A starter for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine includes an electronic means for controlling cut off of the starter, whereby fluctuations are detected in the signal which correspond to the voltage or current of the starter, the power supply to the starter being interrupted when these fluctuations disappear. The automatic cut-off method includes determining, in the signal, successive periods during which the voltage is constantly increasing, the starter being cut off when one of these periods becomes greater than a given threshold. This threshold is given distinct values, firstly during an inspection time period which begins on closing of the starter contactor, and secondly, after the inspection time period. The duration of the inspection time period is chosen so as to be long enough to include the case in which the first and second fluctuations at the start of the compression strokes of the engines are substantially coincident with each other.

In current practice, it is usual, when starting an internal combustion engine of a vehicle for the starter to be cut off, i.e. for the action whereby the starter itself drives the engine, to be terminated, under the direct control of the driver of the vehicle, who for this purpose releases the ignition key from its "start" position when the engine gives out a characteristic sound. However, the prevailing tendency to make engines more and more quiet makes it increasingly difficult for the driver to detect this characteristic sound, and therefore difficult to know when to release the ignition key so as to disengage the starter. This results in the application of unnecessary, and severe, forces between the starter and the engine.
Numerous devices are already known for cutting off (i.e. interrupting the power supply to) a motor vehicle starter when the engine has been successfully started and is sufficiently autonomous to reach its slow running mode by itself. The best of these devices, in terms of performance generally, make use of an analysis of the fluctuations which occur in the power supply voltage to the starter. These fluctuations are due to variations in the current taken by the starter motor during the compression strokes of the internal combustion engine before the latter has been fully started.
It is well known that at the end of the period during which the engine is being driven by the starter, and during the first explosions in the engine, engine speed rises rapidly, so that starter cut-off should take place not only very rapidly, but also at exactly the right moment.
In order to obtain rapid cut-off of the power supply to the starter as soon as the engine has been driven by a sufficient amount, it has previously been proposed, in French patent application No. 96 11792 in the name of Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur, to provide a cut-off strategy whereby an inspection time period is commenced for each fresh fluctuation, and the power supply to the starter is interrupted when no extreme (maximum or minimum) value has been detected during this inspection time period. The duration of the inspection time period is for example proportional to the duration of the last preceding fluctuation. However, that strategy does not enable acyclic fluctuation to be controlled.
Such acyclic fluctuation is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, to which reference is now made. Each of FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a waveform of the starter voltage, plotted against time, at the commencement of the operation of the starter.
The acyclic effect shown in FIG. 1 occurs at the very beginning of the operation of the starter, with a peak C.sub.1 at the beginning of the first compression stroke of the engine being hidden in the rising front of the second fluctuation, which has a second peak C.sub.2. In other words, in the first two compression strokes, the corresponding fluctuations are substantially coincident with each other. Thus, analysis of the time period T.sub.1 for reaching the first detectable peak (C.sub.2) in the voltage signal is erroneous, and the inspection time period D.sub.1 which is determined, on the basis of the length of the period T.sub.1, for the next following cycle of the engine, after the peak C.sub.2, is much longer than necessary. Consequently, if starting of the engine occurs at this time, the decision to de-energise the starter, taken at the end of the inspection time period, is late. This substantially reduces the advantages expected from the electronic control system that gives automatic cut-off, such as reduction in wear, reduction in free-wheel noise, and so on.
The acyclic effect illustrated in FIG. 2 occurs during the subsequent phase in which the engine is being driven by the starter, in cases where starting is proving difficult. An explosion which is not followed by further explosions again gives rise to substantial coincidence of fluctuations, so that two successive voltage peaks are brought too close together, as illustrated in FIG. 2 by the peaks C.sub.3 and C.sub.4. As a result, the first of these peaks, i.e. C.sub.3, will tend not to be detected during the corresponding inspection time period D.sub.2.
In this case therefore, there is a danger that the close proximity of two explosions to each other will be interpreted by the electronic control system as an indication that the engine has started. The starter will then be stopped prematurely, before the engine has itself started properly, so that the driver then has to commence the starting operation again from the beginning.
In addition, the time T.sub.3 used for determining the next inspection time period is also in error.

Methods and apparatus for controlling cut-off of a motor vehicle starter


A container has an improved releasable cap, the container including a neck having external threads. The cap includes: a circular top piece for sealing the container; two sidewall sections connected to the top piece each having an internal threaded portion for engaging the neck of the container. Each sidewall section has two circumferential ends each spaced from an adjacent circumferential end of the other sidewall section such that two diametrically opposed expandable gaps are defined between the spaced circumferential ends. Two tabs each span a respective one of the two gaps, the tabs bulging outward from the sidewall section. The tabs are configured to be pressed inward thereby causing the sidewall sections to flex outward to disengage the internal threaded portions thereof from the external threads of the neck of the container permitting the cap to be removed therefrom.

Conventional containers such as beverage bottles have threaded caps that are removed by rotation. Removal of the cap can take several turns before the threads of the cap are disengaged from the threaded neck of the container, and for some, both hands are required for the operation. In some uses, for example when driving or otherwise occupied, conventional caps are challenging or inconvenient. An improved container cap is needed.


This invention is in the field of novelty lighting and aesthetic display device, with a unique shape changing ability. With the use of an elastic outer membrane and an array of rotating rod frames, the Morphing Lamp constantly changes its volumetric shape, which presents a unique visual effect. The light source inside the membrane illuminates the outer membranes, which enhances the presentation of the volumetric shape. The light permeating through the translucent outer membrane is a source of soft lighting.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a novelty lamp that is visually unique, as well as a source of light. With the use of an electrical motor, the Morphing Lamp changes its volumetric shape.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
After a patent search, no prior art device could be found. There were other lighting devices that had elements of rotation like U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,038 to Sun et. al. And U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,278 to Wolens et. al., but they did not relate to the unique shape changing quality of the Morphing Lamp.


A light cable in an apparatus for ophthalmic operation using a laser beam, which introduces the laser beam into a delivery optical system by being connected with the apparatus body in which a laser system and a laser control system are provided, is disclosed. The light cable is constituted of a number of optical fibers for illumination light and a optical fiber for laser beam constitute, which optical fibers for illumination light are arranged around the optical fiber for laser beam in at least the end of emitting light beam of the optical fibers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light cable, and more particularly to a light cable for use in an apparatus for ophthalmic operation using photocoagulation by a laser beam.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, there is an apparatus for ophthalmic operation using photocoagulation, which photocoagulates an affected part of a fundus of a patient's eye by applying a laser beam.
During the ophthalmic operation by photocoagulation using said apparatus as mentioned above, the ophthalmologist observes the patient's eye through the observing optical system, like an ophthalmic operation microscope, so that it is necessary to introduce the laser beam into the optical path of the observing system in the microscope.
Usually, an optical fiber is used to transfer the laser beam from the apparatus body which includes a laser system and its control system to a laser delivering system which includes optics which defines the irradiation area. The laser delivering system is attached to the observing system of the microscope to be optically coaxialized.
In one conventional method, the illumination system of the ophthalmic operation microscope is utilized. The optical axis of laser beam becomes coaxial with that of the observing system by means of installing a mirror which is positioned to reflect the laser beam to be coaxial with the optical axis of the observing system. However, in order that the optical axis of the illuminating system be inclined with about 4 degrees to the optical axis of the optical system for irradiating the laser beam, the illuminated visual field sometimes does not correspond with the range of movement of the laser beam, so that the laser beam irradiates out of the illuminated visual field.
In a second conventional method, the optical axis of the optical system for irradiating the laser beam is coaxial with the optical axis of the optical system for illumination, that is, the center of the optical system is occupied by the laser transmitting system and the circumference thereof, without interfering with the laser transmitting system, is occupied by the illuminating system.
However, when using the second method, it is necessary that a small mirror be arranged in the optical system, to adjust the two optical systems so as to be coaxial without interfering mutually. Thus, the optical system is complicated in this combination so that the adjustment of the optical system becomes difficult. Because of the apparatus becoming large in size, it is difficult to be installed in a simple type microscope.
Further, according to the second method mentioned above, the optical axis of the laser irradiating optical system and the optical axis of the illumination optical system are coaxial, but each beam is transmitted through separate space, and, depending on circumstances, only the illumination light is shut off before reaching the fundus of the patient's eye. As a result, a problem like that in the first method occurs.

Light cable for use in an apparatus for ophthalmic operation using a laser beam


The present invention relates to a method for producing a polyacrylamide solution having increased viscosity. In particular, the present invention is related to the separation of a biocatalyst from an aqueous acrylamide solution prepared utilizing the biocatalyst prior to polymerization of the aqueous acrylamide solution to polyacrylamide. A polyacrylamide solution having increased viscosity is well suited to be used in tertiary oil recovery. Accordingly, the present application provides means and methods to crucially improve the quality of polyacrylamide solutions for use in tertiary oil recovery.

