One or more interfaces may be provided that indicate a plurality of times at which a plurality of publicized players are scheduled to play in a plurality of video games for which a plurality of player slots are acquired based on satisfaction of at least one acquisition criterion. Player access to the plurality of video games may be limited to the publicized players and a plurality of users that acquire the plurality of player slots. A request may be received, via the one or more interfaces, for a first user to acquire a first player slot for playing in a first video game with a first publicized player. It may be verified that the at least one acquisition criterion has been satisfied in relation to the first user. Game access information may be provided, to the first user, that allows the first user to enter the first video game.

Over the past few years, playing of video games has become an increasingly social experience. Some video game players may be fans of well-known game players, such as famous celebrities, influencers, streamers and the like. These fans may covet opportunities to play in a game with the well-known players. Moreover, the well-known players may often enjoy playing in video games with fans, for example because it may provide a fun and authentic way to build, and connect with, their fan bases. In some examples, a well-known player can make arrangements to play with fans, such as by posting a message including information about a game server and/or other game-related details. However, these games may be rare and not many slots may be available, so fans may have limited opportunities and may be unable to plan to play in advance. Moreover, sharing of game-related details may result in a number of problems. For example, in some cases, well-known players may share their player identifiers (e.g., gamertags), thereby exposing personal information and potentially allowing themselves to be tracked or followed in future games. Additionally, the well-known players may have limited, if any, control over which players join the games and how those players behave while participating in the games. For example, a well-known player could potentially be exposed to trolls and negative fan interactions.

Service for securely playing video games with publicized players


This disclosure relates to a hose, such as a fire zone hose, that can include an inner tube, a thermal protection sleeve and a braided member. The inner tube can form a flow path for conveying fluid. The thermal protection sleeve can be disposed around the inner tube. The thermal protection sleeve can include an inner surface and an outer surface such that the inner tube is positioned inwards from an inner surface of the thermal protection sleeve. The braided member can be disposed around the thermal protection sleeve, such that the braided member deforms the outer surface of the thermal protection sleeve. Additionally, the hose can include a braid retainer. The braid retainer can be disposed around an end of the braided member to secure the braided member to the thermal protection sleeve.

Hoses can be utilized as a flexible device for conveying fluid between two or more components. Hoses have many applications including aircraft or airframe applications. For example, aircraft hoses can be utilized to convey pressurized fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid, or the like. Accordingly, aircraft hoses can be exposed to deleterious fluids due to failure of components, or accidental spillage. Additionally, aircraft hoses can be subjected to relatively hostile ambient conditions. For example, aircraft operation generally provides a relatively demanding ambient temperature range during normal operation due to use in a variety of climates and high altitude. Aircraft hoses can be subjected to high temperatures, when exposed to engine environments, and low temperatures, when exposed to high altitude.
Moreover, some aircraft hoses can be certified for use in fire zones as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or applicable certifying authority. For example, aircraft hoses can be configured to withstand direct flame for a certain period of time (e.g., five minutes or fifteen minutes) in order to be certified as being fire resistant or fire proof. However, existing aircraft hoses suitable for use in fire zones are prone to degradation during exposure to fire, which can impact product capability to meet the fire requirement.
Accordingly, a need exists for alternative fire zone hoses and methods for forming the same.

Fire zone hoses and methods for forming the same


A method for manufacturing a chemically bonding material comprising the steps of: mixing a compound expressed by a general formula ABX.sub.n (Formula 1), wherein A shows a group including carbon, B indicates Si, Ge, Sn, Ti or Zr, X is a hydrolyzable group and n indicates 1, 2 or 3, and at least one kind of compound not including active hydrogen groups in a dry atmosphere having a water vapor density of 0.0076 kg/m.sup.3 or less; and storing the same in a dry atmosphere having a water vapor density of 0.0076 kg/m.sup.3 or less. A coating solution including compounds that are easily hydrolyzed is stored in a dry state so that the material is not deactivated before reacting with a substrate.

It is well known to process the surface of a substrate such as glass by using silane-based, germanium-based, tin-based, titanium-based or zirconium-based molecules, for example, in the case of manufacturing a glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) by improving the adhesiveness between the glass fibers and the plastics.
The conventional methods will be explained employing examples using silane-based molecules as follows. The conventional methods using germanium-based, tin-based, titanium-based or zirconium-based molecules may use the same method as in the example using silane-based molecules explained below.
Silane-based molecules used in a first conventional example are chlorosilane-based molecules. Other halosilane molecules such as bromine silane-based molecules or the like have the same functions as chlorosilane-based molecules. A solution is prepared by dissolving in alcohol silane-based molecules having monochlorosilane groups, dichlorosilane groups or trichlorosilane groups as a material for forming a coating film. A method of dipping a substrate into the solution, a method of applying the solution to a substrate, a method of spraying the solution on a substrate or the like is used as a method for forming a coating film on a substrate using the solution. A coating film made up of chlorosilane-based molecules is formed using any one of such methods, although there are differences in thickness and in uniformity of the film in each method.
Next, a second conventional example will be explained as follows. Molecules used here are alkoxysilane-based molecules. Isocyanate-based molecules have the same functions as the alkoxysilane-based molecules. A solution is prepared by dissolving silane-based molecules having monoalkoxysilane groups, dialkoxysilane groups or trialkoxysilane groups as a material for forming a coating film in hydrocarbon molecules. A method of dipping a substrate into the solution, a method of applying the solution to a substrate, a method of spraying the solution on a substrate or the like is used as a method for forming a coating film on a substrate using the solution. A coating film made up of alkoxysilane-based molecules is formed using any one of such methods, although there are differences in thickness and in uniformity of the film in each method. Then, the substrate on which a film has been formed is fired, wherein a temperature of 100.degree. C. and a time period of one hour usually are employed as standard conditions. As a result, a siloxane bond is formed by a dehydration reaction, a dealcoholization reaction or the like between alkoxy groups of the alkoxysilane-based molecules and hydroxyl groups of the alkoxysilane-based molecules already hydrolyzed, between alkoxy groups of the alkoxysilane-based molecules, between hydroxyl groups of the alkoxysilane-based molecules already hydrolyzed, between hydroxyl groups on the surface of the substrate and alkoxy groups of the alkoxysilane-based molecules, or between hydroxyl groups on the surface of the substrate and hydroxyl groups of the alkoxysilane-based molecules already hydrolyzed, thus forming a coating film.
As a third conventional example, a solution is prepared by dissolving chlorosilane-based molecules in a silicone oil. The solution prepared here is applied to a substrate by using the same method as in the first example, and thus forming a coating film.
However, in the case of using the method for forming a coating film in the first conventional example mentioned above, the chlorosilane groups of the chlorosilane-based molecules react with the alcohol in which the chlorosilane groups dissolve, and alkoxysilane groups are formed. The alkoxysilane groups are changed to silane groups having high reactivity, and the chlorosilane-based molecules, alkoxy-based molecules changed from the chlorosilane-based molecules, silanol-based molecules changed further from the alkoxy-based molecules and the like react with each other. As a result, a thick coating film having a non-uniform thickness is formed. Furthermore, a tight chemically bonded film should be inherently formed by the reaction between hydroxyl groups on the surface of the substrate such as glass or the like and the chlorosilane groups or the alkoxy groups. However, the film formed here is not tightly bonded to the substrate, since the number of reactive chlorosilane groups, alkoxysilane groups and silanol groups which are included in the material molecules is overwhelmingly more than the number of the hydroxyl groups exposed on the surface of the substrate, and the great majority of the molecules therefore react with each other. Similarly, in the second conventional example, a coating film similar to that of the first conventional example is formed, since a reaction occurs between the alkoxysilane-based molecules and the silanol-based molecules changed from the alkoxysilane-based molecules. In the third conventional example, the chlorosilane-based molecules are not changed to silanol-based molecules, since the solution is composed of silicone oil and oils, which does not include water. However, the atmosphere in the dissolving process is not a dry atmosphere, so that a little water content comes to be included during the dissolving process. The water molecules are changed to silanol-based molecules by reacting gradually with the chlorosilane-based molecules, thus forming an oligomer. As a result, as a storage time of the material becomes longer, a coating film formed becomes similar to that of the first and second conventional examples.
In the first, second and third conventional examples, the atmosphere is not controlled so as to be a dry atmosphere during the production of a chemically bonding material, the preparation of the material into a coating solution composition and the storage of the composition. Therefore, the method according to the first, second and third conventional examples mentioned above is disadvantageous in that the silane-based molecules are deactivated and do not react with the surface of a substrate such as glass or the like.

