In a system of accelerating a car using a brake operating mechanism, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver. Therefore, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range are provided to an operating amount or an operating force of a pedal 13.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling run of a car, a method of controlling run of a car and a car using the apparatus and, more particularly to following distance controlling auto-cruise including slow acceleration and deceleration running in a congested area. Automatic control technologies are being developed. The automatic control technologies are that a distance between a self-car and a preceding car (including an obstacle) is detected using a radar, and an engine, a motor, a transmission and a brake are automatically controlled so that the distance becomes a safe following distance. An example of the automatic control technologies is following distance controlling auto-cruise including slow acceleration and deceleration running in a congested area (hereinafter, referred to as xe2x80x9cACCxe2x80x9d: Adaptive Cruise Control).
Among the ACC, there are known systems that automatic control is performed only for starting and acceleration operations and a driver operates deceleration and stopping according to his own decision in order to secure higher safety.
One example of the systems is that deceleration and stopping operations and starting and acceleration operations are performed by operating only a brake pedal using a conventional oil brake system.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.4-38600 discloses a system that when the running mode is set to a slow deceleration running mode due to traffic congestion, the car can be stopped and started by one-pedal running of braking operation. That is, the driving force is controlled so that the running speed of the car becomes a target running speed when there is no brake operation, and the diving force is controlled not to act toward a running direction when there is brake operation.
According to the conventional technologies described above, in order to perform stopping and starting operations by one pedal of braking operation using a conventional brake operating mechanism, the pedal can be used only as if it is an ON-OFF switch, that is, the car is decelerated and stopped when the brake pedal is stepped on, and started and accelerated when the brake pedal is released.
Therefore, in a case of, for example, acceleration a car, the driver is required to be ready to step on the brake operating mechanism so as to rapidly decelerate the car in order to avoid danger, if necessary, while he is releasing his foot from the brake operating mechanism, which is a burden for the driver.
The present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car, the apparatus comprising a pedal for controlling both of a braking force and a driving force of the car depending on an operating amount or an operating force, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range being provided in the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal, wherein a footrest function is realized when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the footrest function range, and run of the car is controlled by a braking force, the braking force being increased corresponding to the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the braking force increasing function range.
Further, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car, the apparatus comprising a pedal for controlling both of a braking force and a driving force of the car depending on an operating amount or an operating force, a footrest function range, a driving force decreasing function range and a braking force increasing function range being provided in the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal, wherein a footrest function is realized when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the footrest function range, and run of the car is controlled by a driving force, the driving force being decreased corresponding to the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the driving force decreasing function range; and a braking force, the braking force being increased corresponding to the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the braking force increasing function range.
Further, the present invention is characterized by that a driving force is generated when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the footrest function range.
Further, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car, the apparatus comprising a pedal for controlling both of a braking force and a driving force of the car depending on an operating amount or an operating force; and a braking mechanism for braking wheels corresponding to the operating amount and the operating force of the pedal, a footrest function range and a braking force increasing function range being provided in the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal, wherein a footrest function is realized when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the footrest function range, and the braking mechanism is controlled by a braking force, the braking force being increased corresponding to the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the braking force increasing function range.
Further, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car, the apparatus comprising a pedal for controlling both of a braking force and a driving force of the car depending on an operating amount or an operating force; a braking mechanism for braking wheels corresponding to the operating amount and the operating force of the pedal; a following distance detector for detecting a following distance; and a driving force control unit for controlling a driving force corresponding to a signal of the following distance detector, a footrest function range and a driving force decreasing function range being provided in the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal, wherein a footrest function is realized when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the footrest function range, and the braking mechanism is controlled by a braking force, the braking force being increased corresponding to the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal when the operating amount or the operating force of the pedal is within the braking force increasing function range.
Further, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car comprising a first pedal; a second pedal; a footrest apparatus for realizing a footrest function in the first pedal; and a control unit for executing control of a one-pedal mode which controls both of a braking force and a driving force of the car corresponding to an operating amount or an operating force of the first pedal, wherein a means for realizing the footrest function in the footrest apparatus comprises a mechanical stopper mechanism. The mechanical stopper mechanism has an advantage that the footrest apparatus can be constructed with a simple structure even if the other kind of energy such as electric power is difficult to be obtained.
Similarly, a means for realizing the footrest function in the footrest apparatus can be constructed using a solenoid mechanism. By doing so, the holding force can be optimally adjusted by adjusting the electric energy to the load added by a driver""s foot.
Further, a means for realizing the footrest function in the footrest apparatus similarly can be constructed using a combination of springs and cranks. By the means of such a kind, the footrest apparatus can be also constructed without using electric power.
Further, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car comprising a first pedal; a second pedal; means for starting and stopping operation of a car power source; and a control unit for selectively executing at least two modes of control of a one-pedal mode and a normal mode, the one-pedal mode control controlling both of a braking force and a driving force of the car corresponding to an operating amount or an operating force of the first pedal, the normal mode control controlling the braking force of the car based on the first pedal and the driving force of the car based on the second pedal, wherein the means for executing starting and stopping of operation of the car power source executes starting of operation of the car power source at the normal mode control. By the apparatus, it is possible to prevent the power source from being operated to start the car when the first pedal is not operated.
Further, the present invention is constructed so that the control unit automatically switches the control from the one-pedal mode control to the normal mode control when operation of the car power source is stopped. By doing so, there is an effect in that since the control unit is in the normal mode operation after stopping operation of the power source, the power source can be started without delay when the power source is restarted.
Further, the present invention is constructed so that the control unit operates the first pedal and executes starting of operation of the car power source at the one-pedal mode control. By doing so, since the power source can be started to be operated while the braking force is added by operating the first pedal even in the one-pedal mode control, the power source can be started to be operated while the car is safely stopped. This method can be applied to idle stop of the power source on an occasion of waiting for traffic signal change, traffic congestion or the like.
