An apparatus and method are provided for printing high resolution images on a surface that exhibits varying levels of thickness and/or elevation. One application of the method and apparatus of this invention is the printing of images on footwear, such as flip-flops or sandals.

Challenges may arise when using a printer to print high resolution images on non-uniform or uneven surfaces of three-dimensional objects. This is particularly true for ink jet printers. Such printers often require a maximum and/or a minimum, generally uniform, spacing between a printing head and the surface of an object on which an image is to be printed.
One example of a three dimensional object is the base of an open-toed sandal or flip-flop or other casual footwear. Flip-flops include a relatively thin sole that, when worn, is loosely held on to the foot by a strap that extends between two toes (e.g., big toe and second toe) and around either side of the foot, or a strap that extends over the top of the foot. The base of conventional flip-flops is typically made of rubber or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Flip-flop bases are typically die cast into a large sheet which is cut into appropriately-shaped base portions. Flip-flops may have a raised portion on the base adjacent the location of the arch to provide support for the arch when worn.
Screen printing has been used to apply images to the surfaces of flip-flops. Screen printing involves the use of an ink blocking stencil that is placed over the surface of the flip-flop on which the image is to be received. The stencil provides open areas through which ink and/or other printable substances may pass. A tool, such as a fill blade or squeegee is pressed against the stencil, pushing ink through the openings to form the design on the surface of the flip-flop. Such screen printed images are low resolution. Difficulty has been encountered in attempting to print high resolution images on surfaces of flip-flops, in part because of the raised arch support and/or other irregularities on the surface.

Methods and apparatus for printing on a three dimensional object


A mild toilet bar composition contains C8-C18 mono and diacyl isethionates in a specified ratio in a first preferred embodiment of the invention and a specified ratio of calcium and magnesium diacyl isethionates in a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Both toilet bars provide substantial lather, mild cleansing, low mush and wear rate levels during use.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to cleansing bars, and more particularly to mild cleansing bars having substantial lather, low mush and wear rates.
2. The Related Art
Generally mild toilet bars are formulated with synthetic detergents (syndets) that replace soap to a large extent. Synthetic detergent or syndet toilet bars formulated with acyl isethionates or esterified fatty isethionates have found. considerable use as mild cleansing bars with excellent skin feel, lather, and slip properties but such bars may be difficult to process or have the potential to exhibit undesirable mush levels and high rates of wear unless formulated with substantial levels of structurants such as soap. It would be highly desirable to create a syndet bar based upon mild acyl isethionates that maintains its attractive skin feel properties, that is amenable to processing and that reduces the negative aspects of high mush levels and high rates of wear without the need for high levels of structurants, such as soap.
The use of toilet bars manufactured with DEFI (directly esterified fatty isethionate) technology particularly sodium isethionate, as a reactant with coco fatty acid has been disclosed in e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,912 issued to Geitz on Jul. 14, 1959. The use of "DEFI-like" mild surfactants through incorporation of alternative reactants to replace sodium isethionate (alkali metal isethionates or AIT) has been disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,874 issued to Ilardi et. al., on May 13, 2003 teach the substitution of AIT with specific alcohols as well as fatty acid replacement with alternative carboxylic acids etc. and other formula modifications to enhance mildness. U.S. Pat. No. 3,376,229 issued to Haass and Lamberti on Apr. 2, 1968 disclose the use of AIT's to be used as firming agents. Tokosh and Cahn (U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,470 issued on Dec. 25, 1979) teach the use of alkoxy-hydroxy propane sulfonates as firming agents for bars.
The use of acyl isethionates with divalent metal counterions (e.g. Mg, Ca, etc.) has also been previously disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,289 issued to Nestler on Nov. 30, 1999 teaches the use of surfactant mixture containing acyl isethionates with mixed counterions, including ammonium, alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metals. U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,110 issued to Lopes on May 6, 2003 discloses a syndet bar comprising 0.1 to 95% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant such as acyl isethionate having a calcium or magnesium salt. U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,147 issued to Cassady et al. on Apr. 4, 2000 teaches a bar composition comprising 20 to 30% weight of acyl isethionate having a cation of an alkali earth metal and alkyl polyglycoside. U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,070 issued to Dobrovolny et al. on May 5, 1987 teaches a toilet bar comprising 2 to 45% acyl isethionate ester salt having a cation of ammonium, potassium, sodium, calcium or magnesium.
Unexpectedly it has been discovered that divalent metal isethionate(s) when used at a certain ratio and/or in combination with mono-valent C8-C18 isethionate(s) (such as e.g. cocoyl isethionate) form a complex with the DEFI reaction mixture as described below with a Krafft point comparable to that of mono-valent C8-C18 isethionate(s). Furthermore it was unexpectedly discovered that magnesium acyl isethionate forms a higher Krafft point complex then calcium acyl isethionate with the same Defi Reaction mixture.
When used in specific ratio ranges, these acyl isethionates provide a toilet bar that is mild, produces substantial lather, is more resistant to wear, and has less mush compared to prior art toilet bars composed of monovalent metal cocoyl isethionates alone. This is surprising since the art teaches that bars containing diacyl isethionates are generally less soluble than monoacyl isethionates and would therefore be expected to produce less lather during use when formulated into a toilet bar. Such toilet bars may also be processed within commercially acceptable parameters and with processing equipment typically used to manufacture toilet bars.

Mild acyl isethionate toilet bar composition

Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.


An aplanatic microlens consisting of a sphere which is less than one millimeters in diameter. The sphere is made of a transparent material and has a plane surface ground into it so that the radial distance from the center of the sphere to the nearest point on the plane surface is equal to the radius of the sphere divided by the ratio of the index of refraction of the transparent material and the index of refraction of the medium which will surround the lens in use.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to lenses and optical systems and, more particularly, to an aplanatic microlens and a method for making such a lens.
2. Brief Description of the Art
As the geometries of integrated circuits and other micro components have become smaller and smaller, a need for higher resolution optical instruments, and particularly lenses, has arisen. To meet this need, the optics industry has responded by designing and manufacturing lenses which are most effective for light of wavelengths in the deep ultraviolet.
The lenses so manufactured have been made using traditional lens making techniques and have, for the most part, led to unsatisfactory results in lenses with high numerical apertures for the following reasons:
(i) multi-element lenses (typically 10 or more) are much more sensitive to scratches, misalignment, and fabrication errors than lenses which are designed for visible light;
(ii) anti-reflection coatings ar difficult to fabricate for ultraviolet light wavelengths;
(iii) as a result of unavoidable differences in manufactured lenses, two lenses of the same design tend to show marked differences in imaging; and
(iv) the lenses, though faulty, are extremely expensive to custom manufacture.
More specifically, in the semiconductor industry there are two major dimensional metrology tasks: the line width or critical dimension measurement; and layer-to-layer overlay measurement. As there are a number of accuracy problems relating to optical critical dimension measurement, this measuring task has traditionally been performed by means of an electron microscope. However, electron microscopes cannot form images through transparent films and therefore optics must be used for many overlay measurements.
Furthermore, unless additional process steps are added to clear a hole in the transparent layer, electron beam imaging cannot be used to measure layer-to-layer overlay accuracy where the overlay target is buried beneath a transparent layer.
Unfortunately, today's optics can, as a rule of thumb, only be used to measure down to about 0.8 micrometers line widths; a restriction which makes today's optical instruments inadequate for line width and layer-to-layer overlay measurements required in state of the art semiconductor technologies. But if a lens existed which could operate in wavelengths in the deep ultraviolet (using a laser of around 200 nanometers wavelength), then it is conceivable that optical instruments can be used to measure line widths to below 0.4 micrometers. If a lens of this nature existed, it could also be used for defect inspection.
Finally, a new technology called phase shifting mask lithography has increased a need for good optical metrology in the semiconductor industry because the optical thickness of the small lines must be measured as well as their critical dimensions. So, high quality optical lenses which are highly reproducible are desired.
There is therefore a need, particularly for purposes of inspection and measurement in semiconductor fabrication operations, for a highly reproducible and simple lens which can operate in wavelengths in the deep ultraviolet.

Aplanatic microlens and method for making same


The present invention provides a process for producing propylene, comprising contacting at least one of raw material selected from the group consisting of ethylene and ethanol with a catalyst containing a medium pore diameter zeolite in a fluidized bed reactor wherein the catalyst containing the medium pore diameter zeolite satisfies the following (a) through (e):    (a) a particle diameter of catalyst particles at 90% by weight or more is within a range of 10 to 197 μm;    (b) a bulk density of the catalyst particles is within a range of 0.7 to 1.1 g/cm3;    (c) a mean compressive strength of the catalyst particles having a particle diameter within a range of 30 to 70 μm is 15 MPa or more, and a compressive strength of the catalyst particles at 90% by weight or more is 10 MPa or more;    (d) an angle of repose is 20 to 30°; and    (e) a pore volume of pores having a pore radius within a range of 2000 to 20000 nm is 0.050 cc/g or less.

