A condenser for an air conditioning system includes a receiver integrally formed with a second, or return, header which is in fluid communication with a second, or sub-cooling, group of tubes. A conduit extends between entry and discharge ends both of which are completely enclosed within the interior of the receiver. The conduit transports a refrigerant fluid in an upflow direction within the interior of the receiver and through a second fluid port located adjacent the discharge end of the conduit for directing the fluid into and through the return header to the sub-cooling group of tubes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to air conditioning systems. More specifically, the invention relates to an integral receiver assembly for a sub-cooled condenser.
2. Description of the Related Art
Condensers designed for upflow operation and which utilize integral receivers are well known in the art. Such condensers often utilize receivers which are connected to, or otherwise integrally formed with, the return header of the condenser. An example of such a condenser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,627 ("Aki et al."). The Aki et al. condenser includes a plurality of tubes through which a refrigerant fluid flows between initial and return header tanks. The tubes are divided into an upstream group within which the fluid is condensed from a gas to a liquid, and a downstream, or "sub-cooling" group within which the condensed fluid is further cooled prior to exiting the condenser. The sub-cooling group is disposed above the upstream group within the core. The refrigerant fluid flows from the initial header through the uptream group of tubes into the return header and then flows through the sub-cooling tubes prior to exiting the condenser.
The receiver utilized in the Aki et al. condenser is integrally formed with the return header. Designed to separate any gaseous components remaining in the refrigerant from the liquid components thereof before the remaining fluid flows back into the return header and then into the sub-cooling group of tubes, the Aki et al. receiver extends from a closed base positioned adjacent to the downstream group of tubes to a closed cover located adjacent the sub-cooling group. An elongate communications pipe interconnects the cover of the receiver with the return header. The pipe extends from a lower portion to an upper portion. The lower portion is disposed completely within the interior of the receiver and has an open end which is positioned adjacent to the base. The upper portion extends from the interior of the receiver through the cover to the exterior, and is connected directly to the return tank. Condensed fluid flows from the downstream group of tubes into the return tank, and passes into the receiver through a single communications hole located in the wall between the return header and the receiver.
The communication hole within the Aki et al. receiver is disposed higher than the open end of the pipe, which prevents the gaseous components in the condensed refrigerant from entering the open end. Once inside the receiver, the gaseous components are effectively isolated within the interior. The liquid components are directed to flow through the open end upwardly through the pipe and into the return tank before being introduced to the sub-cooling group of tubes.
The Aki et al. receiver effectively separates gaseous components from a condensed fluid and successfully transports the remaining liquid components in an "upflow" direction through the receiver to the sub-cooling area of a condenser. However, extending the communications pipe through the receiver cover and attaching the upper portion directly to the return tank increases the number of exterior joints through which the condensed fluid may leak. This compromises the structural integrity of the receiver and reduces the thermal efficiency of the condenser.

Condenser with integral receiver and capable of upflow operation


A composition of matter including an onium salt and a method of forming images. The onium salt has a chromophore which absorbs ultraviolet radiation, an S, Se, As, N or P atom which is free of substituents exhibiting a higher energy occupied molecular orbital than the chromophore; an insulating group which links the chromophore to the S, Se, As, N or P atom of the salt and substantially prevents .pi. resonance from the chromophore through the S, Se, As, N or P atom; and an anion. The onium salt is capable of forming a Bronsted acid upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation in the presence of a proton source. In the method of forming images, the onium salt is exposed to ultraviolet radiation in the presence of a proton source, to convert said onium salt to a Bronsted acid.

It is well known that various onium salts, upon exposure to radiation, are capable of forming a Bronsted acid, and that the Bronsted acid thus formed can cure a wide variety of materials. See, for example, UV Curing: Science and Technology, edited by S. Peter Pappas and published (1978) by Technology Marketing Corporation, 64 Westover Road, Stamford, Conn. 06902. The problem with such salts is that they do not absorb out to 400 nm, and commonly must be used in combination with a light-absorbing photosensitizer in order to carry out photoinitiation at longer wavelengths than 300 nm.
Research Disclosure Vol. 289, May 1988, page 298, published by Kenneth Mason Publications Ltd., London, England, describes sulfonium salts and oxysulfonium salts which, upon exposure to visible radiation, undergo irreversible intramolecular rearrangement to form a Bronsted acid. The light-absorbing capability of these sulfonium and oxysulfonium salts depends upon overlap of molecular orbitals, that is, .pi. resonance throughout the molecule. The photo products of these salts absorb at shorter wavelengths than the starting sulfonium and oxysulfonium salts.
European Patent Application 0 447 544, published Sep. 25, 1991, discloses onium salts which form Bronsted acids upon absorption of visible radiation by means of a chromophore joined to the remainder of the molecule by a linkage which interrupts .pi. resonance. The chromophore can be selected to match the wavelength of the visible light. The onium salts have; as a substituent on a S, Se, As, N, or P atom in addition to the linked chromophore; at least one electron withdrawing group which exhibits a lower unoccupied molecular orbital than the chromophore.
There is a need in the art for onium salts which absorb ultraviolet radiation, are highly efficient and are thermally stable to the release of acid. It is desirable that such salts be capable of forming a Bronsted acid upon exposure to ultraviolet light of a chromophore joined to the remainder of the molecule through an insulating linkage, since the chromophore could be selected to match the desired exposing radiation.


An electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car, which helps improve external appearance of a car without impairing radar function, and is fabricated using a decreased number of parts at a reduced cost. The electromagnetic wave radar device comprises an electromagnetic wave radar body 1 mounted on a car 2 and for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency, and a radome portion made of a material which permits the electromagnetic waves to transmit through and covers the electromagnetic radar body, the electromagnetic wave radar body being disposed on the side of the back surface 30A of the bumper 30 of the car, and the radome portion being formed by a portion of the bumper of the car.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car, which helps improve external appearance of a car without impairing radar function, and is fabricated using a decreased number of parts at a reduced cost.
2. Prior Art
An electromagnetic wave radar device has heretofore been used as an obstacle sensor being mounted on a car.
The device of this kind has been disclosed in, for example, xe2x80x9cAntenna for Microwaves/Millimeter Waves and Peripheral Technologyxe2x80x9d, Nov. 21, 1993, issued by Mimatsu Data System, pp. 474-477, xe2x80x9cSymposium on Utilizing Electromagnetic Waves, Preliminary Papers on Promoting the Utilization of Quasi-Microwaves/millimeter wavesxe2x80x9d, June, 1990, issued by, Foundation, Electromagnetic Wave System Development Center, p. 111), and xe2x80x9cHandbook of Antenna Engineeringxe2x80x9d, Oct. 30, 1980, edited by the Academy of Electronic Data Communication, issued by Ohm Co., pp. 359-361.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car disclosed in the above-mentioned literature xe2x80x9cAntenna for Microwaves/Millimeter Waves and Peripheral Technologyxe2x80x9d, p. 477.
In FIG. 17, an electromagnetic wave radar body 1 mounted on a car is provided on an upper part of a bumper 3 of a vehicle 2 and is disposed at a central part of a front grille 4.
The electromagnetic wave radar body 1 is directly disposed on a front part of the vehicle 2, or is disposed in an opening formed in the front grille 4, emits electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency as a transmission beam W1 toward the front of the vehicle 2, and receives the electromagnetic waves reflected by an obstacle (not shown) as a reception beam W2.
A transmission/reception antenna in the electromagnetic wave radar body 1 is located on the travelling side of the vehicle 2, and is covered by a known radome (not shown) made of a material which permits the electromagnetic waves to pass through in order to prevent the antenna from the external damaging factors such as rain, dust and dirt and to prevent its performance from being deteriorated.
According to the device disclosed in the above-mentioned literature xe2x80x9cHandbook of Antenna Engineeringxe2x80x9d, an opening (not shown) is formed in the bumper 3, and the electromagnetic wave radar body 1 is disposed in the opening.
According to the conventional electromagnetic wave radar devices mounted on the car as described above, an opening wider than an area corresponding to the transmission/reception antenna is formed in the bumper 3 or in the front grille 4 in order to mount the electromagnetic radar body 1 on the car 2.
However, forming an opening in the bumper 3 or in the grille 4 imposes a limitation on designing the appearance of the car 2.
Moreover, despite the electromagnetic wave radar body 1 is disposed at the back of the opening in the front grille 4 so will not to deteriorate the appearance of the car 2, the pattern of the transmission/reception electromagnetic waves is affected by the front grille 4 irrespective of the material (metal or dielectric) of the front grille 4, causing the object-detecting performance of the electromagnetic radar body 1 to be greatly deteriorated.
In order to accomplish both the electric performance of the electromagnetic wave radar body 1 and the designing of appearance of the car 2, therefore, limitation is imposed on a place for installing the electromagnetic wave radar device 1.
In either device disclosed in the above-mentioned literatures, furthermore, a separate radome is necessary for protecting the electromagnetic wave radar body 1.
In the conventional electromagnetic wave radar devices mounted on the vehicles as described above, the opening must be formed in the bumper 3 or in the grille 4 for installing the electromagnetic wave radar body 1, leaving a problem of impairing the appearance of the car 2.
When the electromagnetic wave radar body 1 is installed on a portion of the front grille 4, furthermore, the radar function is impaired being affected by the grille member.
Besides, a separate radome must be provided to protect the electromagnetic wave radar body 1 from the external environment, resulting in an increase in the number of parts and in an increase in the cost.
The present invention is directed to an electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car at a reduced cost, by using the bumper as a radome portion deteriorating neither the radar function nor the appearance of the car, and using a decreased number of parts by giving attention to the fact that the bumper of a car is made of a dielectric.
An electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention comprises an electromagnetic wave radar body mounted on a car and for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency, and a radome portion made of a material which permits the electromagnetic waves to transmit through and covers the electromagnetic radar body, the electromagnetic wave radar body being disposed on the back surface side of the bumper of the car, and the radome portion being formed by a portion of the bumper of the car.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, when a relative permittivity of the bumper is denoted by xcex5c, an angle of incidence of the electromagnetic waves relative to the bumper by xcex8i, a natural number by n, and a wavelength of the electromagnetic waves in free space by xcexo, then, a thickness tc of the radome portion in the bumper is set to a value that satisfies the following formula,   tc  =            n                    xe2x80x83            ·      λ                  xe2x80x83                  o      /                        {                      2                                                      (                                                      ϵ                                                              xe2x80x83                                                            c                                    -                                                            sin                      2                                                                                xe2x80x83                                                            θ                                                              xe2x80x83                                                            i                                                  )                                              }                .
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, furthermore, the radome portion in the bumper has a dielectric lens portion for focusing the electromagnetic waves.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, the dielectric lens portion is constituted by a thick portion that is formed in the bumper integrally together.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, the dielectric lens portion is secured to a portion on the back surface of the bumper and is constituted integrally with the bumper.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, the dielectric lens portion is inserted in the opening of the bumper and is constituted integrally with the bumper.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, the radome portion in the bumper has a polarizer unit for transforming linear polarization and circular polarization relative to each other, and the polarizer unit has corrugated grooves.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, furthermore, when a phase constant in a medium of the electromagnetic waves transmitting through the polarizer unit is denoted by xcex2m, a phase constant of the electromagnetic waves in free space by xcex2o and a natural number by n, then, a depth d of the corrugated grooves is set to a value that satisfies the following formula,
|xcex2mxe2x88x92xcex2o|d=(2nxe2x88x921)xcfx80/2.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, the polarizer unit is formed in the bumper integrally together.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, the polarizer unit is secured to a portion on the back surface of the bumper and is constituted integrally with the bumper.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, the polarizer unit is inserted in the opening in the bumper and is constituted integrally with the bumper.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, the radome portion in the bumper is coated with a coating material in a predetermined thickness, the coating material being composed of a material which permits the electromagnetic waves to transmit through.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, furthermore, the coating material is applied onto at least either the front surface or the back surface of the radome portion of the bumper and, when a relative permittivity of the bumper is denoted by xcex5c, a relative permittivity es of the coating material is set to a value that satisfies the following formula,
xcex5c=xcex5s2.
and, when a natural number is denoted by n and a wavelength of the electromagnetic waves in free space by xcexo, a thickness ts of the coating material is set to a value that satisfies the following formula,
ts={(2nxe2x88x921)/4}xc2x7xcexo/{square root over (xcex5s)}.
In the electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car according to the present invention, furthermore, the radome portion in the bumper has a central portion which is directly related to transmitting and receiving the electromagnetic waves, and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion, the peripheral portion being coated with an radiowave absorber on the side of the back surface thereof that faces the electromagnetic wave radar body.

Electromagnetic wave radar device mounted on a car


A process that provides protective therapy for biological tissues or fluids includes applying a pulsed energy source to a target tissue or a target fluid having a chronic progressive disease or a risk of having a chronic progressive disease to therapeutically or prophylactically treat the target tissue or target fluid. The pulsed energy source has energy parameters selected so as to raise the target tissue or bodily target fluid temperature up to a predetermined temperature for a short period of time to achieve a therapeutic or prophylactic effect, while the average temperature rise of the target tissue or target fluid over a longer period of time is maintained at or below a predetermined level so as not to permanently damage the target tissue or target fluid.

The present invention generally relates to processes for treating biological tissues or fluids. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for providing protective therapy for biological tissues or fluids having a chronic progressive disease, or a risk for a chronic progressive disease.
Chronic progressive diseases (CPDs) currently, and increasingly in the future, are healthcare challenges. There are many such CPDs, including Type II Diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), heart disease and the like. There are many diseases for which the underlying cause is unknown, and which either have no treatment or suboptimal treatment. Some of these diseases are either uniformly terminal in short-order, or constitute major public health problems due to epidemic increase.
These diseases are both chronic and progressive. Chronic progressive diseases may have any number of underlying causes, including infectious, genetic, multi-factorial and immune. While there are many different causes of CPDs, they share fundamental commonalities. A unifying feature of all CPDs is the accumulation of abnormal intracellular proteins. Another common feature of all CPDs is increasing cellular and organ dysfunction, leading to failure. Yet another common and unifying feature of CPDs is cellular and organ dysfunction that causes and promotes chronic inflammation. These features of all CPDs is a vicious cycle leading to the disease worsening over time.
Thus, interruption of the cycle is essential to ameliorate the course of the disease. One approach to treatment of CPDs is gene therapy, which requires identification and repair or replacement of the defective gene that is the cause of the disease. However, for some CPDs, the gene defect is unknown. For others, there may be many potential gene defects which lead to the same disease. For example, retinitis pigmentosa can be caused by any of over 150 different genetic defects. This potential multiplicity of underlying defects makes gene therapy difficult.
Another approach to treatment of CPDs is drug therapy which typically attempts to target specific cellular proteins thought to be critical to the disease process to either inhibit or enhance their action. However, as there are an estimated 2,000 different protein types in the typical cell having 10680 potential interactions, successful, clinically effective without unacceptable side effects of targeted drug therapy is difficult.
Another approach to treatment of CPDs is non-specific and anti-inflammatory treatments. These include various steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and immunosuppressive drugs. However, anti-inflammatory drugs have many drawbacks in CPDs. As they do not address the underlying cause of the disease, they must be used long-term and have limited effectiveness. Because of their modes of action and necessity of long-term use, the side effects and complications of treatment limit their usefulness. Immunosuppressive drugs have the same limitations as anti-inflammatory drugs. However, as they alter the normal function of the immune system apart from the disease process, they can cause further complications including other disease syndromes and neoplasia. Radiation therapy, such as using x-ray radiation, is another treatment for CPDs. It has effects similar to using anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. However, it can also present more problematic side effects that worsen with time even after cessation of treatment, often making it unacceptable if long-term survival is anticipated.
Yet another, newer, approach to treatment of CPDs is identification and inhibitor of manager proteins. Such manager protein therapy attempts to address the problems presented by gene, drug, and anti-inflammatory/immunosuppression therapy by finding proteins or enzymes which are both key and common to several disease states, regardless of the underlying cause, and inhibiting them in various ways. As a single manager protein may be central to the development of a number of disease conditions, such as various and otherwise unrelated cancers, blocking this key protein could have wider therapeutic application than more disease-targeted therapies. However, manager protein therapy shares the general limitation of targeted drug therapy if the protein itself is targeted, with the additional problem of triggering compensatory mechanisms such as up-regulation leading to permanent insensitivity to a drug action. Moreover, manager protein therapy shares the general limitations of gene therapy if the transcriptional and translational mechanisms that produce the protein are targeted. Such manager protein therapy also shares the problems targeted drug therapy has, as mentioned above.
Stem cell transplantation (SCT) is yet another approach to treatment of CPDs. SCT attempts to replace dead or dysfunctional tissue with new functional tissue by transplanting stem cells into the tissue or area surrounding the tissue. SCT is highly complex and expensive, with significant risks and adverse treatment effects. Despite much public interest, SCT has been thus far ineffective.
The current approaches described above for treatment of CPDs are of limited success and usefulness and thus most CPDs have either no treatment currently or only palliative or ineffectual treatment. These treatments are of limited success and usefulness by virtue of practical limitations, including unknown or multiple causes, cost, time, as well as non-physiologic (being unnatural and artificial) modes of action, which by definition, impose a new drug-induced disease state overlying the CPD. In light of this, the ideal treatment for CPDs would be independent of the underlying cause, physiologic, and thus both effective and well tolerated without side-effects, and able to break the vicious CPD cycle by intervening at multiple points in the cycle including immediately distal to the primary defect for maximum effectiveness. The present invention fulfills these needs, and provides other related advantages.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for providing protective therapy for biological tissues or fluids


A method at an asset tracking device, the method including activating a receiver at the asset tracking device; obtaining an intelligent transportation system message using the receiver; determining a position from the intelligent transportation system message; and reporting the determined position to a remote server.