Further, the present invention is constructed so that the control unit changes a set acceleration from an acceleration for straight running to another preset acceleration when the car running under the one-pedal mode control on a road in a country or an area where a navigable lane for cars on the road is regulated on the left with respect to traffic flow is turned to the right or turned around the right, or when the car running under the one-pedal mode control on a road in a country or an area where a navigable lane for cars on the road is regulated on the right with respect to traffic flow is turned to the left or turned around the left.
Since the car mounting the apparatus for controlling running in accordance with the present invention is used on an ordinary road, it happens that the car is turned to the right or the left at an intersection or the like. In such a case, when the car is turned to the right in a country such as Japan where the navigable lane is regulated on the left, the car often needs to be speedy turned to the right by passing between cars running on the opposite lane while securing safety. In that case, it is safer to turn to the right if the control unit changes the mode to the preset acceleration for right turning when the car is turned to the right, as in the present invention. On the other hand, when the car is turned to the right in a country or an area where the navigable lane is regulated on the right, it is safer to turn to the left if the control unit changes the mode to the preset acceleration for left turning.
Further, the present invention is constructed so that the control unit changes a set acceleration from an acceleration for straight running to another preset acceleration when the car running under the one-pedal mode control on an ordinary road is turned to the right or turned around the right or when turned to the left or turned around the left. By setting as described above, when the car is turned to the left at an intersection without traffic signals, for example, at an intersection with a stop sign in a country or an area where the navigable lane is regulated on the left, the car often needs to be speedy turned to the right by passing between cars running on the opposite lane while securing safety. In that case, it is safer to turn to the left if the control unit changes the mode to the preset acceleration for left turning when the car is turned to the left, as in the present invention. On the other hand, when the car is turned to the right in a country or an area where the navigable lane is regulated on the right, it is safer to turn to the left if the control unit changes the mode to the preset acceleration for right or left turning.
It is preferable that the timing of the control unit changing the set acceleration is the time when a switch of a blinker is switched on to each of the turning directions. By doing so, the acceleration can be changed only at that time by simple operation of the driver.
Further, in the present invention, in a case where the control unit judges during running that braking operation of the self-car is necessary due to occurrence of some event, the control unit automatically operates a braking mechanism so as to generate a magnitude of deceleration larger than a minimum necessary magnitude of deceleration within a range not affecting health of passengers of the car if a driver does not make any braking operation within a preset time period from occurrence of the judgment. By employing the apparatus for controlling run of a car constructed as described above, if the driver neglects braking operation when the braking operation is required, or if the braking operation is delayed, a warning can be made on the driver by giving a light shock by generating a magnitude of deceleration larger than a minimum necessary magnitude of deceleration within a range not affecting health of the driver. Thereby, the driver will not feel like having such operation of the apparatus any more, and the driver, accordingly, comes to not neglect braking operation. This results in improvement of safety.
Further, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car which further comprises a remaining fuel quantity measuring means for measuring a quantity of remaining fuel; and a road inclination measuring means for measuring an inclination of a road based on a difference between a measured result of the remaining fuel quantity measuring means measured at a position of horizontal road and a measured result of the remaining fuel quantity measuring means at present time. Thereby, there is no need to newly add a sensor for measuring inclination by measuring an inclination of a road using a remaining fuel meter attached to any car, which can prevent cost increase. A driving force and a braking force necessary for controlling the car can be calculated using the inclination measured as described above.
Further, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car further comprising an inclination measuring means for measuring an inclination of a road; a gear position calculating means for calculating a gear position at braking using an auxiliary baking means based on the inclination of the road measured by the inclination measuring means, and a speed, characteristic data of a power source, a present gear position and an acceleration of the car; and an auxiliary brake braking force calculating means for calculating a braking force by an auxiliary brake means based on a calculated result of the gear position calculating means, wherein when a braking force is generated corresponding to an operating amount or an operating force of the first pedal, a shortage quantity of braking force of only the auxiliary brake means is generated using a main brake means after the time when a target braking force becomes larger than a calculated result of the auxiliary brake braking force calculating means. Thereby, when the driver steps on the first pedal in order to perform braking operation, frequency of using the friction brake can be reduced and accordingly the burden acting on the brake pads can be reduced if the braking force is within a range of the braking force capable of being generated by the engine brake. At the same time, an amount of fuel consumption can be suppressed because fuel is not injected during engine braking.
Further, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus for controlling run of a car further comprising a road inclination measuring means for measuring an inclination of a road; and a braking force holding means for holding a braking force, wherein braking force held at stopping the car is increased larger as an absolute value of the inclination of road is larger when the car is stopped, and the braking force is held by the braking force holding means even if the operating amount or the operating force of the first pedal is decreased until the car is restarted. Thereby, the car can be safely started without moving backward until the car is restarted because the brake oil pressure is maintained when the car is stopped, for example, when the car is stopped on an ascending slope even if the stepping amount of the first pedal is decreased.
Further, the present invention is characterized by that the braking force holding means eliminates the held braking force when a speed-change mode selecting means is changed from a driving mode to a parking mode. Even in a case where the car is stopped on an ascending slope and the braking force is held as described above, if the mode is changed from the driving mode to the parking mode, the car can not be moved backward because the gear is locked. Therefore, in that case, the braking force is released. By doing so, the energy used for the braking can be saved.
Further, the present invention is characterized by that the braking force holding means eliminates the held braking force when a speed-change mode selecting means is changed to a driving mode. When the car is stopped on an ascending slope, it is considered that the car is stopped by using a side brake without setting the parking mode. At that time, the braking force is being maintained during parking. In that case, the car can be safely started by setting the held braking force so as to be released when the mode is changed to the driving mode.
Further, the present invention is characterized by that the speed-change mode selecting means is changed to the driving mode in order to starting the car, a driving force is generated so that the car is moved down backward if it is judged from a measured result of the inclination measuring means that the car is stopped on an ascending road. When the car is stopped on a steep ascending slope and restarted just after releasing the held braking force by loosening stepping of the first pedal, it is considered that the car is sometimes moved backward due to a time lag until the driving force is transmitted, which is dangerous. In that case, if the mode is switched to the driving mode and at the same time the throttle is modified corresponding to the inclination, as in the present invention, the car can safely restarted without being moved backward because a driving force enough to prevent the car from moving backward is generated even if stepping of the pedal is loosened.
Further, the present invention is characterized by the apparatus for controlling run of a car further comprising a friction member temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature of a friction member of a main brake means; and a target braking force modifying means for modifying a target braking force based on the temperature of the friction member measured by the friction member temperature measuring means.
Thereby, the braking force of the main braking means can be appropriately generated based on the temperature of the friction member of the main braking means, and accordingly a stable braking force can be obtained irrespective of the temperature.

