Systems and method for dynamically tracking assets located in different geographic zones are disclosed. Disclosed embodiments include a central zone hosting an inventory system. The inventory system is in network communication with remote zones that include sensors for interrogating tagged assets located in the zones. The inventory system is configured to poll the remote zones to obtain information regarding the tagged assets and store the information in a database. The inventory system may then determine whether any of the received information deviates from an expected result, and take appropriate action in response to the deviation.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates generally to inventory management, and in particular, to managing inventory using active RFID technologies.
2. The Prior Art
Background
Accurately tracking inventory is crucial for manufacturing companies. When companies cannot properly track inventory, improper stock balances may lead to increased financial costs and customer dissatisfaction. One area where inventory management is problematic is when inventories are dispersed over a wide geographical area, and throughout many different segments of a company. For example, field sales personnel may carry finished goods as samples. A further challenge exists when companies store finished goods at a customer's location on a consignment basis, and the inventory is managed by the customer.
A lack of inventory control can lead to many problems, including the over-stocking of raw materials and finished goods to compensate for poor systems as managers attempt to prevent shortages. Sales and service personnel may also engage in self-serving efforts by stockpiling inventory to get around poor inventory systems. Also, unpredictable inventory levels inevitably lead to increased costs resulting from crisis management when inventory must be expedited as managers attempt to get the right inventory to the customer on time.
Accurate tracking of specific pieces of inventory can become critical when the inventory is a high-value item, such as in the medical and instrumentation industries. Hospitals may store items that cost several thousands of dollars on site in case of a medical emergency. When such an item is consumed, either the hospital must inform the vendor, or a local sales representative will note the use when conducting an on-site visit. Furthermore, field-based personnel often carry around high cost items as samples or service replacements. As a result, inventory managers may not have an accurate account of where high-value assets are located, how many are at a particular location or with a particular employee, or when they are consumed by a customer.
Prior art methods for managing inventory typically comprise bar code scanner-based systems where inventory is tracked by scanning a barcode as the inventory moves from one station to the next. However, scanner-based systems have serious shortcomings when inventory moves out of the immediate factory environment. Sales and service personnel, particularly those that work in the field or at a customer's location, may not be properly trained or otherwise motivated to systematically scan inventory in their possession. Therefore, managers responsible for the company's assets may not have an accurate real-time picture of where their inventory is located.
A newer technology being used in inventory management is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) that comprises a radio tag that is automatically scanned as it passes near a reader. Passive RFID tags can be effective in a managed factory environment where inventory travels along predetermined routes and resides in known locations. However, passive RFID tags have a range of only several feet, making passive RFID tags only as effective as barcodes when the inventory leaves the factory as the RFID tags must be manually scanned.
Furthermore, passive RFID tags typically do not perform accurately in challenging situations, such as in arbitrary architectural environments where metal structures may be present including metal shelving in a store room, or in the garage of an office building or home. Finally, in the systems of the prior art, inventory enclosed in a metal container, such as the samples contained in the trunk of an employee's car, must be accounted for by hand.

Method and apparatus for real-time tracking of inventory using active RFID technology


An electric arc spray gun wherein the spray tips can be precisely aligned is disclosed. The gun body includes converging wire guides located at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal. The diameter of the central portion of each wire guide is slightly less than the bore in which it is received permitting the wire guide to be deflected by the application of pressure to its outer surface. Such pressure is applied by the advancement or retraction of threaded fasteners received through the gun body. By deflecting the wire guides relative to one another, the spray tips can be precisely aligned. The wires which pass through the wire guides and the spray tips come together within the air cap on the gun resulting in the gun producing a very highly defined metallic spray.

The two wire electric arc spray process is the least expensive of the metal spraying processes used for applying metallic coatings. Any electrically conductive materials supplied in wire form can be sprayed. A wire feeder pushes two electrically charged wires through flexible conduits into an arc spray gun where the wires converge and an arc is created. The wires melt in the high temperature zone created by the arc and a concentrically located compressed air stream sustains the arc, atomizes the molten metallic material and conveys the metallic particles onto the object being coated. The particles cool and coalesce into a high quality metal coating on the object being coated.
The design of most electric arc spray guns is such that numerous problems arise in the operation of same. For example, the spray tips must be held in very close alignment and such alignment typically requires very accurate machining of the gun head which is a very expensive process. Alternatively, alignment of the spray tips and wires is sometimes achieved by the combination of a nozzle positioner, a nozzle cap and an arc shield retaining nut assembly. The nozzle positioner and the nozzle cap are supplied in different styles and types. All of these components must be removed each time the spray tips become worn necessitating their replacement. This cumbersome process results in the breakage of components and the possible misalignment of the spray tips. In addition to the problem of maintaining the spray tips in alignment, the design of most electric arc spray guns is such that the wires come together outside the orifice of the air cap. This design results in a less defined spray column which, in turn, reduces the density of the metallic coating on the object being coated. A well defined spray column is difficult to achieve and/or maintain when the wires come together outside the orifice of the air cap.
In view of the foregoing, it has become desirable to develop an electric arc spray gun wherein the spray tips can be held in precise alignment without expensive machining operations and wherein the gun produces a very well defined spray column in order to produce uniform metallic coatings having a high density.


Cathodic protection of a reinforced concrete structure utilizes a metal anode such as a zinc anode in combination with a pressure sensitive ionically conductive hydrogel in contact with at least a portion of the surface of the anode. Preferably, the anode and ionically conductive hydrogel are flexible and supplied in roll form. The combination may further include the addition of salt to the hydrogel as well as application to the metal-hydrogel combination of Type III cement. The cathodic protection may be carried out with or without a power source.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cathodically protecting reinforced concrete structures, such as the decks or substructures of bridges, wharfs and parking garages. The present invention especially relates to a cathodic protection apparatus which can be utilized in a variety of applications, e.g., from patching old concrete to installation in new construction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Steel corrosion, in steel reinforced concrete structures, is the result of electrical current flowing from one point of the steel reinforcement to another. Such corrosion is enhanced by moisture and salt contamination of the concrete. Conventional cathodic protection applies an external direct current to the steel reinforcement from a current distribution anode which is in intimate contact with the concrete surface. The current from the distribution anode counteracts the corrosive current.
A technical bulletin captioned "Raychem Ferex 200 Cathodic Protection for Reinforced Concrete Structures" discloses a cathodic protection system for reinforced concrete structures. The system comprises flat anode strips and plastic channels by which the anode strips are attached to the underside of a concrete structure. The anode strips comprise an anode and a gel-like material which provides contact between the anode and the concrete structure. The gel-like material also conforms to irregularities in the concrete surface. The system is installed by preparing the surface of the concrete, attaching the anode strips and support channels to the prepared surface, wiring the system together, and then connecting the system to a power source. The anodes are in the form of an anode wire made of a conductive polymer electrode material coated onto copper conductors. The conductive polymer serves as an active anode material and also shields the copper conductors from chemical attack.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,212 discloses an anode structure for cathodic protection of the reinforcing members of reinforced concrete. The anode structure comprises an electrically conductive graphite tape. The tape is connected to a direct current power source. An electrically insulating backing is disposed between the tape and the surface of the reinforced concrete. The anode also has a conductive mastic or polymer which covers the graphite tape and which extends beyond the edges of the tape onto the concrete surface. The conductive mastic or polymer distributes a cathodic protection current from the graphite tape to the reinforced concrete.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,444 discloses an anode for cathodic protection of a metallic structure, such as a steel pipe, subject to corrosion. The anode comprises a strip or band of sacrificial anodic material. The strip or band has a pressure sensitive adhesive layer which permits the strip or band to be adhesively secured directly to the metallic structure. The adhesive layer is electrically conductive, and has a protective covering which permits the anode to be rolled up without adhesion between adjacent windings of the anode. Examples of adhesives disclosed in the patent are acrylic glues or vinyl glues.
U S. Pat. No. 4,506,485 discloses a system for cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures. The system comprises a current distributing anode coating of zinc metal which is flame-sprayed onto at least a part of the exposed concrete surface. The zinc anode coating is connected with the reinforcing steel through a power source by which current flow is induced from the coating to the reinforcing steel. By flamespraying the metal onto the concrete, a coating is obtained which, in contrast to a metal paint, is free of a binder, and thus is more conductive. The flamesprayed metal anode coating more effectively distributes the cathodic protective current to the reinforced concrete structure than a metal paint.
In addition to strips or tapes, or sprayed systems of sacrificial metal applied to the surface of an object to be protected, it has also been known to cut channels into concrete and to place a sacrificial metal anode in the channel. Danish Patent No. 104,493 discloses cutting channels into concrete near steel reinforcement and then placing magnesium anodes into the channel. A resilient, preferably foam, material can be placed in the channel with the anode. This material can be compressed by the expansive corrosion products resulting from the corrosion of the sacrificial anode.

