In one embodiment, a media converter comprises a power interface that extracts power from a communication medium coupled to the media converter for powering the media converter. In another embodiment, a connector comprises a first media attachment interface to physically attach a first communication medium to the connector and a second media attachment interface to physically attach a second communication medium to the connector. The connector further comprises a mounting interface to physically attach the connector to a structure. The connector communicatively couples the first communication medium and the second communication medium. The connector processes management data communicated over at least one of the first communication medium and the second communication medium.

One way in which a first network element is communicatively coupled to a second network element is by using a connector that is mounted to a wall or other structure. For example, in one configuration, a wall-mounted connector comprises a face plate that is used to attach the connector to a wall. In such an exemplary configuration, the connector further comprises a Registered Jack-45 (RJ-45) modular jack that is accessible through an opening formed in the face plate. The RJ-45 jack terminates one end of a copper twisted-pair cable (for example, a Category 5 (CAT 5) cable). The other end of the copper twisted-pair cable is coupled to a first network element such as a hub or router. In such an exemplary configuration, a second network element (for example, a personal computer) is coupled to the RJ-45 jack using a second copper twisted-pair cable. The second copper twisted-pair cable is terminated at each end with a respective RJ-45 plug. The RJ-45 plug at one end of the second copper twisted-pair cable is inserted into an RJ-45 jack included in the second network element and the RJ-45 plug at the other end of the second copper twisted-pair cable is inserted into the RJ-45 jack included in the wall-mounted connector. In this way, the first network element is communicatively coupled to the second network element.
In the exemplary configuration described above, the wall-mounted connector is used to couple two communication links that are implemented using the same type of communication media (that is, two copper twisted-pair cables). In other configurations, a wall-mounted connector is used to communicatively couple two communication links that are implemented using different physical communication media. For example, in one such other configuration, a wall-mounted connector is used to communicatively couple an optical fiber and a copper twisted-pair cable. Such a connector converts signals received from the optical fiber to output signals suitable for transmission on the copper twisted-pair cable and converts signals received from the copper twisted-pair cable to output signals suitable for transmission on the optical fiber. Such a connector is also referred to here as a "media converter." Because a media converter typically includes active components (for example, components that perform the signal conversion), an external power adapter is typically coupled to the media converter in order to provide power to the active components of the media converter. As a result, a media converter typically must be located near a power source for power to be supplied to the media converter. This constrains where such a wall-mounted media converter can be located.
Operation, administration, and management (OAM) (or other management or diagnostic) functionality is often used in networks that contain wall-mounted connectors. However, wall-mounted connectors are typically transparent to such functionality. That is, OAM commands typically cannot be addressed to or otherwise used to interact with such a connector. This limits the resolution of such OAM functionality. For example, such OAM functionality is typically unable to determine whether a fault exists at a first network element, in a first communication link used to couple the first network element to a wall-mounted connector, in the connector itself, or in a second communication link used to couple the wall-mounted connector to a second network element.


System, devices and methods for monitoring pupillary response(s) are presented; the system comprises a light-blocking enclosure for receiving a first eye and a second eye of an individual, a light source for emitting visible light inside the enclosure and illuminating said first eye and/or second eye according to a predetermined illumination schedule, an image capturing unit for receiving visible light reflected from the first eye and/or the second eye while each eye being illuminated by said light source, and for capturing a plurality of images at a specific rate of the first eye and/or the second eye, a control unit for controlling operation of the light source and the image capturing unit and for receiving first data indicative of the plurality of images, a processing unit for processing the first data to determine second data indicative of size of pupil(s) of the first and/or second eye(s) in each of said plurality of images and processing the second data to enable determining an ophthalmological condition of the individual and generating an output signal indicative thereof, and an output interface for receiving the output signal from the control unit and presenting the output to the individual.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the innate fluid pressure within the eye. IOP is maintained by the trabecular meshwork, which manages the leakage of the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber of the eye. The typical IOP of humans ranges from 7-21 mmHg with a mean of approximately 16 mmHg. Elevated IOP is an important risk factor for glaucoma, a progressive optic neuropathy that can lead to visual field defects or eventual blindness. A study carried out by Quigley and Broman in 2006 [1] predicts that the global population affected by glaucoma will reach 80 million by 2020; it further postulates that half of the people living with glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease, which can largely be attributed to a lack of resources or incentive for IOP assessment. Glaucoma also imposes a significant burden on the US healthcare system, costing roughly $3 billion USD and over 10 million visits to physicians per year
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which result in damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. Vision loss from glaucoma, once it has occurred, is permanent. One of the main risk factors for glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure (IOP). For eye pressures a value of greater than 21 mmHg or 2.8 kPa is often used with higher pressures leading to a greater risk. Glaucoma occurs more commonly among older people and is the second-leading cause of blindness after cataracts. If treated early, it is possible to slow or stop the progression of disease with medication, laser treatment, or surgery. The goal of these treatments is to decrease IOP. IOP measurements that indicate the risk of glaucoma are generally performed by medical professionals using dedicated medical devices. Such measurements are generally not very frequent and do not account for circadian changes in IOP. Therefore, comparisons between two IOP measurements that are far apart in time and conducted at different hours of the day for the same individual may cause physicians to inaccurately diagnose the risk of glaucoma.
Relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) or Marcus Gunn pupil is a medical condition in which the individual's pupils constrict less, therefore appear to dilate, when a bright light is swung from an unaffected eye to an affected eye. The affected eye still senses the light and produces pupillary sphincter constriction to some degree, albeit reduced. One of the common causes of Marcus Gunn pupil is a lesion of the optic nerve (between the retina and the optic chiasm) or severe retinal disease. A second common cause of Marcus Gunn pupil is a contralateral optic tract lesion, due to the different contributions of the intact nasal and temporal hemi-fields.
Ophthalmologic biomarkers are measurable ocular features that can be used to detect and assess various pathological and non-pathological conditions affecting a subject. Non-limiting examples of ophthalmologic biomarkers include pupillary responsiveness (pupil size, pupillary light reflex, pupil motility/kinetics, etc.). Due to the usefulness of ophthalmologic biomarkers in identifying conditions of interest, various devices and techniques exist for monitoring pupil size and responsiveness characteristics. These systems are generally referred to as pupilometry systems or pupilometers. Pupillary size and responsiveness have long been a critical component in clinical assessment of subjects with neurological and physiological conditions including optic nerve disorders such as glaucoma.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,511 to Molnar et al. describes a portable, non-invasive binocular scanning apparatus for rapid assessment of neurological function in cases of potential trauma, disease, and/or exposure to chemical treat agents. The scanning apparatus may utilize a combination of light sources for the measurement and assessment of pupillary response, retinal imagery, and/or other ophthalmologic biomarkers. The scanning apparatus can detect and assess a wide range of neurological and physiological conditions by obtaining pertinent measurements from the retina and pupil in real time.

System and method for monitoring pupillary light response


A method for automatically error notifying a user of a dairy farm, wherein milking animals, such as cows, are allowed to move freely in an area (1) intended therefore and to visit individually a milking animal station, such as e.g. a milking parlor (9) with a fully automatic milking machine (14), or a feeding station (33), said station comprising an animal identification system (20, 43), and a database of the animals, said method comprising the steps of receiving a pre-selection of a particular milking animal of the milking animals in the database; identifying each milking animal that visits the station; and notifying the user of the dairy farm of the animal in dependence on the pre-selected milking animal visiting the station. The method may be implemented by means of a computer software product loaded into a computer of an animal station or of a dairy farm system.

In modern dairy farm industry there are continuous research and development activities in order to improve the efficiency of various activities such as machine milking, which, inter alia, involves increased milk yield and reduced milking time.
A major trend in this respect is an increased degree of automation of the various activities. For instance, machine milking may be performed by milking robots in a completely automated manner. Such an automatic milking system may take care of milking, feeding, milk inspection, milk sampling, animal traffic, etcetera in a large area wherein the dairy animals are walking about freely. This implies that the user of the system, i.e. the farmer, can leave the barn for many hours if everything is progressing appropriately.
Some activities are nevertheless performed more or less manually. For instance, if a particular dairy animal is under a treatment, receiving pharmaceutical drugs or is to be rubbed with an ointment or a salve, this particular animal has to be found for manual inspections and/or treatments. In a large area farm where the dairy animals are walking about freely it is a hard and time consuming work to find the animal of interest. Further, when the animal is found it may be difficult to keep the animal still during the treatment or examination.
Further, some treatments ought to be performed in connection with milking.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,047 issued to Golan depicts a system for marking a cow with a visible marking indicative of a treatment to be carried out on the cow, comprising an identification tag located on the cow and bearing a unique identity code for remotely identifying the cow, and a database containing for each cow in a heard a corresponding identity code and a treatment code relating to a treatment to be carried out on the cow. The cow passes through a paint spray station en route between a milking parlor and corral, said station identifying the cow and including different colored spray guns responsive to the treatment code for marking on the cow a visible marking uniquely identifying the treatment code.
Said U.S. Patent does not, however, disclose how nor where to find a particular animal of interest. Further, the system with spray guns seems to be impractical if just one or a few particular animals are to be treated.


