In one aspect, the invention comprises a system for enabling a crossing system operator to calculate a rebate payment to a second participant for executing the block order of a first participant based on at least one of: (a) a difference between a benchmark price and an execution price of the block order; (b) total volume of block execution; and (c) an amount that decays exponentially with the time between the first participant's order and the order's execution by a liquidity provider.

Crossing systems designed to enable the execution of large block orders encounter the difficulty of focusing liquidity at the same point in price and time. Various solutions to this problem have been deployed. Various electronic markets offer scheduled crosses at specific points in the day. For example, Pipeline and LiquidNet attempt to attract crossing blocks at any time of the day by delivering invitations to trade to potential counter-parties and offering mechanisms to facilitate convergence in price. These methods succeed only to the extent that large buyers and sellers have latent liquidity ready to be routed to the market and not previously committed to another strategy. As a result, fill rates on orders committed to crossing systems are low, typically 1-5% depending on the stock's liquidity.
To bridge the gap in time and strategies, liquidity providers willing to commit capital can take on a position on the crossing system and wind it down at a different time or using a different strategy. However, the price of the block trade on the crossing system then becomes a principal driver of profitability for the liquidity provider, creating a direct conflict of interest with the institution that had committed its block order to the crossing system. The liquidity provider has an incentive to game the execution price on the crossing system by buying the block lower and retaining the difference as part of its trading profit.
Crossing systems have devised various mechanisms to prevent potential damage to their customers' interests. LiquidNet simply precludes the participation of liquidity providers. Pipeline protects the institutional order's interests via a large minimum quantity, hiding the side, using orange and yellow indicators to give an informational edge to resident aggressive orders, fuzzying the time when these indicators are turned on or off, and enabling an order's limit price and time in force to remain unknown. POSIT randomizes the execution time.
Of these systems, only POSIT enables liquidity providers to participate profitably, but it falls short in protecting the institutional order, as liquidity providers can probe the crossing system with small quantities to discover an imbalance in large buy/sell interest and later trade accordingly on the continuous market. Pipeline's rules, in contrast, have proven themselves to be effective at protecting the resident order, with the result that liquidity providers acting on a regular commission-based pricing model have not found it profitable to trade on the system, even when their commissions are reduced all the way to zero.
Standard rebate models such as those used by ECNs provide a negative commission, typically limited to $0.002 per share. These payments are too small to cover adverse information costs associated with large block orders. To the extent that they could be raised to a level sufficient to attract liquidity providers to larger blocks, one would still be faced with a strong incentive to find ways to game the crossing system's pricing mechanism. The solutions described above would be only an imperfect remedy, likely to diminish but not eliminate the damage caused by predators looking to game the execution price.
What is needed is a mechanism for providing rebate payments that enables liquidity providers to participate and raise crossing rates dramatically, while neutralizing the incentive to game the execution price on the block crossing system.
Embodiments of the subject invention relate to software-based systems and methods for encouraging capital providers to facilitate trades with good execution quality on a block trading system.
Embodiments of the system subject of the present invention overcome the limitations of known liquidity rebate payment systems by calculating rebate payments in a manner that neutralizes (preferably, exactly neutralizes) the incentive to game the execution price on a block crossing system.
The combination of higher crossing rates and execution quality provides a strong value proposition to the user, thereby enabling the crossing system that uses this rebate mechanism to strengthen customer loyalty and sustain a premium price that can be used to offset the cost of the rebate mechanism.
In one aspect, the invention comprises a system for enabling a crossing system operator to calculate a rebate payment to a second participant for executing the block order of a first participant based on at least one of: (a) a difference between a benchmark price and an execution price of the block order; (b) total volume of block execution; and (c) an amount that decays exponentially with the time between the first participant's order and the order's execution by a liquidity provider.
In another aspect, the invention comprises a system for enabling a crossing system operator to calculate a rebate payment to a first participant upon execution by a second participant of an order placed by the first participant, based on at least one of: (a) a difference between a benchmark price and an execution price of the block order; (b) total volume of the block execution; and (c) an amount that decays exponentially with a time between the first participant's order and the order's execution by a liquidity provider.

Systems and methods for increasing participation of liquidity providers on crossing system


An endoscope system with an endoscope, a TV monitor, and a peripheral device separate from the endoscope and the TV monitor is provided. The endoscope includes an objective optical system and an image pickup device that converts an image formed by the objective optical system into a video signal which can be indicated in the TV monitor. The endoscope also includes a signal generator that generates a control signal to be supplied to the peripheral device so as to control the peripheral device. Additionally, the endoscope includes a transmitter that transmits the video signal to the TV monitor while no control signal is generated by the signal generator. The transmitter also transmits, as a radio signal, both the video signal and the control signal to the TV monitor and the peripheral device upon the control signal being generated by the signal generator. The endoscope also includes a signal adder that adds the control signal to a blanking interval of the video signal to output the video signal added with the control signal to the transmitter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endoscope system and a video camera for an endoscope, in which a picked-up image of an organism is transmitted to a receiver by radio control.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since in emergency medical treatment, or at the side of a patient""s bed, an easy procedure is necessary, a portable cordless endoscope which is provided with a light source and a power source therefore, so that no mechanical connection to an external light source apparatus is necessary, has been used. An endoscope apparatus has been proposed in which a video camera is connected to an eyepiece portion of the cordless endoscope, so that an endoscopic image picked-up by the video camera can be used for diagnosis. In the endoscope apparatus, it is possible to provide a TV monitor in which the endoscopic image is indicated as in an electronic endoscope, a video printer which is adapted to print the endoscopic image, an image recorder in which the viewed endoscopic image is recorded on a recording medium, or a filing device in which the endoscopic image is filed with additional information such as information of a patient or date of diagnosis, etc., in accordance with need. However, since it is necessary to operate the peripheral devices, advantages such as the ease of operation of the cordless endoscope are sacrificed.
Moreover, in the endoscope apparatus mentioned above, to adjust, for example, the brightness or enhancement level of the video camera, it is necessary to confirm the brightness or enhancement level through an indication portion of the camera body after an operation switch provided on the camera body is operated. The indication portion makes the video camera large and heavy. Furthermore, in general, the user views the endoscopic image through the TV monitor, and hence it is considerably troublesome for the user to confirm the adjustment in the indication portion of the camera body.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus in which the endoscopic image can be recorded or printed, etc., by an easy operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a small and light endoscope apparatus in which information (video settings) of an image pickup device of the endoscope is indicated and confirmed in a TV monitor.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, an endoscope system including an endoscope, a TV monitor, and a peripheral device separate from the endoscope and the TV monitor is provided, the endoscope including an objective optical system; an image pickup device for converting an image formed by the objective optical system into a video signal which can be indicated in the TV monitor; a signal generator for generating a control signal to be supplied to said peripheral device so as to control the peripheral device; and a transmitter for transmitting the video signal to the TV monitor while no control signal is generated by the signal generator, and for transmitting both the video signal and the control signal to the TV monitor and the peripheral device upon the control signal being generated by the signal generator, as a radio signal, by radio control.
Preferably, the video signal and the control signal is transmitted by radio control on one channel.
Preferably, the endoscope further comprises a signal adder for adding the control signal to the video signal to output the video signal added with the control signal to the transmitter.
In an embodiment, the video signal is a TV signal, and the signal adder adds the control signal to a blanking interval of said TV signal so that said blanking interval includes the control signal.
In an embodiment, the signal generator includes an operation member for controlling the peripheral device so that the signal generator generates the control signal in accordance with operation of the operation member.
In an embodiment, the peripheral device is a video printer which prints the image picked-up by the image pickup device
In an embodiment, the peripheral device is an image recorder which records the image picked-up by the image pickup device.
The endoscope can be applied to, for example, a fiberscope, a rigid endoscope, an electronic endoscope, or an endoscope having an optical fiber through which the image formed by the objective optical system is transmitted, so that the image transmitted through the optical fiber can be picked up by the image pickup device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an endoscope system including an endoscope, a TV monitor, and a peripheral device separate from the endoscope and the TV monitor is provided, the endoscope including an objective optical system; an image pickup device for producing a video signal, which can be indicated in the TV monitor, from an image formed by the objective optical system; a signal generator which generates an information signal for indicating a setting state of said image pickup device in said TV monitor.
Preferably, the endoscope further comprises a transmitter for transmitting the video signal and the information signal, which constitutes a radio signal, to the TV monitor by radio control, so that both the image picked-up by said image pickup device and the setting state of the image pickup device can be indicated in the TV monitor.
In an embodiment, the signal generator includes an operation member for changing the setting state of the image pickup device so that the signal generator generates the information signal in accordance with operation of the operation member.
Preferably, the information signal includes a character signal, so that the setting state of the image pickup device can be indicated by characters in the TV monitor.
Preferably, the endoscope further comprises a signal adder for adding the information signal to the video signal to output the video signal added with the information signal to the transmitter.
In an embodiment, the video signal is a TV signal, and the signal adder adds the information signal to a displayed period of the TV signal.
In an embodiment, an image masking device is further provided, for adding a image masking signal to the video signal in order to mask the periphery of the image picked-up by the image pickup device, and wherein said signal adder adds the information signal to the image masking signal, and wherein said transmitter transmits the video signal added with the masking signal which includes the information signal, by radio control.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a video camera for an endoscope which is provided with a TV monitor and a peripheral device separate from the endoscope and the TV monitor is provided, the video camera including an image pickup device which converts an image formed by the endoscope into a video signal which can be indicated in said TV monitor; a signal generator for generating a control signal to be supplied to said peripheral device so as to control the peripheral device; and a transmitter for transmitting the video signal to the TV monitor while no control signal is generated by said signal generator, and for transmitting both the video signal and the control signal to the TV monitor and the peripheral device upon the control signal being generated by said signal generator, as a radio signal, by radio control.
Preferably, the endoscope further comprises a signal adder for adding the control signal to the video signal to output the video signal added with said control signal to the transmitter.
In an embodiment, the signal generator includes an operation member for controlling the peripheral device so that the signal generator generates the control signal in accordance with operation of the operation member.
In an embodiment, the video signal is a TV signal, and the signal adder adds the control signal to a blanking interval of said TV signal so that said blanking interval includes the control signal.
In an embodiment, the peripheral device is a video printer which prints the image picked-up by the image pickup device.
In an embodiment, the peripheral device is an image recorder which records the image picked-up by the image pickup device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a video camera for an endoscope which is provided with a TV monitor and a peripheral device separate from the endoscope and the TV monitor is provided, the video camera including an image pickup device which produces a video signal, which can be indicated in said TV monitor, from an image formed by the endoscope; a signal generator which generates an information signal for indicating a setting state of said video camera.
Preferably, the video camera further comprises a transmitter for transmitting the video signal and the information signal, which constitutes a radio signal, to the TV monitor by radio control, so that both the image picked-up by the image pickup device and the setting state of the image pickup device can be indicated in the TV monitor.
In an embodiment, the signal generator includes an operation member for changing the setting state of the video camera so that the signal generator generates the information signal in accordance with operation of the operation member.
Preferably, the information signal includes a character signal, so that the setting state of the image pickup device can be indicated by characters in the TV monitor.
Preferably, the endoscope further comprises a signal adder for adding the information signal to the video signal to output the video signal added with the information signal to the transmitter.
In an embodiment, the video signal is a TV signal, and the signal adder adds the information signal to a displayed period of said TV signal.
In an embodiment, an image masking device is further provided, for adding a image masking signal to the video signal in order to mask the periphery of the image picked-up by the image pickup device, and wherein said signal adder adds the information signal to the image masking signal, and wherein said transmitter transmits the video signal added with the masking signal which includes the information signal, by radio control.
The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2000-42517 (filed on Feb. 21, 2000), 2000-43768 (filed on Feb. 22, 2000) and 2000-113712 (filed on Apr. 14, 2000) which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Endoscope system and video camera for endoscope


