A dual roller powder spreader assembly for use in layerwise manufacture in a powder bed fusion additive manufacture process utilizes in an embodiment tilting of the dual roller assembly such that a lead roller is raised upwardly relative to the powder bed in a sweep. This is accomplished using a mechanical cam-like engagement initiated at each end of the assembly's travel, causing what will then be the lead roller to rise as a whole relative to the now following roller, the latter pushing the powder pile across the powder bed. The tilt process is reversed at each end of travel.

Additive prototyping or additive manufacturing ("AM") techniques using a laser or other energy beam to melt, fuse, cure, sinter or otherwise solidify material to build an object or work piece (hereafter simply referred to as an object) in a layer-wise manner are well known. In one standard approach, an energy beam, such as a laser beam, is caused to scan over a build area in accordance with controlling apparatus that is driven by software that recreates a layer or slice of an object being built up. Layers are consecutively solidified and joined, as by fusing, melting, sintering or the like. In one type of AM, powder is provided in a build area or part bed of a build chamber. The powder is smoothed into a substantially planar surface at the top of the build area using a spreader device or apparatus. The laser is scanned over selected parts of that surface to form the desired "slice" of the object. Another layer of powder is then applied, typically being spread and smoothed by an applicator (sometimes referred to as a wiper, recoater, doctor blade, or also using a rotating roller) having a straightedge or the like, which pushes a deposited mound of powder across the build area and over the just-scanned slice. It is an intended result to yield a layer of powder that is of a consistent thickness across the build area one layer to the next.
Devices and methods of this kind are used for example for Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Tooling or Additive Manufacturing. An example of such a method is known by the name "selective laser sintering or laser melting". Therein, repeatedly a thin layer of pulverulent building material is applied, and the building material in each layer is selectively solidified by selectively irradiating positions with a laser beam corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be manufactured. Reference may be made to US Pat. Pub. 2018/0004192 for more particular detail of the general environment, operation and elements for the kind of dual-roller assembly described herein.
The term "build" is generally used to refer to the item or part that is constructed by controlling a laser or other heat source to melt powder particles in a layer-wise manner. The term "build procedure" is to be understood as the steps carried out to create a particular build using a particular type of material. A build procedure can involve essentially an entire sequence of control commands for a powder dispenser, a spreader assembly, a laser scanner assembly, and so forth for all levels of a build. Powder material as used herein can be a dry powder, or a material that is fluent and spreadable, as a slurry or the like. As used in the context of the invention, the terms "powder" and "powder material" are to be understood to mean a material comprising small particles that can flow freely when not contained. Polymer, metal and ceramic powder materials, among others, are well known.
The powder material is usually spread as an even layer over a surface of a build area or part bed, which is surrounded by a flat table or frame, of an additive manufacturing apparatus, using a spreader or recoater to move a deposited powder, i.e., a mound or deposit of powder or a "powder pile", from one end of the build area across the surface. A lower edge of the spreader maintains a slight clearance from the upper surface of the build area, so that a thin layer of powder is spread during each pass of the spreader. This step is carried out prior to each build layer being "scanned", through use of an energy source which solidifies the respective build layer according to the pre-determined horizontal cross-sectional "slice" of the object being built.

Dual roller assembly for spreading material in additive manufacturing apparatus


An apparatus for mounting a circuit board assembly to an electronic chassis is provided. A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board operatively attached to a bracket member having a first end and a second end. A first connector member is rotatably attached to the first end, and a second connector member is rotatably attached to the second end. The first connector member includes a first hook portion and a first handle portion. The second connector member includes a second hook portion and a second handle portion. The first and second hook portions each include a first surface and a second surface oriented at an angle to the first surface. The first surface of the first hook portion contacts with a first spring and the first surface of the second hook portion contacts with a second spring to orient the first and second connectors in an insertion position. The second surface of the first hook portion contacts with the first spring and the second surface of the second hook portion contacts with the second spring to orient the first and second connector members in an intermediate position and a locked position.

An electronic chassis which houses electronic components for high speed telecommunication and networking applications typically includes a plurality of vertically oriented circuit board assemblies that are inserted into the chassis. Each circuit board assembly is typically comprised of a circuit board attached to a U-shaped channel member that serves as a front faceplate of the assembly. When the assembly is fully inserted, the circuit board is connected to a backplane printed circuit located along the backside of the chassis. The insertion force required to connect the circuit board to the backplane may make it difficult, if not impossible, for a technician to make the connection by manually forcing the channel member in a direction towards the backplane.
In order to facilitate the connection of the circuit board to the backplane, attempts have been made to provide a lever at each end of the channel member, each lever having a handle portion and a hook portion. Each lever is typically rotatably attached to each end of the channel member and is able to rotate freely about a pin that is attached to the channel member. When installing the assembly, a technician must orient each hook portion to allow each hook portion to engage a flange portion of the chassis while simultaneously pushing the channel member in the direction of the backplane. After each hook portion engages the flange portion, the handle portion of each lever is then manually rotated about the pin, which forces the circuit board into the backplane. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that each lever must be simultaneously held in the proper position while the channel member is being pushed in a direction toward the backplane. This makes it extremely difficult for a technician to insert the circuit board assembly.
Problems also arise when removing the assembly from the chassis. In particular, a technician must orient each hook portion to allow each hook portion to disengage from the flange portion while simultaneously pulling the channel member in the direction away from the backplane. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that each lever must be simultaneously held in the proper position while the channel member is being pulled away from the backplane. This makes it extremely difficult for a technician to remove the circuit board assembly.
Moreover, these levers typically do not provide any latching function. As a result, the channel member has be fastened to the chassis with conventional mechanical fastening components such as, for example, spring loaded screws or bolts. However, the large number of fastening components required substantially increases manufacturing costs. In addition, threaded screw holes must be machined into the flange portion of the chassis to receive the mechanical fasteners. This also increases manufacturing costs. Also, the tools that are required to tighten and release the mechanical fasteners result in inefficiencies when installing and removing the assemblies. The removal and installation of assemblies is therefore labor-intensive and cumbersome, which also increases costs. Moreover, with mechanical fasteners, the tolerance between parts may result in the inconsistent placement of the assemblies, which in turn may cause the improper vertical alignment of the channel members.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an apparatus for mounting a circuit board assembly to an electronic chassis that overcomes the disadvantages described above.

Apparatus and method for mounting a circuit board assembly to an electronic chassis


In one embodiment, actual usage data is obtained for a printer connected to a network. The actual usage data is compared to a usage model for a newly connected printer. The printer is identified as newly connected in response to determining the actual usage data is consistent with the usage model. Information that the printer is newly connected is displayed.

Adding a printer to a computer network may include executing installation software (e.g., software to set up the printer, to install print drivers, print spoolers, etc.) at a desktop computer, laptop computer, server or other computing device already connected to the network. Execution of the printer installation software may include unpacking of files supplied in a compressed form, copying printer-related programming to computing devices on the network, tailoring the programming to match the printer and user preferences, and providing information about the printer and the programming to an operating system.
The same part numbers designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures.

HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.


An approach for forecasting local weather patterns. The approach includes a method that includes receiving, by at least one computing device, images that include weather related information. The method includes analyzing, by the at least one computing device, the images to determine particular types of weather phenomena. The method includes analyzing, by the at least one computing device, the images to determine a motion of the particular types of weather phenomena. The method includes determining, by the at least one computing device, a weather forecast based on the analyzed images and the motion of the particular types of weather phenomena.

Weather forecasting has been performed by using a variety of different methods, such as using reports along shipping routes or using other traditional predictive methods, such as the use of almanacs. In more recent times, reports from aircraft routes, in particular the use of reconnaissance aircraft, are used to obtain information about current weather trends to forecast upcoming weather. Satellite technology, located in orbits around the Earth (e.g., Low Earth orbit (LEO), geostationary, etc.), has also enhanced the ability to obtain information and to more accurately forecast the weather by being able to view a large portion of the Earth's area at any given time.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


The present invention broadly comprises a transmission for a vehicle, including two dual planetary gearsets arranged to transmit torque, independent of each other, from an input shaft for the transmission to an output for the transmission. In a gear for the transmission, one of the dual gearsets is arranged to transmit the torque to the output and the other of the dual gearsets is arranged to be ungrounded. The transmission includes first and second brakes arranged to ground a respective portion of the dual planetary gearsets. In some aspects, the dual planetary gearsets each include a planetary gearset connected to a respective brake and the output, and switches arranged to control the connection of the gearsets to the first and second brakes. In some aspects, the dual gearsets each include a planetary gearset connectable to the input shaft and switching assemblies for the planetary gearsets.

