A security apparatus and a method for detecting illegal carrying of items at a check-out are provided. The security apparatus includes a first set of sensors for measuring a number of parameters associated with a number of items purchased by a customer, and a second set of sensors to measure a number of physiological parameters of the customer. A communication unit in the security apparatus obtains information regarding a purchase of the number of items. A computing unit of the security apparatus compares reference parameters with the measured number of parameters. Based on a difference in the comparison, the computing unit receives the number of micro-expressions of the customer and determines one or more emotions of the customer. The one or more emotions and the number of parameters associated with the number of items are used to detect illegal carrying of at least one item.

Self-check-out provisions are available for simple check-out procedures in many supermarkets or stores. Such self-check-out systems provide uniform billing procedures and hassle-free check-out for customers. A typical self-check-out system includes multiple lanes or stations having respective scanners and computers. The scanners may scan the items selected by the customers in the store, and the computer may bill the items. As such, the self-check-out system may replace some billing personnel or cashiers who manually check out items purchased by the customer and bills the items. Further, packing of the billed items may also be enabled in the self-check-out system.
In modern stores, updated self-check-out systems may enable customers to use their personal electronic devices (as well as provided devices in supermarkets or stores) to scan the items as and when the customers select the items from shelves or racks. An application in the electronic device generates a bill for the scanned items. The customer can also make the payment for the purchase of the items using the application. Thereafter, the customer may exit the store efficiently.
Many stores implementing self-check-out system have security personnel to manually check each customer exiting the store to confirm if self-check-out has been completed. Typically, the security personnel check the bill or receipt and compare the information therein with the goods/items carried by the customer. The security personnel may flag any customer if there is a discrepancy in the items carried by the customer. Manual checking of every customer is an inefficient process. Further, customer satisfaction is affected as every customer is checked for illegal carrying of items.
Thus, there is a need for efficient security in detecting theft/illegal carrying of items from a store.

Security apparatus in a shopping environment, and a method thereof


Disclosed are a polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, a membrane-electrode assembly including the same, a fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell. Particularly, the polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell may include ionomer layers including a voltage reversal tolerance-increasing additive including a water electrolysis catalyst and an electrical conductor and provided on a porous reinforced film.

Currently, a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is most frequently used as a fuel cell for vehicles. Such a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell must be able to stably operate over a wide current density range in order to exhibit normal high-output performance of at least tens of kW under various vehicle operating conditions.
The fuel cell is used in the form of a stack in which unit cells are stacked and assembled to meet the required output level. Each unit cell is configured such that a gas diffusion layer (GDL), a gasket, etc. are stacked on the outer portion of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), i.e. on the outer portion where the cathode and anode are located, and the outer side of the gas diffusion layer is provided with a bipolar plate (or a separator) having a flow field through which coolant passes and which supplies reactant gases (hydrogen as fuel and oxygen or air as oxidant). After stacking hundreds of such unit cells, an end plate for supporting the unit cells is provided on the outermost side.
An electrochemical reaction for generating electricity for the fuel cell occurs in a membrane-electrode assembly composed of a perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer-based electrolyte membrane and an anode and a cathode. In general, electrodes used for fuel cell electric vehicles include a catalyst that causes a fuel cell reaction, a catalyst support, and an ionomer binder that connects the catalyst and the catalyst support to each other. As the catalyst for a fuel cell, expensive platinum (Pt) has been mainly used, and in order to reduce the cost of the stack, alleviate catalyst poisoning by carbon monoxide, etc. or improve the performance of the catalyst, platinum may be alloyed with metal elements such as palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), gold (Au), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), yttrium (Y) and the like. The metal catalyst particles are supported on a catalyst support having a high specific surface area in the form of nanoparticles in order to increase the reaction area. Examples of the catalyst support for a fuel cell may include carbonaceous materials having high electrical conductivity, such as carbon black, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanospheres, carbon nanowires, graphite, graphene, mesoporous carbon, and the like. The ionomer binder of the electrode may be mainly perfluorinated sulfonic acid.
As for the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell, hydrogen supplied to the anode, which is the oxidation electrode of the fuel cell, is separated into protons and electrons through a hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), as represented in Scheme [1] below, after which the protons move to the cathode, which is the reduction electrode, via the membrane, and the electrons move to the cathode via an external circuit. At the cathode, the protons and the electrons react with oxygen gas supplied outside through an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to generate electricity and heat, and at the same time, water (H2O) is generated as a reaction byproduct, as represented in Scheme [2] below.H2→2H++2e−,E°=0.000 V (vs. SHE)  [1]½O2+2H++2e−→H2O,E°=1.229 V (vs. SHE)  [2]
Here, E° is a standard electrode potential and SHE is a standard hydrogen electrode.
In particular, when the protons move from the anode to the cathode via the membrane, an electro-osmotic drag (EOD) phenomenon, by which protons are coupled in the form of hydronium ions with water molecules to drag the water molecules, occurs. Moreover, when the amount of water that cumulates at the cathode increases, a back diffusion (BD) phenomenon, by which some water moves backwards from the cathode to the anode, may occur. The water generated and moved through the fuel cell reaction plays a desirable role in maintaining the humidification of the membrane-electrode assembly when present in an appropriate amount. However, when excess water is present, if it is not properly removed, a water flooding problem occurs, and the overflowing water impedes the efficient supply of reactant gases into the fuel cell, resulting in a greater voltage loss. The problem of insufficient supply of hydrogen and oxygen, which are the reactant gases used in the fuel cell, may occur due to various causes such as ice formation in winter and abnormality of a reactant gas supply device, in addition to the water flooding in the fuel cell. In particular, it is known that hydrogen fuel starvation at the anode has a very detrimental effect on the performance of the fuel cell and thus significantly reduces the cell voltage.
Typically, hydrogen starvation may be classified into overall hydrogen starvation, in which hydrogen supply is insufficient throughout the fuel cell, and local hydrogen starvation, in which hydrogen supply is sufficient for the entire cell but is insufficient in portions thereof due to uneven distribution. This hydrogen starvation phenomenon occurs frequently under operating conditions such as uneven supply and distribution of hydrogen gas, sudden increase in fuel cell load demand, and fuel cell start-up. Indeed, overall hydrogen starvation may be relatively easily detected by monitoring the hydrogen supply status using a sensor in a balance of plant for a fuel cell. However, local hydrogen starvation in some cells requires much more effort and a complicated control system because the hydrogen supply status in each cell in the fuel cell stack may be detected only upon close monitoring using a stack voltage monitoring device.
When the hydrogen gas in the anode is insufficient during fuel cell operation, the anode voltage increases in order to generate protons necessary for the fuel cell reaction, and the anode voltage (EAn) is increased more than the cathode voltage (ECa), thus forming a cell voltage reversal state in which the cell voltage (ECell) becomes less than 0 V (ECell=ECa−EAn<0). For example, carbon, which is a catalyst support constituting the anode, may be oxidized by reacting with water, as represented in Schemes [3] and [4] below, but protons and electrons necessary for the cathode are not sufficiently supplied due to the sluggish reaction rate, and ultimately the anode voltage drastically increases.C+2H2O→CO2+4H++4e−(0.207 V vs. SHE)  [3]C+H2O→CO+2H++2e−(0.518 V vs. SHE)  [4]
If vehicles continue to operate without regard thereto, the corrosion of carbon is accelerated, and the metal catalyst particles supported on the catalyst support are lost, resulting in deteriorated fuel cell performance. When the cell voltage reversal condition continues until an excessive voltage reversal state of −2 V or less is reached, the fuel cell may become overheated, so the membrane-electrode assembly and the gas diffusion layer may be damaged. In particular, serious problems in which pin-holes are formed in the membrane-electrode assembly and the cell is electrically shorted may occur, ultimately resulting in cell failure in which fuel cells may no longer operate normally. Hence, it is important to develop fuel cell parts and systems having excellent tolerance to voltage reversal.
As a conventional technique for preventing corrosion of the catalyst support, research has been conducted with the goal of increasing the corrosion resistance of the catalyst by supporting the catalyst on a non-carbon support such as titanium oxide, cerium oxide, niobium oxide, tungsten oxide, titanium carbide, titanium nitride, etc. In this case, however, the main source of generation of protons in the electrode is removed, so protons cannot be produced, and thus the anode voltage is further increased, whereby adjacent parts such as a gas diffusion layer etc. are oxidized or excessive heat generation occurs, so cell damage may become more severe.
In the related arts, a technique for configuring the anode using a hydrogen oxidation reaction catalyst and an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst has been introduced. For example, a water electrolysis catalyst, in the anode in order to prevent cell damage due to voltage reversal in a fuel cell. Accordingly, the water electrolysis catalyst such as iridium oxide, ruthenium oxide, etc. contained in the anode decomposes water and supplies protons as represented in Scheme [5] below when a voltage reversal occurs, thereby preventing the anode voltage from excessively increasing and suppressing the oxidation of carbon, ultimately preventing cell damage.H2O→½O2+2H++2e−(1.229 V vs. SHE)  [5]
However, when a voltage reversal occurs, if the water present in the electrode or the water supplied through the humidifying gas from the outside is not properly supplied to the water electrolysis catalyst, the carbon oxidation reaction rapidly increases in order to make up for the insufficient number of protons. Accordingly, the efficient supply of water, which is a reactant, to the water electrolysis catalyst is important, but methods thereof have still not been devised.
Meanwhile, water in the ionomer exists in the form of bound water and free water depending on the intensity of interaction with the sulfonic acid group contained in the ionomer. Unlike bound water, which is coupled with the sulfonic acid group and thus has restricted mobility, free water may move relatively freely within the ionomer.

Polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell and method of manufacturing same


Methods of manufacturing a composite lattice structure made of cellulosic, inorganic, and/or polymer materials are disclosed. The unique lattice is weather-resistant and low-maintenance and may be used for ornamental gardening trellises, overhead outdoor patio or deck coverings, window lattices, privacy fences, garden fences, ornamental skirting or façades such as around the bottom of an elevated deck or porch, and other suitable functions.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to composite products. More particularly, exemplary embodiment of the present invention are directed to methods of manufacturing a lattice structure made from composite materials such as cellulosic-filled and/or inorganic-filled plastic composite materials. The composite lattice may be used as gates, fences, porch and deck skirts, and other similar structures. For example, an exemplary composite lattice of the present invention may be used as a privacy barrier or as an ornamental skirting or façade such as the skirting around the bottom of an elevated deck or porch built off the back of a home.
Generally, lattice structures such as deck skirts are made from wood. The use of wood products in outdoor applications can cause a multitude of problems. First, the wood needs to be pre-treated for protection against weather, thus increasing the cost of the lumber used to construct the lattice. Although the wood lattice is pretreated, extended exposure to the weather causes the wood to warp, crack, splinter, and generally deteriorate in condition. To aid in slowing the effects of this exposure, the wood requires yearly maintenance. Typically, this comprises pressure washing or sanding the wood and then re-painting or staining it. Since this is quite a time-consuming process, many fail to perform this necessary annual maintenance, thus increasing the deterioration of the lattice structure.
Some have tried to overcome the problems of using wood by making lattice structures from plastic materials such as vinyl. However, the prior art has failed to address methods of producing lattice structures using more recently developed wood composites.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,284 by Cantley is a utility patent that teaches the manufacture of a one-piece molded plastic lattice that simulates a lattice of separate superposed members. The lattice is manufactured with injection molding, but neither discloses the use of a wood composite materials nor methods of manufacturing a lattice using wood composites.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may satisfy some or all of these needs. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a lattice structure comprised of a composite material. In particular, the lattice structure may be made from cellulosic-filled or inorganic-filled plastic composites. As compared to natural woods, a cellulosic composite may offer superior resistance to wear and tear and to degradation caused by adverse weathering effects, and may also reduce overall maintenance costs. For instance, a cellulosic composite may have an enhanced resistance to moisture. In fact, it is well known that the retention of moisture is a primary cause of the warping, splintering, and discoloration of natural woods as described above. Moreover, a cellulosic composite may be sawed, sanded, shaped, turned, fastened, and finished in a similar manner as natural woods.
In an exemplary embodiment, a component of a lattice may be of any desired type, shape, and dimension. Manufacturing processes, for example, include but are not limited to, injection molding, compression molding, extrusion, and structural molding. Secondary operations, such as stamping or brushing may be optionally employed to impart the desired appearance on the lattice. Inclusion of mechanical attachment means may also be embodied to facilitate assembly of the lattice if the structure is optionally fabricated as a piece-part construction.
Other types of articles that may benefit from exemplary embodiments of the present invention include other types of various lattice structures including, but not limited to, ornamental gardening trellises, overhead outdoor patio or deck coverings, window lattices, privacy fences, garden fences, and other suitable indoor and outdoor items.
In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned above, other features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments.

Methods of manufacturing a lattice having a distressed appearance


The method for preparing a carbon fiber of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a polyacrylonitrile-based polymer solution; spinning the polyacrylonitrile-based polymer solution to prepare a precursor fiber for a carbon fiber, the precursor fiber having a water content of 20-50%; converting the precursor fiber for a carbon fiber into a preliminary flame-retarded fiber while stretching the precursor fiber for a carbon fiber at an elongation rate of −10˜−0.1% or 0.1˜5% at 180˜220° C. in air; converting the preliminary flame-retarded fiber into a flame-retardant fiber while stretching the preliminary flame-retarded fiber at an elongation rate of −5˜5% at 200˜300° C. in air; and heating the flame-retardant fiber under an inert atmosphere to carbonize the flame-retardant fiber.

Carbon fiber is widely used as a fiber for reinforcing a composite material in common industries such as those pertaining to automobiles, civil engineering and construction, pressure vessels, windmill blades and the like in addition to the sports and aerospace industries because it has high specific strength and specific elasticity compared to other fibers. Therefore, there is a strong need to increase the productivity of carbon fiber and improve the production stability of carbon fiber.
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fiber, which is the most widely-used carbon fiber, is industrially produced by wet-spinning, dry-spinning or wet-dry-spinning a PAN-based polymer (precursor)-containing solution to obtain a precursor fiber, heating the precursor fiber under an oxidative atmosphere to convert the precursor fiber into a flame-retardant fiber and then heating the flame-retardant fiber under an inert atmosphere to carbonize the flame-retardant fiber to eventually form the carbon fiber.
The application range of such carbon fiber is becoming wider, and such carbon fiber is required to have high performance.
Therefore, various methods for preparing a high-performance carbon fiber have been actively researched. However, since a conventional precursor fiber for preparing a carbon fiber has a water content of about 4% or less, it is difficult to additionally stretch the precursor fiber to improve physical properties in a flame-retarding process, and thus it is difficult to improve the strength of the finally-produced carbon fiber.

Method for preparing carbon fiber and precursor fiber for carbon fiber


The optical design for a contact type portable eye imaging apparatus, including the imaging optics and illumination optics are proposed, which utilizes miniature image sensor and solid state light emitting technology, as the next generation of medical imaging devices, in particular in ophthalmic imaging applications.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to an ophthalmic examination apparatus, more particularly a contact eye imaging camera which uses the miniature digital image sensor for imaging and the solid state light emitting devices for lighting.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Several portable contact eye imaging systems have been proposed to photograph the posterior of human eyes (fundus camera) over the years. One of such, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,472, is confined to use a fiber optical cable to guide the light from a remote light source to a hand held camera, which avoids the heat generated from the high brightness light source. The extension of the fiber cable also forms a circular light illumination device in order to distribute the light uniformly on to the posterior of an eye, as shown in FIG. 1. The details of the fiber optical ring structure are demonstrated in FIG. 2, where the fibers are tightly wrapped around and glued to the imaging optical lens where its exterior surface is tapered off. One of surfaces from the front lens is designed to contact the cornea of the eye with its radius matched to that of the cornea. The end of the concentric fiber ring and the matrix material are grounded and polished to have same radius as that of the contact surface of the front lens. The second embodiment in the FIG. 2, shows a more elaborated design where two concentric fiber rings are implemented with the purpose of increasing the distribution of light to the posterior of the eye, and extending the illuminated area by using different projection angles. However, such design has exhibited its unique difficulty in the manufacturing process and was not materialized in the real products. The improvement for the manufacturability was proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,036 later, where a cornea contact glass lens is introduced and bonded to the original front lens, as shown in FIG. 3. The larger size of such contact lens not only provides protection for the fiber optical lighting apparatus, but also allows the use of the light conditioning optics, like Fresnel lens, to control the direction and distribution of the light to the posterior of the eye. The corneal contact lens, which forms a triplet with other two imaging lenses behind it, is then sealed to the shell of the imaging apparatus through its outer edge. Although the improvement in the design is significant, it also comes with its own problems, including for example the limitation on the design of light conditioning optics and the difficulty in achieving reliable sealing for the contact optics. A design for the imaging optics is also proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,036, where the light from the posterior of the eye is collected by the contact triplet lens and several imaging lenses behind it to form a secondary image, as shown in FIG. 4. Additional relay optics, which is movable for adjusting the focus of the images, is used to directly form a real image from the secondary image plane onto an imaging sensor, like CCD. Such design is suitable for an imaging apparatus built with rather large imaging sensor, where the size of the imaging optics and the difficulty in making such small optics are not obstacles. However, when a miniature image sensor, together with its special imaging optics, is used in a complex imaging system, a new approach for the optical design must be taken.
In this invention, a new optical imaging apparatus, which is more reliable and portable, is proposed. It will be built with new generation of miniature digital cameras as its core imaging sensors and the high power solid state light emitters as its source.

Imaging and lighting optics of a contact eye camera


An ink jet printing apparatus is provided in which ink absorbers, capable of performing their function to the fullest extent to quickly absorb an ink that tends to coagulate, are installed to prevent an interior of the printing apparatus and the back of a print medium from being contaminated. To this end, the printing apparatus has an ink absorber that contains a coagulation inhibitor capable of inhibiting the coagulation of colorant contained in the ink. This arrangement inhibits the coagulation of the colorant on the surface or in the interior of the absorber, allowing the colorant to be absorbed quickly and uniformly into the interior of the absorber. Therefore, problems caused by a deposition of the colorant on the surface of the absorber or by a degraded absorbing capability can be alleviated, thus keeping the image output in good condition.

As office equipment such as computers, word processors and copying machines advance, a growing number of printing apparatus for outputting information from these equipment has become available on the market. The printing apparatus employing an ink jet printing system in particular has an advantage of being able to reduce the size of a print head easily, print an image at high resolution and high speed and print on plain paper without requiring special processing on the paper. Other advantages include low running cost, low noise and a relative ease with which a full color printing can be realized using multiple color inks. It has therefore found a wide range of applications, including personal users.
Such a widespread use can lead to the user making new demands on the ink jet printing apparatus. In recent years in particular, there are growing calls for increased image fastness such as waterfastness and lightfastness while maintaining a high color saturation. One method of enhancing the image fastness is to make some improvements on the print medium as dedicated paper. However, to stably maintain a high image fastness of various kinds of print mediums including plain paper, it is more effective to provide an ink itself with some features to achieve the above objective. For this reason, recent years have seen many novel inks developed and their applications proposed.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 11-227229 discloses, in addition to the conventionally used dye inks, the development of inks containing pigments as coloring materials and a variety of printing methods using such inks. The inks containing pigments tend to stay on the surface of a print medium with the colorants in a coagulated state, when compared with inks containing dyes as colorants. Thus, the pigment colorants have features of a high color saturation which is not easily faded by sunlight and ozone. To take advantage of both the superiority of the pigment ink and the superiority of the dye ink, the above-cited reference discloses a method that selectively uses these different kinds of inks according to the kind of print medium used and the kind of image to be output. For example, the above document describes that a pigment-based black ink with low penetrability and dye-based color inks with high penetrability are prepared and that a black image may be printed with the black ink or with a combination of different color inks, depending on the kind of print medium and the kind of image to be printed. The cited reference also describes printing color inks first, followed by a black ink overlapping the first printed color inks.
Other methods for enhancing the color saturation and the image fastness propose using a reaction liquid that reacts with color inks containing colorants to make the colorants insoluble or coagulate. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 56-89595 discloses a method which applies a polymer solution, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, to the print medium before printing and then prints coloring inks. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63-299971 discloses a method that involves applying to a print medium a liquid containing an organic compound having two or more cationic groups in one molecule and then printing coloring inks containing anionic dye. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 64-9279 discloses a method that first applies an acidic liquid containing succinic acid to a print medium and then prints coloring inks. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 64-63185 describes a method that applies to a print medium a liquid that makes a dye insoluble, before printing coloring inks containing the dye. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5-202328 describes a method which applies a reaction liquid containing polyvalent metal ion before printing coloring inks.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 6-106841, 9-118850, 11-334101 and 11-343441, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,428,383, 5,488,402 and 5,976,230 disclose a set of a black ink and color inks in which at least one of the color inks exhibits a mutual reactivity with the black ink, with other inks showing no reactivity with the black ink.
All these methods listed above that use a reaction liquid are characterized in that the reaction liquid chemically reacts with the coloring inks containing colorants to coagulate the coloring inks. That is, many ink jet printing apparatus of recent years, whether they use pigments or dyes or whether they require a reaction liquid to induce coagulation, have the colorants coagulate, remain and settle on the surface of a print medium, thereby realizing a satisfactory color saturation and image fastness.
There are also growing calls for a high image quality and an ease of handling that match those of silver salt pictures. In recent years, an increasing number of printing apparatus are appearing on the market which can perform the so-called "marginless printing" by which an image is printed to the edges of the print medium.
In the conventional ink jet printing apparatus, forming an image to the edges of the print medium poses many problems to the apparatus. One of the problems is that ink that has overrun the edges of the print medium may contaminate the interior of the printing apparatus, further contaminating sheets of print medium as they are fed into the printing apparatus. Since the ink is absorbed also at the edges of the print medium, the accuracy with which the print medium is transported degrades, which is likely to result in the print medium being jammed in the apparatus.
However, a construction and method to solve the above problems accompanying the "marginless printing" have already been proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 10-128964 and 2000-351205. As a construction to realize the "marginless printing" on side edges of a print medium, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-128964 discloses an "ink jet printing apparatus which comprises: a guide means set movable, according to the size of the print medium, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the print medium and installed inside of the side edges of the print medium; and an ink receiving means installed outside of and adjacent to the guide means in a direction perpendicular to the print medium transport direction to receive ink from the print head." That is, when the "marginless printing" is performed on print mediums of various widths, ink ejected outside of the side edges of the print medium can be received by the ink receiving means, thereby minimizing the contamination of the interior of the printing apparatus.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-351205 discloses a construction to realize the "marginless printing" with respect to front and rear ends of a print medium. In this construction, a platen surface that restricts the position of the print medium during printing is formed with a hole and ink ejected outside the front or rear ends of the print medium during the printing operation is led into the hole, in which an absorbent is installed to absorb wasted ink. The mechanism to collect ink ejected outside the edges of the print medium without contaminating the interior of the apparatus is one of the important factors in realizing the "marginless printing."
In the ink jet printing apparatus, however, it is found that the use of the above inks, though it can improve the image quality on a print medium, may pose a new problem in terms of the handling of ink in the printing apparatus. One such example will be explained as follows.
Since inks are handled in the ink jet printing apparatus, a material for absorbing ink is installed inside the apparatus in a variety of forms. A waste ink absorber for example is used to absorb ink discharged from a print head in a recovery operation of the print head. Other examples include a preliminary ejection pad that accepts ink droplets ejected from the print head for stabilizing its ejection performance and an ink absorber that accepts ink droplets ejected outside the edges of the print medium during the "marginless printing." The absorbers installed at various locations in the apparatus are supposed to be able to absorb ink quickly and the material for the ink absorber is chosen based on this requirement. The quick and reliable absorption can prevent ink droplets from being scattered inside the apparatus.
However, if an ink with a coagulating property such as described above is used, a quick absorption of ink as with common dye inks becomes difficult to achieve. Such an ink has colorants not dissolved in water and ionized as with dyes but dispersed in a liquid, so when it adheres to the absorbent, it is not absorbed as quickly as water. The phenomenon and problems that the inventors of this invention have found in the process of executing the "marginless printing" using pigment inks as an example of coagulating inks and also dye inks will be explained as follows.
FIG. 13 shows a dye ink as it is ejected onto an ink absorber. In the figure, denoted 1 is a print head. Ink ejected from the print head 1 is a conventionally known water-based dye ink for use in ink jet printing. The dye used may include water-soluble dyes such as a direct dye, an acid dye and a basic dye. Denoted 2 is an ink absorber which may use any type of commonly known porous material. The ink absorber may be formed, for example, by using fibers of cellulose, rayon, acrylic, polyurethane or polyester singly or in combination and forming these fibers into fibrils or by subjecting the fibers to a hydrophilic surface treatment and laminating them in layers. The ink absorber may also be formed of porous polyethylene and melamine foam. If such an ink absorber 2 is used in combination with the dye ink, the ink will quickly be absorbed in the ink absorber, with the ink soaking into the interior of the ink absorber 2 as shown shaded in the figure.
FIG. 14 shows a pigment ink as it is ejected onto an ink absorber similar to the above. Any conventionally known pigment ink for use in ink jet printing may be used. In a combination of such a pigment ink and the ink absorber, a part of ink components such as liquid medium penetrates into the ink absorber 2. However, the pigment particles remain on the ink absorber 2 forming a deposit as an ink component left unabsorbed. That is, as shown shaded in the figure, the ink separates into a portion that penetrates into the absorber and a portion that deposits on the ink absorber and settles there.
While in the above explanation a pigment ink has been taken for example, such an ink behavior in the absorber can similarly be observed in any ink with a coagulating colorant. For example, the same also applies even to an ink composed of a mixture of dye and pigment in which the pigment constitutes a main colorant with another colorant such as a highly soluble dye mixed with it for color adjustment. The similar effect can also be produced even when a dye is used as a colorant, by using a reaction liquid that reacts with the dye to accelerate the coagulation of the colorant.
In the absorber and the preliminary ejection pad during the execution of the "marginless printing", the ink deposit on the surface of the absorber progressively increases as the number of printed sheets and the power-on time increase. Once the surface of the absorber is covered with the deposit, ink droplets landing on the absorber thereafter fail to be received in the absorber. As a result, ink bounced off the absorber surface will contaminate the interior of the printing apparatus. Further, when a large number of sheets are "marginless-printed", it is found that the ink deposit reaches the print medium transport path, contaminating the back of the print medium. Furthermore, it is also found that the ink deposit may protrude even into the print medium transport path, touching the end of the print medium, which in turn may result in a transport failure.
In the case of a waste ink absorber, the transported ink coagulates on the surface or in the interior of the absorber, inhibiting a smooth transport of ink.
FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are schematic diagrams showing how the above problem occurs. What is shown here is an example case that uses inks and a reaction liquid that reacts with these inks to coagulate colorants. In the figures the waste ink of K, C, M, Y is transported through a tube 1521 to the waste ink absorber 1531 where it is absorbed. The reaction liquid, on the other hand, is absorbed through a tube 1522 into the same waste ink absorber 1531. The two kinds of waste liquids are mixed inside the waste ink absorber 1531 inducing a chemical reaction. Therefore, where the two waste liquids meet, an area 1553 is formed in which ink becomes stagnant because of coagulates and insoluble substances produced by the reaction. This stagnant area 1553 is small at an early stage of use of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 15A but as the number of printing operations and suction-based recovery operations increases, the region progressively expands as shown in FIG. 15B, eventually blocking an ink flow path into the waste ink absorber 1531, which in turn will adversely affect the ink suction performance during the recovery operation. If an absorber of a large capacity is prepared, the liquids are not soaked uniformly into the interior of the absorber, degrading an absorption performance and therefore an ink accommodating capacity of the absorber.
Such a problem with the waste ink absorber surfaces more or less when a pigment ink is used even if a reaction liquid is not used, because in terms of coagulating the colorant the use of the pigment ink produces the similar effect to that of the case where the reaction liquid is used.
As described above, in an ink jet printing apparatus using a coagulating ink for an improved image quality, ink absorbers installed at various locations in the apparatus have been found to have a degraded absorbing capability and unable to perform their intended function.

