Facts are extracted from speech and recorded in a document using codings. Each coding represents an extracted fact and includes a code and a datum. The code may represent a type of the extracted fact and the datum may represent a value of the extracted fact. The datum in a coding is rendered based on a specified feature of the coding. For example, the datum may be rendered as boldface text to indicate that the coding has been designated as an “allergy.” In this way, the specified feature of the coding (e.g., “allergy”-ness) is used to modify the manner in which the datum is rendered. A user inspects the rendering and provides, based on the rendering, an indication of whether the coding was accurately designated as having the specified feature. A record of the user's indication may be stored, such as within the coding itself.

It is desirable in many contexts to generate a structured textual document based on human speech. In the legal profession, for example, transcriptionists transcribe testimony given in court proceedings and in depositions to produce a written transcript of the testimony. Similarly, in the medical profession, transcripts are produced of diagnoses, prognoses, prescriptions, and other information dictated by doctors and other medical professionals. Transcripts in these and other fields typically need to be highly accurate (as measured in terms of the degree of correspondence between the semantic content (meaning) of the original speech and the semantic content of the resulting transcript) because of the reliance placed on the resulting transcripts and the harm that could result from an inaccuracy (such as providing an incorrect prescription drug to a patient).
It may be difficult to produce an initial transcript that is highly accurate for a variety of reasons, such as variations in: (1) features of the speakers whose speech is transcribed (e.g., accent, volume, dialect, speed); (2) external conditions (e.g., background noise); (3) the transcriptionist or transcription system (e.g., imperfect hearing or audio capture capabilities, imperfect understanding of language); or (4) the recording/transmission medium (e.g., paper, analog audio tape, analog telephone network, compression algorithms applied in digital telephone networks, and noises/artifacts due to cell phone channels).
The first draft of a transcript, whether produced by a human transcriptionist or an automated speech recognition system, may therefore include a variety of errors. Typically it is necessary to proofread and edit such draft documents to correct the errors contained therein. Transcription errors that need correction may include, for example, any of the following: missing words or word sequences; excessive wording; mis-spelled, -typed, or -recognized words; missing or excessive punctuation; and incorrect document structure (such as incorrect, missing, or redundant sections, enumerations, paragraphs, or lists).
In some circumstances, however, a verbatim transcript is not desired. In fact, transcriptionists may intentionally introduce a variety of changes into the written transcription. A transcriptionist may, for example, filter out spontaneous speech effects (e.g., pause fillers, hesitations, and false starts), discard irrelevant remarks and comments, convert data into a standard format, insert headings or other explanatory materials, or change the sequence of the speech to fit the structure of a written report.
Furthermore, formatting requirements may make it necessary to edit even phrases that have been transcribed correctly so that such phrases comply with the formatting requirements. For example, abbreviations and acronyms may need to be fully spelled out. This is one example of a kind of "editing pattern" that may need to be applied even in the absence of a transcription error.
Such error correction and other editing is often performed by human proofreaders and can be tedious, time-consuming, costly, and itself error-prone. In some cases, attempts are made to detect and correct errors using automatically-generated statistical measures of the uncertainty of the draft-generation process. For example, both natural language processors (NLPs) and automatic speech recognizers (ASRs) produce such "confidence measures." These confidence measures, however, are often unreliable, thereby limiting the usefulness of the error detection and correction techniques that rely on them.
Furthermore, it may be desirable for a report or other structured document to include not only text but data. In such a case the goal is not merely to capture spoken words as text, but also to extract data from those words, and to include the data in the report. The data, although included in the report, may or may not be explicitly displayed to the user when the document is rendered. Even if not displayed to the user, the computer-readable nature of the data makes it useful for various kinds of processing which would be difficult or impossible to perform on bare text.
Consider, for example, a draft report generated from the free-form speech of a doctor. Such a draft report may include both: (1) a textual transcript of the doctor's speech, and (2) codes (also referred to as "tags" or "annotations") that annotate the transcribed speech. Such codes may, for example, take the form of XML tags.
The doctor's speech may be "free-form" in the sense that the structure of the speech may not match the desired structure of the written report. When dictating, doctors (and other speakers) typically only hint at or imply the structure of the final report. Such "structure" includes, for example, the report's sections, paragraphs, and enumerations. Although an automated system may attempt to identify the document structured implied by the speech, and to create a report having that structure, such a process is error prone. The system may, for example, put the text corresponding to particular speech in the wrong section of the report.
Similarly, the system may incorrectly classify such text as describing an allergy rather than as text corresponding to some other kind of data. Such an error would be reflected in the document by an incorrect coding being applied to the text. Consider, for example, the sentence fragment "penicillin causes hives." This text may be coded incorrectly by, for example, coding the text "penicillin" as a current medication rather than as an allergen.
When data are extracted from speech, it is desirable that such data be coded accurately. Some existing systems which extract data from speech to produce structured documents, however, do not provide a mechanism for the accuracy of the extracted data to be human-verified, thereby limiting the confidence with which the accuracy of such documents may be relied upon.
Some systems allow the accuracy of extracted data to be verified, but only do so as a separate work step after the textual content of the document has been verified for speech recognition errors. This data verification process involves displaying the extracted codes themselves, which makes the verification process difficult due to the complexities of the coding systems, such as the Controlled Medical Vocabulary (CMV) coding system, that are commonly used to encode data in documents. Such existing techniques for verifying extracted data are therefore of limited utility.
What is needed, therefore, are improved techniques for verifying the correctness of data extracted from speech into documents.


An image indexer for indexing a plurality of images that includes a first data structure for subsequent classification of the one or more images. The first data structure includes characteristics for at least one class. An image classifier classifies one or more individual images found in the plurality of images as classified images according to the first data structure. A second data structure performs subsequent clustering of the plurality of images, wherein the second data structure includes at least two sequential events in a set of known events. The classified images are clustered according to the second data structure, and a representative image is selected from each cluster of classified images.

Several in vivo measurement systems are known in the art. They include swallowable electronic capsules which collect data and which transmit the data to a receiver system. These intestinal capsules, which are moved through the digestive system by the action of peristalsis, are used to measure pH ("Heidelberg" capsules), temperature ("CoreTemp" capsules) and pressure throughout the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. They have also been used to measure gastric residence time, which is the time it takes for food to pass through the stomach and intestines. These intestinal capsules typically include a measuring system and a transmission system, where a transmitter transmits the measured data at radio frequencies to a receiver system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,531, assigned to the State of Israel, Ministry of Defense, Armament Development Authority, and incorporated herein by reference, teaches an in vivo measurement system, in particular an in vivo camera system, which is carried by a swallowable capsule. In addition to the camera system there is an optical system for imaging an area of the GI tract onto the imager and a transmitter for transmitting the video output of the camera system. The overall system, including a capsule that can pass through the entire digestive tract, operates as an autonomous video endoscope. It also images the difficult to reach areas of the small intestine.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the in vivo video camera system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,531. The system captures and transmits images of the GI tract while passing through the gastro-intestinal lumen. The system contains a storage unit 100, a data processor 102, a camera 104, an image transmitter 106, an image receiver 108, which usually includes an antenna array, and an image monitor 110. Storage unit 100, data processor 102, image monitor 110, and image receiver 108 are located outside the patient's body. Camera 104, as it transits the GI tract, is in communication with image transmitter 106 located in capsule 112 and image receiver 108 located outside the body. Data processor 102 transfers frame data to and from storage unit 100 while analyzing the data. Processor 102 also transmits the analyzed data to image monitor 110 where a physician views it. The data can be viewed in real time or at some later date.
During a typical examination, the in vivo camera system may take anywhere from about four to eight hours or more to traverse the digestive tract. Assuming a capture rate of about 2 images per second, the total number of captured images can range from approximately 35,000 to 70,000 or more images. If these images were subsequently displayed as a video sequence at a rate of 30 frames per second, one would require 20-40 minutes of viewing time to observe the entire video. This estimate does not include the extra time needed to zoom in and/or decrease the frame rate for a more detailed examination of suspect areas.
In many situations, the physician may desire to navigate the video by jumping from one anatomical structure to another anatomical structure, rather than cueing and rewinding the video manually. This type of navigation is simplified when the video sequence is indexed according to anatomical structure. The indexing process entails establishing a set of key frames that are representative of certain anatomical structures of interest. Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/812,785, incorporated herein by reference, describes a method and system for identifying the anatomical structure corresponding to an in vivo image, based on the classification of image based and/or non-image based features of the in vivo image. The disclosure of patent application '785 reveals a rudimentary indexing system. For example, one may select the first in vivo images in the sequence as key frames that are classified according to each anatomical structure of interest. However, there remains a need in the art for indexing in vivo image sequences according to anatomical structure, in a way that is robust to the misclassification of individual in vivo images.

