A method of cleaning ink remaining on a photoreceptor web when an error occurs in a printer including a development unit for supplying ink to a rotating photoreceptor web to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor web, a transfer roller for transferring a toner image formed on the photoreceptor web to a sheet of paper, and a cleaning roller installed to clean the transfer roller. When an error occurs, a printing operation is stopped so that the printing cannot be performed. Next, the ink adhering to the photoreceptor web is transferred to the transfer roller by rotating the photoreceptor web a predetermined number of times in a state in which the cleaning roller is separated from the transfer roller and the transfer roller contacts the, photoreceptor web. Then, the ink transferred to the transfer roller is removed in a state in which the cleaning roller contacts the transfer roller. Thus, the time required to remove the polluted ink remaining on the photoreceptor web can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of cleaning the ink remaining on a photoreceptor web when an error occurs in a printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a conventional liquid electrophotographic printer comprising a photoreceptor web 14, a reset device 15, four optical scanning units 16, four development units 17, a drying unit 18, a transfer unit 20, and a cleaning roller 24. The reset device 15 includes an exposure device 15a for removing an electrostatic latent image by emitting light to the photoreceptor web 14, and a charger 15b for charging the photoreceptor web 14 to a predetermined level of electric potential. The optical scanning units 16 each scan information of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) colors to the photoreceptor web 14 circulating by a plurality of rollers 11, 12 and 13. The development units 17 provide ink of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) colors to the photoreceptor web 14 to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor web 14 by the optical scanning units 16.
Each of the development units 17 includes an ink supply container 17f containing ink to be supplied to the photoreceptor web 14 and a development reservoir 17e where the ink dropped from the photoreceptor web 14 is collected and the collected ink can be supplied again to the ink supply container 17f. The development reservoir 17e is provided with a development roller 17a and a brush roller 17b for removing the ink adhering to the development roller 17a. In the development reservoir 17e, there is a squeegee roller 17c for separating liquid carrier, which does not contribute to image forming, of the ink supplied to the photoreceptor web 14 from the photoreceptor web 14, and a plate 17d for collecting the liquid carrier flowing down along the squeegee roller 17c to be stored in the development reservoir 17e. As shown in FIG. 2, to prevent liquid carrier from being moved toward both lateral sides of the squeegee roller 17c when the liquid carrier is separated from the photoreceptor web 14 by the squeegee roller 17c, air injectors 17g for injecting air to the photoreceptor web 14 facing the both lateral sides of the squeegee roller 17c are provided.
The drying unit 18 is for absorbing and vaporizing the liquid carrier remaining on the photoreceptor web 14. The transfer unit 20 includes a transfer roller 21 and a fusing roller 22 for transferring a toner image formed on the photoreceptor web 14 to a sheet of paper 23 being supplied.
When an error such as paper jam occurs while the paper 23 is supplied to the transfer unit 20 from a paper supply portion (not shown) during a printing operation, a controller (not shown) for controlling the printer interrupts the printing operation until the error is removed. When the printing operation is stopped due to such an error, the ink supplied to the photoreceptor web 14 is hardened and the photoreceptor web 14 is polluted. Thus, after the error is removed, the remaining ink should first be removed before the printing continues.
Previously, to remove the ink remaining on the photoreceptor web 14, the photoreceptor web 14 is rotated several times in a state in which the cleaning roller 24 is in contact with the transfer roller 21 contacting the photoreceptor web 14. However, as the surface of the transfer roller 21 is continuously cleaned by the cleaning roller 24, a transfer rate of ink from the photoreceptor web 14 to the transfer roller 21 is lowered when a large amount of ink remains on the surface of the transfer roller 21. As a result, the photoreceptor web 14 must be rotated several times to clean the photoreceptor web 14 within an acceptable amount of remaining ink so that the cleaning work takes much time.

Method of cleaning ink remaining on photoreceptor web when error occurs in printer


An apparatus and method are disclosed for optimizing the modulation efficcy of a remotely-located, polarization-sensitive, integrated optic modulator which is addressed with a non-polarization preserving fiber link. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the polarization state of an input light beam is changed as a function of first and second control signals that are applied to the polarization controller. The non-polarization preserving fiber link conveys the light beam with the changed polarization state to the integrated optic modulator. The integrated optic modulator modulates the light beam with the changed polarization state as a function of any information signal to develop an intensity modulated optical signal. If no information signal is present, the optical signal from the modulator is not modulated. An output fiber conveys the optical signal from the integrated optic modulator to a locally-positioned detector for detection. In response to this input optical signal, the detector develops a first electrical signal that has a peak-to-peak amplitude proportional to any information signal and a second electrical signal proportional to the mean of the optical signal. This second electrical signal is utilized by a control means to controllably develop first and second control signals which force the polarization controller to change the polarization state of the input light beam so that the light beam at the input of the integrated optic modulator is maintained in a preselected polarization state in order to maintain the modulation efficiency of the integrated optic modulator at its optimum level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to integrated optic modulators and particularly to an apparatus and method for controlling the polarization state of light propagated through a non-polarization-preserving fiber to a remotely-located integrated optic modulator so that the polarization state of the light arriving at the input of the integrated optic modulator is maintained in the particular state required for optimum operation of the integrated optic modulator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Most active integrated optic modulators require a stable predefined input state of polarization (SOP) to operate with optimum efficiency. As a result, a high birefringence polarization-preserving fiber is generally used to provide light with that required stable SOP to the input of an integrated optic modulator. This use is especially significant if the integrated optic modulator is used in a remote sensing or a communications system where remote interrogation of the modulator may occur through a very long fiber link (i.e., from hundreds of meters to several kilometers in length).
A high birefringence fiber is much more expensive than conventional low birefringence fiber. To allow the use of the less expensive low birefringence fibers in the above-named systems, polarization-independent modulators have been developed and used. These polarization-independent modulators use two-electrode structures in order to equally modulate each of the TE and TM polarization modes of the modulator. Since the geometry for a two-electrode structure is more complicated than that for a one-polarization or polarization-sensitive modulator, higher modulation voltages are required, i.e., for a given input voltage, the modulation efficiency is reduced.

