An oral care implement is provided. The implement comprises: a handle having a core (118) comprising recycled material and a cover (112) enveloping the core (118); and a head comprising at least one cleaning element, the head (120) being connected to, or connectable to, the handle. Also provided is a method of manufacturing an oral care implement, the method comprising: providing recycled material; and enveloping the recycled material with cover material to form a handle of the oral care implement, the handle having a core comprising the recycled material and a cover comprising the cover material enveloping the core.

Oral care implements, e.g. toothbrushes and soft tissue cleaners such as tongue scrapers, commonly have handles that are made by injection molding a polymer resin in a cavity of a mold and then allowing the polymer to harden. The polymer resin used typically is a virgin material, i.e. a material that has not been previously used for the manufacture of an article. While this process has been found to provide a handle with an acceptable, smooth, comfortable surface for a user to hold during use of the implement, using virgin material consumes the earth's natural resources of the raw materials that at least partially make up the virgin material. Moreover, processing raw material to create virgin material expends a great deal of energy.
It has been proposed to use recycled plastic materials in the manufacture of toothbrushes. For example, US2010/0000039 describes a portable toothbrush made of recycled plastic, WO2011/025810 describes a toothbrush with a solid handle made of an admixture of cornstarch and recycled polypropylene, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,425 describes a toothbrush of which a handle is made of a material composition comprising at least about 90% recycled plastic. However, recycled plastic materials sometimes include foreign materials, such as foil, labels, and glue. Accordingly, the recycled plastic material needs cleaning and sieving to remove such foreign materials such that the cleaned material is usable to make implements with acceptable surfaces, or else handles made from such recycled materials will have an unattractive appearance and/or an uneven surface texture that is not comfortable to hold. Moreover, some consumers also develop the perception that post-consumer recycled materials carry germs.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved oral care implement, with a handle that is made from a material the use of which has a reduced impact on the environment, that has an acceptable surface for a user to hold during use of the implement, and that allays perceived consumers' safety concerns.

Oral care implement and method of manufacturing an oral care implement


In this invention, there is provided a magnetic disk apparatus and a command processing method of the magnetic disk apparatus in which the cache function can be effectively performed even in a case where read commands and write commands are alternately issued and the read or write command can be executed at high speed. An HDC includes a read address holding register in which an access starting address is set when a read command is issued from a host system and which holds an access address associated with the read command and a write address holding register in which an access starting address is set when a write command is issued from the host system and which holds an access address associated with the write command.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic disk apparatus having a hard disk controller (HDC) for controlling the data transfer and the processing of commands from a host system and a command processing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
This type of magnetic disk apparatus which is well known in the art is widely used as an external storage device of a computer. In the magnetic disk apparatus, data recording (writing) or readout is effected by driving the magnetic head to effect the seeking operation in a radial direction of a rotating magnetic disk (which is hereinafter referred to as a medium) of a circular form.
A read command or write command for the magnetic disk apparatus is issued from a host system (computer). The issued command is supplied to a hard disk controller (HDC) in the magnetic disk apparatus. The HDC holds an access address of the command, that is, an address specified by the issued command is accessed. At the time of the end of the command, the access address is up-dated to a next sequential address value and then held.
After this, if a new different read command or write command is issued and the access address of the newly issued command coincides with the above held address, it is determined by the HDC that the access is sequential. As a result, it becomes possible to perform the automatic command execution (including data transfer) without using a firmware (FW). That is, the operation speed of command execution performed when the same commands are continuously issued for the sequential addresses can be enhanced. The above-mentioned speed enhancing method is generally referred to as a sequential cache function.
The sequential cache function is concretely explained. For example, in the read operation, a read command is first issued by the host system and the read operation for the medium is started. Data stored in the medium is read out by the read operation and stored into a buffer RAM. Then, after the operation of fetching all the target data is completed, data of the sequential addresses is continuously read out (prefetching).
Read data prefetched in response to the command issued from the host for the sequential addresses and stored in the buffer RAM can be continuously transferred. Therefore, a read command can be executed at high speed.
However, the sequential cache function in the above-described conventional disk unit has the following problems.
The address held by the HDC at the time of completion of the directly preceding command is erased when a different command is issued. That is, a new address is overwritten on the address storage area. Therefore, if a write command is executed once while a plurality of read commands are sequentially processed by the HDC, the address held at the time of completion of the final read command is erased and the write command is newly held. As a result, if the read access to the sequential addresses is executed again after completion of the write command, whether the addresses are sequential or not cannot be determined even if read data obtained by the cache operation is stored in the buffer RAM.
Therefore, the sequential cache function cannot be effectively carried out and the read operation with respect to the medium must be newly started again. Thus, a problem that the execution time for the command is greatly increased occurs.
Even when a sequence of access addresses are not completely continuous and if data is already transferred to the buffer RAM by prefetching in a case where a certain address and a next address are relatively close to each other, for example, the cache operation for the issuance of a command for an address which is not continuous is performed by using part of the data.
That is, since the automatic operation by the HDC cannot be performed in the operation of issuing a read command for the address which is not continuous, the command is executed by use of the FW. At this time, if the preceding access end address and the present access address are relatively close to each other, the command execution (data transfer) can be performed at high speed by the management of buffer RAM data by use of the FW because the data is already read out into the buffer RAM or is immediately read out after this.
Further, in a case where data read out by the execution of the read command previously performed is left in the buffer RAM and if a read command is issued to the address area again, the command execution can be immediately performed without effecting the operation of reading data from the medium.
Even in the above case, the following problem occurs. That is, as described before, if a write command is executed at least once during executions of read commands, it becomes necessary to check whether read data in the buffer RAM is changed or not. That is, whether or not the address range of data rewritten by the write command is contained in the address range of read data left in the buffer RAM is checked. However, as described before, the address held at the time of completion of a plurality of sequential write commands executed between the read commands is erased by issuance of a next read command. As a result, the address range of written data is made unclear and read data in the buffer RAM must be discarded, thereby making it impossible to efficiently perform the sequential cache. Therefore, the execution time of commands is greatly increased.

Magnetic disk apparatus and command processing method thereof


A development device includes a developing roller composed of an elastic body. An intermediate roller made of metal is disposed closely to the developing roller so as to face the developing roller. A magnetic roller is disposed closely to the intermediate roller so as to face the intermediate roller. A developer layer composed of a magnetic carrier and a toner is formed on the surface of the magnetic roller. The developer layer is carried to the intermediate roller side, and only the toner in the developer layer is transferred to the intermediate roller. A toner layer formed thus is transferred from the intermediate roller to the developing roller, and brought into contact with the surface of an image carrying member.

