Backup power systems and methods of operation thereof. In one embodiment, a backup power system constructed according to the present invention includes: (1) an enclosure, (2) an engine, having an air inlet, located within the enclosure, (3) an alternator, coupled to and driven by the engine, that converts mechanical power derived from the engine into AC electrical power and (4) a baffle, located within the enclosure and about a portion of the engine to block direct fluid communication from within the alternator to within the engine, that guides cooling air received into the enclosure sequentially through the alternator to cool the alternator, around the baffle and the engine, through the air inlet and into the engine to cool the engine and through an outlet port of the baffle, the baffle thereby establishing a serial path within the enclosure for the cooling air.

For many applications, such as telecommunications services, a reliable source of back-up power is critical. A back-up power system may employ an engine-driven alternator to generate electrical power. A combustion engine is used to drive an alternator which produces an AC voltage; the AC voltage may then be rectified to produce a DC voltage. An engine-driven alternator may come online whenever a commercial source of power is disrupted or, alternatively, the engine-driven alternator may be used to charge a battery plant, the battery plant providing a source of electrical power during interruptions in commercial power service.
Many back-up power systems must be placed in harsh environments, such as outdoor locations. In warm and/or arid climates, outdoor locations present the problem of adequate dissipation of heat generated by engine-driven alternators. To ensure system reliability, engine-driven alternators must not be allowed to overheat; thus, enclosures for containing such systems must provide sufficient airflow not only to cool the engine, but also to meet the fuel-mixture demands of the engine and carry exhaust gases out of the enclosure.
Back-up power systems employing engine-driven alternators must sometimes be placed in locations where persons other than trained service personnel may come into contact with them. Thus, such systems must not subject unsuspecting persons to any undue hazards. A conventional enclosure for an engine-driven alternator is constructed as a single-walled metal box; the box includes inlets for drawing ambient air into the enclosure and outlets for expelling exhaust gases. It has been observed, however, that single-walled enclosures may exhibit very-high surface temperatures due to stagnant air trapped within the enclosure; the stagnant air results in internal heat build-up that is transferred to the outer enclosure walls. Thus, although such conventional enclosures may be suitable for some applications, the enclosures do not adequately protect against excessive surface temperatures that may cause injury to unsuspecting persons.
In addition, back-up power systems employing engine-driven alternators are not always placed in remote locations, but may be placed near residences or work areas. Thus, such systems should not be obtrusive or a source of annoyance; for example, such systems should not create excessive noise. Unfortunately, engine-driven alternators inherently generate acoustic noise. To suppress the inherent noise, an enclosure must provide for noise isolation. It has been observed, however, that conventional single-walled enclosures do not adequately attenuate the inherent noise generated by engine-driven alternators.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a backup power system, employing an engine-driven alternator, that provides improved cooling airflow and which reduces the temperature of external enclosure surfaces and acoustic noise levels.

Backup power system having improved cooling airflow and method of operation thereof


A thrust reverser includes a slider movable along an actuator shaft. An inner linkage is mounted to the slider and the inner thrust reverser door and an outer linkage is mounted to the slider and the outer thrust reverser door.

The present disclosure relates to a gas turbine engine, and more particularly to a turbofan engine thrust reverser.
Gas turbine engines may include a thrust reverser to redirect engine thrust to reduce landing distance. Thrust reversers are typically articulated doors in a nacelle structure that deploy into a position that obstructs and redirects engine thrust. Clamshell thrust reversers use shells which close together to capture and redirect core engine exhaust. Cascade thrust reversers use translatable sleeves around a bypass duct. When the translatable sleeves move rearward upon deployment, blocking doors hinge radially inwardly to block the bypass duct and redirect bypass airflow through cascade arrays which redirect the bypass flow.

Thrust reverser for a gas turbine engine with moveable doors


Various techniques for detecting are described herein. In one example, a method includes detecting a position of a computing device and selecting a plurality of microphones to detect audio data based on the position of the computing device. The method can also include calculating location data corresponding to the audio data, the location data indicating the location of a user and modifying a far field gain value based on the location data.

Field
This disclosure relates generally to audio detection, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to detecting audio data in a computing device.
Description
Many computing devices include an increasing number of hardware components that can collect information related to the operating environment of a computing device. For example, some computing devices include sensors that can collect sensor data that indicates a location or orientation of a computing device. In some examples, the sensor data can be used to modify the execution of applications. For example, the sensor data may be used to modify the execution of an application based on the location of the computing device or the orientation of a computing device. In some embodiments, the sensor data can include audio data detected by microphones or any suitable audio sensor.

Audio data detection with a computing device


A magnetic-tape recording/reproducing arrangement of the "helical scan" type adapted to record and/or reproduce a digitally coded video signal, includes a coding device (3). In the recording mode, the coding device (3) performs channel-encoding upon a digital recording signal (C) so as to form a channel signal (D) for recording on the magnetic tape (7.1). In the reproduction mode, the coding device (3) performs channel-decoding upon the channel signal (H) read from the magnetic tape (7.1), so that a digital reproduction signal is formed which is a replica of the original recording signal (C). For this purpose, the coding device (3) includes a data sequence generator (3.3) adapted to generate a data sequence (E) defined by the polynomial P(X)=X.sup.15 +X.sup.A +1, where A=7 or 8. Furthermore, the coding device (3) may include an XOR circuit (3.2) in which the signal (C, H) to be processed is combined with the generated data sequence (E), and a selection circuit (3.1) for selecting the signal to be processed (C, H) from the recording signal (C) and the channel signal (H), in dependence upon the mode of operation of the recording/reproducing arrangement.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a magnetic-tape recording/reproducing arrangement of the "helical scan" type adapted to record and/or reproduce a digitally coded video signal, the arrangement comprising a coding device adapted to perform channel-encoding upon a digital recording signal in order to form a channel signal for recording on the magnetic tape and/or to perform channel-decoding upon a channel signal read from the magnetic tape in order to form a digital reproduction signal. The invention further relates to a magnetic tape on which a signal has been recorded in helical tracks, and to a method of recording a digitally coded video signal in helical tracks on a magnetic tape by channel encoding a digital recording signal in order to form a channel signal for recording on the magnetic tape.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a magnetic-tape recording/reproducing arrangement is known inter alia from European Patent Specification No. 0 476 767, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,421 (PHN 13537). The known arrangement includes a coding device which converts n-bit words of the recording signal into (n+m)-bit words of the channel signal for recording on the magnetic tape. This is referred to as NRZ-I recording. More specifically, a 24-to-25 bit conversion is described, in which one bit is affixed to each 24-bit word in order to adjust the running digital sum value of the channel signal as a function of time.

Magnetic-tape recording/reproducing arrangement comprising a coding device


The invention discloses a flat-plate lens to be built in an optical recording medium for improving the image-forming characteristics of the recording medium. The flat-plate lens of the invention comprises a layered thin film having a periodical structure in the direction of thickness thereof corresponding to a wavelength slightly longer than the wavelength of the light used for recording and retrieving information into and from the recording medium. The thin film of a periodical structure is formed by alternate lamination of pluralities of layers two materials having different refractive indices such as a combination of MgF2 and ZnS. When the thin film having such a periodical structure is formed with good uniformity allover the surface, the image-forming performance on the recording layer can be uniform irrespective of the position on the flat-plate lens.

The present invention relates to a flat-plate lens suitable for use within an optical path from a light source to the recording layer or from the recording layer to an optical detector for conducting recording of information or retrieving of the recorded information by utilizing optical means. The flat-plate lens exhibits uniformly imaging performance at any position on the lens body so as to provide a high-density optical recording method and a high-density optical recording medium by utilizing the method.
In recent years, optical recording media are highlighted as a recording medium to play an indispensable role among various recording media in the information-predominant society by virtue of their excellent performance for recording and retrieving information in a high density at a high velocity. Several types of optical recording media are already under practical applications with a high recording density including DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW and others.
In the optical recording of information, the density of information recording and retrieving is limited by the critical diffraction determined depending on the wavelength of the light used. As a technology for overcoming this problem of limitation, an optical recording method by utilizing near-field light has recently come to be highlighted. Existence of the near-field light, however, is limited to the very proximity apart by several tens of nanometers from the generation source of the near-field light with rapidly decreasing intensity as the distance from the source is increased. This matter is the largest limiting factor in the technology of optical recording by utilizing the near-field light.
A proposal is made for a so-called Super-RENS (Super Resolution Near-field Structure) with a near-field light source built in the optical recording medium enabling high-density information recording with recording marks having a diameter as small as 60 nm or even smaller. See, for example, Japanese Patent Kokai 11-250493 and Applied Physics Letters, volume 73, page 2078 (1998). A problem in this Super-RENS is that the information recording layer is adversely affected by the heat generated in the near-field light generating source even though the recording layer is isolated from the near-field light source with intervention of a protecting layer.
As a solution for this problem, a so-called perfect lens is proposed by using a material having a refractive index of −1 as a means for obtaining an image of the near-field light source. See, for example, Physical Review Letters, volume 85, page 3966 (2000). It is, however, practically a difficult matter to conduct optical recording by using such a very special material having a refractive index of −1 or a negative value.
Besides, a study is now under the way for the solution of the above problem in which a hologram recording is made of the near-field light source and the reconstructed image thereof is utilized for optical information recording. See Optics Letters, volume 26, page 1800 (2001). There would still be a very long way, however, before the study has reached a stage for practical application of the method in an actual optical recording system.
As described above, it is the present status of the optical information recording technology that no lens systems are available for obtaining optical imaging in a diameter of the image not exceeding 100 nm.