Apparatus and method for optimizing the modulation efficiency of a remotely-located, polarization-sensitive, integrated optic modulator which is addressed with a non-polarization-preserving fiber

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


The invention offers a solution in jewelry manufacturing and production industry. In details, the invention implies mounting stones on a metal base, including pieces of jewelry or bijouterie with stones or gems. According to the described method, each stone pavilion is placed in an appropriate seat, in which the inserted stones are held at least by protruding projections or beads made on the edge of the seats. The invention solves the issue of the densest placement of stones, which are mainly round in view from above or have a round gem-cutting on the surface of the base of a jewelry piece.

As for the technical background, U.S. patent application (U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,539 (A) published on Dec. 15, 1998) is known, which describes a piece of jewelry with a set of medium-sized stones, where each stone has at least one cutout groove. The base has two interior sidewalls and two opposite exterior sidewalls formed directly by the base which extend from the base to form seats in which a sidewall has an inward-facing protruding projection. The product has at least two zigzag sidewalls that separate the seats and form three rows, and the zigzag sidewalls have the inward-facing protruding projections placed into the row, which are inserted into the carved out stone groove after the stone is mounted in a seat.
A weak point of such known technical solution after the U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,539 (A) is the complexity of its implementation, which does not affect the setting strength of the final product. Availability of the zigzag grooves does not allow the solution to be applied in a number of product designs having seats because a product base should have a flat surface only. In addition, stones can only be placed on the surface of a piece of jewelry, and the part of a jewelry with the stones must be limited with a sidewall formed by the base. The presence of carved out grooves in stones complicates the process of preparing stones for their mounting on the surface of a jewelry.
One more U.S. patent application is known (U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,506 (A), published on Jan. 3, 1995), which describes a method of mounting stones in a piece of jewelry made of a metal or a metal alloy, for stones used in a jewelry decoration and mounted on the surface of the base in seats. The set of stones of a larger and smaller diameter that are round in view from above or have a round gem-cutting, elongated down pavilion and a small radius of curvature of the girdle peripheral edge, is placed on the surface of the base of a piece of jewelry. Each precious stone pavilion is inserted into an appropriate seat. The inserted stones are held in seats at least by means of ledges or beads that are formed on the edge of the seats.
A disadvantage of such solution after the U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,506 is insufficient reliability of mounting stones of a smaller diameter.
It is caused by the fact that the protruding projections or beads are formed by drilling through holes of the same diameter for stones with a larger and smaller diameter, which are then expanded from outside by means of a larger diameter drill. On the edges of seats the protruding projections or beads are formed, and the stones of a larger diameter are fixed in the seats by means of beads, and the stones of a smaller diameter are held in their seats only due to pressing a pavilion of each larger diameter stone of the crown to at least one smaller diameter stone at least partially to the edge and/or sidewalls seats. Lack of protruding projections or beads for mounting stones of a smaller diameter in seats results in their falling out of seats if a neighboring stone of a larger diameter is fallen out.
Besides, stones with a larger diameter are separated by protruding projections or beads, which reduces the base area of a piece of jewelry, filled with stones.
After refinement, projections or beads have a pointed shape, which causes clutching of jewelry with clothes and a further displacement of projections or beads. Change in projection or bead position results in decreased reliability of mounting stones and leads to their loss. In addition, loss or damage of at least one projection or bead leads to the loss of the stone.
Based on the above background, it was found that the problem of achieving high reliability in mounting stones on a jewelry base and providing a high percentage of filling the surface of the base with the precious stones has not been solved.


A phase change memory cell may be read by driving a current through the cell higher than its threshold current. A voltage derived from the selected column may be utilized to read a selected bit of a phase change memory. The read window or margin may be improved in some embodiments. A refresh cycle may be included at periodic intervals.

This invention relates generally to semiconductor memories.
Phase change memory devices use phase change materials, i.e., materials that may be electrically switched between a generally amorphous and a generally crystalline state, as an electronic memory. One type of memory element utilizes a phase change material that may be, in one application, electrically switched between generally amorphous and generally crystalline local orders or between different detectable states of local order across the entire spectrum between completely amorphous and completely crystalline states.
Typical materials suitable for such an application include various chalcogenide elements. The state of the phase change materials is also non-volatile. When the memory is set in either a crystalline, semi-crystalline, amorphous, or semi-amorphous state representing a resistance value, that state is retained until reprogrammed, even if power is removed. This is because the programmed resistance represents a phase or physical state of the material (e.g., crystalline or amorphous).
Conventionally, phase change memories are read without triggering the memory element. Triggering occurs when the threshold current (at threshold voltage) of the memory element is exceeded. As a result, the read current may be limited to avoid triggering. But limiting the read current reduces performance.
Thus, it would be desirable to improve the performance of phase change memories.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A prosthesis delivery handle with a bushing (66) with two adjacent internal threads (64, 74) with different diameters and pitch surrounding a tubular threaded first shaft member (36) cooperating with the first thread (64) and a second inner member with a protrusion (82) extending through an axial slot in the tubular first member such that the protrusion runs in the second thread (74). First and second members are connected to an external shaft (112) and an internal element (102) so that when the bushing is rotated first and second members travel axially with different speeds the internal shaft and an external shaft move accordingly.

It known in the art that a prosthetic component such as a stent or a prosthetic heart valve or the like is compressed to a small diameter for introducing the prosthetic component into a human or animal body. The prosthetic component is crimped onto a flexible internal shaft and covered by an external shaft. After introduction into the body, the external shaft is pulled back to release the prosthetic component at its desired place of delivery and the prosthetic device is expanded for positioning at the desired place of delivery. The length of the prosthetic component in the compressed state differs from the length of the prosthetic component in the expanded state. The length difference complicates a precise positioning of the prosthetic component at its place of delivery. As a result, the prosthetic component may have to be repositioned inside the human or animal body.

