A cooking appliance includes a heating system which is preferably capable of combining radiant, convection, microwave and conduction heating techniques to perform a cooking operation. The cooking appliance includes a convection fan and at least one heating device. A controller is provided to regulate a triac to create a variable fan speed and variable heater intensity through phase angle firing. Essentially, an AC waveform provided to the fan motor and/or the heater resistor travels through the triac which is turned on by the controller at predetermined points in the AC waveform, with the delay from a zero point waveform crossing functioning to reduce the amount of power sent to the heater resistor and fan motor. When the signal from the controller is removed, the triac advantageously turns off at the next zero crossing of the AC waveform such that an operationally and economically effective control system is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of cooking appliances and, more particularly, to a system for controlling both a fan and heater in a compact cooking appliance capable of combining radiant, convection, conduction and microwave heating techniques to perform a cooking operation.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
There exist a wide range of cooking appliances on the market. Many of these cooking appliances are designed for use in cooking various types of food products in different ways. For instance, where more conventional cooking appliances generally relied upon radiant energy as the sole heat source, more recent trends combine a radiant heat source with convection, microwave or conduction heating techniques, thereby increasing the versatility of the cooking appliance while potentially shortening required cook times. In particular, the prior art contains examples of appliances that combine radiant and convection cooking; convection, microwave and radiant cooking; and microwave, convection and conduction heating techniques.
Regardless of the existence of these known arrangements, there still exists a need for a cooking appliance that combines each of radiant, convection, microwave and conduction heating techniques in an efficient and effective manner to handle a wide range of food items. Particularly, there exists a need for a cooking appliance that can be used to rapidly prepare food products that require numerous different heat sources for full and complete cooking. For example, the rapid preparation of commercially produced, open-faced grilled sandwiches raises various cooking concerns. Open-faced grilled sandwiches require, at the very least, that heat be directed both downward onto an upper portion of the sandwich and upward onto a lower bun portion of the sandwich. In most cases this is accomplished by passing the open-faced sandwich on a conveyor belt through an oven between opposing radiant heat sources. While effective to a degree, the process can be time consuming and really does not result in a uniform heating of the meat, cheese and/or other toppings on the bread, nor an even toasting of the bread itself. In addition to this potential problem, a dual radiant oven of this type is simply not suitable for many other applications. For instance, an additional microwave oven or the like would typically be employed to heat soup or other liquid-based food items.
Regardless of the variety of known cooking appliances, there exists the need for a versatile cooking appliance that can preferably take advantage of radiant, convection, microwave and conductive cooking techniques such that the appliance can be used to rapidly and effectively cook a wide range of food items. When providing such a versatile cooking appliance, it is desirable to have a requisite convection fan run at variable speeds and the radiant heater run at different output levels. In particular, during various phases of a cooking operation, it is desired to alter the operation of both the fan and heater to obtain the desired cooking effect. Therefore, there exists a need for a control apparatus for a cooking appliance that can effectively and efficiently regulate both fan speed and radiant heater output.

Control system for cooking appliance employing convection and radiant cooking


A washer has an extension integrally attached to the washer. The extension is scored tangential the washer and extends across the width of the extension. Notches are formed in the extension so the extension tapers inward. The extension is detached from the washer by bending the extension back and forth lateral of washer, and until detached from the washer.

Washers are inserted between bolts, or screws, and building materials to ensure tightness, prevent leakage or relieve friction between the bolt and working piece. Often times the washers must be inserted in tight or hard to reach places, or the washer is simply awkward to handle with the bolt. Moreover, the screw or bolt must be aligned with the washer for proper installation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a washer that is easy to handle and install. Another objective of the invention is to provide such a device that is convenient to use in tight work situations.
In order to accomplish the foregoing, a standard washer is integrally attached to an extension. The device is scored between the washer and extension so the extension may be bent with respect to the washer to detach the extension from the washer after the washer is installed.


A display scene processing method and a display scene processing device and a storage medium thereof are disclosed. The display scene processing method includes the following steps: obtaining a vertical synchronization signal; executing a rendering thread to render a first half-screen scene data and a second half-screen scene data based on the vertical synchronization signal; executing an asynchronous time warping thread to correct the rendered first half-screen scene data and the rendered second half-screen scene data to obtain first half-screen scene correction data and second half-screen scene correction data.

Virtual reality (VR) system is a computer simulation system that can create and be used for experiencing a virtual world. VR system merges information from multiple sources to provide users with an interactive three-dimensional dynamic view. VR system can also allow the user to be immersed into the simulated environment by simulating a user's behavior. Virtual reality technology includes various aspects, such as an environmental simulation technology, a user behavior perception technology and the like. The environmental simulation technology is a technology which generates vivid dynamic three-dimensional images in real time by using computers. The user behavior perception technology is a technology that may be used in an ideal virtual reality system to find all the perceptions of a user. In addition to a visual perception generated by computer graphics technology, there are many other types of perceptions, such as sense of hearing, sense of touch, movement, and even senses of smell and taste, which are also known as multi-perception.
The widespread application of virtual reality technology requires that a virtual reality device or system to be able to maintain a high frame rate to provide three-dimensional images in a manner of more close to real time.

Display scene processing method and device and storage medium

BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Disclosed approaches for creating a circuit design involving a network-on-chip (NoC) include instantiating in a memory of a computer system logic blocks and logical NoC (LNoC) blocks. Each logic block specifies a function of the circuit design and is communicatively coupled to another logic block through an LNoC block. The LNoC blocks are aggregated into a traffic specification that specifies connections between ingress circuits and egress circuits of the NoC. The traffic specification is compiled into configuration parameters for circuits of the NoC, and the logic blocks are compiled into implementation data for the target IC by the computer processor. The target IC can then be configured with the configuration parameters and implementation data.

Circuit designs involving modules communicating over a network-on-chip (NoC) can be difficult to comprehend, and preparing and managing circuit designs involving an NoC can be cumbersome. An NoC supports multiple, concurrent communications paths, and each communication path traverses a route from one of many ingress points to one or more egress points. The NoC is conventionally presented to the designers as a monolithic component having a port for every ingress point and every egress point of the NoC. A circuit design can connect numerous subsystems and modules. For a large NoC having many endpoints (ingress points and egress points) and paths assigned to many different modules of a circuit design, the NoC representation can grow so large that comprehending the connections can be difficult.
The monolithic nature of the NoC can make reconciliation of multiple designs from different design teams difficult for integration into a single device. In order to integrate the different portions from the different design teams into a consolidated design, each design team must consider all the NoC routes of all the other design teams.

Preparation of circuit designs for system-on-chip devices and implementation of circuitry using instances of a logical network-on-chip


The processor supplies flight commands to the flight control system by selectively blending pilot input with control signals from the autopilot. The processor generates a projected recovery trajectory through successive iterations, each beginning at the current aircraft location and using a recovery constraint selectable by the processor to influences a degree of flight aggressiveness. A detection system that identifies and invokes a state of threat existence if a threat exists along the projected recovery trajectory. The processor during threat existence in a first iteration commands an initial soft recovery, with permitted blended pilot input. If the threat exists on subsequent iteration, the processor commands a more aggressive recovery while attenuating blended pilot input.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Aircraft are designed to operate within certain operating speeds and loads on control surfaces of the aircraft. These operating limits are known as the flight envelope, outside of which there may be damage or loss of control of the aircraft. Additionally, aircraft must operate over flight trajectories that avoid collision with material objects such as ground terrain and other aircraft. In order to protect against operating outside of the flight envelope or colliding with other objects, conventional aircraft utilize many disparate protection or safety systems that each evaluate individual aspects of the aircraft to determine whether the aircraft is operating outside of the flight envelope or is likely to collide with the ground or other objects on the present flight path.
Automated systems can be used to recover from a threat such as an envelope violation or collision with another object. Typically such recovery systems are designed with one thing in mind, namely recovery from the threat when it is detected, either by issuing a warning to the pilot or by operating in auto-recovery mode in which the autopilot system takes over for the pilot. Conventional recovery systems are binary in nature—they are either on or off; there are no middle states. While a conventional binary recovery system gets the basic job done, little attention is given to passenger comfort. This may be appropriate for a military jet, where the pilot is helmeted, strapped into an ejection seat system and prepared to absorb hard recovery g-forces, it is not appropriate for a commercial or business jet.

Non-binary collaborative recovery system


Several digital bipolar logic circuits are described, for applications as digital logic gates and for buffering and level-shifting. These circuits are adapted for high-speed operation, and they have reduced supply-voltage requirements. In each of these circuits, a control device such as a transistor turns an input circuit on or off by means of an emitter-to-emitter connection. However, unlike most conventional ECL circuits, these circuits avoid stacked transistor configurations.