For an example of a process for producing propylene, patent document 1 discloses propylene is produced by contacting a hydrocarbon raw material containing a high concentration of olefin with a crystalline silicate catalyst. Ethylene is added to the hydrocarbon raw material of the raw materials in this process.
Patent document 2 discloses a process for producing an aromatic compound by contacting a paraffin or olefin having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or mixture thereof, with crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite.
Patent document 3 discloses a process for producing propylene using ethanol as a raw material that uses phosphate-based zeolite, while patent document 4 discloses a process for producing propylene using ethanol as a raw material that uses aluminosilicate composed of an 8-member or 9-member ring and having a pore diameter of less than 0.5 nm for the active component of a catalyst.
In addition, patent document 5 discloses a zeolite-containing catalyst composed of a zeolite, an aluminum phosphate-containing binder and a matrix, while patent document 6 discloses a zeolite-containing catalyst composed of a modified zeolite treated with a phosphate-containing aqueous solution and a matrix.    Patent document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,161    Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. S50-49233    Patent document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-191444    Patent document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-291076    Patent document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H4-354541    Patent document 6: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H5-64743


The invention disclosed herein provides a safety device for inhibiting child access to a storage space. The safety device has a length of flexible material with a first end. The device also has a material retainer for storing the flexible material and allowing the flexible material to be retractably withdrawn from the material retainer. A first connecting member is attachable to the material retainer and a second connecting member is attachable to the first end of the flexible material. The first and second connecting members are positioned in the doorway of the storage space such that opening the door of the storage space withdraws the flexible material from the material retainer and extends the flexible material across the doorway. When a small child opens a storage space door on which the invention has been installed, the length of flexible material is drawn across the doorway of the storage space. The child's view of the interior of the storage space is blocked and the child's pressing against the flexible material results in the door tending to close, thereby further discouraging the child's access to the storage space.

The present invention relates to safety devices intended to prevent or inhibit access by small children to cabinets and similar storage spaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which blocks a child's physical access and his or her line of sight to the interior of the storage space and further biases the door of the storage space in a closed position. However, the present invention will not substantially interfere with an adult's access to the interior of the storage space.
It is a common experience that as infant children begin to crawl or walk, they become capable of opening doors on lower level storage spaces such as cabinets under kitchen sinks and the like. Since these storage spaces often contain items or substances that may be hazardous or deadly if mishandled or ingested, it is necessary to equip such storage spaces with devices that will prevent or inhibit the child's access. Typically these devices are formed of some type of latching mechanism that prevents the storage space door from being opened or only allows the door to be opened a slight amount. In order to fully open the door, the latch mechanism must be released. For example, one type of device is designed for use on twin door cabinets having loop type door handles. The device comprises a U-shaped member that is placed through the handle of both doors and a selectively releasable latch that slides over and locks onto the arms of the U-shaped member. The U-shaped member and latch bind the door handles together and thereby prevent the doors from opening. Such a device is manufactured by Brainerd Mfg. Co. of East Rochester, N.Y. Another type of device secures the cabinet door from with a latch positioned on the interior of the door. The device has an elongated latch arm that is connected to the cabinet door and extends into the cabinet when the door is closed. The end of the latch arm has a hook which engages a catch mechanism positioned in the interior of the cabinet. When the latch arm engages the catch mechanism, the cabinet door may only open a slight amount. The intention is that the door will not open enough for a child to access the interior, but will open enough for an adult to disengage the latch arm from the catch mechanism. Such a device is produced by Safety 1st Inc. of Chestnut Hill, Mass.
However, these latch devices have numerous disadvantages. First, many children quickly perceive how the latch mechanism operates and are scarcely hindered in gaining fall access to the storage space. Second, since many allow the door to partially open even before becoming unlatched, the child is allowed to see the contents of the storage space and may be inspired to even further efforts to gain access to the storage space. Third, the latch devices are often a hindrance to adults, requiring both hands to open a storage space door. Fourth, most of the latch devices require that the adult to remember to re-secure the latch device when finished accessing the storage space.
What is needed in the art is a child access inhibiting device which overcomes these disadvantages and provides a practical and cost efficient method of reducing the risk of injury and poisoning of infant children.

Safety device for inhibiting child access to a cabinet


An automatic test and connect electrical power system for use on a brake light circuit of a multiple circuit cord and plug configuration disposed between a tractor and trailer or trailers to sense the presence of a trailer or trailers equipped with either a conventional brake system or an anti-lock brake system and to automatically connect and provide continuous or intermittent power to the electronic control unit and light the brake lights of a trailer equipped with either brake system when the brakes of the tractor are applied lighting the brake lights of the tractor.

This invention relates in general to a system for automatically testing the type of brake system on a trailer employed in tractor/trailer vehicles and upon determination of the type of system with which the trailer is equipped, will properly and automatically connect the vehicle power source to the tractor/trailer. It is generally known that in the mid 1970's anti-lock brakes on heavy tractor/trailer vehicles were mandated under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121 and that a few years later the mandate was rescinded by Congress because of the failure rate of the unproven anti-lock brake systems of that day. Since that time, new technology has restored credibility to anti-lock brake systems around the world.
Anti-lock brake systems on tractors typically receive continuous power from a self-contained power supply disposed within the tractor. However, power to operate trailer anti-lock brakes is typically derived from the trailer brake light circuit which is powered through a cord/connector system suspended between the tractor and trailer. This cord/connector system generally consists of six or seven individual conductors or lines each one dedicated to a particular circuit function such as turn signal, tail lights, brake lights, and identification marker lights, etc. Power supplied to the trailer anti-lock brake system from the trailer brake light circuit is intermittent being supplied only when the brakes of the tractor are applied. While today's well designed second generation anti-lock brake systems function acceptably with this method of powering on single trailer applications, it is generally agreed among designers and engineers that continuous power to the anti-lock brake system is a better and safer mode of operation especially when operating a double or triple trailer combination. Under continuous power, self-diagnostics can also be performed continuously on the anti-lock brake system thereby enhancing the reliability and safe operation of the overall system. In addition, voltage drop problems associated with multiple trailer configurations are minimized.
Applicant filed pending patent application entitled Anti-Lock Brake Powering System on May 21, 1992, Ser. No. 07/886,252, for an anti-lock brake powering system that will operate in conjunction with the present invention. In Applicant's pending patent application an additional pressure responsive switch is positioned in the relay valve at the rear of the trailer and is disposed in the trailer brake light circuit and is responsive to air pressure in the trailer air brake lines. In addition, a switch means is disposed in the tractor and is connected to the trailer brake light circuit so that when the switch means is placed in one position the existing electrical brake light circuit in the tractor functions normally to operate the brake lights of a conventional (non-anti-lock brake equipped) trailer from the pressure responsive switch disposed in the tractor. With the switch means placed in a second position, continuous power is supplied to the brake light circuit of a trailer equipped with an anti-lock brake system and the trailer brake lights operate from the pressure responsive switch disposed in the trailer relay valve. Thus, the existing standard seven way cord and plug configuration as is presently employed in most tractors can be utilized to power a trailer equipped with either a conventional brake system or an anti-lock brake system.
Some examples of prior art anti-lock testing and brake powering systems are set forth in patents briefly described below:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,173 issued to Emig et al. discloses a system incorporating a separate battery located on the trailer which in combination with the tractor power source provides power to the electronic control unit and solenoids of the anti-lock brake system. This system requires the use of an additional battery which has encountered charging difficulties in actual field use and requires periodic maintenance. Additionally, there is high initial expense to implement such a system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,489 issued to Emig et al. discloses a system which partially powers the electronic control unit of an anti-lock system by utilizing power generated by wheel sensors. Power is supplied only when the wheels of the trailer are moving above a minimum speed and is insufficient to operate solenoid valves in the system. Wheel sensors must be precisely set and are susceptible to mechanical failure.
U.S Pat. No. 3,934,940 issued to Schnalbel discloses a safety interlock circuit for switching brake anti-lock systems in a tractor/trailer vehicle combination in and out. A current sensing device located in the tractor unit senses the differential of current flow into an anti-lock trailer as opposed to a non-anti-lock trailer equipped with a load resistor. Based on this difference, a control circuit enables or disables the tractor anti-lock brake system so as to provide similar braking characteristics for both vehicles. This devise operates in conjunction with a dedicated line that supplies continuous power to the anti-lock trailer such as is common in the European market and is not applicable to trailers in the North American market. This device will enable or disable tractor anti-lock according to the type of trailer connected to it which is not the object of the present invention.
Whatever the precise merits, features and advantages of the aforecited references, none fulfills the purpose of the present invention.
The present invention allows the continued use of the standard six or seven way cord and plug configuration presently used on tractor/trailer combinations while simultaneously providing continuous electrical power to the anti-lock brake system of a trailer.
A further object of the present invention is to automatically test a trailer to determine whether the trailer is equipped with anti-lock or conventional brakes.
Still another object of the present invention is to automatically connect the proper power source to the trailer brake light circuit after automatically testing the trailer for anti-lock or conventional brakes.
Yet another object of the present invention is to enable tractors and trailers equipped with the present invention to interconnect and function normally with conventional tractors and trailers of past and future manufacture.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide for ease of installation and low initial installation and maintenance costs.
A further object of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate the human error factor in properly connecting an anti-lock trailer to the tractor unit equipped with the present invention hence obtaining maximum safety benefits by automatically testing and properly connecting the tractor power source to the anti-lock trailer.
Another object of the present invention is to enhance the overall public safety by enabling the more efficient continuous operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Yet another object is to encourage the skeptical trucking industry to more readily accept anti-lock brake equipped trailers because of a safer mode of operation by virtue of the electronic control unit (ECU) being under continuous power and able to continually self-diagnose itself and display a fault warning light previous to moving the vehicle or depressing the tractor brake pedal.