Image indexer for indexing a plurality of images


A bar code reader includes bar code processing units (10, 11) for generating a bright/dark pattern forming a bar code (40) by optically scanning a bar code forming surface of an object (4), converting into plural categories of module values indicating widths of the respective areas, and demodulating the bar code into character data, a scaling unit for creating scale data by scaling a weight of the object to be sold by weight, a adjustment control unit (11) to perform zero-setting in response to a request for initializing the scaling unit, and a weight change detecting unit (11) for judging at least one of an increment change and a decrement change from zero in weight, and making a corresponding piece of scale data visibly displayed when in the increment change and making an absolute value of a corresponding piece of scale data visibly displayed when in the decrement change.

The present invention relates to a bar code reader for reading a bar code by irradiating the bar code with laser beams and detecting a change in intensity of reflected laser beams, and demodulating the bar code into character data. The present invention relates more particularly to a bar code reader and a scaling device which incorporate a scaling function, and to a scaling method.
As typified by a POS (Point of Sales) system in a distribution sector over the recent years, it has been generalized that the merchandises are managed by bar codes. For instance, according to the POS system in a shop, pieces of data such as categories and sales prices of the goods are coded in a bar code format, and printed or pasted onto the goods. Then, the bar code of the goods is read at a cash register in a payment location, whereby the number of goods sold is added up in real time as well as doing the payment of a charge. This serves for a stock management and a purchase management.
A bar code reader (a scanner device) for reading the bar code on the goods is roughly classified into a fixed type reader used for comparatively small goods formed with the bar codes, and a handy type reader used for comparatively large goods. The fixed type bar code reader thereof is provided with a mechanism (a scanning/converging optical system) for scanning the bar code in a multiplicity of directions by irradiating the bar code with light beams for reading so that an operator is capable of reading the bar code without being so aware of a bar code direction. More specifically, the bar code is scanned in the multiplicity of directions with the laser beams defined as reading irradiation light beams during a scan by one reflection surfaces of a polygon mirror used in combination with fixed reflection mirrors. Then, during such a scan process, the laser beams reflected from the surface of the goods are received, and a demodulation processing circuit (a control circuit) demodulates change-of-intensity data (reflected light data) of the thus received reflected laser beams with a demodulation algorithm for the bar code and extracts data coded into the bar code. Further, the fixed type bar code reader includes a scale function unit together with the scan function unit in order to enable the goods to be sold by weight.
In the prior art bar code reader, a scan/display panel of the scan function unit is provided with a start button (a switch) for shifting the scan function unit to a wake-up state (an operating state) and a sound adjusting button for adjusting a volume or a tone of the sound from a loudspeaker. Further, a scale-oriented display connected to the scale function unit is provided with a zero-adjusting button for making a zero-adjustment of the scale. Accordingly, the operator inevitably operates the button and the switch disposed in different positions on the scan/display panel and the scale-oriented display as the necessity may arise. Such a button operation in combination with the operation of reading the bar codes of a large quantity of goods might lead an increased load on the operator. Moreover, the zero-adjustment of the scale of the scale of the cal function unit is allowed to be done only before placing the goods. This is because if the zero-adjustment is made in a state where the goods remains placed, a weight thereof is displayed in minus when the goods is removed. In this case, the operator needs to re-execute the zero-adjustment after temporarily removing the goods, which might be a factor for increasing the load on the operator. Furthermore, with the construction that the zero-adjustment of the scale of the scan function unit is made only before placing the goods, it is unfeasible to cope with an operational mistake (a deviation in timing) of the operator.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a bar code reader and a scaling method which are capable of operating in one location a start button (a switch) for shifting a scan function unit to a wake-up state (an operating state) from a sleep state (non-operating state), a sound adjustment button for adjusting a volume or a tone of a sound from a loudspeaker, and a zero-adjustment button for performing a zero-adjustment of a scale of a scale function unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bar code reader and a scaling method which are capable of integrating a variety of function buttons operable in one location, into one same button.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bar code reader, a scaling device and a scaling method which are capable of performing the zero-adjustment of the scale of the scale function unit even in a state where the goods is placed when selling the goods by weight.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bar code reader, a scaling device and a scaling method which are capable of preventing an operational mistake and an unfair operation by an operator when selling the goods by weight.
To accomplish the above objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a bar code reader comprises a bar code processing unit for generating a bright/dark pattern containing a plurality of bright areas and a plurality of dark areas forming a bar code by optically scanning a bar code forming surface of an object, converting the bright/dark pattern into plural categories of module values indicating widths of the respective bright areas and widths of the respective dark areas, and demodulating the bar code into character data, a scaling unit for creating scale data by scaling a weight of the object, a zero-adjustment control unit for working a weight scaling function of the scaling unit to perform zero-setting in response to a request for initializing the scaling unit, and a weight change judging unit for judging at least one of an increment change and a decrement change from zero in weight on the basis of the scale data created by the scaling unit, and outputting a corresponding piece of scale data when in the increment change and an absolute value of a corresponding piece of scale data when in the decrement change.
The bar code reader taking this construction may further comprise an automatic zero-adjustment control unit for forcibly working the weight scaling function of the scaling unit to perform the zero-setting when the weight change judging unit judges the decrement change and outputs the absolute value of the scale data.
Further, a box body of the bar code reader incorporates a first switch element for enabling an operator to input the request for initializing the scaling unit, and a second switch element for enabling the operator to start up another processing function containing control for changing any one of a volume and a tone of a confirmation sound emitted from a loudspeaker when the bar code processing unit reads the bar code.
The bar code reader of the present invention may take such a configuration that the first switch unit and the second switch unit are integrated into one same switch unit.
In this configuration, the bar code reader may further comprise a selecting unit for starting up a corresponding processing function when any one of the first and second switch elements is operated corresponding to the number of operations of the integrated switch element.
Moreover, the bar code reader may further comprise a selecting unit for starting up a corresponding processing function when any one of the first and second switch elements is operated corresponding to an operation continuous time of the integrated switch element.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a scaling device comprises a unit for comparing a weight of an object at a first point of time with a weight of the object at a second point of time posterior to the first point of time, and a unit for outputting, when there occurs a decrement change in weight as a result of the comparison, scale data with plus and minus of the change being reversed.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a scaling device comprises a unit for comparing a weight of an object at a first point of time with a weight of the object at a second point of time posterior to the first point of time, and a unit for outputting, when there occurs a decrement change in weight as a result of the comparison, scale data corresponding to an absolute value of the change.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a scaling device comprises a unit for comparing a weight of an object at a first point of time with a weight of the object at a second point of time posterior to the first point of time, and a unit for automatically setting, when there occurs a decrement change in weight as a result of the comparison, the weight of the object at the second point of time to zero.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a scaling method comprises a step of creating scale data by scaling a weight of an object by a zero-set scaling device, a step of judging at least one of an increment change and a decrement change from zero in weight on the basis of the created scale data, a step of outputting a corresponding piece of scale data when in the increment change, and a step of outputting an absolute value of a corresponding piece of scale data when in the decrement change.
This scaling method may further comprise a step of selecting a start-up of a processing function of making the scaling device perform zero-setting, and a start-up of another processing function containing control for changing any one of a volume and a tone of a confirmation sound emitted from a loudspeaker when reading the bar code, corresponding to a difference between operation methods of one same switch unit.
According to the bar code reader, the scaling device and the scaling method of the present invention which take the above configurations, it is possible to prevent a payment from not being normally made due to an operational mistake and an unfair operation by an operator such as a case of selling the goods by weight.
Further, the zero-adjustment of the scale of the scale function unit can be carried out even in a state where the goods remains placed such as the case of selling the goods by weight, and hence a load on the operation can be reduced.
Moreover, it is feasible to operate in one location switch elements such as a start button (a switch) for shifting a scan function unit to a wake-up state (an operating state) from a sleep state (non-operating state), a sound adjustment button for adjusting a volume or a tone of a sound from a loudspeaker, and a zero-adjustment button for performing a zero-adjustment of the scaling unite, whereby the load on the operator can be decreased.
In addition, the variety of function buttons operable in one location can be integrated into one same switch element, and the load on the operator can be further reduced.

Bar code reader, scaling device and scaling method


A radiator arrangement is provided for a work vehicle. The radiator arrangement includes a radiator and a guiding axle that is seated in a first guide element. In order to provide a cleaning position of the radiator with improved accessibility for maintenance purposes, the radiator arrangement is configured such that the guiding axle is radially displaceable relative to the first guide element in a guideway of the first guide element. This allows the radiator to be moved from an operating position to a cleaning position by displacing the guiding axle relative to the first guide element in a direction that is generally radial to the guiding axle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a radiator arrangement for a work vehicle, including at least one radiator or condenser configured to facilitate access for cleaning.
2. Description of Related Art
Agricultural work vehicles, in particular towing tractors or wheeled loaders such as telescopic loaders, today include increasingly high-tech and powerful refrigeration units. The provision of powerful refrigeration units requires increased cooling capacity. Tight installation conditions, in particular in the region of the engine compartment, also necessitate a compact design. In order to be able to provide a high level of cooling capacity and a compact design, radiator arrangements are frequently arranged in a modular design, in which several individual radiators or condensers are disposed closely together in rows. As referred to above and below, the term radiator refers to any conventional radiators, condensers or similar heat exchange devices.
Due to the rough work environment of agricultural work vehicles, the radiators become dirty and lose efficiency, making it necessary to clean them at regular intervals. In order to clean radiators arranged in modules, the individual radiators have to be exposed to enable access to any covered surfaces of the radiators. In work vehicles where this activity has to be performed frequently, the use of various swivel devices for the individual radiators is common. Radiator arrangements therefore typically comprise one or more pivot axles, about which the individual radiators can pivot. This solution requires a relatively large pivot angle to ensure easy access to the covered surfaces of the radiators. The relatively large pivoting angle in turn necessitates that the pivoting vehicle radiators are not obstructed by other components in the engine compartment, or that such other components may first have to be removed. Yet, even with a relatively large pivoting angle, access in the area of the swivel axis is frequently very limited. In order to facilitate relatively large pivot angles for the radiators, it is necessary to route connecting lines accordingly, leading to complex and costly designs.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a radiator arrangement of the kind described above which overcomes the disadvantages associated with existing radiator arrangements.


