A body assembly system with work stations and a body handling device between work stations includes reference members mounted in an adaptable manner and handling device for supporting the body on the handling device during movement between work stations. The system also includes grasping devices mounted in the work stations for grasping the reference members and positioning them accurately while disengaging them temporarily from the handling device in such a manner as to position the body supported on the reference members accurately in the station space. The reference members are advantageously provided in the form of vertical pins ending below in a ball graspable by the grasping devices to raise the pins from resting on the handling device.

The present invention related to a station and a body assembly system.
In the prior art there are systems and assembly stations for welding automotive vehicle bodies and the like in which programmable robots apply welding spots in formation stations (termed `geometry`) and in subsequent completion stations for finishing.
These systems generally include a plurality of handling pallets each provided with centering pins on which is positioned the lower surface of a preassembled body made up of a series of pressed sheet metal panels. The pallet comprises a series of locking members for holding the body in the predetermined position. Usually the pallet comprises series of reference pins fixed to the pallet structure and on which the body is rested. A handling system supports the pallets and moves them along a line which passes through one or more welding stations.
Each welding station includes a series of programmable robots which perform the welding operations and fixed equipment which hold the members transported on the pallet in position during welding.
One disadvantage of the systems described is that the body is positioned on the pallet to be referred to it accurately. The pallet in turn must be positioned accurately with respect to the fixed equipment. As a result the body is positioned with respect to the fixed equipment indirectly through the pallet structure. The necessity of having to provide very accurate pallet structures involves high costs since the pallets are used in large quantities.
In addition, as the dimensional accuracy of the pallets can vary the body positioning accuracy can vary also. This can influence both the quality of the welding and repeatability with harmful effects on final product quality.
Another disadvantage is that the pallet handling and repositioning devices must be kept in good condition to prevent pallet positioning accuracy variation.
The general purpose of the present invention is to obviate the above mentioned drawbacks by making available an assembly system and stations in which pallet production accuracy would not influence the positioning accuracy of the bodies born on the pallets. In addition a further purpose is to make available an assembly system and stations which would not need accurate pallet or handling system positioning and would allow variability between individual pallets and handling systems. Another purpose is to avoid the need for continuously keeping assembly system components such as the pallet or handling systems in optimal condition to ensure body positioning accuracy in the stations.


Systems and methods are disclosed herein for adding surface features to grinding wheels. A laser may be directed substantially perpendicular to a grinding surface of a grinding wheel. The laser may be pulsed and may ablate material from the grinding surface. The laser may move relative to the grinding wheel in order to ablate shaped surface features into the grinding surface.

Grinding wheels generally comprise an abrasive compound in a circular component. Grinding wheels may be rotated at high speeds to remove material from a workpiece. During grinding, a coolant may be applied to the grinding wheel in order to minimize overheating of the grinding wheel or the workpiece. Dressing the grinding wheel may expose abrasive grains by removing the grinding wheel bond or workpiece material embedded in the grinding surface of the grinding wheel. Dressing may improve grinding efficiency of the grinding wheel. Conventional dressing techniques involve a dressing tool, such as a diamond wheel grinding the grinding surface of the grinding wheel in order to achieve a desired shape and surface finish of the grinding surface. Adding surface features to the grinding wheel may help decrease radial contact, spindle power consumption, and heat input, while increasing coolant delivery and chip evacuation.

Methods for modifying and adding features on grinding wheel surfaces


A method of fabricating a decorative wood article includes the steps of applying a decorative overlay onto at least one surface of a wood article, applying a radiation curable powder coating onto the outer surface of the overlay, heating the applied radiation curable powder coating at a temperature sufficient to melt and flow the powder coating, and exposing the applied powder coating to radiation energy to cure the powder coating and form a film on the outer surface of the decorative overlay.

This invention relates generally to decorative wood articles and more particularly methods of fabricating decorative wood articles using powder coatings to reduce volatile organic emissions.
Powder coatings are being used to coat more articles in industrial applications because powder coatings are more environmentally friendly than liquid coatings. Powder coatings are virtually free of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are present in most liquid coatings. Consequently, the solvent or VOC emissions problems associated with liquid coatings are eliminated by powder coatings which enables industrial business to meet federal and local air pollution regulations.
Despite their many advantages, powder coatings are typically not used to coat heat sensitive substrates, such as wood and plastic, because of the high temperatures generally needed to cure powder coatings.
It would be desirable to provide a method of fabricating a decorative wood article utilizing powder coatings. Further it would be desirable to provide a method of fabricating a decorative wood article that included a heat sensitive decorative overlay on the surface of the wood utilizing powder coatings.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating a decorative wood article utilizes radiation curable powder coatings to reduce VOC emissions. The method includes applying a decorative overlay onto a surface of a wood article, such as natural wood, particleboard, fiberboard, or medium density fiberboard, and applying a powder coating onto the outer surface of the overlay. The wood article can be heated prior to the application of the powder coating to enhance the electrostatic attraction of the powder coating to the wood article. After application of the powder coating onto the surface of the decorative overlay, the powder coating is melted by heating the coating. Heating of the coating is accomplished, for example, with an infrared (IR) heater, a convection heater, or a combination of convection heat and IR. The temperature used is sufficient to melt and flow the powder coating while not degrading the wood substrate and/or the decorative overlay. The powder coating is then exposed to radiation energy to cure the powder coating and form a film on the top surface of the decorative overlay.
The above described method provides for the fabrication of a decorative wood article that includes a decorative overlay applied to the surface and that utilizes a radiation curable powder coating. The radiation curable powder coating produces virtually no VOC emissions during the application and curing process. The powder coating application and curing steps do not degrade the wood substrate nor the decorative overlay.

Decorative wooden articles and method of fabricating


In an optical head apparatus including a first light source for emitting a first light beam having a first wavelength, a second light source for emitting a second light beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, an objective lens, a photodetector, and first and second optical combining/splitting elements, the first optical combining/splitting element receives the first light beam from the first light source to outgo most of the first light beam therefrom to the second optical combining/splitting element and receives the first and second light beams from the second optical combining/splitting element to outgo most of the first and second light beams therefrom to the photodetector. The second optical combining/splitting element receives the first light beam from the first optical combining/splitting element and the second light beam from the second light source to outgo most of the first and second light beams therefrom to the objective lens and receives the first and second light beams from the objective lens to outgo most of the first and second light beams therefrom to the first optical combining/splitting element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical head apparatus for different types of disks such as a digital versatile disk (DVD) and a compact disk (CD).
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, optical head apparatuses have been developed to be adapted to a DVD and a CD. In this case, a DVD requires a 650 nm wavelength light source, while a CD requires a 780 nm wavelength light source. Therefore, one of such optical head apparatuses is constructed by two light sources for emitting two kinds of light beams, i.e., a 650 nm wavelength light beam and a 780 nm wavelength light beam and transmitting them to a disk and one photodetector for receiving a light beam reflected from the disk.
In a first prior art optical head apparatus (see: JP-A-10-112050), first and second beam splitters for receiving a 650 nm wavelength light beam and a 780 nm wavelength light beam, respectively, are provided between a photodetector and an objective lens. The first beam splitter transmits half of the 650 nm wavelength light beam and most of the 780 nm wavelength light beam therethrough, while the first beam splitter reflects half of the 650 nm wavelength light beam and a small part of the 780 nm wavelength light beam. Also, a second beam splitter transmits most of the 650 nm wavelength light beam and half of the 780 nm wavelength light beam, while the second beam splitter reflects a small part of the 650 nm wavelength light beam and half of the 780 nm wavelength light beam. This will be explained later in detail.
In the above-described first prior art optical head apparatus, however, since losses of the intensity of the outgoing and incoming 650 nm wavelength light beams occur in the first beam splitter and also, losses of the intensity of the outgoing and incoming 780 nm wavelength light beams occur in the second beam splitter, the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio would be decreased.
In a second prior art optical head apparatus (see: JP-A-10-228668), a wavelength selecting prism for selecting an S-polarized 650 nm wavelength light beam and an S-polarized 780 nm light beam is provided, and a beam splitter and a quarter-wave plate are provided between a photodetector and an objective lens. The beam splitter transmits most of the P-polarized components of the 650 nm wavelength light beam and the 780 nm wavelength light beam, while the beam splitter reflects most of the S-polarized components of the 650 nm wavelength light beam and the 780 nm wavelength light beam. This also will be explained later in detail.
In the above-described second prior art optical head apparatus, however, since losses of the intensity of the outgoing light beams occur in the wavelength selecting prism, the S/N ratio would be decreased. Additionally, since the difference in wavelength dependence characteristics between the P-polarized and S-polarized light beams cannot be large, it is difficult for the 650 nm wavelength light beam and the 780 nm wavelength light beam to be within a range of the polarizing beam splitter characteristics. Therefore, since the manufacturing margin of the beam splitter is small, the manufacturing cost would be increased.

Optical head apparatus including two light sources and one photodetector


The present disclosure provides methods to produce ketones suitable for use as fuels and lubricants by catalytic conversion of an acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation product mixture that can be derived from biomass.