Ink jet printing apparatus, method of manufacturing ink absorber, and ink absorber


An information presentation device transmits information of a car navigation system, installed in a vehicle, to a driver in form of tactile stimuli, wherein a controller controls a plurality of vibrators attached to a steering wheel. The vibrators are arranged in proximity to vibration transmitters, corresponding to holding parts of a steering wheel, so that they are controlled with desired vibration intensity and vibration start timing in response to drive signals from the controller. Two vibrators are arranged in the holding parts of a steering wheel which come in contact with driver's hands and are controlled to generate a virtual vibrating source, thus rendering a driver feeling a sensation as if a vibrating source is moving in upward-downward directions, left-right directions, and far-near directions in the front side of a driver. Thus, it is possible to present accurate information with a small amount of energy consumption in driving vibrators.

Conventionally, information presentation devices presenting operators of vehicles with vehicle information using tactile stimuli have been known. PLT 1 disclosed an information presentation device including a plurality of vibrators attached to a vehicle's seat and a detector for detecting a moving direction of a moving body that exists in the periphery of a vehicle. Among a plurality of vibrators, the information presentation device sequentially drives at least two vibrators, which are related to the moving direction of a moving body detected by the detector, so as to present an operator with information of a moving body.
PLT 2 disclosed an information presentation device including a plurality of vibrators attached to a vehicle's seat and a detector for detecting a hazardous situation of a vehicle. Among a plurality of vibrators, the information presentation device selects two or more vibrators in response to a hazardous situation of a vehicle detected by the detector so as to drive those vibrators differently with respect to at least one of a vibration frequency, time, amplitude, and a vibration interval. Herein, it adjusts a vibration frequency, time, amplitude, and a vibration interval to tactile sensation characteristics of a human body such that a vehicle's operator can sense an apparent movement phenomenon, thus presenting the operator with alert information using a pattern representing a hazardous situation detected by the detector.
Additionally, the information presentation devices of PLT 1 and PLT 2 are each designed to arrange vibrators on the surface of a vehicle's seat and drive them so that tactile stimuli will be transmitted to the thigh and the back of a vehicle's operator.

Information presentation device using tactile stimulus with vibrator


A photoelectric sensor, comprising: a first thin film transistor (T1) for converting a photo signal into an electrical signal; a second thin film transistor (T2) for performing an integration operation on the electrical signal; a third thin film transistor (T3) for reading the electrical signal; and a first capacitor (C1) for storing an energy of the electrical signal, wherein a drain electrode of the first thin film transistor (T1) is connected to one end of the first capacitor (C1) and a source electrode of the third thin film transistor (T3); a source electrode of the first thin film transistor (T1) is connected to a drain electrode of the second thin film transistor (T2); a gate electrode of the first thin film transistor (T1) is supplied with a bias signal; wherein a gate electrode of the second thin film transistor (T2) is supplied with an integration signal; a source electrode of the second thin film transistor (T2) is connected to a high level end of a power source; the other end of the first capacitor (C1) is connected to a low level end of the power source; and wherein a gate electrode of the third thin film transistor (T3) is supplied with a scan signal; a drain electrode of the third thin film transistor (T3) is configured to output the read electrical signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technical field of a photo touch panel, more particularly, relates to a photoelectric sensor and a photoelectric touch panel.
2. Description of the Related Art
When exposed to a visible light, the α-Si TFT (Thin Film Transistor) generates a relative large photo current. In a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display), in order to achieve a small drain current, it is necessary to block the channel of the α-Si TFT from light as can as possible. For example, a metal material is used at one side of the α-Si TFT adjacent to a backlight to block the light from the backlight, a black matrix is used at the other side of the α-Si TFT adjacent to a color film substrate to block the light from outside environment. In fact, the drain current of the α-Si TFT is increased with the increase of the intensity of the light irradiating on the α-Si TFT. Herein, the drain current of the α-Si TFT is referred as the photo current.
With the characteristic of the photo current of the α-Si TFT, a photoelectric conversion and a light input can be accomplished. As a result, a photo touch panel can be incorporated into the TFT-LCD, for achieving both the display function and the touch function on the TFT-LCD.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional photoelectric sensor of a photo touch panel in prior arts. As shown in FIG. 1, the photoelectric sensor comprises a photoelectric TFT T1, a readout TFT T3 and a capacitor C1. The photoelectric TFT T1 is constructed to convert a photo signal into an electrical signal. The readout TFT T3 is constructed to read out the electrical signal and output the read electrical signal to an external circuit to further process the electrical signal. The gate electrode and the source electrode of the photoelectric TFT T1 are connected to each other, and the photoelectric TFT T1 is always in an integration state when reading each frame of data. Particularly, when there is an interference of environment light during operation of the photoelectric TFT T1, it causes a large interference noise. When the intensity of the light is strong, for example, under the direct irradiation of the sunlight, the photo current generated in the photoelectric TFT T1 is very large. Furthermore, the integration time of the TFT T1 is relative long, thereby the TFT T1 may occur the charging saturation and cannot normally respond to a photo signal input from a light pen for inputting the photo signal into the photoelectric sensor.

Photoelectric sensor and photoelectric touch panel


Metal matrix composites comprising of a solid preform comprising of a filler phase containing fly ash and a binding material having a binder to water ratio of 1:1 to 1:9, wherein the preform contains a metal homogeneously distributed within the preform.

Metal matrix composites are materials which comprise a secondary, reinforcing or filler phase in combination with a metal matrix. Metal matrix composites have different, and often improved or more desirable, properties as compared to their monolithic metal counterparts. For example, depending on the particular metal and reinforcing phases present in a composite material, as well as their respective ratios in the composite material, the composite material may have improved characteristics with respect to strength, stiffness, contact wear resistance and elevated temperature strength, as compared to the corresponding monolithic metal. Furthermore, depending on the choice of reinforcing phase present in the composite, the metal matrix materials may be less expensive to prepare than their monolithic metal counterparts.
There are many potential applications for metal matrix composites. Significant applications of metal matrix composites are likely in automotive components, machine parts, and electronic packaging, as well as in specialized products based on unique combinations of properties.
Of particular interest are metal matrix composites comprising fly ash, because such composites are less expensive to prepare and exhibit improved properties with respect to their corresponding monolithic metal counterparts. Fly ash is an abundant by-product that results from the combustion of pulverized coal. In the past fly ash has been employed as a concrete admixture, as a soil stabilizer, as a filler for asphalt and structural materials, such as bricks. Fly ash comprises micron sized, translucent spherical particles which consist primarily of alumina, silica, iron oxides, lime and manganese.
A variety of methods for producing metal matrix composite materials have been developed. These methods include diffusion bonding, powder metallurgy, casting, pressure infiltration of loose fly ash beds, spray codisposition and the like. For fly ash metal matrix composites in particular, stir casting and pressure infiltration of loose fly ash beds have found use.
Although a variety of methods for metal matrix composite material production have been developed, these methods are not entirely satisfactory. For example, problems with uneven distribution of the reinforcing phase in the metal matrix, inadequate levels of the reinforcing phase in the matrix, and lack of control over the amount of the reinforcing phase which is incorporated into the matrix, are known to occur. These problems are particularly prevalent in the production of fly ash metal matrix composites, where compositions with homogeneously distributed fly ash levels of 30% or higher have not heretofore been produced.
Thus, there is continued interest in the development of new methods of producing metal matrix composites. Of particular interest is the development of metal matrix composites comprising fly ash, wherein the fly ash levels exceed 30% of the composite and the fly ash is evenly distributed throughout the composite.
Relevant Literature
U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,494 reports a method of preparing a metal matrix composite material where the reinforcing phases, such as fly ash and oil ash, are added to molten metal and stirred at high speed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,584 reports a method of making metal matrix composite materials where molten metal infiltrates a preform of filler material, where an infiltration enhancer material is employed. Other U.S. Patents of interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,573,940; 3,585,155; 4,601,832; 4,888, 054 and 4,936,270.

