A grader blade mounted to a support frame has an auger-grinder mounted ahead of the grader blade. The auger-grinder has a first helical vane fixed to a rotatable axle with a plurality of teeth attached to and protruding outwardly from the auger. A shroud above and partially surrounding the auger-grinder has an inner shroud end wall, an outer shroud end wall and bearings in which the axle is journaled transverse to the direction of travel. A beater is fixed to the axle between an inner end of the helical vane and the inner wall. The beater has a plurality of paddles extending outwardly from the axle. An inner barrier wall is attached to the inner shroud wall and extends forward of the auger-grinder. A drive link is connected to the axle for connection to a prime mover for driving the axle in rotation.

This invention relates generally to earth moving and shaping equipment and more particularly relates to a machine that restores a sunken roadway shoulder to the level of a roadway edge and provides a downward grade for rainwater drainage away from the roadway using only pre-existing shoulder material that is lying in place in a depressed and deteriorated shoulder at the time of the restoration.
Roadways are constructed of a relatively hard material for supporting vehicle traffic. They are typically constructed of pavement, such as asphalt or concrete, or of gravel that has been compacted from years of use to create a hard, smooth and relatively permanent path that resists erosion and softening from rain water. Most roadways also have parallel shoulders running along and adjacent both sides of the roadway and interposed between the roadway itself and a ditch and/or grass along the outer sides of the right-of-way. The shoulders provide strips that border the roadway in order to support vehicle wheels that stray off the roadway as a result of driver inattention, distraction, the need to pass oppositely moving traffic on a narrow roadway or for other reasons. The shoulders of most local, township, county and some state roads are composed of gravel, dirt or, most commonly, an aggregate mixture of both because these materials are less costly than roadway materials.
Because vehicle wheels occasionally stray from the roadway onto the shoulder, it is desirable that the shoulder that is adjacent the roadway meets the roadway at the same level as the pavement or gravel roadway. That allows a smooth transition between the roadway and the shoulder and avoids a ridge at the edge of the roadway that can deflect the steering of the vehicle and resist the return of vehicle wheels to the roadway. Roadways are also contoured with a central crown to enhance water drainage from the roadway. Desirably, the shoulder smoothly continues the downward grade away from the roadway in order to permit water drainage from the roadway to pass across the shoulder.
Unfortunately, over a period of time the level of the shoulder descends below the level of the edge of the roadway as a result of compression and outward displacement of shoulder materials resulting from the weight of vehicle wheels running off the road and from outward erosion of the shoulder material caused by rain water drainage from the roadway. This displacement and compression of the shoulder material leaves an undesirable and potentially hazardous ridge along the edge of the roadway. Similarly, when a roadway is replaced with new pavement, the edge of the new pavement may be at a higher level than the dirt and gravel adjacent to the roadway leaving the same kind of ridge.
The development of such roadway edge ridges requires maintenance by highway crews of the responsible governmental agency. The maintenance is conventionally accomplished by depositing new shoulder material, typically gravel, adjacent the roadway. This conventional maintenance requires the expense of new gravel and a labor intensive effort to position the new gravel in place and to level and grade the new gravel so that it has the desirable shoulder grade and level describe above. Typically, this maintenance is accomplished by slowly driving a gravel filled dump truck along the roadway. A chute that extends sideward from the truck cargo bed allows the new gravel to flow onto the shoulder. Workmen then walk along and shovel, rake and/or hoe the gravel into the desired grade and level. Because the gravel falls from the chute or is shoveled onto the shoulder in an uneven distribution and height, the process of properly contouring the gravel is labor intensive work. Often this manual contouring of the new gravel results in a transition with the roadway in which the level of the gravel varies between too high and too low. Additionally, the manual operation commonly leaves a considerable quantity of gravel lying on the roadway surface along its edge. As a result, a workman with a broom must follow along and sweep the gravel material outward from the roadway onto the shoulder. It is not unusual for this conventional maintenance operation to require four or more workers who move at a relatively slow pace along the roadway.
Therefore, there is a need for a machine that eliminates the need for the addition of new gravel, that reduces the number of required workers in order to reduce the cost of this maintenance, that speeds up the maintenance process, that improves the quality of the grading and level of the restored shoulder, that allows adjustment of the level and grade of the restored shoulder and that allows adjustable control of the level of the shoulder at its interface with the roadway. The present invention accomplishes all of those advantages. With the present invention, a single operator in one pass along the roadway recycles shoulder material that is already located in its displaced locations along the roadway and leaves a strip of loosened material having a predetermined and controllable thickness and contour with only very minor spillage onto the hard roadway. The single pass of the machine of the invention also leaves the loosened and recycled material at a uniform and controllably adjustable height above the edge of the pavement. That controllable height permits the loosened material along the shoulder to be compressed by simply driving the tires of a dump truck, preferably loaded for additional weight, along the recycled shoulder material to compress it to the level of the roadway edge to restore the shoulder to the desirable shoulder level and grade.

Machine for reclaiming and recycling roadway shoulder material while restoring shoulder grade and level

R.L. Parsons And Son Equipment Company, Inc.


Diffraction suppressed mirrors having an invisible edge are disclosed for incident light at both targeted wavelengths and broadband incident light. The mirrors have a first having at least one discontiguous portion having a plurality of nanostructured apertures. The discontiguous mirror portion impedance matches a relatively high impedance portion of the mirror to a relatively low impedance portion of the mirror, thereby reducing the diffraction edge effect otherwise present in a conventional mirror.

Conventional mirrors receive incident light and re-emit reflected light. Conventional mirrors include a transmissive glass substrate and a reflective coating covering the side of the mirror opposite incident light. The glass substrate is typically a thin sheet of uniform thickness. The reflective coating is typically a metallized or dielectric layer of relative uniform thickness and coverage over the substrate surface. Conventional mirrors reflect light using interactions between the magnetic portion of an electromagnetic field associated with incident light and oscillating electrons resident in the reflecting layer dielectric or metal layer. Incident light comprises photons. Operatively, incident photons interact with oscillating, free electrons, disposed within the reflective layer. The incident photons interact (e.g. collide) with free electrons in the reflective layer, thereby increasing their energy level, and causing the electrons to re-emit the energy in the form of a re-emitted photon as the electron drops back to a lower energy level. At a macro level, these re-emitted photons constitute the reflected wave front returned by the mirror when illuminated with incident light.
Conventional mirrors necessarily include a physical edge about their periphery. Because the region beyond the edge contains no oscillating electron to excite, the mirror edges constitute electric field discontinuities. The electric field edge discontinuities induce a corresponding change in the electric field of the mirror about the glass substrate adjacent to the mirror periphery, the electric field change being greatest at the mirror edge and becoming smaller from the mirror edge toward the mirror's center. This field discontinuity causes a diffraction effect in conventional mirrors whereby a portion of light incident to the glass substrate at the mirror periphery is diffracted due to the resultant impedance mismatch between the mirror and the free space beyond mirror edge. Conventional mirrors diffract about 20% of incident light outside of the core reflected image. This diffraction effect results in an effect known as an 'Airy rings' visible in the reflected image intensity profile.
FIG. 1A shows a top down, plan view of an exemplary Airy disk 10. Airy disk 10 is diffraction pattern resultant from light reflected (re-emitted) from a conventional mirror (not shown), and shows a central bright region 14 and a plurality of concentric bright rings 12 arranged concentrically about center bright region 14. FIG. 1B similarly shows a three-dimensional perspective view of Airy disk 10, shows the central bright region 14 and the plurality of concentric bright rings 12 arrayed about the central bright region 14.
Airy disks represent information loss between light incident to the mirror and the mirror reflection corresponding relative intensity of concentric bright rings to the central bright region. Since a common purpose of incorporating a conventional mirror into an optical system is to redirect light conveying information without information loss, minimizing the Airy disk associated with the mirror is desirable. However, it is thought to be impossible to avoid this effect in ordinary mirrors, and optical system designers therefore typically seek to minimize the use of mirrors when designing optical systems—particularly in systems that are extremely sensitive to information loss such as space-based observation systems and lithographic workstations for semiconductor manufacturing. This is because, at the edges of conventional mirrors, the electric field discontinuities that produce diffraction of light due to an impedance mismatch between the mirror and the free space beyond the edge of the mirror.
One approach to the edge diffraction effect of conventional mirrors is physical apodization. Physical apodization limits diffraction by limiting the aperture in the system, either at the primary mirror or at an aperture stop in the system. This limits surface area of the mirror receiving incident light, and approach reduces the effect of the edge impedance mismatch by limiting incident light to regions of the having a smaller amount of mismatch. Such diffraction suppression techniques results in moving the diffraction pattern features around or effectively decreasing the collecting area such that no increase in signal to noise was possible. Physical apodization also requires the use of a tapered edge that effectively directs light away from the optical system. This has not proven useful in the visible spectrum, and has primarily been used in the microwave portion of the spectrum.
Other approaches to edge diffraction in conventional mirrors are apodized intensity and patterned apodization. Apodized intensity is a technique whereby the intensity of the reflection is decreased near the edge of the mirror. Patterned apodization is technique whereby a petaled edge imposes intensity apodization through the geometry of structures constructed about the periphery of the mirror surface. Both these alternative approaches, however, do not yield a net increase in the signal to noise of the reflected light relative to the incident light, and result in nulls in specific image locations.
Consequently, there exists a need for a mirror that addresses the edge diffraction problem associated with conventional mirrors. There exists a further need for a mirror which yields an effective improvement of signal to noise in the reflected light relative to the incident light. Such a mirror should be able to be fabricated using conventional manufacturing processes and on a mature equipment set, and be suitable for enhancing imaging systems and for optical systems that convey information using light.

