Systems and methods for trimming a roll of sheet material are provided. A representative system incorporates a core anchor that is configured to be inserted into the hollow core of a roll of sheet material and removably secured therein. The system also includes a cutting tool rotatably attached to the core anchor. During trimming of a roll of sheet material to which the core anchor is secured, the core anchor rotates with the roll as the roll is rotated.

Various types of sheet material, such as paper, typically are provided in the form of rolls of sheet material. Such a roll of sheet material typically incorporates a hollow core about which the sheet material is tightly wound. At times, such a roll of sheet material can be over six feet in length, over several feet in diameter and over several thousand pounds in weight.
Rolls of sheet material typically are transported from a production facility, where the rolls are produced, to a manufacturing facility, where the rolls are loaded onto manufacturing equipment for manufacturing end products. Given that the rolls are cumbersome, some rolls tend to become damaged prior to use. Unfortunately, damaged rolls may cause problems. For example, if the sheet material is damaged, use of such a roll may result in lower quality end products. Therefore, it has become commonplace to trim damaged rolls so that the remaining undamaged portions of the rolls can be used.
Damaged rolls are trimmed in a variety of manners. For example, one manner is to ship the damaged rolls off-site to a location where the rolls are trimmed. Clearly, this manner involves the time and expense associated with transporting the rolls from and then back to the manufacturing facility. Thus, on-site trimming may be preferred.
One manner that accommodates on-site trimming involves positioning a roll of sheet material in a horizontal orientation. The roll is maintained in this orientation while a saw is moved around the perimeter of the stationary roll in order to remove the damaged portion of the roll. For instance, a system for trimming a roll of sheet material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,719.

Systems and methods for trimming rolls of sheet material


Two ends of a transmission line whose electrical characteristics per unit length are known are connected to associated measurement ports of a network analyzer. A short standard is shunt-connected to at least three points in the longitudinal direction of the transmission line, and electrical characteristics are measured in a short-circuited state, thereby calculating error factors of a measurement system. Then an electronic device to be measured is shunt-connected to the transmission line, and electrical characteristics of the electronic device are measured. Then the error factors of the measurement system are removed from the measured values of the electronic device to be measured, thereby obtaining true values of the electrical characteristics of the electronic device to be measured. Accordingly, a highly accurate high-frequency electrical characteristic measuring method that is not affected by connection variations can be implemented.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring high-frequency electrical characteristics of a two-terminal electronic device, such as a chip inductor, a chip capacitor, a chip resistor, or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for correcting a measurement error in measuring the impedance or the Q-value of the two-terminal electronic device with a shunt method using a measuring device, such as a network analyzer or the like.
2. Related Art
To measure high-frequency electrical characteristics of an impedance device, such as a surface-mounted chip inductor or a surface-mounted chip capacitor, using a network analyzer, since it is impossible to directly connect coaxial cables to the electronic device, there is a measurement method in which a planar transmission line (such as a microstrip line or a coplanar waveguide) is interposed between the electronic device and coaxial cables or the like connected to the network analyzer, and the electronic device is brought into contact with the planar transmission line to make a measurement. In this case, in order to obtain true values of a scattering parameter matrix of the impedance device serving as a test object, it is necessary to identify error factors of a measurement system and to remove the effects of the error factors from the measurement results. This is referred to as correction or calibration.
In the measurement using a network analyzer, as shown in Application Note 1287-9; In-Fixture Measurements Using Vector Network Analyzers (©1999 Hewlett-Packard Company) (non-patent document 1), TRL (Through-Reflection-Load) calibration and SOLT (Short-Open-Load-Through) calibration are known techniques for removing errors of the measurement system.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show, respectively, a measurement systems using a network analyzer and corresponding error models for use in SOLT calibration and TRL calibration.
An electronic device 1 serving as a test object is connected to a transmission line provided on the top surface of a measuring fixture 2. Two ends of the transmission line on the measuring fixture 2 are connected to measurement ports of the network analyzer, which is not shown, via coaxial cables 3.
In the error model of SOLT calibration, S11A, S12A, S21A and S22A are scattering parameters of the transmission line including the test object, EDF, ERF, and ESF are scattering parameters on one measurement port side, and ELF and ETF are scattering parameters on the other measurement port side.
In the error model of TRL calibration, S11A, S12A, S21A and to S22A are scattering parameters of the test object, e00, e01, e10, and e11 are scattering parameters on one measurement port side, and f00, f00, f01, f10 and f11 are scattering parameters on the other measurement port side.
In order to identify error factors, it is necessary to fix at least three types of devices ("standards") whose scattering parameters are known to a test object measuring plane and make measurements. Traditionally, opens, shorts, and terminations (=50Ω) are often used. Since these standards can be implemented in a coaxial environment, this method, which is referred to as SOLT calibration, is widely used. In SOLT calibration, as shown in FIG. 3, three types of connectors 4 including a short (0Ω), an open (∞Ω), and a termination (load)(50Ω) are used, and also the ports are directly connected to each other to achieve a through state.
However, in the case of SOLT calibration, it is very difficult to implement these standards in environments other than the coaxial environment, and the standards necessary for calibration cannot be fabricated in the form of a chip device. For example, a planar transmission line for use in measuring a surface-mounted device is, unlike a waveguide or a coaxial transmission line, unable to achieve a satisfactory "open" or "termination", and it is thereby practically impossible to perform SOLT calibration. Also, in general, measured values obtained by measurements are not characteristics of the test object 1 alone, but are composite characteristics of the test object 1 and the measuring fixture 2 to which the test object is connected. It is thus impossible to measure characteristics of the test object alone.
TRL calibration employs, as shown in FIG. 4, instead of device-shaped standards that are difficult to realize, a (through) transmission line 5a whose ports are directly connected to each other, a total reflection (reflection=normally shorted) transmission line 5b, and a few types of transmission lines 5c and 5d of different lengths as standards. With regard to the transmission lines 5a to 5d, it is relatively easy to fabricate transmission lines whose scattering parameters are known. Also, if the total reflection is achieved by shorting, it is relatively easy to estimate characteristics thereof. Therefore, only these transmission lines are necessary to perform calibration. Basically, it is possible to measure the characteristics of the test object 1 alone.
In this example, the through transmission line 5a is a so-called non-zero-through. The test object 1 is shunt-connected to a central portion of the through transmission line 5a, and a measurement is made.
However, when TRL calibration is applied to a surface-mounted device serving as a test object, the following problems occur.
1) With regard to the transmission lines (the various types of lines, including reflection and through lines) 5a to 5d serving as the standards, it is necessary that all the error factors generated in connections between coaxial cables 3 and the transmission lines 5a to 5d be equivalent. However, even when the same type of connectors are used on the standards, characteristics of the standards vary greatly when the standards are connected to a measuring device, thereby generating calibration errors. It is practically impossible to perform TRL calibration near a millimeter-wave band.
2) In order to solve this problem, the same coaxial connectors are used in common among the transmission lines 5a to 5d, and coaxial pins are in contact and connected to the transmission lines serving as the standards, thereby avoiding the effects of variations in connections with the connectors. Structurally, however, it is difficult to ensure a sufficient pressing load at the connections, and hence the coaxial pins may be damaged. Since the connections are unstable, calibration becomes also often unstable. The higher the measurement frequency, generally the thinner the transmission lines and the coaxial pins. Depending on the positioning repeatability thereof, measurement variations may become larger.
3) Since it is difficult to determine, in the calibration operation, whether the measurement is properly performed in the calibration, there may be a waste of time, such as a failure, e.g., poor contact at the time of the calibration, recognized upon a measurement of a test object after having completed the time-consuming calibration operation.
Patent document 1 discloses a method for calibrating a network analyzer having two test terminals to be connected to a test object via a strip line. That is, a first calibration measurement is made to measure transmission and reflection parameters of the microstrip line whose propagation constant is unknown, which is connected between the two test terminals in a reflection-free manner. Three further calibration measurements are made using the same line and three calibration standards realized with reflection-symmetric and reciprocal discontinuous objects disposed at three different positions on the line.
That is, the three types of standards are realized by changing the state of the transmission line to three states. This way, the standards are connected only once. With this method, compared with TRL calibration, the number of times the standards are connected is reduced, and hence measurement errors in the calibration operation are reduced in number.
However, in the actual measurement of a test object, it is necessary to remove the strip line employed as the standard, and to again connect a strip line (fixture) to which the test object can be connected. Needless to say, characteristics of a reconnected portion change, resulting in measurement errors.
It is practically difficult to connect the strip line between the two test terminals in a reflection-free manner. Reflection parameters of portions in which the test terminals are connected to the strip line may cause errors.
Measured values obtained by connecting a test object are not characteristics of the test object alone, but are composite characteristics of the test object and the strip line to which the test object is connected. It is thus impossible to measure the characteristics of the test object alone.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for measuring high-frequency electrical characteristics of electronic device, and method for calibrating apparatus for measuring high-frequency electrical characteristics


