A transfer switch, for use in connecting a series of electrical loads to an auxiliary power source, e.g. an electrical generator, includes a series of switches that are interconnected with the electrical loads, and a controller interconnected with certain of the switches. The controller actuates the switches in a predetermined order of priority, to supply power to selected electrical loads. In the event actuation of one of the switches results in an overload condition, the controller deactuates the switch and subsequently reactuates the switch after a predetermined delay. When all of the switches are actuated, the controller monitors the level of electrical load on the auxiliary power source, and de-actuates all of the switches in the event of an overload condition. The switches are then reactuated in the order of priority to restore power to the loads. Additional switches may be manually operated to supply auxiliary power to other loads.

This invention relates to a transfer switch of the type that is adapted to be interconnected with an auxiliary power source such as an electrical generator, for controlling the supply of electrical power from the generator to branch electrical circuits in an electrical load center.
Transfer switches for use with an auxiliary power source, such as an electrical generator, are known in the prior art. A transfer switch typically performs the function of controlling the supply of power from the generator to one or more branch electrical circuits contained within a building, in the event of an outage or disruption of power from a primary power source such as a utility. Typically, the transfer switch is interconnected with selected branch circuits to supply power to electrical loads contained within the building, which normally are devices or appliances such as a furnace, sump pump, refrigerator or freezer.
The majority of prior art transfer switches are manually operated. With transfer switches of this type, the operator initiates operation of the generator and connects the generator to the transfer switch, unless there is a permanent connection between the generator and the transfer switch. The individual switches or circuit breakers of the transfer switch are then actuated to supply power from the generator to the circuits in which the individual transfer switches are connected. While this type of transfer switch arrangement functions satisfactorily, it requires the presence of a person, such as the homeowner, to undertake the operations necessary to start the generator and actuate the switches to supply power from the generator to the electrical circuits. For this reason, automatic transfer switches have been developed to automatically initiate operation of a generator upon a discontinuation or disruption in the supply of utility power, and to connect certain of the electrical circuits to the generator. Examples of such switches are illustrated in Schell et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,097; DeVisser et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,633; and Schnackenberg et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,432. The '432 patent illustrates a complicated switch mechanism incorporating numerous circuits and control logic for carrying out the functions of an automatic transfer switch.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer switch arrangement for interconnecting branch circuits with an auxiliary power source, such as a generator, in the event of a disruption or discontinuation in the supply of power from a primary power source, such as a utility. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a transfer switch arrangement in which power is supplied to the branch circuits in accordance with a predetermined order of priority, while providing a protection feature that prevents an overload condition on the generator. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a transfer switch arrangement which enables certain of the branch circuits to be connected automatically and others of the branch circuits to be connected manually, or which enables all of the branch circuits to be connected manually to allow the user to override the automatic actuation sequence when desired. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a transfer switch arrangement which is relatively simple in its components and construction, to provide a relatively low cost of manufacture, while nonetheless providing safe and reliable interconnection of branch circuits with the generator.
In accordance with the present invention, a transfer switch arrangement is adapted to be interposed between an auxiliary power source, such as a generator, and an electrical load center which is interconnected with a primary power source, such as utility power. The electrical load center includes a series of branch electrical circuits, each of which is connected with an electrical load. The transfer switch arrangement includes a series of switches, each of which is interconnected between the auxiliary power source and one of the branch circuits. The switches are normally in a first contact position in which the branch circuit is supplied with power from the primary power source. Upon actuation, each switch is movable to a second contact position in which the branch circuit is connected to the auxiliary power source. In one form, the switches are transfer-type switches and certain of the switches, are solenoid-driven for movement between the first and second contact position.
The transfer switch arrangement includes a controller interconnected with the series of switches. When electrical power from the primary power source is initially discontinued, the controller is operably configured to sequentially actuate the solenoid-driven switches for movement from the first contact position to the second contact position to sequentially connect the branch circuits to the auxiliary power source, preferably in accordance with a predetermined order of priority. During sequential actuation of the switches, the controller is operably configured to return any one of the solenoid-driven switches to the first contact position in the event actuation of the switch to the second contact position results in the total load on the auxiliary power source exceeding a predetermined threshold, to discontinue the supply of electrical power to the individual branch circuit from the auxiliary power source. The controller is further operably configured to monitor the load on the generator, and to re-actuate the switch when the load on the generator falls below the total load that existed prior to the previous attempt to actuate the switches. The controller continues to thereafter sequentially continue movement of the switches from the first contact position to the second contact position, in accordance with the predetermined order or priority, until all of the solenoid-driven switches are moved from the first contact position to the second contact position. The controller is further operably configured to continue to monitor the total load on the generator after all of the switches have been moved to the second contact position, and to return all of the switches to the first contact position from the second contact position in the event the total load on the generator exceeds the predetermined threshold. Thereafter, the controller is operably configured to again sequentially move the switches from the first contact position to the second contact position, again in accordance with the predetermined order of priority, to restore the supply of power from the auxiliary power source to the branch circuits.
The transfer switch arrangement includes a utility voltage sensor which is connected to the controller and to at least one of the branch circuits. The utility voltage sensor provides an input signal to the controller during operation of the utility power source. The controller reads and evaluates the input signal and determines whether the supply of utility power has been discontinued, according to predetermined parameters. If so, the controller actuates a generator starting circuit to initiate operation of the generator. A current sensor detects the load on the generator, and is interconnected with the controller which ascertains the current load on the generator and de-actuates the actuated switch, or all of the actuated switches, to the second contact position in the event the current load on the generator exceeds the predetermined threshold. A generator voltage sensor is connected to the controller and to the output of the generator, for providing an input signal to the controller during operation of the generator. The controller reads and evaluates the input signal and determines whether the supply of generator power is acceptable, according to predetermined parameters.
The controller functions to actuate certain of the switches according to the predetermined order of priority, to supply certain of the electrical loads with auxiliary power from the generator. The transfer switch arrangement may also include one or more additional switches interconnected with additional electrical loads, which can be manually actuated by the user to supply power to additional loads in the event the user is present during the utility power outage.
The invention contemplates a transfer switch arrangement as described above, as well as a method of supplying electrical power to a series of electrical loads upon a disruption in a primary source of electrical power, substantially in accordance with the foregoing summary.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

Prioritized actuation system with overload protection for a generator transfer switch


An apparatus for processing a solid-liquid material comprises a housing formed with a series of interconnected chambers defined by chamber walls with at least two drums mounted in series within the chambers. Each chamber receives one of the at least two drums for rotatable movement therein. Each chamber and the associated drum are dimensioned to define a region therebetween to retain the solid-liquid material. The regions of adjacent chambers communicate with each other to define a continuous passage from drum to drum through the apparatus. An inlet in the housing admits the solid-liquid material to the passage, and an outlet permits extraction of a processed solid-liquid material from the passage. Each drum rotates in a direction opposite to the adjacent drum to advance the solid-liquid material through the passage from drum to adjacent drum in a sinuous path such that the curvature of the solid-liquid material changes when passing from drum to adjacent drum. Methods for processing the solid-liquid material using the apparatus are also disclosed including filtration, washing, expression of liquid, air drying and compression feeding.

Apparatus for feeding, compressing, liquid extraction, washing, chemical treatment and air-drying of sludge, slurries or other wet materials are well known. Such equipment finds particular application in the pulp and paper industry, waste water treatment, mineral processing, agriculture, food processing, fisheries, breweries, wineries, chemical processing, oil and tar sands industry, etc.
Most "in batch" systems, like the plate-and-frame or recessed-plate filter press, perform only filtration by using the feed pressure to force the liquid out through the particulate mass of the material undergoing treatment and the filter medium. Some "in batch" systems, like the diaphragm-press, combine filtration and mechanical expression to produce a dryer cake and shorter cycles; they may also perform washing and air-drying in the same pressure chamber as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,602. These "in batch" systems are best suited for low-consistency slurries containing fine particles. They are not particularly effective at treating pastes, and slurries containing large particles. A drawback of all these "in batch" presses is that the particles start filling the pressure chamber at the periphery, then the filtration area diminishes continuously until the cake completely fills the pressure chamber and can be discharged. Moreover, they have some other serious drawbacks: 1) the yield tends to be low, 2) the filter media has to be washed periodically, 3) the cake handling is intermittent, 4) the odours from the material being processed can't be contained, 5) the press equipment is complicated and cumbersome, and 6) the press equipment is expensive to manufacture, operate and maintain.
Continuous systems have been developed to overcome the problems of the "batch" process equipment. The U-channel rotary press described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,868 is best suited for pastes and fibrous solid-liquid material, but it is ineffective in handling low-consistency slurries containing fine particles. Conversely, the rotary press described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,575 is best suited for low-consistency slurries containing large particles, but it is ineffective in treating slurries containing fine particles, pastes, and fibrous solid-liquid materials. Moreover, both rotary presses have some other serious drawbacks: 1) they can not perform washing and air-drying, 2) each processing channel of the equipment has to be isolated from the others, totally or partially, by complicated sealing systems, 3) the pressure and the outlet consistency of the material are poorly controlled by squeezing the cake with restricting plates, 4) a slip-stick movement of the cake may occur, 5) the pressure has to be controlled separately for each processing channel, 6) the press design is difficult to optimize since the channel width determines both the cake thickness and the pressure gradient.
The method and apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,881 is a modification of the rotary press described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,868 intended to enable it to perform washing and chemical treatment on solid-liquid material. However, it still has all the other drawbacks of the two above mentioned rotary presses.
The compression feeder described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,686 is a further modification of the U-channel rotary press described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,868 intended to enable the feeder to perform compaction into a plug of such compressible materials as wood chips, high consistency paper pulp, wax and fibrous waste, etc. However, this feeder still suffers from some of the drawbacks of the prior art, namely, the pressure is poorly controlled by squeezing the cake with restricting plates and a slip-stick movement of the cake may occur during processing.

Serial drum apparatus and method for processing wet material

#217 - 2995 Princess Crescent, Coquitlam


Disclosed is a method and apparatus for registering physical security credentials of a user at a device (150) forming part of a networked computer system (100). The method detects (122, 301) user identifying information from physical security credentials presented by the user at the device. The device then determines (302) whether the detected identifying information exists at a reference location (135). If the identifying information does not exist in reference location, authentication of the read identifying information for the user is performed by associating the identifying information with a username and password (140) entered by the user at the device. The reference location is then updated with the authenticated identifying information corresponding to the user.

Multi-Function Devices (MFDs) is a name given to that family of products that integrate facsimile, scanner, copier and printer functions in a single device. MFDs have become commonplace in the modern office environment, and also in the so-called "home office".
In a networked office environment, a document may have its printing instigated from a personal computer in one location in the network, and the printing performed by an MFD at another location in the network. Users often wish to prevent un-authorised viewing of confidential documents prior to the user arriving at the MFD to retrieve their hard-copy printout. Many MFDs incorporate a secure print feature which commences the print job only when the sender arrives at the print device and is subsequently authenticated.
Many MFDs also have advanced scan and send functionality, allowing users to email, fax, or store documents on remote server locations such as document management systems. To ensure network security and prevent unauthorised viewing of confidential information, it is important that the user be authenticated at the MFD.
Many organisations perform cost recovery of resources such as paper and toner, or they limit the amount or types of copying and printing users can perform. Authentication of users at the MFD allows resource usage to be tracked or limited.
For these reasons, many MFDs provide a means of authenticating a user of the MFD prior to particular functionality being enabled.
The usual approach to authentication on most networked devices is through a username and password combination. Since most users of the network have a username and password assigned in order to access their personal computers on the network, using the same username and password to access other networked device can be simple to administer.
However a username-password combination is very inconvenient for user authentication at an MFD, due to the limited keystroke input capabilities and the public location of these devices. Users will generally be authenticating themselves many times throughout the day and only staying authenticated for short periods of time (e.g. 5 minutes or less) whilst they collect their secure print jobs or perform their required functions.
For this reason a physical card, token or something on or carried by the user is preferred for authentication at the MFD. This allows users to quickly authenticate themselves at the device. An example is a building access card which is carried by many office workers to access the office premises.
Currently, if a user wishes to use physical credentials for authentication at the MFD, a Systems Administrator of the office network must first setup the system to include their credentials prior to their use. This greatly increases network administration workload. Whilst the term "credentials" is plural, in the context of the present specification, such may be embodied by a single card or token, sufficient to authenticate the user at the MFD. Also, physical credential systems such as building access systems are not normally designed to be network accessible, making it difficult for them to provide authentication at the MFD. For example, building access cards are often issued by a different organisation (the organisation that manages the building services), from that organisation responsible for network security.
The Systems Administrator's workload is also increased if an organisation wishes to implement a new MFD authentication system using existing physical security credentials. If the users are in many different remote offices with different security systems, it may be difficult to obtain all the information from the security systems in order to provide accounts for all users wishing to access the system.
A method which allows fast and simple authentication at the device using physical credentials without the increasing system administration workload or complexity is needed.

Management of physical security credentials at a multi-function device

Canon Information Systems Research Australia Pty Ltd.


An ink jet printer having an inking system that includes an ink jet cartridge, a large ink reservoir mounted on the ink jet printer at a location which is remote from the ink jet cartridge and tubing connecting the ink reservoir to the ink jet cartridge. The tubing and the ink reservoir are permanently mounted within the ink jet printer. Only the ink jet cartridge needs to be replaced, because the jet plate has a finite life span during which the print quality from the jet plate is satisfactory. The ink jet cartridge includes a quick release fitting which enables the easy disconnection of an old ink jet cartridge and reconnection of a new ink jet cartridge with the tubing. Further, the size of the ink jet cartridge is reduced since almost all of the ink storage is moved to a location which is remote from the ink jet cartridge. By removing a majority of the ink from the carriage assembly, the amount of weight attached to the carriage assembly is reduced and thus the amount of power required to move the carriage is reduced.

Ink jet printers and disposable ink jet cartridges for ink jet printers are well known in the art. Contemporary disposable ink jet cartridges typically include a self-contained ink reservoir, a jet plate assembly supporting plural ink jet nozzles in combination with the ink reservoir and a plurality of external electrical contacts for connecting the ink jet nozzles to driver circuitry. Typically, the entire cartridge must be disposed of when the ink in the reservoir is used up without regard to whether or not the jet plate assembly remains fully functional. The contemporary disposable cartridge therefore represents a considerable waste of product resulting in higher costs to the consumer both in product cost and the time involved in having to frequently replace the cartridge.
In point of fact, the jet plate assemblies used in the currently available disposable ink jet cartridges are fully operable to their original print quality specifications after the original ink reservoir has been depleted. As a result, it is known in the art to manually replenish the ink within the disposable ink jet cartridge during the time period when the print quality from the jet plate is known to be high, but the original ink in the ink jet cartridge has been depleted. Systems in which the disposable ink cartridge are refilled are, however, messy and difficult to implement because many disposable ink jet cartridges are not designed with refilling in mind. More recently, though, some ink jet cartridges have been designed to enable refilling, such as the ink jet cartridge disclosed by Hewlett-Packard in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,300. These refillable ink jet cartridges are designed to enable refilling of the ink jet cartridge for a certain number of refills while the jet plate is still providing high quality printing capabilities. Making the cartridge easy to refill, however, does not mitigate the bother, time, and expense involved in having to refill this cartridge frequently.
Merely making the ink jet cartridge reservoir larger in size is not a satisfactory solution to problems associated with frequent replacement of or refilling of the ink jet cartridge. The ink jet cartridges are generally mounted on a print carriage of the ink jet printer. Therefore, the larger the volume of ink in the ink jet cartridge, the greater the amount of weight that is required to be moved by the printer carriage holding the ink jet cartridges. The additional weight of ink in the ink jet cartridges will cause significant demands on the motor that drives the printer carriage. In addition, ink jet cartridges are mounted on one side of the print carriage and cause an unbalanced load on the printer carriage which requires a counter balancing mechanism. Therefore, it is difficult to balance the need for providing a larger volume of ink to the ink jet cartridges to limit the number of times that the cartridges need to be refilled with the power consumption and loading problems that larger ink volumes cause for the printer carriage.
More recently, a system disclosed by Laser Master Corporation in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,369,429 and 5,367,328 begins with a typical ink jet cartridge, having an ink reservoir and a jet plate assembly, mounted on a printer carriage and adds an external reservoir system which refills the ink reservoir in the ink jet cartridge as the printer is printing. The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,429 is designed to replenish the ink reservoir which is integral to the ink jet cartridge with ink from the external supply while the cartridge is printing. The external ink reservoir, the ink jet cartridge, and the tubing connecting the external reservoir to the ink jet cartridge are configured to form a unitary single piece replaceable assembly. The volume of ink in the external reservoir is designed to be depleted when the print quality of the jet plate on the ink jet cartridge assembly has degraded to a level that may provide unsatisfactory printing results.
Systems, such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,429, require the disposal of a large ink reservoir, an ink jet cartridge, and the tubing connecting the two once the quality of the printing from the ink jet plate has degraded. The waste and initial cost to the consumer therefore still exists for this type of system. Moreover, as the concerns over disposal of large quantities of plastic goods increases, such bulky disposable systems are not desirable. In addition, the unitary plastic assembly becomes contaminated by the ink and may not be suitable for conventional disposal. Also, the replacement of the unitary one-piece unit of the LaserMaster system is difficult due to the size of the ink reservoir. Further, the tubing attached to the reservoir must be installed in the printer with care to ensure that it is properly positioned so as to not interfere with the moving parts of the printer.
The mechanism to which the tubing of the Laser Master System is mounted is an Igus chain which is a hollow plastic chain link that moves back and forth with the motion of the print carriage carrying the tubing behind it. As the Igus chain moves back and forth, it bends back upon itself, the radius of this bend is commonly referred to as the bend radius of the chain. The bend radius of the Igus chain is large, thus the envelope of the print housing must be increased to accommodate space for the large bend radius of the Igus chain as it bends back upon itself. Further, the Igus chain does not move smoothly and makes a clunking noise as the chain link moves back and forth which is not desirable. Finally, plastic chain links such as the Igus chains are also expensive.

