been suggested to displace the screw supports from a first end stop position along the longitudinal extension of the screw to another end stop position and then, in a return displacement movement, return the screw supports to their first end stop position.
A prior-art driver means configured as interacting locking means between carriage and screw supports suffers from the disadvantage of being unnecessarily complicated and in addition exposed to excess wear from the displacement of the screw supports backwards and forwards between the end stop positions by means of the carriage, a feature which often leads to unsatisfactory operational reliability and stability of the linear unit.
Often, such interacting locking means also require so much space in the area around the linear unit that there is a risk that, while moving, the screw supports hook onto some component of the linear unit, which likewise impairs the operational reliability and stability of the linear unit and may lead to breakdowns. In addition, interacting locking means between carriage and screw supports of a kind that are constantly interconnected and disconnected mechanically generate a strong percussion-like noise, which often is felt as most disturbing.
In another prior-art and much improved driver means that eliminates entirely the need for interacting locking means acting between carriage and screw supports, the screw and the screw support are fitted with interacting driver means which, upon rotation of the screw in one direction, carry with them the screw support, displacing it from one of its stop end position to the opposite one and reversely, and which means slide on top of the screw in the end stop positions of the screw support until the screw changes its direction of rotation.
Irrespective of the length of the linear unit and the type of the driver means therein, the screw ends are mounted to ensure that they are centered in their associated bearings. Because of such factors as inevitable manufacturing and matching tolerances and wear on the one hand between screw and screw support and on the other between screw support and profiled rail, play and misalignment of the screw supports relative to the screw and the profiled rail often arise, particularly when the linear unit has been in use for some time. In turn, this leads to the screw supports being exposed to uneven loads from the screw during their movement backwards and forwards along the profiled rail, usually because the screw, when rotating, constantly or alternately exerts pressure on one or the other of the sides of the through-bore formed in the screw support, with consequential increase of wear and noise and in the end functional disturbances and even breakdown.

Self-centering device for linear drive units


At a storage unit 5, at least intermediate resolution picture data for monitor display, high resolution picture data for print, and print control data for controlling print operation of the high resolution picture data are recorded onto an optical disc. At the time of print operation, a system controller 6 reproduces print control data recorded on the optical disc to control a picture processing block 3, and a printer unit 2, etc. so as to implement thereto, e.g., expansion processing and/or color processing of picture, etc. corresponding to the print control data to carry out print operation.. Thus, at the time of print operation, user can automatically carry out print out operation without designating print operation.

As a system for obtaining a still picture which has been subjected to print (i.e., printed) in recent years, a system of taking images of objects by using a camera device in which, eg. , photographic film of 35 mm is loaded to take the photographed film for photograph to a shop (store) to designate development and print to thereby obtain the developed negative film and photographs on which photographed objects are printed is popular.
However, in such system of obtaining still picture, when user takes a film which has been photographed to a shop (store), it is necessary to designate the number of prints. This was very troublesome. Moreover, in carrying out additional print of a desired photograph, user marks, with sign pen, etc., a negative film taken with him to designate a desired picture or pictures. However, there have frequently taken place the case where inconvenience such that additionally printed photograph is not in correspondence with the designated photograph by erroneous marking, etc. Further, in carrying out "color designation" to obtain a photograph in which, e.g., red is emphasized, etc., an approach is employed to designate a picture to designate the portion in which red is desired to be emphasized of the picture, thereby making it possible to obtain a photograph of desired hue (tint). However, since such color designation is subjective designation of user, inconveniences such that a completed photograph has not desired hue (tint) took place.
Further, since the developing unit for developing film and the print unit for carrying out print from the developed film are very expensive, these units are not ordinarily installed within a shop (store) to which user takes a photographed film, but are installed at a processing laboratory for specially carrying out development, etc. For this reason, when the shop side receives already photographed film from user, they (the shop side) send (deliver) the already photographed film to the processing laboratory along with request of user such as the number of prints and or color designation, etc. as described above. The processing laboratory develops the photographed film received from the shop side to form negative film, and to form photographs corresponding to the user's request on the basis of this negative film to send them back to the shop side. Thus, user receives the negative film and photographs from the shop side. Accordingly, in the case of conventionally obtaining still picture, the film etc. is alternated between user, shop and processing laboratory. As a result, it has taken place inconvenience in which means (route) of acquisition is complicated and the request cannot be also precisely transmitted.
On the other hand, in the Official Patent Publication of No. 501932/1993 (International Laid Open No. WO92/05504), "Image data base having low resolution index image data" is disclosed. In accordance with this image data base, picture data is recorded onto a digital data recording medium onto which it can be written once to carry out print on the basis of the picture data recorded on the optical disc to thereby obtain still picture.
However, in this image data base, an optical disc on which data can be recorded only once (so called write once disc) is used as a recording medium, and it is thus impossible to rewrite data which has been once recorded on the disc. For this reason, the system using such image data base was a system only having a function to record picture data onto the optical disc at the shop side, and to reproduce that picture data at the user side. Accordingly, also in this system, it is necessary to orally carry out, in prints, request of user such as the number of prints or color designation, etc. A new system which replaces the system of obtaining still picture conventionally proposed has not been provided.
In view of such actual circumstances, this invention has been made, and its object is to provide a picture control apparatus, a recording medium, a picture control system and a picture control method which realize a new still picture control system which replaces the conventional system of obtaining still picture.


