A digital dispenser aid device (10) of the type for use with a syringe (12) includes a housing (24). The syringe (12) can be fixedly mounted within a chamber (28) within the housing (24). A body member 54 includes a recessed portion (56) retaining the cap portion (22) of a plunger (20) therein. The body member (54) is moveable for drawing the plunger (20) of the barrel (14) to draw medicant into the barrel (14). A digital readout display is operatively connected to the body member (54) for projecting a digital output quantitating the amount of fluid drawn into the barrel (14) by movement of the plunger (20) axially out from the barrel (14).

Currently in the United States there are tens of millions of parenteral medications dispensed each year. Because of the sheer numbers and the repetitious nature of giving parenteral medication, errors in dosages unavoidably occur. Dosage errors result in complications, as well as deaths. Additionally, the number of people who self-administer parenteral medications has greatly increased in the past few years.
Devices have been developed to aid in the filling of and injection by syringes. U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,945 to Ross, issued June 29, 1976 discloses a preadjustable device to which a medicant syringe may be attached for the filling of the syringe with medicant. The device includes an over fill control to allow for a slight overfill of the syringe and the subsequent expelling of the overfilled medicant and entrapped air. The device includes a means for holding a syringe and a threaded shaft actuator in the form of a screw. The device includes no means to assist in the reading of the analogue indications on the syringe. That is, there are no means provided to assist the user in visualizing the amount of medicant drawn into the syringe barrel. This is a considerable problem with patients who self-administer drugs because such patients, such as diabetics, have poor eyesight.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,358 to Vargas et al, issued Apr. 14, 1981 discloses an automatic syringe plunger. This device does not include any means for assisting the user in determining the amount of medicant drawn into the syringe.
The aforementioned patents are examples of prior art automatic syringe plungers, all of which having the problem of not assisting the user in visualizing the amount of medicant drawn into the syringe. The present invention addresses the aforementioned problem by providing a device for automatically dispensing parenteral medications using digital rather than analog systems to indicate clearly to the patient the amount of medicant drawn into the barrel of the syringe.


A control management system for managing voice-over-IP parameters includes a network traffic shaping control state model for a network traffic shaping control. The network traffic shaping control state model defines state sets that contain states. The state sets may include a pending state set, a running state set, a terminated state set, a finished state set, and a stopped state set. The network traffic shaping control state model also defines intra-state transitions, which are transitions within a state set, and inter-state transitions, which are transitions between state sets. The intra-state and inter-state transitions may be associated with a condition, and the network traffic shaping control changes state according to the intra-state or inter-state transition when the associated condition is satisfied. The associated condition may be satisfied when one or more network event identifiers are generated by the control management system.

1. Technical Field
This application relates to the control management of voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) parameters and, in particular, to the control of a network traffic shaping control implemented according to a previously configured network traffic shaping control state model.
2. Related Art
In general, a Next Generation Network ("NGN") focuses on the concept of one network transporting all information and services (voice, data, and all sorts of media such as video) by encapsulating these into packets, like it is on the Internet. One of the telecommunication services provided by a telecommunication service provider using a Next Generation Network ("NGN") may be Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol ("VoIP") service. In general, a VoIP service employs session control protocols to control the set-up and tear-down of calls over a packet-switched network, such as an NGN. A VoIP service may also provide audio encoding algorithms that digitally encode speech for transmission over the packet-switched network.
As VoIP is a desirable competitor to traditional telecommunication services, a telecommunication service provider may desire to enter the telecommunications marketplace by providing VoIP service over an NGN. However, a telecommunication service provider seeking to implementing VoIP services over an NGN faces unique challenges. Examples of these challenges include providing quality service during peak usage times and providing service when the number of concurrent VoIP calls meets or exceeds the number of concurrent attempted calls served by the telecommunication service provider.
Moreover, regulating the control over concurrent VoIP calls and concurrent attempted calls can be difficult. In controlling concurrent and attempted concurrent calls, a telecommunication service provider must consider such complexities as the duration of the regulation of the concurrent and attempted concurrent VoIP calls, whether to increase or decrease the number of concurrent and attempted concurrent VoIP calls, and when a stable condition exists such that the quality of service of the concurrent and attempted concurrent VoIP calls remains stable.

Control management of voice-over-IP parameters


A lift chair includes a chair frame, a stationary base section, and a motorized lift mechanism. Engagement of the motorized lift mechanism causes movement of a lift frame which is connected to the chair frame to cause movement from a first recumbent position to a second tilted position and allowing the user to be assisted to a standing position. Preferably, the chair can be rocked back and forth longitudinally, with the rocking motion being disabled while the lift mechanism is engaged. According to another preferred aspect, the chair can include a reclining back section which operates independently of the lift mechanism.

It is often difficult, if not impossible at times, for handicapped or older individuals to assume a standing position from a recumbent position; that is, from a sitting posture.
To that end, a number of so-called "lift" chairs have been developed which assist seniors or handicapped individuals to achieve a standing position from the chair using a motorized mechanism to incline or otherwise move the chair seat.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,201, issued to Casey et al., a free standing chair can be converted into a lift chair using a stationary base to which the chair is attached as well as a compact lift mechanism. The lift mechanism includes a motorized assembly mounted from the front of the chair to tilt the forward end thereof upon activation of the motor.
A desire in industry persists for lift chairs which incorporate other salient features found in conventional chair counterparts. Prior to the invention, for example, it has not been possible to provide a safe and reliable lift mechanism for a rocking or adjustable reclining chair.


The invention concerns an electronic component that comprises a printed circuit board stack with multiple printed circuit boards arranged one on top of the other and that is used, in particular, for model aircraft or commercially utilized unmanned aircraft. The printed circuit boards are held at a distance from one another by spacers. The fastening elements that are provided here are electrically conductive in design, and the printed circuit boards are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner and also mechanically by these fastening elements.

The invention concerns an electronic component that comprises a printed circuit board stack with multiple printed circuit boards arranged one on top of the other and that is used, in particular, for model aircraft or commercially utilized unmanned aircraft.
Aeromodelling is currently experiencing enormous surges in development, on the one hand, because of an increase in the performance of propeller motors, and, on the other hand, because of the availability of increased electrical storage capacity. This makes a quadcopter style possible for drones. These multi-motor quadcopters are equipped with three to eight motors, for example. The electric power for these motors is provided by lithium polymer rechargeable batteries. This drive type makes possible high performance of the quadcopter with small size.
Especially in the field of quadcopters, electronic speed controllers with high power consumption in a range up to a few hundred amperes are used. One controller is used for each motor, and adapts the power supply and thus the speed to the various needs, for example, ascent, horizontal alignment, initiation of course changes, and the like. At the same time, these electronic control units must be designed to be compact, weight-saving, robust, and easy to assemble.
It is known to construct electronic components from multiple printed circuit boards. However, if multiple layers of printed circuit boards are used, firstly, they must be mechanically connected to one another in the component or module and, secondly, plug and cable connections are used for the power supply. Suitable soldered connections between the connectors and the printed circuit boards are required for this purpose. Such connections disadvantageously represent a risk element with regard to operational reliability of the model aircraft, because these connections are subjected to a tremendous stress caused by vibrations of the aircraft, shock, and large temperature differences. Thus, hairline cracks that endanger operational dependability can occur at the soldered points, especially in the event of unforeseen impacts or severe shocks.


A time management system that includes a first clock having a first counter operating on a first timebase, a second clock having a second counter operating on a second timebase identical to the first timebase and a third counter operating on a third timebase less than the second timebase. The time management system performs a resynchronization of the second clock after the main electrical power supply has been restored, this resynchronization including, on a modification of the first counter, loading the first counter into the second counter and in zeroing the third counter.

The term "automatic control equipment" is used hereinafter to denote a programmable logic controller, a monitoring/control station, a digital control, or any automatic control module that can contain and run an application program making it possible to monitor/control to an automatic control application, notably like a variable speed drive or a logic module.
Automatic control equipment comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and at least one input/output module providing the link between the central processing unit and sensors and preactuators of the automatic control application to be controlled.
Normally, automatic control equipment such as a programmable logic controller is modular in construction, that is, it consists of several modules that intercommunicate via a backplane bus. A programmable logic controller typically includes a power supply module for supplying the other modules with the various voltages via the backplane bus, a rack for mechanically fixing the modules and supporting the backplane bus to which the modules are electrically connected, and a central processing unit module. The central processing unit module includes a microprocessor and storage means storing a manufacturer program ("firmware") expressed in a language specific to the manufacturer of the automatic control equipment, an application program (also called user program) for handling the monitoring and/or control of an automatic control application or of a part of an automatic control application by means of inputs/outputs driven by the application program, and data, in particular images of the states of the input/output modules. The programmable logical controller also includes several input/output modules of various types according to the process to be controlled and one or more modules for communicating with communication networks (Ethernet, etc) or control interfaces such as screen, keyboard, etc.
In order to manage and synchronize the various automatic control tasks, the central processing unit of the automatic control equipment comprises a clock. In the prior art, this clock is a conventional RTC ("Real Time Clock") hardware component which the microprocessor accesses to manage the time in the automatic control equipment. When current is interrupted, a battery is used to maintain time management for the duration of the interruption. However, this type of time management presents certain drawbacks listed below:                since the RTC hardware component is external, access to it is particularly slow,        The standard RTC components are limited to one second of resolution. The use of an RTC component having a resolution less than a second would lead to higher consumption and generate higher cost.        The time-related objects managed by the manufacturer program (for example, a timer) are not synchronized with the RTC hardware component.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,365 notably proposes replacing the battery with a capacitor. However, the drawback associated with the slowness of access is unresolved.
The aim of the invention is to propose a method and a system for managing time in automatic control equipment in which the current interruptions are controlled with no damage and in which the time information is consistent, presents sufficient resolution and can be quickly recovered.

System and method for managing time in automatic control equipment


According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a printer unit and a control unit. The printer unit forms an image on a sheet using a developer, and includes a predetermined driving member related to supply of the developer. The control unit acquires driving information regarding continuous driving of the driving member, acquires correction information regarding on correction of an amount of the developer used in accordance with the driving information, and estimates a remaining amount of the developer on the basis of the driving information and the correction information.

There are image forming apparatuses that estimate a remaining amount of toner accommodated in a toner cartridge. Various techniques for estimating a remaining amount of toner are examined. For example, there is a technique for estimating a remaining amount of toner on the basis of a rotation time of a toner supply motor, and the like. However, in this technique, an increase in a continuous rotation time of the toner supply motor may result in an increase in a deviation between an actual remaining amount of toner and an estimation result.

Image forming apparatus and estimation method that estimate a remaining amount of toner


A process comprising electromotively coating an article molded from a sheet molding compound comprising a mixture of: (a) 10-40 percent by weight of a thermosetting resin, (b) 20-60 percent by weight of calcium carbonate particles, (c) 10-40 percent by weight of glass fibers having an aspect ratio of at least 5 and a length of at least 2 cm, and (d) 0.4-3 percent by weight of a carbon black having a primary particle size of less than 125 nm, a nitrogen surface area of at least 275 m.sup.2 /g, and a dibutyl phthalate absorption of at least 180 cc/100 g; wherein the article has a conductivity of at least 10-7 Siemens/cm (S/cm), a tensile strength of at least 8,500 psi, and a flexural strength of at least 21,000 psi.

This invention relates to electrostatically coatable compositions based on thermosetting polymers and, more particularly, relates to such compositions based on sheet molding compound or bulk molding compound.
It is known to prepare coated articles by electrostatic painting methods. In such methods, a paint or coating is charged or ionized and sprayed on a grounded, conductive article, and the electrostatic attraction between the paint or coating and the grounded article results in a more efficient painting process with less wasted paint material, and thicker and more consistent paint coverage, particularly when the article has a complex shape. When articles fabricated from metals are painted, the metal, which is inherently conductive, is easily grounded and efficiently painted. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on the use of polymeric materials in the manufacture of articles, particularly in applications requiring reductions in weight and improved corrosion resistance, such as automotive applications. However, polymers typically used in such processes are insufficiently conductive to efficiently obtain satisfactory paint thickness and coverage when the article is electrostatically painted.
Methods are known for the incorporation of conductive fillers into polymers in order to improve their conductivity for use in electrostatic coating applications. However, the conductivity of articles made therefrom, as well as the physical, and/or surface appearance properties of the coated articles, may be less than desirable for certain applications. The use of conductive primer compositions to prime the article in order to increase its conductivity is also known. However, depending on the particular primer employed, the cured primer may have adhesion, surface smoothness, hydrolytic stability, and durability characteristics, which are less than desirable for a particular application. In addition, such primers typically contain volatile organic solvents, the emission of which during the priming process may be undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,893 illustrates a method for making a laminate of a thermoformable conductive material and an article of sheet molding compound (SMC) to provide an SMC-based article having good surface conductivity for use in electrostatic coating applications. However, the use of such laminates, or the use of conductive primers, represents extra steps in the forming of the article, the addition of which is less than desirable in a commercial process. European Patent Application No. 623782 describes a method for making vehicle headlight reflectors by injection-molding a bulk-molding compound that contains conductive carbon black. However, bulk-molding compound typically contains a relatively lower proportion of glass fibers, and fibers having a shorter length (which may result in relatively lower physical properties), than SMC, which makes its use less than desirable for certain applications.
SMC is a moldable thermosetting material that is used to prepare structural parts for a variety of applications, including automotive. The material is typically prepared in a continuous process by depositing glass fibers between two or more sheets of a high-viscosity composition comprised of thermosetting polyester resin, calcium carbonate, and alkaline earth metal oxide- or alkali-metal hydroxide- based thickeners between two carrier films of polyethylene. This "sandwich" type of composite is then rolled up and allowed to "mature" and thicken for a period of time to increase the viscosity and handleability of cut portions of the material. The matured rolls of material are then cut into desired shapes for molding, the carrier film is removed, and the SMC is then compression molded into the desired three-dimensional shape of a part having good surface characteristics and physical properties.
Adjusting the formulation of SMC requires a balancing of the desired characteristics of handleability of the uncured SMC material, relatively low viscosity of the resin composition used to make the material (since the resin composition is pumped using conventional pumping equipment instead of high-shear extruders), low cost (achieved by minimizing the amount of resin and maximizing the amount of calcium carbonate), as well as the surface gloss and physical characteristics of the final part. The resin demand characteristics of the components to be added to the formulation and the cost of the proportionate amount of resin needed to achieve the desired low viscosity are several factors that must be taken into account. Carbon black has a high resin demand, relative to glass fiber, calcium carbonate, and the thickening agents typically employed in the preparation of SMC.

Process for the preparation of electromotively coated filled thermoset articles


A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.

Gaseous fuel engines are known for their ability to burn clean relative to their compression ignition engine counterparts. However, gaseous fuels are well known for the difficulty in attaining successful ignition. Some gaseous fuel engines utilize a spark plug, whereas other engines are known for utilizing a small amount of distillate diesel fuel that is compression ignited to in turn ignite a larger charge of gaseous fuel. Practical spatial limitations in and around an engine often make it difficult to find space for all of the plumbing and hardware associated with supplying two different fuels to each combustion chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,931 teaches a dual fuel engine that utilizes a small quantity and compression ignited distillate diesel fuel to ignite a larger charge of gaseous fuel. This reference teaches the use of a fuel injector with nested needle valve members to facilitate injection of both the gaseous and liquid fuels from the same injector into each engine cylinder. However, the structure of the injector can lead to cross leakage between fuels, leakage of fuel into the engine cylinder and stacked tolerances that may lead to substantial performance variations when the fuel injectors are mass produced. In addition, the injector structure inherently requires different injection patterns depending upon whether the fuels are being injected individually or at the same time.
Apart from the potential problems noted above, there may also be issues with regard to packaging a dual fuel injector with two electrical actuators and control valves in the limited space available in a cylinder head mounting of an engine. The '931 patent shows side-by-side electronically controlled valves for separately controlling gaseous fuel and liquid fuel injection events. In some instances, there may not be enough available space to provide for a side-by-side mounting as shown in this reference.
The present disclosure is directed toward one or more of the problems set forth above.

Dual fuel injector and engine using same


The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting NRZ data signals across an interface comprising an isolation barrier disposed between two devices interconnected via a bus. The apparatus comprises a signal differentiator for receiving an NRZ data signal and outputting a differentiated signal. A driver comprising a tri-state gate has as a first input the data signal and as a second input the differentiated signal for enabling the tri-state gate when the differentiated signal is high. A bias voltage is applied to an output of the tri-state gate to derive as output a transmission signal for transmission via the bus across the interface between the two devices. In this way, the transmission signal output from the first device comprises an intermediate transmission signal corresponding to the bias voltage when the tri-state gate is disabled, a high transmission signal when the tri-state gate is enabled and the first input to the tri-state gate is high, and a low transmission signal when the tri-state gate is enabled and the first input to the tri-state gate is low. A Schmidt trigger is provided as a receiver in the second device for receiving as input the transmission signal and outputting a reconstituted data signal corresponding to the synchronized data signal.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bus architecture communications scheme for enabling communications between a plurality nodes or devices in a computer system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interface between two devices connected via the bus in which binary signals in the form of NRZ data signals are transmitted through an isolation barrier disposed between the two devices.
Computer devices within a given computer system, such as a microprocessor, a disk drive, a CRT, a printer and the like, need the ability to convey signals between themselves. In the electronics and computer fields, this has been accomplished by means of a bus which comprises a plurality of transmission wires and acts as a communications path for interconnecting several devices in the system. Each device of the system need only plug into the bus to be theoretically connected to each of the other devices in the system. In order to communicate with other devices attached to the bus, each must be equipped with hardware such as transmitting and receiving circuitry compatible with the communications protocol implemented for the bus. However, due to the small signal voltages and currents driven on the bus by each of the above-circuits, a means of electrical or galvanic isolation must be implemented between the circuits. This isolation reduces system ground loop currents and prevents ground drops from interfering with the signal transmission. In conventional bus architectures, one way to electrically isolate the circuitries connected to the bus is to place a pulse transformer in a module at the end of a cable (comprising the bus) to be attached to an associated device.
However, a major drawback in the use of a pulse transformer implemented as the isolation barrier is that it acts as a high pass filter due to the fact that pulse transformers only AC couple the input to the output. If the transmitter drives a high signal on the bus for a prolonged period, the signal as seen by the receiver begins to fall due to the high pass filtering. Hence, not all the data in a broad band spectrum NRZ data signal is transmitted through the narrow band channel created by the pulse transformer because of the unrecoverable loss of the lower band data.
Currently, there are several techniques of passing broad band NRZ data signals through a narrow band channel. One such technique consists of analog and digital modulation wherein a carrier wave is used to transmit broad band data on a specific frequency. However, this technique is relatively complicated, requiring a significant amount of hardware which increases costs and generally requires circuits not available in standard cell gate array technology.
Another prior art transmission technique provides for encoding of the NRZ data signal at the transmitting end of the cable and decoding of the data signal at the receiving end of the cable. This is typically performed by Manchester, 4B5B, 8B10B, etc. encoding of the data signal in which a balanced code is maintained so as to provide an essentially constant DC level. For example, Manchester is a bit level balanced code in which the DC level from bit to bit does not change, while 4B5B and 8B10B are byte level balanced codes in which the DC level of a byte changes by less than 10 to 20%. However, such encoding techniques increase the bandwidth of the NRZ data signal. As an example, when a 50 Megabit Manchester encoded signal is transmitted across the isolation barrier, the bandwidth of the signal is in the range of 20 to 50 MHz rather than the original NRZ spectrum of DC to 25 MHz. Furthermore, a significant amount of electronic hardware is required to implement these coding techniques, thereby increasing the cost and reducing the performance (i.e. higher bit error rates) of the overall bus architecture.
In addition to the foregoing, another drawback in the use of prior art transmission methods and apparatus is that they are based upon typical bus architecture schemes, such as SCSI, Ethernet and ADB, which do not provide for multi-speed signal transmissions on an upward compatible bus where the capabilities of faster devices connected to such a multi-speed bus can be realized.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for the transmission of NRZ data signals across an isolation barrier disposed between adjacent devices on a bus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for transmitting broad band NRZ data signals across a pulse transformer type isolation barrier having a narrow band channel.
A further object of the present invention is to implement the method and apparatus of the present invention in a multi-speed bus architecture scheme using digital standard cell or gate array technology so as to transmit NRZ data signals across a bi-directional interface between adjacent devices coupled to the bus.

Method and apparatus for transmitting NRZ data signals across an isolation barrier disposed in an interface between adjacent devices on a bus


The present invention is a limb bolt assembly for a recurve bow. The recurve bow has an upper limb, a lower limb, and a center riser with an upper end and a lower end each having a U-shaped slot for receiving a proximal end of a respective one of the upper and lower limbs. The limb bolt assembly includes an elongated threaded bolt mounted across the U-shaped slot, an index plate for indexing a rotational position of the bolt, a sleeve located inside the U-shaped slot and threadedly engageable with the elongated bolt and further engaging with the proximal end of the respective one of the upper and lower limbs, an end attached to the end of the bolt, and a plug mounted at a bottom opening of the U-shaped slot. The sleeve has an enlarged flange with straight rim portions for engagement with the inside sidewalls of the U-shaped slot from rotating inside the U-shaped slot, so that the sleeve can be driven along the bolt by rotating the bolt to adjust the poundage and tiller of the recurve bow. The limb bolt assembly further includes positive locking members for locking the bolt to prevent it from rotating after adjustment.

1. Field of The Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of design and construction of archery bows. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of an improvement on the limb bolt assembly used on recurve bows.
2. Description of The Prior Art
Most of today's recurve bows are three-piece takedown units. A typical three-piece recurve bow has a center riser section, an upper limb and a lower limb. The upper and lower limbs are respectively mounted to the upper and lower ends of the center riser by limb bolts. The limb bolts essentially serve two main functions. First, they are used for mounting the upper and lower limbs to the center riser. Second, they are used for adjusting the poundage of the bow. Some recurve bows further utilize the same limb bolt for adjusting the tiller of the bow. As used conventionally, "poundage" refers to the overall strength of the limbs measured in pounds when the bow is drawn to a standard distance, e.g., twenty-eight inches (28"), and "tiller" refers to the balance of the relative strengthening or weakening of the upper and lower limbs of the bow.
On prior art recurve bows, the limb bolts are usually simple screw bolts with a hexagonal head or Allen wrench socket. An archer can use a wrench or Allen wrench to thread the limb bolt to fasten the upper or lower limb, or adjust the poundage and/or tiller of the bow. However, this arrangement has several disadvantages. First, since the limb bolts are directly engaged with the upper or lower limb of the recurve bow, the repeated vibration of the limbs during the releasing of the arrow often causes the limb bolts to become loose and the poundage settings thrown off. Second, when threading the limb bolt to adjust the poundage and/or tiller of the bow, an archer has no way of knowing when the poundage or tiller is properly adjusted. Therefore, the archer has to repeat the adjustment by time consuming experiments every time to obtain a proper adjustment.
For example, a sixty-pound recurve bow will typically build up sixty pounds (60 lb.) at about a twenty-eight-inch (28") draw. Therefore, to tune in a sixty-pound recurve bow, an archer needs to adjust the limb bolts of the bow and measure the poundage of the bow on a scale machine at twenty-eight-inch draw, until the poundage is set correctly at sixty pounds. However, when the limb bolts become loose because of the vibration of the limb during shooting and need to be readjusted to restore the correct poundage or balanced tiller, the archer has no way to know the previous rotational position of the limb bolts, and has to repeat the whole tuning procedure again by using the scale machine and/or other measuring devices. This process often becomes very time consuming, and very inconvenient and impractical during archery championships, outdoor sporting events or hunting trips.
The following six (6) prior art patents were found to be pertinent to mounting screws with indication means.
1. U.S. Pat. No. 2,830,486 issued to Dillon on Apr. 15, 1958 for "Resilient Nut With Tension Indicating Means" (hereafter "the Dillon Patent"). PA1 2. U.S. Pat. No. 3,060,731 issued to Adise on Oct. 30, 1962 for "Motion Translator" (hereafter "the Adise Patent"). PA1 3. U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,186 issued to Popenoe on Aug. 31, 1971 for "Opti-Mechanical Stress-Strain Indicator" (hereafter "the Popenoe Patent"). PA1 4. U.S. Pat. No. 3,823,639 issued to Liber on Jul. 16, 1974 for "Tension Indicating Fastener" (hereafter "the Liber Patent"). PA1 5. U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,840 issued to Bossler on Jun. 3, 1975 for "Bolt Head Which Measures And Maintains Preload" (hereafter "the Bossler Patent"). PA1 6. U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,831 issued to Yager et al. on Nov. 24, 1992 for "Capscrew Head Markings For Torque-Angle Tightening" (hereafter "the Yager Patent").
The Dillon Patent discloses a resilient nut with a tension indicating means. It includes a rectangular block having a vertical bore extending therethrough from top to bottom. An indicator is provided with one or more calibration lines positioned at any suitable point along the edge of the block for measuring the flexure.
The Adise Patent discloses a motion translator. An indicator card is carried by an arm at its free end. The card is provided with a uniformly graduated scale.
The Popenoe Patent discloses an opti-mechanical stress-strain indicator. It includes a bolt which has a large bore, and a pin disposed within the bore. The stress is measured by the color change of the fluid within the large bore.
The Liber Patent discloses a tension indicating fastener. It is utilized to support mine shaft roofs. The tension of the mine bolts is measured by a photoelastic member in the form of photoelastic fringes for reading by reflection polariscope.
The Bossler Patent discloses a bolt head which measures and maintains a preload. An indicator-washer is mounted at the periphery of the upper recess, closing the recess and being relatively non-deflecting with respect to the ring, so that the relative position of the indicator pin and indicator-washer or ring is a function of the preload.
The Yager Patent discloses a capscrew head marking for torque-angle tightening. It includes a fastener which has an externally threaded shank portion, a torque receiving portion integrally connected to one end of the shank portion and an outwardly extending flange located between the shank portion and the torque receiving portion.
It can be seen that none of the prior art mounting screws can be suitably used as the limb bolts on a recurve bow where the connections between the upper and lower limbs and the center riser are subject to severe vibrations during the releasing of the arrow. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a new limb bolt assembly for recurve bows. It is desirable that the new limb bolt assembly can tightly mount the upper or lower limb to the center riser of the recurve bow such that the vibration from the releasing of the arrow will not cause the new limb bolt assembly to become loose. It is further desirable that the new limb bolt assembly provide a quick reference of the correct poundage and tiller adjustment to an archer.

