An assembly structured to selectively orient a seal between an open position and a closed position. The assembly includes an expander structure disposable into a seal open or a seal closed orientation by being rotated or otherwise movable into and out of forced engagement with predetermined portions of the seal structure. The seal open orientation disposes the seal structure out of engagement with an instrument passing there through and may also facilitate a rapid venting of insufflation gas from an inflated body cavity, such as when the seal positioning assembly is used with a trocar assembly involved in the performance of laprascopic or like surgery. A biasing assembly may be connected to the seal structure to bias it in a normally closed position in the absence of an instrument disposed within the seal structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a seal positioning assembly comprising an expander structure movable relative to a seal, that is primarily, but not exclusively, structured for use with a trocar assembly through which a medical instrument is passed during a surgical procedure. The expander structure is selectively positioned into a seal open orientation so as to dispose the seal substantially out of contact with a medical instrument or so as to accomplish rapid desufflation of a patient's inflated body cavity. In one or more preferred embodiments, the present invention may include a biasing assembly structured and disposed to bias the seal into a closed orientation when a medical instrument has been removed from or is otherwise not present within the trocar assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the practice of laparoscopy for carrying out endoscopic surgical procedures has replaced major, invasive surgery in a variety of situations. Previously, routine surgical operations were performed by the physician making a large incision into an intended portion of a user's body in order to reach the targeted organ(s) and/or other body tissue. While the size of such major incisions would vary dependant upon the type of surgery needed, it was common-place for the incision to be extensive in order to provide adequate access to the interior body portions of the patient. Upon completion of the surgical procedure, the incision would be closed using conventional techniques. However, it was universally recognized that surgical procedures involving such extensive incisions resulted in significant trauma as well as prolonged recovery periods. In addition, the pain or discomfort endured by the patient, as well as the lack of mobility during such extended periods of recovery, were serious problems.
Because of such disadvantages, new procedures and instruments utilized with the aforementioned laprascopic and/or endoscopic surgery have continued to evolve, such that these new, less invasive surgical techniques have become commonplace. In practice, one or more small openings are formed in the wall of the body cavity utilizing specifically designed penetrating instruments. Medical instruments designed to form the openings are structured to provide physical and visual access into the body cavity being treated. Representative medical instruments used in this type of surgery are generically referred to as a "trocar" or trocar assembly.
Typically, the trocar assembly includes a trocar body having a housing and an elongated sleeve or cannula defining an equally elongated channel or lumen on the interior thereof. In the initial formation of the entrance openings in the patient's body, an obturator is passed through the interior of the trocar by entering the housing portion at one end and passing along the entire length of the interior of the cannula. In most cases, the obturator includes a sharply pointed or appropriately structured tip which facilitates penetration of the exterior wall of the body cavity.
In order to assure that the medical personnel have adequate space for performing the intended surgical procedures, the body cavity is then typically inflated with an insufflation gas to maintain the cavity in a distended state. The insufflation gas is supplied through the interior of the trocar assembly by means of a gas inlet port associated therewith. In addition, the use of one or more valves or seals are provided within the housing portion of the trocar assembly for purposes of preventing the insufflation gas from escaping from the body cavity back through the interior of the trocar assembly. Maintaining the body cavity in an expanded or distended state is, of course, important to the efficient performance of many of the intended surgical procedures. Accordingly, various advancements have been made in the area of valves and seals associated with the trocar assembly in order to eliminate or significantly restrict the escape of the insufflation gas. Therefore, depending at least in part on the structure of the trocar, the type of instruments used in the laprascopic procedures and the intended surgical procedures to be performed, the structural modification of such valves and/or seals vary significantly from one another.
In spite of the availability of a wide variety of valve and/or seal structures, one commonly used structure incorporates what may be referred to as a "duckbill" configuration. The duckbill seal or valve typically comprises an interior channel through which an instrument passes while being inserted through and withdrawn from the interior of the trocar, relative to the body cavity involved in the surgical site. In addition, duckbill valves or seals normally are formed from a flexible material and include two or more converging flap structures having correspondingly disposed distal ends cooperatively positioned and collectively defining a valve opening, wherein the flap structures normally assume a closed position. The insertion of a medical instrument into the housing of the trocar assembly will result in the instrument passing axially through the duckbill valve and through the seal opening thereof by separating the distal ends of the converging flaps.
Further, when an instrument extends through the duckbill valve, the distal ends of the converging flap structures normally engage the outer surfaces of the instrument, but do not form a fluid tight seal therewith. However, one distinct advantage of using a duckbill valve or seal comprises its ability to prevent escape of insuflation gas from the body cavity, through the trocar, before a medical instrument has passed through the duckbill valve or after it has been removed there from. As set forth above, the converging flap structures of a duckbill valve are structured to normally assume a closed, sealed orientation when a medical instrument is absent there from. Therefore, if a medical instrument is not present in the trocar, insuflation gas passing into the trocar from the body cavity is normally prevented from escaping through the duckbill valve. Therefore, venting of the body cavity may typically occur by opening a stopcock or like venting structure on the trocar.
However, the extensive use of duckbill valves or seals has brought to light certain disadvantages associated therewith. These disadvantages include the existence of at least some frictional force exerted on the converging flap structures due to their sliding engagement with the instrument. These forces can tend to at least somewhat inhibit insertion or removal of the instrument and in some extreme cases, may cause the converging flaps to become inverted as the instrument is withdrawn from the interior of the trocar assembly. Another disadvantage involves the problem of the converging flaps of the duckbill valve having a tendency to interfere with and possibly dislodge any anatomical tissue sample attached to and carried by the distal end of the laprascopic instrument, as it is being removed from the trocar. That is, the use of laprascopic and/or endoscopic surgical techniques to obtain tissue samples of organs or other bodily tissue is universally recognized as a preferred alternative to major invasive surgery for the reasons set forth above. Accordingly, reliability in retrieving any tissue samples that are collected during a procedure is important.
Yet another disadvantage of the duckbill valve involves the loss of elastic memory which sometimes results when the medical instrument is repeatedly inserted in and removed from the trocar while passing through the duckbill valve. Alternatively, elastic memory loss can occur if the medical instrument remains in place on the interior of the trocar and through the duckbill valve for an extended period of time. In either situation, the material from which the converging flap structures are formed may partially lose elastic memory at least to the extent of preventing the distal ends thereof from completely closing into the normally sealed orientation. The failure of the flap structures to completely close may result in an unwanted and inadvertent venting of the insufflation gas upon removal of the instrument from the trocar. In addition, the aforementioned loss of elastic memory and the at least partial separation of the distal ends of the flap structures may cause a continuous or periodic "flapping" of the distal ends and a resulting noise, such as a "humming" sound, which is undesirable during the surgical procedure being undertaken.
In attempting to overcome the above-noted disadvantages associated with the use of the duckbill and other types of valves or seals, attempts have been made to develop devices or structures which are operative to dilate a seal or valve into a position that is out of engagement with the instrument passing through the trocar. More specifically, such devices are intended to facilitate the insertion, and in particular, the removal of medical instruments from the interior of the trocar, which are axially positioned relative to a valve or seal associated with the trocar.
It is to be understood that axial movement of the instrument may be made easier by reducing or eliminating the contact between the seal and the exterior surface of the instrument, as well as the distal tip thereof, as the instrument is being withdrawn from the trocar. However, the structural development and implementation of such a seal opening assembly is made more difficult due to the fact that a wide variety of seals or valves, other than a duckbill valve, are commonly used with the many different types of trocars presently available.
Therefore, there is a long recognized need in the medical field for a seal positioning assembly which is structured to selectively open and close a valve or seal regardless of its structure in order to overcome the recognized disadvantages associated with a duckbill valve or seal. If any such improved seal positioning assembly were developed it should have the structural and functional versatility to be used with a large number of different types of seals or valves, other than the specifically described duckbill valve, thereby rendering it useable with a variety of different types of trocar assemblies or other instrumentation associated with laprascopic or endoscopic surgical procedures. Also, if any such improved seal positioning assembly were developed, it should be structured to be operable in an efficient manner by the physician or medical personnel involved in the surgical procedure, without interfering with the technique normally practiced by the physician during the use of the trocar assembly. Also, the structural and functional features of any such improved assembly should be such as to allow selective positioning of a seal between a seal open orientation and a seal closed orientation in order to accommodate a variety of differently sized medical instruments, while reducing or eliminating the frictional engagement between a valve or seal structure and the instrument, as well as facilitating the removal of anatomical tissue from the body cavity and from the interior of the trocar assembly, as the instrument is withdrawn there from. Finally, if any such improved seal positioning assembly were developed, it would ideally also be capable of overcoming problems associated with duckbill valves or like sealing structures relating to the loss of elastic memory, by generally assuring that the converging flaps or other sealing structures will assume a completely closed and sealed orientation, once a medical instrument has been removed from the trocar assembly and/or sealing valve.