A water-dispersible blocked isocyanate composition, including an isocyanate group-terminated precursor and a blocking agent for blocking a free isocyanate group of the precursor, wherein the precursor includes at least an organic diisocyanate, a low-molecular glycol, and a hydrophilic surfactant having at least one active hydrogen group. The precursor also has an isocyanurate ring structure; an average functional group number (f) satisfying 2.0.ltoreq.f.ltoreq.4.2; a low-molecular glycol content (X) satisfying 0.5 wt. %.ltoreq.X .ltoreq.15 wt. %; and a hydrophilic surfactant content(Y) satisfying 0.1 wt. % .ltoreq.Y.ltoreq.50 wt. %.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water-dispersible blocked isocyanate composition, a water-base paint (or distemper) composition and a water-base adhesive composition mainly containing a water-base (or aqueous) resin.
2. Related Background Art
Heretofore, there have widely been used various paints, adhesives, and coating materials containing an organic solvent having a good power to dissolve a polymer. However, the organic solvent contained in these paints, etc., can cause various problems such as adverse effect on a human organism, safety or hygiene problems inclusive of explosion, fire hazard, etc., and pollution problems inclusive of air pollution.
Accordingly, in recent years, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems caused by the use of the organic solvent, there have actively been developed paints, etc., of a "water-base" system using substantially no organic solvent.
In the water-base system, there has heretofore been used a water-base resin such as aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer, and aqueous dispersion, aqueous emulsion, or aqueous suspension which have been obtained by dispersing a water-dispersible polymer in water. However, in many cases, such a water-base system (one-liquid or one-component system) only using the above water-base resin cannot provide various properties which are required for the above paint, etc. Therefore, in general, a crosslinking agent is used in combination with the water-base resin for the purpose of improving the resultant weather resistance, adhesion property, etc.
As an example using such a crosslinking agent, there is known a system (two-liquid or two-component system) using a curing agent (or hardening agent) having a free isocyanate group, in combination with the above-mentioned water-base resin. However, the two-liquid system has a limitation such that it only has a short work life (or pot life) after the mixing of the curing agent with the above polymer component, and therefore this system has a problem in view of the workability or usability thereof.
As an example the measure for alleviating the above defect of the two-liquid system, there is known a method of using a water-dispersible blocked isocyanate as the above-mentioned crosslinking agent. This is a system wherein a paint, etc., is heated at the time of the use thereof to dissociate the blocking agent and regenerate the free isocyanate, and then the resultant isocyanate is caused to react with an active hydrogen group of the polymer component constituting the water-base resin to convert the polymer into a network structure. In the system using such a water-dispersible blocked isocyanate, since the isocyanate group is blocked, the work life of the system is not limited, unlike in the case of the two-liquid system using the free isocyanate.
As specific examples of the system using the water-dispersible blocked isocyanate, those as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. Sho 61-31422 (i.e., 31422/1986) and Hei 4-159260 (i.e., 159260/1992) are known. A hydrophilic surfactant has been introduced into the blocked isocyanate used in these references, for the purpose of improving the dispersion stability thereof at the time at which the blocked isocyanate is mixed with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer or a water-base emulsion.
In recent years, the requirement for the resultant product of a paint, etc., becomes severer, and therefore the requirement for the appearance of a (dry) paint film (especially, gloss and definition or sharpness) also becomes severer. In such a viewpoint, there has been desired a further improvement in the performance of the water-dispersible blocked isocyanate as described in the above-mentioned Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. Sho 61-31422 and Hei 4-159260.

