A hub body of a spoked bicycle wheel comprises spoke attachment holes made in the hub body in a direction substantially parallel to a rotation axis of the hub body. Said holes comprise a first set of holes at a first radial distance from the rotation axis and a second set of holes at a second radial distance from the rotation axis, greater than the first radial distance.

With the term hub we generically mean the assembly of a hub body inside which a shaft is rotatably coupled through its ends to the bicycle frame; the hub body is joined to the rim of the wheel through a plurality of spokes and rotates integrally with it.
With the term "direction" referring to a spoke attachment hole we mean the main direction according to which such a hole extends through the hub body; such a direction is the one according to which a perforating tool shall ideally be arranged in the case in which the hole is made by chip removal; it is also the direction according to which the longitudinal axis of a portion of a spoke or of a spoke attachment element (for example a nipple) engaged in such a hole is arranged.
With the expression "substantially parallel to a rotation axis of the hub body" we mean a direction that differs from that of the rotation axis of the hub body (or in short of the hub) by an angle equal to zero or in any case a very small angle, not greater than 10°, thus in such a way that the portion of spoke or of spoke attachment element engaged in such a hole is substantially perpendicular to the main portion of the spoke itself.
Hubs of this type are known and widely used in racing bicycles.
In other types of wheels, the type of hub body used is, on the other hand, that in which the direction of the spoke attachment holes is substantially radial with respect to the rotation axis of the hub, and therefore the portion of spoke or of spoke attachment element engaged in such a hole is substantially aligned with the main portion of the spoke itself. This type normally allows better control of the stresses in the spokes and therefore more accurate and careful sizing with respect to structural resistance, weight and to aerodynamic resistance during rolling of the wheel.
A known hub body of this type is known, for example, in which the tubular central portion of the hub body extends along a main rotation axis and has spoke attachment parts at its ends consisting of protrusions distributed circumferentially (four protrusions for each end). In each protrusion a pair of spoke attachment holes is made, to receive the heads of two spokes, or to receive two attachment nipples at the threaded heads of the spokes; each hole has its axis belonging to a plane substantially perpendicular to the main rotation axis of the hub.
In a first group of solutions, the two holes of each pair have their axes offset with respect to each other both in the radial direction and in the axial direction, with reference to the main rotation axis of the hub.
The different axial positioning of the holes along the main axis determines a disadvantageous assembly configuration of the spokes that have two different inclinations (cambers) with respect to the middle plane of the wheel passing through the rim.
A second solution overcomes the drawback of the different cambers of the spokes since the two holes of each pair belong to the same plane perpendicular to the main axis of the hub and are therefore axially aligned.
To satisfy particular requirements, for example for aesthetic reasons or else to increase the number of spokes, it is sometimes necessary to increase the number of spoke attachment holes distributing them circumferentially in groups of three or more holes.
The addition of one or more holes in the aforementioned protrusion containing the pair of axially aligned holes would require increasing the radial size of the protrusion itself to allow the further holes to be made. Moreover, the increase in the number of spokes associated with each protrusion increases the size of the flexing forces acting upon the protrusion requiring that it be widened so as to be able to ensure sufficient structural strength. The increase in the radial size of the protrusions and their thickening means an increase in weight of the hub body and greater aerodynamic resistance during movement.
Hub bodies in which axial spoke attachment holes are provided that are arranged on more than one circumference are not known.
There is therefore the problem of making a hub body that allows greater freedom in the arrangement of the spokes, in particular that allows the spoke attachment holes to be grouped into groups of three or more holes, and that at the same time can ensure low size and weight compared to known hubs.


In cases where a video signal cannot be normally received, a display apparatus allows a display by which one can recognize whether or not a jamming electric wave in an operation frequency band used for wireless communication makes it impossible to normally receive a video signal. More specifically, the display apparatus is a display apparatus for receiving at least a video signal by wireless communication, the display apparatus, including a wireless receiving unit for receiving the video signal that is wirelessly transmitted; a jamming signal detecting unit for detecting, in an operating frequency band used for the wireless communication, a jamming signal other than the video signal; and a jamming signal information outputting unit for, in response to the detection of the jamming signal, outputting jamming signal information indicating presence of the jamming signal.

Recently, a display apparatus and a transmitting and receiving system have been developed each of which receives a wirelessly transmitted video signal and which displays an image that is based on the video signal. However, in cases where a radio wave is not normally received, an image may deteriorate in quality or may not be displayed at all. Such an image causes a viewer to feel uncomfortable. In light of this, a display apparatus is known which does not display an image whose quality is significantly deteriorated but which displays an image containing information indicating that the image is not receivable (Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 352519/1992 (Tokukaihei 4-352519).
However, the display apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is arranged as follows. That is, the display apparatus compares a signal level of a received video signal with a predetermined level. When the signal level is less than the predetermined level, the display apparatus does not display the image that is based on the received video signal, but displays the image containing the information indicating that the image is not receivable. Incidentally, there are various reasons why the video signal cannot be normally received. The video signal cannot be normally received, for example, when a jamming radio wave or a different wireless communication device is present, or when the display apparatus is out of a communication range. In any case, the display apparatus of Patent Document 1 invariably displays the image containing the information indicating that the image is not receivable. This allows the viewer to know that the image is not receivable. However, the viewer does not know a reason why the image is not receivable. This made it impossible for a viewer to consider and find a way of dealing with a case where the image is not receivable. the term "jamming" does not refer to intentional interference with respect to a certain device, but refers to radio interference with another device using the same frequency.

Display apparatus, wireless transmitting and receiving system, display method, display control program, and recording medium


A computer-implemented method for combined indoor and outdoor tracking using a tracking device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment of the method, a fingerprint of radio signals is generated by the device at a location to be determined. The location of the device is determined by applying trained functions to the fingerprint wherein the trained functions have been end-to-end trained using a plurality of fingerprints generated at known locations. Environmental sensor data may be used to predict a lifetime of a component tracked by the tracking device.

In supply chain logistics, a typical transport route may include a plurality of different transport service providers, wherein only sparse information about the location and condition of a shipment may be made available by transportation service providers.
Several problems may therefore occur in conventional service/spare parts logistics. The transparency on transport routes of service/spare parts logistics may be unreliable or missing completely. For example, it may not be possible to see where a shipment is located, nor the condition of the goods within a shipment. Consequently, the status of the parcel may be unknown, wherein neither a condition of a spare part, e.g. a damage, nor the exact location, or time of handover at a destination of the shipment may be known.
Further, a shipment may be hard to find inside a building. For example, a service technician in a hospital, who depends and waits on a service part, may not know when the service part is available on site for installation, or may not know in which building, let alone exact room, of the hospital the shipment has been received and is stored. Accordingly, the technician may need a lot of time to determine the exact location, e.g. room, of a parcel inside a building, which may increase service costs for the hospital.
Furthermore, loss and damage of shipments may occur during shipment from a supplier to the hospital. For example, a spare part may arrive at the hospital (i.e. end customer), wherein a loss or damage has occurred on the way there, which may not be visible but may lead to decreased lifetime of the spare part.
Some of the problems have been solved by suppliers and service providers sending information on the location and delivery of shipments, which may be shipment data e.g. provided via an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standard. However, this information unfortunately often proves to be unreliable and untransparent. Existing solutions on the market for tracking parcels and shipments use a wide variety of sensors. Using GPS, it may be possible to track shipments outdoors and obtain an approximate time of arrival. Various transportation service providers offer shipment tracking on their homepage or via application. However, a reliable solution for the inside of buildings, e.g. inside tracking, is not available.

Combined indoor and outdoor tracking using machine learning


An air cleaner, intake manifold, and valve cover are integrated together for attachment to a vehicle engine. The air cleaner is positioned directly between the intake manifold and valve cover to provide a compact induction module. The induction module is mounted to the engine as a single unit. A throttle body is also incorporated into the intake manifold. A tube interconnects the air cleaner and the throttle body. An air filter is installed within the air cleaner to remove contaminants from air prior to entry into the tube.