Apparatus for controlling run of a car, and car using the apparatus


There is provided an imaging apparatus including: a determination unit configured to determine presence or absence of an object in front of an imaging lens on the basis of first sensing data; and a decision unit configured to decide a behavior related to imaging processing through the imaging lens, on the basis of a result of the determination by the determination unit.

The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging control method, and a computer program.
A technology has been disclosed in which a user present in the periphery of a screen is detected using a proximity sensor, and processing of a user interface displayed on the screen is performed according to the detection of the user (e.g., see JP 2013-145451A).

Imaging apparatus, imaging control method, and computer program


An electrophotographic toner composition comprising toner particles containing at least a colorant, a binder resin and an additive, and an image formation method using the toner composition are disclosed, wherein said additive is an additive prepared by surface-treating titanium dioxide fine particles having less than 0.2% by weight of a water-soluble content with a surface treating agent by a wet process. The toner composition is excellent in chargeability, environmental stability of charging, toner admixing properties, and durability. The toner composition hardly adheres to a contact charging member and, even if it does, it causes no reduction in charging performance of the contact charging member and provides a satisfactory image.

Generally employed electrophotographic developers for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photoreceptor include one-component developers comprising a toner prepared by melt-kneading a binder resin, such as polystyrene, a styrene-butadiene copolymer or polyester, and a colorant or a dye, e.g., carbon black or Phthalocyanine Blue, followed by grinding and two-component developers composed of the toner and a carrier having approximately the same particle size as the toner or a particle size of up to 500 .mu.m, such as glass beads, iron particles, nickel particles, ferrite particles, etc. which may be coated with a resin.
When used as such, these developers are insufficient in performance properties, such as preservability (antiblocking properties), fluidity, developing properties, transfer properties, and charging properties, Therefore, external additives for improving these characteristics are often added to the toner. External additives proposed to date include hydrophobic silica fine powder (see JP-A-52-30437, the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"), silica fine powder combined with aluminum oxide or titanium dioxide fine powder (see JP-A-60-238847), gas-phase-processed titanium dioxide having been rendered hydrophobic (see JP-A-59-52255), anatase titanium dioxide (see JP-A-60-112052), and aluminum oxide-coated titanium dioxide (see JP-A-57-79961). It has also been suggested to subject an inorganic compound proposed as an external additive to a surface treatment as exemplified by titanium dioxide fine particles having been surface-treated with a coupling agent as disclosed in JP-A-4-40467 and JP-A-4-348354.
Electrophotographic image formation basically consists of charging of a photoreceptor made of, for example, selenium, cadmium sulfide, zinc oxide, amorphous silicon, an organic photoconductor, etc., exposure to light, development, transfer, fixing, and cleaning. Of these processes, the conventional charging process is mostly carried out by applying a high voltage (DC 5 to 8 kV) to a metallic wire(s) to induce a corona discharge. The corona discharge involves the following disadvantages. Corona discharge products, such as ozone and NO.sub.x, denature the surface of a photoreceptor to cause image blurs or deterioration of the photoreceptor, and contamination of the wire gives adverse influences on image quality, causing image defects, such as white spots or black streaks. Further, a corona discharger is of low efficiency because most of the corona current passes through a grounding shielding plate with only 5 to 30% of the corona current being supplied to a photoreceptor.
In order to overcome these problems associated with corona discharge, the latest studies have been directed to contact charge using no corona discharger as described in JP-A-63-208881, JP-A-1-179578 and JP-A-64-73365. The charging process by contact charge is carried out by applying a direct voltage (V.sub.DC) and an alternating voltage (V.sub.AC) to a charging member, e.g., a conductive elastic roller, and bringing the charging member with an applied pulsating current (V.sub.DC +V.sub.AC) into contact with the surface of a photoreceptor to uniformly charge the photoreceptor to a prescribed potential.
Addition of a hydrophobic fine powder, such as silica fine powder, which is often used as an external additive to a toner, achieves considerable improvements in preservability, fluidity, developing properties, transfer properties, and the like. However, the hydrophobic fine powder, when added in an amount sufficient to exhibit desired improvements, adversely affects the charging properties of the toner. That is, of various charging properties required including quantity of charge, charging speed, distribution of charge, toner admixing properties, and environmental stability of charging, the charging speed, charge distribution, toner admixing properties, and environmental charging stability are adversely influenced by addition of silica, etc.
On the other hand, the combined use of alumina or titanium dioxide fine particles with silica fine powder in an attempt to improve the charging speed, charge distribution, toner admixing properties, and environmental charging stability gives rise to a problem that the quantity of charge attained is appreciably reduced. Moreover, the tolerance of a toner for these additives for satisfying the above-mentioned various charging properties is very narrow, and the achieved improving effects are not sufficient. In particular, environmental stability of charge quantity is still inferior.
Since the conventional gas-phase-processed rutile titanium dioxide or anatase titanium dioxide as non-treated are hardly charged, they must be coated with, e.g., alumina, or made hydrophobic by treating with a coupling agent for use as an additive for a toner. However, alumina-treated titanium dioxide particles are not always prevented effectively from agglomeration, and also their dispersibility in toner particles is unsatisfactory. Further, coupling agent-treated hydrophobic titanium dioxide particles are effective to some extent to improve charging properties but still insufficient.
While hydrophobic additives are generally prepared by a surface treatment with a silane coupling agent, those in which a hydroxyl group on the surface of silica particles is reacted with a silanol group derived from a silane coupling agent do not have sufficient hydrophobic nature and still need improvements in rise, uniformity and stability of charge and toner fluidity.
It is also known to effect charging by making use of the polarity of the treating agents. For example, a toner containing an aminosilane-treated metal oxide powder exhibits strong positive chargeability as disclosed in JP-A-52-135739 and JP-A-56-123550. However, aminosilane, being hydrophilic, aminosilane causes changes of toner fluidity or chargeability with time under a high temperature and high humidity condition.
Toners containing both aminosilane and a metal oxide powder having been rendered hydrophobic are proposed in JP-A-58-216252, JP-A-63-73271, and JP-A-63-73272, but they need improvements in rise and stability of charge and toner fluidity.
JP-A-60-93455 teaches a method for obtaining a negatively chargeable toner, in which an inorganic fine powder is surface-treated with a fluorine-substituted silane coupling agent having a negative polar group so that the chargeability of the polar group present on the surface of the inorganic fine powder is utilized for increasing the charge level of the toner. According to this technique, the resulting toner surely secures an increased charge level but is still unsatisfactory in terms of rise and stability of charge and toner fluidity. The publication refers to the particular case of obtaining negative chargeability by using no charge control agent or by using a reduced amount of a polyester resin as a binder resin of toner particles because the polyester resin per se possesses negative chargeability. Nevertheless, such a toner has a disadvantage of large dependence of chargeability on the environment, i.e., a great difference in quantity of charge between a high temperature and high humidity condition and a low temperature and low humidity condition. The disadvantage is especially conspicuous when a pigment other than carbon black is used as a colorant.
While not clear, the negative chargeability of a polyester resin seems attributed to the polar carbonyl ester group thereof. The chargeability of this polar group is susceptible to influences of changes in temperature and humidity, and the same applies where a polyester resin is used in a toner. Further, even if a charge control agent be added to a polyester resin, such cannot bring about any appreciable effect of reducing the variation of chargeability with changes in temperature and humidity. Thus, conventional toners containing a polyester resin as a binder resin fail to satisfy the requirements, such as environmental stability of charging properties.
On the other hand, where the above-mentioned contact charge is applied to electrophotography using a conventional toner composition, it turned out that residual trace amounts of toner particles and a released external additive, etc. on a photoreceptor after cleaning are deposited on the contact charging member, ultimately resulting in occurrence of image defects.

Electrophotographic toner composition and image formation method using the same


A novel and improved automatic gain control (AGC) circuit which is ideally suited for use with sound systems which are operated in a very large environment, such as a supermarket or auditorium. The preferred embodiment of the circuit comprises first and second input channels and a single output channel. The first input channel is a feedback signal provided by a microphone which is placed near one of the speakers of the sound system. The second input channel receives a music signal which is being played by the sound system. The output of the circuit is a music signal which has a constant ratio relative to the noise detected in the environment. Constant power ratio operation of the system is achieved through the use of logarithmic processing of the signals in each of the respective input channels. Control circuitry is provided to maintain the gain level of the system at a constant level during periods of time when no music is present on the second input channel.

In situations where sound systems are being used in noisy environments, the audibility of the sound system often suffers from ambient noise level fluctuations due to change in the activity level with the room environment. One common solution to this problem is for an individual to adjust the volume of the sound system according to a subjective evaluation of the level of ambient noise in the environment. This approach works well when the information content of the broadcast is low, as is often the case in background music systems. However, in foreground systems where announcements or commercials are being broadcast, the information content is higher and it is of paramount importance for individuals to hear the program material regardless of background noise level. Human control of the volume of the sound system is generally inadequate to insure proper control of a sound system for use in such a foregoing information system. Furthermore, human control is generally inadequate in environments where the ambient noise may change by a significant amount during the period of a day.
One solution to the above described problems is the use of an "automatic gain control" (AGC) device to maintain the volume of the sound system at the desired level. In theory, AGCs maintain constant audibility by automatically adjusting the sound level to compensate for the daily fluctuations of ambient noise in the environment. One of the common problems in prior art AGCs, however, is a phenomenon termed "runaway," a condition where the sound volume increases to a level that is high enough to become intolerable. The most significant contributing factor to runaway is the dependence of prior art AGCs on signal level and bandwidth.
Many prior art techniques have been proposed for automatically adjusting the volume of a sound system according to the level of ambient noise in the environment. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,442, a technique is described whereby a portion of the signal input to the loudspeaker is used in conjunction with a signal derived from a microphone channel to maintain a sound level that is a constant ratio to the noise volume. Mathematical analysis of this particular technique, however, indicates that the gain adjusting effect of the circuit is dependent upon the signal itself, thus indicating the creating of a runaway condition under certain circumstances of signal and noise. In another approach, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,934,084 and 3,934,085 describe a technique whereby the absence of an input signal is detected and, during the interval of silence, the ambient noise is sampled by a microphone channel. The gain of the input signal channel is increased or decreased according to the resulting noise measurement in preparation for the next input signal.
Other techniques for automatic gain control, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,247,955; 4,476,571; 4,553,257; and 4,641,344 provide various means for overcoming shortfalls associated with car radio and stereo systems with regard to varying ambient noise conditions. In most of these techniques, it is assumed that the noise is sampled in a frequency band that is separated from the information band either naturally or with the help or filtering, so that the operation of the circuit is not affected by the signal characteristics.
Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,237 provides a means for a variable slope control, whereby the sound level is increased as a function of ambient noise, depending upon the magnitude of the means noise level. Finally, another technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,526 in which noise and signal are both detected in a microphone channel and then compared to the signal channel. The degree of similarity is then derived by forming comparisons of the slopes of the envelopes of the two channels. The degree of similarity is used to determine the amount of ambient noise present, which leads to an automatic adjustment of the signal volume.
To operate properly, an AGC should be designed to maintain a constant power ratio of signal to noise. The AGC provided by the present invention, as described in greater detail below, advances the state of the art by providing an automatic gain control system which is capable of maintaining a constant power ratio of signal to noise, thus maintaining audible levels of program material without being susceptible to runaway.

Constant power ratio automatic gain control


A table that is stowable and deployable from a seatback of a passenger seat includes a substantially planar food tray with a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The tray is stowed in a substantially vertical position with the first surface facing a seated passenger. The stowed tray is held in position with a moveable switch engaged against the first surface. A device for stowing and deploying the tray is mounted on the second surface. A pair of legs is mounted to the device. Each leg has a first end attached to the device and a second end attached to the seat. Upon turning the switch clear of the first surface, the device slidably urges the first surface from its stowed position to a deployed, substantially horizontal position, with the first surface facing upwards.