Water-dispersible blocked isocyanate composition, and water-base paint composition and water-base adhesive composition using same


Structural cells and matrices using the structural cells for positioning below a hardscape that define a void space therein, the structural cells, matrices using the cells and methods of assembly allowing in one embodiment the introduction of a structural fluid such as concrete to provide an alternative structural cell and matrix product. In one embodiment a structural cell assembly is described comprising a structural cell with a plurality of legs integrally linked to a frame at a first frame end, the frame linking the legs together and the frame defining a generally flat plane with the legs extending substantially orthogonally away from the first frame end about the frame flat plane to a leg terminal end; and a separate plate engaging the legs, the separate plate comprising linked sockets, each socket engaging the leg terminal end; and/or linked sockets, each socket engaging the leg frame ends or a part thereof.

Structural cells for under hardscapes that support a compressive load have been used for a number of years now. Art products are typically plastic mouldings using spaced apart legs and a base, top or other retraining structure to align the legs. The legs take up compressive loading on the cell allowing the void space inside the cell to be used for applications such as tree root growth in uncompacted soil or, water reservoir use where the void space is used to capture and retain storm water. There can also be other uses for structural cells or matrices using the structural cells where void space is needed in order to fill a volume and where some degree of structural strength and integrity is required—one example might be in the construction of roadside berms where structural cell matrices may provide an alternative to transporting and delivery of significant volumes of infill.
One drawback of existing designs may be complexity. Another drawback may be in cost. A further drawback may be in structural strength achieved from plastic. Another drawback may be a perceived lack of structural capability in civil and structural applications from a material like plastic. A further drawback may be that of plastic deflection whereby plastic art cells may move elastically when placed under load which is an issue when brittle or non-elastic materials are coupled with the cells and matrices.
The structural cells, matrices and methods of assembly described herein attempt to address at least some of the above drawbacks or at least provide the public with a choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the structural cells, matrices and methods of assembly will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Structural cells, matrices and methods of assembly


Genetic elements comprising expression vectors and a gene coding for phosphoenol pyruvate synthase is utilized to enhance diversion of carbon resources into the common aromatic pathway and pathways branching therefrom. The overexpression of phosphoenol pyruvate synthase increases DAHP production to near theoretical yields.

