A terminal apparatus is configured to receive image data from a scanner. A controller receives, from the scanner, a control file including a file name, receives, from the scanner, a document file, the document file including image data scanned by the scanner, analyzes the file name included in the received control file to obtain the file type of the received document file, and determines whether the application program associated with the obtained file type is stored in a memory. The controller also searches the memory to determine the application program associated with the obtained file type from application programs stored in the memory, starts the application program associated with the obtained file type, when it is determined that the application program associated with the obtained file type is stored in the memory, and opens the received document file without user input, based upon the application program determined in the search.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a network scanner and file transmitting/receiving system, and user terminal apparatus and file transmitting/receiving system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a scanner is positioned on a network and image information scanned by the scanner is transmitted to a desired personal computer (PC) connected to the network. Such a scanner is referred to as a network scanner.
The network scanner converts image information to a predetermined file format (for example, TIFF), establishes a communication channel between PC and the network scanner on the network using a TCP protocol, and transfers an image file to PC through this communication channel. PC stores this image file to a hard disk and the like, and performs display and edition based on an application (Viewer and the like).
For example, in displaying the image file transmitted and stored in PC, a user selects a viewer application corresponding to the image file from a launcher menu of an OS (Operation System) standard, and starts up it. Sequentially, the user selects a "file open" command from the menu of the viewer application, and executes it so as to open a holder in which image files are stored. Then, the user selects a desired image file and opens it.
In the image file, numerous formats exist, and applications corresponding to the respective formats also exist. For this reason, the user must select an application suitable for viewing and editing the image file.
Moreover, in the case of opening the image file from the application, it is required that the user should perform a plurality of operations such as selection of command, selection of folder and file, confirmation and execution and the like. This is not necessarily the simple and easy way to all users due to numerous operations.
OS has a function that associates the file with the application. However, in this case, there is a necessity to search the folder in which image files are stored from a directory using a filer of OS standard, select a desired image file therefrom, and click the selected image file.
Thus, in any case, the user must search a target image file from numerous image files scanned in the past by the unaided eye in order to view the image which the user has just scanned using the network scanner.

Terminal apparatus, network system and communication method including opening of received document file


Provided are a display panel and a display device. The display panel includes a base substrate, at least one first type touch electrode block and at least one second type touch electrode block in a first layer and insulated with each other, touch signal lines in a second layer, and an insulation layer between the first layer and the second layer. The first type touch electrode block is connected to one or more touch signal lines via multiple first through holes running through the insulation layer, and the second type touch electrode block is connected to one or more touch signal lines via multiple second through holes running through the insulation layer. In a column containing the first type touch electrode block, the second distance of at least one second type touch electrode block is smaller than the first distance of the first type touch electrode block.

With the development of display technologies, the demands of users become more and more diversified. The traditional rectangular display panel has been unable to meet the diverse displaying and using demands of users. Therefore, the free form display panel (such as a screen with a notch) is becoming an important development trend of display technologies.
The shape of the free form display panel in related arts is not a traditional rectangle, the free form display panel has a special-shaped edge such as a rounded corner, a cutting angle, a notch and the like. The free form display panel includes a first type touch electrode block and a second type touch electrode block. The second type touch electrode block is arranged close to the normal edge of the free form display panel, and usually has the traditional rectangle shape. The first type touch electrode block is arranged at the special-shaped edge, the shape of the first type touch electrode block is not the traditional rectangle, but adjusted according to the special-shaped edge, so the area of the first type touch electrode block is often smaller than the area of the second type touch electrode block. In order to reduce a connection resistance between the touch electrode block and a touch signal line and to improve the connecting stability between the touch electrode block and the touch signal line, the touch electrode block and the touch signal line are connected by via connections formed in an insulation layer between the touch electrode block and the touch signal line. At present, in the free form display panel, the area of the first type touch electrode block is often smaller than the area of the second type touch electrode block, so the allowed number of the through holes on the first type touch electrode block is smaller than that of the second type touch electrode block, the connection resistance between the first type touch electrode block and the touch signal line is greater, and the touch and control performance of the free form display panel around the special-shaped edge is pretty poor.

Display panel having two types of touch electrodes and display device thereof

Shanghai AVIC OPTO Electronics Co., Ltd.


The present invention is an apparatus and method for increasing the security of a door latch that uses a striker plate having a striker plate housing with a side plate connected to the striker plate housing and extends generally parallel to the striker plate housing and at least one opening, one or more pins positioned slidably and toward an opening in the striker plate housing and a biasing mechanism in contact with the one or more pins for biasing each of the one or more pins toward the opening to conform to the shape of a throw bolt inserted into the opening.

A conventional doorframe includes a door passageway, which is typically made of a pair of studs (e.g., wooden 2 by 4 studs nailed together or metal studs) covered by a casing made of ¾ of an inch boards, or metal casings in many commercial applications, forming a door jam. The door is hinged on one side of the housing with a doorknob and a door latch on the other side. The doorjamb leaves tight tolerances on all sides providing little space between the door and the door jam, yet still allows the door to function freely.
The door is secured into position with a door latch, which extends from the door and penetrates a hole, one-inch in diameter, in the casing and studs of the doorframe. The hole is aligned with the door latch and covered with a striker plate. The striker plate is generally 2 to 3 inches in length, made of metal and mortised and screwed into the casing of the door with ½ to ¾ of an inch long screws, which are easily stripped out. As a result of the tight tolerances and modification of the casing the installation of the striker plate is a customized operation. Therefore, the striker plate is difficult to reposition once it is installed. For the door and lock to function properly the door latch must fit into the hole of the striker plate. Misalignment of the door latch, the strike plate or both may result in serious security, health and safety risks in a door that will not close or open, latch or secure correctly.
As a consequence of age, humidity, foundation shifting and/or weather conditions buildings may move and cause doorframes to shift up and down and side to side. This movement results in misalignment of the relatively small hole of the striker plate and the door latch and/or the dead bolt latch. The misalignment often causes the door to be difficult or even impossible to secure. Additionally, the movement of the housing may result in the latch entering partially the striker plate and as a result may not adequately secure the door. In instances where the striker and door latch are semi-aligned, the interaction may be such that the friction is not sufficient to hold the door secure at such an imperfect position. In addition to the serious security problem caused by the misalignment, repeated attempts to reposition the striker plate may serious weaken the integrity of the doorframe and alter the aesthetic look of the door. Furthermore, even when the striker plate is moved, changes in conditions often cause the latch to return to its original position, causing the latch to misalign once again. Such changes are often observed and associated with changes in humidity.
One solution to the misalignment of the door latch and the hole of the striker plate includes the use of force (e.g., to pull the door up or push the door down or slam the door) to make the door latch and the striker plate hole align. Often doors that are forced to align result in doors that are just as difficult to reopen due to binding of the door, door latch, striker plate, or combination thereof. This problem is exacerbated when dealing with the elderly, children or the disabled, as they may not have the strength or the dexterity to supply the required force to align the door latch and striker plate hole. Furthermore, in times of emergency (e.g., a fire) a misaligned door and a lack of strength may preclude escape or cause the door to open during, e.g., a fire.
Other solutions to misalignments include adjusting the striker plate by redrilling the screw holes and remortising the striker plate to accommodate the new alignment position; most often resulting in the marring or destruction of the doorframe. Furthermore, reoccurring movement of the doorframe results in the process being repeated periodically, resulting in weak unsightly door jams.
The structure of a deadbolt latch and a door latch are quite different. The deadbolt has a larger diameter and a generally rectangular shape, which requires a matching striker plate hole. A door latch has a shorter, more rounded shape and corresponding striker plate. To further compound issues, some manufactures are designing door latches that incorporate the size and shape of the deadbolt latch. To change between these types new striker plates must be installed, which involves redrilling the screw holes and remortising the striker plate, often resulting in the marring or destruction of the doorframe.
The foregoing problems have been recognized for many years and while numerous solutions have been proposed, none of them adequately address all of the problems in a single device, e.g., multiple adjustments without reboring or remortising the doorjamb.

Universal door striker plate that permits continuous adjustment


An object is to obtain a multi-beam optical scanning apparatus in which a displacement of an image location of each of light beams emitted from a plurality of light emitting portions is reduced, and which is suitably usable in a high-speed and high-image-quality application, and an image forming apparatus using the multi-beam optical scanning apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-beam optical scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the same, and particularly to a multi-beam optical scanning apparatus which is suitably usable in an image forming apparatus, such as a laser beam printer, a digital copying machine, and a multi-function printer that employ the electrophotographic process, for example, and can achieve operation with high speed and high recording density by using a light source unit having a plurality of light emitting or radiation portions.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along a main-scanning direction and schematically illustrating a main portion of a conventional multi-beam optical scanning apparatus.
In FIG. 23, plural light beams emitted, for example, from a multi-beam semiconductor laser 91 with plural light emitting portions (light emitting points) are converted into approximately parallel light beams or convergent light beams by a collimator lens 92, and are incident on a cylindrical lens 94 after sizes of cross sections of these light beams are restricted by an aperture stop 93. Each light beam incident on the cylindrical lens 94 emerges therefrom without any change in a main-scanning section. With respect to a sub-scanning section, each light beam is converged by the cylindrical lens 94, and is imaged on a place close to a deflecting facet 95a of a polygon mirror 95 serving as a deflecting unit, as a linearly-focused image extending in the main-scanning direction. Each light beam is reflectively deflected and scanned by the deflecting facet 95a of the polygon mirror 95 rotating at a uniform angular speed in a direction of an arrow A in FIG. 23, and is imaged on a surface 97 to be scanned (a scanned surface) of a photosensitive drum or the like in the form of a spot by a fθ lens 96. The scanned surface 97 is scanned with the imaged spot moving at a uniform speed in a direction of an arrow B in FIG. 23. Thus, image recording is executed on the photosensitive drum surface 97 serving as a recording medium.
In such a multi-beam optical scanning apparatus, a unit for detecting a writing start position synchronous signal immediately before writing of an image signal is usually arranged to accurately control the writing start position of an image on the scanned surface.
In FIG. 23, reference numeral 78 designates a folding mirror (a BD mirror) which reflects a light beam (a BD light beam) for detection of the writing start position synchronous signal toward the side of a BD sensor 81 described later, so that a timing of a scanning start position on the photosensitive drum surface 97 can be detected. Reference numeral 79 designates a slit member (a BD slit) which is disposed at a position optically equivalent to the photosensitive drum surface 97. Reference numeral 80 designates a BD lens which serves to establish an optical conjugate relationship between the BD mirror 78 and the BD sensor 81, and compensates for a fall or inclination of the BD mirror 78. Reference numeral 81 designates an optical sensor (the BD sensor) which acts as a device for detecting the writing start position synchronous signal. Here, elements of the BD mirror 78, the BD slit 79, the BD lens 80, the BD sensor 81 and the like constitute a portion of the detecting unit (a BD optical system) for detecting the writing start position synchronous signal. In the apparatus of FIG. 23, the timing of the writing start position for image recording on the photosensitive drum surface 97 is adjusted by detecting an output signal from the BD sensor 81.
In such a multi-beam optical scanning apparatus, in the event that plural light emitting portions A and B (although two light emitting portions A and B are illustrated in FIG. 24 for the convenience of easy understanding, three or more than three light emitting portions can be similarly arranged) are arranged in a vertical direction along the sub-scanning direction as illustrated in FIG. 24, a spacing between scanning lines formed by light beams from these light emitting portions in the sub-scanning direction on the scanned surface is likely to be much larger than a spacing of a desired recording density. Accordingly, those plural light emitting portions A and B are normally arranged along a direction oblique to the main-scanning direction as illustrated in FIG. 25, and its oblique angle δ is controlled such that the spacing between the scanning lines in the sub-scanning direction on the scanned surface can be accurately adjusted in conformity with the recording density.
In the above-discussed conventional multi-beam optical scanning apparatus, since the plural light emitting portions A and B are arranged obliquely relative to the main-scanning direction, light beams emitted from the light emitting portions A and B reach different locations spaced from each other in the main-scanning direction on the deflecting facet 95a of the polygon mirror 95 as illustrated in FIG. 26, respectively, and traveling angles of the light beams reflected by the deflecting facet 95a of the polygon mirror 95 are also different from each other. Hence, light spots are imaged on different locations spaced in the main-scanning direction on the scanned surface 97, respectively (see a light beam A and a light beam B).
In such a multi-beam optical scanning apparatus, therefore, the image signal is supplied with a timing shift of a predetermined time δT such that an image location of a light beam emitted from a certain reference light emitting portion on the scanned surface can coincide with an image location of a light beam emitted from another light emitting portion.
The deflecting facet is designed at an angle indicated by 95a′ in FIG. 26 when the timing shifts by δT, and accordingly a light beam at this moment is reflected in a direction B′, i.e., reflected in the same direction (at the same angle) as that of the light beam A, leading to coincidence of the image locations of spots formed by these light beams.
In such a construction, however, the image locations of those light beams are likely to deviate from each other in the main-scanning direction in the event that a main-scanning focus variation or focus displacement (a focus displacement in an optical axial direction of the fθ lens 96) occurs for some reasons, for example, due to a positional displacement between an optical unit for holding the optical system and the scanned surface, an assemblage error at the time when an optical component is assembled in the optical unit, or the like. For example, provided that the scanned surface 97 was displaced from a regular position to a position indicated by 97′ in FIG. 26, the image locations of the light beams deviate from each other by δY1 in the main-scanning direction as can be seen from FIG. 26.
Thus, problems of a decrease in printing precision and degradation of an image quality are conventionally present due to such occurrence of the displacement δY1 in the main-scanning direction between the image locations of the light beams emitted from the light sources (the light source unit having plural light emitting portions).
As a means for solving the above-discussed problems, U.S. Pat. No. 6,489,982 (the assignee thereof is the same as this U.S. patent application) discloses technology for effectively reducing the displacement δY1 in the main-scanning direction of the image location of each light beam emitted from each of plural light sources by appropriately setting the focal length of the collimator lens, the distance between the stop and the deflecting facet of the polygon mirror, the focal length of the fθ lens in the main-scanning direction, the spacing between light emitting points of the plural light sources in the main-scanning direction, and so forth.
The construction of the above U.S. Patent is capable of lowering the displacement δY1 in the main-scanning direction of the image location of each light beam emitted from each of the plural light sources to a level that is practically allowable.
On the other hand, laser oscillation is liable to be unstable, in the event that plural light beams incident on the photosensitive drum surface are regularly reflected by the photosensitive drum surface, and are again returned to the light emitting portions such as semiconductor lasers. Further, when the regularly-reflected light returns to the optical system, there is a possibility that the reflected light is again returned to the photosensitive drum surface by reflection at a surface of the optical system, and a problem of ghost accordingly appears.
Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the construction is designed such that a principal ray of each of plural light beams incident on the photosensitive drum surface can form a predetermined angle α relative to a normal to the photosensitive drum surface in the sub-scanning direction. In such a construction, accordingly, the regularly-reflected light from the photosensitive drum surface returns to neither the semiconductor laser, nor the optical system. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view in the sub-scanning direction schematically illustrating a main portion of the above-discussed conventional multi-beam optical scanning apparatus using a plurality of light sources.
In the multi-beam optical scanning apparatus having such a construction, lengths of plural scanning lines formed on the photosensitive drum surface are likely to differ from each other as illustrated in FIG. 28. Hence, a displacement or variation in the main-scanning direction between the image locations of plural image spots occurs on the photosensitive drum surface, especially at its end portions in the main-scanning direction.
The displacement or variation in the main-scanning direction of the image location depends on an average α of angles formed between principal rays of the plural light beams incident on the photosensitive drum surface and the normal to the photosensitive drum surface in the sub-scanning direction, an average β of angles formed between principal rays of the plural light beams incident at any scanning location (any given scanning location) on the photosensitive drum surface and the normal to the photosensitive drum surface in the main-scanning direction, a resolution in the sub-scanning direction (a pitch of the scanning lines), and the number of simultaneously-scanned scanning lines (the number of light emitting portions of the light source unit).
In other words, the displacement or variation in the main-scanning direction of the image location on the scanned surface 97 is a sum of a positional displacement δY1 caused by the arrangement of plural light emitting portions oblique to the main-scanning direction (i.e., along the sub-scanning direction), and a positional displacement δYD caused by the arrangement in which the angle formed between the principal ray of each of plural light beams incident on the photosensitive drum surface and the normal to the photosensitive drum surface in the sub-scanning direction is set to a predetermined angle α, thereby incurring the problems of a decrease in the printing precision and degradation of the image quality.
Therefore, it can be understood from the above that it is necessary to consider not only the reduction of the positional displacement δY1 in the main-scanning direction of the image location of the light beam from each of plural light sources executed by the method disclosed in the above-identified U.S. patent, but also the positional displacement δYD caused by the arrangement in which the angle formed between the principal ray of each of plural light beams incident on the photosensitive drum surface and the normal to the photosensitive drum surface in the sub-scanning direction is set to a predetermined angle α.

Multi-beam optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus using the same

Abstract: A multi-beam optical scanning apparatus includes a light source unit 1 having plural light emitting portions disposed with being spaced from each other in a main-scanning direction, a first optical system 2 for changing conditions of plural divergent light beams emitted from the light source unit, a stop 3 for restricting widths of the plural light beams transmitted through the first optical system, a deflecting unit 5 for reflecting the plural light beams restricted by the stop, a second optical system 6 for forming images of the plural light beams reflected by the deflecting unit on a surface 7 to be scanned, and a detecting unit for detecting a writing start position synchronous signal for controlling a timing of a scanning start position on the surface to be scanned. The individual elements are designed so as to satisfy a predetermined condition.


A hand pump spray bottle does not leak the liquid contents through the air inlet port during operation when the bottle is oriented so that the inlet port is covered with liquid. The air inlet port is in circuit with an optional void volume which in turn is in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle through a tubular section. The void volume, where present, and the tubular section act as a reservoir to store the liquid from the bottle that would normally reach the air inlet port. When the hand pump is operated, liquid is removed from the bottle and the pressure therein decreases. When the pressure within the bottle decreases to a value that is equal to the atmospheric pressure minus the product of the density of the liquid contents times the height of the liquid above the air inlet port, atmospheric air will force the liquid in the void volume, where present, and the tubular section back into the bottle and atmospheric air then can enter the bottle to maintain the pressure substantially constant thereafter.

This invention relates to hand-pump spray bottles for dispensing a liquid in a jet or atomization mode and, more particularly, to such a bottle having a novel air inlet unit that prevents the liquid contents from leaking out of the air inlet unit when the container is operated at an orientation that causes the air inlet unit to be covered with liquid.
Hand-pump spray bottles have become increasingly popular to eliminate the use of pressurized cans due to environmental concerns and high cost. Over one billion spray bottles are sold each year to dispense such liquids as glass cleaners, bathroom cleaners, waxes, and oils.
These spray bottles have a feed tube with an open end entrance that extends into the liquid contents and serves as a conduit to the hand pump. There is an air inlet port, usually located in the hand pump, that admits air into the bottle when the pump is operated. This admitted air replaces the liquid that is dispensed, in order to maintain approximately atmospheric pressure within the bottle. These spray bottles operate well under some conditions. However, if the feed tube entrance is within the liquid and the air inlet port is covered with liquid, as would occur when the bottle is operated at certain commonly encountered orientations, the hand pump will dispense the liquid satisfactorily but liquid will leak out of the air inlet port. This leakage occurs with conventional spray bottles as well as with any of the numerous bottles that can operate in the inverted position, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,733,013; 4,775,070; and 5,624,060. This leakage is highly undesirable for any liquid since it is unpleasant to wet the hand, and it is a waste of product. Any leakage, even the smallest amount, is completely unacceptable for any caustic liquids.
It is the principal object of this invention to provide an air inlet unit that will admit air to a hand-pump spray bottle but will prevent leakage of the liquid contents when the bottle is operated in an orientation where the air inlet port is covered with liquid.
It is another object of this invention to admit sufficient air to maintain the air pressure within the bottle at a level that will prevent it from collapsing any appreciable amount.
It is yet another object of this invention for the air inlet unit to operate without any moving parts.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an air inlet unit that will increase the cost of the entire bottle assembly only a negligible amount.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a single design for the air inlet unit that will operate with any dispensable liquid.
It is a further object of this invention to incorporate the air inlet unit into the hand pump without any additional assembly steps.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the teachings of the following specification and appended drawings.


The present inventive concept has been made in an effort to increase the width of a channel in a silicon carbide MOSFET using a trench gate.

With the recent trend toward large-sized and large-capacity application apparatuses, a power semiconductor device having a high breakdown voltage, a high current capacity, and high-speed switching characteristics has become necessary.
Accordingly, many researches and developments are being conducted on MOSFETs (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors) using silicon carbide (SiC), instead of conventional MOSFETs using silicon. Particularly, there is a lot of development of vertical trench MOSFETs.
In the vertical trench MOSFET, a channel is formed in a p type epitaxial layer on both sides of a trench. The width of the channel is proportional to the thickness of the p type epitaxial layer.
The channel width can be lengthened to increase the amount of conduction current; however, the p type epitaxial layer has to be made thicker because the channel width is proportional to the thickness of the p type epitaxial layer, resulting in an increase in the area of the semiconductor device.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art.

Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same

Abstract: According to the exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the width of a channel can be increased, compared with the conventional art, by forming a plurality of protrusions extending to the p type epitaxial layer on both sides of the trench.


A minimum coordinate value at least in one direction of a parameter data group including a start point and an end point of a stroke is detected and outline coordinates are generated from the parameter data group by an outline coordinate generator and a minimum coordinate detector. An outline data generator stores range data indicative of a painting range into a predetermined address in an outline buffer on the basis of the outline coordinates and the minimum coordinate value or the maximum coordinate value. An address generator generates a drawing start address and an end address in a bit map memory in accordance with a value based on the minimum coordinate value and the predetermined address and with the range data. A painter paints by writing the same value into all data between the drawing start address and end address in the bit map memory, thereby generating a character pattern at a high speed by a buffer memory of a small capacity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image processing apparatus and method and, more particularly, to character processing apparatus and method for generating a character pattern on the basis of font data in which one character is constructed by a plurality of strokes and is expressed by parameters on a stroke unit basis.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional image processing apparatus.
The image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 21 comprises an outline coordinate generator 11, an outline data generator 12, an address generator 13, an outline buffer 14, a painter 15, and a bit map memory 16.
In the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 21, an image process is executed as follows. First, outline coordinates are generated by the outline coordinate generator 11 constructed by a CPU and an ROM for storing an outline coordinate generating program from a parameter data group 10 corresponding to one stroke stored in an ROM or a hard disk. The outline data generator 12 constructed by a CPU and an ROM for storing an outline data generating program generates a start point and an end point of painting on the same (y) coordinate as outline data for painting on the basis of the outline coordinates. The address generator 13 constructed by a CPU and an ROM for storing an address generating program generates the (y) coordinate as an address in the outline buffer 14. The start and end points of painting on the same (y) coordinate are stored into addresses in the outline buffer 14 (RAM) generated by the address generator 13. The above operation is executed with respect to the whole one stroke.
The address generator 13 generates a start address and an end address in the bit map memory (RAM) 16 corresponding to the start and end points of painting on the same (y) coordinate stored in the outline buffer 14. The painter 15 constructed by a CPU and an ROM for storing a painting program writes "1" into all of the data between the start and end addresses in the bit map memory 16. The operation is executed with respect to all of the start and end points stored in the outline buffer 14. The series of operations mentioned above are executed with respect to all of the strokes and the OR of bit map data of each stroke is obtained, thereby generating a character.
For example, each of FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 shows a bit map image of outline coordinates of each of strokes constructing a character "H".
FIGS. 25, 26, and 27 are explanatory diagrams showing the contents in the outline buffer 14 on the basis of the outline coordinates of the bit map images. Each diagram shows a table Tb in which data (range data) of a pair of start point (StartX) and end point (EndX) of painting in each (y) coordinate is written.
As shown in FIGS. 28, 29, and 30, every stroke is painted on the basis of the outline data and the OR is sequentially obtained, thereby generating one character on the bit map memory 16.
As mentioned above, FIGS. 22 to 30 show the case where the size of the outline buffer 14 is enough larger than the width in the (y) axial direction of the stroke.
In the case where the size of the outline buffer 14 is insufficient for the width in the (y) axial direction of the stroke and the outline data of one stroke cannot be stored by one operation, as shown in FIGS. 31 to 36, a series of processes (hereinbelow, called a band process) are repeated a plurality of times. For example, FIG. 31 shows a bit map image when the size in the (y) axial direction of the outline buffer 14 is insufficient for the outline coordinates of one of the strokes constructing the character "H".
In this case, the data of the pair of painting start point (StartX) and end point (EndX) in each (y) coordinate in the outline buffer 14 is as shown in FIG. 32. The painting operation is executed on the basis of the outline data as shown in FIG. 33. As shown in FIG. 34, the coordinates in the (y) axial direction of the stroke are shifted. In this case, the data of the pair of start point (StartX) and end point (EndX) of painting in each (y) coordinate in the outline buffer 14 is as shown in FIG. 35. The painting operation is executed on the basis of the outline data as shown in FIG. 36 and the OR is obtained, thereby generating one stroke in the bit map memory 16.
In this case, in the second and subsequent processes, when the start and end points of painting on the same (y) coordinate are stored into the outline buffer 14, a value obtained by subtracting the size in the (y) axial direction in the outline buffer 14 from the (y) coordinate of the start and end points is used as an address.
FIGS. 37 to 42 show an example of the band process with respect to another stroke.
A flow for processes, specifications of the drawings, and the like of FIGS. 37 to 42 are similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 36.
In the conventional example of FIGS. 37 to 42, however, although the capacity in the (y) axial direction in the outline buffer 14 is sufficient for the width in the (y) axial direction of the stroke, the band process has to be executed and a processing time increases.
As mentioned above, in the case where the outline buffer cannot store the outline data of one stroke by one operation, a number of band processes have to be executed in the conventional technique, so that the processing time increases. There is a problem such that in order to avoid the occurrence of the band process, the outline buffer having a large capacity sufficient for a size of one character is necessary, so that a large memory capacity is necessary.


A rotary parlor for automatic milking of animals includes an annular rotary platform (2) adapted to form a support surface for the animals (1), driving element (9) for supplying a rotary motion to the platform (2), positioning element for arranging the animals in predetermined milking positions (3) on the platform, in which an longitudinal axis (1a) of the animals forms an angle to the direction of motion (1b) of the animals standing on the rotary platform (2), and a robot arm (13) adapted to attach teat cups (7a) to the teats of an animal (1) which has entered a milking position (3) on the platform (2). The entire robot arm (13) is located in a working position vertically above or on the platform (2) when it attaches the teat cups to the teats of the animals (1).

The present invention relates to a rotary parlor for automatic milking of animals, wherein the parlor comprises an annular rotary platform adapted to form a support surface for the animals, driving means for supplying a rotary motion to the platform, positioning means for arranging the animals in predetermined milking positions on the platform, in which a longitudinal axis of the animals forms an angle to the direction of motion of the animals standing on the rotary platform, and a robot arm adapted to attach teat cups to the teats of an animal which has entered a milking position.
In a conventional rotary milking parlor, the cows walk on to an annular rotating platform and enter a milking stall. An operator, who is located on the inside or on the outside of the annular platform, attaches a milking member to the teats of the cows. The platform rotates continuously with a constant low speed such that the milking processes of the cows have been finished when the cows have rotated nearly 360 degrees on the platform. The continuous flow of cows causes rotary parlors to have a high milking capacity. However, a condition for a well working milking parlor is the existence of the operator who manually attaches the milking members to the cows.
EP 689 762 shows a rotary parlor for automatic milking of animals. A robot arm is here used for the attachment of teat cups to cows standing in a milking position on an annular platform. The robot arm is movably arranged on a rail track, which runs in an internal position of the annular platform along a part of its inner periphery. However, the use of such a robot arm is restricted to parlors having milking position for the cows in the driving direction of the platform, such that it is possible for the robot arm to attach the teat cups to the cows from the side. However, a close positioning of the animals on the platform, which is a condition for an effective use of a rotary parlor, is not possible to achieve with such a design of the milking positions.

Rotary parlour for automatic milking of animals


A high-speed-transmission connection device includes a male connector, a cable, and a metal protrusion structure. The cable is connected to the male connector. The metal protrusion structure is formed on an outer surface of the male connector. When the male connector is connected to a female connector, the metal protrusion structure is in close contact with the inner surface of the female connector. The metal protrusion structure fills a gap between the male connector and the female connector, and prevents electromagnetic waves from leaking outwardly from the gap.

Field of the Invention
The disclosure generally relates to a high-speed-transmission connection device, and more particularly, to a high-speed-transmission connection device for reducing EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).
Description of the Related Art
With the advancement of mobile communication technology, mobile devices such as portable computers, mobile phones, multimedia players, and other hybrid functional portable electronic devices have become more common. To satisfy the demands of users, mobile devices can usually perform wireless communication functions. Some devices cover a large wireless communication area; these include mobile phones using 2G, 3G, and LTE (Long Term Evolution) systems and using frequency bands of 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, and 2500 MHz. Some devices cover a small wireless communication area; these include mobile phones using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems and those using frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.
Antennas are indispensable elements for mobile devices supporting wireless communications. It should be noted that antennas tend to be affected by surrounding electromagnetic noise. For example, when data transmission interfaces of mobile devices are connected to other external devices, the electromagnetic waves leaking from the data transmission interfaces may negatively affect the normal operations of antennas. Such interference becomes serious if the frequency of transmission signals is increased. Since the electromagnetic noise cannot be removed completely by filters, it may significantly degrade the communication quality of mobile devices.

High-speed-transmission connection device having a metal protrusion electrically connected to a connector


Multi-block isoporous structures for non-aqueous and/or harsh chemical media having at least one of high separation specificity, chemical resistance, and antifouling properties, methods of manufacturing and use, for replacements or alternatives to existing separation membrane technologies.

Membranes have been manufactured to be resistant to chemicals, heat, and radiation, by reacting fluorine containing monomers, e.g., tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride to produce polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or poly(vinylidene fluoride), which are hydrophilic or by providing a hydrophilic fluorine surface. These fluorine containing polymers are not isoporous, not produced by self-assembly, and do not self-assemble. Block copolymers containing fluorinated blocks have been used to create dense ion-conducting membranes, for liquid/liquid separations, or in gas/gas separations. Similarly, these fluorinated block copolymers are non-isoporous, and lack the pore tuning properties associated with self-assembled polymers and flow characteristics.
Fluoropolymer membranes are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,024, where PTFE membranes are coated with hydrophilic fluorine containing copolymers on pores. Other examples of surface modified membrane are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,792, where the porous membrane surface is modified with perfluorocarbon copolymer, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,443 where the membrane surface is coated with hydrophilic fluorinated copolymers.
In addition, fluorine-containing graft copolymers and adhesive composed essentially of the copolymer and a composite membrane of a support and the copolymer are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,991. In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,991, a fluorinated polymer is grafted to another polymer. Whereas other prior art techniques involve applying a fluorinated graft copolymer to existing membranes physically, e.g., dip coating, spin coating, etc.
Hollow fiber, porous membranes, with layers formed from polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (4-methylpentene-1), poly (vinylidene fluoride) or polyoxymethylene, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,796. The porous layers are interposed with layers of a homogeneous thin film. The homogeneous film can include two material, where the first material is a polymer blend composed of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin. Where the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer and be "A block copolymer in which the hard segments comprise a styrene polymer and the soft segments comprise a polymer derived from at least one monomer selected from butadiene, ethylene-butylene isoprene and ethylene-propylene" or "A random copolymer composed of two or more types of constitutional units formed from styrene and at least one of butadiene, ethylene-butylene, isoprene and ethylene-propylene," none of which includes a fluorinated component. The second material disclosed in the patent is a copolymer of (2, 2-bistrifluoromethyl-4, 5-difluoro-1, 3-dioxole) and tetrafluoroethylene, but is not a block copolymer.
Copolymers of fluorinated polydienes and sulfonated polystyrenes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,619,036, where the block copolymers include sulfonated polystyrene blocks A along with fluorinated blocks B, having the general diblock structure AB, and triblock structure ABA.
Existing fluorinated porous membranes that contain block copolymer components include a coating of a fluorine-containing polymer/copolymer. In addition, some chemistries in these block copolymer have undesirable fouling characteristics (e.g. undesirable physical and chemical interactions) with components of the feed stream.
However, as described, the predominant technique for surface modification involves providing a coating of a fluorine containing material, which coated product can have imperfections, such as pin-holes in the coating, or be susceptible to separation or delamination. In addition, isoporous block copolymer membranes are typically formed from vinyl-derived polymers that are soluble or unstable in many organic solvents. These features typically limit their use of vinyl-derived polymers to aqueous solutions and thus their overall utility. Thus, a need exists for chemically resistant isoporous structures without the drawbacks and limitations of existing polymer membranes (e.g., chemically resistant without needing a coating), chemically resistant to harsh chemical materials, (e.g., organic materials, inorganic and organic acids and bases), and provides a structure that self-assembles to provide a pore tunable structure that is suitable for separation processes involving organic materials, inorganic and organic acids and bases.

Chemically resistant fluorinated multiblock polymer structures, methods of manufacturing and use


A bus mechanism to control information exchanges between bus masters and bus targets over a bus structure that includes separate command, push and pull data buses. Commands are generated by bus masters and are interpreted by bus targets on a per-target basis. Each bus target controls the servicing of a command intended for such target by controlling the transfer of push data over the push bus to a bus master specified in the command as a destination, for a push operation type, and by controlling the transfer of pull data over the pull bus to the target from a bus master specified in the command as a destination, for a pull operation type. Arbitration logic associated with each bus is used to control the flow of the information exchanges on that bus.

Conventional bus schemes define a bus as an indivisible unit. Although commands and data may be transmitted over separate physical channels to improve concurrency, the bus protocols link the channels. The commands include a fixed number of predefined fields of command information, such as address, length (number of data bytes) and operation type (e.g., read, write, cacheline flush, and so forth).

Multiprocessor infrastructure for providing flexible bandwidth allocation via multiple instantiations of separate data buses, control buses and support mechanisms


Techniques for context-aware identification of anomalies in civil infrastructure. A method includes applying an anomaly identification model to features extracted from visual content showing civil infrastructure in order to determine at least one anomalous portion shown in the visual multimedia content, a type of each anomalous portion, and a quantification of each anomalous portion; wherein the anomaly identification model is selected based on a type of material of the civil infrastructure; and generating a semantically labeled three-dimensional (3D) model based on the at least one anomalous portion and the type of each anomalous portion, wherein the semantically labeled 3D model includes anomalous points; wherein each anomalous point represents one of the at least one anomalous portion; wherein the anomalous points collectively define a pattern of the at least one anomalous portion; wherein each anomalous point is visually distinguished to indicate the quantification of the respective anomalous portion.

Accurate and rapid assessment of the condition of in-service structural systems is critical for ensuring safety and serviceability. In particular, one major consideration in assessing the condition of civil infrastructure is visible signs of structural damages. These anomalies may include defects such as structural deficiencies due to deterioration and excessive usage (e.g., steel corrosion, cracks, concrete efflorescence, and concrete spalling), which may be due to or may be exacerbated by anomalies in design or manufacture. To this end, an area of interest for assessing infrastructure condition is the detection and quantification of such anomalies. For example, the spatial characteristics of cracks and spalling on concrete surfaces are significant indicators for evaluating the health of existing infrastructure.
Developments in the fields of remote sensing, robotics, and image capturing technologies provide an opportunity to collect large amounts of visual data such as images, videos, and three-dimensional (3D) imaging (also known as 3D point clouds or 3D meshes) related to civil infrastructure that may be used to evaluate the condition of such systems. However, such a large amount of data is not feasible to analyze and manipulate manually.
Some automated solutions exist. For example, some solutions utilize bounding boxes around potential anomalies identified in images. However, such automated solutions face challenges in the accuracy and granularity of anomaly identification. In addition, the existing methods typically use two-dimensional images that have a narrow field and are often high-resolution close-ups of the structure. These images are fundamentally decontextualized since they do not consider information in the context of the structure the way a human observer in the field intuitively does.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide a solution that would overcome the challenges noted above.

