A rotary electronic device such as a rotary encoder is provided which includes a rotor, a push/turn operating shaft, and a rotary sliding member. The rotor provides electric signals in response to rotation of the push/turn operating shaft and has formed therein a through hole consisting of a circular hole and a cross-shaped hole. The push/turn operating shaft includes a small diameter end portion and a cross-shaped portion engaging the cross-shaped hole of the rotor for rotating the rotor according to the rotation of the push/turn operating shaft. The rotary sliding member is connected to the small diameter end portion of the push/turn operating shaft in engagement with tapered end surfaces of the cross-shaped portion of the push/turn operating shaft within the cross-shaped hole of the rotor and slides onto tapered end surfaces formed on an inner wall of the rotor between the circular hole and the cross-shape hole to hold the push/turn operating shaft in push-in position when the push/turn operating shaft is pushed into the rotor to move the rotary sliding member out of the cross-shaped hole of the rotor.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a rotary electronic device such as a rotary encoder which includes a push/turn operating button designed to be locked in a push-in position by finger pressure of an operator and returned to an unlocked position by depressing it again.
2. Background of Related Art
Modern electronic equipment is becoming small in area of a front control panel for reduction in size thereof and increasing in number of electronic parts for advancement of the electronic equipment. This gives rise to a problem in that an interval between adjacent two of operating buttons of electronic devices is shortened so that when an operator moves the operating button of one of the devices, a fingertip of the operator may interfere with another of the devices.
In order to avoid the above problem, an improved electronic device may be used which is designed to lock in push-in positions some of operating buttons not required to be moved, while maintaining the others in projecting positions for ease of manual operations.
FIGS. 16 to 19 show a conventional rotary encoder as one example of the above described electronic device.
The rotary encoder includes generally an encoding mechanism 1 shown on the right side of the line A--A and a locking mechanism 2 shown on the left side of the line A--A.
The encoding mechanism 1 includes, as shown in FIG. 17(a), an operating shaft 3 and a resinous rotor 5. The operating shaft 3 is retained by a bearing 4 so as to be rotatable and movable in an axial direction. The rotor 5 engages a semicircular portion 3A of the operating shaft 3 so that it is rotatable along with rotation of the operating shaft 3, but restricted from moving in the axial direction of the operating shaft 3.
On a rear surface of the rotor 5, a rotary contact plate 6, as shown in FIG. 19, consisting of a central ring portion 6A and radially extending fins 6B is provided in insert molding. Three resilient contacts 8A, 8B, and 8C which extend from an insulating substrate 7 disposed at a given interval away from the rotary contact plate 6, elastically engage the central ring portion 6A and one of the radially extending fins 6B.
The encoding mechanism 1 is enclosed with a metallic cover 9. The cover 9 has, as shown in FIG. 16, claws 9A bent to connect the encoding mechanism 1 with the locking mechanism 2 together with the insulating substrate 7.
FIG. 17(a) shows an unlocked position of the operating shaft 3. The rotation of the operating shaft 3 causes the rotor 5 to be rotated so that the resilient contacts 8A to 8C slide on the central ring portion 6A and the radially extending fins 6B to produce pulse signals between terminals D and E and between terminals D and F connected to the contacts 8A to 8C.
The locking mechanism 2 has substantially the same structure as that taught in Japanese Patent Second Publication No. 60-52563. Specifically, the locking mechanism 2 includes a locking member 11 disposed within a box-like cover 10 which is moved by the axial movement of the operating shaft 3 against a spring force of a coil spring 12. The operating shaft 3 , as shown in FIG. 18, engages at a groove 3B an opening 11A of the locking member 12.
A hook 15 is installed in a bottom plate 13 of the cover 10. The hook 15 has a pin 14 which is urged inward of the cover 10 by a plate spring 16 at all times and which selectively establishes engagement and disengagement with and from a heart-shaped groove 11B formed in the locking member 11 according to the axial movement of the locking member 11 in a locked position and an unlocked position as shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b).
The rotary encoder is usually installed in electronic equipment, as shown in FIG. 16, by soldering a mounting leg 10A extending from a rear end portion of the cover 10 and terminals 8D to 8F extending from the insulating substrate 7 to a printed-circuit board 18 extending perpendicular to a front control panel 17 or parallel to the operating shaft 3. However, in modern reduced-size electronic equipment, electronic parts are required to be small in size and installed on a printed-circuit board disposed parallel to the front control panel 17 or perpendicular to the operating shaft 3. The above conventional rotary encoder has the locking mechanism 2 disposed behind the encoder mechanism 1 and thus does not meet such requirements.

Structure of rotary electronic device with push/turn operating button

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


In one embodiment the present invention includes an arrangement for monitoring RF signals for use in a base station, said arrangement comprising a demodulation circuit operable to demodulate RF signals, an RF signal transceiver, and a controller. The RF signal transceiver is operable to transmit downlink RF signals to a wireless terminal and receive uplink RF signals from the wireless terminal. The RF transceiver further comprises: an antenna operable to receive first RF signals within a first frequency band and second RF signals within a second frequency band; a signal router connected to the antenna and having first and second ports, said signal router operable to provide signals within the first frequency band to the first port and signals within the second frequency band to the second port; a first RF switch connected to the first port; a first RF signal path connected to the first RF switch; a second RF signal path connected to the second port, and a second RF switch connected to the first RF signal path and the second RF signal path, said second RF switch having an output for connection to the demodulation circuit. The controller is operably connected to the first RF switch, the second RF switch, and the demodulation circuit. The controller causes the first RF switch to connect the first signal path to the first signal port and further causes the second RF switch to connect the first RF signal path to the demodulation circuit to facilitate monitoring of the first RF signals, and wherein the controller causes the second RF switch to connect the second signal path to the demodulation circuit to facilitate monitoring of the second RF signals.

The use of wireless communications, and particularly, cellular telephony, has risen dramatically. Most wireless communications are carried out over commercial wireless networks, including commercial cellular networks. A commercial wireless network is composed of, among other things, a plurality of geographically dispersed base stations that carry on radio frequency signal communication with the wireless terminals. The wireless network facilitates communication among wireless network subscribers and, more significantly, between wireless network subscribers and subscribers of an external communications network, such as a public switched telephone network ("PSTN").
Typically, wireless terminals or telephones designed for compatibility with a commercial wireless network are limited to use only within that or a similar commercial wireless network. Commercial wireless networks typically charge for each use of wireless network equipment and services, or in other words, for each telephone call. As a result, every time such a wireless terminal is used, the subscriber incurs wireless network service charges in addition to ordinary telephone service charges. Recently, however, telecommunication devices known as personal base stations have been developed that allow wireless terminals designed for use with a commercial wireless network to communicate without using the commercial wireless network. Similar to base stations in a commercial wireless network, personal base stations provide a communication link to a wireless terminal using radio frequency signals. Such radio frequency signals are in the frequency band normally allocated to cellular or wireless service. Personal base stations ("PBS") are also connected directly to the external network in the same or similar manner as other customer premise equipment to facilitate communication with the external network. In this manner, a PBS enables wireless terminals to enjoy the benefits of cordless communications without incurring the charges of a commercial wireless network service provider. Moreover, when the wireless terminal is moved out from the proximity of the PBS and into the proximity of a commercial wireless network, it may then provide communication services using the commercial wireless network.
The PBS, therefore, is useful in a residence or office environment. Consider the use of a PBS in the residence of a subscriber that owns a cellular telephone and subscribes to a commercial cellular network. When the subscriber leaves the residence and attends to outside activities, the subscriber may utilize the cellular phone by communicating through the commercial cellular network. While using the commercial cellular network, the subscriber incurs service charges associated with such cellular service. When the subscriber is located within the residence, however, the subscriber may use the cellular phone by communicating through the PBS, which avoids the commercial cellular network charges.
Special problems have arisen with the implementation of PBS equipment, and in particular, PBS equipment that is compatible with digital wireless terminals. One such problem relates to potential signal interference between PBS-serviced calls and wireless network-serviced calls. As discussed above, the PBS and wireless networks use the same RF channels. If a PBS is located within the service area of a commercial wireless network, the possibility of signal interference is substantial.
One method of addressing the interference problem is to require the PBS to monitor the RF channels normally allocated to any nearby wireless network. If the PBS detects activity on a monitored RF channel, then the PBS may select a different RF channel to provide call service. In the wireless communication industry, each channel consists of a frequency pair, one frequency allocated to uplink signals, i.e., signals transmitted by the wireless terminal to the base station, and the other frequency allocated to downlink signals, i.e., signals transmitted by the base station to the wireless terminal. The uplink signal frequencies for all channels are uniformly within a defined contiguous spectrum, referred to as the uplink channel spectrum. Likewise, the downlink signal frequencies for all channels are uniformly within a different contiguous spectrum, referred to as the downlink channel spectrum. In the cellular telephone industry, the uplink channel spectrum is defined as between 824 and 849 MHz and the downlink channel spectrum is defined as between 869 and 894 MHz. Thus, for example, a frequency pair might comprise an 834 MHz uplink channel frequency and an 879 MHz downlink channel frequency. In another wireless industry known as the personal communication system ("PCS"), the uplink channel spectrum is defined as between 1849.98 MHz and 1909.95 the downlink channel spectrum is defined as between 1930.02 MHz and 1989.89 MHz.
The PBS may monitor RF channels by measuring the signal strength present on each channel. A channel is more likely to be available if there is sufficiently little or no signal strength detected on either of that channel's uplink or downlink signal frequencies. The PBS uses such channel monitoring information as one of several factors in selecting an RF channel for a telephone call. In this manner, the PBS attempts to avoid channels that are already in use by nearby commercial wireless network equipment.
The wireless network channel usage monitoring, or simply channel monitoring, technique discussed above is difficult to implement. The implementation difficulties stem from, among other things, the usage of duplexers. The purpose of the duplexer is to route and isolate received ("Rx") signals and transmitted ("Tx") signals within the PBS. A duplexer is a three port device that essentially comprises a pair of RF band pass filters. The three ports include an antenna port, a receive ("Rx") port and a transmit ("Tx") port. One band pass filter is connected to antenna port and the Rx port and has a pass band allocated to the entire uplink (or Rx) channel spectrum. The other band pass filter is connected to the antenna port and the Tx port, and has a pass band allocated to the entire downlink (or Tx) channel spectrum. The duplexer thus ensures the separation of uplink and downlink signals, regardless of the selected channel. A prior art personal base station that employs such a duplexer is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,649 to Schellinger.
The problem with the prior art personal base station configuration, such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,649, is that the PBS cannot receive signals in the downlink channel spectrum, and therefore, cannot monitor signals in that spectrum. The duplexer, by the nature of its filtering and routing operation, routes signals in the downlink channel spectrum "upstream" to the transmission circuitry of the PBS, and not to the reception circuitry. Only the reception circuitry, and not the transmission circuitry, can properly process the incoming signal to facilitate a signal strength measurement. Accordingly, such prior art base stations can only monitor uplink channel frequencies and must rely on external equipment to provide information on whether there is activity on a particular downlink channel frequency.
Accordingly, there is a need for a personal base station that uses the duplexer technology that is capable of receiving and monitoring signals in both the uplink and downlink channel spectra in order to determine channel availability.

Channel usage monitoring arrangement for base station


Apparatus are provided for use in testing circuit boards. A signal sensing device includes one or more probes. Each probe includes a length of rigid coaxial conductor configured to define a sensing pin at one end. A circuit board defines a number of through vias lined in metal and configured to receive the sensing pin of a corresponding probe. The signal sensing device also includes a ground pin. Electrical pathways extending away from adjacent pairs of the through vias can be tested for electrical impedance and other signal propagating characteristics by way of the signal sensing device.

Computers, wireless communication devices and numerous other apparatus generate and use signals operating near one gigahertz (109 hertz). Impedance and other characteristics of the circuit board signal pathways are of significant concern to designers working in this frequency realm. Testing of the circuit traces during prototyping and production verification is required to ensure proper design, fabrication and subsequent performance. The present teachings address the foregoing concerns.

Signal sensing device and circuit boards

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


A solid catalyst component for α-olefin polymerization, which comprises a titanium atom, a magnesium atom, a halogen atom, a phthalic acid ester compound, and a 1,3-diether compound, wherein an amount of the 1,3-diether compound contained in the solid catalyst component is 0.1 to 3 mol per one mol of the phthalic acid ester compound contained therein; a process for producing a catalyst for α-olefin polymerization, which comprises the step of contacting at least the above solid catalyst component, an organoaluminum compound, and an external electron donor compound with one another; and a process for producing an α-olefin polymer, which comprises the step of homopolymerizing or copolymerizing an α-olefin in the presence of a catalyst produced by the above process.

Examples of a combination known in the art of catalyst components for a highly stereoregular polymerization of an α-olefin are as follows:                (1) a combination of (i) a catalyst component produced by supporting a tetravalent titanium halide on a magnesium halide, (ii) an organoaluminum compound (promoter), and (iii) an organosilicon compound (third component) (JP 57-63310A, JP 58-83006A and JP 61-78803A);        (2) a combination of (i) a trivalent titanium compound-containing solid catalyst component produced by a process comprising the steps of (i-1) reducing a titanium compound with an organomagnesium compound in the presence of an organosilicon compound and an ester compound to produce a first solid product, (i-2) contacting the first solid product with an ester compound to produce a second solid produce, and (i-3) contacting the second solid product with a halogenation compound (for example, titanium tetrachloride) and an internal electron donor (for example, an ether compound, and a mixture thereof with an ester compound), (ii) an organoaluminum compound (promoter), and (iii) an external electron donor (third component) (JP 7-216017A); and        (3) a combination of (i) a trivalent titanium compound-containing solid catalyst component produced by a process comprising the steps of (i-1) reducing a titanium compound with an organomagnesium compound in the presence of an organosilicon compound and an ester compound to produce a first solid product, and (i-2) contacting the first solid product with a halogenation compound (for example, titanium tetrachloride), an internal electron donor (for example, an ether compound, and a mixture thereof with an ester compound), and an organic acid halide compound, (ii) an organoaluminum compound (promoter), and (iii) an external electron donor (third component) (JP 10-212319A).

Solid catalyst component for α-olefin polymerization, process for producing catalyst therefor, and process for producing α-olefin polymer


In general, an X-ray imaging apparatus according to one embodiment includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain correction-target data that includes component deterioration resulting from a transient response of the X-ray detector, and to output, based on the obtained correction-target and a model that outputs data in which component deterioration resulting from a transient response is reduced based on an input of data that includes component deterioration resulting from a transient response, corrected data in which the component deterioration resulting from the transient response of the X-ray detector is reduced.

As semiconductor materials for X-ray detectors (e.g., photon counting detector), compound semiconductors, such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) and cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe; CZT), are used in some cases. It is known that X-ray detectors using these compound semiconductors have instability in their response to fluctuations in incident X-rays. In other words, an output of such X-ray detectors may contain deteriorated components resulting from a transient response such as overshoot and undershoot. When an image is reconstructed from a detector output that includes such deteriorated components, there is a problem wherein CT values of the reconstructed image may deviate from correct values.

X-ray imaging apparatus, medical information processing apparatus, X-ray detector, and correction method of X-ray detector


A drawworks assembly including a drum including a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, a coupling assembly configured to transmit torque to the drum, and a cradle assembly configured to support the drum, wherein the coupling assembly is releasably coupled to the drum at a first planar engagement interface disposed at the first end of the drum, wherein the cradle assembly is releasably coupled to the drum at a second planar engagement interface disposed at the second end of the drum.

Hydrocarbon drilling systems utilize drilling fluid or mud for drilling a wellbore in a subterranean earthen formation. In some applications, drilling systems include a drawworks for controlling the displacement of a drillstring of the drilling system into and out of the wellbore. Particularly, the drawworks is configured to control the displacement of a drilling line of the drilling system that helps support the drillstring via a travelling block coupled to the drilling line, where the drillstring is suspended from the travelling block via a hook coupled to the travelling block. The drilling line is reeled over a stationary crown block forming a "block and tackle" arrangement to provide mechanical advantage in manipulating the drillstring. In some applications, the drawworks includes a drum about which the drilling line is spooled, where the drum is powered by one or more electric motors that supply the drum with torque via a gearbox coupled between the drum and one or more electric motors. In some applications, the drum includes one or more disk brakes or clutches to provide braking and positional control of the drum. In certain applications, the gearbox of the drawworks is coupled to the drum by a rotational shaft that extends into the drum, where torque is transferred between the gearbox and drum via the rotational shaft.


A molding apparatus for patterning a workpiece includes a mold having a pattern to be transferred to the workpiece, with the pattern including recesses, a first support member for supporting the mold, and a second support member, arranged opposite to the first support member, for supporting the workpiece. A pressing mechanism brings the first and second support members close to each other and presses the mold and the workpiece together so as to transfer, to the workpiece, the pattern on the mold. Recessed portions are provided on at least one of a surface of the mold on the first support member side, a region of the first support member, and a region of the second support member. The recessed portions correspond to recesses in the pattern of the mold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a press molding apparatus, a press mold, and a press molding method, for transferring the features of a mold to a work (workpiece) under the application of pressure.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, micro-fabrication technology for press transferring fine structures on a mold to a workpiece, such as resin or metal, have been developed and become a focus of attention. This technology, called nano-imprint or nano-embossing, has a resolution on the order of several nanometers. In addition, it can mold 3D structures on a wafer by one operation. For these reasons, this technology is expected to be applicable to a wide variety of fields, such as the next-generation semiconductor fabrication, the fabrication of optical elements like photonic crystals, and the fabrication of biochips such as μ-TAS chips.
There have also been proposed methods of pressing a mold into a resist on a semiconductor wafer to create an imprint pattern so as to produce a pattern on the semiconductor wafer through the process of ion milling.
There is disclosed a method of pressing a mold into a resist to mold the resist and etching the resist pattern to form holes in a wafer on which the resist has been carried (U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,905).
The following describes the current state of the above-mentioned molding technology with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
FIG. 4 shows a typical example of the structure of the prior art technology. A mold 104 is typically micro-fabricated on a wafer of Si or SiO2 by EB lithography, FIB, X-ray lithography, etc, or replicated by Ni electroforming. A work is typically resin 105 coated on a wafer 106 of a desired material, or a resin plate. The mold 104 and the work (workpiece) are sandwiched between a mold pressing member 103 and a wafer pressing member 107, and pressed together by means of a press mechanism (not shown).
FIG. 5 shows a pressed state in the structure of FIG. 4. In this case, the pressing members, the mold 104, and the wafer 106 are partially deformed, crushing a large recess almost flat. As a result, since the work is molded as shown in FIG. 6, the accuracy of shaping the work is reduced. Such a phenomenon becomes noticeable as the molding pressure increases or the recessed area is shallower.
It is therefore desired to have a molding technique capable of transferring features with a high degree of precision for finer fabrication by reducing the deformation of a mold and a work in the vicinity of a recess on the mold.