Unit and device having a unit for positioning a prosthetic component


A user-configurable modular audio control surface comprises master modules for controlling global surface properties and channel modules for controlling one or more individual audio channels. The modules are disposed in a two-dimensional spatial arrangement such that any module can occupy a location within the control surface not occupied by another module. The modules are connected to each other and to external platforms hosting media applications and plug-ins via a network. Control surface users can interact with external applications via remote graphical user interfaces displayed on modules within the surface, and can automate multiple external applications using an automation system built into the surface. Automation line graphs and metadata for both internal and external applications are displayed over the corresponding waveform displays that can include audio ahead of a current playback location.

In both live and offline audio editing environments, an audio control surface is a key item, since it provides the principal means by which operators can control the mixing of the various audio sources. As the number of input channels and range of audio processing functions increases, the size and cost of the control surface that is needed increases. The number of channels in various deployed systems varies widely, from only a handful in a hobbyist recording, to well over a hundred in a large live concert. In addition, the types of audio processing to be mixed into a final audio mix depend on the musical setting as well as on the nature of the user. Thus the type and number of audio processing effects required may vary, from a handful of basic processing controls (e.g., EQ, compressor/limiter, expander, etc.) to dozens of sophisticated digital signal processing effects, such reverberation, delay, pitch correction, distortion, and modulation. This means that control surface requirements can vary by well over an order of magnitude between different users and applications. Over time, a particular user may evolve from initially handling relatively small, simple mixes to requiring larger more elaborate ones. Such an evolution would preferably be accompanied by a corresponding increase in the scale and processing capacity of the user's control surface.
Control surfaces represent a significant component of the capital cost of an audio production studio, whether for an amateur, prosumer, or professional. As such, it is desirable for each user to equip themselves with a control surface that is sufficient for, but not surplus to their needs, so that resources are not tied up in unused capacity.
Existing market solutions address various tiers of user requirements, each solution targeted to one of a handful of different user or application categories. In most cases, when a user's requirements change significantly, it is necessary to migrate to a different system entirely, possibly with a different user interface, with an associated disruption and cost. There is therefore a need to address audio mixing needs in a manner that is responsive to changing user requirements.


Generally, and in one form of the invention, a method for fabricating a transistor having a plurality of active regions comprising spacing or shaping the emitters 20 and 22, or gates, in a non-uniform manner to provide a substantially constant temperature over an active region of the transistor is disclosed. An advantage of the invention is that the occurrence of a thermal runaway condition between transistor current and temperature is generally avoided.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), as an example.
Heretofore, in this field, heterojunction bipolar transistors have suffered from performance degradation and catastrophic failure when operated under high power conditions. The cause of these problems has generally been attributed to that of a condition of positive feedback between transistor current and temperature. High power HBTs typically have multiple emitter fingers so that the transistor can handle higher currents. Each emitter finger has associated base and collector electrodes, so the multi-finger transistor may be viewed to consist of several active regions, or discrete transistors, connected in parallel. The problem of positive feedback occurs when localized heating occurs on one of the emitter fingers, forming a "hot spot". As the junction temperature rises in the vicinity of the hot spot, the collector current increases in the finger. The larger current causes the junction temperature to rise further, thereby inducing more current to flow. Eventually, the total current in the multi-finger transistor attempts to flow through the single hot finger, thus leading to thermal runaway and a catastrophic failure. Past solutions to this problem have relied on a resistor in series with each emitter finger. Therefore, as the current through the finger increases with rising junction temperature, the same increased current flow through the emitter, or "ballast", resistor causes an increased amount of voltage to be dropped across the resistor. Since the applied external bias voltage is fixed, the available voltage to be dropped across the base-emitter junction decreases, thus limiting the emitter-collector current through the emitter finger.


An objective of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of generating a virtual viewpoint image without causing any visually uncomfortable feeling. In order to achieve this objective, a first image obtained by being captured from a first viewpoint at a first image capture time, and a second image obtained by being captured at a second image capture time different from the first image capture time are acquired. To each of pixels in a non-image capture area corresponding to a portion of a subject not captured in the first image of a first virtual viewpoint image that is generated in a pseudo manner based upon the first image and can be acquired by being captured from a first virtual viewpoint different from the first viewpoint, a pixel value is added in accordance with the second image.

From one captured image, if an image (virtual viewpoint image) to be obtained by capturing the same subject from a virtual viewpoint different from a viewpoint relating to the captured image is generated in a pseudo manner, it is possible to generate a group of images that can provide a so-called stereoscopic view that is adopted in a 3D television technique, etc.
However, in the virtual viewpoint image, an area corresponding to a portion of the subject that has not been captured in the original captured image forms an area (an occlusion area) in which pixel values are indefinite.
In view of this problem, a technique has been proposed in which a pixel value relating to the occlusion area is compensated based upon a statistics derived from a texture of each of images divided based upon a so-called region-competition method (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-151534, etc).
In the technique of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-151534, based upon an image (non-stereoscopic image) by which no depth information is given in an explicit manner as well as in an implicit manner as in the case of a stereo image, depth estimation data is generated so that a stereoscopic image is generated in a pseudo manner based upon the depth estimation data and the non-stereoscopic image.

