A method for decreasing sensitivity to errors in an imaging apparatus includes, defining an ideal pattern of dot locations as a rectilinear grid formed by an intersection of a plurality of rasters and a plurality of vertical columns; for each raster of the plurality of rasters defining a plurality of groups of dot locations; and for each raster of the plurality of rasters, vertically shifting some groups of the plurality of groups of dot locations while not vertically shifting a remainder of groups of the plurality of groups of dot locations so as to define a non-ideal vertically shifted pattern of dot locations.

Ink jet printing systems produce images by printing patterns of dots on a print medium, such as a sheet of paper. The dots are formed by drops of ink contacting the print medium. Such systems typically include two main mechanisms for determining the location of dots on the print medium, namely, a halftone mechanism and a shingling mechanism. Such mechanisms may be implemented, for example, in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof, and may reference one or more lookup tables.
Typically, between passes of a printhead over a print medium, e.g., a sheet of paper, during a printing operation, the print medium is advanced, i.e., indexed, in the sheet feed direction by some amount. However, indexing errors can occur during the feeding of the print medium. For example, although the desired sheet feed amount may be some fraction (1/N) of the height of the printhead between successive passes, typically the paper advances either a little more (overfeed) or a little less (underfeed) than requested.
The ratio of dot size versus print resolution also is an important property of a printing system with respect to robustness to typical errors, such as indexing errors. If the dot size and spacing of the drops are such that the there is little overlap between adjacent drops, the printing system will be sensitive to small placement errors.

Method for decreasing sensitivity to errors in an imaging apparatus


A battery includes an air electrode and an air access passageway that is closed by a non-liquid valve actuable by differential pressure to provide an opening therein to admit air to the battery.

Primary zinc/air batteries are known. They deliver the highest energy density of any commercially available battery system and at a low operating cost. They are usually in the form of small button cells and, as such, are widely used, for example, in hearing aids and in children's toys. They are not rechargeable and at the end of their life they are thrown away.
A typical zinc/air button cell is shown in the self-explanatory FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B of the accompanying drawings which show an axial section of the cell with an enlarged view (FIG. 1B) of part of the cathode. Button cells are normally fabricated with a temporary closure (not shown) externally over the air access passageway or hole, the closure being removed to activate the battery when it is first to be used. The battery functions by admission of air through the air access passageway, the oxygen in the air being consumed by reaction in the cell. The oxygen-depleted air diffuses out of the cell through the air access passageway, and fresh air is admitted.
Whilst it is an attractive feature of zinc/air batteries to be able to supply reactant oxygen simply by provision of an air access passageway in the cathode, this arrangement also has some disadvantages. In particular, it allows transmission of water vapour into and out of the cell and it allows ingress of carbon dioxide. Transmission of water vapour affects the concentration of the potassium hydroxide electrolyte in the anode and the precipitation conditions of the zinc oxide in the anode, cathode and separator, the loss or gain of water over a period depending on the humidity of the environment in which the battery is being used. Carbon dioxide admitted can react with the electrolyte to reduce its activity. In practice, it is believed that the useful life of a zinc/air button cell is determined by gain or (in many cases more usually) loss of water rather than by exhaustion of the electrical capacity.
These problems are addressed to some extent in current zinc/air cells by controlling the water flux by using hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) both in the cathode and as a membrane on the cathode, and by careful selection of the size and number of the air access holes. However, neither of these techniques has proved very satisfactory. It has further been suggested to use complex mechanical and/or electromechanical valves to control the admission of air but these are expensive in construction and in operational energy requirement.
Another approach has been to provide in the supporting structure for the battery a tiny electric fan preferably with long air diffusion tubes as set forth in AER WO 94/25991. The fan is actuated when current is drawn from the battery, in order to blow in replacement air. However, about 10% of the electrical energy output of the cell is needed to drive the system and it occupies about 10% of the cell volume. For these reasons and because of cost, it is not an attractive solution to the problem of controlling water flux.
US patent specification no. 4439500 to Gibbard et al. describes zinc/air cells provided with a gas switch to control the water flux into and out of the cell. The switch comprises a liquid disposed in and normally closing an air passageway for the cell, the liquid and passageway being such that when there is an adequate pressure differential across the passageway, the liquid is temporarily forced aside and out of the passageway by the differential air pressure to open the passageway to allow air to flow therethrough into and out of the cell. When the pressure differential subsequently reduces, the liquid returns into the passageway to once more occlude it. Whilst this device is simple, it has a number of disadvantages not least of which is the fact that if the battery is subjected to shock or vibration, for example, the liquid can be permanently displaced from the passageway so that the gas switch is then effectively destroyed. The liquid can also be absorbed by the surrounding structure or contaminate the active materials of the battery.
Another method of controlling air access (and hence water flux) to zinc/air batteries, which is simple and economic, reliable and extremely effective, needs to be developed.
Other air electrode batteries are known, for example air recovery (also known as air assisted or air restored) batteries. An air recovery battery is a battery that uses air to recharge its cathode during periods of low or no discharge. One type of air recovery battery employs zinc powder as the anode, manganese dioxide (MnO2) as the cathode, and an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte. At the anode, zinc is oxidized to zincate and at the cathode, MnO2 is reduced to manganese oxyhydrate.
When the cell is not in use or when the rate of discharge is sufficiently slow, atmospheric oxygen enters the cell and reacts with the cathode. Manganese oxyhydrate is oxidized to form MnO2. During high rates of discharge, air recovery batteries operate like conventional alkaline cells by reducing "fresh" (unreduced) MnO2. During low rates of discharge and periods of rest with no current flow, the "consumed" (reduced) MnO2 is restored or recharged by atmospheric oxygen to the fresh state. In air recovery batteries, the cathode is normally housed within a container (for example a can) and at least one air access passageway is provided in the container to allow air to enter and contact the cathode. The provision of an air access passageway in air recovery batteries can give rise to the same or similar problems as arise in zinc/air batteries as described above, and a method of controlling the air access in such batteries, which method is simple and economic, reliable and effective, needs to be developed.


A method and structure for analyzing a database having non-text data in data fields and text in text fields. The invention first selects a subset of the database based upon criteria. The subset includes data field(s) and associated text field(s). The invention searches for data matching the criteria within structured data fields of the database. If the invention searches multiple databases, the invention creates shared dimensions for databases that do not share common attributes. The invention automatically selects a relatively short text phrase from the text fields that helps to explain the underlying meaning (i.e. unique text content) of a data subset selected using the non-text data fields.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to database analysis and more particularly to a method and system that automatically produces text explanations for data events that occur in the database.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional systems analyze data or text independently, but not both together in an integrated fashion. Past approaches to using text in On-line Analytic Processing (OLAP) tools rely on feature extraction to reduce the text to a small number of pre-selected features.
The invention described below presents a novel approach to using text associated with data. The inventive approach assumes no knowledge about what features are contained in the text data. In particular, with the invention, carefully selected segments of the text can be used to "explain" unusual statistical anomalies (events) in the data.

Text explanation for on-line analytic processing events

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for breaking up Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) slurry particles includes receiving a CMP slurry comprising particles suspended in a solution, placing the slurry into a first agitation tank, and agitating the slurry at a first frequency. The first frequency is selected to break up particles having a size within a specified range.

Integrated circuits may be formed using various photolithographic techniques. Such techniques typically include use of a Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process. The CMP process is typically used to grind down and smooth the surface of a semiconductor substrate. In some cases, the CMP process is used to remove some or all of previously formed layer(s) that are no longer needed. For example, trenches may be formed into a semiconductor substrate. Various other layers of material may be deposited within the trenches. To simplify the deposition process, these layers are deposited on the entire semiconductor substrate, including the trench areas and non-trench areas. To remove the deposited layers from the non-trench areas, the CMP process may be applied to grind away the deposited layers.
The CMP process uses a slurry that includes a chemical solution with a specific viscosity that will hold very small particles. The particles are made of a hard material such as silica (SiO2) or alumina (Al2O3). These particles help grind away and smooth the surface of the substrate. These particles should be within a specific size range. Particles that are too large can cause unwanted scratches on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. Particles that are too small will not effectively grind the surface of the substrate. Thus, the CMP slurry is typically put through a filter to remove larger pieces. It is desirable, however, to have a solution with fewer large particles that have to be filtered out.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


