A magnetic head comprising magnetic core halves which are sealed with a sealing glass which consists essentially of 10 to 25% by weight of SiO.sub.2, 55 to 80% by weight of PbO, 1 to 15% by weight of CdO, 0 to 10% by weight of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0 to 5% by weight of ZnO, 0 to 5% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0 to 5% by weight of Na.sub.2 O, and 0 to 10% by weight of K.sub.2 O, provided that a total content of Na.sub.2 O and K.sub.2 O does not exceed 10% by weight, has a coefficient of thermal expansion of from 90.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. to 110.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. in a temperature range between 30.degree. C. and 300.degree. C., a working temperature of 600.degree. C. or lower and water resistance of the second class or higher, which glass is not deeply colored and is not devitrified during the assembly of the magnetic head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic head using a specific sealing glass for assembling.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the progress of electronics, the need for various kinds of glass has been increased.
The use of a sealing glass will be explained by making reference to a sealing glass for a magnetic head. FIGS. 1A to 1K illustrate a typical process for producing a magnetic head.
First, a piece of ferrite is cut out from an ingot of ferrite (FIG. 1A). The piece of ferrite is abrased to form a rod having a suitable shape and size (FIG. 1B). As shown in FIG. 1C, grooves are formed by track processing. Over the grooves, a glass is molded (FIG. 1D) and excessive glass is removed by abrasing. After forming a groove for coiling, a gap surface is abrased (FIG. 1E). Then, a gap glass is sputtered on a bonding surface and a pair of ferrite pieces are bonded to form a gap (FIG. 1F). The bonded pieces are cut to form a chip (FIG. 1G) and sides of the chip are abrased to a suitable thickness (FIG. 1H). The chip is then adhered to a base (FIG. 1I), and a tape flying face is abrased (FIG. 1J). Finally, a wire is wound to finish a magnetic head (FIG. 1K).
As a material for the magnetic head, the ferrite has been most widely used. However, since the ferrite has a small saturation magnetic flux density, the magnetic head comprising the ferrite cannot be used in combination with a a high density recording medium such as a metal tape which has recently been developed because of magnetic saturation of the magnetic head. Then, as a substitute magnetic material for the ferrite, an amorphous alloy was developed and used for the production of a magnetic head which is assembled in a VTR used in broad casing stations or an S-VHS type VTR. For producing the magnetic head comprising the amorphous alloy, the amorphous alloy is sputtered between the steps of FIGS. 1B and 1C. However, since the amorphous alloy tends to be easily crystallized, a working temperature of the sealing glass used for assembling the magnetic head should be 500.degree. C. or lower. To this end, a sealing glass containing a very large amount of PbO is used. In general such glass has small strength and poor water resistance.
Then, a superstructural nitride alloy as a substitute for the amorphous alloy was invented (see, for example, the Technical Study Reports of the Electronics, Information and Communication Society, MR-86-4, 87-14). Since the superstructural nitride alloy has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 105.+-.5.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. (30.degree. to 300.degree. C.) and a crystallization temperature of 600.degree. C. or higher, the sealing glass containing a smaller amount of PbO can be used. Therefore, the strength and water resistance of the sealing glass are expected to be improved.
However, conventional glasses which can be processed at a temperature of 600.degree. C. or higher are not suitable as sealing glasses for the magnetic head. For example, Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 501372/1983 discloses a glass which contains 62 to 72% by weight of PbO and has a working temperature of 530.degree. C. But, its coefficient of thermal expansion is as small as 87.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C., it has poor water resistance because of the presence of PbF.sub.2, it is easily devitrified because of the presence of TiO.sub.2, and it is colored in dark brown because of the presence of V.sub.2 O.sub.5.
Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 146951/1984 discloses a glass which contains 70 to 74% by weight of PbO, and has a viscosity of 10.sup.6 poises at 600.degree. C. or lower and a coefficient of thermal expansion of 83 to 93.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. Since, in general, the sealing glass should have a viscosity in the order of 10.sup.4 poises at the working temperature, the working temperature of this glass exceeds 600.degree. C. In addition, the coefficient of thermal expansion is small.
When a coefficient of thermal expansion of the sealing glass is too small, a large tensile stress is generated in the substrate so that the chip is broken in the step (g) of the above process. When the coefficient of thermal expansion is too large a large tensile stress is generated in the glass so that the glass is broken.
When the glass has prior water resistance, the surface of the glass is denatured and the gap formation is insufficient in the step (f), so that the chip is broken in the step (g).
When the glass is colored or devitrified, the apex is not observed when the gap depth is adjusted to a defined depth.
When the working temperature exceeds 600.degree. C., a super structure nitrogen alloy such as a Co-Nb-Zr-N alloy which is used as a magnetic material of the magnetic head is crystallized so that the magnetic head does not work.
Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 195552/1984 discloses a glass for thick coating a circuit which contains 65 to 75% by weight of PbO, and has a baking temperature of 560.degree. C. or lower and a coefficient of thermal expansion of 65.degree. to 85.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. This glass has the small coefficient of thermal expansion and is colored in dark green because of the presence of Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3.
Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 170240/1988 discloses a glass which contains 45 to 60% by weight of PbO, and has a working temperature of 550.degree. C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion of 119 to 126.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. Since this glass contains a comparatively large amount (5% by weight or more) of Na.sub.2 O, it has poor water resistance. In addition, its coefficient of thermal expansion is too large.
In view of the above state of the arts, the sealing glass to be used together with the superstructural nitride alloy should meet at least following requirements:
(1) Its coefficient of thermal expansion is close to that of the superstructural nitride alloy. PA0 (2) Its working temperature is not higher than 600.degree. C. PA0 (3) It has good water resistance. PA0 (4) It is not darkly colored and not devitrified during processing. PA0 10 to 25% by weight of SiO.sub.2, PA0 55 to 80% by weight of PbO, PA0 1 to 15% by weight of CdO, PA0 0 to 10% by weight of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, PA0 0 to 5% by weight of ZnO, PA0 0 to 5% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, PA0 0 to 5% by weight of Na.sub.2 O, and PA0 0 to 10% by weight of K.sub.2 O PA0 10 to 20% by weight of SiO.sub.2, PA0 60 to 75% by weight of PbO, PA0 1 to 10% by weight of CdO, PA0 3 to 10% by weight of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, PA0 0 to 5% by weight of ZnO, PA0 0 to 3% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, PA0 0 to 3% by weight of Na.sub.2 O, and PA0 1 to 5% by weight of K.sub.2 O
As a result of preliminary experiments on the coefficient of thermal expansion and water resistance, it was found that the glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion of from 90 to 110.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. has good sealing properties with the superstructural nitride alloy, and that the glass should have the water resistance of at least "Second Class", preferably "First Class" when expressed according to the classes determined by the Japan Optical Glass Industries Association (Nippon Kogaku Garasu Kogyokai).

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A security guard for mounting to a frame of a window opening in a building includes an elongated channel bar having a plurality of mounting pins secured to one end thereof and a key actuated lock visible and operable only from the interior of the building mounted within the confined flanged area of the bar at the opposite end thereof, the mounting pins and the retractable dead bolt of the lock cooperative with adjacent window frame structure to securely but releasably retain the channel bar in position next to the window on the interior side thereof. The spaced pins prohibit the bar from being rotated and an additional lock cover member mounted to the bar substantially coextensive of the lock protects the lock from external tampering. Suitable grill work or the like may be mounted to and supported by the channel bar.

This invention relates generally to security devices and specifically to an anti-burglar apparatus suitable for mounting in a casement window or the like.
The rapid increase in burglaries, and particularly residential burglaries, in recent years has created an increased need and demand for an economical yet effective means for burglar-proofing conventional windows. It is, of course, well known to burglar-proof windows by providing a grill work of metal bars, expanded metal, or ornamental grill design which are rigidly mounted in position covering the window. However, these prior art devices suffer the serious drawback that they prevent passage equally as well from the inside as the outside, and, therefore, present a serious hazard in the case of fire. Further, these rigidly mounted prior art devices have presented serious obstructions to window washing, routine maintenance, painting, and the like.
Less complicated anti-burglar apparatus is also shown having sturdy construction through use of channel irons such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,590; however, these devices are not easily removable and, therefore, suffer from the drawbacks noted above.
It is also known to provide complete covers having an integral frame adapted to fit a conventional window and including a plurality of key actuated locks each having a bolt adapted to project into a keeper slot in the frame structure as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,923. These devices tend to be relatively expensive and time consuming to install due to their extensive structure, and the positioning of the lock does not render these devices substantially tamper proof.
Other key actuated removable window guards are known such as taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,550,404; 1,954,559 and Re. 19,617, however, each of these positions the locks where they may be tampered with such as by hammering and located so as to be easily picked.
Thus, there is a need for a window security guard which is adaptable to mounting in a variety of window frames such as casement window bucks having small but significant variations in frame dimensions; which is strong and durable yet economical to manufacture and easily and quickly installed; and which allows for easy removal by means of a key actuated lock but which safeguards the lock mechanism from tampering or destruction.


Methods of labelling one or more subcellular components (e.g., an organelle and/or subcellular region) in vivo are provided. Methods of labelling a protein in vivo are provided. Methods of determining a nucleic acid sequence in situ are also provided.

Current methods for detecting biological features in cells broadly fall into three categories: 1) affinity-based detection using synthetic or natural antibodies conjugated to a fluorescent moiety; 2) fusing biological features to recombinant fluorescent proteins; and 3) labelling biological features with dyes. These art-known methods enable quantitative detection and localization of target features in fixed and/or living cells in situ. However, methods known in the art at the time of filing suffer from the drawback of only being able to utilize a narrow range of spectral space for multiplexed detection. Further, methods known in the art at the time of filing are prone to artifacts due to e.g., autofluorescence and/or noise in the analog signal domain.

Methods for high-throughput labelling and detection of biological features in situ using microscopy

President and Fellows of Harvard College


The surface of a workpiece is provided with a surface layer. Initially, the workpiece is inductively heated by a HF/MF generator to a first temperature and subsequently heated further by a laser beam with coating material being applied to the region of the laser beam in an amount sufficient to form a surface layer on the workpiece. The generator and the laser source are able to operate simultaneously to effect a high quality surface layer of relatively thin thickness.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a surface layer on a metallic workpiece.
For the most various reasons, workpieces have been provided wholly or partially with surface layers. For example, surface layers have been provided at places on workpieces which are particularly heavily loaded thermally, chemically or mechanically. These layers may moreover be produced by alteration of the structure of the surface regions of a workpiece, e.g., by hardening by, say, heat treatment, or by the incorporation of foreign substances. Surface layers are also generated by the application of actual surface layers, such as by melting them on or by galvanic surface treatment.
In the case of coated workpieces which are subjected, e.g., to alternating thermal loading, the life of surface layers suitable in themselves is inadequate for certain applications. For example, the surface layer or parts thereof may loosen from the workpiece. In other cases, cracks may form in the surface layer which lead to a breakdown of the surface layer and also of the workpiece.
By way of example, European Patent Application 0 190 378 describes a method for surface-alloying metal with a high-density energy beam and an alloy steel. In one described embodiment, a second heat source comprising a burner or an induction heater is disposed in front of and/or behind the irradiation area of the high-density energy beam. This second heat source provides a supplementary heat source for decreasing the energy of the high-density beam and/or for enhancing the working ability and is intended to prevent thermal cracks. However, such a technique still allows the overall workpiece to be subjected to alternating thermal loading. That is to say, while the area under the influence of the second heat source and high density energy beam, i.e. a laser beam, is significantly heated, the adjacent areas of the workpiece are not. Thus, there is an uneven temperature over the working area of the workpiece. Hence, residual stresses occur during the thermal treatment of workpieces. These residual stresses, in turn, may result in deformations such as localized buckling, within the workpiece and in the surface layer thereon.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to improve the quality of a surface layer on a workpiece.
It is another object of the invention to provide a relatively simple technique for forming high quality surface layers on a workpiece.
It is another object of the invention to form relatively thin surface layers on a workpiece with minimal melting of the workpiece.

Apparatus for producing a surface layer on a metallic workpiece


A fractional-type phase-locked loop circuit, for synthesizing an output signal multiplying a frequency of a reference signal by a selected fractional conversion factor, includes a frequency divider for generating a feedback signal dividing the frequency of the output signal by a frequency division factor selectable among at least two different integer-value division factors, and frequency divider control means for causing the frequency division factor to vary between the at least two integer-value division factors in a pre-defined number of cycles, thereby an average frequency division factor over said pre-defined number of cycles has a fractional value. Means are provided for compensating a phase error introduced by the frequency divider on the basis of a value indicative of the phase error obtained from said frequency divider control means. The phase-error compensation means includes rounding means, receiving an input binary code with a first number of binary digits, indicative of the phase error value, and providing an output binary code, with a second number of binary digits lower than the first number of digits, defining a rounded phase error value.

PLLs are commonly used in (indirect) frequency synthesis applications. A PLL consists of a negative feedback circuit that allows multiplying the frequency of a reference signal by a selected frequency conversion factor; this results in the generation of a tuneable and stable output signal at the desired frequency.
For this purpose, a frequency divider scales the frequency of the output signal by the conversion factor. The resulting frequency-scaled signal is fed back to a phase comparator, which detects a phase difference between the feedback signal and the reference signal. The phase comparator outputs a control current indicative of the detected phase difference. A loop filter integrates the control current into a corresponding control voltage for a Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO), which varies the frequency of the output signal according to the control voltage value.
In a locked condition, the frequency of the feedback signal matches the frequency of the reference signal; therefore, the frequency of the output signal is equal to the reference frequency multiplied by the conversion factor.
A particular architecture (commonly referred to as fractional-N) has become increasingly popular over the years, especially in wireless communication applications working at high frequency. In a fractional-N PLL, differently from an integer-N PLL, the frequency conversion factor N is a non-integer, i.e., a fractional number. To this purpose, the divide factor of the frequency divider is caused to vary dynamically between different integer numbers, for example between two consecutive integers N and N+1, so as to obtain the desired, fractional average conversion factor.
The fractional-N PLL architecture allows overcoming the known limitations of integer-N PLLs, which are characterized by a trade-off between bandwidth, settling time, frequency spacing, phase noise, and power consumption.
Typically, a fractional-N PLL includes an accumulator that continuously adds to itself an adjusting value, defining a fractional component of the desired frequency conversion factor. As long as the content of the accumulator is lower than its capacity (corresponding to the maximum allowed adjusting value), the frequency divider is caused to divide the frequency of the PLL output signal by an integer component N of the fractional conversion factor; each time the accumulator overflows, the frequency divider is caused to increment the divide factor by one unit (N+1). In other words, the frequency divide factor is modulated.
A problem of fractional-N PLLs is that the feedback signal and the reference signal, even in the locked condition, are not instantaneously at the same frequency, but only so on average; the frequency difference between the two signals translates into a phase error having a value that varies with the same periodicity as the variation of the frequency-divider divide factor. The periodicity of the variation of the phase error introduces spurious signals (shortly referred to as spurs) rather close to the frequency of the PLL output signal, the frequency offsets of the spurs from the output signal frequency corresponding to harmonics of the periodicity of the modulation pattern for the frequency divider.
A known technique for reducing the energy level of the spurs calls for compensating the above-mentioned phase error. This technique is based on the consideration that the accumulator used to control the divide factor of the frequency divider actually behaves as a phase-error accumulator and, in the locked condition, the value in the accumulator represents the phase error between the feedback signal and the reference signal. The content of the accumulator, properly scaled, is thus converted by a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) into a corresponding compensation current, that is added to the control current generated by the phase comparator.
A problem of the above-mentioned phase-error compensation technique relates to the resolution required for the DAC generating the compensation current. In principle, a DAC having the same number of bits as the counter in the accumulator needs to be employed. The number of bits of the accumulator is related to the number of different channels that can be selected, and can be very high; for example, it may be necessary to have 216 or even 220 different channels, so that accumulators of sixteen bits or even twenty bits are needed.
Designing and implementing a multibit DAC with such a high level of resolution is a challenging and almost impractical task; just to cite one problem, the power consumption of such a DAC would be very high.

Phase-error-compensation techniques in a fractional-N PLL frequency synthesizer


The appearance of a pillow case is changed to make the pillow case more aesthetically pleasing for a child's use. Preferably, this is accomplished by forming a pillow case from a first sheet and a second sheet comprised of cloth material. A three-dimensional figure, such as a front portion of a stuffed teddy bear, is then attached to the outside surface of the first sheet by sewn stitching. This creates a pillow case that is more pleasing for a child's use as a conventional pillow case, comforter, security object and plaything.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to pillow cases, and more particularly, to a pillow case including a three-dimensional figure attached thereto to alter the aesthetic appearance of the pillow case.
2. Discussion
Conventional pillows and pillow cases are well known in the art. The conventional pillow and pillow case is generally rectangular in shape. The pillow serves as support for the head during rest and sleep, and is usually made of soft foam, feathers or other natural or synthetic material which provides for comfortable support for the head. The pillow case itself is usually made of cloth and serves as a cover for receiving the pillow, wherein the cover protects the pillow from becoming dirty and soiled, and may be removed from the pillow to allow for easy cleaning. Hence, when the pillow case becomes soiled, it is removed from the pillow and cleaned while the pillow remains substantially free from dirt.
The pillow case also serves a decorative and aesthetic function as well. For example, pillow cases come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and prints for use in any type of interior design or theme. This allows the pillow case to be changed to meet the particular aesthetic requirements while the pillow itself remains substantially unchanged.
Pillows and pillow cases also serve other functions as well. For example, as a comforter, security object and plaything for young children and toddlers. As such, a variety of decorative and dual-function pillows and pillow cases have been employed in the past to meet these additional functions. The following U.S. patents form a representative, though not exhaustive, list of various decorative and dual-function pillows and pillow cases: U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 163,092 to W. L. M. Clark; Des. 237,559 to Johnston; 1,867,422 to C. Shapiro; 4,670,924 to Spector; 4,763,369 to Spector; 4,875,245 to Isda; 4,889,512 to Burnett et al; 4,959,879 to Marxhausen; 4,968,279 to Smith; 4,972,533 to Brown; and 5,027,457 to Sweet.
The current decorative and dual-function pillows serve a conventional use as a form of support for the head and also as home decorations and children's playthings. However, each of the current decorative and dual function pillows alter the overall shape of the conventional rectangular pillow by either adding additional parts to the pillow or by deforming the shape of the pillow itself. As such, these pillows become less useful and more uncomfortable in their conventional use as a support for the head and serve more in their secondary use as decorative items and playthings.
What is needed then is a pillow case which serves as a comfortable and useful conventional pillow case and also as an aesthetically pleasing pillow case, comforter, security object and plaything for a child. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide such a pillow case.

Pillow case with three dimensional design


An implantable defibrillator/cardioverter which generates a biphasic defibrillation/cardioversion waveform including a pulse generator comprising two capacitors and a pair of switches for connecting the capacitors in parallel during a first phase and in series during a second phase. The first phase has a small "tilt" between the leading edge voltage and the trailing edge voltage. The second phase has a leading edge voltage which is approximately twice the trailing edge voltage of the first phase.

The present invention relates to cardiac defibrillation/cardioversion, and more particularly to an implantable defibrillation/cardioversion system including a pulse generator which generates a lower energy biphasic defibrillation/cardioversion waveform.
When used hereinafter, the term "defibrillation" is meant to include high energy defibrillation and lower energy cardioversion.
Biphasic internal defibrillation has replaced monophasic defibrillation as a technique to decrease defibrillation strength requirements. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,548,203 to Tacker, Jr. et al. and 4,821,723 and 4,850,357 to Bach, Jr. By decreasing defibrillation strength requirements, the energy storage devices in the implanted unit can be smaller.
With the desire to minimize energy requirements in implanted devices, there is room for improving biphasic defibrillation.

Dual capacitor biphasic defibrillator waveform generator employing selective connection of capacitors for each phase


A hockey stick replacement system includes a coupler adapted to receive a wooden hockey stick shaft at one end and a replacement blade at the other; the replaceable blade being made of either conventional wood or of aluminum. The aluminum replaceable blade possesses a textured blade surface and is contoured to emulate a conventional wooden hockey stick blade. The system allows players to attach new blades onto previously broken wooden sticks, thus preserving the life of a wooden stick shaft, and permits the use of different types of blades depending upon the performance level desired.

Ice hockey and roller hockey are both popular sports enjoyed worldwide. While played on different playing surfaces, both sports employ very similar equipment, including hockey sticks. Like many athletes, one problem faced by hockey players involves finding and using the best equipment available while keeping equipment costs low.
For many hockey players, the largest budgetary expense is buying and replacing hockey sticks. During the course of a game, a hockey stick can impact the playing surface hundreds of times, often at force levels equal to the maximum level for which the stick was designed. Hence, it is not uncommon for experienced players to break one or more sticks during each game. In many cases, a hockey stick breaks at the hozel portion of the blade (the lower shaft portion immediately above the blade), thus leaving the majority of the shaft undamaged. Disadvantageously, once a stick is broken, the hockey player must discard the entire hockey stick (shaft and blade), even though the shaft is otherwise in perfect condition. Additionally, the game's inherently physical nature often results in chipping and splintering of the hockey stick blade. Even though technically usable, a splintered blade is not effective and is usually discarded as well.
For decades, wood has been the conventional material used for hockey sticks. Many players have grown accustomed to the feel of a wooden shaft, as it is the only material most hockey players have ever used. Due to its wide scale use, many stick manufacturers have been reluctant to invest in alternative materials that emulate the "feel" of a wooden stick. Wood, however, has drawbacks. Only 5-10% of a given tree will yield lumber that has the lightness, stiffness, and grain uniformity suitable for use as hockey sticks. This is neither economically nor ecologically efficient. The skilled labor required to handcraft parts of these sticks is expensive. Wood varies from tree to tree, and sticks made to the same specifications may feel and play quite differently.
While a wooden shaft is advantageous due to its flexural characteristics, a wooden blade is not always advantageous because it does not fully transfer the force of a shot to the puck; i.e., it is not highly efficient, depending upon the choice of wood or the dimensions of the blade. Due to its typically softer nature, as compared with metals, a wooden blade is also subject to damage easily.
Attempts have been made to minimize the damage caused to hockey sticks during normal usage. Players often tape the blades of their sticks to prevent splitting and splintering of the wood blades. Taping the blade slows the wear associated with surface abrasion but does nothing to prevent against breakage. In addition, blades have been made with different materials, including thermoplastics that can be heated and/or mechanically attached to shafts of broken sticks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,721 to Franck discusses the use of kevlar, graphite, or fiberglass blades possessing thermoplastic cores. These synthetic materials, however, tend to wear poorly on abrasive surfaces like asphalt or concrete; common playing surfaces for street hockey in particular and roller hockey in general.
Manufacturers have also begun to use aluminum shafts with detachable blades, permitting the replacement of blades if necessary. The drawback is that aluminum shafts are expensive and many players prefer the feel of a wooden shaft.
Despite these efforts, none have solved the problem of maximizing the use of a wooden shaft stick by repairing damaged hockey sticks for reuse. While systems have been designed that permit the attachment of replacement blades to hollow hockey stick shafts, none are applicable to wooden shafts. Nor has there been an effective solution to the problem of maximizing the life of a hockey stick blade while improving performance. With wood, there is no guarantee that the same dimension and feel will result each time. Moreover, wooden blades do not permit the kind of customization that permits a user to maximize performance.

Blade replacement system for hockey sticks


A communication method for electronic devices includes: determining whether a transmission line is occupied or unoccupied; based on a determination that the transmission line is unoccupied: transmitting transmission data via the transmission line; receiving return data that returns via the transmission line after the transmission data has been transmitted; and determining whether data collision exists on the transmission line by comparing the transmission data with the return data, and based on a determination that the transmission line is occupied: waiting for a predetermined first time interval to elapse; and after the predetermined first time interval has elapsed, returning to the determining whether the transmission line is occupied or unoccupied.

As digital technology evolves, household appliances such as digital refrigerators, digital air conditioners and digital washing machines, and a variety of electronic devices including digital television receivers, digital video/audio devices and the like are emerging. Various home network technologies have been proposed to facilitate control of such electronic devices. E.g., a user may connect the electronic devices with an interface cable and control the operation of other devices by using a television receiver or a computer system having a display screen as a control device. Examples of home networking technologies for connecting electronic devices include Living network Control Protocol (LnCP) based on PLC (Power Line Communication), Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) based on HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), HNCP (Home Network Control Protocol), HAVi (Home Audio/Video interoperability), and RS-485 interface.
The RS-485 interface is an electrical interface defined by the EIA/TIA-485 interface. The physical connector and pin arrangement are not specified. It is defined as the lowest layer of field buses such as BITBUS, PROFIBUS and INTERBUS specified in IEEE 1118. The RS-485 interface is well-suited for distributed control and automation, is robust to noise, and supports a multi-drop communications environments. In addition, the RS-485 interface can communicate at the rate up to 12 Mbps, providing sufficient communications speed for home networking applications at home. In addition, the bus structure does not affect another device when it is added or removed.
In an RS-485 interface communications system, one of several electronic devices connected to an RS-485 interface may be designated as a master device, such that it controls overall data transmission/reception. The master device refers to a device controlling the overall transmission/reception in a network in which a number of devices are connected by the RS-485 interface, and the slave devices refer to all other devices except the master device.
In the RS-485 interface communications system, the master device and the slave devices communicate with each other by polling based on the identification numbers (IDs) of the counterpart devices.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a preexisting network 100 of electronic devices connected through an RS-485 interface. Referring to FIG. 1, a communication is started when master device 101 sends a request packet for polling to slave devices 102 through 105 via a transmission line. The request packet sent by the master device 101 includes the identification number of the slave device to receive the request packet. Each of the slave devices 102 through 105 connected to the RS-485 interface checks if the request packet sent by the master device 101 is addressed to it.
For example, when the slave device 104 determines that the request packet has been addressed to it, the slave device 104 immediately sends a response packet to the master device 101, completing the polling process for a single slave device. At this point, only the slave device 104 can transmit data to the master device 101.
In such a polling scheme, even when a slave device wants to send data to the master device, the salve device cannot transmit data without permission of the master device. In addition, the request packet and the response packet have to be sent and received before every data transmission. As a result, in electronic devices employing such a polling scheme, communications may be slow and prone to delay. Such low communications speed and communications delay may become more serious as the number of electronic devices connected to the transmission line increases.

Electronic device and communications method thereof


A system and method for generating and broadcasting emergency lighting signals wherein the lights are synchronized such that when a first light is energized with a packet of short, rapid bursts, a second light begins to flash before the first light is de-energized. Control circuitry connected to the power source selectively controls the packetized energization of the light sources and includes timing circuitry for periodically energizing a first of the light sources for a first duration and for energizing a second of the light source for a second duration. The second duration overlaps, but is not coincident with the first duration in a repeating pattern such that the first and second sources are periodically energized simultaneously before the first source is de-energized.

Many emergency vehicles, including ambulances, police vehicles, and emergency fire apparatus vehicles, output visible warning signals through the use of flashing lights. The primary object of the flashing lights is to call attention to the vehicle in order to warn observers of an emergency situation. Consequently, the effectiveness of the warning system depends on how well the flashing lights are observed.
At the same time, lights attached to emergency vehicles are typically required to flash at a rate of between 60 and 240 flashes per minute (one to four hertz) as standardized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE J-845, SAE J-595, SAE J-1318). Thus, any attempt to enhance the effectiveness of warning lights ordinarily must comply with these standards.
Strobe lights, or strobe tubes, which provide a very bright flash of light, are often employed for emergency signalling. However, strobe lights provide a relatively short flash of light, and thus have an undesirably long interval between flashes when flashed at the standardized flash rates.
One manner of enhancing the effectiveness of a strobe light-based emergency signalling system involves periodically energizing the strobe light with a packet of short, rapid driving pulses (i.e., "pulse packet") followed by a time duration wherein the light is not flashed. During the time that the strobe light is driven by the pulse packet, i.e., the "on" time, the light appears to an observer to be essentially continuous due to the persistence of the retina. The off time, when the packet is not sent, is provided so that the strobe and associated driving circuitry can recharge, and also so that the strobe light appears to be flashing at the standardized rate. Observers perceive the flash as light having an apparently longer duration and/or a greater intensity than similar strobe lights flashed by a single pulse with driving signals of comparable amplitudes.
Another attempt to improve signalling effectiveness involves increasing the frequency of the flash rate. However, increasing the frequency of the flash rate causes a decrease in the perceived light output intensity due to a reduction in the dwell time in the human eye. Consequently, as the flash rate increases, an increase in the intensity is needed to keep the perceived intensity constant. Nevertheless, as the flash rate increases, the ability to increase the intensity decreases as a result of a corresponding reduction in available recharging time of the strobe and driving circuitry. Thus an inherent tradeoff is present in the combined amount of visible activity. Alternatively, the brightness may be increased, but this comparably requires that the flash rate remain the same or be reduced.
Another method of enhancing signalling effectiveness involves alternating the flashes between two or more strobe lights, which may be filtered to produce lights of differing colors. With a single power supply, the strobes are driven such that one bulb or one set of bulbs is energized while the others are not. Multiple power supplies have been employed for indicating certain types of emergency situations, but they have not been synchronized in any particular manner.
In each of these above-described situations, there is no way to prevent a time interval between the energization bursts wherein none of the light sources are being energized. To a human observer, this time interval constitutes a "dark time" wherein no visible information is being broadcast from the vehicle, thereby lessening the potential effectiveness of the warning system.


An apparatus for handling flat coiler cans before, during and after filling the cans with sliver by a sliver producing textile machine. The apparatus includes an empty-can storing device; a full-can storing device; an intermediate space defined between the empty-can storing device and the full-can storing device; and a sliver filling station for receiving a can to be filled. The sliver filling station includes a can-reciprocating device for moving the can back and forth while sliver is deposited thereinto. The apparatus further includes a conveyor extending between the intermediate space and the sliver filling station for moving a can to be filled into and withdrawing a filled can from the sliver filling station; and a transferring device for transferring a can to be filled from the intermediate space onto the conveyor and for transferring a filled can from the conveyor into the intermediate space.

This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for handling coiler cans of elongated horizontal cross section (that is, flat cans) before, during and after filling the cans with sliver by a sliver-producing textile machine such as a drawing frame. The sliver is discharged by a stationarily supported rotary coiler head of the textile machine and is deposited in coils and, during the charging (filling) process, the coiler can is moved back-and-forth parallel to its horizontal length dimension. Before the charging process starts, an empty can is moved, for example, from an empty-can storing device, into an intermediate space between empty cans and full cans and is therefrom advanced to the filling position whereupon the can is filled with sliver in the filling position and the full can is, after completion of the filling process, moved from the filling position into the intermediate space and is further advanced therefrom, for example, to a full-can storing device. A conveyor is provided between the filling position and the intermediate space.
WO Publication No. 91/18135 discloses an arrangement where empty-can and full-can storing devices are arranged separately one behind the other. Between the two can storing devices an intermediate space for a can is provided. The intermediate space is, perpendicularly to the can storing devices, connected with the sliver filling station underneath the coiler head of a drawing frame by means of a throughgoing can moving device (conveyor) including chains and rollers. In operation an empty can is advanced from the empty-can storing device into the intermediate space, then forwarded by the can moving device to the sliver filling station where it is filled with sliver by the coiler head and thereafter the full can is, in the opposite direction and by the same can moving device, returned into the intermediate space and then shifted into the full-can storing device. Such a process is time consuming as concerns the coiler can replacement in the zone of the can storing devices. In particular, difficulties are involved with the perpendicular change of direction of can motion between the can storing devices on the one hand and the can moving device on the other hand. In an attempt to remedy such difficulties, at the transitional zones between the conveyor belts or conveyor chains of the can storing devices and the conveyor chain of the can moving device, filler portions are provided which fill the intermediate space to ensure that the flat cans are prevented from overturning upon transition from the storing device into the zone of the transport chain or upon transition from the zone of the transport chain into the storing device. It is a further disadvantage of the prior art arrangement that it is structurally complex and expensive and, in particular, special structural measures are required for performing the method.

Method and apparatus for handling flat coiler cans before, during and after filling the cans by a sliver-producing textile machine


A switch controller has a charge pump, a selector switch connected to the charge pump, and a pre-charge power supply input connectable to the input of the selector switch. For each of the output channels being controlled, a power control switch is connected to an output of the selector switch. In response to commands, output channels are enabled and disabled, causing corresponding actions in the power control switches. When an output channel is to be activated, the output channel is selected by the selector switch and the pre-charge power supply connected to the input of the selector switch. The charging is completed by the charge pump and the enabled status of the power control switch is maintained by the charge pump.

Electronic devices such as microprocessors in portable devices may be placed into states of operation which minimize the power requirements when some or all of the functions of the microprocessor are not being used. The voltage applied to the microprocessor or the portions of the circuitry thereof may be controlled such that either the entire microprocessor or a selected portion thereof is unpowered. In an unpowered state, power may be dissipated by leakage currents.
Consistent with reducing the power consumption in the device for which the power is being controlled, power control apparatus may minimize power consumption through choice of components, the arrangement thereof, the sequence of operation, and other design factors. The number of components and the circuit physical area associated with the power control apparatus may be reduced. What is desired is an improved apparatus for controlling the power to multiple circuits.


A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring motion signals of gyroscopes in downhole instruments used to determine the heading of a borehole. An illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a measuring-while-drilling system which may experience motion even while the drill string is suspended in rotary table slips when the heading of the drill string is being determined. Accelerometer and magnetometer data along three orthogonal axes of a measurement sub are used to obtain unit gravitational vectors g at a first time and at a second time and unit magnetic vectors h at the first time and the second time. The difference between the two unit gravitational vectors at the different times, .DELTA.g, and the difference between the two unit magnetic vectors at the different times, .DELTA.h, are used along with the unit vectors g and h and the difference in time .DELTA.t to determine the rotation vector of the probe .OMEGA..sup.p which has occurred during such time difference. The vector representing the rotation of the earth, .OMEGA..sup.e is then determined by subtracting .OMEGA..sup.p from the vector .OMEGA..sup.g from three gyroscope instruments placed along the axes of the measurement sub. The heading of the drill string is determined from the gravitational vector and the earth rotation vector.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention finds application in certain measurement systems which determine the heading of a borehole of a well. For example, the invention relates to measuring-while-drilling systems (MWD) which are designed to determine the position and heading of a tandemly connected sub near the drill bit of a drill string assembly in an oil or gas well borehole. The invention also finds application with wireline apparatus in which one or more down-hole instruments are designed to determine the position and heading of such instrument(s) during logging of an open hole borehole. In particular, the invention relates to the determination of the heading of the well from gyroscopic data regarding the earth's rotation and from accelerometer data regarding the earth's gravitational field. Still more particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for compensating gyroscopic data for movement of a down-hole measurement instrument while a heading determination is being made.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art measuring-while-drilling equipment has included magnetometers and accelerometers disposed on each of three orthogonal axes of a measurement sub of a drill string assembly. Such measurement sub has typically been part of a special drill collar placed a relatively short distance above a drilling bit. The drilling bit bores the earth formation as the drill string is turned by a rotary table of a drilling rig at the surface.
At periodic intervals, the drill string is stopped from turning so that the measurement sub in the well boremay generate magnetometer data regarding the earth's magnetic field and accelerometer data regarding the earth's gravitational field with respect to the orthogonal axes of the measurement sub. The h vector from the magnetometer data and the g vector from the accelerometer data are then used to determine the heading of the well.
Such prior art method suffers from the fact that the earth's magnetic field varies with time and is affected by structures containing iron or magnetic ores in the vicinity of the measurement sub. Such variation leads to errors and uncertainty in the determination of the well heading.
Such variation in the heading determination of the measurement sub of a MWD assembly, or a similar wireline instrument, can theoretically be eliminated by adding gyroscopes to each of the orthogonal axes of the measurement sub. In theory, the heading of the measurement sub can then be determined from accelerometer data from each of such axes and gyroscopic data from each of such axes. The accelerometer data is responsive to the gravitational field of the earth, while the gyroscopic data is responsive to the rotational velocity of the earth with respect to inertial space.
Movement of the measurement sub (in the case of an MWD application) while accelerometer and gyroscopic data is being taken can introduce an error into the determination of the earth's rotational velocity vector. Such movement may be caused by the "twist" or torque on the drill string after it is stopped from rotation and it is suspended from slips in the rig rotary table. Such twisting motion may occur on land rigs or on floating drilling rigs. Motion may also be produced while drilling has been suspended for a heading determination in a floating drilling rig where the heave of the sea causes the drill string to rise and fall in the borehole. Rotation of such drill string may be caused due to wave induced reciprocation of the measurement sub along a curved borehole. Analogous errors may occur in the case of a wireline instrument.

Motion compensation apparatus and method of gyroscopic instruments for determining heading of a borehole


An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include determining a first routing metric associated with a first communication network, wherein the first routing metric identifies a capability of the first communication network to handle an Internet Protocol (IP) flow for a user equipment (UE); determining a second routing metric associated with a second communication network, wherein the second routing metric identifies a capability of the second communication network to handle the IP flow for the UE and wherein the second routing metric is different from the first routing metric; and routing the IP flow for the UE using the first communication network or the second communication network based, at least in part, on the first routing metric and the second routing metric.

Networking architectures have grown increasingly complex in communications environments, particularly mobile wireless environments. For example, network providers have developed architectures in which a communication network can include both 3rd Generation Partnership Project networks, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, and wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as Wi-Fi, can each be accessed by user equipment (UE) having multi-mode communication capabilities. 3GPP Release 13 (Rel-13) Technical Specifications define several integrated LTE-WLAN interworking architectures including LTE-WLAN Aggregation (LWA), LTE WLAN Radio Level Integration with Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) Tunnel (LWIP), and Radio Access Network (RAN) Controlled LTE-WLAN Interworking (RCLWI). Currently, LWIP is defined as using a bearer switch to route IP flows between LTE and WLAN communication links, which causes LWIP interworking architectures to be at a disadvantage over LWA interworking architectures that provide for aggregating IP flows over both LTE and WLAN links. Accordingly, there are significant challenges in aggregating IP flows over LTE and WLAN links for LWIP interworking architectures.

System and method to facilitate unequal cost multipath routing in a network environment


Described herein are various technologies pertaining to an automated light field illumination container inspection. The container inspection system includes a plurality of cameras that capture images of a container when the container is illuminated by way of light field illumination. Bands in images that include reflections in the exterior surface of the sidewall are identified, and a determination is made as to whether the container is defective based upon the identified bands.

Production plants for manufacturing containers (such as beverage cans) can produce a very large number of containers, with sophisticated (multicolor) decoration thereon, in a relatively short amount of time. For instance, a conventional decorator in a container production plant can decorate 2,000 containers per minute. Container decorations have intrinsic value, as consumers tend to attach perceptions of quality to a product based upon the design on the container that holds the product.
Conventionally, there is a lack of robust inspection of exterior surfaces of containers at these container production plants. A known process for container inspection is tasking an operator at the plant with periodically pulling containers from a conveyor for visual inspection. For instance, every so often (e.g., every 15 minutes), the operator may be tasked with pulling a small number of containers from the conveyor and visually inspecting the containers to ensure that the exterior surfaces of the containers are free of readily apparent defects (e.g., to ensure that proper colors are applied to the exterior surfaces of the containers, to ensure that the exterior surfaces of the containers are free of smears, etc.). Using this conventional approach, thousands of defective containers may be manufactured prior to the operator noticing a defect on the exterior surface of one or more of the sampled containers. In practice, these (completed) containers must be scrapped, resulting in significant cost to the container manufacturer.
Recently, automated systems have been developed and deployed in container production plants, wherein such systems are configured, through automated visual inspection, to detect defects on exterior surfaces of containers. These systems include multiple cameras that are positioned to capture images of exterior surfaces of a container when the container passes through an inspection region. In such systems, the images are captured while a container is illuminated by way of dark field illumination. Images of the sidewall of the container taken under dark field illumination are well-suited at depicting spatial defects, three-dimensional defects (e.g., dents, scuffs, contamination, etc.), and subtle color shifts in opaque inks on the container. A computing system analyzes the images captured by the cameras to determine whether the exterior surface of the container includes a defect. Systems that incorporate dark field illumination, however, are unable to accurately correlate measured color in the images to offline measurement systems and standards. Further, these systems are generally incapable of detecting, on containers that have been decorated with ink of dark colors, scratches or unintentional voids in decorations (where, for some reason, ink was not applied where it should have been applied).

Light field illumination container inspection system


The present invention provides systems and methods employing a conferencing system for facilitating enhanced communication between users. In certain embodiments, the conferencing system comprises a communication interface configured to, during a conference session, provide a virtual and/or augmented conference between multiple users having access to a multi-channel, multi-access, always-on, and non-blocking communication. In particular embodiments, the communication interface is in communication with at least one additional component select from: a video component, a data component (e.g., that provides non-audio data to one or more of said users), an audio/video ambience component, and a whiteboard component.

According to the IDC total revenue for virtual reality and augmented reality is projected to increase from $5.2 billion in 2016 to over $162 billion by 2020. While initial market growth is being driven by entertainment and gaming, Deloitte Digital says the largest market opportunities lie within enterprises and the greatest level of adoption will be around collaboration and training applications. Teams that are not in the same physical environment will be able to enter virtual environments to exchange information and ideas in ways that surpass two dimensional video and conferencing. Virtualized reality collaboration will take how we communicate, share ideas and concepts to a completely new level. However, the underlying technology for maximizing the potential of virtualized or augmented reality collaboration is lacking.

Enhanced virtual and/or augmented communications interface


A portable voting booth having multiple voting stations combined with a single utility/storage cart. The cart includes portable voting booth stations that can be deployed from the cart with privacy shields that are formed integral and can be erected instantly for privacy. Privacy booths are placed at various levels to accommodate individuals of various heights, including wheelchair bound individuals. Beneath the retractable voting stations is an area for storage of voting materials, allowing the materials to be assembled in a remote location and sealed within the utility cart for storage. The cart then can be moved to the particular locations for the voting procedure. At the voting location, the seal can be broken and the ballots accessed. Upon completion of the voting process the cart can be resealed with the cast ballots.

Voting booths provide an area of privacy for those exercising the right to vote. Whether the vote is for electing an individual to a position of leadership, or whether to tax cigarettes, the right to vote is a most private matter. For this reason, voting booths of most every configuration can be found; all with a purpose of providing an area of privacy for the individual exercising their freedom to vote. For instance, stand alone units are well known wherein curtains are hung around the individual for privacy. More elaborate booths might have computer terminals built into the stands.
Most every voting booth is portable as they are used only temporarily. The voting process is performed on a predefined date, and depending on the type of election, might require assembly once, twice or multiple times per year. Due to the amount of people that are involved in voting, a school or church having a large area is typically employed. For instance, a school cafeteria may be employed wherein portable stands are assembled and made available for the voting public. Without such devices the election process would fail to render the actual beliefs of the voters.
There are numerous types of voting booths, each having a configuration that permits various degrees of privacy. One of the problems with the currently available portable voting booths is their inability to store critical materials necessary for a particular election. This includes items such as the ballots that will be employed by the voting public as well as the ballots after they have been cast. For the integrity of the election process, the ballots must be accounted for both before and after the vote, and the voting booth must maintain a minimum of privacy so that an individual does not feel obligated to vote in any manner that is contrary to their own belief.
Thus, what is needed in the field is a multi-station voting booth that is easily stored, transported, erected, and can be used to secure pre- and post-voting materials.

Multi-station voting booth with storage/utility cart


A tamper-resistant terminator includes a connector body rotatably encapsulated within a shield. A port in the shield receives a terminal of a cable transmission system therethrough for rotational engagement with a threaded bore within the connector body. Another port in the shield provides access to a socket defined by a smooth continuous cylindrical body. The socket and the threaded bore extend in opposite directions along a longitudinal axis about which the shield is freely rotatable. A tool includes a tubular shaft having a knurled portion at the free end extends from a first handle section. A disc residing adjacent the end of the tubular shaft is carried by a shaft rotatably journaled with the tubular shaft and drivingly engaged with a second handle section. In response to relative rotation between the handle sections the disc and the knurled section of the tubular shaft move between a concentric portion for telescoping movement within the socket of the connector body and an eccentric position in for driving engagement with the socket.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cable transmission systems.
More particularly, the present invention relates to devices of the type normally employed for terminating an outlet of a cable transmission system.
In a further and more specific aspect, the instant invention concerns improvements in the installation and removal of tamper-resistant cable terminators.
1. The Prior Art
Cable transmission systems for the transfer of signals between devices are well known. Exemplary is the common cable antenna television (CATV) system in which coaxial cable provides signal communication between a central antenna and remotely located receiver sets. In a commercial system, access is by paid subscription.
Briefly, the conventional system includes a permanently installed cable extending from the antenna throughout the area to be served. A plurality of devices, such as directional taps, are spaced along the cable. Each subscriber is serviced by a drop line connected to a selected terminal of the device. A terminator is affixed to each of the unused terminals.
The terminals are usually readily accessible to the public. Accordingly, to prevent unauthorized access to the system, the prior art has provided a type of terminator referred to as tamper-resistant or theft-proof. A special tool, not generally available to the public, is required for installation and removal.
A common tamper-resistant terminator includes a connector body which is rotatably contained within a coaxial shield. The body includes an axial bore with a pair of radially extending, diametrically opposed recesses. The complementary tool includes an elongate shaft which is receivable through the shield and into the bore of the connector body. A pair of diametrically opposed lugs, extendably and retractably carried by the shaft, are selectively engageable within the recesses.
The foregoing means, including the tamper-resistant terminator and the companion tool, adequately provide for the security of a cable transmission system. However, the arrangement has not proven to be entirely satisfactory. For example, the tool incorporates a number of relatively small interacting components which result in a rather delicate and expensive structure. Excessive machining operations, especially for cutting the recesses within the bore, add extraneous costs to the terminator. Further, since precise alignment between the terminator and the tool are mandatory, even the slightest damage or the presence of foreign material can render the assembly inoperative.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in terminators for coaxial cable.
Another object of the invention is the provision of improvements especially adapted for use in connection with tamper-resistant cable terminators.
And another object of the invention is to provide improved means for the installation and removal of a tamper-resistant terminator in a cable transmission system.
Still another object of the immediate invention is the provision of an improved tamper-resistant terminator of amplified construction.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for engagement between a tamper-resistant terminator and an installation tool which is immune to the usual effects of dirt and other contaminates.
Yet still another object of the invention is the provision of improved means for sealing the connection between a terminator and a device.
A further object of the instant invention is to provide improvements in tools for rotating tamper-resistant type cable terminators.
And a further object of the invention is the provision of a simplified tool which is exceptionally durable thereby having an extended maintenance free service life.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a tamper-resistant terminator system which will expedite field operations.
And yet an object of the invention is the provision of means and improvements according to the foregoing which will materially reduce the cost of terminating an unused terminal.

Tamper-resistant cable terminator system


A proximity fuze for a foliage penetrating weapon provides for airburst at predetermined height above ground, regardless of terrain features, by inhibiting the warhead detonation signal until the desired height is reached.

This invention relates to weapon detonation fuze systems and more particularly to a proximity fuze providing a detonation inhibit signal until a predetermined height is reached regardless of terrain features.
Prior art fuze systems utilized for foliage penetration are of two general types. The first type is the proximity fuze system which relies primarily upon delaying detonation of the warhead for a fixed time interval after detecting the top of the foliage. Such systems are not able to contend with varying foliage depth and open terrain and thus fail to provide warhead detonation positioned
The second type is the contact fuze system, frequently used as a backup to the proximity fuze, which often functions upon entry into dense vegetation, thereby causing detonation to occur at a non-optimum height.

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


A wall protector is shown which comprises a metallic bumper portion having a generally hollow interior. The bumper is clamped to a holding bracket which is in turn fastened to a wall-mounted bracket. A light source is mounted on the bumper to provide illumination. The holding bracket can be mounted and repositioned along the length of the bumper and the fastener attaching the holding bracket to the mounting bracket is accessible from beneath the latter.

Modern walls such as the ones used in businesses and other commercial settings are often made of a gypsum wallboard or plasterboard. This material is easy to work with and install and is long lasting under normal conditions. However, it is also relatively easy to damage, and a dent or hole can easily be made in such walls if an object impacts thereagainst. Repairing such damage is time consuming, and if the paint or wall covering in the vicinity of the hole is damaged, repairs can become quite expensive. Other wall types are more resistant to structural damage, but the finish or covering thereon may still be easily damaged and require costly repairs.
Such damage can occur anywhere that large objects are being moved by hand or by a wheeled cart or hand truck. Wall damage is a particular problem in high traffic areas such as hospitals and hotels where stretchers and service carts are in constant use. Hospital stretchers are frequently parked against walls, and in emergencies, there is little time to worry about wall damage. Likewise in hotels, the daily use of cleaning carts, wheeled room service tables and laundry carts will eventually lead to wall damage. Wheeled garbage carts can cause similar problems in a wide variety of settings.
In industrial settings such as factories and warehouses, the appearance of walls is not of great concern, and concrete or cinder blocks may be used to provide practically indestructible walls. However in hospitals and hotels, for example, it is important to preserve the appearance of hallways and rooms, despite the high potential for wall damage. Various types of wall protectors have been employed in the past with various degrees of success. Wooden handrails, if properly positioned, can afford some degree of protection to the walls on which they are mounted. However, the finished surfaces of these rails can be scratched and dented by carts and stretchers. This does not solve the original problem but merely shifts it to a new surface. Protective padding can also be hung on walls, but for aesthetic as well as practical reasons, this is usually only done temporarily, such as when large furniture is being moved.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,842,564 to Brown, 4,078,773 to Ellington and 5,288,048 to Shriener all disclose handrails which could be used to protect walls in high traffic areas. However, all show relatively complex structural designs which would lead to high manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the devices of Brown and Ellington must be positioned far enough from a wall to allow access to fastening screws and bolts located between the rail and the wall. The relatively long bracket needed to create this spacing provides a torque arm long enough to allow the mounting brackets to be pulled from the wall if significant downward force is exerted on the rail. Additionally, the openings on the rail portions of these prior art protectors must be carefully aligned with the openings on the mounting brackets. This requires carefully measurement during installation. If any openings are out of alignment, new holes will be needed in the wall or rail. There is no relative adjustability between the rail and the mounting hardware. The complex designs and limited effectiveness of these and other known handrails make such devices less than satisfactory for protecting an underlying wall.


In the case of a stator-excited starter-generator, a permanent magnet arrangement, which is magnetized in the opposite direction to the winding excitation, and has yoke overhangs which are radial with respect to the adjacent sector stator elements, is arranged in the axial separating space of two sector stator elements, which are arranged axially one behind the other each stator element is winding-excited by an excitation winding part of opposite polarity.

The present invention relates generally to motors and/or generators, and more particularly to a motor and/or generator operating on the reluctance principle, and having the following features:
a) the stator has sector stators (SS) which are distributed over the circumference of the rotor (R) and which are magnetically isolated from one another; PA1 b) each sector stator (SS) includes two toothed sector stator elements (SS1 and SS2, respectively) which are arranged one behind the other with an axial separation (a) and have common power windings (winding strands S1-S4) which are accommodated in slots between the stator teeth (SZ); PA1 c) each sector stator element (SS1 or SS2, respectively) in each case opens into radially projecting pole limbs (PS1 and PS2, respectively) which can in each case be excited in the direction of opposite polarity by an excitation winding part (EW1 or EW2, respectively) which loops around them, and which pole limbs (PS1 and PS2, respectively) are connected radially on the outside by a magnetic return path yoke (J); and PA1 d) an axially magnetized permanent magnet arrangement (M), which is magnetized in the opposite direction to the winding excitation in the sector stator elements, is arranged in the axial separating space between the sector stator elements (SS1 and SS2, respectively).
A starter-generator operating on the principle of the stator-excited synchronous machine of sector construction, having the features a)-c) discussed above, is disclosed in EP-B1-0,103,821. A starter-generator having the features a)-d) above is disclosed in PCT/EP 91/00302.
In the first-mentioned case, which is disclosed in EP-B1-0,103,821, the sector-stator elements of a sector stator are mutually isolated from one another by means of an axial separating space. The cylindrical envelope surface of a flywheel, especially of the clutch of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine, which is also used as the rotor of the motor and/or generator is designed in the form of two toothed rotors which are arranged offset with a gap, with a specific axial separation.
According to PCT/EP 91/00302, an axially magnetized permanent magnet arrangement, which is magnetized in the opposite direction to the winding excitation in the sector stator elements, is arranged in the axial separating space between the sector stator elements, in such a manner that its magnetic field is closed axially/tangentially and radially in the yokes of the sector stator elements, radially via the stator teeth, the air gap and the offset rotor poles, and axially/tangentially via the rotor yoke. As a result of the interaction of the excitation, which can be controlled by the excitation winding parts, on the one hand, and the permanent magnetization provided by the permanent magnet arrangement, on the other hand, a reduction in the excitation winding copper is possible with the excitation being easily controllable, and an undesirable, large stray field, primarily between the end surfaces of the laminated cores, which are located axially one in front of the other, of the sector stator elements, can be avoided. On its rear, outer radial edge regions, the magnet arrangement is adjacent to and flush with the edge regions of the sector stator elements which rest thereon axially.
The present invention is directed to the problem of developing a motor and/or generator of the above-mentioned type in which additional protection against undesirable stray fluxes can be achieved.

Motor and/or generator operating on the reluctance principle


Apparatuses, realtime-stations, computer programs, and methods for scheduling of traffic in wireless networks are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided for scheduling of traffic in a wireless networks including real-time stations intending to send real-time traffic and best-effort stations sending best effort traffic. The method can include overhearing for a predetermined period of time the traffic by a station which intends to send real-time traffic, and if from the overhearing the station concludes that there is already a primary station transmitting real-time access markers, assuming by the station a sequence number based on the number of real-time stations which already are sending real-time traffic.

Wireless networks have become widely distributed nowadays. A widely used type of networks referred to as "wireless LANs" is defined in the IEEE 802.11 standards of which there exists a whole family. One issue in such type of wireless networks is the problem of quality of service. Traditionally the nodes of such kind of networks transmit in the so-called "best effort" mode which means that a sender can transmit at a rate which is currently available at the network. The "best effort" mode does not ensure a certain quality of service (also referred to as QoS) like a minimum assured bandwidth which could enable "real-time" transmission.
However, there have been efforts to implement QoS or real-time transmission in wireless networks. The most relevant known solutions are IEEE 802.11e (see IEEE standard for information technology—specific requirements part 11: Wireless LAN medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications: Amendment 8: Medium access control (MAC) quality of service enhancements. IEEE Standard 802.11E-2005, 2005) and the Contention-Free Access using the point coordination function (PCF) defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard (see IEEE standard for information technology—LAN/MAN—specific requirements—part 11: Wireless LAN medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications. IEEE Standard 802.11, 1999/8802-11 (ISO/IEC8802-11:1999), 1999).
In the former, even though different priorities can be assigned to different traffic flows, it still lacks *strict* quality guarantees since the mechanism is contention-based. While real-time packets get assigned higher priority and based thereon have a higher likelihood of getting assigned a short backoff time, still there is the problem that the mechanism is contention based, and if the total number of packets/stations is too high, there is only a statistical chance that the real-time packet is transmitted with the desired quality and there is no strict quality assurance.
On the other hand, the PCF mode in 802.11 can offer strict guarantees. However, mainly due to their complexity, very few implementations can be found in the market. Apart from the drawback of implementation complexity, strict guarantees rely on "medium reservations" that are usually done on a periodic basis, e.g. a given station reserves the channel for transmitting (P bytes) every T seconds. However, this periodicity does not match the real-time traffic pattern from the data sources. Consider for example voice traffic, where the communication channel is typically idle for ⅓ of the time. Several voice codecs tend to optimize the bandwidth use by applying silence suppression functionality, leaving several (periodic) reserved RT slots empty.
One may try to adapt the period of time slot reservation to the voice codec pattern to optimize bandwidth efficiency, or to reduce delays, but never both at one time.
To support Real-time traffic in wireless networks the "traditional" approach is to make periodic time slot reservations at the MAC layer. This is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A shows below the reserved timings for real-time packet transmission indicated as dashs on the time axis, and in the upper part there is shown the packet arrival frequency through dashed boxes, whereas the solid line boxes represent arriving real-time packets. One can see that in case of FIG. 1 there is no significant delay in the transmission of real-time packets, however, the period between two consecutive real-time (RT) time slots is relatively small which increases the likelihood of unused RT time slots, thereby decreasing efficiency.
To increase efficiency one may increase this time period as shown in FIG. 1B. One can see that depending on the arrival time there can be a significant delay in the forwarding of real-time packets, such as in case of the of the fourth real-time packet shown in FIG. 1B which arrives only shortly after the third reserved RT slot and which therefore has to wait for some time until it is sent at the fourth reserved RT slot.
One possibility to decrease the delay would be to decrease the period between two RT slots reserved for real-time transmission as in the example of FIG. 1A, but as previously mentioned this decreases the reservation efficiency because for a given number of real-time packets there will be a higher number of unused RT slots.
Therefore there is a trade-off between short delays and high efficiency with the approach of RT slots granted to particular users and periodically distributed along the time like in time division multiple access (TDMA) systems.
Hence there is a need for an improved mechanism ensuring real-time traffic in wireless networks. Preferably the mechanism should enable strict guarantees to real-time traffic flows while being backward compatible (deployable in existing 802.11 hotspots), and preferably without starving 802.11 flows.

Method and apparatus for real time scheduling of traffic in wireless networks


A foam twin-sheet formed air filled gasket is provided. The foam sheets need not be covered with one or more layers of air impermeable materials before, during or after the twin-sheet forming process. Methods for manufacturing the air filled gaskets are also disclosed.

Gaskets are used in many applications to form mechanical seals. In automotive applications, many gaskets are formed from one or more foam sheets. Such foam gaskets may bend into nooks and crannies in various irregularly shaped gaps and/or voids in any of a number of automotive structures.
Historically, foam gaskets in automotive applications are solid rather than hollow. "Solid" as used herein includes sheets of foam material, even though air is trapped in cell structures. For example, a sheet of foamed polyurethane is "solid." "Solid" foam sheets includes sheets of constant or substantially constant density, varying density, or combinations thereof. Air in cells of the foamed material is outside of the definition of "encapsulated air" or "air filled pocket" as used herein.
It is understood that use of solid foam sheets as gaskets can add to material cost and can add weight to a structure where additional weight may not be desired. Thus, gaskets having at least one hollow section may be useful.
Hollow gaskets of various materials have been formed by adhering one previously formed gasket portion to another previously formed gasket portion. This adhering processing has traditionally included manufacturing steps such as die cutting and/or fusion molding. Such additional manufacturing steps may add cost and time to the manufacture of gaskets having at least one hollow section.
Thus, there is a need for light-weight gaskets that use less material and that minimize the weight added to components. There is also a need to maintain relatively simple and/or streamlined manufacturing processes such as those that use existing equipment.


Content may be categorized by accessing a URL associated with the content, determining a set of n-grams contained in the URL, and determining a category of the content based on the set of n-grams.

Some content, such as, for example, web pages on the Internet, may not be appropriate for all users. Content may be categorized and filtered accordingly to reduce the availability of content inappropriate for users. Due to the growth of Internet traffic, lack of central management of web content, and the desire to prevent people, especially children, from seeing offensive or inappropriate materials on the Internet, web-filters have been developed to block access to certain objectionable web pages, such as pornographic web pages. Accurate web-filters rely on correct recognition of inappropriate web content, which involves a task of content categorization.
Manual and automated approaches to web content categorization may be used separately or in combination. In a manual approach, human analysts tag web pages with categories according to their content. The uniform resource locators (URLs) of these manually categorized web pages together with their category tags are stored in a database for future use. To categorize a web page, its URL is matched against the pre-categorized URLs in the database. If a match is found, the web page is classified in the category of the matched URL. Otherwise, the category of the web page is unknown.
An automated approach may apply machine learning techniques to create models of categories from the textual content of a set of pre-categorized training web pages. The learned models are then applied to dynamically classify web pages. An automated approach may complement a manual approach, and may be able to assign a category to every web page, and to handle new and dynamically-generated web pages.


An ice maker module is built on an integrally formed plastic base. One or more ice making modules are stacked on top of an ice bin. Integrally formed within the plastic base is "wet" compartment within which are disposed multiple numbers of evaporators on which water is frozen into ice cubes. The plastic base also separates the wet compartment from a dry compartment in which is mounted refrigeration components and control circuitry. The evaporators are constructed of two plates of stainless steel. Icing sites are located on the flattened sides of a serpentine refrigeration channel formed between depressions in the stainless steel plates. A microcontroller operates the ice making process. Harvesting of the ice cubes is initiated after the ice maker has used an amount of water necessary to make the ice. An ultrasonic range finder monitors the amount of ice in the bin.

There are basically two types of ice makers: household units in refrigerators; and self-contained commercial units for use in hotels, restaurants, bars, hospitals and other establishments that require large amounts of ice. Commercial units are further dividable into two types, depending on the type of ice they make: flaked or cubed.
Unlike household ice makers which freeze water in a tray with cool air in a refrigerated compartment, a commercial ice cube maker circulates a steady stream of water over a chilled ice mold to deposit thin layers of ice in the pockets of the mold for building into ice cubes. Water that does not freeze after being circulated over the ice mold is collected in a sump and recirculated over the chilled mold until it cools enough to freeze. After ice cubes are formed, they are harvested from the mold and stored in an unrefrigerated ice bin from which they may be retrieved. The bin remains unrefrigerated so that the ice melts slowly, thereby preventing it from sticking together.
Cold refrigerant from a refrigeration circuit chills the ice mold. In a typical refrigeration circuit, a compressor driven by an electric motor that compresses refrigerant to a high pressure and supplies it to a condenser. The condenser cools the compressed refrigerant with air blown across coils with a fan or with water. The refrigerant is then passed through an expansion valve, the expansion valve dropping the pressure of the refrigerant considerably, thereby cooling it. The cooled refrigerant then flows through copper tubing that has been welded to the back of a copper plate, called the evaporator plate. Welded to the evaporator plate is a lattice-like copper structure that is used to mold the ice into cubes. Together, the lattice-like structure and the evaporator plate form the ice mold. Taken together, the ice mold and the copper tubing are simply referred to as the evaporator.
An electronic controller, sometimes microprocessor-based, operates the fans, motors, pumps and valves that control the functioning of the ice maker.
Commercial ice makers are expected to continuously and reliably produce substantial amounts of ice. They are used in service industries, where a unit breaking down or producing insufficient ice causes disruptions of service. When there is no ice, service suffers and customers are quickly irritated: few people, for example, enjoy warm soft drinks. An unreliable ice maker will quickly erode a firm's goodwill and its business. An unreliable ice maker also costs the manufacturer money and goodwill. When the ice maker is down, its manufacturer must spend money either quickly repairing it or furnishing substitute ice.
A better ice cube is generally not sought, just a less expensive one, ice being a fungible commodity. Therefore, in addition to reliability, holding down the cost of an ice maker by controlling the cost of manufacturing and operation is a paramount concern in the art. Low cost operation requires that ice be made efficiently by conserving electricity and water; and further that the ice maker be nearly maintenance-free, as down-time for maintenance costs money and someone must be paid to do it. Low cost operation and maintenance must extend over many years, as ice makers are expected to have long, productive lives.
Efforts to achieve low cost, efficient, highly reliable operation are beset by a number of problems, most of all by the fact that cost, efficiency and reliability are frequently traded one for the other in designing and manufacturing ice makers. Some, but by no means all, of the common problem areas are: manufacturing a structure for ice making operation; harvesting ice; handling of water; manufacturing the evaporator; and generally controlling the operation of the ice maker, including initiating and terminating freezing and harvesting, purging and detection of ice levels in the ice bin.
Problems associated with harvesting the ice center around the fact that ice cubes freeze to the surfaces of the ice molds. The most common harvesting method is, not surprisingly, to unfreeze them by quickly warming the evaporator and melting the ice immediately adjacent to the surfaces of the mold. To warm the evaporator, the cycle of the refrigeration circuit is essentially reversed by opening a solenoid-operated valve (termed a hot gas solenoid or valve) to permit hot refrigerant from the compressor to flow directly into the evaporator. This method is termed in the art a hot gas defrost.
Despite the unfreezing, the cubes often do not simply fall out of the ice mold. Water from the melting ice creates a "capillary"-like action that tends to suck the cubes into the pockets of the ice mold. Gravity is often used to overcome this capillary-like action. The evaporator is oriented so that the pockets of the ice mold face down, or it is placed vertically and equipped with downwardly slanting pockets. However, even gravity cannot always be relied on to ensure that all the ice cubes are harvested simultaneously for quick harvesting and energy efficiency. Mechanical means are sometimes used in the place of, and sometimes in conjunction with, gravity to nudge or assist the ice. To simplify the mechanical means, water is recirculated over the ice mold until ice bridges are formed between the ice cubes thereby connecting the cubes into a single sheet of ice that can be pushed out of the mold. The bridges are thin and usually break easily after harvesting. Using a mechanical means for dislodging ice, however, increases the cost of manufacturing and makes the ice maker more prone to malfunction. Further, in order to freeze ice bridges between ice cubes, the freezing or icing portion of an ice making cycle must be extended to ensure that sufficiently strong ice bridges are formed between all the cubes in the pockets. Increasing the freezing time reduces ice making capacity and efficiency.
The problems of water are how to keep it from leaking out, and how to reduce its corrosive effects on equipment. Making ice requires a lot of water, and therefore also requires a water tight means of handling it so that it will not spill on the floor, get electrical components wet or corrode the interior of the ice maker. When orienting an evaporator vertically, water to be frozen cascades down the front of the ice mold, causing water to splash and creates a waterfall of unfrozen water at the bottom of the evaporator. The unfrozen water is collected in a reservoir or sump and recirculated over the evaporator. Constructing a structure to deal with this water without leaking usually involves seals having all sorts of clamps, screws, and other types of fasteners to make them water-tight. Consequently, assembly, maintenance and repair are complicated; the number of possible failure modes increases; and costs generally go up. Protecting metal parts against corrosion caused by the water and humidity, or using corrosion-resistant metals in the parts, also costs money and assembly time.
In addition to designing an evaporator that improves harvesting, manufacturing them tends to be expensive. In an evaporator refrigerant passes through a coiled copper tube. Copper is chosen because of its inherent property of good heat transference. The copper tube is welded to an evaporator plate in a coiled fashion. A lattice-like copper structure is then welded to the other side of the evaporator plate for creating the ice mold. Welding ensures good transference of heat. The entire evaporator is constructed of copper, as mating copper against other types of metals generally reduces rates of heat transfer. Constructing the evaporator is, consequently, labor intensive and expensive. Further, only one side of an evaporator can be used to make ice; a second plate cannot be easily welded to the copper tube once the first has been welded.
Finally, the problems of controlling the operational cycle of the ice maker--ice-making and harvesting of the ice particularly--are numerous.
One of the biggest problems is determining when to initiate harvesting. As the refrigeration circuit transfers heat from water that will be made into ice to air (in air cooled systems) or to cooling water (in water cooled systems), the ambient temperature of the air and the temperature of the water supplied to the ice maker directly effects the amount of time that is required to freeze the ice. Customers expect and want an ice maker to function in uncontrolled climates, such as outdoors. An ice maker is thus often subjected to temperature extremes of air and water. Consequently, since the refrigeration capacity of the ice maker is fixed, the amount of time that it takes a particular ice maker to freeze the water into ice cubes and to initiate the harvesting cycle changes considerably during the course of the year when out-of-doors, or possibly when it is moved between locations.
The freezing portion of the ice making cycle should continue, for energy efficiency and to achieve maximum ice making capacity, only as long as is necessary to ensure that, for a given air and water temperature, the proper freezing of the ice and its prompt harvesting. One approach to determining when to begin harvesting is by monitoring the actual ice build-up on the evaporator with a mechanical probe. However, mechanical probes are not always reliable, as they malfunction and must be properly adjusted to function properly and efficiently. They also complicate the ice making apparatus, increasing manufacturing costs and maintenance problems. Many ice makers, therefore, trade efficiency for simplicity and reliability: they use timers to initiate harvesting, the time being set long enough to ensure proper freezing of the ice cubes over a predefined range of ambient air and water temperatures that the ice maker is designed to face.
Similarly, heating of the evaporator should only last as long as is necessary to complete harvesting. Heating melts ice. Where the capacity of the evaporator is low, a significant fraction of the pounds of ice may be melted unless harvest is carefully controlled. The result of an unnecessarily long harvest, in addition to a lot of water, is a warm evaporator that takes longer and more energy to chill and a longer operational cycle that reduces capacity.
A control system of an ice maker, again for reasons of efficiency and reliability, must further decide when to stop making unneeded ice and when to resume making ice. The ice bin must therefore be equipped with a reliable ice level detection system.

Integrally formed, modular ice cuber having a stainless steel evaporator and microcontroller


A system for processing a specimen to which fluid must be added includes a fluid dispensing work station within a housing. The work station holds the fluids that are to be added to the specimen. A nozzle dispenses fluid at the work station. The system also includes a carrier that moves within the housing. The carrier operates in a first mode at the fluid dispensing work station. The carrier also operates in a second mode outside the work station to perform a different processing function. A coupling mechanism attaches the nozzle to the carrier when the carrier enters its first operational mode to transport the nozzle around the fluid dispensing station. The coupling mechanism releases the nozzle from the carrier when the carrier enters its second operational mode, thereby freeing the carrier for movement outside the work station out of association with the nozzle.

There are conventional devices that carry out multi-step analytical procedures in an automated or semi-automated fashion. For example, microbiological analytical systems currently carry out automated antimicrobic susceptibility testing procedures using both photometric and fluorometric detection methods. The MicroScan Division of Baxter Healthcare Corporation sells a device of this type under the trade designation "Walk-Away." Armes et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,951 and Hanaway U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,643,879 and 4,681,741 describe certain features the Walk-Away system.
Prior commercial embodiments of the Walk-Away system analyze trays carrying microbiologic specimens. The system includes an enclosed incubation chamber for the specimens. The system adds reagents to the specimens and analyzes them. All these activities take place within the incubation chamber.
Prior commercial embodiments of the Walk-Away system house the reagent fluids outside the incubation area. The system conveys these fluids under positive pressure through relatively long stretches of tubing leading from the reagent source to the incubation area. A mechanism within the incubation area manipulates the nozzle that dispenses the reagents.
Prior commercial embodiments require about 8 pounds per square inch of positive pressure to convey the reagents through the tubing into the dispensing site within the incubation area. Due to the length of the tubing and the amount of positive pressure that must be applied, the reagent fluids sometimes release entrapped air. The released air forms air pockets that block fluid flow in the tubing. This undesirable result is called "outgassing."

Specimen processing and analyzing systems with associated fluid dispensing apparatus