A portable rifle vise usable from a standing, sitting, or prone position is disclosed. The device is easily disassembled for storage or transportation.

The present invention relates to devices for holding a rifle steady while a shot is fired. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices to aid in zeroing the sights of a rifle.
Ideally, after a bullet leaves the muzzle of a rifle, it strikes the target at the precise point that was in the rifle sights at the time the trigger was pulled. However, in practice, there are many factors that adversely affect the accuracy of the sight adjustment, and the sights need to be periodically zeroed in. In general, the process of zeroing in involves sighting a rifle at a target, firing, observing the difference between the site struck by the bullet and the point at which the rifle was aimed, and adjusting the sights to correct for the error. This process may require several cycles of testing and adjusting to obtain the desired accuracy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,783, incorporated herein by reference, describes a device for supporting and sighting a firearm. This device is described as compact and portable. It is apparently designed to be used on the ground with the operator in a prone position. It could possibly be used on a table with the operator in a sitting position, but the portability feature would be somewhat compromised if a table were required as part of the package.


Systems and methods to select a location to perform a process are provided. In at least one embodiment, a system receives tool data defining a tool including its location within a manufacturing facility and process data defining a process for assembling at least a portion of a vehicle. The system stores the tool data in memory. The system automatically determines whether the tool data satisfies a selected process definition. The system outputs a representation of the tool's location along a first axis, a representation of the process along a second axis, and a representation relative to the first axis and the second axis indicating that the tool satisfies the process if the tool data satisfies the process definition thereby enabling a user to select a location to perform the process.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to location selection systems and methods for performing a process within a manufacturing facility.
2. Background
Planning for the assembly of a vehicle within a manufacturing facility may involve identifying a location to perform a process within the manufacturing facility. Tool availability may influence the location selected to perform the process. Current methods of selecting a location include selecting a location based on an individual's knowledge of the manufacturing facility. Such methods may be time consuming and inefficient because of the number of tools needed to assemble a vehicle and the individual's potentially limited knowledge of the tools and their location within the manufacturing facility.


A method and an apparatus for performing power consumption management are provided, where the method is applied to an electronic device. The method includes: obtaining current information corresponding to an application from a database, the current information being of at least one current on at least one current path between a battery and at least one portion of the electronic device; and performing battery drain prediction corresponding to the application according to the current information. The method may further include: performing sampling operations to generate a plurality of samples of the current, and more particularly, utilizing an ADC to perform analog-to-digital conversion on a voltage difference corresponding to the current to generate the plurality of samples. The voltage difference can be obtained by probing two terminals of a resistor or a Hall component.

The present invention relates to power management mechanism of an electronic device, and more particularly, to a method for performing power consumption management, and to an associated apparatus.
A conventional portable electronic device (e.g., a multifunctional mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, etc.) can be very useful. More particularly, there are various kinds of applications (e.g., games) designed to be installed in the conventional portable electronic device mentioned above, and the user of the conventional portable electronic device may download some of the applications from the Internet. In a situation where a downloaded application is not properly designed, some problems may occur. For example, the user may encounter rapid battery drain due to the downloaded application. In another example, the user may know that the rapid battery drain problem would probably be encountered due to the downloaded application, but it seems unlikely that the conventional portable electronic device can provide sufficient information to help the user since the conventional portable electronic device typically displays the remaining power percentage for the whole system only. In conclusion, the related art does not serve the end user well. Thus, a novel method is required for enhancing power consumption management of an electronic device.

Method for performing power consumption management, and associated apparatus


The invention relates to a process for producing a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined in the specification, which comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a lactone with an imine to obtain a chiral diol of the formula IV; (b) oxidizing the diol to obtain an aldehyde of formula V; (c) condensing the aldehyde with an enolether followed by dehydration to obtain a compound of formula VI; (d) hydrogenating the compound of formula VI to obtain a ketone of formula VII; and (e) chirally catalytically reducing the ketone, wherein steps (b)-(d) are shown in the following reaction scheme: ##STR2##

This invention provides an improved process for producing azetidinones useful as hypocholesterolemic agents, as disclosed in co-owned, copending PCT Publication WO 95/08532, which is equivalent to U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,115, filed Mar. 18, 1996, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. More particularly, this invention provides the steps of producing an azetidinone represented by the formula 1.

3-hydroxy gamma-lactone based enantioselective synthesis of azetidinones


A bitless bridle for horses includes a pair of substantially rigid sidepieces, each including a shaft and at least four attachment eyelets associated therewith. The at least four attachment eyelets each include a single, end eyelet extending longitudinally from a lowermost end of the sidepiece and three eyelets grouped about an opposite end of the sidepiece in a cloverleaf configuration. One of the three eyelets is a chinband eyelet configured to be coupled to a chinband of the bridle. Supporting headgear is coupled to the pair of substantially rigid sidepieces and is configured to maintain the sidepieces in position on sides of the head of the horse. An enhancing link is coupled between the end eyelet and the chinband. The enhancing link has at least one enhancing eyelet associated therewith and located intermediate the end eyelet and the chinband. The enhancing eyelet is configured to provide at least one intermediate point of attachment for a rein between the end eyelet and the chinband to allow a wielder of the rein to apply leverage through the sidepiece with the rein.

There are many situations in which the use of the conventional bit-type bridle can be highly disadvantageous. Many horses tend to chew the bit, develop sores within their mouths, balk at the bit so that excessive pressure must be applied in order to obtain control, salivate excessively when the bit is in their mouth, or, in untrained and unbroken horses, misbehave and rear their heads so that the bit cannot be placed into their mouths. It is also known that a bit in a horse's mouth can cause cutting of the tongue, chipping of the teeth, bruising of the mouth, etc.
For at least these reasons the hackamore-type bridle is often used to break horses or is used on horses that have mouth problems that limit use of a bit. Hackamore bridles generally have rigid sidepieces wherein applying pressure to the reins will result in a pivoting action. The sidepieces are usually constructed such that an actual pivoting around a pivotal point takes place. These forces are used to train or direct a horse to act or move in a particular manner or direction. These bridles can be disadvantageous in that they generally apply pressure only to the nose and/or under the chin of the horse when there are other areas which are as sensitive and which also can aid in the control of the horse's actions.
One of the more effective bitless hackamore-type bridles developed to date is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,033 (hereinafter referred to as the '033 bridle"), to the present inventor. The '033 bridle has sidepieces whereby pressure upon the reins is transmitted by the sidepieces to multiple points on the horses head. The sidepieces of the '033 bridle operate by pivotal means that do not require moving parts and which will, when pressure is applied to the reins, manually exert pressure to the horse at the top of the head behind the horse's ears, over the front of the horse's nose, under the chin and inwardly on the sides of the jaw of the horse.
Despite the popularity of the '033 bridle, it has been found that it can be problematic in a number of manners. In general, the reins used with the '033 bridle are connected at the lowermost point of each sidepiece, near the mouth of the horse. Thus, a great deal of leverage can be applied through each of the sidepieces of the '033 bridle with a pull on the reins. While a large amount of leverage may be desirable in some applications, such as with a very unruly horse, more well-trained horses often require less force applied to the face or head of the horse to achieve desired results.


A system for automatically tensioning an awning canopy while deploying a clamp arm for operative engagement with the side edge of an awning canopy, includes a clamp arm pivotally mounted on the outermost component of a telescoping rafter arm also having an innermost component. The innermost component slidably receives a gripping system that engages the inner component and becomes releasably locked thereto upon initial pivotal movement of the clamp arm. A link arm interconnects the clamp arm with the outer telescoping component such that further pivotal movement of the clamp arm causes a longitudinal extension of the rafter arm to apply tension to the awning canopy.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to retractable awnings, and more particularly to a stabilizing clamp adapted to minimize slapping of the awning canopy during inclement weather while simultaneously tensioning the awning canopy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Retractable awnings have been utilized for many years to provide shade or other protection to doorways and windows or to overlie an area adjacent to a building structure, such as a patio, deck or the like. More recently, retractable awnings have been mounted on movable structures such as travel trailers, mobile homes, recreational vehicles and the like.
In any of the above uses, however, a prevalent problem has been damage to the canopy of the awning caused when inclement weather conditions, such as high winds, cause the canopy to flap thereby tearing the canopy fabric.
Most, if not all, retractable awnings include rafter arms which extend from a support surface for the awning to the outer edge of the awning canopy when the awning is extended. Rafter arms typically include two telescoping members which are longitudinally adjustable to accommodate extension and retraction of the awning. Systems have been developed for mechanically extending the length of awning rafters so as to desirably tension the awning canopy when it is extended. Also, systems have been devised for interconnecting a rafter arm to the awning canopy to inhibit flapping of the awning canopy in inclement weather conditions. An example of such a clamp is shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/613,228 entitled "Stabilizing Clamp for Canopy of a Retractable Awning" filed Mar. 8, 1996, which is of common ownership with the present application. Further, systems are commonly employed for locking the longitudinal relationship of the telescoping members once the awning is fully extended.
While not known in the art to applicant's knowledge, a desirable accessory for retractable awnings would reside in a device or system providing a means for gripping the awning canopy to prevent flapping and simultaneously lock the longitudinal relationship of the telescoping members and tension the canopy.
It is to this end that the present invention has been developed.

