Polyolefin molding compositions and molded articles thereof exhibit exceptional mechanical strength, dimensional accuracy and heat deformation characteristics and are provided by melt-blending a polyolefin base resin, a liquid-crystal polyester resin, and a filler material. The liquid-crystal polyester is one which exhibits optical anisotropic characteristics in the melt-phase and preferably has a melt-viscosity of 20000 to 50 Poise as determined at a temperature of 310.degree. C. and a shear rate of 1200 sec.sup.-1. The liquid-crystal polyester resin forms a three-dimensional network structure throughout the polyolefin base resin and envelops substantially all of the filler material therewithin. As a result, the molded articles of the polyolefin compositions can be employed in end-use applications which require improved mechanical strength, dimensional accuracy and/or heat deformation characteristics.

Polyolefin resins, such as homopolymers and copolymers of polyalkylenes (e.g., polyethylene, inexpensive as compared to other engineering resins, and are employed in a number of end use applications in fairly large quantities. However, polyolefin resins are generally quite flexible and have somewhat limited mechanical properties. For example, polyolefin resins typically have a low heat deformation temperature which causes the resin to shrink or deform during molding operations and/or during exposure to high temperature environments. As such, polyolefin resins are not typically used to produce components for electronic or electrical appliances, automobile parts and parts of other apparatus.
Reinforcement agents and fillers, such as glass fibers, have been blended with polyolefin resins as a means to improve physical properties so as to off-set the disadvantages noted above. However, even though some noticeable property improvements have been obtained, the inherent physical properties of polyolefin resins still make them unsuitable for several end use applications. That is, even though the mechanical properties and/or heat deformation temperatures of polyolefin resins are improved somewhat by the incorporation of reinforcement agents, further significant property improvements are still desired.
In this connection, a conventional fiber-reinforced polyolefin resin typically exhibits enhanced anisotropy during mold shrinkage which results in deformed molded articles. As a consequence, it is difficult to produce a molded article from such conventional fiber-reinforced polyolefin compositions which exhibits and/or retains precise dimensional accuracy and shape. Thus, conventional fiber-reinforced polyolefin resins are unsuitable to form relatively large-sized molded articles or molded articles which require close dimensional and/or shape tolerances, even though such resins remain attractive for such purposes due to their relative low cost.
It has also been proposed to incorporate other thermoplastic resins as additives in polyolefin base resins so as to improve the mechanical properties of polyolefin resins. However, since polyolefin resins are generally incompatible with other thermoplastic resins, particularly with other thermoplastic engineering resins that could impart the desired property enhancements, the added thermoplastic resin is typically inhomogeneously dispersed within the polyolefin base resin (e.g., in bulk or particle forms). Thus, the incorporation of other thermoplastic engineering resins in polyolefin base resins has generally not been successful since the resin incompatibility results in surface peeling as well as insufficient physical and/or mechanical properties. As a result, these conventional resins are not a practical solution to imparting property enhancements to polyolefin resins.
A need therefore exists for polyolefin resins that have enhanced mechanical and/or deformation resistance properties so that the end use applications for polyolefins can be expanded by providing relatively lower cost molded components and parts, as compared to those conventional engineering resins now being used to form molded components for such end use applications. It is towards fulfilling such a need that the present invention is directed.
Broadly, the present invention is directed to filled (i.e., having a filler material) polyolefin resin compositions which additionally contain a liquid crystal polyester resin. The resin compositions of this invention are homogenous melt-blends and exhibit remarkable mechanical property improvements, particularly in terms of dimensional stability (e.g., resistance to heat and/or mold shrinkage).
More specifically, the compositions of the present invention are prepared by melt-blending meaningful amounts of a filler material and a specific liquid-crystal polyester resin (i.e., a polyester having an anisotropic melt-phase) with a polyolefin base so that the resulting compositions exhibit improved physical properties, particularly heat and deformation resistance properties. Thus, the filler and the liquid-crystal polyester synergistically cooperate to impart exceptional dimensional accuracy to molded articles formed of the polyolefin compositions of this invention.
Further aspects and advantages of this invention will become more clear after careful consideration is given to the following detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments which follow.

Polyolefin resin compositions, methods of making such compositions, and molded articles formed thereof


A non-invasive method and apparatus are provided for treating orthostatic hypotension and for reducing the effects caused there from. An increase in blood and fluid flow in the lower extremities is achieved by vibrating the lower body of the individual at a frequency in the range of 10-120 Hz. The apparatus includes a strap for being secured to a body part of the individual's lower extremities, e.g., the sole of one's foot, and a displacement sensor which senses any movement of the body part. The displacement sensor continuously sends signals to a processor of the apparatus which indicate whether there was any movement of the body part. If the displacement sensor did not sense any substantial movement of the body part for a predetermined period of time the processor sends a signal to a vibrating mechanism. The signal activates the vibrating mechanism causing vibration of the body part for increasing blood and fluid flow in the lower extremities. The vibrating mechanism causes vibration for a predetermined period of time.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to a medical treatment procedure and apparatus for performing the same. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a non-invasive method and apparatus for treating orthostatic hypotension.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hypotension is manifested as abnormally low blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension is a condition caused by extended periods of quiet standing or sitting or by sudden changes of position from sitting or lying to a sitting or standing position. The effects of orthostatic hypotension are mainly age-dependent and may include high rate of bone loss and muscle degeneration. These effects are primarily attributed to decreases in blood and fluid flow in the lower extremities when the body is in static upright posture for a prolonged period of time.
It has been shown that the ability of the skeletal muscle pump to contribute to sustaining blood flow varies considerably as a function of age and/or physical status. For example, the data on postmenopausal women indicate that there are subpopulations of women which do not adapt well to orthostasis. It has been demonstrated that declining systolic pressure in the absence of any corresponding significant rise in diastolic pressure and/or pulse rate indicates the potential for significantly decreased blood flow to the lower extremities for many postmenopausal women while in an upright position for a prolonged period of time; a response that is not inconsistent with high rates of bone loss and muscle degeneration.
Current methods of treating orthostatic hypotension include having the individual wear elastic stockings. The individual is generally prescribed elastic stockings if his blood pressure drops more than 20 mm/Hg while in an upright posture, or the individual manifests obvious signs of orthostatic hypotension, e.g., fainting.
Accordingly there exists a need for a non-invasive method and apparatus for treating individuals experiencing orthostatic hypotension, especially individuals in occupational, healthcare, or home settings where extended periods of quiet standing or sitting occurs regularly and could result in significant decreases in bone and muscle loss arising from poor blood circulation and perfusion caused by these static postures.
Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a non-invasive method and apparatus for treating orthostatic hypotension and for reducing the effects caused from orthostatic hypotension.

Non-invasive method and apparatus for treating orthostatic hypotension


Disclosed in embodiments herein is a method of synthesizing device forming monomers using N-(Vinyloxycarbonyloxy)succinimide.

Vinylchloroformate (VCF) is used as a starting raw material for the synthesis of many medical devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,310,779, 5,449,729, 5,610,252 and 6,166,236, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Vinylchloroformate is a toxic material and is difficult to transport by air. As described in the material data safety sheet provided by Aldrich Chemical Company, VCF has a flash point of 24° F. and when it is burning must be extinguished by the use of carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder or alcohol or polymer foam. In view of the safety difficulties encountered in using VCF, and its utility in forming highly useful medical devices, it would be desirable to provide a precursor useful in forming medical device forming monomers that is solid, less toxic and easy to store and ship.
Disclosed in embodiments herein are methods of using N-(Vinyloxycarbonyloxy)succinimide as a precursor molecule in making monomers useful in the formation of medical devices.

System for synthesis of device forming monomers


A method for dynamically adjusting the operation of a memory chip is disclosed. First, a memory chip is provided. The memory chip comprises an ONO layer. Then, the thickness of the ONO layer in the memory chip is measured, and a read word line voltage of the memory chip is then adjusted based on the measured thickness of the ONO layer. Since the operation window of memory chip is dynamically adjusted, a more reliable product operation and a sufficient mass production window are obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for operating a memory chip, and more particularly, to a method for dynamically adjusting the operation of a memory chip and an apparatus for measuring the thickness of an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer in the memory chip.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, the operation window of the typical flash memory has two states: one is a program state, and the other one is an erase state. In order to increase the reliability of the memory, preferably, the program state should be separated from the erase state as much as possible such that a medium voltage can be defined to read these two states. However, as shown in FIG. 1, after many times of read-write operation, the operation window of the memory may be changed.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a relationship diagram of cycling times and threshold voltage (i.e. Vt), and a thickness of the tested ONO layer is about 200 Å. Referring to FIG. 1, wherein ▴ line represents a threshold voltage of a device after writing, ◯ line represents a threshold voltage of the device after losing the storage charge during writing state, ▪ line represents a threshold voltage of the device after erasing, and ▬ line represents a change of a threshold voltage after keeping the device in erasing state for a long time. After cycling operated (with a current of 10 μA) for a certain period of time, as the operating times increase, more charge loss (i.e. GL in the diagram) and more charge gain (i.e. CG in the diagram) are occurred. As a result, the window between the program voltage (i.e. PV in the diagram) and the erase voltage (i.e. EV in the diagram) is reduced, and problems may be occurred in the read word line voltage (i.e. RDWL in the diagram) between PV and EV after the cycling times exceed 10K.
In the prior art, RDWL was not adjusted after the product was manufactured. However, since there are some variances in the fabricating process, some methods for adjusting the size of RDWL based on the cycling times in the product operation have been disclosed in the field recently. Nevertheless, such methods only use a single memory cell (a single bit is used as a baseline) for measurement; if some unexpected problem is happened in the memory cell which is used as the baseline, the whole adjustment will be inaccurate.