A solid-state imaging device comprises, on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of sensor sections for storing a signal charge commensurate with a quantity of reception light, a charge transfer section for transferring and outputting the signal charge of the sensor sections, and an output section for converting the signal charge transferred by the charge transfer section into an imaging signal for output. A current controller is provided to cut off or reduce a current flowing to the output section in a signal storage period of the sensor section. This cuts off or reduces the current flowing to the output section in a signal storage period of the sensor section, and hence suppresses the amount of the current flowing to the output section in the signal storage period. Thus, wasteful consumption power is greatly reduced.

CCD solid-state imagers are broadly used, as image input terminals, not only in digital still cameras (DSCs) but also in digital video cameras (DVCs), PC cameras and PDA terminal cameras, for example. Meanwhile, CCD solid-state imagers include, in kind, FF (full frame)-CCDs, FT(frame transfer)-CCDs, IT(interline transfer)-CCDs and FIT-(frame interline transfer)-CCDs.
For example, the IT-CCD area sensor has a multiplicity of photocells (sensor sections) arranged in a two-dimensional matrix form (rows). A plurality of vertical transfer CCDs (V registers) are arranged respectively between vertical columns of photocells, to provide a structure having, usually, one line of horizontal transfer CCDs adjacent to transfer destination ends of vertical transfer CCDs. The IT-CCD area sensor uses a two-phase, three-phase or four-phase drive scheme in transfer-driving the vertical transfer CCDs, wherein the storage modes include a field storage mode and a frame storage mode.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a related art of a solid-state imager configured with a CCD solid-state imaging device and an external circuit. The CCD solid-state imaging device 3 configuring the solid-state imager 1 has, on a semiconductor substrate 10, a multiplicity of sensor sections (photocells) 20, e.g. of photodiodes as an example of light-receiving elements corresponding to a pixel (unit cell), arranged vertically (rows) and horizontally (columns) in a two-dimensional matrix form. The sensor sections 20 convert the light incident on a light-receiving surface into a signal charge in an amount commensurate with the light quantity thereof, and store it thereon.
Meanwhile, the CCD solid-state imaging device 3 is arranged with V registers (vertical CCDs, vertical transfer sections) 30, corresponding to the respective vertical rows of sensor sections 20, having a plurality (in this example, three per unit cell) of vertical transfer electrodes Vφ1-Vφ3 corresponding to the three-phase driving.
Each vertical transfer electrode Vφ1-Vφ3 (denoted with the same references as the vertical transfer pulses hereinafter referred) has a repetition in transfer direction based on one pixel (i.e. unit cell) of the sensor section 20. Transfer is vertical in FIG. 1, in which direction the V registers 30 are arranged. Furthermore, between the V register 30 and the sensor section 20, a read-out gate terminal ROG is interposed. Channel stops CS are provided in each boundary between the unit cells.
Furthermore, an H register (horizontal CCD, horizontal transfer section) 40 is provided in one line extending left and right in the figure in a position adjacent to the transfer-destination ends of a plurality of the V registers 30. The H register 40 has, at its transfer-destination end (left in the figure), an output section (output buffer circuit) 50, e.g. in a floating diffusion amplifier configuration. The output section 50 converts the signal charge sequentially injected from the H register 40 into a signal voltage for output.
A drain voltage VDD, gate voltage VGG and reset drain voltage VRD are applied to the CCD solid-state imaging device 3 from a drive power source 70 configuring an external circuit 5.
The signal charge stored on each sensor section 20 is read onto the V register 30 through the read-out gate terminal ROG by deepening the potential on the gate terminal electrode due to application of a read pulse XSG, issued from a timing generator 80 configuring the external circuit 5, to the gate terminal electrode of the read-out gate terminal ROG.
The V register 30 is transfer-driven on an all-pixel read-out scheme (non-interlace scheme),e.g. due to three-phase vertical transfer pulses Vφ1-Vφ3 mutually different in phase corresponding to the vertical transfer electrodes Vφ1-Vφ3. The signal charge read out of each sensor section 20 is sequentially, vertically transferred to the H register 40 in an amount corresponding to one scanning line (one line) at one time in a part of horizontal blanking period. Note that the configuration may be by two-phase or four-phase driving without limited to three-phase.
The H register 40 sequentially, horizontally transfers to the output section 50 the signal charge corresponding to one line vertically transferred from each of the V registers 30, on the basis of two-phase horizontal transfer pulses Hφ1, Hφ2 issued from the timing generator 80.
The output section 50 stores the signal charge sequentially injected from the H register 40 to a not-shown floating diffusion, and converts the stored signal charge into a signal voltage. The signal voltage is outputted as an imaging signal (CCD output signal) through a not-shown output circuit of a source follower configuration, under the control of a reset pulse φRG issued from the timing generator 80.
Namely, in the CCD solid-state imaging device 3, the signal charge detected in the image area arranging the sensor sections 20 vertically and horizontally in a two-dimensional form is vertically transferred to the H register 40 by the V register 30 provided correspondingly to the vertical columns of sensor sections 20. The signal charge is then horizontally transferred by the H register 40. Then, a potential is caused correspondingly to the signal charge from the H register 40 and outputted through the output section 50, which operation is repeated.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the output section 50 in the CCD solid-state imaging device. The output section 50 configures a front-staged output section (preamplifier) of an incorporated type in the CCD solid-state imaging device. This has a three-stage source follower (current amplifier circuit) configuration having drive MOS transistors (DM: Drive MOS) DM1, DM2, DM3 and load MOS transistors (LM: Load MOS) LM1, LM2, LM3, to provide a signal converting section 52 for converting the signal charge from the H register 40 into a voltage signal. Meanwhile, the output section 50 has a reset gate terminal MOS transistor (RGTr) 54 to control the signal converting section 52 on the basis of a reset pulse ORG corresponding to a horizontal transfer clock.
In the signal converting section 52, there are provided a plurality of stages of amplifier circuits, connecting respectively between the source terminals of the drive MOS transistors DM1, DM2, DM3 and the drain terminals of the load MOS transistors LM1, LM2, LM3, at from an input stage over to an output stage of the signal converting section 52.
The drive MOS transistor DM1 at the extreme input stage initial stage, of among the drive MOS transistors DM1, DM2, DM3 forming the source follower circuit drive transistors, has a gate terminal connected to a floating diffusion terminal FD to be supplied with a signal charge from the H register 40. This is connected with a source terminal of a reset gate terminal MOS transistor 54.
The drain terminal of the same is connected to a power source VDD terminal, e.g. approximately +15 V. The source terminal is connected to a drain terminal of a load MOS transistor LM1 serving as current supplier to the drive MOS transistor DM1. The reset gate terminal MOS transistor 54 has a gate terminal to be supplied with a reset pulse φRG corresponding to a horizontal synchronization clock from the timing generator 80, and a drain terminal applied with a reset drain voltage VRD.
The load MOS transistor LM1 has a gate terminal to receive a constant voltage VGG, e.g. approximately 5 V, as a gate terminal bias voltage, and a source terminal grounded through a fixed resistance RSS. The MOS transistors DM1, LM1 and the fixed resistance RSS constitute a first-staged source follower circuit.
The source terminal of the drive MOS transistor DM1 is further connected to a gate terminal of a drive MOS transistor DM2 as a drive transistor in the next-staged source follower circuit. The drive MOS transistor DM2 has a drain terminal connected to a power source VDD terminal and a source terminal connected to a drain terminal of a load MOS transistor LM2 serving as current supplier to the MOS transistor DM2. The load MOS transistor LM2 has a gate terminal to receive the foregoing constant voltage VGG and a source terminal grounded through the fixed resistance RSS. The MOS transistors DM2, LM2 and the fixed resistance RSS constitute a second-staged source follower circuit.
Similarly, there are provided a drive MOS transistor DM3 corresponding to the drive MOS transistor DM2 and a load MOS transistor LM3 corresponding to the load MOS transistor LM2, to constitute a third-staged source follower circuit.
Namely, the drive MOS transistors DM1, DM2, DM3 have their drain terminals commonly connected to be applied by a drain voltage VDD (=15 V) from the drive power source 70. The load MOS transistors LM1, LM2, LM3 have their source terminals commonly connected and grounded through the source terminal resistance RSS. Meanwhile, the load MOS transistors LM1, LM2, LM3 have their gate terminals to be applied by a common gate voltage VGG. With this gate voltage VGG, the current flowing to the output section 50 is controlled in value. The drive MOS transistor DM3 has a source terminal (i.e. drain terminal of the load MOS transistor LM3) to which an output terminal of the output section 50 is provided to output an imaging signal Vout.
Incidentally, the MOS transistors DM1-DM3, LM1-LM3 are Nch-MOS transistors. The first-staged drive MOS transistor DM1 is an enhancement mode transistor while the other MOS transistors DM2, DM3, LM1-LM3 are depression mode transistors. The MOS transistors DM1-DM3, LM1-LM3 have a P-well being ground.
In the output section 50 thus configured, the potential caused on the FD terminal is reset with a period of a reset pulse φRG. Due to this, the drive MOS transistors DM1, DM2, DM3 operate in synchronism with a horizontal transfer clock. Upon each reset, the potential caused on the FD terminal is converted into a voltage signal and outputted it as an imaging signal Vout.
In the meanwhile, the solid-state imagers as above have recently been actively merchandised particularly as image sensors for still camera applications. Such an image sensor for a still camera performs signal storage operation in the pixel region for a comparatively long time, differently from the conventional one for a movie camera. For example, in the case of a movie camera, the signal storage time on the pixel is naturally limited in order to achieve a frame rate higher than a certain value, i.e. it is generally 1/30-th of a second. On the contrary, the still camera, free from restriction in frame rate, is allowed to have an increased signal storage period, i.e. the signal storage operation may be as long as several to several tens of seconds.
In the signal storage period, there is no need to apply a transfer clock pulse to the solid-state imaging device. However, the solid-state imaging device and camera must be placed in a standby state. Thus, the solid-state imaging device, at its VDD and VSUB terminals, is applied with a power voltage. This flows a current to the output section 50 connected to the VDD terminal even during a signal storage period, as mentioned above.
However, because no output operation of a CCD signal is made in this duration, there is, naturally, no need to flow a current for operating the output section 50. Namely, in the foregoing related art, the output section 50 consumes useless power during the signal storage period of the sensor sections 20. Meanwhile, such power consumption causes heat generation within the output section 50, resulting in occurrence of dark output variation in the vicinity of the output section 50. Such dark output variation occurs also in a solid-state imaging device for movie application. However, it is prominent particularly in the still-application device because of its longer storage period, and conspicuous on an imaging picture.
It can be considered as means for resolving the problem to provide a structure that, for example, switching means arranged in the external circuit is controlled to prevent a signal from flowing to the output section during a signal storage period. However, this approach incurs complication in the circuit configuration of a camera system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Solid-state imaging device and method for driving the same