Producing fuels from renewable sources has become increasingly important as a means of reducing the production of greenhouse gases and of reducing the imports of petroleum. See L. D. Gomez, C. G. Steele-King, S. J. McQueen-Mason, New Phytologist, 178, 473-485, (2008). Lignocellulosic biomass is typically made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. These biomass components are non-edible, carbohydrate-rich polymers that may serve as a renewable source of energy. They typically make up to approximately 75% of the dry weight of biomass. As such, conversion of these non-edible biomass components into bio-fuels is of ongoing interest that can benefit the environment and reduce petroleum imports. See A. Demirbas, Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning and Policy, 3(2) 177-185 (2008).
Currently, several approaches are available for converting biomass into fuels. For example, chemical processing routes may involve high temperature pyrolysis or biomass liquefaction; pyrolysis products (syngas) can be converted via Fischer-Tropsch chemistry to higher carbon number fuels. Biological routes typically first hydrolyze the polysaccharide content of biomass to monosaccharides using cellulase enzymes. These monosaccharides are then microbially converted to fuels.
Early efforts to biologically produce fuels from biomass included the fermentation of both starch-derived and lignocellulosic-derived carbohydrates to bio-alcohols such as bio-ethanol and bio-butanol. See Blanch, H. W. and C. R. Wilke, Sugars and Chemicals from Cellulose, Reviews in Chemical Engineering, eds., N. E. Amundson and D. Luss, vol 1, 1 (1982). These natural biological routes to produce alcohols (e.g., ethanol and butanol) from carbohydrates typically yield low molecular weight compounds that are generally more suitable as gasoline additives than as jet and diesel fuel compounds. While advances in metabolic engineering have enabled biological production of several higher molecular weight jet and diesel fuel compounds, these processes typically suffer from low titers and yields.
More recent efforts have focused on the carbohydrate source obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. Cellulose and hemicellulose obtained from lignocellulosic biomass after pre-treatment and hydrolysis affords hexoses and pentoses, respectively. Subsequent dehydration of these sugars into furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) may be achieved by chemical processes. Biological routes can ferment the hexoses and pentoses to short chain alcohols (e.g., ethanol and butanols) or to higher carbon number alkanes and alkenes, terpenes and fatty acids that can be esterified for use as diesel fuels.
While there are efficiencies of hexose and pentose conversion to short-chain alcohols, current microbial routes to higher carbon number products often have low yields and product titers. These products are currently not economically attractive as fungible fuels that can be employed as gasoline, jet and diesel fuel additives or replacements.
Thus, what is needed in the art is a commercially-viable process of producing fungible fuels, such as transportation fuels, and other chemicals from biomass, which allows for the control of product selectively. Moreover, what is needed in the art is a commercially-viable process for producing higher molecular weight fuel compounds and other chemicals from a saccharide-derived from biomass, such as an acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) mixture.

Method to convert fermentation mixture into fuels

The Regents of the University of California


Systems and methods are disclosed for a noise-shaping successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital-converter (ADC) using Sampled Analog Technology (SAT) filter techniques for filter construction. A SAR ADC includes an SAR for receiving an analog input signal and outputting a digital decision, a digital-to-analog converter and logic circuitry for converting the digital decision of the SAR to a present analog residue for a present conversion cycle, a filter for processing a previous analog residue from a previous conversion cycle, and for feeding a processed previous analog residue back to the SAR, a summer for summing the processed previous analog residue from the filter and the present analog residue, and generating a summer output, and a comparator for comparing the summer output and a first reference signal and generating a comparator output. The filter includes a capacitor array for filtering the previous analog residue to generate the processed previous analog residue.

A successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts analog signals into digital signals using a binary search method. SAR ADCs exhibit high conversion efficiency with moderate resolution and bandwidth, and attempt to reduce ADC noise. Noise-shaping can be used to decrease noise and improve resolution of SAR ADCs. However, attempts at noise-shaping have only been able to achieve first-order noise shaping. Additionally, noise-shaping methods use active operational transconductance amplifiers which consume extra power, and take extra area on the chip.

Techniques for power efficient oversampling successive approximation register


A system for measuring unevenness formed by grooves and/or long waves in a surface of an object by using a measuring platform. The system moves the object and the measuring platform relative to each other and projects from the measuring platform a light streak that extends in a direction of the movement onto a surface of the object at a fixed projection angle that is tilted relative to a surface normal of the surface. The light streak is reproduced on a planar, position-sensitive photo receiver with a plurality of successive instantaneous exposures of the photo receiver, where the photo receiver is fixedly arranged on the measuring platform with a recording angle that is tilted relative to the fixed projection angle. The system records the surface along the direction of the movement with a plurality of continuous light-streak images and determines a surface profile of the surface along the direction of the movement from deformations in the plurality of the light-streak images.

The invention relates to a method for measuring unevenness created by grooves and/or long waves in the surface of an object from a measuring platform, wherein the measuring platform and the object are moved relative to each other.
One example for the use of such a method is the measuring of such unevenness on the driving surface of rails in a track bed, designed for rail-bound transport means, e.g. trains, street cars, subways and the like. Due to the rail traffic, unevenness occurs locally and periodically on the rail tops that form the driving surfaces. Unevenness of this type produces structure-born noise and vibrations when the wheels of the rail vehicle roll off, which can lead to noise pollution for the environment as well as noise and vibrations stress for the passengers. The unevenness in the driving surface must be recognized early on because it worsens with increased rail traffic and leads to a considerable reduction in travel comfort and also travel safety. Rails with unevenness in the driving surface are subject to considerable wear and tear and have a much shorter service life than rails without such unevenness of the driving surface. The unevenness of the driving surface, which is defined as grooves with a wave length xcex between 10 mm and 300 mm and as so-called longitudinal waves having a wave length xcex between 300 mm and 3000 mm, must be removed by grinding, milling or planing the rails. A number of measuring methods have been developed for this, which allow measuring any unevenness of the driving surface, that is to say during routine inspection drives as well as for the purpose of a subsequent testing and documentation of the rail surface treatment, which has been carried out. In the process, a so-called arithmetic average rough value Ra according to DIN 4768 is defined for the normal state of the rails, which must not be exceeded over a predetermined rail length L.
According to a conventional method for measuring unevenness of this type on the driving surface of rails (Stuart L. Grassie xe2x80x9cMeasurement of railhead longitudinal profiles: a comparison of different techniques,xe2x80x9d Wear 191, (1996), pages 245-251) such as the traveling chord measuring principle, the distance between the measuring platform and a ruler that touches the rail with its two end points is measured by means of a tracer pin or a sensor that measures without contact. The ruler is pressed by the measuring platform against the rail and is moved together with the measuring platform along the rail. If the profile deviation in a vertical section through the rail surface is a planar curve, then the ruler represents a chord of this curve. The profile is determined from the measured distances, also called arrow heights, which can further be used to compute the roughness of the driving surface. In order to detect all possible wavelengths of the driving surface unevenness, several ruler lengths must be used, which results in extreme disadvantages when realizing the method. Another disadvantage of the method is that the tracer pin must be pressed against the rail, regardless of the measuring platform vibration, which requires a high mechanical expenditure. If an inertial system is attached to the car axle, the measurements are recorded in a coordinate system that is independent of the measuring platform. To be sure, the measuring method is simple, but the measuring system is described with the aid of very many parameters that must be known. The measuring system behavior depends on the speed of the measuring platform, the rail, the type of tie and the track bed material. A local measurement is not possible, but only statistical statements concerning the profile deviation over measured distances of approximately 10 m. Inertial systems furthermore are only operational with sufficient accuracy starting with a minimum speed of the measuring platform of approximately 20 km/h, thus making it impossible to use such measuring systems in connection with slow-moving machines for working the railhead.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a method of the aforementioned type as well as a device for use with this method, which method or device permits measurements without making contact, is rugged with respect to the relative movement between measuring platform and object and delivers uniformly good measuring results, independent of the movement speed.
This object is solved with a method for measuring unevenness formed by grooves and/or long waves in a surface of an object by using a measuring platform, including: moving an object and a measuring platform relative to each other; projecting from the measuring platform a light streak that extends in a direction of the movement onto a surface of the object at a fixed projection angle that is tilted relative to a surface normal of the surface; reproducing the light streak on a planar, position-sensitive photo receiver with a plurality of successive instantaneous exposures of the photo receiver, where the photo receiver is fixedly arranged on the measuring platform with a recording angle that is tilted relative to the fixed projection angle; recording the surface along the direction of the movement with a plurality of continuous light-streak images; and determining a surface profile of the surface along the direction of the movement from deformations in the plurality of the light-streak images.
The method according to the invention has the advantage that all unevenness in the object surface can be detected with high measuring accuracy, regardless of the wavelength. The method is continuous and fully automatic and, if used for the driving path of rail traffic means, can be used with extremely slow as well as extremely fast measuring platforms moving along the rails because it does not depend on the speed. Furthermore, it can be used without detraction either together with a working machine for smoothing the rail surface, so as to monitor and document the result of the working operation, or within the framework of inspection drives for testing the condition of the rail surface on a measuring car that is traveling at a high speed (up to 200 km/h). The method according to the invention is insensitive to changes in the distance and a tilting of the measuring platform, relative to the rails, and can thus be used without problems on measuring platforms, which are subjected to vibrations and movements during the measuring operation.
A useful embodiment of the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention for realizing said method, as well as advantageous modifications and embodiments of the invention follow in the detailed description of the invention.
The invention is described in further detail in the following with the aid of an exemplary embodiment, shown in the drawing, of a device for measuring the driving surface unevenness of rails from a measuring platform that moves along the rails.