Impedance matched to vacuum, invisible edge, diffraction suppressed mirror

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A keypad backlighting apparatus includes an electroluminescence layer for lighting an input device of an electronic apparatus. The input device may be a keypad and the electronic apparatus may be a mobile communications terminal. The terminal includes an upper case having a plurality of button holes formed in a predetermined pattern, electroluminescence (EL) keypad on a lower surface of the upper case and having buttons exposed through the button holes. A printed circuit board (PCB) installed adjacent the EL keypad includes a backlight driving circuit for supplying power to the EL keypad. A lower case of the terminal is coupled to the upper case and supports the EL keypad and the PCB.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a keypad assembly, and more particularly to a keypad assembly in which a whole surface of the keypad is illuminated.
2. Background of the Related Art
Mobile terminals often include a backlighting function which allows buttons on a terminal keypad to be manipulated even under dark or poor lighting conditions. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are generally used as the light sources for this keypad backlighting function.
FIG. 1 is a side-sectional view of a folder-type mobile terminal which employs a conventional technique for backlighting a keyboard, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion 'A' of FIG. 1. As shown in these figures, the mobile terminal includes a main body 10 consisting of upper and lower cases 11 and 12 and a cover 20 connected to the main body 10 by a hinge mechanism 30. The cover includes a display unit 21 for displaying an operation state of the terminal and a message, and a receiving part 22 for outputting a voice.
The upper case 11 of the main body 10 is provided with a plurality of button holes, and a keypad 14 having an equal number of domes 14b fitted on a lower surface of upper case such that the domes 14b protrude through corresponding button holes of the upper case. Each dome 14b is formed to be upwardly raised such that a corresponding button 14c is filled in a lower cavity of the dome.
A PCB 15 is located below the keypad with a certain gap therebetween. The PCB is provided with a plurality of actuators 15a installed just below corresponding buttons 14 so as to generate an electric signal when each button 14 is pressed. Light emitting diodes 15b are arranged between the actuators 15a for backlighting the key pad 14.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an LED driving circuit of the conventional backlighting apparatus. In this driving circuit, a collector and an emitter of a switch transistor (Q1) are connected when a control voltage of 3.0V is applied to the base terminal, thereby causing the LEDs 15b to emit light. In the conventional backlighting apparatus, about 6 to 12 LEDs, each consuming about 60-120 mA, are used for backlighting the keypad 14.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the conventional keypad backlighting apparatus. In this figure, reference numeral 17 denotes an emitting coverage of LEDs 15b. As shown, even though 10 LEDs are disposed around the PCB surface below the keypad for illuminating keypad 14, the illumination coverage is locally limited around the respective LEDs so as not to evenly illuminate the entire keypad.
It is therefore clear that the conventional backlighting apparatus has significant drawbacks. First, in the conventional apparatus the illumination coverage differs depending on the installation positions of the LEDs, and these installation positions fail to allow the entire keypad to be evenly illuminated. Second, 6-12 LEDs are required to be installed on the PCB of the conventional apparatus. This complicates the terminal design and limits its ability to be compact. Third, installation of the LEDs around the buttons degrades the operational sensitivity of the LED actuators.
From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that there is a need for an improved way of backlighting a keypad of a mobile terminal which does not realize any of the drawbacks of conventional methods.


The invention is a sheet feeder including a skimmer and a separator. The separator is designed for advancing the engaged sheet while separating any adjacent sheets. In one embodiment, the separator has a driven infeed roller nipped with a drag or separator roller. The separator roller also includes a recoil mechanism. The drag normally slips and permits the separator roller to be driven forward by the infeed roller, which cocks the recoil mechanism, then allows the infeed roller to advance a sheet. The separator roller recoils backward when a multifeed of two or more sheets is engaged between the advancing and separator rollers. The sheet separator can have as its sheet-engaging member a roller sleeve. The roller sleeve can be axially slidable on the rotatable element for ready installation on and removal from the rotatable element.

Not Applicable.
The present invention relates to automated sheet feeder apparatus for scanning equipment and the like, and more particularly to a configuration that facilitates document separation and spacing for use with universal document feeder apparatus associated with high-speed image scanning equipment requiring a high-volume document throughput.
Automated high-speed image scanning equipment utilizes an imaging device to scan the images from an input or source document. Such equipment must feed and transport documents to the imaging device quickly, smoothly, and automatically, and must be trouble-free. The feeding equipment must quickly and smoothly feed each original document or individual sheet from the backlog queue of input or source documents waiting to be scanned to the transport apparatus. The transport apparatus then brings each document or sheet to the imaging device. To achieve high-volume throughput, the high-volume feeder apparatus must be able to supply the individual documents or sheets in a spaced relationship to the input section of the transport apparatus in a manner that is completely reliable and trouble-free.
A problem associated with high-speed image scanning equipment found in the prior art is that the individual source or input documents commonly are not standardized. They vary in shape and size, and come in a variety of different thicknesses (e.g., sheets ranging from an onionskin thickness to thick card stock). This mandates that each non-uniform document be processed or handled in a uniform manner.
Another related problem is that, in the majority of instances, the input or source document is an original document or a document that is not easily replaced. It becomes imperative that the document feed mechanism not damage any of the source documents under any circumstances.
A persistent problem found in the prior art is the more or less random feeding of multiple documents at one time by the document feed mechanism, rather than a single sheet. The problem is commonly referred to, by those skilled in the art, as the xe2x80x9cmulti-feedsxe2x80x9d problem. The multi-feeds problem is made even more critical when a high-volume document throughput is required for high-speed image scanning equipment and the like. In such situations, the individual source documents waiting to be scanned are in a stack, and either the top or bottom document is fed sequentially to the image scanner by the document feed mechanism.
Several factors have been blamed for this negative result. One such factor is the weight of the skimmer roller assembly (which rests on top of the first document in the stack of documents waiting to be scanned). Another such factor is the underlying dynamics of the friction that the bottom and top sheets experience as the document feed mechanism accelerates the next sheet from the stack forward. Yet another such factor is the spacing required between individual documents as documents enter the document feed mechanism and are sequentially processed.
Yet another common problem with certain document feed mechanisms for high-speed image scanning equipment and the like found in the prior art is that, over time, this equipment will occasionally cause bottlenecks and/or jam-ups of downstream equipment, having an obvious negative effect on overall document throughput. Sometimes the problem can be corrected by timely maintenance of the document feed mechanism. High-speed image scanning equipment that provides for high-volume document throughput necessitates a reliable document feed mechanism that is easy to maintain and is capable of fulfilling document throughput requirements.
A particular prior device currently in use employs a relatively narrow skimmer roller at the entrance to the feeder together with an adjustable separate weight that helps the skimmer roller to grip the paper. The prior device also uses a pair of counter-rotating shafts with interleaved roller portions that are designed to advance the top page while separating any adjacent or lower pages. The counter-rotating shafts are set an adjustable distance apart. The inventors have found that this arrangement results in paper jams and multifeeds when stacks of documents with different thicknesses are introduced. Finally, in that device there is space between the skimmer roller and the interleaved forwarding and separator rollers. Sheets being fed sometimes buckle or bunch up in that space.
Another prior device currently in use utilizes a driven infeed roller nipped with a separator roller coupled by a drag and recoil mechanism to a fixed shaft. The infeed roller urges one face of the sheet forward, while the separator roller acts as a drag on the opposite face of the sheet. If multiple sheets pass between the advancing and the separator rollers, the infeed roller will urge the first sheet forward and the separator roller will drag on the other sheet. Since the friction between the separator roller and the sheet is higher than the friction between two sheets, the separator roller will prevent the passing of the lower sheet. While this is not a xe2x80x9creversingxe2x80x9d roller per se, but rather a simple xe2x80x9cdragxe2x80x9d on the lower of two adjacent sheets, it tends to separate the two while the upper sheet passes through the gap under the drive of the infeed roller.
Also in the prior art are various arrangements for the separator roller. The first of these is an earlier development in which a separator roller is mounted on a fixed shaft and has a peripheral rubber surface that frictionally engages the peripheral outer surface of the infeed roller or the sheet between the rollers. A tubular coil spring is attached at one end to the separator roller and wrapped around the fixed shaft. When the infeed roller moves in the forward direction, the friction between the outer surfaces of the separator and infeed rollers urges the separator roller forward, thus tending to turn the coil spring on the fixed shaft. This torsion tensions the coil spring. When more than one sheet is passed between the rollers, the infeed roller pushes the top sheet in the forward direction. The separator roller is uncoupled from the infeed roller, as two or more fed sheets between the advancing and separator rollers slip relative to each other. Uncoupling the rollers allows the spring to unwind. The unwinding spring momentarily turns the separator roller backward for about one revolution. An example of this mechanism can be found in Bell and Howell""s Scanner Model Nos. 0101276 and 0101300.
The invention is a sheet feeder for engaging and removing a sheet of paper or other material from one end of a stack of sheets and feeding the engaged sheet edgewise along a feed path. The improvements of the present invention address the drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art in a manner that facilitates high-speed image scanning of individual source documents irrespective of the size or thickness of the specific source document being scanned or processed.
One aspect of the invention is a sheet separator for breaking down multifeeds of two or more overlapping sheets into separate sheets. The separator includes a sheet path, an advancing drive, and a sheet separator assembly including a recoil mechanism and a sheet drag.
The sheet path is the path normally followed by sheets going through the sheet separator. The sheet path is arranged to pass multifeeds of at least two sheets. A multifeed is defined as having first and second opposed outside surfaces. The multifeeds are separated as they travel along the sheet path. The advancing drive is positioned to engage and drive the first surface of the multifeed forward along the sheet path.
The sheet separating assembly includes an advancing drive, a separator roller or other rotatable separator element, a recoil mechanism (also known as a sheet return mechanism), a drag, and optionally a roller sleeve. The advancing drive engages and drives the first surface of the multifeed in the feed direction along the sheet path.
The separator element is rotatable by the second surface of the multifeed in the feed direction and also is rotatable in the counterfeed direction. The recoil mechanism accepts rotational energy, as by winding up or otherwise flexing a spring, by lifting a weight, by compressing an enclosed charge of gas, or by some other mechanism, when the separator element is rotated in the feed direction by advancement of the second surface of the multifeed. The accumulated rotational energy biases the separator element to rotate in the counterfeed direction.
The recoil mechanism releases the accumulated energy and rapidly returns the lower sheet or sheets of a multifeed in the counterfeed direction, thus positively retracting at least the bottom sheet of the multifeed, when the multifeed gets between the drive roller and the separator assembly. The drag resists rotation of the rotatable element in the feed direction, thus retarding the progress of at least the bottom sheet of any multifeed.
The roller sleeve has an outer, generally cylindrical surface positioned to frictionally engage and be rotated by the second surface of the multifeed. The roller sleeve has an inner, generally cylindrical surface coupled to the rotatable element. Rotation of the rotatable element is retarded by the drag and the sheet return mechanism, as described above. The net result is that the sheet separator assembly retards the forward progress of the second surface of the multifeed and positively drives the bottom sheet in the reverse direction, while allowing the top sheet defining the first surface of the multifeed to be driven forward without interruption.
The roller sleeve can be axially slidable on the rotatable element for ready installation on and removal from the rotatable element, if desired.
Another embodiment of the invention is a paper drive for engaging and removing a sheet having an exposed surface from one end of a stack of sheets and feeding the engaged sheet edgewise along a feed path. The paper drive includes at least one roller and a freewheeling mechanism.
The roller has a rotation axis. The roller is positioned to drive the outside sheet of a stack forward into the sheet path. The roller is driven in the direction driving a sheet forward into the sheet path. The drive engages the roller through a freewheeling clutch or similar arrangement.
The freewheeling mechanism independently allows the corresponding roller free rotation in the forward direction when the sheet is moving forward faster than the peripheral speed of the roller. The sheet can be moved faster than the roller by later elements along the sheet path, such as a sheet separator or traction rollers. Thus, when the forward end of the sheet reaches a later element operated at a faster speed, the skimmer drive will not resist acceleration of the sheet by the later element.