Indexed limb bolt assembly for a recurve bow


A collapsible basket having an upper generally rectangular frame with side and end rail portions. The side rail portions comprise a plurality of telescoping sections whereby the lengths of the side rail portions may readily be extended or retracted. The bottom wall of the basket consists of a lazy tong linkage lying generally in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper frame and is therefore extensible and retractible in a lengthwise direction. A series of flexible strap members are spaced about the upper frame and extend downwardly to and are connected with the ends of the links of the lazy tong bottom wall structure. The upper ends of the strap members have loops which extend about and are slideable along the side rails of the upper frame of the basket.

This invention relates to collapsible baskets which are relatively flat and of minimal length when in a folded or collapsed condition but which are readily openable to full depth and length for convenient use.
Many forms of collapsible baskets have been proposed in the past but none of the prior art baskets of this general type has met wide acceptance. Many of the collapsible baskets of the prior art are relatively flimsy and insubstantial when opened up for use. Others have probably failed to gain wide acceptance do to cost of manufacture or failure to stand up in normal use. Other prior art collapsible baskets have proved to be unduly complex from a mechanical standpoint and therefore difficult to adjust readily between open condition for use and closed or collapsed condition for storage.
Shoppers in supermarkets are often presented with a problem in transferring their purchases from supermarket carts to their automobiles or in carrying their purchases from the supermarket to their homes or some other point. This problem is increased by the fact that, do to frequent thefts, supermarkets frequently have arrangements which prevent the carts from being moved from the immediate vicinity of the supermarket. The basket of the present invention is especially useful in this general situation.


A skip car liner comprises a resilient elastomeric barrier which includes a backing ply adapted to hang within a skip car receptacle adjacent an inner surface of a wall of the receptacle. A plurality of parallel vertically spaced apart ribs integrally formed on the barrier project downwardly and inwardly from the inner surface of the backing ply and extend along the entire length of the ply. The ribs terminate at free ends disposed within a common plane parallel to and spaced from the inner surface of the backing ply. A horizontally spaced apart series of slits formed in each rib extend from the backing ply through the rib to and through its free end. The slits divide each rib into a plurality of discrete rib sections, each rib section being supported on the backing ply for independent deflection relative to the backing ply.

This invention relates in general to energy absorbing barriers and liners and deals more particularly with improvements in elastomeric liners for mine skip cars, quarry truck beds and like receptacles for receiving dumped loads of rock and ore which have been processed by disintegrating machinery.
Elastomeric energy absorbing barriers and liners have heretofore been employed for protecting the skip cars and other such receptacles to increase receptacle life and reduce equipment maintenance. The protective liners employed in skip cars, for example, usually comprise sheets of energy absorbing elastomeric material mounted adjacent the inner walls of a car receptacle to absorb impact from dropped loads. However, rough chunks of rock and ore produced by disintegrating equipment and which comprise the load are often as large as six inches (6") in diameter, have sharp edges, and tend to abrade and cut the exposed surface of an energy absorbent liner, thereby substantially reducing liner life.
Accordingly, it is the general aim of the present invention to provide an improved elastomeric skip car liner which more effectively utilizes the resilient energy absorbing characteristics of an elastomeric lining material to dissipate the energy of a falling load of rock or ore and thereby reduce liner damage from large pieces of sharp falling rock or ore to increase liner life and reduce skip car maintenance.


This patent application relates to Certain tricyclic ether herbicidal compounds and their use to control a broad spectrum of undesirable plant growth.

This invention relates to certain herbicidal ethers, agriculturally suitable compositions thereof, and a method for their use as broad spectrum preemergent or postemergent herbicides.
New compounds effective for controlling the growth of undesired vegetation are in constant demand. In the most common situation, such compounds are sought to selectively control the growth of weeds in useful crops such as cotton, rice, corn, wheat and soybeans, to name a few. Unchecked weed growth in such crops can cause significant losses, reducing profit to the farmer and increasing costs to the consumer. In other situations, herbicides are desired which will control all plant growth. Examples of areas in which complete control of all vegetation is desired are areas around railroad tracks, storage tanks and industrial storage areas. There are many products commercially available for these purposes, but the search continues for products which are more effective, less costly and environmentally safe.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,041 discloses herbicidal compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein, inter alia:
Y is (--CR.sup.5 R.sup.6 --).sub.n in which n is 0, 1 or 2; and
R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 (in part) form an alkylene group containing 4 or 5 carbon atoms.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,603 discloses herbicidal compounds of the formula: ##STR2## wherein, inter alia:
X is O, S, NR or CH.sub.2 ; and
Y is (in part) CH.sub.2.


An aerodynamic toy apparatus is mounted at one end on the side window of a motor vehicle and is manually manipulated from within the vehicle by a passenger in the back seat. A generally rectangular support member is configured at one end to be received on the window glass and has an aerodynamically shaped cup-like shroud portion at the opposed end positioned outwardly a distance from the vehicle. A retractable toy member connected to a pivot arm on the interior of the shroud is movable from a retracted position to an extended position to be acted upon by air currents as the vehicle moves and is manually manipulated by cables from the vehicle interior to simulate flying and other movements.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to aerodynamically driven toys, and more particularly to an aerodynamic toy apparatus mounted on a motor vehicle and manually manipulated from the vehicle interior.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Aerodynamically driven toys and movable ornaments attached to vehicles are known in the art. There are several patents which disclose various wind driven toys which may be attached to motor vehicles, none of which are manipulated from within the vehicle.
Bott, U.S. Pat. No. 1,794,576 discloses a folded toy airplane secured to a stem or rod and has a propeller which spins.
Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 1,824,003 discloses a toy airplane secured to a telescopic rod which is mounted on a motor vehicle and will rise and fall as the vehicle moves and increases or decreases speed.
Kupperman et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,091 discloses a plastic spinner which can be mounted on a wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle.
Greider, U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,308 discloses an aerodynamically driven toy which can be mounted on a wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, and has a moving appendage driven aerodynamically when passing through a relative wind to create a flapping movement, such as the wing of a bird.
The present invention is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by an aerodynamic toy apparatus which is mounted at one end on the side window of a motor vehicle and is manually manipulated from within the vehicle by a passenger in the back seat. A generally rectangular support member is configured at one end to be received on the window glass and has an aerodynamically shaped cup-like shroud portion at the opposed end positioned outwardly a distance from the vehicle. A retractable toy member connected to a pivot arm on the interior of the shroud is movable from a retracted position to an extended position to be acted upon by air currents as the vehicle moves and is manually manipulated by cables from the vehicle interior to simulate flying and other movements.

Aerodynamic toy apparatus manipulated from the interior of a motor vehicle


An exercise machine to train the hamstring group of muscles including a base, said base being formed of frame members, a knee rest provided upon the base, a frame member extending rearwardly supporting a cross support, whereby the exerciser rests upon the kneel rest and places his/her ankles under the ankle support, a vertical framework pivotally mounted to the base, the upper end of the vertical framework including a chest support, while various weights may be attached to the proximate bottom of the vertical framework to regulate the amount of stress exerted upon the user while exercising upon the exercise machine.

This invention relates generally to a device for exercising select muscles of the body, and more specifically pertains to a structured exercising device that can be used in particularly strengthening the hamstring muscles of the athlete, and others, desiring such type training.
Numerous types of exercising devices are currently available upon the market. All one need do is to attend one of these fitness centers, to see the voluminous number of exercising devices available, or watch the late night T.V. and cable, for the various types of isolated exercising devices being promoted for the market.
Numerous patents have issued to others relating to various types of muscular exercising apparatus, as can be seen in the U.S. patent to McLaughlin, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,428, which discloses such an exercising apparatus and method. The particular device disclosed appears to be more for use in subjecting the torso, and particularly the abdominal muscles, to exercising stress, as can be noted. The device does include a series of rollers, various frameworks, and the like, for use for producing torque that adds tension to the muscles, during an exercise, but the actual physical device, its method of usage, and the results to be obtained therefrom, are quite distinct from this current development.
The patent to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,196, shows an exercising device, once again, which appears to place tension upon the muscles of the upper torso, when the exerciser urges forwardly, against its variously arranged pads, and further against the resistance of select springs or cams, while undertaking an exercising cycle. While this device includes a member that provides for its forward pivot, of the upper portion of the body, the exerciser himself/herself appears to be at rest upon a seat, and does not provide that much of a tension that is placed upon the muscles below the waist, during usage of the shown device.
The patent to Rockwell, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,619, once again, shows an exercising device where the exerciser sits upon a seat, which means that most of the tension produced is to the abdominal muscles, during exercising.
The patent to Solow, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,054, shows a low inertia counterbalance mechanism. This device is also a complex mechanism, it does appear to have some pivot to its arms, as noted, but since there is an apparent seat involved, the counterbalancing of the weight mechanisms appears to add force to the upper torso, or the upper body mass, of any person secured in this apparatus.
The patent to Yakata, U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,897, shows another exercise machine with an adjustable position bar. The various exercises undertaken, as can be noted in the figures of this device, generally are for providing a tightening of various muscles of the body, and which might even place some tension upon the hamstrings, but the particular mechanism involved, as shown, and its method of usage, is quite distinct and different from the current invention.
The patent to Schnell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,396, shows a multi-exerciser device, but once again, since the user will either sit or rest upon the shown support member, it is unlikely that the generation of tensioning in the various muscles in the area of the hamstring group, will not be subjected to much force. In addition, the structure of this device is very distinct from the current invention.
The patent to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,536, shows an apparatus for exercising muscles of the lower trunk of the body, but once again, these exercises are generated while the user is in a seated position, and it appears that primarily it is the abdominal muscles that may be stressed when the exerciser undertakes the type of positions for exercising as shown in this device.
The patent to Perry, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,459, shows an abductor contracting exercise apparatus and method. This device appears to be more related to the suspension of the user in an inverted position, rather than to stress and exercise the hamstring group of the muscles per se. Its structure, and functionality, is quite distinct from this current design.
Finally, the patent to George, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,701, shows an apparatus for exercising the lower back. While this device may provide a means for kneeling, as can be seen, as upon a kneeling pad, the stress is exerted through the cylindrical back pad, that provides for tensioning of the back muscles, and not the hamstring group, as can be noted.
It is, therefore, the provision of an exercising device, through the structure of this current invention, that focuses primarily upon tensioning of the hamstring group of muscles, to provide for their strengthening, and prevent their weakening or tearing, particularly when the exerciser is subjected to strenuous activity, such as in sporting events, or the like.