Integrated circuit designers have long recognized that many portable electronic systems can be improved by reducing their power dissipation or their battery requirements. Designers have also recognized that the fastest silicon transistors generally have relatively low breakdown voltages. For all of these reasons, circuit designers have sought to scale the supply voltages of digital circuits from the conventional level of about 5 volts, down to 3.3 volts, and even to 1.5 volts. However, it is difficult to preserve high-speed operation at low power-supply voltages, particularly at voltages as low as 1.5 volts.
For example, emitter-coupled logic (ECL) technology is widely used for high-speed logic gates. Depicted in FIG. 2 is a typical ECL circuit for use as a multiplexer. The output voltage, or half of the output voltage, appears at node X as a voltage drop across resistor R2.1. The current through this resistor follows alternate paths to the supply voltage V.sub.EE via transistors Q2.1 and Q2.7, or transistors Q2.3 and Q2.8. Each path includes two transistors in a stacked pair configuration. (Two transistors are said to be "stacked" if the emitter terminal of one is connected to the collector terminal of the other.) Because each base-emitter junction of these transistors generally requires a voltage drop of about 0.8 volts, the power supply voltage must be substantially greater than 1.5 volts if deep saturation of these transistors is to be avoided.
By contrast, a power supply voltage as low as 1.5 volts can be used with circuits in which no path between the power supply voltage and ground includes a stacked pair of transistors. A well-known circuit of that kind, for calculating the logical OR function, is illustrated in FIG. 1. In the circuit of FIG. 1, the flow of current through transistor Q1.3 is controlled by transistors Q1.1 and Q1.2, which are coupled to it by emitter-to-emitter connections.
Such a circuit, and circuits like it, can offer high-speed operation even at relatively low power-supply voltages, such as 1.5 volts. However, circuit designers have hitherto failed to provide more than one or a few such circuits. Until now, a general selection of circuits of this kind, able to perform a wide variety of logical operations, has been lacking.

Digital ECL bipolar logic gates suitable for low-voltage operation


A dispenser assembly includes a housing having a face and an aperture that allows adhesive bandage carrier to pass through it. The adhesive bandage carrier comprises a longitudinally-extending carrier strip having a plurality of longitudinally-disposed adhesive bandages removably secured to an underlying carrier strip. The bandages are located at pre-determined and equally-spaced intervals along the strip. At the same intervals, the strip includes a plurality of apertures. A first edge of the bandage overlays a portion of an aperture such that the first edge can be easily grasped when the bandage is dispensed. The dispenser assembly also includes a number of rotational elements that serve as either “feed” mechanisms for delivering a roll of adhesive bandage carrier from within the container or “take-up” mechanisms for accumulating protective material that overlays the bandage carrier. Different embodiments of the assembly afford mechanical and electrical actuation of the dispensing assembly.

In the area of adhesive bandages that are used to cover wounds and the like, it is known that application of the bandage begins with removing the bandage from a sterile envelope of some sort. Removal of the bandage typically requires the user to grasp the sterile envelope in one hand and then tear the envelope open with the other hand, clearly a two-handed operation. Once removed from the envelope, the bandage typically includes other coverings for the adhesive portion of the bandage, again requiring that the bandage be held in one hand and the adhesive coverings be removed with the other hand. This is another two-handed operation. After these steps have been taken, the user can then place the bandage over the wound, such placement being a single-hand operation in most instances.
In the experience of this inventor, time is wasted while searching this envelope or packaging for the proper end to open. Once done, the user must spend time peeling away the adhesive coverings, creating wasted and loose material at each step in the process. In the medical setting, the old method described above wastes valuable time and an extraordinary amount of wasted paper and other material. In emergency settings, this is clearly unacceptable. In addition to wasted time and material, extra handling of the bandage increases the risk of infection for the patient through extra contact with the bandage and prolonged wound exposure.
What is needed is a faster, cleaner and more economical way to dispense adhesive bandages of present manufacture. What is also needed is such a way to dispense such bandages that can be used in an institutional setting, in a home setting, or in any other setting that would require care pertaining to the application for an adhesive bandage. Accordingly, such bandage dispensing would be useful in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, emergency vehicles, workplaces, military arenas, schools and homes, basically anywhere that adhesive bandages are used. What is also needed is such a style of device to serve this purpose that accommodates a person of any age or disability and allowing for single-handed receipt of an adhesive bandage and in a way that the bandage is received in a ready-to-be-applied manner, thus avoiding unnecessary steps in the application of the adhesive bandage. What is also needed is such a style of device that is available to accommodate different size bandages and to also allow for refilling of the dispensing unit when bandages are depleted. What is also needed is such a dispensing assembly that is reasonable in cost so that the device is economical to use in all settings. What is also needed is such a dispensing assembly that can be provided as a mechanically-operated unit or as an electrically-operated unit. What is also needed is such a dispensing assembly that can actuate the dispensing of the bandage by mechanical means or by electronic or other sensing means. What is also needed is such a dispensing assembly that is convenient to store in the home or elsewhere.

Adhesive bandage carrier and bandage dispensing assembly therefor


The embodiments disclose a ground sliding type flexible framing system, comprising a vehicle body transport system, welding systems, framing fixtures, a splicing system, a fixture storage system and a fixture switching system. The fixture storage system comprises a plurality of bidirectional sliding rails arranged in parallel, storage positions for storing framing fixtures are formed on the bidirectional sliding rails, and the fixture switching system comprises a left and a right sliding table transport rail which are led to two sides of the splicing system from two ends of the bidirectional sliding rails, fixture transport rails led to the left and the right sliding table transport rail from two sides of the splicing system, respectively, sliding tables capable of running on the left and the right sliding table transport rail and a transport mechanism capable of pulling the framing fixtures positioned on the bidirectional sliding rails and the fixture transport rails.

With the development of the times, the quantity demanded for vehicles rapidly increases, meantime, demands for individuation and selecting diversification of the vehicles grow, and vehicle industry develops to the tendencies of small batches and multiple types. For vehicle producers, produced vehicle models are increased, more production lines are needed, and in order to save production cost and meet capacity demand at the same time, single-vehicle model production lines are in urgent need to be integrated into a multi-vehicle model compatible production line, namely, a flexible production system.
At present, a fixture switching trolley and a fixture of a ground sliding type framing system adaptive to multi-vehicle model production requirements share one set of rail. During rails docking, it is necessary to provide another set of positioning mechanism to control the docking precision to ensure that both the fixture switching trolley and the fixture can pass through the rail, and the requirement on repeating precision is high, the control is complex, both the reliability and stability are low. As fixture storage positions of a split fixture base are divided left and right, the occupation space is large, left and right circulation of the fixtures cannot be realized. Because a switching manner of the fixtures is single, the needs of high frequency fixture switching and production line maintaining brought by production of multiple types of vehicles in the future cannot be met.

Ground sliding type flexible framing system

GUANGZHOU MINO AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT CO. LTD.


Provided is electric power equipment that allows a battery to be installed and removed with ease. The electric power equipment (1) includes a main body (2) defining a battery receiving recess (40) having an open upper end, and a battery (20) configured to be received in the battery receiving recess, wherein an upper part of a front end part of the battery is provided with a projection (108) projecting in a forward direction, and a rear end part of the battery is provided with a grip, and wherein an upper edge of the front end part of the battery receiving recess is provided with a supporting surface (36) configured to support a lower surface of the projection at least when the battery is being removed from the battery receiving recess.

Electric mowers which may be considered as one form of electric power equipment are often provided with a battery mounted on a mower main body via a bracket (see Patent Document 1, for instance). In the prior art arrangement disclosed in Patent Document 1, the battery is placed laterally on a bracket, and fixedly secured thereto by using an elastic belt.
A known electric mower includes a main body provided with a battery mounting part fitted with a pair of rails, and a rechargeable battery provided with a corresponding pair of rails so as to be detachably mounted to the battery mounting part. See Patent Document 2, for instance. When installing the battery, the rails of the battery are engaged with the rails of the battery mounting part, and the battery is slid so as to connect the terminals of the battery with the terminals provided on the side of the main body.


Aspects of the invention include assigning a priority to a primary packet for a particular channel and replicating the primary packet to create a secondary packet for the particular channel. A primary packet may be selected in order to co-relate the primary packet to a legacy system. Similarly, a secondary packet may be selected in order to co-relate the secondary packet to a new system. The priority assigned to the primary packet may uniquely distinguish the primary packet from a priority of the other packets for the particular channel. The primary packet and the secondary packet may have the same priority and the same continuity counter.

Embodiments of the present application relate generally to the MPEG packet transport, and more particularly to a system and method for corelating MPEG transport packets.
The introduction of broadband networks, access devices such as set-top boxes, and media such as DVD disks recorded with digitally compressed audio, video and data signals, for example, which utilize motion Picture Expert Group (MPEG) compression protocols, may provide sound and picture quality that is virtually indistinguishable from the original material. The One of the commonly-used MPEG protocols called MPEG-2, provides the necessary protocols and infrastructure that may be used for transferring digitally compressed audio, video and data signals. A detailed description of the MPEG 2 standard is published as ISO/IEC Standard 13818. As broadband networks continue to evolve, there is a need to provide access for legacy devices to ensure interoperability with legacy and disparate systems.
An MPEG program may contain a plurality of data streams. These may include the elementary stream (ES), a packetized elementary stream (PES), a transport stream (TS) and a program specific information stream. An MPEG encoder typically creates the ESs by utilizing one or more analog video and audio content. The MPEG encoder may be configured to apply MPEG compression algorithms to the source content, which may result in an individual compressed ES for each audio and video stream. This encoded and compressed data stream may be decoded in a set-top box and viewed on a TV. Factors such as a bit rate of the encoded stream, quality of the original source content and encoder algorithm may typically determine the quality of the output signal. Notably, the type of encoding may determine whether another system will be able to decode and interpret a received MPEG data stream. In this regard, the other system may be a legacy or disparate system.
In a typical MPEG data stream, the length of individual ESs may be equivalent to the length of the program. Each ES may be contained in a plurality of variable-length packets called a PES. The PES may include a header that may precede one or more payload bytes. The header may include information pertaining to the encoding process required by the MPEG decoder to decompress and decode a received ES. Each individual ES may have a corresponding PES and any encoded audio and video information may still reside in separate PESs. Notably, the PES may be viewed primarily as a logical construct and is not intended to be utilized for data interchange, transport, and interoperability. Notwithstanding, the PES may be utilized for conversion between transport streams (TSs) and program information streams (PSs).
The TS and PS may be formed by multiplexing a plurality of PES packets. The TS may include a plurality of additional packets that may contain tables, which may be necessary for de-multiplexing the TS. The tables may be collectively called program specific information (PSI). To maintain synchronization and timing, null packets may also be inserted to fill the intervals between information-bearing packets. Timing information for an associated program may be carried by specific packets. One type of timing information may be called the program clock reference (PCR). The PCR may be located in one of the optional header fields of the TS packet. During operation, the PCR may permit the decoder to synchronize its clock to the same frequency as that of the original encoder's clock frequency. TS packets may have a fixed length of 188 bytes, which may include a header having a minimum size of 4 bytes and a maximum payload of 184 bytes.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of the structure for an exemplary MPEG transport stream 100. Referring to FIG. 1, TS 100 may include a header 102 and payload 104. Header 102 may include the following fields: synchronization (SYNC) 106, transport error indicator 108, payload unit start indicator 110, transport priority 112, packet ID (PID) 114, transport scrambling control 116, adaptation field control 118, continuity counter 120, adaptation field 122, and a plurality of PES, namely PES1 124, PES2 126, . . . , PESn 130. The adaptation field 118 may further include the following fields: adaptation field length 132, discontinuity indicator 134, random access indicator 136, PES priority 138, flags 140, optional fields 142 and stuffing bytes 144. The optional fields 142 may further include the following: program clock reference (PCR) 146, OPCR 148, a splice countdown 150, private data length 152, adaptation field extension length 154, flags 156 and optional field 158.
The TS 100 may include variable length PES that may be divided into fixed length packets for use by a transmission system. In this regard, the information added by the TS is additional to the information contained in the headers of the PESs. SYNC byte 106 may be used to delineate the beginning and ending of TS packet 100. The transport error indicator 108 may indicate when there is an error in a packet or block. This may be particularly useful for error block testing. PID 114 may be a unique identifier that may identify every video and audio stream. Additionally, each PSI table may have a unique PID 114. The PID 114 may be utilized for identifying a channel and may include any information required for locating, identifying and reconstructing programs. Some PIDs are reserved for specific uses by the MPEG protocol. PID values may be stored in PSI tables. In order to ensure that all the audio, video and data for a program are properly decoded, it may be critical to ensure that the PIDs are correctly assigned and that the PSI tables correspond with their associated audio and video streams.
PCR 146 may have 42 bits, 9 bits of which may be incremented at 27 MHz and 33 bits that may be incremented at 90 kHz upon rollover of the 9 bits. The bits in PCR 146 may provide program clock recovery information that may be utilized for synchronization. PCR 146 may be used to provide a clock recovery mechanism for MPEG programs. A 27 MHz system time clock (STC) signal may typically be used for encoding MPEG signals. Decoding of the signal requires a clock that may be locked to the encoder's STC of 27 MHz. Notably, the PCR 146 may be utilized by the decoder to regenerate a local clock signal that is locked to the STC. Whenever a program is placed in the transport stream, a 27 MHz time stamp may be inserted into the PCR 146. When the signal is received by a decoder, the decoder may compare the value in the PCR 146 with the frequency of its local voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and adjust the VCO to ensure that the VCO is locked to the frequency specified by the PCR 146. To ensure accuracy, the PCR 146 may be updated with the STC every about 100 ms.
The continuity counter (CC) 120 may be used to determine when packets are lost or repeated. It may include a 4-bit field, which may be repeatedly incremented from zero to 15 for each PID. Discontinuity counter 134 may permit a decoder to handle discontinuities in the transport stream. Discontinuity counter 134 may indicate a time base such as the PCR 146 and continuity counter 120 discontinuities. Random access indicator 136 may be configured to indicate whether the next PES packet in the PID stream contains a video-sequence header or the first byte of an audio frame. Splice countdown 150 may be configured to indicate the number packets of the same PID number to a splice point occurring at the start of PES packets.
Two or more MPEG TSs may be multiplexed to form a multi-program TS. In a case where the TC may include a single MPEG TS, the output of the multiplexer may be called a single program TS (SPTS). Furthermore, a number of SPTSs may be multiplexed to create a multi-program TS. In some cases, the program may include one or more ESs that may have a similar time reference. This may occur, for example, in a movie that has video and its corresponding audio content.
PSI may include a set of tables that may be part of a TS. The tables in the PSI may be required while de-multiplexing the TS and for matching PIDs to their corresponding programs. Once the PIDs are matched to their corresponding programs, the TS may be decoded by assembling and decompressing program contents. Typically, in order to determine which audio and video PIDs contain the corresponding content for a particular program, a program map table (PMT) may be decoded. Each program may have its own PMT bearing a unique PID value. The PAT may be decoded in order to determine which PID contains the desired program's PMT. The PAT may function as the master PSI table with PID value which may always be equal to zero(0). In a case where the PAT cannot be found and decoded in the TS, no programs may be available for presentation.
The PSI table may be refreshed periodically at a rate that is fast enough to allow a set-top box to go through program recovery and decompression processes. This may be necessary to ensure real-time user interaction. The PSI may also be used to determine the accuracy and consistency of PSI contents. Notwithstanding, during programs changes or modification of multiplexer provisioning, there may be packets which have a PID value present in the TS, but have no corresponding reference in the PSI. Additionally, the PSI may have references to one or more packets in the PID that are not present in the TS.
In existing MPEG compliant systems, audio/video services may be carried using some or all of the 188 bytes of the packet, called transport packets. Multiple services may be differentiated using a packet identifier (PID) contained in a packet header called the transport packet header. Transport packets from various services may be multiplexed and transmitted on the same physical medium. Exemplary media may include, copper, coaxial cable, wireless, optical and any combination thereof. On the receiver side transport packets may be demultiplexed and data may be separated for each service. For example, audio packets may be separately de-multiplexed from video packets.
Transport packets may include three fields, namely a 4-byte header, an optional adaptation field and a packet payload. The packet payload may not be altered by multiplexing or transmitting equipment, except during processing which may include data encryption and decryption. In generally, encryption may be done once within a typical MPEG processing system. Notwithstanding, some fields of adaptation field may be changed by multiplexing and transmission equipment. Typically, packet order within a PID channel may be maintained from an MPEG encoder to an MPEG receiver but packet order among multiple PID streams may not guaranteed by during transmission by any transmitting equipment. In cases where co-relation of packets from different PIDs may be required, packet position in a stream cannot be utilized since packet order among multiple PID channels may be altered.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for co-relating transport packets on different channels using a packet prioritization scheme


A vapor display device includes a water tank [101], an expansion chamber [102] for creating vapor (which may contain scents), an airbox [104] for creating a laminar flow of air and vapor, and a projector [107] for projecting light onto the vapor display screen. The airbox has a series of mesh and honeycomb panels, preferably made of hexagonal cells having 3/16 inch width. Preferably, the vapor consists of water droplets having mean diameters in the range from 10 to 20 microns, and the laminar flow of air and vapor comprises between 1% and 5% water vapor. Potentiometers allow user control of vapor density, vapor flow speed, and airflow speed. A modular design allows the device to be used in different orientations.

Water, mist, fog, vapor, smoke and dust have been used as display mediums. The way light interacts, reflects and refracts off particulates is well known and documented. Devices were developed to somehow arrange these particulates into a display medium or screen. Different methods have been developed in the art in attempt to achieve this for their particular medium.
The existing approaches are multi-part systems, which can be made up of separate pieces of hardware such as: emitter, collector, projector and tank (containing the liquid form of the display medium, i.e., water). Descriptions of existing systems show methods for specific orientations of emission (horizontal, downward, upward) due to the design of the systems. The drawback of all these approaches is they were built as fixed devices and were not ready for the rigors of professional work environments.
In brief, existing vapor display systems suffer from one or more disadvantages such as lack of flexibility in display orientation, large water consumption, problems with vapor condensation, display image instability, low image resolution and poor image quality, lack of adaptability to specific environmental needs and/or user preferences, and difficulty with installation, maintenance, configuration, and repair.

Projection display device with vapor medium screen


Techniques for atmospheric and solar correction of aerial images are described. An apparatus may comprise an atmospheric and solar component arranged for execution by a logic device and operative to correct solar and atmosphere artifacts from an aerial image. The atmospheric and solar component may comprise an image information component operative to generate an image record for each aerial image of a group of aerial images, the image record comprising statistical information and image context information for each aerial image, a filter generation component operative to generate an atmospheric filter and a solar filter from the statistical information and the image context information stored in the image records, and an image correction component operative to correct atmospheric and solar artifacts from the aerial image using the respective atmospheric filter and solar filter. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Aerial imaging refers to capturing images of a surface of a planet from an elevated position, such as an aircraft or satellite. Aerial imaging is used in cartography, such as for providing photogrammetric surveys, which are often a basis for topographic maps. Depending on a given elevation for a camera, aerial imaging may capture undesired visual elements obscuring surface objects in an image. Removing undesired visual elements may be difficult, however, particularly when multiple aerial images are stitched together to form a composite aerial image, such as an "ortho mosaic" or aerial map. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present improvements have been needed.


A method of manufacturing one or more magnetic heads starts from a substrate (11) on which a first magnetic layer (13) is provided. A recess (15) is formed in this layer at the location of a transducing gap to be formed, after which a gap layer (19) is provided on a bounding wall (17) of the recess. Subsequently, the recess is filled with a second magnetic layer (23) and a counterblock (31) is provided on the layers after surface-polishing. Finally, a winding aperture is provided.

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a magnetic head provided with a head face, a winding aperture and a transducing gap which extends in a height direction from the head face to the winding aperture and which, in the height direction, has a height which is equal to the distance between the head face and the winding aperture, said winding aperture having a dimension extending in a direction parallel to the height direction of the transducing gap and measured from the transducing gap to a bounding wall of the winding aperture, which wall, viewed in the height direction, is situated opposite the transducing gap, said method comprising the following steps: providing a first magnetic layer on a substrate, providing a recess in this layer, which recess extends as far as the substrate and in said height direction, providing a gap layer on a flank of the magnetic layer, which flank constitutes a boundary of the recess, subsequently providing a second magnetic layer in the recess and after surface-polishing, arranging a counterblock on the layers provided.
Such a method is suitable for manufacturing sandwich heads in large numbers. These are magnetic heads in which a thin magnetic layer is situated between two core limbs and in which a transducing gap extending as far as the head face is present in the magnetic layer.
A method as described in the opening paragraph is known from JP-A-63-234404 (herewith incorporated by reference). In the known method the recess is provided in the first magnetic layer throughout the dimension of the magnetic head in a direction parallel to the height dimension of the transducing gap. This ultimately results in a magnetic head in which a gap is also present in the rear yoke i.e. viewed from the head face, the part of the magnetic head situated behind the winding aperture, what has a negative influence on the efficiency of the magnetic head.


An intelligent STEP-NC (Standard for the Exchange of Produce model-Numerical Controller) overcomes short-comings of conventional NCs with a closed structure The intelligent STEP-NC intelligently performs a machining process based on ISO 14649 data while autonomously coping with an emergency at a shop-floor. Thus, the discontinuity of information in a CAD-CAM-CNC chain where the current NCs are operated can be overcome and the concept of “design-to-manufacture” can be realized.

Some among various techniques for modularizing a NC (numerical controller) are OSACA (Open System Architecture for Controls within Automation systems) in Europe, OMAC (Open Module Architecture Controls) in U.S., OSEC (Open System Environment for Controllers) in Japan, etc. Prior arts concerned with these techniques are introduced in a paper directed to a holonic NC based on a holonic manufacturing paradigm (Kurth 1994, Suh et al. 1998); to a TRUE-CNC serving as a NC system having a CAD, a CAPP, a CAM, a CNC (Computer-based Numerical Control), a monitoring and a verifying function (Yamajaki et at. 1997); and to a production cell based on a programming interface (Brouer et al. 1997), etc. These conventional techniques are developed to overcome a closed structure of prior NCs. However, they do not specify therein a module and its structure for realizing an intelligent NC controller.


Equipment for the placement or positioning of one or more items in or on the ground is provided. In one form, an apparatus includes a toolbar, a container, a metering unit configured to selectively control release of one or more items from the container and an application member configured to deliver the one or more items released from the container to the ground. In one aspect of this form, the metering unit is configured to selectively control release of one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches, and more particularly, but not exclusively, in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, from the container to the application member. In another more particular aspect, the spherical items are capsules that include a shell wall encapsulating a pesticide composition and including a gelatin material.

The present application relates to the placement or positioning of one or more items in or on the ground, and more particularly but not exclusively, to an apparatus configured to position or place one or more spherical capsules in or on the ground, and to techniques for using such an apparatus.
Advances in certain areas of technology have given rise to the need for new approaches for the placement or positioning of certain items relative to the ground. For example, and without limitation, delivery vehicles such as capsules which are configured to degrade after their implantation may be used to deliver a desired composition to a field, grove, orchard or other plant growing environment or locus that is in need of treatment by the desired composition. These capsules may release, amongst other possibilities, pesticide compositions, fertilizer compositions and combinations of the foregoing, and may include a structure that is susceptible to breakage or disruption during handling and under current placement techniques which can result in premature release of the composition therefrom. Beyond rendering the capsules unsuitable for their intended function, the premature release of the composition from the capsules may also undesirably expose the handlers thereof to the compositions being released. Similarly, in certain instances it is desired to minimize direct human handling of such capsules. Accordingly, there is a demand for further improvements in this area of technology.


A scaffold apparatus includes a mounting frame releasably attachable to a top platform of a step ladder, a brace attached to the mounting frame and extending outwardly for holding the mounting frame and the step ladder in a spaced relation away from a building structure, and a receptacle for removable attachment to the brace and defining a cavity for retaining articles therein. The mounting frame includes a pair of pins and clips and a pair of C-shaped side clamp members for releasably attaching the frame to the step ladder. Each C-shaped side clamp member defines a channel therethrough and a pair of aligned apertures at a rear end. Each pin is removably insertable through one of the pair of aligned apertures defined at the rear ends of the C-shaped side clamp members for releasably retaining the mounting frame on the top platform of the step ladder. Each clip is for removable attachment to one of the pins following insertion of the one pin through the one pair of aligned apertures such that the one pin cannot be displaced from the one pair of aligned apertures without removal of the clip. The brace includes a pair of side support members and a front support member disposed in a triangular shaped arrangement extending forwardly from the mounting frame for engaging and resting against the building structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to ladder attachments and, more particularly, is concerned with a scaffold apparatus for attachment to a step ladder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Ladders are often needed for a user to access the walls and roof of a variety of buildings including, but not limited to, residential homes. Many roofs, however, have overhangs which extend outwardly beyond the plane of the wall supporting them from below. Roof overhangs make it difficult for a user to reach the top surface of the roof for shingling and the like and to reach the edge of the roof for working on a gutter and the like. This is due to the fact that ladders often must lean against the wall under the roof overhang such that a user on or near the top step or rung of a ladder is placed into an awkward position for reaching the edge or top surface of the roof. It is further difficult for the user to paint a wall when the ladder must be supported directly against the wall to be painted. Thus, it is often desirable for the user standing on or near the top step or rung of the ladder to be spaced outwardly away from the wall which is supporting the ladder. It may also be desirable for the user to have a receptacle for holding tools, paint cans and the like in close proximity to the region of the ladder upon which the user is standing.
A variety of devices which are attachable to ladders have been proposed over the years to resolve the above-mentioned difficulties. Representative examples of these prior art ladder attachment devices and the like are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,840,291 to Becker, U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,929 to Chubbs, U.S. Pat. No. 3,042,142 to Butler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,146,854 to Terwilliger, U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,462 to Courtney, U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,569 to Grenier, U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,860 to Beane, U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,945 to Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,274 to Tataseo and U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,994 to Hughes, Sr. Each of the above-listed patents, however, disclose devices which have one or more of the following problems associated with them: high cost, time consuming and tedious to install onto and/or remove from the ladder, applicable only to rung ladders and/or have undue complexity of construction.
Consequently, a need still exists for an apparatus which provides a solution to the aforementioned problems in the prior art without introducing any new problems in place thereof.


A soil moisture sensor uses a non-collimated light source and a photosensor, respectively, mounted at the foci of a transparent ellipsoidal plastic body. The dimensions of the body are such that emitted light rays are internally reflected toward the photosensor at the surface of the ellipsoid if the surface is dry, but refracted outwardly of the body when the surface is wet. The amount of light reflected onto the photosensor is thus a measure of the amount of moisture at the surface of the sensor. Direct illumination of the photosensor by the light source is prevented either by interposing opaque electronic components between them on a circuit board, or by taking advantage of light source characteristics to minimize the amount of transmitted light. If a circuit board is used, it is completely encapsulated against moisture penetration by fixing it in a carrier and molding the body around and onto the carrier to form a monolithic unit with the carrier and circuit board.

Optical sensors for determining the moisture content of the soil in an irrigation system are well known. They usually take the form of a prism or similar structure, in which a light beam projected into the prism is internally reflected toward a photosensor such as a photodiode or phototransistor. (The term "light" in this application is meant to include infrared radiation). The amount of light received by the photosensor depends on the amount of moisture present at the surfaces of the prism. This moisture changes the optical characteristics of the prism surface and thereby causes a portion of the beam to be refracted outwardly of the prism, instead of being reflected inwardly toward the light sensor. The amount of refraction, and thus the amount of light received by the photosensor, translates into a measurement of the wetness of the soil.
It has previously been proposed in Benoit et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,714 to use a transparent half-ellipsoid body as a level sensor in a container of mineral oil. In that patent, a fiber-optic light guide conveying substantially collimated light from a light source to the ellipsoid's surface is terminated at one of the foci of the ellipsoid, while a second light guide conveying light to a photosensor receives similarly collimated reflected light at the other focus of the ellipsoid. If all or part of the convex surface of Benoit's body is immersed in mineral oil, the resulting change in the index of refraction at the body-oil interface causes the light received by the photosensor to indicate not only the presence of a critical oil level but also whether it is rising or falling.
The above-described prior art construction is not, however, practical for soil moisture sensors because the presence of particulates in soil requires using the maximum available surface area of the ellipsoidal body as a reflection surface, so as to average the moisture effects over as large a surface of the sensor body as possible. This in turn requires a wide-angle light source and a wide-angle photosensor at the foci of the ellipsoid. One solution to this problem is shown in my copending application Ser. No. 11/214,100, filed on Aug. 29, 2005 and entitled Optical Moisture Sensor the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. That application discloses a cylindrical sensor with an interior refracting surface that causes divergent light rays to be refracted into parallelism so as to make optimum use of the cylindrical soil-contacting surface of the sensor.
A disadvantage of the sensor shown in the above-cited copending application in cold and moist environments is the fact that an air space needs to exist between the light source or photosensor and the internal refracting surface. In a cold environment, condensation can occur in that air space, and in a very moist environment, moisture can migrate through the sensor material. In either event, these conditions may adversely affect the parallelism of the internally refracted rays and may require special manufacturing precautions.
The aforesaid disadvantage can be overcome by mounting a wide-angle light source and photosensor in direct contact with a transparent ellipsoidal body. This does, however, cause several other problems. For one, a substantial portion of the light travels directly through the transparent body from the light source to the photosensor without being reflected by any body-air or body-water interface. Consequently, the sensitivity of such a sensor is substantially compromised.
Another problem arises in the manufacture of moisture sensors of the type described due to the fact that the light source and photosensor must be maintained in exact alignment with the foci of the ellipsoid during manufacture. This is necessary in order to produce consistent readings among mass-produced sensors. Also, the difference in coefficients of expansion between the body material and the circuit board on which the sensor's optical and electronic components are typically mounted can cause minute cracks adjacent the board into which moisture can migrate. It is therefore necessary to so encapsulate the light source, photosensor and associated electronics in the ellipsoidal body that moisture cannot cause any discontinuities between them and the body.

Optical moisture sensor and method of making the same


An LED array comprises a base layer, at least one LED disposed on the base layer, and a diffusion layer including a luminescent material. The diffusion layer covers the at least one LED and the base layer in such a way that light emitted from the at least one LED passes through the diffusion layer.

Light emitting diodes (LED or LEDs) are solid state devices that convert electric energy to light, and generally comprise one or more active layers of semiconductor material sandwiched between oppositely doped layers. When a bias is applied across the doped layers, holes and electrons are injected into the active layer where they recombine to generate light. Light is emitted from the active layer and from all surfaces of the LED.
In LED package design, two challenges are thermal management and size. In an exemplary conventional surface mount design, an LED or LED array is mounted onto a printed circuit board, with wire bonding present for each individual LED; the circuit board is mounted to a heat sink; and the heat sink is mounted to a fixture housing, along with needed drive electronics. Additional optics or components may be needed. Spacing between each individual LED in an array is dictated by the presence of the wire bond (i.e., there is a limit to how close together the LEDs may be). There is a continuous drive to reduce the size of LED packages to facilitate more widespread use of LEDs.
It is known that thermal management is a concern with electronic packages, whether containing integrated circuits or discrete components such as diodes or power transistors. It is also known that excessive heat may cause LED failures. Thus, one of the considerations for designing LED packages is effective thermal management. One of the objectives of effective thermal management in the design of electronic packaging is to maintain the operating temperature of the LEDs and other active circuit components at an appropriately low enough temperature to prevent premature component failure. Various cooling strategies including conduction heat transfer are in common use. However, high intensity LEDs that emit light principally in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum can generate significant amounts of heat that is difficult to dissipate using conventional techniques.
The design considerations of reducing the size of an LED package and maintaining a relatively low operating temperature are to some extent competitive with each other. It is desirable to develop an LED package that addresses these design considerations.

LED array having embedded LED and method therefor


A receive device of a conveyor unit, an apparatus including the receive device and a method for transporting rod-like articles for tobacco-processing. The receive device includes a deceleration device to decelerate the rod-like articles and an acceleration device to accelerate the rod-like articles. The acceleration device is arranged downstream from the deceleration device. A conveyor speed limit device is located between the deceleration device and the acceleration device. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a receive device of a conveyor apparatus for the transport of rod-like articles, in particular filter rods, of the tobacco-processing industry. The receive device has a device decelerating the rod-like articles, e.g., a first brake device, and a device accelerating the rod-like articles, e.g., an acceleration device. The acceleration device is arranged downstream from the first brake device.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for conveying rod-like articles, in particular filter rods, of the tobacco-processing industry. The articles are longitudinal-axially conveyed into a first brake device and are then decelerated to a first predetermined speed in the first brake device.
2. Discussion of Background Information
A corresponding receive device and a corresponding conveyor method are known for example from EP 1 397 968 B1. A corresponding filter rod receiver or a corresponding receive device for rod-like articles of the tobacco-processing industry normally receives longitudinal-axially articles, which are first decelerated in order to then be accelerated longitudinal-axially. The articles are subsequently conveyed transversely to their axes to a filter hopper. Different module variants are hereby known. For example, there are individual receivers, double receivers and triple receivers. It is also possible, depending on the requirement for articles, to control the speed of the filter rod receiver or a receive device.


The invention herein pertains to an antenna stand for radio broadcasts and particularly pertains to temporary antenna stands which are erected for on site broadcasts such as at shopping centers or the like remote from a permanent broadcast station. A collapsible antenna stand having mast sections is provided so an individual worker can erect, dismantle or vary the height of the antenna with relative ease and convenience. The antenna mast comprises a series of sections which are engaged and slidably raised through the bottom of a tripod having extendable legs.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention herein pertains to antennas for radio signal transmissions and particularly for temporary, short term use of antennas at remote locations which can be quickly assembled and dismantled by an individual.
2. Description of the Prior Art and Objectives of the Invention
In recent years automobile dealers and other retailers have utilized "on site" radio broadcasts for advertising purposes. Oftentimes, during short sales periods such as during one (1) day sale events, radio station announcers set up broadcast equipment in the particular store and encourage shoppers through the airwaves to participate in the promotions and sales that are taking place. In setting up for such on site broadcasts, equipment including a requisite antenna must be erected. Generally an FM signal is transmitted from the site to the station where the broadcast is then transmitted to the listeners in the area. The on site broadcast usually generates an FM signal of a relatively short range (twenty-five to thirty-five (25-35) miles) and is of the direct sight type, i.e., must not have obstacles in its path. Due to the cost of erecting a suitable, safe antenna, many retailers have heretofore been unable to satisfactory utilize such on site broadcast. Also, in the past, antennas have been placed on building roofs and other permanent structures to obtain the height necessary which may be thirty to seventy-five (30-75) feet above ground level in most areas to provide a signal which will pass over neighboring buildings, trees and the like. Temporary antennas which have been used with success have required several persons to install and securely anchor them to insure the safety of passersby. Additionally, conventional antennas have not been easily height adjustable and usually cannot be easily varied for the particular location.
Thus, with the aforesaid and other problems of prior temporary antenna installations, the present invention was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide an antenna stand which will allow an antenna mast to be adjustably raised to the particular height desired.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an antenna stand for FM broadcast which can be easily and quickly erected and dismantled for storage and transportation by an individual worker.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an antenna stand which includes a relatively lightweight, collapsible tripod and mast which allows the antenna to be raised and lowered in convenient increments.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide an antenna stand whereby the mast can be raised or lowered by sliding mast sections through the bottom of the tripod to obtain the height required.
Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed explanation is presented below.


A control system (210) is provided for an agricultural harvester (200), the agricultural harvester (200) having an agricultural harvesting vehicle (202) and a harvesting head (204) mounted thereon, the harvesting head (204) further comprising a left side endless belt conveyor (214) driven by a left conveyor motor (312), a right side endless belt conveyor (218) driven by a right conveyor motor (310) and a center endless belt conveyor (220) driven by a center conveyor motor (314), the control system (210) comprising an electronic controller (300) configured to receive an electronic signal indicative of a roll angle of the harvesting head (204), and to electronically change a relative speed of at least one of the right conveyor motor (310) and the left conveyor motor (312) based at least upon the electronic signal indicative of a roll angle of the harvesting head (204).

Harvesting heads for agricultural harvesters employ a left side endless belt conveyor that conveys crop material from the left side of the harvesting head toward the center of the harvesting head and a right side endless belt conveyor that conveys crop material from the right side of the harvesting head toward the center of the harvesting head. These belts typically convey material at the same speed.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the harvesting head 100 is traveling on the side of a hill harvesting crop, one end of the harvesting head is lower than the other.
One of the conveyors 102 lifts cut crop material as it carries it upward and toward the center of the harvesting head. The other of the conveyors 104 lowers cut crop material as it carries it downward and toward the center of the harvesting head.
Even though the two conveyors 102, 104 are operating at the same speed (indicated by the velocity arrows in FIG. 1), the cut crop material is deposited off-center on a center conveyor 106.
This off-center deposition can cause the center conveyor 106 to feed poorly. This, in turn, can cause misfeeding of crop material and blockages. When this occurs, the operator must stop the agricultural harvester, climb down from the operator station, manually remove the misfed material, and then returned to the operator station to continue harvesting. This process of clearing the harvesting head is time-consuming.
What is needed, therefore, is a system that monitors the roll angle of the agricultural harvester and automatically reduces or eliminates the off-center deposition of cut crop material on the center conveyor 106.
It is an object of this invention to provide such a system.

Side hill compensation for a harvesting head


Novel isolated plant polynucleotide promoter sequences are provided, together with genetic constructs comprising such polynucleotides. Methods for using such constructs in modulating the transcription of DNA sequences of interest are also disclosed, together with transgenic plants comprising such constructs.

Gene expression is regulated, in part, by the cellular processes involved in transcription. During transcription, a single-stranded RNA complementary to the DNA sequence to be transcribed is formed by the action of RNA polymerases. Initiation of transcription in eukaryotic cells is regulated by complex interactions between cis-acting DNA motifs, located within the gene to be transcribed, and trans-acting protein factors. Among the cis-acting regulatory regions are sequences of DNA, termed promoters, to which RNA polymerase is first bound, either directly or indirectly. As used herein, the term "promoter" refers to the 5′ untranslated region of a gene that is associated with transcription and which generally includes a transcription start site. Other cis-acting DNA motifs, such as enhancers, may be situated further up- and/or down-stream from the initiation site.
Both promoters and enhancers are generally composed of several discrete, often redundant elements, each of which may be recognized by one or more trans-acting regulatory proteins, known as transcription factors. Promoters generally comprise both proximal and more distant elements. For example, the so-called TATA box, which is important for the binding of regulatory proteins, is generally found about 25 basepairs upstream from the initiation site. The so-called CAAT box is generally found about 75 basepairs upstream of the initiation site. Promoters generally contain between about 100 and 1000 nucleotides, although longer promoter sequences are possible.
To date, although numerous promoters have been isolated from various plants, only a few of these are usefully employed for expression of a transgene in a plant. Currently CaMV (cauliflower mosaic virus) 35S promoter and its derivatives have been most widely used. This promoter is constitutive, i.e. continuously active in all plant tissues. However, the CaMV 35S promoter exhibits lower activity in monocot plants, such as rice and maize, than in dicot plants, and does not exhibit any activity in certain cells such as pollen. Many other promoters that have originated from dicot plants have also been used for transgene expression in monocot plants, but exhibit lower activity than promoters originating from monocot plants.
Intron sequences inside monocot promoters have been shown to enhance promoter activity. These include the first intron of rice actin (McEloy et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 231:150-160, 1991), intron 1 of the maize ubiquitin gene (Christensen and Quail, Transgenic Res. 5:213-218, 1996), and the maize sucrose synthase gene (Clancy and Hannah, Plant Physiol. 130:918-929, 2002). Using the actin intron next to the 35S promoter increased expression 10-fold in rice, compared to 35S promoter alone (McElroy et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 231:150-160, 1991). Studies have shown that the introns used must be within the transcribed portion of the gene and preferably within the 5′ untranslated leader sequence (Bourdon et al., EMBO Rep. 2:394-398, 2001; Callis et al., Genes Dev. 1:1183-1200, 1987; Mascarenhas et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 15:913-920, 1990). It has also been shown that the intron plays a role in tissue specificity in some cases (Deyholos and Sieburth, Plant Cell 12:1799-1810, 2000).
In addition to introns, untranslated leader sequences (5′UTLs) have also been shown to enhance expression. It appears that 5′UTLs from dicots work better in dicot hosts and those from monocots work better in monocots (Koziel et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 32:393-405, 1996).
Constitutive promoters have been isolated from monocots, characterized, and used to drive transgene expression, for example the rice actin1 promoter and the maize ubiquitin 1 promoter. However, even within monocots, using a promoter in a heterologous system may give unexpected expression patterns. For example, the rbcS promoter from rice has a different pattern of expression than the endogenous maize rbcS when transformed into a maize plant (Nomura et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 44:99-106, 2000). Therefore, there is a need for the development of promoter systems from monocots and, in particular, important target species such as forage grasses.
Constitutive promoters for use in monocots, especially the forage grasses, are not abundant. Examples of these may be promoters from the genes of actin, tubulin or ubiquitin. Actin is a fundamental cytoskeletal component that is expressed in nearly every plant cell. The alpha- and beta-tubulin monomers associate to form tubulin dimers that are the basic units of microtubules, found in most cells. Ubiquitin is one of the most highly conserved proteins in nature. It has been linked to many cellular processes such as protein degradation, chromatin structure and DNA repair, and is highly abundant in nearly every plant cell (Kawalleck et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 21:673-684, 1993).
In some cases, constitutive over-expression of a transgene may interfere with the normal processes in a plant. The development of tissue-specific promoters, designed specifically to drive a particular gene of interest should help to alleviate these problems. For example, to manipulate the plant secondary cell wall, vascular specific promoters may be preferred, and to manipulate flowering habit, floral specific promoters may be preferred.
A number of genes in the pathway for lignin biosynthesis from Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea are described in International Patent Publications WO03/040306 and WO03/93464. These include Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL), the first enzyme of the general phenylpropanoid pathway. Isoforms of this gene from Arabidopsis have been shown to be stem and vascular specific in expression (Ohl et al., Plant Cell 2:837-848, 1990; Leyva et al., Plant Cell 4:263-271, 1992). Several isoforms of 4-Coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL) have been isolated. 4CL is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of CoA esters from p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferilic acid, 5-hydroxyferulic acid and sinapic acid. A number of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) grass genes have also been identified. COMT genes, such as those from Arabidopsis and the monocot alfalfa, are expressed in lignifying tissues (Goujon et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 51:973-989, 2003; Inoue et al., Plant Physiol. 117:761-770, 1998). Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) catalyzes the last step in monolignol biosynthesis, and the grass CAD gene has also been identified. The promoters of these genes will be of use in manipulating cell wall modification and digestibility.
A number of genes involved in flowering development from Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea are described in International Patent Publication WO04/022755. The control of flowering has been extensively studied in model species, in particular Arabidopsis thaliana, and a large number of genes and transcription factors involved in floral development have been identified; for a review see Putterill et al., BioEssays 26:363-373, 2004, and Simpson & Dean, Science 296:285-289, 2002. In particular, the MADs box family of transcription factors play a role in the transition of vegetative to floral growth and show differential expression through floral development (Petersen et al., J. Plant Physiol. 161:439-447, 2004. In the manipulation of floral development, it is a prerequisite that floral specific promoters will be required to drive transgene expression. Therefore, the isolation and development of floral specific promoters from monocots is necessary.
A number of genes involved in anthocyanin and condensed tannin biosynthesis from Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea are described in International Patent Publications WO03/040306 and WO03/93464. Many of the genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis show specific cell type and developmental patterns of expression. The promoters of these genes will be of use in transgenic expression of genes, particularly to manipulate anthocyanin and tannin biosynthesis. Dihydroflavonol-4-Reductase (DFR) catalyzes the reduction of dihydroflavonols to leucoanthocyanidins, the precursors of anthocyanins and condensed tannins. DFR is a later key enzyme that may control the flux into the pathways of anthocyanin and condensed tannin synthesis. Another key enzyme that may control flux into these pathways is chalcone synthase (CHS), which catalyzes the condensation of malonyl-CoA and coumaroyl-CoA into chalcone intermediates. In many species, several gene family members exist for each enzyme. These different family members are differentially expressed and reflect the types of tissue in which different species accumulate anthocyanins, such as fruit or petals (Jaakola et al., Plant Physiol. 130:729-739, 2002; Rosati et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 35:303-311, 1997). In particular, grasses accumulate higher levels of anthocyanins in the stem.
A number of antifreeze protein genes from Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea are described in International Patent Publication WO04/022700. Overwintering plants produce antifreeze proteins (AFPs) having the ability to adsorb onto the surface of ice crystals and modify their growth. AFPs may play a role in protecting the plant tissues from mechanical stress caused by ice formation (Atici and Nalbantoglu, Phytochem. 64:1187-1196, 2003). The expression of AFPs is induced by cold temperature, in specific plant tissues, and a system utilizing these specific promoters will be very powerful.
A number of fructosyltransferase genes from Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea are described in International Patent Publication WO 03/040306. Fructosyltransferases catalyze the synthesis of fructans, polymers of fructose found in a range of plant families including the Poaceae. Fructans are found in specific organs dependent on the plant species. In the grasses they are found in the stems and leaf base where expression of specific fructosyltransferases occurs (Luscher et al., Plant Physiol. 124:1217-1227, 2000). The promoters of these genes will be useful to drive specific expression of transgenes.
Plants produce a number of Class III plant peroxidase (POX) enzymes, and each isoenzyme has diverse expression profiles, suggesting their involvement in various physiological processes (for a review see Hiraga et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 42:462-468, 2001). POXs have been suggested to play a role in lignification, suberization, auxin catabolism, wound healing and defense against pathogen infection. The unique expression profile of these genes, captured by isolation of their promoters will provide a valuable tool for expression of transgenes.

Compositions and methods for the modification of gene expression


An electric rotating machine is constructed by an armature core including slots, upper coil trunks and lower coil trunks housed within the slots of the armature core, lower coil arms electrically connected at one end parts of the lower coil trunks, respectively disposed generally perpendicularly to the shaft, and upper coil arms electrically connected at one end parts to the upper coil trunks, respectively disposed generally perpendicularly to the shaft, and connected at the other end parts to the other end parts of the lower coil arms respectively. An insulating film for the upper coil trunk is made of an inorganic material having a higher heat resistance than an insulating film for the lower coil trunk and the insulating film for the upper coil trunk is thicker than the insulating film for the lower coil trunk. The slot has a circumferentially widened portion for housing the upper coil trunk and its insulating film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electric rotating machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electric rotating machine such as a starter motor for vehicles that can suitably be used as an electric motor for high-speed rotations.
2. Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-241346, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,596, discloses an electric rotating machine having upper and lower armature coils held within slots of an armature core. The coils are extended in the axial direction to be cylindrical, with the outer periphery of the upper coil being smaller in diameter than the outer periphery of the armature core. The metal brush contacts the outer periphery of the cylindrical surface. In this arrangement, the upper and lower armature coils are fed with electric current through the metal brush.
However, such an electric motor, particularly when used for high-speed rotation, experiences heavy mechanical loads caused by burdens on the molded resin cylinder, which holds the coils composing the contact face for the metal brush. The burdens on the molded resin cylinder are due to the centrifugal force developed on the commutator face of the coil, heavy thermal loads caused by the effect of the resisting heat generated on the commutator face, and the frictional heat generated on the metal brush in high speed rotations.

Electric rotating machine having improved insulation for an armature coil


A privacy apparatus adds a privacy sound based on a speaker's own voice into the environment, thereby confusing listeners as to which of the sounds is the real source. This permits disruption of the ability to understand the source speech of the user by eliminating segregation cues that the auditory system uses to interpret speech. The privacy apparatus minimizes segregation cues. The privacy apparatus is relatively quiet and thus easily acceptable in a typical open floor design office space. The privacy apparatus contains an A/D converter that converts the speech into a digital signal, a DSP that converts the digital signal into a privacy signal with pre-recorded speech fragments that are summed so that the speech fragments at least partly overlap one another, a D/A converter that converts the privacy signal into an output signal and one or more loudspeakers from which the output signal is emitted.

The acoustics of the environments that many people live and work in are often just accepted because there has not been the ability to affect much improvement. In the office environment particularly, acoustics remain a significant issue for many of the occupants. While the need for improved office sound management is clear, there are substantial needs beyond the confines of the office. An example are the recent changes in the law in Canada and the U.S. have placed strong new requirements on health providers to higher levels of confidentiality and privacy in their obtaining and handling patient information. The implementation of enhanced acoustic privacy is an evolving result of the implementation of these new laws. Health care facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada seek ways to provide the appropriate privacy for their patient interactions.
In a recent nationwide survey of corporate office workers commissioned by the American Society of Interior Designers, more than 70 percent of respondents indicated that their productivity would increase if their workplaces were less distracting. Always an issue, achieving acoustical privacy in open plan offices has become even harder in recent years. Contributing factors include the widespread use of speaker phones, the mixing of informal teaming or conference areas with personal cubicles, and the reduction of overall cubicle size, which has resulted in a significant increase in workstation density. In addition, new types of equipment, such as bigger computer monitors, provide a larger sound-reflective surface area within individual work spaces.
During the thirty years since the introduction of the open-plan workplace, manufacturers of office furniture have sought ways to improve the sound environment for open-plan office workers with only marginal success. All have recommended using a form of sound masking to augment the sound control provided by architecture elements (ceiling tiles and floor coverings) and the office furniture systems themselves.
Though often recommended, many users of the open-plan furniture do not implement any form of sound masking technology. The exact reasons vary by customer but in addition to high system and installation cost, there are issues with the complexity of the installation, intrusiveness of the sound masking system, and the lack of flexibility of such systems. Most sound masking systems are permanently installed in each location and do not easily adjust to changing office use plans. These systems are neither movable nor typically adjustable by the inhabitants (talkers). All those within the defined space of the sound masking system are exposed to its effects regardless of need or desire. In addition, the "white" or "pink" noise that is used in these masking systems is only marginally effective for enhancing speech privacy. White noise is a random noise that contains an equal amount of energy per frequency band. Pink noise has an equal amount of energy per octave. In order to create true speech privacy, white/pink noise systems, because of the technique they are based on, are set at a volume so high as to cause discomfort to those exposed to the systems. In summary, masking technology is substantially limited in its effectiveness and incapable of fulfilling the need for speech privacy in most applications within offices and other work spaces. In particular, speech privacy while using a telephone or other communication device is not addressed by current technology.

Method and apparatus of overlapping and summing speech for an output that disrupts speech


A drip-proof switch cover for covering an electrical box having a wall switch with an actuator protruding through the cover, wherein a collecting reservoir is disposed at the lower end of the cover to collect liquid drippings from the hand of a user during actuation of the switch actuator.

Heretofore, it has been well known to provide switch covers of various configurations for covering electrical boxes mounted on or in recessed relation with vertical walls and having switches for controlling lights and/or other devices, such as garbage disposals. Inasmuch as such a switch cover and electrical box is usually mounted adjacent to a sink in which water is encountered in the washing or rinsing of dishes, pots and/or silverware, and the hands of the person washing or rinsing the dishes, pots and/or silverware accumulates water, after which the user might operate a switch for controlling lights, a garbage disposal, or other devices, it has been found that water drips from the hands of the user during the operation of a switch which then can run down the switch cover and the wall on which it is mounted. Such water builds up and causes contamination of the surface of the switch cover as well as the wall below the switch cover sometimes to the extent that not only the switch cover but the wall becomes damaged. For example, sometimes in addition to water, soap scum drips against the cover and the wall which can cause deformation of the cover and the wall which is unsightly, particularly in a kitchen.
Heretofore, no solution has been known to prevent liquid drippings from contaminating walls and the like on which a switch cover is mounted.


A ferrite magnetic powder for bonded magnets bonded using a rubber-base resin as binder, which powder is a ferrite magnetic powder containing an alkaline earth metal and having a chlorine content of 0.05 wt % or less and a powder pH of less than 6. The magnetic powder is produced by pulverizing a calcinated product of ferrite composition containing an alkali earth metal, annealing the pulverized ferrite composition to relieve crystal strain, dispersing the annealed powder in water and adding to it a mineral acid, adding a dispersant thereto, and subjecting the dispersion to solid-liquid separation followed by vacuum drying to obtain a ferrite magnetic powder having a chlorine content of 0.05 wt % or less and a powder pH of less than 6.

The magnetic characteristics of rubber-base bonded magnets that utilize rubber-base resin as binder are strongly affected by not only the characteristics of the magnetic powder used but also the filling rate of the magnetic powder in the rubber-base binder. Although the filling rate of magnetic powder in the rubber-base binder is affected by various factors, including the particle diameter and particle size distribution of the magnetic powder, the shape and surface configuration of the particles and the type of rubber-base binder, what is basically essential is for the magnetic powder to have high compatibility with the rubber-base binder without altering its inherent properties. In this specification, such property of a magnetic powder not degrading the intrinsic properties of a rubber-base binder is referred to as "magnetic powder non-reactivity" and the compatibility thereof with the rubber-base binder is referred to as "magnetic powder affinity."
When the magnetic powder non-reactivity and affinity are poor, viscosity becomes high and fluidity low at the time of kneading with the rubber-base binder or at the time of forming a compound. As a result, the magnetic particles are subjected to mechanical stress. The strain that arises in the magnetic particles owing to the application of mechanical stress degrades the coercive force of the magnetic powder.
The non-reactivity and affinity of a ferrite magnetic powder can be assessed by, for example, measuring the viscosity and/or shear stress of the compound. The non-reactivity and affinity (compatibility) with respect to the resin can be considered to be better in proportion as the viscosity and/or shear stress is smaller.
JP 2001-160506 A('506) teaches that a ferrite magnetic powder having a carbon content of 0.010-0.040 wt % and a pH of between 6 and less than 9 can be obtained by pulverizing a calcinated product composed of ferrite, annealing the result to obtain a ferrite magnetic powder having a pH of not less than 9, suspending the powder in water and blowing carbon dioxide gas into the suspension. The product is said to be excellent in non-reactivity and affinity with respect to resin-base binder. Reference '506 further teaches that in neutralization by adding a mineral acid instead of blowing in carbon dioxide gas, coherence occurring in the dried product makes necessary a considerably strong crushing process and, in such case, total prevention of occurrence of internal stress is difficult.
Japanese Patent No. 3294507 teaches that a ferrite magnetic powder having a carbon content of 0.015-0.080 wt % and a pH of between 7 and less than 10 can be obtained by bringing annealed ferrite magnetic powder into contact with a CO2 source under stirring. The product is said to be excellent in non-reactivity and affinity with respect to resin-base binder.

Ferrite magnetic powder and method for production thereof


An apparatus for testing an IDE controller with random constraints, the apparatus including: an IDE controller module for simulating the IDE controller, wherein the IDE controller includes at least one channel and a host interface; a control module for generating data patterns and for transmitting and receiving the data patterns via the host interface and the at least one channel; a verification module, coupled to the control module, for determining whether received data patterns match expected values; and a device module, coupled to the at least one channel, for receiving the data patterns transmitted from the control module and transmitting the data patterns back to the verification module via the at least one channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing a controller using random pattern generation techniques. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for testing an integrated drive electronics (IDE) controller model by use of a computer simulation environment.
2. Description of the Related Technology
An IDE controller is a device which controls the flow of data traffic between the main memory of a computer system and one or more peripheral devices, coupled to the computer system via the IDE controller. One such peripheral device, for example, is an IDE disk drive. When employed in a personal computer system, an IDE controller must be proven to operate with many different types of IDE devices, such as hard disk drives, CD ROMs, etc. A typical IDE controller has many programmed modes of operation which must be tested to effectively verify that the IDE controller functions for its intended purpose. Therefore, it is necessary to test combinations of many parameters in order to ensure compatibility with all such disk drives. Also, variations in speed and features are numerous in modern IDE disk drive models making the design of an IDE controller that properly functions with these operational variations even more difficult. An apparatus for testing IDE controllers, commonly known as a "test bench," may test, for example, combinations of the following parameters: 1. Drive Transfer Mode (single-word DMA, multi-word DMA, synchronous DMA, programmed IO); 2. Drive Under Test (master or slave drive); 3. Timing Parameters (command pulse width, relaxation time, set-up time, pause time); 4. Transfer size (16 or 32 bit-wide transfers, number of sections); 5. Prefetch or Read Ahead Mode (enabled, disabled); and 6. Bus Mastering constraints (PRD, memory starting address, transfer byte count, single/multi-PRD transfers).
Previous methods of testing IDE controller designs required an on-line human operator to choose a particular combination of test constraints for each individual test case. After a particular combination of constraints was tested, the operator would then formulate another combination of test constraints and run that test, and so on. This "human centered" approach to IDE controller testing is cumbersome and often results in inadequate testing of an IDE controller due to human error or a lack of human resources. Therefore, a more efficient and comprehensive method of testing IDE controller models is needed.

Apparatus for testing a controller with random constraints


Size altering transportation monitor cart whose horizontal width can be expanded or retracted by pulling stopper pins and pulling or pushing the horizontal frame open, closed or to a varying degree between opened or closed.

The present invention relates to an improvement of a hand truck or cart to properly and safely carry a thin, fragile monitor of varying sizes. The disadvantage with existing carts is none can safely carry a thin, fragile monitor of varying lengths, sizes and weights, whether it is Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED), Plasma, Digital Light Processing (DLP) or an unknown technology yet to come. These are all a rather new technology, explaining why no proper carrier has been invented until ours. Until the inconvenience of carrying a thin, fragile monitor of varying lengths, sizes and weights is solved, people will need to continue carrying them by hand or balance them on a conventional cart. The larger units can weigh over 100 pounds and all monitors are fragile, presenting a risk of damage to the unit and or to the person or persons carrying it. This will continue to cost more in company expenses to absorb losses including: insurance claims for damaged units and workers compensation claims for workers injured carrying the units.