The 8-gear transmission comprising an input shaft (AN), an output shaft (AB), four planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4), eight rotary shafts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and five shifting elements (A, B C, E, E). The first shifting element (A) is arranged within the power flow between the third shaft (3) and a housing (GG) of the transmission, the second shifting element(B) is arranged within the power flow between the fourth shaft (4) and the housing (GG), the third shifting element (C) is arranged within the power flow between the first and the fifth shafts (1, 5), the fourth shifting element (D) is arranged within the power flow between the fifth and the eighth shafts (5, 8), and the fifth shifting element (E) is arranged within the power flow between the fifth and the seventh shafts (5, 7).

Automatic transmissions, particularly for motor vehicles, in the state of the art, include planetary gearsets that are shifted by way of friction or shifting elements, such as clutches and brakes, and a starting element, such as a hydrodynamic torque converter or a fluid clutch, subjected to a slip effect and optionally provided with a lockup clutch.
Within the scope of DE 101 15 983 A1 of the Applicant, for example, is described a multi-speed transmission with an input shaft connected to a front-mounted gearset train to an output shaft connected to a rear-mounted gearset train, and with a maximum of seven shifting elements, by way of whose optional shifting at least seven forward gears can be shifted into without range shifts. The front-mounted gearset train is composed of a shiftable or non-shiftable planetary gearset, or of a maximum of two non-shiftable planetary gearsets that are coupled to each other. The rear-mounted gear train is configured as a two-carrier, four-shaft transmission with two shiftable, planetary gearsets and features four free shafts. The first free shaft of this two-carrier, four-shaft transmission is connected to the first shifting element; the second free shaft to the second and third shifting element; the third free shaft to the fourth and fifth shifting element, and the fourth free shaft is connected to the output shaft. For a multi-speed transmission with a total of six shifting elements, it is proposed according to the invention to connect the third free shaft or the first free shaft of the rear-mounted gear train additionally to a sixth shifting element. For a multi-speed transmission with a total of seven shifting elements, it is proposed according to the invention to connect the third free shaft additionally to a sixth shifting element, and the first free shaft additionally to a seventh shifting element.
Several other multi-speed transmissions are also known from DE 101 15 995 A1 of the applicant, for example, which are provided with four shiftable planetary gearsets that are coupled to each other and six or seven friction-based, shifting elements, by way of whose selective engagement a rotational speed of an input shaft of the transmission can be transferred in such a way to an output shaft of the transmission that nine or eleven forward gears and at least one reverse gear can be engaged. Depending on the gearbox set-up, two or three shifting elements are engaged in each gear, whereby when shifting from one gear into the next higher or next lower gear, only one engaged shifting element is disengaged in order to avoid range shifts and one shifting element that was not previously engaged is connected.
In addition, the unpublished patent application DE 10 2005 002 337.1 of the applicant proposes a multi-speed transmission with an input shaft, an output shaft, four individual planetary gearsets that are coupled to each other, and five shifting elements, with which eight forward gears can be shifted into without range shifts, that is, in such a way, that when shifting from a forward gear into the next higher or lower forward gear, only one of the previously engaged shifting elements is disengaged and only one of the previously disengaged shifting elements is engaged. This multi-speed transmission also features one reverse gear. In all forward gears and in the reverse gear, three shifting elements are engaged at any one time. With regard to the kinematic coupling of the four planetary gearsets with respect to each other and to the input and output shafts, it is provided that a carrier of the fourth planetary gearset and the input shaft are connected to each other and form a first shaft of the transmission; a carrier of the third planetary gearset and the output shaft are connected to each other and form a second shaft of the transmission; a sun gear of the first planetary gearset and a sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset are connected to each other and form a third shaft of the transmission; a ring gear of the first planetary gearset forms a fourth shaft of the transmission; a ring gear of the second planetary gearset and a sun gear of the third planetary gearset are connected to each other and form the fifth shaft of the transmission; a carrier of the first planetary gearset and a ring gear of the third planetary gearset are connected to each other and form a sixth shaft of the transmission; a sun gear of the second planetary gearset and a ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset are connected to each other and form a seventh shaft of the transmission; and a carrier of the second planetary gearset forms an eighth shaft of the transmission. Regarding the kinematic coupling of the five shifting elements to the four planetary gearsets and to the input and output shafts, it is provided that the first shifting element is arranged in the power flow between the third shaft and a housing of the transmission, the second shifting element between the fourth shaft and the housing of the transmission, the third shifting element between the first and fifth shafts, the fourth shifting element either between the eighth and second shaft or between the eighth and sixth shaft, as well as the fifth shifting element either between the seventh and fifth shaft or between the seventh and eighth, or between the fifth and eighth shaft.
Automatically shiftable motor vehicle transmissions in planetary design have in general already been described many times in the state of the art and are subjected to constant further development and improvement. These transmissions should therefore feature a sufficient number of forward gears, as well as one reverse gear, and transmission ratios that are very well suited for motor vehicles, with a high total transmission ratio spread, and with favorable progressive ratios. In addition, they should enable a high startup gear ratio in forward direction and contain a direct gear for use in both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. In addition, these transmissions should not have a complicated construction and require in particular a small number of shifting elements and avoid double shifting with a sequential shifting method, so that only one shifting element is changed at one time when shifting within defined gear ranges.
It is an object of the invention to propose a multi-speed transmission of the type named above with at least eight range shift-free shiftable forward gears and at least one reverse gear, in which the lowest possible number of shifting elements is required with the use of a total of four planetary gearsets. In addition, the transmission should feature a large ratio spread with comparatively harmonic gear stepping, and at least in the main driving gears, a favorable degree of efficiency, that is, comparatively little drag and gearing loss.


An imaging member containing a substrate, and an outer layer containing a zinc diethyldithiophosphate, and an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium including the imaging member above, a development component to apply a developer material to said charge-retentive surface to develop said electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on said charge-retentive surface; a transfer component for transferring said developed image from said charge-retentive surface to another member or a copy substrate; and a fusing member to fuse said developed image to said copy substrate.

This disclosure is generally directed to imaging members, photoreceptors, photoconductors, and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a multi-layered photoreceptor with a substrate, an outer layer such as a charge transport layer or overcoat layer, an optional hole blocking, and/or optional undercoat layer, and wherein at least one layer comprises a thiophosphate lubricant. The photoreceptors herein, in embodiments, have extended life, and excellent wear resistant characteristics. In addition, in embodiments, the present photoreceptors have improved toner cleanability.
Use of the thiophosphate lubricant has shown up to a 30 percent improvement in wear resistance when compared to a CTL without the thiophosphate lubricant. The use of thiophosphate lubricant has been shown to exhibit little or no detrimental effects to electrical and cyclic properties at all zones. In fact, the use of thiophosphate lubricant has shown, in embodiments, excellent cycling and environmental stability. The thiophosphate lubricants can function well in many of the layers of the photoreceptor, such as the charge transport layer, overcoat layer, or other layer.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Photoreceptor layer having thiophosphate lubricants


A wheel carrier of a vehicle includes a clamping seat connection to a suspension strut or the like, which connection is clamped by a bolt-type connection. A lever structure is attached by this bolt-type connection to the clamping seat connection of the wheel carrier, from which lever structure an impact section projects from the bolt-type connection such that an obstacle striking this impact section or other object striking this impact section causes, in a vehicle crash, an at least partial release of the suspension strut in or from the clamping seat connection as a result of the impact.

The invention relates to a wheel carrier of a vehicle having a clamping seat connection to a suspension strut or the like. With regard to the prior art, reference is made to DE 10 2012 204 032 A1, as well as to DE 10 2006 057 664 A1 and DE 195 42 496 C1.
A fundamental goal in designing a vehicle, for example, an automobile, is to make the vehicle as safe as possible, in particular, in the event of an accident, i.e., when the vehicle strikes an obstacle (=crash). Vehicle components (=vehicle front end) located, as viewed in the direction of travel, in front of the vehicle interior should as much as possible not intrude into the vehicle interior as a result of a crash in order to minimize the risk of injuring vehicle occupants due to the crash. In terms of the front wheels of the vehicle, a design for the wheel-guiding control arms is well-known, e.g., for the front wheels of the vehicle wherein the wheel is pivoted laterally outward in a so-called offset crash, where to this end a rear transverse control arm strut is longitudinally deformable, i.e., can be compressed, in an energy-absorbing manner.
A special case of an offset crash is a crash having only a small overlap, i.e., a crash with an obstacle that is narrow in relation to the width of the vehicle. Such a crash can be critical in particular if the obstacle intrudes into the vehicle front end without simultaneously impacting the actual crash structure of the vehicle, which is formed by an axle beam and an engine mount in the case of a conventional automobile. If this type of obstacle intrudes as the result of a crash into the space between a front axle beam and a front wheel of the vehicle (automobile), this could possibly affect the suspension of this wheel such that the wheel tends to be displaced toward the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle. This can lead to disadvantageous deformations in terms of intrusion into the vehicle interior. An appropriately positioned add-on part is proposed specifically for this situation in DE 10 2012 204 032 A1 for a front wheel suspension of a vehicle. The part is displaced in such a way by an impacting obstacle or another object due to the vehicle's hitting this obstacle that, as a result, at least one of the articulated linkages of the wheel-guiding control arm is opened or destroyed, thereby releasing the control arm relative to the axle beam or the wheel carrier. The result is that the wheel carried thereby can be diverted in the desired direction away from the vehicle interior.
The object of the invention is to provide a further advantageous measure by which a front wheel of a vehicle during a crash of the vehicle (or a rear wheel of a vehicle in a rear-end crash thereof) can be, as it were, partially released from the wheel-controlling element thereof, with the result that this wheel can move away in the desired fashion and not endanger the vehicle occupants.
This and other objects are achieved by a wheel carrier of a vehicle comprising a clamping seat connection to a suspension strut or the like, which connection is clamped by a bolt-type connection, wherein a lever structure is attached to this bolt-type connection on the clamping seat connection of the wheel carrier, from which structure an impact section projects such that an obstacle striking this impact section in a vehicle crash, or another object striking this impact section as caused by this obstacle, effects an at least partial release of the suspension strut in or from the clamping seat connection as a result of the impact.
A measure is provided by this invention by which the connection between the wheel carrier and a suspension strut or the like through which the vehicle body is supported on the wheel carrier, which for a conventional steerable front wheel is called the steering knuckle or swivel bearing, is released or at least loosened in the event of a corresponding crash of the vehicle with/against an obstacle. DE 10 2006 057 664 A1 can be cited, for example, as prior art for a (conventional) clamping seat connection between a suspension strut and a wheel carrier or swivel bearing that can be loosened in the event of a certain crash according to the invention. For example, a lever structure according to the invention can be provided under the head of the bolt depicted in this last-referenced publication, which structure functions by the approach according to the invention.
A preferred orientation of the lever structure is provided specifically partially into a free space, which is located further up and proves to be critical (between the wheel carrier and axle beam or the vehicle body) than this space located to the side of the already-present so-called crash structure of the vehicle. If, in an advantageous development, the lever structure according to the invention is appropriately supported by a so-called support section, for example, on the clamping seat connection of the wheel carrier, this lever structure can by way of this support use the force, acting through the crash against the obstacle or other referenced object in the best possible way, to loosen or at least partially loosen the bolt-type connection securing the clamping seat connection, e.g., whereby the head of the bolt of the referenced clamping seat connection is broken off due to this impact force acting on the impact section. The lever structure with this support will thus deform to a lesser degree due to the impact force from an obstacle or the like than without this support, and a physical leverage effect can be utilized in terms of the support point creating a rest pole in terms of the inventive action of the lever structure with lever arms extending from this point. The same applies for another possible design of action for the lever structure according to the invention whereby it is not the referenced bolt-type connection (of the clamping seat connection) that is loosened or released due to a force from a vehicle crash acting on the impact section of the structure; instead the lever structure produces appropriate damage to the suspension strut or the like attached to the referenced clamping seat connection and this also results in an at least partial release of the suspension strut from this clamping seat connection.
In addition, the lever structure can preferably project by the free end thereof opposite the attachment section, which is called the securing section of the lever structure, into a separation joint of the clamping seat. The result is that the structure effects a motion expanding this separation joint (and thus "leverages open" this separation joint) due to the impact of the obstacle or the referenced object against the impact section, thereby further enhancing the loosening or releasing of the referenced clamping seat connection. Even if this latter aspect cannot be realized, this embodiment can at least ensure that the lever structure is not deformed in unwanted fashion due to a force acting on the impact section thereof, but instead can properly perform the function assigned thereto.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Wheel carrier of a vehicle having a clamping seat connection to a suspension strut

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A method and system for reducing vascular plaque non-invasively comprising the steps of imaging at least a portion of a mammalian body to produce an image; determining the location of at least one vascular plaque in said image; ascertaining the location of the base of said vascular plaque, said location of base being the target location; precisely determining the relative position of said target location with respect to the cardiac rhythm in the body; delivering a beam of ultrasound energy waves from a source to the relative position to elevate temperature of said target location in a pre-determined manner; monitoring the temperature of the target location; and discontinuing delivery of ultrasound energy waves when said target location achieves a pre-determined set temperature.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It occurs due to the formation of plaques within the coronary arteries over time, leading to decreased blood flow to specific organs including brain and heart muscle. Under certain circumstances, this decreased blood flow can cause symptoms of transient ischemic attack, calf pain or angina. If the blockage of the arteries is more significant, it can lead to damage to the brain, legs or heart muscle itself and can be fatal.
One method of treatment of (cardio)vascular disease and avoidance of further tissue damage is through invasive elimination of the plaque. This is typically done through invasive surgery. An alternative approach is through balloon angioplasty, which involve accessing the vessels using catheterization. Arterial stents may also be placed during this procedure. When the nature of the plaque precludes treatment by angioplasty, the plaques may be bypassed by grafting new vessels around the areas of plaque during vascular or cardiac surgery procedure. In some patients, neither angioplasty nor bypass surgery is possible, such as when the advanced age or poor health of the patient precludes such treatments or when the plaque is not amenable to either therapy. In such cases, the patients must attempt to control the disease through medical management such as through the use of medication. Because the surgical treatment of arterial plaques is invasive, the treatment is associated with the risk on complications, and is not suitable for all patients, a less invasive method for reducing or eliminating plaque formations in the arteries is therefore needed.
Non-invasive methods for treatment of unwanted material in tissues and vessels, typically cardiac vessels have been suggested for instance in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,657,760, 5,590,657, and 5,524,620. However, these methods are not suitable for the reduction of plaques, let alone in the vascular system.
Hence, there is a need for an accurate, reliable system for obviating and reducing vascular plaques with a planned and controlled treatment therapy.


This invention relates to a method for immobilizing cells under laminar flow conditions in a matrix formed by biocompatible charged polymers, to a flow device for the use with the method of the present invention, and to uses of the polymer matrices containing the cells immobilized using the method of the present invention.

Tissues in vivo have highly organized complex three-dimensional structures that comprise of heterogeneous cell populations and extra-cellular matrix (ECM). In mammals, the ECM can surround cells as fibrils, tubes and channels that contact the cells on all sides, or as a sheet called the basement membrane that cells 'sit on'. The ECM is normally composed of proteins and polysaccharides to provide mechanical support and a biochemical barrier. A modified form of ECM, for example, appears in the form of bone. Research has shown that the functioning of cells is very much influenced by cell extracellular matrix. Some cells can only grow and prolong their cell survival in co-cultures of different cell types. However, co-cultures have been limited by the inability to manipulate or control the interaction of the different cells in the culture due to the lack of a suitable matrix for these cells.
Thus, because of the importance of a matrix for cell growth, it is a major goal of tissue engineering to recreate ECM structures that better mimic this matrix surrounding the cells in vivo, in particular to mimic the matrix of in vivo tissue.
The application of microtechnology in tissue engineering, which include micromachining, photolithography and sort lithography, has allowed the patterning of cells in size scales of micrometers relevant to the matrix of tissues. However, most work demonstrated previously was in creating two-dimensional patterns of single cells or multiple cell types, and few of three-dimensional patterning in which different layers are stacked one above the other to create an in vivo like three-dimensional structure for cells.
Wei Tan, M. S. and T. A. Desai (Biomaterials, 2004, Vol. 25, P. 1355-1364) describe reconstituted biopolymer matrices for the creation of three-dimensional patterns inside channels. Layer by layer micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) via cell-matrix contraction has allowed the deposition of heterotypic cell layers in z-dimensions. Thereby, the biopolymer matrix is immobilized on the surface by binding the biopolymer matrix via a chemical linker to the surface of the carrier. However, this approach is limited to the patterning of one cell layer at a time and lacks precise control of the matrix surrounding the live cells.
In another approach of the same authors (Wei Tan, M. S. and T. A. Desai, Tissue Engineering, 2003, Vol. 9, No. 2, P. 255-267) native collagen and mixtures of collagen with chitosan or collagen, chitosan and fibronectin were used to create matrices for embedding human lung fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells therein. Gelation took place in channels coated with BSA in which the polymer-cell mixture was pumped. However, long gelation times and missing means to control the gelation limit the use of this method in creating ECM like structures.
Another approach is the three-dimensional photolithography of hydrogels containing living cells (Liu and Bhatia, Biomedical Devices 2002, Vol. 4(4), P. 257-266). However, the cell toxicity of the photoinitiatior employed in photopolymerization is a major problem of this method.
Since the functionality of some kind of cells and the ability to grow depends to a great extent on the matrix surrounding the cell, there is still a need of effective systems for creating such matrices for different cell species.