The present invention relates to the biosynthetic production of organic chemical compounds. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for increasing the yield of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) in microorganisms through genetic alterations. The present invention also relates to methods of enhancing the production of cyclic and aromatic metabolites derived from DAHP in microorganisms through genetic alterations. For example, the biosynthesis of DAHP is the first step in the common aromatic pathway from which tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, and other aromatic metabolites are formed. Also, pathways branching from the common aromatic pathway provide such useful chemical products as catechol and quinoid organics such as quinic acid, benzoquinone, and hydroquinone. In addition, aspartame and indigo can be produced from products derived from the common aromatic pathway.
Production of chemicals from microorganisms has long been an important application of biotechnology. Typically, the steps involved in developing a microorganism production strain include (i) selection of a proper host microorganism, (ii) elimination of metabolic pathways leading to by-products, (iii) deregulation of such pathways at both the enzyme activity level and the transcriptional level, and (iv) overexpression of appropriate enzymes in the desired pathways.
The last three steps can now be achieved by use of a variety of in vivo and in vitro methods. These methods are particularly user-friendly in well-studied microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). Therefore, many examples of engineered microorganisms for physiological characterization and metabolite production have been published.
In most cases, the first target for engineering is the terminal pathway leading to the desired product, and the results are usually successful. However, further improvements of productivity (product formation rate) and yield (percent conversion) of desired products call for the alteration of central metabolic pathways which supply necessary precursors and energy for the desired biosyntheses of those products.
Cyclic and aromatic metabolites such as tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, quinones, and the like trace their biosynthesis to the condensation reaction of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and D-erythrose 4-phosphate (E4P) to form DAHP. DAHP biosynthesis is the first committed step in the common aromatic pathway. DAHP biosynthesis is mediated by three DAHP synthases or isoenzymes. These isoenzymes are coded by genes aroF, aroG, and aroH, whose gene products are feed-back inhibited by tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan, respectively.
After DAHP biosynthesis, some DAHP is converted to chorismate. Chorismate is an intermediate in biosynthetic pathways that ultimately leads to the production of aromatic compounds such as phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine, folate, melanin, ubiquinone, menaquinone, prephenic acid (used in the production of the antibiotic bacilysin) and enterochelin. Because of the large number of biosynthetic pathways that depend from chorismate, the biosynthetic pathway utilized by organisms to produce chorismate is often known as the xe2x80x9ccommon aromatic pathwayxe2x80x9d.
Besides its use in chorismate production, DAHP can also be converted to quinic acid, hydroquinone, benzohydroquinone, or catechol as described by Draths et al. (Draths, K. M., Ward, T. L., Frost, J. W., xe2x80x9cBiocatalysis and Nineteenth Century Organic Chemistry: conversion of D-Glucose into Quinoid Organics,xe2x80x9d J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1992, 114, 1925-26). These biosynthetic pathways branch off from the common aromatic pathway before shikimate is formed.
The efficient production of DAHP by a microorganism is important for the production of aromatic metabolites because DAHP is the precursor in major pathways that produce the aromatic metabolites. The three aromatic amino acids, besides being essential building blocks for proteins, are useful precursor chemicals for other compounds such as aspartame, which requires phenylalanine. Additionally, the tryptophan pathway can be genetically modified to produce indigo.
The production of tryptophan and phenylalanine by E. coli has been well documented. For example, Aiba et al. (Aiba, S., H. Tsunekawa, and T. Imanaka, xe2x80x9cNew Approach to Tryptophan Production by Escherichia coli: Genetic Manipulation of Composite Plasmids In Vitro,xe2x80x9d Appl. Env. Microbiol. 1982, 43:289-297) have reported a tryptophan overproducer that contains overexpressed genes in the tryptophan operon in a host strain that is trpR and tna (encoding tryptophanase) negative. Moreover, various enzymes, such as the trpE gene product, have been mutated to resist feedback inhibition. Similar work has been reported for phenylalanine production.
In the past, the enhanced commitment of cellular carbon sources entering and flowing through the common aromatic pathway has been accomplished with only modest success (i.e., such attempts have fallen far below the theoretical yield). Typically, the enhancements were accomplished, by transferring into host cells, genetic elements encoding enzymes that direct carbon flow into and/or through the common aromatic pathway. Such genetic elements can be in the form of extrachromosomal plasmids, cosmids, phages, or other replicons capable of transforming genetic elements into the host cell.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,056 to Frost described the use of a genetic element containing an expression vector and a. gene coding for transketolase (Tkt), the tkt gene. This genetic element can be integrated into the microorganisms chromosome to provide overexpression of the Tkt enzyme.
Additional examples include: Miller et al. (Miller, J. E., K. C. Backman, J. M. O""Connor, and T. R. Hatch, xe2x80x9cProduction of phenylalanine and organic acids by PEP carboxylase-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli,xe2x80x9dJ. Ind. Microbiol., 1987, 2:143-149) who attempted to direct more carbon flux into the amino acid pathway by use of a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (coded by ppc) deficient mutant; Draths et al. (Draths, K. M., D. L. Pompliano, D. L. Conley, J. W. Frost, A. Berry, G. L. Disbrow, R. J. Staversky, and J. C. Lievense, xe2x80x9cBiocatalytic synthesis of aromatics from D-glucose: The role of transketolase,xe2x80x9d J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1992, 114:3956-3962) who reported that overexpression of transketolase (coded by tktA) and a feed-back resistant DAHP synthase (coded by aroGfbr) resulted in improved production of DAHP from glucose.
The overproduction of transketolase in tkt transformed cells has been found to provide an increased flow of carbon resources into the common aromatic pathway relative to carbon resource utilization in whole cells that do not harbor such genetic elements. However, the increased carbon flux may be further enhanced by additional manipulation of the host strain.
Thus, it is desirable to develop genetically engineered strains of microorganisms that are capable of enhancing the production of DAHP to near theoretical yield. Such genetically engineered strains can then be used for selective production of DAHP or in combination with other incorporated genetic material for selective production of desired metabolites. Efficient and cost-effective biosynthetic production of chorismate, quinic acid, hydroquinone, benzohydroquinone, catechol, or derivatives of these chemicals requires that carbon sources such as glucose, lactose, galactose, xylose, ribose, or other sugars be converted to the desired product in high yields. Accordingly, it is valuable from the standpoint of industrial biosynthetic production of metabolites to increase the influx of carbon sources for cell biosynthesis of DAHP and its derivatives.
The present invention provides genetically engineered strains of microorganisms that overexpress the pps gene for increasing the production of DAHP to near theoretical yields. The present invention also provides genetically engineered strains of microorganisms where at least one of the plasmids pPS341, pPSL706, pPS706, or derivatives thereof is transformed into a microorganism for increasing the production of DAHP to near theoretical yields.
The present invention further provides a method for increasing carbon flow for the biosynthesis of DAHP in a host cell comprising the steps of transforming into the host cell recombinant DNA comprising a pps gene so that Pps is expressed at enhanced levels relative to wild type host cells, concentrating the transformed cells through centrifugation, resuspending the cells in a minimal, nutrient lean medium, fermenting the resuspended cells, and isolating DAHP from the medium.
The present invention further provides methods of increasing carbon flow into the common aromatic pathway of a host cell comprising the step of transforming the host cell with recombinant DNA comprising a pps gene so that Pps is expressed at appropriate point in the metabolic pathways at enhanced levels relative to wild type host cells.
The present invention further provides methods for enhancing a host cell""s biosynthetic production of compounds derived from the common aromatic pathway relative to wild type host cell""s biosynthetic production of such compound, said method comprising the step of increasing expression in a host cell of a protein catalyzing the conversion of pyruvate to PEP.
The present invention also provides methods for overexpressing Pps in microorganism strains which utilize DAHP in the production DAHP of metabolites.
The present invention further provides a culture containing a microorganism characterized by overexpressing Pps where the culture is capable of producing DAHP metabolites near theoretical yields upon fermentation in an aqueous resuspension, minimal, nutrient lean medium containing assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic substances.
The present invention further provides a genetic element comprising a pps gene and one or more genes selected from the group consisting of an aroF gene, aroG gene, aroH gene, and an aroB gene.
The present invention further provides a DNA molecule comprising a vector carrying a gene coding for Pps.

Microorganisms and methods for overproduction of DAHP by cloned PPS gene


An antenna comprises an antenna body, a cable, a substrate, a ground element and a conductive element. The antenna body, which is U-shaped, comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion is planar, the second portion is connected to an end of the first portion, the third portion is connected to an end of the second portion, and the first portion is parallel to the third portion. The ground element and the conductive element are disposed on the substrate. An isolation gap is formed between the ground element and the conductive element. The first portion is coupled to the conductive element. The cable comprises a signal line coupled to the conductive element.

The invention relates to an antenna, and more particularly to an antenna for receiving a wireless digital television signal.
FIG. 1a shows a conventional flat antenna 1 utilized in a notebook, which comprises a signal receiving element 2, a signal line 3 and a ground element 4. The signal receiving element 2 is connected to the ground element 4. The signal line 3 is coupled to the signal receiving element 2. FIG. 1b shows signal reception of the conventional flat antenna 1, wherein when a wireless signal to be received comprises a center frequency of 575 MHz, a bandwidth thereof (bandwidth is defined as signals having voltage with standing wave ratios lower than 3) is between 40–50 MHz.
Improvement in digital television technology has lead to a demand for notebooks to receive wireless digital television signals. Thus, notebook antennas must have a wide bandwidth to receive television signals in different frequencies to provide different television channels. The frequencies of wireless digital television signals are between 400–800 MHz, and an antenna for receiving wireless digital television signals must have a bandwidth of at least 200 MHz. Thus, a convention flat antenna cannot be utilized for receiving wireless digital television signals.


Motor control system for unidirectional series DC electric motor having improved dynamic braking performance for smoothly, rapidly and predictably stopping the motor armature so that any operated devices are similarly stopped at a predetermined location. The control system uses a bridge conformed like a full-wave rectifier together with a pair of switches having open and closed positions to control the direction of current through the armature. The current through the motor field winding is always in the same direction. The control switches are protected against arcing when breaking an inductive load.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to control systems for motors and, more particularly, to a motor control system for a unidirectional motor having improved motor dynamic braking.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Dynamic braking for electric motors has been in widespread use for over eighty years. The 1915 Edition of the Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, McGraw-Hill Sec. 15,-464, pages 1304-05 defines dynamic braking as follows: ". . . the retardation of a machine by a motor acting as a generator. The subject of dynamic braking may be divided into two parts as follows: first, for the purpose of effecting a quick stop; second, for the retardation of a descending load ."
Recently, an article in Machine Design, June, 1992 at page 484 notes that: "Dynamic braking of dc motors occurs when the armature terminals are disconnected from the power supply and then connected together, while the field is energized. The resultant armature current from the counter-emt voltage creates a magnetic field that opposes motor rotation."
In a field as old and commercial as dynamic braking of electric motors, the patent and technical literature is replete with examples of improvements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,049 dated Feb. 2, 1993 to Kiuchi utilizes a switching mechanism for short-circuiting the power terminals of the stator windings of a three-phase motor once a brake signal is issued from the brake circuit. This rapidly brings the motor to a full stop. U.S. Pat. No. 3,260,908 dated Jul. 12, 1966 to Bostwick arrests the rotation of an AC motor by reversing the motor armature connections through an elaborate circuit to effect braking. U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,991 dated Aug. 26, 1969 to Yuminaka et. al. utilizes a rectifier bridge and a single SCR switch to effect braking of a motor. U.S. Pat. No. 2,575,021 dated Nov. 13, 1951 to Leitch et. al. describes a fairly complicated system in which motor field connections are reversed to obtain braking.
All of the commercial systems for dynamic braking tried to date have drawbacks, some of which are a lock of consistent operation and reliability and problems encountered with residual fields and delays in motor response and thus braking response. For some applications very reliable and consistent operation is a requirement and a typical example for such an application is a remote switch for a high-voltage circuit.

Control system for unidirectional motor having improved dynamic braking


A recoating unit (40) serves for equipping or retrofitting a device (1) for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (2) by selectively solidifying a building material (15), preferably a powder, layer by layer. The device (1) comprises a recoater (16) movable across a build area (8) for applying a layer (31b, 32b) of the building material (15) within the build area (8) and a solidification device (20) for selectively solidifying the applied layer (31b, 32b) at positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object (2) to be manufactured. The device (1) is formed and/or controlled to repeat the steps of applying and selectively solidifying until the object (2) is completed. The recoating unit (40) comprises at least two recoating rollers (41, 42) spaced apart from each other in a first direction (B1) and extending into a second direction transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the first direction. At least one of the recoating rollers (41, 42), preferably both of the recoating rollers (41, 42) are formed adjustable in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction in the recoating unit (40).

Devices and methods of this kind are used for example for Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Tooling or Additive Manufacturing. An example of such a method is known by the name "selective laser sintering or laser melting". Therein, repeatedly a thin layer of pulverulent building material is applied, and the building material in each layer is selectively solidified by selectively irradiating positions corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be manufactured with a laser beam.
WO 2013/092757 A1 describes a device and a method for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object from powder. In one embodiment, the powder is applied to the build area by a powder supply that includes a dosing roller and moves across the build area. The applied powder is drawn out to a regular layer by a height-adjustable distributing roller moving behind the powder supply and compacted by a compacting roller following behind which is arranged nearer to the build area than the distributing roller, whereby the layer thickness is reduced. The recoating direction is predetermined by the succession of the rollers.

Recoating unit, recoating method, device and method for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object


An Internet access system and method includes active link status indicators that give a user control over when a document is loaded into a cache. The system and method notifies a user of the presence or absence of a document in the cache by changing the visual characteristics of an associated link status indicator. If a user selects a link status indicator with a mouse or other input device, the system and method will fetch the document corresponding to the associated Internet link and place the document in the cache without displaying the document to the user. The system and method of this invention allow a user to fetch a document and store it in the cache while the user is viewing another document. The link status indicators include icons that are displayed adjacent to the associated Internet link.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to systems for accessing the Internet. More specifically, this invention is directed to an Internet access system and method with active link status indicators.
2. Description of Related Art
Most distributive information networks, such as the Internet, utilize local caches to reduce the system response time. An Internet access system, such as a World Wide Web browser, generally has access to a local cache. When a user selects a Web link to request a document, the Web browser first determines if the requested document is present in the local cache. If the requested document is present in the local cache, the Web browser simply displays the copy of the document in the cache. If the requested document is not present in the local cache, the Web browser fetches the document from the Web, places the document in the local cache and displays the document to the user.
A cache may be shared by many users of the Web, or it may only be accessible to a single user. When the cache is shared by many users, a document that has been fetched by one user may be fetched from the cache in response to subsequent requests by other users. Therefore, when the cache is shared by a large number of users, most popular Web documents will already be cached when any given user requests the document. This reduces the amount of network traffic and also reduces the length of time that a user must wait for the document.
In standard Web browsers, the browser does not indicate to the user whether a document is present in the cache. Furthermore, the user has no control over placing a document into the cache. The only indication that a user has that a document has been cached is that a second fetch of the document is generally much faster than the first fetch.
Efforts have been made to reduce the transparency of the cache and to give the user more control over the cache. An Internet access system for portable computers, disclosed in Schilit et al., "TeleWeb: Loosely Connected Access to the World Wide Web," 5.sup.th International World Wide Web Conference, Paris, France, May 6-10, 1996, indicates Internet links to documents that are not cached in the portable computer with an icon. Thus, a user can defer attempts to fetch those documents until the portable computer is connected to the Internet.
The icons in the Schilit system tell the user that a document is not in the cache. However, the icons are not active and thus do not help the user load a document into the cache. Specifically, the Schilit system does not provide a mechanism for loading documents into the cache other than by fetching and displaying the documents in the usual fashion.
Goldberg et al., "How to Program Networked Portable Computers," IEEE #0-8186-4000, June 1993, pages 80-88, discloses an X-Window mail application that greys out the menus and buttons representing documents that are not in the local cache. When a user selects a document represented by a grayed-out menu or button, the system loads the document into the local cache.
A problem with the Goldberg system is that the technique of graying out the names of document links is not appropriate for Web browsers. One reason for this is that Web browsers currently use the display characteristics of Internet link names to represent other information. For example, when a user selects the name of a link, the link name changes color to indicate that it has been selected.
Another reason that the Goldberg system is not appropriate for Web browsers is that Internet links are being increasingly represented by graphical elements, i.e., pictures. Because of the variability of graphical elements, it is difficult to provide a standardized method of modifying their display characteristics.
In addition, the Goldberg system immediately displays the document that is loaded into the cache. Thus, the Goldberg system does not allow a user to view one document while another document is loaded into the cache.


A liquid material is applied by spin coating it onto a first main surface of a flat plate to form a coating of the liquid material thereon. The flat plate includes a second main surface which is opposite to the first main surface and a hole which passes through the flat plate. The application of the liquid material is carried out using an inner guide member, which is placed in the hole, and the spin coating is carried out while the flat plate is placed on a stage such that the inner guide member is placed generally adjacent to an inner peripheral side surface of the flat plate and an upper surface of the inner guide member and the first main surface are located at generally the same level. Thereby, a coating is obtained which extends on the upper surface of the inner guide member and the first main surface of the flat plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an application method of a liquid material using spin coating, application equipment for such application method, a product which is produced using such application method (for example, an optical disc, a liquid crystal display, a magnetic disk, etc.) and a production process and a production apparatus of such product using such application method.
2. Description of Related Art
The conventional methods of applying a liquid material are shown in FIGS. 8(a) to (d) wherein the liquid material 804 is applied on a substrate 806 using a brush 802 (see FIG. 8 (a)), a liquid material 804 is dropped onto a substrate 806 from a nozzle 808 (see FIG. 8 (b)), a liquid material 804 is sprayed onto a substrate 806 through a nozzle 810 (see FIG. 8 (c)), and a liquid material 804 on a roller 812 is transferred to a substrate 806 (see FIG. 8 (d)).
In order to remove an amount of a liquid material that has been excessively applied on an object, to make a thickness of a coating formed on an object by the application, or to uniformly spread on an object a liquid material which is supplied thereto, a spin coating method is used wherein the object to which the liquid material is to be applied is placed on a turn table (or a stage), which is, in turn, rotated so that a centrifugal force is applied to the liquid material. Generally, the uniform thickness of the coating is obtained by the spin coating method only when the thickness of the coating is small enough. When the thickness of the coating is large, the variation over the applied surface is large after the spin coating. In a case where the thickness of the coating is 10 micrometers or more, the thickness variation of the coating is 20% or more based on an average thickness.
FIGS. 9(a) and (b) show in a sectional view a typical state of the liquid material 903 supplied to a plate 901 supported on a stage 902 just after the liquid material has been applied using the conventional spin coating method. With the conventional spin coating method, a bulged portion 904 of a coating thickness is formed on an outer peripheral part 910 of the plate 901 (i.e., a portion of the plate shown with a bi-directional arrow, see FIG. 9(a)). Moreover, in the case where the liquid material is applied to a plate 901 that has a hole 908 in its central part, a thickness of the coating on a portion 920 of the plate around the hole 908 (i.e., a portion of the plate shown with a bidirectional arrow, see FIG. 9 (b)) becomes thin.
As a product produced using such a spin coating method, there is an optical disc which has been recently used as a mass recording medium. Attempts to increase the capacity and high recording density of the optical disc are on-going now, and specifically, an approach of enlarging a numerical aperture (NA) of an object lens for a record/reproduction device, and an approach of shortening a wavelength of a laser beam to be used are now being studied. In the optical disc, when a thickness of a substrate on a record/reproduction side of the disc, the substrate functioning as a light permeable layer (i.e. a substrate on a side from which a laser beam is injected), is thinner, an effect of aberration on a laser beam spot becomes smaller so that a tolerance of an inclination angle (tilt) of the disc can be increased. Based on this, it is proposed that the thickness of the substrate on the record/reproduction side is about 0.1 mm, NA is about 0.85 and the wavelength of the laser is about 400 nm. With such a proposal, it is desirable that the variation in the thickness of the substrate on the record/reproduction side be suppressed to within 5% considering the effects of a record/reproduction beam on the focus and spherical aberration.
As a method which achieves such suppressed variation in the thickness, it is conceived that sheet form substrates, each having a uniform thickness (of about several tens of micrometers), are laminated with a light curable resin. However, the use of such sheet form substrates is very costly, and thus, it is preferable to form the record/reproduction side substrate by only using the spin coating method.
It is very difficult to apply a liquid material by the conventional spin coating method so as to form a uniform coating having a thickness is not smaller than several tens of micrometers. According to the conventional spin coating method, the liquid material is always forced toward a periphery of the object due to the centrifugal force, so that the thickness of the coating formed by the application is thinner toward an inner peripheral part of the object and thicker toward an outer peripheral part of the object. Moreover, the thickness of the coating of the outer peripheral part becomes extremely thick because of the surface tension of the liquid material.

