A tire pressure detector employs a reduced power consumption mechanism comprising a PLL circuit including a VCO, that is operated in response to the logic states of an input data stream and a power amplifier configured to be externally located to an integrated circuit. The input data stream includes tire pressure information and is configured to be encoded to have multiple logic states. A micro-controller is employed to control the VCO, turning the VCO, and/or the amplifier, on and off for a certain period, according to the pattern of each data bit of the input data stream thus providing reduced current consumption. This tire pressure detector thus embodies an optimized circuit arrangement in terms of power efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a tire pressure detector, and in particular to tire pressure detectors employing a reduced power consumption mechanism.
2. Related Art
In a vehicle, a tire pressure detector may be used in conjunction with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to measure air pressure in tires. Tires having low tire pressure may raise safety concerns. The tire pressure detector may be attached to a tire, or the wheel on which the tire is mounted, and may detect low tire pressure. Upon detection, the tire pressure detector may transmit this information to a driver via a TPMS or the like. The transmission of the tire pressure information is often performed wirelessly. For instance, a radio frequency transmission may be used to transmit tire pressure detector readings.
In a tire pressure detector, sensors in addition to a pressure sensor such as a temperature sensor and/or a speed sensor may be included. A battery is also typically used to power components of the tire pressure detector. The tire pressure detector may also include communication components such as a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, a crystal oscillator, an RF antenna that sends radio transmissions to a central control unit and possibly receives radio transmissions, etc. A power amplifier may also be included such that tire pressure signals may be amplified for transmission.
In a conventional tire pressure detector, the PLL circuit and the power amplifier are often installed on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional PLL circuit 10. The conventional PLL circuit 10 typically includes a phase detector 20, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 30 and an amplifier 40, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate. The PLL circuit 10 may be constructed as a single integrated circuit. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the power amplifier is typically disposed on the same IC chip that defines the PLL circuit 10.
The conventional PLL circuit 10 operates as follows. The phase detector 20 compares two input frequencies, "fin" and "fvco", and generates output that corresponds to a phase difference of the two input frequencies. If "fin" does not equal to "fvco", a phase-error signal is generated. The phase-error signal may be filtered by a suitable filter 50 and amplified by the amplifier 40. In response to the phase-error signal, "fvco" is deviated in the direction of "fin". If the "fin" does equal to "fvco", the VCO 30 will lock to "fin". The phases of the two input frequencies, "fin" and "fvco" become in phase.
In the conventional PLL circuit 10, the VCO 30 is always powered-on regardless of logic states of input data bits. Even if input data bits have a zero state, the VCO 30 remains on and consumes current. Further, various components on the IC chip may not be separately controllable. The PLL circuit 10 and a power amplifier formed on the single IC chip may also generate noise.

Tire pressure detector having reduced power consumption mechanism


A small vehicle loader is provided including a frame formed from a plurality of bars. A pair of wheels are mounted to the frame between a central extent and a front end thereof. A pair of stoppers are coupled to the frame to the rear of the wheels and extended downwardly from the frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to loaders and more particularly pertains to a new rack loader for loading various small vehicles such as ATVs, snowmobiles, watercraft and the like on to a recipient surface such as a bed of a large vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of loaders is known in the prior art. More specifically, loaders heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art loaders include U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,545; U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,580; U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,075; U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,209; U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,356; and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 331,128.
In these respects, the rack loader according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of loading various small vehicles such as ATVs, snowmobiles, watercraft and the like on to a recipient surface such as a bed of a large vehicle.


In one embodiment, methods and systems for port pooling are described. An interface may communicate with at least one physical server. The at least one physical server may host a plurality of virtual servers and be connectable via a plurality of gateway ports to a storage area network (SAN). A virtual server manager configured to arrange the plurality of gateway ports in a plurality of port pools, define a virtual server group including a plurality of virtual servers, associate each virtual server with one or more port pools, the one or more port pools defining available gateway ports for access by the particular virtual server; and provide configuration instructions to allow the particular virtual server to communicate with the SAN through the available gateway ports.

The demand on certain physical servers may be greater than others because of actions being performed thereon. Additional physical servers may be added or existing physical servers may be re-assigned to meet demand.
Further, servers may experience excessive demand because of bandwidth limitations for physical server access through gateway ports on a server chassis. When adding new physical servers or re-assigning existing physical servers to meet demand, an administrator may modify a mapping of the gateway ports to the physical servers to provide sufficient bandwidth, and/or may add additional gateway ports to provide additional bandwidth. The administrator may then manually reconfigure or re-initialize the virtual servers to use the modified gateway port allocation. The administrator may seek to implement the changes at off-periods as the virtual servers may be unavailable for a period of time during reconfiguration or re-initialization.


Universal tags linked to the content of a data file are sporadically/periodically generated for protecting the authenticity of the data file and/or the owner/creator of a digital file. New universal tags are generated by altering one or more keys/seeds used to generate the universal tag. Once a current universal key is generated, the current universal tag is registered on a distributed ledger of at least on distributed trust computing network, thus superseding the registration of a last-in-time/previous universal tag to thereby become the effective validation means for (i) an authenticity of the data file, and/or (ii) the user associated with the data file (e.g., rightful possessor and/or creator of the digital file).

In today's digital world the concern persists that a document or other digital work/file may have been tampered with or otherwise compromised. In this regard, the rightful possessor or a wrongful entity may alter the document or digital work/file for their benefit. For example, parties to signed contract/agreement may desire to nefariously change terms of the contract/agreement after the contract/agreement has been entered into or an individual may desire to change information on a digital birth certificate to show a different date of birth or name. Using conventional hacking techniques such changes can be made without leaving a footprint on the document or digital work/file (i.e., without impacting the metadata or making known that the document or digital work/file has been edited).
Similarly, digital works, such as intellectual property (e.g., music, video books, digital art, formulas, inventions and the like) are susceptible to wrongful entities either altering the work or claiming the work as their own. Once again, such alterations can occur without absent changes to the metadata or otherwise indicating that an edit has occurred.
Therefore, a need exits to verify and register, upon creation, digital files, such as contracts, purchase agreements, formal documents (e.g., birth certificates, marriage licenses, and the like), digital works/intellectual property (e.g., music, video, books, formulas/inventions and the like). The verification and registration may include verifying the content as well as the creator/author for the purpose of insuring that any wrongful subsequent altering/changes to the digital file or claim of ownership/creation of the digital file can be easily detected and/or disavowed.

Data protection using sporadically generated universal tags


Disclosed is a web server that includes a headlines module for automatically generating headlines based on data retrieved from a network (e.g., World Wide Web). The web server also includes an interactive agent for generating responses to inquiries relating to the headlines based on the data.

The present invention relates generally to website mining, and more particularly to an alert driven interactive interface to a website mining system.
The Internet offers access to an enormous amount of information. If a current event occurs, many stories about the current event are accessible via the Internet. For example, if a scientist develops a new treatment for a disease, headlines associated with this new treatment are soon available on internet news sites. A headline is an important piece of news and can be, for example, the title of a story.
The determination of which pieces of information are newsworthy is, however, a difficult task. Typically, the headlines and stories are manually written to a web page. The manual entry of headlines and stories is labor intensive and takes time before the story or headline can be published on the Internet. As news changes quickly, the determination of which pieces of information is newsworthy is an on-going task.
Also, if a user wants to find out more information about the subject matter of a headline, the user often has to access a separate search engine to perform a search. The user then has to input search terms into a search engine to retrieve web pages relating to the search terms. A web search engine typically replies to a search request with numerous web pages having some information about the subject of the search request. These web pages may not have the specific information that the user was looking for, and the user may not find this out until searching through all of the returned web pages.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Alert driven interactive interface to a website mining system


An optical sensor includes a light receiving portion, a definition portion, and a selection portion. The definition portion defines an incident angle of an incident light that enters the light receiving portion. The selection portion selects a wavelength of the incident light that enters the light receiving portion. The definition portion has a light shielding film disposed above the light receiving portion, and an opening formed in the light shielding film. The selection portion has a slit formed in the light shielding film disposed within a region surrounded by the opening.

Up to now, for example, as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, an optical sensor has been proposed which includes a photodiode, an angle limiting filter that limits an incident angle of an incident light to a light receiving region of the photodiode, and an optical bandpass filter that transmits light of a specific wavelength of the incident light. The angle limiting filter is made of a light shielding material, and the optical bandpass filter is formed of a multilayer thin film. The angle limiting filter is formed on the photodiode, and the optical bandpass filter is formed on the angle limiting filter.


A quick connect/disconnect device and method for manually demountably attaching carrier bars to an endless train comprising a conveyor adapted for conveying pellet-like items in a pellet marking machine is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated shank with an enlarged head and a central bore coaxial therethrough. Radially oriented passages disposed adjacent to the end of the shank opposite the head house balls which extend outwardly beyond the outer surface of the shank when a plunger within the central bore is biased to its normal position. Moving the plunger against its biasing spring allows the balls to retract partially within the central bore, allowing the shank to be inserted into mounting holes in the carrier bar and receiving holes in the endless train. When mounted on the train the carrier bar and endless train are sandwiched between the enlarged head and the extended balls, the carrier bar being retained to the endless train thereby.

In the manufacture of many pharmaceutical products such as pills or lozenges, candies such as "M&M's", small mechanical parts such as ball bearings, or electrical components such as resistors or capacitors, it is often desirable to imprint a trademark, indicia, or other information or intelligence on each item. These products share a common characteristic in that they are all pellet-like, being small, often round or rounded, oval, bulbous, cylindrical, or polygonal in shape. Examples of pellet-like items are pills, lozenges, capsules, tablets and caplets.
Imprinting indicia on a series of pellet-like items is conveniently accomplished by a machine which receives a large number of items in bulk, typically from a feed hopper or bin, orients the items to a uniform relative orientation, conveys the oriented items to a printing unit wherein the indicia are applied to each item and discharges the items for subsequent packaging. U.S. Pat. No. 2,859,689 to Ackley is a typical example of a pellet marking machine which performs the steps outlined above. Pellet-like items, seen in FIG. 2 of the '689 patent, designated "P", are loaded in bulk into the feed hopper 22 where the items are received by a rotating drum or cylinder roll 23. The drum has a multiplicity of concavities or recesses 33 in its outwardly facing surface formed in accordance with the shape and size of the pellet-like items being processed. The items P are received into the concavities 33 as the drum rotates clockwise beneath hopper 22, retained in the concavities by cylindrical retainer surface 50 as the drum rotates and released to an endless conveyor 24 located beneath the drum, the conveyor having a multiplicity of individual carrier bars 110. Carrier bars 110 have corresponding concavities matching the concavities 33 in drum 23, and conveyor 24 is synchronized with drum 23 so that the matching concavities on the drum and the conveyor line up as the drum rotates clockwise and the conveyor circulates counterclockwise. Items P drop from concavities 33 in drum 23 into the matching concavities in the endless conveyor 24 once the items are clear of retaining surface 50. The pellet-like items P are then conveyed to a printing roller 27 which has ink laden images of the indicia or intelligence to be imprinted on the items circumferentially arrayed on its peripheral surface. Printing roller 27 rotates clockwise in synchronization with endless conveyor 24 and contacts the pellet-like items P as they pass beneath the printing roller 27, applying the ink laden image to each pellet-like item. After passing beneath printing roller 27 the pellet-like items P are discharged from conveyor 24 as the conveyor rounds its drive sprocket and the carrier bars 110 are momentarily vertically oriented.
Although machines similar to that described in the '689 patent provide an effective means for reliably and rapidly marking pellet-like items with indicia, the machines lack a certain versatility in that such machines cannot readily be converted for processing different types of pellet-like items. In the recent past, pellet marking machine versatility was not a concern because there were a relatively limited number of pellet shapes and sizes in the marketplace and manufacturers by and large were satisfied with a dedicated machine for a particular product line. However, as the various industries, most notably pharmaceuticals, evolved over time, pellet marking machine versatility became more important. To remain competitive in the marketplace, pellet marking machines have been forced to evolve to keep up with the faster pace of technological change in product development, encapsulation methods, marking methods and packaging requirements, in addition to meeting the needs for greater efficiency and lower cost imposed by the highly competitive markets. In this context pellet marking machine versatility, as evidenced by the ability to process different types of pellet-like items, has come to the fore as the desirable characteristic which makes one pellet marking machine superior to another among the various industrial customers.
The lack of versatility of pellet marking machines as described in the '689 patent is in great part attributable to the means and the method by which the carrier bars are attached to the endless chain in forming the conveyor. If a pellet marking machine is to process different pellet-like items, the carrier bars must be easily interchangeable because the concavities in the carrier bars must be specifically matched in size and shape to the particular pellet-like item being processed. Matching the concavity to the item is important for efficient processing of the items by the machine. Items which are too large for their receiving concavities may tend to dislodge from the carrier bars due to machine vibration during operation. Such items will roll loose and uncontrolled on the conveyor and will not be arranged in the proper relation when passing beneath the printing roller to receive the imprinted intelligence. The items could be crushed between the printing roller and the conveyor and foul moving parts of the machine, perhaps causing a stoppage of the machine altogether. Items which are too small or the wrong shape for their concavities will not be reliably and consistently positioned on the conveyor. Items which are not consistently positioned and held within the concavities of the carrier bar will not have the indicia printed in a consistent, desired location during the imprinting step, resulting in unacceptable product. Items which lodge too deeply within a concavity may only receive a partial imprint of the indicia or intelligence, or may receive no imprint at all. Thus carrier bars with concavities ill matched to the pellet-like items will cause inefficient machine operation and costly product wastage.
If a machine is to be capable of processing many different types of pellet-like items, the ability to rapidly and easily replace the carrier bars suited for one item with carrier bars having concavities matched to a different item is important. Currently, in machines such as described in the '689 patent, the carrier bars 110 are bolted to link members 112 of the endless chain, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the '689 patent. Two or more bolts are used for each of scores of carrier bars. Bolting of carrier bars to the endless chain has traditionally been the only means used to attach the carrier bars. The use of bolts provides a means for adjusting the alignment of the carrier bars within the machine. Alignment of the carrier bars is important, as for any moving part on the machine, to ensure quiet, precision operation of the machine avoiding unwanted vibration and damaging contact with other moving or stationary parts. Thus to convert a machine from processing one item type to another requires that a technician unbolt each carrier bar from the endless chain, remove each carrier bar, replace each carrier bar with a different carrier bar, align each carrier bar within a given positional tolerance to travel over the conveyor path without impinging on other machine components, torque each mounting bolt to a desired level, and adjust the final alignment as required once the carrier bars are completely replaced. This process is tedious and time consuming, resulting in significant machine down time and consequent adverse effects on production efficiency during the change over. The process can also entail some risk to the technician, if for example, a nut is used to retain the bolt; then the technician must place his hand within the machine, often between moving and stationary parts, to thread the nut onto the bolt and hold the nut stationary with a tool, such as a wrench, when the bolt is torqued down. Accidental starting of the conveyor in this situation can have predictable calamitous results. Furthermore, the small retainer nuts could be dropped into the machine where they might lodge in gear teeth or other moving parts, jamming the machine.
An alternative method of changing the carrier bars is available whereby only the carrier bar over the master link of the endless chain is removed, and then the master link of each chain run is disengaged, opening the conveyor and allowing it to be removed from the machine as a complete unit. Although this method proceeds more quickly than the interchange method described above, the alternative method suffers from several distinct disadvantages. First, conveyor assemblies comprised of several hundred carrier bars and their associated conveyor chains are very heavy and require at least two technicians to lift from or lower into the machine. Second, such complete conveyor assemblies are unwieldly and therefore difficult to remove from or mount onto the machine. Third, complete conveyor assemblies are bulky and thus difficult to transport and store when not in use. Fourth, such assemblies tend to lose their alignment relative to the machine when removed and man-handled, and must be realigned when installed in a machine. Fifth, the alternative method is inapplicable if an endless belt is used instead of the endless chain.
Clearly, there is a need for improvement of the means and method by which carrier bars are attached and aligned within the pellet marking machine providing increased machine versatility, improved carrier bar alignment, safer machine maintenance methods, and more efficient machine operation and utilization.


A packet control list (456) controls the transfer of data packets between at least one source location (452) and at least one destination location (460) each associated with a data packet transfer device (20). Packet control list (456) associates a plurality of data packet transfer control instructions (454) in a sequential list (466) including a plurality of logical functions (472) for controlling logical operations relating to the transfer of data packets from at least one source location (452) to at least one destination location (460). Instructions (486) control the operation of data packet transfer device (20) according to instructions (486).

For many multimedia applications, not only is processor speed important, but also input/output bandwidth is a critical factor that limits applications on personal computers. To address this limitation, the IEEE 1394 standard enables high-performance multimedia connections with camcorders, televisions, stereos, CD changers, set-top boxes, mixing consoles and music keyboards, as well as traditional personal computer devices. Also known as the "FireWire" standard, IEEE 1394 provides a bus interface standard for portable and desktop computing environments. The IEEE 1394 Standard serves as an important linking technology that bridges the consumer and computer markets and describes a serial bus driven by an advanced communication protocol. The IEEE 1394 serial bus is designed for low system cost, while providing the data transfer rates needed for high-performance peripheral buses.
Developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and its list of member computer companies, the IEEE 1394 standard is a serial bus interface that enables low-cost, high-speed digital data transfer and communication. Transfer speeds between devices can reach up to 400 megabits per second (mbps) via both asynchronous and isochronous data transfer modes. The IEEE 1394 Standard interface lends itself to video applications because it operates an isochronous time-slice system. For example, if the system was configured to output one frame per 1/15 seconds, at least one frame will exist in every packet that is sent out. This results in smooth looking video. For that reason, the IEEE 1394 Standard interface is highly compatible with technologies like asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) which also operates in an isochronous mode.
Benefits of the IEEE 1394 Standard are a real-time transmission of data that provides the benefit of an ideal interconnect for multimedia applications. Using a small, durable and flexible cable and cable connectors, the IEEE 1394 Standard generates cost savings and eliminates certain cable requirements. The IEEE 1394 Standard provides universal input/output interconnects that integrate input/output ports while consolidating printed circuit board space. Moreover, the IEEE 1394 Standard provides peer-to-peer communication structure that permits peripherals to communicate directly with each other without burdening the host unit.
The IEEE 1394 Standard provides a high speed serial bus that uses packetized data that includes a header. The header includes routing information. In addition, the packetized data includes payload data. Physical characteristics of the media are not necessarily designed for a long transmission distance. The IEEE 1394 Standard is designed for short distances such as local area networks that operate on a desktop bus. The distances are often longer than simply the desktop, but the IEEE 1394 Standard is not intended to be used for local area network operations. In essence, therefore, the IEEE 1394 Standard provides a high speed interconnect to replace serial buses and parallel buses for accessing devices such as workstations, home computers, televisions, VCRs, and camcorders with various media types such as audio, video and text.
In controlling a platform-specific IEEE 1394 Standard bus interface device, there is the requirement to assure data structures for controlling the direct memory access machines are optimal. There is the requirement to minimize the number of PCI accesses to acquire the maximum amount of information during a transfer of data from one location to another. Existing methods for controlling the transfer of data, however, are not acceptable, because they fail to operate the associated DMA engine in an optimal fashion requiring too many inputs and outputs from memory. In order to reduce the number of memory accesses and, accordingly, the amount of real time that is required to acquire the control structures, as opposed to actually transferring the data, there is the need to employ control structures that minimize the number of accesses for control information. The control structures that control data transfer are overhead items in the transfer of data and does not count toward the transfer of data or toward the efficiency of data transfer.

System for controlling data packet transfers by associating plurality of data packet transfer control instructions in packet control list including plurality of related logical functions


A compact vehicle pedal includes a mounting bracket having a lower arm with guide slot. A swing plate having a mounting face and upper arm with guide slot is pivotally interconnected to a mounting bracket upper arm at a first axis by a pivot pin disposed within the swing plate guide slot, and the swing plate upper end has a first degree of freedom. An electronically controlled pedal arm assembly is mounted on the swing plate. A screw member connected to a drive apparatus has an end connected to the swing plate and operatively connected to the mounting bracket slot at the second axis, and the swing plate lower end has a second degree of freedom that is greater than the first. Activation of the drive apparatus displaces the screw member to pivotally constrain movement of the swing plate about the first axis and the second axis.

Vehicles, such as motor vehicles, typically contain foot-actuated devices or pedals for controlling various functions of the vehicle. These functions are known to include: acceleration, controlled by an accelerator pedal; braking, controlled by a brake pedal; and shifting, controlled by a clutch pedal. In addition, the vehicle may include a non-functional pedal that serves as a footrest for the driver. The pedals are aligned in a predetermined dimensional relationship relative to each other and fixed portions of the vehicle, including the vehicle dash panel, floor, seat and instrument panel. The pedals are positioned in the vehicle so that they are accessible by the driver. However, drivers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and a pedal positioned to accommodate a large driver with a large foot will generally be unreachable by a small driver with a small foot. In the past, the pedals were fixedly positioned so that the majority of drivers were accommodated, from a functional and ergonomic aspect. An example of a functional aspect of the pedal is the ability of the driver to reach and actuate the pedal. An example of an ergonomic aspect of the pedal is the driver's comfort while actuating the pedal, as measured by a parameter such as foot angle.
More recently, adjustable pedals have been used in vehicles to accommodate a greater number of drivers from a functional and ergonomic perspective. With an adjustable pedal, the driver can modify the position of the pedal so that it is either closer to the driver or away from the driver. At the same time, the relative dimensional relationships between the pedals are maintained during adjustment, such as the height relationship between each of the pedals. The pedal pad portion of the pedal assembly generally travels in a predetermined path during adjustment, such as an arc or a line. Thus, to move the pedal pad closer to the driver, the pedal pad typically moves along the path into the vehicle, closer to the driver. The pedal pad is moved away from the driver by moving the pedal pad along the path away from the driver. Examples of an adjustable control vehicle pedal are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,178,847 and 6,453,767 which are incorporated herein by reference.
These types of adjustable pedals work well, and include an adjustment mechanism comprising a motor, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the motor and a screw mechanism operatively connected to the pedal. However, the mechanisms are bulky, and during adjustment any side loading of the adjustment mechanism may result in the transmission of an audible noise. Thus, there is a need in the art for an ergonomically beneficial adjustable pedal assembly that has a more compact configuration, as well as improved stability and noise control.

Compact pedal assembly with improved noise control


An optical imager system and method of operating the optical imager system, can include one or more imager modules including a laser light source, a collimator, an illumination optical system, a grating light valve, a spatial light modulator and a projection optical system. A group of imager modules can include the one or more imager modules. The group of imager modules is operable in a stacked arrangement to produce an image from in-line stitching of individual images generated by the one or more imager modules. The illumination optical system can homogenize, shape, and direct a beam from the laser light source onto the grating light valve, and homogenization can occur in a cross-process direction.

Some optical imaging systems utilize barber poling or staggered imager modules to generate a complete image by combining smaller images that are offset in the process direction. Grating light valves may be utilized in the context of such optical imaging systems to facilitate the generation and rendering of images.
A grating light valve is a type "micro projection" technology, which can operate using a dynamically adjustable diffraction grating. GLV devices compete with other light valve technologies such as digital light processing (DLP) and liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) for implementation in video projection systems such as, for example, rear-projection televisions. The use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) in optical applications, which is known as optical MEMS or micro-opto-electro-mechanical structures (MOEMS), has enabled the possibility of combining the mechanical, electrical and optical components at a very small scale.
One of the problems with GLV devices is that conventional high power, GLV-based high-resolution laser optical imager modules, are wider than the images they produce. These modules, therefore, cannot be combined or stacked to produce a seamless longer single pixelated line image from in-line stitching of the smaller individual pixelated line images produced by the individual modules.

In-line stitched image optical system architecture for GLV laser line imagers


A gun rack is provided for storing and displaying a plurality of firearms. The gun rack includes a substantially rectangular frame having a plurality of laterally spaced uprights and a plurality of vertically spaced crossbars spanning between the uprights. The frame is attachable to a vertical mounting surface, such as a wall. A relatively flat panel member is adapted for attachment to the frame, to substantially cover the frame and prevent the frame from being detached from the mounting surface. The frame further includes a plurality of first support pins spaced vertically along one of the uprights and a plurality of second support pins spaced vertically along the other upright. The support pins are adapted to support the plurality of guns in a substantially horizontal position. First and second elongated locking bars are provided for being secured to the frame, to prevent removal of the guns mounted on the frame. First and second elongated beams are mounted adjacent the respective first and second bars. The first beam has a first U-shaped channel positionable in facing relationship with the frame for receiving respective end portions of the first support pins. The second beam has a U-shaped channel positionable in facing relationship with the frame for receiving respective end portions of the second support pins. A plurality of locking devices are provided for locking the elongated bars in locking engagement with the frame.

Firearms, including rifles, shot guns and handguns, are often stored and displayed on a rack. In some cases, the rack is included as part of a gun storage cabinet. In other cases, the rack is attached directly to a wall or other vertical support surface. Guns are expensive and, of course, can be dangerous when used improperly. Therefore, it is advisable that guns be secured, when not in use, against theft and removal by unauthorized persons, such as children.


