An OLED driver for driving at least one organic electroluminescence element and lighting apparatus equipped with the driver. The driver has a direct-current power source and a dimmer. The source alternately applies first voltage and second voltage across the element. The first voltage is approximately equal to drive voltage of the element. The second voltage is lower than the first voltage and higher than barrier voltage of the element. The dimmer controls the source so as to change a ratio of a first term to a second term to dimm the element. The first term is a period of time for which the first voltage is applied across the element. The second term is a period of time for which the second voltage is applied across the element.

In this sort of lighting apparatus, at least one organic electroluminescence element is driven at low drive voltage (e.g., about a few to 10 s V) in comparison with discharge lamps. The element is hereinafter also referred to as an organic EL element or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode). Accordingly, since OLED drivers can be produced at low cost in comparison with prior art ballasts, various OLED drivers have been proposed.
For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-78828 discloses lighting apparatus. The apparatus includes an organic EL element(s), a converting means, a switching means and a controlling means. The converting means is formed of a full wave rectifying circuit and a smoothing circuit, and converts alternating-current power into direct-current power. The switching means has four transistors constituting a full-bridge circuit. This switching means produces an alternating electric current from the direct-current power to supply the element with a forward direction current and a reverse direction current alternately. The controlling means detects an electric current flowing through the element through a detection resistor connected in series with the element, and turns the transistors on and off based on the detected electric current. For example, the controlling means adjusts a duty ratio with respect to the transistors in accordance with a designated luminance value. Specifically, in case that the luminance is raised, the duty ratio is increased so as to lengthen a supply time of the forward direction current to the element. Conversely, in case that the luminance is lowered, the duty ratio is decreased so as to shorten a supply time of the forward direction current to the element. Besides, in order to extend life of the element and prevent noise from circuit parts and visible flicker, a switching frequency for turning the transistors on and off is set to a higher frequency than that of a commercial power source (e.g., 50 or 60 Hz), preferably 20 kHz or more.
Japanese Patent No. 3432986 discloses an organic EL display device. Before applying emission drive voltage across an organic EL element, the device applies auxiliary voltage to the element. The auxiliary voltage is lower than the emission drive voltage and higher than barrier voltage of the element.
Incidentally, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-78828, if the switching frequency of a power source for an organic EL element(s) can be set to a higher frequency than that of a commercial power source, especially twice or more, preferably a few hundreds Hz or more, visible flicker can be prevented. Further, if the switching frequency can be set to 20 kHz or more, noise can be prevented. However, in case that the element is supplied with square-wave voltage of which polarity is periodically inverted, it is difficult to set the switching frequency to such a high frequency. That is, an organic EL element has a capacity component owing to the structure and therefore has the circuit structure that the capacity component is connected in parallel thereto. Because of this, if the switching frequency is raised as stated above, voltage polarity is inverted during charging the capacity component and then an electric charge of the component is discharged. Accordingly, there is a possibility that the element cannot emit enough light. For example, since the capacity component of an organic EL element that is a few centimeters square is generally within a range from a few tenth F to a few μF, the switching frequency can be limited to a few kHz or less. For that reason, a switching frequency for generating the square-wave voltage cannot be so high.

OLED driver and lighting apparatus equipped with the same


An accessory drive system for an internal combustion engine includes a multi-ribbed belt and pulley system. Shear generators are machined, formed or molded and extend axially from the driving pulley's faces such that the shear generators expand the drive belt in a plurality of regions. The shear generators are formed as either spheroids projecting into the V of the V-pulley such that the spheroids extend from two faces of adjacent grooves at approximately the midpoint between the root and apex of the V, or as shifted circumferential grooves of a multi-ribbed pulley having a continuous wave pattern. These shear generators cause a plurality of localized high tension regions at the highest pressure zone of the belt/pulley friction interface, improving circumferential friction, and therefore torque capacity, with minimal effect on belt wear due to their smoothness.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a drive pulley system for an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved pulley system which produces enhanced traction between the pulley and a drive belt in wet operating conditions.
2. Disclosure Information
Pulley drive systems for powering the accessories of internal combustion engines are used to transmit power through a belt, with the belt making frictional contact with the face of the pulleys. The use of pulley systems to accomplish the transfer of power has been proven to have certain deficiencies inasmuch as pulleys rely upon friction for their motive force. Once the friction is lost between the pulley and the belt, as may be the case with an accumulation of water on the surface of the pulley system, slip occurs. Water on the surface of the pulley system causes the coefficient of friction between the belt and the pulley faces to decrease, causing either an objectionable squealing noise which will be audible to the driver as the belt slips or a change in speed of the driven accessory.
Currently, conventional multi-ribbed belts and pulleys are used on several drive systems with automobile engines. The pulley's circumferential grooves for receiving friction belts such as multi-rib belts have grooved surfaces which are very smooth; therefore, the coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the grooves relative to the friction belt is very low. Prior work has focused on improving friction within different belt systems or has focused on modifying the belt itself. Due to the different flexural properties of the belts, a solution that corrects for the loss of friction with one belt system cannot be readily applied to solving the same problem with another belt system.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,601,662 describes transferring power to a laterally flexible belt with a steel laminate, used with either a variable effective diameter or a fixed diameter pulley. This belt is very different from a multi-ribbed belt, which is laterally fixed and rigid. Also the tensions associated with a variable speed gear are higher than those associated with a constant speed gear.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,660 describes transferring power to a chain belt operating at high speed at a small wrap angle. A V-pulley described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,660 comprises a pair of conical pulley faces that the chain belt contacts, with each being provided with a rough surface. The smaller wrap angle taught would also lower the total torque capacity between a belt and the pulley. In addition, the frequency of the roughness defined and shown in this is too high to be effective with a multi-ribbed belt, because the multi-ribbed belt would lift out of the fixed multi-ribbed belt pulley.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,567 describes a V-block belt system aimed at reducing noise levels during operation. The system relies on the assistance of a special belt with intermittently spaced V blocks. The type of belt taught differs significantly from a smooth multi-ribbed belt.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,361 describes a conventional multi-ribbed pulley, designed to work with a multi-ribbed belt. The invention teaches the addition of axial grooves which extend in an axial direction over a surface of the pulley in which the circumferential groove is formed, and a higher friction surface which is formed by roughening the surface. However, with this invention, combined with the characteristic hardness of the rib stock rubber of at least 65 shore durometer of all known K section V-ribbed belts, the belt would simply be elevated out of the grooves and would ride across the top of the bumps with less effective wrap surface. Hence, there would be lower friction and subsequently lower belt/pulley torque capacity than a pulley without the roughness as described in this patent.
It is known that modified multi-ribbed belts having smaller V angles perform slightly better under wet-slip conditions than conventional multi-ribbed belts. This could be because the tips of the pulley dig into the belt rib valleys and create a local pressure wedging in this area. The sharper, longer V of the belt provides full rubber to steel contact during the wet slip situation, which prevents hydroplaning as the belt digs into the bottom of the pulley. However, this technique causes undue wear to the belts because the tip loads will wear out the rib section of the belt, eliminating future point contacts.
The current invention applies the concept of creating localized high pressure areas through the pulley's geometric characteristics. The system modifies the amount of space between adjacent conical faces of the pulley, thereby creating high pressure areas between the pulley and the belt at the belt/pulley interface.
Clearly, it is desirable to be able to have an improved multi-ribbed belt pulley system that will compensate for wet conditions and prevent the belt from slipping on the pulley, thereby preventing a squealing sound as the belt loses traction.

Pulley with controlled surface irregularity for an internal combustion engine


A wide FOV imaging system (10) includes an objective lens (14), a convergent reflective element (18) positioned proximate an intermediate image (16) formed by the objective lens, and a re-imaging lens (20) for re-imaging the intermediate image. The present invention significantly improves image fidelity while minimizing optical components by utilizing a convergent reflective element proximate the intermediate image to reverse the propagation of aberrations produced by the objective lens (14) to, as a result, significantly cancel or reduce the aberrations contributed by the re-imaging lens.