Asset tracking is utilized in many areas and generally is used to find the location, among other attributes, of an asset. As used herein, an asset may be any product or container which may have a tag or similar computing device affixed thereto in order to track the asset. Examples may include a shipping container within the transportation industry, medical equipment within a hospital setting, emergency personnel or equipment for emergency settings, among other options.
Typically, asset tracking involves obtaining a location of a tracked asset. Such a location may be found in various ways, but one common way is to utilize a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as a Global Positioning System (GPS). GNSS uses a constellation of satellites and, to obtain a position fix, an asset needs to find a signal from a plurality of the satellites.
However, if a tag or computing device associated with an asset is a low power device, such as a battery-operated device, the tag or asset will typically be in a sleep mode and will need to wake up occasionally to obtain a position fix. In this regard, the tag or computing device will need to lock to the plurality of satellite signals once it is woken up. Locking to satellite signals may be time consuming and battery intensive. Further, if the asset is in a location that is adverse to obtaining a GNSS position, such as within a city with tall buildings in which a "canyon" effect may obscure satellites, the GNSS position fix may not be obtainable and the asset tag or computing device may waste significant power attempting to obtain the position fix.

Method and system for internet of things asset tracking within an intelligent transportation system


The present invention provides a data processing apparatus and method for performing aligned access operations. The data processing apparatus comprises a register data store having a plurality of registers operable to store data elements, and a processor operable to perform a data processing operation on one or more data elements accessed in at least one of the registers. Further, access logic is provided which is operable in response to an access instruction to perform an access operation in order to move a number of data elements between specified registers and a portion of a memory, the portion having a start address specified by the access instruction. Further, the access instruction has an alignment specifier associated therewith which is settable either to a first value or one of a plurality of second values. The first value indicates that the start address is to be treated as byte aligned, and each of the second values indicates a different predetermined alignment that the start address is to be treated as conforming to. The access logic is then operable to adapt the access operation in dependence on the value of alignment specifier. This provides significantly improved flexibility in the performance of access operations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and method for moving data between registers and memory.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An access instruction used to move data between registers and memory will have a start address associated therewith identifying a location within the memory from which the access operation used to implement the access instruction should begin. The access instruction may be a load instruction used to load data from memory into the registers, or a store instruction used to store data from the registers to the memory.
Typically, the minimum size of data which can be moved between the memory and registers is one byte of data. Consequently, addresses are typically specified in units of bytes. It is known to provide an access instruction which specifies that the start address is to be treated as byte aligned, often also referred to as an unaligned access. It is also known to provide an access instruction which specifies that the start address has a predetermined natural alignment as specified by the particular architecture in which the instruction is being used. As an example, if the architecture specifies that the size of data the subject of such access instructions is 64-bits in length, then an instruction which assumes that the start address is naturally aligned will assume that the start address for the access is a multiple of 64 bits, i.e. that the least significant three bits of the start address are all zeros.
Whilst the ability to specify an aligned access in the above manner is beneficial, since an access operation based on a start address which is aligned can typically be performed more quickly than an access operation based on a start address which is unaligned, the above approach is relatively inflexible. In particular, the understanding of what is meant by the term "aligned" is fixed at the architectural level for a particular transfer size. This lack of flexibility is compounded particularly in situations where it is desired that the amount of data to be transferred by an access operation can be varied.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a more flexible technique for performing aligned access operations.

Data processing apparatus and method for moving data between registers and memory in response to an access instruction having an alignment specifier identifying an alignment to be associated with a start address


A vibrational energy harvester element includes: a first electrode; a second electrode that moves in a predetermined direction with respect to the first electrode; a third electrode; a fourth electrode that moves in the predetermined direction with respect to the third electrode; and a support portion that supports the second electrode and the fourth electrode so that they are movable along the predetermined direction; and wherein: the first electrode and the third electrode are disposed along the predetermined direction; at least one of facing surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least one of facing surfaces of the third electrode and the fourth electrode, are electrically charged; and the support portion supports the second electrode and the fourth electrode in a state in which electrostatic force between the first electrode and the second electrode, and electrostatic force between the third electrode and the fourth electrode are balanced along the predetermined direction.

Recently, as one energy harvesting technique for harvesting energy from the environment, attention has been directed to a technique for performing generation of power from environmental vibrations by employing a vibrational energy harvester element (i.e. a vibration power generation device). With a vibrational energy harvester element for this sort of application, it has been proposed to utilize electrostatic force due to an electret, in order to obtain high power generation efficiency in a compact manner. In Patent Document 1, for example, there is disclosed an electrostatic induction type conversion element in which electrets are formed upon vertical surfaces of comb-tooth electrodes that are formed as a movable portion and a fixed portion by employing soft X rays.


Tunable TCR resistors incorporated into integrated circuits and a method fabricating the tunable TCR resistors. The tunable TCR resistors including two or more resistors of two or more different materials having opposite polarity and different magnitude TCRs, the same polarity and different magnitude TCRs or having opposite polarity and about the same TCRs.

The temperature of integrated circuits can influence the operation of integrated circuits, so temperature operating range must be taken into account during the design and fabrication of integrated circuits. Resistors are one element of integrated circuits that are affected by temperature. For example, current reference circuits use load resistors to control the current level. As the integrated circuit operating temperature changes so will the current. Often the temperature dependence of a resistor will adversely effect the performance of the integrated circuit in given portions of the temperature range of that the integrated circuit is expected to operate in. In other integrated circuits, a change in resistance over a temperature range may be desirable, but is difficult to control.
Therefore, there is a need for an integrated circuit resistor and a method of fabricating the resistor wherein the temperature dependency of resistance of the resistor can be tuned during design and/or fabrication of the integrated circuit containing the resistor.

Tunable temperature coefficient of resistance resistors and method of fabricating same

International Business Machines Corporation


A process and system for impregnating garments with insect repellent, the ocess including the steps of placing the garments in a first machine and tumbling the garments therein, introducing into the first machine a mixture of liquid insect repellent and water so as to spray the mixture onto the tumbling garments, terminating the introduction of the mixture into the first machine and continuing the tumbling of the garments therein, terminating the tumbling of the garments in the first machine, and placing the garments in a second machine and tumble drying the garments therein; and the system comprising a reservoir for a mixture of the repellent in liquid form and water, a first machine for receiving and retaining the garments and tumbling the garments, a spray nozzle in the first machine for directing a spray of the mixture onto the garments during tumbling thereof, a conduit extending from the reservoir to the spray nozzle, and a pump in the conduit for flowing the mixture from the reservoir to the spray nozzle, and a second machine for receiving and retaining the sprayed garments, when removed from the first machine, for tumble drying the garments.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to impregnation of garments with substances, and is directed more particularly to the impregnation of garments with insect repellent in an enclosed readily available device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to apply insect repellents to garments. For example, the U.S. Army has applied Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, to military battle dress uniforms (BDUs). Permethrin is known for its insect/arthropod repellent qualities, and its relative safety in garments worn by humans.
BDU's have been saturated with a Permethrin-water mixture, hand squeezed, and hung to air dry. This method is essentially limited to individual garment treatment, and is unsafe environmentally and for the individual undertaking the application. Further, it is difficult to control the level of application.
BDUs have also been treated with Permethrin-water mixtures using a hand-held sprayer which contains the mixture at a selected Permethrin concentration and a constant pressure, and which discharges during a timed application period. This method is limited to individual garment treatment. It has further been found difficult to maintain the desired pressure level and application time period. Still further, this process carries attendant threats to the environment and the individual carrying out the process.
It is known to apply a Permethrin-water mixture in an enclosed device, such as a garment washing machine, finish application machine, or dye machine. In this method, the garments are totally immersed in the mixture. Accordingly, the Permethrin applied to the garments typically is well beyond the absorption capacity of the garments, leading to the uneconomical use of Permethrin. Further, attaining a uniform application and target level of Permethrin is very difficult and has not been demonstrated.
Thus, there is a need for a process for the application of Permethrin, and the like, to garments, wherein the process can be applied to multiple garments in a closed device, is safe for the environment and operators, and can be controlled so as to provide uniform application within desired limits.