A light source unit includes a linear light source portion including a plurality of glass-sealed LEDs, a heat radiation portion including a heat radiation plate connected to the linear light source portion, and a case including an outside wall that is disposed apart from the linear light source portion and the heat radiation portion, a support portion connecting the outside wall to heat radiation portion, and a vent hole formed in the outside wall.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a light source unit including a linear light source portion with plural glass-sealed LEDs (light emitting diodes) mounted thereon, and a heat radiation portion connected to the linear light source portion.
2. Description of the Related Art
A linear light source unit is known in which plural LED elements are mounted on an elongate wiring board and the LED elements are sealed with a resin sealing material on the wiring board (See, e.g., JP-A-2006-344450, paragraph [0005]). However, this linear light source unit has the problems that, due to heat generated from the LED elements, the resin sealing material is yellowed by deterioration to cause an reduction in light intensity with time, or the resin sealing material is separated from the wiring board to cause a contact failure.
In order to solve the problems, JP-A-2006-344450 discloses a linear light source unit that is composed of plural LED elements arranged on the wiring board, and a glass material formed on the wiring board for covering the LED elements (e.g., paragraph [0021]). JP-A-2006-344450 states that the glass material has thermal conductivity about five times higher than the conventional resin material and, therefore, amount of heat dissipated outside from the LED elements increases to suppress temperature rise of the LED elements.
However, since the thermal conductivity of the glass material and the resin material is much lower than that of a metal material etc., the heat radiation property of the sealing material of the linear light source unit of JP-A-2006-344450 is still insufficient though the glass material has thermal conductivity higher than the conventional resin material. In other words, the linear light source unit of JP-A-2006-344450 does not provide enough improvement in heat radiation property as compared to that the conventional linear light source unit with the resin sealing material, and the amount of heat from the LED elements acceptable in the entire unit is equal to the conventional linear light source unit with the resin sealing material. Thus, although the linear light source unit of JP-A-2006-344450 allows an increase in amount of heat from the LED elements by using the glass sealing material, thermal load is eventually applied to each LED element since the entire unit is problematic in the heat radiation property of the LED elements. Therefore, it is infeasible to improve the performance of the light source unit by increasing the light intensity of the LED elements or by densely arranging the LED elements since heat generation increases thereby. As a result, the performance of the LED elements cannot be sufficiently utilized.


The invention comprises a method for establishing a connection between a begin node and an end node in which parallel transmission and processing of connection request messages is used to minimize the dependency of connection setup time on connection path length.

In automatically switched networks, a connection is a concatenation of link connections and sub-network connections that enable the transport of data from a source to a destination. A connection path through the network is a sequence of nodes starting with a begin node and terminating at an end node (optionally, traversing at least one intermediate node). There are numerous methods for provisioning a connection path through a network, including both manual path provisioning and automated path provisioning. The three basic types of algorithms currently used for automatic path provisioning include hierarchical routing, step-by-step routing, and source routing, where source routing is essentially a hop-by-hop interaction between the nodes in the connection path.
In current source routed connection establishment algorithms, sequential setup is employed to establish connections across a network having a plurality of nodes. In source routed connection setup, when a connection is to be set up in a network, a connection request message is generated in a begin node and transmitted from the begin node to a first intermediate node in a sequence of nodes that will be traversed by the connection. The first intermediate node processes the connection request message received from the begin node and then forwards the connection request message to the next intermediate node in the sequence. This process continues until the final intermediate node in the sequence transmits the connection request message to the end node in the sequence.
As the connection request message follows the traversed intermediate nodes along the connection path between the begin node and the end node, specific actions are performed at each of the intermediate nodes and the end node that require a certain amount of processing time. Such actions include receiving the message, reading the message, allocating the bandwidth required by the connection path, and the like. After the connection has been established, there is typically a handshake between the end node and the begin node in which the success or failure of the connection establishment is communicated from the end node to the begin node.
Using this method of serial transmission and processing, the connection setup time is calculated as the sum of the transmission times required to transmit the connection request message from one node in the sequence to the next node in the sequence, and the processing time that each node in the sequence spends processing the connection request message. Therefore, in this method, and other serial methods of establishing connections across a network having a plurality of nodes, the connection setup time is a direct function of the connection path length (number of nodes in the sequence).
Unfortunately, as the size of communication networks continues to grow, the connection paths provisioned through a network tend to traverse increasing numbers of nodes, significantly increasing the time required to establish a connection path through the network. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that increases in the size of communication networks typically results in significant increases in the number of connection paths that are to be established through the networks. Therefore, a faster method of performing source routed connection path provisioning is desired.

Method for fast source routed connection setup


The present invention is intended to provide an apparatus capable of detecting an air tube-detached state when said air tube has been detached from an air-actuated valve in order that the same air-actuated valve is caused to assume a closed state. The present invention relates to an air tube connection state detecting apparatus 10 for detecting whether the fore end of an air tube 56 for supplying compressed air to an air-actuated valve 16 for a gas container 12 is connected to said air-actuated valve 16 or not. The air tube connection state detecting apparatus comprises a to-be-contacted member 82, provided at a predetermined position separate from said air-actuated valve 16, to which the fore end of said air tube 56 is to be connected; and a detection means 86 for detecting that the fore end of said air tube 56 is connected to said to-be-connected member 82. If it is detected by the detection means 86 that the air tube 56 is connected to the to-be-connected member 82, in this construction, it can be recognized that the air tube 56 has been detached from the air actuated valve 16.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air-actuated valve of a gas container, and especially to an apparatus for detecting whether an air tube for applying a pneumatic pressure is connected to an air-actuated valve.
2. Description of Related Art
Spiral material gas for use in manufacture of semiconductors is usually stored in a portable gas container which is called "a gas bomb" or "a gas cylinder". Many special material gases for use in manufacture of semiconductors are dangerous gases which possess combustibility (explosiveness), toxicity, corrosiveness or combustion-supporting property. It is therefore necessary to take thoughtful consideration to their use in view of safety. Accordingly, a gas container filled with such a dangerous special material gas has hitherto been accommodated in a box having an exhaust duct to cope with a gas leakage in an emergency. This box is called "a cylinder cabinet".
When a gas container is accommodated in a cylinder cabinet, it is desired that the opening and closing operation of a valve on the gas container is automatically carried out by remote operation in view of safety. There have been hitherto used various valves capable of being handled under remote operation. A conventional valve of the remote operation type is an air-actuated valve. An air-actuated valve is opened or closed by moving a valve body by a pneumatic actuator. An air-actuated valve for a gas container is normally a closed type. It is constructed such that the valve is opened only when compressed air is supplied to the pneumatic actuator.
When a gas container is removed for exchange from a process line, the remaining gas in the line is purged to prevent the special material gas from leaking out of the line. This purging work must be carried when the valve of the gas container is closed. In the case of an air-actuated valve, the closing of said valve has hitherto been effected by stopping the supply of compressed air thereto. When an air tube is connected to an air-actuated valve, however, it is feared that compressed air will be supplied to the valve because of a manual operation mistake, or an air control circuit malfunction. Accordingly, the purging work is premised on the assumption that the air tube was previously detached from the air-actuated valve.
Since the detachment of an air tube is manual work carried out by an operator, the operator may forget to detach the air tube in error. Although there is, of course, no problem even in this case because it is devised that the supply of compressed air is automatically stopped in purge, it is desirable, from the viewpoint of multiplexing fail safe, to cope with a serious situation.

Air tube connection state detecting apparatus


Circuitry and a method are provided for selectively switching a negative voltage (-V.sub.nn) to portions of CMOS integrated circuits, which circuitry comprises a switching/decoding matrix. The switching/decoding matrix comprises a control and decode logic (CDL) which controls signal VPPENABLE to control a positive charge pump (PCP) producing positive voltage (+V.sub.pp) and which further controls signal VNNENABLE to control a negative charge pump (NCP) producing said negative voltage (-V.sub.nn). The switching/decoding matrix further comprises, for each line to be switched, a switching module which comprises a PMOS transistor (PS) having its source connected to said line and its drain connected to receive said negative voltage (-V.sub.nn) produced by said negative charge pump (NCP). The PMOS transistor (PS) gate is driven by a drive circuit being in turn driven by said control and decode logic (CDL) and connected so as to receive the positive voltage (+V.sub.pp) provided by said positive charge pump (PCP).

As is well known, in several integrated circuit configurations, it is desirable to utilize voltages which are negative with respect to the ground GND of the circuit. Such voltages are produced on the chip by means of so-called charge pumps. A typical example of such applications is that of the DRAM memories and of the Flash EEPROM memories.
If it were possible to switch such negative voltages, the performance of these circuits, and in particular of Flash EEPROM memories, would be noticeably improved. In N-well CMOS technology, the N-channel devices cannot be used to this end because they are incorporated in the P-type substrate of the integrated circuit and therefore their source/drain terminals cannot be exposed to negative voltages, so as not to forward bias P-N junctions, which would cause the break-down of the negative voltage generator (charge pump).
There are many circumstances in which the integrated circuit applications in CMOS technology would be noticeably improved, if it were possible to selectively switch a negative voltage.
For instance, a Flash EEPROM memory, which is normally erased as a whole by means of a negative voltage produced at the interior of the chip, could be operated as a standard EEPROM memory, if it were possible to selectively apply the negative voltage to a single row or to a single word of the memory. Another example could be given by the implementation of a multiple state logic, in particular a tristate logic +1, 0, -1 in which the logic state -1 would be associated with a negative voltage.
The present CMOS technologies are in most cases based upon N-channel devices which are incorporated on a common P-type substrate (coinciding with the base material of the integrated circuit and connected to the ground GND), while P-channel devices are fabricated inside purposely diffused N-type regions (N-wells). Consequently, P-type devices may rely upon independent substrates, while this possibility does not exist for N-channel devices.
A locally generated, positive voltage V.sub.pp, higher than voltage V.sub.cc, may be easily switched selectively by using a decoding network made up of N-channel transistors and of P-channel transistors, where the substrates of the P-channel devices are biased to V.sub.pp. In theory, it should also be possible to selectively switch a locally produced negative voltage -V.sub.nn lower than the ground voltage GND, but in practice this is not feasible, because of the impracticality of connecting the substrates of the N-channel transistors to the voltage -V.sub.nn.
Clearly, the problem is not that of producing a voltage lower than the ground voltage GND on the chip by means of charge pumping techniques using only P-channel transistors and capacitors. However, in CMOS technology, present day solutions do not selectively route the negative voltage to the various portions at the interior of the chip.
Therefore, it may be seen that a need has arisen in the industry for a method and apparatus for selectively switching a negative voltage (-V.sub.nn) to portions of CMOS integrated circuits.

Circuitry and method for selectively switching negative voltages in CMOS integrated circuits


A color changing light fixture is provided for producing indirect self-illuminating effects within the fixture, which comprises a housing or reflector having an indirect light source and, optionally, a primary light source mounted within. The fixture's self-illuminating effects are conducive to adding to the design scheme of a room or an area being lighted. The fixture may be recessed, surface mounted, suspended, or wall mounted. The indirect light source, which is powered by a low voltage power source, includes one or more light emitting diode (LED) strips that may be fixed or adjustable, and includes the capability of being completely or partially concealed within the fixture. The LEDs can provide a plurality of visible colors (including white), which can be mixed by any number of control devices, like music and video mixers, and door opening and occupancy sensors.

The present invention relates to lighting. More particularly, the present invention relates to lighting fixtures. Most particularly, the present invention relates to a low voltage, lighting fixture having an indirect light source mounted within a housing and forming a part of the lighting fixture.
Indirect lighting is known in the lighting industry. In one form, such indirect lighting usually involves a source of light mounted below a ceiling, being aimed at the ceiling and being diffusely reflected by the ceiling. Indirect lighting of walls and displays are also known, in which a light source mounted some distance from the wall or display is aimed so as to diffusely reflect light on to the wall or display.
In another form of indirect lighting, it has been known that light can be bounced off of reflectors in a manner that light is redistributed out of a housing and off of a reflector into a space. Both methods typically depend upon high light energy sources to provide sufficient usable light.
Because generally the light from an indirect source is white light, or full spectrum light wherein the color rendering is pleasant, most, if not all, indirect source luminaries have used incandescent, high intensity discharge, such as metal halide or fluorescent.
This invention teaches the practice of illuminating a housing for the purpose of creating an effect. That is that the housing or internal reflector is meant to absorb color as well as "white" light in a manner that only illuminates the housing or internal parts of the fixture. For this purpose, low energy LED light sources, configured with red, blue and green LED's can provide white and a full spectrum of colors in a manner that uses extremely low electric energy, but provides the effect of indirect light emission without filling the room with colored light.
This technique can utilize a number of control devices to mix any desired color. It can include an electronic or digital means of control that is connected to a music or video source, or any other source of visible or audible nature, trigger upon door opening, occupancy sensors and the like. This technique has the potential of engaging the fixture housing as colorful addition to a room interior without changing the color of the room.
When used in conjunction with a direct light source, such as a low voltage rail, the effect is unique in that the fixture housing becomes a colorful backdrop for the rail and lamp sources. This technique eliminates the need for color filters either of a subtractive or additive nature, and can also provide varied effects in an adjustable version either attached to the low voltage rail or utilized by itself in an adjustable fashion.
There is also known in the lighting industry a growing demand for smaller and more flexible light fixtures. There is also an increasing demand for lighting fixtures to be concealed or semi-concealed. However, the necessity, until the present invention, of surface mounting indirect lighting fixtures conflicted with the desire to have smaller, more flexible lighting fixtures. Thus, a search for smaller, more flexible, indirect lighting fixtures has continued in the art.


A semiconductor pattern mask that might otherwise exhibit three-fold symmetry, which could give rise to distorted semiconductor features in the presence of three-leaf aberration in the optical system used to expose a semiconductor wafer through the mask, is altered to break up the three-fold symmetry without altering the semiconductor features that are formed. This accomplished by adding features to the mask that break up the symmetry. One way of achieving that result is to make the added features of “sub-resolution” size that do not produce features on the exposed wafer. Another way of achieving that result is to change existing features that do form structures in such a way (e.g., with optical elements) that changes the relative phase, amplitude or other characteristic of light transmitted through those features.

This invention relates to a semiconductor pattern mask having features to minimize aberrations. More particularly, this invention relates to a semiconductor pattern mask having sub-resolution features to reduce the sensitivity of the pattern to aberrations in the optics of the pattern imaging system.
Semiconductor devices are typically manufactured using photolithographic techniques. The circuit elements or structures to be formed are drawn on a mask. The mask can be a "dark field layout" in which the circuit elements are represented by light-transmissive areas on a nontransmissive (or less transmissive) background, or a "clear field layout" in which the circuit elements are represented by nontransmissive (or less transmissive) areas on a transmissive background.
A silicon substrate, suitably doped, is provided with a photosensitive coating or "photoresist." The photosensitive coating is exposed to light through the mask using an optical system, and is then processed to develop the circuit elements on the silicon substrate. The process is repeated for multiple layers of silicon and metallization (using a different mask for each layer) until the desired circuit has been formed.
The optical elements in the optical system used to expose the photosensitive surface through the mask may be imperfect. For example, lenses in that system may be manufactured with one of several optical aberrations.
One such aberration, known as three-leaf aberration, may cause distortion of the imaging of the mask features onto the photosensitive surface, resulting in corresponding distortions in the final semiconductor device.
It would be desirable to be able to provide a way to eliminate the sensitivity of semiconductor pattern mask to three-leaf aberration.

Pattern mask with features to minimize the effect of aberrations


A security system includes a control panel and sensors for monitoring conditions related to the security of a residential or commercial location. The control panel communicates with the sensors and displays information related to the operation of the security system. The control panel may also receive user input. User input can be received at a touch-sensitive display on the control panel. The touch-sensitive display may be adapted to receive and recognize multiple, simultaneous touches. Different types of touches can be associated with different actions taken by the touch-sensitive display. Detection of types of touches can also include gesture identification. A haptic response may also be provided for giving tactile feedback when input is received at the control panel.

At an increasing rate, people are purchasing electronic devices and appliances that can be used in connection with certain functions of residential or commercial buildings. Many of these devices are used separately for one purpose or another. For instance, home security systems, lighting control systems, security cameras, sprinkler systems, telephone systems, entertainment (e.g., audio, video, television, etc.) systems, heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and the like may each be controlled electronically using various controllers.
In some cases, operation of multiple devices and systems may be collectively managed using automated control systems. Examples may include universal remote controls for operating multiple types of entertainment systems, as well as home security and thermostat systems that can control HVAC and security of a residential or commercial building.
Whether controls for electronic devices are for individual devices or for centralized control of multiple devices, user interfaces may be provided to enable a user to interact with the electronic device(s). A remote control may, for instance, allow a user to power on or off multiple electronic entertainment devices, or to change volume, input sources, audio/video quality, and the like. In the context of a security and thermostat system, the interface may allow a user to arm or disarm a security device or change a home heating/cooling scheme or temperature, among other features.
Such interfaces typically operate using a combination of mechanical and electrical components. For instance, the user interface may include a control panel having a set of buttons (e.g., numerical, alphabetic, task-specific, etc.). The buttons, when depressed, can cause an actuator to generate an electronic signal. That signal may be transferred through circuitry in the control panel and/or to a device being monitored or controlled. An air conditioning unit or furnace may, for instance, be turned on or off in response to a user pressing a button. Similarly, an alarm on a door or window may be armed or disarmed depending on the button that is depressed.
Buttons on a control panel, while useful for certain functions, may limit the overall operation or intuitive operation of the control panel itself. In particular, each button generally has one or two primary functions, and added functions may require advanced operations that can require the user to consult a menu or operation manual, which operations are non-intuitive. Such limited functions for the control buttons may make the control panel difficult to use. In addition, a button-based interface may make a control panel impractical for centralized use in controlling many different systems and components. This may be the case because the control panel may either require a large number of buttons, or because limited buttons may have multiple different associated operations, making it difficult for the user to learn how to use the control interface.

Home security system with touch-sensitive control panel


A shoe sole includes an insole having front vent holes; and an outsole comprising a heel comprising an open cavity, a first check valve extending from the cavity to the external, and a flexible protrusion on the heel bottom; a cover fitted on the cavity and comprising grooves and a second check valve communicating with the grooves and the cavity; front projections on the outsole top; and a channel on the arch top. Foot stepping will compress the protrusion to close the first check valve and open the second check valve such that air within the cavity is expelled to a sole of the foot via the second check valve, the grooves, the channel, and the vent holes. Foot lifting will return the protrusion to its original shape with the first check valve open and the second check valve closed so as to draw air into the cavity.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to shoes with ventilation structure and more particularly to a shoe sole having an improved ventilation structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Typical footwear often has a drawback of reduced ventilation because confining the foot usually does not allow sufficient breathability. Hence, it may cause the foot to perspire and may also promote the development of bacteria or like as well as unpleasant odors and skin problems. Thus, later developed footwear attempted to solve the lack of sufficient breathability by ventilating the shoe. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,100 discloses a shoe ventilation.
A conventional shoe sole having a cushion structure is shown in FIG. 1. The sole comprises an insole A, an outsole B having a recess B2 on the heel B1, and a padded block C fitted in the recess B2. The conventional shoe attempted to absorb shock while walking. However, it does not increase breathability. In fact, fresh atmospheric air drawn into the shoe through the gap between the block C and the recess B2 is greatly insufficient and to the worse hot air within the shoe still cannot be exited. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.


A method for Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packet authentication on a packet data network. In particular, the invention relates to a method for preventing toll fraud, privacy compromise, voice quality degradation, or denial of service (DoS) on Voice over IP networks. The Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) is susceptible to several security attacks, including thirdparty snooping of private conversations, injection of forged content, and introduction or modification of packets to degrade voice quality. The Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) provides confidentiality, message authentication, and replay protection for RTP traffic. However, SRTP incurs an additional overhead to verify the HMAC-SHA1 message authentication code for each packet. SRTP+ significantly decrease the verification overhead compared to SRTP and thereby increases the number of faked packets required to mount a successful denial of service attack. SRTP+ provides packet authentication but not integrity. SRTP+ is compatible with SRTP.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packet authentication on a packet data network. In particular, the invention relates to methods for preventing toll fraud, privacy compromise, voice quality degradation, or denial of service (DoS) on Voice over IP networks.
2. Description of Background Art
Telephony via Voice over IP (VoIP) offers tremendous potential in rich features and cost savings. However, the leveraging of data networks and their corresponding communication protocols also carries attendant security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, VoIP protocols for signaling and media transport themselves present additional vulnerabilities that might lead to toll fraud, privacy compromise, voice quality degradation, or denial of service (DoS).
In particular, the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) used as the basis for media transport is susceptible to several attacks, including third-party snooping of private conversations, injection of forged content, and introduction or modification of packets to degrade voice quality.
A description of RTP can be found in                H. Schulzrinne, S. Casner, R. Frederick, and V. Jacobson, "RTP: A Transport Protocol for Real-Time Applications," IETF RFC 3550, July 2003, <http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3550.txt?number=3550>.
In response to concerns about these RTP vulnerabilities, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Audio/Visual Transport Working Group proposed the Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP), which provides confidentiality, message authentication, and replay protection for RTP traffic. As with SRTP, SRTCP provides similar security for RTP Control Protocol (RTCP) traffic.
The SRTP specifies Advance Encryption Standard (AES) encryption of the RTP payload and a message authentication hash of the header and the encrypted payload using Keyed-Hashing for Message Authentication (HMAC-SHA1) to achieve enhanced security. Avaya products are supported by this newer AES encryption as well as the earlier implemented Avaya Encryption Algorithm (AEA) encryption. MAC-SHA1 is the default message authentication code, and its implementation is mandatory. However, optional message authentication codes are permitted. HMAC-SHA1 produces a 160-bit digest and recommends that no more than 80 bits to be truncated from the least significant end. However, 128 bits can be truncated (resulting in a 32-bit authentication tag) for bandwidth efficiency if the following conditions are met: (1) the RTP payload is stateless, (2) an attacker is unlikely to be able to intelligently modify the SRTP ciphertext, (3) and no data forwarding or access control decisions are made based on the RTP data.
Further descriptions of S RTP, AES, HMAC-SHA1, and AEA can be found respectively, in                M. Baugher, D. McGrew, M. Naslund, E. Carrara, and K. Norrman, "The Secure Real-time Transport Protocol," IETF RFC 3711, March 2004, http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3711.txt?number=3711;        National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), "Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)," FIPS Pub 197, http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips197/fips-197.pdf;        H. Krawczyk, M. Bellare, and R. Canetti, "HMAC: Keyed-Hashing for Message Authentication," IETF RFC 2104, February 1997, http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2104.txt?number=2104; and        R. Gilman, "An Efficient Encryption Algorithm for Audio Version 1.2," Avaya COMPAS document93923, Jul. 3, 2002.
One potential concern for SRTP is the overhead imposed by the authentication hash. As seen in FIG. 1, the entire header and encrypted payload are hashed via the HMAC-SHA1 algorithm to produce an 80-bit or 32-bit message authentication tag. The tag must be computed so that each packet can be authenticated.
Thus, one possible denial of service attack is to bombard a target with a series of forged packets, each of which contains an improper authentication tag.
FIG. 2 shows the steps for computing an authentication tag using HMAC-SHA1. The main computation includes hashing N=L+3 blocks of 512 bits, where L=ceil(M/64) and M is the number of bytes in the RTP header and payload covered by the authentication tag. The full computation also includes a few XOR, padding, copying operations, but the total execution time is heavily dependent on the hashing operations. The main processing for one SHA-1 hash consists of four rounds of 20 steps each. These four rounds contain a total of 740 32-bit logical and arithmetic operations (AND, OR, NOT, XOR, modulo addition). In addition to the hash operations, the two 512-bit XOR operations require 32 32-bit logical XOR operations.
However, these two XOR operations can be optimized away. An optimization is possible for small values of M. Each XOR operation in FIG. 2 is followed by a hash operation. The result of the XOR and hash operations can be precomputed and used to replace the original initialization vector (IV) corresponding to that hash operation. These two values only need to be calculated once because the Key and ipad/opad values never change after the initial SRTP exchange of keys. Thus, two hashes can be avoided in the steady state, which reduces the computational overhead to hashing L+1 blocks. For G.711 speech coding at 8000 Hz, each RTP packet payload contains 160 8-bit samples or 160 bytes. The RTP header is 12 bytes long, assuming no CSRC fields. Thus, each RTP packet contains 172 bytes, which means L=ceil(172/64)=3 and N=L+3=6. With the optimization described above, N=L+1=4.
The authentication for each SRTP packet requires 6 SHA1 hash operations, which equates to approximately 740*6=4560 logical operations, which takes 76 ms on a 60 MHz processor, not counting control flow instructions. An attacker can take advantage of this computational overhead by bombarding a victim with forged packets that invoke the authentication process with the sole intent to consume processor cycles.

Method for real-time transport protocol (RTP) packet authentication


A coupler for a hitch such as a quick hitch for a three point hitch of a work machine such as a tractor or the like, having a latching mechanism for holding a pin of a work element such as an implement or the like, in a receptacle of the coupler, which latching mechanism is self-latching and provides a self-locking capability when latched to hold the pin in the coupler, in opposition to, and in response to, forces and movements of the pin in directions for normally opening the coupler.

Quick hitches for three point hitches of work machines such as tractors for agriculture, construction, and earth moving, for receiving and releasably holding a pin, such as a pin of an implement or other work element, are well known time saving devices.
Reference Schlegel et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,959 B2 which discloses an exemplary quick hitch including couplers having a self-latching capability. However, couplers such as this rely on a force exerted by a spring to maintain a latch of the coupler in its closed or latched position, including in opposition to forces and movements exerted by a pin latched in the coupler operating in directions for opening the latch.
Relying on a spring force for maintaining a coupler in a latched condition can be disadvantageous. For instance, forces can be exerted by a work element through one or more pins held in a coupler in opposition to the spring force to urge the latch to partially or fully open. The pin can also be rotated while in forceful contact with the latch in a direction for moving the latch to its open position. For instance, as a tractor pulling an implement using a quick hitch is driven through a depression such as a ditch or swail in a field, the rear end of the tractor can be abruptly lowered relative to the implement being towed, such that pins of the implement are brought into contact with the latches of the couplers holding the pins and the pins simultaneously rotated in a direction for opening the latch, such that the latch can be partially opened.
Reference also von Allworden U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,698 issued Aug. 31, 1976 which discloses a hitch coupler including an exemplary locking latching mechanism for holding the latch in its closed position. However, such mechanism relies on interlocking components to provide the locking capability, which can be disadvantageous as the components add complexity and cost, and the interlocking capability can be degraded as the components wear and corrode.
Thus, what is sought is a hitch coupler, particularly a quick hitch for three point hitches of work machines such as tractors and the like, which includes a latching mechanism which can be both self-latching and self-locking, and overcomes one or more of the problems and disadvantages set forth above, and is simple in construction and advantageous cost-wise.

Coupler with self-latching and self-locking latching mechanism for a quick hitch


An isolator is disposed between a plasma reactor and its electrical energy source in order to isolate the reactor from the electrical energy source. The isolator operates as a filter to attenuate the transmission of harmonics of a fundamental frequency of the electrical energy source generated by the reactor from interacting with the energy source. By preventing harmonic interaction with the energy source, plasma conditions can be readily reproduced independent of the electrical characteristics of the electrical energy source and/or its associated coupling network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of plasma processing and, more particularly, to the use of plasma equipment for modification of materials.
2. Prior Art
Plasma processing equipment is used extensively in the industry for the modification of materials. These modifications include etching and deposition of films for fabrication of microelectronic circuits and semiconductor devices. The modifications also may include implantation of chemical species that change the friction and wear properties of surfaces.
A plasma is a gas (or a gas mixture) which is energized so that it is partially decomposed into species that are electrically charged. A variety of techniques are known for energizing the gas. One commonly used technique is the energizing of the gas by imposing an electric field on the gas from an external source. A common practice is to use high frequency alternating-current (AC) fields to energize or excite the gas. For example, radio-frequency (RF) fields are generated at frequency ranges near 10 MHz. At still higher frequencies, in the order of 1000 MHz, microwave fields are generated. In some instances, these electric fields are utilized in combination with magnetic fields which are used for the purpose of confining the plasma. Electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma processing is one technique for controlling the plasma with the use of electric and magnetic fields.
The plasma is typically retained in a chamber of a processing equipment and isolated from the surrounding ambient and this plasma usually contains species that undergo chemical reactions. The plasma chamber and its gas-handling equipment are typically referred to as a reactor. The source of the electrical power that energizes the plasma is commonly referred to as a generator. Usually, there are a number of components, including cables, wave guides, inductors, capacitors, matching network, tuner and/or an impedance transforming network coupling the generator to the reactor. These components are included in a system sometimes referred to as a coupler or a coupling system. The generator and the coupling system together comprise the AC source that energizes the plasma.
Various schemes have been devised in the prior art for coupling the generator, coupler, and the reactor to operate as a plasma processing system for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,546 (Ohmi) an RF power source is coupled to a vacuum vessel through a matching circuit in order to provide a sputtering apparatus for forming an insulating thin film. Band reject filters are provided to permit only high frequencies to be supplied.
Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,618 (Celestino et al.) in which two power sources are each coupled through a matching network to a plasma reactor. A filter/combiner is coupled between the low frequency power supply and the high frequency power supply. The filter/combiner serves three purposes which are unique to a single electrode, dual frequency plasma reactor. The power of each power supply must be largely prevented from reaching the other power supply, the mixing products caused by the coupling of two different frequencies to a non-linear load must be attenuated and the radiation emitted by the reactor and the various interconnections must be minimized.
A key feature of most plasmas, is that the plasmas have "non-linear" impedance characteristics. Non-linearity is a mathematical definition signifying that the magnitude of the voltage (electric field) in the plasma is not directly proportional to the magnitude of the current (magnetic field). Typically, the generators employed in various plasma systems are designed to generate an output of predominantly single-frequency. However, because of the non-linearity of the plasma, signals at multiples of the fundamental generator frequency are generated by the plasma. These multiple frequencies of the fundamental frequency are called harmonic frequencies (or harmonics). The amplitude of the harmonics affect certain properties of the plasma, such as direct current (DC) bias, which impact the particular plasma process. The amplitude of the harmonics is determined by the interaction of the plasma with the generator and the coupling system and is difficult to control simply by adjusting the amplitude of the fundamental frequency component.
Plasma non-linearity is a phenomenon which plays an important role in causing the plasma conditions to be dependent upon the electrical characteristics of the generator, as well as the coupling system, at both the operating (fundamental) frequency of the generator and at the various harmonic frequencies. That is, if satisfactory operation of a plasma reactor is achieved for a given generator and coupling system, the parameters of the generator and the coupling system cannot be readily changed without affecting the plasma itself. Thus, generally it is impractical, if not possible, to make changes to the electrical parameters of the generator and/or the coupling system and still be able to reproduce the desired plasma conditions, simply by readjusting the amplitude of the generator output. Typically, what is required is a considerable retuning of the system in order to satisfactorily couple the reactor to the generator and/or the coupling system to obtain the desired plasma conditions.
Therefore, it is difficult to replace a generator from a first manufacturer with a generator from a second manufacturer and obtain the same plasma conditions, unless the electrical parameters of the two generators are identical. Similarly, if a change is made to an impedance matching network in the coupling system, due to a component change for example, the same plasma conditions cannot be reproduced unless the networks are substantially identical. Merely changing the amplitude of the generator output will not compensate for the impedance differences in the generator and/or the coupling system.
An added problem also exists when certain parameters associated with two systems are not substantially identical. If two installations of plasma systems are made using identical generators and reactors but different lengths of coaxial cable (wave guides and/or other transmission mediums) are utilized in the systems then generally identical plasma conditions cannot be reproduced. In actual practice, this lack of reproducibility of desired operating plasma conditions under realistic conditions presents significant difficulties to the user. For example, if an RF generator requires service and/or corrective repair, it can only be replaced with another identical RF generator without undue tuning and adjustment.
Accordingly, it is appreciated that a plasma system which is flexible in design to accommodate a multitude of generator sources, as well as coupling systems, such that the reactor could repeatedly reproduce desirable plasma operating conditions, will provide for an improvement over the prior art.


An electric current sensor is disposed in an upper end part of a casing in an electrical junction box. A detecting bus bar penetrates a through-hole in the electric current sensor so that opposite ends of the detecting bus bar project from the through-hole. A bolt hole is provided in an input side portion on one end projecting from the through-hole. Bolt holes are provided in an output side portion on the other end projecting from the through-hole. A bolt hole is provided in an input side bus bar. The input side bus bar is disposed below the input side portion so that the bolt hole is communicated with the bolt hole. Bolt holes are provided in output side bus bars. The output side bus bars are disposed below the output side portion so that the bolt holes are communicated with the bolt holes. Bolts are inserted downward into the communicated bolt holes to secure the electric current sensor to the input and output side bus bars. The electric current sensor can be removed from the input and output side bus bars by releasing the bolts.

1. Technical Field
The exemplary embodiments are directed towards an electrical junction box provided with an electric current sensor for detecting an electric current flowing in bus bars in a casing.
2. Background Art
Heretofore, various electrical junction box provided with such a kind of electric current sensor have been supplied.
For example, the present applicant has disclosed an electrical junction box in JP 2007-28773 A. In an electrical junction box 1 to be mounted in a motor vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a casing includes an upper casing 2 and a lower casing 3a containing in an upper part a laminated member 4 in which bus bars 4a are laminated alternately with insulation plates 4b, and containing an electric current sensor 5 below the laminated member 4. A special bus bar 6 penetrates a through-hole 5a in the sensor 5. The bus bar 6 is provided on opposite sides with bolt holes 6a to 6c. An output side bolt hole 6a is communicated with a bolt hole 7a in an output side bus bar 7 so that a bolt 8 secures the bus bars 6 and 7 to each other. A power source line terminal connected to a battery is connected to the input side bolt hole 6b by bolt-fastening while an input terminal of a fusible link is connected to the other input side bolt hole 6c by bolt-fastening.
However, because the laminated member 4 is disposed above the electric current sensor 5 in the electrical junction box 1 having the above construction, the electrical junction box 1 must be disassembled in order to remove the electric current sensor 5 from the electrical junction box 1, in the case where a malfunction occurs in the electric current sensor. Accordingly, there is a room to improve the electrical junction box in view of maintenance.
Also, because the electric current sensor 5 having a great calorific value is disposed in a bottom side of the casing, the electric current sensor is likely to easily increase a temperature in an internal space in the casing, thereby readily heat-affecting the bus bars and electrical components disposed above the electric current sensor. Accordingly, there is a room to improve the electrical junction box in view of heat radiation.

Electrical junction box provided with electric current sensor


Different stepped-up voltages and different output currents are generated in one charge pump circuit without increasing the chip area of the charge pump circuit and also electric power consumption in the charge pump circuit to be reduced to a very low power consumption level in standby mode and other modes. A semiconductor integrated circuit device comprises one charge pump circuit with an N number of basic pump cell stages connected to step up voltages in the erase and write modes of a non-volatile memory or the like, generates stepped-up voltages lower than in the erase and write modes and different from one another in output current supply capability, by using series- or parallel-connected pump cells not in excess of the N number of pump cell stages mentioned above, and changes a voltage step-up clock to a stepped-up voltage detection signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a charge pump circuit that generates the high voltages required for data erase and read/write operations on a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and to a semiconductor integrated circuit using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
To use a tunneling effect or hot electrons and/or hot holes during erase and/or write operations, a high voltage needs to be generated in non-volatile memories such as a flash memory or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).
Electrically rewritable EEPROMs include a metal-oxide nitride-oxide semiconductor (MONOS) type of EEPROM, and the operating biases in the erase, write, and read modes of the MONOS-type EEPROM that uses MONOS-structured memory cells and enhanced N-type switch metal-oxide semiconductors (MOS's) to construct a one-bit data pattern are shown in FIG. 1 by way of example.
The operating biases in FIG. 1 are for a power supply voltage of Vdd=1.5 V. In this case, the memory cells in erase mode take a threshold voltage value (Vt) less than 0 V, and the memory cells in write mode take a Vt value of 0 V or more.
Accordingly, since in read mode, applying 0 V to a memory gate (Mg) and 1.5 V to a selected switch MONOS control gate (Cg) turns on the switch MOS, whether the data bit is "1" or "0" has been judged by, in the erase mode of the associated memory cell, detecting that a current flows from a bit line (precharged to about 1 V) through that memory cell into a source line and the potential of the bit line decreases. Also, in the write mode of the memory cell, the above judgment has been conducted by detecting that the potential of the bit line precharged to about 1 V is retained. In this case, H-Z shown in FIG. 1 denotes high impedance.
Such a Dickson-type charge pump circuit as introduced and analyzed in the article of T. Tanzawa and T. Tanaka, "A dynamic analysis of the Dickson charge pump circuit," IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. 32, no. 8, pp. 1231–1240, August 1997, is generally known as an example of a charge pump circuit for generating the high voltage required for erase and/or write operations. The Dickson charge pump circuit is commonly used because of its simple circuit composition.
Although EEPROMs have long been frequently used in data update applications, further extension of EEPROMs in capacity is being desired in recent years in order to respond to the diversity of application software and the growing tendency for multiple application programs to be designed so that they operate in one LSI or one system.
Japanese Patent Nos. 1876108 and 1950956 propose MONOS memories without an enhanced N-type switch MOS (i.e., single-MONOS memories), partly because such extension of capacity is obstructed by the fact that the memory size per bit is too large.
The biases in the operation modes of one such single-MONOS memory are shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the operating biases in erase and write modes are almost the same as for the conventional MONOS memory shown in FIG. 1, whereas, in read mode, a negative voltage of erase Vt or less needs to be applied to the memory Well and non-selected Mg.
Additionally, although all voltages to be applied to the memory may be set to 0 V in standby mode, startup from standby mode requires a time from several microseconds to tens of microseconds in order to obtain a stepped-up negative voltage that allows reading. Also a negative voltage is therefore to be applied in standby mode to increase the startup speed. In this case, symbol H-Z shown in FIG. 2 denotes high impedance.
When the size of a module type of such single-MONOS memory, including the size of a peripheral circuit, is considered, the memory itself can be downsized by deleting the switch MOS. However, a stepped-up negative voltage must also be applied in read mode and thus a charge pump circuit for reading is required. In addition, this charge pump circuit for reading needs to be increased in current supply capability so as to be capable of withstanding high-speed reading at about tens of megahertz.
In that case, in addition to the charge pump circuit for erase and write modes, a read-only charge pump circuit high in current supply capability is required, whereby it is likely to increase the total charge pump circuit size.
Additionally, since standby mode, as with read mode, makes it necessary to apply a stepped-up negative voltage, there is also a need to operate the associated charge pump circuit in standby mode, and for this reason, current consumption could increase in standby mode.

Charge pump circuit for generating high voltages required in read/write/erase/standby modes in non-volatile memory device


A variable suction resonator system for internal combustion engines is disclosed. The resonator system generates a variable tuning frequency suitable for freely and effectively meeting and offsetting suction frequencies variable in accordance with the rpm of an engine, thus effectively reducing suction noises of the engine. In the system, an expansible diaphragm interiorly covers a neck, which connects a suction duct to a resonator. A pressure controller selectively pressurizes and expands the diaphragm, thus allowing the diaphragm to control the sectional area of the neck. An electronic control unit calculates an effective tuning frequency of the resonator in response to the rpm of an engine, thus controlling the pressure controller and allowing the sectional area of the neck to be selectively changed by the diaphragm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a suction resonator system installed in an air suction part of an internal combustion engine and used for reducing suction noises of the suction system by offsetting the suction frequency of the suction system using a tuning frequency and, more particularly, to a variable suction resonator system capable of generating a variable tuning frequency suitable for effectively reducing the suction noises regardless of suction frequencies variable in accordance with the rpm of an engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 3 shows the construction of a typical suction resonator system for internal combustion engines. As shown in the drawing, the typical suction resonator system comprises a suction duct 10 through which atmospheric air is sucked into a cylinder (not shown) of an engine. A resonator 12 is connected to the suction duct 10 through a neck 11 and generates a resonance frequency.
In the operation of the above resonator system, the resonator 12 forms a wave motion, which has a tuning frequency corresponding to the frequency of air flowing through the duct 10, thus reducing suction noises generated from the sucked air in the duct 10.
As well known to those skilled in the art, such suction noises are variable in accordance with the rpm of an engine. Therefore, when such a resonator 12 is designed, it is necessary to perform an analysis of variable suction frequencies within a range of expected rpm of an engine prior to determining a suction frequency, which generates the loudest suction noise, thus being most effectively offset by the tuning frequency of the resonator 12.
In such a resonator 12, the tuning frequency (f) is determined by the volume (V') of the resonator 12 and the sectional area (S) and length (l') of the neck 11 as will be represented by the following expression. EQU f=C/2.pi.!.multidot.{.sqroot.S/(l'+.delta.).multidot.V'!}
wherein C is a constant, and .delta. is a compensation parameter for the variable configuration of the neck 11.
However, such a suction resonator system is problematic in that it is designed to generate a fixed tuning frequency, which does not effectively meet and offset the suction frequencies variable in accordance with the rpm of an engine, thus failing to effectively reduce suction noises of the engine.

Variable suction resonator system for internal combustion engines


An injection valve, particularly for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, has a flow path whose end region encompasses an annular gap on the outlet side, and which, in the open state, has at least one annular injection opening that is provided on the outlet side in a closing part, downstream of the annular gap with respect to the flow direction. To achieve good fuel distribution during injection, particularly in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and to be able to set the penetration of the fuel stream into the combustion chamber, means are associated with the annular gap that determine the cross section of the flow path establishing the flow volume such that this cross section has varying radial widths in a circumferential direction of the annular gap.

A known injection valve of this type (International Application No. WO 93/23 172) for injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises a valve body disposed inside a valve housing and having a valve opening, which is surrounded by a valve seat on the spraying side, and through which a valve needle that supports a closing head extends such that, when the valve is closed, the closing head rests with its sealing surface against the valve seat from the outside. When the valve is open, that is, when the closing head of the valve needle is lifted from the valve seat in the direction of injection, the outlet opening defined between the valve seat and the sealing surface forms an injection opening, which adjoins an annular gap provided in the end region of a flow path for fuel through the injection valve, and which represents the smallest cross section in the flow path for the fuel dosing.
In another known injection valve (U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,549), a valve needle having a closing head is disposed inside a housing. The closing head has a conical sealing surface, which cooperates with a valve seat provided in front of an injection opening arrangement with respect to the direction of injection. Provided behind the valve seat, in a dome-shaped housing section, are a primary and a secondary injection opening, which allow fuel to be injected into the primary region as well as into the region of a combustion chamber in which the spark plug is disposed.
In another known injection valve (German Patent Application No. DE 43 28 418 A1), a nozzle plate is disposed in the valve housing behind a valve seat that cooperates with a valve needle, the plate having a retaining plate with a stepped, throughgoing bore in which an injection plate is inserted. Provided in the spray-side edge region of the injection plate is a recess which, together with an associated recess on the retaining plate, forms an annular channel whose outlet-side edges define an annular outlet gap on the holding and injection plates, which forms an injection opening with a dosing function. The annular channel of this known injection plate is connected to the supply side of the nozzle plate via slots provided in the injection plate such that the fuel flowing into the annular channel is equally distributed and can be injected in the circumferential direction as identically-shaped fuel sheets.

Injection valve for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine


The present invention aims at closing a receptacle (1) provided with an opening (2) as tightly as possible while keeping low the amount of material required for a closure (3) used for this purpose. To this end, a tool (10) is suggested that closes the opening (2) of the receptacle (1) by means of the closure (3). The tool (10) comprises a tool plate (12) configured such that it is adapted to be introduced into the opening (2) of the receptacle (1). The tool further comprises at least one roll (11) that is arranged on the tool plate (12). The at least one roll (11) is adapted to be deflected radially outwards from a starting position into a closing position and returns to its starting position, so that a radial force can be caused to act on a closure rim (4) of the closure (3) for a limited period of time, the closure rim (4) being arranged between the at least one roll (11) and the receptacle inner side (5).

From the prior art, a can consisting of a metal sheet, which is closed with a membrane on one end side thereof, is known from WO 1996/31 406. Raised edge regions of the membrane are here adhesively bonded or hot-sealed to the inner side of the can wall. Such closed cans are produced by inserting a membrane into an opening of the can and by inserting a stamp. By spreading the inserted stamp, a force acts radially on the raised edge region of the membrane, the membrane being thus connected to the inner side of the can through an additional exposure to heat. In FIGS. 5a and 5b of the published application, this spreading operation is shown. The stamp consists of circumferentially arranged elements, which are pressed radially outwards against an expansion or snap ring, whereby the diameter of the latter increases. To this end, the expansion or snap ring has an axial gap, so as to allow this increase in radius. When the expansion or snap ring presses against the edge region of the membrane, the membrane area to be connected is not acted upon by a force at the location of the gap. This may lead to leakage of the closure, in particular when the gap of the expansion or snap ring spaces the position of the vertical seam, which is typically formed on cans of this type as a result of the production process. Cans that are closed according to this method are especially not suitable for highly sensitive products to be filled, such as (high-quality) coffee.
WO 1998/03 278 shows a press device consisting of a plurality of pressing parts (cf. there FIG. 3). The press device is intended to be used for the closing of cans similar to those disclosed in WO 1996/31 406. When the pressing parts are radially extended until they enter into contact with the membrane that rests on the inner side of the can, axial gaps are formed. At these gaps, no force is transmitted to the membrane. Through a plurality of planes of the pressing part gaps, a formation of channels, which inevitably occurs in WO 1996/31 406, is intended to be avoided. In particular in the area of a vertical seam of a can to be closed, an axial channel, which has a negative effect on the tightness of the can, may form between the membrane and the inner side of the can, although the gaps of the press device are staggered. In addition, only a subarea of the circumferential area of the raised edge region of the membrane is fixedly connected to the inner side of the can (only at the locations at which a force is actually radially transmitted from the press device to the membrane). Hence, the use of the press device necessitates, for the same tightness, a larger area in comparison with a device that connects the entire area of the raised part of the membrane to the can, and this leads to the necessity of using an increased amount of material and to an increase in the costs of the membrane.

Method, tool and assembly for tightly closing a receptacle, and tightly closed receptacle

TRIVIUM PACKAGING GROUP NETHERLANDS B.V.


A seat includes a first seat piece (10) and a further seat piece (12), which may be adjusted for inclination by a controllable operating device (14). The operating device (14) engages the further seat piece (12) by at least two adjusters (30), which are moved by a common drive mechanism (34) with a mechanical coupling (36) between the adjusters (30), for an effectively uniform motion. A uniform inclination adjustment of the further seat piece, such as backrest and/or leg rest is achieved. The drive includes an actuator device with a longitudinally displaceable operating piece (40), engaged with a rocker (44), connected to an adjuster piece (30) and operating the mechanical coupling (36), with a further rocker (46), for the other adjuster (30).

A pertinent aircraft passenger seat, described in DE 199 44 620, has individual seat components, including a leg rest and a backrest. These seat components can be moved by actuating means which can be triggered by a hand-operated actuating means for adjusting the seat to the requirements of the seat occupant. Hand levers for the seat parts are modeled to the contours of these seat parts as an element of the actuating means, and are combined in one operating part for adjusting the aircraft passenger seat for meaningful adjustment for the seat parts.
In all known tilt adjustment means for seat parts, such as a backrest or leg rest, depending on the actuating and tilt adjustment means used at the time, obstacles can arise since generally the actuating means engages only one point of the backrest and/or leg rest. This single point engagement leads to twisting or torsion of the other seat part to be adjusted in its tilt. Even with minor twisting or torsion, a uniform swivelling motion cannot be achieved with a good feeling of the body for the seat occupant. Also, depending on the adjustment structure being used, in case of a crash, unilateral loading of the actuating means, especially in the form of a servo-drive, occurs. The activating means are often not able to accommodate the forces which suddenly occur.
DE-A-33 35 486 A1 discloses a device for adjusting the height and the tilt of the backrest of the seat, especially of a motor vehicle seat. For selective adjustment of the tilt of a backrest or the height of the entire seat by a single drive spindle, the drive spindle has two spindle parts which each bear a mating non-rotatable bevel wheel to interact with a bevel wheel on the spindles of individual adjustment mechanisms. They are connected non-rotatably only in a certain relative axial position by way of gear rings. In this position, only one mating bevel wheel meshes with the assigned bevel wheel. In the other relative axial position of the two drive spindle parts, the two mating bevel wheels mesh with the assigned bevel wheels, but the non-rotatable connection between the two drive spindle parts is canceled. The known gear approach has a plurality of bevel wheels which fit into one another at a right angle so that the known approach takes up a relatively large amount of construction space on the respective vehicle seat and is accordingly heavy. Furthermore, the approach based on a plurality of individual components is structurally complex and expensive to produce.
DE-A-34 12 047 A1 discloses a generic device for adjusting the tilt of the backrest of a seat, especially for motor vehicles. The seat has a backrest frame with two laterally arranged rotary fittings driven by way of intermediate pinion gears by a drive shaft. The drive shaft is supported in the seat frame and is driven by a synchronous belt drive from a handwheel supported on the front end of the seat frame. As a result, a continuous shaft is not necessary in the backrest, and the handwheel for driving the seat back adjustment is located at a favorable site which is easy to reach. Since synchronous belt drives with their drive wheels and shafts are fundamentally subject to a certain slip behavior, there is no smooth and uniform triggering of the adjustment motion on the two lengthwise sides of the backrest, and obstacles in operation must be expected. Furthermore, the known and aforementioned approaches have the disadvantage that they are hardly suitable for reliably accommodating the peak loads which occur in the seat base structure in case of a crash, if it is used in the vehicle domain, especially in the aircraft domain.

Seat in particular a vehicle seat preferably an aeroplane seat


Electronic television program guide information is downloaded, stored and searched by a local device. A plurality of linked lists are used to remove redundancy, increase search speed, and allow dynamic categories. When a new category is encountered a new head node for a link list data structure is created. When a first program guide object containing information related to that category is downloaded, a link is made (i.e., a pointer is stored) from the head node to the guide object. When subsequent program guide objects containing information related to that category are downloaded, links are added to the end of the list or inserted in alphabetical order. As guide objects expire the links are removed. When no links remain in a particular category the head node for that category is deleted.

Television signal distribution systems typically broadcast television signals to individual users or subscribers on a plurality of individual television channels. The channels may be modulated onto one or more carrier frequencies within a discernable frequency band. Some wireless television signal distribution systems use one or more geosynchronous satellites to broadcast a broadband television signal to receiver units within a large geographic area, while other wireless systems are land-based, using one or more transmitters located within smaller geographic areas to broadcast to individual receiver units within those geographic areas.
The receiver unit receives and processes transmitted waveforms. The receiver unit in a satellite systems typically includes a satellite dish connected by a cable to an integrated receiver/decoder unit (IRD). The satellite dish is aimed toward the satellite, and the IRD is connected to the user's television in a similar fashion to a conventional cable-TV decoder.
Along with the audio and video signals associated with the television channels, the satellite transmits various files such as text and graphics. These files and portions of these files may be used by the IRD to provide the user with additional information such as supplements to an electronic program guide. For example, a file may describe a particular actor or identify a movie's director.
Typically, these files are stored in a relational database and retrieved by key fields. However, relational databases, particularly in an IRD environment, are slow and consume a large portion of RAM. Consequently, users must wait to retrieve program guide data and/or the cost of the IRD is increased by additional memory. Further, the names of the fields in the relational database (e.g., "director") are typically fixed. New categories of information cannot be easily added after the IRD has been shipped.

Electronic television program guide data naming system and method


There is provided a radio frequency circuit device for multi-band and multi-mode which is low in a circuit loss, and a mobile communication terminal using the radio frequency circuit device. The radio frequency circuit device has a first path 110 that includes an amplifier 10a that amplifies signals of at least two modulation techniques in power, a matching network 20 that is connected to the amplifier and a duplexer 50 and allows the matching network to be coupled with an antenna, and a second path 111 that does not include the duplexer and allows the matching network to be coupled with the antenna. The first path is selected when the amplifier amplifies one of the signals of at least two modulation techniques, and the second path is selected when the amplifier amplifies another signal. An output impedance of the amplifier is matched with an impedance when viewing the antenna side from the amplifier in the first path and the second path.

A mobile communication terminal represented by a cellular phone becomes increasingly popular around the world. A radio frequency circuit for use in the mobile communication terminal is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H9-232887, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H10-56340 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H11-112251.
An example of a radio frequency circuit disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H9-232887 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 of the publication. A radio frequency power amplifier shown in FIG. 1 includes an input matching network 10 that optimizes the impedance of an input signal and outputs a signal, a gallium arsenide power FET (field effect transistor) 21 that amplifies and outputs the signal that is outputted from the input matching network 10, a first output matching network 30 and a second output matching network 40 which optimize the impedance Γ L* of an output signal of the gallium arsenide power FET 21 according to a frequency band and outputs a signal, and a switch 27 that is connected between the gallium arsenide power FET 21 and the respective output matching networks 30 and 40. The switch 27 selects an optimum output matching network from the first and second output matching networks 30 and 40, and connects the gallium arsenide power FET 21 and the selected output matching network.
Another example of a radio frequency circuit disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H 10-56340 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 of that publication. A radio frequency amplifier shown in FIG. 1 includes a low-pass type input matching network 34 that matches two signals A1 (center frequency 902.5 MHz) and A2 (center frequency 1440 MHz), and a power amplifier circuit 37 that amplifies the transmitter input signals A1 and A2 that have been matched by the low-pass type input matching network 34 to a degree that can be used as the respective transmitter electric waves of a cellular phone and outputs its result as output signals B1 (center frequency 902.5 MHz) and B2 (center frequency 1440 MHz). In addition, the radio frequency amplifier includes a low-pass type output matching network 44 that is connected to an output side of the power amplifier circuit 37 and matches the transmitter output signal B1, and a high-pass type output matching network 49 that is connected in parallel with the low-pass type output matching network 44 at an output side of the power amplifier circuit 37 and matches the transmitter output signal B2. Then, the low-pass type output matching network 44 matches the transmitter output signal B1, and cuts off the transmitter output signal B2. Similarly, the high-pass output matching network 49 matches the transmitter output signal B2, and cuts off the transmitter output signal B1.
Subsequently, still another example of a radio frequency circuit disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H11-112251 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5 of this publication. A two-band radio frequency power amplifier shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 includes a stabilizer circuit A that is made up of a first resistor 101, a condenser 103, a third resistor 111, a line of quarter wavelength 112, and watersheds 113 and 114, a field effect transistor 104, input terminals 201 and 202, output terminals 203 and 204, and matching networks 211 to 214. In addition, the amplifier has a low-pass filter 402, an antenna switch 403 and an antenna 404 at an output side thereof. A signal of a first frequency band that is inputted from the input terminal 201 is amplified by the field effect transistor 104 and then outputted from the output terminal 203. An unnecessary harmonic distortion is suppressed from the signal by the low-pass filter 404, and the signal is transmitted from the antenna 404 through the antenna switch 403. Similarly, a signal of a second frequency band that is inputted from the input terminal 202 is magnified by the field effect transistor 104 and then outputted from the output terminal 204. An unwanted harmonic distortion is suppressed from the signal by the low-pass filter 402, and the signal is transmitted from the antenna 404 through the antenna switch 403.

Radio frequency device and mobile communication terminal using the same


A mounting assembly for a discharge conduit of a medical treatment device, such as a dialysis machine. The mounting assembly has a connector member detachably engageable with a discharge nozzle of a discharge conduit and a suction cup that can be mounted on a rim of a waste receptor, such as a sink or a toilet bow. The mounting assembly supports the discharge nozzle directly above the opening of the waste receptor, thereby facilitating discharge of the liquid waste directly into a municipal sewage line.

This invention relates to an accessory for a medical treatment apparatus, such as for instance, a dialysis machine, and more particularly to a support assembly for a drainage tube that is used to promote the drainage of fluids from a waste side of a dialysis machine in an efficient and sanitary manner.
The kidneys perform one of the most important functions in the elimination of waste in a human body; they filter out extra water and waste, thereby cleaning the blood and facilitating production of an adequate level of red blood cells. When the kidneys fail, the fluids are retained in the blood and do not circulate in the proper fashion through the body. As a consequence, waste material builds up in the body seriously endangering health and wellbeing of the person.
Dialysis imitates the work of a kidney. Technology has developed two types of dialysis treatment: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The majority of the patients receive hemodialysis, by which the blood is circulated outside the body and cleaned inside the machine before returning to the patient. The patent's blood is drained into the dialysis machine and a fluid called dialysate is also circulated through the machine. A thin, semi-permeable membrane separates the part that circulates the blood and the second part for the dialysate. As dialysate processes on one side of the membrane, and blood on the other, particles in waste from the blood stream pass through the microscopic holes formed in the membrane and are washed away in the dialysate. Blood cells being too large to go through the membrane holes are returned to the body.
The other type of treatment, peritoneal dialysis, uses the patient's own peritoneal membrane as a filter. The peritoneal membrane is a sack around the abdominal organs. This membrane is semi-permeable allowing waste particles to go through it but preventing larger blood cells to penetrate the membrane. In this type of treatment, a patient has a plastic tube catheter surgically implanted into the abdominal wall. The patient's caregiver slowly empties the dialysate fluid into the catheter and exposes the blood to the dialysate through the peritoneal membrane. Similarly to the hemodialysis method, the waste particles are removed with the dialysate and are discarded.
The peritoneal dialysis method has distinct advantages as it allows to significantly reduce the time needed for the dialysate to clean the blood and remove the waste. Additionally, the patient can perform the procedure in a non-hospital setting or at thousands of locations around the world. Such type of treatment may be administered by a caregiver that may not be very experienced in other types of the dialysis procedure.
When the patient or a caregiver performs the dialysis treatment, the waste is drained into a bag or other container, which can then be emptied into a waste receptor, such as a sink or a toilet. Needless to say, the bag is quite heavy and cumbersome to handle. Various solutions have been offered to assist in disposing of the waste drained from a medical treatment device. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,633 issued on Apr. 2, 1996 for "Ostomy Bag Cleaning Apparatus" discloses a device, which allows a patient to drain the waste from the ostomy bag into a toilet without disengaging the bag from the patient's body. The device uses a support for a patient at a sufficient height above a toilet bowl in the form of a platform with support bars that are mounted on the toilet. A hose attached to a house water supply allows cleaning of the ostomy bag while the patient is seated on the platform.
Another solution is offered in U. S. patent application 2002/0077608 published on Jun. 20, 2002 and entitled "Peritoneal Waste Bag Support and Drainage Device". The application discloses a collapsible table, which supports a peritoneal waste bag in a desired location, for instance, adjacent a toilet. A waste bag is placed on top of the table, with a plug of the waste bag being oriented above the toilet bowl. The height of the legs is adjusted to allow the table to be tilted and facilitate drainage of the waste bag content by gravity directly into the toilet.
Municipal and state plumbing codes allow drainage of dialysis waste directly into the municipal waste channels. However, the municipal and state codes also require that the drainage from a fixture, device or appliance that discharges directly into a sink or other waste receptor terminate at a point below the flood level end of the sink. The same codes also require that an unobstructed horizontal distance of be formed between the outside of the indirect waste pipe and the inside of the receiving sink or toilet so as to allow a backflow of sewerage to spill over the flood level rim of the receiving sink or receptacle and thereby prevent the backflow from reaching the fixture, device, or appliance which is served by the indirect waste pipe.
Another provision of the plumbing code requires that the check valve be installed in the drain or in the sewer or drainage system to prevent sewerage or drainage from backing into lower levels through the fixtures or devices not installed sufficiently above floor or drainage systems. Therefore, any device that drains into the sink or other receptacle must be provided with a check valve or have sufficient air gap in the drainage system as required by the code. The approved air gap is at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the overflow rim of the vessel and in ant case, less than 1 inch. While the devices suggested by the prior art may satisfy these requirements, there is a danger that the plumbing regulations may be difficult to follow when the waste bag is positioned atop of a tilted table, with the plug being positioned too close to the overflow level.
The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the prior art and provision of a mounting assembly for a drainage tube that can be mounted directly on the rim of a sink or other waste receptor with sufficient air gap to satisfy the plumbing regulations.

Mounting assembly for a waste discharge line of a medical treatment apparatus