Method of dynamically adjusting operation of a memory chip and apparatus of measuring thickness of an ONO layer of the memory chip


An X-ray diagnostic system has a display unit, a selection unit, a calculation unit and an imaging execution unit. The display unit displays images of a plurality of frames collected by a predetermined frame rate about an object. The selection unit selects an image of a particular frame from the images of the frames displayed on the display unit. The calculation unit calculates a delay time to the particular frame selected by the selection unit based on the frame rate. The imaging execution unit executes an imaging based on the delay time calculated by the calculation unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for generating and displaying angiogram image data, and more particularly, to an X-ray diagnostic system for generating and displaying 3D (three-dimensional) angiogram image data.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known an X-ray diagnostic system composed of, for example, an X-ray tube and a flat panel detector (FPD) (or an image intensifier (I. I.)) disposed to both the ends of an approximately C-shaped supporter (C-arm) and an image processing device to image a blood vessel whose contrast is emphasized by a contrast medium. Generally, the X-ray diagnostic system is also called an angio apparatus and a 3D angio apparatus which permit a doctor to diagnose and treat (examine) a patient and to perform X-ray imaging by inserting a catheter into a patient.
The X-ray diagnostic system employs a method of rotation DSA (digital subtraction angiography) imaging. In the rotation DSA, first, mask images of a particular region (affected area) of the patient are collected from many different directions by rotating the C-arm in a necessary direction within the range of projection angle necessary to reconstruct the mask images to a 3D image. After the contrast medium is injected into the particular region of the patient, contrast images of the particular region are collected from many different directions by rotating the C-arm in a direction opposite to that when the mask images are collected (may be the same direction as that when the mask images are collected), and the rotation DSA imaging is performed. Then, a subtraction processing is performed to obtain the difference between 2D image data having projection angles corresponding to each other, and the 2D image data is reconstructed to 3D image, and the 3D image is displayed.
To obtain an excellent angiogram image data by the rotation DSA imaging, a timing at which the contrast of an imaging region is enhanced and the amount of the contrast medium are important factors. These factors depend on a position of a catheter, a region to be imaged (position of a region of interest) and a blood velocity, which is different depending on a patient. However, in actual 3D imaging, a predetermined delay time, which is determined based on experience values of a hospital using an apparatus, is often employed and applied to all the patients. As a result, the filled amount of a contrast medium in the interest region of a contrast image of a first frame, the filled amount of the contrast medium in the interest region of a final frame, and the amount of the contrast medium injected into a venous layer are not optimum, and thus 3D image data suitable for diagnosis cannot be always obtained.
To cope with this problem, there is disclosed a technology for setting an interest region as ROI (region interest) in previously collected images, injecting a contrast medium after mask imaging is performed, and automatically performing a fluoroscopy during a period until contrast imaging is started after the contrast medium is injected (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-149360). In this technology, since an image level changes when the contrast medium flows into ROI, the contrast imaging is started by sensing the change of the image level.
Although the delay time is different depending on an examiner (position of catheter), a region, a patient (blood velocity), a symptom, and the like, when the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-149360 is not used, since 3D imaging is performed using the predetermined delay time determined based on the experience values of the hospital, a 3D image suitable for diagnosis cannot be generated.
In contrast, when the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-149360 is used, since the fluoroscopy must be continued during the period until the contrast imaging is started from the start of injection of the contrast medium after the mask imaging is performed, a problem arises in that the amount of exposure of a patient to an X-ray is increased. Accordingly, it is difficult to practically use the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-149360.


A system that manages a network of network elements receives a network topology of the network elements, where the network elements include a first type of network elements and a second type of network elements. The system creates a first network function (“NF”) group that corresponds to the first type of network elements, and creates a second NF group that corresponds to the second type of network elements. The system implements a functionality of the first NF group on a physical network function component. The system implements a functionality of the second NF group as a virtual machine (“VM”). The system then forms a composite network function (“CNF”) using the first NF group and the second NF group. The CNF can be centrally managed.

In computer/communications networks, network management refers to the activities, methods, procedures and tools that pertain to the operation, administration, maintenance and provisioning ("OAMP") of networked systems. Operation deals with keeping the network (and the services that the network provides) up and running smoothly. It includes monitoring the network to spot problems as soon as possible, ideally before users are affected.
Administration deals with keeping track of resources in the network and how they are assigned. It includes all the "housekeeping" that is necessary to keep the network under control. Maintenance is concerned with performing repairs and upgrades. For example, when equipment must be replaced, when a router needs a patch for an operating system image, when a new switch is added to a network. Maintenance also involves corrective and preventive measures to make the managed network run "better", such as adjusting device configuration parameters. Provisioning is concerned with configuring resources in the network to support a given service. For example, this might include setting up the network so that a new customer can receive voice service, data services, real time communications, etc.
Communications service providers, in general, manage network functions discretely. Managing individual pieces of network functions increases the operational burden. To alleviate this, service providers have resorted mainly to centralized management of discrete heterogeneous network functions from many vendors. Network management is essential to command and control practices and is generally carried out of a network operations center. Although centralized management alleviates the problem to a small degree, this method of network function management has several operational inefficiencies, as it attempts to concentrate network function intelligence in a single location, which creates knowledge mismatch and additional overhead on other ecosystem functions/products.

Transparent orchestration and management of composite network functions


A Bingo game and method are set forth wherein a player inputs a wager and at least one Bingo card is generated. A first outcome set is selected and compared to the indicia on the Bingo card. If a predetermined winning pattern(s) is obtained, the player receives a first reward. A second outcome set is selected. If the player obtains a predetermined winning pattern(s) on the Bingo card from the combination of the first and second outcome sets, the player receives a second award. Optionally, the player may select the numbers for his Bingo card or may regenerate his Bingo card at the beginning of a game. In an optional embodiment, the player may place a second wager prior to selection of the second outcome set. In an optional Class II version of the game, the player competes with a plurality of live player or virtual Bingo cards.

Bingo is a well known game. In its live, non-electronic, form, each player purchases a Bingo card which presents a column/row, five-by-five, matrix. Each column is identified by a letter; B-I-N-G-O and at each coordinate location in the matrix a number is provided. Often the center coordinate location is marked "Free" rather than having an assigned number. After each player or participant has purchased a card, means are provided to randomly select numbers identified by the column letter and a number, e.g. B15. If a player has, in column B number 15, that coordinate location is marked. Typically the universe of letters/numbers is provided on balls which are mixed and serially drawn from a cage or mixer. The selection of balls continues until a player has a card marked (corresponding numbers have been drawn) in a winning pattern. This pattern might be designated before the game as a row, column, four corners, an X-pattern, or a cover all (all the numbers on the winning card being marked.) Thus, to play the game a number of players are required to provide a number of Bingo cards with different numbers so that a single winners (or a small number of winners) can be declared.
For traditional Bingo, the requirement of having a number of players, perhaps hundreds of players, has frustrated attempts to configure Bingo as a video game which can be played by a single player. Further, Bingo prizes are often fixed, regardless of the number of players, thus failing to provide large and/or progressive jackpots to the winners.
Live Bingo has heretofore been played in, what are known in gaming jurisdictions as, a Class II game. In a Class II game, the awards are typically parimutuel, i.e. paid from the fund created by the aggregated wagers for the game (less an amount permitted to be deducted for hosting the Bingo game) and each game must produce a winning card having a Bingo. That is, balls are drawn until a player who purchased a Bingo card has a Bingo. A Bingo, before the game is started, may be defined as a horizontal row, a vertical column, a diagonal, four corners, a cover all, or another designated pattern. Large progressive prizes funded by deducting an amount from each game's parimutuel fund, can be offered for a player obtaining a Bingo in a certain, predetermined, minimum number of balls.
Since Bingo is a popular and well-known game, there is a need for an electronic game and method which permits a single player to play Bingo and which is configured to provide large and progressive jackpots.
There is also a need to provide an electronic Bingo game which can be played by a single player but which also qualifies as a Class II game.
Further there is a need for device and method which provides the player with a plurality of chances to win.
Further there is a need for a device and method which provides for the player to optionally double their wager during play in regards to the additional chances to win.
With respect to electronic games using a random number generator to select an outcome, these generators typically operate off of an internal clock to randomly select a number or groups of numbers to represent an outcome. If the clock is at the same time interval with respect to the random string of numbers, the same outcome will be selected. At least some persons who play-gaming machines are aware of the operation of random number generators and, from time to time, would like to change the internal clock so that the random number generator (RNG) output is altered. Heretofore there has been no means for a player of a game to alter the internal clock time to affect the output of the RNG, and hence the values selected.
Still further there is a need for a device and method which permits the player to wager a desired amount between a pre-selected maximum and minimum amount for each game.
Still further there is a need for a device and method for playing Bingo which permits the player to select their numbers for the Bingo card.
Still further in relation to this game and other electronic games, these is a need to provide means for a player to change the RNG clock to randomly select at a different position in the random string of numbers.


