An electrolytic gas suction tool includes: a battery; a control substrate which controls power supply from the battery; a pair of positive and negative electrodes which are electrically conducted to or cut off from a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery by the control substrate; an electrolysis tank which is capable of storing water and into a lower part of which the pair of positive and negative electrodes are inserted in the mounted state; and a heater device which is heated to generate nicotine containing steam upon receiving the power supply from the battery by the control substrate.

A harmful effect of passive smoking due to sidestream smoke generated during smoking and due to exposure to tobacco smoke has become a social issue, and there has been provided a so-called electronic cigarette which emits no sidestream smoke containing tar, etc. or in which the amount of sidestream smoke, etc. is reduced. As the electronic cigarette, there exists a type in which a liquid containing nicotine is poured in and vaporized through heating or the like for suction, or a type in which a throwaway cartridge containing nicotine is connected and used each time smoking is performed. Further, in recent years, there has also appeared a so-called heating type electronic cigarette in which tobacco leaf is heated without being ignited so that solely the nicotine ingredient may be sucked in, with the sidestream smoke being prevented from being emitted (or being substantially reduced).
In the case of the conventional electronic cigarette, however, while it is possible to avoid the harmfulness to the health of passive smoking due to the sidestream smoke, etc., at least the smoker himself continues to take in nicotine. It is indispensable for him to reduce the nicotine intake amount of his own accord to quit smoking. After all, this does not help to quit smoking.
Conventionally, as the harmful effects of tobacco to the health, the following have been pointed out: (1) an increase in the risk of development of cancer due to the generation of active oxygen; and (2) an increase in the risk of motor disturbance or hardening of the arteries due to inhaling of carbon monoxide. Regarding item (1), active oxygen exhibits a very strong oxidizing force and serves to remove bacteria and viruses having entered the human body, whereas, as is known, it also attacks and damages normal human cells. Excessive intake of active oxygen increases the possibility of damaging normal cells, and leads to the risk of deterioration and mutation of the cells and skin aging. Typically, it increases the risk of developing cancer.
Regarding item (2), the intake of carbon monoxide, even in a small amount, leads to deterioration in the function of blood hemoglobin, and a slight oxygen shortage continues, which leads to deterioration in motor function and brain function. In some cases, the red blood cells increase to an abnormal degree, resulting, as pointed out, in high blood viscosity, an increase in blood pressure, and headache, leading sometimes to hardening of the arteries.
In this regard, in recent years, it has become apparent that hydrogen has a high function to remove active oxygen since hydrogen and active oxygen are combined to be reduced. Further, as is already known, the resultant substance of reaction between hydrogen and active oxygen is water, which is of very little negative influence on the human body. Thus, it is recommended that hydrogen be taken into the body during smoking, which is particularly likely to generate active oxygen in the body, which has been one of the causes in the diversion of the market of hydrogen water. Further, when combined with oxygen, carbon monoxide is turned into carbon dioxide to be detoxified, so that, during smoking, it is also recommended to taken in oxygen.


Stable aqueous glycerin iodine concentrates are provided which are adapted for dilution in water to yield germicidal iodine use solutions. The concentrates include from about 30-87% by weight glycerin, from about 0.15-15% by weight iodine, from about 0.15-15% by weight iodide ion, and one or more additives such as compatible wetting agents, hydrotropes, thickening agents, additional emollients and buffering systems. The concentrates are stable for a period of at least about 3 months at room temperature and are dilutable at a ratio of 1 part concentrate with from about 2-80 parts water. The concentrates can be formulated to give very low free iodine values as concentrates, but provide dramatically increased free iodine values as diluted use solutions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with aqueous stable glycerin iodine concentrate products which can be diluted with water to form germicidal use solutions. More particularly, the invention pertains to such concentrates which have a high content of glycerin above 30% by weight, iodine, iodide ion and additive(s) (e.g., surfactants, hydrotropes, thickening agents, additional emollients, and/or buffering systems) which upon dilution yield high quality germicidal solutions with elevated free iodine values.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Iodine solutions have been used as germicidal agents for many years. In order to create useful solutions of this type, it is necessary to solubilize the iodine therein. Different solubilization approaches have been used in the past. These include hot processes wherein iodine is reacted with ethylene glycol or nonionic surfactants so that the resulting mixture is soluble in water, and room temperature solubilization using polyoxyethylene nonionic surfactants, polyvinylpyrrolidone or iodide ion. All of these solubilizing agents form a complex with the iodine, which in turn yields solutions (generally referred to as iodophores) which are used without further dilution and have varying concentrations of free or uncomplexed iodine (I.sub.2). Free iodine is a critical factor in determining the germicidal effectiveness of such iodine solutions, and therefore control of the free iodine level is very desirable if not essential.
It is known that the stability of aqueous iodine use solutions may depend upon the level of free iodine therein. However, high concentrations of free iodine corresponds to high levels of iodine vapor. In open containers, the iodine vapor will eventually cause a depletion of iodine from the solution. In plastic containers the iodine tends to dissolve into and eventually penetrate the container. Given that use solutions with a high free iodine value are generally more effective germicides, it would therefore be desirable to formulate a product having a low free iodine value during storage but which at the time of use could be adjusted to have a high free iodine value.
Many use solution iodophores designed for topical application are formulated with emollient in order to provide a soothing, skin-protective effect. In addition, most emollients will complex with free iodine thus assisting in adjustment and control of the free iodine content of the iodophore. The most common emollient used in such cases is glycerin, and may be present at a level of from about 1-15% by weight in products such as teat dips. Glycerine iodine use formulations also normally include one or more additives which are necessary to give the final use solutions desired physical properties. For example, surfactants are often used to provide wetting properties to insure complete contact between the surface to be disinfected and the use solution. Hydrotropes are also used to aid in the addition of other ingredients and to insure stability of the use solution. Buffering systems and thickening agents are also sometimes employed.
In recent years, manufacturers have sought to develop germicidal concentrate products which can be diluted with water at the point of use. Concentrates reduce manufacturing and freight costs, save storage space and minimize problem of disposing of containers. While certain types of iodophores can be readily formulated as dilutable concentrates, a significant problem arises when the concentrates contain appreciable amounts of glycerin and attendant additives such as surfactants, hydrotropes, additional emollients, buffering systems and thickeners. Specifically, high glycerin content iodophore concentrates tend to be unstable and rapidly separate into phases. This means that the end user must thoroughly mix the concentrate before dilution thereof. Such a requirement is not only inconvenient for the user, but can lead to use solutions having widely varying free iodine contents owing to inadequate mixing of the separated concentrate. As can be appreciated, if a given use solution has too high a free iodine content, it may be irritating; on the other hand, if the use solution has an inadequate free iodine content, its germicidal properties may be compromised.
To give but one example, a number of surfactants which are quite useful in the formulation of glycerin iodine diluted use solutions are incompatible when employed in the formulation of corresponding concentrates. Thus, polyoxyethylene alcohols, polyoxyethylene nonylphenol, polyalkylene block copolymers and polyvinylpyrrolidone are very difficult to use in concentrate formulations having high glycerin contents.
There is accordingly a need in the art for high glycerin content/low free iodine value iodophore concentrate products which have significant stability over long periods of storage, and which can be readily diluted with water to form use solutions having high, predictable and controlled free iodine contents.

Stable glycerin iodine concentrate compositions


A connector alignment guide is provided which prevents inadvertent rotational movement of a male connector relative to a female connector and allows for connection of such connectors in a predetermined fixed orientation. The connector alignment guide includes a tubular segment having an open region at one end through which extends a bent or curved portion of a cable and a cable clamp associated with a respective connector. Such bent or curved portion engages edges which form the boundary of such open region to prevent such rotation and provide such fixed orientation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector alignment guide for use with electrical connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a connector alignment guide for use with antenna connectors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A typical antenna connector for an antenna cable such as those used in the automobile industry for radios includes a male connector body generally in the form of a plug and a female connector body generally in the form of a ferrule which forms a socket. In use, the male connector body is plugged into the female connector body to effect a mechanical and electrical connection between the two. Typically, an antenna cable in the form of a coaxial cable is electrically and mechanically attached to one of the connectors such as the male connector, and the other connector, such as the female connector, is electrically and mechanically attached to a circuit such as a circuit on a printed circuit board. In such prior art devices inadvertent rotational movement of the male connector body relative to the female connector body makes providing a satisfactory electrical connection difficult. In addition, satisfactory means for guiding such connectors together in a predetermined fixed orientation is lacking.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector wherein the male connector body does not inadvertently move in a rotational direction relative to the female connector body.
It is another object of the present invention to provide male and female connectors which include means for guiding such connectors together in a predetermined fixed orientation.