This invention is directed to an air cleaner, valve cover, and intake manifold assembly that can be attached to a vehicle engine as a single unit.
Many different types of components are attached to a vehicle engine to facilitate engine operation. Intake manifolds are mounted to an engine to conduct air into the engine cylinders. Air cleaners with filters are used to remove dust, dirt, and other particulate contaminants from the airflow prior to the air being drawn into the intake manifold. A throttle body is mounted to the engine and includes a valve that controls the amount of airflow into the engine valves. A valve cover is also mounted to the engine to enclose and protect the engine valves from environmental contaminants.
Traditionally, each of these components has been separately formed and mounted to the engine. This increases material and overall system costs. Further, the assembly of these components onto the engine is time consuming and labor intensive. One solution has been to try to incorporate the air cleaner into the intake manifold or into the valve cover, however, this configuration still requires multiple assembly steps and components.
Thus, it is the object of the present invention to provide a simplified air cleaner, intake manifold, and valve cover assembly that reduces the overall number of required components, and which can be easily assembled onto an engine as a single unit, as well as overcoming the other above-mentioned deficiencies with the prior art.

Air cleaner, valve cover and intake manifold assembly


A solid state, directly overwritable, electronic, non-volatile, high density, low cost, low energy, high speed, readily manufacturable, multibit single cell memory based upon phenomenologically novel electrical switching characteristics provided by a unique class of semiconductor materials in unique configurations, which memory exhibits orders of magnitude higher switching speeds at remarkably reduced energy levels. The novel memory of the instant invention is characterized, inter alia, by numerous stable and truly non-volatile detectable configurations of local atomic and/or electronic order, which can be selectively and repeatably accessed by electrical input signals of varying pulse voltage and duration.

The general concept of utilizing electrically writable and erasable phase change materials (i.e., materials which can be electrically switched between generally amorphous and generally crystalline states) for electronic memory applications is well known in the art and as is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,591 to the original inventor Ovshinsky, et al issued Sept. 6, 1966 and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,441 of Ovshinsky, et al issued Sept. 22, 1970, both assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, both disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
As disclosed in the aforementioned Ovshinsky patents, such phase change materials can be electrically switched between two different structural states of generally amorphous and generally crystalline local order or between different detectable states of local order across the entire spectrum between the completely amorphous and the completely crystalline states. That is, the switching of such materials is not required to take place between completely amorphous and completely crystalline states but rather can be in incremental steps reflecting changes of local order to provide a "gray scale" represented by a multiplicity of conditions of local order spanning the spectrum between the completely amorphous and the completely crystalline states. The materials described can also be switched between only two structural states of generally amorphous and generally crystalline local order to accommodate the storage and retrieval of binary encoded information.
The aforementioned pioneering Ovshinsky electrically erasable phase change memories were useful for many applications at the time of the original introduction thereof and were utilized in a number of commercially significant applications. However, because further development of that early technology was not possible due to the lack of the necessary financial resources to carry the same forward, subsequent developments in other fields of solid state, electronic memories and in other types of memories in general, such as those utilizing magnetic and optical media, displaced that early electrically erasable phase change technology in the marketplace.
As a result of the aforementioned lack of ongoing financial support, there were, prior to the instant invention, several limitations in the application of the electrically erasable memory of the early Ovshinsky phase change materials which have prevented their widespread use as solid state electrical replacements for archival, mass storage and cache memory elements currently dominating the computer field.
For example, in a typical personal computer there are four tiers of memory. Archival information is stored in inexpensive, slow, high storage capacity, non-volatile devices such as magnetic tape and floppy disks. This information is transferred as it is needed to faster and more expensive, but still non-volatile, hard disk memories. Information from the hard disks is transferred, in turn, to the still more expensive, faster, volatile system memory which uses semiconductor dynamic RAM (DRAM) devices. Very fast computers even transfer forth and back small portions of the information stored in DRAM to even faster and even more expensive volatile static RAM (SRAM) devices so that the microprocessor will not be slowed down in the computations by the time required to fetch data from the DRAM. Transfer of information among the tiers of the memory hierarchy occupies some of the computer's power and this need for "overhead" reduces performance, and, of course, it results in additional complexity in the computer's architecture. The current use of the hierarchal structure, however, is dictated by the price and performance of available memory devices and the need to optimize computer performance while minimizing cost.
The aforementioned limitations which have heretofore prevented the widespread use of the prior art Ovshinsky-type electrical memory materials as a replacement for present computer memory applications, such as specifically and without limitation, tape, optical, hard disk drive, solid state disk flash, DRAM, SRAM, and socket flash memory media, have included: (1) the relatively slow (by present standards) electrical switching speed which characterized such prior art phase change materials, particularly when switched in the direction of greater local order, i.e., in the direction of increasing crystallization; (2) the relatively high energy which had to be applied to memory elements fabricated therefrom in order to initiate the detectable change in local order, and (3) high cost per megabyte of stored information, particularly in comparison to hard disk storage. More specifically, it was necessary to apply a relatively high amount of energy in order to obtain detectable changes in the chemical and/or electronic bonding configurations of the chalcogenide material from which the element was fabricated as said element is set between one state and the other.
For example, the switching times of such prior art phase change materials were typically in the range of a few milliseconds for the set time, the time in which the material was switched from the amorphous state to the crystalline state; and approximately a microsecond for the reset time, the time in which the material was switched from the crystalline state back to the amorphous state. The electrical energy required to switch such prior art materials was relatively high, typically measured to be in the range of about a microjoule. It should be noted that this amount of energy must be deliverable to each of the memory elements in the solid state matrix of rows and columns of memory cells. Such high energy levels translate into high current carrying requirements which each of the isolation/address devices associated with each of the discrete memory elements must be capable of rectifying and carrying. If one takes into consideration the aforementioned energy requirements necessary for the successful operation of such a prior art matrix array, the choices of rectifying elements to which an artisan skilled in the art would be limited to very large single crystal isolation devices, thereby making the use of micron scale lithography and hence a high packing density of memory elements impossible. The low bit densities of the prior art matrix arrays would therefore have a high cost per megabyte of stored information.
By effectively narrowing the distinction in price and performance between archival, non-volatile mass memory and fast, volatile system memory, the memory elements of the instant invention provide for the creation of novel, non-hierarchal "universal memory system". Essentially all of the memory in the system can be low cost, archival and fast. As compared to original Ovshinsky-type phase change electrical memories, the memory materials described herein provide over 6 orders of magnitude faster programming time (less than 10 nanoseconds) and uses extraordinarily low programming energy (less than 50 picojoules) with demonstrated long term stability and cyclability (in excess of 20 million cycles). Also, experimental results indicate that additional reductions in element size can increase switching speeds and cycle life.
The concept of utilizing the aforementioned Ovshinsky-type phase change materials in non-erasable or non-reversible, write-once electrically programmable memories is also disclosed by the prior art. This type of electrically programmable phase change memory is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,557 of Holmberg, et al. issued Feb. 12, 1985 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,705 of Holmberg, et al. issued Jul. 8, 1986, both of which are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference. These Holmberg, et al. patents include tetrahedrally chemically bonded materials such as carbon, silicon and germanium and alloys thereof as phase change materials which are utilized in a non-reversible or non-resettable mode. Such materials are disclosed as having, for example, characteristics which require threshold setting voltages of up to 10 volts, currents up to 25 milliamps and setting times of up to 100 microseconds. Thus, the set power required is up to 250 milliwatts with corresponding set times of up to 100 microseconds.
Due to the lack of ongoing financial support for further development, the general class of chalcogenide memory materials were not optimized and accordingly failed to find widespread use in reversible or electrically erasable memory applications. In marked distinction thereto, other types of solid state electrical memories have been developed to provide substantially faster switching times and substantially lower set and reset energies. Because of the improvements in time and energy, said other types of solid state, electronic memories now enjoy some limited acceptance in the marketplace. These other forms of memories typically employ several solid state microelectronic circuit elements for each memory bit, as many as three or four transistors per bit, for example, in some memory applications. The primary memory elements in such solid state memories, such as DRAM, are typically floating gate field effect transistor devices which hold a charge on the gate of a field effect transistor to store each memory bit. Since this charge can leak off with the passage of time, the storage of information is not truly non-volatile as it is in the phase change media of the prior art where information is stored through changes in the actual atomic configuration or electronic structure of the chalcogenide material from which the elements are fabricated.
In contrast to DRAM and SRAM volatile memory devices and unlike other non-volatile EEPROM devices, such as floating gate structures, no field effect transistor devices are required in the electrical memory devices of the instant invention. In fact the electrically erasable, directly overwritable memory elements of the instant invention represent the simplest possible electrical memory device to fabricate, comprising only two electrical contacts to a monolithic body of thin film chalcogenide material and a semiconductor diode for isolation. As a result, very little chip "real estate" is required to store a bit of information, thereby providing for a configuration of inherently high density memory chips. Further, and as will be detailed hereinafter, additional increases in information density can be accomplished in the memory elements of the instant invention through the use of multibit storage in each discrete memory cell.
Solid state, electronic memories presently in use are relatively expensive to manufacture, the cost being typically about twice the cost per bit of storage capacity in relation to magnetic disk storage. On the other hand, those solid state, electronic memories provide certain advantages over magnetic disk memories in that solid state memories have no moving parts, require much less electrical energy to operate, are easy to transport and store and are more versatile in the adaptability thereof for use with portable computers and other portable electronic devices. As a matter of fact, hard drive manufacturers are forecasting rapid growth in the use of ever smaller hard drives and eventually solid state memory storage in the portable computer field. In addition, such solid state memories are usually true random access systems as opposed to disk types which require physical movement of the disk head to the proper data track for accessing the desired memory location.
However, in spite of such advantages of solid state electrically erasable memories, the substantially higher costs thereof have prevented them from enjoying a substantial share of the market now dominated by magnetic disk type memory systems. Although solid state memories based on chalcogenide memory materials have shown potential for being manufactured at reduced costs, the overall performance parameters available from such transistor-based ferroelectric systems as previously known in the prior art have been inadequate to gain widespread use as replacements for magnetic disk systems or other solid state memory systems of the type described above.
Simply stated, no solid state memory system developed prior to the system disclosed by the instant invention, regardless of the materials from which it was fabricated, has provided all the advantages of being low cost, easily manufacturable, electrically writable and directly erasable (overwritable) low input energies, gray scale (allowing multibit in a single cell), non-volatile, and very high packing density. Accordingly, it is clear that the memory system described in the paragraphs which follow hereinafter will find immediate widespread use as a universal replacement for virtually all types of computer memory currently in the marketplace. Further, due to the ability of the novel memories of the instant invention to be fabricated in all thin-film format, three-dimensional arrays are now possible for high speed, high density neural network and artifical intelligence applications. The applicability of this technology to neural networks and artificial intelligence demands a multi-layer, three-dimensional approach.
As is readily apparent from the discussion above, the quantitative changes in switching speed and energy requirements of the memories of the instant invention in comparison to the phase change memories of the prior art is demonstrative evidence that the memory materials of the instant invention define an entirely new class of memory materials. Moreover, the wide dynamic range coupled with the multibit storage capabilities find no analog in the field of optical memory materials.