Chemically bonding material and method for manufacturing the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The invention relates to a binding mechanism (1) for board-type gliding devices, in particular a snowboard binding, provided with a retaining plate (12) for a base plate (11) for securing it to a gliding board body. A setting and fixing device (23) is provided, which can be switched into at least three selectively assumable operating modes and is designed so that (i) in a first operating mode, an anti-rotation lock and an anti-lift lock for the base plate (11) are activated, (ii) in a second operating mode, the anti-rotation lock is inactive and the anti-lift lock is active, and (iii) in a third operating mode, the anti-rotation lock and the anti-lift lock are inactive. The retaining plate (12) is therefore rigidly connected to the top face (13) of a gliding board body and is immobile in the direction perpendicular to it both when the anti-rotation lock (41) is deactivated in order to change the position of angular rotation (20) and when the anti-lift lock (42) is deactivated in order to remove or fit the base plate (11).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a binding mechanism for board-type gliding devices, in particular a snowboard binding, of the type specified in the introductory part of claim 1.
2. Prior art
Patent specifications WO 97/33664 A1 and WO 00/04964 A1 disclose a snowboard binding, whereby the base plate for supporting a user's foot can not be detached or removed from the retaining plate screwed to the snowboard except with the aid of tools. In particular, fastidious and awkward dismantling operations would have to be carried out on the snowboard binding in order to remove the base plate from the snowboard. With this design, therefore, the base plate is always mechanically connected to the circular retaining plate and snowboard. However, no provision is made for an end user or retailer of such bindings to effect a relative displacement between the retaining plate and the base plate in the vertical direction towards the top face of the snowboard. The slide elements which can be displaced radially with respect to the circular retaining plate act by means of their teeth in the outer mutually remote end portions solely as an anti-rotation lock for the base plate relative to the snowboard which can be activated and deactivated as and when required, and when the slide elements are in the extracted position, any rotating movement of the base plate relative to the central retaining plate is blocked. When the slide elements are in the retracted position, the angle of rotation of the base can be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the snowboard. Although the angular position of the binding relative to the snowboard can be changed comfortably and without tools on the basis of this design, the base plate together with the components disposed on it can not be readily and rapidly removed or detached from the snowboard.
Patent specification FR 2 743 306 A1 also discloses a snowboard binding with a circular retaining plate designed to be rigidly connected to a snowboard, comprising two slide elements which can be displaced radially relative to its centre. When these slide elements are in a position extracted from the retaining plate, they act as an anti-rotation lock for the pivot bearing between the base plate and retaining plate. Disposed between the outer peripheral portion of the circular retaining plate and the peripheral portions around the co-operating orifice in the base plate are rigid overlaps or stable retaining flanges, which permanently prevent a relative displacement of the base plate in the direction perpendicular to the top face of the snowboard and in the direction perpendicular to the mounting plane of the binding mechanism. In the assembled state, the projections in the circumferential portion of the retaining plate and in the peripheral portion of the circular orifice in the base plate act as rigid overlaps or retaining lugs which establish a permanent lock preventing the base plate from being removed from the retaining plate. Again with this design, therefore, the base plate can not be detached or removed from the snowboard other than by completely unscrewing it and removing the retaining plate from the snowboard.
Patent specification EP 1 797 930 A1 proposes a design whereby the disc-shaped retaining mechanism for the base plate of a snowboard binding can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction with respect to the top face of a gliding board to permit and prevent a rotating movement of the base plate relative to the retaining mechanism. A retaining plate of this retaining mechanism is designed so that it can be positively coupled with pin-type projections on the top face of the gliding board and uncoupled from these pin-type projections in the vertical direction so that when the disc-shaped retaining mechanism and base plate are removed from the gliding board, only the pin-type projections remain on the gliding board. To this end, two comb-like or rake-like lock elements are provided in the retaining mechanism, which are able locate round the head of the pin-type projections either without any clearance, with a vertical clearance or can be uncoupled from the pin-type projections. Also proposed is an operating lever which enables the retaining plate to be raised from the base plate to a limited degree on assuming an intermediate position so that the position of angular rotation of the base plate can be adjusted relative to the retaining plate. In this intermediate position in which the retaining plate is loosened, the base plate is totally prevented from being removed from the gliding board. The disadvantage of this is that this design requires a large number of components with particularly low dimensional tolerances, which means that a binding mechanism of this type is complex to produce and cost-intensive. Furthermore, a person using or adjusting the binding mechanism can not easily tell whether the retaining plate is secured so that the base plate will be retained correctly. In particular, it is not possible to tell visually in what position the pin-type projections have located with the retaining plate and whether they have established a positive connection correctly. Assembling and dismantling the retaining plate and base plate require a high level of skill or some practical experience with binding mechanisms because the pin-type projections and the comb-like or rake-like lock elements are not visible from above. The ability of the retaining plate to lift vertically relative to the top face of the gliding board is also critical in view of the risk of ice or snow collecting underneath the retaining plate. Moreover, relatively tight dimensional tolerances are necessary when securing the pin-type projections on the top face of the gliding board body in order to establish a sufficiently strong and clearance-free connection between these pin-type projections and the retaining plate once the retaining plate and its operating lever are in the locked operating or operation-ready position.
The applicant's patent specification AT 411 016 B describes a snowboard binding which has what in plan view is a circular retaining plate for mounting on a snowboard for a base plate with a relatively large surface. Disposed on this retaining plate is at least one slide element which can be moved from an extracted position, in which it spans or overlaps a transition region between the retaining plate and the base plate, into a retracted position, in which the slide element does not span or overlap the transition region between the retaining plate and base plate, and vice versa. In the extracted position, the at least one slide element acts as a lock to prevent the base plate from lifting from the retaining plate in the vertical direction by reference to its mounting plane. When the at least one slide element is in the retracted position, the base plate can be lifted from the retaining plate and snowboard. In order to activate and deactivate the lock between the retaining plate and base plate to prevent lifting when necessary, a setting and fixing device is provided on the retaining plate, which can be operated without tools. The two operating modes of the setting and fixing device, in particular the active and inactive mode of the setting and fixing device, thus enable convenient fitting and dismantling or replacement of the base plate on the snowboard. In order to change the angle of rotation between the base plate and retaining plate, the base plate is lifted from the retaining plate at least slightly when the anti-lift lock is switched to the inactive mode so that the teeth between the retaining plate and base plate disengage and the base plate can then be re-set in the desired position of angular rotation. The user-friendliness and convenience achieved as a result is relatively high but is still not sufficiently satisfactory for all users and situations.

Binding mechanism for board-type gliding devices


Presented herein are embodiments of techniques to manage a plurality of tape-out tools each executing on a plurality of computing devices. The tape-out tools designed to process circuit design data to physical mask data which describes the physical layout of a circuit. The techniques including management of resources used by a tape-out tool and real-time feedback from a tape-out tool.

Modern semiconductor devices may utilize intricate layouts involving a variety of circuit components to provide a wide array of functionality. To produce these layouts, circuit design files are generally created which describe the functionality to be included in the semiconductor device in what is typically referred to as a "tape-in" process. These circuit design files are then processed using executable circuit design tools to form a physical layout that is suitable to form a physical mask in what is typically referred to as a "tape-out" process.
The executable tools that are utilized to perform the "tape-out" process, however, are typically executed in isolation and therefore have limited interaction with other executable tools utilized during the process. Additionally, the resources used by the tools may be quite significant, thereby increasing the complexity when coordinating the execution of these tools. Further, these tools traditionally provide limited feedback during execution and therefore limit identification of problems that may arise during execution of the tools.

Management of tools that process data to describe a physical layout of a circuit


In accordance with an example embodiment of the apparatus there is at least a method and apparatus to perform determining a grant for data to be communicated, comprising identifying logical channels to be multiplexed into a medium access control protocol data unit for the data to be communicated, wherein at least one of a logical channel identifier for at least one logical channel of the multiplexed logical channels and length of at least one logical channel service data unit is configured to be omitted from the medium access control protocol data unit. Further in accordance with an example embodiment of the apparatus there is at least a method and apparatus to perform receiving a grant for the data to be communicated, comprising logical channels multiplexed into a medium access control protocol data unit for the data to be communicated, wherein at least one of a logical channel identifier for at least one logical channel of the multiplexed logical channels and length of at least one logical channel service data unit is configured to be omitted from the medium access control protocol data unit.