The automotive market recognizes the need to develop and produce cost-effective automotive transmissions with improved fuel efficiency and adequate launch performance. Also, to optimize shifting in a transmission, it is recognized that it is desirable to isolate launch and target gears during a gear shift. Constant Velocity Transmissions are known. Unfortunately, these transmission tend to be expensive. Transmissions with dual power inputs for odd and even gears are known. Some of these dual input transmission use manual transmission components. Unfortunately, the North American automotive market is dominated by automatic transmission and automatic transmission components, such as planetary gearsets, and it may be cost prohibitive to enact the production conversion needed to produce manual transmission components in sufficient quantities for dual input transmissions.
It is known to use planetary gearsets in a dual power input transmission. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,837,823 and 7,004,881 describe respective transmissions having a dual planetary gearset. Unfortunately, in both patents, the output of the transmission is connected only to a single planetary gearset in the dual planetary gearset, thus precluding the ability to isolate the launch and target gear or to have separate torque paths.
Switchable, one-way clutches are known, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,001. Unfortunately, such clutches rely on extra mechanical components, such as pins, to implement the switching and locking functions.
Wet clutches are used in various torque transmittal applications, for example, in brakes to ground a planetary gearset in a transmission. For wet clutches, the characteristics of the fluid in the system affect the operation of the clutch, in particular, the friction coefficient. It is desirable to maintain a positive friction gradient during the operation of a clutch to prevent shuddering as the clutch closes. That is, the friction coefficient should decrease as slip speed decreases toward zero. Unfortunately, degradation of the fluid results in an undesirable negative friction gradient, that is, an increase in the friction coefficient as slip speed decreases toward zero, and subsequent shuddering during the closing of the brake. Replacing the fluid at more frequent intervals is not an attractive option due to the time and cost involved and the inconvenience to the user of the device housing the clutch, for example a vehicle with a transmission housing the clutch.
Thus, there is a long-felt need for a cost-effective dual torque path transmission using automatic transmission components such as planetary gearsets. There also is a long-felt need for a simpler switchable, one-way clutch controllable using elements already present in an application, for example, a transmission. Further, there is a long-felt need for a wet clutch able to minimize the impact of undesired changes in friction gradient.

Dual torque path transmission with switchable radially displacing one-way clutch and fluid coupling brake


An integrated device including a functional circuitry and a built-in self testing circuit for executing a structured test on the functional circuitry is proposed. The functional circuitry includes means for receiving input test values from the built-in self testing circuit and returning output test values to the built-in self testing circuit. In the solution of the invention, the built-in self testing circuit includes a memory for storing starting test values and expected test values, means for generating the input test values according to the starting test values, and means for determining a result of the structured test according to a comparison between the output test values and the expected test values.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated device with a Built-in Self Testing (BIST) circuit for executing a structured test.
2. Description of the Related Art
The structured test is a technique that has become increasingly popular in the last years, especially for testing complex integrated circuits. For this purpose, the integrated device is provided with internal structures permitting the controllability and the observability of each pin and/or internal sequential element (referred to as a node).
A known and commonly used technique for executing the structured test is the scan method. In this method, the integrated device is provided with boundary scan cells (for the pins) and/or internal scan cells (for the internal nodes). The boundary scan cells are serially connected in a chain and the internal scan cells are serially connected in one or more chains (between corresponding input pins and output pins of the integrated device). Input patterns (commonly referred to as input test vectors) are serially loaded along the chains of scan cells for exciting the pins and the internal nodes of the integrated device. The values generated in response to the input test vectors (commonly referred to as output test vectors) are captured by the corresponding scan cells and then provided to the outside by shifting them along the chains. The output test vectors can then be compared with expected test data, representing the correct known output test vectors. The above-described architecture makes it possible to execute the structured test with a very low impact on the integrated device.
In a different architecture, disclosed in document U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,793, the integrated device is provided with a pseudo-random pattern generator for supplying the input test vectors in response to starting test vectors (commonly referred to as seeds), which are received from the outside.
The main disadvantage of the solutions known in the art is the use of external test equipment for applying the input test vectors or the seeds to the integrated device and for comparing the output test vectors with the expected test data. Furthermore, it is necessary to carefully synchronize the external test equipment with a system clock of the integrated device for detecting transition faults in the functional circuitry; therefore, when the frequency of operation of the integrated device is high, the external test equipment becomes very expensive.
BIST circuits for executing the structured test have also been proposed. The BIST circuit is essentially the implementation of logic built into the integrated device to do testing. The BIST circuit is triggered by an external signal, and it returns a value indicating the passing or the failing of the test. This structure allows testing the integrated device both before and after assembly into a complex system (such as a computer). In the BIST circuits known in the art for executing the structured test, the input test vectors are generated inside the integrated device from a hardwired starting value. However, this structure provides poor performance in terms of fault coverage.
The possibility to implement a reliable and fast BIST circuit for executing the structured test on the integrated devices would be desirable. Particularly, this need is perceived when the integrated devices must be assembled in safety systems (such as AIRBAGs and ABSs in automotive devices), which need to be tested during all their life time without the use of external test equipments.

Integrated device with an improved BIST circuit for executing a structured test


A coupling device for an artificial model includes a male joining part, a female joining part and an insertion member. The male and female joining parts have a base disk attached with a front positioning plate and a rear lock plate respectively. The insertion member further includes an insert head, an adjustable bolt, a first elastic body, a cap, a pin, a ball, a second elastic body and a setscrew. The insertion member is inserted into the male and female joining parts such that the male joining part can open any angles with respect to the female joining part smoothly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coupling device for an artificial model, and, particularly, to a coupling device, which has a male connecting member and a female connecting member being attached to two opposite connecting surfaces of the neck and the hip of the artificial model respectively to allow the two connecting surfaces being joined to each other tightly with two sets of elastic bodies.
2. Description of Related Art
The conventional artificial model 30 shown in FIG. 10 provides a hip part with a connecting surface 31 and a thigh part with another connecting surface 32. Further, a joining device 33 is provided for joining the connecting surfaces 31, 32. Usually, the joining device 33 has a locating stem extending outward from one of the connecting surfaces 31, 32 and a locating hole being disposed in the other one of the connecting surfaces 31, 32 for fitting with each other. While it is in operation, the thigh part is detached from the hip part first for the pants being put on and then the locating stem of the joining device 34 is inserted back into the locating hole for the connecting surfaces 31, 32 being joined to each other. However, it is a fact that the joining device 34 is incapable of obtaining a firm joint between the connecting surfaces 31, 32 with the locating stem and the locating hole. Besides, a clearance 34 often creates between the connecting surfaces 31, 32 after a period of time using and the clearance 34 worsens the undesirable connection of the thigh part to the hip part. Hence, the thigh part 32 becomes unstably disposed and it results in the artificial model with an unbalanced center of gravity. Under this circumstance, it is easy for the artificial model falling down or exhibited clothes being askew. Furthermore, once the joining device 33 is out of order, it is hard to be fixed unless the whole set of the artificial model is delivered to the repair shop. But, it is extremely inconvenient and less economical.
Referring to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12, a conventional pin 442 and a locating disk 42 are illustrated. It can be seen that the locating disk 42 has a hollow center 422 for being inserted with the insert head 441. Two opposite elongated grooves 423 and two opposite recess 424 are disposed surrounding the hollow center 422 being perpendicular to the recesses. The pin 442 passes through the hollow center 423 and is rotated 90° to engage with the recesses 424. The preceding arrangement with regard to the pin 442 and the locating disk 42 is mostly used at the thigh separation part 35 of the artificial model as shown in FIG. 12 and it has the following disadvantages:
1. The position of the thigh separation part 35 is improperly disposed and it is unpleasing to the eye while shorts or swimming suit is put on because of the exposed thigh separation.
2. Only a pair of elongated grooves 423 is provided and it is hard to locate the pin 442 properly due to a long rotational path being turned.
3. It is easy for the pin 442 and the locating disk 42 being out of order because the pin 442 is rotated all the time and it is severely worn out due to friction between the pin 442 and the locating disk 42.
4. It is possible for the pin to roll into the hollow center in one direction only and it is easy for the thigh part 36 being inversely mounted carelessly as shown in FIG. 11.
5. In case of the artificial model 30 being in a state of a posture of sitting with two thighs being cross to each other as shown in FIG. 13, the pin 442 is incapable of being turned into the recesses 424 if the locating disk 42 is disposed at an improper angular position and it leads to the thigh 37 being unable to rotate in place.
In addition, a further conventional locating disk, which is similar to the locating disk 42, only has the elongated grooves 423 without the recesses 424 and it is incapable of performing the job of locating.