Automatic test and connect electrical power system for anti-lock and conventional brake equipped trailers


A high altitude launch platform, used to launch a payload into earth orbit, is part of a payload launch system having a payload launching rocket carried by the high altitude launch platform. A first amount of fuel, substantially less than the capacity of the fuel tanks, is provided to the launch platform while the launch platform is on the ground. The launch platform is flown to a first altitude and the fuel tanks are provided with a second amount of fuel while the high altitude launch platform is at the first altitude. The addition of the second amount of fuel is sufficient to allow the payload to be launched into orbit.

The present invention is related to a launch system for launching a payload into earth orbit. More specifically, the present invention is directed at an improved payload launch system which will optimize the use of existing technology, minimize the cost of placing payloads into orbit and substantially increase the number of possible launchings with minimum hardware to thereby make feasible a more rapid and comprehensive commercialization of space.
Previously contemplated systems for launching payloads into earth orbit can be classified into three classes; rocket technology, hypersonic flight technology, and hybrid rocket/airframe technology. Rocket technology, with rockets launching from the earth's surface, has to date been the primary technology used for launching payloads into earth orbit. The manned Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs all utilize such rocket technology. Such rocket technology also includes unmanned launch systems using Titan, Atlas, Delta, and other rocket assemblies. Hypersonic flight technology has been proposed, but not yet practically utilized, which would utilize an aircraft that would fly from the earth's surface directly into earth orbit and back to earth, utilizing a combination of air breathing jet engines and rocket engines. The so-called hybrid technology includes the B-52 launch of Pegasus rockets and other proposals such as the Sanger project, wherein an aircraft is used to lift a rocket to altitude, and then the rocket is launched from the aircraft.
Disadvantages of existing rocket technologies include (i) a high cost per pound of payload launched, especially for small and intermediate payloads up to 15,000 pounds; (ii) the consequent high investment risk factor due to the need to launch heavy payloads to reduce launch costs per pound of payload; (iii) the amount of hardware which is lost for each launch, including the requirement for rebuilding or repairing of earth surface launch pads subsequent to each launch; and (iv) the backlog in the time from launch request to delivery on orbit due to need for launch pad repairing and use of large multi-stage rocket propulsion systems.
Hypersonic flight technology launch systems have been contemplated, but not yet developed for practical use. Further, although such systems may be available some years in the future, there are many unanswered development questions which will likely require considerable expenditure of time and money to solve.
The hybrid technology which has been proposed, and to some extent utilized for example with the B-52/Pegasus system, is an attempt to combine flight dynamics with rocket dynamics. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,265,416 and 4,802,639 disclose proposals for such hybrid technology launched systems.
The present invention is directed at providing an improved launch system utilizing hybrid technology which:
(a) improves cost effectiveness by maximizing hardware reuse;
(b) maximizes the payload to be launched by optimizing the use of multiple propulsion sources, including use of aerodynamic lift and air breathing propulsion in the atmospheric stages of launch mission and use of rocket technology only when air breathing propulsion systems become impractical because of the altitude;
(c) utilizes existing technology and hardware elements to the maximum extent;
(d) minimizes atmospheric pollution;
(e) is capable to support both large space platform construction programs and economical transportation for more routine intermediate payload telecommunications platforms;
(f) minimizes acoustic and vibration loadings on the payload during launch operations; and
(g) provides multiple launch site flexibility and improved scheduling efficiency.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a system and a method of launching a payload into earth orbit is provided which utilizes an airframe capable of flight from the earth's surface to an upper atmospheric launch altitude and velocity, the airframe platform carrying a payload launching rocket. In order to optimize the payload carrying capacity of the airframe launch platform, the fuel tanks for the air breathing jet engines which propel the airframe from take-off to an initial altitude are intentionally only partially filled to facilitate this first stage of the mission. Once the launch platform reaches the first altitude, an air refueling operation takes place which replenishes the fuel used in reaching that altitude and fills the fuel tanks with that portion of the fuel which was not included at take-off, taking advantage of the improved load carrying capacity at refueling altitude and velocity as compared to the ground take-off lifting weight. Utilizing this approach, the present invention can accommodate a much heavier payload launching rocket/payload than would be the case with a full fuel load at take-off.
According to another aspect of the invention, a payload launching rocket carried to launch altitude by an airframe is fueled by a mixture of liquid oxygen (LOX) and hydrogen. To minimize the earth surface lift-off weight and frontal profile of the combined airframe and payload launching rocket, and consequently allow for efficient airframe designs to optimize launch velocity and altitude of the airframe at launch of the payload launching rocket, the LOX tanks are left empty or only partially filled on the ground. An airborne filling of the LOX tanks is then carried out once the airframe is airborne and flying at a mid-level atmospheric altitude of about 32,000 feet. Since the LOX is relatively inert and easy to handle, this at altitude transfer of LOX to the launching rocket will be relatively safe and efficient to perform, utilizing existing mid-air refueling techniques. The mid-level altitude filling of the LOX tanks will also minimize problems of frost build-up and ventilation problems that would be present at ground level, because of the 32,000 foot altitude temperature and air density are less likely to experience such problems. Embodiments are also contemplated for mid-air fueling of other liquid/gaseous rocket fuel for the airframe rockets and/or the payload launching rocket.
According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the intentional minimization of both jet engine fuel and rocket fuel for the payload launching rocket at earth surface take-off, followed by airborne fueling and fuel replenishment at the mid-level altitude, can be combined to minimize lift-off weight and optimize resultant velocity of the assembly at launch altitude to thereby maximize the payload that can be placed in orbit and minimize the energy (fuel) costs for a payload launch.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention use air breathing jet engines for propelling the launch platform from the earth surface to a first refueling altitude of about 32,000 feet. After refueling, during the next flight phase to an altitude of about 75,000 feet, the jet engines are supplemented by mid-plane rocket motors between about 48,000 feet to 75,000 feet at which time the jet engines are shut down. At about 80,000 feet the main airframe rocket engine assembly is actuated to propel the airframe to 156,000 feet and slightly higher. At about 156,000 feet the airframe has a velocity about Mach 3.8. At this point, the airframe will be at an optimum launch altitude and velocity in an atmospheric regime for optimum rocket engine performance, at which time the payload launching rocket is separated from the airframe to place the payload into low earth orbit at a speed of Mach 25. The airframe is then piloted back to earth, utilizing its air breathing turbojet propulsion once it returns to lower atmospheric altitudes. In especially preferred embodiments of the invention, it is necessary to only use a single stage rocket as the payload launching rocket.
According to another advantageous aspect of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the payload launching rocket is also reusable and includes aerodynamic guide surfaces and a parachute assembly to facilitate a return soft landing on earth. In certain preferred embodiments, the payload launching rocket is provided with movable wings which are concealed during launch and deployable for the return soft landing. In other embodiments, small fixed wings can be provided.
The present invention is optimally designed for use in launching intermediate size payloads between 8,000 and 15,000 pounds.
Since the launching system of the present invention operates primarily at altitudes above 30,000 feet, most severe weather systems can be avoided with most of the flight occurring in blue sky, thereby improving on the flexibility of the launch system with respect to weather. With the exception of weather conditions that would ground conventional passenger airliners, such as hurricanes or fierce blizzards, the system is capable of facilitating a successful launch. Thus, maintaining launch schedules will be much more feasible than are the current rocket launch from earth surface system.
Since the disclosed preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention includes topping off of the jet engine fuel and rocket fuel transfer to the payload launching rocket at an altitude of about 32,000 feet at about 300 miles per hour, the airframe flight dynamics are optimized. In especially preferred embodiments, it is proposed that a LOX rocket fuel and jet engine fuel transfer would occur adding approximately 135,000 pounds to the airframe system, thereby allowing the airframe to be as small in aerodynamic cross-section as possible at take-off to facilitate higher rocket launch point velocities. This reduction in airframe cross-section lift-off weight is especially advantageous in permitting an airframe design that can reach the high altitude and velocities to facilitate a single stage payload rocket to then place a large payload into earth orbit.
The present invention advantageously implements a flight plan which can be segregated into three distinct regimes. The first flight segment is the airframe flight regime. This is the region where air breathing propulsion and aerodynamic flight systems operate well. This segment is from sea level to about 80,000 feet. In the upper portion of this first segment, rocket propulsion is used to assist the air breathing jet engines. Above 80,000 feet, both aerodynamic control and air breathing engine performance are dramatically reduced. The second flight segment is the airframe boost regime. This zone is from about 80,000 feet to the launch altitude of about 156,000 feet. In this second segment, rocket propulsion is also used to propel the airframe. The rocket propulsion efficiency at this altitude is much better than at sea level and can be further optimized. The airframe aerodynamic control systems do not contribute much after 125,000 feet, but the overall effectiveness of the winged vehicle easily justifies its existence. The third final flight segment, the rocket-only regime, is above 156,000 feet. Here the airframe main rocket motors are operational where this is the most efficient mode for these motors. Preferred embodiments of the system are sized to carry a 12,000 pound payload into low earth orbit, allowing the airframe to return to its place of origin, landing like a normal aircraft.
According to another aspect of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the structural loading at the time of launch of the payload launching rocket are minimized as compared to current rocket launch systems. This structural loading placed on the payload during a normal ground based rocket launch results from acoustic loads and random vibration loads combined with the acceleration loads during roll over. With the launch system of the present invention, there is no rocket roll over from the vertical launch altitude to a more horizontal orbit placement altitude because the payload rocket launch is from the airframe which is already flying substantially horizontally. The payloads must always be designed taking into consideration these loads. Once the payload is on orbit, the payload hardware normally sees little or no load and thus a reduction in launch loads facilitates a more economical design of the payloads. With the present invention, the acoustic launch loads are lower than for earth surface rocket launch because the rocket motors are ignited far away from any reflective surface such as the earth's surface. This contrasts with current rocket launch systems where the sound waves are reflected back to the rocket at lift-off before the rocket is moving fast enough to escape the sound waves. These acoustic loads will be minimal with the present invention since the launch is carried out from a platform that is at an altitude with minimal atmosphere for transmitting acoustic loads.
Further, random vibrations will be reduced by the present invention due to the fact that the magnitude of the energy impulses will be small relative to an equivalent ground launched first stage where the load is typically highest. Also, roll over is the part of the flight when a ground launched rocket turns from a vertical direction to something closer to horizontal relative to the earth's surface. This maneuver can sometimes place high loads on the payload. Again the system of the present invention does not go from vertical to horizontal in an abrupt manner so this "roll over" load case does not exist.
Another advantageous aspect of the system and method of the present invention is the design of the arrangement for separating the payload launching rocket from the airframe. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the impulse of the airframe is matched with the impulse of payload launching rocket booster and payload assembly during launch separation for a smooth and controlled separation. It is contemplated by the invention that neither of the components rapidly accelerate away from one another, but simply separate, accelerating together to a point where the total separation is sufficient enough to allow the airframe rocket to be throttle back or shut off while the payload launching rocket assembly accelerates onto orbit. This separation arrangement minimizes rocket plume effects on from the payload launching rocket on the airframe and from the airframe rockets on the payload launching rocket assembly, thereby resulting in a very smooth separation sequence.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