A gas turbine engine includes: an air flow control system installed in an air intake path for introducing air to a compressor. The air intake path is located outside and upstream with respect to the compressor. The engine also includes intake air flow control means for controlling an intake air flow by operating the air flow control system according to a load of the engine so as to maintain an air-to-fuel ratio in the combustor within a proper range suited to suppress a discharge of an atmospheric pollutant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas turbine engine with an intake air flow rate control mechanism for controlling the intake air flow rate according to operational conditions to burn gas.
2. Description of the Related Art
To suppress the discharge of an atmospheric pollutant such as NOx and CO from a gas turbine engine, there are various types of combustors. On the other hand, there is a strong demand from users of gas turbine generators for enlarging the operable load range thereof. However, when an operable load range of a generator is enlarged, the generator may be operated at an air-to-fuel ratio outside the proper range thereof suited to suppress a discharge of an atmospheric pollutant from a gas turbine engine, thereby the prescribed standard of exhaust gas may not be satisfied.
For example, for a gas turbine engine which is provided with a lean premixing combustor, there is a demand from users for extending the lean combustion operational range. To satisfy the demand, it is necessary to reduce the flow rate of air for combustion flowing into the combustor when the load is small. However, a gas turbine engine for a generator is generally operated at a fixed revolving speed, regardless of the magnitude of the load, thereby the air flow is determined without free choice. Thus, it is difficult to enlarge the operational range with satisfying the prescribed exhaust gas standard.
Further, in a gas turbine engine which is provided with a catalytic combustor, to enlarge the turn down ratio of catalytic combustion (same as the air-to-fuel ratio), that is, to reduce the air flow at the time of partial load, an air flow control mechanism for bypassing air so as to prevent a part of air from entering the catalytic combustor is installed in the catalytic combustor. However, the air flow control mechanism is complicated in its structure and expensive and moreover, the combustor is provided with a bypass flow path so that the structure inevitably increases in size.
Further, for the purpose of controlling the exhaust gas temperature of the engine, a gas turbine control unit provided with an inlet guide vane for adjusting the air flow is known (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 57-68526).

Gas turbine engine with intake air flow control mechanism


A wireless earbud (100) for in-ear use has an earbud housing (110), a loudspeaker (130), a rechargeable battery (140), a first microphone (132) and a second microphone (134). The first microphone (132) is adapted to pick up sound internally from an ear canal of a user wearing the wireless earbud. The second microphone (134) is adapted to pick up sound externally from outside of the ear canal of the user wearing the wireless earbud. Disclosed is also a storage and charging capsule (200) for at least one wireless earbud (100a, 100b). The capsule has an elongate insert part (240) having an earbud chamber (246) adapted to receive the or each wireless earbud (100a, 100b). A cover part (260) slidably receives the elongate insert part (240) and is placeable in an open position in which the cover part is retracted from the elongate insert part to allow insertion/removal of the or each wireless earbud (100a, 100b) into/from the earbud chamber (246) of the elongate insert part (240). The cover part is also placeable in a closed position in which it encapsulates the elongate insert part. The storage and charging capsule (200) further has a power source (270), and a magnetic connector interface (257) in the earbud chamber (246) of the elongate insert part (240). The magnetic connector interface (257) is connected to the power source (270) and is adapted to engage with a respective at least one charge pad (101) of the earbud (100a, 100b) so as to secure the earbud (100a, 100b) in the earbud chamber and allow charging thereof by the power source (270).

Wireless earbuds, also known as wireless in-ear headphones or earphones, are expected to become increasingly popular. The advent and rapid growth of digital audio streaming services, such as Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody, Google Play Music All Access, iTunes Radio, Music Unlimited, Rdio, Xbox Music and Beats Music, are likely drivers behind the expected growing popularity and desire for wireless earbuds.
Important characteristics of wireless earbuds are physical size, component and manufacturing cost, convenience, user-friendliness, duration between battery chargings, operational reliability and, of course, the perceived acoustic quality of the streamed audio and the general user experience.
Wireless earbuds use internal rechargeable batteries and therefore require reliable recharging from time to time. They also need to withstand external wear and tear as much as possible.
WO 2016/036309 discloses a wireless earbud, preferably for use in a pair of wireless earbuds to provide a stereo music experience to the user. The wireless earbud comprises an earbud housing having a longitudinal main axis and an essentially circular cross section, a loudspeaker element, a rechargeable battery, at least one main printed circuit board having disposed thereon circuitry for wireless radio communication, audio codec and earbud operation control, and a charging interface member. It also discloses a storage and charging capsule for a pair of such wireless earbuds. The storage and charging capsule comprises a base part, an elongate intermediate part, the intermediate part having a longitudinal major axis, and a cover part being retractable over the intermediate part. The intermediate part has a first end attached to the base part, a second end, and an earbud chamber formed between the first and second ends. The earbud chamber is adapted to receive the pair of wireless earbuds arranged one after another along the longitudinal major axis of the intermediate part. The capsule further has a power source for charging the pair of wireless earbuds when placed in the earbud chamber in the intermediate part.

Wireless earbuds, and a storage and charging capsule therefor


A hybrid vehicle mode-switching control device for a hybrid vehicle controls that an output of an engine and/or motor in response to a mode-switch request. In a case of a difference between an actual transmission gear ratio and a target transmission gear ratio, a deficit with respect to the requested drive power occurs that causes discomfort to the driver. The drive power surplus or deficit caused by the transmission gear ratio deviation can eliminated by correcting of the motor torque and/or the engine torque by a correction amount necessary to eliminate the surplus or deficit of drive power. In this way, the lack of drive power due to the transmission ratio deviation and the driver's sense of discomfort can be eliminated.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mode-switching control device for a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle having an engine and an electric motor as on-board power sources, and being switchable between an electric operation mode (EV mode) in which the vehicle is operated with the electric motor only, and a hybrid operation mode (HEV mode) in which the vehicle is operated with the electric motor and the engine.
Background Information
Hybrid vehicles of this type known in the prior art include that disclosed, e.g., in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2000-199442. This hybrid vehicle has a design in which an engine provided as one of the power sources is decouplably drive-coupled to vehicle wheels via a continuously variable transmission and a clutch in that order, whereas an electric motor provided as the other power source is coupled full-time to the wheels.
With this hybrid vehicle, electric operation (EV operation) in EV mode powered by the electric motor alone is possible by stopping the engine and releasing the clutch, while hybrid operation (HEV operation) in HEV mode powered by the electric motor and the engine is possible by starting the engine and engaging the clutch.
By releasing the clutch in the aforedescribed manner during EV operation, the stopped engine (and, when a transmission is present, the transmission as well) is decoupled from the vehicle wheels, and the engine (transmission) is not co-rotated (dragged) during EV operation, avoiding energy losses to a commensurate extent, so that the energy efficiency can be increased.