Method and apparatus for cathodically protecting reinforced concrete structures


A connector assembly having a first connector portion, a second connector portion, and connector position assurance structure. An anti-deflection tab and an anti-deflection protrusion are employed in the connector assembly to control movement of the connector position assurance structure relative to the remainder of the connector assembly.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Connector assemblies with connector position assurance (CPA) structures are known in the art. Such CPA structures are typically slidably coupled to a first one of a pair of mating connectors and are movable between first and second positions relative to the first connector. The CPA structure is movable into the second position only when the pair of mating connectors is fully mated. Moreover, the CPA structure is employed as a means for resisting the decoupling of the pair of mating connectors. In this regard, the pair of mating connectors typically employs mating locking tabs to resist decoupling.
Some CPA structure configurations are known to inhibit complete engagement between the mating locking tabs of the mating connectors and/or to be susceptible to the application of a deflecting force (i.e., a force directed to the CPA structure in a direction other than which results solely in axial sliding movement of the CPA structure). Accordingly, some of the known CPA structure configurations may be less resistant to inadvertent separation of the mating connectors and/or may provide a false indication to a technician that CPA structure is in a position that permits the mating connectors to be unmated. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a connector assembly with an improved connector position assurance structure.

Connector assembly with connector position assurance stabilizer


A composite molded article obtained by laser welding molded article composed of a polyester resin composition having a crystallinity of 15% or more as calculated with fast scanning calorimetry by a calculation method, wherein the calculation method includes using fast scanning calorimetry, the polyester resin composition is heated from 30° C. to 260° C. at 10000° C./second, then maintained at 260° C. for 0.1 second, then cooled to 80° C. at 5000° C./second, maintained at 80° C. for 0.1 second, then cooled to −70° C. at 5000° C./second, and then heated to 260° C. at 1000° C./second, after which the curve obtained is used to calculate the crystallinity.

Polyester resins, particularly polybutylene terephthalate resins have excellent injection moldability, mechanical characteristics, heat resistance, electrical characteristics, chemical resistance and the like, by virtue of which such resins are widely used for injection molded articles in fields of machine parts, electrical and communications parts, automobile parts and the like. Although such an injection molded article undergoes good molding efficiency, the shape of the article is restricted by the flow characteristics of the resin and the structure of the mold. This restriction makes it difficult to mold a very complicated article.
When the shape of a product is complicated, the parts are conventionally joined with an adhesive, joined mechanically with a bolt or the like, or joined otherwise. However, an adhesive does not yield sufficient strength of adhesion, and in addition, mechanical joining with a bolt or the like is accompanied by problems of cost, fastening labor, and product weight increase. On the other hand, external heat welding methods such as laser welding and hot plate welding and friction heat welding methods such as vibration welding and ultrasonic welding enable joining in a short time. In addition, those welding methods use no adhesive or metal part, and thus do not cause a problem of the cost of such an adhesive or metal part, product weight increase, environmental pollution or the like. Accordingly, such a method of joining is increasingly used.
Laser welding, which is one of the external heat welding methods, is a technique in which resin molded products are superposed one on the other, and exposed to a laser beam, which is transmitted by the one and absorbed by the other so that the resin is melted and fused. That technique enables three-dimensional joining, enables contactless processing, and generates no burr, and by virtue of those advantages, such a technique is propagating in a wide range of fields.
Polybutylene terephthalate resins have high dimensional stability and low water absorbing properties, and thus are used in many various applications. Such resins have a much lower laser beam transmittance than polyamide resins. Accordingly, when a polybutylene terephthalate resin is used for a molded article on the laser beam transmitting side, and where a laser welding technique is applied, the low laser beam transmittance imposes very stringent restrictions on the thickness of the molded article. This demands an approach for decreasing the thickness to enhance the laser beam transmittance, thus causing a low degree of freedom for product design.
Besides the absolute value of the laser beam transmittance, a large variation in transmittance among the parts of the molded article to be used on the laser beam transmitting side can cause a welding defect. Accordingly, to perform laser welding stably, it is desirable to control the transmittance at the parts of the molded article to be used on the laser beam transmitting side. In addition, performing laser welding stably demands controlling the dimensional characteristics of the molded article. In particular, it is desirable to control the amount of warpage of each molded article to decrease a gap and a position shift at the welded portion between the molded article on the laser beam transmitting side and the molded article on the absorbing side.
Against the above-mentioned problems, JP 2014-512420 A discloses a method of adding an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid to a polyester resin to improve the transmission of a laser beam.
In addition, JP 2013-53316 A discloses a method in which a laser transmitting thermoplastic resin having good mechanical strength is obtained by adding a specific glass fiber to a thermoplastic resin.
According to JP '420, the transmittance demanded by laser welding for a molded article is good, but the transmittance is variable, the transmittance varies among the parts of the molded article, and the warpage of the molded article is large. Those influences can cause a welding defect, creating a problem of difficulty in obtaining stable laser welding quality. In addition, a thermoplastic resin disclosed in JP '316 is a polyester resin basically having low laser transmitting properties, and thus, does not have sufficient transmittance. In addition, the injection moldability is problematic. Thus, a laser transmitting material further having excellent productivity is demanded.
In view of this, it could be helpful to provide the following: a polyester resin composition having good injection moldability and excellent mechanical strength and also yields stable laser welding quality achieved through controlling high laser transmitting properties at the parts of a molded article and controlling the dimensional characteristics of the molded article; a molded article produced using this resin composition; and a composite molded article produced using this molded article.

Polyester resin composition, molded article, and composite molded article


A fastener for use in connecting first and second structural members together. The first and second members have aligned bores defining a fastener receiving hole including a countersink portion extending from an outer surface of the first member and a through portion extending from an inner end of the countersink portion to an inner surface of the first member. The through portion has a mouth at its intersection with the countersink portion. The fastener comprises a head having a shape which is different than the shape of the countersink portion when the head is in an undeformed condition. A shank extends from the head and is dimensioned to be received through the through portion of the fastener receiving hole and to extend outwardly from the bore of the second member when the head is in contact with the first member in the countersink portion. The head is constructed for plastic deformation upon force being applied thereto such that substantial cold working of the material of the head occurs at the mouth of the through portion and the head assumes a shape complementary to that of the countersink portion to provide a uniform fill of the countersink and through portions of the bore of the first member.

This invention relates to fasteners for connecting adjacent structural members and, more particularly, to a rivet having a deformable head for providing uniform fill of rivet holes in the structural members.
Rivets are used in various industries as an inexpensive fastener. The rivets generally include a head and a shank which are inserted into aligned holes of adjacent structural members and deformed to permanently join the structures. In the aerospace industry rivets are used in many applications, such as attaching aircraft skin to wing structure. Riveted structures are often selected for their ease of installation and enhancing fatigue characteristics of the structure. These characteristics, however, are dependent on the hole-filling capability of the rivet. Rivets presently available do not provide both sufficient radial enlargement of the head, and deformation and expansion of the head toward a head to shank junction. This prevents the formation of compressive residual stress in the surrounding structure required to provide a satisfactory fatigue life of the structural joint.
Conventional rivets have a preformed head to conform to the shape of the bore in the structure, thus little cold working of the head takes places during installation of the rivet. The preformed head prevents expansion of the rivet at the head to shank junction which results in lack of hole fill in this critical area. Improper hole fill may result in relative movement between structural components which may initiate fatigue cracks. Furthermore, if adequate hole fill is not achieved, fluids and sealants can enter gaps between the rivet and structure and may get entrapped and cause corrosion and weakening of the joint.
A prior art rivet R is shown in FIG. 1 inserted into two structural members M prior to upsetting of the rivet. The rivet has a head H which generally conforms to the shape of a countersink C in the structural member. During upsetting of the rivet R, the head H is only slightly deformed and undergoes a small amount of radial expansion to fill the countersink C. Since the head H has previously been formed to its near final shape, the preformed head inhibits expansion of the rivet R in a head to shank junction J.
Moreover, the rivet shown in FIG. 1 must be precisely sized to provide sufficient volume to adequately fill the countersink without protruding beyond the surface of the structure. The rivet head must be as flush as possible for aerodynamic surfaces of high performance aircraft since surface irregularity can degrade performance due to aerodynamic drag. If the volume of the head is smaller than the countersink, the rivet will not adequately fill the opening and leave gaps between the rivet and structure, if the volume of the head is greater than the countersink, the rivet will extend beyond the surface of the structure. The structure or rivet will then have to be machined to provide a flush surface. This extra machining step is time consuming and increases the manufacturing costs of the structure and aircraft.
In order to eliminate this final machining, precision drilled structures and precision machined rivets have been developed. This significantly increases the cost of the rivet and machining of the structure. These close tolerance requirements also result in a high rejection rate of the structural joint.


The present disclosure provides an electromagnetic heating device, comprising: an electromagnetic heating unit, an infrared heating unit and a MCU. The MCU is coupled with the electromagnetic heating unit and the infrared heating unit, so as to control the electromagnetic heating unit and the infrared heating unit to heat individually or simultaneously. The electromagnetic heating device of the present disclosure, since it comprises an electro electromagnetic heating unit and an infrared heating unit, the heating of the heating appliances of different materials can be performed, the application thereof is wide and unrestricted. In addition, since the infrared heating unit is comprised, the maximum heating power thereof is not limited by that of the coil disk.

The existing electromagnetic heating devices such as electromagnetic oven which usually has only coil disks, is able to merely heat ferromagnetic cooking appliances while unable to heat un-ferromagnetic cooking appliances, the variety of the cooking appliances that is used by the electromagnetic oven is limited. In addition, for ferromagnetic cooking appliances, the maximum heating power thereof is also restricted by that of the coil disks.

FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA ELECTRICAL HEATING APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


A biosensor is fabricated by forming a metal film over the surface of a substrate through evaporation, sputtering or by gluing a metal foil, then splitting the metal film into three regions, and forming a reagent layer on an area of measuring electrode and two counter-electrodes for placing a liquid sample on by providing a cover disposed over the splitted metal film. As neither of the electrodes are formed through conventional printing technology, the electrodes can be formed without dispersion. As a result, a precision biosensor having excellent response characteristics is implemented.

Among the conventional biosensors is a biosensor for measuring the density of glucose in blood, as disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-256811. The conventional sensor comprises, as shown in FIG. 3, leads 2 and 3 formed on an insulating substrate 1 by a screen-printing technology, and a measuring electrode 4 and a counter-electrode 5, coupled respectively with leads. On the measuring electrode 4 and the counter-electrode 5 is a reagent layer 6 comprised of glucose oxidase as an enzyme, potassium ferricyanide as a mediator, etc.
On the insulating substrate 1, a cover 10 having an air hole 9 is attached with a spacer 8 having a void 7 at one end in between. These components constitute a biosensor.
For measuring the blood glucose density using a conventional biosensor having the above described constitution, one end of a capillary formed by the voi d 7 of spacer 8 is placed on blood, then the blood is sucked into the capillary by a capillary phenomenon with the other end of the capillary forming an air hole 9, and the reagent layer 6 is resolved causing an oxidation/ reduction. If a voltage is applied between measuring electrode 4 and counter-electrode 5, electric current flows in proportion to the density of glucose. The blood sugar level is thus measured.
In the conventional biosensor, carbon is employed as an electrode material suitable for the potassium ferricyanide mediator. The electrode is formed through screen-printing technology.
Namely, a silver paste is screen-printed on substrate 1 for forming the leads 2 and 3, and a carbon paste is screen-printed to form the measuring electrode 4 and the counter-electrode 5. Then, in order to regulate the effective area of measuring electrode 4, a resist layer is formed on the electrode and the leads by screen-printing an insulating paste.
In a conventional manufacturing method wherein a screen-printing process is employed a plurality of times, drying time is needed after each of the steps of paste preparation and screen-printing. The drying thus increases manufacturing time.
Furthermore, in printing the insulating paste, it is inevitable that some paste will ooze out as a result. A wide dispersion in the area of measuring electrode 4 and an adverse influence on the accuracy of response of the finished biosensor will result. Therefore, a need exists to develop a simpler method of providing an measuring electrode, while at the same time enabling a biosensor of higher measuring accuracy to be obtained.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A flyweight for use in a ram air turbine has a body with a circumferentially enlarged portion extending between flat sides spaced by an angle of between 45 degrees and 150 degrees. A pivot point is defined by a bore at a circumferentially intermediate point in the body, and in a relatively thin inner portion. The relatively thin inner portion extends beyond the pivot point to an end that will be radially inward when the flyweight is mounted in a ram air turbine. A governor, a ram air turbine and a method are also described.

This application relates to flyweights for ram air turbines utilized on aircraft as a source of supplemental power generation.
Ram air turbines are known, and are movable between a stowed and a deployed position, typically beneath an aircraft. A ram air turbine may be deployed when the main aircraft engine has failed and a source of power is necessary. When deployed, the ram air turbine has blades which are rotatable, and are driven by air rushing past the aircraft. The blades are driven to rotate, and in turn drive a shaft associated with a generator and/or a pump, which generates electricity and/or hydraulic power for various uses on the aircraft, such as providing hydraulic control, or other control to the pilot.
The angle of incidence of the airstream on the turbine blades is desirably changed as the speed of the turbine changes. In the prior art, a governor is associated with a turbine hub, and includes flyweights which shift the governor components during the initial acceleration of the turbine. The flyweights move under centrifugal force to shift the governor components and change the angle of incidence of the airstream on the blades. The prior art flyweights are typically relatively complex, and include a stainless steel component having a pair of spaced blades, and which are riveted through openings in the stainless steel component to a tungsten component.


There is provided a system and method for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial defibrillation, and in particular a method for providing temporary atrial defibrillation which involves insertion of only one defibrillation lead. A lead introducer is provided having a sheath with an electrode configured around the outside of the sheath and a lumen for receiving therethrough a standard defibrillation lead. After insertion of the introducer into a patient's vein and positioning it so that the introducer electrode is placed within the vein, a defibrillation lead is passed through the introducer lumen. The defibrillation lead carries at least one electrode, suitably an electrode spaced from its distal end so that it can be positioned in the patient's coronary sinus. When the introducer electrode and the defibrillation lead electrode are optimally placed, they are electrically connected to a defibrillation unit for generation and delivery of a defibrillation pulse or pulses across the two electrodes, thereby providing therapy against the atrial fibrillation. In a preferred embodiment, the introducer electrode is a very flexible coil, and is positioned in the patient's subclavian vein; the defibrillation lead electrode is positioned in the patient's coronary sinus. Alternately, the electrode can be any other conductor configuration which provides the desired surface area and flexibility, e.g., a braid or woven wire configuration.

This invention relates to a lead introducer system and method of atrial defibrillation and, more particularly, to an introducer system for inserting a transvenous endocardial lead for the purpose of achieving atrial defibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias, and is usually associated with patients of an increased age. About ten percent of patients who are at least 65 years old present with AF. Atrial fibrillation is associated with troublesome symptoms for patients, and also has a significantly adverse influence on the cardiac function. It is also well known that there is an increased risk of embolic events following AF. Accordingly, the increased heart rate associated with AF needs to be controlled. The primary current treatments for AF are the use of anti-arrhythmic drugs, or electric cardioversion. Use of anti-arrhythmic drugs is often associated with potential proarrhythmic effects, especially in patients with already compromised ventricular function. Such a proarrhythmic effect can outweigh the potential benefit of drug administration. On the other hand, transthoracal electrical cardioversion is an extreme therapy, requiring a discharge energy in the range of 50 to 360 Joules. This treatment requires general anesthesia, and serious side effects may occur as a result. Additionally distressing is the fact that there are a substantial number of patients who may fail to being cardioverted externally.
Recently, transvenous cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias has been demonstrated to be effective. The energies usually necessary to fibrillate in a case of atrial fibrillation are much lower, being in the range of about 1.0 to 5.0 Joules, depending upon a number of factors, particularly the electrode configuration. Electrode configurations that have been tried include the use of different electrodes respectively in the right atrium, right ventricle, arteria pulmonalis, vena cava superior and/or vena cava inferior. The subclavian electrode position has been found to be promising for achieving low defibrillation thresholds. Accordingly, a configuration that has been in use for atrial defibrillation involves one lead with an electrode in the subclavian vein (SCV) and another lead providing an electrode in the coronary sinus (CS). However, for most of these currently used configurations, it is necessary to puncture the vein several times for introducing two leads through the vein so as to position the electrodes for the defibrillation therapy. Alternately, the problem has been addressed by introducing one lead and placing a cutaneous electrode or needle, or temporary indifferent electrode, in the vein incision, a less satisfactory arrangement. The introduction of two leads or a lead and a second electrode is, of course, cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly. Particularly in emergency situations it is desirable to simplify the procedure as much as possible.
There thus exists a significant need in the area of atrial defibrillation, and particularly temporary atrial defibrillation, for a system enabling introduction of only a single transvenous lead to the heart for the purpose of delivering the atrial defibrillation therapy. Such a therapy is needed for patients with, e.g., paroxysmal AF, open heart surgery, or those receiving a pacemaker cardioverter-defibrillator (PCD) type device. In such applications, it is desired to minimize the effort needed to position the required electrodes properly for administering the AF therapy.

Lead introducer with defibrillation electrode and method of atrial defibrillation


A composite structure includes a first nonmetallic component and a second mponent of metal or nonmetal, with the first and second components being joined together by a bonding material which is so introduced by way of a casting process as to permeate to an area between the first and second components.