Measurement of grooves and long waves on rails with a longitudinal streak of light


A motorcycle air conditioning device, a motorcycle rider cooling device, and an air conditioning cooling system are described that include using a thermoelectric device and/or a turbo fan mountable on a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, or utility task vehicle. The motorcycle air conditioning device, the motorcycle rider cooling device, and the air conditioning cooling system may thus provide directed cooled air for a rider. In implementations, the motorcycle air conditioning device includes a heat dissipation assembly; a cooling assembly further including a a thermoelectric device; and a housing assembly configured to provide an enclosure to the heat dissipation assembly and the cooling assembly, where the housing is configured to be coupled to a motorcycle or other vehicle and provide cooled air to a rider and/or user.

An air conditioning system can include a system designed to alter air to a more comfortable condition, for example altering temperature or humidity. An air conditioning system can function to distribute altered air for improving thermal comfort and indoor air quality. The cooling can be achieved through some type of refrigeration cycle, evaporation, or free cooling.

Motorcycle air conditioning and cooling device


In one embodiment, a host device creates a super-distribution token by encrypting a content encryption key with a super-distribution key and stores the super-distribution token and encrypted content retrieved from a source storage device in a target storage device. In another embodiment, a host device provides a super-distribution token to a server, wherein the server is configured to generate an activation token from the super-distribution token, receive the activation token from the server, retrieve a content encryption key from the activation token, and decrypt encrypted content received from a storage device using the content encryption key retrieved from the activation token.

A removable storage device, such as a Secure Digital (SD) card or a MultiMedia Card (MMC), can be used to store digital content, such as a song or a movie. To prevent unauthorized access and control copying of the stored content, the content can be encrypted with a content encryption key, where only authorized entities are able to use the key to decrypt the content. While a storage device can be pre-loaded with content, in some environments, the content is downloaded to the storage device from a server (e.g., via a mobile phone that is hosting the storage device). In such situations, the server can encrypt the content with a content encryption key, send the content encryption key to the storage device securely or via a secure channel, and send the encrypted content to the storage device via an open channel.
In some environments (sometimes referred to as "super-distribution" environments), a user is allowed to freely copy the encrypted content (but not the content encryption key) to other storage devices. Since the content is encrypted and the content encryption key is not copied along with the content, the content on the target storage device will not be renderable. In order to render the content, the user of the target storage device requests or purchases the content encryption key from a digital rights management (DRM) server. The content encryption key can be part of a "rights object" that contains rules on when and how the content encryption key can be used to access the content. Such environments are often desired by service providers and mobile phone operators because the free redistribution of protected content creates opportunities for use of the mobile phone to contact the service provider to purchase a content encryption key.
A problem can occur, however, when the server is not aware of the content encryption key internally-generated by a storage or host device. In such a situation, since the server is not aware of the content encryption key, the server is unable to respond on its own to requests from target storage devices for the content encryption key. As such, content protected in this fashion would be tied to the storage or host device that generated the content encryption key, thus preventing access to super-distributed content.

Host device and method for super-distribution of content protected with a localized content encryption key


A sound absorbing mat comprising a first polyurethane open cell polyester layer, wherein the first polyurethane open cell polyester layer is at least one quarter of an inch thick, a polyvinyl chloride layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer is at least a quarter inch thick and the bottom surface is fused to the first polyurethane open cell polyester, a second polyurethane open cell polyester layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the second polyurethane open cell polyester layer is at least three quarters of an inch and the bottom surface of the second polyurethane open cell polyester layer is fused with the top surface of the polyvinyl chloride layer, and a urethane layer, wherein the urethane layer is at least a quarter inch thick and is mated to the top surface of the second polyurethane open cell polyester layer.

The present invention relates to a sound absorbing mat, and more particularly to a sound absorbing mat for vehicles wherein the mat does not need to be adhered to the interior surfaces of the vehicle.
Current sound deadening, noise reducing or damping products are placed underneath the vehicles carpet, or under a part of the vehicle designed to hide or cover up a portion of the vehicle that's not aesthetically pleasing (i.e. plastic or carpeted like panels etc.). The reason for this is that other sound deadening, noise reducing or damping products need to be affixed or bonded to a portion of the vehicle in order to work. Typically it's bonded to the bare metal of the vehicle.
In order to place other sound deadening, noise reducing or damping products underneath the vehicles carpet, or under a part of the vehicle designed to hide or cover up a portion of the vehicle that's not aesthetically pleasing, parts of the interior need to be removed and or disassembled. All of this requires time and labor. Other sound deadening, noise reducing or damping products are glued or bonded to the vehicles surface. This makes for a one-time application.
Therefore there is a need for a sound absorbing product that does not require the removal of the interior of the vehicle, and does not require the use of adhesives to bond the product to the vehicle.

Device for absorbing sound within the cabin of vehicle


The belt which normally interconnects the two foot supports of a cross-country ski exercising machine passes around at least one pulley so as to rotate the pulley in an oscillating manner as the foot supports move back and forth. A slotted wheel rotates with the pulley and a photo-detecting unit is mounted on the frame for the exercise machine so as to cooperate with the slotted wheel. The photo-detecting unit includes two photo emitters and two photo receivers. Light from the photo emitters is intermittently received by the photo receivers as the openings in the slotted wheel move between the photo emitters and the photo receivers. This sensor system is capable of determining the extent of movement of the foot supports which, when connected to an information control unit, can provide precise exercise information such as the amount of distance actually covered and the number of calories consumed.

The present invention is directed toward a ski exercise machine and more particularly, toward a cross-country type ski machine which includes a sensor system capable of monitoring exercise performance and which can generate corresponding exercise information.
In Applicant's prior application, Ser. No. 153,418, it was explained that it is important when exercising to have some degree of monitoring or feedback of the exerciser's progress or performance. Information such as the distance traveled or the speed is essential. The prior application described a conventional stepper and explained that in conventional systems, the monitoring equipment consists essentially of a magnetic reed switch which turns on and off as a step passes the same. In addition to the mechanical drawbacks of a magnetic reed switch and failures due to the mechanics thereof, the prior application points out that a reed switch serves only as a counter since it can only generate "on" or "off" signals.
Thus, some exercise information, such as the amount of calories consumed, cannot be determined accurately because this requires additional information which the reed switch cannot provide such as the extent of the angular movement of the foot pedals of the stepper. Similarly, the reed switch, when used with stepper machines, cannot sense the speed of the movement of the foot pedals. Thus, a slow, short rotation of the foot pedals cannot be distinguished from a fast, long rotation of the same. As a result, the amount of exercise effort determined is inaccurate.
In order to improve on conventional stepper machines, Applicant's prior application describes a sensor system which more accurately monitors exercise performance and is capable of generating more precise exercise information. The sensor system described therein is comprised of a photo-detecting unit, a slotted wheel and an information control unit. The photo-detecting unit is mounted on the stepper frame assembly and includes photo emitters and photo receivers aligned therewith and adapted to receive light from the emitters. The slotted wheel is mounted so as to be rotatable along with the movement of one of the foot pedals and has a flange member which extends between the photo emitters and the photo receivers. Movement of the foot pedal moves the slotted wheel so that the slots therein interrupt the light passing from the photo emitters to the photo receivers thereby generating an electrical signal which represents the position, movement and speed of movement of the foot pedal. This provides much more accurate information than conventional systems which allows for more precise calculations of exercise information.
Conventional cross-country ski exercise machines suffer from substantially the same drawbacks as conventional steppers. That is, such ski machines which normally employ a pair of foot support means which are mounted so as to move forwardly and backwardly lack a sensor system that is dependable and will provide necessary exercise information. Such conventional systems include sensors that also utilize magnetic reed switches which suffer from the same drawbacks as the reed switches utilized with conventional steppers. That is, they may suffer from mechanical breakdown after prolonged use and are also capable of generating only an "on" or "off" signal. They cannot provide information such as the full extent of movement of the foot support means or the speed of movement thereof.