High altitude launch platform payload launching apparatus and method


An automated checkout system and method of operation for reading encoded data on a bottom surface of an item using a data reader. The automated checkout system includes a leading conveyor section and a trailing conveyor section separated by a gap therebetween, where the item is transported across the gap as it moves between the conveyors. A first and second reading device are each positioned beneath the conveyor sections, where each reading device has a field of view projecting through the gap. The first reading device is configured to acquire a first set of scan data and the second reading device is configured to acquire a second set of scan data different from the first. In some embodiments, the first set of scan data may include two-dimensional area views of the encoded data, and the second set of scan data may include linescans of the encoded data.

The field of this disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for item checkout, and more particularly, to checkout systems having a data reader capable of reading encoded data on a bottom surface of the item as the item passes through a read region of the data reader.
Data reading devices are used to read optical codes, acquire data, and capture a variety of images. Optical codes typically comprise a pattern of dark elements and light spaces. There are various types of optical codes, including one-dimensional codes, such as a Universal Product Code ("UPC") and EAN/JAN codes, and stacked and two-dimensional codes, such as PDF417 and Maxicode codes.
Data reading devices are well known for reading UPC and other types of optical codes on packages, particularly in retail stores. Some data readers are installed at checkout stands or are built into a horizontal checkout counter so that a read region is projected through a transparent window to read the optical code on the package. In a fully automated system, a customer normally places items on a counter, a deck, or a conveyor and the items are conveyed by the conveyor or other means through the read region. In a semi-automatic system, a checkout clerk takes each item and moves it through the read region where the data reader captures the optical code.
One common data reader in such systems is an imaging reader that employs an imaging device or sensor array, such as a CCD (charge coupled device) imager or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) imager. Imaging readers can be configured to read both 1-D and 2-D optical codes, as well as other types of optical codes or symbols and images of other items. Though some imaging readers are capable of using ambient light illumination, an imaging reader typically utilizes a light source to illuminate the item being read to provide the required signal response in the imaging device. An imager-based reader utilizes a camera or imager to generate electronic image data, typically in digital form, of an optical code. The image data is then processed to find and decode the optical code.
In one arrangement, the imaging reader may include one or more cameras operating in a linescan mode and configured to capture a series of single line views or scan lines of the optical code as the code crosses a read region. Multiple single line views of linescan mode may be combined to produce a raster image of the code, which is thereafter processed to decode the optical code. In another arrangement, the imaging reader may include one or more cameras operating in an area mode to capture a set of area views of the optical code as the code crosses the read region. The area views may thereafter be stitched together to produce a two-dimensional image that includes a complete image of the optical code. The image may thereafter be processed to decode the optical code.
In some embodiments of a checkout system, the read region for the imaging readers may be defined by a gap that separates two conveying elements (e.g., conveyor belts). In such embodiments, the imaging readers may be positioned beneath the conveying elements and positioned so that the field of view projects through the gap and allows the imaging readers to capture the optical code from the item as the item crosses the gap.
The present inventors have recognized certain limitations with present checkout systems. Certain checkout systems either cannot read or may have difficulty accurately capturing optical codes located on a conveyor-contacting, bottom surface of the item because the optical code is blocked from view. Consequently, a checkout clerk or customer has to remove the item from the conveyor and reposition it so that the optical code is not on the bottom surface. In some cases, manual processing of items may be necessary, which leads to inefficiencies such as increases in item processing time.
The present inventors have also recognized certain disadvantages associated with tunnel scanners that use imagers operating exclusively in either linescan mode or area mode to capture optical data on the bottom surface of the item. For instance, imagers operating in linescan mode require the item to move substantially uniformly across the read region to acquire a decodable image. Erratic motion or wobbling of the item as it crosses the read region may result in the data reader acquiring a distorted image of the optical code, which may prevent accurate decoding of the optical code. This issue with motion of the item is exacerbated in tunnel scanning systems where the read region is defined by a small gap separating two conveying elements, since items tend to wobble as they traverse the gap.
On the other hand, while imagers operating in an area mode usually have few issues handling erratic motion of items, such imagers have other disadvantages. For instance, area views typically require a large read region to ensure that a sufficiently large portion of the optical code is captured. However, in systems where the read region is defined by the width of the gap between conveying elements, it may be difficult to accommodate the larger read region while avoiding undesirable consequences. For instance, widening the gap to create a larger read region may lead to issues with items becoming lodged in or falling through the gap, or allowing dirt, dust, or other debris to interfere with the data readers.
The present inventors have, therefore, determined that it would be desirable to provide an improved imager-based reader and an improved tunnel or portal scanner system for automated checkout. Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

System and method for reading optical codes on bottom surface of items


In an embodiment of the invention, a system provides for efficient polar and linear signal modulation. The system has a controller coupled to a voltage converter and a modulator. The system also has an amplifier coupled to the voltage converter and the phase modulator. The controller is for receiving an input and providing a polar signal. The voltage converter is for receiving the polar signal, receiving a voltage input, and providing a power signal. The amplifier is for amplifying the modulated signal based on the power signal. The voltage converter provides a feedback signal to the controller, and the controller adjusts a scale of modulation, such as a peak of the modulation signal, based on the feedback signal, such that the output power and the amplification by the amplifier are based on the feedback signal.