Methods and systems for training a parked vehicle detector. Video data regarding one or more parking sites can be captured. Positive training samples can then be collected from the video data based on a combination of one or more automated computing methods and human-input auxiliary information. Additionally, negative training samples can be collected from the video data based on automated image analyses with respect to the captured video data. The positive training samples and the negative training samples can then be used to train, re-train or update one or more parked vehicle detectors with respect to the parking site(s) for use in managing parking at the parking site(s).

A balance between supply and demand must be determined to meet the parking requirements of motorists. The ability to efficiently allocate and manage on-street parking remains elusive even when parking requirements are significant, recurring, and known ahead of time. For instance, urban parking spaces characteristically undergo periods of widely skewed demand and utilization, with low demand and light use in some periods, often during the night, and heavy demand and use at other times. Real-time parking occupancy detection systems are an emerging technology in parking management.
A parked vehicle detector is a critical element for the success of a VPODS. Such a vehicle detector needs to detect vehicles with a high accuracy (e.g., >95%) for all poses and under all conditions. To achieve this requirement, one strategy involves the use of multiple vehicle detectors, wherein each vehicle detector corresponds to and is only operative under some constrained conditions (e.g., limited to one camera pose and day time only). A parked vehicle detector in a VPODS can then be retrained to achieve such accuracy when it is operative only under these constrained conditions. When and if a different set of constrained conditions occurs, a retraining process can be conducted to generate a new parked vehicle detector to be operative under the new set of constrained conditions. This re-training approach, however, is typically costly in time and labor since identification and cropping of parked vehicles must be performed manually over a sufficiently long period of time.
Additionally, conventional image segmentation techniques for use in vehicle detection typically segment an image into many pieces based on features such as color, texture, etc. Such an approach may not include the use of semantic meanings (e.g., a car, a motorcycle, or even a bicycle) unless a further higher-level grouping and refinement operation is applied. Such image segmentation techniques are not suitable for vehicle detection in real-time applications in a VPODS since their computation is slow and performance is poor. Such an approach is also not accurate when utilized for collecting training samples.
Based on the foregoing, it is believed that a need exists for improved methods and systems for automatically training a parked vehicle detector for large deployment, as will be described in greater detail herein.

Automatic training of a parked vehicle detector for large deployment


A secure hash function according to the present invention uses a stretch function 202 and a compression function 202 to provide a secure hash value. A stretch function is a function which increases an input string (pre-image). In one version of the invention, a stretch function .function. maps l-bit inputs into 2m bit, where 2m>l. Preferably, the stretch function .function. is one-way. The stretch function randomizes the input string. The output of the stretch function is fed into a compression function c, which compresses the stretch function output from 2m bits to 2n bits, where m>n. The compression function is preferably a cryptographic primitive selected from a family of compression functions. In a preferred embodiment, a standard key scheduling algorithm of the cryptographic compression function (such as DES) is replaced and an output of the stretch function is used as the key. The inventors find that using a stretch function output as the compression function key improves the security of the compression function. Moreover, because the stretch function output randomizes the input string, the security constraints on the compression function are less stringent. As a result, an efficient, simple, and secure hash function is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a device and method for providing secure, collision resistant hash functions. These secure, collision resistant hash functions are provided by mapping an input string into a longer string using a secure stretch function and then applying a compression function to the longer string.
2. Description of Related Art
A hash function is a function which takes a variable length input string (often called a pre-image) and converts it into a fixed-length output string (often called a hash value). A one way hash function is a hash function which works in one direction. Briefly, a one-way function is a function that is easy to compute but hard to invert on an overwhelming fraction of its range. In a good one-way hash function, given a hash value, it is computationally infeasible to determine the pre-image that hashed to that value. Another type of hash function is a collision resistant hash function. One important feature of a collision resistant hash function is that it is difficult to generate two pre-images which hash to the same hash value.
Hash functions are typically performed by a computer or special purpose processor. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer or processor 100 which may be used to perform hash functions. The device 100 has a processor including one or more CPUs 102, a main memory 104, a disk memory 106, an input/output device 108, and a network interface 110. The devices 102-110 are connected to a bus 120 which transfers data, i.e., instructions and information between each of these devices 102-110. A hash function algorithm may be stored as data in either main memory 104 or a disk memory 106. A pre-image may be provided at the I/O device 108 or network interface 110. The processor 102 may retrieve the algorithm from memory 104 or 106 and receive the pre-image from the I/O (or network interface 110), both via the bus 120. The processor 102 may perform the hash and provide the hash value to the I/O device 108 (or network interface 110) or store the hash value in memory 104, 106.
Hash functions play a crucial role in practical cryptography and are in ubiquitous use. Applications for hash functions include authentication, digital signatures, and digital time stamping. As a result, the security of a hash function is important. Widely used constructions like the well known SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm), MD4 (Message Digest 4), and MD5 (Message Digest 5) hash functions have been recently attacked, raising questions about their security. MD5, for example, has been widely used, somewhat studied, and is quite efficient. But MD5 has come under attack by cryptanalysts. For example, den Boer and Bosselaers have produced collisions using MD5's compression function. (B. den Boer and A. Bosselaers, "Collisions for the Compression Function of MD5," Advances in Cryptology--EUROCRYPT '93 Proceedings, Spring-Verlag, 1994, pp. 293-304). On the other hand, constructions based on block ciphers like DES, while they have been less successfully attacked (and thus more secure), are usually slow, and need a large number of encryptions per block of data compressed. As a result, block ciphers are less efficient; that is they are computationally intensive and therefore use a great deal of processing power and time.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a secure hash function which is simple in design and which yields a faster hash primitive.

Method and apparatus for generating secure hash functions


Provided is a cage unit including a cage having a small diameter side annular portion, a large diameter side annular portion arranged so as to be spaced apart in an axial direction from the small diameter side annular portion, and a plurality of cage bar portions that connect the small diameter side annular portion and the large diameter side annular portion; and a tapered roller accommodated in a pocket, which is a space surrounded by the small diameter side annular portion, the large diameter side annular portion, and the cage bar portions. A lubrication groove lying along a circumferential direction is formed on an inner end face of the large diameter side annular portion that faces a roller large end face of the tapered roller, and a circumferential length of the lubrication groove is designed such that the lubrication groove overlaps the roller large end face in the circumferential direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cage unit and a tapered roller bearing equipped with the cage unit. More specifically, the invention relates to a cage unit including a lubrication groove for accommodating lubricating oil, and a tapered roller bearing equipped with the cage unit.
2. Description of Related Art
A tapered roller bearing has been conventionally used to configure a rotation supporting unit of various types of mechanical devices. In such tapered roller bearing, a sliding portion exists between an end face of a tapered roller and a rib end face of an inner ring or an outer ring. A contacting state of both end faces in the sliding portion is a rolling contact that involves sliding. Thus, when the lubricating oil to be supplied to the bearing runs short or runs dry, seizure easily occurs at the end faces.
During the operation of the mechanical device, the lubricating oil is scattered and supplied to the bearing due to the stirring of the lubricating oil, and the like involved in the rotation of a shaft. If the mechanical device is once stopped but immediately re-started, the lubricating oil remaining on both end faces can maintain a lubricating effect, and hence the seizure does not occur.
However, if the mechanical device is once stopped and re-started after a considerable time has elapsed, the lubricating oil attached to both end faces flows down by gravity, and the lubricating oil runs short or runs dry. Thus, the seizure easily occurs.
Forming a groove for oil sump in a cage itself, which holds a plurality of tapered rollers at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction, has been proposed (see e.g., Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-32612 (JP 2007-32612 A)). FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of a cage 20 in a roller bearing described in JP 2007-32612 A. FIG. 4B is a partial plan view of the same. In the cage 20 described in JP 2007-32612 A, a circumferential groove 23 that lies along a circumferential direction is formed on an inner end face 21a, which faces a pocket 22, of a large diameter end 21 of the cage 20. The seizure is assumed to be prevented since the shortage of the lubricating oil at the time of an initial operation after a long idle period is alleviated by the lubricating oil accommodated in the circumferential groove 23. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, a reference number 24 denotes a cage bar portion that connects a small diameter end 25 and the large diameter end 21 of the cage 20.
As shown in FIG. 5, the circumferential groove 23 in the roller bearing described in JP 2007-32612 A is formed over the entire inner end face 21a facing the pocket. Thus, portions 23a in the vicinity of both ends of the circumferential groove 23 do not face the end face of the tapered roller 26 and are in an opened state. If an operation stopped state is continued for a long period of time, therefore, the lubricating oil flows out, though only gradually, from the portions 23a in the vicinity of both ends of the circumferential groove 23, whereby the lubricating oil may run short or run dry and the seizure may occur at the time of re-start.

Cage unit and tapered roller bearing equipped with cage unit


A nozzle drive propulsion assembly for use with a marine craft and incorporating an annularly configured nozzle disposed in surrounding relation to a propeller collectively mounted exteriorly of the marine craft and preferably, at least partially, within an elongate recessed channel formed in the hull. A strut assembly is connected to the nozzle in transverse relation to a trailing open end thereof, downstream of the propeller and in at least partially supporting relation to the propeller. The nozzle includes a collection assembly including a water collecting chamber incorporating a pitot-type structure for directing water into the collecting chamber and along a path of fluid flow in the strut assembly to a thrust member mounted on the strut assembly. A rudder assembly and a deflector structure are secured to an exterior of the nozzle and function to determine the craft's direction of travel.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a nozzle drive propulsion assembly for high performance operation of a marine craft and includes a propeller mounted on a distal end of a propeller shaft and surrounded by an annularly configured nozzle and supported by a strut assembly. Components facilitating and directional travel of the marine craft include a thrust mechanism, a rudder assembly and a deflector structure all connected to the nozzle downstream of the propeller and in interruptive relation to the flow of water issuing from the nozzle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Marine propulsion systems vary greatly in both structural and operational features dependent in large part on the intended function and operation of the marine craft, with which they are used. The broad categories of marine propulsion systems incorporating a propeller drive include inboard drive systems, outboard drive systems and a combination or inboard/outboard propulsion units. Historically, propeller drive is perhaps the most commonly used mechanical means of propelling a craft through the water. As such, it is known to provide a shroud or substantially protective structure used in combination with the rotating propeller. Basic to all such shrouded propeller assemblies and at the core of associated propulsion systems is the existence of the shroud or nozzle housing itself. This basic concept was developed by an individual named "Kort" during the mid 1920's. Due to their popularity, shrouded propeller assemblies have been used extensively throughout the years in a variety of different forms and are commonly referred to as Kort nozzles.
Since its conception the Kort nozzle assembly has been extensively modified so as to adapt shrouded propulsion systems to particular categories of marine craft and their intended function, as set forth above. Even earlier than the extensive implementation of the Kort nozzle into marine propulsion systems, as currently contemplated, various protecting devices have been used in combination with the propeller. Such known devices include a basic hollow cylinder used in combination with a propeller being structured to serve as a maneuvering mechanism for an inboard motor.
In addition to the above, it is universally accepted that propellers are an integral part of outboard motor drive systems which are primarily intended to propel a variety of different smaller water craft. However, it was quickly discovered that an unguarded propeller, when rotating at high speeds, is frequently subjected to extensive and sometimes irreparable damage. Accordingly the use of the Kort nozzle, as well as other types of propeller shrouds was initially used to provide protection to the rotating propeller. More currently, the advancing technology in marine craft has led to structural modifications aimed at developing increased thrust while still incorporating the basic structure of protective propeller shrouds. In spite of the various attempted structural modifications, the resulting operative features are normally productive only in a relatively limited performance range such as the development of sufficient thrust to allow travel of a water craft at up to approximately 12 knots. As such, shrouded propellers incorporating a nozzle type structure are commonly used on heavy-duty water craft such as tug boats, towing barges, etc.
Accordingly, there is a recognized need in the marine industry for an efficient, effective propulsion system preferably incorporating the advantages offered by a shrouded propeller assembly and including structural modifications beyond those used in known propulsion systems. Further, such an improved propulsion system should have an extended operable life and be readily adaptable for use on a variety of different water craft, while still accomplishing sustained, high performance operation at speeds not previously contemplated.

Nozzle drive propulsion for a marine craft


An electronic signage for directing persons to desired locations.

Disclosed is a method and system for directing a person to a desired location. In a more specific embodiment, there is disclosed an electronic system operationally configured to visually direct person(s) along a path to a desired location. In a further embodiment, the electronic signage is used to personally direct a person to a location desired by the person in a distributed building or campus.
A person may face difficulty in navigating a complex establishment, in particular when the layout of the establishment is not familiar. Persons daily face difficulty in finding many locations, such as a particular room for surgery in a hospital, a particular office in an office building, a unique facility on a college campus, and the location of items sought for purchase. A person seeking a location in, or item stored in, a particular establishment may opt to navigate by way of directional signs placed at strategic locations in the establishment. A person seeking a location alternatively may seek verbal instructions in respect of navigation by requesting direct help from, for example, a person stationed at the front desk of the establishment. In some cases, a person seeking directions may be given a map of the establishment which may be used as a navigational tool to reach a desired location.
Electronically-facilitated directional systems that guide travel are known.
One electronically-facilitated directional system employed in factories and institutions is the automated mail and item delivery system. Such automated directional mail and delivery systems may be based on wire guidance systems with bar coding, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, or other identification sources being used to indicate various destinations. Such systems may employ vehicle intelligence along with a central or host computer.
Bar codes are codes by means of which information (e.g. a sequence of digits) can be presented in an optically-machine-readable form, each of a plurality of basic elements which are available to constitute the information in code being represented by a uniquely arranged group of marks, or spaces between marks, the marks frequently arranged in the general form of bars. RFID tags are tags which are enable to receive and respond, actively or passively, to radio-frequency queries from a transceiver. RFID tags can be either active or passive. Passive RFID tags lack their own power supply and obtain power for responding to an incoming radio-frequency scan from the minute electrical current induced in the tag, for example, in the antenna. Active RFID tags, on the other hand, have a power source that permits responding to an incoming radio-frequency scan, and may have longer ranges and larger memories than passive tags, as well as the ability to store additional information sent by the transceiver. RFID tags permit a tagged item to be read at a distance. Back scatter RFID tags permit range to be determined from a RFID reader positioned at a known location.
GPS directional systems are also known which guide a person from one location to another location. GPS is a world-wide radio navigation system, presently formed by a group of 24 satellites and their associated ground stations. GPS uses these satellites, referred to as NAVSTAR (Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging), to calculate ground positions. The basis of GPS operation is the use of triangulation from the satellites. To triangulate, a GPS receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio signals. However, to measure travel time, GPS needs very accurate timing, plus it needs to know exactly where the satellites are in space. To solve this problem, each of the 24 satellites is inserted into a high enough orbit (12,000 miles) to preclude interference from other objects, both man-made and natural, and to insure overlapping coverage on the ground so that a GPS receiver can always receive from at least four of them at any given time.


A vehicular air conditioning system for saving energy includes: a first indoor cooling heat exchanger for suctioning in and cooling the air within or outside a vehicle; an indoor air conditioning heat exchanger installed on the downstream cooling heat exchanger for regulating the temperature of the applicable air, a refrigeration cycle connected to the applicable indoor air conditioning heat exchanger, a heating element mounted in the vehicle, and a circuit for the machine coolant circulating between the applicable heating element and the applicable first indoor cooling heat exchanger, and in which the air flow path for air flowing into the indoor air conditioning heat exchanger is structured by merging a flow path passing through the first indoor cooling heat exchanger to a flow path not passing through the first indoor cooling heat exchanger, and is also configured to allow switching to either of the two flow paths.