Image forming apparatus using electrophotographic systems, such as copying machines, printers, facsimile machines or complex machines combining each function of those, have used various development systems such as a binary development system, a monocomponent development system, a hybrid development system, etc. The binary development system uses a toner and a magnetic carrier while the monocomponent development system uses only a toner as a developer. The hybrid development system uses a binary developer using a magnetic carrier for charging a non-magnetic toner. In the hybrid development system, only the charged toner is retained on a developing roller and brought into flight to or contact with an electrostatic latent image so as to develop the latent image.
The binary development system is superior in the electrostatic property of the toner due to the carrier and capable of extending the life of the apparatus. In addition, the binary development system is advantageous in equalizing a solid image. However, the binary development system has drawbacks as follows. That is, (1) the binary development system requires a large and complicated development device; (2) toner flying or carrier drawing may occur; and (3) the quality of an image may be shifted in accordance with the durability of the carrier.
The monocomponent development system can use a compact development device and is superior in dot reproducibility. However, the monocomponent development system has drawbacks as follows. That is, (1) due to the durability lowered by the deterioration of a developing roller, the development device must be replaced to increase the expenses of supplies; and (2) selective development may occur. On the other hand, the hybrid development system is a system which combines the binary development system and the monocomponent development system. The hybrid development system is superior in dot reproducibility and capable of extending the life of the apparatus and forming an image at a high speed.
One of the background-art techniques as to hybrid development is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,574. According to the technique, a thin layer is formed out of a non-magnetic toner on a donor roller (developing roller) placed in non-contact with an image carrying member, and the toner is made to fly to a latent image on the image carrying member by an AC electric field. U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,098 discloses a development device in which a developer is carried to a donor roller by a magnetic roller, and a toner is transferred onto the donor roller so as to form a toner layer.
According to these techniques, a thin layer can be formed on a donor roller by use of a binary developer. It is, however, difficult to separate a toner on the donor roller when the toner is highly charged. Thus, a high AC electric field is required. The electric field disturbs a toner layer on an image carrying member so as to cause trouble for color layering or the like. As a solution to the trouble, JP-A-3-113474 discloses a so-called powder cloud development method in which an auxiliary electrode composed of wires is placed between a donor roller and an image carrying member, and a weak AC current is applied to the auxiliary electrode so as to prevent a developed toner from being disturbed.
These background-art techniques are based on non-contact development using a hybrid development system. The non-contact development has problems as follows. That is, it is necessary to keep a gap between a photoconductor and a developing roller on the order of several tens of micrometers and with a high precision. In addition, an AC current has to be applied to the developing roller. As a result, the configuration of a development device is complicated, and fine dot images or gradations cannot be reproduced satisfactorily.
On the other hand, contact development apparatus using a hybrid development system have been proposed as follows. JP-A-55-77764 discloses a method of contact development using a sponge roller as a developing roller. Japanese Patent No. 3356948 or Japanese Patent No. 3404713 discloses a method of contact development using a developing roller composed of an elastic roller fitted into a metal sleeve.
In some electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a photoconductor whose substrate is composed of a metal drum is used as a member for forming an electrostatic latent image. Generally in such an image forming apparatus, a developing roller composed of an elastic body such as rubber or sponge has to be pressed onto the photoconductor at a constant pressure in order to secure a developing range where the developing roller can come in contact with the photoconductor so as to carry out stable development. However, the developing roller composed of rubber, sponge or the like has a problem as follows. That is, the developing roller is vulnerable to sliding on a control member such as a blade, or vulnerable to abrasion with a binary developer using a magnetic carrier.
The aforementioned Japanese Patent No. 335694 and Japanese Patent No. 3404713 are solutions to the problem. However, each solution has a problem as follows. That is, the photoconductor is rubbed by the metal sleeve so that the surface of the photoconductor may be easily damaged, or the metal sleeve is separated from the elastic roller so that a long life cannot be given to the developing roller.
Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,574
Patent Document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,098
Patent Document 3: JP-A-3-113474
Patent Document 4: JP-A-55-77764
Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent No. 3356948
Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent No. 3404713
As described above, in order to achieve contact development in a background-art development device using a hybrid development system, a developing roller which will come in contact with a photoconductor has to be composed of an elastic body. However, in a process where the developing roller composed of an elastic body is rubbed by a binary developer composed of a magnetic carrier and a toner so that a predetermined quantity of the toner is applied to the surface of the developing roller, the surface of the developing roller is abraded and roughed by the binary developer. Thus, the toner is applied to the surface of developing roller unevenly. As a result, the life of the developing roller is apt to be shortened.
A method using a developing roller in which a metal sleeve is fitted to the surface of an elastic roller also has problems as follows. That is, a photoconductor is rubbed by the metal sleeve so that the surface of the photoconductor is easily damaged, or the metal sleeve is separated from the elastic roller. It is therefore difficult to elongate the life of the developing roller.

Development device transferring only a toner layer to a developing roller and image apparatus using the same


An electron gun for a cathode ray tube includes an accelerating electrode to be supplied with a maximum voltage, a focus disposed adjacent to and spaced from the accelerating electrode, and a focus-corrective electrode adjacent to and spaced from the focus electrode. The accelerating electrode and the focus electrode form a first electron lens for focusing the electron beams stronger in a direction parallel to an in-line direction of the electron beams than in a direction perpendicular to the in-line direction, and the focus-corrective electrode is configured so as to form a quadrupole lens by application thereto of a voltage which is lower than a voltage applied to the focus electrode in cooperation with the focus electrode for elongating a cross-section of the electron beams horizontally, and is adapted to be supplied with a voltage which increases with increasing deflection of the electron beams and which is lower than the voltage applied to the focus electrode.

The present invention relates to an electron gun for a cathode ray tube and a cathode ray tube employing the same, and particularly to an electron gun with reduced astigmatism and curvature of field for a cathode ray tube and a high definition cathode ray tube employing the same.
An electron gun used for picture tubes and display tubes needs to suitably control the shape of an electron beam spot on a screen area in accordance with the amount of deflection for obtaining a good focus characteristic and high resolution over the entire screen area.
The electron gun of this type has been disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 7-161309.
FIG. 7 is a schematic axial section view illustrating a configuration example of the prior art electron gun for a cathode ray tube disclosed in the above-described document; and FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing an electrostatic quadrupole electrode configuration shown in FIG. 7. In these figures, reference character K indicates a cathode; reference numeral 1 is a first electrode; 2 is a second electrode; 3 is a third electrode; 4 is a fourth electrode composed of a first sub-electrode 41 and a second sub-electrode 42; 5 is a fifth electrode; 6 is a sixth electrode; and 7 is a shield cup. Reference numeral 4-1 indicates a horizontal correction plate provided on the first sub-electrode 41 on the second sub-electrode 42 side thereof; 4-2 is a vertical correction plate provided on the second sub-electrode 42 on the first sub-electrode 41 side thereof; and 51 and 61 are astigmatism correction plates provided within the fifth electrode 5 and the sixth electrode 6, respectively.
Referring to FIG. 7, the fifth electrode 5 functions as a lower-potential electrode and the sixth electrode 6 functions as a higher-potential electrode, and a main lens is formed in a region between the fifth electrode 5 and the sixth electrode 6. The astigmatism correction plates 51 and 61 are disposed within the fifth electrode 5 and the sixth electrode 6 which form the main lens, respectively, and a single horizontally elongated opening is provided at each of opposing ends of the fifth electrode 5 and the sixth electrode 6.
In this electron gun, an electrostatic quadrupole lens for correcting deflection defocusing is formed in a region between the first sub-electrode 41 and the second sub-electrode 42 which form the focus electrode 4.
The electrostatic quadrupole lens is formed of the horizontal correction plates 4-1 provided on the first sub-electrode 41 on the second sub-electrode 42 side thereof (see FIG. 8A) and the vertical correction plates 4-2 provided on the second sub-electrode 42 on the first sub-electrode 41 side thereof (see FIG. 8B), and it is disposed as shown in FIG. 7.
The horizontal correction plates 4-1 are composed of a pair of approximately rectangular plates disposed in such a manner as to vertically sandwich an electron beam aperture in the first sub-electrode 41, and the vertical correction plates 4-2 are composed of a plurality of approximately rectangular plates disposed in such a manner that the two adjacent plates horizontally sandwich each electron beam aperture in the second sub-electrode 42.
A fixed focus voltage Vf.sub.1 is applied to the third electrode 3 and the second sub-electrode 42, and an AC voltage dVf varying in synchronization with the amount of deflection of electron beams and superposed on a fixed voltage Vf.sub.2 is applied to the first sub-electrode 41 and the fifth electrode 5.
In this way, the curvature of field and astigmatism caused by deflection of electron beams have been corrected by the use of two focus voltages, one constant voltage Vf.sub.1 applied to the third electrode 3 and the second sub-electrode 42 and another constant voltage Vf.sub.2 applied to the first sub-electrode 41 and the fifth electrode 5, and a dynamic voltage dV.sub.f superposed on the voltage Vf.sub.2.
In the electron gun disclosed in the above-described document, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 7-161309, as shown in FIG. 9, the constant voltage Vf.sub.1 is set to be considerably larger than the constant voltage Vf.sub.2 so that the differential voltage (Vf.sub.1 -Vf.sub.2) exceeds at least the maximum value of the voltage dV.sub.f.
With this arrangement, when the dynamic voltage dV.sub.f is increased, that is, when the amount of deflection of electron beams becomes larger, the strength of the electrostatic quadrupole lens formed between the first sub-electrode 41 and the second sub-electrode 42 becomes weak so that a lens action of the main lens stronger in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction remains to correct the astigmatism. At the same time, differential potentials in the main lens, in a curvature-of-field correction lens formed between the third electrode 3 and the first sub-electrode 41, and in a curvature-of-field correction lens formed between the second sub-electrode 42 and the fifth electrode 5 become smaller, to lower the lens strength. Accordingly, a focusing force on deflected electron beams becomes weak, to thereby correct curvature of field.
With this electrode configuration and electrical configuration, a plurality of the curvature-of-field correction lenses can be obtained and thereby the sensitivity of the quadrupole lens can be increased, thereby making it possible to reduce the amplitude of the dynamic voltage and hence to suppress the increased circuit cost and the like.
With this configuration, astigmatism is corrected by controlling the cross-sectional shape of deflected electron beams, to thereby provide a color cathode ray tube having higher resolving power.
Ranges and typical values of voltages applied to the electron gun for a cathode ray tube shown in FIG. 7 are as follows:
______________________________________ ranges typical values ______________________________________ Eb 20 kV-40 kV 30 kV Vf1 4 kV-12 kV 8.4 kV Vf2 3 kV- 11 kV 7.6 kV dVf 0 V- 2 kV 0-800 V Ec2 200 V- 2 kV 750 V Ec1 -50 V- 50 V 0 V ______________________________________
In the above-described prior art, the fifth electrode is disposed adjacent to but spaced from the final accelerating electrode. The focus electrode adjacent to but spaced from the fifth electrode is divided into the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode to form a non-axially-symmetric lens or a lens non-circular in cross-section between the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode. A voltage varying in synchronization with deflection of electron beams is applied to the first sub-electrode and the fifth electrode, to deform the cross-sectional shape of an electron beam, thus correcting astigmatism due to deflection of the electron beam. At the same time, the lens strength of the main lens is changed in synchronization with deflection of electron beams by the fifth electrode and also the strengths of the curvature-of-field correction lenses between the third electrode and the first sub-electrode and between the second sub-electrode and the fifth electrode are changed, to correct curvature of field at a periphery of the screen.
In a color cathode ray tube, generally, a final accelerating voltage Eb, which is the maximum voltage in a range of from 20 to 40 kV, is supplied from an anode button embedded in a funnel, and other voltages are supplied from stem pins provided in a stem. An electron gun most typically used for a cathode ray tube needs to be supplied with, in addition to the final accelerating voltage Eb, eight kinds of voltages: a focus voltage Vf in a range of from 3 to 12 kV; a voltage Ec2 to be applied to the second electrode in a range of from 200 to 2 kV; a voltage Ec1 to be applied to the first electrode in a range of -50 to 50 V; positive and negative poles of a heater voltage Ef in a range of 4 to 8 V; and voltages EkR, EkG and EkB corresponding to three color cathodes in a range of from 0 to 250 V, and consequently the electron gun requires at least eight stem pins. FIG. 10 is a schematic view, seen from a phosphor screen side, showing an arrangement of stem pins typically used for color cathode ray tubes of a neck diameter of about 29 mm. In this arrangement, ten stem pins are arranged on a circumference of about 7.5 mm in radius, through which ten kinds of voltages can be applied to an electron gun at maximum. A pin 101 is supplied with a focus voltage V.sub.f ; pins 104 and 105 are connected to each other within the cathode ray tube and are supplied with a voltage Ec1; pins 106, 108 and 1011 are supplied with voltages EkG, EkR and EkB, respectively; a pin 107 is supplied with a voltage Ec2; and pins 109 and 1010 are connected with positive and negative poles of a voltage Ef, respectively. With this stem arrangement, a withstand voltage between the adjacent stem pins is about 2 kV at maximum in consideration of manufacturing variations and reliability in operation. Each pin, other than the pin 101, is supplied with only 2 kV at maximum, and accordingly, it sufficiently ensures electrical insulation from the adjacent pins, but the pin 101 is supplied with the V.sub.f in a range of from 3 to 12 kV and thereby two pin locations are not utilized on both sides of the pin 101 to ensure electric insulation. However, for the prior art electron gun described with reference to FIG. 7, the focus voltage Vf.sub.2 +dV.sub.f varying in synchronization with beam deflection in a range of from 3 to 12 kV needs to be supplied as well as the fixed focus voltage Vf.sub.1 of from 4 to 12 kV. As a result, the stem pin arrangement shown in FIG. 10 could not supply the two kinds of the voltages Vf.sub.1 and (Vf.sub.2 +dV.sub.f). Namely, to supply the two voltages Vf.sub.1 and Vf.sub.2, a special stem shown in FIG. 11 was used, in which the pins 111 and 112 are spaced wider than the regular spacing from the other pins. In the stem pin arrangement shown in FIG. 11, the pin 111 is supplied with the fixed focus voltage Vf.sub.1 and the pin 112 is supplied with the voltage (Vf.sub.2 +dV.sub.f) varying in synchronization with beam deflection, and the other pins are supplied with the voltages in the same manner as in the stem arrangement in FIG. 10, that is, the pin 115 is supplied with the voltage Ec1 of from -50 to 50 V; the pins 116, 118 and 1111 are respectively supplied with the voltages EkG, EkR and EkB in a range of from 0 to 250 V; the pin 117 is supplied with the voltage Ec2 of from 200 V to 2 kV; and the pin 119 and 1110 are respectively supplied with the positive and negative poles of the voltage Ef in a range of from 4 to 8 V. In addition, the replacement of the stem pin arrangement shown in FIG. 10 with that shown in FIG. 11 causes a problem that a socket receiving the stem pins needs to have a special structure, resulting in the increasing cost.

