A braking member includes a body member and first and second interposed members. The first and second interposed members are detachably/reattachably mounted between a mounting groove and the body member. A braking force of the braking member is configured to be adjusted by attaching/detaching first and second projection members to/from first and second concave portions that are formed in a mounting groove so that the first and second projection members can contact the inner peripheral sides of the first and second interposed members.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a rotor braking device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a spinning reel rotor braking device that brakes a rotor in response to pivoting a bail arm.
2. Background Information
A rotor on a spinning reel is generally provided with a bail arm for guiding a fishing line to a spool. The bail arm can assume a line-winding position, in which the fishing line is guided to an outer periphery of the spool when winding up the fishing line, and a line-releasing position, in which the bail arm is toppled over from the line-winding position so that it does not pose a hindrance when the fishing line is rolled off from the spool. The rotor is provided with a bail tripping device, which maintains the bail arm in the line-winding position and the line-releasing position. The bail tripping device returns the bail arm from the line-releasing position to the line-winding position in cooperation with a rotation of the rotor in a line-winding direction. (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H10-004839.)
The bail tripping device includes a toggle spring, a rod-shaped moving member and a switching protrusion. The toggle spring is mounted to the rotor. The toggle spring has a front end that is interlocked adjacent a pivot center of the bail arm. The rod-shaped moving member has a front end that is interlocked adjacent the pivot center of the bail arm and a base end that moves forward and backward with respect to the reel unit. The switching protrusion is provided on the reel unit so as to contact the moving member. The toggle spring toggles and urges the bail arm between two positions and maintains the bail arm in the two positions. When the bail arm is pivoted into the line-releasing position, the moving member retreats to a position in which it contacts the switching projection. Then, when the rotor rotates in the line-winding direction, the rotor contacts the switching projection and pushes it forward. The toggle spring contracts due to this forward advancement. The toggle spring then returns the bail arm to the line-winding position.
A spinning reel having improved rotational transmission efficiency can be rotated easily in the line-winding direction. When the rotor rotates, the rotational orientation thereof tends to shift easily, even when the rotor has been rotated into a rotational orientation suitable for casting or thumbing.
In the aforementioned conventional configuration, a braking member that contacts the reel unit and brakes the rotor is mounted on the moving member so as to prevent the rotation of the rotor in the line-releasing position. When the moving member is moved into the contact position, the braking member contacts the front surface of the reel unit and is compressed, thereby braking the rotor. When the rotor is elastically braked when the bail is tripped, the rotor can be prevented from rotating and can also be rotated in the line-winding direction when necessary.
In this configuration, the braking member mounted on the moving member comes into contact with the reel unit and is compressed, thus braking the rotor. Therefore, if the contact position of the moving member varies back and forth due to manufacturing errors or assembly errors, the amount of compression of the braking member will change as well. If the amount of compression changes, the braking force on the rotor will also change and thus, the rotor cannot be braked reliably. Accordingly, a bail tripping device has been known to use an annular braking member made of an elastic synthetic resin mounted onto the reel unit. The moving member is moved in a direction perpendicular to the compression direction of the braking member from the end of the braking member towards an outer peripheral surface and thereby brought into contact with the braking member. (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-189767.)
However, there are concerns that this configuration will produce irregularities in the braking force and make the braking force unstable because braking would occur on only one portion in which the moving member contacts the braking member. If the braking force becomes unstable like this, there are concerns that a consistent amount of braking force will not be produced, which in turn will give rise to a decrease in operability.
To solve this problem, a rotor braking device has been known which includes an annular drag portion that is made of an elastic synthetic resin and frictionally engages with the reel unit so as to rotate relative thereto. The rotor braking device further includes a braking member that has a plurality of engaging portions with which a protrusion on the moving member engages so that the drag portion can frictionally slide with the reel unit when the protrusion on the moving member engages with the engaging portions. (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-141144.)
This type of braking member is an annular member that is made of an elastic synthetic resin and comprised of two approximately semi-circular members. The drag portion thereof is press-contacted to the reel unit by a spring member mounted on an annular groove that is formed on the outer periphery of the lateral side of the reel unit so that the drag portion can frictionally slide with the reel unit, for example. A whole inner peripheral surface of the drag portion can contact a mounting groove formed on the outer periphery of the front end of the reel unit. With this configuration, the braking force is stabilized because the rotor is uniformly braked by the entire drag portion.
The braking force is stabilized by the rotor braking device, which the drag portion frictionally engages, because the rotor is uniformly braked over the entire drag portion. The braking force of this drag portion is determined by a kind of elastic synthetic resin and the pressure-contact force of a spring member. In the conventional configuration, the kind of elastic synthetic resin and the pressure-contact force of the spring member are configured to be preset when the rotor braking device is assembled. Therefore, there is no option but to change all the components in order to change the braking force. Accordingly, it is difficult to easily change the braking force.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved rotor braking device with a braking force that is easily adjusted. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.


Methods and systems for gamifying decentralized distribution of virtual tokens are provided. The method includes receiving virtual tokens at a security and gaming device, the security and gaming device including storage for securely storing the virtual tokens. The method also includes confirming features of the virtual tokens allow for utilization of the virtual tokens as credits in a game, the game including at least one of a videogame or a game of chance or skill having a result. The method also includes executing the game through an application. The method also includes issuing new tokens through the security and gaming device with each winning result based on an amount of virtual tokens paid for each game. The method also includes destroying the amount of virtual tokens paid for each game with each losing result.

Secure elements, such as hardware security modules (HSMs), form the basis of secure identity verification. These devices allow storage and computation over secret data that is extremely difficult to extract. Each hardware device generates a unique public/private key pair via an on-chip random number generator. The public keys of all devices are hashed into a merkle root. This merkle root is then installed on all devices. From this point on it is possible for all devices to use their unique private key to sign messages which can be validated by all other devices in the set.

Security and gaming device for gamifying decentralized distribution of virtual tokens


A magnetic head can be made by a first step of butting projection end faces of a pair of magnetic cores, each of which is previously machined into a convex shape, through a magnetic gap member; a second step of forming notches which reach a winding groove, at the butted projection end faces of the magnetic cores by an electric discharge machining process, thereby regulating a track width; and a third step of filling, under heat treatment, glass into grooves at two sides of the pair of convex magnetic cores and the notches. When the magnetic head is used, a magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus which is suitable for high density recording such as a digital VTR is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a magnetic head which performs recording or reproduction on a magnetic recording medium, and particularly to a narrow-track magnetic head for high density recording which is useful in a digital VTR or the like, a method of producing the same, and a magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a system such as a digital VTR wherein a large amount of signals are recorded and reproduced, it is essential to employ high density magnetic recording/reproduction techniques such as the narrow-track technique and the short-wavelength technique.
Generally, it is known that high density magnetic recording/reproduction can be attained when the coercive force of a magnetic medium is increased and the saturation magnetic flux density (hereinafter, referred to as "Bs") of a magnetic head is increased. A ferrite material which has mainly been used in the prior art as a magnetic head material has Bs of about 0.5 T. When a ferrite magnetic head is used for a metal tape having a coercive force as high as 80 kA/m or more, therefore, there occurs magnetic saturation so that recording cannot be conducted satisfactorily. To comply with this, research efforts have vigorously been conducted on magnetic heads using a material which has a Bs larger than ferrite, such as a Sendust alloy material (Bs: about 1.0 T), a Co amorphous film (Bs: about 0.8 to 1.1 T), or a novel material such as a Co superstructure nitriding alloy film having a Bs of 1.3 T or more, an Fe superstructure nitride film, or an Fe nitride film, particularly on a composite magnetic head or so-called MIG head in which the main core is made of ferrite and a magnetic thin film is disposed at least in the vicinity of the front gap.
FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a MIG head. A pair of convex magnetic cores 2 and 3 which are opposed to each other through a magnetic gap 1 respectively comprise convex core bodies 4 and 5 made of ferrite, and high saturation magnetic flux density films 6 and 7 which cover the respective projection end faces of the core bodies and both the side faces elongating therefrom. The two magnetic cores 2 and 3 are coupled to each other by a pair of glass blocks 8 and 9 which are disposed at their both sides. The reference numeral 10 designates a winding hole through which coils can pass.
In such a magnetic head, as shown in FIG. 11 in detail, track dis-adjustments d.sub.1, and d.sub.2 are easily produced by production errors due to machining accuracy of track grooves 4a and 5a of the pair of core bodies 4 and 5, and butting accuracy of the core bodies 4 and 5. Moreover, the presence of rounds 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b of edge portions of the magnetic films 6 and 7 further impairs the track width accuracy.
In high density recording, these divergences and rounds of the edges tend to cause impairment.
As partly disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,902, a method of regulating the track width by using a wire on a sliding face may be employed. In the method, however, the whole of the sliding face is machined so as to have a fixed track width, and the running of a magnetic medium causes a problem of abrasion resistance. Furthermore, magnetic properties are greatly impaired. According to the invention, a machining process is conducted only on the vicinity of a gap, and therefore the problem of abrasion resistance and the impairment of magnetic properties do not occur.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,775 discloses a configuration in which the whole of a core constitutes the track width. Also in this configuration, magnetic properties are greatly impaired. Moreover, the chip has a reduced strength.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,965 discloses a method in which a track width is regulated by track width regulation grooves. In the disclosed method, cores are separately machined, and then butted to be joined to each other, thereby producing butting errors. Therefore, the method cannot be employed in a production of a narrow-track width head.
Recently, the track width and its accuracy are requested to be 10 .mu.m or less and .+-.0.5 .mu.m, respectively. As described above, however, it is substantially impossible according to the prior art to produce a magnetic head which fulfills the requirements while preventing the magnetic properties from being impaired.