A system for increasing the overall efficiency of a high pressure gas fueled vehicle and refilling station infrastructure wherein the compression heat of high pressure refueling of an on board tank is absorbed by a temperature dependent melting/solidifying media within the interior of an on board tank and may be dispersed through an external radiator.

When hydrogen is used as a fuel in motor vehicles, a hydrogen fuel depot infrastructure for refueling must also be developed. Typically, in the use of hydrogen to power fuel cells or in the use of CNG to power internal combustion engines in motor vehicles, present practice is that high pressure fuel gas is stored in on board fuel tanks maintained at a maximum design pressure in the range of about 3600 psi for CNG to about 5000 psi for hydrogen. Achieving a full refill of gas in the tank to design specification and an increase in the energy efficiency of the overall system of refuel depots and on board vehicle tanks and their interrelationship are desirable goals.
Hydrogen powered vehicles utilize light weight polymer/composite hydrogen storage tanks to store hydrogen fuel on board at high pressure. Herein, reference to hydrogen powered vehicles correlates with the use of the invention with compressed natural gas powered vehicles (CNGVs). For clarity, hydrogen is referred to in the specification and is a term intended to be interchangeable, generally evident in context, with compressed natural gas, high pressure gas, or gas. The use of multiple cylindrically shaped small tanks rather than a single large tank is preferred for vehicle design purposes. Various designs for high pressure hydrogen refueling systems have been proposed. When the storage tank of a hydrogen powered vehicle is filled with hydrogen, the pressurized on board storage tanks for the gas may be characterized as including chemical energy from the gas itself (consumed in powering the vehicle), and mechanical and thermal energy associated with the high pressure under which the gas is stored at the refuel depot and refueled into the vehicle tank[s].
During a high pressure refueling process with hydrogen or CNG, the interior of the on board tanks, namely, the gas itself, becomes heated as a result of gas compression as the tank pressure increases and other refueling parameters affect the process. After refueling, the tank interior gas temperature and pressure decrease slowly as the fuel gas is consumed during vehicle operation. Conventionally, it is not usually possible to obtain a full refill tank pressure to a high pressure design maximum without some form of secondary gas processing. In one example of pressure compensation during the course of refueling, the charge of fuel input into and stored in the tank must be initially in excess of the optimum design tank pressure because of the compression/heating effect: as temperature increases, less fuel per unit of tank volume can be accepted by the tank. In another example of secondary treatment, the refuel gas is precooled before input into the tank. Without a full charge of fuel, vehicle mileage in terms of vehicle range is reduced; the use of higher design pressures worsens this condition. A third variation of an attempt to resolve the less than full fill problem involves a slow flow rate during refill resulting in a lower initial tank temperature, however, a slow fill, is undesirable, and may be impractical. An undesirable consequence of a slower flow rate during refueling to avoid heat build up is a longer refueling time. Solutions proposed to precool the gas before refueling and to initially overfill require substantial energy, thereby reducing the overall energy efficiency of a hydrogen economy. The build up of the compression heat of refueling is generally not a concern when fill pressures are at about 3600 psi and 5000 psi or lower, however, as refill and tank pressures exceed 3600 psi and 5000 psi and approach or exceed 5000 psi and 10,000 psi, temperature compensation, cooling, becomes an important factor in the refueling process to achieve a full fill. With a full fill, overall vehicle range per each tank refill is extended and overall customer satisfaction is increased.

Gas cooling method using a melting/solidifying media for high pressure storage tanks for compressed natural gas or hydrogen


A latch mechanism for a power tool, such as a hedge trimmer, having a housing accommodating a motor and a handle assembly adapted to pivot relative to the housing in a plurality of positions. The latch mechanism includes a lever carrying a first and second retaining member that moves into and out of engagement with the handle assembly for locking and unlocking the handle assembly relative to the housing. The retaining members are biased towards their engaging conditions by a spring. An interlock member on lever cooperates with an arm member to prevent disengagement of the first and second retaining members from the handle assembly when the motor is actuated, and for preventing actuation of the motor when the first or second retaining member is in a retracted condition.

The present invention relates to a latch mechanism for a pivoting handle assembly of a power tool, and to a power tool incorporating such a mechanism. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a latch mechanism for the pivotable handle assembly of a hedge trimmer, and to a hedge trimmer incorporating such a mechanism.
Hedge trimmers are power tools for general garden use with an axially reciprocating blade comprising a plurality of teeth disposed adjacent a stationary blade, the teeth of the stationary blade providing a reaction force for the teeth of the reciprocating blade.
Most hedge trimmers are provided with two handles for the user to grip. This is generally for two reasons. Firstly, a hedge trimmer is easier to manipulate when held with both hands than when held with one hand. This provides the user with greater control over the hedge trimmer and therefore facilitates more accurate cutting. Secondly, a two handed grip is a safety feature. It is significantly easier to lose control of a hedge trimmer when holding it with one hand, and therefore a two handed grip allows much safer use of the hedge trimmer.
When hedge trimmers are used to cut high up relative to the user's body, for example to cut the horizontal upper surface of a hedge, most hedge trimmers have to be held with both hands above head height and with the hedge trimmer upside down. This can be tiring for the user and generally makes the user feel unstable as the centre of mass of the user and hedge trimmer is moved further up the user's body. This situation can be particularly dangerous when a user has mounted a set of step ladders, and is therefore even more unstable than he would be were he standing on the ground.
For this reason, the handle assembly of the hedge trimmer may be pivotable relative to the hedge trimmer housing in order to enable the user easier access to higher and lower cutting positions.
Power tools are known which comprise a body portion pivotable relative to a handle assembly, for example in EP 0834248. However, such power tools suffer from the drawback that mechanisms consisting of many components are necessary to enable the tool to be locked in more than one position.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above disadvantage of the prior art.

Latch mechanism for pivoting handle assembly of a power tool


Systems and methods for improving the effectiveness of communications over a social network. A method for controlling network communication, comprises analyzing a social network in response to a request made by a user to send a message to a node in the social network, delaying for a period of time sending of the message based on a result of the analyzing, and sending the message to the node in the social network after the period of time has elapsed.

A social network is a social structure made up of individuals, groups or organizations, which have been referred to as "nodes," that are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency. For example, one or more of friendship, business associations, common interest or history, occupation, education, finances, likes/dislikes, or other relationships can connect nodes. In a simple form, a social network is a structure of these connections between nodes. The nodes to which an individual is connected represent the contacts of that individual, and the return or value than an individual derives from the social network can be measured as social capital.
A social network diagram includes nodes as points and lines representing ties or connections between the nodes. Attention given to network theory, i.e., the creation, maintenance, and destruction of such ties, has increased in recent years. The rise in such interest may be attributed to the study of interne connections, and awareness of the roles which social networks play in people's work habits, health, entertainment interests, and many other facets of daily life.
An example of a social networking and microblogging service is TWITTER, enabling its users to send and read messages called "tweets". Tweets are text-based posts displayed on a user's profile page. TWITTER and other social messaging services would be more useful if such systems could optimize the number and nature of message recipients.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for using social network analysis to schedule communications

International Business Machines Corporation


A water supply and heating system that includes a flexible water tank, a flexible heating carpet and an electrical connection mechanism. The water tank includes a flexible outer layer and separable inflatable and collapsible water bag. The water bag is equipped with a water inlet and outlet hoses for receiving supplying water. The water bag is positioned inside the outer layer and is designed to remain collapsed when and to inflate when filled with water. The outer layer too is designed to inflate when the water bag is filled with the water and to deflate when the water is drained from the water bag. A dry space is defined between the outer layer and the water bag in which the heating carpet is positioned. The heating carpet includes flexible flat electrical heating strips that are connected to the electrical connection mechanism.

In many instances it is customary to use systems for the supply and heating of water for residential, industrial, and agricultural use. Currently existing systems are cumbersome and are based primarily on rigid, heavy water tanks that are inconvenient to transport and set up in the desire location. In many cases, users need a water supply and heating system that is portable and lightweight, and easy to connect and operate. The present invention describes a water supply and heating system with unique and innovative features that provides a response to these problems.

Water supply and heating system with flexible tank and heating carpet


A light source device includes an LD module having a plurality of small light sources such as LDs, a control device selectively controlling On/Off of a plurality of the LDs, a first optical system collecting light emitted from the LDs into one collected light, and a second optical system emitting the collected light directly or through an optical process as source light. The control device maintains a constant amount of luminescence of the light source by controlling a number of the LDs selectively turned on in order to achieve a simple configuration of the light source device and a proper gradation expression of images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source device and a field-sequential-type projection device including the light source device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, display-devices having a large screen have become rapidly widespread, and it is common to use these displays in conferences, presentations, training and so on.
As display-devices for the above-mentioned purpose, there are various devices such as liquid-crystal type displays and plasma type displays. The displays are suitably chosen according to the size of venue or turnout. In particular, projection devices (hereinafter referred to as "projector") are the most prevalent large-screen display-devices because of their relative inexpensiveness and portability (i.e. they are light, compact and easy to carry).
Under such circumstances, recently, situations calling for communication have been increasing, and for example, conferences and meetings using a projector in a small conference room or a partitioned meeting space have been held frequently in many offices.
Moreover, situations arise where a meeting needs to be held at short notice in, for example, an unused space such as a passage if no meeting room is available, and information needs to be projected on to a wall and so on with a projector.
As a representative example of the projector, there is a field-sequential type projector represented by a DLP (Digital Light Processing) type projector. In the DLP type projectors, a display element such as a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) achieves a gradation expression with modulation of a source light by high-speed switching of the angle of micro-mirrors of each pixel arranged in a matrix corresponding to an image data by use of PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) driving.
There are advantages in that these DLP type projectors are capable of being easily downsized and displaying each color, R(Red), G(Green) and B(Blue) sequentially by switching in time since the DMD is capable of high-speed motion.
On the other hand, conventionally, a main light source used for the projector is a high-intensity discharge lamp such as an extra high pressure mercury lamp. However, recently, products using the following as a light source have been launched onto the market: a solid-state light-emitting element such as an LED and an LD of red, green and blue or a fluorescent body emitting light of a different wavelength band from the light emitted from the solid-state light-emitting element as excitation light.
The solid-state light-emitting element has the advantage of being convenient in that there is no need for a cooling period after power-OFF like with a conventional lamp and it emits light of proper luminance immediately after power-ON.
Furthermore, the solid-state light-emitting element is considered to be environmentally friendly because it does not use mercury.
However, the amount of luminescence of the solid-state light-emitting element and the fluorescent body vary depending on the temperature, and in general, decrease with an increase in temperature. That is to say, solid-state light-emitting elements decrease the amount of luminescence from the start of energization by heat generation of themselves even if a constant electric current is supplied as a common driving method, and the amount of luminescence becomes stable when the solid-state light-emitting elements become thermally-stable.
The fluorescent body, which produces fluorescence by irradiation of the excitation light, also decreases the amount of luminescence by heat generation of itself even if constant excitation light is irradiated, and the amount of luminescence becomes stable when the fluorescent body is thermally stable.
Thus, when the solid-state light-emitting element or the fluorescent body is applied to the DLP type projector mentioned above, there has been a problem in that a gradation expression cannot be performed properly due to the amount of luminescence varying with driving by the common method as seen above even though the amount of luminescence of the light source must be constant for achieving the gradation expression by PWM driving.
Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-349731 (Patent Literature 1) and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-085725 (Patent Literature 2) seek to solve the problem mentioned above.
In Patent Literature 1, a device to finely control the amount of current passing through the light-emitting element to keep the amount of luminescence of the solid-state light-emitting element constant is disclosed.
Further, in Patent Literature 2, a device to measure a level of an actual gradation relative to an original gradation signal and to convert the original gradation signal for adjusting to the actual gradation is disclosed.

Light source device and projection device including the light source device


The present invention relates to a part feeder supplying a plurality of parts, the part feeder including part supply members having a part loading path enabling the plurality of parts to be loaded in a state where postures of the plurality of parts are lined up. A part passage is provided to a first end of the part loading path, the part passage enabling the plurality of parts to pass while maintaining a fixed posture for each, and in which a gas passage is provided to a second end of the part loading path, the gas passage not enabling the plurality of parts to pass and enabling in- and outflow of a gas. The present invention, accordingly, enables reduction of equipment costs of a part feeder. The present invention is particularly advantageous for a device supplying rubber stoppers.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a rubber stopper penetrating device inserting an electric wire into a rubber stopper in cutting/crimping equipment.
In the rubber stopper penetrating device, one rubber stopper is force-fed, using air, from a rubber stopper supply tube, through a rubber stopper supply hole and a midway portion of a through-hole, and toward an opening on a first end side of the through-hole, then the rubber stopper is held within a rubber stopper accommodation recess of a rubber stopper holding member. Next, a pin member is displaced forward (toward the first end of the through-hole) and a forefront end of a core pin main body is pressed into an interior hole of the rubber stopper within the rubber stopper accommodation recess. In this state, the electric wire is inserted from the front (electric wire holding member side).
The rubber stopper into which the electric wire is to be inserted is formed in an overall tubular shape. When such a rubber stopper is delivered to the rubber stopper penetrating device, the rubber stopper must be delivered with an aligned posture. Therefore, when delivering the rubber stopper to the rubber stopper penetrating device, a vibrating part feeder is employed that includes a vibration mechanism for lining up the posture of the rubber stopper using vibration.


Carbon deposits on engine components can negatively affect engine performance. An engine of the present disclosure includes at least one carbon deposit resistant engine component attached to an engine housing. The engine component includes at least one relatively high surface tension surface that is a non-contact wear surface and to which a relatively low surface tension coating is attached. The relatively low surface tension coating has a surface tension at least one of equal to and less than 30 dyne/cm.

It is known that oil deterioration and the combustion process within internal combustion engines can create the accumulation of carbon deposits, sometimes referred to as carbon packing, on surfaces of engine components, and negatively affect the performance of the component and engine. In fact, carbon packing on engine components can decrease fuel economy, increase undesirable emissions, and eventually lead to a loss in engine power. Specifically, carbon packing can occur on ring grooves defined by an engine piston and in which rings are positioned to seal the space between an annular side surface of the piston and a cylinder liner. The carbon packing on the ring grooves can alter the position of the rings, increasing the tension between the liner and the rings. In extreme cases, the piston can become stuck, potentially causing catastrophic engine failure.
Moreover, carbon packing on the annular surface of the engine piston can make contact with the cylinder liner. As the piston reciprocates, the rings seal the combustion area, during combustion, at the piston-liner area. Further, the rings move oil from the crankcase to the top of the piston-liner area, creating a thin surface of oil to lubricate the liner-ring motion. Carbon packing in the piston-liner area causes more oil to be moved into the combustion chamber than desired. The excess oil interferes with the combustion of the fuel, resulting in decreased fuel efficiency. Further, the excess oil in the combustion chamber contributes to even more carbon packing and to undesirable emissions.
Carbon deposits caused by oil can occur in engine components other than pistons. For instance, an oil cooler includes a bundle of tubes through which coolant passes. As heated oil passes over the tubes, the heated oil can form deposits that adhere to the coolant tubes. The deposits can decrease the life the of the tubes, and decrease the thermal transfer efficiency between the coolant and the passing oil.
Over the years, engineers have sought methods of limiting carbon packing and deposits without making major alterations to the engine. For instance, carbon-resistant coatings, such as the coating described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,873, issued to Potter et al., on Jun. 30, 1998, have been applied to surfaces of engine components adjacent to and/or within the combustion chamber. The Potter carbon-resistant coating is an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film coating that is believed to prevent carbon packing because the coating is supposedly chemically inert with respect to deposit formation chemistry. The amorphous hydrogenated carbon film coating is illustrated for use on surfaces of intake valve, exhaust valves, fuel injectors and pistons which are exposed to the combustion chamber. However, the amorphous hydrogenated carbon film coating is fragile, and may not be able to withstand the limited movement, or lashing, of the piston rings against the annular sides surface of the piston as the piston reciprocates. Thus, the amorphous hydrogenated carbon film coating is not suitable for certain engine components, such as the annular surface of the piston.
The present disclosure is directed at overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.

Engine with carbon deposit resistant component


Provided is a method for producing a toner including the steps of: preparing a resin liquid by mixing at least a binder resin made of polyester resin and a colorant with an ester organic solvent represented by the following general formula (1); dispersing the resin liquid in an aqueous medium to form an emulsion; and removing the ester organic solvent from the emulsion to produce a toner, in which the ester organic solvent before the preparation of the resin liquid contains water in an amount of not less than 1% by weight and up to the saturation solubility at 25° C. to the ester organic solvent:

As a method for producing a toner, there has been known a dissolution/suspension method of obtaining toner particles by mixing an oil phase containing a resin, a colorant, and an organic solvent, and an aqueous phase, and then removing the organic solvent from the mixture.
For example, the following five methods of obtaining toner particles have been proposed. A first method includes granulating a liquid having a polyester resin and a colorant dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, in an aqueous medium containing an inorganic dispersing agent, and then removing the solvent therefrom.
A second method includes mixing a binder resin and a colorant in an organic solvent, dispersing the resulting mixture in an aqueous medium containing a dispersion aid, removing the organic solvent from the resulting dispersion, and thereafter subjecting the dispersion to an acid-alkali treatment.
A third method includes mixing a coloring resin and a colorant in a solvent, dispersing the resulting composition in an aqueous medium in the presence of a hydrophilic inorganic dispersing agent, and removing the solvent from the resulting suspension.
A fourth method includes dissolving or dispersing a binder resin and a colorant in a solvent, dispersing the resulting composition mixing solution in an aqueous medium to prepare a suspension, adding a thickener in the resulting suspension, and thereafter removing the solvent from the suspension.
A fifth method includes dissolving and/or dispersing a binder resin and a colorant in an organic solvent having solubility to water to form an oil phase, mixing the oil phase and an aqueous phase with stirring to form a mixture, adding an emulsifier (neutralizing agent) thereto to form an emulsion, and removing the organic solvent from the emulsion.

Abstract: (in which R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms).


The invention provides a system and method for processing a video stream having at least one video signal contained therein. The invention utilizes a computer, a video card connected to the computer and a frame processing card connected to the computer. The video card generates a digital video signal by inserting the video signal into the digital video signal. The digital video signal is transmitted from the video card to the frame processing card through a video output port of the video card. A video synchronization signal relating to the digital video signal is provided to the frame processing card. For the system and method, the frame processing card extracts the video signal from the digital video signal utilizing the video synchronization signal to maintain a frame rate for extracting the video signal.

In a video processing system, video signals originating from multiple sources (e.g. video cameras, DVDs, VCRs and computer generated images) may be processed and combined into a single aggregate signal, encoded in a particular format, such as NTSC, PAL or High Definition Video. Prior art systems process and combine the different video signals. The systems must provide for generation locking, or "genlock", to synchronise the video signals and stabilise the image when switching between the video sources or integrating with other equipment. Without a genlock signal for the video signals, an output video signal may lose its continuity when switching between two inputs and phase errors will occur when integrating with other video equipment. To provide a genlock for two video signals, one video signal is selected as a master and a synchronization signal for the other video signal is derived from the synchronization signal of the first signal.
The use of a personal computer (PC) as a video signal processor in professional video processing studios has greatly increased. Commercially available hardware and software products which are integrated into a PC provide a standardized platform for processing the video signals. PCs provide a standardized bus (a PCI interface), an accelerated graphics port (AGP) and a widely-used software platform using Intel-based programming languages.
The digitization of consumer video processing has been facilitated by I/O connections, device drivers and Microsoft software components. Three dimensional (3D) graphics quality and performance levels at consumer price points now rival dedicated graphics systems. Video manipulations in real-time using standard PCs are now of a quality level acceptable for professional television broadcasting. For example, Microsoft Windows Media components provide operating system level routines for MPEG compression and decompression, color space and format conversion of video signals. Recent upgraded versions of the Media components provide increased capabilities over earlier versions.
Several PC-based video processing components are available from companies (such as AJA Video Systems Inc., Leitch Technology Corp., Pinnacle Systems Inc., and Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd.) which provide some capabilities for mixing video signals. However, these components are heavily leveraging hardware-centric designs based on chip-level integration and handle video through dedicated on-board signal paths. Such designs are not fully integrated with three-dimensional hardware of PCs; also they have performance bottlenecks from utilising a single standardised PCI bus. Such designs are not fully scalable to increases in standard 3D capabilities and changes or improvements to WindowsMedia formats or methods. Although these systems provide genlocking of video signals, the genlocking process is set in hardware circuits and, as such, requires a high degree of chip-level integration of such signals with 3D and video processing hardware.
There is a need for a video processing system which can provide real-time processing and genlocking of video signals and 3D graphics in an easily maintainable and upgradeable platform, preferably on a PC-platform, which utilizes available, standardized hardware and software components for improved scalability.

System and method for generating and processing a stream of video data having multiple data streams


The invention provides a multilayer ceramic chip capacitor having internal electrodes and dielectric layers, wherein a dielectric material containing a dielectric oxide having a composition of the following formula: EQU [(Ba.sub.1-x-y Ca.sub.x Sr.sub.y)O].sub.m (Ti.sub.1-z Zr.sub.z)O.sub.2. wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.25, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.05, 0.1.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.3, and 1.000.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.1.020 and having added thereto an oxide of Mn and/or a compound which converts to the oxide upon firing in an amount of 0.01 to 0.5% by weight calculated as oxide (MnO), an oxide of Y and/or a compound which converts to the oxide upon firing in an amount of 0.05 to 0.5% by weight calculated as oxide (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3), an oxide of V and/or a compound which converts to the oxide upon firing in an amount of 0.005 to 0.3% by weight calculated as oxide (V.sub.2 O.sub.5), and an oxide of W and/or a compound which converts to the oxide upon firing in an amount of 0.005 to 0.3% by weight calculated as oxide (WO.sub.3), and an internal electrode-forming material in the form of Ni or a Ni alloy are successively layered and fired. The multilayer ceramic chip capacitor allows for low-temperature firing and has a long accelerated life of insulation resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a multilayer ceramic chip capacitor and more particularly, to a multilayer ceramic chip capacitor having improved dielectric layers.
2. Prior Art
Multilayer ceramic chip capacitors are generally fabricated by layering an internal electrode-forming paste and a dielectric layer-forming paste by sheeting, printing and similar techniques followed by integral co-firing.
Generally the internal electrodes have been formed of Pd and Pd alloys although the use of relatively inexpensive Ni and Ni alloys instead of expensive Pd is expanding.
Internal electrodes of Ni and Ni alloys are oxidized if fired in ambient air.
In this regard, after binder removal, firing is typically carried out at an oxygen partial pressure which is lower than the equilibrium oxygen partial pressure between Ni and NiO.
To consolidate the dielectric material in this case, it is a common practice to add SiO.sub.2 sintering aid.
Another approach for preventing dielectric layers from lowering their insulation resistance due to reduction is Mn addition or Ca replacement.
Multilayer chip capacitors having internal electrodes of Ni or Ni alloys, however, suffer from the problems of an extremely short life of insulation resistance and low reliability as compared with multilayer chip capacitors having internal electrodes of Pd which are prepared by firing in ambient air.
Nevertheless, these problems were almost overcome by the multilayer ceramic chip capacitor which the inventors proposed and in which a dielectric material containing a dielectric oxide having a specific composition having added thereto a specific amount of at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxides of Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Zr, V, Mo, Zn, Cd, Tl, Sn and P and/or compounds which will convert to the oxides upon firing, and an internal electrode-forming material in the form of Ni or Ni alloy are layered and fired (see Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 133116/1991).
That is, it was found that by adding yttrium or similar elements, an about 2 to 10 times extended life and fairly improved reliability are obtained as compared with prior art chip capacitors free of such elements.


According to an illustrative embodiment, a head-mounted display is provided. The head-mounted display includes a casing having an opening portion; and a movable member movable between a first position in which the movable member covers the opening portion, and a second position in which the movable member does not cover the opening portion.

The present technology relates to a head-mounted display that can be used for medical purposes.
A head-mounted display (HMD) that the wearer puts on the head for, for example, viewing images is known. For example, as one of the HMDs, there is known an HMD including image display surfaces and display elements for right and left eyes (see, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-145488). The HMD having such a configuration can display images having a parallax to the left and right eyes of the wearer through the left and right display surfaces, and hence can present three-dimensional (3D) images without crosstalk.
Meanwhile, also in an endoscope apparatus and the like used for medical purposes, a practical use of a 3D endoscope apparatus that can present 3D images is in consideration. An endoscopic surgery is less invasive for patients than a general surgical operation, and hence is popular in recent years. However, an affected part(s) is checked only by images during a surgery, and hence it is sometimes difficult to perceive a depth with traditional two-dimensional (2D) images. Therefore, it is expected that connecting and using the HMD capable of providing 3D images to a 3D endoscope apparatus can realize a more correct and rapid endoscopic surgery while viewing realistic images of the affected part.


In described examples, a spatial light modulator includes groups of pixels. Each group is arranged to transmit only a respective portion of a light spectrum. The respective portion has a respective dominant color. The respective portions of the light spectrum are distinct from one another, according to their respective dominant colors. Each group is controlled by a respective reset signal. The spatial light modulator is coupled to receive a selection from the integrated circuit and in response to the selection: cause a selected one of the groups to transmit its respective portion of the light spectrum; and cause an unselected one of the groups to block transmission of its respective portion of the light spectrum. A photodetector is coupled to: receive the respective portion of the light spectrum transmitted by the selected group; and output a signal indicating an intensity thereof.

Spectroscopy is a technique used by science and industry to determine the composition of materials. A spectroscope shines a broad spectrum of electromagnetic energy, such as light, on or through a test object. After passing through or reflecting off the test object, a diffraction grating or prism divides the light into its constituent frequencies. The spectroscope measures the intensity of these constituent frequencies. The test object will absorb or resonate certain frequencies of the electromagnetic energy due to the physical structure of the elements and molecules in the test object. Thus, a graph of the measured energy versus the frequency of the measured energy will have peaks and valleys that are characteristic of materials in the test object. Therefore, such a graph indicates the composition of the test object.
One type of spectroscope uses a spatial light modulator (SLM). One type of SLM is a digital micromirror device (DMD). DMDs can have thousands or millions of addressable mirrors in a planar array. To measure a constituent frequency, the prism or diffraction grating directs the spectrum onto the DMD. The different mirrors on the DMD array will receive the constituent frequencies of the spectrum. The DMD addresses the mirrors to direct light of a selected frequency onto a detector, such as a photodiode. The detector receives and measures the light. This method repeats for each frequency of interest. However, to accomplish this process, the entire DMD loads data to direct the mirrors of the DMD to turn on (reflect to the detector) or turn off (reflect away from the detector), even though a small portion of the mirrors are involved for each frequency measurement.


A lens barrel which is capable of securing excellent impact resistance of a lens barrel without increasing the lens barrel in size. A fixed barrel has a plurality of first projection or follower portions on an outer peripheral part thereof and having a flange portion on an object side-outer peripheral end thereof. A stopper member is fixedly arranged coaxially with the fixed barrel and has a plurality of second projection or follower portions. A cam barrel rotatingly moves in the optical axis direction. In an area where the cam barrel is extended to the object side and is close to the flange portion of the fixed barrel, side walls of the plurality of the second cam grooves with which the plurality of the second projection or follower portions are engaged, respectively, are open on the image surface side of the plurality of the second cam grooves.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens barrel mounted on an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera, and to an image pickup apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
In a zoom type lens barrel mounted on an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera, there is a tendency that because of an increase in the number of lenses of an image pickup optical system and an increase in the whole extension length accompanying a recent demand for higher image pickup magnification, the lens barrel is increasing in size in its optical axis direction, and the weight of the lens barrel is also increasing. If the weight of the lens barrel increases, a load imposed when an impact is given on the lens barrel also increases. Therefore, there is proposed a technique for preventing a cam barrel from falling, using a pin member fitted on a rectilinear motion barrel (see, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2012-42578).
In the above Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2012-42578, however, it is necessary to form a wall portion for receiving the pin member in the optical axis direction relative to the cam barrel, and it is also necessary to form a hole portion for incorporating the pin member, which increases the cam barrel in size.


A vehicle seat assembly with a rotating seat back panel having an integral child seat. An interlock is provided between the child seat latches and the latches for the rotating seat back panel to prevent deployment of the child seat when the seat back panel is unlatched and also to prevent unlatching of the seat back panel when the child seat is deployed. This ensures that the child seat can not be used unless the seat back panel is properly latched providing the load path for the child seat shoulder belts from the child seat to the vehicle structure.

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly with an integral child seat assembly and in particular to such a seat assembly in which the seat back includes a folding seat back panel to gain access to the space behind the seat back.
With typical vehicle seat assemblies, the seat belt systems, while closely associated with the seat assemblies, are anchored directly to the vehicle structure. As a result, the seat assembly does not carry the restraint loads applied by the seat belts. Instead, these loads are applied directly from the belts to the vehicle structure. However, when a seat assembly is equipped with an integral child seat assembly, some of the restraint loads from the child seat assembly are typically transferred to the seat back of the seat assembly and from there to the vehicle structure. In the rear bench seat of a passenger car vehicle, the child seat assembly belt loads may be transferred to both the vehicle floor pan as well as to the vehicle body structure behind the seat back or at the side the seat back.
The seat back of the present invention has a rotating seat back panel that is pivotally mounted at its lower end for rotation. In an upright use position, the panel forms a portion of the seat back. It is rotatable from the upright use position to a generally horizontal, forwardly extending stowed position resting upon the seat cushion. When the panel is in the stowed position, the area of the seat assembly is open to the space behind the seat back for increased storage capacity. With the adult seat belts attached directly to the vehicle structure and not to the seat back frame, the rotating seat back panel has no affect on the adult seat belts.
However, when the rotatable seat back panel is equipped with an integral child seat assembly, it is necessary to provide a load path from the child seat assembly shoulder belts to the vehicle structure that allows for the seat back panel to be rotated forward. If the child seat assembly shoulder belts are attached permanently to the vehicle body structure at the upper end of the seat back, the belts would present an obstacle to full utilization of the increased cargo space when the seat back panel is rotated forward. To avoid this obstacle, the child seat assembly shoulder belts are attached to the rotating seat back panel. The panel is in turn latched to the vehicle body structure. It is thus necessary that the panel be latched to the vehicle structure before the child seat assembly is used.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotating seat back panel, having an integral child seat assembly, with an interlock to prevent deployment and use of the child seat assembly without the seat back panel being properly latched. Likewise, it is also an object of the invention to prevent the seat back panel from being unlatched while the child seat assembly is deployed.
It is a feature of the seat back of the present invention that the child seat shoulder belt loads are transferred to the vehicle structure through the latch mechanism used to latch the seat back panel in its upright use position. An interlock is provided between the latch mechanism for the seat back panel and the latch mechanism for deploying the child seat assembly. The interlock prevents the child seat assembly from being deployed and used if the seat back panel is not properly latched and also prevents unlatching of the seat back panel if the child seat assembly is deployed.
Many seat back panels are constructed of a blow molded plastic body covered with a foam pad and upholstery cover. Such a structure is sufficient for carrying the normal use load of the seat back. However, when a child seat assembly is integrated into the seat back with additional belts for the child seat, it is necessary to provide a load path for the child seat shoulder belts to the vehicle structure. The seat back of the present invention provides a load path in which the child seat belt loads are carried through metal load bearing components exclusively, to avoid reliance upon the plastic seat back panel to support the seat belt loads.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Vehicle seat assembly with rotating seat pack panel and integral child seat


Disclosed are nutritional emulsions comprising fat, carbohydrate, protein, and calcium HMB, wherein the nutritional emulsion has a weight ratio of a soluble calcium binding capacity to soluble calcium of from about 2.3 to about 12.0. Also disclosed are nutritional emulsions comprising fat, carbohydrate, protein, and calcium HMB, wherein the nutritional emulsion comprises less than 900 mg/L of soluble calcium in a weight ratio of calcium HMB to soluble calcium of from 6:1 to 15:1. The nutritional emulsions are surprisingly stable and generate minimal or no bitter flavors or after taste over time.

Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a naturally occurring amino acid metabolite that is often formulated into a variety of nutritional products and supplements. HMB is commonly used in such products to help build or maintain muscle mass and strength in selected individuals.
HMB is a metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine and has been shown to modulate protein turnover and inhibit proteolysis. In most individuals, muscle converts approximately 5% of available leucine to HMB, thus producing about 0.2 to 0.4 grams of HMB per day in a 70 kg male. In studies where various kinds of stress were induced in animals, HMB supplementation increased lean mass. Clinical studies also suggest that HMB has at least two functions in recovery from illness or injury including protection of lean mass from stress-related damage and enhancement of protein synthesis. It has been suggested that HMB may also be useful in enhancing immune function, reducing the incidence or severity of allergy or asthma, reducing total serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, increasing the aerobic capacity of muscle, and other uses.
Since HMB is most often used in individuals to support the development and maintenance of muscle mass and strength, many HMB products have been formulated with additional nutrients that may also be helpful in promoting healthy muscle. Some of these HMB products contain additional nutrients such as fat, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, minerals and so forth. Calcium HMB is a commonly used form of HMB when formulated into oral nutritional products, which products include tablets, capsules, reconstitutable powders, and nutritional liquids and emulsions. Nutritional emulsions are particularly useful in this regard because such emulsions may contain a balance of fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are useful for helping maintain healthy muscle.
It has now been found, however, that nutritional emulsions containing calcium HMB are often not physically stable over time, that such emulsions are not readily stable with many protein systems, and that protein-containing and other sediment forms in the emulsions during or after formulation, especially when packaged and stored for extended periods of time.
It has also been discovered that these nutritional emulsions containing calcium HMB often develop an undesirably bitter off flavor or after taste after the emulsion has been packaged and stored for extended periods of at least 1-3 months.
There is therefore a need for nutritional emulsions comprising calcium HMB that remain physically stable during shelf life and do not develop a bitter flavor or after taste over time.

Nutritional emulsions comprising calcium HMB


Some of the methods provided herein may include periodically revising a mirror of the target computing system, according to a predetermined backup schedule, the mirror being stored on the virtual failover volume resident on an appliance that is operatively associated with the target computing system, by periodically comparing the mirror to a configuration of the target computing system to determine changed data blocks relative to the mirror, storing the changed data blocks as one or more differential files in the virtual failover volume, and incorporating the changed data blocks into the mirror. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may be utilized to resparsify the virtual failover volume.