The present invention relates generally to optical imaging systems, and more particularly to a compact optical imaging system exhibiting a wide field of view (FOV), large exit pupil, large eye relief, or a combination thereof.
Optical systems, while their designs are quite varied, primarily serve to collect radiation from a finite dimensional or angular object to form an image for later use. The goal of optical design is to maximize the fidelity of the image as required for such later use while producing a practical configuration of optical system elements. Generally, a low number of optical elements is desired to minimize cost and system size, while a greater number is desired to offer sufficient design flexibility to minimize optical aberrations and therefore achieve the highest image fidelity. This competitive design environment becomes even more problematic as the desired field of view, exit pupil or eye relief are increased because such increases lead to significantly greater optical aberrations. This in turn increases the number and cost of optical elements required by the imaging system to maintain acceptable image quality.
Many optical imaging systems such as microscopes and telescopes utilize a positive objective lens to produce an intermediate image which is later re-imaged by another positive ocular or eye lens. Unfortunately, the aberrations of multiple positive lenses tend to compound themselves. However, positive lens aberrations are in certain cases opposite in sign compared to the same aberrations in a negative lens. Thus, many imaging systems employ a combination of predominantly positive and less powerful negative lens elements to minimize aberrations. Therefore, since such compounding of lenses requires many more elements, such a technique has only limited utility in systems which must be practically produced with low cost and in compact configurations while also providing a large FOV, exit pupil and/or eye relief.
Further, known imaging systems try to produce a wider field of view by employing a positive field lens at or near the intermediate image. However, such arrangements for widening the field of view are not satisfactory since the field lenses do not serve to make such systems more compact, and they can add significant aberrations to the intermediate image if such lenses are particularly powerful or if there is significant field curvature in the intermediate image.


Method and apparatus for limiting optical radiation to an optical sensor are disclosed for protecting the sensor against damage from high intensity optical radiation. A fixed electric field is established between a pair of spaced electrodes by connection of the electrodes to a DC voltage source. Small solid particles oscillate back and forth in the electric field between the electrodes. Incident optical radiation is focused at a focal plane at the oscillating solid particles, and energy transmitted through the oscillating particles is focused at the optical sensor. The transmittance of the particle-containing space is substantially constant for incident optical radiation intensity up to a threshold level below which the sensor is undamaged by the radiation. Above the threshold, oscillating particles are heated to a high temperature for vaporization, ionization and thermal expansion thereof for increased scatter and absorption thereby limiting optical radiation to the sensor to an intensity below which damage to the sensor occurs.

Systems for protecting an optical electromagnetic wave-responsive device, such as an optical sensor, from a high intensity laser beam are well known as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,269 to Minahan. There, radiation is transmitted to the sensor through a nonlinear crystal and plasma switch. A harmonic component is produced at the nonlinear crystal, which component increases with increasing intensity of the incident radiation. The harmonic component from the nonlinear crystal initiates a state of nontransmittance of the plasma to block transmission to the sensor. The plasma is switched from a state of transmittance to a state of nontransmittance at an intensity level of the incident radiation below which damage to the sensor would occur.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,431,257 to Born a device for protecting an optical or infrared window against damage by laser radiation is shown which includes a coolant flow channel for the flow of a gaseous or liquid coolant which is opaque to the laser radiation and transparent to visible and near-infrared radiation. The coolant comprises either C.sub.6 H.sub.12 or CH.sub.4.
A diffusion filter for a laser beam is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,587,424 to Paine, which filter comprises a laser light transparent receptacle containing a suspension of small particles having an average diameter larger than the wavelength of the laser light. A colloidal suspension of milk or metal particles in water is employed in the receptacle, which particles reflect laser light for diffusion of the laser light beam.
A substantially stable colloidal suspension of carbon black particles of an average size under 20 .mu.m for use in rear view mirrors is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,063 to Teague et al. The suspension liquid comprises a solution of an organic liquid, together with a dispersing agent. The suspension is located in an enclosure with a window and containing a movable mirror. By moving the mirror away from the window the layer of suspension between the mirror and window is increased to produce an opaque screen in front of the mirror to inhibit the reflection of light from the mirror.
An optical limiter using Cr-doped crystalline solids and organic solutions, such as laser dyes, saturable absorber dyes, etc. is shown in Harter et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,248.
In Seitel et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,639, an optical radiation attenuating device is shown comprising either a mirror or optical transmitting component upon which the radiation impinges. Disposed on the surface of the device are particles of material which emit electrons when the power of radiation impinging thereon is above an optical breakdown threshold. Above the threshold level, free electrons emitted from the particles ionize the adjacent gas, or atmosphere, to provide a shielding plasma. A nanosecond response time is provided by the plasma shield.
An optical radiation limiter is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,075 to Pohlmann et al, which includes a fluid, such as methanol, within which carbon particles are suspended. Radiation to be limited is focused at the suspension, and transmitted radiation is limited to a level below the detector damage level. Carbon particles absorbing high-intensity energy either form radiation scattering vapor bubbles around themselves, and/or become hot plasmas which also could act as absorbing and scattering sites. A major disadvantage of such suspended particle type limiters is the reduction in transmissivity in particular spectral bands due to the suspending medium prior to breakdown. This may limit their use in these bands.
Devices for causing solid particles to oscillate back and forth between a pair of spaced electrodes in a fixed electric field are well known. Such a device first was employed by Andrew Gordon, a Benedictine monk, to produce a device known as the "electric bells" and was later used by Benjamin Franklin as the basis of the "Franklin Chimes" used to detect electrified clouds associated with thunderstorms. "B. Franklin Experiments and Observations on Electricity Made at Philadelphia in America by Mr. Benjamin Franklin communicated in Several Letters to Mr. P. Collison of London SRS London". Printed and sold by E. Caves at St. Johns Gate - 1751.
In an article by A. Y. H Cho entitled, "Contact Charging of Micron-Sized particles in Intense Electric Fields", Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 35, No. 9, Sept. 1964, pages 2561-2564, oscillation of small solid particles in an electric field between a pair of spaced electrodes is shown.

Method and apparatus for limiting optical radiation intensity at an optical sensor using solid particles oscillating in an electric field


An emblem having a design for securing to an article by the application of at least one of heat and pressure comprises a base having a front surface and a rear surface, the base being comprised of a woven fabric. The emblem design is comprised of two portions, a first portion of the emblem design being woven into the fabric base when the fabric base is made and a second portion of the emblem design being embroidered into the fabric base. A layer of thermoplastic adhesive material is bonded to the rear surface of the fabric base for securing the emblem to the article.

The present invention relates to an emblem and a method of making an emblem and, in particular, an emblem and a method of making an emblem in which the emblem design is comprised of a first portion which is woven into the fabric base and a second portion which is embroidered into the fabric base.
In general, embroidered emblems and methods for making embroidered emblems are well known in the art. A particular embroidered emblem and method of making the embroidered emblem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,657,060 entitled "Embroidered Emblem With Thermoplastic Adhesive" and 3,816,211 entitled "Method For Making Embroidered Emblem" both of which are owned by the assignee of the present application. These two related patents disclose an embroidered emblem of the type shown in FIG. 3 of the present application and which comprises a fabric base 112 with an emblem design 114 which is completely embroidered into the fabric base such that substantially the entire front or first principle surface 116 of the fabric base is covered by the embroidery. The emblem further includes a thermoplastic adhesive material 118 laminated or bonded to the rear or second principal surface 120 of the fabric base 112. In this manner, the embroidered emblem 110 can be conveniently fastened to a garment or other fabric surface through the application of at least one of heat and pressure to melt the thermoplastic material 118 and thereby bond the fabric base 112 to the garment or other fabric surface. A similar emblem and method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,742. The subject matter of each of the three above-mentioned patents is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.
While the embroidered emblems disclosed in the three above-mentioned patents are quite acceptable and while the methods disclosed in the patents are quite useful in manufacturing such emblems, there is a need in the art for a more sophisticated emblem which provides for sharper, finer details which are not achievable with a fully embroidered emblem. The present invention meets these requirements by providing an emblem in which a first portion of the emblem design is initially woven into the fabric of the emblem base when the fabric base is made to provide a crisp, clear appearance and a second portion of the emblem design which is thereafter embroidered into the fabric base to provide depth to the finished emblem. The resulting combination woven and embroidered design provides an enhanced appearance which is sharper or finer in detail than the appearance of an emblem in which the design has been completely embroidered.


The security bar system will physically prevent unwanted opening of a hinged door. The system comprises an elongate, rigid adjustable cylinder bar which is adapted to extend on the inside of a door between a pair of mounted brackets. The adjustable bar terminates at its opposite ends in rigid closed ended brackets. The adjustable bar is equipped with a locking pin that is restrained by the left bracket, when bar is in security (horizontal) position. Left bracket is equipped with an indentation that allows for snug fit of locking pin. Bar is restrained by and rotates from horizontal to storage (vertical) position within right bracket, in which self-contained hinge allow for easy rotation. When in storage position bar is held in vertical position by a catcher affixed to molding, above right bracket. Adjustable bar and brackets are coated with a decorative finish so as not to sacrifice the aesthetic integrity of the dwelling.

The present invention relates generally to hardware and apparatus for securing conventional doors. More particularly, the present door bar is adapted to go from in use (horizontal) to storage position (vertical), with its hinged design, which allows for secure rotation of tubing.
In the prior art a variety of systems have been designed to mount door bars for security reasons. As crime rates in America continue to escalate, the need for a secure, tamper resistant security means is evident. Existing door bar systems suffer from the disadvantage that the removable security bar itself can be lost or misplaced. Since the present invention never leaves the door, it is convenient for use. The decorative finish is designed to complement any interior, whereas current products have an industrial metal finish. Prior art allows for a security system that is one standard size. The advantage of invention is that it is adjustable to fit many size doors. Present invention can be quickly and easily mounted on doors that are hinged on left or right and accommodate the associated hardware.


The present invention provides an integrated semiconductor module comprising a chip, interposer, and substrate. The module is adapted to be mounted on a traditional circuit card carrying multiple other components. The chip of the present invention can be a conventional IC chip or chip package, including ball grid array packages, and will simply be referred to hereinafter as a xe2x80x9cchip.xe2x80x9d The interposer of the present invention is a conventional thin film interposer, such as those composed of a polyimide material and fabricated on a glass carrier plate. The substrate of the present invention is a conventional circuitized substrate, such as a BGA or laminate substrate, that is commonly employed in carrying a chip on a circuit card. In its assembled state, the present invention comprises an interposer mounted on top of a substrate with the electrical contacts formed on the lower surface of the interposer positioned in electrical communication with respective ones of electrical contacts formed on the upper surface of the substrate. A non-conductive material, such as an epoxy resin, fills the voids between the interposer and substrate created by the electrical connections. The epoxy resin forms a mechanical bond between the interposer and substrate, thereby enhancing the structural integrity of the unit. Moreover, by filling the voids between the electrical connections, essentially no foreign particles can become entrapped therein and cause electrical malfunctions. Accordingly, the environmental and operational integrity of the unit is also enhanced.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to integrated semiconductor packages comprising a chip, interposer, and substrate, and more particularly to improvements to the structural and environmental integrity thereof.
2. Description of Prior Art
Semiconductor devices and other electronic components, such as chip carriers, have been mounted to circuitized substrates, such as printed circuit boards, using a variety of methods, including conductive pins, solder balls (commonly referred to as bumps), wirebonds, and the like. In certain applications, an IC chip is mounted directly to the substrate through the aforementioned mounting methods. However, in applications requiring high wiring density it is common to employ an interconnect member between the IC chip and the substrate in order to cost effectively increase the number of I/Os the device is capable of handling. These interconnect members are commonly referred to as interposers.
Chip packages used in high density applications are well known. A common example of such a package is what is referred to in the art as xe2x80x9cball grid arrayxe2x80x9d packages (xe2x80x9cBGAsxe2x80x9d). These types of packages include an IC chip having a lower surface on which is mounted an array of electrical contacts, commonly in the form of solder bumps, which serve as the I/O leads. These solder bumps must be electrically connected to pads positioned on the upper surface of the substrate, but due to the small spaces between contacts, wiring the substrate to accommodate all the solder bumps is cost prohibitive. Moreover, such connections are not structurally sound due to the thermal expansion characteristics of the substrate and chip structures which cause deflections in the members and consequently, breaks in the electrical connections.
To remedy the drawbacks of directly connecting the IC chip to the substrate, an interposer having a hierarchy of wiring densities is commonly employed. The interposer is commonly composed of a thin film, such as polyimide. Single and multiple layer thin film interposers are well known in the art. One known method for manufacturing multiple layer thin film interposers is by dispersing a first layer of polyimide on a carrier plate, typically composed of glass, forming vias, or micro-holes through this polyamide dielectric layer in a predetermined patterns, and then depositing copper or other conductive wire leads thereon by sputtering, plating, or other known methods. A second layer (and subsequent layers) of polyimide is then built upon the preceding dielectric layer. Vias are then formed through the dielectric layer, and conductive wires are formed thereon. The manufacturing of these types of thin film interposers is well known in the art. The interposer is then positioned on the substrate with the conductive pads on the interposer being in electrical communication with corresponding ones of the pads formed on the substrate. A process, such as reflow soldering, or the like, may then be employed to melt the solder and form an electrical bond at the conductive pads between the interposer and substrate. The glass carrier plate is then removed from the top surface of the interposer through a known process, such as a laser ablation process as described in the present assignee""s prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,236. The IC chip (which may be in the form of a BGA) is then positioned on the upper surface of the interposer with its I/O contacts in electrical communication with the conductive pads formed on the upper surface of the interposer. A heating process is then employed to melt the solder and form a bond between the electrical contacts on the chip and interposer.
Manufacturing a module comprising a single chip, interposer and substrate can be readily modified to include mounting multiple chips on a single interposer, or multiple interposers on a single substrate.
3. Objects and Advantages
It is a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide an electronic package or module comprising a chip, interposer, and substrate that is structurally and environmentally sound.
It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide an electronic package or module that is cost effectively manufactured.
It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide an electronic package or module that can effectively handle an increased number of I/Os per unit area.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter.
In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides an integrated semiconductor module comprising a chip, interposer, and substrate. The module is adapted to be mounted on a traditional circuit card carrying multiple other components.
The chip of the present invention can be a conventional IC chip or chip package, including ball grid array packages, and will simply be referred to hereinafter as a xe2x80x9cchip.xe2x80x9d The interposer of the present invention is a conventional thin film interposer, such as those composed of a polyimide material and fabricated on a glass carrier plate. The substrate of the present invention is a conventional circuitized substrate, such as a BGA or laminate substrate, that is commonly employed in carrying a chip on a circuit card.
In its assembled state, the present invention comprises an interposer mounted on top of a substrate with the electrical contacts formed on the lower surface of the interposer positioned in electrical communication with respective ones of electrical contacts formed on the upper surface of the substrate. A non-conductive material, such as an epoxy resin, fills the voids between the interposer and substrate created by the electrical connections. The epoxy resin forms a mechanical bond between the interposer and substrate, thereby enhancing the structural integrity of the unit. Moreover, by filling the voids between the electrical connections, essentially no foreign particles can become entrapped therein and cause electrical malfunctions. Accordingly, the environmental and operational integrity of the unit is also enhanced.
A chip is mounted to the upper surface of the interposer with its I/O connectors (in the form of solder balls, wire leads, etc . . . ) positioned in electrical communication with the electrical contacts formed on the upper surface of the interposer. A non-conductive material, such as an epoxy resin, fills the voids created between the interposer and chip by the electrical contacts, thereby enhancing the structural and environmental integrity of the unit.

International Business Machines Corporation


A golf club has a club head and an elongated tubular shaft secured at its tip end to the head. The shaft has a relatively short, flexible zone spanning the center of the shaft between the butt and tip ends which is more flexible than the remainder of the shaft, forming a tow lever flail.

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and is particularly concerned with improved golf club shafts to provide increased control and ball flight distance.
Golf club shafts are generally elongate tubular members having a butt end for gripping by the player and a tip end to which a club head is secured. Various types of golf clubs are provided for different playing conditions, including woods and irons. Golf club woods, which may be of wood or metal, have a characteristic rounded head shape with a flat striking face. Iron heads are typically of solid molded metal having a wedge like shape and an angled ball striking face. An integral tubular hosel projects from the heel end of the face for securing the head to a shaft.
Various attempts have been made in the past to improve the ball striking characteristics of golf clubs, by redesign of the shaft or the head portion, or both. The swinging of a standard golf club will produce curvature of the shaft. During the golf swing, the principal objective is to exercise as much control as possible in order to make the ball fly as far as possible in the intended direction. When the shaft curves along its entire length, it is relatively difficult to maintain control and to transfer force from the handle to the club head effectively. Thus, attempts have been made in the past to control the flexing of a golf club shaft as the club is swung to impact the ball. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,457,177 of Reach, for example, a golf club is described which has a waist region of reduced diameter between its ends and enlarged diameter regions at both the head and handle or butt ends of the shaft, in order to stiffen the shaft in the vicinity of the club head, so that the head can engage the ball more accurately. The shaft is made up from a series of telescopically interconnected cylindrical sections of increasing and decreasing diameter. The smallest diameter section is closer to the head or tip end of the shaft than the handle or butt end of the shaft, and provides the point of greatest flexibility of the shaft.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,750 of Roy describes a golf shaft having a controlled flex zone at a predetermined location along its length. The shaft is fabricated from layers of different types of fiber materials each having a different modulus of elasticity. The materials are laminated so as to produce a flex point at the interface between the two materials. The butt portion of the shaft extending from the butt end is made more flexible than the remainder of the shaft extending to the tip or club end. The hinge point between the butt and tip portions of the shaft is closer to the butt end, and the shaft is relatively stiff between the hinge point and tip end of the shaft, and curves or flexes the most between the hinge point and butt of the shaft.


A rotary head assembly has a first positioning surface and a second positioning surface provided in a rotary yoke. The first positioning surface contacts an end surface of a rotor of a rotary transformer. The second positioning surface contacts an outer peripheral surface of the rotor of the rotary transformer. A rotary yoke is fixed on the rotor by magnetic force by a motor. The rotary yoke is positioned by the first positioning surface in a thrust direction, and by the second positioning surface in a radial direction. Thus, the rotary yoke can be easily and precisely attached.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary head assembly used in a VTR, a R-DAT and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rotary head assembly having a rotor of a motor for rotatably driving a rotary drum contained in the rotary drum.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a conventional rotary head assembly. The rotary head assembly includes a rotary drum 1, a fixed drum 9, a motor 7 and a rotation shaft 13. The rotation shaft 13 is rotatably held by a ball bearing 15. An outer ring of ball bearing 15 is attached to fixed drum 9 by shrinkage fitting and adhesion.
A rotary drum 1 is arranged at a position opposing fixed drum 9. A disk 3 is attached to rotation shaft 13. Rotary drum 1 is attached to disk 3 by means of a fitting screw 2. If rotary drum 1 is directly attached to the shaft 13 of rotation, precision of height of a magnetic head 11 and the like becomes inferior. For this reason, rotary drum 1 is attached to disk 3 in order to improve precision in attaching rotary drum 1. Magnetic head 11 is attached on an end surface of rotary drum 1. Magnetic head 11 is rotated to scan a magnetic tape (not shown).
A rotor 5a of a rotary transformer is attached to disk 3 by adhesion. A stator 5b of the rotary transformer is attached to fixed drum 9 by adhesion. Rotor 5a and stator 5b of the rotary transformer are opposing to each other. A prescribed air gap is provided between rotor 5a and stator 5b of the rotary transformer. The rotary head assembly transmits and receives electric signals to and from magnetic head 11 by means of this rotary transformer. This rotary transformer is a flat type one.
Rotary drum 1 is arranged at one end portion of rotation shaft 13. Motor 7 is arranged at the other end portion of rotary shaft 13. Rotor 6 of the motor is attached to fixed drum 9. The shaft 13 is rotatably driven by means of motor 7. Members rotated by the rotation of shaft 13 include rotary drum 1, rotor 5a of the rotary transformer, disk 3 and magnetic head 11.
Problems of the rotary head assembly shown in FIG. 11 will be described in the following. Since the rotary head assembly has been reduced in size recently, rotation shaft 13 has been made thinner. If rotation shaft 13 is thin, it is likely to be twisted when rotation shaft 13 is rotatably driven by means of motor 7. When rotation shaft 13 is twisted, a jitter is generated. The jitter appears as a distortion on a TV screen.
A rotary head assembly disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2-9013 has been proposed to solve this problem. FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the rotary head assembly disclosed in this Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2-9013. The rotary head assembly includes a rotary drum 17, a fixed drum 29 and a fixed shaft 31.
Fixed shaft 31 is inserted through ball bearing 41. A disk 43 is attached on an outer ring 27 of ball bearing 41. By press fitting the fixed shaft 31 to a hole portion 45 provided on the fixed drum 29, as shown in FIG. 13, the fixed shaft 31 is attached to fixed drum 29.
As shown in FIG. 12, rotary drum 17 is arranged to oppose to fixed drum 29. Rotary 17 is attached to disk 43 by means of a fitting screw 30. A head base 34 is attached on a side surface of rotary drum 17 by means of a fitting screw 36. A head chip 3 is attached at a tip end portion of head base 34. Head base 34 and head chip 35 constitute a magnetic head.
An earth ring 39 is attached to fixed shaft 31. Stator 25 of the motor is attached to earth ring 39 by means of a fitting screw 24. A yoke 23 is attached to rotary drum 17 by means of a fitting screw 26. A magnet 21 is attached to yoke 23. Yoke 23 and magnet 21 constitute a rotor of the motor. A rotary yoke 19 which is a metal plate is attached to rotary drum 17. By means of the rotary yoke 19, a magnetic path is formed between magnet 21 and rotary yoke 19. Therefore, magnetic force of magnet 21 is effectively applied to stator 25.
An earthing brush is attached to yoke 23. Earthing brush 37 is in contact with earth ring 39. When rotary drum 17 rotates, earthing brush 37 rotates around earth ring 39 while contacting earth ring 39. Rotary drum 17 is grounded by means of this earthing brush 37.
A stator 33a of rotary transformer is attached to fixed drum 29. A rotor 33b of rotary transformer is attached to rotary drum 17. Stator 33a and rotor 33b of the rotary transformer are opposing to each other. A prescribed air gap is provided between stator 33a and rotor 33b of rotary transformer.
In the rotary head assembly shown in FIG. 12, members which are rotated include rotary drum 17, rotary yoke 19, magnet 21, yoke 23, rotor 33b of the rotary transformer, head base 34, head chip 35, earthing brush 37, ball bearing 41 and disk 43.
In the rotary head assembly shown in FIG. 12, rotor (yoke 23, magnet 21) of the motor for rotatably driving rotary drum driving rotary drum 17 is attached to rotary drum 17. Therefore, even if the shaft 31 is thin, the fixed shaft 31 is not twisted.
The problems of the rotary head assembly shown in FIG. 12 will be described in the following.
(1) Processing of disk 43 is carried out by rotating disk 43. As the fixed shaft 31 is attached to fixed drum 29, processing of disk 43 becomes impossible. Therefore, before attaching fixed shaft 31 onto the fixed drum 29, disk 43 must be processed. In this case, if the fixed shaft 31 is attached inclined on the fixed drum 29, the rotary drum 17 cannot be attached but inclined.
(2) In the rotary head assembly, a flat type rotary transformer is used. Since the rotary head assembly is made smaller and smaller, the rotary transformer becomes thinner. The rotary transformer is processed by grinding. If the rotary transformer is thin, it may possibly warp during grinding. If such a rotary transformer is used, the air gap between the stator 33a and rotor 33b of the rotary transformer cannot be precisely provided.
(3) In the rotary head assembly, the rotary drum 17 is grounded by the contact between earthing brush 37 and earth ring 39 provided on the outer ring of fixed shaft 31. Resistance at the contact between earthing brush 37 and earth ring 39 has effected the precision of rotation of the rotary drum 17.
(4) Since the rotary head assembly is made smaller, thickness of the outer periphery of the rotary drum 17 is also made thinner. In order to rotate rotary drum 17 with less power consumption, it is preferred to position the motor on outermost side. Since the outer periphery of rotary drum 17 is thin and the motor is positioned on the outer side, magnetic tape is affected by the magnetic force of the motor.
(5) The fixed shaft 31 is attached to fixed drum 29 by press fitting. Therefore, it was difficult to accurately provide the air gap between rotor 33b and stator 33a of the rotary transformer.
(6) Rotor 33b of the rotary transformer to rotary drum 17 was done by adhesion. Therefore, rotor 33b of the rotary transformer could not be changed.


A temperature sensor circuit is provided that facilitates preventing a too-high overshooting voltage from occurring at an output terminal when a power supply is connected to the temperature sensor circuit. The temperature sensor circuit includes a short-circuiting device, disposed in parallel to depletion mode NMOS, that short-circuits the drain and source of depletion mode NMOS when a power supply is connected; and delay device that transmits a signal for short-circuiting the drain and source of depletion mode NMOS for a certain period from the time point of power supply connection to short-circuiting device for preventing the voltage at output terminal of temperature sensor circuit from overshooting.

The present invention relates to a temperature sensor circuit that includes a depletion mode MOS.
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional temperature sensor circuit. In a conventional temperature sensor circuit 400, the collector of a first bipolar transistor 3 is connected to a power supply 1. The emitter of the first bipolar transistor 3 is connected to the drain of depletion mode NMOS 4, the gate and source thereof are short-circuited to each other. The source of depletion mode NMOS 4 is connected to ground 2. The base of the first bipolar transistor 3 is connected to the emitter of the second bipolar transistor 5, the collector thereof is connected to power supply 1. The base of the second bipolar transistor 5 is connected to the anode of diode 6, the cathode thereof is connected to power supply 1. The drain voltage of depletion mode NMOS 4 is connected to an output terminal 7. The conventional temperature sensor circuit is configured as described above.
The conventional temperature sensor circuit 400 is formed of a first current supply circuit and a second current supply circuit. The first current supply circuit, the output current thereof exhibits a positive temperature dependence, is formed of Darlington transistor 90, formed of first bipolar transistor 3 and second bipolar transistor 5, and diode 6 (Zener diode that works as a temperature detecting section). The output current from the first current supply circuit is injected into depletion mode NMOS 4 that works as the second current supply circuit. Conventional temperature sensor circuit 400 is designed such that the voltage at the output terminal 7 exhibits a positive temperature dependence.
Specifically, the first and second current supply circuits constituting temperature sensor circuit 400 are formed on semiconductor substrate 500, on which a power switching device (power NMOS 60) that controls the electric power fed to load 70 is formed. As the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 rises due to the operation of the power switching device, diode 6 that works as a temperature detecting section constituting the first current supply circuit is in a state in which a high leakage current flows through diode 6. In other words, Darlington transistor 90 is in a state in which the impedance thereof is small.
As power supply 1 is connected to temperature sensor circuit 400 in the state in which the impedance of Darlington transistor 90 is small, a gate current (leakage current) flows to the first bipolar transistor 3 in the front stage of Darlington transistor 90 constituting the first current supply circuit. The gate current is amplified by the second bipolar transistor 5 in Darlington transistor 90, making a high collector current flow. The high collector current flows into depletion mode NMOS 4 (depletion-type n-channel MOSFET working for a constant current circuit) constituting the second current supply circuit.
Since the gate of depletion mode NMOS 4 is fixed at the potential of ground 2, the current flowing into depletion mode NMOS 4 increases almost instantaneously to the value of the current that flows through depletion mode NMOS 4, the gate of which is fixed at the potential of ground 2. The increasing current enters a saturation region as described in FIG. 8, causing a constant current. FIG. 8 is a curve relating the drain voltage and the drain current of depletion mode NMOS 4 with each other, the gate voltage of which is fixed at the ground potential.
Output terminal 7 is connected to the gate of a MOSFET in a not-shown signal processing circuit. Any current does not flow through output terminal 7. In the state described above, the voltage at output terminal 7 is determined by the ratio of the impedance of depletion mode NMOS 4 and the impedance of Darlington transistor 90. When the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is low, the leakage current flowing through diode 6 is small. Therefore, since the gate current of first bipolar transistor 3 is small, the impedance of Darlington transistor 90 is larger than the impedance of depletion mode NMOS 4. Therefore, the voltage at output terminal 7, equal to the drain voltage of depletion mode NMOS 4, is low.
Since the leakage current flowing through diode 6 is high when the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is high, the gate current of first bipolar transistor 3 is high and the impedance of Darlington transistor 90 becomes low. Therefore, the voltage at output terminal 7, equal to the drain voltage of depletion mode NMOS 4, is high.
FIG. 9 is a wave chart describing the waveforms of the power supply voltage, semiconductor substrate temperature and output terminal voltage, when a power supply is connected to the conventional temperature sensor circuit. In FIG. 9, the solid lines represent the characteristics when the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is low and the dotted lines represent the characteristics when the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is high. FIG. 10 is an expanded wave chart describing the waveforms in the period B in FIG. 9. The symbols T◯, α, and T1 in FIG. 10 will be used in the descriptions of FIG. 3 later.
As power supply 1 is connected to conventional temperature sensor circuit 400 when the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is low, power NMOS 60 formed on semiconductor substrate 500 works, raising the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 finally to a certain temperature. The certain temperature is the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 when power NMOS 60 is conducting the steady state operations thereof. In the period, in which the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is rising, the output terminal voltage also rises. Any overshoot is not caused almost in the output terminal voltage at the instance, at which the power supply is connected.
When the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is high enough to destroy power NMOS 60 connected to load 70 (the line A in FIG. 9), the voltage at output terminal 7 rises as high as a predetermined voltage E. As the voltage at output terminal 7 reaches the predetermined voltage E, an interrupting signal is fed to power NMOS 60 to turn off power NMOS 60 and to prevent power NMOS 60 from being broken down.
Unexamined Laid Open Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Sho. 61 (1986)-233330 (Page 1, Right-hand-side column, Line 19—Page 2, Left-hand side column, Line 8; and FIG. 7) discloses a temperature sensor circuit that connects a constant current circuit to a Darlington transistor. As power supply 1 is connected in a state, in which the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is high as described by the dotted lines in FIG. 9, a high in-rush current flows instantaneously to depletion mode NMOS 4 through Darlington transistor 90. As a high in-rush current flows as described above, the drain voltage of depletion mode NMOS 4 exceeds the saturation voltage to the higher side instantaneously as shown in FIG. 8, causing an overshoot.
At the time point, at which the overshooting voltage reaches the predetermined voltage E, an interrupting signal is fed to power NMOS 60, turning off power NMOS 60. As power NMOS 60 is turned off, the electric power is not fed to load 70. As described above, FIG. 10 is an expanded wave chart describing the waveforms in the period B in FIG. 9. As described in FIG. 10, the voltage at output terminal 7 is overshooting greatly at the time of power supply connection. In describing the output terminal voltage in FIG. 10, a solid line represents the output terminal voltage when the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is high and a broken line the output terminal voltage when the temperature of semiconductor substrate 500 is low.
As described above, power NMOS 60 is turned off and the electric power feed to load 70 is interrupted at the time point, at which the overshooting voltage reaches the predetermined voltage E. In other words, electric power is not fed to load 70 even when power supply 1 is connected.
The above-described reference does not describe anything on preventing an overshooting voltage from causing at the output terminal at the instance of connecting a power supply. In addition, the above-described reference does not describe anything on the use of a depletion mode NMOS for the constant current circuit.
In view of the forgoing, it would be desirable to obviate the problems described above. It would be also desirable to provide a temperature sensor circuit that facilitates preventing a too-high overshooting voltage from causing at the output terminal thereof when a power supply is connected to the temperature sensor circuit.


A network device receives selected items for an electronic shopping cart as selected by a user. The electronic shopping cart is associated with a first access network platform. The network device identifies an abandonment of the electronic shopping cart and stores the selected items associated with a user account for the user to create stored cart items. The network device receives a cart inquiry indicating that the user has accessed a second access network platform and associates the stored cart items with the user on the second access network platform. The network device determines a highest priority item of the stored cart items based on the second access network platform, generates promotional instructions for presenting the highest priority item to the user on the second network platform, and sends the promotional instructions to the second access network platform.

A multi-screen video architecture generally provides cross-platform access to a single content source. Among other benefits, multi-screen video provides users the possibility to watch video on a screen/device of their choice. For example, a live broadcast television event may also be available for viewing on various types of mobile devices. The different platforms (e.g., combinations of access networks and user devices to utilize the access networks) provide users with different types of user interfaces to order and receive available content services.


A clarifier is provided with an improved inlet structure which receives influent from influent column ports and discharges the influent uniformly around the entire circumference of the inlet structure. The influent column ports may be baffled. Angled guide vanes on the inlet structure reduce the flow energy and effect a tangential flow into a feedwell in the basin. The feedwell may be conical to further reduce the velocities and create an outward flow to counteract inward flows in the basin.

Clarifiers of various sizes and types are commonly used in applications requiring the settling of solids from an influent liquid, such as in the treatment of water and wastewater. The influent is usually introduced into the clarifier from an influent column which extends in the center of the clarifier and has ports that discharge the influent from the column. Clarifiers are normally equipped with feedwells that take the form of rings extending around the influent column near the top of the clarifier basin.
There are a number of flow characteristics of the influent that have been recognized as being problematic. First, the influent discharges from the center column at relatively high energy levels that must be dissipated to reduce the influent velocity so that the flow into the clarification zone is uniform. In the past, inlets such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,635,757 have been used to direct the flow tangentially into the feedwell and also with a radially outward component. In time, it was discovered that non-uniform radial flow was undesirable because it tends to maintain a circulation pattern that is detrimental to settling.
More recently, other types of inlet structures have been proposed. One that has been largely successful makes use of an inlet structure that extends around the influent column and is constructed to achieve tangential flow into the feedwell through outlets equipped with scoops. Another inlet structure has used box-type baffles to discharge the influent horizontally in each direction. U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,537 provides a bottom discharge into tees that direct the flow in opposite directions. Recent patent publication No. 2004-002847-A1 is directed to an arrangement that intermixes the influent using directional baffles.
While all of these approaches to dissipating the inlet energy are improvements over simple ports in the influent column, they all have drawbacks. One common problem is that the influent enters the feedwell in a number of separate or discrete flow streams that are at relatively high velocities and energy levels. These separate flow streams cause turbulence, and they tend to maintain their separate identities in the clarifier zone, thereby reducing the efficiency and the clarifier capacity. Another problem is that when the influent column ports are aligned with the scoops of the inlet structure, imbalances in the flow occur and relatively high velocities result at the locations of the alignments. Such flow imbalances and non-uniformities in the flow detract from the performance of the clarifier to a significant extent.
The depth of the feedwell is known to have a significant effect on clarifier performance. The liquid must pass beneath the lower edge of the feedwell in order to enter the clarification zone. The deeper the feedwell is, the less distance there is between its lower edge and the basin floor. A small clearance between the feedwell and clarifier floor is undesirable because it results in a higher flow velocity which reduces the hydraulic detention. The built up sludge on the floor can be disrupted by high velocity flow into the clarifier from the feedwell. Thus, a shallow feedwell is recognized as being advantageous to clarifier performance.
As a practical matter, the feedwell depth should ideally be no more than about 45% of the depth of the clarifier wall in order to achieve good hydraulic detention and avoid scouring of the sludge blanket on the clarifier floor. However, there are many existing basins that are shallow and others that must be shallow because of site conditions or other factors. Therefore, it is often not possible under currently prevailing design practices to reduce the feedwell depth to less than 50% of the sidewall depth.
The main reason is that the feedwell must extend below the bottom of the discharge from the inlet structure far enough to provide sufficient clearance that the influent flow cannot short circuit directly under the feedwell. The clearance between the bottom of the discharge from the inlet structure and the bottom of the feedwell should be at least three feet if short circuiting of the influent is to be avoided. In order to produce acceptable flow velocities into the feedwell, the ports must have a relatively long height dimension so that their combined area is large and yet they are still far enough apart that the center column structure has sufficient strength to withstand the forces to which it is subjected. As a result, the discharge outlets from the inlet structure are typically about two to three feet deep at their lower edges, resulting in the feedwell being about five to six feet deep at its lower edge. In shallow clarifiers, the clearance between the feedwell and the clarifier floor is insufficient to achieve good clarifier performance under these conditions.


A running mechanism which travels on a running rail comprising a web and a flange. Running wheels are supported by the flange on opposite sides of the web and are rotatably mounted in frame parts which are connected by an articulation arranged below the running rail such that the frame parts swivel open or closed laterally about a swivel pin. A load acts on at least one of the frame parts at the height of or below the swivel pin and holds the frame parts swiveled closed towards the web on both sides by means of a closing moment generated by the load. Guide rollers, one of which is rotatably supported in the frame part, are supported on opposite sides of the web.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a traveling gear or running mechanism, and in particular a running mechanism for chain hoists, load carrying means or trailing cable.
2. Description of the Related Art
A running mechanism with two frames arranged so as to be swivelable with respect to one another and with rotatably mounted running rollers which are supported by the flange parts and the web of the running rail is disclosed in German patent publication 494 451. The running rollers substantially run in channels, i.e., in the round transitional regions between flange and web which guide the running mechanism. Thus, the running rollers accomplish the twofold task of carrying and guiding the running mechanism with the load. The frames are connected with one another in an articulated manner by a transverse support by a pin at one end of the transverse support. The distance between these swivel pins is selected so that the running wheels run in the channels of the rails without problems. In order to improve the guidance of the running mechanism, a guide roller is provided underneath the rail which rolls along the outer side of the lower flange of the rail and comes into contact with it under the influence of applied force. One side of the swivel pin of the guide roller is connected to a gear unit to drive the running mechanism. The guide roller performs two functions, a driving function and a guiding function. A disadvantage of this known running mechanism is that the running rollers and the driving roller simultaneously used to guide the running mechanism require a specially designed running mechanism construction which is relatively expensive to assemble and which requires a rail adapted to the running mechanism for trouble-free running.
German patent publication 41 09 971 A1 discloses a running mechanism with running wheels on both sides of an I-shaped running rail contacted on one side by front and rear lateral guide rollers which are mounted on vertical axles. This running mechanism also travels on the support rail in a stable manner in the case of loads swinging in a pendulum-like manner. Nevertheless, the running stability of this running mechanism is limited, in that during critical situations the running mechanism has a tendency to pitch and rock in a pendulum-like manner. Moreover, the running mechanism has a relatively complex construction, is expensive to manufacture and is difficult to mount on the support.
Another running mechanism is disclosed in German patent publication 42 09 565 A1 as including a crane trolley with a lifting mechanism of compact overall height having running wheels which run on the lower flange of a rail and are supported by a supporting frame part. One of the running wheels of this lower flange crane trolley is driven and supported by a rocker which is arranged on the supporting frame part so as to be swivelable. A friction wheel is arranged on the rocker which contacts the lower flange of the rocker from below and is in a driving connection with the driven running wheel. An adjustable eccentric ensures uniform contact of all running wheels at the lower flange. This crane trolley is advantageous for situations in which extensive reinforcement by frictional engagement is required; however, it is disadvantageous in that it requires a relatively high assembly cost for mounting the crane trolley on the support and is not suitable for use with different web thicknesses and flange widths.
Another crane trolley with at least one running wheel is disclosed in German patent publication 30 30 929 A1. This crane trolley is provided with laterally arranged guide rollers which contact vertical guide surfaces of a rail carrier arranged one above the other. The upper guide rollers together with the lower guide rollers effectively prevent a tilting of the crane trolley at the rail carrier, and the front guide rollers together with the rear guide rollers ensure defect-free guiding of the crane trolley in the longitudinal direction of the rail carrier. This crane trolley is disadvantageous in that it is relatively expensive to mount on the support despite the small number of individual parts. In addition, the relatively small intermediate space, approximately 1 mm, between the guide surfaces and the guide rollers does not provide adequate compensation for tolerances so as to ensure trouble-free parallel running of the running rollers.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a running mechanism which is capable of automatically adapting to different web thicknesses yet be readily assembled and not have a tendency to rock from side-to-side even when the load swings in a pendulum-like manner.

Running mechanism for chain hoists, load carrying means for trailing cable


A method for therapy of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel disorders comprising as an effective ingredient a morphinan derivative having a nitrogen-containing cyclic group or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof is disclosed. The method for therapy of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel disorders comprises as an effective ingredient a morphinan derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, having a specific structure, such as N-(17-cyclopeopylmethyl-4,5α-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxy-morphinan-6β-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide tartaric acid salt (Compound 10).

According to Rome II which are diagnostic criteria of the entire functional gastrointestinal disorders, "the state in which lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms are observed, but an organic disease is not found" is diagnosed as a functional bowel disorder. The functional bowel disorders having characteristic syndromes are subclassified into irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional diarrhea, functional constipation and functional abdominal distension. Functional diarrhea is a group of diseases whose main symptom is chronic diarrhea without abdominal pain. Functional constipation is a group of diseases whose main symptom is chronic constipation without abdominal pain. Functional abdominal distension is a group of diseases whose main symptoms are abdominal distension and gas, in which abdominal pain is not predominant. Irritable bowel syndrome are diseases which are not classified into any of the functional diarrhea, functional constipation and functional abdominal distension, and may be thought to be a generic name of diarrheal diseases with abdominal pain (diarrheal IBS), costive diseases with abdominal pain (costive IBS) and diseases in which diarrhea and constipation both with abdominal pain alternately appear (alternating IBS).
In the diarrheal IBS, frequent diarrhea in a small amount continues for a long time. Against this symptom, to inhibit contraction of smooth muscle, an anticholinergic drug with antispasmodic property is often used, and a drug for controlling intestinal function is often used in combination. Costive IBS is a spastic constipation caused by enhanced movement of intestinal tract. Against this symptom, a method in which the hardness of feces is controlled by using a saline purgative is often employed. In alternating IBS, diarrhea and constipation alternate with time, and it is difficult to cure this disease with a drug, but basically, a gastrointestinal motility improvement agent is used for alleviating the symptom. However, up to now, a curative drug for irritable bowel syndrome does not exist, and merely symptomatic treatments for the purpose of alleviation of each type of symptoms are performed.
In the meantime, as for the therapeutic effect of the compounds having morphinan skeleton against functional bowel disorders, especially irritable bowel syndrome, a low dosage prescription of naltrexone which is an opioid receptor antagonist has been disclosed (Patent Literature 1). Although data showing pharmacological effects are not shown, it has been suggested that a group of compounds including a specific 6-amino substituted morphinan derivative may be applied to bowel diseases (Patent Literatures 2 and 3). Further, it has been reported that loperamide (Non-Patent Literature 1) which is an opioid agonist, and fedotozine which is a peripheral opioid κ agonist are effective for irritable bowel syndrome, although these compounds have no structural similarity with the compounds contained in the agent according to the present invention.
On the other hand, it has been disclosed that morphinan derivatives having a nitrogen-containing cyclic substituent at 6-position used in the present invention are useful as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for frequent urination or urinary incontinence, as an antipruritic, or as an analgesic (Patent Literatures 4, 5 and 6. The use as an analgesic was disclosed after the priority date of the present application). It has also been reported that morphinan derivatives including those having a nitrogen-containing cyclic substituent at 6-position are useful as an analgesic, diuretic, antitussive, and as a brain cell-protecting agent (Patent Literature 7). Further, some references (Patent Literatures 8 and 9, Non-Patent Literatures 3, 4 and 5) report that morphinan derivatives having a nitrogen-containing cyclic substituent included in those used in the present invention, none of the references suggest the effect against the functional bowel disorders.
There is no relationship between the structures of the compounds disclosed in the above-described prior art references as well as their pharmacological effects through the opioid receptor and the effects of the compounds used in the present invention against the functional bowel disorders. Thus, these references do not infer at all the significant and useful therapeutic or prophylactic effect of the compounds characterized by having a nitrogen-containing cyclic substituent at the 6-position of the morphinan structure.
Patent Literature 1: International Publication WO 00/051592
Patent Literature 2: International Publication WO 03/051888
Patent Literature 3: International Publication WO 02/036573
Patent Literature 4: International Publication WO 04/033457
Patent Literature 5: International Publication WO 05/094826
Patent Literature 6: International Publication WO 06/049248
Patent Literature 7: International Publication WO 95/03308
Patent Literature 8: Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 41-18824
Patent Literature 9: Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 41-18826
Non-Patent Literature 1: Talley N. J., Am. J. Gastroenterol, 98(4), 750-8, 2003.
Non-Patent Literature 2: Dapoigny M. et. al., Dig. Dis. Sci., 40(10), 2244-9, 1995.
Non-Patent Literature 3: Simon C. et. al., Tetrahedron, 50, 9757, 1994.
Non-Patent Literature 4: Sayre L. M. et. al., J. Med. Chem., 27, 1325, 1984.
Non-Patent Literature 5: Simon C. et. al., Synth. Commun., 22, 913, 1992.

Method for therapy of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel disorders


The invention relates to a method and device enabling time-saving, comparative mass spectrometric analysis of serial samples corresponding to a reference, for example serial samples of a product, by conditioning by means of a reference sample and forming a pattern of a reduced number of fragment ions, said fragment ions having selected from individual mass spectrums of the same separated by gas chromatography, and forming a pattern of a reference random sample from overall mass spectrograms of several reference samples reduced accordingly.

The present invention relates to a method for recognizing properties of a material that are of interest, based on the volatile and/or vaporizable portions of this material. The invention is used in particular to be able to make comparisons of materials/substances basically considered identical/similar, in order to recognize whether there are actually differences between these compared substances with respect to the concerned properties. A specific field of application is the food sector, for example, in order to be able to make quality categorizations of batches thereof.
It is known that in organic chemical analysis, mass spectrometry is the most important detection method for identifying unknown individual substances.
In particular the combination of mass spectrometric detection with static headspace gas chromatography is a well-established routine analysis method for qualitative and quantitative determining of the volatile components of an unknown sample. This method of analysis is based on the fact that in a closed container, the very volatile and moderately volatile components of a sample spread out between the sample matrix and the gaseous phase over this matrix. In this connection, the sample matrix itself may be liquid or solid. In the state of thermodynamic equilibrium, the gaseous phase contains a qualitatively and quantitatively representative equivalent of all volatile components. For this reason, for identifying the volatile components of an unknown sample, a defined gas volume, what is referred to as the aliquot, is removed from the gaseous phase and is fed to the gas chromatographic separation with subsequent mass spectrometric detection.
It is known to use static headspace gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry in different areas of organic chemical analysis.
It is known from Ragunathan, N. et al. xe2x80x9cMultispectral detection for gas chromatographyxe2x80x9d JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A, vol. 703, no. 1, 26th May 1995, pp. 335-382 XPOO4023371, to timewise separate an unknown mixture of substances into its single components, which can be sequentially analyzed by a mass spectrometer. For each single component an individual mass spectrum can be recorded within a respective time window. In the following spectral analysis the individual mass spectrum of each single component is compared to a given catalogue (library) containing the mass spectra of various reference substances. To reduce library search time the system selects only a few ionized fragments from the individual mass spectrum to be compared with the reference spectra by introducing a threshold for the minimum peak height. The intensity of the spectral line determines which spectral lines are used for the spectral comparison. The system selects only a reduced number of spectral lines for evaluation.
From Belitz and Grosch, xe2x80x9cLehrbuch der Lebensmittelchemiexe2x80x9d [Textbook of Food Chemistry] (1992), p. 312, it is known that this method of analysis, known under the acronym HSGC/MS, is well-established in particular in the food industry sector, because the type as well as the number of volatile components contained in a food sample are of decisive significance for the quality of a food. In particular the presence of certain odor-active volatile components that mark the aroma of a food sample, and their concentration in the food sample, are used in this connection as the basis for quality assessment.
Likewise, in numerous sectors of environmental analysis, in particular in utilization of waste products, in environmental monitoring, in emission studies of packaging material and in emission analysis, the routine decoding of the volatile components of a sample to be examined takes place by means of the HSGC/MS method. In this case as well, the odor-active volatile components are particularly significant because they are used to assess the annoyance of emissions. HSGC/MS analysis has similar importance for determining maximum workplace concentration values.
From Newman, xe2x80x9cElectronic Nosesxe2x80x9d, Analytical Chemistry 63 (10), pp. 585A-588A, it is known that in recent times, in particular in the field of food quality control, instruments that are referred to as xe2x80x9celectronic nosesxe2x80x9d are used for the objective, rapid measuring/characterization of odors. These are sensor arrays of several unselective individual sensors that are housed together in a measuring chamber. Just as in HSGC/MS analysis, the xe2x80x9csamplexe2x80x9d arriving for measuring is an aliquot of the gaseous phase that is situated above the actual liquid or solid sample matrix. The individual signals delivered by the individual sensor elements when volatile substances are present in the gaseous phase are evaluated by methods of pattern recognition, known from Gardner and Bartlett, Sensors and Sensory Systems for an Electronic Nose (1992), p. 161. In this connection, cluster analysis in the multidimensional space or neural networks are preferably used.
In particular when studying odorous samples with the help of sensor arrays, there is no identification of the volatile components contained in the sample. For this reason, neither the components decisive for the odor of the sample nor the odorless components become known thereby. If two odorous samples differ only in that non-odor-active components are present in different concentrations, both samples are classified as different by the xe2x80x9celectronic nosexe2x80x9d, although they are assessed identically in human sensory perception. Such an erroneous classification limits the ability of xe2x80x9celectronic nosesxe2x80x9d to be used universally.
In practical experience, in particular in the food sector, the technical problem that is often presented is to recognize materials, e.g. from batches, goods deliveries and the like in order, for example, to be able to carry out a quality classification thereof, or to allow evaluation comparisons between substances considered identical/similar, where this supposed parity actually does not hold true. A simple example is provided not for limitation, but rather only as an illustration. Different batches, e.g., of parsley delivered should actually be of uniform quality. For example, these batches cannot be differentiated optically from each other, yet they display odor differences. The recognition to be executed with the invention is intended to allow objective differentiation of the individual batches, for example for the purpose of classification into merchandise categories.
A technical problem addressed by of the present invention is to indicate a method that makes such recognition or differentiation executable at the least possible expense and in particular in a brief time.
This technical problem is solved with the teachings of patent claim 1, and in further developments according to the subclaims.
The invention is based on basically known recording and evaluation of mass spectra of complex substance mixtures, but including, according to the invention, measures that allow mass spectrometry, familiar in principle, to be applied in a simplified manner in that a given (random) reference sample is taken as a basic pattern, and the actual series of tests are conducted only as comparisons with simplified expenditure. In particular, when examining and evaluating the individual (series) samples of the testing series, the method according to the invention does so without conducting gas chromatographic separation of the components of these samples in each case, namely without loss of quality or general validity of the (quality) assessment achieved.
The method according to the invention has the advantage that in (merchandise) classification not every individual sample is to be examined in detail in a time-consuming manner. Rather, as is also shown more thoroughly in the following detailed description, only a one-time calibration procedure is carried out with a (random) reference sample for this merchandise, namely preferably with an arrangement also to be used for conducting the subsequent series tests, as is described in FIG. 2, for example.
With respect to a pattern analysis/evaluation used with the invention, the following should be noted:
A pattern (of a sample) relevant in this case comprises a number n of pattern values which, taken together, are to be considered an n-dimensional vector in the n-dimensional space and form the pattern. Two patterns concurring signifies that the vector of one pattern and the vector of the other pattern concur in length and direction. For the practical execution of pattern analysis, however, it is necessary to take into account/predetermine a tolerance space depending on the technical problem/requirement for such a concurrence. That means that the concurrence of two or more patterns already exists when the tip of the vector of the given pattern is situated within this n-dimensional tolerance space (provided that the vectors have a concurring point of origin).
An individual pattern with n pattern values is obtained when one determines from a (first) reference sample the number n of predetermined characteristic values thereof. If one examines a seemingly identical second reference sample which, as is typical in practical reality, is only nearly identical to the first reference sample, a second, only nearly identical pattern is obtained. Several such reference patterns taken together lead to or form in this case (according to a first variant for execution of the invention) a reference random sample for which there accordingly results a random sample pattern of values objectively determined and/or taking tolerances into account; this random sample pattern is to be considered a vector with the tolerance range of its length and its direction (=tolerance space). This is synonymous with the term (reference) random sample pattern for this variant. A second variant is to determine and/or set such a tolerance space for the reference random samples e.g. from experience (experimental values), derived from requirements of the technical problem and the like. For this, only one reference sample is then needed for the pattern vector as the one to which, for the characteristic of serving as reference sample pattern, the predetermined tolerance is thus (subjectively) assigned.
Here it should be briefly noted that according to the invention with (at least) one selected reference sample and one reference random sample, this is formed (according to the first variant) from a representative selection of reference samples in statistically sufficient number or (according to the second variant) with a predetermined tolerance space, a testing measure belonging to the invention is conducted in two phases, in order to create, for this reference random sample with its tolerance space of its pattern vector and for the series tests e.g. of the merchandise batches to be conducted subsequently, a pattern, as also described in more detail, adapted to the technical problem and with only a limited number of ionized fragments of the volatile components of the reference random sample.
In the first phase of this testing measure, from (at least) one reference sample the mass spectra of the individual substance components (of interest) are determined separately from each other by gas chromatography. In this connection, each such individual mass spectrum of a single substance component contained in the reference sample consists of 50 to 250 ionized fragments, for example.
It is basically sufficient in this first phase to record, as indicated, the individual mass spectrum of only a single selected reference sample to save time and money. To completely rule out the possibility that a perhaps less pertinent selection of this single reference sample could lead to a perhaps less favorable result to be achieved with the invention, it may be useful to record in this first phase the respective individual mass specta of several selected reference samples (required in the subsequent second phase for the above first variant).
For the practical reality of a pattern recognition analysis solving the technical problem, such a number of ionized fragments of the individual components of the sample is already too great to take them all into consideration. For this reason, the invention provides, by mass spectrometry in the second phase of the testing measure, for continued detection and evaluation as pattern values of only a reduced number (described below) of selected ionized fragments, e.g. 10, namely of the overall mass spectrum of the unseparated reference sample (in which all individual parts of the sample are thus contained). This reduced number of ionized fragments/pattern values then also serves as the basis for the pattern recognition analysis of thexe2x80x94according to the technical problem of the present inventionxe2x80x94brief series testing of batches/series samples that are to be compared in each case with the pattern or (as in this case for two variants) with the reference random sample pattern defined.
One selects form these individual mass spectra of the first phase those ionized fragments that occur particularly specifically and/or quite dominantly in the respective individual mass spectrum of volatile content substance/substance component and/or are an indication/characteristic for the particular property /quality of the entire reference random sample to be formed. According to the second phase, a reduced mass spectrum is taken of each undivided reference sample of the reference random sample, which consists of only the 20 ionized fragments, for example (determined in the described manner). Thus, no gas chromatography breakdown of the reference samples is carried out in this second phase. Depending on the property/quality that is to be recognized, a weighting of the relevant ionized fragments in the pattern recognition process can then still be carried out.
The above-described recommendation to record the individual mass spectra of more than just one reference sample then apparently serves to obtain a particularly optimally pertinent selection of the ionized fragments uses in reduced number for the further pattern comparison.
The following comparison of the reduced overall mass spectra determined in each case by the individual, unseparated samples of the batches of the series test with the pattern of the reference random sample is carried out by means of a pattern analysis based on the weighted, selected ionized fragments, e.g. 20 such weighted ionized fragments are evaluated.
This summary shows that the actually time-consuming phase of mass spectrometric examination with gas chromatographic breakdown into portions of the content substances of a sample only has to be carried out once and (usually) only for one reference sample.
A further simplification for a further development of the invention results, for example, from drawing up catalogues of the patterns, consisting of the weighted reduced mass spectra of the reference random samples for various substances, e.g. various types of vegetable, fruit and the like; these catalogues are used repeatedly when new goods are delivered in order for the comparison to be made according to the invention. In this connection, as described above, for the samples of the series tests in each case only the respective reduced overall mass spectrum of this merchandise sample then needs to be recorded and evaluated, namely without gas chromatographic breakdown of the merchandise samples.

Method and apparatus for recognizing properties of a sample based on mass spectroscopy


An improvement to the known method/system for distribution of elements displayed in GUI windows and similar processing environments is disclosed. A visible, moveable, and size-adjustable bounding box is provided. The user can specify any size for the bounding box and locate the bounding box anywhere in the window. In this manner, the user adjusts the size and location of the bounding box as desired, rather than having to manipulate the various elements to try to define the desired spacing and location.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to graphic user interfaces (GUIs) for computer programs and, more particularly, to a method, system, and computer program product for enabling variable distribution of graphics or other objects/elements on a computerized drawing surface such as a GUI window.
2. Description of the Related Art
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are routinely employed by software programs operating in data processing systems to simplify their user interfaces or make the software programs "user-friendly". A GUI typically utilizes a "desktop" or "workplace" which is presented to a user via a display screen. In the pervasive windowing-based GUIs used by many operating systems and computer software programs, a user is required to recognize and utilize a myriad of GUI elements or objects. An object is a visual component of a user interface which a user works with to perform a task. An object can appear as text, a pictorial representation (also known as a glyph), or a combination of both. Different types of objects include icons, windows, toolbars, faceplates, buttons, etc. Objects are usually different in different programs, and often change for different desktops in the same program.
A window is an area with visible boundaries within which a user conducts a dialog with a computer system. A window is a GUI element that presents a view of an object, and is typically relatively large. A window makes available different functions to the user, depending upon the type of program with which the window is associated. For example, a drawing program utilized for drawing flowcharts, wiring diagrams, and the like will present the user with a window comprising a "drawing surface". In a software development tool, the window might be referred to as a graphical editor surface, a visual design canvas, or a WYSIWIG preview surface.
GUIs allow users to manipulate the location of elements in the desktop using a technique known as "drag and drop". By manipulating a mouse and a mouse button, users are able to drag one or more elements (e.g., icons, objects drawn with a drawing program, photographic images, etc.) to new locations within the desktop, where they are "dropped". If desired, several objects can be designated for moving at one time, e.g., by "clicking" on the elements while holding down the "Ctrl" key on the keyboard. Once all desired elements are designated for moving, a right-click operation allows the designated elements to be dragged and dropped to a new location.
It is often desirable to distribute elements displayed in the window uniformly, e.g., for ease of use and/or for organizational or aesthetic reasons. For example, the icons displayed on a desktop can get so large in quantity that what is known as the "messy desktop" scenario becomes a problem, and a user may wish to tidy up the desktop. Similarly, in a drawing program, for example, it may be desirable to align two or more drawn images so that they are centered along a same axis or so they are spaced apart evenly. This alignment is generically known as distribution and the axis can be either vertical, horizontal, or both. The example described below is for vertical distribution along the vertical or "y" axis, but it can be applied equally to horizontal distribution along the horizontal or "x" axis.
To avoid the need to manually move each object and align it with precision in the desired location, automatic methods for doing this arranging were developed. On a Windows desktop, for example, a user may select a menu or toolbar option which allows the desktop icons to be arranged alphabetically, by date, file size, file type, etc., and be evenly spaced and distributed in alignment with an edge of the desktop window. Similarly, with respect to drawing programs, automatic selections exist which allow the designation of objects in the drawing window and their automatic alignment, spacing, etc.
The prior art automatic alignment/distribution systems described above rely on a concept known as "bounding box" distribution. In bounding box distribution, the elements to be distributed are conceptually "enclosed" in a box that is invisible on the computer screen. The box is either equal in size to the entire computer screen or, if elements are selected for inclusion in the distribution, its dimensions are defined by the outermost elements around which the imaginary or virtual box is to be formed. The sides of the bounding box define the area in which the elements will be distributed. The size of the box is not determined by the user but is instead defined by the position of the elements, and the box itself is invisible.
While this method functions sufficiently, it is not without its drawbacks. For example, to change the area of the window in which the elements will be distributed (and thus, albeit unknowingly, change the size of the invisible bounding box), the user must manipulate the elements themselves. Further, if no graphics are selected, the elements will be distributed within the bounds of the entire drawing surface as noted above.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a method for distributing icons in which the size of the bounding box was selectable without regard to the positioning of any of the elements within the window.

Method, system, and computer program product for user-specified GUI object distribution

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention relates to an inductive rotating transmitter, comprising a fixed piece and a rotating piece, whereby the fixed piece and the rotating pierce have a common virtual rotational axis and the rotating piece rotates about the fixed piece. The data transmission is carried out over at least one data transmission path by means of at least one inductive element and the data transmission path is arranged outside the rotational axis of the rotating transmitter.

Data and energy transmission (Telemetry) to moving machine parts is a central problem above all in industry and in particular with and/or in distributed automation systems. Production processes, especially for example in the case of machine tools, robots, etc. are carried out on rotating or generally moving work parts, or the tools rotate and/or move around the work part that is to be processed. In such systems, data networks, among other things, are required in order to transmit data. To this end, for instance bus systems such as, for example, Field Bus, Profibus, Ethernet, Industrial Ethernet, or FireWire, but increasingly also switchable high-performance data networks, i.e. point-to-point connections, in particular real-time Ethernet (RTE) or also isochronous RTE (IRTE) are used.