In recent years, researchers have proposed and implemented so called "polar" architectures for the improved transmission of signals. These polar architectures, rather than using complex In-phase Quadrature (IQ) components of a data signal, operate by using the polar components of the data signal. Accordingly, polar implementations of modulation circuitry are used to transmit and receive voice and/or data in the radio frequency (RF) bands of the communications spectrum. Polar implementations have a number of advantages over their IQ counterparts.
However, polar implementations have drawbacks as well. For instance, polar envelope modulation (EM) circuitry typically has no direct visibility of the supply voltage on the envelope modulation driver. Hence, if the supply power is low, such as in low battery situations, for example, then distortion will occur for high envelope power peaks. Moreover, the power amplifier of the envelope modulation circuitry tends to operate in an inefficient range in these situations. This further causes excessive power consumption by the amplifier, which exasperates the low supply power and/or low battery condition.
Some attempts have been made to solve this problem. For instance, some researchers have attempted to solve the problem by first determining situations in which a low battery condition is to be generally expected. Then, for these situations, a margin of power reduction is built into the supply power of the transmitter design. The power reduction margin lowers the nominal output power Pout, which reduces communication coverage and corresponds to lower service quality.

Envelope modulator saturation detection using a DC-DC converter


An information processing equipment is described. The equipment includes: a first shell being configured to contain an arithmetic unit, a second shell being configured to contain a display unit, a third shell being configured to contain an input unit, a first connect unit being configured to separately connect the second shell and the third shell; and a second connect unit being configured to separately connect the first shell with the third shell. When the first shell, the second shell and the third shell are separated from each other, the display unit wirelessly exchanges data with the arithmetic unit and the input unit wirelessly exchanges data with the arithmetic unit.

The present invention relates to information processing apparatus, and more particularly, the present invention relates to information processing apparatus having a plurality of usage forms.
In recent years, usage of the information processing apparatus such as notebook computer becomes increasingly wide. In procedure of development of the notebook computer, the form thereof does not have any change basically. The current notebook computer has poor support to touch, and the usage form thereof is relatively unitary. Further, though the information processing apparatus such as tablet computer has good support to touch and is very portable, the input (for example, text input) of this kind of information processing apparatus is not convenient.


A borehole drilling system has a well tubing actuator with a well tubing connector on a working end of the well tubing actuator, a transducer responsive to longitudinal movement of the working end of the well tubing actuator and a control system for the well tubing actuator to provide controlled longitudinal movement of the well tubing connector using a selected drilling program and feedback from the transducer. Plural lengths of well tubing are connected to the well tubing connector, with a jet drilling apparatus connected to the downhole end of the well tubing. An underreamer apparatus may be attached to the bottom hole end of the well tubing. Coiled tubing may be attached to the bottom hole end of the well tubing and directed through a whipstock. A method of drilling a borehole comprising moving well tubing longitudinally in a borehole with a well tubing actuator mounted on a frame, producing electrical output corresponding to longitudinal movement of a working end of the well tubing actuator; and controlling longitudinal movement of the working end of the well tubing actuator according to a selected drilling program and using the electrical output as feedback. The method may be used for drilling, section milling and underreaming.

In the art of drilling boreholes in the earth, difficulties are encountered when using jet drilling techniques to advance a borehole, particularly when drilling radial boreholes from a vertical borehole. In jet drilling, a high pressure jet of fluid, often a slurry of water and abrasive material, is directed at a formation to be penetrated from a nozzle at the end of a drill string. The nozzle is moved slowly through the formation with the jet of abrasive slurry cutting away the rock ahead of the nozzle. Abrasive slurry is returned to the surface. Examples of jet drilling techniques used in the drilling of radial boreholes are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,906 of Braddick and U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,734 of Dickinson et al. In these patents jet drilling systems are described in which a jet nozzle at the end of a length of coiled tubing is advanced around a short radius whipstock to move from a vertical to horizontal orientation and thus be able to drill multiple radial boreholes from a central borehole.
One difficulty encountered in jet drilling through a short radius whipstock is that the coiled tubing tends to jam in the whipstock if it is advanced too slowly, and to overtake its ability to cut into the formation if advanced too quickly. In situations where the range of acceptable rate of advance is small, for example when drilling in geological targets with high unconfined compressive strength, prior devices for advancing the coiled tubing, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,734 of Dickinson et al, have been tested and found unsatisfactory.
In addition, previously known hydraulic actuators used for the control of advance of jet drilling apparatus, such as the Precise Pipe Control Unit of Halliburton Services Limited of Calgary, Canada, are not believed to have the degree of control required to advance a jet nozzle at a satisfactorily controlled rate and therefore have not been used for this purpose.
A further lacking of previously known drilling jet drilling systems is their inability to remove casing and subsequently underream the formation to make an enlarged borehole suitable for placement of a whipstock. The inventor has found that this difficulty arises from the lack of ability to suitably control the rate of advance and rate of rotation of the jet nozzle. For example, so far as known to the inventor, the Precise Pipe Control Unit of Halliburton has only been used for cutting slots in casing and not for section milling and underreaming. The consequence of failure to precisely control section milling or underreaming is that if any casing is left behind, or the formation is not underreamed fairly uniformly, the subsequent drilling operations cannot be carried out. For example, underreaming cannot be carried out if section milling is incomplete and a whipstock cannot be installed if the underreaming is incomplete. Tripping out of a borehole is expensive, so it is desirable to complete each task sequentially.

Vertical positioning system for drilling boreholes

University Technologies International Inc.


An automatic document feeder (ADF) with a solid bracket suitable for use with an office machine to separate a plurality of documents one by one, and to feed the separated document to the office machine. The solid bracket comprises a pair of side plates, a stationary belt supporter and a shaftless roller supporter extending between the side plates, and a pair of spring supporters connected to the side plates through individual bent connections. The ADF further includes a rotatable shaft supporting the belt and controlling the tensile force of the belt, and a document separating roller coming into close contact with the belt at a position opposed to a shaftless roller. The tension coil springs are connected between the rotatable shaft and the spring supporters to bias the rotatable shaft and to control the tensile force of the belt. The endless document separating belt is rotatably supported by both the stationary belt supporter and the rotatable shaft. The shaftless roller is supported by the shaftless roller supporter such that it comes into contact with inner surface of the belt while freely shifting upwards and downwards.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to accessories of an office machine, and more particularly to an automatic document feeder suitable for use with the office machine to separate a plurality of documents, set on a document feeding base of the office machine, one by one and to feed the separated document to the office machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Some of known office machines, such as a copying machine, a laser printer and a facsimile, is preferably equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF) at its document feeding section. The ADF is adapted to automatically separate a plurality of documents one by one and to feed the separated document to the office machine, thereby improving the document processing performance of the office machine.
The ADF according to the prior art generally includes a document separating belt and a document separating roller which come into close contact with each other for separating the plurality of documents one by one and for feeding the separated document. Here, when separating the documents, the document separating roller is rotated while the document separating belt is not moved. Since the separating belt is not moved as aforementioned, a part of the separating belt comes into repeated contact with the rotating roller and is inevitably abraded, thereby shortening the using life of the belt and requiring to be often substituted with new one. Moreover, the abrasion of the document separating belt causes deterioration of the document separating and feeding performance of the ADF. Additionally, it is required to make the rotating separating roller come into direct contact with the fixed separating belt prior to introduction of the document to the nip between the separating roller and the separating belt, and this generates a remarkable frictional force between the belt and roller. The roller driving motor of the ADF is thus imparted with a remarkable load.
In an effort to solve the above problems, the applicant proposed an automatic document feeder in Korean U.M. Application No. 91-11586.
With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown in a perspective view the automatic document feeder of the above Korean U.M. application. This document feeder includes an endless document separating plane belt 13 which is rotatably supported by both a stationary belt roller 12 and a rotatable belt roller 15 and comes into close contact with a document separating roller 18. The rotatable roller 15 is supported by a rotating shaft 15a which is in turn provided at both ends thereof with individual larger diameter supports 16. Each of the supports 16 is in turn movably inserted in a slot 14a formed in each side wall of a rotation-side bracket 14. Hence, the rotatable roller 15 is rotated along with the rotating shaft 15a rotatably supported by the bracket 14. On the other hand, the stationary roller 12 is supported by a rectangular shaft 12a which extends from the opposite side ends of the roller 12 and is in turn inserted in a rectangular slot 11a, formed in each side wall of a stationary-side bracket 11, such that it is prevented from rotation. Here, the rotating shaft 15a is upwardly and backwardly biased by means of biasing means, such as a pair of tension coil springs 17 each connected between the rotating shaft 15a and an upper cover (not shown) of the document feeder main body. Thanking for the springs 17, the separating belt 13 always comes into close contact with the separating roller 18 with an appropriate tensile force.
However, the above document feeder, while somewhat lengthening the using life of the document separating belt 13 and improving the document separating and feeding performance of the document feeder, nevertheless has a problem caused by its complicated structure. Otherwise stated, the stationary-side bracket 11 and the rotational-side bracket 14 are separately mounted on the main body of the document feeder and, particularly, the rotation-side bracket 14 should be provided with the slot 14a for maintaining the desired tensile force of the document separating belt 13 using the springs 17. Moreover, the tension coil springs 17 are additionally connected to the upper cover of the main body. Hence, the problem of the above document feeder is resided in that it is difficult to manufacture and to assemble the feeder and to substitute a trouble element with new one.

