Disclosed is a complete SAT solver, Chaff, which is one to two orders of magnitude faster than existing SAT solvers. Using the Davis-Putnam (DP) backtrack search strategy, Chaff employs efficient Boolean Constraint Propagation (BCP), termed two literal watching, and a low overhead decision making strategy, termed Variable State Independent Decaying Sum (VSIDS). During BCP, Chaff watches two literals not assigned to zero. The literals can be specifically ordered or randomly selected. VSIDS ranks variables, the highest-ranking literal having the highest counter value, where counter value is incremented by one for each occurrence of a literal in a clause. Periodically, the counters are divided by a constant to favor literals included in recently created conflict clauses. VSIDS can also be used to select watched literals, the literal least likely to be set (i.e., lowest VSIDS rank, or lowest VSIDS rank combined with last decision level) being selected to watch.

Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) is probably the most studied of combinatorial optimization/search problems. A combinatorial search problem involves finding a condition with specified properties from a large space of all possible conditions arising from the various combinations of the variables in the system. Accordingly, SAT seeks to find a satisfying logical assignment for a propositional logic formula.
Significant effort has been devoted to providing practical solutions to SAT problems for applications in Electronic Design Automation (EDA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly to prove the correctness of a given digital logic circuit. As a result, the subject of practical SAT solvers has received considerable research attention, and numerous solver algorithms have been proposed and implemented.
Among existing SAT solvers are GRASP, POSIT, SATO, rel_sat and WalkSAT. GRASP and SATO find significant use in both research and industry. To learn about GRASP and SATO, see the following, each of which is incorporated by reference for its useful background information:                Marques-Silva, J. P., and Sakallah, K. A., "GRASP: A Search Algorithm for Propositional Satisfiability," IEEE Transactions on Computers, vol. 48, 506-521, 1999.        Zhang, H., "SATO: An Efficient Propositional Prover," Proceedings of the International Conference on Automated Deduction, pages 272-275, July 1997.Most SAT solvers employ some combination of two main strategies: the Davis-Putnam (DP) backtrack search and heuristic local search. Heuristic local search techniques are not guaranteed to be complete (i.e. they are not guaranteed to find a satisfying assignment if one exists or to prove unsatisfiability if a satisfying assignment does not exist). As a result, complete SAT solvers are based almost exclusively on the DP search algorithm.
Methods employed by SAT solvers using the DP search algorithm can generally be summarized in three steps: making decisions, searching for implications and resolving conflicts. Making decisions involves assigning variables to either zero or one. Searching for implications involves analyzing variable assignments (i.e., decisions made) to find further assignments that, if made, move the SAT problem closer to solution. Typically, searching for implications is performed by a technique known as Boolean Constraint Propagation (BCP). Resolving conflicts undoes variable assignments that have generated implications setting the same variable to both zero and one in different portions of the logic formula (i.e., a conflict is reached when a decision (variable assignment) generates implications setting the same variable to both zero and one in different portions of the logic formula).
In practice, difficult SAT problems can require SAT solvers to run many weeks or more to find a satisfying solution. This type of run time requirement is simply not practical when numerous problems must be solved, or when problem solutions must be expedited. For this reason, there is a need for a faster SAT solver.
In addition, for most SAT problems, a major portion (greater than 90% in some cases) of SAT solver run time is spent in the BCP process. For this reason, there is a need for a more efficient BCP engine, the BCP engine being key to any successful SAT solver and significantly responsible for overall solver run time.
Further, existing strategies for making decisions are mostly directed to minimizing the number of decisions made. However, minimizing the number of decisions made does not necessarily mean minimizing overall solver run time for a given SAT problem, as one particular sequence of decisions, even if minimal in number, could lead to more BCP operations, therefore resulting in greater overall solver run time. Also, when considering different decision-making strategies, computational overhead must be considered. The time required to develop a certain sequence of assignments could negate the benefit gained from implementing the sequencing strategy. Therefore, there is also a need for a low overhead decision making strategy, one highly optimized for speed and specifically designed to operate with an efficient BCP scheme.

Method and system for efficient implementation of boolean satisfiability


A semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of cell array blocks; a boosted voltage driving unit for selectively supplying a boosted voltage to the cell array blocks; and a controller controlling a driving operation of the boosted voltage driving unit in response to a cell array block select signal.

The present invention relates to semiconductor design technology, and more particularly, to a power supply controller of a cell array block in a semiconductor memory device.
In general, an operational mode of a semiconductor memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or the like is divided into two modes, of which one is an active mode and the other is a stand-by mode. When the semiconductor memory device is in the active mode, circuits in a chip operate to output requested data to the outside or to receive required data thereinto. Meanwhile, when the semiconductor memory device is in the stand-by mode, all current paths of circuits are cut off to minimize power consumption in the chip except for minimum number of circuits that are enabled to enter the active mode.
However, when the semiconductor memory device keeps in the stand-by mode for a long time, the circuits, which are enabled to enter the active mode, consume unnecessary current continuously. In particular, off leakage current mainly accounts for such an unnecessary current consumption in a transistor that uses a boosted voltage VPP with high voltage level as a bias voltage.
In addition, a transistor using the boosted voltage VPP, which is applied to an unselected cell array block in a bank even during the active mode, as the bias voltage also generates the large amount of off leakage current undesirably as similar to the above. Herein, the cell array block is selected by a cell array select signal generated corresponding to a column address. Since the boosted voltage VPP has a high voltage level, high electric field is applied across a source and a drain of a transistor, which causes the large amount of off leakage current to be generated. Furthermore, this phenomenon of the off leakage current also occurs during a self-refresh mode including a stand-by mode.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional cell array block.
Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional cell array block includes a plurality of matrix blocks 11 having a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of sub hall regions 10, and a plurality of X-decoders 12. The sub hall region 10 is provided with a main word line driver, a bit line sense amplifier (BLSA) driver, and a bit line isolation transistor.
The boosted voltage VPP is applied to the matrix blocks 11, the sub hall regions 10, and the X-decoders 12, respectively. Also, the boosted voltage VPP is used as a substrate bias voltage VBB.
Here, a supply mechanism of the boosted voltage VPP will be described below by using, for example, a generator for generating bit line isolation transistor (BLIT) control signals BISHB/BISH (hereinafter, referred to as 'BLIT control signal generator' for simplicity) which is provided in the sub hall region 10. Although this boosted voltage supply mechanism is also applied to transistors (drivers) using the boosted voltage VPP as well as the BLIT control signal generator, following illustration focuses on the BLIT control signal generator for convenience of description.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the BLIT control signal generator.
Referring to FIG. 2, the BLIT control signal generator has an inverter structure provided with a PMOS transistor P1 and an NMOS transistor N1.
When an input signal of a bit line isolation bar signal BISHB is at a logic low level, the PMOS transistor P1 is turned on to output a bit line isolation signal BISH by the boosted voltage VPP. The boosted voltage VPP is also applied as the substrate bias voltage.
This is the same in both the active mode and the stand-by mode. In these modes, high electric field is applied across the source and the drain of the PMOS transistor P1, causing the large amount of off leakage current to be generated.
That is, great amount of off leakage current is generated because the boosted voltage with high voltage level is applied to a cell array block which is not selected by a cell array block select signal during the active mode or the stand-by mode. As described above, the cell array block select signal is generated by a column address signal, and selects some of the plurality of cell array blocks.
Therefore, it is required a control circuit that can apply a voltage having a voltage level lower than that of the boosted voltage VPP to only the cell array block that is not selected by the cell array block select signal. Here, it is noticed that an extremely low voltage cannot be used as the voltage to be applied to the unselected cell array block because the extremely low voltage must be raised to a level of the boosted voltage VPP when a corresponding cell array block is selected. That is, a response time must be delayed when using the voltage extremely lower than the boosted voltage VPP. Thus, the voltage to be applied to the unselected cell array block must have a predetermined voltage level in consideration of both the off leakage current and the response time.


The present invention provides for the first time, an integrated software application architecture with all functions required by an automobile dealership, including sales, F&I (finance and insurance), accounting, HR (Human Resources)/payroll, parts, service, and E2 core (including functions in customer management, vehicle management, activity/processors, roles, user/departments, security, user interface, reports, printing, and instant messaging), together with e-business enablers, supply chain integration, and a dealer communication system. The present invention also provides relational databases, GUI's (graphical user interfaces, that is, browser based application program interfaces). The present invention also may be implemented by an operations center with a Microsoft Windows NT server providing local Ethernet or other electronic connections to several multiple remote stores for the operator, and is scalable.

Information systems have been developed for automobile dealerships in the past. Traditionally, in these systems, different functions are provided by distinct software applications with distinct databases. The databases have limited integration. Also, the rapid evolution of computer hardware and software infrastructures have left these legacy computer systems with inferior capabilities. For example, many such legacy systems have flat file structures, Unix-based systems, are not object oriented, and do not have browser based application program interfaces (APIs).


A building automation system (BAS) with microservice architecture. The system includes a server platform configured to perform various operations within the building automation system. The server platform includes a microservices platform configured to execute various processes within the BAS. The microservices platform includes a plurality of nodes where each node is configured to run one or more services as separate processes. The microservices platform further includes a message bus configured to control communication between processes and an orchestration network configured to control communication between the plurality of nodes. The server platform further includes a common data model (CDM) shared between the plurality of nodes where the CDM consists of metadata of the BAS. The server platform further includes a container orchestration platform configured to manage and control the plurality of nodes.

The present disclosure relates generally to building automation systems, and more particularly to the server of the building automation system configured to perform various operations of the system. The present disclosure relates specifically to microservice architecture of the building automation system (BAS) server.
A building automation system (BAS) is, in general, a system of devices configured to control, monitor, and manage equipment in and/or around a building or building area. A BAS can include, for example, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a security system, a lighting system, a fire alerting system, and any another system that is capable of managing building functions or devices, or any combination thereof. As BAS devices can be installed in any environment (e.g., an indoor area or an outdoor area) and the environment can include any number of buildings, spaces, zones, rooms, or areas. A BAS can include a variety of devices (e.g., HVAC devices, controllers, chillers, fans, sensors, music, lighting, etc.) configured to facilitate monitoring and controlling the building space.
The status of equipment and/or devices within a BAS is typically controlled and monitored by field controllers within the BAS. The field controllers push the corresponding data to a server application that runs monitoring and control software. As the usage of the server application increases, the fault tolerance and scalability decreases. Accordingly, separation of the services provided by the server application is desired.

Building automation system with microservice architecture to support multi-node on-premise bas server


Cell-based compositions and methods of their use to inhibit an adverse immune response such as graft versus host disease or rejection of transplanted tissue in a transplant recipient that is histocompatibility mismatched to the transplant donor are disclosed. The compositions and methods utilize postpartum-derived cells, such as cells derived from the placenta or umbilicus.

Various publications, including patents, published applications, technical articles and scholarly articles are cited throughout the specification. Each of these cited publications is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety.
Tissue transplantation is indicated for the treatment of various diseases, pathologies, and traumatic injuries. Although thousands of transplants are performed each year, nearly 90,000 individuals in the United States alone find themselves on various transplant wait lists for tissues and organs. Contributing to the shortage of available transplant tissue is the over-arching need for compatibility between the transplant donor and the transplant recipient.
Compatibility of transplant donors and recipients stems primarily from the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which encodes glycoproteins that are expressed on the cell surface. These glycoproteins, referred to in humans as human leukocyte antigens (HLA), play a central role in the immune system's capacity to distinguish between self and non-self. (Thorsby E et al. (2004) Transplant Proc. 36(2Suppl): 16S-21S). There are three main classifications of HLA molecules, HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DR, a set of which is referred to as a haplotype. (Bradley B (1991) Immunol Lett 29:55-59; and, Schreuder G M et al. (1999) Tissue Antigens, 54:490-437). In humans, one haplotype is inherited from each parent.
Each group of HLA molecules is highly polymorphic. (Turner D (2004) Vox Sang. 87 Suppl1:87-90). As such, there is high variability of HLA expression, even among siblings. (Jeras M (2002) Transpl. Immunol. 10:205-14). This high variability of HLA expression is problematic for transplantation purposes, as any HLA mismatch between the transplant donor and recipient will facilitate rejection of the transplanted tissue. (Petersdorf E W (2004) Curr. Op. Hematol. 11:386-391).
Another problem stemming from HLA mismatching is graft versus host disease (GVHD). GVHD typically arises in instances where the grafted tissue contains immunocompetent cells that can attack the tissues of the transplant host. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are particularly problematic in this regard as they typically comprise and can generate immunocompetent cells. (Iwasaki T (2004) Clin. Med. Res. 2:243-252).
BMT and HSCT are indicated for various blood diseases and immune disorders, although HSCT is increasingly the preferred method. However, one of the impediments to the survival and overall health of HSCT patients is GVHD and related complications. (Morishima Y et al. (2002) Blood. 99:4200-4206). HLA compatibility plays an important role in graft failure or survival, and whether the transplant recipient is at risk to develop GVHD. (Davies S M (2000) Blood 96:4096-41002; and, Dickinson A M et al. (2005) Curr. Opin. Immunol. 17:517-525).
To stave off GVHD and rejection of the transplanted tissues, transplant recipients must endure a lifetime of immunosuppressive treatment regimens. Many anti-rejection medications cause severe side effects in the transplant patient, and their immunosuppressive effects can leave the patient vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers. Thus, a significant advance in tissue transplantation would be to provide a means to inhibit adverse immune responses in the transplant recipient such as GVHD and rejection of the transplanted tissue with less severe side effects and complications than, and without the systemic immunosuppression of traditional methods.

Human umbilical cord tissue cells for inhibiting adverse immune response in histocompatibility-mismatched transplantation


A method of increasing the performance of an FET device by aligning the channel of the FET with the [110] crystal direction of a {100} silicon wafer. The {100} silicon wafer and the image of a lithographic mask are rotated 45.degree. relative to each other so that, instead of the channel being aligned parallel with the [100] crystal direction in the conventional fabrication, the channel is aligned approximately parallel with the [110] crystal direction. The mobility of the carriers is higher in the [110] crystal direction thereby increasing the performance of the FET with only a minor modification in the lithographic process. The novel FET results with its channel aligned approximately parallel with the [110] crystal direction.

With higher levels of integrated circuits on semiconductor chips and the need for faster transistors in these circuits, the FET transistor must maximize all aspects of semiconductor physics to fabricate transistors in these circuits with faster switching speed.
In crystalline solids, such as monocrystalline silicon, the atoms which make up the solid are spatially arranged in a periodic fashion. This periodic arrangement of atoms in a crystal is called a lattice. The crystal lattice always contains a volume which is representative of the entire lattice and it is regularly repeated throughout the crystal. The directions in a lattice are expressed as a set of three integers with the same relationship as the components of a vector in that direction. The three vector components are given in multiples of the basic vectors. For example, in cubic lattices, such as silicon which has a diamond crystal lattice, the body diagonal has the components of 1a, 1b, and 1c and this diagonal exist along the [111] direction with the [ ] brackets being used to denote a specific direction. However, many directions in a crystal are equivalent, depending on the arbitrary choice of orientation of the axes. Such equivalent directions are denoted with < > brackets and, for example, crystal directions in the cubic lattice [100], [010], and [001] are all crystallographically equivalent and are <100> directions. Since these directions will also be on the negative side of the origin, as arbitrarily defined, they also are identified with a (-) over the specific negative integer, such as [100], [010], and [001] for <100> directions. Unless specifically stated or shown in the following description in this application, a crystal direction includes both positive and negative integers.
Planes in a crystal also can be determined with a set of three integers h, k, and l. They are used to define a set of parallel planes and each set of three integers in () parentheses identify a specific plane. As in the case of directions, many planes in a lattice are equivalent and the indices of such equivalent planes are denoted by { } parentheses. For cubic lattices, direction [k,l,m] is perpendicular to a plane with the identical three integers (k,l,m). Thus, if either a direction or a plane of a cubic lattice is known, its perpendicular counterpart can be quickly determined without calculation. For example, for planes of equivalent symmetry such as {100} plane, the equivalent planes are (100), (010), (001), (100), (010), and (001). Like the crystal direction, the crystal plane in the following description in this application includes both positive and negative integers unless specifically stated otherwise.
Today, almost all FET transistors are fabricated using {100} silicon wafers because the smallest surface state densities are present with such crystal orientations. The {100} crystal orientations is found using x-ray to examine a boule of silicon and to produce a Laue photograph. With this information, a primary flat is ground on the silicon boule to precisely identify the {100} crystal orientations. After the boule is sliced into thin wafers, the flat is used for establishing the {100} crystal orientation during the fabrication of integrated circuits, including FETs, in the individual chips after the wafer is diced. Each wafer is etched with an identification number which includes the dopant species and the crystal growth orientation. In manufacturing the FET with the source and drain separated by the gate and having a channel thereunder, the flat permits alignment of the wafer relative to the exposure masks so that the gate width and the channel length thereunder will be parallel with [100] crystal direction and orthogonal with (100) crystal plane.
Another crystal direction in the {100} silicon wafer is [110] and it is known to have higher mobility than a [100] crystal directions in the {100} silicon wafer. When an electric field is applied to semiconductor body such as silicon, each of the carriers, such as electrons, in the body will experience a force from the field and will be accelerated along the field in the opposite direction of the field. This is called drift velocity and it is proportional to the applied electric field. This proportionality factor is known as mobility and it varies based on a number of factors including the crystal direction of the semiconductor body, such as silicon. From experiments, it has been found that the mobility of the carriers in {100} silicon in the [110] direction is higher than the [100] direction by about 5 percent depending on the doping concentration of the silicon. However, silicon in [100] crystal direction has better cleavage than silicon in [110] crystal direction and breaks cleaner along scribe lines so that the chips do not fracture during dicing. Thus, for the ease in manufacturing, it has been the preferred crystal direction in the fabrication of integrated circuits in silicon wafers.

Method of making field effect transistor with higher mobility


Systems and methods directed to a steering column clamp for securing a steering column to a steerer tube are provided. The steering column clamp may include an internal clamp portion having longitudinal slot disposed at least partially between a first end of the internal clamp portion and a second end of the internal clamp portion. The steering column clamp may include a tightening mechanism, when engaged, causes the internal clamp portion to compress about a steerer tube placed in a first end of the internal clamp portion. The steering column claim may also include an exterior wall portion at least partially enclosing the internal clamp portion such that a hollow portion is between the internal clamp portion and an internal surface of the exterior wall portion of the steering column clamp.

Shared personal mobility devices have become a popular mode of transportation. For instance, two-wheeled motorized scooters can be rented from a first location and returned to a different second location. To maximize rental use as well as usability, shared personal mobility devices are often placed in areas exposed to various outdoor elements, such as rain, snow, and sun, and are often located in areas of high use. While most shared personal mobility devices are built to withstand the kind of wear and tear experienced by commercial users and caused due to exposure to the elements, the shared personal mobility devices may be subjected to damage, whether intentional or not, that may require repair. Accordingly, components of the shared personal mobility devices are often designed to be repairable, replaceable, and reusable among other shared personnel mobility devices.


The function of each component of an optical transmission device is as follows. The wavelength selecting means has a means for selecting an optical signal, and a means for outputting a signal after adjusting the signal level. The optical amplifying means amplifies the wavelength multiplexed signal having the adjusted signal level. The measuring means measures the spectrum of the amplified wavelength multiplexed signal. The setting means sets a spectrum shape, which serves as a reference of the wavelength multiplexed signal to be outputted to the transmission line, as output spectrum setting information. The control means compares the measured spectrum with the output spectrum setting information and determines the attenuation amount when adjusting the signal level for each wavelength of the wavelength multiplexed signal in the wavelength selecting means. The wavelength selecting means adjusts the signal level on the basis of the determined attenuation amount.

In an optical communication system, when a wavelength multiplex signal passes through an optical fiber, a repeater, or the like on a transmission path, a wavelength characteristic of a signal level of an optical signal is changed, which may degrade transmission quality. Thus, in order to maintain the transmission quality in the optical communication system, it is required to control a spectrum shape of a wavelength multiplex signal in such a way as to reduce a difference between signal levels of optical signals having different wavelengths. In view of this, a technique of controlling influence of the difference between the signal levels of the optical signals having wavelengths has been developed. As such a technique of suppressing the difference between the signal levels of the optical signals having wavelengths, for example, a technique as in PTL 1 is disclosed.
PTL 1 relates to an optical repeater having a function of adjusting a signal level for each wavelength. The optical repeater in PTL 1 includes a wavelength selective switch, an optical coupler, and an optical channel monitor (OCM). In the optical repeater in PTL 1, a wavelength multiplex signal is branched with the optical coupler at an output unit of the wavelength selective switch, and a signal level for each wavelength is measured with the OCM. When a wavelength having a signal level varied from a specified value is detected during measurement with the OCM, the optical repeater in PTL 1 changes an adjustment amount for the signal level at the wavelength selective switch.
PTL 2 discloses a technique relating to an optical transmission device that acquires information on a signal level of an optical transmission device being a destination of a wavelength multiplex signal and adjusts a signal level of a wavelength multiplex signal to be sent.

Optical transmission device and spectrum control method


An improved process for the preparation of acetic esters is disclosed. It comprises a fixed bed reaction and a catalytic distillation. The fixed bed reaction comprises the steps of: (a) charging acetic acid and alcohol into a fixed bed reactor under a predetermined reaction condition; and (b) reacting the esterification reactants in the fixed bed reactor. The fixed bed reactor contains acidic catalysts that are present in a solid phase, and the reaction condition is controlled such that (i) the reactants and the products co-exist in a gas-liquid two-phase equilibrium in the fixed bed reactor and that (ii) at least one component of the reactants is present in one phase and at least one component of the products is present in another phase. The catalytic distillation comprises the steps of: (1) charging acetic acid from top of a catalytic distillation column and the reaction products from the fixed bed reactor from the bottom of the catalytic column in a counter-flow manner; and (c) continuously removing acetic ester and water from the top of the catalytic distillation column, and continuously removing acetic acid from the bottom of the catalytic distillation column. The acetic acid removed from the catalytic distillation column is fed into the fixed bed reactor. Very high alcohol conversion and essentially alcohol free product can be obtained at substantially reduced height of the catalytic distillation column.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,311, the content thereof is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a fixed bed catalytic process for the esterification of carboxylic acids and alcohols into carboxylic esters. In the process disclosed in the '311 patent, the fixed bed reactor contains acidic catalysts that are present in a solid phase, and the reaction condition is controlled such that (i) the reactants and the products co-exist in a gas-liquid two-phase equilibrium in the fixed bed reactor and that (ii) at least one component of the reactants is present in one phase and at least one component of the products is present in another phase. Very high reaction yield and selectivity, typically better than 90%, sometimes exceeding 99%, were observed with the process disclosed in the '311 for preparing the esters of Methanol/propionic acid, Methanol/methacrylic acid, isobutanol/hexahydrophthalic anhydride, and isooctyl alcohol/phthalic anhydride. However, when the carboxylic acid is acetic acid, which has high miscibility with many alcohols, the reaction yield from the process of the '311 will not be in the same high level as with other carboxylic acids, and conventional processes need to be used to produce esters of acetic acid in an economic manner. Lowered reaction yield causes unsatisfactory amounts of alcohol to remain in the production, thus, further adversely affecting the economic potential of the process, especially with regard to post-esterification purification cost.
Esters of acetic acids, or acetate, and derivatives thereof have been used in a wide variety of industrial applications, such as for use in making coatings, adhesives, perfumes, plasticizers, etc. Unsaturated carboxylic esters can also be used as monomers or intermediate raw materials in preparing resins covering a wide range of applications.
Conventionally, the processes of making acetic esters from acetic acids and alcohols can be classified into the following three main categories:
(a) Liquid-phase esterification reaction utilizing a liquid catalyst: This type of processes utilize liquid phase acid, such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfonic acid, or p-toluenesulfonic acid, as catalysts. PA1 (b) Liquid phase esterification reaction utilizing a solid catalyst: This type of processes typically utilize a cationic ionic exchange resin as catalyst. Examples of this type of processes include those disclosed in Japan Laid-Open Patent Application 2-279654 and European Patent EPO-10,953. PA1 (c) Gas phase esterification reaction: This type of processes utilize a variety of catalysts such as heteropolyacids (Japan Laid-Open Patent Application 57-99556), oxides (Japan Laid-Open Patent Application 51-76019), liquid phase acids carried by a solid carrier (UK Pat. No. 1,017,806; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,547; Japan Laid-Open Patent Application 43-20286), and zeolite (SU 1719393) in a gas phase reaction.
One of the problems associated with the liquid-catalyst liquid-phase esterification reaction is that the acidic liquid catalysts of sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid can cause corrosion problems to the reactor. These liquid acid catalysts are also discharged along with the reaction products, thus causing severe waste disposal and pollution problems. Furthermore, because the esterification of acetic acids involves a reversible reaction, in order to increase the conversion rate of acetic acids, either excessive amounts of alcohols must be used, or the product from the esterification reaction must be constantly removed from the reaction system. In either case, the production cost of carboxylic esters is substantially increased.
The solid-catalyst, liquid-phase esterification reaction, which typically utilizes a cationic ionic exchange resin as catalyst, ameliorates the corrosion and waste disposal problems experienced with the liquid-catalyst liquid-phase processes, and results in simplified separation procedure required between the reaction product and catalysts. However, cationic ion-exchange resins typically exhibit relatively poor heat-resistance, and they often lose substantial activity after being subject to heat. Once the catalytic activity of the cationic ion-exchange resins is reduced, it is difficult to be regenerated. Furthermore, during the solid-catalyst, liquid-phase esterification process, reaction products cannot be removed from the reaction stream so as to favorably change the reaction equilibrium, and the reaction yield can only be improved by separating unreacted reactants from the product stream and recycling the unreacted reactants. This causes the production cost to be maintained at a relatively high level.
In the gas phase esterification reaction, the reaction conditions are maintained so that all the reactants and products are in the gas phase. Typically, inorganic materials are utilized as catalysts which typically exhibit excellent heat resistance and can be easily separated from the reaction products. However, the gas phase reaction necessitates a relatively large reaction vessel, resulting in large capital investment cost. Furthermore, if the gas phase esterification reaction is utilized to produce unsaturated carboxylic esters, the high reaction temperature often causes undesired by-products of polymers or oligmers to be produced. In certain instances, the high reaction temperature has caused the alcohol molecules to be dehydrated to become ethers. These side-reactions will tend to cause the reaction catalysts to lose their activity and result in operational difficulties.
The process disclosed in the '311 patent solved many of the problems described above. However, as it is currently structured, the process disclosed in the '311 patent is not very economically attractive, and hence is not commercially applicable for the esterification of acetic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,294 discloses a catalytic distillation process for the preparation of methyl acetate which utilizes sulfuric acid a catalyst and which requires a 72-tray catalytic distillation tower. The catalytic distillation process offers a feasible alternative to the conventional process for making methyl acetate, because the latter typically requires eight distillation towers for post-esterification separation. For ethyl acetate, which only requires three distillation towers for post-esterification purification in the conventional processes, the catalytic distillation process disclosed in the '294 using sulfuric acid as catalyst, is no longer attractive.

Catalytic processes for the preparation of acetic esters

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A method for operating an automation technology field device connected via a bus system with a superordinated unit and having an identifier identifying the type of the field device, at least one alternative identifier AKF1, which identifies a similar type of field device, is stored, in addition to an identifier KF1, in the field device F1. This alternative identifier AKF1 is transmitted, on query, to the superordinated unit PLC, when the superordinated unit fails to accept as valid the identifier KF1 transmitted in prior queries. In this way, a replacement of a field device is possible simply and quickly.

In automation technology, field devices are used for registering and/or influencing process variables. Examples of such field devices are fill level measuring devices, mass flow rate measuring devices, pressure and temperature measuring devices, etc., which, as sensors, register the corresponding process variables fill level, flow rate, pressure and temperature, respectively.
For influencing process variables, the field devices may include actuators, which, e.g. as valves, can change the flow rate of a liquid in a section of pipeline or, as pumps, the fill level in a container.
In principle, all devices installed near a process and which deliver, or process, process-relevant information, are referred to as field devices.
Field devices are available from the firm Endress+Hauser in many different forms.
Normally, field devices as used in modern industrial plants are connected via bus systems (PROFIBUS, FOUNDATION FIELDBUS, etc.) to superordinated, or higher level, units (control system or units). These superordinated units serve for, among other things, process control, visualization, and monitoring, as well as for commissioning of the field devices.
Known applications of bus systems include all plants and manufacturing facilities where analog signals have been used for communicating measured values. This includes a multitude of areas of application, such as the chemicals industry, petrochemicals, foods, manufacturing in general, etc. The size of the systems reaches from the smallest of plants with around 10 sensors and actuators, up to large plants with hundreds of sensors and actuators.
Often with such applications, older field devices are in use, and, to assure reliable process execution, they must periodically be checked and maintained. Frequently, field devices last for years in use. Some field devices are replaced, for safety's sake, by new ones on the basis of preventative maintenance following a preestablished number of hours of operation, in order to avoid device failure. Thus, it is known that the probability of electronic device failure rises with increasing time in service.
Normally, one strives to replace the field devices with devices of the same construction, since these are easiest to integrate into a running application.
Device manufacturers, however, are constantly developing their products, and, consequently, remove older models from the market, following a certain amount of time.
Thus, it is possible that a device of the same construction will no longer be available for a planned replacement. The user then has two alternatives, either install a model of a newer generation of such devices, or obtain a device of another manufacturer. As a rule, the user decides for a newer model.
A problem that results when an older field device is replaced by a newer model is that it is more complicated to integrate the newer device into the application, i.e. into the automated process. Thus, many bus systems are such that a new device first has to be introduced to the control system, before it can be accepted for use in operation of the automated facility.
The integration of field devices of the same construction is relatively easy, since only slight, or even no, adjustments have to be made concerning the device or the control.
For the integration of field devices of different construction, the controller must be placed in a hold mode and the configuration of the controller so modified that the new device is correctly recognized by the controller. To this end, at least a portion of the process at a plant must be stopped. This is a very undesirable circumstance for the user. Moreover, the configuration of a controller can only be done by specialists and not by the usual operating personnel.
Measures of this character can bring about considerable costs for the user.
An object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a method for operating a field device for automation technology not exhibiting the above-described disadvantages and which, in particular, enables a simple device replacement during ongoing operation, without it being necessary to place a plant in a state of shutdown.
This object is achieved by the provision of at least one alternative identifier, which identifies a similar type of field device, and reporting, on query, to the superordinated unit when the superordinated unit has failed to accept as valid the identifier reported in prior queries.
Advantageous further developments of the invention are set-forth in the dependent claims.
An essential idea of the invention is to store in the field device, along with its own identifier, also other, alternative identifiers, which identify similar field device types, so that if, in the case of a querying by a superordinated unit, the superordinated unit fails to accept as valid the identifier reported in response to an earlier query, then one of the alterative identifiers is reported.
In this way, during initialization, when the superordinated unit does not accept the reported identifier, then an alternative identifier is reported to the superordinated unit. For the control program in the superordinated unit, there is no difference as compared to the state before device replacement. Thus, for the superordinated unit, it seems as if a device exchange has not transpired. The superordinated unit still "sees", in effect, the old field device. Consequently, no changes are required in the superordinated unit.
Advantageously, the bus system is a PROFIBUS DP or a PROFIBUS PA.
Normally, the superordinated unit is a controller (e.g. a PLC functioning as a Master Class 1 device).
In an alternative embodiment, the superordinated unit assigns a Profibus identification number (Ident-No.) to the field device functioning as a slave device.
Advantageously, a change of the identifier is only permitted during the initialization phase of the communication of the field device.
The invention will now be explained in greater detail on the basis of an example of an embodiment shown in the drawing.
The method of the invention is especially suited for device replacement in the case of field devices for automation technology.

Method for automatic replacement in automation technology field devices where swapping is not necessary


A computer-implemented method for providing a warning including the steps: obtaining data relating to the location of a hazardous object and obtaining data relating to the location of a material handling machine. The computer to compare the location of the material handling machine to the location of the hazardous object and estimates a probability of a hazardous event occurring. If the estimate exceeds a threshold valve, a warning is issued by the computer.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method for providing a warning.
Known systems enable data to be collected from material handling machines such as excavators, back hoe loaders (BHL), tele-handlers etc. in real time. Examples of the data that can be collected include the type of a machine, the location of the machine, the engine speed and the fuel levels of the machine.
This data is transmitted to a computer and processed by algorithms to provide information about one or more machines in a fleet, for example where a particular machine is or was located at any given time, the number of hours a machine has been working (or has been idle).
A user can also create and download reports from the website and register to receive notifications, for example that a machine has completed a number of working hours and should be serviced or that a machine appears to have a fault that should be investigated. These notifications are displayed within the website and so a user needs to log into the website to see them. A user may also register to receive these notifications via electronic mail.
The information about material handling machines can also be used to monitor the location of machines. Algorithms within a system compare the location of a machine with the co-ordinates of a geo-fence (that has been established to demarcate a site on which the machine is located) and, if the machine is moved outside the geo-fence a user is notified either via a notification on the secure website or via email, as described above. Alternatively a text message may be sent to the owner of a machine.
The information contained in the website, email and text notifications is restricted to information about the material handling machine itself.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer-implemented method for providing a warning including the steps:                obtaining data relating to the location of an object, obtaining data relating to the location of a material handling machine;        using the computer to compare the location of the material handling machine to the location of the object in order to estimate a probability of damage occurring; and        providing a warning based on the estimate.
The machine may be located remotely from the computer.
The machine may include the computer.
The warning may be received at a location remote from the computer and/or remote from the machine.
The warning may be received at the machine.
The machine may include the computer and the warning may be received at the machine.
The location of the object may be below ground level. The location of the object may be above ground level.
The method may further include obtaining data relating to the distance of the object below or above the ground level and using this data to estimate the probability of damage occurring.
The method may further include using a communication system.
The communication system may communicate the data relating to the location of the object to the computer.
The communication system may communicate the data relating to the location of the material handling machine to the computer.
The communication system may communicate the warning.
The communication system may communicate the warning to and/or from the material handling machine.
The material handling machine may be an excavator, or a backhoe loader, or a tele-handler.
The material handling machine may have a material handling implement, for example a ground-engaging material handling implement.
The method may further include determining the position of the material handling implement relative to the rest of the material handling machine, preferably the height of the material handling implement relative to the rest of the material handling machine, and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.
The method may further include determining if the material handling machine is moving, preferably the speed and/or direction at which the material handling machine is moving, and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.
The method may further include determining the type of the material handling machine, and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.
The material handling machine may have an engine and the method may include determining if the engine is running, preferably the speed at which the engine is running, and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.
The material handling machine may have a hydraulic system that manoeuvers the material handling implement and the method may include determining the pressure in the hydraulic system and using this data to estimate the probability of the damage occurring.
The warning may include an alarm, for example an audible, visual or vibration alarm.
The warning may include sending a message containing data about the estimate of the probability of damage occurring to and/or from the material handling machine.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a material handling machine including a processor that is configured to receive data relating to the location of an object and data relating to the location of the material handling machine; to compare the location of the material handling machine and the location of the object; to estimate a probability of damage occurring; and to provide a warning based on the estimate.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing a warning including a processor that is configured to receive data relating to the location of an object and data relating to the location of a material handling machine; to compare the location of the material handling machine and the location of
the object; to estimate a probability of damage occurring, and to provide a warning based on the estimate.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product which when executed on a processor causes the processor to execute the steps of:                comparing data relating to the location of an object and data relating to the location of a material handling machine;        estimating the probability of damage occurring; and        providing a warning based on the estimate.

Computer-implemented method for providing a warning


A method and apparatus are provided for determining pressure within a tire mounted to a vehicle, wherein the tire is coupled to a tire pressure monitoring system including a sensor coupled to a transmitter, the sensor configured to sense tire pressure and the transmitter configured to transmit the sensed tire pressure to a receiver. First, a first tire pressure is sensed. Then, a calculation is made as to whether the sensed first tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure threshold, equal to the predetermined pressure threshold, or less than the predetermined pressure threshold. Next, an indication is provided external to the vehicle that the sensed first tire pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure range, within the predetermined pressure range, or less than the predetermined pressure range.

To improve safety, reduce tire wear, and increase fuel economy, certain classes of motor vehicles are required or soon will be required by statute to have tire pressure monitoring systems. These systems are capable of sensing tire pressure for each tire at each location on the motor vehicle and communicating the pressure data to the driver. Typically, a pressure sensor and other associated circuitry specific to each wheel are mounted on each tire.
In order for the tire pressure monitoring system to operate correctly, the tires are typically inflated to a placard pressure value. Conventionally, a hand-held tire gauge is used to determine whether the tire is sufficiently inflated. In this regard, after the tire is inflated, the driver attaches the gauge to the tire, obtains a tire pressure measurement reading, and compares the obtained reading to a placard tire pressure value. Depending on the reading, the driver adds more air or takes air out of the tire. At times, however, the tire gauge may be faulty and/or may give inaccurate tire pressure readings inaccurate. As a result, the tires may be overinflated or underinflated. In other instances, the driver may not have knowledge or access to the placard value. In such cases, use of a tire gauge is ineffective. In yet other instances, a driver may not have a tire pressure gauge.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system and a method for accurately determining whether a tire is sufficiently inflated. In addition, it is desirable to reduce the amount of hardware that is needed to determine whether the tire is sufficiently inflated. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Method and apparatus for determining correct tire pressure inflation during adjustment


The present invention realizes a display device or input device having excellent ultraviolet protection property for the touch panel, display element or the like, while retaining optical characteristics, even when a small amount of or no optical film is used. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet of the present invention has a total light transmittance of 85% or more, a light transmittance at a wavelength of 380 nm of 5% or less, and a haze of 3% or less. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet preferably includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing an acrylic polymer and a triazine-based ultraviolet absorber.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet.
Background Art
Recently, in various fields, display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an input device used by combining with the display device, such as a touch panel, has been widely used. In the display device or the input device, a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet including a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is used for laminating an optical member. For example, a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is used for laminating the touch panel and various kinds of display members optical members (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3).
The optical members used in such a display device or an input device may be sometimes required to have ultraviolet absorbency (ultraviolet protection property, UV protection property) for the purpose of, for example, preventing deterioration of a liquid crystal display due to ultraviolet light.
An optical film containing an ultraviolet absorber is known as such an optical member (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
Patent Document 1: JP 2003-238915 A
Patent Document 2: JP 2003-342542 A
Patent Document 3: JP 2004-231723 A
Patent Document 4: JP 2011-126986 A

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method of forming a wire loop is provided. The method includes: (1) forming a first fold of wire; (2) bonding the first fold of wire to a first bonding location to form a first bond; (3) extending a length of wire, continuous with the first bond, between (a) the first bond and (b) a second bonding location; and (4) bonding a portion of the wire to the second bonding location to form a second bond.

In the processing and packaging of semiconductor devices, wire bonding continues to be the primary method of providing electrical interconnection between two locations within a package (e.g., between a die pad of a semiconductor die and a lead of a leadframe). More specifically, using a wire bonder (also known as a wire bonding machine) wire loops are formed between respective locations to be electrically interconnected. The primary methods of forming wire loops are ball bonding and wedge bonding, with ball bonding being the preferred technique. U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,065 to Kikuchi et al. illustrates conventional ball bonding and wedge bonding processes, as discussed below.
An exemplary conventional wedge bonding sequence is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D of U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,065, where the sequence includes: (1) arranging a wire 12 through a lower end of a wedge bonding tool 11, with an electrode 15 of an IC chip 16 below the wedge bonding tool 11; (2) bonding the wire 12 to the electrode 15 through the application of ultrasonic waves to the wedge bonding tool 11, where the wedge bonding tool 11 is pressing the wire 12 against electrode 15; (3) releasing the wire using a clamper 12, and then routing the wire to an outer lead 18, and then lowering the wire 12 to the outer lead 18; (4) bonding the wire 12 to the outer lead 18 through the application of ultrasonic waves; and (5) lifting the clamper 17 while clamping the wire 12 such that the wire 12 is cut. Unfortunately, wedge bonding has certain deficiencies in comparison to ball bonding (e.g., directional issues with the bonding head which result in a slow operation and inaccuracy problems, amongst others). These deficiencies have made ball bonding the preferred wire bonding technique.
Now referring to FIGS. 1A-1D of U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,065, an exemplary conventional ball bonding sequence includes: (1) using electric discharge to form a free air ball 4 on an end of a wire 2 extending from a capillary bonding tool 1; (2) lowering the capillary 1, and pressing the ball 4 to an electrode 5 of an IC chip 6, and applying ultrasonic waves to the ball through the capillary 1 to form a bond between the ball and the electrode 5 (where the IC chip 5 including the electrode 5 is heated by a heater block); (3) routing wire 2 (through motion of capillary 1) toward above outer lead 8, and lowering wire 2 to outer lead 8; (4) bonding the wire 2 to the outer lead 8 through the application of ultrasonic waves; and (5) cutting the wire 2 by closing and raising a damper 7. Of course, in forming the bonds between (a) the ends of the wire loop and (b) the bond site (e.g., a die pad, a lead, etc.) varying types of bonding energy may be used including, for example, ultrasonic energy, thermosonic energy, thermocompressive energy, amongst others. Other examples of ball bonding techniques are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,933,608 to Fujisawa; U.S. Pat. No. 6,815,836 to Ano et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,666 to Imai et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0072833 to Wong et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0109819 to Qin et al.
While there are clearly numerous advantages to ball bonding (in comparison to wedge bonding), there are also disadvantages to ball bonding such as, for example: the inclusion of an electronic flame-off assembly (i.e., an EFO assembly) for forming the free air balls; complications to the ball bonding process related to the operation of the EFO assembly; and increased spacing between adjacent bonds because of the formation of the free air balls (in comparison to the wire width requirements in wedge bonding).
Thus, it would be desirable to provide improved methods of wire bonding with certain of the advantages of ball bonding and wedge bonding.

Wire loop and method of forming the wire loop


An anti-theft assembly for deterring theft of a ring is provided. The anti-theft assembly includes a base that can be used to support an electronic article surveillance marker; a product engagement member including a support member that supports the ring during use and a locking member that secures the support member to the base; and an attachment member for securing the ring to the support member. In one embodiment, the support member and the locking member are a single, unitary member. In another embodiment, the support member and the locking member are separate members. Once assembled, upon applying a twisting force to the ring the engagement member rotates within the opening so that the attachment member is not broken.

It is well known in the art of theft deterrence to use electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensors in order to discourage the theft of consumer products. In use, EAS sensors trigger an alarm if not detached or disarmed before the product is removed from the store. For many products, electronic sensors have been very effective in deterring theft. However, such sensors can be difficult to attach to certain products, for example jewelry, and can often be easily removed from such items even when attached. One higher price item that is difficult to effectively attach an electronic sensor to is a ring. It can be difficult to attach sensors to the band of a ring because if the sensors are overly rigid or cumbersome they can limit the customer's ability to try on the ring before purchasing. However, if the tag is easily removed it will not serve as a deterrent. Thus, tags to prevent theft are often attached to rings by using a thin, yet flexible, tear resistant plastic strap.
One such tag is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,498. In the '498 patent the anti-theft tag includes an elongated housing that is attached to the ring by a tear resistant strap that is secured to an outer surface of the tag by a pressure sensitive adhesive. The tag is inserted within a ring display system that includes slots for receiving the body of the anti-theft tag. While generally effective, attaching the strap to the outside of a tag may allow a consumer to tamper with the attachment of the strap in an attempt to remove it.
Another such tag is U.S. Pat. No. 7,714,721 which is issued to the assignee of the present application. In the '721 patent the anti-theft tag includes an elongated housing for accommodating an EAS marker, a product support member that locks into the housing and which supports the ring, and a flexible, tear resistant strap for securing the ring to the support member, with the strap being disposed at least partially within the housing during use. In use, the tear resistant strap extends over the ring shank and the ends of the strap are received within the cavity of the housing in order to protect the strap from unauthorized removal by a consumer.

Anti-theft ring assembly and method of using the same


A pneumatic tire includes a block (41) formed by being partitioned by a main groove (15) and lateral grooves (20 and 25), and a block traversing sipe (45) which is a sipe longitudinally traversing the block (41), in which the block traversing sipe (45) has a zigzag shape that is constituted by a plurality of longitudinal sipe portions (42) extending in a circumferential direction of the tire, and a lateral sipe portion (43) extending in a tire width direction and connecting end portions of two longitudinal sipe portions (42), and a longitudinal sipe portion (42) closer to a kick-out side of the block (41) has a narrower width.

As disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, it is known that a sipe extending in a circumferential direction of a tire is formed in a land portion of a tread on a pneumatic tire. Such a land portion of the tread is considered to have excellent grounding performance because of an effect of the sipe.    Patent Document 1: JP-A-2011-116319    Patent Document 2: JP-A-2000-318413


An image forming apparatus. In a copy control mode, a main motor, an eraser, a cleaning bias power source, a cleaning motor, a developing bias power source, a discharge lamp, and a pretransfer discharger are turned on. Then, a precleaning discharger and a main charger are turned on. After such units have been stabilized, a developing motor is energized. Even when a developing unit is operated while an image forming operation is not under way, a toner and a carrier forming a magnet brush on a developing roller included in the developing unit are prevented from depositing on a photoconductive element and, therefore, from being scattered around, damaging the photoconductive element or contaminating the background. Further, the carrier is prevented from causing a spark to occur in a corona discharger and burning the discharger by entering it.

The present invention relates to a copier, facsimile transceiver, printer or similar electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a developing device which develops a latent image electrostatically formed on an image carrier by a two-component developer made up of a toner and a carrier.
In an image forming apparatus of the type described, e.g., a copier usually causes a two-component developer to form a magnet brush on a developing roller included in a developing device. The magnet brush is brought into contact with an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, or photoconductive element, to thereby develop the latent image. It is a common practice with this type of apparatus to sense the toner concentration of the developer for the purpose of maintaining it adequately. When the toner concentration is lower than a predetermined threshold, a fresh toner is supplied from a toner hopper to the developer. When the toner hopper runs out of toner as determined by the sensor, it is determined that a so-called toner end condition is reached, and the copier is inhibited from operating. Then, a fresh toner is supplied to the toner hopper and, after a toner end recovery mode operation, the copier is restored to a ready state. Specifically, in the toner end condition, the toner concentration of the developer is lower than the threshold. In this condition, the toner end recovery mode operation is executed such that the developing device supplies the toner from the toner hopper to the developer to provide it with an adequate toner concentration and, at the same time, an agitator disposed in the device is rotated to sufficiently charge the developer. This allows the developing device to perform an adequate developing operation after the restart of the copier.
This type of conventional copier has various problems left unsolved, as follows. Assume that the copier is brought to a stop due to a paper jam or similar cause before a cleaning device removes the toner remaining on the photoconductive element or before a discharger dissipates a charge also remaining thereon. If the copier is restarted with the toner remaining on the photoconductive element, the toner is apt to smear, for example, a paper sheet or similar recording medium to thereby degrade image quality. On the other hand, the charge remaining on the photoconductive element renders the surface potential of the element unstable and, therefore, causes the toner and carrier forming a magnet brush on the developing sleeve to adhere to the element on the restart of the copier. The toner so deposited on the photoconductive element will be released from the element by the subsequent operation, smearing various units disposed in the copier. The carrier deposited on the photoconductive element is apt to damage the element and, therefore, to contaminate the background of a reproduction and/or to render the image density irregular. Further, when the photoconductive element is driven with the carrier deposited thereon, the carrier enters a transfer charger and other corona discharges to cause a spark to occur. In addition, it is likely that the carrier adheres to the end blocks of a corona discharger supporting a wire, burning the wire to therby reduce the life of the discharger.
Moreover, even during the toner concentration adjustment or in the toner end recovery mode, the developing roller is caused to rotate while the photoconductive element is held in a halt. This also gives rise to the problems discussed above in relation to the restart of the copier after a paper jam. It should be noted that when the developing roller is rotated while the photoconductive element is in a halt, the toner forming the magnet brush on the developing roller is transferred to the photoconductive element even if the potential of the element is substantially 0 V, smearing the background of a reproduction.


A temperature-responsive adhesive article comprises (a) a temperature-responsive carrier capable of changing its shape at a first transition temperature; and (b) a thermomorphic pressure-sensitive adhesive on at least a portion of at least one surface of the carrier, the thermomorphic pressure-sensitive adhesive being capable of changing its shape at a second transition temperature. By varying the initial shapes or topographies of carrier and adhesive and the relationship between the transition temperatures, the article of the invention can be designed to provide a wide variety of bonding and de-bonding properties.

Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) sheets, films, and tapes are often difficult to apply to a substrate at a precise location without air entrapment or wrinkles, primarily due to preadhesion or "quick stick" behavior of the PSA. This is particularly true for "aggressive" PSAs that have high bond strengths and/or low temperature tack properties, and is especially problematic as the size of the article increases. Several methods and configurations have been developed to make the application of PSA films and tapes easier.
For example, application aids, such as formulations containing a surfactant, water, and alcohol, or dry application aids containing particles, powders, or talcs, have been used to eliminate preadhesion. Such application aids, however, tend to affect the adhesive properties of the PSA and prevent rapid formation of a strong bond between adhesive and substrate.
Discontinuous coatings of nontacky materials projecting from the adhesive surface have also been used to prevent preadhesion of the PSA during application. Articles with these coatings can be placed against a substrate and freely moved over the substrate. Such coatings include patterned polymer coatings, particles, and films, for example. Yet another configuration used to make PSA films and tapes easier to apply uses a random distribution of hollow glass microspheres partially embedded in the adhesive as a means to prevent contact and preadhesion. Pressure application crushes the microspheres, permitting the adhesive to contact the substrate and form a strong bond instantly.
Other methods of dealing with preadhesion include formation of pegs of adhesive, optionally containing beads, protruding from the PSA surface. Topographically structured adhesives have also been described. Various adhesive layer topographies include concave and convex V-grooves or hemispheres, and other three dimensional shapes. In general, these topographies provide adhesive sheets, films, and tapes with lower peel adhesion values in comparison with smooth-surfaced adhesives. In many cases, the topographically-structured adhesives also display a change in adhesion with increasing contact time.
These adhesive articles exhibit various types of positionable and repositionable behavior. Certain of these articles can suffer from problems, however. Therefore, alternative adhesive articles are needed for avoiding preadhesion when using pressure sensitive adhesives.
Furthermore, it is desirable that articles be removable from substrate surfaces on demand without damaging the substrate. Release on demand has been addressed using microsphere adhesives and tapes that release upon mechanical stretching. In spite of these approaches, however, there is a continuing need for articles which exhibit both ease of application and ease of removal.

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘Sunbui Mirehaha’, characterized by its semi-trailing plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; early and freely flowering habit; long flowering period; large bright red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant, botanically known as Petunia×hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Sunbui Mirehaha'.
The new Petunia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventors in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan. The objective of the breeding program is to create new freely flowering Petunia plants with a semi-trailing plant habit and numerous large attractive flowers.
The new Petunia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventors in March, 2011 in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan of a proprietary selection of Petunia×hybrida identified as code name LNW, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Petunia×hybrida identified as code name PR-46, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Petunia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventors as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan in June, 2011.
Asexual reproduction of the new Petunia plant by terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan since June, 2011 has shown that the unique features of this new Petunia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A filter unit for the purification of air includes at least a first filter element, which contains granular, especially spherical, activated carbon as an adsorbent material, and at least a second filter element, which contains a combination of granular, especially spherical, activated carbon and activated carbon fibers as an adsorbent material. The filter unit is suitable especially for use in ventilation plants, ventilation systems, air-conditioning systems and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a filter unit, especially for purifying air, with a number of adsorbent filter elements, each of which contains activated carbon as the absorbent material.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention also concerns the use of this air purification filter unit, especially for producing high-purity air and for removing gaseous substances, foul-smelling substances, and toxic substances from air streams, for example, in ventilation plants, ventilation systems, air-conditioning systems, or the like.
Finally, the present invention concerns plants or systems, especially ventilation plants, ventilation systems, or air-conditioning systems, for purifying air or for producing or conditioning air with this filter unit.
The pollution of the environment by harmful substances has been receiving more and more public attention due to increasing environmental awareness and the availability of highly sensitive analytical methods.
Moreover, increasing industrialization has resulted in extensive pollution of the atmosphere. Every type of combustion process, e.g., in power plants, automobile engines, heating systems, etc., produces undesired combustion products, especially oxidized carbon compounds, nitrogen oxides, incompletely combusted hydrocarbons, and the like.
Other sources of harmful substances include contaminated rooms that contain building materials that contain harmful substances (e.g., building materials that contain PCB's, etc.). Toxic substances can also be released from pieces of furniture, wall paints, carpet adhesives, and the like.
In addition, there is now a growing danger of terrorist attacks involving the systematic introduction of toxic substances into the air-conditioning systems of buildings, subway ventilation systems, etc.
All together, therefore, there is a great need to remove a very wide variety of air pollutants from the air, especially harmful or annoying noxious substances, toxic substances, or foul-smelling substances. Many state-of-the-art methods are available for removing such substances. Examples that might be mentioned here include mechanical filtration methods, methods that involve the reaction or destruction of the annoying or harmful substances, and absorption and adsorption methods.
Adsorption methods involve the use of filter units that work by adsorption. The problem here is that the adsorption capacity of state-of-the-art filter units is often inadequate and thus relatively quickly exhausted, so that the filter materials have to be replaced. Furthermore, state-of-the-art adsorption filter units often lack sufficient "spontaneity" or adsorption kinetics, with the result that breakthroughs can occur. In addition, state-of-the-art adsorption filter units often have inadequate adsorption efficiency and are not universally suitable for the adsorption of a very wide variety of harmful and toxic substances.

Air filter unit with several filter elements


Disclosed herein is a common mode filter, including: an external magnetic layer; an insulating layer formed on the external magnetic layer and having coil electrodes therein; a protecting layer formed on the insulating layer; an internal magnetic layer formed inside an opening part formed in one surface of the protecting layer; and external electrode terminals passing through the protecting layer and connected with end portions of the coil electrodes, so that there can be provided a common mode filter having excellent durability, moisture resistance, and heat resistance.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a common mode filter, and more particularly, to a common mode filter having a protecting layer and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the development of technology, electronic devices such as mobile phones, household appliances, PC, PDA, LCD, and the like, are converted from an analog type to a digital type, and are have higher speed due to an increase in data amount. For this reason, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) as high-speed signal transmission interfaces have been widely supplied, and also have been used in many digital devices such as personal computers and digital high-definition televisions.
Theses interfaces employ a differential signal system of transmitting a differential signal (a differential mode signal) by using a pair of signal lines, unlike a single-end signal transmission system generally used for a long time.
Therefore, a common mode filter is generally used to remove common mode noise generated from high-speed differential signal lines and the like. Here, the common mode noise is noise generated from the differential signal lines, and the common mode filter removes this noise that cannot be removed by the existing EMI filter
Referring to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-015494, the common mode filter of the related art is generally composed of a lower magnetic layer, an upper magnetic layer, and an insulating layer provided therebetween while having coil electrodes therein. In addition, external electrode terminals for connecting the coil electrodes to an external circuit are formed in a post type while passing through the upper magnetic layer.
Generally, the upper magnetic layer is filled with a paste, sol, gel, or the like, while having low density. In this case, the upper magnetic layer is vulnerable to external impact due to weak durability thereof.
In addition, bubbles are contained therein at the time of charging, which may cause permeation of external moisture and the like into the device, resulting in deteriorating characteristics thereof.

Common mode filter and method of manufacturing the same


An instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle provides connection between an instrument panel and a glovebox so that the glovebox has a separate mating reference between moving parts independent of the instrument panel. The instrument panel is mounted to a cross-car beam in the vehicle and has a glovebox opening with a frame mating surface therearound. The glovebox has a frame and a door. The frame is attached adjacent the frame mating surface, and has a first integrally formed half-hinge. The door, which pivots to alternately cover and uncover the glovebox opening, has a second integrally formed half-hinge. The frame and the door are connected at the respective half-hinges to provide a mating reference therebetween independent of the instrument panel.

In conventional instrument panel designs, a glovebox door alternately covers and uncovers an opening through an instrument panel, in which can be a fixed bin or a pivoting bin, to provide a storage space for various items. A striker bar for latching the glovebox door in a closed position is typically fixed to the instrument panel, and a latch mechanism is attached to an instrument panel facing surface of the door. A piano type hinge typically connects the door to the instrument panel, each half of the hinge having separate connections. Since the glovebox door, and the latch mechanism affixed thereto, are fixed to the instrument panel independently from the striker bar and from each other, there is a considerable amount of variation in the relative positions of the latch and the striker bar. This variation directly affects the effort required to open or close the glovebox door. Adjustments to the striker bar are then required to control the latch opening and closing efforts. These adjustments, in turn, affect glovebox fit and finish to the instrument panel. In short, conventional glovebox designs couple latch efforts with glovebox door fit and finish so that corrective adjustments for efforts affect fit and finish, and vice versa.
Complicating the goal of balancing proper latch efforts with fit and finish is that appropriate adjustments are usually conducted on-line during vehicle assembly. It is difficult to control fit and finish in this environment because of the assembly process. This process usually involves attaching a steel support to the crosscar beam and then attaching the striker to a substrate portion of the support.. One half of a hinge is attached to the substrate, and the other half is attached to the glovebox door. Due to the stack up and between the different components, the fit and finish of the glovebox door with the instrument panel outer surface is hard to control. This also creates the previously described latch and striker effort issues. A squeak and rattle problem also exists due to the difficulty in controlling mating between the instrument panel and portions of the glovebox.
Thus, a glovebox assembly is needed which provides a latch with consistent, easily operable latch effort, which assists in controlling the fit and finish of the instrument panel, and which alleviates squeak and rattle problems.

Automotive vehicle instrument panel assembly with modular glovebox


A rigid circular quilting hoop has an inside diameter surface and an outside diameter surface. A circumferential groove is formed in the outside diameter surface. A unitary, non-metallic, stretchable fastener having two ends is received within the circumferential groove to secure a piece of quilting material stretched over the hoop. A cord lock secures the ends of the fastener after it has been stretched to maintain a desired tension on the fastener to clamp the quilting material against the hoop.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a quilting hoop.
Quilting material ordinarily has a fabric facing layer and a batting backing layer adhesively attached to the fabric layer. In order for a person to sew or otherwise work on quilting material, the portion of the quilting material being worked on must be held in tension. One means of tensioning the working area of quilting material involves utilizing a pair of inner and outer concentric rings in which the inner diameter of the outer ring is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner ring. The inner ring is placed under the quilting material, the outer ring is placed above the area of the quilting material to be worked on and the rings are moved together such that the inside diameter of the outer ring overlies the outside diameter of the inner ring with the quilting material sandwiched therebetween. One example of such a device may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,367 to Samoilov. This patent discloses an embroidery hoop in which the inner surface of the outer hoop has a groove and the outer surface of the inner hoop has a projection adapted to be received in the groove to increase the force applied to the material trapped therebetween. Samoilov attempts to solve the problem of applying sufficient bite on the fabric between the inner and outer rings to prevent the fabric from slipping between the rings during the time a person is working on it.
Of course, when concentric inner and outer rings are utilized to tension a piece of fabric, both rings must be precisely sized and the two rings only can accommodate fabric having a very narrow range of thickness. If the thickness of the fabric changes significantly, one or both of the rings must be replaced.
It has been found desirable to provide a quilting hoop which will accommodate quilting fabrics having different thicknesses. An example of a prior art device which may be utilized to accommodate fabric of different thicknesses may be seen by referring to U.S. Pat. No. 570,940 to Maynard. This patent discloses an embroidery holder having a ring with an outer groove and a wire band which may be coiled to provide a small degree of elasticity. A cord is interlaced between the coils of the spring to take up any stretch in the spring. Another device designed to accommodate fabric having different thicknesses may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 998,657 to Thomas. Thomas discloses an embroidery hoop having a pair of concentric rings. The inner ring is rigid and the outer ring is elastic. The elastic ring has an inner wire the ends of which are connected by springs. Another device having a fixed inner ring and a resilient outer ring may be seen by referring to U.S. Pat. No. 1,221,123 to Westhaver. In Westhaver the resilient ring consists of a plurality of rubber bands having their ends joined together. Although fabric holders having one fixed ring and a fixed length resilient outer ring accommodates fabrics having a different thickness, they lack adjustment to increase or decrease the force applied to trap the fabric between the two bands.
A fabric holding device adapted to increase or decrease the tension on a fabric trapped between an inner and outer ring may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,242,972 to Pettit. In Pettit a single piece of rigid wire is adapted to fit within a groove formed in a loop to trap fabric between the groove and the wire. The ends of the wire may be twisted towards each other to tighten the wire around the fixed hoop. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,250 to Golan discloses a fabric holder having a fixed outer ring with an inner annular groove and an inner spring ring adapted to fit within the groove. Neither Golan nor Pettit provide means for easily adjusting the tension applied to a fabric secured on a ring.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a device which will support quilting materials having different thicknesses and which device is capable of being easily adjusted to increase or decrease the force applied to the perimeter of the quilting material being mounted on the device.


An accessory tool retention assembly for a rotary tool includes a collet having a body defining a collet axis and having a plurality of flexible segments that extend longitudinal along the body generally parallel to the collet axis, each flexible segment including a curved end portion that curves radially outwardly from the collet body. A collet chuck is configured to be coupled to an output shaft of a motor of a rotary tool. The collet chuck defines a collet receiving passage configured to slidably receive the collet. A front wall portion on the collet chuck defines an insertion opening aligned with the passage of the collet chuck. The front wall portion defines a plurality of recesses sized and shaped complementary to the curved end portions of the collet. The plurality of recesses is positioned to receive the curved end portions when the collet is inserted into the collet receiving passage.

In general, rotary power tools are light-weight, handheld power tools capable of being equipped with a variety of accessory tools and attachments, such as cutting blades, sanding discs, grinding tools, and many others. These types of tools typically include a generally cylindrically-shaped main body that serves as an enclosure for an electric motor as well as a hand grip for the tool. The electric motor drives an output shaft to rotate at high speeds. The output shaft is equipped with an accessory attachment system that enables various accessory tools to be releasably secured to the power tool.
Accessory attachment systems for rotary power tools typically include a collet configured to grip the shank of an accessory tool. When attached to the rotary tool, the collet holds the shank of the accessory tool in line with the axis of the output shaft so the accessory tool can be driven to rotate about the axis by the motor. As the output shaft is rotated, an accessory tool is driven to perform a particular function, such as sanding, grinding, or cutting, depending on the configuration of the accessory tool.
The collet is usually attached to the output shaft of the motor of the rotary tool by a retention mechanism, such as a collet nut or collet chuck. A collet nut is installed over the collet and threaded into the end of the output shaft. The collet nut has a tapered bore so that as the collet nut is threaded onto the output shaft, the interior surfaces of the collet nut press the collet against the shank of the accessory tool thus securing the collet and accessory tool to the output shaft of the motor. While this method is effective for securing accessory tools to the rotary power tool, threading the collet nut onto and off of the output shaft of the motor can be time consuming and inconvenient and may require the use of separate tools for turning the collet nut.
As an alternative to threadedly attaching a collet to the output shaft, some previously known systems have been equipped with quick change mechanisms that enable accessory tools to be installed and removed from the collet without having to thread a collet nut onto and off of the output shaft. Quick change mechanisms typically include a collet chuck that is configured to hold the collet and have a mechanism for clamping down on the collet to cause the collet to grip onto the shank of an accessory tool. The clamping mechanism is manipulated by ribbed sleeve that can be grasped by the user. The ribbed cylinder, however, can be difficult for a user to hold onto and does not readily provide a visual indication as to the state of the clamping force applied to the collet.
In some quick change mechanisms, the collet is provided as a separate, removable component. Numerous factors must be taken into consideration in utilizing a removable collet. For example, the collet should be retained within the collet chuck while the tool is being operated and while the shank of an accessory tool is being inserted into and removed from the collet. The removable collet should also be capable of adequately gripping the shank of an accessory tool during use. In addition, care must be taken to ensure that the collet is oriented properly within the collet chuck so that the clamping mechanism can work properly.
There is a need for a rotary tool system having a quick change assembly that enables accessory tools to be easily installed and removed from the collet of the rotary tool and that can be easily accessed and manipulated by a user of the tool. There is also a need for a quick change assembly for a rotary tool that has a removable collet with enhanced gripping capability. In addition, there is a need for a quick change assembly that enables a removable collet to be releasably retained and/or properly oriented within the quick change mechanism without requiring an expensive or complex mechanism.

Collet positioning mechanism for a rotary tool


The present application discloses a negative electrode, a secondary battery and a device comprising the same. The negative electrode includes: a current collector; a first active material layer close to the current collector, the first active material layer including a first active material; and a second active material layer disposed on a surface of the first active material layer away from the current collector, the second active material layer including a second active material; wherein the first active material and the second active material are independently oval-like particles with through holes and/or blind holes, and the first active material has an average pore size greater than that of the second active material.

Secondary batteries represented by lithium-ion secondary batteries complete the charging and discharging process by means of reciprocating intercalation and deintercalation of active ions between positive and negative active materials, and have become an important energy source. For example, with the rapid popularity of new energy vehicles, the market demand for power secondary batteries will show explosive growth. This brings opportunities for the development of the secondary battery industry, and also poses a severe challenge to the cycle lives of secondary batteries. In order to enhance the market competitiveness of secondary batteries, it is indeed necessary to prolong their cycle lives.

Negative electrode, secondary battery and device comprising same

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited


Systems, devices, and methods described herein are directed towards sharing and exchanging insurance information between individuals. An insurance application is provided to a mobile computing device, and the insurance application is configured to transmit insurance information to another mobile computing device. Transmission of insurance information from the mobile computing device to the other mobile computing device may be initiated using the insurance application. A message may be generated that indicates the insurance information was transmitted from the mobile computing device to the other mobile computing device. The message may be sent to an insurance system, and receipt of the message at the insurance system may cause the insurance system to respond to the transmission of insurance information from the mobile device to the other mobile device. The transmission of insurance information may be initiated in response to a bump gesture performed between the mobile device and the other mobile device.

Drivers often keep respective hardcopies of their insurance information in their vehicles in case a vehicle incident such as a vehicle collision occurs. Following a vehicle incident, a driver may exchange insurance and contact information with another driver. Typically, drivers involved in a vehicle incident may use paper and pen to exchange insurance information. This paper and pen approach is also often employed to leave behind insurance information when a driver damages an unoccupied vehicle or other unattended property. In some circumstances, drivers may attempt to exchange insurance information by taking photos of the respective insurance cards.
Papers containing insurance information, however, are easily lost and damaged. Additionally, paper and pen may not be available or readily accessible in some situations. Moreover, depending on the severity of the vehicle incident, a driver may be rattled to the point that copying insurance information via paper and pen or taking a photograph of an insurance card is prohibitively difficult. Therefore, a need exists for improved approaches to sharing and exchanging insurance information between individuals.

Electronic exchange of insurance information