This invention relates generally to embodiments of a passenger seat food tray.
Existing food trays for airplanes are stowed in a recess of a seatback of an airplane. When stowed, a top surface of the tray faces inwardly toward the seatback. Thus, the top surface of the tray is inaccessible to airline personnel who clean airplanes. To clean a tray, airline personnel must unhinge the tray, lower the tray, clean the tray, and re-stow the tray. This cycle of unhinging, lowering, cleaning, and re-stowing each tray decreases efficiency of an airplane cleaning operation. These inefficient cleaning operations cost airlines time and money when turning an airplane around for receiving a next set of passengers.
Thus, there is an unmet need in the art for a food tray that can be rapidly wiped down and cleaned while the tray is stowed, thereby avoiding unnecessary steps and lost time spent unhinging and lowering the food tray for cleaning and re-stowing the food tray after it has been cleaned.
According to an aspect of the invention, a table is stowable and deployable from a seatback of a passenger seat. The table includes a substantially planar food tray with a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The tray is stowed in the seatback in a substantially vertical position with the first surface facing outward towards a seated passenger, thereby permitting easy access cleaning of the first surface while in the stowed position. The vertically stowed tray is held in position with a moveable switch engaged against the first surface. A positioning means is mounted on the second surface which operates in stowing and deploying the tray. A pair of legs is attached to the positioning means, each leg having a first attached to the positioning means, and a second end attached to the seat. Upon turning the moveable switch clear of the first surface, the positioning means slidably urges the first surface from its stowed, substantially vertical position, to a deployed, substantially horizontal position, with the first surface facing upwards.
According to another aspect of the invention, a table is fitted with a means for rapidly detaching the tray for maintenance or replacement. A table is stowable and deployable from a seatback of a passenger seat. The table includes a substantially planar food tray with a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The tray is stowed in the seatback in a substantially vertical position with the first surface facing outward towards a seated passenger, thereby permitting easy access for cleaning the first surface while in the stowed position. The vertically stowed tray is held in position with a moveable switch engaged against the first surface. A positioning means which operates in stowing and deploying the tray is mounted on the second surface. A pair of legs to the positioning means is attached a pair of legs, each leg having a first end attached to the positioning means, and a second end attached to the seat. Upon turning the moveable switch clear of the first surface, the positioning means slidably urges the first surface from its stowed, substantially vertical position, to a deployed, substantially horizontal position, with the first surface facing upwards. The means to rapidly detach the tray for maintenance or replacement includes a quick release mechanism that detaches the tray from and reattaches the tray to the pair of legs.
According to another aspect of the invention a table is substantially unaffected by seatback tilting caused by a forward seated passenger. A table is stowable and deployable from the seatback of the passenger seat. The table includes a substantially planar food tray with a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The tray is stowed in the seatback in a substantially vertical position with the first surface facing outward towards a seated passenger, thereby permitting easy access for cleaning the first surface while in the stowed position. The vertically stowed tray is held in position with a moveable switch engaged against the first surface. To the second surface is mounted a positioning means which operates in stowing and deploying the tray. A positioning means which operates in stowing and deploying the tray is mounted on the second surface. A pair of legs, each leg having a first end attached to the positioning means, and a second end attached to a stationary region of the seat, is attached to the positioning means. Upon turning the moveable switch clear of the first surface, the positioning means slidably urges the first surface from its stowed, substantially vertical position to a deployed, substantially horizontal position, with the first surface facing upwards. The deployed, substantially horizontal position is substantially unaffected by tilting caused by the forward seated passenger. A means for rapidly detaching the tray for maintenance or replacement is provided, and includes a quick release mechanism. The quick release mechanism detaches the tray from and reattaches the tray to the pair of legs.


The present invention relates to a catalyst for coating a surface of a porous material and a method of treating the surface of the porous material. More particularly, when the catalyst for coating a surface of a porous material and the method of treating the surface of the porous material of the present invention are used for butadiene synthesis reaction under high gas space velocity and high pressure conditions, heat generation may be easily controlled and differential pressure may be effectively alleviated, thereby providing improved reactant conversion rate and product selectivity.

1,3-Butadiene is used as an intermediate in producing petrochemical products and demand therefor and value thereof are gradually increasing throughout the world. Such 1,3-butadiene is produced by naphtha cracking, direct dehydrogenation of butene, oxidative dehydrogenation of butene, or the like. However, since a naphtha cracking process has high energy consumption due to high reaction temperature and a problem that other basic oils other than 1,3-butadiene are produced in a surplus because the process is not highly selective for 1,3-butadiene. In addition, direct dehydrogenation of n-butene is not only thermodynamically disadvantageous, but also requires high-temperature and low-pressure conditions for the production of 1,3-butadiene with high yield due to being an endothermic reaction. Accordingly, direct dehydrogenation of n-butene is not suitable for industrial production of 1,3-butadiene.
Meanwhile, oxidative dehydrogenation of butene is a reaction in which butene and oxygen react with each other in the presence of a metal oxide catalyst to produce 1,3-butadiene and water. Since stable water is produced by the reaction, the reaction is thermodynamically advantageous. In addition, oxidative dehydrogenation of butene is exothermic, unlike direct dehydrogenation of butene, 1,3-butadiene may be obtained in a high yield even at a low reaction temperature as compared to direct dehydrogenation. Further, since oxidative dehydrogenation of butene does not require additional heat supply, it may become an effective stand-alone production process to meet demand for 1,3-butadiene.
However, in synthesis of 1,3-butadiene through oxidative dehydrogenation, heat is excessively generated due to oxidation reaction of producing COx which is a side reaction, an increase in an internal temperature of a catalyst bed due to heat generation may accelerate oxidation reaction of producing COx and the speed of side reaction of producing heavies. In this case, it is difficult to control to heat with filled-type pellets, and differential pressure increases.
Therefore, there is a need for development of a filled-type metal oxide catalyst that is used for oxidative dehydrogenation of butene and is capable of maintaining a high conversion rate by controlling heat generation and alleviating differential pressure under conditions of high gas space velocity (GHSV) and high pressure.

Catalyst for coating surface of porous material and method of treating surface of porous material


A technique for optical fiber management in a chassis-based network system involves using a blind mating optical interface at the back of a line card and an optical transceiver interface that is accessible from the front of the line card. The blind mating optical interface and the transceiver interface are optically connected by an optical signal path that includes and optical fiber. When the line card is secured within a compatible chassis, the blind mating optical interface of the line card connects to a blind mating optical interface of the chassis and creates an optical connection between an external optical fiber and the transceiver interface.

Network systems such as switches and routers often consist of a chassis and multiple removable line cards. The line cards are customized to perform specific functions such as control, switch, and interface functions. The line cards slide into "slots" of the chassis and communicate between each other through a backplane. Line cards that perform interface functions often include electrical and/or optical interfaces that allow the network system to be connected via electrical wires or optical fibers to other network system. In order to increase the capacity of the network system, it is often desirable to increase the density of interfaces on each line card. For example, a single line card may include eight, sixteen, or thirty-two different optical interfaces that are connected at the front panel of the line card. These optical interfaces are either individually connected to the front panel of the line card at individual interfaces or connected to the front panel by parallel connectors if the corresponding optical fibers are bundled into parallel optical fiber bundles (also known as "ribbon cables").
When optical fibers are individually connected to the front panel of a line card, each of the optical fibers must be individually disconnected to remove the line card from the chassis. Disconnecting and connecting each individual optical fiber is a time consuming and error prone process. When the optical fibers are connected to a line card by a ribbon fiber, it is impossible to individually disconnect a single fiber. Because a single fiber cannot be individually disconnected, multiple fibers must be disconnected to service or test any single port of the line card.
In view of the above-described concerns, what is needed is an optical fiber management technique for a chassis-based network system that is easy to use and that is compatible with parallel optical fiber bundles.

Optical fiber management in a chassis-based network system


Apparatus for marking a preselected reference point on the water surface of a lake having a bottom surface comprising a float member with parallel top and bottom surfaces and two sides defining a cradle for holding a plurality of turns of fine line. The float member further includes at least one weight receiving recess in the top or bottom, a central bore and a line attaching rod member extending perpendicularly through the bore. A weight member is provided having a preselected shape permitting the snug positioning thereof in the recess. A preselected length of fine line is connected at one end to the rod and at the other end to the weight member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to float apparatus which may be anchored on the bottom of a lake so as to mark a particular or preselected reference point such as a "hot" fishing spot.
2. Description of Prior Art
Fishermen have long used various floats such as pieces of wood and empty bottles or jugs tethered by a line and weight over a preselected reference point on the lake bottom so that the float member floats on the surface to provide a visual signal to the fisherman concerning such preselected reference point.


A method for reducing call dropping rates in a multi-beam communication system. The multi-beam communication system includes a user terminal, a gateway, and a plurality of beam sources, where each beam source projects a plurality of beams, and where a communication link between the user terminal and the gateway is established on one or more beams. The method according to the present invention relies on a messaging protocol between the gateway and the user terminal. Based on messages sent from the user terminal to the gateway, preferably on a preselected periodic basis, the gateway can determine the more desirable beam(s) for transmitting data or information to the user terminal. The messages sent from the user terminal to the gateway contain values representing beam strengths as measured at the user terminal. The gateway uses the user terminal measured beam strengths to select the beams that should be used for transmitting data or information to the user terminal. The beams that should be used are the beams that if used will decrease the call dropping rates and provide a desired level of beam source diversity.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless communications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for reducing call dropping rates in a wireless communication system having multiple beam communication links.
II. Related Art
There are a variety of wireless communication systems having multiple beam communication links. A satellite-based communication system is one such example. Another example is a cellular communication system. A satellite-based communication system includes one or more satellites to relay communications signals between gateways (also referred to as "communication stations" or "base stations") and user terminals. Gateways provide communication links for connecting a user terminal to other user terminals or users of other communications systems, such as a public telephone switching network. User terminals can be fixed or mobile, such as a mobile telephone, and positioned near a gateway or remotely located.
A satellite can receive signals from and transmit signals to a user terminal provided the user terminal is within the "footprint" of the satellite. The footprint of a satellite is the geographic region on the surface of the earth covered by the satellite communication system. In some satellite systems, a satellite's footprint is geographically divided into "beams," through the use of beam forming antennas. Each beam covers a particular geographic region within a satellite's footprint.
Some satellite communications systems employ code division multiple access (CDMA) spread-spectrum signals, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307, issued Feb. 13, 1990, entitled "Spread Spectrum Multiple Access Communication System Using Satellite or Terrestrial Repeaters," and U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,174, which issued Nov. 25, 1997, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Using Full Spectrum Transmitted Power in a Spread Spectrum Communication System for Tracking Individual Recipient Phase Time and Energy," both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and are incorporated herein by reference.
In communication systems employing CDMA, separate communication links are used to transmit communication signals to and from a gateway or base station in a cellular system. A forward communication link refers to communication signals originating at the gateway or base station and transmitted to a user terminal. A reverse communication link refers to communication signals originating at a user terminal and transmitted to the gateway or base station. In situations where satellite diversity is desired, the gateway establishes two or more forward links for a given user terminal, where each forward link is established on a beam from a different satellite. For example, in a two satellite diversity configuration a first forward link is established on a beam projected by a first satellite and a second forward link is established on a beam projected by a second satellite. In the above example, the user terminal receives information or data from the gateway on both the first and second beam. Satellite diversity provides increased system performance because fewer communication links or calls will likely be dropped. For example, if the beam carrying the first forward link is blocked by an obstruction (such as, a tall building), the connection between the user terminal and gateway will continue uninterrupted on the second forward link. The user will be unaware of the beam blockage. Consequently, beam source diversity is commonly desired in a multi-beam communication system.
In a satellite-based communications system where the satellites are not stationary with respect to a point on the surface of the earth, the geographic area covered by a given satellite is constantly changing. As a result, a user terminal that was at one time positioned within a particular beam of a particular satellite can at a later time be positioned within a different beam of the same satellite and/or within a different beam of a different satellite. Furthermore, because satellite communication is wireless, a user terminal is free to move about. Thus, even in systems where the satellites are stationary with respect to a point on the surface of the earth, it is likely that over time a user terminal will be covered by different beams. Consequently, if a communication link between a user terminal and a gateway is established on a first beam and the communication link is not established on other beams prior to the user terminal no longer being covered by the first beam, then, at some point, the user terminal will no longer be able to communicate with the gateway using the established communication link. As a result, an active call between the user terminal and the gateway will be dropped. Dropping calls in a communication system is a serious problem for service providers who strive to provide uninterrupted communication services. A similar call dropping problem may occur for mobile users moving around in sectored cells in terrestrial communication systems. That is, where the cells are subdivided into two or more smaller service areas which are covered at differing frequencies or using different code spaces. Here, mobile users may travel along or repeatedly cross sector boundaries within a cell, depending on such factors as cell and sector size and local physical environment.
What is, therefore, needed is a system and method for reducing call dropping rates in a multi-beam communication system. The system and method should maintain a desired level of beam source diversity to further enhance the reliability of the communication system.

System and method for reducing call dropping rates in a multi-beam communication system


A method for phase matching matches a relative phase of a first element and a second element by detecting a magnetic flux. The method provides a magnetic flux generator to generate the magnetic flux. The method also provides a magnetic sensor in order to detect the magnetic flux. According to the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic sensor, the relative position of the first element and the second element is adjusted until the magnetic flux reaches a predetermined value, which means that the phase of the first element and that of the second element are matched.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for phase matching, and more particularly, to a method for phase matching between a first element and a second element by detecting a magnetic flux.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In industry, many electronic products or mechanical products contain some devices or elements that need to be fine-tuned under different situations and applications in order to optimize the performance of the product. In actual applications of fine-tuning, screws are usually chosen as a preferred medium. This is because screws have the advantages of simplicity of structure and low cost. And most importantly, a screw has the characteristic of transferring a rotational phase variation along a vertical axis of its body into a positional variation along the vertical axis with respect to an object where the screw is installed. By designing the distance between threads (or pitch) of a screw, the ratio of the phase variation with respect to the positional variation can be set as a large value, which means, when the screw rotates along a vertical axis of its body with a large phase variation, the relative positional variation will have a rather small quantity. If the phase variation is used as a fine-tuning mechanism (for example, by rotating the screw with a screwdriver), and the positional variation is related to a status variation of a device or an element of mechanical or electrical design that needs to be tuned (for example, a vertical displacement of a rod, or a resistance of a variable resistor), a very precise fine-tuning process can be achieved through the above setting. According to the characteristics of screws mentioned above, screws are quite suitable for fine-tuning applications.
The relationship between a screw and a screwdriver used for rotating the screw is described as follows. The screw will receive a torque along an axis given by the screwdriver to perform the phase variation, and this usually depends on the geometrical shape of a recess of the screw being matched with the geometrical shape of a screw bit of the screwdriver. Due to the nature of the recess of an ordinary screw (usually a cross-shaped recess or a slotted recess), before the screwdriver can have a perfect match with the screw and start to actually give a torque to the screw and successfully change its phase, the screwdriver has to rotate with an angle such that the relative position of the bit and the recess match. But, since the relative positions of screws and the screwdriver before every matching process are different, the angle rotated has an unpredictable value. This situation causes great trouble for an assembly line executed fine-tuning process with an automatic controlling program. In an assembly line procedure when a device is set to be fine-tuned to a certain degree, and the fine-tuning process is implemented through a certain phase variation of a screw in the device made by a screwdriver, the above-mentioned unpredictability of the angle then becomes an error factor of the fine-tuning process. The automatic controlling program is not able to determine the angle deviation and cannot compensate for it with the rotation of the screwdriver, causing error in the actual tuning result from the expected tuning degree. This error is usually, for a fine-tuning process, unacceptable. According to the prior art, in order to alleviate problems caused by this fine-tuning error, screws having more slots in their recesses (for example, six slots or more) are usually used for reducing the unpredictable angle so as to reduce the error. Alternatively, screws with a sophisticated recess structure along with corresponding screwdrivers are designed to perform a series of mechanical matching procedures that can insure the transfer of the torque on the screw from the very beginning of the rotation of the screwdriver.
However, screws having more slots in their recesses or screws with sophisticated recess structures are not easily obtained. Additional custom-made assembly lines are needed and the manufacturing processes are more complicated than ordinary screws, so costs of these screws are high. Additionally, screws having more slots in their recesses do not even fully eliminate the error but rather reduce it to an acceptable range. They are not the ideal fine-tuning tools for mass production assembly lines.