An improved pitcher-shaped active area for a field effect transistor that, for a given gate length, achieves an increase in transistor on-current, a decrease in transistor serial resistance, and a decrease in contact resistance. The pitcher-shaped active area structure includes at least two shallow trench insulator (STI) structures formed into a substrate that defines an active area structure, which includes a widened top portion with a larger width than a bottom portion. An improved fabrication method for forming the improved pitcher-shaped active area is also described that implements a step to form STI structure divots followed by a step to migrate substrate material into at least portions of the divots, thereby forming a widened top portion of the active area structure. The fabrication method of present invention forms the pitcher-shaped active area without the use of lithography, and therefore, is not limited by the smallest ground rules of lithography tooling.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a semiconductor device for use in a semiconductor integrated circuit, and more particularly, to a pitcher-shaped active area for a field effect transistor having a widened top portion.
2. Background Art
The need to remain cost and performance competitive in the production of semiconductor devices has caused continually increasing device density in integrated circuits. To facilitate the increase in device density, new technologies are constantly needed to allow the feature size of these semiconductor devices to be reduced without loss of device performance. Particularly, because the integration of semiconductor devices increases, there is a corresponding size reduction in field effect transistors (FETs).
FETs are the basic electrical devices of today's integrated circuits. Such transistors may be formed in conventional substrates (such as a silicon substrate), or in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates for example. For example, a conventional metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOS FET) formed in a silicon substrate may include a gate oxide layer formed on the substrate, a gate formed on the gate oxide layer, spacers formed beside the gate on the gate oxide layer, and a doped source region and a doped drain region arranged on respective sides of a gate conductor in the substrate. The gate is separated from a channel (which is situated between the source and drain regions) by the gate oxide layer. Shallow trench insulator (STI), local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS), or poly-buffered LOCOS isolations are usually employed to provide for isolation of adjacent transistors.
Conventionally, in the process of fabricating a conventional FET, lithography is used to form an opening for an active area for the FET, then etching is carried out to form the actual active area for the FET in the silicon substrate. However, there are some problems associated with the conventional FET active area and the conventional method steps for forming such a FET active area. First, the top width of the active area structure of the FET is generally defined by lithography, and therefore, is limited by the smallest ground rules for exposure with a lithography tool. Second, because the top corners of the active area are angular and not rounded, the top angular corners of the active area create a higher electric field between the gate conductor and the active area, which translates into a lower threshold voltage at the angular corners than at the back of the FET.
Additionally, when the FET is operated, an electric field is generated by applying a voltage to the gate. The electrical field is used to control a channel, which is between the source region and the drain region. For example, if channel is turned on, the electrons flow from the source region to the drain region. In contrast, if the channel is turned off, the electrons cannot flow between the source region and the drain region. Therefore, the on or off state of the channel controls the connection or disconnection of the circuit. In current device designs for logic and memory devices, a high transistor on-current is essential for fast charge transfer and therefore, increased switching speed of the logic or memory device. One conventional method of increasing transistor on-current is by reducing the effective channel length by reduction of the lithographic gate length. However, his conventional method necessitates an increase in channel doping combined with source-drain engineering for highly doped shallow extensions in device design in an attempt to try and avoid transistor short-channel effects and higher serial resistance.
Thus, there is a need for an improved active area structure for a FET having an increased transistor on-current, a decreased transistor serial resistance, and a decreased contact resistance.

Pitcher-shaped active area for field effect transistor and method of forming same

International Business Machines Corporation


An image-reading device includes an image sensor, a clock generator, a resolution setting unit, and a resolution switching unit. The image sensor has a plurality of photodetectors arranged linearly. The clock generator generates clocks having a clock speed. The resolution setting unit sets a resolution of the image sensor. The resolution switching unit switches the resolution set by the resolution setting unit when one of the plurality of photodetectors has read a border pixel between a pixel segment inside the original document and a pixel segment outside the original document while reading one line of the original document.

Conventional image-reading devices, such as those disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent application publications Nos. HEI-10-233902 and SHO-62-6574, employing a contact image sensor capable of reading an A3-size original document, for example, are well known in the art. When reading an A4-size original document or other size document having a narrower width than the A3 size, this type of image-reading device shortens the time required to read one line of image data by reading a pixel segment within the original document at normal clock speed and reading an unnecessary pixel segment outside the original document at a fast clock speed for each line, thereby increasing the speed for reading the overall original document. In the example of Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. SHO-62-6574, "bits 1 through 768 are considered data corresponding to the original document, and the shift pulse SP is set to a period of 500 ns when reading this data segment and switched to a period of 125 ns, for example, when reading bits 769 through 2048. Therefore, the image-reading device of the present invention can read a line in 548 ns, which conventionally required 1040 ns."
However, when increasing the clock speed from the normal speed shown in FIG. 11A to a faster speed shown in FIG. 11B with the technology described above, the clock signal CLK at the contact image sensor connector changes, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, due to an increase in radiation noise in the pixel segment outside the original document and dull waveform of clock caused by impedance in the harness. Since a stable clock level cannot be assured, the clock speed is restricted and cannot be increased to the desired speed.

Image-reading device employing contact image sensor


Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, devices and systems for a millimeter wave (MMW) last mile delivery system. A multi-wavelength fiber link may be provided from a collector terminal node area to a central office. One or more streams of data may be wirelessly transmitted from the collector terminal node area to user equipment. Based at least in part on the one or more streams of data, multi-gigabit Ethernet may then be provided to the user equipment utilizing an analog or digital modulation scheme over one or more channels.

Current last mile access networks for video and broadband Internet connectivity consist of FTTH (fiber to the home) or hybrid networks such as HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coax) deployed widely by Cable Multiple System Operators (MSOs) or VDSL (Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line) deployed by telecom service providers. HFC is utilized in hybrid fiber/Coax networks while VDSL utilizes copper twisted pair in the last mile to connect to the telecom carrier's central office's main fiber network backbone. All of these networks require cable or fiber connections to the home. The last mile cable connection with ground-bound fibers or cable requires the underground trenching of streets and sidewalks to establish a physical connection, making it very expensive and a major hurdle in providing multi-gigabit Internet connectivity.

Hybrid fiber millimeter wave wireless system for multi-gigabit connectivity


A reproduction machine having a user interface facilitates the diagnosis of malfunctions in the machine and set-up of the machine. The user interface includes a display used in a plurality of servicing tasks. A plurality of servicing procedures can be performed on the machine, each of the servicing procedures being displayable. Upon selection of each servicing procedure, the identity of the servicing procedure is retained in storage. The display provides an indication of all of the servicing procedures performed on the machine. Diagrams of machine components and parameters of machine components can be provided via the display to enable identification of defective components. The interface is provided with a plurality of additional features used during servicing of the machine to provide guidance to a service representatitve performing the required servicing task.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the servicing of a reproduction machine and, more particularly, to the diagnosis of malfunctions of the reproduction machine and to set-up of the reproduction machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
As reproduction machines such as copiers and printers become more complex and versatile in the jobs which they can perform, the servicing of such reproduction machines also becomes more complex. These reproduction machines include numerous subcomponents, each of which contributes to some operation of the reproduction machine. In accordance with the types of operations preferably performed by a particular reproduction machine, the initial set-up of the machine varies. Accordingly, identical reproduction machines can initially be provided with widely varying set-up features.
Due to the complexity of the reproduction machine, numerous tasks are required of a service representative as machine malfunctions are diagnosed and corrected. Troubleshooting can involve numerous servicing procedures to isolate malfunctioning machine subcomponents. Service representatives must, therefore, keep track of servicing procedures previously performed in order to isolate the source of any machine malfunction.
The related art has provided systems which facilitate the determination of any appropriate procedure for recovering from system malfunctions and which also facilitate performance of appropriate recovery procedures.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,589 to Neema et al. discloses an error recovery apparatus and method wherein various types of errors are classified into groups, these groups corresponding to various recovery procedures. When an error occurs, a possible recovery procedure is indicated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,712 to Chao discloses a method and apparatus for fault recovery wherein an error table and an action table control the parameters of a system. Each recovery procedure may be differently weighed. When an error occurs, it is automatically fixed or a higher level error recovery procedure is performed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,848 to Abe et al. discloses a diagnostic system for a motor vehicle wherein a code is assigned to each control system. Each code has an error recovery procedure which is used to correct faults and errors in the particular control system designated by the code. The recovery procedures are stored on a ROM or memory cartridge.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,483 to Morrell discloses a laser printer maintenance system wherein various maintenance programs are stored on different font cartridges. An operator can select from a plurality of maintenance programs by following system prompts. A display device is used to select each text and display results.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,958 to Mogi et al. discloses an apparatus and method for testing various electronic equipment wherein a computer tests a particular piece of equipment according to the software package of the equipment. Each software package has instructions and data relevant to the particular piece of equipment. Results of the test are displayed for operator viewing.
While the related art provides systems which enable determination of appropriate recovery procedures, the related art fails to provide an interface to be utilized by a service representative to facilitate set-up of a reproduction machine and/or diagnosis of the source of malfunctions of the machine. The related art systems further lack features enabling a service representative to keep track of previously performed troubleshooting operations.

Facilitation of the diagnosis of malfunctions and set-up of a reproduction machine


DNA constructs useful in the production of thrombopoietin are disclosed. In general, the DNA constructs comprise a first DNA segment encoding a fusion of an amino-terminal secretory peptide joined to a thrombopoietin polypeptide and one or more additional DNA segments that provide for the transcription of the first segment. The secretory peptide is a native mammalian t-PA secretory peptide or may be modified to enhance proteolytic cleavage of the fusion. Also disclosed are cultured eukaryotic cells containing these DNA constructs and methods for producing thrombopoietin polypeptides through the use of the DNA constructs and cultured eukaryotic cells.

Hematopoiesis is the process by which blood cells develop and differentiate from pluripotent stem cells in the bone marrow. This process involves a complex interplay of polypeptide growth factors (cytokines) acting via membrane-bound receptors on the target cells. Cytokine action results in cellular proliferation and differentiation, with a response to a particular cytokine often being lineage-specific and/or stage-specific. Development of a single cell type, such as a platelet, from a stem cell may require the coordinated action of a plurality of cytokines acting in the proper sequence.
The known cytokines include the interleukins, such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-8, etc.; and the colony stimulating factors, such as G-CSF, M-CSF, GM-CSF, erythropoietin (EPO), etc. In general, the interleukins act as mediators of immune and inflammatory responses. The colony stimulating factors stimulate the proliferation of marrow-derived cells, activate mature leukocytes, and otherwise form an integral part of the host's response to inflammatory, infectious, and immunologic challenges.
Various cytokines have been developed as therapeutic agents. For example, erythropoietin, which stimulates the development of erythrocytes, is used in the treatment of anemia arising from renal failure. Several of the colony stimulating factors have been used in conjunction with cancer chemotherapy to speed the recovery of patients' immune systems. Interleukin-2, .alpha.-interferon and .gamma.-interferon are used in the treatment of certain cancers. An activity that stimulates megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis has been identified in body fluids of thrombocytopenic animals and is referred to in the literature as "thrombopoietin" (recently reviewed by McDonald, Exp. Hematol. 16:201-205, 1988 and McDonald, Am. J. Ped. Hematol. Oncol. 14:8-21, 1992).
Recently, several groups have identified and/or cloned a protein that binds to the cellular mpl receptor and stimulates megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis. See, de Sauvage et al., Nature 369:533-538, 1994; Lok et al., Nature 369:565-568, 1994; Kaushansky et al., Nature 369:568-571, 1994; Wendling et al., Nature 369:571-574, 1994; and Bartley et al., Cell 77:1117-1124, 1994. It has been proposed that this protein be termed thrombopoietin (Kaushansky et al., ibid.).
Analysis of amino acid sequences indicates that the mature mouse TPO extends from amino acid residue 45 (Ser) to residue 379 (Thr) of SEQ ID NO: 2. The predicted amino terminus of the human protein corresponds precisely to the demonstrated mature amino terminus for recombinant murine TPO (Lok et al., ibid.), i.e. it is at Ser (22) of SEQ ID NO:4, with the protein extending to amino acid residue 353 of SEQ ID NO:4. TPO is subject to proteolysis and has been isolated in heterogeneous or degraded form (de Sauvage et al., Nature 369:533-538, 1994; Bartley et al., Cell 77:1117-1124, 1994). Molecular species as small as 25 kD have been found to be active in vitro (Bartley et al., ibid), and recombinant human TPO polypeptides of 153 (de Sauvage et al., ibid) and 174 amino acids (Bartley et al., ibid) have been reported as being active in vitro, as has the product of expression of the full-length human cDNA, which encodes a primary translation product of 353 amino acids (Bartley et al., ibid).
Thrombopoietin appears to be subject to proteolysis and was isolated in heterogeneous or degraded form (Bartley et al., ibid.; de Sauvage et al., ibid.). Preparations of thrombopoietin reported in the scientific literature are therefore not well characterized as to composition and the relative activities of the various molecular species, although at least some of the proteolytic products are biologically active. However, little work has been done to date on the large-scale production of thrombopoietin, and there remains a need in the art for methods of producing the protein in large amounts and in a cost-effective manner.

Methods for producing thrombopoietin polypeptides using a mammalian tissue plasminogen activator secretory peptide


Tubular structure, referred to herein as a plant funnel, surrounds a body of enclosed soil that, in turn, surrounds the base of a growing plant. This funnel, when inserted into garden soil, acts to confine about the base of the plant water and nutrients supplied from above to the body of enclosed soil. The funnel has an open and unobstructed bottom through which the body of enclosed soil can make contact with the garden soil and through which the base of the plant extends or can grow into the garden soil beneath the funnel. The funnel is made of a material that is substantially non-biodegradable.

