This control apparatus estimates a full combustion correspondence period CP, which is the period from an ignition timing SA to a combustion completion time CAe, and controls a VVT advancement amount (burnt gas quantity, overlap period, intake valve open timing) such that the estimated full combustion correspondence period CP coincides with a constant target full combustion correspondence period CPtgt. The full combustion correspondence period CP substantially maintains a one-to-one relation with the VVT advancement amount at which HC, CO2, etc. start to increase, even when the ignition timing SA changes. Thus, even when the ignition timing changes, the burnt gas quantity (overlap period) can be properly controlled. As a result, without increasing the discharge quantities of HC and CO, the discharge quantity of NOX can be reduced. In addition, pumping loss can be reduced, whereby fuel consumption can be improved.

Conventionally, there has been known a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which calculates a combustion ratio MFB (Mass Fraction Burned or Burnt) on the basis of a cylinder pressure (pressure within a combustion chamber) detected by cylinder pressure detection means, and controls ignition timing (combustion start time) such that the combustion ratio MFB at a predetermined crank angle coincides with a target combustion ratio. Such an apparatus is configured to control the ignition timing SA such that the combustion ratio MFB8 at a crank angle 8° after compression TDC becomes 50%. Thus, even in the case where individual differences are present among internal combustion engines, appropriate ignition timing is provided to each engine. Accordingly, combustion efficiency is improved, and each internal combustion engine can output an increased torque (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2006-144645).
The combustion ratio MFB is substantially equal to a ratio of indicated heat quantity. The ratio of indicated heat quantity is defined as a ratio Qsum/Qtotal in a single combustion stroke, where Qtotal is the total quantity of heat which is a portion of heat generated by all fuel burnt in a combustion chamber and which was converted to work for a piston, and Qsum is a cumulative quantity of heat which is a portion of heat generated by fuel burnt in the combustion chamber until a predetermined timing and which was converted to work for the piston. The combustion ratio MFB is defined as a ratio of a cumulative quantity of fuel which is a portion of fuel burnt in the combustion chamber until the predetermined timing and which contributed to work for the piston, to the total quantity of fuel which is a portion of all fuel burnt in the combustion chamber and which contributed to work for the piston.
Meanwhile, there is widely known an internal combustion engine which includes a variable valve timing apparatus (VVT) which can control the open and close timings of intake valves and/or exhaust valves. One of such variable valve timing apparatuses controls a period in which both the intake valves and the exhaust valves are maintained open (hereinafter referred to as the "valve overlap period" or "overlap period") by advancing or delaying the open timing of the intake valves.
In general, prolongation of the overlap period results in an increase in the quantity of a burnt gas which is discharged from a combustion cumber to an intake port and is again taken into the combustion cumber (the burnt gas is also called "internal EGR gas" or "self EGR gas"). In other words, the variable valve timing apparatus functions as a burnt gas quantity control apparatus.
When the burnt gas quantity is increased by means of a burnt gas quantity control apparatus such as the variable valve timing apparatus or an external EGR apparatus, combustion speed decreases. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the quantity of heat which is a portion of heat generated by fuel burnt in a combustion chamber and which contributed to work for a piston (indicated generated heat quantity) increases at a slower rate when the burnt gas quantity is relatively large (the inclination of a curve indicated by a solid line of FIG. 15), as compared with the case where the burnt gas quantity is relatively small (the inclination of a curve indicated by a broken line of FIG. 15). That is, as the burnt gas quantity increases, combustion speed decreases. As a result, combustion temperature lowers, whereby the quantity of discharged NOX decreases.
Moreover, when the burnt gas quantity increases, combustion progresses more gradually, whereby the combustion period is prolonged. Accordingly, a greater quantity of fuel can be burnt. That is, a period T1 of FIG. 15 becomes longer than a period T2, so that a total heat quantity Qtotal1 corresponding to the total quantity of burnt fuel becomes greater than a total heat quantity Qtotal2. As a result, as the burnt gas quantity increases, the quantities of discharged HC and CO become smaller. However, when the burnt gas quantity is excessive, combustion becomes instable. As a result, the quantities of HC and CO increase.

Control apparatus of internal combustion engine


A washing method and a washing machine are provided. Wash water is drained from a tub prior to initiating a main spinning process, and wash water is supplied into a drum to decrease the volume of the laundry which is increased by the draining. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the volume of laundry and thus to improve the mobility of the laundry. Then, a main spinning process is performed by spinning the drum at high speed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of washing laundry and a washing machine for washing laundry.
2. Description of the Related Art
Washing machines are devices for removing dust and dirt from clothes or other laundry items by performing a wash cycle, a rinse cycle and a spin cycle. Conventionally, during a water-draining process, the volume of laundry in the drum of a washing machine may increase due to a reduction in the amount of wash water contained in the laundry. Thus, the mobility of the laundry may decrease. As a result, during a laundry-balancing process, which follows the water-draining process, the laundry may not be able to be properly balanced (i.e., de-tangled and re-distributed in the drum). Therefore, it may take a considerable amount of time to begin the main spinning process, or it may be even impossible to begin the main spinning process due to numerous repetitions of the laundry-balancing process and a unbalanced degree of the laundry measurement process.


A method and apparatus for limiting which player pianos can properly play notes within a media file or stream without playing additional “bad notes” encoded in the stream for disrupting the playback of that musical composition so as to prevent playback on unauthorized systems. Bad notes are encoded within a file or stream containing the proper “good notes” of the composition along with control commands to allow identifying the bad notes (e.g., by location, relative position, characteristics and so forth). Player pianos of a first manufacturer, having the proper programming, properly decode the control commands to locate the bad notes and prevent them from being played back with the good notes, therein properly rendering the musical composition. Player pianos from other manufacturers will play all the notes thus obfuscating the playback of the musical composition. Fidelity of playback on authorized system is not affected.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to musical instruments, and more particularly to a method and system of obfuscating playback of a note stream, or file, on player piano systems from other manufacturers.
2. Description of Related Art
Many different manufacturers of electronic player piano systems exist. A large portion of these systems utilize the Musical Instrument Data Interface standard (MIDI) for storing note information on a media. In this MIDI standard the music is not captured as with analog or digital recording techniques, but instead the activation of notes for a given instrument is represented by note commands which contain information as to which note (e.g., pitch), how that note is played (e.g., velocity of key strike), and so forth.
A problem has arisen in the use of player piano MIDI files wherein users purchase media from Manufacturer A to use on the player piano system of Manufacturer B. In many cases the user attempts to use the media in this way because Manufacturer B may be a "copy cat" low-end manufacturer that desires to sell systems without providing proper support.
Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method for limiting unauthorized use of the player piano media on player pianos of other manufacturers.

Method and apparatus of music obfuscation to limit unauthorized playback


A cartilage replacement or repair prosthesis comprises a layer of streamlined elastomer elements, preferably in the form of spheres, supported in a matrix material so that the radially opposed surfaces of the spheres are positioned on opposite surfaces of the layer and make contact with the opposed surfaces of the femur and tibia and the forces exerted between these bones extend through the streamlined elements. The matrix material has a substantially lower resistance to deformation than the spheres to control the position of the spheres relative to one another without significantly restraining their load-responsive deformation under forces exerted between the femur and tibia. The layer, with its elastomeric inserts, is sufficiently thin and flexible to allow it to be rolled for arthroscopic insertion into a knee joint.

Knee joints, which connect the tibia and the femur, are effected through a layer of cartilage, the meniscus, which has a very low friction coefficient but is sensitive to local pressure concentrations. The meniscus is subjected, in use, to compressive and sliding forces. The failure mode of the knee joint is usually wear of the meniscus due to sliding under high-contact forces and/or cracking of the cartilage caused mainly by local pressure concentrations while sliding. Injury and disease can lead to the need to remove the entire meniscus, or portions thereof.
The prior art has suggested a variety of constructions for cartilage replacement in the knee joint. U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,525 discloses a prosthesis consisting of a pad of pliable and compliant shock absorbing material supporting a plurality of small ball bearings which are capable of shifting positions within the interior of the replacement pad as varying loads are applied. U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,161 discloses a meniscus prosthetic comprising a resilient material such as silicone rubber or Teflon reinforced with a mesh of stainless steel or nylon strands.
These and other meniscus prosthetics have not experienced wide adoption in knee joint repair, and most knee joint repairs involve complete removal of the joint and replacement with an artificial joint formed between two bone replacement sections which are adapted to merge with the natural bone remaining after the joint removal.