This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Certain abbreviations that may be found in the description and/or in the Figures are herewith defined as follows:    CCCH common control channel    CE control element    D/C data control    LCID logical channel identification    LCH logical channel    LCP logical channel prioritization    NR new radio    RA random access    SDU service data unit    URLLC ultra-reliable low latency communications
Advantages of 5th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) communications technology are envisaged to include supporting expanded and diversified usage scenarios and applications in current and future mobile network generations. Present releases of the 5G NR communications technology includes ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) with strict requirements.
It is noted that example embodiments as described herein relate to improving at least latency and reliability operations associated with the ultra-reliable low-latency communications.

Enhancement of medium access control subheaders


There is provided a removable holding device for accommodating a mobile terminal and/or a screen in the passenger region of a vehicle. The holding device comprises at least one bar with a first end for insertion into fitments of a vehicle and a second end for accommodating the mobile terminal and/or the screen. That holding device has proven to be advantageous insofar as it is easy to remove/insert.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to holding portable computers in place and more particularly to a holding device for a portable computer that can be placed on the dashboard of an automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently, the maintenance of buildings, structures, and other power installations, such as for example wind power installations, usually requires mobile computer equipment, in particular data processing apparatuses such as for example notebooks, laptops, palmtops or the like. The problem which arises is that of providing for adequately holding stands and stable platforms for mobile computer units. As maintenance and upkeep operations have to be carried out not just when the weather is good, it is desirable for the mobile units which are required for work or building maintenance to be mounted within a vehicle for the duration of the maintenance procedure.

Holding device for accommodating a mobile terminal/screen


A method and system for gathering enriched web server activity data in a global communications network in which requested information files are cached at a plurality of network devices. With the prevalence of web caching on the Internet, the origin web servers do not serve the majority of requests for web site content. A single pixel clear Graphics Image Format (GIF) request is added to the HyperText Markup Language (HTML) source file for a web page. Appended to the GIF request is a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) string of data that contains enhanced web activity data information, including the number of images (“hits”) that have to be retrieved by a client browser to build the web page, and the referring identifier that resulted in access to the web page. The single pixel clear GIF request is not cacheable and results in the request being transmitted to the origin web server when the client browser interprets the HTML file. The enriched data is stored in log files at the origin web server to accumulate an accurate number of hits on the web page.

The present invention relates generally to client-server computer systems and, more specifically, to information access requests to a web site server over a global communications network.
All web pages are written with HyperText Markup Language (HTML). Hypertext and universality are two essential features of HTML. Hypertext means that a programmer can create a link on a web page that leads the visitor to any other web page or to practically anything else on the Internet. Hypertext enables information on the web to be accessed from many different directions. Universality means that because HTML documents are saved as ASCII or text only files, virtually any computer can read a web page. HTML lets the web designer format text, add graphics, sound, and video, and save it all in a text or an American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) file that any computer can read. The key to HTML is in the tags, which are key words enclosed between less than (<) and greater than (>) signs, that indicate the type of content coming up next. While practically any computer can display web pages, how those pages actually look depends on the type of computer, the monitor, the speed of the Internet connection, and the browser software used to view the page.
Advanced web designers often use a scripting language called JavaScript and a system of naming parts of the web page called the document object model (DOM), together with HTML to create dynamic content on a page. These effects are sometimes called dynamic HTML, or DHTML. HTML tags are commands written between angle brackets (< >) that indicate how the browser should display the text. Examples of HTML tags are BASE, FORM, FRAME, IMG and SCRIPT. There are opening and closing versions for many tags and the affected text is contained within the two tags. The opening and closing tags use the same command word; the closing tag carries an initial forward slash (/) symbol. Many tags have special attributes that offer a variety of options for the contained text. The attribute is entered between the command word and the final angle bracket. A series of attributes can be used in a single tag just by writing one after the other, in any order, with a space separating each one. The attributes in turn, often have values. In some cases, a selection of value is made from a small group of choices. Other attributes are more strict about the type of values they accept. Examples of attributes are HREF, SRC, ACCESSKEY and VALUE.
A web page is nothing more than a text document written with HTML tags. Like any other text document, web pages have a file name that identifies the documents to the web site designer, the web site visitors, and a visitor's web browser. Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) contain information about where a file is located and what a browser should do with it. Each file on the Internet has a unique URL. The first part of the URL is called the scheme. It tells the browser how to deal with the file that it is about to open. One of the most common schemes to access web pages is HypterText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The second part of the URL is the name of a server where the file is located followed by the path that leads to the file and the file name. Sometimes, a URL ends in a trailing forward slash with no file name given. In this case, the URL refers to the default file in the last directory in the path (i.e., index.html), which generally corresponds to the home page. For example, consider the web address "census.rolandgarros.org/rc/images/ . . . ". The domain name is "census.rolandgarros.org". This is the specific host computer on which corresponding web pages reside. The next segment of the URL is the directory ("rc") and subdirectory "images") on the host computer that contains a specific web site. The last segment of the URL, represented by the ellipsis mark, is the filename of the specific web page being requested.
URLs can be either absolute or relative. An absolute URL shows the entire path to the file, including the scheme, server name, the complete path, and the file name itself. A relative URL describes the location of the desired file with reference to the location of the file that contains the URL itself. The relative URL for a file that is in the same directory as the current file is simply the file name and extension.
To view a single page, the browser running on a client computer, may request and download numerous files from a web site server. The number of object access requests ("hits") stored in the web site server's access log will typically exceed the number of distinct client sessions in which clients are accessing information on the web site, reducing the accuracy of the access log.
Data networking is growing at a phenomenal rate. The number of web users is expected to increase by a factor of five over the next few years. The resulting uncontrolled growth of web access requirements is straining all attempts to meet the bandwidth demand. Additionally, although the volume of web traffic on the Internet is staggering, a large percentage of that traffic is redundant, i.e., multiple users at any given site request much of the same content. This means that a significant percentage of the wide area network (WAN) infrastructure carries the identical content and identical requests for accessing it daily. Web caching performs a local storage of web content to serve these redundant user requests more quickly, without sending the requests and the resulting content over the wide area network.
Caching is the technique of keeping frequently accessed information in a location close to the requester. A web cache stores web pages and content on a storage device that is physically or logically closer to the user. This access to stored web content is closer and faster than a web lookup. By reducing the amount of traffic on wide area network links and on already overburdened web servers, caching provides significant benefits to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), enterprise networks, and end users. The two key benefits of web caching are cost savings due to the reduction of WAN bandwidth and improved productivity for end users resulting from quicker access. ISPs can place cache engines at strategic points on their networks to improve response times and lower the bandwidth demand on their backbones. ISPs can station cache engines at strategic WAN access points to serve web requests from local storage, rather than from a distant or overburdened web server. In enterprise networks, the dramatic reduction in bandwidth usage due to web caching allows a lower bandwidth WAN link to service the user base. Alternatively, the organization can add users or add more services that make use of the free bandwidth on the existing WAN link. For the end user, the response of the local web cache is almost three times faster than the download time for the same content over the wide area network. Therefore, users see dramatic improvements in response times, and the implementation of web caching is completely transparent to them.
Web caching offers other benefits including access control, monitoring and operational logging. The cache engine provides network administrators with a simple, secure method to enforce a sitewide access policy through Uniform Resource Locator (URL) filtering. Network administrators can learn which URLs receive hits, the number of hits per second the cache is serving, the percentage of URLs that are served from the cache, along with other related operational statistics.
Web caching starts by an end user accessing a web page over the Internet. While the page is being transmitted to the end user, the caching system saves the page and all of its associated graphics on local storage. The page content is now cached. Another user, or the original user can then access the web page at a later time, but instead of sending the request over the Internet to the web server, the web cache system delivers the web page from local storage. This process speeds download times for the user, and reduces the bandwidth demand on the WAN link. Updating of the cache data can occur in a number of ways depending upon the design of the web cache system.
Web caching can be a major problem for publishers of web content. For example, a publisher can gather an inaccurate number of hits if some of the visitors access web content already in a caching server. Furthermore, if a caching server doesn't update content promptly, it can return expired or stale content to users.