Combination awning clamp and rafter arm lock with canopy tensioning capabilities


A method and apparatus for determining the service life of a cyclic system the method including the steps of determining at least one characteristic of the system to determine a characteristic value and determining a cycle time of the system. The at least characteristic value is applied to an algorithm in which the characterisitic value is integrated to determine a diagnostic value, and comparing the diagnostic value to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. The apparatus including a sensor for determining a system characteristic and a calculating unit operatively connected to the sensor. The calculating unit including circuitry for performing a mathematical integration on the system characteristic to determine a diagnostic value and comparing the diagnostic valve to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. A notification device operatively connected to the calculating unit for indicating the operational status of the system.

In the manufacturing environment, various systems are employed in order to operate machinery and transport goods. In order to achieve consistent output and continuity in the various systems, frequent maintenance and trouble shooting is often required. One manor of maintaining machinery is to wait until a failure has occurred in a particular component and then replace that component on an as-needed basis. Such maintenance, however, often requires untimely interruptions of the production process leading to costly down time.
Accordingly, there has been a growing trend in machinery maintenance to employ preventative maintenance procedures so that a machine is not brought down by an untimely failure. Instead, maintenance may be performed during planned down times with various components being serviced in an efficient process. However, since preventative maintenance often requires replacement of components before they actually fail, it must be determined which part is in need of replacement or repair and when. One way to determine the replacement scheduling of components would be to assign a particular cycle life to a component and simply replace that component after it has achieved its predetermined cycle life. However, how long a component will remain operationally effective depends on a variety of factors. For example, in a pneumatic system, the level of contamination in the pressurized air, the lubrication used, the operating pressure, ambient environment, and cycle speeds are just a few of the factors, which will influence cycle life. Accordingly, this method of preventative maintenance can lead to the replacement of parts, which are in fine working order creating a wasteful and relatively expensive procedure.
There have been attempts to use more sophisticated means of predicting when a component will fail in a particular system. One such method of predetermining component failure is set forth in EP 0740805 A1. The system set forth in the patent publication includes the use of a transducer, a learning mode, data collection at predetermined multiple points within a cycle, and memory operable during a learning mode. During a cycle digital sample signals may be taken at 100 to 1000 points of the cycle. It also includes a means for providing permissible ranges of values at the predetermined points in comparison between actual data and data of a learning mode and means to provide an output signal if the actual data exceeds the permissible data on predetermined points. This method, however, requires significant memory space in order to store the many data points in the cycle. In addition, high computational speed is needed for comparing the data at each point in the cycle with the predetermined range of data values. Complex mathematical statistical evaluation is also required.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,465 is directed to an on-line valve diagnostic monitoring system. The system senses operational characteristics of a valve and provides a diagnosis of the aberrations in the system characteristics. Multiple sensors are used which then signal to a data acquisition system which can be transmitted to remote locations. In a pneumatically controlled valve, a pressure sensor or flow meter may be used to detect the air pressure required to actuate the valve. A stem strength sensing means for directly sensing tension and compression of the valve stem is also required for sensing the position of the valve and travel the valve stem. Accordingly, various sensors are used and a significant amount of data is collected.
In addition, the use of individual system characteristics has heretofore proven to be unacceptable for providing a reliable picture of system performance for determining periodic maintenance schedules. For example, in a pneumatic system, pressure measurements in the supply and exhaust lines of a valve or a cylinder only deliver information about the cylinder functions which are in most cases independent of valve functions. While pressure measurements may provide diagnostic information with regard to cylinder function, it does not provide sufficient diagnostic data for valve functions.
Flow measurements in a supply line in a pneumatic circuit delivers information about the functions of the entire pneumatic circuit. The information about cylinder functions would be limited for a time depending function, thus not permitting to differentiate between cylinder failures and other possible failures, e.g., malfunction of valve, clogged silencer, etc. The flow measurement improves the diagnosis for pneumatic circuit, but still does not provide sufficient diagnosis data for all functions.
Another measurement which can be taken is cycle time for a complete cycle of the circuit. The cycle time measurement delivers information about the functions of the entire pneumatic circuit, including information about cylinder and valve functions. However, this cycle time does not provide sufficient diagnostic data to determine whether a particular component is nearing failure.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for evaluating a cyclical system in order to determine when preventative maintenance should be performed. It is further desirable to provide such a method and apparatus which requires minimal collection of data and can be easily and inexpensively employed.

Method and apparatus for diagnosing a cyclic system


A system for in-air deployment of objects utilizes an aircraft having a hatch that can be opened while the aircraft is in mid-flight. An air and pressure tight container stowed within the aircraft has a doorway that is sealed to and about the hatch from within the aircraft. Mounted within the container is an expulsion system for expelling objects from the container through its doorway and the aircraft's hatch. The container may be coupled and sealed to other containers to define a contiguous volume for storing the objects and allowing movement of the objects between containers.

Currently, military systems, sensors and ordnance are delivered and dispensed by highly specialized and expensive military vehicles (e.g., bombers and fighter aircraft, warships, specialized transport ships, submarines, specialized ground vehicles, etc.). These delivery and dispensing vehicles have been developed to counter high-capability foes that also posses their own high-technology weaponry. However, use of these expensive systems is not cost-effective in all applications. For example, recent events have produced less sophisticated foes that are able to sustain themselves for what may be a long-term conflict. In these types of situations, the expensive high-tech delivery and dispensing vehicles may embody more technology than required. The prolonged use of the sophisticated and specialized systems against relatively unsophisticated foes reduces the useful life of the specialized systems.

Method and system for deployment of ordnance from an aircraft in mid-flight

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A sensor apparatus includes a first member, a second member, and a detection mechanism. The second member is relatively movable in a first direction with respect to the first member. The detection mechanism includes an elastic member arranged between the first member and the second member, a support that is provided between the first member and the elastic member and forms an air layer between the first member and the elastic member, the air layer having a thickness changed by an elastic deformation of the elastic member, and an electrode pair that forms a plurality of capacitances including a capacitance component changed in accordance with a change of the thickness of the air layer. The detection mechanism outputs a detection signal on a movement amount of the second member in the first direction based on a change of a combined capacitance of the electrode pair.

The present application relates to a sensor apparatus for detecting, for example, a press operation made by a user, and to a display apparatus including the sensor apparatus.
In recent years, portable information processing apparatuses typified by cellular phones are being made multifunctional, and the structure in which a display unit provided to a casing is caused to function as a user interface is proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-134473 discloses an electronic apparatus including a touch panel for detecting an input operation position on a display unit, and a press detection sensor for detecting an input operation force as a change in electric resistance between electrodes. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 10-198503 discloses a force detecting touch pad for detecting a press to a touch surface as a change in electric capacitance between electrodes.
Generally, a sensor for detecting a capacitance change due to a press adopts a technique of changing a capacitance between electrodes while using the structure in which a distance between electrodes is variable by a press. Since a capacitance is changed in inverse proportion to a distance between electrodes, in a case where a distance between electrodes is reduced by a press by 2%, for example, a capacitance between electrodes is increased by about 2%. On the other hand, in a case where a capacitance value of a capacitive sensor itself is difficult to be increased because of restrictions of a driver circuit, a detection speed, and the like, the sensor capacitance is restricted to about several pF to several tens of pF in many cases, though depending on a system of a detection circuit. Therefore, in a case where a change in distance between electrodes is minute, for example, about 2%, a capacitance change between electrodes is also minute and therefore it is extremely difficult to ensure detection sensitivity.

Capacitive touchscreen sensor apparatus and display apparatus


An analog/digital compatible reproducing system is disclosed, particularly a stationary head system using a digital recorded magnetic tape having a plurality of n, digital data recorded tracks. An analog recorded magnetic tape has a first analog recorded track and a second analog recorded track between which a guardband of a certain width is provided. Signals are reproduced from the digital recorded magnetic tape by driving n reproducing magnetic head elements respectively corresponding to the n digital data recorded tracks. The analog recorded magnetic tape is reproduced by driving a plurality of m reproducing magnetic head elements of said n reproducing, magnetic head elements, corresponding to the first and second recorded tracks so that common outputs can be produced from the m reproducing magnetic head elements. There is also disclosed a tape cassette used in such system.

This invention relates to an analog/digital compatible reproducing system applied particularly to a digital audio tape recorder of a stationary head system (S-DAT) for reproduction or recording/reproduction, so as to be capable of reproducing a normally analog recorded tape, for example, the compact cassette tape, and a tape cassette usable in such a system.
Recently, the digital recording audio tape recorder DAT has achieved remarkable development and popularization. However, since the usual cassette tape, or compact cassette audio tape is in extremely widespread use, the general users have a large number of recorded compact cassette tapes and thus use a conventional analog tape recorder and DAT. This causes great inconvenience, particularly for the user of the portable tape recorder of a pocket-size or the like.
An S-DAT (stationary head digital audio tape recorder) has substantially the same construction or hardware as does the conventional analog cassette system (player and recorder) except it has a multitrack head and is able to reproduce the analog signal recorded on the conventional compact cassette or record an analog signal on the compact cassette, and can further record and reproduce a digital signal, or is constructed to have the compatibility for both digital and analog recording/reproduction.
In this case, the cassette tape exclusively used for the S-DAT is produced according to the same specification as the conventional compact cassette B shown in FIG. 20 which is exclusively used for analog recording as will be understood from the above description. Therefore, particularly a reel hub 122 shown in FIG. 21, around which a magnetic tape 121 is wound has 6 ratchets 124 provided at an equal pitch on the inner wall of a cylindrical body 123 so as to project towards its center in the same way as in the conventional compact cassette B. A reel table 125 provided in the tape cassette holding portion of the S-DAT is matched with the shape of the reel hub 122. As shown in FIG. 22, this reel table has a reel shaft 126 at its center and this reel shaft 126 has 3 engaging projections 127 integrally provided around the reel shaft 126 at an equal pitch, as in the conventional analog cassette system. The three engaging projections 127 are inserted in recesses 128 which are formed between the ratchets 124 of the reel hub 122, when a tape cassette exclusively used for the S-DAT is loaded in the tape cassette holding portion of the S-DAT, or when the reel hub 122 is fitted on the reel table 125. When the reel table 125 is rotated in one direction as a rotating shaft 129 rotates, the reel hub 122 is rotated while the engaging projections 127 of the reel table 125 engage with the ratchets 124 of the reel hub 122. Thus, when this reel hub 122 ratchets, the magnetic tape 121 is wound on the other reel hub 122, and is transported past the head so that, for example, analog and digital reproduction is automatically made. Since the specification of the S-DAT tape cassette is the same as that of the conventional compact cassette B, the tape cassette for S-DAT has a mark (for example, detection hole or the like) provided for mechanically or electrically distinguishing from the conventional compact cassette.
The tape cassette exclusively used for S-DAT which has been discussed can be loaded in the normal analog cassette system since it has the same specification as the conventional compact cassette B. When the S-DAT tape cassette is recorded with a digital signal, however, the digital signal cannot be reproduced by the normal analog cassette system. This, the general user will inevitably load the S-DAT tape cassette in the normal analog cassette system without knowing it. Thus, in order to distinguish the S-DAT tape cassette from the conventional tape cassette, the general user will have to put an identification mark on the label, and finally will have no choice but to try to load the tape cassette in the analog cassette system and to reproduce it, thus probably getting confused in using tape cassettes. Moreover, since the idea of the compatibility for the digital and analog recording/reproduction is not yet fully understood by the general user, the S-DAT tape cassette may be mistaken for the compact cassette. In that case, since the S-DAT can not be reproduced, it may be regarded as being defective.

Analog/digital compatible reproducing system


A system and method for automatically changing a state of a device coupled to a headphone device is provided. The system comprises a means for detecting if at least one earpiece of the headphone device is activated or deactivated. Based on an activation state or a change in an activation state of the at least one earpiece, a state change may occur in the device. The state change is determined by a preset of a control module.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to portable devices having headphones, and more particularly to state changes in the portable devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Many portable consumer devices utilize a headphone in order to provide private and personalized audio to a user. In a stereo embodiment, these headphones typically include a right earpiece and a left earpiece coupled to a right and left channel of audio, respectively. Alternatively, the right and left earpieces may share a single channel of audio.
Conventionally, state changes in a portable device, such as a MP3 player or cell phone, must be manually initiated by a user. For example, if the user needs to place the device into a pause mode from a play mode, the user, typically, will need to physically access the device and make a selection (e.g., push a pause button) to pause the device. This may be troublesome when, for example, the device is located in a place that is hard to reach (e.g., deep in a pocket), the user only has a single hand or no hands free (e.g., holding items in both hands), or the user cannot safely access the device (e.g., while driving a car).
In alternative embodiments, the user may need to find a remote of the device and make a selection on the remote in order to change the state. Disadvantageously, this embodiment requires the user to physically locate and operate on the remote device in order to enable state changes.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for automatically changing states of a device without having to the physically access the device.

System and method for controlling states of a device


The invention provides methods and apparatuses for mounting a wireless network component to a fluorescent light. The internal electronics of the wireless network component are contained within a housing. Attachment means are used to attach the housing to a fluorescent lamp. The attachment means may comprise a support tube removably attached to the housing. The support tube fits over the fluorescent lamp and attaches to the housing to secure the wireless network component to the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, the housing may include power coupling pins on one side and fluorescent lamp pin connectors on the opposite side. The power coupling pins fit into one receptacle of the fluorescent light fixture and the pins of the fluorescent lamp are inserted into the fluorescent lamp pin connectors of the housing such that the wireless network component is mounted between the fluorescent lamp and the fluorescent light fixture.

The term "wireless network" is used herein to refer to any network to which a wireless computing device or a wireless communications device can connect through wireless means. A wireless connection is commonly achieved using electromagnetic waves, such as radio frequency ("RF") waves, to carry a signal over part or all of the communication path. Wireless networks can be private or public in nature and can be designed for two-way communications or for one-way broadcasts. Examples of wireless networks are 802.11, Bluetooth, HyperLAN, Ultra Wideband Radio, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). As wireless computing devices and wireless communications devices become more and more prolific, the demand increases for more ubiquitous access to these wireless networks.
Private wireless networks often serve a single building, campus or other defined location. In order to meet current government regulations for use of the radio frequency spectrum, a low signal transmit level is often used in these types of environments. This low transmit level allows the wireless signal to be effectively limited to the desired area by using walls, furniture, other obstructions in the environment, or even free space to attenuate and contain the signal. While a low transmit level works well to contain the wireless signal, it can also have the unintended consequence of allowing undesired gaps in the coverage area, for example by: (i) limiting the effective range of a wireless signal; (ii) amplifying or magnifying the impact of obstructions in the environment; (iii) reducing the amount of reflection of the wireless signal; and/or (iv) reducing the amount of wireless signal penetration through walls, windows, structures, or obstructions.
Wireless signal coverage gaps are also common in public networks. For example, two way communications networks, such as, cellular networks, PCS networks, paging networks, and mobile data networks, are often characterized by gaps in wireless signal coverage in areas such as tunnels, building lobbies, public gathering spaces, airports, public arenas, convention facilities, office spaces, etc. As another example, one way broadcast networks, such as satellite radio networks, GPS networks, or even AM radio stations, also tend to include wireless signal coverage gaps in areas such as buildings, public arenas, tunnels, or even under highway overpasses.
In order to provide wireless signal coverage within the gaps of a wireless network or to add traffic carrying capacity, additional network equipment is usually required. A common method of covering a gap or adding capacity is to place an additional network access point, such as a base station, in a location where it can communicate with one or more wireless computing device or wireless communications device located in or near the gap. A network access point may or may not require a dedicated hard-wired communications facility to or from the hardwired network. Adding network access points to a wireless network can allow additional communication channels to be added to the wireless network and usually allows additional traffic carrying capacity to be added as well. Both wired and wirelessly interconnected network access points are well known in the art.
In locations where additional channels or traffic carrying capacity is not needed on the wireless network, a wireless repeater, wireless reradiator, or wireless signal booster can be used to cover a gap. Usually a wireless repeater, wireless reradiator, or wireless signal booster receives the wireless signal over the air and then repeats the wireless signal or regenerates the wireless signal on either the same channel or another wireless channel. Wireless repeaters, wireless reradiators, and wireless signal booster are well known in the art. The benefits of using a wireless repeater, wireless reradiator, or wireless signal booster instead of a network access point can be a reduction in cost, size, power consumption and/or the lack of a need for a back-haul communications facility to the network.
Hereinafter, network access points, wireless repeaters, wireless reradiators, wireless signal boosters and other wireless network devices, such as hubs, routers gateways, etc. are referred to collectively as "wireless network components." It is known that wireless signal coverage is, in many cases, maximized by locating a wireless network component as high as possible in the environment. This allows line of sight from the wireless network component to more of the area without encountering obstructions such as desks, filing cabinets, office equipment, inventory, or other items commonly found in a commercial building, office space, retail space, manufacturing space, etc. The optimal location for a wireless network component, for purposes of maximizing wireless signal coverage, may thus be an overhead location, such as a ceiling.
Unfortunately, mounting a wireless network component to a ceiling may be difficult, require special mountings or specialized skills, or may require the device to be camouflaged from view. For example, it can be difficult or cost prohibitive to mount equipment to poured concrete ceilings, which are common in many buildings concrete. As another example, hotels and professional offices typically will not wish to have excess equipment mounted where it is obvious to their guests. Also, the overhead space of some manufacturing plants and other environment is characterized by an open plenum that would required specialized mounting brackets to suspend equipment from ceiling supports without obstruction from pipes, HVAC systems, etc. The cost of camouflaging a wireless network component and/or installing special mounting configurations would contribute to the overall cost of deployment and could make the overall cost of installation prohibitive. The need to remove mounting configurations and/or restore the overhead space to its pre-installation condition when a wireless network component is relocated could also be prohibitively cost and labor intensive.
Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the limitations of the prior art by adapting a wireless network component to be able to be easily mounted to existing infrastructure that is commonly available in many overhead locations. Beyond the need for ease of installation, wireless network components should also be easily relocated, so as to allow a network administrator to easily extend or reconfigure the coverage pattern of the wireless network.

Methods and apparatuses for mounting a wireless network component to a fluorescent light


A device for loading a trocar assembly with an adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument and a method of confirming that the trocar assembly is properly secured to the adapter assembly are provided. The device includes a base member and an engagement arm secured to the base member. The base member defines a longitudinal passage for receiving a trocar assembly and includes a proximal end surface. The engagement arm is configured to releasably secure a trocar assembly within the base member. The engagement arm includes a proximal end surface. The proximal end surface of the base member is configured to engage a distal end surface of a trocar housing of the trocar assembly when the trocar assembly is not properly secured within the adapter assembly.

Surgical instruments for applying staples, clips, or other fasteners to tissue are well known. Typically, endoscopic stapling instruments include an actuation unit, e.g., a handle assembly for actuating the instrument, an elongate shaft for accessing a body cavity, and a tool assembly disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft.
Adapter assemblies used with a circular stapling tool assembly typically include a trocar assembly for selectively positioning an anvil assembly relative to a cartridge assembly. To facilitate sterilization and reuse of the adapter assemblies, many of the trocar assemblies are removable. Subsequent to cleaning and sterilizing, and prior to reuse, the adapter assemblies need to be reassembled by hospital staff or other personnel. Ensuring that the adapter assembly is properly reassembled is important for functionality and patient safety of the circular stapling instruments.

Tip protector for ensuring trocar insertion


A fishing reel includes a reel body, a rotary member supported by the reel body and rotatable for taking up a fishing line, a transmission mechanism for transmitting drive to the rotary member in a direction for taking up the fishing line, and a one-way clutch mounted between the rotary member and the reel body for preventing the rotary member from rotating in a direction for feeding the fishing line. The one-way clutch is a roller type or ball-type.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fishing reel comprising a rotary member supported by a reel body and rotatable to take up a fishing line, and a transmission gear mechanism for transmitting drive to the rotary member in a direction for taking up the fishing line. More particularly, the invention relates to the technique of preventing rotation of the rotary member in a direction for feeding out the fishing line.
2. Description of the Related Art
An example of the conventional two-bearing reels as structured above is provided with a one-way clutch having a ratchet wheel or the like mounted on a handle shaft connected to a handle for taking up the fishing line. A tensile force applied to the fishing line produces a power to rotate the rotary member (spool) in the direction for feeding out the fishing line, which power is in turn transmitted to the handle shaft through the transmission gear mechanism. As a result, the one-way clutch prevents rotation of the rotary member.
With such a reel, rotation of the rotary member in the line feeding direction is prevented through the transmission gear mechanism, which tends to mar the transmission mechanism, e.g. when a fish gives a strong pull at the end of the filing line or the angler pulls the line with a great force and applies the great force to the transmission mechanism as well.


A golf club shaft is attached to a club head hosel by a ferrule system including a ferrule mating member and a ferrule sleeve. The mating member includes an enlarged portion on which the second ferrule is seated and a reduced portion which is seated within the club head hosel. The mating member overlaps axially with the ferrule sleeve and hosel to support the shaft extending therethrough. The reduced portion seats within a recessed annular portion of the hosel and includes radially outwardly extending projections which define flow channels therebetween through which adhesive may flow during assembly.

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and, more particularly, to a ferrule system to facilitate the connection between a golf club head and shaft and method for making a golf club.
Golf clubs have a club head which is mounted to a golf club shaft. Club heads typically include a cylindrical hosel portion that defines an opening to receive one end of the shaft. To eliminate a "step" or abrupt change in the outer surface where the hosel and shaft end meet, golf clubs typically are provided with a frusto-conical ferrule to provide an aesthetic appearance at the hosel-shaft juncture. Conventional ferrules, which are press fit or adhered to the club shaft and hosel and abut the hosel end to end, are designed to have a maximum outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the hosel to provide a smooth transition from the hosel to the ferrule.
In a more recent modification of the foregoing ferrule construction used by at least one golf club manufacturer, an outer surface of the hosel is cast and ground to provide an undulating surface and step to receive the ferrule in overlapping relationship. The hosel step provides a stop against which the end of the ferrule abuts. The undulating surface creates a better fit between the hosel and ferrule. As before, the maximum outer diameter of the ferrule at the end abutting the hosel is the same as the outer diameter of the hosel at the ferrule-hosel juncture to provide (at least in theory) a seamless outer surface transition between the hosel and ferrule.
One drawback of the foregoing design is that it often requires an additional labor-intensive grinding step. The additional step is necessary because of the difficulty of casting fine features, such as the undulations, to meet manufacturing tolerances sufficient to create a good fit between the ferrule and hosel. Without a grinding step, the fit may be so tight as to distort or damage the ferrule if it is forced onto the hosel. Alternatively, if the hosel is cast or ground to have an outer diameter that conservatively is too small, the ferrule and hosel may have an unacceptably loose fit. Another drawback is that the hosel, once ground, is configured to fit only ferrules having a complimentary configuration and size. As so constructed, a golf club technician can replace the ferrule or shaft only if (s)he has a replacement ferrule designed to fit the hosel of the club head. As a practical matter, golf club technicians often grind off the ferrule receiving portion of the hosel so that the hosel will accept a standard ferrule which the technician happens to have on hand.
It should be appreciated that there exists a need for a golf club ferrule system and manufacturing method that allows a golf club to be manufactured more efficiently and less expensively, and to be repaired and rebuilt more easily.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for attaching golf club head and shaft


A system and method for transmitting data on a power transmission line transmits power in the form of time-varying voltage and current. Data is transmitted by using micro electromagnetic pulses to modulate the electric field, which is present around the power transmission line as a result of the time-varying current.

Conventional rural power transmission networks provide electrical power through high voltage power transmission lines, which are mostly Aluminum Core Steel Reinforced (ACSR) lines. Power transmission lines normally leave a power station and connect to substations in outlying rural areas. These lines typically carry a distribution voltage of 360 KV. At the sub-stations, a power transformer is used to step down the distribution voltage to 7620 V. Lines from the sub-stations go to communities or homes, where the voltage is further reduced by another power transformer, usually to 240 V single-phase.
The power is transmitted in the form of time-varying voltage and current. The time-varying current flowing through a power transmission line causes electromagnetic radiation to emanate from the line. The radiating electromagnetic radiation produced by the motion of electrically charged particles includes an electric field component and a magnetic field component that are interdependent, with a change in one accompanied by a change in the other. This relationship is governed by Maxwell's equations.

Modulating the electric field of a power transmission line


The present invention provides a method of manufacturing Group III nitride crystals that are of high quality, are manufactured efficiently, and are useful and usable as a substrate for semiconductor manufacturing processes. A semiconductor layer that is made of a semiconductor and includes crystal-nucleus generation regions at its surface is formed. The semiconductor is expressed by a composition formula of AluGavIn1-u-vN (where 0≦u≦1, 0≦v≦1, and u+v≦1). Group III nitride crystals then are grown on the semiconductor layer by bringing the crystal-nucleus generation regions of the semiconductor layer into contact with a melt in an atmosphere including nitrogen. The melt contains nitrogen, at least one Group III element selected from the group consisting of gallium, aluminum, and indium, and at least one of alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method of manufacturing Group III nitride crystals, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate, Group III nitride crystals, a semiconductor substrate, and an electronic device.
2. Related Background Art
A Group III nitride compound semiconductor such as, for instance, gallium nitride (GaN) (hereinafter also referred to as a "Group III nitride semiconductor" or a "GaN-based semiconductor") has been gaining attention as a material for semiconductor devices that emit green, blue or ultraviolet light. A laser diode (LD) that emits blue light is used for high-density optical disk devices or displays while a light emitting diode (LED) that emits blue light is used for displays, lighting, etc. It is expected to use an ultraviolet LD in the field of, for instance, biotechnology and an ultraviolet LED as, for example, an ultraviolet source for a fluorescent lamp.
Substrates of a Group III nitride semiconductor (for example, GaN) that are used for LDs or LEDs usually are formed by heteroepitaxially growing Group III nitride crystals on a sapphire substrate using vapor phase epitaxy. Generally, crystals obtained by this method have a dislocation density of 108 cm−2 to 109 cm−2 and thus reducing the dislocation density has been an important issue for this method. In order to resolve this issue, how to reduce the dislocation density has been considered, and, for example, an epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELOG) method has been developed (see, for instance, JP11(1999)-145516A). With this method, the dislocation density can be reduced to about 105 cm−2 to 106 cm−2, but the manufacturing process is complicated.
On the other hand, besides the vapor phase epitaxy, a method of growing crystals from a liquid phase also has been studied. However, since the equilibrium vapor pressure of nitrogen is at least 10000 atm (10000×1.013×105 Pa) at the melting point of Group III nitride single crystals such as GaN, conventionally it has been understood that conditions including 8000 atm (8000×1.013×105 Pa) and 1200° C. are required for growing GaN from a liquid phase. In this connection, recently, it was disclosed that the use of a Na flux allowed GaN to be synthesized at a relatively low temperature and pressure, specifically, 750° C. and 50 atm (50×1.013×105 Pa) (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,837).
Recently, single crystals whose maximum crystal size is about 1.2 mm are obtained by a method in which a mixture of Ga and Na is melted in a nitrogen gas atmosphere containing ammonia at 800° C. and 50 atm (50×1.013×105 Pa), and then crystals are grown for 96 hours using the melt (see, for instance, JP2002-293696A).
Furthermore, another method also has been reported in which a GaN crystal layer is formed on a sapphire substrate by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method and then single crystals are grown by a liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) method (Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 42, (2003) pp4-6).
However, the quality of the Group III nitride crystals obtained using the conventional techniques may not be sufficient. Hence, there are demands for a technique of manufacturing crystals of higher quality.

Method of manufacturing Group III nitride crystals, method of manufacturing semiconductor substrate, Group III nitride crystals, semiconductor substrate, and electronic device

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A new method of forming an amorphous silicon glue layer in the formation of a contact is described. Semiconductor device structures are provided in and on a semiconductor substrate. An insulating layer is deposited overlying the semiconductor device structures. An opening is etched through the insulating layer to contact one of the semiconductor device structures. An amorphous silicon layer is deposited overlying the insulating layer and within the opening. Ions are implanted into the amorphous silicon layer whereby grain sizes within the amorphous silicon layer are reduced. Native oxide on the surface of the amorphous silicon layer is removed. A titanium/titanium nitride layer is deposited overlying the amorphous silicon layer. A metal layer is deposited overlying the titanium/titanium nitride layer and filling the opening. The substrate is annealed whereby the titanium layer reacts with the amorphous silicon layer and the silicon semiconductor substrate to form titanium silicide. The metal layer is etched back or patterned to complete metallization in the fabrication of an integrated circuit device.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of contact formation in the fabrication of integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a method of forming an amorphous silicon glue layer for improved contact formation in the manufacture of integrated circuits.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a common application for integrated circuit fabrication, a contact opening is etched through an insulating layer to an underlying conductive area to which electrical contact is to be made. A glue layer, typically titanium, is conformally deposited within the contact opening. Next, a titanium nitride barrier layer is formed within the contact opening. A conducting layer material is deposited within the contact opening. Typically, tungsten is deposited and etched back to form a plug filling the contact opening. After tungsten deposition, the wafer is subjected to annealing whereby the titanium glue layer reacts with the silicon substrate to form titanium silicide. Silicon is lost from the substrate both during etching and in the reaction with the titanium layer. As the design rules continue to shrink, contact depth becomes more shallow. It is difficult to decrease the depth of the titanium silicide region. This may lead to the penetration of the junction layer by the titanium silicide region causing junction leakage. Increased contact resistance is also a concern.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,296 to Yen et al teaches a method of contact formation including an amorphous silicon glue layer and a deposited tungsten silicide layer to complete the contact which is subjected to a high flow rate nitrogen annealing to provide a contact with low contact resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,742 to Kim a titanium and titanium nitride barrier layer followed by the deposition of titanium and polysilicon layers which are annealed to form titanium silicide. A tungsten plug is then formed within the contact opening. U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,981 to Choi teaches the formation of a polysilicon and photoresist layer at the bottom of a contact opening. Titanium is deposited and annealed to react with the polysilicon layer to form titanium silicide. Tungsten is deposited over the titanium silicide layer at the bottom of the contact opening.

Method of manufacturing low resistance and low junction leakage contact

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.


A version control system helps to keep track of versions of process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant. These module objects may be created from module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant. Version data is stored and associated with a module object. The version data may comprise data indicative of a version of a module class object that was used to create the module object. The version data may also comprise data indicative of a version of the module object. Configuration systems, version control systems, viewing systems, debugging systems, run-time monitoring systems, asset management systems, etc., may examine or permit viewing of the version control data associated with an item.

Distributed process control systems, like those used in chemical, petroleum or other processes, typically include one or more process controllers communicatively coupled to one or more field devices via analog, digital or combined analog/digital buses. The field devices, which may be, for example, valves, valve positioners, switches and transmitters (e.g., temperature, pressure, level and flow rate sensors), are located within the process environment and perform process functions such as opening or closing valves, measuring process parameters, etc. Smart field devices, such as the field devices conforming to the well known Fieldbus protocol may also perform control calculations, alarming functions, and other control functions commonly implemented within the controller. The process controllers, which are also typically located within the plant environment, receive signals indicative of process measurements made by the field devices and/or other information pertaining to the field devices and execute a controller application that runs, for example, different control modules which make process control decisions, generate control signals based on the received information and coordinate with the control modules or blocks being performed in the field devices, such as HART and Fieldbus field devices. The control modules in the controller send the control signals over the communication lines to the field devices to thereby control the operation of the process plant.
Information from the field devices and the controller is usually made available over a data highway to one or more other hardware devices, such as operator workstations, personal computers, data historians, report generators, centralized databases, etc., typically placed in control rooms or other locations away from the harsher plant environment. These hardware devices run applications that may, for example, enable an operator to perform functions with respect to the process, such as changing settings of the process control routine, modifying the operation of the control modules within the controllers or the field devices, viewing the current state of the process, viewing alarms generated by field devices and controllers, simulating the operation of the process for the purpose of training personnel or testing the process control software, keeping and updating a configuration database, etc.
As an example, the DeltaV™ control system, sold by Fisher Rosemount Systems, Inc. includes multiple applications stored within and executed by different devices located at diverse places within a process plant. A configuration application, which resides in one or more operator workstations, enables users to create or change process control modules and download these process control modules via a data highway to dedicated distributed controllers. Typically, these control modules are made up of communicatively interconnected function blocks, which are objects in an object oriented programming protocol that perform functions within the control scheme based on inputs thereto and that provide outputs to other function blocks within the control scheme. The configuration application may also allow a configuration designer to create or change operator interfaces which are used by a viewing application to display data to an operator and to enable the operator to change settings, such as set points, within the process control routines. Each dedicated controller and, in some cases, field devices, stores and executes a controller application that runs the control modules assigned and downloaded thereto to implement actual process control functionality. The viewing applications, which may be run on one or more operator workstations, receive data from the controller application via the data highway and display this data to process control system designers, operators, or users using the user interfaces, and may provide any of a number of different views, such as an operator's view, an engineer's view, a technician's view, etc. A data historian application is typically stored in and executed by a data historian device that collects and stores some or all of the data provided across the data highway while a configuration database application may run in a still further computer attached to the data highway to store the current process control routine configuration and data associated therewith. Alternatively, the configuration database may be located in the same workstation as the configuration application.
Presently, configuration applications may include a library of template objects, such as function block template objects and, in some cases, control module template objects. These configuration applications are used to configure a control strategy for a process plant. The template objects all have default properties, settings and methods associated therewith and the engineer using the configuration application can select these template objects and essentially place copies of the selected template objects into a configuration screen to develop a control module. During the process of selecting and placing the template objects into the configuration screen, the engineer interconnects the inputs and outputs of these objects and changes their parameters, names, tags and other properties to create a specific control module for a specific use in the process plant. After creating one or more such control modules, the engineer can then instantiate the control module and download it to the appropriate controller or controllers and field devices for execution during operation of the process plant.
Thereafter, the engineer generally creates one or more displays for operators, maintenance personnel, etc. within the process plant by selecting and building display objects in a display creation application. These displays are typically implemented on a system wide basis in one or more of the workstations and provide preconfigured displays to the operator or maintenance persons regarding the operating state of the control system or the devices within the plant. Typically, these displays take the form of alarming displays that receive and display alarms generated by controllers or devices within the process plant, control displays indicating the operating state of the controllers and other devices within the process plant, maintenance displays indicating the functioning state of the devices within the process plant, etc. These displays are generally preconfigured to display, in known manners, information or data received from the process control modules or the devices within the process plant. In some known systems, displays are created through the use of objects that have a graphic associated with a physical or logical element and that is communicatively tied to the physical or logical element to receive data about the physical or logical element. The object may change the graphic on the display screen based on the received data to illustrate, for example, that a tank is half full, to illustrate the flow measured by a flow sensor, etc.
Similar to the control configuration application, a display creation application has template graphical display items, such as tanks, valves, sensors, operator control buttons like slide bars, on/off switches, etc. which may be placed on a screen in any desired configuration to create an operator display, maintenance display and the like. When placed onto the screen, individual graphic items may be interconnected on the screen in a manner that provides some information or display of the inner-workings of the process plant to different users. However, to animate the graphic display, the display creator must manually tie each of the graphical items to data generated within the process plant, such as data measured by sensors or indicative of valve positions, etc. by specifying a communication link between the graphic item and the relevant data source within the process plant. This process is tedious, time consuming and maybe fraught with error.
While the control template objects within the control configuration application and the display items within the display creation application are convenient because they can be copied and used to create many different control modules and graphical displays, there is often a need to create numerous of the same control module and graphical display for different equipment within the process plant. For example, many medium to large sized process plants have numerous instances of the same or similar equipment that can be controlled and viewed using the same basic general control module and display. To create these numerous control modules and displays, however, a general control module or display module is created and this general control or display module is then copied for each of the different pieces of equipment for which it is applicable. Of course, after being copied, each of the new control or display modules must be manually altered in the configuration application to specify the particular equipment to which it is attached and all of these control and display modules must then be instantiated and downloaded to the process control system.
Unfortunately, the control modules and displays items discussed above are not modular in any manner. Thus, after being copied, each of the control modules and displays must be manually and individually altered using the appropriate configuration application to specify the equipment within the plant to which they are to be associated. In a plant having many copies of the same type of equipment (i.e., replicated equipment), this process is tedious, time consuming and fraught with operator introduced errors. Still further, once programmed, these different control modules and displays are not aware of each other. Therefore, to make a change to the control modules once created, the engineer or operator must manually make the same change to each of the different control modules for the different replicated equipment which, again, is time consuming and tedious. The same problem applies for the graphical views created for the different sets of replicated equipment within the plant. In other words, once a specific control module or a specific graphical view is created (individually or by being copied from a template object) and is then tied to a particular set of equipment within the plant, this control module or graphical view exists as a separate entity or object within the system without any automatic awareness of the other control modules or graphical displays that are the same or similar to it. As a result, changes applicable to every one of the control modules and graphical displays of a particular type must be made individually on those modules and displays.
Still further, because each control module and display is an individual object, it must be open, in the sense that all of its internal parameters, views, function blocks, and other elements must be made available to any user to be changed, viewed, etc. Currently, there is no manner of controlling what certain operators or other users may see or have access to in these control modules and displays and, thus, there is no ability to hide certain elements of these control modules and displays, such as proprietary software and methods, alarming activities, etc. from the user of the control modules and displays.

Version control for objects in a process plant configuration system


In an image processing method (18), for images (9) in a image sequence (8), in each case a position indication (23) of a center (24) of the image content (10) of individual images (9) is calculated in a completely computer-implemented and/or hardware-implemented, statistical evaluation method (20). The center (24) is defined by a circle section (62) which is described or characterized by a separation line (12) between the image content (10) and a periphery (11) which is supplementary to the image content (10) in the image (9) or complementary therewith.

The invention relates to an image processing method, wherein an image sequence of images is processed which in each case have an image content and a periphery that is complementary to the image content, wherein the image content is separated from the periphery by a separation line that describes in at least one section a circle section.
Such image sequences are known for example from the use of endoscopes with digital image capturing devices, wherein the circle section is given by an edge of an optical unit for image recording, while an extent of the entire image is prespecified by a dimension of an image recording chip. In this way, images are produced which are divided by a separation line into an image content and a periphery which is to be represented generally in black or otherwise without content.
The used image capturing devices frequently have an adjustable optical unit that is connected upstream, by way of which a focusing function and/or a zoom function are realizable. The image content fills the image to varying extents in dependence on the setting of the adjustable optical unit. The filling of the image can also differ if an optical unit of the endoscope is interchanged, as is the case for example in endo-couplers (endoscopic couplers).
The invention furthermore relates to an image processing apparatus having an input via which a sequence of images can be input, which have in each case an image content and a periphery that is complementary to the image content, wherein the image content is separated from the periphery by a separation line which describes in at least one section a circle section, and having an output, via which for each image a position indication of a center of the image content that is defined by the circle section can be output.
The invention finally relates to an endoscope arrangement having an endoscope and an image capturing device.

Image processing method, corresponding image processing apparatus and endoscope arrangement


An oil and waste line connection spillage containment apparatus, constructed from non-corrosive and rustproof materials, includes a substantially cylindrical container which has two openings for receiving oil and waste loading and unloading lines therein. The lines are connected within the container. A circular cover encloses the container and is quickly and securely fastened and unfastened from the container using a pair of L-shaped members which extend from the cover and cooperatively couple with a lip defined around the top of the container. Any oil and waste spilled from the connection is removed from the container when the lines are disconnected, or alternatively, a removal line with an auxiliary valve affixed thereto, is used to siphon the oil and waste from the container to the loading line. When the unloading line is removed from the opening in the container, a plug having vent holes for releasing gas from the container, is inserted into the opening. The plug and cover are attached to the loading line with an attachment cable. A lock having a hasp is received through passages defined in first and second tabs attached to the container and cover, respectively, for locking the cover to the container between transfers. Anchor cables can be attached to the container for securing the apparatus to stakes inserted into the ground. Further, the container may be equipped with a secondary containment bottom to provide additional protection against environmental contamination.

The present invention relates generally to containment of oil and waste spills, and more particularly, to an apparatus for containing oil and waste spilled from a loading and unloading line connection.
Environmental protection is one of the most important areas of concern facing our world today. A major source of pollution is the spilling and leaking of oil and waste at storage tank line connection areas. This is particularly destructive because if left unresolved the oil and waste will cause permanent destruction of the environment.
The embodiment of the invention provides an oil and waste spillage containment apparatus which is economical to produce, simple to use and effective in containing spillage.
When an oil and waste loading line is connected and disconnected from an unloading line there is usually unpreventable spillage from the lines, which results in the release of oil and waste contaminants into the environment. In addition, the oil and waste leak from the line connection during transfer and from the loading line connection end between transfers; thus, allowing the release of additional contaminants. Accordingly, because of growing environmental concerns, stringent statutory regulations have been enacted which prohibit oil and waste spills at storage tank loading and unloading line connections. These statutory regulations have greatly increased the desire for development of an economical and effective way of resolving this environmental problem. There is a need for a simple, economical and effective means of containing oil and waste spillage from loading and unloading line connections. However, until now, no such means have been developed to eliminate the release of oil and waste contaminants into the environment from these connections.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an apparatus for containing oil and waste spill at a loading and unloading line connection.

Apparatus for containing oil and waste spills at a loading and unloading line connection


A system and method for secure authentication of user entity and user entity device identity. The system and method described herein allows an identity to be continuously proven because of user entity's behavior and their biometrics. With all the fraud and risk that exists today, if someone has a user entity's driver's license they can do a lot of harm. A primary identity provider passes user contextual and behavioral information to third party secondary identity providers to allow risk based continuous authentication and step up post-authorization authentication or termination of session as required upon detection of an anomaly.

Digital transactions of a variety of types may stem not from a party authorized to enter into the transaction but by parties that are either unauthorized to enter into the transaction or threat actors and network bots who have acquired the means to enter into the transaction illegally from a hostile environment. For instance, a stolen credit card number or bank account access may be utilized to make fraudulent purchases or transactions-exchanges. A stolen or compromised password may be utilized to improperly access information or access to sensitives privileged services. Even conventional activities within an organization may be engaged in by an employee or member who does not have authorization to do so. It is equally important to validate not only the identity but the normality of behavior post-authorization by utilizing the context and behavior to create an enriched user profile within each application landscape.

System and method for continuous authentication of user entity identity using context and behavior for real-time modeling and anomaly  detection


A wet marine exhaust muffler includes a metallic housing and a polymeric jacket substantially encapsulating the metallic housing. The metallic housing defines one or more chambers in the interior of the housing. An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe each extend through openings in the polymeric jacket and communicate with at least one chamber in the interior of the housing. The metallic housing is preferably formed from stainless steel and the polymeric jacket is preferably formed from a thermoplastic material having a thickness of approximately 0.001 inch to 0.1 inch, and more preferably of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.060 inch. According to one preferred method for inhibiting the explosion of a wet marine exhaust muffler, the muffler housing (but not the inlet and outlet pipes) is at least partially surrounded by a heat shrinkable thermoplastic tubing and the heat shrinkable thermoplastic tubing is heated by conventional means to shrink the heat shrinkable thermoplastic tubing over the muffler housing to form the thermoplastic jacket. It is one object of the invention to provide a wet marine exhaust muffler, and a method for manufacturing such a muffler, effective to prevent or minimize explosion damage without substantially increasing the manufacturing cost or compromising other desirable muffler characteristics.

1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention pertains to exhaust mufflers for watercraft, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for preventing or minimizing explosion damage by wet marine exhaust mufflers. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a muffler having a metallic housing encapsulated in a polymeric jacket to promote the integrity of the muffler when subjected to high internal pressure surges.
2. Description Of The Related Art
Motorized watercraft typically have included exhaust mufflers for muffling or attenuating exhaust noise generated by the operation of marine engines. Such mufflers have had to be capable of handling not only exhaust gas itself, but also droplets of water injected into the exhaust flow from the cooling system of the engine. The water injected from the engine cooling system typically performed two functions, namely, absorbing engine exhaust noise and cooling the exhaust gas so that the gas might be safely discharged through the hull of the craft without presenting a fire hazard.
Mufflers of various designs have been placed in the exhaust conduits running between the engines and the discharges. Typically, marine mufflers include housings which enclose one or more chambers for permitting expansion of the exhaust gas to attenuate noise. One example of a wet marine exhaust muffler is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,888 to Magharious, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Often, marine muffler designs have been closely akin to the mufflers used on automobiles but have been constructed of fiber reinforced polymer materials such as FIBERGLASS materials which can better tolerate the marine environment.
Drawbacks to the use of fiber reinforced polymer materials as opposed to metals in the fabrication of exhaust mufflers have included lower strength and greater elasticity in comparison to metals. For example, acoustical energy in the exhaust gas passing through the muffler could induce sympathetic elastic vibrations in the walls of the housing. Such vibrations reduce the ability of the muffler to attenuate acoustical noise and may also contribute to possible failure of the housing walls.
Under certain circumstances, wet marine exhaust mufflers have been exposed to abnormally high internal pressure surges (that is, "backfires") sufficient to cause the mufflers to explode. Such explosions are capable of causing damage to the craft in which the mufflers were installed as well as injury to persons positioned in or near the craft.
Past efforts to prevent or reduce explosion damage have included changes in the configurations (e.g., geometries, chamber sizes, pipe positions and the like) of the mufflers and in the materials from which the mufflers were made. Such changes significantly increase the costs of manufacturing the mufflers. The changes also require compromises in other desirable characteristics of the mufflers, such as corrosion resistance and accoustical characteristics.
Consequently, there remains a need for a wet marine exhaust muffler, and for a method for manufacturing such a muffler, effective to prevent or minimize explosion damage without substantially increasing the manufacturing cost or compromising other desirable muffler characteristics.


A non-contact, hand-held voltage detector is used to determine if AC voltage is present in a tamper-resistant receptacle. The voltage detector includes a pair of pins to open both shutters of the tamper-resistant receptacle.

Tamper-resistant receptacles 20 are known in the art, and some jurisdictions in the United States have required usage of such tamper-resistant receptacles 20 since 2008. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tamper-resistant receptacle 20 has two shutters 22a, 22b that are spring loaded which allows a two-pronged plug 24 to enter, but resists access to items with a single prong, such as a key. Such a tamper-resistant receptacle 20 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,510,412, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. As is known in the art, when a two-pronged plug 24 is inserted, both shutters 22a, 22b move toward each other to allow access to the electrical components in the receptacle 20. When a single-pronged item, such as a key, is inserted, the shutters 22a, 22b do not move.
A voltage detector is provided herein which opens both shutters 22a, 22b to enable a user to detect voltage in such a tamper-resistant receptacle 20.


An indirect interaction input device, such as but not limited to a touch sensor, can provide multiple points of input. These multiple points are in turn mapped to multiple positions on an output device such as a display. The multiple points of input, however, make the application of pointer ballistics and resolution differences between the input sensor and target display more difficult to manage. Thus, a characteristic of the set of points is identified and used to adjust the mapping of each of the points. For example, one way to solve this problem is to identify the input point with the least displacement from a prior frame, whether from its prior point or from a reference point. This displacement is used to adjust the mapping of the set of input points from the input device to their corresponding display coordinates.

Manual input devices used for navigation and spatial control of a computing system have a significant impact on capabilities of the computer system and a user's overall experience. There are several kinds of manual input devices. The most common of these for personal computers include single-pointer, indirect interaction devices, such as a mouse or trackpad, and direct interaction devices, such as touchscreens.
A single-pointer, indirect interaction device sensor detects user interaction with the sensor and maps this interaction to a position on a display. One method of mapping points of input to the display involves one-to-one mapping of sensor extents directly to the extents of the display, which is called absolute mapping. Examples of devices that employ absolute mapping are pen and touch digitizers. Another method involves mapping device sensor coordinates to a movable subportion of the display, which is called relative mapping.
Examples of devices that employ relative mapping are the mouse and devices that emulate the mouse, such as a trackpad. A mouse senses movement, which is displaces a presumed starting position by a distanced based on the sensed interaction with the device. A trackpad is commonly used in a manner similar to a mouse. The motion of a contact on the trackpad is sensed, and the sensed motion is treated in a manner similar to a mouse input.
A direct interaction device allows interaction with a device that is visually aligned with a display. A direct interaction device maps between positions on a touch sensitive surface and positions on a display of the same size, using an absolute mapping. For example, when a user touches a point on a touchscreen, an input event may trigger an application response, such as command actuation, in the user interface at a position corresponding to the point on the display touched by the user.
Absolute and relative mapping of spatial input from a multi-pointer input device to the display have selective advantages and disadvantages, depending on physical attributes of the input and display devices, the capabilities of the system, the nature and layout of the application user interface, the kind of task the user is performing, and various ergonomic factors.
For example, in a relative mapping mode, the input device sensor can span only a subset of the target display coordinate space. Therefore, navigation from one display location to another location can involve multiple strokes, unless some form of acceleration of the points is applied as movement of the input points is detected. Conversely, in order to achieve pixel-level, point-to-point targeting precision, a form of deceleration of the points can be applied. Such acceleration and deceleration is sometimes referred to as "pointer ballistics." As another example, in an absolute mapping mode, the input sensor might have a much smaller resolution or large difference in aspect ratio relative to the display coordinate space. Therefore, achieving precision in pixel-level point-to-point navigation can be difficult without some form of positive and/or negative acceleration.