Electrically erasable, directly overwritable, multibit single cell memory elements and arrays fabricated therefrom


A sliding mechanism (6) includes a main board (10) and a sliding board (20). The main board has a body (11). A guiding rail (112) is formed at each of two opposite sides of the body. The sliding board has a first portion (21) and a second portion (22). The first portion has a first guiding slot (216) defined in a first end thereof for receiving one guiding rail. A bottom slice extends from a second opposite end of the first portion. The second portion has a second guiding slot (226) defined in a first end thereof for receiving the other guiding rail. A top slice extends from a second opposite end of the second portion. The top slice is located on the bottom slice. Before connecting the first portion and the second portion, a clearance between the guiding rail and the first portion can be adjusted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to sliding mechanisms for slidably connecting two members and, more particularly, to a sliding mechanism configured (i.e., structured and arranged) for use in a slide-type portable electronic device to slidably interconnect two casings of a device.
2. Description of Related Art
Slide-type portable electronic devices have become increasingly popular, a typical slide-type portable electronic device is configured to have two housings. One of the housings slides over the other housing, thus enabling opening/closing of the portable electronic device by means of a sliding mechanism.
A typical sliding mechanism includes two guiding rails symmetrically formed on two sides of one housing. The other housing has two guiding arms formed at two sides thereof. Each guiding arm defines a guiding slot therein. The guiding rails are configured for receipt in the two guiding slots. The size of each guiding rail is slightly smaller than the size of the guiding slot. That is to say there is a small clearance between the guiding rail and the guiding arm. The guiding rails are slidable in the guiding slots thereby allowing one housing to slide relative to the other housing. However, the guiding rails and the guiding arms are likely to undergo wear and tear because of continual friction between them, and correspondingly the clearance may become wider and wider. Thus, the two housings may not fit properly to each other. That is to say one housing may shake relative to the other housing.
Therefore, a new sliding mechanism for slide-type portable devices is desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcomings.

Sliding mechanism for slide-type portable electronic device


According to one embodiment disclosed herein, there is provided an antenna module including a self-identification mechanism that may be used by one or more wireless circuits for management purposes. The self-identification mechanism may, for example, take the form of an integrated circuit (IC) device or chip that stores a serial number that may function as a unique identifier for an antenna on which it is mounted or associated. In one embodiment, a wireless module, for example containing RF components for sending and receiving signals from the antenna, queries the serial number device, and acquires the serial number for the antenna. The wireless module can use the serial number for any number of purposes, and in particular to verify that the antenna connected is a compliant antenna that will operate within the range, within the limits, and/or with the performance specified for the radio circuits within the wireless module.

Regulatory compliance for a wireless device is procured with a certain antenna paired to the device. In theory, it is difficult for a user to replace the original antenna with an aftermarket antenna which offers increased performance. However, it is increasingly easy to find aftermarket antennas for both desktop PCs and notebooks PCs with (SubMiniature version A) SMA, Reverse SMA or Micro-coax connectors. Care must be taken when matching antennas with certain devices as the devices may not meet regulatory standards when paired with certain antennas. Also, antenna tuners and matching networks are being integrated into wireless modules (or antennas) to enable 'per device' optimization (e.g., optimizing wireless transmission characteristics per specific device) and 'in use' optimization (e.g., optimizing wireless transmission characteristics based upon sensed usages that would result in VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) changes) of VSWR and efficiency for notebooks, tablets and phones. Typically a single radio module may be integrated with several different antennas based on the device form factor.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

Antenna system with self-identifying antenna


An apparatus includes a sleeve comprising a nub, the sleeve sized to receive a bar. The apparatus further includes a movable spindle with a bracket. The bracket is sized to fit over either of the bar and the nub.

The generation of pulling force is a basic operation of physical work. Generally, there has been a trade off between the force which may be applied to a pulling operation, and the portability and flexibility of the machine applied to perform the pulling. For example, machines have been developed which are capable of exerting very high pulling forces on a rope or cable. However, these machines tend to be heavy and difficult to transport. Pulling machines also tend to be specialized to particular applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,273 decribes a pulling apparatus wherein a right-angle drill may be mounted upon a spindle fixed to a length of bar. The right-angle drill may be powered on by toggling a lever switch to depress a trigger of the drill. The drill motor directly drives the spindle around which one or more turns of rope may be made. The force of the drill may be applied to turning the spindle to assist an operator with pulling on the end of the rope. A disadvantage of this apparatus is that the force applied to the spindle is limited to the force which may be directly output by the drill. Furthermore the configuration of the apparatus may be less flexible than desired for a variety of pulling applications.


An optical device for forming an image of an object, comprising: a semitransparent mirror surface disposed on an optical path of the image of the object; and a light projection unit configured to project light to the semitransparent mirror surface and thereby to combine, on the optical path, the projected light transmitting through the semitransparent mirror surface with the image of the object reflecting from the semitransparent mirror surface, wherein: a first wavelength region is defined in a visible light region to include a wavelength of the projected light; the semitransparent mirror surface has a substantially flat reflectance property within a second wavelength region which is defined in the visible light region not to include the first wavelength region; and transmissivity of the semitransparent mirror surface at the wavelength of the projected light is higher by 10% to 50% than transmissivity in the second wavelength region.