The invention relates to a composite structure, and a method of making same.
Composites are known to include a first nonmetallic component and a second component made either of a metal or a nonmetal, with the first and second components being joined together by a bonding material. Typically, the bonding material is a glue which migrates between the individual components during the bonding process. The bond strength, however, achieved in this manner is too weak for many applications, especially at elevated temperatures. In addition, heat transfer through the glue layer is poor, and the thermal expansion coefficient is much higher compared to metal and nonmetals, e.g. ceramics. It has thus been proposed to utilize soldering to effect a much better bond quality.
Ceramic surfaces which are to be soldered with metal, however, have to be pre-treated, i.e. metallized, with the metallizing step requiring high firing temperatures. If so-called active solders are employed, metallization of the ceramic surface may be omitted, but the actual soldering process is in this case rather complex.
Consequently, soldering is more complicated than gluing, and yet frequently produces only poor results as far as bonding strength is concerned.
Another bonding method involves direct copper bonding (DCB). This process, however, is only suitable for attaching copper to ceramic material.

Composite structure, and method of making same

Electrvac, Fabrikation elektrotechnischer Spezialartikel GmbH


Grafts containing intact hair follicles are transected into smaller grafts containing transected follicles. Each smaller graft is then implanted individually into incisions within a recipient area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hair transplantation methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
The most common method of hair transplantation today involves extracting a rectangular strip of tissue from a donor area at the back of the head. The extracted strip is deep enough to include the complete hair follicles. The strip is then cut to produce grafts, which may be split grafts (generally including 6 to 7 follicles), mini-grafts (generally including 3 to 5 follicles), or micro-grafts which include 1 or 2 follicles. The grafts are then implanted into a recipient area. Until the present invention, only grafts having entire follicles have been implanted into the recipient area.

Method of increasing available hair grafts


A bearing vibration measuring apparatus is an apparatus of measuring vibration of a bearing. The bearing vibration measuring apparatus detects a vibration component generated from the bearing in a state of pressing one of an inner ring and an outer ring of the bearing in an axial direction while relatively rotating other of the inner ring and the outer ring to detect a defect of the bearing based on the vibration component. The bearing vibration measuring apparatus includes a driving mechanism elongated and contracted for inclining the inner ring or the outer ring.

1. Field of the Invention
The prevent invention relates to a bearing vibration measuring apparatus and a bearing vibration measuring method for detecting a defect of a bearing based on vibration generated from the bearing and a radial type bearing vibration of which is measured by a bearing vibration measuring apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a bearing vibration measuring apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 12 as an example of a bearing vibration measuring apparatus of a related art (refer to, for example, JP-A-2002-350289 (pages 2 through 4, FIG. 1)).
In the bearing vibration measuring apparatus 70, a straight arbor 73 is fitted to an inner ring 72 of a bearing 71, and the straight arbor 73 is connected to a rotating main spindle of a motor 74. The motor 74 is supplied with an alternating current power from an inverter 75 and is rotated at a resolution number in accordance with a frequency of the alternating current power. A pickup 77 is arranged to be opposed to an outer circumferential face 76a of an outer ring 76 of the bearing 71 with a predetermined clearance therebetween, and the pickup 77 detects vibration generated from the outer ring 76. A vibrating signal detected by the pickup 77 is subjected to amplification and signal processing by an amplifier 78 and a waveform of the vibrating signal is recorded by a predetermined waveform recording apparatus.
Further, the bearing vibration measuring apparatus 70 is provided with a press rotating unit 79 for rotating the outer ring 76 of the bearing 71 while pressing the outer ring 76 in an axial direction. The press rotating unit 79 includes a pressing jig 80 for pressing an end face 76b in an axial direction of the outer ring 76; an inclined rotating shaft 81 connected to the pressing jig 80 and inclined to a center axis J0 of the straight arbor 73, and a self-rotating pulley 82 fixed to an end of the inclined rotating shaft 81. The inclined rotating shaft 81 is supported at substantially both ends thereof in the axial direction by bearings (not illustrated) on an inner circumferential side of an inner cylinder (not illustrated).
In the bearing vibration measuring apparatus 70, the motor 74 is rotated at a predetermined revolution number by supplying the alternating current power from the inverter 75 to the motor 74 to there by rotate the inner ring 72 of the bearing 81 integrally with the arbor 73. At the same time, the press rotating unit 79 rotates the pulley 82 and a pulley 85 by driving a motor 83 and a motor 84 while pressing the end face 76b of the outer ring 76 of the bearing 71 by the pressing jig 80. Thereby, while the pressing jig 80 is being self-rotated by constituting a rotating shaft by a self-rotating shaft J1, by a resolution number lower than that of the self-rotation, the inner cylinder axially supporting the shaft 81 is rotated. By rotating the inner cylinder on an inner side of an outer cylinder, a through hole of the inner cylinder is made to whirl relative to the rotating axis J0 of the arbor 73, and thus while the shaft 81 is being self-rotated on the self-rotating axis J1, the self-rotating axis J1 is made to whirl at a surrounding of the rotating axis J0 at a speed slower than the self-rotating speed and the shaft 81 carries out a precession movement to thereby subject the pressing jig 80 also to the precession movement. Thereby, there is detected a flaw or an inclusion present from vicinities of shoulders to vicinities of bottoms in track faces of the inner ring 72 and the outer ring 76 of the bearing 71.
However, in the above-described bearing vibration measuring apparatus 70, the press rotating unit 79 for making the pressing jig 80 carry out the precession movement is provided with a complicated structure and therefore, the apparatus is expensive. Further, the inclination of the outer ring 76 is uniquely determined by a shape of the pressing jig 80 and therefore, there is needed a pressing jig in correspondence with a desired inclination of the outer ring. Further, in detecting a flaw in applying a correct thrust load to the outer ring 76 or in detecting a shape component of the inner ring 72 or the outer ring 76 by vibration such as a waviness or the like, it is necessary to measure the flaw or the shape component by applying the correct thrust load to the outer ring 76. However, since the pressing jig 80 is provided with a shape of inclining the outer ring 76 and therefore, the correct thrust load cannot be applied thereto. Furthermore, only a single kind of a mode of inclining the outer ring 76 is provided by the shape of the pressing jig 80 and therefore, there is a high possibility in measurement by the bearing vibration measuring apparatus 70 that a bearing having a defect is determined to be an acceptable product.

Bearing vibration measuring apparatus, bearing vibration measuring method, and radial type bearing


A folder-type communication terminal is disclosed in which a gap generated between a first and a second body or a breakage of a side hinge arm can be reduced. The mobile communication terminal includes a first body and a second body rotatably coupled using a hinge, and at least one hinge-reinforcing member disposed between the hinge members of the first and the second bodies.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a side hinge, folder-type mobile communication terminal wherein a side hinge of a second body attaches into a center hinge arm of a first body. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for preventing a breakage of the second body by locking a hinge-reinforcing member of a prescribed shape to the side hinge arm.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Recently, the demand for mobile communication terminals ("terminal") has risen due to convenience of use. The terminals have been reduced in size and have been provided with multi-functions to meet user's demands.
Terminals include a bar-type terminal (an early model having externally exposed number and function keys without a separate case), a flip-type terminal having a case configuring a body and a second case separately attached to the body, a folder-type terminal having a second body hinged on an upper surface of a first body, and a slide-type terminal having a slide cover slide on a terminal body.
As mentioned in the foregoing description, the functions of a mobile communication terminal have expanded to include e-mail reception, video viewing, camera, etc. The size and weight of a terminal also has been reduced to enhance portability. In meeting these requirements, folder or slide-type mobile communication terminals have become more popular. In particular, a wide-screen LCD can be viewed if the folder or slide-type mobile communication terminal is open. The folder or slide-type mobile communication terminal is advantageous for its small size.
FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a folder-type mobile communication terminal having a center hinge structure according to a related art; FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of a folder-type mobile communication terminal having a side hinge structure according to a related art; and FIG. 3 is a magnified perspective view of the folder-type mobile communication terminal having the side hinge structure shown in FIG. 2 to explain a rotational problem with the second body.
Referring to FIG. 1, a center hinge, folder-type mobile communication terminal consists of a first body 1 and a second body 2.
A keypad 1a, including number keys and various function keys, is provided to an upper surface of the first body 1. A microphone 1b is provided at a lower end of the upper surface of the first body 1. A pair of side hinge arms 1c are provided to an upper end of the upper surface of the first body 1 to be spaced apart from each other. An antenna 1d is provided to a top end of the first body 1.
A center hinge arm 2a is projected from a center of a lower end of the second body 2. An LCD window 2b is provided on the second body 2, and a speaker 2c is provided at an upper end of the second body 2.
The first and second bodies 1 and 2 are rotatably hinged together in a manner that the center hinge arm 2a is placed between a pair of the side hinge arms 1c to enable the second body 2 to rotate within a predetermined angle range.
Referring to FIG. 2, a side hinge, folder-type mobile communication terminal consists of a first body 10 and a second body 20.
A center hinge arm 10c is projected from a center of an upper end of the first body 10. A pair of side hinge arms 20a is formed at both sides of a lower end of the second body 20. The first and second bodies are rotatably hinged together in a manner that a pair of the side hinge arms 20 are placed at both ends of the center hinge arm 10c, respectively, to enable the second body 20 to rotate within a prescribed angle range.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in the side hinge-type, if the second body 20 is forced open by an unnecessarily excessive force to unfold the terminal, the engaged part between the center hinge arm 10c of the first body 10 and each of a pair of the side hinge arms 20a is widened to generate a gap in between in the vicinity of an area 'A' indicated by an arrow shown in FIG. 3.
However, in case that an unnecessary tensile force keeps being applied to the engaged part to open the second body 20, the engaged part keeps getting wider to eventually break the side hinge arms 20a of the second body 20.

Mobile communication terminal having a hinge-reinforcing member


A position detector includes a magnet, a pair of Hall effect devices, and a processing circuit for detecting relative positions of the magnet and the pair of Hall effect devices. The processing circuit detects a difference in magnitude between output values of the Hall effect devices, as position outputs, with an input value to each of the Hall effect devices being controlled such that a sum of magnitudes of respective output values of the Hall effect devices is constant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a position detector for detecting relative positions of two objects, and a camera-shake compensation mechanism and an image capture apparatus, each of which utilizes the position detector.
2. Description of the Background Art
There are various types of position detectors for detecting relative positions of two objects (a linear encoder, for example).
In order to meet demands for smaller size, lower cost, lower power consumption and the like, it is preferable to employ a position detector of a magnetic type which uses a permanent magnet (a magnetic force generator) and a Hall effect device (a magnetic sensor), among the various types of position detectors.
However, a Hall effect device and a magnet, characteristics of which are apt to vary greatly according to temperature, are susceptible to ambient temperature. Hence, it is desired to suppress influences of ambient temperature upon a Hall effect device and a magnet in using a Hall effect device and a magnet.
As one solution to suppress such influences of ambient temperature, Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-91298 (which will hereinafter be referred to as "JP No. 2001-91298) suggests one technique. According to the technique suggested by JP No. 2001-91298, a quotient of output values of two Hall effect devices (magnetic sensors), or an output-value ratio between two Hall effect devices, is obtained as an output representing a position (which will be hereinafter referred to as a "position output"), to thereby compensate for influences of temperature.
In the meantime, in order to improve accuracy in position detection performed by the above-described magnetic position detector, it is desirable to take into account influences of variation among individual magnets (which will be hereinafter referred to as "piece-to-piece variation"). In other words, it is desirable to compensate for piece-to-piece variation of magnets.
In this regard, the technique suggested by JP No. 2001-91298 can compensate for influences of temperature relatively easily. However, the technique suggested by JP No. 2001-91298 would have difficulties in suppressing influences of piece-to-piece variation. More specifically, to merely obtain a quotient of output values of two Hall effect devices (magnetic sensors), or an output-value ratio between two Hall effect devices, as the position output, could not easily compensate for influences of piece-to-piece variation of magnets. Additionally, influences of piece-to-piece variation of magnets may be compensated for by previously preparing an adjustment parameter adapted to cancel piece-to-piece variation of magnets for each position detector, and adjusting sensitivity using the adjustment parameter. However, to prepare the adjustment parameter for each position detector is an extremely laborious process, which is almost impossible.

Position detector, camera-shake compensation mechanism, and image capture apparatus


A method of delivering information across a computer network includes receiving a request from a client program for user-selected information, and transmitting provider-selected information in response to the request if no qualifying provider-selected message has been previously transmitted to the client program.

Internet information services differ in a number of ways from traditional broadcast services such as television and radio. These differences make it much more difficult for the internet information services provider to attract the attention of the internet user to messages that the internet user has not actively sought, such as commercially sponsored messages, than has been the case with traditional broadcast services.
One such difference is that the internet user normally controls the channel to her receiving equipment, typically a computer. The internet user therefore may play an active role in selecting information resources transmitted. In contrast, in traditional broadcast media, the user has no control at all over the channel, and may select information resources only by receiving or not receiving (such as by changing the channel) information placed on the channel by the broadcaster.
Further, in traditional broadcast media, transmissions are often used by the recipient without the assistance of content storage or processing equipment, which might permit the user to avoid or minimize exposure to unwanted or uninteresting information from the transmission. The user of traditional broadcast media therefore generally cannot direct his or her attention only to desired portions of the transmission without interrupting the viewing process. The user therefore normally views most or all information intended for the viewer by the broadcaster while viewing a broadcast. The user's viewing process is substantially under the control of the broadcaster.
For example, a traditional broadcast typically includes programming to induce users to tune the broadcast channel. In order to derive revenue from the broadcast, the broadcaster typically intersperses commercial sponsored messages, which the user may not desire to view, with the programming which the viewer seeks. Because the user does not control the channel, the user has no choice but to receive commercial messages interspersed with the program while tuned to the channel. If the program is viewed as received, the viewer further must either view such commercial messages or interrupt viewing the channel altogether, perhaps by tuning another channel.
Internet users, unlike broadcast users, may exercise control over the channel to their receiver. Unlike a broadcast, in which a stream of information is transmitted without regard to any user's desire to receive it, interact information is typically transmitted only in response to a request.
Like broadcasters, internet information providers often desire to intersperse commercially sponsored messages with information sought by users, hoping to induce users to view the commercially sponsored messages along with user-selected information. However, internet users receive requested information in digital form and store and/or process some or all of the requested information on computers before or during the viewing process. As a result, internet information providers typically exercise far less control over the viewing process than do broadcasters, and unwanted or uninteresting content may be easily ignored or avoided by the internet user. It is thus more difficult for internet information providers to effectively deliver commercially sponsored messages to internet users than for traditional broadcasters.
For example, internet search service providers often display so-called banner advertisements on the same page with search results. Experience has shown, however, that search service users often focus only on retrieved search results and ignore displayed banner advertisements.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved internet massaging system that permits the internet information provider greater control over the user's viewing process of provider-selected messages, without otherwise interfering with the viewing process of user-selected information.

Apparatus and method for providing a provider-selected message in response to a user request for user-selected information


A system to create, for screening purposes, an adjustable, pre-selectable synchronous relationship between motion picture film segments and their matching audio files, by transferring the audio to a digital format, storing the audio files on a portable or removable computer storage device, such as a compact disk, and utilizing a computer program to define and maintain the synchronous relationship. The system provides the ability to screen continuously, multiple rolls of film each having a plurality of film segments with the appropriate synchronized digital audio files.

