A light-emitting device is provided, which includes a supporting member, a light-emitting element disposed on the supporting member to emit a light, the light-emitting element having a semiconductor substrate and a polygonal top surface, an electrode pad formed on the top surface of the light-emitting element, a first lead electrode formed on the supporting member, a conductive wire connecting the electrode pad with the first lead electrode, the conductive wire being arranged to pass over one of corners of the polygonal top surface of the light-emitting element and along a ridge formed contiguous to the one of corners and corresponding to a boundary between neighboring side surfaces of the light-emitting element, and a fluorescent layer containing a light-transmitting member and a fluorescent substance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a light-emitting device, and in particular, to a light-emitting device having an LED (light-emitting diode) chip where a semiconductor substrate is employed.
2. Description of the Related Art
A light-emitting device comprising a combination of a semiconductor light-emitting element and a fluorescent substance (phosphor) is utilized in various fields as an illumination source, as a backlight source for liquid crystal, etc. A light-emitting device of this kind is manufactured by a process wherein a fluorescent substance is incorporated, at first, in a material for a light-transmitting member such as silicone resin or glass, and the resultant material is then dropped, by using a dispenser, into a recess where a light-emitting element is mounted, the material in the recess being subsequently thermally cured.
In the LED chip where a semiconductor substrate such as a SiC substrate or GaN substrate is employed, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are provided on a top surface and a bottom surface, respectively, of the LED chip. Further, in this LED chip where a semiconductor substrate is employed, a sidewall portion of the substrate is obliquely cut out so as to improve the light extraction efficiency. As a result, it is possible to obtain the emission of light not only from the top surface of the chip but also from the obliquely worked sidewall thereof. In this structure however, part of the chip is exposed without being covered, resulting in the generation of color drift.
Since the fluorescent substance becomes higher in light conversion efficiency as the particle diameter becomes larger, it is desirable to coat the LED chip with a fluorescent layer containing a fluorescent substance of larger diameter at a high concentration. On the occasion of coating the LED chip with a resin containing a fluorescent substance, the resin tends to be attracted by a conductive wire, so that it is impossible to form a fluorescent layer which is uniform in thickness around the LED chip. Further, since a fluorescent substance of larger diameter is more liable to sediment, it is difficult to enable the fluorescent substance to enter below the conductive wire, thus making the density of fluorescent substance non-uniform in the fluorescent layer. A fluorescent layer which is non-uniform in thickness as well as a high density distribution of fluorescent substance would become a cause for generating discoloration.


The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for receiving and transmitting asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell streams over a bus. The invention provides a method for receiving ATM cells in a host from a client over a bus, comprising the steps of determining whether an ATM cell in a first storage device within the client is ready to be transferred over the bus to a second storage device within the host, preventing overflow of the second storage device by calculating a first available cell space in the second storage device as a function of a write value, a read value image and a size value of the second storage device, and transferring an ATM cell from the first storage device to the second storage device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for receiving and transmitting ATM cell streams over a bus.
2. Background of the Invention
The increasing demand for ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) equipment having higher transfer rate, improved reliability and lower hardware complexity is prompting research in new ATM control technologies. ATM is a network technology based on transferring data in cells or packets of a fixed size. The cell used with ATM is relatively small compared to units used with other technologies. The small, constant cell size allows ATM equipment to transmit video, audio, and computer data over the same network, and assures that no single type of data occupies the line. ATM creates a fixed channel between two points whenever data transfer starts. This feature makes ATM less adaptable to sudden surges in network traffic. State of the art buffer management in ATM networks requires empty/full flag examination before a read or write operation to the buffer may be executed. Especially for transfers over a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, polling of these flags for every read or write operation to the buffer leads to increased control traffic over the PCI bus. Consequently, the control overhead for transferring ATM cells over a PCI bus into a buffer is high, which leads to performance disadvantages.