The present invention relates to an optical device such as a finder device capable of displaying supplementary information in a finder view in a superimposing manner, and a single lens reflex camera on which the finder device is mounted.
In a finder of a single lens reflex camera, a subject image formed on a focusing screen is observed, for example, through a pentaprism. On the subject image thus observed through the finder, information for supplementing the photographing, such as ranging points and ranging areas, is superimposed. Examples of a specific configuration of the finder device capable of superimposing information of this type are described, for example, in Japanese Patent Provisional Publications Nos. HEI 05-127244A (hereafter, referred to as patent document 1), 2002-82278A (hereafter, referred to as patent document 2) and 2000-89336A (hereafter, referred to as patent document 3).
The patent document 1 describes a configuration capable of changing information superimposed on a subject image by controlling orientation of a transmissive liquid crystal disposed in a finder optical system. Each of the patent documents 2 and 3 describes a configuration where ranging information and the like is superimposed on a subject image being observed through the finder, by letting LED (Light Emitting Diode) light representing the ranging information and the like formed by an LED and a mask member enter a pentaprism via a condenser lens and a prism.

Optical device and single lens reflex camera


A seed tube for an agricultural implement having a seed metering mechanism for uniformly dispensing seeds. The seed tube defines an enclosed curvilinear seed passageway extending between opposite ends of the tube. To promote control over the seeds gravitationally passing through the tube, the seed passageway has a smooth but decreasing cross-sectional configuration between ingress and egress ends of the passageway. The interior surface of the passageway and preferably the tube itself is formed from a material having a coefficient of surface friction ranging between about 0.02 and about 0.10. The enclosed seed passageway furthermore includes a narrowed front edge extending upwardly from a lower end of, the tube and for a majority of the length of the passageway. The narrowed front edge passes beneath and across, in a fore-and-aft direction, the entire ingress end of the passageway for enhancing control over and such that the individual seeds passing through the passageway have substantially equivalent time therein thus promoting equidistant spacings between seed plantings.

Agricultural implements such as planters and grain drills typically include mechanisms which meter or dispense individual seeds to the ground. As the implement is drawn across a field, seeds are preferably deposited into furrows in the ground. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the seeds which are planted vary in size, weight and shape depending upon the particular planting.
Various types of seed metering mechanisms are known in the art. Some seed metering mechanisms are a mechanical type wherein individual seeds are picked from a seed mass and discharged to the ground for deposit within the furrows by mechanical devices. Other seed metering mechanisms utilize an apertured rotating disk that operates under the influence of air pressure differentials. Other metering mechanisms rely on a rotating drum that picks up seed from a seed mass and delivers the seeds through elongated air conduits for deposit within the furrows.
Regardless of the type of seed metering mechanism used, it is desirable to deposit a given quantity of seeds within a furrow over a predetennined distance. Also, it is important that the seeds be delivered to the ground in such a way that adjacent seeds within a furrow are generally equidistantly spaced relative to each other along the length of the furrow. To properly deposit the seeds within the furrow requires not only that the seeds be periodically dispensed from the metering apparatus in generally uniform relation relative to each other, but also that the seeds are directed toward and deposited into the furrow with minimal disturbance being imparted to the seeds as they pass from the seed metering mechanism to the ground.
In one form, the seed metering mechanism is typically arranged in combination with a seed hopper that is carried by the agricultural implement and moves along therewith at some nominal speed. It is known to mount a series of seed hoppers in side-by-side relation with each other with each seed hopper having its own seed metering mechanism for controlling the discharge of seeds to the ground as the implement is pulled there across.
Proper deposit of the seed into the furrow promotes planting, growing, and subsequent harvesting procedures. If the individual seeds are released from a housing of the seed meter for essentially vertical straight down movement into the furrow below under the effects of gravity, the ability to positively control the seed deposit is lost. Because the seed meter mechanism is not positioned immediately adjacent to the ground surface, the seeds discharged would normally establish a vertical velocity before they strike the ground.
Moreover, and because of the movement of the seed metering mechanism with the implement, the individual seeds exhausted from the housing of the seed metering mechanism likewise have a horizontal component of movement. The furrow openings wherein the seeds are to be deposited are created in soil and cannot be exact. Thus, the vertical and horizontal velocity components of the seeds discharged from the seed metering mechanism frequently cause the seeds to bounce upon engagement with the soil and away from the intended landing area, resulting in inaccurate and nonuniform distribution of the seeds within the furrow.
To better control the individual seeds as they are discharged from the housing of the seed metering mechanism, it is known to use a seed tube depending from a seed discharge area of the seed metering mechanism and extending toward the ground. These known seed tubes have an upper portion with a relatively straight configuration in the seed discharge area of the seed metering mechanism to provide a relatively smooth reception of the seeds into the tube. Such tubes are also known to include a curvature along a lower portion of the tube. The curved configuration at the lower portion of the tube serves a dual purpose. First, the configuration of the tube is curved a sufficient amount relative to the upper portion of the tube to control the vertical velocity component of the seed as it gravitationally moves toward a discharge end of the tube. Second, the curved configuration of the lower portion of the seed tube is such that it minimizes or eliminates the horizonal velocity component of the seeds as they are discharged to the ground. It is known to configure the lower portion of the tube with a vertically curved configuration in a direction opposite to the normal direction of the implement across a field. The seeds are thereby caused to exit from the seed tube with the horizontal velocity component of the seeds being generally equal to and opposite the horizontal velocity of the implement over the ground.
While such configured or curved tubes have proven effective in controlling the vertical velocity component of the seeds as they move through the tube while minimizing or eliminating the horizontal velocity component of the seeds moving through the tubes, such seed tubes have been known to introduce problems of their own which detract from the advantages obtained through their use in combination with seed metering mechanisms. A significant problem involving such seed tube relates to the inherent tendency for the seeds to rattle or bounce as they move through the tube. The vibrations inherent with the seed tube as it moves across the field exacerbates the seed deflection and delivery problems. Moreover, and because the seeds exhausted from the housing of the seed metering mechanism are of different sizes and shapes, each seed will have a different surface friction contact which tends to slow, delay and alter seed travel as it moves between upper and lower ends of the seed tube. As a result of such bouncing and frictional engagement with the tubes the seeds tend to exit the seed tube at different times and in unpredictable manners As will be appreciated, the inability to maintain substantially equidistance spacing between the seeds as they travel through the tube while likewise losing the ability to maintain substantially constant or uniform discharge of the seeds from the tube, results in nonuniform seed spacings within the furrow.
Thus, there is a need and a desire for a seed tube which is adapted to receive seeds from a seed metering mechanism and which is capable of controlling gravitational movement of the seeds by minimizing surface friction and seed bouncing as the seeds move along a predetermined pathway thereby enhancing controlled delivery of the seeds to the ground.


A truck-mounted paper shredder is provided. The shredder uses a reciprocating plunger to feed a rotary hammer mill, which shreds the paper. An auger is used to transfer the shredded paper into a discrete storage container. The container includes a suction device to pull dust through the assembly into a filter in the container. The container is separate so that it can be removed when loaded and left standing for later pick up, allowing the truck and shredder to take on an empty container and move on to the next job.