Ink supply system for an ink jet printer having large volume ink containers


An improved center post of a collapsible umbrella comprises a retainer body on which two guiding holes are formed to respectively receive therein a first retaining pin biased by a spring and a second retaining pin biased by a spring. The retainer body is inserted into an inner tubular section of the center post to have the retaining pins which are spring-biased to respectively partially project out of two through holes formed on the inner tubular section. The inner tubular section is telescopically received in an outer tubular section of the center post so that when the inner tubular section is in a fully-extended position, the second retaining pin extends through one of the through holes of the inner tubular section to be engaged by a stop piece formed on the outer tubular section and the first retaining pin which extends through the associated one of the through holes penetrates through an opening formed on the outer tubular section to retain the inner tubular section in the fully-extended position in order to open the umbrella. When the umbrella is closed, the runner of the umbrella is slidably moved downward through the opening of the outer tubular section so as to force the first retaining pin inward to allow the inner tubular section to telescopically slide into the outer tubular section.

Conventional center posts of collapsible umbrellas, which are generally constituted by several tubular sections telescopically received within each other, comprise a holding tab which is controlled by an arcuated spring strip and thus having quite a length. The length of each of the sections which constitutes the center post of the collapsible umbrella will be reduced if the number of the sections is increased and in the case of shorter sections, the long holding tab structure is not suitable to be mounted in a single section of the center post. In another known center post structure, a U-shaped spring strip which has a retaining member mounted on one end thereof comprises a loosening prevention device for retaining the sections of the center post in a desired position. This structure is not only more difficult to manufacture but also provides a poor holding capability thereof. Further, the sections of the center post use outward-projected means to hold the sections in a desired relationship so that if the design of the retaining member is not appropriate, the member may either provide a very poor support to the sections or negatively affect the telescoping movement of the sections and thus making the sections of the center post shaking with respect to each other. Taiwan patent application No. 78202620 provides an improvement to overcome the deficiencies of the above prior art center post structures, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The Taiwan patent application uses a U-shaped spring in the holding tab structure with the tab mounted on one end of the spring to reduce the overall length of the holding tab structure. The Taiwan patent application also uses a U-shaped spring with two retaining members respectively mounted on the two ends thereof which are received in two holes formed on the center post in order to support the center post sections with respect to each other in two opposite sides and thus increasing the holding capability thereof. However, since the retaining members are moved in a swinging manner so that the non-linear motion thereof requires an increase in the size of the holes in which the retaining members are received in order to provide a smooth relative movement therebetween. In that case, there are gaps eft between the retaining members and the holes and thus the sections of the center post are not soundly held together. Further, the U-shaped spring should be manufactured and mounted in a very precise manner which leads in an inconvenience in manufacturing. Besides, the use of a U-shaped spring to bias the two retaining members indicates that the retaining members should be exactly 180 degrees opposite to each other and no other relative angular arrangement is possible. All these reveal that it is desirable to have a center post which is further improved to overcome the problems of the prior art.


A support assembly (1) is provided for the roof or hanging wall (36, 114) of an underground mine. The assembly comprises at least one support elongate (30) and a grout bag (2, 60, 80, 90, 102, 108, 120) used in association therewith and wherein the grout bag is inflated with settable granular material or grout (42). The support elongate is substantially surrounded, in plan view, by the grout bag and set granular material or grout contained therein. Preferably at least one cross-member (28) extends generally diametrically across the top of the support assembly and is anchored to the roof or hanging wall by the support elongate. The grout bag is preferably suspended from the end regions of the cross-member. Various grout bags for inclusion in such a support assembly are also provided.

The support of the hanging wall in stopes is one of the most basic requirements in underground mining. Dependant on the type and quality of rock being supported, the depth of mining, the prevalent field stresses, seismicity, stopping width and a number of other factors, stope support can vary across a vast range of materials, configurations and systems. These include, amongst others, timber poles, timber and composite packs, steel props, unmined pillars, rock and granular or tailings type supports.
Among the granular support media, cemented grout packs are being increasingly used as combination support products. These consist essentially of a support column formed by cured cemented backfill, or other suitable cured cementitious grout, contained within a bag usually made of a geotextile material, which is stiffened against lateral deformation under axial load with external restraining rings. These are commonly referred to as "grout packs".
At present, grout packs are typically used in association with external timber elongate supports which are used to clamp a support net or restraining ring assembly against the hanging wall during erection and filling of the grout pack. The geotextile grout bag of the grout pack is suspended within the restraining ring assembly ready to receive pumped grout. After inflation of the grout pack the support elongates are left in place and become part of the pack assembly contributing to some extent to the compressive resistance of the pack.
However, as the pack dilates under vertical compression the support elongates may become deflected sideways thereby losing at least some of their effectiveness as complementary hanging wall supports. Also, the support elongates, in the event that they are of timber, represent a fire hazard and, furthermore, they simply represent additional physical obstructions.

Versatile grout bag type of underground support


A switch includes a plurality of memories respectively having write terminals connected to input ports and output terminals, each of the memories including an input acknowledgement signal generating block for generating an input acknowledgement signal when data is received thereto. A multiplexer, which is coupled between the read terminals of the memories and an output port, connects one of the memories to the output port in response to a port number signal. An output controller, which is coupled to the memories and the multiplexer, receives the input acknowledgement signal from each of the memories in order of receipt and generating the port number signal so that data stored in the memories is selected by the multiplexer in order of receipt of the input acknowledgement signal.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to cross-point type switches used in an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) system or a high-bit-rate packet communication system of a broadband ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an arrangement for controlling a switching operation on a switch, such as a cross-point type switch, so that input data are switched in order of receipt of the input data.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 shows a conventional cross-point type switch. The cross-point type switch shown in FIG. 1 is composed of an input port group 1 having N input ports (N is an integer larger than 2), an output port group 2 having N output ports, a memory 3, N route setting units 4, and an output controller 8. Memories are arranged in rows and columns. More specifically, the memories are provided at cross points of input lines running in the row direction and output lines running in the column direction. Each of the memories may comprise for example, an FIFO (First-In First-Out) memory.
The routing units 4 receive data, such as ATM data, received via the input port group 1, and determine paths to which the received data should be output. For example, if data received via the input port #1 is requested to be transferred to the output port #2, the received data is stored in the memory located at the cross point of the input line connected to input port #1 and the output line connected to output port #2. The output controller 8 controls the memory 3 so that each of the output lines connected to the output port 2 carries, at one time, only one data block (i.e., a cell or packet) transferred from any one of input ports #1-#N. That is, the output controller 8 prevents two or more data blocks from being transferred to one of the output lines at one time.
FIG. 2 shows a procedure by which the output controller 8 controls the memory 3. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows N FIFO memories 3.sub.11 -3.sub.1N arranged in the first column, an output-port controller 8.sub.1, which, a part of the output controller 8, and a multiplexer 25. The FIFO memories 3.sub.11 -3.sub.1N are connected to the multiplexer 25, which is connected to output port #1. When each of the FIFO memories 3.sub.11 -3.sub.1N receives data to be transferred to the corresponding output port, each FIFO memory sets an empty flag EF to zero when the FIFO memory has been filled with data and there is no available storage area therein. It will now be assumed that the controller 8.sub.1 controls the memories 3.sub.11 -3.sub.1N so that data is transferred to the multiplexer 25. The controller 8.sub.1 sequentially determines whether or not the empty flags EF received from the FIFO memories 3.sub.11 -3.sub.1N are equal to zero. Then the controller 8.sub.1 controls the multiplexer 25 so that data from the FIFO memories from which the empty flags EF are equal to zero have been output and sequentially transferred to output port #1.
However, the conventional memory control procedure has the following disadvantages. The controller 8.sub.1 sequentially accesses input ports #1-#N one by one, in sequential order, to determine whether or not the FIFO memory being accessed has any available storage area. It should be noted that the above sequential access to the FIFO memories is carried out without considering how full each FIFO memory is. Hence, there is a possibility that some FIFO memories connected to a certain output port are full and hence it takes a long time to read out all the data therefrom.

