A magnetic pattern forming apparatus, which is designed to form a desired magnetic pattern on a magnetic disk having a magnetic layer on a substrate, is made up of a mask having a pattern identical or similar to the desired magnetic pattern, a projection optical system for exposing the magnetic disk to a spot-like energy beam coming through the mask to heat the magnetic layer for projecting the mask pattern to the magnetic disk at a one-to-one ratio or a predetermined reduction ratio, a magnetic field applying device for applying an external magnetic field to the magnetic disk, a control unit for conducting scanning with the spot-like energy beam with respect to the magnetic disk and the mask in their radial directions while rotating the magnetic disk and the mask.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic pattern forming method and apparatus for use in a magnetic recording apparatus (magnetic disk), and more particularly to a magnetic pattern forming method and apparatus, magnetic disk and magnetic recording apparatus suitable for recording/reproduction (readout) by a flying/contact head.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Magnetic recording apparatus represented by a magnetic disk unit (hard disk drive) have come into widespread use as an external storage of information processing equipment such as computers, and in the recent years, they are being used as a moving-picture recording apparatus or a recording apparatus for a set-top box.
The magnetic disk unit (hard disk drive) is usually made up of a shaft for fixing one magnetic disk or a plurality of magnetic disks in a skewering manner, a motor for turning the magnetic disk joined through a bearing to the shaft, a magnetic head to be used for recording and/or reproduction, an arm for holding the head, and an actuator capable of shifting the head through the head arm to an arbitrary position above a magnetic recording medium, with the recording/reproducing head being moved at a constant flying quantity above the magnetic recording medium.
Furthermore, in addition to the flying head, there has been proposed the employment of a contact head which contributes to shortening the distance with respect to a medium.
A magnetic recording medium to be mounted on the magnetic disk unit is produced by forming an NiP layer on a surface of a substrate made usually from an aluminum alloy or the like and then forming successively a metal under layer, a magnetic layer (information recording layer), a protective layer, a lubricant layer and other layers thereon after undergoing needed smoothing treatment, texturing treatment and others. Alternatively, it is made by forming successively a metal under layer, a magnetic layer (information recording layer), a protective layer, a lubricant layer and others on a surface of a substrate made of a glass or the like. Among the magnetic recording media, there are a longitudinal magnetic recording medium and a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. In general, longitudinal recording is made on the longitudinal magnetic recording medium.
The protective layer on the magnetic layer prevents the magnetic layer from being damaged due to collision of the flying magnetic head or sliding contact of the contact head, and the lubricant layer provides lubricity between the magnetic head and the medium. This construction enables recording/reproduction by a flying/contact magnetic head. Since the employment of a flying/contact head shortens the distance between the magnetic layer and the head, the considerably higher density information recording becomes feasible, as compared with an optical disk, magneto optical disk or the like using a different type of head.
The magnetic recording medium shows a yearly increase in density, and for realizing this, there have been known a variety of techniques. For example, the approaches involve reducing the flying quantity of a magnetic head, employing a GMR head as a magnetic head, using a high-corecivity magnetic material for a recording layer of a magnetic disk, or reducing the space between information recording tracks on a magnetic disk. For example, for 100 Gbit/inch2, it is said that the track density is necessary to be equal to or more than 100 ktpi.
Each track has a control magnetic pattern formed for control of the magnetic head, for example, a signal for position control of the magnetic head or a signal for synchronous control. An increase in the number of tracks by a reduction of the space of the information recording tracks requires that signals (which sometimes will be referred to hereinafter as "servo signals") for position control of data recording/reproducing head are accordingly located radially and densely, that is, the signals are more placed, for more precise control.
In addition, there is an increasing requirement for enlarging a data recording area by reducing an area other than for data recording, that is, an area for servo signals and a gap section between the servo area and the data recording area, thus enhancing the data recording capacity. This requires the enhancement in the output of the servo signal or the accuracy of the synchronization signal.
A conventional method used widely for production involves making a hole in the vicinity of a head actuator of a drive (magnetic recording apparatus) to insert a pin with an encoder thereinto for establishing the engagement with the actuator through the pin, thereby moving a head up to a correct position for recording a servo signal. However, since the center of gravity of the positioning mechanism and the center of gravity of the actuator exist at different positions, difficulty is encountered in executing track position control with high accuracy and recording a servo signal with a high precision.
In addition, there has been proposed a technique for formation of irregular servo signals in which a laser beam is placed onto a magnetic disk to deform a disk surface locally for formation of physical irregularities. There are problems which arises with this technique, however, in that an unstable state of a flying head due to the irregularities exerts adverse influence on recording/reproduction, cost rises because there is a need to use a high-power laser beam for the formation of the irregularities, and the one-by-one formation of the irregularities is time-consuming.
New servo signal formation methods have been proposed with a view to eliminating these problems.
As one example, there has been known a method in which a servo pattern is formed on a master disk with a high-corecivity magnetic layer and this master disk is brought closely into contact with a magnetic recording medium so that the magnetic pattern is printed thereon by means of an auxiliary magnetic field from the external (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,104).
Another example is that, in a state where a medium is previously magnetized in one direction, a soft magnetic layer with a high permeability but a low corecivity is placed on a master disk in the form of a pattern and the master disk is brought closely into contact with the medium while an external magnetic field is brought to strike thereon. In this example, the soft magnetic layer serves as a shield, and the magnetic pattern is printed in the non-shielded area (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,711, EP915456, Digest of InterMag 2000, GP-06).
This technique features the employment of a master disk and the formation of a magnetic pattern on a medium by a strong magnetic field.
In general, since the strength or magnitude of a magnetic field depends upon distance, in recording a magnetic pattern through the use of a magnetic field, the pattern boundary tends to be unclear due to stray magnetic field. In order to minimize the stray magnetic field, it is essential to make the master disk and the medium come closely into contact with each other. Moreover, it is necessary that, as the pattern becomes finer, they are accordingly brought completely into contact with each other without defining a gap therebetween, and usually, they are pressed against each other through the use of vacuum adhesion or the like.
In addition, the magnetic field to be used for print increases as the corecivity of a medium becomes higher, and the stray magnetic field increases consequently; therefore, there is a need to achieve the contact therebetween more completely.
Thus, although the above-mentioned technique is relatively applicable to a flexible floppy disk easy to press or a low-corecivity magnetic disk which does not require too great contact, considerable difficulty is experienced in applying it to a high-density recording magnetic disk using a hard substrate, whose corecivity exceeds 3000 Oe.
That is, in the case of the magnetic disk using a hard substrate, there is a possibility that microscopic dirt particles or the like get between the master disk and the medium at the contact to produce defects on the medium or damage the high-priced master disk. In particular, for a glass substrate, the contact therebetween does not reach satisfaction because the dirt particles get therebetween, which makes the magnetic print impossible or causes cracks on the magnetic recording medium.
Furthermore, with the technique disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,711, although a pattern formed obliquely with respect to a track direction of a disk is recordable, the recording is limited to the formation of only a pattern with a low signal strength. For a magnetic recording medium with a high corecivity exceeding 2000 to 2500 Oe, in order to secure a magnetic field strength for print, a soft magnetic material such as a permalloy or cendust, which has a high saturated magnetic flux density, is used unavoidably as a ferromagnetic material (shield material) for a pattern of a master disk.
However, in the case of the oblique pattern, a magnetic field for the reverse magnetization becomes perpendicular to a gap defined by the ferromagnetic layer of the master disk, which makes it difficult to tilt the magnetization in a desired direction. In consequence, a part of the magnetic field escapes to the ferromagnetic layer to make it difficult to expose a desired portion to a sufficient magnetic field at magnetic print so that a sufficient reverse magnetization pattern is difficult to form and a high signal strength is hard to obtain. In the case of such an oblique magnetic pattern, its reproduction output drops significantly beyond the azimuth loss with respect to a pattern perpendicular to a track.
On the other hand, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2000-134608 and 2000-134611 relates to the formation of a magnetic pattern on a magnetic recording medium by means of a combination of local heating and exposure to an external magnetic field. For example, in a state where a medium is previously magnetized in one direction, an energy beam or like is applied through a patterned mask thereonto for the local heating and an external magnetic field is brought to strike thereon while the corecivity of the heated area is lowered, thus making recording on the heated area by the external magnetic field for formation of a magnetic pattern.
According to this technique, since the external magnetic field is brought to strike on a medium while the corecivity is lowered by heating, there is no need for the external magnetic field to be higher than the corecivity of the medium, and the recording becomes feasible with a weak magnetic field. Moreover, since the area subjected to recording is limited to the heating area while the recording in other than the heating area cannot be made even if a magnetic field is brought to strike thereon, the recording of a clear magnetic pattern is possible without bringing a mask or the like into contact with the medium. This can prevent the medium or the mask from being damaged due to the press, thus suppressing the defects appearing on the medium.
In addition, this technique enables the formation of a satisfactory oblique magnetic pattern. This is because there is no need to shield the external magnetic field with a soft magnetic material of the master disk unlike the conventional art.
Thus, the magnetic pattern forming technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2000-134608 and 2000-134611 is a superior technique which can efficiently form various minute magnetic patterns with high accuracy and suppress the defects of a medium without damaging the medium or a mask.
However, according to this technique, since the accuracy of the magnetic pattern depends upon the mask patterning accuracy to some extent, for the effective use of this technique, there is a need to conduct minute processing on a mask with high accuracy. If the magnetic pattern is made more minute up to 1 to 2 μm or formed in terms of submicron, because of the limit to the processing accuracy, difficulty can be encountered in patterning a mask with high precision, and the alignment precision between the mask and the medium can deteriorate so that a magnetic pattern cannot be formed with sufficiently high accuracy.

Magnetic pattern forming method, magnetic pattern forming apparatus, magnetic disk, and magnetic recording apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A thermoformed PVC, modified PVC, CPVC, metal or coated metal cover, covering system and method is provided for covering assemblies of pipe and pipe insulation, hangers, support rods and mechanical assemblies wherein the assembly is biocide treated, covered by and completely enclosed by the cover, the cover is sealed in order to prevent bacteria growth within the cover while allowing a smooth outside surface for biocide application. The cover can be modified to facilitate the application of biocide after the assembly is covered by providing resealable openings in said cover.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of pipe insulation. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of pipe insulation for industrial food processing installations and the prevention and inhibition of biological contamination of foodstuffs during processing.
2. Background of the Related Art
Food contamination by bacteria such as salmonella, listeria monocytogenes, campylobacter jejuni, E. coli, yersenia enterocolitica and possibly others have been the cause of the loss of millions of dollars and pounds of food products being recalled from the market place and disposed of, particularly during recent years. The present invention presents a novel solution to this contamination problem thereby addressing a serious public health problem and eliminating large scale waste of food.
Currently, treatment of foods by irradiation appears to be the most efficient means for preventing bacterial contamination of foods. However, the irradiation process tends to affect certain foods, such as changing the color of red meat to an unappetizing brown. In addition, many persons and organizations are concerned about the levels of irradiation being used to ensure uncontaminated food. Therefore, processing the foods under very clean conditions and reducing the amount of irradiation to an acceptable level to ameliorate public concern and minimize aesthetic drawbacks such as color change is a better approach. Unfortunately, maintaining a very strict sanitary environment requires changing piping, hangers, pumps, equipment and all parts of the food processing system. Although generally the present existing systems that are in direct contact with food are designed for easy removal and flushing out with scalding water or steam, other mechanical piping in the area of the system, exterior of process water, including electrical conduit piping, etc. needs to be addressed. Therefore a system of covering over all piping and equipment with thermoformed PVC, higher temperature modified PVC/acrylic, chlorinated vinyl resin (CPVC), metal or coated metal in areas of scalding wash downs or steam cleaning to reduce to an absolute minimum any area where bacteria growth is possible is very important. The system of covering surfaces with PVC is fairly common in food plants, both on bare piping and on insulated piping etc. The use of PVC or CPVC with its high chlorine content deters bacteria growth, and is an ideal primary material for this use. Another advantage is that PVC covers these areas with a minimum disturbance of painted and insulated surfaces on existing systems. However, conventional PVC coverings alone can not guarantee a contaminant-free environment because conventional PVC coverings do not completely encase the assemblies. Therefore, a need exists for PVC or modified PVC pipe coverings that completely encase the mechanical assemblies present in food processing plants. Furthermore, a need exists for pipe covering which can accommodate application of biocides. Finally, there exists a need for a system combining thermoformed PVC or modified PVC-type covering in a food processing plant with reduced irradiation of foods.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a PVC or modified PVC cover which is sealed for covering assemblies of pipe and pipe insulation, hangers and support rods, wherein said cover completely encloses the entire assembly in order to prevent bacteria growth while allowing a smooth surface for easy biocide cleaning.
It is another object of the present invention to form the aforementioned cover of PVC, modified PVC/Acrylic, CPVC, metal or coated metal or any other suitable material that tends to discourage bacteria growth.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system wherein biocide can be brushed, wiped or sprayed over all the portions of the assembly to kill bacteria before installing the cover.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a space under the cover for a thin absorptive sponge type material to which a biocide can be applied periodically through one or more small resealable openings that can be formed in the cover, thereby renewing and refreshing the biocidal activity beneath the cover.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cover comprising a split PVC tube that is pressed in place over a PVC coated support rod attached to the hanger of an assembly to be covered.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide shaped PVC, Acrylic modified PVC, CPVC (or other type) formed elbow, tees, valves, specialty fittings, bare conduit, piping, pumps and equipment that lends itself to being enclosed and/or being treated with biocide prior to being sealed in place.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a system of the aforementioned coverings for assemblies and fittings in a typical food processing facility to prevent biological contamination of foodstuffs.
It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide a method for preventing biological contamination of foodstuffs in a food processing facility comprising the steps of providing the aforementioned system of coverings and irradiating food at the lowest possible level that will destroy bacteria.
The present invention provides a novel thermoformed PVC, modified PVC/acrylic, CPVC, metal or coated metal covering for mechanical assemblies in food plants, such as but not limited to piping, hangers and the like whether the assemblies are insulated, uninsulated, painted, bare or otherwise. The present invention provides a continuous barrier over mechanical assemblies in food plants wherein said assemblies are highly susceptible to bacterial contamination. In one embodiment, the invention is a pipe insulation saddle for covering a clevis-type hanger and a portion of pipe supported by the hanger. It can be seen that this type of mechanical assembly is a fertile ground for bacteria growth. In this embodiment the hanger and pipe cover encases the entire hanger and pipe assembly inside a formed PVC or modified PVC shape that is sealed into place with a suitable adhesive such as but not limited to PVC cement or the like. This allows sprayed or brushed-on biocide such as but not limited to Lysol or other FDA approved material, to be applied onto the assembly prior to the installation of the cover. A small sponge material or the like can be inserted under the cover, preferably saturated with biocide prior to sealing the cover in place. A small opening or openings can be provided in the cover above the sponge area and periodic applications of biocide can be directed onto the sponge area. The opening can be sealed with PVC cement, PVC tape, a PVC patch or any reasonably suitable substitute. This and other modifications of this embodiment results in an atmosphere under the cover that deters and minimizes bacteria growth.
The smooth, chemical resistant PVC or modified PVC cover lends itself to easy cleaning such as by wipe on method.
In another embodiment the invention comprises substantially a humped formed fitting cover that is made with a deliberate hump molded in to cover existing insulated fittings. This embodiment eliminates the need to shave or remove the fitting for reinsulation, preventing possible asbestos cement contamination in the area. This is a considerable improvement over the current available alternative which is to remove the asbestos under strict regulations at very high costs. In this embodiment the PVC or modified PVC cover can accommodate the application of a biocide between the insulated fitting and the PVC cover. The biocide may be applied to the exterior of the insulated fitting or to the interior of the cover. In another embodiment a material such as a sponge for carrying a biocide may be inserted between the fitting and the formed PVC covering. The cover may further include a resealable opening for applying additional biocide after the covering is installed over the fitting. The hump feature may be applied to fitting covers for 45 degree elbows, tees and all other fittings and assemblies.
Fitting covers of all shapes may be employed with the present invention. In addition, fitting covers without the hump feature may be employed in new installations over shaped type insulations.
The foregoing embodiments provide for a system wherein a thin sponge material such as but not limited to xe2x85x9xe2x80x3 thick soft polyurethane can he saturated with Food and Drug Administration approved biocide, inserted between a cover of the present invention and fitting or assembly to be covered and the cover sealed over, creating a biocide atmosphere to prevent bacteria growth under the cover. Small openings can be provided in the cover to allow a periodic application of biocide material to maintain an antibacterial atmosphere under the sealed PVC cover or jacket. The opening can be resealed with PVC cement or a round dot of PVC tape or a suitable substitute. On CPVC jacketing and covering the opening is preferably sealed with CPVC cement. In the present invention it is critical that all joints between PVC or modified PVC covers and jacketing be sealed tight with a suitable adhesive or the like.
In embodiments in which there is insufficient space for a sponge, the biocide material can be painted on or wiped on, before applying and sealing the cover or jacketing. This system may be employed on all unions, valve covers, Victaulic type covers, specialty fittings such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,697 to Botsolas, incorporated herein by reference, flanges and the like. The present invention also applies to all bare fittings and pipes.

Insulation coverage system and method for inhibiting biological contamination


A waterproof connector is constituted by a connector housing provided with a mating hollow to which an opposing connector is fitted and a terminal housing protruded within the mating hollow, a first packing pressure contacted with the opposing connector within the mating hollow so as to be closely attached to a periphery of the terminal housing, and a slide arranged between the terminal housing and the first packing. The connector housing receives a plurality of cables provided with terminals at front ends so as to hold a second packing therebetween. The slide is provided with a plurality of slits being parallel to a sliding direction and respectively inserting the terminals, and a retaining portion extending toward the first packing in one end portion. The slits prevent the terminals from falling off in a side of the retaining portion, and allow the terminals to pass through in an opposite side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a waterproof connector which can securely execute a come-off prevention of a terminal and a waterproofing by a simple structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional waterproof connector is provided with a terminal housing in an inner portion of a connector housing and packing for waterproofing is fitted to a periphery of terminal housings. The connector housing is further provided with a terminal lance for preventing the terminal from falling off. The packing is pressed rearward so as to be held by inserting a front retainer from a forward portion of the terminal housing, and the terminal lance is pushed up so as to be engaged with the terminal, whereby a come-off prevention is executed. By fitting to an opposing connector in this state, the packing is closely attached between the terminal housing and the opposing connector, thereby achieving a waterproofing effect.
Since a compact terminal of the waterproof connector mentioned above has a complex structure, it is hard to make it compact. The present invention is made for the purpose of solving the problem mentioned above, and an object of the present invention provide connector which can easily be applied to the compact terminal by preventing the terminal from falling off on the basis of a simple structure and holding a packing.
The waterproof connector according to the present invention is constituted by a connector housing provided with a mating hollow to which an opposing connector is fitted and a terminal housing protruded within the mating hollow, a first packing pressure contacted with the opposing connector within the mating hollow so as to be closely attached to a periphery of the terminal housing, and a slide arranged between the terminal housing and the first packing. The connector housing receives a plurality of cables provided with terminals at front ends so as to hold a second packing therebetween. The slide is provided with a plurality of slits being parallel to a sliding direction and respectively inserting the terminals, and a retaining portion extending toward the first packing in one end portion. The slits prevent the terminals from falling off in a side of the retaining portion, and allow the terminals to pass through in an opposite side.
At a time of assembling the waterproof connector according to the present invention, the slide is positioned so that the slits allow the terminals to pass through. When positioning the slide on the opposite side, the terminal is prevented from falling off and the retaining portion is brought into contact with the first packing, whereby the packing is held. That is, since it is possible to prevent the terminals from falling off and hold the packing only by switching the slide, the structure becomes significantly simple. Further, since the slide is arranged between the terminal housing and the packing and positioned in an inner side of the mating hollow of the connector housing, it is possible to protect the slide by the connector housing at a time of transporting the waterproof connector or the like, it is possible to prevent an external force from being applied thereto, and it is possible to maintain the sliding state.


A millimeter wave channel estimation method comprises sending signals through a millimeter wave channel according to a first beamforming matrix, performing a channel estimation on the millimeter wave to generate a first measured matrix, and estimating and obtaining at least one angle of departure of the millimeter wave channel according to the first measured matrix and an angle compressive sensing matrix. The first beamforming matrix comprises a plurality of first beamforming vectors, and the first beamforming vectors respectively corresponds to a plurality of first beamforming patterns. The first measured matrix comprises a plurality of first measured parameters respectively corresponding to the first beamforming vectors.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to a channel estimation method, and particularly to a millimeter wave channel estimation method.
2. Related Art
With the development of wireless communication technology, in order to meet the requirements of higher speed and wider bandwidth, the fifth generation mobile communication standard has been established. However, since the low and medium frequency bands in the current spectrum have been used by other wireless communication technologies, the application of millimeter waves in the high frequency band becomes the focus of recent and future wireless communication technology.
At present, the millimeter wave channel estimation is implemented by exhaustive search. The implementation of exhaustive search comprises sending beams at regular intervals of angle of resolution, receiving the beams so as to generate measurement data by the receiving terminal, and using the measurement data to calculate and estimate the channel. However, as the requirements for resolution increase, the number of times of measurements and the quantity of calculation of this method also increase significantly, resulting in a large amount of time consumption.

Millimeter wave channel estimation method

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE


High-voltage, high-frequency and high-power transformer having a core (1) on which a primary winding (2) is disposed on which a secondary winding (4) is disposed in an insulated manner, whereupon the entire assembly is housed and mounted in an insulator (3), wherein the insulator (3) is made up of two parts or halves (6) and (7) symmetrical with respect to a transverse vertical plane, each part having a hollow tubular element (3.1) housed inside an outer housing (3.2) of each half of the insulator, defining in each part an annular space (3.3) comprised between the outer wall of the tubular element (3.1) and the inner wall of the outer housing (3.2), where the secondary or high-voltage winding is disposed, the insulator (3) presenting in its outer housing (3.2) a slot (5), which is situated at zero volts level, and though which the oil penetrates towards the secondary winding.

In the current state of the art, designing and building a high-voltage or high-frequency or high-power transformer is not a problem. However, designing and building a transformer that includes these three characteristics simultaneously represents an enormous challenge, due to the conflicting requirements of each of the aforementioned characteristics.
A high-voltage transformer requires a high degree of insulation between its primary and secondary windings (large distance separating the high- and low-voltage windings or large thickness of the insulators). This separation between windings reduces the magnetic coupling between the two and therefore leakage reactance increases, limiting the power output.
A high-frequency transformer requires a very good coupling between the primary and secondary windings in order to achieve acceptable efficiency and for the power output not to be limited by a poorly efficient coupling (excessive reactance between the primary and secondary winding). To fulfil this requirement, the distance between the primary and secondary windings must be as short as possible (which is exactly the opposite to what is required for a High-Voltage transformer). Also, the higher the operating frequency, the better the coupling needs to be, because the reactance between the windings is directly proportional to the frequency.
A high-power transformer requires the impedance of the windings to be very small and the reactance between the two to be sufficiently low so as not to limit the power output. This reactance is minimized when the coupling between the primary and secondary windings increases, i.e. when the two windings are close to each other (which is exactly the opposite to what is required for a High-Voltage transformer). Moreover, the higher the power output or operating frequency, the better the coupling must be, because the reactance between the windings is directly proportional to the frequency.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to develop a transformer which is simultaneously high-voltage, high-frequency and high-power, wherein the insulation and magnetic coupling requirements are such that the objectives pursued can be achieved by developing a transformer like the one described below, the essence of which is set out in claim one.

Sociedad Espanola De Electromedicina Y Calidad, S.A.


An optical multiplexing system has several optical sensors connected in parallel between a source and a detector, the path length between source and detector via each sensor being different. The source is modulated at a number of different frequencies, the number being equal to that of the sensors. The output of the detector is an electrical signal which is fed to one input of a number of mixers, one for each frequency. The other input of each mixer receives a different one of each of the frequencies so that each mixer produces an output representative of different ones of the sensors.

This invention relates to optical multiplexing systems and methods.
A system including several optical sensors or other devices can be multiplexed by time division multiplexing in which the path lengths between a source of optical radiation and a detector via each sensor are arranged to be different. In this way, a single short pulse of radiation injected by the source into the system, will result in a series of pulses at the detector spaced from each other in time by an amount according to the difference in path lengths via each sensor. The particular sensor associated with each return pulse can be identified by its location in the series of return pulses so that the outputs of the different sensors can be distinguished from one another.
One difficulty with this arrangement is that of ensuring that the pulses do not overlap at the output. To ensure that the output pulses associated with the same input pulse do not overlap, the input pulses must be made sufficiently short and the difference in the time delays between each sensor must be sufficiently long. In order to ensure that the earlier output pulses produced with one input pulse do not overlap with the later output pulses produced by a preceding input pulse, the input pulse repetition rate must be kept low. The maximum pulse repetition rate will be inversely proportional to the number of sensors. The shortening of the input pulses and the limitation on repetition rate has a severe effect on the power budget of the system and, therefore, on the signal-to-noise ratio at the detector.