Truck-mounted paper shredding assemblies ("shredders") are commonly in use today. These units move about from one office to another to shred often confidential paper documents.
Most of the prior art shredders of this type use knives or cam type cutting devices to shred the paper into strips. In general, these shredders rely on manual feeding of paper to ensure that the paper enters the machine at an even thickness and rate. As a consequence, they are relatively slow in processing paper.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,617, issued to D. E. Rajewski, discloses a different and faster type of shredder--it utilizes a rotary hammer mill to shred the paper. More particularly this shredder comprises:
A circular feed tub, into which the paper to be shredded is dumped. The tub floor forms a slot or opening; PA1 The hammer mill is positioned beneath the opening. The rotating hammers of the mill protrude through the opening, when the mill is operating, and pull in paper--this paper is shredded as the hammers pass through close-fitting gaps formed between spaced apart steel fingers; PA1 A rotating sweep arm is positioned in the tub . The arm is spaced above the tub floor, to avoid contact with the hammers. It functions to bias paper in the tub to the hammer mill opening; PA1 The mill includes a trough-like curved screen cupping its bottom half. The paper is further shredded as the hammers force it through the screen; PA1 The shredded paper drops into an open-top trough positioned beneath the mill. The trough changes into a tubular chute at its far end, which chute extends into a closed box forming a storage chamber. A plunger reciprocates lengthwise in the trough to push the paper through the chute into the storage chamber and, in doing so, to compress paper already in the chamber; PA1 The box forming the storage chamber has a movable side wall which can be advanced by a cylinder to empty the box by driving its contents through an opposed, hinged box side wall into a waiting receptacle such as the box of a second truck. PA1 The sweep arm rotating over the protruding hammer ends is spaced above the tub floor. As a result, paper is left on the floor after completion of the shredding operation. This is undesirable when shredding confidential documents; PA1 The paper is fed at an angle into the hammers by the rotating sweep arm. This leads to deflection and bending of the hammers, which has proved to be a significant maintenance problem; PA1 Fine particles ("dust") generated by the shredding process create various problems. For example, the reciprocating plunger, biasing shredded paper through the bottom trough and chute, creates a back flow of air from the storage area on each stroke. This back flow carries dust with it back into the loading and shredding zones. As a result the machine must be cleaned frequently and maintenance costs are affected. In addition, heat produced by the moving parts can ignite the dust and has caused fires. PA1 Furthermore, the dust can leak from the machine, which makes it unpleasant to work with; and finally PA1 The storage box is a permanent part of the unit, requiring the continuing presence of a second truck for receiving the load of shredded paper once the storage box is loaded.
There are a number of problems associated with the '617 shredder. More particularly:
The present invention is directed toward improving the '617 shredder design, to solve these problems.


"A method of using personal information as a decryption key for encrypted software. When software is sold, a purchaser provides a seller with several pieces of personal information that will be used as part of a decryption key. The personal information is tied to the purchaser or a user of the software. For example, the personal information can include, but is not limited to, the purchaser's social security number, telephone number, expiration date of the credit card, address, mother's maiden name, children's names, bank account information. This personal information is embedded in the purchased or licensed software. The material is then conveyed to the purchaser. To activate the software the purchaser must enter the key that includes the personal information. The software compares the key that the purchaser enters with the personal information embedded in the software. The software will only be installed if the key and the personal information match."

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a key, and more particularly, to using personal information as a key when distributing information over a communications network.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the advent of the world wide web (WWW) and the Internet, it has become more and more difficult to distribute materials over the WWW without the fear of illegal replication. For example, books or CD quality music are available on the WWW through a direct path between authors or musicians and the end users. However, it is extremely easy for anyone to replicate and distribute this material to an unlimited number of people over the Internet. Because of this, most authors and musicians are not willing to make their works available on the WWW. Therefore, to make electronic information distribution feasible, a mechanism is needed to make replication and distribution difficult for most people.
One way to protect information is to encrypt it. In any encryption mechanism, the object is to make it difficult to disseminate unauthorized information. There are several methods for encryption. Almost all of the encryption methods are based on the use of a "key" for decryption of the encrypted material. A private key is usually one that is difficult to decipher. In many cases, it is a large prime number that would take a high speed computer a long time, up to many years to determine. A key can also be words or phrases that are unrelated or make no sense. These words or phrase are then converted to binary form.
However, with any of the known methods for determining a key, the person holding the key can give it to anyone. That person or persons can disseminate the information to anyone they want. At that point, there is no telling how many people will eventually have access to the key and it does not matter how difficult it is to determine the key since it was readily disclosed to others.

Method and system of using personal information as a key when distributing information


A fastener driving device includes a nose assembly carried by a housing that has a reservoir. The nose assembly has a fastener drive track. At least a portion of the fastener drive track is defined by a movable portion of the nose assembly. A fastener driver is movably mounted in the housing and configured to enter the drive track and drive successive leading fasteners into a workpiece. A head valve is constructed and arranged to be actuated so as to allow the pressurized gas to move the fastener driver through an operating cycle. An actuator is constructed and arranged to actuate the head valve. The actuator includes a trigger valve constructed and arranged to allow passage of the pressurized gas from the reservoir to a chamber above the head valve, and a contact valve operatively connected to the movable portion of the nose assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fastener driving devices, and more specifically relates to fastener driving devices that drive fasteners for connecting metal connectors to a workpiece.
2. Description of Related Art
The construction industry has seen an increase in the use of metal connectors when joining two workpieces together. For example, joist hangers are commonly used in the construction of floors in buildings, as well as outdoor decks. Also, L-shaped metal connectors are used to connect and/or reinforce two workpieces that are joined perpendicularly, such as when connecting the framing of two walls. Conventional fastener driving devices, such as pneumatic nailers, have been difficult to use in metal connector applications because of the size of such devices. For example, a conventional pneumatic nailer used for framing applications is designed to drive nails that are 2-4 inches in length and have diameters of about 0.113-0.162 inches. However, fasteners that are used to attach metal connectors to workpieces are typically about 1.5-2.5 inches in length and have diameters of about 0.131-0.162 inches. While framing nailers may be used to drive longer metal connector fasteners, they are typically not configured to drive shorter metal connector fasteners that are 1.5 inches in length. There are currently no single shot pneumatic nailers available that are dedicated to only driving a metal connector fastener that has a length of about 1.5 inches.
Moreover, the design of conventional pneumatic nailers makes it difficult to accurately locate a fastener into the hole of the metal connector due to design of the nose and the contact arm. A conventional contact arm is biased to extend past the nose of the nailer so that when the contact arm is pressed against the workpiece, the contact arm cooperates with the trigger to cause the nailer to actuate and drive the fastener into the workpiece. In many applications, such as framing and finishing, the fastener may be located in a range of locations, i.e. the precise location of the fastener may not be important. Conversely, when driving a fastener through a hole of a metal connector, the precision of the drive is important because of the risk of damaging the nailer or the metal connector. Although there have been attempts to use the tip of the fastener that is about to be driven as the hole locator, providing a robust and relatively inexpensive contact arm has been challenging.


Improvements in post process Dmin are provided in a photographic element that has a preferred coupler, hardener, and permanent solvent. The coupler of the element comprises between about 20 and 40 percent by weight of the coupler and oil phase components and the element further comprises chromanol stabilizer.

In forming of color paper materials and color negative films, there is a need to provide in the film and paper structures a hardener that will improve the physical properties of the gelatin forming the layers of the photographic materials. The speed of the hardener is important as the more rapidly the hardener works, the quicker the photographic material may be available for use.
In color paper materials the colors are formed by reaction of colorless couplers with oxidized developer. The couplers are combined with permanent solvents and stabilizers prior to color paper formation. The solvents improve the reactivity of the couplers, as well as aiding the dispersion of the couplers in the gelatin. Typical color paper structures are shown in Research Disclosure No. 37038, February 1995.
The improvement in print stability of color papers is of continuing interest. Color papers deteriorate by losing whiteness in the white areas such that the white begins to yellow. Another way that the papers illustrate a lack of stability is if the colors fade. The fading of papers and the yellowing of white areas have been at least partially overcome by the provision for more stable dyes and the use of less reactive solvents and less reactive other photographic elements. Further, materials such as antioxidants have been added to photographic print materials to improve their stability.

Color paper post process Dmin keeping with a bis-vinylsulfonyl as the hardener and a chromanol stabilizer


A container for lipsticks able to hold several lipsticks and other utensils in the cosmetics line and having a pliable base material (16) with a pliable top material lying flat (10) against the pliable base material in some areas and in other areas forming pockets (14) that lie in vertical columns. The pockets (14) of one column are offset from the pockets (14) of the other column so that when folded vertically the pockets of one column lie between the pockets of the other column. In addition, having double layers of a flexible transparent material (12) for identifying the color of each lipstick, a device to keep the upper edge rigid (18) while allowing it to be folded vertically and a closure and or hanging device (20). Because all the pockets open toward the center of the pliable base material, none of the contents can be spilled from the pockets when the container for lipsticks is folded vertically, rolled and secured with the closure device (20). When open flat all the lipstick colors can be seen at once.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to cosmetic storage containers, specifically to containers for lipsticks.
2. Prior Art
Cosmetic storage containers for lipsticks now in use take up much space. They aren't easily transported. Reading the small print labels or opening the tubes to see the color is the only way to identify the exact color of identical tubes of lipstick. Most current storage containers are either bags, which do not provide order, or rigid units, which are not easily cleaned or transported. The contents of current storage containers can spill or become disorganized when transported.