Gathering enriched web server activity data of cached web content

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods are described for slowing or inhibiting the progression of heart failure in a mammalian subject suffering from chronic hypertension. The methods involve administering an εPKC, β1PKC, or βIIPKC peptide inhibitor, examples of which are provided.

Heart failure is a growing public health problem in the United States. Currently, five million people suffer from heart failure (1) and despite considerable advances in pharmacological therapy, device technology and heart transplantation, mortality associated with heart failure increased by twenty percent from 1993 to 2003. Nearly one in three adults has hypertension in the United States (47). Seventy four percent who have congestive heart failure have blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg (1). The cause of heart failure is predominantly ischemic disease in non African-Americans but is related primarily to hypertension in African-Americans (48). Thus, hypertensive heart failure is still a clinical problem despite advances in anti-hypertensive agents.
Angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB) are the clinical treatments for patients with heart failure (2). Because many of the signaling events associated with heart failure, including the rennin-angiotensin system, involve activation of protein kinase C (PKC) (3-5), it is of interest to determine whether PKC should be targeted for the development of new therapeutics.
The isozyme εPKC is of particular interest. Several studies report that the level and activity of εPKC increase in cardiac hypertrophy (3, 6). In transgenic mice, overexpression of the active form of εPKC induces eccentric hypertrophy and reduces cardiac functions, leading to heart failure (7, 8). In contrast, selective expression of an εPKC-activating peptide in cardiac myocytes induces concentric hypertrophy with improved cardiac function, while expression of an εPKC-inhibiting fragment results in eccentric hypertrophy and heart failure in a gene dose-dependent manner (9, 10). Finally, mice lacking εPKC have normal cardiac function (11). Thus, conflicting data on the role of εPKC in heart failure have been obtained using genetically manipulated mice and the possible effect of εPKC during heart development further complicates their interpretation. Selective pharmacological agents that regulate εPKC during the transition to heart failure may be better suited to determine the role of εPKC in heart failure.
Isozyme-selective εPKC inhibiting and activating peptides have been previously described (12). These regulators were developed based on the observation that the interaction of each PKC isozyme with its anchoring protein, the receptor for activated C-kinase (RACK), is required for its functions upon activation (13). The εPKC isozyme inhibiting peptide, εV1-2, corresponds to a sequence in the RACK-binding site on this isozyme, and the selective εPKC isozyme activating peptide, ΨεRACK, is derived from a sequence in εPKC that shares homology with its RACK (9, 12). These peptides are linked to membrane permeable peptides, TAT47-57, to enable their effective intracellular delivery (14, 15) and are therefore useful pharmacological tools.
Strategies and treatment methods to alter the progress of heart failure are desired in the art.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

Method of preventing progression of hypertension-induced heart failure with PKC peptides

The Board of Trustee of The Leland Stanford Juinior University


A memory metal expands through the use of a catalyst and a fuel-oxidizer mixture. The catalyst can be placed directly onto the surface of the memory metal, or it can just be in the proximity of the metal. The fuel-oxidizer mixture similarly can be placed on the surface of the metal or just near the metal. The oxidation of the fuel can be initiated by a spark, heat, or some other source, and the heat from the exothermic reaction raises the temperature of and causes the expansion of the memory metal.

Memory metals in general change shape and have unusually large expansion coefficients in a specific temperature range known as the metal's transition temperature range. These phenomena are most commonly described by those of skill in the art as superelasticity and shape memory. By applying heat to a memory metal in its transition temperature range, such metal can be made to expand to a greater extent in a shorter period of time than ordinary metals.
NITINOL (Nickel Titanium Naval Ordnance Laboratory), which contains nearly equal portions of nickel and titanium, is one of the more common memory metals. Its shape memory properties have been used in the manufacture of pipe couplings, connectors and actuators. Most recently, memory metals in general have been finding applications as actuators and artificial muscles in robotic applications.


An ultraviolet detector (UV-detector) including a substrate, a first electrode, and a second electrode is provided. The UV-detector substrate comprises an active region for absorbing ultraviolet light and generating charges. The first electrode is electrically connected to the active region and has a plurality of first tips. Additionally, the second electrode is electrically connected to the active region and has a plurality of second tips. The second electrode is electrically insulated from the first electrode. The first and second tips facilitate the conduction of the charge generated by the photoelectric effect, and the sensitivity of the UV-detector is thus enhanced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultraviolet detector (UV-detector), and more particularly to a UV-detector capable of quickly and effectively conducting the charge generated by the UV-detector.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, with the flourishing development of global industry, the problem of environmental pollution has become increasingly worse, and the problem of holes in the ozonosphere has become great concern and focus of attention. The ozonosphere can absorb the ultraviolet light of sunlight, and therefore ultraviolet light would pass through holes in the ozonosphere and impinges the earth causing many adverse effects to human beings. Relevant medical research has proved that ultraviolet light leads to diseases such as skin cancer, cataracts, etc. Additionally, most women are quite concerned about health and color of their skin. Human skin is likely to undergo pathological changes like developing black spots, etc, besides darkening, due to overexposure to ultraviolet light. Therefore, how to enable people find out the ultraviolet light intensity of their outdoor environment "in real time", so as to take proper protection measures, is a rather an important issue.
A common ultraviolet detector (UV-detector) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,961 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,940. Taking U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,961 to Khan et al. as an example, the AlN epitaxial layer and the AlxGa1-xN epitaxial layer are mainly manufactured on a sapphire substrate through metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). As the substrate used is a sapphire substrate, and the epitaxial layers are manufactured through MOCVD, the manufacturing cost of the UV-detector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,961 is relatively high. Taking U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,940 to Jiang et al. as an example, the ultraviolet detector is mainly manufactured using GaN-based materials, and a sapphire substrate is also used, thus the manufacturing cost of the UV-detector is also relatively high.
It can be known from what has been mentioned above that, since the current UV-detector still faces the problem of excessively high manufacturing costs, most current portable electronics have not been equipped with ultraviolet detectors for a user to use anytime, anywhere. Accordingly, how to effectively reduce the manufacturing cost has become an important issue to be solved for the UV-detector.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A seat for rear passengers of an automotive vehicle comprising a seat portion and an upright back support portion, the seat portion being supported by a linkage mechanism on a seat frame which articulates to permit the seat portion to be moved forwardly toward the front of the vehicle without the necessity of tilting and inverting it, whereby the seat portion forms a cargo-carrying platform. The upright back support portion is foldable on the seat portion to form a continuation of the platform. When the seat portion is in a passenger-supporting position, it locks the upright back support portion to the frame. The lock is released as the seat portion articulates towards its cargo-carrying position. An over-center spring acts on the rearward margin of the seat portion and is stressed when the seat portion is moved into its locking position.

Contemporary mini-van vehicles and sport utility vehicles may be provided with rear seat assemblies for rear passengers in which provision is made for converting the rear seat assembly to a cargo-carrying platform rearward of forward seat assemblies for the vehicle driver and the front seat passenger. An example of an arrangement of this type can be seen by referring to U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,709.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/698,350, entitled "THIRD AUTOMOTIVE SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE", filed Aug. 15, 1996, discloses a rear seat assembly for a mini-van vehicle which comprises a lower seat portion and an upright seat back support portion that are pivotally supported on a seat base secured to the floor structure of the passenger compartment. The seat assembly is capable of carrying passengers when it is in its normal operating mode and is capable of forming an extension of a cargo-carrying platform when it is folded. Application Ser. No. 08/698,350 is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
The lower seat portion for the rear seat assembly disclosed in application Ser. No. 08/698,350 is supported on a seat base by an articulated linkage that permits the lower seat portion to be moved forward toward the seat assemblies for the vehicle driver and front seat passenger so that the upper surface of the lower seat portion functions as an extension of the cargo-carrying surface. In this respect, the design of the copending application differs from the design of the '709 patent, which provides for a tilting movement of the seat portion about a forward tilt axis to invert the lower seat portion for cargo-carrying purposes.
After the lower seat portion of the design of the copending application is moved forward in this fashion, the seat back support portion may be folded forward, thereby defining an extension of a load-carrying platform generally in the plane of the upper surface of the forwardly positioned lower seat portion.