System, method and program for capturing images from a virtual viewpoint


Provided is a drawing apparatus including a drawing mechanism configured to perform a drawing on a nail of an object being a finger or a toe, and a processor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drawing apparatus and a drawing method for a drawing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, drawing apparatuses for drawing nail designs on nails are known. An example of such a drawing apparatus is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2003-534083.
Nail designs can be enjoyed readily without visiting a nail salon or the like by using such an apparatus.
However, the drawing object of the drawing apparatus for nail printing, namely the nail, has curvature whereby height decreases and inclination increases toward both edges in a width direction thereof.
As such, if a design image is drawn on the nail without taking the curvature into consideration, the design will be distorted and a beautiful finish will not be obtained.
Thus, in order to draw an image that is free of distortion on the nail, curvature correction to fit the drawing data to the curvature of the nail must be performed. However, the degree of curvature in the curvature of nails varies from person to person.
As such, it is not possible to uniformly set a correction value and correct the drawing data but, rather, correction must be performed in accordance with the amount of curvature in the curvature of each nail of the user.
In regards to this, light sectioning methods are known as techniques for measuring three-dimensional shapes of objects. In light sectioning methods, a surface of an object is irradiated with line laser light, the lines formed on the surface of the object by the line light are photographed from a diagonal direction, and a three-dimensional shape (changes in shape in a height direction and the curvature) of the object is acquired on the basis of this image.
However, when the object is a nail, depending on the surface condition and the like of the nail, the laser light may irregularly reflect from the surface of the nail, or light may diffuse and, as a result, the lines formed on the surface of the nail by the line laser light may become blurred. In such cases, it is difficult to accurately measure the three-dimensional shape of the nail by a light sectioning method.
When using such a light sectioning method, an irradiation unit that emits line laser light must be provided in the drawing apparatus. As such, the apparatus may become larger and the weight thereof may increase. Furthermore, conventionally, drawing apparatuses are not equipped with such irradiation units and, as such, increases in costs due to equipping the irradiation unit cannot be avoided.

Drawing apparatus and drawing method for drawing apparatus

Abstract: The processor acquires a first captured image of the nail and a second captured image of the nail, the first and the second captured image being images captured from a first direction by an imaging device located at a position along the first direction from a first location of a surface of the nail, the first captured image being an image captured by the imaging device at a position where a distance along the first direction between the imaging device and the first location of the surface of the nail is a first distance, and the second captured image being an image captured by the imaging device at a position where a distance along the first direction between the imaging device and the first location of the surface of the nail is a second distance different from the first distance. Moreover, the processor acquires a value of a width of the nail on the basis of the first captured image and the second captured image.


An electronic article surveillance system responder which comprises an electrical responder circuit and a housing which mounts the circuit on an article to be protected. The housing is arranged to support the circuit in such a manner that a dielectric region is formed between the circuit and the article. An electrically conductive plate is also held by the housing on the opposite side of the dielectric region from the circuit to isolate the circuit from the effects of metal objects on which the responder is mounted. The housing is flared so that it can be mounted on an article in proper orientation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electronic article surveillance apparatus and more particularly it concerns novel surveillance responders having response characteristics which are substantially independent of the material of the object to which the responders are attached.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,700,179 and No. 4,471,344 disclose anti-theft article surveillance systems wherein an article to be protected against the unauthorized taking from a surveillance area has a transponder mounted thereon and wherein transmitter and receiver antennas are arranged at an exit from the area. The transmitter antenna generates electromagnetic interrogation waves at the exit; and if an article on which a transponder is mounted is carried through the exit, the transponder disturbs the interrogation waves in a predetermined manner, for example, by producing waves which are harmonics of the interrogation waves. The receiver antenna is connected to a receiver system which responds to the predetermined disturbances to produce an alarm.
The above mentioned patents describe interrogation waves whose frequency is in the range of 915 megahertz and transponder produced disturbances in the range of 1830 megahertz. Other electronic article surveillance systems operate at frequencies which are much lower; but an advantage of using these high frequencies is that the transponders mounted on the protected articles can be made quite small and the system can be used with wide exit passageways. A disadvantage of article surveillance systems which use high frequency waves has been that the presence of certain materials, such as metal, will interfere with the performance of the transponder. Therefore, systems using such high frequencies have not been suitable for protecting articles made of metal.

Stabilized article surveillance responder


An electrical connector includes: an insulative housing having a base and a tongue; two rows of contacts arranged in the insulative housing and exposed respectively to two opposite surfaces of the tongue, each row of contacts including an outermost ground contact and an adjacent power contact next to the ground contact; and a shielding shell enclosing the insulative housing, wherein each of the ground contact and the power contact in at least one of the two rows has a contacting portion, plural tail portions, and an intermediate portion between the contacting portion and the plural tail portions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector having two rows of contacts including wide ground and power contacts to conduct large current, wherein each of the ground contact and the power contact has plural tail portions for current flow and heat dissipation consideration.
2. Description of Related Arts
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0018883 discloses a dual orientation connector, e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C connector, where a rightmost or leftmost ground terminal (Gnd) or a first supplemental terminal (SUB1) can be omitted. Furthermore, the ground terminal (Gnd) may be replaced by a power terminal (Power/VBUS) where a width of the power terminal (Power/VBUS) may be equal to a width of a first signal contact, or greater than the width of the first signal contact for large current transmission.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,376,785 describes a conventional USB3.0 connector having a first group of terminals and a second group of terminals where a ground terminal in the first group is depicted to have two tail portions.

Electrical connector having ground and power contacts each with plural tail portions


A bipolar high-voltage network for an aircraft or spacecraft. The network includes at least one DC-DC converter having two unipolar input connections and two bipolar output connections as well as a reference potential connection, at least two fuel cell stacks which are coupled in series between the two unipolar input connections, and at least two discharge diodes, each connected in parallel with the output connections of one of the at least two fuel cell stacks. The DC-DC converter is operable selectively in a step-up converter mode of operation or a step-down converter mode of operation, as a function of an input voltage between the unipolar input connections.

High bipolar voltages, for example ±270 V, are frequently required in aircraft. Generators and corresponding rectifiers are conventionally used to provide voltages of this type.
EP 2 624 433 A1 discloses two non-insulating DC-DC converter units, connected in parallel, having a neutral point, which is galvanically separated from a neutral point of the DC-DC converter unit, of an AC voltage filter, connected downstream from the DC-DC converter units, for supplying DC voltage generated by photovoltaic cells to an AC voltage network.
US 2009/0085537 A1 discloses a non-insulating boost converter for DC voltages, in which a unipolar input DC voltage is converted into a bipolar output DC voltage by two coupled boost converter units.
The document A. Lücken, H. Lüdders, T. Kut, S. Dickmann, F. Thielecke, D. Schulz: "Analyse einer neuartigen elektrischen Konverterarchitektur zur Integration von Brennstofzellen auf Gesamtsystemeben" [Analysis of a new electric converter architecture for the integration of fuel cells at the overall system level], German Aeronautics and Astronautics Conference 2012, Berlin, German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics, Bonn, 2012, discloses a fuel cell system comprising two fuel cell stacks, arranged connected in series, which respectively supply positive and negative output voltages for a DC-DC converter module for generating positive and negative HVDC voltages for a bipolar DC voltage network in an aircraft.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,327 B2 discloses a fuel cell matrix for use in a series or parallel combination for supplying electrical power to a power network. U.S. Pat. No. 7,799,481 B2 discloses connection options for fuel cell stacks for setting the power output.

Fuel cell system in a bipolar high-voltage network and method for operating a bipolar high-voltage network


A failure region is specified when a failure occurs in a non-volatile semiconductor memory. When a device controller reads data stored in a specific page in a plurality of non-volatile semiconductor memories to detect an uncorrectable error (UE) of the data stored in the specific page, the device controller executes a diagnosis process including specifying a specific storage circuit that is a storage circuit including the specific page, reading data stored in a part of blocks of the specific storage circuit, and specifying, on the basis of a result of reading data stored in the block, a failure region in the specific storage circuit.

In recent years, as there is an increasing amount of data to be processed in a company, a storage apparatus comes to include a large number of memory devices, and the memory device increases in capacity year by year. In general, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is installed as a memory device; however, in place of the HDD, in recent years, attention is focused on a memory device (an SSD: Solid State Device, for example) having, as a memory medium, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (a flash memory, for example). Although the SSD is more expensive than the HDD, the SSD performs I/O process at an extremely high speed.
In the flash memory, a physical storage area is managed by a unit referred to as a "block", and the data is erased by such block. There is an upper limit on the number of times that the block is erased, and when the number of times of erasure increases, it may be difficult to write data into the flash memory or it is likely that an error occurrence rate of data written into the flash memory increases. That is, the flash memory has a life-span, and the SSD having a large number of flash memories also has a life-span. As refinement of a flash memory chip is developed, the flash memory chip comes to possess a large capacity, and on the other hand, reliability is decreased and there occurs an issue that die-by-die or chip-by-chip quality is not consistent, for example. The die of poor quality tends to increase an error occurrence rate and becomes unusable due to a failure even when the number of times of erasure is less than a predetermined number. When such a failure occurs in a plurality of dies, it is not possible to ensure a storage area which stores user data and there is no choice but to close the memory device. Thus, when an SSD becomes unusable at an earlier stage than a predetermined period, a replacement frequency may increase and a cost for purchase and maintenance of an SSD may occur.
For example, PTL 1 discloses a data recovery technology performed when a failure occurs in a block in an SSD. There is known a technology in which when, in a storage apparatus having a plurality of SSDs, a failure of a block in a certain SSD is detected, all data, including a failed block, in the SSD are rebuilt in a different SSD.


Methods and systems are provided to manage display of cardiac signals. The methods and systems receive a first data steam along a first communications path conveyed with first throughput and receiving a second data stream along a second communications path transmitted with second throughput. The first and second throughputs are asynchronous with respect to one another. The first and second data streams carry cardiac signals sensed by external and implanted electrodes, respectively, for one or more common events. The methods and systems store data from the first and second data streams in first and second memory buffers. The methods and systems synchronize the data stored in the first and second memory buffers with one another by performing at least one of: temporally offsetting activation of the storing operation for the first and second data streams with respect to one another; or managing an amount of the data maintained in at least one of the first memory buffer or the second memory buffer. The methods and systems co-display cardiac signals associated with the first and second data streams on a display by reading the data from the first and second memory buffers at a data display rate.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and devices for managing display of cardiac signals, and more particularly to manage display of cardiac signals based on data received from two or more asynchronous communications paths.
A next generation cardiac rhythm management (CRM) implantable medical device (IMD) has been proposed that utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) telemetry to communicate with external instruments, such as a bedside monitor and/or programmer. Recently, it has been proposed that the monitor or programmer be configured to provide a scrolling display of real-time data. The programmer/monitor may receive two types of real-time data for monitoring heart rhythm, one is surface Electrocardiogram (ECG) data and the other is electrogram (EGM) data. The ECG data are recorded from the patient's body through a directly attached lead, while the EGM data are processed by the IMD and transmitted wirelessly to the programmer/monitor.
However, difficulties arise when the monitor/programmer attempts to display the ECG and EGM data simultaneously and in real-time. Even though both types of real-time data (ECG and EGM) are generated at the same time from the heart, the ECG and EGM data follow different paths as the data travel from the patient to the monitor or programmer. The different paths introduce different delays that cause the ECG and EGM data to arrive at the monitor or programmer out-of-sync. If left un-corrected, the out-of-sync data are presented to the user at the display of the monitor/programmer out of sync. Misleading information may be presented on the display if the ECG and EGM data are not presented in a coherent in-synch manner.
The dyssynchrony of the ECG and EGM data becomes even more prevalent when utilizing Bluetooth technology to transmit the EGM data from the IMD to the monitor/programmer. An inherent characteristic of a BLE protocol is the transmission of data in short bursts, not in a constant stream. While the BLE protocol seeks to utilize a maximum available BLE bandwidth, the BLE protocol is not optimized to provide EGM data in a manner that affords a smooth in sync scrolling display of real-time EGM traces. Also, the IMD introduces a certain amount of processing delay to process the EGM data and a communications delay to transmit the EGM data to the external monitor or programmer. The processing and communications delay introduce some constant and some in-deterministic delays which will make the display of real-time EGM data delayed and staggered with reference to corresponding ECG data.
Conventional approaches experience design challenges that do not compensate for the various delays and do not convert the short bursts of EGM data into a constant stream of EGM data at a desired rate. Conventional approaches do not display ECG and EGM data synchronized in a manner that enables a clinician to perform proper diagnosis.