Process and system for impregnating garments with insect repellent

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


A computerized method of evaluating authenticity of automotive devices, comprising a local authorization entity (AE) adapted to manage identity authentication for a group of automotive devices located in an associated geographical area. The local AE provides, to a first automotive device of the group, an AE identity certificate comprising an encryption key of the local AE and signed with a higher level AE's encryption key. The first automotive device uses the higher level AE's encryption key to decrypt the AE identity certificate and retrieve the local AE's encryption key. The first automotive device uses the local AE's encryption key to verify an identity certificate created by the local AE for a second automotive device of the group. The first automotive device establishes a session with the second automotive device according to an identity posture score extracted from the identity certificate of the second automotive device.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to evaluating identity posture of automotive devices, more particularly, but not exclusively, to evaluating identity posture of automotive devices using a global geographically segmented hierarchical identity authorization system.
The automotive environment has rapidly evolved in recent years and is likely to witness even more dramatic developments. Autonomous vehicles as well as a plurality of automated systems used for a plurality of applications ranging from, for example, autonomous driving, driving safety, driver experience through traffic control to infotainment and/or the like are becoming more common by the day.
Such automated and autonomous systems may naturally utilize many diverse automotive devices which may exchange ever growing amounts of data among them to maintain proper and efficient operation of such systems.

Ranking identity and security posture for automotive devices


A closure of a container and more particularly a removable light-tight door. The door includes a plane surface and sides having two partitions and each orientated at 90.degree. with respect to the plane surface. The outer partition of the edge is obtained by folding the wall and the inner partition consists of an attached folded panel with four elements, spot welded. The sides of the door form a U which comes to cooperate with the U formed by the sides of the container. Guide elements are provided in at least two corners of the door.

The containers currently used protecting products wound on tubes have followed the shape of the products to be packaged and are provided with round-shaped removable lids. It is customary practice in photography to obtain light-tightness by means of baffles. For example, the cooperation of two inverted Us overlapping with each other provides an excellent light trap. The drawback of this type of closure for a round-shaped lid is that, in order to obtain perfect light-tightness, it is necessary to produce a weld over the entire edge. However, continuous welds are relatively difficult to produce in order to obtain perfect light-tightness. New containers used for the transportation of photosensitive products in strip form are notably described in the application EP-A-0 731 376. The doors used in the production of these containers are rectangular and are hinged about a pin, vertical or horizontal. In photography, photosensitive products must be protected from light before they are used and the containers used are filled in the most complete darkness. The containers provided with this type of door have the drawback of not complying with certain safety constraints. It may in fact happen that such doors accidentally close all on their own or are closed by another operator, during use, which presents a significant drawback when in darkness. In addition, such doors do not comply with certain size constraints notably because of their opening by means of a hinge or again because of the size of the hinge. This is why it is preferable to use removable doors.


An object is to improve a data recording amount per memory cell. In the invention, in a non-volatile memory, the data contents of which can be electrically written and erased, each memory cell that configures the non-volatile memory is provided with: source/drain regions formed on a semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode formed on a channel region of the semiconductor substrate; and a gate insulating film formed between the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode. A configuration in which the source/drain regions extend at least in three directions from the channel region when seen on a plane from the gate electrode side is employed.

A flash memory is a typical example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory. Data can be freely written in and erased from a flash memory and the data content is not erased even when power supply is cut. This flash memory offers the advantages, of both RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). For this reason, recently, flash memory is used packaged in a card form as a memory card in a recording medium of a mobile phone, a digital camera, a portable music player and so forth.
In such a flash memory, a memory able to store two bits of information in a single memory cell has been considered in order to improve the level of integration of the flash memory. For example, in Japanese Translation of PCT International Application, Publication No. 2001-512290, an EEPROM (Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), which is a programmable read-only memory, is disclosed.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a configuration of a memory cell disclosed in Japanese Translation of PCT International Application, Publication No. 2001-512290. FIG. 2 shows a sectional surface along the line A-A′ of FIG. 1. On a semiconductor substrate 11, there is provided an active region 12 configured with a boron-doped P-type semiconductor for example. On this active region 12, there are provided a drain 13 and a source 14 fabricated from a phosphorous-doped N-type semiconductor on both sides of a channel 15 for example. On the channel 15 there is formed a three-layered electric charge capturing film 16 for accumulating electric charges. This electric charge capturing film 16 comprises an insulting film 16a in contact with the channel, an insulating film 16c in contact with a gate electrode 17, and a non-conductive electric charge capturing film 16b, held between these insulating films. For reading and writing data, pin contacts 18 are respectively connected to the drain 13 and the source 14.
The non-conductive electric charge capturing film 16b forms one of bits 19a and 19b in a region in the proximity of the drain 13 or in a region in the proximity of the source 14. In FIG. 2, when a voltage is applied from the source 14 to the drain 13 to carry out writing, hot electrons (free electrons) enter the non-conductive electric charge capturing film 16b of the region of the bit 19b, and the information is recorded. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied from the drain 13 to the source 14 to carry out writing, hot electrons enter the non-conductive electric charge capturing film 16b of the region of the bit 19a, and the information (bit data) is recorded. If a voltage is not applied when writing, hot electrons are not captured. In this way, bit information of "0" and "1" are recorded.
When reading bit information, a voltage is applied in the direction opposite to writing. For example, when reading the information stored in the region of the bit 19a, a voltage is applied from the source 14 to the drain 13. When an electric charge is captured electric current does not flow, and when an electric charge is not captured, electric current flows. Therefore, the bit information can be read. By reversing the writing direction and the reading direction, a single memory cell can hold two bits of data.
However, despite the fact that a single memory cell has become able to record two bits of data and a flash memory has become common, there is still a demand for miniaturization and cost reduction in a flash memory. Accordingly, there is a strong demand for improving the level of integration.

Non-volatile memory with source/drains in multiple directions


A packaging system uses marked, specially designed packaging to enable confidential purchasing of consumer goods. Products having a first configuration normally labeled for sale are convertible into a second configuration which conceals the identity of the goods, other than perhaps having a confidentiality brand. The confidentiality package is bar-coded for price and purchase scanning but does not identify the type of good(s) being purchased either at the cash register or on the customer's receipt. The confidentially packaged items, which could be marketed under a YOURS CONFIDENTIALLY brand name, for instance, are primarily sold at a retail location immediately next to a normally marked, identical (except for the outer packaging shell) item, and have a brief description of what the item is directly under it (Tampons for example) located in the shelf strip next to the re-order shelf tag.

The present invention relates to packaging of consumer products for purchase.
For today's consumer, the grocery store, drugstore and superstore are still the primary purchasing venues for their personal and hygiene product needs. For many consumers purchasing personal and hygiene products, the in-store experience can range from mildly awkward, to somewhat uncomfortable, to down right embarrassing. The fact is, it is a situation born of necessity—not choice—and it is a pattern that can change, when given a better alternative. Market research suggests that 94% of all consumers have experienced an awkward, uncomfortable and/or embarrassing feeling when purchasing one or more personal products during their lifetime.
Several prior art packaging methods seek to address the fact that consumers, for at least some products and at some times, would like to keep various aspects of their purchase including the type of product being purchased confidential from other shoppers or after leaving the store. These prior art methods include packages that are convertible from a first configuration, wherein certain textual or graphical information about the product is displayed, to a second configuration, wherein that textual or graphical information is hidden or removed. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,918,631, 4,955,469, 5,293,994, 6,220,439, 6,688,466 and 7,523,825, as well as U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2007/0045144 and 2007/0144929 all disclose convertible packages intended to alternatively display textual or graphical information and then in a different configuration hide that information.
In some instances, the intent to hide the information is associated with gift giving, wherein the alternative "information hidden" configuration also provides a decorative, gift-wrap appearance to the product. In other instances, the intent to hide the information is associated with providing a decorative dispenser during storage and/or use of the item(s). In other instances, the intent is to provide advertising in greater detail in one configuration than another. In yet other instances, the intent to hide the information is due to the embarrassment of the purchaser as to the type of item being purchased, including personal care articles such as incontinence articles, diapers and feminine hygiene products.
While such convertible packages provide confidentiality benefits in some respects, in other respects the confidentiality benefits and packaging are distinctly lacking. A better system of confidentiality packaging is needed.


A pocket ashtray made of fireproof materials for holding a packet of cigarettes comprising a part for depositing ash and cigarette butts, a cigarette pack support part, an intermediate area including a tilting door for giving access to the depositing part and for closing against the deposit part so as to prevent air entry.