In traditional gardening practice, plants are supplied with water and fertilizer by applying such additives to a relatively broad surface area of the soil surrounding the plants. For example, a sprinkler or a hose may be used to supply or spray water and/or a fertilizer solution onto the surrounding soil. This practice is quite wasteful since much of the water and the fertilizer solution will run off or otherwise disperse without reaching the roots of the plant or plants. Even if a jug or a watering can is used for supplying the water or fertilizer solution, much of the liquid will still run off or otherwise disperse without reaching the roots of the plant.

Method for controlling the delivery of liquids to a plant


A mechanism for supporting said light-emitting device in said reproduction apparatus in an electrographic reproduction apparatus having a light-emitting device for forming, on a dielectric support member, a charge pattern corresponding image-wise to information to be reproduced. The light-emitting device support mechanism includes a carriage attached to the reproduction apparatus and movable relative thereto to a first operative position and a second remote position. A pivot mechanism is supported by the carriage so as to provide a pivot axis, the light-emitting device being mounted on the pivot mechanism for movement about the pivot axis. A reference feature is located in the reproduction apparatus, the reference feature located in a predetermined relation relative to the dielectric support member. A movable latch member is selectively engagable with the light-emitting device to move the light-emitting device from a first position, remote from the reference feature, movable with the carriage to the first operative position or the second remote position, to a second position in engagement with the reference feature to be operatively associated with the dielectric support member.

In typical commercial electrographic reproduction apparatus (copier/duplicators, printers, or the like), a latent image charge pattern is formed on a uniformly charged charge-retentive or photo-conductive member having dielectric characteristics (hereinafter referred to as the dielectric support member). Pigmented marking particles are attracted to the latent image charge pattern to develop such image on the dielectric support member. A receiver member, such as a sheet of paper, transparency or other medium, is then brought into contact with the dielectric support member, and an electric field applied to transfer the marking particle developed image to the receiver member from the dielectric support member. After transfer, the receiver member bearing the transferred image is transported away from the dielectric support member, and the image is fixed (fused) to the receiver member by heat and pressure to form a permanent reproduction thereon.
The latent image charge pattern is formed by exposing the dielectric support member to actinic radiation in a desired pattern corresponding image-wise to information to be reproduced. Such exposure may be accomplished optically or electronically. That is, a reflected light image of information to be reproduced may be optically focused on the uniformly charged dielectric support member to alter the charge in an image-wise pattern. Alternately, a light-emitting device, such as a laser or light-emitting diode (LED) array, may be activated according to appropriate electrical signals to alter the uniform charge on the dielectric member to form the desired image-wise charge pattern. Furthermore, in recent high speed optical copier/duplicator devices, it has been common practice to provide an electronic activated light source to form image-wise charge patterns, or to annotate optically formed charge patterns.
The known light emitting devices, commonly referred to as writers, must be accurately located relative to the respective dielectric support members to provide a focused image-wise charge pattern thereon. Furthermore, the known light emitting devices must be removable for maintenance or replacement, or for service on the reproduction apparatus itself. In well-known reproduction apparatus utilizing light-emitting device, such as a laser or (LED) arrays, it is common practice to disconnect the light-emitting device to facilitate removal prior to service and maintenance. This complicates service procedure, and makes it difficult to maintain the desired accurate placement of the light-emitting device within the reproduction apparatus.

Electrographic reproduction apparatus light-emitting device support mechanism


A dispenser of flowable materials from a pouch is disclosed. The pouch has an ear (55) at each of the ends of a transverse seal (53) located at one end of the pouch (57). The dispenser comprises i) a cylindrical container (33) having sides and an open top having a rim, the container being adapted to contain the pouch, and ii) a lid (35) attachable to the rim such that the lid is adapted to trap the ears of the pouch between the lid and the rim and to keep said end of the pouch taut between the ears when the lid is attached to the rim. The lid is also being adapted to allow a spout (41) to pierce the pouch at the taut portion.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing flowable materials from a pouch. The pouches are pillow-shaped with "ears".
It is well known to package flowable materials, for example, milk, on so-called vertical form and fill machines. Using such a machine, a flat web of synthetic thermoplastic film is unwound from a roll and formed into a continuous tube in a tube forming section, by sealing the longitudinal edges of the film together to form a so-called lap seal or a so-called fin seal. The tube thus formed is pulled vertically downwards to a filling station. The tube is then collapsed across a transverse cross-section of the tube, the position of the cross-section being at a sealing device below the filling station. A transverse heat seal is made, by the sealing device, at the collapsed portion of the tube, thus making an airtight seal across the tube. The sealing device generally comprises a pair of jaws. After making the transverse seal, but before the jaws of the sealing device are opened, a quantity of material to be packaged, e.g. liquid, is caused to enter the tube, at the filling station, and fill the tube upwardly from the aforementioned transverse seal. The tube is caused to move downwardly a predetermined distance. Such movement may be under the influence of the weight of the material in the tube, or may be caused by pulling or mechanically driving the tube. The jaws of the sealing device are closed again, thus collapsing the tube at a second transverse section. The second transverse section may be above, usually just above, the air/material interface in the tube, or the second transverse section may be below the air/material interface. The sealing device seals and severs the tube transversely at the second transverse section. The material-filled portion of the tube is now in the form of a pillow shaped pouch. Thus the sealing device has sealed the top of the filled pouch, sealed the bottom of the next-to-be formed pouch, all in one operation. One such vertical form and fill machine of the type described above is sold under the trade mark PREPAC. With some other machines, the sealing device does not sever the tube at the second transverse section, but does sever the tube subsequently. With some machines the filling of the tube is done continuously rather than intermittently. The portions of the pouch at the ends of the transverse seals are often referred to as "ears".
For many years, milk has been packaged in pouches made on vertical form and fill machines. Such pouches have been sold to household consumers and, in use, such milk-filled pouches are stood within an open-mouthed pitcher. More recently, such pouches have been used to package other flowable comestibles, mayonnaise, salad dressings, preserves and the like. Pouches containing such comestibles are usually sold to "institutional" buyers, e.g. restaurants. Heretofore the flowable materials have been removed from such pouches by cutting an ear of the pouch and pouring or squeezing the flowable material out of the pouch. Alternatively the pouch has been fitted with a pouring spout such as that disclosed in Canadian Patent 1 192 164 to L. Obidniak. The present invention provides an alternate apparatus for removing flowable material from a pouch.

Apparatus for dispensing flowable materials from a pouch


A first server is configured to receive data associated with a first user device. The first user device may send the data to the first server via a network device without user interaction, and the data may relate to activity associated with the first user device. The first server is further configured to determine a status, associated with the first user device, based on the data, store information regarding the status, receive permissions for the information regarding the status of the first user device, apply the permissions for the information regarding the status to form an advertised status, and send the advertised status to the network device. The network device may be capable of sending the advertised status to a client device or a second user device based on the permissions.

Users sometimes use user devices to advertise a status (e.g., a "busy" status an "available" status, or some other status) associated with the user of the user device. Advertising a status may require manual user interaction with the user device, and may allow unauthorized devices to identify the status associated with the user device.

Determining presence status based on user analytics data


A feet-propelled water vehicle including a buoyant body having a user-supporting platform attached to a rigid frame secured to a pair of pontoons. A pair of propelling paddles is attached to the rigid frame. Each propelling paddle defines a corresponding effectuating section and a corresponding blade section. The supporting platform defines flexible foot contacting regions for transferring the weight shifting action of an intended user to the effectuating sections of a corresponding propelling paddle. Each effectuating section allows the transformation of the force generated by the foot of the user into a corresponding pivotal movement of the paddle relative to the frame. The blade section attached to the effectuating section allows transformation of the pivotal movement of the paddle into a vehicle propelling force for propelling the vehicle across a body of water.

The present invention relates to the general field of water recreational vehicles and is particularly concerned with a foot operated water vehicle.
With the advent of the so-called leisure society and a concurrent trend towards health beneficial recreational exercises, many individuals are looking for new and exciting recreational outdoor activities.
Water related recreational activities are particularly popular. Human powered water-born vehicles have been around for many years. They seem to have shown a relatively slow evolutional pattern. The evolution of the technology of human-powered water-born vehicles seems to have been determined, at least in part, by the most economic use of materials. The rowing stroke required to propel or steer a floating device such as a typical rowboat was to develop pivot points on which a pair of oars could rest. Once this was accomplished, the operator would face the rear of the boat, lift the oars out of the water, then deposit the flat surfaces of the oars into the water. The arms and braced legs would exert force to pull the oar blades back, while the pressure against the oar surfaces would create forward movement of the boat.
This could only be accomplished if the rowing oars where maintained in position by oar locks. Conventional rowing was limited to energy exerted mostly by upper body through arm movement and also sometimes by lower body movement through the braced leverage of the legs.
Another method of achieving similar forward motion of a floating vessel is often referred to as the paddling technique. In the paddling technique, the paddler faces forward and no pivot point is required to obtain the results. The energy developed by the user of a conventional canoe paddle comes almost exclusively from upper body strength and is not effective in other vessel designs.
Another technique of propelling a small craft using human power is the so-called pedal- or paddle-boat. The pedal-boat typically utilizes a bicycle crank which engages a paddle-wheel or propeller thorough a series of mechanical linkages. The conventional paddle-boats are typically propelled by continuously rotating the paddle wheels. Commonly, such crafts are pontoon-based with seats that allow the user to sit high above the water. In general, they are noted for ponderous movement and relatively limited speed capabilities.
More recent developments included fiberglass boats of various types with transmission devices allowing reciprocating motion to be transformed into rotational motion by some conventional means. By improving the hydrodynamic contour of the craft, greater speed may be achieved but, to date, the limitations on speed have been such that boats that are paddled or rowed are ordinarily faster and more efficient than conventional paddle-type crafts.
In an attempt to improve on the speed deficiencies associated with conventional paddle-type foot-propelled water crafts and also to provide a more challenging and exciting type of foot-propelled water craft, numerous variations of apparatuses used for walking on water have heretofor been developed.
Typically, most conventional foot-propelled water devices used for walking on water include structures and/or floats which support a person on water in a standing position. The float structures are propelled through the water by leg movements of the operator. With such prior art devices, the floats structures are typically interconnected to allow relative movement therebetween. The float structures area typically provided with components for increasing the resistance to movement of the float in one direction of operator leg movement and decreasing the resistance to movement of the float in the opposite direction of operator leg movement in order to aid in the overall movement of the float structures.
Although prior art devices have taken many forms, they have generally proven unsatisfactory due to either complexity, difficulty of manufacture, size, cost, and other factors. Various drawbacks exist with prior art devices of this nature which are believed to have kept these devices from becoming commercially acceptable. One such problem is control, for example, as a user propels himself or herself through the water with a walking movement, there is a natural tendency for the individual floats or shoes to drift apart. Also, heretofor, the prior art floats were made large enough to support to heaviest user and thus resulted in bulky devices which were hard to transport over land.
Although the disadvantages associated with prior art leg or foot-propelled water craft allowing for propulsion in a standing position include overly complex structures, lack of reliability, lack of stability, lack of propulsion efficiency, lack of ergonomic features and so forth. Also, prior art devices are typically relatively bulky requiring large storage and transportation space. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved feet-propelled water vehicle.
Advantages of the present invention include that the proposed feet-propelled water vehicle allows for propulsion of the vehicle by an intended user while the latter is in a standing position. Propulsion of the vehicle is effectuated by the legs of the intended user as the latter performs a simple and ergonomic weight shifting movement, or a step-like movement. The proposed vehicle allows for an efficient transformation of the user force into a propelling force for propelling the vehicle across the body of water.
Also, the proposed vehicle is specifically designed so as to provide for various size and angular adjustments in order to provide an ergonomic vehicle associated with increased pleasure during use and decreased risks of activity related injuries.
Furthermore, the proposed vehicle allows an intended user to quickly master the skills required for its operation without lengthy or difficult training. The proposed vehicle hence allows both individuals to quickly benefit from its use while providing sports enthusiasts with the possibility of customizing the vehicle so that the latter remains challenging.
Still furthermore, the proposed vehicle is specifically designed so as to be easily assembled and disassembled through a set of quick and easy steps, without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity so as to provide a vehicle which may be easily disassembled for storage or transportation and assembled at a site of usage. Also, the proposed vehicle is designed so as to be manufacturable using conventional forms of manufacturing through a set of conventional manufacturing steps so as to provide a vehicle which will be economically feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.
Overall, the proposed vehicle is intended to provide an improved new and fun feet-propelled water vehicle that can be used both for leisure and transportation.
According to the present invention, there is provided a feet-propelled water vehicle for allowing an intended user having a pair of feet to travel across the surface of a body of water, each of the feet being able to transmit a user force emanating from the user, the vehicle comprises:
a buoyant body, the body defining a body first end and a generally opposed body second end;
a propelling paddle operatively coupled to the buoyant body for movement relative thereto;
the propelling paddle defining an effectuating section and a blade section, the effectuating section allowing the transformation of the user force into a paddle movement of the paddle relative to the buoyant body, the blade section allowing the transformation of the paddle movement into a vehicle propelling force for propelling the vehicle when the blade section is in contact with the body of water.
Preferably, the vehicle includes a first propelling paddle and a second propelling paddle, the first and second propelling paddles being both operatively coupled to the buoyant body for movement relative thereto;
the first and second propelling paddles each defining a corresponding effectuating section and a corresponding blade section, each of the effectuating sections allowing the transformation of the user force into a corresponding paddle movement relative to the buoyant body, each of the blade sections allowing the transformation of a corresponding paddle movement into a vehicle propelling force for propelling the vehicle across the body of water.
Preferably, each of the first and second propelling paddles is operatively coupled to the buoyant body so as to be able to move in a first paddle direction generally towards the buoyant body and in a second paddle direction generally away from the buoyant body, the vehicle further comprising an alternating means for ensuring that the first and second propelling paddles move alternatively relative to each other in opposite paddle directions.
Preferably, the alternating means further ensures that at least a portion of the user force exerted on one of the first or second propelling paddles for moving the latter in a given paddle direction is transmitted to the other propelling paddle for moving the latter in the other paddle direction.
Preferably, the first and second propelling paddles are operatively coupled to the buoyant body for pivotal movement relative thereto, each of the first and second propelling paddles being operatively coupled to the buoyant body so as to be able to pivot in a first paddle direction generally towards the buoyant body and in a second paddle direction generally away from the buoyant body;
the vehicle further comprising an alternating means for ensuring that the first and second propelling paddles pivot alternatively relative to each other in opposite paddle directions, the alternating means further ensuring that at least a portion of the user force exerted on one of the first or second propelling paddles for pivoting the latter in a given paddle direction is transmitted to the other propelling paddle for pivoting the latter in the other paddle direction.
Preferably, the alternating means includes an alternating pulley rotatably attached to the buoyant body for rotation about a pulley axis, the alternating means also including a generally elongated and flexible alternating transmission component, the alternating transmission component defining a pair of longitudinally opposed transmission component ends, each of the transmission component ends being attached to one of the propelling paddle; the transmission component being at least partially wound around the alternating pulley for guided movement relative thereto; whereby the alternating pulley rotatably guides the movement of the transmission component as the later ensures that the first and second propelling paddles pivot alternatively relative to each other in opposite paddle directions.
Preferably, the buoyant body includes a user-supporting platform, the user-supporting platform defining a generally flexible force transmitting section, the force transmitting section being able to deform under the action of the user force so as to transmit the user force to the propelling paddle.
Preferably, the buoyant body includes a generally rigid peripheral frame and a generally flexible user-supporting platform attached to the peripheral frame, the user-supporting platform being able to deform under the action of the user force so as to transmit the user force to the propelling paddle.
Preferably, the user-supporting platform defines a foot contacting region for contacting at least one of the feet and wherein the vehicle further comprises a force transmitting component positioned intermediate the propelling paddle and the user-supporting platform, the force transmitting component including a spacing section attached to the propelling paddle and a foot contacting section attached to the spacing section, the foot contacting section being configured, sized and positioned so as to be able to contact the user-supporting platform adjacent the foot contacting region, the force transmitting component maintaining at least a section of the user-supporting platform and the propelling paddle in a spaced relationship relative to each other while allowing the transmission of the user force from the user-supporting platform to the propelling paddle.
Preferably, the force transmitting component is an elongated plate, the elongated plate having a substantially semi-elliptical shape defining two opposed longitudinal ends thereof and a central apex region therebetween, the two longitudinal ends forming the spacing section and the apex region forming the foot contacting section, the force transmitting component being provided with a semi-elliptical shape adjusting means for allowing adjustment of the semi-elliptical shape of the elongated plate so as to adjust the spaced relationship between the propelling paddle and the user-supporting platform.
Preferably, the peripheral frame includes tubular members assembled together, and the user-supporting platform includes a sheet of flexible material attached to the tubular members for protecting the user from being watered by splashing water, the vehicle further comprising at least one pontoon attached to the peripheral frame.
Preferably, the pontoon is an inflatable pontoon.
Preferably, the vehicle further comprises a steering structure attached to the buoyant body, the steering structure including a rudder and a steering handle attached to the rudder.
Preferably, the blade section is releasably attached to the effectuating section.
Preferably, the vehicle is collapsible, the tubular members being releasably attached to each other, the propelling paddles being releasably attached to the buoyant body, the at least one pontoon being releasably attached to the peripheral frame and the steering structure being releasably attached to the buoyant body.


Dual cylinder and single cylinder rocking piston compressors with sound attenuation are disclosed. Due to the tapered shape of the intake and exhaust chamber sides and tops, the gas flow is accelerated and decelerated through the compressors thereby allowing sound energy to be dissipated. Sound attenuation is further enhanced by the addition of baffles, which divide each chamber into a series of smaller attenuation chambers. The baffles also cause the gas flow to accelerate and decelerate as the gas flow passes the baffles. In the case of a dual cylinder rocking piston compressor, enlarging the crossover passageway diameters also creates additional sound attenuation chambers, which contribute to the overall reduction in sound. Further, by using dedicated seals for each intake in the exhaust chamber, flow leakage at higher pressures is decreased, thereby improving compressor efficiencies.