Method and device for managing display of multiple data streams


This disclosure relates to the use of xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloroacetophenone compounds as intermediates for the preparation of aromatic carbonyl compounds, especially aromatic amides. The compound 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloroacetophenone is especially useful as an intermediate for the preparation of flecainide, a known pharmaceutical.

xcex1,xcex1-Dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone compounds are reacted with nucleophiles to yield aromatic carbonyl compounds. In an important aspect, 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-N-(2-piperidylmethyl)-benzamide is prepared by reacting 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone with 2-(2-aminomethyl)pyridine and reducing the piperidine ring.
2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-N-(2-piperidylmethyl)-benzamide (III) is a known medicament useful for the treatment of arrhythmia and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,481. It is commercially available as its acetate salt. Methods for its synthesis are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,642,384 and 4,617,396.
The synthetic method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,384 involves the preparation of 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-.,a-dichloroacetophenone as an intermediate by chlorinating the a-unsubstituted 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)acetophenone with chlorine gas at a moderate temperature, such as 50-60xc2x0 C. The xcex1,xcex1-dichloroacetophenone intermediate is further chlorinated in the presence of a buffering base, such as sodium acetate, at a slightly higher temperature, such as 80-100xc2x0 C. to yield the xcex1,xcex1,xcex1-trichloroacetophenone. The xcex1,xcex1,xcex1-trichloroacetophenone is reacted with 2-aminomethylpyridine to yield a benzamide, and the pyridine ring is reduced to yield 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-N-(2-piperidylmethyl)-benzamide.
The inventive process is based on the discovery that the xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloroacetophenone is easily prepared in high yield and purity under mild conditions, and that it is a superior leaving group in nucleophilic substitution reactions.
In one aspect this invention relates to a process for preparing the anti-arrhythmic agent, 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-N-(2-piperidylmethyl)-benzamide (III), commonly known as flecainide, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in particular the acetate salt.
The synthetic route comprises the reaction of 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone (I) with 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine to form the corresponding benzamide (II). The pyridyl ring of the benzamide (II) is then reduced to the piperidinyl moiety yielding the desired compound, flecainide acetate (III). The reaction scheme with preferred reagents is set forth below:
Since the bulky dibromochloromethyl group is an excellent leaving group, (I) undergoes a facile amidization reaction with 2-aminomethylpyridine under mild conditions, such as at room temperature. It is preferred to carry out the reaction in an inert, non-polar solvent, such as toluene, hexane and the like, preferably a mixture of toluene and hexane.
The reduction of pyridine rings to piperidine rings is well known and can be effected many means, such as hydrogenation, or reduction with a metal hydride, a metal or dithionite. Hydrogenation is carried out by contacting a solution of the benzamide (II) with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, such as Pt/C, Pt, Pt/PtO2 Pd/C, Rh/C, or Raney nickel. However, since it is unnecessary to protect any of the other functional groups in the molecule when the reduction is carried out by hydrogenation with a platinum-carbon catalyst, and since yields and purity are excellent, hydrogenation with a platinum-carbon catalyst is preferred.
Alternatively, for the preparation of flecainide, 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-Q,(xcex1, xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone (I) can be reacted directly with 2-aminomethylpiperidine, avoiding the reduction step. However, the formation of impurities makes the two step synthetic scheme described above preferable.
This invention further relates to the synthon 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone (I). The bulky dibromochloromethyl group is an excellent leaving group for nucleophilic substitution reactions.
2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone (1) is preferably prepared from 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-xcex1-chloro-acetophenone by reaction with bromine, preferably under neutral or acidic conditions, such as in glacial acetic acid in the presence of sodium acetate. Alternatively, other bromination methods, such as reaction with an N-bromoamide like N-bromosuccinimide, are also useful.
The 2,5-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-xcex1-chloro-acetophenone starting material is prepared by known methods. For example, a monochloro acetyl group is introduced to the ortho position of 1,4-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-benzene by a Friedel Crafts reaction using 2-chloroacetylchloride and a Lewis acid catalyst, such as tin chloride, ferric chloride or preferably, aluminum chloride, in the presence of a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, preferably methylene chloride.
The 1,4-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-benzene in turn is prepared by reacting 1,4-dibromobenzene with sodium 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxylate in the presence of cupric bromide as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,684,733 and 4,650,873, which are here incorporated by reference.
The present invention further relates to the use of an xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone as a reagent in nucleophilic substitution reactions whereby the bulky dibromochloromethyl group is a leaving group that is replaced by a nucleophile, such as an amine, an alcohol, a mercaptan, an amide or a carbanion-forming compound. Particularly interesting carbanion forming compounds are carbonyl compounds having an xcex1-hydrogen atom, for example, ketones and esters having a methyl or methyene group adjacent to the carbonyl group, and Grignard reagents. Thus, the present invention includes a process for preparing an aromatic carbonyl compound, which comprises (a) preparing an xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro derivative of an acetophenone compound and (b) reacting the xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro derivative of the acetophenone compound with an amine, an alcohol, a mercaptan, an amide or a carbanion-forming compound.
The instance where the aromatic carbonyl compound is a benzamide is an important process of the present invention. Thus, the present invention further relates to a process for preparing a benzamide which comprises reacting an xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone compound with a primary or secondary amine.
The phenyl ring of the xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone compound is unsubstituted or substituted by R1 and R2 substituents which are independently, for example, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, xe2x80x94N(C1-C6-alkyl)2, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94C1-C6-alkyl, or phenyl; wherein the alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen, hydroxy, xe2x80x94S-alkyl, xe2x80x94O-alkyl, carboxy, amido, or ester groups and when R1 or R2 is a phenyl substituent it is unsubstituted or substituted in the phenyl ring by halogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, xe2x80x94N(C1-C6-alkyl)2, or xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94C1-C6-alkyl wherein the alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen, hydroxy, xe2x80x94S-alkyl, xe2x80x94O-alkyl, carboxy, amido, or ester groups; or R1 and R2 together with the phenyl ring carbons to which they are attached form a 5-7 member aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or heteroaromatic ring.
One embodiment includes those compounds wherein the phenyl ring of the xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone compound is unsubstituted or substituted by R1 and R2 substituents which are independently hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, xe2x80x94N(C1-C6-alkyl)2, or xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94C1-C6-alkyl; wherein the alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen, hydroxy, xe2x80x94S-alkyl, xe2x80x94O-alkyl, carboxy, amido, or ester groups. An alternate embodiment include those compounds wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, or C1-C4-alkoxy wherein the alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen, hydroxy, or xe2x80x94O-alkyl substituents. Further alternate embodiments include those compounds wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4-alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted C3-C7-cycloalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4-alkoxy; substituted or unsubstituted xe2x80x94N(C1-C4-alkyl)2; or substituted or unsubstituted xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94C1-C4-alkyl.
Preferably, R1 is in the 4-position when R2 is hydrogen, or R1 is in the 2-position and R2 is in the 5-position when R2 is other than hydrogen.
The nitrogen substituents, R3 and R4, are independently, for example, hydrogen or unsubstituted C1-C6-alkyl or C1-C6-alkyl which is substituted by one or more of, for example, xe2x80x94OH, halogen, alkoxy, or an aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or heteroaromatic ring; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclic ring such as a piperidine, piperazine, pyrrole, or morpholine ring.
Examples of suitable xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone compounds include 2-hydroxy-5-chloro-xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro acetophenone which is reacted with 2-chloro-4-nitro-aniline to yield the therapeutic agent niclosamide.
The present invention further relates to xcex1,xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chlorophenone compounds of the formula
wherein R1 and R2, and the embodiments thereof, are described above. The compounds are useful as intermediates for the preparation of aromatic carbonyl compounds.
The following examples are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the inventive process.

xcex1, xcex1-dibromo-xcex1-chloro-acetophenones as synthons


A Bayesian treatment of mixture models is based on individual components having Student distributions, which have heavier tails compared to the exponentially decaying tails of Gaussians. The mixture of Student distribution components is characterized by a set of modeling parameters. Tractable approximations of the posterior distributions of individual modeling parameters are optimized and used to generate a data model for a set of input data.

Mixture models are common tools of statistical analysis and machine learning. For example, when trying to model a statistical data distribution, a single Gaussian model may not adequately approximate the data, particularly when the data has multiple modes or clusters (e.g., has more than one peak).
As such, a common approach is to use a mixture of two or more Gaussian components, fitted with a maximum likelihood, to model such data. Nevertheless, even a mixture of Gaussians (MOG) presents modeling problems, such as inadequate modeling of outliers and severe overfitting. For example, there are singularities in the likelihood function arising from the collapse of components onto individual data points—a pathological result.
Some problems with a pure MOG can be elegantly addressed by adopting a Bayesian framework to marginalize over the model parameters with respect to appropriate priors. The resulting Bayesian model likelihood can then be maximized with respect to the number of Gaussian components in the mixture, if the goal is model selection, or combined with a prior over the number of the components, if the goal is model averaging. One benefit to a Bayesian approach using a mixture of Gaussians is the elimination of maximum likelihood singularities, although it still lacks robustness to outliers. In addition, in the Bayesian model selection context, the presence of outliers or other departures from the empirical distribution of Gaussianity can lead to errors in the determination of the number of clusters in the data.


Methods, secure elements, validation entities, and computer program products for effecting secure communication of payment information to merchants for Internet-based purchases. Payment information for a user's real payment information is installed in a secure element of a computer, the payment information may comprise a pseudo PAN number for the portable consumer device provided by a validation entity. The secure element is shielded from the computer's operating system to thwart hacker attacks. The user accesses the secure element to make a purchase. In response, the secure element contacts the validation entity with the pseudo account number, and in response obtains dynamic payment information that the secure element can used to effect the payment. The dynamic payment information comprises an account number that is different from the pseudo PAN, and which has at least one difference which respect to the user's real payment information.

Online purchasing of goods and services has grown dramatically over the last decade. Although such purchases are now conducted with communications between a user's computer and a merchant's website being encrypted, the users' credit card payment information is still susceptible to theft during the online transaction. A common approach used by hackers to steal credit card payment information is to install a malware program on the user's computer without the user's knowledge, where the malware program examines the user's keystrokes and browser content to detect payment information (e.g., credit card number, expiration date, card verification value, etc.). This is the so-called "man-in-the-middle" attack. Once the payment information is detected, the malware program transmits the data to the hacker's remote server, where it can be used or sold to conduct fraudulent transactions.
The present invention is directed to ways of evading man-in-the-middle attacks and effecting secure communication of payment information to merchants for purchases made over the Internet.

Integration of payment capability into secure elements of computers


A guitar pick and case assembly comprises a guitar pick having a front end for engaging the string of a musical instrument and a rear end for engaging a case. The case for accommodating the guitar pick comprises a chamber and a slot for providing access to the chamber, the case releasably accommodating the guitar pick.

