A back carrier frame includes a base. The base includes a body and a retaining device. The body includes a plurality of first pivotal portions. The retaining device is mounted to the body. A fixing seat includes an annular groove and a fixing portion. The retaining device is engaged in the annular groove to retain the fixing seat in place. The fixing portion extends out of the body. A support device includes at least three main supports. Each of the at least three main supports includes a second pivotal portion and a connection portion. The second pivotal portion of each of the at least three main supports is pivotably connected to one of the first pivotal portions. Each of two straps has two ends respectively coupled to two of the connection portions of the at least three main supports.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a back carrier frame and, more particularly, to a back carrier frame for fixing an object, permitting a user to carry the object on his or her back.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a user is doing outdoor activities, the user often has to carry a plurality of objects, such as water bottles, an umbrella, or any kind of luggage, for various needs. When the user carrying the objects intends to move between two places on foot, what is on the user's mind would be how to move while carrying the objects instead of planning the schedule.
A moving user carrying objects generally holds the objects by hands or using a carriage device to receive and transport the objects. For example, the objects can be placed in a push cart or baggage, assisting the user in transporting the objects.
However, no matter if the user directly holds the objects by hands or using the carrier device to transport the objects, the user has to use at least one hand to hold the objects or to control movement of the carriage device, such that the hand of the user gets tired easily. Furthermore, the user whose both hands are busy will feel great inconvenience if the user is in a situation requiring both hands. Furthermore, the conventional carrier device generally receives the objects which can be stacked. In a case that the user wants to fix an object beside him or her, the conventional carriage device cannot fulfill the need of the user, providing poor use flexibility. Furthermore, the conventional carriage device is bulky, occupies a large space, and cannot be folded. It would be a burden to the user if the user has to carry the bulky carriage device that is still not in use. Namely, the carriage device is inconvenient to carry. An example of the carrier device is disclosed in Taiwan Utility Model No. M484326 entitled "WEARING EQUIPMENT FOR FIXING UMBRELLA".
Thus, a need exists for a novel back carrier frame for fixing the problems of inconvenience of carrying objects, poor use flexibility, and inconvenience of carrying the carriage device.


A dishwasher capable of shortening drying time is disclosed. The present device comprises: a main body having a washing tub provided therein; a door rotatably coupled to the main body so as to open and close the washing tub; a blowing duct having a passage provided between the outside of the washing tub and the inside of the main body so as to provide a flow path through which the air flowing from the outside flows, and a discharge port provided at the passage so as to spray air to the outside; and a blowing means connected to the blowing duct so as to provide the external air into the blowing duct, and forcibly causing wet steam in the washing tub to flow to the front of the main body, wherein the passage has at least one variable section for changing the cross sectional area thereof.

A dishwasher is an apparatus that sprays a high pressure washing water to dishes to thereby wash the dishes. In general, the dishwasher performs preliminary washing, main washing, rinsing, and drying steps. In the preliminary step, the dishwasher sprays the washing water without introducing the cleanser to remove residues of the dishes. In the main washing step, the washing water is sprayed and the cleanser is supplied by a cleanser supplying device so that the dishes are washed.
The dishwasher includes a main body having a washing tank provided therein, a basket holding dishes and movably installed in the washing tank, and spraying nozzles provided at upper and lower portion of the basket and spraying washing water, wherein the washing water sprayed from the spraying nozzles may wash the dishes.
A conventional dishwasher washes the dishes using hot water and then radiates latent heat remaining on the dishes or the like due to the hot water to the outside of the dishes. Such latent heat evaporates water remaining on surfaces of the dishes to thereby dry the dishes, or the dishes are dried by spraying high temperature air to the dishes using a separate heater.
In the case of using the latent heat in the dish drying as described above, a drying time was long, drying efficiency was remarkably low, and a drying condition was not good. In the case of drying the dishes by spraying the high temperature air using the separate heater, there is a problem in that energy consumption is large and electric charges are increased.


A pitch side optical system for use in diode laser spectroscopy consisting of more than one diode laser having select lasing frequencies with each diode laser being coupled to an end of a distinct input optical fiber. The pitch side optical system further consists of a multiplexer optically coupled to the other end of less than all of the input optical fibers with the multiplexer outputting multiplexed laser light to a pitch side optical fiber. The pitch side optical system further consists of a coupler optically coupled to the far end of the pitch side optical fiber and the far end of an unmultiplexed input optical fiber with the coupler combining the multiplexed laser light and the unmultiplexed laser light and outputting the combined light to a transmission optical fiber. Typically, the coupler is located near the combustion process. The pitch side optical system further consists of a pitch optic coupled to the transmission optical fiber. Typically, all optical fibers used in the pitch side optical system are single mode optical fibers.

A large percentage of the electrical power generated in the United States of America is created in coal combustion power plants. The bulk of worldwide electricity production similarly relies on coal as a primary energy source. It is likely that coal will remain a primary energy source in the foreseeable future given the long term environmental concerns with the storage of waste from nuclear energy generation operations, and the inefficiencies associated with solar powered electrical generation. In addition vast worldwide coal reserves exist sufficient for at least 200 years of energy production at current rates.
However, there is and will continue to be a high demand to reduce the emissions of pollutants associated with coal fired electrical energy generation, and to increase the overall efficiency of the coal fired generation process. Traditionally, in power plants and other industrial combustion settings the efficiency of the combustion process and the level of pollution emission have been determined indirectly through measurements taken on extracted gas samples with techniques such as non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) photometry. Extractive sampling systems are not particularly well suited to closed loop control of a combustion process since a significant delay can be introduced between the time of gas extraction and the ultimate analysis. In addition, extractive processes generally result in a single point measurement which may or may not be representative of the actual concentration of the measured species within what can be a highly variable and dynamic combustion process chamber.
Laser based optical species sensors have recently been implemented to address the concerns associated with extraction measurement techniques. Laser based measurement techniques can be implemented in situ and offer the further advantage of high speed feedback suitable for dynamic process control. A particularly promising technique for measuring combustion gas composition, temperature and other combustion parameters is tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). TDLAS is typically implemented with diode lasers operating in the near-infrared and mid-infrared spectral regions. Suitable lasers have been extensively developed for use in the telecommunications industry and are, therefore, readily available for TDLAS applications. Various techniques of TDLAS which are more or less suitable for the sensing and control of combustion processes have been developed. Commonly known techniques are wavelength modulation spectroscopy, frequency modulation spectroscopy and direct absorption spectroscopy. Each of these techniques is based upon a predetermined relationship between the quantity and nature of laser light received by a detector after the light has been transmitted through a combustion process chamber and absorbed in specific spectral bands which are characteristic of the gases present in the process or combustion chamber. The absorption spectrum received by the detector is used to determine the quantity of the gas species under analysis plus associated combustion parameters such as temperature.
For example, Von Drasek, et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2002/0031737A1, teaches a method and apparatus of using tunable diode lasers for the monitoring and/or control of high temperature processes. Von Drasek features the use of direct absorption spectroscopy to determine the relative concentration of numerous combustion species, temperature and other parameters. Calabro, U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,767, teaches a similar system for monitoring combustion and pollutants developed in a combustion chamber. Calabro utilizes an indirect spectroscopy technique wherein observed Doppler broadening of the shape of an absorption feature serves as the basis for temperature analysis.
Teichert, Fernholz, and Ebert have extended the use of TDLAS as a known laboratory analysis technique to a workable field solution suitable for the sensing of certain combustion parameters within the boiler fireball of a full sized coal fired power plant. In their article, "Simultaneous in situ Measurement of CO, H.sub.2O, and Gas Temperature in a Full-Sized, Coal-Fired Power Plant by Near-Infrared Diode Lasers," (Applied Optics, 42(12):2043, 20 Apr. 2003) the authors present a successful implementation of direct absorption spectroscopy at a coal fired power plant and discuss certain technical challenges resulting from the extremely large scale and violent nature of the coal burning process. In particular, typical coal fired power plants have combustion chamber diameters of 10-20 meters. The plants are fired by pulverized coal, which results in a combustion process which both obscures the transmission of laser light because of the high dust load and which is extremely luminous. In addition, various strong disturbances are found under power plant combustion conditions. The overall transmission rate of light through the process chamber will fluctuate dramatically over time as a result of broadband absorption, scattering by particles or beam steering owing to refractive-index fluctuations. There is also intense thermal background radiation from the burning coal particles which can interfere with detector signals. The environment outside of the power plant boiler also makes the implementation of a TDLAS sensing or control system problematic. For example, any electronics, optics or other sensitive spectroscopy components must be positioned away from intense heat, or adequately shielded and cooled. Even though the implementation of a TDLAS system is extremely difficult under these conditions, TDLAS is particularly well suited to monitor and control a coal combustion process. The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the TDLAS implementation problems discussed above.

Method and apparatus for the monitoring and control of a process


A biological signal of a subject is acquired so as to calculate biological information from the acquired biological signal. When the biological information has been determined to be anomaly, whether the biological information is one that was calculated under a high-accuracy condition is determined. When the biological information is determined to be one that was calculated under the high-accuracy condition, a notice is given based on a first criterion. In the other cases, a notice is given based on a second criterion. Thereby, it is possible to provide an abnormality notification system that can give a necessary notification appropriately while suppressing unnecessary notification, by changing the criteria for notification in accordance with the accuracy of the determined biological information when the biological information of the subject was determined to be anomaly.

Apparatuses and systems for notifying patient abnormality have been conventionally known. For example, there is a known invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, in which the living behavior and biologic activities of a subject are detected by non-invasive type vital sensors and the detections are classified into a plurality of items, for each of which the permissible duration is successively accumulated, and when the cumulative time exceeds a threshold, a notification is given.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Abnormality notification system, abnormality notification method, and program


To provide a controller for an AC rotary machine capable of performing on/off control of the switching device of the set which does not fail, by considering the state of the AC rotary machine related to the windings of the failed set. A controller for an AC rotary machine, about a set in which the switching device failed, stops dq-axis current control, and turns on, in the case of the short circuit failure, and turns off, in the case of the open circuit failure, at least the respective phase switching devices of the positive electrode side or the negative electrode side which is the same side as the failed switching device; and about a set which does not fail, continues dq-axis current control and changes the current component of the d-axis according to the state of the AC rotary machine related to the windings of the failed set.

The electric power converter (inverter) is mounted on the electric motor, such as the electric vehicle and the hybrid vehicle, and is connected with the AC rotary machine. The electric power converter has the power conversion function which drives the AC rotary machine by converting DC power supplied from the DC power source into AC power, and charge the DC power source by converting AC power generated by the AC rotary machine into DC power.
In order to realize these power conversion functions, the electric power converter generally uses the switching device, such as MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) and IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor). The electric power converter performs power conversion by switching on state and off state of the switching device appropriately.
When the switching device failed and remains in on state (short circuit failure) or off state (open circuit failure), the electric power converter becomes difficult to perform power conversion in the normal state, and unintended generation of torque and unintended charge will be performed as it is.
As a technology for continuing driving the AC rotary machine even in failure of the switching device, for example, the technology in PLT 1 is disclosed. In the technology in PLT 1, when the short circuit failure or the open circuit failure of the switching device is detected, about the electric power converter of the failed set, the respective phase switching devices on the same electric potential side as the failed device are set to the same state as the failed device, and about the electric power converter of the set which does not fail, the on/off control of the switching devices is continued.


A method for correcting a color value generated by a forward model for a color input device. A color value generated by the forward model is mapped into a color space. The color value is clipped to a locus of a visual gamut in the color space if the color value falls outside of the visual gamut. Clipping the mapped color value ensures that the color input device generates color values that represent colors within the human visual system. Clipping may be accomplished by clipping a color value to an intersection of a locus boundary and a vector between the color value and a white point. The locus used may be the CIE spectral locus projected into the color space. Any number of standard color spaces may be used in the method, such as CIEXYZ, CIELUV, or CIELAB.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to characterization of color devices and more particularly to correction of a color input device's forward model.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to mimic the human visual system, color input devices used to sense colors represent colors using three colors of light, namely Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). By measuring varying intensities of these three colors of light, color input devices can simulate the human perception of a variety of colors. For example, a color input device, such as a document scanner, uses light sensors to measure the intensity of red, green, and blue light reflected from an object. The light intensities are then used to represent colors as RGB color values in the color input device's own device dependent RGB color space.
A forward model maps RGB color values received from the color input device into a device independent color space. This allows use of a color input device's color values by other color devices through the use of a common Color Management Module (CMM). A possible problem with forward models of input devices is that the output of the model may not always be physically meaningful, i.e., they might not define colors that lie within the human visual gamut as determined by the CIE. The cause of this is the fact that the building blocks of the model, such as monomials or other basis functions, are general mathematical objects and not particularly color science savvy. As such, the values they produce are not constrained to represent colors that are visible to the human observer. This problem may become exacerbated when the forward model is used to extrapolate colors for RGB values not in the original training sampled data.
Therefore, a need exists for a method to ensure a forward model for a color device generates physically meaningful color values. Various aspects of the present invention meet such a need.

Color characterization using color value clipping


A once-through steam generator includes a gas flue formed of steam generator tubes welded to one another in a gas-tight manner through fins. The steam generator tubes are connected in parallel for the throughflow of a flow medium, they have a surface structure on their inside for generating a high flow turbulence in the medium flowing through them and they are disposed approximately in a spiral coil in a firing region of the gas flue. The steam generator tubes are constructed in such a way that, when they are in operation, the geodetic pressure loss of the medium flowing through them is at least 0.5 times their pressure loss due to friction. This ensures that such a once-through steam generator can also be operated in low load states of, for example, about 20% of the design load, without excessive thermal stresses occurring.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a once-through steam generator including a gas flue formed of steam generator tubes welded to one another in a gas-tight manner through fins, the steam generator tubes connected in parallel for the throughflow of a flow medium, having a surface structure on their inside for generating a high heat transfer from their inner wall surface to the flow medium and disposed approximately in a spiral coil in a firing region of the gas flue.
Smooth tubes are normally used in the combustion chamber walls of a once-through steam generator which are composed of spirally disposed-steam generator tubes in a firing region. However, a configuration of that type is only suitable for load states of normally more than about 40% of the design load of the once-through steam generator due to the heat transfer properties of a smooth tube when the flow velocity of a medium flowing in it is low. Below that minimum load of about 40% of the design load, a circulating mode is normally superposed on the once-through mode of the steam generator, so as to ensure sufficient cooling of the steam generator tubes. However, switching to a circulating mode in that way leads to a lowering of the fresh-steam temperature of the once-through steam generator of about 80.degree. C.
However, it may be necessary to construct the once-through steam generator in such a way that it can be operated at a sufficiently high fresh-steam temperature even in load states of more than 20% of the design load. That is done particularly in order to avoid nighttime shutdowns of a power plant supplied by the once-through steam generator. That is made possible by the use of those steam generator tubes which have a surface structure on their inside, for example in the form of ribs (internally ribbed tubes), for generating a high heat transfer from their inner wall surface to the flow medium. The use of such steam generator tubes with internal ribbing in a once-through steam generator having vertically disposed evaporator tubes is known, for example, from Published European Patent Application 0 503 116 Al, corresponding to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/151,257, filed Nov. 12, 1993. However, a steam generator tube with internal ribbing has a markedly higher pressure loss due to friction in comparison with a smooth tube. In the case of multiple heating of a steam generator tube, such an increased pressure loss due to friction may lead to temperature differences between adjacent tubes, in particular at an outlet of an evaporator. That is due to fluctuations in the mass flow of the medium flowing through the tube. Those temperature differences may cause damage due to inadmissible thermal stresses.

Once-through steam generator having spirally disposed evaporator tubes


A new separating method and a corresponding apparatus and the use of the apparatus for the environmentally sound separation of different material mixtures, are disclosed wherein, in addition to dynamic forces, the area pressure between the bodies to be sorted and an inwardly elastic sorting drum are made of use. Bodies which are heavy with respect to specific area pressure sink into the interior of the drum and are thrown out at a lower location. Parts which are light with respect to specific area pressure, on the other hand, are rejected from the surface of the drum and guided away separately. In so doing, the device achieves very efficient separation. The invention is particularly effective for the separation of reclaimable material mixtures, so-called "recyclables", particularly with respect to fractions such as liftings which are otherwise difficult to separate.

In the environmentally sound processing e.g. of recyclable material mixtures, container waste, and components similar to household waste, the problem arises of separating specific categories of recyclables materials as completely as possible. Both the sieving technique and the air separation technique are limited. Since organic, highly adhesive components or fine dust components also often occur in the aforementioned recyclables, separation by air or sieves involves corresponding disadvantages.
In individual cases it is unavoidable that vastly different collected material, e.g. liftings, are to be sorted into easily reclaimable organic components and heavy fractions intended for recyclables or dumps.
In recent times, repeated efforts have been made for a recycling which is as complete as possible, at least with glass receptacles, cans, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, etc. The newly developing flow of material must be separated in an efficient manner, so that the individual base materials such as glass and aluminum can be returned to other respective processing centers at a minimum of expense. In the case of glass, it is required that there be as little glass breakage as possible. This rules out an excessively large massing. The consequence of this would be many small plants, if possible in the vicinity of the consumers.
The current practice is sorting into different categories of material by hand. A typical characteristic of all highly industrialized societies is the high cost for all manual labor. The required high expenditure on manual labor often stands in the way of the complete success of a genuine recycling.
A solution is known in U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,925 in which the mixture is separated into a heavy fraction and a light fraction by means of a brush shaft following a pre-separation by means of a slope conveyor belt. In this patent, heavy parts fall down directly without being influenced by the brush movement. Tests conducted by the present Applicant showed only an insufficient or fluctuating separation quality when the product was conveyed, as it were, frontally to the sorting drum, and the heavy fraction is sorted out opposite the movement direction of the sorting drum and the lighter fraction is lifted over around the drum radius and thrown to the other side of the drum.

Method and apparatus for the separation of a material mixture and use of the apparatus


A system comprises a slot die including an applicator slot extending about a width of the slot die, wherein the applicator slot is in fluid communication with a fluid flow path through the slot die, and a plurality of actuators spaced about the width of the slot die, wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuators is operable to adjust a cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path at its respective location to provide a local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot. The system further comprises a controller configured to set the position of each actuator according to one of a plurality of discrete settings for operation of the slot die. The controller is further configured to, using fluid dynamics and a digital model of the die, predict a set of discrete settings from the plurality of discrete settings corresponding to a preselected cross-web profile for the extrudate.

Generally, slot dies includes die lips that form an applicator slot. The width of the applicator slot can extend about the width of a moving web or the width of a roller that receives the extruded product, such as a film. As used herein, with respect to slot dies and components of slot dies, "a width" refers to the cross-web (or cross-roller) dimension of a slot die and its components. In this regard, an applicator slot of a slot die extends about the width of the slot die.
Slot dies are commonly used to form extrusions and coatings. As an example, slot dies are used in slot die coatings to apply a liquid material to a moving flexible substrate or "web." There are many variations in techniques for slot die coatings. As one example, coating materials can be at room temperature or a controlled temperature. When a coating material temperature is elevated to ensure that the coating material is melted or liquefied for processing, this is often referred to as "hot melt" coating. In other examples, a coating material can include solvent diluents. Solvents can be water, organic solvents, or any suitable fluid that dissolves or disperses components of a coating. Solvents are typically removed in subsequent processing such as by drying. A coating can include single or multiple layers, and some slot dies may be used to apply multiple layers simultaneously. A coating can be a continuous coating across the width of the die or instead include form strips, each strip extending across only a portion of the width of the die and being separated from adjacent strips.
Slot dies are also used to form extrusions, including thin-film extrusions or other extrusions. In some examples, extrusions can be extrusion coatings and applied to a web substrate, a process which may be referred to as extrusion coating. In other examples, the extruded material forms a film or web directly. An extruded film might be subsequently processed by length orienting or tentering operations. As with coating, the extrudate might comprise a single layer or multiple layers.
The thickness of an extruded product, such as a film or coating, is dependent upon, among other factors, the flow rate of the extrudate through the slot die. In one example, a slot die can include an adjustable choker bar within the flow path that can be used to locally adjust the flow rate of the extrudate through the slot die to provide a desired thickness profile. A slot die can also include a flexible die lip that can be used to locally adjust the thickness of the applicator slot itself to control the flow rate of the extrudate from the applicator slot to provide a desired thickness profile.
A slot die may include a plurality of actuators spaced about the width of the applicator slot in order to provide a desired thickness profile for an extruded product. For example, each actuator can be configured to provide a local positional adjustment of a choker bar or flexible die lip.
After starting an extrusion process using a slot die, the cross-web profile of an extrudate can be measured. Each actuator may then need to be individually adjusted to provide a desired thickness profile, such as a consistent thickness, for the extruded product across the width of the applicator slot.


In a manual transmission mode, a downshift instruction signal is outputted by a position sensor, and a shift range is lowered by one gear, as a result of an operation of a shift lever by the driver. The driving force of the vehicle is increased through downshifting. The number of times of downshifting within a predefined time is limited to a predefined number of times.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a vehicle control apparatus, and more particularly, to a technology for limiting the number of times a driving force is increased through downshifting.
2. Description of Related Art
Electric automobiles and hybrid vehicles equipped with an electric motor as a drive source, as well as electric automobiles provided with a range extension function (range extender), are available. In many instances, these vehicles are not equipped with a stepped transmission that enables speed ratio modification. In such cases, the ratio between the revolutions of the drive source (for instance, an electric motor or engine) and axle revolutions, i.e. the speed ratio, need not be selected manually by the driver, to change the driving force of the vehicle thereby. In such vehicles, however, there is a need to provide the driver with the operating experience of changes in the driving force through shifting, as in ordinary vehicles equipped with an engine alone as the drive source. In order to meet that need, the shift range in some electric automobiles and hybrid vehicles is variable, and control is performed in such a way so as to obtain a travel characteristic according to a selected shift range.
However, enabling the driver to select the shift range makes it possible for the shift range to be modified based on an improper operation erroneously inputted by the driver. As an example of a measure for preventing such improper shifting, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-242868 (JP 9-242868 A) discloses the feature of not accepting the input of a manual transmission instruction during a lapse of time from start of automatic shifting until a predefined time has elapsed.
In the case of an anomaly in an output system for outputting a shift instruction signal in a manual transmission mode, for instance in case of close-fail of a position switch for detecting the position of a shift lever, the shift instruction signal may in some instances be outputted a plurality of times within a short time, by the output system, in the manual transmission mode. The driving force of the vehicle may increase abruptly and the vehicle may experience a significant jolt, if a downshift instruction signal is outputted a plurality of times, within a short time, by the output system, in a manual transmission mode, and, accordingly, downshifting is performed a plurality times within a short time. However, JP 9-242868 A gives no consideration at all to an instance where a downshift instruction signal is outputted a plurality of times, within a short time, in a manual transmission mode.


An air conditioning unit for a vehicle includes: an air conditioning case, a blower that draws air from an opening and blows the air radially outward from its rotation axis, a cooler disposed upstream of the blower, and a heater is disposed downstream of the blower. The air conditioning case includes an upper bypass passage through which the air bypasses the heater on an upper side of the heater, a lower bypass passage through which the air bypasses the heater on a lower side of the heater, a first opening provided downstream of the upper bypass passage, and a second opening provided downstream of the lower bypass passage. The opening of the blower faces an air outflow face of the cooler. A passage area of the upper bypass passage is larger than a passage area of the lower bypass passage.

Conventionally, an air conditioning unit for a vehicle includes a casing, a first centrifugal multi-blade fan that blows air into an upper air passage formed on an upper side in the casing, and a second centrifugal multi-blade fan that blows air into a lower air passage formed on a lower side in the casing.


An example hologram recording/reproduction device reproduces recorded information from a holographic recording medium where interference fringes formed by a reference light and an object light corresponding to the recording information are recorded. The example hologram recording/reproduction device irradiates the reference light to a holographic recording medium; generates detection information data (Ddet) according to the detection light generated by irradiation of the reference light; sets a target irradiation position of the reference light on the surface of the holographic recording medium according to the detection information data; and moves the irradiation means with respect to the holographic recording medium along its surface so that the reference light is irradiated to the target irradiation position.

There is known a hologram recording technique of recording information to be recorded, as an interference pattern, into a holographic recording medium (hereinafter merely referred to as a "recording medium"). One method is to spatial-modulate light from a light source in accordance with the information to be recorded, to thereby generate object light, and irradiate the recording medium with the object light and reference light. The object light and the reference light form the interference pattern on the recording medium, and the interference pattern is recorded into a recording layer of the recording medium. On the other hand, in reproduction, the interference pattern recorded in the recording medium is irradiated only with the reference light, and detection light from the recording medium is detected by a 2-dimensional (2D) sensor, to thereby reproduce the information.
As in the information recording on an optical disc or the like, even in the hologram recording, the object light and the reference light are focused on the recording medium, by using an objective lens or the like. Therefore, in order to accurately perform the information recording or reproduction, so-called tracking servo control is required, which is to control the position of the objective lens with respect to the recording medium. A patent document 1 describes an example of the tracking servo control of drive-controlling the objective lens on the basis of a tracking error signal, which is generated by irradiating laser light onto a guide groove formed in advance on the recording medium, on a hologram recording/reproducing apparatus. Incidentally, there are patent documents 2 and 3, for example, as other documents which describe the hologram recording.    Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open NO. 2001-273650    Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open NO. 2002-63733    Patent document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open NO. 2000-122012

Hologram recording/reproducing apparatus, hologram reproducing apparatus and method, and computer program


A long cylinder shaped beam is submerged in the ocean and suspended horizontally by multiple floats for converting ocean wave energy. The long length (at least the distance of the crest of two waves) and heavy weight of the beam, give the floats something stable to pull against. The weight of the beam pulling at the floats is transferred back and forth, as the ocean swells move over the beam, which activate machine components that may be installed in the beam, the floats or with rods connecting the floats to the beam. An individual float will not lift the beam except when the tide raises all the floats. The floats will pull and release the tension of the weight of the beam at randomly different times. The shape of the beam is straight. The ocean surface is continuously curving up and down and the beam will not bend to the shape of the ocean surface, but the floats will mimic the undulating or curvy shape of the ocean surface, and that motion actives the machine. The energy of the floats pulling against the elongated component is then turned into mechanical or hydraulic energy.

Inventors have been trying to figure how to extract energy from the ocean for more than 150 years.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,454, issued 1983, discloses a fluid coupled wave generator array with sub sea structure wherein a sub sea support structure is coupled to floats in a Hagen array. This invention has many differences and problems, such as, many moving parts exposed to the salt water, it has to be tightly anchored or solidly fastened to the ocean floor, ships can collide with the apparatus. It does not use its own weight to pull against instead it pulls on the ocean floor. The floats are responsive to the relative motion between the floats and not the lifting of a weight like the present invention.
The invention anchoring system has to be adjusted continuously with a wench where the present invention needs no adjustment because it does not use the ocean floor to operate.
U.S. Pat. No. 855,258 issued 1907, discloses a wave motor that has the same differences and problems as U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,454 listed above.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,213 issued in 1978, discloses a wave driven generator that has different size floats connected together that float on the ocean surface and bends to the shape of the ocean surface.
There are many problems that have prevented ocean generators from going into production. They have numerous moving parts that are exposed to the salt water that will have a limited life under harsh and corrosive conditions. Many of the patents show these apparatuses solidly connected to the ocean floor (piers, land, poles, and scaffolding), which can be torn apart in bad weather. Many are tightly anchored to the ocean floor, which is very expensive (one float to one or more anchors). Many of these invention are anchored tightly straight up and down. When an anchor is pulled from the side it is very strong, but when an anchor is pulled straight up, it must be much stronger and deeper, which adds greatly to the cost. When an apparatuses is mounted solidly in a fixed position or relationship to the ocean floor, e.g., tightly fixed by an anchor, then it must be continuously adjusted for the different height in the tide, which is very difficult to do. The apparatuses that are mounted on a dock or a barge will have very little chance of surviving a hurricane or severe waves. Since waves have a long distance between them, many apparatuses will not produce power between wave motions.
The ocean waves have enormous energy, but there are many problems with trying to convert it to electricity. The ocean changes continuously with waves that range from 1 ft. swells to 100 ft. breaking waves and current that pulls in every direction. The height in the tide is changing continuously. The salt water is very corrosive and sea life attaches itself to everything. There are also many vessels and boats to contend with. Trying to make anything permanently fixed in place in the ocean is almost impossible.


Shear wave propagation is used to estimate the speed of sound in a patient. An ultrasound scanner detects a time of occurrence of a shear wave at each of multiple locations. The difference in time of occurrence, given tissue stiffness or shear velocity, is used to estimate the speed of sound for the specific tissue of the patient.

The present embodiments relate to speed of sound determination with ultrasound.
In ultrasound imaging, the speed of sound is assumed, such as assumed to be 1450 m/s. The delay or phase profiles for focusing ultrasound beams rely on the assumed speed of sound. The assumption may not be accurate. The speed of sound in tissue varies based on characteristics of the tissue.
Ultrasound tomography may be used to measure the speed of sound. Ultrasound tomography relies on placing the patient between a transmitter and a receiver. The travel time for acoustic energy from the transmitter to pass entirely through the patient to the receiver is used to calculate the speed of sound in the patient. Most ultrasound scanners use pulse-echo where the same transducer is used for transmit and receive operation, so speed of sound may not be estimated in the same way with pulse-echo systems. Since the location of acoustic reflection is not known exactly relative to the transducer, the pulse-echo round trip time does not directly indicate the speed of sound.


Embodiments of the present invention relate to a latch circuit (L20) which latches a data mask signal (DM) in response to a one-shot signal (NS), and changes the data mask signal (DM) to an active level in response to an error signal (ERR), which indicates that an error is present in write data (DQ), being at an active level; a buffer circuit (BF2) which outputs the data mask signal (DM) that has been latched by the latch circuit (L20), said data mask signal (DM) being output in response to a write clock signal (WCLK2); and a main amplifier (80) which outputs the write data (DQ) to an internal circuit on the condition that the data mask signal (DM) which has been output from the buffer circuit (BF2) is at an inactive level. The present invention can prevent the writing of erroneous write data, and is capable of preventing increased chip surface area.

In recent years, development of DDR4 (Double Data Rate 4) type DRAMs has been proceeding: these are DRAMs of even higher speed than DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) type DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memories). DDR4 type DRAMs are provided with a new function, which is not present in DDR3 type DRAMs, namely, a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) function, of detecting whether or not an error is present in write data (see Patent Reference 1).
With a CRC function, verification is performed as to whether or not an error is present in write data, by carrying out a calculation using a CRC code and write data comprising a plurality of bits. Then, if the result of the verification is that the write data contains an error, the write operation is discontinued.


The present invention provides a process for producing isoxazole derivatives represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom or lower alkoxyl, and R.sup.3 is cyano or alkoxycarbonyl, the process being characterized by oxidizing an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated ketoxime derivative represented by the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 , R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined above. The isoxazole derivatives (II) to be produced by the process of the present invention are useful as intermediates for preparing (3,4-diarylisoxazol-5-yl) acetic acid derivatives which are useful as anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics and antipyretics.

Among the isoxazole derivatives represented by the formula (II), the compounds wherein R.sup.3 is cyano are prepared by the known process which is disclosed in JP-A-75471/1985. This process comprises reacting 3,4-diaryl-5-methylisoxazole with a halogenating agent and then with a cyanogenation agent. The compounds of the formula wherein R.sup.3 is alkoxycarbonyl are novel compounds.
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and preferred process, which is entirely different from the conventional process, for producing isoxazole derivatives represented by formula (II) and useful as intermediates for preparing the compounds (A).

Process for producing isoxazole derivatives


Provided is a binder composition for negative electrode that has good binding property with an active material and a metal foil and is superior in reduction resistance. A binder composition for negative electrode comprising a graft copolymer obtained by graft copolymerizing, with polyvinyl alcohol, a monomer containing (meth)acrylonitrile as a main component, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol has an average degree of polymerization of 300 to 3000; the polyvinyl alcohol has a saponification degree of 70 to 100 mol %; the graft copolymer has a polyvinyl alcohol amount of 10 to 90 mass %; and the graft copolymer has a poly(meth)acrylonitrile amount of 90 to 10 mass %.

In recent years, secondary batteries have been used as power sources for electronic devices such as laptop computers and cellular phones, and development of hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles using a secondary battery as a power source for the purpose of reducing the environmental load has been promoted. A secondary battery having high energy density, high voltage and high durability is required for these power sources. Lithium-ion secondary battery is attracting attention as a secondary battery capable of achieving high voltage and high energy density.
Lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a separator, and the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material, a conductive assistant, a metal foil, and a binder. As the binder, a fluorine-based resin such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polytetrafluoroethylene, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, and an acrylic copolymer are used (for example, refer to Patent Literatures 1 to 3).
However, in general, there had been cases where the conventional binder showed poor binding property with the metal foil. When charge and discharge were repeated, the binder was decomposed, and the negative electrode active material would peel off from the metal foil, thereby resulting in decrease in the battery capacity.
Patent Literature 4 discloses a binder composition for positive electrode in which polyacrylonitrile is graft-copolymerized with polyvinyl alcohol. However, there is no description about applying this binder composition for a positive electrode to a negative electrode binder composition.

Binder composition for negative electrode, slurry for negative electrode, negative electrode, and lithium ion secondary battery


In one embodiment, a communication system is provided that includes:

Communication has developed dramatically in the last decade. The Internet now is the preferred vehicle for most interpersonal communications. The Internet is able to accommodate not only real time and non-real time text messaging but also real time voice, or Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP, communications.
The Session Initiation Protocol or SIP provides a powerful tool for effective interpersonal communications over the Internet. SIP is an application layer signaling, presence, and instant messaging protocol for effecting multimedia sessions. The main signaling functions of the protocol include location of an endpoint, contacting an endpoint to determine willingness to establish a session, exchange of media information to allow the session to be established, modification of existing media sessions, tear down of existing media sessions, publication and upload of presence information, request delivery of presence information, provision of presence and other event notifications, and transport of instant messages.
SIP incorporates elements of the Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP) used for Web browsing. From HTTP, SIP borrowed a client-server design and the use of Universal Resource Locators (URLs) and Universal Resource Indicators (URIs). SIP uses e-mail-like names for addresses. SIP URIs correspond to either a user or single device or endpoint and can handle telephone numbers, transport parameters, as well as instant messaging handles and other items. A SIP URI is resolved to an IP address using a SIP proxy server and DNS lookups at the time of the call, for example.
The mechanics of SIP can be illustrated with reference to an instant messaging example. In the example, SUBSCRIBE is used to request status or presence updates from the presence server, and NOTIFY to deliver that information to the requestor or presence watcher. In the example, party A wishes to communicate by instant messaging with party B. To find out the status of party B, party A subscribes to party B's presence information by sending a SUBSCRIBE message to party B. Party B accepts the subscription by sending an 202 ACCEPTED response back to party A. The subscription begins when party B sending a NOTIFY message back to party A. Party A sends a 200 OK response to party B acknowledging receipt. While the subscription is effective, any change in status of party B is the subject of a NOTIFY message to party A. In this manner, party A is made aware, on a real time basis, of the status, or presence, of party B.
The mechanics of SIP will be further illustrated with reference to a voice call example. In the example, party A wishes to make a call to party B. Party A first sends an INVITE to a first proxy server. The first proxy server performs a DNS lookup of partyB's SIP URI domain name and returns the IP address of a second proxy server, which handles that domain. The INVITE is then sent to that address. The second proxy server looks up the SIP URI in its database and locates party B. The INVITE is then forwarded to party B's IP address with the addition of a second Via header field stamped with the address of the second proxy server. Party B returns a 180 RINGING message to the second proxy server, which forwards the message to the first proxy server. The first proxy server then forwards the message to party A. When the call is answered by party B, party B sends a 200 OK response. Party A, upon receipt of the response, sends an ACK message directly to party B. A media session is thus established. The call is disconnected using a BYE message.
Currently, many communication devices are capable of engaging in VoIP calls and instant messaging sessions. They cannot, however, engage in both at the same time. Generally, the device user must choose between the two options, such as when an incoming call is received during an instant messaging session.
Additionally, many communication devices are capable of engaging only in a VoIP call or an instant messaging session. Such devices cannot communicate in other types of sessions.
There is a need for a communication system that permits users to engage simultaneously in VoIP calls and instant messaging sessions.

Abstract: (a) an input operable to receive incoming instant messages;

Abstract: (b) a text-to-speech converter 220 operable to convert a text message in an incoming instant message into a voiced equivalent thereof;

Abstract: (c) a speech-to-text converter 232 operable to convert a voice signal into a text equivalent thereof;

Abstract: (d) a message completion agent 428 operable to convert the text equivalent into an outgoing instant message; and

Abstract: (e) an output operable to send the outgoing instant message to a selected recipient.


A novel process is disclosed for continually or periodically correcting gas spectrometer measurements for wavelength calibration drift without interrupting the gas measurement process. The spectrometer employs certain calibration vectors for use in obtaining single component information based on a composite measurement for a multi-component gas sample. A calibration vector can be provided for each component of interest as well as an average spectrum and other spectra as desired. These calibration vectors are used to selectively compensate for spectral interference between the multiple components so as to effectively isolate and measure a selected spectral characteristic for a particular component of interest. Temperature changes and attendant variations in spectrometer dimensions or other temperature related factors can degrade measurement performance. The novel process involves deriving wavelength correction data for the spectrometer as a function of temperature, monitoring the spectrometer for temperature changes during a time period of interest, and adjusting or shifting one or more of the calibration vectors to compensate for temperature variations. By performing temperature-related adjustments based on the calibration vectors, the computational intensity of the process is greatly reduced, thereby minimizing processor burden/requirements. It is anticipated that the correction process can be continually executed as a low priority or background function in a multitasked system without requiring dedicated processor resources.

Spectrographic analyzers are used in a variety of medical and industrial applications to analyze the composition of a gaseous or fluid sample. One such application is the use of a spectrographic gas analyzer to monitor respiratory, anesthetic and/or other therapeutic gases in a patient respiratory flow line during a medical procedure. The operation of such analyzers typically involves illuminating a sample gas, measuring the illumination intensity, or other value related to the illumination transmitted through the sample gas, at various wavelengths, and analyzing the measured values based on known transmission/absorption/scattering characteristics of the components of interest to determine the composition of the sample gas, e.g., the concentration of components of interest in the sample gas. The number of wavelength measurements employed can vary depending on system requirements, but is generally at least as great as the number of components to be analyzed. The set of wavelength-related measurements for a given sample gas may be considered a composite measured spectrum.
The process for deriving individual component information from the composite measured spectrum involves isolating effects due to the component or components under analysis. In this regard, it will be appreciated that various interfering components of the sample gas may have overlapping effects such that the measured value at a given wavelength may reflect effects due to more than one component. The process for deriving individual component information from the composite measured spectrum is well known in the prior art, and involves the derivation of "calibration vectors" which can be used to calculate the concentration of individual components of the sample mixture. In general, there is one calibration vector for each component to be measured, and the measurement produced using each calibration vector will respond only to the presence of a single component of the sample mixture. The process for deriving individual component information therefore involves at least a composite measured spectrum and one or more vectors.
In order to obtain reliable information, it is important for the spectrometer to be carefully calibrated. Such calibration involves, inter alia, establishing and maintaining a known relationship between particular measured values and corresponding wavelengths such that the composite measured spectrum can be properly processed using the predetermined vectors. It is known that various factors can affect this relationship depending on the particulars of the equipment. For example, a change in temperature may result in a slight change in instrument geometry or dimensions which, in turn, may cause a wavelength shift in the composite measured spectrum unrelated to the composition of the sample gas. Such a shift, if not accounted for, introduces an element of error into the system and could result in significant hazards, particularly in medical applications.
Two general approaches to addressing this source of potential error are measurement drift prevention and measurement drift correction. Measurement drift prevention attempts to avoid drift by maintaining temperature or other parameters at a constant value. However, this approach requires careful monitoring and control which increases instrument complexity and can be impractical. Measurement drift correction attempts to identify a drift of the composite measurement spectrum due to temperature or other parameters, and then correct the composite measurement spectrum based on the identified drift. This approach, however, generally involves substantial processing and dedicated processor resources, particularly in applications involving high measurement rates and multiple interfering components where the composite measurement spectrum may have a complex form. These approaches have thus resulted in substantial instrument complexity, processing complexity and/or processor requirements.

Dynamic wavelength calibration for spectrographic analyzer


An antireflective film is provided, the antireflective film including: a transparent support; and at least one low refractive index layer, wherein the low refractive index layer is formed from a composition containing at least following (A) to (C): (A) a fluorine-containing antifouling agent having at least one polymerizable unsaturated group; (B) a fluorine-containing copolymer having at least one polymerizable unsaturated group; and (C) inorganic fine particles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antireflective film, a polarizing plate using the antireflective film, and an image display device using the antireflective film or the polarizing plate on the outermost surface of the display.
2. Description of the Related Art
Antireflective films are generally provided on the outermost surface of the display for reducing reflectivity using the principle of optical interference, in order to prevent contrast reduction or reflection of an image due to the reflection of the outside light in image display devices such as a cathode ray tube displays (CRT), plasma displays (PDP), electroluminescence displays (ELD), and liquid crystal devices (LCD). For this, the antireflective film is required to have a high antifouling property against fat and oil components such as those from a fingerprint, a sebaceous oil, and the like, high physical strengths (scratch resistance, and the like), a high permeation rate, chemical resistance, and weather resistance (moisture/heat resistance, light resistance), in addition to high antireflective performances.
As a technology for providing an antifouling property, there has been generally known a method in which a silicone compound having a polydimethylsiloxane structure or a fluorine-based compound is used to reduce the surface free energy of a coated film surface. For example, there has been suggested that a compound having a long-chained fluorine-containing polyether chain and an unsaturated double bond in an antireflective film so as to provide an antifouling performance while not deteriorating the low refractive index and not reducing the rigidity could be used (Pamphlet of International Publication No. 03/022906). However, this compound does not necessarily satisfy the low refractive index property, the scratch resistance, and the antifouling durability, and therefore, there has been room for improvement.
Further, in the antireflective films as described above, at least a low refractive index layer which is a thin film layer having a thickness of 200 nm or less is provided on the outermost surface, and antireflection is performed by the optical interference of the low refractive index layer. However, in the case of a one-layer thin film interference type for performing antireflection on one layer of the low refractive index layers which have the simplest structure, there is no practical low refractive index material satisfying a reflectivity of 0.5% or less and further, having a neutral color tint, high scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and weather resistance. On the contrary, there have been known a multi-layer thin film interference type antireflective film for preventing the reflection by multi-layer optical interference, such as a two-layer thin film interference type for forming a high refractive index layer between a transparent support and a low refractive index layer, a three-layer thin film interference type for forming a medium refractive index layer and a high refractive index layer in this order between a transparent support and a low refractive index layer, and the like, so as to attain a reflectivity of 0.5% or less. In particular, the three-layer thin film interference type is preferred since it prevents the reflection at a wide wavelength range and gives a low reflectivity while inhibiting the reflected color.
In the case of a mono-layer, a layer having a lower refractive index than that of the substrate (low refractive index layer) may be formed to, in terms of optical layer thickness, a thickness of about ¼ of the designed wavelength. Furthermore, when further reduction of the reflection is required, it is known to form a layer having a refractive index higher than that of the substrate (high refractive index layer) between the substrate and the layer having a low refractive index (U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,044).
However, such a multilayer-type antireflective film can reduce the reflection, but a variation in the layer thickness or the refractive index of each of the layers leads to a change in the reflected colors. Particularly, if a fingerprint or a sebaceous oil is attached on the surface of a coated film, even if it is wiped off, some residue of the fat and oil components, if any, remains, and thus, are noticeable by the eyes because the attachment trace is more readily recognized as the change in the color tints, as compared to a mono-layer, from the change in the refractive index, and reduces the perceivability of the image. By this, in conventional multi-layer type antireflective films, even when the fluorine-containing compound having water/oil repellency or the silicone compound having a polydimethylsiloxane structure as above is used, the antifouling property could not be satisfied.

Antireflective film, polarizing plate, and image display device


The present invention relates to the networking of a large number of endpoints using a high bandwidth optical backbone. The large number of endpoints, which may be thousands or more in number, connect through a local access telecommunications networks to points of presence. From each point of presence, the connection with the endpoints are routed directly to an optical node, which provides access to and from the high bandwidth optical backbone. No intermediate network layer is employed between the point of presence and the optical node, thereby reducing network complexity, increasing network stability, and eliminating limitations on bandwidth available to the endpoints imposed by an intermediate network layer and communications protocols employed therein.

Telecommunications connectivity has become a critical resource for most enterprises in the United States and abroad. Whether such connectivity is used to transmit traditional voice telephone communications, facsimile transmissions, or data, most enterprises from large corporations to small non-profit groups require such connectivity to function on a daily basis.
To meet these connectivity needs, a wide variety of methods and devices have been developed. Often the best solution depends upon the size and nature of a given enterprise. A small business may effectively and efficiently meet its needs with a small number of telephone lines for voice calls, facsimile transmissions, and dial-up Internet access. A mid-sized enterprise such as a business, a school, or a local government facility may require a local area network ("LAN") with a high bandwidth data connection linking the LAN to external networks such as the Internet. A larger enterprise such as a large business or governmental agency with multiple sites may require a LAN at each site and high bandwidth data connections with appropriate hardware and software to connect the multiple LANs into a wide area network ("WAN"). Numerous methods and protocols exist for establishing LANs and WANs, each with its own unique attributes that may make it particularly useful in certain applications.
The challenge of maintaining adequate and reliable data connectivity becomes particularly pronounced when an enterprise has a large number of endpoints that must be connected. For example, national or regional banks face serious challenges to maintaining adequate data connectivity for their large number of endpoints. Such endpoints include, of course, bank locations. Endpoints also include locations such as a automated teller machines ("ATMs"), which may be located within bank locations or remotely from other bank facilities. Data connectivity at such endpoints must be sufficient to, at a minimum, securely verify account information for bank patrons accessing their account at that endpoint and to transmit information regarding the transaction to a central facility. Ideally, data connectivity to endpoints such as ATMs can be used to update endpoint systems, such as software, and to provide value added services such as real time account information, check images, financial information or entertainment functions such as games and streaming video.
While banks are a type of enterprise with a particular need to network a large number of endpoints, other types of enterprises face challenges in networking large numbers of endpoints include large retailers, package and letter delivery services, gasoline stations, and any other private of public enterprise with a large number of endpoints. Unfortunately, the present complexity and instability of networks with a large number of endpoints, as well as the limited bandwidth available to endpoints in such networks, limits their functionality.
The limitations upon data connectivity of networks with a large number of endpoints in the current state of the art derive in large part from the limitations of network communications protocols employed at the edge of such networks. In the current state of the art the endpoint is connected to a data network using a communications protocol. Often, physically proximate endpoints, such as ATM and bank locations in a particular metropolitan area use the local access telecommunications network to connect endpoints to an intermediate network employing a communications protocol such as frame relay. Data cannot travel to and from an endpoint at a rate in excess of the rate available using the communications protocol of the intermediate network. The intermediate network thus often creates a bottleneck for data flowing to or from an endpoint.
The inherent complexity of linking a multitude of networks also hinders the performance of networks with a large number of endpoints. In accordance with the prior art, each of the large number of endpoints connects to a local access network. The local access network connects to an intermediate network. The intermediate network layer connects to the wide area network, which often employs a high bandwidth optical backbone to transmit a high volume of signals over great distances. The provider of the local access network and the intermediate network may differ from one metropolitan area to another, or even in different sections of a single metropolitan area. Thus, endpoints in one metropolitan area may use an intermediate network provided by different service providers. An enterprise with endpoints across the United States can easily have endpoints connected via dozens, or even hundreds, of different intermediate networks. Within the broad range of United States telecommunications standards, each of these intermediate networks may have different system configurations and may possess varying bandwidth capabilities. This wide variety of intermediate networks, even if all are operating using common protocols and standards, creates a large challenge to connecting these multiple networks to form a larger network.
As one can easily imagine, the complexity of combining three layers of networks including dozens, and possibly many more, separate networks with varying hardware and network protocols to establish data connectivity between a large multitude of endpoints, creates numerous opportunities for failure and data slow downs. Depending upon specific configurations used, each local access network can require a multitude of switches and one or more routers to direct signals to and from the endpoint. The intermediate network also requires switches, routers, and other equipment to establish network protocols and to properly direct signals. The high bandwidth optical backbone must possess the ability to receive signals from the diverse number of access layer networks. Within each of the three networks, failures and transmission slow downs can occur. Also particularly susceptible to failures are the connections between the networks. Given that there can be dozens or even hundreds of local access networks and intermediate networks joined in such a system, one can easily see that the possibility of connection failure is high.
The complexity and fragility of present data connectivity systems for a large multitude of endpoints creates several limitations upon the types of services that can be performed over such system. Even the most rudimentary of services, such as accessing a central database to retrieve or input information, can be impeded or prevented entirely by failures in the system. The complexity can significantly impair the bandwidth available to endpoints, which slows data exchanges. The network complexity and bandwidth limitations also impairs the upgrading of software and services at the endpoints. For example, manually installing software upgrades at each endpoint can be prohibitively difficult when the endpoints number in the several thousand. Ideally, such upgrades could be installed using a "push" from a central source over the telecommunications network. However, faults in the complex telecommunications network described above can prevent all or part of such updates from arriving at all endpoints, and bandwidth restrictions in the intermediate networks can so slow the transmission of the update as to render its installation impractical. Other value added services, which could increase customer satisfaction and produce additional revenue streams for an enterprise, may not be available using a fault-prone and slow network. For example, the delivery of streaming video to endpoints, or the provision of real time data cannot realistically be achieved unless endpoint connectivity possess sufficient bandwidth and reliability to deliver such services.
The complexity of a wide area network involving a large multitude of endpoints also adds costs for an enterprise in terms of maintaining and upgrading the network. As with any endeavor, greater complexity leads to greater opportunity for failure and greater cost of maintenance. A simplified network, such as one that eliminated a network layer, would decrease the cost of maintenance and would also decrease the cost of access paid to telecommunications providers. The elimination of the intermediate network could also remove a significant limitation on the bandwidth available to the endpoints.

Wide area network with a large number of endpoints and a high bandwidth optical backbone


A connector assembly (100) with a bidirectional clamping structure is used for assembling a light emitting component (10). The connector assembly (100) includes a first pivot member (110) and a second pivot member (200). The first pivot member (110) includes a body (120), a cover (150), a first pivot portion (170) connected to one side of the body (120) and the cover (150), and a wire groove (180) at the other side. The second pivot member (200) is detachably pivotally connected to the first pivot member (110). The second pivot member (200) includes a base (210). The base (210) includes a second pivot portion (220) asymmetrically disposed with respect to the first pivot portion (170) and an insertion slot (260). The insertion slot (260) is provided for insertion of the light emitting component (10) and is disposed corresponding to the other side of the second pivot portion (220).

There is a silicone waterproof sealing member in the market, which is used to assemble a light emitting diode (LED) on a band-shaped flexible printed circuit (FPC) board to form a LED strip/bar. The LED strip/bar has a lifespan of 80,000 to 100,000 hours, is environmental friendly, and the sealing member can be cut into a desired shape and extend as desired, so the LED strip/bar is gradually used in various environments for lighting.
The conventional LED strips/bars are usually connected by manual soldering, and then the LED strips/bars are sealed by silicone or other materials after soldering processes. In the manual soldering process, there are quite some difficulties to deal with. For example, silicone of the sealing member has to be removed first before carrying out the soldering process, and consequently, installation is time consuming, and the connection quality is not reliable due to unstable soldering quality. Thus, the connection method has inferior sealing and allows low current only, so it is not suitable for used in environments in need of effective sealing. Furthermore, soldering connection does not permit easy maintenance, so it wastes considerable cost and time for maintenance.
Accordingly, the inventor made various studies to solve the above-mentioned defects, on the basis of which the present invention is accomplished.

Connector assembly with bidirectional clamping structure


A method of determining timing clearance between a valve stem and a moving member using an electromagnetic actuator comprising electromagnets, an electromagnet for moving the moving member from a closed position towards an open position and an electromagnet for moving the moving member from an open position towards a closed position, each electromagnet being controlled on the basis of a reference electrical characteristic, the method comprising: controlling an electromagnet to obtain a displacement speed for a moving member as the moving member moves from one of a closed position or an open position towards the other one of an open position or a closed position; obtaining values of a reference electrical characteristic for intermediate positions of the moving member; and detecting an intermediate position at which the reference electrical characteristic is subject to a sudden change.

Conventional electromagnetic valve actuators comprise both resilient displacement means and electromagnetic actuator means for actuating the moving member between two extreme positions which correspond respectively to the open position of the valve and to the closed position of the valve. The resilient displacement means generally comprise a spring associated with the moving member to return it elastically into its extreme open position, and a spring associated with the valve stem in order to return it elastically into its closed position so as to urge the moving member elastically into its extreme closed position. The electromagnetic actuator means generally comprise an electromagnetic displacement means for bringing and/or holding the moving member in its extreme open position, and an electromagnet for bringing and/or holding the moving member in its extreme closed position.
In order to be certain that the valve is properly pressed against its seat when the moving member is in its extreme closed position and therefore the moving member and the valve are not connected to each other, timing clearance is provided between the moving member and the valve stem when the moving member is in its extreme closed position and the valve is properly pressed against its seat by the spring which is associated therewith.
Under such circumstances, if the moving member is brought quickly from the extreme closed position to the extreme open position, the moving member will strike the valve stem. This impact, which in any event is noisy, leads to mechanical stresses and wear of the moving member and of the valve stem that can, in extreme cases, lead to damage thereof. It is therefore important to know precisely the amount of timing clearance that exists so that the electromagnetic means can be controlled firstly to bring the moving member gently into contact with the valve stem, and then to accelerate the moving member once it is pressing against the valve stem.
Unfortunately, timing clearance varies while the engine is in operation, in particular as a function of temperature, and also over the lifetime of the engine, in particular as a function of the wear of the valve and of the various components of the valve actuator. In addition, timing clearance can vary from one valve actuator to another as a function of their manufacturing tolerances.
In order to determine the timing clearance, a conventional method comprises controlling the valve actuator means to move the moving member from the extreme closed position to the extreme open position and to detect variation in an electrical characteristic of the electromagnetic actuator means. This variation in the electrical characteristic is caused by the increase in the opposition to movement of the moving member once it encounters the valve stem. The timing clearance is then determined by measuring the time that elapses between the beginning of the moving member being set into motion and the start of variation in the electrical characteristic. Nevertheless, determining timing clearance in that way turns out to be relatively inaccurate. Thus, there is a need for a method of determining timing clearance simply and accurately.


A plant growth promotion device includes: a flat-plate rotor, a motor coupled to the rotor by a rotary shaft, and a plurality of permanent magnets fixed in place at arbitrary intervals within the rotor, the rotor being rapidly rotatable by the rotary shaft that is coupled to the motor, so as to produce an alternating magnetic field. The device is used by situating and operating it in an agricultural field of crops so that the alternating magnetic field is produced in the agricultural field.

The present invention relates to a device and the use thereof in which permanent magnets are used to change the magnetic field in an agricultural field so as to promote the growth of plants, and in particular crops such as fruits, and to contribute to improved flavor.
Toward the end of the 16th century, the Englishman W. Gilbert scientifically established that the earth is one giant magnet. That is to say, all living things on the earth live bathed in geomagnetism. Iron absorbs magnetism one hundred times to several thousand times more readily than air. It is of note that the energy of geomagnetism in the natural environment in the vicinity of Japan is approximately 0.5 gauss. Here, it has been indicated that, in environments resulting from civilization (high-rise buildings, condominiums, automobiles, greenhouses and the like) plants and animals are in a living environment that is surrounded by iron and the like, where a pathological condition that may be referred to as "magnetic deficiency syndrome" exists.
It is said that, when the geomagnetism is artificially blocked, there are clear changes in the central nervous systems and the circadian rhythms of humans. Accordingly, it would not be unusual to observe some sort of effect due to magnetism in life forms other than humans. It has long been known that one of these is the growth promoting effect of magnetism on plants.
For example, it is disclosed in JP-05-088434-A that magnetism of 20 to 85 gauss is effective in promoting the growth of plants. Furthermore, a method has been proposed for causing the roots and stems of plants to grow large by way of exposing the stems and roots of plants to a magnetic environment of 2 to 20 gauss and preferably 5 to 12 gauss and, as a result, improving the absorption of water and nutrients, so that the blossoming periods of flowers are extended, and the growth of leaves and fruits is promoted (see JP-10-313685-A). Furthermore, a crop cultivation promotion device has been proposed having a configuration wherein the bodies of organisms, as well as useful microorganisms within these bodies, and exterior to these bodies, are activated and the growth thereof is promoted on the basis of the "magneto-protonics principle" (see JP-2008-061614-A).

Plant growth promotion device and method of using the device


Composite silicone rubber particles of this invention include silicone rubber particles A and silicone rubber particles B, wherein the surface of said particles A is covered with said particles B having sizes smaller than sizes of particles A. The composite silicone rubber particles are characterized by exhibiting excellent flowability and dispersibility, and in case of adding the particles to various materials, improving tactile feeling, reducing inner stress, and providing lubricating and oil-and-fat absorption properties.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication (hereinafter referred to as Kokai) Hei 4-348143 and Kokai Hei 7-102075 disclose composite silicone rubber particles that consist of silicone rubber particles, the surfaces of which are covered with fine particles of metal oxide. Furthermore, Kokai Hei 7-196815 discloses composite silicone rubber particles that consist of silicone rubber particles, the surfaces of which are coated with fine particles of silicone resin. In comparison to conventional silicone rubber particles, the aforementioned composite silicone rubber particles exhibit better flowability, and may impart to rubbers, plastics, coating materials, inks, waxes, cosmetic materials, etc. such properties as thermal resistance, cold resistance, weather resistance, water repellency, lubricity, mold-release properties, inner-stress relaxation properties, etc.
However, to provide excellent flowability, low aggregation, and good compoundability, such composite particles have to contain fine silicone resin particles in combination with fine metal-oxide particles. In this case, however, they become unfavorable for cosmetic use. This is because the addition of the aforementioned particles imparts the tactile feeling of hardness to the cosmetics and leads to loss of the satisfactory tactile feeling of softness expected from cosmetic products. Furthermore, addition of such particles impairs an absorption of oil-and fat such as sebum.
Furthermore, Kokai Sho 64-14250 discloses composite silicone rubber particles that consist of silicone gel particles, the surfaces of which are covered with silicone rubber particles. However, the aforementioned composite particles have low flowability and dispersibility, are difficult to attach to various materials, and cannot easily acquire lubricating and sliding properties.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide composite silicone rubber particles exhibiting excellent flowability and dispersibility, and in case of adding the particles to various materials, improving tactile feeling, reducing inner stress, and providing lubricating and oil-and-fat absorption properties. Another object is to provide an efficient method of manufacturing the composite silicone rubber particles with the aforementioned properties.

Composite silicone rubber particles and method of their manufacture


A shading device is disclosed for a canopied stroller. The shading device includes a top panel, two side flaps, and a front flap, all of which are made of heavy cotton or cotton blend fabric. The shading device includes front and rear canopy straps to secure the shading device to the stroller canopy. The canopy straps and the side and front flaps may be secured by hook and loop fastener in a variety of configurations to protect a child in the stroller from the sun. A pair of side straps may be included to secure the side flaps to the stroller or to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to stroller accessories generally, and specifically to a shading device for a canopied stroller.
2. Description of the Related Art
Caregivers are frequently concerned about protecting babies and small children from the sun. Sun exposure is a particular problem for children in strollers. Strollers are generally used outdoors, therefore exposing the child to the sun. Children generally are irritated by the sun, especially having the sun in their eyes, and often protest. A child in a stroller is usually strapped in so that his movement is limited. This can lead to sunburn of parts of the child's body exposed to the sun. Sunburn and sun exposure also place a child at risk for skin cancer.
Most strollers include a sunshade or canopy. Typically the canopy is fabric secured to a rigid framework. Some strollers have a sunshade which can be collapsed out of the way when not in use. Some collapsible sunshades can be extended far enough to provide a quiet, dark area for a child to nap in, as well as for sun protection.
The collapsible type of sunshade has disadvantages. It is bulky, expensive, and difficult to fold compactly. In particular, it generally does not fold from side to side, but only forward and backward. The collapsible sunshade adjusts only forward and backward. If the sunshade is lowered for sun protection from one direction, the child's view in other directions is blocked. Collapsible sunshades have particular difficulty in protecting against sunlight coming from directly ahead. The child's feet and legs often cannot be protected from the sun without blocking the child's view of the outside world entirely. Collapsible sunshades are generally included only on expensive strollers which are not intended to fold compactly.
In inexpensive strollers, a rectangular fabric canopy supported on a rigid framework is often provided. The canopy typically pivots out of the way when it is not needed. The canopy is compact and can be designed to fold both front to back and side to side relatively easily. The canopy generally offers only limited sun protection. The canopy typically can be no wider than the width of the stroller. The canopy length is limited by the need to pivot out of the way. Some canopies have a flap hanging from each side of the framework. This improves the sun protection somewhat. However, the side flaps generally cannot be secured out of the way. To avoid blocking the child's view, only short side flaps are used. Even with a side flap, the child has little protection from sun coming from the side of the stroller. The stroller canopy provides virtually no protection from sunlight coming from directly ahead.
A stroller canopy can be supplemented by draping a blanket over the canopy framework in the direction from which the sun is shining. This provides more shade. Unfortunately the typical canopy provides nothing to secure a blanket to. The blanket tends to shift and frequently comes loose. The blanket may become entangled in the stroller wheels, fall off and/or get dirty. If the weather is windy, the blanket tends to blow off the canopy. Since the blanket is not secured, the child in the stroller may also pull it off. The blanket must therefore be rearranged often. The blanket must also be rearranged whenever the angle of the sun changes, such as whenever a corner is turned. If the sun is coming from the front or corners are being turned frequently, two or even three blankets may be required for adequate sun protection. The result is that the caregiver may spend a great deal of time rearranging blankets. The blankets cannot be left on the stroller when not in use, so that the blankets take up space in a diaper bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,732 by Pollman discloses a shade for a canopied stroller having a fabric shading panel. The fabric shading panel is composed of a material which allows only part of the ambient ultraviolet radiation to pass through. The shade is secured at one end to a forward child restraining member and extends beneath the seat of the stroller. The shade then extends up the rear of the stroller, overlays the stroller canopy, and is attached again to the child restraining member in the front. The shade includes no rigid structural members. The shade includes small screen-like openings over the entire panel to allow for air ventilation. The shade is attached to the stroller by elastic straps and is held closed by hook and loop fastener. The fabric shading panel may be arranged to close partially by attaching it by hook and loop fastener to the body of the shade at the top of the canopy.
The shade disclosed by Pollman has a number of disadvantages. The shade does not extend below the level of the seat of the stroller. The shade therefore offers no protection for a child's feet and legs. The over-and-under attachment to the stroller is complex and time-consuming to install and remove. Due to the over-and-under design, the shade is difficult to adapt to different stroller sizes and designs. The shade does not have separate front and side flaps and can be used only in a relatively small number of possible configurations. The shade is designed to be transparent and cannot be used for a dark enclosure for napping. The ultraviolet screening material is expensive. The design requires a considerable amount of material and is relatively complex to manufacture. The shade is therefore costly.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,789,863 by Shimabukuro discloses a baby stroller protector for protecting against wind and rain. The protector is made from a transparent plastic sheet. The sheet is suspended from the awning of a baby stroller and tied on. A fabric protector having separate side and front flaps is not disclosed. The protector provides no sun protection and is unsuitable for use in sun.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,756 by Grell discloses a raincover for a canopied stroller. The raincover is made of polyethylene. The polyethylene may be entirely transparent, or may be opaque and have transparent windows for the child to look out. The raincover is secured to the stroller by snap fasteners. The side walls are attached to the side edges of the top wall by zippers. The raincover can be used in only a relatively small number of possible configurations.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a stroller shading device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


The disclosure is directed to enabling reversible, on-demand remote control of blood clotting and clot dissolution. In one embodiment, a laser at one wavelength triggers release of a DNA thrombin inhibitor from one nanorod, which acts as an anticoagulant to stop blood clotting. Another wavelength triggers release of a specific antidote, which reverses the effect of the thrombin inhibitor, restoring blood clotting.

In wound healing and surgery, blood clotting must be controlled for patient safety. Blood clotting is triggered by an enzymatic cascade that ultimately activates the protein thrombin, which cleaves fibrinogen to form a clot. Manipulation of blood clotting is achieved predominantly by administering anticoagulants such as heparin, warfarin (coumarin), and others which inhibit blood clotting. However, these anticoagulants suffer many limitations, causing them to rank as the leading cause of death in adverse drug reactions in therapeutic use in the US. These anticoagulants can only inhibit coagulation, so their ability to control clotting is inherently one-sided. Furthermore, heparin, the most prevalently used anticoagulant, is a polydisperse polymer that acts nonspecifically, inhibiting not one but several species in the clotting cascade. Heparin is obtained from livestock (pig) intestines, where risk of contamination is significant and can be fatal. More importantly, these anticoagulants have no specific antidote, and reversing their effect is predominantly achieved by clearance, which can vary greatly among people. Current recommendations include use of activated charcoal to non-specifically absorb the drug.


The present invention includes a system that includes an identification code reader that reads the identification code on a keypad overlay and displays the keypad type for which the keypad overlay is designed. The identification system includes a keypad overlay that has an identification code positioned thereon. The system also includes an identification code reader operative to read the identification code. The identification code reader has a database of information associated with a plurality of keypad overlays. In particular, the database stores information that associates each of the plurality of identification codes to specific keypad types for each of the plurality of identification codes. Each of the identification codes is associated with a keypad overlay that specifies the functions of keys on a specific keypad type. In response the identification code reader reading the identification code positioned on the keypad overlay, the identification code reader is operative to display the specific keypad type associated with the identification code positioned on the keypad overlay.

Many methods of tracking or recording information related to products have been devised. A common method of tracking products is accomplished by including an identification code, which may be stored for reference, on the product when the product is manufactured or shipped. Identification codes typically used on products include numeric, symbolic, and alphabetic codes. One such code is commonly known as a bar code.
Identification codes, such as bar codes, are typically associated with information such as the date of manufacture, the type, color, size, quality, etc. of the product. When shipping a product to a customer, often the sender keeps a record of the product shipped to the customer by recording or scanning the identification code of the product sent. Many devices or methods are generally known and available for recording or scanning the identification codes.
While identification codes included on products serve a useful purpose to the sender, such identification codes are not always useful to the recipient. Consequently, the recipient may prefer not to have the identification code displayed on the product after the recipient receives the product. Additionally, the room or space on the product being shipped may be used by the recipient for information useful to the user of the product. Including an identification code on a product reduces the space available for other information or distracts from the appearance of the product.
When products are shipped to recipients, often the product is shipped with some form of protective covering. This is especially true for products that have an adhesive backing that is designed to secure the product to another device. Products that have an adhesive backing, such as certain types of templates that are placed over keypads to identify certain functions of keys, are often shipped with a removable protective layer . Removing the protective layer from a template can be tedious. In order to peel the protective layer from the template, a person is required to pick or pull at the boundary or edge of the template or protective layer to get a grip on the protective layer.
Additionally, a keypad template often has functions specified that are unique to the keypad or terminal for which the keypad template is designed. Although keypads for use with credit card terminals are often the same in physical structure, various keypads are programmed differently. Consequently, a keypad template may fit on a particular keypad although the keypad template is not designed for use with the particular keypad. When a person receives a template with certain functions designated on the keypad template, the person may not know if the keypad template with the specified functions is for the keypad upon which the person is planning to place the keypad template. If the user places the keypad template on the incorrect keypad, when the user presses a key with a certain function specified on the template, the keypad or terminal is not likely to produce the response intended by the user.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a system for including an identification code on a product without reducing the space for other useful information yet provides a tracking mechanism for the product. Additionally, there is a need in the art for a system that helps to ensure that keypad templates are placed on the correct keypad.


Disclosed herein are backplane interconnect systems that use surface mount technology for mating conductive pins in a header connector to surface mount pads on a printed circuit board. In particular, the interconnect system uses a plurality of conductive pins that are not fully inserted into the body of the header connector, thus allowing them to move during mating with a printed circuit board. In this way, the interconnect system exhibits self-leveling characteristics.

Various electronic interconnect systems are available in the market place. In one application, two-part electronic backplane connectors are used to couple a motherboard (also known as a "backplane") to a daughtercard. Typically, a socket connector is assembled to the daughtercard while a header connector is assembled to the motherboard.
While various two-part backplane connectors may be available in the market, there is a continuing need for other connector designs that exhibit faster data transmission rate while using a smaller footprint, i.e., smaller amount of surface area or real estate on the motherboard or daughtercard.