A display controller includes a character display unit for displaying character information on a display unit; a keyword detecting unit for detecting a predetermined keyword from the character information displayed by the character display unit; an image information detecting unit for detecting image information including additional information corresponding to the keyword detected by the keyword detecting unit, from image information including predetermined additional information and stored in a storing unit; and a thumbnail image displaying unit for displaying on the display unit a thumbnail image(s) of the image information detected by the image information detecting unit.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display controller, a display control method, a display control program, and a mobile terminal device that are well suited for adaptation to apparatuses handling character information and image information displayed on any one of apparatuses, such as such as mobile phones, PHS phones (PHS: personal handyphone system), and PDAs (PDA: personal digital assistant), and notebook/desktop personal computers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a display controller, a display control method, a display control program, and a mobile terminal device in which image information related to to-be-displayed character information can be automatically retrieved and displayed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-325937 (pp. 5-6: FIG. 4) discloses an image display controller in which, during sequential display of a plurality of still images, in which the images are displayed one by one, the display time period of the still image can be changed.
In the case of the image display controller, when a first button of a remote controller is depressed during serial display of still images, a display changing interval of the respective still image for serial display is reduced, thereby to perform high speed display changing of the still images. Alternatively, when a second button of the remote controller is depressed during sequential display of still images, a display switching time interval between display of still images for sequential display is increased, thereby to perform low speed display changing of the still images. Thus, even during sequential display of still images, the display time period of the respective still image can be changed.
Hitherto, information stored in the apparatus are managed separately depending on the type of information as in a case where, for example, e-mail information is managed as the type of e-mail information, and image information is managed as the type of image information. As such, in the event of retrieving desired image information from among many pieces of image information stored in memory, retrieval is performed in any one of the following manners. One manner is that the desired image information is retrieved in accordance with information memorized by a user. Another manner is that thumbnail images of the respective image information are list-displayed and a desired image is retrieved while viewing the thumbnail image list-displayed. Another manner is that, as in the image display controller disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-325937, the many pieces of image information are displayed one by one, and the desired image information is retrieved therefrom.
However, image information, such as those having been unretrievable and/or having not been remembered as the user has forgotten the image capture event therefor miss opportunities of display and the like, such that the image information are cannot be effectively used despite the images were captured.
Under these circumstances, it would be desirable to provide a display controller, a display control method, a display control program, and a mobile terminal device that handle character information and image information in correlation with one another, and that, in the event of displaying the character information, automatically display thumbnail images of the image information correlated to the to-be-displayed character information, thereby to effectively exploit image information stored in memory.

Display controller, display control method, display control program, and mobile terminal device

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.


An electronic filter comprises a high pass section (110) and a low pass section (120). The high pass section includes at least one filter stage of a series-connected acoustic resonator (111) and a parallel connected inductor (114). The low pass section comprises at least one filter stage including a series-connected inductor (121) and a parallel connected acoustic resonator (123). The filter is useful for a communication device covering the n79 5G band.

Electronic filters are used in RF frontends of mobile devices to select the electronic signal in a desired frequency band.
As more and more communication services are established in the spectrum available for mobile communication, the bandwidth and selectivity requirements for RF filters become more challenging. For example, the spectrum for the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication services lies in the sub-6 GHz range that is just below the 5 GHz-WiFi band and above the 4G LTE bands. An RF filter for a 5G service should cover the considerably broad 5G bandwidth with relatively steep skirts to reject the LTE and WiFi bands, especially at the upper end of the 5G frequency bandwidth.
Conventional LC-filters require many LC stages to achieve steep filter skirts so that the physical size of the filter and the insertion loss becomes an issue. Conventional filters based on wave mechanisms such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators or bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators are widely used in filters to achieve high skirt steepness. Conventional filters with acoustic resonators often use a ladder-type topology as discussed in Andreas Link and Phil Warder:
"Golden Age for Filter Design", IEEE Microwave Magazine, August 2015, pages 60 to 72, FIG. 3.
The bandwidth achieved with a ladder-type approach is relatively narrow. It could be extended using additional inductors, however, this reduces the rejection level and may introduce additional rejection poles. The filter tends to become complex and sensitive. Furthermore, since the filter passband is realized with acoustic resonators, the power handling capabilities are limited. Therefore, conventional approaches with pure LC-filters or ladder-type acoustic filters may have drawbacks for sub-6 GHz mobile communication services and beyond.
There is a need for an improved topology of RF filters that can handle the high frequencies of the currently established communication services such as 5G, has high selectivity with regard to other communication services and that can handle high transmission power.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic filter that covers a wide bandwidth, has steep filter skirts and can handle considerable power.


A system for the transport of high solids materials such as concrete includes a positive displacement pump, a pipeline connected to the pump and a valve in the pipeline located downstream from the pump for preventing material flow through the pipeline when the valve is in a closed position. The valve is closed at the end of each pumping stroke to prevent material flow through the pipeline. The pressure of material on the pump side of the valve is sensed. During a subsequent pumping stroke, the valve is opened when sufficient pressure exists on the pump side of the valve to ensure that material will flow in a positive direction through the pipeline.

The present invention relates to systems for transporting high solids materials such as concrete and sludge. In particular, the present invention relates to a material pump system in which a positive displacement pump, with a pivoting transfer tube valve which connects pump cylinders to the pump outlet, conveys material through a pipeline with a valve located downstream of the pump, and in which the pumping rate and accumulated volume of material pumped are automatically determined.
Positive displacement pumps are frequently used for conveying concrete, sludge and other materials through pipelines in municipal, industrial and construction applications. Positive displacement pumps offer a number of significant advantages over screw or belt conveyors in the pumping of materials. For example, positive displacement pumps are capable of pumping thick, heavy materials which may not be practical for belt or screw conveyors. Pump and pipeline systems also take up less space than screw or belt conveyors and, with the use of simple elbow pipes, are capable of transporting material around corners. Additionally, positive displacement pumps offer a reduction in noise over mechanical conveyors as well as greater cleanliness and reduced spillage.
Various state and federal regulations covering the processing and disposal of sludge require that the processor accurately measure and record the amount of material handled. Similarly, in concrete pumping applications, it is becoming increasingly necessary to accurately measure the quantity of concrete pumped. The pumping of concrete causes considerable wear on the components of the concrete pump and pipeline. Accurate measurement of the quantities of concrete pumped allows the proper maintenance and replacement of components to be scheduled prior to a component failure during use. This prevents unnecessary and costly losses of time due to system failures as well as the inefficient waste of concrete which may become unusable as a result of the delays associated with the failure of a pump or pipeline component.
Positive displacement material pumps such as those described in Oakley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,272, entitled "SLUDGE FLOW MEASURING SYSTEM", can accurately measure the volume of material transported. Oakley et al. discloses a system for transporting high solids sludge which includes a positive displacement pump for pumping sludge through a pipeline. The volume of sludge transported is accurately measured by determining the fill percentage of the pumping cylinder during each pumping cycle. The fill percentage is determined by using any of a number of sensed parameters including material flow signals, measured time intervals, hydraulic fluid pressure, and hydraulic fluid flow rate during each pumping cycle.
One embodiment of the system and pump disclosed in Oakley et al. includes a valve, commonly referred to as a poppet valve, between the pumping cylinder and the outlet which opens and connects the pumping cylinder to the outlet only when the pressure within the pumping cylinder essentially equals the pressure at the outlet. The timing of the opening of the outlet poppet valve during the outlet stroke provides a means for determining the fill percentage or the total volume delivered during each pumping stroke.
Oakley et al. also discloses another embodiment of the system in which the pump includes an outlet valve, commonly referred to as a pivoting transfer tube valve, which connects the outlet to the pumping cylinder during the entire pumping stroke. In this embodiment, both the hydraulic pressure driving the piston and the outlet pressure are sensed during the pumping stroke. Determining either the time or the piston position in the pumping stroke when the hydraulic pressure equals the outlet pressure can be used to derive a fill percentage or volume delivered during each pumping stroke.
When pumping concrete or other material with large particles, material pumps frequently employ pivoting transfer tube valves, like those disclosed in Oakley et al., to control the intake and outlet of material to and from the pump cylinders. Pivoting transfer tubes switch hydraulically to connect the pump cylinders to either a material intake or a material outlet of the pump. In a two-cylinder material pump, the transfer tube switches hydraulically to serve both pumping cylinders. The transfer tube is mounted in an open-topped housing or hopper which accepts the material to be pumped. The transfer tube pivots to connect the pumping cylinder to the pump outlet and pipeline, while allowing the cylinder which is intaking material to pump material from the hopper into the cylinder.
Pivoting transfer tubes have several advantages over other valve types. First, as the transfer tube switches, large particles which could interfere with the pump performance are moved or sheared. Second, the transfer tube's large diameter allows it to accept larger particles than other types of valves. Finally, transfer tubes have automatic adjustment capability and low maintenance requirements as well as a wear-life unaffected by pumping pressures.
In a typical application, a concrete pump with a pivoting transfer tube valve may be used to pump concrete for construction of a high-rise building. In such applications, the pump is frequently connected to a long pipeline which carries the concrete to its destination. After completion of a pumping stroke in one cylinder, as the transfer tube switches to connect another cylinder to the pump outlet, the material in the pipeline exerts extreme pressure back towards the hopper. In addition to working against the concrete pump's purpose of pumping concrete through the pipeline, this can create an extremely dangerous condition as the concrete is forced back through the pipeline toward the pump.