Automatic document feeder with solid bracket


A system for generating energy for a consumer element in an aircraft includes the consumer element with a fuel cell element and a rechargeable metal hydride storage cell. The rechargeable metal hydride storage cell is designed for supplying the fuel cell element with hydrogen such that energy can be generated for the consumer element. The rechargeable metal hydride storage cell is furthermore designed in such a way that it can be charged with hydrogen.

In commercial aircraft, many modules perform more and more secondary tasks in addition to their original function. For example, passenger seats not only provide a high seating comfort and safety standard, but also fulfill secondary functions such as communication and entertainment functions, in certain instances, even enhanced comfort functions such as electric seat adjustments or massage functions.
In order to meet the energy demand of such modules, for example, modern passenger seats, each module may contain a device that is based on a fuel cell and generates electric energy for this multitude of auxiliary functions. An energy supply realized with the aid of a fuel cell also makes it possible to humidify the breathing air for the passenger occupying this seat element close to the respiratory tract.
In order to supply such a module or passenger seat with electric energy by means of a fuel cell, this fuel cell needs to be continuously supplied with its products, i.e., hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen. In this case, it would possible to arrange a central hydrogen tank in the aircraft and to deliver the hydrogen to the fuel cells on the modules or seats via distribution lines. The hydrogen distribution lines between the central hydrogen tank and the individual fuel cell elements are under constant pressure. Consequently, leaks and cracks could develop at their interfaces such that hydrogen would be able to escape into the cabin and lead to an oxyhydrogen reaction. This is the reason why the hydrogen lines are designed, for example, in a double-walled fashion and provided with a ventilation system between an inner and an outer pipe in order to blow off the escaping hydrogen in case the inner pipe develops a leak.
In order to autonomously realize a highly flexible module or aircraft seat, respectively, the metal hydride storage can be realized in the form of an exchangeable cartridge and arranged near the fuel cell to be supplied. This cartridge needs to be exchanged after the hydrogen contained therein is consumed. However, the need for exchange makes the process less efficient.

Semi-autonomous central supply system for passenger seats


In the context of array sensors such as radar, sonar, and communications receiver arrays, the present invention exploits the geometry phase components of radiated wavefronts associated with the signals of interest in order to reduce the bandwidth requirements for DOA and beamforming processing. Additionally, geometry phase is exploited in order to effectively increase the resolution of an array without changing the size of its physical footprint or the number of array elements. Other embodiments of the invention include the use of virtual array elements for increase in effective array size.

Phased array technology has been in existence for decades and provides an electronic means for aperture synthesis by virtue of electronic control of array element amplitudes and relative phases. As is well known in the prior art, the steady state far field beam pattern of a discrete array of equidistant emitting elements comprising a phased array, is obtained by the Fourier transform of the complex aperture weights (discrete apodization function) of the array. Hence, the desired beam patterns can be synthesized for both transmission and reception based on the application of appropriate amplifier gains and phase shifter values to each respective element of the array. Further, M−1 beams can be independently and concurrently synthesized with the degrees-of-freedom provided by an array of M elements. Time varying adjustment of the complex weights of the array allows time variation of the patterns and more specifically, provides for multiple target tracking. Phased arrays have been implemented to provide agile beam control for radar, sonar, and lidar. Two-dimensional phased arrays serve as the basis for many surveillance and tactical radar systems requiring increased resolution and beamsteering agility.
A number of issues attend the implementation of phased arrays. Foremost among these is that the optimum lateral spacing of array elements is one-half wavelength of the radiation to be emitted. This mitigates the appearance of grating lobes in the beam pattern. Because the array resolution (achievable narrowness of beamwidth) along a single lateral axis of the array is proportional to the number of array elements along that axis for a fixed interelement spacing, the single axis dimension of the array is governed by both wavelength and desired resolution of the array. At UHF and VHF frequencies, the need for high resolution implies a very large physical footprint for the array. A secondary issue for arrays is the process of beamforming over substantial bandwidths. In the wideband case, due to dispersion, the array weights become frequency-dependent functions and to treat them as constants would lead to the occurrence of severe beam distortion over frequency. Hence, the array weights are implemented as wideband filter functions with the attending complication. Finally, there is the issue of the behavior of the individual array elements. In the electromagnetic array implementation, wherein the array elements comprise antenna elements, there can be mutual coupling between these elements that can lead to beam pattern distortion. This requires introduction of means to achieve decoupling. In the case where such coupling is linear with power and frequency, this can be achieved notionally by processing the signal array with a decoupling matrix. Likewise, if the coupling is frequency dependent, then so is the necessary decoupling process and the decoupling matrix is a frequency-dependent matrix filter function.
It would be extremely useful to implement methods of phased array system design that can overcome the size and wideband processing constraints of the prior art as applied to radar, sonar, and communications systems. To do so, would greatly increase the achievable resolution of such arrays of a given size. Further, means to obviate the necessity for wideband signal processing would significantly simplify analog and rf hardware designs for array systems as well as alleviate the associated signal processing burden. The combination of such methods for receive arrays along with transmit antenna advancements can make feasible the application of phased arrays to mobile communications platforms.
As will be discussed below, a central aspect of the present invention is the exploitation of the received energy geometry phase. One instance known to the authors of the association of differential phase among elements of an array with the energy received from a target is made on page 12 of the dissertation by Jeffrey T. Carlo, entitled "Direct Data Domain Approach Using Nonlinear Arrays," Syracuse University, August 2003. In contrast to the present invention this association enabled removal of target signal energy from the data to be processed.

Phase arrays exploiting geometry phase and methods of creating such arrays


An apparatus for composing individualized sales presentations created by various data sources from customer profiles managed by organizational hierarchy matrixes directed by multiple operating programs. The apparatus provides the means for synergistically creating and displaying customized presentations in a convenient manner for both the client and salesperson to achieve a more accurate, efficient and comprehensive marketing presentation. Organizational hierarchies of data sources are arranged so that an infinite number of sales presentation configurations can be created. Multiple microprograms automatically compose the sales presentations initiated by determinants received from client profiles stored on optical memory or smart cards, sales agent assessment of client profiles or centralized sales systems responsive to client profiles.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to an automated sales system. Specifically this invention is directed to a tool for augmentation of sales and marketing capabilities of travel agency personnel in conjunction with computerized airline reservation systems. Travel agents are able to synergistically compose individual customized sales presentations and itineraries for their clients, representing thousands of tour destinations and criteria, from multiple permutations of data sources in a fully automated fashion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
During the 1980s airline reservation systems evolved into very sophisticated information networks. A majority of travel agencies in North America subscribe to one of the major computerized reservations systems; Sabre, Apollo, System One, Datas II or PARS. Prior to the development of computerized reservations systems in the 1970s, a travel agent would read airline schedules from either the North American or International edition of official Airline Guides (OAG), printed directories which are published monthly, then telephone the specific airline to reserve and confirm passenger flights and physically write the airline tickets. The advent of computerized reservations systems allowed the travel agent to access computerized travel data banks, reserve, confirm and transact airline, hotel or car rental reservations with a workstation comprised of; keyboard for entry of customer requirements in conjunction with a display terminal and ticket printer, connected to the centralized reservation service. The Mar. 19, 1985 testimony of Robert L. Crandall, President of American Airlines, Inc., before the Aviation Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation details the evolution of computerized reservations systems in the United States.
Travel agency employees, who produce approximately seventy-five percent of the computerized reservations systems volume, now enjoy a more productive and accurate means to process reservations, an important part of their service functions. A simultaneous sector of a travel agent's employment is the ability to promote, advise, select and sell appropriate travel and tour destinations for their clients. Agencies generate approximately fifty percent of car rental bookings, seventy percent of domestic air travel sales and ninety percent of international flights.
Travel agents sell nearly ninety percent of all cruise line bookings and virtually ninety percent of all tour packages. This business represents the most profitable segment of the multibillion dollar travel agency sales volume, since higher commissions are earned on tour/cruise bookings as compared with point-to-point airline ticketing. The ability of a travel agent to effectively consult with their clients depends upon several factors including; knowledge of the destination, familiarization tours the agent may have taken to the area, attendance at travel/tour seminars and conferences and reading reference literature such as Fordor's travel publications.
A travel professional accumulates extensive knowledge which is extremely valuable to the travel agency business and is in fact the single most important element which differentiates one agent from another. Unfortunately this knowledge requires years of experience to acquire. The physical requirements to visit and inspect even a portion of popular tourist destinations dictates a significant investment of time and monetary expense. Additionally, tourist localities are seldom static; new hotels or attractions and changing custom regulations require a constant monitoring of hundreds of potential vacation sites.
The current state-of-the-art of the tour, cruise and vacation segment is similar in many respects to the precomputerized reservations systems airline era. A travel agent must consult several directories; i.e. Hotel and Travel Index, OAG Travel Planner, OAG Worldwide Tour Guide or OAG Worldwide Cruise and Shipline Guides and scores of travel brochures in an attempt to offer the client information for an informed travel decision. Most of these directories are published quarterly so therefore prices or schedules are frequently out-of-date and inaccurate. If the client is conferring in person, with the agent in the office, this task is complicated by the reliance on numerous publications to describe a particular vacation. This often results in a time-consuming, disorganized and ineffective sales presentation since each client's itinerary has different requirements. Answering a client's questions is dependent upon the knowledge a travel agent has acquired. Since `travel` is an intangible product, the communicative skills of the travel agent are paramount to success. The client relies on the travel agent's advice in making important vacation decisions.
Several specialized tour planning concepts emerged in the 1970s including publications such as Fishing Resorts of The World, which presented sportfishing tour packages in an organized and informative manner and audio-visual presentations of tour destinations such as TRAVEL-VISION which were linear in design. These travel marketing concepts, both created by applicant, had inherent limitations as discussed herein.
The travel industry, comprising 33,000 agencies, does not sell a single mass market product, but rather is a reflection of the population as a whole with its infinite individual customer profiles of demographic, regional and fields of special interest. One client may desire information on a river-rafting tour in Wyoming while the next customer needs assistance in planning an art tour of Paris, France. Therefore, it is imperative that the travel agent have available a wide variety of information in an organized system which allows convenient and standardized access for both the agent and client.
A recent study of the American labor force, Work Force 2000: Work and Workers for the Twenty-first Century, commissioned by the United States Department of Labor, indicates serious shortages of skilled workers in the service sector economy will impact the United States during the 1990s and into the next century. In addition to labor shortages in many skilled service sector industries, it is predicted that a mismatch of employee skills to available jobs will result in a shrinking labor pool of skilled workers which will inevitably increase wages. Travel agency functions are predominantly labor intensive, therefore labor shortages of skilled workers will significantly impact the quality of service they provide.
All travel agencies essentially market the same products and represent the same suppliers, therefore as a service sector industry it is incumbent that individual sales skills and support systems be as comprehensive and efficient as possible. Since the travel industry is highly dependent upon knowledgeable professionals, requiring years of experience, it portends that a more efficient travel/tour sales and training system be implemented to compensate and increase the productivity of the travel agent.
Thus, there is a continuing need to provide the means to assist travel agency personnel and their clients with a more responsive and efficient; educational, training, sales and service system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENT
Accordingly the objects of this invention, among others are to:
enhance the travel agent's sales ability and professional knowledge of travel and tour destinations in conjunction with computerized reservation systems;
create a flexible travel sales system responsive to multiple applications and configurations;
organize a variety of traditional travel and tour references in a comprehensive and synergistic multi@media sales system to effectuate consumer awareness;
increase the sales productivity and information accuracy of vacation tour packages sold by travel agents;
develop individualized tour planning programs for clients presented in a more effective communication's medium;
reduce travel agent dependency on outdated travel directories, tour manuals and traditional brochures;
provide a consistent in-house teaching and training system for travel agency personnel; and
offer travel suppliers and tour operators an enhanced and efficient means to present their products and to communicate with potential customers when selecting vacation destinations.
These and other objects are achieved by the preferred embodiment of the invention which is directed to a means for automatically creating and displaying customized travel and tour sales presentations from various data sources managed by a multiplicity of operating programs. Sales presentations comprise audio-visual data sources and computerized reservation system information, presented individually or in combination.
Individualized sales presentations are requested by the client for specific destinations. The organizational hierarchy of data sources is arranged so that a infinite number of sales presentation configurations can be displayed. Multiple operating programs create the sales presentations directed by:
(1) Client profiles stored on optical memory or smart cards; PA1 (2) Travel agent assessment of client profiles; or PA1 (3) Computerized reservation system response to client profiles.
The travel agent interviews the client and determines the general information required for accessing the sales system and enters the prerequisites such as; destination, tour costs, sports activities, accommodations and other factors necessary for generation of customized mini-travelogues. The selected factors are analyzed by the operating program based upon an organizational hierarchy of travel specifications which activates the data sources and a customized sequence is presented. Sales presentations can be accessed interactively, one display frame at a time with a decision point at each juncture, or by analysis of the client's profile which generates a coded operating program sequence to display a continuous customized presentation. Additionally, a combination of either interactive or coded program modalities can be presented. A client may wish to preview a destination in an interactive sequence and upon deciding that the tourist destination is in fact the one he desires, could proceed with an operating program from the input of client characteristics. This alternating procedure allows greater comprehension and sales flexibility.
Operating programs select the presentation chapter segments from either the audio-visual data source repository or the computerized reservation system and arrange them in an orderly and predetermined sequence. The sales presentations incorporate proven `need satisfaction selling` including: probing, supporting and closing techniques. This assures a maximum sales effort on behalf of the travel industry. Clients are both creators and viewers of the mini-travelogues which are specifically addressing their needs while simultaneously assisting the travel agent in a comprehensive sales effort.


A method of automatically generating content summaries for topics includes receiving a taxonomy for a concept and a text corpus. The method further includes generating an annotated dataset having term annotations corresponding to the concept from the text corpus based on the taxonomy, parsing the annotated dataset into a custom generated document object having a structured layout, determining features for the term annotations, and extracting snippets from the custom generated document object, where each of the snippets corresponds to a section of the custom generated document object. The method further includes scoring the snippets based on the features such that each of the snippets corresponds to a score, filtering one or more snippets from the snippets when one or more snippet filtering conditions is met, ranking the snippets into an ordered list for the concept based on the score, and providing, to a user computing device, the ordered list.

As the amount and diversity of electronic content increases, researchers, authors, professors, students, and the like face an increasing challenge with searching, parsing, and identifying quality primary references related to their respective areas of interest. Currently, many utilize publicly available searchable content such as Wikipedia to obtain further information for a concept. However, these sources do not satisfy the need for authoritative information for concepts. That is, many researchers, authors, professors, attorneys, students, and the like seek access to further information within their customary workflows such as further information from books, journal articles, case law, and/or other reference databases. Additionally, not only is access to these more primary and authoritative types of literature desired, but also are summaries of content which may be used to further determine whether a particular source is pertinent to their particular concept or area of interest.