It is possible for the content distribution side to control the conditions of target viewers for distributions without depending on the functions specific to a receiver. Content which is broadcast, a content profile, and a program are received. In an initial step of the program, prestored viewer profile information is read. All the content profiles and the contents are downloaded temporarily. Next, the profile information is read, and then a process of matching the profile information with the viewer profile information is performed. When it is determined that they do not match, a matching process for the next content profile is performed. If, on the other hand, they match, at the next step, the content is stored. The viewer reproduces the stored content at an appropriate time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus and method, an information distribution method, a filtering and storing program, and a recording medium, which can be applied to, for example, a cumulative-receiving-type digital broadcasting system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, among methods which have already been put into practical use in broadcast media, a method of filtering content which is distributed according to attributes and preferences of a viewer in order to store only the content which matches those of the viewer does not exist. As a method which has been used in practice, there is a method in which genre information is added to program information for an EPG (Electronic Program Guide), the program information is filtered according to the genre information preferred by the viewer, and recommended programs are then provided to the viewer. However, since such a method is not a method of filtering the content itself, some work is necessary for the viewer to select a desired program from a displayed list of recommended programs. Furthermore, for a broadcaster such as a broadcasting station, the probability that a target viewer watches the content which is provided becomes low. In addition, since the content is in program units, there is another problem in that filtering in units of data content, which is a subdivision unit, cannot be performed.
Recently, the specification of a new broadcasting system, in which a storage device such as a hard disk is provided, content is acquired from a broadcast, the Internet, etc., the content is stored in a storage device, and a viewer watches a desired program at a desired time, is being formulated by the "TV Anytime Forum", which is a standardization organization. In the "TV Anytime" specification, a model of filtering and storing in content units is assumed. Here, a model is assumed in which attribute information, such as the genre of the content, is transmitted as meta data, and on the receiving side, content which matches a user profile is filtered by a process of matching a set user profile with the attribute information.
The algorithm of the filtering proposed earlier depends strictly on the functionality at the receiver side. In other words, since filtering is specific to the receiver maker, it is considered to be difficult to manage for a broadcaster which desires that filtering be widely performed in the unified manner for assumed target viewers. For example, in a case where direct mail is to be distributed by a broadcast, there is a problem in that it is not possible to distribute direct mail to a sufficient number of persons.

Receiving apparatus and method, information distribution method, filtering and storing program, and recording medium


A method and system for telemetry through a drilling fluid during drilling is disclosed. A reflector (110) is positioned downstream from the drilling mud pumps (80) and causes reflected pressure waves having the same pressure polarity as incident pressure waves traveling upwards. At least one pressure sensor (92) is positioned below the reflector (110) to sense pressure in the drilling fluid. The reflector can be a fixed orifice plate or an adjustable aperture.

It is known that the reception of acoustic telemetry signals travelling through the drilling fluid, often referred to as mud pulse telemetry becomes more difficult with increasing well depth, and with very viscous drilling fluids. Although some of the difficulty in signal reception is an inevitable consequence of the attenuation of the acoustic signal in its passage up the mud column, it is also impeded by the acoustic conditions at the top of the mud column inside the surface system.
The impeded acoustic conditions can take various forms, among these being reflections generated by equipment such as pulsation dampeners that reduce the received signal and noise from the mud pumps and other equipment that interferes with the signal.
Because of signal attenuation and impeded acoustic conditions in the surface system, the telemetry signal can often be degraded to a point where conventional mud pulse telemetry is either impossible or impractical.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,433 describes methods for recovering a LWD or MWD data signal in the presence of mud pump noise and generally comprises calibrating the mud pump pressure as a function of the mud pump piston position and then tracking the piston position during transmission of the LWD or MWD data signal and using the calibration information to subtract out the mud pump noise. However, a disadvantage of this type of method is that it requires a measurement of the mud pump piston position and fails if the pump noise changes after calibration.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,593 describes an electronic noise filtration system for use in improving the signal to noise ratio of acoustic data transmitted from a downhole transducer in a measurement while drilling system. It uses a delayed difference between two acoustic receivers to increase the signal to noise. A disadvantage of this type of system is that it does not adapt to changing acoustic conditions, and therefore the performance will ordinarily degrade over time.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,638 describes a system and method for signal processing of MWD signals. It uses multiple receivers with an optimised separation and with specified delays before combination to reduce the pump noise. However, a disadvantage of this type of arrangement is that all the receivers have similar signal to noise ratio.

Method and apparatus enhanced acoustic mud pulse telemetry


The subject matter of this specification describes, among other things, devices and processes for providing measured doses of oral medication to patients, such as infants or other vulnerable patients.

NNAS is expressed as a number of symptoms that occur in a newborn infant who was exposed to addictive illegal or prescription drugs while in the mother's womb. Infants of mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy may also be born with a similar condition. Causes of NNAS can occur when pregnant women take substances such as, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, clonazepam), cocaine, marijuana, opiates/narcotics (e.g., heroin, methadone, codeine), and others. These and other substances pass through the placenta to the baby during pregnancy, and the baby can become addicted due to the mother's intake of these substances. At birth, the baby may still be dependent on the drug. Because the baby is no longer getting the drug after birth, symptoms of withdrawal may occur.
NNAS also occurs in some infants who are born prematurely, even to otherwise healthy mothers. Some premature infants are given ventilator support to assist their breathing, and are often sedated by intravenous morphine. Eventually, the infants are weaned off the ventilator but may still suffer symptoms of withdrawal and need treatment for NNAS.
Treatment for NNAS generally involves the administration of very small doses of a medication that eases withdrawal symptoms. The process of using an oral or other syringe to draw up medication from a stock bottle can be difficult and inaccurate to ensure appropriate dosing, especially when performed by the new parent or other at-home caregiver. Such difficulties and inaccuracies raise the risk for error and improper treatment for these vulnerable patients. The aforementioned process also presents a significant barrier to discharge for patients, since medical staff and/or social workers need to be confident that the parent or other at-home caregiver will be able to follow the prescribed regimen, and to not divert the supply of the narcotic from the infant for non-prescribed and possibly illegal purposes.


A method is provided for driving a nonvolatile memory device, including multiple strings, where each string is formed by penetrating plate-shaped word lines stacked on a substrate. The method includes configuring the word lines of a string in multiple zones based on zone configuration information, and applying zone voltages to the zones, respectively. The zone configuration information is varied according to a mode of operation.

Embodiments of the inventive concepts described herein relate to a memory system and a driving method thereof.
Semiconductor memory devices may be volatile or nonvolatile memory devices. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device may retain data stored therein even when powered off. The nonvolatile memory device may be permanent or reprogrammable, depending upon the fabrication technology used. The nonvolatile memory device may be used for user data, program, and microcode storage in a wide variety of applications in the computer, avionics, telecommunications, and consumer electronics industries, for example.

Memory system and method of driving memory system using zone voltages


A method of dispensing fragrances includes selecting a fragrance dispenser apparatus having have a plurality of fragrance dispensers each having a fragrance release portion positioned for dispensing a fragrance to a predetermined area and having a source of pressurized gas connected to each fragrance dispenser and a gas pressure control mechanism connected between the source of pressurized gas in each of the plurality of fragrance dispensers and connected for receiving dispensing signals to selectively control the release of a pressurized gas, such are air, to individual fragrance dispensers for selectively dispersing different fragrances. Each selected fragrance dispenser is positioned adjacent the end of a pressurized gas tube and has a housing having an absorbent material therein supporting a fragrance absorbed in the material. The method includes the step of activating the selected fragrance dispenser apparatus gas pressure control mechanism to apply a predetermined volume of gas for a predetermined time period to at least one gas pressure tube through the remote fragrance dispenser absorbent material into the air around the fragrance dispenser to thereby disperse a fragrance laced gas at a predetermined location. The gas pressure control can be computer activated to control the remote dispensing of a gas laced with fragrance through pulses of pressurized gas. The selected housing can also have one or more membranes over the ends thereof which membranes allow the escape of a fragrance laden gas only at a predetermined gas pressure and otherwise blocking the egress of the fragrance therethrough.

This invention relates to a precision method and apparatus of dispensing fragrances and especially to a method and apparatus for filling large spaces with fragrances as well as dispensing fragrances suitable for use with outdoor Christmas trees, food fragrances to attract customers, or to mask unpleasant odors.
Some fragrance dispensing applications call for filling large spaces with fragrance and changing infrequently. One example is theme park ride systems that move guests through small themed rooms that require a different constant fragrance in each room to enhance the show. Other examples include evergreen fragrance for outdoor artificial Christmas trees, food fragrances to attract passing customers to a restaurant, or pleasant fragrances to mask unpleasant odors at a nursing home. One problem with filling large spaces is the difficulty in controlling concentration. A simple way to regulate fragrance concentration in the constant high volume air flow is needed to broadly disperse the generated fragrance. The present invention achieves this capability with a modified fragrance dispenser.
Precision fragrance dispensing is made directly to an individual and is coordinated with the viewing of a motion picture or television or to the viewing of an image in virtual reality or in computer games so that the viewer can realistically experience the full effect or illusion of being a part of or physically responding to the environment depicted by the viewed image and the accompanying audio. Existing theater systems and television and computer games and virtual reality generally are provided with a visual image along with the audio used in connection with the visual image. Past attempts, however, at incorporating the addition of smell to the overall viewing environment have not generally been successful and have not been widely accepted. One of the reasons for the lack of acceptance is the difficulty of providing smell to an individual user with any precision without providing the dispensed spell to a large area and to the problem of dissipating one smell and feeding a second smell as the scenes being viewed change. The smell sensation loses its effect and does not tend to provide the more accurate smells that attend any particular scene being viewed.
One prior art patent which attempts to provide a combination of a viewing chair and sense stimulating means for use in motion picture television theaters is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,829 to Hellig and includes a seat with arm rests having a back which terminates into a hood over the chair. The chair includes means for rocking the chair in various directions as well as means for vibrating the chair and an odor producing system associated with the chair which includes odor conducting conduits and means for moving air through the odor producing conduits towards the face of the spectator seated in the chair. The chair includes air passageways and exit ports for directing a fragrance towards various portions of the spectator's body and a system for feeding the fragrance to the air passageways and exhausting the odors around a chair for removing the odors. The Hellig system also includes a loudspeaker associated with the hood of a chair. This odor producing system attempts to direct the odors and the flow of fragrances to the area around the user's head and nose and then exhausts it from the area around the user's head and maintains the odors by partially enclosing the head. This, however, has had limited success because of the inability to precisely govern the dispensing of the various smells at precise moments and due to the delay in removing the generated odor in the area of the user's head.
The present invention is directed towards an apparatus for the precision dispensing of fragrance to a large volume area with precision control of the fragrance dispensed. A method and apparatus also provide for precision fragrance dispensing in small amounts to an area remotely controlled with pressurized gas signals.


A curtain airbag for providing multiple coverage areas over a window opening includes a shared panel and first and second auxiliary panels. The shared panel is sized to span the height of a window opening upon the curtain airbag's deployment, and has an upper periphery, an opposing lower periphery and a central portion between the upper periphery and the lower periphery. The first auxiliary panel is connected to the shared panel at least along its upper periphery and along its central portion to define a first inflatable chamber configured for inflation to at least partially provide a first coverage area. The second auxiliary panel is connected to the shared panel at least along its lower periphery and along one of its central portion or its upper periphery to define a second inflatable chamber configured for inflation to at least partially provide a second coverage area.

Inflatable restraint devices commonly called airbags are standard equipment on most new vehicles. In early implementations of airbag systems, vehicles were equipped with one or more airbags that would deploy from forward-facing regions such as the steering wheel and the passenger side of the instrument panel.
In more recent implementations, additional airbags have been employed in different areas of the vehicle. For example, curtain airbags have been utilized to provide energy dissipation capacity along the sides of vehicles. Curtain airbags have been employed in areas adjacent to the roof rail and headliner or the side doors. These curtain airbag devices are typically concealed from occupant view prior to deployment by interior trim panels associated with the roof rail and/or headliner. When a curtain airbag is deployed, it is inflated with a gas, which pressurizes the curtain airbag and induces surface tension in the material from which the curtain airbag is fabricated.


In an input signal determining method and an apparatus for practicing the method, the level of an input signal is detected at least twice with a predetermined period, if the level of the input signal is significant when detected firstly, then before the second detection is started which is carried out in the predetermined period, whether or not the input signal is a continuous input signal whose level is maintained unchanged for a predetermined time is determined, and if the input signal is not the continuous input signal, the result of the first detection is reset, and if the level of the input signal is maintained for the predetermined time, and the level of the input signal is significant when detected secondly, then the input signal is determined as a correct input signal, whereby the erroneous recognition of the input signal can be avoided, and a noise equal in period to the synchronizing signal can be eliminated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an input signal determining method and an apparatus for practicing the method, and more particularly to an input signal determining method and an apparatus for practicing the method which are applied to an electronic unit for a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to eliminate interference signals such as bound noises due to the chattering or vibration of switches, and external noises, a conventional electronic unit on a motor vehicle employs an apparatus based on a particular input signal determining method. The conventional apparatus of this type is as shown in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIG. 6, an input signal determining apparatus 30 comprises three series-connected first, second and third D-type flip-flop circuits 31, 32 and 33, an OR element, and three NAND elements. An input signal is applied through a terminal 35 to the D terminal of the first D-type flip-flop circuit 31, and its logic level is provided at the Q terminal. The logic level is applied to the D terminal of the second D-type flip-flop circuit 32. An output provided at the Q terminal of the D-type flip-flop circuit 32 is applied to the D terminal of the third D-type flip-flop circuit 33. A synchronizing signal is applied through a terminal 34 to those three D-type flip-flop circuits 31, 32 and 33. A reset signal is applied through a terminal 36 to the reset terminals of the D-type flip-flop circuits 31, 32 and 33.
The input signal is determined or judged based on the logic level of the input signal and the logic levels provided at the Q terminals of the three flip-flop circuits 31, 32 and 33, and the result of the determination is obtained through a terminal 37.
However, in order for the above-described input signal determining method to eliminate the misjudgment of the input signal, it is necessary to employ a number of logic circuits, which are rather troublesome.
In addition, the input signal determining apparatus, employing a number of logic circuits, is expensive. Besides, it is impossible for the apparatus to effectively eliminate synchronous noises.

Input signal determining method and apparatus


A method and apparatus for measuring at least one characteristic of an aerated fluid flowing within a pipe is provided, wherein the method includes generating a measured sound speed, a measured density, a pressure and a gas volume fraction for the aerated fluid. The method also includes correcting the measured density responsive to the measured sound speed, the pressure and the gas volume fraction to generate a corrected density. The method further includes calculating a liquid phase density, determining whether the gas volume fraction is above a predetermined threshold value and generating a mass flow rate responsive to whether the gas volume fraction is above the predetermined threshold value.

Metering well head production rates is a long standing challenge for the oil and gas industry. Performing accurate and timely monitoring of the production rates has many benefits, which include optimizing overall field and specific well production.
Well head monitoring represents a difficult technical challenge. The difficulty is due in no small part to the extreme variability of produced fluids which can include various types and mixtures of oil, water, gas, and solid particles.
Many companies have developed various types of three phase meters design to address the well head flow metering market. These products have met relatively limited commercial success due to a combination of performance, accuracy, and cost issues. This disclosure provide an means and apparatus for well head monitoring that combines multiple existing technologies in to system that should met a wide range of cost and performance goals.

System for measuring a parameter of an aerated multi-phase mixture flowing in a pipe


In a control system for peripheral devices, by operating only one device for digital-to-analogue conversion, the specific output switching corresponding to that specific device for digital-to-analogue conversion is closed and the other output switching corresponding to the other device for digital-to-analogue conversion are open so that the only the output signal of that specific device for digital-to-analogue conversion can be output. Thus, the accuracy of operation of each device for digital-to-analogue conversion can be easily evaluated.

This invention relates to a control system for peripheral devices which is suitable, for example, for use in an integrated circuit (IC) containing plural digital-to-analogue converters.
A system is proposed wherein two integrated circuits are connected with a bus line comprising two signal lines, a serial clock SCL line and a serial data DTA line, so that an integrated circuit supplies serial data to the other integrated circuit. Here, the integrated circuit which receives the serial data converts the serial data to various kinds of analogue control signals with digital-to-analogue converters being therein and supplies these converted analogue control signals to peripheral devices.
These analogue control signals are, for example, a contrast control signal, brightness control signal, and the like. These control signals are transferred on the two signal lines with serial data, therefore desired signal processes can be achieved without having input terminals corresponding to each control signal.
However, in order to test these integrated circuits to know whether the digital-to-analogue converters being therein can operate or not, or in order to make an evaluation to check if the linearity error of output signal of each digital-to-analogue converter is less than .+-.1/2 of the least significant bit in value, special troublesome testing is required during manufacturing. That is, the integrated circuit must have special terminals, just for testing, corresponding to each digital-to-analogue converter, for example terminals with testing holes through which a special fixture is set.