Exercise machine to train the hamstring group of muscles


A maraging steel for use as a mold steel is disclosed. In general, the use of maraging steels in molds is limited by the fact that the martensitic microstructure is not stable at temperatures above 480xc2x0 C. The precipitate hardening maraging type steel according to the invention contains titanium, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium and nickel and has, in addition to high strength, good ductility, small thermal expansion coefficient and good thermal conductivity, a significantly better thermal stability than other maraging steels, which makes it suitable for use as a mold material particularly in pressure casting.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of casting mold materials. Particularly, the invention relates to a steel useful in connection with pressurized casting and corresponding methods.
2. Background of the Invention
In the description of the background of the present invention that follows reference is made to certain structures and methods, however, such references should not necessarily be construed as an admission that these structures and methods qualify as prior art under the applicable statutory provisions. Applicants reserve the right to demonstrate that any of the referenced subject matter does not constitute prior art with regard to the present invention.
In pressure casting and comparable methods, stresses on the mold are caused by the cyclic thermal shock due to the contact between molten metal and the mold steel, hydrostatic pressure due to the injection pressure, as well as mechanical and chemical abrasion of the mold surface due to the flow of molten metal. Mechanisms of mold damage are thermal fatigue, macrocracking and so-called wash out occurring as a consequence of erosion, corrosion and welding phenomena. The dominant mechanism of damage is partly dependant on the cast metal, the size and shape of the mold and the mold material. The most common cause of damage is hot cracking, which is the cause of about 85% of damage cases.
Hot cracking is reticular cracking on the mold surface caused by thermal fatigue. Unlike ordinary fatigue, thermal fatigue is not due to fluctuating external stresses, but the cyclic tension and distortion resulting in cracking is caused by temperature variations. On the basis of theoretical studies, it can be concluded that from the point of view of hot cracking resistance, the yield strength of the mold material should be high and as independent as possible of temperature and number of cycles, i.e. the material should be thermally stable.
In addition to hot cracking, wash out is another main mechanism leading to mold damage. Wash out refers to the removal of material from the mold surface due to the interaction between molten metal and the mold material. It has been established that corrosive, erosive and welding mechanisms are involved, and that it occurs mainly at sites where the mold material interacts strongly with the molten metal, as in the feed region and in cores. For wash out resistance, the hardness of the mold material should be high and the mold material should not easily form compounds with the molten metal.
Additional desirable material properties for pressure mold steels are as follows:
high yield strength
good ductility
good heat conductivity
good hot erosion resistance
small heat expansion coefficient
small size, even distribution and stable structure of precipitates
matrix stability
small solubility of mold material alloying elements in the metal subject to pressure molding
low level of impurities and good slag purity
homogeneous structure
Generally, it can be said that the properties of a mold steel are determined by the composition and the method of preparation, as well as the hot working and annealing.
The use of conventional maraging steels as a mold material is limited by the fact that the martensitic microstructure is not stable at temperatures above 480xc2x0 C. Above this temperature, the martensitic structure slowly begins to change into an austenitic structure. Austenite has different properties from those of martensite; the strength and thermal conductivity are lower, larger thermal expansion etc., and these deviating properties cause local tensions which accelerate the development of thermal cracks on the mold surface and thus shorten the service life of the mold.
The austenization temperature of Fexe2x80x94Ni, Fexe2x80x94Cr and Fexe2x80x94Nixe2x80x94Crxe2x80x94 based maraging steels is lowered particularly by nickel (about 10xc2x0 C. per weight-%) and chromium, however notably less by the latter than by the former. On the other hand, nickel and chromium particularly enhance the ductility of maraging steels. The austenization temperature of maraging steel can thus be raised by lowering the nickel content and/or by replacing part of the nickel with chromium. Simultaneously, care must be taken that the other properties of the steel remain on the appropriate level, by means of other alloying components.
A precipitate hardened mold steel of the maraging type, containing titanium, cobalt, chromium and nickel, has been invented having, in addition to high strength, good ductility, small thermal expansion coefficient and good thermal conductivity, a significantly better thermal stability than other maraging steels, and thus a better resistance to thermal cracking and wash out than conventional maraging steels.
A maraging-type mold steel according to this invention, containing titanium, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium and nickel, is prepared by a method that allows minimal impurity content of solid elements like carbon, phosphorus, sulphur, silicon, manganese and copper, and of gaseous elements like oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. Preferably, vacuum induction melting (VIM) is used, complemented by vacuum re-melting (VAR).
A maraging type mold steel according to the invention contains, in weight percent, no more than 0.03, preferably no more than 0.02% carbon; 9-18, preferably 10-14% nickel,; 1-5, preferably 1-3% chromium; 2-8, preferably 2-5% molybdenum; 5-15, preferably 10-12% cobalt; and 0.1-1.5, preferably 0.2-0.7% titanium. Preferably, the ratio Ni/Ti is in the range 15-20.
Preferably, a steel according to the invention additionally contains, in weight percent, no more than 1.0, preferably no more than 0.2% aluminum; silicon and manganese together no more than 0.20%, preferably no more than 0.15%; sulphur no more than 0.010%, preferably no more than 0.003%; phosphorus no more than 0.010, preferably no more than 0.005; the residue being iron and possible impurities.


A system and method for participating in a multi-USV performance in three-dimensional space. The USV can include: a computer processor; a sensory device configured to detect live sensory information relative to a second USV participating in the performance in proximity to the USV; and a spatial control module executing on the computer processor and configured to enable the computer processor to: (i) receive instructions for performing a pre-determined sequence of spatial maneuvers of the performance; (ii) begin execution of the pre-determined sequence of spatial maneuvers according to the instructions; (iii) identify a modified sequence of spatial maneuvers calculated based on the live sensory information from the sensory device; (iv) halt execution of the pre-determined sequence of spatial maneuvers; and/or (v) execute the modified sequence of spatial maneuvers.

Due to recent advancements in robotics, aeronautics, wireless technology, sensor technology, and battery technology, many tasks that were previously performed by human labor and mechanical means are now performed by specialized autonomous devices. These devices have disrupted entire industries, from manufacturing and assembly to logistics and supply chain. The most obvious and least complex of these autonomous systems involve environments that are highly controlled and deterministic in nature. Certain other applications have been slower to adopt computerized automation. These typically involve dynamically evolving requirements and require complex adaptation to external stimuli. Despite these challenges, a wide range of industries, including those in the consumer and entertainment space, are beginning to incorporate computerized automation.
Examples include self-driving cars and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery services, which are both attracting significant resource and investment. UAVs in particular, also known as "drones," have advanced significantly in recent years. In the past, UAVs were limited to research, military, and other niche applications due to their high cost, restrictions by government aviation agencies, and limited capabilities. Modern UAVs are capable of carrying heavier payloads, traveling greater distances, and providing more sensory information than ever before. Other applications of UAV technology include real-time meteorology devices and atmospheric satellites providing Internet access and wireless services to remote geographical locations around the world.
For unmanned vehicles, such as UAVs, this shift to more sophisticated applications is accelerating as governments amend regulatory frameworks that were primarily designed for the regulation of passenger aircraft. Thus, efforts are underway to ease the regulatory burden of developing unmanned vehicle technologies. For example, in the United States, the Federal Aviation Authority has implemented rules to specifically define operational limitations of UAVs and certification requirements of UAV pilots.
These advancements have together incentivized industry experts to invest in faster development of unmanned vehicle technologies, as well as innovative new applications of those technologies in the consumer and commercial space.


A fiber optic interferometric sensor for use in a hydrophone system at high pressures includes a reference fiber wrapped around a rigid inner cylinder. A solid layer of compliant material is applied over the reference fiber. The sensing arm of the interferometer is wound over the layer of material applied over the reference fiber. The outer material is sufficiently compliant to provide acoustic sensitivity comparable to that of air-backed hydrophones.

This invention relates generally to fiber optic hydrophones and particularly to a solid interferometric fiber optic hydrophone. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a solid interferometric fiber optic hydrophone that is suitable for operation at high pressures with high, linear acoustic sensitivity and low sensitivity to linear acceleration.
Heretofore, fiber optic hydrophones have comprised two concentric hollow mandrels, each wrapped with a length of optical fiber that forms one leg of an optical interferometer. The outer mandrel typically is thin-walled so that its radius changes in response to incident acoustic pressure. A sealed air cavity is formed between the two mandrels. The inner mandrel is typically either thin-walled, with its interior exposed to the ambient pressure so that its radius would change in the opposite sense from that of the outer mandrel under acoustic pressure "push-pull" configuration), or relatively thick-walled, and possibly filled with a solid potting compound to serve as a "reference arm" for the interferometer.
The thin sensing shells backed by an air cavity are very compliant and provide a sensitive hydrophone. The cylindrical shape provides for a low net change in fiber length (i.e. low sensitivity) due to linear accelerations, which is desirable in a hydrophone. The ability to survive submersion to great depth must be provided by ensuring that the outer shell is thick enough to resist being crushed by the water pressure.
This depth survival requirement limits the compliance that the mandrel can exhibit in response to acoustic signals. Hence, with the prior art hydrophone technology it is difficult to deploy a sensitive hydrophone in an array that must survive at depth.
Production of these hydrophones is also time consuming and costly because the air cavity between the two mandrels must be sealed. This seal must allow for passage of fiber through it to the outside of the inner mandrel. This is a delicate assembly process, and leaking and fiber breakage at this seal is not an uncommon failure mechanism of these instruments.
The air cavity can also support acoustic resonances. The relatively low speed of sound in air and the high damping of acoustic waves in the air cavity can cooperate to establish these resonances within the acoustic detection bandwidth. This limits the frequency range of linear operation of the hydrophone, and can be problematic in some hydrophone designs.

Fiber optic hydrophone having rigid mandrel


A fingerprint identification system includes: a fingerprint sensing circuit having a power supply terminal and a floating ground terminal, used for generating a first signal; and a signal generation circuit having a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal is coupled to the power supply terminal, and the second output terminal is coupled to the floating ground terminal, the signal generation circuit is used for generating a floating power signal to the power supply terminal according to the first signal, and for generating a floating ground signal to the floating ground terminal according to the first signal, wherein the floating power signal has a floating power amplitude, and the floating ground signal has a floating ground amplitude; and wherein the signal generation circuit has a breakdown voltage, and both the floating power amplitude and the floating ground amplitude are greater than the breakdown voltage.

With the rapid development in science and technology, more and more portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, tablet computers, and notebook computers or the like have become essential tools in people's lives. Since portable electronic devices are generally used by individuals and have certain privacy, data stored inside the electronic devices (such as phone books, photos, personal information) is privately owned. Once the electronic device is lost, the data may be used by others, causing unnecessary losses. Although password protection has been used to prevent the electronic device from being used by others, passwords may be easily leaked or cracked, thus having a low degree of security. Moreover, the user has to remember the passwords so that the electronic device can be used. If the passwords are forgotten, a lot of inconveniences are brought to the user. Therefore, a personal fingerprint identification system has been developed for the purpose of identity verification so as to improve data security.
For a fingerprint identification system, a square wave signal having a high-voltage amplitude is used to enhance the fingerprint signal. However, in order to generate the high-voltage square wave signal, a semiconductor component having a high breakdown voltage is produced by using a high-voltage semiconductor process, and a signal generation circuit thereof is formed by using the semiconductor component having a high breakdown voltage. However, the high-voltage semiconductor process involves high production cost, which leads to an increase in the production cost of the electronic products of a circuit system for fingerprint identification.
Therefore, how to use a semiconductor component manufactured by using a low-voltage process to generate a square wave with a high-voltage amplitude is one of the goals to be achieved in the industry.


A leak detection apparatus is shown for monitoring leakage from household water systems. Upon detection of a leak, the water supply valve is automatically shut off. A pair of spaced apart wires are imbedded in an insulating tape with liquid cell sensor elements formed at spaced intervals about uninsulated sections of the wires. The tape is placed about the pipe to be monitored so as to collect the leaking water within the liquid cell sensor elements to electrically connect the conductors within a cell. Electronic circuitry actuates a servo to turn off a supply valve and/or sound an alarm. The water collecting elements eliminate unintended alarms due to condensation.

This application relates to an apparatus and method for detecting leaks, and more particularly to a liquid cell sensor, conductor tape and control for detecting leaks in domestic water and heating systems and for shutting off the water supply upon detection of a leak.
For a number of years, various leak detection systems have been proposed to detect the presence of hydrocarbons and other types of fluids that may contaminate the environment. These devices have included both sensors for detecting leaks in tanks, and elongated conductor sensors for detecting leaks along pipelines and the like. For the most part, the majority of these devices have been directed toward detecting leaks in gas and oil pipelines, storage tanks and other conveying vessels. Another area of concern, particularly to homeowners is leakage of water systems, whether domestic water, or heating systems in the home, particularly when the home is vacant in northern climates in cold weather. In addition to detecting a leak in a household water system, it is advantageous to automatically shut off the water supply as soon as a leak is detected.

Apparatus and method for detecting leaks


The invention relates to medical imaging and, more specifically, to intraoral dental radiology. The sensor according to the invention includes a series (SPHx) of detection photodiodes for detecting the arrival of an X-ray flash. The series of photodiodes occupies the location of a central column of the matrix of pixels. The signal of the missing pixel in each row can be reconstructed by interpolating the signals provided by the adjacent pixels of the row. The detection photodiodes are identical to the photodiodes of the active CMOS pixels. They are all electrically connected on one side to a reference potential and on the other side to a detection conductor (CD) extending along the series of photodiodes. This detection conductor is connected to a detection circuit (DX) delivering a signal for triggering the capture of an image when the detected current or the variation in this current exceeds a threshold showing that an X-ray flash has been initiated.

The sensor comprises a matrix of active pixels, each pixel including a photosensitive element (most commonly a photodiode) and a number of transistors allowing the charges generated by light in the pixel to be collected in order to be converted to voltage. The sensor assembly is operated by a sequencing circuit in order to ensure that the pixels are reset and that the charges are integrated over a certain duration, starting from an instant in time of the start of integration, and lastly that the voltages representing the electric charges accumulated in the pixels are read out. These voltages are read out by a readout circuit placed at the base of each of the columns of pixels of the matrix. A row of pixels is read out by simultaneously addressing all of the pixels of this row using a row decoder; to achieve this, the pixels each comprise a row selection transistor which is turned on by a command from the row decoder, this being carried out simultaneously for all of the pixels of one and the same row. The row selection transistor then connects the pixel to a respective column conductor, common to all of the pixels of the same column of pixels, in order to transfer, to this column conductor, a useful signal representing the charges generated in the pixel located at the intersection of the selected row and the column in question. The transfer occurs simultaneously for all of the pixels of the row, each to its respective column conductor.
The radiological sensor is placed behind the human body part to be observed: for an intraoral dental radiological sensor, it is therefore placed inside the mouth of the patient, in proximity to the dental region to be observed. An X-ray source is placed outside the mouth of the patient, facing the sensor, and exposes the latter with a brief flash of X-rays through the biological tissues or other matter to be observed.
Among the significant constraints on the use of such a system, the risk of exposure of the patient and those around him or her to X-rays should be considered in particular. It is necessary to minimize the delivered dose of X-rays while still obtaining a good image of the observed region. It is for this reason that the X-ray source emits a brief flash corresponding to a limited dose of radiation.
This requires that the sensor is ready to record an image as soon as the flash is emitted, otherwise a portion of the delivered dose is wasted. However, it is also important that imaging does not start before the start of illumination, since even in the absence of X-rays the pixels collect electric charges due to the presence of dark currents in the photodiodes, i.e. currents produced even in the absence of light and hence in the absence of X-rays. These charges must be removed before the start of imaging.
An attempt is therefore made to synchronize the start of integration of useful charges in the photodiodes with the start of the X-ray flash. Similarly, an attempt is made to synchronize the end of integration of useful charges with the end of the X-ray flash.
In the prior art, multiple solutions have been used in order to achieve this synchronization.
One solution consists in using a wired connection between the sensor and the X-ray source in order to trigger the integration of an electronic image at the same time as the X-ray source is started up. It is however preferable to avoid a wired connection in the crowded medical environment in which the radiological image is taken. Furthermore, the wired connection requires a common protocol between the sensor and source, which is difficult to reconcile with the requirement for the sensor to be able to be exposed by any source, or, conversely, for the source to be able to illuminate any sensor.
It is therefore also proposed to place an X-ray detector beside the image sensor, inside the mouth or outside the mouth; this requires an additional component and a link between this component and the sensor.
In one particular situation that exclusively applies to a sensor using CCD technology and not to a sensor using MOS technology, the sensor having a CCD central charge transfer register to which the charges produced by the two halves of a sensor are transferred before being shifted stepwise towards a charge-to-voltage conversion circuit outside the matrix, it has previously been proposed (patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,623) not to mask the central register from light, whereas in fact it should be. The register is based on silicon and is therefore naturally photosensitive. It collects charges if it receives light and it transfers its charges stepwise to the charge-to-voltage conversion circuit. The resulting voltage level is continuously monitored; it represents dark current noise before the start of an X-ray flash; if this level increases substantially, it means that an X-ray flash has started and a complete image capture operation may be triggered. This solution is not transferable to CMOS sensors which do not have a readout charge transfer register; moreover, it interferes with the operation of the sensor by making the central register sensitive to light while it reads out the charges produced in the matrix, which negatively affects the image.
In yet another solution, using CCD technology, three X-ray detection diodes are placed behind the matrix of pixels. The resulting technology requires more manufacturing steps.
In another solution, pixels distributed throughout the matrix are used as reference pixels and are monitored in order to trigger the capture of an image if the level of a certain number of these reference pixels exceeds a threshold. This requires specific addressing means for reading out the reference pixels. This is also the case if reference zones of multiple pixels are used to carry out this detection.
In another solution, a detection cell which is larger than a pixel and capable of surrounding the entire matrix is provided for the purpose of detecting the arrival of an X-ray flash. This solution takes up space and detection potentially occurs where few X-rays arrive due to the obstacles through which they must pass.
In one particular solution, the overall image read out by the pixels is compared with an image taken in the dark before exposure to X-rays. When the read-out image suddenly becomes substantially different from the image taken in the dark, it is concluded that the flash has started. This requires that the entire matrix be read out in order to acquire this information on a sudden change in the luminosity level of the overall image.
Patent publication US 2007/0176109 recalls these various solutions, which are taken from various patent publications, and it proposes another solution using pixels for detecting the arrival of X-rays which have a quicker response time than the ordinary pixels of the matrix. These pixels are located on the periphery of the matrix and can be addressed by the same addressing means as the pixels of the matrix. They are preferably larger, and hence take up more space, than the pixels of the matrix.
In publication WO2011/008421, the matrix of pixels is read out using sub-sampling, i.e. not all of the pixels are read out; only those rows of pixels located on the periphery are actually read out in order to detect the arrival of X-rays. This complicates the internal arrangement of the sensor and its sequencing circuits.
In patent EP0757474, it is specified that the detection threshold is progressive and depends on the preceding image, in order to account for the fact that the dark current of the pixels which detect the arrival of the X-ray flash depends on the ambient temperature conditions, which can vary substantially.
In order to avoid the drawbacks of the devices of the prior art and at least to strike a better compromise between the constraints imposed by each of these devices, the invention proposes modifying the detection means present on the sensor.
An intraoral radiological image sensor using MOS technology is proposed, constructed in the following manner: it comprises a matrix of rows and columns of photosensitive pixels each comprising a photodiode and a circuit with transistors allowing the charges generated by light in the pixel to be collected and converted to voltage, with, for each column of pixels, a column conductor common to all of the pixels of the column, the column conductor being connected to a respective readout circuit for the column, and with a row-addressing circuit for addressing the pixels of a selected row and transferring, to the column conductors, useful signals arising from the pixels of the selected row and representing the illumination of these pixels.
The sensor according to the invention is characterized in that it includes, in the middle of the matrix and in place of a central column or a central row of pixels, a series of photodiodes which are all electrically connected in parallel on one side to a reference potential and on the other side to one and the same detection conductor extending along the series of photodiodes, this detection conductor being connected to a detection circuit delivering a signal for triggering the capture of an image when the detected current or the variation in this current exceeds a threshold showing that an X-ray flash has been initiated.
If the sensor is generally rectangular in shape (optionally with cut-off corners), therefore having a length and a width where the length is greater than the width, provision is made for the series of photodiodes to be positioned in place of a column or row oriented in the lengthwise direction. In most cases it is the columns (in the direction of signal collection) that are oriented in the lengthwise direction, but this is not obligatory; the series of photodiodes used to detect an X-ray flash and the detection conductor then extend in the direction of the column conductors which collect the useful signals.
The photodiodes are preferably distributed with the same spacing as the pixels in the columns or rows of pixels that surround it. These photodiodes are preferably technologically identical to the photodiodes of the pixels and they preferably have the same dimensions.
In particular embodiments, provision is also made for one or more other series of photodiodes, in columns, in rows or both, each occupying all or part of the column or row of pixels that they replace.


A polypeptide for production in yeast comprises a fusion of a signal peptide, a leader peptide and a heterologous protein or polypeptide. The polypeptide is modified in its amino acid sequence adjacent to a yeast processing site positioned between the C-terminal end of the leader peptide and the N-terminal end of the heterologous protein so as to provide a presentation of the processing site which makes it accessible to proteolytic cleavage. Such a presentation is provided by adding one or more amino acids (at least one of which is negatively charged) to either the C-terminal end of the leader or the N-terminal end of the protein, or both. The heterologous protein may, for instance, be aprotinin or insulin precursor or an analogue thereof.

Yeast organisms produce a number of proteins synthesized intracellularly, but having a function outside the cell. Such extracellular proteins are referred to as secreted proteins. These secreted proteins are expressed initially inside the cell in a precursor or a pre-protein form containing a presequence ensuring effective direction of the expressed product across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The presequence, normally named a signal peptide, is generally cleaved off from the desired product during translocation. Once entered in the secretory pathway, the protein is transported to the Golgi apparatus. From the Golgi the protein can follow different routes that lead to compartments such as the cell vacuole or the cell membrane, or it can be routed out of the cell to be secreted to the external medium (Pfeffer, S. R. and Rothman, J. E. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 56 (1987), 829-852).
Several approaches have been suggested for the expression and secretion in yeast of proteins heterologous to yeast. European published patent application No. 0088632A describes a process by which proteins heterologous to yeast are expressed, processed and secreted by transforming a yeast organism with an expression vehicle harbouring DNA encoding the desired protein and a signal peptide, preparing a culture of the transformed organism, growing the culture and recovering the protein from the culture medium. The signal peptide may be the desired proteins own signal peptide, a heterologous signal peptide or a hybrid of native and heterologous signal peptide.
A problem encountered with the use of signal peptides heterologous to yeast might be that the heterologous signal peptide does not ensure efficient translocation and/or cleavage after the signal peptide.
The S. cerevisiae MF.alpha.1 (.alpha.-factor) is synthesized as a prepro form of 165 amino acids comprising a 19 amino acids long signal- or prepeptide followed by a 64 amino acids long "leader" or propeptide, encompassing three N-linked glycosylation sites followed by (LysArg(Asp/Glu, Ala).sub.2-3 .alpha.-factor).sub.4 (Kurjan, J. and Herskowitz, I. Cell 30 (1982), 933-943). The signal-leader part of the preproMF.alpha.1 has been widely employed to obtain synthesis and secretion of heterologous proteins in S. cerivisiae.
Use of signal/leader peptides homologous to yeast is known from among others U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,082, European published patent applications Nos. 0116201A, 0123294A, 0123544A, 0163529A, and 0123289A and DK patent specifications Nos. 2484/84 and 3614/83.
In EP 0123289A utilization of the S. cerevisiae a -factor precursor is described whereas DK 2484/84 describes utilization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae invertase signal peptide and DK 3614/83 utilization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae PH05 signal peptide for secretion of foreign proteins.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,082, EP 0016201A, 0123294A, 0123544A, and 0163529A describe processes by which the .alpha.-factor signal-leader from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MF.alpha.1 or MF.alpha.2) is utilized in the secretion process of expressed heterologous proteins in yeast. By fusing a DNA sequence encoding coding the S. cerevisiea MF.alpha.1 signal/leader sequence at the 5' end of the gene for the desired protein secretion and processing of the desired protein was demonstrated.
EP 206,783 discloses a system for the secretion of polypeptides from S. serevisiae whereby the .alpha.-factor leader sequence has been truncated to eliminate the four .alpha.-factor peptides present on the native leader sequence so as to leave the leader peptide itself fused to a heterologous polypeptide via the .alpha.-factor processing site LysArgGluAlaGluAla. This construction is indicated to lead to an efficient process of smaller peptides (less than 50 amino acids). For the secretion and processing of larger polypeptides, the native .alpha.-factor leader sequence has been truncated to leave one or two .alpha.-factor peptides between the leader peptide and the polypeptide.
A number of secreted proteins are routed so as to be exposed to a proteolytic processing system which can cleave the peptide bond at the carboxy end of two consecutive basic amino acids. This enzymatic activity is in S. cerevisiae encoded by the KEX 2 gene (Julius, D. A. et al., Cell 37 (1984b), 1075). Processing of the product by the KEX 2 gene product is needed for the secretion of active S, cerevisiae mating factor .alpha.1 (MF.alpha.1 or .alpha.-factor) but is not involved in the secretion of active S. cerevisiae mating factor a.
Secretion and correct processing of a polypeptide intended to be secreted is obtained in some cases when culturing a yeast organism which is transformed with a vector constructed as indicated in the references given above. In many cases, however, the level of secretion is very low or there is no secretion, or the proteolytic processing may be incorrect or incomplete. The present inventors currently believe this to be ascribable, to some extent, to an insufficient exposure of the processing site present between the C-terminal end of the leader peptide and the N-terminal end of the heterologous protein so as to render it inaccessible or, at least, less accessible to proteolytic cleavage.


This invention provides a process for determining the nitrogen content of a sample involving (a) combusting the sample in a combustion reactor in the presence of oxygen, which oxygen is introduced into the combustion reactor in pulse form; (b) reducing the resulting combustion gases by flowing them in a flow of helium or other noble carrier gas through a Cu-containing reduction reactor; (c) performing the steps of (i) making anhydrous in a water trap the reduced gases, (ii) flowing the reduced gases through a gas-chromatographic column in order to carry out a gas-chromatographic separation of N.sub.2 from CH.sub.4 possibly present within the reduced gases, and (iii) removing CO.sub.2 from the reduced gases using a CO.sub.2 trap, with the proviso that step (i) immediately precedes step (ii); and (d) analyzing the resulting gases by detecting thermal conductivity. This invention also provides an apparatus for determining the total nitrogen content of a sample which apparatus has a combustion reactor, a device for introducing oxygen into the combustion reactor in pulse form, a reduction reactor, a device for trapping water, a device for removing CO.sub.2 from combustion and carrier gases, a thermal conductivity detector, and a gas chromatographic column upstream of the detector packed with a material suitable to separate nitrogen from methane possibly present within the combustion gases.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for determining the content of total nitrogen in a sample by means of combustion elemental analysis.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The classical method for the determination of total nitrogen and proteins in a sample is the one known as wet Kjeldahl method. This method is based on the digestion of the sample with concentrated H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and subsequent titration with ammonia. Though endowed with the outstanding advantage of enabling the analysis of samples in the order of 1-3 g, the Kjeldahl method has been recently more and more replaced by combustion methods, that allow a more simple process and its almost full automation.
The methods for combustion elemental analysis (or ultimate analysis) substantially provide to perform a flash dynamic combustion of small sample amounts in high excess of oxygen, in presence of catalysts, and the treatment of the thus obtained combustion gases by having them pass, under helium flow as carrier gas, successively through a copper-containing reduction reactor, a trap for CO.sub.2 absorption, a trap for water absorption and a gas chromatographic column packed with an adsorbent (e.g. Porapack QS) that has the function of separating nitrogen from other combustion gases. The determination of nitrogen eventually takes place by means of a thermal conductivity detector and the function of the Porapack column, besides the aforesaid one, is also that of improving the shape of the N.sub.2 peak and of providing the equipment with the necessary pneumatic resistance.
The major drawback of these methods is given by the fact that to obtain reliable results, only reduced amounts of samples, of about 10-20 mg, can be analyzed. Larger samples can be analyzed only if substantially deprived of organic compounds or with very reduced content thereof. This reduced capacity of analysis, as far as the sample quantity is concerned, leads to the need of homogenizing as accurately as possible (e.g. by grinding at liquid nitrogen temperature) the sample before drawing therefrom the portion to be analyzed, with all ensuing practical problems.
An attempt to solve said problems is given by the analytical method proposed by LECO company (USA). This method provides to perform a flash combustion of samples of 200-300 mg in O.sub.2 flow, and to treat a reduced amount, corresponding to about 10% or less, of the gases coming out from the reactor and previously diluted with He, in a way similar to the one above disclosed, The drawbacks of this method are due to the sealing problems deriving from the extreme complexity of the equipment, to the fact that in any case only part of the gases is analyzed, and to the problems of homogenization of the gases themselves.

Process and apparatus for determining total nitrogen content by elemental analysis


An omnidirectional tilting mechanism comprising a low profile package interposable between a support and a tiltable member. The mechanism includes a first element secured to the support and a second element secured to the tiltable member. The first and second elements move relative to one another in an omnidirectional manner about a pivot element centrally disposed relative to the first and second elements. The resistence to tilting is controlled by flexural elements interconnecting the first and second elements which act to return the first and second elements to a neutral, home position.

Tilting mechanisms for the seat of a chair are well known. Typically, such mechanisms allow only rearward tilting and employ an adjustable spring-like mechanism to return the seat to a generally horizontal position when the chair is not in use. Chairs such as these are in common use and have the advantage, over rigid chairs, that the occupant may shift his position in order to transfer the pressure of sitting from one part of his anatomy to another. This shifting is found to be relaxing and aids in postponing or even preventing tension and fatigue.
Improvements over rearward tilting are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,678,668 (Collier) wherein there is disclosed a chair tilting mechanism which tilts forwardly as well as rearwardly and in U.S. Pat. No. 1,723,415 (Ferris) wherein there is disclosed a chair tilting mechanism which is capable of a limited lateral rocking or tilting movement.
Further improvements allowing omnidirectional tilting of chair mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,048,148 (Stoll), 4,099,697 (Von Schuckmann), 4,185,803 (Kalvatn), 4,431,157 (Arild) and 4,498,656 (Arild).
The Stoll patent discloses a ball joint surrounded by a coil spring held in compression between a flange and a seat mounted swivel bearing. A stub shaft extends between the ball and the swivel bearing, so that as the occupant's weight is shifted on the seat, tilting can occur in any direction. As soon as the lateral thrust force is relieved, the seat will return to its neutral, home position. This mechanism may be interposed between a standard pedestal tube and the chair seat.
In the Von Schuckmann patent the omnidirectionally tilting mechanism must be located in a uniquely constructed base support structure. It comprises a ball received in a socket :for universal movement with a shaft secured to and extending from the ball. A star-like array of generally radial tension springs is attached to the shaft and yieldably resist deflection of the shaft out of its normal position in all directions.
The patented Kalvatn mechanism comprises a pair of concentric rings which are mutually moveable, each about a torsion bar. Its universal tilting mechanism may also be mounted between standard chair seats and pedestals.
Similarly, in each of the Arild patents there is disclosed a tilting mechanism comprising a pair of torsion bar elements mounted upon yokes disposed normally to one another. These mechanisms also may be mounted between standard chair seats and pedestals.
Although, as noted, it is possible to interpose several types of the known omnidirectionally tiltable chair support structures between standard seats and seat supports, they are all of a size and complexity which require extensive modifications to existing chair structures for their incorporation therein. Thus, their interposition is not only impractical but the appearance they present is unsightly.
In a related patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,841, "Omnidirectionally Tilting and Swivelling Support Mechanism for Chairs or the Like" (Edstrom) herein fully incorporated by reference, I have disclosed a structure which relies upon flexurally distorting a control shaft. The dimensions of the mechanism allow it to be mounted totally out of sight, completely within a standard tubular chair support pedestal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved omnidirectional tilting mechanism, utilizing flexure members, interposable between a support structure and a supported structure, which allows self righting, relative tilting movement between these structures over a full 360 degrees and has a low profile, allowing it to be mounted unobtrusively between these structures. When incorporated into a chair, it may be disposed upon any standard pedestal shaft (including those incorporating a gas powered lift therein), or ether type of seat support for supporting any standard seat, without detracting from the functionality of either the support or the seat.


In one embodiment, a method for automatic inference of meeting attendance is provided. The method comprises sending a calendar request to a plurality of users that are invited to a meeting. The method further comprises receiving from each user of the plurality, a unique string identifying the user. The method further comprises generating a lookup table identifying the users of the plurality and their respective unique strings. The method further comprises receiving a first string broadcasted by a first user during the meeting. The method further comprises, responsive to determining that the broadcasted first string does not match one of the unique strings in the lookup table, performing an action to prevent the first user from receiving meeting content determined to be confidential.

The present invention relates generally to the field of event scheduling, and more particularly to automatic inference of meeting attendance.
Event scheduling is the activity of finding a suitable time for an event such as a meeting, a conference, a trip, a wedding, etc. It is an important part of event planning that is usually carried out at its beginning stage. When planning an event, such as a project meeting, the meeting organizer will typically know who is expected to attend the meeting. The meeting organizer will usually try to synchronize the time and location of the event with planned schedules of all participants.
Calendaring software is software, or sets of applications, that minimally provides users with an electronic version of a calendar. Some examples of additional features that calendaring software can include are an address book to store contact information of other users, attachments to share files and/or images with other participants on the invite list, an appointment calendar that manages a list of upcoming events or meetings, appointment reminders to automatically remind users of upcoming events or meetings, availability sharing to allow users to share their current availability status with other users, capacity checking to check the availability of other employee and resource calendars in a group, calendar publishing to allow a user to publish select calendar information on a public link, calendar exporting to export calendars to various file formats, and collaborative scheduling to check schedules and propose meeting times to all of the participants.

Automatic inference of meeting attendance

International Business Machines Corporation