Systems and methods for automatically generating content summaries for topics


Systems and methods for reducing multicast IP packet bandwidth in a local area network carrying Internet protocol television (IPTV) traffic are disclosed. One embodiment of a system comprises: a layer-2 switch; a slave digital home communication terminal (DHCT); and a master DHCT. The layer-2 switch has a control channel and a plurality of data ports. The slave DHCT is coupled to a first data port of the plurality. The master DHCT is coupled to the layer-2 switch control channel. The master DHCT comprises logic for requesting the layer-2 switch, over the control channel, operate in a first configuration. In the first configuration, the layer-2 switch associates a layer-2 multicast address with the first data port, examines layer-2 multicast packets, and forwards the examined layer-2 multicast packets on the first data port only if the layer-2 destination address is the first layer-2 multicast address.

A growing number of consumers now have high-speed, or broadband, connections to the Internet in their homes. The increased bandwidth provided by these broadband connections allows the delivery of digital television and/or video services to home consumers. One such technology for delivering digital television or video services uses the Internet Protocol (IP) as a transport mechanism. This technology is referred to as IP television, or IPTV.
IPTV makes use of a feature called "IP multicast" when delivering the same stream of television or video programming to a group of subscribers. The IP packets in the stream have the same IP destination address, which is a special type of address called a multicast address. All devices in the IP multicast group receive packets sent to that multicast address.
This use of multicast is much more efficient than sending unicast packets (addressed to each individual device in the group). However, the use of multicast addressing can lead to network performance problems in the home when a local area network (LAN) is used to deliver programming to multiple set-top boxes. Under some conditions, the result is that the viewer sees errors or artifacts in the video frames, or the stream freezes, or even that the set-top becomes unresponsive. Thus, a need arises for these and other problems to be addressed.

Systems and methods of configuring a layer-2 switch for multicast filtering


An apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of gases is described. The gas detection apparatus includes, a housing adapted to be in fluid communication with a duct of a particle detection system, and at least one gas detector sensitive to a target species arranged in fluid communication with the housing to detect the presence of the target species in at least part of the air sample flowing in a duct. In one form the gas detection apparatus forms part of a system for detecting a condition in an environment that includes, a particle detector; a duct system in fluid communication with the environment and the particle detector and an aspirator to draw an air sample flow from the environment to the particle detector.

Gas detectors are used to detect the presence, and measure the concentration of, gases or other volatile compounds. Among other uses, they may be employed in a monitoring system to, for instance, detect the presence of                (i) a toxic gas (eg (a) ammonia released in an enclosed space, (b) carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide produced from a controlled fire event such as fuel fired furnaces, gas hot water heaters, gas stoves, gas dryers, space heaters, charcoal grills, fireplaces, vehicles (including build-up in carparks), and lawn movers, and (c) methyl isocyanate gas accidentally released from an industrial manufacturing plant);        (ii) a flammable gas leak (in an effort to prevent fire), or flammable gas build-up (eg methane in sewage systems); and/or        (iii) a gas or other volatile compound that is indicative of an impending fire (ie smouldering or melting materials) or pre-existing fire (ie burning materials) or the nature of a fire (e.g. the type of material that is burning).
Although in this specification the gas detector will be predominantly described in relation to the latter (ie the prevention and detection of an undesirable fire event) for ease of understanding, this should not limit the scope of the invention. Clearly, a gas detector is also useful in other situations.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved gas detector apparatus. In some aspects, the present invention seeks to provide an improved gas detector apparatus that incorporates or can be used in conjunction with a smoke detector. In some aspects, the present invention seeks to provide an improved gas detector apparatus that can be used in conjunction with air sampling pollution monitoring equipment such as an aspirated smoke detector with an associated sampling pipe network.
Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

Gas detector for use with an air sampling particle detection system


A floor care appliance in the form of a brush vacuum cleaner having a brush set facing the floor for receiving a driven brush roller with an overload protection. A drive disk is mounted rotatably on the shaft and the shaft has a torque-proof output element to the brush roller and the drive disk is coupled via a torsion spring to a coupling disk which is displaceable axially on the shaft and which is coupled in a torque-proof manner via cams to the shaft. Ramps are formed on the drive disk which, above a torque threshold, axially adjust the coupling disk with corresponding ramps by relative twisting. A safety shutdown can be controlled via the adjusting movement via a corresponding switching element of a circuit arrangement.

The invention relates to a floor care appliance in the form of a brush vacuum cleaner having a brush set facing the floor for receiving a driven brush roller with an overload protection, where the brush set can be connected by means of a pivotable connecting element in the form of a connecting piece for an attachable filter housing to a handle in the form of a hand grip via corresponding connections and where the brush set has at least one electric motor for a suction fan and for the drive of the brush roller, and the brush roller is assigned a unit for detecting torque and a safety shutdown is accomplished by means of a triggerable switching unit above a torque threshold due to overload.
It is known to configure safety devices for brush vacuum cleaners which carry out a mechanical or electronic decoupling in the event of overload and blocking of the driven brush roller. In this case it is provided either to perform an electronic shutdown by slippage of a non-positively arranged belt for driving by a built-in slip or ratchet coupling with a controller which monitors the power of the drive or to perform an electronic shutdown by means of a torque measurement and evaluation by microcontrollers with subsequent electronically triggered shutdown of the electrical drive. In particular in devices having only one motor for fan and brush drive, this can only be solved in a very complex and cost-intensive manner in order to ensure a long stability and operating safety. Documentary prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,175 A of the applicant and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,962 A.


A memory device wherein a diode is serially connected to a programmable resistor and is in electrical communication with a buried digit line. An electrically conductive plug is electrically interposed between the digit line and a strapping layer, thereby creating a double metal scheme wherein the strapping layer is a second metal layer overlying metal wordlines. In a method of a first embodiment the strapping material is electrically connected to the digit line through a planar landing pad overlying the conductive plug. An insulative material is sloped to the planar landing pad in order to provide a surface conducive to the formation of the strapping material.

Diode arrays are well known memory storage arrays used in semiconductor memory devices. A selected diode is typically addressed via digit line and word line selection. A resistance of a programmable resistor in series with the selected diode is controlled to select a desired memory state. In one case the programmable resistor may be an ovonic element, such as a chalcogenide material. The internal structure of the chalcogenide is modified to alter its resistance and therefore its "logic" state. The modification of the structure is ovonic and is dependent on the current which is applied to the element through the diode. It is desirable to reduce stray resistance which may be in series with the diode, since by reducing the stray resistance the ovonics can be more closely controlled with less current, thereby reducing power requirements.


To preclude a rolling diaphragm forming together with a metallic diaphragm plate the movable wall of a vacuum brake force booster from being detached from a groove accommodating the radially inward area of the rolling diaphragm, it is provided, in the practice of the invention, that the contour of a supporting face for the diaphragm plate formed on the control valve housing and the contour of the radially inward area (sealing bead of the rolling diaphragm correspond to the curved shaped of the radially inward area (curvature) of the diaphragm plate, and that both the contour of the supporting face and the one of the radially inward area (sealing bead) of the rolling diaphragm correspond to the curved shape of the radially inward area (curvature) of the diaphragm plate, and that the groove with the axial dimension thereof extends into the bearing area of the diaphragm plate of the support face.

A brake force booster of the afore-described type and the way of fixing the movable wall thereof to the control valve housing is known to those skilled in the art. The diaphragm plate of such brake booster, in the radially inward area thereof, comprises a circumferential curvature seated on a rectangular support surface formed on a control valve housing such that in case of a pressure load on the movable partition wall, a rolling movement of the diaphragm plate may take place. The support surface of the diaphragm plate is followed by a groove of rectangular cross-section accommodating a bead correspondingly shaped in the radial-inward area of the rolling diaphragm.
However, in prior known brake force boosters of this type, in predetermined operating conditions, the rolling diaphragm is likely to be detached, thereby substantially affecting the operating safety of the system. This danger occurs especially as a result of stagnation pressure in the brake system through actuation thereof without vacuum and with closed check valve outlets, respectively, since the view of the pressure prevailing in the brake force booster housing force components are formed which act in the radial direction, tending to withdraw the annular bead of the rolling diaphragm from the circumferential groove of the control valve housing and to displace the diaphragm plate in a direction opposite the actuating force, thereby forcing the annular bead out of the groove. This will result in the failure of the brake system the boosting force of which no longer can be built up.
Equally disadvantageous are the material tensions or stresses in the control valve housing particularly high in view of the rectangular configuration of the support face of the diaphragm plate and of the groove accommodating the rolling diaphragm, which tensions, in predetermined circumstances, are likely to destroy the control valve housing.

Vacuum brake force booster for automotive vehicles