Method for phase matching by detecting magnetic flux


A burner assembly for a cooking hob includes a gas burner portion having a lower housing and a burner housing assembled with and supported by the lower housing. The burner housing defines a gas distribution path open at least on an outer surface of the burner housing through a plurality of outlets. A central region of the gas burner portion is defined by an opening within the burner housing and is at least partially enclosed beneath the gas burner portion by the lower housing. The burner assembly further includes a first electric heating element disposed beneath a portion of the lower housing within the central region of the gas burner portion.

The present device generally relates to a burner assembly for a cooking appliance. In particular, the burner assembly includes both a gas burner portion and an electric heating element.
Atmospheric gas burners for various cooking appliances, such as ovens, stand-alone cooktops and the like are typically able to operate within a range of about 10:1 from the high-end output to the low-end output thereof. For some generally larger variations of such burners with a maximum output in the range of about 18,000 BTU/hr, for example, a low-end operating range of about 1,800 BTU/hr may, thus be achievable. Such a range, however, may still be excessive for some cooking operations, such as simmering or working with "sensitive" foods. As one solution, so-called dual-crown burners have been developed that include a secondary, smaller gas burner nested within the larger burner. Such small gas burners are capable of providing a low operating range, but may be susceptible to being blown out by ambient air movement and may require complicated valves and/or plumbing for operation thereof.


A storage solution to maintain and perfuse organs awaiting transplantation comprising (a) an isotonic balanced solution comprising a physiologically acceptable amount of potassium, mono acidic phosphate, biacidic phosphate, chloride, sodium and bicarbonate ions; (b) 50-250 mM glucose; (c) 0.2-20 mM of an alkanoyl L-carnitine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof; (d) 1-100 mM of L-carnitine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof; (e) water is described. The storage solution can also include other components such as anti-oxidants and/or chelating agents.

In the last 10 years, orthotopic organ transplant has become an irreplaceable therapeutic method for patients having particular, terminal stage organ diseases, such as for example hepatic, cardiac, pancreatic, pulmonary and renal diseases.
However, rejection of the transplanted organ continues to be a substantial problem.
For example, rejection contributes to a mortality rate of 15-25% during the first year after surgery in the case of liver transplantation (Strasberg S. M. et al., Hepatology 1994, 20: 829).
The phases in which the liver for transplantation undergo damage have been determined as:
1) Heat ischemia during the removal from the donor;
2) Cold ischemia during the hypothermic storage phase;
3) Reperfusion of the organ in the recipient;
(Transplantation 53:957-978, 1992).
The basic strategy for the storage of organs for transplantation is that of slowing down the cellular catabolic processes through lowering the temperature of the organ from 37° C. to around 4-6° C. (hypothermia).
Hypothermia lowers the metabolic rate and the rate of hydrolysis catalysed by various intracellular enzymes, but does not completely inhibit cellular metabolism. This can bring about processes which lead to cellular alterations both in the endothelial sinusoidal compartment and in the hepatocytic compartment.
In fact, cooling of the isolated liver without perfusion results in a rapid reduction in ATP and ADP levels (J. Surg. Res. 23:339-347, 1977; Cryobiology 31:441-452, 1994) in as much as the residual energy demands exceed the cellular capacity to generate ATP through anaerobic glycolysis from glycogen reserves, with the consequent accumulation of lactic acid and intracellular acidosis.
The degradation of ATP to ADP and successively to AMP and adenine causes, during hypothermia, an accumulation of hypoxanthine with the concomitant conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase, and is associated with increases in intracellular calcium and protease activation (McCord J. M., N. Engl. J. Med. 1985, 312: 158).
In the reperfusion state, this results in degradation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to uric acid with the production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and oxidative type damage.
Furthermore, the diminished activity of enzymes, such as, for example, the Na/K ATPases results in changes in the conditions of electrolyte balance with consequent water influx and cellular swelling.
In recent years, a direct correlation between ATP content during hypothermic storage of the organ for transplantation, and the success of the transplant in humans has been demonstrated (Hepatology 1988, 8: 471).
To overcome such disadvantages, storage solutions whose composition has been studied to counteract the dangerous effects of anoxic hypothermia (during the storage phase) and of the normothermic reperfusion (during re-implantation phase) are used.
The formulation of such solutions is in continuous evolution to allow the improvement of the vital state of the organ and the increase of preservation times.
Solutions useful for the storage of organs awaiting transplantation are already known.
In Transplantation 2000 Apr. 15; 69(7):1261-5) it is reported that the solution from the University of Wisconsin, known as UW solution, is capable of retarding the catabolic processes and guaranteeing good preservation of the organs awaiting transplantation.
The composition of UW solution is based upon a pharmacological strategy, which intends to:    1) favour the re-synthesis of ATP through the addition of precursors such as adenine and phosphate;    2) prevent acidosis through the presence of phosphate buffer;    3) inhibit xanthine oxidase activity through allopurinol;    4) minimise the ionic redistribution using a composition similar to that found intracellularly (high K+); and above all    5) prevent cellular swelling through osmotic pressure, through the addition of lactobionate, raffinose and high molecular weight colloids, such as starch.
The basic strategy of this composition is however empirical, and it has been hypothesised that the effect could derive from a phenomenon known as "sum of protections" (Southard J. H. et al., Transplantation 1990, 49: 251).
In Transplant Proc. 1999; August; 31(5):2069-70 it is reported that the Celsior solution is useful for the storage of organs awaiting transplantation.
The saline solution EuroCollins is another known solution, useful for the storage of organs, having the composition reported in the following Table 1.
TABLE 1ConcentrationK2HPO4•3H2O32mMKH2PO415mMKCl15mMNaHCO310mMGlucose194mM
This solution has been considered for many years the standard solution in Europe for the storage of organs, in particular kidneys. Its formulation is based on obtaining an electrolytic composition which simulates the intracellular environment. Further, in this solution, hypertonicity (420 mOsmol) is obtained by the addition of high glucose concentrations (around 190 mM).
The above-cited solutions are not without inconveniences, and have been subject to numerous modifications.
The principal disadvantages shown by UW solution lie in its high viscosity, with consequent possible damage, above all sustained by the endothelial cells, during perfusion of the organ, and in the high cost of each single component whilst remaining unsure as to their indispensability [Transplant Proc. 1999; August; 31(5):2069-70.
Celsior solution presents the disadvantage of not being a suitable solution for liver storage, if compared to solution UW [Transplant. 2000; Oct. 27; 70(8):1140-2].
EuroCollins solution presents numerous disadvantages:    1—has a high glucose concentration which aggravates the problem of acidosis, due to the enormous production of lactate during hypothermic hypoxia;    2—does not prevent cellular swelling during the storage of the organ;    3—is no better than solution UW (Transplantation 2000 Apr. 15; 69(7):1261-5).
The use of carnitines in the medical field is already known.
In Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2001; 71:254-9 the use of L-carnitine for the treatment of cardioplegic ischemia, in isolated rabbit heart is described. This work reports that L-carnitine shows a protective effect on the recovery of cardiac functions in isolated rabbit heart, when this was perfused with whole blood in to which L-carnitine had been added.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for storage and perfusion of organs using a solution comprising L-carnitine and isovaleryl L-carnitine

Sigma—Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite, S.p.A.