Hybrid vehicle mode-switching control device


A flossing device and a method of manufacture thereof, consisting of a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is removably coupled to the first elongated member along an interior side of a top region of the first elongated member. The flossing device includes a floss member coupled to the second elongated member and extending through an aperture of the first elongated member. The floss member includes a first enlarged stop member at an end distal from the second elongated member and sized to fit within a countersunk enlarged channel but not fit through a narrow channel in communication with the enlarged channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dental tools, specifically flossing devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Dental floss is generally a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (Teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque from teeth. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and scraped along the teeth sides, especially close to the gums. Dental floss may be flavored or unflavored, and waxed or unwaxed. An alternative tool to achieve a similar effect is the interdental brush.
Dental floss is commonly supplied in plastic dispensers that contain 10 to 50 meters of floss. After pulling out the desired amount, the floss is pulled against a small protected blade in the dispenser to sever it. Dental floss is held between the fingers. The floss is guided between each tooth and under the gumline to remove particles of food stuck between teeth and dento-bacterial plaque that adhere to such dental surfaces. Ideally using a C-shape, the floss is curved around a tooth and placed under the gumline, and then moved away from the gumline, the floss scrapes the side of each tooth, and can also clean the front or back of the tooth. Gently moving the floss from below the gumline to away from the gumline removes dento-bacterial plaque attached to teeth surfaces above and below the gumline. A clean section of floss can be used to clean each tooth to avoid transmitting plaque bacteria from one tooth to another.
There are many different kinds of dental floss commonly available. The most important variable is thickness. If the floss is too thick for the space between a pair of teeth then it will be difficult or impossible to get the floss down between the teeth. On the other hand, if the floss is too thin, it may be too weak and break. Different floss will suit different mouths, and even different parts of one mouth. This is because some teeth have a smaller gap between them than others. Its possible that thicker floss does a better job of scraping bacterial plaque off teeth, given that there is space enough between the teeth to use it. When a piece of hard food is tightly wedged between the teeth, one may need to switch to thinner floss, because thick floss cannot get past the food. It is possible to split some kinds of dental floss lengthwise generating a pair of thinner pieces that are much weaker but sometimes usable. This is possible because some kinds of dental floss are made of many very thin strands that are not woven together but rather run more or less in parallel. This can also be useful if the dental floss you have is too thick for you, for any other reason, and you do not have access to any other, for example when travelling in a foreign country.
Specialized plastic wands, or floss picks, have been produced to hold the floss. These may be attached to or separate from a floss dispenser. While wands do not pinch fingers like regular floss can, using a wand may be awkward and can also make it difficult to floss at all the angles possible with regular floss. These types of flossers also run the risk of missing the area under the gum line that needs to be flossed. On the other hand, the enhanced reach of a wand can make flossing the back teeth easier.
Ergonomic flossers with improved handle for better grip and swiveling floss heads allow easy access to any pair of teeth in the mouth, to the front teeth as well as to the rear teeth. Their floss heads also feature a lateral flexibility that enables improved control for the dental floss to hug the sides of the teeth and clean under the gum line without the danger of hurting the gums. Occasional flossing and/or improper flossing can typically lead to bleeding gums. The main cause of the bleeding is inflammation of the gingival tissue due to gingivitis.
Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references related to the present invention are described below in their own words, and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,977, issued to Guo, discloses a dental flossing tool for dispensing floss for cleaning the user's teeth. A handle body surrounds a cavity and has a lead riser from which dental floss is dispensed for use. The floss is wound upon a spool that rotates inside the cavity. Floss is paid out from the spool and emerges from a hole in the tip of the lead riser. A button or handle is slidably mounted upon the apparatus for controlling the longitudinal movement of a retainer within the cavity of the apparatus. By sliding the button handle forward and backward, the user can disengage and engage the retainer with a baffle attached to the spool inside the body of the apparatus. When the retainer is in contact with the baffle, the spool is prevented from rotating, thereby stopping any further floss from being dispensed. When the retainer is disengaged out of contact with the baffle, the spool is free to rotate to pay out floss. A removable protector is provided for covering the lead riser and a floss cutter blade attached to the exterior of the apparatus. The protector can be removed to the back end of the apparatus to extend its graspable portion for easier handling.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,109, issued to Moore, discloses a dental flossing tool and method for flossing of the teeth using that tool is provided. The tool includes two elongated, rod-shaped handle elements and a length of dental floss that is removably secured at its opposite ends to respective ones of the handle elements at their terminal ends. Each handle element is provided with a bulb at the terminal end to which the floss is attached with the bulbs being larger in transverse cross-section relative to the longitudinal axis of its handle element than is the adjacent portion of the handle element. This results in a depressed annular region in which floss is wound and functions to retain the floss on a handle element. Each handle element includes a hand-grip section disposed in remote relationship to the terminal end provided with a bulb enabling a user to grip the element in a respective hand for support thereof and independent manipulation in effecting a flossing operation. The user holds the handle elements in separated relationship to maintain the floss extending between the terminal ends taut as an operative flossing section while inserting it between a pair of adjacent teeth and moving it to effect removal of debris. At intermittent intervals the user revolves the handle elements to concurrently unreel a length of floss from one and reel a length onto the other thereby placing an unused section of floss in an operative position and placing the previously used section on a handle element for storage until being discarded upon termination of a flossing operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,392, issued to Isaac, discloses a toothpick apparatus of the present invention consists of an elongated cylindrical device 13 having a thicker middle portion 17 tapering away from the middle toward opposing ends or points 19. The toothpick has a perforated area or break point near its middle 17 whereby when the toothpick is broken a useable length of dental floss 23 is exposed. The dental floss 23 is contained within layers of thin wood 21 which are rolled in order to form the toothpick. Additional embodiments of the present invention are also described.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,501, issued to McKenzie, discloses an improved device for holding and manipulating dental floss for the removal of food particles, tartar and plaque from the teeth is described in which a loop of dental floss is connected between a pair of separate handles; the loop of dental floss being long enough to permit lateral motion across the tooth surface. The devices are either disposable or sterilizable for reuse.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,432, issued to Wyss, discloses a double-ended hand held flossing tool with stressing means is provided which uses a loop of floss made integral with the frame members of the tool, and provides stressing action through fingertip manipulation of the members. The loop is integral and structural to the tool, thus my tool design gains the advantage of stability by virtue of two members being integral with a floss loop molded directly into the construction of the frame members of the tool.
The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages which include being limited in application, being too large, not being disposable, being limited in use, being difficult to use, being difficult to re-use, being expensive, being difficult to manufacture, failing to adequately clean between teeth, damaging gums, not clearly communicating to a user when a device has already been used, requiring significant manual dexterity to operate, and the like.
What is needed is a flossing device that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.


The invention concerns a cup (12) for a bra (10) that comprises an outer shell (38) forming a recess (40) of a generally hemispherical shape and that is defined by a peripheral edge (32), characterized in that the cup (12) comprises at least an inner skin (42) forming a lining that is fixed to the peripheral edge (32) of the cup (12) and that partially covers the recess (40) formed by the outer shell (38), defining a space with the outer shell (38), and in that the inner skin (42) is designed to be tensioned when the cup (12) is placed on a breast.

It is known many cups which are designed for making a bra with a "push-up" effect, which allows visually increasing the size of the bust by one size or more.
Document FR-A-2972905 describes and represents a bra cup structure which includes an external layer and an internal layer stuck together enclosing therebetween a pocket containing a malleable material, in silicone gel according to this document.
The pocket is constituted of two fine polymeric films which are sealed together in a permeable manner in order to imprison the silicone gel.
Although this type of cup fulfills its role of giving the bust an enhancing effect, the presence of the filling material of the pocket has in particular, the drawback of adding an additional weight to the bra which may cause discomfort.


A toner transport apparatus that transports toner particles and includes a lateral transport device and a longitudinal transport device. The lateral transport device includes a lateral tube extending in a lateral direction and a lateral transport member provided inside the lateral tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles. The longitudinal transport device includes a longitudinal tube coupled to an end of the lateral tube and extending in a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal transport member provided inside the longitudinal tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles downward, and thereby transports the toner particles transported from the lateral transport device downward. An end portion of the lateral transport member on a downstream side in a toner transport direction extends to an inside of the longitudinal tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toner transport apparatus, and more particularly, to a toner transport apparatus that transports toner particles laterally first and then downward and an image forming apparatus to which the same is applied.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus, such as a printer, is provided with an image forming portion including a photoconductive drum and a developing device, a sheet feeding portion that feeds recording sheets to the image forming portion, a sheet carrying portion that carries recording sheets bearing formed images, a fixing portion that fixes toner images on recording sheets, and a sheet discharge portion where recording sheets onto which are fixed the toner images are discharged.
In the image forming apparatus thus configured, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum according to image information, and after the electrostatic latent image is developed to a toner image by the developing device, the developed toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet. In the case of a full-color image forming apparatus, such as a color printer, four developing devices respectively storing developing agents in cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are provided, and development in these four colors, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, is performed by the corresponding developing devices.
With such a full-color image forming apparatus, personal use has been increasing in recent years, and so is a need to reduce the apparatus both in size and cost. To meet this need, a compact image forming apparatus adopting a rotary developing apparatus is now being developed. In this rotary developing apparatus, developing devices respectively corresponding to toner particles in plural colors are supported on a rotary frame body.
In order to achieve a reduction of the rotary frame body in size as well as a reduction in load when driving the rotary frame body, the rotary developing apparatus adopts a method by which a toner container storing toner particles is provided apart from the rotary frame body so as to replenish the developing devices on the rotary frame body with toner particles from the outside toner container (for example, JP-A-10-198149).
For an image forming apparatus adopting the method of replenishing the developing devices with toner particles from the outside toner container, there is a need for a toner transport apparatus that transports toner particles from the toner container to the developing devices. When toner particles are replenished, the replenishing efficiency of toner particles is enhanced by inserting a toner replenishing pipe into the developing devices from above. It is therefore configured in such a manner that the toner replenishing pipe transports toner particles in a longitudinal direction. Meanwhile, it is often difficult to place the toner container above the toner replenishing pipe due to limitations of space within the apparatus. Accordingly, there arises a need to provide a transport apparatus that transports toner particles in a lateral direction between the toner container and the toner replenishing pipe.
As has been described, a transport apparatus that transports toner particles in a lateral direction and another transport apparatus that transports toner particles in a longitudinal direction are necessary between the toner container and the developing devices. In this case, in the event that toner particles are not delivered in a satisfactory manner at transition between lateral transportation and longitudinal transportation, toner particles may possibly build up at the transition point.

Toner transport apparatus and image forming apparatus


When testing network management applications, it is desirable to show that they will work with large or very large networks, to determine the upper bounds of the applications capabilities, and improvements which might increase the upper bounds. A method of testing a network application is disclosed mapping a layer-3 addresses of a real subnetwork onto a plurality of mapped layer-3 subnetwork addresses for conversations with applications or devices. Packets are modified to change a destination layer-3 address in a mapped subnetwork, pointing to corresponding real IP address and forwarding the packets. The conversation to which a response from a reallayer-3 address relates is identified. The source layer-3 address and packet contents are changed into the appropriate mapped subnetwork and the packet is forwarded to the application or device. An existing test network of any size may be used as the basis for testing the network management application.

This invention relates to testing network applications or devices.
The background to the invention will be explained in relation to network management applications. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention has wider application, however.
It is desired to test network management applications to show, for example, that they will work with large or very large networks, to determine the upper bounds of the applications capabilities, and to determine improvements which might, for example, increase the upper bounds.
There are a number of alternatives. One would be to construct a very large network for the specific purpose of testing the application. Another would be to test it on a customer's existing network. A third possibility would be to program a device simulator to simulate a large number of devices and to test the application against the simulator.
To construct a large network just for the purpose of testing an application would be extremely expensive, would require large amounts of lab space and would not be feasible for most testers. Setting up such a network is complex and prone to error.
Few customers would want to test a new unproven management application on their real live network. The implications of the discovery of problems (the reason for testing) are that the network may work less than satisfactorily.
Programming device simulators is a time consuming task and is highly complex, making it prone to error. In order to simplify the process most device simulators allow the user to define a template for simulating a specific device type and then use that to define specific instances of the devices. However, even this is of little help when trying to set up a large simulation, as there are huge numbers of values that need to be defined for multiple instances of a device type in order to correctly simulate a large network. Further problems with this approach are that it is difficult to capture in a simulator any idiosyncrasics that specific types of devices may have, preventing the system from accurately simulating devices. It is difficult to simulate network traffic and its effects upon the network management application within device simulators. When very large networks are being simulated, the device simulator itself may very quickly fail to cope with the load placed on it by the network management application.
Against this background, in accordance with the invention there is provided a method of testing a network application or device, comprising the steps of: providing a mapping of the layer-3 address of a real subnetwork onto a plurality of mapped layer-3 subnetwork addresses for conversations with the application or device; modifying a packet to change a destination layer-3 address in a mapped subnetwork, to point to the corresponding real layer-3 address and forwarding the packet on; identifying to which conversation a response from a real layer-3 address relates; modifying the source layer-3 address into the appropriate mapped subnetwork and forwarding the packet to the application or device with the conversation identity. In operation, an existing test network of any size may be used as the basis for testing the network management application. In an embodiment, a small driver, the "IP address mapping shim" (simply referred to as the shim hereafter), working within the network stack of the server running the network management application, maps one or more (usually private) IP subnets onto the real IP subnet of the test network. The former IP subnets are hereafter referred to as mapped subnets, while the latter subnet is hereafter referred to as the real subnet.
The preferred embodiment of the invention allows usage against a test network that has multiple real IP subnets associated with it.

Testing applications or devices in large networks


A motorcycle has an article storage box equipped with a lid member which is locked and unlocked and with a fuel tank having a gasoline injection port which is closed or opened by a lid member. The locking and unlocking of the lid members of the storage box and the fuel tank injection port are controlled by an electric circuit system. The electric circuit system includes a battery, a main switch unit operatively connected to the battery, a solenoid switch connected to the main switch unit for carrying out an on-off operation to the lid locking and unlocking mechanism for the fuel tank injection port lid, and a solenoid switch connected to the main switch unit for carrying out an on-off operation to the lid locking and unlocking mechanism for the storage box. The main switch unit includes a plurality of contact points corresponding to a first point of action at which the battery is switched off, a second point of action at which the battery is switched on and at which the lid of the fuel injection port of the fuel tank is unlocked, a third point of action at which the battery is switched on and a current passes to an ignitor and to a lighting unit, and a fourth point of action at which the battery is switched on and the lid of the storage box is unlocked.

The present invention relates to an electric circuit system for a two-wheeler and, more particularly, to an electric circuit system for a motorcycle provided with a storage box for accommodating an article such as a helmet, the electric circuit system including a switch means operatively connected to electromagnetic key mechanisms for electromagnetically opening keys provided for a lid of the storage box and a lid of a fuel tank injection port of the motorcycle.
Recent motorcycle are provided with an article storage box for accommodating an article such as a helmet and the storage box is disposed on a central upper portion of the motorcycle body. The opening of the storage box is covered by a lid member which is equipped with a locking and unlocking mechanism.
The locking and unlocking mechanism comprises an electromagnetic means for providing remote control of switches and ensuring a quick and accurate operation.
In this case, however, a theft switch cannot be provided and a special consideration will be thus required such that it is provided at a spot protected by another locking means, or a key switch is used therefor.
The motorcycle is also provided with a fuel tank having a lid on a fuel cap external to the motorcycle body. The fuel tank lid is provided closably on a cover for covering an outer surface of the motorcycle body by means of a hinge mechanism, for example. When the fuel tank lid is opened, a base portion of the lid and an end portion of a cover come into contact with each other and, therefore, an opening angle of the lid is 60 to 90 degrees. Thus, the lid cannot be opened satisfactorily wide. Consequently, an inconvenience is quite unavoidable for the operation of a tank cap and the injection of gasoline. Furthermore, since the tank cap cannot be put on the lid while the gasoline is injected, the tank cap is capable of being left unfastened or lost.
Furthermore, the motorcycle is provided with electromagnetic unlocking devices including unlocking switches separate from a main switch. After the main switch is turned on, the unlocking switches are turned on to carry out the unlocking operation. In the conventional electric circuit system for a motorcycle, for example, an unlocking switch for the storage box and an unlocking switch of a cover of a fuel injection port part are provided behind the main switch as separate switches from the main switch for the electric circuit arrangement. To unlock the storage box, the unlocking switch must be turned on after the main switch is turned on in the past.
When the cover of the fuel injection port part is unlocked, a troublesome procedure is such that the main switch is turned off once to stop the engine, the main switch is then operated again to an on state and the unlocking switch for the cover of the fuel injection port part is operated to an on state to carry out the unlocking.
On the other hand, since the circuit arrangement is such that the unlocking switch for the cover of the fuel injection port part can be operated without stopping the engine, it is unavoidable to work in a dangerous situation such as fueling with the engine being operated.


The invention is a manually operable device for applying foot coverings including socks, support hose and the like. The device is made of an elongated U-shaped member of flexible material with a horizontal bottom and generally vertical sides. The side portions are adapted to flex toward each other when inserting the toe end into a foot covering and have a concave area for receiving and reversibly maintaining a foot covering when it is inserted over the toe ends. A strap is connected to the U-shaped member at the heel end. The strap is then used to draw the U-shaped member up the foot and leg and out of the open end of the foot covering, thereby positioning the foot covering on the foot and leg of the user.

A large number of devices have been developed for the purpose of assisting with the donning of foot coverings. These devices are intended to help those who are injured, disabled or prevented for some reason from putting on their socks unassisted.
Sanger, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,097, describes a stocking installer with a solid handle affixed to the rear of the device.
White, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,720, discloses a hand operated spreader device for application of elastic stockings.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,774 Moscato shows a flexible stocking spreader device powered by an electric motor.
Leland, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,066,194 and 4,284,216, discloses a device for assisting in the donning of a sock or like foot covering. The device is comprised of a wire like handle connected to a pair of sock expanding and holding members. The device is inserted in the sock and the sock expanding and holding members are spread using the handle to engage the sock. The handle is then used to install the sock over the foot. A similar wire frame device for installing stockings is described by Maier et al. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,424.
Liden, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,889, discloses a manually operable device to help those who cannot bend at the back, waist or knees don socks, shoes and pants. The device includes a handle and a plastic shovel used to apply socks. Use of the device requires the foot to be raised off the floor and inserted in the shovel while the device is held in place above the floor. This requires a certain amount of balance and dexterity.
Banting, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,909, discloses a manually operable device for applying socks or the like made of a flexible sheet material. The device is comprised of a flexible sheet material with two diverging edge formations on the toe portion and a flexible hinge segment between the toe and heel portions. The device is inserted in a sock and a thread is used to pull the device over the foot to install the sock.
Many of the prior art devices are somewhat complicated to manufacture and to use. None fully disclose all of the features and advantages of the present invention, which include extremely simple construction and the ability to place the installer flat on the floor for insertion of the user's foot. The user can then pause with the foot and installer resting on the floor for as long as desired before proceeding to pull the sock over the foot and up the leg. This allows those individuals with problems balancing to easily use the present invention and is a significant improvement over the prior art.
A further advantage of the present invention is the ease with which it is able to comfortably rotate around the user's heel while carrying the foot covering. Another advantage of the present invention is its ability to remain attached to the foot covering after the open end of the foot covering has been installed over the heel, thus enabling it to draw the foot covering up the leg of the user. A still further advantage of the present invention is the ease with which it is removed from the foot covering without the actuation of any controls or fasteners after the foot covering is in place on the users leg and foot.


A method in an embodiment includes detecting a change for a virtual machine in a virtual server of a virtual network infrastructure, determining whether a virtual security appliance is configured in the virtual server, and sending a request to create the virtual security appliance in the virtual server. The method further includes allowing the virtual machine to initiate when the virtual security appliance is created in the virtual machine. The virtual security appliance performs security inspections on network packets sent from the virtual machine. In more specific embodiments, the method further includes creating an intercept mechanism in the virtual server to intercept the network packets from the virtual machine. In further embodiments, one or more security policies identify one or more virtual security appliances to process the network packets from the virtual machine.

The evolution of virtualization techniques has coincided, and to some extent has merged, with the movement toward cloud computing. In general, virtualization obscures hardware characteristics of a computing platform and instead presents an abstract platform that can host other platforms, including complete operating systems. One popular virtualization technique is to deploy a hypervisor (also known as a virtual machine manager) that can allow guest software (including complete operating systems) to run concurrently on an abstract host platform. The hypervisor can provide a simulated computing environment, often referred to as a "virtual machine," for its guest software. Thus, multiple disparate operating systems can run under a hypervisor on a single physical machine, for example.
Cloud computing is generally the use of computing resources that are delivered as a service over a network, such as the Internet. In cloud computing, various remote computers, servers, and data storage systems can provide services by storing data and hosting applications. End user computers can access applications in the cloud infrastructure via a web browser or other application that provides network access to a host. Typically, compute, storage, and network resources are offered in a cloud infrastructure, effectively shifting the workload from a local network to the cloud network.
Virtualization applied to a cloud infrastructure can provide numerous benefits. In particular, a virtualized cloud infrastructure can maximize the output of the physical machines in the infrastructure, can enable customers to buy only the resources it uses or wants, and can provide flexibility and speed in responding to changes in a customer's network resource requirements. Virtual machines, however, are likely to become more popular targets for malicious attacks, as the use of virtualized cloud infrastructures continues to grow. While cloud virtualization provides many advantages, it can also present unique security challenges, as the nature of the virtualized infrastructure is to enable quick deployment of new resources. Hence, many challenges remain for providing a secure virtualized cloud infrastructure.

Providing a virtual security appliance architecture to a virtual cloud infrastructure


The present invention publishes a universal conversion power cable, comprising a plug subassembly built by the clamping of a plug socket equipped with conductive components on the inside and a replaceable plug, wherein a power cord connected correspondingly to the conductive components, a plug-in slot which is closed on one end and open on the other end is configured on the surface of the plug socket. The replaceable plug is plugged into that plug-in slot, while the front side of the replaceable plug is just adjacent to the closed-end wall surface of the plug-in slot, the power cord is connected to the open-end of the plug-in slot on the plug socket. The present invention connects the power cord to the open-end of the plug-in slot on the plug socket. When this power connecting device is inserted into the power socket, careless dragging of the power cord or removing the device along the downward direction of the power cord with improper force makes the plug socket and the replaceable plug resist to each other even more tightly, making it impossible to pull off the plug socket separately, effectively solving the defect of the existing technology, significantly improving the safety performance and completely meeting the safety standard of the electric appliance in western countries.

This invention relates to a power connecting device, and more especially, to a power cable that can be conveniently and safely plugged into the power sockets of different specifications and standards.
With the continuous development of science and technology, people cannot live or work without electricity. For the convenience of using electricity, people have created many kinds of power sockets applicable to industrial production or civil use and their correspondent plugs, thereby increasing production efficiency and living quality. However, since the power sockets and plugs produced in different regions or countries around the world differ by their specifications and standards, manufacturers have to produce products according to different specifications and standards. The manufacturing of the products of different standards will restrict the quantity of each batch, which will make it more difficult to further reduce the product prices. If users are using the electrical appliance products made in different regions, embarrassing situations where the sockets and plugs do not match occur, and the device cannot be used. In order to improve the situation, various kinds of power connecting devices enabling plug replacement have been designed within the industry. However, in terms of the existing power connecting devices, they are all designed to connect the power cord to the end that is opposite to the separation of the replaceable plug and the socket. When the power connecting device is inserted into the power socket, careless dragging of the power cord or taking off the power connecting device along the direction of the power cord, in the direction where the power socket and the replaceable plug are separated, will easily pull off the socket, with the replaceable plug still remained on the power socket and the root of the pins exposed, thus to lead to hidden risks of safety and great inconvenience for people who work abroad or travel a lot. Developing a power connecting device with convenient and reliable inserting and pulling as well as safe use is an urgent problem in this field.


A wheel deceleration calculating sections individually calculate, as negative values, wheel decelerations of front and rear wheels. If, at a time when the antilock braking control for at least one of the right and left front wheels is started or at a time when the antilock braking control for at least one of the right and left rear wheels is started, (i) a maximum value of the wheel decelerations calculated by the wheel deceleration calculating sections is equal to or larger than a first predetermined value and (ii) a difference between the wheel decelerations of the right and left front wheels or the right and left rear wheels which are in an antilock braking control state is equal to or larger than a second predetermined value, a split road determining section determines that road surfaces constitute a split road.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
JP 2007-55583 A discloses a vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus that performs antilock braking control, independently from each other, for wheel brakes for right and left front wheels and right and left rear wheels of a vehicle. When the vehicle is running on a split road where coefficients of friction of right and left road surfaces with which the front and rear wheels are in contact are largely different from each other during the antilock braking control, the vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus of JP 2007-55583 A controls so that a difference between brake fluid pressures of the left and right wheel brakes which is equal to or larger than a predetermined value is not generated.

Vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus


A satellite (S/C) cellular commsystem includes user terminals (UT) for transmitting to, & receiving signals from the S/C, and includes gateways for transmitting to the S/C. The gateways receive and distribute signals from the S/C. Each gateway identifies itself to a UT by use of a location area identity signal, including codes representing (a) the gateway residence country, (b) the system with which the gateway is associated, and (c) the antenna beam on which service is provided. A network controller (NC 18) transmits location area identity codes, representing (a) the identity of the S/C communication system, (b) the satellite carrying the control signal, and (c) the particular antenna beam on which the control signal is transmitted. The UTs store the location area identity signals, and further include a comparator for comparing the identity signals received from the NCC with the stored identity signals. If they are the same, no update is required. If they are different, the UT requests access from the NCC. Upon receiving access, the UT transmits to a gateway the current location area identity, and also updates its own memory, so that at the next turn-on the UT is likely to find that the codes match, and no update is required.

Mobile cellular communication systems have become of increasing importance, providing mobile users the security of being able to seek aid in case of trouble, allowing dispatching of delivery and other vehicles with little wasted time, and the like. Present cellular communication systems use terrestrial transmitters, such as fixed sites or towers, to define each cell of the system, so that the extent of a particular cellular communication system is limited by the region over which the towers are distributed. Many parts of the world are relatively inaccessible, or, as in the case of the ocean, do not lend themselves to location of a plurality of dispersed cellular sites. In these regions of the world, spacecraft-based communication systems may be preferable to terrestrial-based systems. It is desirable that a spacecraft cellular communications system adhere, insofar as possible, to the standards which are common to terrestrial systems, and in particular to such systems as the GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS system (GSM), which is in use in Europe.
The GSM system is a cellular communications system which communicates with user terminals by means of electromagnetic transmissions from, and receptions of such electromagnetic signals at, fixed sites or towers spaced across the countryside. The GSM system is described in detail in the text The GSM System for Mobile Communications, subtitled A Comprehensive Overview of the European Digital Cellular System, authored by Michel Mouly and Marie-Bernadette Pautet, and published in 1992 by the authors, at 4, rue Elisee Reclus, F-91120 Palaiseau, France. Another text that describes the GSM system is Mobile Radio Communications, by Raymond Steele, published by Pentech Press, London, ISBN 0-7273-1406-8. Each fixed site or tower (tower) of the GSM system includes transmitter and receiver arrangements, and communicates with user terminals by way of signals having a bandwidth of 50 Mhz., centered on 900 Mhz., and also by way of signals having a bandwidth of 150 Mhz., centered on 1800 Mhz.
A cellular communication system should provide communications to a terrestrial or land-line exchange from a mobile user terminal, and the terrestrial system should be able to reach a particular mobile user terminal regardless of the location of the mobile terminal (regardless of which cell the mobile station occupies). In the GSM system, each fixed site transmits a unique control signal, including a Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH), which in turn includes System Information Messages, which in turn includes Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC), and Location Area Code (LAC). The MCC identifies the country in which the fixed site or cell Is located, the MNC identifies the "owner," which is the administrator or provider which maintains the particular cell which transmits the BCCH, and the LAC identifies the particular cell which makes the transmission. These three signals are referred to together as Location Area Identity (LAI). The mobile user terminal stores the Location Area Identity (LAI) from a previous transmission, so the previous LAI is available to the user terminal at all times.
The provider must know the current location of the user terminal, in order to provide service to someone seeking access to the mobile user terminal without polling every possible cell in which the user terminal might be located. In general, if the user terminal is not located in the same cell as that from which it made its last transmission, it may be anywhere in the system. In the GSM system, if a mobile station moves from a location near a first fixed site to another site, without more, service would be lost, because in the overlap region between cells, the frequency of the transmissions from a second fixed site, being at different frequencies from those of the first fixed site, would not be recognized by the mobile user terminal.
When a GSM user terminal is energized in order to make a transmission, it first scans frequency to identify all control carriers or fixed sites which it can receive. It then selects the "best" one, which may be the one providing the greatest signal strength, or best signal-to-noise ratio, or the like. It then examines the LAI of that particular carrier, and receives the new LAI from the selected fixed site. The mobile station then compares the stored LAI with the newly received LAI. If the mobile user terminal is still within the broadcast area of the same fixed site as that with which it last communicated, the new and stored LAI will match. Since the mobile user terminal has not moved since the last communication, the overall system already knows its location and identity. In that event, the user terminal can provide service (make telephone calls) immediately, because the fixed site is already aware of the existence of the mobile user terminal within its broadcast cell. On the other hand, if the user has moved the mobile terminal to a new location, as by driving along a highway, the LAI codes at initial turn-on won't match, because some aspect of the currently received LAI will differ from the stored value. In other words, at least the LAC, which identifies the fixed site, will have changed, the provider may have changed, and if a national boundary has been crossed, the MCC may also have changed. In the event that the mobile user terminal finds that the stored and newly received LAI do not match, it begins an update procedure, by requesting access with the current serving cell. Once access is granted by assigning a carrier frequency and a time multiplexing pattern on that frequency, the user terminal automatically sends a location update request message. The network then examines the location update request message, to identify the user terminal's home network, and to verify the legitimacy of the user's service. This examination involves, inter alia, accessing a database at the user terminal's home network, and advising the home network of the new location of the user terminal. Once service or roaming is authorized, the network sends a Location Updating Accept signal to the user terminal, which signal contains the new LAI of the fixed site. The user terminal then updates its stored LAI value for future use, and is ready to provide service by way of the particular fixed site with which it is communicating.
In the GSM system, if a phone call is made to the user terminal's home network, requesting access to the particular mobile user terminal, the home network's database knows the current cell location of the particular user, and can direct the call to the appropriate fixed site, without polling all possible fixed sites to try to locate the user terminal.
It has been discovered that the above-described cellular communication system cannot be used for a spacecraft cellular communication system. More particularly, in a spacecraft-based cellular communications system, there are plural mobile stations which may move throughout the spacecraft coverage area, and there are also fixed ground-based stations or gateways, which allow the spacecraft to couple the signals from the mobile user terminals to stations on the terrestrial land-line system. In general, there are many such gateways, with plural gateways in at least some countries. For example, Indonesia is a nation which consists of an elongated chain of islands, and each island which requires service must have a ground-based gateway. In a spacecraft cellular communication system, each cell is associated with a particular antenna beam, all of which originate with the spacecraft. Consequently, when a mobile user terminal is initially energized, and scans frequency to determine what carrier signals it can receive, it finds that it can receive one or more control signal carriers, just as in the case of the GSM. The mobile user terminal then selects the best of the signals, and examines the LAI. Upon comparison of the LAI with the previous LAI, it may be found to be the same, or different. If the control signal carried or transmitted over one spot beam relates to a single one of the gateways, then a mobile user who is within a particular spot beam can communicate only with one gateway, namely that gateway which generates the control signals for that particular spot beam. This is very disadvantageous, because a mobile user who happens to be-within a particular spot beam, and who wishes to communicate with a particular country, may have to communicate by way of a third country within which the gateway associated with "his" spot beam lies. Similarly, a land-line user in a particular country, wishing to communicate with a particular mobile user terminal, would have to route his telephone call to that one of the gateways, wherever located, which was associated with the spot beam in which the user terminal was located. The difficulty of routing calls in this fashion is apparent, especially considering that the terrestrial caller might not know exactly where the mobile user terminal was located. In the case of a terrestrial caller located on an island with a single gateway, communication could not be routed by land lines to another gateway because there are no such land lines, and so communication could not be established with a mobile user terminal which was not in the spot beam associated with his island's gateway.
Improved spacecraft cellular communications systems are desired.

Spacecraft cellular communication system


When measuring the liquid crystals to he measured, the present invention adding the liquid crystals under test to a mixed solvent to form a solvent to be measured; measuring the moisture in the liquid crystal measurement sample through a reaction reagent to achieve a measurement result; wherein the mixed solvent comprises a first solvent, and the first solvent is dissolved with the methanol of the reaction reagent mutually and dissolves the liquid crystals to be measured. In the present invention, the moisture in the liquid crystal can be fully released and achieve accurate measurements.

LCD (liquid crystal display) technology has obvious advantages, such as a low driving voltage, a low power consumption, a high reliability, a huge information-displaying amounts, a color display, a flicker-free, a low cost, a capability of being made into various sizes and types LCD displayer, a convenience of portability and so on. Because of these above advantages, LCD technology has a great influence on the product structures for imaging displays, thereby facilitating developments of microelectronics and optoelectronic information technology. With continuous development of LCD technology, the demand for liquid crystal display panels is also increasing.
The liquid crystal, which is in a state between liquid and crystalline, is the core material for LCD technology. The liquid crystal has some properties of both a liquid state and a crystalline state (such as fluidity, anisotropy, etc.), as well as its own unique properties. For example, after the power is turned on, the liquid crystal becomes orderly arranged to enable lights to pass therethrough easily, whereas after the power is turned off, the liquid crystal is arranged chaotically to prevent the lights from passing therethrough. Based on the above characteristics, a liquid crystal layer comprising liquid crystals can be made, and the liquid crystal layer is disposed inside an LCD panel. When a light beam passes through the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystals of the liquid crystal layer become orderly arranged or chaotically arranged, according to the circumstances of the electricity passing, so as to allow lights to pass therethrough or block the lights and then display the corresponding images. Therefore, an outstanding image definition greatly depends on the merits or demerits of the liquid crystal characteristics.
In a case of a moisture content ratio for the liquid crystals, during an actual production process, the moisture content ratio in the liquid crystal material has a higher requirement. Generally, the moisture content ratio has a requirement of less than 10 ppm (parts per million concentration). A higher moisture content ratio will reduce the impedances of the liquid crystals, thereby lowering a voltage holding ratio of the liquid crystal panel which would invoke an image defect such as an IS (Image Sticking). Therefore, the measurement and control of the moisture content ratio in the liquid crystals brings a significant effect on the LCD technology.
In prior art, a primary method of measuring the moisture content ratio of the liquid crystals is 'Karl-Fischer' method (referred to as KF), which mainly applies a Karl-Fisher reagent on a liquid crystal sample to measure its moisture content ratio, wherein the Karl-Fisher reagent includes SO2, I2, organic alkali and an alcohol solvent. The measurement principle of the Karl-Fischer method is given in the following formulas:I2+SO2+2H2O→2HI+H2SO4  (1)C5H5N+H2O+I2+SO2→2C5H5N.HI+C5H5N.SO3  (2)C5H5N.SO3+CH3OH (anhydrous)→(C5H5+H)O—SO2.OCH3  (3)
In which SO2 and I2 are oxidation-reduction reactions with the moistures of the liquid crystal sample, quantitatively. The chemical relationship is a quantitative basis of the moistures in the sample. The organic base is mostly pyridine, which is used to neutralize the acid generated during the reaction and to perform the reaction toward a right direction. The alcohols, mostly methanol, are mainly used to react with the unstable sulfuric anhydride pyridine generated in the reaction, and to form a stable Methyl sulfate pyridine, treated as a reaction medium.
Please refer to FIG. 1. A liquid crystal sample with a quantitative amount is drawn by a syringe to infuse into the Karl-Fisher cuvette containing the Karl-Fisher reagent for directly conducting the reaction, the end of which is indicated and monitored through a double-platinum indicator electrode within an instrument. However, in the research process the inventor of the present invention found that the liquid crystals mostly contain some substances with low polarity, such as a benzene ring or cyclohexane, which are not compatible with the methanol system with medium polarity of the Karl-Fisher reagent and easily exist in the form of dough insolubles that are not beneficial to release and test the moistures in the liquid crystals. This greatly reduces the accuracy of the test of the moisture contents in the liquid crystals. With the lower moisture content of the liquid crystal sample, it's difficult to release trace of the moistures wrapped in the liquid crystals, which easily results in moisture content measurement errors. This will eventually lead to adverse LCD panel displays after the formation of a liquid crystal panel.
Therefore, there is a need to solve the above problems of the prior art.

Method for measuring moisture in liquid crystals

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A method to efficiently measure the oxygen content of both the headspace and fluid within a hermetically sealed container. A container is pierced using a hollow needle with the interior space sealed from the outside and the tip of said hollow needle removed, and the interior space is made continuous with the headspace within the container. A probe of a fluorescent oxygen concentration meter is inserted through the hollow needle to the interior of the container, positioned in the headspace within the container, and the oxygen concentration of the headspace 3 is measured. The probe is inserted further so that the fluorescent material is submerged in the fluid inside the container, and the dissolved oxygen concentration inside the fluid is measured.

In the manufacturing process of products in which a fluid is hermetically sealed in a container, such as in canned foods, in order to manage the quality of the contained liquid, it is indispensable to ascertain the oxygen content in the headspace within the container, and the amount of oxygen dissolved in the fluid. As a devices to measure the amount of oxygen used in this kind of application, there has been a proposal for a device in which a headspace oxygen measuring device and a device for measuring the amount oxygen dissolved in the fluid are arranged in a sampling line that branches from the production line, canning containers are suitably pulled from the production line to the sampling line, samples of headspace gas and the contained fluid are extracted by piercing that canning container with needles or nozzles from the respective measuring devices, and the oxygen content is measured by analyzing these samples (for example, refer to Patent Publication 1). In addition, there have been various proposals for methods and devices to extract gas or fluid samples by piercing hermetically sealed contains such as cans (for example, refer to Patent Publications 2 to 4). Electro-chemical oxygen concentration meters, for example, polarograph-type oxygen concentration meters, which lead the oxygen in the sample between electrodes, cause a chemical response, and detect the oxygen based on the current flowing between the electrodes, have been used as means to detect the concentration of oxygen within samples (refer to Patent Publications 3 and 4).
Concentration meters that use the paramagnetism of the oxygen, and concentration meters that use fluorescent material are well-known as oxygen concentration meters that differ from electrochemical oxygen concentration meters. The latter concentration meter utilizes the phenomenon that the fluorescent energy that the fluorescent substance generates is consumed as the excitation energy of the ground state oxygen present around that fluorescent substance, thus quenching the fluorescent light, and the oxygen concentration is specified from the intensity and duration of the fluorescent light. Well-known as this type of concentration meter are concentration meters, in which a fluorescent substance is arranged on the tip of a probe, the fluorescent substance is irradiated with excitation light though optical fibers to produce fluorescent light, and this fluorescent light is led by optical fibers to a photoelectric conversion circuit positioned behind (for example, refer to Patent Publication 5). Moreover, examples of applications of oxygen concentration meters using fluorescent light include a proposal for a device to measure the required amount of biological oxygen in sample water by inserting a ride guide provided with a fluorescent oxygen tip into a culturing container filled with sample water (refer to Patent Publication 6).
[Patent Publication 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent No. H7-58244
[Patent Publication 2] U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,697
[Patent Publication 3] Japanese Laid-open Patent No. H1-113659
[Patent Publication 4] Japanese Laid-open Patent No. H4-176636
[Patent Publication 5] Japanese Laid-open Patent No. H10-132742
[Patent Publication 6] Japanese Laid-open Patent No. H11-242025

Method for measuring oxygen amount in hermetically sealed container and piercing device for hermetically sealed container used therefore


A screen includes: a diffraction member and a scattering member. The diffraction member selectively diffracts image light and orients this light towards a viewer. In order for the image light to be scattered to a higher degree than ambient light that enters the scattering member on the side opposite of the viewer, the degree to which the scattering member scatters polarized light varies according to the polarization direction of the light. Thus, regardless of the positional relationship of the screen and a projector, which projects image light, it is possible to use a relatively simple industrial manufacturing process that can ensure the following to a satisfactory extent: brightness of the screen in the front direction, a wide viewing angle, and visual clarity through the screen.

So-called "transparent screen" technology, in which a transparent screen displays images, has been well-known for some time. However, a screen that can ensure visual clarity through the screen (in other words, an image on the other side of the screen can be recognized as an image) while also ensuring a wide viewing angle and quality for images displayed on the screen does not currently exist. Thus, there are currently no transmissive or reflective projection display devices that include a high quality "transparent screen."
The reasons for this will be described below.
In order to generate images on a screen, it is necessary to scatter light on the screen. Additionally, in order to ensure a wide viewing angle, it is necessary to increase the degree of light-scattering to a certain extent. When light is scattered, however, visual clarity through the screen declines.
This is due to the fact that it is difficult to both a) scatter light while ensuring image quality and a wide viewing angle, and b) ensure visual clarity through the screen, since there is a fundamental trade-off that exists between these two concepts.
Conventionally, there have been many transparent screens developed that included a scattering layer in which a scattering agent was spread across a transparent supporting substrate. Since the scattering layer by itself does not scatter enough light, transparent screens that further included a diffraction member (diffraction sheet) such as a holographic film were developed.
FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic configuration of a conventional transmissive projection display device 100.
As shown in FIG. 18, the conventional transmissive projection display device 100 includes: a screen 101; and a projector 104 that projects projector light onto the screen 101.
In addition, the screen 101 includes a diffraction member 102 and a scattering member (scattering sheet) 103.
The diffraction member 102 diffracts light so that projector light from the projector 104 can be efficiently oriented in the front direction of the screen 101. Since diffraction selectivity can be set in regards to the wavelength and angle of incidence of light, it is possible to selectively diffract only projector light while not diffracting any ambient light.
While it is possible to orient light towards the front by diffraction alone, diffraction by itself is not enough to disperse light to obtain a wide viewing angle (this ability is also known as a "scattering function"). Thus, by providing a scattering member 103, light is dispersed and a wide viewing angle can be ensured.
However, scattering members 103 included in conventional transmissive projection display devices 100 scatter both projector light from the projector 104 and ambient light, regardless of the polarization direction of the light. Thus, while a wide viewing angle can be obtained, it is not possible to ensure visual clarity through the screen 101, which is a problem.
In order to resolve such problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a holographic screen that includes a light-scattering element that only scatters light that enters from within a prescribed range of angles of incidence.
FIG. 19 illustrates a schematic configuration of a conventional holographic screen 201 disclosed in Patent Document 1.
As shown in FIG. 19, the holographic screen 201 includes: a holographic element 211 that has a function of diffracting projected light 221 that has been projected by a projection device 202; and a light scattering element 212. The light scattering element 212 is disposed on the projection device 202 side of the holographic element 211, which is the side of the holographic element 211 that is opposite of the viewer 206 side, with an adhesive layer 213 interposed therebetween.
By scattering incident light whose angle of incidence falls within a prescribed range, the light scattering element 212 can selectively scatter only projected light 221 projected by the projection device 202 and avoid scattering any ambient light.
Therefore, it is possible to obtain a wide viewing angle while at the same time ensuring visual clarity through the screen.
Patent Document 2 discloses a holographic screen that includes a directional scattering hologram that corresponds to the light scattering element 212 described in Patent Document 1.
Similar to the light scattering element 212 in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for the degree to which this directional scattering hologram scatters light to vary according to the angle of incidence of the incident light. It is therefore extremely difficult to industrially produce such a hologram and such a process is very expensive.
Patent Document 3 discloses a holographic screen in which the haze level is limited to a predetermined range.
Patent Document 4 discloses an alignment film that has selectivity with respect to the polarization direction of linearly polarized light, or in other words, has a transmission axis (a direction in which the least amount of scattering occurs) and a scattering axis (a direction in which the largest amount of scattering occurs) on the surface of the film.
In the screen disclosed in Patent Document 4, the alignment film and a polarizing element are stacked on each other, a dichroic polarizing plate is used as the polarizing element, and the alignment film and the polarizing plate are stacked such that the transmission axis of the alignment film matches the absorption axis of the dichroic polarizing plate. The scattering axis direction of the alignment film matches the polarization direction of light exiting from a liquid crystal projector.
Patent Document 4 discloses that, as a result of this configuration, it is possible to effectively scatter linearly polarized light that contributes to forming images and obtain a bright display while suppressing scattering of light in the transmission direction, which is not related to forming images, and also possible to absorb polarized light via the dichroic polarizing plate; thus, it is possible to display high contrast images.


Disclosed is a steer-by-wire system and a control program therefor which are capable of preventing a steering handle from being turned excessively. According to the steer-by-wire system and the control program, when drive electric current to a steering actuator is restrained to restrict the steering of steerable road wheels, the steering reaction force to the steering handle is increased thereby to make the steering handle hard or unable to turn further. Thus, the steering handle can be prevented from being turned excessively. Further, when the steering actuator is heated beyond a predetermined temperature, such is judged as the overload on the steering actuator thereby to restrain the drive electric current to the steering actuator. Therefore, it can be obviated that the steering actuator is overheated to suffer failure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steer-by-wire system and a control program therefor suitable for use in motor vehicles.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, in a steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle, as described in Japanese unexampled, published patent application No. 2002-37112 for example, a steering handle and steerable road wheels are mechanically disconnected, and a steering actuator steers the steerable road wheels in dependence on the steering angle of the steering handle, while a reaction force generating actuator applies a steering reaction force to the steering handle. Further, there has been under development a steer-by-wire system which is capable of controlling a reaction force generating actuator to generate a steering reaction force in proportion to a drive electric current to a steering actuator.
By the way, in the steer-by-wire system under development, when the steerable road wheels are brought into state in which they are unable to steer anymore, the steering actuator comes to be overloaded, and therefore, the drive electric current to the steering actuator is restrained to avoid the overheating of the same.
However, in the steer-by-wire system under development, the steering reaction force is controlled to be decreased as the drive electric current to the steering actuator is limited or restrained, and it occurs therefore that the vehicle driver turns the steering handle excessively even in the state that the steerable road wheels are unable to steer further.

Steer-by-wire system and control program therefor


The present invention relates to a pyrotechnical system comprising at least one flexible elongate pyrotechnical-function element and means suitable for deploying said elongate element in a chosen direction, wherein the system further comprises a support structure comprising an inflatable flexible container which receives the elongate element and which is provided with internal spacer fins suitable for supporting the elongate element, for being deployed simultaneously therewith, and for supporting the pyrotechnical-function element above the ground.

Various systems have already been proposed comprising:
at least one elongate flexible pyrotechnical-function element; and
means suitable for deploying said elongate pyrotechnical-function element in a chosen direction.
For example, such means are described in the following documents: FR-A-2 226 064, U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,089, FR-A-2 076 906 FR-A-2 592 947, FR-A-2 214 099, and EP-A-0 305 160.
A first application of such systems is rapid mine clearance over a zone that is long and narrow, so as to create a breach and allow men and/or vehicles to pass through a mine field.
A second application is used for setting fire to installations to which it is difficult to gain final access, i.e. which remain out of range for conventional incendiary devices.
The implementation of such known systems is illustrated diagrammatically in accompanying FIGS. 1A to 1D.
Accompanying FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a container 10 placed on the ground and containing a tube 20 that is coiled down inside the container and that is provided with a thruster 30.
FIG. 1B shows the stage during which the tube 20 is propelled by means of the thruster 30.
Accompanying FIG. 1C shows the tube 20 deployed on the ground in a chosen direction by means of the thruster 30.
Finally, accompanying FIG. 1D is a diagram showing an explosion step implemented using an explosive substance contained in the tube 20.
Documents FR-A-2 214 099 and EP-A-0 305 160 describe mine clearance structures in the form of a carpet of explosives supported by inflatable structures. In practice, it turns out that such carpets of explosives are often difficult to deploy and to use. The teaching of documents FR-A-2 214 099 and EP-A-0 305 160 is nevertheless not transposable to a device that comprises only a single linear assembly of explosives.
An object of the present invention is to improve known systems.

Systems including a deployable elongate pyrotechnical-function element


A ball joint having a polymeric housing with an integral bearing seat for receiving a ball stud. A polymeric cap attaches to the housing and includes a bearing cavity for contacting the ball stud. The housing and bearing cap each have retention features that cooperate to securely assemble the joint. A pattern of reinforcing ribs are optionally provided on the outer surface of the housing to increase strength and dimensional stability.

Ball joints having molded plastic sockets that receive a metallic ball stud are known. Previous plastic socket designs have inserted additional parts such as a metallic bearing ring for contact against the ball stud to reduce socket wear. However, additional loose parts increase assembly time and concerns about corrosion occurring between the metallic ball stud and the metallic bearing ring.
The construction of known ball joints also includes a plastic cap that is either inserted or screwed into a bore in the socket for contacting the ball stud. However, preventing caps from pushing out of the bores has been a problem. In addition, screwing in a fully threaded cap increases assembly time.
Previous ball joints have not allowed incremental torque adjustments to be made during the service life of the joint to compensate for wear or other changing conditions. Nor have the previous designs provided a pattern of reinforcing ribs to decrease the amount of socket material and increase strength and dimensional stability.


A mounting assembly for securely mounting a dash instrument within a corresponding aperture of a dashboard. The mounting assembly comprises one or more mounting brackets mounted to the instrument and positioned against the rear side of the instrument panel to securely mount the instrument to withstand forces typically experienced by fast moving vehicles such as boats. The mounting brackets each comprise a slot defined therein which divides the bracket into two regions, a first of which provides a tapered portion. A connector extends through the slot and into a corresponding aperture of the instrument so as to contact only one side of the slot of the mounting bracket. Thus, when the connector is rotated to be tightened, the frictional forces between the connector and the mounting bracket include a force component in a direction which drives a larger segment of the tapered portion between the connector and the rear side of the dashboard, thereby drawing the dash instrument into the corresponding aperture defined by the dashboard.

Instruments mounted within instrument panels of vehicles, such as boats, must be securely mounted to withstand the harsh conditions to which they may be subjected. The importance of securely mounting instruments within an instrument panel is particularly apparent for fast-moving vehicles which typically subject the instruments to even greater forces. In terms of boats, the instruments must withstand substantial forces acting on the instrument and the instrument panel resulting from choppy or rough water conditions. Furthermore, forces resulting from acceleration and deceleration of the boat may also produce substantial forces on either or both the instrument or the instrument panel. Often times, these forces are cyclical, particularly when the forces affecting the instrument and instrument panel are due to deceleration and acceleration forces.
The forces acting on the instrument and the instrument panel tend to loosen the mounting of the instrument within the instrument panel. Moreover, once an instrument begins to loosen, the instrument will tend to continue to loosen since the instrument will experience greater relative motion with respect to the instrument panel. The loosening of the instrument may impair the performance of the instrument and, more typically, may structurally damage the instrument and/or the instrument panel due to the relative motion therebetween.
Accordingly, it is necessary to securely mount the instruments within the instrument panel to withstand these varying and often times harsh conditions. The mounting mechanism securing the instrument to the instrument panel must thereby be mechanically stable to prevent relative movement between the instrument and the instrument panel regardless of the conditions experienced by the boat. As will be apparent, the more firmly that the instrument is secured within the instrument panel, the more durable and reliable will be the instrument. Yet, the mounting used to secure the instrument is preferably economical, lightweight and relatively easy to manufacture and install.
The mounting mechanism must also be easily accessible to service the instrument. This requirement is particularly important in light of the limited access provided by the confined space behind a dashboard, such as the dashboard of a boat. Moreover, once access is achieved, the mounting mechanism should permit easy removal and/or repair of the instrument.

Mounting bracket for dash mountable marine electronics


A drive circuit for a laser which has the capability of eliminating transient conditions when switching a high frequency modulator on or off, and including elements for maintaining desired depth of modulation. These capabilities are included in a circuit that automatically compensates for changing conditions due to temperature, laser characteristics and fluctuations in media reflectivity.

Optical disk devices are used for the storage of computer-prepared data and have recognized value in their ability to store large quantities of data. The media for use in such devices is reactive to bursts of light, such as may be produced by the rapid switching of a semiconductor laser. In order to write data on optical media, the laser power must be controlled at a fairly high power level, in order that the media can be altered so that it reflects light indicating the presence or absence of data. In reading the data back, the laser power level is controlled to a lower level so that the media is not altered by the laser beam.
Optical media is of two general types, media which can be written only once and media which can be written, erased, and written again. Write-once media (WORM) is permanently altered when write power levels are produced by the laser beam. Erasable media, such as magneto-optic (MO) media, is not permanently altered when data is written. In the MO media, the magnetic orientation of the reactive material is altered in the writing process, and in the erasing process, the magnetic orientation is reordered.
In operating an optical disk system, it is necessary to set the correct laser power level to read and to write for each optical disk. The correct parameters for the optical disk are included in information in an identification header stamped onto the disk, itself. That information, when read by the system, enables a calibration circuit to set the desired current levels for the laser to produce correct laser power. Since, however, the laser is subject to unintended changes in its operating parameters, particularly with temperature and aging, the calibration method is also used to change current levels for the laser so that the correct power level is maintained under operating conditions and throughout laser life.
The common practice of calibrating laser circuits to operate with a given optical medium usually involves analyzing the laser light intensity at the optical medium. To do that, laser control circuits are set to match a predetermined or desired light intensity at the optical medium. Analysis is conducted to enable setting digital-to-analog converters (DACs) which control laser power in the writing and the erasing operations of optical mediums.
Read power levels and the power level to write zero digits, called a baseline level, are also established. However, as the efficiency of the laser changes, the read power produced for a given laser current changes. Changes in efficiency result from the laser moving in and out of focus, a situation causing feedback noise within the system. Noise is created from small variations in the optical path length which occur as an optical disk rotates and also by differing reflections from the media. The semiconductor laser chip, itself, may be inherently unstable in that emission from the laser may be reflected back into a secondary cavity with the consequence that read power emitted by the laser may fluctuate.
In order to eliminate the effects of feedback noise, it is common practice to modulate the laser, that is to turn the laser off as light is returned to the laser cavity from the optical disk medium. The instant invention relates, in part, to automatically calibrating the amplitude of the modulation, that is modulation depth, so that a correct modulation depth is maintained in the system without manual intervention. Thus, a technique is presented in which the laser driver, itself, may calibrate the modulation depth as temperature changes, as the read power level changes, and as laser characteristics change, for example, with age.
A provision is also made for compensation to eliminate switching transients as laser power is switched from one power level to another. For example, when the power level is switched from a read power level for MO media to a baseline write power level, laser current and power may fluctuate during a transient period. This invention provides a circuit which effectively eliminates such transients.

International Business Machines Corporation