2nd Floor No. 3, Alley 25, Lane 208, Ruey An Street


Folded and tied newspapers are delivered in a stream to an infeed conveyor which moves the newspapers in succession toward an inserting station where a stack of flimsy plastic bags are waiting. Just prior to reaching the inserting station, the newspaper is gripped by high-speed accelerating rollers which fire the newspaper into the open mouth of the inflated top bag in the stack. High-speed ejector rollers then clamp onto the bagged newspaper and pull it off the holding wicket for movement on down the line. A special, transverse, bag supply shuttle has two separate bag holding zones along its length so that one zone containing an adequate supply of bags may be presented to the inserting station while the other, empty zone is restocked with a new supply. During shifting of the shuttle, the incoming stream of newspapers is diverted temporarily so that no newspapers are presented to the inserting station during manipulation of the shuttle.

In my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,805,381 and 4,923,064 there is disclosed and claimed a high speed machine for inserting bulky newspapers and like articles into a plastic envelope or bag and then sealing such covering to provide a totally enclosed, protective wrapper for the newspaper. The invention as set forth in such patents is particularly useful in connection with large, bulky Sunday editions which contain many loose advertising inserts, coupons and other relatively slick items that have a tendency to slip out of the newspaper during handling. The sealed package also provides a safeguard against pilfering of valuable coupons from inside the newspapers.
While the bagger as disclosed in the '381 and '064 Patents performs quite well for its intended purpose, it does necessitate the use of a relatively large plastic bag of special configuration since the newspapers are bagged in a flat, unfolded condition. Moreover, my prior system is generally limited to the bagging of relatively thick newspapers due to the type of pusher system that is utilized to advance the newspapers into the open bags. Thin newspapers and other like articles do not have enough columnar strength in the direction of feeding to withstand the pushing force of the feeder. Furthermore, speeds are somewhat limited.


Probe light pulses output from a light source are input to an optical effect unit after the beam diameter is changed by a beam diameter changing optical system, the pulse front is tilted by a pulse front tilting unit, and the beam diameter is adjusted by a beam diameter adjusting optical system. To the optical effect unit, probe light pulses output from the beam diameter adjusting optical system are input, and an electromagnetic wave being an object to be detected is also input. Optical characteristics of the optical effect unit change due to propagation of the electromagnetic wave, and probe light pulses affected by the change in optical characteristics are output from the optical effect unit. The probe light pulses output from the optical effect unit are detected by a photodetector.

As an electromagnetic wave detecting device for detecting an electromagnetic wave input to an optical effect unit by probe light pulses, for example, a device for measuring a terahertz wave temporal waveform by a single probe light pulse has been known (Patent Document 1). Terahertz waves are electromagnetic waves having a frequency of approximately 0.01 THz to 1000 THz corresponding to an intermediate range between light waves and radio waves, and have intermediate characteristics between light waves and radio waves. As application of such a terahertz wave, a technique for obtaining information on an object to be measured by measuring a temporal waveform of an electric field amplitude of a terahertz wave generated in, transmitted through, or reflected on the object to be measured has been studied.
In such an electromagnetic wave detection device, the pulse front of probe light pulses is tilted by a pulse front tilting unit, and then the probe light pulses are input to the optical effect unit in some cases. Also, in some cases, the pulse front of probe light pulses is tilted by a pulse front tilting unit, the beam diameter of the probe light pulses with a tilted pulse front is adjusted by a beam diameter adjusting optical system, and then the probe light pulses are input to the optical effect unit.
The pulse front tilt angle (tilt angle with respect to a plane normal to a principal ray direction) γ of light pulses to be output from the pulse front tilting unit is expressed by formula tan γ=λ·dφ/dλ. λ means the wavelength of light pulses, and dφ/dλ means angular dispersion of the pulse front tilting unit at the wavelength λ.
When the beam diameter of light pulses with a tilted pulse front is enlarged or reduced by the beam diameter adjusting optical system, the pulse front tilt angle of the light pulses changes. At this time, the change in the pulse front tilt angle of the light pulses is according to the ratio of enlargement or reduction in the beam diameter of light pulses by the beam diameter adjusting optical system.


An apparatus for collecting insects comprising (i) a source of propane, (ii) a propane burner arranged to combust propane from the source of propane so as to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor as products of combustion for attracting insects, and (iii) an insect collector located in proximity to the propane burner for collecting insects attracted to the propane burner. The use of a propane burner provides the desired products of combustion including carbon dioxide and water vapor as well as heat for mimicking the breathing of animals to attract biting insects using readily available propane tanks. The convection of heat from the propane burner is further beneficial because a flow of carbon dioxide and water vapor through the collector may be achieved without the additional requirement of fans or any other complex arrangement of parts. The collector may comprise an electrical grid which does not require a light for attracting insects as do conventional electrical grids for pest control.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for collecting insects and more particularly to a method and apparatus for generating carbon dioxide as an attractant for collecting insects of the type which are attracted to carbon dioxide.
Insects are known to be an annoyance, particularly biting insects including mosquitoes and the like. The resulting bites from these insects can be irritating to the skin and cause further annoyance from itching and mild pain resulting from the bite. It is thus well known and desirable to trap or exterminate such insects using some form of insect collecting device.
A known device for killing insects includes an electrified grid which is arranged to form a high voltage arc across an insect which flies through the grid. A light is provided to attract the insects to fly through the electrified grid while the grid electrifies the insects and kills them as the do so. Although being somewhat effective at killing biting insects the device is also known to attract other animals and desirable insects like moths for example.
Another known practice for exterminating insects includes the use of pesticides. The use of pesticide however inadvertently kills beneficial insects and animals. Furthermore the chemical used in pesticides are generally known to be unhealthy for surrounding persons and the surrounding environment.
Other known pest control devices have been known to use carbon dioxide as an attractant for biting insects including mosquitoes and the like, in combination with a trap. Carbon dioxide is used to mimic the biological functions of animals and more particularly the breathing of such animals which the insects are known to seek.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,473 to Waters Jr. provides a carbon dioxide generator insect attractant for use with an insect trap. The carbon dioxide is generated by reacting a carbonate salt with an aqueous acid solution. In addition to not being a readily available source of carbon dioxide, the use of such chemicals may be toxic or harmful to children or animals such as pets in the surrounding environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,176 to Miller provides an insect trap including a methanol fuel cell for generating carbon dioxide, water vapour and heat as attractants. The trap includes a complex arrangement of pumps and fans which is costly and difficult to assemble and maintain. Furthermore it is difficult and awkward to recharge the trap because methanol is not a readily available fuel source and because fuel cells are not widely used such that the general public is not familiar with the arrangement of the trap.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for collecting insects comprising:
a source of propane;
a propane burner arranged to combust propane from the source of propane so as to produce carbon dioxide and water vapour as products of combustion for attracting insects; and
an insect collector located in proximity to the propane burner for collecting insects attracted to the propane burner.
The use of a propane burner provides the desired products of combustion including carbon dioxide and water vapour as well as heat for mimicking the breathing of animals to attract biting insects. Propane is a readily available fuel and is commonly supplied in tanks for barbecues and the like such that recharging the apparatus with fuel is a simple and well known task. The convection of heat from the propane burner is further beneficial because a flow of carbon dioxide and water vapour through the collector may be achieved without the additional requirement of fans or any other complex arrangement of parts.
The collector preferably comprises an electrified insect exterminating grid arranged to produce an arc when an insect is located adjacent to the grid for exterminating the insect. The grid thus collects insects by killing them so that the insects are deposited therebelow. When the propane burner is used in combination with an electrified grid, the grid does not require a light source as in conventional grids of this type such that further beneficial insects are not inadvertently killed. In further arrangements, the collector may comprise any type of insect trap for collecting the insects in place of the grid.
There may be provided a container mounting the burner therein having an exhaust port for exhausting the products of combustion therefrom, the collector being located adjacent the exhaust port of the container.
A flow regulator is preferably coupled between the source of propane and the burner, the flow regulator being arranged to control a temperature of the products of combustion passing through the exhaust port.
The exhaust port is preferably located adjacent a top end of the container.
The collector may comprise an exhaust cage which fully encloses the exhaust port, the exhaust cage defining the electrified grid for exterminating the insects.
There may be provided a tubular exhaust member which extends from an inner end coupled to the exhaust port to an outer end located centrally within the exhaust cage.
The inner end of the exhaust member preferably comprises an enlarged and tapered mouth coupled to the exhaust port.
At least one inlet port is preferably located in the container adjacent the burner therein.
There may be provided an ignitor mechanism coupled to the burner.
There may be provided a shield mounted above the burner and the grid.
A cage preferably surrounds the grid for preventing access to the grid by unauthorised persons.
The source of propane, the burner and the grid may be supported on a wheeled cart for portability.
There may be provided an attachment for coupling a conventional propane tank thereto.
A light diffuser may be provided for enclosing the burner for diffusing light emitted by combustion of propane.
A humidifier may also be includes which is arranged to release water vapour in proximity to the propane burner to assist in attracting biting insects.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of collecting insects comprising:
providing an insect collector arranged to collect insects;
providing a source of propane;
combusting the propane in proximity to the insect collector so as to produce carbon dioxide and water vapour as products of combustion for attracting insects to the insect collector.
The collector preferably comprises an electrified insect exterminating grid arranged to produce an arc when an insect is located adjacent to the grid for exterminating the insect.
The method may include enclosing the burner within a container having an exhaust port for exhausting the products of combustion therethrough and mounting the collector adjacent the exhaust port.
The method may also include enclosing the exhaust port with the insect exterminating grid.
The method preferably includes coupling a flow regulator to the source of propane and controlling a temperature of the products of combustion exiting the exhaust port by adjusting the flow regulator.
The method may further include diffusing light emitted by the combustion of the propane.

