The present invention discloses a carrier frequency acquisition method and apparatus in which the structure of a transmission frame includes a short training sequence, the method including: delaying a received short training sequence by L sampling points and multiplying the delayed short training sequence with the original short training sequence to obtain a new sequence; delaying the new sequence by D sampling points and conjugate multiplying the delayed new sequence with the original new sequence; accumulating the results of the conjugate multiplication; and evaluating a phase from the result of the accumulation to estimate carrier frequency offset. With the above method, the present invention is capable of greatly improving the acquisition range of carrier frequency offset while requiring a simple set of hardware.

FIG. 1 illustrates the frame structure of a multi-carrier mode in a wireless LAN, which includes a preamble sequence and data to be received. Generally, the multi-carrier mode in the wireless LAN employs the preamble sequence to achieve accurate synchronization and channel estimation. The preamble sequence includes two parts, a short training sequence and a long training sequence, wherein the short training sequence is consisted of ten duplicate short training symbols (A0, A1 . . . A9), and each short training symbol contains 16 sample points; the long training sequence includes a 32-sample CP (Cyclic Prefix) and two duplicate long training symbols (L1 and L2), each long training symbol contains 64 sample points. In general, a receiver employs the short training sequence to perform timing synchronization and carrier frequency offset acquisition, and employs the long training sequence to accurately estimate the timing position and the carrier frequency offset and to provide an accurate channel estimation.
The initial wireless LAN standard provided a bandwidth of 20 MHz for the multi-carrier mode. Then, two transmission modes were proposed to meet the requirements of application, one is "half-clocked" mode corresponding to transmission bandwidths of 10 MHz, another is "quarter-clocked" mode corresponding to transmission bandwidths of 5 MHz. It is easily found from analysis that the reduction of transmission bandwidth is accompanied with the reduction of subcarrier spacing and the increase of sampling period, as indicated by the following Table 1.
TABLE 1Transmission ModeSystem Parameter20 MHz10 MHz5 MHzNumber of FFT Point646464Subcarrier Spacing312.5 KHz156.25 KHz78.125 KHzEffective Bandwidth 16.6 MHz  8.3 MHz 4.15 MHz
It should be noted that the reduction of transmission bandwidth has a direct impact on the acquisition range of carrier frequency offset. Common carrier frequency offset acquisition methods can achieve the acquisition of a maximum carrier frequency offset of 625 KHz in the 20 MHz transmission mode, 312.5 KHz in the 10 MHz mode, and 156.25 KHz in the 5 MHz mode. And when a carrier frequency offset in the actual system exceeds the maximum acquisition range, the receiver can not correctly receive data.
To ensure that the data will not be affected by large carrier frequency offset during the reception phase, the carrier frequency acquisition should be accomplished during the reception of the short training sequence. Therefore, the research on dealing with carrier frequency offset within a large range by directly using the received short training sequence is of great practical significance.

Carrier frequency acquisition method and apparatus

Omnivision Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.


A method and apparatus for fabricating uniform splices for stranded cables. A joint for a stranded cable can be formed by inserting the ends of two cables into an electrically conductive splice band which, in turn, is inserted into a coil or inductor. The splice is fabricated by a process known as magnetic pulse forming, or magnetic pulse welding wherein a very large electrical current of short duration is directed through the coil or inductor from a charged capacitor bank. The resulting magnetic field in the coil or inductor induces a magnetic field on the splice band, compressing the splice band uniformly around the circumference of the two cable ends being spliced. In the case of magnetic pulse welding, the splice not only uniformly compresses the stranded cables, but a weld is also created between the inner diameter of the sleeve and the adjacent stranded cables.

The present invention relates to cable splicing and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for splicing cables using magnetic pulse forming or magnetic pulse welding techniques.
Stranded cables are manufactured by twisting multiple wire strands around one another. A length of the stranded cable is then wrapped around a spool, and shipped to the end user. The end user, at times, must splice together two or more lengths of cable in order to fabricate a cable of sufficient length as may be required for a specific application one technique for splicing pieces of cable together involves inserting respective ends of two cables into a splice band and mechanically crimping the splice band from three equally spaced directions, one hundred and twenty degrees apart.
One of the problems associated with this splicing process is the inconsistency in engaging the fibers in the splice band. Very often the band does not contact all of the fibers disposed about the entire three hundred and sixty degrees of the banded joint. Generally, it is observed that there is better engagement of the fibers at the center of the crimped areas of the band, which are located sixty degrees apart. As a result, the strength of the joint is usually not uniform.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for uniformly splicing stranded cables. A joint for a stranded cable can be formed by inserting the ends of two cables into an electrically conductive splice band which, in turn, is inserted into a coil or inductor. The splice is fabricated by a process known as magnetic pulse forming, or magnetic pulse welding, wherein a very large electrical current pulse of short duration is directed through the coil or inductor from a charged capacitor bank. The resulting magnetic field in the coil or inductor creates an induced magnetic field on the splice band, compressing the splice band uniformly around the circumference of the two cable ends being spliced. In the case of magnetic pulse welding, the splice band not only uniformly compresses the stranded cables but a weld is also created between the inner diameter of the sleeve and the adjacent stranded cables. A field shaper can be interposed between the electrical coil or inductor, and the splice band in order to focus the imposed magnetic forces in a specific region or regions of the splice band. A variation of this approach is to provide a split in the coil/field shaper combination or the inductor so as to form semicircular segments to allow removal from a completed spliced wire. This would be required typically in the case of a wire spliced between two existing wires. Concentrators may be incorporated into the field shaper to increase the magnetic flux in localized areas of the splice band.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved splice method and apparatus.
It is another object of the invention to provide a uniform splice by means of magnetic pulse forming or magnetic pulse welding.

Fuel Cell Components and Integrators, Inc.


An optical disk player is provided which includes a disk driving unit for driving an optical disk, a traverse count circuit for counting the number of recording tracks on the optical disk traversed by an optical pickup, an angle detection circuit for detecting the rotational angle through which the optical disk is rotated, and a stop control unit supplied with a count output from the traverse counting unit and a detection output from the angle detection unit. The stop control unit checks to see if the count value by the traverse count unit during rotation by a predetermined angle of the optical disk by the disk driving unit reaches a predetermined number of tracks corresponding to an allowable offset. The stop control unit halts the driving of the optical disk if the count value reaches the aforementioned predetermined number of tracks.

This invention relates to an optical disk player, such as a compact disk player or a video disk player, which is provided with disk driving means on which an optical disk may be loaded detachably.
In general, in an optical disk player employing an optical disk as a recording medium, information signals may be recorded or reproduced by tracing recording track(s) on the disk by an optical head whilst the disk is rotated at a high velocity by disk driving means.
The optical disk player, such as a compact disk player or a video disk player, is provided with disk driving means provided in turn with a disk table, on which an optical disk may be loaded detachably, so that a selected optical disk may be optionally loaded thereon for reproduction. With this type of disk player, the optical disk is transported by a disk tray or the like into the inside of a disk player and loaded on the disk driving means by a chuck system operating on the basis of a force of magnetic attraction exerted by a magnet provided on the disk player or an urging force exerted by a spring.
Meanwhile, with the optical disk player, such as the compact disk player or the video disk player, in which the optical disk is transported by the disk tray or the like so as to be loaded on the disk driving means, as described above, the optical disk may be loaded on the disk driving means with an offset of the optical disk with respect to the center of rotation of the disk table, as may occur when the disk is placed at an incorrect position on the disk tray. If the disk is loaded in this manner with an offset of the center of the disk, and the disk is rotated at this position at a high velocity, there is a risk that not only signal reproduction is not made, but also the optical disk itself be destroyed.

Optical disc player having a disk offset detection and protection


A design method for creep-fatigue strength of a plate-fin heat exchanger. The method includes preliminarily designing the plate-fin heat exchanger according to its service requirements, making a primary stress assessment for the plate-fin heat exchanger, calculating the equivalent mechanical and thermophysical parameters of the plate-fin heat exchanger core to satisfy the allowable stress requirement, performing a thermal fatigue analysis for the plate-fin heat exchanger based on these parameters and then calculating the fatigue life and creep life of the plate-fin heat exchanger to accomplish the comprehensive design of the plate-fin heat exchanger in the high-temperature service. The design method provides an effective method for the high temperature design of the plate-fin heat exchanger.

With the development of technology, the energy consumption is increasing, so energy saving and emission reduction as well as the improvement of the energy utilization ratio have become focuses of public attention. The heat-transfer equipment, as a core member of the high temperature system, not only requires efficient heat transfer performance, but also requires a compact structure. However, the most commonly used type of heat-transfer equipment at present is the shell and tube heat exchanger which has a large footprint and low heat transfer efficiency and it can be difficult to meet the requirements of the aerospace, high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, gas turbine and other fields using the shell and tube heat exchanger.
The plate-fin heat exchanger features a compact structure and high heat transfer efficiency. It is highly promising to study the plate-fin heat exchanger. However, the service environment of the plate-fin heat exchanger is getting worse and the high temperature and high pressure environment calls for increasingly strict design requirements for the plate-fin heat exchangers. The fracture mode is time-dependent for the service at high temperature and alternating load and the current design codes for pressure vessels are limited to the shell and tube heat exchangers and based on the elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) theory, have neither considered the characteristics of the creep and fatigue fractures nor involved the brazing process, service environment and other factors and cannot be directly adopted for the design of the plate-fin heat exchangers.

Method for creep-fatigue strength of plate-fin heat exchanger

CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)


Reduced fat, low-fat, or no-fat shredded whole grain wafers or biscuits are produced which exhibit a non-gritty smooth or a slippery mouthfeel and glossy appearance even though the fat content is substantially reduced. In embodiments of the invention, at least a substantial portion of the shortening or fat which is topically applied to a baked, shredded product is replaced with a hydrocolloid gum, preferably guar gum. The gum may be incorporated into the product prior to shredding of whole berries or grains. The gum composition, preferably in substantially dry, particulate, or powdered form may be blended with cooked berries or grains to obtain discrete, shreddable, free-flowing gum coated berries or grains. The hydrocolloid gum may be hydrated by the cooked berries or grains upon admixing so as to achieve adhesion of the dry, particulate, or powdered gum to the surface of the grains or berries. The discrete, gum coated berries or grains may be continuously formed into layers of strands or integral net-like sheets which may be continuously laminated. The laminates may be cut to form pieces which are baked to obtain shelf stable wafers or biscuits. Shortening or fat may, for example, be applied to the baked product by spraying in amounts which result in a fat content of less than about 12% by weight.

Shortening or fat is homogeneously incorporated into cookie and cracker doughs to assist machining of the dough and to enhance taste and mouthfeel of the final, baked product. However, in producing shredded products from a whole berry or grain, the homogeneous incorporation of a shortening or fat into the berry would destroy the integrity and discreetness of the berry and thereby impair its shreddability. The application of oil to the surface of the berries may also impair shreddability by creating slippage problems in the shredding mills. Coating berries with oil may also interfere with the ability of the shredding mills to form the berries into a cohesive dough which can be shaped into continuous strands or net-like sheets.
A glossy appearance, lubricous mouthfeel, and desirable color, flavor, and textural attributes provided by shortening or fat is imparted to shredded biscuits or wafers by spraying the baked products with an oleaginous composition. The oleaginous composition may also serve as a carrier for food additives such as flavorants or seasonings. The oil topping may also promote desirable adhesion of the additives to the baked substrate. Relatively high amounts of oil may be topically applied to shredded wafers without creation of surface puddles or oil seepage from the surface. The shredded or net-like, laminated structure of such products allows penetration of the oil to interior shreds and layers which enhances a slippery, lubricous, non-gritty mouthfeel not only during initial mastication but also during subsequent mastication and swallowing.
Carbohydrate gums and hydrocolloids such as xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, gum arabic, pectin, and carrageenan have been used as thickeners, stabilizers, or emulsifiers in foods. Hydrocolloids are very effective water binding agents. They may be used alone or in combination with other gums or fat substitutes to replace fat.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,347 discloses a process of preparing a dry, instant, wheat or farina-like product in flake form which will readily rehydrate upon the addition of hot water. One step in this process involves mixing farina and an effective amount of guar gum in powder form.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,890,118 discloses a method of forming a quick-cooking cereal product. The process includes adding to farina with agitation about 1/2 to 21/2 percent by weight of a thickening and suspending agent. The suspending agent can be gum tragacanth, gum karaya, gum arabic, purified gum guar, agar or refined algin.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,526,513 and 3,526,514 disclose the use of guar bean gum as a thickening agent in instant grain products.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,606 discloses a ready-to-eat guar gum snack food bar for reducing insulin and permitting smooth blood sugar fluctuations for Type II diabetics.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,984 discloses the use of hydrated, polysaccharide hydrocolloids in combination with hydrated insoluble fiber and protein material, in wheat flour-containing doughs and batters for improvement of the functional and/or organoleptic attributes of baked goods produced from such doughs and batters.
The topical application of a hydrocolloid gum, such as guar gum to a baked shredded wafer to replace topically applied fat or shortening can adversely affect the texture, appearance, and microbial stability of the final product. While excess water used as a carrier for the gum may be removed by further heating or drying, these additional steps may decompose or volatilize heat sensitive additives such as vitamins. The additional heating may also increase "checking" or breakage problems in baked goods or adversely affect their flavor, color, appearance or texture. Increasing the concentration of the hydrocolloid gum may result in a viscosity which is too high for proper spraying or too high for penetration to the interior shreds and laminates.
In the present invention, the topically applied fat content of shredded baked goods is substantially reduced without impairing shreddability of whole berries or grains on a continuous, mass production basis. A hydrocolloid gum is incorporated into the product as a fat replacer. However, the discrete, particulate nature and free-flowing non-sticky properties of cooked whole grains needed for the formation of shreds in a shredding mill is not destroyed. The reduced fat, low fat, or no fat baked goods of the present invention exhibit a smooth, lubricous, or slippery mouthfeel during initial mastication as well as subsequent mastication and swallowing.


In an electrophotographic copying machine, the copy image adjustment method for correcting copy image characteristics comprises the steps of measuring copying characteristics by use of a reference original and resetting development characteristics in accordance with the measurement results.

The present invention relates to a copy image adjustment method for use in an electrophotographic copying machine.
Methods are known for adjusting copy image. In one of them used on an electrophotographic copying machine without an exposure detection apparatus and an apparatus for detecting the surface potential of a photoconductor (hereinafer referred to as a photoconductor surface potential detector), a service man checks the copying condition of an original and adjusts the image quality by changing some of the conditions of the copying process by a method of trial and error by use of his own judgment or performs a similar adjustment by reference to a trouble shooting manual.
In another method, used on an electrophotographic copying machine without the exposure detection apparatus and the photoconductor surface potential detector, the copying process conditions, such as charging current, exposure lamp voltage, and development bias voltage are reset at their respective initial values by use of a check meter and a copy is made by use of a test chart and the thus-copied image is compared with a reference image density sample. By referring to the results of such comparison, a toner concentration setting value is changed, so that the process conditions are corrected.
In still another method, used on an electrophotographic copying machine with the photoconductor surface potential detector, the development bias voltage is checked by the surface potential detector (Japanese laid-open patent application Sho-51-98035).
According to yet another method, a standard original is copied, and charging, exposure and smearing of the optical system are detected and corrected.
Since, in the first-mentioned method, the copying condition is corrected intuitively without measuring any characteristics of the copying process, the copying process cannot always be adjusted to the same condition as the initial condition, although the copy image can be adjusted apparently satisfactorily to some extent. This makes the copying process unstable and shortens the service maintenance cycle.
In the second method those characteristic values that can be measured easily in general can be well measured practically, but those that cannot be measured easily in general, such as toner concentration, fatigue of developer, brightness of an exposure light source, smearing of an optical system, a charging apparatus and a photoconductor, cannot be measured practically. The adjustment by this method is still insufficient.
For example, when the toner concentration is measured and found to require that its setting value be changed, the toner concentration is so slow in response to such change that the setting value has to be changed gradually while checking 30 copies or so. This takes a lot of time.
In the third method, the development bias voltage is measured by use of the photoconductor surface potential detector, but the development bias voltage can be easily measured by a tester. Thus, the use of the photoconductor surface potential detector is not always advantageous. Furthermore, in this method, only the development bias potential can be checked.
In the fourth method, the conditions of the copying process can be detected and corrected up to the step of a latent electrostatic image formation. However, the conditions of the succeeding processes, particularly, toner concentration and fatigue of developer in the development process, cannot be measured. Accordingly, the toner concentration and development bias voltage cannot be adjusted appropriately, and timing for exchanging the developer cannot be determined by this method.


Each coating liquid is supplied from a first end of each manifold to a second end of the manifold, and pressure loss of each coating liquid flowing through each supply slot becomes smaller from the first end to the second end so as to cancel the pressure loss of the coating liquid flowing through the manifold. Each supply slot becomes shorter from the first end to the second end. This makes the liquid amount uniform along the width of the supply slot (coating width), and thus the layers can be well formed without defects.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coating method and apparatus for a heat-development photo-sensitive material.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of medical diagnosis film and photomechanical film, liquid wastes should be reduced from the point of view of environmental protection and space saving. A heat-development photo-sensitive material can be efficiently exposed by a laser image setter or a laser imager, and a high-resolution black image can be formed on it. The heat-development photo-sensitive material does not need solution processing pharmaceuticals to realize a simple environment-protecting heat-development processing system.
The heat-development photo-sensitive material is produced in such a manner that a photo-sensitive layer and a protective layer are formed on a web. The photo-sensitive layer includes organic silver oxide, photo-sensitive silver halide, and hydrophobic polymer latex or the like as a binder, and the protective layer includes at least one water-soluble polymer as a binder. Since viscosity characteristics of the two layers are remarkably different, the layers easily become uneven in thickness and have streaks.
Since the heat-development photo-sensitive material is a new material, a technology for efficiently forming the layers on the continuously-running web and a technology for preventing thickness unevenness of the layers and streaks on the layers have not been established.
In addition, since coating liquids for the layers include organic solvents, the organic solvents in the layers on the web volatilize at the heat developing stage which pollutes the environment. The organic solvents also volatilize at the production of the heat-development photo-sensitive material.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coating method and apparatus for efficiently forming a photo-sensitive layer and a protective layer and producing a high-quality heat-development photo-sensitive material without thickness unevenness and streaks. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a coating method and apparatus that does not pollute the environment.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to a coating method for a heat-development photo-sensitive material produced in such a manner that at least one photo-sensitive layer including at least one organic silver oxide and at least one hydrophobic polymer latex as binders and at least one protective layer including at least one water-soluble polymer as binders are formed on a web, wherein: coating liquids for the photo-sensitive layer and the protective layer are supplied to manifolds of a slide bead hopper, and pushed out onto a slide surface through supply slots connected to the manifolds to form layers while flowing down the slide surface, and the web that is wound on a back-up roller and continuously running is coated with the layers; and each coating liquid is supplied from a first end of each manifold to a second end of the manifold, and pressure loss of each coating liquid flowing through each supply slot becomes smaller from the first end to the second end to cancel pressure loss of the coating liquid flowing through the manifold.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to a coating apparatus for a heat-development photo-sensitive material produced in such a manner that at least one photo-sensitive layer including at least one organic silver oxide and at least one hydrophobic polymer latex as binders and at least one protective layer including at least one water-soluble polymer as binders are formed on a web, wherein: coating liquids for the photo-sensitive layer and the protective layer are supplied to manifolds of a slide bead hopper, and pushed out onto a slide surface through supply slots connected to the manifolds to form layers while flowing down the slide surface, and the web that is wound on a back-up roller and continuously running is coated with the layers; and each coating liquid is supplied from a first end of each manifold to a second end of the manifold, and each supply slot becomes shorter from the first end to the second end.
Since the coating liquid for the photo-sensitive layer does not gel and is thixotropic, it is important how to make the liquid amount uniform along the width of a supply slot (coating width) from which the liquid flows in order to prevent the thickness unevenness and the streaks.
According to the present invention, each coating liquid is supplied from a first end of each manifold to a second end of the manifold, and pressure loss of each coating liquid flowing through each supply slot becomes smaller from the first end to the second end to cancel pressure loss of the coating liquid flowing through the manifold. Each supply slot becomes shorter from the first end to the second end. This makes the liquid amount uniform along the width of the supply slot, and thus the layers can be well formed without defects. There may be one photo-sensitive layer and one protective layer, and there may be two or more photo-sensitive layers and two or more protective layers. There may be an intermediate layer between the photo-sensitive layer and the protective layer.
Moreover, the layers can be well formed even if the solvents of the layers are mainly water. Thus, the organic solvents are not needed, and this does not pollute the environment. The solvent is water means that the concentration of the water in the solvent is 30 percent or higher, preferably 50 percent or higher, more preferably 70 percent or higher, by weight. The other component of the solvent is a water-miscible organic solvent such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, dimethylformamide and ethyl acetate.

Method for coating a heat-development photo-sensitive material having a photo-sensitive layer and a protective layer


A method of hermetically encapsulating a crystal oscillator using a thermoplastic shell. A first step (102) includes molding a thermoplastic shell defining a cavity around a periphery of oscillator locations on a lead frame. A second step (104) includes attaching oscillator components including a piezoelectric element, capacitors and an integrated circuit to the lead frame. A third step (106) includes dispensing an encapsulant within the cavity defined by the thermoplastic shell to encapsulate the oscillator components. A fourth step (108) includes curing the encapsulant. A last step (110) includes excising the oscillator from the lead frame and the leads are formed for mounting.

Frequency control devices are known to include various types of crystal oscillators. A typical quartz crystal oscillator utilizes several components including a piezoelectric element, an integrated circuit, capacitors, inductors, resistors, etc. These frequency control devices are commonly found in electronic communication devices such as, cellular phones, pagers, radios and wireless data devices. As consumer demand continually drives down the size and cost of this equipment, the need for oscillators to be smaller and less costly has become even greater.
The most sensitive component in a crystal oscillator is the piezoelectric element. Typically, this element is independently sealed in a hermetic package. The purpose of encapsulation is to passivate the integrated circuit (IC) die of the oscillator from the effects of the environment. This die is fragile and must be protected from excessive thermal and mechanical stresses and strains. Also, the die must be protected from exposure to chemicals including moisture, oxygen, acids, corrosives, etc. Previously, this passivation process had been accomplished by thermoset encapsulation techniques, ceramic packaging, or potting epoxies on printed circuit boards.
The most common method for passivation of an IC is thermoset plastic encapsulation by transfer molding. In this technique an IC is mounted and wire bonded to a conductive lead frame. Then the lead frame is suspended in a two piece mold cavity and a thermoset resin is slowly injected under high temperature and pressure to form a thermoset plastic which encapsulates the part. This is commonly referred to as transfer molding. This process is low cost, but it does have problems. Due to the temperatures and pressures used in this molding process, piezoelectric devices are thermally and mechanically stressed causing undesirable frequency shifts. Also, this method may cause occasional damage to the IC or its wirebonds. In addition, some thermoset resins can outgas chlorine and ammonia by-products which can corrode the metalization on the IC. Also, thermosets tend to be hydrophilic and may lose their effectiveness against moisture infiltration.
Alternatively, potting epoxies have been used in some applications to directly encapsulate IC dies on various substrates. Potting techniques sometimes incorporate complicated structures and have microcracking problems due to the differences in thermal expansion coefficients of the materials used. However, this technique is of a lower cost than ceramic packaging. Some prior art potting techniques have utilized a dam and an underlayment to contain a potting compound over a lead frame. However, there are some problems with this approach. First, an additional B-stage epoxy process is needed to provide a moisture barrier between the leads and the dam. Second, the use of a deposited, preformed or machined dam increases the cost of the product. Third, more packaging components are used. The present invention can solve many of these problems by the use of a pre-molded thermoplastic shell to contain an encapsulant.
In ceramic packaging techniques, the IC die is first mounted to a ceramic substrate and this ceramic substrate is placed within a hermetic package. This hermetic package may take the form of a welded metal can with glass-filled feedthroughs for the external electrical connections, or it may take the form of a single or multi-layered ceramic substrate that is sealed to a single or multi-layered ceramic lid by means of an epoxy or glass frit. Alternatively, the ceramic substrate may be sealed with a brazed or welded steel alloy lid. Although the above technique has been successful, these packages are structurally complex and relatively expensive.
A significant portion of the cost of a quartz crystal oscillator is in its packaging. These oscillators typically have higher material and labor costs than a similarly packaged IC. Therefore, oscillator scrap costs due to yield losses are to be avoided if at all possible. Previously, the packaging used for crystal oscillator devices was typically ceramic packaging. This packaging has demonstrated good yields and therefore low incurred scrap costs. However, the ceramic structures themselves, though relatively effective, are complicated and have a higher inherent cost. Cost reduction can be achieved if the packaging for these oscillators can be simplified without sacrificing yield.
There is a need for an improved encapsulation process for making crystal oscillators that is: (i) low cost and high yield; (ii) minimizes the number of process steps and separate packaging components; (iii) does not require external machining of sealing components; (iv) is robust under environmental testing; (v) minimizes problems from differing thermal expansion coefficients of package materials; (vi) reduces the migration of moisture or oxygen into the package; and (vii) is readily manufacturable without custom equipment or added costs.

Method of hermetically encapsulating a crystal oscillator using a thermoplastic shell


A reverse stranding apparatus for the reverse stranding of conductors to produce cables or the like and to a method in connection with stranding and reverse stranding. The conductors are drawn from a distributor into a nozzle or equivalent through peripheral tubes circumferentially surrounding a central tube and being twistable about the central tube recurrently in opposite directions. To facilitate the passage of the conductor, a pressurized fluid is fed through the peripheral tubes upstream ends and into the peripheral tubes during the drawing of the conductors to produce oscillation, whereby the conductors passing through each peripheral tube remain substantially detached from the inner surfaces of the peripheral tubes.

The invention relates to an apparatus reverse stranding, for the manufacturing of conductors, such as filaments, conductor elements, bundles of conductors, optical fibres or equivalent, said apparatus comprising a stationary distributor means disposed at the upstream end for the conductors to be twisted, a twisting means rotatable in different directions and disposed at the downstream end for the conductors to be twisted, and peripheral tubes disposed between the distributor means and twisting means, being twistable recurrently about their longitudinal axes in opposite directions and peripherally surrounding a central tube, the central tube and peripheral tubes being pressed against each other at least during the step of twisting the conductors, and the conductors to be twisted being adapted to pass through at least the peripheral tubes. The invention further relates to a method in connection with reverse stranding, comprising drawing conductors, such as filaments, conductor elements, bundles of conductors, optical fibres and the like, from a distributor means into a nozzle or the like through peripheral tubes circumferentially surrounding a central tube and being twistable about the central tube recurrently in opposite directions, as well as a method in connection with the stranding of optical fibres, comprising feeding fibres from a distributor means into a nozzle or the like through peripheral tubes surrounding a central tube, transporting a core member provided with grooves through the central tube, and guiding the fibres by means of the peripheral tubes into the grooves in the core member.
Many different kinds of apparatus and methods as presented above are known in the cable industry. The apparatus and method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,408 may be mentioned as an example of the known solutions. The solution disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,408 operates completely faultlessly in most circumstances. However, in some circumstances it has been found that the friction characteristics between the conductors and the inner surfaces of the peripheral tubes are not optimal. Furthermore, specifically optical cables have presented problems in the bending and heat expansion of the cables, which have resulted in an increase in the damping of the cable.

Apparatus for reverse stranding and a method in connection with stranding and reverse stranding


A deck structure utilizing recycled plastic lumber decking planks which slide onto a rigid frame is provided. The frame includes supporting members having protruding "T"-shaped connectors which selectively fit into preformed grooves on the underside of the plastic planks. The manner in which the planks are secured to the frame allows for the expansion and contraction of the individual plank lengths due to temperature variations. In addition, brackets are provided which fasten railings and the like to the rigid frame.

1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains generally to the art of deck construction for residential and commercial buildings and more specifically to a securement system for a deck constructed from plastic lumber.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional decks around homes, pools, docks and the like are often constructed from pressure-treated wooden decking on top of a treated lumber frame, made of joists, the joists being attached to posts set three to four feet into the ground into a concrete base. The entire structure is used to maintain the structural integrity. The joists hold the decking and the decking keeps the joists from warping.
Constructing a deck from wooden material has some disadvantages. The wood needs to be repeatedly and systematically treated or painted to protect it from the elements. Also, regular maintenance such as stripping and refinishing must be performed in order to keep up the appearance of the deck. Unfortunately, the wood material may still warp, crack, splinter or rot.
Plastic as a building material, and specifically a building material for decks, has the advantages of being able to be colored with coloring agents, being able to be extruded to various configurations, being recyclable, being environmentally friendly, being able to be constructed of recycled materials, not splintering, rotting, or cracking as well as others.
However, plastic has the significant disadvantage of dimensional instability due to daily temperature changes. Previous to the herein disclosed invention, due to temperature variations in the ambient air, decking made of plastic would expand along its extruded length as it warmed and contract as it cooled. The dimensional variation was too great for a deck to be constructed of plastic wood.
Efforts by others to address the challenges raised by using plastic as a building material include U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,058 to Lowery which discloses a fence made of plastic components. The fence can be constructed of plastic fence boards which have holes formed in one side for receiving pegs. Some of the holes are vertical slots to allow the fence boards to be placed at various heights to accommodate uneven terrain. Lowery does not address in any way the problems raised by the thermal dimensional instability of plastic.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,084 to Goose discloses a construction system which uses extruded sections, one of which has a channel formed therein. However, Goose appears to be directed to constructions systems for interior office spaces utilizing aluminum connecting components.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,422 to Fleischmann discloses an arrangement for supporting railing which includes a T-shaped groove.
However, none of the known prior art discloses a solution to the problem of the thermal dimensional instability of plastic.
The present invention contemplates a new deck construction and securement system which is simple in design, effective in use, and overcomes the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous results.

Plastic decking and securement system and method of installation


An electronic sensor employs a strain gauge controlled by a microprocessor on a circuit board. The processor operates software to measure electric impulses from the strain gauge and to convert them into digitally recognizable numbers. Software provides for calibration of the electronic sensor specific fishing rods. The software also controls an LCD read-out device to allow the user to preset a known drag resistance force in suitable units of measure on the fishing reel and to continually read out the amount of force pressure on the fishing line after hook-up so that a user can apply maximum pressure on a fish while fighting the fish without breaking the fishing line.

1. Field of the invention
The invention generally relates to fishing and in particular to signal devices.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Fishing reels often have a built in drag system that can be adjusted or calibrated by the angler by means of a knob or lever. This allows the angler to apply more or less resistance pressure on the fishing line before the fishing line unspools from the fishing reel. The main reason for this drag system is to prevent the fishing line from breaking when more pressure is applied on the fishing line than the fishing line can withstand. When a fish is on the end of the fishing line and exerts more pressure than the fishing line can withstand, the fishing line would part and the fish would be lost if it were not for the drag system on the fishing reel allowing the fishing line to unspool, as necessary, off of the fishing reel with less pressure than the breaking point of the fishing line.
One problem for a fisherman is that common fishing reels have no mechanism to measure and report the fishing reel drag setting. Typically the drag setting will be adjusted with consideration for the test strength of the line. Currently it is adjusted by feel. Through the years many improvements have been made to fishing reels by fishing reel manufacturers including materials used to build fishing reels. No improvements have been made or added to fishing reels over many years with regards to setting the fishing reel drag. Most anglers set the fishing reel drag by feel, the same way it has been done for decades.
Because fishing equipment is used in a harsh marine environment, corrosion and deterioration to a fishing reel and fishing rod components from salt and outdoor elements have always been a problem. Mechanical equipment or equipment relying upon moving parts is prone to failure due to contact with salt water, dirt, and contaminants. The records of the United States Patent Office show several devices and methods of mechanically measuring drag. These devices have required moving parts and mechanical elements. They share a likelihood of failure or loss of calibration when used in a marine setting.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,295 to Pekin shows a fishing rod with integrated line tension measurement system and readout in selected units of force, such as pounds. The reel mount on the Pekin rod is arranged to slide linearly on a seat portion of the rod. The reel mount is located on a splined portion of the rod in front of the handle. The splines prevent the reel mount from twisting on the rod. The fishing line pulls both the reel and the reel mount forward, against a pressure sensor that measures the forward force. The pressure sensor communicates the measurement to an electronic system with readout display. The fisherman is allowed to preset a threshold tension limit. If the threshold is reached, the electronic system actuates an audible alarm.
It would be desirable for a tension measurement system to have no moving parts to maintain. The Pekin device is illustrated as being sandwiched on the fishing rod at the fishing rod butt. This positioning makes disassembly of the tubular spline impossible for cleaning, lubrication, inspection and maintenance. Without the ability to disassemble clean and lubricate moving parts, the Pekin device can be expected to fail after being exposed to a marine environment.
More generally, it would be desirable for a drag sensor to not require the presence of a reel seat. Not every rod has a predefined a reel seat. A fishing rod without a fishing reel seat allows the fisherman to mount the fishing reel in the location of choice on the fishing rod. The advantage of this option is a fishing reel can be mounted in a location most comfortable for the fisherman. A tall person with long arms sometimes is not comfortable with a fishing reel mounted in the same location on the fishing rod as a small person with short arms. It would be desirable to have a drag sensor that can be mounted to any fishing rod, with or without a reel seat.
A common problem for many fishermen is to achieve proper fishing technique. Particularly in deep sea fishing, the battle with a large fish can extend for a long time. A novice fisherman frequently desires to hold the rod quite high, perhaps to protect his own back against fatigue during the lengthy battle to land the fish. Skilled fishermen believe that a high rod position is not desirable, on the basis that the fish is subjected to less than a desired amount of force or pressure from the rod. However, convincing the student fisherman to employ a more effective rod angle has proven to be difficult, because the novice is not convinced that another angle is better.
It would also be desirable to have the capability to show a novice fisherman how much force or pressure he is applying against a fish during a lengthy battle. A suitable device showing tension on a rod during the battle can guide the fisherman to hold the rod in an effective position to tire the fish.
A common fishing reel is equipped with two methods for mounting to a common fishing rod. One method is a mounting foot with two ears. The foot with ears on the fishing reel is in a location centered under the fishing reel with the two ears opposing each other with one ear facing toward the tip and the other ear toward the bottom of the butt of a fishing rod in linear alignment. A common fishing reel seat will accommodate the fishing reel foot with ears and by securing them by two rings on the fishing reel seat. The rings can slide over the ears to a snug position and firmly secure the fishing reel.
The other method common to fishing reels is by means of a clamp. There are two bolts centered under the fishing reel and extending downward, spaced to receive the fishing rod between them. A clamp is bridged between the two bolts to sandwich the fishing rod between the clamp and the reel. The clamp is firmly secured to the rod by placing and tightening nuts on the two bolts. This method does not require a fishing reel seat. The fishing reel can be secured to the fishing rod by clamping it at a desired location along the length of the rod.
Where a sensor relies upon movement along a spline or slide, it is important for the sliding motion to be free. Thus, the position of a sensor with respect to a fishing rod can influence its accuracy. A sliding sensor relying on forward fishing line tension, where the fishing line is at an angle from the center of the spline or slide as found in Pekin, can lead to binding and give inaccurate measurement. Where a sensor must be positioned to communicate with a fishing line applying forward angular tension, it is desirable for the sensor to have no moving parts to bind or cause inaccurate reading.
A sensor placed where the fisherman will touch it will produce false readings. With the Pekin device, the fisherman has a hand on the fishing reel handle. Touching any part of the reel will change the tension being exerted and cause a false reading. It would be desirable for a sensor to be placed where the fisherman need not touch it while battling a fish, so that the sensor will always read accurately while sufficient tension is applied by the fishing line to cause the fishing rod to flex.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,252 to Kruse shows a transducer that determines force on a rod by responding to the deflection of the rod. With increased deflection, the circuitry increases a time period for counting signals. The greater the number of signals that are counted, the greater the force is reported on a display. The transducer must be mounted either inside the fishing rod or in a groove that must be formed on the underside of the rod.
It would be desirable to mount a sensing device on a fishing rod without adversely affecting the integrity, strength and performance of the fishing rod. Having to place a transducer inside a rod or having to form a groove in the rod to receive a transducer limits the application of the transducer. A further limitation on use arises in a scheme as taught by Kruse because complicated circuitry with many moving parts can lead to loss of performance in a harsh marine environment. The complexity of the circuitry also requires a skilled technician to perform calibration. As it is likely that the calibration will change when the device is in actual use in a marine environment, a more reliable and user friendly sensor system would be desirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,253 to Owens discloses a handgrip that attaches to a fishing rod and contains various sensors for detecting tension of the fishing line. The device has multi-mode ability, in one mode responding to lateral pull on the rod tip and in the second mode responding to axial pull on the fishing line.
It would be desirable for any tension measuring device to be independent of a handgrip on the rod. Employing the tension measurement device as a hand grip introduces limitations in how the fishing rod is handled. For example, the angler may prefer to hold the rod elsewhere, whether to aid handling the reel or to obtain leverage, but such variation in handling alters the functionality of the Owens device.
The handgrip adds the further disadvantage of employing moving parts to sense tension. Moving parts require cleaning, lubrication, and maintenance, which is a disadvantage in a marine environment. Moving parts can easily fail after being exposed to a fishing environment. The use of a handgrip to take measurements is likely to be inaccurate because the fisherman has a hand wrapped tightly around the handgrip. The hand will exert added pressure to the tension of the fishing line. Line tension will change due to the hand tension being exerted and cause a false reading. The angler is likely to introduce additional inaccuracy and perhaps cause binding due to expected human variation in hand placement.
It would be desirable for a tension measurement device to take into account the specific characteristics of the associated fishing rod. The Owens handgrip derives tension information without regard to the physical parameters of the rod itself. It would be an improvement for the sensing device to use the fishing rod to obtain information.
To set fishing reel drag by feel, the angler typically pulls on the fishing line with one hand while holding the rod and reel with the other until the line unspools off the fishing reel. In this fashion the fisherman can feel how much pressure it took to make the fishing line unspool off of the fishing reel. If the angler is not satisfied with the amount of resistance pressure, the fishing reel drag lever is adjusted higher or lower until the drag pressure feels right. A huge question is "What feels right?" An experienced angler has an idea from past experience but it is still a guess and it changes based on the line strength (test). An inexperienced angler has no idea and may be caught in a dilemma.
If the fishing reel drag is set too tight, a large fish may break the fishing line. If the fishing reel drag is set too loose, a large fish may just unspool all the fishing line off of the fishing reel and keep going. In either event the fish will be lost.
Common fishing line has a manufacturer's pound test rating. This rating indicates the maximum pressure in pounds of force that it will take to part the line. It is agreed by most experienced anglers that a fishing reel drag should be set at 25% of the fishing line pound test rating. For example, if a fishing reel has 40-pound test fishing line, then fishing reel drag should be set at 10 pounds of drag. When the drag of this example is set properly and more than 10 pounds of pressure is put on the fishing line, it should unspool from the fishing reel.
Another problem the angler encounters is that fishing reel drag pressure changes constantly and inadvertently when a fish is fought. What was right a few moments before may have changed due to unforeseen circumstances. The angler has no way of knowing if this has happened except for feel. A few of the many things that contribute to change in fishing reel drag are heat from fishing reel drag friction, moisture from the marine environment, change in diameter of the fishing reel arbor when fishing line is paid out, or that the angler accidentally has bumping the drag adjustment lever on the fishing reel in the heat of battle with a fish.
It would be desirable to have a means for guiding and assisting the angler in setting the fishing reel drag to a more accurate setting than just empirical feel, prior to deploying the fishing equipment.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the method and apparatus of this invention may comprise the following.

Method and apparatus for sensing drag of a fishing line


Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and an apparatus for running a network function, and relate to the field of information technologies such that consistent network-wide service experience can be provided for a user service on different nodes in a network. The method includes receiving information sent by a source node, about a network function required by a user service, and running the network function if the network function is not running. The embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to switching a user service from a source node to a target node.

In a current wireless network system, a function of a network device node is generally unchanged. After a device vendor sells a device to an operator, the device has a fixed network function, and if the device vendor does not update or upgrade the device, the network function of the device generally remains unchanged. Generally, the network device node is a wireless access point (AP).
Currently, in wireless communication, a network function is provided for a user service using a network as a center. A user can perform communication only using a network, a technology, and a network function that are supported in a current position. For example, a high-definition video conversation is used for a user service in a position. When the user service moves to a position in which a high-definition video conversation function is not supported, the user cannot carry on the high-definition video conversation any more.
However, when a network function is provided for a user service using the network as a center, and when the user service is switched from a source node to a target node in a moving process in the network, there is a possibility that a capability of the target node does not meet a current network function requirement of the user service. Therefore, the same network function cannot be obtained when the user service is switched from the source node to the target node, and further, consistent network-wide service experience cannot be provided for the user service on different nodes in the network.

Method and apparatus for running network function


A sweatband comprises an elongated, decorative, cloth element made of a stretchable material, and a water-absorber retained by the cloth element. The cloth element has end portions that can be secured together so that when the sweatband is placed around a body part, the band is held in place so the water-absorber can absorb sweat from the body part. The sweatband has a combination of comfort, high sweat absorbance.

This invention is directed to sweatbands of the type used by athletes in exercising.
Sweatbands, such as headbands and wristbands, are commonly used by athletes to absorb perspiration, and to a lesser degree, to keep hair out of the eyes. A common sweatband is formed of a double layer of a stretchable, terry cloth-like material, which can be stretched to conform to different size heads and wrists. and absorbs sweat.
A difficulty with this type of sweatband is it can be too loose over small heads and small wrists, such as those of children. In addition, this type of sweatband can be too snug when used by large sized adults. Moreover, with use, the elasticity of the stretchable material gives way, and the snugness is lost with the result that the sweatband can slide out of position. Further, conventional sweatbands are uncomfortable when stretched over headphones and other music-generating devices used by many exercisers.
Another disadvantages of conventional sweatbands is that they can be singularly unattractive. The patent attorney writing this application has been accused by his fashion-conscious teenage daughters of looking like a "dork" when jogging with a conventional sweatband stretched over stereo earphones. As is evident from apparel worn at most exercise classes, the fashion attractiveness of exercise clothes is important to many exercisers.
Rather than wearing unsightly headbands, some exercisers take a bandanna, roll it up, and tie it around their head. Although this can be effective in keeping hair out of the eyes, these headbands absorb very little sweat, with the result that a serious exerciser can have sweat dripping into and stinging the exerciser's eyes. Moreover, the headbands are held in place merely by a knot tied at the back, and this knot can easily come lose, resulting in the bandanna slipping out of position. This can become a serious problem when the headband slips over the eyes just at the time the exerciser is about ready to return a forehand in tennis or shoot a critical jumpshot in basketball.
Accordingly, there is a need for a comfortable, adjustable, highly absorbent, and attractive sweatband.

Decorative, comfortable, ultra-absorbent sweatband


Novel DNA probe sequences for detection of Chlamydiae in a sample in a solution phase sandwich hybridization assay are described. Amplified nucleic acid hybridization assays using the probes are exemplified.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a major human pathogen responsible for such diseases as trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis, pneumonia, lymphogranuloma venereum, and mucous membrane genital tract infections such as cervicitis and urethritis. The latter infections may develop systemic complications resulting in epididymitis, salpingitis, or perihepatitis.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,325, issued Mar. 15, 1988, discloses the use of cloned Chlamydiae-specific DNA for use as a probe in a sandwich hybridization assay.
PCT WO 88/03957, filed Nov. 24, 1987, discloses rRNA sequences for use as probe in hybridization assays for C. trachomatis. EPA 0 361 983, filed Oct. 2, 1989, discloses rRNA sequences for use as RNA template end-linked probe constructs for the detection of C. trachomatis in hybridization assays. PCT WO 90/15159, filed May 31, 1990, discloses rRNA probes and methods utilizing such probes to detect C. trachomatis in clinical samples.
EPA 0336 412 A2, filed Apr. 6, 1989, discloses synthetic oligonucleotides derived from the C. trachomatis plasmid PCHL1 for use as hybridization probes to detect C. trachomatis.
EPA 0 420 260 A2, filed Sep. 29, 1989, discloses capture probes and polymerase chain reaction primers designed from the nucleotide sequence of the cryptic plasmid of the C. trachomatis L1 serovar
Commonly owned U.S. Ser. No. 07/691,639, filed Apr. 25, 1991, discloses polynucleotides of the major outer membrane protein of C. trachomatis that may be used as hybridization probes to detect Chlamydiae.
Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,105, issued Sep. 19, 1989, describes a solution phase nucleic acid sandwich hybridization assay in which analyte nucleic acid is first hybridized in solution to a labeling probe set and to a capturing probe set in a first vessel. The probe-analyte complex is then transferred to a second vessel that contains a solid-phase-immobilized probe that is substantially complementary to a segment of the capturing probes. The segments hybridize to the immobilized probe, thus removing the complex from solution. Having the analyte in the form of an immobilized complex facilitates subsequent separation steps in the assay. Ultimately, single stranded segments of the labeling probe set are hybridized to labeled probes, thus permitting the analyte-containing complex to be detected via a signal generated directly or indirectly from the label.
Commonly owned EPA 883096976 discloses a variation in the assay described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,105, issued Sep. 19, 1989, in which the signal generated by the labeled probes is amplified. The amplification involves the use of nucleic acid multimers. These multimers are branched polynucleotides that are constructed to have a segment that hybridizes specifically to the analyte nucleic acid or to a nucleic acid (branched or linear) that is bound to the analyte and iterations of a second segment that hybridize specifically to the labeled probe. In the assay employing the multimer, the initial steps of hybridizing the analyte to label or amplifier probe sets and capturing probe sets in a first vessel and transferring the complex to another vessel containing immobilized nucleic acid that will hybridize to a segment of the capturing probes are followed. The multimer is then hybridized to the immobilized complex and the labeled probes in turn hybridized to the second segment iterations on the multimer. Since the multimers provide a large number of sites for label probe attachment, the signal is amplified. Amplifier and capture probe sequences are disclosed for Hepatitis B virus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, penicillin and tetracycline resistance in N. gonorrhoeae, and C. trachomatis.
Commonly owned copending application Ser. No. 558,897, filed Jul. 27, 1990, describes the preparation of large comb-type branched polynucleotide multimers for use in the above-described solution phase assay. The combs provide greater signal enhancement in the assays than the smaller multimers.

Chlamydiae probes for use in solution phase sandwich hybridization assays


A process of producing a duct by extruding a tubular casing composed of a polymeric foam, inserted a helically coiled reinforcing element composed of an electrically conductive metal into the tubular casing, and passing an electrical current through the reinforcing element in order to heat the reinforcing element above the softening point of the tubular casing and to embed the reinforcing element into the inner surface of the tubular casing.

The present invention relates to ducting and more particularly to an improved flexible duct construction of the kind suitable for use in ducted heating and airconditioning systems for example. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the duct.
Many differing forms of duct construction have been used in the past for heating and airconditioning duct construction, as well in the construction of ducts for ventilation and air extraction systems.
More recently some known constructions have been banned for health or safety reasons. For example, ducts constructed of fibreglass are now banned for health reasons and polypropylene foam is not suitable in fire-rated applications. Other constructions which are acceptable for use generally suffer some disadvantage or another such as being costly to produce or requiring expensive raw materials. In most cases, insulating material is added to the duct after the basic duct is constructed.

Method of manufacturing an improved duct


Systems and methods are described to time delay a signal output from an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC includes a digital sensor responsive to an analog field quantity. The digital sensor is configured to output an oversampled digital output signal at a sampling clock frequency. A time delay element is configured to receive as an input, the oversampled digital output signal and to output a time delayed oversampled digital output signal. A filter is configured to receive as an input the delayed oversampled digital output signal. The filter low pass filters and decimates to a lower sample rate the delayed oversampled digital output signal. An output includes a low pass filtered decimated delayed digital output signal, where the lower sample rate is less than the sampling clock frequency.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to sampled systems more specifically to time delay in digitally oversampled sensor systems, apparatuses, and methods.
2. Art Background
Field quantities which exist in the natural world are generally analog signals which have continuously varying amplitude as a function of time. Examples of these field quantities are sound pressure, vibration, light, etc. Measurement of a field quantity is accomplished with an analog sensor or a digital sensor. Digital electronics work with digital signals. Interfacing analog signals with digital electronics presents a technical problem for which a technical solution using a technical means is needed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Time delay in digitally oversampled sensor systems, apparatuses, and methods


A cable connector includes an outer conductor engager, a body, a coupler, a compression sleeve, and a grounding member. The outer conductor engager is configured to receive an end of a coaxial cable. The body includes an annular ring portion coaxially aligned with the outer conductor engager along an axis, and the annular ring is configured to circumscribe the coaxial cable. The coupler is rotatably mounted relative to the outer conductor engager and the body, and the compression sleeve is disposed at an opposite axial side of the body relative to the coupler. The grounding member is configured to establish an electrical grounding path between the outer conductor engager and the coupler. The body includes a plurality of flexible fingers spaced about a periphery of the body. The flexible fingers include outer surfaces that extend radially outward from an outer surface of the connector body. As the compression sleeve is moved axially relative to the body in a direction toward the coupler, the compression sleeve urges the flexible fingers radially inward to engage an outer jacket of a coaxial cable.

A coaxial cable is prepared for connection to another cable, or to another RF device, by a coaxial cable connector. Preparation typically requires the use of several specialized tools including a stripping tool and a compression tool. The stripping tool removes a portion of the compliant outer jacket to expose a signal-carrying inner conductor and an outer grounding, or braided, conductor of the cable. The compression tool, on the other hand, inserts a grounding/retention post into the prepared end of the cable to effect an electrical and mechanical connection between the cable and an outer body or housing of the cable connector.
The step of compressing/inserting the grounding/retention post into the prepared end of the coaxial cable also requires a holding fixture to align the prepared end of the cable while a driver compresses a barbed annular sleeve of the grounding/retention post into/beneath the outer jacket of the cable. As such, the outer jacket may be compressed between the barbed annular sleeve and a fixed-diameter outer housing of the cable connector. Compression of the outer jacket causes the barbed annular sleeve to engage the braided conductor of the cable, thereby retaining the grounding/retention post of the connector to the coaxial cable.
Some cable types such as polyethylene (PE) and plenum can be difficult to install when using conventional "post" style connectors due to the length of the post and barbs on the post. Thus, it may be desirable to provide a connector that provides an alternative method for seizing the cable to the connector.

Connectors having a cable gripping portion


The present application discloses methods and apparatuses for single molecule drug screening, discovery and validation. These methods and apparatuses allow a user to detect rapidly, using observation of single molecules, whether and how a drug candidate interferes with a target enzyme involved in a particular disease pathway. The methods and apparatuses described herein utilize single molecule manipulation and detection technologies (e.g., optical or magnetic tweezers) to directly detect whether the characteristic dynamics, or “mechanical signature,” of the target enzyme-substrate interaction are substantially altered or modulated by a drug candidate. Furthermore, the methods and apparatuses are useful for analyzing the modulation of the mechanical signature in order to identify potential interference mechanisms of a drug candidate. In one aspect of the invention, the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to monitoring the real-time dynamic mechanical signatures of individual polymerase molecules (e.g. DNA polymerases, RNA polymerases, and reverse transcriptases) along a polynucleotide substrate in the presence of drug candidates that either inhibit or otherwise modulate the polymerization process. Identification and analysis of such drug candidates is critical for anti-viral, anti-cancer, and antibiotic drug development.

Approximately thirty percent of drugs in clinical use inhibit a disease-related enzymatic process (Copeland, R. A. Evaluation of enzyme inhibitors in drug discovery: a guide for medical chemists and pharmacologists (Wiley-Interscience, 2005)). Thus, the discovery of new enzyme inhibitors is an important area of research in biochemistry and pharmacology.
Polymerase inhibitors are valuable in both clinical and research settings. These inhibitors help in elucidating the mechanistic aspects of transcription and DNA replication, in mapping structure-function relationships, and in characterizing protein activity. Polymerase inhibitors are also among the most attractive drug targets. Knowledge about these inhibitors, their structures, and their mechanisms enable the design of new drugs such as anti-cancer agents, antiviral agents, and antibiotics that will be effective against new pathogens and antibiotic-resistant mutants of known pathogens. Because some of these inhibitors have been reported to induce and/or inhibit apoptosis, they also provide valuable tools for investigating apoptosis. Likewise, because some of these agents block specific steps of DNA transcription, polymerase inhibitors can help to elucidate the role of transcriptional control in regulating the expression of target genes in various healthy and disease states.
Drugs that target polymerase proteins involved in particular disease pathways are well known in the art. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs), for example, are a class of antiretroviral drugs that target construction of viral DNA by inhibiting the activity of reverse transcriptase. There are two subtypes of RTIs with different mechanisms of action: nucleoside and nucleotide analogue RTIs are incorporated into the viral DNA leading to chain termination, while non-nucleoside-analogue RTIs act as competitive inhibitors of the reverse transcriptase enzyme. Current AIDs therapeutics that function by inhibiting HIV reverse transcriptase are described in the art (see, e.g., Bean et al., Appl Environ Microbiol 72:5670-5672 (2005)), and include Efavirenz (brand names SUSTIVA® and STOCRIN®) and Nevirapine (also marketed under the trade name VIRAMUNE®). Antibiotics that target polymerase proteins (e.g. rifampin) and cancer drugs that target polymerase proteins (e.g. cisplatin) and also known in the art.
Many drugs have been found to be efficacious in the treatment of cancer. These include diverse chemical compounds such as antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate and fluorouracil), DNA-damaging agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and doxorubicin), mitotic inhibitors (e.g., vincristine), nucleotide analogues (e.g., 6-mercaptopurine), inhibitors of topoisomerases involved in DNA repair (e.g., etoposide), inhibitors of DNA polymerase (e.g., bleomycin), and intercalating agents like mitoxantrone.
Several drugs targeting enzymes of mammalian DNA replication are currently being investigated as promising candidates for cancer chemotherapy or as probes for understanding the roles of specific enzymes in DNA replication and repair. These potential drug candidates include corylifolin, bakuchiol, resveratrol, Neobavaisoflavone, and daidzein (see Sun et al., J. Nat. Prod. 61, 362-366 (1998)).
Other examples of DNA and RNA polymerase inhibitors include Actinomycin D, Streptomyces sp.: α-Amanitin, Amanita sp.; Aphidicolin, HSV replication inhibitor, BP5; Methyl α-Amanitin Oleate; Novobiocin, Sodium Salt; Rifampicin; RNA Polymerase III Inhibitor; and Actinomyin D, 7-Amino. Three polymerase inhibitors currently in Phase II trials for use against Hepatitis C Virus are Idenix/Novartis' valopicitabine (NM283); ViroPharma's HCV-796; and Roche's R1626. Roche/Idenix are also investigating valtorcitabine (val-LdC), a first strand viral DNA synthesis inhibitor in Phase II HCV trials after initial success as an HBV treatment.
DNA damaging agents provide some of the most successful treatments for cancer. The enzyme Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (i.e. PARP) can help repair DNA damage caused by the DNA damaging agents used to treat cancer. As PARP activity is often increased in cancer cells, it provides these cells with a survival mechanism. ABT-888 (Abott Oncology), for example, is an oral PARP-inhibitor developed by Abbott to prevent DNA repair in cancer cells and increase the effectiveness of common cancer therapies such as radiation and alkylating agents. Moreover, preclinical data indicates ABT-888 has improved the effectiveness of radiation and many types of chemotherapy in animal models of cancer.
These selected publications from the last 5 years illustrate the current state of the art with regard to the activity, mechanisms, and biochemistry of polymerase inhibitors:    Brown J A, Duym W W, Fowler J D, Suo, Z. (2007) "Single-turnover Kinetic Analysis of the Mutagenic Potential of 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine during Gap-filling Synthesis Catalyzed by Human DNA Polymerases lambda and beta." J Mol Biol. [Epub ahead of print]    Suo, Z., Abdullah M A. (2007) "Unique Composite Active Site of the Hepatitis C Virus NS2-3 Protease: A New Opportunity for Antiviral Drug Design." ChemMedChem 2(3), 283-284,    Roettger M P, Fiala K A, Sompalli S, Dong Y, Suo Z. (2004) "Pre-steady-state kinetic studies of the fidelity of human DNA polymerase mu", Biochemistry 43(43), 13827-38.    Fiala K A, Abdel-Gawad W, Suo Z. (2004) "Pre-steady-state kinetic studies of the fidelity and mechanism of polymerization catalyzed by truncated human DNA polymerase lambda", Biochemistry 43(21), 6751-62.    Fiala, K. A & Suo Z.* (2004) Pre-Steady State Kinetic Studies of the Fidelity of Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 DNA Polymerase IV, Biochemistry 43, 2106-2115    Fiala, K. A & Suo Z.* (2004) Mechanism of DNA Polymerization Catalyzed by Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 DNA Polymerase IV, Biochemistry 43, 2116-2125    Fiala, K. A, Abdel-Gawad, W. & Suo Z.* (2004) Pre-Steady-State Kinetic Studies of the Fidelity and Mechanism of Polymerization Catalyzed by Truncated Human DNA Polymerase Lambda Biochemistry, accepted and in press.    Allison, A. J., Ray, A., Suo Z., Colacino, J. M., Andeson, K. S., Johnson, K. A. (2001) "Toxicity of Antiviral Nucleoside Analogs and the Human Mitochondrial DNA Polymerase", J. Biol. Chem. 276, 40847-40857.
New drugs are the products of a long and involved drug development process, the first step of which is the discovery of compounds with promising activity. New enzyme inhibitors can be discovered by screening libraries of drug candidate compounds against a target enzyme. Conventional drug screening and validation approaches utilize micro- to milli-scale biochemical or cellular assays to detect downstream biochemical or cellular signatures of enzymatic interference. In view of the limitations of conventional drug screening methods, there remains a need in the art for improved methods and apparatuses for the detection of promising drug candidates.

Single-molecule platform for drug discovery: methods and apparatuses for drug discovery, including discovery of anticancer and antiviral agents


A golf club shaft comprising a mandrel with a tapered surface as its outer circumference which is wound with three layers of prepreg sheets of high-strength fiber impregnate with synthetic resin. The middle layer is also wound with a separate string member. The inner layer fibers and the separate string member are arranged in a criss-cross pattern running generally in the longitudinal axial direction of the shaft. However, the fibers which are part of the middle and outer layers run unidirectionally only in the longitudinal axial direction of the shaft. No fibers run in a circumferential direction. In addition, the fiber and matrix of the outer layer become transparent after curing. Thus, even when the shaft is shrunk toward the center, no zigzag or wrinkles are generated in the string member found between the middle and outer layers nor in the outer layer fibers themselves. Also, no zigzagging, wrinkling, sagging or whitening occurs in the transparent outer layer which allows the design pattern of the string member to be seen. This increases the strength of the shaft and sufficient clamping stress by taping is provided. Finally, the safety of the club shaft is increased because the outer layer prevents exposure of the fibers and string member which decreases the chance of breakage.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a golf club shaft and a production method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, golf clubs provided with shafts made of fiber reinforced synthetic resin or synthetic resin have been developed, such as the one described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No. 63-46169.
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate this conventional type of golf club shaft, in which 11 is an inner layer formed by winding prepreg sheets, or high-strength fiber impregnated with matrix.
The inner layer 11 has its periphery wound with a middle layer 13, and the middle layer 13 with a string member 15 made of amorphous fiber, carbon fiber or Kevlar fiber in the form of mesh.
The string member 15 is wound with prepreg sheets as an outer layer 17, comprising fiber and matrix which become transparent after curing, for example sheets of glass cloth.
As shown in FIG. 6, the conventional club shaft as described above has layers in good condition until the outer layer 17 is wound, but suffers zigzag A or wrinkles B on the string member 15 or mesh fiber 19 which forms the outer layer 17, after taping or curing, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.
Another problem is sagging or whitening, which hides the braiding pattern formed by the string member 15 as shown in FIG. 8 C. In addition, when the surface of the outer layer 17 is polished, texture of the fiber 19 in the outer layer 17 can be seen depending on the direction of light, which results in defective appearance and sometimes declined strength.

Golf club shaft and production method thereof


Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer system, and a computer program product for mitigating conflicts. The present invention may include receiving communication by a recipient, wherein the received communication has a communicator sentiment associated with a communicator and a recipient sentiment associated with a recipient. The present invention may also include determining the communicator sentiment associated with the communicator message. The present invention may then include determining the recipient sentiment associated with a received communicator message. The present invention may further include determining that the determined recipient sentiment does not match the determined communicator sentiment based on the received communication. The present invention may include determining an appropriate response based on determining that the communicator sentiment does not match the recipient sentiment. The present invention may include presenting the determined appropriate response. The present invention may include logging a conversation result in a database.

The present invention relates generally to the field of computing, and more particularly to conflict mitigation.
Sometimes communication between people can break down and leave participants confused as to why they are receiving a reaction they did not anticipate. Even well worded expressions may carry a tone that can negatively impact the recipient. The causes may be that the communicator could have difficulty reading others or have a reduced focus due to stress factors. Another level of communication breakdown can happen even if the communicator does understand the negative impact of their message. A breakdown may occur if the communicator does not know how to respond to the recipient who received the communication negatively. Further, the recipient may also not know how to respond to the negatively received message, which can lead to a degraded conversation and an untrusting relationship.

Real-time sentiment analysis for conflict mitigation using cognative analytics and identifiers

International Business Machines Corporation


A DC-to-DC converter includes an input terminal connected to a DC power source. An output terminal is connected to a load. A reactor is disposed between the input terminal and the output terminal. A blocking diode is connected in series to the reactor. A switching element has one end connected between the reactor and the blocking diode. A boost chopper circuit boosts an input voltage to generate an output voltage. A first reactor is disposed between the input terminal and the one end. A first capacitor is disposed between the first reactor and the switching element and connected in series to the first reactor. A first diode includes an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. The anode terminal is connected to a connection portion of the first reactor and the first capacitor. The cathode terminal is connected to the output terminal.

Field of the Invention
The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a DC-to-DC converter.
Discussion of the Background
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-70505 discloses a boost DC-to-DC converter that steps up its input voltage by turning on and off a switching element periodically. Soft-switching is employed to turn on and off the switching element so as to reduce switching losses.


A collapsible play structure comprises one or more play modules connected together, each play module comprising at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material substantially covers each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. Each side panel further comprises at least three sides. The left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel. The bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on a supporting surface to support the play module.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to collapsible play structures which may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes. The collapsible play structures may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the play structures to facilitate convenient storage and use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Two important considerations for all toys or play things targeted for children are convenience and variety. Relating to convenience, a toy must be easily transportable so that the child can move it around the home, or even to other places outside of the home. A toy must also be easily stored since a child is likely to have many other toys that compete for precious storage space in the home. As for variety, a toy must offer enough variety in play so that the child will be able to enjoy it for a long period of time without getting bored.
Larger toys often pose a greater problem with regards to convenience. The larger toys tend to be bulky, which makes it difficult to move them around the home, and sometimes makes it prohibitive to move them outside the house to other locations. Bulky toys also take up much storage space.
In the past, attempts have been made to provide play structures for the entertainment of children. Such play structures have been provided in many different shapes and sizes. For example, some have been shaped as playhouses to allow children to climb into and out of the structure. However, in order to provide a structure that can temporarily house a child, such a structure must be quite large and would be difficult to transport and store.
In response to this problem, attempts have been made to provide play structures that are assembled from generic rigid panels that may be disassembled after use. The generic panels are easily stored into a small container, which makes it convenient to transport and to store. These panels may also be assembled into structures having different shapes and sizes, thereby offering the child with variety. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,105 to Daugherty provides a fabrication device comprised of differently-shaped rigid panels 10 connected by superimposing the curled locking means 16 of adjacent panels 10. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,580 to Ausnit provides a connective toy comprised of rigid bodies connected by interlocking ribs and grooves. Unfortunately, these play structures suffer from the drawback that it is very time-consuming to disassemble the structure after use for storage, and to re-assemble the structure before use. Since children tend to lack patience, such play structures will normally remain in their assembled state most of the time, which still results in the same problems discussed above.
Thus, there remains a need for a play structure which is convenient to use, to transport, and to store, and which offers play variety to the child.
In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the collapsible play structure according to the present invention comprises a play module comprising at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material substantially covers each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. Each side panel further comprises at least a left side, a bottom side and a right side. The left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel. The bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on a supporting surface to support the play module.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the play module comprises four side panels and four corresponding frame members, each having four sides, including a top side. A fabric is connected to the top sides of the four side panels and extends therebetween, and an opening may be provided in this fabric. Openings may also be provided in one or more of the side panels to allow a child to crawl therethrough.
Each side panel comprises a frame retaining sleeve for retaining one of the frame members. The frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels are stitched together to form a hinged connection. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeves of adjacent side panels may converge to form a singular retaining sleeve which retains the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members of the corresponding adjacent side panels. The stitchings which connect the frame retaining sleeves act as hinges for the corresponding side panels.
When the play module is to be folded and stored, the side panels and their corresponding frame members may be folded on top of each other about the hinges to have the side panels and frame members overlaying each other. The overlying side panels and frame members are then collapsed by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric frame members and side panels to substantially reduce the size of the play module in the folded orientation.
A plurality of the play modules may be connected to create play structures of different shapes and sizes. The play modules may be provided as separate play modules and connected by velcro, hooks, fasteners, or other attachment mechanisms which allow for convenient attachment and detachment. These separate play structures may be provided in identical or different shapes and sizes. Alternatively, a play structure may be provided that has a plurality of play modules integrally connected to form one unitary play structure which may be folded and collapsed according to the same principles as the separate play modules.
The collapsible play structures according to the present invention are convenient for use since they are easily and quickly folded and collapsed into a smaller size for transportation and storage. A plurality of these play modules may be easily transported and stored, and provide a child with much play variety since a large number of play structures having different shapes and sizes can be created therefrom.


There is described a photodetector for detecting incoming infrared light. The photodetector generally has a substrate; an i-type semiconductor region extending along the substrate, the i-type semiconductor region being sandwiched between a p-type semiconductor region and an n-type semiconductor region; a grating coupler being optically connected to one of two ends of the i-type semiconductor region, the grating coupler redirecting incoming infrared light into and along the i-type semiconductor region via the one of the two ends of the i-type semiconductor region for propagation of infrared light along the i-type semiconductor region; and a photocurrent detection circuit electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor region and to the n-type semiconductor region for detecting a photocurrent resulting from said propagation.

Over the last decades, bandwidth scaling in datacenters and supercomputers have pushed the need for high-speed short-reach optical interconnects. Low cost and energy efficiency are of interest, which makes the 850 nm wavelength directly modulated vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) one solution for board-to-board and chip-to-chip connections in supercomputing systems and datacenters. Recently, significant improvements have been demonstrated in the performance of an 850 nm VCSEL for 50 Gb/s and beyond. High-speed, power efficient and high bandwidth density VCSEL-based short-reach optical interconnects with a hybrid integration of a photodetector have been demonstrated in the literature.
Silicon with high absorption coefficient at short wavelengths enables monolithic integration of an optical receiver with a photodetector. This integration reduces the cost and complexity of the packaging and provides a more reliable optical system. The combination of a low cost and power efficient 850 nm VCSEL with the monolithic integration of a silicon photodetector (Si-PD) and an optical receiver fabricated in a cost-effective, mature, and highly reliable complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology could be a cost-effective solution for short-reach optical interconnects.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a p-n Si-PD in a conventional bulk CMOS technology. Since the penetration depth of the 850 nm light in bulk silicon is larger than 10 μm, most of the photons are absorbed outside the depletion region. The slow diffusion current of carriers generated outside the depletion region limits the speed of the Si-PD to sub-GHz in bulk technology. Several techniques have been demonstrated to reduce the slow diffusion of carriers in Si-PDs at the cost of responsivity degradation. Most of the existing Si-PDs are designed for avalanche performance (avalanche photodetector (APD)) to increase the responsivity in the modified Si-PDs. However, to the inventors' knowledge, the maximum bandwidth reported of a Si-PD fabricated in a bulk CMOS technology is 12 GHz with a responsivity of 0.03 A/W and an avalanche gain of 10.6 at 9.7 V reverse-bias voltage.
The bandwidth of the Si-PD can be improved further by fabricating the photodetector on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. An example of a structure of a p-i-n Si-PD in a SOI technology is shown in FIG. 2. Elimination of the diffusion current by using the insulator between the active area of the Si-PD and the substrate improves the bandwidth of the PD without any equalization techniques. However, the responsivity of this type of PD is limited by the thickness of the silicon on the insulator. For instance, in the case of a 210-nm silicon layer, more than 98% of the vertically incident light passes through the silicon and limits the responsivity of the Si-PD to 0.0075 A/W. There thus remains room for improvement.

Photodetector for detecting incoming infrared light

THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING/MCGILL UNIVERSITY