A method and apparatus for producing radiant heat in which a mixture of fuel and primary combustion oxidant is introduced into a combustion chamber having a heat radiating wall, which mixture has less than a stoichiometric requirement for complete combustion of the fuel, and igniting the mixture, forming heated partial combustion products. At least a portion of the heat in the heated partial combustion products is transferred to the heat radiating wall. The heated partial combustion products are passed from the combustion chamber into an exhaust gas plenum disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber. A secondary combustion oxidant is introduced into the exhaust gas plenum in an amount sufficient to complete combustion of the partial combustion products, forming exhaust gases. Heat in the exhaust gases is transferred to the primary combustion oxidant disposed in a combustion oxidant plenum disposed adjacent to said exhaust gas plenum.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to indirect radiant heaters, in particular, indirect flat radiant panel heaters. This invention relates to liquid and gaseous fuel flat radiant panel heaters which are self-recuperating and which produce low and ultra-low NOx emissions, typically less than about 100 vppm. This invention further relates to an indirect radiant heating apparatus employing flat radiant panel heaters.
2. Description of Related Art
Gas- and oil-fired, indirect radiant heaters are known to those skilled in the art. Typically, such radiant heaters take two forms—radiant tubes in which the heat radiating surface is a tubular structure constructed of suitable materials, and flat radiant panels. When employed in industrial heating applications, such as industrial furnaces and the like, the radiant tube heaters typically extend through the refractory roof, floor and/or sidewalls of the furnaces into the interior space. In contrast thereto, flat radiant panel heaters are a particularly attractive alternative because the compactness of such heaters allows easy installation in the refractory sidewalls, roof and, if necessary, in the furnace hearth. This allows displacement of the conventional refractory walls, refractory roofs and/or refractory hearths and provides a uniform heat flux to all sides of the load with low NOx levels in the combustion products and a high degree of temperature uniformity of the working surface, typically ±18° F. And, because they do not protrude into the interior space of the furnace, such space remains available for displacement by additional product material.
Radiant heaters may be of two designs, an open design in which the products of combustion can come into contact with the load, which, for example, in cases where the load is foodstuffs, may be undesirable, and a closed design in which the products of combustion are exhausted away from the load. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that radiant heaters having a closed design are preferable to those having an open design. One such closed design radiant heater is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,948 to van der Veen.
The radiant heater of U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,948 comprises a closed housing which includes a combustion chamber, a flat radiant panel directed towards the article being heated, which panel forms a boundary of the combustion chamber, and at least one burner in which the combustion process is carried out in two stages, the first stage combustion being carried out external to and upstream of the combustion chamber and the second stage being carried out in the combustion chamber itself. The flame formed by the burner is directed at the radiant panel and gas guiding means are provided for recirculating the flue gases that have been passed along the radiant panel to the first or second combustion stage. It is stated that the contact of the radiant panel with the flue gases results in a cooling of the flue gases and that recirculating these cooled flue gases to the first or second combustion stage results in a cooling of the flame, which, in turn, results in a reduction in the NOx content of the flue gases. Recirculation of the cooled flue gases to the first combustion stage is effected through external recirculation means whereby the flue gases that have passed the radiant panel are mixed with the combustion air being fed to the first stage of the burner. Recirculation of the flue gases to the second stage is effected through internal recirculation in the combustion chamber with the walls of the combustion chamber serving as guiding means. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the use of flue gas recirculation in the described manner adds a substantial degree of complexity to the burner design, particularly since means for recirculating the flue gases to both the first and second stages must be provided.


A transmission structure of a fishing reel includes a housing, a gear transmission set, and a slide block. The gear transmission set includes a handle for rotating an actuating gear which rotates an idler which rotates a drive gear. A locking column is secured in the housing to function as a guide member for guiding movement of the slide block. The slide block is juxtaposed to the actuating gear and the drive gear, thereby reducing the volume. The slide block is secured on the distal end of the spindle of the fishing reel, thereby reducing the volume.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transmission structure of a fishing reel, and more particularly to a transmission structure of a fishing reel, wherein the slide block is juxtaposed to the actuating gear and the drive gear, thereby reducing the volume.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional transmission structure of a fishing reel of the prior art shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing 10, a gear transmission set 11 mounted in the housing 10 and having a gear 12, and a drive rod 13 mounted on a periphery of the gear 12. The drive rod 13 of the gear 12 may slide in a guide groove 15 in a slide 14, so that the slide 14 may move reciprocally to drive a spindle 16 of the fishing reel to move reciprocally. The slide 14 is provided with a guide rod 17, and the inner wall of the housing 10 is provided with a guide slot 18 to mate with the guide rod 17.
However, the conventional transmission structure of a fishing reel of the prior art has the following disadvantages.
1. The slide 14 needs to be provided with a guide rod 17, and the inner wall of the housing 10 needs to be provided with a guide slot 18 to mate with the guide rod 17, thereby increasing cost of fabrication and material.
2. The guide rod 17 and the guide 18 occupy large space, so that the fishing reel has a larger volume.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional transmission structure of a fishing reel.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a transmission structure of a fishing reel, wherein the slide block is juxtaposed to the actuating gear and the drive gear, thereby reducing the volume of the transmission structure of the fishing reel.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a transmission structure of a fishing reel, wherein the slide block is secured on the distal end of the spindle of the fishing reel, thereby reducing the volume of the transmission structure of the fishing reel.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a transmission structure of a fishing reel, wherein the locking column secured in the housing may function as a guide structure for guiding movement of the slide block, thereby reducing the volume of the transmission structure of the fishing reel.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a transmission structure of a fishing reel, comprising:
a housing, a gear transmission set mounted in the housing, a guide member mounted in the housing, and a slide block mounted in the housing, the gear transmission set including a handle secured with an actuating gear for rotating the actuating gear which drives and rotates an idler which meshes with a drive gear to rotate the drive gear, a drive rod eccentrically secured on a periphery of the drive gear to rotate therewith, the drive rod slidably mounted in a guide track formed in the slide block, so that the slide block may be moved reciprocally by actuating of the drive rod, so as to drive a spindle to move reciprocally, wherein:
the guide member is an elongated locking column that may mate with a screw to lock and secure the housing;
the slide block is juxtaposed to the actuating gear and the drive gear, the slide block is slidably mounted on the locking column in the housing, the slide block is secured on a distal end of the spindle, and the slide block is formed with a slide track for receiving the locking column in the housing, so that the slide block may slide on the locking column.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.


A device for thread stitching layers to form a book wherein the stitching apparatus comprises a conveying mechanism for transporting a plurality of open layers in spaced relation to each other, the conveying device transporting the layers with respect to at least one spiral sewing needle which is rotationally driven, the point of the spiral needle penetrating into the layer backs and exiting the layer backs to stitch the layers together in sequence.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of books. More particularly, the present invention relates to the manufacture of sewn books.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
In the manufacture of books, two basic methods of book production have found acceptance: thread stitching of books and flexible binding of books. Both methods have conventional fields of application. The thread stitching method is typically used for the production of high quality books as well as reference books which are heavily stressed during use, that is, typically non-fiction books such as atlases, dictionaries and the like. The method of flexible binding is typically used in the making of inexpensive books such as telephone directories, catalogs and pocket books. Typically, the flexible binding method is used to manufacture books that are not stressed heavily during use.
Generally speaking, it is desirable to manufacture books by the thread stitching method since a book manufactured by the thread stitching method is more durable than one produced by the flexible binding method. However, the flexible binding method is often used instead of the thread stitching method because the thread stitching method is relatively expensive. Thus, the flexible binding method is useful particularly in the bulk production of novels. The novels must have the external presentation of a quality book but since there are no great requirements for its durability, the books are typically made by the flexible binding method. Thus, the heavy reliance on the flexible binding method for the production of books is due at least in part, to the expense of the conventional thread stitching method.
The conventional thread stitching method is carried on in such a manner that the processing speed of the book layers or signatures to form a sewn book is particularly low in comparison to the speed of other processing steps required to form a finished book. Restated, the conventional stitching phase of manufacturing method is much more time consuming than other phases of the manufacturing method such as back rounding, back lining, head banding and case working, the efficiency of which has been considerably improved. Thus, the difference in the processing speed of the stitching of the book layers together and the other steps in the manufacture of the books is enlarged. Because of the speed differential, the layers of the book must be sewn together and the sewn book must be stored and palletized prior to other phases of the manufacturing method.
It is an object of the invention to provide an efficient and economical apparatus for and method of thread stitching of layers or signatures to form a sewn book. Other objects will be apparent from the following description.