Container for lipsticks, allowing quick color identification


A processing unit of an analysis system comprises a processor coupled to a memory, and is configured to generate a structure-preserving reduced-order model of a circuit, device or system. The reduced-order model in one embodiment is generated by projection of input matrices characterizing the circuit, device or system onto at least one block Krylov subspace, the block Krylov subspace having a corresponding basis matrix. The projection utilizes at least one matrix that has a column range which includes a corresponding portion of the block Krylov subspace but is not itself the basis matrix of the block Krylov subspace. The processing unit generates a frequency response or other signal characterizing the circuit, device or system, based at least in part on the reduced-order model, and an associated output unit presents the generated signal in a user-perceptible format.

Electronic circuits and other circuits, devices or systems often contain large linear subnetworks of passive components. Such subnetworks may represent, by way of example, interconnect information automatically extracted from large RLC network layouts, models of integrated circuit packages, or models of wireless propagation channels. Often these subnetworks are so large that they need to be replaced by much smaller reduced-order models, before any numerical simulation becomes feasible. The process of generating such reduced-order models is referred to herein as reduced-order macromodeling, or more generally, reduced-order modeling. Ideally, the resulting reduced-order models will produce a good approximation of the input-output behavior of the original subnetwork, at least in a limited domain of interest, such as a particular frequency range.
In recent years, reduced-order modeling techniques based on Padé approximation have been recognized to be powerful tools for various circuit simulation tasks. The first such technique was asymptotic waveform evaluation, which uses explicit moment matching. More recently, the attention has moved to reduced-order models generated by means of Krylov-subspace algorithms, which avoid the typical numerical instabilities of explicit moment matching.
An approach known as PVL, and its multi-port version MPVL, use variants of the Lanczos process to stably compute reduced-order models that represent Padé or matrix-Padé approximations of the circuit transfer function.
The SyPVL approach, and its multi-port version SyMPVL, are versions of PVL and MPVL, respectively, that are tailored to RLC circuits. By exploiting the symmetry of RLC transfer functions, the computational costs of SyPVL and SyMPVL are only half of those of general PVL and MPVL. The Arnoldi process is another popular Krylov-subspace algorithm. Arnoldi-based reduced-order model techniques have recently been proposed. These models are not defined by Padé approximation, and as a result, in general, they are not as accurate as a Padé-based model of the same size. In fact, Arnoldi-based models are known to match only half as many moments as Lanczos-based models. An example of an Arnoldi-based reduced-order modeling technique is the PRIMA technique, described in A. Odabasioglu et al., "PRIMA: passive reduced-order interconnect macromodeling algorithm," Tech. Dig. 1997 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Computer-Aided Design, pp. 58–65, Los Alamitos, Calif., 1997, which is incorporated by reference herein.
In many applications, in particular those related to VLSI interconnect, the reduced-order model is used as a substitute for the full-blown original model in higher-level simulations. In such applications, it is very important for the reduced-order model to maintain the passivity properties of the original circuit. It has been shown that the SyMPVL technique is passive for RC, RL, and LC circuits. However, the Padé-based reduced-order model that characterizes SyMPVL cannot be guaranteed to be passive for general RLC circuits. On the other hand, the Arnoldi-based reduction technique PRIMA produces passive reduced-order models for general RLC circuits. PRIMA employs a block version of the Arnoldi process and then obtains reduced-order models by projecting the matrices defining the RLC transfer function onto the Arnoldi basis vectors.
While PRIMA generates provably passive reduced-order models, it does not preserve other structures, such as reciprocity or the block structure of the circuit matrices, inherent to RLC circuits. This has motivated the development of algorithms such as ENOR and its variants that generate passive and reciprocal reduced-order models, yet still match as many moments as PRIMA. However, the moment-matching property of the PRIMA models is not optimal. In fact, the PRIMA models match only half as many moments as optimal, but non-passive, moment-matching techniques such as SyMPVL.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved reduced-order modeling technique that overcomes the disadvantages of PRIMA.

Method and apparatus for structure-preserving reduced-order modeling


An alcohol and drug sensor system for vehicles for preventing ignition of a vehicle engine by an intoxicated driver includes a gas chromatograph sensor operationally coupled to a sample collection tube. The sensor is operationally coupled to a microprocessor that prevents the ignition system of the vehicle from working until a breath sample is collected and the intoxicant content of the breath sample is determined to be below a pre-determined level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sensors and more particularly pertains to a new alcohol and drug sensor for vehicles for preventing ignition of a vehicle engine by an intoxicated driver.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of sensors for preventing intoxicated operation of a vehicle is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,349 describes a system for non-invasive measuring of blood alcohol using optical spectroscopic electromagnetic radiation. Another type of sensor used in restricting vehicle operation is U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,615 having a plurality of passageways positioned adjacent to the hand position of the driver to sample vapor emitted from the hands of the driver. U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,746 discloses an alcohol concentration sensing system that uses breath pressure measurement to control the volume of breath analyzed.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a system that incorporates gas chromatography into the analysis of breath and processes the collected information to selectively activate a vehicle ignition system when the breath of the potential driver does not contain threshold levels of intoxicants.

Alcohol and drug sensor system for vehicles


An RF power oscillator for contactless card antennas shapes a carrier signal at the operating frequency utilizing a delay circuit having a number of taps for delaying the carrier signal by different lengths of time. The delayed signals are input into a buffer and output through impedance elements to a node coupled to the antenna. The resulting waveform for a square wave input signal, and equal-length delay taps, is a trapezoidal wave output. Any input wave form can be shaped in a variety of ways depending upon the combinations of delay taps used. Since the buffer drivers for each delayed wave switch state at slightly different times, the amplitude and bandwidth of emitted electromagnetic interference (EMI) is reduced for the transmission circuit.

Smart card signal transmission circuitry includes at least one oscillator circuit for generating a modulated carrier signal for transmission of data to a smart card. A common class of output stage utilized for RF communication is Class-A output stages which is capable of generating pure sine waves due to its linear characteristics. Due to the low efficiency of the Class-A output stages, non-linear power stages or square wave generators are typically used in the prior art as the radio frequency (RF) power oscillators for contactless card antennas. However, these non-linear or square wave generators present several disadvantages for use in providing a modulated carrier signal for transmission by smart card antennas.
A disadvantage of the prior art nonlinear transistor stage is the dependency on the transistors gain parameters. This type of output stage is typically based on a NPN transistor with a parallel LC resonance circuit as collector load. This circuit is capable of generating fairly pure sine waves, but the nonlinear nature of the circuit makes it very hard to control the amplitude of the output signal and especially the modulation index in case amplitude modulation is desired.
A disadvantage of the prior art square wave generator is that the generator draws a large current spike from the power supply when it switches state due to the charging and discharging of inherent capacitances in the switching circuit. The current spike typically has a duration comparable to the rise and fall-time of the output square wave, resulting in a current spike with a very broad electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise spectrum. The prior art circuits that use the nonlinear or square wave generator also require the use of a low pass or a band pass filter before the modulated signals are fed to the tuned antenna coil to rid the signal of the harmonics of the operating frequency. However, these filters include combinations of capacitors and inductors which produce additional signal interference between the filter and the tuned antenna coil resulting in unwanted resonances at frequencies outside the operating frequency of the smart card communication system.
Therefore, a need continues to exist for a radio frequency power oscillator for use with contactless smart card antennas that will produce a high current, modulated signal with an improved wave shape and accurately controlled amplitude without drawing excessive current spikes and with reduced electromagnetic interference.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Power oscillator for control of waveshape and amplitude