A vehicular air conditioning system for hybrid cars as disclosed for example in patent document 1 is a vehicular coolant system comprised of a coolant circuit including a circulating pump to circulate coolant for cooling the vehicle onboard heating element by coolant circulated by this circulating pump, and a refrigerating cycle device including a compressor to compress the coolant, a coolant refrigerator to cool the coolant from this compressor, a pressure reducer to decrease the pressure of the coolant from this coolant refrigerator, an evaporator to absorb the heat from the coolant within the coolant circuit and evaporate the coolant from the pressure reducer; and in which the coolant circuit contains an in-vehicle air conditioning heat exchanger to exchange the heat between the coolant and the air blown inside the vehicle.
A vehicular air conditioning system combining a heat pump type cooler and a heating circulator for heating as disclosed for example in patent document 2, is a system that cools and heats by utilizing a heat pump type cooler; and in which the system includes a heat pump type cooler A including a first circulating path, and heating circulator B including a second circulating path in order to simplify the structure of the heat pump type cooler; and the water-cooled condenser within the first circulating path discharges heat from the first coolant placed within the second circulating path 8 to the second coolant, and a flow path selector valve to switch the flow path between the heat radiator side and the heat radiator bypass flow path is installed; and during heating air conditioning operation the flow path selector valve flows the second coolant to the heat radiator bypass flow path to supply air heated by the heater core to inside the vehicle as an air conditioning breeze; and during cooling air conditioning operation the flow path selector valve flows the second coolant to the heat radiator, to supply air cooled by the evaporator to inside the vehicle as an air conditioning breeze.


A remote backup storage system that may be tested with current backup data while the remote system continues to received data from a primary source data storage system includes a remotely located front-end volume that is connected to receive data from a source volume. A remotely located secondary volume normally receives data from the front-end volume. The secondary volume is the volume to which data of the source volume is backed up. The front-end volume serves as buffer for data transferred from the source volume to the secondary volume. A third volume that is used to preserve or restore the data in the secondary volume during a test.

The present invention relates generally to the field of computer backup storage and disaster recovery systems, and more particularly to computer backup storage and disaster recovery systems in which the backup system may be tested with current backed up data while data continues to be transferred from the primary system to the backup system.
Many businesses depend heavily on their computer systems and data. Loss of data or computer production time can be disastrous to a business entity. Accordingly, most businesses back up their data. In order to achieve maximum protection, many businesses have remote sites at which their data and computer systems are duplicated. In case of a disaster or other shut down at a primary site, operations can be resumed at the remote site with substantially no loss of time or data.
When a primary volume in a production site is mirrored to a secondary volume at a remote site, system users may desire to test a disaster situation by starting applications on a host at the remote site. The test is designed to simulate taking over functionalities of the production site. The applications at the remote site may read and write data on the secondary volume for the test. The data used for the test should be as realistic as possible and preferably real data. Data mirroring from the production site to the remote site needs to be resumed as soon as possible after the test.
There have been attempts to provide systems that enable tests of disaster situations. For example, in U.S. patent Publication 2003/0126107 A1, there is disclosed a system in which a replica volume of a secondary volume is prepared and used for the test. In that system, the replica volume is an exact copy of the secondary volume. Accordingly, the replica volume is the same size as the secondary volume even though the amount of data used for the test is in all likelihood only a small part of the total amount of data in the secondary volume. Moreover, copying the entire secondary volume is a time consuming process. Additionally, some users may need to use the same volume as is used in the case of a disaster, which is not possible with the system of the U.S. publication.
An alternate attempted solution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,066 in which the secondary volume is used for testing. Remote mirroring from the primary volume is suspended during the test. At the conclusion of the test, the primary and secondary volumes are resynchronized. The patented system prepares bitmaps of the primary and secondary volumes and exchanges the bitmaps in order to resynchronize the volume. If a disaster happens during the test, data written on the primary volume will be lost before it is transferred to the secondary volume. Additionally, it takes a long time to send data updated on the primary and secondary volumes during the test from the primary volume to the secondary volume until they are resynchronized with each other.

Method of and system for testing remote storage


Methods, systems, and computer program products for automated scotopic adaptation are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes measuring ambient illumination levels associated with at least one user over a first period of time; measuring illumination intensity levels generated by one or more illumination source devices during at least a portion of the first period of time; generating a scotopic adaptation model associated with the at least one user by processing at least a portion of the measured ambient illumination levels in conjunction with processing at least a portion of the measured illumination intensity levels; and automatically adjusting one or more illumination intensity levels generated by at least a portion of the one or more illumination source devices based at least in part on the scotopic adaptation model and one or more ambient illumination levels associated with the at least one user detected over a second period of time.

In visual physiology, adaptation can refer to the ability of the retina of the eye to adjust to various levels of light. Natural night vision, also referred to as scotopic vision, includes the ability to see under low-light conditions. In a typical context, for a human to transition from day vision to night vision, he or she must undergo a dark adaptation period of varying duration in which each eye adjusts from a high luminescence setting to a low luminescence setting, increasing light sensitivity, often by multiple orders of magnitude. This adaptation period is different between rod cells and cone cells, and results from the regeneration of photopigments to increase retinal sensitivity. Light adaptation, in contrast, is commonly carried out much more quickly than dark adaptation (e.g., within seconds).
A pupillary light reflex is one mechanism of light adaptation, and is responsible for adjusting the amount of light that reaches the retina (e.g., by a factor of approximately ten in many cases). Additionally, in response to varying ambient light levels, rod cells and cone cells of an eye function both in isolation and in tandem to adjust the visual system. Also, changes in the sensitivity of rod cells and cone cells in the eye are major contributors to dark adaptation.
As noted above, dark adaptation typically takes a longer time to occur and/or complete than does light adaptation (e.g., hours for dark adaptation versus seconds for light adaptation). Accordingly, even brief exposure to bright light can reset such processes. For example, turning on a conventional light source (e.g., a lamp, headlamp, flashlight, overhead light, lantern, etc.), even for a few seconds, can introduce enough bright light into a user's surroundings that the user quickly loses his or her night vision, meaning that the user would then have to spend a non-trivial amount of time (e.g., up to several hours) away from and/or out of the presence of light to regain his or her scotopic vision.

Automated scotopic adaptation system and uses thereof


A visor assembly having a slip-on upholstered sleeve and a mating snap-in stretchable accessory band for holding maps and the like.

Sun visors are standard equipment in the automobile industry. There is a tension between reducing the cost of the visor, and providing a visor that is most useful and which appears to be expensive and luxurious. It is preferable that the visor match the appearance of the interior trim of the vehicle. In particular, it is preferable to have the visor have an upholstered cover which matches the upholstery of the ceiling panel of the interior of the vehicle. It is further desirable to provide a vanity mirror and light source on the face of the visor facing inward when the visor is moved from its stowed position to allow a passenger to view him or herself. Another popular accessory on a visor is a flexible map strap which typically circumvents the face of the visor opposite the vanity mirror, which provides convenient stowage of items such as maps, toll tickets, sunglasses or other similar light devices. Typically, the map band is secured to the visor body, but in a manner which makes it difficult to upholster the visor body. Stitching the map end to the upholstery can be time consuming and expensive, and can provide a less than satisfactory securing. Wherefore, there is a need in the art to provide an upholstered visor cover which provides for a mirror vanity and an elastic map strap which is inexpensive to manufacture and readily manufactured.


The present invention: provides a good-workability and high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance to the extent of securing excellent resistance to salt warm water immersion which is a good-workability and high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance characterized in that: said steel sheet contains, in mass, 0.16 to 0.19% C, 1.10 to 1.30% Si, 1.50 to 1.60% Mn, not more than 0.1% P and 0.015 to 0.050% Al, with the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities; the average of the amount of Si incrassating on the surface of said steel sheet is not more than 20 times the Si concentration in said steel sheet; and the area percentage of the portions where the ratio of the Si concentration on the surface of said steel sheet to the Si concentration in said steel sheet is not less than 10 is not more than 95%.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a reduction in car body weight has increasingly been demanded, with the aim of improving collision safety and fuel consumption, in the automobile industry and a further enhanced strength has been demanded for a steel sheet that is one of the major component materials of a car body.
In particular, such a steel material is required to have, together with strength, press-formability that can cope with a complicated shape.
As prior arts that meet such requirements, for example, Japanese Patent No. 1177687, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. S52-52115 and No. S52-69813 and others disclose a high-ductility high-tensile-strength steel sheet produced by complexly adding Si, Mn, etc.
Further, the phenomenon of generating strain-induced transformation of retained austenite and showing a large elongation in the event of: subjecting a low carbon steel to which Si and Mn are complexly added to an overaging treatment after two-phase zone annealing; changing a part of austenite to bainite; and finally forming a structure composed of ferrite, bainite and retained austenite, the so-called TRIP phenomenon, has been found recently. As technologies that make use of such a TRIP phenomenon, Japanese Patents No. 1925458 and No. 1430114, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H5-70556, and others, have been disclosed.
Furthermore, as the existence of elements such as C and Si, that are used in a high-strength steel sheet, deteriorate the surface quality of the steel sheet, as technologies to solve the problem, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. H5-55570, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H10-280087 and others have been disclosed.