Method and apparatus for attracting and collecting insects


A display assembly having a top member connected to a bottom member. The top member has a top wall, sidewalls, and a flange having an outer edge that extends outwardly from the sidewalls. The bottom member has a bottom wall, sidewalls, a flange that extends outwardly from the sidewall, and an outer ridge on the flange that extends toward the top member.

This invention is directed to a display assembly and more particularly a display assembly that improves upon conventional display assemblies.
Display assemblies are well known in the art for use in displaying merchandise such as coins, stamps, jewelry, and the like. Existing display assemblies are heavy, take up a lot of space, take time to assemble and breakdown, and are difficult to handle. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a display assembly that addresses these needs.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a display assembly that is lightweight and takes up a minimum amount of space.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a display assembly that is easy to assemble, break down, and handle.
These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the following written description, drawings and claims.


A method for supporting downlink paging for LIPA or SIPTO while a first UE has been moved to an idle mode may include monitoring UE traffic while the first UE is in the active state and storing a UE IP address for a default EPS bearer of the first UE in a node and in a gateway for LIPA or SIPTO service. A downlink datagram for paging activation is sent towards the first UE over an existing tunnel, wherein the tunnel was established for a second UE being in an active state, wherein the tunnel may be established for the second UE or any other UE served by the same node and the same gateway, and activating a paging procedure by receiving the downlink datagram via the tunnel in a gateway, which gateway is serving the first UE for the default EPS bearer service of the first UE.

Networks are based on architectures which may be under development. 3GPP is one group which develops networks worldwide and provides standards for communication networks and devices within the networks.
In the current standardization activities of 3GPP there is a work ongoing in the working group SA2 WG for Support of Local IP access (LIPA) for the Home (e)NodeB Subsystem and of Selected IP traffic offload (SIPTO) for the Home (e)NodeB Subsystem and for the macro layer network may be required in TS 22.220 and TS 22.101.
The working group is specifying the TR 23.829 for LIPA and SIPTO and there the downlink paging support for LIPA may be currently an open issue to be solved in the so called "solution proposals 1 and 2".
The current LIPA/SIPTO Architecture comprising different embodiments, i.e. "solution proposals 1 and 6" in the standardization document TR 23.829 may necessitate termination of an additional core network interface to the (H)eNB collocated L-GW for LIPA Bearer Service management.
This core network interface may be S11-like interface from MME to the (H)eNB/L-GW in the variant where L-GW is modeled as a local S-GW/P-GW, or S5-like interface when L-GW is modeled as a local P-GW.
The "solution proposal 6" may assume specifying a new "extension tunnel" from P-GW to the (H)eNB/L-GW.
"Solution proposal 2" in the TR 23.829 may assume that the L-GW function for LIPA service will not have any additional control interface to the already existing S1-MME between EUTRAN and EPC (Core Network).
The ordinary paging trigger upon arriving downlink packet to the S-GW may not be applied as LIPA traffic does not traverse via the Core Network nodes. Thus some further mechanism may be needed for initiating the UE paging with LIPA services.
It may be foreseen in relation to solution 2 that "downlink paging support for LIPA requires special mechanism that may be problematic, e.g. tunnel traffic over Internet to PGW/GGSN". This is because the PGW/GGSN may not be reachable via the Internet (could be behind a NAT function or a Firewall).
Further proposals may use only the S1-MME interface for all LIPA control. Again here the "downlink paging support for LIPA can be considered open issue as it would need changes to the S1AP protocol in 3GPP.
It may also be foreseen a LIPA/SIPTO architecture where the L-GW is implemented with Core Network GWs (S-GW and P-GW) that are just moved close to (H)eNB or collocated with (H)eNB. In this case the standard procedures for paging can be used as the S-GW behaves as paging agent and has S11 (or L-S11) interface to the MME for triggering paging as usual.
However, this kind of a solution may be not suitable for simple LIPA access from HeNBs, since it may break the clear RAN—Core split and would necessitate storing sensitive User Context e.g. IMSI in the HeNB/L-GW node installed to customer premises (untrusted from MNO point of view) etc.
There may be further approaches for supporting more optimized paging trigger from (H)eNB/L-GW to the MME.
In the content of WO2008/132163 there may be assumed that (H)eNB/L-GW has a local Paging Agent that can generate a paging command message and send it locally to all (H)eNBs in the Tracking Area providing LIPA (Local Breakout) Service. This method has a disadvantage that it requires the local Paging Agent to emulate MME in the EPC as the originator of the paging command in order to avoid changes in the UEs.
Moreover, further solutions in relation to paging and managed remote access in Local IP breakout may assume that the (H)eNB collocated L-GW has a S5-like interface to the S-GW placed in the EPC through which the L-GW sends uplink data packet that further triggers paging in the S-GW and MME as usual. This method has a disadvantage that an additional core network interface must be terminated in EUTRAN node and the L-GW should implement 3GPP proprietary P-GW functions for simple IP traffic bridging between local network and data radio bearer in (H)eNB.
In addition, further solutions in relation to optimized interface for Local IP Access may assume that only S1-MME interface will be needed for controlling LIPA feature in HeNB collocated L-GW that implements a local Paging Agent function that sends a new control message to the MME over S1-MME interface to trigger UE paging via MME. This method has disadvantage that upon UE movement to the Idle-mode the UE specific S1AP connection is released so a common S1AP elementary procedure from (H)eNB to MME should be used.
There may be a need for a solution for a downlink paging support for LIPA services.

Network devices and method for supporting downlink paging for LIPA or SIPTO


An underwater operation platform, including: a main body; two ducted propellers disposed at the tail end of the main body; a living building; pile legs; a tower crane; a submergence module; lifting devices; and a gantry crane. The main body includes a deck and a moonpool. The submergence module includes a support plate, a plurality of truss members, and a base plate. The living building disposed on the front end of the deck. The pile legs are disposed at the four corners of the main body, respectively. The deck includes two parallel pathways which are located at two sides of the moonpool, respectively, for supporting the gantry crane. The lifting devices are disposed on the deck and are close to four corners of the moonpool. The support plate and the base plate are integrated with the plurality of truss members.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of ocean engineering, and more particularly to an underwater operation platform and method for using the same.
Description of the Related Art
Typically, underwater operations are implemented by using small, single-purpose devices. The devices are costly, inefficient, can carry low loads only, are difficult to coordinate, and exhibit poor stability, which makes them unsuitable for use under severe swell conditions.

Underwater operation platform and method for using the same


A method and system for identifying a bit pattern in a data stream including a plurality of bits each having a first or second state, the method includes identifying a number of mismatching bits, within a subset of the plurality of bits, having the first state and corresponding to a bit having the second state within the pattern; identifying a number of bits in the subset having the first state; and, identifying a number of bits in the pattern having the second state. A number of matches of between the subset and the pattern is dependent on the identified number of mismatching bits, the identified number of bits in the subset having the first state and the identified number of bits in the pattern having the second state.

The desirability of synchronizing a receiver with an incoming data stream is well documented. When the incoming data stream is divided into frames, or packets of transmitted information in the case of a packet switching network, frame synchronization as is conventionally understood can be used. Detection and identification of a given pattern can be used to provide frame synchronization. In some digital systems, this given pattern is referred to as a "sync pattern" or "sync word". For example, a sync word may be inserted as the first field of a frame of a serial digital data signal. The purpose of the sync word is to enable a receiver or receiving circuitry to determine where in a serial bit stream payload information, or data information, is present. This payload information can begin at some predefined location within a frame relative to where the given sync pattern or sync word is inserted. For example, the first bit of the payload data may begin on a first bit after the last bit in the given sync pattern. Once a receiver achieves sufficient frame synchronization, or "sync pattern lock", the sync pattern or field may be expected to be periodically repeated and identified in order to identify data partitions in the incoming serial data stream. An example of this is the repetition of a sync word to partition different frames of data.
Further, a specific sync pattern or sync word can be established for a given system or receiver within a system. This specified sync pattern, or sync word, can then be used as a reference against which to compare the incoming data stream. Alternately, a system may utilize a predictably changing or dynamic sync pattern. In either case, the incoming data stream is viewed or evaluated using a field corresponding to the sync pattern.
There is a need for a method and device for performing data pattern matching and for assisting in identifying bit sequences in an incoming data stream, such as those suitable for use in synchronizing a receiver with an incoming data stream.

Method and device for performing data pattern matching


A method for detecting that a set of bits has been incorrectly decoded includes calculating a combining gain experienced during processing of the set of bits. The combining gain is compared to a threshold. A false positive signal that indicates that the set of bits has been incorrectly decoded is generated when the combining gain is less than the threshold.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks may transmit control information at the beginning of each downlink transmission period. As specified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), LTE cells may transmit with a 1 ms Transmission Time Interval (TTI), where each 1 ms TTI is a subframe and groups of 10 consecutive subframes are grouped into radio frames. The first several (e.g. between one and four) symbol periods of each subframe may then be allocated for control information, which may be transmitted on the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Mobile terminals connected to a given LTE cell may then need to read the PDCCH symbols at the beginning of each subframe in order to obtain essential control information, which may include uplink transmission grants, downlink scheduling messages, transmit power control messages, etc.

False positive detection using combining gain


Embodiments of present invention provide a method of splicing optical fibers. The method includes holding a first and a second fiber respectively by a first and a second rotary clamp; aligning axes of the first and second fibers to a common reference; moving the first and second fibers that are being held by the first and second rotary clamps onto a splicing machine; and causing the first and second fibers being spliced together by the splicing machine. A fiber splicing apparatus or system is also provided for performing the method thereof.

Optical fiber splicing machines are important apparatus and tools used in the process of manufacturing of equipment that are frequently found in fiber communication, fiber sensing, and fiber lasers, to name a few. Currently, there are two types of splicing machines available in the market: a first one that is relatively low cost but only suitable for splicing regular fibers, and a second one that is adapted for splicing linear polarization maintaining (PM) fibers in additional to regular fibers. Here and throughout this application, the term "regular fiber" refers to any fiber whose axis cross-section has circular symmetry with no particular axis orientation difference.
Splicing machines that are suitable only for regular fibers have thus far found their relatively high market demand and are widely used. Thanks to its low technical entry level, there are more than a dozen companies presently being able to manufacture and offer this type of splicing machines. On the other hand, there is a very limited and small number of companies in the world that are currently capable of manufacturing splicing machines suitable for handling linear PM fibers. Not only there is high equipment cost associated with the purchasing of these types of "special" splicing machines, which may be priced at tens to hundreds of thousand dollars, it is also known to be very costly to perform daily maintenance of these types of splicing machines that are made for handling linear PM fibers.
The low availability and high cost associated with splicing machine capable of handling linear PM fibers may be attributed, at least partially, to its high technical entry level due to, for example, difficulty in optical side-imaging processing and developing and lack of understanding of algorithm of mathematical computation in supporting the imaging processing. Moreover, the design concept of current splicing machines (for handling liner PM fibers) relies on integrating all of the required components and parts associated with the splicing process into an extremely compact mechanical structure in a precise manner, which makes it all too difficult to achieve a good compromise among cost, precision, and ease of handling. Moreover, the relatively low market demand, compared with those that are suitable only for regular fibers, also contributed to the slow progress of development of an affordable and yet reliable splicing machine that may splice PM fibers with high performance.
Nevertheless, even those splicing machines that are available in the market still have their unique limitations. For example, most of these splicing machines can only handle regular PM fibers which are mainly linear PM fibers, but will not be able to handle, or will fail to handle, tens of other types of specialty fibers currently available and being used in the fiber industry. Using the available splicing machine to handle specialty fibers or, for example, to splice different types of fibers together may often lead to misaligmnent between axes of the spliced fibers, which consequently results in high insertion loss at the splicing point and breakage thereof in a worst scenario, creating high re-work rate and slowing down of manufacture production cycle. This is because with specialty fibers such as, for example, elliptical PM fibers whose cross-sectional structure varies along the length of fiber, different from that of a linear PM fiber, the algorithm commonly used in the computation and imaging processing of currently available splicing machines simply does not apply and may therefore produce false results.

Method of splicing optical fibers and apparatus thereof

Comcore Optical Intelligence Technologies Co., Ltd.


An electromagnetic radiation activated device comprises a property changing material and at least one functionalized fullerene that upon irradiation of the functionalized fullerenes with electromagnetic radiation of one or more frequencies a thermally activated chemical or physical transformation occurs in the property changing material. The thermal activated transformation of the property changing material is triggered by the heating or combustion of the functionalized fullerenes upon their irradiation. The device can include a chemical agent that is embedded in the property changing material and is released when the material is heated by the functionalized fullerenes upon irradiation.

Many processes require an initiation stimulus to start a reaction by releasing heat, and a device to achieve this goal is a critical system component for many processes, such as combustion processes. For combustion processes many different ignition methods exist, the most popular being an electric spark igniter. However, spark igniters require high-energy input supplied by a high-voltage circuitry and by its nature is a single-point stimulus method. Other ignition methods, such as plasma jet injection or flame jet initiation and high-power laser ignition, are all bulky, heavy, and expensive to operate.
There have been some recent reports of optical ignition of carbon nanotubes in oxidizing ambient gases, such as in air. For example, researchers have reported that single-walled carbon nanotubes ignite when exposed to a conventional photographic flash (Ajayan et al., "Nanotubes in a Flash-Ignition and Reconstruction", Science, Vol. 296, Apr. 26, 2002). This photoeffect is disclosed to occur for single-walled carbon nanotubes prepared by carbon arc, laser ablation, or chemical vapor deposition techniques upon exposure to a camera flash at close range. Ignition and burning is reported to occur when local increases in temperature are sufficient to initiate the oxidation of the carbon and propagate as more heat is released by the exothermic reaction. Heat confinement in nanostructures can thus lead to drastic structural reformation and, under oxidizing environments, induce ignition under conditions not expected for bulk materials. The heat pulse is created by light absorption by the nanotubes from a proximal light flash.
Applications of optical heating or ignition of carbon nanotubes are limited by several characteristics of carbon nanotubes that include size, high aspect ratio, insolubility in water or other liquids, and lack of biocompatibility. Compositions are needed that provide radiation induced heating or ignition in water or other liquids as well as air, have small size and low aspect ratio, and are miscible in a host of materials such that the properties of the materials can be altered by thermal transitions that are promoted photochemically. Moreover, compositions that are biocompatible would allow their use in medical applications.

Devices for thermally induced transformations controlled by irradiation of functionalized fullerenes

University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


A tunable chromatic dispersion compensator for optical communication systems is disclosed. An optical grating, such as a fiber Bragg grating, non-chirped, linearly chirped or non-linearly chirped, is coated on its outer surface with a coating have a variable diameter and strained is applied to the fiber. The fiber may be latchably strained so that the grating characteristics may be changed or tuned while avoiding use of a continuous power supply. Various optical networking applications using such dispersion compensating devices are also disclosed.

Optical fibers and fiber gratings are useful for telecommunication transmission and networking. Basically, optical fibers are thin strands of glass capable of transmitting information-containing optical signals over long distances with low loss. In essence, an optical fiber is a small diameter waveguide comprising a core having a first index of refraction surrounded by a cladding having a second (lower) index of refraction. As long as the refractive index of the core exceeds that of the cladding, a light beam propagated along the core exhibits total internal reflection, and it is guided along the length of the core. Typical optical fibers are made of high purity silica, and various concentrations of dopants may be added to control the index of refraction.
Optical gratings are important elements for selectively controlling the paths or properties of traveling light. Gratings based on optical fibers are of particular interest as components in modem telecommunication systems. For example, in long-distance transmission of optical signals, the accumulation of signal dispersion may be a serious problem. This problem intensifies as the signals travel longer distances or with an increase in the number of channels in a wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) optical communication system. Efforts to compensate for chromatic dispersion to date have involved use of dispersion compensating gratings, which may be used in combination with dispersion compensating fibers. See M. I. Hayee et al., IEEE PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY LETT., Vol. 9, No. 9, p. 1271 (1997); R. I. Laming et al., IEEE PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY LETT., Vol. 8, No. 3 (1996); W. H. Loh et al., IEEE PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY LETT., Vol. 8, No. 7 (1996); K. O. Hill et al., OPT. LETT., Vol. 19, p. 1314 (1994); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,188 issued to M. Shigematsu et al., on Dec. 23, 1997, incorporated herein by reference. The above-mentioned dispersion compensating devices, however, are not flexible and provide only a fixed degree of compensation for chromatic dispersion. More flexible designs are desired, as active control of dispersion is important for high speed systems.
Several designs for in-fiber tunable dispersion compensating elements based on chirped Bragg gratings have been described. A chirped grating may be obtained by applying an external perturbation-generating field (an "external gradient") non-uniformly along the length of the fiber, resulting in non-uniform changes in properties of the fiber grating and a chirp. Use of a temperature gradient as an external gradient to impose a chirp on a fiber grating is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,307 to Lauzon, issued Sep. 23, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, it was proposed that a chirp could be induced in a grating using a strain gradient in P.C. Hill & B. J. Eggleton, ELECT. LETT. Vol. 30, 1172-74 (1994). A device involving the etching of the outer surface of the fiber to produce a taper for providing a chirp in the fiber grating region is described in M. A. Putnam et al., "Fabrication of Tapered, Strain-Gradient ChirpedFiber Bragg Gratings," ELECT. LETT. Vol. 31 (1995), at p. 309, also incorporated herein by reference. These etched devices have disadvantages in that hydrofluoric acid is used during fabrication to etch the fiber surface, and the resultant fiber is fragile in that it has significant parts of its cladding etched away.
As may be appreciated, those concerned with technologies involving optical communications systems continue to search for new designs enabling for more flexible methods for providing chirped gratings and compensating for chromatic dispersion. It is desirable to have an optical grating device that may be used as a tunable dispersion compensator whose characteristics and performance may be selectively altered, that does not require a continuous use of power, and that does not require processing methods which weaken the stability of the fiber.

Optical grating device with variable coating


A method for reading an addressed cell of a memory system comprises applying at least two different voltage levels to a control gate of a memory cell in an array of memory cells, wherein the memory cell is adjacent to and in electrical field communication with the addressed memory cell. A threshold voltage of the addressed memory cell is measured at each of the at least two different applied voltage levels. At least two of the measured threshold voltages of the addressed memory cell are converted to one or more bit values stored in the addressed memory cell. The bit values are provided to a host of the memory system. An apparatus implementing the method is also disclosed.

1. Technical Field
The present application generally relates to flash memory systems and, more particularly, to the reduction of cross-coupling effects during reading of an addressed memory cell.
2. Related Art
Flash devices may exhibit reading errors due to cross-coupling effects. Cross-coupling effects may be caused by coupling between floating gates of adjacent cells that are in electrical field communication with an addressed cell that is read. The floating-gate-to-floating-gate coupling phenomenon may occur between sets of adjacent memory cells that are programmed at different times. For example, a first memory cell may be programmed to add a level of charge to its floating gate corresponding to one or more bit values. Subsequently, one or more adjacent memory cells may be programmed to add a level of charge to their floating gates corresponding to one or more bit values. After one or more of the adjacent memory cells are programmed, the charge level read from the first memory cell may appear to be different than originally programmed due to cross-coupling effects that the charges on the adjacent memory cells have on the first memory cell. As such, cross-coupling from the adjacent memory cells can shift the apparent charge level read from the first memory cell. This shift may result in an erroneous reading of the data stored in the first memory cell.
Compensation for the cross-coupling between an addressed memory cell and one or more of its adjacent cells may be made when the state of the addressed memory cell is read. Prior methods are based on correction of the read voltage of the addressed cell (or of the estimate of its stored bits) based on the read voltage of the adjacent cells and on the expected voltage shift due to cross-coupling effects from the adjacent cells. These expected voltage shifts are based on the average cross-coupling coefficient, taken over all pairs of adjacent and addressed cell having the same relative location. The problem with this approach is that due to variations in the fabrication process of the flash array, there exist variations in the cross-coupling coefficients between different pairs. These variations result in reduced accuracy of such cross-coupling compensation techniques, which are based on the average value. Variance of these irregularities may increase as manufacturing processes reduce the size of flash memory devices.

Flash memory system having cross-coupling compensation during read operation


In a fishing rod assembly, a motion detection apparatus is mounted in the rod and includes a motion detector to sense any motion or tension in the line imparted to the rod when a fish strikes and to generate an electrical signal in response to such motion, a portable power supply, a light source and circuit control means responsive to the signal produced by the motion sensor to activate the light source, and a plurality of fiber optic elements are arranged for extension through the rod to produce a visual signal along the length of the rod when the light source is activated; and further the circuit means may include an audible alarm which is responsive to the same signal to produce an audible signal when motion is sensed in the rod.

Fishing is one of the oldest activities known to mankind. Over the years, innumerable devices, schemes and methods for attempting to catch both fresh and salt water fish have been devised. However, it is axiomatic that the most tried and true method of catching fish remains to be one of the oldest; that is, dropping a line bearing a baited hook into the water and ensnaring the fish upon the hook when the fish attempts to take the bait.
If the fisherman is engaged in some other activity when a fish strikes at the bait, a strike may go undetected and the fish escape, since it is often necessary to set the hook at the time the fish is nibbling. If the fisherman is otherwise engaged, the opportunity to set the hook will have passed. Additionally, while a fisherman may be able to observe the rod during daylight hours in order to see a strike, during hours of darkness no such opportunity exists particularly if the rod is unattended. Accordingly, there is a need for a practical manner and means for alarming or signaling a fisherman who is not directly engaged in watching or holding his fishing rod when a fish is nibbling or striking. In the past, it has been proposed to provide for some form of externally attached signaling device which will signal when a strike has occurred and, for example, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,238,659 to C. L. Lamb, Jr. in which the rod is provided with a pressure-activated, lighted alarm system. The system has a battery and a master switch in the handle of the rod and a signaling switch or pressure-sensitive detector is located in one of the eyelets through which the fishing line passes. When the line is pulled tight, such as, in the event of a strike, the pressure-sensitive detector contact is closed to cause a light switch to be energized and this light is transmitted through the translucent material of the rod, however it is highly desirable to obviate the use of externally mounted detectors or to limit the materials from which the rod can be constructed. Also it is desirable to provide signaling means which need not be oriented into a particular position in order to operate.
Another approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,258 to B. R. Adams et al wherein a fish strike signaling device can be attached to the rod and provide a signal indicating the strength of the pressure placed in the line. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,425 to Lemons, a switch and battery system either can be attached or built into the rod in such a way that an increase in tension will cause the switch to be triggered. Again, such devices are exposed to damage from handling and water damage as well. Other patents of interest are U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,701 to W. B. Rivers; U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,509 to J. W. Petersen, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,195 to E. A. Delaney; U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,158 to J. C. Kirk; U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,284 to S. M. Westwood, III and U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,059 to W. R. Ochs.
In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed to provide for a compact, lightweight signaling device that can be internally mounted within the rod and is capable of producing a bright visual signal and/or a loud audible signal to the fisherman in response to motion produced in the rod as a result of a potential fish strike.

Motion sensitive, fiber optic, strike indicating fishing rod assembly


A method, system, and network for providing a method, system, and network, for network and device event monitoring and reporting. The disclosed subject matter associates with a host computer, a local network of information technology devices, a community of network users, and a global information technology community. The present disclosure initiates an inventory of a plurality of information technology devices associated with a local network of information technology devices. The method, system and apparatus determine change in the operational status of the plurality of the information technology devices associated with the local network. Then, the present disclosure monitors for changes in the operational status of the plurality of the information technology devices associated with the local network. The disclosed subject matter then presents to the host computer information relating changes in the operational status of the information technology devices associated with the local network. The present method and system associate changes to the operational status with a plurality of products from a set of product vendors, and those changes to the operational status with a plurality of advertisements presented in association with plurality of products.

Existing information technology (IT) management software packages have several shortcomings. Existing IT management software packages are often complicated. Often, such software packages are geared toward professional IT personnel in large businesses, neglecting small and medium sized businesses. While the presentation of large amounts of information may be beneficial in certain contexts, it is often unnecessary and overwhelming for less sophisticated IT management personnel.
Existing IT management software packages may not integrate important data into a single interface. One IT management software package may be more effective for managing one issue, while another may be more effective for another issue. An IT manager may need to review many disparate sources of information in order to effectively manage the IT infrastructure. Common management issues are often mixed with the less commonly encountered issues, making it tedious and time consuming to filter the common issues from the less common issues.
Network management software has earned a reputation as being both costly to buy and complicated to set up and use. As a result, many smaller organizations tend to forgo it, filing it under "nice to have, but not worth the expense or hassle." But, in putting off network management, a risk arises of letting a potential problem go unnoticed, or even grow worse over time. There is a need for an easy-to-use application that can inventory a network's systems and software (along with various other devices) and includes monitoring and reporting capabilities. Such a system should constitute a relatively small download that may be available via the Internet or other on-line source. The application should be able to run on either a current Microsoft Windows system such as Windows XP Professional, Window Vista Business, or Windows 2003 Server system, but it can manage all the common types of assets found in a business such as Windows 2000/XP, Mac OS X, Linux/Unix machines, printers, switches, routers, etc.
Such a network management system should use a minimum of document and other complex instructions in its use. It should also avoid the need to install software agents on every system to provide control and query capabilities. Such a system should require the installation of software on only one system, to make configuring simple in most cases.
There is a need for such a system to provide displays within a simple browser-based interface, with default setting presenting an overview of a network organized by category. Such a display should show how many workstations, servers, printers and miscellaneous devices, as well as other network information operate on the network.
There is a need for a network management system that reports all of the Microsoft® software, services and operating system updates (or hot fixes) present on each of the systems it finds. Such a system should provide a rapid path to the software manufacturer for recognized applications. A further need exists for a system that allows sifting through a great deal of network information with a built-in report generator.
With such a network monitoring system, there is the need to stay in-step with the network by monitoring events within the network. The network monitoring system needs to provide in a desktop application a way to automatically identify PCs and servers with low disk space, the presence of unwanted software on your network, the status of your anti-virus updates, printers with low toner and ink levels, and offline servers.
When problems arise in a network, there is the need for the network monitoring system to aid the IT administrator to quickly identity the cause. Such a system should enable the IT administrator and other problem solvers to see what software is on a machine that is causing it to run slowly. Moreover, there is the need for such a system to be able to compare two or machines to see what settings are different. Such a system should allow for quickly identifying the server that is running out of capacity. The desired IT network monitoring system would allows the user to easily see into an IT network to resolve problems more quickly.
Yet a further need exists for an IT network management system that includes for the users it serves a help desk function, deliver a single interface where an IT administrator may manage all daily tasks, projects and problems. There is a need for a system that may create a one-click ticket while browsing an IT network. Furthermore, such as system should allow the clients it serves to submit tickets to via email or the Web and then view the status of those tickets online. Such a system should allow for assigning tickets across an IT team, attach such tickets to hardware on the IT network, and manage projects relating to the network. Still further, there is a need for a system that can easily run reports on trouble solving tickets.

Computer network software and hardware event monitoring and reporting system and method


The stainless steel cooking utensil (10; 10A) with a capsular base having a stainless steel cap (20) and also at least one additional metal cap (24; 24, 28). At least one of the caps (20, 24; 20, 24, 28) is of a metal of high magnetic permeability, the one additional cap (24) being drawn over the traditional cap (20), each of the other additional caps (28) being drawn at least over that adjacent additional cap (24) closer to the traditional cap (20). The additional caps (24, 28) can be permanently fixed to each other and to the traditional cap (20).

The present invention relates to stainless steel cooking utensils provided with a so-called xe2x80x9ccapsularxe2x80x9d base, and more particularly to the utensils of this type heatable by utilizing the phenomenon of magnetic induction.
From the time that stainless steel cooking utensils first appeared, although they offered numerous advantages over traditional cooking utensils, it was immediately obvious that they presented the not inconsiderable drawback that, when placed on a heat source, sufficiently uniform heat distribution over their entire base was not achieved, the temperature within their base being significantly higher in those regions of the base in direct contact with the heat source, compared with their other regions.
To obviate this drawback it was attempted to externally clad the base of the utensil with a layer of a metal having good thermal conductivity (in practice aluminium or copper). This was achieved historically in a simple, practical and low-cost manner by the procedure described in IT-A-965732. This procedure essentially consists of: centrally positioning a circular plate of suitable thickness and diameter of a metal of good thermal conductivity (preferably aluminium) on the outer face of the base of the actual utensil; heating the combination to a temperature close to but less than the melting point of the plate; and applying to the combination an adequate pressure (preferably an impact pressure) to enable a permanent connection to be obtained between the constituent parts of the base of the utensil obtained in this manner.
Although this solution achieves good heat distribution over the entire base of the utensil, it has the drawback that after a short time the outer surface of the aluminium or copper layer assumes an unpleasant appearance, the original appearance being restored only by a long and tiring cleaning operation.
To overcome this drawback it was attempted to completely clad the outer layer of good thermal conductivity metal with a thin layer of stainless steel or a xe2x80x9ccapxe2x80x9d which is easily cleanable, although it is not one of the higher thermal conductivity materials. However as this layer is very thin, it does not significantly hinder heat transfer and distribution.
Cooking utensils of this type are known in the sector as capsular base utensils in the sense that the layer of good thermal conductivity material is completely enclosed between the stainless steel base of the actual utensil and said outer stainless steel xe2x80x9ccapxe2x80x9d.
The currently almost universally used procedure for producing a cooking utensil of this type in a simple and practical manner and which also ensures perfect mutual adhesion of the various components of the capsular base of the utensil derives from that described in IT-A-965732, i.e. by using pressure heating. To this latter procedure there is added a stage consisting of centrally positioning on said aluminium plate a cap of thin stainless steel sheet, then heating the combination to a temperature close to but less than the melting point of the metal of the plate.
Some time ago it was realized that significant energy savings in food cooking could be achieved by providing a cooking utensil with a base of a metal (in particular a type of stainless steel) of high magnetic permeability and placing this utensil over a device able to generate an adequate magnetic field (the heating occurring by magnetic induction).
It was therefore attempted to make cooking utensils with a capsular base heatable by magnetic induction, by simply using for their base an outer cap obtained from a stainless steel sheet of high magnetic permeability (it should be noted that the stainless steel traditionally used for making cooking utensils has a low magnetic permeability), and which would not prevent these cooking utensils from being heated by a traditional heat source. However the resultant utensils presented the serious drawback that the cap of high magnetic permeability stainless steel (for example AISI 430) underwent considerable deformation or warping even during manufacture, and this subsequently increased as a result of the repeated heating to which the utensil is subjected during its use, to the extent that the cap could partially or totally separate.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a stainless steel cooking utensil with a capsular base, which can be heated by magnetic induction without however presenting the drawback of known utensils of this type.
This object is attained by the stainless steel cooking utensil of the present invention, characterised in that the capsular base comprises not only the traditional stainless steel cap but also at least one additional metal cap, at least one of the caps being of a metal of high magnetic permeability, one additional cap being drawn over the traditional cap, each of the other additional caps being drawn at least over the adjacent additional cap closer to the traditional cap, means being provided to permanently fix the additional caps together and to the traditional cap.
It has been surprisingly found that a cooking utensil formed in this manner with one or more additional caps, of which at least one is of stainless steel of high magnetic permeability, does not present the aforedescribed drawbacks of known cooking utensils heatable by magnetic induction. In this respect, precisely because the high magnetic permeability stainless steel layer or layers forming one of the caps are of cup shape and are intimately connected to at least one cap adjacent to them, the utensil base, even after prolonged use of the utensil, does not present appreciable distortion or warping to an extent such as to compromise its use or significantly reduce the efficiency of its heating by magnetic induction.
It is important to note that if several additional caps are provided, except for at least one (which necessarily must be of a high magnetic permeability metal), the remaining additional caps can be of metals not of high magnetic permeability, such as copper, silver or titanium, or even the usual stainless steel for cooking utensils.
Conveniently the additional cap or caps of high magnetic permeability are the most outer, in order to achieve high heating efficiency by magnetic induction. However the opposite situation is not to be excluded, in the sense that the most inner cap, in the limit the traditional cap, can be of a high magnetic permeability metal, whereas the most outer cap can be of a low magnetic permeability metal. For example, for appearance reasons or to immediately obtain a more uniform heat distribution, the most outer cap can be of copper or silver, or titanium (which has a corrosion resistance considerably higher than high magnetic permeability stainless steel which, as is well known, corrodes more easily than the stainless steel of low magnetic permeability used for common cooking utensils, and of which the actual utensil is made). In this lafter case the most outer cap of low magnetic permeability metal can conveniently have the smallest possible thickness, both for weight reasons and because this enables a higher magnetic induction heating efficiency to be achieved.
If a procedure similar to that described in DE-C-2258795 is used to join the additional cap to the traditional cap to form the utensil of the invention, but the metal of the caps is not such as to enable the caps to be joined together by the aforesaid manufacturing procedure, the aforesaid fixing means between the caps will consist of a relative layer of a metal having a melting point lower than that of the two caps to be joined together, the layer of fixing metal being interposed between them and joining them together by implementing the aforesaid utensil manufacturing procedure. It is however opportune to note that to manufacture the capsular base of the utensil of the present invention, it is not necessary to use the known pressure heating method, as the various caps could be joined together buy simple brazing. In this case the intermediate layer of material of lower melting point than the adjacent caps is the brazing material (welding alloy) itself.
It should also be noted that the most outer additional cap (which can even be the only additional cap) can have through apertures to provide an aesthetic effect, as they enable the underlying material to be seen. If made in a cap of high magnetic permeability metal, these through apertures will conveniently have positions and dimensions such as not to significantly penalize the induction heating efficiency. It should be noted that even if the material below the most outer cap has an appearance similar to that of the cap material and said method is used to manufacture the capsular base, an aesthetic effect is in any event obtained, due to the pattern of the slightly hollowed but well visible line (similar to a line obtained by incision) which forms along the outline of said through notches, apertures or holes.
It should be further noted that these through apertures can be filled with metal strips of equal plan shape and dimensions, but of a metal different from that of the sheet used for the outer cap, this enabling special decorative effects to be obtained (which can also serve to distinguish the production of a determined manufacturer from another).
The additional cap or caps normally have a circular outer edge lying in one plane. However this edge, although being circular overall, can have a pattern which differs from a circumference and emerges from said plane, for example a regular or irregular undulated pattern, with sinusoidal, square, rectangular, triangular or mixed waves.
The most outer additional cap can completely cover the traditional cap or leave its outer edge exposed and hence visible. The same can apply to any other additional cap with respect to the most inner additional cap. If the outer edge of all or part of the caps is visible, the plane tangential to the visible outer lateral surface of the caps is preferably roughly the same, so as not to have too accentuated steps or undercuts at the junction line, which would make cleaning more difficult.

Stainless steel cooking utensil with composite capsular base heatable by magnetic induction