An rf receiver front end that includes a switchable attenuation circuit or DX switch and uses a power saving technique. The switchable attenuation circuit is dc connected in series with one or more rf circuits so that power drawn from a constant voltage power supply is reduced. The rf circuit may include an rf mixer, a low-noise amplifier, or both.

This invention relates to RF circuitry, and more particularly, to a radio receiver front-end circuit that utilizes a power saving technique.
Existing pagers and portable cellular products use current stacking of circuit elements to reduce power consumption from a fixed-voltage power source. However, incorporating a local/distant (DX) switch in a circuit using current stacking is not known.

Current-stacked DX switch with high rf isolation


The present disclosure provides methods and systems for quantifying item performance in a digital shelf. A method for quantifying item performance in a digital shelf may comprise: calculating a value associated with a shelf share of the given item; determining a set of factors for calculating a score indicative of the item performance on the digital shelf, wherein the set of factors includes the shelf share; generating, using a trained machine learning algorithm, the score based on the set of factors; and displaying the score within a graphical user interface (GUI) on an electronic device.

As more and more transactions take place online, merchants may take different approaches to drive sales on the digital shelf. For example, similar to physical retail stores, merchants or marketers may try to increase the visibility of their products to shopper by improving presence of their products on the digital shelf.

Systems and methods for digital shelf display


A "bit-sliced" construction of our cache module dictates dual TAG RAM structures and dual invalidation queues, yielding enhanced performance. By putting half the TAG array in each of two cache arrays, and allowing each to handle only one-half of the possible address values, processor operations and invalidation operations can be "overlapped", and even operate simultaneously.

FIG. 1 depicts a "multiple memory" structured computer system. In such a system, memory storage is distributed between several system modules. There is always a "main memory" plus there may be various cache memory modules associated with each of the processing elements in the system. This figure shows all the system modules interconnected over a "system bus." There may be, in such a system, additional system bus structures (the Unisys A-11 system provides dual system buses denoted as System Bus A and System Bus B).
FIG. 1 also indicates that the various cache modules provide a path for the respective processor for memory storage information. The cache itself is the first possible source (first choice) for a given piece of addressed information for its processor. If the cache does hold the specific address required by the processor, then a "cache hit" occurs and it sources the necessary data immediately to the processor. However, if the addressed word(s) is not contained within the cache, then it provides the path for the information to be supplied from main memory over the system bus(es).
In a computer system having more than one memory storage facility, a special data integrity challenge can occur. Any computer system having both a main-memory structure and cache-memory(s) is in such a situation (e.g. see multi-memory System I in FIG. 1, having Main Memory linked by system bus means to a number of Processors, 1, 2 . . . N, each with an associated Cache Memory). The potential problem that should be faced is that of maintaining "data coherency," i.e., assuring that all copies of information (data) are identical for a given specific address (in all memory facilities). --a "data integrity" problem.
If computer processors only read data from the memories, this problem would never occur; but, then, little productive work would take place either. Real processors must also modify the values of data that is stored in the system's memories. This is usually referred to as writing memory, or as doing an "overwrite" operation. Some systems provide for several types of write operations. No matter what varieties of write operations are used, the central problem of data coherency arises any time data in one of several memory facilities has been modified.
Most computer systems with cache memories maintain data integrity using an "Invalidation" scheme. This technique requires each cache-memory module to monitor (or spy-upon) the memory operations of all other processors in the system. When any memory "data write" operation is detected, then each of the cache-memories must plan for a potential invalidation operation within its own cache memory. An invalidation operation entails checking the contents of (its own) cache memory for the specific address of the write operation that was detected. If a local cache-memory module discovers that it indeed does contain this (same?) address, it must then mark this address as no longer valid, since some other processor is overwriting its previous value.
This invalidation process, itself, presents a problem for the cache memory module and its associated processor, since it uses cache memory resources. These resources are, of course, present to assist the processor in its work, but the invalidation process may make them "busy" and so hinder the processor from getting its regular work done.
It would be desirable therefore to remember the information necessary for a specific invalidation and execute the process at the least inconvenient time--such is an object hereof.
A second motivation for some sort of remembering device for invalidation data is that the "spying," or monitoring of bus activity, may involve numerous write conditions, and doing so very quickly lest one delay other processors in the system. Therefore, each spy, or cache, must remember all the possible invalidation information for execution at some later time. This we also propose here.
Such a novel "remembering mechanism," is described here--and, for the sake of this discussion, it is called an "INVALIDATION QUEUE" (IQ). The IQ queue structure must take-in, and hole, all pertinent information regarding all memory write operations in the system. It must then provide for the convenient unloading of this information for the invalidation process at the discretion of the local cache-memory module.
FIG. 2 gives a simple block diagram showing a processing element 2-1, a cache block 2-3 and an interface block 2-5 showing the interfaces to the system bus(es). Cache block 2-3 shows a few of the significant elements required for our cache design. These are:
(1) TAG RAM structure 2-3T which holds information as to which of all the possible memory addresses the cache presently contains.
(2) DATA RAM structure 2-3D which holds the actual data values corresponding to the addresses held in the Tag Ram. If a "hit" occurs, the proper data values are immediately driven from the DATA RAM back to processor 2-1.
(3) HIT LOGIC 2-3H to determine whether the required processor data is held in the cache and to drive the appropriate control signal(s) back to processor 2-1 indicating this. If a cache "miss" occurs, then this logic will trigger off the appropriate system bus cycles to retrieve the necessary data from main memory.
(4) INVALIDATION QUEUE block 2-3I to monitor all memory-write type operations on the system bus(es). It must compare all write operation addresses against those in the cache tag ram. If a write address is (not??) contained within the cache, --this is called "invalidating" a cache address.
From FIG. 2, one can infer two major tasks (duties) of the cache module: First, to service the processor for all "hit data". (Find Hits). This function must be accomplished as fast as possible. Each additional clock-cycle lost here significantly reduces the performance of the computer system.
The second major job of the cache is to maintain the integrity of all the data it holds. This task is accomplished by the "invalidation" process, initiated for all write operations on the system bus(es). This task must assure that for any given address value in all storage modules (within the system) the data is identical. If two storage devices ever have differing data for the same address, "data coherency" is lost and the system is in trouble.
These two major cache tasks must both use the same cache resource--namely the TAG RAM facility 2-3T. Each must access TAG RAM and quickly determine whether a given address is currently held within the cache.
Both tasks must also be performed virtually instantaneously when requested. To delay a quick response to the processor is to drastically reduce its performance. And, a delay in system bus invalidation may cause loss of system bus write information.
This invalidation task may use some sort of "queueing" structure to hold a certain number of possible invalidation addresses. However, even the queue must be emptied quickly or risk the mentioned problem.
The conflict between these two tasks (find Hits, invalidate) can be resolved, we believe, by any of the following three cache module implementations;
(1) Provide two separate TAG RAM facilities, one for the "processor-hit" function and the second for "invalidation". This will work; however, the TAG RAM is the most expensive part of the cache block, so workers prefer not to double its size. Additionally, this approach requires extensive logic to assure that the two TAG RAM are always completely and exactly identical to one other (i.e. that they always hold only the same exact addresses).
(2) Another way would be to build a special "dual-ported" TAG RAM structure. This is very expensive if one is to provide & structure large enough for realistic cache devices.
(3) A third approach is the subject of this disclosure, and provides a compromise between performance nd hardware size/cost. This method uses a feature we call "BIT-SLICE-ABILITY," and allows processor servicing and system bus invalidations to proceed coincidently (simultaneously). This approach is a result of bit-slicing the cache implementation, and is derived at virtually no additional cost in added system hardware.
[JM add objects,]
An object hereof is to address at least some of the foregoing problems and to provide at least some of the mentioned, and other, advantages.

Methods for accessing coincident cache with a bit-sliced architecture


An apparatus and method process an image in a portable terminal having a camera. The apparatus obtains a final image from a plurality of images by performing a focusing function based on a plurality of images photographed by varying focus characteristics of an identical subject.

In a conventional camera, a depth of lens must be changed by exchanging a lens or changing the number of apertures, in order to utilize an all-focus or out-focus function. However, a structure of lens exchange or an aperture integrated lens has a large size, and thereby has problems in applying to a camera of mobile phone or compact camera according to the trend of miniaturization.
Further, the out-focusing function may be utilized by dividing an image obtained by a camera having a high depth of focus into a portion to be focused and background by using a segmentation technology and applying a blur filter to the background. However, there are problems in obtaining a high quality photo because an error may be generated in dividing a subject and background, and deterioration of image quality may be generated when applying the blur filter due to the limitation of segmentation technology. The all-focus function may be utilized by using an EDoF (Extended Depth of Focus) technology which expands the depth of effect through image processing. However, this method is seldom used due to the deterioration of image quality. Further a re-focusing function may be utilized by using a camera obtaining information of light path, such as a plenoptic camera and array camera. However, this method has problems in obtaining a high resolution photo.
Accordingly, developments in technology providing focusing functions such as an all-focus, out-focus, and re-focus function are necessary for the camera of mobile phone and compact camera according to the trend of miniaturization.

