A connector assembly includes a housing, a plurality of circuit board cable assemblies, and an overmold. Each of the circuit board cable assemblies includes a printed circuit board and a pair of shielded cables. The overmold extends and insulate a portion of the shielded cables and a portion of the printed circuit board that includes a plurality of conductive contact pads for electrical connection to the shielded cables.

High-speed signal protocols such as, e.g., Serial Attached SCSI with high density implementation (MiniSAS HD), etc. are often used for a number of applications. For example, high-speed protocols are often used for data communication between various electronic apparatus such as storage devices in computers. Connector assemblies for high-speed protocols are often limited to generic designs including 1-piece, hollow housings.
Additionally, it may be difficult to manufacture a connector assembly for use with high-speed signal protocols that has low impedance while maintaining structural integrity (e.g., during plugging and unplugging of the connector assembly, etc.).

Connector with plurality of circuit board cable assemblies and overmold


A communications apparatus includes a transmitter that transmits signal light that is wavelength division multiplexed with other signal light and that is to be transmitted to an opposing apparatus, and a processor that is operative to change a frequency of the signal light to be transmitted by the transmitter based on detection results at the opposing apparatus and concerning variation in the frequency of the transmitted signal light.

Recently, in optical communications systems, the use of signals subjected to phase modulation, which is excellent for reception sensitivity, to perform wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) with high density at a narrow wavelength interval is raising demand for increases in transmission capacity. Phase modulation schemes include differential phase shift keying (DPSK) and differential quadrature PSK.
In optical fibers having nonlinear effects, signal light transmitted by wavelength division multiplexing is affected by cross phase modulation from the signal light of an adjacent wavelength channel (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-028470). The effects of cross phase modulation become large due to raised output of transmission path input power, increases in transmission distance and relaying, narrowing of the wavelength intervals among adjacent wavelengths.
Further, when phase modulated signal light is affected by cross phase modulation and the wavelength varies, since the demodulation accuracy at the receiving side drops, communication quality also drops. In particular, for high density multiplexing systems that densely multiplex wavelength intervals to increase frequency utilization efficiency, since frequency variations caused by cross phase modulation is great, drops in the quality of communication via phase modulated signal light are also great. Further, technology is known that reduces the effect of cross phase modulation, by flattening the waveform of signal light to be multiplexed (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-213160).
However, the effect of cross phase modulation varies according to the power and wavelength interval states of the signal light to be wavelength division multiplexed. Consequently, problems arise with the conventional technologies above in that an appropriate reduction of the effect of the cross phase modulation is difficult and communication quality cannot be improved.

Communications apparatus, multiplex communications apparatus, communications system, and communication method


The invention relates to a method and an image processing device (50) for the registration of two images (I1, I2) that may for example be provided by a CT scanner (10) and/or an MRI scanner (20). According to one embodiment of the invention, the images are first globally registered (GR) with a given registration algorithm using a first parameter vector (p). A user may then select a region of interest ROI, and a plurality of local registrations (LR1, . . . LRs, . . . LRn) are calculated for this ROI using the same registration algorithm but different parameter vectors (p, p, . . . p). The results of the local registrations (LR1, . . . LRs, . . . LRn) are displayed and the user can select the best local registration(s). In a final step, the selected local registration(s) (LRs) and the global registration (GR) may be merged. Additionally or alternatively, a parameter vector for a local registration in the ROI may be determined by an automatic analysis of the ROI.

The US 2013/0182925 A1 discloses a method of initially registering a first set of image data and a second set of image data. A further registration of the images is then performed in a region that is automatically or manually selected. The initial registration may for example be a free-form transformation, while the further registration is a rigid registration. In a final step, the initial and the further registrations may be merged.
The US 2005/065421 A1 discloses a method in which first anatomical and functional images are co-registered, and second anatomical and functional images, acquired at a later stage, are co-registered. A global, rigid registration is performed on the first and second anatomical images. Moreover, a volume of interest (ROI) is identified in the first co-registered composite image data set and a local, non-rigid registration is performed on this ROI and a corresponding ROI within the globally registered image data set.
The WO 2007/066294 A2 discloses a procedure in which several registrations of a first image and a second image are displayed on a display during a medical intervention. A physician can then visually select one of the registrations for subsequent use.
The WO 20121025855 A1 discloses the registration of anatomical images and emission images. In one embodiment, a global rigid registration is followed by a local non-rigid registration of a region of interest.


Compounds of the formula:

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are members of the ligand-gated ion channel family. When activated, the conductance of ions across the nicotinic ion channels increases. Nicotinic alpha 7 receptor (alpha 7 nAChR) forms a homopentameric channel in vitro that is highly permeable to calcium cations. Each alpha 7 nAChR has four transmembrane domains, known as M1, M2, M3, and M4. The M2 domain has been suggested to form the wall lining the channel. Sequence alignment shows that the alpha 7 nAChR is highly conserved during evolution. The M2 domain that lines the channel is identical in protein sequence from chick to human. Alpha 7 nAChR is described by, Revah et al. (1991), Nature, 353, 846-849; Galzi et al. (1992), Nature 359, 500-505; Fucile et al. (2000), PNAS 97(7), 3643-3648; Briggs et al. (1999), Eur. J. Pharmacol. 366 (2-3), 301-308; and Gopalakrishnan et al. (1995), Eur. J. Pharmacol. 290(3), 237-246.
The alpha 7 nAChR channel is expressed in various brain regions and is believed to be involved in many important biological processes in the central nervous system (CNS), including learning, memory and attention (Levin et al., Psychopharmacology (1998), 138, 217-230). Alpha 7 nAChR are localized on both presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals and have been suggested to be involved in modulating synaptic transmission. Agonists of alpha 7 nAChR have been shown to improve attention and cognition in Alzheimer's and attention deficit disorder conditions (Wilens et al., Am. J. Psychiatry (1999), 156(12), 1931-1937).
The analgesic effects of nicotine have long been known. Agonists of the alpha 7 nAChR receptor have been shown to modulate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins (ILs), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, and high-mobility group box (HMGB-1), and to inhibit inflammatory signalling in the CNS (de Jonge et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. (2007), 1-15). The alpha 7 nAChR receptor has a role in modulating CNS pain transmission, and alpha 7 nAChR agonists have shown an antinociceptive effect in an acute pain model (Damaj et al., Neuropharmacol.(2000) 39, 2785-2791.
Since acetylcholine (ACh) is an endogenous agonist of alpha 7 nAChR, agonists that act at the same site as ACh can stimulate and possibly block receptor activity through desensitization and competitive blockade processes (Forman et al., Biophysical J.(1988), 54(1), 149-158) and lead to prolonged receptor inactivation (Buisson et al., J. Neurosci.(2001), 21(6), 1819-1829). Desensitization limits the duration that the ion channel remains activated during agonist application. Thus the enhancement of Alpha 7 nAChR activity provided by such agonists will also increase competition with ACh, and therefore limit the usefulness of agonists as drugs.
Positive allosteric modulators of the nicotinic alpha 7 receptor channel enhance the activity of ACh and other nicotinic alpha 7 receptor agonists. Positive allosteric modulators activate alpha 7 nAChR when sufficient ACh is present in the central nervous system. Positive allosteric modulators of alpha 7 nAChRs thus are useful for treatment of CNS, pain and inflammatory diseases or conditions, to regulate CNS functions such as cognition, learning, mood, emotion and attention, and control production of pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with pain and inflammatory conditions. There is accordingly a need for new positive allosteric modulators of the nicotinic alpha 7 receptor channel.

Cyclopropyl aryl amide derivatives and uses thereof

Abstract: Compounds of the formula:

Abstract: wherein Ar1, Ar2, R1 and R2 are as defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of using, and methods of preparing the subject compounds.


A multi-stage cyclone for fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy oils is disclosed. A low efficiency inertial separator concentrates solids, FCC catalyst and fines, by forcing gas and entrained solids to make from 1/2 to 3/4 turn. Gas, with most of the solids content removed, is charged directly into the inlet horn of a conventional high efficiency cyclone. The solids concentrator/cyclone device may be used in FCC regenerators or reactors to reduce particulate losses, reduce catalyst attrition, and reduce erosion of cyclones caused by high catalyst loadings.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy hydrocarbon feeds and use of cyclones to separate cracked product or flue gas from catalyst.
2. Description of Related Art
Catalytic cracking is the backbone of many refineries. It converts heavy feeds into lighter products by catalytically cracking large molecules into smaller molecules. Catalytic cracking operates at low pressures, without hydrogen addition, in contrast to hydrocracking, which operates at high hydrogen partial pressures. Catalytic cracking is inherently safe as it operates with very little oil actually in inventory during the cracking process.
There are two main variants of the catalytic cracking process: moving bed and the far more popular and efficient fluidized bed process.
In the fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) process, catalyst, having a particle size and color resembling table salt and pepper, circulates between a cracking reactor and a catalyst regenerator. In the reactor, hydrocarbon feed contacts a source of hot, regenerated catalyst. The hot catalyst vaporizes and cracks the feed at 425.degree. C.-600.degree. C., usually 460.degree. C.-560.degree. C. The cracking reaction deposits carbonaceous hydrocarbons or coke on the catalyst, thereby deactivating the catalyst. The cracked products are separated from the coked catalyst. The coked catalyst is stripped of volatiles, usually with steam, in a catalyst stripper and the stripped catalyst is then regenerated. The catalyst regenerator burns coke from the catalyst with oxygen containing gas, usually air. Decoking restores catalyst activity and simultaneously heats the catalyst to, e.g., 500.degree. C.-900.degree. C., usually 600.degree. C.-750.degree. C. This heated catalyst is recycled to the cracking reactor to crack more fresh feed. Flue gas formed by burning coke in the regenerator may be treated for removal of particulates and for conversion of carbon monoxide, after which the flue gas is normally discharged into the atmosphere.
Catalytic cracking is endothermic, it consumes heat. The heat for cracking is supplied at first by the hot regenerated catalyst from the regenerator. Ultimately, it is the feed which supplies the heat needed to crack the feed. Some of the feed deposits as coke on the catalyst, and the burning of this coke generates heat in the regenerator, which is recycled to the reactor in the form of hot catalyst.
Catalytic cracking has undergone progressive development since the 40s. Modern fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units use zeolite catalysts. Zeolite-containing catalysts work best when coke on the catalyst after regeneration is less than 0.1 wt %, and preferably less than 0.05 wt %.
To regenerate FCC catalyst to this low residual carbon level and to burn CO completely to CO2 within the regenerator (to conserve heat and minimize air pollution) many FCC operators add a CO combustion promoter. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,072,600 and 4,093,535, which are incorporated by reference, teach use of combustion-promoting metals such as Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh, Os, Ru and Re in cracking catalysts in concentrations of 0.01 to 50 ppm, based on total catalyst inventory.
Most FCC's units are all riser cracking units. This is more selective than dense bed cracking. Refiners maximize riser cracking benefits by going to shorter residence times, and higher temperatures. The higher temperatures cause some thermal cracking, which if allowed to continue would eventually convert all of the feed to coke and dry gas. Shorter reactor residence times in theory would reduce thermal cracking, but the higher temperatures associated with modern units created the conditions needed to thermally crack the feed. I believed that refiners, in maximizing catalytic conversion of feed and minimizing thermal cracking of feed, resorted to conditions which achieved the desired results in the reactor, but caused other problems which could lead to unplanned shutdowns.
Modern FCC units must run at high throughput, and run for years between shutdowns, to be profitable. Much of the output of the FCC is needed in downstream processing units, and much of a refiners gasoline pool is usually derived from the FCC unit. It is important that the unit operate reliably for years, and be able to accommodate a variety of feeds. The unit must operate without exceeding local limits on pollutants or particulates. The catalyst used is somewhat expensive, and most units require several hundred tons of catalyst in inventory. Most FCC units circulate tons of catalyst per minute, the large circulation being necessary because the feed rates are large and for every ton of oil cracked roughly 5 tons of catalyst circulation is needed.
These large amounts of catalyst must be removed from cracked products lest the heavy hydrocarbon products be contaminated with catalyst and fines. Even with several stages of cyclone separation some catalyst and catalyst fines invariable remain with the cracked products. These concentrate in the heaviest product fractions, usually in the Syntower (or main FCC fractionator) bottoms, sometimes called the slurry oil because so much catalyst is present. Refiners frequently let this material sit in a tank to allow more of the entrained catalyst to drop out, producing CSO or clarified slurry oil.
The problems are as severe or worse in the regenerator. In addition to the large amounts of catalyst circulation needed to satisfy the demands of the cracking reactor, there is an additional internal catalyst circulation that must be dealt with. In most bubbling bed catalyst regenerators, an amount of catalyst equal to the entire catalyst inventory will pass through the regenerator cyclones every 15 minutes or so. Most units have several hundred tons of catalyst inventory. Any catalyst not recovered using the regenerator cyclones will remain with the regenerator flue gas, unless an electrostatic precipitator, bag house, or some sort of particulate scrubber is added at considerable cost. The amount of fines in most FCC catalyst flue gas streams is also sufficient to cause severe erosion of turbine blades if a power recovery system is installed to try to recover some of the energy in the regenerator flue gas stream.
Most refiners now use higher efficiency cyclones, which improve separation by increasing inertial forces. Most high efficiency cyclones in FCC now force incoming vapor to circle around the barrel at least 3 times, and many require 4 or 5 or more revolutions within the cyclone before flue gas can exit. At first refiners used better cyclones simply to decrease the amount of expensive catalyst lost to the atmosphere with FCC flue gas. Now, the driving force behind cyclone improvement is more likely to be reduced particulates emissions from flue gas, and to a somewhat lesser extent fines in heavy products.
While high efficiency cyclones have increased recovery of conventional FCC catalyst in the regenerator, and increased the per pass removal of catalyst fines, they have not always reduced catalyst and fines losses to the extent desired. Some refiners were forced to install electrostatic precipitators downstream of regenerators to reduce fines emissions. Some refiners had difficulty removing fines from heavy liquid product streams such as slurry oil products to meet product specifications.
The net effect of high efficiency cyclones seemed to be an decrease in loss of conventional FCC catalyst as 60-80 micron particles, coupled with an increase in the rate of production of catalyst fines. This is because of the way high efficiency cyclones work. They subject FCC catalyst to higher inertial forces, forcing catalyst to make multiple revolutions, usually about 4 to 5 revolutions, around the inside of the barrel before being removed.
Attrition of catalyst, and also wear to the cyclone, is generally agreed to be a linear function of catalyst loading in the gas and of the number of spirals in the cyclone. High efficiency cyclones, and large amounts of catalyst traffic, combine to create a harsh environment for cyclones and catalyst.
I wanted a way to retain the good catalyst recovery characteristics of high efficiency cyclones, reduce the wear on these cyclones caused by the FCC catalyst, and reduce the wear on the catalyst caused by the cyclones. Some steps had been taken on the reactor side of the FCC process to reduce the dilute phase catalyst traffic entering the reactor cyclones, by using a rough cut separator on the riser outlet. A similar approach was discharge of a riser reactor downward within a reactor vessel from an elevation high enough above the catalyst stripper to keep the cracked product vapors from stirring up the stripper catalyst bed. While these approaches, generally directed at reducing the amount of catalyst unnecessarily introduced into a dilute phase region, will help, they will do nothing to reduce catalyst entrainment into a dilute phase above a fluidized bed caused by superficial vapor velocity through the fluidized bed. This dilute phase catalyst traffic will always be present. Resort to wider diameter reactor or regenerator vessels (to reduce vapor velocities in upper portions of a regenerator) will reduce vapor velocities, but greatly increases the size and cost of these vessels, and may create additional problems. Enlarged diameter reactor vessels could easily produce coke in stagnant regions. Enlarged diameter regenerator vessels will reduce dilute phase catalyst traffic and make the regenerator more susceptible to dangerous temperature excursions from dilute phase CO combustion or afterburning. In regenerators the presence of large amounts of catalyst in the dilute phase can be beneficial from the standpoint of a heat sink.
I realized that the conventional approaches were not adequate. High efficiency cyclones consume power, and produce fines, at least they did in the regenerator. Simply adding more stages of conventional cyclones upstream or downstream of the existing cyclones would not solve the problem, some units now have third stage cyclones. Simply stuffing more stages of cyclone separation into a vessel will usually increase dilute phase catalyst traffic, for reasons discussed in more detail hereafter.
Dilute phase traffic, and fines emissions, can increase because modern FCC regenerators and reactor vessels are filled with cyclones, usually 8 to 16 of them per stage of separation. These cyclones are a large part of the capital cost of FCC units, and are absolutely essential for operation. While it may be physically possible to add more cyclones, the extra diplegs associated with these additional cyclones decreases the area available for flue gas flow from the top of the fluidized bed to the inlet horn of the cyclones. More cyclones diplegs can increase superficial vapor velocity in the dilute phase region above a fluidized bed, causing additional entrainment into the cyclones. If enough cyclone diplegs, of sufficiently large diameter, were added to, e.g., an FCC regenerator, it could increase catalyst traffic greatly, because of the higher velocity. The situation is analogous to the problem faced by ancient bridge builders trying to span a river. Putting in more stone piles to support the bridge decreased the area available for water flow, increasing water velocity, and increasing the need for stone supports.
I realized that the way to improve the operation of high efficiency cyclones, and eliminate most of their shortcomings was to rely on a low efficiency separation device in, or just upstream of the inlet horn of the high efficiency cyclones. I realized that a low pressure drop device which did a poor job of catalyst separation, letting at least an order of magnitude more catalyst escape with the flue gas than even conventional cyclone separators, provided the ideal way to eliminate most of the wear on, and caused by, high efficiency cyclones.
This allowed me to greatly decrease wear on cyclones, and to reduce catalyst attrition and abrasion caused by cyclones. While this is very beneficial, it could also increase catalyst traffic in the dilute phase, so unique equipment was developed which could be used to greatly reduce the load on cyclones and on catalyst, without increasing catalyst traffic at all in the dilute phase regions above fluidized beds.

FCC process with concentrators on cyclone inlets


A closure assembly is mounted on a vehicle and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position. The closure assembly includes a closure structure mounted to an associated vehicle for movement between the closed position and the at least one open position. A first lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. A second lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. One of the first and second lock assemblies includes a latch that requires overstroking to lock the latch in a latched position.

The present invention relates to a latch assembly on a vehicle's door, tailgate or other closure structure and, more particularly, to a latch assembly that requires overstroking to latch onto a striker for locking a door, tailgate or other closure structure in a closed position. The present invention finds particular application as a latch or lock assembly on a tailgate and, more specifically, a dual-mode tailgate and will be described with particular reference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention may relate to other similar environments and applications.
Tailgates and, more particularly, dual-mode tailgates are generally known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,406 issued to Coker discloses a dual-mode tailgate for use on a station wagon. "Dual-mode" refers to the two directions or pivot axes along which a dual-mode tailgate is openable. More particularly, a dual-mode tailgate is selectively openable in a first, fold-down direction about an axis generally parallel with a bottom edge of the tailgate similar to a conventional pick-up truck tailgate. The dual-mode tailgate is also selectively openable in a second, side-to-side direction about an axis generally parallel with a lateral edge of the tailgate.
Generally, a dual-mode tailgate includes a dual-mode hinge pivotally connecting the tailgate to a vehicle, a first hinge/lock assembly spaced apart from the dual-mode hinge in a first direction and a second hinge/lock assembly spaced apart from the dual-mode hinge in a second direction. For example, the dual-mode hinge is positioned in a lower-left corner of the tailgate, the first hinge/lock assembly is positioned in a lower-right corner of the tailgate and the second hinge/lock assembly is positioned in an upper-left corner of the tailgate.
When the first hinge/lock is detached from the vehicle, the tailgate is openable in a first mode (e.g., swing-open mode) wherein the second hinge/lock and the dual-mode hinge cooperate to pivotally connect the tailgate to the vehicle along a first axis (e.g., an axis generally parallel with a lateral edge of the tailgate). When the second hinge/lock is detached from the vehicle, the tailgate is openable in a second mode (e.g., flip-down mode) wherein the first hinge/lock assembly and the dual-mode hinge cooperate to pivotally connect the tailgate to the vehicle along a second axis (e.g., an axis generally parallel with a bottom edge of the tailgate). Often, a conventional lock assembly is provided in a corner of the tailgate cater-corner or diagonally opposite the dual-mode hinge to further secure the tailgate to the vehicle when the tailgate is in a closed position.
To prevent damage to the vehicle and the tailgate, as well as injury to an operator of the tailgate, the dual-mode tailgate is preferably prevented from operating in both of its modes simultaneously, i.e., the first and second hinge/lock assemblies are not allowed to both be detached from the vehicle simultaneously. In some vehicles, sensors are employed for determining whether the first and second hinge/lock assemblies are in respective locked positions, i.e., securing the tailgate to the vehicle. In these vehicles, one of the first and second hinge/lock assemblies is only allowed to be unlocked and detached from the vehicle when a sensor indicates the other of the first and second hinge/lock assemblies is locked and secured to the vehicle. Typically, sensors are needed at each hinge/lock assembly for determining the state, locked or unlocked, of each hinge/lock assembly. Employing multiple sensors increases the cost and ease of manufacture of the tailgate's control system. Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified latch assembly that can be used in a dual-mode tailgate with a single sensor to assist in preventing the tailgate from opening in two modes simultaneously.


A set of inputs each selectively provides a discrete signal, whereby the sensor inputs together provide a plurality of discrete signals. A memory includes instructions executable by a processor for receiving the discrete signals, identifying a bit pattern from the discrete signals, and determining a position of a physical member according to the bit pattern and an error condition detected from the discrete signals.

It is often useful to detect the position of a knob, lever, or other mechanism. For example, the vast majority of vehicles today employ automatic transmissions. A driver may use a lever or the like to direct the automatic transmission to change gears. Sensors may be used to detect a position of the lever, and hence detect the driver's intent with respect to the status of the vehicle's transmission, i.e., how the driver intends the vehicle engine to be presently geared.
For example, a driver of a passenger car may generally select park, reverse, neutral, drive, and low as positions of a selection mechanism for an automatic transmission. A driver of a medium duty or heavy-duty truck may select park, reverse, neutral, drive, hold, and low as positions of a selection mechanism for an automatic transmission. In either case, the selection mechanism is generally biased so that the knob, lever, etc., used in the selection mechanism naturally settles in a detent position, e.g., park, reverse, etc., when moved. However, when a driver is in the act of moving the knob, lever, etc., the selection mechanism may be in a transition position between two detent positions.
By analyzing sensor inputs to determine a position of a selection mechanism, a processor can provide appropriate instructions for a device to act according to the position of the selection mechanism. For example, when a driver moves an automatic transmission selector from "park" to "reverse," a transmission control module (TCM) may detect a new position of the automatic transmission selector, e.g., reverse, and may accordingly instruct an automatic transmission to transition a vehicle from a "park" state to a "reverse" state.
Unfortunately, present mechanisms for determining a position of a selection mechanism are generally lacking with respect to detection of errors and failure states. Further, present mechanisms for determining a position of a selection mechanism lack robustness. For example, although it is critical to safe operation of a vehicle to be able to detect a driver's intent with respect to the state of an automatic transmission, present arrangements of sensors do not necessarily provide assurance that the driver's intent will be properly detected. And even when errors and failures states are detected, present mechanisms lack ways of determining whether such error or failure state is critical, e.g., whether upon an error or failure state vehicle operation must cease, or may be allowed to continue for a period of time. Further, it is at present generally difficult, if not impossible, to operate a vehicle once error conditions have been detected in a vehicle, e.g., in an automatic transmission selector detection mechanism.


A base station apparatus for performing radio communication with a mobile station apparatus, the base station apparatus includes: a group generation unit which groups a plurality of mobile station apparatuses controllable with a same control amount of transmission timing; and a transmission unit which transmits the control amount of transmission timing to the grouped plurality of mobile station apparatuses.

These days, a radio communication system, such as portable telephone system and radio LAN (Local Area Network), is widely used. In the field of radio communication, continuous discussions as to next-generation communication technologies is made in order to further improve communication speed and communication capacity. As the next-generation communication technology, for example, standardization regarding LTE and LTE-Advanced is completed or is under consideration.
With regards to LTE and LTE-Advanced, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing; orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) scheme is adopted as a modulation scheme of downlink communication from a base station apparatus to a mobile station apparatus. The OFDM scheme, for example, is a communication scheme in which a frequency bandwidth is divided into a plurality of bandwidths or subcarriers, and information data is mapped on respective frequency bandwidth orthogonal to each other.
In contrast, SC-FDMA (Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiple Access: single carrier-frequency division multiple access) scheme is adopted as a modulation scheme of uplink communication from the mobile station apparatus to the base station apparatus. The SC-FDMA, for example, is a communication scheme in which a frequency bandwidth is divided, and data is transmitted with the use of a different frequency bandwidth between a plurality of mobile station apparatuses. The SC-FDMA scheme is a single carrier transmission, compared with the OFDM scheme, so that PAPR (Peak to Averaged Power Ratio: peak to average power ratio) can be reduced. Accordingly, the SC-FDMA scheme can reduce the power consumption of an amplifier and reduce the whole power consumption of the mobile station apparatus, compared with OFDM scheme.
In the SC-OFDM scheme, for example, waveform equalization processing is performed in the base station apparatus on the reception side, so that propagation distortion in a radio channel can be suppressed. Then, the mobile station apparatus periodically inserts CP (Cyclic Prefix) into a transmission signal, which makes it possible to perform the waveform equalization processing in a frequency domain in the base station apparatus. An arithmetic processing amount in the frequency domain in the base station apparatus can be reduced by the insertion of CP, compared with an arithmetic processing amount in a time domain. However, for example, when a timing difference between reception signals is larger than a CP length, orthogonality between the reception signals is not maintained, and interference between the signals occurs, and reception quality deteriorates, compared with a case where the timing difference between the reception signals falls within the CP length. Accordingly, in the base station apparatus, transmission timing control is performed with respect to each mobile station apparatus, in order to prevent a timing discrepancy between the reception signals.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the example of operation of the transmission timing control. A mobile station apparatus UE (User Equipment) transmits a data signal or a pilot signal (Sounding Reference Signal: SRS) to a base station apparatus eNB (evolved Node B) (S110). The base station apparatus eNB measures a timing difference between a transmission frame and a reception frame regarding the data signal (S111), obtains a timing correction amount NTA based on a measured value, and feeds back the timing correction amount NTA as a control signal (S112).
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a difference between a frame timing (downlink transmission timing) of the base station apparatus eNB and a frame timing (uplink transmission timing) of the mobile station apparatus UE. The mobile station apparatus UE which receives the control signal from the base station apparatus eNB transmits the data signal earlier by a time interval obtained by adding a fixed value NTAoffset to the timing correction amount NTA and multiplying a fixed value Ts than the frame timing that the mobile station apparatus UE grasps. Accordingly, the base station apparatus eNB can receive the data signal transmitted from the mobile station apparatus UE at a timing in synchronism with the frame timing.    Non-Patent Document 1: 3GPPTS 36. 211 V9. 1. 0    Non-Patent Document 2: 3GPPTS 36. 212 V9. 1. 0    Non-Patent Document 3: 3GPPTS 36. 213 V9. 1. 0    Non-Patent Document 4: 3GPPTR 36. 913    Non-Patent Document 5: 3GPPTR 36. 814
However, a plurality of mobile station apparatuses UE include a different discrepancy in uplink transmission timing, so that the uplink transmission timing control described above is performed for each mobile station apparatus UE. Accordingly, when the base station apparatus eNB connects to a plurality of mobile station apparatuses UE and performs the transmission timing control in a cell, the base station apparatus eNB feeds back the control signal including the timing correction amount NTA to the plurality of mobile station apparatuses UE. For this reason, the transmission amount of the control signals transmitted from the base station apparatus eNB is increased corresponding to an increase in the number of mobile station apparatuses UE, and accordingly, overhead regarding the transmission of the control signals is increased.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transmission timing control with respect to the plurality of mobile station apparatuses UE in a running train. In this case, the base station apparatus eNB performs the transmission timing control with respect to the respective plurality of mobile station apparatuses UE in accordance with the movement of the train. Similarly, the base station apparatus eNB feeds back the control signals corresponding to the number of the plurality of mobile station apparatuses UE and performs the transmission timing control. Accordingly, the overhead of the control signal transmitted from the base station apparatus eNB is increased corresponding to an increase in the number of mobile station apparatuses UE.

Base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus, radio communication method, and radio communication system


A monolithic ceramic capacitor having a large capacity and high reliability includes a ceramic sintered body including a plurality of stacked ceramic layers, and first and second inner electrodes and alternately disposed inside the ceramic sintered body to be opposed to each other in a stacking direction of the ceramic layers with one of the ceramic layers being interposed between the adjacent first and second inner electrodes. The ceramic sintered body includes a first portion in which the first and second inner electrodes are opposed to each other, and a second portion positioned outside the first portion. A ratio (Ic/Ia) of c-axis peak intensity (Ic) to a-axis peak intensity (Ia) measured with an XRD analysis of the one of the ceramic layers is about 2 or more.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a monolithic ceramic capacitor. In particular, the present invention relates to a monolithic ceramic capacitor including a ceramic sintered body and a plurality of first and second inner electrodes that are alternately disposed inside the ceramic sintered body to be opposed to each other with a ceramic layer interposed between the adjacent first and second inner electrodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Monolithic ceramic capacitors have been used in many electronic devices, such as cellular phones and notebook personal computers.
With a recent trend toward smaller sizes and larger capacities of electronic devices in which monolithic ceramic capacitors are mounted, demands for smaller sizes and larger capacities of the monolithic ceramic capacitors have also increased more and more. In such a situation, monolithic ceramic capacitors having smaller sizes and larger capacities and methods of manufacturing them are variously proposed as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-318060, for example.
One example of methods for increasing the capacity of a monolithic ceramic capacitor is to reduce the thickness of a ceramic layer interposed between electrodes. However, a grain size has to be reduced in order to reduce the thickness of the ceramic layer. Reducing the grain size requires a pulverizing step to be performed for a longer time. Accordingly, a manufacturing time is prolonged and a manufacturing cost is increased. Another problem is that, when the ceramic layer is thin, dielectric breakdown is apt to occur and reliability of the ceramic capacitor is degraded.


A ferroelectric memory device includes a bit line pair, a plurality of memory cells which include one transistor and one ferroelectric capacitor, and a plurality of judgement memory cells which include two transistors and two ferroelectric capacitors. Each of the memory cells is connected to one of the bit lines of the bit line pair, and each of the judgement memory cells is connected to both of the bit lines of the bit line pair.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ferroelectric memory device having a test memory cell.
2. Description of the Related Art
A FeRAM (ferroelectric random access memory) is a known type of semiconductor memory. The FeRAM uses a function of the ferroelectric layer for reversing an electric field by an intrinsic polarization and for retaining the electric field. A structure of the ferroelectric memory device is shown in the Japanese language references K. Shimizu: "Low-power High-speed LSI Circuits & Technology" Realize Co., Ltd., Inc. p 231–250 Jan. 31, 1998 and T. Kawai: "Non-volatility IC memory—All the FRAMs" Kogyo Chosakai Co., Ltd., Inc. p 29–37 Jul. 7, 1996. A 1T/1C type ferroelectric memory device and a 2T/2C type ferroelectric memory device are known as shown in these references.
In the 1T/1C type ferroelectric memory device, one transistor and one ferroelectric capacitor form one memory cell. A stored data in the memory cell is read by comparing between a stored voltage and a reference voltage.
In the 2T/2C type ferroelectric memory device, two transistors and two ferroelectric capacitors form one memory cell. Each capacitor stores complementary data of "1" or "0" respectively. A stored data in the memory cell is read by comparing the voltage of the ferroelectric capacitors.
An operation test of a semiconductor memory device is known in which a determination is made as to whether the memory device can store data of "1" and "0" correctly. In this operation test, the testing equipment writes testing data to all the memory cells, and then the written data is read from all the memory cells. The test is performed by comparing the testing data and the written data.
Recently, high-capacity ferroelectric memory devices have been developed in which the number of memory cells included in one ferroelectric memory chip is increased. If the ferroelectric memory chip includes at least one defective cell, the ferroelectric memory chip is judged as a defective product. As a result, increasing a number of the memory cells in the ferroelectric memory device decreases productivity.
A technique using redundancy memory cells for increasing productivity is known. In this technique, a redundancy memory array is added to the memory cell array. In the ferroelectric memory device with the redundancy memory cells, if the ferroelectric memory device includes a defective cell, a memory cell column (or a memory cell row) which includes the defective cell is changed to a redundancy memory cell column (or a redundancy memory cell row) in the redundancy memory cell array. As a result, the ferroelectric memory device which includes the defective memory cell can be shipped as a non-defective product.
However, adding the redundancy memory cell array causes an increase in the number of the memory cells in the ferroelectric memory chip. Therefore, the testing time for testing the ferroelectric memory cells is increased.
Further, in the operating test for changing the defective memory cell array to the redundancy memory cell array, it is necessary to detect an address of the defective memory cell. Therefore, the conventional testing equipment for the ferroelectric memory device must store a lot of test results and detect the address of the defective memory cell from the test results. As a result, the structure and the control of the testing equipment for the ferroelectric memory device are complicated and price of the testing equipment is high.
A technique for detecting the address of a defective DRAM memory cell is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No 10-144091. The reference describes using a refresh feature of the DRAM. However, the FRAM does not have a refresh feature, and therefore, it is difficult to apply this technique to the FRAM.

Ferroelectric memory device having test memory cell


A method for increasing fuel economy of a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) having an engine and a battery each configured to supply power to propel the vehicle includes supplying power from the battery and operating the engine below peak efficiency to supply from the engine only the difference in power between a demanded power and the power which the battery can deliver when the demanded power exceeds the power which the battery can deliver.

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) includes two power sources for delivering power to propel the vehicle. Typically, the first power source is an engine that consumes fuel to deliver power, and the second power source is a battery that uses stored electric energy to deliver power. The battery may be rechargeable from an on-board generator driven by the engine and/or an external electric power source, such as the electric utility grid.
Many consumers expect a PHEV to use electric energy whenever possible to minimize use of fuel due to the relatively lower-cost of grid supplied electric energy. As such, a PHEV may have two basic operating modes: a charge depleting (CD) mode; and a charge sustaining (CS) mode. In the CD mode, electric energy from the battery is used to propel the vehicle and depletes the stored electric energy as reflected in the associated battery state-of-charge (SOC). A vehicle system controller or the like controls the vehicle to prioritize power delivered by the battery, with engine power used to supplement battery power when needed to meet driver requirements. Once the battery SOC decreases to a predefined charge level, the vehicle is driven in the CS mode and primarily powered by the engine.
The CD mode includes an electric vehicle (EV) mode (i.e., an all-electric mode), a blended mode, and an engine mode. In the EV mode, only electric energy and no fuel energy is used to propel the PHEV. As recognized by the present disclosure, a typical PHEV is designed for limited EV mode operation (e.g., 25 kW). If the driver demands more power (e.g., 30 kW) than the EV system of the vehicle can deliver (i.e., 25 kW), then control transitions to the blended mode and the engine is started to meet the driver-demanded power. However, the engine of a typical PHEV is calibrated to operate near its peak efficiency (e.g., 20 kW), which often produces more power than needed to supplement the battery power and meet the driver demand (i.e., 30 kW−25 kW=5 kW in this example). Consequently, the vehicle not only consumes fuel during this period, but the vehicle consumes more fuel (i.e., 20 kW/η, where η=combustion efficiency) than needed to meet the driver-demanded power (i.e., 5 kW/η) with the excess engine power used to recharge the battery.
The CD range of a PHEV is the distance the vehicle can travel in the CD mode before switching to the CS mode. The CD range at a given time depends on the current battery SOC. The driver typically does not care about fuel efficiency in terms of fuel consumption per unit of power produced when the driver intends to drive a distance less than the CD range of the vehicle. Rather, when the distance to be driven is less than the CD range of the vehicle, the driver is generally more concerned about fuel economy (i.e., miles/gallon). Any relatively small increase in fuel consumption can drastically reduce fuel economy such as from 500 mi/gal to 60 mi/gal thereby disappointing the driver.

Method for increasing fuel economy of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles


The present invention relates to a medium composition for cell proliferation, skin regeneration, and wrinkle improvement that contains a conditioned medium of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), and embryonic fibroblasts (FBs) as cells isolated from avian eggs as an active ingredient. Specifically, the conditioned medium of egg cells can fundamentally block contamination due to the use of animal serums, exhibits a proliferation effect of various cells containing human stem cells and skin cells without the possibility of transmission by infectious agents between heterogeneous species due to the use of support cells, and exhibits significant skin regeneration or wrinkle improvement effects, and thus the conditioned medium of egg cells can be usefully used for a medium composition for cell proliferation and a cosmetic composition for skin regeneration or wrinkle improvement.

Stem cells are cells that have the ability to differentiate into various cells through a suitable environment and stimulation and have self-proliferation ability. Three kinds of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) isolated from early embryos, embryonic germ cells (EG cells) isolated from primitive germ cells in an embryonic period, and induced pluripotent stem cells are well known as pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), and particularly, the embryonic stem cell means egg blastoderm derived pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). The hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and the neural stem cells (NSCs) are adult stem cells and well-known as multipotent stem cells (MSCs). The stem cells have the potential to develop into cells with characteristic phenomena and specialized functions, and thus become a research target as cell resources for functional recovery for various organs.
On the other hand, unlike differentiated cells in which cell division is stopped, the stem cells can produce cells same as themselves by cell division (self-renewal) to have the proliferation (expansion) properties and can differentiate into specific cells under a differentiation stimulus. In addition, stem cells can differentiate into other cells under other environments or different stimuli to have plasticity in differentiation. There are two method for obtaining stem cells. One is to obtain stem cells from embryos generated from fertilized eggs (embryonic stem cells), and the second is to collect stem cells stored in each part of the adult body (adult stem cells). Though the cells are different from each other in terms of functions, embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells have the characteristics of being able to differentiate into various kinds of cells.
The dermis mainly consists of collagen and elastin fibers, which have a role of supporting the skin. Therefore, if a problem occurs in the dermis, wrinkles are formed, and skin elasticity disappears, so skin aging progresses. Collagen is known to play the most important role in skin regeneration, skin moisture, wound healing, and wrinkle improvement, and is produced from fibroblasts. Collagen has a function to contain a large amount of moisture and has a role of supplying moisture to the dermis. When aging progresses, the water-containing function of collagen decreases to increase wrinkles. Collagen also has an effect of wound healing by filling a wound area with continuous collagen production by the fibroblasts when a wound is formed. The dermis consists mainly of collagen and elastin fibers, which has a role of supporting the skin. Therefore, when a problem occurs in the dermis, wrinkles are formed, and skin elasticity disappears, so skin aging progresses. Collagen is known to play the most important role in skin regeneration, skin moisture, wound healing, and wrinkle improvement, and is produced from fibroblasts. Collagen has a function to contain a large amount of moisture and has a role of supplying moisture to the dermis. When aging progresses, the water-containing function of collagen decreases to increase wrinkles. Collagen also has an effect of wound healing by filling a wound area with continuous collagen production by the fibroblasts when a wound is formed.
In view of this, the present inventors diligently tried to develop a novel use of the conditioned medium of egg-derived stem cells and found that, since the conditioned medium of bird egg-derived stem cells significantly proliferates human stem cells, skin cells, and the like even without feeder cells and exhibits remarkable skin regeneration and wrinkle improvement effects, the conditioned medium of egg-derived stem cells can be usefully used as a medium composition for cell proliferation or as an active ingredient of a cosmetic composition for skin regeneration and wrinkle improvement, and completed the present invention.

Medium composition for cell proliferation, skin regeneration, and wrinkle improvement comprising, as active ingredient, conditioned medium of pluripotent stem cells, neural stem cells, or embryonic fibroblasts which are isolated from avian eggs


A light quantity adjusting device for adjusting light quantity of a projector apparatus. The adjusting device includes a substrate having an optical path opening and a blade guide surface having level differences in a direction perpendicular to the optical path; a plurality of blade members arranged at a circumferential edge of the optical path opening for rotating along the blade guide surface in an inclined state with respect to the optical path; and a plurality of pins disposed on the substrate for supporting base end portions of the blade members to rotate around the base end portions for opening and closing the optical path opening. A transmission member is mounted on the substrate for engaging the blade members, and a drive device drives the transmission member to rotate the blade members to open and close the optical path opening.

The present invention relates to a light quantity adjusting device for adjusting brightness of an image when a light source irradiates an image formed by image forming means such as a Braun tube or a liquid crystal panel so that the image is projected on a screen through a projecting lens. The present invention also relates to a projector apparatus using the light quantity adjusting device.
In a projector apparatus, an image such as a symbol and a picture is formed on an image forming unit such as a Braun tube (i.e., CRT) or a liquid crystal panel, and a light source such as a halogen lamp irradiates the image, so that a projecting lens projects the image on a screen. The projector apparatus projects a still image such as a symbol image on a screen for a presentation, or a motion picture on a screen of a home theater.
When the projector apparatus is used for a presentation or movie, an environment significantly affects a vision of a viewer depending on a bright room or a dark room. For example, when an image with low luminance is projected in a bright room, it is difficult to obtain a clear image. In contrast, when an image with high luminance is projected in a dark room, the image looks too bright. Further, when luminance of an image changes greatly and repeatedly for long time, i.e., from a dark screen to a bright screen, it is possible to pose a risk of fatigue of eyes or an optical stimulus. In particular, when the projector apparatus for a presentation requiring high luminance is used for a home theater, an image becomes too bright and a user may suffer eye fatigue.
Accordingly, it is necessary to properly adjust brightness of an image to be projected on a screen. When an image is projected in a dark room, it is necessary to reduce quantity of light. When an image becomes repeatedly bright and dark, for example, an image changes bright and dark for every one several tenth second, a viewer may suffer eye fatigue and receive an optical stimulus, thereby causing a physical problem. Accordingly, it is necessary to adjust the quantity of light for every frame of continuous images for reducing the stimuli on the eyes.
Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2003-241311 has disclosed a device for adjusting light quantity. In the reference, light from a light source is divided into three primary colors R, G and B through a dichroic mirror. When light is irradiated on an image forming panel such as a liquid crystal panel, a light quantity reducing device is arranged between the light source and the dichroic mirror.
In the projector apparatus disclosed in the reference, light from the light source lamp is divided into the three primary colors R, G and B, and the primary colors are irradiated on the image forming panel formed of the liquid crystal panel. A projecting lens focuses light passing through the panel and projects an image on an outside screen. As a method of forming an image, other than the liquid crystal panel, there is known a method (a CRT projector) in which the Braun tube emits scanning lines or a digital imaging method (a digital light processing projector) in which fine mirror surfaces transform beams of the three primary colors R, G and B into scanning lines.
In the light quantity reducing device, a substrate having an optical path opening aligned with a center of an optical axis is arranged in an optical path from the light source to the mirror. A plurality of blades is sequentially overlapped at a circumferential edge of the optical path opening of the substrate, and is arranged to be rotatable. The blades are attached to the circumferential edge of the optical path opening with a predetermined spacing, and contour edge portions thereof are overlapped in a scale shape. Further, the blades are arranged such that leading end portions thereof face the optical path opening. When the blades rotate around end portions thereof, the leading end portions cover the optical path opening from a large aperture to a small aperture. Such a structure is widely known as a light quantity adjusting device for a camera.
However, the following problems may occur when such a structure widely known in a camera device, in which the plural blades arranged around the optical path opening and rotate to adjust an aperture of the optical path opening, is adopted in a projector apparatus such as a projector. In the camera device, when the blades for adjusting light quantity are opened and closed at a relatively low speed for preparing for shooting a picture, an image to be taken is hardly influenced. Also, similar to shutter blades, even if the blade members slide each other and generate an operation sound such as a clanking noise upon the opening/closing operation, there is no serious problem.
However, in the projector apparatus, when the light quantity adjusting blades are opened and closed (operated) and generate an operation sound, there may be a serious influence on an environment of a meeting or movie. In particular, when the blade members are made of thin metal sheets, it is possible to generate a large metallic noise. When the blades are operated for reducing luminance change of each image changing every 1/60 second, for example, it is necessary to move the blade members at a speed of several hundredth second. Accordingly, the operation sound of the blades is repeated all the time, thereby making a user uncomfortable. When the blades are operated at a lower speed to reduce the noise, it is difficult to adjust the light quantity to a change in an image, thereby causing image flickering.
In view of the problems described above, an object of the present invention to provide a light quantity adjusting device with a simple structure and a low price, in which it is possible to reduce an operation sound due to contact of a plurality of blades and adjust light quantity at a high speed when the blades adjust the light quantity in an optical path from a light source to a projecting lens through a large or small aperture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a projector apparatus using the light quantity adjusting device.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Light quantity adjusting device and projector apparatus using the same


A plasma display panel capable of preventing faulty discharge and non-uniform discharge by applying a uniform address voltage to all subpixels. This is done by neutralizing the negative surface potential of a zinc silicate green fluorescent material using YBO3:Tb as a positive surface potential material on the partition walls between the electrodes. Also, the thickness of this YBO3:Tb material and a lateral spacing between a scan electrode and the positive surface potential material are carefully selected to arrive at a design resulting in no faulty pixels. Grooves can also be formed in the tops of the partition walls so that the positive surface potential material filled therein does not mix with the neighboring flourescent material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a plasma display panel (PDP) having an enhanced structure capable of preventing faulty discharge and non-uniform discharge by allowing for the application of uniform address voltages to be applied to all subpixels.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, PDPs are becoming increasingly popular as next generation large flat panel displays because of the PDP's large screen size, high image quality, thin thickness, light weight, and wide viewing angle. Even more so, the large sized PDP can be more easily manufactured by a more simpler methods than other display apparatuses.
The PDPs are classified into either a direct type, an alternating type or a hybrid of the two types based on the waveform of voltage applied to the electrodes. In addition, PDPs can be further classified into a facing discharge type and a surface discharge type based on the electrode structures. Recently, three-electrode surface discharge type AC-type PDPs have been widely provided.
In a PDP, there are red (R), green (G) and blue (B) subpixels containing red fluorescent material, green fluorescent material and blue fluorescent material respectively. However, the surface potential of the green fluorescent material is negative while the surface potential of each of the red and the blue fluorescent material is positive. Therefore, if the same voltages are applied to each of the red, blue and green subpixels during address discharge, different amounts of wall charges accumulate in the green subpixels than in the red or the blue subpixels. This variation in the amount of accumulated wall charges during the address discharge results in a faulty and non-uniform sustain discharge. Therefore, what is needed is a design for a PDP that will compensate for the differing surface potential of the differently colored fluorescent material.

Plasma display panel design that compensates for differing surface potential of colored fluorescent material


An antitheft system for use with a vehicle. The vehicle used with the system has a battery for providing a constant voltage source and a ground reference, and an electrically-controlled operational feature, wherein activation of the feature is necessary for operating the vehicle. The system includes a first harness connector with a plurality of contacts for connecting to a second harness connector having corresponding contacts. The second harness connector is connected to a security module having antitheft functions. The plurality of contacts of the first harness connector includes a first contact for connecting to circuitry in the vehicle for providing an activating signal to activate the operational feature. Also included is a second contact connected to a terminal of the electrically controlled operational feature, where the terminal is for receiving the activating signal to activate the operational feature. Also included are a third contact connected to the constant voltage source and a fourth contact connected to the ground reference. A group of security modules are also disclosed, each providing a primary antitheft function, and additional and differing secondary antitheft functions. Certain secondary antitheft functions including audible and visual indicators of the state of the antitheft system. Other secondary antitheft functions include door, hood and trunk detectors. Still other secondary antitheft functions are provided.

As the use and costs of automobiles have increased, unfortunately so has the occurrence of automobile vandalization and theft. These undesirable consequences have serious effects on both owners and sellers of automobiles. As a result, for many years there has been considerable effort to improve upon systems for detecting vandalization or attempted theft of an automobile. These systems span greatly from exterior surveillance systems to interior-mounted electronic systems, each of which have their various virtues and pitfalls. Another unfortunate trend has been that regardless of the deterrent or detection scheme implemented, automobile thieves have adapted themselves to thwart the efforts of the protective system. Therefore, a need has arisen to protect the interests of both automobile consumers and sellers against damage or theft of an automobile, while improving upon existing antitheft systems.
Numerous internally-wired systems have been developed for purposes of foiling an automobile thief. These attempts have ranged from the more simple to the more sophisticated. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,610, issued to Shilling on Dec. 20, 1977, illustrates a relatively simple system which includes a manual switch connected to disable the ignition system of an automobile. Specifically, the switch is wired between the ignition switch and coil primary of an automobile. The switch is concealed so that it is not readily viewable or accessible by a person unaware of its existence. An operator, having knowledge of the switch, may change its position to either disconnect or connect the ignition switch and primary coil. As a result, the automobile is capable of being started only if the switch is in its activated position. Thus, the system illustrated in the '610 patent provides a simple mechanism for attempting to prevent theft of the automobile. Unfortunately, the system has many shortcomings. For example, a more sophisticated automobile thief may know to search for a secluded switch or like device. If the thief is able to locate the switch, then he or she may simply activate it as would the operator or owner of the vehicle. Further, the system provides only a disable feature, with no other deterrent or warning mechanisms. In addition, the system is permanently installed within the vehicle and provides no flexibility for adding improved features to it.
As an example of a fairly complicated antitheft system, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,722, issued to Keating et al., on Feb. 21, 1989, illustrates a magnetically or optically encoded card-based system. The card is inserted into a card reader mounted in the vehicle to limit operation of the vehicle. The computer checks the authorization provided by the card, and if there is not proper authorization, the vehicle ignition and fuel line are blocked and the hood is locked, thereby prohibiting an attempt to start the vehicle, as well as an effort to circumvent the security system by bypassing it. As a result, a fairly sophisticated system is provided in an effort to deter or prohibit a thief from having unauthorized access to the vehicle. While the system illustrated in the '722 patent is therefore more complicated and, hence, more difficult to circumvent, it too may fail to satisfy the needs and desires of either the consumer or seller of an automobile. For example, the consumer is forced to always retain a magnetic or optical card, without which they have no authorization for operating their own vehicle. Further, the system provides no flexibility or upgradeability to include other desirable features. In addition, a great deal of labor would be necessary to remove the system if either a seller or consumer does not desire to have it in their vehicle.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an antitheft system which is not easily circumvented by a thief or vandal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an antitheft system which does not mandate the need for a single controlling device such that if the true owner of the vehicle loses or misplaces the device, he or she is not prevented from operating the vehicle.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an antitheft system which is upgradeable to permit more sophisticated features where desirable.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for use with an antitheft system such that a seller of the vehicle may accommodate various different types of peripheral modules, each of which provides differing antitheft functions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for quickly and conveniently disconnecting the entire alarm system from the vehicle so that it may be removed if a purchaser of the vehicle does not wish to have an antitheft system included within the vehicle.
It is still another object of the present invention to include an apparatus which may either be bypassed for providing no antitheft features, or which may accommodate a security module for providing a selected group of antitheft features.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having reference to the following specification together with its drawings.


A semiconductor apparatus includes a first power supply pad configured to supply a first power; a second power supply pad configured to supply a second power; a first power line configured to be directly electrically coupled to the first power supply pad; and a second power line configured to be directly electrically coupled to the second power supply pad.

A semiconductor apparatus continuously trends toward high degree of integration, high capacity and high speed operation. In particular, various efforts have been made to realize a semiconductor apparatus of high performance within a limited area.
For example, as a semiconductor apparatus trends toward high performance, an increasing number of power lines are needed. As the number of power lines increases in this way, a structure for efficiently laying out the power lines is demanded.

Semiconductor apparatus and an improved structure for power lines


An information display device (1A) comprises a touch panel (TP), an information display panel (LCD) located under the touch panel (TP) and four strip-like piezoelectric elements (E), which are caused to be vibrated and displaced by a pressing force generated when the touch panel (TP) is pressed, being disposed at the outer peripheral portion of the touch panel (TP), wherein both end portions of each strip-like piezoelectric element (E) are supported by surface-like holders (112A, 112B) with twist resilient deformation structures and a rotary shaft (113) so that each strip-like piezoelectric element (E) may not be disturbed from being vibrated and displaced. In this touch panel type information device, both end portions of a plurality of strip-like piezoelectric elements are supported by the supporting member having the holders with the twist resilient deformation structure which do not disturb both end portions of the strip-like piezoelectric elements from being vibrated and displaced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information display device, such as FA (factory automation) equipment, a vending machine, a ticket-vending machine, an automated cash dispenser, electronic household appliances, medical operation devices, information devices, and a game machine, by which information can be transmitted to an operator through both the sense of sight and the sense of touch and a supporting frame for use with a piezoelectric element in such an information display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The arrangement and structure of an information display device disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent application No. 11-212725, will be described below with reference to the drawings as an example of a related-art information display device.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing an information display device according to the related art, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a support structure for supporting a piezoelectric element according to the related art.
An information display device according to the related art, generally denoted by the reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1, is disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent application No. 11-212725. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 10 is disposed on a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel 20, and this operation panel is supported by piezoelectric elements E1 to E4. When the user presses an operation surface 11 of the operation panel 10 with a finger, a voltage is generated across both ends of the piezoelectric elements E1 to E4, and it is possible to detect the operation force and the operation position by detecting and calculating the thus generated voltage. When the operation force of a magnitude larger than a predetermined threshold value is detected, a high frequency is supplied to the piezoelectric elements E1 to E4, whereby the operation surface 11 is vibrated. Thus, the operator can reliably feel the sense of operation from the above vibration. As described above, the common piezoelectric elements E1 to E4 can detect the operation force to the operation surface 11 and can vibrate the operation surface 11. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 30 denotes the case of this information display device according to the related art.
Japanese laid-open patent application No. 2002-259059 discloses a panel structure by which a period of the sense of power is given to the sense of touch of the finger of the operator and an input device of an information display device using a piezoelectric element.
An example of the support structure for the aforementioned piezoelectric elements E1 to E4 (typically represented as a "piezoelectric element E") will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the structure of this support structure is such that a strip-like piezoelectric element E (hereinafter referred to as a "strip-like piezoelectric element E") is supported at its respective end portions in a line-contact fashion by hard protruded members Na, Nb whose supporting portions are shaped like dots, or lines and both sides of the protruded portions Na, Nb and the lower surface of the strip-like piezoelectric element E are bonded by a soft material member Ad.
Since this supporting structure uses the dot-like or linear protruded members Na, Nb, there is the advantage that the strip-like piezoelectric element E cannot be disturbed from being deformed as a restriction of the direction in which the touch of sense is transmitted to the operator. Also, the strip-like piezoelectric element E and the protruded members Na, Nb can be bonded together by using the soft material member Ad like the adhesive. In FIG. 2, reference character LCD denotes a liquid-crystal display panel.
[Cited Patent Reference 1]:
Japanese laid-open patent application No. 11-212725 (page 1, FIG. 1)
[Cited Patent Reference 2]:
Japanese laid-open patent application No. 2002-259059 (pages 1 and 7 and FIG. 6)
However, in the case of this supporting structure, the protruded members Na, Nb has to be bonded to and fixed to the strip-like piezoelectric element E in advance. Therefore, problems arise, in which assembly efficiency is very poor and in which dispersions of the displacement of the supporting structure of the piezoelectric element due to the assembly are large.

Information display device and supporting frame for supporting a piezoelectric element for use in information display device


A catalytic combustion process for at least one fuel comprises the use of a plurality of successive catalytic zones, the process being characterized in that at least one of the first catalytic zones includes a catalyst comprising a monolithic substrate, a porous support based on a refractory inorganic oxide and an active phase constituted by cerium, iron and optionally zirconium, also at least one metal selected from the group formed by palladium and platinum; and in that at least one of the subsequent catalytic zones includes an active phase comprising: an oxide of at least one element A with valency X selected from the group formed by barium, strontium and rare-earths; at least one element B with valency Y selected from the group formed by Mn, Co and Fe; and at least one element C selected from the group formed by Mg and Zn, and aluminium; the oxide may have formula A.sub.1-x B.sub.y C.sub.z Al.sub.12-y-z O.sub.19-.delta., x being 0 to 0.25, y being 0.5 to 3; and z being 0.01 to 3; the sum y+z having a maximum value of 4 and .delta. having a value which is a function of the respective valencies X and Y of elements A and B and the values of x, y and z, and is equal to 1-1/2{(1-x)X+yY-3y-z}.

Conventional combustion, carried out in the presence of a flame and normally used in hydrocarbon combustion processes such as that of natural gas, is a process which is difficult to control. It takes place in a range of set air/hydrocarbon concentrations and, apart from carbon dioxide and water formation, it produces pollutants such as carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen.
The accelerating severity of environmental restrictions on pollutants (oxides of nitrogen, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide) emitted by combustion processes has meant that new technologies have had to be found which can considerably reduce such emissions. A number of solutions are well known to the skilled person:
Selective reduction of exhaust gases (SCR, Selective Catalytic Reduction). Selective reduction of oxides of nitrogen by ammonia can reduce NO.sub.x concentrations to about 10 ppm. However, this solution requires a run-away use of a special reactor, and the storage and use of ammonia; thus installation costs and operating costs of SCR are high. PA1 Injection of water or steam. Such injection reduces the temperature reached by the combustion gases thus significantly reducing NO.sub.x concentrations to about 50 ppm. The additional cost of such an apparatus is low. However, the operating costs of such an installation are high as the water must be purified prior to injection and because of an overconsumption of fuel due to a reduction in the energy yield. Further, while water injection satisfies current limits, it will not satisfy future limits for NO.sub.x. PA1 A primary lean mixture zone. This technology is based on improving the homogeneity of the air/fuel mixture. It can reduce NO.sub.x emissions to about 50 ppm, but such a reduction is to the detriment of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions, which increase. PA1 A is at least one element selected from the group constituted by Ba, Ca and Sr, with (0.0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.4); PA1 B is at least one element selected from the group constituted by Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Cr, with (x.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2x); PA1 C is K and/or Rb; and PA1 .alpha.=1-1/2{X-z (X--Y)+xZ -3Y} where X, Y, Z are the respective valencies of elements A, C and B. PA1 A is at least one element selected from the group constituted by Ba, Ca and Sr, with (0.0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.4); PA1 B is at least one element selected from the group constituted by Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Cr, with (x.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2x); PA1 C is at least one element selected from the group constituted by K, Rb and the rare earths; PA1 D is at least one element selected from the group constituted by Au, Ag, Pd, Pt and other precious metals of the platinum group, where x+u.ltoreq.4; and PA1 .alpha.=1-1/2{X-z (X--Y)+xZ+uU-3y-3u} where X, Y, Z and U are the respective valencies of elements A, C and B and D. PA1 European patent application EP-A-0 198 948 which uses: in the 1.sup.st catalytic zone: Pd and Pt and NiO, and in the 2.sup.nd catalytic zone: Pt and Pd; PA1 Japanese patent application JP-A-04/197 443 which uses: in the 1.sup.st catalytic zone: Pd and/or Pt; in the 2.sup.nd catalytic zone: Sr.sub.0.8 La.sub.0.2 MnAl.sub.11 O.sub.19-.alpha. ; and in the 3.sup.rd catalytic zone: Sr.sub.0.8 La.sub.0.2 MnAl.sub.11 O.sub.19-.alpha. ; PA1 International patent applications WO-A-92/9848 and WO-A-92/9849 which use:
Catalytic combustion is a seductive solution by which to respond to the increasing severity of pollutant limits. The catalytic combustion chamber advantageously replaces conventional burners as it allows better control of complete oxidation over a wide range of air/hydrocarbon ratios, thus greatly reducing emissions of oxides of nitrogen, unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Further, it can be used to burn a wide variety of compounds.
Thus, as described in particular in the article by D. Reay in "Catalytic Combustion: Current Status and Implications for Energy Efficiency in the Process Industries", Heat Recovery Systems and CHP, 13, No 5, pp 383-390, 1993 and by D. Jones and S. Salfati in Rev. Gen. Therm. Fr. No. 330-331, pp 401-406, June-July 1989, catalytic combustion has a variety of applications: radiant panels and tubes, catalytic afterburners, gas turbines, cogeneration, burners, catalytic sleeves for steam reforming tubes, production of hot gases in the heating field by direct contact and catalytic plate reactors.
In catalytic combustion processes in the fields of energy production and cogeneration, the most widely used reactor configuration is a reactor comprising a plurality of catalytic zones: the catalyst(s) at the inlet are more specifically dedicated to initiating the combustion reaction, while the subsequent catalysts stabilise the combustion reaction at high temperature; the number of catalytic stages (or zones) is adjusted as a function of the conditions imposed by the envisaged application.
Combustion catalysts are generally prepared from a monolithic substrate of ceramic or metal on which a fine support layer is deposited which is constituted by one or more refractory oxides with greater surface area and porosity to that of the monolithic substrate. The active phase, which is essentially composed of metals from the platinum group, is dispersed on the oxide.
As is known to the skilled person, platinum group metals have the highest catalytic activity for hydrocarbon oxidation and thus initiate combustion at a lower temperature than transition metal oxides. Preferably, then, they are used in the first catalytic zones. However, because of the high temperatures reached either during start-up phases or in a steady state, such catalysts degrade, causing a drop in their catalytic performances. Sintering the alumina based support and sintering the active metal phase and/or encapsulating it by the support are the causes which are most frequently cited to explain such degradation.
The drop in the specific surface area of alumina based supports is known to be stabilised effectively by a suitable doping agent. Rare earths and silica are often cited as being among the most effective stabilisers for alumina. Catalysts prepared using this technique have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,559, among others. In that document, the catalyst includes platinum group metals or transition metals deposited on alumina, an oxide of a metal selected from the group constituted by barium, lanthanum and strontium and an oxide of a metal selected from the group constituted by tin, silicon, zirconium and molybdenum.
In addition, to limit sintering of the active metallic phase, the addition of a variety of stabilisers essentially based on transition metal oxides has been proposed.
Thus U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,499 describes a catalyst comprising a porous support with a pore diameter which is in the range 150 .ANG. to 300 .ANG. and with a proportion by weight with respect to the substrate which is preferably in the range 50 to 200 g/l, an active phase including at least 10% by weight, with respect to the porous support, of a precious metal selected from the group formed by palladium and platinum; a first promoter including at least one element selected from the group constituted by lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, barium, strontium, calcium and oxides thereof, in which the proportion by weight with respect to the porous support is in the range 5% to 20%; a second promoter including at least one element selected from the group formed by magnesium, silicon and oxides thereof, in which the proportion by weight with respect to the active phase is no more than 10%; and a third promoter including at least one element selected from the group constituted by nickel, zirconium, cobalt, iron and manganese, and oxides thereof, in which the proportion by weight with respect to the active phase is no more than 10%. Further, that catalyst can be deposited on a monolithic substrate which is in the group formed by cordierite, mullite, alpha alumina, zirconia, and titanium oxide; the proportion by weight of porous support with respect to the substrate volume is in the range 50 g/l to 200 g/l.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,797 describes a catalyst comprising an inorganic support selected from the group constituted by oxides, carbides and nitrides of elements from groups IIa, IIIa and IV of the periodic classification of the elements, or selected from the group constituted by La--.beta.--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Nd--.beta.--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Ce--.beta.--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Pr--.beta.--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, at least one precious metal selected from the group constituted by palladium, platinum, rhodium and ruthenium, and at least one oxide of a base metal selected from the group constituted by magnesium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, strontium, niobium, zinc, tin, chromium and zirconium, such that the atomic ratio of base metal to precious metal is in the range 0.1 to 10.
In addition, regarding formulations which can act at high temperature, mixed oxides are generally more resistant than precious metals. Of such oxides, perovskites and more particularly LaMnO.sub.3, LaCoO.sub.3 and La.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x MnO.sub.3 where 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.2 are important for the catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons, but their surface area drops rapidly when the temperature goes beyond 800.degree. C. H. Arai et al. have proposed formulations based on hexaaluminates containing manganese which are a good activity/thermal stability compromise, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,174, in particular. The catalytic combustion catalyst proposed can be represented by the formula: Al.sub.1-z C.sub.z B.sub.x Al.sub.12-y O.sub.19-.alpha., where
H. Arai et al. have also proposed the addition of a precious metal to such catalysts, as described in particular in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,339. The catalyst proposed is represented by the formula: A.sub.1-z C.sub.z B.sub.x D.sub.u Al.sub.12-y-u O.sub.19-.alpha., (where
Some particularly representative patents concerning combustion reactors with a plurality of catalytic zones are:
in the 1.sup.st catalytic zone: Pd and (Pt or Ag); PA2 in the 2.sup.nd catalytic zone: Pd and (Pt or Ag); and PA2 in the 3.sup.rd catalytic zone: perovskite ABO.sub.3 or an oxide of a metal from group V(Nb or V), group VI (Cr) or group VW (Fe, Co, Ni).
The critical point of a multi-stage process is control of the temperature in the different catalytic stages. If a run-away combustion reaction occurs, the temperature of the catalyst can rapidly reach the adiabatic temperature. It is important to cover the whole of the charge range of a gas turbine. The air-fuel ratio can vary widely from ignition to full charge via the throttle. Using such a catalytic combustion chamber can thus be difficult.
A global approach to the catalytic combustion process, taking into account both the advantages and disadvantages of the catalytic reactor configuration and the catalytic formulation, thus appears to be vital. Further, despite the large amount of development work which has already been carried out, it is still important to find a catalytic reactor configuration--catalytic formulation combination which will satisfy the ever more draconian demands on a combustion process.
The assignee's French patent application FR-A-2 726 774 describes combustion catalysts comprising iron and cerium associated with palladium and/or platinum deposited on a refractory inorganic oxide.
The assignee's French patent FR-B-2 721 837 describes combustion catalysts which essentially have the formula A.sub.1-x B.sub.y C.sub.z Al.sub.12-y-z O.sub.19-.alpha., where A represents at least one element with valency X selected from the group formed by barium, strontium and rare earths; B represents at least one element with valency Y selected from the group formed by Mn, Co and Fe; C represents at least one element selected from the group formed by Mg and Zn; x is 0 to 0.25, y is 0.5 to 3 and z is 0.01 to 3; the sum y+z has a maximum value of 4 and .delta. has a value which, determined as a function of the respective valencies X and Y of elements A and B and the values of x, y and z, is equal to 1-1{(1-x)X+yY-3y-z}.

Catalytic combustion process using a plurality of successive catalytic zones


A power transmission system for the transmission of power or the transmission of movement from a first device to a second device comprises an endless flexible belt for transmitting power from a first power driven device to a second device for receiving the power. Such a belt can preferably be a toothed belt, also called a synchronous belt, as used, for example, on internal combustion engines for the synchronous propulsion of cam shafts at the cylinder head, and which belt has a construction capable of withstanding the operating environment for which it is intended.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a power transmission system for the transmission of power or the transmission of movement from a first device to a second device. In general, such power transmission systems operate by means of belts, i.e. endless flexible belts which operate by mechanical adherance, or friction. In particular, such belts can be toothed belts, also called synchronous belts, as used, for example, on internal combustion engines for the synchronous propulsion of cam shafts at the cylinder head.
The vehicle engine generally encloses the synchronous toothed belt in a housing which is generally not very well vented, but which housing can theoretically be quite dry. When used on an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, such belts can typically be exposed to detrimental conditions such as sprays of high temperature oil. Further, because of the lack of ventilation for such a housing, the belt, as well as being exposed to possible oil sprays, is also exposed to the high temperatures produced by the engine in the form of thermal radiation which emanates from the walls of the crankcase.
2. Background Information
Such endless transmission belts are typically composed of a flexible armature in combination with at least one elastomer. On a first side of the belt, there can be a plurality of teeth formed by a first elastomer, and preferably covered by a protective fabric, while the opposite side of the belt can comprise an elastomer compound that can be identical to or different from the elastomer compound used for the teeth. On this opposite side of the belt, the elastomer compound essentially forms the back-side of the belt and serves to protect the flexible armature. This back-side can be smooth, can have longitudinal corrugations for a friction drive, or can have identical or different teeth for engagement on matching pulleys.
The problem of creep during operation, which has long been a source of problems and the failure of such belts, has been solved by the utilization of steel, glass or aramid fibers as the flexible armature. Thus, the useful life of synchronous belts has, for the most part, become a direct function of the mechanical strength and thermal resistance of the elastomer base compounds used in the composition of the teeth and of the back of the belts.
Because of the problems associated with internal combustion engines, such transmission belts generally needed to be made from an elastomer which was resistant to repeated bending stresses, was resistant to ozone and oil, and had a high-temperature resistance up to about 100 degrees C. For these purposes, polychloroprene base compounds generally provided satisfactory results. However, given the increased severity of the conditions in which such belts currently are used, and in particular the increase in temperatures under the hood, the previously used polychloroprene compounds are currently insufficient. In this regard, given the increasing severity of the requirements set by designers, manufacturers of automobile equipment have particularly devoted their research efforts to high-performance elastomer compounds. Such new high-performance elastomer compounds have been made possible by the development of new polymers.
In an attempt to meet the increased requirements for transmission belts, French Patent No. 2 334 021 to Pirelli proposes the use of epichlorohydrin matrix compounds, and French Patent No. 2 628 678 to Tosch Corp. proposes the use of chlorosulfonated ethylenealpha-olefin copolymer (CSM) matrix compounds for constructing the belts. It should be noted, however, that although the belts realized with these elastomers exhibit a positive increase of operational characteristics at higher temperatures, such belts retain a sensitivity to oils which thereby reduces their performance in case of accidental contact with any oil.
To remedy the disadvantage of insufficient resistance to hot oils, while maintaining a satisfactory level of useful life, other embodiments have been proposed with compounds of hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer (HNBR) matrix, which is a highly saturated nitrile.
Belts constructed with the same hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer (HNBR) matrix elastomer compound on the back and in the teeth, i.e. the entire belt being homogeneously constructed with the HNBR elastomer, are disclosed in International Publication No. WO 89/12076 to Nippon Zeon and Japanese Patent No. 01-269743 to Bando Chemical. Nevertheless, the improvement of the resistance to oils is achieved at the expense of an increased cost of making such belts, due to the higher cost of the base elastomer.
Japanese Patent No. 64-588311, also to Bando, discloses an improvement in performance, without an excessive cost increase. This improvement is the result of the combination of an alkylated chlorosulfonated ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer (ACSM), forming the back and the teeth of the belt, with a fabric covering on the teeth, which fabric covering is impregnated with a hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer (HNBR) matrix elastomer compound. A major problem with such a belt is the adherence of the fabric coated with a mixture of hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer (HNBR) to the mass of the alkylated chlorosulfonated ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer (ACSM). At high stresses, the weak points in the structure provide possible areas for the advance of moisture or oil into the belt via the cut flanks of the belt and the seams between elements of the fabric covering of the teeth.
The interface between the fabric and the alkylated chlorosulfonated ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer (ACSM) matrix compound forming the teeth, is essentially the most highly-stressed point of the belt, and is subjected, in particular, to bending stresses as the base of the teeth.
Hairline cracks in the elastomer compound essentially signal the end of the useful life of the belt. Such hairline cracks have a tendency to appear first at this interface at the base of the teeth, and this interface area is typically the point which is the least well protected against oil impregnations.


A method of controlling a mobile robot includes a first basic learning process of generating a first basic map based on environment information acquired in a traveling process, a second basic learning process of generating a second basic map based on environment information acquired in a separate traveling process, and a merging process of merging the first basic map and the second basic map to generate a merged map.

Robots have been developed for industrial use and have been used as part of factory automation. In recent years, as applications of robots have been further expanded, medical robots, aerospace robots, etc. are being developed and household robots which may be used at home are being developed. Among these robots, a robot capable of autonomously traveling is called a mobile robot. The representative example of the mobile robot used at home includes a robot cleaner.
In order to accurately move a mobile robot to a desired destination, there is a method of detecting an infrared (IR) signal transmitted from a destination such as a charging stand. However, this method enables only movement to a limited destination for transmitting an infrared signal but disables movement to any other destination. If the mobile robot does not detect the transmitted infrared signal due to a distance or an obstacle, the mobile robot may roam in order to find the destination.
Accordingly, the mobile robot needs to grasp the current position thereof on a map, in order to move to any position in a traveling area.
To this end, in the related art, various methods of continuously grasping the current position of the mobile robot based on traveling information (information on a movement direction and a movement speed, comparison between continuously photographed images of the floor, etc.) at a previous position thereof while the mobile robot continuously moves are known. In addition, various methods of autonomously learning a map at a mobile robot are known.
However, when the position of the mobile robot which is traveling is forcibly changed due to an external factor, the mobile robot cannot recognize the unknown current position thereof based on traveling information at the previous position thereof. For example, a kidnapping situation in which a user lifts and moves a mobile robot which is traveling may occur.
In order for the mobile robot to recognize the current position thereof (localization) on a map even in a position jumping situation including the kidnapping situation, the infrared signal transmitted from a specific point may be used. However, the above-described problems may occur. In addition, a method of using a laser sensor or an ultrasonic sensor in order to recognize the current position in the position jumping situation may be used. However, there is a limit in that cost is increased and detailed information about a surrounding environment cannot be obtained.
Therefore, the related art (Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2010-0104581) discloses technology for recognizing an unknown current position using an image captured through a camera at the current position.