Immobilization of cells in a matrix formed by biocompatible charged polymers under laminar flow conditions

Agency for Science Technology & Research


A branched eyelash extension is described. In one aspect, the eyelash extension is a vertically branched/stacked eyelash extension that includes a first filament having both a first proximal end and a first distal end and a second filament having both a second proximal end and a second distal end. The proximal end of the second filament is attached on top of or below the proximal end of the first filament, such that they are collectively a vertically branched/stacked eyelash extension. In another aspect, the eyelash extension includes branches in a side-by-side configuration. In this aspect, the proximal end of the second filament is attached to the side of the proximal end of the first filament, such that they are collectively a branched eyelash extension in a side-by-side configuration.

(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates to false eyelashes and, more particularly, to branched eyelash extensions that are branched by being attached with one another in a vertically-stacked manner or in a side-by-side manner.
(2) Description of Related Art
Beauty products have long been known in the art. Users, women in particular, have sought a variety of beauty products to enhance their aesthetic appearance. For example, blush is often used to add color to a woman's cheeks. As another example, lipstick is traditionally used to add a variety of colors and features to a user's lips. To enhance the appearance of a user's eyelashes, the user often applies mascara. Mascara is applied to the user's eyelashes to both thicken and bring color to the eyelashes.
As an alternative to mascara, a user can apply adhesive-backed false eyelashes. The adhesive-backed false eyelashes typically consist of a tape-like material with a plurality of eyelashes affixed thereto. The tape-like material can be applied to the user's eyelid to add the appearance of thick and full eyelashes.
A problem with adhesive-backed false eyelashes is that they typically do not look natural and because of their bulk, cannot be worn comfortably for extended periods of time.
Therefore, there is a continuing need for eyelash extensions that look natural and that can be worn comfortably for extended periods of time. Further traditional eyelash extensions are provided as single eyelashes. Although single eyelash extensions are viable, it may be desirable in some aspects to provide fuller eyelashes. Thus, a continuing need exists for eyelash extensions that provided added fullness.


A simple, reliable and effective apparatus for assisting a golfer in improving their putting stroke is disclosed. The apparatus includes a guide attachable to the waist of the golfer and an extension attachable to the putter grip. The guide includes a narrow slot which is horizontally oriented when the guide is attached to the waist of the golfer. The extension includes a top end which terminates in a thin, wide guide member which slides in the slot of the guide. The extension is preferably a longitudinal section of a cylinder which will clip over the putter grip. The putter grip is preferably covered with the loop portion of a hook and loop fastener. A strip of hook fastener is bonded to the extension so that the hooks engage the loops when the grip of the putter is forced into the bight of the extension. This provides a strong effective attachment. The advantage of the apparatus is that it provides a reliable guide which permits the user to relax and learn the motions required for an ideal putting stroke. The same principle of attachment can also be used to provide an extension for use with a normal length putter in pendulum stroke putting.

Golfing is a popular sport which is now played throughout the world. Putting has been recognized as one of the most difficult aspects of the game and accounts for nearly half of a golfer's score. It is generally recognized that putting causes more anxiety among golfers than any other aspect of the game. While most approach shots offer an opportunity of recovery, every missed putt adds a stroke to the score and no amount of skillful follow up can change that. The following statistics collected from PGA tour professional scores during tournament play indicate the difficulty which putting poses:
______________________________________ Length of Putt Successful Putts ______________________________________ 6 feet 45-55% 10 feet 15-30% 15 feet 10-22% 20 feet 6-16% 25+ feet 10% ______________________________________
For putts over 25 feet, the percentage of success declines as the length of the putt increases.
When professionals who practice constantly have so little success at putting, it is no wonder that ordinary golfers often consider putting a frustrating exercise. The following patents are known to relate to various inventions directed to improving golfers' performance:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,188,086--Parmley
U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,690--Goranson et al
U.S. Pat. No. 2,132,219--Pirie
U.S. Pat. No. 1,616,377--Knight
U.S. Pat. No. 1,561,349--Murphy et al
U.S. Pat. No. 1,618,638--Coles
U.S. Pat. No. 1,684,192--Nemeth
U.S. Pat. No. 2,706,635--Thomas
U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,323--Kozub
G.B. 522,814--Cottingham
The applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,240 which issued Nov. 14, 1989 also relates to an apparatus for improving a golfer's putting stroke. While this apparatus represents an advance in the art, subsequent experimentation and experience has shown that the apparatus can be further improved.
It is a well known principle that the shaft length of a putter should enable a golfer's arms to hang comfortably when their eyes are directly over the ball. If the putter is too short, the golfer will stand too close to the ball and their eyes will be outside a target line which lies under the center of the ball. If the putter shaft is too long, it forces the golfer away from the ball and their eyes are inside the target line.
There are three principal factors which affect the mechanics of putting. Those factors include:
1) Putter Path. The proper path for the putter is a straight back and straight forward stroke along the target line. Any deviation from the target line at the impact zone will transmit into a deviation in the roll of the ball. On a 10' (3.3 m) putt, striking the ball with a putter moving five degrees off line results in missing the cup by 2" (5 cm). Although most beginners cannot detect five degrees of misalignment at the impact zone, the results are noticeably detectable.
2) Face Angle. When a putter impacts a golf ball, the face of the putter must be at right angles to the target line. If the face of the putter is not square to the target line, 90% of the deviation is translated into a deviation in the roll of the ball. For a 10' (3.3 m)putt, if the face of the putter is skewed by five degrees, the ball will miss the hole by about 9" (22.5 cm).
3) Impact Point. For every putter, there is an ideal point of impact on the face of the putter. This point is commonly referred to as the "sweet spot". If a stroke misses the "sweet spot" by a quarter of an inch (0.6 cm), 95% of the error is transferred to the movement of the ball. That error translation is enough to cause the ball to miss the cup on any putt which is more than 8' (2.6 m) in length. The farther away from the impact zone that the ball is struck, the more deviation is translated to the path of the ball.
Most golfers, especially beginning golfers, find it difficult if not impossible to coordinate the putter path, the face angle, and the impact point while attempting to judge the required force to sink a putt. As a result, many golfers find putting a frustrating and unsatisfying activity which is never fully mastered. There therefore exists a need for a simple apparatus which permits a golfer to concentrate on the best target line and the speed of a green while his or her body "learns" the muscle movements required to control putter path, face angle and impact point.
A recent development in golf putting is the use of extra long putters (up to 52" (132 cm)) in a technique known as the "pendulum stroke". The pendulum stroke involves gripping the top of a long putter shaft in one hand steadied against the chest and swinging the putter in a pendulum action with the other hand. This is believed to lessen the control required of the short muscles in the wrists and hands for a traditional putting stroke.
One problem with extra long putters is that they do not fit properly into a golf bag. Such putters are therefore difficult to handle when not in play. Telescoping putter shafts have been developed to overcome this problem but telescoping shafts are expensive to manufacture and unstable if not well made. There therefore exists a need for an inexpensive removable extension for use with a putter of normal length which permits the putter to be used for pendulum stroke putting.

Apparatus for improving a golfer's putting stroke


A figure processing method and a figure processing apparatus having a function to automatically display suitable ruling lines for drafting and editing a figure by utilizing a display screen are disclosed. The method and the apparatus determine sort of displaying ruled lines such as lattice, circle and rectangle in relation to shape of a subjected figure and also a figure constructing procedure, and determine coordinates of an adequate datum point of the ruled lines on the display screen depending upon the shape of the subjected figure, then display configuration of the ruling lines on the display screen relying on coordinates of the datum point. The method and apparatus acquire coordinates of a point designated by an operator and modify the coordinates of the designated point relying on the ruling lines, then perform the figure constructing procedure on the figure relying of the modified coordinates of the designated point.

In general, there have been known such a figure processing apparatus and a method that a figure is drafted and edited in response to an instruction issued from an operator with operating a mouse or the like, while observing the figure displayed on a display. When the figure is formed by way of the above-explained apparatus and method, figure processings such as a parallel displacement, a rotation, a mirror-image inversion, a duplication, an erasing and a zooming operation must be carried out with respect to the figure displayed on the display. These figure processings may require to move the figure shown in the display to a desirable position, to designate a side or a radius of the figure, and to modify it to a desirable length. However, it is difficult that the operator visually and correctly measures a distance and a position on a display screen. It is also difficult to make a pointing device such as a mouse coincident with a desirable pixel, because the operator may move his hand. As described above, it is so difficult for the operator to correctly designate a point, a position and a length on a screen of a display.
Therefore, most of the drafting or figure processing apparatuses aided by display devices own a function to display square latticed rules on the screens and also to correct the position pointed out by the pointer on the display screen to a cross point of the lattice or a point on the lattice line in order to aid the position designation for accepting such demands.
The operators who employ such a figure processing apparatus, can readily determine a correct position by designating an adjoining position of a target lattice point or lattice line, instead of pointing the exact point on the display.
Some of these figure processing apparatuses own a function capable of modifying an interval of the lattice lines, a gradient thereof, and a datum position by the operator.
However, since the conventional figure processing apparatuses can display only the square latticed rules, it is impossible to determine correct lengths when the lines cross each other not at a right angle. Also, since it is not easy to modify an attribute of the ruled lattice in the conventional figure processing apparatuses, it is difficult to locate a lattice point of the rules on the center of the circle for correctly modifying the center and radius of the circle based on the rules. Also, in case that the figure is desirable to be moved in a proper direction, it is difficult to make the gradient of the latticed rules coincident with the desirable direction for relying to move the figure on the rules.
For instance, if a designation is made of a point which is separated from a certain point by a predetermined distance, relying on the square latticed rules, this distance cannot be correctly determined unless two points are located on the same lattice line and the distance between these two points is equal to a value obtained by multiplying the interval of the lattice lines by a certain integer number. If a straight line is drawn no in parallel to the ruled lines, there are many cases that a length and a position can be hardly, correctly determined.
Also when a radius of a circle is designated, it is difficult to establish a correct designation unless the center of the circle is coincident with the latticed point.
As previously explained, the optimum shapes of the rules, optimum intervals thereof and optimum positions thereof should be determined based upon the sorts and target amounts of the processing operations to be executed, and there are some cases that the squared latticed rules impede the correct position designation.
It is so desirable that the display displays only such ruled lines as to be utilized when an operator performs an operation. For instance, if a distance is designated by using a lattice interval as a unit, a selectable point for the figure processing is included in the points on the lattice line which passes through the datum point used to measure the distance.
However, in accordance with the conventional figure processing apparatuses, since a large quantity of unnecessary points are displayed, there are higher probabilities that erroneous designation may happen to occur, because an operator moves his hand and causes visual errors.
Furthermore, there are some cases that no point is present t be designated by the operator in the latticed rules, when a radius cannot be designated unless a gradient of the latticed rules is modified because a lattice point indicative of the radius scales out from the display, or when a designation is made based on an angle.
Furthermore, there is only one sort of latticed rules which can be used at the same time. If the position, interval and angle of the latticed rules being displayed, are not suitable, the attributes of the rules must be changed. For example, in case that a plurality of ruled lines are alternately used, the attributes of the ruled lines must be changed every time. An operator must give up an operability of the conventional figure processing apparatus and a correct positional designation thereof, and thus he must continue to use the same ruled lines, or he endures such a cumbersome operation that the attributes are repeatedly changed.
Also, a ruled line is formed using a coordinate of at least one datum point as a reference point. For instance, latticed rules are formed so that coordinates of two datum points are used for opposite points of the unit lattice, whereas concentric ruled lines are formed and displayed in dot lines with a predetermined interval so that the center point is located at a coordinate of a datum point. To perform an enlarging process or a compressing process with respect to a figure drafted on a display screen with displaying an arbitrary ruled line thereon, there are some cases to easily draft a correct figure by substituting the presently displayed ruled lines by suitable ruled lines for an individual process.
For instance, when a circular figure is enlarged or reduced with fixing the center, it is preferable to use concentric ruled lines whose datum points are the center of the circular figure. However, it is difficult to designate the correct coordinate of this datum point with reference to the ordinary latticed rules and the displayed circular figure.

Figure processing apparatus and method aided by display with ruled lines


An economical X-ray apparatus that allows a rapid exposure of comparatively large-format digital X-ray images has an exposure unit, with which a predetermined surface segment of an exposure plane can be exposed with X-ray radiation, and a digital X-ray detector that is moved in the exposure plane, with the X-ray detector being continuously periodically driven.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an X-ray apparatus of the type having an exposure unit by means of which a predetermined surface segment of an exposure plane can be exposed using X-ray radiation, and having a digital X-ray detector that can be moved in the exposure plane.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For years, most of the imaging examination methods used in medical technology have been based on X-ray images. In recent years, digital imaging techniques have increasingly become established, in place of conventional radiography based on photographic films. These digital techniques have the considerable advantage that the development of film, which is time-consuming, is not required. Rather, the image preparation takes place by means of electronic image processing. The image is therefore available immediately after the exposure. In addition, digital X-ray exposure techniques offer the advantage of improved image quality and possibilities for subsequent electronic image processing, as well as the possibility of a dynamic examination, i.e., the recording of moving X-ray images.
The digital X-ray exposure techniques that are conventionally used include systems known as image amplifier camera systems, based on television or CCD cameras, storage film or foil systems having an integrated or external readout unit, systems with optical coupling of a converter film to CCD cameras or a CMOS chip, selenium-based detectors with electrostatic readout, and solid-state detectors having active readout matrices with direct or indirect conversion of the X-ray radiation.
In particular, for the past several years solid-state detectors have been in development for digital X-ray imaging. These detectors are based on active readout matrices, made for example of amorphous silicon (a-Si), coated with an X-ray converter layer or scintillator layer, made of, for example, cesium iodide. The incident X-ray radiation is converted in the X-ray converter layer into visible light, which is converted into an electrical charge in photodiodes of the readout matrix, and stored in spatially-resolved fashion. Related technologies likewise use an active readout matrix made of amorphous silicon, but in combination with an X-ray converter (e.g. selenium) that converts the incident X-ray radiation directly into an electrical charge. This charge is then stored in spatially-resolved fashion on an electrode of the readout matrix. The stored charge is subsequently read out electronically via an active switching element, is converted into digital signals, and is sent to an electronic image processing system.
The basis of these solid-state detectors is conventionally semiconductor substrates (or semiconductor "plates"), as are produced in large quantities for consumer electronics applications, in particular for thin-film transistor display screens. Generally, however, such a semiconductor substrate manufactured for consumer electronics has only comparatively small dimensions (typically approximately 20×20 cm), which is often insufficient for medical applications. The manufacture of large-format semiconductor substrates, which would be suitable specifically for the sizes required in medical applications, is hardly possible at reasonable cost due to the relatively small piece counts involved. For X-ray detectors, it is therefore standard to cut a number of conventional semiconductor substrates and to glue them together to form a large substrate. This production method is still very complicated and therefore expensive.
German OS 38 25 703 discloses an X-ray apparatus having a strip-shaped digital detector element that is moved in linear fashion over the surface to be scanned during the exposure. After each shifting of the detector element, a partial image is recorded. The partial images are subsequently added together to form an overall image in an evaluation circuit.
Conventionally, in such a method the X-ray detector is moved in step-by-step fashion through the imaged surface (irradiated area). A disadvantage of this is that a considerable period of time is required for the detector to scan the entire imaged surface. In medical applications in particular, a short exposure time is often an essential criterion, especially since the patient under examination must generally hold himself or herself motionless for the duration of the exposure in order to avoid blurring of the image contours.

X-ray imaging apparatus with continuous, periodic movement of the radiation detector in the exposure plane


A digital imaging method of analyzing pixel data of an image of a user's body for determining a user-specific trapped hair value before removing hair is disclosed. The digital imaging method includes: aggregating training images of respective individuals' bodies before removing hair; training, using the pixel data of the training images, a trapped hair model to determine trapped hair values associated with a trapped hair scale ranging from least trapped hair to most trapped hair; receiving an image of a user's body before removing hair; analyzing the user image using the trapped hair model to determine a user-specific trapped hair value; generating a user-specific electronic recommendation designed to address a feature identifiable within the pixel data of the user's body based on the user-specific trapped hair value; and rendering the recommendation on a display screen of a user computing device.

Generally, individuals today who wish to remove hair from various areas of their bodies have the option of using many different hair removal methods, including shaving using a wet razor, shaving using a dry shaver, epilators, waxes, and other methods. In some instances, the use of each of these methods of hair removal can cause hair to become trapped or ingrown. Variations in individuals' expertise levels with different hair removal methods, sensitivity levels and skin types, as well as variations in areas of the body where each individual is removing hair and variations in users' individual techniques as they use these hair removal methods lead to varying rates or severity of these trapped or ingrown hairs for each of these methods between individuals. That is, one user may often develop trapped or ingrown hairs before using a wet razor to remove hair, while another user using the same wet razor may remove hair with fewer (or no) trapped or ingrown hair. Trapped and ingrown hair can be painful and irritating for users, can be cosmetically embarrassing, and, importantly, can cause an amplification of skin problems such as irritation and damage when the user next comes to remove hair.
Thus, a problem arises for existing hair removal methods, and the use thereof, where individuals knowingly or unknowingly utilize hair removal methods that cause high rates or severity of trapped or ingrown hair for their specific sensitivity level, skin type, etc., while other hair removal methods are better suited for their specific needs and cause lower rates or severity of trapped or ingrown hair for their specific sensitivity level, skin type, etc. As one example, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is an extreme form of trapped hairs that particularly affects the skin of Black individuals, generally due to the curved nature of the hair follicle, and can be a challenge for affected individuals when using certain hair removal methods, such as shaving. The problem is acutely pronounced given the various versions, brands, and types of hair removal methods currently available to individuals, where each of these different versions, brands, and types of hair removal methods have different ingredients, components, blades, sharpness, and/or otherwise different configurations, all of which can affect rates or severity of trapped or ingrown hair for users having varying sensitivity levels, skin types, and techniques, as well as for expertise levels in using the products and varying areas of the body where each individual is removing hair. These problems are particularly acute because such existing hair removal methods provide little or no feedback or guidance to assist the individual in determining which methods of hair removal increase or decrease rates or severity of trapped or ingrown hair for a particular user, or in comparing rates or severity of trapped or ingrown hair between methods.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for digital imaging systems and methods for analyzing pixel data of an image of a user's body before removing hair for determining a user-specific trapped hair value.

Digital imaging systems and methods of analyzing pixel data of an image of a user's body before removing hair for determining a user-specific trapped hair value


An epitaxial wafer for a light-emitting device has a double hetero-structure and includes a single-crystal substrate, a lower cladding layer of AlGaN grown on the substrate, an active layer grown on the lower cladding layer, the active layer having a two-phase structure comprised of a matrix of Al.sub.x Ga.sub.y In.sub.z N and crystallets of Al.sub.a Ga.sub.b In.sub.c N, and an upper cladding layer of AlGaN grown on the active layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an epitaxial wafer for a short-wavelength light-emitting device such as a blue or green visible light-emitting device and to a light-emitting device using the wafer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Group II-VI compounds such as zinc selenide (ZnSe) are already known as the wide-band gap semiconductors which can radiate blue and green light. Visible short-wavelength light is also known to be emitted from III-V compound semiconductors, such as gallium phosphide (GaP) and aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP) mixed-crystal. Recent optical device technology, however, employs group III nitride compound semiconductors such as aluminum gallium indium nitride mixed-crystal generally represented by the formula Al.sub.x Ga.sub.y In.sub.z N (x+y+z=1, 0.ltoreq.x, y, z.ltoreq.1) (J. Appl. Phys., 76 (12) (1994), pp 8189-8191). Group III nitride semiconductors which include a group V element such as arsenic or phosphorus in addition to nitrogen are also coming into use (JP-A-HEI 4-192585 and JP-A-HEI 4-236477). In particular, gallium indium nitride mixed-crystal (Ga.sub.y In.sub.z N) is attracting attention as a material for constituting an active layer that emits blue or green light (JP-B-SHO 55-3834). The gallium indium nitride mixed-crystal (Ga.sub.y In.sub.z N) has been actually used as active layer for blue (450 nm) and green (525 nm) LED (Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 34 (Part 2 No. 7A) (1995), pp L797-L799).
In general, the emission portion of these light-emitting devices normally have a double hetero-structure (Appl. Phys. Lett., 64 (13) (1994), pp 1687-1689). FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional blue LED equipped with an emission portion comprised of a pn junction type double hetero-structure (J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A, 13 (3) (1995), pp 705-710). The LED is constructed from a sapphire (.alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 single-crystal) substrate 101 with a (0001) orientation (c face), a low-temperature buffer layer 102 of gallium nitride (GaN), a silicon-doped n-type lower cladding layer 103 of aluminum gallium nitride mixed-crystal (Al.sub.0.15 Ga.sub.0.85 N) a silicon-and/or zinc-doped n-type active layer 104 of gallium indium nitride mixed-crystal (Ga.sub.0.94 In.sub.0.06 N), a magnesium-doped p-type upper cladding layer 105 of aluminum gallium nitride mixed-crystal (Al.sub.0.15 Ga.sub.0.85 N), and a magnesium-doped p-type contact layer 106 of gallium nitride. Reference numerals 110 and 111 denote electrodes. The LED has a double hetero-structure light-emission portion 107 comprised by the lower cladding layer 103, active layer 104 and upper cladding layer 105. A double hetero-structure is equipped to confine both of electrons and holes transferred from n-type cladding layer in the active layer.
To get blue emission, it has been necessary to raise the indium composition in the mixed-crystal to 0.20. Similarly to this, more larger indium composition about 0.45 has been required to get green light emission. The metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MO-CVD) method has the advantage of the controllability of composition. Many difficulties, however, are involved to form gallium indium nitride with a high indium composition. For example, gallium indium nitride with a high indium composition requires the growth at a lower growth temperature (Appl. Phys. Lett., 59 (1991), pp 2251-2253). The MO-CVD growth of Ga.sub.0.55 In.sub.0.45 N, for instance, has been done around 500.degree. C. On the other hand, it is known that MO-CVD growth at a lower temperature in the order of 500.degree. C. results in gallium indium nitride with a degraded crystallinity. In the MO-CVD growth of gallium indium nitride at a lower temperature, droplets of indium or gallium are produced due to the difference in the thermal composition efficiency between group III and V source materials. The droplets are not always distributed homogeneously, resulting in poor surface morphology. A gallium indium nitride mixed-crystal grown at a low temperature can therefore not generate high-intensity luminescence because of poor crystallinity and surface morphology.
It is reported that gallium indium nitride epitaxial layer with excellent crystallinity is obtained only under the limited growth temperature and growth rate (JP-A-HEI 6-209122). Furthermore, the following technical problems prevent the growth of homogeneous gallium indium nitride epitaxial layer.
(i) Owing to an intense immiscibility of GaN and InN, phase separation is readily caused by heating during GaInN epitaxial growth or thereafter, PA1 (ii) Owing to characteristic tendency of indium to diffuse and condense into crystalline defects and stressed region, epitaxial growth conditions for GaInN with excellent crystallinity are limited to an extremely narrow range.
Due to the difficulties to obtain gallium indium nitride having excellent crystallinity applicable enough to the active layer, conventional light-emitting devices cannot reproductively emit high-intense blue or green light enough to meet the needs of the market. A further problem is that emission wavelengths can vary depending on the voltage applied to the light-emitting device, producing secondary emission spectra that adversely affect emission monochromaticity. The full width at half minimum (FWHM) of the emission spectra of the main emission spectrum that indicates monochromaticity is improved if the thickness of the active layer is decreased. The decrease in thickness, however, lowers emission power with undesirable secondary spectra still remaining.
An object of the present invention is to form a double hetero-structure using an epitaxial layer of gallium indium nitride mixed-crystal having good crystallinity with a relatively low indium concentration to provide a blue or green short wavelength light-emitting device that exhibits good monochromaticity and high emission power and an epitaxial wafer for the light-emitting device.

Epitaxial wafer device including an active layer having a two-phase structure and light-emitting device using the wafer


A small-size, thin-profile vibration generating device capable of functioning with improved durability and reliability and with less consumption of power includes a yoke constituting an electromagnet on which a coil has been wound, and a movable element having permanent magnets. The movable element is disposed in a gap, which is provided in the closed magnetic circuit of the yoke, in such a manner that both end faces of the movable element form prescribed gaps with end faces of the yoke. The movable end of a leaf spring is attached to the movable element. The other, fixed end of the leaf spring is attached to the center of the yoke. When the movable element vibrates in the gap, magnetic poles at the end faces of the yoke approached by the end faces of the movable element are magnetically energized by flow of a current in order to be made identical with magnetic poles at the end faces of the movable element, thereby repelling the movable element. The result is that vibration is produced at a prescribed oscillation frequency.

This invention relates to a vibration generating device.
A portable device such as a portable telephone which functions as the terminal of a mobile communications device can be made to notify the user of an incoming call by emitting a ringing tone. An alternative, however, is to house a vibrator within the portable device itself or within an accessory thereof and cause the vibrator to vibrate so as to make the user sense the incoming call physically.
A vibration generating device of this kind according to the prior art is as shown in FIG. 4. The device includes a small pencil-shaped motor 80 having a rotary shaft 81 to which a weight 83 is eccentrically attached. Rotating the weight 83 causes the device to vibrate.
A vibration generating device having components mounted more densely than in the device described above is illustrated in FIG. 5. This device includes a permanent magnet 91 arranged in the form of a ring, three coils 97 freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 93 above the permanent magnet 91, and a weight 98 eccentrically attached to the coils 97. Rotating the coils 97 causes the device to vibrate.
In both of the vibration generating devices described above, the method of generating vibration relies upon resonance of the case produced by transmitting to the case the vibration of the rotating shaft caused by the eccentric vibration of a motor. As a consequence, the bearing portion of the motor shaft is acted upon by an excessively large force, which gives rise to problems in terms of the durability and reliability of the vibration generating device.
Since the motor must rotate constantly while vibration is being produced, a current must be passed through the motor during vibration. The result is increased consumption of the battery serving as the power supply of the vibration generating device.
Further, the smaller the motor is made, the less vibrational energy produced. This makes it necessary to enlarge the current flow. This, however, is accompanied by the evolution of heat.


The invention is an improved noise-making device using a piezoelectric transducer where electrical circuit components are mounted directly on the transducer itself rather than being mounted on a separate printed circuit board. Directly mounting the components eliminates the need for a separate circuit board and eliminates a third terminal from a three-terminal device. As a result, the entire device requires less material and labor, and is therefore less expensive. The elimination of the circuit board also can contribute to a reduction in size of the noise-making device.

The present invention relates to a transducer for a noise-making device used to provide audible alarms in a wide variety of devices including, for example, smoke detectors and medical equipment. Such devices can use a piezoelectric transducer and associated circuitry as a noise-making device. The transducer bends in response to an applied voltage. If an oscillating voltage is applied to the transducer at an appropriate rate, the flexing of the transducer produces an audible sound of substantial volume. An associated electrical circuit is used to apply the oscillatory voltage signal to the transducer.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,129, "Piezoelectric Transducer and Noise Making Device Utilizing Same," is incorporated by reference herein and describes an alarm device using a piezoelectric transducer. That patent shows a self-oscillating transducer employing a feedback circuit and requiring three external electrical connections (T.sub.1, T.sub.2, and T.sub.3) between the circuit and the transducer. U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,726, "Audible Alarm Unit," incorporated by reference herein, shows an audible alarm using a piezoelectric transducer, and having a separate printed circuit board 16 carrying the components of the electrical circuit used to operate the transducer. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the housing must be large enough to accommodate the transducer, the printed circuit board, and the electrical components.
Using a printed circuit board adds to the cost of material and labor. The board also inherently prevents the alarm unit from being further reduced in size. Both disadvantages are significant, since the applications of these alarm units require that they be as inexpensive as possible, and also frequently require them to be as small as possible, while still preserving the desired alarm characteristic.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a transducer and electrical circuit assembly which greatly reduces the cost of material and labor in manufacturing an alarm by eliminating the use of a printed circuit board and the necessary external third terminal normally required in a self-oscillating piezoelectric transducer when using a separate, external circuit board.

Piezoelectric transducer having directly mounted electrical components and noise making device utilizing same


The present invention discloses a liquid-crystal display screen with touch-control function and a manufacturing method thereof and an electronic apparatus. The liquid-crystal display screen includes a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode, which are included in a common electrode in display electrodes of the liquid-crystal display screen, and are connected to a touch detection unit. Furthermore, the touch detection unit and a display control unit operate in a timesharing manner. In this way, in the touch-control display screen, the common electrode may also be used as an electrode for detecting a touch on the touch-control display screen, and the structure of the display screen is simplified. Moreover, the touch-control display screen has a better light transmittance and the detecting for the touch and the control for the display may not interact with each other.

With the development of the touch-control display technology, capacitive touch-control display screens have been applied more and more widely. The touch-control display screen of the existing electronic apparatus generally includes a display layer and a touch sensing layer. The display layer includes electrodes, such as a pixel electrode, a common electrode and a thin film transistor (TFT) array, for implementing a liquid-crystal display. The touch sensing layer includes an electrode for detecting a touch on the touch-control display screen. Generally, the touch sensing layer and the display layer are stacked from the top (the external surface direction of the electronic apparatus) to bottom of the touch-control display screen, so that the touch-control display function is implemented.

Liquid-crystal display screen with touch-control function and manufacturing method thereof and electronic apparatus


Application services gateways that execute electronic application programs/services allows the application programs/services to be managed and administered out of a network rather than locally. The application services gateways are elements in a services delivery system that execute application programs/services that control or otherwise interact with systems and devices of a home or business such as a heating and cooling system or a security system. The application services gateways have a LAN connection to a communication gateway that in turn communicates over a WAN to a remote services gateway. The remote services gateway channels data from a remote service platform to provide application programs/services and management services over the WAN to the communications gateway where it is then channeled to the application services gateways. The installation and management of the application programs/services residing and/or being executed at the local site on the application services gateways relieves the consumer of such responsibilities.

Electronic application programs are used within a home or business for many reasons to assist people in their lives by establishing particular services. As such, the applications programs and the services they provide may be referred to collectively as application programs/services. For example, a personal computer may contain many application programs establishing services that allow an individual to interface with the computer to perform various tasks such as word processing, electronic mail, and scheduling. As more devices within a home or business are becoming electronic, the variety of application programs/services that work in conjunction with these devices is greatly expanding. Application programs/services now extend beyond those typically found on a personal computer that are focused on interaction with the user. For example, application programs/services now exist to provide customized control of security systems, heating and cooling systems, household appliances, and various other systems and devices.
Typically for personal computers, consumers are responsible for the management of the application programs/services such as installing, configuring, and executing the desired application programs/services. However, as the number and complexity of application programs/services affecting one's life increases in conjunction with the number of systems and devices that utilize application programs/services, consumers are less capable of the management responsibilities. Tasks such as acquiring, installing, configuring, monitoring, and/or updating application programs/services are undesirable or even impossible for the consumer since they may be complicated and time consuming. Therefore, consumers generally prefer to avoid these tasks and prefer that someone else be responsible for the management of application programs/services.
To manage application programs/services without the consumer being responsible typically requires that a technician perform the necessary tasks. The application programs/services for an individual may often be local such that the application program/service itself resides in electronic or magnetic memory and is executed at the location where the effects of the application program/service are to occur. For example, the application programs/services controlling or otherwise interacting with a heating and cooling system or a security system are typically located and executed at the residence where the heating and cooling system or security system is located. This avoids potential communication problems between the application program/service and the systems that might jeopardize their operation. However, a technician must visit the residence where the application program/service is to reside to manage the application program/service, including the initial installation of the program/service and subsequent updates of the program/service. This is an inconvenience to both the technician and the consumer, and may result in unsatisfactory management of the application programs/services.
Additionally, specialized and dedicated hardware is often required at the local site to run each of the application programs/services. Because the amount of resources provided by the hardware affects its cost, it may be desirable to keep the hardware costs low by utilizing hardware with limited resources to execute one or more of the application programs/services. Due to limited resources, the hardware may not be capable of simultaneously accommodating every possible application program/service and version that may be needed by a consumer. Thus, application programs/services may need to be repetitiously installed and removed or replaced with a newer version so that the hardware has access to an application program/service needed at any given time. This further aggravates the installation and management issues for application programs/services at the local site.


A printed circuit board package structure includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a ring-shaped magnetic element, an adhesive layer, conductive portions and conductive channels. The first and second surfaces respectively have first and second metal portions. A ring-shaped concave portion is formed on a position not covered by the first metal portions of the first surface. The ring-shaped magnetic element is placed in the ring-shaped concave portion. The adhesive layer covers the first metal portions and the ring-shaped magnetic element. The conductive portions are formed on the adhesive layer. The conductive channels penetrate the conductive portions, the adhesive layer, and the substrate, and are respectively located in an inner wall and outside an outer wall of the ring-shaped concave portion. Each of the conductive channels includes a conductive film electrically connects to the aligned conductive portion and second metal portion.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a printed circuit board package structure and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, during the manufacturing processes of the circuit boards, specific elements are required to be located into a predetermined containing groove of the circuit board, such as the cooling cooper block and the cooling iron core. The iron core can be applied into the structure of the transformer or the structure of the power choke since the iron core is with magnetism. Because the magnetic elements are very sensitive to the stress, the electrical characteristics of the magnetic elements may be degraded or damaged due to the environmental stress; both the conventional manufacturing processes and package structures would lead to the stress which impacts the inductance value.
Conventional circuit boards are package structures with four layers, and the circuit boards use the Copper Clad Laminate (CCL) as the substrates, where both the front side and the back side of a CCL are covered by cooper. When making the four-layer circuit board, firstly the cooper on the front side of the substrate is patterned, and then the forming machine is used to form a containing groove at the front side of the substrate. Then all the copper on the back side of the substrate is removed by etching, and the iron core is placed into the containing groove. After that the containing groove is then filled by adhesive, and the copper foil then is laminated on both the front side and back side of the substrate. Between the copper foil and the substrate, the glass fiber (FR4) or polypropylene (PP) is used as the adhesive layer. Next, by the manufacturing processes such as drilling holes, coopering on the surface of the holes, and filling the epoxy resin, the channel (via) for conducting the cooper foil on the both front side and back side of the substrate is formed. Thereafter, the cooper foil on the both front side and back side are patterned, and, at both the front side and back side of the substrate, the epoxy resin is used to cover the patterned copper foil and the adhesive layer.
However, before laminating the copper foil on the back side of the substrate, all the cooper on the back side of the CCL is needed to be removed by etching, resulting in the waste of both the material and the cost of the process time, and the thickness of the copper foil is smaller than the copper on the back side of the substrate, thereby reducing the structure strength of the four-layer circuit board and leading to the stress which impacts the inductance value.
In addition, later when the circuit board is under the process of Surface Mount Technology (SMT), in the IR Reflow, the gas at the containing groove easily expands due to the high temperature, thereby leading to the adhesive layer and the epoxy resin covered on the substrate be damaged; unless the adhesive with high quality is used, but if designers do so, the usage of the high quality adhesive will result in the increasing cost. On the other hand, the material of the substrate is glass fiber, in the conventional process for forming the via, it is easily to be regardless that the locations of the adjacent channels may be parallel with the direction of the glass fiber of the substrate. In this way, the distance between the adjacent channels along the glass fiber is at the shortest, thereby the cracks of the adjacent channels which were formed under drilling holes on the substrate will be easily make the adjacent channels connected to each other along the glass fiber, making the copper on the surface of the adjacent channels would conduct due to the cracks and lead to the short circuit.

Printed circuit board package structure and manufacturing method thereof


In a vehicle to which a side airbag apparatus is applied, a rear frame portion of a seat frame is arranged near a rear end of an intermediate portion in a seat back, and an intermediate pad portion of a seat pad is arranged near a front end of the intermediate portion. An airbag is provided with a main airbag and an auxiliary airbag. The main airbag is inflated between a body side portion of the vehicle and an occupant by shooting out forward from an outer side portion of the seat back by a gas jetted out of an inflator. The auxiliary airbag presses a position near the outer side portion of the intermediate pad portion forward by being inflated between the rear frame portion and the intermediate pad portion by the gas jetted out of the inflator.

The present invention relates to a side airbag apparatus structured such as to inflate and deploy an airbag between a body side portion and a vehicular seat in the case that an impact is applied to a vehicle from a side, and reduce the impact by the airbag so as to protect an occupant.
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-81187, a side airbag apparatus has been widely known as an apparatus protecting an occupant from an impact applied to the vehicle from a side due to a side collision or the like. The side airbag apparatus is provided with an inflator and an airbag. The airbag is stored in a seat back (a backrest) of the vehicular seat in a state of being folded so as to be made compact.
In the side airbag apparatus, if an impact is applied to the body side portion of the vehicle from a side, a gas is jetted out from the inflator, and is fed into the airbag. The airbag is inflated and deployed by the gas, and the seat back is broken at a particular portion. The airbag shoots out of the broken position of the seat back in a state of leaving a part of the airbag within the seat back. The airbag is inflated and deployed forward from the seat back in a space between the occupant seated on the vehicular seat and the body side portion. The inflated and deployed airbag is interposed between the occupant and the body side portion making an intrusion into a passenger compartment so as to restrain the occupant. Accordingly, the impact transmitted to the occupant from the side through the body side portion is reduced.
The side airbag apparatus, as described above, inflates the airbag in the space between the occupant seated on the vehicular seat and the body side portion so as to absorb an impact. This space is narrower than a space at a time of other types of collisions than a side collision, for example, a front collision. Further, this space is varied in accordance with a size of the vehicle, and generally, the smaller the size of the vehicle, the narrower the space becomes. Even in such a narrow space, it is important to reliably inflate and deploy the airbag so as to reliably protect the occupant.


Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for managing multimedia traffic across a common wireless communication network. Embodiments may include content devices, end point devices, a network node, and a wireless dongle. The network node and the wireless dongle may have application functions transmitting and receiving application data streams including a video application. The video application may include a conversion engine to compress, expand, or convert video data. Further, both the network node and the wireless dongle may transmit downstream video streams and receive upstream video streams. In addition, the network node may have a master controller function and a node management function, and a dongle management function each managing video traffic streams and application data streams. In addition, the dongle management function controls admission of a video traffic stream originating from the wireless dongle to the wireless communication network.

Multipoint wireless communication has become a preferred manner in which to transfer information in current technology environment. Further, multipoint wireless communication can be implemented over a variety of different using different protocols such as cellular technologies using CDMA, TDMA, or GSM technologies. Alternatively, wireless communication may be conducted using WiFi or WiMAX protocols.
WiFi has become a ubiquitous technology connecting various wireless enabled appliances in an enterprise, residential wireless environment, or public "hotspots". Further, WiFi bridges the appliances to the Internet. The users of the appliances or end point devices may support different traffic types and may access or exit the WiFi network frequently. In addition, WiFi communication networks may carry different types of information traffic such as voice traffic, video traffic, and data traffic. The video traffic may be separated into two different categories. A first category may be one-way video traffic such as viewing broadcast television content, streaming media, or IP TV. A second category may be two-way video traffic such as video conferencing. Further, the data traffic may be separated into two categories. A first category may be best effort data traffic and a second category may be background data traffic. A residential or enterprise WiFi or other type of wireless communication network may carry all or a subset of the different types of information traffic.
The previous versions of WiFi provide convenience a typical network environment such that a licensed technician is not required to install WiFi service, for example. Generally, packet drop and packet collision are not of concern because such situations are handled by either WiFi protocols or a higher layer protocol using retransmission protocols. Having such characteristics, WiFi may be suitable for data applications of which peak rates are much higher than corresponding average/mean rates. Conversely, voice traffic has a peak rate close to its average/mean rate. Alternatively, video traffic may have traffic pattern that falls in between voice traffic and data traffic.

Devices, systems, and methods for managing multimedia traffic across a common wireless communication network


A bistable circuit includes a first inverter and a capacitive inversion circuit having one input coupled to an output of the first inverter. The capacitive inversion circuit includes a second inverter and a capacitive circuit parallel-coupled to the input and an output of the capacitive inversion circuit. The bistable circuit also includes a switch to isolate the output of the capacitive inversion circuit from an input of the first inverter when the switch receives an active validation signal or, if not, to couple the output of the capacitive inversion circuit to the input of the first inverter.

1. Field of the Invention
In an integrated circuit, the invention relates to a bistable circuit that is protected against logic random events and is fast. The bistable circuit may be used especially to make a latch toggle circuit (or latch trigger circuit), a flip-flop toggle circuit (or flip-flop trigger circuit), an SRAM cell, etc. A prior art bistable circuit comprises two inverters coupled upside down to each other and is used to memorize a piece of logic data.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The constant and gradual miniaturization of electronic circuits is making it possible to obtain circuits that perform increasingly well and are ever smaller. As a tradeoff, these circuits are more sensitive to their environment which may give rise to logic random events.
A logic random event is a change in logic state at a specific time or an undesired transitional logic state, at a point of the integrated circuit. Logic random events may have a wide variety of causes and consequences. In a bistable circuit for example, a random event gives rise to a change in content (logic data) of the bistable circuit which would have to be reprogrammed in order to recover its initial value.
To protect bistable circuits, there is a prior art method, described especially in the patent FR 2 833 783, for coupling a capacitive bridge between an input point E and an output point S of the bistable circuit (FIG. 1).
The capacitive circuit increases the critical load of the circuit. It accordingly increases the energy needed by the circuit in order to make it switch over and increases the switch-over time of the bistable circuit. Since random events generally have limited energy, this energy is no longer sufficient to make the bistable circuit flip over, and the bistable circuit is thus protected against random events. However, to program the bistable circuit, i.e. to deliberately prompt the change in logic state of the bistable circuit, it is necessary to provide far greater energy, necessary to load the capacitive bridge, and it is necessary to have much more time than when there is no capacitive bridge. This is also the case obviously for any circuit using a bistable circuit especially for a latch toggle circuit or a flip-flop toggle circuit.

Fast bistable circuit protected against random events


A device for launching and catching an object is provided. The device may include a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a channel therebetween. A propulsion mechanism may be housed within the body and include a motor. The propulsion mechanism may receive an object traveling at a first speed within the channel and from the inlet and to adjust the speed of the object to a second speed enroute to the outlet such that the object is launched into the air. A receiving funnel defined by the body may catch the object as the object descends such that the object is directed back into the inlet. A method of playing a catch game is also provided which may include one or more devices for launching and catching an object.

Tossing and catching objects between two or more players may be considered an old and enduring form of play. Due to the popularity of this form of play, there have been many types of tossing toys and games. The activity of tossing and catching multiple objects for a single player is most commonly known as juggling. Improvements in electronics and mechanics continue to improve upon previous tossing toys and games.

Method and apparatus for launch and catch device


A reluctance torque coupler includes a first rotor assembly which provides a magnetic field and a second rotor assembly which rotates relative to the first rotor assembly. The second rotor assembly includes a pair of elongated, arcuate flux poles that are attached to a non-magnetic frame. The flux poles extend towards the first rotor such that they are magnetically coupled to the first rotor. Air gaps between ends define a position of minimum reluctance for the first rotor. When the conductors magnetic axis of the first rotor is aligned with the spaces, the leakage of flux across the spaces is at a minimum. If one rotor is rotated, there is a change in energy stored in the magnetic circuit. This change is resisted by a restoring torque toward the aligned position. In this manner, the torque coupler transmits torque from one rotor to another. The second rotor can be provided with a pair of relatively movable concentric members which allow for adjustment of the spaces, thereby allowing for the adjustment of the pull-out torque of the torque coupler.

A conventional synchronous torque coupler transmits rotational torque from one shaft to another. Such a coupler includes two rotors which are coupled to respective shafts. Permanent magnets are attached to each of the rotors. The torque coupler relies upon the tendency of opposite poles of permanent magnets on the two rotors to align to a position of minimum reluctance. For examples of conventional torque couplers, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,013,384 and 4,115,040. See also U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,515 (an excitation winding magnetizes salient ferromagnetic polar projections on the two rotors, which causes polar projections to align in a minimum reluctance magnetic circuit). For conventional synchronous torque couplers, the maximum change in magnetic circuit reluctance that can be realized is proportional to the height of the poles as compared to the non-pole space between the poles. The minimum obtainable reluctance is limited by the unity permeability of the space occupied by the non-poles.
When one rotor is rotated (the "driving" rotor) by external means such as a motor, the other rotor (the "driven" rotor) follows. In a synchronous reluctance coupling, a precise angular displacement is maintained between the two magnetically coupled rotors, with the driving rotor leading the driven rotor in phase by a few degrees. This angular displacement, or phase angle, between the two rotors is dependant upon the torque and the field, but it is independent of the speed of the rotors. Synchronism between the rotors is maintained up to a precisely discernible phase angle at which a maximum or pullout torque occurs. Above this angle, synchronism is lost. Between zero and the pullout angle, the phase angle increases with the applied torque, but is inversely proportional to the magnetic field. For any given steady-state torque, not exceeding the pullout angle, there is no energy expenditure in the rotors, mechanical losses due to windage and bearing friction excepted. Once synchronism is lost, a pulsating torque with an average value of zero is developed.
The loss of synchronism within a torque coupling device having permanent magnets in both the outer and inner rotors causes demagnetization of the permanent magnets, resulting in failure of the device. Similarly, a torque coupling device utilizing magnetic fields generated by electrical windings will be subject to excessive back EMF within the windings, leading to winding burnout and failure.
A distinction should be noted between synchronous reluctance coupling devices and coupling devices based upon either the hysteresis principle or the induction principle. These other coupling devices develop torque as a consequence of energy losses, e.g., heating, in one of the rotors. The torque is proportional to the quotient of the rotor loss divided by the slip speed. The induction, or eddy current coupling device cannot develop torque when the rotors are running synchronously. The hysteresis coupling device can develop a reduced torque at synchronism; however, the precise phase relationship between the rotors is indeterminate, depending on the previous torque history of the device.


An image processing apparatus for creating a color image by combining object image data with scanned image data includes a scanner for inputting image data and object image input device for inputting object image data. Host processor selects object image data from the input object image data and specifies parameters for editing the selected object image data to create edited object image data. Real-time processor edits the selected object image data according to the parameters specified by the host processor and combines the edited object imaged data with the scanned image data to create combined image data. An output device outputs the combined imaged data to form an image representing a combination of the scanned image data and the object image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to colour copying and in particular, discloses a graphics system specifically adapted for inclusion into a colour copier.
2. Description of the Related Art
Colour composition systems for creating full colour desk top publishing seems capable of creating and printing, say, A3 size full colour images at 400 dots per inch (dpi), traditionally use a personal computer system with the aid of various input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard. The image is normally composed and stored in a frame buffer memory device on a pixel by pixel basis before the image is written out to the relevant display device, such as a colour printer on a line by line basis. Additionally, portions of the image can be scanned in by various scanning devices and also written to the frame buffer, thereby becoming part of the final image.
For an image the size of an A3 page, at 400 dpi, 4,632.times.6,480 pixels must be stored. If 24-bits of colour are stored per pixel, this gives a total storage requirement of over 90 Mbytes. Such a storage size requirement is significant expense in the design of a full colour composition system in addition to resulting in an increase in the size of any system incorporating the composition system. The cost and size of a colour copier is thereby increased should it be desired to incorporate an image composition system into a colour copier.

Integrated graphics system for a color copier

Canon Information Systems Research Australia Pty Limited


It is possible for an information processing device to read or write a large amount of contents-related information more quickly if the device has a relatively small processing capacity. The file format identifier information and the block identifier information that correspond to contents-related information are identified in Step S11 and it is determined in Step S17 if the file format version information read out from the file identified by the file format identifier information and the predefined file format version information agree with each other or not. If it is determined that the two pieces of file format version information agree with each other, the related information is read out from the block identified by the block identifier information of the identified file according to the block position information of the identified file in Step S22.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device and a method for processing information, a recording medium, a computer program and contents-related data. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and a method for processing information and a recording medium, and a computer program that are adapted to read or write contents-related information and also to such contents-related data.
This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-360188, filed on Oct. 21, 2003, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
2. Related Background Art
It has been made possible to replay various contents of music, movie films, television programs and so on by means of various information processing devices including personal computers, PDAs (personal digital assistants) and portable players.
With such a device, contents may be managed in various different ways. For example, desired contents may be selected and replayed, sorted into groups or moved to some other device, while information relating to contents such as the names of players and the titles of contents may be edited. As contents are managed and manipulated in such ways, the information processing device that handles contents records information relating to the contents including the titles of the contents and the names of players and displays the recorded information on the display unit contained in it or an external display unit connected to it. A user of the information processing device may direct the information processing device to replay or move contents by referring to the information being displayed on the display unit.
The amount of information relating to contents has been increasing gradually in recent years. When a device having a relatively small information processing capacity such as a portable player handles information relating to contents, it can be time-consuming for it to retrieve and read desired information. A similar problem can arise for such a device to write desired information that relates to contents.
Consideration has not been paid satisfactorily to version ups of the data format of information relating to contents. When a version up becomes necessary for the data format, it has been a general practice to redefine the data format and carry out cumbersome processing operations of updating the firmware of the device correspondingly.

Device and method for processing content and an information file related to the content