The need to have an ashtray available at a given moment or a suitable place to deposit the ashes or butts, makes this a critical moment, a "space-time" problem that has to be resolved in a matter of seconds. This problem affects a large sector of the population "smokers", and has repercussions in the form of social and environmental problems for society as a whole. Seeing cigarette butts in the streets or in the most unexpected places, and forest fires (often attributed to a badly extinguished cigarette butt) have become a daily image. In a society that is increasingly demanding with itself in the endeavour to improve day by day in different aspects of life (coexistence, cleanliness, ecology, etc.), we must seek solutions and promote the means to carry them out, and always foster coexistence among people and an agreeable state of affairs.
There is a great diversity of ashtrays distributed more or less strategically in public and private places. These fulfill their function, but they are static and only effective in a limited spatial radius. If, at the critical moment of discarding the cigarette butt, a smoker finds himself outside this radius and does not wish to throw the butt on the ground, he is forced to improvise a solution, such as an empty can, a finished packet or other solutions devised for the purpose. But these solutions are circumstantial and do not ensure that the embers are well extinguished, and therefore their use may be dangerous because they lack the necessary conditions of safety and transport.
The present product fulfills the conditions mentioned hereinbefore and proposes, in being marketed and used, to be of help to smokers at the critical moment or to be of service in other aspects.
It will not be circumstantial, because it may be acquired at the same time as the packet of cigarettes and, owing to the fact that it is coupled with the packet, it may remain together with the latter until it is empty, being always available at the critical moment. This same fact allows it to occupy the same space as the packet, only lengthening as it is used; but it may be emptied at the most appropriate time and return to its previous state. Inside it, there is room for a whole packet and it may be used as a cigarette case. After being used, it may be thrown away or re-used.

Pocket ashtray equipped for holding a packet of tobacco and protection for the base of the latter, with a deposit for extinguishing cigarette butts


A detector circuit to be used for measuring current and including a main current transformer and two substantially identical auxiliary current transformers, where magnetomotive forces are induced by a main current, said magnetomotive forces being counteracted by magnetomotive forces induced by a compensating current (i4) in a compensating winding (L4) across at least two annular cores (2, 3) at the same time as the two auxiliary current transformers are magnetized in antiphase by means of a modulation signal, said circuit further including a synchronous rectifier for providing an adjustment signal for the compensating current (i4). According to the invention, the compensating winding (L4) is formed by a so-called “pilgrim winding”. A pilgrim winding results from one section being wound at a time, and it presents the property that the potential difference between the individual winding layers is smaller than in connection with conventionally wound transformers where one layer is wound at a time in the longitudinal direction of the entire core. As a result the undesirable capacitive currents between the windings have been significantly reduced, viz. the so-called neighbouring effect. In other words, the parasitic capacities between the windings have been reduced. In addition it turned out that the use of such windings implies that the undesirable resonances are elevated to such an extent that they no longer interfere with the measuring procedure.

Danish Patent No. 149238 discloses a zero-flux current transformer for measuring the current for an electromagnet in a particle accelerator. As very heavy current intensities are involved, viz. several hundred amperes, the main current is advantageously converted into a comparatively weaker measuring current which is easy to handle, and which is passed through a measuring resistor. Then the voltage drop across the measuring resistor is used as a measurement representing the intensity of the main current.
The known zero-flux current transformers are formed by a second harmonic magnetic modulator in combination with a magnetic integrator. In principle a magnetic integrator includes an annular core of a ferromagnetic material and is provided with a primary winding, a secondary winding and a sensor winding. The sensor winding communicates with the inlet terminals of an amplifier driving the secondary current through a measuring resistor. Then an alteration of the magnetic flux in the annular core induces a voltage in the sensor winding, and this voltage affects the amplifier in such a manner that said magnetic flux generates a compensating current which counteracts the alteration of the flux caused by the primary current. Thus the magnetomotive forces generated by the current through the primary winding are equalized by the magnetomotive forces generated by the current through the secondary winding in such a manner that a specific relationship exists between the current intensity in the primary winding and the current intensity in the secondary winding.
However, the magnetic integrator cannot handle DC and very low frequencies, and accordingly it is necessary to include a separate circuit for this function. Such a circuit is formed by a magnetic modulator including two identically coated annular cores and a driver circuit. The annular cores are driven in saturation, and at a balance/"zero flux" the current curves are symmetrical relative to zero with the result that the contents of equal harmonics are zero. Then it is possible to use either a direct, symmetrical detection by means of a window comparator/Schmitt trigger or a second harmonic detector using synchronous rectification of the current signal presenting the double frequency of the modulation signal. In both cases an output signal is obtained which is zero at a balancing between the primary and the secondary ampere winding number. An unbalance between the ampere winding numbers results in a voltage of an amplitude and a polarity which depend on the extent and polarity of said unbalance. One core suffices for carrying out the latter detector function, but it is necessary to involve two cores in antiphase in order to prevent the compensating circuit from suppressing the detection and in order to prevent the modulation signal from disturbing the magnetic integrator through a magnetic coupling.
However, the known circuits are encumbered with the draw-back that it is not possible to compensate for alternating currents of a particularly high frequency. In addition, undesirable resonances are generated which can have a destroying effect.

Detector circuit to be used for measuring current


A method for compensating black cores includes detecting whether an external illumination level of an image device is greater than a predetermined illumination value. The method includes detecting whether an intensity of a first portion of input pixels is greater than a first predetermined threshold, an intensity of a second portion of input pixels is smaller than the first predetermined threshold and greater than a second predetermined threshold and an intensity of a third portion of input pixels is smaller than the second predetermined threshold when detecting a plurality of input pixels of a scan line. The method includes correcting the intensity of the third portion of input pixels that is smaller than the second predetermined threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for compensating black cores of an image sensor, and more particularly, to a method correcting the intensity of a portion of input pixels where the intensity is smaller than a second predetermined threshold.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors have become popular solid-state image sensors, largely replacing charge-coupled devices (CCD). Because CMOS image sensors are manufactured by conventional semiconductor manufacturing process, the conventional semiconductor manufacturing process has both low cost and low power consumption. Besides, CMOS image sensors have high quantum efficiency and low read-out noise, and thus have been popularly applied in PC and digital cameras.
Black core phenomenon usually happens in CMOS image sensors (but not limited to CMOS image sensors only). In normal photographic situations, black core phenomenon will not occur. Only when facing the sun to take a picture, black cores of CMOS image sensors will occur due to the strong sunlight.
Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram of a photograph 10 showing black core phenomenon. The photograph 10 includes a sun 12, a first object 15 and a second object 17. The first object 15 and the second object 17 are both black objects with the lowest intensity level. The sun 12 has the highest intensity level. In the middle part of the sun 12, a black core 14 occurs. The black core 14 also has the lowest intensity level. In this embodiment, although the black core 14, the first object 15 and the second object 17 have the lowest intensity level, only the intensity level of the black core 14 is wrong. Hence, before compensating black core phenomenon, distinction between the black core 14 and other black objects is required.
Please refer to FIG. 2 that is a diagram showing scanning order. When scanning an image, one scan line is detected at one time because image storages dealing with a two-dimensional image cost too much. As shown in FIG. 2, scanning starts from the upper left corner of the image. A straight line is scanned from the left to the right, and then the next straight line is scanned till the whole image is scanned completely (the lower right corner of the image).
Please refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example that has scan lines passing through a sun. There is a black core 36 occurring in the middle part of a sun 34. A transition region 38 occurs between the sun 34 and the black core 36. Assume that of three scan lines passing through the sun 34, only a second scan line 32 passes through the region of the black core 36. A first scan line 31 and a third scan line 33 do not pass through the region of the black core 36. A width of the transition region 38 is usually smaller than a shadow of a usual object.
Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram of an intensity curve of the first scan line 31 in FIG. 3. The horizontal axis represents each input pixel, and the vertical axis represents the intensity of that input pixel. As shown in FIG. 3, the first scan line 31 is divided into three portions by the sun 34, the three portions are named as a first portion 31A, a second portion 31B, and a third portion 31C in order. Assume that an intensity of the first portion 31A is IA1 with a magnitude between a high threshold TH and a low threshold TL. An intensity of the second portion 31B is IB1 with a magnitude greater than the high threshold TH. An intensity of the third portion 31C is IA1. Because the sun 34 has the highest intensity level, the intensity IB1 of the second portion 31B is greater than the high threshold TH.
Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram of an intensity curve of the second scan line 32 in FIG. 3. The horizontal axis represents each input pixel, and the vertical axis represents the intensity of each input pixel. As shown in FIG. 3, the second scan line 32 is divided into seven portions by the sun 34, the black core 36 and the transition region 38; the seven portions are named as 32A-32G in order. Assume that an intensity of the first portion 32A is IA2 with a magnitude between a high threshold TH and a low threshold TL. An intensity of the second portion 32B is IB2 with a magnitude greater than the high threshold TH. An intensity of the third portion 32C represents a straight line having a negative slope with a magnitude decreasing from IB2 to ID2. An intensity of the fourth portion 32D is ID2 with a magnitude lower than the low threshold TL. An intensity of the fifth portion 32E represents a straight line having a positive slope with a magnitude increasing from ID2 to IB2. An intensity of the sixth portion 32F is IB2, which is the same as the intensity of the second portion 32B. An intensity of the seventh portion 32G is IA2, which is the same as the intensity of the first portion 32A.
Because the sun 34 has the highest intensity level, the intensity IB2 of the second portion 32B and the sixth portion 32F is greater than the high threshold TH. The intensity ID2 of the fourth portion 32D is lower than the low threshold TL due to the black core 36 having the lowest intensity level. Because the transition region 38 lies between the sun 34 and the black core 36, an intensity of the transition region 38 lies between the intensity of the sun 34 and the intensity of the black core 36. Hence, the intensity of the third portion 32C and the fifth portion 32E lies between IB2 and ID2.
Please refer to FIG. 6 that is a diagram of a digital camera 60. The digital camera 60 includes a lens module 62, an image sensor 64, an image signal processor 66, a storage 68, and a display panel 67. The image sensor 64 is coupled to the lens module 62, and the image signal processor 66 is coupled to the image sensor 64. The storage 68 is coupled to the image signal processor 66, and the display panel 67 is coupled to the image signal processor 66. When the reflected light of a target object forms an image in the image sensor 64 through the lens module 62, the image sensor 64 transforms light signals into electronic signals and delivers electronic signals to the image signal processor 66. The display panel 67 is used for previewing images, and the storage 68 is used for storing images after processing. The black core phenomenon described above usually occurs in the image sensor 64, and black cores are compensated for in the image signal processor 66.
Black core phenomenon usually happens in CMOS image sensors (but not limited to CMOS image sensors only). When facing the sun to take a picture, black cores of CMOS image sensors will occur due to the strong sunlight. This is occurred due to the structure of CMOS image sensors. This deteriorates photographs and further causes user's trouble.