Method and apparatus for controlling ATM streams


A method of delivering proppant to a well site has the steps of transporting a load of proppant in a vessel to a desired location, moving the load of proppant from the vessel into a container so as to create a proppant-loaded container, unloading the proppant-loaded container into a pneumatic bulk trailer, and transporting the unloaded proppant in the pneumatic bulk trailer to well site. The container is placed onto a bed of a truck and moved in proximity to the vessel. The proppant-loaded container is placed onto a tilting mechanism and then tilted so that the proppant is discharged through a flow gate of a container into a hopper. The proppant in the hopper can then be conveyed to the pneumatic bulk trailer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to proppant storage containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for the delivery of proppant to a well site. More particularly, the present invention relates to containers as part of a system of storing proppant prior to delivery to a well site.
2. Description of Related Art
Hydraulic fracturing is the propagation of fractions in a rock layer caused by the presence of pressurized fluid. Hydraulic fractures may form naturally, in the case of veins or dikes, or may be man-made in order to release petroleum, natural gas, coal seam gas, or other substances for extraction. Fracturing is done from a wellbore drilled into reservoir rock formations. The energy from the injection of a highly-pressurized fracturing fluid creates new channels in the rock which can increase the extraction rates and ultimate recovery of fossil fuels. The fracture width is typically maintained after the injection by introducing a proppant into the injected fluid. Proppant is a material, such as grains of sand, ceramic, or other particulates, that prevent the fractures from closing when the injection is stopped.
With the rise of hydraulic fracturing over the past decade, there is a steep climb in proppant demand. Global supplies are currently tight. The number of proppant suppliers worldwide has increased since 2000 from a handful to well over fifty sand, ceramic proppant and resin-coat producers.
By the far the dominant proppant is silica sand, made up of ancient weathered quartz, the most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Unlike common sand, which often feels gritty when rubbed between the fingers, sand used as a proppant tends to roll to the touch as a result of its round, spherical shape and tightly-graded particle distribution. Sand quality is a function of both deposit and processing. Grain size is critical, as any given proppant must reliably fall within certain mesh ranges, subject to downhole conditions and completion design. Generally, coarser proppant allows the higher flow capacity due to the larger pore spaces between grains. However, it may break down or crush more readily under stress due to the relatively fewer grain-to-grain contact points to bear the stress often incurred in deep oil- and gas-bearing formations.
Typically, in any hydraulic fracturing operation, a large amount of such proppant is required. Typically, it has been difficult to effectively store the proppant at the fracturing sites. Additionally, it has been found to be rather difficult to effectively transport the proppant to the desired location. Often, proppant is hauled to the desired locations on the back of trucks and is dumped onsite. Under such circumstances, the proppant is often exposed to adverse weather conditions. This will effectively degrade the quality of the proppant during its storage. Additionally, the maintenance of proppant in containers at the hydraulic fracturing site requires a large capital investment in storage facilities. Typically, the unloading of such storage facilities is carried out on a facility-by-facility basis. As such, there is a need to be able to effectively transport the proppant to and store the proppant in a desired location adjacent to the hydraulic fracturing location.
Present methods of storing proppant for use at the well site has involved a significant investment in structural facilities. In particular, silos have been built in order to store proppant for use in the fracturing operation. Often, the silos can have a cost of several million dollars. Whenever such silos are used, there is a possibility of contamination of the proppant that is contained within the silo. Large storage facilities often mix various types and qualities of proppant. As such, lower quality proppant may be mixed with higher quality proppant so as to create an undesirable contaminated combination.
The availability of high quality proppant is always of a major concern during such fracturing operations. If the proppant is not available at the well site, then the fracturing operation can stall until such time that proppant is available. In other circumstances, the operators of the fracturing operation may be forced to use lower quality proppant in order to continue the operation. As such, there is a need to be able to have high quality proppant available at all times during the fracturing operation. It is also advantageous to provide a system which avoids the mixture of different types of proppant and to avoid the contamination of the proppant supply.
Under certain circumstances, railcars are used to deliver proppant to the fracturing location. The proppant is unloaded from the railcars into pneumatic bulk trailers. The pneumatic bulk trailers can then deliver the proppant to the well site. Often, the bulk materials train will have to remain on-site during the time the proppant remains in the bulk material train. As such, the train is not able to be used for other purposes. This adds additional cost to the fracturing operation. Ultimately, after the train is completely unloaded, a new bulk material train must be transported to the desired location and then serve as a storage facility. As such, a need is developed so as to quickly remove all of the proppant from the bulk material train and to store such proppant until such time as the proppant is needed.
In the past, various patents have issued relating to storage and transport facilities. For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0179054, published on Jul. 31, 2008 to McGough et al., shows a bulk material storage and transportation system. In particular, the storage system is mounted on the trailer of a truck. The storage system includes walls that define an interior volume suitable for receiving the aggregate material therein. There are hoppers provided at the bottom of the container. These hoppers have inclined walls. The hoppers can extend so as to allow the material from the inside of the container to be properly conveyed to a location exterior of the container. Actuators are used so as to expand and collapse the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,681, issued on Jul. 10, 2007 to L. Saik, describes a trailer-mounted mobile apparatus for dewatering and recovering formation sand. The trailer is mounted to a truck-towable trailer so as to receive sand therein. The container has a pair of sloping end walls. The back end of the container is suitably openable so as to allow the sand to be removed therefrom. A pneumatic or hydraulic ram is provided on the forward part of the container so as to allow the container to be lifted angularly upwardly so as to allow sand to be discharged through the gate at the rear of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,228, issued on Jan. 27, 1981 to Gray et al., describes a dump truck or trailer with a pneumatic conveyor. The container is mounted to a frame on wheels. A hydraulic ram tilts the container for dumping through a rear outlet. A pneumatic conveyor is carried by the frame with an intake at the rear of the container. A gate allows the solids to be dumped conventionally by gravity or to be blown to a storage facility by the pneumatic container. The container has a top hatch formed therein so as to allow the solids to be introduced into the interior of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,865,521, issued on Dec. 23, 1958 to Fisher et al., shows a bulk material truck that has an interior volume suitable for the receipt of bulk material therein. A pneumatic conveyer is utilized so as to allow the removal of such material from the bottom of the container. A pair of sloping walls are provided on opposite sides of the container so as to allow the bulk material within the container to be passed toward the bottom of the container. A top hatch is provided on the top of the conveyer. The pneumatic conveyer is connected to the bottom of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,522, issued on Feb. 26, 1991, to F. M. Barr, describes a bottom dumping bulk container apparatus for a bulk granulated material. The shipping container has a lower wall with a discharge opening Doors are provided for the opening and closing of the discharge opening. The doors are actuated by an actuating structure which is mounted for vertical movement relative to the container. The actuating structure has upper portions which serve as conventional lifting connectors or receptacles at corners of the container. These cooperate with conventional hooks so that raising the actuating structure opens the door and lowering the actuating structure closes the door. This permits granulated material within the container to be dumped into a lower container or conveyance without requiring specialized lifting or opening equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,983, issued on Jun. 11, 2002 to McDonald et al., provides a bulk cargo container for storing and transporting solid and liquid bulk materials. The bulk cargo container includes a vessel suitable for containing the bulk material and a supporting frame assembly having a generally horizontally-disposed support member attachment. The container portion is formed into at least one hopper having a discharge opening therein suitable for discharging bulk material contained within the vessel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,163, issued on Feb. 6, 1979 to Calvert et al., discloses a bulk material container for the handling of flowable particulate materials. This container has a closed, generally rectangular parallelpiped structure with side walls, end walls and a roof Conduits permit the introduction and withdrawal of particulate material to and from the container body. The lower base portion supports a vertical flexure panel at each corner thereof. The vertical flexure panel supports opposed pairs of longitudinal and transverse flexure panels between the tops thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,556, issued on Mar. 20, 1990 to T. Koskinen, provides a transport container for the transport of bulk material. This transport container has a filling-hole in the upper part and an emptying device in the rear. For the loading and unloading, a side section is provided that can be opened. An emptying device, in the nature of a pneumatic pressure discharger, allows the material to freely flow from the containers through a check valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,967,161, issued on Jun. 28, 2011 to A. M. Townsend, provides a shipping container liner system for the shipping of bulk flowable materials. The system has a specially-adapted shipping container liner that is self-supporting without the need for rear-mounted rigid supportive bars to retain the liner within the shipping container during filling and discharge. The system has an arrangement of interior support baffles operating in conjunction with a plurality of exterior anchor straps adapted to distribute the cargo load throughout the length of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,466, issued on Nov. 25, 1997 to Gaddis et al., shows slope plate for a particulate material truck box. The slope plate assembly includes a plurality of slope plate sections pivotally connected to the opposite side walls of the truck box so as to be movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position. In the lowered position, particulate material flows by gravity along the slope plate sections for discharge into an auger assembly residing below the floor of the truck box. In the raised position, bulk material or other cargo can be loaded into the truck box.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that is mobile, scalable and flexible.
Another object to the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that can be located in proximity to the rail spur.
Another object of the present invention to provide a system for the transport and storage of proppant that can be rapidly implemented.
Another object of the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that occupies a small footprint.
The further object of the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that assures a continuous inventory of proppant to the fracturing operation.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that is movable and rechargeable at the drill site.
The further object of the present invention is to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that enhances the productivity of the proppant supplier.
The further object of the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that reduces driver fatigue.
Another object of the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that reduces liabilities.
The further object of the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that improves safety.
Further object of the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant that is compliant with Department of Transportation regulations.
Still another object of the present invention to provide a system for the storage and transport of proppant which improves the profits for the proppant supplier.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods of storing and moving proppant at location adjacent rail line


The invention concerns an immersion mixer with an electric motor, a drive shaft, a tube, a bell-shaped housing and a rotary tool. To ease the assembly or disassembly of such a mixer, a cartridge is assembled in the bell-shaped housing so as to be removable. This cartridge includes a shaft guide body, an attaching mechanism, a sealed bearing assembly for receiving the shaft and a sleeve. The cartridge is made in such a way that it is simply necessary to insert or release it through the top of the bell-shaped housing without any action by a specialist in the field being needed.

Maintenance of appliances may be necessary when a part is worn and needs replacing. Or maintenance may be necessary from the hygienic standpoint, if particles of food have gotten into the appliance during previous use, and need to be cleaned out. Processing appliances are intended for the hotel and restaurant industry and also for family or domestic use. Here, food refers to food in the form of liquids and/or in the form of particles. Food also refers to any type of preparation based on edible or inedible products. Inedible products refers to cosmetic or any other type of preparation. Accordingly, processing appliances can also be intended for use in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry, or any other type of industry liable to need such an appliance.
One such appliance has a drive shaft, a hollow tube, a bell-shaped housing and a rotary tool. The shaft is inserted through the tube and, at one end is connected to an electric motor driving the shaft in rotation and at an opposite end is connected to the rotary tool. The rotary tool is placed in a position corresponding to the bell-shaped housing. The bell-shaped housing may be removably assembled in a sealing manner onto the tube, and in particular, makes it possible to prevent the tool from touching the bottom or the wall of a recipient, and allows the material to be worked.
The bell-shaped housing forms a small portion compared to the tube that forms a large portion. The bell-shaped housing is generally one third to one quarter smaller in size than the tube. The tube and the bell-shaped housing form an overall length that is measured along the tube lengthwise axis. The lengthwise axis is the rotation axis of the appliance about which the tool is put into rotation. The tube and bell-shaped housing are designed for immersion into a food preparation to be processed, over a length corresponding to approximately two thirds of the total length, with the bell-shaped housing totally immersed in the preparation.
Patent No. EP 0 925 010 B1 describes such an appliance that includes a stem, a cylindrical bearing placed between the bell-shaped housing and the stem, a sealing means placed on the bearing, and an elastic bellows placed to bear against the stem and connected to the sealing means. The bearing enhances guidance and rotation of the stem with respect to the tube of the appliance. The bellows ensures that the appliance is tight. However, this type of appliance does represent drawbacks. In particular, when it is necessary to clean the appliance, extracting the stem from the bell-shaped housing may cause a deterioration of the bellows, and cleaning the inside of the bearing with a tool, for instance, a knife, can also cause damage to the bearing.


An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier and a cleaning device. The image carrier is rotated to carry a toner image. The cleaning device includes a cleaning member and an auxiliary cleaning member. To the cleaning member, a bias of a reversed polarity to a polarity of a remained toner adhered on a surface of the image carrier is applied. The auxiliary cleaning member is located at an upstream side from the cleaning member in a rotating direction of the image carrier. According to advance of whitening of the surface of the image carrier, the auxiliary cleaning member is made to come into contact with the surface of the image carrier or contact pressure of the auxiliary cleaning member with the surface of the image carrier is increased.