This invention is directed to a removable golf cart cushion for placement on a side rail of a golf cart to provide both protection from the side rail, space for advertisement, and convenient holders for various golf accessories. The golf cart cushion includes a fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, formed on opposite edges of the removable cushion. The cushion is folded over the side rail, and the hook and loop fasteners on the opposite edges engage to maintain the cushion in place.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a promotional golf cart cushion, and more particularly, a promotional golf cart cushion which may be attached to the side rail of a golf cart, which enables advertising information to be inscribed thereon and which provides a convenient holder for various golf accessories.
2. Discussion
The sport of golf has become increasingly popular in the last few years. Many new players have been drawn to the sport and many long-time players are experiencing a renewed devotion to the sport. The increasing popularity of golf has resulted in an increase in fund raising events which involve golf, referred to as a golf outing. Many golf outings are specifically designed to raise money for various causes such as charities, children's funds, health foundations, and the like. The underlying theme of the golf outings is to provide an enjoyable day while raising money for a good cause. In addition to golf outings, public courses are experiencing unprecedented usage resulting in handsome profit margins.
In almost any golf-related situation directed towards raising money, one particularly effective approach to generating revenues is providing advertising space to various sponsors or advertisers. Advertisers take advantage of available advertising space on shirts, hats, gloves, bags, and the like. Until now, advertisements posted on golf carts has been generally limited, presumably because golf proprietors do not want to turn a golf cart into a vehicle full of various advertising slogans and logos. In addition, considering the extensive usage that golf carts undergo during a season, any such advertisement may be less than permanent and would eventually peel or fall off the golf cart leaving the golf cart looking unsightly and littering the course with advertisements.
Further, as is well know in the art, most golf carts include a bench seat which is bounded on the outboard ends by side rails to prevent passengers from sliding off the seat while riding in the golf cart. Golf cart side rails comprise an unprotected, metal, tubular structure without any padding. When the passengers slide towards the side rail, the passenger's hip may strike the side rail causing discomfort. Further, golf cart riders sometimes bump the side rail with their legs or hands when entering or exiting the cart.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cushion which may be fixed to the side rail of a golf cart in order to provide removable padding to the side rail.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a removable cushion which may be attached to the side rail of a golf cart to provide protection from contact with the side rail and to provide a space for advertisement information and for compartments for storing various golf accessories.


The disclosure generally relates to efficient hollow light duct bends (200) that are capable of retaining a higher on-axis transmission for partially collimated light propagating within a light duct (220, 230). In particular, the described hollow light duct bends (200) include input and output plates (214, 216) that have low reflectivity for near nonnal incident light, and high reflectivity for near grazing incident light.

The long-distance transport of visible light can use large mirror-lined ducts, or smaller solid fibers which exploit total internal reflection. Mirror-lined ducts include advantages of large cross-sectional area and large numerical aperture (enabling larger fluxes with less concentration), a robust and clear propagation medium (that is, air) that leads to both lower attenuation and longer lifetimes, and a potentially lower weight per unit of light flux transported. Solid fibers include the advantage of configuration flexibility, which can result in relatively tight bends with low light loss. While the advantages of mirror-lined ducts may appear overwhelming, fibers are nevertheless frequently selected because of the practical value of assembling light conduits in much the same fashion as plumbing. Efficient low-loss light-ducting systems fabricated in a fashion similar to plumbing, or heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) ductwork is desired.


A loading apparatus having a base frame mounted to a vehicle. The loading apparatus has a first frame system connected to the base frame and a second frame system having a carriage slidably connected to the first frame system and a pivot frame connected to the carriage. The loading apparatus has a cable assembly having a stationary pulley mounted to the carriage and a pulley bracket mounted to the pivot frame.

This invention is directed to a loading device and more particularly a loading device that facilitates the loading and unloading of equipment into and out of a vehicle.
Loading devices for vehicles are known in the art. While these devices assist in loading and unloading equipment, problems still exist. For example, most lifting devices require some manual effort of moving the equipment. Others are limited by the weight of the load that can be handled by the device. Still others are limited to a single or just a few applications. As a result, there exists a need in the art for a lifting device that addresses these deficiencies.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a lifting device that is safe and easy to use that reduces injuries.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lifting device that is versatile in its application through the use of a plurality of attachments.
A still further objective is to provide a lifting device that is capable of handling heavier loads.
A still further objective is to provide a lifting device that is capable of mounting inside full size vans and other vehicles without modification.
These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the following disclosure.


An arrangement for addition of chlorine dioxide to flowing water in a pipeline is provided. The reactants are reacted in a reaction chamber located in the flow of water and the chlorine dioxide is passed from the reaction chamber directly into the flowing water.

The present invention is directed to an arrangement for the addition of chlorine dioxide to a water-carrying pipeline.
Water for industrial and commercial may be treated so that it is disinfected thoroughly, and in a safe and an environmentally acceptable manner. Cooling or process waters offer ideal conditions for the multiplication of microorganisms. Slime-forming bacteria in particular form so-called biofilms, which are microbiological contaminations which, in cooling water lines, may severely disrupt heat transfer and cause corrosion.
Because of its activity against microorganisms, chlorine dioxide (ClO2) can be a particularly efficient agent for water disinfection. It is active across a broad pH range and can be used not only to treat industrial waters such as cooling or process waters, in particular, but may also be used—subject to compliance with appropriately low concentration—in the beverage and food industries, in agriculture or in medical technology. A further field of application is in the paper industry, where chlorine dioxide is used to bleach pulp. Lastly, chlorine dioxide also serves for the disinfection of swimming pool water.
The commercial units typical to date for producing chlorine dioxide contain considerable quantities of chlorine dioxide, with all of the attendant risks in the operation of the generating units. The risk is due to the fact that chlorine dioxide is a highly toxic, explosive chemical, which even at low concentrations undergoes explosive decomposition and, in so doing, releases chlorine.
On account of its hazardous nature and low stability, ClO2 is generally not transported or stored. Preferably, the ClO2 is synthesized directly at the site of use, more particularly in the water that is to be treated. In this way, the problem of producing and handling toxic and explosive chlorine dioxide is minimized or eliminated. Accordingly, methods to generate ClO2 in situ and supply it immediately to the water to be treated, without further temporary storage, are conventionally known. Methods for in situ ClO2 generation are described in WO2009/077309, WO2009/077160A1, DE202004005755U1, US2005/0244328A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,952.
Conventionally, generation of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in situ is conducted by the chlorite/hydrochloric acid process, in which hydrochloric acid (HCl) is reacted with sodium chlorite (NaClO2) to give ClO2, water (H2O) and sodium chloride (NaCl):5NaClO2+4HCl→4ClO2+5NaCl+2H2O
An advantage of this process is that there are only two reactants to be conveyed into the reactor, namely hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium chlorite (NaClO2). Since both chemicals are in aqueous solution, the above technical problems are minimized; however, the corrosiveness of both solutions must be recognized. When mixed in a reactor, the two reactants undergo immediate and vigorous reaction to yield chlorine dioxide (ClO2). The water (H2O) of reaction that is formed, and the water constituents of the reactants supplied in aqueous form, wash the chlorine dioxide in highly concentrated aqueous solution from the reactor, where it becomes diluted with the water to be treated, attaining less hazardous but still biocidal concentrations. A disadvantage of this process is the inevitable formation of sodium chloride (NaCl), which if the solubility limit is exceeded, precipitates in crystalline form and clogs the reactor.
Reactors for the generation of chlorine dioxide in situ within the water to be treated are conventionally arranged within pipelines which carry the water to be treated. In one such arrangement, a reactor having a tubular reaction chamber, is extended essentially along the pipeline with the water to be treated, with the water flowing around the reactor. One example of an axial reactor of this kind is described in DE202004005755O1. Another example is described in DE102010027908A1. With these chlorine dioxide reactors, then, the tubular reaction chamber extends along the pipe and discharges the synthesized chlorine dioxide at the distal end of the reactor through an exit opening which is directed in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, in other words in the flow direction of the water to be treated. With axial pipe reactors of this kind, supplying the reactants is problematic and difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,952 describes a pipe reactor for generating chlorine dioxide, which is arranged in a bend in the pipeline with the water to be treated. In the region where the product exits, the reaction chamber extends likewise axially in the flow direction. Since the shaft runs radially, so to speak, at least sectionally, in the region of the bend in the pipe, the supplying of the reactants into the reaction chamber is easier. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that there are sections of the reaction chamber where ambient air, rather than the water to be treated, flows around the reaction chamber, since the two reactants are mixed outside the pipeline. This means that in an accident scenario, toxic chlorine dioxide may be released. A construction of this kind is therefore inadvisable on safety grounds.
German published specification DE1203691 describes a chlorine dioxide synthesis reactor having as a reaction chamber, a dead water zone on the pipeline. Extending into the dead water zone are two open reactant lines via which the reactants are metered into the dead water for the purpose of synthesizing the chlorine dioxide. Within the dead water, the reactants undergo reaction to form chlorine dioxide, which exits from the dead water zone and is entrained by the drinking water to be treated, which flows through the pipeline. However, the arrangement of DE1203691 appears unfavourable from the standpoint of fluid dynamics. Moreover, there is a risk of the base of the dead water zone increasingly salting up. Lastly, the reactant lines run radially, unprotected, through the pipeline.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement having high operational reliability, safety and favourable fluid dynamics for the synthesis of chlorine dioxide in situ within a pipeline that carries the water to be treated.


With a vehicle-mounted equipment operating device, upon receipt of an input from an operator by an operation input unit, and when any one of a plurality of vehicle-mounted instruments, for example, an air conditioner, exists on a line of sight of the operator, a control unit sets the vehicle-mounted instrument that exists on the line of sight as an operation target device, and thereafter, the control unit controls the operation target device based on the input of the operator that has been received by the operation input unit.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted equipment operating device for selecting from among a plurality of vehicle-mounted instruments using a line of sight of an operator of the vehicle.
Description of the Related Art
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0324779 (hereinafter referred to as "US2010/0324779A1") discloses an apparatus in which, in the case that a line of sight L of a vehicle occupant is directed toward any one of a plurality of vehicle-mounted instruments (a side mirror 21, a room mirror 22, a navigation system 23, a vehicle-mounted telephone 24, an air outlet 25, or a meter panel 26), the vehicle-mounted instrument indicated by the line of sight L can be operated by a steering switch 16 (refer to the abstract).
According to the second embodiment of US2010/0324779A1, when the vehicle is being driven (i.e., when traveling), if a condition in which a vehicle-mounted instrument can be operated (a state in which a pilot lamp therefor is illuminated) exceeds a predetermined time, the vehicle-mounted instrument is switched from an operable condition to an inoperable condition, and the pilot lamp switches from an illuminated state to a flashing state or a non-illuminated (extinguished) state. In accordance with this feature, the occupant is notified of the fact that the vehicle-mounted instrument cannot be operated, and the line of sight L of the occupant can be returned to a frontal field of view to enable safe driving (see paragraphs [0068] and [0069]).
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. JP2012-006552 (hereinafter referred to as "JP2012-006552A") has the object of providing a vehicle-mounted equipment operating device, in which a vehicle-mounted instrument can easily be selected as a target object from among a plurality of vehicle-mounted instruments, and desired operations with respect to the vehicle mounted instrument that serves as the target object can be carried out easily and reliably (see paragraph [0005] and the abstract). For accomplishing this object, an operation control unit 35 of JP2012-006552A makes a judgment concerning the line of sight of an occupant by a line of sight judgment means 31, only when it is detected that an operating switch 33 is in an ON state, and in the case that the operating switch 33 is switched from an ON state to an OFF state, receives and accepts an operation to be performed with respect to a vehicle-mounted instrument, which has been notified by a notifying means 32, immediately prior to the OFF state (refer to the abstract).
More specifically, initiation and completion of judgment of the line of sight by the line of sight judgment means 31 are determined using ON and OFF states of a line of sight detection key 26, and operations with respect to the vehicle-mounted instrument are performed by inputs from a cross key 25 (see paragraphs [0020] and [0032] as well as FIG. 3 and FIGS. 5 through 9).

Vehicle-mounted equipment operating device


Described herein are various systems and processes for vehicles for delivery of real-time, on-demand orders for perishable goods, and operations thereof. The automated delivery vehicle may include a food transport container and various sensors configured to determine the location and/or surroundings of the vehicle. The automated delivery vehicle may further include a display and/or other output source configured to provide outputs to persons surrounding the automated delivery vehicle. Such outputs may include, for example, an information graphical representation (e.g., provided on a display), an audio output, and/or data communicated to a wireless device.

Automated delivery platforms lack an on-board driver. The lack of an on-board driver to provide communications may lead to certain difficulties with bystanders and pedestrians during operation of the automated delivery platforms. Furthermore, automated delivery platforms may be serviced within depots and the lack of communications from automated delivery platforms may be problematic in terms of communications between workers within the depot and the vehicle, in such a situation as well.
Consequently, it is desirable to provide communications for automated delivery vehicles, particularly with respect to transportation of real-time on-demand deliveries of perishable goods.

Systems for autonomous and automated delivery vehicles to communicate with third parties


To provide a tension control system in a false twist texturing machine for producing a doubled yarn wherein the target tension values or allowable ranges of filament yarns y1 and y2 prior to doubling can be individually set for each filament yarn and wherein based on the results of the detection of the tension of the filament yarn prior to doubling, each false twister T for the corresponding filament yarn is individually and independently controlled in such a way that the tension of each filament yarn has the set target tension value or falls within the set allowable tension range. A target tension value and an allowable tension range can be individually set for each filament yarn prior to doubling so as to accommodate the yarn's material, thickness, and structure, and the false twister can be individually and independently controlled based on the results of the detection of the tension of each filament yarn prior to doubling. Consequently, higher-quality doubled false twist texturing yarns can be manufactured.

FIG. 6 provides a schematic front view of a false twister in a conventional false twist texturing machine for producing a doubled yarn. The example apparatus shown has a tension control system in the false twist texturing machine, which combines a Z-twisted filament yarn y1 and an S-twisted filament yarn y2 to manufacture a single SZ doubled yarn y. A single tension detector C detects the tension of the SZ doubled yarn formed by combining the Z-twisted filament yarn y1 and the S-twisted filament yarn y2 to adjust the contact pressure between a disc member D and false twisting belt members B1 and B2, which together constitute an SZ simultaneous false twister T.
In the tension control system in the conventional false twist texturing machine; the single tension detector C detects the tension of the SZ doubled yarn to adjust the contact pressure between the disc member D and the false twisting belt members B1 and B2 via a controller so that the detected tension value has a target tension value or falls within an allowable tension range. Thus, since this system does not individually adjust the contact pressure of the false twister T based on the difference in tension between the Z-twisted filament yarn y1 and the S-twisted filament yarn y2, the quality of the SZ doubled yarn y is limited to a certain level and high quality SZ doubled yarn y cannot be manufactured.
In addition, if the material and thickness of the Z- and S- twisted filament yarns y1 and y2 vary, their tensions must be controlled to appropriate values depending on their material and thickness. The conventional false twist texturing machine, however, cannot perform this function.
It is an object of this invention to solve the problem of the tension control system in the conventional false twist texturing machine for producing a doubled yarn.

Tension control system in false twist texturing machine for producing a doubled yarn


Examples are disclosed for transforming a multi-dimensional attribute value for a taste related to an area of interest for a user of a computing device and encrypting or decrypting a ciphertext using the transformed multi-dimensional attribute value in order to securely share data with another computing device.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Securely sharing data between computing devices may be a desirable objective of users of computing devices. Also, users may want to share data with other users based on similar preferences or tastes to an area of interest. These users may also want to maintain an acceptable level of privacy and/or security from other entities while sharing the data. These other entities may include unwanted advertisers, spammers or malicious actors.

Taste-based authentication to securely share data


A connection system. The connection system includes a connection receptacle comprising a first component coupled to a chassis and a second component coupled to the first component. The first and second components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position. According to the system and method disclosed herein, implementing the receptacle as two separate components allows for a compact connection system.

Connection systems are well known and include electrical contacts that enable devices to communicate with other devices. For example, connection systems may include Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, FireWire ports, RJ-11 ports, and RJ-45 ports.
Mobile devices such as notebook computers are becoming increasingly thinner. As a result, connections systems need to be reduced in size to accommodate smaller form factors. A problem when reducing the size of a connection system is that the reduction is limited by the size of the largest port. For example, RJ-45 ports are relatively large and thus may be a challenge to accommodate.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved connection system. The present invention addresses such a need.


A blood flow stimulating device including a boot including a sole and an upper; a sock disposed within the boot; and a bladder disposed within or on the sock, wherein the bladder is configured to undergo repeated inflation and deflation so as to stimulate blood flow in a wearer of the blood flow stimulating device, wherein the sock further includes a toe region, a heel region and a raised portion between the toe region and the heel region that, in use, reduces the distance between the sock and a foot of a wearer of the blood flow stimulating device at the raised portion of the sock.

Diabetics often experience poor blood flow, which is described as peripheral ischemia, and may also suffer the loss of feeling in their extremities, known as peripheral sensory neuropathy. If there is loss of feeling in the foot, it is common for injuries to occur without a person suffering from diabetes even noticing, which can result in what is known as diabetic foot ulcer formation. Such wounds can become infected and there is a possibility of the infection spreading to the bone or blood stream which can be life threatening and/or can result in the need for amputation of the limb.
Accordingly, it is desirable to treat such diabetic foot ulcers as quickly as possible so as to reduce the chance of infection and any subsequent spreading of the infection.
To allow the wound to heal, the wound must be kept clean and covered with an advanced wound dressing followed by a technique called offloading, which is well known in the art. Offloading is a technique where, usually, a boot or cast is applied to the foot of a patient so as to immobilise the tri-axis ankle movement of the patient and take pressure off key areas of the sole of the foot.
In normal gait or chain motion, a line of maximum pressure can be mapped through the foot using commercially available test equipment, and typically, this line shows where maximum pressures or "hot spots" will lead to skin breakdown in a diabetic patients. By controlling the line of force/pressure by limiting the rotation of the sub talar joint, offloading redirects/redistributes pressure, and shear and friction forces acting upon a wound that can reduce the chance of an ulcer healing.
During a normal gait cycle, the foot undergoes tri-planar motion which allows lateral heel strike, lateral loading of the fifth metatarsal and then transfer of pressure to the medial side of the foot over the first metatarsal head and push off through the first toe. Such tri-planar motion allows transfer of pressure from the rear foot to the fore foot creating a line of loading from the lateral to the medial side of the foot. A sub talar joint (STJ) is responsible for the majority of tri-plane motion in the foot. If the STJ is restricted, the foot is not able to go through its normal range of the motion and the pattern of loading alters, i.e. a restriction of ankle motion does not allow normal heel strike or toe off, and hip and knee flexion must increase to enable the foot to lift off the ground. Also, with the ankle fixed, the entire surface of the foot will load almost simultaneously as the rear foot and fore foot contact the ground together. This is one potential mechanism of offloading when using Total Contact Casting (TCC).
People who have a normal foot physiology, normal blood supply and tissue oxygenation are not likely to suffer from pressure hot spots that cause tissue damage, unless they wear ill-fitting footwear. Clinicians often refer to "The Gift of Pain", which alerts non sensory neuropathy sufferers to something being "wrong"; footwear being too tight or a stone in your shoe for example. Many diabetic patients have lost this warning signal, and only realise they have a problem when the wound has already occurred.
In considering the diabetic patient as a whole, it is important to realise that they can suffer metabolic changes, leading to abnormal physiology in the foot as the tendons and other structures are affected. These deformities give rise to pressure hot spots while walking and repetitive stress can occur causing the skin breakdown in the form of a diabetic foot ulcer.
The pressures measured during normal walking are an indication of the stress areas of the foot. With the diabetic patient, the foot shape can change, blood supply is often compromised, causing a reduced blood supply (and consequently lowered tissue oxygenation) to the affected area. This can result in an ischemic foot. With loss of feeling in the foot, the pressure area or developing foot ulcer may not be noticed.
As well, a diabetic patient can also experience metabolic changes which can lead to deformities in the foot, e.g. claw toes caused by tendon shortening. These deformities give rise to pressure hot spots and, when walking, repetitive stress can occur causing skin breakdown in the form of a diabetic foot ulcer.
It is very important that offloading be applied to the diabetic foot effectively and safely. TCC has been the optimal therapy for offloading diabetic foot ulcers. However, this technique is not always used because of its many limitations. TCC requires a specialist and takes a long time to apply. The cast must be reapplied at each clinic visit as it must be removed to view the wound. Clinicians are also concerned that the hard cast could damage vulnerable skin. The quality of life issues with TCC include safety and obtrusiveness during sleep or when showering. Casts can cause trips and slipping. Furthermore, TCC casts often raise one leg 4 cm or more above the level of the other leg. This may cause imbalance due to the other leg not requiring a cast. TCC casts should not be used with infected Diabetic foot ulcers as the wound needs to be observed on a regular basis to ensure correct antibiotic therapy is reducing infection. Around 50% of all diabetic foot wounds are infected and, as such, the applicability of TCC casts is greatly limited.
Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) may look similar to offloading devices, but the material they are constructed from is not be sufficiently rigid to allow pressure redistribution/offloading to occur. As such, they are never prescribed for this purpose clinically. Indeed the Medicare reimbursement authorities in the US have expressly forbidden the prescription of AFOs in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers as they have no functionality.
AFOs are only prescribed for foot drop (the loss of muscle control due to peripheral motor neuropathy or injury such as a stroke, which allows the toes to "dangle" creating a potential trip risk). Whilst many diabetics may suffer from foot drop, the condition bears no relevance to diabetic foot ulcers, other than that the root cause for both conditions is nerve damage. The rigidity of an offloader (e.g. a plaster of paris cast type offloader) is necessary to prevent the tri-planar ankle movements described above. Upon weight bearing, an AFO will flex and allow such a degree of movement as to defeat the controlled pressure redistribution achieved by a true offloading device.
An unrecognised side effect of offloading whilst treating diabetic foot ulcers is a reduced foot and leg pumping action with consequential blood flow back to the heart. The offloading technique described above stops normal foot movements due to the immobilisation effect. These foot movements are important in helping the plantar foot pump, calf muscles and valves return blood flow through the veins back towards the heart against gravity. Accordingly, there is a need to help promote blood flow at the same time as providing the offloading technique described above.


Example apparatus and methods concern establishing additional context for a call using pre-call information. The additional context is provided by a caller and used to determine, for example, whether and how to answer a call. An apparatus (e.g., smart phone, VoIP device) may be configured to augment an outgoing call with first context setting information (e.g., short message, picture, voice clip). The first context setting information may be embedded in the outgoing call or may be provided separately as part of a distinct communication. The apparatus may also be configured to acquire second context setting information associated with an incoming call. The second context setting information may be retrieved from the incoming call or may be retrieved using a separate communication that is triggered by the incoming call. The second context setting information may be presented in an integrated display that produces a single user interruption.

Smart phones and other devices (e.g., voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phones) have features that traditional phones do not have. However, people may not use these additional features. One reason why the additional features may not be used involves long-established habits associated with older phones. Regardless of the reason why the additional features are not used, users may be missing out on opportunities to improve their phone experience. For example, a user may not take advantage of stored contacts to display the name, number, photograph, and other identifying information that may be available for an incoming phone call. The identifying information could help a user decide whether to answer a call or whether to let it go to voice mail. Additionally, the identifying information could help a user customize their response (e.g., personal, professional) to a phone call. Similarly, a user may not take advantage of customized ring tones to facilitate identifying an incoming phone call. When a call is received from a number for which identifying information has not been stored, only the number may be displayed. This may leave the user with little, if any, information about whether to answer the phone. Additionally, when the call is answered, a period of time may be required to establish the context of the call. For example, the caller may have to identify themself and the purpose of their call.
Information stored on the receiving phone or elsewhere (e.g., telecommunications server) may facilitate partially setting the context for a phone call. For example, when a call is received for which a calling number is available, the familiar caller-id feature may be employed. In another example, when a call is received from a number for which identifying information has been stored, then that identifying information (e.g., name, photo, business) may be displayed. The identifying information may help the user decide whether to answer the phone. Additionally, the identifying information may help the user switch between mental tasks. For example a user may switch from thinking about a business matter to thinking about a family matter. The identifying information may also help the parties to the call save time since they may not need to identify each other. For example, if the person receiving the call already knows that the call is from their daughter, then the person receiving the call can answer "hello Emma" instead of simply saying "hello." Answering by name may save time because it establishes in the caller's mind that the person receiving the call already knows their identity.
Information stored on the receiving phone that is accessible through the phone number associated with an incoming call can help establish some context for an incoming call. The partial context can help a person receiving a call decide whether to answer the call. The context can also help a person receiving a call decide how to answer the call (e.g., formally, informally). The partial context can also help prepare a person receiving a call by allowing them to mentally change tasks from what they were doing to what the call may require. While an incoming telephone number and information stored in a receiving device associated with that incoming telephone number facilitate establishing some context for a phone call, additional context may provide an improved experience. The additional context may help establish new habits that take advantage of additional features in smart phones, telephone networks, and computers that support telephone calls.


A system for detecting blemishes on an image sensor package includes an initialization module configured for initializing a suspected blemish standard mean value range and a blemish standard deviation value; an image capturing module configured for capturing an image produced by the image sensor package and acquiring a brightness value of each of pixels of the image; a calculation module configured for calculating a mean value and a standard deviation of differences of brightness values of a pixel and any other pixels surrounding the pixel; a comparison module configured for respectively comparing the mean value and the standard deviation with the suspected blemish standard mean value range and the blemish standard deviation value; and a marking module configured for marking the suspected blemish which is inside the suspected blemish standard mean value range and the blemish which is larger than the blemish standard deviation value.

There are two different types of image sensor packages; charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor packages and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor packages. An image sensor packages is basically a two dimensional array of light sensing elements, and each light sensing element is corresponding to a pixel of an image captured by the image sensor package. If these image sensor packages have blemishes that obstruct or distort light, the resulting image is of bad quality. These blemishes are classified into three different types: dust, which can be removed by cleaning; scratches, which are usually long and narrow; and pits, which are usually small and more circular in nature. When these blemishes are on the light sensing elements, undesired shadows will be cast on the light sensing elements, and thus artifacts appear in the resulting image. Scratches, pits, and dust are typically created not only during the process of handling the image sensor packages, but also during the packaging process of the image sensor packages before the image sensor packages are assembled in the final product, such as a digital camera. In the past, the detection of blemishes has been done under a microscope or by viewing an image generated on a screen. These detection techniques are subjective, time consuming, and often inaccurate.
Scratches, pits, and dust will cause corrupted data in the digital image after the digital image is read from the image sensor package. To produce the highest quality image, the scratches, pits, or dusts need to be detected during the manufacturing and assembly process so that image sensor packages of bad quality can be rejected and prevented from being assembled into the final product.

System and method for detecting blemishes on image sensor package


A hand-held sprayer for bathroom capable of solving such a problem that an installation space for a sprayer is required at one corner of a bathroom, wherein a flow passage is formed in a casing (1), a spray nozzle (39) is connected to the tip of the flow passage, and the tip of the spray nozzle (39) is projected from the casing (1), whereby the conventional sprayer can be eliminated by fitting the hand-held sprayer to the feed water means of existing shower equipment (S), i.e., to the tip of a flexible tube (T).

Conventionally, a sprayer for turning a bathroom into a low-temperature sauna is configured so that a spray faucet is formed in an upper portion of a box unit main body installed into the bathroom and so that fine water particles are ejected from the spray faucet.
However, the conventional sprayer has disadvantages. For example, since an installation space is required at a corner of the bathroom, the already narrow bathroom of an ordinary house is made narrower.


A method for electroplating a silicon substrate in manufacturing a semiconductive device is provided. Electroplating process chamber contacts or fingers used in positioning a silicon substrate or wafer during an electroplating process are plated with a metal layer to prevent oxidation of the contacts. Oxidation of the contacts may result in increased and varying resistance of the contacts and thus nonuniform plating of the silicon wafer and possibly even deplating of a seed layer. A 20 mA/cm.sup.2 current is applied to the contacts which are immersed in an electrolyte solution before loading a silicon wafer. A silicon wafer is then loaded into the electroplating process chamber containing the electrolyte solution. The preplating of the contacts enables the formation of a uniform metal layer on the silicon substrate. Additionally, voltage then may be applied to the contacts after unloading the silicon wafer to reduce oxidation. This electroplating method reduces expensive maintenance time in replacing or cleaning electroplating chamber contacts. The method also does not require expensive and complex electronics to monitor and supply current to the contacts.

An electroplating process may be used in manufacturing semiconductor devices. Metal interconnect structures are formed on a silicon substrate, such as a silicon wafer, to provide electrical connections between transistors. Trenches are formed in the silicon substrate for depositing metal used to form the interconnect structures. Typically, a barrier layer and a seed layer of metal is then deposited on the silicon substrate. The silicon substrate is then immersed into an electroplating process chamber containing an electrolyte solution. Typically, an anode is then positioned in the electrolyte solution and a cathode is coupled to the silicon substrate for providing an electrical current. The electric current, electrolyte solution, and substrate then react to form a metal layer on the substrate surface, including in the trenches of the silicon substrate. Conductive process chamber contacts or fingers are typically used to position the silicon substrate in the electrolyte solution. These contacts may also be used to provide a current path.
A number of different types of contacts have been used in various electroplating process chambers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,592 ("'592 Patent") entitled "Electrolytic Plating Apparatus and Method", inventor Kenneth J. Lowery, issued Dec. 5, 1995, which is incorporated by reference, describes an apparatus used in electroplating substrates. The '592 Patent describes an apparatus for plating a substrate positioned vertically. Three spring-like contacts are used to position a silicon wafer during the plating process. The '592 patent teaches a complex multichannel power supply and monitoring system, coupled to each contact which enables uniform plating.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,733 ("'733 Patent") entitled "Plating Device for Wafer", inventor Hirofumi Ishida, issued Jul. 4, 1995, which is incorporated by reference, also describes a plating device. The '733 Patent describes an apparatus for plating a silicon wafer positioned horizontally. Cathode electrodes and elastic members are used to position the silicon wafer against an air bag.
An EQUINOX single substrate processing system by SEMITOOL.RTM. also provides an electroplating process chamber having four to six contacts or "fingertips" for positioning a silicon wafer during the electroplating process.
After a metal layer is formed during the electroplating process, typically, the silicon substrate is removed from the electrolyte solution. The silicon substrate may be transferred to another process chamber, such as a spin/rinse/dry chamber. The electroplating process chamber contacts which may be covered with a residue of electrolyte solution then may become oxidized as they are exposed to oxygen. The contacts may even become oxidized if immersed into the electrolyte solution without the silicon substrate.
The oxidation of the contacts may cause undesirable consequences in subsequent electroplating. The oxidation of the contacts increases the resistance of the contacts. The increased resistance may also not be the same for each contact because some contacts may be more oxidized than others. Thus, a predetermined amount of voltage applied to each contact will create different amounts of current at the respective contacts. This increase and varying resistance of the contacts will cause nonuniform plating. Further, this oxidation of the contacts may even cause seed layer deplating at the portion of the silicon substrate which touches the contact.
The oxidized contacts may be cleaned with a solution such as, nitric acid. However, this cleaning process requires the electroplating process chamber to be taken off line and limits valuable manufacturing capability. Further, the contacts may have to be removed from the electroplating process chamber or replaced requiring further costly and complex maintenance tasks.
The '592 patent teaches a complex monitoring and multichannel power supply to enable uniform plating. However, the added complexity and components described in the '592 patent increases the cost and maintenance of the electroplating process chamber.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method for providing uniform electroplating on the surface of a silicon substrate without the increased costs associated with cleaning or replacing contacts. Further, it is desirable to have a method which does not require complex electronics or further components in an electroplating process chamber which increase the cost of maintaining and/or purchasing the electroplating process chamber.

Method for reducing oxidation of electroplating chamber contacts and improving uniform electroplating of a substrate


A personal authentication device provided in a destination call registration device adapted to obtain authentication information from a user. The device includes an access control device adapted to, when the personal authentication device obtains the authentication information, obtain verification information including a plurality of pieces of permitted floor information corresponding to the authentication information and position information of the destination call registration device; and a supervisory controller adapted to determine, based on the verification information, whether a destination floor inputted into the destination call registration device is a permitted floor, and, based on the registration, control an elevator car.

In a conventional elevator system, for example, in the elevator system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No.08-81143, data identifying the user is automatically read from user's information transmitter to the elevator system at a hall, an elevator car is assigned based on this destination call and the destination floor is indicated to the user at the hall.