Technical Field
This disclosure is directed to rocking piston compressors or pumps and, more specifically, to rocking piston compressors or pumps with sound dissipation qualities that result in both a quieter operation and higher efficiency at high operating duties.
Description of the Related Art
Rocking piston or reciprocating compressors generally include one or two pistons, which reciprocate within one or two cylinders respectively. Dual cylinder rocking piston compressors, for example, include a pair of valve plates that cover the two cylinders, and a pair of heads that cover the valve plates, leaving intake and exhaust chambers or spaces between the heads and valve plates. Typically, each head may include at least one intake port and at least one exhaust port. For a compressor having both cylinders working in parallel, communication between the intake chambers of each head/valve plate and between the exhaust chambers of each head/valve plate is provided by two crossover passageways or conduits. For a compressor having both cylinders working in series (or "staged operation"), communication between the exhaust chamber of the first head/valve plate portion and between the intake chamber of the second head/valve plate portion is provided by one crossover passageway or conduit. Further, some designs employ a single-piece valve plate body and some designs employ a single-piece head. The gas or air flows into the compressor though the intake and is directed into the cylinders through valved inlet ports in the valve plates. Compressed air or gas is pumped out of the cylinders through valved outlet ports in the valve plates that are in communication with the compressor exhaust.
In many rocking piston compressor applications, compressor noise is an issue. For example, oxygen concentrators typically utilize a dual-cylinder, rocking piston compressor, which must be located near the user (or patient). As a result, it is desirable to minimize the noise produced by the compressor. Of course, there are numerous other applications where rocking piston compressors are appropriate, but noise remains an issue. For example, rocking piston-type compressors are used in other medicinal applications as well as various industrial, scientific and food manufacturing applications.
Accordingly, dual-cylinder (parallel and staged operation) and single-cylinder rocking piston-type compressors are needed that are quieter than currently available designs, without compromising output, performance or efficiency.

Rocking piston compressor with sound dissipation


Water-reducible coating removers are disclosed. The compositions comprise N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a glycol ether ester, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 aliphatic alcohol, and a surfactant. The coating removers are suitable for stripping partially and fully dried alkyd, latex, and nitrocellulose coatings.

Methylene chloride has long been used in paint strippers because it is inexpensive and highly effective. Because of concerns about the toxicity of methylene chloride, less-toxic, non-halogenated alternatives such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dibasic esters, and other solvents are replacing methylene chloride in paint strippers.
N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone has been used in numerous methylene chloride-free formulations, including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,664,721, 4,836,950, 4,749,510, 4,780,235, 4,120,810, 4,732,695, 5,011,621, and 5,015,410. These formulations include substantial amounts of aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons, dibasic esters, or oils. Unfortunately, water rinsing of these coatings is not feasible because of the low water solubility of hydrocarbons, oils, and dibasic esters.
Water-rinsable compositions are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,556, in which diesters of C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 dibasic acids are combined with water and a thickener. European Patent Application 0 389 829 teaches a water-reducible formulation that incorporates NMP, diesters of C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 dibasic acids, glycol ethers, and a thickener. U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,279 teaches a water-reducible composition that includes NMP, aromatic solvents, a glycol ether, an alkanolamine, and a thickener. International Publication No. WO 88/06640 teaches a water-soluble paint remover containing NMP, a glycol ether, and an organic acid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,780 teaches a graffiti remover comprising NMP, propylene carbonate, a glycol ether acetate, isocetyl alcohol, a thickener, and a surfactant.
Although these compositions are water-rinsable, they suffer from a number of drawbacks. Dibasic esters are a potential health hazard, as indicated by their low permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 ppm. Organic acids are corrosive. Isocetyl alcohol is expensive. Many aromatic hydrocarbons evaporate easily and aggravate lower atmosphere ozone problems. In addition, compositions containing substantial amounts of aromatic hydrocarbons or dibasic esters often phase separate during storage. Performance of many water-rinsable compositions previously developed is also somewhat poorer than desirable for many types of coatings, including cured enamels, two-part polyurethanes, and nitrocellulose lacquers.

Water-reducible coating removers containing n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone


A shift lever is configured to take deceleration-requesting positions through its operation in a specified direction from an M-range position for a manual mode. A control is configured such that vehicle's deceleration is larger when an operational quantity of a one-time operation of the shift lever operated toward the deceleration-requesting positions B1, B2, B3 is larger. For example, when the shift lever is operated to the position B1, one-stage shift down is performed, when the shift lever is operated to the position B2, two-stage shift down is performed, and when the shift lever is operated to the position B3, three-stage shift down is performed.

The present invention relates to a deceleration control device of a vehicle provided with a shift lever.
In a vehicle, shift down (i.e., move into low gear) is performed at a transmission to increase vehicle's deceleration in vehicle's traveling on a down slope or during rapid deceleration, for example. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 9-317872 discloses a technology in which a shift map for engine brake is adjusted in accordance with the number of times of operation to a low speed stage (low-speed gear ratio). Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2015-152053 discloses a technology in which an engine-brake force which is resistance of a power plant is changed in accordance with the number of times of operation of a shift lever from a D-range position to a B range which is provided beside the D-range position.
Further, there exists another technology which is practically applied to a vehicle provided with a multi-stage (multi-gear ratio) type of stepped automatic transmission, in which in a state where a shift lever is positioned at an M range provided beside a D range, a shift-down command for one-stage (one-gear ratio) shift down is outputted by operating the shift lever forward, and a shift-up command for one-stage (one-gear ratio) shift up is outputted by operating the shift lever rearward.
There exists further another practically-applied technology in which an S-range position and an L-range position are arranged in series relative to a D-range position. That is, in a case of a forward 5-stage (1st speed-5th speed of gear ratios) automatic transmission, for example, while an automatic gear change is performed among all shift stages of 1st speed-5th speed of gear ratios at the D-range position, the automatic gear change is performed among 1st speed-4th speed of gear ratios at the S-range position and the automatic gear change is performed among 1st speed-3rd speed of gear ratios at the L-range position so that the maximum shift stage to be obtained becomes a lower speed stage compared to a case of the D-range position.
Moreover, in a vehicle provided with an electric motor as the power plant in which a gear ratio (a speed ratio) of a transmission is fixed or there is no transmission, there exists a deceleration control device in which a shift lever is operable for selecting at least a D range, an R range, an N range (neutral range), a P range (parking range), and a B range and an M range which are selected for obtaining shift-down feeling of the automatic transmission which is expected when an accelerator is eased off.
The deceleration control using resistance which is caused by a loss or regeneration of the power plant in a driven state through above-described shift lever operation preferably reduces burden of a frictional type of brake device of a normal foot brake, suppresses wear of the brake device, or prevents vaper lock or fade phenomenon of the brake device in vehicle's traveling on a steep down slope.
A conventional device has a problem that the shift-lever operation for requesting the shift down needs plural times of operation when a driver conducts two or more stages of shift down for wanting large deceleration of the vehicle, so that the desired deceleration may not be obtained easily and promptly. That is, there is a concern that one-time operation of the shift lever for providing one-stage shift down may not achieve the desired deceleration. In this case, the shift down for the two-stage shift down may be finally required by operating the shift down twice, or the shift down for the three-stage shift down may be finally required by operating the shift down three times.
In particular, a recently-used multi-stage type of stepped automatic transmission adopts a forward many-stage type, such as a forward 8-stage, 9-stage, or 10-stage type, so that a change amount in the gear ratio between adjacent shift stages becomes so small that the one-stage shift down may not create sufficient deceleration any more.
Further, in the automatic transmission using the S range or the L range, since the maximum shift stage to be obtained is merely restricted, there may exist a case where the shift down is not performed when the shift lever is operated from the D range to the S range or the L range. That is, when the current shift stage in the D range corresponds to the shift stage which is lower than the maximum shift stage to be obtained in the S range or the L range, no shift down may be performed even if the shift lever is operated to the S range or the L range.


A microwave frequency discriminator comprising a dual-gate field effect transistor (FET) amplifier, bias circuits and a detector. The FET is biased to produce an output RF signal within a predetermined frequency bandwidth in response to an input RF signal. A limiter provides a substantially constant power level of the input RF signal to the FET. A detector biasing circuit is used to match electronically the output impedance of the FET to the input impedance of the detector. At such impedance conditions a dc output voltage of the detector varies substantially linearly throughout the frequency bandwidth as a function of the frequency of the input RF signal, approximating the characteristic of a frequency discriminator.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a microwave frequency discriminator and more particularly to a discriminator comprising a dual-gate field effect transistor including biasing circuits for obtaining electronically predetermined transistor input and output impedance conditions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Techniques and devices for the rapid and accurate determination of an unknown signal frequency are of significant interest in modern communication systems, in particular for electronic counter measure (ECM) systems operating at microwave frequencies. Microwave frequency discriminators capable of converting incoming unknown frequencies into voltages for processing are often used in ECM systems. A microwave frequency discriminator may be defined as a circuit that provides an output voltage which is a predetermined function of, and usually proportional to, the frequency of an incoming signal. The discriminator voltage output versus frequency response, commonly termed the "discriminator characteristic," is the response in which the output voltage varies nearly linearly with respect to frequency over a predetermined frequency bandwidth. The bandwidth is generally determined by the slope, linearity, and resolution of the discriminator and is the frequency range over which the descriminator provides an unambiguous voltage output which is related to the input frequency.
A typical broadband microwave discriminator often utilized in modern systems comprises passive elements such as transmission lines or an arrangement of lumped elements to vary the power level of the input signal applied to a detector diode as a function of frequency. Such a disciminator formed of various passive components, generally has, disadvantageously, a large number of connections between the components. These interconnections often produce impedance mismatches resulting in undesirable inflection points in the relation between input frequency and output voltage such that a particular voltage can occur at several frequencies. Such distortions in the discriminator characteristic limit the broadband resolution of the discriminator minimizing thereby the accuracy of the system.
To overcome such discriminator deficiencies, recent advances in the art have resulted in the minimization or elimination of the passive elements and the utilization instead of active elements, such as field effect transistors, to achieve the discriminator characteristic. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,053,841, entitled, "Improved Microwave Frequency Discriminator Comprising An FET Amplifier," by A. Rosen et al., and 4,053,842, entitled, "Microwave Frequency Discriminator Comprising An FET Amplifier," by Z. Turski, FETs are arranged to produce an output voltage that varies substantially linearly with the frequency of an input RF signal throughout a certain frequency bandwidth. The impedance conditions for obtaining the discriminator characteristic with the FET are achieved in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,842 by input and output shaping networks, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,841 by an input shaping network and an output biasing circuit. The shaping networks in each patent are typically arranged in microstrip form with the geometric shape of the network determining the impedance condition. The configuration for providing a desirable impedance is selected for a specific range of discriminator operating conditions. The configuration of the shaping networks for a given set of discriminator parameters is obtained by the use of computer iteration techniques to determine the particular geometric pattern. Fine tuning of the discriminator characteristic is achieved by manually varying the location of tuning stubs on the microstrip circuit.
Although an improvement over the passive element type discriminator, the FET discriminator utilizing particularly configured shaping networks disadvantageously requires a selection process for determining the network geometry and thereby its impedance as well as the manual process of tuning by the manipulation of tuning elements or stubs. Such processes restrict the discriminator performance to a limited range of operating conditions since, once the configuration of the networks is determined, it is fixed, subject only to minimal adjustments by manual tuning. Manual tuning is problematical in such applications as well, since once the discriminator is in its intended operating environment, lack of accessibility may prohibit any further manual tuning.
It is further known in the microwave art that the problematical manual tuning may be replaced by electronic tuning provided by a FET amplifier including an electronic variable capacitor (varactor), a biasing circuit and a detector. Such a circuit is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,700, entitled "Electronically Tunable Microwave Frequency FET Discriminator," by A. Rosen et al. There remains a need in the microwave art to provide an electronically tunable FET discriminator that operates without the use of an electronic variable capacitor such as a varactor.

GaAs Dual-gate FET frequency discriminator


A pallet truck for lifting and transporting pallets. The truck is moved by a self-propelled carriage having two wheels. Each wheel is propelled by a separate direct current electric motor, the motors being wired in series, so as to automatically adjust the speed of the respective wheels during turning.

It is common practice in warehousing and shipping goods to support them on pallets. Typically, a pallet is a wooded platform having a horizontal plate, often made of spaced boards, and parallel upright boards on which the plate rests. The upright beams traverse the respective sides of the plate, and a third beam may traverse the plate midway between the other two. The plate is secured to the upper edges of the beams. Thus a pallet constitutes a platform, a few inches high, with an open space under the platform.
Machinery is used to lift pallets and move them about. The machinery commonly used comprises a fork, having a pair of long arms which are moved under the plate of a pallet and then lifted to elevate the pallet. The machinery also comprises wheels, and often propulsion means so that the machinery and the pallet may be moved to another location where the pallet is lowered. Large machinery of this type is generally call a fork-lift truck. Smaller machinery of this type is usually called a pallet truck. Fork-lift trucks are distinguished from pallet trucks by providing a seat on which the operator rides, whereas a pallet truck is designed for an operator who walks along behind the truck. Pallet trucks may be designed to be pulled or pushed about by the operator, or to be self-propelled.


A method for optimizing post-translational modifications of recombinant proteins expressed in living cells is described. More particularly, a method for modulation of host proteins in living cells that control PTMs on recombinant proteins is described that has particularly useful applications in developing manufacturing process changes or in biosimilar development. The goal of this modulation is to produce a recipe for production of a recombinant protein in the new process or in the biosimilar that will produce a targeted PTM profile in the resulting protein product. In the method one or more modulators are selected, as from a modulator library, which affect the activity of host proteins. These modulators are added to media during production such that the resulting product matches the PTMs of the reference product. The ideal set of modulators and their concentrations are identified through a unique iterative process and the combined modulators and their concentrations constitute a recipe for growth media for the production of said recombinant protein. The methodology to obtain such a recipe described herein may then be used in many applications, such as optimizing new batches of recombinant protein drugs, developing biosimilar or bio-better drugs.

Recombinant proteins are produced in living cells and are a major class of biologic drugs used to treat a wide range of diseases. Production of recombinant proteins in cell culture is complicated by the fact that a cell's host proteins can modify recombinant proteins by adding a variety of PTMs, such as glycosylation, carboxylation, hydroxylation, sulfation and amidation, deamidation, among others. Some examples of inhibitors are shown in FIG. 1. Some host proteins, including but not limited to Carboxypeptidase B, can even modify recombinant proteins by removing amino acids from the sequence, such as C-terminal lysines. PTMs are very difficult to control during production of recombinant proteins, especially if a specific PTM is required; such as during biosimilar production or when making manufacturing process changes.
The goal of biosimilar development is to produce a biosimilar product with a similar and ideally identical PTM profile to a reference product or protein of interest. The capability of producing a recombinant protein copy that displays minimal or no differences from a marketed reference product can simplify the clinical testing required for drug approval and should reduce the cost of biosimilar drug development. One major reason for the more limited requirement for clinical studies with biosimilars is that the safety risks are known when product attributes are the same between a biosimilar and its reference product. Large hurdles in biosimilar development are related to the fact the production process for many commercial biologic drugs is either not known, may be protected by patents, or is outdated (i.e. use of animal derived products).
Thus, it is necessary to develop a production process that may be different from the original process but that still yields a copy of the reference product (biosimilar) with the same, or similar PTMs as the reference product.
Similarly, during a manufacturing process change, the ability to match PTMs on a recombinant protein before and after process changes is of uttermost importance. The key reason for a process change for a recombinant protein is to improve the cell line performance, to increase productivity, and to increase cell stability without changing PTMs of said recombinant protein. A method is needed that can decouple the optimization of productivity of the cell line from optimization of PTMs.
In order to develop such a method the host proteins that need to be modulated must be identified and modulators necessary to modulate those host proteins are then selected. Host proteins include enzymes involved in glycosylation, carboxylation, hydroxylation, deamidation, oxidation, C-terminal sulfation, C-terminal carboxylase and amidation or any other posttranslational modification. Modifying the activity of these enzymes using small molecules, natural products, biologics, RNAi, RNA, or DNA can be used for production of a recombinant protein with target PTMs. A method that is capable of modifying PTMs on biologic molecules would be far superior for use in the production of biosimilar and biobetter biologics than known systems that knock-out PTMs altogether. Such systems could be used to produce biologic molecules having PTMs within target ranges as opposed to knock out technologies which have no possibility of targeting a desired PTM range.

Method for optimizing post-translational modifications on recombinant proteins


A semiconductor module includes a module package including a first substrate having a first semiconductor device and a second substrate having a second semiconductor device. A first outer conductor extends from the module package and is connected to the first substrate and a second outer conductor extends from the module package and is connected to the second substrate. A method for producing the semiconductor module includes attaching first outer conductors of a leadframe to a first substrate, where the first substrate includes a first semiconductor device that is attached to the first substrate either before or after attaching the first outer conductors. A second substrate is provided including a signal processing circuit and the second substrate is fastening to second outer conductors of the leadframe.

In semiconductor modules, special substrates are used for the mounting of power devices, for example ceramic substrates which meet the special mechanical, electrical and thermal requirements of power electronics. To produce "intelligent" power modules, electronic circuits with a low power requirement, such as for example logic circuits, are increasingly being added to the power devices. For the integration of such electronics with low power consumption into the power module, a separate substrate may be used, one which is less expensive than the substrate required for the power electronics. When two substrates are used, however, questions arise regarding the arrangement of the substrates, their space requirement and their electrical and mechanical contacting in the module.

Semiconductor module with at least two substrates