Acceleration-based interaction for multi-pointer indirect input devices


A redundancy architecture suitable for high density mask ROM integrated circuit memory is based on a two transistor redundancy cell that has a very small layout. Both row and column failure modes can be repaired. The redundancy architecture can be manufactured using typical single metal, single polysilicon mask ROM processes. Redundancy cells are based upon a diffusion word line, a redundant word line adapted to replace a word line in the array and spaced away from the diffusion word line. First and second diffusion regions between the diffusion word line and the redundant word line, and a channel region between the first diffusion region and a second diffusion region form part of the redundant cell. A third diffusion region adjacent the redundant word line opposite the second diffusion region is arranged so that the second diffusion region acts as a source terminal, the third diffusion region acts as a drain terminal, and the redundant word line acts as a gate of a transistor. A floating gate member is arranged to overlie a segment of the diffusion word line, and to extend between the diffusion word line and a redundant word line around the first diffusion region and over the channel region between the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region. A first contact is made between the first diffusion region and a first bit line and a second contact is made between a third diffusion region and a second bit line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to integrated circuit memory design, and more particularly to circuitry for providing on chip redundancy for high density memory arrays such as mask read only memory ROM.
2. Description of Related Art
In the manufacture of integrated circuit memory devices, it is common to provide a redundant segment of memory in addition to the main array, which can be used as a replacement for defective segments of the array. Thus, additional rows or columns of memory cells are provided on an integrated circuit memory device. After manufacturing of the device, it is tested to determine whether all segments of the main array are in good condition. If any segment of the array fails the testing, then it may be replaced by the redundant segment by storing an address on the chip characterizing the failed segment, and using circuitry which is responsive to the stored address to access the additional segment in place of the defective one. This process significantly improves manufacturing yield for memory circuits.
Substantial prior art in this field is represented for instance by U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,244, U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,163, U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,570, and publications such as McKinney, "A 5V 64K EPROM Utilizing Redundant Circuitry", 1980 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, pages 146-147.
One field in which redundancy has not been widely applied is in the field of high density read-only memory ROM devices, such as mask ROM. Because the ROM cells in a mask ROM are programmed using a manufacturing step, it is impossible to use other mask ROM cells as an additional replacement segment. This is true because the additional segment of ROM cells can not be programmed after testing with the data from the failed segment. Thus, unlike programmable memory devices, in which the memory elements of the array are designed to be programmed after manufacturing, and in which redundant elements are easily utilized, read-only memory circuits do not readily allow the use of redundancy.
It has been proposed to use single polysilicon floating gate transistors as redundancy elements for mask ROM. See for example, co-pending U.S. Patent. application entitled MEMORY REDUNDANCY CIRCUIT USING SINGLE POLYSILICON FLOATING GATE TRANSISTORS AS REDUNDANCY ELEMENTS, invented by Yiu, et al., filed Apr. 2, 1997, having application Ser. No. 08/825,873 (PCT application number PCT/US96/17300). One problem associated with the layout of floating gate transistors as redundancy elements for mask ROM is that the mask ROM is a very dense memory structure. Thus, in order to fit within the array structure of a mask ROM array, the floating gate redundancy elements must be laid out in a very compact fashion. This has prevented efficient implementations of mask ROM arrays with floating gate redundancy elements in the prior art. However, an EPROM like cell based on a single layer polysilicon floating gate transistor, that is programmed by hot electron injection is a good way to replace abnormal core cells in a mask ROM array.
As the density of memory arrays shrinks, and the need to improve yield is increased, applying redundant elements to read-only memory devices is desired. However, the redundant elements must be compact and compatible with the ROM manufacturing process, so that the cost of implementing the redundant elements does not outweigh any gains in manufacturing yield achieved by the redundancy.

Memory redundancy for high density memory


A method for producing hydrogen and sulfur from a first gaseous mixture containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia by separating ammonia from the first gaseous mixture to produce a second gaseous mixture containing hydrogen sulfide; combusting a portion of the hydrogen sulfide in the second gaseous mixture to produce a third gaseous mixture containing hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide; heating the ammonia to a temperature of at least 1800.degree. F. to produce a fourth gaseous mixture containing nitrogen and hydrogen; and, combining the third gaseous mixture and the fourth gaseous mixture and passing the combined gaseous mixture to a sulfur recovery process wherein the hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide are recovered as sulfur.. The ammonia may be partially oxidized by the use of substoichiometric amounts of oxygen or thermally dissociated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for processing a hydrogen sulfide and ammonia mixture to produce hydrogen and sulfur.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In many industrial processes, streams of acid gases are produced. Streams commonly referred to as acid gas streams typically contain hydrogen sulfide and may contain other sulfur compounds. In many instances, these streams may also include ammonia.
Acid gas streams are typically processed in Claus units wherein the hydrogen sulfide is partially oxidized to produce a hydrogen sulfide/sulfur dioxide mixture in a proper ratio for reaction of the hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide to produce elemental sulfur and water. As a first step in such Claus processes, the acid gas stream is burned to produce the desired quantity of sulfur dioxide in a burner system.
When substantial amounts of ammonia are present in the stream, the combustion of the mixed stream of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia in the burner system results in excessively high temperatures, i.e. as high as 2900.degree. F. Desirably, the temperature in most burner systems is kept below 2800.degree. F. and preferably below 2600.degree. F. Further, the combustion of the ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the burner system at the elevated temperatures results in the production of NO.sub.x, sulfur trioxide, and related compounds. The NO.sub.x compounds are an undesirable environmental pollutant and their emission must be limited. The sulfur trioxide is a compound which condenses at relatively low temperatures and reacts readily with water to form an acid. This acid is extremely corrosive and may be damaging to downstream equipment which operates at a temperature below the condensation temperature of sulfur trioxide. Further, some of the sulfurous compounds are reactive with any unreacted ammonia to form sulfur-ammonia compounds which are also undesirable in the system which is designed to handle gaseous streams, except for the liquid sulfur stream typically recovered from a Claus unit.
It is immediately apparent that both the hydrogen sulfide and the ammonia contain large amounts of hydrogen which are desirably recovered. Accordingly, it is desirable that a process be available wherein the ammonia can be fully reacted to produce environmentally acceptable materials and hydrogen and wherein the sulfur can be combusted and passed to a Claus unit without the production of undesirable acids or solid materials as by-products.

Method for producing sulfur and hydrogen from a gaseous stream containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia


An apparatus (1) for dispensing a frozen confection is provided comprising: an insulated chamber (2) housing a container (3) of a frozen confection; a refrigeration system (8); a nozzle (4) having an inner end which is connected to the container (3); and an outer end which is located outside the insulated chamber (2); means for applying pressure to the frozen confection thereby to dispense it from the container (3); a cap (7) which can enclose the outer end of the nozzle (4) when closed and which allows external access to the outer end of the nozzle (4) when open; and one or more channels which allow cold air to flow from the chamber (2) into the region around the outer end of the nozzle (4).

Soft ice cream is normally dispensed at the point of sale from a soft serve ice cream machine, i.e. a semi-continuous, pressurised scraped surface heat exchanger in which a pre-packaged mix is frozen and aerated. It is typically dispensed at temperatures of −4 to −8° C., for example into a cone, and is then immediately consumed. It is liked by many consumers because of its texture, which is softer than that of ice cream served by scooping from a container kept in a freezer cabinet at around −18° C. Soft serve ice cream machines have a number of disadvantages: they are large and expensive, require training to operate, consume considerable energy, do not deliver consistent product quality if used over a period of time and are inconvenient for the operator to dismantle and clean. Each machine can also only offer one type of product (e.g. flavour/ice cream/sorbet etc) at a time—separate freezer barrels are required for different products.
In recent years, systems for dispensing soft ice cream have been developed in which pre-packaged ice cream is delivered from a container by a dispensing apparatus. U.S. 2006/255066 discloses a dispensing apparatus containing a pressure-displacement device that forces the food (such as soft ice cream) out of its container. The container is located within a chamber which keeps the ice cream at a specified temperature between −6 and −24° C. The chamber is cooled with a compressor refrigeration system that sends refrigerant through the walls of the chamber. A fan may be included with the refrigeration system to help circulate air.
One of the issues inherent to apparatus for dispensing multiple portions of ice cream from a single container is to ensure that the system is hygienic. In particular, whilst it is generally straightforward to keep the frozen confection stored within the dispensing apparatus at a sufficiently low temperature, the nozzle or passage through which the frozen confection flows during dispensing must be open to the outside, at least during the dispensing operation. Therefore there is a potential hygiene issue arising from small amounts of frozen confection being retained within the nozzle and being subjected to higher temperatures, which could result in microbial growth. In U.S. 2006/255066, this problem is in part addressed by making the outlet an integral part of the container which holds the ice cream, so that the valve which controls the flow acts on the outlet portion and does not come into direct contact with the frozen confection. However while this avoids the issue of the contact between the valve and the frozen confection, there still remains the problem of microbial growth on any frozen confection which has remained within the outlet where it is not kept at a low enough temperature.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,606 discloses a system for dispensing ice cream having a door hinged to the cabinet which covers the outlet through which the ice cream is dispensed. The door is closed when ice cream is not being dispensed. Cold air is blown through a duct into the region around the outlet through which ice cream is dispensed by a blower. The cold air is said to ensure that the dispensing part of the system is kept free from an accumulation of melted ice cream. However, the outlet still requires cleaning, and moreover the system requires a permanent duct to be provided through which cold air is blown from the main refrigerated body of the apparatus to the outlet.
Thus there remains a need for an improved system for dispensing frozen confections such as soft ice cream.

Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen confections