A multi-level cell (MLC) dual-personality extended fiber optic flash drive includes a MLC dual-personality extended fiber optic Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug connector connected to a dual-personality extended fiber optic flash drive and being removably connectable to a host. The connector is adaptable to receive electrical data and optical data. A transceiver, located on the flash drive, is operative to convert received electrical data to optical data or to convert received optical data to electrical data.

As flash memory technology becomes more advanced, flash memory is replacing traditional magnetic disks as storage media for mobile systems. Flash memory has significant advantages over floppy disks or magnetic hard disks such as having high-G resistance and low power dissipation. Because of the smaller physical size of flash memory, they are also more conducive to mobile systems. Accordingly, the flash memory trend has been growing because of its compatibility with mobile systems and low-power feature. However, advances in flash technology have created a greater variety of flash memory device types that vary for reasons of performance, cost and capacity. As such, a problem arises when mobile systems that are designed for one type of flash memory are constructed using another, incompatible type of flash memory.
New generation personal computer (PC) card technologies have been developed that combine flash memory with architecture that is compatible with the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. This has further fueled the flash memory trend because the USB standard is easy to implement and is popular with PC users. In addition, flash memory is replacing floppy disks because flash memory provides higher storage capacity and faster access speeds than floppy drives.
In addition to the limitations introduced by the USB standard, there are inherent limitations with flash memory. First, flash memory sectors that have already been programmed must be erased before being reprogrammed. Also, flash memory sectors have a limited life span; i.e., they can be erased only a limited number of times before failure. Accordingly, flash memory access is slow due to the erase-before-write nature and ongoing erasing will damage the flash memory sectors over time.
To address the speed problems with USB-standard flash memory, hardware and firmware utilize existing small computer systems interface (SCSI) protocols so that flash memory can function as mass-storage devices similarly to magnetic hard disks. SCSI protocols have been used in USB-standard mass-storage devices long before flash memory devices have been widely adopted as storage media. Accordingly, the USB standard has incorporated traditional SCSI protocols to manage flash memory.
As the demands for larger capacity storage increase, the flash memory device needs to keep up. Instead of using single-level cell flash memory, which stores one-bit of information per cell, multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory is used. The MLC flash memory allows at least two bits per cell. However, there are a number of problems associated with the MLC flash memory. First, the MLC flash memory has a low reliability. Secondly, the MLC flash memory data programming rules require writing to an ascending page in the same block or writing to a blank new page if there are data existed in the original page. Finally, a larger capacity requires a large logical-to-physical address look up table. In the prior art approach, the size look up table is in direct proportion with the capacity of the flash memory. This creates a huge problem not only to the cost, but also to the physical size of the flash memory device. Furthermore, the traditional usage of the flash memory devices is generally in a very clean and relatively mild environment, thus the packaging design such as enclosure of the flash memory device is not suitable for hostile environment such as military and heavy industrial applications.
Currently, there is no means of using the same USB flash drive for multiple interfaces, such as USB and fiber optics. Current flash drives typically have a USB interface for coupling to a receiving USB connector. This clearly limits the use of flash drives and fails to make such devices available for multiple applications.
Therefore, it is desirable to have an improved multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory device (or drive) in its interfaces.

Multi-level cell (MLC) dual personality extended fiber optic flash memory device


A precise center and edge finder in which the position of the center or edge of a workpiece is directly located with respect to a work tool, such as a milling machine having a spindle driven chuck. The finder has a housing with a shank at one end for attachment to the chuck and a discharge aperture at the other end for discharging a beam of light toward the center or edge of the workpiece. Disposed within the housing is a source of light, preferably a laser diode module, and batteries to power the light source. The beam of light from the finder projects downward in alignment with the centerline of the spindle to the previously marked center or along the edge of the workpiece. The finder eliminates the need for calculations to find the true edge and the risk of contact damage to the workpiece or precision tool.

A. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention relates generally to positioning devices utilized to precisely position a work tool, such as a drilling or milling machine, above a workpiece. More specifically, this invention relates to such devices that utilize a visual mechanism to locate the precise center, specific spot or edge of the workpiece so that such position may be used as a reference point for performing work operations. Even more specifically, this invention relates to such devices that utilize a light beam, such as from a laser, as the visual mechanism.
B. Background
When working a piece of material with a milling machine or similar type of work tool, the machinist must first identify a reference or starting point from which the various dimensions and locations for the milling work to be performed on the workpiece will be measured. As known by those skilled in the art, failure to properly identify the reference point will generally result in a waste of time and material as the milling work is improperly positioned on the workpiece. Once found, this reference or starting point on the workpiece is then set in corresponding relationship with the centerline of the working part of the milling machine or other work tool so that the milling work will be performed at the correct location. The most common reference point utilized by most machinists is either the center or an edge of the workpiece. From the center or edge of the workpiece, dimensions are utilized to properly position the workpiece under the milling machine so that the work operation is performed at the desired location. Typically, the workpiece is generally clamped or otherwise held in place on a table under the working part of the milling machine. For the center of the workpiece, the machinist will typically first manually measure, locate and then mark the center with a punch. Once the center or edge of the workpiece is found with respect to the centerline of the milling tool, which typically requires some adjustments, the machinist can perform the desired operations at the correct location. A similar type of process can also be used for identifying the position of holes, which may need to be drilled, tapped, edges chamfered, countersunk or have other work done, to be drilled into or through the workpiece. Once the hole locations are identified by prick-punching the workpiece, the ability to accurately drill at the hole position is somewhat based on the machinist's ability to position the workpiece with regard to the centerline of the drill press spindle.
The procedures and tools utilized by most machinists to locate the center or edge of a workpiece relative to a milling machine or other work tool indirectly locate the reference point, in that they require the machinist to make measurement adjustments. A common method utilized to find an edge of a workpiece is generally referred to as the contact or bump method. In this method, a simple piece of round stock is placed in the mill spindle and the work tool is hand cranked to gently abut the edge of the workpiece against the round stock. To align the work machine with the edge of the workpiece, the machinist then raises the round stock above the workpiece and moves the workpiece over half the diameter of the round stock. The micrometer dial setting at this position is zeroed to correspond to the edge of the workpiece, thereby aligning the work tool (i.e., the spindle centerline) with the plane running through the edge of the workpiece. Although the contact or bump method is quick and simple, it is well known that it is generally not that accurate due to the inherent problems associated with trying to recognize when the contact occurs and the elasticity of the materials involved. In addition, to the inherent accuracy problems, it is not that uncommon for machinists, particularly relatively inexperienced or hurried machinists, to forget to take into account the one-half of the diameter of the round stock used as the edge finder. Another problem known to be associated with this method of edge finding is that too much contact against the workpiece, which for certain metals is not that much contact, can dent or otherwise damage the workpiece.
Another method for finding the edge of a workpiece utilizes a tool commonly known as a wiggler, which has been used by machinist for over a century. Most wiggler sets come with an edge finder component that has a generally mushroom-shaped disk contact at the end of the wiggle shank opposite that which fits into the collet, typically in a ball and socket type of arrangement. As with the contact method described above, the workpiece is moved towards the spinning edge finder until it gently touches the disk contact and steadies the wiggling. The workpiece is then slowly dialed further towards the edge finder until it is spinning true (i.e., no wiggle). At the point the edge finder starts to slip sideways from the drag of the spinning disk against the workpiece, the machinist has found the edge of the workpiece. As with the contact method, the machinist then raises the edge finder and dials in half of its diameter, typically 0.100 inches, to align the spindle centerline with the edge plane of the workpiece. Although the wiggler edge finder is generally considered to be very accurate for routine machine work and good enough for most high precision work, it is known to be frustrating to utilize due to the fact that it has to be reset for each edge contact.
The typical wiggler set also includes a pointer component that fits within the same wiggle shank, but has a pointed end instead of the mushroom-shaped disk contact for the edge finder component. When the wiggle shank is chucked into the milling machine or other work tool and run, the end of the pointer will spin in a random-angled cone. The machinist, typically utilizing his or her thumbnails or other parts of their fingers, will guide the end to concentricity to correspond with the work tool spindle axis. The machinist then guides the workpiece to position the center punch mark, using visual alignment, under the pointed end to align the mark with the spindle axis. Unfortunately, manually adjusting the wiggler point to concentricity can result in injury to the machinist's finger(s), particularly for the novice machinist. If the wiggler is guided past center, the pointed end has a tendency to wildly spin, requiring realignment. Although this method can be very accurate, it does require the machinist to eyeball the alignment by mentally projecting a straight line to the marked center point of the workpiece.
Another well known mechanical edge finder utilizes a spring loaded conical disc that spins while free of the workpiece and then suddenly kicks or slips sideways when contact with the edge of the workpiece is obtained. Unlike the wiggler edge finder, however, the disc of this type of edge finder only slips a certain amount and then goes no further. As a result, the machinist can back up and try again without having to reset the contact by hand. Once the edge is found, the machinist moves the workpiece, generally by moving the mill table, over one-half the diameter of the edge finder to align the spindle axis with the plane of the workpiece edge. Some of these types of edge finders include a conically-shaped center finder having a pointed end that is utilized in the same manner as that described above for the wiggler center finder component.
A number of prior art center and/or edge finders are described in issued patents. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,299 to Johnson describes an edge finder having a housing adapted to be received by the chuck on a work tool spindle, a slide biased against the housing by a spring that permits lateral movement of the slide and an outwardly extending finger that is rotatably attached to the slide at one end and shaped with a flat face at the other end to engage the side or edge of the workpiece. The plane of the flat face is configured to be in alignment with the axis of the work tool. Like the prior art devices set forth above, the workpiece is moved towards the edge finder until the edge is brought into contact with the flat face, at which time the slide moves at a right angle to the direction the workpiece is traveling indicating alignment with the edge. Unlike the above devices, however, no measurement adjustment is required. U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,336 to LeBlanc discloses an edge finder having an elongated body with a push pin at the semi-circular cross-section lower end that is contacted by the edge of the workpiece to operatively engage a lever connected to a dial indicator. The plane of the flat side of the lower end, which comes into contact with the workpiece edge when the pin is fully engaged, is in alignment with the axis of the spindle, thereby eliminating the need to factor in an adjustment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,463 to Angell discloses an electro-mechanical datum point locator tool that utilizes a cylindrical tip assembly that has an electrically conductive sleeve which causes a light to be emitted from the circumference of the tool's cylindrical housing when contact with the edge of the workpiece is obtained. The machinist must adjust for one-half the diameter of the tool's tip. U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,975 to Fisher describes an audible-visual edge finder having a working end member at the end of a cylindrical shank. The working end member has a flat that is configured to make an audible sound when it contacts the workpiece and to cause the finder to vibrate radially, thereby enhancing the sideways jump, to visually signal contact with the workpiece. Like the above patent, the machinist must adjust for one-half the diameter of the working end member. U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,751 to Berg describes an electromechanical measuring device having a workpiece contacting finger connected to a strain gauge or pressure transducer to locate the center of circular bores and pins relative to the axis of rotation of the spindle.
While the forgoing prior art devices and patents describe center and/or edge finders that are configured to locate and position the axis of the spindle above the center or edge of a workpiece, they all have limitations that either reduce their accuracy or effectiveness. For instance, the devices that require the machinist to add one-half the width or diameter of the tool are indirect methods of finding the workpiece edge or center, which can be forgotten by the novice or rushed machinist. Naturally, this mistake generally results in a waste of time and material. All of the aforementioned devices require the machinist to push the workpiece into contact with the edge finder in order to locate the edge of the workpiece, a process that always presents the potential of damaging the workpiece or precision tool if too much force is applied. A number of the aforementioned devices are not configured or useful for finding the center of a workpiece. What is needed, therefore, is a workpiece center and edge finder that provides direct indication of placement of the spindle axis over the edge or center of the workpiece without requiring physical contact between the workpiece and the finder tool. The preferred center and edge finder should be adaptable to a wide variety of work tools, including milling machines, lathes and the like. The preferred center and edge finder should be relatively simple to use.

