A method of and an apparatus for the cropping of leading or trailing end portions of rolled workpieces in which downstream of the rotary shear, a diverter is provided and upstream of the shear there is a rocker guiding the workpiece to the shear and having a cardan type articulation allowing pivotal movement of the rocker about horizontal and vertical axes selectively.

For the cropping of leading or trailing end portions of rolled steel and other metal products, difficulties have been encountered heretofore. It will be understood, that whenever we refer to cropping here, we mean to refer to the cutting off of a leading portion and/or a trailing portion to remove defective parts of the rolled article, to cut the rolled article to size, to remove samples of the rolled article for analysis, or for any other reason.
One of the problems hereto encountered is the ability to effect cropping at leading and/or trailing ends selectively for rolled products of different diameters and the need to operate at high speeds so as not to impede the rolling process since the cropping apparatus is commonly provided along the rolling line. The rolled products may be wire, rod, bars and any of a variety of structural shapes or properties. Cropping units can be provided on any of the rolling lines for fabricating any of these products.
In the past it was found to be difficult to carry out cropping on the fly and even the removal of the cropped portions frequently posed a problem.

Method of and apparatus for the trimming of leading and/or end portions of rolled products


A putter having a head supplement portion detachably mounted on the back of the head in the putter. Mortise and tenon structure interconnects the supplement portion and putter head. Screw fasteners engage anchor projections in the mortise and tenon structure to hold the supplement portion in place.

This invention relates to a golf club, and more particularly to a golf club such as a putter where it may be advantageous for various reasons to be able to change the weight, appearance, feel, etc. of the club.
The putting stroke is a highly individualistic thing. There are numerous types of grips and swings employed by golfers, all adopted best to suit the particular golfer's objective of stroking the ball into the hole. The weight and feel of the putter, as well as the appearance of the putter (affecting golfer confidence) are also subject to variation. For instance, some prefer a heavier club than others. Some putters have a wider and more substantial bottom than others, with some golfers feeling that a large bottom surface enables a club best properly to position itself on the ground. Even when considering the same golfer, there are advantages in being able to change the character of the club with respect to its weight, swing and feel. For instance, changeability permits a golfer easily to make adjustments tending to establish what type of club best suits his particular needs. With some golfers, a slicker green surface might dictate one type of club, whereas the same golfer with a slower green might desire a different type of club.
A general object of this invention is to provide a golf club which includes a detachable portion detachably mounted on the back side of the head in the club which may be removed from the head and which on removal may be replaced with a differently configured detachable portion to change a characteristic of the club, such as its feel or weight.
More specifically, an object is to provide such a club, which in the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed constitutes a putter, with a detachable head supplement portion, and a mortise-and-tenon type of construction which establishes a properly mounted position for the head supplement portion on the putter head.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the mortise and tenon construction comprises one or more anchor projections integral with a body in the head supplement portion that fit within respective wells provided in the back side of the putter head. The anchor projections and the wells establish a proper relationship of the supplement portion on the putter head, for instance, with a base surface in the supplement portion forming a smooth continuation of a bottom surface on the putter head. Further, the projecting anchor portions may be employed in establishing a locked mounting of the supplement portion on the head, through screws or fasteners which engage the projections to produce a secure attachment.


A deep muscle knot relaxing device and corresponding method is advanced comprising a flat base from which extends two or more protuberances positioned a fixed distance apart. The protuberances are substantially hemispherical in shape and are of different heights and diameter, enabling the protuberances to be properly matched with the muscle knot characteristics of the user. The base may be formed with a plurality of through openings to prevent the buildup of hydrostatic pressure under the base when used in a bathtub. The base and protuberances are preferably integrally formed in a single molding process with sufficient spacing between the protuberances so as to discourage the user from using more than one protuberance at a time. The surface of the base opposing the protuberances may be equipped with an anti-skid surface, thereby preventing movement of the device during therapy.

This invention relates generally to a deep muscle knot-massaging device and, in particular, to a self application device and to a method of deep muscle knot relaxation. The invention is adapted for use in petrissage, cross-fiber friction, and other deep muscle massage techniques.
The loss of mobility and flexibility in a muscle and a decrease in blood circulation can contribute to the presence of painful muscular knots, or trigger points. These knots are muscle fibers in body tissues that are stuck together instead of contracting and relaxing smoothly. Various self-application massage devices have been proposed. Most such devices are manipulated by hand and include surfaces for massaging deep muscle knots in order to apply deep fibers spreading to the knot and thereby provide relief from the pain associated with the knot. The difficulty with hand-manipulated massaging devices is that the user may be unable to apply sufficient pressure to the knot or may be unable to reach the knot at all. An additional difficulty with relaxing deep muscle knots is that the makeup of the knot varies, for example, in density, depth, and other parameters. Therefore, the application of self-massage utilizing a hand-manipulated device typically utilizes a massaging surface which may be appropriate for certain knot characteristics but may be inappropriate for knots having other characteristics.
Although muscle-knot relaxation techniques typically involve the unilateral application of pressure, professional therapists often apply bilateral pressure to symmetrical portions of the body in order to magnify the therapeutic effect if necessary. However, the application of bilateral pressure is not recommended unless bilateral knotting is present. Furthermore, application of bilateral pressure is capable of exceeding the patient's pain tolerance. Bilateral pressure should be applied only by a professional therapist. The use of a self-administered deep muscle knot-relaxing massage should avoid the application of bilateral pressure.

Deep muscle knot-relaxing device and method


A method of assessing acquisition errors in seismic images in a seismic data volume. The method includes selecting a seismic attribute in a seismic data volume and then stacking seismic quality image measurements taken along the selected attribute. The stacked measurements are then related on the basis of any vertical correlation and any vertically correlated feature is identified as a cobweb. Any identified cobwebs are removed from the seismic data volume.

In conventional 3-D seismic surveying, seismic data is acquired along closely spaced lines which provide detailed subsurface information. With such high-density coverage, large volumes of digital data must be recorded, stored and processed prior to interpretation. The processing requires extensive computer resources. When the seismic data has been processed it is interpreted in the form a 3-D cube (or seismic data volume) which effectively represents a display of subsurface features. The information within the cube can be displayed in various forms, such as horizontal time slice maps, vertical slices or sections in any direction.
In traditional seismic interpretation, one or more seismic events is identified and tracked to yield a set of seismic horizons. Together these horizons are used to form the structural framework of the subsurface in two-way time or depth as the case may be. All subsequent geological modelling and most of today's seismic inversion schemes rely heavily on this framework. For example, seismic attributes can be extracted around an interpreted horizon and used to characterise a reservoir unit.
The task of seismic imaging areas of the earth's crust requires a series of complex physical and simulated processes. For several reasons, these processes deviate from ideal imaging conditions and therefore the seismic images tend to be degraded or distorted.
A challenge in the seismic imaging field is therefore to monitor the quality and conditions at all stages of the imaging process and finally to evaluate the quality of the seismic images to be used in building geological models of the subsurface.
Distortions of imaging conditions such as instabilities, inaccuracies or technological limitations may have quite complicated degradation effects on seismic images. Each step of the imaging process will both transform previous degradations in the seismic images and create new ones.
The seismic image quality is generally defined in terms of temporal and spatial resolution, amplitude fidelity and signal to noise ratio. The image qualities can easily be measured on synthetic seismic images, which contain only one simple seismic event. In this case, the qualities can be measured directly. However, in real seismic events, the shape and complexity of the subsurface layers may distort measurements of quality. In addition, numerous different seismic events and noise may interfere and distort the direct quantification of the quality of the seismic data obtained. Human error, inaccuracies and technological limitations will further distort the seismic data and hence the seismic image produced.
The present invention addresses the need to reduce the distortion of the quality measurements.
In some of these techniques measurements following a seismic event are taken within several windows and stacked together vertically. The techniques are therefore less sensitive to lateral variations in the geology and represent an improvement over prior conventional techniques.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of seismic data which is particularly sensitive to acquisition errors and external influences, such as human error, inaccuracies and technological limitations. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of assessing and reducing distortion and degradation in seismic images caused by these errors.
It is difficult to predict the presence of such influences, which may occur individually or in groups at any one time. These influences occur at the position within the area to be surveyed where the survey equipment, such as the source and receivers, is located at that time. These influences affect all seismic traces locally and lead to errors in the seismic data obtained. The local volume which is established is called a "cobweb."
After processing the acquired seismic data in a conventional manner, the errors are to some degree migrated outside to nearby traces in the seismic data volume. The size and nature of these "cobwebs" is dependent on such factors as the seismic data acquisition geometry, the geometry of the subsurface and the sound velocities of the subsurface. The size of the cobwebs or cobweb data volumes is in the order of the maximum source receiver offset and the vertical extension is equal to the seismic trace length. The cobwebs may be difficult to identify by eye and even more difficult to detect by standard quality measurements, since the geological footprint may dominate.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of assessing acquisition errors in a seismic data volume, comprising the steps of: selecting seismic objects as reflectors in a seismic data volume; measuring one or more qualities of the objects; vertically stacking the measured quality; relating the stacked measurements on the basis of any vertical correlation; and identifying any vertically correlated feature as a cobweb.
Effectively, therefore, the method of the present invention includes the steps of using a series of quality measurements made on a series of seismic attributes within a moving seismic volume, preferably normalising the quality measurements in time or depth intervals, and stacking them vertically to reduce the lateral geological footprint of the quality map. The qualities may be, for example, energy, coherency, dominant frequency or any other seismic attribute.
Preferably, the quality seismic image measurements are first normalised before the stacking step. Preferably, the measurements which are stacked are taken from different locations in the seismic cube. The locations may be inside reflectors, faults or other objects.
The selecting, stacking and relating steps may be performed at the same time as the data is acquired. Alternatively, some of these steps may be carried out on previously acquired data.
The method of the present invention is specialised or focused to detect these cobwebs and may use seismic object detection systems as described in WO00/16125 to point at objects where a quality can be measured. The method may use an unlimited number of seismic attributes to be able to point at these objects. Neural networks can perform the classification of the enhanced attributes, either supervised or unsupervised.
Within a seismic data volume, several classes of seismic objects are present, for example, seismic chimneys, faults and reflectors. Preferably, seismic reflectors are used to detect or sample possible cobwebs as they are the easiest attribute to detect and enhance by automated methods and may be the most sensitive to lateral quality variations. Any given seismic data volume will also contain numerous seismic reflectors, and cobwebs are easier to separate from reflectors than any other seismic object. Furthermore, reflectors do not need to migrate to be detectable and can therefore be monitored during acquisition of the seismic data. In this way, data samples which are not recognised as reflectors can be left out of the quality classification process. This greatly simplifies the method of the present invention, and geological footprint is reduced in the quality map.
To make the detection sensitive enough to be able to separate cobwebs from the reflectors and other types of noise, vertical stacking of quality measurements is needed.
Due to the systematic reduction in data qualities along the vertical axis, both due to the absorption of sound in the earth's crust, and limitations in the imaging concept, vertical normalisation of the quality values may be conducted before they are stacked.