Good-workability and high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance


A system for actively damping low frequency noise in an enclosure is provided comprising an acoustic wave sensor, and acoustic wave actuator, and an electronic feedback loop. The acoustic wave actuator is substantially collocated with the acoustic wave sensor within an enclosure. The electronic feedback loop is operative to generate a signal at its output by applying a feedback loop transfer function. The feedback loop transfer function comprises a selected second order differential equation including a first variable representing a predetermined damping coefficient and a second variable representing a tuned natural frequency. The transfer function defines a frequency response having a characteristic maximum gain substantially corresponding to the value of the tuned natural frequency and creates a 90 degree phase lead substantially at the tuned natural frequency. The feedback loop output signal represents a rate of change of volume velocity to be produced by the acoustic wave actuator.

The present invention relates to a system and method for actively damping low frequency noise within an enclosure and, more particularly, to such a system and method wherein an electronic feedback loop is employed to drive an acoustic damping source within an enclosure such as an automobile cabin.
The principles of active noise control are well established and basically consist of detecting, by a microphone, the noise to be controlled, and replaying the detected noise in anti-phase via a loudspeaker so that the regenerated noise destructively interferes with the source noise. The following U.S. Patents, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, teach a variety of techniques for actively controlling noise within an enclosure: U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,298, issued to Pla et al. on Sep. 24, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,283, issued to Susumu et al. on Jul. 9, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,849, issued to Geisenberger on Nov. 14, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,478, issued to Hathaway et al. on Feb. 28, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,121, issued to Wolfe on Feb. 14, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,417, issued to Burdisso et al. on Oct. 11, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,713, issued to Okabe et al. on Sep. 6, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,444, issued to Burdisso et al on May 7, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,922, issued to Marra on Dec. 20, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,137, issued to Yoerkie, Jr. et al. on May 10, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,241, issued to Nakanishi et al. on Jun. 30, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,821, issued to Salikuddin et al. on Aug. 25, 1987; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,722, issued to Dekker et al. on Oct. 24, 1989.
Road noise generated within an automobile cabin is commonly characterized by a number of low frequency resonant modes. This low frequency road noise is a problem because it is detrimental to occupant comfort and well being and because the sound absorbing material within the cabin does not significantly attenuate the low frequency noise. Generally, the conventional techniques referenced above have been successful in certain respects. However, none of the disclosed systems have achieved universal acceptance in the area of low frequency acoustic damping within an enclosure. Further, some of the systems have significant shortcomings. For example, the active noise cancellation system taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,478 occupies a significant amount of space within the automobile and the active noise control system taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,713, is related to control of noise in limited local areas within a three-dimensional space.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method that effectively reduces the amplitude of low frequency noise within an enclosure, particularly the enclosure of an automobile where the noise generated within the cabin is characterized by a number of low frequency acoustic modes of significant magnitude.

System and method for actively damping boom noise


An automobile bumper including an isolator including one or more step surfaces integrally formed on the isolator. The step surface(s) may provide a gripping surface for permitting a user to step on for loading and unloading objects from the automobile. A fascia cover may be attachable to the isolator and include a cutout for allowing the step surface(s) to protrude through the cutout to prevent direct contact of the user's foot with the fascia.

a. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to components for pick up trucks, vans, SUVs and other such vehicles which allow a user to climb into the vehicle for loading and unloading, and more particularly, to a step pad and isolator assembly for respectively facilitating loading and unloading of objects into and from the vehicle.
b. Description of Related Art
As is known in the art, pick up trucks, vans, SUVs and other such vehicles generally include a bumper having a step surface for allowing a user to step onto the bumper for climbing into the vehicle to load and unload objects. The step surface generally includes a plurality of raised and grooved areas for providing a gripping area for the user to safely step on without risking slipping and without damaging the outer painted or non-painted bumper fascia.
Known designs of such step surfaces generally include a rubber or plastic step surface mounted on the top fascia of a bumper by adhesive, bolting, snap-fit engagement or other known techniques. In order to account for the user's weight onto the bumper surface, a reinforcement structure can be provided underneath the fascia. The overall bumper assembly thus generally includes at least three components, the outer fascia, a step surface and a reinforcement structure.
An exemplary bumper design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,821 to Heil. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of Heil, there is disclosed a polymeric injection molded running board 7 including a longitudinal base portion 16 with an upper first surface 28 and a lower second surface 30 opposite the first surface. The upper surface is designed to support a foot of a vehicle occupant entering or exiting the vehicle. The running board includes grip ridges 34 integrally molded with the base portion on the first surface for increasing the frictional interface between the first surface and the foot of the vehicle occupant entering or exiting the vehicle. The grip ridges include a crown region 33 and an incline portion 36 connecting the crown region with the first surface. The running board also includes reinforcing ribs 40 for strengthening the base portion, with the ribs extending from the base portion second surface and being joined to the second surface generally opposite the incline portion of the grip ridges.
Another exemplary bumper design of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0087999 to Campbell discloses in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 thereof an integrated upper fascia and bumper energy absorber 10 including an upper fascia support member 12, a bumper energy absorber 14 and a load isolator 16 which integrally connects the upper fascia support member to the bumper energy absorber. Upper fascia support member 12 provides attachments for various attached parts of a motor vehicle. Load isolator 16 connects the upper fascia support member to the bumper energy absorber in a fixed position relative to each other and manages a load applied, relatively, to either upper fascia support member or the bumper energy absorber. This relative load distribution causes relative movement of one component from adversely affecting the other component, thus keeping vehicle damage to a minimum in the event of an impact.
While existing running board or bumper designs, such as those disclosed by Heil and Campbell, provide designs which allow a user to step onto the bumper or which distribute an applied load in a predetermined manner, there exists a need for simplifying and reducing the manufacturing and assembly steps required for such components, as well as for reducing the overall number of parts for such components.
It is therefore desirable to provide a vehicle bumper design which allows a user to climb into and out of the vehicle for respectively loading and unloading objects, with the design including a minimal number of components to thus simplify the manufacturing and assembly steps required for such components. There also exists a need for such bumper designs which are robust in design, and which are economical to manufacture and maintain from a manufacturing and material cost perspective.


An emergency recovery system designed for use in a subsea environment is disclosed. The emergency recovery system has a casing that is open at each end with a shackle connected to one end of the casing with the opposite end of the shackle designed for connection to appropriate points on the main stack and lower marine riser package in any orientation. A flexible sling with a closed loop formed at each end is used with one of the closed loops releasably connected to the shackle and the end of the casing. The other end of the sling has a flotation member attached to the sling adjacent the closed loop. The sling is fan folded as it is lowered into the casing. The flotation member is shaped to fit inside the other end of the casing with the closed end loop of the sling protruding from the casing. A split retaining ring is placed around the sling between the flotation member and the closed loop and inserted in the open end of the casing. A release ring is inserted through the wall of the casing into the split retaining ring. The flotation member is constructed of syntactic foam and sized to provide sufficient buoyancy to fully extend the sling when the release ring is released by a remotely operated vehicle in a subsea environment.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system that facilitates recovery of blowout preventer stacks, subsea trees and similar structures used in oil and gas drilling operations in a subsea environment. The blowout preventer stack connects to the subsea wellhead located on the ocean floor. These blowout preventer stacks are part of a pressure control system used in offshore oil and gas drilling operations to control unexpected well bore pressure spikes or "kicks" as they are commonly referred to in the industry.
The typical subsea blowout preventer stack has a plurality of blowout preventers positioned in a predetermined vertical arrangement or "stack" depending on well conditions and the preferences of the drilling contractor. Each blowout preventer has a vertical bore sized to allow passage of casing, drill pipe, drill bits and downhole tools. A typical subsea "stack" will include both ram-type and annular blowout preventers. Additionally, the stack will include a support frame to facilitate handling during deployment operations and as a support for other components including a control system, kill and choke lines and associated valves and piping.
The typical subsea blowout preventer stack is built and handled in two sections, a lower section known as the "main stack" and an upper section known as the "lower marine riser package." In normal operation, the blowout preventer stack is lowered to the ocean floor and retrieved to the surface using either the drilling riser or a purpose built tool for use with drill pipe. These blowout preventer stacks represent a considerable investment to the drilling contractor and it is important that a damaged stack be retrieved if at all possible. If a malfunction occurs that prevents retrieval of the stack in the usual manner, an emergency recovery system is needed. Most emergency recovery systems currently used require the deployment of special tools or grappling lines.
Problems associated with these current systems include difficulty in use depending on the extent of damage to the blowout preventer stack and causing additional damage to the blowout preventer stack during these recovery operations, especially when grappling lines are used. Similar problems occur during recovery of subsea trees.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 1,189,864 to J. C. Paulson shows a device for locating and raising sunken vessels, particularly submarines. The device requires either compressed air or manual manipulation by a person on the submarine for activation.
A submarine detection float is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,636,447 to T. L. Standish. This apparatus uses a hand wheel activated release mechanism to deploy a float with an air line for sending air to persons trapped in a submarine.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,696,053 to J. Pasini discloses an automatically released buoy when a ship sinks to aid in location and recovery of the sunken ship.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,594,702 to S. W. Woodard discloses a retrievable marine marker that utilizes a geophone activated by an explosion to release a locator buoy.
An apparatus for automatically releasing a submerged buoy after a predetermined period of submersion is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,019 to A. T. Brock.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,752,615 to L. L. Parker discloses a marker buoy for use in recovering missiles from under water. A water soluble tablet is used to activate the buoy release mechanism.