Workpiece center and edge finder having visual light indicator


Disclosed is a computer program that is used for detecting a system abnormality and controlling a causative service in a computing device. In a computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium, including encoded commands, which causes one or more processors to perform operations for detecting a system abnormality in the computing device when the computer program is executed by the one or more processors of a computer device, the operations may include: an operation of receiving monitoring information for each client from a plurality of clients of the computing device; an operation of comparing each monitoring information for each client with a system monitoring policy; an operation of determining whether the system abnormality occurs based on a comparison result with the system monitoring policy; and an operation of determining to control some clients among the plurality of clients based on the determination of whether the system abnormality occurs.

The existing computing environment which relies on independent hardware performance of each terminal according to technological development of a computer network has evolved to a cloud computing type that utilizes all computing resources on a network and provides a corresponding service to be simply and easily used according to a request of a user terminal. Currently, cloud computing technology is widely used in a server and system configuration due to an advantage that IT resources can be shared with each other and idle resources can be efficiently used when constructing an IT infrastructure. Virtualization technology is one of the core based technologies of cloud computing and open server virtualization technologies that are widely used in a server field include Xen, KVM, VirtualBox, and so on, which are called a virtual machine (VM) or hypervisor basis. Virtual machine-based server virtualization technology is a scheme that installs an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as a host OS) on a physical server, creates a virtual machine thereon by dividing resources based on the hypervisor, and then installs an operating system (hereinafter referred to as a guest OS) and drives a desired application program again. Such a scheme has an advantage in that multiple servers independently operable can be provided in one physical system, but has a disadvantage in that when the host OS and the guest OS are operating in the same operating system, the waste of resources is large.
Accordingly, in recent years, a container scheme, which is a virtualization technology of a different scheme from the virtual machine scheme, is popular. The container-based system is much lighter than the virtual machine scheme because the container-based system shares an operating system kernel, and as a result, the container-based system has better mobility, faster startup times, and occupies much less memory than full booting of the operating system. In such a cloud service environment, virtual machine servers and resources are selected and used as many as desired at a desired time through a cloud system in which required resources including a CPU, a memory, a storage, an application program, and the like are provided by a virtual technology, and as a result, high economical efficiency and expandability and advanced services can be provided, but when a malicious attack or intrusion from the outside occurs while the application is executed, a host operating system may be directly damaged, causing security and stability and guarantee problems.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a policy-based management system for detecting an abnormal action of a user through individual monitoring of each client computer against a plurality of clients connected to a computing device and controlling the cause service.