Method and related compensation circuit for compensating black cores of an image sensor


A barrel cam rudder pedal system is provided. The system includes an outer housing with a chassis assembly carried by the outer housing. A barrel cam arrangement is rotationally mounted within an interior space of the chassis assembly. A pair of pedal assemblies is mechanically coupled to the barrel cam arrangement such that linear movement of either of the pair of pedal assemblies results in a rotation of the barrel cam arrangement about a central longitudinal axis defined by the barrel cam arrangement.

Pedal assemblies situated in the pilot and co-pilot stations of a cockpit of an aircraft are typically utilized to control the yaw of the aircraft. These assemblies can include a pair of pedals wherein depression of one pedal will cause the aircraft to yaw in a given direction, and cause the other pedal of the pair of pedals to move in the opposite direction of the depressed pedal by a defined ration, e.g. a 1:1 ratio. These assemblies can also incorporate artificial feel mechanisms to provide pilot feedback, as well as automatic centering and position sensing. Further the pedal assembly in the pilot station can be linked to the co-pilot station such that pedal actuation in one station is mimicked at the other station. Yet further, the pedals themselves may be adjustable for ergonomic purposes to accommodate pilots of differing size.
To achieve such rudder control, the mechanical connection between the pedals of one station, the mechanical connection between one pedal assembly and the other pedal assembly, and the adjustability of the pedals for ergonomic purposes, historically involves a series of linkages extending above and/or below the floor of the cockpit to allow for a fixed pivot point for all rudder and adjustment inputs. Such a configuration unfortunately requires a large envelope of space, and increases the difficulty of rapidly and efficiently changing out a pedal assembly in a maintenance event.
More contemporary designs have overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing the entire pedal system module above the floor of the aircraft. Even in this configuration, a significant amount of cockpit space is required to accommodate the pedal mechanism above the floor. Indeed, as one example, a parallel tube configuration may be utilized wherein two tubes are arranged such that one is above the other with their longitudinal axes lying in the same plane. The pedals are linked to the tubes, typically by way of a four bar mechanism. The upper tube provides for the adjustment of the pedal position for ergonomic purposes, while the lower tube is mechanically coupled to the pedals such that it transfers motion from one pedal to the other pedal and from one station to the other station. An example of such a configuration may be seen at U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,484, the entire teachings and disclosure of which is incorporated by reference thereto.
The aforementioned parallel tube configuration provides for a complete line replaceable unit situated above the floor. However, there is a continuing trend for decreases in space envelope, weight, and cost of such pedal assemblies, as well as increases in the overall ergonomics of such pedal assemblies. As such, there is a need in the art for a rudder pedal assembly which provides a rapidly replaceable system having a reduced space envelope, weight, and cost of implementation.
The invention provides such a rudder pedal assembly. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.


A management device connected to a file server providing a computer with file data stored in a storage subsystem, and collects information about access to the file data. In the management device, a log of access to the file data stored in the storage subsystem is collected as access data, and the access data for the same file data is grouped. With such a configuration, a large amount of information about access to the file data can be easily used, and the amount of information can be compressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer system that manages file data stored in a storage system and, more specifically, to a technology for storing, managing, and utilizing a log about access to the file data stored in the storage system.
2. Description of the Related Art
For creating file data, a user uses a client computer such as personal computer with an application program such as document processing program. The file data created as such is generally stored for use in a hard disk provided to the client computer.
However, the hard disk provided to the client computer has the problem of being limited in capacity, and the problem of being easily broken if with any physical impact. In consideration thereof, the user often stores, for use, file data in a large-capacity network-connection-type storage system equipped with RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks).
In view of information risk management in corporations such as measures to deal with compliance, regulatory constraints, e-discovery, and others, with the recently advanced technology, file data in a plurality of client computers is collectively managed in a large-capacity storage system to be connected to a network.
With respect to the file data stored in the storage system with such a technology, an operator of the storage system logs and manages information about access to the file data for improving the reusability (searchability) and for information risk management.
When a plurality of file data are separately stored in a plurality of storage systems, for migration of the file data among the storage systems considering the performance capabilities and the cost of the storage systems, for example, the access history is created for the file data.
In consideration thereof, disclosed is the technology of managing information about access to the file data on the side of the storage system. An example includes Patent Document 1 (JP-A-6-187213).


Systems and methods for reducing interference and saving power for home Node Bs are disclosed. Home Node Bs can be configured to remain in sleep mode until needed based on various criteria, periodically operating transmit and receive components in order to detect mobile devices that may need the services of the home Node B. Mobile devices can indicate one or several target home Node Bs using one or more node identifiers within a proximity indication message. Closed subscriber group identifiers and membership data may also be included in a proximity indication message. Node or cell identities, along with membership data, may be stored in a fingerprint database or white-list on a mobile device.

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards provide specifications for high performance air interfaces for cellular mobile communication systems. LTE specifications are based on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) specifications, and provide the upgrade path for 3 G networks to evolve into partially-compliant 4 G networks. LTE Advanced is an enhancement of the LTE standard that provides a fully-compliant 4 G upgrade path for LTE and 3 G networks. LTE provides for the use of femtocells, which may also be referred to as Home Node Bs, or Home eNode Bs (collectively referred to herein as H(e)NBs). H(e)NBs perform many of the functions of an LTE eNode B, but are optimized for use in a home or other smaller geographical area and designed to provide coverage over smaller areas than cells serviced by macro Node Bs in 3 G or LTE systems that service users in an LTE system. H(e)NBs may provide wireless communications connectivity for one or more mobile telecommunications devices, such as a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a wireless communications capable laptop, etc. Such devices may be referred to as user equipment, or UE.

Home node identification, interference reduction, and energy savings


A method for maintaining timing accuracy in a mobile device includes: obtaining a range estimate using a signal received from a timing information source via a communication unit of the mobile device; obtaining position and velocity estimate information for the mobile device from a source of position and velocity information separate from the timing information source, the position and velocity estimate information being obtained from at least one sensor of the mobile device, or via a communication unit of the mobile device using a Vehicle-to-Everything wireless communication protocol, or a combination thereof; determining estimated clock parameters based on the position and velocity estimate information and the range estimate; and adjusting a clock of the mobile device based on the estimated clock parameters in response to a position-and-velocity-assisted timing uncertainty corresponding to the estimated clock parameters being below a timing uncertainty threshold.

Significant advances in autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle technologies and driver-assist features for manually driven vehicles have required that vehicles be able to determine their location, the location of other vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure elements proximate to the vehicle. The wireless communication protocols that support communications between the vehicle and these other entities are typically low latency network communications and may require strict time synchronization to maintain communications between wireless devices included in the vehicle and the other wireless devices present in the operating environment. Maintaining timing accuracy may be challenging. Often the wireless computing devices rely on the wireless network and/or Satellite Positioning System (SPS) (e.g., Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) signals to provide a reference clock to maintain clock synchronization. However, SPS and network signals coverage may be unavailable in some areas, and the clocks of wireless computing devices relying on these signals to remain in sync will quickly drift away from a calibrated state.