Emergency recovery system for use in a subsea environment


A method for manufacturing a printing plate is realizes a precise and fine pattern by minimizing a variation of etching critical dimension. The method includes forming a hard mask having an opening on an insulating substrate; forming a first trench having a first depth in the insulating substrate using the hard mask; coating, patterning and developing a first photoresist over an entire surface of the insulating substrate including the hard mask; and forming at least a second trench having a second depth in the insulating substrate using the hard mask, wherein the second depth is deeper than the first depth.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a printing plate to realize a fine pattern.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various displays that can substitute for a cathode ray tube (CRT) have recently been developed, which have various advantages of portability, light weight, thin profile, small size, good picture quality, etc.
In general, an LCD device is includes a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate, a color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the TFT array substrate and the color filter substrate. On the TFT array substrate, multiple gate lines are formed in perpendicular to multiple data lines, so as to define multiple pixel regions arranged in a matrix. Also, multiple TFTs are formed on unit pixel regions of the TFT array substrate, wherein the TFTs serve as switching devices. In addition, a pixel electrode of a transparent metal material is formed on the unit pixel regions. Then, RGB color filter layers and a black matrix layer are formed on the color filter substrate to correspond to the pixel electrode.
The TFT array substrate and the color filter substrate are separately manufactured. Before bonding the TFT array substrate and the color filter substrate to each other, steps of alignment coating, rubbing, spacer dispensing, and seal printing are sequentially performed.
After completing the above steps, the TFT array substrate and the color filter substrate are positioned opposite to each other, and then they are bonded to each other by heat and UV irradiation. At this time, a seal printing step is performed to bond the two substrates to each other and to prevent the outflow of liquid crystal molecules during injection of liquid crystals.
The seal printing step includes three methods or sub-steps of 1) a printing method, 2) a sandblasting method and 3) a dispensing method.
First, the printing method is generally used for manufacture of LCDs and plasma display panels (PDPs) because production facilities are simple and material efficiency is high. That is, after positioning a patterned screen above a substrate, a paste for formation of a wall is printed on the substrate by pressing. Through one printing process, it is possible to obtain a height of about 20 μm before firing. To form a wall having a height of 50 μm to 100 μm, it is necessary to perform the printing process 5 to 10 times, thereby requiring several drying steps. Accordingly, the printing method has low yield. In addition, since the glass substrate is deformed, it is difficult to realize high resolution.
Second, the sandblasting method is used to produce a fine wall of a large-sized panel. In the sandblasting method, a wall material is coated on a substrate, and is selectively removed to thereby form a wall. For example, a wall material is screen printed on an entire surface of a substrate. Then, a photoresist film is coated on the wall material and selectively patterned by exposure and development. After that, an abrasive material is sprayed onto the substrate so as to physically remove the substrate having no photoresist film, thereby forming the wall. At this time, the abrasive material may be used of Al2O3, SiC or glass particles, which is sprayed using compressed air or nitrogen gas. By the sandblasting method, it is possible to form the wall of 70 μm or less on the large-sized substrate. However, the glass substrate may be broken due to physical impact during firing. Also, the process of sandblasting is complicated, whereby the manufacturing cost increases. Further, an environmental pollution may be generated due to dust.
Third, the dispensing method is generally used for sealing a large-sized LCD or PDP. In the dispensing method, a paste is directly dispensed on a substrate by air pressure using line data from computer-assisted design (CAD) used for manufacture of a mask. In the dispensing method, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the mask, to obtain great degree of freedom for formation of a thick film, and to realize the simplified process and various applications.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view illustrating a printing apparatus according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, the related art printing apparatus includes a printing table 11 supporting a substrate 10, a printing plate 1 having a convex (or concave) pattern 2 (for printing a pattern 4 on the substrate 10), a plate body 12, an anilox roll 16, a dispenser 18, and a doctor roll 15.
Then, a printing material 17 (for example ink) is supplied to the anilox roll 16 by the dispenser 18. The anilox roll 16 and the plate body 12 are formed in shape of cylindrical roll. The anilox roll 16 and the plate body 12 respectively revolve in arrow directions 48 and 46 and are in contact with each other.
The printing plate 1 adheres on an outer surface of the plate body 12, wherein the printing plate 1 has the convex (or concave) pattern 2 having a desired shape. The convex pattern 2 is positioned to be in contact with the substrate 10.
Also, the printing material 17 is supplied from the anilox roll 16 to the convex pattern 2, and then the printing material 17 of the convex pattern 2 is printed on the substrate 10. The substrate 10 is positioned on the printing table 11. During printing, the substrate 10 is moved to an arrow direction 47.
The printing material 17 printed on the substrate 10 has a shape or pattern 4 corresponding to the convex pattern 2, which is referred to as the printing result. Here, the printing result is formed in shape of frame.
The anilox roll 16 is in contact with the doctor roll 15 as well as the convex pattern 2. The doctor roll 15 uniformly coats the printing material 17 supplied from the dispenser 18 onto the outer surface of the anilox roll 16. Accordingly, the doctor roll 15 is in contact with the anilox roll 16 within a range between a portion of supplying the printing material 17 and a portion being in contact with the convex pattern 2. Instead of the doctor roll 15, a plate-shaped doctor blade may be used. Also, instead of the dispenser 18, another cylindrical roll may be used so as to provide the printing material 17 to the anilox roll 16.
Generally, the printing apparatus is used to form letters or figures on packing paper. However, the printing apparatus may be used to form various patterns on thin films. For example, an alignment layer or a sealant may be printed on a glass substrate of an LCD device by printing a polyimide thin film.
Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a printing plate according to the related art will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 2A to 2E are cross sectional views illustrating a related art method for manufacturing a printing plate.
As shown in FIG. 2A, a metal layer 52 for a hard mask is deposited on an insulating substrate 51, and photoresist 53 is coated on the metal layer 52. The metal layer 52 is formed of Cr or Mo. Then, the photoresist 53 is selectively patterned by exposure and development to thereby define a pattern area.
Referring to FIG. 2B, the metal layer 52 is selectively removed using the patterned photoresist 53 as a mask to thereby form a metal layer pattern 52a.
As shown in FIG. 2C, the photoresist 53 is removed. The photoresist 53 is removed using oxygen gas plasma or various oxidizers to form the metal layer pattern 52a. When using oxygen gas plasma, oxygen gas plasma is generated by providing oxygen gas under vacuum and high voltage conditions, and the oxygen gas plasma decomposes the photoresist, whereby the photoresist is removed.
As shown in FIG. 2D, the exposed insulating substrate 51 is selectively etched using the metal layer pattern 52a as a mask to thereby form a trench 54 having a depth of about 20 μm. When etching the insulating substrate 51, an isotropic etching method using HF-based etchant is used.
As shown in FIG. 2E, the metal layer pattern 52a is removed, thereby completing the printing plate.
The completed printing plate is then installed on the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Then, after the printing material is coated on the anilox roll, the anilox roll is in contact with the printing plate. Thus, the printing material is printed on the predetermined pattern of the printing plate, and the printing material of the printing plate is printed on the substrate to thereby obtain the printing result of the predetermined pattern.
However, the related art method for manufacturing the printing plate has the following disadvantages.
In the method for manufacturing the printing plate according to the related art, the trench having the predetermined depth is formed by the isotropic etching method of etching the insulating substrate using the metal layer pattern as the mask, whereby the etching critical dimension (CD) is large. As a result, it is difficult to manufacture a precise printing plate. That is, if the etching thickness of the insulating substrate is about 5 μm, it is impossible to obtain a line width of 10 μm or less ('A' of FIG. 2D).


An in-line sorter for fasteners which includes a track for receiving the head of a fastener. Fasteners move along the track, past one or more stations which reject those fasteners which do not meet certain specifications. Specifically, four stations may be provided—a first station for rejecting fasteners which have bolt portions which are too short; a second station for rejecting fasteners which have too long a head or too long a shaft portion extending above the head; a third station for rejecting fasteners which have bolt portions which are too long; and a fourth station for rejecting fasteners which have too large a head or washer portions which are either too small or too large. More or less than four stations may be provided. Also, the stations may be provided in a different sequence. Still further, in some cases, stations may be combined.

This invention generally relates to devices and methods for sorting fasteners, and more specifically relates to an in-line sorter which can be implemented in a fastener feed system.
Fastener feed systems presently exist in the industry. Oftentimes, a batch of fasteners includes some fasteners which are not of the type or size of the rest of the batch. In other words, most fastener batches are not 100% uniform, and contain some anomalies (these anomalies may be referred to as "foreign fasteners"). Sometimes, foreign fasteners cause a feed system to jam, thereby causing the assembly line to shut down, and down time charges to be incurred. In fact, the fact that batches of fasteners are not 100% percent uniform is the number one cause of downtime in some engine and transmission assembly plants.
Automatically feeding fasteners in high volume production environments is relatively new in the industry (at least on an industry wide basis). Sometimes, no steps are taken to reduce the likelihood of system jamming due to foreign fasteners. Simply, when a jam occurs, a maintenance person is called upon to clear the jam. To decrease the likelihood of jams, the industry has generally switched from bowl feeder systems (which are more likely to jam) to step feeder systems (which are less likely to jam). Some fastener feed systems are intentionally designed to make it easier to clear a jam. To further decrease the likelihood of jams, often an OEM that is running an assembly line will demand that a fastener manufacturer deliver a batch of fasteners having zero defects (i.e., no foreign fasteners). Obviously, to deliver batches with no foreign fasteners requires increased cost and/or production steps.


The invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising an oil-containing biliquid foam dispersed in a salt-containing aqueous phase, in which the aqueous phase, having a pH of less than about 7, is gelled by a polymeric sulfonic acid. A particularly preferred gellant is ammonium poly(acryldimethyltauramide-co-vinylformamide). Unlike many other types of gels, these gels are stable at an acid pH in the presence of substantial amounts of electrolytes, and therefore are useful in delivering acidic active components.

Delivery of unique skin treatment products always presents a problem to the formulator. Many of the most useful skin-therapeutic agents are biologically active, and are therefore not useful if there activity is compromised in any way. This means the formulator must choose a delivery vehicle that will be compatible with the active, not causing a degradation of the compound's activity. Maintaining the stability of the active components of a formulation may however sometimes be at odds with the design of a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. Although the modern consumer is more demanding with respect to getting a therapeutic effect with her cosmetics, she ordinarily will not at the same time sacrifice the aesthetics of the product to obtain this. Thus, the formulator is frequently presented with the dilemma of how to provide the maximum therapeutic effect in a vehicle that is cosmetically elegant, yet not necessarily innately compatible with the desired active agent.
This problem is seen particularly in the preparation of gel-type compositions. A gel vehicle is particularly popular now, for a number of reasons: in its most desirable incarnation, a gel, specifically a water-based gel, is cooling, gentle, and non-greasy on the skin. However, achieving maximum efficacy of incorporated actives while fully retaining aesthetics of the vehicle presents substantial difficulty in gel formulation. Incorporation of other useful cosmetic ingredients can cause a loss of clarity, rendering the gel cloudy and less attractive. Similarly, many types of actives can cause a disruption of the gel structure, which can cause instability of the product as a whole, and/or result in a product that has an unacceptable feel when applied to the skin. This problem is particularly difficult when the active components comprise one or more acids, which are frequently present in the composition as electrolytes, as electrolytes can seriously interfere with the maintenance of a stable, clear gel product. A particularly desirable gel vehicle is one in which a biliquid foam is dispersed, such as is described in WO 97/32559. A biliquid foam is advantageous because it permits the incorporation of a relatively large quantity of oil, and oil soluble actives, into an aqueous phase with the use of a very small amount of surfactant. However, the gelling of the aqueous vehicle containing the biliquid foam is quite difficult in the presence of electrolytes, particularly when the pH is acidic.
There thus continues to be a need for improved aqueous gel formulations that can be used to deliver the necessary therapeutic agents while at the same time retain stability and the elegant texture consumers expect from a gel product. The present invention provides such a product.


A container (10) for fissile material comprises an inner annular shaped receptacle (12) contained within an outer annular enclosure (14). The receptacle (12) and the enclosure (14) define an inner chamber (16) surrounded by an outer chamber (18). A closure mechanism (20) fastens the receptacle (12) to the enclosure (14) and seals there between. Two opposing openings (22) are provided in the top of the container (10) to allow fissile material to be introduced into and removed from the inner chamber (16). The openings (22) are shielded by flanges (24) and vented caps (23) seal the openings (22).

Containers are known for the storage of fissile material and these containers must store the fissile material as safely as possible. The fissile material is therefore mixed with acid and stored as liquor in the containers. The acid in the liquor acts to moderate the fissile material and the mass of fissile material stored in the container must be limited. If too much fissile material is stored in a given container then the liquor can become critical releasing harmful radiation. Accidents have occurred when operators have stored too much fissile material in a given container.
To prevent accidents with the fissile contents of the containers the geometry of the containers is controlled. Certain shapes of containers are used in the industry, which prevent or reduce the risk of the liquor becoming critical. These geometries are known as favorable geometries.
Containers with a favorable geometry are used for the storage of fissile liquor at processing facilities. However, as storage space diminishes at the facilities it has become necessary to transport the material within the facility. The containers used to transport the liquor must have a favorable geometry and be resistant to impacts.

Container for fissile material and a method of making the same

Abstract: The annular container (10) is impact resistance. The outer chamber (18) acts as a buffer to protect the inner chamber (16). If the outer chamber (18) ruptures the fissile contents of the inner chamber (16) are contained. The outer chamber (18) also acts to contain any spillage of the fissile material in the event that the inner receptacle (12) fails.


The invention provides a method and system of detecting aliases in a network. The network comprises at least one device and at least one Network management system (NMS) for managing the devices. The NMS identifies each device available in the network with a message digest. The NMS retrieves the message digest of a device that is submitted for management. The NMS tries to locate the retrieved message digest with a database of message digests. In case the retrieved message digest is located on the database, the NMS declares the device as an alias. However, if the message digest is not located on the database, the NMS stores the message digest in the database and starts managing the device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to network management. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for detecting aliases in a network of devices.
2. Description of Background Art
One of the purposes of a Network Management System (NMS) is to manage devices located on a network. The NMS needs to perform checks before initiating management of a device to verify if a device is an alias or not.
Various techniques are available in the art to detect aliases in a network. One of these techniques is based upon a duplication detection algorithm. According to the alias detection procedure implementing this algorithm, a user submits a device for management to the NMS. The NMS interacts with the device and collects data (e.g., such as IP address, Media Access Control (MAC) address, sysdesc, sysOID, atnetaddress, etc) for managing the device via Simple Network Management Protocal (SNMP) and stores collected data in its database. When a second device is submitted for management, the data for managing the second device is collected by the NMS and compared with the existing collected data of every other device that is already being managed by the NMS to determine whether the second device is an alias or not. The alias detection algorithm technique enables detection of an alias with considerable accuracy, but it requires a large amount of resources and takes a lot of time. In particular, when there are a few thousand devices to be managed, the time required for running the algorithm increases incrementally with the addition of a new device to the database.
Another technique known in the art, which provides better performance than the alias detection algorithm technique, uses an IP address to identify a device in the process of detecting aliases in the network. This technique requires lesser processing time, as the comparison is based only upon one parameter, i.e., the IP address. However, this technique is incapable of ensuring accuracy while detecting aliases. Also, this technique does not necessarily decrease the number of instances of inventory collection, which consumes most of the time. This technique may also use some other parameter, such as the MAC address, to identify if a device is an alias or not. However, the MAC address is also a variable identifier and may change with the inclusion of a new module in the device.

Method and system for detection of aliases in a network


Methods and apparatus for controlling operation of a low frequency oscillator upon reset of a microcomputer to achieve faster start-up time are described. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a microcomputer having an oscillator input port, an oscillator output port, and an oscillator control port, and an oscillator coupled to the microcomputer oscillator output, input, and control ports. The microcomputer is programmed to control the output on the oscillator control port so that upon reset, the output transitions from a low state to a high state in accordance with a preselected frequency for a preselected period of time. More particularly, and in one exemplary embodiment, the microcomputer controls the output on the oscillator control port upon reset so that for a preselected cycle, the output is high for approximately about one-half cycle, low for approximately about one-half cycle, and then high for approximately about one-half cycle. Upon completion of such cycling, the microcomputer transitions the output on the control port to a high impedance state. Such control of the low frequency oscillator decreases the oscillator start-up time. Specifically, by generating the control signal having the desired frequency as described above, and then providing such control signal to the oscillator, the oscillator is "kick started" to begin its operations more quickly than such operations would begin without such control signal.

Known microcomputer based systems, such as electricity meters, utilize a basic master oscillator and a slower subclock oscillator. The subclock oscillator generates a signal having a frequency much lower than the basic master oscillator. Both the master oscillator and the subclock oscillator are crystal controlled.
Upon reset of the microcomputer (e.g., upon power-up), it is important that both the master oscillator and the subclock oscillator begin operating (i.e., oscillating) almost immediately. In an electricity meter, for example, such immediate operation is necessary in order to ensure a proper start-up and measurement of energy consumption. Low frequency oscillators, however, typically have a slow start-up time. Such slow start-up time may interfere with the desired operation of the meter which, of course, is undesirable.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus for controlling operation of a low frequency oscillator so that such oscillator has a fast start-up time, at least as compared to the start-up times of known low frequency oscillators. Such methods and apparatus also preferably will not add significant costs in terms of components and circuit assembly time.

Crystal oscillator starting operation in an electricity meter