According to some embodiments, a system comprises a work load management module and a plurality of datacenter pods communicatively coupled by a network. The data center pods include a first datacenter pod and a second datacenter pod. The work load management module receives a request to migrate a datacenter application from a first datacenter pod to a second datacenter pod. The work load management module retrieves a first pod environment configuration and a second pod environment configuration and automatically determines one or more differences between the first pod environment configuration and the second pod environment configuration. The work load management module modifies the datacenter application based on the one or more differences to be operable in the second datacenter pod and migrates the datacenter application to the second datacenter pod.

A financial provider, such as a bank, a broker, or an investment company, may provide online applications that allow customers or other financial institutions to conduct financial transactions. Examples include buying and selling shares of stock, opening accounts, and viewing balances. The financial provider may also provide network applications to support its back-end business operations. The financial provider may use a data center to facilitate the applications. A data center may comprise one or more servers, databases, and/or other computing resources configured to host the datacenter applications.
A datacenter application developer may develop the application in a computing environment that differs from a final production environment. Between development and production, the application may undergo testing in a test computing environment. Because the various computing environments are configured differently, the datacenter application requires modifications when moving from one environment to another. Determining the necessary application changes and making the modifications manually is a time and manpower consuming process. The manual process is also subject to human error.


A clip is disclosed for connecting adjacent portions of palletized shipping container, the clip including a foldable base for at least partially surrounding a first portion of the shipping container and a key rotatable relative to the foldable base for insertion into and through a slot in a second portion of the shipping container so that the key can be rotated to releasably join the first and second shipping container portions.

Modular palletized shipping containers are assembled from a base or "pallet," a sidewall or "sleeve," and a cover or "top pallet." The components are preferably made of plastic that is shaped to be rigid, stackable, and enable easy handling by forklifts and personnel. These shipping containers permit compact storage of goods for transport and they facilitate easy loading and unloading of shipping vehicles. The shipping container components are designed for easy assembly and disassembly using removable connectors or clips.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,541 discloses modular palletized containers that include a base pallet, side walls (or sleeve), and a top pallet to form a strong container suited for transporting cargo. The connector disclosed in the '541 patent is suited to minimize the labor necessary to assemble or disassemble the container because it has a U-shaped connector portion for attachment to a sleeve and it has an integrally molded snapping clip that can quickly engage a slot on a container pallet. A sleeve connector that is molded in a U-shape is strong and relatively rigid, but it may complicate assembly when hand room is minimal. The use of snaps makes assembly quick, but disassembly may be more difficult when numerous clips are used along one edge of a container sleeve because after a first snap has been disengaged and another is in the process being disengaged, the first snap can become inadvertently re-engaged. Further, during assembly, it may be difficult to determine whether all of the snaps in a row have become fully engaged because one or more of the snap elements may be in the appropriate slot, but not in an engaged position. This can result in a substandard assembly situation in which the container can become unstable and unable to retain stored cargo.
Thus, it is desirable to have a modular palletized container clip with a positive locking action to ensure complete assembly of the container components, provide a connector portion that is visible in a locked position, and eliminate the possibility of inadvertent re-engagement of the clips when the container is being disassembled.

Pallet sleeve clip with visible positive open and closed positions


A club shaft that can be installed in a club head permanently or can be installed in clubs with interchangeable shaft features is disclosed herein. The invention is a measurement system that enables the capturing of the speed and motion of the golfer's swing. The invention uses magnetic material positioned on a face of a golf club head and an array of magnetic sensors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a swing analysis devices for golf clubs. More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club swing analysis device that uses magnetism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Golf clubs combine with the players swing to propel a ball toward a favored location and through a favored path. The orientation and speed of the club head at impact largely determines the ball path including carry distance and roll.
The prior art is lacking in a method and system to measure the motion of the club using magnetism.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Device to measure the motion of a golf club


Disclosed is a method for adaptive identification of erroneous GPS observed value, including: acquiring positioning information of a vehicle from a GPS sensor, and extracting first observed value data; acquiring posture information and speed information of the vehicle to acquire dead reckoning trajectory data of the vehicle; eliminating the erroneous GPS observed values based on respective data on data status value, heading significant bit, the number of satellites used and horizontal dilution of precision in the first observed value data to obtain second observed value data; constructing pose graph data based on the second observed value data and acquiring processing result information; analyzing and optimizing the processing result information to eliminate the erroneous GPS observed values of which the cost function exceeds a preset cost function threshold to obtain third observed value data; and constructing a high-precision map based on the third observed value data and three-dimensional scene map data.

Autonomous driving technology has been a hot topic in recent years, and will bring disruptive changes in easing traffic congestion, improving road safety, reducing air pollution, and other areas. In the process of commercialization of the autonomous driving, unmanned sweepers, unmanned express delivery vehicles, and unmanned taxis in limited area scenarios provide specific application scenarios for implementation of the autonomous driving technology. Due to the increasing population aging, the rising domestic labor costs and the heavy repetitive manual labor, such as environmental sanitation cleaning, express delivery, and taxi driving, has increased the work burden of people. Thus, it is overwhelming to replace the repetitive work with the autonomous driving technology.
The high-precision map and highly robust positioning method are essential for the autonomous driving of unmanned vehicles. In outdoor unmanned driving application scenarios, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is used as a data input sensor both in three-dimensional (3D) scene reconstruction and in real-time vehicle positioning. If erroneous observed values input by GPS (i.e. erroneous positioning data from GPS, hereinafter referred to as erroneous GPS observed value) are not correctly identified and eliminated, it will lead to the reduced accuracy of the constructed 3D scene map, and the erroneous values that are not eliminated will cause the positioning results to deviate seriously from the actual position, thereby affecting the safety and reliability of autonomous driving of the vehicle.
At present, the widely used methods for identification of erroneous GPS observed values generally include an identification method based on own GPS observed values and an identification method based on combination of GPS observed values and an accelerometer.
The identification method based on own GPS observed values mainly includes a Kalman filter method and a method with combination of classical probability and Laiyite discrimination. Particularly, data processing models, such as prediction models and error probability distribution models of the Kalman filter, are acquired firstly from sample data. Then, a reasonable processing model and parameter thresholds are selected to analyze the GPS data observed in real time. Finally, whether the GPS data is an erroneous value or not is determined based on the analysis result. According to the identification method based on own GPS observed values, pre-planned motion trajectories and sample data are required to obtain the corresponding model. However, due to different working hours, the GPS observed values may suffer from certain differences, and there is no guarantee that the vehicle will strictly follow the preset track during its movement. Thus, it is difficult to accurately analyze errors of the GPS observed values with the processing module.
According to the identification method based on combination of GPS observed values and an accelerometer, the speed and position variations of the accelerometer as well as the GPS observed values are acquired within a predetermined time, and GPS predicted values are acquired based on data variations of the accelerometer. Then, whether an absolute deviation between the GPS observed values and the GPS predicted values is less than a certain value or not is determined, and if not, the GPS observed value at this moment is determined as an erroneous value. The identification method based on combination of GPS observed values and the accelerometer can well identify jumping erroneous values of the GPS. However, during autonomous driving of the vehicle, the GPS is affected by the multipath effect so that errors with gradual changes and errors with step changes may both occur in the GPS observed values, while those errors of the observed values cannot be identified by the combination of GPS and recursion of the accelerometer within a predetermined time.

Method for adaptive identification of erroneous GPS observed value

Beijing IDRIVERPLUS Information Technology Co., Ltd.


This invention relates to substantially anhydrous warming, non-toxic and nonirritating lubricating compositions containing polyhydric alcohols and an insulating agent as well as gel and jelly compositions related thereto. The invention also relates to methods of using such compositions for lubrication, administration of active ingredients and for preventing or treating dysmenorrhea.

Humans are warm-blooded animals that maintain a constant body temperature of 98.6° F. (37° C.). Human skin and external organs have a very efficient circulatory and nervous system with the result that the human body can very quickly perceive changes in temperature. Personal lubricants and medicaments are usually applied to humans' mucous membranes at room temperature, i.e., between at 60° F. and 80° F. Because there is an appreciable difference in temperature between room temperature and human body temperature, users of such lubricants and medicaments perceive them to be quite cold. This feeling of cold can be quite uncomfortable for the user. From time to time, attempts have been made to develop products that overcome this perception of cold.
An appreciable number of personal lubricant compositions are known to the art. These compositions range from jellies to liquids to vaginal suppositories and vary from being aqueous to oils to silicone-based. The majority of the compositions actually used today are aqueous jellies or aqueous liquids. Almost all personal lubricants known and available for use today are cold to touch, a feeling that can be uncomfortable.
A number of compositions are known to the trade or described in the literature that claim to impart a warming sensation upon application to the skin or mucosa. These compositions generally fall into a few main categories based upon mechanism of action.
Some of these compositions use plant extracts which are irritating to the skin and mucous membranes and give a feeling or perception of warmth by virtue of their irritant action. Others claim to enhance blood flow in order to cause tissue warming. Still others are alleged to work on the principle of freezing point depression and are well suited for heating in a microwave or cooling in a refrigerator. There is one cosmetic composition rendered self-heating by inclusion of compound containing a boron-to-boron linkage, which reacts exothermally with water.
One category of warming compositions use plant extracts or agents, such as methyl salicylate, that are irritating to the skin or mucous membranes. For example, WO 97/02273A describes phosphate derivatives useful in oral and topical compositions to provide a perceived sensation of warmth. The compositions contain warming components such as vanillyl derivatives. The compositions also incorporate an additional warming agent, including ethanol, niacin, jambu, nicotinic acid, zingerone, vanillyl alcohol isopropyl ether, gingerol, methyl salicylate, shogaol, paradol, zingerone, capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin homocapsaicin, tincture capsicum, eucalyptus oil.
Another category of warming products utilize the mechanism of increased blood circulation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,658, entitled "Delivery of L-Arginine to Cause Tissue Warming, Sustained Release of Nitric Oxide to treat effects of Diabetes, Stimulate Hair Growth and Heal Wounds," describes a preparation for producing enhanced blood flow in tissues thus causing beneficial effects, such as warming cold tissues of hands and feet.
Yet another category of warming products uses inorganic compounds to create exothermic reactions resulting in the evolution of heat. WO 200260408 A1, for example, relates to anhydrous cosmetic hair care compositions containing inorganic salts such as sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride or calcium oxide, or magnesium sulfate. Upon mixing with water, these compositions generate heat.
KR20010227018 describes exothermic cosmetic containing active zeolite compositions that promote blood circulation and metabolism by giving warm-sense to the skin. Active zeolite contains ethoxylated alcohol. JP63159490A relates to exothermic cosmetic compositions especially for softening hair containing reducing agents such as sodium sulphite, sodium thiosulphate, sodium pyrosulphite or sodium hydrogen sulphite and an oxidizing agent such as sodium bromate, potassium bromate or sodium perbromate.
EP2001306347 refers to compositions for use in preparing hair for shaving. The compositions contain at least one substance that undergoes a discernible chemical change when mixed during shaving. The substance changes temperature, emits a scent or undergoes oxidation, hydration, an acid-base reaction or an exothermic reaction.
Another category of heat-producing products uses mechanisms other than the three aforementioned categories. US 20020142015 A1 and JP 2002179517 A describe warming compositions for cosmetics, toiletries, bath additives and pharmaceuticals that contain a cooling agent and a specific p-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivative. The use of this p-hydroxybenzaldehyde cooling agent is intended to product a warming effect for a longer duration. FR2810240 A1 describes cosmetic compositions containing a component that can absorb or release heat thereby providing a cooling and refreshing effect during exposure to heat or a warming effect during exposure to cold, such as a combination of long chain hydrocarbon compounds that can absorb thermal energy and store or exchange heat. U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,516A describes a self-heating lather that is rapidly heated by hydrogen peroxide via a thiosulphredox reaction.
Another category of heat-producing products uses mechanisms other than the three aforementioned categories. US 20020142015 A1 and JP 2002179517 A describe warming compositions for cosmetics, toiletries, bath additives and pharmaceuticals that contain a cooling agent and a specific p-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivative. The use of this p-hydroxybenzaldehyde cooling agent is intended to product a warming effect for a longer duration. FR2810240 A1 describes cosmetic compositions containing a component that can absorb or release heat thereby providing a cooling and refreshing effect during exposure to heat or a warming effect during exposure to cold, such as a combination of long chain hydrocarbon compounds that can absorb thermal energy and store or exchange heat. U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,516A describes a self-heating lather that is rapidly heated by hydrogen peroxide via a thiosulphredox reaction.
JP2001335429 describes gel-like cosmetics that contain 40-75% by weight of polyethylene glycol, 20-55% by weight of glycerol and carboxyvinyl polymer. These compositions are used for generating heat for promoting blood circulation and metabolism in fatigue conditions and to provide warm feeling during shaving. One example of a composition known to the trade, Prosensual™, distributed by Lexie Trading, Inc., Fairlaw, N.J., contains plant extracts such as Cinnamon cassia (Cinnamon), Zingiber officinalis (Ginger), Mint, Sandalwood, Orange and Clove, which are all known to be skin irritants. Such a composition has the disadvantage of causing irritation to the mucosa, which can be problematic in relation to the vaginal or oral mucosa as irritation may promote the growth of unwanted bacteria and cause infection.
Another current composition, WET™ Heating Massage Oil, distributed by International, Valencia, Calif., uses Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Prunus amygdalis (Prunes), Amara (Almond), Persica gratissima (Avocado Oil), Macdamia ternifulia Seed Oil, Kakeri Nut Oil, Helianthus annus (hybrid Sunflower), Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil and Aloe vera. Most of these ingredients are known irritants that are not suitable for use on mucous membranes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,629 entitled "Microwavable Heat Releasing and Absorbing Compositions and Container, Pliable Gel Comprising Humectant, Freezing Point Depressant, Gel Sealer, Polyacrylamide Absorbent, Corn Starch Binder, Mineral Oil and Plasticizers, Durability, Efficacy" describes compositions that have a high vapor points and are, therefore, suited for heating in a microwave oven or cooling in a freezer and placement in a suitable container or vinyl package, such as a hot-and-cold pack, but not for human consumption or use.
However, none of the foregoing compositions are actually "warm", or at a relatively higher temperature than the ambient temperature of the product or the surrounding environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,426, entitled "Method of Treating Skin and Hair with a Self Heated Cosmetic, Organic Boron-Oxygen-Boron Compounds" describes non-aqueous compositions such as shaving creams, that are rendered self-heating by including therein a compound containing at least one boron-oxygen-boron linkage, such as triethoxyboroxine. The boron-containing compound reacts exothermally with water or other protic material to increase temperature. Such compositions are not suitable for vaginal or oral use due to the potential toxicity of boron-containing compounds to the human reproductive system (Fail P A, et al., general, reproductive, developmental, and endocrine toxicity of boronated compounds., Reprod toxicol 12: 1, 1-18, January-February, 1998).
Physical energy forms have been utilized to enhance material transport across a membrane for therapeutic purposes. Such energy forms include electricity, ultrasound and thermal energy (e.g., heat-assisted drug delivery), (reviewed by Sun, in "Skin Absorption Enhancement by Physical Means: Heat, Ultrasound, and Electricity", Transdermal and Topical Drug Delivery Systems, Interpharm Press, Inc., 1997, pages 327-355). Local heating of a drug delivery system or formulation, as well as the skin or mucosal tissues, not only increases thermodynamic energy of drug molecules and membrane permeability to facilitate drug movement across a barrier membrane, it improves blood circulation in the tissue to expedite drug removal from the local tissue into the systemic circulation. Both processes leads to an enhanced absorption of the drug. Experimental evidence demonstrates that low-level heating (i.e., a tissue temperature of less than about 42° C.) significantly enhances percutaneous drug absorption.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,583 describes a heat-generating apparatus for improved dermal permeation of pharmaceuticals. The apparatus includes a thin drug formulation reservoir and a heat-generating chamber of oxidation reaction separated by a non-permeable wall. The drug formulation reservoir houses a predetermined amount of a formulation containing pharmaceutical agents. The heat-generating/temperature-regulating chamber includes a heat-generating medium consisting of carbon, iron, water and/or salt which is activated upon contact with oxygen in the air. However, a complicated heating device such as this is not suitable for use in the vaginal or oral cavity for obvious safety concerns.
Locally applied heat (such as an abdominal heating patch) has also been used to treat dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps, with demonstrated efficacy (Akin M D et al., Continuous low-level topical heat in the treatment of dysmenorrhea., Obstet Gynecol 97: 3, 343-9, Mar, 2001).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,782 describes disposable thermal body pads with heat generation via an oxidation reaction intended for relieving menstrual pain when applied onto the abdominal skin. There is currently a commercial product in the U.S. market for dysmenorrhea treatment based on abdominal heating, ThermaCare® Air-Activated Heatwraps, Menstrual Cramp Relief patches manufactured by Procter & Gamble (Cincinnati, Ohio). However, there are no products or description of internal localized heating to treat dysmenorrhea.

Warming and nonirritating lubricant compositions and method of comparing irritation

Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.


A high differential pressure water electrolysis system includes a high differential pressure water electrolysis device, a water supply tank, a high pressure gas-liquid separator, a hydrogen outlet line, a drain line, a low pressure gas-liquid separator, a water return line, and a pressure maintaining mechanism. The drain line is to drain a liquid water separated by the high pressure gas-liquid separator. The low pressure gas-liquid separator is disposed in the drain line and has a discharge line via which a gas separated by the low pressure gas-liquid separator is to be discharged. The water return line connects the low pressure gas-liquid separator and the water supply tank. The pressure maintaining mechanism is disposed in the discharge line and configured to maintain a pressure in the low pressure gas-liquid separator to be higher than a pressure in the water supply tank.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a high differential pressure water electrolysis system and a method for starting the high differential pressure water electrolysis system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, hydrogen is used as fuel gas which is used for power generation reaction in a fuel cell. The hydrogen is produced by a water electrolysis device, for example. The water electrolysis device uses a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (ion exchange membrane) in order to generate hydrogen (and oxygen) by electrolyzing water. Electrode catalyst layers are provided on both surfaces of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane so as to form an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly, and power supplying bodies are disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly so as to form a unit cell.
For a cell unit in which multiple unit cells are stacked, a voltage is applied to both ends of the cell unit in the stacking direction, and water is supplied to the power supplying bodies on the anode side. Accordingly, on the anode side of the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly, water is electrolyzed to generate hydrogen ions (protons), which move to the cathode side through the solid polymer electrolyte membranes and combine with electrons, thereby producing hydrogen. On the other hand, on the anode side, oxygen generated along with hydrogen is discharged from the cell unit with excessive water.
For example, in the hydrogen and oxygen supply system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-129372, in order to supply pure water to an electrolysis tank provided with a water electrolysis device, a pure water tank is connected to the electrolysis tank via a pure water supply piping unit. Hydrogen gas generated by the water electrolysis device in the electrolysis tank is sent to a hydrogen separation tank along with some pure water via a hydrogen gas transport piping unit.
The hydrogen separation tank is provided with a pure water return piping unit in order to return water to the pure water tank, the water from which hydrogen is separated in the hydrogen separation tank. In the pure water return piping unit, a hydrogen dehumidifier is disposed, and a hydrogen discharge piping unit is connected to the hydrogen dehumidifier.

High differential pressure water electrolysis system and method for starting the same


A two-color radiation thermometer includes an image pickup device having micro photo receiving units arranged two-dimensionally; a light diverging device for diverging incident light coming from a measuring object into two paths and irradiating the light on two different areas on a two-dimensional light receiving surface of the image pickup device; a wavelength limitation device for limiting wavelengths of the light irradiated on the two different areas to first and second wavelengths, respectively; and a temperature calculation device. The calculation device receives image signals corresponding to the first and second wavelengths respectively from the micro photo receiving units located at the two different areas, and calculates the temperature of the measuring object based on the two image signals.

The present invention relates to a two-color radiation thermometer for measuring a temperature of an object in a non-contact mode using thermal radiation from the object.
A two-color radiation thermometer (two-wavelength radiation thermometer) has been used for measuring a temperature of, for example, combustion or explosion inside a blast furnace in a non-contact mode (refer to Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 07-253361). Particularly, when a measuring object has a two-dimensional surface, a two-color radiation thermometer with a CCD camera is useful (refer to Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-309307). In such a two-color radiation thermometer, the CCD camera captures an image of a measuring surface using two different wavelengths, so that it is possible to calculate a two-dimensional temperature distribution of the measuring surface based on a difference of two images in brightness information.
In such a tow-color radiation thermometer, as a method of obtaining images corresponding to two wavelengths, there has been a method in which two CCD cameras independently receive light separated by a wavelength selective prism (two-plate system). As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-309307, there has been another method in which a RGB filter, ordinarily used as a CCD sensor for regular color photography, is provided for selecting a wavelength without an optical device such as a prism (single-plate system).
In the two-plate system, it is possible to freely select a measuring wavelength through changing the prism or the wavelength selective filter. However, it is necessary to provide two CCD cameras, thereby making the device complicated and increasing cost. On the other hand, in the single-plate system, it is possible to make the device simple and reduce cost. However, since the CCD sensor for regular color photography is used, it is difficult to select a measuring wavelength other than the three wavelengths, i.e. red, green, and blue (RGB). Accordingly, it is difficult to measure an accurate temperature depending on a color of light (wavelength) emitted from a measuring object.
In view of the problems described above, the present invention has been made, and an object of the present invention is to provide a two-color radiation thermometer capable of freely and easily selecting a measuring wavelength with a simple configuration such as the single-plate system.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.


A wavefront measurement system, for measurement of aberrations in the eye, and for measurement of the topography of the cornea of the eye. The system differs from previously available systems in that the wavefront measurement of the eye's aberrations can be performed as a function of eye accommodation. Furthermore, methods for reducing corneal reflection are described. Additionally, the use of a very short focal length Hartman Shack lenslet array enables a very wide range of low order aberrations, up to ±25 diopters, to be measured without any refocusing or motion of the system. Also, methods are described for enabling the presence of defects within the eye to be determined using the aberration measurement system. Another embodiment captures the pupil centering position without any projected illumination pattern being used, so that a subsequent accurate centering and focusing procedure can commence at the initially captured position, thus reducing measurement time.

There exist a number of systems for measurement of the aberrations in the visual system of the eye, and for measurement of the topography of the cornea of the eye. In US Published Patent Application No. 2003/0142271, for "Aberration and Corneal Topography Measurement", there is described apparatus for measuring with a single device both the aberrations introduced by an eye and the topography of the cornea of the eye. The method includes determining aberrations within a wavefront created by reflecting a beam off the retina of an eye, determining the corneal topography of the eye from a pattern reflected by the cornea, and directing the beam, wavefront, and reflected pattern using a combiner/separator. The apparatus includes a source for generating the beam for producing the wavefront exiting the eye and a first imaging device for receiving the wavefront, and for determining aberrations using a conventional Hartmann-Shack lenslet array, a projector for projecting the pattern onto the cornea for reflection by the cornea and a second imaging device for receiving the reflected pattern to determine corneal topography, and a combiner/separator for directing the beam, wavefront, and reflected pattern.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,442 for "Device for Measuring Aberrations in an Eye-Type System", there is described a system similar to that described in the above-reference application, but with a number of improvements and in which, inter alia, both the wavefront measurement system and the keratometer measurement system are mounted on one moveable platform.
Other wavefront measurement instruments and methods for measuring ophthalmic aberrations are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,130,419, 6,460,997, 6,550,917, 6,554,429, 6,565,209, 6,736,509, 6,264,328, 5,777,719, 6,827,444, and 7,036,934.
Many of these machines have some drawbacks, whose elimination would make such an instrument more useful and easier to use, and there therefore exists a need for a wavefront measurement system which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of prior art systems and methods.
The disclosures of each of the publications mentioned in this section and in other sections of the specification, are hereby incorporated by reference, each in its entirety.

Multifunctional ophthalmic measurement system


The present invention is directed to multiple-layer composites suitable for use as floor-coverings in the form of cut tiles or broadloom sheets, providing a durable and highly stable structure that can lay flat and remain flat with variations in temperature and humidity and provide a durable and yet soft textile face. The composite comprises a laterally-compressible fabric face bonded with an adhesive layer to a highly conformable stress-absorbing cushioning layer. The face fabric comprises closely packed looped yarns reciprocating between the top and the bottom of the fabric, protruding into the adhesive layer and emerging from the adhesive layer to the surface forming micro-spring structures. The weight, properties, density and level of penetration of adhesive are controlled to maintain lateral compressibility for the entire composite and avoid warping.

The selection of a floor covering is generally based upon a combination of factors including aesthetic features, such as the look and feel of the floor covering, and functional features, such as retention of surface appearance, stain resistance, moisture resistance, ease of cleaning, and resistance to dirt build-up. For example, floor covering installations prone to high traffic, dust and dirt collection, or to moisture or stains, such as in kitchens, generally use solid materials such as wood, metals, ceramic tile, vinyl or rubber. These products retain their surface appearance after heavy use, are simple to keep clean, and are less prone to harboring bacterial growth. Moreover, they are suitable for modular or tile installations, because they are relatively stiff, and, most preferably, dimensionally stable. These attributes permit the floor coverings to be evenly secured to the floor, and to lay flat and remain flat during use as temperature and humidity vary with time, a property known as "lay-flat". However, these products lack the textile look, softness or sound dampening qualities of textile products.
FIG. 1 prepared by the present inventor graphically and schematically summarizes floor covering technology offering cushion, softness and sound dampening along with a fibrous/textile surface. Durability varies and it is not plotted. Products are grouped by two factors: planar gather and face stretch. The grouping is for illustrative purposes only, indicating the direction of property change. Properties are not plotted to scale. Group A in the center includes the most common types of textile-faced floor coverings. They generally lack the superior stability of the solid floorcoverings because they are, in general, built with layers of organic or polymeric materials and, as the layers expand or contract at different rates with temperature or humidity, the composites tend to deform out of plane. They also allow very limited gather, i.e. limited planar contraction, and limited surface stretch. For these types of textile structures the capability to gather planarly is desirable, because it would allow the structure to accommodate lateral stresses created when the composite tries to expand while confined between walls or tiles on the floor, and minimize the tendency to buckle or warp out-of-plane. Low face stretch is also desirable so that the floorcovering does not develop resistance to forward foot, furniture or cart motion, and/or it does not delaminate due to repeated face stretch with traffic. Floor coverings in Group A include conventional carpets with relatively deep cushioning piles prepared by tufting, knitting, stitchbonding, knotting or weaving, as well as laminates of thin textile fabrics bonded to cushioning backings.
Group B, placed in the upper left hand group of FIG. 1 emulates the solid, stable floorcoverings. In general it includes floorcoverings similar to those in Group A with added reinforcement, using stiff and/or heavy sub-layers and/or extra adhesive, to stabilize the structure and essentially eliminate both surface stretch and gather.
Group C, placed in the lower right-hand group, is an attempt in the opposite direction, wherein a floorcovering is composed of a highly-elastic textile face layer attached to an elastic cushion allowing high gather as well as high stretch. Such a floorcovering is undesirable in high-wear commercial, institutional or other such applications, because traffic is impeded by the stretchy surface and repeated stretch can cause delamination with heavy use. Group C floorcoverings may be too elastic to resist foot traffic.
Group D represents textile-faced floorcoverings with high face layer stretch and virtually no gather. Such floorcoverings are undesirable, because they would be too elastic/stretchy to walk on and would also buckle out-of-plane due to low gathering. No products of this nature have been developed in prior art.
Group E goes in the opposite direction and includes preferred textile-faced floor coverings that are both easy to walk on, i.e., have low face layer stretch, and would not buckle out-of-plane because they have the ability to contract and expand, i.e., high gather. The group includes laminates by the present inventor having planarly-gatherable undulating thin fabric faces joined to compliant cushioning backings.
The traditional deep cushioning-pile products within Group A of FIG. 1 include tufted, knitted, stitched, knotted, or woven pile structures. They provide softness, cushion, and a limited level of abrasion and wear resistance. Compared to rigid solid-surfaced products they are less durable. Deep cushioning-pile products also tend to lose their texture and their cushion with heavy use. This occurs because their piles become "matted", as they are bent and crushed with heavy traffic. Denser and shorter piles may increase the durability of these products at the expense of cushion. Many deep-pile structures are also generally prone to unraveling at cut edges, requiring heavy fortification in modular or tile applications. Additionally the spaces between the upstanding piles tend to collect dust and dirt, allowing the growth of bacteria, making the floor-covering difficult to clean and sanitize. To stay flat, most broadloom carpets of this type are stretched and held at the edges of the room with pin-plates, Velcro™, and/or other similar means in order to hold the pre-stretched carpeting. If the product is used as a modular tile, deep cushioning pile structures are reinforced with heavy and stiff backings or with added stiff yarns, as exemplified by Justesen U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,663, Irwin U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,101, and Schilling U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,748, as shown in Group B in FIG. 1. The added backings dominate the thermal and hygroscopic characteristics of the composite in order to help the composite remain flat on the floor despite changes in temperature and/or humidity.
The remainder of the floorcoverings shown in Group A in FIG. 1 include relatively thin textile fabrics laminated to soft and thick resilient backings. They provide dirt-blocking and textile face aesthetics along with cushion. For the sake of durability and abrasion resistance the face fabric is a "velours", velvet or similar structure with the face fibers upstanding or looping at the surface. The upstanding or looping fibers are held in place or "anchored" with fibrous or polymeric "base" or "anchoring" sublayers that stabilize the fabric, but increase the tendency of the denser face layer to expand and contract much faster than the softer cushion as temperature and humidity varies. Consequently the thermal and hygroscopic properties of the relatively dense face layers are not balanced against the thermal and hygroscopic properties of the bulky cushioning backings. Small amounts of differential expansion or contraction can cause major warping, with the edges and corners rising over the center (cupping), or the center rising over the edges and corners (doming). Differential expansion or contraction of the floor covering as low as 1% can cause dramatic warping by a height approximately equal to 10% of the length or width of the floor covering. Composite floorcoverings using shallow-pile face fabrics containing dense anchoring base sublayers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,513 to Leybourne, U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,701 to Salamon, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,622,408 to Zafiroglu, among others, as shown in FIG. 1. Similar fabrics, not necessarily intended for floorcovering composites, are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 529,858, to Hardwick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,510 to Lesley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,507 to Beane, U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,309 to Czelusnik, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,708 to Troy.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,936,327 and 7,255,761 to Zafiroglu, the present inventor, are also listed in Group A in FIG. 1, and incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. They disclose stitchbonded fabrics using shrinkable substrates designed to cause the stitching yarns to buckle out of plane and form pile-like loops. The shrunk substrates remain within the fabric structure, stabilize the fabric and hold the buckled yarns in position, serving the same function as the fibrous anchoring base sub-layers of the shallow-pile fabrics discussed above. The shrunk fabrics may be attached as they are to a soft cushion layer without additional processing steps to form floor-coverings. The lay-flat properties of such floorcoverings are not discussed.
Another U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,925 to Lefebvre, also shown in Group A in FIG. 1, envisions a mechanism similar to fabric stabilization for the sake of durability. Very light woven or knit face "velvet" face fabrics weighing only between 70 and 120 g/m2 are attached to dense sublayers, in the range of 1,000-1,200 kg/m3 (1.0-1.2 g/cc), which are in turn attached to or co-formed with less and less dense secondary cushioning sublayers. Details of the construction of the fabrics or the expected level of durability are not discussed, and no provision is made for layflat. A dense sublayer directly glued to a very light fabric having a very limited weight of "pile" fibers would severely limit facial aesthetics, and have quite limited abrasion resistance. It would also dominate expansion and contraction and make it difficult to control layflat.
Other approaches have been proposed in prior art dealing with thin face fabrics attached to soft cushion layers; U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,578 to Teague shown as part of Group C in FIG. 1 goes in the opposite direction and proposes a durable floor covering prepared by laminating a relatively thin and highly-stretchable elastic face fabric to an elastic backing with highly-elastic adhesives. Preferred elastic face fabrics include inelastic fabrics coated or impregnated with elastic polymers. The face is required to stretch by at least 15% and preferably up to 50% to simulate the lateral deflection of the upstanding pile yarns of deep-pile floor coverings. However, unlike the action of deep pile tufts which can bend forward without impeding forward foot or roller or caster motion, a highly elastic face can increase drag against traffic, and in instances of high traffic it can result in excessive surface fiber fatigue and delamination due to repetitive stretching. A highly deformable elastic face can particularly increase resistance to sliding chairs across the floor, which is already a problem with the majority of pile carpeting. Walking on a highly stretchable face fabric is difficult due to the unstable nature of the highly stretchable surface. Moreover the construction of the face fabrics, the orientation of the surface fibers, the level of fibrous surface quality after the application of adhesive, or the targeted level of durability are not disclosed, and no provision is made for lay-flat.
As shown in Group E of FIG. 1, a different concept for simultaneously improving the dimensional stability, lay-flat, and durability for floor-coverings using textile fabrics attached to cushioning layers, without adding stiff under-layers under the textile face, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,425,359 and 7,431,975 to Zafiroglu, the present inventor, and are incorporated herein in their entirety. They utilize deeply-structured three-dimensional undulated surfaces, automatically accommodating planar stress by acting as planarly-extensible and compressible spring-like layers, and by distributing surface expansion and contraction along the facial undulations, and virtually eliminating deformation out-of-plane. U.S. published patent application US 2009/0047465, also by the present inventor and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, extends the concept to more durable embodiments by requiring substantially continuous adhesion, along the undulations. The undulating surface approach, however, limits the possibility of a floor-covering with a smooth-surface, which is desirable in some instances for further processing, e.g., printing, floor-performance, easier cleaning, or aesthetics. It also limits surface textures to those that are laterally compressible, but not necessarily aesthetically desirable

Fabric-faced floor coverings with micro-spring face structures


A surgical instrument has a housing which contains a motor that drives a spindle. A tool bit is attached to the motor by a holder that includes a body with a first end portion connected to the spindle, a central portion with a cavity therein, and a second end portion having an aperture through which a shaft of the tool bit passes into the cavity. A pair of lock pawls are pivotally mounted in the cavity with each one having a first tab that enters a slot in the shaft when the lock pawls are in a first position to hold the tool bit in the instrument. The first tabs retract from the slot when the lock pawls are in a second position for changing the tool bit. The lock pawls have second tabs that engage a restrainer only in the second position to prevent the body from rotating. A ring extends around the body and pivots the lock pawls between the first and second positions when the ring moved longitudinally along the body. A manually operable shift lever is pivotally coupled to the housing and move the ring longitudinally along the body.

The present invention relates to motor driven surgical instruments; and specifically to mechanisms for releasably attaching a variety of different tool bits to the surgical instrument.
Orthopedic and neurological surgeons frequently use a power driven surgical instrument to cut, shape and drill into bone. Such an instrument utilizes a small pneumatically driven motor contained in a cylindrical housing which is held by the surgeon during use. A hose from the source of compressed air attaches to one end of housing. A tool bit is received by a fitting at the other end of the housing and is rotated by the motor when compressed air is applied to the instrument.
A wide variety of different shaped and sized tool bits are available for drilling into, cutting, and shaping bone as needed during a surgical procedure. Thus, the surgical instrument must be able to accept various kinds and sizes of tool bits.
One common surgical instrument of this type used a collet to connect an end of the tool bit shaft to the spindle of the motor. This connection required a special collet wrench in order to replace the tool bit. In addition, the various tool bits had different sized shafts thus requiring different size collets. The need for corresponding sized collets and wenches not only made tool replacement time consuming and cumbersome, it required that additional items be stocked in the operating room. Further because a sterile environment was necessary for the surgical procedure, the different collets and wrenches have to be sterilized between the procedures.

Tool holdling mechanism for a motor driven surgical instrument


This invention relates to a method for producing a smooth continuous and adherent pressure bonded or cold welded layer of a metal containing composite on a base or target material through the driving force of a pulsed laser. The method includes the steps of selecting a laser transparent substrate, applying thereto a thin laser absorptive polymeric film characterized by a high optical coefficient of absorption to the wavelength of said laser, applying the metal containing composite to the absorptive polymeric film, and placing the base or target material in close proximity to said composite. The composite is a multilayered composite comprising laser absorptive polymer, gold, nickel and gold-flash, and the pulsed laser energy is directed through the transparent substrate toward said composite and is absorbed by the polymeric film causing heating and vaporization thereof while leaving portions of the polymeric film unvaporized. The vaporization provides the necessary pressure to blowoff the unvaporized portions of the absorptive polymeric film so as to propel the composite onto the base or target material.

In the field of plating metal substrates, for example, particularly a process for plating with a precious metal such as gold, selectively controlling the coverage area and thickness of an adherent deposit of such plating metal is a significant cost saving step, often representing the difference between a commercially feasible process and a mere laboratory phenomenon.
The known processes fall into two generally accepted categories: wet plating and dry plating. Electro-plating is a wet plating process. The process is most commonly carried out by forming an electrical circuit between the metallic workpiece and a spaced electrode, all while located in a liquid bath containing the material to be plated out. Note U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,498 to Wagner and U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,843 to Johnson, et al.
These conventional electroplating processes can be quite costly and complicated, and can be hazardous both to personal safety and the environment. Waste treatment and disposal are also significant practical problems. Further complications ensue when conventional electroplating is used for selective depositing of the metal onto predetermined areas of the workpiece or to remote areas which may not be electrically connected for conventional plating. For instance, recycling of expensive unused gold can lead to problems.
There are other conventional techniques for depositing a noble metal such as gold on a substrate. Evaporation of gold contacts is in principle a dry plating or deposition alternative to wet electroplating. It is not considered practical, however, because conventional methods require a high vacuum, non-selective deposition of unnecessary gold, which requires extensive recycling, are not easy to turn on and off for spot evaporation without heavily coating a shutter mechanism, and also produces a shadow effect and a poorly defined image. Furthermore, conventional boat evaporation of certain alloy compositions which are required for wear resistance may be difficult. The shortcomings of this technology illustrate the need for a method of metal deposition, in only specifically defined areas, with well-controlled thickness and uniformity, as well as the ability to maintain stoichiometry of the plating alloy.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,006, assigned to the assignee hereof, represented a significant breakthrough in the dry plating or cold welding of metals, such as gold and precious metals, onto a substrate. A significant aspect of the aforementioned patent was the recognition of the importance of providing a polymeric film, essentially transparent to the wavelength of the pulsed laser used in the operation, as support for both the metal to be transferred to the substrate and the absorptive polymer. While the process thereof resulted in a smooth and continuous deposited layer, it was discovered that the adhesion of the transferred material, such as gold, was not as effective as desired. Through a combination of a higher, but precise laser energy density window, and a unique multi-layered composite metal foil to be laser bonded, it was discovered that superior adhesion was achieved by the process of this invention. The improved process hereof, and the results achieved thereby, will become more apparent in the description to follow.


An electrical heating device includes a housing, which encloses a circulation chamber through which a medium can flow and into which heating ribs extend essentially parallel to one another. Each of the ribs has a U-shaped recess which opens into a uniform connecting chamber, which is separated from the circulation chamber by a partition wall provided in the region of the open ends of the U-shaped recesses, and which accommodates at least one PTC heating element that abuts oppositely situated inner sides of the U-shaped recess in heat-conducting contact. The heating ribs protrude inwards alternately from the oppositely situated inner sides of the housing. A flow passage of a meander-type flow channel is formed in the housing between the free ends of the heating ribs and the adjacent inner wall of the housing. The flow passage is closed off by a covering element on the side oppositely situated to the partition wall.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical heating device with a housing, which encloses a circulation chamber through which a medium can flow, into which heating ribs extend essentially parallel to one another, and which each of the ribs has a U-shaped recess which opens into a uniform connecting chamber which is separated from the circulation chamber by a partition wall provided in the region of the open ends of the U-shaped recesses, which accommodates at least one PTC heating element, which abuts oppositely situated inner sides of the U-shaped recess in heat-conducting contact.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrical heating device of this nature is known from EP 1 872 986 which originates from the applicant.


An adjustable bicycle seat assembly includes an adjusting unit which includes a top end member connected to the seat post and an adjusting tube is connected to a lower end of the top end member. An inner space is defined in the adjusting tube and an outer space is defined between the adjusting tube and the seat post. A path is defined between the adjusting tube and the top end member so as to communicate with the inner space and the outer space. An axle is movably received in the path and removably seals the path. An anti-rotation device is located between the seat post and the seat tube so as to prevent the seat post from rotating relative to the seat tube.

A bicycle rider sits on the seat which is connected to the seat tube of the bicycle frame and vibration transferred from the ground is transferred to the rider via the tires, the wheels, the seat tube and the seat post. However to reduce the vibration transferred to the rider is one of the main concerns to the bicycle manufacturers. Besides, the height of the seat is related to safety and comfortable riding to the riders of different heights. Therefore, an adjustable bicycle seat assembly is developed to meet the requirements and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,180 which discloses a seat post adjustably inserted into the seat tube of the bicycle frame and a separation member is located between the seat post and the seat tube. An opening is defined in the separation member and an axle extends through the opening and the other end of the axle is connected to a movable member in the seat tube. The axle is moveable between the first position and the second position, and the seat tube and the seat post are moved relative to each other so as to control the travel path of the fluid which is filled in the second position and air is filled in the first position. The fluid flows when the opening is opened so as to compress the air to adjust the relative position of the seat post and the seat tube. However, the seat tube and the seat post are both circular tubes which rotate relative each other. The seat rotates especially when vibration is transferred to the rider and the rider cannot concentrate to operate the handlebar of the bicycle.
The present invention intends to provide an adjustable bicycle seat assembly wherein the seat post is adjusted relative to the seat tube of the bicycle frame and the seat post is not rotated relative to the seat tube.


An image processing device and a method thereof. The image processing device includes a mapper to map a two-dimensional plane of an input image into a three-dimensional vector surface, a coefficient calculator to calculate a coefficient with respect to an equation of a plane formed by a plurality of pixels mapped by the mapper, and an interpolator to interpolate by calculating a gray-level of a location to be interpolated based on the equation of the plane obtained by the coefficient calculator. When the pixels on the 2-D plane are mapped into the 3-D vector space, the image processing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept prevents overshoot or undershoot which may occur at the edges or on planes, and thus displays a smooth image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept generally relates to an image processing device and a method thereof. More specifically, the present general inventive concept relates to an image processing device capable of resizing an input image without incurring image deterioration at edges, and a method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image signal input to a display carries a limited amount of information. When an image, which is the collection of such image signals, is resized according to a size of the display or according to a user's desired size, the image on the display may be distorted. For example, if the input image is enlarged twice, each source data is mapped into a destination data of the enlarged image as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, the source data A of coordinates (0, 0) is mapped to the destination data of coordinates (0, 0), the source data B of coordinates (0, 1) is mapped to the destination data of coordinates (0, 2), the source data C of coordinates (1, 0) is mapped to the destination data of coordinates (2, 0), and the source data D of coordinates (1, 1) is mapped to the destination data of coordinates (2, 2). The source data A, B, C and D represent pixel values, respectively. The destination data of coordinates (0, 1), (0, 3), (1, 0), (1, 1), (1, 2), (1, 3), (2, 1), (2, 3), (3, 0), (3, 1), (3, 2) and (3, 3) remain empty without being mapped to the source data, which causes distortion of the image signal.
Interpolation technology is required to address the above drawbacks. The interpolation re-samples the image data to determine values between defined pixels. That is, the interpolation creates values between the pixels when enlarging the image signal. Frequently used interpolation algorithms include a nearest neighbor pixel interpolation, a bilinear interpolation, and a cubic convolution interpolation.
The nearest neighbor pixel interpolation outputs values between pixels by selecting values of the nearest neighbor pixels as shown in FIG. 2. This interpolation does not deteriorate the original image data, but may introduce errors of 1/√{square root over (2)} in maximum and coarse image since output pixels are obtained from the collection of input pixels without generating new data.
The bilinear interpolation outputs values between pixels by selecting a weighted average with respect to distances to four adjacent pixels as shown in FIG. 3. The bilinear interpolation rearranges the pixel values of the interpolated image based on the following equation.
[Equation 1]R=(1−u)(2−v)Px,y+u(1−v)Px+1,y+(1−u) vPx,y+1+uvPX+1,y+1
In Equation 1, P indicates a pixel value of the input image signal, and R indicates a pixel value of the interpolated image signal.
The cubic convolution interpolation outputs an interpolated pixel value from the nearest 16 pixel values of the original image surrounding a point to be rearranged, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In a case that a sample data of the original image is ƒ(xk), a continuous function {circumflex over (ƒ)}(x) interpolated from the sample data is expressed as the following equation.
                                          f            ^                                          (            x            )                          =                              ∑            k                                                                                c              k                                                  β                                            (                                  x                  -                                      x                    k                                                  )                                                                        [                  Equation                                                              2                ]
In Equation 2, β(x) is a basis function, ck is a coefficient relating to the pixel value ƒ(xk), x indicates an interpolation point, and xk and xk+1 indicate pixel locations at a current resolution. The continuous function expressed as Equation 2 may be rearranged to a sin c(x) function for the sake of a more ideal interpolation as the following equation:
                                          f            ^                                          (            x            )                          =                              ∑            k                                                                                f                                            (                                  x                  k                                )                                                  sin                                                                                c                                                  (                                      x                    -                                          x                      k                                                        )                                            .                                                          [                  Equation                                                              3                ]
However, it is infeasible to implement substantially because the sin c(x) function is defined in an infinite extent. Thus, the cubic convolution interpolated continuous function is suggested instead of the sin c(x) function.
Relation between an interpolation point x to be interpolated and neighboring sampling points is s=x−xk, and 1−s=xk+1−x, where 0≦s≦1 and xk≦x≦xk+1.
If β(x) of Equation 2 is used instead of sin c(x) in Equation 3, finite extent is introduced. That is, a basis kernel function has a valid value in the (−2, 2) region.
                              β                                (            x            )                          =                  {                                                                                (                                              α                        +                        2                                            )                                                                                                        x                                                                    3                                                        -                                                            (                                              α                        +                        3                                            )                                                                                                        x                                                                    2                                                        +                  1                                                                              0                  ≤                                                          x                                                        ≤                  1                                                                                α                                                                                                        x                                                                    3                                                        -                                      5                                        α                                                                                                        x                                                                    2                                                        +                                      8                                        α                                                                                    x                                                                              -                                      4                                        α                                                                                1                  ≤                                                          x                                                        ≤                  2                                                                                [                  Equation                                                              4                ]
If β(x) of Equation 2 substitutes sin c(x) of Equation 3 using the relation between the interpolation point and the sampling points, the cubic convolution interpolated continuous function is expressed as the following equation:
                                                                                f                  ^                                                                  (                  x                  )                                            =                                                                                f                                                              (                                              x                                                  k                          -                          1                                                                    )                                                                                {                                          α                                                                    (                                                                              s                            3                                                    -                                                      2                                                                                s                              2                                                                                +                          s                                                )                                                              }                                                  +                                                                                f                                                              (                                              x                        k                                            )                                                                                {                                                                  α                                                                          (                                                                                s                              3                                                        -                                                          s                              2                                                                                )                                                                    +                                              (                                                                              2                                                                                s                              3                                                                                -                                                      3                                                                                s                              2                                                                                +                          1                                                )                                                              }                                                  +                                                                                f                                                        (                                          x                                              k                        +                        1                                                              )                                                                                {                                                            α                                                                    (                                                                              -                                                          s                              3                                                                                +                                                      2                                                                                s                              2                                                                                -                          s                                                )                                                              +                                          (                                                                                -                            2                                                                                s                            3                                                                          +                                                  3                                                                                s                            2                                                                                }                                        +                                                                                f                                                        (                                          x                                              k                        +                        2                                                              )                                                                                {                                          α                                                                    (                                                                              -                                                          s                              3                                                                                +                                                      s                            2                                                                          )                                                              }                                    .                                                                                [                  Equation                                                              5                ]
In equation 5, α is a cubic convolution interpolation coefficient.
The cubic convolution interpolation produces a smoother image than the nearest neighbor pixel interpolation and a sharper image than the bilinear interpolation. However, the cubic convolution interpolation may bring about image overshoot or undershoot. The generated overshoot or undershoot deteriorates the image quality.

Image processing device and method thereof


For a semiconductor device S as a sample of an observed object, there are provided an image acquisition part 1 for carrying out observation of the semiconductor device S, and an optical system 2 comprising an objective lens 20. A solid immersion lens (SIL) 3 for magnifying an image of the semiconductor device S is arranged movable between an insertion position where the solid immersion lens includes an optical axis from the semiconductor device S to the objective lens 20 and is in close contact with a surface of the semiconductor device S, and a standby position off the optical axis. Then an image containing reflected light from SIL 3 is acquired with the SIL 3 at the insertion position, and the insertion position of SIL 3 is adjusted by SIL driver 30, with reference to the image. This realizes a semiconductor inspection apparatus (microscope) capable of readily performing observation of the sample necessary for an analysis of microstructure of a semiconductor device or the like, and a semiconductor inspection method (sample observation method) therewith.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a microscope used for observing a sample such as a semiconductor device, and a sample observation method therewith.
2. Related Background Art
Inspection of semiconductors is implemented using a method of observing a semiconductor device as a sample with a microscope or the like and thereby performing an analysis of failure in a semiconductor device, evaluation of reliability thereof, and so on. The known semiconductor inspection apparatus include an emission microscope, an IR-OBIRCH device, and so on (cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-190946 and Japanese Patent Publication No. H7-18806). In recent years, however, the semiconductor devices as inspected objects are being miniaturized more and more, and it is becoming hard for the conventional inspection apparatus using visible light or infrared light, to analyze the microstructure, because of restrictions from the diffraction limit in the optical system.
For this reason, in a case where the microstructure of a semiconductor device is analyzed to detect an abnormal portion in a circuit pattern such as transistors and interconnections formed in the semiconductor device, an abnormality-existing range is first narrowed down to some extent by an inspection apparatus using visible light or infrared light. Then the narrowed-down range is further observed by a method with an observation apparatus such as an electron microscope with higher resolution to detect an abnormal portion in the semiconductor device.

Microscope and sample observation method


Disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and methods for dynamic overprovisioning for data storage systems. In one embodiment, a data storage system can reserve a portion of memory, such as non-volatile solid-state memory, for overprovisioning. Depending on various overprovisioning factors, recovered storage space due to compressing user data can be allocated for storing user data and/or overprovisioning. Utilizing the disclosed dynamic overprovisioning systems and methods can result is more efficient utilization of cache memory, reduction of write amplification, increase in a cache hit rate, and the like. Improved data storage system performance and increased endurance and longevity can thereby be attained.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to data storage systems for computer systems. More particularly, the disclosure relates to dynamic overprovisioning for data storage systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Data storage systems execute many system tasks and housekeeping operations, such as garbage collection, wear leveling, bad block management, and the like in the course of their normal operation. Performing system tasks and housekeeping operations involves substantial overhead, such as increased write amplification in cases when non-volatile solid-state memory is used for storing data. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide more efficient mechanisms for performing housekeeping operations.

Dynamic overprovisioning for data storage systems


A mixture which is polymerizable to polymers exhibiting a high optical anisotropy which is stable during polymerization. The mixture contains a first monomer or (and/or) oligomer having two or more polymerizable functional groups and optionally a mesogenic group; a second monomer or oligomer bearing at least one mesogenic group having an aromatic double ring structure and only one polymerizable group; and from 1 to 50% by weight of a monomer non-polymerizable with the first or second monomer, but which also contains a mesogenic group having an aromatic double ring structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to polymerizable mixtures and optically anisotropic polymers which can be prepared therefrom.
2. Description of the Related Art
Low molecular weight nematic or smectic compounds can be readily oriented in thin layers in the temperature range of the liquid crystalline phase and then have an optical anisotropy by means of which polarized light can be influenced in a controlled manner. Technically, this effect is utilized, for example, in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), in which the brightness of individual pixels is changed by switching the orientation of the molecules by applying an electric field. By a suitable choice of compounds with high refractive index anisotropy Δn, optical delays of the order of magnitude of the wavelengths of visible light can be achieved in the case of layer thicknesses of a few μm. The optical anisotropy of these layers of low molecular weight liquid crystalline compounds is, however, stable only in a very limited temperature range, owing to the thermal motion of the molecules and the limited liquid crystalline phase region. In order to produce permanent layers having a defined optical anisotropy, which is also retained in the case of a temperature change, liquid crystalline compounds having polymerizable groups which are crosslinked by chemical reaction to give a polymer film are therefore used. Liquid crystalline side-chain polymers which are prepared from polymerizable nematic and smectic monomers and oligomers, as described, for example, in WO 96/25470, have proven particularly useful for this purpose.
For many applications, the degree of optical anisotropy Δn is of key importance. Whereas, in the case of a pure retarder function, the total optical delay Δn·d can be established not only by the material parameter Δn but also by the thickness d of a layer, this is no longer possible, for example, for the width Δλ of a cholesteric reflection band since this is directly dependent on the birefringence Δn, because Δλ/λ=Δn/n (where λ=middle wavelength of the cholesteric reflection band, n=mean refractive index of the material). The Δn of the material can be varied within certain limits by a suitable choice of the chemical groups of the mesogens, but this choice is greatly limited from economic points of view. In particular, compounds having a high Δn, such as, for example, tolanes, require complicated syntheses and, owing to the excessively high costs, are scarcely suitable for applications requiring a large amount of material.
The optical anisotropy of a liquid crystal layer is determined both by the polarizability of the individual molecules in the frequency range of visible light and by the temperature-dependent order parameter of the ensemble of all molecules (W. Maier, A. Saupe, Z. Naturforsch., Part A 14, 882 (1959); ibid. 15, 287 (1960)). In the polymerization of the liquid crystal layer, a change of optical anisotropy can occur. Since the chemical structures of the mesogens scarcely differ before and after the polymerization, it may be assumed that the optical polarizability is also similar in both cases. The order parameter is mainly responsible for the change in the optical anisotropy. In order to avoid a reduction of the order parameter during polymerization, compounds in which the polymerizable groups are decoupled from the mesogenic backbone of the molecule by an alkyl spacer are therefore generally used in the liquid crystalline mixtures known to date for the production of optically anisotropic polymer films.
Particularly suitable liquid crystals are the mixtures which are described in WO 96/25470 and contain liquid crystalline monomers or oligomers having exactly one polymerizable group and which, for increasing the crosslinking density and hence the stability of the film, have additional components which carry at least two polymerizable groups. The polymerizable groups are generally not mesogenic and disturb the order of the liquid crystalline phase. In such mixtures, liquid crystalline compounds having only one polymerizable group are therefore preferable, to those having two polymerizable groups if the object is a polymer film having as high an optical anisotropy as possible.
For the polymer films, it must furthermore be ensured that the optical anisotropy of the oriented but still unpolymerized liquid crystalline mixture is retained even after the polymerization reaction. However, it is found that, in contrast to earlier investigations with liquid crystalline monomers which carry two polymerizable groups (D. J. Broer, G. N. Mol, Makromol. Chem. 192, 59 (1991)), the polymer films produced according to WO 96/25470 often have a lower optical anisotropy than the oriented layers of the same material before the polymerization reaction.
The prior art discloses polymerizable liquid crystalline mixtures which contain nonpolymerizable liquid crystalline components, which however do not give a homogeneous polymer film after the polymerization. In particular, these films are unsuitable or suitable only to a limited extent for applications for which a high Δn is required. EP 451905 A describes anisotropic gels which are prepared from mixtures of polymerizable components with low molecular weight, liquid crystalline materials.
Characteristic of these gels is that the low molecular weight, liquid crystalline material forms a continuous phase around the polymer network. In these polymer-stabilized liquid crystalline gels, the low molecular weight, liquid crystalline components are still mobile and can be switched by the action of an external force, for example an electric field. However, they have no thermal and mechanical stability and are therefore not suitable as a stable optically anisotropic polymer film.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,395 B1 describes a film which is used as a broad-band circular polarizer. By segregation of an unpolymerizable liquid crystalline component in a polymerizable cholesteric material, it is intended to produce a nonlinear gradient of the composition perpendicular to the film surface, i.e. the films are not homogeneous. Nothing is stated concerning the mechanical stability and the optical anisotropy of the films. Apart from the given specific examples, no generally valid method is given as to how the LC material has to be selected in order to achieve the effect of a nonlinear pitch variation of the cholesteric reflection band, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,395 B1. The resulting considerable broadening of the cholesteric reflection band is achieved independently of the value Δλ/λ=Δn/n theoretically predetermined by the birefringence Δn. The LC mixtures used in the examples contain no aromatic double ring structures in the polymer moiety and are not suitable for ensuring a high optical anisotropy in the context of this invention in the polymer films.


A document corpus is annotated by given annotators and aggregates of the given annotators to generate a corpus of pre-annotated documents with given annotations. The same document corpus is annotated by a subject annotator to have subject annotations. The subject annotations are decomposed into superpositions of the given annotations. The decomposed subject annotations are mapped to a most representative superposition of the given annotations. The subject annotator may be mapped to the aggregate of given annotators corresponding to the most representative superposition.

Text analysis, referenced hereinafter as "TA," is known in the art pertaining to this invention as a sub-area or component of Natural Language Processing, hereinafter referenced as "NLP." TA is used in a range of commercial, research and educational industries and uses including, for example, information search and retrieval systems, e-commerce and e-learning systems. A typical TA involves an "annotator" which, as known in the relevant art, is a process for searching and analyzing text documents using a defined set of tags, and running the annotator on the text document to generate what is known in the art as "linguistic annotations." Annotators and linguistic annotations are well known. For the interested reader, an example listing of the many available TA publications can be found at the following URL: <http://www.Idc.upenn.edu/>.
An example TA may be illustrated by: <annot type="X">text</annot>, where "X" may be any of a defined set of annotation types such as, for example, Person, Organization and Location, and "text" is the text that the "X" annotation characterizes. This example TA, when inserted into or otherwise associated with an example text to indicate or delineate the beginning and end of the annotated text, may be as follows:                "The underlying economic fundamentals remain sound as has been pointed out by the Fed," said <annot type="Person">Alan Gayle</annot>, a managing director of <annot type="Organization">Trusco Capital Management</annot> in <annot type="Location" kind="city">Atlanta</annot>, "though fourth-quarter growth may suffer".
In the above example, "Alan Gayle" is an instance of the annotation type Person, "Trusco Capital Management" is an instance of the annotation type Organization and "Atlanta" is an instance of the annotation type Location. The example annotation type Location has an example feature, shown as "kind," with example possible values of "city", "state", and the like.
A problem can exist or present, though, when using a new or unknown annotator, which is that the industrial fields or other TA objectives to which the unknown annotator relates, to which it may be best suited, may not be fully known.
These and other problems can be considerable, because a user often needs a particularly tailored application, e.g. particular annotation rules and annotation types (e.g. annotate all CEOs of IT companies), in documents from in a given document collection or domain. There are known ways of building such particularly tailored applications, such as, for example, Interactive Learning System (see, for instance, SAIL system—http://www.research.ibm.com/IE/). These related art systems can eventually generate a rule-based annotation engine, capable of producing desired annotations, but have at least two shortcomings: human judgment is required, and there is a possibility of producing or converging on an inefficient result. For example, there may be a high number of processing rules generated by the SAIL system in response to interactions with the human user. Further, a new knowledge domain, and even a new document corpus, may require re-training of the system and re-generating the rules.

System and method of automatically mapping a given annotator to an aggregate of given annotators

International Business Machines Corporation