Latch assist mechanism for a foldable automotive seat


Four-fold and higher order lasers pumped by multiphoton absorption, avalanche mechanisms, or other means of internal upconversion for continuous-wave and continuous-wave mode-locked lasers. A solid-state laser system is contained within an astigmatically compensated cavity containing first and second mirrors. The gain medium is formed of a crystal of lithium yttrium fluoride heavily doped (5%) with trivalent erbium, or another form of crystal, such as CaF.sub.2 where the dopant atoms are clustered in quartets. The crystal, in a lithium yttrium fluoride embodiment, is approximately 3 mm thick with both sides thereof being polished flat to a laser grade finish. A pumping source supplies a pumping energy having a wavelength of 1.5 .mu.m to the gain medium, which wavelength is considerable longer than the output wavelength (701.5 nm) of the laser system. The gain medium may additionally be an alkali vapor formed of Cesium or Rubidium.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to laser systems, and more particularly, to a laser device which relies upon energy-sharing interactions between atomic quartets, whereby four-fold continuous-wave laser action is produced.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There is a need for short-wavelength operation of optically-excited, solid state and other lasers. Short wavelength lasers, particularly solid state lasers which are compact and efficient, have considerable promise for applications to high density optical disk storage as well as various display and communications markets. Although some forms of earlier upconversion lasers address the need in the art, to an extent, these known arrangements fall short of ideal performance, as there is a need for a laser system which achieves much high upconversion factors. It is believed that a significant improvement over preexisting upconversion laser systems would require a new, and consequently important, mechanism for achieving very short wavelength solid state laser sources.
Current compact disks use infrared diode lasers for reading and writing information on storage media. Much shorter wavelengths can be produced using upconversion processes which are the basis of the current invention. Previous upconversion lasers and patents on the topic refer only to pair or trio processes for the achievement of the population inversion which is essential to obtain laser action. Prior publications exist regarding the achievement of laser action based on multiphoton absorption, avalanche pumping and cooperation upconversion. However, no previous upconversion laser of any description has achieved continuous-wave laser action from states lying about the ground state by more than three times the incident photon energy.
There is, therefore, a need for a continuous-wave laser system wherein laser action is achieved from energy states lying at least four times the incident energy per photon above the ground state. A laser system which would achieve this result is expected to make practical a variety of new, short wavelength solid state lasers (ultraviolet wavelengths) which have previously not operated at all or have not operated efficiently because of the conventional need for pump sources with more energy per photon than the emitting state of the laser transition. Pair-pumped solid state lasers can operate at wavelengths as short as one half that of the pump light.
As previously noted, short wavelength solid state lasers, if sufficiently efficient, should be important for improved compact disk storage technology. This is because shorter wavelengths make smaller focal spot sizes possible. Hence, increased storage density becomes possible on a disk of given area. (Of the various categories of convention lasers which exist, solid state lasers lend themselves best to miniaturization and low total power consumption. these factors are additional, key aspects of their significance for commercialization.)
Existing compact disk technology relies on GaAs-GaAlAs diode lasers operating at a wavelength of 800 nm in the near infrared region. A pair laser pumped by light of this wavelength could operate at wavelengths as short as 400 nm, resulting in an improvement in storage capacity of a factor of four. This nonlinear increase in storage capacity result from the fact that spot radius is proportional to wavelength but storage density depends on the spot area, proportional to the square of the radius. Hence, significant improvements in storage can result from small decreases in operating wavelength.
There are currently no blue or ultraviolet solid state lasers which operate continuously and have been developed commercially for compact disk applications or other technologies, such as space communications. The present invention will provide to the art a new mode of laser excitation that will permit the development of new short wavelength solid state lasers for which there has previously been no suitable excitation mechanism. For emission wavelengths short enough to approach the fundamental absorption edge of solids, it is not possible to deliver conventional excitation at still shorter wavelengths without severe heating and damage of the solid, and very low efficiencies. Pump light cannot even penetrate to the interior of the lasing medium. By contrast, upconversion-pumping permits excitation at longer wavelengths than either the emission wavelength of the energy of the emitting state with respect to the ground state. Hence, penetration of the pump light is not a problem, and deleterious color center formation can be avoided.
There is no prior art known to Applicants describing continuous-wave solid state lasers in which pumping is provided by four-fold or higher upconversion. Prior art does exist for two-fold and three-fold upconversion lasers in several Er-doped crystals. However, there is no suggestion in the known art that inversion can be sustained continuously by such unlikely processes as those requiring the absorption of four or more photons, or the energy-pooling of four or more initially excited ions, or some combination of these mechanisms.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a laser system wherein short-wavelength emission is achieved in response to longer-wavelength optical excitation of solid state laser media.
It is another object of this invention to provide a short-wavelength laser system which does not require pump sources with more energy per photon than the emitting state of the laser transition.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a laser arrangement which achieves a significantly reduced focal spot size.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a laser arrangement which improves the storage density of a compact disk by a factor of four.
It is additionally an object of this invention to provide a laser system which can operate at wavelengths on the order of 700 nm.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a laser arrangement which is adaptable for miniaturization, and which is efficient in its energy utilization.
It is also another object of this invention to provide a short-wavelength solid state laser which can readily be miniaturized.
It is yet an additional object of this invention to provide a blue or ultraviolet continuous-wave solid state laser.

Four-fold and higher order continuous-wave upconversion lasers


First, a position control mechanism having a fixed part and a movable part, and a driver that changes position of the movable part relative to the fixed part is prepared. Next, a manufacturing unit having first and second holders and a coupler that couples the first and second holders is prepared. A conductive actuator is held in tension between the first and second holders. Further, the first holder is attached to the movable part and the second holder is attached to the fixed part. After that, the coupler is cut from the manufacturing unit, the first and second holders are separated from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a conductive actuator.
2. Description of the Background Art
An actuator realizing a small displacement by a string-shaped shape memory alloy is promising as an actuator of a small apparatus. However, since the displaceable amount of the SMA is very small, high mounting precision is demanded.
For example, in the case of applying an actuator using an SMA (SMA actuator) to a camera unit to be assembled in a portable phone having a thickness of about 10 mm, the size of the SMA actuator has to be also set to about 10 mm. Since a displaceable amount of a general SMA is about 4%, the displaceable range of the SMA is ±0.2 mm. Therefore, in the case of effectively utilizing 90% or more of the displaceable range, the mounting precision of the SMA actuator has to be set to ±0.02 mm.
Since a string-shaped SMA has flexibility, it is difficult to mount the SMA actuator with high precision. Moreover, a general Ti shape memory alloy is heat-sensitive, so that solder cannot be used for fixation. It makes more difficult to perform high-precision fixation.
To fix an SMA, conventionally, methods such as caulking, press fitting, sandwiching of the SMA between metal plates, and the like are used (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 06-60577 (1994), 2002-98911, and 2004-76882).
However, each of the caulking, press fitting, and sandwiching of the SMA between metal plates requires a considerable force for fixation. The possibility that each of the methods exerts an adverse influence on the precision in mounting of an SMA actuator to a small apparatus is high.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-60577 (1994) discloses a technique using an SMA actuator as an actuator for moving a head of a magnetic recording apparatus. In the technique, a head holding plate with a spring is pulled by the SMA actuator at an acute angle, a movable amount of the head is increased by the mechanism, and both ends of the SMA actuator are attached to terminals by caulking. Such a configuration has a problem such that, when the length of the SMA actuator varies, the stress on the head holding plate fluctuates and the distance between the head and the disk surface becomes unstable. When the head is floated by air resistance as a precondition, the head holding plate has to be soft, so that the problem cannot be solved unless the length of the SMA actuator and the stress should be managed. In the technique, however, the solving method is not considered.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-98911 discloses a driving unit in which the length of the SMA actuator and the stress are adjusted. In the technique, however, an SMA actuator is formed by assembling a driving part so as to be sandwiched by the SMA actuator in a state where the SMA actuator is temporarily held. Consequently, it is feared that the SMA actuator may be deviated or deformed due to stress applied when the driving part is assembled and stress of temporary holding, and the adjusted length of the SMA actuator shifts by 0.02 mm or more. The larger the number of components is, the more an error occurs in a part size (parts tolerance), so that it is extremely difficult to realize adjustment of the length of the SMA actuator with high precision of hundreds μm or less. The state where the SMA actuator is temporarily held denotes that the SMA actuator is in an unstable state. There is, consequently, a problem such that it is difficult to assemble the driving parts.
Further, the shape of the terminal is an essential factor to fix the SMA actuator with high precision. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-76882 discloses a small terminal capable of retaining an SMA actuator with high precision in a state where the length is adjusted. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-76882 pays attention only to the terminal but does not suggest adjustment of the distance between a movable member and a fixed member in the SMA actuator.
That is, conventionally, it is difficult to improve the precision of attaching an SMA actuator to a small device due to various errors such as an error in the size of a part and an installation error.