A connector (20) has a housing (18) for accommodating female terminal fittings (22). A resiliently deformable lock arm (46) is formed separately from the housing (18) and is adapted to lock the connector (20) to a mating connector (10). Coil springs (40) bias the lock arm (46) forwardly to a usual position. Insufficient connection preventing portions (34) project from the housing (18) toward the lock arm (46) and the lock arm (46) is provided with stroke guides (51). The stroke guides (51) move onto the insufficient connection preventing portions (34) during connection of the connectors (10, 20). The housing (18) also has an arched press-preventing portion (32) for preventing the lock arm (46) from being pressed from above when the lock arm (46) is at the usual position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known connector is identified by the numeral 100 in FIG. 18, and has a lock arm 101 with a locking projection 101A. The connector 100 also has a housing 102 that is formed separately from the lock arm 101. Insufficient connection preventing portions 103 are formed on the housing 102, and stroke guides 104 project from opposite sides of the lock arm 101 at locations near the insufficient connection preventing portions 103. A biasing member (not shown) urges the lock arm 101 forwardly and into a position where the stroke guides 104 are forward of the insufficient connection preventing portions 103.
The connector 100 can be mated with a mating connector 105. During this connection, the front surface 106 of the mating connector 105 engages the locking projection 101A and pushes the lock arm 101 rearward or to the right in FIG. 18. The stroke guides 104 move onto the insufficient connection preventing portions 103 and are guided around the rear of the insufficient connection preventing portions 103 as the connectors 100, 105 reach their proper connection positions. The stroke guides 104 then move forward below the insufficient connection preventing portion 103 and return to their usual position (see arrow A in FIG. 18). At this stage, the locking projection 101A of the lock arm 101 engages a locking portion 105A of the mating connector 105 to lock the two connectors 100, 105 together.
The biasing member pushes the lock arm 101 forward if the two connectors 100, 105 are not connected completely and if the locking projection 101A and the locking portion 105A are not engaged with each other. Thus, the connectors 100, 105 are biased away from each other and are detached. In this way, the insufficiently connected state where the locking projection 101A is not engaged with the mating connector 105 can be prevented.
The lock arm 101 may be deformed mistakenly if the rear upper end of the lock arm 101 is pressed down in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 18. In such a case, the stroke guides 104 may move under the insufficient connection preventing portions 103. Accordingly, the front surface 106 will not contact the locking projection 101A during the connecting operation. Therefore, the biasing force of the biasing member does not act, and the two connectors 100, 105 are left insufficiently connected.
In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector with improved operability, which can securely prevent insufficient connection with a mating connector.
The invention relates to a connector with a housing for accommodating at least one terminal fitting. A resiliently deformable lock arm is formed separately from the housing and is adapted to lock the connector and a mating connector together. At least one biasing member is provided for biasing the lock arm toward a usual or front position along a connection direction with the mating connector. An insufficient connection preventing portion and a press-preventing portion are provided on the housing. The press-preventing portion prevents the lock arm from being pressed when the lock arm is at the usual position. Accordingly, the connectors cannot be connected by mistakenly pressing the lock arm and causing the lock arm to undergo a resilient deformation. Thus, insufficient connection can be prevented more securely.
The insufficient connection preventing portion preferably projects from the housing toward the lock arm.
A stroke guide preferably is provided on the lock arm and moves onto the insufficient connection preventing portion as the lock arm is pressed and moved back by a mating connector during a connecting operation.
The biasing member biases the lock arm toward the usual position in the housing and may be a metallic spring, such as a coil spring or a leaf spring or a spring made of rubber or a synthetic resin. Preferably, the stroke guide comprises at least one guide surface for contacting at least one corresponding guide surface of the insufficient connection preventing portion.
The lock arm may be disposed in a mounting groove in the housing and the press-preventing portion may bridge the opposite lateral edges of the mounting groove. Accordingly, the press-preventing portion strengthens the housing.
Front-stop means may be provided on the lock arm to contact corresponding stop means in the connector for locating the lock arm in the usual position.
A jig may be insertable between the press-preventing portion and the lock arm for detaching the connector from the mating connector. The press-preventing portion may act as a fulcrum for the jig for deflecting the lock arm when the connector is to be detached from the mating connector.
Side walls may be provided on the housing at positions slightly spaced from the lock arm to substantially surround side surfaces of the lock arm.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description. It should be understood that even though embodiments are described separately, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.


The present invention provides a neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes which selectively cleaves a pro-structure part of a microbial protransglutaminase and a gene encoding said neutral metalloprotease. An active microbial transglutaminase having the pro-structure part cleaved can be obtained by culturing a microorganism into which a gene encoding the neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes according to the present invention has been introduced, where by producing the neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes, and reacting it on a microbial protransglutaminase.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protease which efficiently cleaves the pro-structure part of pro-transglutaminase resulting in an active transglutaminase, and to a nucleic acid encoding the protease, wherein the pro-transglutaminase is produced by actinomycetes. The present invention also relates to a method of producing microbial transglutaminase in its active form using the protease. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of producing a neutral metalloprotease.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Transglutaminase is an enzyme which catalyzes the acyltransfer reaction of γ-carboxylamide groups in the peptide chain of the protein. When the enzyme reacts with a protein, the formation of the cross-linkage ε-(γ-Glu)-Lys, and the replacement of Gln with Glu by deamidation can occur. Transglutaminases have been used to manufacture gelled food products such as jelly, yogurt, cheese, or gelled cosmetics and others, and to improve the quality of meat, etc. (Japanese publication of examined application (JP-Kokoku) No. 1-50382). Moreover, transglutaminase is highly useful in industry in that it has been used to manufacture materials for thermostable microcapsules, carriers for immobilized enzyme, etc.
Expression of animal transglutaminase activity is calcium-dependent, and transglutaminases from microorganisms (microbial transglutaminase(s), which is/are also referred to as "MTG(s)" hereinafter), have been previously reported to also be calcium-independent. A microbial transglutaminase from a bacterium belonging to genus Streptoverticillium has been reported. Such Streptoverticillium bacteria include, for example, Streptoverticillium griseocarneum IFO 12776, Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum sub sp. cinnamoneum IFO 12852, Streptoverticillium mobaraense (hereinafter, S. mobaraense) IFO 13819, and others (Publication of unexamined Japanese patent application (JP-Kokai) No. 64-27471).
Because these transglutaminases, however, have been produced via purification from cultures of the microorganisms described above, problems have been reported regarding the produced amount, production efficiency, and the like. Then, in an attempt to more efficiently secrete heterologous proteins, a method was reported using a coryneform bacterium as a host, and a fused protein whereby transglutaminase was connected downstream of the signal peptide domain of the coryneform bacterium, and the transglutaminase was efficiently secreted resulting in a high yield of transglutaminase (WO 01/23591). In this study, a method is also described wherein inactive MTG is secreted as pro-transglutaminase (referred to as "pro-MTG" hereinafter) whereby a pro-structure part is connected to MTG, and then this pro-structure part is cleaved by a protease to convert it into an active transglutaminase. A further method is described wherein an active transglutaminase is directly produced in a culture medium by co-expressing SAM-P45, which is a serine protease derived from actinomycetes, in a sufficient amount in a coryneform bacterium which also produces the pro-MTG.
Although a method in which an active transglutaminase is directly produced by co-expressing pro-MTG and a protease which allows cleavage of the pro-structure part of the pro-MTG in a coryneform bacterium is assumed to be an extremely efficient method of producing transglutaminase, the substrate specificity of SAM-P45 is not very strict, and it may digest and degrade not only the pro-structure part of the pro-MTG but also the transglutaminase itself to some degree. Therefore, the handling of SAM-P45 may not be easy. When SAM-P45 is used, therefore, the production method of transglutaminase should be strictly controlled such that degradation of the transglutaminase in the culture medium will not occur.
There is still, therefore, demand for a protease which can selectively cleave only the pro-structure part of pro-MTG, with as little degradation of the transglutaminase itself as possible during the production of an active transglutaminase.
A dispase derived from Bacillus polymyxa is known (Eur. J. Biochem., vol. 257, p. 570-576 (1998)) to be an enzyme besides SAM-P45 which cleaves the pro-structure part of pro-MTG. A large amount of the enzyme, however, is required to cleave the pro-structure part, and there is a risk of degrading the transglutaminase itself. In addition, dispase is a reagent in cell culture, so it is expensive when used an enzyme for industrial use.

Method of producing microbial transglutaminase


A simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is provided which emits a prerecorded sound upon physical movement, such as when swatted, rolled or carried, to encourage pets to continue to play. An illumination device, such as luminescent or chemiluminescent coatings or light emitting diodes (LED's) are operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a blinking visual stimulation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a pet toy having a prerecorded sound chip and, more particularly, to such a device adapted for nocturnal sensory simulation by actuating the sound chip and an illumination element in combination upon imparting motion to the toy.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some pets, such as, for example, cats, are naturally nocturnal and can spend a significant amount of their active time at night and alone when their owners are sleeping or not present. While having healthy and happy pets is an objective of virtually every pet owner, the ability of pet owners to provide interactive exercise and play toys for their pets is usually limited at night due to the limitation that sensory stimulation can have in the dark.
Many different devices have been developed to assist pet owners in keeping their pets happy and healthy. Such devices can be seen in numerous pet stores and catalogs. Different types of balls, bones and other such toys can be purchased by the owner to be used by their pets for exercise and enjoyment. However, pets tend to having limited interest in such devices in the dark due to lack of visual stimulation and thus, the pets do not benefit from exercise and enjoyment from such devices when they are not used by the pets.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, of considerable relevance is U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,053, issued on Apr. 16, 2002 to the present inventor. While a sound simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is incorporated into this invention in combination, other elements are different enough as to make the combination distinguished over the inventors' own prior art.
Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method of providing both visual and sound stimulation to attract the interest of nocturnal pets.


Improvements in a trailer hitching and tracking steering system are disclosed include a new style RV or wagon style RV that includes an extendable, variable position tow bar that accommodates misalignment of a tow vehicle. The tow bar can be rotated for storage within the RV wagon. Further improvements include a wheel steering mechanism to improve tracking of a towed vehicle using a bi-directional caster front suspension for steering a wagon style RV in both a forward and reverse direction. The caster of the front wheels is automatically re-directed depending upon the direction of travel of the RV. The suspension system includes a steerable rear suspension that minimizes the amount the back wheels will cut the corner when turning. The improvements also include the use of visible light beams to guide a tow vehicle backing up to an RV to be correctly positioned for hitching without assistance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in trailer hitching and trailer tracking systems. More particularly, the present trailering improvements include an adjustable hitching system, a guiding system for determining a hitching position and a tracking system for moving a trailer.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Trailering a vehicle requires a number of different operations that are often difficult to perform by a single person. Because the hitching position is often located in a place that is difficult to view it is often best performed with two people. In many cases this is not possible. When the trailer vehicle is heavy locating the hitch often requires multiple attempts to line the tow vehicle up with the trailer. There have been several patents that have issued that allow for vertical adjustment of the hitch to secure the trailer with the tow vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,191 issued Oct. 9, 2001 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,793 issued Mar. 25, 2003, both to Frank T. Sargent disclose a Double-Acting Trailer Hitch. Both of these patents allow for vertical adjustment and limited angular adjustment of the tow ball. While these patents provide for some adjustment, the location of the tow vehicle to the trailer must still be placed within inches of the desired location.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,403 issued May 12, 1987 to C. Glen Livingston discloses a Hitch Adapter for Double Caster Wheel Trailer. This patent provides for limited side-to-side adjustment of the tow ball. The side-to-side adjustment provides improved tracking of the towed vehicle. While this patent provides some adjustment to the hitch ball position the locating is limited to the amount of tracking that is possible with the caster wheels of the tow vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,900,724 issued May 31, 2005 to Keith R. Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,431 issued Jul. 17, 2007 to W. Lee Godwin and U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,057 issued Apr. 8, 2008 to Gary Milner each disclose the use of a laser type sighting device, but none of these patents disclose using a pair of laser devices that provide distance and cross when the tow vehicle is in a preferred position.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,467 issued Oct. 12, 1965 to S. G. Siddal and U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,549 issued Jul. 14, 1970 to M. S. De Lay both disclose a steering mechanism for steering trailing wheels. While both of these patents disclose steering mechanisms for steering trailering wheels, neither of them disclose the steering mechanism as disclosed in this application.
What is needed is a complete overhaul of trailer hitching, tracking and steering to significantly reduce the time and effort to connect and trailer and steer a trailer once it is connected to a tow vehicle. The proposed improvements provide these solutions with the introduction of a new class of Recreational Vehicle (RV) the "Wagon Style RV" with axle's front and back like most cars and trucks and most particularity like wagons, not in the center like all trailers. In addition to the above improvements the RV wagon will reduce or eliminate tow vehicle passenger bounce at road bumps and dips, RV sway problems, eight miscellaneous loose hitching parts to assemble and disassemble, weighing 40 to 50 pounds, each time the RV is hitched or unhitched to the tow vehicle, number of times the trailer front jack stand has to be cranked up and down to effect the hitching process, 400 to 900 pounds of weight on the back of the tow vehicle, exposed propane tanks and batteries in addition to the front jack stand on most trailers, skids or skid wheels at the back of the trailer and reducing the time it takes to hitch or unhitch from 15 or 20 minutes to under 2 minutes with no loose parts to assemble. The proposed improvements provide these solutions.


A method of fabricating a heat sink includes preparing a surface of a graphite-based substrate and removing particulate matter generated from the preparation of the surface of the substrate. A metal-based coating is applied at the surface of the prepared substrate. The prepared substrate having the metal-based coating is arranged to form a heat sink structure.

This disclosure relates generally to heat sinks and, more particularly, to graphite-based heat sinks and a method and an apparatus for the manufacture thereof.
Heat sinks are generally utilized to provide for the conductive transfer of heat from a heat source (e.g., an electronic component) to a surrounding environment. The conductive transfer of heat from the heat source is most efficient when the heat sink is fabricated from a material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity to facilitate the rapid conduction of heat from the heat source and its dissipation to the surrounding environment. Such materials include metals such as copper, aluminum, tungsten, molybdenum, alloys of the foregoing metals, and the like. Heat sinks fabricated from such metals and alloys, however, while providing adequate heat transfer capabilities, typically add significant cost and weight to the systems into which they are incorporated.
To alleviate problems associated with weight, the fins of the heat sinks may be made of lighter materials having comparable or improved heat transfer properties. One example of such a material is high conductivity graphite, which may be utilized in a pure form or may be combined with another material to form a graphite composite. However, difficulties associated with the attachment of graphite or graphite composite heat sink fins pose significant obstacles to the use of such materials. In particular, because graphite is not solderable, attachment of graphite fins to a metal base are oftentimes made by alternate means, e.g., with adhesives such as epoxies. Furthermore, because graphite is by nature a brittle material, heat sink fins fabricated from graphite or graphite composites typically crack, chip, or flake, thereby potentially compromising the integrity of the heat sink structure. Chipping or flaking of the graphite or graphite composite material may further raise issues with respect to the contamination of the componentry of the device at which the heat sink is disposed. In particular, chipping or flaking of the graphite materials may contaminate and detrimentally affect the operation of electronic components from which heat must be removed to ensure the proper operation of an electronic system.

Method for manufacturing graphite-base heat sinks

International Business Machines Corporation


Techniques are described for modeling variations in correlation to facilitate analytic operations. In one or more embodiments, at least one computing device receives first metric data that tracks a first metric for a first target resource and second metric data that tracks a second metric for a second target resource. In response to receiving the first metric data and the second metric data, the at least one computing device generates a time-series of correlation values that tracks correlation between the first metric and the second metric over time. Based at least in part on the time-series of correlation data, an expected correlation is determined and compared to an observed correlation. If the observed correlation falls outside of a threshold range or otherwise does not satisfy the expected correlation, then an alert and/or other output may be generated.

Software telemetry involves the collection of various metrics that may be useful to analyze performance degradation within a software system. For example, metrics that identify processor usage, memory bandwidth, input/output (I/O) operations, and other resource utilization rates may be indicative of an underlying root cause of performance degradation. In many organizations, administrators are responsible for analyzing various metrics to determine which software or hardware components, if any, are contributing to degradation. However, the root cause of the problem may not always be readily apparent from the raw metric data.
In some cases, an administrator may leverage root cause analytical models to help address performance degradation in complex systems. One example approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,612,377, which is incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety. According to this approach, an aggregate analytic model is built by linking a plurality of diagnostic models based on the topology of the system. One deficiency of this approach is that the aggregate model is tightly coupled to the underlying topology of the system being analyzed—any changes in the topology of the system would also result in a change in the aggregate model. In addition, the aggregate analytic model relies on an inferred system state to produce diagnostic information. If there are unknown variables and states within a system, then the accuracy of what is being inferred may be unstable.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Correlation-based analytic for time-series data