Position velocity assisted clock estimation


An object is to provide an exhaust-gas control device for a gas engine whereby NOx is reduced and fuel consumption is improved by performing NOx restriction operation when an environmental or geographical condition in which the amount of NOx emission needs to be temporarily restricted is satisfied, and otherwise performing stable operation focusing on the fuel consumption. The exhaust-gas control device for a gas engine includes: a basic operation mode unit (80) using the first target ignition timing and the first target air-fuel rate at which the fuel consumption rate is the optimum; a low-NOx operation mode unit (82) using the second target ignition timing retarded from the first target ignition timing and the second target air-fuel rate increased from the first target air-fuel rate; a NOx reduction demand determination unit (86) for determining whether to restrict the amount of NOx emission temporarily, and an switching unit to operation mode (84) for switching the operation mode to the low NOx operation mode while the reduction demand condition is satisfied by the NOx reduction demand determination unit.

It is known that there is a trade-off relationship between the amount of NOx emission from an engine and the fuel consumption rate. It is desirable to operate the engine so as to reduce the fuel consumption rate while satisfying a NOx regulation value.
To restrict production of NOx, it is effective to control the ignition timing and the air-fuel ratio. For instance, Patent Document 1 (JP2003-148781A) discloses restricting knocking and production of NOx upon a change in fuel composition for a gas engine supplied with fuel with variable composition by controlling the ignition timing and the fuel-air ratio of the gas engine in accordance with the output of a fuel-composition measurement unit, a load measurement unit, and an engine speed measurement unit.

Exhaust gas control device of gas engine


An inkjet recording apparatus of the present disclosure includes a recording portion having a recording head, a cap unit that caps the recording head, a wipe unit that performs a recovering process of the recording head, a wipe moving mechanism that moves the wipe unit in a horizontal direction, and a wipe lifting mechanism that moves the wipe unit in an up-down direction. In a case where capping is performed with respect to the recording head by means of the cap unit, the cap unit is moved to the first position by means of the wipe moving mechanism, with the cap unit located over the wipe unit, and then the cap unit is lifted up by means of the wipe lifting mechanism.

The present disclosure relates to an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium such as a sheet of paper.
Recording apparatuses such as facsimile machines, copiers, and printers are structured so as to record images on recording media such as sheets of paper and OHP sheets, and can be classified, according to the recording method adopted, into different types such as an inkjet type, a wire-dot type, and a thermal type. Inkjet recording methods can be classified into a serial type, in which recording is performed while a recording head scans across a recording medium, and a line-head type, in which recording is performed by a recording head fixed to the body of the recording apparatus.
An inkjet recording device of the serial type is provided with a recording head that ejects ink while scanning across a recording medium in a direction perpendicular to a recording medium conveyance direction. On the other hand, an inkjet recording apparatus of the line-head type is provided with, for each color used, an inkjet head (recording head) of the line-head type in which ejection nozzles are arranged at predetermined intervals over the entire width of a printing region perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction. And, by ejecting ink from the ejection nozzles corresponding to the printing position in a fashion coordinated with conveyance of the recording medium, printing can be performed over the entire recording medium.
In such inkjet recording apparatuses, in order to prevent drying up or clogging from occurring in the ink ejection nozzles of the recording head, it is typical to cap the recording head in cases where printing is not going to be performed for a long time. Moreover, a recovering process is also commonly performed by forcefully expelling ink thickened within the ink ejection nozzles out thereof through an ejection port of the recording head. Thus, inkjet recording apparatuses are provided with a recording head which ejects ink onto a recording medium, a cap unit that caps the recording head, and a wipe unit which performs a recovering process of the recording head.
In the inkjet recording device of the serial type, which has a small recording head, a cap unit and a wipe unit are arranged in the same carriage such that the cap unit and the wipe unit are moved together horizontally by a moving mechanism.
On the other hand, in the inkjet recording apparatus of the line-head type, which has a large recording head, it is sometimes difficult to arrange a cap unit and a wipe unit in the same carriage. In this case, if the cap unit and the wipe unit are designed to be moved separately, there are provided a cap moving mechanism for horizontally moving the cap unit and a wipe moving mechanism for horizontally moving the wipe unit. In addition, there are provided a cap lifting mechanism for lifting up and down (moving up and down) the cap unit and a wipe lifting mechanism for lifting up and down the wipe unit.


A large scale geotextile tube includes a plurality of cylindrical geotextile segments permanently connected end-to-end via circumferential ribs. In one embodiment, each geotextile segment is formed of the sheet of geotextile fabric that has an overlapping region that measures at least 5% of the elongation at break length of the sheet and permanently connected with at least one transverse rib to form an axial closure.

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,701 to Kempers for example, which is hereby incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference, geotextile tubes are elongate flexible containers made of textile fabric and have been used as the core or base of a dam, a quay, a bank reinforcement, at the bed of a waterway, etc. and for dewatering sludge. Such containers conventionally include stitching extending in the longitudinal direction of the container and mutually connecting facing edges of the textile fabric that form longitudinally extending seams. Because of the many tons of materials in slurry form that are pumped under pressure into geotextile tubes during their deployments alongside shorelines and other areas for which erosion protection is desired, enormous pressure can develop inside these tubes. Structural failure of these geotextile tubes typically occurs (in the absence of flaws in the geotextile fabric) where the longitudinal seams are joining different sections of the geotextile fabric. While it theoretically is possible to weave a geotextile tube using a circular loom and thus avoid such longitudinally extending seams, this fabrication process is not economical for geotextile tubes having circumferences on the order of more than about six meters. Moreover, because no more than about 45,000 pounds of cargo can be carried by truck and no more than about 20,000 pounds can be carried by forklift, the sizes of these geotextile tubes has been limited by their overall bulk and weight due to the need to transport the geotextile tubes over long distances to locations where they are to be deployed.

Multi-ribbed geotextile tubes and segments thereof


A method and apparatus for three-dimensionally transforming two-dimensional linear data in real time and a method and apparatus for three-dimensionally visualizing the two-dimensional linear data in real time. The method of three-dimensionally transforming two-dimensional linear data in real time includes: searching triangles in which vertexes constituting the two-dimensional linear data are contained among triangles constituting the three-dimensional topography data; calculating heights of the vertexes by using three-dimensional coordinates of the searched triangles; calculating intersection points between the triangles constituting the three-dimensional topography data and straight lines constituting the two-dimensional linear data; and calculating heights of the calculated intersection points. The two-dimensional linear data is three-dimensionally transformed in accordance with three-dimensional topography data in real time and three-dimensionally visualized together with three-dimensional topography data in real time, so that map information can be perceived intuitively and conveniently by a user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to car navigation, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for three-dimensionally transforming two-dimensional linear data in accordance with three-dimensional topography data in real time and a method and apparatus for three-dimensionally visualizing two-dimensional linear data together with three-dimensional topography data in real time.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, increase in the number of cars on roads has caused a serious problem of traffic congestion. In order to solve the traffic congestion, there have been developed car navigation systems. The car navigation system has basic functions of tracking a position of a car and displaying the position on a road map. The car navigation system has additional functions of monitoring traffic situation of roads and providing the traffic situation information to drivers.
A well-visualized car navigation system enables the drivers to accurately locate their destination on the road map. In addition, when a car travels at a high speed, a three-dimensionally visualized road map of the car navigation system provides more convenience and safety to a driver than a two-dimensional map. Buildings and geographical features are depicted three-dimensionally on the three-dimensionally visualized road map, so that the driver can perceive them intuitively.
Conventional car navigation systems store two-dimensional linear data and visualize the data two-dimensionally.
There is an approach for three-dimensionally displaying two-dimensional map data with use of perspective as shown in FIG. 1. In this approach, distances or lengths in the two-dimensional linear data are differently displayed on the map according to a user's viewing point to provide perspective to the map. For example, the same lengths b1 and b2 on a plan S are displayed with different lengths d1 and d2 on a plan P according to the distances between the user's viewing point B and the lengths d1 and d2. In the approach, the two-dimensional linear data cannot be transformed into three-dimensional topography data with reality. In addition, in the approach, road data which changes according to the three-dimensional topography data is not considered.
Conventional navigation systems cannot obtain or store three-dimensional data due to their map data collecting methods. In general, the map data is collected with airplane photography, and two-dimensional map is obtained from the map data.
National Geographic Information Institute collecting and managing topography data transforms the topography data into three-dimensional topography data. However, the three-dimensional topography data does not include three-dimensional data of buildings, roads, and so on. Therefore, in order to completely visualize all geography features on the map, it is necessary to a method of three-dimensionally transforming the two-dimensional linear data of the buildings and roads in accordance with three-dimensional-topography data in real time and three-dimensionally visualizing two-dimensional linear data together with three-dimensional topography data in real time.