Apparatus and method for processing image in mobile terminal having camera


A computer implemented system and method of executing an auction. The system has at least two intelligent systems, one for the auctioneer and at least one for a user. The auction is conducted by the auctioneer's system communicating with the user system(s). The auctioneer's system receives information from the user system(s) based on bid information entered by the user(s). With this information the auctioneer's system determines whether the auction can be concluded or not and appropriate messages are transmitted to the user(s).

Auction formats in the art tend generally to be of the sealed-bid or ascending-bid variety. In the standard sealed-bid auction, bidders—in one single bidding round—simultaneously and independently submit bids to the auctioneer, who then determines the auction outcome. In the standard ascending-bid auction, bidders—in a dynamic bidding process—submit bids in real time until no more bids are forthcoming. An ascending-bid format offers the advantage that there is feedback between participants' bids: each bidder is able to infer other bidders' information about the value of the object(s) as the auction progresses and incorporate this information into his subsequent bids. This feedback tends to result in more efficient auction outcomes as well as more aggressive bidding, resulting in higher expected revenues for the seller. However, an ascending-bid format also has the disadvantage that—in complex environments—the auction may last for a long time, and require serious bidders to devote substantially all their time during this extended period of the auction. (For example, some of the ascending-bid auctions conducted by the Federal Communication Commission in 1994-96 have consisted of well over 100 bidding rounds and lasted upwards of three months each. In particular, the D-E-F block broadband PCS auction, which began on Aug. 26, 1996, was still in progress on Dec. 20, 1996, and had already conducted 229 bidding rounds.) In addition, the real-time aspect of the bidding—which gives the standard ascending-bid auction its desirable properties—also implies that any bidder's continued participation (and thus the auction's success) may be imperiled by communication breakdowns or other lapses anytime in the course of the auction. By contrast, while a sealed-bid format does not provide participants the opportunity to respond to their competitors' bids, the auction may be completed much more quickly and requires only a single bid submission by bidders, so participation is less onerous for bidders and may be less susceptible to communication breakdowns.

Computer implemented methods and apparatus for auctions


A pouch for holding cards, flat sheets, photos, pictures and also a disc such as a CD or DVD: the pouch having lateral seams defining lateral sides, a bottom seam defining the bottom side of the pouch, and a downward recess in the bottom seam for nesting of a disc in the recess. A top flap above the upper open end of the pouch. Laterally inwardly extending upper and lower sets of seams holding the flap to the backing strip. The upper seams are of a longer length inward in the lateral direction. The upper and lower seams define a nest area at the top region of a disc and cooperate with recess at the bottom to hold the disc against lateral shifting. Single and plural arrays of the pouches on the backing are possible.

The present invention relates to a holder adapted to hold a photo, picture or other flat object, on the one hand, and a disc, namely a compact disc or CD and DVD, on the other hand. It particularly relates to a construction of such a holder to securely hold the photo, picture, object or disc without risk that it might fall out of the holder.
There are known flexible material holders for photographs, pictures, objects or CDs, which holders comprise pouches or pockets. Those flexible holders may be on backings, such as pages fastened in an album. Each page holds one holder or a plurality of holders arranged above one another, side-by-side or in other configurations. A known holder on a page is a simple rectangular pouch with four sides, which is secured to the page on three of its sides. On the fourth side, the pouch is open to receive a photo, picture, object or disc. There may be no means, such as a fixture or cover, etc., that could prevent an object in the pouch from falling out. Furthermore, unless the open side of the pouch is shaped to provide access into the pouch, removal of the photo, picture, object or disc from the pouch may be difficult and may require deforming the page to enable the removal. The open side of the pouch may be profiled, e.g. with a depression, to provide access to the object to be removed. But that increases the chance that the object may fall out of the pouch.
It is conventional for the pouch to be comprised of transparent plastic material so that when the photo, picture, object or disc is in the pouch, it can be clearly seen through the front side of the pouch.
If the object in the pouch is a disc, such as a CD or DVD, there should be some means to support the disc so that it does not shift in the pouch or fall out of the pouch and so that if the pouch or the page on which the pouch is disposed is shaken or moved about, a disc will not shake free and will not be displaced in the pouch. Further, there should be easier access for removal of the disc from the pouch.
In one known pouch, an outer sheet is attached to a backing sheet along three sides of the pouch, with an arc-shaped cut across the face of the pouch for enabling insertion of a disc into the pouch and enabling access to the disc. However, that cut in the pouch would extend across a picture or a photo in the pouch.
An alternate known pouch has an outer sheet that is shorter than the normal expected height of the photo, picture or disc in the pouch, giving access to the picture, photo or disc at the open side of the pouch. A flap is also attached to the backing sheet at that height above the bottom of the pouch to which a picture or photo would normally extend or to which the top of the disc would extend. That flap is so secured to the backing sheet that the upper edge of the photo, picture or disc may be positioned under the flap to prevent the photo, picture or disc from falling out of or being easily removed from the pouch, until the flap is lifted giving access to the top of the object therein. However, this flap does not prevent the disc from shifting and does not fully support the disc against shifting.
It is known to provide a small arcuate recess in the bottom side of the pouch having the radius of a disc to be held in the pouch, and the edge of the disc is received in the recess. But nothing holds the top edge of the disc and it may fall out of the recess or shift around undesirably.


A high-density ethylene-based polymer is provided. The high-density ethylene-based polymer contains an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of an α-olefin, a cyclic olefin, and a straight, branched and cyclic diene. The high-density polyethylene resin has a wide molecular weight distribution and excellent comonomer distribution characteristics, has excellent melt flowability due to a long chain branched structure, and has excellent mechanical characteristics since the comonomer distribution is concentrated in a high-molecular-weight body. The high-density ethylene polymer has excellent molding processability during processing such as extrusion, compression, injection and rotational molding by having excellent mechanical characteristics and melt flowability.