An apparatus and method for controlling a speaker's volume of a push-to-talk (PTT) phone avoid an undesirably loud volume sound from the speaker that may be caused due to inadvertence of the user during a PTT call mode. While in a PTT call mode, physical contact between the user and a contact sensing unit, provided at a PTT button or at an earpiece, is sensed. The speaker volume is automatically adjusted according to how the user is holding the phone, as determined by the contact sensing unit. Thus, the emanation of undesirably loud sounds from a loud speaker of the phone (e.g. as occurs during a PTT session) can be prevented when it is determined that the user has the earpiece adjacent to their ear (e.g. as occurs during a normal mobile telephone conversation).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a push-to-talk (PTT) phone and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling a speaker volume of a PTT phone.
2. Description of the Background Art
Upon subscription with a mobile communication service, a mobile communication terminal (referred to hereinafter as a "phone" or "mobile phone") can make telephone calls to outside parties. This two-way connection is known as an ordinary mobile phone mode for the phone.
Some phones also have a mobile radio function. The phone can function as a walkie-talkie radio with a transmit button being provided on the phone. This one-way connection will be called a push-to-talk (PTT) mode for the phone. In the PTT mode, the user holds the phone away from their face, speaks to the phone from a distance, and hears the other party speaking via a loud speaker, sometimes mounted on the back or sides of the phone. The PTT communication mode is very different from the mobile phone communication mode, where the user holds the phone to their face/ear and speaks directly into a microphone of the phone.
Some PTT type phones have a receiver (e.g. an earpiece in the form of a low volume speaker) which is held against the ear and a loud speaker (e.g. a high volume speaker) which is used during the PTT mode. Some PTT type phones have only one speaker which serves the dual function of the earpiece and the loud speaker. FIG. 1 is a view showing the exterior appearance of a PTT phone having a receiver (e.g. earpiece and a loud speaker), in accordance with the background art.
The PTT phone has two communication modes: an "ordinary mobile phone mode," which is used when the user wants to use the PTT phone as a typical mobile phone, and a "PTT call mode," which is used when the user wants to use the PTT phone as a mobile radio. In order to use the PTT phone as a mobile phone, the user can naturally grasp a lower portion of the PTT phone without letting a finger contact with a PTT button and communicate with the other party with the receiver portion of the PTT phone being held against the user's ear and a Mic portion held close to the user's mouth.
In order to use the PTT phone as a mobile radio, the user can press a finger on the PTT button of the PTT phone and communicate with the other party by using the speaker and Mic, with a certain interval maintained between the user's head and the PTT phone, in a facing relationship. It is noted that the way the user holds the PTT phone differs depending on the communication mode the user selects.
However, the background art has drawbacks. If the user forgets that they are using the phone in the PTT mode and holds the phone to their face/ear, as if using the phone in the mobile phone mode, the user will be surprised by the high volume of the voice of the other party from the loud speaker. This problem is partially alleviated when two speakers are provided in the phone and the loud speaker is locate away from the earpiece, such as on the backside of the phone or beside the keypad, as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, even with such a structural disposition of the speakers, the loud speak is still too close to the user's ear to completely avoid the surprise and annoyance of having the loud volume of the PTT mode communication so near to the user's ear.

Apparatus and method for controlling speaker volume of push-to-talk (PTT) phone


An electric stepper motor includes a thru-hole, a rotor and a stator. The rotor consists of a pair of hollow magnetic metal flange-shaped laminations arranged within a hollow magnetic sleeve. The motor can be field-converted from rotary to lineal translation by attachment of a threaded nut to the motor shaft mounting face. The thru-hole allows use with a chamber and provides transport of hardware and elements into the chamber.

There exists a need in motion control applications for the use of step motors as through-hole motors in semiconductor, manufacturing and medical processes that use light emitted by lasers, radar positioning pedestals, and environmentally controlled chambers. Current step motor designs do not easily adapt to such through motor applications without substantial modification.
One example of a motor having an internal opening is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,689 entitled "Engine Intake Passage Length Varying Device" wherein a cylindrical rotor is mounted co-axially with a hollow chamber that contains the air filter of an automotive engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,072 entitled "Rotating Electric Machine" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,324 entitled "Electric Stepper Motor" both describe highly efficient rotor and stator configurations to provide enhanced motor torque.
The state-of-the-art stepper motor designs do not readily allow motors to be stacked end-to-end for multi-axis motion nor allow passage of electric wires or air passage through the center of the motors. Such motors do not readily allow field conversion from a rotary to lineal actuator without substantial modification to the mounting structure.
One purpose of the invention is to describe a stepper motor having means for passage of wires and the like through the center of the motor along with improved motor torque efficiency. The motor includes means for conversion from rotary to lineal actuation with only minor modification to the motor mounting structure.

Electric stepper motor having a cylindrical magnetic rotor with a pair of cups made of magnetic material


The APO-1 cellular membrane antigen, an about 50 kDa antigen associated with cellular apoptosis, and purified cDNA encoding same is described. The antigen is expressed by numerous normal and malignant cells, including activated and malignant lymphoid cells. Also disclosed are antibodies which bind the antigen, and which induce growth inhibition and apoptosis.

Cell surface molecules play crucial roles in lymphocyte growth control. Such molecules may function as receptors for growth-stimulating cytokines or be associated with receptors and transmit signals essential for growth regulation. Receptor blockade or removal of the stimulating cytokines can lead to decreased lymphocyte growth. For example, withdrawal of interleukins slows human lymphocyte growth and finally leads to a characteristic form of cell death called "programmed cell death" or apoptosis. E. Duvall and H. H. Wyllie, Immunol. Today 7,115 (1986). Apoptosis is the most common form of eukaryotic cell death and occurs in embryogenesis, metamorphosis, tissue atrophy, and tumor regression. A. H. Wyllie, J. F. R. Kerr, A. R. Currie, Int. Rev. Cytol. 68:251 (1980). It is also induced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer and killer cells; by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin (LT); and by glucocorticoids. The characteristic signs of apoptosis are segmentation of the nucleus, condensation of the cytoplasm, membrane blebbing (zeiosis), and DNA fragmentation into multimers of about 180 base pairs (called a "DNA ladder").
Recently, it has been shown that anti-CD3 induces apoptosis of immature thymocytes in vitro. C. A. Smith et al., Nature, 337:181 (1989). It has been suggested that CD3-triggered apoptosis might be responsible for negative selection of T cells in the thymus.
The selective induction of apoptosis in cells, such as diseased cells, could prove a useful therapeutic tool.

Monoclonal antibodies to the APO-1 antigen


Unitary fill port and terminal constructions and methods for filling and sealing are disclosed for electrical devices comprising liquids. The invention is particularly suited for use in prismatic batteries comprising non-aqueous organic electrolytes.

Various commercial electrical devices contain internal components that must be shielded from the surrounding environment to prevent degradation. Additionally, some such devices also contain liquid components that must be incorporated in the device during manufacture but may evaporate afterwards unless the device is well sealed thereafter. Electrolytic capacitors and batteries are examples of such devices. Recently, new long life types of lithium non-aqueous batteries have become commercially available based on what is known as rocking chair or lithium ion electrochemistries. These batteries typically contain liquid organic electrolytes comprising solvent mixtures of esters, ethers, and the like. Difficulties exist, however, in adapting prior art filling methods with conventional container and terminal constructions when attempting to mass produce such batteries.
Often, commercial capacitors and batteries employ a deep drawn metal container that acts both as a container and as one of the electrical terminals for the device. The operating internal components of the device can be inserted into the container as an assembly, and a cover comprising an electrical feedthrough can then be employed to seal the device wherein the feedthrough acts as the other electrical terminal.
Conventional aqueous cylindrical batteries (eg. AA size alkaline batteries) employ a cylindrical metal container and metal cover construction wherein the cover is crimp sealed to the container using an insulating plastic gasket. Therefore, the cover itself acts as a feedthrough and terminal in this construction. Filling of the electrolyte is accomplished simply by dripping the liquid into the partly assembled battery comprising the container and internal electrical assembly. Generally, the electrolyte is added at a rate such that the liquid can be absorbed by the internal electrical assembly without ever creating a significant head. Otherwise, the liquid could wet the surfaces to be crimp sealed and thereby foul the seal itself. The appropriate electrical connection between the internal assembly and the cover may be made before or after the filling operation.
The aforementioned construction and filling method can be adopted successfully for non-aqueous lithium ion batteries. However, the typical electrolyte viscosity and the porous nature of the typical solid internal electrical assembly is such that the electrolyte must be added very slowly to avoid wetting the crimp seal surfaces. Even when the solid internal assembly is evacuated beforehand, this filling process can take of order of half an hour.
Prismatic batteries (ie. rectangular parallelepiped shape) are generally preferred for many applications but are somewhat more difficult to make. The manufacture of prismatic batteries can have many similarities to that of the aforementioned cylindrical batteries, but it is generally impossible to effect a satisfactory crimp seal using a rectangular cover. Thus, a weld is often employed to join cover and container in this case, and consequently the cover cannot be used as a second terminal (since it is electrically connected to the container via the weld). A feedthrough, remote from the welded cover periphery, is thus needed to act as a second terminal and is typically located and fabricated in the cover as a subassembly (ie. prior to wetting). Such feedthroughs can be a glass-metal seal type or a rivet seal type (such as the crimp seal design employing a rivet described in German Patent Application 3240806A1). The electrolyte filling operation thus can be performed as described previously, followed by a welding of the cover rather than a crimping.
It is undesirable however to perform high temperature welding operations in the presence of flammable non-aqueous liquids. Thus, filling of prismatic batteries with non-aqueous solvents is desirably performed after welding the cover in place. A means of dealing with this problem has been to construct pseudo-prismatic batteries having gentle curves which replace the right angle corners in the periphery of the cover (ie. rectangular covers with rounded corners). However, this construction sacrifices battery volume that is preferably used to the maximum in most applications.
Alternately, other means can be provided for filling after the joining of cover to container, such as that described in Canadian Patent No. 993,946 wherein a septum seal is effected in the cover as a subassembly (ie. the cover acts as a terminal and comprises a resealable septum as the fill port). Electrolyte is added via syringe through said septum after hermetically sealing the battery. Another approach is to provide a separate fill tube for addition of electrolyte after joining the cover and container. The fill tube can be severed and cold welded shut thereafter (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,580). However, such alternatives require additional parts thereby increasing complexity, external battery volume, cost, etc.

Sealed electrical device with unitary fill port and terminal construction


A composition which reduces the turbidity of samples of artificial or naturally occurring biological fluids comprising:. a buffering agent; PA1 a nonionic surfactant; PA1 a lipolytic enzyme; and water.. The composition provides a catalyst for and agents which hydrolyze triglycerides present in the sample to glycerol and free fatty acids. Also present in the composition is a fatty acid scavenging agent or agents to render the catalyzed fatty acids water-soluble. The fatty acid scavenging agent may be cyclodextrin, albumin or mixtures thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a means and method of analyzing naturally occurring and artificially produced biological fluids. More particularly, the present invention concerns a means and method of reducing turbidity in various biological samples for other biological assays, for example hemoglobin determination, whole blood, glucose, neonatal bilirubin, cholesterol and/or triglycerides in blood serum or plasma.
2. Prior Art
Many assays of biological fluids such as glucose, albumin, etc., in whole blood or plasma, require colorimetric methods of analysis. In such samples, elevated triglyceride levels interfere with accurate determinations by causing sample turbidity which poses prblems during analysis.
Blood assays to determine total blood hemoglobin are a necessary element of medical blood work-ups. To ascertain hemoglobin content of blood, hemoglobin is conventionally converted to cyanomethemoglobin using Drabkin's reagent. However, the presence of elevated levels of triglycerides in both whole blood and plasma samples causes turbidity during conventional analysis. The turbidity created by the triglycerides in the samples creates difficulties in determining the hemoglobin content of the sample. Turbidity has deleterious effects on measurements requiring optical analysis and in radioimmunoassays.
To overcome problems of turbidity many means and methods have been developed. Presently, the predominant approaches are ultracentrifugation, organic solvent extraction or chemical precipitation of the lipoproteins. These are time-consuming, arduous and cumbersome techniques.
Exemplifying the prior art is, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,502. This patent teaches a reagent kit for the hydrolysis of triglycerides to glycerol a nd free fatty acids using lipase, and at least one reagent capable of assaying glycerol. The invention disclosed in this reference is predicated on the use of a microbial source of lipase such as Chromobacterium viscosum, which, in turn, requires activation by the presence of a surfactant.
Other relevant art is found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,338,395; 3,168,448; 3,759,793; 4,245,041; 3,703,591; 4,012,287 and 3,853,465.
In McGowan et al, Clinical Chemistry, vol. 29, No. 3, 1983, there is described a totally enzymatic technique for measuring triglycerides involving the complexation of generated fatty acids thus eliminating the production of turbidity.
None of the prior art is directd to the elimination of triglycerides to reduce the rurbidity generated thereby. It is to be appreciated that the prior art fails to provide a simple, one-step reagent which overcomes the turbidity in samples of biological fluids to permit sample assaying. It is to this purpose that the present invention is directed.

Composition for reducing turbidity in samples of biological fluids


The present invention provides methods of preparing an improved platinum catalyst for use in fuel cells. The method includes preparing a platinum-loaded template of mesoporous alumina, and preparing a platinum catalyst using said alumina template. To prepare the template, a platinum solution and an aluminum alkoxide-butanol solution are combined to form a mixture and the mixture is then subjected to hydration and condensation reactions. To prepare the platinum catalyst, the template and carbon precursors are subjected to polymerization, and the resultant composite subjected to heat treatment. Due to the uniform platinum particle size and high specific surface area achieved, the method of the invention can produce a platinum catalyst with high catalytic activity and thermal stability and in turn improve the performance of the fuel cell in which the catalyst is used.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a platinum catalyst. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of preparing an improved platinum catalyst for use in fuel cell electrodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Spurred on by increasing oil prices and growing concerns over environmental pollution, the use of fuel cells has sparked global interest as an alternative to fossil fuel and combustion technologies. Fuel cells are attractive for a number of reasons, e.g. low pollution, high energy efficiency, fuel flexibility, high quality power output, quick response to load fluctuations, excellent heat recovery characteristics, quiet operation, etc. Their high energy efficiency and low pollution partly derive from the use of a clean fuel source, e.g. hydrogen, methanol, etc.
Platinum catalysts are often employed in fuel cell electrodes since they can increase the fuel cell's power density. However, the amount of natural platinum deposits is in limited supply, and its use in fuel cell electrodes quite cost-prohibitive. Accordingly, efforts are being made toward developing a catalyst for fuel cell electrode, which uses a lower quantity of platinum yet retains relatively high energy efficiency as compared to the conventional fuel cell electrode catalyst.
The conventional platinum catalyst used in fuel cell electrode requires a high quantity of platinum to be loaded on carbon supports. Typically, 20 weight parts of platinum particles are loaded on 100 weight parts of carbon supports. However, when too much platinum is loaded onto carbon supports, the platinum particles tend to agglomerate and form larger particles. This in turn reduces the specific surface area of the catalyst and lowers the overall catalytic activity. In other words, a catalyst with larger platinum particles has lower catalytic activity than a catalyst with smaller particles even when the amount of platinum deposited and amount of carbon supports are held constant. Catalyst supports that are currently in commercial use have a relatively high average specific surface area, e.g. 250 m2/g. In conventional catalysts, about 20 weight parts of platinum can be uniformly dispersed on 100 weight parts of carbon supports. However, agglomeration of platinum particles results when more than 20 weight parts of platinum particles are loaded onto 100 weight parts of supports.
One attempt to solve the agglomeration problem described above is found in Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-84372, which proposes using a mesoporous carbon substance with high specific surface area as a catalyst support. This substance can prevent platinum particles from agglomerating by enabling a large number of platinum particles to be uniformly dispersed on its surface, so as to form a catalyst with higher catalytic activity for applications in fuel cell electrodes.
To form this mesoporous carbon substance, carbon precursors such as carbohydrate or carbon polymer precursors are forced to permeate into pores of a silica template, i.e. a structure with uniformly-sized pores. The silica template, having been impregnated with carbon precursors, is dried and polymerized using an acid catalyst. The resultant composite is then subjected to a high temperature for thermal decomposition to yield a silica-carbon composite. The silica template is removed from said composite using either a strong base, e.g. sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or a strong acid, e.g. hydrofluoric acid (HF). The resultant structure is then rinsed with ethanol and water and filtered to produce a mesoporous carbon substance with large uniformly-sized pores. The final steps in preparing a platinum catalyst for applications in fuel cell electrodes involve treating the surface of the mesoporous carbon and loading small uniformly-sized platinum particles thereupon.
While the mesoporous carbon substance of the prior art can support a high quantity of platinum, its preparation and use in fuel cell electrodes present several problems. For instance, the pores of the platinum catalyst as prepared by the conventional method become clogged during the platinum loading step. This can lower catalytic activity, which in turn detracts from fuel cell performance. In addition, the conventional method of preparing a platinum catalyst lacks a high temperature thermal treatment step, causing sintering, i.e. agglomeration of metal particles on the catalyst, to occur as a result of exposure to heat generated during fuel cell operation. The many labor-intensive steps and long processing time are additional disadvantages associated with the conventional method of preparing a platinum catalyst using the mesoporous carbon substance. In light of the above, there is a need in the art to overcome these problems associated with preparation of a platinum catalyst for use in fuel cell electrode.

Method of preparing a platinum catalyst for use in fuel cell electrode


A high-powered double cladding (DC) pumped Ytterbium-free L-band Erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) for dense-wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) is disclosed. The DC pumped Ytterbium-free L-band EDFA comprises a length of DC Erbium-doped fiber (EDF) that has a low-index, large-diameter core. For some embodiments, the DC-EDF also comprises a trench that is located radially exterior to the cladding, thereby increasing cladding absorption while still effectively maintaining single-mode behavior.

1. Field of Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to optical amplifiers, and, more specifically, to double-cladding pumped erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA).
2. Description of Related Art
Demand for increased data capacity has resulted in the creation of next-generation optical networks. These next-generation optical networks use high-power amplifiers for efficient operation. Thus, there are ongoing efforts to improve the amplifiers for use in these next-generation optical telecommunication systems.

High-power double-cladding-pumped (DC) erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA)


A first process for making labels comprises the steps of feeding a laminated combination of a face stock and a process liner to a cutting station such as a microperforator or die-cutter and thereafter stripping the process liner from the face stock and further processing the face stock. The process liner may be recycled and reused. A second method includes all of the steps described above along with the further step of laminating the cut or perforated face stock, immediately after stripping off the process liner, to a second lighter liner which carries the face stock, minus the web or matrix of waste material, to a roller. A complete description of the machinery is given herein.

It is known to manufacture adhesive labels in a mass production fashion from a substantially continuous strip of suitable face stock. The apparatus and methodology for producing such labels can include serialized stations for applying release layers, applying adhesive layers, performing cutting operations and performing stripping operations. Machines for manufacturing labels using some or all of these steps are available from ETI Converting Equipment, Ltd., of Boucherville, Quebec Canada J4B 5H3.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and apparatus for the manufacture of labels


A blind spline broaching machine for machining splines as well as sprockets, keyways, gears, cams and contours on workpieces, such as shafts. The blind spline broaching machine of the preferred embodiment has dual rams reciprocable relative to a rotary dial. The rams hold a corresponding pair of workpieces, while the rotary dial supports one or more broaching tools. The rotary dial is rotatable to index the workpieces to and from the rams. The blind spline broaching machine also incorporates a part moving unit on its periphery, which enables the use of a single loading/unloading station at which workpieces are alternately loaded onto and unloaded from the rotary table. Because the workpieces are loaded and unloaded from the same location on the periphery of the blind spline broaching machine, the side of the blind spline broaching machine opposite the loading/unloading station remains open to permit ready access to the tooling and the interior structure of the blind spline broaching machine. In addition, only one conveyor system is required to transport workpieces to and from the blind spline broaching machine. As a result, the complexity of and the floor space required for the blind spline broaching machine is substantially reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to broaching machinery, such as the type used to progressively broach blind splines on a workpiece. More specifically, this invention relates to a dual ram rotary blind spline broaching machine having a workpiece handling system which enables the workpieces to be loaded and unloaded at a single point along the periphery of the broaching machine table, such that easier access to the machine is provided for service and set-up, the workpiece handling system to and from the broaching machine is simplified, and the overall operating envelope of the broaching machine is reduced.
2. Description of the Prior Art
"Blind spline" broaching machines are used in the machining of splines on a workpiece, such as a shaft, which cannot be passed completely over or through a broach. Blind spline broaching machines are also suitable for forming other precision features, such as sprockets, keyways, gears, cams and contours. This type of broaching is particularly advantageous in the manufacture of precision parts in terms of machining time, which can be more than ten times faster than conventional operations, such as hobbing and shaping.
Conventionally, blind spline broaching consists of the movement of a workpiece through a series of tools which progressively remove material until the desired final dimensions are achieved. Typically, a workpiece is mounted to an indexing table which indexes the workpiece to each of a number of tools held in hydraulic rams. When its respective ram is actuated, a tool performs work on a workpiece, removing a specified amount of metal from the workpiece. The table is then indexed to align the workpiece with the next tool, and the cycle is repeated until the workpiece has encountered each tool and has been brought to its final size and shape.
Alternatively, it is known to locate the tools on the indexing table while mounting the workpieces on the hydraulic rams. An advantage here is that the number of hydraulic rams required is independent of the number of broaching operations desired. For instance, six broaching tools can be located on the indexing table while two rams, each holding a workpiece, can be actuated to broach the workpiece using two of the six tools. The table can then be indexed to align the next two tools with the workpieces until each workpiece is finished. The finished workpieces are then removed from the blind broaching machine in a preferably automated manner.
Because efficiency is increased when more than one workpiece is being machined at any given time, it is generally preferable to have more than one hydraulic ram. However, to maintain the size and complexity of a blind spline broaching machine, it is also preferable to limit the number of hydraulic rams. An illustrative example of this aspect is shown by a prior art blind spline broaching machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an overhead view of an indexing table 112 of a blind spline broaching machine 110. The indexing table 112 has six tool stations 114 (stations 114a through 114f) located along its periphery, along with two receptacles, referred to as "nests" 116a and 116b, for loading and unloading workpieces from the indexing table 112. Two hydraulic rams 118 are located above the indexing table 112 where indicated. The hydraulic rams 118 are diametrically opposite each other, and define two separate paths which the workpieces can take through the blind spline broaching machine 110.
For example, workpieces can pass through the blind spline broaching machine 110 by entering at a first loading station 120 and exiting at a first unloading station 122. Correspondingly, a second loading station 124 is located diametrically opposite the first loading station 120, at which other workpieces can enter the blind spline broaching machine 110. This second group of workpieces will exit the blind spline broaching machine 110 at a second unloading station 126, which is diametrically opposite the first unloading station 122. During a machining cycle, workpieces are loaded into the second nest 116b each time the second nest 116b is indexed to one of the load stations 120 and 124. Concurrently, two workpieces are held by each hydraulic ram 118 and, with each movement of the indexing table 112, the workpieces will be driven down to encounter one of the tools 114 on the indexing table 112. Once a workpiece has been broached in the last operation by the last tool 114f, the indexing table 112 is again indexed to permit the workpiece to be dropped into the first nest 116a. The subsequent indexing of the indexing table 112 will carry the machined workpiece toward one of the unload stations 122 and 126 while bringing the new workpiece into alignment with the hydraulic ram 118. The new workpiece will then be automatically secured to the hydraulic ram 118 and, with the next movement of the indexing table 112, will be machined by the successive tools 114a through 114f, starting with the tool station 114a and continuing to completion at the tool station 114f.
From the above discussion, it can be readily appreciated that the prior art blind spline broaching machines require two separate loading stations and two separate unloading stations, which must be spaced circumferentially around the blind spline broaching machine indexing table. As a result, the loading and unloading stations occupy a large portion of the circumferential space around the blind spline broaching machine, making access to the tools difficult for maintenance and repair. Further complicating the structure of the blind spline broaching machine is the requirement to have two completely separate conveyor systems to deliver and take away workpieces. As a result of the placement of the loading stations 120 and 124 and the unloading stations 122 and 126, two diametrically opposed delivery conveyors and two diametrically opposed return conveyors are required, which further obstruct access to the internal components of the blind spline broaching machine. Finally, the floor space required to accommodate the blind spline broaching machine is significantly increased due to the large amount of room required to accommodate two separate delivery and return conveyor systems. One way to greatly reduce the structure of the blind spline broaching machine would be to eliminate the need for two separate conveyor systems, while still retaining the capability to machine more than one workpiece during a given cycle.
Accordingly, what is needed is a blind spline broaching machine which incorporates workpiece handling equipment that enables the through-path of the workpieces to be altered, such that workpieces can be loaded and unloaded at a single loading/unloading station, so as to necessitate only a single delivery and return conveyor system.

Loading/unloading system for broaching machine


An image forming apparatus includes an image forming member; a heating member; an opposing member that opposes the heating member; an urging member having one end attached to a first support member that supports the opposing member, the urging member urging the opposing member so that the opposing member presses a recording medium against the heating member; a moving member that moves from a closed position to an open position, a space accommodating the heating and opposing members being closed when the moving member is at the closed position and opened when the moving member is at the open position; and a cancelling member to which the other end of the urging member is attached and that is rotatably attached to a second support member that supports the heating member, the cancelling member rotating from the closed position to cancel a pressing force with which the recording medium is pressed.

(i) Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
(ii) Related Art
In small image forming apparatus, a fixing device is disposed in an upper section of the inner space of a housing. The fixing device includes a heating member and an opposing member that opposes the heating member at an upper side of the heating member and that presses a recording medium against the heating member.
A cancelling member cancels a pressing force of the opposing member in response to an opening-closing operation of an opening-closing member that covers the fixing device. The cancelling member may be rotatably supported by a support member that supports the opposing member. In this case, the cancelling member projects upward from the support member that supports the opposing member. The height of the housing may be determined in consideration of the arrangement of the cancelling member.


A system comprising a switching entity disposed between healthcare data processing resources and non-healthcare data processing resources. The switching entity is capable of operation in a first state in which an end user device is communicatively coupled to the healthcare data processing resources to support a healthcare session and a second state in which the end user device is communicatively coupled to the non-healthcare data processing resources to support a non-healthcare session. If the authentication request message is received while the switching entity is operating in the second state and a particular non-healthcare session is in progress, and the selected authentication entity is the healthcare authentication entity, initiating a memory purge at the end user device. Attacks on the healthcare data processing resources, both from the non-healthcare resources directly and via the end user device, are thus prevented.

The ability for healthcare users to interact with a hospital information system while at the point of care (POC), e.g., at a patient's bedside, is recognized as having the potential to dramatically reduce the incidence of certain medical complications. Specifically, studies estimate that significant benefits are likely to arise through the provision of "computerized physician order entry" (CPOE), which consists of allowing healthcare users (e.g., doctors, nurses, orderlies) to place orders (e.g., prescription, blood test, clean towel, etc.) via a bedside location in the vicinity of the patient being treated. This simple yet elusive paradigm, dubbed "CPOE at the POC", has the potential effect of reducing human error due to temporary memory loss and mistakes in transcription. In addition, when coupled with real-time decision information support tools (DIST), CPOE provides healthcare users with an additional level of assurance that their diagnosis or treatment plan falls within generally accepted parameters.
For background reading on the CPOE-at-the-POC paradigm and its predicted impact, the reader is referred to the following references, hereby incorporated by reference herein:                Clinical Decision Support—Finding the Right Path, by J. Metzger, D. Stablein and F. Turisco, First Consulting Group, September 2002        Computerized Physician Order Entry: Costs, Benefits and Challenges—A case Study Approach, by First Consulting Group for Advancing Health in America and the Federation of American Hospitals, January 2003        Leapfrog Patient Safety Standards—The Potential Benefits of Universal Adoption, by J. D. Birkmeyer, The Leapfrog Group, November 2000        Computerized Physician Order Entry: A Look at the Vendor Marketplace and Getting Started, by J. Metzger, F. Turisco, First Consulting Group, December 2001        A Primer on Physician Order Entry, by First Consulting Group for the California Healthcare Foundation, Oakland, Calif., September 2000
A typical example of a conventional CPOE-at-the-POC solution consists of a plurality of CPOE terminals with associated clinical software residing on those terminals, and which can access, read and input directly into the hospital information system infrastructure. All required healthcare information is downloaded to the terminal and written to the hard drive for use by the applications that are resident in the terminal. The terminals have gated access via an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) solution, based upon centralized authentication of user identity and authorization of that user to specific sets of privileges. By virtue of the fact that all of the healthcare applications are resident in the terminal, the terminal is typically to be a powerful workstation or personal computer (PC).
It is a reality, however, that healthcare institutions have neither sufficient funds nor adequate physical space to deploy customized CPOE terminals based on powerful processors, and containing healthcare applications and healthcare data for each patient at that patient's bedside. Recognizing that television terminals delivering patient entertainment services are to be found in virtually every patient room, and that TV display technology and PC display technology and image processing are in many cases converging, it has been proposed to make healthcare applications such as CPOE accessible to healthcare users via the same terminal that supplies the patient entertainment services. Thus, terminals and software have been developed, which allow both healthcare communications services and non-healthcare communications services to be accessed via a common user interface, albeit with significantly different authentication metrics.
One approach to reducing the requirement to deploy separate CPOE terminals lies in combining the healthcare and non-healthcare data delivery infrastructures at a common terminal. Some current systems which have adopted this approach provide healthcare applications (such as CPOE) for healthcare users, as well as health information, hospital information and entertainment/communication for non-healthcare users, via a common terminal and interface being fed by two underlying delivery infrastructures.
A problem with such conventional approaches is the lack of security arising from the dual-purpose nature of the common terminal. In particular, there exists the potential threat of a patient or outsider downloading so-called spyware (i.e., malicious software), AAA message collection software or other system-penetration software via non-healthcare sources (such as the Internet), and using the software so downloaded to attack the security or operation of the healthcare applications in the hospital information system. Clearly, this is a major consideration in the overall clinical system security and affects the degree to which healthcare providers will approve of delivering both healthcare and non-healthcare communications services to a common delivery point. With tens of millions of patients being admitted to U.S. hospitals on an in-patient basis every year, the number of "bored hackers" given access to such a system could be quite high, assuming even a modest proliferation of the combined delivery architecture. The impact of a successful penetration of a healthcare resources by a malcontent patient, with or without the aid of the Internet, may potentially put hospital efficiency and patient lives at risk, as well as expose the hospital to the risk of major lawsuits and/or public embarrassment.
Thus, there remains a need in the healthcare industry for preventing an attack on healthcare data processing resources in a hospital information system, thereby thwarting malicious attempts at hacking into medical records and other sensitive information stored in the hospital information system.

Systems and methods for preventing an attack on healthcare data processing resources in a hospital information system


A spread spectrum clock generation circuit capable of further reducing the electromagnetic wave radiation with a simple configuration has been disclosed and, particularly in a spread spectrum clock generation circuit using a current control oscillator (ICO), a differential signal to which a spread spectrum modulation signal, the period or amplitude of which changes, is added is generated, and the differential signal is applied to the ICO and a clock is generated.

The present invention relates to a spread spectrum clock generation circuit which generates a clock signal the period of which changes slightly in order to reduce electromagnetic wave radiation, a jitter generation circuit which adds a jitter to a clock signal or the like, and a semiconductor device using the circuits.
Recently, as semiconductor devices have increased in speed and degree of integration, a problem of EMI (electromagnetic interference) due to electromagnetic wave radiation from a device has attracted more attention. As the operation frequency has increased, the wavelength has become shorter and shorter, and the wiring length of a connecting circuit, or inside the substrate, has become almost as short as the wavelength of a high frequency signal, therefore, the connecting sections of wires or the like may serve as antennas and electromagnetic wave radiation is increased. The electromagnetic wave radiation of electronic devices using semiconductor devices which operate at a high clock frequency causes adverse effects such as malfunctions due to mutual interference between electronic device and interference with communication devices.
In order to solve these problems, measures are currently taken against electronic devices, which cause the problem of the electromagnetic wave radiation, in which the electromagnetic wave radiation is reduced by improving the arrangement or the like of circuits, the leakage of electromagnetic waves is reduced by shielding the electromagnetic waves, and so on. However, as portable equipment or the like is required to be more compact and lighter, a problem occurs in that it is difficult to sufficiently carry out the shielding in order to reduce the electromagnetic wave radiation.
Therefore, often, the operating clock frequency of a semiconductor device is changed slightly and/or the peak of noise is scattered by the addition of a jitter to a clock signal.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2000-101424, a spread spectrum clock generation (SSCG) circuit has been proposed, which carries out spread spectrum processing for slightly changing the operating clock frequency of a semiconductor device.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional SSCG circuit. This example shows a circuit which generates a clock CK from a reference clock CLK, the frequency of the clock CK being M/N times that of the reference clock CLK, by utilizing a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit. This circuit consists of a 1/N divider 11, a frequency phase comparator 12, a charge pump (CP) 13, a loop-filter 14, a voltage control oscillator (VCO) 17, a 1/M divider 18, a modulator 15, and a voltage addition circuit 16. The frequency phase comparator 12 detects a phase difference between the CLK divided by a factor of N and the CK divided by a factor of M and outputs a signal to control the CP 13 in accordance with the phase difference. The CP 13 outputs a signal to charge and discharge the loop-filter 14 in accordance with the phase difference and a differential voltage in accordance with the phase difference is generated at one end of the loop-filter 14. In a conventional clock generation circuit which does not carry out the spread spectrum modulation, the differential voltage is applied to the VCO 17 and a clock with a constant period is generated accordingly. In the SSCG circuit, however, the modulator 15 outputs a spectrum modulation signal which has a small amplitude and changes in a predetermined spread spectrum modulation period as shown in FIG. 2, and the spectrum modulation signal is added to the differential voltage in the voltage addition circuit 16 and applied to the VCO 17. An amplitude of the spectrum modulation signal is sufficiently smaller than that of the differential signal and the spread spectrum modulation period is sufficiently longer than a period of the generated clock CK. As a result, the period of the generated clock CK changes in the a predetermined cycle, with the period M/N times the period of the reference clock CLK being the center. The coefficient of change of period and the cycle are determined by the spectrum modulation signal generated by the modulator. The response time of the PLL circuit is set to a time sufficiently longer than the period of the spectrum modulation signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,627 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 9-98152 have suggested the use of a waveform as shown in FIG. 3 as a spectrum modulation signal. The use of this waveform makes the peak lower and reduces the electromagnetic wave radiation.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 8-292820 has disclosed a configuration in which the period of a spectrum modulation signal is changed randomly. The electromagnetic wave radiation is reduced by randomly changing the period.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 7-202652 has disclosed a clock pulse generator which adds a jitter to a clock signal. The clock pulse generator disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 7-202652 comprises a plurality of delay circuits connected in series and a multiplexer connected via a tap to the output of each delay circuit. The clock signal to be input from each delay circuit via the tap to the multiplexer becomes a signal delayed in phase with respect to the reference phase respectively, and any one of signals delayed in phase is output selectively by controlling the multiplexer.
Moreover, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 11-110067 has disclosed a semiconductor device in which the period of a clock signal is constant and the peak value of the EMI intensity is reduced by scattering the EMI intensity to each frequency component by changing the duty ratio.

Spread spectrum clock generation circuit, jitter generation circuit and semiconductor device


A roof ventilator comprises a duct 1 having a symmetrical hood 3 supported at its apex 4 by bearing 10. In the absence of wind, hood 3 is spaced from the upper end 2 of duct 1 with its depending skirt 6 surrounding upper end 2 However, wind from any direction causes the hood to tilt so that skirt 6 is lowered on the windward side thus increasing the ventilation rate and thus positioning hood 3 to deflect wind and wind-borne material from the ventilator opening.

The invention relates to ventilation to control temperature, humidity and air quality in confined spaces. Ventilation of confined spaces involves movement of fresh air thereto and removal of vitiated air therefrom. A confined space to which the invention applies may be a room or an attic in a domestic building, an area in a farm building for storing produce or accommodating animals, a workspace in an industrial establishment, in an underground formation such as a mine or tunnel or in a road, rail or water vehicle. The air in such confined spaces may be spoiled because of depletion of the oxygen content of the air and/or due to the presence of odours, noxious gases, smoke, dust and the like.
Ventilation apparatus for this purpose is well known and many systems such as powered, wind-assisted and convective arrangement have been proposed. To achieve effective circulation of air, the inlet for fresh air has generally been located at a lower level than the outlet for spoiled air which has usually been at ceiling or roof level. Commonly, the outlet has been a roof ventilator comprising a substantially vertical shaft or duct passing through the roof of the structure enclosing the confined space or mounted adjacent to the roof As the open top end of the duct is exposed to atmosphere, it has usually been provided with a cap or canopy which does not impede the outflow of air from the duct but provides some protection from atmospheric deposits such as rain and snow entering the duct and passing to the confined space. However, wind-borne dust, rain, spray and snow can still pass under the cap and into the duct and pass to the confined space, even when some wind-assisted devices such as turbine ventilators are installed.
There have been some prior proposals intended to avoid wind driven rain and other material entering the ventilating opening in the roof of a structure. There are also some prior wind directed devices for ventilators and chimneys.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,503 (Shank), there is disclosed a wind-directed roof ventilator comprising a hood covering an elongated opening in the roof of a farm building. The hood is pivotally mounted and is capable of side-to-side movement to two oppositely located limit positions by means of a drive motor controlled by a wind-directed-responsive vane mechanism. In the event of particular wind directions, the position of the hood is varied to minimize the risk of wind-driven rain from entering the ventilating opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,420,141 (Pennington) discloses a flue hood for preventing back draft and the entry of rain to the flue. A V-shaped hood is pivotally mounted above the flue opening and is adapted to oscillate about a horizontal axis to cover and uncover opposite sides of the flue. Wind pressure actuated means causes the hood to tilt to cover the side of the flue to windward.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,610 (Chabot) discloses a wind directed automatic damper for a chimney flue designed to keep constant the chimney draft despite varying wind velocity and direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,601,423 (Allman et al) discloses a roof ventilator for exhausting air from a building. The ventilator has a cap and baffles intended to prevent wind or wind driven rain or snow from entering the building through the ventilator and a movable damper blade to control exhaustion of air from the building.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,205 (Knowles et al) discloses a roof ventilator having exhaust ports in opposite vertical sides and deflecting baffles to allow air and fumes from the interior of the building to be exhausted generally horizontally while preventing wind driven rain, snow and like from entering the building through the ventilator. An air control baffle is provided to control the exhaust.
U.S. Pat. No 2,923,225 (Massey) discloses a roof ventilator for a building. The ventilator is of generally rectangular cross-section and has downwardly facing exhaust ports in opposite sides and a damper blade for controlling the flow of air from the building.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,214,183 (Seymour) discloses a roof ventilator, extending along a roof ridge, with curved baffles forming downwardly facing exhaust ports on opposite sides of the ridge.
It is an object of the invention to provide a roof ventilator having a tilting hood which is designed to operate as a combined wind assisted and convective ventilator that avoids the ingress of wind and wind-borne material.
The roof ventilator of the invention is simple in operation in that it requires the hood of the ventilator to be mounted on a single pivot bearing allowing the hood to tilt away from the wind thus increasing the ventilation rate due to the suction caused by wind flowing around the hood and thus positioning the hood to deflect wind and wind-borne material from the ventilator opening irrespective of wind direction. The invention provides a tilting hood ventilator which is simple in construction with few moving parts.
In accordance with the invention, a ventilator for a structure enclosing a confined space comprises a duct adapted to be mounted in a substantially upright position having an open upper end exposed to the atmosphere and a lower end communicating with the confined space, a substantially symmetrical hood having a base located substantially at the apex of the hood and a skirt fixed to the base and depending therefrom, a socket in the base opening on the underside thereof, a rigid support having a lower end connected to said duct and an upper end, a bearing fixed to the upper end of the support and seated in the socket so that the base of the hood is supported in a position spaced above the upper end of the duct with the depending skirt surrounding the upper end of the duct, the arrangement being such that, in the absence of wind, the hood is spaced from the duct and, in the presence of wind from any direction, the hood is tilted by the wind so that the skirt is lowered on the windward side thus increasing the ventilation rate and thus positioning the hood to deflect wind and wind-borne material from the ventilator opening.
The rigid support may be fixed to the ventilator duct. Alternatively, the support may be mounted so that it can raise or lower the hood to open or close the ventilator duct.


An integrated structure of shell and film with high compatibility and convenient positioning includes a bottom shell and an upper cover, the bottom shell is provided with a mobile phone accommodating cavity, and the upper cover is buckled with the bottom shell to wrap the mobile phone accommodating cavity. The bottom shell is provided with a fixing structure for fixing a mobile phone, the fixing structure includes a fixing piece, the upper cover is provided with an avoiding position that cooperates with the fixing piece, and the fixing piece cooperates with the avoiding position to form a first positioning structure.

The mobile phone needs to be protected during use. The existing mobile phone protective structure mainly includes a mobile phone shell, a mobile phone set, and a mobile phone film. Generally, mobile phone shells and mobile phone sets can only protect the back and sides of the mobile phone, while the mobile phone film can only protect the mobile phone screen, but cannot provide a single structure to effectively protect the entire mobile phone.
Based on this, an all-inclusive mobile phone shell has appeared on the market, which can protect the entire mobile phone. For example, in the prior art, a protective shell made of metal combined with plastic tempered glass is disclosed in the patent with patent number CN 208094642 U. The mobile phone shell includes a metal sheathed front cover and a protective back cover, and the protective back cover is clamped and installed on the metal sheathed front cover. The metal sheathed front cover includes a metal frame and a metal front surrounding edge. The metal front surrounding edge is installed above the metal frame. The four corners of the protective back cover are provided with fixed corner pieces, and the three fixed corner pieces are provided with a first clamping protrusion, the other fixed corner piece is provided with a dismounting groove corresponding to the lower part of the metal frame, and the metal frame is provided with a first clamping groove at the position corresponding to the first clamping protrusion. The metal sheathed front cover is in the front and the protective back cover is in the back, which fixes the mobile phone firmly; there is no need for deformation of the metal sheathed front cover during installation, so harder metal materials can be used; the protective back cover is clamped and installed on the metal sheathed front cover, which is firmly connected, and the clamping protrusion has a short stroke when clamping, and there is no need to leave a large sliding gap; a disassembly groove is provided in a corner of the metal frame for easy removal.
Although the protective shell can realize all-inclusive protection of the mobile phone, its bottom shell cannot be used alone on the mobile phone, and the upper and lower covers are inconvenient to install, the front cover is thick, and the operation of the mobile phone screen is not sensitive enough.

Integrated structure of shell and film with high compatibility and convenient positioning


An image processing system is disclosed that includes a superimposing merger operation unit. The superimposing merger operation unit receives the encoded data of a main image and the encoded data of a sub image, and generates superimposedly merged encoded data by merging the encoded data of the main and sub images superimposedly. The superimposedly merged encoded data generated by the superimposing merger operation unit is configured so that the main image is stored therein and that when the superimposedly merged encoded data is decoded, each of the main image and sub image is reproduced with the sub image being reproduced superimposedly with respect to the main image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to image processing, and more particularly to code-level image processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the case of displaying an image, it may be desired to add a name, date, legend, or logo to the image or to mask a particular portion of the image.
As methods of obtaining the encoded data of such an image to which information is added or on which masking is performed, a method that performs encoding after replacing a partial area of an original image with another image (image-level area replacement) and a method that divides an original image into multiple areas, performs encoding area by area, and replaces the encoded data of part of the areas with the encoded data of another image (code-level area replacement) are well known. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 2001-008039 and 2003-078767 are examples of well known literature related to the latter method.
In the encoded data obtained by the above-described image-level or code-level area replacement, information on the area of the original image to be replaced is not stored. Accordingly, the original image before editing cannot be reproduced. For instance, it is not possible to remove a mask and see the original image. Nor is it possible to reproduce the original image without an added legend.
According to the method that performs image-level area replacement, both the original image and an area image to replace a partial image thereof require image data (pixel value data). If each image is prepared in encoded data, first, the encoded data is decoded, then, replacement is performed, and thereafter, re-encoding is required, thus resulting in a great processing load. In the case of irreversible encoded data, image quality is degraded in the decoding and re-encoding processes.
According to the method that performs code-level area replacement, a replacing area image and the area to be replaced of the original image should be in agreement with each other in size, shape, and position. If there is no agreement in size, shape, or position, there are problems in that an image reproduced from encoded data includes distortion and that there is an increase in the overall size. In other words, the replacing area image is limited in size, shape, and position.

System and method for generating superimposed image data


Disclosed is a steam turbine power plant adapted to start operating very efficiently by highly accurate look-ahead control of a plurality of its startup constraints. The power plant includes a fundamental startup constraint prediction device 32 that calculates from a control input variable of the controller 12, 14 a prediction period about a fundamental startup constraint which is short in response time, a reference control input variables calculating device 33 that calculates such a reference control input variable of the controller 12, 14 as the value predicted and calculated by the fundamental startup constraint prediction device 32 will not exceed a limit value, other startup constraint prediction devices 35a, 35b each calculating a corresponding prediction period of data about desired one of other startup constraints from the prediction period of reference control input variables data, other control input variable calculating devices 36a, 36b each calculating corresponding other control input variables of the controller 12, 14 from the value predicted and calculated by the other startup constraint prediction device 35a, 35b, and a control signal output device 40, 41, 42 or 43 that outputs a command value to the controller 12, 14 in accordance with a value selected from the reference control input variable and the other control input variable.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steam turbine power plant.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is being demanded that a starting time of a steam turbine power-generating plant be further reduced for suppressed instability of the electric power in a grid-connected power system by connecting renewable energy, represented by wind power generation or solar power generation, to the power system. When the steam turbine is started up, however, steam abruptly increases in both temperature and flow rate. A consequential sudden increase in a surface temperature of the turbine rotor relative to an internal temperature thereof augments a radial temperature gradient and thus increases a thermal stress. An excessive thermal stress could shorten a life of the turbine rotor. In addition, if the change in the temperature of the steam is significant, differential thermal expansion due to a difference in heat capacity occurs between the rotor and casing of the turbine. If the differential thermal expansion increases, this could lead to contact between the rotating turbine rotor and the stationary casing, and hence to damage to both thereof. Accordingly, a starting state of the steam turbine needs to be controlled to prevent the thermal stress of the turbine rotor and the differential thermal expansion thereof with respect to that of the casing from exceeding respective maximum permissible levels (refer to Japanese Patent. Nos. 4208397 and 4723884, and JP-2009-281248-A).


A new and improved apparatus for use with a pool or billiard table includes a stick assembly and arrays of light reflectors attached to the table, in parallel with the respective ball-rebounding surfaces. The stick assembly includes a stick and a laser unit connected to the stick. The laser unit includes a housing which is adjustably connected to a bracket which receives the stick. The stick can also include a spring-loaded ram assembly for striking a ball with a predetermined force that results from an amount of energy stored in a compressed spring. A trigger releases the compressed spring permitting the spring to drive the ram to strike a ball. To employ the apparatus for a straight shot, a first ball, which is to be struck by the stick, a second ball, which is to be struck by the first ball, and a target location, such as a pocket, are selected by a player. For the straight shot, as the first ball is struck by the stick, the stick, an aimed light beam, the first ball, the second ball, and the target location are maintained in alignment. To employ the apparatus for a bank shot, a light reflector array is positioned parallel to a ball-rebounding side of the table. For the bank shot, as the first ball is struck by the stick, the stick, the aimed light beam, the first ball, a light reflector, the second ball, and the target location are maintained in alignment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pool and billiard games, and more particularly, to an apparatus especially designed to improve accuracy in playing pool and billiards.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The games of pool and billiards are very popular and are enjoyed by many persons. In playing these games, accuracy in aiming and shooting is of primary importance.
In certain areas of the prior art, but not in the arts of pool or billiards, devices are well known that are employed to improve accuracy in aiming at a target. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,770 of Schmidt discloses a combined sighting mechanism and laser range finder used for ordnance such as for destroying a military tank vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,755 of Wieberger discloses an optical sighting and/or observation set combined with a laser telemetry unit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,966 of Nakayama et al discloses a sighting apparatus that employs a laser oscillator, an optical system, a rotational table, and a movement conversion mechanism that converts movement on the rotational table into a linear movement through a motor and gearing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,863 of Alexander et al discloses a laser aiming device for firearms, archery bows, and crossbows. Special adjustment elements to compensate for wind and elevation are provided, and supports for those elements are also provided. U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,219 of Johnson et al discloses a modular laser aiming system for a hunter to use with a firearm. The modular nature of the device permits the laser aiming system to be used with a variety of optical telescope sights. It is noted that a laser is often used in the prior art sighting devices because of the straightness and sharpness of the laser beam.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior are art indicates it to be well known to use lasers in sighting devices for targeting distant objects such as targets for ordnance, the provision of a simple and cost effective device for employing a laser in sighting for pool and billiards is not contemplated. In this respect, it would be desirable if a simple laser-based sighting apparatus were available for improving accuracy in playing pool and billiards.
A factor in playing pool and billiards that contributes to inaccurate shots is that ordinarily a player must successfully coordinate two difficult activities simultaneously. First, the player must accurately determine the desired path tha the struck ball is to follow. Second, the player must accurately move his hands and arms to move the pool stick in a proper path so that the pool stick accurately hits the ball at the desired orientation. In this respect, it would be desirable if an apparatus were available that reduced the necessity of simultaneously coordinating both accurate aiming and accurate moving of hands and arms in carrying out a pool or billiard shot.
The foregoing disadvantages are overcome by the unique apparatus for pool and billiard games of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.


A portable screwdriver has a tip cartridge movably mounted inside the portable screwdriver. The tip cartridge can protrude from and be stored in the portable screwdriver and has multiple clamps formed, which hold the tips that can be individually detached from the tip cartridge and mounted on the portable screwdriver. Thus, the portable screwdriver is compact and facilitates carrying. Moreover, the portable screwdriver stores the associated tips inside and effectively prevents the tips from being lost.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a screwdriver, and more particularly to a portable screwdriver that is compact, facilitates being carried and effectively prevents associated tips from being lost.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional screwdriver has a shaft and a tip. The shaft has a front end. The tip is formed on the front end of the shaft and is configured to connect to a specific type of screw such as a slot, Phillip's head, torx head, etc.
To overcome the inconvenience of carrying many screwdrivers with various tips, screwdrivers with a body and interchangeable tips were developed. The tips are available in various sizes and shapes to accommodate different screws and are generally packed in a small toolbox to allow numerous tips to be carried with the body of the screwdriver.
Even though exchangeable tip screwdrivers overcame the necessity to carry many screwdrivers, losing individual tips or the entire tip toolbox is now a problem. Therefore, improvements still need to be made to exchangeable tip screwdrivers.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a portable screwdriver to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned problems.


Information to be recorded is recorded in a recording layer of a phase-change optical storage medium. The information to be recorded is modulated to generate modulated data. Desired mark-length data is generated based on the modulated data. Generated further based on the mark-length data is a recording pulse pattern of recording pulses rising from an erasing power and formed between a recording power larger than the erasing power and a bottom power smaller than the erasing power and of erasing pulses rising from the bottom power to the erasing power. A recording light beam is then irradiated onto the recording layer in accordance with the recording pulse pattern to record at least one recorded mark representing the information to be recorded. Used in recording is an optimum erasing power, as the erasing power, the optimum erasing power satisfying an expression (1): 1.000<(R1/R0)<1.030 . . . (1) in which R0 is a reflectivity exhibited by an un-recorded section of the recording layer, on which no data has ever been recorded, when irradiated with a reproducing light beam, and R1 is a reflectivity exhibited by the un-recorded section when irradiated with the reproducing light beam after irradiated once with a beam having the erasing power.

