A motorized bicycle includes an electric motor, a motor current detector, a pedaling force detector and a controller. The controller compares the range of fluctuation in a pedaling force detected by the pedaling force detector with a predetermined range value, and stops the driving of the electric motor if the fluctuation range of the pedaling force is kept smaller than the predetermined range value for more than a predetermined time period.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motorized bicycle and, more particularly, to a motorized bicycle including a manpower driving section and an electromotive driving section and adapted to assist a man-power driving force with an electromotive driving force by driving an electric motor depending on the man-power driving force.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional motorized bicycle is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.5-246378 (1993), which includes a driving system driven by man-power and a driving system driven by an electric motor and is adapted to control the output of the electric motor by detecting a driving force of the man-power driving system, i.e., a pedaling force (a force applied onto pedals).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 31, the pedaling force, the current of the motor, and the speed of the bicycle are detected by a pedaling force detecting section 201, a motor current detecting section 202 and a bicycle speed detecting section 203, respectively, and these data are inputted into a controller 204, which controls a voltage to be applied to a motor 205. More specifically, the voltage (average voltage) to be applied to the motor 205 is controlled by a switching element or the like, so that the motor 205 generates a torque depending on the detected pedaling force to drive a wheel 207 via a decelerator 206.
If a signal is outputted from the pedaling force detecting section 201 due to a noise in the motorized bicycle when no force is applied to the pedals, however, the motor 205 is erroneously operated. That is, when the motorized bicycle is not pedaled, the output from the pedaling force detecting section 201 fluctuates between zero and a level slightly greater than zero. This causes the motor 205 to be driven and stopped in an unstable manner.
To solve this problem, the motor is adapted to be driven only when the pedaling force exceeds a predetermined threshold. Where the motorized bicycle is designed such that the driving of the motor is stopped when the pedaling force is less than the threshold, however, an assist by the motor is not available when the motorized bicycle is driven with a pedaling force less than the threshold.
Where the motorized bicycle is designed so as to prevent the driving of the motor from being stopped when the pedaling force becomes less than the threshold after the driving of the motor is once started with the pedaling force exceeding the threshold, the aforesaid problem may occur. That is, the motor is driven and stopped in an unstable manner when no pedaling force is applied.
A conventional motorized bicycle of another type is proposed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-100790 (1992), which includes a pedaling force sensor for detecting main driving force and a motor current sensor for detecting auxiliary driving force, wherein the output of a motor is controlled on the basis of values detected by these sensors.
However, the outputs of these sensors each include an offset (outputted when no input is applied thereto). The offset fluctuates due to temperature drift, and varies depending on the sensors (even if sensors of the same type are used). Therefore, it is difficult to correct the outputs of these sensors to obtain true detection values.


A self-clamping handrail device includes a belt-handrail compound comprising a first belt, a second belt coupled to the first belt, and a handrail coupled to the second belt, a counter bar and a clamping frame configured to support the belt-handrail compound as the belt-handrail compound passes between the counter bar and the clamping frame, the clamping frame configured to move about a clamping curve based on a tension force applied to the handrail, and the first belt and the second belt applying a normal force to the handrail based at least in part on the tension force.

Various types of systems may be used to convey goods or people. For example, a moving walkway located in an airport may be used to quickly get airline customers to destination terminals prior to departure times. A handrail may be used to provide a point or reference or to enable a passenger to balance herself when using the walkway. Handrails typically include a relative stiff plastic or rubber band that has a sliding material (e.g., a coating or fiber band) on the inner side and a more adhesive outer side to enable a quality gripping-surface for the passenger's hand. In some instances, an inner side of a handrail may provide for a drive.
Where space is at a premium, a linear handrail drive system may be used in connection with the walkway. In common applications, handrail drives use an inner side to drive the handrail using certain rollers or wheels to avoid driving marks (fulling marks) on the outer (upper, passenger) side.


The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device, which includes an enclosure and a liquid crystal display module received in the enclosure. The enclosure has a sidewall corresponding to the liquid crystal display module and including resilient retention structures mounted thereto to retain the liquid crystal display module in the enclosure. The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention uses the resilient retention structures that are arranged at mounting sites between a front case or a rear case and a liquid crystal display module for retaining the liquid crystal display module in position, whereby when the liquid crystal display module expands/contracts due to humid and hot environment or is acted upon by external impacts, the resilient retention structures undergo corresponding elastic deformation to provide effective cushioning and adjustment so as to ensure the optic grade of the liquid crystal display device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of liquid crystal displaying, and in particular to a liquid crystal display device.
2. The Related Arts
Liquid crystal display (LCD) has a variety of advantages, such as thin device body, low power consumption, and being free of radiation, and is thus widely used. Most of the LCDs that are currently available in the market are backlighting TFT-LCDs (Thin-Film Transistor LCDs), which comprise a liquid crystal panel and a backlight module. The working principle of the liquid crystal panel is that liquid crystal polymer molecules interposed between two parallel pieces of glass and numerous vertical and horizontal fine electrical wires are arranged between the two pieces, whereby the liquid crystal molecules are controlled to change direction by application of electricity in order to refract light emitting from the backlight module for generating images.
The constant development of liquid crystal displaying technology makes the liquid crystal display device that is advantageous in respect of being thin and light and having lower power consumption and low radiation increasingly replace the traditionally used CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) displays.
As shown in FIG. 1, a schematic view showing a portion of an assembling structure of a conventional liquid crystal display device is given. The liquid crystal display device has a front case or a rear case having a side plate 100 on which a retention structure 200 is formed. The retention structure 200 provides only an effect of retaining a liquid crystal display module of the liquid crystal display device. The conventional retention structure 200 cannot provide protection to the liquid crystal display module when the display module expands/contracts due to an external humid and hot environment or is impacted by an external force. The optic grade of the liquid crystal display module will be thus affected.

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An audio/video receiver configured to limit the power delivered to its speakers based on real time calculations. First, power delivered to the speakers is limited to the power rating of the speakers during short durations. Second, a secondary longer time constant Root-Mean-Square (RMS) detector limits sustained power to the speakers for a predetermined fraction of the peak power rating.

Technical Field
This present invention provides a system and method for protecting audio speakers, and more specifically, one that prevents the speakers from getting damaged regardless of audio content and user settings.
Background
The dynamic range of audio content intended to be used with a surround sound system can lead to damage to speakers when played at high volumes. In addition, the typical surround sound system is constructed with an audio amplifier that provides the same available power to all speakers while most systems have a mixture of large and small speakers.
A common configuration for actual surround sound installation may involve, for example, a pair of large floor standing front speakers, one located to the left and right of a display, a smaller center channel speaker located above the display, one located below or behind the display screen, and a number of small satellite speakers for surround and back channels.
Typically, the power handling capability of any large front speaker is usually significantly higher than the power handling capability of any center channel and surround channel. However, it is typical for amplifiers used for this application provide identical power to all of these speakers. As a result, this can lead to over driving the smaller speakers, for example, during playback intense audio action sequences. Moreover, most speakers are rated for short term power usage and cannot sustain operation continuously at this power rating. Likewise, if an end user operates a system at excessive volume settings, speaker coils may become damaged, for example, through overheating.
A typical home theater uses an A/V receiver is a device that provides an input selector switch, a surround sound decoder, a volume control function, and a power amplifier to drive speakers. With the latest high definition audio formats provided by BlueRay players, a powerful Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is necessary to decode and process surround sound content. Normally, additional signal processing is required to perform post processing such as bass management, dynamic range processing, and equalization.
Typically, dynamic range processing is usually limited to providing a "midnight mode" to reduce the dynamic range of the signals so that any on-screen transients (like gun shots and explosions) don't wake up the neighbors. However, this type of processing is not intended to protect the speakers and can even increase the likelihood of thermal damage. Since the peak power gets limited in midnight mode, the end user does not hear the undesirable sounds like clipping and short term speaker overload that would normally trigger the user to turn the volume down. Instead the speaker continues to heat up until the point of failure.
There is a desire to prevent damage to audio speakers. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved speaker protection for surround sound systems, devices and methods.

Speaker protection for surround sound systems


Quenching fluid composition comprising one or more additives and a saturated base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. “K” expressed in centistokes and a viscosity index “I” wherein I is greater than 120 and K greater than 2 cSt.

Desired hardness and strength properties of metals, particularly ferrous metals and especially metal alloys such as carbon steel and alloy steel, are secured by heat treatment of the metal object. The properties usually depend upon establishment of certain physical structures in the metal. The production of the desired physical structures is obtained by heating the metal to a temperature where the structure is present, then by arresting at the desired point the changes in the internal structure which take place during cooling of the metal from high temperatures. Quick cooling by quenching the heated object in a quenching medium makes it possible to arrest the physical changes at the desired point during cooling.
Quenching in the quenching medium is carried out in such a manner that the physical changes in the metal are arrested at the desired point, usually at the point at which maximum hardness is obtained. Subsequently, the heat treated and quenched object may be subjected to treatment at lower temperature (annealing or tempering) to provide the desired degree of toughness and ductility.
For many years mineral oil based quenching fluids have been used. Previously, aqueous quenching media were employed. The aqueous fluids provided extremely rapid cooling setting up excessive amounts of internal stress in the object. Mineral oil based fluids avoided this difficulty. Quenching fluids should in use be stable for a prolonged period at relatively high temperatures. A common problem of oil based fluids is that during use sludge will form which tends to stick to the metal object.
Publications which deal with the problem of sludge formation are for example WO-A-03052146 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,082. WO-A-03052146 describes a quenching fluid consisting of an oil and an alkali metal salt derivative. The examples of WO-A-03052146 disclose quenching fluids containing at least a mineral oil, para-dodecyl phenol and polyisobutylene. U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,082 describes a quench oil consisting of a mineral oil, polyisobutylene and polyisobutylene succinic anhydride. These publications show that the mineral oil needs to be combined with para-dodecyl phenol in order to improve oxidation stability and avoid sludge formation. Poly iso butylenes are added to improve the cooling capacity of the fluid.


Disclosed is an impedance adjustment circuit including a comparator and a resistor control circuit. The comparator compares the resistance value of an external resistor and that of a replica resistor that forms a replica of a terminal resistor. The resistor control circuit includes a replica resistor control counter, a resistor-under-adjustment control signal holding circuit and a monitor circuit. The replica resistor control counter counts up and down based on the comparison result by the comparator to output a control signal to the replica resistor. The resistor-under-adjustment control signal holding circuit holds a control signal that is delivered to the terminal resistor. The monitor circuit receives the state of the counter and an output of the retention circuit and, in case the difference between the count state of the replica resistor control counter and an output of the resistor-under-adjustment control signal holding circuit is within a preset range, delivers the output of the resistor-under-adjustment control signal holding circuit as an input to the resistor-under-adjustment control signal holding circuit.

In signal transmission, the range of a terminal resistor at a transmitting end and at a receiving end, for example, 50 ohm ±10%, is set as a standard for impedance matching.
However, depending on absolute precision of the resistance value of a resistor element in LSI fabrication, such as ±15%, there are cases where difficulties are encountered in observing the prescribed range in designing.
Further, since the resistance value is changed with temperature or with lapse of time, there is a possibility that the resistance value of a resistance, which was within the prescribed range at ambient temperature, departs from the prescribed range at lower or higher temperatures. Hence, an impedance adjustment circuit is needed in order to keep a terminal resistor at a constant value.
The role of the impedance adjustment circuit includes a circuit comparing an external resistor with a resistor under adjustment, provided in an LSI, to control a setting code for the terminal resistor so that terminal resistor will be of a desired resistance value.
If the setting code to the resistor under adjustment is fully fixed, there is a possibility that its resistance value becomes offset with temperature, with change in the power supply voltage or with lapse of time. It is therefore necessary to monitor the resistance value for all time. In case the resistance value becomes offset from the desired value, the setting code needs to be updated automatically. However, if the setting code is changed every so often, jitter is generated in the transmission signal waveform. Thus, the setting code needs to be leveled so as not to change the setting code too frequently.
FIG. 27 shows a configuration of the impedance adjustment circuit disclosed in Patent Document 1. Referring to FIG. 27, the impedance adjustment circuit includes a comparator 1013 that compares a voltage 1011a, divided by an external resistor 1012 and a replica resistor 1011, having a variable resistance value, with a reference voltage (REFV). If it is the resistance value of the replica resistor 1011 that is larger, the divided voltage 1011a becomes lower. In this case, the comparator 1013 outputs an Up/Dn signal which is "H" (High). If conversely the replica resistor 1011 is lower, an Up/Dn signal which is "L" (Low) is output.
If the Up/Dn signal is "H", an up-down counter 1014 increments the count state at a CLK timing. If conversely the Up/Dn signal is "L", the up-down counter decrements the counter state. The counter state, expressed by three bits in the example of FIG. 27, is output to a code conversion circuit 1015 and to an averaging circuit 1016.
The code conversion circuit 1015 provides a resistor setting code, corresponding to the input counter state, to the replica resistor 1011. In the example of FIG. 27, the resistor setting code has a width of seven bits.
In a steady state, if the count value (counter state) of the up-down counter 1014 is "3", the UP/Dn signal becomes "H". The UP/Dn signal becomes "L" for the next state "4" and then reverts to the state "3". This sequence is repeated. That is, the state change shown in FIG. 29 occurs in succession.
If the state of alternate occurrences of the count values (counter states) "3" and "4" of the up-down counter 1014 is converted to a setting signal for the terminal resistor to be adjusted, and used in the so converted state, there is generated unwanted jitter in the transmission signal waveform.
The averaging circuit 1016 holds and averages past n counter states to produce the so averaged state to suppress variations in the counter state.
Referring to FIG. 28, the averaging circuit 1016 that takes an average value of the past four counter states includes three-bit synchronization circuits 10161 to 10164, operating circuits 101621 to 101623 for averaging the counter states, and a synchronization circuit 101651 for timing adjustment.
The averaging circuit 1016 is configured so that, in case the average value of the past n counter states is such thatX≦average value<X+1where X is an integer, X will be output, as the decimal part is truncated.
If the internal state of the up-down counter 1014 is a repetition of "3", "4" and "3" and so forth, in this order, the average value is "3.5", and a output of the averaging circuit 1016 is a constant value of "3" (see FIG. 30).
In similar manner, if the inner state of the up-down counter 1014 is a repetition of "3", "4", "5", "4", "3" and so forth, in this order, the average value is "4". The output of the averaging circuit 1016 is a constant value of "4" (see FIG. 32).
This stable state signal is delivered to another code conversion circuit 1017 which generates a setting signal to a terminal resistor as a target for adjustment. Since the state signal delivered is stabilized by the averaging circuit 1016, the setting signal output may be freed of variations.
[Patent Document 1] JP Patent Kokai Publication JP-P2004-32721A


The misting system has, in one embodiment, two seats with misting heads above each seat. A platform supports the seats, a tank, a pump and a power source. A supply line couples the tank-supplied pump and the misters. Removable canopy is mounted above seats by vertical and curvaceous struts and the misters are mounted on the struts. A user actuated UA control on the seat(s) activates pump ON to release mist. Wheels make the module mobile. Battery, solar power, and chiller are options. A countdown timer turns OFF the pump or controllable, inline valves after initial activation of the UA control. A level sensor in the tank alerts the user via a user display. A pressurized system can be used. Multiple modules coupled together are controlled by a master module with master controls.

Athletes and individuals during an athletic activity often times experience extreme heat when the activity is conducted in a hot climate. In order to reduce his or her body temperature, these athletes and individuals may be bombarded by aerosolized water or mist. U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,998 to Sinkfield discloses a portable misting trailer system for preventing bodies from overheating and a system for regulating body temperature. The '998 patent discloses a series of hoops or ribs carried by a trailer. The trailer also includes a water storage tank, a pump and a power source, which is typically one or more batteries. The rear region of the trailer has a plurality of misting heads mounted on the hoops or ribs such that and athletes or and individual may stand or sit in this rear region and be bombarded by aerosolized water or mist.
Although the misting trailer disclosed in the '998 patent is useful, it is sometimes difficult to place the trailer—carried misting system on the playing field or court where the athletes or individuals engage the strenuous activity.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome problems with the prior art.

Misting system with removable canopy and user actuated control with optional modular construction


Reinforcing packaging strips comprised of low melt point, low density polyethylene coated on at least one surface of a substrate. Corrugated paperboard packaging comprising a fluted paperboard medium having in selected areas a reinforcing liner, wherein said reinforcing liner has an adhesive surface which when heat activated adheres to the medium surface. The resulting structure has high strength and tear resistance in designated areas.

Corrugated paperboard is currently used in countless packaging applications and is, by far, the most popular packaging for articles or materials suitable for packaging in boxes, whether for shipment, storage or both. Because of commercial value, the conventional corrugated paperboard container has been the focus of extensive research and development resulting in continuous improvements therein. Of late, much effort has been put into developing containers with improved stacking strength as well as deriving more strength from less fiber mass.
Of particular interest herein is the fact that loads and stresses placed on corrugated packages are rarely distributed uniformly. This can be due to many different reasons; uneven weight distribution of package contents, shape of package contents, handling (or mishandling), etc. Whatever the cause, the result is often loads and stresses that are highly concentrated or localized. Industry has sometimes addressed this issue by improving package design, often times quite creatively. However, good design and engineering practices dictate that a package be manufactured to perform in a "worst case" scenario, so the inevitable result is a package which meets the stringent performance requirements of certain areas while providing excessive packaging in others. Importantly, this results in a package that is not as economical or cost effective as it could be.
For example, one of the most critical performance criteria for many corrugated paperboard boxes is stacking strength. Box designers typically increase stacking strength by increasing the weight of the liners and/or medium. This provides the added stacking strength needed in the walls of the box, but also provides additional strength (and fiber mass) in the top and bottom of the box where it is not needed, unnecessarily increasing cost.
Another example involves packages that need to be bulge and/or burst resistant due to outward force applied by the package contents, often a fluid material. Like the stacking strength example supra, a common remedy to this problem is simply making a box out of heavier components. This remedy may solve the problem, but is uneconomical. A common post-manufacturing remedy to this problem consists of simply applying a reinforcing tape, such as a nylon mesh reinforcing tape, to the external surface of a package. This remedy is cumbersome, costly due to the labor involved, often provides sub-optimum performance, typically not an option if aesthetics are an issue, and adds little to prevent package deformation. Methods are available wherein a reinforcing mesh and or strands are included between the medium and outside liner, but these remedies provide reinforcement to the entire package including areas where reinforcement is unnecessary.
Yet another example involves packages which include closure flaps that are subject to repeated opening and closing. These packages often fail at the closure scoreline. A common remedy is to apply reinforcing tape along the scoreline. As with the bulge resistant example above, this remedy is cumbersome, costly due to the labor involved, often provides sub-optimum performance, and is typically not an option if aesthetics are an issue.
A final example involves large appliances packaged in regular slotted containers with a basiloid flap at the upper end. In this application, lift trucks fixed with a flat, laterally situated lifting hook, lift and move these loaded containers by inserting the flat hook into the space between the container sidewall and basiloid flap then lifting the entire package by the flap. This method of transport places highly localized loads on the basiloid flap/joint area and has resulted in failure within the joint, specifically along lateral scorelines. This problem has been remedied by either applying reinforcing tape around the joint area or increasing the basis weight of the components in the container. The former requires additional labor and provides sub-optimum performance, while the latter unacceptably increases packaging costs.
Many technologies and methods are known that enable the manufacture of reinforced packages, specifically reinforced corrugated paperboard packages, but each have limitations which fall short of the benefits provided by this invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,650 to Holmes et. al. discloses a corrugated container wherein a plurality of reinforcing strands are contained between the medium and outside liner. The enhancement provided by this method is limited to bulge and burst resistance. It adds little in terms of stacking strength, rigidity or scoreline integrity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,957 to Halsell discloses a reinforced corrugated container wherein a reinforcing mesh composed of natural cellulosic strands is contained between the medium and outside liner. As with the Holmes patent listed above, the enhancement provided by this disclosure is limited to bulge and burst resistance. This method provides no additional stacking strength, rigidity or scoreline integrity, and is not selectively applied.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,850 to Ono discloses a process of manufacturing reinforced corrugated cardboard type containers wherein a reinforcing agent is applied along longitudinal scorelines between the outside liner and medium. In this disclosure, the lines of reinforcing agent are located such that they cover the areas that are scored and ultimately become the upper and lower horizontal perimeter of a finished box. As disclosed, this method enhances stacking strength by minimizing crush failure in the vicinity of the treated scorlines, but adds no stacking strength to the walls or additional resistance to bulge or burst. Most importantly, this method requires that scoring, folding and forming occur before the reinforcing agent hardens.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,689 to Brackett discloses placing narrow strips of thermoplastic material into corrugated board flutes at intervals and before the corrugated medium is attached to a second liner.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,307 to McKinney discloses a heat shrinkable polymeric film attached to corrugated fluting, the resulting product is formed into a carton or bundled package and then the entire package is heated to shrink the polymeric film.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,451 to Shuert is directed to a container comprised of a sleeve and end unit. The sleeve is made of corrugated material and contains a plurality of slots which interlock with latches on the end unit.
Canadian Pat. No. 889808 to Karass discloses a "weftless" tape or strap product. The tape is comprised of threads of synthetic resin, including polyethylene. An adhesive is then applied to the threads.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,052 to Mendham is directed to waterproof containers that maintain strength. This is accomplished by passing corrugated fiberboards through heat-softened films of thermoplastic material (including polyethylene) and then applying a certain amount of pressure to adhere the films to the faces of the fiberboard. The edges of the coated fiberboards are crushed and then sealed with a waterproof substance.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,095,692 and 4,177,895 both to Shelton are directed to a container having walls laminated with polymeric film, including polyethylene. The purpose of the lamination or "shroud' of polymeric film is to prevent air current from passing through the interior of the container.
The present invention is an improvement over prior art processes by providing reinforcing packaging strips to strengthen the load-carrying joints in corrugated packaging by selectively applying the strips to desired areas. Further, in addition to increasing strength, the strips provide more tear resistance to the reinforced joint and stiffen the entire flap, enabling it to carry a heavier load without failing.
Typically, corrugated paperboard is manufactured such that the finished product includes two opposed liners, a fluted medium disposed in between with adhesive forming permanent bonds between the flute tips and the opposed liners. Corrugated paperboard that includes two liners about one medium is typically called single wall. The term double wall typically describes three liners and two mediums in alternating layers, while triple wall refers to alternating layers including four liners and three mediums.
In general, to manufacture single wall corrugated paperboard, three substrates are used, a singleface liner, a doubleface liner, and a corrugating medium, and several manufacturing steps are followed. First, a continuous web of corrugating medium is directed between two corrugating rolls that form the medium into a corrugated web with lateral flutes. Next, the fluted medium is directed against a glue-bearing cylinder that places a metered amount of adhesive on each flute tip of one side.
The medium is then directed against a continuous web of singleface liner such that the glue-bearing flute tips bond evenly to the liner to form a substrate commonly called singleface-corrugated paperboard. The singleface-corrugated paperboard is then directed against a second glue-bearing roll that places a metered amount of adhesive on the flute tips located opposite the singleface liner which is then directed against a continuous web of double-face liner such that the glue-bearing flute tips bond evenly to the doubleface liner to form single wall corrugated paperboard (commonly referred to as combined board).
The next step in the manufacturing process involves moving the web of combined board through a controlled hot plate section in order to heat and cure the adhesive. Upon exiting the hot plate section, the web travels through a cooling section wherein ambient air cools the paperboard and adhesive. The web is then directed through a slitter/knife section wherein the combined board is continuously slit longitudinally, then laterally cut into sheets suitable for converting into boxes or other finished containers. Double and triple wall combinations are manufactured in the same general way except that two or three layers of single-face corrugated are directed together along with a doubleface liner. The steps involved in manufacturing corrugated paperboard are highly standardized throughout the packaging industry and well known within the art. However, these known processes are not entirely satisfactory in certain applications such as in strengthening load-carrying joints in corrugated packaging and enhancing tear resistance to movable joints in corrugated packaging.
The invention disclosed herein addresses the problems discussed above and the shortcomings of currently available remedies. A general object of the present invention is to provide reinforcing strips made of a paper substrate coated on one side with low melt, low density polyethylene for application to selected portions of corrugated paperboard structures.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing reinforced corrugated paperboard packaging that is more economical over the prior art method of reinforcing which uses nylon-based tape.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing reinforced corrugated paperboard packaging wherein reinforcement can easily be applied only to select areas.
A specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing selectively reinforced corrugated paperboard.
Another specific object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing selectively reinforced corrugated paperboard that is compatible with existing manufacturing equipment and requires no modification of major equipment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing selectively reinforced corrugated paperboard that utilizes a heat-activated adhesive that is activated by ambient heat present in a conventional hot plate section.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing selectively reinforced corrugated paperboard that remains formable and pliable after manufacturing.
Another further object of the invention is to provide a stronger corrugated box structure by stiffening the folding flap with reinforcing strips.

Reinforcing strips for corrugated paperboard and related method and apparatus for its manufacture


A method for detecting an absorption, refraction and scatter image of an object by independently analyzing, detecting, digitizing, and combining images acquired on a high and a low angle side of a rocking curve of a crystal analyzer. An x-ray beam which is generated by any suitable conventional apparatus can be irradiated upon either a Bragg type crystal analyzer or a Laue type crystal analyzer. Images of the absorption, refraction and scattering effects are detected, such as on an image plate, and then digitized. The digitized images are simultaneously solved, preferably on a pixel-by-pixel basis, to derive a combined visual image which has dramatically improved contrast and spatial resolution over an image acquired through conventional radiology methods.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for detecting an image of an object, such as one mass internal with respect to another mass wherein the one mass has an absorption content refraction content and/or scattering content different than the other mass, by separating, analyzing and combining an absolute absorption and a refraction angle which a beam experiences in traversing the object. These are then used to deduce a scatter image.
2. Description of Prior Art
X-ray imaging has been used in the medical field and for radiology in general, such as non-destructive testing and x-ray computed tomography. Conventional radiology systems use x-ray absorption to distinguish differences between different materials, such as normal and abnormal human tissues.
X-ray imaging for screening mammography has been used to identify early stages of breast cancer. It is well known that breast cancer mortality among women under screened controls can be significantly reduced when compared with unscreened controls. Mammography tends to identify smaller and less advanced stages of cancer, when compared with cancers found by breast physical examination or breast self-examination. Treatment of smaller and less advanced stages of breast cancer result in better survival rates. It is quite apparent that enhanced radiology methods can be used to detect even smaller and earlier stage breast cancers. Approximately 10% of clinically obvious breast cancers are not visible in images produced by conventional mammography methods.
In particular, breast cancer which is not visible with conventional mammography methods occurs most frequently in patients with relatively large amounts of breast glandular tissue. The density of the breast glandular tissue tends to obscure underlying pathology. Although The National Cancer Institute, The American College of Radiology and the American Cancer Society advocate annual screening mammograms for women over the age of 50, screening for women under the age of 50 is more controversial. In order to detect early stages of cancer, it is desirable to increase the sensitivity of mammography in younger women so that smaller and earlier stages of breast cancer can be detected. Earlier detection of breast cancer may result in significantly reduced mortality rates.
Mammographic technology has improved dramatically over the last two decades. For example, dedicated mammography equipment now exists with appropriate x-ray beam quality, adequate breast compression and automatic exposure control. Recently developed digital mammography is now being introduced throughout medical facilities. However, conventional mammographic technology depends upon the depiction of x-ray absorption to define differences between normal and abnormal tissues.
Ingal et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,694 discloses a method for obtaining an image of an internal structure of an object. Radiation transmitted through an object is collimated by a Laue type crystal analyzer. While deflecting the crystal analyzer interferogram images of the internal structure of the object are monitored and a position of the crystal analyzer which provides an image with maximum contrast is selected. Both the transmitted beam and the diffracted beam emerging from the crystal analyzer carries information on the internal structure of the object. Simultaneous observation of the object in both the transmitted beam and the diffracted beam allows detection of artifacts in the image. Once the image is detected, the crystal analyzer is set to a position at which the maximum contrast of the object image is attained.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,694, simultaneous registering of images in a transmitted beam and a diffracted beam enables definition of minor and low-contrast image elements and elimination of errors in interpretation of the image due to the imperfection of the image detector. Algebraic addition of the transmitted image and the diffracted image enhances the contrast of the boundaries between different-density media, which is due to elimination of background resulting from photoelectric absorption of radiation in the object. A detector that detects the diffracted beam has a feedback loop output which is connected to a precision displacement actuator which moves the crystal analyzer.
There is an apparent need for mammographic and radiologic methods that can be used to detect even smaller and earlier stages of breast cancer, than the stages of breast cancer that can be detected with conventional imaging technology.

Method for detecting an image of an object


An automatic milking installation controlled by a system including: a graphical user interface enabling user interaction with the automatic milking installation via at least one display view, an imaging unit recording image data representing at least one portion of a dairy animal, the imaging unit having a transparent cover surface configured to protect an optics section of the imaging unit and through which transparent cover surface the image data are recorded, and a control unit receiving the recorded image data, and based thereon, producing a control signal for controlling functions of the automatic milking installation. The control unit further processes the recorded image data to determine a parameter indicating an amount of dirt on the transparent cover surface, and generates graphics data for presentation to the user via the graphical user interface, which includes at least one graphical element reflecting the amount of dirt on the transparent cover surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,644,681 discloses a milking parlor comprising at least two milking places arranged side by side after each other along a longitudinal axis, each milking place being configured to receive a respective animal to be milked. The milking module extends along the longitudinal axis from the primary end to the secondary end. A front side and a rear side extend in parallel with the longitudinal axis. A front gate assembly is movable between a lower position, closing the front side to prevent the animals from leaving the respective milking place through the front side, and an upper position, configured to permit the animals to leave the respective milking place through the front side. A further gate assembly is movable between a lower position and an upper position above the animals. A stationary support structure supports the front gate assembly and the further gate assembly.
Limited space is a serious restriction when constructing milking parlors. In particular, the available height in many milking stall buildings having a low ceiling makes it difficult to house a complete milking parlor, especially a milking parlor having a front gate assembly, sometimes called neck rail, and further gate assemblies, such as a sequence gate assembly that can be raised vertically and/or a pushing bar of the kind disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,644,681.
Furthermore, the construction of the milking parlor and the assembly of the very large number of parts are difficult tasks in the limited space available for the milking parlor.
Sequence gate assemblies are currently used in milking parlors to prevent animals from preloading into the milking places. These overlapping sequencing gates then close automatically after each animal exits the respective milking place. It is known to have the sequence gates secured to the platform i.e. a socket is casted into the concrete during construction. It is also known to have the sequence gates attached to the neck rail, which may be raised vertically to permit the animals to exit under the sequence gates and the neck rail.

Milking module, a milking arrangement, and a method for milking a group of animals


A portable room humidifier includes a magnetic mounting structure for mounting the humidifier to a forced convection air register. A compact and lightweight water reservoir replenishes water supply by capillary action to a wicking material which is vertically suspended by a compact support structure in opposing relationship to an air stream flowing from the air register. The wicking material is comprised of readily-available, low cost, highly-water-absorbent fabric. The mounting hardware is configured to be completely contained within the water reservoir for compact, lightweight transport.

Without humidification, many enclosed buildings experience undesirably low humidity levels, especially during the heating season. This is due in part to the low humidity ratios of outdoor air supplied to widely-used forced air heating systems, as well as the electrically resistive heating systems found in many hotel, office, and commercial buildings. Significant problems are associated with low humidity environments, including aggravation of existing respiratory problems, and an undesirably high static electricity buildup in carpeting, other room furnishings, and clothing. It is well known that conditioned air should be humidified within a relatively narrow humidity range to achieve an acceptable human comfort level at a particular temperature and atmospheric pressure. It is also well known that uncontrolled discharge of such static electricity buildup may result in significant damage to electronic equipment such as computers and their storage and operating components.
Some forced air heating systems include the type of humidifier which admits steam directly into the supply airstream and the resulting conditioned airflow is then delivered through a supply air duct to a supply air register in selected rooms in the building. However, not all buildings or rooms are so equipped, and in those buildings that are, the heating system humidifier may be incorrectly set to too low a humidity ratio or otherwise nonfunctional. Alternatively, many buildings provide zoned or local heating systems which have no provision for an integrated humidifier.
In particular, many hotel and motel rooms are provided with individual forced air heating systems or resistive-type electrical heaters, both types of heating systems generally operating without a humidifier. Some of these systems have a through-the-wall configuration extending into the room with a horizontal top-surface air register, while other systems are integrated into the wall and discharge an air flow through a vertical air register.
Heretofore, a compact, relatively portable humidifier for use under such conditions, and especially for use by itinerant occupants, has not been successfully achieved. For example, a water evaporator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 435,095 provides an open water receptacle detachably affixed by a pair of brackets to the reticulated grill of a hot air register. With one end of a wicking cloth being submerged in the water receptacle, the remaining length of the cloth is suspended from a suspension rod extending above the water receptacle.
Another evaporator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 835,542 provides an open water receptacle similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 435,095, further including a roller mechanism used to suspend, extend, and retract a wicking cloth overhanging the front side of the water receptacle. An important problem common to both approaches is that there is a great variety of hot air register grill configurations with vertical and horizontal orientations, many of which are not designed to accommodate the brackets of these apparatus. Another important problem is that the configuration of the water receptacles and brackets affixed thereto is relatively large and cumbersome, thereby creating a strong disincentive to portability and use by most travelers.


A vibrating hole forming device for seismic exploration in which a vertically elongated mounting pipe with attached rack gear is powered vertically by a hydraulically driven pinion gear which will mechanically push the pipe downwardly into the earth's surface. A vibrating mechanism imparts vibration to the downward force exerted by the pinion gear and rack gear. Vibration is imparted to the pipe automatically when hydraulic pressure required to operate the pinion gear reaches a predetermined pressure such as when the point on the lower end of the pipe encounters a predetermined resistance to further downward movement. This enables a lightweight unit to impart a constant downward force and a vibration force when needed to enable the device to penetrate through sands or extremely dense subsurface terrain thereby eliminating the necessity of providing a heavy weight vehicle such as is required when conventional hole forming devices are used on which the device is mounted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to seismic exploration and more particularly to vibrating hole forming device in which a vertically elongated mounting pipe with attached rack gear is powered vertically by a hydraulically driven pinion earth's surface. A vibrating mechanism imparts vibration to the downward force exerted by the pinion gear and rack gear. Vibration is imparted to the pipe automatically when hydraulic pressure required to operate the pinion gear reaches a predetermined pressure such as when the point on the lower end of the pipe encounters a predetermined resistance to further downward movement. This enables a lightweight unit to impart a constant downward force and a vibration force when needed to enable the device to penetrate through sands or extremely dense subsurface terrain thereby eliminating the necessity of providing a heavy weight vehicle such as is required when conventional hole forming devices are employed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is well known, seismic exploration of underground formations is conducted by positioning a plurality of explosive seismic charges below ground level at a designated depth and in designated pattern with these charges being subsequently detonated to produce seismograph recordings which can be analyzed to determine the character of the underground formation including whether the underground strata includes potentially recoverable oil or gas deposits and the like. Various devices have been provided to form vertical bores or holes in the earth's surface in which seismic charges are placed. Seismic exploration is necessarily conducted in locations having difficult access and terrain characteristics which are difficult to traverse. Various types of vehicles are utilized to convey seismic exploration equipment to an exploration site. Such vehicles are necessarily relatively heavy in order to provide a downward force on drilling or other earth penetrating equipment used to form vertical holes or bores in the earth to receive the explosive seismic charges. The necessity of making such vehicles heavy also introduces additional problems of gaining access to an exploration site. The following U.S. Pat. relate to this field of endeavor and include vibrating devices to assist in forming bore holes.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,394,766 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,083 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,669 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,443 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,740
While the above patents disclose vertically elongated members having vibration characteristics imparted thereto, none of the above patents disclose a vibrating mechanism associated with an elongated vertical pipe and rack gear attached thereto combined with a driven pinion gear which will force the pipe, which has a point on the lower end, into the earth and automatically impart vertical vibration to the pipe, rack gear and point when a predetermined resistance to downward penetration of the underground formation is encountered.

Vibrating hole forming device for seismic exploration


Parking meters detect presence of vehicles in monitored parking spaces and obtain images of license plates. A parking enforcement system communicates with the parking meters and manages use of parking spaces.

Parking enforcement is a growing problem with the increased development of metropolitan urban and suburban areas, and the increase in numbers of vehicles and drivers. Parking, whether provided by private or governmental entities, is usually available in a wide range of options. For example, some spaces are available for limited time parking, whether paid or for free, others are provided for unlimited parking based on an hourly rate, sometimes with a daily maximum charge, others are restricted to registered or handicapped users.
The different types of parking options dictate various methods of parking enforcement. It is often necessary to employ individuals to facilitate parking enforcement. For example, to enforce limited time free parking, an employee marks parked vehicles and verifies their departure at a later time. Individuals, sometimes referred to as meter maids, need to verify paid parking meters and issue citations or parking tickets to cars parked by unpaid meters, or direct towing of vehicles parked in fire lanes. In other cases, employees collect payment from drivers as they exit paid parking lots or garages. Employment of individuals is expensive for parking providers and introduces the possibility of human errors.
Current parking systems often inconvenience parking users. For example, in the case of parking meters, users often misestimate their parking needs. As a result, they sometimes overpay for parking, or have to pay for a parking ticket. Paid garages and parking lots have only a few exits, since they need to be staffed, which often delays drivers, especially at peak traffic periods.
There is a current need for an efficient parking control system that minimizes or eliminates the number of employees necessary, is convenient to both users and parking providers, is adaptable to a large range of parking options, and is integrated with parking enforcement activities.

Parking meters, systems and methods of parking enforcement


A tissue cutting device is described, a representative one of which includes: a handle part; a head unit including comprising a plurality of blades arranged so as to extend substantially parallel with a longitudinal direction of the handle part at intervals and a blade holding portion for holding the plurality of blades; and a head holding part located at the distal end of the handle part, for holding the head.

In a conventional surgery of breast cancer, dissection of axillary lymph nodes (biological tissue) is commonly performed. By such dissection of axillary lymph nodes, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a problem that gradually hardened and enlarged lymph nodes where cancer metastasis occurs cause disorders in critical areas such as nerves and blood vessels. Additionally, by conducting dissection of axillary lymph nodes, it is possible to know whether metastasis of breast cancer to lymph nodes occurs, and hence it is possible to predict systemic metastasis from the breast cancer. This also allows determination of postoperative regimen (choice of anticancer agent, need of radiation therapy).
As a technique of dissection of lymph nodes, a method called "sentinel lymph node biopsy" is conventionally known. The "sentinel lymph node biopsy" involves finding a sentinel lymph node during a surgery of breast cancer, removing it, preparing a histological specimen of the sentinel lymph node and conducting a rapid histological examination. The term "sentinel lymph node" used herein means a node, which a cancerous cell entering a lymph duct from a source lesion of the cancer reaches first. When cancer spreads to lymph nodes, metastasis to sentinel lymph nodes unexceptionally occurs. Therefore, by conducting a sentinel lymph node biopsy as described above, it is possible to determine the presence of metastasis of breast cancer to other lymph nodes. That is, when breast cancer does not spread to sentinel lymph nodes, dissection of the remaining lymph nodes is no longer necessary, whereas when breast cancer spreads to sentinel lymph nodes, dissection of a plurality of lymph nodes around the lesion is required depending on the situation. By conducting a sentinel lymph node biopsy in a manner as described above, it is possible to avoid unnecessary dissection of lymph nodes, and hence it is possible to reduce the burden on a patient.
In an exemplary procedure of the above conventional lymph node rapid histological examination in a surgery, first, a removed lymph node of elliptical spherical shape is longitudinally split in such a way that the split face becomes largest. After freezing the sections of the split lymph node, the split section is sliced into a thickness of several microns using a microtome. Then the slice of lymph node is stained with H-E (hematozylin eosin), and the stained lymph node is observed under a microscope, thereby accomplishing a rapid histological examination of lymph node. In conducting the rapid histological examination by splitting a removed lymph node into two pieces, if there is no cancerous cell in the split section of the lymph node, it could be recognized as negative regardless of presence of a trace of cancerous cell in the lymph node. For this reason, in order to decrease the probability of false recognition as "negative" regardless of presence of a trace of cancerous cell in a lymph node, conventionally, a lymph node is longitudinally split into three or more sections so as to obtain the largest split section in the splitting step of lymph node in the rapid histological examination.
Conventionally, in a step of longitudinally splitting a lymph node into three or more sections so as to obtain the largest split section in the splitting step of lymph node in the rapid histological examination, a cutting device having only one blade such as replaceable blade for microtome, razor blade or trimming knife handle adopting a replaceable blade (product of FEATHER Safety Razor Co., Ltd.) is used. One exemplary cutting device having only one blade is a pathologic trimming holder (see for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2004-257855).
However, when the aforementioned conventional cutting device having only one blade is used in the splitting step of lymph node in the rapid pathologic assay, in order to split a lymph node into three or more sections along the longitudinal direction of the lymph node so as to obtain the largest split surface, it is necessary to repeat a cutting operation with a cutting device twice or more times. This causes a drawback that the shape of the lymph node is lost during the first operation because a lymph node is fragile and so small that the transverse length falls within the range of several millimeters to several tens millimeters. As a result, the second and later cutting operations of lymph node (biological tissue) become difficult, posing a problem that efficiency of cutting operation by which a lymph node (biological tissue) is split into three or more sections is deteriorated.

Tissue cutting device, tissue cut assisting device and accommodation housing


A method produces a glass body that contains a reduced amount of OH groups in the metallic-oxide-containing glass layer and that has a reduced amount of transmission loss due to OH groups when the glass body is transformed into an optical fiber. The production method produces an optical glass body. An optical fiber contains the optical glass body in at least one part of its region for guiding a lightwave. The production method includes the following steps: (a) introducing into a glass pipe a gas containing an organometallic compound and a glass-forming material; (b) decomposing the organometallic compound into an organic constituent and a metallic constituent; (c) heating and oxidizing the metallic constituent so that produced glass particles containing a metallic oxide are deposited on the inner surface of the glass pipe to form a glass-particle-deposited layer; and (d) consolidating the deposited layer to form a metallic-oxide-containing glass layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of producing a glass body and to an optical glass body produced by this method and to an optical fiber.
2. Description of the Background Art
The modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) process is known as a method of producing silica glass to be used as an optical glass body. FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams of the MCVD process. FIG. 5A shows a step for synthesizing glass, and FIG. 5B shows a step for collapsing a glass pipe. In the glass-synthesizing step, a material gas, such as an SiCl4 gas, and an O2 gas are introduced into a glass pipe 1. The glass pipe 1 is heated with a heat source 4 placed at the outside of the glass pipe 1 so as to be movable. The heating causes the material gas to react with the O2 gas. The reaction produces glass particles composed of SiO2 and others. The glass particles are deposited on the inner surface of the glass pipe 1 to form a glass-particle-deposited layer 2. The glass-particle-deposited layer 2 is further heated by the moving heat source 4 and is consolidated to become a synthesized glass layer 3.
In the case of an example shown in FIG. 5A, a GeCl4 gas is also introduced into the glass pipe 1 so that the synthesized-glass layer 3 can be doped with GeO2 to adjust the refractive index. Alternatively, only the glass-particle-deposited layer may be formed in this step by controlling the degree of the heating at the glass-synthesizing step. In this case, the consolidation of the layer is performed in a separate step. The glass pipe 1 having the formed synthesized-glass layer 3 therein is heated by the heat source 4 placed at the outside and is collapsed to become a glass body having a bar shape (see FIG. 5B).
An optical waveguide made with silica glass doped with a rare-earth element such as Er can be used as an amplifier, because when it is shone by an intense incident lightwave of short wavelength, electrons of the ions of the rare-earth element are excited to exhibit an amplifying phenomenon due to stimulated emission. An amplifier incorporating an erbium-doped fiber (EDF) is advantageous in that it is easily connected to a fiber for optical transmission and it has small polarization dependency of the amplification degree. The MCVD process is also used as a method of producing such an optical glass body doped with a rare-earth element.
A method of producing an EDF has been proposed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,288 and a literature written by Richard P. Tumminelli et al., (Journal of Lightwave Technology, Vol. 8, pp. 1680–1683). In the proposed method, a glass material gas (such as SiCl4), an Al2Cl6 or AlCl3 gas, and a gas of a chelate compound containing a rare-earth element are transported into a glass pipe with individually separated pipes to be mixed directly before the glass-synthesizing reaction begins. In the method, the glass pipe is heated with a ribbon burner so that the chelate compound will not solidify before reaching the point where the glass-synthesizing reaction is produced by the heating with an oxy-hydrogen burner.
In the above-described method, the chelate compound gas is supplied to the point where the glass-synthesizing reaction occurs. Consequently, much of the water vapor derived from the chelate compound remains in the glass containing the rare-earth oxide (the glass containing the metallic oxide). This causes a problem that the produced fiber has high optical-absorption peaks at 1.24 μm and 1.38 μm due to the vibration of OH groups. The literature written by Richard P. Tumminelli et al. states at the sixth line from the bottom of the left column on page 1682 that the Nd-doped glass has an OH-group content between 15 and 20 ppm.

Glass-body-producing method and optical glass body and optical fiber


A thermal therapy apparatus for applying temperature controlled therapy to a therapy site on a mammalian body includes a therapy pad for applying a selected therapy temperature to the therapy site; a recirculating fluid loop, including a fluid channel defined by the therapy pad; a thermal reservoir; a heat exchanger coupling the thermal reservoir with the recirculating fluid loop, the heat exchanger including a pump for circulating fluid through the recirculating fluid loop; and a control mechanism coupled to the heat exchanger for enabling adjustable control of therapy temperature. The heat exchanger selectively mixes fluid recirculating in the fluid loop with fluid from the thermal reservoir in an adjustable mixing ratio to achieve the selected therapy temperature at the therapy site.

This invention relates to the application of cold or heat to affect heat transfer to or from the human or mammalian body. The necessity for such an application may arise in a wide range of circumstances. Most common are injuries, bruises, sprains, or other trauma to bone, muscle, ligaments, tendons, skin and other forms of mammalian tissue. The application of cold or cooling to reduce swelling, reduce pain and promote healing at the traumatized area of the human or mammalian body is often recommended. Similarly, the application of heat or heating to the human or mammalian body is used to warm up or "loosen-up" joint tissue such as ligaments or tendons prior to use to facilitate an increased range of motion prior to normal or strenuous physical activities.
Other circumstances in which the need for application of cold or heat therapy to the human or mammalian body may arise include post-surgical therapy to reduce pain and swelling and promote healing, as well as in orthopedic therapy, sports medicine therapy and rehabilitation programs and applications. Of particular importance are the areas of athletic injury and subsequent therapy, healing and rehabilitation in humans, and injury and subsequent therapy, healing and rehabilitation in thoroughbred race horses.
The most common method of achieving the desired cooling effect has been application of an ice bag to the desired therapy site. This method has several limitations. Ice bags can be cumbersome to apply, and in the case of animals, for example thoroughbred race horses, may be difficult to maintain on the therapy site. Ice bags can apply uneven cooling to the therapy site, are often difficult to contour to the area of the mammalian body to be treated, and the intensity of cooling is difficult to control. Often the application is either too cold, or not cold enough. A common ice bag has further limitations as well. As the ice melts, an ice bag may leak, causing inconvenience or more serious consequences. Finally, the static application of cold or cooling can become uncomfortable and unpleasant, usually resulting in the subject prematurely terminating the application before the full beneficial affect can be achieved.
A number of variations have been proposed to improve upon the ice bag or pack, but none fully addressed all of its shortcomings. For example, some have been known to use a bag of frozen peas (or other vegetables) as a substitute for an ice bag. The frozen peas allow more uniform cooling of the site, generally contour to the site better than a bag of ice cubes, and apply less severe cooling. Of course, this alternative has a number of drawbacks as well. A bag of frozen peas has limited available cooling capacity, and as with any bag, contouring to a part of the mammalian body such as the human knee can be difficult or impossible, resulting in uneven cold application.
Other variations on the basic ice bag or ice pack include a wrap or strap-on device which holds the source of cooling on the therapy site. These devices generally are designed for use on specific locations on the human body, and generally contour better to the therapy site and are held in place by means of belts or straps. These devices also have several shortcomings, however. Certain types have built-in reservoirs to provide a source of cooling, such as containers of frozen water. These devices must be kept frozen until ready to use, and once their cooling capacity is expired, they must be re-frozen before they can be used again. The intensity of cooling with these wrap or strap-on devices is also difficult to control, and they are capable of applying only static cooling to the site. There are also generally cumbersome, as the source of thermal cooling must be located entirely within the device and held at or on the therapy site.
Also available are chemical cold-packs comprised of two or more chemical substances stored separately in a flexible packet. When needed, the packet is manipulated, causing an internal seal to break and the chemical substances to mix. The substances, when mixed, have an endothermic reaction which causes the packet to cool. While these devices are useful in remote sites and in certain emergency situations, they afford little advantage over the ordinary ice bag. Furthermore, they can generally be used only one time, are of limited cooling capacity or duration, operate at one non adjustable temperature, and are prohibitively expensive for use in a regular cold therapy program.
More recently, a commercially available apparatus for accomplishing the desired cooling of the human knee has been developed which incorporates a cold reservoir consisting of a large cooler. The water within the cooler is circulated by means of a pump which circulates the cooled water from the cooler through a tube to a bladder and back trough a tube to the cooler. The bladder is applied to the therapy site and held in place by means of a wrap or strap device. This apparatus has many advantages over an ice pack or ice wrap. The cooler and source of cooling, generally ice, is held in a container separate from the therapy site. In this type of device, the rate of cooling is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the flow resistance by using a manually operated flow restriction valve or electrically setting the pump speed to a predetermined fixed value.
This apparatus also has several shortcomings. The device is incapable of supplying a measured and controlled cooling temperature to the therapy site, and is incapable of providing tactile stimulation to the therapy site. The device is also cumbersome in that the pump used to circulate the cooling fluid must be manually submerged in the cooler, and there is an ever-present danger of electrical shock due to the proximity of the electrical power cord and the circulating water.
The most common method for achieving the desired heating effect has been through the application of a hot water bottle or steamed towels to an injury site. As with similar cold therapy modalities, this form of heat therapy suffers from the same shortcomings in terms of ease of application and temperature regulation due to a lack of any temperature control mechanism at the injury site.


Connector adapter includes an adapter body having a mating side and a mounting side. The mating side includes signal cavities that open to the mating side. The connector adapter also includes signal conductors extending through the adapter body. Each of the signal conductors has and extends between a pin socket positioned at the mating side and a signal tail positioned at the mounting side. The pin sockets are positioned within corresponding signal cavities. Each of the pin sockets includes first and second arms that oppose each other and define a thru-hole therebetween. The first and second arms engage a signal tail of an electrical connector when the signal tail of the electrical connector is inserted into the thru-hole.

The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors that are configured to transmit data signals.
Communication systems, such as routers, servers, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), supercomputers, and other computing systems, may be complex systems that have a number of components interconnected to one another. For instance, a conventional backplane or midplane communication system includes several daughter card assemblies that are interconnected to a common backplane or midplane. The daughter card assemblies include a circuit board and a plurality of electrical connectors mounted to the circuit board. At least some of the electrical connectors are receptacle connectors that are positioned along a leading edge of the circuit board. The receptacle connectors are configured to mate with corresponding header connectors coupled to the backplane or midplane. The daughter card assemblies may also include other electrical and/or optical connectors, such as pluggable input/output (I/O) modules, that communicate with remote components.
As signal speeds and performance demands increase, enterprises have modified the conventional backplane and midplane communication systems. For example, modifications to the communication system may require that the receptacle connectors of the daughter card assembly be moved to higher elevations with respect to the circuit board. The receptacle connectors, however, are not adjustable for repositioning at a higher elevation. Instead of replacing the conventional receptacle connectors with different receptacle connectors, it may be more cost-effective to use a device that allows the system to utilize the conventional receptacle connectors.
Accordingly, a need exists for a device that allows an electrical connector to be positioned at a higher elevation relative to a circuit board.

Connector adapter and circuit board assembly including the same


The stability and reliability of broadband service connectivity improved by utilizing both wireline and wireless connections. For example, a residential gateway may continue to provide stable broadband connectivity to a service provider network (e.g., exceeding minimum quality of service thresholds) when subjected to a broadband fault (e.g., loss or degradation of data) by managing or utilizing both a wireline broadband connection and a wireless broadband connection.

Offering broadband services that meet customer expectations in an efficient manner can be challenging. For example, failure of a broadband supplier to meet minimum quality of service (QoS) requirements for its customers is likely to result in poor customer satisfaction. Moreover, when a customer's broadband service fails to transfer data at the minimum QoS requirements, the customer often contacts care service to resolve the problem. If a care agent is unable to resolve the problem over the phone, the care agent often schedules a dispatch to resolve the problem at the customer residential area, lengthening service outage response time, further aggravating the customer, and resulting in significant cost for the broadband supplier.

Residential gateway with traffic scheduling


A data processing system which is provided with a plurality of operation units and a function which executes a plurality of instructions in parallel by each of these plurality of operation units, respectively, wherein operation results executed by these plurality of operation units are reflected on flags which are included in a processor status word (PSW), thereby, those plurality of instructions are executed in parallel in the respective different operation units, and at that time, results of operation processing of the respective instructions are reflected on the flags included in the PSW, then, the flags can be updated by simple control, and the operation results executed by those plurality of operation units are reflected on the flags included in the PSW according to the order of execution of the instructions, thereby, those plurality of instructions are executed in parallel by the respective different operation units, and at that time, the results of operation processing of the respective instructions are reflected on the flags included in the PSW according to the order of execution of the instructions, whereby enabling to realize the high speed operation without providing such complicated processing as temporarily saving information for reflecting the results of operation processing on the flags until processing of the preceding instructions is finished.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing system realizing a high processing performance by a high parallel processing mechanism, more particularly, it relates to a data processing system capable of executing plural instruction in parallel.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a typical pipe line processing mechanism of a conventional data processing system.
The pipe line processing mechanism of the data processing system shown in FIG. 1 is constituted by six pipe line stages consisting of an instruction fetch (IF) stage 91 for fetching instruction data, an instruction decoding (D) stage 92 for analyzing instruction data, an address calculation (A) stage 93 for executing operand address calculation, an operand fetch (F) stage 94 for fetching operand data, an execution (E) stage 95 for data processing and an operand writing (W) stage 96 for writing operand data.
In such a pipe line processing mechanism of the conventional data processing system, different instructions can be processed simultaneously in each stage. However, when conflicts occur with respect to the operand access and memory access, processings in the stage with a low priority are interrupted till the conflicts are settled.
As described above, in the data processing system designed for pipe line processing, by dividing the processing into plural stages according to the data processing flow and operating each of the stages simultaneously, a mean processing time necessary for one instruction is shortened to improve the performance as a whole.
An example of data processing system which is made highly efficient by processing the plural instructions simultaneously by the pipe line processing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,042 "MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM WITH INSTRUCTION PRE-FETCH".
However, in the data processing system capable of executing up to only one instruction in one machine cycle, the processing performance is restricted by the operating frequency. In order to solve this problem, a plurality of arithmetic units are provided to execute plural instructions in parallel.
For example, in a data processing system called IBM System/360 Model 91, by providing a plurality of adders, multipliers and dividers and adding the function called a "reservation station" to each of the arithmetic units, the instructions are subjected to passing control to improve the processing speed.
The processing is described particularly in "Computer Structures: Principles and Examples" by Daniel P. Siewiorek, C. Gordon Bell and Allen Newell, McGraw-Hill Book Company, PP. 295-298 (1982).
Also, in a microprocessor MC 88100 by Motorola Inc., by providing a mechanism called "register scoreboarding", conflicts occurred between registers used by a plurality of execution units are detected and a parallel processing sequence is controlled. This is described particularly in "32-bit Microprocessor, Parallel Arithmetic Processings improve Performance", Nikkei Electronics, No. 448, PP. 145 through 149 (1988).
Furthermore, there is also such a case that, by providing an exclusive executing unit for simple arithmetic and logic operation instructions, which is operable independently of usual executing units and having no memory operand, the instructions are passed and controlled. The details are disclosed in "Study on CPU Architecture of a 32-bit Microprocessor TX3 based on TRON Specification" by T. Miyamori et al, Shingaku Technical Review, Vol. 87, No. 422, CPSY 87-53, PP. 31 through 36 (1988).
As described above, the conventional data processing system has realized to improve its processing speed by performing parallel execution of instructions and passing control. However, where passing control for integer operation instructions, each of whose execution results are reflected on flags, is executed by providing plural operation units, it is necessary that information to update the flag related to operation execution of the instruction which performed passing should temporarily be saved and this information should be reflected on the flag after instructions to be processed before the instruction which performed passing were all processed.
As may be seen from the above description, in order to update the flag without any inconsistency when passing of instructions is performed, it is necessary to execute considerably complicated update control, and in order to realize a function for executing this update control, it becomes necessary to provide large logical quantities.

System having status update controller for determining which one of parallel operation results of execution units is allowed to set conditions of shared processor status word


Systems and methods are described for homing data. A computerized method of homing data includes embedding a first homing configuration within a first file on a host, intercepting an access attempt to the first file by the host, retrieving the first homing configuration embedded within the first file, determining a first data homing connector based on the first homing configuration, and synchronizing the first file through the first data homing connector with a first synchronization server based on the first homing configuration.

Synchronization servers or cloud storage services normally utilize client software on client devices to upload/download files to/from storage servers. Some client devices can communicate with multiple different synchronization or cloud storage servers. For example, some files on a client device can be synchronized with one synchronization server while other files on the client device can be synchronized with a different synchronization server. In this kind of scenario, one conventional approach is to separate the files on the client device so that the files synchronized with different servers are grouped into different folders in the file system. Files within each folder are synchronized with a single synchronization server, and the configuration of the synchronization server is stored against the root of the folder. Another conventional approach is to maintain a static list of files being synchronized and store the configuration of the synchronization servers in the list. These approaches usually lack flexibility and robustness and normally demand costly maintenance.


A digital camera includes: an optical system for forming an optical image of a subject; an image pickup unit that converts the formed optical image of the subject and outputs a subject image; and a recording unit that associates the subject image output by the image pickup unit with a layout definition data group and stores the subject image in a nonvolatile memory. The layout definition data group is stored in the nonvolatile memory and is made up of pieces of layout definition data that define a layout to draw a subject image for a drawing medium of a specific size. The pieces of layout definition data making up the layout definition data group with which the subject image is associated defines similar layouts for drawing media of difference sizes.

This invention relates to a digital camera, a print system, and a data structure.
A digital camera has a use of recording data as material of a composite image, for example. The composite image is widely used to print a greeting card with a photo, a framed photo seal, etc. With a digital camera disclosed in JP-A-2001-45352, a still image (default image) to be combined with an image representing a subject (subject image) is selected at the photographing time and when a shutter switch is pressed, composite image data provided by combining the subject image and the default image is stored in external storage means. According to the digital camera in JP-A-2001-45352, as a default image is selected at the photographing time, a composite image responsive to the purpose of a greeting card with a photo, a framed photo seal, etc., can be stored and can be drawn on a drawing medium. According to the digital camera in patent document 1, as a composite image is scaled up or down, it can be drawn on drawing media different in size, so that the size of the drawing medium for drawing the composite image is not specified.
However, since the composite image is stored with the digital camera in the related art, later only the subject image cannot be printed and the subject image cannot be combined with a different default image; this is a problem. Specifically, with the digital camera in the related art, only the composite image is stored and the subject image is not stored. Therefore, if the user wants to print only the subject image after photographing, the subject image cannot be printed. Thus, the subject image cannot be combined with another default image for print either. For example, to print a greeting card with a photo, if the user wants to change the default image selected at the photographing time to another default image, the user must again take a photograph from the beginning.

Digital camera, print system, and data structure


A method of manufacturing a bonded substrate stack includes a bonding surface processing step of processing at least one of first and second substrates each containing silicon and having a bonding surface, and a bonding step of bonding the bonding surface of the first substrate and the bonding surface of the second substrate. The bonding surface processing step includes an OH group increasing step of increasing OH groups on the bonding surfaces, and a moisture content decreasing step of heating the bonding surfaces where the OH groups have been increased at a temperature falling within a range of 50° C. to 200° C. to decrease moisture contents of the bonding surfaces.

In recent years, as the performance of electronic devices improves and portable electronic devices become popular, an SOI (Silicon On Insulator) wafer adsorbs attention which can operate at a higher speed with lower power consumption than a bulk wafer.
Methods of manufacturing SOI wafers are roughly classified into an SIMOX method and bonding method. The bonding method is superior to the SIMOX method in that it can use a high-quality silicon thermal oxide film as a buried insulating layer. According to the bonding method, typically, a thermal oxide film is formed on the surface of one or each of two silicon wafers by the thermal oxidation method, and thereafter the two silicon wafers are bonded. Then, the bonding strength of the wafers is increased by annealing. Furthermore, unnecessary portions are removed to leave an SOI layer having a desired thickness. The bonding method can control the thicknesses of the SOI layer and buried insulating layer freely.
A typical example of the bonding method includes a method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-21338 (this method is known as the ELTRAN (registered trademark) method) and a method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-211128 (this method is known as the Smart Cut (registered trademark) method).
As the bonding method includes a step of bonding two wafers, as described above, defects such as voids should not be caused in the bonding interface. Various types of approaches have been made to decrease the defects in the bonding interface.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-313689 discloses a method of bonding two substrates as bonding targets while leaving moisture contents on the two substrates to decrease void defects or blister defects. According to the prior art introduced in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-313689, the two substrates as the bonding targets are cleaned, and before they are bonded, they are dried by IPA steam dry.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-309101 discloses a method of SC-1-cleaning two substrates and thereafter bonding them.
Japanese Patent No. 3294934 discloses a method of activating, before bonding two substrates, the surface of one substrate by a plasma process and thereafter adsorbing water with the activated surface.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-331049 discloses a method of rendering, before bonding two substrates, the surface of one substrate hydrophobic.
In bonding the two substrates, a high bonding strength is obtained if the bonding step is performed after the bonding surfaces are rendered hydrophilic. As discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-331049, however, if the bonding surfaces are rendered hydrophilic, due to excessive moisture contents adsorbed by the bonding surfaces, voids tend to be easily formed in the peripheral portions of the bonding surfaces. In view of this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-331049 proposes an approach in which a bonding step is performed after the bonding surfaces are rendered hydrophobic and thereafter the lack in bonding strength is compensated for by a later annealing step.
In other words, conventionally, when the bonding surfaces are imparted with hydrophily, voids tend to be formed in the peripheral portion of the bonding interface. When the bonding surfaces are imparted with hydrophoby, the bonding strength tends to decrease.

Method of manufacturing bonded substrate stack


The disclosure relates to a one-piece garment that fastens securely and snugly in the neck and back through a unique threading system, has static arm holes snug enough to prevent diaper access, gives room through inner leg paneling for a pull-up, and has tapering legs with static openings to prevent diaper access through modification of the leg.

Scatolia, more commonly known as fecal smearing, is a common problem in children and adults with various genetic and clinical diagnoses (e.g. Autism, Angelman Syndrome, Dementia, Alzheimer's), as well as children who are going through a normal phase of child development. These individuals have the ability to undress and remove pull-ups but lack the cognitive understanding to choose a proper time and place to do so or have sensory or behavioral issues that prompt fecal smearing. Regardless of the cause, dealing with scatolia is difficult and time consuming. Indiscriminate nudity, especially when combined with the wandering tendencies associated with these populations, presents an additional problem. Safety, sanity, and hygiene can be at stake. Parents and caregivers who regularly clean up after fecal smearing incidents spend hours cleaning and disinfecting. In addition to the physical labor required for such efforts, parents and caregivers also experience a drain on the emotional resources needed to give the needed level of care long term due to the heightened stress level caused by the indiscriminate nudity, and incontinence combined with fecal smearing. Individuals who gain access to fecal matter in this way and ingest it are also at increased risk for contraction of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
For individuals with dexterity and persistence, current market offerings attempting to help with this problem are insufficient. Current offerings have a static neck, but the fastening system is elementary and can be overcome easily, sometimes with one hand. In addition, the arm holes are loose enough to allow access to diaper or pull-up through retracting arms through the arm holes and into the body of the garment. Some have a secure fastening system but are short enough or loose enough for the wearer to gain access to a pull-up or diaper through the leg of the garment. Some are also made with weak seam structure or fabric construction which allows for tearing the garment and rendering it useless.


A key fob actuator housing and associated system is disclosed for controlling a vehicle key fob via a mobile device. The key fob actuator housing has a set of actuators configured to selectively actuate one or more first buttons of a first key fob and one or more second buttons of a second buttons of a second key fob different than the first key fob buttons. The set of actuators can have a first subset of actuators configured to selectively actuate the one or more first buttons of the first key fob, and a second subset of actuators configured to selectively actuate the one or more second buttons of the second key fob. The subsets can be programmed via a mobile device, and the housing can have a receiver and controller for communicating with the mobile device and activating corresponding actuators to press the corresponding buttons on the key fob.

Remote keyless systems for vehicles are known. For example, key fobs may wirelessly communicate with the vehicle. A user can depress a button on the key fob to command various functions, such as lock the vehicle doors, unlock the vehicle doors, start the engine, etc. Recently, these functions are also available on a mobile device. For example, the owner of the vehicle may have a mobile device keyed to the controls of the vehicle; the owner can command similar functions (e.g., lock doors, unlock doors, start engine) on the owner's mobile device.


A system for estimating inputs and outputs of a digital transmission system is disclosed. The system includes a receiver front-end configured to receive an observed digital signal in the digital transmission system. The system further includes forward and backward recursion elements, at least one forward channel estimator, at least one backward channel estimator, and a combiner. The forward recursion element is adapted to receive the observed digital signal, and generate a first sequence of soft information by performing a forward recursion. The forward channel estimator is adapted to receive the observed digital signal and the first sequence of soft information, and to estimate channel parameters using the first sequence of soft information. The backward recursion element is adapted to receive the observed digital signal, and generate a second sequence of soft information by performing a backward recursion. The backward channel estimator is adapted to receive the observed digital signal and the second sequence of soft information, and to estimate channel parameters using the second sequence of soft information.

This invention relates to adaptive iterative detection schemes.
To improve performance, coverage, and efficiency, modern wireless communication systems utilize digital signaling techniques. However, as these communication systems become more widespread, the problem of achieving clear reception in a noisy transmission channel becomes important. Cellular phone systems are one example of wireless communication systems and they also serve to illustrate the problems associated with such systems. For example, a typical disturbance phenomenon in a cellular phone system is known as inter-symbol interference. This interference may occur from fading, reflections, delays, or other disturbances from the cellular phone system, which typically involve mobility between the transmitter and receiver.
In digital signaling, it should be possible to extract the "correct" symbol despite the presence of interference from other symbols using error control coding. However, this task is often complicated by poor knowledge of the characteristics of the transmission channel itself. For example, it is difficult to know just how cellular phone signals are being reflected, delayed, faded, and otherwise interfered with, as the cellular phone is moved around. Therefore, poor knowledge of the channel leads to uncertainty about integrity and accuracy of the received data. Accordingly, there are many known methods and systems that attempt to estimate the parameters of a transmission channel in order to better reconstruct a transmitted signal. However, in many practical situations, perfect channel estimation is not available at the receiver. Consequently an adaptive iterative receiver may deal with the unknown, and possibly time varying parameters.
Recognizing the above-described difficulties, a new class of codes, referred to as turbo codes, has been introduced. This class of turbo codes has made signaling at power efficiencies close to the theoretical limits possible. The features of a turbo code include parallel code concatenation, non-uniform interleaving, and iterative decoding. Because turbo codes may substantially improve energy efficiency, they are attractive for use over channels that are power and/or interference limited. Furthermore, turbo codes also offer good performance over fading channels. A turbo decoder may be used to decode the turbo code. The turbo decoder may include two soft-input/soft-output (SISO) decoding modules that work together in an iterative fashion.
The SISO decoding module is the basic building block for established iterative detection (ID) techniques for a system having a network of finite state machines, or more generally, subsystems. However, performing iterative detection for systems having parametric uncertainty may be complex and difficult. Previously proposed SISO techniques are either based on an oversimplified channel model, or have complexity that grows exponentially with the observation length (or the smoothing lag).


Disclosed is a desulfurization system using a catalyst for desulfurization, including a coal feed unit for conveying a combustible substance, a spray unit for spraying a catalyst for desulfurization, a coal pulverization unit for pulverizing the combustible substance conveyed from the coal feed unit, and a combustion unit for combusting the pulverized combustible substance, wherein during transfer of the combustible substance from the coal feed unit to the coal pulverization unit, the catalyst for desulfurization is sprayed using the spray unit and is mixed with the combustible substance. The desulfurization system of the invention can be simply and easily applied to various combustion facilities because, during the transfer of the combustible substance from the coal feed unit to the coal pulverization unit, the catalyst for desulfurization is sprayed and is mixed with the combustible substance, thereby efficiently reducing sulfur oxide (SOx) emission due to combustion of fossil fuel.

Sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) are noted pollutants that cause air pollution. In particular, sulfur oxide is present in industrial exhaust gas emitted upon combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur, thus causing various forms of environmental pollution, such as acid rain and the like.
Desulfurization methods for removing sulfur oxide from such industrial exhaust gas have been continuously studied, and flue gas desulfurization methods, which are post-combustion desulfurization methods, are typically used in factories and fossil-fuel-based power plants.
Flue gas desulfurization methods, including desulfurization of exhaust gas after combustion of fossil fuel containing sulfur gas, are classified into wet methods and dry methods. Wet methods are performed in a manner in which exhaust gas is washed with ammonia water, sodium hydroxide solution, lime liquor, etc. to remove sulfur oxide, and dry methods are conducted in a manner in which exhaust gas is brought into contact with particles or powder such as activated carbon, carbonate, etc. to adsorb or react with sulfur dioxide, thereby removing sulfur oxide.
However, flue gas desulfurization methods are problematic because a desulfurizer for treating exhaust gas has to be additionally provided, extensive labor is required, and high costs are incurred for operation of the desulfurizer, and moreover the desulfurization process is complicated.
Therefore, with the goal of reducing the emission of sulfur oxide related to the combustion of fossil fuel, there is an urgent need for research into a desulfurization method that exhibits superior desulfurization effects and is capable of being carried out in a simple and easy manner at industrial sites.

Desulfurization system using catalyst for desulfurization