Smiths Industries Public Limited Company


A lubrication system includes a shaft rotatable about an axis, a lubrication pump configured to supply a lubricant flow to a gear system, and a gear train coupled to the shaft and configured to drive the lubrication pump in a first direction responsive to rotation of the shaft in both the first direction and a second direction. A gas turbine engine and method are also disclosed.

A gas turbine engine typically includes a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. Air entering the compressor section is compressed and delivered into the combustion section where it is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-speed exhaust gas flow. The high-speed exhaust gas flow expands through the turbine section to drive the compressor and the fan section. The compressor section typically includes low and high pressure compressors, and the turbine section includes low and high pressure turbines.
A speed reduction device such as an epicyclical gear assembly may be utilized to drive the fan section such that the fan section may rotate at a speed different than the turbine section so as to increase the overall propulsive efficiency of the engine. In such engine architectures, a shaft driven by one of the turbine sections provides an input to the epicyclical gear assembly that drives the fan section at a reduced speed such that both the turbine section and the fan section can rotate at closer to optimal speeds.
Air moving through a non-operating gas turbine engine may rotate (i.e., windmill) the fan of the gas turbine engine. In some examples, the gas turbine engine is one of a group of engines that propels an aircraft during flight, and windmilling occurs if the gas turbine engine shuts down during flight. In other examples, wind moving though a gas turbine engine on the ground may cause windmilling Even though the engine is not operating, rotation of the fan and the corresponding gear assembly may require lubricant.

Dual direction windmill pump for geared turbofan engine


A fiber-reinforced resin member is provided in which a non-conductive sleeve and first and second non-conductive sheets are disposed between a metal fastening member and CFRP laminate, electrical continuity between the metal fastening member and the CFRP laminate is cut off, and corrosion of the metal fastening member due to galvanic corrosion is prevented. A first annular space is formed between a first flange portion of a first member and the first non-conductive sheet, a second annular space is formed between a second flange portion of a second member and the second non-conductive sheet. Therefore, even if frayed carbon fiber sticks out from a gap between the non-conductive sleeve and the first and second non-conductive sheets, due to the first and second annular spaces being formed therein, it is possible to prevent the sticking-out carbon fiber from contacting the first and second members and providing electrical continuity.

When a component is directly fastened to a CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) laminate by means of a bolt, stress is concentrated in the CFRP laminate in the vicinity of the fastened part, and there is a possibility that the resin will break and the strength with which the component is fastened will be degraded. The strength with which a component is fastened can be enhanced by mounting a metal fastening member in a through hole formed in the CFRP laminate and fastening the component to the metal fastening member by means of a bolt, thus preventing the stress from being concentrated in the CFRP laminate.
However, with the above arrangement, since the CFRP laminate, which is conductive, and the metal fastening member, which is conductive, are in direct contact and are electrically continuous, there is the problem that the metal fastening member will be corroded by the galvanic corrosion effect and the durability will be degraded.
Therefore, an arrangement in which corrosion of a metal fastening member by the galvanic corrosion effect is prevented by laminating a plurality of CFRP prepregs in which an opening is formed in advance, disposing a GFRP (glass fiber-reinforced plastic) SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) formed into a tubular shape within the opening and curing it by applying pressure and heat in the interior of a mold, and covering the inner face of the opening of the CFRP laminate with a GFRP insert member to thus provide electrical insulation is known from Patent Document 1 below.

Fiber-reinforced resin member and method for producing fiber-reinforced resin member


The present disclosure provides a curved film for a mobile phone. The curved film from top to bottom includes in sequence a curved glass layer, a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) layer, an explosion-proof film and an adhesive layer. The technical scheme provided by the present disclosure has benefits of shock proofing and low cost.

Mobile phones, also called wireless phones, are generally called cell phones now. The mobile phones originally served as communication tools only. In the early days, the mobile phones are commonly known as cell phones, which are portable phone terminals that can be used in a wide range. The mobile phones are first developed from the battlefield mobile phones manufactured in the American Bell Laboratory in 1940.
Nowadays, mobile phones have become more than just phone calls. Phone call has now become the most basic function of mobile phones, especially with the advent of smart phones, in which more and more applications are installed. Mobile phones have become the most frequently used electronic device for users. Meanwhile, touch screens also become the most frequently used part of mobile phones. With the advent of flat screen, curved screen and full screen, the shape of the touch screen changes too, on the other hand, the touch screen gets higher and higher in the proportion of its price to the total price of the mobile phone. Therefore, it is more and more important to protect the touch screen of mobile phones. For mobile phones having curved screens, it is needed to provide curved films to protect the curved screens. However, existing curved films for mobile phones cannot protect the curved screens effectively, thereby resulting in poor user experience.

Curved film for mobile phone and production method thereof

Wing Tak Lee Silicone Rubber Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd


There is constructed a constitution including an exhaust gas fired regenerator constituting a heat source by exhaust gas from an external machine generating the exhaust gas, an introducing flow path for guiding the exhaust gas to the exhaust gas fired regenerator, an exhaust flow path for exhausting the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas fired regenerator, a bypass flow path branched from the introducing flow path, flow path switching device including a first damper provided at the introducing flow path and a second damper provided at the bypass flow path for switching flow of the exhaust gas to the introducing flow path and the bypass flow path, a damper provided at the exhaust flow path for cutting off the exhaust gas from flowing in the exhaust flow path and gas delivering device for blowing a gas to a portion of the exhaust flow path between the damper for cutting off the exhaust gas from flowing and the exhaust gas fired regenerator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an absorption chiller-heater, particularly relates to an absorption chiller-heater having an exhaust gas fired regenerator constituting a heat source by exhaust gas.
2. Related Art
According to an absorption chiller-heater having an exhaust gas fired regenerator constituting a heat source by exhaust gas, exhaust gas from an external machine generating the exhaust gas is guided to the exhaust gas fired regenerator via an introducing flow path and the exhaust gas is exhausted from the exhaust gas fired regenerator by an exhaust flow path. At this occasion, in the case in which the absorption chiller-heater is not operated while the external machine generates the exhaust gas, by heat input from the exhaust gas or the like, corrosion or the like is caused at a member constituting the exhaust gas fired regenerator due to crystallization of an absorbent solution at inside of the exhaust gas fired regenerator and occurrence of dew condensation at inside of a flow path of the exhaust gas at inside of the exhaust gas fired regenerator.
Hence, it is conceived to provide a bypass passage for making the exhaust gas flow to exhaust by bypassing the exhaust gas fired regenerator and making the exhaust gas flow to the bypass passage such that the exhaust gas does not flow to the exhaust gas fired regenerator in the case in which the absorption chiller-heater is not operated when the external machine generating the exhaust gas generates the exhaust gas. At this occasion, switching of directions in making the exhaust gas flow to the exhaust gas fired regenerator and the bypass passage is carried out by using a damper in view of a problem of cost or the like.
However, there is a limit in sealing performance of the damper in view of the structure, flow of the exhaust gas cannot completely be stopped and leakage of the exhaust gas is brought about. Therefore, by heat of the exhaust gas flowing to the exhaust gas fired regenerator by leakage of the damper, invariably, corrosion or the like is brought about at a member constituting the exhaust gas fired regenerator due to crystallization of the absorbing solution at inside of the exhaust gas fired regenerator, occurrence of dew condensation at inside of the flow path of the exhaust gas at inside of the exhaust gas fired regenerator and the like.
In contrast thereto, according to the absorption chiller-heater having an exhaust gas fired regenerator of a related art, a merged portion of a bypass flow path and an exhaust flow path is provided with two dampers of a damper on a side of the bypass flow path and a damper on a side of the exhaust flow path, flow of the exhaust gas is switched in a direction of the bypass flow path and a direction of the exhaust path fired regenerator, further, the exhaust flow path is provided with gas delivering device including a blower for blowing a gas to a portion between the damper provided at the exhaust flow path and the exhaust gas fired regenerator. Thereby, in the case in which the absorption chiller-heater is not operated when the external machine generating the exhaust gas generates the exhaust gas, the exhaust gas is guided to the bypass flow path by closing the damper on the side of the exhaust gas flow path and opening the damper on the side of the bypass flow path and the gas is delivered into the gas flow path by the gas delivering device to thereby prevent the exhaust gas from flowing into the exhaust gas fired regenerator (refer to, for example, JP-A-2002-168544 (pages 3–4, FIG. 1))
Further, there is also constructed a constitution in which the introducing flow path is provided with two dampers at an interval therebetween, dampers are provided in the bypass passage and the exhaust passage, a gas delivering device is provided at a portion between the two dampers of the introducing flow path, further, there is provided pressure detecting device for detecting a pressure difference between a pressure at the portion between the two dampers of the introducing flow path and a pressure at a portion of the introducing flow path on an upstream side of the damper disposed on the upstream side with respect to flow of the exhaust gas. In this case, when the pressure at the portion between the two dampers of the introducing flow path is higher than the pressure at the portion of the introducing flow path on the upstream side of the damper disposed on the upstream side with respect to the flow of the exhaust gas, the gas delivering device is driven to thereby prevent the exhaust gas flowing to the exhaust gas fired regenerator by leakage of the damper (refer to, for example, JP-UM-A-57-30680 (pages 4–10, FIG. 2)).
Meanwhile, according to the constitution of providing two dampers of the damper on the side of the bypass flow path and the damper on the side of the exhaust flow path and providing the gas delivering device in the exhaust flow path as in JP-A-2002-168544, the upstream side of the exhaust gas fired regenerator with respect to the flow of the exhaust gas, that is, the side of the introducing flow path is brought into an opened state. Therefore, in order to prevent the exhaust gas from invading inside of the exhaust gas fired regenerator, a comparatively large gas volume is needed for the blower provided at the gas delivering device. However, the larger the gas volume of the blower, the more increased is power consumption, noise or the like and it is necessary to restrain the gas volume of the blower as less as possible.
In contrast thereto, according to the constitution of installing the two dampers at an interval therebetween at the introducing flow path and installing the gas delivering device or the like between the two dampers of the introducing flow path as in JP-UM-A-57-30680, the gas volume of the blower can be restrained since a pressure in a closed space at the portion between the two dampers for introducing flow path may be increased. However, the constitution is complicated such that the number of the dampers is increased or the like.


A method is provided for forming a semiconductor device including a semiconductor body having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface, with a plurality of vertical semiconductor components extending between the first and second surfaces. At least one partial structure having a lateral semiconductor component is disposed beneath the first surface. An electrically-insulating vertical wall surrounds the partial structure and extends into the semi-conductor body a predetermined depth from the first surface. The second surface of the semiconductor surface of the semiconductor body includes a recess in the region of the partial structure. The bottom of the recess extends to the vertical wall at the predetermined depth from the first surface. An insulating layer covers the bottom of the recess.

The invention relates to a method for producing a semiconductor structure having a plurality of vertical and at least one lateral semiconductor component integrated in a disk-shaped semiconductor body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, with the lateral semiconductor components being disposed beneath the first surface, and the plurality vertical semiconductor components extending between the first and the second surfaces. The at least one lateral semiconductor component being disposed inside a partial structure which is insulated from adjacent regions. The thickness of the semiconductor body is reduced in the region of the partial structure. As used herein, the term semiconductor component is intended to mean semiconductor device or devices integrated into a semiconductor body.
A method of producing, such a semiconductor structure is disclosed in EP-A-0,193,172. In this instance, a vertical MOS transistor is described which is disposed in a semiconductor body along with a lateral switching circuit. The MOS transistor and the lateral switching circuit are isolated from one another by a p-n junction. It does not follow from EP-A-0,193,172 to integrate a plurality of vertical components in the semiconductor body. A disadvantage in the disclosed type of insulation EP-A-0,193,172 is that the space-charge region present at the p-n junction requires a great deal of space that cannot be used for the insertion of components. Moreover, the doping of the regions lying adjacent to the isolation cannot be freely selected; namely--for obtaining a space-charge region--a p-doped and an n-doped zone must always be present alternatingly so that a p-n junction results. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that, at a p-n junction, the correct polarity (in the blocking direction) must be heeded, because otherwise the isolating effect of the junction is lost. The permitted potential in the one region is therefore a function of that in the other region--located behind the p-n junction.

Process for producing a semiconductor structure including a plurality of vertical semiconductor devices and at least one lateral semiconductor device integrated in a semiconductor body


An apparatus for generating artificial light that closely simulates the intensity and spectrum of natural light and other dynamic light conditions. The apparatus includes a collection of light sources of various colors which are controlled by a computer. Attached to the computer is a sensor that measures the spectral qualities of the light produced by the light sources. The sensor sends this information to the computer which then adjusts the light sources to generate the desired light conditions.

The present invention relates to systems for simulating light conditions.
Humans and other animals live under conditions of natural illumination. Natural light is a dynamic light condition that exhibits daily and seasonal changes in intensity, color spectrum, and duration. Many species of plants, animals, and microorganisms have biological processes that are attuned to environmental illumination patterns and lighting conditions. It is well known that changes in these illumination patterns and lighting conditions can have significant physiological and behavioral effects. For instance, the seasonal growth and reproduction cycles of many plant species are tied to seasonal changes in natural light conditions. Some plants, for example, that always flower at a specific time of year are sensitive to the photoperiod, the relative lengths of night and day, and use this to determine when to flower.
Changes in illumination patterns and lighting conditions can also have dramatic effects on the physiology, psychology, and mood of humans. For instance, in certain geographical areas, an estimated 20% of the human population may be affected by winter depression, or seasonal affective disorder (xe2x80x9cSADxe2x80x9d), a condition associated with reduced exposure to natural light during the winter season. Symptoms of this disorder can include fatigue, depression, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. Recent research has revealed that extended exposure to bright light can help alleviate many of the symptoms of SAD in some patients.
Most living creatures, including humans, have an internal biological clock that controls many life functions in rhythmic patterns, which include 24-hour patterns known as circadian rhythms. These biological rhythms help to regulate a wide variety of biological processes. A number of maladies, such as jet lag, certain mood disorders, and sleep disorders, are associated with a disruption in these intrinsic rhythms. Since environmental illumination patterns are believed to play a role in regulating the internal clock of humans and other organisms, various forms of light therapy have been used to treat many of these conditions.
Many of the artificial indoor lighting conditions that are commonly encountered in modern society are arbitrary and bear little relationship to natural light conditions. It is believed that certain artificial lighting conditions may have an adverse effect on the natural biological rhythms that influence human behavior. These effects are likely to be particularly pronounced when individuals spend prolonged periods of time in windowless interiors where there is little or no exposure to natural light conditions. Although little is presently known about the impact that arbitrary artificial lighting conditions may have on long term human performance and productivity, in many instances human health, comfort, and psychological well-being may well be enhanced by providing lighting conditions that more closely mimic the patterns, intensity, and spectrum of natural light.
Previous attempts have been made to develop illumination devices that simulate natural light conditions. For example, Maute et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,124 describe an illumination apparatus that uses an artificial light source concealed by shutters. As the shutters gradually open they expose increasingly larger portions of the light source, thereby simulating dawn and morning light conditions. Conversely, as the shutters close, they gradually conceal increasingly larger portions of the light source, thereby simulating afternoon and dusk conditions. Daffer et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,578 disclose a sauna bed that is capable of simulating the intensity and direction of natural light at mid-day. Colored lights and a strobe light located in the hood of the sauna bed provide alternative lighting regimes. Terman et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,343,121 and 5,589,741 describe a system that produces variable intensity illumination cycles that can be programmed to correspond to naturally occurring illumination cycles. Gart et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,027 disclose an apparatus that delivers optical light energy for the therapeutic treatment of various dermatological and internal diseases. The device includes lenses, filters, fiber optics, and power control elements to regulate the intensity and frequency of the light energy being applied to the patient. Recently, Dial in U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,024 described a compact illumination apparatus for treating light deficiency and mood disorders that utilizes neon fixtures. The apparatus employs multiple colored tubes, dimmers, and timers to simulate natural lighting conditions, such as sunrise and sunset.
Illumination devices that provide controlled exposure to bright light or that attempt to simulate natural light conditions have been used to treat a variety of physical and psychological disorders, including SAD, jet lag, sleep disorders, circadian abnormalities, and the like. Such devices have also been used in research laboratories to study the effects of environmental illumination patterns in a wide range fields, including animal behavior and plant physiology.
The present invention features an apparatus and method for generating artificial light that mimics a dynamic light condition. The apparatus includes (a) multiple illumination sources that emit light of different wavelengths; (b) a means for detecting the spectral characteristics of the sum of the emitted light and transmitting this information to a computer; and (c) a means for sending control signals from the computer to the illumination sources to control the intensity of illumination from a plurality of the illumination sources to alter the spectral characteristics of the emitted light so that the light mimics the desired dynamic light condition over time. In one embodiment, the dynamic light condition that the apparatus mimics is natural light.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes sources of white, blue, yellow, and red light. It also includes an electronic driver capable of translating low-level control signals generated by standard computer peripherals into high-power signals for directly controlling the illumination sources. The means for detecting spectral characteristics of the emitted light includes a collection of photocells and filters. The computer is preferably a stand-alone personal computer.
The invention can be used to treat a variety of light-sensitive psychological disorders, including SAD, depression, sleep disorders, jet lag, chronobiological disorders, and circadian rhythm disorders. It can also be used to alter natural animal behavior, including facilitating or inhibiting seasonal behaviors such as mating. In another embodiment, the invention can be used to facilitate, inhibit or otherwise modify cycles of plant growth, flowering, or fruit production.
The present invention is able to simulate all of the gradual changes in intensity, spectrum, and duration exhibited by natural light at different times of the day and year, and at different locations on the planet, thereby mimicking the dynamic qualities of natural light. It has a wide range of potential applications, including use in the work-place, research situations, hospitals, industry, and in the home.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof and from the claims.

Illumination apparatus for simulating dynamic light conditions


Fresh water and mechanical energy are obtained from melting of icebergs. Warm surface seawater is contacted with a fluid, which is vaporized. The resulting vapor is used to generate mechanical energy and then is condensed by contacting it with cold melt water from the iceberg. The fluid is regenerated with a concomitant elevation in the temperature of the melt water. The warmer melt water is cycled to the body of the iceberg to facilitate its melting and produce additional cold melt water, which is apportioned as fresh water and water cycled to condense the aforesaid vapor.. In an alternate embodiment of the invention warm seawater is evaporated at reduced pressure. Mechanical energy is generated from the vapor, which is then condensed by direct and intimate contact with cold melt water from the iceberg. The resultant fresh water is a mixture of condensed vapor and melt water from the iceberg and has a temperature greater than the cold melt water. This fresh water mixture is contacted with the body of the iceberg to further melt it; part of the cold melt water is separated as fresh water and the remainder is cycled for use in condensing the vapor from the warm surface seawater.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to and has among its objects the provision of novel methods and apparatus for melting icebergs. It is a particular object of the invention to provide both fresh water and mechanical energy from the melting of icebergs. Further objects of the invention will be evident from the following description wherein parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The most productive agricultural regions are arid regions because they are rich in solar energy and their soils are high in nutrients. However, these agriculturally productive arid regions must obtain irrigation water from humid areas. To significantly extend crop acreage, therefore, it is necessary to expand irrigation.
One solution proposed for providing an inexpensive source of irrigation water for arid regions is the use of melt water from icebergs. The annual yield of fresh water from icebergs is estimated at 12,000 cubic kilometers, the total world iceberg accumulation being six times this amount. Annual yield of fresh water from Antartic icebergs alone would provide sufficient water to irrigate about 90 million hectares or 40% of currently irrigated land.
A number of modes of iceberg transport have been disclosed: Science Digest, Vol. 39, page 1 (1956); Water Resources Journal, Vol. 100, page 1 (1974); Bull. Atom. Scient., Vol. 29, page 35 (1973); Journal of Glaciology, Vol. 12, page 207 (1973); Ocean Industry, Vol. 8, page 28 (1973); and New Scientist, Vol. 75, page 11 (1977). It has been calculated that icebergs could be delivered to the United States at a cost that would make them highly attractive as a source of both irrigation and drinking water.
The major problem in obtaining water from icebergs in the large expenditure of energy required to melt an iceberg. Indeed, the energy necessary to melt an iceberg is about 2,000 times greater than the energy needed to transport it. Solar energy has been considered, but it is postulated that direct contact of the desert sun of Saudi Arabia on an iceberg would melt only approximately 10 vertical meters of iceberg per year. Another suggestion as an energy source is waste heat from coastal electric power plants. However, this would require bringing an iceberg close to coastal boundaries, which presents some difficulty because of the depth of an iceberg and the necessity for running pipe lines to convey the source of waste heat to the iceberg and the fresh water from the iceberg to the coast.
The oceans of the world represent a vast source of solar energy and the idea of recovering this energy is old in the art, being first proposed in 1881. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (hereinafter referred to as OTEC) has been described recently. Basically, OTEC involves converting the difference in temperatures of warmer surface sea water and cooler deep sea water into mechanical energy (Solar Energy, Vol. 18, pages 81-92 (1976)). In closed cycle OTEC a fluid, such as ammonia or a halogenated hydrocarbon, is heated with warm seawater through a heat exchanging boundary to vaporize it. After expansion through a turbine, the vapor is condensed on a heat exchanging surface with cold seawater (Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 88, page 41, (1966); Chem. Eng. News, Vol. 54, page 19 (1976); and Solar Energy, Vol. 20, page 259 (1978)). Open cycle OTEC (U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,449) is a simpler concept than closed cycle OTEC since cool seawater is employed directly to condense vaporized warm seawater. However, even open cycle OTEC has the disadvantage that heat exchangers are required in order to produce fresh water from seawater.

Melting icebergs to produce fresh water and mechanical energy

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


A dry-type analytical element for immunoassay utilizing antigen-antibody reaction in which the antigenic component is isolated from the antibody component by incorporating both components in separate layers or separately in a layer using different solvents. The analytical element is excellent in sensitivity and accuracy, and the analytical operation is simple.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an analytical element for immunoassay utilizing antigen-antibody reaction and preparation thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, analytical methods using dry-type analytical elements have been developed. In a dry-type analytical element, generally, an analyte, such as a biochemical substance contained in a body fluid, is allowed to react with reagent(s) incorporated in the analytical element. The amount of a particular reaction product or unreacted component is then determined by measuring the coloring, discoloring, fluorescence, luminescence or the like, optically, such as by spectrophotometry, to determine the content of the analyte. By using the dry-type analytical element, a particular component, such as a biochemically active substance, in a liquid sample can be analyzed simply, rapidly and acurately.
On the other hand, an immunoassay utilizing a dry-type analytical element has been reported in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,992,158 and 4,459,358, German Patent Application 3 343 695A.
The antigen-antibody reaction in the field of immunology is the reaction in which an antibody or antigen specifically reacts with the corresponding antigen or antibody alone. It is widely utilized for the diagnosis of diseases of autoimmune system, detection of a trace component in a living body and the like. However, since methods utilizing antigen-antibody reactions require significant operational skills, it has been desired in the field of clinical tests to develop a measuring method requiring only simple operations which produces accurate results.
The method of measuring an antigen disclosed in EP 979 52A is a typical method utilizing a multilayer analytical element. This analytical element is composed of a spreading layer containing an antigen labeled with a fluorescent material, a partition layer composed of a porous medium and a reaction layer containing an immobilized antibody. The amount of the antigen is determined in this element by measuring the decrease of fluorescence intensity, utilizing the competitive antigen-antibody reactions between the antigen in a sample solution and the labeled antigen.
As another immunoassay method having a relatively high sensitivity, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is known. A typical EIA is the solid phase competitive reaction method comprising allowing the antigen to be measured and an enzyme-labeled antigen or its analogue to react competitively with immobilized antibody, conducting bound-free (B/F) separation, and measuring the activity of either the enzyme bound to the antibody or the free enzyme to determine the amount of the antigen to be measured. In order to eliminate the B/F separation, an enzyme whose activity increases or decreases by binding to the antibody is necessary.
In order for these measuring systems to work effectively, two components, i.e. an enzyme-labeled antigen or its derivative and an immobilized antibody in one case, or an enzyme labeled antibody or its derivative and an immobilzed antigen in the other case, are necessary. In either case, these two components should be isolated so as not to react with each other before measuring. Satisfactory analytical sensitivity was not obtained in most of the known dry-type analytical elements because of a low signal/background ratio caused by insufficient isolation of the two components.

Analytical element for immunoassay and method for its preparation


Enzymes and/or bacteria cells are immobilized by forming an aqueous mixture of enzymes and/or bacteria cells and a hydrophobic, vitrifiable monomer in an amount of at least 76% by weight of all monomers present, and irradiating the mixture by means of ionizing radiation at a temperature less than -10.degree. C. to polymerize the monomer.

This invention relates to a process for producing a composition containing insolubilized enzyme and/or insolubilized bacterial cells which can be continuously employed for a long period or which can be repeatedly employed many times in a batch system.
Recently the enzyme industry has become important and has made remarkable progress in producing medicine and food by utilizing enzyme or cells to carry out a variety of reactions.
In the prior art, enzyme reaction was effected by using enzyme solution. In this case, however, after the reaction is completed, the enzyme solution employed in the reaction cannot be reused, because the used enzyme solution contains the resulting reaction product. Therefore, since the enzyme solution employed in the one reaction must be removed from the reaction system, a batch system must be used for the enzyme reaction. In other words, in enzyme reactions using enzyme solution, the maximum effectiveness of the enzyme is not obtained.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,490 by Guttag discloses the microorganisms are entrapped in a hydrophilic catalyst. However, the Guttag invention relates to the quick or controlled release of living microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, yeast and viruses or to providing limited contact between the microorganism and an environment on which it acts. The object of the Guttag invention is to store living microorganisms so that they can be released or can act in an appropriate area and/or at an appropriate time. That is, the object of Guttag invention is to keep the microorganisms dry or out of contact with air until use.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,169 by O'Driscoll et al discloses that enzymes are provided in gels.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,964 by Huper et al discloses that polypeptide such as enzymes are rendered water-soluble by bonding to a cross-linked copolymer.
U.S. Ser. No. 606,209 filed on Aug. 20, 1975 by Kaetsu et al, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,066, discloses a process for producing polymer-enzyme composition containing insolubilized enzyme and/or bacterial cells, characterized by irradiating the mixture of a vitrificable monomer and enzyme and/or cells by means of an ionizing radiation at a temperature of less than 0.degree. C. The monomers employed in U.S. Ser. No. 606,209 differ from the monomers employed in the present invention. U.S. Ser. No. 688,081 filed on May 19, 1976 by Kaetsu et al, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,845, discloses a similar process. The monomers employed in U.S. Ser. No. 688,081 are water-soluble. The ratio of the activity of the enzyme-polymer composition of U.S. Ser. Nos. 606,209 and 688,081 to the activity of an aqueous solution containing the same enzyme (sometimes referred to as the degree of activity maintained) is as low as 60% or less. In addition, when the enzyme-polymer composition prepared according to U.S. Ser. Nos. 606,209 and 688,081 is used for a long period under severe conditions, the enzyme is likely to be released. Therefore, the enzyme reaction can not continuously be carried out for a long period in a column by using said enzyme-polymer composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,038 to Kawashima et al discloses that enzymes are entrapped in polymers of acrylamide, bisacrylamide, acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, potassium acrylate and calcium acrylate. The monomers employed in Kawashima et al are in a crystalline state at a temperature less than 0.degree. C. Polymerizability of the crystallizable monomer is lowered at a temperature less than 0.degree. C., because molecular motion of the monomer is restricted by formation of the crystal lattice. When a large total dose of ionizing radiation is used for polymerizing the monomer, there is possiblity of deactivation of the enzyme and the bacterial cells. When the monomer is crystallized at a low temperature, the enzyme and cells can hardly penetrate into the monomer phase. Therefore, enzyme or cells are not firmly entrapped in polymer according to the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,038.
Japanese Patent Publication (laid open) No. 92446/1973 corresponding to U.S. Ser. No. 225,489 filed on Feb. 11, 1972, now abandoned, discloses an article composed of a water-insoluble, hydrophilic polymer in which an enzyme is entrapped, said polymer being polymers obtained from the monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxy loweralkyl acrylate, hydro loweralkyl methacrylate, hydroxyloweralkoxy loweralkyl acrylate, hydroloweralkoxy loweralkyl methacrylate, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-loweralkylacrylamide, N-loweralkyl methacrylamide, N-hydroxyloweralkyl acrylamide and N-hydroloweralkyl methacrylamide. However, these monomers disclosed in the above Japanese Publication are water-soluble.
In other words, the prior process for entrapping enzyme or bacterial cells had the disadvantages that the enzyme is likely to release from the polymer. Therefore, compositions containing insolubilized enzyme prepared according to the prior processes can be used only for a short period in a continuous process, and can not be repeatedly used many times in a batch process.
A process for insolubilizing enzyme which comprises mixing enzyme with an water-soluble monomer, and then polymerizing the monomer has been proposed. However, enzyme is unstable to heat, so the polymerization must be carried out at a low temperature. But, the polymerizing reactivity of the monomer is lowered at a low temperature.

Immobilization of enzymes or bacteria cells


A window including a sash assembly having a combination support and screw attachment bar for use with a plastic box-like girder is disclosed. The structural support fits within the plastic girder to provide additional structural rigidity and includes an extension portion adapted to receive a fastening means for providing a secure fastening arrangement for a window latch or other apparatus. The identical structural support may be used in other portions of the window to provide additional structural strength adjacent a lift bar portion for manually manipulating a sash assembly.

This invention relates to a window assembly including a rigid structural support sized to fit within a portion of the window and acting as an attachment bar. More specifically, the present invention concerns an aluminum extrusion having an extension coacting with a fastener, said extrusion being inserted within a plastic box-like girder for providing additional structural support to the window assembly.
Plastic or rigid vinyl-type windows have been found advantageous for many reasons. Plastic is typically utilized as a construction material for windows because it requires low maintenance and has good heat transfer characteristics in that the thermal transmittance between the space to be conditioned and the ambient is low. Metal windows although capable of requiring low levels of maintenance are not particularly effective at preventing heat transfer Wood windows although effective at preventing heat transfer typically require a high level of maintenance.
In order to effectively utilize plastic windows, it has been found that a box girder construction is particularly suitable. To provide additional structural strength under conditions where necessary, such as in larger-sized windows, reinforcing supports made of a rigid material such as aluminum, may be utilized.
In some plastic windows it has been found necessary to utilize screw attachment bars for providing a firm anchor for screws extending through a plastic member for securing means to lock the window in a closed position. Merely screwing a latch into the plastic provides an opportunity for easy break-in by merely forcing the window and stripping the screw from the plastic. Hence, a metallic bar extending across the plastic member has been used such that significant force is required before the latch can be displaced from the window.
The herein structural support is designed to include an extension portion which serves as a screw attachment bar such that an integral extrusion not only provides structural support, but serves an additional function. This same integral piece may be used in other areas of the window, specifically in those areas where the screw attachment extension serves to provide structural support adjacent a lift bar or handle portion of a sash assembly of the window.
The herein structural support also includes a screw boss for receipt of a fastener extending through a vertical rail into the support. This arrangement acts to dramatically incraese the corner strength of the window and ties the vertical rail to the support.

Combination support and attachment bar for a window


A template matching module is configured to program a processor to apply multiple differently-tuned object detection classifier sets in parallel to a digital image to determine one or more of an object type, configuration, orientation, pose or illumination condition, and to dynamically switch between object detection templates to match a determined object type, configuration, orientation, pose, blur, exposure and/or directional illumination condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to face and other object detection and recognition, particularly using parallel template matching with different sets of classifiers trained for detecting different objects and/or faces and/or different configurations, orientations or image capture conditions of objects and/or faces in digital images.
2. Description of the Related Art
Viola-Jones proposes a classifier chain consisting of a series of sequential feature detectors. The classifier chain rejects image patterns that do not represent faces and accepts image patterns that do represent faces.
A problem in face or other object detection and recognition processes arises when different faces or other objects appear in a scene or configured, oriented and/or captured differently such that a distribution in a large area of face/object space makes correct classification difficult without resource or time-intensive analysis. Different faces or other objects, or faces or other objects with similar configuration, orientation or image capture conditions such as illumination tend to be clustered together, and correct clustering of images of the same person or object is difficult. It is desired to be able to detect and/recognize within digital images different faces and other objects, and same faces and objects having different configurations or orientations or captured under different image capture conditions, while also conserving temporal resources.

Face or other object detection including template matching


Methods, systems, and computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon for implementing methods are directed to facilitating data exchange, such as accessing and operating on data objects, between field applications, such as mobile clients, and dedicated servers by leveraging the features of middleware. An embodiment includes a first server providing a first set of services and data to a mobile client. A first communicating middleware is connected between the first server and the mobile client according to a first communication functionality. A second server provides a second set of services and data according to a second communication functionality that is different from the first communication functionality. A second middleware communicates with the second server according to the second communication functionality, and communicates with the first middleware according to the first communication functionality. The second middleware is connected to the second server and the first middleware.

Some businesses have a need for providing fast access to company information to employees in the field, e.g., sales professionals, purchasers, executives and the like. For example, a professional uses customer information and service information stored on a customer relationship management server which is also stored in a laptop to execute the services for the customers. The professional generates documents and inquiries that are sent to the customer relationship management server. However, at times, an existing or new field application requires additional objects from a third system, such as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. By using the dedicated middleware alone, it is not possible to support the required data exchange of additional data from the third system because the middleware is designed to work only between the dedicated server application and field application. The middleware cannot replicate data with a third system; meaning the following functional features, such as a capability to pull data from another system, capability to determine deltas, or changes, capability to the pulled data, capability to perform a key mapping between the involved systems, and capability to handle data with specific formatting, such as documents formatted for transferring the data for a business transaction including data change pointers originating from the third system, are missing.
Field or mobile applications, such as a mobile subscriber application, exchange data with dedicated server applications using dedicated middleware. The mobile service application may be a mobile function hosted on a laptop-based application, for example, used by a service technician working in the field and providing services to customers. The field, or mobile, application acts as a channel to exchange data with an application server, such as a customer relationship management (CRM) application. Functionalities in the mobile application extend some functionalities provided in the application server to a user of the field or mobile application. To exchange data between the mobile application server and the mobile application, middleware functionalities may be used.
At present, available methods do not appear to support the required the data exchange with additional data from the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system using CRM middleware alone. In available methods, the CRM middleware is designed to work only between the CRM server application and other applications. Technically, it is understood that the CRM middleware cannot replicate with a third system. For example, such functional features as a pull mechanism, key mapping service, delta compare service to compare deltas on pulled data and intermediate document handling may not be available via such a system.
It is generally not feasible to replace the mobile application middleware (used by the mobile client) fully because of the existing functionalities and landscape dependencies of mobile clients on the present mobile application middleware. Accordingly, a need exists to develop a solution that provides the functions which overcome the above and other limitations of the described mobile application computing environment.

Method and system for cascading a middleware to a data orchestration engine


A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate, an array of cells on the substrate, a plurality of vertical charge transfer sections extending in a first direction on the substrate, and a horizontal charge transfer section extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction on the substrate and being coupled to the vertical charge transfer section. The cell array includes a plurality of columns of cells that are associated with a corresponding one of the vertical transfer sections. The cell columns include a predetermined number of spaced-part cells that are series-connected along the second direction to constitute a NAND type cell structure. At least one cell-to-cell charge transfer electrode overlies a channel region as defined between adjacent ones of the NAND cells in the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to solid-state imaging devices, and in more particular to charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors. The invention also relates to highly integrated semiconductor imagers for use in small size photoelectric equipments such as video movie cameras, electronic still cameras or the like, the imagers providing an electrical signal indicative of an incident image introduced from a scene.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the increasing needs for high performance and "down-sizing" of photoelectric equipments such as home-use video cameras, personal electronic still cameras or the like, development of a solid-state image sensing device with further enhanced integration density has been demanded strongly. As the number of cells increases on a semiconductor substrate of limited size, the cell size decreases, the magnitude of the charge storage (charge handling capability) in each cell of necessity decreases. These factors reduce the sensitivity, which may lead to a decrease in the quality of sensed image.
The presently available charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors include an array of rows and columns of picture elements or cells each having a diode for storing therein a packet of photoelectrically produced signal-charge carriers indicative of an incident image introduced from a scene. A plurality of charge transfer sections called the "vertical CCD shift registers" extend along the columns of cells on the substrate in such a manner that each vertical CCD shift register is associated with a corresponding one of the columns of cells. The vertical CCD shift registers are coupled at their outputs to another charge transfer section that extends perpendicularly to the vertical CCD shift registers, which is known as the "horizontal CCD shift register" among those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.
In other words the prior art CCD imagers should require the presence of one vertical charge transfer section with respect to the photosensitive section of each of a number of cells. This necessitates the alternate positioning of the vertical charge transfer sections and the columns of cells on the substrate of a limited surface area. It should not be permissible that such transfer sections are simply decreased in width in order to provide the charge transfer performance of necessity. The prior art imagers are arranged so as to cause the occupation ratio of the vertical transfer sections on the substrate surface to be greater than a predetermined allowable value. This is due to the fact that, if the width of vertical transfer sections is decreased to increase the effective substrate surface area used for the layout of cell array thereon in order to achieve a further integration density, the resultant signal-charge transferring performance of the vertical transfer sections toward the horizontal charge transfer section is decreased, which leads to the impossibility of transferring sufficient sensed signal charge packet. This is a serious bar to the achievement of further integration density of CCD imagers. There is a trade-off between the accomplishment of further integration density and that of higher quality of a reproduced image; the conflicting objectives have forced experts in the art to suffer from walking the long and winding road of comprise.
To enhance the integration, a photoconversion layer overlaid image sensor has been developed, which may be called the "photoconductive-layered solid-state imaging device" (PSID). With the imager of this type, an amorphous semiconductor photoconductive film is stacked over a substrate to cover an array of rows and columns of cells as a whole. The film may internally produce a packet of signal charge carriers corresponding to an optical image introduced to the film, which carriers are then supplied by lead electrodes to respective cells each having a PN-junction diode for charge storage.
According to the photoconversion layer overlaid CCD imager, the aperture ratio of photodiodes is almost 100 percent, causing the cell size of necessity to decrease accordingly. The effective substrate surface area utilized for the layout of cells can thus be increased; this permits an increased number of cells to be mounted on the same substrate. The integration density increases. However, by taking account of the fact that the requirement of higher integration will continue endlessly in the art of CCD imagers, the advantages of the CCD imager structure will reach a limit in the near future.

Solid-state imaging device with nand cell structure


A method, system and computer program product for remotely debugging a malfunctioning node controller of a node in a distributed node network through a functioning node controller of the same node. The method comprises establishing a serial link between the malfunctioning node controller and a functioning node controller and configuring the functioning node controller as a virtual console by the remotely-located central data processing system (DPS). The method further includes receiving, via an internal Fru Support Interface (FSI) link, serial data from the malfunctioning node controller through the virtual console, and debugging, by the DPS, a failure condition of the malfunctioning node controller, in response to receipt of the serial data through the virtual console.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to data processing system and in particular to a method and system for remote node debugging using an embedded node controller of a node with disk-less embedded node controllers.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a distributed computing network many nodes are linked together to provide a variety of services. If a node controller in the distributed network malfunctions, the malfunctioning node controller may not be accessible through an Ethernet port. Accordingly, tools available to a network operator to diagnose the cause of the node controller failure may not be useable, especially when there may be an Ethernet port failure. Diagnosing a malfunctioning node controller becomes more challenging for a disk-less embedded node controller.
One method of accessing a node controller to debug or diagnose node controller failures includes an Ethernet dongle. The Ethernet dongle is a hardware component configured to connect to a RS-232 port of a malfunctioning node controller. The Ethernet dongle is configured to allow data to be converted to Ethernet packets that can be accessed remotely. Another method for accessing a node controller includes use of an actual physical connection. A physical connection is created from a personal computer (PC) to the malfunctioning node controller. The PC is then capable of accessing the node controller to debug or diagnose the failure condition.
Both of the above methods require special hardware and hardware access to the malfunctioning node controller which can be costly as the number of nodes and node controllers increase.

Method and system for remote node debugging using an embedded node controller

International Business Machines Corporation


An electronic device for a head-mounted device (HMD) is provided. The electronic device includes a display, a memory configured to store virtual reality content, a processor configured to play back binocular image data based on the virtual reality content on the display, and a communication circuit configured to communicate with an external device. At this time, the processor is configured to determine whether the virtual reality content is stored in the external device and to determine data to be transmitted to the external device based on the determined result.

In recent, various electronic devices that are directly worn on a body are being developed. Generally, the devices are referred to as "wearable electronic devices". For example, the wearable electronic device includes a head-mounted display (HMD), a smart glass, a smart watch, a wristband, a contact lens-shaped device, a ring-shaped device, shoe type devices, a wearable device, a glove-shaped device, and the like. The wearable electronic device is directly worn on a body or clothes, thereby significantly improving portability and accessibility of a user.
An HMD, which is mounted on the head of a user, from among various embodiments of the wearable electronic device provides a specific image that is displayed at a point adjacent to both eyes of a user, providing a realistic image to the user.
Generally, while being spaced apart from a user by a specific distance, a television (TV) or a display device provides an image, and thus a plurality of users watch the same image through the TV or the display device at the same time. However, an HMD is mounted on the head of the user and only provides image content to the user. Accordingly, two or more users do not share the same image content.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Method for sharing images and electronic device performing thereof