Method and apparatus for three-dimensionally transforming two-dimensional linear data in accordance with three-dimensional topography data in real time and method and apparatus for three-dimensionally visualizing two-dimensional linear data together with three-dimensional topography data in real time


The invention provides novel polyamine compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for administration in conjunction with cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The compounds are administered locally to provide protection against the adverse side-effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, such as alopecia, mucositis and dermatitis. Pharmaceutical preparations comprising one or more chemoprotective polyamines formulated for topical or local delivery to epithelial or mucosal cells are disclosed. Methods of administering the pharmaceutical preparations are also disclosed.

Various patents and other publications are referenced in this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. The disclosure of each of these publications is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety.
It is well known that the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat cancer patients is associated with severe side effects due to the toxicity of such treatments to epithelial cell populations, including stem cells within the hair follicle, skin epidermis and gastrointestinal mucosa.
Currently, there are no treatments to prevent cancer therapy side effects. Effective treatments would likely include molecules that i) inhibit or slow growth of the at-risk cells, ii) modify the cellular DNA of the at-risk cells to make it less easily damaged, and iii) provide some means with which to scavenge electrophilic drug metabolites or oxygen radicals formed during irradiation.
Polyamines have been proposed as growth regulators. DENSPM, a synthetic analog of spermine, has been shown to decrease cell growth (Kramer et al., Cancer Res. 57:5521-5527, 1997), and has been studied in an early stage clinical trial as an antineoplastic drug (Creaven, P. et al., Invest. New Drugs 15:227-234, 1997; Streiff, R and Bender, J., Invest. New Drugs 19:29-39, 2001). The clinical trials, however, were aborted because of the serious side effects in multiple organ sites that were associated with the systemic use of this polyamine analog. These results teach that molecules used to decrease division of healthy stem cells that are at risk from cancer therapy would need to create a transient cell cycle block and would need to be applied topically to achieve local delivery to epithelial cells, with little or no systemic delivery, or if any, low enough to preclude protection of systemic cancer cells or induction of systemic side effects.
Naturally occurring polyamines, such as spermine, have been shown to bind to nucleic acids and to induce structural changes in helical DNA (Basu, H. and Marton, L., Biochem. J. 244:243-246, 1987; Feuerstein, B. et al., Nuc. Acids Res. 17:6883-6892, 1989). This binding has been suggested to occur through interaction of the positively charged amine groups in the polyamine backbone and negatively charged sites on the DNA backbone. Because of the nature by which electrophilic chemotherapy drugs or oxygen radicals generated by radiotherapy attack helical B-DNA within cells, the ability of polyamines to bind DNA and disrupt normal B-DNA structure could be helpful in protecting DNA within cells to which a polyamine was delivered.
An additional strategy for protecting cells against electrophiles/radicals has been to augment levels of the naturally occurring cellular nucleophile, glutathione (GSH). Both animal and cell culture studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between the intracellular concentration of GSH and the amount of exogenously administered alkylating molecule that is needed to achieve cell kill (Ho, D. and Fahl, W., J. Biol. Chem. 259:11231-11235, 1984; Ellouk-Achard, S. et al., Arch. Toxicol. Suppl. 17:209-214, 1995). Efforts to exogenously administer GSH to cells as a protectant have failed because mammalian cells are generally unable to take up this nucleophile. There have been efforts to modify the GSH molecule to enable cellular uptake, but these have not found clinical use.
Amifostine (WR-2721), a small molecule amine containing a thiophosphate group that is presumably converted to a thiol in cells, has been used systemically as a radio- and chemoprotectant with mixed results. Though it may provide free —SH groups within cells, it is not known to contain activity as either a growth regulator or as a modifier of DNA structure.
Edwards et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,964 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,145) described the synthesis of short, spermidine- or spermine-like polyamine molecules that were modified to contain an alkyl-thiophosphate or alkyl-thiol group. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,964, the attached thiophosphate group (i.e., —SPO3H2) would require enzymatic activation by cellular phosphatases to form the nucleophilic —SH group. The alkyl-thiophosphate group(s) is bound to the polyamine molecule through a terminal benzyl ring and/or through one or more of the amines in the polyamine backbone. Polyamines containing aromatic rings have been described in the art to be structural inhibitors of the membrane polyamine transporter in mammalian cells and have been shown, themselves, not to be transported into cells. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,145, Edwards showed bonding of alkyl-thiophosphate or alkyl-thiol groups to one or more of the backbone amines that are present in the short polyamine molecules. By modifying the secondary amines in the polyamine backbone with alkyl-thiophosphate groups, the amines were converted to tertiary amines, and this markedly altered the basicity of the individual modified amine, as well as the overall polyamine molecule. The attenuated basicity of the individual amine groups was accompanied by an alteration in 3-dimensional structure at these sites. With added alkyl functionality on the amine nitrogen atoms, steric bulkiness increased, so the ability or freedom of the molecule to rotate and twist at these sites was markedly reduced. The altered basicity and steric constraints in these short spermine-like polyamines was surmised to perturb DNA binding by the polyamine as compared to their natural polyamine counterparts. Consistent with this (DNA binding is a biological activity of natural polyamines), Edwards provided no information regarding biological activity for any of the structures proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,964 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,145.
There is a need in the art, then, to create polyamine-based molecules that are optimized to achieve: i) local and transient growth regulation, ii) disruption of normal helical DNA structure upon binding, and iii) delivery and display of nucleophilic or other functional moieties within cells to enable scavenging of reactive electrophiles and radicals. There would be great advantage in developing polyamine derivatives that could be used topically to prevent or diminish the toxic side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Polyamine compounds and compositions for use in conjunction with cancer therapy


The present disclosure reports a thin film culture plate device including i) a self-supporting, waterproof substrate containing a layer of a unique reconstitutable culture medium made of nutrients for growing microorganisms, and a mixture of gelling agents which are prepared in granular form by agglomerating the nutrients and mixture of gelling agents in the presence of an aqueous binder and ii) a cover sheet adhered to a portion of the substrate. Methods to make agglomerated medium particles are also reported.

Classical methods for determining the presence and number of bacteria in a sample are time consuming, tedious and labor intensive. Typically, a technician must prepare reagents and nutrients, mix the nutrients with agar, heat the mixture, pour the mixture into a petri dish, allow the agar to gel, obtain a test sample, dilute the test sample, add an aliquot of the diluted sample to the agar, incubate the inoculated plate for 24-48 hours and finally count the number of growing bacterial colonies in the petri dish. Products and processes which reduce the preparation time and which facilitate a count of the bacterial colonies would clearly be welcomed by those working in this field.
One example of a product which greatly simplifies the above preparation time is a thin film culture plate device for growing microorganisms that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,783 as well as variations of this device such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,089,413; 5,137,812 and 5,232,838. In a typical thin film culture plate device, a reconstitutable dry powder containing a gelling agent and microbial growth nutrients is coated on a waterproof substrate. A transparent, read-through cover sheet coated on a surface with an acrylate adhesive containing an indicator dye and powdered gelling agent is attached to the coated substrate.
When the above device is used, a predetermined amount of an aqueous sample is typically placed in contact with the coated substrate and the cover sheet is placed over the sample and substrate. The aqueous sample hydrates the soluble dry powder which then forms a gelled medium capable of sustaining microbial growth. During the growth period, the indicator dye adhered to the cover sheet reacts in the presence of viable microorganisms to give a detectable response that allows visualization of bacterial colonies which are grown on the culture device. Thin film culture plate devices are commercially available and are sold under the tradename PETRIFILM plates by 3M, St. Paul, Minn.
Thin film culture plate devices are generally much simpler to use than conventional agar medium/petri dish systems because there is no need for the user to heat and mix the growth medium, agar and other reagents and then add the mixture to petri dishes or pour plates. In addition, these devices are compact and easily disposed of and therefore are easier and safer to use.
In spite of the many advantages that thin film culture plate devices have over conventional types of culture systems, the utility of these thin film plates for certain applications may be challenged under certain conditions, microbes and samples. For example, the limited amount of gelling agent in the device may be insufficient to remain in a semi-solid state when inoculated with certain samples containing some microorganisms. Briefly, some samples which contain certain bacteria commonly known as "liquifiers" will cause the growing colonies to overrun the semi-solid gel and thus hinder detection and enumeration of such microorganisms.
The present invention addresses the difficulties presented in attempting to grow, detect and enumerate a wide variety of microorganisms using thin film culture plate devices.

Thin film culture plate device containing granulated medium particles

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company