The following discussion of the background of the invention is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding the invention and is not admitted to describe or constitute prior art to the present invention.
Polyacrylamides are widely used as flocculates and thickener in water treatment and processes like paper making. Polyacrylamide can be supplied in a powder or liquid form, with the liquid form being subcategorized as solution and emulsion polymer. Another common use of polyacrylamide and its derivatives is in subsurface applications such as enhanced oil recovery. If after primary and secondary oil recovery further promotion with conventional methods is no longer conducive, methods to increase the mobility of the oil in order to enhance the extraction outcome are used in tertiary oil recovery. One of these methods is the injection of aqueous solutions containing polymers such as polyacrylamide, which allows another 5% to 15% of the reservoir's oil to be recovered (K. C. Taylor, J. A. Nasr-El-Din, J. Petr. Sci. Ang. 1998, 19, 265-280, K. C. Taylor, Annual Transactions of the Nordic Rheology Society, Vol. 11, 2003).
The raw material for polyacrylamide is typically its monomer acrylamide. In principal, there exist two different methods to produce acrylamide in industrial scales: Chemical synthesis and biological synthesis, wherein the biological synthesis methods are more and more on the rise due to milder reaction conditions and inherent process safety. Due to the milder reaction conditions the absence of copper catalyst and the quantitative conversion of the nitrile, expensive downstream processing steps such as distillation or ion exchange can be avoided in the biological synthesis, thus resulting in cheaper plants with drastically reduced plant footprint.
Both synthesis methods use acrylonitrile as starting substance. While the chemical synthesis method uses copper catalysts (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,048,226, 3,597,481), the biological synthesis method employs biocatalysts to hydrate acrylonitrile in order to obtain acrylamide. Generally such biocatalysts are microorganisms which are able to produce the enzyme nitrile hydratase (IUBMB nomenclature as of July 2013: EC 126.96.36.199; CAS-No. 2391-37-5; also referred to as, e.g., NHase). Nitrile hydratase producing microorganisms are largely distributed in the environment and comprise, inter alia, representatives of the genus Rhodococcus (e.g., Rhodococcus rhodochrous, Rhodococcus erythropolis, Rhodococcus ruber), Nocardia (e.g., Nocardia transvalensis), Pseudonocardia (e.g., Pseudonocardia thermophila), Bacillus (e.g., Bacillus subtilis), Pseudomonas (e.g., Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas chlororaphis), Pyrococcus (e.g., Pyrococcus abyssi), Comomonas (e.g., Comomonas testosterone), and Corynebacterium (e.g., Corynebacterium propinquum) (see, e.g., Prasad, Biotechnology Advances (2010), 28(6): 725-741). The enzyme nitrile hydratase is either iron or cobalt-dependent (i.e. it possesses either an iron or a cobalt atom coordinated in its activity center) which is particularly characterized by its ability to catalyze conversion of acrylonitrile to obtain acrylamide by hydrating acrylonitrile (Kobayashi, Nature Biotechnology (1998), 16: 733-736). The capability of microorganisms to act as biocatalysts for converting acrylonitrile to acrylamide is basically dependent on two parameters: Sufficient growth of the microorganisms and their production rate of nitrile hydratase.
Many processes for removing the biocatalyst from the acrylamide solution after completion of the conversion of acrylonitrile to acrylamide are known in the state of the art, mainly applied in order to remove impurities from the reaction solution. It is generally accepted, that even small quantities of impurities can affect the polymerization of acrylamide monomers or prevent polymerization taking place at all. WO02/088372 describes e.g. a method and device for separating the biocatalyst from the acrylamide solution using a tube centrifuge or an annular gap centrifuge optionally in combination with flocculation. The biocatalyst is washed with water to remove residual monomer and then used in the next bioconversion reaction.
Alternatively, immobilized biocatalyst are used for acrylamide production as described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,968, WO2013188844 and TW411350 with the objectives of preventing elution of impurities from the biocatalyst, improving separability of the biocatalyst from the reaction product, and improving applicability of the biocatalyst to repeated use.
Removal of the biocatalyst after completion of the conversion of acrylonitrile to acrylamide can also be carried out by diverse filtration techniques, as described e.g. in EP2019146 and CN203319905, each with the target to remove impurities from the reaction solution.
However, presence of biocatalysts in the acrylamide solution also seems to be desirable, as reported by EP2264003 and US2011006258 where microbial cells having nitrile hydratase activity are exclusively added for stabilizing the aqueous acrylamide solution. Moreover, as disclosed in WO2005/054488, it is also intended that the biocatalyst is substantially not removed from the aqueous acrylamide solution after completion of the conversion of acrylonitrile to acrylamide. The document rather describes a process for preparing a polymer solution, wherein the monomer contains cellular material and/or components of the fermentation broth. Such polymers seem to have even specifically designed features and properties, without the need for removing either the biocatalyst or the fermentation broth.
Although a variety of methods describing the production of polyacrylamide solutions are known in the art, the use of polyacrylamides in tertiary oil recovery allows for further improvements. For example, rock layer injectability of the aqueous polyacrylamide solution is of particular relevance when introducing the polymer solution into the ground. More precisely, when using the biological synthesis method for acrylamide preparation, is should be avoided that cells of the biocatalyst having a size of similar magnitude as the rock pores get inside the polymerization mixture. However, separating the biocatalyst after polymerization is economically not possible.
In sum, there is a need in the art to provide new means and methods for producing polyacrylamide solutions with improved properties and high performance quality for use in the tertiary oil recovery, in order to further increase the mobility of the oil and raise the recovery rate from the reservoir's oil. The technical problem underlying the present application is thus to comply with this need. The technical problem is solved by providing the embodiments reflected in the claims, described in the description and illustrated in the examples and figures that follow.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for producing a polyacrylamide solution with increased viscosity


Disclosed are methods and systems for environment detection in which a first vehicle detects its vehicle environment with at least one sensor, wherein the first vehicle transmits sensor data of the sensor pertaining to its vehicle environment to an off-board server device; at least one second vehicle with at least one sensor transmits sensor data of the sensor pertaining to its vehicle environment to the off-board server device; the off-board server device merges the transmitted sensor data of the vehicles and generates an environmental model of the vehicle environment of the first vehicle on the basis thereof; the environmental model that is generated is subsequently transmitted by the off-board server device to the first vehicle.

It is inherently known to use sensors in a vehicle to perform environment detection in automobiles. For example, cameras, radar sensors, LiDAR systems, ultrasonic and/or infrared sensors are used to obtain information about a vehicle environment. Such sensors are usually based on radiant scanning of the environment. Road boundaries and/or other road users can result in interreflections. Such interreflections are usually interpreted as a source of interference and filtered out of sensor data in a highly complex data evaluation. The elimination of such reflection effects from the information from ambient sensors not only prevents misinterpretations—so-called ghost objects—but also eliminates the possibility of a targeted exploitation of the detection of concealed objects.
DE 10 2014 002 114 A1 describes a method in which a transverse intervention or a longitudinal intervention in an automobile occurs as a function of a detected line of vehicles traveling ahead. Among other things, a road user that is concealed by a vehicle traveling directly ahead is detected by means of the vehicle's radar sensors. This is achieved by evaluating radar signals reflected by the concealed road user and by the ground. In addition, vehicle-to-vehicle communication is also used to obtain information about the line of vehicles, such as the movement profile, for example.
DE 10 2014 002 113 A1 describes a method in which an automatic driving intervention in a vehicle occurs as a function of a detected line of vehicles traveling ahead. Among other things, a road user that is concealed by a vehicle traveling directly ahead is detected by means of the vehicle's radar sensors. This is achieved by evaluating radar signals reflected by the concealed road user and by the ground. In addition, a statistical evaluation is performed on the traffic lane information of many vehicles. To do this, speed and acceleration profiles of many vehicles that had already traveled in the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle are evaluated by means of a server and used as behavioral benchmarks. Such deviations between the line of vehicles traveling ahead and the behavioral benchmarks serve as indicators of an unusual traffic situation.
DE 10 2009 002 870 A1 discloses a method in which objects are detected by means of ultrasonic sensors of an automobile.
In particular, when interreflections of sensor signals are evaluated to detect a vehicle environment and thereby identify concealed road users, above all, the danger exists that misinterpretations will occur in relation to objects that are putatively detected in the vehicle environment. Especially if sensor data pertaining to the vehicle environment are used for autonomous longitudinal and/or transverse guidance of automobiles, it is especially important that the vehicle environment be detected as correctly as possible.
DE 10 2014 104 574 A1 describes a method for performing special transport by means of a special transport vehicle. Other vehicles send data regarding their surroundings to a centralized infrastructure. There, the data are merged and made available to the special transport.
DE 10 2014 002 116 A1 describes a method for operating a driver assistance system by means of which a driver is supported during a passing operation. Using radar sensors, a line of vehicles traveling ahead is analyzed by exploiting interreflections. Information about the line of vehicles traveling ahead is made available to the driver as support for the passing operation.
DE 10 2014 213 171 A1 describes a system for the autonomous guidance of an automobile. Among other things, driving dynamic data of other vehicles—particularly of those traveling ahead, approaching, or traveling to the side—with which travel in a convoy can be made possible are analyzed. A convoy can be achieved on a motorway in this way, so that the vehicle integrates into the flow of traffic and no interventions are required on the driver's part.
In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical or similar elements.

Method and system for environment detection


The present invention provides a novel β-galactoside-α2,3-sialyltransferase and a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase. The present invention also provides a microorganism producing the sialyltransferase, as well as a method for producing the sialyltransferase using such a microorganism. The present invention further provides a vector carrying a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase, and a host cell transformed with the vector, as well as a method for producing a recombinant β-galactoside-α2,3-sialyltransferase. The present invention further provides a method for preparing a sialylsugar chain, which uses the sialyltransferase of the present invention.

Glycosyltransferases are enzymes involved in in vivo biosynthesis of sugar chains on glycoproteins, glycolipids and the like. Their reaction products, i.e., sugar chains on glycoproteins, glycolipids and the like (hereinafter referred to as "complex carbohydrate sugar chains") have very important functions in the body. For example, sugar chains have been shown to be important molecules primarily in mammalian cells, which play a role in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix signaling and serve as tags for complex carbohydrates during differentiation and/or development.
As described above, sugar chains have very important functions. Erythropoietin can be presented as a specific example where sugar chains are applied. Although erythropoietin is inherently a glycoprotein, further attempts have been made to increase the number of sugar chains on erythropoietin, as a result of which recombinant erythropoietin proteins with an extended life span have been produced and are now commercially available.
It can also be expected that in the future, further developments will take place for such products in which sugar chains are applied, including pharmaceuticals and functional foods. For this reason, glycosyltransferases will increase in importance as a means for synthesizing and producing sugar chains.
Until now, about 150 or more glycosyltransferase genes have been isolated from eukaryotic organisms including humans, mice, rats and yeast, and proteins having glycosyltransferase activity have also been expressed in production systems where CHO or E. coli cells are used as host cells. On the other hand, several glycosyltransferase genes have also been isolated from bacteria which are prokaryotic organisms. Moreover, proteins having glycosyltransferase activity have been expressed in recombinant production systems using E. coli and identified for their substrate specificity and/or various enzymatic properties.
Among sugars constituting sugar chains, sialic acid that is often located at the nonreducing termini is a very important sugar in terms of sugar chain functions, and hence sialyltransferase is one of the most in demand enzymes among glycosyltransferases, which are now increasing in importance.
As to α2,3-sialyltransferases and their genes, many reports have been issued for those derived from animals, particularly mammals (see, e.g., Harduin-Lepers, A. et al., Biochem J., 15; 352 Pt 1:37-48 (2000); Young-Choon Lee et al., J. Biol. Chem., 23; 274(17):11958-67 (1999); Lee, Y-C. et al., J. Biochem., 216, 377-385 (19.93); Chang, M-L. et al., Glycobiology, 5, 319-325 (1995); and Gillespie, W. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 267, 21004-21010 (1992)). However, such animal-derived enzymes are very expensive because they are difficult to purify and hence cannot be obtained in large amounts. Moreover, such enzymes have a problem in that they have poor stability as enzymes.
In contrast, as microorganism-derived α2,3-sialyltransferases and their genes, those obtained from microorganisms belonging to the genera Neisseria, Campylobacter, Haemophilus and Pasteurella have been reported (see, e.g., WO97/047749, WO99/049051, WO01/077314, WO03/027297). However, there is no report showing that α2,3-sialyltransferase has been obtained from microorganisms belonging to the Vibrionaceae, and there is also no report showing that a protein having α2,3-sialyltransferase activity is present in microorganisms belonging to the Vibrionaceae.    Patent Document 1: International Publication No. WO97/047749A    Patent Document 2: International Publication No. WO99/049051A    Patent Document 3: International Publication No. WO01/077314A    Patent Document 4: International Publication No. WO03/027297A    Non-patent Document 1: Harduin-Lepers, A. et al., Biochem. J., 15; 352 Pt 1:37-48 (2000)    Non-patent Document 2: Young-Choon Lee at al., J. Biol. Chem., 23; 274(17):11958-67 (1999)    Non-patent Document 3: Lee, Y-C. et al., J. Biochem., 216, 377-385 (1993)    Non-patent Document 4: Chang, M-L. et al., Glycobiology, 5, 319-325 (1995)    Non-patent Document 5: Gillespie, W. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 267, 21004-21010 (1992)

β-galactoside-α2,3-sialyltransferase, a gene encoding thereof, and a method for producing thereof


A method for communicating data in a network environment is provided that includes receiving a request from an end user for a communications link, the request being used to initiate a communication session. A response is then received that is communicated to the end user in order to establish the communication session, the response being generated by a network node that was selected as a result of a loadbalancing decision. Port-level filtering for the communication session may then be invoked after the response such that separate data and signal pathways are established for selected information associated with the communication session.

Networking architectures have grown increasingly complex in communications environments. In addition, the augmentation of clients or end users wishing to communicate in a network environment has caused many networking configurations and systems to respond by adding elements to accommodate the increase in networking traffic. Communication tunnels may be used in order to establish or to gain access to a network whereby an end user or an object may initiate a tunneling protocol by invoking a selected location or a network node. The network node or central location may then provide a platform that the end user may use to conduct a communication session.
As the subscriber base of end users increases, proper routing and efficient management of communication sessions and data flows become even more critical. Several components are generally implicated in such a configuration and, in certain instances, many of these components are unreasonably delegated a disproportionate number of duties. This overburdening may decrease throughput and inhibit the flow of network traffic, causing congestion or bottlenecks in the system. Additionally, the overwhelming burden on a single element in the communications flow may decrease bandwidth capabilities as the overtaxed component is forced to work its way through each of its tasks and duties before being able to accommodate additional communications tunnels or end users.

System and method for communicating data in a loadbalancing environment


A method for machining a crankcase includes providing a machining device. The machining device comprises a mechanical machining unit and a cooling/rinsing system, which is configured to cool and/or rinse the mechanical machining unit or a surface which is to be machined. The method also includes creating a structure in a cylinder wall of a crankcase using the mechanical machining unit. The method also includes using a fluid stream of the cooling/rinsing system to reshape at least certain regions of the structure.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for machining a crankcase and also to a machining device.
Cylinder running surfaces of combustion engines are often provided nowadays with a coating which is applied, for example, by means of a thermal spraying method, such as electric arc wire spraying. In order for this coating to have better retention properties, the cylinder surface is "activated" prior to being coated. This activation consists, for example, in a structure being created in the cylinder wall, for example in the form of grooves and ridges. This creation operation takes place, for example, mechanically. A corresponding tool is disclosed, for example, in WO 2015/003790 A1, which relates to a method for machining a wall of a cylinder of a combustion engine, use being made of an annular saw blade for this purpose. However, the grooves, for example rectangular grooves, generated here are often not sufficient to provide for reliable adhesion, and therefore the structure generated has to be reshaped in a further operating step to form undercuts, which promote in particular a form fit with the subsequently applied coating. The aforementioned document proposes a rolling tool for this purpose. In principle, however, the use of a plurality of tools, or in general the implementation of multi-stage machining, involves a high level of manufacturing outlay. Added to this is the fact that the tools, in particular also the aforementioned rolling tool, are exposed to a not insignificant amount of wear.
It is therefore one object of the embodiments of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and to specify a rapid and cost-effective method for machining a crankcase and also a corresponding machining device.
This and other objects are achieved by a method for machining a crankcase comprises the following steps:    providing a machining device, wherein the machining device comprises a mechanical machining unit and a cooling/rinsing system, which is provided for cooling and/or rinsing the mechanical machining unit or a surface which is to be machined;    creating a structure in a cylinder wall of a crankcase using the mechanical machining unit;    using a fluid stream of the cooling/rinsing system to reshape at least certain regions of the structure.
According to one embodiment, the machining device is a cutting tool which is intended for use in or on a cylinder of a crankcase of a combustion engine and is designed to generate (rectangular) grooves, or recesses in general, in the cylinder wall, these grooves or recesses preferably running along the cylinder wall without any gradient. This has the advantage that a uniform (surface) structure is generated even in the end regions of the cylinder. If the grooves have a gradient, this can result in the end regions of the cylinder having relatively large regions or surface areas which have no groove (cf. the end point of a thread). Nevertheless, it is however also quite possible, according to one embodiment, for grooves with a gradient to be provided. Moreover, the grooves need not necessarily be rectangular. The critical factor is that the cooling/rinsing system, in particular the machining-device fluid stream, which is preferably already present for this purpose, is advantageously used to reshape, or (plastically) deform, at least certain regions of the structure created by the mechanical machining unit, for example in the form of the aforementioned (rectangular) grooves. In particular, the reshaping operation expediently takes place so as to form undercuts, which have proven to be particularly advantageous since a layer or coating which is subsequently applied, for example by means of a thermal spraying method, such as electric arc wire spraying, can interlock with this geometry. Expediently, the fluid stream is thus used such that the structure created by the mechanical machining unit is deformed or reshaped, in particular plastically reshaped, in such a manner as to result in a macro-interlocking with the coating. It is expediently the case that the fluid stream is used to generate one or more fluid jets, which are directed onto the cylinder wall so as to achieve the desired reshaping. "Fluid jet" is referred to here when, as it were, the fluid stream has "left" the machining device or the tool. Using the fluid stream of the cooling/rinsing system gives rise, in particular, to the advantage that the system operates in a completely wear-free manner and can be easily readjusted, for example via the control parameters pulse frequency, pressure and/or amount of particles in the fluid stream or fluid jet.
Accordingly, the method preferably comprises, thereafter, the following step:    applying a coating by means of a thermal spraying method, such as for example electric arc wire spraying.
In addition, it is also possible to use other spraying methods, such as for example gas dynamic cold spraying.
According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the following step:    generating at least one pulsed fluid jet for reshaping purposes.
The fluid stream of the cooling/rinsing system is expediently used to generate a pulsed fluid jet or is converted into the same. The pulsing of the fluid stream or of the fluid jet gives rise to a very great amount of kinetic energy in this fluid stream or fluid jet, as a result of which the structure can be deformed or reshaped.
This effect can be additionally enhanced by solid bodies or particles being added into the fluid stream or fluid jet. Accordingly, the method preferably comprises the following step:    introducing particles into the fluid stream or into the (at least one) fluid jet.
The particles can be glass beads or corundum or the like.
According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following step:    roughening the cylinder wall and/or the structure with the at least one fluid jet.
It is advantageously not just the case that the structure is, or can be, reshaped or deformed. It is expediently the case that it is also, in addition, roughened, in particular also by the aforementioned particles or solid bodies being added. Accordingly, it is advantageously possible for the fluid stream or the fluid jet to bring about not just macro-interlocking, but also micro-interlocking, for example in the form of the roughening of the cylinder wall or of the structure.
According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following step:    generating a fan-like fluid jet.
According to one embodiment, the fan-like fluid jet is oriented such that it is directed along a cylinder axis, as a result of which the cylinder wall is machined over a large surface area, as it were, in the vertical direction.
According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following step:    generating rectangular grooves using the mechanical machining unit, in particular generating rectangular grooves which do not have any gradient in relation to the cylinder axis.
In addition, it is also nevertheless possible to provide other cross-sectional shapes, for example round or triangular ones or also punctiform or slot-form cross-sectional shapes, etc. In general terms, the structure is, in particular, a surface structure which is distinguished by a series of grooves and ridges, or high points and low points, that is to say a structure which is suitable for being deformed or reshaped so as to give rise, as far as possible, to undercuts, which have proven to be particularly advantageous for subsequent (thermal) coating.
The embodiments of the invention also relate to a machining device or a tool for surface activation, comprising a mechanical machining unit and also a cooling/rinsing system, wherein the mechanical machining unit is designed to generate a structure in a cylinder wall of a crankcase, and wherein the machining device comprises an additional system, which is designed to use a fluid stream of the cooling/rinsing system to reshape the structure. According to one embodiment, the machining device is a cutting tool which has a cooling flow, in particular an internal cooling flow. The cooling flow or the cooling system, which is used to cool and to rinse the tool or the component surface which is to be machined, advantageously exits at a cooling/rinsing channel of the tool and is used to reshape the structure generated by the tool or the machining device. The additional system is expediently designed to pulse the cooling/rinsing medium, for example by way of a corresponding valve system. It is expediently possible for such a valve system to be integrated in an existing system or in an existing machining device, in other words to be retrofitted. Technical implementation is possible here in a number of different ways. The critical factor is that, by using the cooling/rinsing system or modification or adaptation thereof, the machining device very easily provides for rapid and effective crankcase machining.
According to one embodiment, the mechanical machining unit comprises a multiplicity of circumferentially distributed cutting elements. According to one embodiment, the cutting elements are oriented along a cylinder axis, wherein, according to one embodiment, they have a for example comb-like profile, in order to generate grooves in the cylinder wall of the crankcase. As an alternative, it is also possible for the mechanical machining device to have one or more saw blades, which are arranged possibly along a vertical axis of the tool or along a cylinder axis. Further, or alternative, configurations are likewise conceivable.
According to one embodiment, at least one fluid outlet, preferably also more than one, is provided between the circumferentially arranged cutting elements. The fluid outlets are expediently the already mentioned cooling and rinsing channels of the machining device, these possibly already being present in any case. However, the additional system modifies the fluid stream, in particular by the pulsing, such that it is also suitable for reshaping or deforming the structure provided by the mechanical machining unit.
According to one embodiment, a plurality of fluid outlets are arranged in a row, for example along the aforementioned cylinder axis. In particular in conjunction with the aforementioned circumferentially distributed cutting elements, this has proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to the reshaping properties.
The features and advantages mentioned in conjunction with the method also apply to the machining device, and vice versa. Further advantages and features can be gathered from the following description of one embodiment of the method and of a machining device with reference to the accompanying figures. Various features can be combined with one another here within the context of the invention. In the figures:

Method for machining a crankcase and machining device

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A sheet product dispenser includes a sheet product feed mechanism coupled to an electric motor, the sheet product feed mechanism moving a sheet product out of the dispenser during a dispense cycle; and a control unit controlling the sheet product feed mechanism or electric motor or both to move the sheet product with an increasing speed or acceleration or both during a portion of the dispense cycle.

The present disclosure generally relates to sheet product dispensers, and more particularly, to sheet product dispensers having controlled dispensing mechanisms.
Electronic paper product dispensers are well known in the art, including dispensers that automatically dispense a metered length of paper material upon sensing the presence of a user. This type of dispenser has become known in the art as a "hands-free" dispenser in that it is not necessary for the user to manually actuate or otherwise handle the dispenser to initiate a dispense cycle. The control systems and mechanical aspects of conventional hands-free dispensers are wide and varied. Electric drive motors are often used to power dispensing mechanisms. Known control systems provide abrupt activation and deactivation of these drive motors during a dispense cycle. Such abrupt changes in motor speed or acceleration result in impulses, which are transferred to system components and the paper product during the dispense cycle. Paper jamming and excessive parts wear may result.
Accordingly, a continual need exists for improved controlled dispensing sheet product dispensers.

Controlled dispensing sheet product dispenser


A logic element for an FPGA which can be configured as any one of a random access memory, a shift register and a lookup table. The logic element includes a plurality of memory cells which are interconnected such that the data output of each cell can serve as the input to the next memory cell. Thus the logic element effectively functions as a shift register. Shift registers of arbitrary length can be created by using a lookup table address multiplexer to select any memory cell output (not necessarily the last memory cell output) of the lookup table, and by chaining lookup tables of plural logic elements in series.

Xilinx, Inc. the assignee of the present application, manufactures FPGAs, the complexity of which continues to increase. Freeman in U.S. Reissue 34,363, incorporated herein by reference, which is a re-issue of original U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,302, describes the first FPGA. An FPGA is an integrated circuit chip which includes a plurality of programmable input/output pads, a plurality of configurable logic elements, and a programmable interconnect for interconnecting the plurality of logic elements and pads. Each logic element implements a logic function of the n inputs to the logic element according to how the logic element has been configured. Logic functions may use all n inputs to the logic element or may use only a subset thereof. A few of the possible logic functions that a logic element can be configured to implement are: AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, XNOR and mixed combinations of these functions.
One disclosed implementation of the logic element includes a configurable lookup table which is internal to the logic element and which includes 2.sup.n individual memory cells. At configuration, in this architecture a bitstream programs the individual memory cells of the lookup table with a desired function by writing the truth table of the desired function to the individual memory cells. Although the programming is described as being performed serially, other techniques for parallel programming are also known.
One memory cell architecture appropriate for use in the lookup tables is shown in FIG. 1 and described by Hsieh in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,233, incorporated herein by reference. A memory cell of this architecture is programmed by applying the value to be written to the memory cell on the data input line, "Data," and strobing the corresponding address line, "ADDR." Further, although this architecture uses five transistors, other known configurations, e.g., six transistor static memory cells, also are appropriate choices for implementing the memory cells of the lookup table. As shown in FIG. 1, inverter 726 may be included to increase the drive of memory cell 700.
After configuration, to use a lookup table, the input lines of the configured logic element act as address lines which select a corresponding memory cell in the lookup table. For example, a logic element configured to implement a two-input NAND gate would output the corresponding value {1, 1, 1, or 0} contained in the one of the four memory cells corresponding to the current input pair {00, 01, 10, 11}, respectively.
This selection is performed by a decoding multiplexer which selects a memory cell from the lookup table on the basis of the logic levels of the input lines. A block diagram of an exemplary four-input lookup table composed of 16 memory cells 700.sub.1, through 700.sub.16 and a decoding multiplexer 200 is shown in FIG. 2. The multiplexer propagates a value stored in one of the memory cells 700.sub.1 -700.sub.16 of the lookup table to an output X of the lookup table as selected by the four input signals F0-F3.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a lookup table. In this embodiment, the lookup table is implemented using four memory cells 700.sub.1 -700.sub.4 and a two-input decoding multiplexer 200 with two input signals, F0 and F1. The two-input decoding multiplexer 200 is shown in detail as being implemented by a hierarchy of pass transistors which propagate the value stored in the selected memory cell to the output X of the logic element. In FIG. 3, the memory cells may be implemented as shown in FIG. 1.
The above architecture was later augmented to enhance the functionality of the lookup tables. U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,406 to Freeman et al incorporated herein by reference, describes how additional circuitry can enable lookup tables to behave as random access memories (RAMs) which can be both read and written after configuration of the logic device. When the option of allowing the user to write data to memory cells is available, there also must be provision for entering the user's data into these memory cells and reading from the memory cells. This capability is provided by including two means for accessing each dual function memory cell, one which is used to supply the configuration bitstream from off the chip, and another which is used during operation to store signals that are routed from the interconnect lines of the FPGA. FIG. 4 shows the memory cell architecture described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,406 which allows memory cell 750 to be programmed both during and after configuration. During configuration, memory cell 750 is programmed using the same process for programming the memory cell of FIG. 1.
After configuration, memory cell 750 is programmed differently. A value to be written to memory cell 750 is applied through the interconnect structure of the FPGA to the second data line 705, and then the corresponding write-strobe line WS for the memory cell is pulsed. This pulse latches the value on line 705 into memory cell 750. Like the lookup table of FIG. 2 which uses a series of memory cells from FIG. 1, a series of memory cells from FIG. 4 are combinable into a lookup table.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a four-input lookup table with synchronous write capability. There is a write strobe generator 504 which receives a clock signal, CK, and a write enable signal, WE, and creates a single write strobe signal, WS, for the lookup table. To write a value to a desired memory cell, say 750.sub.5, the value is applied on line D.sub.in and the address of the desired memory cell 750.sub.5 is applied to the input lines F0-F3 of demultiplexer 500. The value then is latched into the desired memory cell 750.sub.5 by pulsing the write strobe. Conversely, to read a value stored in a different desired memory cell 750.sub.3, the address of the memory cell 750.sub.3 is applied to the input lines F0-F3 of decoding multiplexer 200 (without pulsing the write strobe), as was described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a two-input lookup table with synchronous write capability. FIG. 6 includes four memory cells 750.sub.1, through 750.sub.4. Detail of demultiplexer 500 and multiplexer 200 is shown in FIG. 6.
The implementation and operation of other logic array devices are described in "The Programmable Logic Data Book," pages 4-1 to 4-372, copyright 1996 by Xilinx, available from Xilinx, Inc., 2100 Logic Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95124. This portion of the contents of "The Programmable Logic Data Book" is incorporated herein by reference.

Lookup tables which double as shift registers


Systems and methods are provided for an integrated circuit package. A plurality of electrical contacts are configured to provide a structure for electrically connecting the integrated circuit package to a printed circuit board. A package substrate includes at least one patterned metallic layer formed to electrically interconnect I/O contacts of an integrated circuit to the plurality of electrical contacts, and at least one generally uniform metallic layer having a plurality of voids that are respectively situated in axial alignment with corresponding ones of the electrical contacts, and one or more dielectric layers disposed between the plurality of electrical contacts and the metallic layers. Further, the package substrate includes a plurality of metallic elements disposed within the plurality of voids and electrically isolated from the generally uniform metallic layer, the metallic elements configured to reduce a physical size of respective voids without electrically contacting the generally uniform metallic layer.

Integrated circuit packages are often formed in a layered fashion, where layers of dielectric material are overlaid with a metallic material that is patterned to fabricate power, ground, and trace connections to connect an integrated circuit to a printed circuit board. Various components are formed in the metal pattern in close proximity within the integrated circuit package, which in some configurations results in unwanted electrical interaction among the components. Various mechanisms are formed in the metal pattern to mitigate the unwanted electrical interaction. At times some combinations of components and mechanisms result in a mechanical weakness of the integrated circuit package.
The description above is presented as a general overview of related art in this field and should not be construed as an admission that any of the information it contains constitutes prior art against the present patent application.

Systems and methods for mitigation of mechanical degradation in high performance electrical circuit packages


An assembly that attaches a ball grid array (BGA) packaged camera device to a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate is provided. The assembly includes a spacer between the device and the substrate. The spacer is configured to prevent excessive collapse of solder balls located between the device and the substrate during reflow of the solder balls. The spacer includes one of solder mask, tape, and/or legend ink.

It is known to package electronic devices in ball grid array (BGA) type packages for attaching the devices to a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. It is known to attach an image sensor integrated circuit to a substrate using BGA techniques. However, if the image sensor is coupled to a lens module to form a BGA packaged camera device, the weight of the camera device may cause excessive collapse of solder balls located between the device and the substrate during reflow of the solder balls. Furthermore, the weight of the camera device may be too great for the solder balls, especially in applications that are subject to relatively high levels of vibration, and/or when the substrate is oriented vertically or on edge so the camera device is oriented sideways.

Ball grid array packaged camera device soldered to a substrate


This invention relates to driver circuits used within high voltage power supplies, e.g. for light bulb assemblies. A driver circuit providing electrical energy at an output derived from electrical energy at an input is described. The driver circuit comprises a power converter, a controller, a supply voltage capacitor, and is configured to provide a supply voltage to the controller. A start-up resistor is coupled to the input of the driver circuit, charges the supply voltage capacitor, and is coupled to the supply voltage capacitor during start-up of the driver circuit. A back-up capacitor is coupled to the output of the driver circuit and with the supply voltage capacitor if a voltage at the back-up capacitor exceeds the supply voltage by a forward voltage threshold, and is decoupled from the supply voltage capacitor if the supply voltage exceeds the voltage at the back-up capacitor by a reverse voltage threshold.

A power supply, e.g. a power supply for light bulb assemblies, should exhibit short start-up times, in order to allow for a quick start-up of the device coupled to the power supply, e.g. of the light bulb assembly. Such a power supply may be configured to convert electrical energy from a mains supply to electrical energy at a pre-determined voltage level. The power supply should be configured to bridge brief interruptions of the mains supply, in order to prevent any interruptions of the energy supplied to the device coupled to the power supply. By way of example, in case of a light bulb assembly, a brief interruption of the electrical energy may cause an undesirable visible interruption of the light emitted by the light bulb assembly.
A possible way of enabling the power supply to bridge brief interruptions of the mains supply could be to use capacitors with a high capacitance for providing a supply voltage to integrated circuits of the power supply. However, the use of capacitors having a high capacitance typically leads to increased start-up times of the power supply which is not desirable. Furthermore, additional start-up transistors may be used within the power supply. However, such start-up transistors lead to additional components for the power supply, thereby increasing the cost of the power supply.
The present document addresses the above mentioned technical problem and describes a driver circuit and/or power supply which allows for short start-up times and prolonged bridging of interruptions of the mains supply at reduced implementation costs.


Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to selecting and identifying a primary controller server among a group of servers on a network. In order to do so, a first computer may set a first number to zero when a storage system associated with the first computer is initialized. The first computer may conduct an election protocol to select a primary controller computer from a plurality of computers. After selecting the primary computer, increase the first number by a given value and send it to the selected primary computer. The selected primary computer may set a second number corresponding to an absolute time when the storage system associated with the first computer is initialized. The selected primary computer may receive the first number from the first computer. The selected primary computer may send the numbers to a client device. After sending, the primary computer may establish a connection with the client.

In Software Defined Networking, system administrators can use controllers to remotely control devices on a network such as servers and switches. If one of a plurality of servers is updated, then it may be necessary for all client devices to communicate with the most up-to-date server. In this regard, an election protocol may be implemented to select a primary controller server among a group of servers. The client devices may then be able to communicate with the selected primary controller server, the selected primary controller server being the most up-to-date server. Sometimes, however, it may be difficult for client devices to identify the primary controller server among a group of servers.

System and method for determining a primary controller in software defined networking


A fold and dive seat for a vehicle is provided with a seat-cushion tilting mechanism, a fold and dive mechanism, and a seatback reclining mechanism so as to simultaneously performed both a seatback reclining operation and a tilting operation of a front portion of a seat cushion. The fold and dive seat reduces by evenly dispersing a body pressure over a passenger's upper body and lower body.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A fold and dive seat for a vehicle refers to a seat allowing both a folding operation that folds a seatback over a seat cushion because a loading space behind the seatback is insufficient in the case of loading a long article, and a dive operation that moves a front portion of the seat cushion downwards so as to make a rear surface of the folded seatback horizontal.
A mechanism for reclining the seatback rearwards is basically applied to such a fold and dive seat so as to achieve a fatigue reducing posture for a passenger's rest and sleeping.
For reference, the term "fatigue reducing posture" means a posture capable of reducing a fatigue degree by changing the support angle of the hips, thighs, calves and others when the support angle of a passenger's upper body changes, thus allowing a body pressure to be dispersed as much as possible.
The fold and dive seat combines with the seatback reclining mechanism as well as the fold and dive mechanism, thus allowing a passenger to lean his or her upper body more rearwards when the seatback is reclined and thereby providing comfortability. However, we have discovered that as the seat cushion remains fixed, the body pressure for the passenger's hips and thighs is not dispersed and thereby the fatigue degree of the lower body undesirably increases.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


The present invention aims to provide a resin composition which can provide a molded article excellent in insulation and showing a low relative permittivity and which causes no melt fracture even when extrusion-molded at a high shear rate. The resin composition of the present invention includes an aromatic polyether ketone resin (I) and a fluororesin (II). The fluororesin (II) is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a perfluoro ethylenically unsaturated compound represented by the following formula (1):CF2═CF—Rf1  (1)wherein Rf1 represents —CF3 or —ORf2; and Rf2 represents a C1-C5 perfluoroalkyl group. The aromatic polyether ketone resin (I) and the fluororesin (II) satisfy a melt viscosity ratio (I)/(II) of not lower than 0.001 but lower than 0.3.

Electric wires used in automobiles and robots and windings for coils used in motors need to have excellent insulation properties, and a conductor and an insulation layer covering the conductor therein need to be firmly bonded to each other. Further, trends for high-voltage and high-current applications have recently been promoted, which leads to demands for electric wires and coils having insulation layers with low relative permittivity for the purpose of preventing deterioration of the insulation layers due to partial discharge. In addition, windings for motor coils mounted on automobiles need to have high heat resistance.
In view of such situations, various studies have been performed so as to improve the characteristics of electric wires. For example, electric wires having an insulation layer formed from two or more resins are proposed as mentioned below.
For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes an insulated wire that has a thin insulation coating layer having a thickness of not greater than 0.2 mm formed from a resin mixture of 90 to 50% by weight of a polyether ether ketone resin and 10 to 50% by weight of a polyether imide resin.
Patent Literature 2 proposes a resin-coated electric wire or cable having a conductor, a coating layer formed by extrusion molding a polyether ether ketone resin on the conductor, and a fluororesin layer formed between the conductor and the polyether ether ketone resin coating layer.
Patent Literature 3 proposes an insulated wire having an insulation layer formed by applying a resin mixture and baking the mixture, wherein the resin mixture includes at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyamide imide resin, polyimide resin, polyester imide resin, and class-H polyester resin, and at least one resin selected from the group consisting of fluororesin and polysulfone resin.
Patent Literature 4 proposes an insulated wire having: a first coating layer which is formed directly on a conductor from a resin composition formed by graft-polymerizing a graftable compound to an ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer; and a second coating layer formed directly on the first coating layer from a resin composition which is a polymer alloy of polyphenylene sulfide resin and polyamide resin.
Patent Literature 5 proposes an insulated wire having an insulation layer consisting of a polymer alloy of polyether sulfone resin and at least one crystalline resin selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide resin and polyether ether ketone resin, wherein the weight ratio between the polyether sulfone resin and the crystalline resin is 50:50 to 90:10.
Patent Literature 6 proposes an insulated wire having a resin layer formed by applying and baking a resin which is a mixture of polyamide imide or polyester imide and polyphenylene ether at a ratio (by mass) of 60:40 to 95:5.
Patent Literature 7 discloses a resin composition containing polyaryl ketone resin and fluororesin as a resin composition for forming molded articles such as films and sheets.

Thermoplastic resin composition, and molded article thereof


A flexible grounding strip includes an electrically conductive strip having an elongated base, opposite sides of which extend to respective flanges spaced from the base. Each flange extends from one side of the base and terminates at an edge generally facing the opposed side of the base. The edges are spaced from each other. Each of the opposite sides have lengthwise spaced slots extending partly across the base towards the opposite side of the base. The slots extending from one side of the base are interleaved with slots extending from the opposite side of the base.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can create operational problems in many types of electronic devices, including computer systems. Proper grounding of components in these devices is therefore desirable to minimize the effect of EMI. Grounding is accomplished by providing a pathway for conducting electricity from a component to a grounding object of greater size, such as the chassis of the electronic device. It is therefore desirable to ensure that an electrical connection is maintained at the maximum number of interfaces between a component and the grounding object.
The design of some components does not always ensure a proper electrical connection at a given interface. In these instances, it is desirable to have a separate grounding device that may provide an electrical connection at the interface. The likelihood of providing an electrical connection at an interface is increased if the grounding device is flexible and can conform to the surfaces of the components that are connected. It is also sometimes desirable to install or remove components of an electronic device after the device has been assembled. It is therefore desirable to have a grounding device that can be easily installed or removed from an electronic device without requiring disassembly of the electronic device.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Video display capabilities for use in the home continue to evolve. A method is described including receiving a video signal in a first format, determining at least one parameter associated with the signal and a display device, converting the signal to a signal in a second format based on the signal and display device parameters, and converting the second signal to a display signal based on the display device parameter. An apparatus is described including an input stream processor that decodes and separates a received signal, a controller that determines at least one characteristic of the signal and a display device, a video signal processor circuit that converts the signal to a second signal based on the characteristics and further converts the second signal to an output signal based on a characteristic of the display device, and an interface circuit that provides the output signal to the display device.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the present invention that are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Video display capabilities, and in particular three-dimensional (3-D) and multi-view display capabilities, continue to evolve. In recent years the technology has moved from primarily being used in mass audience presentations, such as movie theaters, to being provided to the home via delivery systems such as broadband or broadcast communications systems or using media such as Blu_ray 3-D. While there are only a limited number of standards used in movie theatres, there have been numerous attempts to get 3-D into the home, and therefore the standards for 3-D content delivery and display in the home still remain unclear. Independent of the display technology, existing 3-D content may be provided in a number of signal formats, including but not limited to anaglyph (e.g. red/blue or colorcode) for simulating 3-D on 2-dimensional (2-D) displays, checkerboard (typically used for digital light projector (DLP) displays), side by side, over/under, line interleaved, temporally interleaved, quincunx, Multiview Video Coding (MVC), and interleaved progressive frames at 48 frames per second (fps) (e.g. 2×24 fps) or 60 fps (e.g. 2×30 fps), as well as Sensio and other proprietary formats.
These signal formats represent only several of the current possibilities; with more expected to emerge as the technology evolves. In addition to the various signal formats introduced, several display types exist, including but not limited to cathode ray tube (CRT), DLP, Plasma, liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), or similar display and may include special lens systems including, for instance, a lenticular lens display. Still further, several display modes, or technologies, exist, for the user to experience a 3-D or multi-view image, including but not limited to shutter glasses, polarized lens glasses, colorized lens glasses for anaglyph 3-D content, alternating display polarization, and auto-stereoscopic display technology. As standards for 3-D in the home continue to emerge, many existing display devices will be incapable of displaying any modern 3-D content. The presence of all of the signal formats, modes, displays, and technologies, as well as the various combinations, represents a very difficult user experience for the home viewer.
Mechanisms to convert the input format of a video signal to match the type of display and the type of format are needed to improve the operation of 3-D in the home. Some modern video processing systems, such as the 9800 system from NVidia, address some of the conversion issues. However, conversion systems remain very limited and do not appear to address any issues related to analyzing the content, the display type, and the mode to determine the optimal display experience for the user. In many other cases, the video processor system simply acts largely as a pass-through for the 3-D formatted signal content, and relies on the processing and operations of the display.
In addition, some users who own one of the 3-D capable displays may wish to view content received in a more conventional 2-D format on the 3-D display. Other viewers may have only a conventional 2-D display, but may wish to view the 3-D content in a best possible 3-D display mode. Still further, as multi-view signal formats and displays emerge, no conversion paths exist for converting 2-D or 3-D content to multi-view content and vice versa. Today, no solutions exist that address the optimal operation of the display device and mode or technology to allow the user greater content display flexibility. Therefore there is a need for a system and method to provide a seamless user friendly operation to allow display devices to display advanced video content, including 2-D, 3-D, or multi-view content, in the best manner possible.

System and method for providing optimal display of video content


An improved solar powered decorative light system that can used on cloudy days and does not require the use of individual solar panels associated with each light in a decorative outdoor home holiday display. The improved solar powered decorative light system includes a plurality of decorative outdoor lights each having at least one LED and receiving electrical energy for illumination from a single solar receptor comprised of a double junction amorphous panel set. The decorative outdoor lights may further include replaceable decorative covers.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to solar powered outdoor lighting; more particularly, the present invention pertains to outdoor solar powered decorative lighting systems typically used for outdoor residential decoration during various holiday periods.
2. Description of the Related Art
The decoration of the outside of homes during the Christmas, Hannukah, New Year's period is an American tradition that has been and continues to be maintained. While home holiday decorations started as simple wreaths and garlands, the addition of electric lights to holiday decorations has added a whole new dimension to the types of outdoor decorations available. In some communities residents compete with one another for the best decorations. In still other communities holiday decorating has grown to the point where tour hours are set and outsiders are invited in to view elaborate home holiday decorations. Interestingly, holiday decorating has now grown to the point when many homeowners actually pay for professional decorators to put and take down home holiday decorations.
The growth of holiday decorating activity has now moved beyond the Christmas, Hannukah, New Year's period into other holidays. For example, in recent years, many homeowners are using lighted displays to decorate their homes around the time of Halloween on October 31. Others decorate for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Residential decorations are typically most attractive during the evening hours when lighted decorations can be best seen. To create an effective display of lighted decorations, many home owners must make the proper electrical connections each evening to assure that all of the lights are properly powered. Such effort is often inconvenient for home owners; particularly homeowners in the more Northern parts of the country as the evening hours are when many homeowners are just returning home from work.
Another consideration for homeowners is the rising price of electrical power. Many displays, even those of modest size, can have a noticeable impact on a homeowner's electric bill.
Yet another consideration is that in many parts of the country the weather in late autumn and in winter is characterized by cloudy days without direct sunlight. The impact on the absence of direct sunlight is that most solar panels, particularly crystalline solar panels, require direct sunlight to be effective. In addition, the low power output of crystalline solar panels typically requires an individual solar panel to be associated with each light used in a home holiday display formed of multiple solar powered lights.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the alt for an easy to use outdoor solar powered decorative light system that can used on cloudy days that does not require the use of individual solar panels associated with each light in a decorative outdoor home holiday display.


A window assembly includes a window frame and an exterior window treatment system mounted to the window frame. The exterior window treatment system has a treatment storage housing configured to receive an exterior window treatment movable between a stored position within the treatment storage housing and a deployed position extending from the treatment storage housing. The window system also includes at least one guide for guiding the window treatment between the stored position and the deployed position. The window assembly includes at least one interface frame coupled with each of the treatment storage housing and the at least one guide for engaging the window treatment system to the window frame.

Home exteriors often include exterior window or door treatments such as exterior blinds or shades. Exterior window or door treatments for blinds or shades often include a roller or a rail from which the blinds or shades are suspended. The roller or rail is typically mounted to an upper portion of the window or door frame or to an exterior wall of the house above the window or door frame by nails, bolts or brackets. The roller or rail typically extends outward from the plane of the exterior wall to position the blinds or shades in front of the window or door. Certain exterior window or door treatments include a storage box fitted over the roller or rail to provide weather protection for the roller, rail or other components such as motorized elements for positioning the blinds or shades. Certain exterior window or door treatments include guides that direct the deploying blind or shades into a correct fully deployed position. The guides are often mounted to the sides of the window or door frame or along the sides of the window or door frame.
Exterior window or door treatments are frequently installed after the window or door has been installed in the exterior wall. In particular, exterior window and door treatments are often installed as part of remodeling projects for existing windows or doors. Similarly, consumers often pair a selected door or window with a selected exterior window or door treatment. Accordingly, the exterior window treatments are often provided as a kit in which the various components of the exterior window treatments are provided with adhesive strips or other fastening elements to secure the components to the exterior wall or the window or door frame. As the exterior window treatments are not installed with the original window or door, the exterior window treatments often have large mechanical brackets and similar features for receiving fasteners for securing the window treatment to the exterior wall or window or door frame thereby increasing the footprint of the exterior window treatment. Similarly, the exterior window treatments are often misaligned with the edges of the existing window or door frame resulting in an undesirable aesthetic appearance or difficult operation of the treatments.

Exterior mounted window treatment system and window assembly including the same


An LED lighting apparatus can be configured to supply a number of LEDs connected in series with a requisite voltage and power even if an amount of forward voltage of the LEDs connected in series is larger than a supply voltage of a battery. The LED lighting apparatus can include a boosting circuit and an inverted boosting circuit. LEDs can be connected between outputs of the boosting circuit and the inverted boosting circuit. The LED lighting apparatus can also include a current detection circuit configured to detect an LED current, and can include a dual PWM control IC configured to control the boosting circuit and the inverted boosting circuit in accordance with the LED current detected by the current detection circuit so as to keep the LED current substantially constant. The LED lighting apparatus can include a shutdown circuit to stop supplying a power supply when a load that includes the LEDs is in a circuit that is either opened or shorted.

1. Field
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a LED lighting apparatus for lighting LEDs. More specifically, the subject matter relates to a LED lighting apparatus in which an amount of forward voltage for LEDs connected in series is larger than a supply voltage of a battery. The LED lighting apparatus can be used whenever a number of LEDs are used, such as in a vehicular lamp (e.g., tail-lights, stop lights, signal lights, headlights, etc.).
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 2 shows a conventional LED lighting apparatus 90 in which a plurality of LEDs 80 are connected in series and lit by use of a battery supply voltage that is lower than an amount of forward voltage of the LEDs 80. The conventional LED lighting apparatus 90 includes: a control circuit 91; a boosting circuit 92 controlled by the control circuit 91; an inverted boosting circuit 93 configured by using a charge pump circuit, and operated by the control circuit 91; wherein the LEDs 80 are connected between an output of the boosting circuit 92 and an output of the inverted boosting circuit 93 through a constant current circuit 96, if necessary. The conventional LED lighting apparatus 90 can light a requisite number of LEDs when a predetermined output voltage is supplied between the output of the boosting circuit 92 and the output of the inverted boosting circuit 93.
The control circuit 91 can control the predetermined output voltage by feeding back a voltage divided between resistors 94 and 95 so as not to raise the output voltage higher than the predetermined output voltage. The LEDs 80 can be connected in series to the constant current circuit 96 as shown in FIG. 2, and can be controlled to light with stable brightness characteristics as described in further detail, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open JP2005-136157 and its English translation, which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
In the conventional LED lighting apparatus 90 described above, because the inverted boosting circuit 93 is configured by using a charge pump circuit to allow the configuration to be simple, it is difficult to adapt the circuit to high power LEDs such as those used in vehicular lamps (e.g., signal lights, front lights, taillights, stop lights, etc.) When the conventional LED lighting apparatus is used for lighting high power LEDs in a vehicular lamp, for example, use of the constant current circuit 96 can result in some problems like runaway temperature increases (i.e., chip fever), large architecture of the chip, etc., which may result when the current in the device flows from several mil amperes to several amperes in a FET 96a and a resistor 96b located therein.
Thus, when high power LEDs that are used as a vehicular lamp such as stop lights are lit by the conventional configurative lighting apparatus, a plurality of middle-sized lighting apparatuses can be used for lighting the plurality of LEDs connected in either series or in parallel. In that case, because all of the LEDs are lit by the plurality of middle-sized lighting apparatuses, the conventional configurative lighting apparatuses can result in some problems such as complicated wiring and maintenance, increased cost, etc.
The disclosed subject matter has been devised to consider the above and other problems and characteristics. Thus, an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can include a LED lighting apparatus for supplying LEDs connected in series with a requisite voltage and power even if the amount of forward voltage of LEDs connected in series is larger than a supply voltage of a battery. The various problems described above are thus addressed and possibly reduced or changed while also addressing and possibly reducing other associated problems.


An athermal lens system includes a converging lens element having a negative first thermo-optic coefficient, and a diverging lens element having a second thermo-optic coefficient more negative than the first thermo-optic coefficient, wherein the diverging lens element is coupled with the converging lens element to form a converging athermal doublet lens.

Cameras are frequently required to operate across a wide range of temperatures, for example ranging from the high temperatures of a hot summer day to sub-freezing temperatures in winter. The optical properties of plastics tend to vary greatly with temperature, and plastic lenses are therefore considered unsuitable for cameras intended to perform well over a wide temperature range. Not only do plastics generally expand with increasing temperature, but the index of refraction changes as well. The dependence of the index of refraction, n, on temperature, T, is characterized by the thermo-optic coefficient dn/dT. For most optical plastics, the thermo-optic coefficient is on the order of −100 ppm/K. These large values correspond to a significant reduction in index of refraction with increasing temperature and may significantly deteriorate the performance of a plastic lens at temperatures far from the design temperature, e.g., room temperature. On the other hand, glass typically has a much lower thermo-optic coefficient, such as 1-5 ppm/K, and glass lenses are therefore considered preferable for applications associated with substantial temperature variation.

Athermal doublet lens with large thermo-optic coefficients


There are described downhole devices, methods and other apparatus, which may be used to generate energy, monitor fluids and/or provide control signals or otherwise trigger for actuation. The devices, methods, etc. may provide improved autonomy and/or accuracy, while at the same time minimise any effect on the operation of a well. Such devices and methods may be particularly useful downhole and in remote locations. An example of a device comprises a generating material having a fluid contact surface, that contact surface being configured to be in contact with a fluid downhole. The generating material may be configured to generate an electric charge at the material in response a fluid at the contact surface. In some examples, the device further comprises a signal source configured to provide a signal in response to a generated electric charge at the generating material.

In the oil and gas industry there is a continuing desire to improve the understanding and ultimately control the composition of fluids being produced. To manage the production of water, downhole devices have been developed that allow for the inflow of formation fluids at various section of a well to be controlled. In some cases, such inflow control is provided in order to reduce or minimise the production of water.
Inflow control devices (ICDs) may be activated by a control signal or specified activation sequence, or the like. In other examples, such inflow control devices are configured to activate autonomously (AICDs). For such autonomous devices, typically the ability with which fluid can flow through such control devices is affected by the composition or state of that fluid.
Such autonomous devices may be preferred in some applications because they obviate the need for operational user input, or continual monitoring and response to varying production conditions, etc. That said, there is a continuing need to improve the ability with which such flow control devices can operate autonomously and/or with improved accuracy, especially when they are to be installed in remote locations.
Similarly, not least of all in those remote locations, there is a continuing desire to be able to minimise energy usage or at least be able to harvest energy so as to power downhole sensors, equipment, etc., with minimum effect on the operation of a well.
Further still, there is a continuing desire to develop improved devices, methods and techniques for measuring properties of fluids, particularly downhole and in remote locations.

Downhole devices, associated apparatus and methods


A transfer information management device provides helpful transfer information to airport users. The transfer information management device is used in connection with a plurality of management devices which control a corresponding plurality of databases storing airport operation information. The databases manage airport operations by updating and referring to the contents of the databases. The transfer information management device is provided with a display section, a read-out section, a creating section, and a display control section. The read-out section reads out information stored in the plurality of databases. The creating section creates a transfer information database which is a database storing flight arrival information relating to flight arrivals and flight departure information relating to flight departures. The transfer information database matches flight arrival information and flight departure information relating to the same passenger, based on information read out by the read-out section. The display control section displays flight arrival information and flight departure information stored in the transfer information database in a format whereby the combinations of a flight arrival and a flight departure relating to the same passenger can be seen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transfer information management device and transfer information management method for managing information for transferring airplanes.
2. Description of the Related Art
In airports, a variety of systems are used by managers in order to automate various tasks. For example, systems operated by airport managers include control systems and flight information systems. Control systems and flight information systems are systems for managing the departure and arrival of all airplanes using an airport. In these systems, databases, wherein airplane unit data (flight number, origin, destination, time information, and the like) is stored, are used.
Furthermore, systems operated individually by separate airline companies flying airplanes into an airport include passenger information systems. A passenger information system is a system for managing the passengers in each airplane and has a database which matches data indicating the operational status of airplanes and data relating to passengers (passenger name, passenger attributes, origin, destination, and the like).
Furthermore, baggage handling systems are used as systems for managing baggage conveyance tasks within the airport. Such baggage handling systems are usually operated by companies commissioned to undertake baggage conveyance tasks by the airline companies.
Each of the systems described above are highly automated, but between systems, only a minimum necessary exchange of information is conducted. For example, there is virtually no information exchange between passenger information systems which are systems for managing flight reservations. Therefore, in cases where a flight cannot be operated according to schedule, the task of preparing alternative flights for passengers who have made a reservation for that flight must be conducted manually by the airline company, and problems due to operational mistakes have frequently occurred. Furthermore, with regard to baggage, even in the case of transfer between airplanes of the same airline company, baggage is frequently transported somewhere other than the intended destination, due to human error.

Transfer information management device and transfer information management method


An ATM switched network has an ATM switch, an address server, and a plurality of nodes connected through virtual connections established by the ATM switch. When a node fails and is replaced, the ATM switch recognizes the installation of the node and notifies the address server. The address server selects an ATM address for the replacement node and sends the ATM address and an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the node. The node responds by requesting configuration data, which the address server downloads to the node. Thereafter, the node may initialize its communication interfaces within the ATM network. The address server also assigns ATM and IP addresses to network nodes following power-up of the network. Nodes are assigned an ATM address and an IP address by the address server, thereby eliminating the need to configure nodes with addressing information during manufacture or installation.

The present invention relates generally to an address configuration technique for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switched networks, and specifically to a method of configuring nodes in an ATM switched network after power-up or a return from an inactive condition.
Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) offers an advantageous transport structure for digital communications. ATM provides a high-bandwidth, multiplexing scheme for packet-based transmission of messages. In ATM, information to be communicated is packaged in fixed-size cells of relatively short length. Each cell contains a 5-octet label called a header that identifies the cell and the cell's connections. A 48-octet payload follows the header in the ATM cell and carries user information intended for a recipient. Switching networks rely on information stored in the header of ATM cells to switch and multiplex the cells along appropriate routes.
Endpoints in an ATM switched network are commonly referred to as nodes. Generally, a node may comprise a circuit board having electronics for transmitting, receiving, and processing information carried within the payload of the ATM cells. A switched ATM network will include a plurality of nodes, which typically are circuit boards or modules, connected together via an ATM switch. The ATM switch establishes virtual connections between itself and each of the nodes. The virtual connections are point-to-point between the ATM switch and the nodes, such that one node can communicate with another node in the ATM network only by way of the ATM switch.
For ATM cells to reach a desired destination, that destination must have a known ATM address. Conventionally, each node has a dedicated hardware address set by a non-volatile mechanism at the time of its manufacture or installation. For example, each circuit card in a rack of circuit cards that are nodes in an ATM switched network may contain non-volatile memory that stores a unique address for that node. If the node fails and must be replaced, maintenance personnel must then program the replacement node, or module, with the unique address for the node. Alternatively, the circuit card may have its unique address set by a physical switch or similar device. In this instance, maintenance personnel must physically configure a replacement node with the appropriate unique address prior to its installation.
When a node is replaced in the ATM switched network and powers-up, the replacement node conventionally broadcasts its hardware address on the ATM switched network. An address server linked to the ATM network has stored the hardware addresses of the nodes in the network, and will recognize the hardware address broadcast by the replacement node. Subsequently, the address server will assign a network address to the replacement node, and the replacement node will be able to communicate within the ATM switched network.
A problem may arise when a large number of nodes are first installed or become active in the network, such as after a power-up condition. In this instance, the installed or reactivated nodes will simultaneously broadcast their hardware addresses to the network address server and expect to receive their network addresses. Detrimental and unnecessary congestion on the ATM switched network may result.
Moreover, the unique hardware addresses for nodes in an ATM switched network increase the cost of manufacturing and maintaining the network. Customizing each node with a physical mechanism adds to the expense of manufacture and decreases the ease of interchangeability between circuit cards. Also, customizing each node by programming non-volatile memory adds to the time for replacing a failed node, which may be critical to the continued availability of the ATM switched network.
In light of the foregoing, a need exists for a technique to address a replacement node in an ATM switched network without requiring specialized manufacturing or installation activity to individually configure the node prior to its installation. A need also exists for a technique to avoid unnecessary congestion to an ATM network address server caused by the broadcasting of hardware addresses by a plurality of individual nodes upon power-up of the ATM network.

Address assignment in an ATM switched network


A container providing improved features. The container prevents uncontrolled dripping of a liquid and directs a liquid drop present on a cap which closes the spout back into the container when the cap is open. The container includes a series of measuring indicators on the base for measuring a volume of material, such as a liquid. Also, the cover includes a further series of inverted measuring indicators for measuring a volume of material. The invention likewise includes a measuring device for measuring two or more liquids or dry ingredients such as by providing volume measuring indicators on a cover for a container as well as on the container. The measuring device may be a single measuring device which measures two or more liquids or dry materials, and may be configured for mixing the measured materials together in the same measuring device.

The present invention relates in general to liquid storage containers having a dispensing spout. More particularly, the invention relates to a container for receiving a liquid and/or a granular material, such as a powder, with pouring spout and a drip-proof cap. This container will have a spout and a cap for opening and closing the spout, the cap including a drip guide for causing any contents residue (liquid or powder) on the cap to be directed into the spout when the cap is open to cause drops on the cap to go into the container; that is, to avoid undesirable drips on the container. Additionally, the invention relates to a food shaker having separate measuring devices for measuring two liquids and/or granular materials
The invention further includes a mixing device including two separate mixing devices combined as a unit which can be used to measure volumes of liquids and granular material such as powder.
Containers having pouring spouts are well known, and it is also well known to provide a cap for closing the spout. Examples include liquid laundry detergent containers, pancake syrup containers or bottles, oil (cooking, lubricating, etc.) containers, sauce bottles (such as soy sauce), dry powdered spice containers, etc. While the present invention may have application in any such use, it will be described in the setting of a shaker. Shakers, such as food shakers and mixing devices are known. Measuring devices are known in general. Known food shakers include a container into which a user pours both a liquid and a powder, which the user has measured using a separate device or packet of powder, for example. Such known devices all have drawbacks, such as difficulty of use, cleaning, and lack of versatility. Some known shakers include parts to assist in the mixing of the liquid and powder, such as one or more mixing balls that move around in the closed shaker to enhance the mixing process. There are known shakers on which a base is provided solely for measuring a liquid volume of a liquid put into the base by a user. Some shakers include a base in which there are indicator lines indicating different volumes of liquid.