A vehicle electrical system comprises two generators coupled with one or more electrical subsystem, each of which includes at least one of a stored energy source and electrical load. Each generator is regulated via its associated voltage regulator at a common regulation voltage. Sequential electrical power delivery from the generators is achieved via a sequencing means. Where two or more electrical subsystems are present, electrical isolation is achieved via an isolating means. Overcharge protection is achieved by sensing and responding to the highest voltage of the two or more electrical subsystems.

The present invention relates to an electrical system, such as a vehicle electrical system, whereby two generators, whose output voltages are regulated via two corresponding voltage regulators, may sequentially deliver electrical power to one or more electrical subsystems. Each of the electrical subsystem may comprise at least one of an electrical load and a stored energy source such as a battery. In an electrical system where two or more electrical subsystems are present, the system further operates to isolate the two or more electrical subsystems while sequentially delivering electrical power to the electrical subsystems. In the latter configuration, the system may be further configured to protect against overcharging the two or more electrical subsystems. The following description in this section will focus on the third system configuration utilizing two electrical subsystems for describing the invention as it may readily be applied to the other two system configurations.
The vehicle electrical system comprises two electrical subsystems, each of which includes electrical loads and a battery. The system further comprises two generators and two associated voltage regulators which operate to provide electrical power to the two electrical subsystems sequentially at a first or common regulation voltage. A first generator is coupled with the two electrical subsystems via an isolating means whereby electrical power may flow from the generator to the two electrical subsystems but the electrical power may not flow from individual electrical subsystems to one another or the generator. This configuration is ordinarily utilized in vehicle electrical systems where one electrical subsystem comprises a starter and a first battery, dedicated for the vehicle startup, and the other electrical subsystem comprises the remaining electrical loads in the vehicle and a second battery. In applications where the two electrical subsystems require more electrical power than the first generator is capable of producing, a second generator provides electrical power, via a sequencing means, to meet the deficiency.
Isolation between the two electrical subsystems is desirable and/or required in order to insure that the vehicle's engine can be started even after one set of batteries is discharged or if there are other problems with one of the electrical subsystems. Other sophisticated electrical systems have been employed to insure that the electrical power delivery is managed as a function of the vehicle operating conditions. For instance, in a commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,574 entitled "System and Method for Electric Energy Switching and Control in a Vehicle," and its progenies, hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, a control device determines the vehicle's operating conditions and facilitates the transfer of electrical energy between systems of electrical energy sources and their associated electrical loads based on the vehicle operating conditions. The device further determines the operating conditions of the systems of electrical energy sources and their associated electrical loads and facilitates the transfer of electrical energy between them in accordance with said operating conditions.
In addition to having isolated electrical subsystem in the vehicle electrical system, sequential electrical power delivery in the system is also advantageous for the following reasons. Electrical systems, such as those implemented in modern vehicles, include complex electronics and electrical equipment. Such electrical systems are normally comprised of an internal combustion engine and a generator. The engine supplies the generator with mechanical power and the generator converts it into electrical power for the electrical system consumption.
As the number of electrical components increase, the generator's electrical output power must also increase. This is accomplished by either increasing the size of the generator or employing multiple generators in the vehicle electrical system. In a vehicle electrical system where two generators are utilized to meet the electrical power demand, sequential power delivery is desirable because concurrent power delivery can lead to oscillation between the two generators. In a vehicle electrical system where two generators are coupled with two electrical subsystems in parallel, electrical power demand causes the two generators to compete for electrical power delivery and, hence, electrical power generation oscillates between the two generators.
The two generators are, in turn, coupled with one or more prime movers, such as an internal combustion engine or a hydraulic engine. In a vehicle electrical system where the first generator is coupled with an internal combustion engine and the second with a hydraulic engine, it is desirable to provide electrical power to the electrical subsystems sequentially, first from the first generator and then from the second generator. It is well known that internal combustion engines are more efficient in power conversion than hydraulic engines and as such it would be more efficient to draw electrical power from the first generator first and engage the second generator only when the first generator is overloaded.
Aside from efficiency considerations, it may be further desirable to utilize the first generator more often than the second. This is because the coupling mechanism, typically a belt drive mechanism, between the first generator and internal combustion engine, is easier to assemble and less expensive to replace, than the components utilized in a coupling mechanism between the second generator and hydraulic engine. As such, it is desirable to configure the vehicle electrical system where electrical power delivery is sequential, i.e., first from the first generator and second from the second generator, hence most of the operating hours are accumulated by the first generator. Additionally, in applications where acoustic noise minimization is a significant part of the vehicle electrical system, it is desirable to sequentially use the generator that is coupled with the prime mover which produces the least audible noise before engaging the other generator.
Conventional voltage regulators operate to maintain the output voltage of the generator at a constant voltage. As the number and operational complexities of electronic components in the vehicle electrical system increase, the voltage regulator must accordingly provide system monitoring and protection in addition to voltage regulation. As such, control devices are utilized that couple with generators to monitor and manage electrical power distribution throughout the electrical system in addition to maintaining the output voltage of the generator at a regulation/common/system voltage.
For instance, the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,276,804, entitled "Voltage Regulator With Improved Protection and Warning System," and its progenies, hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, discloses a vehicle electrical system voltage regulator with improved electrical protection and warning means that discerns and responds to regulator, generator, or vehicle electrical system operation and malfunctions. The regulator includes monitoring, control, and protection circuits with a phase signal monitor, a field switching circuit that operates the field coil in response to electrical power demands, and a field enable switch in series with the field regulating switch. The phase monitor and protection circuit ascertains and transmits generator rotational motion for use by the monitoring and control circuit in discerning the various operating conditions. The monitoring and control circuit operates on the field switching circuit to meet the electrical power demands and provide multi level fault protection to include field switching circuit reconfiguration to continue operating under various fault conditions. A warning and diagnostic system incorporating visual indicators and communication lines provide descriptive system information for use by the vehicle's operator and computer network, respectively.
In the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,466,107, entitled "System and Method for Electric Current and Power Monitoring and Control of a Generator," its progenies, hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, the control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control.
The present electrical system further provides for monitoring and control of the electrical system. Specifically, the voltage regulators operate to measure battery type and temperature and adjust the regulation voltage accordingly. The electrical system also may be configured so that the voltage regulators can communicate system information with one another or the vehicle computer system. Furthermore, the voltage regulators are configured to sense system voltage at various points so as to insure safe and proper operation of the vehicle electrical system and the electronic components within the electrical system. In addition to monitoring multiple system voltage sense signals, the regulators may be configured to monitor their corresponding generator's output power controller, such as monitoring the duty cycle of the generator's field coil, in order to improve the diagnostic process.
Although various systems have been proposed which touch upon some aspects of the above problems, they do not provide solutions to the existing limitations in providing electrical power sequentially from two generators, while isolating two or more associated electrical subsystems and protecting against overcharging said electrical subsystems. For example, the Wolf patent, U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,998 entitled "Device for Supplying Voltage to the Loads of an Onboard Electrical System of a Motor Vehicle, Using a Plurality of Generators" discloses a device for supplying voltage to the loads of an onboard electrical system of a motor vehicle which includes a first generator, a regulator allocated to the first generator, a second generator, a regulator allocated to the second generator, and a control apparatus. The control apparatus is connected to at least one, and possibly to both, of the regulators, and the control apparatus supplies these regulators with control signals on the basis of which the loading of the generators is compensated. However, the generators in the Wolf electrical system provide electrical power concurrently and suffer from the same shortcomings of undesirable electrical power oscillation and lower efficiency that are eliminated using sequential electrical power delivery.
In Farber et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,249 entitled "Vehicle Dual Electrical System" a vehicle electrical system includes dual alternator/battery sets separately connected to separate non-critical electrical loads, and both connected through a diode circuit to a critical electrical load. A starter switch connects both batteries to the engine starter motor. Although the disclosure discusses two generators supplying electrical power to a critical load via a diode, the electrical system is not configured for sequential electrical power delivery, or more specifically, the two generators do not operate sequentially.
The Stroud patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,473 entitled "Dual alternator power system for motor vehicle" discloses an emergency vehicle having dual batteries, one of which is employed for supplying power to the electrical system of the vehicle chassis and the other of which is employed for supplying power to the emergency equipment, dual alternators driven by the engine are provided for charging the batteries. The output of each alternator is connected to the input of its regulator and to both batteries whereby both alternators will be on at all times when the engine is running and will share the load on either or both batteries. However, the Stroud system provides no sequencing control over the two generators and as such it suffers from the same limitations as discussed above.
In an electrical system, such as the one disclosed here, where two or more generators are used to provide electrical power to the electrical system, it is desirable to draw electrical power from the generators sequentially. Where two or more electrical subsystems are present, it is further desirable to isolate the electrical subsystems so that one or more of the electrical subsystems may be dedicated to serve the operational conditions of the vehicle. Where sequential electrical power delivery and isolation are required in an electrical system, protection against overcharging the electrical subsystems becomes an essential aspect of the electrical system.
The present electrical system is configured to address all of the limitations of conventional electrical systems as discussed above. In addition to sequential power delivery, the electrical system may be configured to accommodate two or more electrical subsystems and provide electrical isolation between the two electrical subsystems. Where two or more electrical subsystems are present, the present electrical system may be configured to prevent overcharging the electrical subsystems by monitoring their corresponding charging voltages. Although not a limitation, it is desirable, and the present system may be configured, to utilize two identical voltage regulators so as to reduce the costs of parts, service, and maintenance of the electrical system. Monitoring of various voltages at various sense points is made in order to insure proper voltage regulation of the electrical system. The present system may be further configured to monitor the generators' output power controllers to improve the diagnostic process.

System and method for sequentional electrical power delivery from two generators in a vehicle electrical system


A fabrication method for a BGA or LGA package includes a low-cost metal leadframe with internally extended leads. I/O attach lands can be placed at any location on the metal leadframe, including the center of the package. An I/O attach land can be fabricated at any position upon an extended lead (e.g., near the center of the package). During fabrication of the package, an isolation saw cut to the bottom of the package can be used to electrically disconnect the leadframe circuit from the peripheral extension traces to prevent tampering with the IC die by probing the edge metal traces.

Grid array packages, such as the Ball Grid Array (BGA) and Land Grid Array (LGA) package layouts provide a surface mount integrated circuit (IC) with a high density of input/output (I/O) connections. The LGA package solution uses contact pads, while the BGA package solution includes solder balls for attachment (e.g., to a printed circuit board (PCB)).
Conventional BGA and LGA package fabrication involves wire bond or flip-chip connection of an IC die to an organic interposer substrate. Custom circuit routing and package I/O layout are available using the organic interposer substrate solution. However, the manufacturing process and materials involved in the organic interposer substrate solution are costly. Also, packages fabricated with an organic interposer substrate have a higher Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) than metal leadframe based packages due to the organic substrate's hygroscopic property. In some cases, this leads to handling requirements such as storage within vacuum sealed moisture barrier bags and limited shelf life prior to assembly.
A BGA or LGA package can instead be fabricated upon an etched or stamped leadframe. The leadframe structure, commonly a metal (e.g., copper) strip, includes a die-attach paddle (DAP) at the center of the package. The DAP shifts the I/O connection placement to the periphery of the package. Because the I/O connections are arranged at the periphery of the package, metal leadframe BGA and LGA packages are less tamper resistant. For example, signals at the edges of the BGA and LGA package can easily be probed because they are exposed upon singulation of the package.
The I/O attach lands are supported by and connected to a plating bus frame. The cantilever connection of the attach lands to the plating bus frame limits the distance an attach land can be placed from the plating bus frame. The limitations on the placement of the attach lands can also limit the IC die size range which can be used in the package. For example, if an IC die is small, the wire bonding connections may be sufficiently long to cause wire sweep defects in the molding stage of fabrication.

Metal leadframe package with secure feature


A bearing assembly for a wheel assembly. In some constructions and in some aspects, the bearing assembly includes a housing defining a cavity therethrough, a first bearing cone positioned within the cavity and a second bearing cone positioned within the cavity and spaced from the first bearing cone. A first plurality of rollers is positioned between and engageable with the housing and the first bearing cone and a second plurality of rollers is positioned between and engageable with the housing and the second bearing cone. A seal seals the space between the first bearing cone and the second bearing cone. In some constructions and in some aspects, the seal is non-metallic or elastomeric.

Bearing assemblies are used in a variety of applications, such as automotive wheel assemblies, trailer wheel assemblies, and other wheel assemblies. In such applications, a wheel axle is positioned within a cavity of the bearing assembly and the bearing assembly is positioned within a cavity of a wheel hub. The bearing assembly facilitates relatively low frictional rotation of the wheel hub and a wheel supported on the wheel hub relative to the wheel axle. Typical bearing assemblies include a pair of bearing cones, an outer bearing cup surrounding the bearing cones, a plurality of rollers positioned between the bearing cones and the outer bearing cup, and a metallic retaining clip for connecting the bearing cones together.


An electric primer for the discharge of ammunition suitable for use with small arms.

Electric primers have previously been used for the discharge of a variety of military arms, which generally are larger than what are typically considered small arms (0.50 caliber and smaller), such as 20 mm and 0.60 caliber firearms systems. In such conventional electric primers a finite quantity of primer mix is required to reliably activate/ignite the propellant of a round for a given volume of the propellants of different cartridges. The quantity of primer mixes for military ammunition can generally be varied as needed to reliably ignite the secondary propellants given the relatively larger sizes and internal volumes of such 20 mm-0.60 caliber ammunition. In fact, there is excess airspace in the larger primer designs of such ammunition.
In the development of electrically actuated smaller caliber firearms, however, the primer for such calibers is significantly smaller than the existing 20 mm primer used in a variety of military products, i.e., as small as {fraction (1/7)}th the size of 20 mm caliber military electrically activated primers, while the chamber pressures generated in the discharge of such small caliber firearms are generally in a comparable range of approximately 60 kpsi. It therefore has been difficult to provide a commercial small caliber primer of a size appropriate for use in small caliber firearms that can be reliably activated by electrical current and structurally withstand the comparable range of general chamber pressures, but without the risk of activation by undesired sources, such as electrostatic discharge, magnetic fields, electromagnetic radiation, such as that emanating from electrical power lines and transformers and radio frequency transmitters.
The present invention is directed to an electric primer primarily for use in small arms ammunition that functions reliably with such small caliber ammunition. The instant invention provides an electric primer for small arms ammunition generally comprising:
(a) an electrically conductive cup having a bottom with an aperture formed therein;
(b) an electrically conductive explosive within an inner chamber defined within the cup;
(c) an electrically conductive contact positioned between the explosive and the bottom of the cup for transmitting an electric charge to the explosive to initiate the discharge of the explosive, and having a portion extending toward and projecting at least partially into the aperture in the bottom of the cup;
(d) an insulating liner generally received within the cup, separating the cup from the contact, with the insulating liner being formed from polymeric material; and
(e) a retaining means generally positioned over the explosive.
The conductive explosive is configured to form an electrical path between the electrically conductive contact and the cup. The insulating liner further generally is configured to fit between the contact and the cup to retain the electrically conductive contact within the cup after discharge of the explosive. As a result, upon the discharge of the explosive, the electrically conductive contact is reshaped to an extent sufficient to substantially seal the aperture of the cup against leakage of combustion gases created by the discharge of the explosive material.
Various objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


Method of catalytically activating the surface of a heat exchange device while retaining the heat exchange properties of the device and heat exchange devices obtained thereby.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for the low temperature cleaning of the atmosphere and more particularly to the rendering of the outer surface of a heat exchanger, such as a radiator of a motor vehicle, capable of catalytically converting pollutants to harmless compounds without adversely affecting the functioning of the heat exchanger.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A review of literature relating to pollution control reveals that the general approach is to reactively clean waste streams entering the environment. If too much of one pollutant or another is detected or being discharged, the tendency had been to focus on the source of the pollutant. For the most part gaseous streams are treated to reduce the pollutants prior to entering the atmosphere.
It has been disclosed to treat atmospheric air directed into a confined space to remove undesirable components therein. However, there has been little effort to treat pollutants which are already in the environment; the environment has been left to its own self cleansing systems.
References are known which disclose proactively cleaning the environment. U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,088 discloses an air filtering assembly for cleaning pollution from the ambient air by utilizing a vehicle as in mobile cleaning device. A variety of elements are disclosed to be used in combination with a vehicle to clean the ambient air as the vehicle is driven through the environment. In particular, there is disclosed ducting to control air stream velocity and direct the air to various filter means. The filter means can include filters and electronic precipitators. Catalyzed postfilters are disclosed to be useful to treat nonparticulate or aerosol pollution such as carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide and/or sulfur oxides, and the like.
Another approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,429. There is disclosed a mobile airborne air cleaning station. In particular this patent features a dirigible for collecting air. The dirigible has a plurality of different types of air cleaning devices contained therein. The air cleaning devices disclosed include wet scrubbers, filtration machines, and cyclonic spray scrubbers.
The difficulty with devices disclosed to proactively clean the atmospheric air is that they require new and additional equipment. Even the modified vehicle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,088 requires ducting and filters which can include catalytic filters.
Responsive to the difficulties associated with devices with proactively treating the atmosphere, the Assignee herein in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/410,445 filed on Mar. 24, 1995, (abandoned), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/682,174 filed Jul. 16, 1996 U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/589,182 filed Jan. 19, 1996, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/589,030 filed Jan. 19, 1996, each incorporated herein by reference, disclosed apparatus in related methods for treating the atmosphere by employing a moving vehicle. In preferred embodiments a portion of the cooling system (e.g. the radiator) is coated with a catalytic or adsorption composition. Additionally, a fan associated with the cooling system can operate to draw or force air into operative contact with the radiator. Pollutants contained within the air such as ozone and/or carbon monoxide are then converted to non-polluting compounds (e.g. oxygen gas and carbon dioxide).
The Assignee herein also has pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/412,525 filed on Mar. 29, 1995, (abandoned), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/589,032 filed Jan. 19, 1996 incorporated herein by reference, which discloses devices and methods for proactively treating the atmosphere employing a stationary object such as an automobile at rest, a billboard, an air conditioning unit and alike with catalytic composition.
The application of a catalytic composition to the surface of a heat exchange device such as a radiator of a motor vehicle presents problems which can adversely affect the heat exchange properties of the device. For example, the catalytic composition can act as an insulator thereby reducing the ability the radiator to dissipate heat.
It would therefore be a significant advance in the art of reducing pollution to employ heat exchange devices for the treatment of air to remove pollutants without adversely affecting the heat exchange properties of the device. It would be of further advance in the art if this problem could be overcome in an effective and cost efficient manner.

Method of catalytically treating the atmosphere and heat exchange devices produced thereby


In the method of fabricating an optical semiconductor device, a semiconductor layer is formed on an InP region, and includes semiconductor films. A first etching mask is formed on the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is etched through the first etching mask to form a semiconductor mesa and a first marking mesa, each mesa includes an active layer and an InP cladding layer, the InP cladding layer being provided on the active layer. The active layer is made of semiconductor material different from InP. An InP burying region is grown through the first etching mask on a side of the semiconductor mesa and a side of the first marking mesa to bury the semiconductor mesa and the first marking mesa. A second etching mask is formed on the InP burying region after removing the first etching mask, and has an opening located above the first marking mesa. InP in the InP burying region and the first marking mesa is etched through the second etching mask to form a second marking mesa. The alignment mark includes the second marking mesa, and the active layer is exposed on the top of the second marking mesa.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating an optical semiconductor device.
2. Related Background Art
In order to fabricating an optical semiconductor device, an alignment mark for lithography is formed on a wafer. It is known that a protecting film is formed on the alignment mark in order to prevent the alignment mark from being deformed or damaged during processes, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-251007.

Method for fabricating optical semiconductor device


An information processing device for processing information based on object networks, each of which represents data and processing of the data as objects in a graph. The information processing device includes a data management system for controlling a set of data which defines a system hierarchy in terms of relations between data models, object models, role models, and process models, the data models representing attribute-value structures by using template-format schema, the object models representing the objects by dividing the objects into formal models and feature models in a hierarchy based on template formats of the data models, the role models representing a structure body of object networks, the process models each corresponding to an object network which represents noun objects as nodes and verb objects as branches in a graph with a function of a given verb object being applied to a given noun object at a given node to obtain a target noun object located down on a branch corresponding to a name of the given verb object. The information processing device further includes an operation control system for controlling processes to proceed by effecting inter-model connections while checking constraints placed on the models based on the set of data controlled by the data management system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to devices which treat data and processing of the data as objects, and process information by using object networks expressing the objects in a graph. The present invention particularly relates to an information processing device which defines system constraints in terms of inter-object relations in the object network to control the constrained processing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Information processing systems such as those directed to a specific application field allow system designers to easily build systems by modeling the systems as an object network. Such systems may be designed to provide users in the specific application field with clear descriptions of system conditions and executable operations. Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 5-233690 discloses one of such systems, and is entitled "Language Processing System based on Object Network" (a disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference).
This processing system classifies objects into noun objects and verb objects, and builds a reference model as an object network which represents the noun objects as nodes and the verb objects as branches. In this reference model, a function of a verb object is applied to a noun object at a given node to obtain another noun object as a target object when this later noun object is located down on a branch having the name of that verb object. An information processing mechanism to achieve this operation is provided in this processing system.
FIG. 1 is an illustrative drawing showing an object network for image drawing processing. In FIG. 1, "None", "Point", "Point seq", "Line", etc., represent noun objects, and "define", "draw up", etc., represent verb objects.
Take an example of drawing a picture on a display. There is nothing on the display at an initial state. Then, a selection of a point is made on the display by a mouse or the like to move into a next state where the point is drawn. Selection of several points achieves a state where a series of the points is formed on the display.
Such data as a point and a series of points are treated as noun objects. A verb object (e.g., define) is applied as a function to a noun object (e.g., Point) to obtain a target noun object (e.g., Point seq.). In this manner, each state of the data of the drawing objects is provided at a node as a noun object, and verb objects represent branches between the nodes to create an object network as shown in FIG. 1. Such an object network enables construction of an image processing system for drawing pictures.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No.7-295929 (a disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) discloses an interactive image information device based on a common platform function. The common platform function is aimed at prompting effective processing in an object network through interactions between a client and a server. To this end, the common platform function displays items of visualization targets, as well as instructions and data which the user intends to use. Further, the common platform is provided with various windows for displaying results from server executions, and a communication manager in the common platform mediates between the client and the server in terms of a data display format or the like.
The present invention develops and expands the functions of the language processing system based on the object network disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 5-233690 and of the interactive information processing device based on the common platform function disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No.7-295929. In so doing, the present invention sets an object to provide a system which enables easy development of applications having visualization functions, interactive functions, and cooperative functions.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system which enables easy development of applications having visualization functions, interactive functions, and cooperative functions.
Further, there is a need for a mechanism which relates constraint processing with the concept of a model to reveal a software structure as well as definitions of data and constraints and to clearly define inter-object relationships in a specified application field, and, thus, establishes a clear connection between object relationships and created processes.

Information processing device based on object network


A method, including receiving, by a first API hub server in communication with a set of private APIs and with a second API hub server that is in communication with a set of public APIs, metadata for the APIs, each of the APIs including one or more respective API calls. A request is received from a client computer to access a given endpoint of a given API, and using the metadata for the given API, an API call is generated. Upon determining that the given API includes a given private API the generated API call is conveyed to the given private API, and upon determining that the given API call includes a given public API, the generated API call is conveyed to the second API hub server. Finally, upon receiving a response to the conveyed API call, the response is forwarded to the client computer.

In computer programming, an application programming interface (API) is a set of building blocks that programmers can use to develop software applications. APIs enable two pieces of software to communicate by enabling one application to plug directly into the data and services of another application.
Types of APIs include private APIs and public APIs. A private API is an API that has its application hosted with in-house developers. Private APIs act as front end interfaces to back end data and application functions. A public API (also known as an open API) is a publicly available API that provides developers with programmatic access to a proprietary software application or web service.
The description above is presented as a general overview of related art in this field and should not be construed as an admission that any of the information it contains constitutes prior art against the present patent application.

Public and private API hub synchronization


A system of forming an image on an image transfer medium. The system forms an image according to image data on the image transfer medium and forms one color primer image on the image transfer medium at least in an area of the image. The system forms the image using the transfer medium and can separate the image according to the image data and the primer image from the image transfer medium, and fix the separated image according to the image data and the primer image on a surface of a transferred object by contacting the primer image with a surface of the transferred object. In this system, an expected color image can be obtained even if a transferred object color is not white, because the primer image is formed between the image and the surface of the transferred object.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image forming apparatus and method of forming an image on a transfer medium, and a method and apparatus for image forming using the transfer medium.
2. Discussion of the Background
A method of image forming with an image transfer paper is known as a method of forming an image on a ceramic product, enamel product or glass product.
FIGS. 7A-7F show a method of image forming with an image transfer paper. In FIG. 7A, first an image is formed on an image transfer paper 900. By the following steps, the image on the transfer paper 900 is transferred to a ceramic product 905. The image transfer paper 900 includes a base paper 901 and a water-soluble paste layer 902 formed on the base paper 901.
As shown in FIG. 7B, in a first step, an ink image 903 is printed on the image transfer paper 900 by a screen printing method. Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, resins are provided on the water-soluble paste layer 902 and the printed image 903, and thus a resin layer 904 is formed, whereby an image transfer paper is fabricated.
In a next step as shown in FIG. 7D, the thus fabricated image transfer paper is inserted into water. The water-soluble paste layer 902 is thereby dissolved in the water, so that the base paper 901 is peeled off, whereby a separate resin layer 904 which bears an image 903 is obtained.
In a next step as shown in FIG. 7E, the thus obtained separated resin layer 904 is applied to the surface of a ceramic product 905. Next, the ceramic product 905 with the resin layer 904 is burned, whereby an image bearing ceramic product can be obtained, as shown in FIG. 7F.
In this method, an image is printed by a screen printing method. In a screen printing, a printing plate is required to be made. Since a basic printing mode of the screen printing is multi-color printing, 10 or more kinds of printing plates are usually required to obtain colorful images. Therefore, the cost for making such printing plates is high. Accordingly, the screen printing method is only used for manufacturing a small number of products.
Japanese Laid-Open Applications 4-135798 and 7-199540 propose a method of solving the above-mentioned problem in the screen printing method. As disclosed in these applications, a toner image is formed on a transfer paper 900 by a dry type copying machine, whereby a toner image bearing image transfer paper is prepared. The thus prepared toner image bearing a resin layer 904 is applied to the surface of the ceramic product 905. Then, the ceramic product 905 with the resin layer 904 is burned, whereby an image bearing ceramic product can be obtained.
This method, however, has a problem. A typical dry type copying machine is made for printing an image on white paper as a recording paper. Further, the toner which forms an image has some translucence. Therefore, in a typical dry type copying machine, a density of each color toner is made based on a decision of printing on white paper and the toner has some translucence. Moreover, a white color and near white color in a forming image is made by using the white color in a recording paper.
However, in the above method of an image forming on a ceramic product using an image transfer paper, because a color of a surface of many ceramic products is not white, an expected color cannot be obtained. This problem occurs in the case of not only forming an image on a ceramic product but also in forming an image on clothing, for example, a T-shirt.

Method and apparatus for forming an image on an image transfer medium and a method of forming an image using the image transfer medium


A slew rate control circuit includes a receiver for receiving input signals and an output generator for generating output signals based on the input signals. The slew rate control circuit also includes an electrical interconnection coupling an output of the receiver and an input of the output generator. In addition, the slew rate control circuit includes a voltage clamp for clamping a voltage on the electrical interconnection between two known voltage reference levels. The voltage clamp may include a first current source for providing driving capacity to a driver circuit to prevent the voltage on the electrical interconnection from falling below one known voltage reference level. The voltage clamp may also include a second current source and a third current source for providing sinking capacity to the driver circuit to prevent the voltage on the electrical interconnection from rising above the other known voltage reference level.

Integrated circuits often include logic devices that receive input signals and provide output signals responsive to the input signals. Output signals from logic devices are often used as input signals to subsequent logic devices. As a result, the output signals often need to have sufficient voltage and current to drive the subsequent logic devices. A common practice is to buffer the output signals using transistors to ensure adequate output signal strength. However, providing each output signal with its own buffer and driver, supplied by a power supply, can create noise problems when many output signals switch state at the same time.
One solution to this problem has involved controlling the slew rate of the output buffers. Slew rate generally refers to the speed at which a voltage or current changes. Controlling the slew rate allows a designer of an integrated circuit to slow the speed of the integrated circuit by driving the output buffers with less current.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical integrator-based slew rate control circuit 100. In this example, the slew rate control circuit 100 includes a driver circuit 102 and an integrator 104. The driver circuit 102 includes a P-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) transistor 106 and an N-channel MOS transistor 108. The transistors 106 and 108 represent pull-up and pull-down transistors, respectively. Gate terminals of the transistors 106 and 108 are coupled to an input signal 110. A voltage of the input signal 110 is referred to as an input voltage VIN. A drain terminal of the transistor 106 and a drain terminal of the transistor 108 are coupled to the integrator 104. A source terminal of the transistor 106 is coupled to a power supply voltage 112 via a current source 114, and a source terminal of the transistor 108 is grounded via a current source 116. The integrator 104 includes an operational amplifier ("op-amp") 118 and a capacitor 120 coupled to an inverting input and an output of the op-amp 118. The op-amp 118 generates an output signal 122. A voltage of the output signal 122 is referred to as an output voltage VOUT. A non-inverting input of the op-amp 118 receives a reference voltage VREF. An electrical interconnection 124 couples an output of the driver circuit 102 and the inverting input of the op-amp 118. A voltage on the interconnection 124 is referred to as an interconnection voltage VINT.
The interconnection voltage VINT may typically swing either to the power supply voltage 112 or to ground when an integration performed by the integrator 104 is complete. When another integration begins, there is typically a need to wait for the interconnection voltage VINT to swing close to the reference voltage VREF before any effective integration can occur. This period of time is referred to as "recovery time." The recovery time typically depends directly on the size of the capacitor 120 and the charge/discharge currents from the current sources 114-116. This recovery time often causes a propagation delay between the input signal 110 received by the driver circuit 102 and the corresponding output signal 122 produced by the integrator 104.
FIG. 2 represents a circuit simulation that illustrates this delay between the input signal 110 and the output signal 122. The simulation involves the following parameters: the capacitor 120 has a capacitance of 2 pF, and the current sources 114-116 produce currents of 30 μA each. The main objective was to achieve a rise/fall time in the output signal 122 of 150 ns. As shown in FIG. 2, the delay time is approximately 100 ns. This amount of delay could be unreasonable or undesirable in certain circumstances.
To reduce the recovery time of the integrator 104, one solution has been to limit the interconnection voltage VINT so that it is as close to the reference voltage VREF as possible while still being sufficient to force a level change in the output voltage VOUT. This may reduce the signal swing on the interconnection 124. One technique to implement this solution has employed a voltage clamp 126 as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 illustrates a previous implementation of the voltage clamp 126. As shown in FIG. 4, this implementation has two fixed biasing levels CBIAS_N and CBIAS_P. When the interconnection voltage VINT (124) is one threshold voltage below CBIAS_N, a transistor 128 turns on and limits the interconnection voltage VINT (124) from dropping further. When the interconnection voltage VINT (124) is one threshold voltage above CBIAS_P, a transistor 130 turns on and limits the interconnection voltage VINT (124) from rising further. However, this implementation typically has large variations in clamping levels due to process and temperature variations in the threshold voltage, resulting in a large variation in the recovery time.

Circuits having precision voltage clamping levels and method

STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.


The torque limiter described herein is a device for preventing the transmission of torque from a drive source to a torque responsive element when a predetermined torque limit has been reached. The device also provides subsequent mechanical indication that the predetermined torque limit has been reached. The device operates by transmitting torque between two axial members, a drive member and a driven member, having a plurality of balls therebetween with the balls engaged within precisely shaped sockets contained within each axial member. As excess torque occurs, the plurality of balls cause the driven member to axially displace with respect to the drive member, engaging a set of teeth contained on the driven member with a second set of teeth aligned with the first set of teeth and restrained within the housing, thereby preventing torque transmission. The second set of teeth is allowed to rotate, relative to the housing, through a predetermined angle into a torsionally compliant mount before contacting substantially rigid structure. This allows the teeth to engage smoothly at higher operating speeds. Indication of the torque overload event is achieved by detecting the limited motion of the second set of teeth relative to the housing with a slidably mounted plunger within the housing and axially located by a detent in the member containing the second set of teeth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to torque limiting devices and torque limiting devices with trip indicators.
2. Background Information
The present invention is well adapted for use in aircraft flight controls, such as trailing edge flap systems where a plurality of torque responsive elements are driven from a single drive source. However, the invention can be practiced in any system where the drive unit must be prevented from exerting excessive torque.
A typical form of the prior art wing flap torque lockout system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,578 to Cacciola et al. In that patent, the device operates by transmitting torque between two axial members through a ball-ramp coupling. The ball-ramp coupling comprises a plurality of balls interposed between the two axial members, with the balls engaged within precisely shaped sockets contained within each axial member. As excess torque occurs, the plurality of balls cause one member to axially displace with respect to the other member compressing a disc brake pack allowing the excess torque to be reacted in the housing, thereby preventing torque transmission. The disc brake pack is comprised of alternating stationary and rotating friction plates.
While this torque limiter has been used successfully on many applications, it is greatly affected by the friction coefficient of the disc brake members and the viscous drag torque, which is related to the plurality of plates, lubricating medium and the rotational speed. This viscous drag torque of the disc brake members causes a significant loss of drive system efficiency and increases drive system weight.
Disc brake packs have been used for many applications because the operating speeds exceed the engagement speed for which toothed, or jaw clutches should be used. At higher operating speeds, a disc brake pack is typically used. Trailing edge flap systems typically operate at speeds in excess of 400 rpm.
One attempt to eliminate the disc brake pack and the adverse effects associated with it is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,666 to Lang et al. In this patent, the device operates by transmitting torque between two axial members, a drive member and a driven member, having a plurality of balls therebetween. The plurality of balls engage sockets contained within each of the axial members. As excess torque occurs, the plurality of balls causes the drive member to axially displace with respect to the driven member. A first set of teeth contained on the drive member engage with a second set of teeth aligned to the first set of teeth and fixed to the housing to prevent torque transmission.
The problem with this device stems from the fact that the first set of teeth is contained on the drive member. The placement of the first set of teeth on the drive member prevents the torque produced by the contact of the teeth from being transmitted across the plurality of balls. Consequently, no additional axial force is developed by the ball-ramp coupling to aid the engagement of the teeth. To solve this problem, the teeth are required to have a negative pressure angle so that they can pull themselves into engagement. The negative pressure angle on the teeth is expensive to manufacture and is not suitably robust for continued service in many aircraft drive systems. Any degradation to the edges of the teeth caused by repeated use will cause the teeth not to engage upon contact, and will lead to excessive torque output. Additionally, the negative pressure angle on the teeth makes it necessary to slowly reverse the direction of the drive system to allow the brake to disengage. Many drive systems require a torque limiting device that disengages automatically, upon removal of input torque.
It is also common to provide a trip indicator that indicates when the torque limiter has been activated. Modern aircraft have multiple torque limiting brake mechanisms. The trip indicators are used for troubleshooting purposes, to determine which torque limiter has activated. Many of the prior art trip indicators produce false trip indications, meaning a trip is indicated when the torque limiter has not been activated. Most prior art trip indicators utilize the axial motion of the output cam to actuate the indicator. It is possible to have a small amount of axial motion of the output cam trip the indicator but not energize the braking mechanism. This produces a false trip indication. A false trip indication makes troubleshooting the drive system difficult and can lead to unnecessary maintenance activity.


A motor control device is a device for controlling a drive of a DC motor which is interlocked with an output shaft portion of an actuator. The motor control device includes: a relative position obtainer detecting current fluctuations when switching a connection between a commutator and a brush in the DC motor or when rotating the DC motor and obtaining relative position information of the output shaft portion; and an absolute position obtainer obtaining absolute position information of the output shaft portion using a potentiometer. The motor control device further includes: an actual position setter setting actual position information of the output shaft portion based on at least one of the absolute position information and the relative position information.

A method of detecting a rotation state of a DC motor using a rotary encoder, a potentiometer or the like is known.
When a method using a potentiometer is adopted as a method of detecting the rotation state of the DC motor, it is difficult to accurately detect a fine rotation state due to variations in a resistance value of the potentiometer. Also, when the method of detecting the surge current generated when the commutator and the brush are switched is adopted, the surge current becomes smaller as the rotation speed becomes lower, thereby lowering the detection accuracy of the surge current and making it difficult to stably and accurately detect the rotation state. In view of the above, or in other aspects not mentioned, further improvements are required in motor control devices.


A light emitting apparatus is comprised of a multilayer chip varistor having a varistor element body, a semiconductor light emitting element, and a reflecting portion. The varistor element body includes a varistor layer, and a plurality of internal electrodes opposed to each other so as to interpose the varistor layer between the internal electrodes. The semiconductor light emitting element is disposed on the multilayer chip varistor and is electrically connected to the plurality of internal electrodes so as to be connected in parallel to the multilayer chip varistor. The reflecting portion is disposed between the multilayer chip varistor and the semiconductor light emitting element. The reflecting portion reflects light traveling toward the multilayer chip varistor out of light generated by the semiconductor light emitting element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to light emitting apparatus having a semiconductor light emitting element and a multilayer chip varistor.
2. Related Background Art
The conventionally known light emitting apparatus includes one having a semiconductor light emitting element, and a varistor connected in parallel to the semiconductor light emitting element (e.g., cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-15815). In the light emitting apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-15815, a light reflecting plate is located around the semiconductor light emitting element.


A gaming machine includes a cabinet having a topbox frame attached thereto and facing a player position in front of the gaming machine, and one or more display devices within the cabinet and configured to display a wagering game. The gaming machine further includes a tower light for indicating a status condition, and a conduit for mounting the tower light to the topbox frame. The conduit has a fixed end attached to the topbox frame and an adjustable end attached to the tower light. The adjustable end is movable to different positions to provide a line of sight for viewing the tower light.

Gaming terminals, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
Traditionally, gaming machines operate under control of a processor that has been programmed to execute base games and bonus games in which reel arrays spin and stop to display symbol combinations in a display area. If winning combinations are achieved by the symbol combinations, awards are provided to the players.
Some gaming machines include a tower light for indicating a status of the gaming machine or a pending inquiry from a player. The tower light typically extends from the top of the gaming machine to provide a line of sight to casino staff.

Gaming machine having flexible mount for tower light


A communication system for providing caller identification services comprises a processing system configured to store a data structure having a plurality of codes associated with a plurality of caller numbers, and to translate one of the codes into one of the caller numbers using the data structure. The communication system further comprises a communication interface configured to receive a first call request for a call including the one code and transfer a second call request for the call including the one caller number.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of telecommunications, and in particular to providing caller identification.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Telemarketing companies solicit business for their clients by placing large numbers of telephone calls to prospective customers. Generally, telemarketing firms are staffed with several telemarketing operators that have several telephone connections to a telephone network. These telephone connections are typically over Integrated Digital Services Network (ISDN) lines or Dedicated Access Lines (DALs). The telemarketing operators continually place telephone calls to prospective customers on behalf of their telemarketing clients.
Caller ID is a telephone service that provides a caller's telephone number to a called party during call set-up. The called party may view the caller's number when deciding whether to answer the call. The called party may also block calls from particular caller numbers.
Recently, government entities have required telemarketing firms to identify their clients when placing telemarketing calls. The telemarketing operators must now specify a caller number that is associated with the client who is responsible for the call. With multiple clients, there are now multiple caller numbers for the telemarketing operators to manage in order to specify the correct caller number on a per call basis. Although ISDN lines allow telemarketing operators to specify caller numbers on a per call basis, ISDN lines are also more expensive than DALs. Unfortunately, DALs do not currently allow the telemarketing operators to specify caller numbers on a per call basis.

Caller identification in a communication system