Sentences corresponding to internal statuses of a robot device or the like are created and uttered, thereby expressing the internal statuses. The robot device or the like comprise means for recognizing an external status, and means for generating an emotion based on the internals status, whereby a change in the emotion is reflected upon a dialogue. The internal status is not associated with a sentence, but it exists independently of the system and is always varied depending on various external inputs and internal changes of the system. Accordingly, even when the same question is made on the robot device or the like, the contents of a reply are changed depending on the internal status at that time, and a manner of providing a reply also differs depending on the internal status.

Hitherto, a variety of ideas have been proposed and developed on a walking robot device or a multi-articulated robot, which operates in response to commands from users and/or ambient environments, or on animation characters, etc. operated based on computer graphics (CG). Those robot devices or animation characters (hereinafter referred to also as a "robot device or the like" collectively) perform a series of actions in response to commands issued from users.
For example, a robot device having the shape and structure designed in imitation of a four-footed walking animal such as a dog, i.e., the so-called "pet robot", lies sprawled in response to a command (e.g., voice input) "Lie down!" from a user, or raises its paw to "shake hands" when the user puts a hand in front of the robot mouth.
Such a robot device or the like designed in imitation of actual animals, including a dog and a human being, are desirably capable of behaving in a manner as close as possible to actions and emotional expressions of genuine animals. It is also desired that the robot device or the like is able to not only perform just predetermined actions in response to commands from users and/or external environments, but also behave autonomously like genuine animals. This is because users get tired easily if the robot device or the like repeatedly performs the same actions far away from actual situations, and the ultimate purpose of development of the robot device or the like, i.e., cohabitation with human beings under the same living environments, cannot be achieved.
Recent intelligent robot devices or the likes incorporate therein the functions of voice input/output, voice recognition, voice synthesis, etc., and are able to converse or dialogue with users on the voice basis. In the case of performing the conversation or utterance, it is similarly desired that the robot devices or the likes are able to not only perform just predetermined actions in response to commands from users and/or external environments, but also behave autonomously like genuine animals.
Prior conversation utterance systems are proposed in, e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 10-247194, 8-339446 and 9-16800.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-247194 discloses an automatic interpreting device in which translation is performed and voices are synthesized while holding consistency as the whole of a sentence by searching for an appropriate example regarding a difference in the sentence, e.g., an erroneous utterance intent of a translated part. Also, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-339446 discloses a dialogue device in which a variety of emotions of a user are detected and information corresponding to the detected emotion is issued from the computer side so that the user can feel friendlier toward the device. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-16800 discloses a voice dialogue system with a face image, which is easily adaptable for changes in speech theme and is capable of providing practical and natural dialogues with users.
However, those prior conversation utterance systems are basically intended to recognize voices of speakers or users, to extract emotions from facial expressions, and to create sentences in match with the emotions of the speakers only along the topics presented from the speakers.
Also, the voice dialogue system with a face image, disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-16800, is a system in which contents of replies corresponding to utterances are defined in the form of a table beforehand. This is hence no more than that replies and corresponding emotions are decided beforehand, although the contents of replies include emotional information.
An intelligent robot device or the like has its internal statuses including emotions, etc. and is able to realize communication with users at a deeper level by outputting the internal statuses to the outside.
In conventional robot devices or the likes, however, means for expressing internal statuses are restricted to only actions of four legs, etc., and expressions cannot be easily recognized by everyone at a glance.

Robot device with changing dialogue and control method therefor and storage medium


A drawer handle is provided with two side plates; a front plate including an upper joining part, the joining part having an elevation greater than that of either side plate; a rear plate; a bottom; a handle secured to the joining part; and a protective member releasably mounted on the handle and including a covering element on a front surface for covering a portion of the handle, and a recessed label portion on a front surface of the covering element, the recessed label portion having an area slightly smaller than that of the front surface of the protective member so that a label is configured to affix to the recessed label portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to drawers and more particularly to a drawer handle including a protective member having a label, the protective member being releasably secured to the handle.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional tool chest or cabinet is provided with at least one drawer which has a handle made of, for example, metal. Static electricity may build up on the handle especially in winter or dry environment. A person may be shocked by static discharge when the hand contacts the handle. This is a feeling of discomfort.
Typically, a label is affixed to the surface of the cabinet. On the label, information about the cabinet is written or printed. However, the label may be worn or become blurry after a period time of use.
Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

Drawer handle with releasable protective member


Baseband receiver circuitry is dynamically biased in a communication system receiver by generating gain control information, and controlling an adjustable bias of at least a portion of the baseband circuitry based at least in part on the gain control information. The baseband receiver circuitry comprises at least one amplifier having an adjustable bias associated therewith, with the adjustable bias of the amplifier being controllable utilizing a bias control signal. For example, the amplifier may be an operational amplifier having a gain stage and an output buffer stage, with the bias control signal being applied to the output buffer stage to control an adjustable bias current thereof. More specifically, the bias control signal may be used to control an amount of current provided by at least one of a plurality of current sources associated with the output buffer stage of the amplifier, for example, by controlling a switch which enables or disables one or more of the current sources. Advantageously, the dynamic bias control can substantially reduce power consumption in the receiver. The techniques of the invention can also be applied to other types of devices which utilize gain control.

Communication system receivers commonly utilize automatic gain control (AGC) techniques to control gain in one or more receiver stages. For example, a typical receiver includes front end circuitry and baseband circuitry, each of which may have one or more separate AGC circuits associated therewith. Such AGC circuits are commonly utilized to adjust the gain of one or more amplifiers in a given signal path so as to maintain desired signal level ranges for the path in the presence of variations in received signal strength.
An example of a known AGC circuit is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,201, issued Jan. 30, 2001 to Peter J. Black and entitled "Automatic Gain Control Circuit for Controlling Multiple Variable Gain Amplifier Stages While Estimating Signal Power," which is incorporated by reference herein.
It is also known that certain amplifiers can be configured with an adjustable bias current. An example of such an arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,279, issued Jan. 16, 2001 to Steven C. Ciccarelli et al. and entitled "Amplifier With Adjustable Bias Current," which is incorporated by reference herein.
A drawback of existing communication system receivers is the amount of power consumed by the receiver baseband circuitry. In a typical receiver, amplifiers in the baseband circuitry are biased at a substantially constant level, resulting in a certain amount of power consumption. Information that may be known regarding signal strength is generally not utilized to adjust the bias level in the baseband circuitry, with the result that this circuitry may consume an unduly high amount of power under certain operating conditions.
A need therefore exists for improved techniques for controlling bias in baseband circuitry of a communication system receiver or other device.

Method and apparatus for dynamic biasing of baseband circuitry in a communication system receiver


A relay node used in a WDM optical network is disclosed. The relay node includes: a high-speed side port configured to send and receive a high-speed signal; a low-speed side port configured to send and receive a low-speed signal; a unit configured to generates a checking message for requesting another node to report constraint information of a low-speed side port of the another node, wherein the constraint information relates to adding an optical signal from the low-speed side port to a high-speed side port of the another node or dropping an optical signal from the high-speed side port to the low-speed side port of the another node; a unit configured to generate a response message including the constraint information of the own node in response to receiving the checking message sent from the another node; and a storing unit configured to store at least the constraint information of the another node.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the technical field of optical networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to relay nodes used in the optical networks of the Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) scheme.
2. Description of the Related Art
As demands for communications such as the Internet, broadband services and the like increase in recent years, necessity for increasing distance, speed and capacity of the communications is increasing more and more. In the WDM scheme, lights of various wavelengths are multiplexed and transmitted so that high-speed and large-capacity can be realized. A relay node used in the conventional WDM optical network performs routing (transferring) by converting an optical signal into an electrical signal, then, converting the electrical signal into the optical signal again. However, the converting processing between the optical signal and the electrical signal increases the overhead in routing, so that it causes complexity of processing and causes transmission delay. The following patent document 1 discloses a technique for performing path setting such that the transmission distance becomes long as much as possible without optical/electrical/optical (O/E/O) conversion.
In recent years, the GMPLS (Generalized Multi Protocol Label Switching) protocol is widely noticed as a protocol for automatically setting a path (to be also referred to as "routing route", "connection", etc.) by recognizing wavelengths of various colors of lights as labels as it is. In the GMPLS, the routing route is determined based on the wavelength of the optical signal, and data is transmitted as the optical signal, so that the problem due to the electrical signal conversion can be largely decreased.
[Patent document 1] International Publication No. 2005/032076 pamphlet
For every optical signal of every wavelength provided in the system, if the relay node forming the optical network can perform signal adding from low-speed side ports to high-speed side ports or can perform signal dropping from the high-speed side ports to the low-speed side ports, desired connections may be constructed quickly and automatically using the GMPLS protocol. However, the high-performance relay node that can use all of the various wavelengths without limitation is very expensive and such relay node is not so widely used actually. Rather, there are many inexpensive apparatuses having limitations in wavelengths and in input/output ports that can perform add/drop in an optical fiber. By the way, the relay node is a node that performs both or one of adding an optical signal into the optical fiber of the WDM optical network and dropping the optical signal from the optical fiber, and the relay node may be called an Add/Drop Module (ADM) or Add/Drop Multiplexing Module or the like.
In the relay node shown in FIG. 1, any of the four kinds of the wavelengths λ1-λ4 can be added to or dropped from the optical fiber. In the example shown in the figure, the low-speed side port #2 is different from the low-speed side port #1, and the low-speed side port #2 cannot add an optical signal to the WDM port #10 side and cannot drop an optical signal from the WDM port #10. But, since there is no limitation for wavelengths to be dropped or added in this relay node, this relay node belongs to the before-mentioned expensive relay node, and is also called DOADM (Dynamic Optical ADM). On the other hand, in the low-speed side port #1 of the relay node shown in FIG. 2, only an optical signal of a first wavelength λ1 can be dropped or added. In the low-speed side port #2, only an optical signal of a fourth wavelength λ4 can be dropped or added. Optical signals of second and third wavelengths λ2, λ3 cannot be dropped or added. This relay node belongs to the above-mentioned inexpensive apparatus, and may be called ROADM (Reconfigurable Optical ADM).
When there is a limitation for the wavelength that can be added/dropped in the low-speed side port in the relay node, connections cannot be properly established only by using the connection setting method of the GMPLS protocol. Therefore, it may be considered to establish a connection manually by checking constraints of individual relay nodes at each time (especially, kinds of usable low-speed side ports, and information of wavelengths that can be added/dropped). However, such method is practically very inconvenient. Or, it may be considered to provide a central management station for managing constraints of all relay nodes used in the optical network collectively and providing instructions when setting the connection. However, such management workload is extremely heavy so that it is feared that it becomes difficult to set the connection quickly as necessary.


The present invention is for a sensing device that monitors the conditions of a remote location. The device has a detecting means which detects the conditions at the remote location; a transmitting module that reads and remotely transmits information containing the detected conditions and the power level of a power source powering the transmitting module; a base module that receives, selectively processes and conveys the information telephonically; and an identifying means that identifies the remote location of the call without incurring a telephone toll charge. The invention is also directed to a method of sensing conditions at a remote location without incurring telephone toll charges.

The amount of trash is an ever-growing problem. This is especially true in the retail and commercial sectors, where a large amount of refuse is discarded daily. Most businesses have trash bins adjacent to their buildings for dumping the totality of trash collected either daily or throughout the day. The rate at which the garbage piles up in these trash receptacles varies according to factors such as the season, the industry, the location, etc. Consequently, different businesses and different locations of a business may require different pick-up times for their trash bins.
To minimize the cost of hiring commercial trash collection services to pick-up the trash from the trash receptacles, some companies may designate standard pick-up times, such as daily or weekly, even though the trash bins may not be full. Other companies may call commercial trash collection services only when their trash bins are full. Either way, the company usually must use the telephone to call the commercial trash collection service.
The detection of the level of trash in trash receptacles is known in the art. Such detection usually entails some device or method used within the receptacle that senses the level of trash. For instance, a photoelectric cell has been employed for this purpose, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,147 to Ippolito. Another variation measures the pressure exerted on the trash compactor to detect when the receptacle is full, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,027 to Neumann. Still, U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,863 to Woyden teaches using pressure-sensing means to determine when the trash container is full.
Additionally, it is known in the art to utilize a means for relaying the information regarding the fullness of the trash receptacle to another location, where the information can be processed. Usually, this relaying method encompasses a telephone or cellular phone line. Some of these devices include U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,013 to Blackstone, Jr.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,299,493 and 5,303,642 to Durbin et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,594 to Tyler et al.; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,173,866 and 5,016,197 to Neumann et al.
While each of these systems are useful, they are burdened by several significant disadvantages:    First, they fail to minimize the expenses of telephone toll charges when transmitting information regarding the trash receptacles via a telephone line. This charge may be quite expensive, in light of the fact that some systems maintain a multitude of trash containers.    Second, they do not allow users to measure the amount of power supply left in the transmitting means. If the power supply runs out, the waste disposal detection system would be rendered useless.    Third, the references do not disclose a way to conserve energy and, thus, allow one to save on more expenses. And, since these references fail to conserve energy, they are not optimally environmentally friendly.    Fourth, the references do not disclose a means to verify that the measurements of the waste disposal container are valid, thereby preventing false readings which may also result in unnecessary charges in emptying a container that is not completely full.

Sensing method for monitoring conditions for a remote location


An ultraviolet semiconductor light emitting device includes: a light-emitting epitaxial layer including an n-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer; a tunnel junction at a non-light-emitting surface of the light-emitting epitaxial layer and having a patterned structure with openings to expose the light-emitting epitaxial layer; an optical phase matching layer over a surface layer of the light-emitting epitaxial layer and transmissive of UV light; and a reflecting layer covering the entire tunneling junction and the optical phase matching layer. A patterned structure is provided over the tunnel junction for full-angle light reflection. Part of the tunneling junction forms ohmic contact with the low work function reflecting metal. The patterned distribution design can effectively reduce the ohmic contact resistance.

Generally, an ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV LED) has a multi-layer structure made of different materials. The selection of materials and thicknesses affects the LED light-emitting wavelength. To improve extraction efficiency, the multi-layer structure comprises different chemical components to facilitate independent entry of photocurrent carrier into the recombination region (in general, the quantum well). The quantum well side is added with donor atoms to increase the electron concentration (the N-type layer) and the other side is added with acceptor atoms to increase the hole concentration (the P-type layer).
The UV LED also comprises an electronic contact structure. Different electrode structures are selected for power connection based on properties of different devices. The power can provide current for devices through the contact structure. The contact structure injects the current into the light-emitting layer along the device surface and transfers current to light. The contact structure on the UV LED surface can be made of conducting material. Good ohmic contact can reduce contact resistance. However, those structures may prevent the light from emitting, thereby reducing the luminous flux. As shown in FIG. 1, a UV LED structure. The p-GaN layer of the epitaxial covering layer over the surface has a band gap of 3.4 eV (364 nm) and absorbs the UV less than 364 nm from the light-emitting region.
As shown in FIG. 2, a flip-chip light-emitting structure that can solve light absorption problem of the p-GaN layer. In the flip-chip structure, the reflection efficiency of the reflecting layer is of great importance to the light-emitting efficiency. The work function of the metal reflecting layer and the Schottky barrier height difference of the light-emitting epitaxial layer determine the ohmic contact performance between the reflecting layer and the conductive interface. To form a low-resistance ohmic contact, the ohmic contact layer on the P-type semiconductor adopts metal of high work function and high UV reflectivity. Metal of good reflectivity in the UV region, generally, belongs to low work function metal (for example, Al has good reflectivity in the UV region and the work function is 4.28 eV. It belongs to low work function metal). For existing P-type ohmic contact metal, it is necessary to adopt metal of high work function (e.g., Cr, Ni or Ti) as the medium layer to improve the ohmic contact of the p-type layer. However, the Cr, Ti and Ni have extremely poor reflectivity for UV with wavelength less than 380 nm.

Ultraviolet semiconductor light-emitting device and fabrication method

Xiamen Sanan Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


A liquid treatment method and system with the liquid treatment system having a container for holding a liquid treatment material therein with the liquid treatment device effectively positionable in various transitional regions in the liquid system to provide for an enhanced dispersant rate in response to increased activity in the body of water.

One of the difficulties with treatment of water in the skimmer basket region of a pool or spa is that the water treatment device becomes clogged with debris. One prior art approach is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,032 where the canister that holds chlorine is maintained above or along side the skimmer basket. Another approach is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,779,913 and 6,019,893, which show a dispenser that is secured to the underside of a skimmer basket.
While not holding water purification materials, U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,350 discloses a pool skimmer basket that includes a central member that projects above the top of the skimmer basket in order to prevent the basket from becoming clogged and thus preventing flow there through. Thus, the placement of water purification devices in a skimmer basket is generally avoided because of clogging problems.
The present invention provides a water treatment system wherein a water treatment device can be effectively positioned in a number of different locations in the flow of water with debris, with the water treatment device maintaining the water inlet to the water treatment device in a condition, wherein water can continue to be directed through the water treatment system even though there is a continual presence of debris in the water flowing around the water purification device.
A further feature of the invention is that as the activity level in the body of water increases the rate of delivery of dispersant to the body of water can partially or wholly offset the increased bacterial load on the system as a result of the enhanced activity.


A food topping dispenser includes a hopper having a pair of sidewalls, a back wall and a front wall defining an open unobstructed interior sized to receive a supply of food topping. An application roller is positioned in a discharge opening of the hopper and is rotatably mounted in and between the sidewalls. The application roller has an exterior surface configured to receive and retain the food topping from the discharge opening. A wiper element is mounted on a lower end of the back wall outside the open interior in the discharge opening, and is positioned above the application roller for engagement with the food topping received from the discharge opening. A stripping brush element is mounted on a lower end of the front wall outside the open interior in the discharge opening for engagement with the exterior surface of the application roller for removing food topping retained therein.

The present disclosure relates generally to a device for dispersing or distributing a food topping onto a food product. More specifically, the present disclosure pertains to a food topping dispenser for sprinkling or dusting food topping in a controlled and consistent manner.
Previously, many different food products are topped or dusted with a food topping, such as flour, powdered or granulated sugar or powered cinnamon. Typically, a continuous stream of food products passes beneath a food topping device which continuously dispenses the food topping onto the individual food products. Although various devices currently exist to dispense food toppings onto the stream of food products, these devices are unable to provide a consistent and controlled product flow, dispensing volume and accurate dispensing pattern desired. In addition, known food topping devices require multiple components, including an agitator, which increase production and maintenance cost. Therefore, a need exists for a food topping device which improves upon the dispensing characteristics of known devices, and can be provided with less manufacturing and servicing costs.

Food topping dispenser with application roller for dusting food products


An image forming apparatus, including a main body and a cartridge configured to be detachably attached to the main body, is provided. The cartridge includes a photosensitive member configured to carry an image formed in a developer agent thereon, a movable mechanism, and a developer roller configured to supply the developer agent to the photosensitive member. The movable mechanism is configured to shift between a first state, in which the developer roller is placed in a contact position to contact the photosensitive member, and a second state, in which the developer roller is placed in a separated position to be separated from the photosensitive member. The main body includes a detectable member configured to detect a state of the movable mechanism between the first state and the second state.

1. Technical Field
An aspect of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image in an electro-photographic method.
2. Related Art
An image forming apparatus configured to form an image in an electro-photographic method is known. The conventionally known image forming apparatus may be equipped with a removable processing cartridge, which is capable of storing a toner therein. The processing cartridge may be configured to have a drum unit and a developer unit integrally. The drum unit may contain a photosensitive drum, and a developer unit may contain a developer roller integrally, while the developer roller in the developer unit may be movable to be in contact with or separated from the photosensitive drum in the drum unit.


A computer sends a request to an authorization source to access a resource and includes its own location information. The computer receives a reply that includes the unencrypted location information of the computer and the resource encrypted such that a decryption key of the computer decrypts the encrypted resource. The entire reply is encrypted such that a decryption key of a third-party computer can decrypt the reply. The computer sends the encrypted reply to the third-party computer, and the reply is decrypted and returned to the computer if a distance between the computer and the third-party computer fulfills a proximity condition, as determined by the location of the computers.

Methods and techniques are known for digital authentication, which includes use of a Public Key Infrastructure for encryption, decryption and authentication. For authorization of sensitive tasks, or requests for access to sensitive materials, granting access requires consideration of authenticating the identity of the requestor and confirmation of the authority of the requestor to have access to the requested resource or to perform a requested task. It may be necessary to have additional authorizing entities concur with authorizing access. A known example of this is the two-key system required to access the contents of a safety deposit box in bank vaults. Other scenarios may include authentication to access a restricted database, access to sensitive or secure documents, or initiating or discontinuing a program or event that is under control of a computing device.
Access to a resource may require authorization from a source in a specified location, or may require the authorizing entity to be at a specified location. This may be to ensure that the requested information would be received at a known and protected environment, or to ensure that the resource is not requested under threat or intimidation.
Existing solutions to scenarios such as those mentioned above present significant security exposure if the specified location information is discovered, or if dedicated hardware is compromised. Depending upon a specified location as a component of authorization can greatly limit the flexibility of secure authorization implementations, as most future needs cannot be foreseen.

Secure access using location-based encrypted authorization

International Business Machines Corporation


A device for opening a container having a screw-on lid includes a rotating turntable for holding the container and a non-rotating lid engaging member that, after being driven in a first direction into the lid by an axial drive, is disengaged from the axial drive by deflection occurring within a coupling between the axial drive and the lid engaging member.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a container opener having a rotationally driven turntable for imparting relative rotation between the container and the lid and, more particularly, to such a container opener additionally having an axial drive moving a lid engaging structure into contact with the lid.
2. Summary of the Background Art
The patent literature includes a number of descriptions of jar openers including rotationally driven turntables/. For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,293,170 and 7,024,963 describe jar openers in which a lid engaging, non-rotating structure is manually moved and held down against the lid of a jar resting on a rotationally driven turntable. In the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,170, the action of depressing the lid closes an electrical circuit to turn on a motor driving the turntable, while releasing the lid breaks this circuit to turn the motor off. In the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,965, manually rotating a wheel at each end of a shaft extending across the top of the lid engaging structure moves the structure downward against the jar lid by means of a pair of gears attached to the shaft and engaging racks formed within the vertical guide shafts on which the lid engaging structure slides.
Other jar opening devices include an axial drive, moving the non-rotating lid engaging structure downward against the lid. In such devices, a mechanism must be provided for disengaging the axial drive after the lid has been engaged, or, at least after the lid is unscrewed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,296 in which the axial drive brings the lid engaging structure into engagement with the lid and then slips to permit the cap to be removed from the container, with the slippage occurring in a slip clutch through which lead screws are driven to form the axial drive. Then, a control unit sensing a torque created by the relative rotation between the lid and the lid engaging structure cause the rotational drive, which rotates both the lead screws and the turntable turning the jar, to reverse its direction of movement, moving the lid engaging structure and the lid away from the jar.
A potential problem associated with using variations in the level of torque required to cause relative rotation between the lid and the jar arises from the fact that substantial variations in the torque levels required must be expected to occur between a jar having a small lid that has been unscrewed many times before and a jar having a large lid that has never been unscrewed before. Thus, what is needed is an automatic mechanism for disengaging the axial drive without relying on measurements of the torque required to cause relative rotation between the lid and the jar.

Apparatus and method for opening a container including a drive coupling disengaged by contact with the container lid


A display device has a laminated body including a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate, and an inside frame for supporting the laminated body. A polarizing plate is provided on a first surface as one main surface of the first glass substrate, and a part of a second surface as one main surface of the second glass substrate faces a third surface as the other surface of the first glass substrate via a liquid crystal member. And a driver for controlling the liquid crystal is provided at the non-face-to-face area of the end of the second surface where the second surface does not face the third surface. An inside frame has a fifth surface which faces a fourth surface as the other main surface of the second glass substrate via the polarizing plate, and is formed with a notch at the end of the fifth surface on the side of the non-face-to-face area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a display device having a laminated body including two sheets of glass substrates different in length and frames supporting them.
2. Description of the Related Art
An example of this kind of apparatus is disclosed in international publication WO2003/083362 (Patent Document 1). In the related art, by ensuring a space (clearance) between an inner wall of a frame and a laminated body, occurrence of a distortion due to the difference in thermal expansion properties is reduced.
Furthermore, another example is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-39437 (Patent Document 2). In the related art, an IC chip is provided at a difference area (non-laminated end being at one end of the glass substrate on which the other glass substrate is not laminated) of two glass substrates. Since the difference area is subject to an external force in a direction of thickness of the layer (the direction of lamination), in order to make a clearance between the IC chip and the frame smaller than a preset value, a portion facing the IC chip on the inner wall is protruded. Here, the preset value is limiting displacement amount when an external force is applied to the difference area to cause failure. Accordingly, even if an external force is applied to the difference area in the direction of the thickness of the layer, the displacement at the difference area is less than the preset value, and the possibility of failure of the difference area is thus reduced.
However, the related art of the Patent Document 2 is made on the basis of an assumption that the non-laminated end undergoes displacement to the side of the frame due to a drop, an impact, etc., but the frame is not deformed. In a case that a large external force is applied, or the frame is formed by a deformable material, a situation in which the end of the frame undergoes displacement to on the side of the non-laminated end occurs, in such the situation, it is difficult to avoid the damage. The reason why is that the decrease in clearance contrarily causes a contact the end of the frame with the non-laminated end with ease.
On the other hand, in the related art of the Patent Document 1, a clearance capable of absorbing the displacement of the end of the frame to the non-laminated end side is set, but the thickness is on the order of the thickness of the polarizing plate at most, and cannot handle displacement larger than this.


A sewage removal system 10 is provided for quickly, securely and sanitarily connecting the onboard holding tank H of a typical recreational vehicle or travel trailer to an in-ground stationary waste disposal site S. The system 10 includes two hoses 20, 21 which may be coupled via a union 50 to provide hoses 20, 21 of greater combined length to reach the site S when located too far for a single hose 20, 21. The hoses 20, 21 include quick connect couplings 30 secured to each end 22. Locking hooks 40 extend from the annular rims 39 of the couplings 30 to provide a means for securely engaging protrusions 56, 66 to create a sealed joint. The system 10 includes two elbow adapters 60 to allow simple connection to an inlet tube T of the stationary waste disposal site S. The first elbow adapter 60 includes a male threaded connector 70 for coupling with a female threaded fitting F of the inlet tube T. A second elbow adapter 60 includes a female threaded connector 80 for connection to a male threaded fitting M of the inlet tube T.

Large, motorized recreational vehicles ("RV's") and towable travel trailers, have become a popular mode of travel for retirees and other vacationers. RV's and travel trailers allow a person to travel in comfort without requiring prior arrangement of hotel reservations. An RV traveler needs only to locate an RV trailer park or campground en route, drive in and park, setup the RV/travel trailer, and relax for the evening. Luggage and other belongings do not need to be carried into or out of a motel room each time the traveler moves to a new location. An RV/travel trailer is effectively, a self-contained "home on wheels." As such, an RV/travel trailer typically includes its own onboard toilet system, including an associated sewage holding tank.
Since the key feature of an RV or travel trailer is its mobility, the size of an onboard sewage holding tank is necessarily limited to avoid placing too sizable a load on the RV/travel trailer which would substantially detract from the fuel efficiency of the RV or travel trailer towing vehicle. Hence, while traveling or periodically camping, arrangements need to be made to dispose of accumulated sewage. To that end, an RV/travel trailer's holding tank is equipped with a discharge or outlet pipe extending out the bottom of the holding tank. Two separate sewage disposal modes are typically encountered when traveling in an RV or with a towed travel trailer.
In a first mode, during active freeway operation, sewage is typically disposed of at an appropriate stationary waste disposal site found en route at a truck stop, gas station or campground. These sites typically provide a vertical threaded tubular riser or inlet tube through which the accumulated sewage may be dumped into the stationary waste disposal site. Typically, a free end of a sewage hose connected to the outlet pipe on the RV/travel trailer sewage holding tank is inserted into the interior of the riser. This free end typically does not have an appropriate fitting to allow it to seal with the tubular riser of the stationary waste disposal site. The accumulated sewage is released from the tank, and travels through the sewage hose into the inground stationary disposal site.
Because the hose is not sealed to the riser, this disposal method is unsanitary and may result in spills of raw sewage about the waste disposal site, causing an unsightly and inappropriate health hazard for future users. Additionally, the party disposing of sewage is forced to deal with a free end of the sewage hose that must be thoroughly washed off and disinfected to avoid inadvertent peripheral contamination by raw sewage. The washing and disinfection process may also cause raw sewage to be inadvertently strewn about the waste disposal site.
In a second mode, with the RV or travel trailer parked at a campsite for an extended period of time, sewage may be dumped immediately and continuously from the onboard holding tank into a sewage manifold and collection system accessible from each parking space at the campsite. The free end of a sewage hose may once again be inserted into a tubular riser at each parking space which is connected to the campsite sewage collection manifold system. This connection system is also undesirable since it creates an open sewage system that can pose a significant health hazard. The open system could clog or fill with rain water which could cause unsightly and unsanitary back flow of raw sewage about the point of connection near the parked RV/travel trailer, once again creating a potentially hazardous health situation. Also, different parts have different sizes and threaded coupling configurations, making establishment of a sealed interface difficult.
Accordingly, a need exists for an RV/travel trailer sewage removal system that can be easily, quickly and sanitarily connected and disconnected from male or female threaded risers of different sizes at a stationary waste disposal site or collection system.


An antiglare material capable of exhibiting an excellent antiglare effect by preventing imaging reflection of an external light source and suitable for an image display with sharpness and high resolution as well as a polarizing film by utilizing the same. The antiglare material of the invention is a transparent substrate of which at least one of the surfaces is roughened to a predetermined surface roughness. The polarizing film of the invention is a laminate consisting of a first protective layer which is the above defined antiglare material and a second protective layer laminated onto the unroughened surface of the first protective layer with intervention of a polarizing substrate. The roughened surface of the transparent substrate in the above mentioned antiglare material, which may be used in the above described polarizing film, preferably has a haze value in the range from 1 to 25 according to JIS K7105 and the transparent substrate is preferably a transparent film.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antiglare material used on an image display such as LCDs, CRTs and the like to exhibit an excellent antiglare effect on the displayed images as well as to a polarizing film by the use thereof.
2) Description of the Related Art
It is a very common technological practice under rapid progress in recent years that various kinds of image display devices, referred to simply as "displays" hereinafter, including LCDs and CRTs as typical examples are widely employed in a variety of fields for the exhibition of images and patterns as in television sets, computer terminals and the like. While one of the key problems in the initial stage of their development was to accomplish conversion of the black-and-white displays into colored displays, it is a recent trend in the development works to accomplish upgrading of the image quality of the displays with higher and higher resolution as represented by the movement toward the new television broadcasting system of increased image resolution in addition to a further target of the development works to accomplish saving of the electric power consumption in the displays. These innovative display systems are expected to play a very important role in the man-machine interphases with wider and wider prevalence along with the advent of the era of so-called multimedia including, in particular, a variety of portable terminals of communication systems represented by portable telephones, PHS, and the like.
It would be a due expectation that LCDs are the only displays which occupy the market of the displays for portable terminals since they are the lightest in weight and can be designed with compactness along with their versatility for any types of displays. Since these portable terminals are frequently used outdoors, it is important to ensure good visibility of the images exhibited on the display screen even under daylight by suppressing reflection of the external light incident on the display screen such as the sunlight as completely as possible. As being urged by the requirement in these fields, it is eagerly desired to develop an efficient antiglare means on the display screen which prevents imaging reflection of external light sources such as the sun, fluorescent lamps and the like on the display screens.
The most conventional way in the prior art to accomplish the antiglare effect of this type is to use a glass plate having a ground or matted surface and the like by which the incident light is scattered or diffused to exhibit a vignetting effect on the images. The scattering or diffusing effect on the light is accomplished usually when the surface for the incident light is matted or roughened as a basic principle. Several different methods are undertaken for the roughening treatment of a substrate surface including the direct roughening methods such as sandblasting, embossing treatment and coating treatment by which a coating film containing fine filler particles dispersed therein is formed on the substrate surface as well as a method in which a surface layer having porosity by way of the so-called "sea-and-islands" structure is formed on the substrate surface.
While a high degree of resolution of the image display can be accomplished mainly by increasing the distribution density of the image-forming dots, increase of the distribution density of the image-forming dots is necessarily accompanied by an increase in the fineness of the height difference of and distance between the irregularity protrusions on the roughened surface. Further, sharp display images without glittering cannot be obtained unless the evenness in the distribution of the surface irregularities is minimized. In addition, a good antiglare effect can be obtained when the surface irregularity is formed with continuity or without intermission. The roughened surface of conventional antiglare materials, however, does not always satisfy the above mentioned various requirements in respects of the discontinuity in the distribution of the surface irregularities and relatively large height of and distance between the raised points of irregularity on the substrate surface.

Antiglare material and polarizing film by using the same


Hand and/or wrist support apparatus, comprising in combination, a first brace configured for application to the hand and/or wrist of the user, and a second brace configured for application over at least a portion of the first brace, each brace configured for in-place retention, providing support to a substantial portion of the hand and/or wrist of the user, including the thumb.

This invention relates generally to secure bracing of the thumb and/or CMC joint in a selected position.
There is need for simple, effective, easily applied bracing of the thumb and/or CMC joint, and/or wrist, against unwanted movement, and particularly in accordance with the unusual advantages in structure, functions, and results as are now provided by the present invention.


Certain aspects of the invention are drawn to formulations and methods of making a liquid gel concentrate composition. Such liquid gel concentrates are formed by admixing an alkali-swellable polymer with an alkaline swelling agent in an oil-based suspending agent. The invention also provides for gelled water fire suppressants produced by mixing a liquid gel concentrate composition with water and methods of using such fire suppressants for combating fires.

Gelled water has been used as a fire suppressant, primarily on an experimental basis, since as early as the 1960s. Physically, gelled water varies from viscous, but readily flowable water, to semi-solid gelatinous materials that adhere to vertical surfaces. The physical characteristics of the gelled water used to suppress fire are varied dependent on the mode of application and the strategy being employed. Early gelling agents were granular or powdered and had to be pre-blended with water to form the gelled water to be applied. These gelling agents are typically referred to as super absorbent polymers or "SAPs". Gelled water is superior to liquid water in many fire suppressant applications because it adheres to fuels and surfaces much better than liquid water, which readily flows off the materials to be protected.
The use of early products was essentially discontinued because control of admixing the granular or powdered super absorbent polymers with water was difficult and time consuming and because their performance was greatly influenced by water hardness ions. More recently, concentrated liquid super absorbent polymers have been introduced as fire suppressant gels. These concentrated liquid products can be readily proportioned with water to form the viscous characteristics of the gel that are desired.
Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are water soluble polymers than can absorb and retain extremely large volumes of water relative to their own mass. Currently available SAP type products generally consist of sodium and/or potassium salts of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, or mixtures thereof suspended in suitable non-solvent liquids. These products can be easily proportioned with water to overcome prior mixing difficulties. However, they continue to suffer from the impact of water hardness ions present in the mix water used to prepare the gelled water.

Liquid gel concentrate compositions and methods of use


The present invention concerns heterogeneous catalysts for polymerization of olefins. The catalysts include at least one Group IVa metal compound on a solid inorganic oxidic support. According to the invention the catalysts are prepared by vapourizing at least one solid Group IVa metal halide compound and routing the vapour of the metal halide compound into a reaction chamber, wherein the vapour is reacted with the support at a temperature of about 250.degree. to about 450.degree. C. in order to bind said metal halide compound to said support. Any metal compound not bound to said support as well as any volatile reaction products emanating from the reaction between said metal halide compound and said support are then removed from the reaction chamber in the vapour phase. Optionally, the product obtained is treated with an organic aluminum compound to increase the catalytic activity of said catalyst. The catalysts thus prepared are very well suited for polymerization of ethylene or copolymerization of ethylene with other alpha-olefins, such as propylene, butylene, 4-methyl-1-pentene and hexene. A polymerization process employing the novel catalyst will provide products of the Ultra High Molecular Weight-type (UHMWPE) having very broad MWD.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for preparing polymerization catalysts for olefins. Said catalysts are particularly suited for the polymerization of ethylene.
The present novel polymerization catalysts comprise a support consisting of an inorganic oxide or a mixture of inorganic oxides, the surface of said support having a Group IVa metal compound bound to its surface.
Furthermore, the present invention concerns a process for the homo- and copolymerization of olefins, in particular ethylene, in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known in the art that oligomerisation and polymerisation of ethylene can be catalysed by compositions comprising vanadium, titanium and/or zirconium halides and possibly other components on an inorganic oxidic support. Typically, these heterogeneous catalysts are prepared by stirring the support, for instance silica or alumina, in a solution of the transition metal compound(s) used, evaporating the product and, if desired, suspending it in a solution of a suitable cocatalyst compound, such as an organo-Al compound, before polymerization.
The prior art is hampered by considerable problems. For example, the use of solvents makes the processes complex because additional process steps (evaporation) are needed for separating the solvents from the products. Furthermore, as far as the preparation of Zr- and Hf-containing catalysts using chlorides is concerned, the reagents are solid substances, which are poorly soluble in non-polar solvents. Therefore, polar solvents, such as water and alcohols, will have to be used as reaction media. These solvents are, however, known to impair the activity of the catalysts.


Copolyamide adhesive compositions have a diamine component and a dicarboxylic acid component. The diamine component includes the reaction residues of at least two diamines selected from non-cyclic aliphatic diamines, cycloaliphatic diamines, and aromatic diamines. The dicarboxylic acid component includes the reaction residues of at least two dicarboxylic acids selected from non-cyclic aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and aromatic dicarboxylic acids. One of the residues is mono-alkyl branched asymmetric. The composition is free from aliphatic omega aminocarboxylic acids or lactams having 12 carbon atoms or less. When one of the dicarboxylic acids is a polymerized fatty acid, the diamine component does not contain a cycloaliphatic diamine.

The use of copolyamides as thermoplastic adhesives has long been known. They have been found useful for bonding textiles where many modifications have been made to improve hot water resistance.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,121 discloses thermoplastic adhesives based on copolyamides containing branched chain diamine components which give improved resistance to washing solutions. West German Application No. 3,005,939 also discloses copolyamides containing singly branched C.sub.10 -diamines such as 5-methylnonamethylene diamine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,931 describes copolyamides based on dicarboxylic acids, diamines and omega aminocarboxylic acids or lactams used to heat seal textiles, where the copolyamides comprise: (1) 20 to 80% by weight of one or more aliphatic omega aminocarboxylic acids or lactams having 6 to 12 carbon atoms in the chain; and (2) 80 to 20% by weight of equimolar mixtures o one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 6 to 12 carbon atoms with a diamine selected from aliphatic alpha-omega diamines and, optionally, cycloaliphatic diamines having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, where at least 30% by weight of these diamines consist of singly branched aliphatic diamines having 6 carbon atoms.
Semicrystalline copolyamides having a T.sub.g greater than 142.degree. C. wherein the acid is terephthalic acid or a derivative thereof are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,322.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,460 describes polyamide adhesive compositions having a long open assembly time of at least 45 seconds wherein the acid component consists essentially of a polymeric fatty acid and a dicarboxylic acid and the amine component consists essentially of (i) a cyclic aliphatic diamine, (ii) a non-cyclic aliphatic diamine in which the amine groups are bonded to oddnumbered carbon atoms on the aliphatic chain, e.g. 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, and (iii) an alkylene diamine, with or without (iv) a polyglycoldiamine.
Copolyamides have also been used as an adhesive that can be steam activated to bond ridged foam and a foam/fabric bilaminate. A copolyamide containing e-caprolactam/hexamethylenediamineadipic acid/hexamethylenediamine-sebacic acid (conventionally designated as 6/66/610) in a weight ratio of 37/28/35 (melting point, T.sub.m, about 140.degree.-145.degree. C.) can be steam activated, but contains free e-caprolactam retained from the process and, as well, continues to yield this monomer when subjected to elevated temperatures and humidity. This results in fogged windows when used for bonding interior auto components such as seating fabric, panel laminates, carpeting, etc.
The "fog" problem results from the presence of a light scattering film on the interior of an automobile windshield or other interior Window surfaces The film is caused by material transported to the window glass by distillation of volatile compounds contained in materials such as adhesives used for interior components of the automobile. Oxidation of the original condensate can contribute to the complexity of the problem.
It would be desirable to have a fog-free, rapidly heat activatable (preferably by steam heat) copolyamide adhesive composition for such uses.

Copolyamide adhesive compositions containing asymmetric aliphatic residues


There is disclosed a data processor that uses bypass circuitry to transfer result data from late pipeline stages to earlier pipeline stages in an efficient manner and with a minimum amount of wiring. The data processor comprises: 1) an instruction execution pipeline comprising a) a read stage; b) a write stage; and c) a first execution stage comprising E execution units that produce data results from data operands. The data processor also comprises: 2) a register file comprising a plurality of data registers, each of the data registers being read by the read stage of the instruction pipeline via at least one of R read ports of the register file and each of the data registers being written by the write stage of the instruction pipeline via at least one of W write ports of the register file; and 3) bypass circuitry for receiving data results from output channels of source devices in at least one of the write stage and the first execution stage, the bypass circuitry comprising a first plurality of bypass tristate line drivers having input channels coupled to first output channels of a first plurality of source devices and tristate output channels coupled to a first common read data channel in the read stage.

The demand for high performance computers requires that state-of-the-art microprocessors execute instructions in the minimum amount of time. A number of different approaches have been taken to decrease instruction execution time, thereby increasing processor throughput. One way to increase processor throughput is to use a pipeline architecture in which the processor is divided into separate processing stages that form the pipeline. Instructions are broken down into elemental steps that are executed in different stages in an assembly line fashion.
A pipelined processor is capable of executing several different machine instructions concurrently. This is accomplished by breaking down the processing steps for each instruction into several discrete processing phases, each of which is executed by a separate pipeline stage. Hence, each instruction must pass sequentially through each pipeline stage in order to complete its execution. In general, a given instruction is processed by only one pipeline stage at a time, with one clock cycle being required for each stage. Since instructions use the pipeline stages in the same order and typically only stay in each stage for a single clock cycle, an N stage pipeline is capable of simultaneously processing N instructions. When filled with instructions, a processor with N pipeline stages completes one instruction each clock cycle.
The execution rate of an N-stage pipeline processor is theoretically N times faster than an equivalent non-pipelined processor. A non-pipelined processor is a processor that completes execution of one instruction before proceeding to the next instruction. Typically, pipeline overheads and other factors decrease somewhat the execution rate advantage that a pipelined processor has over a non-pipelined processor.
An exemplary seven stage processor pipeline may consist of an address generation stage, an instruction fetch stage, a decode stage, a read stage, a pair of execution (E1 and E2) stages, and a write (or write-back) stage. In addition, the processor may have an instruction cache that stores program instructions for execution, a data cache that temporarily stores data operands that otherwise are stored in processor memory, and a register file that also temporarily stores data operands.
The address generation stage generates the address of the next instruction to be fetched from the instruction cache. The instruction fetch stage fetches an instruction for execution from the instruction cache and stores the fetched instruction in an instruction buffer. The decode stage takes the instruction from the instruction buffer and decodes the instruction into a set of signals that can be directly used for executing subsequent pipeline stages. The read stage fetches required operands from registers in the register file. The E1 and E2 stages perform the actual program operation (e.g., add, multiply, divide, and the like) on the operands fetched by the read stage and generates the result. The write stage then writes the result generated by the E1 and E2 stages back into the data cache or the register file.
Assuming that each pipeline stage completes its operation in one clock cycle, the exemplary seven stage processor pipeline takes seven clock cycles to process one instruction. As previously described, once the pipeline is full, an instruction can theoretically be completed every clock cycle.
The throughput of a processor also is affected by the size of the instruction set executed by the processor and the resulting complexity of the instruction decoder. Large instruction sets require large, complex decoders in order to maintain a high processor throughput. However, large complex decoders tend to increase power dissipation, die size and the cost of the processor. The throughput of a processor also may be affected by other factors, such as exception handling, data and instruction cache sizes, multiple parallel instruction pipelines, and the like. All of these factors increase or at least maintain processor throughput by means of complex and/or redundant circuitry that simultaneously increases power dissipation, die size and cost.
In many processor applications, the increased cost, increased power dissipation, and increased die size are tolerable, such as in personal computers and network servers that use x86-based processors. These types of processors include, for example, Intel Pentium™ processors and AMD Athlon™ processors.
However, in many applications it is essential to minimize the size, cost, and power requirements of a data processor. This has led to the development of processors that are optimized to meet particular size, cost and/or power limits. For example, the recently developed Transmeta Crusoe™ processor greatly reduces the amount of power consumed by the processor when executing most x86 based programs. This is particularly useful in laptop computer applications. Other types of data processors may be optimized for use in consumer appliances (e.g., televisions, video players, radios, digital music players, and the like) and office equipment (e.g., printers, copiers, fax machines, telephone systems, and other peripheral devices). The general design objectives for data processors used in consumer appliances and office equipment are the minimization of cost and complexity of the data processor.
The throughput of a processor may also be improved by reducing the latency between an instruction that writes a result to a register and a subsequent instruction that reads the result from the same register. If both instructions are in the pipeline at the same time, the read operation cannot be permitted to read the result until after the write operation is complete, otherwise the data will not be valid. Unfortunately, a read operation (i.e., the read stage) occurs relatively early in the instruction pipeline, whereas the write operation (i.e., the write stage) occurs last. To prevent an invalid read operation from occurring, it is necessary to stall read operation in the pipeline until after the write operation completes. Unfortunately, this increases latency and reduces the throughput of the data processor.
The problem of latency in write-followed-by-read operations can be minimized by using bypass circuitry that transfers a result that is still in the processor pipeline to be transferred directly to the read stage even before the result is written to the register file. It is recalled from above that in an exemplary data processor, the read stage fetches required operands from the register file, the E1 and E2 stages perform the actual program operation on the operands and generate the result, and the write stage then writes the result generated by the E1 and E2 stages back into the data cache or the register file. To reduce latency, bypass circuitry may be implemented to transfer a result from the E1 stage or the E2 stage (or both) directly to the read stage as soon as the result is available in the E1 or E2 stage. Bypass circuitry also may be implemented to transfer a result from the write stage directly to the read stage as soon as the result is available in the write stage. In this manner the delay incurred by actually writing the result into the register file and then reading the result back out of the register file is avoided.
Unfortunately, as the number of read ports and write ports in a multi-ported register file and the number of pipeline stages increases, the amount and complexity of the bypass circuitry becomes very great. For example, if the E1 pipeline stage comprises four identical execution units and each one reads two operands to produce one result, the register file needs twelve ports, including eight read ports and four write ports. If bypass circuitry is implemented between the eight operand data paths of the four execution units and the twelve result outputs from the three stages, then 96 bypass data paths are required. In a 32-bit register file architecture, each of these 96 bypass data paths is 32 bits wide. This results in a very large bypass network.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for data processors that implement pipeline architectures that minimize the latency in read-after-write operations. In particular, there is an need for a pipelined data processors comprising improved bypass circuitry for transferring result data from late pipeline stages to earlier pipeline stages. More particularly, there is need for an improved execution pipeline that minimizes the amount and complexity of bypass circuitry needed to bypass results data to be written to a multi-ported register file to earlier pipeline stages.

Bypass circuitry for use in a pipelined processor


Mounting structures for facilitating fast and easy installation and/or removal of electronics components into or out of a computer system are disclosed. The mounting structures include a base and a stackable mounting structure. Each mounting structure generally includes generally parallel and opposing spacers, tapered supports extending from the spacers to engage holes defined on a surface of an electronics component, and a base portion extending between being generally orthogonal to the spacers. The spacers may define orifices to facilitate securing the mounting structure and the electronics component to an electronics base via, e.g., a hook and loop material. The stackable mounting structure may include sharp points and angled legs to also engage the electronics component below.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to mounting structures for electronics components. More specifically, mounting structures for facilitating fast and easy installation and/or removal of electronics components into or out of a computer system are disclosed.
2. Description of Related Art
Servers are commonly employed in computer networks such as the Internet. As an example, servers are often used to host web sites and/or web search engines that can be accessed by numerous computers over the Internet. Servers typically include high performance processors as well as hardware and software capable of handling high volumes of network traffic.
Many of today's more complex computing systems such as computer server systems are often rack-mounted systems in which a number of removable electronics modules, such as electronics trays, are positioned and stacked relative to each other in a shelf-like manner within a frame or rack. Rack-mounted systems allow the arrangement of several of the electronics modules in a vertical orientation for efficient use of space. Each electronics module can be slid into and out of the rack-mounting system. Typically; the electronics modules are inserted from the front of the rack and various cables such as data cables, power cables, etc., are connected to the electronics modules at the front and/or rear of the rack.
Each electronics module may correspond to a different server or each electronics module may hold one or more components of a server. Examples of electronics modules include modules for processing, storage such as random access memory (RAM), network interfaces and controllers, disk drives such as floppy disk drives, hard drives, compact disk (CD) drives, and digital video disk (DVD) drives, parallel and serial ports, small computer systems interface (SCSI) bus controllers, video controllers, power supplies, and so forth. A server farm in today's computing environment may include numerous racks that hold various types of computer-related modules.
When an electronics component on a given electronics module is to be serviced or replaced, a service technician would need to remove the electronics module from the server rack and then remove the electronics component from the electronics module. The electronics components are often mounted to the electronics module via mounting screws engaged with threaded mounting holes provided by the electronics components. The electronics components typically provide threaded mounting holes on the left and right sides and/or on the bottom surface of the electronics component. The service technician must first remove all the mounting screws for the particular electronics component before the electronics component can be removed from the electronics module.
However, in many electronics modules, the electronics components are mounted side-by-side in close proximity with other electronics components such that access to the mounting screws and the mounting holes are often blocked. Because access to the mounting screws may be awkward and difficult, removing or installing the mounting screws and the electronics component is often a difficult task. Not only does such a removal or installation process require the use of tools but access to the mounting screws may also be awkward and difficult. The servicing or replacing of an electronics component thus becomes a difficult, labor intensive, and time consuming process. The result is increased system downtime and increased cost resulting from both the system down time and increased labor costs associated with the service technician.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a mechanism to facilitate fast and easy installation and/or removal of an electronics component into or out of a computer such as an electronics module of a rack mounted computer system.

Mounting structures for electronics components


Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products are provided for synthesizing speech. One method includes matching a first level of units of a received input string to audio segments from a plurality of audio segments including using properties of or between first level units to locate matching audio segments from a plurality of selections, parsing unmatched first level units into second level units, matching the second level units to audio segments using properties of or between the units to locate matching audio segments from a plurality of selections and synthesizing the input string, including combining the audio segments associated with the first and second units.

The following disclosure generally relates to information systems.
In general, conventional text-to-speech application programs produce audible speech from written text. The text can be displayed, for example, in an application program executing on a personal computer or other device. For example, a blind or sight-impaired user of a personal computer can have text from a web page read aloud from the personal computer. Other text to speech applications are possible including those that read from a textual database and provide corresponding audio to a user by way of a communication device, such as a telephone, cellular telephone or the like.
Speech from conventional text-to-speech applications typically sounds artificial or machine-like when compared to human speech. One reason for this result is that current text-to-speech applications often employ synthesis, digitally creating phonemes to be spoken from mathematical principles to mimic a human enunciation of the same. Another reason for the distinct sound of computer speech is that phonemes, even when generated from a human voice sample, are typically stitched together with insufficient context. Each voice sample is typically independent of adjacently played voice samples and can have an independent duration, pitch, tone and/or emphasis. When different words are formed that rely on the same phoneme as represented by text, conventional text-to-speech applications typically output the same phoneme represented as a voice sample. However, the resulting speech formed from the independent samples often sounds less than desirable.

Multi-unit approach to text-to-speech synthesis


A method for managing a plurality of files in a communication network having a plurality of clients includes a server receiving (502) metadata associated with a secured file stored in a virtual data drive of a first client. The server also receives (504) data segments associated with the file from the virtual data drive of the first client. The server stores the metadata and data segments associated with the file at the server. The server generates (506) a first representation of the file based on the received metadata and data segments associated with the file and sends (508) the first representation of the file to the plurality of clients. Next, the server receives (510) a request from a second client for at least one data segment of the file. The server authenticates the request based on a plurality of access rights of a user of the second client and sends (512) the at least one data segment of the file to the second client when the request is authenticated.

Typically, data in the form of files such as documents, image files, and audio/video/multimedia files is stored as a sequence of data bytes in a computer's local storage, for example, the hard drive of the computer. Storing data in a local storage has a few limitations. One of such limitations is that only a restricted volume of data can be stored because of the limited capacity of the storage. For example, most of the personal computers available in market have a local storage of 40 Gigabytes (GB) to 320 GB. Another limitation is that the local storage is neither secure nor reliable because data cannot be retrieved when the computer malfunctions or gets damaged. Also, if the computer is lost or stolen, data can be accessed by unauthorized users and can be misused. For example; confidential data such as personnel details stored in a laptop can be accessed by unauthorized users for criminal activities.
To overcome these limitations associated with the local storage, service providers enable users to store data at remote storage sites connected through networks. Mostly, these remote storage sites are utilized as seamless backups or synchronization devices to maintain copies of data present in the local storage of the computer. When a file is created by a user in the local storage, a copy of the file is automatically created at the remote storage site. Similarly, when the user modifies a file stored in the local storage, the same modification is automatically made to the copy of the file at the remote storage site. In this scenario, if a user intends to store a 400-GB data in the remote storage, he requires a local storage of 400 GB connected to his computer. Therefore, in this case, the user may be required to connect an external hard drive to his/her computer, or may be required to upgrade the local storage of his/her computer. This requires additional expenditure and hence is not an efficient way to store a large amount of data.
Another manner in which the remote storage sites are utilized is non-seamless. Users having an access to the remote storage sites manually upload and download data to and from the remote storage sites. In this scenario, only the downloaded data is stored in the local storage "of the computer. Also, in this case, if the user intends to make modification to an already uploaded file, he/she has to manually download the file on the local storage and then make changes to it. Therefore, he/she has to upload the modified file on the remote storage site again. Also, in the case of remote storage sites, users have to continuously keep track of the free space available in the local storage of their computers as they need to delete files from the local storage to vacate space for files they intend to download. Thus, at every step, user's manual intervention is required—making this process entirely non-seamless.
In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to have a system that enables users to seamlessly store data at a remote storage without maintaining a copy of the data at the local storage. Also, the system should not require the user to manually download a file on his/her local storage every time he/she wants to make changes to the file already on the remote storage.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for managing data in a communication network


The present invention generally relates to non-human transgenic animals expressing human cellular markers, including CD20 and/or preferably CD16.

T and B cells both comprise cell surface proteins that can be utilized as markers for differentiation and identification. One such human B cell marker is the human B lymphocyte-restricted differentiation antigen Bp35, also known as "CD20". CD20 is expressed during early pre-B cell development and remains until plasma cell differentiation. It is believed that the CD20 molecule regulates a step in the activation process that is required for cell cycle initiation and differentiation and is usually expressed at very high levels on neoplastic B cells.
CD20 is present on both normal B cells as well as malignant B cells, whose unabated proliferation can lead to B cell lymphoma. Thus, the CD20 surface antigen has the potential of serving as a candidate for targeting of B cell lymphomas with antibodies specific to the antigen. These anti-CD20 antibodies specifically bind to the CD20 cell surface antigen of both normal and malignant B cells, leading to the destruction and depletion of B cells. Chemical agents or radioactive labels having the potential to destroy the tumor can be conjugated to the anti-CD20 antibody such that the agent is specifically delivered to the neoplastic B cell.
The use of monoclonal antibodies targeting CD20 has been described (see, for example, Weiner, Semin. Oncol., 26, 43-51 (1999); Gopal and Press, J. Lab. Clin. Med., 134, 445-450 (1999); White et al., Pharm. Sci. Technol. Today, 2, 95-101 (1999)). Rituxan™ is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has been used widely both as a single agent and together with chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed lymphomas (Davis et al, J. Clin. Oncol., 17, 1851-1857 (1999); Solal-Celigny et al., Blood, 94, abstract 2802 (1999); Foran et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 18, 317-324 (2000). The use of radiolabeled antibody conjugates has also been described (for example, Bexxar™; Zelenetz et al., Blood, 94, abstract 2806 (1999)).
The interaction of antibody-antigen complex with cells of the immune system results in a wide array of responses, ranging from effector functions such as antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, mast cell degranulation, and phagocytosis to immunomodulatory signals such as regulating lymphocyte proliferation and antibody secretion. All these interactions are initiated through the binding of the Fc domain of antibodies or immune complexes to specialized cell surface receptors on hematopoietic cells. It is now well established that the diversity of cellular responses triggered by antibodies and immune complexes results from the structural heterogeneity of Fc receptors (FcRs).
One group of these receptors, FcγRs, is found on most cells of the hematopoietic lineage, and mediate both high and low affinity binding to IgG (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,396, incorporated herein by reference). The high affinity receptor, FcγRI, binds monomeric IgG and is expressed exclusively on macrophages and neutrophils. It is capable of mediating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis in response to crosslinking by antibody. The low affinity receptors for IgG, FcγRII and FcγRIII (CD16), are responsible for effector cell responses to immune complexes and represent the FcγRs primarily involved in the inflammatory response in vivo. FcγRII is widely expressed on haematopoietic cells and functions as an inhibitory receptor on B cells, while on cells of the myeloid lineage and on platelets, FcγRII triggers ADCC, phagocytosis and the release of inflammatory mediators when crosslinked by immune complexes. FcγRIII is expressed on various leucocytes including natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and mast cells, and mediates effector responses when crosslinked by immune complexes. It is the sole FcR on NK cells, mediating all the antibody-dependent responses on those cells. Natural killer cells are a subset of spontaneously cytotoxic lymphocytes that lytically destroy tumor cells without apparent antigen specificity or restriction by histocompatibility molecules. In addition to these well-characterized effector cell pathways, FcγRIII has been found on immature thymocytes, where it has been postulated to function in early thymocyte development.
With other receptors of the immunoglobulin Fc portion (eg. FcγRI, FcγRII, FcεRI), CD16 plays an important role in mediating autoimmunity and inflammatory responses. Studies using monoclonal antibodies against CD16 have established this receptor's role in removing immune complexes from circulation and in mediating ADCC (see for example Van de Winkel et al., Immunol. Today, 14, 215-221 (1993)). The binding of IgG with CD16 elicits NK/LGL cell activation and triggers ADCC. ADCC can be halted in the presence of high levels of soluble CD16.
It has been found (see Mathiot et al., J. Clin. Immunol., 13, 41-8 (1993)) that the level of soluble CD16 was significantly decreased in patients with multiple myeloma compared with healthy volunteers. In addition a stage-dependent decrease of soluble CD16 was observed, with a highly significant difference between stage I and stages II+III myeloma patients. Therefore, measurement of soluble CD16 in serum is both a diagnostic and a prognostic marker of myeloma, which can be useful to define and guide novel immunomodulatory therapies of the disease.
It has further been found that CD16 is present in human serum and other body fluids and is elevated at sites of inflammation (see Fleit et al., Blood, 79, 2721-8 (1992)). It appears that there are at least two forms of human CD16, type A and type B. CD16-A is expressed predominantly on the surface of macrophages, natural killer cells and large granular lymphocytes (NK/LGL), whereas CD16-B is expressed predominantly on the surface of neutrophils and monocytes.
In spite of the significant roles of CD20 and CD16 in human lymphoma and in inducement of important immunological responses, animal models are lacking which co-express the human markers. Thus, a need exists for relevant animal models for disease study and pharmaceutical drug development.

Transgenic mice expressing human CD20 and/or CD16


A single pass process and apparatus for manufacturing a folded yard sign from a pre-cut sheet previously coated on both sides with a fusible polymer includes the steps of printing an image on an outside of the sheet, curing the image, scoring the printed sheet, folding the scored sheet, ultrasonically sealing regions along side edges of the folded sheet, and stacking the sealed sheets, which are finished sign products ready for packaging. The ultrasonic sealing fuses the polymer coated inside surfaces along the edges of the folded sheet. The sealed side edges form a sign support receiving pocket in the finished sign member in cooperation with a folded edge of the sign member.

The present invention relates to temporary signage and, more particularly, to an improved process and apparatus for manufacturing folded yard signs.
Temporary yard signs are useful for a wide variety of purposes, such as for political campaigning, indicating availability of property for sale or rent or open houses, announcements of yard or garage sales, giving directions to various events or places, and the like. In the past temporary signs were formed of a single panel displaying information on only one side and attached to a sign support, such as a long wooden stake, by staples, nails, or similar fasteners. More recently, two sided signs have been devised which are formed by two sheets stapled together or by a single folded-over sheet with the edges joined, as by staples, or sealed by a hot melt adhesive, creating an inverted pocket to receive a sign support, such as an inverted, rectangular, U-shaped wire bail, the legs of which are inserted into the ground.
Because such signs are only intended for temporary use, it is desirable for them to be inexpensive. However, it is also desirable that such signs, when in use outdoors, remain in good enough condition that they effectively convey a desired message. For this reason, typical materials for temporary signs for outdoor use have been paper card stock coated or impregnated with a waterproof material, such as a polymer like polyethylene. Additionally, the such signs are often printed using screen printing techniques and ultraviolet cured printed ink, resulting in dense ink patterns with high visibility and durability, although other inks and curing systems may be used.
In the past, the sided yard signs were often formed by scoring and folding a sheet with an image printed thereon. Then the edges of the folded sheet were sealed using an adhesive, such as a hot melt adhesive which was applied in a line along the side edges of the folded sheet. In a more recent manufacturing process, lines of the polyethylene coating along the side edges on the inside of the folded sheet were fused using ultrasonic energy, thereby avoiding use of a separate adhesive. However, the manner of practicing this process included manual folding of scored sheets and manual insertion of the folded sheets into an ultrasonic edge sealing machine. Manual folding and handling of the sign stock adds a labor cost to the sign product and limits the efficiency of production of such signs, thereby reducing production time and labor costs.
What is needed is a process for manufacturing folded temporary outdoor signs which maximizes mechanical handling and processing of the sign stock.

Coated folded ultrasonically sealed yard sign


A gas damper includes a gas pressurized working chamber and valving within the piston to control flow of the gas through the piston. A system is in communication with the working chamber to control the gas pressure within the working chamber in order to control the damping characteristics of the damper. An electronic control unit is utilized to control the opening and closing of the valving within the piston to also control the damping characteristics of the damper.

Shock absorbers are used in conjunction with automotive suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibrations which occur during driving. To absorb the unwanted vibrations, shock absorbers are generally connected between the sprung portion (body) and the unsprung portion (suspension) of the automobile. A piston is located within a pressure tube of the shock absorber and the pressure tube is normally attached to the unsprung portion of the vehicle. The piston is normally attached to a piston rod which extends through the pressure tube to be connected to the sprung portion of the vehicle. The piston divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber both of which are typically filled with a hydraulic liquid. Because the piston is able, through valving, to limit the flow of the hydraulic liquid between the upper and the lower working chambers when the shock absorber is compressed or extended, the shock absorber is able to produce a damping force which counteracts the vibration which would otherwise be transmitted from the unsprung portion of the vehicle to the sprung portion of the vehicle. In a dual tube shock absorber, a fluid reservoir or reserve chamber is defined between the pressure tube and a reserve tube. A base valve is located between the lower working chamber and the reserve chamber to also produce a damping force which counteracts the vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted from the unsprung portion to the sprung portion of the vehicle.
Shock absorbers filled with hydraulic liquid have met with continuous success throughout the automotive industry. While meeting with success in the automotive industry, hydraulic liquid filled shock absorbers are not without problems. One problem associated with the prior art hydraulic liquid shock absorbers is their lack of ability to change the damping characteristics in response to the frequency of vibration. In order to overcome this deficiency, complex systems have been developed to produce hydraulic liquid filled shock absorbers which are relatively soft for high frequency vibrations while being relatively stiff for low frequency vibrations. Other problems associated with the prior art hydraulic liquid filled shock absorbers include the variability in their damping forces due to the temperature changes of the hydraulic liquid. As the temperature of the hydraulic liquid changes, the viscosity of the liquid also changes which significantly affects the damping force characteristics of the liquid. In addition, any aeration of the hydraulic liquid during operation adversely affects the operation of the damper due to the introduction of a compressible gas into the non-compressible hydraulic liquid. Finally, the hydraulic liquid adds to the weight of the shock absorber as well as presenting environmental concerns regarding the use of the hydraulic liquid.
In an effort to overcome the problems with hydraulic liquid filled dampers, the industry has designed compressed gas, preferably air, dampers. The use of a gas and particularly air as a damping medium produces a frequency dependent damper or shock absorber which is less sensitive to temperature changes when compared to the hydraulic liquid dampers. These air dampers are not adversely affected by aeration over time, they are lower in weight and they are environmentally friendly due to the elimination of the hydraulic liquid.
The continued development of these gas or air dampers has been directed towards the tunability of these dampers. The gas or air damper is inherently frequency dependent due to the compressibility of the damping medium. The further development of these dampers has been directed towards varying the damping characteristics in relation to one or more vehicle parameters.

Electronically controlled frequency dependent damping

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.


The image forming apparatus includes a reading device or reading a document image and generating image signals, a memory for storing image signals generated by the reading device and an image forming device for forming an image on an image carrier according to the image signals stored in the memory. The image forming apparatus has a control unit for controlling the apparatus to include the state wherein the reading operation and the image forming operation are executed simultaneously in a series of operations ranging from the reading operation by the reading device of the image forming apparatus to the image forming operation by the image forming device and further, has a breaking key for breaking one of the reading operation and the image forming operation while both of these operations are being executed simultaneously.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image forming apparatus such as, for instance, copying machines and the like, which are capable of simultaneously executing both an document image input operation wherein an image on a document is read and once stored in a memory device and an image forming operation wherein an image is formed by reading image information stored in a memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
So far, image forming apparatus such as copying machine and the like have been put to practical use, which are capable of simultaneously executing both a document image input operation to read and store a document image once in a memory device and an image forming operation to form an image by reading image information stored in a memory device.
In such copying machines, while a series of operations ranging from a document image input operation for storing document image information to an image forming operation for forming an image from the image information stored in a memory device are being executed simultaneously, even when user finds any setting error during the course of operations and desires to suspend either one of the operations, if user depresses a break key, both operation were suspended.
As described above, there are image forming apparatus such as copying machines and the like, which are capable of simultaneously executing both the document image input operation for reading an image of a document and once storing the read document image in a memory device and the image forming operation for reading image information out of the memory device and forming an image. In such apparatus, when user desires to select and suspend a desired operation in the state wherein a series of document image input operation for storing document image information and an image forming operation for forming an image from the image information stored in a memory device are being executed simultaneously, both operation are suspended. So, there was such a problem that if this apparatus is operated again there was a large time loss.

Image processing apparatus having means to interrupt one of concurrent scanning and printing operations