Switch coupled between input and output ports in communication system

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A hydrofoil for a user on a body of water includes a fuselage with a V-shaped front wing and a rear stabilizer. A mast has a lower end projecting upwardly from the fuselage and an upper end fixed with an elongated deck such that the deck is parallel to the fuselage. In use, the user is pulled forward in the body of water by either a towing device, an impeller device, wave swells, or the like, such that the front wing, through hydrofoil action, raises the deck above a surface of the water. As the deck raises higher above the water, the distal tips of the front wing surface and lose lift, stabilizing the elevation of the deck above the water.

Water sports devices that allow a user to ride a deck above body of water are gaining popularity, and my previous water sports devices (disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,158 on Apr. 22, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 10,668,987 on Jun. 2, 2020, both incorporated herein by reference) teach two such devices. It has been found that such hydrofoils have an instability that, once the deck has been elevated above the body of water with the rider, at speed, the device tends to keep rising because of the hydrofoil action imparted by a water wing below the surface of the water. This makes it difficult for the novice rider to control the device and maintain a set height above the surface of the water while riding. Speed of the towing vehicle is a determining factor, and if the towing vehicle is going too fast the hydrofoil tends to ride too high until the water wing itself tries to rise out of the water, resulting typically in a fall.
Therefore, there is a need for a hydrofoil device that is self-stabilizing once a particular height of the deck is achieved. Such a needed device could be pulled by a variety of towing vehicles or even a kite, or could be self-propelled with an impeller device or through manual pumping action of the user on the deck. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.


An acoustic sensor used in underwater applications. The sensor includes a reflective material adhered to a structure, such as an outer submarine hull or any marine vessel hull. A laser interferometer is placed on the side of the structure with the reflective material. The laser interferometer sends a plurality of laser beams, in sequence or all at one time, to a plurality of points across the retro-reflective material. The laser beams reflect back to the interferometer, which captures the reflected beams using receiving optics. The phase modulation of the reflected laser beams is compared to a reference laser beam within the interferometer to obtain the vibration velocity characteristics of the hull surface structure. Since the reflective material is adhered to the structure, the structure vibration is the same as the vibration of the reflective material. From this vibration, the acoustic pressure associated with the structure may be calculated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to sensors, more particularly to acoustic sensors, and most particularly to acoustic sensors for underwater applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, acoustic transducers and hydrophones have been used to convert underwater acoustical energy into electrical signals. These are typically ceramic-based products that work on the principle of either piezoelectricity or magnetostriction. These devices are typically capable of both transmitting and detecting acoustic pressure in the water. However, the receiver aperture and bandwidth of these devices are limited.
Laser-based techniques for detection of sound for underwater applications have also been developed. These include optical fiber schemes and alternatively, laser interrogation of a water column. Optical fiber arrangements detect underwater sound by monitoring changes in the optical fiber properties (optical or physical) due to an incident acoustic pressure wave. Some arrangements normally require a polished optical fiber to deliver light in close proximity to a membrane similar to an optical fiber microphone. These devices also require obtaining properties such as the Fresnel reflection at the laser output (fiber end) and an acoustic collector unit. Other devices coil the optical fiber around a mandrel that stretches or compresses the fiber when subjected to an acoustic pressure field. [reference: C. Davis, E. Carome, M. Weik, S. Ezekiel, and R. Einzig, "Fiberoptic Sensor Technology Handbook', Optical Technologies Inc., ch. 5, 1986.] The strain on the optical fiber affects the phase of the light propagating within the fiber.
Alternatively, laser light, typically near the 500 nanometer wavelength region, is directed into the water and reflected from particles within the water vibrating in response to an acoustic pressure wave. The reflected light is processed to provide detected sound pressure levels and the bearing of the sound source in the water environment.
More recently, laser-based techniques for specific underwater applications for acoustic detection have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,644 describes using a laser Doppler vibrometer to measure vibrations from an air-water boundary located in the water volume in order to detect underwater sound. The air-water boundary creates a free surface that can extend within the water volume, therefore, not being constrained in shape or size. However, such an air-water boundary may only be achieved on the surface of a supercavitating object. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,791 describes an acoustic sensor assembly used in a submarine bow that employs a laser scanner deployed behind an acoustic panel, placed between the inner and outer hulls of the submarine. While such a configuration allows a user to obtain acoustic data from the outer hull of the submarine, such data may be inaccurate due to the normal placement of a transducer between the inner and outer hull surfaces of a submarine, which can create interference due to the acoustics reflecting between the outer hull and the transducer. Also, installation of a separate panel between the inner and outer hulls may be cumbersome and costly.
Therefore, it is desired to provide a laser-based acoustic sensor/transducer for a variety of underwater applications that is cost effective, easily installed, and does not interfere with other acoustic devices used by underwater objects.

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


A method of measuring the reflectivity of a region of an article to electromagnetic radiation, in particular for the characterisation of the radio-frequency (RF) properties of wind turbine blades. The article is arranged in the near-field of a transceiver antenna, which performs both illumination and measurement of reflected radiation from the region of the article undergoing measurement. The method is beneficial in that it can be used with an antenna in close proximity (or in contact) to the article to be measured, for example for use in on site measurement of specific regions of a turbine blade.

The present invention relates to a method of measuring the reflectivity or absorbency of an item to electromagnetic radiation and to a reflectometer for performing said method. Without limitation, the invention also relates to a method of determining the dielectric properties, for example relative permittivity, of said item and to a measurement apparatus for performing said method. Such a method and apparatus are suitable for non-destructive, quality assurance assessments of items during manufacture. Without limitation, the present method and apparatus find application in the characterisation of the radio-frequency (RF) properties of wind turbine blades.
Radar absorbing materials (RAMs) are employed in composite aerofoil structures such as aircraft wings and wind turbine blades in order to reduce the radar cross-section (RCS) of said structures. This is particularly important for new wind farms in order to reduce undesirable effects of the wind turbine blades on air-traffic control (ATC) radar and air-defence radar (ADR).


A striped and/or speckled dentifrice stable to color bleeding, wherein at least one dentifrice component contains a colorant entrained in a high density polyethylene matrix having a melting point range as measured by DSC is between about 110.degree. C. and about 145.degree. C., whereby on storage substantially no visually observable colorant bleeding is present in any other dentifrice component.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an aesthetically pleasing pleasant tasting multicomponent dentifrice and more particularly to a striped toothpaste or gel wherein there is substantially no colorant bleeding between dentifrice components.
2. The Prior Art
Aesthetic effects have been acknowledged to play an important role in consumer acceptance of many products. In many cases, ornamental effects have been used to distinguish particular products in the marketplace and to identify products having particular distinctive properties. In the dentifrice field, toothpastes and gels which have incorporated therein contrasting colored stripes or speckles are known. Such stripes or speckles provide an aesthetic effect which the user finds pleasing and promotes the use of the dentifrice.
A major problem impacting the aesthetic appearance of striped toothpaste is the bleeding or migration of color from one component into another. This is especially severe if one colored component is applied to the surface of a white base. For this reason, a colorant that exhibits substantially no visible bleeding is required.
Striped dentifrice products containing water-soluble dyes are known in the prior art as for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,358,437, 4,568,534, and 4,487,757. A disadvantage to the use of water-soluble dyes enumerated in these patents is that visible bleeding is observed.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,957,964, 3,929,988, 4,071,614 and 4,348,378 disclose dentifrices containing encapsulated ingredients such as flavors whereby such ingredients are maintained substantially separate from other dentifrice ingredients during manufacture and storage, while subsequently releasing the encapsulated ingredients into the dentifrice during tooth brushing.
It is also known to the art, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,878 to encapsulate water insoluble dyes in capsules wherein the shell material is formed from non-toxic naturally occurring waxes such as carnauba wax, candelella wax, castor wax, paraffin wax and bayberry wax. Although encapsulation of the dyes in these waxes overcome dye migration to some extent, undesirable levels of bleeding persist during accelerated aging conditions, as for example storage of the striped dentifrice for 4-6 weeks at 50.degree. C.
Accordingly, there is a need for a colorant composition useful in the striping of dentifrices which will essentially eliminate visible colorant bleeding.

Striped toothpaste stable to color bleeding


When image data of a target container obtained by an image pickup unit such as a CCD installed on a hoisting accessory is processed, and a line approximating the arrangement of a pixel group which causes a change in luminance or hue larger than a set value can be fitted thereto, the pixel group having the arrangement that can be approximated by such a line is determined as a ridge of the container, that is, one representing the edge of the container held by the hoisting accessory, to detect the position of the target container. Thereby, edge extraction of the target container by the processing of the image data obtained by the image pickup unit such as a CCD camera installed on the hoisting accessory can be reliably and positively performed, while eliminating influences of various situations and conditions in the actual operating environment, and relative position detection of the target container and the suspended container can be performed accurately and reliably, by utilizing the edge extraction.

When a hoisting accessory (generally referred to as a spreader) is landed on a container in order to hold a container stowed on the ground by a cargo crane such as a bridge crane for container yard, or when a container is stacked (including a time when a container is stowed on a specified position on the ground), it is necessary to adjust positions of the hoisting accessory or the container held by the hoisting accessory with respect to the container stowed on the ground or with respect to a specified position on the ground in predetermined accuracy. Particularly in the instance of stacking the container, it is necessary to stack the container so that horizontal displacement does not occur in the upper and lower containers.
In order to perform such operation, it is necessary to detect the specified position on the ground where the container is to be stowed, or the relative position of the container on the ground which is an object to be held by the hoisting accessory, or an object which a container held by the hoisting accessory is stacked thereon (in the explanation below, the specified position on the ground and the container on the ground to be held or stacked is referred to as an "target container") and the hoisting accessory or a container held by the hoisting accessory (in the explanation below, referred to as a "suspended container"), and it should be controlled so that there is no displacement in the relative position.
Explanation below is given, assuming that an operation of stacking a container held by a hoisting accessory on a container stowed on the ground, unless otherwise specified. However, it is a matter of course that the similar technique can be applied to the operation for landing the hoisting accessory on a container stowed on the ground or the operation for stowing a container held by the hoisting accessory on a specified position on the ground. In the explanation below, explanation about edge detection of the suspended container is also applicable to the edge detection of the hoisting accessory itself, unless otherwise specified, and explanation about the edge detection of a target container is also applicable to the edge detection of a target mark which is installed on the ground to facilitate loading in the first stage, unless otherwise specified.
As the conventional technology for detecting a position of a target container in the cargo crane, there are known one in which a distance between a hoisting accessory and a side of a container is measured by a ultrasound horizontal distance detector fitted to the hoisting accessory, so that the position of the target container is detected from the measurement, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-170391 (Patent No. 2831190), and one in which a picture of the lower part of the hoisting accessory is taken by an image pickup unit such as a CCD camera fitted to the hoisting accessory, and an edge of a target container is found by an image processing technique from the image data thereof, and the position of the target container is detected based on this finding.
In European Patent Application No. 0440915A1, there is disclosed a technique in which a corner of a target container connected to a hoisting accessory is imaged by an image pickup unit such as a CCD camera fitted downwards to the hoisting accessory, the relative position between the hoisting accessory and the target container is then detected by the image processing technique, thereby positioning at the time of connecting the container to the hoisting accessory is automatically performed by position control of the hoisting accessory based on the relative position.
The one which measures the distance between the hoisting accessory and the container side face by the horizontal distance detector has a problem of interference between the horizontal distance detector and the container. When it is tried to position the horizontal distance detector at a measurement position, at a stage where the horizontal displacement between the target container and the suspended container is large, there is the possibility that the horizontal distance detector collides with the target container, and hence it is difficult to actually put it to a practical use.
The one which picks up an image of the lower part of the hoisting accessory by the image pickup unit such as a CCD camera, and extracts the edge of the target container by the image processing technique from the obtained image data does not have the possibility of interference and collision, but has a problem in processing the image data picked up by the CCD camera or the like in the environment of the actual crane operation, to thereby extract the target container without any error. In the actual operating environment, influences of a change in the weather condition, a change in the intensity of sunlight, or shadows caused by the crane itself, the suspended container or the adjacent container stack, as well as nonuniformity of the container painting or a difference in reflectivity on the surface of the container affect the operating environment. Therefore, practical extraction of the target container cannot be realized without eliminating these influences.
This invention has been proposed in order to solve the problems related to the edge detection of the target container by the image data processing of the image pickup unit such as CCD cameras, which occur due to the influences of the environmental conditions under the actual operation and the conditions of the target container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a container position detection method in a cargo crane which promotes operation automation of the cargo crane, by reliably and positively performing edge detection of the target container by processing the image data obtained by the image pickup unit such as a CCD camera installed in a hoisting accessory, while eliminating the influences of various situations and conditions in the actual operating environment, and by using the edge detection result to accurately and positively perform the detection of the relative position between the target container and the suspended container, and a container position detection apparatus which is used for executing the method, or a container landing/stacking control method.

Container position measuring method and device for cargo crane and container landing/stacking method


The present invention relates to an apparatus (2) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of sudden vehicle deceleration. The apparatus (2) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (4) and an inflator (10, 110) having a chamber (42, 142). A stored inflation fluid (44, 144) for inflating the restraint (4) is disposed in the chamber (42, 142). A device for controlling flow of the inflation fluid (44, 144) from the chamber (42, 142) to the restraint (4) is provided. The device includes a member (40, 200) which has a first mechanical strength when no electric current is applied to the member and a second mechanical strength lower than the first mechanical strength when electric current is applied to the member.

A known inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, includes a gas stored in a chamber of a container. A pyrotechnic charge is typically required to release the stored gas to inflate the air bag. It is desirable to be able to inflate an air bag without the use of a pyrotechnic charge.

Completely non-pyrotechnic air bag inflator


A fuel rail damper for use within the fuel rail of an internal combustion engine includes a flexible tubular diaphragm which extends along the center of the fuel rail. The distal end of the tubular diaphragm is closed and the proximal end of the tubular diaphragm is open and connected to a diagnostic fitting at one end of the fuel rail. This fitting includes a diagnostic valve core and a cap which permit external servicing. The diagnostic fitting is removable which permits the fitting to be easily installed or removed, thus facilitating replacement of the fitting, if necessary. The diagnostic fitting is sealed after the tubular diaphragm is pressurized to a pressure below the operating pressure within the fuel rail.

The invention relates to fuel rails for internal combustion engines, and more particularly to a fuel rail damper to reduce pressure pulsations in the fuel rail.
Fuel injection systems for automotive, internal combustion engines may use a number of fuel injectors, each of which delivers fuel to the inlet port of an engine combustion chamber. In some of these systems, the fuel injectors are mounted in sockets in a common fuel rail which supplies fuel to each of the injectors. The fuel rail simplifies installation of the fuel injectors and equalizes the delivery of fuel to the injectors.
When electromagnetic fuel injectors are used, the injectors deliver fuel to the engine in metered pulses which are timed to control the amount of fuel delivered and to coordinate the fuel delivery with the operation of the engine. The sequential activation of the fuel injectors coupled with low compliance in the fuel system results in pressure pulsations within the fuel rail which can result in fuel line pressure pulsations which inhibit the accurate delivery of fuel. More specifically, the variations in differential pressure across the injectors causes a variation of the amount of fuel that flows through each injector during the period in which it is open.
Dampers located external to the fuel rail have been used, but these dampers require additional space and are often difficult to locate and service. U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,827 issued to Eshleman et al. discloses a damper located within a fuel rail. The damper has two mated shells enclosing an air pocket, with the mated shells forming a peripheral flange that permits the damper to be secured and supported at both of the fuel rail ends by damper supports. However, the damper and damper supports add a level of complexity to the system that both increases costs and reduces accessibility to the fuel rail interior.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simpler and lower cost fuel rail damper that effectively reduces noise in the fuel rail. It is a further object of the invention to provide a damper that can be easily re-charged or replaced, and which can be used to monitor pressure conditions within the fuel rail.


The disclosure describes a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in an electronic device. The PCB comprises: a top side; a bottom side; an edge between the top side and the bottom side; a cavity from the top side to the bottom side; a region on the top side for mounting an electronic device; and a connector for receiving connections from the electronic device. In the PCB, the connector is located on either the bottom side or the edge of the side of the PCB. The electronic device can be a display module.

The conventional handheld electronic device, such as a PDA, or a wireless telephone, includes a keyboard/keypad, a display and a system printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within a common housing. The display is typically provided as a reflective, transmissive or transreflective LCD display panel.
To limit power losses and the effects of noise on the system, the LCD display electronics must be disposed in close proximity to the LCD display panel. Accordingly, the LCD display electronics are provided on a flexible printed circuit board that is housed within a plastic or metal support frame with the LCD display panel. The frame is then fixedly attached to the PCB using known techniques and devices, such as permanent adhesive, clips, screws or snaps. Alternatively, the display panel may be loosely set in its final position on the PCB, when the housing is closed over the PCB and the display panel, internal elements in the housing press onto the display panel to keep it frictionally held against the PCB.
To prevent the display electronics from making contact with electronics and tracks on the PCB, the frame maintains a small gap between the display electronics on the PCB and the electronics on the PCB. However, this design increases the thickness of the electronic device. For instance, in the conventional handheld electronic device, a gap of approximately 1.5 mm is preferably maintained between the display electronics and the PCB electronics (1.2 mm for the height of the display electronics; and an additional 0.3 mm for the clearance between the display electronics and the PCB electronics).
In the case of a wireless-enabled electronic device, typically the antenna and RF electronics are disposed near the uppermost end of the electronic device to avoid attenuation of the RF signal by the user's hand as the user holds the device. Since this position for the RF electronics within the housing coincides with that of the display, the gap between the display electronics and the PCB electronics must be decreased This latter design further increases the need to reduce the gap between the LCD and PCB.
Therefore, there is a need for a configuration of components in a handheld electronic device that allows the thickness of the device to be reduced.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Electrical connector and system for a component in an electronic device


The lateral double-diffused MOS transistor includes a drift region of a first conductive type provided on a semiconductor substrate of a second conductive type, and a body diffusion region of the second conductive type formed on the surface within the drift region. The MOS transistor includes a gate electrode formed in such a position as it covers from part of the body diffusion region to part of the drift region located outside the diffusion region via an insulating film. The MOS transistor further includes a source diffusion region of the first conductive type and a drain diffusion region of the first conductive type formed on top of the body diffusion region and top of the drift region, respectively, both of which correspond to both sides of the gate electrode. The drain diffusion region includes a deep diffusion portion which has a 1/1000 or more concentration of a peak concentration of the source diffusion region and which is positioned deeper than the source diffusion region.

The present invention relates to a lateral double-diffused MOS transistor and a manufacturing method therefor. More particularly, the invention relates to a lateral double-diffused MOS transistor having high breakdown voltage and low on-state resistance characteristics as well as a manufacturing method therefor.
In recent years, with the trend toward more multifunctional electronic equipment, semiconductor devices to be used therein have been diversified, confronting demands for higher breakdown-voltage, higher power, smaller size and lower power consumption. Achieving lower power consumption needs transistors of lower on-state resistance.
FIG. 6 shows the structure of a common lateral double-diffused MOS transistor. This lateral double-diffused MOS transistor is an N-channel type MOS transistor in this example and includes a lightly doped N-well diffusion region 102 serving as a drift region formed on a P-type silicon substrate 101. A P-body diffusion region 103 for forming a channel is formed on a surface within the lightly doped N-well diffusion region 102. A gate electrode 105 is provided in such a position as it covers from part of the P-body diffusion region 103 to part of the N-well diffusion region 102 located outside the diffusion region via gate oxide 104. An N+ source diffusion region 106 and an N+ drain diffusion region 107 are formed on top of the P-body diffusion region 103 and top of the N-well diffusion region 102, respectively, both of which correspond to both sides of the gate electrode 105. A region of the P-body diffusion region 103 which is located just under the gate electrode 105 and which is sandwiched by the N+ source diffusion region 106 and the N-well diffusion region 102 forms the channel. Also, the P-body diffusion region 103 is short-circuited to the N+ source diffusion region 106 via a P+ backgating diffusion region 108 and unshown interconnections, thereby preventing operation of parasitic NPN.
The lateral double-diffused MOS transistor is required to have high breakdown voltage and low on-state resistance. The breakdown voltage depends on the horizontal distance between the P-body diffusion region 103 and the N+ drain diffusion region 107 (length of drift region), and on the concentration of the N-well diffusion region 102. That is, the breakdown voltage becomes higher with increasing length of the drift region and decreasing concentration of the N-well diffusion region 102. However, lower on-state resistance, which is another necessary performance, necessitates shorter drift region and higher concentration of the N-well diffusion region 102. As a result of this, the relationship between breakdown voltage and on-state resistance is a trade-off. Moreover, the demand for smaller size makes it unacceptable to make a choice of elongating the drift region to increase the breakdown voltage.
In contrast to this, a DDD (Double Diffused Drain) structure as shown in FIG. 7, which is rather commonly used, and a structure as shown in FIG. 8 are proposed in JP H11-340454 A. It is noted that component elements in FIGS. 7 and 8 corresponding to those of FIG. 6 are designated by reference numerals obtained by addition of 100 and 200 for FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, to those of FIG. 6. The structures shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 each have an N diffusion region (higher in concentration than N well diffusion region 202, 302 and lower in concentration than N+ drain diffusion region 207, 307) 209, 309 which is provided so as to surround the N+ drain diffusion region 207, 307, respectively. In these structures, since concentrations in vicinities of the N+ drain diffusion region 207, 307 with respect to the horizontal direction out of the drift region is set higher, indeed the on-state resistance becomes somewhat lower than in the structure of FIG. 6, but the breakdown voltage still becomes lower.

Lateral double-diffused MOS transistor and manufacturing method therefor


A leg-rest assembly for use with a chair, in particular, a reclining chair is disclosed. The leg-rest assembly is comprised of a leg-rest pivotally connected to a seat, and a foot-rest portion attached in a telescopic relationship with the leg-rest portion.

Reclining chairs are well known in the art, as are chairs that have a foot rest that can extend from the seat portion in conjunction with or independent of the reclining of the back portion of the chair. Known recliners, however, have a gap between the seat portion of the chair and the leg-rest portion when the leg rest is fully extended. This can cause discomfort to some users who have to sit for long periods of time, such as during a transatlantic or transpacific airplane flight. Furthermore, most leg-rest portions do not extend far enough to accommodate the feet of tall occupants. This results in the occupant's feet hanging over the end of the leg rest, a position that can cause discomfort or circulation problems during long periods of sitting in general and sleeping, in particular.
Because many people must sit, and even sleep, for long hours in a chair on, for example, an international aircraft flight, a chair having a leg-rest assembly capable of extending from the seat without generating a gap between the seat and the leg rest, and to accommodate one's feet would be an important improvement in the art.


According to the invention, a system for identifying an individual and reading biometric information pertaining to the individual from an optical card is disclosed. The system includes an optical card drive and a biometric scanner that are both coupled to a data processor. The optical card includes biometric data of the individual. The biometric scanner reads the biometric information from the individual. The biometric information is compared with biometric data to assist in authenticating that the individual is associated with the optical card

This invention generally relates to a system for acquiring and storing information and storing this information in a single portable storage device. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the system provides a display for displaying identification information carried on the storage device, a biometric identification device, a data processor, and a telecommunications port or communication device.
There are many known devices or systems that allow the identification and tracking of information relating to an individual. A well known example of such systems includes the use of an identification card that includes a photograph and a magnetic machine readable stripe. These systems have gained considerable popularity because of their low cost and ease of use. The limitations of these systems, however, has left important un-met needs in terms of security, reliability and versatility.
More specifically, cards that include an individual's picture or facsimile, suffer from the limitation that the picture can be altered with relative ease. Additionally, the wide use of these systems, which rely on somewhat antiquated printing and reproduction techniques, has made the complete falsification or creation of false identity cards possible for individuals with modest technical training. Thus the problem of identity falsification by way of these systems persists.
Still further, the use of magnetic strips or magnetically encodeable portions in identification systems, relies on cards that are susceptible to inadvertent erasure of the cards by exposure to a strong magnetic field, as may be found on a cashier's counter, a speaker, or other commonly used tools or devices. Thus the reliability or effectiveness of these systems is susceptible to destruction or alteration with common tools or devices.
Still further, magnetically encoded identification cards suffer from the limitation that they can only hold a limited amount of information. Thus, magnetically encoded cards may include identification codes which may be used as a key for comparison with an access code that is manually entered or provided by the user. Thus, these devices can offer only limited identification verification since the amount of information that can be stored as a key is also very limited. This limitation often allows thieves to simply spy on the user as he or she enters the key or verification information to gain access to all of the information needed to duplicate the access card.
In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label.

Optical card based system for individualized tracking and record keeping


An apparatus for removing a socket fastener is described. The apparatus includes a base, a camshaft, a sleeve and a cartridge. The base includes a base top section and a base bottom section. The camshaft includes lobes that extend from a camshaft top surface to a camshaft bottom surface. The camshaft is fixedly coupled to the base. The cartridge includes a cartridge top surface, a cartridge lip and a plurality of jaws. Each jaw includes a jaw counterclockwise outer cam surface, a jaw counterclockwise inner cam surface, a jaw clockwise outer cam surface, and a jaw clockwise inner cam surface. The cartridge is fixedly coupled to the sleeve and the cartridge interfaces with the camshaft. Additionally, the jaw inner cam surface interfaces with the camshaft cam profiles. The jaws rotate and engage the socket fastener.

A hex socket fastener is a type of fastener with a threaded cylindrical barrel that mates with a complementary thread in a fixture. The threads of a hex socket bolt may mate with the internal threads of a complementary nut to hold a stack of parts together. Likewise, a hex socket head cap screw has a threaded cylindrical barrel that mates with the complementary threads in a fixture. The bolt and nut, or the screw and fixture, are kept together by a combination of thread friction and compression of the parts.
Hex socket screws and bolts are commonly known as ALLEN® screws and bolts, wherein ALLEN® is a U.S. trademark registered by Apex Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Hex socket screws are threaded on one side of a cylindrical screw for threading onto a complementary thread in a fixture or a nut. The opposite end of the screw is the head which has a smooth or knurled exterior surface and a hexagonal socket. Similarly, hex socket bolts have a cylindrical body with one end having threading for mating with a complementary nut, and the other end having a hexagonal socket. Hex socket screws and bolts are used when hexagonal or square screws or bolts will not fit; however, the interior corners or surfaces of the socket are vulnerable to being rounded off.
Hex socket screws and bolts are traditionally removed using hand wrenches, commonly known as ALLEN® wrenches, by applying force to one or more internal side faces or corners of the socket to cause it's rotation. However, where the internal side faces or corners of the socket have been stripped or damaged, or where the fastener has been corroded, it is very difficult and time consuming to remove such screws and bolts.
A further complication of screw and bolt removal using manual tools is that where the screw or bolt is very large, such as those used in oil production, manual removal using an ALLEN® wrench of such damaged screws and bolts presents danger to the operator, or manual removal is impossible because of the degree of torque required for removal.
One type of device accomplishes fastener removal by sawing off the fastener, or by using a blow torch to cut the fastener out of a fixture. However, these methods of removal result in damage to the screw or bolt, or the fixture. This problem may be solved with devices which either drill into the screw, or cut into the screw, so that torque can be applied to the screw for removal. However, these devices also result in further stripping and rounding of the screw, and the process of drilling a hole and subsequent removal is time-consuming.
Devices for the removal of hex socket fasteners using an air impact tool exist; however, in one such device, a cartridge having many small parts is used to apply torque to the damaged screw or bolt. These multiple small parts of the cartridge, such as multiple helical springs, studs and screws holding gripping jaws together are prone to breakage.
A further complication is that cartridges and other parts of removal tools are held within a cylindrical housing a retaining ring or clip. The retaining ring or clip is prone to breakage, resulting in a damaged and useless tool.
Another complication of fastener removal using a hand-powered tool is side loading, or the mechanical binding of threaded surfaces against each other. When side loading occurs, heat builds up due to friction between the threaded surfaces, creating a gall which is carried through the housing, tearing out the threads, and actually impeding removal.
Yet another complication is "chattering", where the tool does not perfectly conform to the size of the fastener. When rotative force is applied using an air impact tool, the removing tool "chatters" over the damaged corners of the fastener, further stripping the fastener, or damaging the tool interface with the fastener, causing 'radii' to form on the end of the tool.
A further problem is presented with a single device for fastener removal, because the device is limited in the size of fastener which can be removed with a single tool; that is, different sized fasteners cannot be removed with the same tool because the fastener heads cannot fit within the tool.
The use of a set of tools having a multiplicity of sizes to conform to different screw head sizes could solve the problem of imperfect conformance between the removal tool and fastener size. However, regardless of the size, the result is chattering from an imperfect size conformance; thus, stripping of the fastener socket occurs.
Further, the use of a set of tools having a multiplicity of sizes to conform to socket sizes presents another complication. If there exists a multiplicity of removal tool sizes in a set, the loss of one of the tools results in a useless tool set.
While the use of an air impact tool may eliminate much of the operator danger associated with hand wrenches, the use of an air impact tool presents a further problem. That is, the air impact tool itself creates a shock upon impact with the screw. When using sockets attached to air impact tools for screw removal, this shock impact can damage both the screw and adjacent surfaces. A further complication of some devices is that ridged teeth on the gripping surface of the jaws strip the screw socket.
It would thus be desirable to have a hex socket fastener removal tool that conforms to the size and shape of a multiplicity of sockets, where the jaws of the tool comprise one piece, rather than a multiplicity of smaller pieces which can be easily lost or damaged, and where the jaws are retained within a housing through a shock-absorbing canted coil spring.


The invention relates to an armrest for a vehicle seat, comprising an armrest body (11) that together with a base (15) forms a pivot joint and can be pivoted through a pivot angle (α) between a stowed position and a use position, wherein at least one damper (17a, 17b) is provided to damp the motion of the armrest body (11).

DE 103 02 291 discloses an armrest that has two pivot arms connecting the armrest to a base body. The armrest has a gas spring element to assist height adjustment and to elastically damp vertical movement of the arrested arm support.
DE 198 30 027 describes an armrest in which predetermined damping characteristics are achieved by a viscous coupling or a piston-cylinder system.
At least one section of the bearing axis is provided in an approach analogous to an elastically twistable torsion bar in the pivotal armrest described in DE 10 2009 013 461. The armrest can be pivoted downward from the self-supporting up position by the torsion of the torsion bar until the bottom of the armrest rests on a contact surface on the seat or on the seat bench.
EP 1 577 152 [U.S. Pat. No. 8,070,233] describes a folding seat whose seat surface and armrest are pivotal. The pivot motion is damped by a damping element.
EP 1 690 474 [U.S. Pat. No. 7,367,627] describes a folding seat with a pivotal seating surface and a pivotal armrest. Pivoting the armrest upward is assisted by a spring.

Abstract: The invention characterized in that the armrest (10) has a control device (18a, 18b) that actuates the damper (17a, 17b) within at least one portion (β, y) of the pivot angle.


To provide a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of performing automatic adaptation of the optimal ignition timing or the optimal control value of the combustion operation mechanism during operating. A controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine changes setting values of a torque characteristics function so that an output torque calculated using the torque characteristics function approaches an output torque calculated based on an actual value of internal cylinder pressure; calculates a plurality of output torques corresponding to respective plurality of combustion control states using the torque characteristics function; and changes setting values of a combustion control target setting function so that a target value of combustion control state calculated using the combustion control target setting function approaches a maximum torque combustion control state where the output torque becomes the maximum.

The present disclosure relates to a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine for controlling the internal combustion engine by setting output torque as control objective.
Recently, a controller and a control method for the internal combustion engine has been proposed to use an output torque of the internal combustion engine which is a physical value acting on vehicle control directly, as a request value of the internal combustion engine output received from a driver and each vehicle system (motor control for hybrid vehicle, transmission control, brake control, traction control, and the like); and to determine air amount, fuel amount, ignition timing, and the like which are controlled variables of the internal combustion engine by setting the output torque as a target value of the internal combustion engine output; and to realize cooperative control and obtain good travel performance by estimating actual output torque based on the actual driving conditions of internal combustion engine and transmitting to each vehicle system.
Although such a control method is generally called torque base control, in this control method, it is important that the actual output torque can be calculated with good accuracy based on the driving conditions of internal combustion engine. If this can be achieved, by inverse calculation of this, target values of the controlled variables of internal combustion engine (for example, a throttle opening degree, an EGR opening degree, an ignition timing, an air-fuel ratio, and the like) can be calculated from the target torque.
For example, in JP 5644733 B, as the target torque in torque base control, there are a low response target torque and a high response target torque which are different in response. In JP 5644733 B, operation of air amount such as throttle control is performed so as to realize the low response target torque, and operation of ignition timing or fuel injection amount is performed so as to realize the high response target torque. In more detail, MBT ignition timing to the driving condition of the internal combustion engine, a thermal efficiency in MBT, a reduction rate of torque to a retard amount from MBT, and the like are stored in many map data; further, correction by an EGR amount and an air-fuel ratio is performed if needed; by combining these, a calculation of actual torque and a control capable of corresponding to a low response target torque and a high response target torque are configured.
By the way, as a method to estimate the output torque from the driving condition of the internal combustion engine, besides the above calculation method using the map data, a method adapting a neural network technology like JP H11-351045 A is also proposed, for example. Here, the neural network is the mathematical model which aimed at expressing several characteristics observed in the brain function by simulation on a computer. By making a feedforward propagation type neural network (FNN: Feedforward Neural Network) learn previously using output value to input values as teacher data, it can be used as a general-purpose approximation function which simulates a relation between the input values and the output value which were learned. As a learning method of the neural network, the error back propagation method (back propagation method) is generally known.
In order to improve the fuel consumption performance and the emission performance of the internal combustion engine, a method of measuring the combustion condition of the internal combustion engine and carrying out feedback control of the measuring result is effective. For that purpose, it is important to measure the combustion condition of the internal combustion engine accurately. It is known widely that the combustion condition of the internal combustion engine can be measured accurately by measuring a cylinder internal pressure. If a sensor which measures the internal cylinder pressure directly is used (hereinafter, referred to as a cylinder internal pressure sensor), the internal cylinder pressure can be measured. However, since the cylinder internal pressure sensor is expensive and it is not easy to secure durability, a method for detecting the internal cylinder pressure without using the cylinder internal pressure sensor has also been developed. For example, in the technology disclosed in JP 6190936 B, it is configured to calculate a crank angle speed and a crank angle acceleration based on an output signal of a crank angle sensor, calculate a combustion gas pressure torque generated by combustion based on the crank angle speed and the crank angle acceleration, and estimate a combustion state such as an internal cylinder pressure (hereinafter, cylinder internal pressure information) by the combustion gas pressure torque.

Controller and control method for internal combustion engine


Each switch unit in a networking system shares its local state information among other switch units in the networking system, collectively referred to as the shared forwarding state. Each switch unit creates a respective set of output queues that correspond to ports on other switch unites based on the shared forwarding state. A received packet on an ingress switch unit operating in accordance with a first routing protocol instance can be enqueued on an output queue in the ingress switch; the packet is subsequently processed by the egress switch unit, operating in accordance with a second routing protocol instance that corresponds to the output queue.

A networking system can comprise several switch units (also referred to as packet processors, packet processing engines, and the like) housed in a chassis to switch packets of information between host machines connected to the networking system. Each switching unit includes physical ports (e.g., wired connections, optical connection, wireless connections, etc.) to which a host machine connects. A host machine connected to a port on a given switch unit can send a packet to another host machine connected to another port on the same switch unit or to a port on another switch unit.
In the latter use case, where the destination host machine is connected to a switch unit that is different from the source host machine, the processing involves multiple loci of control. The first locus of control is in the ingress switch unit to which the source host is connected. The ingress switch unit performs a forwarding lookup operation to determine where to send the received packet. This typically involves parsing the received packet and doing table lookups using the identified data fields. The second locus of control is in the egress switch unit to which the destination host is connected. The egress switch unit performs a similar forwarding lookup operation to determine the port on which to send the packet. This process is sometimes referred to as distributed forwarding, where the forwarding process involves processing in multiple switching units.

Networking system having multiple components with multiple loci of control


An example fluid applicator device includes an applicator assembly, and a reservoir assembly configured to store a fluid and is rotatable, relative to the applicator assembly, to control a valve mechanism that controls a flow of the fluid from the reservoir assembly to the applicator assembly, wherein the applicator assembly is configured to apply the fluid to a surface.

The present disclosure generally relates to tools that apply a fluid to a surface. There are a wide variety of such tools that include brushes, rollers, pumps, sprayers, and surface pads, among others. Examples of fluids include paint, varnish, stain, thinners, solvents, and the like.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Fluid applicator device with fluid control mechanism


A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, including positive and negative electrodes formed of a composite metal oxide and carbon, respectively, in which charge and discharge are conducted by doping and undoping of Li in a Li-carbon intercalation compound is provided. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrolyte. The electrolyte is dissolved in a solvent mixture of propylene carbonate with an ester compound. The ester compound can include, for example, butyl acetate, butyl propionate, butyl lactate, and methyl valerate. Due to the high boiling point of the ester compounds, excellent cycle characteristics for the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery can be obtained in high temperature environments.

The present invention relates to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and in particular to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which positive and negative electrodes are formed of a composite metal oxide including Li and carbon, respectively. New portable electronic devices such as camcorders, portable cellar phones, and laptop computers have been successively developed. As efforts have been made to provide compact and light weight devices, the need for portable batteries having a higher energy density has arisen.
Aqueous solution type batteries such as lead batteries and nickel-cadmium batteries have been primarily used as secondary batteries. Although these batteries exhibit excellent cycle characteristics, they are not satisfactory in term of their energy density, etc. Further, such batteries are problematic as far as protecting the environment is concerned. Development of a secondary battery which can replace these batteries has arisen.
From such circumstances, development of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery (so-called lithium secondary battery) which is pollution-free and has a high energy density due to a high operating voltage has been of great interest.
Since the energy density of the non-aqueous battery depends upon the characteristics of its cathode a number of positive electrodes have been proposed, analyzed and studied.
Success of the development of the secondary battery depends upon whether a lithium battery exhibiting excellent cycle characteristics can be developed.
However, it may be concluded that the satisfactory results of the development of the lithium negative electrode are very few from these points of view.
For example, although a lithium secondary battery having an "AA" size, using lithium for the negative electrode having excellent characteristics has been proposed and introduced, a number of difficulties have been encountered with the lithium negative electrode that have not yet been solved.
In other words, in the non-aqueous electrolyte battery using lithium metal or lithium alloy for the negative electrode, lithium becomes inactive and is deposited under a powdery condition by repetition of charge/recharge cycles. During charging, crystals of a lithium will grow in a dendrite manner and pass through micro-pores of a separator membrane, or spacings, between fibers of a separator's unwoven fabric to reach a positive electrode, causing an internal short. Accordingly, a satisfactory lifetime of such a battery through repeated charge/recharge cycles can not be obtained. Since the activity of metallic lithium is very high, safety problems have not been solved. Li-Carbon intercalation compound (hereinafter referred to as LI-CIC) electrode has been developed as a material for a negative electrode which may replace a lithium negative electrode. It is deemed that this LI-CIC electrode has a favorable lifetime through repeated cycles. Since the Li-CIC in which carbon is intercalated with lithium ions may take part in a reversible oxidation/reduction reaction involving an electrochemical undoping/doping of lithium ions in an organic electrolyte containing lithium salt, and the oxidation/reduction potential falls in the range of about 0.02 to 1.0 volt, the Li-CIC may provide an excellent negative electrode material for the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery if it is used with a proper positive electrode material. Specifically, in a battery system in which the negative electrode is formed of the LI-CIC, the lithium ions which have been doped in the negative electrode carbon migrate to the positive electrode and play a role to guide, in the positive electrode, electrons which come from the negative electrode via an external circuit during discharge. During charge, the lithium ions which have migrated to the positive electrode will return to the negative electrode and play a role to guide, in the negative electrode, the electrons which return via the external circuit. Since no metallic lithium exist in the battery in any charge/discharge cycle, deposition of inactive lithium and growth of dendrite will never occur. Since the crystal structure of the positive and negative electrode activating materials is resistant to breakdown, excellent charge/discharge cycle characteristics can be obtained.
On the other hand, the characteristics of the organic electrolyte used are very important to obtain excellent charge/discharge cycle characteristics in the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. To this end, a number of studies have been made on the relationship between the characteristics of the organic electrolyte and the charge/discharge cycle characteristics and findings which will be described hereafter have been obtained.
1. The conductance of the organic electrolyte is remarkably improved by a combination of a solvent having a high dielectric constant and a solvent having a low viscosity. This can be semi-quantatively explained by the dissociation and mobility of ions in the electrolyte.
2. As the conductance of the electrolyte becomes higher, the polarization of the lithium negative electrode becomes less and the charge/discharge efficiency becomes higher.
3. A system in which propylene carbonate and sulfolane or dimethylsulfoxide are used as a solvent having a high dielectric constant is mixed with 1,2-dimethoxyethane and a solvent having a low viscosity gives a high electric conductance and excellent lithium charge/discharge performance.
However, it has been found f rom the present inventors' study that when an electrolyte containing, as an organic solvent, a mixture solvent of propylene carbonate and 1,2-dimethoxyethane is used in a non-aqueous electrolyte battery having a negative electrode formed of a Lithium-CIC, the battery exhibits a charge/discharge cycle which is excellent, to some extent, at room temperature while there is a disadvantage that the capacity is rapidly lowered and the cycle life time is shortened to about 1/10 of that at room temperature if charge/discharge cycles are repeated at an elevated temperature (for example, 40.degree. C.).
The secondary batteries which can replace the existing Ni-Cd or lead batteries should, of course, be capable of working temperatures ranging from at least -20.degree. C. to above 40.degree. C.
Therefore, rapid lowering of the capacity of the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a negative electrode formed of LI-CIC in a high temperature environment is a great obstacle against practical use.

Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery