A rotary drag bit for drilling a subterranean formation includes a plurality of support elements affixed to the bit body, each forming at least a portion of a cutting element pocket. Each of a plurality of cutting elements has a substantially cylindrical body and is at least partially disposed within a cutter pocket. At least a portion of the substantially cylindrical body of each cutting element is directly secured to at least a portion of a substantially arcuate surface of the bit body. At least a portion of a substantially planar surface of each cutting element matingly engages at least a portion of a substantially planar surface of a support element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to steel body rotary drag bits and, more specifically, to retention of generally cylindrical cutting elements within steel bodied rotary drag bits for drilling subterranean formations.
2. State of the Art
Steel bodied rotary drag bits employing cylindrical polycrystalline diamond compact ("PDC") cutters have been employed for drilling subterranean formations for a relatively long time. PDC cutters comprised of a diamond table formed under ultra-high temperature, ultra-high pressure conditions onto a substrate, typically of cemented tungsten carbide (WC), were introduced about twenty-five years ago. Steel drill bit bodies are typically fabricated by machining a piece of steel to form generally radially extending blades, cutting element sockets or pockets, junk slots, internal watercourses and passages for delivery of drilling fluid to the bit face, ridges, lands, and other external topographic features of the drag bit. A threaded pin connection for securing the drill bit body to the drive shaft of a downhole motor or directly to drill collars at the distal end of a drill string rotated at the surface by a rotary table or top drive may typically be machined separately from a different steel grade and then may be affixed to the bit body by welding.
Conventional cutting element retention systems generally comprise two styles: (1) tungsten carbide studs comprising a cylindrical tungsten carbide cylinder having a face oriented at an angle (backrake angle) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, the face carrying a superabrasive cutting structure thereon, wherein the cylinder is press-fit into a recess that is generally oriented perpendicularly to the blades extending from the bit body on the bit face; and (2) mechanical and/or brazed attachment of a generally cylindrical cutting element into a recess formed on the bit face, typically on a blade extending therefrom. Regarding the first cutting element retention style, PDC cutting elements may be brazed to the face, or other superabrasive structures may be affixed thereto, by infiltration or brazing, such as thermally stable diamonds (TSPs). Accordingly, the first cutting element retention style is designed for a stud-type cutting element, while the second cutting element retention style is designed for generally cylindrical cutting elements, such as PDC cutters. In either system, the goals are to provide sufficient cutting element attachment and retention as well as mechanical strength sufficient to withstand the forces experienced during the drilling operation.
Of the two different types of cutting element retention configurations utilized in the manufacture of steel body rotary drill bits, generally cylindrical cutting elements are generally preferred and almost uniformly utilized therefor. Stud-type cutting elements, on the other hand, are relatively uncommon and may require a brazing or infiltration cycle to affix the PDC or TSPs to the stud. Therefore, it may be preferable to form a recess into a steel body bit blade that has the shape of a flat-ended, right cylinder. Often, the preferred method of machining a flat-ended cylinder is by plunging a rotating flat-bottomed machining tool, such as an end mill disposed at the angle desired for backrake into the rotationally leading face of a bit blade along the axis of rotation of the end mill. Such a machining operation may yield a cutting element pocket having a substantially cylindrical surface and a substantially planar end surface for disposing and brazing a generally cylindrical cutting element therein.
Although generally cylindrical cutting elements are almost uniformly employed in manufacturing steel body rotary drill bits, difficulties may arise in machining the recesses therefor within the steel body. For instance, there may be interference between the machining equipment used, such as a multiple-axis milling machine, and the drill bit blades. More specifically, the interference may inhibit a desired machining path of a machining tool that is aligned generally along the axis of rotation thereof because the collet or chuck that retains the machining tool may contact an adjacent blade.
Notwithstanding use of a right angle converter to reduce the amount of clearance required, or a longer machining tool which may allow for the collet or chuck holding the machining tool to be positioned at a greater distance from the bit body, in steel-body rotary drill bit designs where adjacent blades are relatively close to one another, interference may still exist. Therefore, bit designs including blades that are relatively near to each other may prevent effective machining of cutting element pockets because an adjacent bit blade may intersect the projection of the cutting element recess geometry itself. Put another way, in order to form the desired cutting element recess having an arcuate surface for conforming to the generally cylindrical portion of a generally cylindrical cutting element and a substantially planar end surface for supporting the generally cylindrical cutting element by way of a flat-bottomed machining tool, such as an end mill, the machining tool may be required to remove a portion of the rotationally leading adjacent blade. As a further complication, drill bit profile designs often taper longitudinally away from the direction of drilling precession as the profile approaches the center of the face of the drill bit. Thus, near the center of the bit, use of a flat-bottomed machining tool to form recesses for generally cylindrical cutting elements within steel body rotary drill bits may be extremely difficult. For this reason, steel body rotary drill bit design may be limited in flexibility in order to utilize the relatively popular generally cylindrical cutting element.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10 may typically comprise generally longitudinally extending and radially directed upwardly projecting blades 34. Cutting element pockets 30 may be formed within blades 34 proximate intervening junk slots 36 for retaining cutting elements (not shown) for engaging and cutting the formations during rotation of the conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10 as known in the art. In addition, nozzle cavities 18 may be formed for accepting nozzles (not shown) for communicating drilling fluid from the interior of the steel body rotary drill bit body 10 to the cutting elements (not shown) and face 38 of the conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10. As known in the art, conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10 may be affixed to a bit shank to form a steel body rotary drill bit wherein the shank includes an end for connection to a drill string or, alternatively, to a down hole drill motor assembly.
Cutting element pockets 30 formed in blades 34 are of a general right cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As may be further seen with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B, cutting element pockets 30 proximate the inner radial region 26 of conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10 may be difficult to form conventionally. Further, as blades 34 extend nearer to one another, especially within the inner radial region 26 of conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10, conventional cutting element pockets 30 may become difficult to form. As may be further noted, a cutting element pocket 30 of a conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10 may not fully support the substantially planar surface of a cutting element disposed therein because the cutting element pocket 30 may extend only to the top surface of the blade 34. However, the conventional cutting element pockets 30 may be machined in such a way as to form supporting backings (not shown) that extend above the upper surface of the blade 34, in conformity with the substantially planar surface of a generally cylindrical cutting element (not shown), but such machining may be time intensive and expensive.
Furthermore, generally cylindrical cutting elements (not shown) may typically be brazed within the cutting element pockets 30 formed within the conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10. While brazing may be generally adequate under moderate drilling conditions, generally cylindrical cutting elements may fracture during drilling, and conventional brazing configurations may not prevent the fractured portion of the generally cylindrical cutting elements from becoming detached from the conventional steel body rotary drill bit body 10, and may thereby likely cause damage to other generally cylindrical cutting elements affixed thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,605 to Short discloses a metallurgical and mechanical holding of cutters in a matrix-type rotary drill bit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,382 to Clench discloses a method for forming the displacements within a mold to form matrix cutter pockets by way of two independent end mill passes within a matrix-type rotary drag bit mold.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,170 to Thigpen et al. discloses a cylindrical cutting element having a spherical end that may be mechanically locked by the side walls of the recess formed therefor.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an improved cutting element retention configuration for use in steel body rotary drag bits. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a cutting element retention apparatus that is implementable by way of conventional machining equipment and improves flexibility of design. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a cutting element retention apparatus that provides mechanical locking of at least a portion of the cutting element within the steel body rotary drill bit.

Method of manufacturing a rotary drill bit


Vertically draining synthetic turf having reduced abrasiveness and increased resilience compared to conventional synthetic turfs. The vertical draining system of the present invention prevents water from accumulating on the turf surface, which could cause the top-dressing layer to "float" and be moved by inundation. The draining system of the present invention incorporates a porous geotextile membrane between an open graded aggregate layer and a sand layer above the aggregate layer to prevent the movement of one aggregate layer into the other. The top-dressing layer consists of resilient particles, preferably a mixture of high and low density rubber. The pile fabric preferably includes an isotropic non-woven backing to add dimensional stability.

Artificial turf has long been used in athletic venues. It is a general object of such surfaces to mimic natural grass turfs while eliminating the high maintenance required and poor durability of the same. However, much concern has arisen about the propensity for certain types of injury associated with the product. Indeed, grass surfaces provide excellent shock-absorbing properties and excellent traction for athletes as they traverse the turf, yet conventional synthetic turfs tend to fall short in these areas. Moreover, conventional synthetic turfs tend to be abrasive, rendering them inappropriate for such sports as soccer and lacrosse. In addition, unnatural ball action on conventional turfs inhibits play of these and other sports.
More recently, artificial turf filled with a mixture of sand and rubber has been shown to address many of these problems by reducing the potential for certain turf-induced injuries and by greatly reducing abrasion. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,283 discloses an artificial turf comprising a subsurface, a pile fabric having a flexible backing on the subsurface, and a compacted top-dressing layer comprising a mixture of from 25 to 95 volume percent resilient particles such as rubber, and from 5 to 75 volume percent fine sand. The top-dressing layer is interspersed among the pile elements of the pile fabric and on the backing. The purpose of the top-dressing layer is to stabilize the pile elements, prevent graininess (i.e., prevent the tendency of the pile fabric to lay in a given direction), absorb shock, and improve the footing of a player running or walking across the surface. Although the use of fine sand in the top-dressing layer adds weight and reduces sponginess to the pile fabric layer and is less abrasive than "large" sand, it still suffers from undesirable abrasiveness. In addition, the turf system relies on gravity and the slope of the sub-base for water drainage.

Vertically draining, rubber-filled synthetic turf and method of manufacture


A satellite system includes a plurality of orbit slots having a first orbital and a second orbital slot. A first satellite occupies a first orbital slot and generates a first set of uniform beams. A second satellite located in a second orbital slot generates a second set of uniform beams. A tiling pattern on the face of the Earth has a plurality of cells, with each of the cells having a defined frequency for communication. The first set of beams and the second set of beams are generated according to parameters to avoid interference between them. The parameters may include satellite orbit separations, beam size, multiplicity of band reuse, and ground station received beamwidth.

Satellites in geostationary orbit (GSO) have been widely preferred for several decades because of economic advantages. In a geostationary orbit, a satellite traveling above the Earth's equator, in the same direction as that in which the Earth is rotating, and at the same angular velocity, appears stationary relative to a point on the Earth. These satellites are always "in view" at all locations within their service areas. Antennas on Earth need to be aimed at a GSO satellite only once; no tracking system is required.
Coordination between GSO satellites generally occurs on a first-come, first-served, basis; such coordination sometimes is facilitated by governmental allocation of designated "slots" angularly spaced according to service type.
Given the desirability of geostationary satellite orbits and technical limits in spacecraft and earth station design, the number of satellites that can effectively serve a given area on the earth using a particular band of operation (e.g., "C-band", or "Ku-band") is limited. While efforts have continued to improve the technology to enhance capacity, governments have on occasion resorted to auctions as a mechanism to assign limited orbital resources where the demand has exceeded the apparent supply. These circumstances have encouraged the development of complex and expensive new systems including those using low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and higher frequencies, for example, the Ka band (up to approximately 40 GHz). Growth to higher frequencies is limited by problems of technology and propagation: thus some efforts at expanding satellite applications involve exploitation of the spatial dimension (i.e., utilizing satellite orbits other than the GSO). A host of proposed LEO and MEO systems exemplify this direction.
The recently filed LEO and MEO system applications, however, introduce additional technical complexity and costs that may not be justified in some applications. Frequency coordination and sharing are complicated by the unstructured crisscrossing of the lines of sight of these systems.
In the use of geostationary orbits, objectives in establishing networks is to maximize the independence between satellites. To achieve this, the burden of coordination is placed on the later entrant, to ensure interference-free operation vis-à-vis existing systems. Because of the number of networks in operation, particularly in the heavily utilized C-band and Ku-band, interference-free capacity is very difficult (if not impossible) to coordinate for service areas including the populated land masses. It would therefore be desirable to provide a system for coordinating various satellite operations so that the aggregate communications capacity of all satellites may be improved, and the overall utilization of the resource is increased. It would therefore be desirable to provide a system for coordinating various satellite operations so that the aggregate communications capacity of satellites may be maximized.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system of efficient spectrum utilization by communications satellites


Sensitive pieces of information stored on an individual's device can be protected using a device identification system that applies, for each sensitive piece of information, a function that integrates an identifier of the individual with a respective sensitive piece of information to create a respective identity element. Each identity element can be signed with a signature to create a trust group. The identity element and signature can be uploaded to the individual's device using an application that is configured to provide a subset of the sensitive pieces of information in response to a query.

The present disclosure relates to verification of digital data elements, and more specifically, to verifying the integrity of relationships between digital data elements.
Cryptographic functions and algorithms can be used to help protect sensitive data, such as personal information about an individual. A first type of cryptographic function is a symmetric-key algorithm. Symmetric-key algorithms use the same cryptographic key for both encryption and decryption. Both the sending and receiving party should maintain the secrecy of the key in order to prevent a third party from gaining access to the encrypted information.
A second type of cryptographic function is an asymmetric-key algorithm. Asymmetric key algorithms can be used in a variety of manners. In one instance, a first party can encrypt data using a first (private) key. A second party can then decrypt the data using a second (public) key. This can be useful for verifying the source of the data as only the owner of the private key can encrypt data that will be decrypted using the associated public key. Alternately, the second party could encrypt data using the public key and the first party can then decrypt the data using its private key. This can be helpful to ensure that only the owner of the private key can decrypt the data. The use of two different keys can be useful for a variety of different applications. In some instances, the first party can use the private key to create a digital signature. The second party can then use the public key and digital signature to verify that the contents of the data were sent by the first party and have not been modified.

Secure access for sensitive digital information

International Business Machines Corporation


A retractable hook device that has a hook mounted on a housing. The housing is to be securable to an exterior surface. The hook is pivotable between a retracted (stowage) position and an extended (usage) position. A release plate is mounted on the housing. The release plate can be in either an outer position or an inner position. When in the outer position the hook can be locked in either the extended position or the retracted position. When the release plate is in the inner position, the hook is pivotally movable between the extended position and the retracted position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hook device that is to be mounted on an exterior surface, usually flat, such as an undersurface of a table, counter, bar top, gaming machine, shelf, cabinet or building structure wall where the hook device is to be used for suspending an item therefrom.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hook devices have long been in use for supporting personal items such as clothing, purses, umbrellas, backpacks, belts, scarves, tools, cables, towels and gadgets. The hook device comprises a U-shaped hook that protrudes outwardly from the surface on which it is mounted. When the hook device is not being used, the hook becomes a hazard capable of tearing clothes of a human or causing injury. It is desirable to have the hook retracted when not in use to eliminate this hazard and also to improve appearance avoiding the unsightly look of the not used hook. There have been designed previously numerous different types of retractable hook devices. However, these prior art devices have been complexly constructed and therefore expensive to manufacture.
It is desirable to construct a retractable hook device which is simple in construction and can optionally be installed either with adhesive or mechanical devices such as screws or nails.
It is further desirable to construct a retractable hook device which can be manufactured inexpensively and therefore sold to the consumer at an inexpensive price.


A wire winding spool, comprising a tubular body for supporting a coil of wire provided, at its ends, with wall elements for containing the coil, at least one of the wall elements being provided with at least one pin for engaging means for turning the spool, each wall element being associated with the corresponding end of the tubular body so as to rest against an abutment provided on the outer surface of the wall of the body, clamped against it by a fold of the end portion of the wall.

It is known that spools for winding wire which comprise a tubular body for supporting the coil of wire, provided at its ends with wall elements for containing the coil, are widely used in the industrial field.
Known spools have a certain constructive complexity, which derives in particular from assemblies obtained by welding.


A method of forming a lap seam for a disposable undergarment is disclosed. The method involves the steps of providing a continuous web of material, folding the material, cutting the material into individual undergarment blanks, folding the edges of the individual blanks, and sealing the edges. The method preferably employs undergarment blanks that are asymmetrical in shape.

The invention relates to disposable garments, and more particularly, a pants-type diaper, and methods of producing such garments. Disposable diapers of the children's training pant type, or of the adult incontinence type, have generally been made with a standard fashion. The disposable garments are typically produced in a laid-flat blank format, with the blanks forming a continuous web of material. The final form of the diaper is achieved by folding the blanks in half, either before or after they are cut from the web of material. The blanks must also be sealed along the side edges to form the final diaper shape.
With such transversely produced products, the side seals or bonds are created in the form of a cross-directional weld, typically produced either ultrasonically or thermally. When the folded flats are run through a bonding unit, either before or after the flats are cut into individual flats, the edges are held out so that all layers of the web are welded together. This results in the formation of a butt seam or weld.
Butt seams are inherently weak because normal usage applies forces, called peel forces, to the bond, which are relatively damaging to the bond. Such forces focus along the leading edges of the bond formation and push outwardly from the bond seam. When the flats are welded together, the bonding process essentially is a destructive process. The small welded area is subject to a large peel force that tends to push apart the bonded edges. Thus, a more durable bonding process is desirable.
A more suitable and durable type of seam would be a lap seam. Typically overlaying or layering the edges of the materials to be bonded forms a lap seam, which subjects the garment edges to shear forces as opposed to peel forces. Such a design is advantageous because the forces are typically distributed over the entire bonded area as opposed to the edges of the bond. However, lap seams have not been previously used, as it is difficult in positioning an anvil and a sealing machine used in the bonding process in a manner that would allow formation of a lap seam.

Method of producing an ultrasonically bonded lap seam


A computer-guided system for orienting an insert during a surgical procedure, the computer-guided system comprising:                a surgical table for supporting a patient, the surgical table being capable of movement about three axes;        a table inertial measurement unit for measuring movement of the surgical table;        a patient inertial measurement unit for measuring movement of the patient;        an insert inertial measurement unit for measuring movement of the insert; and        computational means for determining the relative positioning of the patient and the insert based upon movement of the surgical table, movement of the patient, and movement of the insert.

Joint replacement surgery seeks to replace portions of a joint with prosthetic components so as to provide long-lasting joint function and pain-free mobility for the patient.
One joint which is commonly replaced, in whole or in part, is the hip joint. The hip joint is located at the junction of the femur and the acetabulum. More particularly, and looking now at FIG. 1, the head of the femur is received in the acetabulum, with a plurality of ligaments and other soft tissue serving to hold the bones in articulating relation.
During total hip replacement surgery, and looking now at FIG. 2, the operative elements of the hip joint (i.e., the head of the femur and the acetabular cup) are replaced by prosthetic components. More particularly, during total hip replacement surgery, the head of the femur is replaced by a prosthetic ball-and-stem, and the natural acetabular cup is replaced by a prosthetic acetabular cup, whereby to provide the prosthetic total hip joint.
In a partial hip replacement surgery, only one of the operative elements of the hip joint may be replaced, e.g., the head of the femur.
The present invention will hereinafter be discussed in the context of a total hip replacement surgery, however, it should also be appreciated that the present invention may be equally applicable to a partial hip replacement surgery.
In order to replace the head of the femur with the femoral prosthesis, the head of the femur is first distracted from the acetabulum so as to expose the femoral head. Then an osteotomy is performed on the femoral neck so as to remove the neck and head of the femur from the remainder of the femur. Next, the proximal end of the intramedullary canal is prepared to receive the stem of the femoral prosthesis. More particularly, a rasp, reamer, broach, etc. is used to hollow out, clean and enlarge the intramedullary canal of the femur so as to create a cavity to receive the stem of the femoral prosthesis. Once the proximal end of the intramedullary canal has been prepared to receive the femoral prosthesis, the stem of the femoral prosthesis is inserted into the intramedullary canal so that the ball of the femoral prosthesis is appropriately presented to the acetabular cup. Typically, the ball of the femoral prosthesis is formed separately from the stem of the femoral prosthesis, and it is mounted to the stem of the femoral prosthesis at the time of use. Furthermore, it should also be appreciated that during the surgery itself, it is common to temporarily position a trial stem or broach in the femur, attach a trial ball or equivalent element to the trial stem or broach, and then temporarily reduce the joint so as to confirm the reconstruction before the actual prosthetic stem is secured in position within the femur.
In order to replace the native acetabular cup with the prosthetic acetabular cup, the native acetabulum is first prepared to receive the prosthetic acetabular cup. This generally involves reaming an appropriate seat in the acetabulum to receive the prosthetic acetabular cup. Then the prosthetic acetabular cup is installed in the seat formed in the acetabulum, and the distraction released, so that the ball of the femoral prosthesis can be seated in the prosthetic acetabular cup. In this respect it will be appreciated that the prosthetic acetabular cup typically comprises an outer cup made of metal and an inner liner made of polyethylene (or another polymer, or a ceramic, or a metal, etc.). The metal outer cup is configured so as to be received in the seat formed in the acetabulum and thereafter osseointegrate into the host bone, and the polyethylene inner liner is configured so as to be received in the metal outer cup and thereafter provide a low-friction seat for the ball of the femoral prosthesis.
During seating of the prosthetic acetabular cup in the acetabulum, it is important that the prosthetic acetabular cup be set in the acetabulum with the proper positioning, i.e., at the proper location and with the proper orientation. Such proper positioning is important in order to (i) avoid impingement between the rim of the prosthetic acetabular cup and the neck of the femoral prosthesis as the prosthetic joint is moved through a range of motions, since such impingement can result in a reduced range of motion, excessive wear, joint failure and/or substantial pain for the patient, and (ii) avoid dislocation of the ball of the femoral prosthesis from the acetabular cup as the joint is moved through a range of motions, since such dislocation can result in damage to the anatomy, joint failure and/or substantial pain for the patient.
In many cases, the surgeon seats the prosthetic acetabular cup in the acetabulum "by eye", and thereafter confirms the proper disposition of the prosthetic acetabular cup when the distracted joint is subsequently reduced. However, this approach relies heavily on the anatomical view available to, and appreciated by, the surgeon, and errors in cup orientation (i.e., tilt) may not be discovered until after the surgery has been completed, since such errors in cup orientation can be difficult to detect interoperatively, even where X-ray imaging is available.
For this reason, various computer-guided systems have been developed to assist the surgeon in the proper placement of the prosthetic acetabular cup during total hip replacement surgery. However, such computer-guided systems frequently require that a CT scan be made of the patient in advance of the procedure so as to determine the geometry of the acetabulum. Furthermore, such computer-guided systems typically require (i) the registration and tracking of pelvic anatomical landmarks (e.g., the pubic tubercles and the anterior/superior iliac spines) prior to and during the surgery, e.g., with optical or electromagnetic trackers placed on the pelvic anatomical landmarks, and (ii) the registration and tracking of femoral anatomical landmarks prior to and during the surgery, e.g., with optical or electromagnetic trackers placed on the femoral anatomical landmarks. However, in practice, one or more of the pelvic anatomical landmarks can be difficult to physically access during the procedure. Furthermore, the optical or electromagnetic trackers must typically be applied to both the pelvic anatomical landmarks and the femoral anatomical landmarks during the surgery itself so as to track the dispositions of these body parts during the surgery. These requirements can add to the cost of the procedure, can lengthen the time required for the procedure, and can be inconvenient for the surgeon (e.g., such as where the surgeon must work around optical trackers protruding into the surgical field). In this respect it should be appreciated that optical trackers, while providing good spatial resolution, suffer from the disadvantage that they must remain directly visible at all times; electromagnetic trackers, while not requiring direct visual access, suffer from the disadvantage of poor spatial resolution.
Accordingly, there is a need for a new and improved computer-guided system for orienting a prosthetic acetabular cup in the acetabulum during total hip replacement surgery, wherein the need for a pre-operative CT scan can be eliminated, and wherein the need to physically access pelvic anatomical landmarks during the procedure can be eliminated.
In addition, there is also a need for a new and improved computer-guided system which can be used to orient prosthetic components other than a prosthetic acetabular cup, e.g., a computer-guided system which can be used to orient a femoral prosthetic component.
Furthermore, there is also a need for a new and improved computer-guided system which can be used to orient prosthetic components for joints other than the hip, e.g., a computer-guided system which can be used to orient prosthetic components in the knee.
And there is a need for a new and improved computer-guided system which can be used to determine and adjust the position of substantially any two interacting components in space.

Computer-guided system for orienting a prosthetic acetabular cup in the acetabulum during total hip replacement surgery


A circuit system for controlling an electrical consumer, the circuit system including an up-down counter, and the circuit system being configured to generate a control signal for controlling the electrical consumer, in particular for shutting off the electrical consumer, as a function of a counter content of the up-down counter. The circuit system includes a controllable clock divider circuit, with the aid of which the circuit system is configured to predefine a counting direction and a counting speed of the up-down counter as a function of at least one variable characterizing an actual current and/or a nominal current of the electrical consumer.

Electronic circuits which are able to activate an electrical consumer and ascertain a power consumption or a current consumption of the electrical consumer in the process are known from the market. As a function of predefinable criteria, the electrical consumer may be activated in such a way that thermal overloading of the electrical consumer is avoided.

Circuit system for controlling an electrical consumer


A sealing device in which a magnetic encoder is protected so as to improve detecting precision and reliability, without increasing the number of parts and assembling time and without enlarging a setting space, the sealing device is structured such that a detected portion is arranged in the sealed fluid side of an annular member. A first annular member fitted to a shaft is formed with an axial direction portion and diametrical direction portions extending in the inward and outward diametrical directions from the axial direction portion. One of the diametrical direction portions supports the detected portion in the sealed fluid side. A seal lip is in slidable contact with the other diametrical direction portion for sealing, and the seal portion is formed with the seal lip and the micro space.

In conventional, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-48247, there has been developed a structure in which a magnetic encoder 106 is integrally formed in a sealing device 105 sealing an annular space between a shaft 101 and a housing 102 which rotate relatively to each other via a rolling element 103, as shown in FIG. 7. The sealing device 105 is structured such that first and second annular members 107 and 108 each of which is formed in an L-shaped cross sectional shape are fitly attached to the shaft 101 and the housing 102 respectively, a seal member 109 is provided in the second annular member 108, and a seal lip 110 integrally formed with the seal member 109 is brought into contact with the first annular member 107 with sealing effect, thereby preventing a foreign material from entering from the external and preventing a grease in the inside from flowing out. The magnetic encoder 106 is formed by an elastic body such as a rubber, a resin or the like into which a magnetic material powder is mixed, and is vulcanized and adhered to an outer surface (right side in the drawing) of a flange portion of the first seal annular member 107. The magnetic encoder 106 is structured such that magnetic poles are alternately formed in the circumferential direction by a magnetic field applied from the external, and a rotating speed or the like is detected by sensing a change of the magnetic field generated from the rotating magnetic encoder 106 by means of a magnetic sensor 111 arranged close thereto.
In accordance with this structure, since the magnetic encoder 106 and the magnetic sensor 111 are arranged in an outermost position in the axial direction which is exposed to the atmospheric air, the magnetic encoder 106 and the magnetic sensor 111 are directly exposed to splashing muddy water and a foreign material, and are under the condition of being easily affected by a disturbance such as a magnetic field applied from the external. Accordingly, reduction of the magnetic force and turbulence of the magnetic force are generated, and they are under the condition of hardly to supplying stable magnetic force. Further, if a foreign material intrudes so as to attach to a portion between the magnetic encoder 106 and the magnetic sensor 111, the magnetic encoder 106 and the magnetic sensor 111 are damaged due to the foreign material bitten by them with rotational force in the worst case and there is a risk that a detecting number of the rotation is led into error.
As a countermeasure thereof, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-303879, there is employed a method of wrapping the magnetic encoder 106 by a protection plate 113 arranged in the outside in the axial direction of the magnetic encoder 106 so as to protect the magnetic encoder 106, as shown in FIG. 8. However, since the protecting plate 113 is newly provided, a number of parts and an assembling man-hour are increased. Further, since a setting space must be enlarged in the axial direction, it is hard to attach to a narrow space.


A solenoid valve, particularly for hot water, has a diaphragm that is disposed with no folds that accumulate air or vapor bubbles. The diaphragm extends in a smooth curve between its outer edge and its inner edge so that the bubbles are directed to the level where the mouth of the inlet conduit enters the valve chamber. Preferably the center axis of the valve chamber and a solenoid system is tipped back to form an obtuse angle with the center axis of the inlet conduit. In addition, the inlet conduit has a portion of the upper inside wall that slopes upwardly in the direction away form the valve chamber and toward the inlet. In this portion, a discharge channel, such as a groove, extends in the direction from the valve chamber to the inlet. The discharge channel helps direct accumulated air and vapor bubbles from the valve chamber out toward the inlet.

The present invention relates to a solenoid valve for fluid media, in particular heated water. The valve has a valve housing in which a valve chamber is disposed. The valve chamber is connected directly via an inlet conduit with a valve inlet, and is connected via a valve seat and an outlet conduit with a valve outlet. The valve has a solenoid system that is disposed on the upper side of the valve housing and has a solenoid coil. An armature extending within the solenoid coil has one end connected to a valve disk via a valve stem that extends into the valve chamber, which is sealed from the inner space of the solenoid system by a valve diaphragm. The inner or inside edge of the diaphragm is fixed on the valve stem or on the valve disk, and the outer or outside edge is fixed on the valve housing. At least a portion of the length of the upper inside wall of the inlet conduit adjoining the valve chamber is slanted downward as it extends toward the valve chamber. An example of such a valve is disclosed in DE 101 62 794 A1.
In known valves the diaphragm, by means of which the valve chamber is sealed from the inner space of the solenoid system, is constructed in the form of a conventional folded bellow into which is also integrated the valve disk. Such a bellow construction has on its upper end a circumferential fold. This fold can collect air or vapor bubbles. This collection of bubbles can become so great that the bubbles extend back into the inlet conduit. It has been found that in the region of such bubbles a particularly intense calcification of the valve takes place and the accuracy of the flow rate becomes impaired.
In a version of the prior-art valve, the inlet conduit possesses along at least a portion of its length an upper inside wall that slopes downward as it extends toward the valve chamber. Through this construction it is intended that that bubbles forming in the liquid medium are directed out and away against the direction of flow. It has been found, however, that this construction alone is not sufficient to also carry off the bubbles that accumulate in the bellow folds.


An apparatus for reducing noise component contained in an input signal has: a detecting device for detecting a level of the noise component; an adjusting device for adjusting a level of the input signal so as to make the level of the noise component equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold level; a reducing device for reducing a signal component of the adjusted input signal whose level is equal to and lower than the predetermined threshold level; and a restoring device for restoring a level of the adjusted input signal to the level of the input signal that has not been adjusted by the adjusting device yet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a noise reduction apparatus and a noise reduction method which is used for audio reproducing system containing various types of audio components.
2. Description of the Related Art
A noise reduction technique is used for a tape deck in order to reduce hiss noise in sound. In this noise reduction technique, the level of the sound in middle and high frequency bands is compressed when recording, and the compressed sound is expanded when reproducing. In this manner, hiss noise contained in the sound from the tape can be reduced. However, this technique has a disadvantage that it is needed to compress the sound level when recording. That is, this noise reduction cannot be effected for the sound that is not compressed.
In recent years, there are various types of audio apparatuses, such as a CD (Compact Disk) player, a cassette desk, a tuner, an MD (Mini Disk) player, etc. Therefore, an audio reproduction system which contains these audio apparatuses as audio components and controls the reproduction of these audio components has been developed. In such an audio reproducing system, all the reproducing signals output from the audio components are passed through one common signal processing circuit, and then, these signals are sent to output devices such as speakers or the like.
In such an audio reproducing system, the noise reduction is needed in order to make sound clearer. However, as the audio reproducing system has different types of audio components, the different noise reduction circuit or device is needed for every audio component. Because, in order to reduce noise effectively, it is necessary to set parameters (e.g., a threshold level for cutting noise) of the noise reduction circuit or device in such a condition that these parameters are matched the level of the reproducing signal output from each audio component. The levels of the reproducing signals output from the respective audio components are different from each other. Therefore, a plurality of noise reduction circuits or devices are needed depending on the number of the types of audio components. As a result, the construction of the audio reproducing system becomes complex. In addition, if one common noise reduction circuit or device, whose parameters are set to match one of the audio components, is used, it is difficult to achieve optimum noise reduction for every audio components.

Noise reduction apparatus and noise reduction method


Embodiments of the present invention provide the ability for a software provider to distribute software updates to several different recipients utilizing a peer-to-peer environment. The invention described herein may be used to update any type of software, including, but not limited to, operating software, programming software, anti-virus software, database software, etc. The use of a peer-to-peer environment with added security provides the ability to minimize download time for each peer and also reduce the amount of egress bandwidth that must be provided by the software provider to enable recipients (peers) to obtain the update.

Computers, and in particular, computer software, is often updated by a user downloading a software patch from a host, such as the software provider, via a network, such as the Internet. Currently, patches are downloaded in their entirety from a single source and installed on the downloading machine to update the software to a current state. While this technique is operational it has several drawbacks.
First, the software provider that makes the patch available for download must provide a sufficient amount of egress bandwidth to allow multiple customers to download updates at the same time. For software providers with a large number of customers, such egress bandwidth may become very expensive.
Second, a customer must download the entire patch from one source prior to installing the patch and updating the software. While this may be acceptable for small sized patches, for a larger patch, the time needed to download the entire patch from one source may be unacceptable. Third, if the software provided has not made ample bandwidth available for the downloads (particularly difficult and expensive when a high-priority patch, such as a security update, is released), a customer may be temporarily prohibited from downloading the patch.
Recent advances in peer-to-peer networking have provided the ability to download different parts of a large file from a plurality of peers. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a typical peer-to-peer environment for downloading a specific file. To download a specific file, a client 101 requests the specific file from a host 103. In response, the host transmits a peer list identifying a plurality of peers that make available for download different pieces of these requested files. For example, a video file may be subdivided into a plurality of pieces, those pieces divided into sub-pieces, and those sub-pieces divided into sub-sub-pieces. Each peer that has previously downloaded the video file, either from one source or from multiple other peers, may make available for download by other peers, such as the client 101, one or more of these sub-sub-pieces of the entire file. The peer list transmitted by the host 103 to the client 101 identifies each of the sub-sub-pieces of the requested specific file and an associated peer that makes available for download those sub-sub-pieces.
The client 101, upon receipt of the peer list from the host 103, picks a peer for each of the sub-sub-pieces from which it will download that sub-sub-piece. Upon identification of peers, the client 101 downloads each of the sub-sub-pieces from the selected peers until all of the sub-sub-pieces of the specific file have been downloaded. By downloading pieces from different peers, multiple downloads may be conducted simultaneously. As each sub-sub-piece is downloaded, the client 101 may decide whether or not it wants to become a peer that makes available for download that sub-sub-piece (i.e., share that sub-sub-piece). If the client decides it does want to share that sub-sub-piece, the client 101 identifies to the host 103 the sub-sub-piece that it is willing to share.
While peer-to-peer environments, such as that described with respect to FIG. 1, provide the ability for a client to download a specific file that it requests, such as a video file, there is currently no technique for the determining what files a client may need. For example, referring back to downloading software patches, prior to requesting a patch, a client must know not only what updates are available, but what updates the client needs. Still further, there is currently no security feature to protect a downloading computer from being compromised by identifying what it is sharing prior to that material being fully integrated into the downloading computer. Furthermore, no method exists by which multiple patches in a client's local cache may be prioritized by the software provider when the client needs to reclaim local cache space.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method that allows a client to identify needed software updates and securely download those updates utilizing a peer-to-peer environment.

Method and system for downloading updates


A method and apparatus provides on a home page of a web site information about a mutual fund subscription and a link which may be followed to a web page which may be used to subscribe to the fund online.

Mutual funds allow investors to invest in a basket of two or more securities that are managed by the mutual fund manager. The securities in the mutual fund may be selected by the manager using the manger's skill, or may be selected using a fixed criteria, such as the conventional S&P 500 index. When a mutual fund is operating, its share price may fluctuate with the value of the securities in the fund.
Before a mutual fund begins operating, investors may be allowed to subscribe to the fund. To subscribe to the fund, an investor commits a certain amount of money to the fund or commits to buying a certain number of shares in the fund in advance of its operation. The period during which such commitments are allowed is known as the subscription period. When the fund begins operating at the end of the subscription period, the investor purchases shares of the fund at its opening price.
When a broker is used to subscribe to a mutual fund, the broker informs the fund manager, usually prior to the operation of the fund, how many investors have subscribed to the fund and how much money they have committed. If the opening share price is fixed in advance, the broker may inform the fund manager of the number of shares to which investors have subscribed in place of the amount of money committed.
Conventional brokers have salespeople who solicit such subscriptions to their investors, using conventional methods such as placing telephone calls or mailing direct mail materials. Investors subscribe over the telephone, or by using a reply card received with the direct mail materials or in person at the broker's office. However, the cost of such solicitations is relatively high because the response rate of such a solicitation is relatively low. The cost of a mailing may be less than the cost of a telephone solicitation, however because the potential investor must take the time and effort to respond, the response rate may be far lower than the response rate of a telephone solicitation, making both forms of solicitation prohibitively expensive. Such costs can drive up the costs of subscriptions, which can limit the availability of new funds.
Many investors use online brokerage services. An online brokerage service may allow an investor to subscribe to a mutual fund before its operation by filling in one or more online forms using a browser on a personal computer coupled to the Internet. The information is returned to the online brokerage using conventional CGI techniques. However, investors using online brokerage services may not have a relationship with a specific broker, and so a telephone call informing the investor of a new subscription to a mutual fund may not be welcome. Because many investors of an online brokerage service prefer little intrusion from the service, receiving mass mailings announcing subscription offerings may also be unwanted.
As a result, online brokerages may simply include the subscription with the other funds they sell. Because of the large number of funds that may be offered to investors using an online brokerage, a subscription offering may get lost among the dozens or even hundreds of funds the online brokerage offers to its customers. Identifying a subscription offering using an online brokerage can require the user to locate the subscription offering manually by sifting through a number of web pages describing mutual funds. To find a fund among such a wealth of information, the user has to go looking for the subscription, having heard about through another source such as an advertisement, or simply be lucky enough stumble upon information about the subscription, for example while browsing information about similar funds. Because of the time and effort and luck involved in locating subscription offerings using an online broker, subscription offerings using online brokers have had limited success.
What is needed is a method and apparatus that can inform an investor who uses an online brokerage of a subscription offering in a cost effective, minimally intrusive manner without requiring the investor to manually search for the subscription offering on the online brokerage's web site, and can allow the investor to subscribe to the mutual fund with a minimum of effort.

Method and apparatus for receiving a subscription for a security


A label paper including a thermoplastic resin sheet (A) formed by stretching along at least one axis and heat treating at 50 to 250° C., an adhesive layer (B), and a release paper (C). Under a thermomechanical analysis with heating from a room temperature to 150° C., α is in a range of from −2.5 to 2.5 percent, and α-β is in a range of from −1.5 to 1.5 percent, where α is a ratio of a dimension of the thermoplastic resin sheet (A) after the heating to a dimension of the thermoplastic resin sheet (A) before the heating, and β is a ratio of a dimension of the release paper (C) after the heating to a dimension of the release paper (C) before the heating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic sheet and label paper suited for use in outdoor and frozen food section advertisement posters, billboards, signs, tags, labels and stickers where water repellency and durability are required, manufacturing management cards recording methods of use and warnings, and industrial product namers (labels recording methods of use and warnings).
2. Discussion of the Background
Conventionally, coated paper, water-repellent paper, and the like have been employed as sheet and label paper in outdoor advertisement posters, frozen food section tags, and the like. However, these papers have problems in the form of poor water repellency and durability. Thus, thermoplastic resin films with good water repellency and good durability, particularly polyolefin-based synthetic paper, have been employed in recent years.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication (KOKOKU) Sho Nos. 46-40794 and 49-1782, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Sho Nos. 56-118437, 57-12642, and 57-56224, for example, may be consulted for specifics regarding these resin films.
However, when printing on such polyolefin synthetic papers in recording modes of color electrophotographic printers such as common paper mode, label mode, OHP mode, and thick-paper mode, the toner transfer rate is low, recording density is not achieved, toner disperses to unwanted areas, and hue reproduction is poorer than that of normal paper and coated paper. Further, when there is not suitable rigidity, running properties become problematic. In particular, when jamming occurs in the toner fixing unit, the surface temperature rises (to from 140 to 200° C.) and the paper fuses to the heater, damaging the machine.
Further, when printing with a color electrophotographic printer on a label which consists of a polyolefin synthetic paper base and a release paper adhered thereto, the surface temperature of the label rises to 140 to 200° C. during toner fixation, and since polyolefin synthetic paper undergoes greater heat shrinkage than the release paper, there is a problem in the form of significant curling after printing. In severe cases, the entire label curls into a cylinder, and it becomes difficult to peel the polyolefin synthetic paper off the release paper. There is also a problem in that paper discharge is poor, precluding continuous printing, and use is difficult.
In light of these problems of prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide electrophotographic recording sheets and label paper suited for use in outdoor and frozen food section advertisement posters, billboards, signs, tags, and manufacturing management cards recording methods of use and warnings with good water repellency and durability. Specifically, the present invention has for its object to provide electrophotographic recording sheets and label paper yielding good recording density when printed with color electrophotographic printers and having good running properties.

Electrophotographic recording sheet and label paper


A modulator is provided that comprises a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that is bias modulated by a baseband signal. A given logic state of the baseband signal determines a delay amount of a first carrier signal through the NLTL. The modulator further comprises an impulse forming network (IFN) that includes a first NLTL that receives the first carrier signal delayed by the determined delay amount and a second NLTL that receives a second carrier signal having a fixed delay amount. The first NLTL and second NLTL within the IFN have opposite diode polarity configurations. The modulator further comprises a power combiner that converts a delta delay of the first carrier signal relative to the second carrier signal to a sharp impulse that represents the given logic state of the baseband signal.

Ultra Wideband Impulse Radio (UWB-IR) is an emerging next generation worldwide technology for short range radar and wireless communications. UWB-IR utilizes extremely short pulses (picosecond/sub-picosecond) to transmit information rather than transmitting information employing the traditional sinusoidal carrier. Filters are then employed to match the spectrum mask. UWB-IR possesses fine multi-path resolution with great potential to solve difficult mobile or indoor communications problems, such as fading, interference, etc. UWB-IR is a spread spectrum signaling technology that occupies a large bandwidth with low transmitting power spectral density, and can co-exist with other systems. A UWB-IR modulator can be built utilizing a simple system configuration eliminating the need for an up/down converter and frequency recovery loops.
UWB-IR modulators have been built employing different types of technologies. For example, J Wang et al. discloses a UWB-IR modulator that generates a picosecond pulses by employing a high speed RF switch in an article entitled "A Modulation Circuit for Impulse Radio Ultra-Wideband Communications" in the Proceedings of the 2005 Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference. However, the switch speed limits the bandwidth of the baseband signal and may introduce undesired waveform distortion. Additionally, the modulator employs a step recovery diode (SRD) for pulse generation. Step Recovery Diodes (SRDs) have potential instability and repeatability issues. Y Kawano et al. discloses a pulse generator for generating picosecond pulses that are biphase modulated by employing a digital IC techniques with a delay control buffer and an AND circuit in an article entitled "Sub-10 ps Pulse Generator with Biphase Modulation Function in 0.13 um InP HEMT" also in the Proceedings of the 36th European Microwave Conference. The digital IC technique can consume amounts of power (approximately 640 milliwatts) that are unacceptable for certain applications.

Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corporation


A multiplayer game in which players are dealt cards from a deck of game cards having indicia thereon corresponding to combinations typically used in the traditional Yahtzee game that are to be matched by the dice rolls of the players. During the course of a player's turn, the player actuates an instruction unit to start a timer setting a time limit within which the player rolls the dice multiple times in an effort to match one of the combinations on the cards in the player's hand. If the player matches a combination on one of the cards, the player actuates the instruction unit a second time to stop the timer and to receive a win instruction from the instruction unit. If the player does not match any of the combinations on the cards within the time limit, the instruction unit outputs a loss instruction to be followed by the player. The sequence may continue until one player has discarded all of the game cards in the player's hand onto the discard pile.

The patent is directed to a multi-player game, and more particularly to a multi-player game having a plurality of dice, a plurality of game cards, and an electronic instruction unit providing game instructions to the players and functioning as a timer during the course of gameplay.
Various games having dice and playing cards associated therewith have been previously described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,000 to Nakano et al. discloses a combined dice and card game utilizing three conventional six-sided dice and a twenty-four card deck formed by removing all cards other than ace, two, three, four, five, and six of a conventional four-suit fifty-two playing card deck. In a preferred embodiment, one of a plurality of players is selected as the banker and posts a fixed sum of money or chips as a bank. The remaining players place bets against the bank. Each player and the banker then receive three cards dealt from the ace through six stripped playing card deck, and subsequently discard one card, leaving each player and the banker with two cards, ranging from ace through six. The banker, and subsequently the players, then roll the dice and attempt to roll an automatically winning dice combination or to establish a winning point, while attempting to avoid rolling an automatically losing dice combination. The banker and the players may, upon obtaining certain predetermined card and dice combinations, utilize their cards to improve or increase a rolled dice point.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,719 to Kerr discloses a game involving the spelling of words, and played competitively by two to four participants. The game is comprised of a series of elongated word cards having a word printed on one face thereof, multi-apertured holders adapted to accommodate several of said word cards, elongated blank cards adapted to cover said word cards, a multitude of flat elongated shutters adapted to be vertically positioned to separately occlude individual apertures of said holders, a first series of playing pieces serving to expedite the playing of the game, a second series of playing pieces which facilitate scorekeeping, and a number-selecting means such as a pair of dice.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,779 to Merritt discloses a mathematical card and dice game comprising a deck of cards, a set of three dice, and a timing device. The deck of cards is divided into four suits of fifteen cards each, ten of which are numbered one through ten, the remaining five non-numeric cards having letters which can take on any value as defined by the players prior to the game. A predetermined number of cards are dealt to players who use the values of the three dice rolled, common mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and their knowledge of math to make mathematical relationships that equate to the value of cards in their hands within a predetermined amount of time as tracked by a timing device. A successful match occurs when the card value equals the numeric result of a mathematical operation involving all three dice. Players place successful matching cards face down until the end of the round, when the time limit is up, wherein they turn the cards over and must be able to successfully explain the relationship the card value has to the dice values. Players take turns rolling the dice and starting the timer between rounds. The first player to discard all their cards is the winner. Penalty cards are assessed when players cannot correctly explain the relationship the card has to the dice or when they cannot discard any card during a round.

Game having an electronic instruction unit


While a handsfree device being multi-profile compatible is maintaining a connection for a handsfree profile (HFP) with a mobile phone handset, the handsfree device cuts off the connection for the HFP based on a user's operation. After cutting off, the handsfree device establishes a connection for a dial-up network profile (DUN), and subsequently transmits a request for a connection for the HFP while maintaining the connection for the DUN. Subsequently, the handsfree device determines whether the handset is multi-profile compatible according to the response to the request from the handset. Based on the determination that the handset is multi-profile compatible, the handsfree device executes the processes for the HFP while maintaining the connection for the DUN.

Conventionally, a Bluetooth communicator providing wireless communications according to the specifications of the Bluetooth is used widely. The specifications of the Bluetooth include different profiles, each of which defines functions necessary for a mode of the operation of the Bluetooth communicator. A handsfree profile (HFP) for providing a handsfree function and a dial-up network profile (DUN) for providing data communications through a dial-up connection on a telephone line are examples of the profiles.
FIG. 7 is a sequence chart which illustrates an exemplary procedure of communications for establishing a connection of the Bluetooth between a handsfree device and a mobile phone handset and for providing the functions of the handsfree profile and the dial-up network profile.
In the figure, the handsfree device and the handset is maintaining a connection for the handsfree profile with each other (State 505). Then, a user's operation 510 to the handsfree device for starting data communications causes the handsfree device to transmit, to the handset, an HFP disconnection request signal 515 for requesting for cutting off the connection for the handsfree profile. In response to the signal 515, the handset returns, to the handsfree device, an HFP disconnection response signal 520 including a message of "OK." Then, the handsfree device and the handset terminate processes for the handsfree profile.
Next, the handsfree device transmits a DUN connection request signal 525 to the handset in order to establish a connection for the dial-up network profile. In response to the signal 525, the handset returns a DUN connection response signal 530 including a message of "OK" to the handsfree device. Then the wireless communications for the dial-up network profile are established and thus the handsfree device opens a connection with a wide-area network such as the Internet by using the phone calling function of the handset, and executes data communications such as Web browsing through the wide-area network (State 535).
When the data communications end due to an operation 540 of the user, the handsfree device transmits, to the handset, a DUN disconnection request signal 545 for requesting for cutting off the connection for the dial-up network profile. In response to the signal 545, the handset returns a DUN disconnection response signal 550 including a message of "OK" to the handsfree device. Then, the handsfree device and the handset terminate processes for the dial-up network profile.
Next, the handsfree device transmits an HFP connection request signal 555 to the handset in order to establish a connection for the handsfree profile. In response to the signal 555, the handset returns an HFP connection response signal 560 including a message of "OK" to the handsfree device. Then the communications for the handsfree profile is established and thus the handsfree device becomes capable of receiving and sending a phone call by using the phone calling function of the handset (State 565).
Although the handset in the above example provides both the handsfree profile function and the dial-up profile function, it does not provide both the functions at a time. In other words, the handset stops one of the handsfree profile function and the dial-up profile function while it is providing the other profile function.
However, multi-profile compatible Bluetooth communicators have become available in recent years. The multi-profile compatible Bluetooth communicator is capable of providing functions for a plurality of profiles at a time. By using the multi-profile compatibility of both the handsfree device and the mobile phone handset, both the handsfree profile function and the dial-up network profile function can be provided at a time in the connection between the handsfree device and the handset. In this case, the handset can mediate the dial-up connection of the handsfree device and transmit a notification of an incoming phone call to the handsfree device, at the same time.
However, a multi-profile compatible Bluetooth communicator does not always connect with a comparable multi-profile compatible Bluetooth communicator. There may be a case where a multi-profile compatible Bluetooth communicator starts to communicate with a certain Bluetooth communicator having no multi-profile compatibility by supposing that the certain Bluetooth communicator should have multi-profile compatibility. In this case, problems may arise in establishing a connection between the two Bluetooth communicators.

Bluetooth communicator, short range wireless communicator and program


A hybrid-excited rotating machine comprising: a stator winding of a multi-phase Y-connection; a plurality of rotor magnetic poles fixed on a rotor shaft 3 at a predetermined spacing in the circumferential direction and confronting the inner circumference of said stator through a air gap; a plurality of permanent magnets fixed at substantially central portions of said circumferential direction of said individual rotor magnetic poles and magnetized in the radial direction of said rotor shaft; and a plurality of field windings wound individually on said rotor magnetic poles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotating machine for a vehicle or the like, which is equipped at its rotor with permanent magnets and field windings so that it is excited in a hybrid manner by the permanent magnets and the field windings, and to a vehicle which is equipped with the hybrid-excited rotating machine.
2. Background Art
The rotating machine having permanent magnets at its rotor is advantageous in that it is small but can generate a high torque, and is adopted in recent years for various applications. However, it fixes the quantity of magnetic flux that the rotor has the magnets. In case this rotating machine is employed as a generator, therefore, its output voltage is proportional to the revolving speed so that it widely changes in the application where the revolving speed range is wide as in a vehicular generator. Thus, it is difficult to apply the rotating machine to a vehicular generator, which is required to have its power generation controlled at a constant voltage such as 14 [V], for example.
As the vehicular generator of the prior art, therefore, there has been generally spread the so-called Rundell type synchronous machine, which is enabled to control the quantity of magnetic flux with the controling exciting current to the field winding of claw pole.
On the other hand, it has been conceived to acquire an idling stop function by connecting a semiconductor switching element with a vehicular generator and by using the generator as a starting motor. In case, however, the vehicular generator of the prior art is used as the starting motor, the starting torque is short for restarting the engine instantaneously. In order to enlarge that starting torque, it is conceivable to enlarge the size of the rotating machine. Because of the apprehension that claw-shaped pole is deformed by the centrifugel force, it is difficult to manufacture the rotating machine of a large size.
As another example of the prior art, therefore, it has been proposed to apply a hybrid-excited rotating machine, which has a revolving field for causing both the excitation by the field windings energized by a slip ring and a permanent magnet excitation, to a vehicular motor-generator. (Refer to JP-A-11-289732, for example).
The rotating machine of Patent JP-A-11-289732 is constituted, like the vehicular generator of the prior art having the general claw-shaped magnetic poles, to increase/decrease the magnetic flux linkage with the stator winding by energizing the field windings.

Hybrid-excited rotating machine, and vehicle with the hybrid-excited rotating machine


Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method of collision measurement for a vehicle. According to one embodiment, a plurality of photonic crystals configured to produce a color change state are distributed on an area of the vehicle. Furthermore, a location tag is also positioned on the vehicle for providing mapping data relating to the location of the photonic crystals along said vehicle. Upon receiving external crash impact, a measurement of force is computed based on the color change state of at least one photonic crystal caused by the crash impact.

Throughout the years, countless mobile machines or vehicles have been used for the transport of people and/or cargo from one location to another. For example, automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes and watercrafts are a few of most relied upon transport vehicles that pervade today's society. Unfortunately, human error or in some cases, mechanical defects and acts of nature, sometimes lead to roadway or similar accidents involving a physical collision or impact of one vehicle with another vehicle or object. Understanding the forces involved in such circumstances may assist in the development of stronger construction materials for these vehicles in addition to more robust and optimal structural designs that can withstand the forces involved in these collisions more effectively.

Collision measurement system and method thereof

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


An illuminated sign device is disclosed includes a triangular housing with pper and lower surfaces between which is coupled a back surface, a front left surface, and front right surface. A light bulb provides illumination and is positioned within the housing. A mesh and ventilation holes are integral with the upper and lower surfaces respectively for allowing heat transfer from the illumination source by convection to occur through the lower surface, within the housing, and out through the upper surface. A double glass pane within the front left and front right surface allows the sign to be protected on both sides of an at least semi-opaque sign and positions the sign within the front left and front right surfaces such that the sign is at least partially viewable from any approach angle. An access panel is removably attached to the front left and front right surfaces whereby access is obtained for the interchanging of the signs, such that upon selective activation of the illumination source the sign are at least partially illuminated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to illuminated signs and more specifically, to a safety sign that is selectively illuminated and at least partially viewable at any approach angle.
2. Description of Prior Art
The prior art is replete with various safety devices utilized to advise others of information. A lighted or unlighted sign is the most commonly used device, which may be used for such concerns as a warning, exit, or directional information. When the information conveyed by the sign is only intermittently in effect, the sign is then usually selectively illuminated. A visual indicator light is also another commonly utilized device to convey information, which is known in a wide range of varieties from a bare bulb to sophisticated lighting systems. While these types of devices are useful, there is disadvantages inherent with the use of the above described illuminated signs and visual indicator lights.
The typical illuminated sign is either positioned flat on a wall or at a ninety degree angle. This positioning restricts the viewing angle to approximately full side or frontal approaches. It is important that the sign be at least partially visible at all approaches or there may occur a failure to heed what a sign conveys. Light bulbs that illuminate from within an enclosure are prone to frequent failure because of poor heat convection. Frequently the sign is fixedly mounted and not interchangeable with other signs.
Visual indicator lights are particularly effective in high ambient noise areas and come in various revolving or strobe styles. A visual indicator light does not have restricted viewing angles, but lacks conveying all but the basic of information, such as "stay away". There are many incidents that require specific information, such as "goggles required" when a particular machine is in use. Unless a person is familiar with the exact meaning of a "flashing" light there again may occur a failure to heed what a light itself conveys.
While the prior art has reported using illuminated information devices none have established a basis for a specific device that is dedicated to the task of resolving the particular problem at hand.
What is needed in this instance is a safety sign with interchangeable sign capability, that may be selectively illuminated with sufficient heat convection for the illumination source, and at least partially viewable at any approach angle.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


Engine torque selectively inputted through first and second input shafts is received and changed selectively by first and second output devices respectively having first and second output shafts. A parking gear is disposed on one of the first and second output shafts in a transmission case at an axial position thereof corresponding to one drive gear engaged with one driven gear of another output shaft

Generally a double clutch transmission implies a transmission having two clutch devices therein. A double clutch transmission generally receives a torque input from an engine selectively at its two input shafts using two clutches, and it changes the torque and speed using gears on the two input shafts, and outputs them.
Such a double clutch transmission has been devised basically to compactly provide a multi-speed transmission having more than five speeds. The two clutches and synchronizing devices included in a double clutch transmission may be controlled by a controller, and accordingly, such a double clutch transmission may also realize an automated shift gear (ASG) that eliminates the necessity of manual shifting of a driver.
A clutch included in a double clutch transmission may be categorized as either a dry- or wet-type based on its operational scheme. A dry-type clutch utilizes the same principle as a clutch device conventionally disposed between an engine and a manual transmission. A wet-type clutch utilizes the same principle as a clutch device inside an automatic transmission.
A wet-type clutch generally has a higher torque capacity than a dry-type clutch. Therefore, for an engine of high output power, a wet-type clutch is appropriate. In order to stably transmit high output torque of a high powered engine, the widths of gears in the transmission should be large. Therefore, a double clutch transmission designed for a high torque engine may easily become very lengthy.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


The present invention evaluated the anti-epileptogenic effect of tryptamine derivative HHL-6 and its effects on the expression of BDNF and c-Fos. HHL-6 possesses potent anticonvulsant and anti-epileptic activity in PTZ-induced acute seizure and chemical kindling model of epilepsy. The results suggests that one of the possible mechanism of HHL-6 to inhibit epileptogenesis might be due to its controlling effect on the cellular and molecular expression of the factors that contribute in the development of epileptogenic plasticity in the CNS.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder manifested by rapid and recurrent seizures, resulting from synchronized discharges of neurons in brain, affecting at least 1% of the world population To explain the mechanism how seizures are generated in specific brain areas or different brain structures, various studies have been performed worldwide involving behavioral, electrophysiological and molecular analysis. So far, the immense majority of epilepsy research has been executed in rodents and stimulation of neurons by electrical or chemical induction resulting in seizure discharges is believed to be the most common way to contribute to the process of epileptogenesis referred as "kindling."
In kindling, an initially sub-convulsive chemical or electrical convulsant stimulus of the brain evokes seizure discharges. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the abnormal excitability in kindling or epilepsy are poorly understood. However, it is believed that structural rearrangements responsible for maintenance of epileptic syndrome might be triggered by trophic factors such as BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) that is involved in various signaling mechanisms that may be influenced by seizure activity. Among various trophic factors, much interest has been focused on the BDNF, NGF, and NT-3, and their high-affinity receptors TrkA, TrkB and TrkC. Variety of epilepsy models have shown that seizure activity induces transient changes of neurotrophin gene expression in neurons. In addition to these trophic factors, the proto-oncogene c-fos has also been shown to be induced transiently in response to various stimuli such as seizures induction. The c-fos gene encodes a DNA-binding protein, c-Fos, which forms a heterodimeric transcriptional factor, activator protein-1 (AP-1) by direct participation or with c-jun. The activation of c-fos expression in neurons by seizures led to its proposed use as a marker of neuronal activity.

Modulation of c-FOS and BDNF protein expression in pentylenetetrazole-kindled mice following the treatment with novel anti-epileptic compound HHL-6


A method and apparatus for discriminating the types of radiation interacting with an integrated radiation detector having of a pulse-mode operating photosensor which is optically coupled to a gamma-ray scintillator sensor and a neutron scintillator sensor and uses an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a charge to digital converter (QDC) to determine scintillation decay times and classify radiation interactions by radiation type. The pulse processing provides for, among other things, faithful representation of the true energy spectrum of the gamma radiation field and allows for radioisotope identification by searching for the presence of characteristic energy lines in the gamma energy spectrum. The pulse shape discrimination method ensures that the high sensitivity and resolution of the isotope identification function is not affected during operation in mixed neutron-gamma fields.

1. Field of the Invention
The teachings herein relate to a hand held detector of ionizing radiation and more particularly to a detector for discriminating a gamma component and a neutron component.
2. Description of the Related Art
Detection of radioactive materials, particularly those illicitly hidden in the stream of commerce, requires a variety of radiation detection equipment be available. In particular, Hand-Held RadioIsotope Identification Devices (HHRIID) are needed in the field to quickly determine the presence of special nuclear material (in simple terms, being defined as plutonium, uranium 233, uranium enriched in the isotope 233 or in the isotope 235). Preferably, HHRIID provide users with information regarding the radioisotopic composition of any radioactive material identified. Typical HHRIID devices are handheld and battery-powered and have limited features. These devices are consistently exposed to variable operating conditions and radiation backgrounds. Further, for most applications, the HHRIID must satisfy the specifications set forth in ANSI Standards N42.33 and N42.34. Since special nuclear materials can present a mixed neutron-gamma signature, effective isotopic analysis requires an HHRIID be capable of providing a high-resolution, high-sensitivity response to gamma rays without being affected by the presence and intensity of a neutron field. This poses a problem in HHRIID embodiments in which, for practical reasons of reducing size, weight and power consumption, a single photosensor detects the light emitted by both the gamma ray sensing element and the neutron sensing element. A method to discriminate between the scintillation light pulses emitted by the two radiation sensing elements is necessary.
For detectors without pulse shape discrimination, the energy spectrum of one type of radiation can be distorted by the presence of a strong field of radiation of a second type. For example, the gamma ray spectrum, which is very important for radionuclide identification in HHRIID applications, can include counts due to unrejected neutron response and thus reduce the sensitivity and specificity of the device.
Some techniques for radiation pulse shape discrimination addressed the problem by measuring and comparing features of the electrical signals emitted by the photosensor after light excitation: pulse amplitude, pulse rise time, pulse decay time, or total integrated charge. Some applications of the existing methods include, for example: 1) discrimination against gamma background in liquid or solid organic scintillators used as direct fast neutron detectors; 2) discrimination between long-range and short-range particles in gas proportional counters; 3) separation of radiations of different energies and/or depths of interaction in phoswich detectors (that is, a detector that includes a combination of scintillators with dissimilar pulse shape characteristics optically coupled to each other and one or more photomultiplier tubes); 4) rejection of spurious or defective pulses in direct conversion detectors (Si, HPGe), and other.
One attempt to address some of the challenges in detection is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,937, entitled "Method and Apparatus for the Detection of Neutrons and Gamma Rays," which issued on Oct. 11, 2005 to Reber et al. This patent teaches a pulse discrimination method for discriminating between pulses having a short decay period and a long decay period, may comprise: Detecting the pulse; integrating a rise portion of the pulse; integrating a decay portion of the pulse; and comparing the integrated rise portion of the pulse with the integrated decay portion of the pulse to distinguish between a pulse having a long decay period and a pulse having a short decay period. Unfortunately, the teachings of this patent do not provide for sensitive analyses, as a single detector is used, and calls for an "artificial line of separation" to distinguish radiation types. Further disadvantages of this design include poor sensitivity and energy resolution for gamma radiation as well as optical self-absorption and self-excitation in the scintillator material.
What is needed is a compact, integrated HHRIID design that provides for accurate discrimination between radiation types, thus enabling improved analyses of the various components of a mixed radiation field.

Pulse shape discrimination method and apparatus for high-sensitivity radioisotope identification with an integrated neutron-gamma radiation detector


A spectrometer system employs a gridless Xenon detector having an anode and a cathode supported in spaced relation from the anode devoid of structure intermediate the anode and cathode. Pulses resulting from charge collection due to radiation ionization of the Xenon gas are detected and parametrized by a computation engine through multiple detected pulses. Simultaneous determination of the position and ionization energy allows selective presentation of the data to compensate for various position dependent phenomena.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of measuring the energy of ionizing electromagnetic radiation and, more particularly, to a vibration resistant high pressure xenon detector for such measurement.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many fields in which the measurement of the energy of ionizing electromagnetic radiation such as gamma-radiation or X-radiation is desired. For the purposes of this application, the energy of ionizing electromagnetic radiation is equivalent to or a function of the wavelength or frequency of the radiation. Devices to accomplish this measurement are generally referred to as spectrometers. Spectrometry of electromagnetic radiation is a common method of determining the composition of the material from which the radiation emanated. Specifically, gamma-ray spectroscopy will determine the elemental composition of the material from which it emanates. X-Ray spectroscopy will determine the elemental or chemical composition of the material from which it emanates.
Gamma-ray spectrometry is important in all areas of nuclear measurement where gamma-ray energy must be measured or an isotope must be identified. Nuclear reactions or atomic transitions produce gamma-rays or X-rays whose energy identifies the interaction and the constituents in the reaction. Gamma-ray spectrometers typically consist of scintillators (see e.g. Radiation Detection and Measurement, Glenn Knoll, 3rd Ed., pp 219–264) which emit light whose intensity is proportional to the number of electrons ionized in the scintillating material by the gamma ray, semiconductors diode devices (Knoll at 353–404) in which the charge collected is proportional to the number of electrons ionized by a gamma-ray, or a gas-filled device whose charge is proportional to the number of electrons ionized (Knoll at 159–200). Geiger counters are gas-filled detectors whose charge collected is not proportional to the number of electrons ionized, hence are not spectrometers in the current art.
For the purposes of gas-filled spectrometers with which this invention deals, a radiation event occurs within the gas filled chamber when a single gamma ray or single X-ray interacts inside the gas in the chamber within or in proximity to an electro-magnetic field. This event strips off electrons from the gas within the chamber thus creating one or more ions (an ionization event—one radiation event can and usually does create more than one ionization event). The actual physical location of the point where an electron is stripped off is called the "interaction position" which is of importance in determining the spectroscopic information which will be further discussed below. The combination of the influences of all free electrons and ions form a single event which creates the pulse waveform time series influence on the electro-magnetic field.
Gas-filled spectrometers presently suffer from a shortcoming in that the apparent charge collected on the electrodes is dependent on interaction position. (Technically, this is the mirror-charge induced on the electrodes by the motion of the charged particles in the electric field needed to keep the electrodes at their fixed potential—this will be referred to as "collection" as is common in the art.) This "collection" results in a charge induced on the electrodes as the electric charge moves under the influence of the electro-magnetic field. As the charge is induced over time it produces a time series pulse.
As stated above, gamma-rays create electron-ion pairs in the gas. These electron-ion pairs are then counted to determine gamma-ray energy. In a gas, ionized by electromagnetic radiation, ions move much more slowly than the electrons. This leads to a position dependence in apparent charge collected, since the ions are not observed to move or be "collected" on the time scale in which the electrons are observed to move. In other words, the influence the ionization of an atom on an electro-magnetic field is dependant upon and in part a function of the distance of the interaction position from the electrodes that create the electro-magnetic field. This results in two unknown quantities: the energy deposited by the ionizing radiation and the location of the interaction position. Simple measurement of the resulting magnitude of change in the charge of the electrodes is inadequate for spectrometry purposes.
This problem is circumvented in three main ways in the current art. 1) Gas-filled proportional counters are spectrometers by virtue of the fact that they remove the position dependence by electron multiplication near the charge collecting electrode (the anode), so that the observed difference in collection with position is negligible. Any gain element sufficiently near the anode will accomplish this task. 2) Gridded ion chambers solve this problem by limiting the drift distance over which the electrons are observed, by a screening grid, called a Frisch grid. A spectrometer incorporating a Frisch grid is shown in FIG. 1. 3) It has been suggested that a "Luke grid" (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,249) could be constructed in which the electron charge is mainly measured by a set of interlocked grids in semiconductor detectors.
The preferred method of addressing this problem in the current state of the art for gas detectors is through the use of a Frisch grid. A current design detector employing a Frisch grid is shown in FIG. 1 wherein an anode 100 is supported within a cylindrical cathode 102. The grid 104 is supported around the anode and a ceramic feed through 106 allows signal transmission from the anode. The Frisch grid is a source of added mechanical complexity and additional electronic noise caused by its capacitance and its microphonic vibration.
It is therefore desirable that spectrometry is performed in the apparatus and the spectroscopic information is extracted from the apparatus in a way that enhances accuracy and reliability.
It is also desirable that a gas spectrometer be provided that is more reliable and sensitive while having greatly reduced sensitivity to mechanical vibration.

Apparatus and method for the detection of the energy of ionizing electro-magnetic radiation