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology


In a recording apparatus including an inversion unit for inverting a recording sheet recorded on a side in a recording unit by conveying along a predetermined path and returning the recording sheet to the recording unit, the possibility of peeling of recording material from the recorded surface or re-deposition of the recording material onto the recording sheet can be reduced. The recording sheet subjected to recording on a side in the recording unit having a recording head is conveyed to the inversion unit, which includes, at a recorded side of the recording sheet, two both-side rollers which are driven and are formed of an elastic material, and, at a non-recorded side, two both-side pinch rollers which are formed of a non-elastic material. The inversion unit conveys the recording sheet along a turnaround path with the recorded side inside, thereby inverting and returning the recording sheet to the recording unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a both-side recording apparatus capable of automatic both-side recording on a recording sheet, and particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording with an ink jet process. The present invention relates particularly to an arrangement of a conveying roller and a configuration in a front-back side inversion apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
For automatic both-side recording in an ink jet recording apparatus, several methods have been commercialized or proposed. In these methods, after recording on a front side (top side) of a recording sheet, the conveying direction thereof is reversed to feed the recording sheet into a front-back side inverting apparatus, and, after an inverting operation, the recording sheet is conveyed again by the same sheet conveying unit as in the recording operation on the front side to execute recording on the back side of the recording sheet by the same recording unit.
Among these methods, U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,068 discloses an invention in which the front-back side inverting apparatus is provided with two drive rollers whereby the conveying direction of the recording sheet is inverted by 180° along a conveying path. In the prior apparatus of such configuration, the recording sheet is conveyed with a recorded surface outside in the front-back side inversion apparatus. Also a configuration of inverting the conveying direction of the recording sheet by 180° by a main drive roller and an auxiliary drive roller is known, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-59598. Also in the apparatus of such configuration, as in the aforementioned example, the recording sheet is conveyed with a recorded surface outside in the front-back side inversion apparatus.
However, these prior examples have been associated with certain limitations.
More specifically, there is considered generation of an axial loss by a certain reason between a supporting axis of an idler roller and the idler roller in the front-back side inversion apparatus, and, in case such torque becomes unnegligible in comparison with the torque of a frictional force which the idler roller receives from the recording sheet, the idler roller may cause a defective rotation. In such case, in the prior technology in which the drive roller is in contact with a non-recorded surface of the recording sheet and the idler roller is in contact with the recorded surface of the recording sheet, a defective rotation of the idler roller may cause a friction or scrape between the idler roller and the recorded surface of the recording sheet thereby causing a detrimental influence on the recorded result such as a partial peeling of a recording material (or recording agent) if the recorded recording material is not completely fixed.
Also as the non-recorded surface of the recording sheet is contacted with an elastic member while the recorded surface of the recording sheet is contacted with a non-elastic member, the surface of the roller contacting the recorded surface is often a smooth surface of a low friction coefficient. For this reason, in case the recording material remains on the roller contacting the recorded surface, for example it is peeled and remains on the idler roller as explained before, it involves a risk of re-deposition in another portion of the recording sheet thereby resulting in a fear of deteriorating the recorded result.
Also in case of conveying with the recorded surface outside as in the prior technology, a roller contacting the recorded surface of the recording sheet has a relatively smaller diameter, whereby a given portion on the circumference of the roller has a higher frequency of contacting the recorded portion, whereby a possibility that the recording material peeled as explained before is accumulated on the roller and is re-deposited onto the recording sheet is elevated.


A combined teething ring and pacifier may include a support member with a pacifier section and a teething ring section extending from the posterior and anterior sides thereof respectively. The teething ring may be removably coupled to the support member such that it may be removed therefrom while the pacifier remains situated inside the infant oral cavity. Multiple teething rings may be available to interchange with a single support member and pacifier. Further, the support member may include an automatic reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the teething ring along an arcuate direction as the infant inhales air into the pacifier. The mechanism preferably includes an actuator that rotates inside an ambient-air diverting chamber as the infant breaths. With each rotation, the actuator contacts a trigger attached to the teething ring. The trigger may reciprocate along a linear path, thus urging the teething ring along the arcuate direction.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to pacifiers and, more particularly, to a combined teething ring and pacifier for providing user enjoyment during extended periods of time.
2. Prior Art
Baby soothers, and particularly pacifiers, have been in common use for many years. It is well known that pacifiers provide the most comfort to accommodate irritable infants. As a result, pacifiers are typically made of both soft and hard rubber and any other material which combines elasticity and resiliency to provide a surface best suited to relieve the discomfort of teething and to satisfy the infant's desire to suckle. Sometimes, however, infants prefer chewing or teething a much harder surface than that of a pacifier, which typically requires the use of an additional apparatus. With multiple objects, there is a tendency for parents, and infants, to become frustrated when one or the other becomes misplaced or completely lost.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,117 to Herbst discloses a combination teether and pacifier in the form of a thin walled, flexible body having nipple, guard, and teething portions which are hollow and in communicating relation to each other. Unfortunately, this prior art reference fails to disclose a movable exterior portion that the child may play with for personal amusement.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,871 to Hansen discloses a pacifier shaped teether with an internal bladder filled with food grade propylene glycol which can be brought to freezing temperatures while maintaining its liquid nature. There is a hollow portion in the mouth guard of the pacifier which is connected to a hemispherical chamber allowing room for expansion of the bladder into the chamber as the nipple is being sucked. One or more pacifier shaped teethers may be stored in a portable, insulated, gel ice filled storage container thereby keeping the pacifiers cold for several hours. Unfortunately, this prior art reference does not provide a teething unit in a variety of unique shapes, not only allow a baby to ease the pain from cutting teeth, but also to provide the baby with amusement.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,507 to Hinshaw discloses a teething pacifier comprising a pacifier guard having two opposing sides, a nipple extending outwardly from one side of the pacifier guard and a handle associated with the opposite side of the pacifier guard. The handle includes a first teething material and a second teething material having a substantially similar hardness as that of the first teething material. The second teething material is molded over the first teething material to create a varied teething surface on the handle for infant teething thereon. The first teething material may further include an over mold enhancing surface such as a keyway extending around the handle, at least one flat face extending around the handle and/or at least one recess extending around the circumference of the handle at select points on the handle. Unfortunately, this prior art reference also does not provide interchangeable parts, and a baby is likely to lose interest after a short period of time, resulting in the parent having to buy multiple units.
Accordingly, a need remains for a combined teething ring and pacifier in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing an apparatus that is convenient and easy to use, is durable yet lightweight in design, is versatile in its applications, and provides user enjoyment during extended periods of time.

Combined teething ring and pacifier and associated method


A method and apparatus for correcting direct current (DC) offset errors of a received signal in a direct conversion receiver (DCR) are provided. DC offset correction algorithms are incorporated into the DCR, each algorithm being optimized for a particular receive signal operating environment. The DC offset correction algorithms remove DC offset errors in baseband In-phase and Quadrature-phase signals received within the direct conversion receiver baseband signal path. Individual DC offset correction algorithms are selected for use as determined by a signal quality estimator component. A DC offset correction component of the direct conversion receiver determines an appropriate DC offset correction algorithm suited for a particular operating environment. A criterion for a signal quality estimate is set to control transitioning between DCOC algorithms. A dual threshold strategy may be adopted to transition between one DC offset correction algorithm and another DC offset correction algorithm to provide hysteresis.

For many years, communication systems have employed direct conversion receivers to process received Radio Frequency (RF) signals. RF signals received by a direct conversion receiver are often converted into an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component. As is well known in the art, the direct conversion receiver converts the incoming signal to baseband by mixing it with a Local Oscillator (LO) signal having a frequency that is approximately equal to the carrier frequency of the desired on channel signal.
When the received signal is converted into its constituent baseband I/Q components, I/Q mismatch and intrinsic LO self-mixing may introduce a DC offset error. In direct conversion receiver systems, information modulated onto a received RF signal that is equal in frequency to the LO signal is mixed down to DC voltage within the baseband intermediate frequency (IF) signals. This modulated information, in turn, may be corrupted by intrinsic baseband DC offset errors inherent in stages constituent to the analog baseband signal path including the down conversion mixer, post mixer filtering and gain stages. These errors degrade signal quality. For instance, reverse-transmission paths may occur in a direct conversion receiver that may allow LO energy to couple into the mixer's RF input signal path. As a result, the LO energy at the RF input signal path may self-mix with the LO injected into the mixer and create DC offset errors proportional to the LO coupling into the RF path, thereby affecting signal reception. Thus, detection and correction of DC offset errors is important to improved signal reception.
Various approaches have been attempted to try to avoid distortion of modulated information within direct conversion receiver systems. These conventional approaches generally include using transmit modulation schemes that limit the information proximate to the local oscillator signal, compensating the DC offset error while attempting to maintain the desired baseband DC information using a protocol specific algorithm, or filtering out undesired harmonic distortion artifacts after the received signal is demodulated that may have resulted from inadvertent removal of the desired modulated information during compensation of the undesired DC offset errors within IF signals. Many of these conventional approaches however focus on DC offset correction strategies that are optimized to a specific application or protocol. Often though, signal conditions may change in an operating environment. While a single approach to address DC offset errors may achieve acceptable performance under certain conditions, no single DC offset correction strategy can provide optimal performance for all operating conditions encountered in a portable transceiver. Accordingly, there is a need for improved DC offset error correction under changing signal conditions and circuit operating environments.

Method and apparatus for removing DC offset in a direct conversion receiver


Towing apparatuses suited for use with, for example, three-point hitches or quick hitches. At least some of the present towing apparatuses include a male hitch member that is positioned such that a force acting through the male hitch member (such as a force transmitted to the male hitch member through the female hitch member of the structure being towed) does not cause the particular towing apparatus to rotate about an axis along which the towing apparatus is pivotally coupled to a towing vehicle (such as through a three-point hitch or a quick hitch).

1. Field
The present towing apparatuses can be used to tow a variety of structures, including farm implements. Embodiments of the present towing apparatuses are well-suited to being pivotally connected to a three-point hitch (or to a quick hitch that is connected to a three-point hitch) of a tractor.
2. Description of Related Art
Tractors are used to pull a variety of different structures. Most are equipped with a three-point hitch in the rear, which is a mechanism that has two hydraulically operated arms that are spaced laterally from each other (sometimes referred to as "lift arms" or "hitch lifting arms"), and a third arm (sometimes referred to as the "top link") positioned above the other two. Structures to be trailered can be connected to 2 or more of the three arms either directly or through a towing apparatus of some kind. Alternatively, devices known in the art as "quick hitches" (e.g., element 40 in FIG. 13) can first be connected to the three-point hitch, and then the structure to be trailered (such as a farm implement) can be connected to the quick hitch through a towing apparatus.
One towing apparatus that can be connected directly to a three-point hitch or to a quick hitch that is connected to a three-point hitch is a straight bar (known in the art as a "drawbar"). Certain horizontal drawbars have a pin at each end, which makes the horizontal drawbar pivotally connectable to the lift arms of a three-point hitch or the two lower linkages of a quick hitch. A towing ball or any other suitable hitching structure (e.g., a clevis) can be connected to such horizontal drawbars.
Horizontal drawbars must be stabilized to keep them from rotating. An inverted V-shaped brace has been pinned to the horizontal drawbar and looped over the top link or hook of a quick hitch to achieve such stabilization. A device referred to in the art as a "drawbar lock" has also been connected to at least one of the lift arms of a three-point hitch and threaded over the horizontal drawbar for the same purpose.


The embodiments presented herein present a single needle core biopsy instrument and modification required that convert the single needle core biopsy instrument to a dual needle core biopsy instrument. Depending on the design, the dual needle core biopsy instrument permits the simultaneous extraction of tissue or bone specimens taken at between 0.1 mm and 3 mm apart.

The era of Molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine is now upon us and it will continue to rapidly grow into the next decade. Novel techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of Cancer and other diseases are evolving in an exponential basis as the genetic code of disease is dissected from tissue and blood samples.
As more and more molecular markers are discovered, we are able to subdivide all cancer types into different genetic subtypes. We are discovering that many morphologically identical tumors responded differently to the same treatment regimens. When many of these tumors are compared genetically, there are sometimes specific differences that would predict which patients would respond well to a particular treatment while also predicting which patients will not respond. Treatments destined to fail impart increased morbidity, unnecessary side effects, and leave the patient more compromised and still in need of an alternate treatment protocol. Ineffective treatment also wastes both medical resources and dollars. By identifying the genetic subtypes of many cancers, patients can be treated with the most appropriate protocols.
The realization of personalized medicine is upon us as more and more cancers can be classified on their genetic signatures. These subtypes can be targeted with tailored treatments that more effectively can combat the cancer and significantly reduce the overall side effects.
There are many techniques that can test for the different genetic subtypes of cancers and the most reliable material to use in many tests is an actual sample of fresh tumor. Needle core biopsies are usually the first choice in acquiring tissue for diagnosis. They are minimally invasive, require little if any recovery time, and provide diagnostic tissue for pathologic evaluation. Core biopsies are small and needed for pathologic diagnosis. If additional core biopsies are available for molecular studies, there is no guarantee that each individual core will have diagnostic tissue present. This presents the possibility of false negative molecular results.
Genetic subtypes of tumors can be best evaluated with tissue samples. Needle core biopsies are suitable for these tests, however, without microscopic confirmation, it is impossible to guarantee that the sample taken for genetic testing adequately represents the tumor being biopsied. Multiple core biopsies could be taken from a tumor, but there can often be some variation in the location sampled. Some cores may or may not have any tumor. It would be preferable that the tissue being sent for molecular testing was confirmed (microscopically) to truly have tumor cells present.


A method and system for injecting charge includes providing a first material on a second material and injecting charge into the first material to trap charge at an interface between the first and second materials. The thickness of the first material is greater than a penetration depth of the injected charge in the first material.

Recently, a new class of Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices have been disclosed that utilize embedded electronic charge as a means for actuation or self-generating sensors, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 6,597,560; 6,638,627; 6,688,179; 6,717,488; 6,750,590; and 6,773,488 and in US Patent Application Publication Nos.: 2002/0131228; 2002/0182091; 2003/0079543; 2003/0201784; and 2004/0023236 by way of example. Typically, charge is injected into the interface of dissimilar insulating materials by high electric field injection. Electrons "e-" are caused to tunnel into the conduction band of a material, such as silicon dioxide, from a silicon substrate via a high-applied electric field. The electrons "e-" become trapped at electronic trap sites at a composite insulator interface, such as an interface between silicon dioxide and silicon nitride. The charge remains trapped for an extremely long period of time and is therefore useful as MEMS enabling technology.
Embedded electronic charge is also useful for other macroscopic applications, such as, but not limited to, harvesting energy from the environment. These macroscopic structures include windmills that can convert the energy of wind into electrical power. However, for macroscopic structures it is impractical to embed electronic charge by tunneling into the conduction band of one member of insulating composite large structures. Typically, a suitable injecting interface, such as silicon to silicon dioxide, is not available.
One technique that has been investigated is to expose the structure to a beam of energetic particles such as an electron beam. With this technique, electrons "e-" impinge upon a surface of a composite insulating structure with sufficient energy to enter the system. These electrons "e-" are then trapped at trap sites at a dissimilar insulator interface.
Unfortunately, there is significant difficulty with this ballistic electron injection process. It is important that the energy of the arriving electrons "e-" be either below or above the range of energies where secondary electron yield is greater than unity. If the energy is within the range of greater than unity, a net positive charge can significantly affect the result. For example, positive charge within the outermost insulator layer, but close to the embedded electron charge will tend to empty the traps via internal high field, thus neutralizing the effective trapped charge. Furthermore, the simple presence of opposite sign charge in the vicinity of the trapped charge will tend to neutralize the effectiveness of the trapped charge.
Referring to FIG. 1, a graph of a secondary electron yield of silicon dioxide as a function of electron energy is shown. The data in the graph shows that the secondary electron yield is greater than unity from about 30 eV to approximately 3,800 eV. It is obvious any accelerating potential less than 30 eV does not have sufficient energy to substantially enter the system. Therefore, one must use energies greater than about 3,800 eV.
It is also desirable to create a system where the charge is as close to the surface as possible. As a result, the thickness of the outermost layer must be thin. However, as described above, the accelerating potential must be kept above the critical value of about 3,800 eV. With a thin outermost layer and the accelerating potential above about 3,800 eV, the penetration of the electrons "e-" may be too great.
Referring to FIG. 2, a graph of a Monte Carlo simulation of electron penetration into a composite 10 of a layer of silicon dioxide 12 on a layer of silicon nitride 14 on a layer of silicon dioxide 16 that is on a substrate 18 of silicon is illustrated. The layer of silicon dioxide 12, the layer of silicon nitride 14, and the layer of silicon dioxide 16 each have a thickness of about 100 nm. The thickness of the outermost layer of silicon dioxide 12 is chosen so that the average penetration depth of the arriving electrons "e-" is at the interface between the outermost layer of silicon dioxide 12 and the layer of silicon nitride 14. Unfortunately, this ballistic charge injection technique has not been shown to be effective.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics before and after the ballistic injection into the composite 10 are shown. The tests were performed on the composite 10 of a layer of silicon dioxide 12 on a layer of silicon nitride 14 on a layer of silicon dioxide 16 with the substrate 18 of n-type silicon with a liquid InGa top electrode. The ballistic injection parameters were 3 KeV, 100 sec., and 3,000 μC/cm2 dose.
As the graphs in FIGS. 3A and 3B show, there is severe degradation in the post-injection characteristics of the composite 10. This is presumed to be due to morphological changes creating defects. These defects apparently have a wide energy distribution and significant dipole moment. Investigations have determined poor retention time of charge for these test structures. Furthermore, the maximum-trapped charge density for these investigations is much less than that achieved using high field tunneling. Since the accelerating potential was in the range of secondary electron yield greater than unity, a slight negative shift is observed indicating the presence of positive charge.

Method for non-damaging charge injection and system thereof


Provided are a WLCSP of an image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. The WLCSP includes a wafer, support members, glass, and metal bumps. The wafer has an image sensor and a pair of pads disposed thereon, a portion of the bottom surface of the image sensor being exposed outward from the both ends of the wafer. The support members are disposed on the pads to support the both bottom sides of the glass, the support members being formed to a predetermined thickness to provide a space for forming an air cavity. The glass is safely seated on the support members such that the air cavity is formed on the wafer. The metal bumps are disposed on the both sides of the wafer corresponding to the pads such that the bottom surfaces of the metal bumps protrude beyond the bottom surface of the wafer and form conductive lines electrically connected to the pads. Therefore, the package can be directly attached to a camera module even without using a separate PCB or ceramic substrate. Accordingly, the module assembly space can be reduced to miniaturize the product. Also, the substrate manufacturing costs can be reduced to lower the unit price of the product.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wafer-level chip-scale package of an image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. In the method, a glass is attached in a wafer level stage such that metal bumps are formed as external connection terminals. After the wafer is thinned, long via holes are formed by dry etching and are filled with metal. Therefore, conventional solder balls can be omitted. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the manufacturing process, enhance the mass-production capability and minimize the defects due to foreign substances.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of the main trends of semiconductor industries is miniaturization of semiconductor devices. The demand for the miniaturization is stronger in a semiconductor chip package industry. The package is formed by sealing an integrated circuit (IC) chip using plastic or ceramic resin so that the IC chip can be installed in an actual electronic device.
A conventional typical package is much large than an IC chip installed therein. Accordingly, package engineers have attempted to reduce a package size to about a chip size.
Owing to the above attempts, a chip-scale package (CSP) and a wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP) have been recently developed. The chip-scale package is also call "chip-size package". In a conventional package manufacturing method, package assembly is performed on a separate package basis. On the other hand, in the WLCSP method, a plurality of packages are simultaneously assembled and manufactured in a wafer level.
Development of semiconductor IC chips has contributed to development of package technologies, leading to the high-density, high-speed, miniaturization and slimness of the package. The structure of a package device has evolved from a pin insert type or a through hole mount type to a surface mount type, thereby increasing the mount density for a circuit board. Recently, researches are actively conducted on a chip-size package that can reduce a package size to about a chip size while maintaining bare chip characteristics in a package state.
A WLCSP is one of chip-size packages. In the WLCSP, chip pads are rerouted or redistributed on a chip surface and then solder balls are formed. In the WLCSP, a chip or a die is directly mounted on a circuit board by using a flip-chip method, and solder balls formed on the redistributed circuit of the chip are bonded to conductive pads of the circuit board. At this point, solder balls are also formed on the conductive pads and are thus bonded to the solder balls of the package.
Recently, there have been introduced a variety of CSP technologies that can reduce a package size to about a semiconductor chip size. These technologies are rapidly spread thanks to the miniaturization and high-integration of semiconductor devices.
A wafer-level package (WLP) technology is esteemed as the next-generation CSP technology. In the WLP technology, the entire assembly process is completed in a wafer level where chips are not diced. In the WLP technology, a series of assembly processes, such as die bonding, wire bonding, and molding, are completed in a wafer state where a plurality of chips are connected to one another, and then the resulting structure is diced to manufacture the complete products.
Therefore, compared to the CSP technology, the WLP technology can further reduce the total package costs.
In general, solder balls are formed on an active side of a semiconductor chip in the WLCSP. This structure makes it difficult to stack the WLCSP or to apply the WLCSP to manufacture of a sensor package such as a charge coupled device (CCD).
A conventional packaged IC device, which includes an image sensor package manufactured using the WLCSP technology, is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2002-74158. The structure of the conventional packaged IC device will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional crystal substrate device with an internal cavity.
Referring to FIG. 1, a microlens array 100 is formed on the top surface of a crystal substrate 102. A package layer 106, which is generally formed of glass, is hermetically attached onto the bottom surface of the crystal substrate 102 by an epoxy 104. An electrical contact 108 is formed along each edge of the package layer 106. A solder ball bump 110 is formed on the bottom surface of the package layer 106, and a conductive pad 112 is formed on the top surface of the crystal substrate 102. The electrical contact 108 is connected to the solder ball bump 110 and is electrically connected to the conductive pad 112.
A package layer 114, which is generally formed of glass, and an associated spacer member 116 are hermetically attached onto the top of the crystal substrate 102 by an adhesive such as an epoxy 108 such that a cavity 120 is formed between the microlens array 100 and the package layer 114.
The electrical contact 108 is formed, for example by plating, on the slant surfaces of the epoxy 104 and the package layer 106.
Because the conductive pad 112 and the electrical contact 108 face and contact each other, the conventional IC is low in connection reliability. Also, because the conventional IC is manufactured by stacking a plurality of components, the structure thereof becomes complex, and the manufacturing process becomes complicated.
Conventional semiconductor devices with a high-reliability ball grid array (BGA) formed using the SLCSP technology are disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 99/040624, Korean Patent Publication No. 2000-2962, and Korean Patent Publication No. 2002-49940. In the conventional semiconductor devices, a solder bump is formed to have a solder ball electrically connected to a pad electrode. Many processes are required to manufacture the solder ball, and the processes are complex. This degrades the mass-production capability and the production of the devices.
Moreover, the conventional WLCSP should have such a structure that a plurality of solder balls are formed to protrude from the bottom of the WLCSP. Therefore, the side or bottom surface of the package cannot be directly attached onto a separate PCB or ceramic substrate during a hot bar process performed for manufacturing a socket-type camera module, and thus a separate contact must be interposed therebetween for electrical connection of the package.

Wafer-level chip-scale package of image sensor and method of manufacturing the same


A service provider device includes key generation means, which generates a service public key for encrypting data and a secret key, and proxy key generation means, which inputs the service public key and the secret key and generates a proxy key. A data registration device includes encrypted data generation means, which generates encrypted data upon input of the service public key and data, and stores the generated encrypted data in a database. Proxy devices each includes encrypted portion statistical data generation means, which generates encrypted portion statistical data upon input of the proxy key with respect to the encrypted data stored in the database. An integrated data generation device includes encrypted statistical data generation means, which inputs the encrypted portion statistical data from each of the proxy devices, generates encrypted statistical data, and stores the generated encrypted statistical data in an integrated data storage device.

In recent years, the importance of security in cloud services has been widely recognized. A proposed service, for example, stores data encrypted by homomorphic encryption schemes in a database in a cloud network (hereinafter simply referred to as a cloud), performs statistical processing on encrypted data stored in the database without decrypting the encrypted data to generate encrypted data representative of the result of processing, and acquires as needed the encrypted data representative of the processing result to decrypt the encrypted data.
As a technology related to the above service, homomorphic encryption schemes is described, for instance, in Non-Patent Literature 1.

Encrypted statistical processing system, device, method, and program


The present invention relates to a RFID tag antenna with ultra-thin dual-frequency micro strip patch antenna array, the RFID tag antenna comprises an units array (1), a substrate (2) and a substrate base plate (3); the radiation units array (1) is configured to be asymmetrically distributed around a chip; a first radiation unit (5) and a third radiation unit (7) form a low-frequency resonant system of the RFID tag antenna (9), and a second radiation unit (6) and a fourth radiation unit (8) form a high-frequency resonant system of the RFID tag antenna (9), thereby achieving a dual-frequency effect, and enabling the RFID tag antenna of the present disclosure to be compatible with both of the working frequency bands in Europe and in U.S., and thus achieving a dual-frequency-band property.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a non-contact automatic identification technology utilizing radio communication, which includes two main parts, i.e., an electronic tag and a reader. Non-contact data transmission is performed between the tag attached with codes and the reader through an antenna to realize an automatic identification process over a certain distance. In accordance with frequency bands, the current radio frequency identification systems may be divided into low-frequency systems (30˜300 KHz), high-frequency systems (3˜30 MHz) and ultra-high-frequency and microwave systems (300 MHz˜3 GHz or greater than 33 GHz). As a basis for a fast, real-time and accurate information acquisition and processing high tech and standardization of messages, RFID has been known in worldwide as one of top ten most significant technology in this century. Because of the gradually matured standardization of the UHF frequency band in China, and requirements for applications such as logistics, smart transport and digital tourism, the share of UHF frequency band products in the market of the RID industry keeps increasing. RFID tag antennas and reader antennas, as an important communication tool, play significant roles in identification systems. In order to quickly read information on the tag over a long distance, systems with high frequency band attract more attention. Since a RFID tag antenna is the most variable part in a RFID system and the design thereof needs to meet the practical requirements of miniaturization, conformality, low cost and low loss, it is important for the whole RFID system to optimize the design thereof.
At present, bandwidths of RFID tag antennas used in various regions are inconsistent with each other in the high-frequency ranges thereof. For example, a band of 866˜868 MHz is employed in the Europe, and a band of 902˜928 MHz is employed in the United States. When the RFID tag antenna is switched between the different bandwidths in the above different regions, the conventional RFID tag antenna is very difficult to be identified in the regions with different bandwidths due to bandwidth limitations. Moreover, a resonant frequency is lower than 910 MHz according the conventional RFID tag antennas, so that a reading distance is significantly poor. In order to achieve a good identification effect, it is necessary to increase the thickness, the length and the width of the conventional RFID tag antenna, which results that an outline dimension of the RFID tag antenna is increased and costs are increased accordingly.
Therefore, a novel RFID tag antenna with ultra-thin dual-frequency micro strip patch antenna array, which has compatibility and is capable of identification over a long distance, becomes a development direction for production in this field.

RFID tag aerial with ultra-thin dual-frequency micro strip patch aerial array

SHANGHAI YAOCHUAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An insulated wall outlet plate assembly. The assembly provides the dual functions of both preventing drafts through the outlet and for preventing against unwanted or accidental access to the outlet. The wall outlet plate assembly includes a wall plate for covering an electrical outlet, a flap assembly secured to the plate having moveable flaps which may be secured in place to close the openings in the outlet plate and a layer of insulation material secured to the backside of the outlet plate for providing insulation against drafts through the outlet. The flaps include an underlying ridge which secures the flaps in place relative to the openings of the outlet plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a wall outlet plate assembly for use with and for covering an electrical outlet in a home or building. More particularly, the present invention relates to an insulated wall outlet plate assembly which protects against and prevents drafts of air from passing through the wall outlet, as well as unwanted or accidental access to the wall outlet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Wall electrical plates are commonly found throughout homes and buildings. It is well known that electrical outlets can pose as a hazard and danger to small children and/or pets, in particular by children placing fingers or objects into an electrical outlet and risking electrocution. Various devices are available as safety enclosures for preventing such unwanted access to an electrical outlet by children. For example, plastic plugs (also known as "baby plugs") can be inserted into an unused electrical outlet to prevent unwanted access by children. However, such devices are not without inherent disadvantages, as discussed below.
One shortcoming in the prior art is that not all outlets are uniform. Many outlets, especially in older homes and buildings, are provided as two-prong outlets while many newer electrical outlets are provided as three-prong outlets (or grounded outlets). Therefore, a two-prong baby plug would not provide sufficient protection for use with a three-prong outlet, while a three-prong baby plug would not be able to be used at all with a two-prong outlet. Therefore, one would be required to purchase both two-prong and three-prong baby plugs for use with the specific type of outlet. In addition, alternative baby plugs must be employed for use with wall outlets having a single plug, such as an outlet for a cable television line.
Another disadvantage with conventional baby plugs is that if they are removed from an outlet by a child they can be placed in the mouth and accidentally swallowed, thereby providing an additional choking hazard to children and/or pets. Still further, conventional baby plugs can be removed and lost, thereby requiring the repeated purchase of replacement plugs.
Wall outlet plates also provide a lesser known issue for homes and buildings by way of allowing cold air to enter the room via drafts through the outlets. Alternatively, warm air could also enter the room via the outlet to undesirably heat air conditioned cool air which is inside the room. The consequence of drafts through an electrical outlet is that the cost of heating (or cooling) a room increases in order to make up for cold (or warm) air entering the room through the outlet.
Therefore, in light of these factors, there is a need for an improved electrical wall plate assembly serving the dual purpose of eliminating drafts through the electrical outlet and as a safety measure for providing protection against unwanted access to the electrical outlet.


A biosensor device for detecting electrolytes in liquid samples includes a capillary tube having a lumen extending therethrough. This lumen receives and retains liquid to be sampled for electrolytes. A tube holder is engaged at one end of the tube. This tube holder includes a bore therethrough in fluid communication with the lumen of the tube. A biosensor is positioned within the lumen of the tube. The biosensor is capable of generating an electrical signal responsive to the presence of one or more electrolytes in the liquid sample. Electrical contact elements are associated with the biosensor for measuring the electrical signal for the detection of electrolytes in the sample.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for detecting electrolytes in liquid samples, and more particularly, concerns a biosensor device for detecting one or more electrolytes in a blood sample.
2. Background Description
In the testing of body fluid samples, such as blood, it is common to make an analysis for the presence of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium and calcium ions. In a typical procedure for obtaining blood from a patient, the patient's blood vessel is penetrated by a needle and the blood sample is collected into an evacuated blood collection tube. This tube is then sent to a laboratory for a number of tests, including the tests for the presence and concentration of electrolytes.
While these procedures for obtaining blood samples are easily practiced and well accepted, it is nevertheless desirable to make improvements which would benefit not only the patient but also the medical personnel who carry out these procedures and necessarily must handle the blood sample. For example, instead of obtaining blood from a peripheral blood vessel by use of a needle, a less invasive approach would be desirable. Further, a minimal amount of blood required for electrolyte analysis should be taken from the patient. The patient would not only be pleased with the approach, but those medical personnel charged with handling blood samples would not have to deal with excess quantities of blood. Also, simple blood testing equipment, for detecting the presence or concentration of analytes, is desired. This would keep down expense and complexity. It would also be desirable to have the blood sample presented to the detection device as soon as possible after collection from the patient. This would prevent any deterioration in the blood sample which may occur if there is a long time between collection from the patient and actual analysis at the lab.
The present invention seeks to achieve the foregoing and other improvements in the detection of electrolytes in liquid samples, such as blood.

Device for detecting electrolytes in liquid samples


A closure is provided and comprises a top plate and a sidewall depending therefrom. The interior of the sidewall has a screw thread formation comprising a plurality of thread segments. The thread segments collectively define an engagement surface for engagement with an external thread formation on an associated container. A notional helical top surface with a constant pitch extends along the formation, and at least some, but not all, of the segments include material offset from the notional helical top surface towards the top plate.

A known such closure 1 is shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a disc-shape top plate 2 from the periphery of which depends a cylindrical sidewall 3. At the free end of the sidewall 3 a tamper-evident band 4 is connected by frangible bridges 5. An annular inner (olive) seal 6 depends from the top plate 2. An annular outer seal 7 also depends from the top plate 2 radially outwardly of the inner seal and spaced therefrom to define a space which receives a container neck in use. At the top of the sidewall adjacent the top plate an annular pressure block 8 is provided. The interior of the sidewall 3 is provided with a segmented screw thread formation, comprising a plurality of thread segments 9 arranged in a helical pattern. A notional helical top surface line 12 with a constant pitch extends along the formation. For a standard formation all of the line 12 is parallel to a helical line 13 defined by the centreline of the thread segments. In use the closure 1 is screwed onto a container neck; the contents of the container are often carbonated and an effective seal is important to prevent loss of pressure.
In recent times efforts have been made to "lightweight" such closures so as to reduce the amount of material required for production. However, lightweighting of closures can bring with it other problems.
Due to the loss of material in lightweight design closures this gives the problem that the closure is crooked when screwed onto the neck finish. Thereby, vertical displacements appears along the seals are not similar. This deformation is also seen in the 3D model of the tomography results discussed below.
Finite element analysis and tomography have been used by the present inventors to analyse closures of the type shown in FIG. 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5.
The boundary conditions for the tests are shown in FIG. 5.


The present disclosure discloses an instruction execution device, a processor including the instruction execution device, a system on chip, and a method for executing a data storage instruction in the processor. The method includes: splitting the data storage instruction into a first split instruction and a second split instruction, wherein the first split instruction is associated with an address operand of the data storage instruction, and the second split instruction is associated with a data operand of the data storage instruction; executing the first split instruction to determine a data storage address corresponding to the address operand; executing the second split instruction to acquire data content corresponding to the data operand; and storing the acquired data content to the determined data storage address in a data storage region. The present disclosure further discloses a corresponding instruction execution device, a processor including the execution device and a system on chip.

The basic work of a processor includes executing a sequence of stored instructions, e.g., a program. Program execution includes a process of continuously fetching instructions, parsing instructions, and executing instructions. For example, the process may include fetching an instruction from a memory storing the program, decoding and executing the instruction, saving a result of the instruction execution, and cycling back and forth until a halt instruction is encountered. The processor may execute instructions in a pipelining manner. But pipelining conflicts may arise during execution of instructions in a pipelining manner, affecting the processor performance.

Processor, device, and method for executing instructions


A power steering assist system includes a hydraulic assist power steering assembly configured to couple to a vehicle steering gear, and a hydraulic pump having an electric motor, the hydraulic pump configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic assist power steering assembly.

In some vehicles, power steering systems are designed to provide hydraulic assist to enable a driver to complete a turn of the vehicle. Some known hydraulic steering systems use a recirculating ball style steering gear or a rack and pinion style steering gear, each of which may not have the capability to perform functions such as park assist, lane keeping, lead and pull compensation, drive alert, active return-to-center, active dampening, or stability control assist. In order to provide such additional performance features, a system such as a hydraulic variable effort steering system is typically required.
Some hydraulic steering systems utilize a power steering pump to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the steering gear. However, known systems power the power steering pump with a vehicle engine, which consumes vehicle power and fuel. Additionally, the fluid flow rate of the pump is a direct function of engine speed. For example, engine speed is typically low during a parking maneuver and high during highway driving, which results in low fluid flow rates during parking and high flow rates during highway driving. As such, the hydraulic power steering systems with torque overlay capability may be unable to provide park assist or other performance features.

Hydraulically assisted power steering system

STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION


An apparatus for producing RFID labels includes: a housing forming a shell of the apparatus; a feeding roller drive shaft configured to feed a base tape in which a RFID circuit element for producing a label provided with an IC circuit part storing information and a tag antenna for transmission and reception of information is arranged; an antenna for producing the label provided in the housing and configured to transmit and receive the information via radio communication with respect to the RFID circuit element for producing a label in a tag label tape with print; an antenna for acquiring information provided with the IC circuit part storing information and the tag antenna for transmission and reception of information and configured to transmit and receive the information via the radio communication with a RFID circuit element for acquiring information located outside the housing; and a shielding member provided so as to cover at least the side of the antenna for acquiring information of the antenna for producing a label and provided with a function to shield or attenuate an electromagnetic wave.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing RFID labels configured to produce a RFID label provided with a RFID circuit element for radio communication of information with the outside.
2. Description of the Related Art
A RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system is known for information reading/writing contactlessly between a small-sized RFID tag and a reader (reading device)/writer (writing device). A RFID circuit element provided at a label-state RFID tag is provided with an IC circuit part storing predetermined RFID tag information and an antenna connected to the IC circuit part for transmission and reception of information. When a transmission wave is transmitted to the RFID circuit element from an antenna of a reader as an interrogator, the RFID circuit element transmits a reply using energy of an electric wave in the transmission wave. One of related arts configured to read information from the RFID circuit element using the reader as above is described in JP, A, 2005-298100, for example.
This related art is to read out and acquire stored information in a file or the RFID circuit element (RFID circuit element for acquiring information) held by a person using the reader by connecting an operation terminal (PC) and the reader to each other and by performing a predetermined operation at the operation terminal.
On the other hand, an apparatus for producing RFID labels configured to produce a RFID label by writing RFID tag information in the above RFID circuit element has been proposed (JP, A, 2005-186567, for example). In this related art, a band-state tag tape (base tape) on which RFID circuit elements (RFID circuit element for producing a label) are provided with a predetermined interval is fed out from a roll of tape with RFID tag (first roll), while a print-receiving tape fed out from another roll (second roll) is bonded to the tag tape. At this time, predetermined RFID tag information produced on the side of the apparatus is transmitted and written in the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element for producing a label on the tag tape, and print corresponding to the RFID tag information to be written is applied on the print-receiving tape by a printing means so that a RFID label with print is produced.


Apparatus main body of image forming apparatus includes first rotation portion, second rotation portion, and lever. Toner container includes opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the toner discharge outlet, and first coupling portion that is provided rotatably with respect to the housing and configured to, when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body, be coupled with the first rotation portion of the apparatus main body to be integrally rotatable therewith. The opening/closing mechanism includes second coupling portion configured to, when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body, be coupled with the second rotation portion of the apparatus main body to be integrally rotatable therewith. The opening/closing mechanism is configured to open and close the toner discharge outlet as the second coupling portion is rotated. The second coupling portion and the first coupling portion are configured to rotate in conjunction with each other.

The present disclosure relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus including thereof.
An image forming apparatus such as a copier, a laser printer or the like includes a toner container attached to the apparatus main body. In general, the toner container includes a housing, a toner discharge outlet, and a shutter mechanism. The housing stores the toner. The toner discharge outlet is formed on the housing. The shutter mechanism is able to open and close the toner discharge outlet. Here, in the housing of the toner container, a lever, which is able to drive the shutter mechanism, may be swingably provided.
In addition, in this kind of image forming apparatus, different types of toner are used depending on, for example, specification of image quality, destination, colors of the images, or the like. Accordingly, usually, a suitable type of toner is specified for the image forming apparatus.
When the user uses a not-specified type of toner by mistake, a mechanical failure of the image forming apparatus or an image defect may occur. To prevent this, the compatibility must be eliminated from the toner containers that stores the toner (hereinafter, it is also referred to as "the toner containers have the non-compatible function").
As a technology proposed for this purpose, it is known, for example, that a projection is formed on the toner container at a different position or in a different shape depending on the model of the image forming apparatus, and at the same time, a concave, with which the projection is engaged, is formed on the apparatus main body to which the toner container is attached. For example, as a portion that provides the non-compatible function of the toner container, a step portion, which extends along the insertion direction to the apparatus main body, may be formed on the upper part of the toner container.

Toner container and image forming apparatus including thereof


A head portion (150) is provided at one end of an outer circumferential wall (101) capable of elastic compression deformation. The outer circumferential wall includes multiple compression units (110, 120) that undergo deformation due to compression force in a central axis (100a) direction. Letting N be an integer of 2 or more, the compression units each have at least either N thick portions (113) or N thin portions (123) formed at equiangular intervals with respect to the central axis such that the thickness periodically changes in the circumferential direction. The phase with respect to the central axis of the periodic change in thickness is shifted between two compression units that are neighboring in the central axis direction.

When giving a patient an infusion or blood transfusion or performing extracorporeal blood circulation during surgery, it is necessary to form a channel (transport line) for transporting a liquid such as a drug solution or blood. Transport lines are generally formed by connecting containers, various types of instruments, tubes, and the like. One known method for connecting different members is the slip connection of a male luer serving as the male member and a needleless port serving as the female member (e.g., see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The needleless port has a partition wall member (hereinafter referred to as a "septum") that is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has a linear slit (incision) formed in the central portion. The needleless port and the male luer can be put in communication with each other by inserting the male luer (tubular body), which does not have a sharp metal needle such as an injection needle attached thereto, into the slit in the septum. The slit in the septum immediately closes when the male luer is withdrawn from the needleless port. In this way, the septum is resealable, and a male luer repeatedly can be inserted and withdrawn.
There are cases where the drug solution contains a drug designated as a dangerous drug, such as some anticancer drugs. There are also cases where blood contains a pathogen or the like. Accordingly, it is necessary to avoid a situation where a liquid such as a drug solution or blood leaks out and comes into contact with the operator's finger or the like, or the operator inhales vapor from the liquid.
In the above-described slip connection, the slit in the septum immediately closes when the male luer is withdrawn from the needleless port, and therefore there is generally a low possibility of liquid leaking out from the needleless port when the male luer is not connected. However, since the male luer is exposed to the outside before being inserted into the needleless port and after being withdrawn, and there is a possibility of liquid leaking out from the male luer.
In order to reduce the possibility of liquid leaking out from the male luer when it is not connected to the needleless port, there is a known method of covering a male luer 910 with a retractable cover 920 as shown in FIG. 19 (see Patent Documents 3 and 4). The cover 920 includes an outer circumferential wall 921 that has a substantially tubular shape, and one end of the outer circumferential wall 921 is blocked by a top panel 923. The male luer 910 has a tubular shape, and an opening 912 for the inflow and outflow of a liquid is formed in the tip. A linear slit (incision) 925 is formed in the top panel 923 at a position opposing the opening 912 in the male luer 910. A septum 951 of a needleless port 950 is a disc-shaped member made of an elastic material such as rubber, and a linear slit (incision) 952 is formed in the center. The septum 951 is fixed by being sandwiched by a base portion 953 that has a substantially cylindrical shape and a port cap 955.
As shown in FIG. 19, when the male luer 910 is not connected to the needleless port 950, the opening 912 in the male luer 910 is blocked by close contact with the top panel 923 of the cover 920. The slit 925 in the cover 920 is closed. When the male luer 910 is pushed into the needleless port 950 in this state, the male luer 910 passes through the slit 925 in the cover 920 and then passes through the slit 952 in the septum 951, and thus the male luer 910 and the needleless port 950 can be connected. At this time, the outer circumferential wall 921 of the cover 920 undergoes compression deformation due to the compression force applied to the cover 920. Thereafter, when the male luer 910 is withdrawn from the needleless port 950, the outer circumferential wall 921 of the cover 920 extends due to its elastic restoring force and returns to its initial state.
By placing the cover 920 over the male luer 910 as described above, the opening 912 in the male luer 910 can be blocked with the top panel 923 of the cover 920 when the male luer 910 is not connected to the needleless port 950 as shown in FIG. 19. Accordingly, there is a low possibility of liquid leaking out from the male luer 910.


The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling the operation of an engageable and disengable torque transmitting system and of an automated transmission that is connected to a differential and to the torque transmitting system by an input shaft. The system and the transmission are disposed in a power train of a motor vehicle having variable-speed drive unit, and the transmission is shiftable into any one of a plurality of gears. The torque transmitting system and the automated transmission comprise a control unit and at least one actuator arranged to vary the extent of engagement of the torque transmitting system and to shift the transmission into a selected gear. Further, there are means for transmitting signals between the control unit and the drive unit to controllably reduce the speed of said drive unit in response to at least one initial stage of automated shifting of said transmission into a selected gear and to controllably increase the speed of said drive unit during a next-following stage of automated shifting of said transmission into said selected gear.

The invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a torque transmitting system and a transmission in a power train of an automobile, with a drive unit, such as an engine, with a torque transmitting system, a transmission, with a control unit and at least one actuator, wherein the control unit controls the at least one actuator for operating the torque transmitting system as well as for shifting the gear ratio of the transmission, wherein the control unit is in signal-transmitting communication with at least one sensor and, if necessary, with other electronic modules, for example with an engine electronic module. The invention also relates to a method therefor.
Devices of this type are employed, for example, in automobiles. In vehicles equipped with these devices and having transmissions with traction interruption and in vehicles with manually shifted gear change boxes and a foot-operated clutch or torque transmitting system, the rotational speed of the engine is matched after the shifting operation by engaging the torque transmitting system; this method for matching the rotational speed is quite uncomfortable.
By accelerating rotational masses, for example in the engine, and by decelerating rotational masses during the up- and down-shift operation, meaning that the gear ratio of the transmission after the shifting operation is smaller or greater than before the shifting operation, there acts an at least temporary force on the vehicle and on the occupants of the vehicle, whereby this force contributes to a jumpy acceleration and braking. These jolts and jumpy movements are regarded as annoying by the automobile occupant.

Apparatus and method for controlling a torque transmitting system and a transmission using wheel speed sensor for engine RPM


A dust control system to prevent the escape of dust from a cargo hold during bulk materials cargo handling operations wherein a plurality of rigid frames are suspended in parallel configuration across the hold. Unloading equipment is inserted through the frames and the frames are freely traversable between opposite sides of the hold while tarpaulins disposed on either side of the frames expand or accordion as the frames' positions are shifted in order maintain coverage from side to side. Fixed tarps cover the rest of the hold. Curtains extending downwardly from the frames and from those tarpaulins affixed to the frames engage the fixed tarps in an abutting relation to form a seal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system for controlling the emission of dust generated during the loading and unloading of an open-faced cargo hold. More particularly, the invention pertains to a hatch covering that prevents the escape of dust from therebelow while permitting ready access to the cargo by cargo handling equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Due to increasing concern regarding the pollution of the environment, increasingly stringent restrictions are being imposed on various industries in an effort to reduce the amount of dust released into the atmosphere. While simply placing a covering over a source of dust would theoretically eliminate a dust problem, substantial practical impediments are encountered when dealing with large areas and when the area below the cover must be freely accessible.
Such problems are especially pronounced in the loading and unloading operation of bulk cargo as for example the handling of a cargo of cement in the hold of a freighter or barge. An opened cargo hold exposes an expansive area, loading and unloading equipment must be able to reach the far corners of the hold's interior without hinderance, while the handling of cement generates huge amounts of fine dust.
The unloading of bulk material such as cement is typically achieved with a device such as is described in Johansson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,467. The device generally consists of a vertical screw conveyor housed within an elongated tubular structure that is inserted into the bulk material in order to draw the material upwardly and on to a horizontal conveyor. The intake end of the device must make direct contact with the bulk material and consequently, in order to be able to reach the peripheries of a typical hold configuration through a hatch opening of relatively reduced dimensions, the screw conveyor is manipulatable through a wide range of angles and depths. While a bulk materials loading device does not need the full freedom of movement required of an unloading device, sufficient mobility must nonetheless be available in order to achieve an even distribution within the hold. A substantial amount of dust is raised during the operation of such devices.
Hatch covers that prevent the raised dust from escaping to the atmosphere, must be able to accommodate the shifting and angling of the loading and unloading equipment. Cover systems that have been developed in the past suffer from substantial shortcomings in this respect. The system described in Swedish Patent No. 8900438-6 consists of a tarpaulin-type covering having an array of access apertures therein. Each aperture has its own removable tarpaulin type cover. Whenever the cargo handling equipment must be relocated from one aperture to another, a cover must be removed manually, the conveyor withdrawn from the hold and reinserted via the newly opened aperture while the previously used aperture must be manually covered and its cover secured. A fairly labor intensive effort is thereover required in order to take advantage of this system.
Alternatively, applicants have previously considered a substantially more complex system in which a first rigid frame is suspended across an open hold so as to enable its position to be longitudinally shifted along the hold. A second smaller rigid frame cooperates with the first frame so as to allow its position to be shifted laterally relatively thereto. By coordinating the movements of the two frames, complete access to the hold below can be achieved. Two sections of tarpaulin type material are suspended across the hold fore and aft of the first frame so as to provide coverage. Each section is of sufficient area to provide adequate coverage on one side of the frame regardless of the actual position of the first frame. The tarpaulin is suspended in a manner so as to allow excess material to accordion as the first frame is shifted towards the for or aft side of the hold. A similar tarpaulin configuration is provided on either side of the second frame within the first frame.
Although such a system theoretically provides good access to the hold while preventing the escape of dust, the system suffers from substantial shortcomings. Hatch dimensions do not conform to a universal standard, and it may be difficult if not impossible to adapt the described dual rigid frame system to undersized or oversized hatch configurations. The mechanical complexity inherent in such a system, wherein a plurality of wheeled suspension systems acting in concert with one another and wherein large number of fittings are necessary in order to attach the various tarpaulins so as to enable an accordioning action thereof when called for renders such a system prone to failure. Moreover, should a failure occur that results in either a restriction of movement of the frames or an excessive escape of dust, the entire loading or unloading operation must cease until a repair is completed.
A dust control system is therefore called for that is adaptable to a wide variety of hatch configurations; once installed, requires only a minimal amount of manual manipulation during the cargo handling operation; is not easily damaged, although if damaged, allows cargo handling operations to continue while repairs are being performed; and, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.


Transmission is scheduled in a multi-cell multi-carrier wireless network. Assignments are determined for subcarriers by determining marginal gains for receivers, determining a receiver and an associated base station corresponding to a highest marginal gain, and assigning the receiver to the base station. These steps may be iteratively repeated until each of the receivers is assigned to a base station. The subcarriers are then allocated to the receivers by selecting the receiver with the highest gain. Alternatively, assignments are determined for subcarriers by determining a maximum additional queue size reduction, determining an assignment for each of the subcarriers, determining a receiver associated with a base station that has the determined maximum additional queue size reduction, assigning the receiver to the base station, and allocating the subcarriers to the receivers in the base stations.

The present invention is related generally to transmission scheduling, and in particular, to scheduling transmission in multi-cell multi-carrier wireless systems.
Scheduling problems in cellular networks arise from excessive loading in the networks, delaying transmissions. Proportional fairness scheduling algorithms have been used. At every slot, the user is served with the largest ratio of the instantaneous service rate to its average service rate.
In Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) based multi-carrier systems, scheduling improvements are needed to avoid multi-path interference and to achieve higher spectral efficiency. However, conventional solutions only address scheduling in single-cell networks and do not consider the effect of finite queue size of each user.
Additionally, in conventional scheduling, it was believed that scheduling across multiple cells was not practical due to the large latency and large overhead between base stations and the radio network controller. For this reason, scheduling in multi-cell multi-carrier wireless systems was ignored.
Therefore, there remains a need to improve throughput in multi-cell multi-carrier wireless networks.

Scheduling in multi-cell multi-carrier wireless systems


A buckle assembly for connecting safety belts according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided. The buckle assembly includes a buckle body including two side openings; a release button disposed in the buckle body including an engaging portion; two shoulder-strap buckles each having an opening to allow the waist-strap buckles passing through; and two waist-strap buckles each having a prong portion; wherein each of the shoulder-strap buckles is respectively positioned between each of the waist-strap buckles and the buckle body and incapable of departing from the buckle body freely when the prong portion of the waist-strap buckle is received in each of the side openings of the buckle body and engaged with the engaging portion of the release button; and the shoulder-strap buckles are departed from the buckle body together with the waist-strap buckles when the release button is actuated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a buckle assembly, and more particularly to a buckle assembly for safety belts of a children seat.
2. Art Background
Some conventional buckle structures are typically utilized for safety belts of an automobile, strollers for children and safety belts of a children seat. In the related prior arts, a buckle assembly usually includes an engagement portion disposed in the shoulder-strap buckles for engaging with the waist-strap buckles, wherein the waist-strap buckles are inserted into the buckle body after being engaged with the shoulder-strap buckles so as to achieve the operation of engagement. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,101 discloses a multi-point buckle assembly including a body, a plurality of side openings, a plurality of channels, a release button and a plurality of side tongues. Besides, US Publication No. 2005-0125970-A1 discloses the above-mentioned type of buckle assembly. However, a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided such that the waist-strap buckles are inserted into the buckle body through the shoulder-strap buckles, and the shoulder-strap buckles are incapable of departing from the buckle assembly freely by engaging the release button with the waist-strap buckles, and the waist-straps are removed from the buckle body together with the shoulder-strap buckles when the release button is actuated.
In general, the above-mentioned prior art has some problems and shortcomings on its operation and reliability, and besides, the conventional buckle assembly is usually expensive, and hard in manufacture and combination. In order to overcome the problems described above, a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided such that the buckle assembly includes the purposes and functions of simple structure, low cost, easy operation, and firm engagement, in addition to the basic functions of connecting and securing the safety belts.


A gauge apparatus is disclosed herein that positions a jaw within a chuck at a specified radius with respect to an axis of the chuck. The gauge apparatus includes a gauge member having an elongate configuration with a guide surface against which a side of a jaw may be biased. A pin projects forth from the gauge member to receive a tip of the jaw with the side of the jaw biased against the guide surface, in various aspects, and the pin is positionable with respect to the gauge member. An outer guide assembly cooperates mechanically with the gauge member and with a side face of a chuck to orient the gauge member radially with an axis of the chuck to locate the pin radially with respect to the side face in order to position the jaw at a selected radial position with respect to the axis.

A computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tool such as a CNC lathe has a rotatable chuck that holds a workpiece during the machining process. The chuck typically has a plurality of slots arrayed radially around a bore, and each slot has a slot mechanism that grips a jaw that is removably received in the slot. The jaws may be secured within the slots to the slot mechanisms, removed from the slots, and variously positioned within the slots in order to accommodate workpieces of various sizes received in the bore. With the jaws secured in the slots, the slot mechanisms may be hydraulicly or pneumatically actuated to axially position the jaws in order to grip the workpiece during the machining process and to disengage from the workpiece either to allow insertion of portions of the workpiece into the bore for subsequent gripping by the jaws or to release the workpiece from being gripped by the jaws for removal of the workpiece from the chuck.
When attached within the slots to the slot mechanisms, the jaws should be arrayed circumferentially around the bore to center the workpiece when the jaws grip the workpiece. For example, assuming that portions of the workpiece that are inserted into the bore are cylindrical, the jaws should be attached to be evenly positioned radially around an axis of the bore in order to align a workpiece axis of the workpiece with a rotational axis of the chuck when the jaws grip the workpiece. However, securing the jaws in the slots around the bore so that the jaws properly center the workpiece may be difficult to achieve. Various errors in positioning the jaws in the slots during securement of the jaws to the slot mechanisms may occur, the correction of which may add additional time to the machining process or result in errors in machining of the workpiece.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved apparatus as well as related methods that position jaws in a chuck.

Gauge apparatus for CNC machine and related methods of use


A picture-hanging device, method, and kit enable a user to effectively mark a select vertical location and quickly hang a picture at the select vertical location. The device comprises a hanger portion and a handle portion. The hanger portion comprises an anterior surface, an elongate hanger slot, and a hanger hook, all of which depend from the handle portion. The hanger slot extends through the hanger portion adjacent the end of the hanger portion. The hanger hook extends from the anterior surface and is designed to receive and support a picture-hanging cord and its load. The anterior surface comprises certain indicia for marking the select vertical location of a superior picture portion. Together with the hanger slot, the indicia enable the user to mark the select vertical location, after which the user may hang the picture at the select vertical location upon a fixed picture anchor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a hand tool for enabling a user to more effectively hang a picture or similar other article having an article-hanging cord or wire. More particularly, the present invention relates to picture-hanging device for enabling a user to quickly and easily hang a picture at a select vertical location, the device essentially easing the process of locating the preferred location for a picture support anchor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number devices for aiding users in locating picture-hanging anchors are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,917 ('917 Patent), which issued to Karon, discloses a Picture Hanger Locating Device. The '917 Patent teaches a picture hanger locating device for use with a picture having a hanging cord positioned on the rear thereof intended to be disposed over a hook or like member to be secured to a wall behind the desired location of the picture. A cord tensioning member is adapted to be removably positioned at a first end thereof over the upper peripheral edge of the picture and at a second end spaced from said first end in communication with the cord to move the same to the tensioned position the cord will assume when the cord is disposed over the hook member. A wall marking device is secured to the second end facing away from the rear of the picture and toward the wall to mark the wall at the location along the length of the cord where the hook member should be placed to engage the cord when the picture is hung on the wall.
It will be seen from a review of the above-referenced patent and other prior art generally known to exist that the prior art does not teach a manually graspable, picture-hanging device outfitted with certain indicia means for locating a select vertical location to hang a picture, which device further comprises anchor marking means for locating a picture anchor according to the positioning of a picture-hanging cord. The prior art thus perceives a need for manually graspable, picture-hanging device outfitted with certain indicia means for locating a select vertical location to hang a picture, which device further comprises anchor marking means for locating a picture anchor according to the positioning of the picture-hanging cord cooperatively associated with the picture.


One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses filesystem operations to initiate device naming and/or device discovery. The system operates by receiving a command to boot a computer system. In response to the command, the system loads a portion of a filesystem hierarchy that includes a device namespace into a memory of the computer system, wherein the portion of the filesystem hierarchy contains at least one entity which represents a device coupled to the computer system. The system can then perform a read-directory operation on the portion of the filesystem hierarchy or a lookup operation of a specific well-known device or directory to obtain a list of filesystem entities that correspond to devices attached to the computer system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to operating systems for computers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for using filesystem operations to initiate device name generation for newly discovered but as of yet unnamed devices.
2. Related Art
One problem that has plagued computer systems that use the Solaris™ operating system is the need to perform a "reconfiguration boot" when new devices are attached to the computer system. In a Solaris™ environment, when a new device is attached to a computer system, the computer system needs to perform the administration procedure known as a "reconfiguration boot" in order to recognize, and generate a name for, a new physical device attached to the computer system.
Currently, if a user attaches a new physical device to the computer system, the user must perform the configuration reboot to use the physical device. This can be problematic, especially for servers that need to be in an operational state as much as possible. Furthermore, if the user adds a new physical device to the computer system while the computer system is in a powered-off state and neglects to perform a reconfiguration boot, the user must often then perform a second boot as a reconfiguration boot in order to generate a name for the newly-attached device.
One method for dealing with the problem of adding devices while the computer system is turned off is to perform a reconfiguration boot every time the computer system is booted. However, this can be problematic because the reconfiguration boot can take a long time to complete in comparison to a normal boot. Moreover, as the number of physical devices attached to the computer system increases, the amount of time required for a reconfiguration boot also increases. For servers that are attached to a very large number of physical devices, such as a large grouping of disk drives in a large storage array, it is not unusual to have reconfiguration boots lasting multiple minutes. This can be troublesome for servers because it is desirable to bring servers back online as quickly as possible.
Hence, what is needed is a method and an apparatus for adding new physical devices to computer systems without the problems listed above.

Method and apparatus for using filesystem operations to initiate device naming


‘LHCOM’ is a distinctive variety of Lomandra hystrix which is characterized by the combination of its compact, dense plant growth habit, horizontal basal shoot attitude, short plant height and narrow-medium leaf width.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Lomandra hystrix, which has been given the variety denomination of 'LHCOM'. Its market class is that of an ornamental grass-like plant. 'LHCOM' is intended for use in landscaping and as a decorative grass-like plant.
The Lomandra hystrix variety 'LHCOM ' was first discovered in 2002 in an Australian nursery in the state of New South Wales during a routine inspection of approximately 5000 seedlings of open pollinated Lomandra hystrix (unpatented) production stock. 'LHCOM ' is a seedling selection of these open pollinated Lomandra hystrix. Initially 200 plants were selected due to their smaller shoot and leaf sizes. These were grown on and further observed. In 2003 these were reduced to 10 selections based on these same desirable traits. Finally in late 2004 a single plant was identified as having a narrower leaf width combined with a compact, dense growth habit with a shorter plant height than the parent form as well as a more horizontal basal shoot attitude. It was named 'LHCOM'.
'LHCOM' was first propagated asexually by division in the state of New South Wales, Australia and has since been asexually propagated by division and micropropagation. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive 'LHCOM' variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.
'LHCOM' has a compact, dense growth habit with a more horizontal basal shoot attitude, a short plant height and leaves that are shorter and narrower than common Lomandra hystrix (unpatented in the United States).
An application for plant breeders' rights for variety 'LHCOM' has been lodged with the Australian Plant Breeders' Rights Office, and was accepted on May 30, 2006th under Application No. 2006/088.