Cathode ray tube with reduced astigmatism and curvature of field


A system for on-line detection of incipient cracks in turbine blades to serve as early warning system for turbine blade failure. The system of non-intrusive detection of turbine blade condition of the invention is simple and cost effective and would enable assessing the health of the turbine blade during plant operation, which is extremely important for the safe operation of the turbine in an operating power plant. The present method and system of identifying the presence of modulated blade passing frequency (BPF) for blade vibration that is not correlatable to the change in the operating condition and would thus be indicative of presence of cracked blades with incipient cracking. It is capable for verifying the Campbell diagram and ascertain the margin available between the natural frequency of the blade/stage and the steam excitation frequencies/engine orders.

It is well known that good health of turbines are required for its smooth operation and also the monitoring of the condition of turbine is important to maintain uniformity of operation and operative power output from turbines.
In order to assess the turbine health and in particular the turbine blade condition, measurement of turbine blade vibration has been known and followed in the art. Turbines are basically fluid flow machines where moving blades are subject to high loads. In case of any alternating stress it is usual to cause vibration related failures in the blades and in order to ascertain high load condition the measurement of vibration states of the blades have been known to be carried out. Such measurement of the vibration of the blades has been practiced and some of the methods followed in the art are as discussed hereunder.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,880 discloses an operating turbine monitor incorporating one or more acoustic sensors positioned inside the turbine next to a blade row of a rotor, an analog digital converter, a tachometer sensor at the rotor shaft, a memory, a synchronous averaging circuit, a sub tractor circuit, and a comparator. The patent was directed to overcoming the problem of monitoring an operating turbine for order related turbine blade vibration and for non order-related turbine blade vibration as well as for other turbine conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,917 discloses yet another manner of measurement of vibration of turbine blades. A plurality of proximity sensors are disposed in a turbine flow guide inside the turbine to measure flow guide-to-turbine blade tip distance at various points around the flow guide. The sensor signals are detected and the peak-to-peak voltage of the detected signals provides an indication of the desired distance measurement. The signals are also monitored and if ambient operating conditions causes the signals to exceed predetermined positive or negative thresholds, corrective signals are generated so as to bring the detected signal back into an acceptable range. A proximity sensor is also provided to measure axial movement of the rotor to which the blades are attached so that the other sensor signals can be modified as a function of the measured axial position.
It is also known to provide systems for measurement of blade vibration wherein non-contacting probes are installed inside the turbine to monitor the vibration of tip of the blades in each stage. The probe monitored the displacement of the tip of individual blade and estimated the stress therefrom. However, such non contact measurement of vibration of moving blades presently available are either complex to obtain or are subject to inaccurate measurement of vibration in blades.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,528 is directed to such measurement of vibration of moving blades in a non-contact manner and basically relates to steam turbine comprising an optical measuring system for measuring a moving blade vibration. In the said system a transmitter is adapted to produce a light beam which strikes the moving blades and is reflected by these into a receiver. Importantly, as disclosed in said patent by providing the transmitter separate from the receiver the system is stated to achieve reduction of the scattered light effect of the steam to enable a reliable optical measurement of the blade vibration.
It would be apparent from the above that for measurement of blade vibration the systems presently available are either complex or have limitations of inaccurate measurement of blade vibration or in case of the intrusive systems the same is again either very complex or suffer from complexities of unwanted exposure of the sensors/detectors to severe conditions prevailing inside the turbine. Thus, on exposure of such sensors/detectors to such severe conditions inside turbine the systems are prone to failure and malfunctioning of the vibration measurement adding to the problems of reliability of such systems. Moreover, such systems are also not suited to determine the natural frequency of the turbine blades nor can the same serve for the much desired early detection of blade crack.