Apparatus and method for applying liquid material to form a resin layer

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A wireless router provides access control to information resources stored at the wireless router. The wireless router supports user profiles and/or device profiles that respectively enable user level and/or device level access control. The wireless router may register users via a user registration interface presented by the client device. The wireless router may register client devices using a device identifier. Requests to initiate a communication session may be received by the wireless router from client devices over a wireless local area network. The wireless router may authenticate a client device based on a device identifier and/or authenticate a user based on user credentials obtained via a login interface presented by the client device. The wireless router may control access to information resources stored at the wireless router during the communication session based, at least in part, on access privileges for the authenticated client device and/or authenticated user.

On-premises wireless routers provide wireless local area network (WLAN) access to client devices in both home and business environments. Wireless routers perform a number of different functions, including a router function, a wireless access point function, and a network switch function. Wireless routers are often connected to a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, via a high capacity communications link to provide client devices of the WLAN with high-speed access to network resources of the WAN. Wireless routers serve as gateways for multiple client devices to concurrently access wide area networks.

Access control interfaces for enhanced wireless router


The embodiments relate to an image reconstruction to be carried out on a base unit of a MRI system, where data is formed by reception signals obtained by a local coil unit. Provisions are made for an alternating magnetic field, modulated in accordance with a reference clock, the alternating magnetic field to be used by the local coil unit for obtaining electric energy for supplying local electronics of the local coil unit and the reference clock to be retrieved from the received alternating magnetic field by the local electronics, a radio signal containing MRI information representing the reception signals and clock information representing the retrieved reference clock to be produced by the local electronics and transmitted to the base unit, and the received radio signal to be processed by the base unit such that the data and the clock information are retrieved therefrom and provided for the image reconstruction.

By way of example, a method and system for providing MRI data are described in DE 10 2011 079 564 A1.
In DE 10 2011 079 564 A1, MRI reception signals are amplified in the region of the local coil unit and then transmitted by wires to the MRI base unit or the evaluation apparatus found there. Within the scope of DE 10 2011 079 564 A1, it is also mentioned that MRI reception signals may be transmitted to the evaluation apparatus wirelessly, but the practical embodiment of such a radio transmission is not discussed in any more detail.

System and methods for providing magnetic resonance imaging data for an image reconstruction