The present invention relates to an optical recording method, an optical recording apparatus and an optical storage medium, in or from such a storage medium, data being recorded, erased or reproduced with irradiation of a light beam (for example, a laser beam).
Phase-change optical storage media are data-rewritable storage media, such as, recent CD-RW, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. Especially, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM are used for recording and rewriting a large amount of data, such as video data. Phase-change optical storage media require excellent overwrite characteristics as well as recording characteristics.
Structures of and recording methods for conventional rewritable phase-change optical storage media are as follows:
Phase-change optical storage media have a structure in which at least a dielectric layer, a recording layer, another dielectric layer and a reflective layer are laminated in order on a substrate having a bottom surface to be irradiated with a laser beam carrying a recording or reproducing power, or an erasing power. In a phase-change optical storage medium having such a structure, recording pulses are applied (irradiated) onto a recording layer with a laser beam having a recording power, to melt and rapidly cool down the recording layer, thus forming amorphous recorded marks thereon. Reflectivity of the recorded marks lower than that of the crystalline-phase recording layer allows optical reading of the marks as recorded data. In erasing the recorded marks, a laser beam having a power (erasing power) smaller than the recording power is irradiated onto the recording layer to raise the temperature thereof to a temperature in the range from the crystallization temperature to the melting point to change the recording layer from the amorphous phase to the crystalline phase for erasing the recorded marks, thus overwriting being enabled.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2002-237089 and 2003-20065 propose an optical recording method or an optical storage medium in which reflectivity of un-recorded sections is made lower than that of recorded sections for excellent jitter and overwrite characteristics in high-speed recording. However, the inventors of the present invention found that the proposed optical recording method and optical storage medium cannot achieve sufficient overwrite characteristics (particularly characteristics at initial overwriting) at high linear velocity (for example, DVD×4 speed or higher).
Recently appeared are optical storage media applicable to multispeeds (for example, ×4 speed) to DVD×1 speed, which allow recording at linear velocity selected among the multispeeds. For such multispeed applications, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-155945 proposes a recording method with a power ratio of recording power Pwl to erasing power Pel in low linear-velocity recording lower than that of recording power Pwh to erasing power Peh in high linear-velocity recording. However, this method increases the erasing power Peh in high linear-velocity recording, which makes sections to be crystalline amorphous, thus lowering recording characteristics at initial recording. The inventors of the present invention found higher crystallization speed in recording-film composition or otherwise to avoid amorphous phase tends to cause segregation of recording films due to high erasing power Peh, which lowers reflectivity over repeated recording of 1000 times or more to lower recording characteristics, thus not preferable for overwriting.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-92889 proposes a recording method to provide constant erasing power Pe irrespective of recording linear velocity or recording power. The inventors of the present invention, however, found this method cannot provide acceptable recording characteristics over a wide range (from low to high) of linear velocity, each linear velocity having its own optimum erasing-power level.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-297481 proposes a method with a relationship (Pe/Pw)ref>(Pe/Pw)H>(Pe/Pw)L for power ratios (Pe/Pw)L, (Pe/Pw)ref and (Pe/Pw)H at low linear velocity, medium linear velocity and high linear velocity, respectively. The inventors of the present invention, however, found this method cannot provide acceptable overwrite characteristics for several times of overwriting because of low erasing power at low linear velocity.
As discussed above, the conventional optical recording methods with lower reflectivity of un-recorded sections than that of the sections after recorded or erased and the conventional optical storage media that exhibit low reflectivity on un-recorded sections after initialized cannot provide sufficient jitter characteristics after overwriting in high linear-velocity recording, thus having difficultly in providing acceptable overwrite characteristics.
The conventional recording methods applicable to multispeed recording for optical storage media provide higher power ratio for higher recording linear velocity, the maximum power ratio at a medium linear velocity whereas the minimum power ratio at a low linear velocity or a constant erasing power at all linear velocities. These methods, however, cannot offer sufficient initial recording characteristics or overwrite characteristics because of large erasing power Peh at high linear velocity or cannot offer sufficient overwrite characteristics because of small erasing power Pel at low linear velocity.

Optical recording method, optical recording apparatus and optical storage medium


A charge transport layer for an imaging member comprising a charge transport material with a nitrogen molecular defense system not exhibiting early onset of charge transport layer fatigue cracking. The nitrogen molecular defense system includes attaching bulky organic groups to charge transport materials. The bulky groups aid in preventing recrystallization of the charge transport molecule and shield the nitrogen from molecular attack, such as by oxidation. The charge transport layer exhibits excellent wear resistance, excellent electrical performance, and outstanding print quality.

This disclosure relates in general to electrostatography and, more specifically, to an electrostatographic imaging member having a charge transport layer comprising a stereo-hindered charge transport material containing bulky organic groups, and a method for protecting the nitrogen atoms of charge transport materials and, thus, the charge transport layer from chemical damage.
In the art of electrophotography, an electrophotographic plate comprising a photoconductive insulating layer on a conductive layer is imaged by first uniformly electrostatically charging the surface of the photoconductive insulating layer. The plate is then exposed to a pattern of activating electromagnetic radiation such as light, which selectively dissipates the charge in the illuminated areas of the photoconductive insulating layer while leaving behind an electrostatic latent image in the non-illuminated areas. This electrostatic latent image may then be developed to form a visible image by depositing finely divided electroscopic toner particles, for example from a developer composition, on the surface of the photoconductive insulating layer. The resulting visible toner image can be transferred to a suitable receiving member such as paper.
Electrophotographic imaging members are usually multilayered photoreceptors that comprise a substrate support, an electrically conductive layer, an optional charge blocking layer, an optional adhesive layer, a charge generating layer, a charge transport layer, and an optional protective or overcoating layer(s). The imaging members can take several forms, including flexible belts, rigid drums, etc. For many multilayered flexible photoreceptor belts, an anti-curl layer is usually employed on the backside of the substrate support, opposite to the side carrying the electrically active layers, to achieve the desired photoreceptor flatness.
Various combinations of materials for charge generating layers and charge transport layers have been investigated. U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,990 discloses a layered photoreceptor having a separate charge generating (photogenerating) layer (CGL) and charge transport layer (CTL). The charge generating layer is capable of photogenerating holes and injecting the photogenerated holes into the charge transport layer. The photogenerating layer utilized in multilayered photoreceptors includes, for example, inorganic photoconductive particles or organic photoconductive particles dispersed in a film forming polymeric binder. Inorganic or organic photoconductive materials may be formed as a continuous, homogeneous photogenerating layer. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,990 is incorporated herein by reference.
Examples of photosensitive members having at least two electrically operative layers including a charge generating layer and diamine containing transport layer are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,265,990, 4,233,384, 4,306,008, 4,299,897 and 4,439,507. The disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein in their entirety. Charge transport layers are known to be comprised of any of several different types of charge transport material dispersed in a polymer binder.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,443 describes a charge transport layer including a polyether carbonate (PEC) obtained from the condensation of N,N′-diphenyl N′-bis(3-hydroxyphenyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine and diethylene glycol bischloroformate. U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,341 similarly describes that a photoreceptor includes a charge transport layer including any suitable hole transporting material such as poly(oxycarbonyloxy-2-methyl-1,4-phenylenecyclohexylidene-3-methyl-1,4-phenylene.
In multilayer photoreceptor devices, one property, for example, is the charge carrier mobility in the transport layer. Charge carrier mobility determines the velocities at which the photo-injected carriers transit the transport layer. For greater charge carrier mobility capabilities, for example, it may be necessary to increase the concentration of the active molecule transport compounds dissolved or molecularly dispersed in the binder. Phase separation or crystallization sets an upper limit to the concentration of the transport molecules that can be dispersed in a binder.
In conventional layered organic photoreceptor devices, the charge transport layer (CTL) generally includes an activating compound dispersed in electrically inactive polymeric materials, thereby making the polymeric materials electrically active. Generally, the charge transport layer includes charge transport small molecules (CTM) and polymer binders. Typical inactive resin binders include polycarbonate resin, polyether carbonate, polyester, polyarylate, polyether, polysulphone, and the like. The charge transport molecules typically include aromatic amine compounds such as N N′, diphenyl-N,N′-di(m-tolyl)-p-benzidine [TPD].
The charge transport layer, however, is a thin coating layer of usually less than 40 microns. Because the charge transport layer is thin and there are no special chemical interactions between the charge transport molecules and the polymeric binders, the charge transport layer generally exists in a meta-stable state. Consequently, these kinds of charge transport molecules are susceptible to crystallization, which causes physical damage to the charge transport layer such as phase deformation, and low wear resistance.
Further, the small charge transport molecules, and particularly the nitrogen atoms of the charge transport molecules, may be easily oxidized by ozone, nitric oxide and other oxidative materials generated under normal operational conditions. In this regard, the nitrogen atom, connected with conjugated molecular structures like double bonds and/or benzene rings, is the core for charge transport materials. Consequently, the protection of nitrogen from chemical change is very important for organic photoreceptor devices.
These problems may be overcome in some degree by the use of a second transport layer having a higher concentration of donor or acceptor molecules, the use of a single layer with a concentration gradient, or the incorporation of antioxidant materials into the transport layer. The electrical properties of devices employing such methods, however, are often significantly compromised.
What is still desired is an improved material for a charge transport layer of an imaging member that exhibits excellent performance properties and has the further advantages of not being susceptible to crystallization, oxidation or chemical attack/damage when present in the charge transport layer.
These and other non-limiting aspects and/or objects of the development are more particularly disclosed below.