Existing technology for the uninterrupted screening of multiple rolls of motion picture film requires synchronization of the film with the associated digital audio by either the application of the digital audio data to the film itself or by the application of a special time code directly to the film. Examples of such systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,485,232 and 5,450,146. These systems are used during the printing of the finished film for theatrical release. All rely on a sync relationship between picture and audio that is both pre-established and permanent. No means have been provided to quickly synchronize or alter the synchronization of random pieces of picture and sound, such as are found in the assembly and viewing of "Dailies" which are the printed pieces of footage that represent the results of one day's filming of various scenes.
Dailies are printed and viewed as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours) by the Director or other film personnel in order to be sure that no problems have occurred which would require the scene to be reshot. These scenes are typically assembled in a haphazard manner and a method of randomly accessing the audio portion of each scene, matching it to the appropriate film footage, and then quickly synchronizing sound and picture, is needed. Furthermore, it is desired that multiple rolls of these scenes be screened continuously, by switching back and forth between multiple projectors (usually two).
Presently, the synchronization of picture and sound for viewing Dailies is all done manually with splicers and adhesive tape. The Dailies are viewed by simultaneously running a reel of film and a separate reel of sound tape which have been hand synchronized.
To describe in more detail the systems and methods currently in practice, a few terms must be defined. A "Scene" is commonly understood to mean a particular portion of a film's script. Thus Scene 93 may be the Car Chase and Scene 54 may the Love Scene. A "Take" is one recorded performance of a Scene and each Scene may have many Takes.
The "Clapper" or "Sticks" refers to the brightly painted pieces of wood that are brought together with a loud bang at the beginning of each Take. The filmed image of the Sticks coming together is used in conjunction with their recorded sound or report to provide a common audio and visual reference point for synchronization.
As a film is being shot, only selected Takes are chosen by the Director to be printed. These Takes are circled on the camera reports that are sent to the film laboratory along with the original negative. The Production Sound Mixer also indicates by the "Circled Takes" on his sound report, which Takes are to be transferred from the production sound masters to perforated magnetic film.
When the negative arrives at the film laboratory it is known as a "Camera Roll". The Camera Rolls are developed and then physically cut, with all of the circled takes spliced together into "Lab Rolls". These Lab Rolls are approximately 1000 feet long. A color corrected "Work Print" is made from each Lab Roll. The Work Print is then sent to the Assistant Editor in the Editing Room.
While the negative is being processed, the production sound masters are being transferred at a separate facility. The production tapes are most commonly DAT (Digital Audio Tape), but analog 1/4" tape is still used, and occasionally other recording media as well. Most production recording is Monaural or 2-track Stereo, but can be 4, 8 or more channels. The sound for the Circled Takes is transferred monoaurally to perforated magnetic film, also known as "Stripe". Any stereo or multi-track elements are usually combined, however the production sound mixer may request that only one side of a stereo pair or selected channels of a multi-track be transferred. After the sound is transferred, the Stripe is then also sent to the Editing Room.
When the Work Print arrives at the Editing Room, the Lab Rolls are rearranged into "Dailies Rolls". This is done because the Lab assembled their Rolls without regard for sequencing. The Lab simply splices together the designated Takes until they have a Roll approximately 1000 feet long and then they start on a new Roll. One Lab Roll may contain Takes from both Scene 93 and Scene 54. The Assistant Editor wants Dailies Rolls that contain Takes from only one Scene.
A "Head Leader" is attached to each Dailies Roll. This is done to protect the Work Print and to provide a standard reference frame from which the Dailies Roll is measured and played. The S.M.P.T.E. (Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers) Standard Head Leader is the industry standard. It measures exactly 12 feet from the specific frame marked, "Picture Start", to its end which is attached to the first frame of action (F.F.O.A.) of the Work Print.
After being leadered, the Dailies Roll is then edge coded by a machine that prints consecutive numbers on the film at 1 foot intervals. The Acmade.RTM. coding machine is the industry standard. Using a ribbon, it prints eight characters between the perforations on the side of the film. In standard practice, there is a three digit numeric prefix, an optional letter (A through E, plus M, P, W and X), and a four digit numeric suffix. Thus 000 0000, 123A4567, 054 1000, and 999X9999 are all possible combinations. The suffix number automatically increases with each foot of film that is run through the machine.
The assistant Editor codes the Dailies Rolls so that the code prefix indicates the Scene contained in that Roll. For example, the Roll containing Sc. 53 would be coded 053 1000. A Scene may fill several Dailies Rolls, so the first roll is given the suffix 1000, the second roll 2000, etc.
The coding machine is always started on the "Picture Start" frame of the standard 12 foot leader, so that the first frame of action in Roll 054 1000 would be coded 054 1012, which is 12 feet: from the "Picture Start" frame.
As the Dailies Rolls are built, the Assistant Editor enters into a log book the relevant information for each Take on the Roll. Such information includes, for each Take on the Roll, the Scene and Take number, the first and last Acmade code number, the first and last Key Code number, (a human readable number placed of the edge of the negative at the time of manufacture), the Camera Roll number, the Lab Roll number, the Sound Roll number, a description of the Take, and the date that it was shot.
The next step is to put the Sound into synchronization with the Picture. First, the Assistant winds through the Work Print and finds the Clapper Frame for each Take on the roll. This is the first frame of film that shows the Clapper Boards fully closed. For each Take, this frame is then clearly marked with a grease pencil, a large "X" being the standard mark. The Scene and Take number are also written on the film in large print adjacent to this "X". Next, the roll of Stripe (perforated magnetic film) is listened to and the exact point of the first modulation of the sound of the Clapper closing is found and marked on the Stripe with a felt pen, for each Take.
The Work Print and Stripe are then run through a "Synchronizer", a device with toothed wheels that measures the two pieces of film simultaneously and insures that exactly the same amount of each passes through. The mark on the Stripe audio track indicating the Clapper's report is brought into alignment with the mark on the picture indicating the first frame of the Clapper fully closed. This is always done by manipulating the length of the Stripe, either by removing excess film or adding silent leader.
Once the Stripe for each Take on the Roll is put into sync with the corresponding Work Print, it is checked on a film viewing machine, such as a KEM.RTM. flatbed viewing and editing machine. This must be done because occasionaly Takes are shot in which the Clapper cannot be seen or in which its report is inaudible. In such cases, no formal sync relationship exists and one can only be found by viewing the Take and searching for an alternate reliable sync reference point. These are often created by chance, such as when an actor closes a door or puts a glass down on a table. Events such as these are reliable in that they result in an audible report that may be associated with a unique frame of film. Lacking these, spoken dialogue may be used to find the correct sync relationship, with hard consonents sch as "P" or "T" being preferred because of the obvious lip movements associated with them. This last method is known as "Lip Synching" and is often quite subjective.
After they are synchronized and checked, the Dailies Rolls and Stripe are taken to a screening room and projected by a system capable of interlocking the two pieces of film. As stated before, it is desired that the Dailies be shown without interruption between Rolls. Therefore, two motion picture projectors and two magnetic tape players are required.
After a screening of these Dailies by the Director, and/or other personnel, the separate Rolls of picture and sound are sent to a Telecine facility and transferred to videotape. Usually the final editing of the film is done on a computer and the Stripe audio track is never used again.


A silver salt photothermographic dry imaging material including a support provided thereon a light-sensitive layer containing an organic silver salt, light-sensitive silver halide particles and a reducing agent, wherein the dry imaging material contains organic solid lubricant particles having an average particle diameter of 1 to 30 μm.

Heretofore, in the printing plate making and medical fields, effluent resulting from wet processing of image forming materials has become problematic in terms of workability, and in recent years, also from the view point of environmental protection as well as storage space requirements, so that a decrease in processing effluent has been increasingly demanded. Accordingly, it has been sought to achieve a technology, of employing in photographic techniques via photothermographic dry imaging materials, on which efficient exposure can be performed utilizing laser image setters and laser imagers, resulting in clear black-and-white images at high resolution.
Silver salt photothermographic dry imaging materials, which produce photographic images employing a thermal development processing method as the technique to meet the demand, are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,152,904 and 3,457,075, and D. Morgan and B. Shely, "Thermally Processed Silver Systems" (Imaging Processes and Materials, Neblette, 8th Edition, edited by J. M. Sturge, V. Walworth and A. Shepp, page 2, 1969).
These silver salt photothermographic dry imaging materials are generally comprised of various constituent layers of a photothermographic dry imaging material, such as a light-sensitive layer and appropriate intermediate layers, a protective layer, a backing layer, an anti-halation layer and an antistatic layer which are coated in combination on a support, comprised of such as plastic. Silver salt photothermographic dry imaging materials often suffer undesirable effects due to contact between a silver salt photothermographic dry imaging material and various apparatus surfaces or among the silver salt photothermographic dry imaging materials, between the coated surfaces of a light-sensitive layer and the backing side, during winding, rewinding and transporting during the manufacturing processes such as coating, drying and processing. For example, generated may be scratches or abrasion on the surface of the silver salt photothermographic dry imaging material and deterioration of the transporting capability of silver salt photothermographic dry imaging material in the developing apparatus.
As possible countermeasures to these problems, disclosed are: a method in which improvement is carried out utilizing an alkyl silane compound incorporating more than 8 carbon atoms (please refer, for example, to patent document 1), and a method in which a sulfur type or ester type lubricant is utilized (please refer, for example, to patent document 2), however, each of these methods exhibits adverse effects on photographic performance and poses a problem of tone deterioration in addition to problems of contamination within the thermal developing apparatus which function in a high temperature environment, or the mean is not being capable of providing sufficient slippage at high temperature. In view of this, disclosed is a method which utilizes an inorganic lubricant as an improved method (for example, refer to patent document 3).
The convey rate within the developing apparatus, and the processing rate within automatic developing apparatuses have further increased recently, and in the present state, further improvement of a slippage is required.
Patent document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,117
Patent document 2: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication (hereinafter, referred to as JP-A) 2001-5137
Patent document 3: JP-A 2002-116520

Silver salt photothermographic dry imaging material and image recording method


Realized is a robot controller capable of handling a large amount of data of images and so on necessary for advanced intelligence of control while securing a real-time performance with a simple structure. For this purpose, there are provided a motion control device for performing a calculation process for achieving motion control of an object to be controlled, a recognition and planning device for performing task and motion planning of the object to be controlled and recognition of outside world, an input/output interface for outputting a command to the object to be controlled and receiving as input, a state of the object to be controlled, and a route selecting device for controlling communications by switching connections among the motion control device the recognition and planning device, and the input/output interface. While controlling the communications by switching the connections among the motion control device, the recognition and planning device, and the input/output interface by the route selecting device, the motions of the robot of the object to be controlled are controlled on the basis of the results of the task and motion planning of the object to be controlled and the recognition of the outside world.