Mold and molding apparatus using the same


An aircraft cockpit display arrangement having a primary instrument display region for positioning in front of at least one pilot. The primary instrument display region has a wide screen format panel display and duplicated redundant display drive electronics configured to present both primary flight information and navigational display information on the same screen.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to aircraft displays and display arrangements.
2. Description of Related Art
Commercial aircraft cockpit display arrangements usually include two panels of identical primary instruments located in front of the captain and first officer respectively. As far as possible, the arrangement of the instruments on both panels is the same although some instruments may need to be positioned differently according to the shape of the panel. A central panel contains an array of secondary instruments that can be viewed by both the captain and first officer. In most aircraft, the primary instruments are provided by a number of discrete, separate instruments, which may have dial and moving pointer displays or may be electronic displays, such as provided by CRT displays, matrix array LCD displays or the like. The trend is for electromechanical displays to be replaced by electronic displays on which a number of different functions are represented.
Aircraft cockpit display arrangements are known employing two separate 4:3 display panels in front of each pilot. Each display panel is dedicated to displaying different sets of information. One panel may display aircraft attitude, height, speed and direction information and the other panel may display navigation information or a radar weather image. In event of a failure of one or other of these panels, it is possible to switch the remaining panel to display the information previously displayed on the failed panel, if this is information is more flight-critical. This provides a certain degree of redundancy but has the disadvantage that not all of the information can any longer be presented to the pilot. Although the arrangement provides for the more important information to be displayed, the loss of any information is a severe disadvantage.
What is needed is an improved aircraft display and display arrangement.

Aircraft displays and display arrangements


Systems and methods are described for extending a live range for a virtual scalar register during compiling of a program, comprising: receiving an intermediate representation (IR) of a source code configured for implementing single-instruction-multiple-thread (SIMT) execution, the IR representing the source code as control flow graph including a plurality of basic blocks (BB); and when a virtual scalar register defined in a first BB of the IR is last used in a second BB of the IR that is a divergent BB, modifying the IR to extend the live range of the virtual scalar register.

A central processing unit (CPU) typically includes a few large and complex cores that are designed for fast serial execution. On the contrary, a graphics processing unit (GPU) has thousands of smaller and efficient cores for massive data-parallel applications.
GPUs provide a large number of parallel processors that offer a large pool of execution units, high bandwidth memories and thousands of hardware threads.
SIMT is an execution model used in parallel computing where single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) is combined with multithreading. All instructions in all threads are run in lock-step. Thus, each thread executes the same instruction at the same time, but possibly on different data. A processing unit such as a GPU can implement an SIMT execution model to achieve high performance.
The process of compiling source code typically includes a front end intermediate representation (IR) process that translates the source code of a program into a machine independent intermediate code, and a back end process that uses this IR to generate a machine specific executable code. The process of generating the IR includes defining virtual registers (also known as symbolic registers) to hold values that corresponds to variables included in the source code. Once the IR is generated, the compiler process of register allocation (RA) is performed to allocate the virtual registers (which are not limited in number) to a limited number of physical registers that correspond to a specific processing unit architecture. RA is performed based on the live ranges of virtual registers, which is the range of instructions between a variable's definition and its kill (last use). Once the live ranges are computed, RA typically deploys an algorithm based on graph coloring or linear scan to maximize the number of live ranges assignable to physical registers. In most general purpose compilers, RA assumes a non-SIMT execution pattern, and is unaware of the peculiarities of SIMT thread divergence that results from SIMT thread masking techniques. Conventional RA assumes that only one of the divergent basic blocks will execute at a time. This assumption enables RA to assign the same physical register to different virtual registers in either of the divergent branches. The assumption is valid for vector registers, but it is incorrect for virtual scalar registers whose definition and kills are in different basic blocks (referred to herein as long-lived scalar registers).
Accordingly, existing RA processes are not optimized for SIMT execution model. Thus, a compiling solution that enables better support for the SIMT execution model is desired.

Systems and methods for extending a live range of a virtual scalar register


The adjustable configuration seating has a pair of opposed lateral rigid frame members with seat and back panels extending therebetween. In some embodiments, the chair includes flexible panels secured in place between the two frame members by crossmembers extending between the frame members, with a single adjustably positionable tension crossmember also extending between the frame members to hold the seat and back panel taut. Conversion between relatively upright and reclining configurations is accomplished by repositioning the tension crossmember between the frames, and turning the assembly ninety degrees to position the selected seating surface to face generally upwardly. Other embodiments have rigid seating and back panels, with the backrest panel articulating between the frame members to allow the seating configuration to change. The backrest panel may be secured to the seating panels by a rigid or flexible intermediate panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to adjustable chairs and seating. More particularly, the adjustable configuration seating is a dual configuration chair having seating and back panels which may be quickly and easily converted from a generally upright seating position using one side of the seating and back panels, to a more reclined seating position using the opposite side of the seating and back panels.
2. Description of the Related Art
The desirability and need for chairs and seating surfaces having multiple configurations has been recognized for some time. Seating which is convertible between a relatively upright position and a reclining position is desirable due to its versatility and the ability to combine two (or more) different types of seating configurations into a single unit, thereby saving space and expense.
Most such adjustable configuration chairs or seats are relatively large, heavy, and immobile units, offering excellent comfort but also being relatively heavy and bulky. Lighter weight and more compact chairs have also been manufactured which provide portability for camping, beach use, etc. Most such portable seating is foldable for compact storage and transport, and many of these portable chairs are also convertible between relatively upright and reclining positions, as desired. However, all such convertible and portable chairs of which the present inventor is aware require some articulation of the lateral frame members, which results in a weaker frame than is achievable in a rigid, fixed structure. Moreover, none of the chairs and seats known to the present inventor makes use of both sides of a seating and/or backrest panel.
An example of such a chair is described in the drawings and English abstract of Swiss Patent No. 662,258, published on Sep. 30, 1987, which describes a folding chair that is convertible between relatively upright reclining positions by means of the articulation of the lateral frame assemblies.
Another folding chair is shown in Japanese Patent No. 6-98,816, published on Apr. 12, 1994. This chair is formed of relatively thick support and seating components, with a generally U-shaped back portion having a relatively shallow depth. The seat folds into the back portion between the shallow arms, with the forward portions of the sides and arms folding inwardly across the front of the assembly.
Another portable, folding seat is found in Japanese Patent No. 6-197,821, published on Jul. 19, 1994. This device has a configuration somewhat like that of a so-called "director's chair," in which the legs are diagonally braced. The upper ends of the diagonals have collars that slide along the four uprights, allowing the uprights to be drawn together for folding the chair. This chair appears to have only a single seating configuration when deployed for use.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, adjustable configuration seating solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding an MSR (Methionine_Sulfoxide_Reductase), a nucleic acid encoding an Enolase, or a nucleic acid encoding a ZAT-like zinc transporter. The present invention further concerns a method for improving various plant growth characteristics by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding 6-PGDH (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase or 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) polypeptide. Plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a MSR, an Enolase, a ZAT-like zinc transporter, or 6-PGDH polypeptide and enhanced yield-related traits or improved growth characteristics relative to corresponding wild type or control plants are also provided. Further provided are constructs useful in the methods of the invention.

1. Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase (Msr)
Oxygen is essential to all aerobic organisms but can also have many harmful effects. Oxidation of Methione residues in a protein or a peptide has been implicated in several serious conditions in humans, including adult respiratory distress syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, smokers' emphysema, and Alzheimer's disease. There is now growing evidence that enzymatic repair of oxidized Methione residues may play a key protective role in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans (El Hassouni Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1999; 96:887-892). In addition to being the most common form of oxidative damage to proteins, the oxidation of Methione to Methionine sulfoxide (MetSO) is unique in being readily reversible by the enzyme peptide-Met sulfoxide reductase (MSR; EC 188.8.131.52), suggesting that MSR may be able to repair oxidatively damaged proteins (Brot et al. Anal Biochem. 1982 b; 122:291-294) in vivo.
The methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) family is composed of two monomeric enzymes named MsrA and MsrB, which reduce oxidised methionine residues in a peptide (peptide-L-methionine (S)—S-oxide). MsrA and Msr B display specific stereo-selectivities towards the sulfoxide. Both isoforms contribute and are necessary to protect the cell against the stress caused by the oxidation of Met residues at the sulfur atom which typically present a racemic mixture of the two stereoisomers.
Additionally, MsrA and MsrB types share the same chemical reaction mechanism which includes three steps with (1) formation of a sulfenic acid intermediate with a concomitant release of 1 mol of methionine per mol of enzyme; (2) formation of an intramonomeric disulfide Msr bond followed by; (3) reduction of the oxidized Msr by thioredoxin (Trx). The active sites of both Msrs are adapted for binding protein-bound methionine sulfoxide (MetSO) more efficiently than free MetSO (Boschi-Muller, et al. Biochim. Biophys. Acta (2005); 1703: 231-238; Boschi-Muller et al. 2008, Arch Biochem Biophys. 15; 474(2):266-73). In a number of bacteria, the MSRA and MSRB domains are fused (Kryukov et al. 2002 PNAS 99:4245-4250).
In plant cells, several MSR protein isoforms both of the A and B type are present. The isoforms may be localized to different subcellular compartment such as cytosol, chloroplast or secretory pathway. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the A and B type have evolved such that two MSR-A and MSR-B subgroups can be distinguished. They differ essentially in the number and in the position
of the cysteines involved in catalysis and enzyme regeneration, but also in the subcellular localization or in the intron/exon distribution of the gene encoding the isoform. MSR-A and MSR-B isoforms contribute to a total MSR enzymatic activity in plant cells as measured by Sanchez at al. 1983 Plant Physiol 73:619-623; Bechtold et al. 2004, Plant Cell 16:908-919. Functionally, the plant MSRs, A and B type included, appear to constitute key components in preventing damage in proteins under severe environmental constraints known to generate-ROS in plastids (Romero et al. 2004 Plant Physiol 136:3784-3794), or under pathogen infection (Sanchez et al. 1983), but also under more subtle treatments such as long night periods (Bechtold et al. 2004).2. Enolase (2-phospho-D-glycerate hydrolase)
Enolase (2-phospho-D-glycerate hydrolase) is an essential glycolytic enzyme that catalyses the interconversion of 2-phosphoglycerate and phosphoenol-pyruvate. Genes encoding Enolase proteins are conserved from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. In vertebrates, isoenzymes alpha, beta and gamma are present: alpha is present in most tissues; beta is localised in muscle tissue; and gamma is found only in nervous tissue. The functional enzyme exists as a dimer of any 2 isoforms: in immature organs and in adult liver, it is usually an alpha homodimer; in adult skeletal muscle, a beta homodimer; and in adult neurons, a gamma homodimer; in developing muscle, it is usually an alpha/beta heterodimer; and in the developing nervous system, an alpha/gamma heterodimer. The tissue specific forms display minor kinetic differences. In plants levels of Enolase transcripts and activity reportedly increased in response to abiotic stresses such as salt, low and high temperature, and anaerobic stresses (Forsthoefel, et al. 1995; Plant Physiol. 108(3): 1185-1195). In animal cells, Enolase has also been known to function as a transcription factor that represses the expression of c-myc by binding to the c-myc gene promoter.
In higher plants, Enolase, like other glycolytic enzymes, is present as multiple isoforms localized to the cytosol and to plastids. In addition to its essential role in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, in plants, Enolase plays specialized roles in processes with high demand for carbon flux through glycolysis such as fruit ripening (Van Der Straeten et al., 1991; Plant Cell, 3: 719-735) and growth under conditions of anaerobiosis. Exposure of plants to anaerobic stress causes a shift from an oxidative to a fermentative mode of carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in the increased expression of many enzymes of the glycolytic pathway (Lal et al; 1998 Plant Physiol. 1998 December; 118(4):1285-93).
In animal cells, part of the Enolase protein has been shown to bind to the promoter element of the c-myc gene and to repress c-myc expression (Subramanian et al., 2000; J. Biol. Chem., 275: 5958-5965). Similarly a plant derived Enolase protein, the LOS2 protein, can bind to the c-myc promoter as well as to the promoter of the zinc finger STZ/ZAT10 from Arabidopsis. The characteristic DNA binding and repressor protein domains of Enolases are conserved between the human alpha-Enolase and the Arabidopsis LOS2 Enolase. The LOS2 Enolase protein has been suggested to play a role in controlling gene expression under low temperature stress in Arabidopsis thaliana (Lee et al. 2002; EMBO J. 21(11): 2692-2702). The Arabidopsis thaliana los2 mutant plants reportedly displayed chilling and freezing sensitivity.
3. Zn Transporter of Arabidopsis thaliana (ZAT)
Van der Zaal et al., (Plant Physiology, March 1999, Vol. 119, pp. 1047-1055) describe a ZAT zinc transporter (the term ZAT being derived from Zn transporter of Arabidopsis thaliana) of 398 amino acid residues and predicted to have six membrane-spanning domains. The authors analyzed transgenic plants containing the Arabidopsis thaliana ZAT coding sequence under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Plants obtained with ZAT in the sense orientation reportedly exhibited enhanced Zn resistance and strongly increased Zn content in the roots under high Zn exposure. Antisense mRNA-producing plants were reported to be viable, with a wild-type level of Zn resistance and content, like plants expressing a truncated coding sequence lacking the C-terminal domain of the protein.
Ramesh et al., (Plant Molecular Biology 54: 373-385, 2004) describe the effects of overexpression of the Arabidopsis zinc transporter AtZIP1 in Hordeum vulgare cv. Golden Promise on plant growth, seed mineral content and zinc transport rates. The authors reported that in the long-term growth experiments there were no significant differences between transgenic and control lines in leaf zinc content or shoot biomass under zinc-sufficient or zinc-deficient conditions. Root-to-shoot ratios were reported to be higher in the transgenic plants grown under low zinc conditions.
Since the ZIP-type zinc transporters described in Ramesh et al. did not give any significant differences between transgenic and control lines in leaf zinc content or shoot biomass under zinc-sufficient or zinc-deficient conditions, it was surprising to find that ZAT-like zinc transporters gave enhanced yield-related traits upon modulating expression in a plant of a ZAT-like zinc transporter.
4. 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase (6-PGDH)
6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC: 126.96.36.199) (6-PGDH) is an oxidative carboxylase that catalyses the decarboxylating reduction of 6-phosphogluconate into ribulose 5-phosphate in the presence of NADP. This enzyme contributes to generate a significant amount of reducing power (NADPH) in the a cell. This reaction is a component of the hexose mono-phosphate shunt and pentose phosphate pathways (PPP) Broedel and Wolf J. Bacteriol. 172 4023-4031 1990. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic 6PGD are proteins of about 470 amino acids whose sequence are highly conserved Adams et al. EMBO J. 2 1009-1014 1983. The protein is a homodimer in which the monomers act independently: each contains a large, mainly alpha-helical domain and a smaller beta-alpha-beta domain, containing a mixed parallel and anti-parallel 6-stranded beta sheet. NADP is bound in a cleft in the small domain, the substrate binding in an adjacent pocket.

Plants having enhanced yield-related traits and a method for making the same


A semiconductor memory circuit in which data are stored in dynamic type memory cells located at cross-points of bit and word lines, and are refreshed within a predetermined time by a sense amplifier so as to hold the thus stored data includes a first bit line connected to a first sense node of the sense amplifier. A second bit line is connected to a second sense node of the sense amplifier. A first switching circuit having a first terminal is disposed between the first bit line and the first sense node, for coupling the first bit line with the first sense node in response to a first control signal applied to the first terminal. A second switching circuit having a second terminal is disposed between the second bit line and the second sense node, for coupling the second bit line with the second sense node in response to a second control signal applied to the second terminal. A first control line is coupled to the first terminal and isolated from the second switching circuit and the second bit line, for providing the first control signal. A second control line is coupled to the second terminal and isolated from the first switching circuit and the first bit line, for providing the second control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory circuit, and in particular, to a sense amplifier circuit system used for dynamic RAM (random access memory).
2. Description of the related Art
For example, dynamic RAM has been used as a semiconductor memory circuit which stores digital information in memory, and which reads and transmits this digital information therefrom to an external apparatus as necessary. This dynamic RAM is a semiconductor device having a plurality of memory cells into which data is stored. Each of the memory cells is composed of a transistor and a memory capacitor, and indicates "0" or "1", depending upon whether a charge is present in the memory capacitor or not. Further, this transistor is connected with bit lines (data lines) and word lines through which information is read or written. That is, when data stored in a memory cell is read out, the word lines are applied with a high voltage so as to turn on the transistor in order to detect a charge in a memory capacitor through a bit line. Further, in the case of writing, the memory capacitor is charged through the bit line. With such a dynamic cell type memory device, the charge in the memory capacitor can be held by setting the word line to a low voltage so as to turn off the transistor. However, since this charge is gradually reduced due to a slight leakage of current. Accordingly, the dynamic RAM is subjected to a refresh (rewriting) at intervals of a predetermined time in order to replenish the reduced charge. In the dynamic RAM, since a charge to be detected is small, there is used a peculiar amplifier circuit which is so-called sense amplifier and which can read with a high sensitivity and a high speed, and can be refreshed. This amplifier is connected with, for example, a pair of bit lines which are connected with memory cells, respectively.
Meanwhile, in these years, the degree of circuit integration has been rapidly enhanced due to the progress of fine work technology so as to attain a high capacity and a high performance. However, this involves various kinds of problems. For example, the attainment of high density due to large-scale circuit integration causes small pitches of bit lines, resulting in increase in coupling capacity between a pair of bit lines themselves and between adjacent bit lines. Accordingly, when an information is read out through a bit line from a memory cell, the memory cell to be sensed and amplified is directly influenced by a swing of an adjacent bit line. When the information stored in the memory cell is inverted due to the influence by the adjacent bit line, the transmission of the information cannot be precisely made, causing erroneous operation in a system using a dynamic RAM. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent No. 61-255591 discloses a conventional technology in which the potential between the adjacent bit lines are fixed to reduce the influence of the capacity between the adjacent bit lines, thereby eliminating the above-mentioned problem. However, in such a conventional technology, the reading/rewriting should be carried out through a pair of bit lines connected to the sense amplifier even though only one memory cell is read. Accordingly, a bit line which is not used for writing swings and extra current for charging and discharging runs therethrough. Thus, there has been such a problem that not only the consumption current is increased but also the amplifying operation of the sense amplifier is retarded.


A circuit configuration for an automotive vehicle with anti-lock control and/or traction slip control is equipped with wheel sensors (S1-S4), with circuits for handling and evaluating the sensors signals (respectively 1 and 2-4) and for generating braking pressure control signals and/or traction torque control signals. Further, a compass or compass system (7) is provided whose output signals are feedable to the evaluation circuits (4) and evaluatable for improving control, for identifying cornering, for assessing the driving stability etc. or also for monitoring proper operation.

Wheel sensors are the main sources for the information needed for control in the known electronic control system for anti-lock control and traction slip control that are available on the market. The rotational behaviour of the individual wheels is measured by means of these sensors and the vehicle speed, or rather the reference speed of the vehicle, is derived from these measured values. By linking the signals it is moreover possible to detect to a more or less reliable extent whether the vehicle momentarily is driving straight onwards or is cornering, whether the friction coefficient is high or low, whether there is a danger of high yawing moments etc.
It is likewise known to use vehicle acceleration sensors. Other control systems additionally require braking pressure sensors.
For cost reasons, one aim is to get along with as few sensors as possible. On the other hand, there is a need for further information on the momentary behaviour of the vehicle in order to improve control, to exclude misinterpretation of the sensor information and to detect errors, or rather defects, in time.

Circuit configuration for an automotive vehicle with anti-lock control and/or traction slip control


An apparatus and method for stretching and installing a flexible face sign panel is disclosed. A frame-like trolley structure is provided which is positioned on a frame structure, preferably on a service station canopy fascia. A roll of sign panel material is positioned on a spindle which is held in place on the trolley frame structure by collar members. A roller member is provided to assist in applying the material onto the face of the frame structure. One of the collar members can be adapted to firmly hold the spindle from rotating under certain conditions. A handle member is provided to allow rotation of the spindle and thus tightening and stretching of the flexible face sign panel. Releasable securing members are provided on the frame structure to secure the trolley in position as desired along the frame structure while a portion of the sign panel is being stretched and installed. Mechanisms are provided to affix the handle member to the roll of sign panel material and to prevent the handle from rotating when desired.

Businesses with outdoor service areas, such as gasoline service stations, are improving the facilities and areas around them. These companies want to keep their places of business attractive to their customers, keep the appearances comparable to other businesses, and also make the facilities better illuminated and safer in non-daylight hours.
Service stations in particular today are improving the areas around the gasoline pumping areas by installing canopies over them that are well illuminated and provide an attractive appearance. A number of these canopies have signs, lights, or illuminated faces along the fascias.
An improved system for illuminating canopy fascias of this type is disclosed, for example, in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,324 entitled "Illuminated Canopy System." In that system, a decorative flexible sheet member is stretched across the face of each of the canopy fascias and held in place on an elongated frame structure. A plurality of lights, such as metal halide lights, are provided inside the fascias to distribute light on the face of the sign panel. Preferably, a light dispersion film is placed over the light sources in order to uniformly distribute the light. Also, trim caps and other housing members are provided to complete the external structure of the fascia "lightbox" device.
Other illuminated canopy systems feature use of fluorescent lamps to light the sign panels. The present invention can be used with these systems as well. In addition, the present invention can be used with non-illuminated fascia or sign systems, since it relates generally to the stretching and securing of flexible panels.
Installing the flexible sheet member on the face of the lightbox or other fascia structure can be a time consuming and difficult procedure. The canopy fascias are typically positioned approximately 15-25 feet above the ground, making them difficult to access. In addition, the flexible face sheets or panel members often are 20, 40 or even 100 or more feet in length and need to be applied as a single sheet for structural and aesthetic purposes. The sheet members also need to be installed under tension in all directions. Moreover, the flexible face sign panels are typically decorated with delicate materials which require special handling so that they will not be bent or creased which might affect the aesthetics or integrity of the final product.
Known methods for installing flexible face sign panels have included simple manual handling and stretching, applying the sign panels to the frame in the factory before it is sent to the site, as well as the use of a freely movable dolly. With the latter system, the flexible sign panel is rolled up from each end like a scroll. The installation of the sign panel proceeds from the center of the canopy fascia outwardly toward each end. Although the latter procedure works satisfactorily, it still is labor intensive, requires manual stretching and tensioning of the sign panel, and requires significant skill in aligning the pattern on the sign panel with the canopy fascia.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for installing a flexible face sign panel on a canopy fascia structure. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for stretching and tensioning the flexible face sign panel on a canopy fascia as it is being installed.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved trolley and frame system for installing a flexible face sign panel, the trolley having improved ease of movement, improved installation and removal of rolls of the sheet material, and improved installation of the sheet material on the canopy fascia. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved system for stretching and tensioning flexible face sign panels during installation which is more efficient, less costly and simpler and easier to use than known methods.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention and appended claims, when viewed in accordance with the attached drawings.

Method for installing flexible sign panels with movable trolley


Method and apparatus for including within a carrier fluid to be utilized in different areas at least one additive in a constant predetermined concentration and at least one other additive in varying concentration depending on the particular area of use. For example, this invention allows various concentrations of one chemical such as a lubricant in a carrier liquid such as water to be delivered to selected different areas while maintaining a constant concentration of other chemicals such as chelates and the like in the carrier liquid. Thus, the invention lends itself to an apparatus and method of treating a plurality of zones of a processing line with a liquid, the liquid comprising a treatment liquid and a stock liquid in combination such as to maintain the concentration of one or more constituents constant while varying the concentration of one or more other constituents. The invention particularly concerns the lubricating of conveyors as in bottling lines and the like.

This invention relates in a preferred embodiment to a method and apparatus for treating a plurality of zones of a processing line with a carrier liquid, the liquid including a lubricant and additional ingredients. One particular application of the invention is in the distribution of a lubricant composition to surfaces which require lubrication and more particularly the distribution of lubricant composition to conveyors or tracks along which bottles or cans are conveyed.
In canning and bottling lines large numbers of cans or bottles are conventionally transported using variously designed conveyor systems. The cans or bottles slide along these conveyors and it is necessary to supply the conveyors with a lubricating material to reduce friction and to afford some cleaning action. Such materials are usually water soluble or water dispersible and may comprise active lubricating agents such as soap and optionally other components such as detergents, solvents and water softening and conditioning agents. Typically the carrier liquid is water which has been treated with chelates and bactericides. To be effective, such additives must be maintained at specific, minimal concentrations regardless of particular concentration being used for the lubricating additive.
Canning and bottling lines typically have many conveyor tracks in a conveyor system and the lubricant is diluted and applied to the various tracks in the system by spray, foam or drip application, the spray nozzles or other outlets being fed by a pipework system from a central point. At the central point, there is typically a dilution device which takes neat chemical product and dilutes it with the carrier liquid i.e., water in most cases. The resulting solution is pumped through the pipework system to the points of application. The thin watery lubricating composition is customarily pumped or sprayed onto the various conveyor tracks at a variety of selected locations.
The lubricating compositions previously used and most lubricating systems accomplish more than simply lubricating the conveyor. For example, in the beer brewing industry, the growth of bacteria on the conveyor is a problem. It has been customary in the past that the lubricating compositions sprayed onto the conveyor also include a bactericide for inhibiting bacteria growth. Similarly, the water supply in certain parts of the country has a relatively high mineral content. When such a water supply is used in the lubricating composition, it tends to rust or otherwise degrade the conveying apparatus. Thus, the lubricating composition also desirably contains a water conditioner and/or rust inhibitor. Other ingredients may also be included. Consequently, the lubricating composition which is conventionally sprayed onto the conveyors actually comprises a multiple-ingredient composition.
One prior art conveyor lubricating system is known as the Monarch Crown Lube System which is used by the Monarch Chemical Division of H. B. Fuller Company, the assignee of the present invention. In this system, a pump is provided for pumping a concentrate of the composition to a holding tank. This concentrate is then diluted with water to form the lubricating composition. The lubricating composition contained in the holding tank is then suitably applied to the conveyor. Operation of the pump for pumping the composition to the holding tank is controlled by a conductivity sensor in the holding tank.
Another system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,776 to Wilson and Barrett. That patent is also assigned to H. B. Fuller Company, the assignee of the present invention. In this system, the ingredients which comprise the lubricating composition are supplied separately when formulating the composition by means of individual supply tanks in which a concentrate of each of the needed ingredients is held. Separate pumps are provided for separately conducting each of the ingredient concentrates to a holding tank. By varying pumping ratios the amount of any given ingredient in the final lubricating composition can be changed.
Another system has been disclosed in European Pat. Application No. 0079152 (Chemed Corporation). That application discloses an arrangement in which the lubricant and water are piped separately to points along a conveyor. This system allows the lubricant to be individually metered at each point as the lubricant and water are not mixed in the pipework itself.
Another system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,457 to Bird, Cross and Singh. That patent describes a method of treating a plurality of zones of a processing line with a liquid comprised of a treatment liquid and a carrier liquid wherein the treatment liquid is introduced into pipes conveying the carrier liquid to each zone as discrete slugs and wherein the volume of each slug is selectively variable or wherein each slug may be introduced into the pipes at a selectively variable frequency.
One of the earlier problems with prior art lubricating systems was that the lubricating composition concentrate contained predetermined ratios of the various ingredients therein. The problem was that a single formulation of the concentrate was seldom effective for all conveyor plant operations. For example, a particular conveying application might have a serious bacteria growth problem. This might require that the composition being used in that application contain a high level of bactericide. This adjustment might be made by increasing the amount of bactericide concentrate in the lubricating composition. However, because of the ratio of the bactericide in any given concentrate was always fixed relative to the levels of the lubricant or the water conditioner, increasing the amount of the bactericide and the composition also increased the amount of lubricant being used and also the amount of water conditioner used. Thus, the amount of lubricant when increased might be to a point of excess such that it was unnecessarily costly and wasteful.
As an example, certain parts of a canning or bottling track need more lubricating and cleaning than others. In particular, in a bottling line which uses bottles which have already been used and are returned dirty by the user, the bottles at the in-feed-end of the line have a large amount of soil on them which tends to be transferred to the track. Also, there is liable to be spillage of the product with which the bottles or cans are being filled at the filling station, and the spilled product ends up on the track. Accordingly, additional lubrication is desirable at the filling station and separately at the dirty bottle in-feed. Since the lubricant is typically a soap-like chemical, over lubrication leads to excessive foaming. Excess foam is detrimental, for example, because it can trigger off optical scanning instruments and if spilled on the floor can lead to a safety hazard. Further, over lubrication is expensive because lubricant is wasted. The main constituent of the track lubricant i.e., the soap or the like precipitates lime soaps in the presence of hard water i.e., when mixed with hard water in the diluting system. These precipitates block the spraying nozzles and are generally detrimental to the operation. To overcome this problem, it is known to add a sequestering agent to stop precipitation. However, this sequesterant is typically an expensive chemical.
Consequently, attempts have been made in the prior art as evident by the above referenced patents to allow individual control over the concentrations of the various ingredients in the carrier liquid for use at different points in a processing line. As can be seen from the above referenced patents, various approaches have been made to solve this problem primarily by supplying the various ingredients of the lubricating composition separately to the carrier liquid. However, none of the prior art solutions to the problem have been completely satisfactory in that they tended to be overly complicated. Thus, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus wherein water conditioning and sanitizing ingredients and any other ingredients may be maintained at proper concentrations while the lubricant or other ingredient concentration is varied as desired in a simple straight forward manner.

Modular lubrication multiple concentration control apparatus


A system for sound localization can include a first electronic device having a microphone to detect a sound, and a second electronic device. A processor can be in communication with the first electronic device and the second electronic device. The processor can receive a first signal from the first electronic device corresponding to the detected sound, determine a location of origin of the detected sound based at least in part on the first signal, and provide a second signal to the second electronic device based at least in part on the location of origin.

Recent advances in portable computing have allowed electronic devices to take a variety of form factors and include a variety of components and sensors, including audio sensors such as microphones. Further, the availability of these devices has allowed them to become ubiquitous in our lives and homes, and to perform a variety of useful functions. While devices can have high levels of computing power and can collect and access information about their surroundings and environment, current devices may not be able to utilize this computing power and information to provide solutions to many problems and questions a user may experience in day-to-day life. Therefore, a need exists to use the capabilities and ubiquity of electronic devices in new ways to solve heretofore unaddressed everyday problems.

Home sound loacalization and identification


A Rechargeable Metal-Air Battery Cell, a Battery Stack and Method of Manufacturing the Same A rechargeable metal-air battery cell, a battery stack and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The rechargeable metal-air battery cell includes a bipolar plate, an air cathode, a plenum frame and a metal anode. The bipolar plate defines a plurality of air channels. The air cathode abuts the bipolar plate such that the air cathode is in fluid communication with the air channels. The plenum frame includes a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The air cathode is adjacent the first major surface, and the metal anode is adjacent the second major surface of the plenum frame. The battery stack may include at least one rechargeable metal-air battery cell.

With growing concerns over energy security and environmental issues associated with conventional fossil fuels, power generation from renewable energy resources, such as solar energy, wind power, tidal power and hydropower, has attracted global interests and worldwide efforts have been made in their development. In order to address the intermittent nature of renewable energy and to facilitate their deployment, there is an imperative need to develop efficient energy storage technology to alleviate power swings between peak and off-peak periods. It is necessary for these energy storage systems to have good operational stability, environmental benignity, low cost and high efficiency. One such effective device is an rechargeable battery that is able to facilitate increasing integration of renewable energy sources with micro electrical utility grids. However, to date, no battery systems have been proven to be commercially viable for such large-scale energy storage application. The traditional lead-acid battery is plagued with low specific energy (˜40 Wh/kg) and lead pollution problem, while the costs of high-rate batteries, such as lithium-ion battery, are currently too high. Sodium-sulfur batteries operate at elevated temperatures and contain hazardous chemicals. The operating safety of lithium-ion and sodium-sulfur batteries is another issue. A battery system that can largely fulfill the critical requirements for grid scale energy storage application is the electrically rechargeable metal-air battery. In particular, electrically rechargeable metal-air batteries can be capable of delivering high energy capacities, making them a viable candidate for the large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources.
Generally, a metal-air battery utilizes electrochemical reactions between metals and oxygen molecules amid a suitable electrolyte media. It typically includes one or more air permeable cathodes and a metallic anode that are separated by a liquid electrolyte. Typical operating voltage of a single metal-air cell ranges from 1.0 V to 3.0 V, depending on the battery chemistry. To meet the requirement for high-power energy storage, hundreds of individual metal-air cells may be electrically connected to form a metal-air battery stack.
Both primary and secondary metal-air battery stacks have been developed. Metal-air primary (non-rechargeable) battery stacks are known in the art for emergency, consumable and remote applications. Mechanically rechargeable metal-air battery (metal-air fuel cell) is regarded as a primary cell per se but with changeable or regenerative anode fuels. Electrically rechargeable metal-air batteries are preferred for advantages of lower costs, environmental benignity and market requirements. In particular, electrically rechargeable batteries are crucial in the deployments of renewable energy sources as they are capable of being integrated into micro grid, which was impossible for primary or mechanically rechargeable battery stacks. During typical charging operation of electrically rechargeable metal-air battery, electricity from an external source, such as a micro grid, can be used to re-deposited metals back onto the metal electrode and generate oxygen on the air electrode. There have been various attempts to develop electrically rechargeable metal-air batteries, either single cells or stacks.
However, there are problems common to rechargeable metal-air batteries, which lead to issues with stability and reliability of battery performance. The problems common to rechargeable metal-air cells include cell swelling, as during a discharge cycle, the volume of the discharge products (e.g. metal oxides) is roughly twice the volume of the metal itself. This leads to the expansion of cell at discharge, and on the other hand, the cell contracts when the metal anode is recharged. Thus after multiple discharge-charge cycles, the cell fails mechanically due to the repeating swellings and contractions. Another major problem of rechargeable metal-air battery is the formation of metal dendrites during the charging stage, which lead to short-circuit when they reach the air cathode, as well as anode shape changing, causing deformation of the battery stack and steady falloff of performance (e.g. capacity fading, voltage drop, and voltage irregularities). Other problems include the carbonate formation of electrolyte and the dry-out of electrolyte.
Accordingly, what is needed is a rechargeable metal-air battery cell, a battery stack and method of manufacturing the same that seek to address some of the above problems. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure.

Rechargeable metal-air battery cell, a battery stack and method of manufacturing the same

AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH


A liquid crystal optical modulator is operated as a concave lens using a quadratic curve modulation area of a refractive index modulation area of a liquid crystal molecule layer, which is different from a conventional convex lens operation area, without changing the configuration of the liquid crystal optical modulator. In addition, the liquid crystal optical modulator is operated as a concave lens using a quadratic curve modulation area used by a conventional liquid crystal optical modulator as well as an area different from that area to enable the liquid crystal optical modulator to operate as a convex lens and as a concave lens. This makes it possible to perform the concave lens operation, to enlarge the variable focal range, and to form a micro-lens array of variable focal point type.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal optical modulator, and more particularly to a liquid crystal optical modulator which allows an adaptive optics technology to be used for maintaining a reliable optical communication link in free space optical communication between satellites, between ground station and satellite, or between ground stations, which can operate as a concave lens or a convex lens, and which can vary the operation of a concave lens and a convex lens.
2. Description of the Prior Art
To increase the laser communication speed, it is necessary to keep a per-bit light volume constant and to increase the whole light volume. To do so, it is important to increase the antenna gain of a transmitter and a receiver. In a free space optical communication such as a communication between a ground station and a satellite, an atmospheric turbulence in an optical transmission line disturbs the wavefront of a laser beam that propagates through air. One solution to this problem is to increase the antenna diameter to increase the antenna gain. However, the problem is that, even if the antenna diameter is increased to some degree, a wavefront distortion due to an atmospheric turbulence prevents antenna directivity from being improved, and the antenna gain from exceeding a predetermined value.
Therefore, for a high-speed optical communication in a free space, it is necessary to compensate for an atmospheric turbulence. Recently, an optical communication technology for compensating for an atmospheric turbulence using the adaptive optics technology is under development.
In the optical communication technology based on the adaptive optics technology, a deformable mirror is controlled using wavefront distortion data, detected by a wavefront sensor, to reconstruct a wavefront free from an atmospheric turbulence.
As described above, detecting a wavefront distortion using the adaptive optics technology is an important factor. One example of wavefront detection sensors is a Shack Hartmann sensor. FIG. 32 shows the principle of the Shack Hertmann sensor. An incoming ray 2701, which has a wavefront distortion, is divided by a micro lens array 2703, and an image is formed at a focus 2707 on a CCD array 2705. The position of this focus 2707 can be calculated from the peak value of an intensity distribution curve 2709 obtained by calculating the light intensity detection value of the CCD array 2705. That is, the positional displacement of this focus 2707 is determined by detecting the light intensity.
This positional displacement corresponds to the wavefront tilt of each component of the incoming ray 2701 created by dividing by a small aperture of each micro lens. Because this tilt information is proportional to the linear differential of the wavefront, the calculation is performed based on the information for reconstructing the wavefront free from an atmospheric turbulence.
In this case, the diameter and the focal length of a micro lens affect the reconstruction precision of the wavefront. That is, the focal length determines the precision at which the wavefront tilt of the measuring system is detected. In addition, because the diameter of a micro lens affects the brightness at the focus and the spatial resolution of the wavefront tilt to be measured, a higher special resolution requires a smaller diameter.
The micro lens array 2703 described above is of fixed focus type. However, because the wavefront distortion depends largely on the measurement location and the season, multiple types of fixed-focus micro lens array must be prepared for exchange of the array according to the degree of a wavefront distortion to be measured. The problem with exchanging the lens array is that the device becomes large and the time is required for the exchange. It is therefore desirable that the micro lenses forming the micro lens array be of variable-focal length type.
As a method for implementing a micro lens array for use in the application described above, the inventor of the present invention has already proposed a technology for arranging liquid crystal optical modulators, each having the configuration described below for use as a lens, in an array form to allow the array to function as the micro lens array described above (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-214429).
Unlike the liquid crystal optical modulator described above, a predetermined voltage is applied across a plurality of stripe electrodes in this configuration using a quadratic curve approximation area of a liquid crystal phase modulation area. This configuration allows the liquid crystal optical polarimeter to function as a convex lens. The configuration and the operation will be described below.
First, the following describes the configuration of a liquid crystal lens of the liquid crystal optical modulator in this system. FIG. 1 is a cross section diagram showing the configuration of a liquid crystal optical modulator used in a micro lens array of variable-focal length type.
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal optical modulator comprises a first substrate 103 on which a composite electrode 111 is formed; a second substrate 105 on which a full-area opposed electrode 113 is formed; and a nematic liquid crystal layer 101 held between the two substrates. The nematic liquid crystal layer 101 forms an alignment layer 117 on the composite electrode 111 of the first substrate and on the opposed electrode 113 of the second substrate. This alignment layer 117 homogeneously aligns directors 107 of p-type liquid crystal molecules, each with a tilt angle 109 of 0.5 to 20 degrees when no electric field is applied. A non-reflecting coating 115 for preventing reflection is provided on the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer of the first substrate 103 and the second substrate 105, respectively.
Conventionally, a configuration is known in which the liquid crystal optical modulator described above is used to form a cylindrical lens. With reference to FIG. 33, the structure of the composite electrode 111 for forming a cylindrical lens using a liquid crystal optical modulator will be described in detail.
FIG. 33 is a top view of the composite electrode 111. The composite electrode 111 has two lens areas in an active area 2871: first cylindrical lens area 2851 and second cylindrical lens area 2861.
The first cylindrical lens area 2851 and the second cylindrical lens region 2861 form a stripe electrode bundle composed of a first stripe electrode 2820 to the Nth stripe electrode 2829 (N=10 in FIG. 33) and from the (N+1)th stripe electrode 2830, which is the first electrode of the second cylindrical lens, to the 2Nth stripe electrode 2839, all of which are formed by a low-resistance polycrystalline transparent conductive film such as an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film. This stripe electrode bundle is connected by a first gradient potential electrode 2801. Although the first gradient potential electrode 2801 may be formed at the same time the stripe electrodes are formed using the same material, it is desirable that the gradient potential electrode be formed by an amorphous conductive material, which is transparent and has a resistance higher than the ITO film of the stripe electrodes, such as a material created by adding a predetermined amount of impurities to In2O3.
A signal electrode a 2811, a signal electrode b 2813, and a signal electrode c 2815, each composed of low-resistance metal materials such as Mo and Ag alloy, are connected to the both ends and to the center of the first gradient potential electrode 2801, respectively. The opposed electrode (not shown) is a full-area electrode formed by an ITO film.
FIG. 34(a) is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a cylindrical lens. The composite electrode 111 provided on the first substrate 103 and the full-area opposed electrode 113 provided on the second substrate 105 hold the nematic liquid crystal layer 101 between them and refract the light passing through the electrodes and liquid crystal to form a lens.
In this configuration, AC pulse signals, with equal amplitude and frequency but 180 degrees out of phase to one another, are applied to the signal electrode a 2811 and c 2815 provided on the gradient potential electrode 2801 in the liquid crystal optical modulator described above, and 0[V] is applied to the signal electrode b 2813. This causes the gradient potential electrode 2801 to create a linear potential gradient. This linear potential gradient allows each two neighboring stripe electrodes to have incremental potential gradients. FIG. 35(a) shows a gradient potential formed among signal electrodes a, b, and c. In this way, the stripe electrode bundle generates a potential distribution with a linear gradient in the liquid crystal optical modulator.
Thus, for example, when two lens areas are used for one lens, a convex lens area can be formed by the two lens areas: first cylindrical lens 2851 and second cylindrical lens 2861. The numeral 2901 in FIG. 34(a) schematically illustrates this convex lens area.
Next, the characteristics of the conventional liquid crystal layer and the operation area of a liquid crystal optical modulator will be described. The wavefront of an incoming linearly polarized light received by a liquid crystal optical modulator, which employs homogeneous alignment, is modulated according to the characteristics of applied voltages versus effective birefringences such as the one shown in FIG. 5.
In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the voltage V applied to the liquid crystal layer, and the vertical axis indicates the effective birefringence Δn. The shape of the electro-optic response curve shown here depends on such factors as the elastic constant of the liquid crystal that is used, the dielectric anisotropy, and the pre-tilt angle determined by the alignment layer when no electric field is applied. In addition, because the refractive index and the birefringence of the liquid crystal layer depend on the wavelength, the electro-optic response curve also varies according to the wavelength of the light source.
With reference to the characteristic diagram shown in FIG. 5, the operation areas will be described wherein the area from the liquid crystal voltage 0 [Vrms] to the first inflection point is a first linear area 521, the curve area from the first inflection point to the second inflection point is a first quadratic curve approximation area 520, the curve area from the second inflection point to the third inflection point is a second quadratic curve approximation area 522, and the area from the third inflection point to the high-voltage side area is a second linear area. Note that the second linear area is not shown in FIG. 5.
The conventional liquid crystal optical modulator performs the convex lens operation with the vicinity of the first quadratic curve approximation area 520 as the convex lens curve area.
FIG. 5 shows the electro-optic response curves generated by setting the pre-tilt angle to 10°, 5.0°, 2.0°, and 0.5°, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, when the pre-tilt angle is set to 0.5°, the area from the liquid crystal voltage from 0 to 1 [Vrms] is the first linear area 521. Therefore, in this voltage range, it is difficult to use the liquid crystal optical modulator as a spherical lens.
On the other hand, for the characteristic curves of other pre-tilt angles, the figure shows that the liquid crystal optical modulator can be best used as a spherical lens approximately in the liquid crystal voltage range 0–2[Vrms]. This characteristic curve varies according to the material of the liquid crystal or the liquid crystal film thickness. In any case, the liquid crystal advantageously operates as a phase modulation layer except for the pre-tilt angle of 0.5°, especially in the first quadratic curve approximation area indicated by the numeral 520 in FIG. 5. Preferably, the pre-tilt angle at this time should be 2 to 10 degrees.
The following describes an example of the operation of a convex lens made of a liquid crystal lens in the first quadratic curve approximation area described above. For example, assume that the opposed electrode 113 in FIG. 1, which is a full-area electrode, and the signal electrode b 2813 are set to 0[V], that +V[V] that is the voltage of the first quadratic curve approximation area 520 is applied to the signal electrode a 2811, and that −V[V] is applied to the signal electrode c 2815. Then, as shown in FIG. 35(a), the first gradient potential electrode 2801 provided on the composite electrode 111 has a potential gradient.
The stripe electrode bundle, to which a ramped potential gradient is applied, forms a linearly ramped potential distribution in the liquid crystal layer 101. Because of this potential distribution, the value of the effective refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is an electrode-position dependent value that varies according to the characteristic curve of the effective birefringence, and the curve has a convex shape as shown in FIG. 35(b). Therefore, the phase modulation amount of a light passing through this liquid crystal layer depends on the effective refractive index and, therefore, the light refracts. In this way, by applying a voltage to each signal electrode, the phase modulation amount of a light entering the liquid crystal optical modulator can be controlled and therefore this liquid crystal optical modulator can function as a convex lens.
The composite electrode 111 of this liquid crystal optical modulator, if configured as a circular electrode pattern, can be configured as a spherical lens. In FIG. 36, many semicircular stripe electrodes 3001–3008 are electrically connected by one gradient potential electrode 3010 with the center electrode 3009 as the center. The both ends of the gradient potential electrode 3010 are connected, respectively, to a first signal electrode 3031 and a second signal electrode 3033 that also function as a circular aperture. The stripe electrodes and the signal electrodes are separated into two areas by a first slit 3021 and a second slit 3023.
The operation of a spherical convex lens is the same as described above. In addition, by placing the gradient potential electrode along the diagonal line of the circular electrode pattern, a spherical lens with a rectangle aperture can be configured. In addition, a plurality of circular electrode patterns are arranged as an array to configure a micro lens array of variable-focal length type.
However, for the conventional liquid crystal optical modulator that employs a homogeneous alignment, the effective voltage applied to the liquid crystal is the lowest drive voltage in the vicinity of the center of the gradient potential electrode and, therefore, only the convex lens operation can be implemented in principle, especially for a spherical lens. In addition, when there is a need for the modulator to be included into a combination lens system, it is desirable that the focal point variable range be as large as possible. The problem with the conventional configuration is that the modulator finds uses only in an application where a narrow focal point range is acceptable because the operation is limited to the convex lens operation.

Liquid crystal optical modulator and drive method


A method and apparatus for forming a glass container in a blow-and-blow process. The apparatus includes an air flow controller having a housing defining a chamber, a piston disposed for reciprocal movement from a first position to a second position within the housing for moving a slide block therein, first and second passages extending through the slide block, a first port in the housing in flow communication with the second passage and a transducer when the piston is in its second position to create a negative air flow through the second passage and first port when a pressurized air flow is induced through the transducer to draw a vacuum beneath a gob in a blank mold to form a finish in the gob and sweep debris away from the gob and blank mold, and a second port in communication with the first passage and first port when the piston is in its first position to provide pressurized air to the gob.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/015,342, filed Apr. 19, 1996 and is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US97/06639, filed Apr. 18, 1997.
In the commercial production of glass containers by use of an I.S. machine, it is common to employ what is known in the industry as the "blow-and-blow" process for sequentially forming glass containers. A vertically-oriented plunger mechanism is used in combination with a blank mold to achieve initial shaping of a glass parison. The parison is a deformable gob of molten glass which is dropped, vertically downward, into the cavity of the blank mold whereupon pressurized air is applied downward onto the parison to cause it to conformably fill the lower portion of the blank mold cavity. The foregoing step in shaping the parison is commonly referred to as the "settle blow".
At the lower end of the blank mold is a neck ring for shaping what will become the container lip end or neck. Immediately following the aforementioned settle blow, an upwardly directed pressurized air flow or "counter blow" is directed through the neck ring to cause the parison to fill out the blank mold cavity and assume the general shape of a glass container.
During the initial downward insertion of the parison into the blank mold, a funnel is normally disposed at the upper end of the blank mold to facilitate entry of the parison into the mold, after which the funnel is replaced by a baffle to close off the upper end of the blank mold except for air channels through the baffle which direct the downward pressurized air flow during the settle blow step. The baffle remains in place during the upward counter blow, and the counter blow results in the full shaping of the parison. Following the counter blow step of the blow-and-blow process, a mechanical transfer of the formed parison occurs, moving it from the blank mold to an adjacent blow mold where reheating and final forming of the parison to the desired container shape, consistent with the blow mold cavity, occurs.
An inherent problem in the use of the blow-and-blow process is the continued formation of glass particulate debris in the area of the neck ring. Such debris becomes entrained in the air flow and may become embedded in the parison or form a buildup in the air flow channel of the plunger mechanism. Another inherent problem in the blow-and-blow process, particularly in the production of narrow neck containers, is the inability to consistently produce glass containers free of settle wave and with uniform lightweight glass distribution in the container. This problem has usually been addressed in the industry by using equipment specifically designed to produce containers by a process known as "NNPB", or narrow neck press and blow.
Obtaining the speed, efficiency, and product consistency of the NNPB process through an improved blow-and-blow process has continued to be a goal which has until now eluded glass container manufacturers.

Glass container forming process and equipment


There are provided an antenna and a front end module having an air cavity formed therein and shortening a connection distance with a signal processing module to improve radiation characteristics and facilitate a manufacturing process thereof, the antenna including a substrate having a preset mounting surface, an antenna pattern part formed on the mounting surface of the substrate and transmitting and receiving a signal within a preset frequency band, and a solder ball group having a plurality of solder balls formed on the mounting surface of the substrate to fix the substrate to an external circuit board and disposed at preset intervals around the antenna pattern part to form an air cavity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna and a front end module able to transmit and receive a signal within a millimeter wave band.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, domestic and international research into next-generation Wi-Fi networks (80.11b/a/g/n) in a 2.4 GHz/5 GHz frequency band and 801.11ad (WiGig) in a 60 GHz band (millimeter wave (mmWave)) able to transmit large-capacity data has been actively undertaken.
Generally, in the case of the foregoing 801.11b/a/g/n network standard, an antenna that transmits and receives a signal is generally installed on the outside of the module.
However, in the case of the 801.11ad network standard, as a distance between an antenna and signal processing module is increased, radiation loss is increased. Therefore, there is a need for a design to allow for a reduction in loss by significantly decreasing the distance.
Further, it is essential to use a process with a low error rate during a manufacturing process.
Meanwhile, in the related art, a method of manufacturing an antenna using a separate substrate and attaching a signal processing module thereto is generally used, as in the invention disclosed in the following prior art.
In the method known as antenna in package (AIP), several circuits, various peripheral parts, and various connectors are attached to module substrates, such as LTCC, HTCC, Teflon, and the like, by using an SMT process.
For example, when an error of ±10% occurs in an actual manufacturing process at the time of using an LTCC manufacturing process, a resonance point may be shifted by about ±1 to 2 GHz, based on a signal within a millimeter wave band, a feeding structure may be complicated, and a degradation in performance may occur due to a mismatch between an antenna patch and a feeding line, such that it may be difficult to analyze causes of degradation in performance.
In addition, when the antenna and the signal processing module are connected to each other by a bonding wire, as described above, as the distance between the antenna and the signal processing module is increased, radiation loss is increased, such that radiation characteristics may be deteriorated.