A trailer hitch guide with a first portion to be mounted on a tractor vehicle, and a second portion to be mounted on a trailer vehicle. The first portion having a guide telescopically mounted to the tractor such that it can be viewed by the tractor operator while the vehicle is in motion. The second portion having a hood telescopically mounted to the trailer drawbar at a height equal to that of the guide. The relative spacial relation between the hood and guide emulating the relative spacial relation between the tractor hitch ball and trailer drawbar, such that when the operator is attempting to couple the tractor to the trailer, he can position the tractor for coupled engagement with the trailer by viewing the relative spacial relation of the two portions of the trailer hitch guide.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to an improved trailer hitch of the type for coupling a tractor vehicle to a trailer vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a trailer hitch guide. Specifically, the invention relates to apparatus for attachment to an existing trailer hitch which enables the operator of the tractor vehicle to guide a tractor hitch coupler into alignment with the trailer hitch coupler from the operators position in the tractor vehicle.
2. Background Information
Numerous types of hitches have been devised which are mounted on the back of tractor vehicles for coupling engagement with the drawbar of a piece of equipment such as a trailer or the like, which is towed by a tractor. Many of these hitches are provided with locking means to secure a closure latch in a locked position on the particular type of coupler that is mounted on the end of the drawbar of the towed trailer to prevent the latch from becoming disengaged from the coupler during towing of the trailer.
Moreover, most trailers are equipped with a ratchet or crank for supporting the front end of the trailer such that the drawbar is held above the horizontal plane in which the hitch ball lies so that when the hitch ball is positioned vertically under the draw bar, the crank or ratchet may be operated to lower the drawbar onto the hitch ball for coupling engagement. In any event, most hitches provide a means to latch the trailer to the tractor, and means to secure the latch in position after coupling, as well as crank or ratchet means to raise and lower the front of the trailer.
There are various types of hitch constructions available as there are various types of couplers which are attached to the end of the drawbar of a towed trailer. However, there are two main types of drawbar couplers used by the majority of towed trailers. One is the lunette, which is a strong metal circular ring welded to the end of the drawbar. The ring is placed over the hitch ball mounted on the end of a hook shaped projection of the hitch. A closure latch on the hitch is pivotally moved into engagement with the top of the ball and traps the lunette thereon. Normally, the closure latch has a lock associated therewith to prevent the latch from moving upwardly out of its engaged position with the hitch ball.
Another type of coupler is a hooded coupler which has a hollow inverted semispherical-shaped hood mounted on the end of the drawbar. The hood is formed such that it can be placed over the top of the hitch ball and partially encloses the ball when the hood is lowered thereon. The hooded coupler usually will have locking means associated therewith to engage the ball and retain the coupler thereon while the trailer is being towed.
Regardless of which hitch construction is employed when coupling a tractor vehicle to a trailer vehicle, the operator of the tractor vehicle is generally unable to see the actual engagement of the hitch ball attached to the tractor with the drawbar attached to the trailer, as the engagement is generally below the rear window of the tractor vehicle. As such, when coupling the trailer and tractor, the operator of the tractor must back the hitch ball under the drawbar by either trial and error, or by placing helpers on either side of the trailer directing the tractor operator which way to turn so that the hitch ball ultimately will be positioned vertically below the drawbar so that the drawbar can be lowered onto the hitch ball. Neither of the methods heretofore used to align the hitch ball and the trailer drawbar are time efficient. Moreover, often helpers are not available to guide the tractor operator as the hitch ball is positioned under the trailer drawbar.
Therefore, a need exists for a trailer hitch guide where the operator can guide the hitch ball to the correct coupling position under the trailer drawbar so that the same may be lowered into engagement with the hitch ball. Specifically, a need exists for a system, a portion of which is mounted on the tractor, and a portion of which is mounted on the trailer, which portions relative spacial relations emulate the relative spaced relation between the hitch ball carried by the tractor and the drawbar carried by the trailer, except that they are elevated such that the relative spacial relation between the portions may be viewed by the tractor operator.


A display method and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes: joining, by a first device, a device group, where the device group includes N devices, any two devices in the N devices can communicate with each other, and N≥2; receiving, by the first device, a first selection operation entered by a user, where the first selection operation is used to trigger the first device to communicate with a second device in the device group; sending, by the first device, a first screen projection request to the second device in response to the first selection operation, where the first screen projection request is used to request to project a display interface of the second device onto a display screen of the first device; receiving display data in the display interface of the second device that is sent by the second device; and displaying based on the display data.

With rapid development of communications technologies, a screen projection function has been widely applied to daily life of users. For example, a user may install screen projection software on a mobile phone, and project, for display, screen source data such as a photo and a video on the mobile phone onto a controlled device (for example, a smart television) that supports the screen projection function, to help the user view, on different devices, related screen source data on a same device.
In a current screen projection method, the user needs to initiate a screen projection operation on a device that provides screen source data, to send the screen source data to a projected device for display. However, in some application scenarios, the user may not have at hand the device that provides the screen source data, or the user cannot quickly find the device that provides the screen source data. For example, the user expects to project a video played on a mobile phone onto a smart television with a larger display in a bedroom for watching. However, the mobile phone may not be in the bedroom at this time, and the user cannot quickly and conveniently implement a function of projection from the mobile phone to the smart television.


A molding die assembly includes an upper molding die and a lower molding die facing the upper molding die with provision for their alignment. The upper molding die includes an upper core, while the lower molding die includes a hollow cylinder and a lower core. The upper core has one of the molding surfaces that corresponds to a molding, while the lower core has the other molding surface corresponding to the molding. The lower core slides in the cylinder and defines a cavity in cooperation with the upper core. A clamping device applies a clamping force to the upper molding die and the lower molding die, and a compression device applies a compressive force between the upper core and the lower core. The clamping force is generated between the upper molding die and the lower molding die but not between the upper core and the lower core so that no clamping force is applied to the preform. Hence, if the upper platen and the lower platen are not parallel or if the volume of the preforms varies, surface accuracy and shape accuracy of the molding are still achieved.

The present invention relates to a glass compression molding machine and a system employing same.
Previously, when an optical glass lens, for example, was molded, glass which had been melted and solidified was rough cut, subjected to grinding and so forth to form a glass preform of predetermined shape. Then, the preform was placed into a molding die assembly having precise molding surfaces to compress the preform with heating, followed by gradually cooling the preform. The molding would then be ejected from the molding die assembly.
FIG. 1 illustrates the state of a molding die assembly of a conventional glass compression molding machine before compression is performed. FIG. 2 illustrates the state of the molding die assembly of the conventional glass compression molding machine after compression has been performed.
Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 represents an upper core, 2 represents a lower core, and 3 represents a cylinder disposed between the upper core 1 and the lower core 2 to guide the vertical movement of the upper core 1. The upper core 1 includes a flange portion 1a for contact with an upper heating plate (omitted from illustration), and a column portion 1b formed integrally with the flange portion 1a. A lower surface 1c of the column portion 1b has a shape that corresponds to a molding 8.
The lower core 2 includes a flange portion 2a for contact with a lower heating plate (omitted from illustration) and a column portion 2b formed integrally with the flange portion 2a. An upper surface 2c of the column portion 2b has a shape that corresponds to the molding 8 so that a cavity 4 is formed in cooperation with lower surface 1c of the column portion 1b.
The cylinder 3 is shaped to mate with the column portion 2b of the lower core 2, the lower surface of the cylinder 3 coming into contact with the flange portion 2a of the lower core 2. The upper core 1 forms an upper molding die 6, while the cylinder 3 and the lower core 2 form a lower molding die 7.
With the upper molding die 6 separated from the lower molding die 7, a robot (omitted from illustration) places a preform 5 on the foregoing lower molding die 7. Then, an upper platen (omitted from illustration) is moved downwards closing the die cavity and clamping upper and lower molding dies 6 and 7 together. The preform 5 is then heated and compressed so that the molding 8 is obtained as shown in FIG. 2. The molding 8 is cooled, and then the die assembly is opened by moving the upper platen upward. The molding 8 is removed by a robot or the like.
Therefore, each of the upper platen and lower platen (omitted from illustration) is provided with a preform-injecting/molding-ejecting station, a clamping/heating/compressing station and a gradual-cooling station. Furthermore, independent clamping devices (omitted from illustration) for heating, compressing and gradually cooling are provided.
In compression, a compressive force is applied to the preform 5 in the cavity 4. The relative dimensions of the upper molding die 6 and the lower molding die 7 are set to provide a slight clearance d upon completion of the compression.
The upper molding die 6 and the lower molding die 7 of the foregoing type, generally made of hard metal or ceramic, are used to mold glass at high temperature and high pressure, resulting in adhesion of molten glass to the surfaces of the upper core 1 and the lower core 2. Accordingly, the upper core 1 and the lower core 2 are covered with thin films to prevent the adhesion of the molten glass to their surfaces.
However, to the extent that the upper platen and the lower platen of the foregoing glass compression molding machine are not parallel, the upper molding die 6 and the lower molding die 7 will not be properly aligned. As a result, the surface accuracy and the shape accuracy of the molding 8 are reduced and, in particular, if the molding 8 is a glass lens, the result is distortion of the optical axis of the glass lens.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view explaining the degree of parallelism between the upper platen and the lower platen of the conventional glass compression machine. FIG. 4 illustrates a conventional glass lens product.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 represents an upper core, 2 represents a lower core, 3 represents a cylinder, 6 represents an upper molding die and 7 represents a lower molding die. Reference numeral 21 represents an upper heating plate to be brought into contact with the upper core 1, and 45 represents a lower heating plate to be brought into contact with the lower core 2. The upper heating plate 21 is fastened to the upper platen 9, while the lower heating plate 45 is fastened to the lower platen 10.
If the degree of parallelism between the upper platen 9 and the lower platen 10 of the foregoing molding die assembly is poor, clamping and compressing cause a difference to occur between, for example, front distance H.sub.1 and back distance H.sub.2 between the upper heating plate 21 and the lower heating plate 45.
Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 8 represents a glass lens molding having thickness T. Reference numeral 8a represents a first optical surface and 8b represents a second optical surface respectively having radii of curvature R.sub.1 and R.sub.2. If the degree of parallelism between the upper platen 9 (see FIG. 3) and the lower platen 10 is poor, distortion e of the optical axis takes place, causing the thickness of the peripheral ends of the molding 8 to have different values t.sub.1 and t.sub.2. Therefore, sloping of the optical surfaces 8a and 8b expressed by .DELTA.t (=t.sub.2 -t.sub.1) is seen.
Where a plurality of upper molding dies 6 and lower molding dies 7 are moved between the foregoing stations, the degree of parallelism between the upper molding die 6 and the lower molding die 7 may also be poor and, as a result, the surface accuracy and the shape accuracy of the molding 8 become poor.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the degree of parallelism between the upper platen and the lower platen of a conventional glass compression molding machine using plural die assemblies. Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 6 represents an upper molding die, 7 represents a lower molding die, 8 represents a molding, 9 represents an upper platen, 10 represents a lower platen, 21 represents an upper heating plate and 45 represents a lower heating plate. In this case, a plurality of upper molding dies 6 are brought into contact with the upper heating plate 21 and a plurality of lower molding dies 7 are brought into contact with the lower heating plate 45 in the clamping/heating/compression station.
If the preform 5 (see FIG. 1) has not been previously machined prior to placement on the lower molding die 7, the volume of each preform 5 will vary by a degree of several percent. Differences in volume as between different preforms leads to a reduction in the degree of parallelism between the upper platen 9 and the lower platen 10. In other words, a difference between the front distance H.sub.1 and the back distance H.sub.2, between the upper heating plate 21 and the lower heating plate 45, is seen. As a result, one of the molding die assemblies is compressed excessively, while the other is compressed insufficiently. In this case, thickness T.sub.1 of the front molding 8 and thickness T.sub.2 of the rear molding 8 will be different from each other, thus reducing surface accuracy and shape accuracy.
In the foregoing conventional glass compression molding machine, the upper core 1 and the lower core 2 are covered with thin films to prevent the adhesion of molten glass to their surfaces. As a result, repeated molding operations will repeatedly subject the foregoing thin films to a temperature which is higher than 300.degree. C., causing the thin films to be oxidized. Hence, the durability of the molding die assembly deteriorates.
Therefore, the temperature of the upper molding die 6 and that of the lower molding die 7 cannot be detected accurately, and, accordingly, the control of the temperature cannot be performed accurately.

Glass compression molding machine and machining chamber therefor


Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a device and methods of accessing the device. The device can include a plurality of memory cells, each cell including a plurality of resistive memory components each designed to store data as resistance and an access transistor configured to control access to the plurality of resistive memory components. A wordline is configured to enable access to the set of resistor memory components by enabling the access transistor. A plurality of bitlines are each connected to a respective and different set of resistive memory components from each of the plurality of memory cells. A bitline controller is configured to access the plurality of resistive memory components by applying a first voltage to a first set of the plurality of bitlines and a second voltage to a second set of bitlines.

The present disclosure relates to memory devices that store data based on resistance value, and more specifically, to multiple resistive memory components sharing a single access transistor. As memory density increases, need for new memory technology other than dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is increasing, as DRAM technology scaling is facing a wall due to various problems including retention time. There are emerging memory devices that store data as resistance values. For example, phase change memory (PCM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), spin-torque-transfer magnetic random access memory (STT_MRAM), and resistive random access memory (ReRAM) all use variation of resistance. These memory cells can be composed of one access transistor and one resistive memory component. For these data storage devices, the access transistor may also limit the scaling of the geometry and could be a bottleneck to achieve higher memory density.

Accessing a resistive memory storage device

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and hot rolling apparatus for producing a hot rolled steel sheet include a roughing rolling mill to roughing roll a heated slab into a sheet bar, at least one solenoid-type induction heater arranged for re-heating the sheet bar over its entire width, and a finish rolling mill arranged to finish roll the re-heated sheet bar into a hot rolled steel sheet having a predetermined thickness. An initial temperature before rolling is set to be low, and re-heating of the sheet bar is carried out around the middle of the hot rolling apparatus. The thermal energy required for rolling is thereby reduced as a whole without damaging the quality of the resulting hot rolled steel sheet. A descaling apparatus is provided prior to the finish rolling mill to remove oxide scales on surfaces of the sheet bar, whereby the resulting hot rolled steel sheet is free of scale flaws and exhibits superior surface properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention broadly relates to hot rolling methods and facilities for metallic sheets, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for producing a hot rolled steel sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a process of hot rolling a sheet, such as a process for hot rolling a steel sheet, the rolled sheet should be rolled at a temperature as low as possible but above a required level. In general, when the temperature is higher, more energy is lost per unit time period, and the temperature more rapidly decreases. Accordingly, in view of efficient utilization of thermal energy, hot rolling should preferably be carried out at a temperature as low as possible but still capable of securing product quality.
As described above, a decrease in the temperature of the rolled sheet during the rolling process can be a cause of some problems. In a rolling process including major steps of roughing rolling and finish rolling, the rolled sheet should be at a temperature which is higher than a predetermined level after the finish rolling step. Further, since deformation resistance should be restricted so as not to exceed limitations concerning performance of a finish rolling mill, the temperature should be controlled so as not to be lower than a predetermined level before the sheet is sent to the finish rolling mill. Hitherto, due to such requirements, an initial temperature was determined taking into account any decrease in the temperature during the roughing rolling step.
In methods disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 59-92114 and No, 62-214804, edge portions of sheets, which particularly readily grow cold, are re-heated by transverse-type induction heating.
Front and rear end portions of sheets also readily grow cold, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 1-321009 and No. 4-3371, disclose methods in which the front and rear end portions of a sheet are heated over an entire width by an edge-heating apparatus used in the methods disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 59-92114 and No. 62-214804, while moving the apparatus in a sheet-width direction when the front and rear end portions pass over it.
As a method in which heating is performed over the entire sheet-width, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 51-122649 discloses a method in which a transverse-type induction heater is arranged, to preheat a steel sheet for a subsequent process, as close as possible to an apparatus for the subsequent process.
However, although the initial temperature can be lowered to some extent, a drastic resolution has not been achieved yet by the above-described methods, disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 59-92114, No. 62-214804, No. 1-321009, and No. 4-33715, which compensate for the temperature decrease heavily occurring in the edge portions of sheets or at the front and rear ends thereof in order that the initial temperature before rolling should be set low.
In such circumstances, a method has been considered in which a heater is intermediately arranged, the initial temperature is aggressively lowered to reduce a thermal energy loss in an early stage of rolling, and rolling is carried out while being accompanied by re-heating performed at an appropriate position.
Induction heating can be considered as an easily-practiced technique for intermediate heating. However, transverse-type induction heating which is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 51-122649 has some problems such as a complicated apparatus due to a necessity of providing a means for controlling a coil gap, and excessive heating of edge portions of sheets.
As described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 51-122649, the re-heating apparatus is usually arranged as close as possible to the apparatus of the subsequent step. According to such an arrangement, however, since a surface temperature of a sheet is high, thermal energy added by induction heating is readily lost in a case where the subsequent step, such as descaling or rolling, can be a cause of cooling from the sheet surfaces.
In a process for producing a hot rolled steel sheet, since the sheet: is heated and rolled in a high temperature range from 800 to 1300.degree. C., oxide scales are generated on surfaces of the sheet. If such scales are left on the surfaces, the scales are pressed during rolling so that they are included in the surface portion of the sheet, and the resulting hot rolled steel sheet will have scale flaws.
As is generally known, scale flaws are classified into two types described below.
(1) Inclusion Scales
Inclusion scales are generated as follows: PA1 Scales which have not been completely removed in a descaling process preceding a finish rolling mill are pressed into the surface portion of the sheet during a finish rolling process. PA1 Particulate scales are generated as follows: PA1 Secondary scales which have been generated after the descaling process preceding the finish rolling mill are pressed into the surface portion of the sheet during the finish rolling process. PA1 (a) a roughing rolling mill to roughing-roll a heated slab into a sheet bar; PA1 (b) at least one solenoid-type induction heater to re-heat the sheet bar; and PA1 (c) a finish rolling mill to finish-roll the re-heated sheet bar. PA1 (a) a roughing rolling mill to roughing-roll a slab having a predetermined temperature into a sheet bar; PA1 (b) at least one solenoid-type induction heater to re-heat the sheet bar over an entire width of the sheet bar; PA1 (c) a descaling apparatus for descaling oxide scales on surfaces of the sheet bar; and PA1 (d) a finish rolling mill to finish-roll the sheet bar, PA1 wherein the solenoid-type induction heater and the descaling apparatus are arranged between the roughing rolling mill and the finish rolling mill in an order of the roughing rolling mill, the solenoid-type induction heater, the descaling apparatus, and the finish rolling mill.
(2) Particulate Scales
In order to prevent the generation of inclusion scales, a surface temperature of a sheet before descaling should be set at a high value. The higher the surface temperature of the sheet is, the greater the amount of generated scales becomes and the larger the internal stress of the scales becomes, since the temperature difference between before and after the descaling process becomes large, and a thermal stress generated on interfaces between the scales and the sheet also becomes large.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-269840 discloses a method in which surfaces of a sheet are heated using gas burners at a position just preceding a descaling apparatus.
On the other hand, in order to prevent the generation of particulate scales, the surface temperature of the sheet after descaling should be restricted to inhibit the generation of secondary scales.
The surface temperature of the sheet before descaling should preferably be as high as possible to prevent the generation of inclusion scales, while it should preferably be as low as possible to prevent the generation of particulate scales. Accordingly, there is an optimum temperature range in which neither type of scales are generated, and the temperature of the sheet before descaling should be controlled so that it falls within the optimum range in which neither type of scales are generated.
In a method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-269840, temperature control is substantially impossible since surfaces of a sheet are heated using gas burners. Since a temperature of the sheet may be too low in some cases while it may be too high in other cases, it is difficult to prevent the generation of both types of scales.
Further, the use of gas burners is also accompanied by problems such as those described below.
(1) The productivity is lowered because a time period for preparation such as preheating is required for ignition and extinction of the gas burners.
(2) The working environment readily deteriorates due to generation of combustion gases.

Method for producing hot rolled steel sheet using induction heating and apparatus therefor


The composite fabric comprises a load-carrying grid disposed between cloth and a flexible layer that are held to each other, the load-carrying grid which is at least two-directional being made up at least of warp thread and weft thread which are held to one another, the mesh defined by the grid having openings of area greater than the area of the gaps defined by the texture of the decorative cloth, the decorative cloth being held directly to the flexible sheet through the mesh of the load-carrying grid such that the fabric prevents outer ribs due to the thickness of the weft threads.

Baggage is known in which the wall(s) are constituted by cloth and which has the advantage of being lighter in weight than baggage made of other materials. The cloth used by certain baggage manufacturers is obtained by warp and weft weaving of threads made of polyester and/or polyamide. They are strong in the warp and the weft directions and they present good resistance to surface abrasion. However, their strength on the bias and their resistance to shearing or to tearing from a tear-starter are unsatisfactory. When the cloth is torn because of accidental puncturing, the tear can extend along the entire length of the baggage, particularly during successive handling operations (stations, airports), or merely under the pressure exerted by the objects contained inside the baggage.
Also, various textile laminates are already known and commercially available, in particular for technical or industrial type applications, which laminates comprise an outer layer, one (or more) reinforcing layer(s), and a flexible inner layer, with the reinforcing threads, in particular aramid threads, that make up a reinforcing layer lying between the outer layer and the flexible inner layer.
However, those known laminates are reinforced by including reinforcing fibers that are hidden, whereas the present invention relates to composite fabrics made up of a load-carrying grid that provides strength against mechanical forces applied diagonally relative to the fabric, covered on both sides by layers appropriate for protecting the contents. This fabric presents characteristics and properties that are adapted more particularly to making hand baggage with a flexible wall, such as a flexible travel bag or case, where it is desirable to have walls that are lightweight but strong. Such fabric must not only withstand tearing, it must also present other qualities, in particular concerning feel and waterproofing.

Composite fabric, in particular for hand luggage or clothes


A tightening device is provided for footwear, in particular, for sports footwear of the kind comprising a substantially rigid outer element and a substantially flexible inner element. The tightening device comprises a strap element and the strap element is configured so that—when it is tensioned—it is capable of applying pressure directly both onto the outer element and to the inner element, whereby the pressure is applied more efficiently and uniformly and the user's comfort is thus increased. In addition, the strap element has a substantially continuous surface, which increase the stability of the tightening device and eliminates the risk of an incorrect positioning also in the case of high stresses during sports practices.

The present invention relates to a tightening device for footwear and a footwear provided with such tightening device.
In particular, the present invention relates to a tightening device for a sports footwear of the kind comprising a substantially rigid outer element and a substantially flexible inner element and a sports footwear of the kind comprising a substantially rigid outer element and a substantially flexible inner element provided with such tightening device.
Sports footwear are known comprising a substantially rigid outer element or shell and a substantially flexible inner element or liner which is at least partially housed inside the outer element. Ski boots are a clear example of sports footwear of this kind.
In this kind of sports footwear the inner liner with its upper part usually projects at least in sections from the upper edge of the outer shell.
Still according to the prior art, these sports footwear may include a tightening device provided near the upper end of the outer shell and of the inner liner for tightening the sports footwear around the user's leg. In particular, the tightening device can be made substantially as a ring and can include adjusting means for more or less limiting the width of the ring, so as to more or less tighten the sports footwear around the user's leg.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,594 describes a tightening device comprising a strap element arranged for being attached frontally near the upper end of the cuff of a sports footwear (especially of a ski boot) and a pair of bands connected to the opposite ends of the strap element; the two bands can be linked to each other by means of a buckle so as to obtain a ring around the cuff of the sports footwear, and the position of the buckle can be adjusted so as to vary the width of the obtained ring and to tighten the tightening device on the cuff of the sports footwear. During use, with the tightening device being tensioned, the strap element exerts a pressure onto the cuff of the sports footwear surrounding the user's leg.
A disadvantage of this solution lies in the fact that the strap element exerts pressure directly onto the rigid outer shell of the sports footwear and only indirectly—through intermediation of the outer shell—onto the flexible inner liner, which limits the user's comfort.
This disadvantage is particularly detrimental when considering that in sports footwear comprising a rigid outer shell and a flexible inner liner, footwear comfort is provided mainly by the inner liner, whereas the outer shell has mainly the function of conferring structural strength to the footwear and of efficiently conveying forces from the user to the sports item.
A further disadvantage of the solution described above consists in that, in those areas where the inner liner projects from the outer edge of the outer shell, the strap element is not in contact with the footwear surface. Consequently the pressure is not uniformly distributed; rather, there are created discrete pressure points that are detrimental to the user's comfort.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,359,771 describes a solution in which the tightening device includes a strap element comprising a first element and a second element that are mutually separated and vertically superimposed on each other, wherein the upper element is configured and arranged so as so abut against the inner liner of the footwear and the lower element is configured and arranged so as to abut against the outer shell of the footwear. According to what is described, such solution allows on one hand to act directly both onto the outer shell and onto the inner liner and on the other hand to obtain a more uniform distribution of pressure.
However, this solution too is not free from drawbacks. In particular, the fact that the strap element comprises two distinct elements separated by an interposed gap causes poor stability of the tightening element and brings about the risk that the elements may move out of their correct position during use of the footwear.
This risk is particularly evident in the case of sports footwear, where during use the tightening device is exposed to continuous and intense stresses. Especially during sports practices, the small size of the two elements of the strap element and the presence of an open gap between them may cause misalignments, loss of proper adjustment and similar inconveniences.

Tightening device for footwear and footwear provided with such tightening device


An exemplary embodiment of the present invention creates a micromechanical rotational rate sensor having a first Coriolis mass element and a second Coriolis mass element which may be situated over a surface of a substrate. An exemplary embodiment of a micromechanical rotational rate sensor may have an activating device by which the first Coriolis mass element and the second Coriolis mass element are able to have vibrations activated along a first axis. An exemplary embodiment of a micromechanical rotational rate sensor may have a detection device by which deflections of the first Coriolis mass elements and of the second Coriolis element are able to be detected along a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, on the basis of a correspondingly acting Coriolis force. The first axis and second axis may run parallel to the surface of the substrate. The detecting device may have a first detection mass device and a second detection mass device. The centers of gravity of the first Coriolis mass element, the second Coriolis mass element, the first detection mass device and the second detection mass device may coincide at a common mass center of gravity when they are at rest.

Rotational rate sensors in which a first and a second Coriolis element are arranged on the surface of a substrate are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,936. The Coriolis elements may be induced to vibrate along a first axis. The deflections of the Coriolis elements due to a Coriolis force along a second axis, which is likewise parallel to the substrate, may be verified.
German Patent No. 198 32 906 discusses a capacitive rotational rate sensor made up of a flexibly supported, mirror-symmetrically designed seismic mass, on which electrodes are fastened in a comb-like manner. At least two groups of comb-like counterelectrodes may be provided, arranged in mirror symmetry, which may be each fastened to a carrier and engage between the electrodes fastened to the seismic mass. The carriers of the counterelectrodes may be fastened only in the vicinity of the axis of symmetry at the closest point on a ceramic carrier. A frame may also be provided on which the seismic mass is fastened via two leaf springs. Two actuators may be used for the excitation of vibrations of the frame, which has integrated vibratory springs and which may be fastened on the ceramic carrier at at least two points of attachment.
European Patent No. 0 775 290 discusses a rotational rate sensor made up of at least two vibrating masses, which are connected to each other via a spring element to form a system capable of vibrating, which is supported on a substrate. Also provided are actuators for inducing vibrations, as well as at least one sensing element for the detection of the Coriolis force. The spring elements and the vibrating masses are positioned and designed in such a manner that the system capable of vibrating is only able to execute vibrations in at least two vibration modes parallel to the plane of the substrate, one mode being used as excitation mode of the vibration excitation and the second mode, possibly orthogonal to it, is excited as the detection mode upon rotation about an axis perpendicular to the substrate to the Coriolis forces.
M. Lutz, W. Golderer, J. Gerstenmeier, J. Marek, B. Maihöfer and D. Schubert, A Precision Yaw-Rate Sensor in Silicon Micromachining; SAE Technical Paper, 980267, and K. Funk, A. Schilp, M. Offenberg, B. Elsner, and F. Lärmer, Surface-Micromachining of Resonant Silicon Structures, The 8th International Conference on Solid State Sensors and Actuators, Eurosensors IX, Stockholm, Sweden, Jun. 25–29, 1995, pp. 50–52, discuss other rotational rate sensors.
One disadvantage of the known rotational rate sensors is the sensitivity of the structures with respect to interference accelerations, particularly with respect to angular accelerations about the sensitive axis, as well as with respect to the insufficient robustness of the structures.
One reason for the sensitivity with respect to interference accelerations may be particularly founded in the low working frequency of these rotational rate sensors (1.5 kHz to 6 kHz), since in this frequency range interference accelerations may occur in the motor vehicle which have non-negligible amplitudes.
A second reason may be linked to the functioning principles of rotational rate sensors. In the case of a certain sensor type, besides a (desired) external rotational speed about the sensitive axis, a measuring signal may also be triggered by a rotational acceleration about the same axis. Therefore, the known rotational rate sensors may be particularly sensitive to this kind of interference acceleration.
The low working frequencies may also be a reason for the inadequate robustness of the rotational rate sensors, particularly as regards falling protection. A further reason for the inadequate robustness may be involved with a complicated process control, for example, a combination of bulk and surface micromechanics.


The invention relates to the identification and disruption of essential fungal specific genes isolated in the yeast pathogen Candida albicans namely CaKRE5, CaALR1, and CaCDC24 and to the use thereof in antifungal diagnosis and as essential antifungal targets in a fungal species for antifungal drug discovery. More specifically, the invention relates to the CaKRE5, CaALR1, and CaCDC24 genes, to their use to screen for antifungal compounds and to the drugs identified by such.

Opportunistic fungi, including Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Pneumocystis carinii, are a rapidly emerging class of microbial pathogens, which cause systemic fungal infection or "mycosis" in patients whose immune system is weakened. Candida spp. rank as the predominant genus of fungal pathogens, accounting for approx. 8% of all bloodstream infections in hospitals today. Alarmingly, the incidence of life-threatening C. albicans infections or "candidiasis" have risen sharply over the last two decades, and ironically, the single greatest contributing factor to the prevalence of mycosis in hospitals today is modern medicine itself. Standard medical practices such as organ transplantation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, suppress the immune system and make patients highly susceptible to fungal infection. Modern diseases, most notoriously, AIDS, also contribute to this growing occurrence of fungal infection. In fact, Pneumocystis carinii infection is the number one cause of mortality for AIDS victims. Treatment of fungal infection is hampered by the lack of safe and effective antifungal drugs. Antimycotic compounds used today; namely polyenes (amphotericin B) and azole-based derivatives (fluconazole), are of limited efficacy due to the nonspecific toxicity of the former and emerging resistance to the latter. Resistance to fluconazole has increased dramatically throughout the decade particularly in Candida and Aspergillus spp.
Clearly, new antimycotic compounds must be developed to combat fungal infection and resistance. Part of the solution depends on the elucidation of novel antifungal drug targets (i.e. gene products whose functional inactivation results in cell death). The identification of gene products essential to cell viability in a broad spectrum of fungi, and absent in humans, could serve as novel antifungal drug targets to which rational drug screening can be then employed. From this starting point, drug screens can be developed to identify specific antifungal compounds that inactivate essential and fungal-specific genes, which mimic the validated effect of the gene disruption.
Of paramount importance to the antifungal drug discovery process is the genome sequencing projects recently completed for the bakers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and under way in C. albicans. Although S. cerevisiae is not itself pathogenic, it is closely related taxonomically to opportunistic pathogens including C. albicans. Consequently, many of the genes identified and studied in S. cerevisiae facilitate identification and functional analysis of orthologous genes present in the wealth of sequence information provided by the Stanford C. albicans genome project (http://candida.stanford.edu). Such genomic sequencing efforts accelerate the isolation of C. albicans genes which potentially participate in essential cellular processes and which therefore could serve as novel antifungal drug targets.
However, gene discovery through genome sequence analysis alone does not validate either known or novel genes as drug targets. Ultimately, target validation needs to be achieved through experimental demonstration of the essentiality of the candidate drug target gene directly within the pathogen, since only a limited concordance exists between gene essentiality for a particular ortholog in different organisms. For example, in a literature search of 13 C. albicans essential genes validated by gene disruption, 7 genes (i.e. CaFKS1, CaHSP90, CaKRE6, CaPRS1, CaRAD6, CaSNF1, and CaEFT2) are not essential in S. cerevisiae. Therefore, although the null phenotype of a gene in one organism may, in some instances, hint at the function of the orthologous gene in pathogenic yeasts, such predictions can prove invalid after experimentation.
There thus remains a need to identify new essential genes in C. albicans and validate same as drug targets.
The present invention seeks to meet these and other needs.
The present description refers to a number of documents, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.


A device discovery and presentation system. The architecture facilitates automatically sensing devices, ports, or other wirelessly identifiable entities by detecting such entities, and displaying a 2-D or 3-D representation of the relative location of such entities to a user via a display. The architecture may be controlled to detect such entities in a confined envelope of space for a specified distance.

Recent advances in wireless communications have facilitated an ever-increasing mobile economy. Telephones, personal data assistants, wireless mice and keyboards, and other wireless devices are increasing in popularity at a rapid pace. To accommodate such devices, companies are providing as a service networks and peripherals that may be accessed by these wireless devices as customers avail themselves of the vendor's product and services. However, finding wireless devices is often confusing.
Traditional location services provide device location information based on hard-coded coordinates corresponding to stationary objects. However, this requires administrative overhead and that the devices remain stationary.
What is needed is an improved device discovery architecture that is a simple and intuitive way to find wireless devices.