A method for automated issuance of a coupon redeemable for goods or services purchased in a transaction involving a purchaser at a non-secure terminal on a public network is provided. The method includes receiving purchaser login data from the public network at a processing system, where the login data positively identifies the purchaser. The system provides through the public network to the identified purchaser a gateway to tools for selecting goods or services for purchase. The purchaser selects goods or services using these tools and provides payment information through the public network for the selected goods or services. The processing system verifies payment for goods or services. Next, the processing system generates coupon data, such as a clear text transcript of the transaction, and an encrypted transcript of the transaction. The coupon data is sent to the purchaser across the public network, enabling the purchaser to a coupon at a non-secure terminal. The coupon may be redeemed for the selected goods or services at a later date. The invention may be applied to the issuance of airline tickets, redeemable for travel. Coupon verification may be provided at the point of travel, where computer systems may be connected directly to a verification function.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to on-line transactions, and more particularly to on-line transactions by which a purchaser at a non-secure terminal is able to purchase goods or services, such as airline tickets, and receive coupon data for the selected goods or services which can be printed at the non-secure terminal.
2. Description of Related Art
The number of users connected to public networks is expanding rapidly. Many systems have arisen which provide users connected to such networks a wide variety of services. For instance, users are able to select goods for purchase, pay for the goods using a credit card or other payment service, using automated systems on the network, and later, the goods or services are delivered to their homes.
One limitation of these on-line systems has been the inability to allow purchasers at non-secure terminals to print coupons which they have purchased on-line. Thus, airline reservation systems which are available on-line allow the user to make a confirmed reservation. However, the user must go through a travel agent or other authorized, secure service to receive the actual ticket.
The generation of secure documents at remote terminals has been addressed in a variety of contexts, including postage meter systems and the like. These prior art systems allow purchasers to print a coupon for postage or other goods or services at their homes or offices. However, special secure equipment at the purchaser's site is required.
Prior art concerning the printing of secure documents using secure terminals is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,599 by Simjian; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,246 by Edelmann, et al., both of which rely on a secure metering device.
In addition, there is a great deal of work concerning secure banking transactions and the like that can be executed on-line. See for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,558 by Ehrat. Further, credit card and check verification processes using encryption techniques have been described. See for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,655 by Musyck, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,527 by Goldman. Encryption technology which is available for providing security for on-line transactions is described in a number of references. See for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,700 by Pinkas, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,637 by Pichlmaier, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,657 by Sakurai.
Notwithstanding substantial work in the field of on-line services and secure transactions, no prior art system has made available to a purchaser the ability to print coupons for purchased goods or services at a non-secure terminal, where the coupons have been purchased through an on-line transaction.

Process for issuing coupons for goods or services to purchasers at non-secure terminals


Provided are: a galvannealed steel sheet, improved in the adhesiveness of a plated layer with a base steel sheet, as a galvannealed steel sheet, prepared by using a high-strength steel sheet as a base material; and a method for producing the galvannealed steel sheet. A galvannealed layer is formed on the base steel sheet including a high-strength steel having a predetermined composition. The average amount of Fe in the galvannealed layer is 8.0 to 12.0%. The absolute value of a difference (ΔFe) between the amount of Fe in the vicinity of an interface with the base steel sheet and the amount of Fe in the vicinity of the external surface of the plated layer in the plated layer is 0.0 to 3.0%.

In recent years, the higher strength of steel sheets used in various components and structures, such as automotive outside sheets (body sheets), construction machines, and, in addition, building and civil engineering structures, has been increasingly demanded, and a high-strength steel sheet with a maximum tensile stress of 900 MPa or more has also been used. Further, the steel sheets having such uses usually need excellent corrosion resistance because of often being used outdoors.
Conventionally, as steel sheets having such uses, hot dip galvanized steel sheets subjected to hot dip galvanizing have been widely used. Recently, there a galvannealed steel sheet subjected to alloying treatment including hot dip galvanizing, thereafter heating a plated layer to a temperature that is not less than the melting point of Zn to diffuse Fe from a base steel sheet into the plated layer, and forming the plated layer as a layer based on a Zn—Fe alloy has also been widely used. Such a galvannealed steel sheet is known to have excellent surface appearance and corrosion resistance, compared with a hot dip galvanized steel sheet that is not subjected to the alloying treatment.
However, in uses for automotive outside sheets and the like, the periphery of a sheet is usually subjected to severe bending working (hemming) by press working; and, in not only the automotive outside sheets but also in other uses, such a sheet, subjected to severe bending working, bore-expanding working, or the like by press working, is often used. In addition, when a conventional galvannealed steel sheet is subjected to severe bending working, bore-expanding working, or the like, a plated layer might peel from a base steel sheet in a portion worked in such a manner. When the plated layer peels off in such a manner, there is a problem that the corrosion resistance of an area where the plated layer peels off is lost to early corrode and rust the base steel sheet. Even when the plated layer does not peel off, lose of adhesiveness between the plated layer and the base steel sheet to produce even a few voids in an area where the adhesiveness is lost causes outside air and moisture to enter the voids, the anticorrosion function of the plated layer to be lost, and the base steel sheet to be early corroded and rusted in the same manner as described above. Thus, there has been a strong desire to develop a galvannealed layer and a plated steel sheet, having the excellent adhesiveness of the plated layer with a base steel sheet, for uses in which such severe bending working or the like is performed.
There have already been proposed various ways for improving the adhesiveness of a plated layer with a base steel sheet in a galvannealed steel sheet, and some examples thereof are described in Patent Literatures 1 to 8.

Galvannealed layer and steel sheet comprising the same, and method for producing the same

NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION


A portable device-interoperable home network system includes a home server controls data transmission and reception of an internal network to which a plurality of home appliances are connected in a home. An image server outputs information regarding at least one image in the home to the home server. A portable device server receives the image information from the image server via the home server and transfers it to a portable electronic device. Therefore, a user can recognize a situation in the home through the portable electronic device from anywhere outside of the home, resulting in an increase in convenience of use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to home network systems interoperable with portable electronic devices, and more particularly to a portable device-interoperable home network system wherein a home server is provided to control a plurality of home appliances in a home, and a portable device server is connected with the home server to transfer home appliance control information and so forth from the home server to a user's portable electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In home network systems, generally, a plurality of home appliances installed in each home are equipped with network interfaces, respectively, so that they can be networked so as to be controllable over an internal network.
In particular, recently, with the significant increase in the use of the Internet and the reduction in users' time spent at homes, the demand for home network systems in which the users can control home appliances in their homes over the Internet from anywhere outside of the homes has rapidly increased.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of one such conventional home network system.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional home network system comprises a plurality of network interfaces 1 installed respectively in a plurality of home appliances in a home to transmit and receive data, and a home server 2 for controlling transmission and reception of data on an internal network through the network interfaces 1. The home server 2 is also adapted to transmit and receive data to/from an external Internet network.
By means of this configuration, a home appliance user is able to access the home server 2 through a personal computer (PC) on the external Internet network from a place outside of the home and then control the home appliances in the home.
However, the above-mentioned conventional home network system has a disadvantage in that the home appliance user who uses an external PC or etc. cannot recognize a situation occurring in the home from the outside of the home, so he/she cannot recognize a fire or gas leak if one occurs in the home.

Portable device-interoperable home network system


The present invention discloses an integrated sampling and dispensing device comprising a flexible container, a dropper with a sampling rod and a sample removing vessel disposed therebetween. The device of the present invention can be conveniently used for collecting specimen and dispensing the same after a reaction in a single device by simple manipulation of severing the sampling rod and turning the container upside down. Also by using the present device a constant amount of specimen can be used for each reaction which leads to a reliable and reproducible result.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an integrated sampling and dispensing device, and more particularly, to an integrated sampling and dispensing device by which collecting specimen and dispensing the same after a reaction is performed in a single device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various chemical or biochemical tests are developed for measuring biological indicators/markers present in biological samples that are associated with a development of particular diseases, general health status, or infection. Such tests are generally performed through multiple stages of chemical reactions and/or often require physical manipulations, which involve various reagents and tools. For example, when biochemical substances, such as occult blood included in fecal matter or mucus, specific chemicals, or proteins, are detected, physical manipulation that required includes several stages of collecting biological sample, dispensing the sample to a container for a reaction with one or more of test reagents of interest, and transferring and applying the reaction product from the container to a test device for analysis.
Conventional devices used for collecting samples for a test do not provide means for taking accurate amount of sample or need a separate element to dispense the sample after a reaction for analysis. This has caused inconvenience to the user in terms of handling and quality control and also increased the manufacturing cost of the device which resulted in increasing the total cost of analysis.
One conventional device includes a container body having two ends, one ends at the bottom is closed and the other end at the top is open and having a space formed therein and a first cap that closes the open end of the container body, wherein the first cap has a collection member mounted thereon for sampling specimen and the collection member has an outlet formed at one end and several grooves formed on a surface thereof in a region closed to the other end of the collection member and a second cap for closing the outlet. According to the conventional device, the collection member mounted on the first cap is used for collecting specimen of interest at the end having the grooves and the first cap is replaced on the open end of the container body allowing the specimen collected and a reagent in the container body to react. Thereafter, for analysis, the second cap is removed and the container body is turned upside down to discharge the reaction product therein through the outlet. However, the device does not provide a means to accurately control the amount of the specimen to be used for the reaction, which resulted in a low reliable and reproducible result due to the inconsistent amount of the specimen used for reaction.
According to other conventional device, to solve the foregoing problems, a means to control the amount of specimen used for reaction is implemented. In this case, however, an outlet for discharge of the reaction product is usually formed on one end of a container and not on a collection member. For example, the bottom of a container body is closed by a cap which can be removed for dispensing the reaction product, which is inconvenient to use and increases the manufacturing cost of the device. A need therefore exists for a convenient and reliable device that requires minimal manipulation, integrating means for accurately control the amount of specimen used for a reaction and dispensing into one system.

Integrated sampling and dispensing device


Aspects for topside analysis of an integrated circuit die mounted in a flip-chip orientation are described. In an exemplary method aspect, the method includes isolating the multi-layer integrated circuit die from the flip-chip package, and exposing the multilayer integrated circuit die. The method further includes testing selected areas of the multi-layer integrated circuit die from a topside utilizing critical paths placed in a predetermined arrangement around edges of the multi-layer integrated circuit die.

For flip-chip, multi-layer IC devices, debugging for defects in the IC is difficult due to having to approach the desired layers from the backside of the device. FIG. 1 illustrates a sideview block diagram of a typical flip-chip configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, an IC device 10 is coupled to a ceramic package 12 (e.g., a C4 package) via solder bumps 14. The solder bumps 14 act as chip-to-carrier interconnects to attach the IC device 10 to the ceramic package 12 and to mate with corresponding pad patterns to form the necessary electrical contacts between the circuit(s) of the IC device 10 and pins of the package 12.
Testing of the circuit remains a challenge due to the upside-down nature of the flip-chip orientation. While the circuit may be approached through the backside layers, such techniques are usually not preferred due to the difficulties associated with having to access the layers in an unconventional order. Further, these techniques normally reduce the thickness of the device to reach the circuit, making the device extremely fragile and cumbersome to handle and utilize during testing.
Accordingly, a need exists for an efficient procedure for topside analysis of an IC mounted in a flip-chip orientation. The present invention addresses such a need.

Topside analysis of a multi-layer integrated circuit die mounted in a flip-chip package


An inertial measurement unit (IMU) contains three linear acceleration sensors and three rotational speed sensors. For the sensors there are desired installation directions parallel to the co-ordinate axes of a Cartesian co-ordinate system which is fixed to the vehicle. The actual installation directions of the sensors may differ from the desired installation directions owing to incorrect orientations. By comparing accelerations which are measured by the linear acceleration sensors for different attitudes of the vehicle with acceleration values which are known for these different attitudes in the Cartesian co-ordinate system which is fixed to the vehicle, the actual installation directions of the linear acceleration sensors are determined. By using a co-ordinate transformation it is then possible to convert the measured accelerations into the actual accelerations.

Sensor clusters, consisting of acceleration sensors and rotational speed sensors, have been used in automotive engineering for some time for applications, for example in electronic stability programs (ESP), in flashover recognition and prevention and for navigation. These sensor clusters generally contain one to two rotational speed sensors for determining the yaw rate (angular velocity about an axis vertical to the standing surface of the vehicle) or the roll rate (angular velocity about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle) and one to two acceleration sensors for determining the transverse or longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle.
In the meantime it has proven possible to produce rotational speed sensors at low cost with characteristics that are adequate for the automotive field based on MEMS technology (MEMS=Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), so that sensor clusters with at least three rotational speed sensors and at least three acceleration sensors are also feasible for mid-range automobiles without high additional costs. Sensor clusters of this type are also referred to as IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units). An IMU contains three rotational speed sensors and three acceleration sensors. The acceleration sensors are disposed in such a manner that they measure the components of the acceleration vector of a fixed point in the vehicle in the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the vehicle and vertical to the standing surface of the vehicle. These directions are generally orthogonal to each other in pairs. The rotational speed sensors are disposed in such a manner that they measure the components of the vector of the current angular velocity of the vehicle in respect of the same three directions.
With regard to the central monitoring of the different electronic systems in the vehicle and possibilities for using fewer sensors, such sensor clusters, which make their data available to different systems in the vehicle, are of particular interest.
If all or some of the corresponding sensors in such a sensor cluster are not oriented in the desired directions (e.g. due to errors in the manufacturing process), these incorrect orientations can generally not be located without taking measurements within the cluster housing.

Method for determining and correcting incorrect orientations and offsets of the sensors of an inertial measurement unit in a land vehicle


A FFT module for a baseband processor of a receiver includes an input for receiving a timing window correction signal. In response to the timing window correction signal the FFT module adjusts a timing window for processing groups of samples within an input queue of the FFT module.

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) transceivers are of interest for wireless local area networks (WLANs). One example of a WLAN transceiver of commercial interest is a transceiver compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, such as the 802.11a and 802.11g standards. In addition to applications in WLAN systems, OFDM is also used in asymmetric digital subscriber line services (ADSL), digital audio broadcast, digital terrestrial television broadcasting in some nations, and in proposed 4G metro area network and wide area network systems, such as those described in IEEE standards 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.
An OFDM system carries information in a frequency multiplex to increase the data rate. The total channel bandwidth is divided into multiple subchannels to increase the bandwidth and reduce interference effects. That is, in an OFDM system the carrier centers are placed on orthogonal frequencies and subcarriers are spaced apart by a characteristic time. OFDM transceivers are robust in multi-path environments. Additionally, forward error correction (FEC) codes permit the recovery of certain types of errors. However, OFDM transceivers are sensitive to frequency, clock, and phase offset.
In an OFDM system the basic unit of data is called a symbol which has a corresponding symbol duration. Each carrier has a fixed phase and amplitude for a particular symbol. The modulation attributes are then changed for the next symbol. Modulation and demodulation are achieved by the use of an inverse discrete Fourier transform (e.g., an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT)) and discrete Fourier transform (e.g., a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)), respectively.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional prior art WLAN transceiver including an OFDM transmitter 105 and OFDM receiver 155. The transmitter 105 includes a data scrambler, convolutional encoder, interleaver, modulator, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) module, multiplexer, and a cyclic prefix (CP) module to generate guard symbols. The scrambled data sequence is convolutionally encoded. A puncturing technique may be used to achieve a ratio of uncoded bits to coded bits that is greater than a mother code. Interleaving of the convolutionally encoded bits prevents error bursts. The interleaved encoded bits are grouped together into groups arranged to form symbols. The symbols are then modulated and an OFDM symbol is generated using IDFT. The IDFT output is converted to a serial sequence and a guard duration is added.
The receiver 155 includes modules that perform operations inverse to those of the transmitter and that are performed in a reverse order such that binary data is recovered. As one example, modules may be included to remove guard symbols, perform demuxing operations, discrete Fourier transformation (DFT), channel correction, and viterbi decoding to undue the convolutional encoding. The DFT module is typically implemented as a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) module. The FFT is an efficient implementation of the discrete Fourier Transform. An FFT module for a communication system utilizes a sequence of multiply-and-add operations that are typically implemented in digital systems as a pipeline having a sequence of butterfly stages that operate upon an M-length initial input, where M is a power of two integer. Conventionally, data buffers are provided at the input of the FFT module and between data stages of the FFT module to permit all of the received data to be processed in parallel in the proper sequence through the various butterfly stages and multiply-and-add operations in the proper sequence.
Receiver 155 must perform a timing recovery operation. An initial timing recovery operation is essential for the receiver to be initially synchronized with the output of the transmitter. Moreover, in a typical OFDM environment timing and carrier errors have to be corrected dynamically to achieve an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio in a multipath environment.
Synchronization in OFDM receiver 155 typically includes an initial synchronization process that includes aligning the receiver to the symbol rate of the transmitted signal. Additionally, frame detection, carrier offset estimation and correction, and sampling error correction are performed to determine FFT windows to decode the signal.
Conventionally, an input sample FIFO queue (not shown in FIG. 1) in OFDM receiver 155 receives the input stream and a timing window is selected that defines groups of samples that are sent to the FFT module for subsequent FFT processing. As illustrated in FIG. 2, one aspect of the operation of receiver 155 is defining FFT timing windows which define groups of samples in the FIFO that are sent to the FFT module for FFT processing. Each group of samples that is processed corresponds to one symbol. For example, in many OFDM system an OFDM symbol corresponds to 80 samples. Of the 80 samples, 16 typically correspond to guard samples and the remaining 64 samples correspond to symbol data.
A loop filter (not shown in FIG. 1) is typically used to provide dynamic correction of timing and carrier errors. However, the loop filter may underflow or overflow. Consequently, a correction to the timing window applied to the input FIFO must be provided. In particular, if sample synchronization is lost, the timing window must be adjusted. A fine adjustment of the timing window may be implemented by generating a signal to skip or repeat a sample, i.e., to adjust the timing window up or down by one sample, respectively.
FIG. 3 illustrates some of the sample synchronization problems in prior art WLAN receiver systems. An RF module 305 receives the transmitted OFDM signal and performs an initial demodulation process to generate data packets which are received in a baseband processor 302. For the purposes of illustration, some components of baseband processor 302 are omitted for clarity. An input queue 310 receives input samples. A sample timing window adjustment module 315 defines groups of samples corresponding to symbols received by FFT module 320. FFT module 320 may, for example, be a multi-stage FFT module that receives data samples corresponding to an M length input and then processes the samples in a conventional arrangement of FFT stages having appropriate data buffers between stages. A timing estimation module 325 (e.g., a coarse timing estimation module) is used to determine corrections to the sample timing window required to provide sample synchronization for use by sample timing window adjustment module 315.
However, note there is a feedback delay along path 330 between the initial time when a synchronization error is detected and when the sample timing window is adjusted. However, FFT module 320 performs nonlinear mathematical operations (e.g., quantization, rounding, and clipping) such that it is difficult to correct the output of FFT module 320 without a large performance loss. As a result, all of the data that was input to the FFT module with an incorrect sample timing window before sample timing window adjustment module 315 corrects the timing window is processed with the wrong sample timing window, increasing the likelihood of generating errors in subsequent decoding operations.
As an illustrative example, suppose FFT module 320 outputs a first symbol having a timing error, i.e., incorrect sample synchronization. The error in the first symbol is detected by timing estimation module 325. Due to the pipelined architecture at approximately the same time, a second group of samples corresponding to a second symbol enters FFT module 320. In the best case scenario that the feedback delay 330 is short in duration, the sample window timing adjustment module 315 will correct the timing window for a third group of samples corresponding to a third symbol. However, note that the second group of symbols has already been received in the input buffer of FFT module 320 before its timing could be corrected. That is, in the best case scenario after a timing error is detected in a first symbol output from FFT module 320, the second subsequent symbol received by FFT module 320 will still be processed with an incorrect timing window. In this example it will not be until at least the third symbol that the FFT processes samples with the correct timing window.
In light of the problems described above, the inventive apparatus, system, and method was developed.

Apparatus, system, and method for sample timing synchronization in a receiver


A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp device includes at least one light-emitting module and a heat-dissipation module. The heat-dissipation module includes a plurality of cooling fins arranged in a radial pattern and connected annularly at intervals around the light-emitting module. Each of the cooling fins has an outer rim folded back a predetermined distance toward the light-emitting module to form a bent edge. The bent edges are formed with arcuate folded-back portions so that the cooling fins have rib-like outer perimeters after the bent edges are formed. Thus, the LED lamp device is allowed to be held safely by the folded-back portions while the cooling fins are structurally strengthened.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a LED lamp device which includes a heat-dissipation module composed of a plurality of structurally enhanced and annularly connected cooling fins for rapidly dissipating heat generated by a LED unit of the LED lamp device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Projection lamps have long taken a rather stable share of the light bulb market. A typical example of traditional projection lamps is the 110V halogen projection light bulbs, which, however, consume a lot of electricity, generate heat easily, and have a relatively short service life averaging only a few months. In an era of high electricity prices, the halogen projection light bulbs not only are environment-unfriendly, but may also cause electrical fires due to the high heat they generate.
Therefore, in view of the low electricity-consumption property of LEDs, developers put forward projection lamps using LEDs as a source of illumination to overcome the drawbacks of the traditional halogen projection light bulbs. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional LED projection light bulb 1 is composed essentially of a metal housing 11, a voltage transforming unit 12, and an LED unit 13, wherein the LED unit 13 and the voltage transforming unit 12 are disposed inside the housing 11. The voltage transforming unit 12 transforms a 110V AC voltage into a DC voltage for use by the LED unit 13, thereby enabling the LED unit 13 to emit light for projection.
While the conventional LED projection light bulb 1 is more power-saving and more environment-friendly than the traditional halogen projection light bulbs, the LED unit 13 still has heat dissipation problems, which are aggravated by the fact that the LED unit 13 is less resistant to heat than the traditional halogen projection light bulbs, and, as soon as the temperature of the LED unit 13 rises above a preset allowable value, the brightness of light emitted by the LED unit 13 will begin to attenuate so that the desired illumination effect cannot be achieved, or the LED unit 13 may even have its normal service life cut short as a result.
As heat generated by the LED unit 13 during use can only be conducted gradually to ambient air by the metal housing 11, the LED unit 13 suffers from inefficient heat dissipation. Hence, the conventional LED projection light bulb 1 currently can only use an LED unit 13 of at most 1 W which produces limited brightness with no room for improvement. Therefore, despite the advent of the LED projection light bulb 1, popularity of the traditional halogen projection light bulbs remains unabated. Today, the heavily power-consuming and highly heat-generating traditional halogen projection light bulbs still have a significant market share and contribute to considerable waste of energy.


A method for outputting a result of one or more operations using data sources of different types is provided. The method includes steps of: (a) when a user query is acquired, a device (i) acquiring data elements respectively from the data sources of different types by referring to the user query, and (ii) performing main joint operations on the data elements, to thereby generate data set; and (b) the device performing data processing operations and output operations on the data set, to thereby generate an answer for the user query. It has an effect of providing the method for outputting the result of the operations using the data sources of the different types by referring to each of languages corresponding to each of the data sources.

As IT/OT technologies have developed, the amount of data being collected is increasing exponentially, and accordingly, researches on efficient way to utilize the big data having been conducted. Accordingly, technologies and tools for handling the big data also having been developed, and among them, big data analysis systems, such as, Apache Solr, Elastic search, etc., which are provided as open sources, are attracting attentions.
Herein, the Apache Solr and the Elastic search have its pros and cons, since core engines thereof are based on a search engine called a Lucene. To be specific, the Apache Solr and the Elastic search are specialized in certain functions, such as, quick search function for indexed data, simple statistical analysis function, etc., however the Apache Solr and the Elastic search are limited in other functions, such as, a function of modifying the searched data, a function of analyzing and aggregating two or more data sets, etc.
As an alternative solution, an RDB offers operations using two or more data sets from a single data source, however, it is not suitable for analyzing two or more data sets from different data sources or a massive amount of data.
Therefore, for now, if one or more operations using the data sets from different data source of different types are needed, it is inevitable to add at least one of a process of implementing a dedicated application and a process of replicating the data sets stored in different data sources into a single database. However, such processes consume significant amount of resources and time.
Thus, a method for outputting a result of operations using data source of different types is proposed as a solution.

Method and device for outputting result of operations using data sources of different types


A method to realize synchronization in a receiver (RX), of data (DAT) sent from a transmitter (TX) to the receiver (RX), with a signal (SIG) available in the receiver (RX). The method includes the following steps:. in the receiver (RX) generating trigger signals (T) from the signal (SIG) available in the receiver. sending the trigger signals (T) from the receiver (RX) to the transmitter (TX); and PA1 upon receipt of the trigger signals (T) by the transmitter (TX) sending the data (DAT) from the transmitter (TX) to the receiver (RX).

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method to synchronise data and a transmitter and a receiver realizing said method.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Such a method to synchronise data is common knowledge. Indeed, e.g. in communication systems where data is sent from a transmitter to a receiver, for the receiver to be able to interpret the received data, the received data have to be synchronized in the receiver with a reference signal, usual a clock signal of the receiver. Realizing synchronization implies more complexity and therefore there is a need for additional hardware or software in the receiver. The trade-offs are generally between expense and complexity, on one hand, and error performance on the other hand. However, some kind of receivers e.g. receivers using asymmetric digital subscriber line technology are required to have both, a low complexity and also a low error performance.

Method to synchronize data and a transmitter and a receiver realizing said method

Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite


An electronic catch-and-throw game is disclosed that requires physical skill, logical thought, and advancing complexity in order to challenge players of all skill levels and hold their interest.

The present invention relates to the field of games. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for a throw-and-catch game of elimination played by a single player or by multiple players.
Apparatuses are well known for playing a game of throw-and-catch for one or more players.
A variety of articles have long been used for the simple game of catch. The object of this game is to throw the article and complete a catch without it dropping to the ground. Depending on the location and speed of the throw, the skill level required for a successful catch can become substantial but the activity is strictly physical and does not require much thought.
Various novel, easy-to-catch ball designs have been shown in the prior art. "KOOSH" type balls reduce the skill required for a successful catch by allowing the fingers to burrow into the material. Other designs use "VELCRO" type hook-and-loop fastening material on the ball and a catching surface causing the caught ball to stick on the surface, removing the need for timing the closure of the hand. These designs reduce the skill required for a successful game of throw-and-catch, making them more suitable for younger and less skilled players.
The addition of sound and lights to conventional balls is also well known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,011 to Dykstra discloses a ball with an enclosed flashtube and sound annunciator that are triggered when the ball is bounced. U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,069 to Matsumoto discloses a talking football that plays voice messages and sound effects when caught. Since these light and sound responses are triggered by simple bouncing or catching, and not by a specific and controllable action of the player, interest quickly diminishes.
Another well known throw-and-catch game is "hot potato". The object of this game is to pass an object between players and to not be holding the object when the time expires or the music stops. U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,650 to Glass discloses a toy bomb comprised of a mechanical timer and sounding device. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,890,838 and 4,991,847, both to Rudell et al., disclose a timed water release toy comprised of a mechanical timer, liquid filled membrane, and an opening mechanism. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,375 to Sweeney discloses a ball toy with an electronic timing device and a digitized voice module. The addition of a random time element to the simple game of catch increases the interest somewhat, but the required skill level is relatively low.
Another throw-and-catch game is "Top It"®, an electronic game manufactured by Hasbro, Inc. of Pawtucket, R.I. The game is comprised of a hand-held device with three distinct catching areas and a passive bean-bag that is flipped into the air. When the game is played, a voice command directs the player flip the bag into the air and catch it in a specific catching area on the hand-held device. This game adds simple logic to the physical act of throw-and-catch, creating a more interesting game. Unfortunately, this game has only one bean bag to manipulate and only one hand of the player is involved which limits the number of possible moves and leads to boredom.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An electronic pedal device obtains a reliable and stable operation without generating noise by using a mechanism that converts a pivot of a treadle about a pedal body into a pivot of a link and then transmits the pivot of the link to a sensor. The device includes a base plate, pedal body, treadle, resilient member, sensor, and link.

When a driver depresses a pedal, an electronic pedal device generates an electrical signal according to the depressed angle of the pedal and transmits the signal into a device, thereby enabling to manipulate an acceleration device, brake device or the like without a mechanical connection.
The electronic pedal device should be reliable and stable in operation and have a restoring force against the driver's manipulation force.


A control network comprises a plurality of network nodes arranged in a plurality of tiers, with first-tier nodes and lower tier nodes. A master control bus interconnects the first-tier nodes, which are also connected to a power source. Lower-tier buses interconnect groups of the lower tier nodes. The lower-tier buses include both data lines and a power source line derived from the power source, allowing the lower tier nodes to selectively distribute power to local loads. A first-tier node may be embodied as a hub controller configured to be connected to one or more of said lower-tier buses. The hub controller may comprise a plurality of internal hub nodes (including a hub master node and hub slave nodes) integrated within the same physical unit.

1) Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention generally relates to control networks and related methods for configuring and operating control networks.
2) Background
Automated control systems are commonly used in a number of manufacturing, transportation, and other applications, and are particularly useful for controlling machinery, sensors, electronics, and other system components. For example, manufacturing or vehicular systems may be outfitted with a variety of sensors and automated electrical and/or mechanical parts that require enablement or activation when needed to perform their assigned functions. Such systems commonly require that functions or procedures be carried out in a prescribed order or with a level of responsiveness that precludes sole reliance on manual control. Also, such systems may employ sensors or other components that require continuous or periodic monitoring and therefore lend themselves to automated control.
As the tasks performed by machinery and electronics have grown in number and complexity, a need has arisen for ways to exercise control over the various components of a system rapidly, efficiently and reliably. The sheer number of system components to be monitored, enabled, disabled, activated, deactivated, adjusted, or otherwise controlled can lead to challenges in designing and implementing sophisticated control systems. As the number of controlled components in a system increases, not only do control functions become more complicated, but also the wiring or inter-connections of the control system become more elaborate and complex. A robust, scalable control system is therefore needed.
In addition, increasing reliance on automated control in various fields has resulted in more significant potential consequences if the automated control system fails. Therefore, a need exists for a reliable control system that is nevertheless capable of controlling large systems if necessary.
Traditionally, control systems in certain applications, such as transit vehicles and railcars, have relied upon relay-based control technology. In such systems, relays and switches are slaved to a logic circuit that serves to switch signal connections. This approach requires a large number of relays and a substantial amount of wiring throughout the vehicle. A typical transit car may be outfitted with hundreds of pounds of wiring and related electronic components. Wiring for conventional control systems can be expensive, both from a material standpoint and a labor standpoint (to layout the wiring throughout the vehicle). Conventional control systems can also be costly to maintain and diagnose, especially where wiring is complicated and profuse.
Substantial improvements in the field of automated control in general, and vehicular control in particular, are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,907,486, 6,061,600, 6,094,416, 6,147,967, and 6,201,995, each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
In many network settings, the controlled machinery, sensors, electronics, and other system components require electronic power to operate. Often power cables or wires are run independently throughout the controlled network in order to feed power to the various system components. The power distribution system therefore may lead to a second network of wires within the system (e.g., vehicle), which may, among other things, complicate layout, diagnosis, and maintenance of the network.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system, architecture, and/or method that overcomes one or more of the foregoing problems, disadvantages, or drawbacks.