In order to achieve an intelligent robot that has advanced intellectual abilities, a recognition and plan processing system for performing intelligent processing of recognition of the outside world, task planning, motion planning, and so on is needed in addition to the motion control system for performing the motion control.
As a structure for providing a controller for such an intelligent robot, the structure shown in FIG. 10 can be considered. In FIG. 10, the controller is constructed so that an input/output interface 104 connected to an object 105 to be controlled, a motion control means 101 connected to the input/output interface 104, a shared memory 103 connected to the motion control means 101, and a recognition and planning means 102 connected to the shared memory 103 are arranged connected in series.
The motion control system, which performs the motion control of the robot, is required to have a real-time performance and therefore implemented by the motion control means 101 constructed of a processing system that directly executes a control program or a system that employs a real-time OS, using no operation system (OS).
On the other hand, the processing of the recognition, the task and motion planning, and so on do not need the real-time performance and is preferably constituted of a computer system of, for example, a personal computer or a work station equipped with a general-purpose multi-task OS in terms of the development environment of software, high-speed processing abilities, and so on. The recognition and planning means denoted by the reference numeral 102 is implemented by a processing system that operates parallel independently of the motion control means 101.
When such a parallel hierarchy structure of the motion control means 101 and the recognition and planning means 102 is adopted, an issue of timewise delivery timing occurs when, for example, a desired trajectory generated by the recognition and planning program of the recognition and planning means 102 is transferred to the motion control means 101.
With regard to this issue, in the controller shown in FIG. 10, the controller has a shared memory 103 and the recognition and planning means 102 writes the desired trajectory into the shared memory 103, and the motion control means 101 achieves timewise timing buffering by reading the desired trajectory from the shared memory 103 (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H06-290060 A).
In the controller shown in FIG. 10, a common bus system is adopted in terms of extendibility as a method for connecting the motion control means 101, the recognition and planning means 102, and the shared memory 103.
However, the conventional structure causes an issue that a data transfer wait time is generated due to the conflict of the bus failing in securing the real-time performance if it is attempted to take in a plurality of images or high-definition images by a plurality of imaging devices and handle a large amount of data for the achievement of further advanced intelligence.
Providing a bus exclusive for image transfer or providing a bus exclusive for connections among the means to prevent the above issue causes the complication of the system like an increase in the number of bus wiring lines and so on, and this is also disadvantageous in terms of the extendibility of the system.
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to solve the issues of the conventional structure and provide a robot controller capable of handling a large amount of data of images and so on necessary for advanced intelligence of control while securing a real-time performance with a simple structure.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Embodiments include monitoring a computing system to determine whether firmware of the computing system is corrupted, hung up, or requires automatic update. The computing system may then request firmware update data over a network. Moreover, the computing system may include a controller with capability to determine whether the firmware is corrupted or hung and request and receive firmware update data over a network. In addition, the controller may have the capability operate when the firmware is corrupted or hung up, if the processor is held up, and if the operating system is halted, hung up, or soft-off. In addition, if the controller detects that the firmware is corrupted or hung up, the controller may halt the processor while updating the firmware.

1. Field
Updating and recovering system firmware.
2. Background
During initialization and/or use of electronic devices, such as computing systems, firmware "program" is often used to detect, test, initialize, and monitor the device or system hardware. For example, when a personal computer (PC) is turned on, typically a basic input/output system (BIOS) program (e.g. firmware) which is software stored in or programmed into a read-only memory (ROM) chip on the PC motherboard, commonly referred to as the BIOS chip, is run. Upon being run the BIOS instantly identifies all of the onboard devices (e.g. such as the processor, memory, video card, etc.) and then runs the Power-on self-test (POST) to determine whether or not each device is working properly. If all of the devices pass the POST test then the BIOS initializes each device, detects hard drives, compact disks-ROM (CD-ROM) drives, and floppy drives. Then the BIOS searches the first boot device (normally the hard drive or floppy drive) for files necessary to load the operating system software. The BIOS may handle low-level input/output (I/O) to peripheral controllers such as the keyboard and display controllers. Moreover, the BIOS will detect, test, initialize, and monitor the system hardware until the operating system takes over. Then, the BIOS may pass control of the system to the operating system software. If any device fails the POST, then an error message will be displayed on the screen or a series of "beeps" will be played through the PC speaker to indicate that a problem exists. The sequence of beeps (beep code) can be used to identify the type of problem that exists.
However, the BIOS or firmware is typically "burned" into one portion of the ROM chip and written or programmed into a second portion of the ROM chip. Although the "burned" portion may be "flash" erased by hardware mechanisms (e.g., such as by ultraviolet light irradiation), the second portion may be erased or written over by software mechanisms. As a result, it is possible for the BIOS or firmware to become corrupted, inaccurate, or undesirably altered by a "virus", "worm", or "hacker." Moreover, it is possible that the user of the computing system may alter the BIOS, unintentionally, to an undesirable configuration. Thus, it is important to be able to recover and update the BIOS or firmware to insure that is accurate.

Self-monitoring and updating of firmware over a network


Disclosed is a compound semiconductor material with excellent performance and its utilization. The compound semiconductor may be expressed by Chemical Formula 1 below:M1aCo4Sb12-xM2x  Chemical Formula 1                where M1 and M2 are respectively at least one selected from In and a rare earth metal element, 0≤a≤1.8, and 0≤x≤0.6.

A compound semiconductor is a compound that is composed of at least two types of elements rather than one type of element such as silicon or germanium and operates as a semiconductor. Various types of compound semiconductors have been developed and are currently being used in various fields of industry. Typically, a compound semiconductor may be used in thermoelectric conversion devices using the Peltier Effect, light emitting devices using the photoelectric conversion effect, for example, light emitting diodes or laser diodes, fuel cells, and the like.
In particular, when being used for a thermoelectric conversion device, the compound semiconductor may be called a thermoelectric material, and this thermoelectric material may be applied to a thermoelectric conversion power plant or a thermoelectric conversion cooling device in the form of a thermoelectric conversion device. Generally, the thermoelectric conversion device includes an N-type thermoelectric materials and a P-type thermoelectric materials electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel. Here, the thermoelectric conversion power generation is a method which generates power by converting thermal energy to electrical energy using a thermoelectromotive force generated by creating a temperature difference in a thermoelectric conversion device. Also, the thermoelectric conversion cooling is a method which produces cooling by converting electrical energy to thermal energy using an effect that a temperature difference creates between both ends of a thermoelectric conversion device when a direct current flows through the both ends of the thermoelectric conversion device.
The energy conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion device generally depends on a performance index value or ZT of a thermoelectric conversion material, and as the ZT value higher, the thermoelectric conversion material may be regarded as having more excellent performance. Here, the ZT may be determined based on the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity. In more detail, the ZT is proportional to a square of Seebeck coefficient and electric conductivity and is inversely proportional to thermal conductivity. Therefore, in order to enhance energy conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion device, it is required to develop a thermoelectric conversion material having a high Seebeck coefficient, high electric conductivity or low thermal conductivity.
Even though many kinds of thermoelectric conversion materials have been proposed until now, it cannot be regarded that a thermoelectric conversion material ensuring a sufficient ZT value is proposed. In particular, a Skutterudite thermoelectric material is a representative example of the thermoelectric material and is being studied actively. However, the Skutterudite thermoelectric material cannot also be regarded as having sufficient thermoelectric conversion performance due to high thermal conductivity. Therefore, for the thermoelectric material, there is a continuous demand on the development of a thermoelectric conversion material with excellent thermoelectric conversion performance, in order to enhance the energy conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion device.

Compound semiconductor and manufacturing method thereof


Certain embodiments provide a head array system for a power wheelchair, including a head array body and one or more lateral arms. The head array body includes shafts. Each of the shafts includes lateral arm receiving sections. The one or more lateral arms are detachably coupled to one of the lateral arm receiving sections of one of the shafts.