The mechanical and thermal characteristics of polyethylene resins are affected by molecular weight and density, and the application fields are changed accordingly. Generally, as the density of the polyethylene polymer is lower, the transparency and impact strength thereof become better, but the polyethylene polymer has a disadvantage that physical properties such as heat resistance, hardness, and flexural modulus are deteriorated and the chemical resistance is also deteriorated.
On the other hand, as the density of the polyethylene polymer is higher, the physical properties such as heat resistance, hardness, and flexural modulus become better, and the chemical resistance increases, but the transparency and impact strength thereof are deteriorated. Therefore, when producing injection products using an ethylene copolymer, especially various industrial products such as cartridges and pail containers, it is very difficult to produce injection products having excellent impact strength and excellent chemical resistance. In particular, since injection products such as various industrial products required in the market require high impact resistance, the necessity of such technology is very high.
High-density polyethylene polymers are available for many applications through various molding methods. For example, as a typical method for a film molded product, there is an inflation method in which a molten polymer extrudate is inflated by melting a high-density polyethylene polymer and extruding a high-density polyethylene polymer from a mold while blowing air thereinto. In addition, as a method for obtaining a molded product having a desired shape, there is a blow molding method in which a molten high-density polyethylene polymer is blown into a cavity of a die and air is blown into a molten resin in the cavity of the die so as to expand and press the molten resin on a cavity inner wall to thereby form a molten polymer in the cavity. There is also an injection molding method in which a molten high-density polyethylene polymer is pressed in a cavity of a die so as to fill the cavity.
As described above, the high-density polyethylene polymer may be manufactured by various molding methods, but these methods are common in that the high-density polyethylene polymer is first heated to a molten state and then molded. Therefore, the behavior of the high-density polyethylene polymer at the time of heating and melting, that is, the melting property, is an extremely important physical property in the molding of the high-density polyethylene polymer.
In particular, in the molding such as extrusion molding, compression molding, injection molding, or rotational molding, the melting property, especially the melt flowability of the high-density polyethylene-based polymer, is an essential property that affects satisfactory moldability. The molding processability used herein is not limited to the processability at the time of extrusion molding, compression molding, injection molding, or rotational molding.
Generally, it can be said that melt flowability is more excellent as an MI, an MFI, or an MFR is larger. Practically, however, since properties required for polymers as molding materials are different for each molding method, the index used as the standard indicating molding processability is changed according to the molding method. For example, in the injection molding method, a high-density polyethylene polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution tends to be used so as to obtain a molded product having impact resistance.
The high-density polyethylene polymer conventionally used for extrusion molding, compression molding, injection molding, or rotational molding is generally manufactured by using a titanium-based Ziegler-Natta catalyst or a chromium-based catalyst.
The high-density polyethylene polymer manufactured by using such a catalyst can improve melt flowability due to a wide molecular weight distribution, but has a drawback in which mechanical properties such as impact resistance are significantly deteriorated due to mixing of low-molecular-weight components, and chemical resistance is deteriorated since a comonomer is intensively distributed in a low-molecular-weight body. Therefore, there has been a problem that it is impossible to increase a speed in injection molding while maintaining excellent mechanical properties.
To solve these problems, many studies on metallocene catalysts have been conducted. U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,150 discloses a metallocene catalyst capable of producing a resin having a narrow molecular weight distribution, and in the case of a copolymer, a uniform comonomer distribution by using uniform active sites of metallocene. However, since the molecular weight distribution is narrow, the mechanical strength is excellent, but the molding processability is low.
As described above, in the case of a single metallocene catalyst, since a molecular weight distribution is narrow due to uniform active sites, molding processability is not satisfactory. Therefore, the application development of metallocene catalyst systems has not been much conducted in the field of high-density polyethylene polymers in which the balance between mechanical properties and moldability is important.
In order to solve these problems, many proposals have been made to widen a molecular weight distribution by using a plurality of reactors or by mixing many kinds of metallocene catalysts.
However, when the method for widening the molecular weight distribution is used, moldability is improved, but other physical properties are inevitably deteriorated. Thus, it is impossible to obtain a high-density polyethylene polymer having excellent physical properties, such as mechanical strength, which can be obtained by narrowing the molecular weight distribution.
In addition, a method for improving a melt tension by maintaining an intrinsic viscosity of a catalyst has been proposed, but this method cannot improve the deterioration of melt flowability and thus high-speed molding is difficult.
In order to solve the problem of the metallocene catalyst, the melt flowability of the polymer is improved by using a catalyst in which a long chain branch (LCB) is introduced into a main chain of the polymer as a side branch, but there is a problem that mechanical properties such as impact resistance are significantly lower than those of the case of using a general metallocene catalyst.
In addition, as another method, a method for manufacturing polyolefin having a bimodal molecular weight distribution by using catalysts having different reactivity to a comonomer is proposed. However, the polyolefin having the bimodal molecular weight distribution, which is manufactured in the above-described manner, has improved melt flowability, but has different molecular weight distributions and thus low kneading properties. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a product having uniform physical properties after processing, and mechanical strength is deteriorated.
Many methods have been proposed so as to improve the mechanical properties and melt flowability of high-density polyethylene polymers manufactured using metallocene catalysts, but most methods propose only the solution to linear low-density polyolefins. In addition, since metallocene has characteristics that the activity tends to decrease as the concentration of the comonomer decreases, the activity in the manufacture of the high-density polyolefin is low and thus it is not cost-effective.
Even in the case of the catalyst having excellent activity and processability in manufacture of the low-density polyolefin, the activity in the manufacture of the high-density polyolefin is low and thus it is not cost-effective. In particular, in a gas phase process, a lot of fine particles are formed and stable work is difficult.
In a gas phase reactor, activity is an important factor. Due to the low activity, a large amount of fine particles are formed, causing a large amount of static electricity. The static electricity is attached to the wall surface of the reactor to obstruct a heat transfer and lower a polymerization temperature. In addition, since the fine particles attached to the wall surface of the reactor continue to grow, the production is stopped.
A catalyst for solving the above-described problems and manufacturing a high-density polyolefin polymer having excellent mechanical strength, excellent melt flowability, and high activity is continuously required, and the improvement thereof is required.

High-density ethylene-based polymer using supported hybrid metallocene catalyst, and manufacturing method therefor


Apparatus and process are disclosed for sorption heat pumping at high efficiency in a smooth and continuous manner using a multiplicity of stationary triplex sorption modules. The hermetically sealed trisorption modules, each of which contains at least two solid sorbents, are free of pumps, valves, restrictors, or any similar devices for flow control of refrigerant or sorbent. The apparatus contains no moving parts beyond a small number of control and motive devices for the heat transfer fluids. The preferred refrigerant is ammonia and the preferred sorbents are the solid type with monovariant equilibrium, e.g., BaCl.sub.2, SrCl.sub.2, CaCl.sub.2, MnCl.sub.2, FeCl.sub.2 and SrBr.sub.2.. The apparatus is preferably adapted for residential or small-scale commercial space-conditioning applications, and operates at double-effect efficiency in both the heating and cooling modes without inter-module heat transfer.

Thermally activated heat pumps based on the absorption principle hold great promise for meeting the combined environmental goals of higher energy efficiency (reduced CO.sub.2 emissions) and zero ozone depletion for space conditioning applications. However, the joint achievement of high efficiency, simplicity, and low cost has proved to be elusive.
The use of solid sorbents in single-effect intermittent cycle heat pumps or refrigerators is well known. Solid sorbent use presents the advantages that no sorbent or refrigerant pumps or valves are required (in certain configurations) and the sorbent is reasonably well localized. There are, however, many disadvantages: high latent heat of sorption causes very low coefficient of performance (COP); achieving continuous heat flow requires multiple units connected via complex valving arrangements; the heat release rate tends to be highly uneven, and that coupled with the periodic requirement to change between absorb and desorb results in substantial idle or lightly loaded periods. To compensate for the light load periods, the apparatus must be highly loaded the remainder of the time, and the highly loaded periods determine the heat exchange surface requirements. An additional disadvantage for solid absorbents is their monovariant equilibrium, i.e., pressure is solely a function of temperature, and not of refrigerant (sorbate) content. Thus each solid absorbent (or more accurately each sorbing pair) operates at a unique lift, and if the lift requirement changes, e.g., due to varying ambient temperature, the sorbent cannot adjust. Yet another problem with historical solid sorbent heat pumps was that the characteristic extreme sorbent volume changes (shrinking and swelling) caused the sorbent bed to compact and deactivate. That problem was largely overcome by additions either viscous liquid (LiNO.sub.3) or of various inert conductive media, especially intricate porous structure such as activated carbon. Prior art disclosures of those solutions are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,986,525 and 4,595,774.
For direct-fired space-conditioning applications, the most severe limitation of single-effect solid sorbent intermittent cycles is the low COP. As a result, various multi-effect cycles have been proposed. Unfortunately, they have also increased complexity, by any of several mechanisms: a) sorbate valves and/or throttles; b) sorbent-to-sorbent heat exchange through two heat exchange surfaces; c) complex heat transfer loop valving; d) excessive generator temperature; and e) multiple sorbent beds are interconnected in conjunction with more sorbate than one sorbent bed can hold, which risks liquefying one of the sorbent beds at shutdown or abnormal conditions (all the sorbate migrates to the highest affinity sorbent).
Examples of disclosures of multi-effect solid sorbent heat pumps and their attendant complexities from the above list are: U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,607 (bc); U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,132 (abe); U.S. Pat. No. 2,496,459 (ce); U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,928 (abcde); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,635 (abcde).
Rotary sorption heat pumps have been proposed. By arranging a multiplicity of single-effect intermittent cycle sorption heat pumps on a rotating frame, it is possible to achieve continuous heat pumping without either sorbent valves or heat transfer valves. Examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,478,057, 4,574,874, and 4,660,629.
The "trisorption" cycle is known in the prior art, although not by that name. It is the solid sorbent analog of a well-known liquid sorbent cycle. The liquid cycle has been referred to as the "Double Evaporation Resorption Cycle", B. A. Phillips, ASHRAE Transactions, Volume 82, Part 1, page 974, 1976. This cycle is characterized by achieving double-effect performance (input heat produces useful refrigerant two times) without need for internal latent heat exchange.
Hans Stymme, "Chemical Heat Pumps", Swedish Council for Building Research, S2:1982, Stockholm, Sweden, 1982 presents an early example of applying solid sorbents in this type of cycle. The essence is that there are three sorbents of differing affinity for the sorbate, and there is a three-step operating cycle, each stage involving a different pair of the three sorbents in both heat and mass exchange, and each step at a different pressure.
Uwe Rockenfeller, et al., in "Complex Compound Chemical Heat Pumps", Proceedings of the 9th Industrial Energy Technology Conference, Sep. 16-18, 1987, Houston, Tex., pp. 158-164 disclose that two trisorption cycle heat pumps can be operated synchronously with phase separation to achieve a nearly continuous heat duty, although with substantial fluctuations, using complex switching of the heat transfer media.
Rockenfeller et al., further disclose actual hardware for accomplishment of the quasi-continuous trisorption cycle heat pump process, at page 64 of "Feasibility of a Complex Compound Heat Pump", Gas Research Institute Report GRI-89/0279, Chicago Ill., December 1991. The schematic flowsheet discloses two reactors containing high affinity sorbent, two medium affinity sorbent reactors, plus a condenser and evaporator (the low affinity reactors), all interconnected in fluid communication via four one-way valves, one expansion valve, and one three-way valve. The six refrigerant valves plus four four-way heat transfer fluid valves are cycled synchronously to accomplish the cycle steps in the required sequence.
M. Lebrun, P. Meyer, and B. Spinner in "Coefficients de Performance de Machines a Froid Monoetagees: 0.8 a 1.6 Selon le Procede de Gestion des Chaleurs de Reaction", Proceedings of the XVIII International Congress of Refrigeration, Aug. 10-17, 1991, Montreal, Canada, p. 567, disclose that the low affinity media can be either a solid or simply condensed phase sorbate, and that the latter generally yields lower Coefficients of Performance.
The prior art multi-effect systems having refrigerant valves tend to be noisy and unreliable. There may be a noisy depressurization each time the valve is repositioned, and a single leak anywhere in the system can cause the entire system to fail and release a large quantity of refrigerant. Also the unsteady power level in each step of prior art trisorption cycles causes the heat transfer fluid temperature to vary during the step, and is wasteful of fan and/or pump power.
Conversely the prior art systems without valves and with steady power levels (e.g., the rotary systems) are not multi-effect. Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 905,284 "Rotary Trisorption Heat Pump" filed by Donald C. Erickson on Jun. 26, 1992 discloses one means of avoiding all refrigerant valves and discontinuous operation while retaining double effect performance with solid sorption heat pumps. A plurality of valve-less hermetically individual trisorption modules are mounted in a rotating frame, and frame rotation interposes the respective sorption zones appropriately and successively in heat transfer fluid conduits conveying hot, moderate, or cold temperature fluids.
The limitation of the above-cited application is the large rotating mass, albeit at a very slow rotation. The large rotating mass requires large bearings and large heat transfer fluid seals. Also, when conditioned air is one of the heat transfer fluids, there may be a need for a double wall boundary to preclude releases of NH.sub.3 at irritant levels. Use of liquid heat transfer fluid may be difficult with the large seals. With gaseous heat transfer fluids, it is more difficult and expensive to convert from winter heat pump mode to summer cooling mode, and also from trisorption (multi-effect) mode to single effect.
What is needed, and included among the objects of this invention, are apparatus and corresponding process for at least one of heat pumping and refrigeration which achieve the high COP multi-effect performance characteristic of the trisorption cycle in simple and reliable equipment which has no refrigerant pumps or valves, no sorbent-to-sorbent heat exchange, and which has continuous and nearly constant delivery of heating and/or cooling. There should be only a minimum number of control mechanisms or moving parts (e.g., valves) in the heat transfer loops, preferably only one or two for fluid distribution, plus when desired one for heating/cooling changeover and one for single effect/multi-effect changeover. There should be no large moving assemblies--the only moving parts being the three or fewer control mechanisms plus any required motive mechanisms (pumps or fans) for the heat transfer fluids. The movable heat transfer fluid distributor mechanism preferably has a reliable and simple seal face. The apparatus preferably should have no critical height or orientation requirement, and not rely on gravity for maintaining critical vapor-liquid interfaces or liquid drains. It should be modular, whereby a refrigerant leak from one module will not cause the entire apparatus to cease function.