Network node with integrated power distribution


A magnetic head includes a slider including rail portions for sliding on a magnetic medium. One rail portion includes inner side walls which define a rectangular hole, and a head core body having magnetic gaps is sealed in the hole with a sealing agent. Projections are formed on the inner side walls to enable proper core positioning in the hole. Multiple projections can be formed on the respective side walls. The projections can have different heights and also be spaced from the head core body in the hole. The projections can include first projections having a height H.sub.1 and second projections having a height H.sub.2 that satisfy the equation 1.2.times.H.sub.1 .ltoreq.H.sub.2 .ltoreq.5.0 H.sub.1. Also, the relative heights of the first and second projections can be related by the inequality, H.sub.2 -H.sub.1 >C-w, in which C is the spacing between projections on opposed inner side walls, and w is the width of the head core body in a direction between the opposed inner side walls.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic head for use of a floppy disc drive(FDD) and a hard disc drive(HDD).
Related Art
One example of a conventional magnetic head for HDD is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. In FIG. 5, a magnetic head 1 is comprised of in general an approximately rectangular slider 4, on one side of which rail portions 2, 3 (hereinafter referred as "the first rail and the second rail" respectively) are provided to slide on a magnetic medium (not shown), an approximately rectangular hole 5 formed on the first rail 2 of the slider 4, a front core 8 to be inserted in the hole 5, sealed with such as glass and provided with magnetic gaps (a read/write gap 6 and an erasing gap 7), a back yoke 10 made of magnetic material, which contacts to the front core (a head core body) 8 and forms a head core 9, and read/write coil 11 and erasing coil 12 which are mounted on the later-described leg portions of the back yoke 10.
Between the first rail 2 and the second rail 3, a groove 13 which is positioned on a level lower than the level of these first and second rails 2 and 3 is formed.
The front core 8, as shown in FIG. 7, is formed in general with a first core member 14 having a read/write gap 6 on one side of the member 14 and a second core member 15 having a side core 17 connected to the first core member 14, which is approximately figure rectangular in order to be inserted in the rectangular hole 5.
The first core member 14 is formed in general with a first center core 16 being made of magnetic material and elongating to the other side of the front core 8 and the magnetic material-made side core 17 for reading and writing and positioned on the front side.
The second core member 15 is formed in general with a second magnetic material-made center core 18 to be elongated to the other side of the front core 8 and connected to the first center core 16 and the magnetic material-made side core 19 for erasing use, being positioned on the front side and elongating to the other side of the front core 8 connected to the second center core 18 through an erasing gap 7. The second core member 15 is positioned to the same height level as the first core member 14. And, in the figures, 20 is glass which provides magnetic insulating and connection.
The back yoke 10, as shown in FIG. 5, is formed in general with an annular and approximately rectangular closed body 21, a stepped portion 22 which is extended corresponding to the opening side of the closed body 21 and provided on the bottom of the closed body 21, and first, second and third leg portions 23, 24 and 25 which are standing at the edge portion of the stepped portion 22.
The first leg portion 23 is coupled with the read/write coil 11, the third leg portion 25 is coupled with the erasing coil 12.
And, the first and third leg portions 23 and 25 are connected to the read/write side core 17 and the erasing side core 19 (FIG. 7) which are positioned on the front side, and the second leg portion 24 is connected to the first center core 16 and the second center core 18, and as shown in FIG. 6 the front core 8 and the back yoke 10 are unified, thereby the head core 9 is formed with the first, second and third leg portions 23, 24 and 25, the back yoke 10 including the stepped portion 22 and the front core 8.
A first side wall portion 21a and a second side wall portion 21b which are located on the line along which the first, second and third leg portions 23, 24 and 25 are disposed are provided with cut outs 26, 26, and lead wires 11a and 12a for the read/write coil 11 and an erasing coil 12 are adapted to be drawn out.
Further, perpendicular to the first side wall portion 21a, and second side wall portion 21b, a third side wall portion 21c and a fourth side wall portion 21d are formed. On the third side wall portion 21c, first, second and third ribs 27, 28 and 29 are formed in such a manner that these ribs correspond to the first, second and third leg portions 23, 24 and 25 respectively.
In this magnetic head, the front core 8 forming a part of the head core 9 is inserted in the hole 5 to seal the front core 8 to the slider 4, and molten glass is poured between the front core and the slider 4 avoiding any void from being generated. It also prevents matter such as dusts from being entered between such voids, thereby it is prevents the property from being deteriorated.
By the way, in the above mentioned conventional art, prior to the entering of the front core 8 into the slider 4, the slider 4 is adapted to be sintered, but by this sintering, as shown in FIG. 8, there have been generated such deformation in one of the inner walls of the hole 5 which are positioned on the long side of the central portion thereof causes to make the hole 5 larger or, to the contrary to the illustration as shown in FIG. 8, such deformation of the central portion thereof is projected inside of the hole 5 to make the hole 5 smaller.
Thereby, when the front core 8 is inserted in the hole 5 and the hole 5 is filled with glass, the front core 8 moves freely in the hole 5 and it is difficult to fix the front core at a given position.
As another conventional example, there is a magnetic head 1 which comprises, as shown in FIG. 9, four inner walls 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d forming the hole 5 (hereinafter referred as "first, second, third and fourth inner wall respectively), on the center of the first inner wall 30a, a stripe of projection (hereinafter referred as "first projection ") 31a extending in a longitudinal direction of the hole 5 (in the direction perpendicular to the paper of FIG. 9) is formed and on the second inner wall 30b two stripes of projections (hereinafter referred as "the second projection") 31b, are formed the height of which is the same as the first projection. In this case, the sectional view of the first and second projections 31a, 31b show these being round and taller at the center portions thereof.
In the magnetic head 1 of FIG. 9, when glass is poured into the hole 5, between the first inner wall 30a and the second inner wall 30b on which the first projection 31a and the second projection 31b are formed and the front core 8, compared with the plain sides of the third inner wall 30c and the fourth inner wall 30d, excessive amount of glass flows toward the third inner wall 30c and the fourth inner wall 30d, and due to the difference of the surface tension of the blowed glass, the head core 9 tends to be displaced as being attracted toward the third inner wall 30c and the fourth inner wall 30d and thereby the position of the front core 8 is determined.
However, since the difference of the size of a gap G.sub.3 4 between the third and fourth inner walls 30c, 30d and the front core 8, and the size of a G.sub.1 2 between the first and second inner walls 30a, 30b and the front core 8 becomes large, each amount of the glass blowed in the two gaps G.sub.3 4, G.sub.1 2 does not become even with each other.
That is, if the viscosity of the glass is smaller than the most preferable one, the molten glass is apt to flow excessively in the gap G.sub.1 2 which is formed between the first and second inner walls 30a, 30b and the front case 8 and larger than G.sub.3 4, and it is threatened to be blowed away.
To the contrary, if it is larger, the molten glass does not flow suitably in the gap G.sub.3 4, which is formed between the third and fourth inner walls 30c, 30d and the front core 8, and smaller than G.sub.1 2.
And, in order to solve the above problem which the magnetic head 1 of FIG. 9 has, it can be conceived that, as shown in FIG. 10, corresponding to one projection (the first projection 31a) of the first inner wall 30a and two projections (the second projection 31b) of the second inner wall 30b, on the third and the fourth inner walls 30c, 30d respectively also, one projection (the third projection 31c) and two projections (the fourth projection 31d) are provided to form the magnetic head 1. And, according to the magnetic head 1 shown in FIG. 10, since all of the inner walls (the first, second, third and fourth inner walls 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d) are provided with projections, the flow of the molten glass becomes easy to be controlled.
However, when all of the inner walls (the first, second, third and fourth inner walls 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d) are provided with projections, as to the positioning of the front core 8 within the hole 5, the circumstance becomes the same as the one in the case of the magnetic head 1 shown in FIGS. 5-8, and thereby, it is not determined to solve the problem appropriately.


A tie arrangement for securing the CRT board onto the CRT neck, includes a belt for tying to the CRT neck, at least two bridge members each having one end coupled to the belt and the other end passed through the corresponding holes on the CRT board and engaged with the corresponding stop buckles on the other side of the hole. Each stop buckle is provided with a hole for the bridge member to pass through and a tongue is formed in the hole for detachably engaging with the bridge member.

The present invention relates to a tie arrangement, and particularly to a tie arrangement for securing the cathode ray tube (CRT) circuit board onto the CRT neck.
Apparatus such as televisions, monitors and oscilloscopes needs a displaying device, i.e., CRT to demonstrate the desired result on the screen. Referring to FIG. 6, a conventional CRT 10 and a CRT board 62 are shown, wherein the CRT board 62 is to be secured onto the CRT cap 61 having a plurality of interconnecting pins 611 on the CRT cap 61 to provide the electrical connection with the CRT board 62, which has a socket 64 to receive all the interconnecting pins 611 on the CRT cap 61. However, such an insertion interconnection between the CRT cap 61 and the CRT board 62 is poor and is confined to a very small connecting area, thus the maintainer might loosen this connection unconsciously. Furthermore, due to the fragility of the glass CRT neck and said small connecting area, cracks may occur in the CRT neck.
Another type of such an interconnection between the CRT cap and the CRT board is to add an adhesive on the circumference of the contact area thereof. However, such a connection still fails to overcome the problem of said small connecting area. Thus, an alternative interconnecting device is needed to provide a larger connecting area as to secure the CRT board onto the CRT cap and overcome said problem.

Tie arrangement for securing a cathode ray tube board onto a cathode ray tube neck


Techniques are provided for detecting the onset of an episode of apnea/hypopnea substantially in real-time. A moving threshold is generated based on recent respiration cycles and differences are accumulated between amplitudes of new respiration cycles and the moving threshold. Apnea/hypopnea is then detected based upon a comparison of the accumulated differences against a fixed threshold. The technique exploits the fact that many episodes of hypopnea begin with a sharp drop in respiration and many episodes of apnea are preceded by a sharp drop in respiration. By accumulating differences between new respiration amplitudes and a short term moving average, any sharp drop in respiration is thereby promptly detected. In many cases, by the time the amplitudes of individual respiration cycles drop to levels directly indicative of apnea/hypopnea, the episode of apnea/hypopnea will have already been detected based upon the sudden sharp drop in respiration amplitude and therapy will have already been initiated.