Magnetic head and producing method of the same


A System On Chip (SOC) current profile model for Integrated Voltage Regulator (IVR) co-design may be provided. A first current profile model may be extracted corresponding to an SOC at a first design stage of the SOC. Then it may be determined that an IVR and the SOC pass a first co-simulation based on the extracted first current profile model. Next, a second current profile model may be extracted corresponding to the SOC at a second design stage of the SOC. Then it may be determined that the IVR and the SOC pass a second co-simulation based on the extracted second current profile model. A third current profile model may be extracted corresponding to the SOC at a third design stage of the SOC. Then it may be determined that the IVR and the SOC pass a third co-simulation based on the extracted third current profile model.

A System on Chip (SOC) is an integrated circuit (also known as a "chip") that integrates components of a computer or other electronic system. These components typically, but not always, include a Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, input/output ports, and secondary storage all on a single substrate or microchip. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio frequency signal processing functions, depending on the application. Because they are integrated on a single substrate, SOCs consume much less power and take up much less area than multi-chip designs with equivalent functionality. Because of this, SOCs are very common in the mobile computing (e.g., Smartphones) and edge computing markets. SOCs are commonly used in embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT).
SOCs are in contrast to the common traditional motherboard-based PC architecture that separates components based on function and connects them through a central interfacing circuit board. Whereas a motherboard houses and connects detachable or replaceable components, SOCs integrate all of these components into a single integrated circuit, as if all these functions were built into the motherboard. An SOC may integrate a CPU, graphics and memory interfaces, hard-disk and USB connectivity, random-access and read-only memories, and secondary storage on a single circuit die, whereas a motherboard would connect these modules as discrete components or expansion cards.
More tightly integrated computer system designs improve performance and reduce power consumption as well as semiconductor die area needed for an equivalent design composed of discrete modules at the cost of reduced replaceability of components. By definition, SOC designs are fully or nearly fully integrated across different component modules. For these reasons, there has been a general trend towards tighter integration of components in the computer hardware industry, in part due to the influence of SOCs and lessons learned from the mobile and embedded computing markets. SOCs can be viewed as part of a larger trend towards embedded computing and hardware acceleration.

System on chip (SOC) current profile model for integrated voltage regulator (IVR) co-design


A hinge assembly includes an upper hinge section having a circumferential wall structure and a top plate and a lower hinge section having a circumferential wall structure and a bottom plate, the upper and lower hinge sections fitting together to form a single cylindrical hinge structure. A hinge bracket includes a generally flat plate and upper and lower bracket cylinders mounted thereto, the hinge bracket operative to pivotably connect the upper and lower hinge sections. The upper and lower bracket cylinders are arranged on the plate such that when the lower bracket cylinder is pivoted about a lower hinge pin mounted in the lower hinge section, rotational movement of the hinge bracket is restricted by contact of the hinge plate with a forward edge of the lower hinge section. The hinge assembly may be mounted on the frame of the vehicle and to the tilt-forward hood of the vehicle to permit freer access to the engine compartment of the vehicle than that previously available in the prior art.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to hinge mechanisms and, more particularly, to a hood tilt hinge operative to permit the forward tilting of the hood or front end upwards and outwards from the vehicle's main body, the hinge assembly including upper and lower generally cylindrical hinge sections and an offset hinge bracket pivotably connecting the two hinge sections such that the upper hinge section may be tilted forwardly relative to the lower hinge section with the hinge bracket providing stop means for preventing rotation of the upper hinge section.
2. Description of the Prior Art
On oversized or "monster" trucks, the engine of the truck as in standard trucks is covered by a hood and surrounded by front quarter panels. While access to the engine compartment may be gained through operation of a standard hood opening arrangement, however, due to the height of the "monster" trucks, it is preferred that the vehicle include a tilt-forward hood which raises the hood and front quarter panels to allow access to the engine compartment. Most trucks which include tilt-forward hoods support these hoods either by concealed hinges or exposed hinges. Exposed hinges include arrangements such as piano-type hinges mounted on the bumper structure to allow the front of the body to tilt forward. Concealed hinges are hidden within the hood and cannot be seen from the outside of the vehicle when the hood is closed. With each type of hinge, however, the main purpose is to allow access to the engine compartment.
Examples of exposed hinges are found throughout the prior art and include such devices as found in Miller, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,733, and Lundelius, U.S. Pat. No. 1,598,868. These devices are similar to one another and include the basic features of the exposed hinge, namely that the hinge is positioned generally adjacent the front bumper with the lower part of the hinge mounted to the main truck frame and the upper part of the hinge mounted to the hood itself. The hinge body itself is exposed just above the front bumper of the truck. Miller and Lundelius each also include tilt restraint devices which, in the case of both devices, is an hydraulic cylinder.
There are several disadvantages in the use of exposed hinges. These include the problem that exposed hinges will receive more wear and tear due to exposure to the environment and thus may become corroded or have their efficiency impaired due to grime or debris entering the hinge thus rendering it difficult to tilt the hood as designed. Also, the external appearance of the exposed hinge may be unsightly, unless steps are taken to design the vehicle's exterior styling so that the hinge blends in with it. Of course, depending on the size and shape of the hinge, this may not always be possible. Furthermore, none of the exposed hinges found in the prior art include built-in damping or stopping mechanisms to prevent overrotation of the hood. Therefore, additional stopping mechanisms are needed to prevent overrotation, increasing the complexity of the hinge arrangement and thus adding more elements which can fail to prevent the hinge from operating as designed. There is therefore a need for a hinge which will address and solve those problems found in the art of exposed hinges.
Another type of hinge commonly used for the tilting of hoods is the concealed hinge, examples of which are found in the prior art in such devices as shown in Peterson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,254,088 and Oen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,470. While both these devices disclose concealed hinges, it is Oen which is specifically directed to a truck having a tilt-forward hood. Generally, concealed hinges are mounted on a vehicle with the lower part of the hinge mounted to the frame of the vehicle and the upper part of the hinge mounted to the hood itself, the hinge being positioned generally adjacent the front bumper of the vehicle. However, unlike the exposed hinges, the concealed hinge is positioned inside the hood itself and thus is not visible when the hood is in the closed position. One of the disadvantages of the devices found in the prior art is that they tend to include additional moving parts and adjustment mechanisms beyond those which are strictly needed for operation of the concealed hinge. For example, Peterson includes a spring-loaded offset mechanism to allow the hood to move upwardly and forwardly such that rotation of the hood about the hinge is permitted. Oen, on the other hand, does not include an offset mechanism but does include an adjustment mechanism consisting of a threaded bolt for adjusting the position of the hinge. Obviously, with the addition of adjustment and offset devices to the hinge, additional potential problems are introduced, including malfunction of the adjustment device of Oen and the potential of the offset mechanism of Peterson to become stuck thus preventing the hood from being lifted. Furthermore, the construction characteristics found in the prior art may not be suitable for heavy duty vehicles which include heavy-hooded units or the like. Since oversized or "monster" trucks are often used in extremely muddy conditions, a sturdy and mechanically simple hinge assembly is preferable to those somewhat complex devices found in the prior art. There is therefore a need for a mechanically simple concealed hinge for use in oversized or "monster" trucks.
As stated previously, many of the hinges found in the prior art require a simple stop mechanism to prevent overrotation of the hood. It should be noted that the additional stop mechanisms shown in the prior art will tend to interfere with access to the engine compartment, thus reducing accessability to the engine department. There is therefore a need for a concealed hood tilt hinge which includes a stop mechanism built into the hinge itself.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved hood tilt hinge assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hood tilt hinge assembly which includes upper and lower hinge sections connected to one another by a hinge bracket, the hinge bracket including offset upper and lower bracket cylinders which are pivotably connected to the upper and lower hinge sections to allow the upper hinge section to tilt forwardly relative to the lower hinge section.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hood tilt hinge assembly in which the hinge bracket includes a plate which, when pivoted a predetermined distance, will contact a section of the lower hinge section wall structure thus preventing further movement of the upper hinge section and acting as a stop mechanism.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hood tilt hinge assembly which is concealed by the hood itself when the hood is in the closed position so that the hinge does not degrade the appearance of the vehicle on which it is placed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hood tilt hinge assembly which does not include superfluous adjustment or offset mechanisms which may render the hinge more vulnerable to breakdowns.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge assembly which may be used as an artificial joint replacement hinge or the like.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a hood tilt hinge assembly which is relatively simple to manufacture and which is safe and durable in use.


A lever for moving first and second brake shoes into engagement with a drum to effect a brake application. The lever has a first end connected to the brake shoes and a second end with a tine fixed thereto to which a cable is connected to apply an input force to effect a brake application. A predetermined force is applied to the tine to deflect the tine and a tab engages the lever to hold the tine in the deflected position. The tine and second end of the lever move in unison in response to an input force until the input force exceeds the predetermined force such that while the tine and cable continue to move in unison the deflection of the tine proportionally reduces the movement of the first end of the lever and as a result an actuation force applied to effect a brake application is correspondingly reduced.

Disc brakes such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,180,037 and 5,529,149, have been utilized on rear axles brake systems of vehicles as both a service braking and a parking brake. In such disc brake the service brake is a hydraulically actuated while the parking brake is typically actuated by a lever arrangement. Various lever arrangements have been used to actuate such as a cam mechanism as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,086, a scissors type mechanism as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,449 or a lever as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,148 to supply an input force that moves brake shoes into engagement with a drum to effect a brake application. However, under some circumstances such as moving a vehicle without the release of the parking brake it is possible that a manual input force used to set the parking brake may be excessive and as a result the components of a brake may be damaged.


An apparatus for interconnection in a voltage-stiff converter is provided. The converter has at least one phase leg with at least two current valves. The apparatus connects a current valve with a respective pole conductor. A cable extends between an end of the phase leg and a capacitor which defines a direct voltage. The cables attached to different poles are arranged close beside each other and are made of an insulation layer of polymer base which surrounds a conductor.

The present invention relates to an apparatus in voltage-stiff converter devices which have at least one phase leg with at least two current valves, for interconnecting the current valves at one end of the phase leg through lines with two different pole conductors of different polarity at a direct voltage side of the converter device. The lines extend between the respective end of a phase leg for connection thereof to the pole conductors, and at least one capacitor defining the direct voltage of the direct voltage network.
Such voltage-stiff converter devices may be voltage-stiff inverters, DC/DC-converters, converters in SVCs or VSC-converters being used for transmitting power between a direct voltage network and an alternating voltage network. This application has recently become known as a result of the thesis "PWM and Control of Two and Three Level High Power Voltage Source Converters" by Anders Lindberg, Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan, Stockholm, 1995. That thesis discloses a plant for transmitting electric power through a direct voltage network for High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) while utilizing such converters. However, the invention is not in any way restricted to exactly this application, although this embodiment will be discussed herein for disclosing the invention and the problems thereof.
When a voltage-stiff converter device is used, a problem arises which does not arise for current-stiff devices. This will be explained by reference to FIG. 1, which, by way of example, shows such a converter device in the form of a VSC-converter 1 having three phase legs 2, 3, 4 each having two current valves 5-10, comprising at least one semiconductor element of a turn-off type, such as an IGBT 11, and a rectifying member in the form of a diode 12 connected in anti-parallel therewith.
The phase legs are each connected to a phase 13, 14, 15 of a three phase alternating voltage network 16. The opposite end of the converter is connected to a direct voltage network 17 with a positive pole conductor 18 and a negative pole conductor 19. Thus, the converter is formed by a so-called six-pulse bridge.
If one considers, for example, phase 15 and assumes that the semiconductor element 11 associated with current valve 10 is turned on, and a current flows from the alternating voltage network through this semiconductor element to the direct voltage network, a turning off of the semiconductor element 11 of the current valve 10 will result in a first continued current from the phase 15 towards the direct voltage network, but now through the diode of the current valve 7. The commutation times are short, and result in comparatively large time differential coefficients for the current results. This makes it desirable to lower the inductance in the commutation circuit, i.e., in the phase leg and in the lines being connected to the different pole conductors of the direct voltage network and to the capacitors defining a direct voltage, to a level as low as possible to avoid unnecessarily high over voltages, thereby resulting in losses in the commutations. The present invention is directed to the problem of reducing the inductance, specifically in the lines of the commutation circuit.
In low or moderate voltages at the direct voltage side of the converter device, air isolation may be used, possibly in combination with insulating material in discs and a comparatively low inductance still may be obtained. However, the air distances between the lines connected to different pole conductors have to be sufficiently large to prevent flash-overs when the voltages are high, so that it is nearly impossible to obtain a sufficiently low inductance. A possible solution of this problem consists of using insulation of mica base of the type utilized in big generators for example, but this solution is too expensive.

Apparatus for interconnection in voltage-stiff converter devices


A device and method capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal using a photoelectric position sensitive detector is provided. The device capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal comprises: a PSD, two current mirrors, a variable optimum constant current source, and a converter. The method capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal comprises: providing a PSD, providing two current mirrors, providing a variable optimum constant current source, and providing a converter to convert a position signal into a frequency via a relationship.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal, and more particularly relates to a device and method capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal using a photoelectric position sensitive detector (PSD).
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art of a photoelectric system capable of displaying a position signal, two terminals of a PSD output two photocurrents when a light spot is detected by the PSD. FIG. 1 shows a device and method of calculating a light spot position according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, two photocurrents (I1, I2) are respectively converted into two voltage signals (Vx1, Vx2) by two operational amplifiers (OP AMP) A1 and A2. An adder outputs a (Vx1+Vx2) voltage signal; a subtracter outputs a (Vx2-Vx1) voltage signal; and a divider outputs a (Vx2-Vx1)/(Vx1+Vx2) i.e. (I2-I1)R1/(I1+I2)R1! voltage signal. The (Vx2-Vx1)/(Vx1+Vx2) voltage signal will be converted into a signal via an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and a single chip microprocessor. Then a signal corresponding to the light spot falling on PSD will be shown on an LCD panel.
However, this kind of prior art has the following disadvantages. First, it is too complicated due to usage of a lot of circuits, for example, a divider, or an A/D converter . . . etc. Second, a DC drift signal due to DC amplifier circuit will influence the displaying result.

Device and method capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal using a photoelectric position sensitive detector


Precharge arrangement for read access for integrated nonvolatile memories having at least one memory cell (2), at least one source line (8), at least one bit line (9), at least one sense amplifier (3) and at least one precharge potential, the bit line (9) continuously having the precharge potential in a deselected state of the bit line (9), and the source line (8) having a predetermined reference potential, in particular a ground potential (10), in a selected state of the bit line (9).

In the case of nonvolatile memories (EEPROM, flash, EPROM, OTP, . . . ), one terminal of the memory cell is always at a fixed potential, for example ground potential. This line is the so-called source line. The other terminal of the memory cell is connected to the so-called bit line. The memory cell is read via the bit line.
If the bit line is not active, that is to say if a read-out operation is not being effected, then the bit line, to which a precharge potential is applied from the previous read-out operation, can be discharged via a conductive memory cell since the memory cell is connected by its other terminal to the source line carrying ground potential.
If the bit line is selected, then its parasitic capacitances have to be charged with the precharge potential by the sense amplifier connected to the bit line. This results in a correspondingly long read access time of the memory cell.
A description has been given of performing the so-called charging of the parasitic capacitances of the bit line prior to the read-out thereof by the sense amplifier in the sequence of the read access by means of a specific arrangement, as disclosed in DE 100 53 956 A1.
In this case, what has proved to be disadvantageous is that the operation of precharging the bit line has to be started at a specific point in time prior to the read-out. This means that it is necessary to generate an additional external signal for precharging of the bit line, it being necessary to effect corresponding processing of this signal and synchronization with the read-out operation. The read access is thus divided into two phases, the phase of precharging the bit line disadvantageously taking up a specific time. Fast sense amplifiers are regulating devices which reach their operating point relatively slowly in the case of a large change in potential, thereby resulting in specific time losses.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,456 describes an integrated, nonvolatile memory in which the bit line selection is not performed in the customary manner by means of a drain-side selection transistor that charges the selected bit line to a specific precharge voltage. Instead, provision is made of a source-side switching transistor that enables, in the selected state, a current flow via the bit line that is fixedly connected to the evaluation device.


A two-step mascara product that includes a first mascara composition and a second mascara composition. The first mascara composition includes a film-forming polymer dispersed in a first carrier, and the second mascara composition includes a film-former selected from the group consisting of tall oil glycerides, pentaerythrityl rosinate, glyceryl rosinate, hydrogenated versions of these and mixtures thereof. The two-step mascara product also includes a package for storing and dispensing each of the first and second mascara compositions. The package includes a first container configured to store and dispense the first mascara composition and a second container configured to store and dispense the second composition.

Mascaras are a major cosmetic product of significant importance to the cosmetic industry. They are used to enhance the beauty of a person's eyes by coating the eyelashes, and in some cases, the eyebrows, to primarily thicken, lengthen, color, curl, and define the individual lashes. There are a variety of mascara formulations including anhydrous formulations, water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, and water-based mascaras, which may contain little or no oil phase. Oil-in-water emulsion mascara formulations typically contain emulsified waxes and polymers, with pigments dispersed into the water phase. The water may provide suitable application properties, while the waxes and polymers help provide transfer resistance to mascara film formed on the lash. Anhydrous and water-in-oil mascaras are sometimes referred to as waterproof mascaras, as they have superior transfer resistance, especially to water. Their high content of hydrophobic materials creates a film which contains very little materials that allow water to break up the film and make it wear away. In the case of the water-in-oil mascaras, the internal droplets of water can deliver water-soluble/dispersible materials that would otherwise not be able to be incorporated into an oily phase. The water-based mascaras are typically gelled water with a polymer to create deposition and hold of the lashes.
Consumers typically expect particular properties from their mascara products such as adhesion to the lashes, lengthening/curling of the lashes, lack of smudging or flaking, thick lashes, and good separation of clumps of lashes. Particularly, the desire is for long, luscious, full, soft, and separated lashes. Mascaras generally distribute a smooth and relatively thin (coating thickness) film over the eyelashes producing a satisfactory array of reasonably separated lashes that are darker and thicker than bare lashes, making the eyes more noticeably beautiful. While mascara may provide a variety of cosmetic benefits, at least some consumers find gloss, color and volume to be particularly important. In order to provide suitable gloss and color, the mascara should form a smooth, continuous film on the eyelash. A film that has a rough or discontinuous surface tends to scatter or fragment the light that reflects off of the eyelash, resulting in an undesirable dull or matte look. Typically, thinner films will usually form a smoother, more continuous surface than thicker films. This is due, at least in part, to the lack of large particles, which are commonly used to thicken a mascara composition.
In contrast, mascaras that form thick films on the eyelashes are typically perceived by consumers to increase the volume of the eyelashes (i.e., "volumizing" mascaras). That is, the user perceives an increase in the thickness of the eyelash along its length (although not necessarily uniformly). However, the presence of the large particles used to thicken these films (i.e., increase the viscosity) may form discontinuities in the surface of the film (e.g., cracks, hills, valleys and the like) that reduce the perceived gloss and color of the mascara. In addition, thicker mascaras are lead to increased clumping, which is the opposition of lash separation. Clumping occurs when adjacent eyelashes stick together and form clumps. Clumping is undesirable because it may give an observer the impression that the user has fewer lashes.
Over the course of a day, conventional mascaras typically wear off relatively quickly, especially when subjected to physical abrasion. Thus, reapplication throughout the day may be necessary. However, there may not be a convenient time or place for the user to reapply the mascara. As a result, these users may sacrifice the look they desire because they simply do not have the time or the desire or continually reapply mascara. In addition, even though conventional mascara typically wears off over the course of a day, a small amount may remain at the end of the day when the user goes to sleep. If this small amount of mascara remaining on the eyelashes at night is not removed, it may be undesirably transferred onto a sleeping surface (e.g., pillows, sheets, covers, bed clothes).
"Long Wear" mascaras are known, and may overcome some of the issues related to maintaining a "newly applied mascara" look throughout the day without the drawbacks of reapplication. But "long" is a relative term, and while existing long wear mascaras are intended to reduce or eliminate reapplication throughout the day, they are generally not suitable for multi-day wear. In some instances, the conventional long-wear mascara may not even provide a suitable look for 24 hours. Another problem sometimes associated with at least some conventional long-wear mascaras is the lack of volume they impart to the eyelashes.
Mascara compositions are generally applied to a keratinous surface using an applicator, sometimes referred to as a mascara brush or comb. When using a brush, the mascara is typically removed from a reservoir by placing the brush in the mascara reservoir and removing it. Excess mascara is removed from the brush with a wiper that contacts the distal ends of the bristles of the mascara brush as the brush is removed from the reservoir. The mascara that remains on the brush tends to be disposed around the core of the brush or flow toward the core. When the brush is contacted with the eyelashes of a user, the bristles separate the eyelashes such that the separated eyelashes can come into contact the core of the brush to receive the mascara disposed thereon.
There are generally two types of mascara brushes: molded plastic brushes and twisted-wire brushes. Plastic molded brushes are commonly formed from a thermoplastic material in an injection mold or similar process. Molded brushes typically have bristles arranged uniformly in rows with relatively wide spaces between the bristles. Mascaras having a relatively higher viscosity, such as some conventional volumizing mascaras, work well with a molded plastic brush for high levels of look control because the larger spaces between the bristles of the molded plastic brush are suitable for receiving the thicker composition (i.e., the composition flows more easily between the bristles). In contrast to a molded plastic brush, the bristles of a twisted-wire brush are generally spaced more closely together, and generally do not form well defined rows. This reduced space between bristles results in more resistance to flow for a higher viscosity mascara composition. Twisted-wire brushes are typically formed by placing a plurality of bristles between two parallel metal wires and then twisting the wires together in a helical or helix-like (e.g., coiled or spiral) configuration to trap and hold the bristles between the wires. It is not uncommon for the bristles of a twisted-wire brush to appear to be randomly distributed on the core.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a mascara product that lasts more than 24 hours and achieves the desired look of current mascaras and the consumer desired feel.


Provided is a method for fabricating a metal oxide thin film in which a metal oxide generated by a chemical reaction between a first reactant and a second reactant is deposited on the surface of a substrate as a thin film. The method involves introducing a first reactant containing a metal-organic compound into a reaction chamber including a substrate; and introducing a second reactant containing alcohol. Direct oxidation of a substrate or a deposition surface is suppressed by a reactant gas during the deposition process, as it uses alcohol vapor including no radical oxygen as a reactant gas for the deposition of a thin film. Also, since the thin film is deposited by the thermal decomposition, which is caused by the chemical reaction between the alcohol vapor and a precursor, the deposition rate is fast. Particularly, the deposition rate is also fast when a metal-organic complex with β-diketone ligands is used as a precursor. Further, a thin film with low leakage current can be obtained as the metal oxide thin film fabrication method using a chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition method grows a thin film with fine microstructure.

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2002-18026, filed Apr. 2, 2002, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a metal oxide thin film by using a chemical vapor deposition method or atomic layer deposition method, and more particularly, to a method for fabricating a metal oxide thin film by using a chemical vapor deposition method or an atomic layer deposition method which uses alcohol vapor as a reactant gas.
2. Description of the Related Art
A chemical vapor deposition method is widely used for forming oxides, nitrides and sulfides of a metal, and metallic thin films. It is also used for forming a polymer or organic thin film. Since thin films fabricated by the chemical vapor deposition method have a characteristic of uniform step coverage in a three-dimensional structure, the chemical vapor deposition is extensively used as a fabrication method of highly integrated devices, particularly, in the semiconductor field.
Also, researchers are actively studying on an atomic layer deposition method, which is an advanced form of the chemical vapor deposition, for fabrication of ultra-thin films because perfect step coverage can be obtained from the method, even though there is a shortcoming of slow deposition rate [Nanotechnology 10, pp. 19–24, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,430].
In general, multi-component oxide films, such as BST, STO and PZT, are fabricated by decomposing a precursor in the form of a metal-organic compound comprising metal ions and ligands. The most popular ligands are of β-diketone group [Materials Science Forum Vol. 137–139, pp.473–494, 1993]. As for reactant gases to decompose them, oxygen-containing gases such as oxygen (O2) and ozone have been mostly used [Chem. Vap. Deposition 7, pp.146–149, 2001; and Integrated Ferroelectrics 30, pp.45–52, 2000]
However, the oxygen-containing gases have a shortcoming of forming a second oxide layer, because they oxidize the deposition surface as well as the precursor. For example, when an oxide film is formed on silicon, which is quick to be oxidized, by using an oxygen-containing gas, a second oxide film is formed between the silicon and the oxide film [Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 37, pp.3396–3401, 1998; and Chem. Mater. 13, pp.2463–2464, 2001].
Recently, many researchers are studying on the atomic layer deposition of a metal oxide film by using a metal-organic precursor. Here, H2O, which is usually used in this process, hinders a process control, because once H2O is adsorbed into vacuum equipment during process, it is hardly removed [Materials Science and Engineering B41, pp.23–29, 1996].
Besides, since the atomic layer deposition is a method that forms a thin film by the surface reaction between the precursors adsorbed on the surface and the reactant gas, precursors with high reactivity, such as cyclopentadienyl group, alkoxide group or halide group are required necessarily [Science 288, pp.319–321, 2000].
However, as those precursors with high reactivity have a low chemical and thermal stability, it is difficult to secure reproductivity and reliability in the deposition process. On the other hand, precursors of β-diketone group have a relatively excellent chemical, thermal stability, but too low reactivity to be used in the atomic layer deposition. Thus, in order to activate surface reaction, deposition temperature should be raised, or gases with high reactivity such as ozone should be used. Otherwise, plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) method using plasma should be used [J. Mater. Chem. 7, pp.449–454, 1997; and Korean patent application laid-open publication No. 2000-0049298].

Chemical vapor deposition method using alcohol for forming metal oxide thin film


A technique for locating stationary magnetic objects comprises placing magnetic sensors on a movable platform; for each sensor, measuring a total magnetic field signal in an area of detection; using the sensors to identify a line upon which a target stationary magnetic object is located; and fixing a location of the object by moving the platform in substantially straight lines until the object is detected by at least two of the sensors; using the measured signals to determine a first path on which the object lies; positioning the sensors so that a line connecting two of the sensors intersects the first path on which the object lies; moving the platform along a second path substantially parallel to the first path; recording two positions at which at least two of the sensors detect a maximum total magnetic field signal from the object; and identifying a third path through the two positions.

1. Technical Field
The embodiments herein generally relate to magnetic sensing, and, more particularly, to locating magnetic objects.
2. Description of the Related Art
A system and method for tracking magnetic objects is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,123 (hereinafter referred to as "the '123 patent"), the complete disclosure of which, in its entirety, is herein incorporated by reference. As the '123 patent describes, all types of land vehicles, ships, and aircraft have structural and power systems capable of generating substantial magnetic signatures. Even small objects may exhibit sufficient magnetization to be observed from a distance. These applications include covert handgun detection to protect buildings and their occupants; pinpointing unexploded ordnance at converted military bases; and locating the position and depth of underground pipes prior to construction activities. The ability to track magnetic objects is also crucially important in other areas, such as medicine. For example, controlling the orientation, forces, and/or motion of internally implanted devices.
A variety of magnetic sensor data processing algorithms, methods, systems and devices thereof capable of localizing, quantifying, and classifying objects based on their magnetic fields and magnetic signatures have been developed. Some conventional techniques detect, locate, and classify magnetic objects based on a large set of measurements distributed over space and/or time. Some conventional techniques involve using measurements of an object's magnetic dipole moment, or are based on electromagnetic anomaly detection technology, which senses an electromagnetic anomaly and pinpoints it as close to real time. Such a technique can measure how close a target is located to a sensor head, while locating the target or magnetic object in three dimensions and thereafter evaluating its orientation.
One of the problems associated with such conventional techniques for tracking magnetic objects is that they are generally based on the utilization of three components of a detected magnetic field. Typically, if measurements of the vector magnetic-field are made, great care must be taken to minimize rotational vibrations. However, because the earth's magnetic field is so large (i.e. on an order 50,000 nT), it is generally difficult to differentiate rotational vibrations from signals from an object.
Programs and methodologies based on such techniques typically require the inversion of a matrix and additionally require a relatively great deal of processing time. Such programs and methodologies also usually require obtaining measurements from several sensors simultaneously. In order to perform several measurements on nearby weak sources and to avoid rotational vibrations, the sensors should be placed close to one another on a rigid frame. If the sensors are configured in this manner, the difference between the signals from strong distant sources is generally small. Additionally, obtaining accurate measurements of these small differences requires expensive sensors and the use of gradiometer algorithms. Unfortunately, such techniques are generally time consuming and also inefficient. While the '123 patent provides a valuable technique for overcoming the problems of the conventional techniques for finding the track of magnetic objects, there remains a need for finding the position of the target as a function of time on the track of magnetic objects.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


The invention relates to methods useful in identifying molecules that bind TRPM5, which modulate TRPM5 ion channel activity, and/or which alter expression of TRPM5 within cells. The TRPM5 channels as described herein contain TRPM5 polypeptides, which are in turn encoded by TRPM5 nucleic acids. The ion channels described herein are preferably formed in HEK-293 cells from one or more novel TRPM5 polypeptides, which exhibit one or more of the unique TRPM5 properties described herein.

Ion channels are transmembrane multi-subunit proteins embedded in the cellular plasma membranes of living cells which permit the passage of specific ions from the extracellular side of the plasma membrane to the intracellular region of the cell. Specific ion transport is facilitated by a central aqueous pore which is capable of opening and closing due to changes in pore conformation. When the ion gate is open, ions flow freely through the channel. When the ion gate is closed, ions are prevented from permeating the channel. Ion channels are found in a multitude of multicellular eukaryotic species and in a myriad of different cell types. Ion channels may be either voltage-gated or ligand-gated. Channel gating is the process by which a particular channel is either open or closed. An ion channel may be capable of occupying a range of different "open" or "closed" states. The gating process may therefore require a particular sequence of transition states or inclusion of alternative transition states before a channel attains a particular level of gating. The gating process is modulated by a substance or agent, which in some way alters or affects the manner in which the channel opens or closes. A channel may be gated by a ligand such as a neurotransmitter, an internal primary or secondary messenger, or other bioactive agent. The ligand either attaches to one or more binding sites on the channel protein or attaches to a receptor that is associated with the channel. If the channel is voltage-gated, changes in the membrane potential trigger channel gating by conformational changes of charged elements within the channel protein. Whether a channel is ligand-gated or voltage-gated, a change in one part of the channel produces an effect in a different part of the channel which results in the opening or closing of a permeant pathway.
Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins are a diverse family of proteins with structural features typical of ion channels. TRP proteins are expressed in a verity of organisms, tissues, and cell types, including electrically excitable and nonexcitable cells. The TRP channels have been divided into three main subfamilies: TRPC for "canonical", TRPM for "melastinin-like", and TRPV for "vanilloid-receptor-like".5 All TRP channels discovered thus far are composed of six putative transmembrane domains and a slightly hydrophobic pore-forming region. Both the N- and C-terminal domains of the TRP proteins are intracytoplasmic. Despite these similarities of structure, the functions of TRP channels are different from one channel to another, even amongst the members of the same subfamily.
The human TPRM subfamily currently consists of eight members. The activation mechanisms of several TPRM proteins have been elucidated and each has been shown to have specific ion selectivity and a particular mechanism of action.

Methods of screening for TRPM5 modulators


A mechanical apparatus for suturing biological tissue, or ligating a biological tube or duct, in remote or otherwise inaccessible areas such as internal body cavities. The suturing apparatus includes an elongated housing, a head assembly pivotally mounted to the elongated housing capable of independent articulation, a continuous loop belt mounted within the elongated housing and head assembly for circulation therein, an arcuate needle mounted in the head for 360.degree. rotation having a plurality of projecting means for engaging the continuous loop belt, means for articulating the head assembly from a position outside a patient's body, and means for circulating the continuous loop drive belt. A kit for suturing biological tissue, or ligating a biological tube or duct, comprising a cannula and a mechanical apparatus for suturing or ligating as described above, configured and dimensioned to be slidingly received in the cannula.

Various forms of suturing devices are known in the art, and those which utilize a curved needle are particularly relevant to the present invention. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,027,608 and 4,235,177 to Arbuckle, 4,406,237 to Eguchi et al., 4,417,532 to Yasukata, and 4,440,171 to Nomoto et al. describe suturing devices that use a reciprocating curved needle and means for looping and/or securing a suture thread; U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,265 to Andersson, describes a suturing device and method for moving an arcuate needle in a closed path through opposite edges of a tissue incision to complete a suture; U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,746 to Brunk describes a suturing device incorporating a curved needle into a motor driven cassette; and, U.K. Patent No. 18,602 to Mitchell describes a suturing device utilizing an arcuate needle having two recesses on remote ends of the needle which are capable of being engaged by two mating tooth-like projections on the surface of a band.
There are various drawbacks, however, with the prior art. For instance, the apparatuses described in Arbuckle, Eguchi, Yasukata and Nomoto use a reciprocating needle. These devices therefore require an added mechanism for looping and/or securing the suture thread. The added mechanism, however, unnecessarily increases the size of the suturing device making it impractical for suturing in small or crowded areas, such as, internal body cavities. Notwithstanding that problem, the added mechanism is also less efficient for tying a suture knot when compared to the semi-automatic knot tying capabilities of the present invention.
There are prior art devices which do not require the added thread looping mechanism. In general, these devices utilize a fully rotating arcuate needle. These instruments, however, pose a potential health risk to surgery patients. For instance, instruments as described in Andersson and Brunk both utilize friction rollers to drive a curved suturing needle through biological tissue. The suturing needle, however, does not positively engage the friction rollers (and vice versa), and therefore, the needle is not prevented from slipping and embedding in a patient. This most likely occurs when the needle encounters a friction force from the tissue being sutured greater than the friction force of the rollers driving the needle. Needle slippage can be avoided by ensuring positive engagement of the needle with a driving mechanism like the apparatus described in Mitchell. However, even the Mitchell apparatus, poses the same risk of embedding the needle in a patient where either tooth on the band fails to engage with its sole mating recess on the needle. Therefore, as evidenced by the prior art, there is a need for a suturing apparatus which overcomes these apparent problems.
Also known in the art are suturing instruments for arthroscopic surgery, laparoscopic procedures, and other small-scale surgical applications. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,822,330 to Ainslie, 3,871,379 to Clarke, 4,597,390 and 4,621,640 to Mulhollan et al., 4,781,190 to Lee, 4,923,461 and 4,957,498 to Caspari et al., 5,047,039 to Avant et al., and 5,059,201 to Asnis describe devices related to these medical procedures. None of these devices, however, utilize an arcuate suturing needle. As a result, these devices are bulkier, less efficient and less accurate for performing such procedures than the present invention described herein.


A figure light, which includes a figured support having an inner rail, an outer rail and a plurality of locating blocks connected in parallel between the rails, and a plurality of elastic lamp sockets respectively fastened to the locating blocks to hold a respective bulb, the lamp sockets each a hook respectively hooked on the locating blocks.

The present invention relates to a figure light, in which the lamp socket of each of the lights has a hook for quick installed in a respective locating block between an inner rail and outer rail of a figured support.
In certain holidays, decorative strings and light sets may be hung on trees, buildings, etc. and operated to produce a lighting effect at night. Recently, net lights, knitting lights and figure lights have been intensively used instead of conventional decorative strings and light sets. Net lights and knitting lights are relatively expensive. Figure lights are less expensive, and can easily made subject to the desired pattern. A regular figure light is generally comprised of a figured support, and a plurality of lights installed in the figured support. The figured support is a flat board injection-molded from plastics subject to the desired shape, for example, a tree, star, or Santa Claus, having a plurality of mounting through holes. The plastic lamp sockets of the lights are respectively press-fitted into the mounting through holes at the figured support. Because the lights are fastened to the figured support simply by inserting the respective plastic lamp sockets into the mounting through holes at the figured support, the lights tend to be forced away from the figured support.


Racks of modules especially useful for retaining disk drives, tape drives, controllers, computers and the like are fabricated via use of tower building blocks. Each block contains a latch arrangement for securing it to another block, a base unit or a cap unit with the latch effecting interlocking of the blocks so as to form a sturdy assembled structure. Power and/or electrical communication lines are provided in each block with power passing through one vertical array of blocks and electrical communications passing through the other so as to reduce the need for shielding one from the other. An arrangement of alignment pins and mating receptacle holes in conjunction with selected placement of sliding latch elements can facilitate proper coupling of blocks which have similar electrical path boards therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to structure and processes for retaining electronic modules and components in physical and operative interrelationship to each other. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with apparatus and methods for stacking and interconnecting a multiplicity of electronic units in a mechanically and electrically interconnected relationship. Columnar racks of electronic equipment are established through use of the present invention.


The ramming device comprises a ramming element to be assigned to the end of a rock breaker. The inventive device receives the shocks generated by the rock breaker and transmits them to fragments to be compacted. The ramming device also has a frame comprising: positioning structure for positioning relative to the rock-breaker so that the axis of the frame is coincident with the axis of the rock breaker; joining structure that enable the temporary and removable fixing of the frame to the end of the rock breaker; axially translational guiding structure for guiding the ramming element relative to the frame; structure for blocking the rotation of the ramming element about the axis of the frame, and; structure for limiting the amplitude of this translation.

Jackhammers, for example hydraulic jackhammers, are used to break up hard ground coverings or layers and to shatter blocks of rock or concrete during groundwork or demolition operations.
The operations of digging and then backfilling trenches usually require, in addition to a jackhammer, other equipment for clearing or compacting the fragments obtained.
Specific compacting machines may be used, such as a plate vibrator or a vibratory rammer, but they are costly and bulky on the worksite. That is why more flexible solutions have been envisaged, consisting in mounting on the jackhammer a compacting member whose upper portion forms an arm designed to allow attachment to the jackhammer and whose lower portion has the shape of a compacting plate.

Ramming device to be assigned to a rock breaker


A new Dahlia plant particularly distinguished by a dark-red flower color, a compact, and semi-upright habit and good basal branching, is disclosed.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Dahlia, botanically known as Dahlia sp., and hereinafter referred to by the variety name 'KLEDH13037'. 'KLEDH13037' originated from an open-pollination conducted in Summer 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietary female Dahlia variety 'DH-2009-0559' (unpatented) and an unknown male Dahlia variety (unpatented).
The seeds from the open-pollination were sown and plants were grown in a greenhouse for evaluation, where an individual plant designated 'KLEDH13037' was selected from the group in May 2010 of plants in Stuttgart, Germany. In May 2010, 'KLEDH13037' was first vegetatively propagated by unrooted cuttings. 'KLEDH13037' was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via unrooted cuttings.


An organic electroluminescent device induces optical resonance with a simple structure, the organic electroluminescent device including: a transparent substrate; a semi-transparent layer formed on the transparent substrate; a first anode layer formed on the semi-transparent layer as a predetermined pattern; a cathode layer formed of a metallic total reflection layer on the first anode layer; and an organic layer formed between the first anode layer and the cathode layer, which includes at least an emitting layer, wherein an optical distance between a top surface of the semi-transparent layer and a bottom of the cathode layer is determined to be a least integer multiple of half the peak wavelengths of light of a predetermined set of colors. Due to a resonance effect of the organic electroluminescent device, the emission efficiency of wavelengths of light of different colors is improved, and high-purity quality pictures may be displayed on the organic electroluminescent device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device, and more particularly, to an organic electroluminescent device using an optical resonance effect.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electroluminescent (EL) display devices may be classified into inorganic and organic devices depending on the material composing their emitter layers.
In organic EL devices, externally injected electrons and holes combine in an emitter layer and dissipate to generate excitons. As these excitons transit from an excited state to a base state, energy is transferred to fluorescent molecules in the emitter layer, enabling the molecules to emit light and display images. For every three triplet excitons, only a singlet exciton is generated, the energy level of which is different from that of the triplet excitons. Energy from singlet excitons is used for luminescence, whereas energy from triplet excitons is converted into thermal energy.
Organic EL devices provide a greater brightness, a greater driving voltage, a faster response rate, a wider viewing angle, and a sharper contrast, as compared with inorganic EL devices, and advantageously may display a range of colors. Thus, organic EL devices have received considerable attention and are regarded as the next-generation of display devices.
A general organic EL device includes an anode layer formed as a predetermined pattern on a substrate, a hole transporting layer, an emissive layer, and an electron transporting layer, which are sequentially stacked upon one another, and a cathode layer formed as a predetermined pattern intersecting the pattern of the anode layer at a right angle. All of the hole transporting layer, the emissive layer, and the electron transporting layer are organic thin films formed of organic substances.
Conventional organic EL devices are disadvantageous, for example, in terms of luminance, power consumption, and lifetime, due to their low luminance efficiency. Especially for organic EL devices which contain low molecular weight fluorescent dyes, emission efficiency is very low due to a low maximum emission efficiency of 25% from singlet excitons, reduced external light emission caused by internal total reflection, destructive interference with light reflected from the cathode layer, and light absorption by a polarizing plane. Therefore, high-luminance, low-power display devices may not be realized with such conventional organic EL devices. Furthermore, conventional organic EL devices have wide photoluminescent spectra, so that color purity is reduced.
To resolve the problems of conventional organic EL devices, use of a half mirror formed by alternatively depositing high refractive index layers and low refractive index layers, which is based on the concept of an optical microcavity, to adjust reflectivity.
FIG. 1A is a sectional view of a conventional organic EL device, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged sectional view of a half mirror.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a conventional organic EL device may include a half mirror 12 deposited on a silicon oxide substrate 11 as a stack of multiple layers, an indium tin oxide (ITO) anode layer 13, a triphenyl diamine derivative (TAD) layer 14, an ALQ (Trix-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum) layer 15, and a metal anode layer 16 having a predetermined pattern, which are sequentially stacked upon one another. Here, ITO has a refractive index of 1.7–2.1, and ALQ and TAD have a refractive index of 1.7.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the half mirror 12 includes a total of six layers, including alternating large refractive index TiO2 layers 12a having a refractive index of 2.3, and low refractive index SIO2 layers 12b having a refractive index of 1.4.
In such a half mirror having the stacked structure, there is a need to stack more layers for improved reflection characteristics. However, the organic EL device suggested by the prior art requires accurate control regarding the number and the thickness of layers to be stacked to control the reflectance of light having a particular wavelength, which complicates the manufacturing process.

Organic electroluminescent device using optical resonance effect


The present invention is directed to a system and method for the secure and correct deletion of data files from a data storage that bypasses the file system of an operating system. A secure erase service receives a secure erase request from a system interceptor component, which has intercepted a system call from an application. The system call interceptor component communicates with the secure erase service via an interprocess communication module. The secure erase service receives the secure erase request from the interprocess communication module and communicates the secure erase request to a secure erase library. Using the file information contained in the secure erase request, the secure erase library queries the file system of the data storage device to determine the location of data blocks containing the to be deleted data. Once, the location of the data blocks has been determined, the secure erase library then instructs the device driver, via a virtual file system, to overwrite the data blocks storing the electronic file a predetermined number of times.

This invention teaches a system and method for the secure deletion of files on a hard drive. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for securely erasing data files while bypassing the file system of the operating system.
Data security and protection are major issues in the present socio-economic environment. Businesses and individuals need to maintain their privacy in an ever increasing information-based society. Such privacy typically extends to the personal and proprietary files stored on non-volatile storage media, such as computer hard drives. Most operating systems fail to delete a file from the hard drive when instructed to do so by an application or a user. Instead, operating systems remove the link, or address, of the file, while the contents of the electronic data file remain in blocks on the non-volatile storage media. The data remains on the storage media until that area of the media is required for storing some other file. The blocks are only then overwritten with the new data. Until such overwriting, a skilled computer expert can retrieve the deleted data from the non-volatile storage media. Previous attempts have been made to overwrite, or securely delete, the data blocks in the past.
In some operating systems, such as Windows® by Microsoft Corporation, the overwriting tasks are easier than in others, such as Linux, an open-source operating system freely available and widely used. Third-party vendors offer a variety of secure delete applications for the Windows® operating system. Linux, in contrast has relatively few such utilities available. Those utilities that are available have several problems. For example, the utilities typically rely on the underlying file system to write to the non-volatile storage media, resulting in errors in the overwriting of the original data blocks In addition, the utilities require distinct user interaction, i.e., they cannot be initiated automatically by an application. Additionally, operating systems such as the Linux operating system will typically allocate time slices for overwrite operations. Thus, the overwrite operations may be deferred while other tasks are being executed. In an extreme case, application termination or hardware failure may result in an abort of an overwrite procedure, resulting in data still being recoverable.
Thus there is a need for a system and method to securely and correctly erase data files from a data storage that bypasses the file system.


A device positionable upstream from a shower nozzle for dispensing solid, water-soluble or water-dispersible materials is disclosed. The device includes a tubular body (1) of which a first end (2) has a circular flange (3) and comprises an internal thread (4) defining a first shoulder (5), and a second end is threaded; and a cylindrical coupling portion (6) comprising a circular abutment (7) and two threads on either side thereof, i.e., a first or outer thread (8) with a diameter suitable for engagement with a shower hose, and a second or internal thread (9) with a diameter suitable for screwing said portion (6) into the second end of the body (1). The end of said internal thread forms a second shoulder (10). A chamber (11) is defined inside said body (1) between the first (5) and second (10) shoulders, whereat the wall of said body (1) comprises a window (12) for inserting a solid material into said chamber (4). A sealing ring (14) is positioned around said body (1) and slidable between the circular flange (3) and the circular abutment (7).

The present invention relates to a device positionable upstream from a shower nozzle for dispensing solid, water-soluble or water-dispersible materials.
Shower users have wished to find again or to find in the shower the possibility of receiving water charged with a foaming or perfumed or washing product: just as the person in his bath can add foaming or perfumed or washing products to the water.
Until the present, shower users have had two possibilities: either using devices only distributing such products solely in liquid form, or covering themselves with such products before any washing or rinsing.

Device positionable upstream from a shower nozzle for dispensing solid, water-soluble or water-dispersible materials


A system for analyzing the operation of a switching power converter includes a digital controller for receiving an analog signal representing the output DC voltage of the power converter for comparison to a desired output voltage level and generating switching control signals to control the operation of the power supply to regulate the output DC voltage to said output voltage level. At least one portion of a control loop within the digital controller may be switched into the control loop in a first mode of operation and out of the control loop in a second mode of operation. A microcontroller emulates the operation of the at least one portion of the control loop during the second mode of operation.

DC-DC power converters are utilized in situations where one DC voltage is converted to another DC voltage. In one application, that associated with PC based systems, the processor requires a fairly low voltage and a fairly high current. Rather than convert an incoming AC voltage down to a very low DC voltage and then route the low DC voltage across a PC board, a higher DC voltage is output by the power supply, routed around to the various components on the PC board and then, proximate to the processor, the voltage is down converted to a very low level on the order of 1.0 V. This requires a conversion device to be disposed proximate to one or more high current integrated circuits on the board.
Typical DC-DC converters are fabricated using a switching supply that utilizes a switched inductor or capacitor configuration with the input DC voltage switched to the input thereof with a periodically waveform operating at a preset switching frequency with a varying duty cycle. By sensing the output voltage and comparing it with a desired voltage, the duty cycle of the waveform can be adjusted to control the amount of current supplied to the reactive components. This control is facilitated with a negative feedback control loop.
There are two types of feedback loops, an analog feedback loop and a digital feedback loop. The analog feedback loop is well understood and provides some advantages over the other type of feedback loop, the digital feedback loop. Each of the feedback loops has associated therewith a voltage sense input for sensing the supply output voltage and a pulse width modulator (PWM) for generating switching pulses for driving switches. The sensed voltage is compared in the analog domain to a desired operating DC voltage to generate an error voltage that is reduced to essentially zero volts at regulation. To compensate for loop phase shift, there is provided a compensator. This provides some phase lead in the feedback loop for the purpose of loop stability. The digital controller portion of the digital feedback loop is similar to the analog feedback loop. The voltage signal sense input utilizes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert the output voltage to a digital value and then compare this to a desired voltage to determine the difference voltage as an error voltage. A digital compensator then provides some phase lead to the feedback to maintain stability in the control loop. This digital error voltage is then converted into a varying pulse width for output to the driving switches on the switching converter. This in effect is a digital-to-analog converter. Typical switching converters such as buck converters can utilize single or multiple phases to facilitate the switching operation.
The desired operation of the components of the power converter may be analyzed externally by, for example, mathematically modeling the transfer function or other operating characteristics of particular desired components or of the system as a whole. The limitations of these analysis tools arise due to the fact that they are only models of the system and inherently include some assumptions that may or may not accurately reflect the actual operation of the system. Thus, a method for more accurately determining the operation of the power converter or its components would be greatly desirable.

In system analysis and compensation for a digital PWM controller


The disclosure relates to the development of methods for making hematopoietic stem cells from differentiated cells by introducing and expressing transcription factors. More particularly, the disclosure provides methods for redirecting differentiated cells to a hematopoietic stem cell state or to a hemogenic endothelial cell state by direct programming with specific combinations of transcription factors.

Bone marrow (BM) transplantation was the first and continues to be the most successful example of a stem cell-based therapy. Nevertheless, there remains a constant, critical shortage of stem cells to meet the needs of patients suffering from hematological or other diseases requiring BM transplantation. This shortage is due to a lack of sufficient numbers of immunologically compatible donors and the limited numbers of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) contained within a donor product, especially in umbilical cord blood transplantation.
HSC transplantation (HSCT) was the first successful example of a stem cell-based treatment. The systematic application of HSCT, however, has been limited by the availability of matching donors, by administration of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent transplant rejection, and by the limited HSC number/availability.
Direct programming of HSCs from reprogramming differentiated cells, whether from the individual patient or a suitable donor, offers an exciting alternative to overcome these limitations. This reprogramming of differentiated cells to HSCs also avoids ethical issues associated with the use of HSCs derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and circumvents complete induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming to pluripotency with subsequent directed differentiation to hematopoietic cells. Indeed, the directed differentiation of either ESCs or iPSCs to bona fide HSCs remains elusive. Direct programming of HSCs could provide a universal and unlimited source material for cell replacement therapy of hematological diseases.
Reprogramming cell identity holds great promise for biomedicine as a major source of patient-specific cell-types for transplantation-based therapies. While reprogramming was achieved towards pluripotent and some differentiated cell fates, the direct programming of multipotent adult stem cells, such as HSCs remain to be accomplished.
HSCs continuously replenish all blood cell lineages. Their hallmark property is the ability to strike a balance between self-renewal and differentiation to form mature blood. The transcriptional regulatory network of HSCs is just starting to be addressed on a global scale. Genome-wide binding maps of transcription regulators and gain-of-function screening approaches recently have provided global insight on the combinatorial transcriptional control of HSCs (Wilson et al., Cell Stem Cell 7:532-44, 2010; Deneault et al., Cell 137: 369-79, 2009). Seminal experiments by Yamanaka and colleagues showed that retroviral-mediated expression of Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4 could drive mouse and human fibroblasts into an iPSC state (Takahashi et al., Cell 126: 663-76, 2006; Takahashi et al., Cell 131: 861-72, 2007). These pioneering studies have illustrated the importance of a limited combination of transcription factors for the induction of pluripotency. Later studies have shown that certain factors could be replaced with small molecules and the direct conversion towards other cell identities (Hanna et al., Cell 143: 508-25, 2010). In this way, for example, the transcription factors C/EBPα/β and PU.1 were found to induce a macrophage fate in lymphoid cells and fibroblasts (Xie et al., Cell 117: 663-76, 2004; Feng et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105: 6057-62, 2008); Ascl1, Brn2/Pou3f2 and Mytl1 to induce neuronal identity in fibroblasts (Vierbuchen et al., Nature 463:1035-41, 2010); Gata4, Mef2c and Tbx5 to induce fibroblasts to cardiomyocytes (Leda et al., Cell 142: 375-86, 2010); Ngn3, Pdx1, and Mafa reprogram pancreatic exocrine cells to beta cells (Zhou et al., Nature 425:627-632, 2008); and Gata4, Hnf1a and FoxA3 induce hepatocyte-like cells from mouse fibroblasts (Huang et al., Nature 475:386-391, 2011). In addition, it recently was reported that overexpression of Oct4 together with specific cytokine treatment can direct fibroblasts to a myeloid/erythroid progenitor cell fate (Szabo et al, Nature 468: 521-6, 2010). It is unclear, however, if Oct4 acts by inducing de-differentiation or by mimicking the action of the family member Oct1 which is expressed in hematopoietic tissues. The hematopoietic progenitors generated do not retain self-renewal and the same degree of multipotency as HSCs, e.g., hematopoietic progenitors do not give rise to lymphoid cells.
Collectively, these direct reprogramming results raise the question of whether there is a particular transcription factor signature that can be used for programming adult somatic stem cells that self-renew and are able to differentiate in all lineages of the hemato-lymphoid system. To date, direct programming of differentiated cells to bona fide HSCs or primitive hematopoietic progenitors has not been demonstrated.
Thus, the art to date does not disclose methods for the direct programming of HSCs. Accordingly, a strong need in the art exists for a method of programming differentiated cells into HSCs. The following disclosure describes the specifics of such a method.

Methods for programming differentiated cells into hematopoietic stem cells


An OLED device and a manufacturing method thereof and a display apparatus are provided. The OLED device comprises: a substrate, and a first electrode, an organic material function layer and a second electrode which are sequentially provided on the substrate. The OLED device further comprises an uneven layer provided between the first electrode and the substrate, and a surface of the uneven layer corresponding to the first electrode and away from the substrate is not even. The first electrode and/or the second electrode provided on a light output side of the OLED device comprise(s) a metal layer.

Organic Light Emitting Diode (abbreviated to OLED) is an organic thin film electroluminescent device with the advantages of uncomplicated manufacturing process, low cost, suitable for flexible structure, wide viewing angle and the like. Therefore, OLED based display technology has been an important display technology.
At present, light output efficiency of the OLED is relatively low, generally speaking, only a little amount of light is extracted to the environment. One reason thereof is that when the light from light-emitting layer is incident onto an even surface of a metal electrode, surface plasma electromagnetic waves generated thereby are unable to be extracted to the environment as these electromagnetic waves propagate transversely along the even surface of the metal electrode.

OLED device and manufacturing method thereof and display apparatus


In the preparation of a ink jet recording head by coating positive photoresist containing naphthoquinone diazide on a substrate, patterning the positive photoresist, then coating a photocurable material for liquid path formation, photocuring said material and dissolving the patterned photoresist thereby forming liquid paths, the patterned positive photoresist is subjected to flush exposure and degassing prior to the coating of the liquid path forming material in order to discharge the bubbles from the photoresist and to prevent eventual deformation of said material by the migrating bubbles generated from the positive photoresist.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing a liquid discharge recording head for discharging liquid droplets, adapted for use in a liquid discharge recording apparatus which effects recording by discharging droplets of recording liquid such as ink from discharge openings and depositing said liquid droplets onto a recording medium such as paper.
2. Related Background Art
The liquid discharge recording head employed in the liquid discharge recording (ink jet recording) is generally provided with fine liquid discharge apertures (orifices), liquid paths and energy generating units for liquid discharge, provided in a part of said liquid paths. For producing such recording head, there is known a method as disclosed in the Japanese Patent Laid-open Application Nos. 61-154947 and 62-253457, which will be explained in the following with reference to FIG. 1
At first, on a substrate 1, there is formed a layer of photosensitive resin (positive photoresist) 2 (FIG. 1A). The substrate is composed for example of glass, ceramics, plastics or metal, and is provided, in desired positions thereon, with a desired number of liquid discharge energy generating elements such as electrothermal converters or piezoelectric elements, and with wirings for connecting said elements with control signal input electrodes for activating said elements. Then the photosensitive resin layer on the substrate 1 is exposed to light through a mask 3 (FIG. 1B), and is patterned by development, whereby a solid layer is formed on the substrate (FIG. 1C). Then the patterned solid layer is covered with a liquid path forming material 5 curable with an actinic energy ray (FIG. 1D), and the material is cured by the irradiation with actinic energy ray (FIG. 1E). Finally the patterned solid layer is dissolved with an organic solvent such as halogenated hydrocarbon, ketone, ester, ether or alcohol, or aqueous alkali solution such as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, whereby liquid paths 6 are formed (FIG. 1F).
The above-explained method generally employs, as the photosensitive resin material for forming the solid layer, positive photoresist containing a naphthoquinone diazide derivative. Said naphthoquinone diazide derivative, employed in the positive photoresist, is known to generate nitrogen gas, according to the following chemical reaction, under the light irradiation in air at room temperature: ##STR1##
As indene carboxylic acid generated by the above-mentioned reaction is easily soluble in aqueous alkali solution, the exposed area can be easily removed with aqueous alkali solution, whereby the patterning can be achieved.
On the other hand, if the liquid path forming material, to be coated on the patterned solid layer, is curable with light, there is required flush exposure for curing of said material. In such flush exposure, the exposing light also reaches the patterned positive photoresist, thus inducing the above-mentioned reaction and generating nitrogen gas therein. Since the photosensitivity of positive photoresist is generally higher than that of the light-curable material, the nitrogen gas generated from the positive photoresist intrudes the liquid path forming material provided on the patterned photoresist and remain as bubbles in said material when it is cured. For this reason, there are encountered drawbacks of deformation of the liquid paths finally formed by the removal of the patterned positive photoresist, and a lowered strength of the recording head, eventually leading to the breakage thereof.

Method for producing ink jet recording head


A system that monitors, records and analyzes driver performance includes: a vehicle sensor module that receives data from a set of sensors that each measure a driving characteristic associated with a vehicle; a map data access module that retrieves map data elements indicating various features associated with a path of the vehicle including a set of previously-defined segments, each segment having a set of associated joints each including a set of associated attributes including a set of fixed attributes with unchanging values; and a driver behavior engine that monitors and evaluates driver performance; calculates mathematical differences between a set of evaluation curves and each of multiple corresponding performance curves based on the set of measured driving characteristics, where the mathematical differences are quantified by determining a geometrical area between each evaluation curve and each corresponding performance curve, where the curves are associated with a particular driver and a particular trip.

Many entities may wish to improve performance by reducing and/or eliminating accidents, abuse, operating, maintenance, and/or replacement expenses, and/or other costs associated with operating one or more vehicles. The economic, environmental, and social value of such benefits is significant, especially for commercial fleets and overall driving safety.
There exists a large and growing market for vehicle monitoring systems and methods that facilitate the collection of information related to the contributing causes of vehicle incidents, such as accidents, and provide objective driver evaluation to determine the quality of driving practices. There is also a market for systems and methods for recording various operating parameters over time so as to provide a historical driver profile record to uncover deviations from suggested driving practices, which may further improve driving behavior.
Recent advances for such systems and methods include relying on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) to track vehicle operation, as well as additional sensors such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, wheel speed pulse, etc. which allow various driving behaviors such as speeding and sudden acceleration to be determined. However, existing solutions don't analyze driver behavior in the context of a map, which provides a model of real world paths (e.g., roads). Furthermore, existing solutions are limited to discrete analysis and do not allow continuous evaluation of driver performance.
Thus there is a need for a driver behavior engine that accurately monitors various parameters to allow analysis of driving behaviors, and that provides contiguous evaluation elements for such driving behaviors.

Recording, monitoring, and analyzing driver behavior