The present disclosure relates to an electrographic image forming apparatus.
An electrographic image forming apparatus applying an intermediate transfer type in order to form a color image is widely known. The intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive bodies, an intermediate transferring belt, a first transferring part, a second transferring part and a cleaning device. The photosensitive bodies carry toner images of a plurality of colors. The intermediate transferring belt as an image carrier comes into contact with the photosensitive bodies. The first transferring part transfers the toner image on each photosensitive body to a surface of the intermediate transferring belt. The second transferring part transfers the color toner images on the intermediate transferring belt onto a sheet in a lump. The cleaning device removes a toner not transferred onto the sheet (hereinafter, called as a "remained toner") from the surface of the intermediate transferring belt.
As the cleaning device of the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus, a bias cleaning manner is widely applied. The bias cleaning manner is a manner removing the remained toner from the surface of the intermediate transferring belt by a cleaning member to which a bias of a reversed polarity to a charged polarity of the remained toner is applied. The intermediate transferring belt has a plurality of layers including an elastic layer for the purpose of lifetime extension and image quality enhancement of an output image.
The intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus has excellent productivity because of transferring the color toner images onto the surface of the intermediate transferring belt in a lump, but tends to increase an amount of the remained toner on the intermediate transferring belt because of overlapping the toner images of respective colors on the surface of the intermediate transferring belt. In a case of overlapping the toners to form the color image, because the charging amount of the overlapped toners is increased, voltage required for transferring is also increased. Due to deterioration of a developer, a polarity of the remained toner may become reversed from that in developing process or become close to no polarity. If these factors are simultaneously or repeatedly caused, there is a possibility that the cleaning device including the above-mentioned cleaning member cannot efficiently remove the remained toner from the surface of the intermediate transferring belt.
Thereupon, a cleaning device efficiently removing the remained toner from the surface of the intermediate transferring belt is proposed. For example, there is the cleaning device which includes a cleaning member coming into contact with the intermediate transferring belt and an auxiliary cleaning member coming into contact with the intermediate transferring belt at an upstream side from the cleaning member. The auxiliary cleaning member frictionally charges the remained toner to a predetermined polarity (a polarity in the developing process). Because of this, the cleaning member easily removes the remained toner from the surface of the intermediate transferring belt by the bias cleaning manner.
Recently, from a viewpoint of reduction of cost and reuse of resources, low quality sheet, such as a recycled paper, may be used. In a region manufacturing the sheet by manufacturing equipment with insufficient performance, it may be necessary to use the low quality sheet.
Such a low quality sheet may contain a large quantity of talc or calcium carbonate as a surface preparation agent or a filler. If image forming operation is repeatedly carried out to such a sheet, paper dust containing the talc or the calcium carbonate is adhered onto a surface of an image carrier. Particularly, if the above-mentioned low quality sheet is used at a stage before whitening of the surface of the image carrier (a phenomenon in which the surface of the image carrier is whitened mainly because external additive is accumulated onto the surface of the image carrier) reaches a predetermined level, a large quantity of the paper dusts containing the talc or the calcium carbonate are adhered onto the surface of the image carrier. If the paper dust on the surface of the image carrier is frictionally charged by the auxiliary cleaning member, the cleaning member and auxiliary cleaning member are clogged with the paper dust. Because of this, functionality of the auxiliary cleaning member frictionally charging the remained toner is deteriorated.
Because the cleaning member is contracted as the use is continued, functionality of the cleaning member mechanically scraping the remained toner is deteriorated. The functionality deterioration of the cleaning member hinders image forming from being carried out excellently on a long time. The paper dust with which the auxiliary cleaning member is clogged may be hardened to scrape a surface layer of the image carrier. In such a case, there is a trouble that a friction coefficient at a scraped portion is increased and second transfer performance of the image carrier is deteriorated.

Image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for an image carrier


A novel anhydrous crystalline polymorph of 1-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy- 2-quinazolinyl)-4-(2-tetrahydrofuroyl)piperazine monohydrochloride is disclosed, together with pharmaceutical formulations containing the compound. The novel polymorph exhibits a diminished food effect when administered to human subjects.

The compound 1-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl)-4-(2-tetrahydrofuroyl)piperazine is known by the common name "terazosin" and is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,894. The compound is known to have utility for the treatment of hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising terazosin and its salts are claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,097. The dihydrate crystalline form of the hydrochloride salt of terazosin is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,532, and is marketed under the trade name Hytrin.RTM.. The R(+)-enantiomer of terazosin is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,176.

Terazosin polymorph and pharmaceutical composition


A system, method, and computer program product are provided for a display multiplier. First image data is received for a first display device and second image data is received for a second display device, where the second display device has fewer scan lines than the first display device. A scan line of the second image data is duplicated and a display multiplier output stream is generated that includes a first scan line of the first image data, the scan line of the second image data, a second scan line of the first image data, and the duplicated scan line of the second image data.

Conventional graphics processors are limited to two display outputs that are sufficient for today's phone and tablet applications. However, for some applications, such as providing displays within an automotive environment more than two display outputs may be needed. For example, as many as five different displays may exist in an automotive environment including a center dashboard display, a heads-up display (projected onto a windshield), and two rear seat entertainment displays. Each additional display output that is provided by a graphics processor increases the pin count of the graphics processor. Increasing the pin count typically increases the cost of the graphics processor. While supporting more than two displays is needed for some applications, increasing the pin count may not be possible for low-cost systems.
Thus, there is a need for addressing this issue and/or other issues associated with the prior art.

Display multiplier providing independent pixel resolutions


An adhesive composition including an acrylic polymer, an epoxy thermosetting resin having an unsaturated hydrocarbon group and a thermosetting agent. Also provided is an adhesive sheet having an adhesive layer including the above-mentioned adhesive composition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adhesive composition which is particularly suited for using at a step of die-bonding a semiconductor device (semiconductor chip) on an organic substrate and a lead frame and a step of dicing a silicon wafer and the like and die-bonding a semiconductor chip on an organic substrate and a lead frame, an adhesive sheet having an adhesive layer comprising the above adhesive composition and a production process for a semiconductor device using the above adhesive sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
A semiconductor wafer of silicon, gallium arsenide or the like is produced in a large size, and this wafer is cut and separated (dicing) into small pieces (IC chips) of devices and then transferred to a mounting step which is a subsequent step. In this case, the semiconductor wafer is subjected to the respective steps of dicing, washing, drying, expanding and picking-up in the state that it is adhered in advance on an adhesive sheet, and then it is transferred to a bonding step which is a subsequent step.
In order to simplify the picking-up step and the bonding step among the above steps, various adhesive sheets for dicing and die-bonding which are provided with both a wafer-fixing function and a die-adhering function are proposed (for examples, patent documents 1 to 4).
Adhesive sheets comprising an adhesive layer comprising a specific composition and a base material are disclosed in the patent documents 1 to 4. The above adhesive layer has a function of fixing a wafer in dicing the wafer, and irradiation thereof with an energy beam reduces an adhesive strength thereof and makes it possible to control the adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the base material, so that when picking up the chip after finishing dicing, the adhesive layer is peeled off together with the chip. When the IC chip provided with the adhesive layer is mounted on a substrate and heated, an adhesive strength of a thermosetting resin contained in the adhesive layer is revealed to complete adhesion between the IC chip and the substrate.
The adhesive sheets disclosed in the patent documents described above enables so-called direct die-bonding and makes it possible to omit a step of coating an adhesive for adhering a die. The adhesives disclosed in the patent documents described above are blended with an energy beam-curable compound having a low molecular weight as an energy beam-curable component. Irradiation with an energy beam polymerizes and cures the energy beam-curable compound to reduce an adhesive strength thereof and makes it easy to peel off the adhesive layer from the base material. In the adhesive layer of the adhesive sheet described above, all the components are cured after die-bonding passing through curing by an energy beam and thermal curing, whereby it adheres the chip firmly on the substrate.
On the other hand, very severe physical properties are required to semiconductor devices in recent years. For example, package reliability under severe hot and humid environment is required. However, a reduction in a thickness of a semiconductor chip itself results in a reduction in a strength of the chip, and the package reliability under severe hot and humid environment has not necessarily been satisfactory.
In the adhesives disclosed in the patent documents described above, the energy beam-curable compound having a low molecular weight is used as an energy beam-curable component, and such energy beam-curable compound having a low molecular weight is liable to bring about interfacial breakage under hot and humid environment due to the short shearing strength depending on the blending proportion thereof, the dispersion state or the curing conditions to reduce an adhesive property between the chip and an adherend such as a printed wiring board. This has made it impossible in a certain case to allow a semiconductor package which is becoming severer to satisfy a required level in reliability.
In a surface mounting method carried out in connection of electronic parts in recent years, a surface mounting method (reflow) in which the whole part of a package is exposed to high temperature of not lower than a melting point of a solder is carried out. In recent years, a mounting temperature is elevated from 240° C. which has so far been carried out to 260° C. due to transfer to a solder containing no lead from the viewpoint of attentions to the environment to increase a stress produced in the inside of a semiconductor package, and the risk of producing package crack is further elevated.
That is, a reduction in a thickness of a semiconductor chip and a rise in amounting temperature bring about a reduction in a reliability of a package.
Patent document 1: JP-A-1990-32181
Patent document 2: JP-A-1996-239636
Patent document 3: JP-A-1998-8001
Patent document 4: JP-A-2000-17246