Apnea and hypopnea are characterized by periods of significantly reduced respiration. With hypopnea, respiration is reduced but is still present. With apnea, however, respiration may cease completely for a minute or longer. One common form of apnea is sleep apnea, in which individual episodes of apnea can occur hundreds of times during a single night. Accordingly, patients with sleep apnea experience periodic wakefulness at night and excessive sleepiness during the day. In addition, apnea can exacerbate various medical conditions, particularly congestive heart failure (CHF) wherein the patient suffers from poor cardiac function. Other medical conditions that can be adversely affected by sleep apnea include: high blood pressure, risk for heart attack and stroke, memory problems, impotency and sexual dysfunction, migraine headaches, depression and anxiety, polycythemia (increase in the number of red blood cells), cor pulmonale (an alteration in the structure and function of the right ventricle caused by a primary disorder of the respiratory system), bradycardia (excessively slow heart rate), tachycardia (excessively fast heart rate), pulmonary hypertension hypoxemia (chronic daytime low blood oxygen) and hypercapnia (increased blood carbon dioxide (CO2)).
One form of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea (CSA), which is believed to be the result of a neurological condition. Briefly, respiration is regulated by groups of nerve cells in the brain in response to changing blood chemistry levels, particularly blood CO2 levels. When blood CO2 levels exceed a certain threshold, the groups of nerve cells generate a burst of nerve signals for triggering inspiration. The inspiration nerve signals are relayed via phrenic nerves to the diaphragm and via other nerves to chest wall muscles, which collectively contract to expand the lungs. With CSA, the nerve signals are not properly generated during extended periods of time while the patient is asleep or are of insufficient magnitude to trigger sufficient muscle contraction to achieve inhalation. In either case, the patient thereby fails to inhale until appropriate inspiration nerve signals are eventually generated—often not until after the patient awakes in response to significantly high blood CO2 levels. Arousal from sleep due to CSA usually lasts only a few seconds, but such brief arousals nevertheless disrupt continuous sleep and can prevent the patient from achieving rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is needed. In addition, as already noted, frequent periods of apnea can exacerbate other medical conditions. In particular, aberrant blood chemistry levels occurring by sleep apnea are a significant problem for patients with CHF. Due to poor cardiac function caused by CHF, patients already suffer from generally low blood oxygen levels. Frequent periods of sleep apnea result in even lower blood oxygen levels.
Another form of sleep apnea, which is more common, is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) wherein the respiration airway is temporarily blocked. With OSA, proper inspiration nerve signals are generated by the brain and so the diaphragm and chest muscles contract in an attempt to cause the lungs to inhale. However, an obstruction of the respiration airway blocks delivery of air to the lungs and so blood CO2 levels continue to increase, usually until the patient awakens and readjusts his or her position so as to reopen the obstructed respiration pathway so that normal breathing can resume. The site of obstruction is usually the soft palate, near the base of the tongue, which lacks rigid structures such as bone or cartilage for keeping the airway open. While the patient is awake, muscles near the soft palate keep the passage open. However, while asleep, the muscles can relax to a point where the airway collapses and hence becomes obstructed. As with CSA, arousal from sleep usually lasts only a few seconds but is sufficient to disrupt continuous sleep and prevent proper REM sleep. It is estimated that OSA occurs in approximately two percent of women and four percent of men over the age of thirty-five. Obesity is a significant contributing factor. In addition, patients are at greater risk of OSA with increasing age, due to loss of muscle mass, particularly within the muscles that would otherwise hold the respiration airway open. Some patients suffer from mixed apnea, wherein episodes of CSA and OSA can occur the same night.
Apnea can also occur during Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR), which is an abnormal respiratory pattern often occurring in patients with CHF. CSR is characterized by alternating periods of hypopnea and hyperpnea (i.e. fast, deep breathing.) Briefly, CSR arises principally due to a time lag between blood CO2 levels sensed by the respiratory control nerve centers of the brain and the blood CO2 levels. With CHF, poor cardiac function results in poor blood flow to the brain such that respiratory control nerve centers respond to blood CO2 levels that are no longer properly representative of the overall blood CO2 levels in the body. Hence, the respiratory control nerve centers trigger an increase in the depth and frequency of breathing in an attempt to compensate for perceived high blood CO2 levels—although the blood CO2 levels have already dropped. By the time the respiratory control nerve centers detect the drop in blood CO2 levels and act to slow respiration, the blood CO2 levels have already increased. This cycle becomes increasingly unbalanced until respiration alternates between hypopnea and hyperpnea. The periods of hypopnea often become sufficiently severe that no breathing occurs between the periods of hyperpnea, i.e. periods of frank apnea occur between the periods of hyperpnea. The wildly fluctuating blood chemistry levels caused by alternating between hyperpnea and apnea/hypopnea can significantly exacerbate CHF and other medical conditions. When CHF is still mild, CSR usually occurs, if at all, only while the patient is sleeping. When it becomes more severe, CSR can occur while the patient is awake. Accordingly, CSR is one mechanism by which apnea can occur within patients who are awake. Apnea can also occur while awake due to neurological disorders or other factors. Hence, apnea is not limited to occurring only within sleeping patients.
In view of the significant adverse consequences of apnea/hypopnea, particularly insofar as patients with CHF are concerned, it is highly desirable to provide techniques for detecting and treating the condition. Apnea/hypopnea arising due to CSR is usually treated by addressing the source of the CSR, such as an underlying CHF. By reducing CHF so as to improve stroke volume, CSR is less likely to occur and so any periods of apnea arising during CSR may be avoided. OSA is usually treated by having the patient wear a breathing apparatus at night, such as a device providing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or bi-level positive pressure therapy (Bi-level-PAP). Surgery, however, is sometimes necessary. Although the source of CSA appears to be neurological, breathing devices employing CPAP or B-PAP techniques have been found to be effective for treating CSA as well. Although such breathing devices are effective when properly employed, they are often uncomfortable and inconvenient for the patient and, as a result, many patients fail to wear the device each night and hence forfeit the benefits thereof. In addition, when properly worn, the devices apply therapy continuously—even on nights when the patient might not have any actual episodes of sleep apnea.
Thus, many of these forms of therapy are delivered more or less continuously, at least while the patient is asleep, even when no episodes of apnea/hypopnea are occurring. In many cases, it would instead be desirable to automatically detect individual episodes of apnea/hypopnea and deliver therapy only as needed. In particular, it would desirable to provide such capability within an implantable medical system. Properly equipped, an implantable medical system could detect the onset of individual episodes of apnea/hypopnea and deliver appropriate therapy. For example, if an episode of OSA is detected, stimulation signals could be delivered to muscles near the soft palate to increase of muscle tone sufficient to reopen the blocked respiration airway to thereby terminate the episode of OSA. If an episode of CSA is detected, the device could then deliver periodic stimulation signals to the diaphragm via direct electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves to cause the diaphragm to resume a proper respiratory rhythm. This is referred to as phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) therapy. (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,519 to Vince, entitled "Unilateral Diaphragmatic Pacer" and U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,183 to Scheiner, et al., entitled "Method and Apparatus for Diaphragmatic Pacing.") If apnea/hypopnea arises due to CSR, episodes of apnea occurring during CSR may be individually detected and appropriate therapy applied, such as nerve stimulation therapy similar to that used in connection with CSA. Within implantable systems lacking nerve or upper airway stimulators for directly terminating the episode of apnea, warning signals may instead be generated (either via an implanted warning device or a bedside monitor) for awakening or otherwise alerting the patient so as to cause the patient to resume normal breathing. In any case, by promptly detecting the onset of an individual episode of apnea/hypopnea, therapy or warning signals can be delivered immediately so as to allow for prompt termination of the episode of apnea/hypopnea, thus reducing the its adverse effects.
Such an implantable medical system could utilize a pacemaker or ICD for use as a controller to coordinate the detection of episodes of apnea and the delivery of therapy in response thereto. Pacemakers and ICDs are usually implanted primarily for use in applying cardiac therapy for treating cardiac arrhythmias. However, many patients who are candidates for pacemakers or ICDs also suffer from apnea and hence could benefit from additional functionality directed to the detection and treatment of apnea. Alternatively, rather than using a pacemaker or ICD, the implantable medical system could be implemented as a dedicated implantable device configured specifically for the purposes of detecting apnea/hypopnea.
Hence, it would be highly beneficial to provide techniques for detecting the onset of individual episodes of apnea/hypopnea, particularly for use within implantable medical systems. Heretofore, however, prompt and reliable detection of the onset of individual episodes of apnea/hypopnea has proven to be problematic. Even in the absence of apnea/hypopnea, respiration is often fairly infrequent (particularly while a patient is asleep) and so the lack of respiration for some period of time does not necessarily indicate the onset of apnea/hypopnea. False detection of apnea/hypopnea, when a patient is otherwise breathing properly, can result in unnecessary or improper therapy. Accordingly, to avoid such false positives, many conventional automatic apnea/hypopnea detection techniques require that little or no respiration be detected for some extended period of time—often twenty seconds or more—before an indication of apnea/hypopnea is made. By then, however, if apnea/hypopnea is indeed occurring, it has already been ongoing for some time and so prompt detection is not achieved; therefore desired therapy is delayed.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide techniques for promptly and reliably detecting the onset of individual episodes of apnea/hypopnea—preferably in real time—and it is to this end that the invention is primarily directed.

System and method for real-time apnea/hypopnea detection using an implantable medical system


A voltage from an AC power source is converted into a DC voltage in an input-side rectifier-smoother circuit. The DC voltage is then converted into a high-frequency voltage in an inverter, and the resulting high-frequency voltage is voltage-transformed in a transformer. The voltage-transformed high-frequency voltage is converted into a DC voltage in an output-side rectifier-smoother circuit, which is applied via output terminals to a load. The input-side and output-side rectifier-smoother circuits, the inverter and the transformer are enclosed in a casing having a plastic panel. The output terminal of the apparatus is mounted on the plastic panel. When a temperature sensing unit with a temperature sensor disposed on the panel near the output terminal senses that the temperature of the panel has risen above a predetermined temperature, which is lower than the heat deformation temperature of the panel, a gate signal ON-OFF circuit prevents a gate signal from a gate signal generating circuit from being coupled to the inverter. The gate signal ON-OFF circuit permits the gate signal to be coupled to the inverter when the temperature sensing unit senses that the temperature of the panel has decreased below the predetermined temperature.

This invention relate to a power supply apparatus of which operation can be stopped when the temperature of the apparatus excessively rises.
Various types of power supply apparatuses are designed for various purposes. For example, there is a power supply apparatus designed for use with welders, cutters or battery chargers. In such power supply apparatuses, for example, a commercial AC voltage is converted into a DC voltage in an input-side AC-to-DC converter, and the resulting DC voltage is converted into a high-frequency voltage in a DC-to-high-frequency converter. The resulting high-frequency voltage is then converted back into a DC voltage in an output-side high-frequency-to-DC converter, and the resulting DC voltage is applied through output terminals to a load.
The AC-to-DC converter, the DC-to-high-frequency converter, and the high-frequency-to-DC converter may be placed in a casing. Output terminals are formed to extend through a portion of a wall of the casing. The high-frequency-to-DC converter is coupled to an external load via these output terminals.
Such casing may be molded from a plastic material in order to make the power supply apparatus small and light. The output terminals of the apparatus mounted on such a plastic casing are connected to wires for connecting the apparatus to the external load. Contact resistances may be developed between the wires and the output terminals. When a large load current flows through the contact resistances, heat is generated at the contact resistances, which raises the temperatures of the output terminals.
The output terminals are also connected to the high-frequency-to-DC converter within the casing through wires. Contact resistances are present also between these wires and the output terminals. The large load current flows also through these contact resistances, which raises the temperature of the output terminals, too, for the same reason as stated above.
A utilization ratio is predetermined for a power supply apparatus for use in welding. The xe2x80x9cutilization ratioxe2x80x9d referred to herein is a ratio in percent of a time length for which the power supply apparatus is operated to a predetermined time length, for example, 10 minutes. Usually, the utilization ratio is, for example, 20% or 15%. This utilization ratio is determined by taking lightness, movableness and economy of production into account.
When the utilization ratio of the power supply apparatus exceeds a prescribed value, the casing, made of plastic, may be deformed when the temperature of the portion of the casing where the output terminals are mounted rises due to temperature rise of the output terminals caused by the above-described reasons. Usually, the output terminals have their outer surfaces threaded, and they are put into holes extending through the wall of the casing. Nuts are screwed onto the threaded output terminals to secure them to the casing. Accordingly, if the casing is deformed due to heat, the output terminals cannot be properly secured to the casing. It is, therefore, necessary that an operator of the power supply apparatus should be careful for the utilization ratio not to be exceeded, which may be a stress to the operator.
An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply apparatus which includes output terminals mounted on a plastic portion of a casing of the power supply apparatus, in which reliable securing of the output terminals to the casing can be maintained even when the temperature of the output terminals rises.
A power supply apparatus according to the present invention includes AC-to-DC converting means for converting a voltage from an AC power source to a DC voltage. The AC-to-DC converting means may include, for example, rectifying means for rectifying the AC voltage, and smoothing means for smoothing the output of the rectifying means. An appropriate one of various AC power sources may be used. For example, a single-phase AC power source or a three-phase AC power source may be used.
DC-to-high-frequency converting means, which may be, for example, an inverter or a chopper, converts the DC voltage outputted from the AC-to-DC converting means to a high-frequency voltage. Voltage-transforming means may be additionally used to voltage-transform the high-frequency voltage. High-frequency-to-DC converting means is provided for converting the high-frequency voltage from the DC-to-high-frequency converting means to a DC voltage for application to output terminals of the power supply apparatus. The high-frequency-to-DC converting means may include rectifying means for rectifying the high-frequency voltage and smoothing means for smoothing the output of the rectifying means.
The AC-to-DC converting means, the DC-to-high-frequency converting means and the high-frequency-to-DC converting means are housed in a casing. The casing includes a plastic panel which deforms when its temperature rises above its heat deformation temperature. The entire casing may be formed of a heat-deformable plastic.
The output terminals are arranged on the plastic panel of the casing. Temperature sensing means is mounted on the casing. The temperature sensing means may be disposed at any location, but it is desirable to dispose it in proximity to the output terminals. From the esthetical view point, it is desirable to position the temperature sensing means within the casing.
The temperature sensing means may be adapted to output a temperature-indicative signal indicative of the temperature around it. Alternatively, the temperature sensing means may be adapted to provide an output signal when the temperature of the casing has risen to a temperature above a predetermined temperature which is set at a value lower than the heat deformation temperature, and to cause such output signal to disappear when the temperature of the casing has fallen below the predetermined temperature.
Output control means is disposed in association with the temperature sensing means. The output control means operates to prevent the output of the apparatus from appearing at the output terminals when the temperature sensing means senses that the temperature of the casing has risen to a temperature above the predetermined temperature, and to cause the output of the apparatus to be developed at the output terminals when the temperature sensing means senses that the temperature of the casing has fallen below the predetermined temperature.
Other than the one described later, various configurations can be adopted for the output control means. For example, the output control means may be switched between a state in which the commercial AC power source is coupled to the AC-to-DC converting means and a state in which the commercial AC power supply is decoupled from the AC-to-DC converting means.
With the above-described arrangement, when the temperature of the casing rises above the predetermined temperature, the output control means operates to prevent the power supply apparatus output from being developed at the output terminals, so that the temperature of the casing does not rise any more. This can prevent the heat deformation of the panel. Further, since no output is developed at the output terminals, the temperature of the output terminals and, hence, the temperature of the casing gradually decreases, and when the temperature of the casing decreases below the predetermined temperature, the power supply apparatus output is developed again at the output terminals.
It is possible to cause no output to be developed at the output terminals by means of a temperature-sensitive fuse, which melts when the temperature of the output terminals rises above a predetermined temperature.
However, in such arrangement, the molten fuse must be replaced with a new fuse in order to make the power supply apparatus operate again. The replacement of fuses is troublesome. In contrast, according to the present invention, the operable condition of the power supply apparatus is automatically recovered when the temperature of the casing decreases.
The DC-to-high-frequency converting means may include at least one semiconductor switching means which is rendered operative when a control signal is applied thereto from means for controlling the DC-to-high-frequency converting means and continues to be conductive as long as the control signal is present. In this case, the output control means may be interposed between the means for controlling the DC-to-high-frequency converting means and the semiconductor switching means Then, the output control means operates to prevent the control signal from being supplied to the semiconductor switching means when the temperature sensing means senses that the temperature of the casing has risen above the predetermined temperature. When the temperature sensing means senses that the temperature of the casing has fallen below the predetermined temperature, the output control means permits the semiconductor switching means control signal to be supplied to the semiconductor switching means.
With this arrangement, the power supply apparatus is made to provide and remove an output to and from the output terminals by making the output control means operate to couple and decouple the control signal to and from the DC-to-high-frequency converting means. Therefore, the output control means need not interrupt a large current or voltage directly. Accordingly, the output control means need not have large current capacity and, therefore, can be of a simple arrangement.
The temperature sensing means may be disposed on the panel in the vicinity of the output terminals so that the temperature sensed by the sensor can be very close to that of the output terminals, and, therefore, the heat deformation of the panel can be more precisely prevented.
The temperature sensing means may be attached to the output terminals of the apparatus. With this arrangement, since the temperature of the output terminals which has risen above a predetermined temperature cannot decrease rapidly, the interval during which no output is provided at the output terminals can be relatively long.

Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company, Limited