Head array devices allow a user of a power wheelchair to control various functions (also referred to as modes) of the wheelchair and other connected components. For example, a head array may allow a user to activate switches or sensors using the user's head to drive the wheelchair, elevate, tilt and/or recline the wheelchair seat, and control the wheelchair leg rests. Further, a head array can allow a user to activate switches or sensors using the user's head to interact with a computer by moving a mouse, for example. As another example, a head array may allow a user to activate switches or sensors using the user's head to open doors and interact with patient rehabilitation equipment, among other things. Additionally, a head array can allow a user to perform an emergency stop of the power wheelchair, for example.
Existing head array devices typically include one to three main switches or sensors in a headrest. A first switch or sensor is typically integrated into a rear headrest of the head array, which is commonly referred to as an occipital pad. The occipital pad can be mounted to a head array base structure that is mounted to the power wheelchair. Optional second and third switches or sensors may be integrated into headrest wings that extend on one or both sides of a user's head. Alternatively, the optional second and third switches or sensors can be integrated into pads that are held in place on one or both sides of a user's head using head array lateral arms that attach to the head array base structure. In some current head array devices, an additional mode switch or sensor may also be held in place on one side of a user's head using an additional head array lateral arm that attaches to the head array base structure.
As an example, to drive a power wheelchair using a head array device having three primary sensors and the mode switch, the first sensor integrated into the rear of the headrest can allow the user to drive straight forward or straight backward depending on the selected mode. The second sensor on the left side of the user's head and a third sensor on the right side of the user's head may allow a user to turn left and right, respectively. The mode switch can allow a user to switch between driving forward and driving backward. Additionally, the mode switch may allow a user to switch to other modes, such as performing an emergency stop, adjusting the wheelchair seat or leg rests, controlling a computer mouse, opening doors, and interacting with patient rehabilitation equipment, for example.
Current head array devices suffer from several limitations. For example, in many current head array devices, the length of the lateral arms may not be adjustable. Instead, the lateral arms once positioned for a particular user are cut to a specific length. Other existing head array devices may include adjustable lateral arms where the unused sections of the lateral arms extend behind the headrest. In addition to having a bulky and disorganized appearance, the unused lateral arm section may present a hazard in that other objects in the user's environment may hook, snag or otherwise make contact with the unused lateral arm sections extending behind the headrest.
As another example, existing head array devices cannot change the configuration of the lateral sensor arms in relation to each other and to a mode switch arm. A clinician, technician or caregiver fitting the head array for the user cannot move a right lateral sensor arm to the left side. Further, if a mode switch is attached to the head array base structure below a right lateral arm, a clinician, technician or caregiver cannot remove the mode switch arm and right lateral sensor arm and reattach the mode switch arm above the right lateral arm. Instead, current head array devices are typically custom ordered and are not capable of alteration. As such, a new head array would need to be ordered if a different configuration was needed for or desired by a user. Additionally, because the lateral arms of existing head array devices are not easily removable, the existing head array devices are more difficult to clean.
Further, head array devices are exempt from various regulations such as, for example, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), electromagnetic interference (EMI), and electrostatic discharge (ESD) standards because head arrays are considered an aftermarket accessory. Current head array devices do not meet the regulations set forth in EMC, EMI and ESD, among others. Although head array devices are exempt from complying with those and other standards, compliance with the standards results in safer head array devices.
Also, as discussed above, existing head array devices may include a single sensor in the occipital pad of the head array. However, perspiration, hair product or other moisture may soak the occipital pad, creating a conductive mass that causes unintentional activation of the sensor. Unintentional activation of the occipital pad sensor may be frustrating and hazardous for a user.
Additionally, existing head array devices are bulky and have disorganized cable management with multiple cable connections at different points on or around the power wheelchair. For example, cables can be untidily attached to an outer surface of the lateral arms. As another example, cables from different switches or sensors of existing head array devices may be routed to separate control boxes located at various locations on or around the power wheelchair.
As such, there is a need for providing uncomplicated position adjustability for head array lateral arms. Further, there is a need for a head array device that allows the addition of sensors, the removal of sensors, and the reconfiguration of the locations of existing sensors. Also, there is a need for a head array that complies with EMC, EMI and ESD regulations. Additionally, there is a need for a safeguard to prevent unintentional activation of the occipital pad sensor. Further, there is a need for cleanly managing head array cables and for providing a central connection location for the head array cables.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Adjustable and reconfigurable head array system for a power wheelchair


A package of a semiconductor device with a flexible wiring substrate and a method thereof are provided. The package of the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with at least one pad on a surface thereof, a bump bonded to the pad, an adhesive layer on the bump, and a flexible wiring substrate having at least one contact section being electrically connected with the bump by the adhesive layer. The present invention makes the flexible wiring substrate directly conductively attached onto the semiconductor substrate. The package size is shrunk and the cost down can be obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a package of semiconductor device, and more particularly to a package of semiconductor device electrically connected with a flexible printed circuit board.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Ever increasing industry demand for smaller and smaller electronic packages with a low profile, higher area density and increasing number of input/output connections (I/Os) has led to increasing demand for the chip scale package. Use of such packages may be found in small portable products, such as cellular phones, pagers, and the like. Moreover, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is widely used in view of the freedom of packaging form and the space saving. A wire bonding is frequently used when a high-density package is required or a package space is limited.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of a known package of an image sensor device incorporated with a handset. The package of the image sensor device has a silicon substrate 101 having at least one pad 105 on a surface thereof and an image sensor device 102, such as CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensor, LCOS (Liquid Crystal-On-Silicon), on the surface. A glass plate 103 is placed above the surface of the silicon substrate 101 having the image sensor device 102. The glass plate 103 is used for preventing airborne dust or other particles from adhering unto the image sensor device 102, causing the image sensor device 102 damage. The glass plate 103 is attached unto the silicon substrate 101 by adhesive material 104. The silicon substrate 101 is placed on a printed circuit board 100, and the pad 105 is connected with an I/O terminal of the printed circuit board 100 via a metal wire 106 by wire bonding. A lens housing 107 enclosing the whole silicon substrate 101 is held on the printed circuit board 100. A lens set 108 is positioned above the glass plate 103 and held by the lens housing 107. A flexible printed circuit board 109 is attached onto the printed circuit board 100. In general, the fingers of the leads of the flexible printed circuit board 109 are bonded to a contact portion of the printed circuit board 100. The flexible printed circuit board 109 is electrically connected to a main board of the handset. The image sensor device 102 captures image signals, and transfers the image signals to electric signals. Then, the electric signals are transmitted to the flexible printed circuit board 109 via an interface, i.e., the printed circuit board 100, and then transmitted to the main board of the handset.
The package of the image sensor device of FIG. 1 is troublesome and bulky. However, the flexible printed circuit board 109 cannot be directly attached unto the silicon substrate 101 due to the configuration of the image sensor device. It is necessary to form a gold bump on the pad 105 of the silicon substrate 101 before the fingers of the leads of the flexible printed circuit board 109 are to be electrically connected with the pad 105. However, the gold bump cannot be electroplated on the pad 105 of the silicon substrate 101 because the glass plate 103 has been covered on the silicon substrate 101. When the silicon substrate 101 is uncovered with the glass plate 103, the image sensor device 102 is easily subjected to damage by the particles during the process of the package, and resulting in a low yield. Therefore, the flexible printed circuit board 109 cannot be directly attached unto the silicon substrate 101 in view of the configuration of the package of the image sensor device.
Accordingly, it is the intention to provide a package method of a semiconductor device, which can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

Package of a semiconductor device with a flexible wiring substrate and method for the same


Various embodiments provide an MIM capacitor and fabrication method thereof. An exemplary MIM capacitor can include a dielectric layer disposed over a substrate containing a conductive layer. The dielectric layer can include a groove to expose the conductive layer in the substrate. A first metal layer can be disposed on a bottom surface and a bottom portion of a sidewall surface of the groove. A top surface of the first metal layer on the sidewall surface of the groove can be lower than a top surface of the dielectric layer. A dielectric material layer can be disposed on the first metal layer and on a top portion of the sidewall surface of the groove. A second metal layer can be disposed on the dielectric material layer; and a third metal layer can be disposed on the second metal layer to fill the groove.

Capacitor components are often used as passive electronic devices in integrated circuits (IC) such as radio frequency IC, monolithic microwave IC, etc. Common capacitor components include metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors, PN junction capacitors and MIM (metal-insulator-metal) capacitors. In some specific applications, MIM capacitors provide better electrical characteristics than MOS capacitors and PN junction capacitors. MOS capacitors and PN junction capacitors may be limited by their structures, and vacancy layers can be easily formed at the electrodes during operation. This may cause reduction of frequency characteristics. In contrast, MIM capacitors can provide better frequency and temperature characteristics. In semiconductor manufacturing, MIM capacitors can be formed by interlayer metal and copper interconnect processes, which reduces difficulties and complexities for integration in CMOS front-end processes.
FIG. 1 depicts an MIM capacitor made by a conventional CMOS IC manufacturing process. The MIM capacitor includes a substrate 100, a conductive layer 103 disposed within the substrate 100, and a dielectric layer 101 disposed on the substrate 100. The dielectric layer 101 has an opening exposing the surface of the conductive layer 103. The MIM capacitor further includes a first metal layer 103, an insulating layer 104, and a second metal layer 105. The first metal layer 103 is formed on the bottom and sidewall of the opening and serves as a first electrode plate of the MIM capacitor. The insulating layer 104 is formed on the surface of the first metal layer 103 and serves as a dielectric layer of the MIM capacitor. The second metal layer 105 is formed on the surface of the insulating layer 104 to fill the opening. The second metal layer 105 serves as a second electrode plate of the MIM capacitor.
During operation of the MIM capacitor, operating voltages are applied only to the conductive layer 103 and the second metal layer 105. However, such MIM capacitor is prone to leakage current during operation, which affects the stability of MIM capacitors.

SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION