This invention provides a reception synchronization control device that controls reception synchronization of demodulated signals to be established, the demodulated signals being obtained by demodulating a phase modulated signal transmitted by a phase modulation, wherein the reception synchronization control device includes a signal level detector that detects signal levels of sampled demodulated signals extracted by sampling analog demodulated signals; a constellation position specifier that specifies constellation positions of plural kinds of data contained in the sampled demodulated signals displayed on a polar coordinates display based on the detected signal levels; and a phase angle difference calculation processor that calculates a difference between a phase angle calculated based on the specified constellation positions and a reference phase angle, thereby controlling the phase angle so that the difference is within a predetermined range. Further, the invention discloses a reception synchronization control method, to control reception synchronization of demodulated signals to be established, using the above reception synchronization control device, etc.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reception synchronization control device and a reception synchronization control method for controlling reception synchronization of demodulated signals (for example, analog modulated signals of at least two channels) to be established when a radio communication apparatus such as a cellular phone receives and demodulates a phase-modulated signal transmitted by a phase modulation, and relates to a program for making a computer execute this reception synchronization control method.
At the time of receiving a phase-modulated signal transmitted by using a QPSK (quadrature phase-shift keying) modulation, as one kind of a phase modulation of digital data, and demodulating the phase-modulated signal into analog demodulated signals of two channels in a mutually orthogonal relationship, it is necessary to extract the original four-value digital data from two-channel analog demodulated signals without an error. It is also necessary to confirm whether or not the reception of the analog demodulated signal is synchronized in all frequencies used by carrying out an adjustment test of a reception card on which a demodulator of a cellular phone and the like is mounted. The present invention describes a method of establishing a state of reception synchronization, by confirming by a simple method whether or not a reception of the analog demodulated signal is synchronized.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in the manufacture of a radio communication apparatus such as a cellular phone, a reception card on which a demodulator of the apparatus is mounted is manufactured separately from another card within the radio communication apparatus. Therefore, at the stage of carrying out the adjustment test of the reception card, the reception card within the radio communication apparatus is separated from the other card. Accordingly, a state of reception synchronization needs to be established by confirming whether or not the reception of the reception card is synchronized, for each card.
In order to facilitate the understanding of a problem in confirming whether or not reception is synchronized by carrying out an adjustment test of reception synchronization of the reception card within the radio communication apparatus according to a conventional system, a process in which a reception card testing device according to the conventional system is used to carry out the adjustment test of reception synchronization of the reception card will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 that will be described later in the "BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS".
A block diagram of a configuration of a reception card testing device according to a conventional reception synchronization establishing method is illustrated in FIG. 1. More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the reception card testing device that carries out an adjustment test of each reception card as a single unit within a radio communication apparatus such as a cellular phone used in a W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) format.
As shown in FIG. 1, the radio communication apparatus, such as a cellular phone, usually includes a demodulator (that is, a demodulating unit) 1 that receives a phase-modulated signal S-QPSK transmitted by a phase modulation of digital data such as a QPSK modulation system, and demodulates this phase-modulated signal into two-channel analog demodulated signals SA-I and SA-Q; and an analog/digital converter (an A/D converter) 2 that converts the analog demodulated signals SA-I and SA-Q output from the demodulator 1 into digital demodulated signals SD-I and SD-Q. The analog demodulated signals SA-I and SA-Q are substantially cyclical two-channel signals mutually in an orthogonal phase relationship, and are expressed by a change of output voltage V relative to time (r).
Further, an output signal processor 9 is provided at the output side of the analog/digital processor 2. This output signal processor 9 reproduces digital data of a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio), by carrying out various kinds of signal processes such as a calculation of bit error rate and a bit error correction to the digital demodulated signals SD-I and SD-Q output from the analog/digital converter (A/D converter) 2.
For the radio communication apparatus, such as a cellular phone, a reception card mounted with the demodulator 1 and the analog/digital converter 2 is manufactured separately from another card mounted with the signal processor 9. Confirmation of whether or not reception of a reception card is synchronized and adjustment of reception synchronization are carried out before the product is shipped. At the stage of carrying out the adjustment test of reception synchronization of a reception card, the adjustment test of the reception card is carried out as a single unit in a state that the reception card is separated from another card. It should be noted that the reception card itself does not have a function of carrying out an adjustment test of reception synchronization. Therefore, in carrying out the adjustment test of reception synchronization of a reception card, the reception card needs to be able to artificially carry out the adjustment test of reception synchronization in some way.
Therefore, in the reception card testing device according to the conventional reception synchronization establishing method, an oscilloscope or the like to monitor reception synchronization of the reception card is connected to the output of the analog/digital converter 2 within the reception card, as shown in FIG. 1. This oscilloscope usually includes a signal display controller 3 and a polar coordinates display 4, and is able to display polar coordinates of digital demodulated signals SD-I and SD-Q output from the analog/digital converter 2. The signal display controller 3 processes the digital demodulated signals SD-I and SD-Q output from the analog/digital converter 2, and generates signal data SP-I and SP-Q to display the polar coordinates. The polar coordinates display 4 displays the signal data SP-I and SP-Q output from the signal display controller 3 onto the display surface (i.e., display screen) of the polar coordinates. Accordingly, the reception card is able to confirm a reception synchronization state.
On the display screen of the polar coordinates display 4 shown in FIG. 1, digital data C (0, 0), C (0, 1), C (1, 0), and C (1, 1) at four points (shown by black circles), each of which has a phase difference of 90 degrees from the phase of the adjacent point, are displayed in a first quadrant to a fourth quadrant, respectively of I-Q coordinate space, including an I axis and Q axis. The digital data at the four points on the display screen change with time due to noise, etc. Therefore, the digital data are displayed in a form in which each of the four points has a certain two-dimensional broadening from an ideal point on the display screen.
In carrying out the adjustment test of reception synchronization of a reception card using the reception card testing device shown in FIG. 1, conventionally, a constellation position of digital data appearing most densely on the display screen is visually estimated, while visually monitoring digital data displayed with a certain spread in the I-Q coordinate space on the display screen of the oscilloscope. Next, parameters such as voltage value and potential on the display screen of digital data are changed based on the estimated constellation position, thereby adjusting the state of reception synchronization of the reception card, and confirming whether or not the reception of the analog demodulated signals of two channels is synchronized. Finally, when it is confirmed that the reception of the analog demodulated signal is synchronized, the phases of the digital data are locked, thereby establishing a state of reception synchronization. In this case, in order to guarantee performance of the radio communication apparatus as a product, the state of reception synchronization needs to be established by confirming whether or not the reception of the analog demodulated signal is synchronized in all frequencies used.
The "constellation" refers to a portion formed by the four points most densely displayed on the display screen of the oscilloscope in the form of an asterism or constellation, when plural signal data are displayed in the polar coordinates.
In carrying out the adjustment test of reception synchronization of the reception card using the conventional method, an operator must adjust the state of reception synchronization of the reception card while continue to monitor the digital data at four points displayed on the display screen of the oscilloscope. Further, in order to guarantee the performance of the product, the operator must confirm whether or not the reception of the analog demodulated signal is synchronized in all frequencies used. Therefore, the operator is required to spend time adjusting the state of the reception synchronization of the reception card. Consequently, the adjustment work of the state of the reception synchronization becomes troublesome.
When plural operators carry out an adjustment test of the reception synchronization, variations in the adjustment may occur depending on the sense of individual operators. Therefore, it is difficult to guarantee the quality of the state of reception synchronization established by the adjustment test.
On the other hand, in order to establish a state of reception synchronization of an analog demodulated signal by automatically carrying out the test, dedicated hardware is necessary to adjust the state of reception synchronization by automatically changing parameters of voltage values and phases of digital data displayed on the display screen of the oscilloscope. However, in this case, additional cost is necessary to prepare dedicated hardware.
For reference, the following Patent Document No. 1 and Patent Document No. 2 relevant to the above conventional reception synchronization establishing method are shown as prior-art documents.
(i) Patent Document No. 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 11-331299
(ii) Patent Document No. 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-24603
Patent Document No. 1 discloses a 64-QAM modulation and 256-QAM modulation analysis method, including detecting a maximum value and a minimum value of amplitudes at symbol points of an input signal; determining a gain from the detected minimum value (or the maximum value) and a prescribed value; multiplying this gain to an amplitude of the symbol points of the input signal; rotating the phase of the row of the symbol points of the input signal multiplied by the gain, by a predetermined amount; obtaining an ideal symbol point row by demodulating the symbol point row of the input signal of which phase is rotated; obtaining a correlation between this ideal symbol point row and the symbol point row of the input signal of which phase is rotated; and obtaining a positional rotation of the symbol points, a generation of an ideal symbol point row, and the above correlation, until a predetermined amount of phase rotation becomes π/4 radian (45 degrees). However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a method of establishing a state of reception synchronization by confirming whether the reception of the analog demodulated signal is synchronized at the time of receiving a phase-modulated signal transmitted by the phase modulation of digital data, such as QPSK modulation and demodulating the phase-modulated signal into analog demodulated signals of plural channels.
Patent Document No. 2 describes a method of transmitting a radio signal, by obtaining an identification number and signal quality of a radio broadcast program from a radio signal and using a propagation wave signal obtained from the best signal quality to receive a selected radio broadcast signal, in transmitting the radio signal by an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system. However, Patent Document No. 2 does not describe a method of establishing a state of reception synchronization by confirming whether or not the reception of the analog demodulated signal is synchronized, at the time of receiving a phase-modulated signal transmitted by the phase modulation of digital data and demodulating the phase-modulated signal into analog demodulated signals of plural channels.
Therefore, none of Patent Document No. 1 and Patent Document No. 2 can solve problems generated when visually confirming whether or not reception is synchronized by carrying out the adjustment test of reception synchronization of a reception card of a radio apparatus by the conventional method.

Reception synchronization control device, reception synchronization control method, and program therefor


A flexible metal hose assembly includes a corrugated tube surrounded by a braid. A modified braid ring is mechanically interconnected with an annular hex member. The modified braid ring is then located at the ends of the tube braid and welded to a fitting. The annular hex member of the modified braid ring still provides wrench flats to facilitate make up of the fitting.

This invention pertains to the art of flexible hose assemblies and more particularly to metal hose assemblies. The invention is applicable to modifying a braid ring as conventionally used in a flexible hose assembly and will be described with reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the invention has broader applications and may be advantageously employed in other environments and applications requiring a modified braid ring.
Known methods of assembling a flexible metal hose use a braid ring located at one end of a helical or annular corrugated tube that is surrounded by a metal braid. The braid ring is dimensioned for close receipt over the tube and braid and facilitates termination of the hose assembly. Usually a fitting is abutted against the ends of the tube, braid and braid ring for subsequent welded or brazed interconnection of the various components.
Although a number of different fittings can be used as desired or required for a particular purpose, oftentimes a fitting incorporating a hex surface is used. The fitting is normally machined from bar stock and, if the fitting is to include a hex surface, slightly greater diameter bar stock is required and more machining is necessary to form the hex surface. For example, a male pipe fitting would require a simple external threading of a tubular workpiece where the workpiece is substantially identical in outer dimension to the completed fitting. Adding a hex surface to the male pipe fitting requires a substantially larger diameter workpiece for the same size threads because of the enlarged dimension of the hex surface. Therefore, a much greater amount of machining is required to reduce the diameter of the workpiece before the pipe threads are formed. Still further, the conventional incorporation of a hex surface on the fitting requires use of a longer fitting where in some instances the shortest possible fitting length is desired.
In other limited instances, a hex piece is added to a fitting that otherwise does not include a hex arrangement. The hex piece includes a smooth bore that is slipped over the fitting, e.g. a pipe nipple, to effect a hex arrangement.
Users of the flexible hose assembly often incorrectly grip the end of the hose assembly around the braid ring. The "damage" to the hose assembly is often no more than mechanical compression due to the light weight of the braid ring, and the hose being heat effected under the band. Nevertheless, this also imposes undue torque and stress on the hose at the base of the welded connection.
A certain amount of skill is also required to terminate the hose and join the fitting thereto. In the U.S., single pass welding is very seldom used, and even then, only in particular situations or after special setup. Instead, plural welds are required to complete the assembly. A first weld interconnects the corrugated tube, braid and braid ring. Thereafter, a second weld joins the fitting to the tube, braid and ring. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, though, that the subject invention is applicable to single or multiple pass welding, brazing, soldering, or fusion bonding.
Accordingly, it has been deemed desirable to manufacture flexible metal hose assemblies by eliminating the need for a hex head on the fitting, improve the weldability thereof, and provide a surface to effectively grip the end of the hose.

Flexible metal hose assembly incorporating modified braid ring with annular member having tools flats


A system for displaying an item includes a display shelf having an aperture through it and a thin tether having a first end and a second end that extends through the aperture. The first end of the tether is secured to a mount above a top side of said display shelf and the second end of said tether is secured adjacent to a bottom side of the displays shelf. The first end of the tether has a mount for connection of tether to the item, above the shelf. The system further includes a coiled cable coiled around the tether extending through the aperture. The coiled cable provides an electrical path to the item. The coiled cable has a first end and a second end. The first end is secured adjacent to the mount and the second end securely terminates below the bottom unexposed side of said display shelf.

The current invention relates generally to the displaying of items for merchandising purposes and, more specifically, to a system for displaying items on a counter or similar structure in a commercial environment while protecting the items from theft.
The surveillance of freely presented objects to protect them against theft by means of a sensor that is connected to a monitoring and alarm device via an electrical line is known in the art. Such items are commonly displayed on a counter or other structure for viewing by prospective purchasers. When the line or the anti-theft installation is manipulated or the sensor is removed, the monitoring and alarm device sets off an audible and/or visual alarm. It has been proposed to provide an apparatus providing for reliable surveillance of the displayed object and requiring a comparatively small outlay particularly in equipment and installation, by providing an audible alarm at the counter or a visual alarm at the display device when the a user attempts to remove the item.
Typically, a free presentation includes a plurality of objects. When, as a further action, events are counted and/or date and/or time of the day are saved, the detections may be stored with date and time of the day for later reference in statistical analyses in order to obtain information about the attractiveness of the object put on display. For this purpose, the monitoring and alarm device includes a storage memory for storing the event count and/or date and/or time of the event.
The sensor of the logging device may be a motion sensor. It may operate to start a product information display when a prospective buyer approaches or stands in front of the item on display. No additional action is required in this case. However, the possibility also exists for the sensor of the logging device to be a removal sensor.
The sensor of the logging device may be a switch, in particular, a mechanical or capacitive or inductive or optoelectronic or magnetic switch. Particularly advantageously, the sensor of the logging device is part of the anti-theft sensor arrangement, because this enables multiple uses to be made of existing equipment. Moreover, the anti-theft sensor arrangement preferably includes a sensor affixed to the item to be secured, which sensor is connected to the monitoring and alarm device through a cable wound on a cable retractor, with the sensor of the logging device being configured to detect when the wound-up cable is being pulled off the cable retractor. The cable retractor provides for a "neat" presentation. The sensor may be configured as a magnetic switch comprising a reed contact mounted on the enclosure of the cable retractor and a magnet fitted to the pull-out type cable. In this arrangement it is suitable for the magnet fitted to the cable to be constructed as a cable stop resting against an abutment with the cable in roughly wound-up condition. Such a sensor arrangement affords, among other things, the advantage of being able to be retrofitted with ease.
There are various known display devices that provide both security and the capability to carry a signal from, for example, the sensor affixed to the item, or carry a power signal to power the item. However, it would be beneficial to provide a display device that cleanly and neatly provides for both security and appropriate electrical signals to be carried.
While the aforementioned apparatus and method are primarily concerned with the securing of items of merchandise,
As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that while the foregoing proposed method and apparatus appears generally suitable for its purposes, it still leaves something to be desired from the standpoint of effective advertising and promotion of the items. In this regard, while the provision of an audible alarm at the counter (or even a visual alarm on the display device on or adjacent the counter), may have the effect of deterring or preventing theft, it creates a negative atmosphere, e.g., other potential customers in the vicinity of the display may be frightened or otherwise put off by a sounding alarm indicating a theft has occurred. Thus, a need exists for a system and method which provides the advantages of enabling persons to readily examine an item, to receive information relevant to that item when they pick up or touch the item, while providing against theft by producing a wireless signal to authorized personnel located remotely from the display.
All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.


A hybrid exposure strategy for pattern generation uses wide field raster scan deflection and a uniformly moving stage to expose long stripes. Periodic analog wide field magnetic scan is augmented by a high speed electrostatic retrograde scan to keep the beam stationary during exposure of rectangular flash fields. The system's data path utilizes a pattern represented in a rasterized format. Intermediate vector data bases are created using fracture rules that limit feature and hierarchical cell size of to be smaller than overlapping fringes of stripe data fields. Rectangular flash fields are employed with each field being a 1 by n array of writing pixels. The length, origin position and dose of line shaped beam flashes can be varied to allow patterns to be exposed on a design grid much smaller than a writing pixel. The length, origin position and dose data for each flash is derived from a rasterized data format using a decoder device. In this manner multiple writing pixels are exposed simultaneously without compromising resolution or diagonal line edge roughness, thus enhancing exposure rate. A high flash rate is assured by including astigmatic illumination to maximize beam current, and leveraged co-planar blanking and shaping deflection to minimize drive voltages.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to a lithographic system for pattern generation. More specifically it relates to a lithographic system having a raster scanned, shaped beam writing strategy for exposing a pattern.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lithographic systems typically generate or expose patterns by controlling the flow of energy from a source to a substrate coated with a layer sensitive to that form of energy. Pattern exposure is controlled and broken into discrete units commonly referred to as flashes, wherein a flash is that portion of the pattern exposed during one cycle of an exposure sequence. Flashes are produced by allowing energy from the source, for example light, electron or other particle beams, to reach the coated substrate within selected pattern areas. The details of flash composition, dose and exposure sequence used to produce a pattern, and hence the control of the lithographic system, make up what is known as a writing strategy.
Writing strategies strive for both the highest pattern throughput and best pattern quality. However, often highest throughput is only possible at the cost of degraded pattern quality. For example, smaller flashes usually result in better pattern quality but lower throughput. Thus an optimized writing strategy is one that makes the best compromise for each specific task. Both vector scan and raster scan writing strategies strive for the same goals, therefore a combination of elements of each may result in a better compromise.
A traditional raster scan writing strategy employs a uniform periodic raster scan, much like a television. A mechanical stage moves a substrate uniformly in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the uniform scan of an energy beam. In this manner a pattern is composed on a regular grid with a regular scan trajectory resulting from the orthogonal movement of the stage and beam. When the beam is positioned over a grid site requiring exposure, the beam is unblanked and the underlying site exposed. Only the amount of dose, or energy, at each site is varied as required. Hence, exposure data can be organized in a time sequence corresponding to the regular scan trajectory, and only the dose for each site need be specified. The distinguishing characteristics of a traditional raster scan writing strategy are a small round beam exposing one site at a time, a periodic scan moving sequentially to each site of a grid and a rasterized representation of data corresponding to the required dose for each site or "pixel" of the grid.
On the other hand, in a typical vector scan writing strategy, the beam is positioned only over those sites that require exposure and then unblanked to expose the site. Positioning is accomplished by a combination of stage and beam movement in what is often referred to as a semi-random scan. Thus, data must be provided that includes both the dose and position of each flash or site exposed. Frequently, vector scan strategies use a variable shaped beam, that is a beam capable of having a different size and/or shape for each flash. The pattern is then composed from these variable shapes. A shaped beam is capable of exposing multiple pixel sites simultaneously instead of one pixel site at a time as in a raster scan writing strategy. Where a variable shaped beam is used, the data must additionally include the location, size and shape for each flash. Thus the distinguishing characteristics of traditional vector scan writing strategies are a variable shaped and sized beam exposing multiple pixel sites in a single flash, a semi-random scan encompassing only those portions of a pattern to be exposed, and a vectorized representation of data including the location, size, shape and dose of each flash.
Important to both raster and vector scan writing strategies is the pattern coverage rate, (R) specifying the pattern area exposed per second of writing time. R is normally expressed having the dimensions of square centimeters per second (cm.sup.2 /sec). Both writing strategies strive to have a high R. High coverage rates imply high flash rates, while pattern integrity or quality implies that small pixels be used to define pattern shapes. Thus with a limited flash rate, optimization of a writing strategy favors exposure of as many pixels as possible during each flash.
As known, flash rate (F) in Hertz (Hz) and energy or flux density (J) expressed in Amperes per square centimeter (Amp/cm.sup.2), are limited by both electronics and the beam optics. The relationship between R, F and J can be expressed by looking at a lithography system that exposes a pattern on a substrate having an energy sensitive layer or resist requiring an amount of energy or dose D expressed in microCoulombs per square centimeter (.mu.C/cm.sup.2) and that uses N separate beams in p separate exposure passes. We define .DELTA. to be an address unit, or the period of a grid upon which the pattern is composed. Each element of the grid is called an "address element" which covers an area .DELTA..sup.2 (cm.sup.2). If each flash can expose an average of n.sub.x address elements along the x direction and n.sub.y address elements along the y direction, and requires one flash period 1/F (sec) to expose the flash, the coverage rate is seen as subject to the following two constraints: EQU R<N n.sub.x n.sub.y .DELTA..sup.2 F/p EQU R<N n.sub.x n.sub.y .DELTA..sup.2 J/D
which implies a current density requirement of J=DF/p
The size .DELTA. of an address element typically determines pattern placement precision. The size of a beam used to expose an address element usually determines pattern edge resolution and control of critical feature sizes. As known, beam size must be at least as large as an address element, therefore pattern quality considerations limit pixel size. With these limitations, it is seen that writing strategies should strive to maximize the number of address elements exposed during each flash.
Both vector and raster scan writing strategies have advantages and disadvantages. Vector scan strategies can often write patterns faster because larger pieces of the pattern are exposed in each flash using shaped beams. In addition, vector scan strategies can offer arbitrarily fine placement precision (as distinguished from accuracy) by adding least significant bits to digital to analog converters (DACs) used for beam deflection. However, the semi-random scan trajectory characteristic of a vector scan strategy usually requires several levels of precision DAC driven-electronics that must be fast, stable and well calibrated to avoid "butting" or "stitching" errors between deflection fields. Such electronics are sophisticated hence add to system cost and complexity. Also, vector scan flash rates are typically slower due to settling time required between the relatively large beam deflections of the semi-random scan trajectory. In addition, where beam shaping is employed, dose errors due to shaped beam size and shape variations can be generated. Finally, since vector scan systems usually spend more time exposing small deflection fields before moving on to other areas of the pattern, heating of the resist is more localized and thus is a larger threat to pattern quality.
Raster scan strategies are relatively simple and accurate because a minimum number of periodic deflections (stage motion and scan) are used to position the beam. However, since a single beam exposes one pixel at a time in a serial manner, raster scan strategies tend to have a low coverage rate and/or a relatively coarse address grid.
Thus it would be desirable to develop an improved writing strategy that combines the advantages of a vector scan strategy with those of a raster scan strategy. It would also be desirable to develop an improved writing strategy that made the aforementioned combination using a rasterized representation of the pattern for exposure. Finally it would also be desirable to develop an improved writing strategy capable of using methods for the correction of proximity effects during run-time.

Raster shaped beam writing strategy system and method for pattern generation


A sensor cover according to embodiments of the disclosure is capable of being used with a non-invasive physiological sensor, such as a pulse oximetry sensor. Certain embodiments of the sensor cover reduce or eliminate false readings from the sensor when the sensor is not in use, for example, by blocking a light detecting component of a pulse oximeter sensor when the pulse oximeter sensor is active but not in use. Further, embodiments of the sensor cover can prevent damage to the sensor. Additionally, embodiments of the sensor cover prevent contamination of the sensor.

Non-invasive physiological sensors are applied to the body for monitoring or making measurements indicative of a patient's health. One application for a non-invasive physiological sensor is pulse oximetry, which provides a noninvasive procedure for measuring the oxygen status of circulating blood. Oximetry has gained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of medical applications, including surgical wards, intensive care and neonatal units, general wards, and home care and physical training. A pulse oximetry system generally includes a patient monitor, a communications medium such as a cable, and a physiological sensor having light emitters and a detector, such as one or more LEDs and a photodetector. The sensor is attached to a tissue site, such as a finger, toe, ear lobe, nose, hand, foot, or other site having pulsatile blood flow which can be penetrated by light from the emitters. The detector is responsive to the emitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flowing in the tissue site. The detector outputs a detector signal to the monitor over the communication medium, which processes the signal to provide a numerical readout of physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate.
High fidelity pulse oximeters capable of reading through motion induced noise are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,770,028, 6,658,276, 6,157,850, 6,002,952 5,769,785, and 5,758,644, which are assigned to Masimo Corporation ("Masimo") and are incorporated by reference herein. Advanced physiological monitoring systems may incorporate pulse oximetry in addition to advanced features for the calculation and display of other blood parameters, such as carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), methemoglobin (HbMet) and total hemoglobin (Hbt), total Hematocrit (Hct), oxygen concentrations and glucose concentrations, as a few examples. Advanced physiological monitors and corresponding multiple wavelength optical sensors capable of measuring parameters in addition to SpO2, such as HbCO, HbMet and Hbt are described in at least U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,013, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Multiple Wavelength Sensor Emitters and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/366,208, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor, assigned to Masimo Laboratories, Inc. and incorporated by reference herein. Further, noninvasive blood parameter monitors and optical sensors including Rainbow™ adhesive and reusable sensors and RAD57™ and Radical-7™ monitors capable of measuring SpO2, pulse rate, perfusion index (PI), signal quality (SiQ), pulse variability index (PVI), HbCO and HbMet, among other parameters, are also commercially available from Masimo.


Exemplary embodiments are directed to generating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses using a mask that is applied to a plurality IP addresses to generate plural groups of IP addresses. A range of IP addresses is generated for each of the groups when the plurality of groups is less than or equal to a predetermined number of groups. When a range of IP addresses is selected from the plurality of ranges IP addresses, the network nodes associated with the selected range are displayed.

Computer networks, such as Local Area Networks (LANs) and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) can be complex to operate. Corporations use network management software applications to maintain computer networks. An example of a network management software application is the Hewlett-Packard OpenView Network Node Manager (NNM) product.
In general, network management software applications are used for displaying the network topology and indicating any failures in the computer network. Once the failures in the network have been identified, a network administrator can take corrective action, such as replacing faulty routers. Many managed networks can contain hundreds or thousands of network elements (herein referred to as network nodes). It can be difficult to visualize such a large number of network nodes in a network management software application.

Method and system for generating ranges of internet protocol addresses

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


In a fixing device for causing a pressurizing roller to come in pressure contact with a heating roller including a central region heating heater for heating a central region and a side end region heating heater for heating a side end region on an outside of the central region, thereby fixing an unfixed toner, or an image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device, an outside of an image region of the heating roller is caused to have a peak of heat distribution of the central region heating heater and heat radiated from both side ends of the heating roller is compensated to flatten the temperature distribution of the image region, thereby preventing a deterioration in an image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing device for causing a pressurizing roller to come in pressure contact with a heating roller including a central region heating heater (first heater) for heating a central region and a side end region heating heater (second heater) for heating a side end region on the outside of the central region, thereby fixing an unfixed developer, and an image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device.
2. Related Art
As a fixing device of an image forming apparatus, in a fixing device including two heaters using two halogen lamps for a heating roller (see Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-8-123230, for example), a first heater having a greater calorific value in the central part of the heating roller than that on both side ends and a second heater having a greater calorific value on both side ends of the heating roller than that in the central part are combined to cause a temperature distribution to be uniform corresponding to a passing paper size.
In the fixing device having the two heaters, accordingly, a region in which the halogen lamp is to emit a light and a region in which non-light emission is to be carried out are present in each of the heaters. More specifically, the first heater has a central region in which the light emission is to be carried out and a side end region in which the non-light emission is to be carried out, and the second heater has a central region in which the non-light emission is to be carried out and a side end region in which the light emission is to be carried out. Corresponding to the regions, a coil-shaped filament (hereinafter referred to as a coil filament) is provided in the region in which the light emission is to be carried out, and a wire (hereinafter referred to as a wire filament) is provided in the region in which the non-light emission is to be carried out. Furthermore, the coil filament and the wire filament are to be alternately provided in the region in which the light emission is to be carried out, and a coil-shaped holding portion filament is to be provided in order to eliminate the slack of the wire in the region in which the non-light emission is to be carried out.
However, the holding portion filament emits a light so that a light distribution cannot be set to be zero %. In the conventional device (JP-A-8-123230), therefore, light emission and heat generation which are to be carried out by the holding portion filament present in the central region of the second heater are decreased to 5 to 20% as a whole non-light emitting region so as not to reduce the efficiency of the heater.
However, the holding portion filament is to be provided in the side end regions of the first heater in addition to the central region of the second heater. Also in the side end regions of the first heater, the light distribution of the holding portion filament is present. For this reason, in the case in which the lighting duty of the first heater is high (in case of warm-up and a thick and continuous paper), the temperature of the heating roller in a portion corresponding to a light distribution peak is raised. As a result, if the light distribution peak is present in an image region, there is a problem in that a gloss unevenness is generated on an image or a high temperature offset is generated.
Further, a temperature ripple is generated corresponding to the alternate arrangement of the coil filament and the wire filament in the first heater in the central region as described above, and furthermore, is generated corresponding to the alternate arrangement of the holding portion filament and the wire filament in the second heater. In the case in which the heating roller is heated by using the first heater and the second heater, therefore, these are superposed on each other so that a great temperature ripple is generated. Consequently, there is a problem in that a gloss unevenness is generated on an image in the region in which the non-light emission is to be carried out.
In addition, the temperature ripple generated by the second heater fluctuates due to the ON/OFF operation of the second heater. Consequently, precision in the detection of a temperature sensor for controlling the first heater is deteriorated and a variation in the control of a fixing temperature is increased. Thus, there is a problem in that a gloss unevenness is generated.

Fixing device and image forming apparatus including a heating roller with multiple heaters


Systems, methods, and devices are provided for manipulating objects in a liquid using a pulsed acoustic field that is modulated in amplitude. The amplitude modulated pulsed acoustic field may form the objects into a layer or layers. The objects may be colloidal objects having an average size of about 50 nm to about 5 μm, or a mixture of colloidal and non-colloidal objects.

Particle manipulation by using ultrasonic standing waves (USW) in microfluidic devices may commonly be used in bioseparations, characterization and analysis of micron-sized species.
A great number of publications highlighted the utility of USW by showing how particles, cells and bacteria can be affected by acoustic radiation forces.
Primary radiation forces may allow species to levitate at the nodal plane in a resonator. Inhomogeneity of the transversal energy distribution and non-idealities in geometry of the resonator may lead particles to agglutinate at the nodal plane and secondary Bjerknes forces may keep aggregates consolidated and stable.
Aggregation of cancer cells for instance can be generated in cylindrical resonators in order to study physiological cell interactions.
Species of a few micrometers or more may be trapped by using USW and can be focused at the nodal plane of a standing wave and kept closely immobile.
When species are smaller than a few micrometers, Brownian agitation may not be negligible and acoustic and thermodynamic forces may enter in competition for establishing a steady state after a relaxation time.
The acoustic streaming (corresponding to Rayleigh streaming in the present disclosure) may become observable when a suspension is composed of sub-micronic particles. In this case, the displacements of fluid may drag the species over the whole volume of the channel modifying thereby the thermodynamic equilibrium.
Several works have been devoted to the observation and description of the acoustic streaming in particle and cell manipulation and it was observed that acoustic streaming may generate clumps and recirculation of particles at nodal planes.
Acoustic streaming may be present when acoustic radiation pressure is generated by USW but primary radiation forces may veil it if size of objects is sufficient.
THE acoustic streaming can be visualized by using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and it was shown that the flow velocity generated by the streaming may be strong enough for making manipulation of sub-micronic objects relatively difficult.
A need therefore exists to obtain a method allowing controlling the impact of the acoustic streaming, especially on relatively small objects.
A need also exists to obtain a method allowing reducing the impact of the acoustic streaming on objects while keeping acoustic forces strong enough for allowing a satisfying focusing of said objects.
The present invention aims to meet one or more of the aforementioned needs.

Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique

Ecole Superieure De Physique Et De Chimie Industrielles De La Ville De Paris


A griddle for cooking and preparing foods and more specifically a griddle for use with a gas or a propane outdoor grill or barbeque. The griddle can include a cooking surface, a trip tray, a first sidewall, a rear wall, a second sidewall, a first cross brace, and a second cross brace. The first sidewall can include a first upper sidewall and a first lower sidewall. The rear wall can include an upper rear wall and a lower rear wall. The second sidewall can include a second upper sidewall and a second lower sidewall. The griddle can include at least one aperture located in each of the first lower sidewall, the lower rear wall, the second lower sidewall, the first cross brace, and the second cross brace. The griddle can be made of a metal, which can be a stainless steel.

When cooking or preparing food outdoors using, for example, a gas or propane outdoor grill or barbeque, there are foods which cannot be placed or easily placed directly on the cooking surface of the grill. Some examples include stir fry, tofu, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, most fish, and many vegetables.
When cooking such foods, it becomes necessary to use, for example, aluminum foil placed on the cooking surface of the grill. However, cooking on aluminum foil has drawbacks. The drawbacks of cooking on aluminum foil include its relative flimsiness in addition to possible health concerns associated with aluminum. Another alternative is to use a pot or a pan on a side burner of the grill, if the grill is so equipped. However, this requires one to have a grill with a side burner. Additionally, using another burner increases fuel consumption.
Thus, it would be advantageous to be able to cook any food on a gas or propane grill or barbeque without using aluminum foil or a side burner.


A transparent display panel includes a substrate and a pixel array. The pixel array is formed on the substrate and includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines. The data lines and the scan lines surround a plurality of pixel regions. Each pixel region defines a transparent region and an opaque region, wherein each transparent region occupies a relative position in the corresponding pixel region and at least three relative positions successively arranged along an axial direction are different.

A display panel defines several pixel regions. Each pixel region includes light-passable and light-impassable elements. The light-passable and light-impassable elements are periodically arranged in the pixel regions. Therefore, when the light penetrates the light-passable elements between two pixel regions, the light will be diffracted and affect the display quality. For example, the image may become blurred.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A method for dynamically adjusting an energy-saving grade of a terminal, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and the terminal are provided. The method includes: acquiring an application identifier of a currently displayed application; determining, by querying a preset first white list, a first energy-saving grade corresponding to the application according to the application identifier, and acquiring display effect parameters corresponding to the first energy-saving grade, where the first white list defines an association relationship between a plurality of application identifiers and a plurality of energy-saving grades; and setting an energy-saving grade of the terminal according to the first energy-saving grade, and processing a to-be-displayed image according to the display effect parameters corresponding to the first energy-saving grade.

With the development of mobile terminal technology, the processing ability and functions of mobile terminals have been greatly improved, and the mobile terminals have become a necessity in people's life, work and entertainment.
Taking a smart phone as an example, in the existing technology, a smart phone usually has a touch display screen, which can provide a user with a larger area of display and operation space. For example, after the touch screen is used in the smart phone, the user can easily play games, watch videos, read news, and the like on the smart phone. However, with the increasing screen size of the smart phone, the power consumption of the display screen has an increasing influence on the endurance ability, which makes the shortage of the endurance ability of the smart phone more and more prominent.

Method for dynamically adjusting energy-saving grade of terminal, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and terminal

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECoMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


The trailer hitch has a base frame adapted to be carried by a vehicle and a hitch frame adapted to engage the base frame. A power liftable actuator is attached to the base frame and the hitch frame for raising and lowering the hitch frame to engage the tongue of a trailer. A vertically arranged connecting pin is also attached to the hitch frame and is adapted to be moved in a vertical path of travel from an elevated uncoupled position to a lowered coupled position. A power operable actuator is connected to the hitch frame and the connecting pin for moving the connecting pin from an elevated uncoupled position to a lowered coupled position. In addition, the trailer hitch has a horizontally swingable tongue guide positioned alongside the connecting pin and the hitch frame. The horizontally swingable tongue guide is adapted to guide the tongue of a trailer into proper position for being connected by the connecting pin. The horizontally swingable tongue guide includes a pair of guide plates convergently arranged that define an angle therebetween with the vertex of the angle being closely adjacent the path of travel of the connecting pin. Also, a spring is used to resiliently mount the pair of guide plates for unison horizontal swinging movement to thereby facilitate the guiding of the trailer tongue toward the vertex. A scoop is mounted vertically below and adjacent the horizontally swingable tongue guide for scooping the trailer tongue from the ground for engagement with the connecting pin.

A conventional pin-type trailer hitch either requires a two-man operation or requires the vehicle operator to descend from the seat of the vehicle, perform a coupling or an uncoupling function, and then return to the seat for further operation of the vehicle. The conventional trailer hitch may also create a hazardous environment for operators involved in manually coupling and uncoupling trailers because of factors such as noise, inclement weather, bright lights, and heavy equipment involved. In addition, the frequency of the coupling and uncoupling operation may be quite high in any given work period, so that the time and effort involved may reduce the operator's work efficiency.
Several hitching devices have automated the coupling and uncoupling functions with various techniques for tractors and the like. Other hitches have automatic coupling and uncoupling functions for hitches mounted on the back of a vehicle bumper. Illustrative of these type of hitches mounted on the back of a vehicle bumper are U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,465 to Dietrich entitled "Trailer Bumper Hitch" and U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,475 to Dietrich entitled "Bumper Hitch With Universal Mounting Support." Unfortunately, these hitches are only adaptable to one particular trailer tongue type, do not have means for scooping the trailer tongue off the ground and guiding it into position for engagement with the trailer hitch, and do not prevent damage to the trailer tongue and hitch when the vehicle travels on rough terrain or makes sharp turns.
Therefore, there is a need for a versatile trailer hitch that: (1) allows the driver of the vehicle to slightly misalign the pin with the trailer tongue and still make the connection; (2) provides flexibility in making a secure and fail-safe pin connection with various trailer tongue types; (3) reduces damage to the trailer tongue and hitch when the vehicle makes sharp turns or travels on rough terrain; and (4) scoops the trailer tongue off of the ground and guides it into position for engagement with the trailer hitch attached to the vehicle, all without requiring the operator of the vehicle to leave its seat or requiring the assistance of a second person.


Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the level of phytate in plants. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of modulating the level of phytate utilizing nucleic acids comprising Ins (1,3,4,5,6)P52-kinase (IP2K) nucleotide sequences to modulate the expression of IP2K in a plant of interest. The compositions and methods of the invention find use in agriculture for improving the nutritional quality of food and feed by reducing the levels of phytate and/or increasing the levels of non-phytate phosphorus in food and feed. The invention also finds use in reducing the environmental impact of animal waste.

The role of phosphorous in animal nutrition is well recognized. Phosphorus is a critical component of the skeleton, nucleic acids, cell membranes and some vitamins. Though phosphorous is essential for the health of animals, not all phosphorous in feed is bioavailable.
Phytates are the major form of phosphorous in seeds. For example, phytate represents about 60-80% of total phosphorous in corn and soybean. When seed-based diets are fed to non-ruminants, the consumed phytic acid forms salts with several important mineral nutrients, such as potassium, calcium, and iron, and also binds proteins in the intestinal tract. These phytate complexes cannot be metabolized by monogastric animals and are excreted, effectively acting as anti-nutritional factors by reducing the bioavailability of dietary phosphorous and minerals. Phytate-bound phosphorous in animal excreta also has a negative environmental impact, contributing to surface and ground water pollution.
There have been two major approaches to reducing the negative nutritional and environmental impacts of phytate in seed. The first involves post-harvest interventions, which increase the cost and processing time of feed. Post-harvest processing technologies remove phytic acid by fermentation or by the addition of compounds, such as phytases.
The second is a genetic approach. One genetic approach involves developing crop germplasm with heritable reductions in seed phytic acid. While some variability for phytic acid was observed, there was no change in non-phytate phosphorous. Further, only 2% of the observed variation in phytic acid was heritable, whereas 98% of the variation was attributed to environmental factors.
Another genetic approach involves selecting low phytate lines from a mutagenized population to produce germplasm. Most mutant lines exhibit a loss of function and are presumably blocked in the phytic acid biosynthetic pathway; therefore, low phytic acid accumulation will likely be a recessive trait. In certain cases, this approach has revealed that homozygosity for substantially reduced phytate can be lethal.
Another genetic approach is transgenic technology, which has been used to increase phytase levels in plants. These transgenic plant tissues or seed have been used as dietary supplements.
The biosynthetic route leading to phytate is complex and not completely understood. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory of the formation of phytate, it is believed that the synthesis may be mediated by a series of one or more ADP-phosphotransferases, ATP-dependent kinases, and isomerases. A number of intermediates have been isolated, including, for example, monophosphates such as D-myo-inositol 3-monophosphate, diphosphates (IP2s) such as D-myo-inositol 3,4-bisphosphate, trisphosphates (IP3s) such as D-myo-inositol 3,4,6 trisphosphate, tetraphosphates (IP4s) such as D-myo-inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphates, and pentaphosphates (IP5s) such as D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate. The phosphorylation of the IP5 to IP6 is found to be reversible. Several futile cycles of dephosphorylation and rephosphorylation of the IP5 and IP6 forms have been reported as well as a cycle involving glucose-6-phosphate->D-myo-inositol 3-monophosphate->myo-inositol, the last step being completely reversible. The reversibility of this step suggests that control of metabolic flux through this pathway may be important.
Based on the foregoing, there exists the need to improve the nutritional content of plants, particularly corn and soybean, by increasing non-phytate phosphorous and reducing seed phytate. Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 2-kinases ("IP2Ks") are responsible for the last step of phytic acid biosynthesis. Accordingly, it is desirable to modulate the expression of IP2Ks to reduce seed phytate and to increase non-phytate phosphorus.

Phytate polynucleotides and methods of use


An arrangement for removing condensate from an interior of a drying cylinder in a paper machine and a method for regulating the removal of such condensate. The arrangement includes a steam pipe through which steam is passed into the space in the interior of the drying cylinder, and a condensate pipe and fluidly connected syphon pipe through which condensate is removed from the interior of the drying cylinder. The steam pipe and the condensate pipe are passed through a revolving axle journal of the drying cylinder. The arrangement also includes a syphon support attached in the interior of the drying cylinder to revolve along with the drying cylinder and support the syphon. A support bearing is arranged to attach to the syphon support and the syphon support is connected with the construction of condensate and steam pipes.

With increasing running speeds of a web in a paper machine and/or cylinder diameters of cylinders in the paper machine, the requirements imposed on the suspension of a condensate-removal syphon within an interior of such a cylinder become higher. Indeed, increasing paper machine running speeds result in increasing problems of oscillation in the case of pipes for removal of condensate and steam pipes. In a situation of oscillation, the end syphon situated within the interior of the cylinder and connected with the pipe for removal of condensate, through which syphon condensate is removed from the interior of the drying cylinder, tends to contact the inner face of the drying cylinder. From this contact, impulses arise which result in further increasing oscillation amplitudes and thereby causing damage to the constructions of the drying cylinder and internal elements.

Arrangement for removing condensate from a cylinder and method for regulating the removal of condensate from a cylinder


The present invention provides a turf board for simulating snowboarding on snowless terrain. The turf board includes a platform, two wheel assemblies and two bindings. Each of the wheel assemblies includes tires independently attached to a bottom surface of the platform by a shock absorber suspension. In a preferred embodiment, each of the wheel assemblies include a unique, three-piece rim which maintains the tire. The two bindings are attached to a top surface of the platform for securing a user to the turf board.

The present invention relates to a turf board for simulating snowboarding. More specifically, the present invention provides a turf board having specialized suspension and wheels for use on vegetated or otherwise snowless terrain.
The sport of snowboarding has achieved immense popularity over the past several years. Similar to downhill skiing, snowboarding typically takes place at a downhill ski slope, with the "snowboarder" riding or otherwise maneuvering the snowboard down a snow-covered hill. A standard snowboard includes a single platform to which two bindings are attached. The platform is normally made from fiberglass reenforced plastic and is customized in size and shape. These shapes can include sharp edges to effectuate turns, and a curvature of some type on the bottom of the platform to provide a smooth ride.
Snowboarding is a winter sport unique unto itself in that both feet of the snowboarder are held on a single board, as opposed to two individual skis. However, snowboarding does have one key similarity with downhill skiing. Namely, both snowboarding and skiing require snow. The standard snowboard has a basically flat bottom which will not slide on a rough surface. Therefore, a snowboarder is unable to practice or simulate snowboarding in the summer time or at locations where there is no snow.
Skateboards are somewhat similar to snowboards in that a user places both feet on a single platform. A standard skateboard includes two sets of wheels attached to the bottom of the platform. The user simply propels the platform so that the wheels ride along a sidewalk or other hard surface. Therefore, it may, at first glance, appear as though a standard skateboard could be ridden down an uncovered hill so that snowboarding could be practiced without snow. However, the skateboard has many design constraints which prevents it from being a viable vehicle for snowboarding in the summer months.
A typical skateboard does not include bindings. Thus, when attempting to "ride" a skateboard down a hill, any slight loss of balance will cause the user to fall off. Further, hills, when not covered with snow, often include rough terrain, such as grass, sticks, small rocks, etc. The standard skateboard design cannot encounter these terrain obstacles without breaking down. For example, the wheel design of a skateboard is made for riding along a relatively smooth surface, such as a paved road. When the rough terrain of a turf covered hill is encountered, the skateboard wheel integrity will quickly deteriorate, resulting in severe damage to both the skateboard and possibly the rider. The same is true with respect to the suspension system. The normal skateboard simply bolts a central bracket of the wheel assembly to the platform with little thought to suspension. If a user were to ride a skateboard down a turf covered hill, any obstacles encountered would transfer a force or "jolt" to the rider, likely causing him or her to fall. Finally, the skateboard platform is normally low to the ground due to a low wheel height. As a result, the platform would often run directly into many obstacles, once again causing a fall.
Thus, because avid snowboarders desire to practice their skills in the summer time or at locations where there is no snow, a need exists for a turf board which is specially designed to handle the harsh terrain of a turf covered hill, thus simulating snowboarding.


A document feeder having a cover covering a portion of a main body and adapted to be pivotally opened, and a pair of document transportation rollers provided in an abutting relation in the midst of a document transportation path for transportation of a document original. A document guiding member for guiding the document original to an abutment position of the pair of rollers is attached to the cover.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a document feeder to be applied to an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine or an image reader.
2. Description of Related Art
Automatic document feeders are conventionally known which are applied to copying machines and the like and adapted to separate document originals set on a document placing plate on a one-by-one basis and feed the separated document original to a copying position through a document transportation path. As shown in FIG. 11, a document feeder of this type typically employs a path 595 curved with a predetermined curvature radius as the document transportation path. In this case, a pair of registration rollers 596 for secondary document feeding are provided in an abutting relation at the vertex of the curved document transportation path 595. A document guiding member 598 such as of a sheet for smoothly guiding a document original to an abutment position 597 of the registration roller pair 596 along the curved document transportation path 595 is provided immediately upstream of the abutment position 597 of the registration roller pair 596.
When a cover 599 is opened for a jam recovery operation, the document guiding member 598 located immediately upstream of the abutment position 597 of the registration roller pair 596 hinders the jam recovery operation.
Therefore, the document guiding member 598 is movably provided in place. More specifically, the document guiding member 598 is attached to a distal edge of an arm member 601 attached to a main body pivotally about a pivotal axis 600. When the jam recovery operation is to be performed, the cover 599 is opened, and then the arm member 601 is pivoted so that the document guiding member 598 is retracted from the vicinity of the abutment position 597 of the registration roller pair 596.
However, this arrangement requires the special arm member 601 for retracting the document guiding member 598, thereby leading to a complicated construction. In addition, the retraction of the document guiding member 598 for the jam recovery operation requires a two-step procedure in which the cover 599 is first opened and then the arm member 601 is pivoted. This makes the jam recovery operation troublesome.

Document feeder having retractable document guiding member


Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media can generate one or more first machine learning models, where each of the one or more first machine learning models is associated with a respective portion of a first period of time. A second machine learning model incorporating the one or more first machine learning models as features can be generated, where the second machine learning model is associated with a second period of time. A respective weight associated with each of the one or more first machine learning models can be determined. It can be determined whether a content item is associated with a category based on the second machine learning model.

Today, people often utilize computing devices (or systems) for a wide variety of purposes. Users can use their computing devices, for example, to interact with one another, create content, share content, and view content. In some cases, a user can utilize his or her computing device to access a social networking system (or service). The user can post, share, and access various content items, such as status updates, images, videos, articles, and links, via the social networking system.
Various types of content can be created and presented in the social networking system. In some cases, content in the social networking system can be fraudulent. For example, certain advertisements can promote fake products or promote scams. Conventional approaches can detect fraud associated with content available through the social networking system.

Systems and methods for incorporating long-term patterns in online fraud detection


A location of a downhole asset relative to a first environment may be tracked. The configuration information for the downhole asset is acquired, where the configuration information includes a measurement of one or more forces applied to the downhole asset during assembly of the downhole asset in the first environment. A service life of the downhole asset is determined from the configuration information. One or more parameters related to usage of the downhole environment in a second environment are measured. A remainder of the service life of the downhole asset is determined by reducing the service life by an amount proportional to usage of the downhole asset as indicated by the measurement related to usage of the downhole asset. The remaining service life may be used to automatically initiate an order for new parts.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0075113 to Loi et al. discloses a method and apparatus for automatic downhole asset monitoring. In the Loi et al. publication, downhole assets of interest are tagged with surface acoustic wave (SAW) or radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders. A rig reader comprising antennas and interrogators provides the ability to read tagged information from the tagged assets. The rig reader is positioned below a rig floor or rotary table, and the tags are read as the assets pass through the rig reader. A controller controls the rig reader to turn on or turn off in order to start or stop a reading process. The reader may include a motion detection device for sensing drill string motion in order to restrict reading of tags to when the drill string is moving. The controller is connected to a computer and may send collected and processed data received from the rig reader to the computer.

Method and system for monitoring downhole assets


The present disclosure provides a stimulation lead for providing stimulation signals to nerve tissue and improved methods for constructing and manufacturing such a stimulation lead. The stimulation lead and/or methods includes a lead with a cable disposed within. At each end of the lead body a portion of the cable is exposed, and a metal ferrule is securely attached to the exposed cable portion. An electrode/contact is then securely attached to the metal ferrule such that the electrode covers the metal ferrule, a portion of the lead body, and a transition point where the exposed cable exits the lead body. A tine component may be swaged around a portion of the term end, configured to provide a retaining force against an force acting upon the stimulation lead, while allowing insertion of the stim end of the stimulation lead during implantation, and extraction of the stim end during explantation.

Nerve stimulation has been shown to be helpful in treating patients with chronic intractable pain. For those patients who prove unresponsive to conservative pain management techniques, peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) may be a successful therapy for pain management when the pain is known to result from a specific nerve. PNS is based in part on the Melzack-Wall gate control theory of pain. Sweet and Wespic first used electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves in the 1960s to mask the sensation of pain with a tingling sensation (paresthesia) caused by the electrical stimulation. Subsequent refinements in the technology, surgical techniques and patient selection have led to improved long term results.
PNS typically involves a procedure in which an electrode of a stimulation lead is placed adjacent to one of the peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves are the nerves that are located beyond the brain or spinal cord. The electrode delivers electrical pulses generated by an external or implanted device (e.g., a stimulation generator or a pulse generator) to the nerve tissue. In some current implementations, the stimulation lead is implanted within the patient, such that the electrode is placed adjacent to the target nerve tissue. However, the size of current implantable stimulation leads is not ideal for implantable solutions. In addition, current implantable stimulation leads are constructed using techniques, such as welding wires and cables on the inside of the electrode, which render them more difficult to manufacture and more expensive.

Implantable peripheral nerve stimulation lead


A framework type building panel, having opposed first and second sides, is formed of a plurality of primary and secondary structural members each of which has a web and a flange providing the member with a T-shaped cross-sectional shape; each member also has a series of transverse notches spaced along its web. The panel includes a first series the primary members which are spaced apart and parallel to each other with their flanges defining the first side of the panel, and a second series of the secondary members which are spaced apart and parallel to each other and extend transversely to the primary members and have their flanges defining the second side of the panel, with the webs of the primary members having their transverse notches of their webs engaging areas of opposed webs of the secondary members. The edges of the panel may also be formed by the primary or secondary members, rotated 90.degree. about their axes, so that their webs extend inwardly and engage the ends of the other panel members. The primary and secondary members are preferably differentiated as to their strength.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to building panels, particularly for the construction of houses. The invention is particularly concerned with a framework or skeleton panel which is formed as a grid of intersecting members, usually of wood-based material. The term "panel" will be used herein to include such a panel framework, and does not imply that this is a finished panel with insulation and/or facing sheets.
2. Prior Art
It is known to construct houses, and other buildings, from panels which are factory made, and which usually contain insulation. Examples of patents showing such panels are as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,032, which issued Jun. 9, 1987 to Reynolds;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,105, which issued Aug. 23, 1988 to Tissington et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,974, which issued Jan. 23, 1990 to Mayhew et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,892, issued Jun. 9, 1987 to Ryther; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,700, issued Apr. 8, 1997 to Wright et al.
Applicant has had considerable experience both with the panels of the last-mentioned '700 patent, of which he is co-inventor, and with those of the Tisssington et al. patent. Both these patents are concerned with factory made panels having a framework made of wood members, and insulated with rigid foam insulation injected between the wood members in the factory. In the last-mentioned patent, dimensional lumber is used to provide strength, while in the Tissington et al patent it is preferred to use board such as oriented strand board (OSB). OSB is cheaper than standard dimensional lumber and is more resistant to warping. These panels have been used to construct over one thousand buildings of many different types, with great success.
Panels of the type shown in the Tisssington et al. patent and in the '700 patent have great potential in export markets, since buildings can be erected with these panels using largely unskilled labor. However, it has become apparent that a serious drawback of these and similar panels, i.e panels fully assembled and insulated in the factory, is that the bulkiness of the insulation leads to high shipping costs which are disadvantageous for export markets. The shipping costs could be much reduced if it were possible to ship a kit of structural members which could easily be assembled into a panel on site, without the need to ship the insulation.
The present invention accordingly is concerned with a panel in the form of a framework which can be shipped in disassembled form, without any insulation. The basic structural members of the panel occupy about one-fifth of the volume occupied by a fully assembled and insulated, factory produced panel. The structural members of the panel can easily be assembled on site by unskilled workers to form a rigid panel framework. Insulation, and facing sheets for example of plywood, OSB, and many other materials, can be added in accordance with local requirements and availability.
The present invention makes use of novel structural members which can easily be put together to form a grid. Panels formed as grids of crossing, interlocking members, are not new per se, and the Mayhew and Ryther patents, as well as the '700 patent aforesaid, show such panels. However, the prior art panels have various drawbacks.
One drawback of many of the prior art designs is that the grid forming members, as for example in Mayhew et al. and Ryther, are too thin for their edges to reliably receive nails for the facing sheets.
Another drawback has been the need to use structural members additional to those of the basic panel itself. Firstly, such panels have generally needed some kind of rails or studs or side pieces to improve the appearance of any exposed edges of the panels, which otherwise show the ends of the lateral members. Such rails or studs are shown for example at 240 in FIG. 2 of Mayhew, and as 28 in FIG. 1 of Ryther. Secondly, the grid forming members in many cases have not been stiff enough to be used exclusively to form the panel; in Mayhew et al. the members 240 are in the nature of studs which add strength and stiffness. Accordingly, these prior constructions all require the use of members other than the basic grid forming members to complete the panel framework.
One special feature of this invention is that a panel framework can be entirely formed from a plurality of structural members of novel design, which can be all identical or can be of only two different designs. These basic members are used not only for the horizontal and vertical members of the panel grid, but also form its four edges, i.e. the side edges and end (e.g. top and bottom) edges of the panel, where they provide smooth relatively uninterrupted edge surfaces, while producing a panel of good strength and rigidity. The panel also has adequate nail receiving surfaces on both sides, even when formed of relatively thin material such as 3/4 inch thick OSB. Insulation and facing sheets can be added after assembly.
Furthermore, the novel structural members can also be used to produce beams and joists needed for building a house, and also floor panels which need higher strength than the basic wall panels. In fact it is possible to construct houses almost entirely from panels, joists and other parts produced from these one or two types of structural member, along with facing sheets, and insulation if required, which can be obtained locally. This avoids the need to organise shipments of the many different structural members usually needed to make a house, and avoids problems which frequently occur if there is a shortage or breakage of one or two structural members of a specialized design.

Grid-like building panel framework and members for making such panel framework


An apparatus for interrogating a subsurface material includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth, an array of acoustic transducers disposed on the carrier and configured to be compensated for ambient pressure in the borehole, and electronics coupled to the array and configured to operate the array to interrogate the subsurface material. Each acoustic transducer in the array includes a substrate, a bottom electrode disposed on the substrate, a top electrode disposed above the bottom electrode, an insulation layer disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode and defining a cavity into which the top electrode may deflect, and a pressure compensating fluid disposed in the cavity and in pressure communication with ambient pressure of the array.

Earth formations may be used for various purposes such as hydrocarbon production, geothermal production, and carbon dioxide sequestration. In order to efficiently use an earth formation, the formation is characterized by performing measurements of many different properties using one or more tools conveyed through a borehole penetrating the formation. One category of tools is acoustic tools that use sound waves to perform various measurements such as imaging a wall of the borehole or measuring rugosity of the borehole. An acoustic tool includes one or more acoustic transducers that convert electrical energy into sound wave energy to transmit an acoustic signal or convert sound wave energy into electrical energy to receive an acoustic signal. Some transducers may be used to both transmit and receive an acoustic signal.
One type of acoustic transducer is based on piezoelectric material technology. Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages to using piezoelectric transducers downhole. Due to the characteristics of piezoelectric materials, piezoelectric transducers require a large size in comparison to the space available in a tool sized to fit in a borehole that is typically inches in diameter. Consequently, the number of piezoelectric transducers that may be used in a tool may be constrained leading to lower accuracy or resolution than if more transducers were used in the tool. Another disadvantage to using piezoelectric transducers downhole, where temperatures can be as high as 300° C., is that piezoelectric materials start to depole at temperatures above 150° C. and their performance is degraded significantly during extended operation at high temperatures. Hence, it would be well received in the drilling industry if smaller acoustic transducers that could operate at high downhole temperatures would be developed.

Pressure compensated capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer for downhole applications


In a fixing device thermally fixing toner images on recording sheets of various sizes, (i) a conductive heat generating rotational body configured to heat toner images, (ii) an excitation coil positioned along a part of an outer circumferential surface of the heat generating rotational body and configured to generate a magnetic flux to heat the heat generating rotational body by electromagnetic induction, and (iii) a demagnetization coil positioned close to the excitation coil so as to cover a part of the excitation coil and configured to cancel, when a toner image is being fixed on a smaller-sized recording sheet, a part of the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil so that overheating is prevented in a non sheet-passing region, are provided. The demagnetization coil has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the excitation coil in an axis direction of the coils.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic induction-heating type fixing device and an image forming apparatus including such a fixing device, and in particular to a technology for improving a speed for fixing toner images on recording sheets of a small size (hereinafter, referred to as "small-sized recording sheets") in a fixing device that fixes toner images on recording sheets of various sizes.
(2) Related Art
In recent years, in the field of an image forming apparatus, saving of energy has been increasingly required as a part of global warming countermeasures, and accordingly, an induction-heating type fixing device that realizes high energy efficiency has been attracting attention.
An induction-heating type fixing device passes recording sheets through a fixing nip portion that is formed by a heating roller heated by induction heating and a pressurizing roller pressed against the heating roller so as to fuse and fix toner images thereon, for example.
In the fixing device that fixes toner images on recording sheets of various sizes, not only an excitation coil but also a demagnetization coil is used. The excitation coil heats the heating roller by induction heating over a width of the maximum sheet-passing region of the fixing device. The demagnetization coil prevents overheating of a part of a fixing roller in a region where, while small-sized recording sheets are passing through in the sheet-passing region, these sheets do not pass through (hereinafter, referred to as "non sheet-passing region").
FIG. 9 is an appearance perspective view showing an excitation coil and demagnetization coils pertaining to a conventional art. As FIG. 9 shows, demagnetization coils 901 are provided at positions corresponding to non sheet-passing regions that are aligned with both ends of fed small-sized recording sheets in a width direction thereof.
When small-sized recording sheets are passed through, a circuit of the fixing device for applying current is closed and accordingly current inducted by a magnetic flux generated by an excitation coil 902 flows through the demagnetization coils 901. This causes the demagnetization coils 901 to generate a reversed polarity magnetic flux, which cancels the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil 902. On the other hand, when recording sheets of a large size are passed through, the circuit is opened and accordingly demagnetization is stopped.
An image forming apparatus has been always required to improve a printing speed. It is thus necessary to increase a process speed (hereinafter, referred to as "fixing speed") of a fixing device, that is, the number of recording sheets on which fixing is performed in units of time. In order to improve the fixing speed, more heat is naturally required, and accordingly output of an excitation coil is required to be increased.
However, there is a problem that, if output of the excitation coil is increased, overheating of a heating roller in the non sheet-passing region becomes too extreme for practical use. FIG. 10 shows a temperature of the non sheet-passing region when recording sheets of an A6T size (105 [mm]×148.5 [mm]) are passed through in an image forming apparatus that can fix recording sheets of up to an A3 size. A horizontal axis of FIG. 10 represents a position (distance from the center of a sheet-passing region) in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the recording sheets pass through, and a longitudinal axis of FIG. 10 represents a temperature of a fixing roller. Besides, a solid line 2101 and a dashed line 2102 indicate temperature distributions in the cases where speeds of passing through the recording sheets are 75 [ppm] and 65 [ppm], respectively. Note that ppm (papers per minute) represents the number of recording sheets that are passed for one minute.
As FIG. 10 shows, in the sheet-passing region, the fixing roller is deprived of heat by the recording sheets and heated by an excitation coil by electromagnetic induction at the same time, and accordingly a fixing temperature of the sheet-passing region remains at an appropriate temperature. On the other hand, since the recording sheets do not perform cooling of the fixing roller in the non sheet-passing region, a temperature of the fixing roller in the non sheet-passing region becomes higher than in the sheet-passing region.
Also, as the dashed line 2102 shows, when the speed of passing through the recording sheets is 65 [ppm], the highest temperature does not exceed 240° C., which is a general heat resistant temperature of silicone rubber. However, as the solid line graph 2101 shows, when the speed is increased to 75 [ppm], it turns out that the temperature exceeds 240° C. in some positions.

Fixing device and image forming apparatus

KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.