Manufacturing unit of position controller


A coiled shoe connector (14) is provided to connect a first shoe (10) to a second shoe (12). The coiled connector (14) has a relaxed length (L) and an expanded length (L2). The pair of shoes (10 and 12) are interconnected by the coiled connector (14) for display with the connector (14) in its relaxed length (L). To test the pair of shoes (10-12), a customer may walk in the shoes by repeatedly stretching the coiled connector (14) between its relaxed length (L) and its expanded length (L2). In a preferred embodiment, the coiled connector (14) is reusable and is therefore, connected to the shoes (10-12) by a separate fixing element (36). After a customer has tested the shoes (10-12) and decided to purchase them, the shoes (10-12) are deposited with a sales clerk. The sales clerk may then cut the fixing elements (36) in order to retain the coiled connector (14) for reuse. The coiled connector (14) thus provides a convenient method for connecting a pair of shoes for self-service display that allows a customer to test-walk the shoes without fear of injury due to tripping over a connecting cord.

The self-service display and sale of shoes has greatly increased over the years to where self-service shoe stores and/or sections in larger stores are to be found virtually everywhere. In such self-service stores, it is important to display the shoes for customer selection and testing in a convenient fashion.
Unfortunately, the more convenient the display of shoes for a customer's selection and testing, the more inconvenient for a retailer. Since the customer wants to be able to look at the shoes as a pair, the shoes must be displayed as a pair or in a fashion that will allow quick location of the pair desired. Additionally, the customer typically desires to wear the shoes on both feet for test walking the shoes as much as possible and perhaps even for running or jumping in the shoes (especially if they are athletic shoes). These requirements for customer satisfaction make the retailer's job more difficult in that shoes may become separated as pairs by inconsiderate or inattentive customers replacing the pairs in incorrect locations. Even worse, customers may place the shoes on their feet and depart the store without paying.
Thus, it has become necessary to provide devices to allow shoes to be displayed as a pair and tested by the customer without losing the identity of the pair of shoes. These methods have included the use of tabs fixed to the shoe with a string or strap interconnecting the tabs. One such method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,067 to Hanflig, Sep. 19, 1961. The Hanflig patent discloses a flexible line terminating on each end in a metal clip for attachment to each shoe. The metal clip is secured to a portion of the shoe upper by punching a sharp tongue section therethrough and into a receiving portion. While this method is adequate for maintaining the integrity of a pair of shoes, there is some inherent damage to the upper of the shoe by the use of the pointed tongue.
Another device used for interconnecting shoes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,482,335 to Ornsteen, Dec. 9, 1969. The Ornsteen patent requires the use of a length of plastic, fabric, string or cord glued to the bottom or the inside of each shoe between the upper and lower soles thereof. The two pieces extending from each shoe are then connected together by staples or snap devices to secure the shoes together as a pair for display. This patent also discloses the desirability of making the cords long enough to take a few steps for testing the shoes. Unfortunately, this method requires the destruction of the length of cord to separate the pair of shoes, and a portion of the cord will remain between the soles of each shoe after separation thereof. Additionally, a serious safety concern is presented by the use of a cord long enough for walking. Since the cord is loose and would drape between the feet of a wearer, there is an inherent possibility that the cord could become entangled and trip the wearer.
A still further device for attaching pairs of shoes together is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,060 to Maxwell, Nov. 26, 1986. The Maxwell patent discloses the fixing of tabs between the inner and outer sole of each shoe with holes therein for the connection of a fastening filament. As with the Ornsteen device, this patent leaves a portion of the connection means in each shoe after separation thereof. Additionally, the use of a fastening filament long enough to allow walking would present a similar safety hazard. Thus, there is a need for a method and apparatus for displaying and testing self-service shoes that does not leave a portion thereof in the shoe after removal, does not damage the shoe and is safe for testing of the shoes.

Method and apparatus for displaying and testing self-service shoes


A network node, wireless device and methods for co-phasing for beamforming using co-phasing matrices for wireless communications are provided. In one example, a network node for co-phasing in beamforming for transmissions is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry including a processor and a memory where the memory contains instructions executable by the processor to configure the network node to: obtain co-phasing information associated with a wireless device, generate at least two co-phasing matrices based on the co-phasing information, and apply the at least two co-phasing matrices to at least two resource structures.

Active antenna system (AAS) is one of several technologies included in 4th Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) and 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR) standards to help enhance the wireless network performance and capacity by using full dimension multiple-input and multiple-output (FD-MIMO) and massive MIMO. Some AAS systems consist of two-dimensional antenna elements array with M rows, N columns and K polarizations (where K=2 in case of cross-polarization) as illustrated in FIG. 1.
The codebook-based precoding in AAS is based on a set of predefined precoding matrices, W. The precoding matrix indication (PMI) may be selected by a wireless device with Downlink Channel State Information Reference Signaling (DL CSI-RS) or by the network node, e.g., eNodeB (eNB) in Long Term Evaluation (LTE), g Node B (gNB) in New Radio (NR), etc., with uplink (UL) reference signals. The precoding matrix W may be further described as, for example, a two-stage precoding structure as follows:W=W1W2  (1)where W1 is the first stage precoding structure and may be described as a codebook and consists essentially of a group of 2D grid-of-beams (GoB). W1 may be characterized as:
      W   1    =     [                                 w        h              ⊗               w        v                             0                        0                               w        h              ⊗               w        v                            ]   where, wh and wv are precoding vectors selected from an over-sampled Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) for a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, respectively, and may be expressed by
      w   v    =              1           M             [         1     ,           e                     j                2                π                v                      MO        1                       ,     ⋯             ,           e                     j                2                π                mv                      MO        1                       ,     ⋯             ,           e                     j                2                π                         (                   M          -          1                  )                        v                      MO        1                          ]      T         w   v    =              1           N             [         1     ,           e                     j                2                π                h                      NO        2                       ,     ⋯             ,           e                     j                2                π                nv                      NO        2                       ,     ⋯             ,           e                     j                2                π                         (                   N          -          1                  )                        h                      NO        2                          ]      T   where, O1, O2 are the over-sampling rates in vertical and horizontal directions, respectively.
The second stage of the precoding matrix, denoted as W2, is used for beam selection within the group of 2D GoBs as well as the associated co-phasing between two polarizations. Therefore, the AAS performance may not only depend on codebook W1, but may also depend on the co-phasing matrix of W2.
Closed-Loop Co-Phasing
In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP, a standardization organization), closed-loop co-phasing is defined in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) type of "CLASS A" and "TypeI-SinglePanel". That is:
For single layer transmission
      W   2    =         1         2          [                  1                               φ       l                     ]   is used as the single co-phasing matrix. Transmission layer may refer to a spatial layer used during transmission where the number of spatial layers may be limited by the number of antennas at the network node and/or wireless device.
For dual layer transmission
      W   2    =         1    2      [                  1                1                               φ       l                             -               φ        l                            ]   is used as the single co-phasing matrix, where φl is the co-phasing factor that may be determined by the wireless device reported wideband or subband co-phasing index l, denoted byφl=ejπl/2
The co-phasing is based on the wireless device's co-phasing index report. One issue from this arrangement may be that the co-phasing is fixed and might lead to an imbalance among two transmission layers such as a power or gain imbalance between transmission layers. For example,
      W   2    =         1    2      [                  1                1                               φ       l                             -               φ        l                            ]   is optimized for the first transmission layer and not the second transmission layer such that the first transmission layer may have better performance characteristics (e.g., gain) than the second transmission layer after the co-phasing matrix is applied, thereby leading to poor overall performance. In some cases, a penalty may be applied to the second transmission layer to compensate for the co-phasing matrix "favoring" the first transmission layer, i.e., providing at least one better performance characteristics to the first transmission layer when compared to the second transmission layer.

Adaptive co-phasing for beamforming using co-phasing matrices for wireless communications

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ) Stockholm


A system that applies attribute and topology based change detection to networks of objects that were detected on previous scans of a structure, roadway, or area of interest. The attributes capture properties or characteristics of the previously detected objects, such as location, time of detection, size, elongation, orientation, etc. The topology of the network of previously detected objects is maintained in a constellation database that stores attributes of previously detected objects and implicitly captures the geometrical structure of the network. A change detection system detects change by comparing the attributes and topology of new objects detected on the latest scan to the constellation database of previously detected objects.