A circular loom for the manufacture of tubular fabrics having an annular frame with an upper annular plate and a lower annular plate, both having bearing bores for vertically moving healds (heddles) guiding the warp threads of the hose to be manufactured. Said healds are arranged on the periphery of said frame and are mounted on at least one continuous circular path such that they may be individually vertically displaced. For this purpose, the lower ends of the healds arranged in each circular path have cam following rollers running on a rotary driven cam-like control ring. More than one set of healds (with corresponding rotary driven control rings) along additional circular paths may be used.

The invention relates to a circular loom for producing hoses, consisting of an annular frame on the periphery of which are arranged vertically moveable healds for the warp threads and within which there is mounted at least one rotatable shuttle that carries a weft bobbin.
Such circular looms are generally used to produce fire hoses or industrial tubes. In these looms, it is customary to group the healds for the warp threads in sheds, whereby each partition is movably mounted on guide-rods. If, for example, twelve partitions or sheds are arranged on the periphery, this will result in a hose that has 12 transition corners where the division line shows irregularities.
In addition to circular looms that have healds arranged in partitions, there are also circular looms known in which a control wheel raises and lowers the warp threads and rotates in front of the shuttle. However, with this system errors in the weave are common since the warp threads can slough off. Moreover, since in this case there is only a small lifting distance available, the remainder of the lifting motion must be performed via a shuttle lift. This results in considerable friction, so that with high rotational speeds special cooling measures are required.
The object of invention is to provide a circular loom of the type outlined in the beginning, in which simple measures result in a consistent drawing-in, so that the spacing is uniform over the periphery.

Circular-weaving machine with vertically moving heddles


A dental space measuring instrument for insertion in interdental or interproximal spaces between teeth in both the upper and lower dental arches to determine the width of such spaces for orthodontic treatment. The dental space measuring instrument is characterized by a centrally located handle provided with outwardly extending, graduated cylinders which define elongated, calibrated tips for insertion in the interdental spaces. The calibrated tips may be extended in a straight line from the handle or one or more cylinders in one or both of the calibrated tips may be angulated, and the diameter of each cylinder is indicated on the handle for size-identification purposes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to orthodontic instruments and more particularly, to a dental space measuring instrument which is designed for measuring naturally-occurring or mechanically-created interdental or interproximal spaces between teeth, to facilitate accurate orthodontic treatment of the teeth. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dental space measuring instrument is characterized by a handle having elongated calibrated tips extending from the ends thereof. The calibrated tips are characterized by multiple, graduated cylinders of selected diameter, length and number for accurate measurement of the interdental spaces. In a most preferred embodiment, at least one of the calibrated tips is angulated to facilitate convenient access to interdental spaces between the molars and bicuspids, between the bicuspids themselves, between the bicuspids and the adjacent cuspid teeth, and anterior incisor teeth. Numerical indicia which indicates the diameter of each discrete cylinder in the calibrated tips is provided on the handle and the handle may be round or shaped in the configuration of a polygon such as a hexagon, in non-exclusive particular.
One of the problems which exist in the practice of orthodontics is that of accurately measuring interdental or interproximal spaces, or the spaces between adjacent teeth in the dental arches, in order to correct spacing defects by well known orthodontic procedures. Accurate measurement of these interdental spaces is difficult, particularly when the spaces are located between the molars and the bicuspids, the bicuspids themselves or between the bicuspids and the cuspids, located at the back of, and centrally of the oral cavity, respectively. It is frequently necessary to determine this spacing, not only for restoration and cosmetic purposes, but also to prevent foodstuff from wedging between the teeth and causing discomfort, as well as potential periodontal disease.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of devices are known in the field of orthodontics for measuring interdental spacing. Gauge plates having a variety of thicknesses have long been used for insertion in the interdental spaces, in order to measure the interproximal distance between adjacent teeth. These gauge plates are commonly known as dental contact gauges, usually constructed of stainless steel and are provided with a grip portion which may be color-coded according to the thickness of the plate. Since the average interproximal distance between teeth is on the order of about 70-92 microns in the case of young men and women, the three sizes of dental contact gauges which are normally used are 50 microns, 110 microns and 150 microns in thickness. In diagnosis, the gauge plates are inserted into the interdentium in order of plate thickness from the thinner gauge plate to the thicker one, until the succeeding gauge plate cannot be inserted therein. The dentist then estimates the interproximal distance under investigation according to data printed in a table provided with the instruments.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,627, dated May 12, 1987, to Ikuo Kyotani, details a "Dental Contact Gauge" which is used for the examination of proximal spacing between adjacent teeth. The gauge is characterized by a gauge plate having a constant thickness and formed of a shape-memory alloy to facilitate conforming the gauge approximately to the contour of the adjacent teeth. The gauge is subsequently restored to its original shape at a temperature of at least 40 degrees Centigrade.
Tools used to probe the depth of cavities and for other purposes in the practice of dentistry are also well known in the art. An early dental tool is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,501,170, dated July 15, 1924, to F. W. Korb. The Korb measuring tool includes an elongated sleeve, one end of which is provided with an annular, radial rib shaped in the form of a collar and carried by a shell or guard member which is securely arranged over the sleeve end. The shell or guard extends over the sleeve a distance sufficient to entirely cover slits provided in the sleeve, in order to prevent accidental injury to the operator by a probe which is extended through one of the slits. The shell is provided with a pair of oppositely-disposed apertures, through which an instrument may be inserted to increase the tension in the gripping jaw. The rib or collar serves as a finger-piece for the user while adjusting the instrument. The forward end of the sleeve is snugly fitted within the inner end of a nipple which is tapered and curved to a comparatively small end adapted to rest upon a tooth at the entrance of a cavity, the depth of which is to be measured. In use, the end of the probe is inserted to the bottom of the cavity in the tooth and the operator then moves the sleeve forwardly until the tapered end contacts the tooth at the entrance to the cavity. The tool is then removed from the patient's mouth and the projecting portion of the probe is measured by a scale or rule to accurately determine the depth of the cavity in the tooth. A "Remote-Recording Periodontal Depth Probe" is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,943,914, dated Mar. 16, 1976. The apparatus includes a protruding, removably attached, cylindrical probe tip which is partially ensheathed by a slidable tubular sleeve that is electrically connected by means of a transducer within the probe body to a remote recording device. Translational movement of the slidable tubular sleeve which partially sheaths the probe tip varies an electrical signal between the probe and the remote recording device according to the length of probe tip exposed. An operator-controlled foot switch is connected between the probe and the remote recording device, which arrangement allows the operator to insert the probe tip into the gingival sulcus and to adjust the slidable sleeve until it touches the margin of the gingiva before activating the remote recording device. When activated, the recorder produces a record of the electrical signal which corresponds to the length of the exposed probe tip and this record is representative of the depth of the gingival sulcus at the measured location. A periodontal probe is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,730, dated Dec. 21, 1982, to Per A. T. Axelsson. The probe is characterized by a handle portion and a pin member rotatably mounted on the handle portion about an axis of rotation. The pin member further includes a free end portion which is straight and flat and lies to one side of and in the same plane as the axis of rotation. The spacing between the free end portion and the axis is either constant or decreases in a direction toward the free end of the free end portion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,756, dated July 7, 1987, to Louis A. Simon, et al, details "Measuring Instruments for Measuring the Depth of Cavities". In a preferred embodiment a probe device includes a probe element and a sheath, the probe element being slidable within the sheath and protruding therefrom in variable length. Further included is a means for producing a depth signal representing the amount of protrusion of the probe element from the sheath, means for monitoring the rate of change of the depth signal and means for recording and/or displaying a value which is representative of the depth signal when the rate of change of the depth signal reaches a predetermined value.
It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved dental space measuring instrument for measuring interdental spaces in the upper and lower dental arches.
Another object of the invention is to provide a dental space measuring instrument which is characterized by a quantifiable gauge adapted to measure interdental spaces which are either mechanically created or naturally occurring.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a dental space measuring instrument which is characterized by a centrally located handle and at least one set of graduated cylinders extending from the handle for insertion between adjacent teeth in the dental arch to determine the size of the interdental spaces with a high degree of accuracy.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a dental space measuring instrument which includes a handle and at least one elongated, calibrated tip defined by a set of graduated cylinders extending from the handle, which graduated cylinders may either be straight or angulated for insertion in spaces between the teeth to determine the width of such spaces and facilitate accurate orthodontic treatment.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a dental space measuring instrument which is characterized by a handle, a first elongated, calibrated tip of selected length characterized by a first set of graduated cylinders extending from one end of the handle in a straight line, and a second elongated, calibrated tip of selected length defined by a second set of graduated cylinders extending from the opposite end of the handle in angulated relationship, wherein the graduated cylinders may be inserted in interdental spaces in the upper and lower dental arches to determine the magnitude of the interdental spaces, for orthodontic treatment.


A tensile member connecting device includes a base assembly for an installation such as mounting on the sidewall of an open-top truck or trailer bed for connecting straps thereon to secure a tarpaulin or cover in place. A telescopic tube assembly is mounted on the base assembly and includes inner and outer telescopic tubular members interconnected by a spring for extending the inner tubular member. A lever assembly includes a lever bar with a proximate end pivotally mounted on an outer end of the inner tubular member and a distal end. A connection post extends laterally from the lever bar in spaced relation from the pivotal axis of the lever assembly. The lever assembly is swingable about its rotational axis between lock and release positions. An over-center geometry is provided for retaining the lever assembly in its lock position with the extension spring exerting a relatively constant tensile force on the tensile member.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to connecting devices, and in particular to a device for connecting, anchoring and tensioning the mounting straps of truck or trailer bed covers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Open-top truck and trailer beds and boxes are commonly designed so that cargo is loaded through their open tops and unloaded through their bottoms or backs. This sometimes creates the need for a cover to keep dust, moisture and other harmful substances from coming into contact with cargo that has been loaded into the truck or trailer bed or box. A cover may also be necessary to prevent cargo from blowing out of the truck or trailer body during high speed transportation. Regardless of whether cargo is loaded into the truck or trailer, a cover can enhance the aerodynamics of the truck or trailer during high speed transportation, thereby improving gas mileage.
Several coverings for open top cargo containers have been suggested. For example, the Sims U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,044 discloses rigid doors that pivot around hinges and are secured with mechanical fasteners. The Schmeichel et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,512 discloses a flexible tarp that is fixedly secured to one side of the open container, deployed across the top by a roll-up apparatus, and includes a mechanism to retain the roll bar when the tarp is in a covered position.
Where a flexible tarp is used to cover a cargo container opening, many systems for securing the tarp to the container involve the use of straps. For example, the Schmeichel et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,512 discloses straps (60) that extend from the tarp (14) to a roll bar (64) which, in turn, is lodged in hooks (40) that secure the roll bar to the sidewall of the container. The Johnsen U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,492 discloses straps (90) that extend from the tarp cover edge (64) and are fastened by toggle action hooks (92) that secure the straps to the sidewall of the container. The Johnson U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,492 also discloses straps (94) that extend from the rear flap (40) of the tarp and are fastened by hooks (96) that secure the straps to the rear wall of the container.
Where straps extend from the edges of the tarp and are secured to the sidewalls of the cargo container, fastening devices are necessary to secure the straps. Such a fastening device should provide a secure means of attaching the flexible tarp to the cargo container to assure that the tarp will remain in place and intact. A fastening device should also allow easy operation to facilitate quick fastening and unfastening.
Another attribute of a fastening device should be to provide constant tensioning while the flexible tarp is covering the cargo container. For a variety of reasons, a tarp may stretch and tend to loosen. For example, the tarp may loosen due to exposure to the elements such as moisture. During high-speed transportation, the tarp may loosen due to aerodynamic forces exerted by wind passing over the tarp. Also, the tarp may loosen if cargo was initially loaded so as to be heaped above the normal height of the tarp; during transit, the load may settle resulting in a loose tarp. Without a means for constantly maintaining a uniformly tight cover and minimizing fabric movement, the tarp may start to flap, thereby resulting in excessive wear.
Current available fastening devices address some, but not all, of these problems. For example, some fastening devices involve arrangements that employ straps that are made of a resilient material that are fixedly secured to the sidewall of the container. An arrangement of this type is disclosed by the Johnsen U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,492 where the straps (94) are made of a resilient material such as bungy cord, and those straps are fastened by hooks (96) that secure the straps to be rear wall (20) of the container. This arrangement has the shortcoming that the straps may soon lose their resilient character, requiring frequent replacement. Once straps begin to lose their resilient character, the straps will provide less tensioning, thereby allowing the tarp to loosen and permitting fabric movement.
Other fastening devices involve arrangements that employ non-resilient straps that are manually tensioned before being fixedly secured to the sidewall of the container. An arrangement of this type is disclosed by the Johnsen U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,492 where the straps or cord (80) is manually trained through hooks (84, 86) before being fastened to a hook (88) that secures the cord to the sidewall (18) of the container. This arrangement has the shortcoming that it does not provide constant tensioning while the flexible top is covering the cargo container. If the tarp stretches and loosens after the straps are fixedly secured, there is no means to maintain a uniformly tight cover, and the tarp may start to flap, thereby resulting in excessive wear.
Other fastening devices involve arrangements that employ non-resilient straps that are mechanically tensioned before being fixedly secured to the sidewall of the container. An arrangement of this type is disclosed by the Johnsen U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,492 where the strap (90) is attached to a toggle action hook (92) which permits the strap to be tensioned as the toggle action hook is placed into a locked position (FIG. 6) and thereby secured to the sidewall (18).
Another arrangement of this type is anticipated by cargo strap tensioning devices that employ ratchet wheels as disclosed by Smetz et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,721; Speich U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,742; Rutzki U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,883; van Iperen U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,652; and Holmberg U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,286. Another arrangement of this type is anticipated by truck platform locking devices that employ a lever whose locking means are activated by a spring as disclosed by Nilsson U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,133. Another arrangement of this type is anticipated by tensioning devices that employ a lever and a mechanical locking means as disclosed by Richmond U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,099; and Akaura U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,796. Yet another arrangement of this type is anticipated by a quick release load securement device that employs a tubular housing with a slide member and a lock pin as disclosed by Parnell et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,783.
Arrangements Which involve mechanical tensioning prior to fixedly securing the strap to the sidewall of the container have the advantage of permitting greater tension than manual tensioning devices. Once fixedly secured, however, manual tensioning devices have the same shortcoming, viz., the arrangement does not provide constant tensioning while the flexible tarp is covering the cargo container. If the tarp stretches and loosens after the straps are fixedly secured, there is no means to maintain a uniformly tight cover, and the tarp may start to flap, thereby resulting in excessive wear.
Other fastening devices might involve arrangements that employ non-resilient straps that are mechanically tensioned after being fixedly secured to the sidewall of the container. An arrangement of this type is anticipated by the Parnell et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,783 where a cargo securement band (36) is connected to a compression unit (38) which in turn is connected to a floor anchor (34). Such compression units are used with a separate toggle action fastener that typically is located at the other end of the cargo securement band, although the Parnell et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,783 teaches (FIG. 10) a compression unit (38) that is located next to the fastening device (140).
Yet other fastening devices might involve arrangements that employ non-resilient straps that are mechanically tensioned before and after being fixedly secured to the sidewall of the container. An arrangement of this type is anticipated by load securement devices such as those shown in Neidigk U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,343 where a hydraulic arrangement is used as a fastening and tensioning device.
Arrangements that involve tensioning after fixedly securing the strap permit constant tensioning while the flexible tarp is covering the cargo container. Devices that might attain this attribute were designed to secure straps that hold and constrain heavy cargo loads such as heavy machinery or stacks of lumber placed upon the deck of a railroad flat car. As a consequence, devices that anticipate this type of arrangement are apt to be relatively expensive or complicated in operation. In expensive devices might be employed on only one side of the flexible tarp without obtaining a uniform tensioning o all sides of the tarp. If complicated in operation, the device may not allow quick fastening and unfastening.
The present invention addresses some or all of the aforementioned problems.


A tool assembly for installing and removing horizontally oriented retaining pins in a mechanical joint between a bucket tooth and a tooth adapter includes first and second lever members and first and second threaded members which are threadably connected to the respective first and second lever members. The second lever member is pivotably connected to the first member. The tool assembly is adapted to be placed over a bucket tooth having a horizontally oriented retaining pin, with the second threaded member aligning with and contacting the retaining pin. As the first threaded member is rotated, a portion of the first lever member contacts the tooth and the second threaded member contacts the pin and forces the pin into the joint, or out of the joint. Conventionally, a large drift pin and hammer are used to remove retaining pins. However, these tools are not useable on horizontally oriented retaining pins. The subject tool assembly quickly and easily installs and removes retaining pins in a joint between a bucket tooth and a tooth adapter.

As the size of earthmoving and construction vehicles increases, it becomes increasing difficult to assemble and dis-assemble various replaceable and serviceable components. Such components as replaceable bucket teeth on loader buckets and excavator buckets are normally releasably secured to the buckets or adapters by various types of retaining pins and locks. Large and cumbersome tools, such as drift pins and sledge hammers, are often used to install and remove the retaining pins from their locking engagement with the bucket teeth and adapters. Although these tools are rather primitive, they are effective in removing retaining pins which are oriented in a vertical direction through the bucket teeth. However, recent bucket tooth designs have incorporated retaining pins which are oriented in a horizontal direction through the teeth. Because the teeth are closely spaced along the bucket edge, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove such horizontally oriented retaining pins using conventional hammers and drift pins.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.


There is provided a process of making a mold for optical films. The process of making a mold for optical films comprises: etching a stereostructure in a surface of the mold having a flat surface or an engraved convex and concave surface, by using a laser beam. The process of making a mold for optical films may be useful to easily mark spots, to control the height of protrusions and the position where the protrusions are formed, and also to form the protrusions having constant depths even in a curved surface such as a convex and concave surface.

As one of the fields to which the present invention is applicable, a liquid crystal display (LCD) is a device that generally displays an image by injecting a liquid crystal material between an upper substrate and a lower substrate, changing orientations of liquid crystal molecules by forming an electric field between pixel electrodes and common electrodes, and adjusting the transmissivity of light according to the orientations of the liquid crystal molecules, wherein the upper substrate has common electrodes, color filters and the like formed therein, and the lower substrate has thin film transistors, pixel electrodes and the like formed therein.
Since this liquid crystal display panel is a passive element that does not voluntarily emit light, a backlight unit is necessarily installed in the liquid crystal display panel to supply light. In general, the backlight unit includes a light source supplying light; a diffuser plate or a light guide plate converting a line light source or a point light source into a surface light source; and a variety of optical films used to improve optical performances.
The optical films used in the backlight unit includes a collimating film used to improve brightness; a diffusing film having the effect of shielding optical defects in the rear of the backlight, or bright lines of the light source; a protective film used to protect the collimating film or the diffusing film from being scratched, etc.
Among them, the collimating film has lens structures arranged periodically to deflect a light path at one surface thereof. The lens structures used in the collimating film include a trigonal prism lens, a semicircular lenticular lens, micro lens, a Fresnel lens, etc.
These lens structures have functions to collimate light emitted from a light source towards the front of a display device to effectively improve brightness of the display device. However, the collimating films have problems regarding the Moire, wet-out and Newton ring phenomena, which are caused by the periodicity of the lens structures and air-gap, and also have a disadvantage in that surface defects occur on a screen due to the above-mentioned phenomena.
Also, an adhesion (blocking) phenomenon between optical films is caused while stacking a plurality of optical films with each other. However, the blocking phenomenon also causes surface defects to occur on a screen.
Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, there have been attempts to relieve the regularity of lens structures such as prism or lenticular lens. As one representative example, there has been proposed a method for relieving the regularity of a lens structure by throwing beads having a size of several micrometers to several tens micrometers to a surface of a mold having an engraved shape of a lens structure and sanding the lens structure. When the mold having an engraved shape of a lens structure is sanded with the beads, random secondary structures are further formed on the lens structure. As a result, the regularity of the lens structures is relieved to reduce the Moire phenomenon.
However, this method has problems in that it is difficult to expect a position where a secondary structure is formed due to the difficulty in controlling a position where beads are injected, and optical performances are deteriorated since beads are not injected to a concave surface of the mold due to the air turbulence, but sanded only on a convex surface of the mold. Also, the reliability of products is degraded since the reproducibility is not maintained at every sanding process. Furthermore, optical films prepared in these methods show somewhat improved Moire phenomenon, but have problems in that a collimating effect of the lens structures is deteriorated and the haze is increased due to the random formation of secondary structures. Also, this bead sanding process has its limits to suppress the wet-out phenomenon or the blocking between films.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An aqueous silicone emulsion is described which provides an elastomeric product upon removal of the water under ambient conditions. The emulsion comprises a continuous water phase and a dispersed phase of crosslinked silicone. The silicone phase is the product of radical produced crosslinking of hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane. The polydiorganosiloxane is crosslinked after it has been dispersed in water. Preferred polydiorganosiloxanes contain vinyl-substituted siloxane units and can be crosslinked by high energy radiation or the combined action of heat and an organic peroxide.

This invention relates to an aqueous silicone emulsion which provides elastomeric products upon removal of water. This invention also relates to methods of preparation of such emulsions.
Emulsions of organopolysiloxanes have been known for many years and have been suggested for depositing both plastic and elastomeric silicone coatings. Such emulsion coating systems are especially desirable because of the absence of organic solvent which reduces toxicity, pollution and fire hazards.
Findlay et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,294,725 describe one approach to a silicone emulsion coating system which employs a copolymer of diorganosiloxane units and monoorganosiloxane units. The copolymer is prepared by anionic emulsion polymerization with a surface active sulfonic acid catalyst. Findlay et al. teach that the copolymer containing pendant and terminal silanol functionality does not appear to be gelled in the emulsion, but when removed from the emulsion, the copolymer gels to a crosslinked rubber upon heating. It is taught that fillers can be added to the emulsion to improve the strength of the rubber obtained from the emulsion.
Sorkin in U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,017 discloses a silicone emulsion system that rapidly cures on substrates at elevated temperatures to give a release coating. Sorkin employs an anionic emulsion polymerized copolymer similar to the copolymer employed by Findlay et al. (i.e. containing both diorganosiloxane units and monoorganosiloxane units) except that the ratio of monoorganosiloxane to diorganosiloxane units is higher. In addition, an organometallic curing catalyst such as dibutyltin dilaurate was included to effect the fast cure of the copolymer on the substrate.
Cekada in U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,406 describes another approach to a silicone emulsion coating system employing essentially linear hydroxyl endblocked polydialkylsiloxane. An emulsion of the polydialkylsiloxane is combined with a silsesquioxane in the form of a colloidal suspension or gel and with a crosslinking agent such as methyltrimethoxysilane. When a condensation catalyst such as dibutyltin dilaurate is added, the emulsion will form a silicone rubber film when the water is evaporated at room temperature. Cekada also suggests that a peroxide catalyst could be used instead of the condensation catalyst to obtain an emulsion which upon removal of water would deposit a silicone film which could then be cured to a rubber by applying heat. Cekada further suggests that without any catalyst a deposited film might be converted to a rubber by irradiation.
Huebner et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,695 describes a silicone emulsion system similar to Cekada's except that carbon black is employed instead of the silsesquioxane for reinforcement. The use of carbon black also makes the rubber product electrically conductive. Huebner et al. further teach that the emulsion containing both the organometallic condensation catalyst and the monoalkyltrialkoxysilane crosslinking agent will cure to a useful silicone rubber up to two weeks or more, but after longer storage will not cure satisfactory. Although the cure could be regenerated by adding additional catalyst and crosslinking agent, it was recommended for purposes of storage that the emulsion be contained in two or more packages.
Nelson in Canadian Pat. No. 862,183 describes a silicone emulsion for treating fiberglass. The emulsion is similar to the Cekada or Huebner et al. systems but does not contain a reinforcing filler. It consists essentially of an emulsion of hydroxyl endblocked polydimethylsiloxane, a crosslinking silane such as an alkyltrialkoxysilane or an alkylorthosilicate, and a siloxane condensation catalyst. The emulsion must be heated to cure it on the fiberglass. Nelson also teaches that it is preferred to keep the condensation catalyst separate from the remaining emulsion by using a two bath system for treating the fiberglass.
A silicone emulsion system is also described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 901,052, filed Apr. 28, 1978 and assigned to the same assignee as the present patent application. The emulsion system employs an anionically stabilized hydroxylated polydiorganosiloxane combined with a colloidal silica with the pH adjusted within the range 9 to 11.5. The resulting silicone emulsion does not provide a cured elastomeric product when the water is allowed to evaporate at ambient conditions immediately after the emulsion is prepared. However, if this silicone emulsion is aged at room temperature for an extended storage period such as five months, it does provide cured elastomeric products when the water is removed. It is further taught that this required storage period can be reduced to one to three days if a diorganotindicarboxylate is added to the emulsion. The presence of colloidal silica is required for a useful cure either with or without the diorganotindicarboxylate.
A silicone emulsion is also described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 64,152, filed Aug. 6, 1979 and assigned to the same assignee as the present patent application. The emulsion system employs an anionically stabilized graft copolymer of a water soluble silicate and a hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane formed and stabilized in emulsion at a pH of 8.5 to 12.
An aqueous emulsion of a crosslinked silicone and a method of preparing the emulsion is described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 71,459, filed Aug. 31, 1979 and assigned to the same assignee as the present patent application. The emulsion is prepared by emulsifying in water and surfactant, a vinyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane, an organosilicon compound having silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms, adding a platinum catalyst and then heating the emulsion to effect crosslinking of the silicone within the emulsion particles. The emulsion of crosslinked silicone produces an elastomeric product upon evaporation of water and can be used to coat substrates.

Precured silicone emulsion and method for preparation


An electric capacitor containing a winding of paper and/or synthetic dielectric foils and metallic coatings and having at least one winding which is disposed in a sealed gas-tight housing containing an excessive pressure safety system and filled with an impregnation fluid, such as mineral oil, up to a predetermined buffer volume. In accordance with the invention, the impregnation fluid is saturated with an electro-negative gas and the buffer volume in the housing likewise is filled with such gas in an amount which assures a pressure higher than the normal pressure but, lower than the response pressure for the safety system.

The invention relates to an electric capacitor which contains a winding of paper and/or synthetic dielectric foils and metallic coatings, and having at least one winding which is disposed in a metal cup-shaped housing sealed gas tight and containing electrical supply conductors. The housing also contains an excess pressure safety system and is filled with a dielectric, halogen-free, non-polar impregnation liquid, for example, mineral oil, up to a predetermined buffer volume.
In such capacitors, the metallic coatings comprise, for example, either regeneratable, thin metalizations which are applied to dielectric foils, or to separate carrier foils, or utilizes metal foils which are wound together with the dielectric foils. A break-away protective fuse, functioning as an excess pressure safety system, usually comprises a tensioned conductor wire with a rated break point, which wire simultaneously serves as the electric supply line to the capacitor winding, and is secured, for example, to the cover the capacitor housing. In the event of an undesirable increased pressure within the interior of the capacitor housing, such pressure is transformed into an expansion force applied to crimps or corrugations formed in the capacitor housing, whereby the distance between the bottom of the cup-shaped housing and the cover thereof is increased, thus resulting in rupture of the conductor wire.
In capacitors of this type, impregnated with oil, the winding must be completely impregnated in order to suppress partial discharges therein. In addition thereto, as much as possible of the dead space present in the housing, adjacent the winding, is filled with oil so that the winding remains covered irrespective of changes in orientation or position of the capacitor. However, because of the different coefficients of expansion of the impregnation oil and the other capacitor materials, a gaseous buffer volume is necessary in capacitors employing rigid housings, in order to accommodate the relatively greater change in volume of the impregnation oil. Generally, this buffer volume is filled with air.
In a closed structure, as the oil is usually previously completely dried and de-gassed, the difficulty can arise that this air mass is absorbed by the oil and a low pressure thereby arises in the capacitor housing. In accordance with Paschen's Law, which describes a reduced puncture strength as a result of reduced pressure, ionization processes and corona discharges can therefore occur, which can openly lead to a disruptive breakdown.
In order to avoid the low pressure occurring because of the absorption of the buffer gas, such capacitors are therefore left opened for a relatively long period of time, following the impregnation, or are repeatedly aired out. However, on the other hand, corona discharges in the winding are again promoted by the air absorption of the impregnation agent. For example, given a greater cooling, the shrinking impregnation agent cannot flow sufficiently rapidly from the exterior to the interior of the winding so that gaps crack open in the winding, into which the absorbed air prefers to diffuse. With an application of an alternating voltage, corona discharges arise in these gaps in a known manner, which discharges attack the dielectric and finally lead to disruptive breakdown, and thus to the destruction of the capacitor.


Disclosed is a wearable smart device which a user can conveniently and comfortably wear. The present application may provide a wearable smart device comprising: a flexible display unit; a first frame which supports the flexible display unit and is restorably deformed to have a first curvature to allow the wearable smart device to be worn on a user's body; and a second frame which is restorably deformed to have a second curvature larger than the first curvature and is movably coupled to the first frame to allow the second frame to move relatively with the respect to the first frame while the second frame is deformed, wherein the second frame is configured to adjust the amount of deformation of the wearable smart device.

Terminals may be generally classified as mobile/portable terminals or stationary terminals according to their mobility. Mobile terminals may also be classified as handheld terminals or vehicle mounted terminals according to whether or not a user can directly carry the terminal.
Mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional. Examples of such functions include data and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files via a speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Some mobile terminals include additional functionality which supports game playing, while other terminals are configured as multimedia players. More recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receive broadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of content such as videos and television programs. In order to perform the aforementioned functions, basically, a mobile terminal is connected with different devices or a network using various communication protocols and may be able to provide ubiquitous computing environment to a user. In particular, the mobile terminal is evolving to a smart device enabling connectivity to a network and ubiquitous computing.
Conventionally, the smart device as the mobile terminal has been manufactured by a size capable of being held by a hand of a user and the user used to carry the smart device by hand or put in a bag or a pocket. Yet, with technological advances, the smart device is manufactured by a smaller size and is evolving to a wearable device directly worn on a body of a user.
A wearable smart device basically provides a lot more merits to a user in carrying the wearable smart device. Yet, for more convenient and comfortable wearing of the smart device, it is still required to have many improvements in the wearable device.


A method for making a pnpn semiconductor reverse conducting thyristor comprises the steps of forming n-type semiconductor layers on both sides of a p-type semiconductor substrate for forming an n-type emitter layer and an n-type anode-base layer. A p-type semiconductor impurity region is formed in the n-type anode-base layer for forming a p-type anode layer. A p.sup.+ -type semiconductor layer is ion implanted in the p-type substrate adjacent to the n-type cathode emitter layer by irradiating it with boron atoms.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor devices and in particular to pnpn reverse-conducting thyristors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Thyristor designers have attempted in the past to develop a practical method for making reverse conducting semiconductor thyristors because of their ability to combine high blocking voltage capability with low conduction and switching losses. Moreover, high frequency performance is improved since a bypass diode is not needed in many electrical circuit applications.

Method of making ion implanted reverse-conducting thyristor


A control system for electrophotographic copying machines which may forcibly return the component parts which are reciprocated and rotated during the copying operations to their home positions after a power switch is turned on, may detect malfunctions after the copying operations are started and may enable the copying machine to repeat the copying sequence without the feed of copying sheets for running tests in inspections and maintenance. One or more one-chip microcomputers are used in order to control the above and other steps so that a number of component parts may be minimized and the copying machines may be made compact in size and be economically fabricated.

The present invention relates to a control system with a microcomputer for electrophotographic copying machines.
The prior art electrophotographic copying machines are provided with various sensor means and display means so as to sense and display a copy sheet cassette which is emptied, a toner supply means which is also emptied, jamming of copying sheets and so on. However so far there has not been available an electrophotographic copying machine which may detect the quality of reproduced copies and the tone of an original so as to automatically control the copying conditions. If a control system capable of such detections and subsequent automatic adjustments is provided with wired logic circuits and incorporated into a copying machine, the latter would be prohibitively complex in construction and large in size.

Control system for electrophotographic copying machine


A boat motor conversion apparatus for converting a line trimmer into a boat motor comprising a tube having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end adapted to be coupled to a line trimmer's motor housing; an elongated drive shaft disposed within the tube, the drive shaft having a tip end extending from the upper end of the tube and a base end extending from the lower end of the tube, the tip end adapted to be coupled to a line trimmer's drive motor, whereby the drive motor rotates the drive shaft within the tube when activated; a boat motor having a plurality of gears coupled to the base end of the drive shaft for redirecting rotational movement therefrom and a propeller coupled to the gears; and a securement mechanism coupled to the tube and adapted for securing the tube to the stern of a boat.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a boat motor conversion apparatus and more particularly pertains to converting a line trimmer into a boat motor with a boat motor conversion apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of motor conversion apparatuses is known in the prior art. More specifically, motor conversion apparatuses heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of converting line trimmers into motors are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,670 to Robinson discloses a weed cutter for boat motor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,067 to Roberts discloses a method and apparatus for converting line trimmer into a trolling motor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,637 to Newell et al. discloses an outboard motor conversion kit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,256 to Dorion discloses a boat propulsion device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,167 to Govan discloses a line and weed cutter. U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,948 to Grobson discloses a personal watercraft using a string trimmer or similar power source.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a boat motor conversion apparatus that uses its own integral extension tube and a drive shaft therein with one end having a motor coupled thereto and the other end adapted to be coupled to a line trimmer drive motor for propelling a boat.
In this respect, the boat motor conversion apparatus according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of converting a line trimmer into a boat motor.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved boat motor conversion apparatus which can be used for converting a line trimmer into a boat motor. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


The present disclosure provides a glass ceramic composite electrolyte comprising gadolinium doped ceria and glass composite with desired ionic conductivity in the temperature range of 400 to 600° C., suitable for applications in solid oxide fuel cells. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of the glass ceramic composite electrolyte.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can generate power in the range of 1-100 kW power with an efficiency of 60-70%. SOFCs can be operated using different fuels like alcohol, hydrocarbons ammonia and gases like methane. Thus, fuel flexibility is one of the important advantages of SOFCs over other fuel cells.
The SOFCs are currently operated in the temperature range of 800-1000° C., restricting their application in stationary power generators. The operating temperature of SOFCs must be reduced to the range of 400-600° C. to extend the use of SOFCs to automobile and other applications. Ionic conducting electrolytes can be utilized to reduce the operating temperature range of SOFCs. Yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has an oxygen conductivity of 0.1 S/cm above 800° C. Doped ceria, lanthanum gallate and lanthanum manganite based electrolytes have ionic conductivity comparable to YSZ in the operating temperature range of 700-800° C.
Further, electrolytes doped with carbonate salts like sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, barium carbonate and strontium carbonate either alone or in combination have low ionic conductivity in the temperature range of 400-600° C. However, these carbonate doped electrolytes are chemically unstable and are less durable than ceramic electrolytes. Also, the higher operating temperatures of SOFCs create problems in sealing of the SOFCs.
Therefore, there is felt a need to provide a stable electrolyte which can provide better ionic conductivity at a lower temperature.

Glass ceramic composite electrolyte for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell

Director General, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology

Secretary, Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY)


Disclosed herein are apparatus, method, and system for producing a customizable composite beam from a plurality of solid state light sources. Each light source is associated with individually adjustable fixture components which allow for a variety of lighting needs to be addressed. The composite beam is a collective of the beam projected from each adjustable component/light source combination; each individual beam being of customized shape or standard shape.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for lighting. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable lighting fixture utilizing light emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce highly controlled and highly customized lighting.
In the current state of the art, the light projected from a fixture is often characterized in terms of the pattern of light as viewed on a target area; this is often referred to as the beam distribution type, beam type, or beam pattern. Beam distribution types are well known in the state of the art and are well defined and standardized by various organizations (e.g., the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)).
Various light source types (e.g., HID, LED) can produce a given beam type via use of optical elements (e.g., reflective or refractive lenses). With LEDs, for example, a fixture may comprise a plurality of LED light sources, each light source coupled with an optic such that the composite beam (i.e., the collective of each beam projected from each LED) is of a particular beam distribution type. One example of this in the current state of the art are THE EDGE™ fixtures—available from Beta Lighting Inc., Sturtevant, Wis., U.S.—which use an array of identical NANOOPTICT™ refractors to produce a specific beam distribution type.
One disadvantage to such current art approaches is that the designed optics are only useful in producing a single beam type; they must be modified or replaced if a different beam type is desired. In the case of LEDs, this can require the modification or replacement of dozens of optics. Additionally, such fixtures afford little flexibility; a type II beam pattern (as defined by IES) may be sufficient to illuminate a target area but if the target area changes (e.g., the area to be illuminated is increased, the target area is moved), or the lighting needs change (e.g., spill light needs to be eliminated, glare needs to be controlled), the beam type may no longer be appropriate for the application. Of course, the fixture itself may be adjusted about a particular axis to positionally shift the projected light, but this will not significantly change the beam type.
The current state of the art may benefit from improved design of lighting fixtures such that projected light from said fixtures may be customized to produce beam patterns beyond those which are well defined and standardized in the industry. Further, the art may benefit if the components of lighting fixtures may be made modular such that components may be switched in and out onsite to facilitate fast, easy, and cost-effective customization of a projected beam type. Thus, there is room for improvement in the art.

Apparatus, method, and system for highly controlled light distribution using multiple light sources


The invention concerns delivering paired magnetic anastomosis devices to either side of tissues to be joined. The magnetic anastomosis devices are coupled to a guide element that facilitates delivery and manipulation of the devices when using minimally-invasive techniques such as endoscopy and laparoscopy. Elongated manipulators and guide tubes are also disclosed that improve a user's dexterity with the devices during placement.

Bypasses of the gastroenterological (GI), cardiovascular, or urological systems are typically formed by cutting holes in tissues at two locations and joining the holes with sutures or staples. A bypass is typically placed to route fluids (e.g., blood, nutrients) between healthier portions of the system, while bypassing diseases or malfunctioning tissues. The procedure is typically invasive, and subjects a patient to risks such as bleeding, infection, pain, and adverse reaction to anesthesia. Additionally, a bypass created with sutures or staples can be complicated by post-operative leaks and adhesions. Leaks may result in infection or sepsis, while adhesions can result in complications such as bowel strangulation and obstruction. While traditional bypass procedures can be completed with an endoscope, laparoscope, or robot, it can be time consuming to join the holes in the tissues. Furthermore, such procedures require specialized expertise and equipment that is not available at many surgical facilities.
As an alternative to sutures or staples, surgeons can use mechanical couplings or magnets to create a compressive anastomosis between tissues. For example, compressive couplings or paired magnets can be delivered to tissues to be joined. Because of the strong compression, the tissue trapped between the couplings or magnets is cut off from its blood supply. Under these conditions, the tissue becomes necrotic and degenerates, and at the same time, new tissue grows around points of compression, i.e., on the edges of the coupling. When the coupling is removed, a healed anastomosis between the two tissues is formed.
Nonetheless, the difficulty of placing the magnets or couplings limits the locations that compressive anastomosis can be used. In most cases, the magnets or couplings have to be delivered as two separate assemblies, requiring either an open surgical field or a bulky delivery device. For example, existing magnetic compression devices are limited to structures small enough to be deployed with a delivery conduit e.g., an endoscopic instrument channel or laparoscopic port. When these smaller structures are used, the formed anastomosis is small and suffers from short-term patency.
Thus, there still remains a clinical need for reliable devices and minimally-invasive procedures that facilitate compression anastomosis formation between tissues in the human body.

Magnetic anastomosis devices and methods of delivery


A liquid crystal display module in which a series of overlying sheets can be prevented from wrinkling by fixing the sheets to a mold frame using a fixing member such as the positioner and the earth clips without using the fixing tape and the sheets are provided with an appropriate level of thermal expansion space, thereby eliminating wrinkling. As a result, displaying performance of the LCD device can be significantly enhanced.

LCD devices are a well known form of flat panel display. Because they are typically smaller, lighter and because they typically use less power than cathode ray tubes (CRTs), LCD devices are often considered a preferred type of display device. LCD devices having various structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,922 entitled "Apparatus for driving an LCD module with one driving circuit", U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,915 entitled "Out active matrix LCD", U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,555 entitled "Liquid crystal display panel", U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,316 entitled "Liquid crystal display module", and U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,611 entitled "Apparatus for controlling power sequence of an LCD module".
In conventional LCD devices, a series of overlying sheets are typically disposed between a light guide plate and an LCD panel. The overlying sheets typically include a diffusing sheet and a prism sheet that are configured to receive and modify the character of the light. A protecting sheet is also typically included for protecting the diffusing and prism sheets from being damaged. Collectively, these sheets will be referred to hereinafter as "the series of overlying sheets", the "overlying sheets", or "the sheets".
The light guide plate and the series of overlying sheets are typically adhered to each other via tape, such as a double-sided adhesive tape, so as to resist movement caused by external impacts. The above components are also typically secured via double-sided adhesive tape to the bottom of a mold frame, to thereby achieve a stable structure for the LCD device. The use of tape to secure various members together is well known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,779 entitled "Printing drum and method for attaching heat shrinkable screen", U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,607 entitled "Method for producing thin film solar cell", U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,129 entitled "Device and method for forming and attaching an array of conductive balls", and U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,422 entitled "Illuminated LCD apparatus".
In conventional LCD devices, image data is typically displayed via light provided from a lamp. Unfortunately, lamps typically produce heat with the light. The heat discharged from a lamp can cause a series of overlying sheets secured to a mold frame of an LCD device to expand as a result of thermal expansion. However, if the sheets are secured to a mold frame thermal expansion of the sheets may be hindered. As a result, undesirable stresses may result. Such thermally-induced stresses may cause the sheets to wrinkle because the sheets may be extremely thin and may have weak resistance to external impacts. Wrinkling may degrade a the displaying performance of an LCD device.


A wall panel includes two vertical channels and a horizontal channel communicating with the vertical channels. Race ways are provided on the top and bottom edges of the panel. Multiple wall panels may be arranged to form office work stations. A power/communications junction assembly is provided at least partially within the horizontal channel. The assembly may extend into one of the vertical channels. Communications ports, fiber optics ports and/or electrical outlets are provided in the assembly. Power lines, communications lines and fiber optics cables may be attached to the outlets and ports and fed through the channels and race ways. In this manner, power and communications may be provided to the work stations as desired.

The present invention relates to a wall panel and to a wall panel system of the kind often used in offices to create work stations, sometimes called "cubicles." In particular, the present invention relates to a wall panel and wall panel system that provides access to power, voice communications and/or data communications at the work station.
Modular wall panel systems are well known. Such systems often include a number of panels that may be interconnected to form office work stations. The panels can often be configured in a number of different ways. This allows the office environment to be reconfigured as needed to accommodate additional employees as well as the departure of employees.
The present invention provides a wall and wall panel system. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a wall panel includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, first and second raceways, first and second vertical channels communicating with the first and second raceways and a horizontal channel communicating with the first and second vertical channels. The vertical channels may be located along the side edges of the panel. The race ways may be located along the top and bottom edges of the panels. A junction assembly may be located partially within the horizontal channel or partially within the horizontal channel and partially within one of the vertical channels. The junction assembly may include communications ports, fiber optics ports and/or electrical outlets. A core member can be located between the first raceway, the first vertical channel, the second vertical channel and the horizontal channel. A skin may cover the channels.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a wall panel includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first vertical channel, a second vertical channel, a horizontal channel and at least one communications port located in the horizontal channel. A communications line may extend from the communications port, through the horizontal channel and into at least one of the vertical channels. The communications line may extend out of the vertical channel and may include a connector. An electrical outlet may be provided in the horizontal channel. A power line may extend from the electrical outlet, through the horizontal channel and into at least one of the vertical channels. The power line may extend out of the vertical channel and may include a connector. The wall panel may also include a fiber optics port, located in either the horizontal channel or one of the vertical channels. A fiber optics cable may likewise extend through the horizontal channel and into one of the vertical channels. The ports and outlets may be located in a junction assembly positioned in the horizontal channel or partially in the horizontal channel and partially in one of the vertical channels.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a wall panel system includes a first panel having at least two vertical channels and at least one horizontal channel communicating with the vertical channels, a second panel located adjacent the first panel, a first race way at least partially located above the first and second panels, a second race way at least partially located below the first and second panels, a communications port and an electrical outlet located in the horizontal channel, a first communications line located in the first race way, a first power line located in the second race way, a second communications line extending from the communications port, through the horizontal channel, through one of the vertical channels and into the first race way, and a second power line extending from the electrical outlet, through the horizontal channel, through one of the vertical channels and into the second raceway. The first power line and first communications lines may enter the system from above or below the panels, as desired.
The race ways used in the various embodiments of the invention may engage the top edges of the panels and may be removed therefrom as a unit. The race way may include a removable cap.
Other features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.


A vehicle lighting device includes a light source, a projection lens, a drive circuit board, and a housing. The light source includes a light emitting surface. The projection lens faces the light emitting surface and is disposed so that at least a part of light emitted from the light source passes through the projection lens. The drive circuit board includes a circuit to control switching of the light source on and off. The housing supports the light source and the drive circuit board and defines a part of a lamp chamber which houses the projection lens. A first direction that is a normal direction to the light emitting surface intersects a second direction that is a normal direction to a main surface of the drive circuit board.

Field
Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a vehicle lighting device.
Related Art
Fog lamps, in which a light source and a projection lens are housed in a lamp chamber defined by a housing and a transparent cover, have been known as an example of a vehicle lighting device. Light emitted from the light source undergoes specific directional control upon passing through the projection lens, and forms a specific light distribution pattern ahead of a vehicle (see, for example, JP 2011-108570 A).


This invention relates to a novel protein having a high degree of homology to the amino acid sequence of the so-called cyclin box which is characteristic of cyclins: they are herein referred to as "human cyclin I" or "human cyclin I protein." Further, the invention relates to a gene encoding their amino acid sequences and the protein: the gene is referred to as "gene encoding human cyclin I" or "human cyclin I gene." Also, the invention relates to expression vector into which the human cyclin I gene is incorporated as well as to a transformant into which the vector is introduced. Still further, the invention relates to a recombinant protein obtained by growing the transformant. In addition, the invention relates to a novel neuron-marking method using an anitisense nucleotide of the gene as probe. Furthermore, the invention relates to method for screening cancer cell using the human cyclin I gene.

Cyclin is a general term to describe polypeptides that are subunits controlling the activities of cyclin-dependant protein kinase (Cdk) and eight species of cyclin, namely cyclins A.about.H, have been documented. Cyclin is known to form a complex with Cdk and to exhibit the capability of intracelluar phosphorylation.
Also, structural characteristics common in cyclins are that they posses a region called "cyclin box" which comprises about 100 amino acids within portions of their amino acid sequences. It is recognized that the eight species of cyclins hitherto known are provided with a high degree of homology in the amino acid sequences of this cyclin box. Hence, this cyclin box portion is believed to be a step necessary for binding to Cdk and controlling Cdk.
Furthermore, it is also recognized that the ability of cyclins to phosphorylate Cdk plays a critical role in the control of cell proliferation and through their ability cyclins bear close relation to phenomena such as cancer and immunity. Also, it is suggested that some cyclins are widely involved not only in the control of cell cycle, but also in the signal transmission.
Accordingly, there is strong likelihood that proteins having a high degree of homology in the amino acid sequence for the region called "cyclin box" as described above are cyclins. In this case, it is therefore anticipated that the proteins have the binding ability to Cdk and further that they have the ability to control kinase. See, Experimental Medicine, vol. 13, No. 6 (special issue), 1995.


A treatment segment for printing on containers includes a coupling section for securing the treatment segment on a revolving and drivable transport element such that the treatment segment can be exchanged. The treatment segment has either a retention-and-centering unit for securing a container on the treatment segment or a receiver for retaining and releasing a retention-and-centering unit. The coupling section is a component of a support structure that runs, at least in sections, in an interior of the treatment segment enclosed by a housing. The housing is retained, at least indirectly, on the support structure.

Known printing systems for printing on containers have printing stations formed on a driven transport element that rotates about at least one vertical axis for receiving a container that is to be printed on. In these known devices, the container is printed on using an inkjet printer.
A typical printing machine includes transport elements directly adjoining one another in the transport direction. Some of the transport elements function as treatment units for the printing. These treatment units each apply one color of the printed image. Each treatment unit has fully functioning treatment modules or treatment segments that can be swapped in and out of the transport element.
Known treatment segments have a housing to which a print head can be attached. This housing must be constructed with great precision to permit precise transferring of a container between the individual transport elements.

Treatment segment with a coupling section and device for printing containers


A method and composition for preventing, or reducing the risk of, dental caries. Pursuant to the present invention, a chewing gum is provided that includes a therapeutically effective amount of calcium glycerophosphate. The chewing gum, by including a therapeutically effective amount of calcium glycerophosphate, not only eliminates any cariogenic effects of the chewing gum itself, but actually improves dental health when chewed before or after a meal containing fermentable carbohydrates.

The present invention relates generally to chewing gums. More specifically, the present invention relates to chewing gums that can provide dental benefits.
Except for the common cold, dental caries (tooth decay) is the most prevalent human disorder. See, The Merck Manual, Sixteenth Edition, p. 2480. Even though, many steps have been taken to reduce dental caries and tooth decay, such as fluoridation and improved dental care, tooth decay continues to be a significant problem, this is especially true in the adult population; 80% of the tooth decay occurs in 20% of the population. See, Featherstone, An Updated Understanding of the Mechanism of Dental Decay and its Prevention, Nutrition Quarterly, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1990, pp. 5-11.
To protect a normal tooth, a thin layer of dental enamel forms a protective coating over the tooth. This coating consists mainly of calcium, phosphate, and other ions in a hydroxyapatite-like structure. The enamel contains 2-5 percent carbonate; this carbonate content makes the enamel susceptible to acid dissolution. See, Featherstone, id. at 6.
The interaction of three factors is believed to result in dental caries: a susceptible tooth surface; the proper microflora; and suitable substrate for the microflora. Although several acidogenic micro-organisms that are present in the mouth can initiate carious lesions, Streptococcus mutans is believed to be the primary pathogen. See, The Merck Manual, supra.
It is know that foods containing fermentable carbohydrates can promote dental caries. Tooth decay begins when the Streptococcus mutans, that reside principally in the plaque that adheres to a tooth surface, metabolize the fermentable carbohydrates consumed by the host. During the metabolism of the fermentable carbohydrates by the bacteria, lactic acid and other organic acids are secreted as a by-product. These acids reduce the pH of the surrounding plaque/tooth environment.
When the pH of the plaque/tooth environment drops below a critical level of 5.5 to 5.7, hydroxyapatite (calcium phosphate hydroxide, Ca.sub.10 (PO.sub.4).sub.6 (OH).sub.2), the key component of tooth enamel, begins to dissolve. Typically, the dissolution begins below the tooth's porous surface.
With repeated acid attacks, caused by the further metabolism of fermentable carbohydrates by the bacteria, subsurface lesions expand. The body's natural remineralization mechanism, however, at this point, can still reverse the decay process. But, if the lesions expand to the point that the enamel surface breaks, a cavity is formed and the process is no longer reversible.
The natural remineralization process involves, in part, the flow of saliva over the plaque. The saliva can raise the pH of the environment. Additionally, calcium and phosphate ions in the saliva precipitate out to replace the hydroxyapatite that was dissolved by the organic acids created during the metabolism of the fermentable carbohydrates.
However, typically, this remineralization process only occurs at significant levels when the pH is above the critical level. Therefore, if the saliva does not sufficiently raise the pH, significant remineralization will not occur. But, the remineralization process may be enhanced by fluoride in the oral cavity that speeds up new crystal growth and makes a fluorapatite-like material that is precipitated on the surface of the crystals inside the carie lesion. See, Featherstone, id. at 7.
Although a number of salts have been reported in certain experiments to counteract the decay process, no acceptable method of treatment using such salts, in the opinion of the inventor of the present invention, has been provided. One of the difficulties is providing a viable vehicle for delivering the salts. Still further, a number of safety issues are raised by some of the salts. Furthermore, sensory problems with respect to some of the salts prevent these salts from being taken on a regular basis by a patient to provide prophylactic benefits.

Chewing gum with dental health benefits employing calcium glycerophosphate


A mispicked weft removing method keeps a mispicked weft continuous with a weft remaining in the main picking nozzle of the loom, and inserts the weft additionally in the shed so that the weft extends in a loop in the shed, and then places a yarn guide in the loop of the weft, and pulls the weft toward the picking side. Since the mispicked weft is pulled via the yarn guide toward the picking side of the loom, a pulling force applied to the weft to remove the mispicked weft from the shed is effectively available for separating the mispicked weft from the cloth fell.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of removing a mispicked weft from a shed by pulling the mispicked weft from the picking side.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,606 (EPA 0200168) keeps a mispicked weft connected to the weft remaining in a main picking nozzle and pulls the mispicked weft toward the picking side to separate and remove the mispicked weft from the cloth fell.
However, the pulling force applied to the mispicked weft does not act effectively for separating the mispicked weft from the cloth fell. If an increased pulling force is applied to the mispicked weft to increase the force available from separating the mispicked weft from the cloth fell, the mispicked weft is liable to be broken and hence the mispicked weft cannot stably be removed. Accordingly, this method is only useable for situations in which the woven fabric comprises a specific weft or a specific weave.
Another method of removing a mispicked weft disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,513 (EPA (0332257) grips the weft from which the mispicked weft extends with a feeder gripper to insert the weft in the shed, transfers the weft from the feeder gripper to a carrier gripper, moves the carrier gripper to the arriving side, namely, the side opposite the picking side, and removes the mispicked weft through the carrier gripper by a pulling means provided on the picking side.
This method separates the mispicked weft from the cloth fell by the movement of the feeder gripper into the shed and by the movement of the carrier gripper out of the shed. However, the mispicked weft is liable to be broken while it is being separated from the cloth fell, and the mispicked weft is liable to be unsuccessfully transferred from the feeder gripper to the carrier gripper.
A third method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,221 (EPA 0207470) reverses the loom in case mispicking occurs to find the shed in which a mispicked weft is inserted, inserts a weft continuous with the mispicked weft in the shed, and separates the mispicked weft from the cloth fell and removes it by sucking the inserted weft into a suction nozzle disposed on the arriving side opposite the picking side.
This method pulls off the mispicked weft by turning back the mispicked weft, and hence the pulling force applied to weft inserted in the shed acts effectively for separating the mispicked weft from the cloth fell, so that the mispicked weft an surely be separated from the cloth fell.
However, since it is difficult to insert the weft in a U-shape into the shed as deep as the side thereof opposite to the picking side and since the inserting path is unstable, the inserted weft is now always caught by the suction nozzle, so that the removing of the mispicked weft is not reliable.


A system for assessing a calibration of a shot-peening apparatus using a part in a shot-peening session, comprising an intensity calculator for receiving real-time pressure data from at least one sensor positioned adjacent the part in the shot-peening session, and for calculating the intensity from the pressure data. A shot-peening parameter comparator compares the calculated intensity with a shot-peening intensity threshold range for the at least one sensor. A calibration assessor confirms a calibration of the shot-peening apparatus when the calculated intensity is within the shot-peening intensity threshold range for the at least one sensor. A method for assessing a calibration of a shot-peening apparatus is also provided.

Shot peening is commonly used as a cold working process to alter the properties of parts. Shot peening involves impacting surfaces with shot media with a force sufficient to create the plastic deformation of the part.
As shot peening typically involves a jet producing a jet stream to propel shot media on a surface, some calibration is required in order to produce parts according to specifications. Shot peening calibration involves assessing parameters or factors such as velocity of the shot media, dispersion or coverage and pattern. Indeed, because the plastic deformation resulting from shot peening affects the near surface microstructure and near surface residual stresses, and eventually the material fatigue life, the relationship between the shot peening parameters and the near surface quality may be important for acceptable part life, especially in industries such as the aerospace industry.
Current methods to calibrate shot peening equipment may require many trials and tests. Opportunities for improvement exist.


An apparatus for reducing interference of a signal over a plurality of stages includes a processor configured to determine at least two equalizer taps based on at least one of a covariance and a channel impulse response of the signal. The processor is further configured to estimate at least one additional equalizer tap based on the at least two equalizer taps. In addition, the processor is configured to reduce, for each of the plurality of stages, the interference of the signal for that stage using an equalizer tap from either the at least two equalizer taps or the at least one additional equalizer tap, so that the signal for the next stage in the plurality of stages has the reduced interference. A method is also provided for reducing interference of a signal over a plurality of stages.

1. Field
The present invention relates to electronic devices and communications, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for reducing interference of a signal over a plurality of stages.
2. Background
A typical wireless communication network (e.g., employing frequency, time, and code division techniques) includes one or more base stations that provide a coverage area and one or more mobile (e.g., wireless) terminals that can transmit and receive data within the coverage area. A typical base station can simultaneously transmit multiple data streams for broadcast, multicast, and/or unicast services, wherein a data stream is a stream of data that can be of independent reception interest to a mobile terminal. A mobile terminal within the coverage area of that base station can be interested in receiving one, more than one or all the data streams carried by the composite stream. Likewise, a mobile terminal can transmit data to the base station or another mobile terminal. Such communication between base station and mobile terminal or between mobile terminals can be degraded due to channel variations and/or interference power variations. Accordingly, reducing interference in a wireless communication system is desired.

Method and apparatus for reducing interference of a signal over a plurality of stages