In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a noise suppression mechanism for a seat belt retractor used in a vehicle. The preferred retractor includes a reel journaled on a reel shaft and having attached a ratchet wheel with ratchet teeth. The ratchet teeth may be engaged by a pivotally frame-mounted locking pawl. The pawl may pivot between an inoperative position in which the pawl is spaced from the ratchet wheel and an operative position in which an inertial device urges the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel to prevent protraction of the belt. The preferred noise suppression mechanism may include an interlocking disc being mounted on reel shaft for rotation with the ratchet wheel for rotating between an actuated position for immobilizing the locking pawl against rattling and a neutral position allowing the locking pawl to pivot freely. The disc may have a blockout cam having a curved engaging surface for engaging a pawl being spaced at different positions with respect to the ratchet wheel. A spring may be employed for uniformally biasing the disc into engagement with the ratchet wheel. The disc has predetermined rotation for preventing interference with the other retractor components and for ensuring effective application of the blockout cam for engaging the pawl for immobilizing the pawl.

A wide variety of seat belt retractors have been developed for preventing belt protraction during periods of rapid acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle. Many of these seat belt retractors include a reel, upon which a seat belt is wound, having a ratchet wheel with teeth for being engaged by a pivotally frame-mounted pawl. The pawl is normally biased in a non-engaging position in which the pawl is spaced from the ratchet wheel, and for preventing belt protraction, the pawl is commonly actuated into engagement with the ratchet wheel by an inertial mechanism operating in response to such periods of rapid acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.
However, during vehicle operation periods of constant speed or modest acceleration or deceleration, the pawl is typically biased, such as by gravity, to its non-engaging position with respect to the ratchet wheel, and hence, the pawl is free to pivot to abut the ratchet wheel in response to any vehicle vibration. Since the pawl and ratchet wheel are typically formed from metal, this abutment produces a rattle which may be disturbing to the driver and passengers and to those who are called upon to identify such rattle.
For many applications, however, it is desirable that seat belt retractors be provided with a noise suppression mechanism to quiet any such noise or rattle occasioned by such free movement of the pawl into the ratchet wheel during normal vehicle operation.
In this connection, much effort has been directed toward developing fail-safe noise suppression mechanisms that do not adversely affect the operation of the retractor's components, such as any emergency locking mechanisms employed for actuating the pawl into the ratchet wheel for preventing belt protraction. It also is important that these noise suppression mechanisms are capable of being cycled to insure their ability to operate under adverse conditions, and of meeting the requisite safety code specifications of the government and of the particular installer of such retractor.
The disadvantage of some noise suppression mechanisms intended to quiet the rattle occasioned by free movement of the pawl is either their tendency to adversely affect the operation of any emergency locking mechanism, such as an inertial mechanism, their inability to effectively cooperate with an emergency locking retractor employing an inertial mechanism and, in many applications, their tendency to render the retractor too large, complex and/or expensive.
The present invention pertains to a fail-safe, cost effective noise suppression mechanism which is sized accordingly so to be completely self-contained within an emergency locking retractor employing an inertial mechanism. The noise suppression mechanism is formed of relatively few and simple parts making it very cost effective.
As known in the art, it is common for noise suppression mechanisms to include some type of blockout means for engaging the pawl to space it from the teeth of the ratchet wheel. One example of such attempts is U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,294 to DiPaola which utilizes a flexible means for spacing the pawl from the ratchet teeth. A disadvantage with employing this flexible means is that it remains in constant contact With the pawl during normal operation and, as a result, tends to lessen the sensitivity of the pawl to the actuator or inertial mechanism. Thus, this type of noise suppression mechanism may render retractors unsafe due to its inability to freely respond to the inertial mechanism.
In response, efforts have been made to space the pawl from the ratchet wheel in seat belt retractors without lessening the sensitivity of the pawl to the inertial mechanism. Such attempts include using a rotational force generated from the protraction of the belt. The rotational force is captured, via a friction spring, to pivot a lever into an operative position to space the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. Examples of such retractors are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,142 to Saitow, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,656 to Tsuge et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,601 to Saitou et el. A disadvantage with these mechanisms is that the lever is only being actuated when the rotational force is generated during belt retraction. This is generally undesirable because during much of the time when the vehicle is under normal operation the seat belt is not being retracted, and thus, there is no rotational force being generated.
Another known retractor responding to belt protraction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,726 to Ulrich et al. as including a blockout means being actuated to immobilize a pawl against engagement with the ratchet wheel during belt protraction. This patent discloses a blockout means on a disc which rotates in response to belt protraction and retraction to rotate between an operative position and an inoperative position. A disadvantage with this design is that the blockout means is designed for a retractor in which the pawl is continuously biased into engagement with the ratchet wheel and which includes an inertial mechanism responsive only to rapid accelerated belt protraction and not to rapid acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.
It is further noted that there have been found in the art other applications of discs being similarly rotatable with the ratchet wheel. However, these discs have been used primarily to actuate automatic locking mechanisms in retractors and do not contemplate the present considerations relating quieting retractors utilizing emergency locking mechanisms in which an importance exists to not adversely affect any such emergency locking mechanism.
There is a need for a noise suppression mechanism which operates to block a pawl which is constantly biased out of engagement with the ratchet wheel in a retractor having an inertial mechanism responsive to rapid acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle.
A general object is to provide an emergency locking retractor employing an inertial mechanism with a fail-safe, small, self-contained noise suppression mechanism for immobilizing the pawl and inertial mechanism during periods except when the belt is being protracted as occurs at the time of an accident.
A further object is to provide a noise suppression mechanism which is highly durable, efficient, and cost effective to manufacture, install and operate.

Seat belt retractor having a noise suppression mechanism with a blockout cam


Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to oil well technology. More particularly, the invention relates to a downhole fluid flow and pressure equalization control and choke devices.
2. Prior Art
Flow control has been a concern of the oil drilling industry since the first well produced a gusher like that of spindle top in Texas on Jan. 10, 1901. Initially, flow control was focused upon surface based apparati, however, as technology advanced and multiple production zone/multiple production fluid wells grew in popularity, flow control downhole has become increasingly important.
One particular prior art device which has been very effective is the CM sliding sleeve commercially available from Baker Oil Tools, 6023 Navigation Boulevard, Houston, Tex. 77011. The sleeve employs one outer housing with slots and one inner housing with slots. The slots are alignable and misalignable with axial movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing. The tool is effective for its intended purpose but does not provide any selectivity regarding where on the circumference flow is desired. Other valving and choking devices are also available in the prior art but there is still a need for more efficient devices and specific devices to function where others have not proved effective. Moreover, devices which function with less or no input from the surface are also likely to have a significant positive impact on the industry.


An electron gun without deviation of diameter between grids, having a good object point diameter shape, and having a high cut-off voltage, which is cheap and has high performance, and a cathode ray tube provided with the same. The electron gun is provided with a spacer of a columnar shape which has surfaces facing each other on its two end surfaces, a beam aperture penetrating the spacer between the end surfaces, and conductive films provided on the two end surfaces, in which at least the circumferential wall of the beam aperture is constituted by a high resistance conductive material, the conductive films being used to constitute the grids and the beam aperture being constituted as an aperture for an electron beam.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electron gun in which distortion of an object point diameter etc. of an electron beam is reduced and a cathode ray tube provided with such an electron gun.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a color cathode ray tube (CRT), as shown in for example FIG. 1, a vacuum envelope is constituted by a panel 10, a funnel 11, and a neck 12. The panel 10 and the funnel 11 are bonded by frit glass 13. A phosphor surface coated with phosphors emitting lights of blue, green, and red is formed on an inner surface of the panel 10, and a color selection mask 21 is arranged close to this phosphor surface. An electron beam from an electron gun 30 accommodated in the neck 12 is deflected to a predetermined direction by a not illustrated deflection yokes. The beam passes through the color selection mask 21, reaches the phosphor surface formed on the inner surface of the panel 10, excites the predetermined phosphors, and makes them emit the light.
This electron gun 30 is a unipotential type and causes convergence of electrons emitted from red, green, and blue cathodes K1 to K3 onto the phosphor surface by the action of a prefocus lens constituted by a first grid G.sub.1, a second grid G.sub.2, and a third grid G.sub.3 and a main lens constituted by a third grid G.sub.3, a fourth grid G.sub.4, and a fifth grid G.sub.5. These grids are arranged so as to be coaxial.
An enlarged view of a conventional cathode K and prefocus lens system is given in FIG. 2. The first grid G.sub.1, the second grid G.sub.2, and the third grid G.sub.3 are assembled so as to be coaxial by fixing them to predetermined jigs and inserting their respectively provided connection pins CP.sub.1 to CP.sub.3 in melted bead glass BG. In the past, the precision of this assembly process has been a problem.
A model of the cathode lens system is shown in FIG. 3. The electron beam EB emitted from the cathode K is focused sharply to form a beam by the action of the first grid G.sub.1 and the second grid G.sub.2 and then expands. The smallest diameter of the beam will be referred to as an object point diameter .O slashed.c. This object point diameter .O slashed.c becomes an effective image of the convergence lens after this. Any axial deviation of an aperture diameter .O slashed..sub.1 of the first grid G.sub.1 and .O slashed..sub.2 of the second grid G.sub.2 and lack of parallelism of the distance d.sub.12 between the first grid G.sub.1 and the second grid G.sub.2 exert an adverse influence upon the shape and distortion of the object point diameter .O slashed.c formed by the cathode lens. In order to secure sufficient precision, steps have been taken with respect to the jigs and steps have been taken such as provision of guide holes in the first grid G.sub.1, second grid G.sub.2, etc., but they have not yet been sufficient.
An example of an electron gun designed to improve the precision of assembly is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This electron gun has a structure in which the first grid G.sub.1 and the second grid G.sub.2 are fixed in place via a ring-like spacer 33 made of an insulating material. In the assembly of this electron gun, first, as shown in FIG. 5, which is an enlarged view of the part surrounded by a circle in FIG. 4, metallized layers 33a composed of Mo--Mn are formed by sintering on the two end surfaces of a ring-like spacer 33 constituted by an insulator mainly composed of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, then a Ni plating 33b is applied. Silver solder 33c is interposed between this spacer 33 and the first grid G.sub.1 and the second grid G.sub.2, then the assembly is mounted on a jig for positioning the spacer 33, the first grid G.sub.1, and the second grid G.sub.2 is subject to heat treatment in a hydrogen furnace so as to bond the parts together.
In the production of this electron gun, however, nickel plating and brazing are carried out after metallizing the ceramic and other numerous steps are performed, so the process becomes expensive. In effect as well, only improvement of the beam spot diameter due to an improvement of the dimensional precision can be expected.
On another matter, as a cut-off voltage E.sub.kco of the electron gun, the following Equation (1) has been known. EQU E.sub.kco .alpha.(.O slashed..sub.1.sup.3 /d.sub.10 .multidot.d.sub.12t .multidot.t.sub.1).multidot.t (1)
The symbols in the equation are the same as the symbols shown in FIG. 3, that is, .O slashed..sub.1 is the aperture diameter of the first grid G.sub.1, d.sub.10 is a distance between the cathode K and the first grid G.sub.1, d.sub.12 is a distance between the first grid G.sub.1 and the second grid G.sub.2, and t.sub.1 is a plate thickness of the first grid G.sub.1. The higher the cut-off voltage, the larger the number of white and black gradations and thus the better the quality of the image. It is seen from this equation that the smaller the thickness t.sub.1 of the first grid G.sub.1, the higher the cut-off voltage E.sub.kco.
However, the grid is formed by a metal plate such as a stainless steel plate, therefore the thickness thereof is about 50 .mu.m. It is difficult to reduce the thickness more than this so long as the grid is formed by a metal plate.
On the other hand, the bead glass BG shown in FIG. 2 is assembled integrally also with the fourth grid G.sub.4 and the fifth grid G.sub.5. When the electron gun is used, for example, an anode voltage (20 to 30 kV) is applied to the third grid G.sub.3 and the fifth grid G.sub.5, and a medium voltage of 10 to 5 kV is applied to the fourth grid G.sub.4. These are higher in comparison with the about 700 V of the second grid G.sub.2, therefore the bead glass BG is charged and also the first grid G.sub.1 connection pin portion CP.sub.1 is given a high voltage. In order to eliminate the effect of charging this bead glass BG with a high voltage, it is necessary to make the distance d.sub.12 between the first grid G.sub.1 and the second grid G.sub.2 sufficiently smaller with respect to the outer diameter of the first grid G.sub.1 and the second grid G.sub.2. By rule of thumb, it is necessary to make the same about 1/10.
The same is true also for the electron gun shown in FIG. 4. Even when the voltage applied to the second grid G.sub.2 is set to 200 V, again, to eliminate the effect of charging the spacer (insulator) 33, as the shape of the second grid G.sub.2 shown in FIG. 2, it is necessary to adopt a configuration in which d.sub.12 is made sufficiently narrow by forming a convex portion on the first grid G.sub.1 side. There are therefore restrictions on the structure.

Electron gun having spacer placed between first and second electrode


A semiconductor device 100 comprising a substrate 102 having a through-substrate via hole 106, the through-substrate via hole 106 having formed therein: a first capacitor electrode layer 110a and a second capacitor electrode layer 110b, and a dielectric material layer 112 disposed between the first capacitor electrode layer 110a and the second capacitor electrode layer 110b; and a through-substrate via conductor 116. A method of forming a semiconductor device 100, the semiconductor device 100 comprising a through-substrate via hole 106, the method comprising forming, in the through-substrate via hole 106: a first capacitor electrode layer 110a and a second capacitor electrode layer 110b, and a dielectric material layer 112 disposed between the first capacitor electrode layer 110a and the second capacitor electrode layer 110b; and a through-substrate via conductor 116.

Through-substrate-via (TSV) technology is becoming a key enabler for 3-D chip stacking as well as 2.5D side-by-side integration techniques. It provides electrical interconnect between different chip (such as silicon chips) layers vertically. On-chip deep trench capacitors (DTCap) are widely used in advanced electronic systems for, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and voltage regulator applications, since they provide a high capacitance density. Fabricating through-substrate-via and deep trench capacitors can be both challenging and costly, since they can occupy much more die area compared to a modern metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET).
U.S. Pat. No. 8,492,241 B2 describes a method for simultaneously forming a through-substrate-via and a deep trench structure. A through-substrate-via and a deep trench capacitor or a deep trench isolation (DTI) are simultaneously formed on the same substrate by a single mask and a single reactive ion etching (RIE). The through-substrate-via trench is wider and deeper that the deep trench capacitor or deep trench isolation trench. The through-substrate-via and deep trench capacitor or deep trench isolation are formed with different dielectric materials on the trench sidewalls. The through-substrate-via and deep trench capacitor or deep trench isolation are perfectly aligned. Supposedly, the cost of fabricating both through-substrate-via and deep trench capacitor is reduced.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,785,289 B2 illustrates an integrated decoupling capacitor employing conductive through-substrate-vias. A capacitor in a semiconductor substrate employs a conductive through-substrate-via as an inner electrode and a columnar doped semiconductor region as an outer electrode. The capacitor provides a large decoupling capacitance in a small area, and does not impact circuit density or a Si 3D structural design. Additional conductive through-substrate-vias can be provided in the semiconductor substrate to provide electrical connection for power supplies and signal transmission there through. The capacitor has a lower inductance than a conventional array of capacitors having comparable capacitance, thereby enabling reduction of high frequency noise in the power supply system of stacked semiconductor chips. The high quality deep trench capacitor has electrical connections to both top and bottom layers.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,642,456 B2 implements semiconductor signal-capable capacitors with deep trench and through-substrate-via technologies. A deep trench N-well structure is formed and an implant is provided in the deep trench N-well structure with a through-substrate-via formed in a semiconductor chip. At least one angled implant is created around the through-substrate-via in a semiconductor chip. The through-substrate-via is surrounded with a dielectric layer and filled with a conducting material which forms one electrode of the capacitor. A connection is made to one implant forming a second electrode to the capacitor. The signal-capable capacitor based on through-substrate-via structure has more degree of freedom in terms of electrode connections.
United States Patent Publication No. 20130181326 A1 discloses an improved semiconductor capacitor and method of fabrication. A metal insulator metal (MIM) stack, comprising alternating first-type and second-type metal layers (each separated by dielectric) is formed in a deep cavity. The entire stack can be planarized, and then patterned to expose a first area, and selectively etched to recess all first metal layers within the first area. A second selective etch is performed to recess all second metal layers within a second area. The etched recesses can be backfilled with dielectric. Separate electrodes can be formed; a first electrode formed in said first area and contacting all of said second-type metal layers and none of said first-type metal layers, and a second electrode formed in said second area and contacting all of said first-type metal layers and none of said second-type metal layers.

Semiconductor device with a through-substrate via hole having therein a capacitor and a through-substrate via conductor


A self-retaining hand-held surgical retractor includes a main pair of blades mounted to a pair of fulcrumed levers. The proximal ends of two longitudinally extending bars are mounted to a toggle link carried between the handles. The bars pass through arms projecting from the levers above the plane containing the levers. A pair of supplemental blades are mounted to the bars. Closing the handles directly causes both the main pair of blades and the supplemental pair of blades to recede from each other, and also causes the supplemental pair of blades to move rearwardly from the main pair of blades through the action of the toggle link.