Generally speaking, the systems and methods provided herein may be adapted to maintain a "ready to execute" virtual failover volume of a target computing system. The virtual failover system may be executed by a virtual machine to assume the functionality target computing system upon the occurrence of a failover event.
The systems and methods may maintain the virtual failover volume in a "ready to execute: state by periodically revising a mirror of the target computing system and store the periodically revised mirror in the virtual failover volume. The ability of the systems and methods to periodically revise the mirror of the target computing system ensures that upon the occurrence of a failover event, a virtual machine may execute the periodically revised mirror to create a virtual failover computing system that may assume the configuration of the target computing system without substantial delay.

Systems and methods for maintaining a virtual failover volume of a target computing system


A current-level controlling device for a power supply includes a reception end for receiving a current sense signal, a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage, an adaptive reference voltage generator, coupled to the reference voltage generator and the reception end, for adjusting the reference voltage according to variation of peak values of the current sense signal, so as to generate an adaptive reference voltage, a comparator, coupled to the reception end and the adaptive reference voltage generator, for comparing the current sense signal and the adaptive reference voltage, to generate a comparison result, and a control unit, coupled to the comparator, for controlling a switch transistor of the power supply according to the comparison result.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a current-level controlling device for a power supply and related power supply, and more particularly, to a current-level controlling device and related power supply capable of regulating a reference voltage based upon variation of a peak value of a current sense signal, to make an actual voltage for activating over-current protection equal to an expected voltage for activating the over-current protection, to greatly improve the problem of time delay and voltage drift of the protection point.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Power supply is used to provide an electrical power source for operating an electronic device. According to the circuit architecture, power supplies can be classified into two types, Linear and Switching. A switching power supply has benefits of small volume, light weight and high power efficiency, so it can be widely used in various kinds of electronic devices, such as mobile phone, PDA, computer and peripherals, server and network appliances.
For sustaining the normal operation of the power supply, the protection mechanism of a control circuit for protecting the power supply is a very critical part (for example, protection functions of over-voltage, over-current, and over-power), and once the overload or the short condition happens, a power supply with complete protection functions can prevent the internal components or related appliances from being damaged.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a switching power supply 10 of the prior art. The switching power supply 10 comprises the over-current protection function, and is used to convert an input voltage signal VIN to an output voltage signal VOUT with a proper voltage level. The switching power supply 10 comprises a transformer 100, a control unit 102, a comparator 104, a switch transistor Q1 and a current sensing resistor Rs. The operations of the circuit are stated as follows. First, the current sensing resistor Rs generates the current sense signal VCS based upon the primary winding current Id. Second, the comparator 104 compares the current sense signal VCS and a reference voltage VREF, and outputs an indication signal SOC to the control unit 102, such that the control unit 102 can determine whether it has fallen into the range of current protection. For example, when the current sense signal VCS is higher than the reference voltage VREF, the comparator 104 can indicate an over-current condition happens via the indication signal SOC, the control unit 102 can turn off the switch transistor Q1 to reduce current in the primary winding.
Simply speaking, the protection mechanism mentioned above is to compare the current sense signal VCS and the reference voltage VREF, such that the primary winding current Id can be controlled within a proper range for the purpose of protection. However, when the current sense signal VCS is higher than the reference signal VREF, the switch transistor Q1 cannot be turned off immediately owing to some non-ideal factors, and it will take an interval of time for the control unit 102 to turn off the switch transistor Q1. That is to say, there exists a time delay T_D, starting from the moment for the over-current condition being detected to the time for the switch transistor Q1 being turned off, and the current level right before being turned off will surpass the pre-defined level by a specific amount. In other words, the voltage level right before the over-current protection starts (abbreviated as "protection point voltage" hereafter) will be larger than the voltage level when the over-current condition is taking place. For different levels of the input voltage VIN, the voltage level of the protection point voltage varies accordingly.
For more details, please refer to FIG. 2, which illustrates the voltage difference of the protection point voltage for different input voltages within the same time delay. The input voltage VIN of the switching power supply 10 is proportional to the slope of the current sense signal VCS. Therefore, with the same reference voltage VREF, a higher input voltage VH will generate a current sense signal VCS of bigger slope, and a lower input voltage VL will generate a current sense signal VCS of smaller slope. Note that, a power supply always has the same time delay T_D since the time delay T_D is independent of the level of the input voltage VIN. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the current sense signal VCS rises to the power limiting level corresponding to the reference voltage VREF, or the current sense signal VCS is greater than or equal to the reference voltage VREF, the comparator 104 transmits the indication signal SOC to the control unit 102, such that the switch transistor Q1 can be turned off. Since the circuit coming with the non-ideal factor, therefore, after the transmission delay T_D, the switch transistor Q1 starts being turned off, and the primary winding current Id can then be cut off. From the moment of the over-current condition being detected to the switch transistor Q1 being turned off, the input voltage VIN will continue to transfer power, such that the protection point voltage becomes VOPPH for the high input voltage VH, or the protection point voltage becomes VOPPL for the low input voltage VL. In other words, the protection point voltage will be higher than the reference voltage VREF, and as the input voltage VIN gets higher, the situation becomes even more obvious. Under this situation, when the input voltage VIN varies in a wide range, the protection point voltage will drift seriously, such that the output power levels corresponding to the high and the low input voltages differs a lot.

Current-level controlling device for a power supply device and related power supply device


Set retarders of copolymers of at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one alkoxylated monomer are capable of delaying the hardening of a cementitious slurry when introduced into a subterranean formation until a downhole temperature greater than or equal to 500° F. is obtained, even in the absence of an intensifier.

Hydraulic cements are cements that set and develop compressive strength due to a hydration reaction, and thus can be set under water. As such, hydraulic cements are often used for cementing pipes or casings within a wellbore of a subterranean formation as well as other purposes, such as squeeze cementing. In the drilling industry, successful cementing of well pipe and casing during oil, gas, and geothermal well completion requires cement slurries having several important properties. The cement slurry must have a pumpable viscosity, fluid loss control, minimized settling of particles and the ability to set within a practical time.
In a typical completion operation, the cement slurry is pumped down the inside of the pipe or casing and back up the outside of the pipe or casing through the annular space. This seals the subterranean zones in the formation and supports the casing. Under normal conditions, hydraulic cements, such as Portland cement, quickly develop compressive strength upon introduction to a subterranean formation, typically within 48 hours from introduction. As time progresses, the cement develops greater strength while hydration continues.
It is common to use a set retarder with the hydraulic cement in order to delay the set time of the cement composition. Such set retarders are particularly useful when the cement composition is exposed to high subterranean temperatures. In addition to being capable of delaying the set time of the cement composition, the set retarder also functions to extend the time the cement composition remains pumpable after the cement composition is mixed and before it is placed into the desired location.
In use, many of the set retarders of the prior art exhibit unpredictable retardation of the set time of the cement composition especially at elevated temperatures. For instance, lignosulphonates or gluconates are often used with borate retarder intensifiers to retard Portland cement in oil wells at temperatures in excess of 350° F. Such set retarder compositions, however, are only somewhat effective as downhole temperatures increase to 500° F.
A need therefore exists for the development of cement compositions containing a set retarder (preferably which does not require an intensifier) and which is effective at downhole temperatures in excess of 500° F.

Method of cementing using polymeric retarder


There is provided a delay time calculating method for use in a hierarchical design, capable of accurately calculating the delay amount at a boundary between different level layers in a hierarchical structure. A whole chain (T$01 to T$13) is divided into a first partial chain (T$04 to T$10) and a second partial chain (T$01 to T$03, T$11 to T$13). A first delay amount (TD(4-10)) of the first partial chain (T$04 to T$10) is calculated. A third partial chain (T$01 to T$05, T$09 to T$13) consisting of the second partial chain (T$01 to T$03, T$11 to T$13) and a plurality of chain elements (T$04 to T$05, T$09 to T$10) included in an end region of the first partial chain (T$04 to T$10), is generated, and a second delay amount (TD(1-5), TD(9-13)) of the third partial chain (T$01 to T$05, T$09 to T$13) is calculated. An end chain element (T$05, T$09) of the above mentioned plurality of chain elements (T$04 to T$05, T$09 to T$10) is separated from the third partial chain (T$01 to T$05, T$09 to T$13), and a third delay amount (D(5), D(9)) of the end chain element (T$05, T$09) is calculated. The third delay amount (D(5), D(9)) is subtracted from the second delay amount (TD(1-5), TD(9-13)) to obtain a fourth delay amount (TD(1-4), TD(10-13)). The fourth delay amount (TD(1-4), TD(10-13)) is overwritten to the first delay amount (TD(4-10)) in units of chain elements to calculate the delay amount (TD(1-13)) of the whole chain. Thus, an inaccurate value is canceled, so that an accurate relation between the delay amount of a partial chain and the delay amount of the whole chain can be obtained.

The present invention relates to a delay time calculating method for use in a hierarchical design, and more specifically to a delay time calculating method for use in a hierarchical design, capable of accurately calculating the relation between the delay amount of a partial chain and the delay amount of a whole chain.
In a circuit design, a delay of a partial buffer chain of chained buffers is calculated. In comparison with the whole of the chained buffers, the partial buffer chain is considered to be a low level layer in a hierarchical design. The delay time calculating method for use in the hierarchical design is known as shown in FIG. 5, in which the reference signs T$01 to T$13 designate buffers, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9dth level layer, that is the whole of the chained buffers T$01 to T$13, is called a top layer or an upper level layer. From the top layer, a partial buffer chain, that is a part of the whole, is cut out as a xe2x80x9cMacro Axe2x80x9d. This xe2x80x9cMacro Axe2x80x9d is called a low level layer or a first level layer. The remaining top layer is constituted of a partial chain consisting of the buffers T$01 to T$3, and another partial chain consisting of the buffers T$11 to T$13. The xe2x80x9cMacro Axe2x80x9d is constituted of still another partial chain consisting of the buffers T$4 to T$10.
In accordance with a prior delay time calculating method for the above mentioned hierarchical structure, the delay of the xe2x80x9cMacro Axe2x80x9d constituted of the chained buffers T$4 to T$10 is calculated, and the obtained delay amount is annotated as a first annotation (Step S1) Then, the delay of the top layer constituted of the buffers T$01 to T$3 and T$11 to T$13 is calculated, and the obtained delay amount is annotated as a second annotation (Step S2). Finally, the sum of the first annotation and the second annotation is calculated, so that the delay amount of the whole is obtained.
In this calculation, however, the existence of delay influence factors xe2x80x9cCloadxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cTrfxe2x80x9d shown in FIG. 4 is disregarded. FIG. 4 shows some number of chained (or cascaded) buffers I$01 to I$03 for illustrating the delay influence factors existing between each pair of adjacent buffers in the buffer chain. The delay influence factors xe2x80x9cCloadxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cTrfxe2x80x9d are a delay factor such as a dull of a waveform appearing when a voltage waveform inputted to or outputted from a circuit element is delayed because of the influence of the circuit element concerned and/or a preceding or succeeding circuit element. Precisely considering the delay time of a middle buffer I$02, the delay time of a middle buffer I$02 is influenced by the delay influence factors xe2x80x9cCloadxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cTrfxe2x80x9d generated between the preceding buffer I$01 and the buffer I$02 when an input of the buffer I$02 is connected to an output of the buffer I$01 since the buffers I$01 and I$02 dynamically mutually influence each other, and the delay influence factor xe2x80x9cCloadxe2x80x9d generated between the buffer I$02 and the succeeding buffer I$03 when an output of the buffer I$02 is connected to an input of the buffer I$03 since the buffers I$02 and I$03 dynamically mutually influence each other. At the buffers at a boundary (node xe2x80x9caxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cbxe2x80x9d) between the xe2x80x9cMacro Axe2x80x9d and the top layer, namely, at the buffer at a boundary of each of partial chains obtained by cutting out the buffer chain, these delay influence factors are not added in the delay calculation, and therefore, a delay amount caused by these delay influence factors is not propagated to a next buffer. As a result, an I/O path interconnection based on the delay influence (called an xe2x80x9cinterrelated delayxe2x80x9d hereinafter) is not calculated, and accordingly, a correct delay value is not obtained at a boundary between different level layers in the hierarchical structure.
Therefore, it is demanded to calculate the correct delay value at a boundary between different level layers in the hierarchical structure.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a delay time calculating method for use in a hierarchical design, capable of calculating the correct delay value at a boundary between different level layers in the hierarchical structure.
In order to achieve the above and other objects of the present invention, the following delay time calculating method for use in a hierarchical design is provided in accordance with the present invention. In the following delay time calculating method in accordance with the present invention for use in a hierarchical design, the parenthesized reference signs corresponds to reference signs given in one or more embodiments of the present invention which will be described later with reference to the drawings, and added only for clarifying the relation between technical matters recited in the delay time calculating method in accordance with the present invention and constituents in the one or more embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be noted that the parenthesized reference signs never limit the claimed invention to the embodiments of the present invention which will be described later with reference to the drawings.
According to the present invention, there is provided a delay time calculating method for use in a hierarchical design, the method comprising the steps of dividing a whole chain (T$01 to T$13) to generate a first partial chain (T$04 to T$ 10) and a second partial chain (T$01 to T$03, T$11 to T$13), calculating a first delay amount (TD(4-10)) of the first partial chain (T$04 to T$10), generating a third partial chain (T$01 to T$05, T$09 to T$13) consisting of the second partial chain (T$01 to T$03, T$11 to T$13) and a plurality of chain elements (T$04 to T$05, T$09 to T$10) included in an end region of the first partial chain (T$04 to T$10), calculating a second delay amount (TD(1-5), TD(9-13)) of the third partial chain (T$01 to T$05, T$09 to T$13), separating an end chain element (T$05, T$09) of the above mentioned plurality of chain elements (T$04 to T$05, T$09 to T$10) from the third partial chain (T$01 to T$05, T$09 to T$13) to calculate a third delay amount (D(5), D(9)) of the end chain element (T$05, T$09), subtracting the third delay amount (D(5), D(9)) from the second delay amount (TD(1-5), TD(9-13)) to obtain a fourth delay amount (TD(1-4), TD(10-13)), and overwriting the fourth delay amount (TD(1-4), TD(10-13)) to the first delay amount (TD(4-10)) in units of chain elements to calculate the delay amount (TD(1-13)) of the whole chain.
The calculation of the second delay amount (TD(1-5), TD(9-13)) is not accurate in connection with the calculation of the delay amount of the end chain element (T$05, T$09) of the above mentioned plurality of chain elements (T$04 to T$05, T$09 to T$10) included in the third partial chain (T$01 to T$05, T$09 to T$13). However, the fourth delay amount (TD(1-4), TD(10-13)) is accurate since it is obtained by subtracting from the second delay amount (TD(1-5), TD(9-13)) the third delay amount (D(5), D(9)), which is the delay time of the end chain element (T$05, T$09) of the above mentioned plurality of chain elements (T$04 to T$05, T$09 to T$10) included in the third partial chain (T$01 to T$05, T$09 to T$13). Furthermore, the delay amount of the end region (T$04, T$10) of the first partial chain (T$04 to T$10) is also not accurate. However, this inaccuracy is removed by overwriting the fourth delay amount (TD(1-4), TD(10-13)) to the first delay amount (TD(4-10)) in units of chain elements. Thus, the accurate delay amount (TD(1-13)) of the whole chain can be obtained, and in the whole chain, the delay amount of the partial chain can be accurately obtained. The delay amount of the partial chain thus obtained can be utilized any times in the course of a simulation. In particular, the fourth delay amount of the partial chain can be utilized any time for the overwriting.
In the above mentioned method, the end chain element of the plurality of chain elements included in the end region of the first partial chain may be a plurality of end chain elements (T$05 to T$06, T$08 to T$09) of at least three chain elements (T$04 to T$06, T$08 to T$10) included in the end region of the first partial chain. This pluralization is effective in elevating the degree of accuracy in the calculation of the delay amount.
Both of the first partial chain and the second partial chain are part of the whole chain. The whole chain is constituted of the first partial chain and the second partial chain, regardless of how the upper level layer and the lower level layer is defined in the hierarchical structure. Accordingly, the first partial chain may be either a cut-out part or the remaining part as the result of the cutting-out.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a delay time calculating method for use in a hierarchical design, the method comprising the steps of generating a first partial chain (T$04 to T$10 or T$01 to T$05) and a second partial chain (T$01 to T$05 or T$04 to T$10) from a whole chain (T$01 to T$13), each of the first partial chain and the second partial chain having an overlapping end region which includes a plurality of chain elements (T$04 to T$05) also included in an overlapping end region of the other partial chain, calculating a first delay amount (TD(4-10) or TD(1-5)) of the first partial chain and a second delay amount (TD(1-5) or TD(4-10)) of the second partial chain, separating an end chain element (T$05 or T$04) included in the overlapping end region from the second partial chain, calculating a third delay amount (D(5) or D(4)) of the separated end chain element (T$05 or T$04), subtracting the third delay amount (D(5) or D(4)) from the second delay amount (TD(1-5) or TD(4-10)) to obtain a fourth delay amount (TD(1-4) or TD(5-10)), and overwriting the fourth delay amount (TD(1-4) or TD(5-10)) to the first delay amount (TD(4-10) or TD(1-5)) in units of chain elements. Here, the overwriting is executed in the chain elements in the overlapping portion excluding the cut-out chain element.
Also in the above mentioned method in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the overlapping end region of each of the first partial chain and the second partial chain can include at least three chain elements, and a plurality of chain elements included in the overlapping end region can be separated from the second partial chain. This pluralization is effective in elevating the degree of accuracy in the calculation of the delay amount.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Delay time calculating method for use in hierarchical design