Method for non-intrusive on-line detection of turbine blade condition

THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY, GOVT. OF INDIA


A method of displaying an interactive geographical representation associated with a video content item is described. The method includes: playing the video content item, wherein the video content item includes at least one scene; requesting relevant metadata associated with the at least one video scene, the relevant metadata including a geographical representation and geolocation metadata associated with the at least video scene; receiving the relevant metadata; and displaying an interactive geographical representation along with at least one visual indication, wherein the at least one visual indication is associated with the at least one video scene and positioned at a location indicated by the geolocation metadata. Related systems, apparatus and methods are also described.

In digital devices, a user interface (UI) is used to provide an easy and efficient way to use the digital device and information. A user manually moves a pointer using an input unit such as a keypad, keyboard or mouse, and can command a digital device to perform a desired operation by selecting a graphics object indicated by the pointer. A UI is typically displayed on the device's screen and navigated via a client device (e.g. a Set-Top Box). Increasingly ubiquitous companion devices such as computers, mobile telephones, tablet computers or other suitable handheld devices can also be used now for UI viewing and/or navigation. Depending on the companion device used, such UIs are usually navigated using a variety of tools including, for example, a computer mouse for a computer, keypads buttons for a mobile telephone, or even the user's fingers for UIs that support direct manipulation.
Different menus and/or applications are also accessible through a UI and provide the user with additional information related to a particular television program. A user can now browse the UI to know more about, for example, the characters, the actors, the director, etc. of a particular television program.
Hence, using a companion device as a second display may be useful to display the UI itself and/or additional information related to a particular television program, thereby providing the user with an enhanced viewing experience. Indeed, the television can be viewed in an optimal manner (e.g. in full size on a first display) while displaying additional information on a second display. Furthermore, a significant amount of additional information may be used to enhance the user's viewing experience.
U.S. Issued Pat. No. 6,741,790 of Red Hen Systems Inc. describes a hardware device (40) and software, which are configurable and operable in three modes: recording mode, indexing mode, and playback mode. In the recording mode, the hardware device (40) is connected to a GPS receiver (44) and video recording device (42), and permits GPS data to be recorded on the same recording medium that images are recorded on using the video recording device (42). As a result, a particular geographic location associated with particular images can be directly referenced by GPS data. After recording the images, the hardware device (40) is connected to a computer (46) having the software of the present invention installed, and the system causes GPS data to be transferred from the recording medium to the computer (46) as the recorded images are replayed. During this step, called the indexing mode, the computer (46) draws a map showing all of the GPS referenced locations recorded on the recording medium. Each map location represents a location where images were recorded with GPS data. Once the indexing mode is completed, the system can be used to play back the images recorded, in accordance with the selection of a location on a map. During this step, called the playback mode, a marker may be selected on the computer (46) generated indexed map, and the system will cause the video recording device (42) to play back the images that were recorded at that selected location. Alternatively, if the recorded images have been transferred to some other media, for example CD ROM or hard disk, the system will cause the computer (46) to play back the images that were recorded at that selected location.
U.S. Published Patent Application 2002/0048054 of Ohata et al., describes an on-demand image delivery server delivering designated image data based on a request from a client terminal with one or a plurality of retrieval items as a retrieval condition inputted from the client terminal, made up by a retrieval function portion, which retrieves one or a plurality of image resource databases, and a retrieval result displaying function portion, which displays on the screen of the client terminal for confirmation of contents of image data subject to delivery, simplified image data of the image data matching a retrieval condition and/or data regarding attached contents-related information.
U.S. Published Patent Application 2011 of Apple Inc., describes systems and techniques for associating and presenting media content items with locations on a geographical track path. For example, the frames of a video segment can be associated with locations on a track path. The track path can be based on position data, including position coordinates and a corresponding time coordinates, obtained while the video frames were captured. Locations for the video frames can be determined based on a start time of the video segment, a frame rate of the video segment, and the position data. The video segment can be displayed with user controls that enable a user to manipulate the frame of the video segment being displayed including a time indicator and a location indicator displayed on the track path.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A rack shaft support device includes: a support yoke, a plug, an intermediate cam component and a rotation force generating spring. The plug includes a plug body, a plug cap component and a locknut. The plug body has a plug fixing portion, a plug back wall portion, a plug cam portion, a plug internal space and a first restricting portion. The first restricting portion has a first body portion and a first facing portion. The intermediate cam component includes an intermediate cam body, an intermediate cam portion and a second restricting portion. The second restricting portion has a second body portion and a second facing portion. The second facing portion faces the first facing portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a rack shaft support device that supports a rack shaft with the use of a support yoke, and a steering system including the rack shaft support device.
2. Description of Related Art
The configuration of a steering system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-36610 (IP 2010-36610 A) will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The steering system 400 includes a rack housing 410, a rack shaft 420, a pinion shaft 430 and a rack shaft support device 440. The rack shaft support device 440 includes a support yoke 450, a plug 460, an intermediate cam component 470, a rotation force generating spring 480 and an adjusting bolt 490.
The plug 460 has a plug fixing portion 461, a plug internal space 462 and a cam face 463. The plug fixing portion 461 of the plug 460 is fixed to the rack housing 410. The plug internal space 462 of the plug 460 accommodates part of the adjusting bolt 490, the rotation force generating spring 480 and part of the intermediate can component 470.
The intermediate cam component 470 has a spring retaining portion 471, a restricting portion 472 and a cam face 473. The cam face 473 of the intermediate cam component 470 contacts the cam face 463 of the plug 460.
The restricting portion 472 functions as a guide at the time when the plug 460 and the intermediate cam component 470 are assembled to each other and functions to restrict relative radial movement of the mutually assembled plug 460 and intermediate cam component 470. The restricting portion 472 has a first restricting portion 472A arranged inside the plug fixing portion 461 and a second restricting portion 472B arranged outside the plug fixing portion 461. The restricting portion 472 restricts radial movement of the intermediate cam component 470 with respect to the plug 460 by the contact of the outer face of the first restricting portion 472A with the inner face of the plug fixing portion 461.
The spring retaining portion 471 retains the rotation force generating spring 480. The spring retaining portion 471 is formed at a plug 460-side end portion of the first restricting portion 472A. The spring retaining portion 471 has two columnar portions extending toward the plug 460 and a groove formed between the two columnar portions.
The rotation force generating spring 480 has a first spring end portion 481, a second spring end portion 482 and a spring winding portion 483. The first spring end portion 481 is connected to a spring retaining portion 491 of the adjusting bolt 490. The second spring end portion 482 is connected to the groove of the spring retaining portion 471 of the intermediate cam component 470. The rotation force generating spring 480 applies force to the intermediate cam component 470 to cause the intermediate cam component 470 to rotate with respect to the plug 460.
The rack shaft support device 440 has such a configuration that an intermediate cam component 470-side portion of the plug internal space 462 is filled with the first restricting portion 472A. Therefore, the rotation force generating spring 480 is required to be arranged on the plug 460 side in accordance with the size of the first restricting portion 472A in a pressing direction. Therefore, there is a possibility that the plug internal space 462 needs to be increased. In addition, the rack shaft support device 440 has the adjusting bolt 490, so it is difficult to reduce the size in the pressing direction.

Rack shaft support device and steering system including rack shaft support device


Methods and systems for graphical actuation of a velocity and directionally sensitive sound generation application are disclosed. An identifier of a graphical element or elements that are traversed is received wherein the graphical element or elements are located on a coded surface. In one embodiment, the traversal has a velocity and a direction. Moreover, the traversal can be performed with an optical pen on a graphical representation of a sound generation system. The velocity and the direction of the traversal are determined and an identifier of the velocity and the direction of the traversal is used to actuate a directionally sensitive sound generation application.

A turntable is a circular rotating platform of a record player. Turntables can be used in a skillful manner by DJs to mix and scratch records. Many professional CD players now have been provided with the same capability. Such devices can be velocity and directionally sensitive in that they produce sounds that are based on the direction and the velocity of turntable movement.
One shortcoming of conventional turntables and other sound producing systems is that they are packaged in conventional modules and can occupy significant space. Accordingly, the use of these devices outside of their traditional workspaces is not feasible. This represents a significant shortcoming as musicians and other users of these instruments are precluded from using them in non-traditional venues where such use might be advantageous.
Some software based systems such as garage band TM allow the actuation of certain sounds via a computer system. These systems provide a computer generated graphical interface that can be employed to control the generation of sounds. These operations can be controlled by conventional point and click technologies. However, the control offered by such conventional software based systems provide a very limited range of sound actuation control options in the face of the rapidly changing needs of consumers.


A method and apparatus for displaying images are addressed to displaying differing images to the right and left eyes of a user. A right image is presented to the user's right eye by a right display, and a left image is presented to the user's left eye by a left display. When the user's brain processes the right and left images, it performs binocular summation on the two images, and perceives a composite image containing more information than either of the right and left images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying images. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying images based upon the brain's ability to perform binocular summation of differing images.
2. Related Art
Head-mounted display systems for displaying images to a user's eyes or eye are known. Conventional head-mounted display systems typically include a head-mounted portion, the head-mounted portion having image-generating devices for generating images viewable by the user. Head-mounted display systems are typically used to convey computer generated information, data from sensing devices, or programmed entertainment such as moving or still images, which are often accompanied by audio signals for reception by a user's ears. One such conventional head-mounted display system 10 is illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2.
The conventional head-mounted display system 10 includes a head-mounted portion 12, which includes right and left image displays 16, 18 and right and left eyepiece optics 20, 22, for displaying images to a user's eyes 21, 23. A controller 25 conveys image signals to the head-mounted portion 12 via a cable 14, which right and left lines 24, 26 for conveying image signals to the right and left image displays 16, 18, respectively. The controller 25 is comprised of an image source 30, which transmits image data to a processor 28, which is then formatted for transmission to the right and left image displays 16, 18 via the lines 24, 26.
In the conventional head-mounted display system 10, the right and left image displays 16, 18 each display identical images to the right eye 21 and to the left eye 23 of a user—which is known as the "biocular" mode of displaying images. FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified example of the images displayed to the right eye 21 and the left eye 23 of a user of the conventional head-mounted display system 10. Because the images displayed to the right eye 21 and to the left eye 23 of the user are identical, the user's brain does not gain additional information from the use of two image displays above what could be obtained from the use of one image display. The information contained in the image displayed to one eye is therefore redundant to the image displayed to the other eye.
Because each of the user's eyes are presented identical images, both the right and the left image displays 16, 18 must be of relatively high resolution (i.e., having a high number of individual pixels per unit area) in order to display an image having a desired sharpness. Specifically, if an image of n×m resolution (i.e., an image formed from an n×m array of pixels) is desired to be perceived by the user's brain, each of the right and left image displays must include at least an n×m array of pixels. This is undesirable because the cost of image displays increases with increasing resolution. In addition, high resolution display signals require higher storage and processing capabilities, which further adds to the cost of the head-mounted display system 10.
An alternative conventional head-mounted display is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,670 to Tabata et al. Tabata discloses increasing the resolution of selected portions of a display by using multiple display apparatuses to convey overlapping images. As illustrated by FIG. 1 of Tabata, separate images (b) and (c) are combined via differing optical paths to form an image (d). While the desired degree of resolution is obtained in image (b), Tabata's apparatus requires multiple optical systems to convey the overlapping images.
Therefore, a need exists for a method of displaying images that provides an image of desired resolution, and that is not unduly expensive. A need also exists for an apparatus for displaying images of desired resolution that is not unduly expensive.

Method and apparatus for displaying images

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A non-intrusive method for timing the full operational motion of a valve plug (26) in an electrically actuated, pneumatically operated valve (10). An actuation signal is sent to the valve actuator (54). A coil of wire (68) around the valve actuator solenoid (56), an accelerometer (70) on the solenoid slug (64), or a connection to a permanent pressure sensor (72), non-intrusively senses arrival of the actuation signal at the valve. The time measuring equipment (12) begins timing when the actuation signal is sensed. A laser valve motion sensor (74) then non-intrusively senses when the valve plug reaches a limit of motion. The time measuring equipment ends timing when the valve plug reaches a limit of motion. The time measuring equipment then records the elapsed time from the sensing of the arrival of actuation signal to the final limit of motion of the valve plug.

The present invention is directed to non-intrusively measuring the time for the full stroke operation of a pneumatically controlled valve, and more particularly, to measuring the time interval for an electrically actuated, pneumatically controlled valve to fully open or close in a nuclear facility.
Pneumatically controlled valves are used extensively in nuclear power generating plants. The time interval for individual valves to open or close is very important for many safety aspects of nuclear plant operation. Valves need to fully operate within set parameters to ensure that safety regulations are being met. To date the timing of valves has been accomplished by hand held stop watches and technicians in different locations communicating by phone. One technician will start the valve closing or opening sequence from the control room while another technician observes the valve operation and performs the timing by hand. Other methods include observing indicator lights which may or may not be properly set up or functioning.
There are many disadvantages to the present methods of timing valves. In both cases, observation of the valve per se or observation of the indicator lights, there is the human variable of when the timing begins and ends. Not only can the timing be inaccurate, but because of variations in the human hand and eye between individuals and even between the same individual from day to day, the degree of inaccuracy will be inconsistent. Thus, it can be difficult to accurately identify valve degradation over a period of months or years by comparing valve timings. Also in cases where the timing is performed by actually observing the valve start and stop, there is no accurate compensation for the time elapsed for the operation of the pneumatic control mechanism.
At present there are methods available for testing valve operation in the plant. Use of such methods, however, would require disconnecting the valve control mechanism from the control room. A signal would be generated from the test equipment to cause valve actuation. Timing could then be performed from various test sights on the valve. This method of valve testing is unacceptable for safety testing the operation of valves in many nuclear power plants. The valve needs to perform in the same environment and situation it would need to perform in if an actual emergency were to occur. The disconnection and then reconnection of safety related signal and/or control lines presents licensing problems.


Tobaccos are cured in a manner so as to provide tobaccos having extremely low tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA) contents. Harvested Virginia tobacco is subjected to flue-curing so as to provide flue-cured tobacco. During the curing processing steps, contact of the tobacco with nitric oxide gases, such as those produced as combustion products of propane burning heating units, is avoided. Tobacco in curing barns is not subjected to direct-fire curing techniques, but rather, heat for tobacco curing can be provided by heat exchange or electrical heating methods.

The present invention relates to tobacco, and in particular, to the post-harvest treatment of tobacco.
Nitrosamines are known to be present in air, foods, beverages, cosmetics, and even pharmaceuticals. Preussman et al., Chemical Carcinogens, 2nd Ed., Vol. 2, Searle (Ed.) ACS Monograph 182, 829-868 (1984). Tobacco and tobacco smoke also are known to contain nitrosamines. Green et al., Rec. Adv. Tob. Sci., 22, 131 (1996). Tobacco is known to contain a class of nitrosamines known as tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA). Hecht, Chem. Res. Toxicol., 11(6), 559-603 (1998); Hecht, Mut. Res., 424(1,2), 127-142 (1999). TSNA have been reported to be present in smokeless tobacco, Brunnemann et al., Canc. Lett., 37, 7-16 (1987), Tricker, Canc. Lett., 42, 113-118 (1988), Andersen et al., Canc. Res., 49, 5895-5900 (1989); cigarette smoke, Spiegelhalder et al., Euro. J. Canc. Prev., 5(1), 33-38 (1996); Hoffmann et al., J. Toxicol. Env. Hlth., 50, 307-364 (1997); Borgerding et al., Food Chem. Toxicol., 36, 169-182 (1997); nicotine-containing gum, Osterdahl, Food Chem. Toxic., 28(9), 619-622 (1990); and nicotine-containing transdermal patch, Adlkofer, In: Clarke et al. (Eds.), Effects of Nicotine on Biological Systems II, 17-25 (1995).
Green and freshly harvested tobaccos have reported to be virtually free of TSNA. Parsons, Tob. Sci., 30, 81-82 (1986); Spiegelhalder et al., Euro. J. Canc. Prev., 5(1), 33-38 (1996); Brunnemann et al., J. Toxicol.-Clin. Toxicol., 19(6&7), 661-668 (1982-3); Andersen et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 37(1), 44-50 (1989); Djordjevic et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 37, 752-756 (1989). However, it has been observed that TSNA form during the post-harvest processing to which tobacco is subjected. Tricker, Canc. Lett., 42, 113-118 (1988); Chamberlain et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 36, 48-50 (1988). TSNA are recognized as being formed when tobacco alkaloids, such as nicotine, are nitrosated. Hecht, Chem. Res. Toxicol., 11(6), 559-603 (1998). There has been considerable effort expended toward studying the mechanism of formation of TSNA.
Significant efforts have been expended towards studying the mechanism of TSNA formation during tobacco curing, particularly for Burley tobacco. As a result, it has been postulated that TSNA form during the air-curing of Burley tobacco as a result of microbial mediated conversion of nitrate to nitrite, and the subsequent reaction of nitrate-derived chemical species with alkaloids present in the tobacco. Hamilton et al., Tob. Sci., 26, 133-137 (1982); Burton et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 40, 1050-1055 (1992); Bush et al., Coresta Bulletin Information, Abstract 9814 (1995); Wiernik et al., Rec. Adv. Tob. Sci., 21, 39-80 (1995); Cui et al., TCRC (1996). It also has been suggested that the mechanism by which TSNA form during the flue-curing of Virginia tobaccos is similar to that mechanism postulated for air-cured Burley tobacco. See, Djordjevic et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 37, 752-756 (1989) and Peele et al., Coresta Bulletin Information, Abstract 9822 (1995). See also, PCT WO 98/05226 and PCT WO 98/58555, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,801 to O'Donnell et al.
It has been known practice to cure certain types of tobaccos, particularly specialty tobaccos, using a-so-called fire-curing process. Legg et al., TCRC (1986). It also has been common practice to flue-cure certain tobaccos, such as Virginia tobaccos, in barns using a so-called flue-curing process. Cooper et al., VPI Bull., 37(6), 3-28 (1939); Brown et al., Agric. Eng., 29(3), 109-111 (1948); Johnson et al., Tob. Sci., 4, 49-55 (1960); Peele et al., Rec. Adv. Tob. Sci., 21, 81-123 (1995). Tobacco leaf is harvested, placed in barns, and subjected to the application of heat. In recent years, it has been common practice, particularly in North America, to cure tobacco using a so-called direct-fire curing technique. Typical direct-fire heating units are powered by propane, and during use, those heating units produce exhaust gases that come into contact with the tobacco being cured. As a result, it is common for tobacco being cured to be exposed to propane combustion products, including nitric oxides that are present in those exhaust gases; and it is not uncommon for tobacco within a curing barn to be exposed to about 0.5 to about 2 kilogram of nitric oxide during a typical curing cycle of about 6 days in duration.
Tobaccos of a particular type that are cured using flue-curing techniques have been reported to provide higher levels of TSNA relative to similar tobaccos of like type that are air-cured. Chamberlain et al., Beitr. Tabak., 15(2), 87-92 (1992). Furthermore, potential relationships between so-called direct-fire heating techniques and the formation of nitrosamines have been investigated in industries outside of the tobacco industry. IARC Monograph, 17, 35-47 (1978); Stehlik et al., Ecotoxicol. Envir. Saf., 6, 495-500 (1982); Scanlan et al., In: Loeppky et al. (Eds.) Nitrosamines and Related N-Nitroso Compounds, 34-41 (1994). However, direct-fire heating techniques have not always been associated with the formation of nitrosamines. Larsson et al., Swedish J. Agric. Sci., 20(2), 49-56 (1990). In addition, those. references have not reported any correlation between contact of tobacco with nitric oxides during curing and levels of TSNA in direct-fire flue-cured tobacco. However, it has been observed that TSNA form during the flue-curing processes commonly employed in the curing of Virginia tobaccos. Peele et al., Rec. Adv. Tob. Sci., 21, 81-123 (1995).
Typically, in North America, tobaccos such as Virginia tobacco are flue-cured using curing barns equipped with direct-fire heating units that burn propane. However, tobacco flue-curing using curing-barns equipped with heat exchange units that burn diesel fuel have been employed to a limited degree within North America. Heat exchangers currently are employed to a significant extent outside of North America, particularly where coal and wood are the prominent fuels. Teague et al., Coresta Bulletin Information, Abstract 9824 (1995). For example, curing barns equipped with heat exchange units have been employed in countries including Japan, Turkey, Brazil and Zimbabwe. Tobacco curing barns equipped with non-direct-fire heating units, such as heat exchange units, provide for a so-called indirect heating of the tobacco being cured; and as such, when indirect heating techniques are used to flue-cure tobacco, exhaust gases generated by the heat source do not come into contact with that tobacco to any significant degree.
Attempts have been made to reduce the TSNA levels within tobacco. For example, it has been suggested that control of the temperature and moisture during air-curing may have an effect upon lowering TSNA levels within air-cured tobaccos, such as Burley tobacco. See, IARC Monograph, 84, 451-455 (1986). It has been proposed to process tobacco to remove TSNA; such as by the manner that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,020 to Northway et al. It also has been proposed to cure tobacco in conjunction with the application of microwave radiation and high temperature treatment in order to provide a tobacco possessing extremely low TSNA levels. See, PCT WO 98/05226 and PCT WO 98/58555, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,801 to O'Donnell et al.
It would be desirable to provide a manner for treating tobacco in order that TSNA levels within that tobacco are provided at very low levels. It would be particularly desirable to provide an efficient and effective manner or method for inhibiting TSNA formation within tobacco during curing, and particularly during flue-curing.


A compact canister assembly for containing a filter media. The assembly includes an outer metal container, an inner structure of filter media and an inner metal container for insertion into an open end of the outer metal container and over the inner structure of the filter media. The inner metal container has an end exposed at the open end of the outer metal container and an end structure closing the end of the outer metal container opposite the end receiving the inner metal container. An end structure is also provide for closing the exposed end of the inner container. The end structures include at least one layer of an air permeable material that permits air flow through said layer and through the inner structure of filter media while retaining the filter media within the canister assembly. The inner structure of filter media is longer than the combined length of the metal containers when they are telescoped together to compact the filter media within the telescoped containers.

Canisters used for containing a desiccant media designed to absorb moisture use a flexible bag made of an air permeable polyester mesh material to contain the media. The bag is difficult to manufacture in that the process begins with a piece of rectangular polyester mesh material which a seamstress sews two opposed sides of the rectangular piece together. This creates an open ended flexible cylinder. A circular piece of a mesh material is then sewn to one end of the flexible cylinder to provide a bottom for the cylinder. A second circular piece of mesh material is sewn part way to the upper end of the cylinder. The part way sewing provides an upper seam having a distance of about 3/4 of the circumference of the cylinder. This leaves a 1/4 "open" container, which is then filled with a desiccant particulate media and weighed. The incompleted upper seam of the open end is then completed by hand stitching to close the cylinder.
The mesh bag is flexible and manipulative thereby making it hard to handle during the sewing and filling process. The bags are, thus, not filled consistently because of the bag instability and the above complexity of the manufacturing process. This, in turn, has led to varying bag sizes as manufacturers endeavor to find a bag size that will provide the correct amount of desiccant media for the customer. The result has been a variety of bag sizes resulting in differing product performance in the process of absorbing moisture. The above weighing step does not ensure a proper amount of desiccant. Desiccant pellets vary in size & density. A "full" bag has varied from three to four plus pounds. Also, in shipment, the desiccant settles so that a "full" bag at the start of the manufacturing process, in many instances, does not remain full.
For shipping and ease of installation, the mesh bag is inserted into a metal cylinder and the combination placed in a plastic bag.
When the customer receives the metal cylinder containing the mesh bag and desiccant media, the metal cylinder is removed from the plastic bag and placed atop a dryer cavity and the plastic bag discarded. Using a minimal force against the bag, the bag is manually inserted into the cavity from the cylinder. With the bag located in the dryer cavity, the metal shipping container is removed from atop the cavity and discarded.
For those field personnel experienced in installing the flexible bag, the above process is rather straightforward but the discard of the plastic bag and metal cylinder is wasteful.

Telescoping canister for containing filter material


A wireless communication unit communication transport path monitor (10) monitors (20) at least one wireless communication unit specific parameter, and in response a wireless communication system inactivity timer (11) is set (21) as a function, at least in part of the monitored wireless communication unit specific parameter. The inactivity timer for a given wireless communication unit tends to be shortened when a communication transport path experience is sufficiently consumptive of unit and/or system resources. Optionally, at least one wireless communication system specific parameter is monitored (22) and/or at least one fairness parameter is checked (23), and the inactivity timer is set (21) as a function at least in part of the system specific parameter(s) and the fairness parameter. Similarly, if a predetermined condition is met, the inactivity timer for a given wireless communication unit may not be shortened.

Wireless communication systems of various kinds are known in the art. Many such systems include a method and apparatus to establish a communications link between a wireless communication unit and a telecommunications network. Many such wireless communication units typically include two principal modes of operation: active and dormant.
When a wireless communication unit is transmitting and receiving data via the telecommunications network, the wireless communication unit is typically in the active mode. While in the active mode the wireless communication unit may receive and transmit data via the telecommunications network substantially without delays resulting from establishing a connection with the telecommunications network. Maintaining an active mode of operation, however, consumes resources both for the wireless communication unit and the network. For instance, while in the active mode a wireless communication unit consumes more battery life than while in the dormant mode. Also, when in an active mode, the wireless communication unit generally consumes more resources for a given wireless communication system such as radio frequency resources, Walsh code legs, and the like than while dormant. Therefore, to conserve these system and unit resources, and typically after a predetermined amount of time during which no data or non-background data is transmitted between the wireless communication unit and the network, the wireless communication unit will automatically switch to the dormant mode. The amount of inactive time before the wireless communication unit switches to the dormant mode is typically governed by an inactivity timer.
Although use of a dormant state can conserve resources, drawbacks do exist. For example, the transition from the active mode to the dormant mode takes a certain amount of time as does the reverse transition. These transitions can result in a delay for the user of a wireless communication unit because when the user attempts to send or receive data after the inactivity timer expires, the user must wait for the unit to transition back to the active state before data can be sent or received. Therefore, a balance is usually sought between the conservation of resources through the use of a short inactivity timer and the convenience of a reduced operational delay.
Certain methods for adjusting the inactivity timer have been attempted. These methods, however, focus largely on the burdens on the wireless communication system in which several wireless communication units operate. For example, one method will adjust the inactivity timer from a uniform duration for all wireless communication units to a shorter uniform duration for all wireless communication units when the entire system's resources are overly burdened. While possibly satisfactory for some purposes, such methods can fail to take into account that resource consumption usually varies among wireless communication units due to several variables specific to these units.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Method and apparatus for adjusting a mobile communication inactivity timer


A method for quality assurance of screw joint tightening results when tightening a screw joint to a needed pretension condition (FN) by means of a torque delivering power tool, wherein one or more simulation procedures of a screw joint tightening process via a specific algorithm aiming at the needed pretension condition (FN) by using programmed data relating to the screw joint geometry, expected frictional conditions, power tool characteristics, a tightening strategy and suitable tightening parameter values, thereby arriving at a simulated pretension condition (FS) which is compared to the resultant pretension condition (FP) of a practically performed tightening process performed via the same specific algorithm, and evaluating the outcome of the comparison for quality acceptance or refusal.

When tightening screw joints, especially the typical screw joints of the motor vehicle industry and similar volume production, a homogeneous and well defined clamp force is the target in a majority of the applications. Various methods have been developed to control the clamp force by the indirect means of torque, angle and time measurements, i.e. the measurable parameters of a typical screw joint tightening. During the design phases of a screw joint theoretical calculations complemented with full scale tests or simulations help to decide which tightening method should be used.
A modern screw joint tightening system, like the PowerMACS-system marketed by Atlas Copco, comprises one or more electric nutrunner spindles, and a monitoring and control system including a process computer or system intelligence. Each nutrunner spindle is equipped with one or two torque transducers and one or two angle encoders. The system measures the motor current and the motor speed in various ways.
Various methods have been developed for controlling, or eliminating to the largest possible extent, the negative influence of the friction between thread and contact surfaces, screw geometry and material properties. All these methods are based on software algorithms which form part of the controller programs and make it possible to control and compensate for most of the encountered variations in the production process.
A simulation program is used in the above mentioned screw joint tightening system, PowerMACS, for simulating production results assuming certain hardware, joint characteristics and variable input parameters and using the same software parameters as used in the actual screw joint tightening performed by the Power MACS. The results of the simulations are reported as production statistics normally evaluated by the QA-engineers of the industry. With the representative screw joint data, system hardware and software the simulation program has the advantage of being able to calculate also the screw joint clamp force which is the most wanted information. Under production conditions information of the achieved clamp force is obtainable indirectly only, which is a shortcoming.

Method for quality assurance of screw joint tightening


An adjustable and foldable chair for massaging an individual provides a pair of upwardly directed support struts pivotally joined by a leg support strut and is able to stand erect on a pair of laterally disposed feet at the ends of the support struts. A buttock, leg, chest, arm and face supports are positionally adjustable. The support struts are convergent with the included angle being adjustable over a range of approximately 47 degrees. This range of adjustability allows the chair to accept the body conformations of children, women and men of all sizes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to massage chairs, and more particularly to an adjustable, folding massage chair having a pair of adjustably converging support struts; one of the struts supporting a seat, the other supporting an arm, chest an face pads.
2. Description of Related Art
The following art defines the present state of this field:
Serber, U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,249 describes an ergonomic seating assembly system with front chest support components, pelvic tilt seat component, and related attachments. The invention comprises an ergonomic support system for a person in a seated position comprised of a torso support platform, a seat, and a shin support platform. All are supported by a main frame generally the size of a common chair. Related attachments for face and arm support and pelvic tilt allow alignment of the body and unimpeded movement of the arms and pelvis and a healthy and comfortable position of the spine. It is clear that Server teaches the general principle and advantages of a forward leaning sitting position with chest, face and legs fully supported. However, Serber fails to teach that it is possible to use a combination leg support that is also the structural element joining the seat and chest support struts.
Patterson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,361 describes an elongated base that includes front and rear ends and the rear end includes an elevated seat portion. The forward end of the base includes a standard projecting upwardly to a level above the seat and a rearwardly and upwardly inclined support arm is mounted from the upper end of the standard. The rear upper end of the support arm includes a rearwardly facing chest pad in general vertical registry with and spaced above the forward marginal edge of the seat. The support arm is mounted from the standard for forward and upward swinging of the rear end of the support arm from a lower limit position. The support arm additionally supports a head (forehead) rest supported at an elevation above the chest pad and mounted from the support arm for front to rear adjustment relative to the chest pad. Patterson fails to teach arm and leg rests, seat elevational adjustment, and adaptability for individuals with small as well as large frames.
Riach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,078 describes a unitary, portable, foldable and adjustable therapy chair on which a patient is seated. The chair includes a frame having two pivotal members, which move in a scissors-like manner. Attached to the frame are a seat, a chest support, an arm support, a face support and a pair of leg supports. The chair is adjustable from a collapsed position to a plurality of erect position. The frame may be secured in a desired use position. When the chair is adjusted, the seat, the chest support, the arm support and the leg supports move with respect to one another. Riach provides separate masts for seat, chest/arms/head, and leg supports. These are configured primarily for compact folding but do not exhibit the range of adjustability considered necessary for a wide range of body conformations.
Haynes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,590 describes a chair to promulgate kinesthetic therapy that includes a seat frame, a chest rest frame, an arm rest frame and a base. The seat frame and the chest rest frame are moveable independently upwardly and inwardly from the base where they support a seat and chest rest respectively. Both the seat and headrest are adjustable along the same axis via frames. A wide range of adjustability is provided with Haynes, however, the seat and chest masts are not angularly adjustable so as to provide improved adaptability of the Haynes chair to a wider range of body sizes.
The prior art teaches massages chairs as described in the abstracts above. However, the prior art does not teach that a light-weight portable chair structure is able to provide a wide range of body size accommodation through the use of adjustment in the angle of convergence of the seat and the chest masts as well as appropriately coordinated elevational and angular adjustments in the several rest means, i.e., seat, arms, chest, and face. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.


Provided are systems and methods for multi-channel non-destructive inspection which provide high data throughput, logarithmic amplification of large dynamic range, and simplicity of supporting electronics. More specifically, provided are systems and methods for inspecting a structure that may use an interface board, two pulser boards, each coupled to 16 transmit channels, and two receiver boards, each coupled to 16 receive channels, where the receiver boards are capable of processing data from the 32 receive channels by logarithmically amplifying at least 70 dB of dynamic range. A receiver board may include a serial connection of two layers of multiplexing switches to provide 70 dB isolation between channels, a logarithmic amplifier for logarithmically amplifying 70 dB of dynamic range, a linear amplifier, and an analog-to-digital converter.

Non-destructive inspection (NDI) of structures, also referred to as non-destructive testing (NDT), involves thoroughly examining a structure without harming the structure or requiring significant disassembly of the structure. Non-destructive inspection is typically preferred to avoid the schedule, labor, and costs associated with removal of a part for inspection, as well as avoidance of the potential for damaging the structure. Non-destructive inspection is advantageous for many applications in which a thorough inspection of the exterior and/or interior of a structure is required. For example, non-destructive inspection is commonly utilized in the aircraft industry to inspect aircraft structures for any type of internal or external damage to or flaws in the structure. Inspection may be performed during manufacturing of a structure and/or once a structure is in-service. For example, inspection may be required to validate the integrity and fitness of a structure for continued use in manufacturing and future ongoing use in-service. However, access to interior surfaces is often more difficult or impossible without disassembly, such as removing a part for inspection from an aircraft.
Among the structures that are routinely non-destructively tested are composite structures, such as composite sandwich structures and other adhesive bonded panels and assemblies, including, but not limited to, fuselage frames and shear ties, wing stringers, floor beams, flange and radius sections of horizontal stabilizer ribs, and floor stanchions. In this regard, composite structures are commonly used throughout the aircraft industry because of the engineering qualities, design flexibility and low weight of composite structures, such as the stiffness-to-weigh ratio of a composite sandwich structure. As such, it is frequently desirable to inspect composite structures to identify any foreign material or flaws, such as cracks, voids or porosity, which could adversely affect the performance of the composite structure. For example, typical flaws in composite sandwich structures, generally made of one or more layers of lightweight honeycomb or foam core material with composite or metal skins bonded to each side of the core, include disbonds which occur at the interfaces between the core and the skin or between the core and a septum intermediate skin.
Various types of sensors may be utilized to perform non-destructive inspection. One or more sensors may move over the portion of the structure to be examined, and receive data regarding the structure. For example, a pulse-echo (PE), through- or thru-transmission (TT), or shear wave sensor may be utilized to obtain ultrasonic data, such as thickness gauging, detection of laminar defects and porosity, and/or crack detection in the structure. Resonance, pulse echo or mechanical impedance sensors may be utilized to provide indications of voids or porosity, such as in adhesive bond lines of the structure. High resolution inspection of aircraft structure are commonly performed using semi-automated ultrasonic testing (UT) to provide a plan view image of the part or structure under inspection. While solid laminates may be inspected using one-sided pulse echo ultrasonic testing (PEU), composite sandwich structures typically require through-transmission ultrasonic (TTU) testing for high resolution inspection. In through-transmission ultrasonic inspection, ultrasonic sensors such as transducers, or a transducer and a receiver sensor, are positioned facing the other but contacting opposite sides of the structure to be inspected such as opposite surfaces of a composite material. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted by at least one of the transducers, propagated through the structure, and received by the other transducer. Data acquired by sensors, such as TTU transducers, is typically processed by a processing element, and the processed data may be presented to a user via a display.
In order to increase the rate or speed at which the inspection of a structure is conducted, the scanning system may include ultrasonic probes that have arrays of ultrasonic transmitters and receivers or arrays of probes with one or more ultrasonic transmitters and receivers. Typically each "channel" in an array refers to a transducer-receiver pairing and includes a transmit channel to the transducer and a receive channel from the receiver. Generally, the more channels available, the more physical coverage of a part which can be scanned. As such, the inspection of the structure can proceed more rapidly and efficiently, thereby reducing the costs associated with the inspection.
TTU sensors, i.e., TTU transducers and receivers, may be controlled by a variety of systems, including systems which permit multiple TTU transducers and receivers to be used in a single probe, an array of probes, or a combination thereof. The more TTU transducer and receiver pairings, the faster a part may be scanned, presuming the control system can keep up with the data transmissions provided by the TTU transducers and receivers. TTU systems which include numerous TTU transducers and receivers are referred to as having a corresponding number of channels, one channel referring to a transducer-receiver pairing. Multi-channel TTU systems are typically expensive to fabricate, in part because they include a separate RF amplifier and envelope (peak) detector for each receive channel of ultrasound data from a TTU transceiver-receiver pairing. Further, typical multi-channel TTU systems use an individual pulser circuit for each channel, requiring a tremendous amount of space to house and wire numerous channels together. Often multi-channel systems are housed in large racks of electronic components. In addition to expensive costs and large size requirements, maintaining multi-channel systems has typically been problematic and expensive. Typical multi-channel TTU systems may be difficult to troubleshoot because of the number of individual components and extensive wiring required in addition to often obsolete components. Further, typical multi-channel TTU systems are limited to communicating processed signals as 8 bit resolution digital data due to slow processing and/or communication paths and are electronically noisy due to the high number of RF cables which are used to couple the individual components together.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved system and method for multi-channel non-destructive inspection which provides high data throughput, large dynamic range, and simplicity of supporting electronics.

Multi channel multiplexed inspection system and method


A method and system for selectively and variably attenuating audio data are disclosed. A high-volume control value as selected by a user is first received, and this high-volume control value defines a volume output level for high amplitude audio samples. An attenuation factor is then determined by utilizing the high-volume control value. Each sample from an incoming audio data stream is conditionally attenuated with the attenuation factor such that high amplitude audio data get compressed while low amplitude audio data remain unaffected. Finally, the attenuated samples are sent to an output.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and system for data processing in general, and in particular to a method and system for attenuating audio data. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for selectively and variably attenuating audio data.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, home theater systems have become more pervasive in the consumer electronics market; and home video enthusiasts are constantly demanding better performance in their new home theater systems. Catering to this ever increasing demand, there have been tremendous technological improvements in home theater systems, such as digital versatile disks (DVD), wide-screen televisions, surround sound(trademark) audio systems, etc. All this enhanced video and audio equipment is intended to provide an audience with a theater-like feel during a video presentation at their own home. For example, with DVDs and a well-equipped surround sound(trademark) audio system, a home audience can experience various sound effects from a movie playing in a home theater system as if he were watching the same movie in a theater.
Be that as it may, one of the many aspects of a video presentation that a home theater system must handle is the volume control for the audio portion of the presentation. For example, in an action-oriented movie, there is a great amplitude difference between the loudest and quietest passages in the movie. As a result, if the volume level of the audio system is set at a relatively high level such that the typically quiet dialogue can be intelligible, then the scenes including loud sound effects, such as explosions and car chases, will be too loud for the home audience or annoy other people such as a next door neighbor. Sometimes, extremely high amplitude audio output may even cause speaker damage. If, on the other hand, the volume level is adjusted to a relatively low level, then the softly spoken dialogue may not be easily discernable. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a method to perform a dynamic audio range compression of audio data, such that high amplitude audio data get compressed by a user-selectable amount while low amplitude audio data remain unaffected.
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for data processing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for attenuating audio data.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for selectively and variably attenuating audio data.
In accordance with a method and system of the present invention, a high-volume control value as selected by a user is first received, and this high-volume control value defines a volume output level for high amplitude audio samples. An attenuation factor is then determined by utilizing the high-volume control value. Each sample from an incoming audio data stream is conditionally attenuated with the attenuation factor such that high amplitude audio data get compressed while low amplitude audio data remain unaffected. Finally, the attenuated samples are sent to an output.
All objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.

Method and system for selectively and variably attenuating audio data

International Business Machines Corporation


A control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a driving plan preparing part preparing a driving plan setting one or more via-points on a projected route from a starting point to a destination to divide the projected route into a plurality of driving routes and divide the driving routes further into pluralities of driving sections and setting which driving mode of an EV mode or HV mode to drive over in each driving section and with a driving mode switching part switching the driving modes according to a driving plan. The driving plan preparing part is configured to be able to prepare a driving plan setting the driving modes of all driving sections in at least one driving route to the EV mode.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-162261A discloses a conventional control device of a hybrid vehicle configured so as to prepare a driving plan dividing a projected route up to a destination into a plurality of sections and classifying the sections into EV sections of driving by an EV mode and HV sections of driving by an HV mode.


A facility for presenting approval requests is described. The facility simultaneously displays information describing both a first approval request and a second approval request, where the first approval request is generated using a first application program, and the second approval request is generated using a second application program that is distinct from the first application program.

Many business organizations utilize approval processes that identify cases in which one member of the organization must submit a request for approval by another member of the organization. For example, an organization's approval process may require certain members of the organization to obtain their managers' approval each time they submit a time sheet recording the hours that they have worked. Typical approval processes may require members of the organization to submit such a request in a variety of other circumstances, such as the following: expense reports, time off requests, objectives & reviews, transfers, hires, promotions, training requests, incentive compensation requests, contracts, purchase orders, quotes, press releases, and content for web posting.
In a typical organization, some of these types of approval requests may be generated manually by the requester, then emailed to the approver. For example, transfer requests may be manually generated by requesters, then emailed to approvers. In many cases, a member of such an organization is required to act on a significant volume such emailed approval requests. Such emailed approval requests are interspersed among other types of incoming email messages, often making them difficult to identify as approval requests. It is sometimes difficult or impossible to determine whether—and how—a particular emailed approval requests has been resolved, or to identify those emailed approval requests that have been received but not resolved.
Other types of approval requests may be generated using one of a number of different application programs. For example, a time sheet application may be used to generate time sheets and submit them for approval, while a separate purchase order application is used to generate purchase orders and submit them for approval. In such cases, an approver may need to separately open each such application to act on the approval requests generated by it. In the above example, for instance, the approver may need to separately open the time sheet and purchase order applications in order to approve time sheets and purchase orders, respectively.
In view of the substantial shortcomings of the conventional approaches to processing approval requests discussed above, a more effective and user-friendly approach would have significant utility.

User interface for processing requests for approval