Adhesive composition, adhesive sheet and production process for semiconductor device


A belt driver includes a belt having a constant number of regions dividing the belt in the perimeter direction thereof. A plurality of marks have different widths in the perimeter direction and are formed in the respective regions of the belt. A sensor detects the marks on the belt. A storage part stores in advance the relationship between position information of the belt and speed variation of the belt for one rotation of the belt. Speed variation of the belt is reduced by correcting the drive speed of the belt based on the relationship. The position of the belt is detected from a time required for one of the marks to pass the sensor, and speed correction control of the belt is performed in accordance with the detected position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to image forming apparatuses and to belt drivers that perform speed correction control of belts, such as carrying belts and transfer belts.
2. Description of the Related Art
In these days, based on the requirements of the marketplace, there are many electrophotographic apparatuses that output color images, such as color copying apparatuses and color printers. Especially nowadays, it is expected for electrophotographic apparatuses forming full-color images to achieve the speed as fast as that of electrophotographic apparatuses forming black-and-white images. Thus, mainstream printers are printers that are provided with a developing apparatus for each of a plurality of photo conductors, form a monochrome toner image on each of the photo conductors, sequentially superimpose the monochrome toner images, and transfer the images to paper so as to record a color image thereon.
Tandem printers include direct transfer printers and indirect transfer printers. As shown in FIG. 1, in a direct transfer printer, images of respective colors formed on photo conductors 2K, 2M, 2C and 2Y by image forming means 1K, 1M, 1C and 1Y are sequentially superimposed on paper that is carried by a transfer belt 4 by transfer apparatuses 3K, 3M, 3C and 3Y, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, in an indirect transfer printer, images of respective colors formed on photo conductors 5K, 5M, 5C and 5Y are sequentially superimposed on a transfer belt 7 by transfer apparatuses 6K, 6M, 6C and 6Y, respectively. Then, the images on the transfer belt 7 are simultaneously transferred to paper by a secondary transfer apparatus 8.
In each of the direct transfer printer and the indirect transfer printer, the images of the respective colors are transferred to the transfer belt 4(7) at different positions thereon. Thus, image data of the respective colors are output to the image forming means 1K, 1M, 1C and 1Y with respective delays corresponding to the intervals among the photo conductors. For this reason, when the moving speed of the transfer belt 4(7) is not constant, a shift occurs to the transfer positions to which the images of the respective colors are to be transferred. As a result, color shift occurs with the formed image. Therefore, it is necessary for tandem electrophotographic apparatuses to control with a high accuracy the speed of the transfer belt such that it is constant at all times.
However, it is structurally difficult for the transfer belt 4(7), which is used here, to realize a uniform thickness. Especially, the thickness variation tends to be generated in the longitudinal direction (direction of movement). In a case where the thickness of the transfer belt 4(7) is not uniform, even if the rotating speed of a drive shaft driving the transfer belt 4(7) is controlled to be constant, periodic speed variation occurs in the surface speed of the transfer belt 4(7). For this reason, tandem printers have a problem in that shifts occur in the transfer positions to which images of respective colors are to be transferred, which tends to result in out of color registration of a formed image.
In order to correct the speed variation that is synchronized with the rotation period of the transfer belt, a method is conceived which measures in advance the thickness variation or the speed variation for one rotation of the transfer belt, and corrects the rotating speed of the drive shaft of the transfer belt or the write timings of respective colors based on the information, so as to reduce the speed variation of the transfer belt. However, it is impossible to correct the speed of the transfer belt unless it is determined which position of the transfer belt is being driven. Hence, a method is conceived that marks a home position mark 11 representing a reference point on the transfer belt 4(7) as shown in FIG. 3, and detects the home position mark 11 by a sensor 12 as shown in FIG. 4, so as to detect a home position (hereinafter referred to as a "HP") of the transfer belt 4(7).
When forming an image, it is possible to control the speed of the transfer belt 4(7) by starting the running of the transfer belt 4(7), thereafter starting a detecting process of the home position mark 11 by the sensor 12, and, when the home position mark 11 on the transfer belt 4(7) is detected by the sensor 12, starting a speed correction control of the transfer belt 4 (7) based on speed correction data that are prepared in advance (refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 8-328443, for example).
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-51479 describes an image forming apparatus that includes: a plurality of image forming means; an endless movable body that places and conveys a recording medium such that respective images formed by the plurality of image forming means are transferred to the recording medium at the transfer positions; a position detecting means for detecting a placing position at which the recording medium is placed on the endless movable body; and correcting means for correcting the image formation timings of the plurality of image forming means based on a detection output of the position detecting means.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-249380 describes a color image forming apparatus that forms a color image on a recording medium by sequentially superimposing and transferring, to the recording medium carried by the carrying belt, images formed by a plurality of electronic process parts, including image carriers, arranged along a carrying belt. The color image forming apparatus includes: a light emitting element illuminating the carrying belt; a slit through which the light transmitted through or reflected by the carrying belt passes; a light receiving element receiving the light that passes through the slit; a shift amount detector for detecting a position shift amount of a detection pattern, the shift amount detector having means for processing a signal from the light receiving element; pattern forming means for activating each of the electronic process parts such that the same electronic process part forms a plurality of pairs of toner marks as the position shift amount detection pattern for each color with the shape corresponding to the slit, each pair including two toner marks of the same color and the same shapes, one toner mark of the pair is distant from the other toner mark for the half peripheral length of the image carrier, and adjacent toner marks among the plurality of pairs of toner marks are formed with a predetermined distance (hereinafter referred to as a "mark pitch") therebetween. The toner marks formed by the pattern forming means are detected by the shift amount detector. The shift amounts among respective images formed by the electronic process parts are detected. Among the plurality of pairs of toner marks, when focusing attention to the first formed toner mark (hereinafter referred to as a "reference mark") of two toner marks constituting a pair of toner marks formed by a predetermined reference color, a toner mark for correction (hereinafter referred to as a "correction mark") is formed while setting the target to the position that is distant for one peripheral length of the image carrier that forms the reference mark. The correction mark is also the target to be detected by the shift amount detector.
In tandem printers, the peripheral length of the transfer belt 4 (7) becomes structurally long. Thus, depending on the stop position of the transfer belt 4(7), there is a problem in that it takes a long time for the sensor 12 to detect the home position mark 11 on the transfer belt 4(7) after the rotation of the transfer belt 4(7) is resumed when an image forming process is started, which results in a long time until an image is formed.
In order to make the time shorter in which the sensor 12 detects the home position mark 11 on the transfer belt 4(7) after the rotation of the transfer belt 4(7) is resumed when the image forming process is started, a method is conceived in which the home position mark 11 on the transfer belt 4(7) is detected by the sensor 12 at the time the transfer belt 4(7) is stopped, and the transfer belt 4(7) is stopped such that the home position mark 11 always comes immediately before the sensor 12 based on a detected signal. However, this method has a problem in that the life of the transfer belt is shortened since the transfer belt is rotated more than necessary. Additionally, the method has another problem in that, when the apparatus is stopped since, for example, the cover is opened or a jam occurs while forming an image, it is impossible to set the stop position of the transfer belt to a predetermined position.
Therefore, it is desired to perform speed control of the transfer belt by detecting the current relative position of the transfer belt as quickly as possible after an image forming process is started, irrespective of the stop position of the transfer belt.