Container-based integrated management system


An optical scanning apparatus, such as a bar code scanner, for reading 360 degrees of, e.g., tray commodities. A first scanning pattern is emitted almost in the horizontal direction to an installation surface of the apparatus, and a second scanning is pattern emitted from an upper portion to a lower portion of the apparatus, toward the installation surface, via a window provided vertical to the installation surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical scanning apparatus to be used, for example, in a bar code reader. Moreover, the present invention relates to an optical reader, and particularly to a bar code reader called a multi-head scanner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, point-of-sale (xe2x80x9cPOSxe2x80x9d) systems have gained widespread use, in which checkout can be conducted by reading bar code information attached to a commodity. In such a POS system, the bar code information is input by scanning the commodity and the checkout can be conducted on the basis of such information. Therefore, the workload of the checkout operator can be reduced.
In the POS system, a stationary scanner, which is installed in the checkout counter, is mainly used.
Up to now, a bar code scanner having a single reading window from which a scanning pattern is emitted has been mainly used to scan a bar code. The reading window can be installed in the horizontal direction to the counter surface or installed in the vertical direction thereto. However, in the case of such apparatus, the direction in which the bar code (direction of bar code) can be read is limited and, therefore, an operator has to direct the bar code toward the reading. This has been a problem for the operator.
In order to reduce this problem, a so-called multi-head scanner is now widely used. This scanner is provided both with a window which is parallel to the counter surface (bottom window) and a window which is vertical to the counter surface (side window), and a scanning pattern is respectively emitted from each window.
However, the multi-head scanner of the prior art has its own problems, which are explained below.
The first problem is that the apparatus usually is thick.
In Europe, the checkout operator is legally obliged to perform the job sitting down. Since the scanner is buried within a check out the counter, when the scanner is thick, a bottom of the scanner may project from the lower surface of the counter. In this case, the operator cannot accommodate his/her knees under the lower surface of the counter or manipulation flexibility of the bar code reader is deteriorated because the scanning surface becomes high, and thereby the operator""s work becomes harder.
On the other hand, when an operator performs the bar code reading job while standing, such a problem may not occur. However, in some cases, a drawer is provided under the scanner to accommodate cash. In this case, when the scanner is thick, a distance from the drawer to an operator may be significant, resulting in the problem that the processing of cash may be difficult.
In light of the problem explained above, it is desirable for a scanner to have a thickness of 90 mm or less. However, actual multi-head scanners have thicknesses over 100 mm. For practical manipulation of the apparatus, a difference of thickness of about 10 mm or more is significant.
A second problem is that the multi-head scanner of the prior art is not capable of perfectly reading in 360 degrees.
A multi-head scanner preferably allows bar code reading, when the bar code is directed in any direction. That is, the scanner should be able to read the bar code information, even when the bar code is not directed to the reading window side, because the scanning patterns are emitted respectively from the bottom section and side section.
However, in the multi-head scanner of the prior art, the bar code cannot be read in some cases depending on the inclination between the bar code and the counter surface, resulting in the problem that a 360 degree reading operation cannot be assured. For example, reading is possible when the bar code is parallel to the counter surface, but reading may be impossible when the bar code is vertical to the counter surface. In this case, a perfect 360 degrees reading operation cannot be realized.
The third problem is that the multi-scanning pattern cannot be provided in some cases with a single light beam. Here, the term multi-scanning pattern is meant to represent both the scanning pattern emitted from the bottom section and the scanning pattern emitted from the side section.
In the multi-head scanner of the prior art, a plurality of light sources, for example, are provided, and the light beams from respective light sources are incident to the scanning means, such as a polygon mirror, or the like. On the other hand, the light beam emitted from a single light source is divided by a beam splitter and respective light beams are incident to the scanning means from different directions. Since the number of light beams incident to the scanning means is increased, the photo-detector for receiving the reflected light beam from the bar code and the light collecting means for inputting the reflected light beam to the photo-detector must correspond to the number of light beams. Therefore, the scanner cost may become high.
Particularly, in a shop such as a super-market, a xe2x80x9ctray-commodityxe2x80x9d, in which a commodity is packed on the tray, may be sold. The tray is covered with wrapping material and the bar code is attached to the wrapping material.
In the case of the prior art apparatuses, a laser scanning pattern emitted from the side section is almost parallel to the bottom window, namely such laser scanning pattern is emitted almost horizontally. Meanwhile, since the tray commodity has a problem that a fluid may leak therefrom, it is desired that the tray not be tilted at the time of reading the bar code. However, since the laser scanning pattern is emitted almost horizontally, the tray must be tilted to read the car code attached on the tray commodity. If the tray is intentionally not tilted, due to the leakage concern, a probability for non-reading of the bar code is very high because the bar code attached on the tray commodity is not irradiated with the laser scanning pattern.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical scanning apparatus, such as a multi-head scanner, which assures almost perfect reading in 360 degrees.
Particularly, the present invention provides an optical scanning apparatus which assures accurate reading of an indicia or mark (bar code or the like) attached to a tray commodity.
In order to solve the problems explained above, the present invention includes a light source for generating a light beam, a scanning means for scanning the light beam emitted from the light source, a mirror for reflecting a scanning beam generated by the scanning means, a first window for emitting the scanning beam reflected by the mirror as the first scanning pattern, and a second window installed at an angle such that an extending line of the angle crosses an extending direction of the first window for emitting the scanning beam reflected by the mirror as the second scanning pattern, which is different from the first scanning pattern, whereby the second scanning pattern emitted from the second window is composed of the first pattern emitted almost in parallel to the first window and the second pattern emitted to a lower side toward the first window.
Moreover, the present invention includes a light source for generating a light beam, a scanning means for generating a scanning beam by scanning the light beam emitted from the light source, and a window for emitting the scanning pattern made up of the scanning beam scanned by the scanning means, wherein the window emits a first scanning pattern almost in a parallel direction to the apparatus installation surface or counter, and a second scanning pattern emitted at a lower side toward the installation surface.
More particularly, this window is provided with a means for deflecting the scanning pattern, and one of the first and second scanning patterns is emitted after it is deflected by the deflecting means and the other of the first and second scanning patterns is emitted from the position not passing the deflecting means.
Otherwise, this window is provided with a first area through which the first scanning pattern passes, and a second area through which the second pattern passes, and these first and second areas can be visually identified by the operator.
Otherwise, the first area and second area are formed in such a manner as providing different angles.
Moreover, the optical scanning apparatus of the present invention includes a bottom section having a first window which is mounted in a position parallel to an apparatus installation surface, and a side section having the second window which is mounted in a position vertical to the installation surface to scan the bar code attached to the commodity by emitting the scanning patterns from the first and second windows, and includes a light source for emitting a light beam in a vertical direction to the installation surface, a scanning means installed in the manner that the rotating axis thereof becomes parallel to the installation surface for scanning the light beam, a bottom pattern mirror for emitting the scanning pattern to the first window by reflecting the scanning beam generated by the scanning means and a side pattern mirror for emitting the scanning pattern to the second window by reflecting the scanning beam generated by the apparatus, whereby the second window emits the first pattern emitted in the direction parallel to the installation surface and the second pattern emitted at a lower side toward the first window.
Particularly, the second window is divided, for operator identification purposes, into the area through which the first pattern is emitted and the area through which the second pattern is emitted.


A process is disclosed for producing a carboxyl-containing polymer composition that allows the possibility of obtaining a carboxyl-containing polymer composition which exhibits excellent dispersibility in water or the like, has a viscosity increasing to a lower degree compared to the viscosity of a neutralized viscous liquid using an additive-free carboxyl-containing polymer, and has a high degree of transparency in a neutralized viscous liquid thereof. A carboxyl-containing polymer composition is obtained by polymerizing a monomer containing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid as a main component in a presence of a polyol (iso)stearic acid ester. A polyol in the polyol (iso)stearic acid ester is a polyol selected from a specific group, and the polyol (iso)stearic acid ester is used in the polymerization in an amount of 0.2 to 7 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid.

A carboxyl-containing polymer is used as a thickener for cosmetics and the like, a moisturizer of cataplasms and the like, an emulsifier, a suspension stabilizer of suspensions and the like, a gel base of batteries, and the like.
When the carboxyl-containing polymer is used for the above purposes, for example, the carboxyl-containing polymer is added to water or the like to prepare a homogenous dispersion, followed by neutralization by using an alkali, and the resultant is dissolved for use. However, since the carboxyl-containing polymer is generally fine powder, when the polymer is dispersed in water or the like, lumps (undissolved lumps) are easily formed. Once the undissolved lumps are generated, a gel-like layer is formed on the surface of the undissolved lump. Accordingly, the speed of water permeating to the inside of the undissolved lump becomes slow, which makes it difficult to obtain a homogenous dispersion.
In view of preventing the generation of undissolved lumps, for example, it is known that when an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid or the like is polymerized to produce a carboxyl-containing polymer, at least one of compound among polyol fatty acid esters and polyol fatty acid ester alkylene oxide adducts is added in a specific amount to perform polymerization, whereby a carboxyl-containing polymer composition showing excellent dispersibility in water is obtained (see Patent Literature 1).

Process for producing carboxyl-containing polymer composition, and carboxyl-containing polymer composition


A planking exercise belt assists the user in performing a planking exercise regimen by alerting the user when a proper plank position is not maintained during performance of the regimen. The planking exercise belt includes a belt that is adjustably secured about the user's lower torso and waist. An adjustable strap interconnects the belt and a weight. A connector is provided on the belt to removably attach the strap to the belt. When a user droops or does not engage their core muscle groups, a tension in the strap is relieved to alert the user to the poor form in performing the exercise. When the user elevates their buttocks, the weight elevates from the ground to alert the user of this improper form.

The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to methods and equipment for performing planking exercises.
Planking is an exercise that targets the core muscles of the abdomen and lower back. The exercise is performed with the person supporting their body on their hands and feet, with their body in linear alignment so the body resembles a plank. While maintaining the plank position, the person engages their core muscle groups when performing the exercise.
Many individuals, particularly beginners, have problems with poor plank form, either from lack of knowledge of form, fatigue, or not engaging their core when in a hold position, or while in motion. Currently, there are no devices used in planking to aid in correcting form. This makes the person use/train their muscles correctly in plank hold/plank exercises. Likewise, for experienced and well conditioned persons, there are presently no apparatus that provide additional resistance for performing the exercise.
As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus and method that allows a person to know that they are not maintaining proper plank form and to enhance the effectiveness of a planking exercise regimen.


The invention relates to a process for packaging reactive hot-melt adhesive, which consists of pouring the adhesive composition in the molten state directly into a container (1) coated with a material (2) which is abherent on its inner face and with a material (3) which is moistureproof on its outer face, the container being provided with at least one easy-opening start device; and in securing a moisture-proof lid (4) to the free face of the container. It also relates to the packaged adhesives.

Hot-melt adhesives are generally processed in the molten or liquid state and acquire their adhesive properties on cooling, while becoming solid.
Crosslinkable hot-melt adhesives, in particular those containing isocyanate groups, are widely employed for assembling various materials such as wood, plastic, paper or cardboard because of their mechanical strength and their great heat stability.
Such properties are essentially due to the fact that, after the adhesive bonding, the reactive groups in the adhesive crosslink by reacting with water.
The abovementioned compositions, which are described as reactive, must be preserved from any premature crosslinking, in order that they may retain good performance and good homogeneity at the time of the adhesive bonding.
To this end it has been proposed to package such reactive hot-melt adhesives in the following packagings:
The most widely used packaging consists of a simple container inside which a flexible barrier film is placed, in most cases in the form of a bag, it being possible for the said container optionally to comprise a lid provided with a waterproof seal.
In EP-A-661 221 it is proposed to pour the adhesive into a primary container made of rigid material, the latter being placed in a secondary container substantially identical with the first in size and shape. The free surface of the adhesive is coated with a flexible film which has a low permeability to water vapour and the whole is closed with a sealed lid.
In EP-A-469 564 and EP-A-649 718 it is proposed to package one or more portions of adhesive in an enclosure which is flexible and compatible during the melting, and to place the whole thus formed in a second packaging, for example an enclosure or a container.
However, the packagings just described have disadvantages.
The abovementioned first two packagings require the transfer of the adhesive into the applicator device, and this is generally carried out by means of a hot plate. With the first container there is a risk that the inner film may tear or that it may not be possible to recover all of the adhesive, because of the folds in the film which are formed at the time the container is being filled.
The last packaging mentioned, for its part, requires the use of a stage of forming and conditioning of the portion(s) of adhesive, and this is relatively more complex and costly than a simple dispensing in the molten state.

Packaging of reactive hot-melt adhesives


There are provided a method of forming a fine pattern employing self-aligned double patterning. The method includes providing a substrate. First mask patterns are formed on the substrate. A reactive layer is formed on the substrate having the first mask patterns. The reactive layer adjacent to the first mask patterns is reacted using a chemical attachment process, thereby forming sacrificial layers along outer walls of the first mask patterns. The reactive layer that is not reacted is removed to expose the sacrificial layers. Second mask patterns are formed between the sacrificial layers adjacent to sidewalls of the first mask patterns facing each other. The sacrificial layers are removed to expose the first and second mask patterns and the substrate exposed between the first and second mask patterns. The substrate is etched using the first and second mask patterns as an etching mask.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method of forming a fine pattern, and particularly, to a method of forming a fine pattern employing self-aligned double patterning.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As the integration density of semiconductor devices increases, technology for integrating many devices in a narrow area is required. In order to integrate a plurality of devices in a narrow area, it is required to reduce the size of a device formed on a semiconductor substrate.
The high integration of a semiconductor is closely related to a photolithography process in processes of fabricating the semiconductor device. Specifically, the minimum size of a pattern formed through the photolithography process is determined by limiting resolution of an exposure apparatus. The resolution of such an exposure apparatus is determined depending on the wavelength of a light source. That is, as the wavelength of the light source is shorter, the resolution of the exposure apparatus is more increased. Accordingly, a light source having a short wavelength has been continuously developed to increase the resolution. For example, a photo process has been developed by sequentially using a G-line laser having a wavelength of 436 nm, a I-line laser having a wavelength of 365 nm, a KrF laser having a wavelength of 248 nm, an ArF laser having a wavelength of 193 nm and an F2 laser having a wavelength of 157 nm as light sources. In addition, a process of using an X-ray or electron beam as a light source has been developed. As such, it is necessary to develop a light source in accordance with the short wavelength of the light source and develop a photoresist corresponding to the light source. However, a great deal of development cost is required in the development of a new light source and a photoresist corresponding to the light source.
Therefore, studies and research have been conducted to provide methods of forming fine patterns having a narrower width than the limiting resolution of an exposure apparatus used in a conventional process by using the exposure apparatus as it is. A method of forming the fine pattern has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,223, entitled "Method for reduced pitch lithography" by Cleeves. According to Cleeves, a photolithography process is performed twice to form first and second photoresist patterns. Specifically, first photoresist patterns are formed on a substrate by performing a first photolithography process. After stabilizing the first photoresist patterns, second photoresist patterns are formed between the first photoresist patterns on the substrate. As such, the photoresist patterns formed through the two photolithography processes have a reduced pitch. However, as the integration density of semiconductor devices becomes higher, a pitch is more reduced. As a result, when forming the second photoresist pattern formed through the second photolithography process, the second photoresist patterns may not be precisely formed at a desired position due to misalignment.

Method of forming fine pattern employing self-aligned double patterning


Exemplary embodiments or implementations are disclosed of methods, apparatus, and systems for a volume limiter circuit. A rectifier sub-circuit is configured to rectify at least a portion of an audio signal received from an audio source. A junction field effect transistor (JFET) has a channel connected in series between the audio source and a speaker. A feedback sub-circuit is configured to provide a gate signal at a gate of the JFET and to modulate a control signal in accordance with the audio signal crossing the JFET channel. The feedback sub-circuit is connected with the rectifier sub-circuit so as to extend a range of variable resistance of the JFET channel. The limiter circuit provides functionality that changes in response to varying audio voltages.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
In today's world, music is everywhere. It is in people's homes, cars, stores, workplaces and now even in people's pockets. Personal Music Players (PMPs) have become a staple of the world's technological diet. PMPs are a technical marvel that allow one to take along an entire music collection and listen to any song at will, all on a device the size of a credit card or smaller.
Loud stereo systems and devices that power headphones, however, can cause hearing loss. In the case of headphones and ear buds, the sound directly interacts with the human ear, and because headphone and ear bud users are not disturbing anyone with their music, users can turn up the volume louder than they otherwise could, simply due to the isolated environment.

Apparatus and methods for limiting sound volume


A nozzled cartridge (20) for storing medicine, according to an aspect of the present application, includes a medicine container (21) that is to be filled with a predetermined quantity of a powdered medicine, a nozzle portion (22) that is formed on the medicine container (21) and that ejects the powdered medicine, a closing member (24) that closes an opening (22a) in the nozzle portion (22), and a valve member (25) that functions as a plug to close another opening (23a) in the medicine container (21), and that is opened when administering medicine. The nozzled cartridge (20) is detachably mountable to a sprayer (30) when administering medicine.

There is a generally known treatment method where powdered medicine is dispensed in the nasal cavities of a patient who has a disorder such as rhinitis, nasal allergy, or the like. In this treatment method, powdered medicine with which a capsule is filled is dispensed in the nasal cavities using a dedicated dispensing device. Also, medicine dispensing devices used for this treatment method have conventionally been proposed (see Patent Document 1, for example).
In the dispensing device described in Patent Document 1, a pump unit is provided on an air inflow side of a cylindrical member, a recessed portion where a capsule is inserted is formed at an air outflow side of this cylindrical member, a capsule accommodating portion is formed by fitting a tip portion to this recessed portion, and an air induction channel having a valve mechanism is formed from this capsule accommodating portion toward the pump unit. Another valve mechanism is provided at the other side of the pump unit, so that air is supplied to the capsule accommodating portion via the air induction channel when pressing the pump unit, and air is externally suctioned into the pump unit when the pump unit returns, by this valve mechanism and the valve mechanism in the air induction channel. Further, the dispensing device has a cap that fits to the tip portion of the cylindrical member, and a needle extending in the axial direction is provided on the inner side of this cap. The configuration thereof is such that both sides of the capsule in the axial direction are perforated by putting the cap on in a state where the recessed portion of the cylindrical member and the tip portion having an opening are fit to each other.
First, perforation of the capsule by the device configured thus is performed by inserting the capsule filled with powdered medicine in the recessed portion of the cylindrical member, following which the tip portion is fitted and the capsule is attached by insertion into the capsule accommodating portion, and the cap is put on to the tip portion made of hard resin, whereby both tip portions of the capsule in the axial direction are perforated by the needle provided on the inner side of the cap, which is guided to the tip portion.
Next, in order to administer the medicine, the cap is removed from the cylindrical member and user inserts the tip portion into one nostril. The pump unit is then pressed, whereby air from the pump unit flows into the capsule via the air induction channel, and medicine inside the capsule is dispensed by being delivered to inside the nasal cavity of the user. Dispensing medicine to both nasal cavities is performed by repeating the actions from inserting the tip portion and thereafter, thereby dispensing medicine to both nasal cavities.

Medicine storage cartridge with nozzle, sprayer therefor, and powdered medicine dispensing device for nasal cavity

Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.


A heterodyne interferometer having two interferometer arms and one optical modulator for changing the frequency of a radiation conducted via one interferometer arm and having a control device for setting the frequency change of the radiation and a detector device for analyzing the interfered output radiation. The amplitude of an input beam conducted into the heterodyne interferometer is modulated using a frequency which is different from the frequency change of the radiation in the optical modulator prior to being split between the interferometer arms. A heterodyne frequency corresponding to the difference of the frequency change of the radiation and the frequency of the amplitude modulation of the radiation may be achieved.

In heterodyne interferometers, coherent radiation components having slightly different frequencies overlap. A signal having the difference frequency of the two radiation components, known as heterodyne frequency, is then obtained at the detector device. The information, for example, about the shape or roughness of surfaces, is contained in the phase angle of the detected frequency.
Coherent radiation components are obtained by using a shared light source, whose radiation is split into two partial beams with the aid of a beam splitter, for example. Changing the frequency in at least one partial beam using acousto-optical modulators is performed for obtaining different radiation frequencies in the two partial beams. A frequency shift in the range of a few tens of MHz, typically on the order of 35 MHz, depending on the selected control frequency, is then achieved using an acousto-optical modulator. If an acousto-optical modulator is provided for only one partial beam, the control frequency corresponds to the heterodyne frequency obtained at the detector device. This is the reason for one disadvantage of this design, because for the same frequencies of the electrical control for the acousto-optical modulator and the analysis in the detector device, interference with the useful signal in the detector by the control signal of the modulator is difficult to prevent. The high analysis frequency represents another disadvantage. Such high frequencies require a relatively high degree of complexity to minimize crosstalk, noise, and reflections.
It is therefore advantageous to provide one acousto-optical modulator having a slightly different control frequency for each partial beam. The heterodyne frequency is given by the difference between the control frequencies and may be specified accordingly. Therefore the analysis frequency of the detector device is different from the control frequencies of the acousto-optical modulators, whereby interference with the detector signals may be largely avoided. At the same time, a relatively low heterodyne frequency results, mostly on the order of a few hundreds of kHz, which makes simple analysis of the phase difference possible for calculating the surface geometry to be measured. The disadvantage of this design is that two acousto-optical modulators must be provided, which results in increased costs.
Heterodyne interferometers may be designed as a Mach-Zehnder system or as a Michelson interferometer. The Mach-Zehnder system offers the advantage that a partial beam passes through the acousto-optical modulator(s) only once. In the case of a Michelson interferometer, the partial beam passes through the acousto-optical modulator twice. This makes it more difficult to influence the partial beam using the acousto-optical modulator.

Heterodyne interferometer having an optical modulator


A laser diode controller (30) having a constant current source (60) which supplies current to a laser diode (90) is disclosed. A current shunt switch (40) directs current to either the laser diode (90) or to a bypass circuit (42). A thermal compensator (70) alters a current level of the constant current source (60) as a function of on-time of the laser diode (90) to compensate for changes in optical power conversion efficiency due to temperature changes in the laser diode. A thermo electric cooler controller (80) maintains a constant temperature of a substrate on which the laser diode is mounted. In one embodiment, an array of sample and hold amplifiers (50) eliminates a need for multiple DACs.

High power laser diodes are used as a light source in laser thermal printing systems, for color proofing systems, dry image setters, and other high quality, halftone printing systems for graphic arts applications.
In this type of laser thermal printing system, a photosensitive media is placed on a drum and is written on by a printhead which consists of multiple high power laser diodes and an imaging lens. As the image is written pixel by pixel, small areas of the photosensitive material are heated causing transfer of the material either from a donor to a receiver or from a donor to the air. In the case of plate writing, a plate is directly imaged creating hydrophobic or hydrophilic spots, after additional chemical processing and post heat treatment. The amount of dye transferred or ablated is controlled by the amount of laser energy delivered.
Laser optical power must be controlled to better than 0.5% accuracy in order to obtain a reasonable image quality. Optical power is affected by many parameters, such as laser diode driving current, operating temperature, and imaging lens system. The electronic control for the laser diode is sophisticated and complex.
In order to increase productivity, an array of laser diodes is often used in printheads. If very high laser power is required, for example, to write on slow laser thermal media, the laser driving current at nominal operating condition may be as much as 1.5 Amps per channel. A high productivity printing system with many writing channels would therefore require significant power, and generate significant heat, which would affect optical power. One attempt to deal with temperature change in a laser diode is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,425, which describes a current shunt around the laser diode. This reference, however, does not vary the temperature, only the current to the laser diode.
To maintain high productivity, driving current rise-fall time (current change from 10% to 90% of max value) should be less than 50 nanoseconds. It is difficult to achieve a rise-fall time less than 100 nanoseconds due to high stray capacitance of the driving circuit. Thus, it is seen that as the number of writing channels increases, with relatively high power requirement and fast response time, the laser diode controller electronics becomes complicated and expensive.


An antibacterial composition is provided which comprises a base, an antibacterial agent consisting of a silver-supporting inorganic compound and a water-soluble salt of a nitrogen atom-containing 6-membered heterocyclic compound. In the antibacterial composition, the silver component susceptible to discoloration is effectively stabilized by the use of the water-soluble salt of a nitrogen atom-containing 6-membered heterocyclic compound and therefore, the antibacterial composition never or hardly undergoes any discoloration with the lapse of time.

The present invention relates to an antibacterial composition and more specifically to an antibacterial composition, which never undergoes any discoloration even with the lapse of time.
In an antibacterial composition comprising an incorporated antibacterial agent, which consists of a silver-supporting inorganic compound, it has been recognized that the incorporated silver component often causes discoloration due to physical actions by, for instance, light rays and heat and/or due to, for instance, a chemical reaction with a substance such as sulfur or a phosphoric acid salt. In this respect, this change may deteriorate the commercial value of a product obtained by processing the composition since the change would result in the formation of such a product, which may partially exhibit a different color in its appearance. Thus, as trials for controlling or eliminating such a color change, there have been proposed a variety of methods such as a method, which makes use of benzotriazole (see, for instance, JP-A-Sho-63-265858) and a method, which makes use of an imide's hydrogen-containing cyclic compound (see, for instance, JP-A-Hei-11-246213). However, these trials have not yet satisfactorily solved the foregoing problem associated with the conventional techniques.


A device for measuring a velocity and/or position of a body includes a magnetometer and a measurement unit. The magnetometer is configured to sense a magnetic flux to which the body is exposed. The measurement unit includes a sensor sensing one of an acceleration and a velocity of the body. The measurement unit also includes a processor coupled to the magnetometer and to the measurement unit and configured to determine one on a velocity value and a position value for the body based on the sensed magnetic flux and based or one of the sensed acceleration and the sensed velocity of the body.

The present invention relates generally to inertial measurement units. More particularly, the present invention relates to detecting stationarity of an inertial measurement unit.
An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is a self-contained system which can automatically determine the position, velocity and attitude of a moving vehicle or other body. Based on prior knowledge of initial position, initial velocity, and initial orientation relative to a known reference frame, an IMU is capable of determining its present position, velocity and orientation without the aid of external information. Typical IMUs operate by sensing the linear acceleration and deceleration of the body in three-dimensional space with accelerometers and by sensing the rotational velocity, or rotational rate, with gyroscopes. Based on the sensed linear acceleration, the IMU calculates changes in linear velocity and, in turn, changes in position. Based on the sensed rotational velocity, the IMU calculates changes in rotational orientation, or attitude. The navigational data generated by IMUs are commonly used to determine the future course for a body to follow in order to bring it to its intended destination. IMUs are commonly used in the guidance and control of aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, ships and submarines, as well as for personal navigation.
IMU-based navigational systems are not as accurate as some other navigational systems such as GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) systems. The IMU inevitably senses noise in the acceleration and velocity data. This causes the accuracy of the IMU to degrade over time until the actual velocity and position of the body is updated. Often IMUs are used to supplement more accurate systems such as GPS or are used as backup to such systems. Also, there are locations where GPS signals are not available. Thus, there exists a need for a more accurate IMU.
The present invention provides a solution to this and other problems and offers other advantages over the prior art.
The present invention relates to detecting stationarity of an inertial measurement unit.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a device for measuring the velocity and/or position of a body. The device includes a measurement unit and a magnetometer. The measurement unit is capable of sensing an acceleration and/or a velocity of the body. The measurement unit is further capable of determining a velocity value and/or a position value based on the sensed acceleration and/or the sensed velocity of the body. The magnetometer is capable of sensing the magnetic flux to which the body is exposed, thereby determining whether the body is at rest.
In one embodiment of such a device, if the sensed magnetic flux is substantially constant, the velocity value is set at zero and the position value is held at its present value.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of reducing degradation of the accuracy of an inertial measurement unit. The magnetic flux to which the inertial measurement unit is exposed is sensed. Stationarity conditions are invoked if the sensed magnetic flux is substantially constant.
In one embodiment of such a method, invoking stationarity conditions involves setting the velocity value at zero and/or holding the position value constant at its present value.

Inertial measurement unit with magnetometer for detecting stationarity


A magnesium-based throttle body is disclosed. The throttle body is manufactured by using a mold for manufacture of a throttle body. The throttle body includes a cooling water tube fixing portion into which a cooling water tube is press-inserted, the cooling water tube fixing portion being formed integrally with the throttle body.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a throttle body for a vehicle and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a magnesium-based throttle body and a method of manufacturing the same, which provides corrosion-resistance structure to prevent corrosion reaction between the throttle body and cooling water passing therethrough.
2. Background Art
Automobile manufacturers have made intensive researches to produce automobiles with lighter weight and improved performance. In light of this, light power trains have been developed. To this end, parts made of aluminum-based material have been replaced by parts made of magnesium-based material which is lightweight relative to those made of aluminum-based material.
A throttle body or an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) body, which is mounted on an intake manifold to control inhalation of air, is made by an aluminum die casting, since the aluminum die casting is advantageous in terms of dimensional accuracy of a final product, temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance.
A throttle body affects a Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) characteristic of an intake manifold due to vibration thereof which may occur while an engine is running.
Since the NVH characteristic is relied on vibration caused by inertia, the less weight the throttle body has, the better NVH characteristic the intake manifold will have.
Therefore, various methods for reducing weight of the throttle body have been suggested. One method was to replace materials used for manufacturing a throttle body. One example of the method was to replace an aluminum-based material by a magnesium-based material. This method, however, has problems; for instance, corrosion reaction may occur between the magnesium-based throttle body and cooling water which passes through the throttle body.
More specifically, moisture in a throttle body may freeze in winter. In this instance, to prevent throttle valve control from being troubled, heated cooling water can be configured to circulate through the throttle body. Although the heated cooling water does not react with an aluminum alloy, it may react with a magnesium alloy, leading to corrosion in the throttle body.
There is thus a need for a magnesium-based throttle body that can overcome the problems.
The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and should be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art that is already known to a person skilled in the art.

Magnesium throttle body and method of manufacturing the same


A guide member (20) is disposed between a body chassis (2) of a disk driving apparatus (1) and an electric connection wire (15). The guide member (20) moves together with a tray (3) to prevent the body chassis (2) and the electric connection wire (15) from coming into contact with each other and moving. In a state in which the tray (3) is sufficiently pulled out from the body chassis (2), the guide member (20) projects from the tray (3) to prevent the electric connection wire (15) from coming into contact with the body chassis (2).

One example of a conventional disk driving apparatus will be explained with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
A disk driving apparatus 1 comprises a body chassis 2 and a tray 3 which can slide with respect to the body chassis 2. The tray 3 comprises a tray base 4 made of synthetic resin, and a thread chassis 5 fitted and fixed to the tray base 4. The thread chassis 5 comprises a thread base 6 into which a spindle motor 50 and a head driving mechanism are incorporated, and a metal cover for covering both upper and lower surfaces of the thread base 6. In FIG. 14, a reference numeral 8 represents a head, and a reference numeral 9 represents a rotary table 9. An auxiliary circuit substrate 12 for controlling the spindle motor 50 and the head driving mechanism is disposed in the tray 3.
A main circuit substrate 11 is disposed in the body chassis 2. A connector 13 of the main circuit substrate 11 and a connector 14 of the auxiliary circuit substrate 12 are interconnected through an FPC (flexible printed circuit) 51. The FPC 51 is formed into a U-shape as a whole in which a conductive path is formed on a polyester film by printing technique.
A first end of the FPC 51 is connected to the connector 13 of the main circuit substrate 11. A straight line portion connected to the first end (portion 51a closer to the body chassis) is fixed on to the body chassis 2. A straight line portion (portion 51b closer to the tray) connected to a second end of the FPC 51 is once brought upward and then is folded back substantially at an angle of 180° toward the tray 3 as shown in FIG. 14. The folded back second end 51b of the FPC 51 is connected to the connector 14 of the auxiliary circuit substrate 12. A part of the FPC 51 which is folded back at the portion 51b closer to the tray toward the tray 3 is formed with a folded-back curved portion 19 having a U-shaped cross section.
When the tray 3 is pulled out from the body chassis 2 or pushed into the body chassis 2, the tray 3 moves and the portion 51b of the FPC 51 closer to the tray also moves together, and the folded-back curved portion 19 also moves in the same direction at a half speed of the moving speed of the tray 3. In this manner, even when the tray 3 moves toward or away from the body chassis 2, the connected state between the connector 13 of the main circuit substrate 11 and the connector 14 of the auxiliary circuit substrate 12 is always maintained through the FPC 51.
When rigidity (spring force) of a base member of the FPC 51 is excessively high, however, a radius of curvature of the folded-back curved portion 19 becomes great and a part of the folded-back curved portion 19 rises high and this portion abuts an upper lid 2a of the body chassis 2 and pushes the same. When the tray 3 is pulled out from the body chassis 2 or pushed into the body chassis 2 in this state, the folded-back curved portion 19 comes into contact with the upper lid 2a and it becomes difficult for the folded-back curved portion 19 to move due to friction and thus, the radius of curvature of the folded-back curved portion 19 tries to further increase. As a result, there is an adverse possibility that it becomes difficult to move the folded-back curved portion 19 or a part of the FPC 51 rub against the upper lid 2a of the body chassis 2 by this movement and is damaged.
To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-199207 discloses a technique in which a guide sheet made of polyethylene terephthalate which moves together with the tray is interposed between the body chassis and the FPC, thereby preventing the folded-back curved portion of the FPC from coming into contact directly with and rubbing against the upper lid of the body chassis.
However, since the polyethylene terephthalate which is a material of the guide sheet used for preventing the friction between the body chassis and the FPC has low bending rigidity, the guide sheet itself is bent by the friction with the body chassis, and there is a problem that smooth sliding motion of the tray is impaired.
To solve such a problem, when the bending rigidity of the FPC 51 is lowered by reducing a thickness of the base member of the FPC 51 or using softer material, the radius of curvature of the folded-back curved portion 19 becomes relatively small and a case in which a part of the FPC 51 strongly pushes the upper lid 2a of the body chassis 2 can be avoided. When the tray 3 is at an unload position, however, a part of the portion 51b of the FPC 51 closer to the tray lops from a gap W formed between (the lower cover 7b of) the thread chassis 5 and the body chassis 2, as shown in FIG. 5 and protrudes from the thread chassis 5.
When the tray 3 is pushed into the body chassis in a state in which the FPC 51 lops from the gap W between the thread chassis 5 and the body chassis 2, there is an adverse possibility that the lopping FPC 51 is sandwiched between the body chassis 2 and the thread chassis 5.


A film mechanism for a motion-picture camera is provided. The film feed mechanism has a transport grip having a transport grip clip and at least one transport grip tip which engages in a sprocket hole of a motion-picture film that is transported at a predefinable film transport speed by the kinematics of the transport grip. The transport grip tip displaces the motion-picture film in an intermittent manner and runs through a closed trajectory whose reversing points determine the length of travel during the film transport. The kinematics of the transport grip can be dynamically and/or statically modified in accordance with the film transport speed by a modification to the relative positions of the transport grip and grip drive connected in an articulated manner to the transport grip in such a way that a constantly correct length of travel during a film transport step of the transport grip is guaranteed.

The invention relates to a film feed mechanism in a motion picture camera.
From DE 38 35 329 C1 a film feed mechanism is known in a motion picture camera which comprises a transport grip and a transport gearing. The transport grip consists of a transport grip clip which has at one end at least one transport grip tip which moves the motion film, which is to be transported and has a perforated edge, step by step past the exposure window. A center section of the transport grip clip is connected through an articulated grip joint to a crank which has in its rotational axis a drive shaft which is coupled to a film transport motor. The end of the transport grip clip opposite the transport grip tip is connected to a swing bar which can swivel about a swing axis and which is fitted with a locking grip which at the end of a film transport step owing to the contra movement of the locking grip and transport grip projects into a sprocket hole of the film perforation and secures the picture state of the motion film during exposure of the film picture.
The transport gear which is formed from the crank and the swing bar moves the transport grip so that the transport grip tip runs through an elongated curve which is closed per se and which at one end enters into the film running face and at the other end leaves it again so that the distance between the two reversing tips determines the length of travel of the transport grip and thus a film transport step.
In order to adapt the curved path of the transport grip tips and the engagement depth of the locking grip in the known film feed mechanism the swing bar axis of the swing bar which determines the mutual movement of the locking grip and the transport grip as well as the effective length of the swing bar and crank can be changed.
So that the motion film is always positioned at the correct place for the exposure of the film picture the transport grip must transport the motion film always exactly by the length of travel, i.e., the distance between the reversing points of the curved path which is described by the transport grip tips must be constant. As the length of travel of the transport grip tips changes, i.e. in the event of different length film transport steps not only does the distance of the exposed film pictures change relative to each other but the tip of the locking grip projecting into a corresponding sprocket hole of the moving film is no longer in exact alignment with the relevant sprocket hole and strikes an edge of the perforation and thereby damages the moving film.
Since considerable mass forces act on the transport grip tip at the reversing points of the curved path of the transport grip tip, this tip bends outwards at the reversing points in the sense of extending the curved path, i.e. with an upper reversing tip upwards and with a lower reversing tip downwards. This deformation of the transport grip tip results in an extension of the length of travel so that the distance between the film images which are to be exposed is changed and the film perforation is damaged through a locking grip which does not engage precisely in a sprocket hole.
Since the deformation of the transport grip tips increases as the transport speed of the film rises the length of travel also rises as the transport speed of the film increases so that owing to the faulty positioning of the moving film the position of the locking grip deviates more and more from the site of the associated sprocket hole resulting in more and more serious damage to the film.

Film feed mechanism in a motion-picture camera

Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG


The invention relates to the field of communications and provides a method of and apparatus for transmitting downlink control information, and the method includes: for transmission of DCI over any carrier, determining DAI information fields in uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI to be carried over the carrier and an HARQ process number information field in the downlink scheduling DCI dependent upon PDSCH HARQ feedback scheme currently in use; and determining a UL index information field in the uplink scheduling DCI to be carried over the carrier dependent upon a PUSCH scheduling scheme currently in use, so that an appropriate DCI design scheme is provided for an application scenario of across-system carrier aggregation to thereby satisfy a demand for the use of an evolved process in an LTE system and improve effectively the performance of the system.

Three duplex modes of Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Half-FDD (H-FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) respectively are currently supported by a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system.
Particularly the FDD refers to uplink transmission and downlink transmission in different carrier frequency bands to allow concurrent signal reception and transmission for base station and User Equipment (UE) respectively; and the TDD refers to uplink transmission and downlink transmission in the same carrier frequency band to allow signal transmission and reception for base station and UE respectively in different periods of time.
One cell in LTE and earlier wireless communication systems is configured with only one carrier, and the bandwidth of a LTE system is up to 20 MHz, particularly as illustrated in FIG. 1.
In a Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) system, the required peak rates of the system is up to 1 Gbps in the downlink and 500 Mbps in the uplink, as improved significantly over the LTE system. The required peak rates cannot be achieved with only one carrier of a maximum bandwidth of 20 MHz. It is thus necessary in the LTE-A system to extend the bandwidth available to the UE, and in view of this, the technology of Carrier Aggregation (CA) has been introduced where a plurality of consecutive or non-consecutive carriers from the same base station (eNB) are aggregated together to serve the UE concurrently with a desirable rate. These aggregated carriers are also referred to as Component Carriers (CCs). Each cell can be a component carrier, and cells (component carriers) from different eNBs cannot be aggregated. In order to ensure the UE of the LTE system to be able to operate in each of the aggregated carriers, the bandwidth of each of the carriers is not larger than 20 MHz, particularly as illustrated in FIG. 2. Four carriers can be aggregated by the base station of LTE-A as illustrated in FIG. 2, so that the base station can transmit data to the user equipment concurrently over the four carriers for an improved throughput of the system.
At present carrier aggregation across different systems cannot be supported in LTE, that is, an FDD carrier can only be aggregated with an FDD carrier, and a TDD carrier can only be aggregated with a TDD carrier.
In the LTE system, a radio frame is of 10 ms and a subframe is of 1 ms in both the FDD mode and the TDD mode. Seven TDD uplink-downlink configurations are defined for each radio frame of the TDD mode, particularly as depicted in Table 1, where D represents a DL subframe, U represents an UL subframe, and S represents a special subframe of the TDD system.
TABLE 1(TDD uplink-downlink subframe configurations)Uplink-downlinkSubframe indexconfiguration01234567890DSUUUDSUUU1DSUUDDSUUD2DSUDDDSUDD3DSUUUDDDDD4DSUUDDDDDD5DSUDDDDDDD6DSUUUDSUUD
In the FDD mode of the LTE system, the UE receives downlink data in subframe n−4 and feeds back signaling of whether the data in the downlink subframe needs to be retransmitted, that is, feeds back Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) information, also referred to as a Physical Downlink Shared Channel Hybrid Automatic Repeat ReQuest (PDSCH HARQ), in uplink subframe n. With carrier aggregation, ACK/NACK information corresponding to a plurality of downlink carriers in subframe n−4 will be fed back concurrently in uplink subframe n.
In the TDD mode of the LTE system, the UE may feed back, ACK/NACK information corresponding to a plurality of downlink subframes, in the same uplink subframe, that is, the UE detects transmission of a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), or a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) indicating downlink semi-persistent scheduling to be released, in downlink subframe n−k and feeds back corresponding ACK/NACK information in uplink subframe n, where kεK, and values in the set K depend upon the TDD uplink-downlink configuration of the system and the particular subframe index, particularly as depicted in Table 2, where particularly for a special subframe of special subframe configuration 0 and 5 with a normal Cyclic Prefix (CP) or a special subframe of special subframe configuration 0 and 4 with an extended CP, and there is no ACK/NACK feedback for the special subframe, that is, the UE will not feed back ACK/NACK information for this special subframe.
TABLE 2(Related TDD downlink K values: K: {k0, k1, . . . kM−1})Uplink-DownlinkSubframe indexConfiguration01234567890——6—4——6—41——7, 64———7, 64—2——8, 7, 4, 6————8, 7, 4, 6——3——7, 6, 116, 55, 4—————4——12, 8, 7, 116, 5, 4, 7——————5——13, 12, 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 11, 6———————6——775——77—
As depicted in Table 2, a plurality of radio frames are arranged in order, that is, if the last subframe in radio frame a is k, then the first subframe in radio frame a+1 is k+1, and Table 2 depicts values of K corresponding to the respective uplink subframes taking only one radio frame as an example, where n−k<0 indicates a downlink subframe in a preceding radio frame.
In the LTE system, Downlink Control Information (DCI) carried over a Physical Downlink Control Channel includes scheduling information, uplink power control information, etc., for downlink and uplink data transmission. The DCI intended for different uses and including different information contents can be in different formats, also referred to as DCI formats, a part of which may have a length dependent upon the system to which the DCI is applied, that is, the same DCI format may have different corresponding lengths in the FDD system and the TDD system because the different information fields or the different sizes of information fields specific to the different systems. For the sake of a convenient description, a DCI information field common to and with the same length in the FDD system and the TDD system will be referred to as a common information field, and a DCI information field specific to the different systems will be referred to as a dedicated information field. Generally the common information field includes the following information: a carrier indicator, allocation of resource blocks, a modulation and coding scheme, a new-data indicator, a transmit power indicator, pre-coding information, etc. The dedicated information fields includes:
(1) For DCI to schedule uplink data transmission:
1) There is no dedicated information field for FDD.
2) Dedicated information fields for TDD include:
An uplink (UL) index with a length of 2 bits, only in TDD uplink-downlink configuration 0, to indicate a scheduled uplink subframe.
A Downlink Assignment Index (DAI) with a length of 2 bits, in TDD uplink-downlink configurations 1 to 6, to indicate the number of scheduled downlink subframes among a plurality of downlink subframes for which ACK/NACK information is fed back in the same uplink subframe.
(2) For DCI to schedule downlink data transmission:
1) An FDD dedicated information field:
An HARQ process number with a length of 3 bits to indicate the serial number of a scheduled HARQ process.
2) TDD dedicated information fields:
An HARQ process number with a length of 4 bits.
A DAI with a length of 2 bits to indicate the number of scheduled downlink subframes among a plurality of downlink subframes for which ACK/NACK information is fed back in the same uplink subframe.
The DAI information field is introduced to address the problem of possible inconsistent understanding between the base station and the UE on the number of scheduled subframes when ACK/NACK information corresponding to a plurality of downlink subframes is fed back in a same uplink subframe in the TDD system, and also since at most eight HARQ processes are supported over a carrier in the FDD system whereas at most fifteen HARQ processes are supported in the TDD system, the HARQ process number information fields in the DCI for FDD and TDD are also different in length.
However carrier aggregation across different systems is not supported at present in LTE, so a design scheme has been absent so far for the respective information fields in the DCI for the TDD system and the FDD system with carrier aggregation. Aggregation of a TDD carrier and an FDD carrier may be supported in a later evolved LTE system. When a TDD carrier and an FDD carrier are aggregated, a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) HARQ feedback timing over the respective carriers is different from the original PDSCH HARQ feedback timing in the TDD system and the FDD system, so the use of the original DCI design scheme cannot be sufficient, for example, there will be a larger number of HARQ processes over an FDD carrier as a secondary carrier, and the larger number of HARQ processes cannot be supported with the existing HARQ process number information field in the FDD DCI.

Downlink control signalling transmission method and device

China Academy of Telecommunications Technology


An adapter for a surgical reamer driver having one of a crossbar and a crossbridge reamer driver. The adapter includes a base having an interface for connecting with one of the crossbar and crossbridge reamer drivers. The adapter further includes at least one recess on the opposite end of the base opening in an axial direction. The recess is configured to receive a reamer of a style unlike the given style interface. A pair of hooks or tabs resiliently hold the reamer in place in the recesses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to orthopedic surgical reamers and more specifically to drivers for such tools.
In the field of orthopaedic surgery, it is often necessary to remove bone material to enable implantation of prosthesis to repair joints in the human body. Patella cutters and acetabular reamer cups and glenoid reamers are surgical tools which are used in surgery for the insertion of artificial joints. Acetabular reamer cups are used to cut hemispherical cavities in pelvis bones for the insertion of artificial hip joints. Patella cutters are used to shape the underside of the patella or knee cap during knee replacement surgery. Glenoid reamers are used to cut hemispherical cavities in shoulder bones for the insertion of artificial shoulder joints. Patella cutters have a complex arrangement of precisely shaped cutting edges arranged around an axis of rotation for cutting the patella. Acetabular reamer cups and glenoid reamers have a complex arrangement of cutting edges arranged on a spherical surface around the axis of rotation of the cup.
A number of tools have been developed for this purpose and include reamers having generally semi-hemispherical configuration with cutting elements on them so that a corresponding semi-hemispherical hollow can be formed in the bone material for providing a foundation for the repair of the joint.
There are two major driver styles in the field, one of which is for the Othy style manufactured by Symmetry Medical, Inc. and the other style manufactured by Precimed SA of L'Echelette, Switzerland. Although these both have semi-hemispherical cutting heads, they have different interfaces between driving tools with which they are associated. The Othy style has a crossbridge element. This element is a bar extending between the circumference of the hemisphere and having a circular expanded section in the middle. Numerous arrangements are available for securing this device as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,742. Alternatively, the Precimed reamer has a crossbar shape in which two circular cross section bars intersect at the center and extend to the walls of the hemisphere. An example of a driver for this type is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,290 in which a bayonet interconnection is provided between the reamer and the driver.
Typically, surgeons use specialized drivers for each of the reamers. The drivers connect to a source of power and have appropriate handles for guiding the operation of the reamer by a surgeon. If a surgeon has one of the adaptors, it is difficult to utilize the other type of reamer since it requires a specialized driver for that reamer. It has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,119 to provide a dual adapter that accommodates both the Othy and the Precimed reamers. However, this style of dual reamer requires investment in a new reamer driver assembly to connect with the two different styles. In addition, this type of driver has a bayonet interconnection in which the assemblies are inserted axially and then a rotational movement, in accordance with a bayonet connection, is provided to lock the elements in place. This type of action slows the process of utilizing a new reamer because of the additional movement, But, more than that, the release of the device, after it has been in the surgical environment, is more difficult because it requires holding the reamer to reverse the rotational movement and then axial movement to finally free the reamer.
What is needed in the art, therefore, is an adapter for surgical reamers that enables rapid and immediate connection and disconnection of the reamers.


A drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicles adapted to facilitate controlling a rotation speed of an internal combustion engine, preventing excess speeds of a motor generator. The drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicles is adapted for a drive control of a vehicle using outputs from an engine and motor generators, and includes a target engine operating point setter for setting up a target engine operating point to determine target engine torque and a target engine rotation speed of the engine from target engine power and an efficiency of system. A motor torque command value calculator sets up respective torque command values of the motor generators, and an engine torque corrector corrects the target engine torque by a target engine torque correction value set up based on the torque command values of the motor generators and permissible output torque of the motor generators.

There have been proposals made for hybrid vehicles including a motor generator besides an internal combustion engine (referred herein sometimes simply as an engine) for traction use. In those hybrid vehicles, the motor generator has permissible output torque that can be output such as when driving or when generating electricity, as it is determined by inherent characteristics. The permissible output torque is substantially constant within a predetermined revolution number range (as a rotation speed range) constituting a normal service range of the motor generator.
When the internal combustion engine has a varied output characteristic due to disturbances such as variations in the environment, such as those in the temperature of suction air or in the atmospheric pressure, for instance, the motor generator being driven to rotate may have a revolution number exceeding a specific upper limit of revolution number, reaching a high revolution number range, entering an over-speed state. Like this, when the motor generator is over-speeded, the permissible output torque of the motor generator tends to more approach to a zero than a constant value in the normal service range. That is, the motor generator has a decreased absolute value of torque. If the motor generator is given a command for an absolute value of torque to be smaller than the absolute value of its permissible output torque, it can produce a value of torque matching the command torque. However, if the motor generator is given a command for an absolute value of torque to be larger than the absolute value of its permissible output torque, it fails to produce any value of torque matching the command torque. There is torque produced at the motor generator, which is limited to the permissible output torque or smaller, so the produced torque becomes extremely limited as the permissible output torque gets smaller in the absolute value, approaching a zero. Such being the case, there were situations involving a motor generator failing to produce necessary torque, causing a failed control in a driving system including the motor generator, as an inconvenience constituting an obstacle to the running of a vehicle.
There are known technologies for controlling output torque of an internal combustion engine to prevent such over speeds of a motor generator (refer to the PTL 1 and PTL 2 below, for instance). The PTL 1 has disclosed a technology of making a control based on a maximum output correction value set to a maximum output of a motor generator, giving an allowance value, which permits a prevention to be achieved against over speeds of the motor generator. The PTL 2 has disclosed a technology for a correction to be made, when an engine control unit (ECU) has determined an abnormality in communications with a control unit for hybrid use, in the manner of decreasing a target revolution number in a revolution number feedback control for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with output torque of the internal combustion engine. In other words, according to the technology disclosed in the PTL 2, the internal combustion engine has a revolution number controlled to keep a motor generator from over-speeding.

Drive control apparatus and control method for hybrid vehicles and hybrid vehicle