Apparatus for thread stitching layers to form a sewn book


An air bag coating composition is obtained by emulsifying (A) an organopolysiloxane containing at least two alkenyl groups each attached to a silicon atom, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing at least three hydrogen atoms each attached to a silicon atom, and (C) a curing catalyst in water in the presence of an emulsifier to form an aqueous silicone emulsion. The composition cures into a coating which firmly adheres to an air bag base fabric and provides a tack-free surface.

For safety, advanced automobiles are now loaded with air bags which are normally folded and stored in the steering wheel, but upon detection of shocks by collision, can be instantaneously inflated between the wheel and the driver to protect the driver from damages. The air bags are generally formed from nylon fabric by coating it with chloroprene rubber. These air bags undesirably have a short life since chloroprene rubber is less resistant against heat and weathering. The air bags are also required to be flame retardant so that they are resistant against a fire and explosion which can break out upon collision of the car. Since chloroprene rubber is less flame retardant, prior art air bags formed from chloroprene rubber-coated fabric are further coated with a flame retardant silicone on surfaces which might be exposed to flame.
Air bags formed from silicone rubber-coated fabric have the advantage of not requiring a flame retardant coating because well-known flame retardants can be blended in the silicone rubber to render the rubber itself flame retardant. Now air bag manufacturers are more interested in silicone rubber coating compositions for this reason and for their heat resistance and weather resistance.
The air bag using silicone rubber-coated fabric is designed so that it is normally folded within the automotive steering wheel, but instantaneously inflated when explosive gas is injected upon collision. On inflation, the coating applied to the air bag fabric is also instantaneously stretched following the air bag fabric. Thus not only the base fabric, but also the coating should be mechanically strong. To this end, the currently available silicone coating compositions use base polymers of relatively high molecular weight which contain curing agents, flame retardants, adhesion aids, reinforcements and other additives therein.
The coating compositions using high molecular weight base polymers, however, are quite difficult to apply to a coating thickness of 40 to 100 .mu.m normally required for air bags using knife coaters, offset roll coaters, gravure coaters or the like. The coating compositions must be diluted with organic solvents to a sufficient viscosity to allow easy coating to base fabric.
However, the use of organic solvents leads to serious problems including the risk of electrostatic ignition and potential hazard to operators' health since organic solvents can be taken into the body by way of inhalation or skin contact. Cured coatings are formed on base fabric by applying an organic solvent diluted liquid of the coating composition and causing the solvent to evaporate off. The evaporated organic solvent must be recovered at any expense since it causes air pollution.
Among means for changing a coating composition to a solventless system, the simplest way is to reduce the degree of polymerization of a base polymer until the viscosity of a coating composition is reduced to a sufficient level to allow for coating by means of a knife coater or the like. However, a coating composition based on a polymer having a lower degree of polymerization forms a cured coating which is somewhat low in mechanical strength so that the coating can crack upon air bag inflation, allowing hot explosive gas to bleed out therethrough.
If the viscosity of a coating composition is reduced too low, the composition will strike through base fabric, typically plain weave fabric of nylon fibers, resulting in a less smooth surface. If the composition on the fabric rear surface is cured as struck-through and then wound up, the coated fabric gives rise to blocking. Additionally, the struck-through composition will adhere to rolls of the coating machine, adversely affecting operating efficiency and outer appearance. It is thus desired to have a silicone rubber coating composition having an adequate viscosity to allow coating without the need for organic solvent for dilution.
Furthermore, conventional silicone rubber coating compositions tend to form cured coatings which are tacky on their surface, also contributing to a blocking problem.


An electronic device including a microprocessor, a circuit generating a clock signal, and memories of both the volatile type and the non-volatile type, incorporates a circuit for generation of a reset signal capable of detecting a stop in the oscillation of said clock signal and generating a logic signal coupled with the reset input of the microprocessor. The circuit monitors the clock signal applied to the device and, if an irregularity is detected, generate a reset signal holding the microprocessor in a safe state. The reset signal is held until the circuit generating the clock signal resumes normal operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit for detecting irregularities in a clock signal of electronic devices containing a microprocessor and non-volatile memory elements.
The present invention concerns specifically two types of electronic device, to wit:
microcontrollers containing EEPROM or FLASH EEPROM non-volatile memories, and PA1 FLASH EEPROM memories using internally a microprocessor for management of the reading, programming and erasing phases.
The following description is given with reference to this field of application only for the purpose of simplifying discussion thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
EEPROM and FLASH EEPROM memories are electrically programmable and erasable memory devices and generally comprise inside them a certain number of electrically programmable but not erasable cells. These cells constitute a small memory matrix termed UPROM (Unerasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) which is programmed by the manufacturer of the integrated circuit during testing of the device and is not visible subsequently to the user.
The UPROM is used mainly by a so-called "redundancy" circuit contained in the memory device. Said circuit permits replacement of the addresses of the rows or columns which are damaged or in any case do not possess the desired characteristics by other rows or columns termed "redundant". By means of the UPROM the manufacturer can also set the memory device configuration by choosing among the various possible configurations provided during designing. This flexibility permits suiting the device to the customer's or market requirements.
It is thus clear that programming these memory cells is entrusted exclusively to the device manufacturer and must not be permitted the user.
However if the FLASH EEPROM is integrated on a microprocessor device or if it contains inside itself a microprocessor for management of the reading, programming and erasure phases it may happen that following occurrence of an irregular situation such as failure of the clock signal, some outputs of the microprocessor are found with random logic levels. This can cause undesired effects in the device such as e.g. programming of one of the UPROM registers and irreversible corruption of the contents thereof.
To reach the high degree of reliability required today of these devices there is a tendency to equip them with circuits designed to prevent or correct any malfunctions thereof or of circuits peripheral thereto. Such malfunctions can occur during normal use of the microcontroller or memory or following incorrect use thereof, e.g. when the correct timings for the signals applied to its inputs are not respected.
In general these circuits have the function of generating a reset signal which reinitializes the microprocessor while holding it in said state until the situation returns to normal.
Generally all electronic devices comprising a microprocessor have a special external reset pin by means of which it is possible to reset the device. Normally this pin, which is connected internally to a so-called "pull-up" resistance, is connected externally to a capacitor of appropriate value so as to hold low the logic level on the reset input until the capacitor is charged. However it may happen that in irregular situations such as e.g. if the device is replaced by another without turning off power to the card the-external capacitor remains charged and the new device is not correctly reset.
For this reason many devices contain a circuit known to those skilled in the art as power-on reset.
The operating principle is quite simple since the circuit output changes state and supplies a reset pulse in response to the mere rise of the supply voltage from zero to a value higher than a certain threshold and typically greater than 2,5 to 3 volts for a 5V power supply.
Generally the reset signal is generated in the microcontroller by the circuit just described and is also transferred to the exterior through a special terminal present in the device. It is thus possible to hold even peripheral circuits interfaced with the device in the reset state.
Although advantageous in certain ways this solution exhibits the following serious shortcoming. If, following a failure in the clock signal generating circuit, said signal is interrupted the power-on reset circuit does not intervene and the microcontroller stops in a random and unpredictable state. There can thus occur irregular situations in the microprocessor which can lead e.g. to writing of one of the UPROM registers and irreversible corruption of its contents.
The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a circuit capable of detecting clock signal irregularities and having structural and functional characteristics such as to allow increasing the reliability level of the device in which it is integrated and thus overcoming the limitations and shortcomings indicated above with reference to the prior art.

Method and circuit for detecting a fault in a clock signal for microprocessor electronic devices including memory elements


A method includes enabling accessing of content via a first device. The access of the content may be suspended in response to receiving a suspending signal associated with a second device coupled to the first device in a communication session. The access of the content may be resumed via at least one of the first device or a third device coupled to the first device in the communication session.

Electronic consumer devices are becoming more advanced with faster processing speed and more complex applications. They are becoming more integrated into daily activities at home or away from the home. Although many of these devices work very well by themselves in certain environments, they still lack capabilities and applications in other environments.