Elevator system which selects a group controller from a plurality of group controllers


A reinforced composite material includes a decorative layer, and a strengthening panel, preferably directly fused to each other. The decorative layer is preferably made of one to three layers of (preferably printed) paper impregnated with a resin such as polyester or melamine resin. The strengthening panel may have a foil facing on one surface for fusion to the decorative layer, or may be roughed and directly fused to the decorative layer without such foil facing. Also provided is a method for the production of such a material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to construction materials and more particularly to a reinforced decorative composite material that includes a light-weight material, preferably decorative, such as a small number of layers of resin-impregnated paper, and a strengthening panel such as fiberglass reinforced plastic ("FRP") secured together, and to the manufacture of such a composite material.
2. Description of Related Art
High pressure laminate materials have been manufactured and sold for many years, and are familiar to many from their wide-spread use in kitchens and areas requiring very durable and decorative surface attributes. Such laminates are typically made of layers of paper impregnated with resin, compressed in a press or the like and heated to produce the desired laminate. One layer of paper may have a decorative pattern that remains visible in the finished product. The exact types of paper and of resins used, as well as the pressures, equipment and temperatures used, and the precise order of steps, are well known to those in the art. Typically, five to seven layers of paper may be incorporated in such a laminate material. A great variety of products of this type are commercially available from the Formica Corporation, under the trademark Formica, owned by that company. Examples of techniques and materials used in the manufacture of such laminates can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,906, assigned on its face to Formica Technology Inc., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, although it is to be understood that the present inventor does not claim ownership of the processes claimed in that patent, which are believed to be owned by that patent's assignee of record.
HPL products, however, are generally brittle enough that they must be mounted on a layer of wood or other material of sufficient strength and rigidity, for use in the kitchen, and on any horizontal surface. Vertical surface applications of HPL's can be enhanced by a pre-laminated panel with the HPL as the outward side. A primary application of such a panel will likely be vertical wall surfaces, where drywall is a common substrate.
It is desirable to be able to use HPL products in environments where the product will be exposed to relatively high levels of wear and tear, moisture, and mechanical loads, without the need to mount the HPL on a mechanically strong layer of wood or other materials. For example, it would be desirable to be able to use decorative materials like HPL products in vertical wall applications in schools, hospitals, restaurants and other public areas that are subject to large amounts of traffic, and where conventional HPL cannot easily be used.
The present inventor has reduced to practice an invention which meets that object, and has disclosed that invention in his previously-filed patent application (application Ser. No. 10/081,629, filed Feb. 20, 2002), the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. One aspect of that invention is a reinforced composite material that includes a laminate panel, a strengthening panel that includes a reinforcement embedded therein, and a layer of adhesive disposed between the laminate panel and the strengthening panel to adhere the laminate panel and the strengthening panel together. Preferably, the reinforcement in the strengthening panel may be fiberglass fibers, randomly oriented, or it may be provided in the form of a mesh or the like. In either case, the strengthening panel is preferably a plastic (polymeric) material of the type known as fiberglass reinforced polyester.
Nonetheless, it would be desirable to provide still greater improvements of the inventor's previous work.
The inventor notes the existence of existing products that have a wood/fiber core to which melamine-resin impregnated paper is secured. To the inventor's knowledge, however, no one has previously considered, or succeeded in, directly fusing papers or foil to a fiberglass-reinforced plastic panel.

Lighter-weight reinforced decorative composite material


A method of loading individual caseless cartridges sequentially into a firearm firing chamber by the expansive force of a small detonation in the magazine focused locally on the current top cartridge in a magazine without damaging remaining cartridges. Small individual propelling charges containing an igniter microchip located in the magazine behind each cartridge provides the loading thrust. More energetic charges containing igniter microchips are imbedded in the cartridges to fire the cartridge in the firing chamber at will.

Semi-automatic or automatic firearms commonly strip cartridges from a magazine and insert them to a firearm firing chamber manually, by mechanisms energized by recoil or by a gas piston moved by gases bled from the firearm barrel. Where cased cartridges are used, extraction of the casing is by elaboration of the same mechanisms. Pyrotechnic mortars with the notable exceptions of Roman candles and fountains are typically single shot and not automatically loaded. MEMS detonators developed at Georgia Tech and utilizing RFID technology are exemplary of igniter microchips referenced in this application.

Firearm or repeating pyrotechnic mortar that advances cartridges from a magazine into a firing chamber by a chemical detonation or steam explosion


A model airplane engine mounting system for isolating vibration between a model airplane and a combustion-type model engine which mounting system is connectable to an upright fire wall panel of the airplane. The device includes uniquely configured two-part grommets which act between a split spool and a cylindrical mounting boss of the engine mounts to isolate both fore-and-aft thrust and shear or rotational torque, harmonics, and combustion outputs from the engine. The grommets, in combination with two-part t-section spool halves, provide a captive engine mount system which is easily connectable to the fire wall by conventional bolts.

This invention relates generally to engine mounting systems which isolate vibration between a combustion-type engine and a support frame, and more particularly to a model airplane engine isolation and mounting system.
As the model aviation field has grown, both the aircraft design and the model airplane engines themselves have become more sophisticated and refined. This refinement has led to larger model aircraft and associated combustion-type model engines, as well as significantly more sophisticated radio, transmitter and receiver equipment.
Typically, the model aircraft itself is fabricated of either balsa wood and hardwood or a molded fiberglass air frame. In either event, delicate receiver and servo equipment are mounted within the air frame itself. Although elastomeric grommets are utilized in mounting the servos, and the receiver is wrapped in protective foam before installation, nonetheless larger combustion-type engines, both 2- and 4-stroke versions, generate significant vibration throughout the air frame when bolted directly to an upright fire wall thereof. Transmittal of these combustion and rotational vibrations are transmitted directly into the air frame because, in most instances, the only thing separating the engine and air frame fire wall is a one or two-part rigid engine mount.
An additional detrimental effect of transmitting engine vibration into the air frame is that glue joints and other bolt-on type equipment can be induced to fatigue, failure or disengagement. Hinges and actuating linkages for movable surfaces are also at risk from engine vibration and combustion harmonics. Additionally, and very importantly, noise, the loud drumming sound created by vibration transmitted throughout the model aircraft, has become a significant problem as noise limitations are currently being adapted and enforced at almost all model aircraft flying sites.
A number of devices have been introduced into the marketplace which, by their claims, afford some level of engine vibration isolation. However, many of these presently available model engine mounting systems have at least one of several failings. First, not all modes of vibration output from the model engine are adequately absorbed and isolated. Fore and aft forces are generated in the form of engine thrust through the propeller. Additionally, rotational torque and combustion harmonics inputs are also induced into the air frame, as well as lateral shear movement in all directions orthogonal to the axis of the engine.
A second failing of many of the present mounting systems available is that the engine/engine mounts are not captively connected to the air frame which could result in the rather violent disconnection between model engine and airplane when under power.
Yet another failing of some of the presently available systems is the difficulty with their installation. Some mounting systems require very accurate cutting and/or machining of the components to suit each environment. Almost all require that access be had to the rearward or inward side of the fire wall on an ongoing basis to effect installation, tightening and removal of the associated mounting hardware.
One such presently available system is manufactured by Gator R/C Products, Inc. of Pensacola, Fla. which provides two forms of its SOFT-N-SAFE model engine mounting system. One form is a radial mounting system providing a radial mounting plate which boltably connects to the existing back plate area of the model engine. The other form of this device provides a separate engine mount which boltably connects between engine and fire wall. Both embodiments provide a unique ISO-DAMP one-piece ribbed grommet having special serrations disposed against the fire wall surface and opposing spaced washer. The SOFT-N-SAFE mounting system does provide a captive arrangement, and does appear to afford fore and aft vibration isolation, but does very little to absorb both rotational harmonic and lateral shear engine vibration and movement.
Another device of which applicant is aware is the SOFT MOUNT model engine mounting systems provided by Software Associates of Houston, Tex. This mounting system, which is connectable between a conventional rigid engine mount and the fire wall of the air frame, provides a unique combination of mating elongated channel sections, one of which is U-section and houses a pair of conventional Lord-type cylindrical elastomer mounts, the other mating channel being L-shaped in cross section and connected between the exposed end of the elastomer mounts and the fire wall. The SOFT MOUNT places the elements in compression and shear and appears to provide a limited captive feature by virtue of a rigid inner sleeve bonded centrally within each of the Lord-type elastomeric mounts. Assembly and disassembly is cumbersome at best.
Sullivan Products of Baltimore, Md. also provides a model engine mount system which includes a special mounting plate interconnectable between engine back plate and conventional Lord-type mounts to blind nuts mounted on the back or inner surface of the fire wall.
An ISO-MOUNT system by Davis Diesel Development of Milford, Conn. is also presently being marketed which incorporates a conventional array of disc-shaped rubber isolators interconnectable between a specially configured engine mount and the air frame fire wall. This system also incorporates a conventional collapsible tubular T-nut which deforms to connect into a mating hole in the fire wall to facilitate later removal and re-installation of the system.
Applicant is also aware of the VEND MOUNT which provides inner and outer shouldered rubber grommets which are inserted through a suitable hole formed in the fire wall from either side thereof. A conventional fastener then clampably connects engine mount to fire wall via this split grommet arrangement.
The present invention provides a uniquely configured split grommet arrangement in combination with a split spool arrangement and a cooperatively structured rigid engine mount which may be either one or two part, the invention is easily boltable to a fire wall utilizing conventional blind nuts permanently positioned on the inner or rearward surface of the fire wall. All modes of vibration are effectively absorbed by this invention while providing a fully captive structure to prevent loss of engine control.