Stationary continuous multimodular trisorption heat pump


An orthotic method for newborn babies includes the step of providing a newborn orthopedic device constructed and dimensioned to fit a newborn baby within hours of birth for a skeletal modification. The method also includes the step of conducting a thorough physical examination of a newborn baby for skeletal abnormalities by an orthopedic or medical professional. A newborn baby is fitted with an appropriate device to correct the prevailing skeletal abnormality and the device is adjusted to overcome the physical abnormality by an increment of one millimeter and allowed to remain in that position for 24 hours. Thereafter the method increases the bias by adjusting the orthopedic device by a movement of about one millimeter and applying the increased bias for about 24 hours before further adjustments in one millimeter increments each for about a 24 hour period.

Some babies are born with skeletal abnormalities as for example in the hands, feet and in other important parts of the body such as a child's shoulders, arms, hands and fingers, their legs, knees and neck etc. In such cases, it is desirable to correct the abnormality by biasing a limb or appendage toward the correct position.
Corrections of skeletal abnormalities of important parts of the human body by orthopedic devices have been done for many years. For example, a Toe Straightening Device is disclosed in a U.S. Patent of Marcus that issued in 1962 U.S. Pat. No. 3,049,120. As disclosed therein, the device consists of a structure for the toe of a foot and particularly for the largest toe in order to reposition the toe into a normal position.
A more recent U.S. Patent of Dieterich U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,359 discloses an orthopedic sandal for the correction of hammer toes and Hallux Valgus (X-toe). The sandal includes a lever arm extending along the longitudinal axis of the sole of a sandal and being pivotally connected to the sole in its rearward portion. A toe holding bar for pressing the toes downward is connected to the free end of the lever arm and various embodiments of mechanisms for moving the large toe medially for correcting Hallux Valgus are operatively associated with the lever arm. Further mechanisms for stretching the large toe in conjunction with the intermittent treatment of the Hallux Valgus are operatively interconnected with the mechanisms for moving the large toe medially.
A much more recent U.S. Patent of Bonutti U.S. Pat. No. 8,251,934 relates to Orthosis and Method for Cervical Mobilization issued on Aug. 28, 2012. As disclosed a neck brace to move a neck of a person or stabilize the neck includes connecting a vest to the neck brace to a torso of a person. A support member of the neck brace is connected to the vest. A chin support of the neck brace is connected to a chin of the person. Force is applied between the support member and the chin support to move the chin support relative to the support member. A cam member of the neck brace guides movement of the chin support relative to the support member.
The above are examples of a plurality of patents directed to correcting abnormalities in the shoulder, arm, knee, foot and toes as well as hands and fingers. Nevertheless, to the best of Applicant's knowledge there are no presently available devices that are specifically designed for newborn human babies within a few hours of birth. It is now believed that applying specially designed orthopedic devices for human babies that are only a few hours old will provide a more immediate correction to such abnormalities. Accordingly, it is believed that there is a need including a demand on a commercial level for the devices and methods in accordance with the present invention.

Orthotic method and device for newborn babies


A laser instrument is disclosed. The laser instrument having a laser unit, and a sliding bearing device with a joint socket and a sliding unit, where the sliding unit has a convex surface in the shape of cylinder section and the joint socket has a concave surface in the shape a hollow cylinder section such that the convex surface can engage in the concave surface and the laser unit tilts in a swivel plane during a relative movement between the convex surface and the concave surface.

The invention relates to a laser instrument having a laser unit and a sliding bearing device.
In this case, a laser instrument should be understood as a construction laser such as those that are used in the construction industry for the purposes of defining, transmitting or leveling planes, lines or points. As a result, static construction lasers such as point or line lasers can likewise be subsumed under the term "laser instrument" just like rotary construction lasers, in which the laser unit emits an at least partially rotating laser beam. In particular, the invention is used with rotary construction lasers having a laser unit embodied as a rotational unit, which is why for the sake of simplicity the following specification also relates to this type of construction laser. However, it should be noted that this does not represent a restriction of the protective scope and the invention also relates to all other types of construction lasers having an adjustable laser unit.
Rotary construction lasers having a laser unit embodied as a rotational unit, which emits an at least partially rotating laser beam, are used primarily in the construction industry in order to generate and define horizontal, vertical or defined inclined planes on walls, ceilings and floors. Rotary construction lasers are also used, for example, in scanning operations to establish predefined sections of planes or markings (points, lines, etc.) or to generate them as a reference.
A rugged design is of great significance in the case of rotary construction lasers, because equipment in the construction industry is subjected to extraordinary stresses. At the same time, the equipment must posses a high level of precision. Defining planes or markings or the like must be accomplished with a high level of precision.
Therefore, it is important to achieve a rugged design for the rotary construction lasers wherein adjusting a predetermined angle of inclination of the rotational unit with respect to the housing of the rotary construction laser is precise and simple.
A bearing device for tilting or adjusting the rotational unit of the rotary construction laser must therefore be rugged and easy to adjust. In this case, the rotational unit is essentially adjusted by means of a bearing device. In other words, as a general rule, a rough adjustment is made prior to adjustment, for example, by an operator. This may be accomplished, for example, manually by utilizing levels that are externally visible and attached to the rotary construction laser. Afterwards, the operator may initiate an automatic adjustment, whereby the rotational unit is fine-tuned (adjusted), for example, by means of servomotors and the bearing device.
The objective of the invention is making available a rotary construction laser which satisfies the above-mentioned requirements. Additional advantages of the rotary construction laser are disclosed in the following specification.
The rotary construction laser described here features a rotational unit. The rotational unit can, for example, be rotatably mounted with ball bearings around an axis of rotation and have a deflection device. The deflection device in this case can be used to deflect the laser beam.
The rotary construction laser further comprises a sliding bearing device with a joint socket and a sliding unit or a first sliding part. The sliding unit has a convex surface in the shape of a cylinder section and the joint socket has a concave surface in the shape of a hollow cylinder section such that the convex surface can be engaged in the concave surface. The rotational unit is connected to the sliding unit such that the rotational unit tilts in a swivel plane during a relative movement between the convex surface and the concave surface.
The concave and convex surfaces sliding on one another may be embodied, for example, in the shape of one or more glide shoes. Tilting of the rotational unit is thus produced by sliding the convex surface on the concave surface.
Very good anti-twist protection is yielded due to the embodiment of the sliding bearing device by means of the described convex or concave surfaces. The sliding properties can be precisely defined and twisting with respect to the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section and the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the hollow cylinder section is not possible.
Furthermore, the embodiment of relatively large sliding surfaces guarantees great mechanical ruggedness. In particular, there is no point mounting. The sliding surfaces in this case may also be interrupted or have different widths. They may also have recesses, for example, in order to thereby reduce the frictional resistance. It is possible to meet the most varied of requirements because of the concrete embodiment of the sliding surfaces.
The sliding bearing therefore produces very good anti-twist protection that has already been mentioned. The good sliding properties are realized by the predefined sliding surfaces.
In addition, because of the embodiment of the sliding bearing device by means of the defined concave or convex surfaces, a swivel plane is definitely predetermined in which the rotational unit tilts. The swivel plane in this case is essentially perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section. There is therefore a preferential direction (swivel plane) in which the rotational unit can be tilted. This is one advantage over other bearings, e.g., a bearing using a ball, universal ball joint, or cardan joint. In the case of these types of bearings, other guiding means must be provided in order to assure a tilt in a preferential direction. As a result, it is possible to dispense with these types of guiding means because of the invention.
In a preferred embodiment, the sliding unit can include an additional sliding bearing device with an additional joint socket and an additional sliding unit (second sliding part). In this connection, the additional sliding unit has an additional convex surface in the shape of an additional cylinder section and the additional joint socket has an additional concave surface in the shape of an additional hollow cylinder section. In this case, the additional convex surface can engage in the additional concave surface such that the rotational unit tilts in an additional swivel plane during a relative movement between the additional convex surface and the additional concave surface. The additional swivel plane can be independent or different from the swivel plane.
In a preferred embodiment, the swivel plane and the additional swivel plane are at a predetermined angle from one another. The angle in this case can be invariable so that the angle between the swivel planes is determined by the predetermined angle between the axes of the cylinder and of the hollow cylinder. The swivel plane and the additional swivel plane can also be at right angles to one another in a preferred embodiment.
Also preferred is that the radii of the cylinder section and of the hollow cylinder section are essentially equal. As a result, the concave and convex surfaces have the greatest possible contact surface and therefore good guidance and good sliding properties. The radii of the additional cylinder section and of the additional hollow cylinder section can also be essentially equal in a further embodiment. As a result, it also applies here that the additional concave or convex surfaces have an adequate contact surface and therefore good guidance or good sliding properties. The radii of the cylinder section, the additional cylinder section, the hollow cylinder section and the additional hollow cylinder section can also all be essentially equal.
In a further embodiment, the deflection device is embodied such that it deflects the laser beam at a deflection point corresponding to the exit point of the laser beam. The center point or the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section, the center point or the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the additional cylinder section, the center point or the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the hollow cylinder section and/or the center point or the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the additional hollow cylinder section can preferably coincide with the deflection point.
When the center point or the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the cylinder section, the center point or the axis of the cylinder forming the basis of the additional cylinder section, the center point or the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the hollow cylinder section and/or the center point or the axis of the hollow cylinder forming the basis of the additional hollow cylinder section coincide with the deflection point, then the height of the deflection point does not change when the rotational unit is tilted. As a result, a simple adjustment of a predefined angle is possible without complicated calculations. In addition, the deflection device can be built into the housing of the rotary construction laser in a compact way. In particular, the housing can be a short distance from the deflection device. This would not be possible with a height adjustment or a change in the distance between the deflection device and the inner housing wall such as those that occur in the case of other known mountings. The sliding bearing described here thus makes a compact and space-saving configuration of the rotary construction laser possible.
Tension springs can preferably be provided, by means of which the concave surface and the convex surface can be pressed together or pulled toward one another. As a result, it is possible for the concave surface and convex surface to remain in contact in all positions. Similarly, additional tension springs can be provided, by means of which the additional concave surface and the additional convex surface can be pressed together or pulled toward one another. The effect of the springs in this case as well is that a predefined force acts on the sliding surfaces and therefore an essentially constant or adjustable sliding property is achieved essentially independent of the position of the housing of the rotary construction laser.
In a preferred embodiment, a safety device firmly connected to the joint socket can also be provided, by means of which the sliding unit can be prevented from falling out of the joint socket. Similarly, the additional joint socket can also feature an additional safety device, by means of which the additional sliding unit can be prevented from falling out of the additional joint socket.
In another preferred embodiment, the convex surface can be produced of material whose sliding property has been modified. The concave surface in this case can be produced of material whose sliding property has not been modified so that a good sliding property is achieved. Likewise, the additional concave surface can be produced of material whose sliding property has been modified and the concave surface and the additional convex surface of material whose sliding property has not been modified. For example, the concave surface and the additional convex surface can be produced of normal plastic and the convex surface and the additional concave surface of plastic whose sliding property has been modified. This results in good sliding properties between the concave and convex surfaces as well as between the additional concave and additional convex surfaces.
The invention is further explained in the following on the basis of the figures.


A valve, includes a housing formed with a valve seat and having an inlet port and an outlet port; and a shut-off member positioned in a passageway between the inlet port and outlet port and so adjustable as to enable a separation of the inlet port and the outlet port from one another when seated on the valve seat, wherein the valve seat exhibits a seat surface which is so inclined in circumferential direction that intersections of diametrically opposed tangents constructed on the seat surface of the valve seat define an area.

The present invention generally relates to a valve, and in particular to a valve of a type having a housing formed with a valve seat and having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a shut-off member positioned in a passageway between the inlet port and outlet port and so adjustable as to enable a separation of the inlet port and the outlet port from one another when resting on the valve seat.
A valve of this type is known e.g. from German Pat. No. 36 09 772 and in particular describes a valve seat which exhibits a seat surface which is so configured that the intersection of all tangents drawn on the seat surface form an imaginary cone, with the valve seat forming a slanted cut through this cone. Basically, the flow efficiency of such valves depends on the opening angle which influences the surface lines and thus the flow cross section which should be selected as large as possible in order to enable a substantially unhindered fluid passage. On the other hand, the dimensions of such valves, especially with regard to their structural length are standardized so that conventional seat surfaces cannot be configured for an optimum flow throughput. For example, a large opening cross section shaped to enhance flow dynamics cannot be realized because the standardized outer structural dimensions limit the opening angle of the cone.
Determination of the flow efficiency is dependent besides on the flow velocity and rate of flow for pure liquids also on the same parameters for solids-laden liquids. Practice has shown that in this case the application of conventional valves is problematic heretofore.

ARI Armaturen Albert Richter GmbH & Co. KG


According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a storage device in which a substrate is embedded and sealed in a mold, and an antenna label attached to the storage device. The antenna label is configured to provide a wireless communication function.

For example, a storage device may be attached to an electronic apparatus to store data from the electronic apparatus and to allow the electronic apparatus to read out data from the storage device.
An example of a storage device is a memory card that includes a wireless antenna and has a wireless communication function.
Examples of related art include JP-A-2011-119949.


A cutting tool includes a blade having opposing front and back edges and inner and outer ends and defining at least two cutting loops, each cutting loop having a sharpened cutting edge and extending from an opening at the back edge and sloping therefrom toward the front edge and outer end at a loop angle of between about 35 and 55 degrees, the cutting loops each also having a depth from the back edge of between about 0.2 inches and 0.75 inches; and a handle at the inner end of the blade.

Vines, plant stems and the like are often desired to be removed from around tree trunks and other structures. Some of such vines grow so close to the tree or structure that it is difficult to cut the plant without damaging the tree or structure. In the case of poison ivy or plants with thorns, it may be difficult to maneuver a cutting tool close enough to cut the offending plant. What is needed is a tool that easily and safely permits the cutting and removal of offending vines and similar plants growing close to trees and other structures.

Vine cutting tool and method for making and using same