Multi-dimensional graphical display of discovered wireless devices


The disclosure presents a technique for determining how downhole material will be distributed among two or more active perforation clusters in a hydraulic fracturing well system. The determination can be conducted during the execution of a treatment stage allowing modifications prior to completion of the treatment stage. The technique utilizes a three-step process where a first step can determine a predictive model of the wellbore, such as subterranean formation properties, wellbore properties, and target goal of the treatment stage. A second step can calibrate for unknown parameters, such as downhole HF fluid pressure at the active perforation clusters and downhole HF fluid flow rate at the perforation clusters. A third step can predict how downhole material will be distributed to the active perforation clusters and fracture clusters. The prediction result can be utilized to modify a pumping plan of the treatment stage to better achieve the targeted goal.

In hydraulic fracturing well systems, treatment stages are used to implement part of a well site operation plan. The treatment stage can pump various types of downhole materials, such as fluids, solids, proppants, chemicals, diverter material, and other material into a wellbore of the well site to aid in the hydraulic fracturing operations. The effectiveness of the material pumped into the wellbore can vary due to the subterranean formation properties and the material properties, such as the absorption capabilities of surrounding formation, the type and chemical properties of the materials used. One factor of the material properties that ties into its effectiveness is the distribution of the downhole material among the active perforation clusters. Knowing how the downhole material will be distributed and how that relates to achieving the goal of the treatment stage would be beneficial.

Predicting material distribution in a hydraulic fracturing treatment stage


In an ink-jet printing apparatus in which an ink and a liquid S which insolubilizes or coagulates a dye contained in the ink are ejected to perform printing, in order to reduce consumption of the liquid in the case of employing a printing method where one pixel is formed by a plurality of scanning cycles of a head, when printing a pixel represented by red print data, a yellow ink and a magenta ink are ejected in the first to the third scanning cycles, and the liquid S is ejected only in the third scanning cycle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink-jet printing apparatus and an ink-jet printing method and, more specifically, to an ink-jet printing apparatus and an ink-jet printing method for performing printing, by insolubilizing or coagulating a color component contained in the ink, onto a printing medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ink-jet printing system is widely employed in printing apparatuses, copying machines, facsimile machines and so forth because its advantages in lowering noise, reducing running costs, and facilitating the miniaturization of apparatuses and the design of color printing apparatuses.
Most conventional ink-jet printing systems employ a special printing sheet provided with a waterproof ink absorbing layer to secure satisfactory water-resistance of the ink thereon and to print a color image of high coloring without bleeding of ink. Recent improvement of ink has increased the printability of an ordinary printing sheet, which is used in large quantities in printing apparatuses, copying machines and the like. However, the print quality of images printed on the ordinary printing sheets is not yet perfectly satisfactory. There have been some proposals, to improve the water-resistance property of the ordinary printing sheet and to improve printing quality.
As one method of improving the water-resistance property of the image through the improvement of ink, for example, a method of making a coloring component in the ink have the water-resistance property is known. This prior method, however, uses an ink which barely becomes soluble to water after drying. Therefore, an ejection opening of an ink-jet head using such an ink is liable to be clogged with dried ink. In addition, although it is possible to realize structure for preventing the ejection openings from being clogged, a problem that the structure requires a complex mechanism occurs.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 84992/1981, there is disclosed a method which uses a printing medium coated with a dye fixing material. This prior method, however, needs to use a special printing medium capable of being coated with the dye fixing material, needs to use a large apparatus for coating the printing medium with the dye fixing material, and, unavoidably, increases the cost of the apparatus. Furthermore, it is comparatively difficult to coat the printing medium with a film of the dye fixing material having a predetermined thickness.
To improve printing quality, it is required that 1) characters and images must be sharply printed without occurring irregular blurring of ink on an edge of ink dots (hereinafter referred to as "feathering"), and that 2) an image is clearly printed without bleeding, i.e., without mixing of inks occurring on a boundary between adjacent regions of respective different colors. The ink must be prevented from permeating the printing medium to prevent feathering stated at article 1). In such case, however, aqueous inks, which are used by common ink-jet printing systems, are liable to cause bleeding stated at article 2). In contrast, in the case of facilitating the permeation of the ink into the printing medium, feathering is enhanced although bleeding stated at article 2) can be reduced.
In order to solve a problem set forth above, there is proposed, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63185/1989 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 249755/1986, methods in which a clear liquid that insolubilizes the dye contained in the ink is deposited together with the ink on the printing medium by an ink-jet head.
According to methods stated above, the colored ink deposited on the printing medium is insolubilized to be fixed on the printing medium and hence a high water-resistance property of the printed product can be obtained. Both feathering and bleeding can be suppressed by applying a clear processing liquid to the printing medium under given conditions prior to ejecting ink on the printing medium.
On the other hand, there are known an ink-jet printing method of a multi-scanning system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 358847/1992 and 155036/1993 and an ink-jet printing method of a multi-pass system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 207665/1991 in which a plurality of scanning cycles of an ink-jet head are effected along a scanning direction to form one line of pixels. According to an above described method, one line of pixels is formed by ink droplets ejected through a plurality of different ejection openings. Therefore, variations among the ejection openings in ejection volume and an ejecting direction are averaged, so that density unevenness and misdirected landings are not liable to occur and high-quality printing can be realized.
Incidentally, the use of the aforesaid processing liquid in the foregoing multi-scanning system entails the following problems.
In this case that the processing liquid is ejected once for one ink ejecting cycle as mentioned in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63185/1989, the processing liquid is deposited in overlapping manner in the multi-scanning system, so that an excessive quantity of the processing liquid may be applied to the printing medium. As a result of this, the printing medium to which the excessive processing liquid is applied becomes cockled state which makes the surface of the printing medium rugged. And the cockled printing medium interferes with the ink-jet head and the internal components of the printing apparatus, and the cockled printing medium may possibly cause jamming and smear the printed printing medium with the ink. In some cases, the image printed on the printing medium is difficult to see and printing quality is deteriorated when the cockled printing medium dries in a cockled state.
Furthermore, since such a mode of printing consumes a large quantity of the processing liquid, a tank containing the processing liquid needs to be changed or to be replenished with the processing liquid frequently, the running cost is increased, and the load on the user increases. In case that a tank having an increased size is used to save work for changing the tank, the size of the printing apparatus needs to be increased, a cost of the printing apparatus is increased, and an operability of the printing apparatus is spoiled.
A method of reducing a deposition amount of the processing liquid is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 128862/1983. In this document, when printing with a plurality of kinds of inks, data for ejecting the processing liquid is generated by carrying out logical OR between data for ejecting respective inks of colors. According to a method set forth above, when performing printing of R (red) by ejecting one Y ink (Yellow) droplet and one M ink (magenta) droplet, one processing liquid droplet for each of the Y- and the M-ink droplets is not ejected but only one processing liquid droplet is ejected. An effect of ejecting only one processing liquid droplet for two ink droplets in preventing feathering and bleeding is scarcely different from that of ejecting two processing liquid droplets for two ink droplets, the water resistance is improved effectively, and consumption of the processing liquid is reduced by 1/2 to 1/3 the consumption of the same by the conventional method. Even if this method is employed, however, the consumption of the processing liquid, as compared with the consumption of the ink, is considerably large.
Suppose that a full-color image is printed with, for example, Y-ink (yellow ink), an M-ink (magenta ink), a C-ink (cyan ink) and a Bk-ink (black ink) by employing the aforesaid method which carries out logical OR between the data for ejecting respective inks, the amount of the processing liquid required for printing a primary color portion, a second color portion and a third color portion is equal to, 1/2 and 1/3 the total amount of the inks for printing the primary color portion, the second color portion and the third color portion, respectively. In such case, suppose that an image to be printed consists of the primary color patterns of the four color inks having the same area, the second color patterns of six colors of the four color inks having the same area, or the third color patterns of the four color inks having the same area, the amount of the processing liquid necessary for printing the image is four times, two times or about 1.3 times the amount of each of the four color inks, respectively. Although one cannot make that kind of sweeping generalization because different images have different ratios in area between the primary color, the second color and the third color patterns, the amount of the processing liquid necessary for printing an image is, on an average, two to three times the amount of each color ink necessary for printing the same image.

Ink-jet printing apparatus and ink-jet printing method for performing printing by ejecting ink and processing liquid insolubilizing ink