Belt driver, image forming apparatus, and method that can reduce the time until speed control of a belt is performed


Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to image classification attack mitigation. According to one aspect of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, a system can obtain an original image and reduce a resolution of the original image to create a reduced resolution image. The system can classify the reduced resolution image and output a first classification. The system also can classify the original image via deep learning image classification and output a second classification. The system can compare the first classification and the second classification. In response to determining that the first classification and the second classification match, the system can output the second classification of the original image. In response to determining that the first classification and the second classification do not match, the system can output the first classification of the original image.

The field of computer vision utilizes artificial neural networks inspired by the organization of neurons in the visual cortex of the human brain. Convolutional neural networks ("CNNs") are the most widely used artificial neural networks for analyzing and classifying images. CNNs use deep learning algorithms to assign weights to various aspects or objects depicted in an image to differentiate the image from other images and to assign a classification to the image. Image classification has become the most prevalent use case for artificial intelligence. As with any prevalent technology, attackers will find ways to exploit the technology for malicious purposes.
Attackers can breach image classification systems and insert malicious pixels into images in an image feed to trick the artificial intelligence to misinterpret an image and provide an incorrect classification. For example, attackers may want to cause an image classification system to interpret an image of an animal as a gun. In particular, attackers can exploit the process of elimination that the image classification system uses when estimating which label to apply to an image. Characteristics can be extracted from the image that is most likely to be classified as a first thing, and then applied imperceptibly to images of a second thing so that images of the first thing become classified as the second thing. The mathematics that power the elimination process allow an attacker to systematically push a poisoned image towards a target classification.


The present invention provides a backup method for a storage control device that instructs a storage device to split a primary volume and a copy volume in the storage device, and to execute a backup operation from the copy volume to a backup volume. The storage device includes the backup volume for the copy volume. The backup method includes: the storage control device allocating a specified number of generations of the backup volume in the storage device for the copy volume; instructing the storage device to split the pair; executing a virus check on the copy volume; copying contents of the copy volume to the backup volume as a most recent generation backup if no virus is detected; updating generations in the backup volume for generations prior to the most recent generation; and instructing the storage device to re-link the split pair.

The present invention relates to a backup method and a storage control device using the same. In recent years, with extended service hours provided by ATMs and the growth of various on-line services such as Internet banking, there has been a demand for corporate information systems to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As a result, backups and virus checks of data stored in storage devices, e.g., hard disks, are important in these information systems due to the possibility of unexpected system interruptions such as hardware malfunctions or virus infections.
An example of a technology relating to backups and virus checking is described in Japanese laid-open patent publication number Hei 11-134234. Therein, a backup device determines the consistency of the source file for the backup copy by using a means such as virus checking. If the files are found to be consistent, a backup copy is generated from the original file. The technology disclosed in this publication prevents situations where a restored backup copy of an original file cannot be used because the original file was damaged or infected with a virus. As a result, unexpected system interruptions are avoided.

Backup method and storage control device using the same


According to one embodiment of the invention, a self-ligating orthodontic bracket apparatus has a body with an archwire slot, a lingual surface for mounting to a tooth and a guide track. The body and guide track form facing surfaces. A clip is engaged between the facing surfaces and is slideably movable in the guide track between an open position such that the archwire slot can receive an archwire and a closed position in which the clip can retain the archwire in the slot. The clip is dimensioned to extend the entire length and height of the slot in the bracket when in the closed position.

Self-ligating orthodontic brackets are in common use for correcting irregularities of tooth position with relation to each other or in relation to the surrounding anatomy. While many different self-ligating orthodontic appliances have been devised and used, they all have drawbacks. They are either hard to install and adjust or are compromised in their ability to rotate and move teeth to the appropriate position.
What is needed is a self-ligating orthodontic bracket that is easy to install, and use and has a great capacity for rotating teeth and for performing all the functions necessary to move teeth into their proper position.


A web feeding and handling system for feeding a two-ply web to a printer and winding one of the webs about a take-up spool and directing the remaining web into a cutter. The printer and web feed system are arranged in a housing having an access opening sealed by a door. The printer and a feed roller holder assembly are mounted upon a plate movable between a position enhancing access to the printer and supply roll holder to facilitate supply roll replacement and feeding the web into the printer, and a position placing the printer web output end closer boa cutter and a take-up assembly mounted upon the door and including a rotatable drive disk and a spindle support which support a removable spindle to wind up one web. A motor drive mounted within the housing engages the drive disk when the door is closed and is disengaged from the disk when the door is open. The supply roll holder receives and automatically aligns the web to prevent skewing. The supply roll is positioned as close as is practical to the web input of the printer providing the shortest practical feed path. A supply roll depletion sensor mounted upon the aforementioned swingable platform provides a signal when the supply roll nears depletion. A cutter is mounted on the door to automatically cut the printed ticket. A static charge brush discharges the web emitted from the cutter.

The present invention relates to web feeding and handling apparatus and to such apparatus which is specifically adapted for use with a printer.
The principal objective is to provide apparatus which is easy to use and provides rugged, reliable web feeding.
The web feeding apparatus of the present invention has been designed for use with a printer within an environment having several severe constraints. The system requirements include the provision of a reliable printer capable of simultaneously producing an original and a copy of the printed document. The printer is accessible only through a single access opening provided at the forward end of a housing containing the printer and web feeding apparatus. Printed documentation is produced upon a two-ply web fed from a supply roll. The original document is dispensed through an opening in the housing after having been automatically cut from the main web, a copy being retained upon a web take-up spool. Since it is imperative that a record be made of every transaction, means must be provided to assure that a fresh supply roll is provided before the present supply roll is depleted.
It is important to provide a web handling system which does not require a high level of skill to service.
It is further important to permit the system to accommodate supply rolls within a suitable tolerance range of size and core diameter thus enabling the use of supply rolls derived from different manufacturers and/or sources.
It is also important that the system be rugged and as trouble-free as is practical and that the system provide feed paths and web feeding means which assure proper feeding and handling of the web without skewing.
The inventors are aware of no system which meets all of the above constraints and requirements.

Web handling and feeding system for printers


A method is provided for controlling RAM variables embedded in a microprocessor software executable without modifications to the underlying source code. The method includes: presenting an software program having a plurality of machine instructions of a finite number of fixed lengths in an executable form; searching through the machine instructions of the executable and finding at least one appropriate instruction to replace; defining a replacement instruction for identified machine instructions in the software program; and replacing identified machine instructions in the executable form of the software program with the replacement instruction. The replacement instruction may be further defined as a branch instruction that references an address outside an address space for the software program.

In modern automotive electronic control units, there exist a number of embedded control algorithms that control different aspects of the vehicle. For instance, there may be an algorithm that controls the amount of fuel injected into the cylinders and a different control algorithm that is responsible for shifting gears in the transmission. These algorithms are developed in a way that they can be used on many different vehicle types, engines, and transmission for a variety of markets with different emission and safety requirements. During real-time execution, each of these algorithms use what is termed "calibrations" or "parameters" to adapt itself to the vehicle and requirements that it is controlling.
In the process of adjusting or "calibrating" an automotive ECU, often it is required to obtain a given set of operating conditions. Exemplary scenarios may include: (1) in order to calibrate or test an algorithm that controls the engine cooling fan(s), the engine coolant temperature must be greater than a given temperature; (2) in order to calibrate or tests an algorithm that controls the shifting of an automatic transmission from second to third gears, it is required that the vehicle speed be high enough to trigger the shift; (3) in order to calibrate or test an algorithm that adjusts the amount of fuel going to the cylinders of the engine based on altitude, it is often necessary to drive the vehicle across a range of altitudes from sea level to high mountain territory; and (4) when the catalytic converter temperature exceeds a safe value, one or more algorithms may be activated in an attempt to cool down the converter before damage occurs. Obtaining the necessary operating conditions can often be complex, costly and difficult.
However, the present invention provides a technique for overwriting user selected random access memory (RAM) variables. For instance, the RAM variable associated with the measured coolant temperature may be set to a value that will turn on the algorithm that controls the cooling fan(s). In another instance, the RAM variable associated with the vehicle speed may be set to a value higher than the 2-3 shift trigger point to force the transmission into a desired gear. In yet another instance, the RAM variable associated with the vehicle altitude calculation may be set to a value that simulates the desired operating altitude. In this way, various operating conditions may be simulated without any modifications or access to the underlying ECU source code.
Similarly, the present invention may be employed to achieve actual operating conditions that may be difficult to otherwise obtain. For example, sometimes it is difficult in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission to achieve a condition where the engine rpm is very low while the engine torque is high because the transmission normally will downshift to a lower gear. With the present invention it is possible to overwrite the commanded gearstate of the transmission and force the transmission to any desired state regardless of engine rpm and torque load. In another example, it is sometimes necessary to quickly degrade/wear clutches inside an transmission or torque converter to simulate a high mileage operating condition. One way of degrading clutches is to allow slippage for an extended period of time between the friction material of these clutches. With the present invention it is possible to force a clutch into a slippage condition by overwriting and controlling the RAM variable associated with the desired clutch state (unlock, partial lock, full lock). Thus, it is desirable to provide a technique for simulating an embedded controller and the algorithms in the embedded controller without the need to provide physical stimulation to the embedded controller.

Method for ECU calibration and diagnostics development


An image sensor includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface, a first transmission gate electrode on the first surface of the substrate, a storage node on the first surface of the substrate and including a first storage gate electrode isolated from direct contact with the first transmission gate electrode, a dielectric layer on the first storage gate electrode, and a semiconductor layer on the dielectric layer. The image sensor may include a first cover insulating layer on the semiconductor layer and vertically overlapping the first transmission gate electrode, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer on an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and an upper surface of the first cover insulating layer.

The inventive concepts relates to image sensors, and more particularly, to image sensors including an organic photoelectric conversion layer.
An image sensor is a device that captures images and converts the images into electrical signals. The image sensor includes image sensing pixels that receive incident light, convert the incident light into electrical signals, and include photoelectric conversion regions. In the case of a silicon photoelectric conversion region, a light absorption region of a photoelectric conversion region decreases as a size of the image sensing pixel decreases, and thus, sensitivity of the image sensor may degrade.


A method for producing L-glutamic acid, comprising inoculating a microorganism having an ability to produce L-glutamic acid, in a liquid medium containing a carbon source and a nitrogen source, conducting continuous L-glutamic acid fermentation in which both a carbon source and a nutrient having an effect of promoting bacterial growth are fed so as to make the microorganism grow, and then collecting L-glutamic acid produced and accumulated in a culture broth.

The present invention relates to a method for efficiently producing L-glutamic acid by a continuous fermentation method. L-Glutamic acid is widely utilized as a food material such as seasoning and a raw material of various chemical products.
Following the increase of the demand for L-glutamic acid in recent years, the development of an industrially advantageous production method thereof has been desired, and the production methods thereof as described below have been invented.
(1) Batch culture method, Fed-batch culture method PA0 (2) Continuous culture method
Compared with the continuous culture method, these culture methods are advantageous in that the equipment therefor is simple and the cultivation is terminated for a short period and that damage due to contaminated bacteria is less. However, the concentration of L-glutamic acid in the culture broth is increased over time, and the productivity and yield thereof are decreased under the influence of osmotic pressure or inhibition due to the products. Thus, it is difficult to maintain stably high yield and high productivity for a long time.
The continuous culture method is characteristic in that a high yield and a high productivity can be retained for a long time, by avoiding the accumulation of an objective product at a high concentration in a fermentor.
The most simple and general mode of continuous culture method is a single-fermentor continuous culture method, and a great number of reports on the single-fermentor continuous culture method applied for amino acid fermentation, including L-lysine fermentation and L-arginine fermentation, have been issued (Lys: Toshihiko Hirao et. al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 32, 269-273 (1989), Arg: Tomoki Azuma et. al., J. Ferment. Technol., 66 (3), 285-290 (1988)). During such fermentation of L-lysine and L-arginine, generally, the bacterial growth and the production of the objective amino acids simultaneously occur, and therefore, the single-fermentor continuous culture method has been readily applicable to these fermentation.
On the other hand, it has been considered that the application of the single-fermentor continuous culture method to L-glutamic acid fermentation is difficult. In other words, conventionally, it has been considered that L-glutamic acid cannot be accumulated at a higher level by such L-glutamic acid fermentation, unless the bacterial growth is terminated by any method including limitation of biotin which is an essential factor for the bacterial growth, addition of antibiotics such as penicillin, addition of surfactants and temperature change (1. Japanese Journal of Fermentation Engineering Association, Vol. 41, No. 12, 645-651 (1963)); 2. Recent Japanese Industrial Chemistry, Vol. 23, 121-142, Asakura Shoten). So as to produce a greater amount of L-glutamic acid by the batch culture method and the fed-batch culture method, the culture conditions should be set to terminate the bacterial growth. Thus, it has been considered that the fermentation of L-glutamic acid by the continuous culture method is unsuitable because the bacteria simply wash out under conventional culture conditions to terminate the bacterial growth, so that the bacteria cannot be maintained in the fermentor. As to research works of the continuous culture method for L-glutamic acid fermentation, hence, research works of multiple-fermentor continuous culture method comprising promoting the bacterial growth in a first fermentor and suppressing the bacterial growth in a second fermentor to produce L-glutamic acid, have been carried out at the early stage, such as those by Mr. Ueda, et. al. (Japanese Journal of Fermentation Engineering Association, Vol. 41, No. 9, 450-458, 1964) and Mr. Mimura, et. al. (Japanese Journal of Fermentation Engineering Association, Vol. 42, No. 2, 70-78, 1964).
Subsequently, two methods, namely a cell recycle culture method and an immobilized bacteria culture method, have been developed, as culture methods based on the concept that a process of bacterial growth and a process of producing L-glutamic acid should be independently carried out.
Firstly, the cell recycle culture method is a method comprising extracting the culture broth where L-glutamic acid is accumulated but the bacterial growth is terminated and separating L-glutamic acid from the bacteria to recycle only the bacteria (Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 52-136985; Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 60-133891 or Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 62-48394), and the method can maintain a high yield and a high productivity for a relatively long time. However, the method requires a system to separate the bacteria from the cultured broth, disadvantageously, so that the cultivation system is complex. Furthermore, because the bacteria terminating bacterial growth are recycled by the cell recycle culture method, the ability of the bacteria of themselves to produce L-glutamic acid is decreased over time, which limits the cultivation time.
Although the immobilized bacteria culture method can also recover L-glutamic acid at a high yield and a high productivity (H. S. KIM et. al., Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol. 26, 2167-2174 (1982)), on contrast, a carrier to immobilize the bacteria is expensive from the respect of practical application for the production of L-glutamic acid and additionally, the method has a great number of problems to be overcome, such as carrier exchange technique. Therefore, the method is not essentially suitable for industrial applications.
As has been described above, the culture conditions to produce L-glutamic acid at a high yield by the batch culture method and the fed-batch culture method require complete termination of the bacterial growth, and therefore, the ability of a bacterium to produce L-glutamic acid is decreased at the latter stage of culture, which causes difficulty in improving the productivity. By the conventional continuous culture method, additionally, a system is required to further add bacteria to a fermentor or to recycle the bacteria, and therefore, the method has many problems so as to attain industrial application as follows: the whole system is complex and the possibility of bacterial contamination is increased and that the high productivity can be retained with much difficulty because of cultivation under conditions to terminate the bacterial growth.
So as to meet the enlargement of the need toward L-glutamic acid and produce L-glutamic acid at a lower cost, the productivity of L-glutamic acid fermentation should be elevated at a higher level than conventional ones.

Method for producing L-glutamic acid by continuous fermentation


An information handling system includes a digital circuit having a first terminal connected to a first voltage reference, and a second terminal connected to a second voltage reference. The digital circuit is configured to be coupled to a radio device. The system also includes a band pass filter having a first terminal connected to the first voltage reference, and a second terminal connected to the second voltage reference. The bandpass filter is configured to produce a low impedance response, to reduce a radio frequency noise generated at a specific frequency band of the band pass filter, and to reduce a radio frequency interference produced by the digital circuit and received at the radio device.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
An information handling system can have a radio device to provide wireless communication between the information handling system and a remote device. However, different digital circuits in the information handling system may generate radio frequency (RF) noise that can interfere with the ability of the radio device to communicate with the remote device. Such RF noise is typically due to the switching of transistors within the digital circuits of the information handling system. As the transistors switch states, a small voltage is drawn because of the non-zero impedance of a power system of the information handling system. This voltage is carried through the digital circuit and can be re-radiated from an interconnect mechanism of the digital circuit, such as a printed wire board, a cable, and the like. The RF noise from the interconnect mechanism may be picked up by an antenna of the radio device, degrading its performance.
The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

System and method for reducing radio frequency interference from digital circuits


An optoelectronic system for measuring fluorescence or luminescence emission decay, including (a) a light source being a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser or a flash tube; (b) a first integrated circuit comprising at least one circuit causing the light source to emit light pulses towards a sample which causes a fluorescence or luminescence emission from the sample; (c) a photodiode detecting the emission; (d) a second integrated circuit comprising a detection analysis system determining information about the sample by analyzing decay of the detected emission; and (e) an enclosure enclosing the light source, the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit and the photodiode.

Optoelectronic systems are used to measure fluorescence or luminescence emission decay in a sample, and to then determine characteristics of the sample from the detected emission. For example, optoelectronic systems measure decay time and amplitude of a detected emission, and then analyze the measured decay time and amplitude to determine materials in, or characteristics of, the sample.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional optoelectronic system to measure fluorescence or luminescence emission decay. Referring now to FIG. 1, a synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped dye laser system 24 emits light pulses 25 into a sample (not illustrated) on a sample holder 26, to cause a fluorescence or luminescence emission from the sample.
A photomultiplier tube 28 detects the emission. In FIG. 1, photomultiplier tube 28 is shown in its own housing 29. A boxcar integrator module 30 generates an electrical signal from output of photomultiplier tube 28, and a signal processor module 32 processes the electrical signal, to thereby determine information about the sample. A memory module 34 stores a result of integrator module 30, and is accessed by signal processor module 32.
A pickoff beamsplitter 31 splits off a portion of the light emitted by synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped dye laser system 24 and provides the split off portion to a photodiode (PD) 33. The output of photodiode 33 is provided to a variable delay module 36 that produces a variable delay used to gate boxcar integrator module 36.
Typically, synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped dye laser system 24 repeatedly emits light pulses to create multiple identical decays, improving the signal-to-noise ratio.
In this manner, the optoelectronic system determines information about the sample by analyzing, for example, decay time and amplitude of the detected emission.
A display device module 40 can be provided to display the determined information.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped, dye laser system 24 includes, for example, a cavity-dumped dye laser 35, a modelocked pump laser 37, a modelocker electronics module 39 and a cavity dumper electronics module 41.
Various additional components are typically provided. For example, a lens 42 focuses light emitted from synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped dye laser system 24 on the sample, and a lens 44 collects emission from the sample and focuses the collected emission on photomultiplier tube 28. A filter or monochromator 46 is typically provided. If a filter is provided, the filter would be, for example, a wavelength filter which passes the fluorescence or luminescence light from the sample, and blocks wavelengths from laser system 24. Generally, such a filter would typically be a long-wavelength transmitting filter, which blocks short wavelengths and passes longer wavelengths. A monochromator provides a similar function as a filter, by passing only desired wavelengths.
A baffle 48 could be provided to prevent light or other unwanted emission from laser system 24 from overwhelming photomultiplier tube 28.
The specific operation of the various components in FIG. 1 will not be further discussed in detail herein, as such operation is well-known in the art.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an additional example of a conventional optoelectronic system to measure fluorescence or luminescence emission dynamics. The optoelectronic system in FIG. 2 uses a detection system based on time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC).
Referring now to FIG. 2, a time-to-pulse-height converter module 50, a multi-channel analyzer module 52 and a signal processor module 54 operate together to determine information about the sample from the emission detected by photomultiplier tube 28. A first stage amplifier 56, a second stage amplifier 58, and discriminators 60 and 62 are also provided. TCSCP detection allows fluorescence and luminescence emission dynamics to be followed down to low levels, often 10−4 of their initial values. This broad dynamic range reveals the non-exponential behavior of luminescence emission from some samples as well as permitting independent measurement of multiple exponential decays. The specific operation of the various components in FIG. 2 will not be further discussed in detail herein, as such operation is well-known in the art.
Unfortunately, the conventional optoelectronic systems in FIGS. 1 and 2 are very large, and can require a fairly large sized room in which to operate.
For example, a typical synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped, dye laser system 24 is a very large system, with many components each typically housed within its own box or enclosure. For example, in FIG. 1, a typical cavity-dumped dye laser 35 and modelocked pump laser 37 each might be, for example, 2 meters long. A typical modelocker electronics module 39 might be, for example 60 centimeters long, 30 centimeters deep and 20 centimeters high. A typical cavity-dumper electronics module 41 might be, for example, 60 centimeters long, 60 centimeters deep and 20 centimeters high.
Further, a typical synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped, dye laser system 24 has high power requirements and is very inefficient.
Moreover, the operation of a synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped, dye laser system 24 requires the use of a vibration isolation table.
In addition, the dye used in cavity-dumped dye laser 35 is toxic and liquid, thereby causing many problems.
In addition, photomultiplier tube 28 would typically be housed in its own housing 29, such as a box or enclosure. Generally, a typical photomultiplier tube 28 in its housing 29 might be, for example, 25 centimeters long, 17 centimeters wide, and 20 centimeters high. A typical photomultiplier tube 28 might be provided with associate drive components (not illustrated) which are, for example, 30 centimeters long, 35 centimeters wide and 10 centimeters high.
The above-described measurements are only general example measurements, and are simply intended to provide a general idea as to the size of various components.
Further, conventionally, boxcar integrator module 30, signal processor module 32, display device module 40, time-to-pulse-height converter module 50, multi-channel analyzer module 52 and signal processor module 54 are provided as separate components, each housed in its own enclosure.
Accordingly, there is a need for a smaller, integrated optoelectronic system in which all the components are enclosed in the same box.

Integrated optoelectronic system for measuring fluorescence or luminescence emission decay


A fuse assembly including a housing and a fuse element which fuses open for protection against overcurrent or short-circuit current flows. The fuse assembly also includes reflecting means such as metal polished surfaces for reflecting radiation rays generated from the fuse element back to the fuse element. The reflecting means may be formed from separate parts interposed between the fuse element and the inner wall of the housing. Alternatively, the reflecting means may be formed by applying a metal plating on a surface of an inner wall of the housing to give a mirror-like appearance to the surface.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a cartridge-type fuse used in an electric circuit such as those commonly found in an automobile or the like. In particular, the invention relates to a cartridge-type fuse having improved fusing time-current characteristics when an overcurrent such as a short circuit current flows through the fuse.
2. Description of Related Art
Accompanying FIG. 3 shows a conventional cartridge-type fuse assembly 1 commonly used to protect an electric circuit in an automobile or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the fuse assembly 1 has a pair of terminals 3a, 3b connected by a fuse element 5 and resides in a housing 7 made from insulated heat-resisting resin. The fuse assembly 1 also includes a transparent cover 11 which covers the opening 9 at the upper portion of the housing 7. The housing 7 has terminal receiving chambers 4a, 4b, for receiving terminals 3a, 3b, formed inside the housing below a fuse element space 6 for containing the fuse element 5. When the terminals 3a, 3b are positioned within the terminal receiving chambers, the fuse element 5 is seated within the fuse element space 6 and straddles the terminal receiving chambers 4a, 4b. The fuse element 5 includes a fusible (current responsive) portion which fuses open when an overcurrent or short-circuit passes through it, thereby, opening the circuit connected to the fuse to protect the circuit. The condition of the fuse element including the fusible portion can be readily observed through the transparent cover 11.
Generally, in a conventional fuse as described above, the fusing time, or the time elapsing from the melting of the fusible portion of the fuse element 5 to the final opening of the circuit, is correlated to the current flow as shown in FIG. 4. Namely, the fusible portion in the conventional fuse is fused open in a very short period of time when subjected to a current flow rate in excess of 200 percent of the fuse capacity rating. However, this fusing time is relatively long when the conventional fuse is subjected to a current flow below 200 percent of the fuse capacity rating since the conventional fuse resists fusing at these lower current flows. The fusing time is also extended when an intermittent overcurrent such as a short circuit current, as opposed to a continuous current, flows through the fusible portion resulting in repeated heating and radiating of the fuse. Furthermore, in the case of an intermittent short circuit current flow, electric wires which have protective insulating coating will not radiate heat as readily as the fusible portion of the fuse element, thereby, generating smoke in the worst case.

Fuse assembly having radiation reflecting means


A method of calibrating an electrohydraulic valve is disclosed. The method includes actuating an on-off valve to an open position. A speed of a fixed displacement pump is regulated to establish a desired flow rate at an outlet of the pump. The pump is in fluid communication within a closed loop circuit with the on-off valve and the electrohydraulic valve. A target pressure in the closed loop circuit is determined as a function of the desired flow rate. The method further includes increasing a current to the electrohydraulic valve and monitoring the target pressure in the closed loop circuit. A start of a fluid flow through the electrohydraulic valve is determined based on a drop in the target pressure within the closed loop circuit.

Electrohydraulic valves are generally used in hydraulic systems to regulate a flow of a fluid based on electric signals provided by a controller. Electrohydraulic valves may perform various functions within the hydraulic systems, for example, supplying a pressurized fluid to a hydraulic actuator, drain the fluid to a tank, regulate fluid pressure, and so on.
Such electrohydraulic valves generally involve various design and manufacturing complexities. Various moving components of the electrohydraulic valves may also experience wear due to prolonged use. Therefore, responses of the electrohydraulic valves to electrical signals may be unreliable. Hence, calibration of the electrohydraulic valve may be necessary to ensure that the electrohydraulic valves meet desired performance requirements. Calibration of electrohydraulic valves that are fluidly connected with a bypass valve is known in the art. However, there may be a situation in which the hydraulic system may not include a bypass valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,554 discloses a method for calibrating an independent metering valve. The method for calibrating the independent metering valve having a valve element movable between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position includes directing pressurized fluid to the valve and increasing a current directed to the valve for controlling a position of the valve element. The method further includes sensing a pressure of the fluid. The method for calibrating the valve also includes determining if a time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold over a predetermined period of time and determining a cracking point current command directed to the valve. The cracking point current command is directed to the valve when the time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than the predetermined threshold.

System and method for calibrating electrohydraulic valve


A microswitch with shifting gear, especially suited to set indication, alarm and urgent tripping in pointer type instruments, like pressure gauge, thermometer and so on. The microswitch includes a switch unit, a pressure bar (or lever), an actuator, and a shifting gear. The shifting gear is located near one side of the pressure bar. This shifting gear includes a cam and two forks (or arms) fixed on the cam. The location of the center shaft of the cam is fixed relative to the switch unit. On a circumferential portion of the cam, there are two contact points or two contact surfaces that have unequal distances from the center of the shaft. When a striking arm hits on one of the forks, the cam will rotate and change the contact point or contact surface that contacts the pressure bar, thus the functional mode of the switch unit can be changed. The pointer-type instrument has a pointer (or indicator arm) that indicates environmental conditions such as temperature or pressure. The striking arm and the pointer are fixed on the same shaft. The striking arm will shift the switch unit on or off when the pointer passes a set point (e.g., a set temperature value). The microswitch overcomes the problem of aggregation of reactive forces from several activated switch units. The microswitch has a simple structure, is very practical, and allows the pointer-type instrument to provide good indication accuracy with no setting errors.

The present invention relates to an electric switch, and more particularly, to a microswitch with shifting gear to shift the switch on and off by a striking arm, which can be widely used in small current control system, such as limit system, alarm system, indicate system, etc. It is specially suited to set indication, alarm and urgent tripping in pointer type instruments, like pressure gauge, thermometer and so on.
Microswitches are widely used in many fields, in recent times, microswitch are in general typically operated by pressing an actuator (or a button). FIG. 1 shows a typical electric contact unit used in a thermometer. As shown in FIG. 1, the indicate pointer is fixed with the cam together. When the temperature increases, the pointer turns counterclockwise with the cam synchronously. When the temperature reaches a first set point, the cam causes the microswitch K1 to be depressed and activated because of the change of the cam""s diameter. When the temperature goes up continuously, the cam will cause microswitches K2 and K3 to be depressed and activated one by one; and the cam itself is bearing the reactive force of the restoring torque from the activated microswitches. The reactive force increases when the number of the activated microswitches increases, and the damping force to the pointer becomes heavier, which will influence the accuracy of temperature indication. When the activated microswitches reach a certain quantity (usually be 2), the indication error will be more than the acceptable range in many cases. In another respect, more force moment is required at the point xe2x80x9cOxe2x80x9d because the reaction force from the activated microswitches will affect the pointer""s rotational movement. Thus the miniaturization of the thermometer bulb is restricted.
To overcome the increasing reactive forces exerted from several microswitches, one method is to use a microswitch whose indicating pan is separated from the setting pan, and the indicating pointer is coupled to the setting pointer which activates the microswitch. Because the accuracy is influenced by both the driving device""s transmission error and the setting error caused by the separation of the setting pan and indicating pan, this method requires high techniques and the quality control is difficult.
Therefore, the purpose of the invention is to provide a microswitch which includes a shifting unit that can overcome the aggregation of reactive forces from the activated switches and is easy to manufacture, the microswitch is especially suited for use in pointer type instruments.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a microswitch comprising a switch unit, a pressure bar, an actuator, and a shifting gear.
The switch unit, pressure bar, and actuator are the same as or similar to a typical switch.
The shifting gear is fixed near one side of the pressure bar. This shifting gear is made of a cam and two forks fixed on the cam. The center shaft of the cam is fixed relative to the switch unit by a method generally known in the art. On the side of the cam facing the pressure bar, there are two contact points or two contact surfaces which are un-equidistant from the center of the cam. When a striking arm hits on the fork, the cam will rotate about the shaft and change its contact point or contact surface that is facing the pressure bar, thereby changing the functional mode of the switch.
The striking arm and the pointer are fixed on a same shaft and the striking arm swill shift the switch on or off when the pointer rotates pass the set point.
According to the above-mentioned method, the shaft of the pointer sustains a reactive force only when the striking arm hits on the fork to shift the microswitch on or off. The problem of aggregated pressure is overcome. Therefore, the pointer has a high indication accuracy and requires less force moment from the thermometer bulb. The structure of present invention is very simple, has no setting error, and is very practical.

Room 201, No. 22, Building 7, ShuGuang Xin Cun


A positive off and automatic on ignition stop switch and electronic circuit for use in an internal combustion engine. The circuit that allows for normal operation of the engine in an unbiased state. When it is desired to turn the engine off, a stop switch is triggered which provides a single mechanism for shutting off the engine. After the switch is activated, the circuit holds the ignition circuit in an off state for a sufficient amount of time to allow the engine to completely stop operation. The circuit holds the engine in the off state for a period of time even after the switch is deactivated. As a result, the operator of a piece of equipment in which the present invention is utilized can activate a switch one time, which results in the engine coming to a complete stop, without the requirement of further activity.

On/off switches are typically used in small engines, such as gasoline engines incorporated in lawn and garden equipment, to provide a mechanism for turning off the engine. In such a system, the switch should be in an "on" position to start the engine. After the engine is running, the switch should be turned to the "off" position when it is desired to end the operation of the engine. While such a switch may provide for a simple operation of the engine, it has some undesirable qualities, such as relying on the operator to manually position the switch in the off and the on position. If the switch is left in the off position after the engine is turned off at the end of operation, the next time the engine is attempted to be started, the operator must turn the switch to the on position. If the operator inadvertently overlooks the necessity to turn the switch to the on position, an attempt to start the engine may flood the engine, which makes subsequent starting extremely difficult.
Another approach may be to provide a spring loaded switch that is biased to the on position. With such an approach, the operator would not have to remember to turn the switch to the on position for the next start of the engine. However, the operator must manually maintain the switch in the off position until the engine stops rotating. This is undesirable since an operator may hold the switch to the off position for a time less than adequate to completely shut off the engine and then release the switch so that the engine continues to operate, which may result in a dangerous condition.

Ignition switch having a positive off and automatic on