Many scientific, engineering, medical, and other technologies seek to detect the presence of an object within a medium. For example, some technologies detect the presence of (i) buried landmines in a roadway or a field for military or humanitarian purposes, or (ii) potentially hidden explosives emplaced above ground level among man-made clutter. Such technologies may use ultra wideband penetrating radar technologies, such as ground-penetrating radar ("GPR") antennas that are mounted on the front of a vehicle that travels down a roadway or across a field. The antennas could be directed into the ground with the soil being the medium and the top of the soil or pavement being the surface. In this case, GPR systems can be used to detect not only metallic objects but also non-metallic objects whose dielectric properties are sufficiently different from those of the soil. When a radar signal strikes a subsurface object, it is reflected back as a return signal to a receiver. Current GPR systems typically analyze the strength or amplitude of the return signals directly to identify the presence of the object. Some GPR systems may, however, generate tomography images from the return signals. In the medical field, computer-assisted tomography uses X-rays to generate tomography images for detecting the presence of abnormalities (i.e., subsurface objects) within a body. In the engineering field, GPR systems have been designed to generate spatial images of areas below ground level, areas above ground level that may contain emplaced explosives that are potentially hidden, or the interior of concrete structures such as bridges, dams, and containment vessels to assist in assessing the integrity of the structures. In such images, the objects of interest tend to appear as distinct bright spots. In addition to referring to a foreign object that is within a medium, the term "object" also refers to any characteristic of the medium (e.g., crack in the medium and change in medium density) that is to be detected.
Some current technologies seek to detect the presence of new objects that were not detected in previous passes. For example, a convoy of military vehicles may travel over a certain roadway fairly often. If access to the roadway is not tightly controlled, the military may need to check, each time a convoy is to travel down the roadway, for the presence of landmines or other objects that may pose a hazard to the convoy. As another example, a civil engineering firm may check bridges, dams, and other structures on a regular basis (e.g., yearly) for the presence of new subsurface defects (e.g., cracks). Each time the structure, roadway or area is scanned, large amounts of data may be collected and processed. For example, the scan of the roadway may collect GPR return signals every few centimeters. GPR systems may generate image frames from the return signals and detect subsurface objects in those image frames. When these GPR systems have access to data from previous scans of that structure or roadway, the GPR systems may detect change by comparing (i) images reconstructed along the latest scan to images reconstructed along previous scans, or (ii) newly detected objects to previously detected objects.
Current penetrating radar systems do not use results from previous scans to perform change detection for objects in real-time. A major hurdle in achieving this goal is that the cost of storing the vast amounts of data collected from previous scans and comparing data from those previous scans to the latest scan may be prohibitive. A real-time system needs to process the return signals from successive sampling locations of the vehicle down-track so that, in the steady state, the return signals for one sampling location are processed within the time between samplings. Moreover, in the case of a vehicle that detects landmines, a real-time system may need to detect the presence of the landmine in time to stop the vehicle collecting the return signals before hitting the landmine.

Attribute and topology based change detection in a constellation of previously detected objects

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC


A first judging unit integrates an increase in a corrected current when the corrected current is in a predetermined increasing state and judges that a first condition is satisfied when an integrated increase exceeds a threshold. A second judging unit integrates a decrease in door moving speed when the door moving speed is in a predetermined decreasing state and judges that a second condition is satisfied when an integrated decrease exceeds a threshold. A third judging unit integrates a decrease in motor rotation speed when the motor rotation speed is in a predetermined decreasing state and judges that a third condition is satisfied when an integrated decrease exceeds a threshold. A pinch judging unit judges whether pinch has occurred based on determination by the first, the second, and the third judging units.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a door opening/closing device that detects abnormality in which a foreign matter is caught in a door.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a device for opening and closing a sliding door of a vehicle includes a pinch detecting device. The pinch detecting device detects an abnormality in which a foreign matter is caught in a door. The pinch detecting device includes a door driving unit that has a motor, a load detecting unit that detects a load on the motor, a position detecting unit that detects a position of the door, a storing unit that stores data on the load in association with a sampling area addressed according to the position of the door, a updating unit that updates the data every time the data is read out for an address of a latest sampling area, and an estimating unit that reads out data on the load of a sampling area that is an appropriate number of areas ahead of a sampling area where the door is actually present, and that estimates a load on the motor for moving the door, based on read data and data on a load of the sampling area where the door is actually present. The abnormality is detected based on a deviation between estimated load and the load of the sampling area where the door is actually present (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H9-125823).
Conventionally, such abnormality, in which a foreign matter is caught in a door, is detected based on a deviation in a load on a motor, which is a deviation in a current. To improve detection accuracy, a threshold for detecting the abnormality should be lowered. However, when the threshold is lowered, the pinch detecting device can erroneously detect a load caused due to other reasons, such as a resistance to movement of a door, as such abnormality.