Metal matrix composite including homogeneously distributed fly ash, binder, and metal


The invention relates to a process for preparing 1-octene by telomerization of 1,3-butadiene using a reducing agent in the presence of a telomerization catalyst and partial hydrogenation of the octadiene obtained in this way.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for preparing 1-octene by telomerization of 1,3-butadiene using a reducing agent in the presence of a telomerization catalyst and partial hydrogenation of the octadiene obtained in this way.
2. Description of the Background
1-Octene is used in large quantities in the production of various chemical products. For example, surface-active substances, plasticizers, lubricants and polymers are produced from 1-octene. Another large application area is its use as comonomer in polymers, in particular in polyethylene. Virtually all processes utilized commercially at present for producing 1-octene are based on ethene as raw material. Ethene is oligomerized to give a spectrum of α-olefins as main products. If the catalyst and process conditions are chosen appropriately, the amount of 1-octene in the product can be optimized and is then about 25%. Apart from this process, by means of which most of the 1-octene produced is obtained, isolation of 1-octene from the spectrum of products from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction has achieved some importance.
Apart from the processes based on ethene, processes using 1,3-butadiene as raw material for preparing 1-octene are also known from the literature. However, 1-octene cannot be obtained directly, for example via dimerization, from butadiene, but is obtained after a plurality of process steps. 1,3-Butadiene is usually reacted catalytically with a telogen to form a telomer which is fully or partially hydrogenated and subsequently subjected to a cleavage reaction to give the desired 1-octene.
Thus, the patent application WO 92/10450 describes a process in which 1,3-butadiene is reacted with, preferably, methanol or ethanol to form a 2,7-octadienyl ether which, after hydrogenation to the octyl ether, is cleaved to give 1-octene. An analogous route is employed in EP-A-0 440 995, but the reaction in the first step is with a carboxylic acid. The first process step, which is generally referred to as a telomerization, is common to the processes. In the telomerization, a telogen (in EP-A-0 440 995, the carboxylic acid) is generally reacted with a taxogen (1,3-butadiene, 2 equivalents) to form a telomer.
Processes for the catalytic preparation of 1,7-octadienes from 1,3-butadiene have likewise been described in the literature. Thus, EP 12475 and EP 12472 disclose a process for preparing 1,7-octadiene in which butadiene is reacted reductively with formic acid or formates in the presence of organophosphonites and palladium, optionally together with further ligands, to form 1,7-octadiene. Similar processes are described by Raffia et al. in J. Organometal. Chem. 55 (1973), 405–407, who use triphenylphosphine and Pittmann et al. (J. Mol. Chem. 15 (1982) 377–381) who use triethylphosphine and triethylamine as ligands for palladium. The preparation of a 1-olefin is not disclosed in these references.

Method for the production of 1-octene by reductive telomerisation


A method includes implementing an audio framework to be executed on a data processing device with a virtual audio driver component and a User Mode Component (UMC) communicatively coupled to each other. The virtual audio driver component enables modifying an original default audio endpoint device of an application executing on the data processing device to an emulated audio device associated with a new audio endpoint in response to an initiation through the application in conjunction with the UMC. The virtual audio driver component also enables registering the new audio endpoint as the modified default audio endpoint with an operating system executing on the data processing device. Further, the virtual audio driver component enables capturing audio data intended for the original default audio endpoint device at the new audio endpoint following the registration thereof to enable control of the audio data.

A data processing device (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a netbook, a mobile device such as a mobile phone) may execute multiple applications thereon. In a shared mode of multiple applications sharing an audio endpoint device (e.g., a speaker, headphones), it may be possible to capture audio data (e.g., an audio stream) to the audio endpoint device through, for example, an audio framework executing on the data processing device. However, a gaming application may have exclusive access to the audio endpoint device. In this exclusive mode of operation, it may not be possible to capture audio data streams associated with the gaming application.

Control and capture of audio data intended for an audio endpoint device of an application executing on a data processing device


Techniques for operating a network device for sharing resources in a hardware forwarding table. In some embodiments, the network device may generate groups of routes having a common set of next hops; for each group of routes of the generated groups: collect resilient adjacencies associated with routes in the group; assemble pairs of the collected resilient adjacencies; and determine a number of differences between resilient adjacencies in each of the assembled pairs. The network device may further order the assembled pairs based on the number of differences, identify a pair of resilient adjacencies associated with a lowest number of differences; select a resilient adjacency of the identified pair of resilient adjacencies; program one or more routes associated with the selected resilient adjacency, to refer to the other resilient adjacency of the identified pair of resilient adjacencies; and remove an entry associated with the selected resilient adjacency from a forwarding table.

Packet forwarding in a network device involves the determination of a next hop device for a received data packet. The network device transmits the data packet to the next hop device and the next hop device forwards the packet on to its destination in the network. Packet forwarding uses dynamically obtained forwarding information to prepare the received packet for transmission to the next hop device. These updates are received in the control plane of the switch and maintained in a forwarding table also in the control plane. A program running in the control plane—using the forwarding table in the control plane—updates a forwarding table, which is sometimes referred to as the forwarding information base (FIB), that is maintained in the data plane.

Selecting and deduplicating forwarding equivalence classes


A gas turbine system burning heavy-oil modified fuel and a method of operating the gas turbine system, which covers from a stage of modifying heavy oil and producing gas turbine fuel to a stage of operating a gas turbine, including startup, ordinary shutdown and emergency shutdown of the gas turbine. The gas turbine system burning heavy-oil modified fuel comprises a reactor for mixing heavy oil and water to cause reaction, thereby separating and removing a heavy component from the heavy oil, a gas-liquid separator for separating hydrocarbon gas and modified oil obtained in the reactor from each other, a gas turbine combustor for burning the hydrocarbon gas supplied from the gas-liquid separator, and a gas turbine driven by combustion gas produced in the gas turbine combustor. The system further comprises another line for extracting the hydrocarbon gas externally of a relevant system region. The other line is branched from a line for supplying the hydrocarbon gas from the gas-liquid separator to the gas turbine combustor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas turbine system burning heavy-oil modified fuel and a method of operating the gas turbine system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gas turbine system in which heavy oil is modified by reaction caused upon mixing with water and an obtained light component is burnt as fuel in a gas turbine for electric power generation, and to a method of operating the gas turbine system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heavy oil contains considerable amounts of heavy metals and is not suitable as fuel for a gas turbine to generate electric power. Methods of removing metals from heavy oil for conversion to a useful energy source are therefore proposed so far. One of those methods includes the step of contacting high-temperature and high-pressure water with heavy oil under reaction conditions of not lower than 350° C. and not lower than 20 MPa, thereby decomposing the heavy oil (see, e.g., Patent Document 1; JP,A 2003-49180 (Abstract)). Hydrocarbon gas, a light oil component, a heavy component, and metal compounds, such as metal oxides, are obtained through decomposition of the heavy oil. Among them, the hydrocarbon gas and the light oil component are dissolved in the high-temperature and high-pressure water to obtain modified oil as gas turbine fuel. The metal compounds present in the heavy oil are removed in the form of calcium compounds or by combining them with a trapping agent, e.g., coke.

Gas turbine system burning heavy-oil modified fuel and method of operating same


A messaging system, comprising an electronic message having integrated digital content that is scripted by seamless linking of multiplicity of electronic media components. An electronic media component is comprised of a compilation of one or more electronic media element, with an electronic media element comprised of one or more data. Communication protocols for delivery and receipt of the electronic message is used, with the multiplicity of electronic media components of a received electronic message seamlessly executed in an order, arrangement, and sequence intended by the scripted digital content at one of a first and second client-device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to communications and, more particularly, to composition and delivery of a composed communications that uses multiplicity of different types of digital media for appropriate conveyance of a message of the sender that is desired to be communicated.
2. Description of Related Art
Communications protocols exist that enable individuals to first compose, and then deliver a message, non-limiting examples of which may include electronic mails (or e-mails), various different types of messaging services such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP), Short Message Service (SMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) that include messaging services and so on that are well known and have been in use for a number of years.
Most conventional protocols are limited in their ability to appropriately convey the thought that is desired to be communicated within a message. To appropriately convey the thoughts of the individual, the composed message must make the thoughts (or ideas, impressions, emotions or feelings) of the individual known and understandable to the other individuals who receive the message.
SMS is a non-limiting example of a conventional communication protocol that is extensively used to forward short sentences (texts) that in general, do not fully convey the thought or emotions of the individual. In fact, in a great number of instances, most receivers misunderstand SMS text messages. For example, an individual may forward a SMS text message that is serious, but the receiver may interpret the message as humorous and visa versa. As another example, MMS may be used to forward a voice, picture or video as mere attachments in addition to text, but the receiver may first view the attached picture or video with no understanding of its context, and then read the accompanying text to understand or contextualize the picture or the video viewed, with the sender intending that the receiver first read the text and then viewed the picture or video for full understanding. As yet another example, conventional emails allow users to attach various types of media, but the composer of the email has no control as to which attachments will first be viewed by the receiver for the best understanding of the senders message. VoIP provides voice/video technology, but the messaging services provided by VoIP are similar to the messaging services discussed above with similar issues.
Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacks to current communications systems and methodologies, a need exists for a communication system and method that would enable individuals to compose a message using a vast variety of different types of standard, customized, and customizable media, and that the composed message would be delivered to a receiver via conventional communications protocols native to the electronic devices (e.g., SMS, MMS, TCP/IP, HTTP, etc.), and that the various types of media constituting the composed message would execute in the order, arrangement, or sequence intended by the composer of the message.


Principles, techniques and configurations applicable in air cleaner arrangements and filter cartridges therefore, are described. In general the filter cartridge includes an axial pivot arrangement, for pivoting the filter cartridge in place, when mounted in an air cleaner for use. The air cleaner preferably includes a base pivot, for engagement with the pivot projection on the filter cartridge. Methods of assembly, installation and use are described.

Fluid streams, such as air and liquid, can carry contaminant material therein. In many instances, it is desired to filter some or all of the contaminant material from the fluid stream. For example, air flow streams to engines (for example combustion air) for motorized vehicles or for power generation equipment, gas streams to gas turbine systems and air streams to various combustion furnaces, carry particulate contaminant therein that should be filtered. It is preferred for such systems, that selected contaminant material been removed from (or have its level reduced in) the fluid. A variety of fluid filter (for example air filter) arrangements have been developed for contaminant reduction. However, continued improvements are sought.

Air cleaner arrangements; serviceable filter cartridge; and, methods


A three-dimensional object fabrication method and apparatus to fabricate a three-dimensional object from a foamed material are provided. The method includes applying a solvent to dissolve the foamed material; dissolving and contracting the foamed material; and molding a three-dimensional object. The solvent is applied to a surface of the foamed material, thereby dissolving and contracting of the foamed material in a depth direction, or otherwise, the solvent is applied to an interior portion of the foamed material, thereby releasing air contained inside the foamed material and starting contraction of the foamed material itself. The method further includes adjusting an amount of the solvent depending on a thickness of the three-dimensional object, filling in a recess or a concavity formed in the foamed material with a molding material; solidifying the molding material as a mold; and transferring a shape of the recess or the concavity to the molding material.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object.
2. Related Art
Rapid Prototyping (RP) is a three-dimensional object fabrication method that fabricates a three-dimensional object by cutting and shaving a material. Liquid is jetted with high pressure onto a foamed material such as polystyrene foam by a liquid jetting means moved in X-, Y-, and Z-directions while cutting and shaving the material, to thus fabricate a three-dimensional object. Specifically, using the XYZ direction movable unit, the liquid jetting means is moved responsive to the shape of the three-dimensional object. The liquid jetting means jets aqueous flow to the object while adjusting the pressure of the high pressure aqueous flow, thereby adjusting cutting amount of the object and fabricating the three-dimensional object with a predetermined shape.
However, in the above fabrication method, particles are produced by the cutting process that adhere to the surface of the processed object and remain there, becoming an abrasive compound that grinds the surface of the processed object more than necessary, and thus, a predetermined shape is not obtained. Moreover, the produced particles flow into air in the work area and can be hazardous to human health when inhaled. As a result, a collection mechanism to collect the cut particles is required. Yet provision of the collection device may enlarge the whole apparatus.

Method and apparatus for fabricating three-dimensional object


A telecommunications network (10) provides a connection between a calling and called parties (12, 12' and 14, 14', respectively) and advantageously translates information generated by the calling and called parties in accordance with language preferences entered by the called and calling parties, respectively.

Many businesses now buy and sell goods and services on a world-wide basis. With high speed transportation and communications facilities, national boundaries no longer serve as an impediment to international commerce. However, differences in language continue to hinder communications between individuals in different countries. To avoid language differences from interfering with business transactions, many businesses employ translators on a full-time basis for performing language translation whenever necessary. For large entities that regularly deal in international commerce, employing one or more translators is simply a cost of doing business.
For smaller companies, the cost of employing a translator on a full-time basis is often prohibitive. Thus, such companies usually hire translators on an as-needed basis. This approach may be satisfactory when the need for language translation is known in advance, allowing sufficient time to procure an individual capable of performing the needed translation. However, situations commonly arise when language translation is needed on an ad-hoc basis, such as when someone must suddenly place, or receive, a telephone call from someone speaking a different language, or when some one must send or receive text in a different language.
Thus, there is a need, especially in connection with a telecommunications network, for automatically translating the information generated by a calling and called parties.

Automatic language translation technique for use in a telecommunications network


A basket mounting arrangement for use in a domestic refrigerator, and in particular a bottom mount refrigerator has two baskets mounted in the freezer compartment, one above the other. The lower basket is mounted relative to the freezer compartment for movement relative thereto in and out of the open front of the freezer. The second upper basket is mounted on top of the first lower basket and is movable forward and backward of the first lower basket and also out of the open front of the freezer. The mounting of the upper basket relative to the lower basket permits a user to access a majority of the food articles in the bottom mount freezer by pulling the upper basket out of the freezer and thereby pull the lower basket from the refrigerator. The user can then push the upper basket back into the freezer to gain access to articles in the lower basket from the freezer. Upper basket support rails are mounted fixedly to the lower basket and include a trackway allowing the upper basket to slide horizontally forward and backward relative to the lower basket.

With the re-introduction of bottom mount refrigerators in the marketplace in which the fresh food compartment is located vertically above the freezer compartment, there is a clear advantage to accessing food articles in the fresh food compartment over top mount refrigerators particularly in instances in which access to the freezer compartment is of lesser importance to a user. However, what is gained in accessibility to the fresh food compartment reduces the accessibility to the freezer compartment.
The bottom mount refrigerators on the market typically include a basket in the freezer compartment. The basket is located above the bottom floor of the freezer compartment and is either supported on side trackways mounted to the side walls of the freezer compartment or runs on guide rollers on the floor of the freezer compartment. The basket is able to be pulled out through the front opening of the freezer compartment to allow the user more ready access to food articles stored in the basket. Usually, the freezer compartment includes means to support one or more ice trays and this typically results in a stationary shelf that extends laterally across the freezer compartment above the basket. Because this shelf is stationary, access and viewing of food articles placed on the stationary shelf requires a typical user to bend over otherwise articles at the rear of the shelf are hidden from view.
There is a need to improve the access to the freezer in the bottom mount refrigerator without effecting the space design requirements for the freezer.

Basket mounting arrangement for a refrigerator


This invention is a bicycle crank and pedal assembly with a self-extending and retracting crank arm. The assembly only has three one-piece components that move relative to each other, if the bearings used in friction reduction are ignored. It is simple in design, compact in size and very effective in delivering the benefits of a self-extending and retracting crank arm. In particular, the assembly has (a) the maximum arm length for over 90 degrees of arm directions in the power down stroke and (b) the minimum arm length for close to 90 degrees of arm directions in the return up stroke.

This invention relates to a bicycle crank and pedal assembly and, more particularly, to an assembly with a self-extending and retracting crank arm.
The length of the crank arm in a bicycle is a compromise between performance and comfort. A longer arm allows a cyclist to travel at the same speed with a lower pedal effort or a slower pedal turning rate, or both. However, the longer arm increases the size of the pedal track round the crank axle and causes discomfort to the leg. One method to get the benefit of a longer arm without getting the discomfort is to extend the arm beyond the compromised length during the pedal power down stroke and retract it below this length in the return upstroke.
Using a longer crank arm is not equivalent to using a lower gear ratio in cycling. A lower gear ratio allows the cyclist to travel with a lower pedal effort. However, it also requires the cyclist to turn the pedal at a higher rate in order to travel at the same speed.
Crank and pedal assemblies with self-extending and retracting crank arms have been described by Chattin (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,446,754, 4,519,271), Xi (U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,516), Stuckenbrok (U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,491), Trevizo (U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,945), Sander (U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,013), Fortson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,772), Garneau (U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,119), Ticer and Farney (U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,294), Yan and Kim (U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,515), Wan (U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,590), Debruin (U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,017), Kang, Kim and Park (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,152,471, 6,508,146), Harrington (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,199,449, 6,276,234) and Farney (U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,193). These assemblies have many notable deficiencies. Firstly, they are ineffective in delivering the benefits of a self-extending and retracting crank arm, because they only have one arm direction, or one arm position with a fully extended arm. For all other directions, the arm is either extending or retracting. Secondly, compared with the standard assembly in a bicycle, many are bulky and have noticeably reduced clearances between the crank arm and the leg. Thirdly, many also have more than twice the number of components moving relative to each other, components moving too close to the leg, components that could wear out prematurely, or high frictional loss.

Simple, compact and effective self-extending and retracting bicycle crank arm


A temporary heating apparatus comprises a portable heat exchanger which transfers heat from a hot fluid circulating in a primary circulation loop thereof to a heated liquid circulating in a secondary circulation loop thereof. The heat exchanger is connectable to a hot fluid source such that hot fluid from the hot fluid source circulates through the primary circulation loop. A portable remote heating unit comprises a fluid coil releasably connected by flexible conduits to the secondary circulation loop, and a secondary pump is connected to the flexible conduits and the secondary circulation loop to pump heated liquid through the secondary circulation loop, flexible conduits, and the fluid coil of the remote heating unit. The heat exchanger isolates the heating circuit from the hot fluid source, allowing the use of steam as the hot fluid source, and further allowing high pressures in the heating circuit, such as encountered in tall buildings.

Construction and renovation in cold climates requires that temporary heat be provided so that workers can function effectively. Conventionally, such temporary heat has been provided by construction heaters that include a burner burning a fuel, typically propane, and a fan to circulate the air warmed by the burner in the area to be heated. Such direct combustion creates exhaust fumes in the area heated that can present health hazards to workers. As well, combustion creates moisture leading to increased relative humidity in the work area. Construction materials absorb the moisture and can be damaged, or later warp when the relative humidity returns to a normal level.
For this reason heat exchangers have been used whereby the exhaust and moisture created by combustion are kept separated from an air stream that is heated and directed into the construction area. Such a heat exchanger system is generally disclosed for example in United States Patent Application No. 2003/0056390 of Adrian. Circulating liquid construction heating systems are also known that include a liquid heater that heats liquid, typically a mixture of water and glycol, and a pump that circulates the heated liquid through conduits to portable remote heating units located in one or more construction areas. The remote heating units typically comprise a coil and a fan. The warmed liquid circulates through the coil and the fan blows air through the coil to be heated and circulated through the area where the unit is located. Moisture and exhaust fumes created by combustion at the liquid heater are thus kept remote from the areas being heated.
The liquid pressure generated by the circulating pump in a typical circulating liquid heating system is relatively low at about 30-40 psi, similar to the pressure in a water supply system. Typically as well, conventional circulating liquid heating systems are configured such that the intake of the pump is connected to the output of the liquid heater. The pump thus draws liquid through the heater instead of pushing it through the heater, and so the liquid in the heat exchange section of the heater is under negligible, if any, positive pressure. Liquid in the heat exchange section is typically directly connected to a permanently open atmospherically vented expansion tank, located at an elevation above the circulation pump, such that as the liquid temperature rises extra liquid volume can flow into the expansion tank, and if the temperature falls, or if there is a leak in the conduits, or extra liquid is required during set-up, extra liquid volume can flow from the expansion tank back into the conduits. Thus the conduits are kept full, and only atmospheric pressure is present in the heat exchange section of the liquid heater.
Such a configuration results in an inherently safe system. Such liquid heaters are not required to meet regulated safety specifications or be regularly inspected as is the case with boilers and pressure vessels. For regulation purposes, the liquid heater is classed essentially as a water heater, since the pressure in the heat exchange portion thereof is at zero pressure relative to the atmosphere, and further pressures developed by the circulating pump do not exceed that of a water supply system.
In many areas, high rise buildings of 30 to 70 stories or more have been in existence for many years, and renovation of such high rise buildings is becoming common, requiring temporary heating. Construction of such buildings also requires temporary heating to allow construction to proceed during cold weather.
Using conventional circulating liquid heating systems during construction and renovation of high rise buildings presents certain challenges compared to use in buildings that are relatively close to the ground. Most conveniently the liquid heater will be located at ground level for ease of fuel delivery. The ground level liquid heater location also facilitates the addition of liquid to the circulating liquid system as will be required when setting up the system, and when the conduits are lengthened, or more remote heating units are added to the system. In addition such liquid heaters can be quite cumbersome, and difficult to move to upper areas of a building. In order to operate such circulating liquid systems with the liquid heater on the ground, it is required to circulate the liquid under high pressure conditions caused by the high elevation of the remote heating units.
While considerable pressure is required to raise the heated liquid to the upper floors of a high rise building, once the conduits up to the remote heating units are full of liquid, the pressure on the downward flowing portion of the conduits will substantially balance the pressure on the upward flowing portion thereof, and the conventional circulating pump generating a pressure of about 35 psi, such as would be used in a conventional circulating liquid heating system, would provide sufficient pressure to circulate the liquid in the full system. The result however is that the pressure in the liquid at the bottom portion of the conduits will be that developed by the head of liquid in the conduits on the return side of the pump, and on the supply or output side of the pump the pressure will be that developed by the head of liquid in the conduits plus the pump pressure.
Every 2.3 feet of water in a vertical conduit generates about one pound per square inch (psi) of pressure. Thus where the remote heating units are 230 feet above a liquid heater at ground level, the pressure in the liquid at the bottom of the conduits will be about 100 psi. Similarly where the remote heating units are 690 feet above a liquid heater at ground level, for example on the 69th story of a building, the pressure in the liquid at the bottom of the conduits will be about 300 psi. The conventional circulation pump generating a 35 psi pressure differential between the input and output would suffice to circulate the liquid through the conduits, and the pressure at the input of the pump would be 300 psi, and at the output about 335 psi.
Flexible conduits of the type used with conventional circulating liquid heating systems can readily be made to withstand pressures of 300 psi or more, and the operation of the remote heating units of such a system is not adversely affected by the elevation as long as sufficient liquid flows through their coils. The elevation does however adversely affect the liquid heater of conventional systems.
Thus while such a conventional circulating liquid heating system could theoretically be used in a high rise application, the expansion tank would need to be sealed from the atmosphere, or alternately raised above the highest level at which remote heating units will be located. Once the conduits to the remote heating units were filled, the liquid flowing through the liquid heater would be pressurized to a considerable pressure resulting from the high elevation of the remote heating units and conduits connecting them. Considerable expense would be involved in re-designing such heaters then to meet the safety specifications for pressure vessels.
Steam heating is popular for use in large buildings. In densely populated urban areas, such as where high rise buildings are typically located, heat is often provided by a steam generation utility that transports steam from a central location to buildings in an area that might encompass several city blocks. Steam heat is thus available simply by connecting the steam utility pipes to a suitable steam heating system in an existing or newly constructed building, much the same as connecting to water or electrical utilities. Where steam heat is available, the cost is generally favorable compared to other heating options.
Steam heating systems in buildings typically comprise steam supply pipes and condensate return pipes connected to a steam source such as a steam boiler or steam utility supply system. On each floor a distribution network of steam supply pipes, radiators, condensate return pipes, vents, and steam traps are properly sloped and configured so that steam will flow into the radiators, condense, and flow downhill back to the steam source as water. All these fixtures will be removed when, for example, the renovation involves gutting the building interior completely. Commonly during renovations, such a steam heat source might be available but the precision required to lay out a properly functioning temporary distribution system for the steam has made it impractical to use the steam heat for temporary heating during renovations. Similarly during new construction the steam heat source may be available, however it has not been practical to utilize it during construction.

Fluid circulation apparatus for temporary heating


A PCB backup plate preparation method comprises: lubricating and radiating resin is coated onto both surfaces of the wood fiberboard and a resin layer forms, before it is totally dried out, wood pulp paper is bonded to its surfaces, then, the surface of the wood pulp paper is coated with unsaturated polyester resin and forms a resin layer, and the PCB backup plate is prepared; the lubricating and radiating resin is prepared by a 95 weight portion of principal component, composed by two or more of polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, glycerol, vinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol, and a 5 portion of nonionic surfactant. The lubricating and radiating resin brings the PCB good lubricating and radiating capabilities, therefore increases the drilling hole accuracy when starts to drill, improves the hole wall quality and lowers the drill pin temperature.

In the production process of PCB, in order to be able to interconnect the upper and lower levels, drill pin is needed to penetrate the insulating layer in a small area before electroplating the conductive layer. During the drilling process, in order to improve the drilling accuracy and reduce the drilling burrs, an aluminum cover plate is placed over the copper clad laminate (CCL) to be drilled and a back up board is placed under the CCL, in order to help in heat transfers, guidance and protections to the drilling pin. In the present technologies, the lubricating and radiating resin is mainly applied to the cover plate; however, after the drill passes through the cover plate and the PCB plate, the lubrication and radiation capacities of the resin have been almost totally consumed. After the drilling process, the PCB generates relatively large heat and which is easy to make the copper surfaces red and even get separated. Therefore, the prior art needs to be improved and developed.

Printed circuit board backup plate and the preparation method thereof


An integrated process for making an inflatable laminated article comprises extruding a first film and a second film, followed by cooling the first film and the second film so that the films will not fuse to one another upon contact with each other. The films are then brought into contact with one another, and selected portions of one or both films are heated so that the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area having a desired pattern. The unsealed area between the film provides inflatable chambers between the first film and the second film. An alternative process utilizes a film tubing in lay-flat configuration to produce a laminated inflatable article.

Conventional cushion materials include thermoformed sealed laminate articles such as Bubble Wrap® cushioning material. However, it is also known to prepare laminated inflatable articles which can be shipped to a packer uninflated, and inflated immediately before use. Such inflatable articles are typically made from two heat sealable films which are fused together in discrete areas to form one or more inflatable chambers.
Conventional methods of making cushion material, such as Bubble Wrap® cushioning material, use a vacuum source to deform polymer film to form bubbles or pockets that can be filled with air (or other gases) to form bubbles. Such products can be made using a heated drum having recesses that are connected to a vacuum source. When vacuum is applied, each of various regions of the heated film in contact with the drum is drawn into a recesses on the drum. The heated film is deformed and thinned in the regions drawn into the recess by the vacuum process. One side of the resulting film remains "flat", while the other side is not flat, but rather is "thermoformed". A second film, which preferably is a flat film, i.e., not thermoformed, is fused to the "flat side" of the formed film, resulting in a plurality of sealed, air-filled "bubbles."
Conventional cushion fabricating processes also include a first stage film fabrication step and a separate second stage fusing step. In the first stage, polymer films are fabricated by conventional techniques known to those in the art of polymer film fabrication. In the second stage, the polymer films are combined according to heat sealing methods that are known to those in the art of polymer film sealing techniques.
Two-stage manufacturing processes are undesirable because of the added cost and inefficiency associated with the process. During two stage processes, films are fabricated and wound onto rolls at one location, and unwound and combined with a second film to make a cushioning material at a second location. The processes are inefficient in that they include winding and unwinding of rolls of film, together with inventorying and transporting, as well as other inefficiencies associated with two-stage processes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Integrated process for making inflatable article


A vehicle door opening/closing device having a latch mechanism, a locking mechanism, an actuator, and a canceling mechanism is provided. The actuator has an electric motor and a pivotable drive lever. The canceling mechanism operates to block transmission of power between the electric motor and the drive lever when manipulation force of a vehicle door handle is transmitted to the canceling mechanism through the locking mechanism. The manipulation force of the door handle is transmitted to the canceling mechanism only when the vehicle door is in an unlocked state.

As a conventional vehicle door opening/closing device, a device described in Patent Document 1, for example, has been known. In the door opening/closing device of Patent Document 1, when the drive force produced by a drive unit is transmitted to a latch mechanism, the latch mechanism is switched from a half-latched state to a fully latched state so as to operate the vehicle door to close (closer operation). Specifically, by activating an electric motor in such a manner as to pivot a drive lever in one direction, a drive wire is pulled so as to transmit the drive force of the drive unit to the latch mechanism.
Also, in the door opening/closing device described in Patent Document 1, when the closer operation is performed and manipulation force of a door handle is transmitted to an open lever, the open lever is pivoted through a cancel cable connected to the open lever. This blocks transmission of the power between the electric motor and the drive lever (canceling operation). In this manner, by canceling the closer operation through manipulation of the door handle, the vehicle door opening/closing device prevents the vehicle door, for example, from catching an object.
Another vehicle door opening/closing device, which opens a vehicle door by switching a latch mechanism from a fully latched state to an unlatched state when drive force of a drive unit is transmitted to the latch mechanism (releasing operation), separately from the above-described closer operation, is also known.
If drive unit such as electric motors are provided separately for the closer operation and the releasing operation, the door opening/closing device as a whole enlarges in size and the number of the components increases. This raises the costs necessary for manufacturing the vehicle door opening/closing device. To solve this problem, in the drive unit of Patent Document 1, the applicant of the present application has proposed to drive the electric motor, when the vehicle door is to be opened, in such a manner as to pivot the drive lever in the direction opposite to the direction in which the drive lever is pivoted in the closer operation.
However, if the above-described configuration is employed in a vehicle with a door that is selectively locked and unlocked through manipulation of, for example, a portable device (an electronic key) carried by a user, the following problem occurs. Specifically, when the vehicle door is to be switched to an unlocked state by manipulating the portable device (the electronic key) after the door has been held locked by a locking mechanism, the door handle may be manipulated before the door is switched to the unlocked state. This brings about a "panic state", thus effectuating the aforementioned canceling operation. That is, the power transmission between the electric motor and the drive lever is blocked and thus the releasing operation cannot be performed. Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-138534


In an optical communication system with a fiber-optic amplifier which includes a wavelength-selective fiber-optic coupler for coupling pump light into the amplifying length of fiber, an additional optical signal, e.g., a service-channel signal, is transmitted from the location of the fiber-optic amplifier in one direction or the other by being used to modulate the pump light. Since the pump light is not completely absorbed in the amplifying length of fiber, a sufficient portion is transferred from the length of fiber into the optical waveguide of the optical communication system and passes down the optical waveguide to the end point of the communication system. There, it is coupled out and passed to an optical receiver from whose output the transmitted additional signal is recovered by demodulation. To prevent the modulation of the pump light from modulating the amplification brought about by the amplifying length of fiber, the additional signal is modulated onto a carrier wave of sufficiently high frequency, and the resulting signal is used to modulate the pump light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for transmitting an optical signal through an optical waveguide containing a fiber-optic amplifier which includes an amplifying length of fiber, a pump source, and a wavelength-selective fiber optic coupler for coupling the pump source to the amplifying length of fiber.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Such a transmission system is known from "ECOC '89", Fifteenth European Conference on Optical Communication, Sep. 10-14, 1989, Gothenburg, Sweden, Proceedings, Vol. 1, Regular Papers, TuA 5-7, pages 86 to 89.
In the above-referenced article, two different system configurations are explained. In the first ("copropagating configuration"), the light from the pump source is launched into the Er.sup.3+ -doped length of fiber via a coupler which, as viewed in the direction of transmission of the optical signal to be amplified, is located in front of the amplifying length of fiber. In the second system configuration ("counterpropagating configuration"), the coupler, as viewed in the direction of transmission of the signal to be amplified, is located beyond the length of fiber.

Optical communication system with a fiber optic amplifier


For a plurality of hosts, observe first time-varying characteristics including network throughput, central processing unit (CPU) usage, and/or memory usage; second time-varying characteristics including software configuration; and time-invariant characteristics including hardware configuration, at a plurality of timestamps. Construct a restricted HMM configured to predict actual host states, wherein the first time-varying characteristics include observed variables. The current observed variables depend on current values of the hidden variables and prior timestamp distribution of the observed variables. The former in turn depend on prior timestamp values of the hidden variables, the time-invariant characteristics of the hosts. and current timestamp values of the second time-varying characteristics. Estimate parameters of the restricted HMM; run the restricted HMM with the estimated parameters for each of the hosts; analyze the results to identify at least one of the hosts which has a potential cybersecurity issue; and take at least one remedial action.

A computing device connected to a computer network is referred to as a network host (a network node that is assigned a network address); such a host may offer resources, services, and/or applications to users and/or to other nodes on the network. Computers interconnected with networks that use the Internet protocol suite may also be called IP hosts; computers participating in the Internet are called Internet hosts or Internet nodes. Hosts typically have one or more IP addresses assigned to their network interfaces. Network hosts that participate in applications that use the client-server model of computing, are classified as server or client systems; network hosts may also function as nodes in peer-to-peer applications.
Cybersecurity, computer security or information technology (IT) security refers to the protection of computer systems from, inter alia, illicit data access and/or disruption or misdirection of provided services. Cybersecurity has grown in importance with the increased reliance on computer systems, the Internet, ubiquitous wireless networks, and due to the growth of smartphones and other "smart" devices as well as the Internet of Things (IoT).
An attack or "exploit" may originate from one or more bad actors using one or more host machines. Current techniques may be have difficulty in identifying compromised hosts/actors and/or may be vulnerable to false alarms.

Predicting condition of a host for cybersecurity applications

International Business Machines Corporation


A laminated assembly (10) comprising a substrate (100) with an image (103) thereon, has a first film (20) with a brush stroke texture embossed therein (21), a second film (40) with a canvas texture embossed therein (41) to create a final product having the appearance of a piece of fine art.

To make a print appear as an original piece of artwork, an image is often printed directly on a treated canvas-type substrate with the outer surface being coated with a preservative, such as a lacquer or polyurethane. The resultant print is then stretched and secured to a frame. The end product has the appearance as though the image has been directly painted on the canvas. However, this just described method often results in a flat surface lacking the depth, dimension, and brush patterns of a true painted image.
In the alternative, the substrate holding the image is embossed with a pattern or texture resembling a canvas material. If the image is generated on the embossed substrate, the image can lose clarity and show flaws. In addition, the embossing process, whether performed before or after the image is placed on the substrate can damage the print. The above processes do not always work and can result in wasted materials and products with poor quality.
The present invention addresses some of these shortcomings as well as others. It permits the printing of an image on a substrate, such as paper. The print is then laminated on one or both sides to enhance the print and not diminish it.
The end product simulates an actual brush stroke and adds value to the printed image by enhancing the original image, by adding a protective layer over the image, and by bringing depth and dimension to a flat, exposed print surface. The resulting product also reduces the likelihood of damage and/or degradation possible with prints when left unfinished. Thus, the resultant product adds aesthetic value to a printed image while simultaneously increasing the longevity and intrinsic value of the print itself.