This invention relates to surgical retractors, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved surgical retractor of the dilating type.
In commencing a surgical procedure, a general surgeon makes one or more incisions in a human body. In order to obtain unhindered access to underlying anatomical features, the surgeon then uses a retractor to dilate or reflect the skin or underlying layers of tissue. A typical retractor is formed from surgical steel and includes one or more smooth projections, called blades, which are mounted normal to the handle and retain an area of tissue adjacent to an incision. (The term "blade" is thus a term of art as used herein, because no sharp edge is required.) A simple retractor may include only a blade attached to a handle. If a blade is curved, it may be described as being a certain number of inches or millimeters deep and a certain number of inches or millimeters spread. The surface of a blade may be described as being either closed-end (solid) or open-end (open within the periphery). A finger-like blade may have either a blunt or pointed tip.
A conventional hand-held self-retaining dilating retractor features a pair of levers which are fulcrumed to each other between their ends. Each lever includes a rear end constituting a handle and a front end to which one or more blades are mounted. The pivot lies between each lever's front end and its rear end. As the handles are closed, the front ends spread apart, causing the blades to recede from each other. One handle carries a curved rachet and a thumb-operated pawl is pivotally mounted to the other handle.
One advantage of using such a retractor is that the user may use one hand to operate the retractor, freeing the other hand to perform other functions such as inserting sponges and the like. This convenience may allow a procedure to be performed using a smaller surgical staff, thereby reducing labor costs.
In the modem medical practice, a surgeon may perform the same type of procedure many times per day. Members of the surgical staff who would use a hand-held dilating retractor during procedures in which the length of the incision is relatively great and the forces exerted by the tissue upon the retractor are relatively large might suffer from fatigue and be subject to injury resulting from the necessity repeatedly to supply pressure to close the handles against a relatively high resistance of tissue until the pawl and rachet are engaged. A surgeon must consider these factors when deciding whether a hand-held dilating retractor is practical for use in certain procedures.
For these reasons, it is important that the retractor efficiently transmit force exerted by the user's hand to the blades. Limitations on conventional hand-held dilating retractors lead many surgeons to reject their use during certain procedures.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,018,868 disclosed a hand-held dilating speculum and retractor which included a pair of main levers each having a main blade and a pair of supplemental levers each having a supplemental blade. The pair of main levers were between the pair of supplemental levers, such that a side of each supplemental lever contacted a side of its adjacent main lever. The main levers were fulcrumed to each other by a countersunk rivet constituting a main pivot, so that as the handles of the main levers were moved toward each other (closed), the main blades receded from each other (opened). Each supplemental lever was fulcrumed to its adjacent main lever by a shouldered screw 3 extending through a longitudinally extending straight slot 4 in the supplemental lever and threaded in such main lever. Shouldered screws 3 were positioned slightly to the rearward of the main pivot. A pin 6 mounted to each main lever handle extended through a longitudinally extending straight longitudinal slot 5 in the handle of its adjacent supplemental lever. Thus, closing the handles of the main levers transmitted force through pins 6 to the handles of the supplemental levers, opening the pair of supplemental blades along with the pair of main blades. The facing surfaces of the supplemental lever handles were convexly curved, and a pin 8 mounted to each main lever handle projected a sufficient distance to extend alongside this convex surface of its adjacent supplemental lever handle. Closing the pair of main lever handles caused pins 8 to slide along the convex surfaces of the supplemental handles, thus causing the supplemental levers to move rearwardly with respect to the pair of main levers, such rearward motion guided by sliding of screws 3 in slots 4 and pins 6 in slots 5.
The device as above described was mechanically inefficient; the closing of the pair of main lever handles exerts transverse force to pins 8, which works well to open the blades but must be redirected to exert longitudinal force through the constraint of the convex surfaces. As much of the force exerted by pins 8 on the convex surfaces is normal to rather than parallel to the convex surfaces, friction is thereby generated between pins 8 and the convex surfaces. Friction also is generated by forces exerted by screws 3 normal to the surfaces forming slots 4. Thus, in order to obtain free movement of the device, it was necessary to employ a lubricant. The lubricant was difficult to keep sterile, and as the operative area was close to the lubricated surfaces, particularly those located on the supplemental lever handle facing the patient, there was danger of infection from this source. The inventor himself later described this device as being more or less impractical.
A subsequent device by the same inventor, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,500,227, enlarged the main lever handles and provided convexly curved slots therein, described as being cam slots, receiving pins extending from the respective adjacent supplemental lever handles. While this later device provided the convex surfaces at a location more to the rearward from the operative area to reduce the danger of infection, it remained more or less the same in terms of its mechanical inefficiency.


An apparatus and method is provided for exchanging telephone call information between two computers, one of which is coupled to a computerized branch exchange (CBX) which services a plurality of telephone agents, the other of which contains telephone call statistics relating to the CBX. Business value records, each including information which relates a telephone agent to a business value datum such as a sales value from a telephone call, are generated in the first computer and transmitted to the second computer for storage into a database. Similarly, account code records, each including information which relates a telephone agent to an account code indicating the nature of a particular telephone call, are generated in the first computer and transmitted to the second computer. Call segment records, each including information relating to a particular telephone call segment, are also generated in the first computer and transmitted to the second computer. The second computer receives the transmitted business value, account code and call segment records, stores them into a database, and accumulates business value and account code value across a plurality of records according to a fixed time interval and one or more organizational hierarchies. A report generator is provided for generating useful reports from the accumulated values.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to telephone private branch exchanges (PBXs) and, more particularly, to a system and method for exchanging "business" information relating to telephone calls between two computers which each receive information from one or more PBXs.
2. Related Information
Private Branch Exchanges (PBXs) are switching devices used by organizations with a need for internal telephone communication and for routing telephone calls from external telephone lines to internal telephones. A PBX may be connected to a switching office of the public telephone network, and multiple PBXs may be tied together to handle a large number of telephone lines.
As technology has improved, PBXs have become more sophisticated, employing computer circuits and data storage facilities to automatically route telephone calls to available agents, and to monitor call information such as the duration of each call. Such PBXs are sometimes called CBXs (Computerized Branch Exchanges) to distinguish them from less capable devices. As an example, these CBXs can be used in an airline reservation system employing dozens or even hundreds of airline reservation agents, whereby a CBX routes incoming calls made to a toll-free number to an available agent. Agents can "log on" to the CBX by entering their log-on ID from the telephone at which they will service incoming calls.
An example of a conventional CBX is the ROLM 9751 family of CBXS, including the models 30 and 80. These CBXs can automatically store information regarding where each call was routed (i.e., which phone line), the duration of each call, the length of time required before the call was answered, and the like. This information, which is stored and accumulated in the CBX over a predetermined time period (such as every 15 minutes), can be retrieved and monitored by supervisors using preformatted data reports. Based on the preformatted data reports, the supervisors can make personnel changes due to changes in the incoming telephone call load.
FIG. 1(a) shows a conventional configuration for combining telephone call information with caller records and a business database. In FIG. 1(a), a first agent 06 operates a first telephone 04 and a first computer terminal 08 to handle incoming telephone calls such as airline reservations or catalog orders. The first telephone 04 is coupled to a first CBX 02, which is in turn coupled to a computer 01 such as an IBM mainframe of various models. First terminal 08 is also coupled to mainframe computer 01 through a record display generator 12 and a data entry program 13. Similar couplings are provided for a second agent 07 with a second telephone 05, a second CBX 03, and a second computer terminal 09. CBX 02 may optionally have a PC 15 coupled thereto for collecting and displaying certain statistics information retained by the CBX, such as the average time spent talking per agent. CBX 03 may also have its own PC 16 connected thereto for the same purpose.
In operation, incoming telephone calls are routed to telephone 04 by CBX 02. When a telephone call comes in and as the call progresses, various "call event" messages are automatically transmitted by CBX 02 to computer 01. A call event may include specific information such as the caller's telephone number, who answered the call, or the like. Call events (such as new calls, call transfers, call hang-ups, etc.) arrive in mainframe computer 01 into event handler 17, which logs the events into event log 18 and routes new call events to a caller look-up function 10, which searches caller database 11 for corresponding information on the caller (such as the caller's account information, latest transaction, medical records, etc.). Upon retrieval from caller database 11, caller look-up function 10 transfers the caller's information to record display generator 12, which generates display information and transmits it to terminal 08 for viewing by agent 06. Thus, the agent can speak to the caller on telephone 04 and have immediately displayed on terminal 08 specific known information regarding the caller. If the caller is placing a catalog order or requesting other services from the agent, the agent 06 can enter such information on terminal 08 through data entry program 13. The new information provided by the caller (such as a catalog order with credit card information) is stored into a business database 14. If caller database 11 does not contain any prior information on the caller (such as the caller's address or social security number), new information may be stored into caller database 11 based on information provided by the caller. The components on the right hand side of FIG. 1(a) operate similarly to those on the left, with a different agent 07.
The conventional arrangement shown in FIG. 1(a) makes it difficult to correlate sales and other business information stored in business database 14 with performance statistics for each agent or group of agents. For example, it is difficult to correlate the average amount of time spent on the telephone by a group of agents with the amount of business generated by the group, because the mainframe's call event information does not include information regarding such groups. There is no mechanism for correlating the numerous other statistics maintained in CBXs 02 and 03 with the business information maintained on mainframe computer 01 or with other organizational information.
For example, it would be desirable to automatically identify the average sales volume generated by a particular catalog department to which a group of agents belongs, or the average number of insurance policies sold for a particular agent during a particular period of time. Even if certain statistics which are stored in each CBX (such as average length of time spent per call per agent) were directly transmitted from each CBX to mainframe computer 01, problems would arise with respect to multiple log-on identifiers per agent, agents moving between CBXs, agents belonging to different organizational hierarchies, and statistics kept across groups of agents. Additionally, mainframe computer 01 could become bogged down with additional data collection and storage tasks, slowing down the other applications running on it. PCs 15 and 16 already provide a certain degree of CBX statistics information locally, and replicating such functions in mainframe computer 01 would be wasteful and possibly duplicative. In short, the arrangement shown in FIG. 1(a) does not allow for easy correlation of the desired information.
In summary, there has been an unsatisfied need to combine "business" related information normally stored on one computer with telephone calling statistics accumulated from one or more CBXs in order to generate reports which cross-reference the collected information. For example, it would be desirable to correlate the average amount of time spent on the telephone for a particular sales agent with the amount of products sold by the agent, and because these two types of information are typically kept in separate computers and organized substantially differently, this has heretofore been difficult.

Method and apparatus for interfacing computers to exchange telephone call business information

Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.


A multiple output switching power source apparatus includes first and second transformers each having a primary winding, a first secondary winding, and a second secondary winding; a first control circuit adjusting a time for applying a DC voltage to the primary winding of the first transformer; a first rectifying-smoothing circuit rectifying and smoothing a voltage generated at the first secondary winding of the first transformer and providing a first output voltage; a second control circuit adjusting a time for applying the DC voltage to the primary winding of the second transformer; a second rectifying-smoothing circuit rectifying and smoothing a voltage generated at the first secondary winding of the second transformer and providing a second output voltage; and a third rectifying-smoothing circuit rectifying and smoothing a voltage across a series winding having the second secondary windings of the first and second transformers and providing a third output voltage.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a multiple output switching power source apparatus according to a related art. In this multiple output switching power source apparatus, an input voltage Vin is a DC voltage produced by rectifying and smoothing an AC voltage of a commercial power source. The input voltage Vin is connected in series with a primary winding P1 of a transformer T1 and a switching element Q1 made of, for example, a MOSFET. A control circuit 11 controls ON/OFF of the switching element Q1.
On the secondary side of the transformer T1, a secondary winding S1 is wound to generate a voltage having a phase opposite to that of a voltage of the primary winding P1 of the transformer T1 and is connected to a rectifying-smoothing circuit. The rectifying-smoothing circuit consists of a diode D1 and a smoothing capacitor C1, to rectify and smooth the voltage induced by the secondary winding S1 of the transformer T1 and provide a first output voltage Vo1 from a first output terminal.
The converter for providing the first output voltage Vo1 is generally known as a flyback converter that accumulates exciting energy in the primary winding P1 of the transformer T1 during an ON period of the switching element Q1, and after the switching element Q2 turns off, discharges the energy through the diode D1 to the output. A feedback circuit 10 feeds back an error signal between the first output voltage Vo1 and a reference voltage to the control circuit 11. According to the error signal, the control circuit 11 adjusts an ON width of the switching element Q1, thereby controlling the first output voltage Vo1 to a predetermined value.
A second output voltage Vo2 and a third output voltage Vo3 are provided by DC/DC converters 21 and 22 that are, for example, step-down choppers connected to the first output terminal of the flyback converter.
This multiple output switching power source apparatus is capable of accurately providing the three output voltages Vo1, Vo2, and Vo3. To provide the second and third output voltages Vo2 and Vo3, however, the DC/DC converters 21 and 22 should have parts such as switching elements, choke coils, and control ICs that increase costs and packaging areas. In addition, the switching elements must turn on/off paths for passing a large current, to cause excessive switching loss and noise. If the outputs must be insulated from one another to prevent interference among circuits, the circuit configuration of the related art is inapplicable.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a multiple output switching power source apparatus according to another related art. This multiple output switching power source apparatus consists of a first converter including a transformer T1, a switching element Q1, a rectifying-smoothing circuit (D1, C1), a feedback circuit 10-1, and a control circuit 11-1, a second converter including a transformer T2, a switching element Q2, a rectifying-smoothing circuit (D2, C2), a feedback circuit 10-2, and a control circuit 11-2, and a third converter including a transformer T3, a switching element Q3, a rectifying-smoothing circuit (D3, C3), a feedback circuit 10-3, and a control circuit 11-3. Namely, each output consists of a flyback converter. This circuit configuration can insulate outputs from one another.

Multiple output switching power source apparatus


A screen assembly, associated kit and method of forming the same. The screen assembly is adapted to filter intake air passing through an exterior surface of an air processing unit, and includes a substantially rectilinear screen mesh having opposing top and bottom edges, opposing proximal and distal edges, and top and bottom contact surfaces which laterally extend along the respective extents of the top and bottom edges. The screen mesh is formed from a plurality of transversely aligned, spaced apart filaments arranged to filter contaminants from the inlet air. Opposing first and second attachment members respectively secure the proximal and distal edges to the exterior surface so as to apply a tension force to the screen mesh which seals the top and bottom contact surfaces in direct contacting abutment against the exterior surface, thereby eliminating the need for one or more mechanical fasteners along the top and bottom edges.

Residential and commercial heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems often employ air processing units, such as an air conditioning compressor unit or a heat pump, that are located outdoors. Such an air processing unit is typically configured to exchange heat with the surrounding ambient air and can include a number of coils through which a compressed fluid is directed.
Closely spaced cooling fins are often placed adjacent the coils to facilitate the heat transfer, and a fan is often used to direct an air flow through the fins and adjacent the coils. Since the assemblies are located outdoors, it is common for dirt and other debris to collect on and between the fins and coils over time, reducing the effectiveness of the air processing units.
While a number of prior art solutions have been proposed in an attempt to prevent or reduce the collection of such particulate debris, there nevertheless remains a continual need for improvements in the art that are easily and inexpensively manufactured and installed, as well as adaptable to a number of different sizes and shapes of air processing units. It is to these and other such improvements that the present invention is generally directed.

Screen assembly kit for an air processing unit


A microprocessor executable contact manager operable to determine, for selected different types of customer communication devices, a likelihood of contacting successfully a customer at a respective type of customer communication device and select, based on the likelihood, an order and/or sequence in which to contact customer communication devices of the different customer communication device types.

A contact center manages all client contacts of a business or other entity through a variety of mediums, such as telephone, fax, letter, e-mail and, increasingly, online live chat. Distinct from call centers, that purely handle telephone correspondence, contact centers have a variety of roles that combine to provide an all encompassing solution to client and customer contact. Contact centers have many different configurations.
Contact centers can include automated dialer to effect outbound contacts to customers for a variety of different reasons, such as emergency notifications, debt collection, telemarketing and the like. Automated dialers enable a contact center to contact as many customers as possible in a limited time period. In current dialing solutions where there are multiple ways to contact a customer, such as home phone, office phone, mobile or cellular phone, pager, and the like, phone numbers can organized by device type (e.g., home phone, office phone, mobile or cellular phone, pager, and the like) so that a first device type is attempted first, a second device type second, and so on. However, this organization is in the discretion of a supervisor and might be required to be changed frequently based on changing circumstances. Also, there is no way to account for the day of the week or special days, such as holidays. Once set by the supervisor, the dialer attempts will be made to reach the customer in the same set order (e.g., if set first for office phone, second for home phone, and third for cellular phone) regardless of the day of the week, time of day, or applicable holiday (if any). In other words, it will use the set order until the dialer gets a response irrespective of whether the current day is a national holiday, weekend day, or business day. When the day of the week is a weekend or a national holiday, for example, the most likely number to try would be either the home or cellular phone numbers followed by the office number. Following the set order would therefore cause the dialer to waste precious time by making unanswered calls to the office phone number first. As a typical automatic dialer makes thousands of calls each day, the wasted time can be substantial.

Prioritize contact numbers of customers in real time


A smart process control switch can implement a lockdown routine to lockdown its communication ports exclusively for use by devices having known physical addresses, enabling the smart process control switch to prevent new, potentially hostile, devices from communicating with other devices to which the smart process control switch is connected. Further, the smart process control switch can implement an address mapping routine to identify “known pairs” of physical and network addresses for each device communicating via a port of the smart process control switch. Thus, even if a new hostile device is able to spoof a known physical address in an attempt to bypass locked ports, the smart process control switch can detect the hostile device by checking the network address of the hostile device against the expected network address for the “known pair.”

Process control systems, such as distributed or scalable process control systems like those used in power generation, chemical, petroleum, or other processes, typically include one or more process controllers communicatively coupled to each other, to at least one host or operator workstation via a process control network and to one or more field devices via analog, digital or combined analog/digital buses.
The field devices, which may be, for example, valves, valve positioners, switches and transmitters (e.g., temperature, pressure and flow rate sensors), perform functions within the process or plant such as opening or closing valves, switching devices on and off, and measuring process parameters.
The process controllers, which are typically located within the process plant environment, receive signals indicative of process measurements or process variables made by or associated with the field devices and/or other information pertaining to the field devices, and execute controller applications or routines. Each controller uses the received information to implement a control routine and generate control signals that are sent over the buses to the field devices to control the operation of the process or plant. The controller routine or routines implement control modules that make process control decisions, generate control signals based on the received information, and coordinate with the control modules or blocks in the field devices such as HART® and Fieldbus field devices. The control modules in the process controllers send the control signals over the communication lines or signal paths to the field devices, to thereby control the operation of the process.
Information from the field devices and the process controllers is typically made available to one or more other hardware devices such as, operator workstations, maintenance workstations, personal computers, handheld devices, data historians, report generators, centralized databases, etc., via the process control network. The information communicated over the network enables an operator or a maintenance person to perform desired functions with respect to the process. For example, the information allows an operator to change settings of the process control routine, modify the operation of the control modules within the process controllers or the smart field devices, view the current state of the process or status of particular devices within the process plant, view alarms generated by field devices and process controllers, simulate the operation of the process for the purpose of training personnel or testing the process control software, diagnose problems or hardware failures within the process plant, etc.
The field devices usually communicate with the hardware devices over the process control network, which may be an Ethernet-configured LAN. The network relays the process parameters, network information, and other process control data through various network devices and to various entities in the process control system. The network devices typically facilitate the flow of data through the network by controlling its routing, frame rate, timeout, and other network parameters, but do not change the process data itself. Some typical network devices include, e.g., Layer 2 network switches, Layer 3 network switches, routers, and/or hubs. The Layers herewith referenced are related to the OSI model layers.
Generally speaking, a Layer 2 network switch receives a message and forwards the received message via one of its ports associated with a MAC address of the destination device (identified by the message) within a LAN. A Layer 2 network switch typically stores a table establishing relationships between MAC addresses and corresponding switch ports. When the Layer 2 network switch receives a message, it identifies the destination MAC address of the message, identifies from the table a port of the switch corresponding to the MAC address, and forwards the message via that port. If the Layer 2 network switch receives a message with a destination MAC address that is not stored in the table, it will broadcast the message to all ports of the switch, which may repeat until the message reaches the destination device and the destination device replies, thus notifying the switch of the appropriate port "mapped" to the destination MAC address. Notably, Layer 2 switches do not perform routing, do not utilize IP addresses to make forwarding decisions, and do not track intermediary nodes between the switch and the destination device. Rather, a Layer 2 switch simply references the table to determine which port of the switch should be used to forward the message.
On the other hand, Layer 3 devices (such as routers and Layer 3 switches) often perform routing, identify intermediary nodes, and utilize IP addresses for forwarding and/or routing. This routing capability and ability to utilize network addresses enables Layer 3 devices to route data to destinations outside of a LAN to which the Layer 3 device is connected. While routers and Layer 3 network switches are sometimes capable of routing process control data within a process control network, routers and Layer 3 switches can be significantly more expensive than Layer 2 switches, particularly when designed or configured for operation in a process control environment (e.g., two to three times more expensive).
As process control networks grow in size and complexity, the number and type of network devices correspondingly increases. As a result of system and network growth, security and management in these complex systems becomes increasingly challenging. For example, each network device may include one or more communication ports that provide an access point or port for physically inter-connecting the process control system components and other network devices to each other across the network. These network device ports may become an access point for network expansion by adding other devices or may allow an entity, malicious or not, to access the network and initiate unwanted and potentially harmful network traffic.
To address security concerns regarding malicious entities, some control switches have a disabling mechanism for disabling a port (e.g., an unused port) to prevent a device from communicating via the disabled port. Further, some control switches sometimes have lockdown mechanisms (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,033) that can "lock" a port to limit communication via the locked port to a single device that was connected to that port at the time of lock down. However, these traditional lockdown mechanism are limited. In particular, the traditional lockdown mechanisms fail to lockdown (i) ports having more than two connected devices and/or (ii) ports connected to a second switch (sometimes called an "uplink port"). Uplink ports are generally excluded from a network security lockdown (i.e., left unlocked) in order to maintain uplink port functionality during the lockdown and to avoid inadvertently implementing an overly restrictive lockdown that interferes with plant operation. Further, some switches categorize a port connected to a daisy chain of devices as an "uplink port" in response to identifying multiple devices connected to the port and assuming the port is connected to a switch. Thus, while some control switches may implement traditional lockdown mechanisms to prevent a hostile device from connecting to a network via a port that was previously unused (e.g., by disabling that port) or that was connected to only a single end-device (e.g., by locking that port), these switches remain vulnerable at any ports connected to an uplink switch, to more than two end-devices, or to a single device having multiple physical addresses (e.g., virtualized systems).

Enhanced smart process control switch port lockdown


A sine pulse width modulation controller includes an edge detection unit for receiving a feedback input signal from the external electrical device to generate an edge signal, a register unit for storing and outputting a parameter signal, an angle increasing unit for receiving the edge signal and the parameter signal, determining cycles of pulse width modulation and generating an angle signal, a sine calculation unit for receiving the angle signal and performing a recursive algorithm based on the angle signal to implement the recursive algorithm so as to generate a sine calculation value, a multiplication unit for receiving the sine calculation value which is then further multiplied by the amplitude signal from the register unit to generate a pulse width signal, and a sine output unit receiving the pulse width signal to generate driving signals for driving the external electrical device to generate a sine terminal voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a sine pulse width modulation controller, and more specifically to a sine pulse width modulation controller for generating pulse width modulation driving signals for sine.
2. The Prior Arts
For various electrical and electronic application fields, especially in the power conversion, it requires to provide a sine with high precision. In the prior arts, a large amount of sine values is previously stored in the memory medium to construct a lookup table, and the system can easily read or fetch the sine value corresponding to an angle from the lookup table.
However, one of the shortcomings in the prior arts is that a large volume memory is needed and the precision of the sine generated is considerably limited. Therefore, it is greatly desired to provide a sine pulse width modulation controller which implements a suitable algorithm to save memory size and simplify the whole system architecture, thereby overcoming the above problems in the prior arts.


Apparatus 10 discloses a compartmentalized waste and recyclable container 12. The compartmentalized container 12 is comprised of a divided waste container having removable receptacles 24, 26. One receptacle is designed for holding normal waste 26 while the other is designed for holding recyclables 24, such as cans, jars, plastic bottles, etc. The waste container has a sectioned lid 16, 17 providing access to either or both containers. The apparatus 10 also provides means whereby the container can be opened by a foot-operated mechanism 14, 15, relieving the user of having to have a free hand for access. Additionally, the container can incorporate wheels 18 for mobility and apertures 20 within the exterior wall. Each of the interior removable receptacles 24, 26 can also have handles 22 mounted thereto for ease of removing and carrying.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to waste receptacles and, more specifically, to a compartmentalized waste and recyclable container. The compartmentalized container is comprised of a divided waste container having removable receptacles. One receptacle is designed for holding normal waste while the other is designed for holding recyclables, such as cans, jars, plastic bottles, etc. The waste container has a sectioned lid providing access to either or both containers. The present invention also provides means whereby the container can be opened by a foot operated mechanism, relieving the user of having to have a free hand for access. Additionally, the container can incorporate wheels for mobility and apertures within the exterior wall. Each of the interior removable receptacles can also have handles mounted thereto for ease of removing and carrying.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other receptacles designed for recyclables. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,592 issued to Lee on Nov. 7, 1989.
Another patent was issued to Haas, et al. on Sep. 10, 1991 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,635. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,958 was issued to Witthoeft on May 12, 1992 and still yet another was issued on Mar. 9, 1999 to (NAME) as U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,904.
A refuse collection apparatus for segregation of recyclable materials and the like includes an outer container body which receives a plurality of inner complimentary receptacle units. Each receptacle unit includes recessed handle members at the upper edge thereof to facilitate removal from the outer container and a lower handle portion at the opposite end of the unit for convenient carrying and dumping of the unit. In one embodiment, a wire support frame is fitted within the rim of the outer container body to support lip portions of the receptacle units. In another embodiment, a receptacle tray is provided to rest within the container body on the receptacle units for collecting stackable recyclable materials such as newspaper, while only partially covering the access openings to the receptacle units for permitting deposit of refuse therein without removing the tray. In a third embodiment a partition wall divides the interior container area into two collection chambers, one being provided with receptacle units and a tray for segregated recyclable collection while the other is utilizable for non-recyclable collection. A pivoted cover for the recyclable chamber enables automated inversion and dumping of the other chamber.
An improved trash separator container is provided and consists of a housing having a closed bottom wall and an open top. A first mechanism is within the housing, for dividing the housing into multiple compartments to separately store different types of trash items which are to be recycled therefrom. A top cover fits over the open top of the housing. A second mechanism is in said top cover, for gaining access into each of the compartments so as to deposit the different types of trash items into the compartments. A third mechanism is connected to the closed bottom wall of the housing, for rotating the housing latitudinally along its axis when placed upon a flat surface so that one portion of the access mechanism will always face a person, allowing the person to deposit the trash items into one of the selective compartments.
A refuse collection unit for household use comprising a container body defining a first storage area adapted to receive at least a conventional plastic refuse bag therein and a second storage area adapted to receive at least two removable rigid liners in a side-by-side disposition therein. The removable liners are each used to store a particular type of recyclable refuse material therein, and the conventional plastic refuse bag for storage of nonrecyclable refuse. The liners include a bottom wall, three liner walls and an upwardly stepped fourth wall. Hand-gripping elements are provided on each of said liners. The first storage area rises higher than the second storage area for easy recognition of the areas. In addition, a pair of hinged cover members are provided, one for the first storage area and the other for the second storage area. A third liner may be placed in the first storage area to occupy substantially one-half of said first storage area.
An apparatus for dividing a trash can into a plurality of separate compartments for separating and storing recyclable materials. The plurality of separate compartments are formed by placing a plurality of insertable dividers into the trash can. The dividers combine to define an aperture in the center of the trash can opening to a lower volume of the trash can, permitting the disposal of metal cans or some other material into the lower volume.
While these receptacles may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.

Compartmentalized trash and recyclable container


The present invention describes an improved process for the preparation of Dabigatran Etexilate (Formula-VII) or it's pharmaceutically acceptable salt for the treatment of thrombosis, cardiovascular diseases etc. and intermediates involved in the synthesis.

Dabigatran Etexilate Mesylate (VII), chemically known as β-Alanine, N-[[2-[[[4-[[[(hexyloxy) carbonyl] amino] iminomethyl] phenyl] amino]methyl]-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl]-N-2-pyridinyl-, ethyl ester, methanesulfonate, is a thrombin inhibitor. The structure of Dabigatran Etexilate in the form of mesylate salt is as shown below in compound of formula (VII):

The compound of formula VII above also represents Dabigatran Etexilate (Wherein MsOH is absent in formula VII).
Dabigatran etexilate was first described in International patent application WO 98/37075 and the process for manufacture was reported in WO 2006/000353 and also in J. Med. Chem, 2002, 45, 1757 by N. Hauel et al.
Two general routes have been reported for the synthesis of Dabigatran etexilate (VII). The first process was disclosed in WO98/37075 and a modification of the first route has been described in WO 2006/000353. Both the synthetic routes start from the 3-nitro-4-methylamino-benzoic acid and are presented in Scheme 1.

Both the routes (Scheme-1) involved three common intermediates II, III and VI, of which VI can be obtained from either IV or V depending on the substituted glycine used for the synthesis. According to the previous reports, all the intermediates required column purification to prepare substantially pure Dabigatran Etexilate and the processes are not suitable for industrial scale production of the same. The synthesis of intermediate II has been reported in several patents and require either a chromatographic purification or a tedious purification procedure such as converting into the HCl salt followed by recrystallization to obtain 97% pure intermediate II. In both cases, the yield is less than 50%. Similarly, Intermediate III is one of the key intermediates in the Dabigatran Etexilate synthesis and the process involves the reduction of nitro group either by hydrogenation in presence of Pd/C or in presence of sodium dithionite. Both the methods (Scheme-1, catalyst Pd/C) resulted in the formation of product with higher level of impurities. WO 2012/004397 reports the product as a solid and in US 20110082299 (WO 2009/111997) wherein the reduction of nitro group is performed in presence of Sodium dithionite, the intermediate is reported as a dark red coloured viscous liquid and used without further purification. However, it is essential that the key intermediate III must be very pure to obtain the intermediate VI as very pure compound thereby isolating the Dabigatran Etexilate API with required purity in the final stage.
Similarly, the intermediates IV and V prepared by either CDI or PPA mediated coupling with glycine derivatives followed by acetic acid mediated cyclization resulted in the formation of highly impure products, and purified by either column chromatography or by converting the crude reaction mixture to suitable salts. Both the methods afforded low yield and purity thereby the process is not suitable for the commercial scale production of Dabigatran Etexilate.

Process for the synthesis of dabigatran and its intermediates


A vacuum cooking apparatus for household use, comprising, on a supporting structure which has a column-like extension, at least one unit for packaging in pouches in vacuum food products to be cooked, at least one unit for cooking the food products arranged in pouches and at least one unit for quick refrigeration of the food products arranged in pouches and cooked, the at least one unit for packaging food products in pouches in vacuum comprising a vacuum packaging machine which is mounted on a drawer-like element which is supported so that it can slide by the supporting structure in order to pass from a retracted position, in which the vacuum packaging machine is arranged within the outer peripheral contour of the supporting structure, to an extracted position, in which the vacuum packaging machine is positioned at least partially outside the supporting structure, and vice versa.

A cooking technique, commonly known as "vacuum cooking", is known which consists in practice in vacuum packaging the foods to be cooked in pouches which contain any seasonings and flavoring agents and in subsequently placing the foods thus packaged in mixed convection/steam ovens in order to cook them.
Currently, this cooking technique is used exclusively in the professional field, since due to the large space occupation and considerable complexity of use of the apparatuses required to perform it, it is practically unusable in the household field.

Vacuum cooking apparatus for household use


A system has a plurality of functional modules including a first functional module and one or more other functional modules. The first functional module includes an embedded memory element and is configurable in a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode. When the first functional module is in the first mode, access to the embedded memory element is limited to the first functional module. At least one of the one or more other functional modules is provided with access to the embedded memory element based at least in part on the first functional module being in the second mode.

An electronic system may include memory elements with relatively low latency, such as registers and caches, as well as high-latency memory, such as main memory. Accessing the high-latency memory takes longer and consumes more power than accessing the low-latency memory. However, the capacity of the high-latency memory is greater than the capacity of the low-latency memory. Also, access to the low-latency memory may be limited to particular functional modules within the system.

Mode-dependent access to embedded memory elements


Disclosed are a BBU power configuring method and a BBU which determine required power which is requested by a BBU to an RRH to transmit a downlink signal to a terminal based on RRH power headroom information in a cloud LAN environment in which the RRH and the BBU are separated and transmit a power allocation change request message for making a request for changing transmission power of other BBUs connected to the RRH to the other BBUs.

A radio access network (RAN) configuration has been changed such that various types of small cells such as a pico cell and a femto cell interact with a macro cell. The RAN configuration refers to a heterogeneous cell configuration or a hierarchical cell configuration in which small cells for low power/near field communication coexist in addition to an existing macro cell-based homogeneous network. An object of a new RAN configuration is to increase QoE (Quality of Experience) by providing a high data transfer rate to an end user.
In a complicated urban environment, it is inefficient to install an additional macro cell base station as in conventional cases. This is because system throughput is not significantly improved compared to increase of cost and complexity for installation of an additional macro cell due to a shadow area of the communication environment. Thereby, in a new heterogeneous cell structure, multiple small cells coexist in a macro cell, and are assigned resources according to a cell coordination scheme to serve UEs. Such heterogeneous cell structure is intended to provide a high data transmission rate for end users to enhance Quality of Experience (QoE).
In small cell enhancements for E-UTRA and E-UTRAN study item (SI) as one of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard scopes, research has been ongoing into enhancement of indoor/outdoor scenarios using low power nodes, and the scenarios is described in 3GPP TR 36.932. In small cell enhancements for E-UTRA and E-UTRAN SI, research has been conducted to draw advantages of concept of dual connectivity to small cell layers and a macro cell layer in which a user uses the same or different carriers.

Method for configuring downlink transmission power through RRH in cloud LAN environment


In a leadthrough for an electrical high voltage conductor through a wall which separates a process area from an ambient area, comprising a body of a dielectric high voltage resistant material, two axially adjacent geometric base structures are provided, a cylinder and a truncated cone having a smaller diameter end adjacent the cylinder so that the cylinder has a radial annular surface area adjacent the truncated cone, and the cylinder includes axially extending gas supply bores arranged uniformly distributed over the circumference of the cylinder and having exit openings at the radial annular face of the cylinder such that gas supplied to the gas supply bores at the ambient area end of the cylinder is discharged from the gas supply bores onto the outer surface of the truncated cone to form a gas envelope around the truncated cone.

The invention relates to a leadthrough for an electrical high voltage through a wall which separates a process area from an ambient area. The process area has at least in its entrance area an atmosphere which is contaminated by, or includes, liquid droplets (aerosols) and/or carbon or dust particles and which is therefore separated from the environment.
In order to remove such contaminating aerosols or solid particles from the process atmosphere, it is conducted in the process area through cleaning equipment.
Such equipment are for example electrostatic dust collectors or electrostatic wet dust removers. They are generally used for removing contaminants from the air or from gases. The contaminants are removed by being electrostatically charged and then collected on grounded electrodes. To this end, a high electrical voltage must be supplied from a source in the ambient area to the respective high voltage equipment in the process area. Such electrostatic collectors and electrostatically enhanced wet scrubbers remove particles form exhaust gases. In many of the devices developed in the last years, a reduction in size of the devices and increased long-time stability was achieved. Often high voltage leadthroughs extend through the wall or are provided by way of an added structure.
An electrostatic high voltage shield can be used to pre-vent particle deposition on the insulator (see WO 00/30755). In this case, the conductive casing is connected to the same high voltage source as the discharge electrode so that a high voltage electrical field is generated in the area between the casing and the close-by grounded surfaces of the housing. Accordingly, the charged droplets or particles present in the gas are deposited on the grounded surface and not on the high voltage insulators. In order to prevent vapor condensation on the insulators, the insulators are heated since condensation on the insulators could reduce the voltage at the electrical connector. To this end, an electrostatic heater is connected to the insulator in order to maintain it at a temperature of at least 10° C. above the temperature of the surrounding gas. Generally, a few degrees are sufficient to prevent vapor condensation.
The insulators can also be heated by an injection of dry warm cleaning gas into the shield which surrounds the insulators (U.S. Pat. No. 6,156,098 or WO 00/47326. The flow of air around the insulator keeps the surface of the insulator free from moisture and dust deposits so as to keep the insulator clean and generally free from sparking. By the admission of the air by way of a blower or other air pressure generating means to a certain degree air cooling and controlled heating as well as cleaning is provided for in connection with air conditioning in the precipitation device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,863 discloses a self-cleaning venture insulator for an electrostatic precipitator. The insulator consists of a dielectric material into which a spark over can burn only with difficulty. The air flow admitted through a venturi nozzle protects the surface of the insulator from the deposition of impurities from the exhaust gas.
The effectiveness of cleaning the gas depends on a reliable operation of the high voltage supply. Good electrical high voltage insulating materials, which are readily available are important and designs suitable for the ambient area and the process area and particularly the geometries are very important. During operation, the high voltage insulator is exposed to the charged and not charged particles suspended in the gas as well as to the condensed vapors which are possibly present. Over an extended period, the collection of condensed material on the insulator detrimentally affects the insulator. Therefore the insulator must be kept free of impurity deposits so as to avoid sparking. Furthermore, the cleaning intervals must be extended. In addition, the manufacturing costs must be reduced while the insulation properties should be improved.
In this connection, particular attention should be directed to the high voltage leadthrough which is installed in the wall between the ambient and the process area and by way of which the high voltage required for the electrostatic cleaning device can be safely and longtime-reliably provided.

Leadthrough for an electrical high voltage through a wall surrounding a process area


A motor drive circuit comprises positive and negative input terminals for connection of the motor circuit to a DC supply, a DC link filter connected between the input terminals: an electric motor having at least two phases, a plurality of motor drive sub-circuits, each connected to a respective phase of the electric motor and which each control the flow of current into or out of the respective phase of the motor that has been drawn from the supply through the DC link filter, and a switching means provided in the electrical path between the DC link filter and the electric motor drive sub-circuits, the switching means being movable between a closed position in which it connects the DC link filter to the motor drive sub-circuits, and an open position which isolates the DC link filter from the motor drive sub-circuits.

This invention relates to a motor drive circuit which is especially, but not exclusively, suited to use in an electrical power-assisted steering (EPAS) system for a vehicle.
EPAS systems are known of the kind comprising an electric motor connected through a gearbox to act on a steering mechanism of the vehicle. For example, the gearbox may provide a connection between the motor and a steering column shaft, or directly onto a portion of a rack and pinion mechanism forming part of the steering mechanism.
The electric motor is used to assist a driver in applying torque to the steering mechanism, by applying an assistance torque of the same sense, to make it easier to turn the steering wheel, for example during parking manoeuvres. Thus, operation of the motor may assist in rotating the steering column shaft, or moving a portion of the steering rack mechanism. Of course, the motor may be connected to any part of any typical steering mechanism as long as it can provide an assistance torque to aid the driver in turning the steering wheel.
The motor, which may be a multi-phase brushless star-connected permanent magnet motor, is controlled by motor control means comprising control and drive circuits, which is operative to supply a current from a power supply to the motor phase windings. The phase windings of the motor are connected at a star point. Each phase is connected to a common supply rail which connects in turn to a positive terminal of the power supply by a top transistor, and to a negative supply rail which connects to a negative terminal by a bottom transistor, the two transistors defining an arm of a multiple arm bridge. This bridge forms the drive circuits, while the control circuits are provided by a microprocessor or digital signal processor or analogue signal processing or some combination thereof. The microprocessor is operative in response to signals from a torque sensor provided on the steering column to measure the torque applied by the driver, from a motor rotor position sensor providing information about motor speed and direction and optionally from signals corresponding to current flowing in the motor bridge or power supply. This information can be used in combination with the torque sensor signal and/or column position sensor signal to determine which phase winding should be energised and when. The microprocessor produces control signals which are used by a bridge driver to energise the transistors of the drive circuits to cause current to flow in a desired motor phase.
To prevent noise from the motor being passed to the DC supply terminals, a DC link filter is provided between the terminals and the motor phases. The purpose of this filter is to smooth out or filter out any high frequency noise that may be produced. It typically comprises a capacitor connected between the supply rails, and may also include one or more inductors connected in series in each rail between the terminals and the motor phases.
A problem with this electrical power-assisted steering system is that a fault occurring in the motor drive or control circuits can cause an error condition which is unacceptable in a vehicle steering system, where safety is critical.
For example, suppose that a top transistor in one arm of the bridge is energised in error while a bottom transistor in another arm of the bridge is also energised in error. This fault would result in a phase of the motor becoming permanently energised and cause the motor to become permanently attracted to a particular position, tending to clamp the steering column in position and resist rotation. This would be readily apparent to the driver, and is clearly undesirable. This situation could occur if the bridge driver is at fault, or if a short circuit occurs across the drive stage transistors, or if a short circuit occurs across the DC link supply.
One known solution to this problem is to provide a clutch between the motor and the steering column. The clutch, typically a dog or friction clutch, is normally engaged but in the event of a fault being detected, the clutch is operated to disengage the motor from the steering column. However, the clutch is costly and bulky, and additional test procedures must also be incorporated to check that the clutch can still be disengaged should it be necessary to do so, which again adds to the cost and is time-consuming.
Another solution is to provide a means for isolating the motor drive stage from the motor in the event of a failure, for example by providing a relay between the drive stage transistors and the phase connections to the motor. Yet a further solution is to use a relay to isolate the motor phases from the star point of the motor. Both of these solutions remove the drive current from the motor but are not without their problems and inherent disadvantages. Over time the contact resistance of a relay may deteriorate, perhaps reducing their operational speed, and they are also costly as well as bulky items to add to a motor.
Without any means to isolate the motor from the drive stage the phase windings are still connected together and also still connected to the drive stage. As a result of this an electrically conducting path could still be present around the bridge (i.e. through two short circuited transistors and two phase windings). Then, on rotation of the motor shaft drive due to rotation of the steering column, a back EMF is produced in one or more of the windings. As a result of this EMF and the complete electrical path around the bridge, a substantial current can flow through the motor phase windings which produces a torque in the opposite sense to the rotation of the motor shaft. This resisting torque is highly undesirable because in this case, not only is steering assistance lost due to disconnection of the power supply, but a resisting torque is then applied which makes turning the steering column difficult.
Another problem encountered in such a system is a short circuit to earth across the DC link filter. This is especially problematic where the capacitor is an electro-lytic component as a short can cause a catastrophic failure to occur.
Any device placed in the motor current path needs to be capable of carrying the motor current, breaking the high current inductive loads that may be present, and maintaining a low contact resistance.
These problems are, of course, not unique to applications in electric power steering systems.


A vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens through which an optical axis passes. The optical axis extends in a front-and-rear direction of a vehicle. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens; a reflector which reflects a direct light from the light source toward a front direction so as to become close to the optical axis; a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source and having an edge portion positioned near the rear focal point of the projection lens; and an auxiliary reflector disposed between the projection lens and a shade. The auxiliary reflector reflects a part of the light reflected by the reflector toward the projection lens such that an upward irradiation light is irradiated from the projection lens. The shade shields a part of the light reflected by the reflector and a part of the direct light emitted from the light source and forms a cutoff line of a light distribution pattern. A space is provided between the auxiliary reflector and the shade so as to maintain a light quantity of at least 75% of a main light distribution obtained by the light reflected from the reflector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projector-type vehicle headlamp. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp operable to irradiate an overhead sign.
2. Background Art
A projector-type vehicle headlamp is configured such that light emitted from a light source disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction (a front-and-rear direction) of the vehicle close to the optical axis is reflected in a forward direction by a reflector. The reflected light is irradiated in a forward direction of a lamp through a projection lens provided in front of the reflector.
In a case in which such a projector-type vehicle headlamp is adapted for a low beam (dipped beam) irradiation, a shade, which shields a part of the light reflected by the reflector and removes an upward irradiation light, is provided between the projection lens and the reflector. Thus, a beam is irradiated in a forward direction in a low beam light distribution pattern having a predetermined cutoff line.
In the projector-type vehicle headlamp, the upward irradiation light is removed almost completely by the shade. For this reason, an overhead sign (hereinafter referred to as OHS) disposed above a road surface in the forward direction of the vehicle cannot be seen clearly.
Therefore, there has been proposed a vehicle headlamp in which an auxiliary reflector for causing a part of a light reflected by a reflector to be incident as an upward irradiation light on the projection lens is provided extending toward the projection lens side from the vicinity of an upper edge of the shade and an OHS irradiation light for irradiating the OHS is obtained by the upward irradiation light incident on the projection lens by the auxiliary reflector (for example, see JP-A-7-29402).
However, in a case in which the auxiliary reflector for causing a part of the light reflected by the reflector to be incident as the upward irradiation light on the projection lens is provided in the vicinity of the upper edge of the shade for forming a cutoff line as in the vehicle headlamp which has been described in JP-A-7-29402, a main light distribution reflected by the reflector and passing through the vicinity of the upper edge of the shade is intercepted by the auxiliary reflector. For this reason, there is a possibility that an insufficient quantity of light of the main light distribution might be caused.
In the above vehicle headlamp, a light distribution pattern is formed by the OHS irradiation light so as to be continuous just above the cutoff line of a low beam light distribution pattern formed by the shade. Consequently, there is a possibility that the OHS irradiation light might cause glare for a car running on an opposing lane if a quantity of the light reflected by the auxiliary reflector is large.
Therefore, there has been proposed a technique for regulating deposition treatment (i.e., regulating a thickness of a reflecting film) in order to reduce a quantity of the light reflected by an auxiliary reflector formed with a reflecting surface by depositing a reflecting film on a surface of a transparent member. However, a great deal of time and labor is required for the process of forming the reflecting film through deposition, thereby causing an increase in cost.


A relay node (200) transmits a terminal handover request, which requests permission for a terminal handover, or a relay station handover request, which requests permission for a relay station handover, to a radio base station (100A). When the relay node receives a handover instruction which instructs a relay station handover, the relay node carries out a relay handover; and when the relay node receives a handover instruction which instructs a terminal handover, the relay node transmits the handover instruction to at least one among a group of radio terminals (300E-300G).

A radio communication system of the next generation to implement higher-speed communications than the currently-operated 3rd generation and 3.5th generation radio communication systems includes LTE (Long Term Evolution) standardized by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), which is the standardization organization for the radio communication systems. The LTE-advanced in which the LTE is advanced is planned to employ relay transmission using a radio relay station referred to as a relay node (see, for example, non-patent literature 1).
The radio relay station is a relay base station with a small output, which can be connected to a radio base station (a macro base station) via a radio link. A radio terminal connected to the radio relay station communicates with the radio base station via the radio relay station. The installation of a radio relay station in a cell edge, coverage hole or the like of the radio base station makes it possible for a radio terminal to perform communications under better conditions by indirectly communicating with the radio base station via the radio relay station, than by directly communicating with the radio base station.


A speech signal coding apparatus inputs a pitch period generated by coding a speech signal, and outputs information on a range for said pitch period, together with the pitch period. A speech signal decoding apparatus inputs the pitch period and the above information on the range, and determines whether or not the pitch period is within the range. When the pitch period is determined to be within the range, the speech signal decoding apparatus outputs the above pitch period. When the pitch period is determined not to be within the range, the speech signal decoding apparatus outputs as a pitch period a predetermined value within the range.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a speech signal coding apparatus for encoding a speech signal to compress and transmit speech data, and a speech signal decoding apparatus for decoding the coded speech data to regenerate the speech signal.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In recent typical speech signal coding systems, a short term prediction coefficient is obtained by a short term prediction analysis in a short term prediction filter, a pitch prediction coefficient and a pitch period are obtained by a long-term prediction analysis in a long-term prediction filter, and a prediction residual signal is generated by inverse characteristic filters of the short and long-term prediction filters, and the above short term prediction coefficient, the pitch prediction coefficient, the pitch period, and the prediction residual signal are multiplexed and transmitted. Further, to transmit information on the prediction residual signal more efficiently, a Code-Excited Linear Prediction Coding (CELP) System and a Multi-Pulse Excitation Coding (MPC) System have been proposed. In the Code-Excited Linear Prediction Coding (CELP) System, a prediction residual vector is vector quantized, an index thereof is transmitted, and in the Multi-Pulse Excitation Coding (MPC) System, a prediction residual vector is modelled by a sequence of a limited number of pulses, and an optimum pulse position and an optimum pulse amplitude are transmitted.
However, when the above coding systems are used in situations wherein a transmission line error may occur frequently, such as mobile communication, error correcting coding or correction of a parameter containing an error, are required to prevent degradation of a signal due to the transmission line error.
In the correction of a parameter, a parameter containing an error is corrected by interpolation or extrapolation from the other parameters received at times near the time the parameter containing the error is received. However, the interpolation or extrapolation of parameters degrade a regenerated speech signal when parameters do not contain an error. Therefore, it is desirable to carry out the above operation only for the parameter containing the error.
In particular, in a speech signal coding system wherein a pitch prediction coefficient and a pitch period are obtained by long-term prediction analysis, and transmitted, the pitch period is a most important parameter for a voiced sound portion of a speech signal, and therefore, an error in the pitch period information will seriously degrade the quality of the regenerated sound.
However, since speech signals contain an unvoiced sound, which is non-periodic, the correction of an error by interpolation or extrapolation is difficult for a transmission line error in the pitch period even when the error is detected by an error detecting code in a speech signal decoding apparatus.

Speech signal coding and decoding system transmitting allowance range information


Embodiments relate to a LED lighting system comprising a power supply circuit for supplying a power supply current to a LED strip (200). The power supply circuit (100) includes input terminals (K1, K2) for receiving a power voltage from a power supply voltage, output terminals (K3, K4) connected to the input terminals of the LED strip (200), a sensing module (106) coupled between the output terminals (K3, K4) for measuring an impedance of the LED strip (200). The sensing module is adapted to drive a switch (104) and to transmit a measured impedance value to a driver module (108). The driver module (108) is adapted to generate the power supply current depending on the length of the LED strip (200), as reflected by the measured impedance value.

Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to techniques of supplying power to a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting system, and more particularly to methods and devices for automatically controlling a supply current used for powering such a system.
Related Art
The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Since they have a high efficiency and long life, LED lighting systems are increasingly used in many applications such as domestic lighting, for instance. In many lighting systems, LEDs also offer a higher optical efficiency than any other light source. As a consequence, LEDs represent an interesting alternative to the well known light sources such as fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge lamps or incandescent lamps.
LED lighting systems known in the art may comprise a power supply module for supplying power to a luminaire which may comprise a plurality of LED components inside a flexible slab, for example made of silicone, also known as a thin flexible luminaire.
A local current control unit may be provided inside the LED luminaire itself. A disadvantage exists, however, for instance when the LED luminaire is a cut-table luminaire, because such solution does not allow taking into consideration the various specifications of any specific application in which the LED luminaire may be used, in particular the actual length of the slab once cut to fit the requirements of the application. Further, using current controllers inside the flexible luminaire for each LED module would increase the manufacturing cost.
A solution allowing decreasing the process cost associated with a thin flexible luminaire can consist of using a current controller that is external to the LED luminaire. A main disadvantage of this solution, however, is that the LED luminaire cannot be a cut-table LEDs luminaire, because the outside current source would then have a fixed current adapted to power the original, i.e. longest length of the LED slab.