An edge image generating unit generates an edge image formed by edges in an original image. A connection pixel extracting unit extracts connection pixel sets in the edge image. A binary image generating unit classifies the connection pixel sets by colors and generates respective character images of the colors. A background image generating unit generates a background image of the original image. An image compressing unit compresses image data of the character images and the background image using different compressing methods. The binary image generating unit identifies which of a density reversed character, an ordinary character and non character each one of the connection pixel sets is, on the basis of luminance values of the original image on pixels at four corners of a rectangle circumscribed to the connection pixel set, and generates the character images of the density reversed character and the ordinary character.

1. Field of the Present Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A technique detects an outline character in an original image. For example, an image processing apparatus extracts a white connection pixel set to detect an outline character differently from a black connection pixel set to detect an ordinary character in an original image, and detects an outline character on the basis of the white connection pixel set.
However, as mentioned, due to detecting a white connection pixel set, it takes a lot of time in order to detect a density reversed character such as an outline character and an ordinary character (i.e. a character which is not a density reversed character).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Image processing apparatus that detects an ordinary character and a density reversed character


Disclosed are a resistance-variable memory device including a carbide-based solid electrolyte membrane that has stable memory at a high temperature and a manufacturing method thereof. The resistance-variable memory device includes: a lower electrode, the carbide-based solid electrolyte membrane arranged on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode arranged on the solid electrolyte membrane. In addition, the method for manufacturing the resistance-variable memory device comprises: a step for forming the lower electrode on a substrate, a step for forming the carbide-based solid electrolyte membrane on the lower electrode, and a step for forming the upper electrode on the solid electrolyte membrane.

A resistive random access memory (ReRAM) device, which has been studied since 1960s, has a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure using a metal oxide and exhibits memory switching characteristics in which a low conductivity state due to high resistance switches to a high conductivity state due to low resistance when an electrical signal is applied.
The ReRAM device has a fast access time and a low power consumption as it can operate even at a low voltage. Moreover, the ReRAM device can provide fast read and write speeds and reduce the probability of failure during manufacturing process due to a simple storage device structure, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.
Among these ReRAM devices, a device including a sulfide-based solid electrolyte membrane has problems such as low switching voltage, fast ion mobility, etc., and thus exhibits unstable memory characteristics at high temperature.

Resistance-variable memory device including carbide-based solid electrolyte membrane and manufacturing method thereof

GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid; a first flow path through which liquid is supplied from a first container provided at an upstream to the liquid ejecting head provided at a downstream; a second flow path that forms a circulation flow path in which the liquid is capable of circulating through the circulating flow path including the first flow path and the second flow path; and a third flow path through which liquid is supplied from a second container provided at an upstream to the circulation flow path provided at a downstream, and a downstream end of the third flow path is coupled to one of the second flow path and a section on an upstream side of the downstream joint with the second flow path in the first flow path.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a circulation flow path through which liquid is circulated.
2. Related Art
Up to now, a printer (liquid ejecting apparatus), which returns a part of ink (liquid) that had been supplied from an ink tank (container) to a recording head (liquid ejecting head) to the ink tank and can supply the recovered ink to the recording head again, is well known (see JP-A-10-138515). That is, in this printer, ink is circulated between the ink tank and the recording head.
Meanwhile, in this printer, a discharge port for discharging ink and a receive port for receiving ink are formed in both of the ink tank and the recording head. Further, the discharge port of the ink tank and the supply port of the recording head are coupled with a tube and the receive port of the ink tank and the discharge port of the recording head are coupled with a tube to form the circulation flow path.
Therefore, when the number of ink tanks is increased, there is a problem that the circulation flow paths are required for respective ink tanks and the structure becomes complicated.
Note that such a problem is not limited to the printer including the circulation flow path and is generally common to the liquid ejecting apparatus including the circulation flow path.


A process for purifying an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide comprising bringing the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into contact with a cation exchange resin or an anion exchange resin, aging the obtained intermediately purified aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide by standing alone for 1 hour or more, and bringing the aged aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into contact with an ion exchange resin of the same type.. The process provides a high purity aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and can advantageously be used in the field of production of semiconductors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for purifying an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, and more particularly to a process for purifying an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide which provides a high purity aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide used in the field of production of semiconductors.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Currently, hydrogen peroxide is mainly produced by the anthraquinone process. However, aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide produced in accordance with this process contain various kinds of inorganic impurities. Aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide having a substantially practical concentration, i.e., 5 to 70% by weight, generally contain several hundreds .mu.g/liter of inorganic impurities.
On the other hand, a very high purity, such as a concentration of residual inorganic impurities of several tenths .mu.g/liter or less, is required for aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide used in the field of semiconductor production.
Heretofore, as the process for purifying an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide by removing contained inorganic impurities, processes comprising bringing the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into contact with an ion exchange resin have been known. It has been proposed that an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is purified by using a strongly acidic cation exchange resin of a hydrogen form singly, a strongly basic anion exchange resin of a bicarbonate form, a carbonate form, or a hydroxide form singly, a mixture of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin and a strongly basic anion exchange resin, or a combination of these ion exchange resins or the mixure of ion exchange resins.
When an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is purified by using an ion exchange resin, it is generally advantageous that the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is brought into contact with the ion exchange resin in accordance with a continuous process in which the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is passed through a column packed with the ion exchange resin. To increase the purity in accordance with this process, the time of contact of the solution with the ion exchange resin is increased. Increase in the time of contact in this process means decrease in the space velocity (SV) of the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide passed through the column. However, it is the real situation that decrease in the space velocity does not give rise to as much improvement in the purity as expected.

Process for purifying an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide


A basketball rebound device (14) comprising a wedge shaped ramp (16). A component (18) is on a top surface of the wedge shaped ramp (16) for deflecting a basketball (20), when the wedge shaped ramp (16) is positioned upon a basketball court (22) under a hoop (24) on a backboard (26) suspended from a stanchion (28) on the basketball court (22). The basketball (20) will bounce back to a desired area where a person is standing doing practice shooting, allowing the person to spend more time practicing and less time retrieving the basketball (20).

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to athletic training equipment and more specifically it relates to a basketball rebound device. The basketball rebound device will help a person when practicing shooting a basketball into a basket. As the basketball descends through the hoop, it will land on a wedge shaped ramp on the basketball court underneath the hoop and bounce back to a desired area, where the person is standing. The wedge shaped ramp is lightweight and includes a pair of cutout handles, so that it can be easily carried by the cutout handles to and from the basketball, court, while being effortlessly positioned and repositioned during a practice session.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous athletic training equipment have been provided in prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,236,520 to Friedman; 4,093,218 to Burchers; 5,141,224 to Nolde et al.; 5,467,977 to Beck and 5,556,104 to Guillen, Jr. all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


An image-reading apparatus includes a light source unit that includes, a light source section on which a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light toward a medium whose image is read by an image-capturing unit are arranged in a main-scanning direction, and a diffusion unit that diffuses therein the light emitted from the light-emitting elements, wherein a rib provided in a frame of the image-reading apparatus, the rib being capable of being fitted with a cutout portion, the light source section includes a connector provided at one end of the main-scanning direction and the cutout portion provided at the other end of the main-scanning direction, the diffusion unit has a shape through which the light source section is inserted, and a size of the diffusion unit in the main-scanning direction is equal to or shorter than a distance between the connector and the cutout portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source unit of an image-reading apparatus and an image-reading apparatus with the light source unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as a light source of an image-reading apparatus, a configuration in which a plurality of light-emitting elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), are arranged in a straight line along a main-scanning direction has been known (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2009-277551).
When performing reduction of sizes of an image-reading apparatus to which the above-described light source is applied, since a mounting space for the light source is very small, light emitted onto a medium to be lighted cannot be fully diffused, which could lead to generation of a ripple or illuminance unevenness. When the medium is read with the image-reading apparatus in such a condition, an image ripple of a striped pattern depending on a pitch between the light-emitting elements will also be generated in the generated read image of the medium.
The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a light source unit of an image-reading apparatus and an image-reading apparatus with the light source unit having a configuration in which a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a straight line to suppress generation of a ripple in light emitted linearly onto the medium to be lighted.

Light source unit of image-reading apparatus and image-reading apparatus with light source unit