Systems and methods for detection of anomalies in civil infrastructure using context aware semantic computer vision techniques


An inorganic composition article used in disk substrate for information recording media, with a low melting point and a high productivity, combining superior surface characteristics capable of sufficiently dealing with a ramp load system for high density recording in both an in-plane magnetic recording system and a perpendicular magnetic recording system, having a high mechanical strength capable of enduring high speed rotation and impact, and combining both a heat expansion characteristic and heat resistance corresponding to each drive component. The inorganic composition articles contain a Li2O component and an Al2O3 component, with the percent by mass ratio of Li2O to Al2O3 (Li2O/Al2O3) being at least 0.3, include crystals, and have a compressive stress layer arranged on a surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inorganic composition article having superior mechanical strength and capable of reducing the elution of alkali ions from the article by providing a compressive stress layer on the article surface. In particular, with regard to substrates for a magnetic recording medium used in various information magnetic recording devices, and among them, especially to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, the invention relates to a substrate for a disk-shaped information recording medium having surface super-smoothness, washability and high strength. Herein, in the present invention, "information recording media" refer to information magnetic recording media usable in a fixed mount type hard disk used as a hard disk in personal computers, removable type hard disks or card type hard disks, hard disks for digital video cameras, digital cameras or audio equipment, a hard disk for mobile (cellular) phones or hard disks for various electronic devices.
2. Related Art
In recent years, in order to deal with the application of personal computers to multimedia and also the trend towards handling large amounts of data, such as in animation and speech in digital video cameras and digital cameras, information magnetic recording devices of high capacity have become necessary. As a result, in order to increase surface recording density, information magnetic recording media tend to increase the density of bits and tracks while reducing bit cell size. Therefore, a magnetic head is required to operate more closely to the disk surface.
Furthermore, when the recording density exceeds 100 Gb/in2, the recording becomes thermally unstable in such a small magnetization unit, so that the in-plane recording system reaches a physical limitation with regard to the demand for high recording density exceeding 100 Gb/in2.
In order to cope with this difficulty, the perpendicular magnetic recording system has been employed. Since this perpendicular magnetic recording system has an easy magnetization axis in the perpendicular direction, bit size can be extremely small, and also since this system has a desired medium film thickness (5 to 10 times the in-plane recording system), the demagnetizing field can be reduced and a shape magnetic anisotropic effect can be anticipated. Therefore, this system is able to solve problems such as reduction in recording energy and thermal instability occurring with high density in conventional in-plane recording systems, so as to realize tremendous improvement in recording density compared with the in-plane magnetic recording system. Thus, in the perpendicular magnetic recording system, it has already become possible to achieve a recording density of no less than 100 Gb/in2 on a practical level in mass production, and research on recording densities exceeding 300 Gb/in2 is already being carried out.
In recent information magnetic recording devices, the magnetic head performs CSS (contact•start•stop) motion repeating movements to contact the disk substrate of the information magnetic recording medium before starting the device and float up from the disk substrate when starting a device. In this case, when the contact surface between them is a mirror-finished surface of a more than necessary level, problems occur such as a unsmooth rotation start or damage to an information magnetic recording medium surface caused by an increase in the friction coefficient due to adsorption. Thus, there are conflicting demands regarding the disk substrate of an information magnetic recording medium for keeping the magnetic head floating as low as possible with the increase in the recording capacity, and preventing the magnetic head from sticking to the information magnetic recording medium disk substrate. To cope with these conflicting demands, the development of a landing region technique to produce a starting and stopping unit for the magnetic head in the specific region of the disk substrate of information magnetic recording medium has been promoted.
On the other hand, competing with the aforementioned landing region technique, there has also been developed a ramp loading technique (contact recording of the magnetic head) in which the magnetic head is completely in contact with the substrate so as to remove the starting and stopping of the magnetic head from the information magnetic recording medium, so that unevenness of the substrate surface to prevent the magnetic head from sticking to the disk substrate has become unnecessary. Therefore, by making the substrate surface super-smooth, it has become possible to operate the magnetic head extremely close to the information recording medium surface enabling the bit cell size to be reduced, thereby enabling the recording density to be raised.
Furthermore, also in the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, the magnetic head floating height tends to be as low as 15 nm or less, as the recoding density improves, so that the recording system further tends to become near-contact recording or contact recording. On the other hand, in order to effectively utilize the medium surface as a data region, conventional systems to provide the landing region have been replaced by a ramp loading system with a no landing region. Therefore, the data region of the disk surface or the entire substrate surface must be super-smooth so as to enable the magnetic head floating height to be reduced and enable the contact recording to be performed.
Furthermore, with the improvement of recording density, high precision is needed in positioning the magnetic head and recording medium, so that high dimensional accuracy is required for each component of the disk substrate and magnetic information recording device. Since the effects of the difference of mean linear expansion coefficients on these components becomes significant, it is necessary to make the difference of these mean linear expansion coefficients as small as possible. More strictly, the mean linear expansion coefficient of the disk substrate is often preferably very slightly larger than the mean linear expansion coefficients of these components. Components having a mean linear expansion coefficients in the range of +90˜+100 (×10−7·° C.−1) are often used in small magnetic information recording media in particular, and it has been considered that the thermal expansion coefficient in this range is also necessary for the disk substrate, so that there has been a disadvantage such as the occurrence of a write error when the thermal expansion coefficient deviates slightly.
Since in this perpendicular magnetic recording system, magnetization is performed perpendicularly to the medium surface, a medium having the easy magnetization axis in the perpendicular direction is used that is different from a conventional medium having the easy magnetization axis in the in-plane direction. Materials which have been studied and put to practical use as a recording layer of the perpendicular magnetic recording system are Co base alloys such as CoCrPt, CoCrPt—Si and CoCrPt—SiO2, and an Fe base alloy such as FePt.
However, the film formation temperature for the miniaturization of magnetic substance crystalline particles and production in the perpendicular direction of magnetic recording media such as FePt and other oxide based media have to be raise. Furthermore, according to recent research, annealing may be performed in some cases at high temperature (in the range of 300 to 900° C.) to improve magnetic property. Therefore, the substrate material must be one capable of resisting such high temperatures and should not generate substrate deformation, alteration of the surface roughness, etc.
Furthermore, these magnetic recording medium substrates must have no crystal anisotropy, foreign substances, impurities and so on, which might affect the film forming medium crystal and their composition must be dense, homogeneous and fine, and also must have chemical durability capable of enduring washing and etching with various chemicals.
Furthermore, in order to attempt the expediting of information recording and reading, technical development has been promoted by rotating the information magnetic recording medium disk of the magnetic recording device at high speed. However, the high speed rotation causes deflection and deformation of the substrate, so that the substrate material is required to have high mechanical strength. In addition, in contrast to the current fixed mount type information magnetic recording device, information magnetic recording devices using a removable disk system and card system are in the stage of investigation and practical application, and also since the application development for digital video cameras, digital cameras, and so on has started, these demands have increased more and more.
Although aluminum alloy is mostly used in conventional magnetic disk substrate material, a substrate made of aluminum alloy is apt to produce irregularity in the shape of protrusions or spots on the substrate surface so as to be difficult to obtain a substrate having sufficient flatness and smoothness. In addition, since aluminum alloy is a soft material and apt to be deformed, it is difficult be adapted to the trend to make devices thinner. Furthermore, aluminum alloy has problems such as the occurrence of head clash due to deflection during high speed rotation leading to damage of the medium, so that it is not a material capable of sufficiently adapting to high density recording in future. In addition, since the allowable temperature limit of aluminum alloy during the film formation, which becomes most important in the magnetic recording system, is less than 300° C., the substrate is thermally-deformed if the film formation is performed at higher than 300° C., and annealing is carried out at high temperatures such as 500° C. to 900° C. Therefore, it is difficult to apply a substrate made of aluminum alloy to the substrate for magnetic recording medium requiring such a high temperature treatment.
As a material to resolve these problems of aluminum alloy substrate, there are amorphous glass substrates, chemical reinforced glass substrates, crystallized glass substrates and so on having high hardness and superior impact strength.
As the amorphous glass substrate and chemical reinforced glass substrate, there are known the chemical reinforced soda lime glass (SiO2—CaO—Na2O) and aluminosilicate glass (SiO2—Al2O3—Na2O), but the heat resistance of the substrate itself is low because they are amorphous glasses. That is, there are problems of deformation after the medium film formation where flatness degrades after the film of magnetic recording medium is formed on these substrates at the temperature above 300° C. Furthermore, the above low heat resistance can become the source of problems such as the elution of alkaline components from the inside of the film to cause damage thereto.
While the crystallized glass substrate is superior to other amorphous glass substrates and chemical reinforced glass substrates in Young's modulus and hardness, and concerning the impact strength and ring bending strength, sufficiently fulfills characteristics required as an information magnetic recording device for practical use, it is inferior to an amorphous glass substrate subjected to the chemical reinforcement treatment.
Although the crystallized glass is one in which crystals are precipitated inside by heating amorphous glass of the specific composition and is known to be superior to amorphous glass in its superior mechanical strength, it has been attempted to subject the crystallized glass to the chemical reinforcement treatment so as to further improve its strength. (For example, see Patent documents Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2005-37906, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho61-286245, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 05-70174, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho 49-99521, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho 59-116150, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2006-62929, Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 10-226532, Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho 50-38719 and Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho 47-49299, etc.) However, no crystallized glass preferable for application to the magnetic recording medium substrate demanded in recent years has been found.
Although the crystallized glass of Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2 base disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2005-37906 has β-spodumene (β-Li2Al2Si4O12) as a crystalline phase and its strength is increased by undergoing the chemical reinforcement treatment after precipitating the crystalline phase, it is not preferable as an information recording medium substrate, because its precipitated crystals are material having a negative thermal expansion coefficient. Furthermore, its application is limited to the reflection mirror.
Furthermore, although Na2O—Al2O3—SiO2 base crystallized glass disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho61-286245 and Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2 base crystallized glass disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei05-70174 have a β-quartz (β-SiO2) solid solution as a crystalline phase, Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2 base crystallized glass disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho49-99521 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho59-116150 have a β-quartz (β-SiO2) solid solution and/or β-spodumene (β-Li2Al2Si4O12) as the crystalline phase, they are not preferable as the information recording medium substrate, because their precipitated crystals are materials having a negative thermal expansion coefficient. In addition, they have not been discussed for the crystalline particle diameter, Young's modulus and specific gravity.
Furthermore, although Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2006-62929 discloses SiO2—Na2O—B2O3—Al2O3 base crystallized glass precipitating crystals of forsterite (2 MgO/SiO2) and/or gahnite (ZnO.Al2O3) as the crystalline phase, its crystal-volume ratio is as high as more than 70%, so that it is difficult to polish the surface roughness after abrasive grinding. In addition, its application is limited to top plates for buildings and cooking utensils.
Although Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei10-226532 discloses the chemical reinforcement substrate by ion exchange of SiO2—Li2O—Al2O3 base crystallized glass and Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2 base amorphous glass precipitating at least one kind of lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5) and/or spodumene (Li2Al2Si4O12), no example concerning the chemical reinforcement of crystallized glass is cited.
In addition, although MgO—Al2O3—SiO2 based crystallized glass disclosed in Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho50-38719 has mixed crystals of α-quartz (α-SiO2) and sapphirine (4 MgO.5Al2O3.SiO2) or β-quartz (β-eucryptite solid solution), its crystal amount is as high as 75% by weight, so that it is difficult to polish the surface roughness after grinding. Furthermore, the glasses are not discussed concerning the described below Young's modulus, specific gravity, crystalline particle diameter and crystallization ratio at all.
Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho 47-49299 discloses the reinforcement of crystallized glass containing the crystalline phase selected from the group consisting of β-eucryptite (Li2O.Al2O3.2SiO2), β-spodumene (Li2O.Al2O3.4SiO2), nepheline ((Na, K)AlSiO4), carnegieite (Na2O.Al2O3.2SiO2) and β-quartz (β-SiO2), but among the precipitated crystals, those containing β-eucryptite, β-spodumene and β-quartz are materials having a negative thermal expansion coefficient, are not preferable as the information recording medium substrate. Furthermore, when the crystallized glass contains nepheline and carnegieite, it does not include lithium as a component, which can be effective in the chemical reinforcement and further requires a temperature as high as 590 to 730° C. for the chemical reinforcement, so that it is not preferable as a substrate for the information recording medium. In addition, the glasses are not discussed concerning the below described Young's modulus, specific gravity, crystalline particle diameter and crystallization ratio at all.


A cache is used in a network storage system that includes a plurality of data storage nodes in a storage cluster, to automatically spread read and write access load, by a plurality of storage clients, for file system data and metadata, across the plurality of data storage nodes.

Various forms of network storage systems exist today, including network attached storage (NAS), storage area networks (SANs), and others. Network storage systems are commonly used for a variety of purposes, such as backing up critical data, providing multiple users with access to shared data, etc.
A network storage system includes at least one storage server, which is a processing system configured to store and retrieve data on behalf of one or more client processing systems ("clients"). In the context of NAS, a storage server is commonly a file server, which is sometimes called a "filer". A filer operates on behalf of one or more clients to store and manage shared files. The files may be stored in a storage subsystem that includes one or more arrays of mass storage devices, such as magnetic or optical disks or tapes, by using RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks). Hence, the mass storage devices in each array may be organized into one or more separate RAID groups.
In a SAN context, a storage server provides clients with access to stored data at a sub-file level of granularity, such as block-level access, rather than file-level access. Some storage servers are capable of providing clients with both file-level access and block-level access, such as certain Filers made by Network Appliance, Inc. (NetApp®) of Sunnyvale, Calif.
Recently, some storage servers have been designed to have distributed architectures, to facilitate clustering of storage nodes. Clustering facilitates scaling of performance and storage capacity. For example, rather than being implemented in a single box, a storage server may include a separate N-("network") module and D-(disk) module, which are contained within separate housings and communicate with each other via some type of switching fabric or other communication medium. Each D-module typically manages a separate set of disks. Storage servers which implement the Data ONTAP® GX operating system from NetApp can have this type of distributed architecture.
The design goals associated with network storage systems typically include the goal that the system should scale gracefully with available resources in three important areas: performance, availability and manageability. As an organization grows, to maintain a high level of productivity under larger workloads, its data infrastructure needs to be scaled up in performance as well as storage capacity while keeping costs low. Existing file systems have at least two limitations that inhibit their scalability under popular update-intensive (write-intensive) workloads and complicate data management: (i) the presence of bottleneck resources, and (ii) the need to do load-spreading and data migration tasks manually. For instance, performance and availability are limited as existing cluster designs statically map either all of a volume's files, metadata or directories to a single node, which becomes a single point of contention and failure. Also, administering a cluster becomes increasingly complex as its size is scaled to meet growing organizational needs. Manually performing common data management tasks, such as redistributing data to exploit additional machines or to work around failed machines, incurs significant system downtime and lost productivity.
Some existing clustered file systems scale a cluster's performance for read-mostly workloads by employing front-end caches that replicate data to offload the primary storage node for read accesses. However, replication degrades rather than improves performance for workloads that update (write) data frequently, such as most enterprise-scale document access and software development. To scale performance under such workloads, some clustered file systems statically partition volumes across multiple cluster nodes to spread load, which inhibits their scalability.
Moreover, organizations typically have significant investment in legacy data storage infrastructure, which cannot be easily replaced with newer clustered storage solutions. Such organizations need a performance-scaling solution that integrates well with existing infrastructure.

Automatic load spreading in a clustered network storage system


The present disclosure provides phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors of formula (I),

Cell signaling via 3′-phosphorylated phosphoinositides has been implicated in a variety of cellular processes, e.g., malignant transformation, growth factor signaling, inflammation, and immunity. See generally Rameh et al., J. Biol. Chem., 274:8347-8350 (1999). The enzyme responsible for generating these phosphorylated signaling products is phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase; PI3K). PI3K originally was identified as an activity associated with viral oncoproteins and growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases that phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol (PI) and its phosphorylated derivatives at the 3′-hydroxyl of the inositol ring. See Panayotou et al., Trends Cell Biol 2:358-60 (1992).
Presently, three classes of the PI 3-kinase (PI3K) enzymes are distinguished, based on their substrate specificities. Class I PI3Ks can phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate, and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate (PIP2) to produce phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PIP), phosphatidylinositol-3,4-biphosphate, and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate, respectively. Class II PI3Ks phosphorylate PI and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate, whereas Class III PI3Ks can only phosphorylate PI.
The initial purification and molecular cloning of PI 3-kinase revealed that it was a heterodimer consisting of p85 and p110 subunits. See Otsu et al., Cell, 65:91-104 (1991); Hiles et al., Cell, 70:419-29 (1992). Since then, four distinct Class I PI3Ks have been identified, designated PI3K α, β, δ, and γ, each consisting of a distinct 110 kDa catalytic subunit and a regulatory subunit. More specifically, three of the catalytic subunits, i.e., p110α, p110β, and p110δ, each interact with the same regulatory subunit, i.e., p85, whereas p110γ interacts with a distinct p101 regulatory subunit. As described below, the patterns of expression of each of these PI3Ks in human cells and tissues also are distinct.
Identification of the p110δ isoform of PI 3-kinase is described in Chantry et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272:19236-41 (1997). It was observed that the human p110δ isoform is expressed in a tissue-restricted fashion. It is expressed at high levels in lymphocytes and lymphoid tissues, suggesting that the protein might play a role in PI 3-kinase-mediated signaling in the immune system. Details concerning the p110δ isoform also can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,858,753; 5,822,910; and 5,985,589, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. See also Vanhaesebroeck et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:4330-5 (1997); and WO 97/46688.
A need remains, however, for additional therapeutic agents useful to treat proliferative disorders or diseases that are mediated by PI3K. The present invention provides novel compounds that are inhibitors of PI3K isoforms.

Abstract: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in which R1, R2, n, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein. These compounds are useful for treatment of conditions mediated by one or more PI3K isoforms, such as PI3Kδ. The present disclosure further provides pharmaceutical compositions that include a compound of formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of using these compounds and compositions to treat conditions mediated by one or more PI3K isoforms, such as PI3Kδ.


A sense amplifier includes a pair of sense bit lines and first and second MOS sense amplifiers. The first MOS sense amplifier has a first pair of MOS transistors of first conductivity type therein, which are electrically coupled across the pair of sense bit lines. This electrically coupling is provided so that each of the first pair of MOS transistors has a first source/drain terminal electrically connected to a corresponding one of the pair of sense bit lines and the second source/drain terminals of the first pair of MOS transistors are electrically connected together. The first pair of MOS transistors of first conductivity type is configured to have different threshold voltages or support different threshold voltage biasing. The second MOS sense amplifier has a first pair of MOS transistors of second conductivity type therein, which are electrically coupled across the pair of sense bit lines.

In general, a dynamic memory cell of a dynamic semiconductor memory device includes one transistor and one capacitor to store 1 bit of data. Data of a high level stored in the capacitor may vanish as time goes by. Therefore, in order to keep data, refresh operations should be performed periodically before data of a high level stored in the capacitor is vanished.
In the refresh operation of the dynamic semiconductor memory device, if word lines are selected in response to a refresh address, a charge sharing operation is performed between data of a high level stored in a memory cell connected between the selected word lines and a charge of a bit line of the memory cell connected to the selected word line, i.e., a precharge level. Thereafter, a bit line sense amplifier operates to sense and amplify a bit line pair to a power voltage level and a ground voltage level.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of a conventional semiconductor memory device. A memory cell array 100 includes a conjunction region CJ, a sense amplifier region SA, a sub word line driver region SWD, and a sub memory cell array block SMCA. The sub word line driver region SWD is arranged above and below the sub memory cell array block SMCA, the sense amplifier region SA is arranged on both sides of the sub memory cell array block SMCA, and the conjunction region CJ is arranged at a cross region of the sub word line driver region SWD and the sense amplifier SA. FIG. 1 shows just a partial configuration of the memory cell array 100.
Word line selecting signals PX1 and PX2 are arranged on a left side of the sub memory cell array block SMCA in a direction of crossing the conjunction region CJ and the sense amplifier region SA, and word line selecting signals PX3 and PX4 are arranged on a right side of the sub memory cell array block SMCA in a direction of crossing the conjunction region CJ and the sense amplifier region SA. Main word line selecting signals NWE1, . . . are arranged in a direction of crossing the sub word line driver region SWD and the sub memory cell array block SMCA, and sub word lines SWD1 to SWD4 are arranged in the same direction as the main word line selecting signal NWE1, in the sub memory cell array block SMCA. Array bit line pairs (e.g., ABL1,ABL1B), are arranged in a perpendicular direction to the sub word lines SWL1 to SWL4, and sense bit line pairs (e.g., SBL1,SBL1B), are located between left and right array bit line pairs.
A bit line isolation gate ISOG1 is arranged between each of the left array bit line pairs (e.g., ABL1,ABL1B), and each of the sense bit line pairs (e.g., SBL1,SBL1B), a bit line isolation gate ISOG2 is arranged between each of the right array bit line pairs (e.g., ABL1,ABL1B), and each of the sense bit line pairs (e.g., SBL1,SBL1B), and a precharge circuit PRE1 is arranged between each of the left array bit line pairs (e.g., ABL1,ABL1B). A precharge circuit PRE2 is arranged between each of the right array bit line pairs (e.g., ABL1,ABL1B), a PMOS sense amplifier PSA and an NMOS sense amplifier NSA are arranged between each of the sense amplifier bit line pairs (e.g., SBL1,SBL1B), and an I/O gate IOG is arranged between each of the sense amplifier bit line pairs (e.g., SBL1,SBL1B), and each of I/O line pair IO1,IO1B. Each of the bit line isolation gates ISOG1 and ISOG2 includes NMOS transistors N3 and N4, the PMOS sense amplifier includes PMOS transistors P1 and P2, and an NMOS sense amplifier includes NMOS transistors N1 and N2.
In FIG. 1, a row address of 2-bit least significant bit ("LSB") is decoded to generate word line selecting signals PX1 to PX4, a row address of the rest bits except the 2-bit LSB is decoded to generate the main word line selecting signals (e.g., NWE1), and each of the word line selecting signals PX1 to PX4 and the main word line selecting signals NWE1 are combined to select the sub word lines SWL1 to SWL4. In the same way, each of the word line selecting signals PX1 to PX4 and each of the rest word line selecting signals (not shown) are combined to select corresponding four (4) sub word lines.
The memory cells of the sub memory cell array block SMCA includes a memory cell MC1 to MC4 which has one transistor N and one capacitor C and the memory cell MC1 is connected between the sub word line SWL1 and the inverted bit line BL1B, the memory cell MC2 which is connected between the sub word line SWL2 and the bit line BL1, the memory cell MC3 which is connected between the sub word line SWL3 and the bit line BL1, and the memory cell MC4 which is connected between the sub word line SWL4 and the inverted bit line BL1B. The memory cells, which are not shown, are connected and arranged in the same way described above.
Functions of the components of the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 1 are explained below. Each of the precharge circuits PRE1 and PRE2 precharge the array bit line pair ABL1,ABL1B to a precharge voltage VBL level during precharge operation. Each of the bit line isolation gates ISOG1 and ISOG2 is turned on to connect the array bit line pair ABL1,ABL1B and the sense bit line pair SBL1,SBL1B if the bit line isolation control signals ISO1 and ISO2 are applied during the precharge operation, and connects the left array bit line pair ABL1,ABL1B and the sense bit line pair SBL1,SBL1B if the left sub memory cell array block SMCA is selected and so the bit line isolation control signal ISO1 of a high voltage level is applied and connects the right array bit line pair ABL1,ABL1B and the sense bit line pair SBL1,SBL1B if the right sub memory cell array block SMCA is selected and so the bit line isolation control signal ISO2 of a high voltage level is applied, during read operation, write operation, and refresh operation. The PMOS sense amplifier PSA detects a signal of a low level of the sense bit line SBL1 or the inverted sense bit line SBL1B if a signal LA of a power voltage VCC level is applied and amplifies it to a power voltage VCC level, and the NMOS sense amplifier NSA detects a signal of a high level of the sense bit line SBL1 or the inverted sense bit line SBL1B if a signal LAB of a ground voltage level is applied and amplifies it to a ground voltage level. The I/O gate IOG is turned on in response to a column selecting signal (not shown) to transmit data between the sense bit line pair SBL1,SBL1B and the I/0 line pair IO1,IO1B.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating configuration of a circuit, which generates the signals LA,LAB. The circuit of FIG. 2 includes a controller 10, a PMOS transistor P3, and an NMOS transistor N5. Functions of the components of FIG. 3 are explained below. The controller 10 generates first and second bit line sense amplifier enable control signals LAPG,LANG of a low level and a high level if an active command ACT or a refresh command REF is applied. The PMOS transistor P3 generates a signal LA of a power voltage VCC level in response to the first bit line sense amplifier enable control signal LAPG of a low level. The NMOS transistor N5 generates a signal LAB of a ground voltage VSS level in response to the second bit line sense amplifier enable signal LANG of a high level.
FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating the refresh operation of the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows operation in case that in state that data of a high level is stored in the memory cell MC1 and the array bit line pair ABL1,ABL1B and the sense bit line pair SBL1,SBL1B are precharged to a precharge voltage VBL level, a refresh command REF is applied and so the sub word line SWL1 is selected.
If the sub word line SWL1 is selected, a level of the sub word line SWL1 is gradually increased, as predetermined time lapses after the sub word line SWL1 is selected, the NMOS transistor N of the memory cell MC1 is turned on, so that a charge sharing operation is performed between a charge of the capacitor C and a precharge level of the inverted array bit line ABL1B. At this time, since the bit line isolation gate ISOG1 is perfectly turned on, the inverted array bit line ABL1B and the inverted sense bit line SBL1B are changed to the same level. If voltages of the inverted array bit line ABL1B and the inverted sense bit line SBL1B are increased by a voltage ΔV by the charge sharing operation during a charge sharing operation period T, the first and second bit line sense amplifier enable control signals LA,LAB of a power voltage VCC level and a ground voltage VSS level are generated. Thus, a voltage between a gate and a source of the NMOS transistor N1 becomes greater than a threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor N1, so that the NMOS transistor N1 is turned on to thereby reduce a voltage of the sense bit line SBL1. As a result, a voltage between a gate and a source of the PMOS transistor P2 becomes greater than a threshold voltage of the PMOS transistor P2, so that the PMOS transistor P2 is turned on to thereby increase a voltage of the inverted sense bit line SBL1B. So, the sense bit line SBL1 is amplified to a ground voltage VSS level, and the inverted sense bit line SBL1B is amplified to a power voltage VCC level.
Even though not shown, in case that data of a low level is stored in the memory cell MC1 and the sub word line SWL1 is selected, the charge sharing operation is performed to reduce a voltage of the inverted sense bit line SBL1B by a voltage ΔV. Thereafter, if a signal LA of a power voltage VCC level and a signal LAB of a ground voltage VSS are applied, the PMOS transistor P1 and the NMOS transistor N2 are turned on to amplify a voltage of the inverted sense bit line SBL1B to a ground voltage level and to amplify a voltage of the sense bit line SBL1 to a power voltage VCC level.
In the bit line sense amplifier of the conventional semiconductor memory device described above, since threshold voltages of the PMOS transistors P1 and P2 are identically designed and threshold voltage of the NMOS transistors N1 and N2 are identically designed, ability of the PMOS transistor P1 of sensing data of a low level of the inverted sense bit line SBL1 is identical to ability of the PMOS transistor P2 of sensing data of a low level of the sense bit line SBL1, and ability of the NMOS transistor N1 of sensing data of a high level of the inverted sense bit line SBL1B is identical to ability of the NMOS transistor N2 of sensing data of a high level of the sense bit line SBL1.
In general, a refresh cycle of the refresh operation depends on sensing ability of the bit line sense amplifier and discharging time of data of a high level stored in the memory cell. That is, in order for the bit line sense amplifier to perform the sensing operation, the charge sharing operation is performed during the charge sharing operation period T before data of a high level stored in the memory cell is completely discharged, so that a voltage of the sense bit line (or inverted sense bit line) should be increased by a voltage ΔV from a precharge voltage VBL. The refresh operation for the same word line is performed at an interval of a refresh cycle, and as the refresh cycle is short, power consumption is more increased. The refresh cycle has close correlation with ability of sensing data of a high level of the bit line sense amplifier. If the memory cell is excellent in maintaining data of a high level, the refresh cycle can be set to be long. However, the memory cell has limitations to ability of maintaining data of a high level, and since the refresh cycle is set by assuming a case that ability of the memory cell of maintaining data of a high level is worst when the semiconductor memory device is designed, there is a limitation to increasing the refresh cycle.
However, if the bit line sense amplifier of the semiconductor memory device has excellent sensing ability for data of a high level, that is, the bit line sense amplifier is designed to sense very small level variation of a voltage of the sense bit line (or inverted sense bit line), the refresh cycle can be set to be long.

Sense amplifiers having MOS transistors therein with different threshold voltages and/or that support different threshold voltage biasing


A collapsing device for a stroller is provided, including a framework consisting of two front feet, two rear feet, a lying frame, an extended frame and an inverted U-shaped handle pivotally combined with the front and rear feet. When a pusher unit fixed on the handle is pressed, the extended frame supporting a canopy is swung down to a collapsed position to lie on the lying frame. Then, the handle is swung down, with two connecters functioning as pivots for the handle to permit the handle to disengage from the front feet in moving to the collapsed position, responsive to a contact member of each connecter respectively separating from upper ends of the two front feet.

This invention relates to a collapsing device for a stroller, particularly to a device having a push unit which can move a frame supporting a canopy, for shading sunlight, from an extended position to a collapsed position, wherein the canopy supporting extended frame lies on a lying frame. An inverted U-shaped handle is pivotally connected to the two front feet of the stroller, in the extended position, and is disengaged from the front feet in the collapsed position, by means of two connecters fixed on the handle and connecting the handle with the two front feet. The handle is tilted down and is supported by the two rear feet of the stroller, which have their upper ends pivotally combined with the handle.
Nowadays, collapsible strollers are widely used, having many kinds of collapsing devices for collapsing strollers with some advantages and some drawbacks.

No. 132-111, Sung Chiao, Sung Chiao Tsun, Kuan Miao Hsiang


The present invention relates to a method for reducing a data repository with a plurality of sequentially ordered records. Each record is characterized by an identifier and comprises one or more data attributes and/or one or more links. The method includes the step of choosing a first record as base record and verifying whether the identifier of the sequentially next record can be generated from the base record by applying an identifier generating function. As a next step it is verified whether the data attributes and/or the links of the sequentially next record are identical with the data attributes and/or the links of the base record or can be generated from the base record by applying an attribute generating function and/or link generating function. If the above conditions are satisfied, a counter in the base record is incremented and the sequentially next record is deleted. The above steps are repeated for the subsequent records until the above conditions and are not satisfied for any record.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for reducing a data repository. In particular the inventive method is applicable to reduce an input/output (I/O) definition file.
2. Description of the Related Art
A data repository contains a plurality of records. The data repository is typically organized as a set of directories, which contain one or several records. The directories may be ordered in a hierarchical way, e.g. as a tree structure, where one directory is a subdirectory of the other directory. Alternatively, the directories may be ordered by references between records of one directory to records of another directory.
Modern computer systems are capable of supporting several thousand I/O units, e.g. channels, control units or devices. The task of configuring such a computer system becomes more and more difficult. In particular, the size of the resulting configuration definition file, which is required to define the accessible I/O devices, increases. With more device definitions, the number of the devices within an I/O definition file (IODF) is increasing rapidly.
The I/O definition file is an example of the above data repository. The device definition may correspond with a set of different record types. The I/O definition file may include a set of directories, which contain the records.
To overcome the problem of the large number of I/O units and the resulting size of the corresponding I/O definition file according to a conventional method, the size of I/O definition file space has been extended. But a large I/O definition file requires more virtual storage and an increased processing time, resulting in lower performance.
According to another conventional method, other data structures have been switched. But such data structures are incompatible to the existing access method.

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed are a stabilizer with conventionally unattainable, extreme swift effectiveness and an air leaf suspension using the stabilizer. The stabilizer has a stabilizer bar 18 which is U-shaped when seeing from above and which has a portion 18a laterally extending along and rotatably connected to an axle 3, and a pair of upwardly convergent stabilizer links 19 which connect opposite longitudinally extending ends of the stabilizer bar to a chassis frame side above them.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stabilizer and a leaf suspension using the same.
2. Discussion of Background
There are various suspensions for hanging axles from chassis frames. Among them, a leaf suspension with layered leaf springs has been widely used for vehicles such as trucks since it is of simple structure, less expensive, superior in strength and highly durable.
FIG. 1 shows an example of such leaf suspension in which reference numerals 1 denote a pair of opposite, side rails which extend longitudinally of a vehicle and form parts of a chassis frame; 2, two-layered leaf springs extending along the side rails 1; and 3, an axle in the form of an I-beam connected, through U-shaped bolts 4, to lower surfaces of longitudinally intermediate portions of the leaf springs 2.
A front end of the leaf spring 2 is upwardly wound into an eye 5 which is rockably wound around a horizontal pin 7 on a front bracket 6 of the side rail 1.
A rear end of the leaf spring 2 is upwardly wound into an eye 8 which is rockably wound around a horizontal pin 11 on a shackle 10 of a rear bracket 9 of the side rail 1. Thus, longitudinal expansion and contraction of the leaf springs 2 due to bow-shaped bending of the same are absorbed by rocking the shackles 10.
It is, however, an undeniable fact that such conventional leaf suspension is inferior in riding comfortability of a vehicle to the other existing air suspensions. Therefore, a proposal has been made to improve riding comfortability by interposing air springs 12 between the side rails 1 and upper surfaces of the longitudinally intermediate portions of the leaf springs 12 as shown in FIG. 2.
As to the leaf suspension, inventions of the inventor have been filed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-74857.
In the example shown, brackets 13 are also secured to the portions of the leaf springs 2 where the axle 3 is carried. Rockably fitted to front ends of the brackets 13 are opposite ends 14b of a stabilizer bar 14 which is U-shaped when seeing from above. A laterally extending portion 14a of the stabilizer bar 14 is connected on its two points to a cross member (not shown) between the side rails 1 (see FIG. 1) through a pair of vertically extending stabilizer links 15.
This kind of stabilizer structure itself is well-known in the art. When laterally opposite wheels of the vehicle are concurrently vertically moved, the stabilizer bar 14 is merely laterally uniformly rocked; however, when the wheels are differently vertically moved in the case of, for example, cornering, torsion moment acts on the stabilizer bar 14 and a reaction force thereto causes the wheels to return to their original positions, which is called anti-rolling effect.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 16 denote mount rubbers for the stabilizer links 15; and 17, brake drums over which the wheels (not shown) are fitted.
In the case of the above-mentioned air leaf suspension using both the leaf springs 2 and the air springs 12, in order to improve the riding comfortability of the vehicle to an extent competitive to those of the existing expensive air suspensions, a pair of leaf springs made of high-strength steel with toughness and with extremely reduced thickness are to be provided so as to attain low rate of spring constant while the air springs 12 are to be larger-sized to give added weight to effectiveness of the air springs 12; however, such improvement in riding comfortability is also accompanied with lowered lateral rigidity of the suspension, resulting in a new problem that rolling of the chassis tends to occur.
More specifically, the lowered lateral rigidity of the suspension causes the chassis to be readily laterally displaced when a centrifugal force acts on the chassis at a side away from the turned side of the chassis at cornering, which increases deviation of the center of gravity of the chassis, resulting in the chassis being readily rolled.
The present invention was made in view of the above and has its object to provide a stabilizer which has swift effectiveness unobtainable in the prior art and affords anti-rolling force instantly in response to any lateral displacement of the chassis and to realize an air leaf suspension using this stabilizer and with lightness in weight, cheapness and improved riding comfortability.

Stabilizer and air leaf suspension using the same