A novel filtration media employing polymeric absorbents comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent. Preferably, the filtration enabler comprises clay, ground glass, talc, mica, recycled rubber, sand, gravel, vermiculite, recycled plastic chips, an inert, non-absorbent material, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the polymeric absorbent may be further compounded to incorporate about 10 to 50% recycled or waste plastic scrap, scrap polyolefins, inorganic fillers, or other inexpensive, relatively inert solids. Other compounding materials may include clay, talc, mica, ground glass, silica, and mixtures thereof. Upon contact with a hydrocarbon containing liquid, the liquid partially dissolves the polymeric absorbent forming a partial filtration barrier prior to the filtration media substantially absorbing the hydrocarbons, and allowing hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow through the filtration media. In situations of a leak or spill wherein an excess of hydrocarbons are present, the filtration media forms a plug to seal and prevent further discharge of the hydrocarbons. The filtration media may be placed inside a portable container for insertion into an existing drain such that hydrocarbon containing liquid is filtered through the device allowing hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow from the device. The filtration media has a thickness within the container adapted to substantially filter out hydrocarbons while capable of forming a plug in an excess of hydrocarbons. The filtration media of the present invention may be employed in pits, pipes, and self-contained cartridges of various sizes to remove and contain hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing liquid or a hydrocarbon spill or leak, and that the absorbent will form a plug in an excess of hydrocarbons entering the pit, pipe or cartridge. Also described are methods of filtering and preventing discharge of a hydrocarbon containing liquid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of and device for removing and solidifying hydrocarbon oils and solvents from liquid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a filtration media used to selectively remove oil, solvent and other hydrocarbon compounds from liquid such that the liquid is discharged in a clean state. This method will result in the passive, inexpensive and foolproof filtration of stormwater and process liquid from spill containment areas, process areas, parking lots, and any other potential source of hydrocarbon containing liquid. In the event of a hydrocarbon spill or leak wherein an excess of hydrocarbons contacts the filtration media, the filtration media will form a plug to effectively contain the spill or leak.
2. Description of Related Art
In many commercial and industrial applications and installations, to prevent contamination of the environment by oils and solvents, spill containment systems are built that not only trap the potential spilled liquids but also any process liquid or rain/snow-melt liquid that comes in contact with the spill containment area. Federal, state and local regulations that mandate spill protection to minimize or eliminate hydrocarbon discharges to the environment are becoming more and more strict. The challenge is not just to prevent the spill, but to be able to handle the rainwater or process liquid that could be contaminated with hydrocarbons. With stormwater quality regulations being applied to parking lots and roofing systems, the difficulty is not just handling the hydrocarbons, but separating it efficiently and economically from a large quantity of stormwater.
Measures to separate oil and solvents from liquid are well known in the art. Passive means of separating oil and solvents from liquid typically use weirs of various heights to allow the oil and solvents which are lighter than liquid to be concentrated by collection or containment above the weirs. The liquid layer flows under the weirs in a somewhat cleaned state. These separators are far from 100% effective and are utilized only under very specific conditions. However, those conditions are not practicable with stormwater or spill containment area liquid discharges.
A popular mechanical means known in the art is moving a fabric belt through the liquid and oil mixture. As the fabric belt moves through the liquid and oil mixture, the fabric absorbs some of the oil. The belt is then squeezed through a device which removes the oil thereby separating the oil from the liquid. Such a device is rather crude, requires constant maintenance and power to operate, and it simply cannot remove all of the oil/solvent. Discharge of the liquid, even after cleaning by such a separator, would result in a significant amount of hydrocarbons being delivered into the environment.
Another mechanical device uses centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the lighter oils and solvents. As with the belt-type device described earlier, the centrifuge method requires a great deal of maintenance, a significant investment in equipment and it is simply not practical for the application of stormwater/spill containment area liquid discharge.
Chemical means known in the art for separating hydrocarbons from liquid employ specific absorbents or adsorbents. Adsorbents such as vermiculite, sand, oleophilic clays, tree bark and other similar materials merely hold the oil and solvents on their surface. However, in a passive filtration system, the liquid flow would pull a substantial amount of the oil and solvent off the surface of the solid adsorbent. Not only are these materials substantially ineffective, but in the event of a major hydrocarbon spill or leak, these materials allow the hydrocarbons to pass through to the environment.
Polymeric absorbents, mainly in booms and pillows, are also used to selectively absorb hydrocarbons from standing liquid and liquid systems. Typically, the granular absorbent materials solidify upon absorption of hydrocarbons. However, absorbents of this type are undesirable in a passive filtration system since the solidification of the absorbents would only absorb the bulk floating hydrocarbons while allowing sheen to be discharged.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a passive device for separating hydrocarbons from stormwater or spill containment areas capable of plugging and sealing off the containment area in the event of hydrocarbon overload as in a spill or leak.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a passive method for separating hydrocarbons from stormwater or spill containment areas capable of plugging and sealing off the containment area in the event of hydrocarbon overload as in a spill or leak.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of and device for filtering out hydrocarbons utilizing existing drainage and filtration resources capable of plugging and sealing off the containment area in the event of hydrocarbon overload as in a spill or leak.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The above and other objects and advantages, which will be apparent to one of skill in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to, in a first aspect, a filtration media for removal of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing liquid comprising: a polymeric absorbent comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent. Upon contact with the hydrocarbon containing liquid, the hydrocarbons partially dissolve the polymeric absorbent prior to the filtration media substantially absorbing the hydrocarbons, while allowing hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow through the filtration media. The filtration media, upon contacting an excessive amount of hydrocarbons, forms a plug to seal and prevent further discharge of the hydrocarbons.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a hydrocarbon absorbing polymeric absorbent to prevent discharge of hydrocarbon containing liquid into an environment comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof, wherein upon contact with a hydrocarbon containing liquid, the polymeric absorbent forms a plug to seal off and prevent further discharge of the hydrocarbon containing liquid.
In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable device for filtering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing liquid comprising: a rigid container having a first end and a second end, the first end having an external lip and a first internal lip, and the second end having a second internal lip; a first porous layer disposed within the container on the second internal lip; and a filtration media comprising a polymeric absorbent comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent, the filtration media compressed into the container. The device may be inserted into an existing drainage device such that a hydrocarbon containing liquid is filtered through the device allowing hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow from the device. Preferably, a gasket disposed under the external lip of the container provides a snug, temporary, leak proof seal when the container is inserted into an existing drainage device.
The hydrocarbon containing liquid flows through the container to contact the filtration media wherein the polymeric absorbent of the filtration media is adapted to form a tacky, semi-solid prior to absorption of the hydrocarbons creating a filtration barrier. Preferably, the filtration media has a thickness within the container adapted to substantially filter out hydrocarbons while capable of forming a plug in an excess of hydrocarbons.
Preferably, a float may be situated in a sufficient space within the container between the filtration media and the second internal lip wherein the float prevents back wash of any liquid through the container while allowing the hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow through.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a device for the containment of hydrocarbon containing liquid comprising: a rigid container having a first end and a second end, the first end having an external lip and a first internal lip, and the second end having a second internal lip; a first porous layer disposed within the container on the second internal lip; and a filtration media comprising a polymeric absorbent comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent, the filtration media compressed into the container, wherein the device may be inserted into an existing drain such that upon contact with a hydrocarbon containing liquid having an excess of hydrocarbons, the filtration media forms a plug to seal and prevent further discharge of the hydrocarbon containing liquid. Preferably, a gasket is disposed under the external lip of the container to provide a snug, temporary, leak proof seal when the container is inserted into an existing drainage device.
In still yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of filtering hydrocarbon containing liquid comprising the steps of: (a) providing a filtration media comprising a polymeric absorbent comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent; (b) contacting the hydrocarbon containing liquid to the filtration media; and (c) removing hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing liquid, wherein hydrocarbon-free liquid flows through the filtration media.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of preventing discharge of a hydrocarbon containing liquid containing an excessive amount of hydrocarbons comprising the steps of: (a) providing a filtration media comprising a polymeric absorbent comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof, and an amount of filtration enabler; (b) contacting the hydrocarbon containing liquid to the filtration media; (c) forming a plug of the filtration media; and (d) preventing discharge of the hydrocarbon containing liquid.
In still a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of filtering out hydrocarbons in an existing drainage system comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous layer fitted to an existing drainage opening; (b) filling the drainage opening with filtration media comprising a polymeric absorbent comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent; (c) providing a second porous layer over the filtration media; (d) contacting hydrocarbon containing liquid to the filtration media; and (e) filtering the hydrocarbon containing liquid such that clarified liquid flowing through the filtration media is substantially hydrocarbon-free. Preferably, step (b) comprises filling the drainage opening with an amount of filtration media adapted to form a plug when contacted by an excessive amount of hydrocarbons and preventing discharge of the hydrocarbon containing liquid.
In a final aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of preventing discharge of a hydrocarbon containing liquid through an existing drainage system comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous layer fitted to an existing drainage opening; (b) filling the drainage opening with filtration media comprising a polymeric absorbent comprising a material selected from the group consisting of styrene, pentadiene, cyclopentadiene, butylene, ethylene, isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent; (c) providing a second porous layer over the filtration media; (d) contacting the hydrocarbon containing liquid to the filtration media wherein the filtration media forms a plug; and (e) preventing discharge of the hydrocarbon containing liquid.
In all aspects of the present invention, the filtration enabler comprises recycled rubber, sand, gravel, vermiculite, recycled plastic chips, an inert, non-absorbent material, or a mixture thereof.

Separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing liquid

Solidification Products International, Inc.


A developing device includes a developing roller for applying a developing agent to an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier. The developing roller is movable between a first position where the developing roller faces the image carrier through a gap therebetween and a second position where the developing roller is separated from the first position. The developing device further includes a positioning member associated with the developing roller for making the gap uniform along the longitudinal direction of the developing roller at the first position to allow the applying of the developing agent to the image carrier, a first urging mechanism having a first urging force for urging the developing roller to move from the first position to the second position, and a second urging mechanism responsive to the rotation of the developing roller and having a second urging force greater than the first urging force for urging the developing roller to move from the second position to the first position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a developing device in an image forming apparatus, which develop an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body by a developing roller.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a magnetic brush developing device is used. The magnetic brush developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body using a magnetic brush with uniform tufts formed on a developing roller. The developing roller comprises a magnet and a cylindrical sleeve. Alternatively, such apparatus used a developing device which developed the electrostatic latent image by a non-magnetic one-component developing agent which electrostatically adhered to a non-magnetic developing roller. In order to obtain a developed image with a constant density, cylindrical gap rollers were provided on both sides of the developing roller as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent (Kokai) No. HI-93774. The gap between the surface of the photosensitive body and the developing roller was kept uniform by pressing these gap rollers on the non-image formation region of the photosensitive body.
In the conventional image forming apparatus, the gap rollers for maintaining a uniform gap between the surface of the photosensitive body and the surface of the developing roller were pressed under constant load on the non-image formation regions of the photosensitive body by springs or by the weight of the developing device itself. For this reason, highly accurate gap rollers were required for obtaining an image with stable and uniform density. Despite this, and although the gap rollers were not easily distorted and used materials with minimum distortion, because of the construction, the gap rollers were liable to undergo uneven loads in the stationary state during non-developing operation, which resulted in distortion. Thus, there was the problem of the occurrence of density randomness due to the distortion of the gap rollers, leading to a great reduction of picture quality. At the same time, when the developing device was installed against the photosensitive body, if the pressure of the gap rollers on the photosensitive body was too great, this pressure caused a resistance which interfered with rotation of the photosensitive body during the developing operation, leading to randomness in the rotation of the photosensitive body. Therefore there was also the problem a great reduction of picture quality due to image blurring.

Developing device in an image forming apparatus