This invention relates to a guitar pick.
Music and the elements to create that expression have been in existence for as long as history can document. Stringed instruments, specifically guitars, have a very long and storied history in human existence, taking thousands of different shapes and styles over the years to suit individual tastes both visually and sonically.
The guitar pick has been the object of choice to allow a player to easily affect the strings of the instrument thus creating music.
As with many things, evolution of man-made objects is ongoing. With music and specifically music created through a guitar, the guitar pick itself has evolved to allow for a wider range of music to be created, from "rhythmic" strumming and harmonies to the harder and more driving "lead" picking. The main differentiator is, in many instances, the thickness of the actual guitar pick. When a musician performs the "lead" parts of music, the guitar pick is of a thicker nature allowing for a harder more crisp and clear tone from the instrument. Also, "lead" is typically played at a faster pace with the guitar pick being held very tightly and near the edge of the pick itself reducing pick flexibility. When a musician performs the "rhythm" parts of music, the guitar pick is of a thinner nature allowing for a softer smoother tone from the instrument.
While there are several thicknesses of picks to choose from the majority of guitar picks tend to fall into one of two thickness categories.
Additionally, guitar picks are generally small and, in practice, can easily be misplaced or lost. As a result, musicians have to continually purchase new or replacement picks. Even more disconcerting for a guitar player may be a situation where he or she is setting up to play at a show or concert, and realizing at the last moment that a pick has been misplaced, and that there may not even be a spare pick for immediate use.
There has long been a need for musicians to play music switching back and forth from a "lead" position to a "rhythm" position without having to switch picks. There are also substantial advantages to providing a mechanism or system in which a guitar player may secure or store a guitar pick in a convenient location so that it is always consistently available and ready for use.
Additionally, while it has always been challenging for musicians to make a living at their craft, with the creation of the internet over the last 20 years it has been easier for musicians to garner exposure and increase their fan base. At the same time, this may offer the same opportunities to every musician on the planet potentially voiding any advantage to a single musician. What has been advantageous is the ability to sell merchandise to fans without having to tour with concerts which is an expensive ordeal and difficult for the vast majority of musicians. There has, as such, long been a need for a simple and inexpensive way for musicians to promote themselves with merchandise that fans can purchase easily and cheaply, and that musicians can produce relatively inexpensively with minimal or very low costs.


An apparatus for measuring a 3-dimensional (3D) shape which can remove a shadow, which may occur when measuring the 3D shape, and also can measure a reflected light from an external surface of a test object, is provided. The apparatus for measuring a 3D shape includes a projection part 10 generating a light, an image formation part 20 sensing the light, a prism part 30 being provided between the projection part 10 and the viewing part 20, and a first mirror part 40 and a second mirror part 50 being provided in both ends of the prism part 30. Also, the prism part 30 selectively transmits the light generated from the projection part 10 to the first mirror part 40 and the second mirror part 50 to be directed towards an external surface of a test object 1. When the light reflected from the external surface of the test object 1 is selectively transmitted to the first mirror part 40 and the second mirror part 50 and thereby reflected, the prism part 30 transmits the reflected light to the viewing part 20.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a 3-dimensional (3D) shape, and more particularly, to an apparatus for measuring a 3D shape, which has a simple configuration of an optical system, and can remove a shadow, which may occur when measuring a 3D shape, and also can measure only a reflected light.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional 3D shape measuring apparatus includes a first inspection part 2 and a second inspection part 3. Each of the first and second inspection parts 2 and 3 includes a projection part 4, a beam splitter 5, and an image formation part 6. More specifically, the projection part 4 includes a light source 4a, a grating 4b, and a projection lens 4c, and the viewing part 6 includes a viewing lens 6a and a camera 6b.
Hereinafter, the first inspection part 2 and the second inspection part 3 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
When a light is generated from the light source 4a of the projection part 4 of the first inspection part 2 towards an arrow direction A, the generated light is transmitted to an external surface of a measuring object 1 via the grating 4b, the projection lens 4c, and the beam splitter 5, which are included in the first inspection part 2. The transmitted light is reflected along the arrow direction A from the external surface of the test object 1, and then transmitted to the camera 6b via the beam splitter 5 and the image formation lens 6a, which are included in the second inspection part 3. A 3D shape of the test object 1 is measured by sensing a light image via the camera 6b.
The conventional 3D shape measuring apparatus includes a first inspection part and a second inspection part, which are symmetric to each other, to remove a shadow which may occur when measuring a 3D shape of a test object. Each of the first inspection part and the second inspection part includes a projection part, a beam splitter, and an image formation part. Therefore, a configuration of an optical system becomes very complex.

Apparatus for measuring three dimensional shape


A method and apparatus are provided for sealing a gable-top container to allow easier opening, as well as the carton sealed by the method provided When the container is sealed, a portion of at least one sealing jaw is recessed to prevent functional impairment of the underlying pouring spout tips.

Containers for beverages such as milk, fruit juices, and drinks are conventionally constructed from blanks of thermoplastic coated paperboard. The most widely used of such containers have a rectangular cross-sectional body surmounted by a gable-top closure incorporating an extensible pouring spout. Blanks from which the containers are constructed are divided into a plurality of panels that are adapted to form the walls and closure members. The panels are formed and separated by score lines at which the blank is folded. Particular panels are intended to be joined together in a lapped arrangement in the completed container. Typically those panels are pressed together and heated, or exposed to high frequency radiation to fuse the adjoining thermoplastic surfaces and form a seal. To seal the top of a filled container, two or more panels are joined and sealed to form a rib along the top edge of the roof panels. Exemplary of such container blanks are those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,750,095 (Alden) and 3,245,603 (Wilcox).
Most gable-top containers have certain characteristics in common. Four side panels are connected together along their respective longitudinal edges, and a set of bottom closure panels cooperate to seal the bottom of the container. The top of the container consists of two roof panels and two triangular end panels, each of which is connected to the top edges of the side panels. Other pouring spout panels connect the roof panels and the triangular end panels, and include first and second foldback panels and first and second roof wing panels. Attached to the uppermost edge of each of the roof panels is a roof rib panel, and an upper rib panel is connected to the uppermost edge of each roof rib panel. A gable rib panel is connected to the upper edge of each of the first and second foldback panels, and the center of the gable rib panel typically forms a pouring spout tip. The pouring spout panels, which comprise at least the triangular end panel, the first and second foldback panels, and the first and second roof wing panels, are adapted to shift between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the gable rib panel is located between the roof rib panels, and is sealed thereto during the sealing process. When in the open position, the pouring spout panels are extended to allow dispensation of the contents of the container. It should be noted that most gable-top containers comprise two pouring spouts, although only one is typically used for dispensing the contents of the container.
Containers of this type are opened for access to the contents by a two step toggle action process. First, the edges of the roof panels at the front of the container are pushed outward and upward toward the rear of the container by thumb pressure, breaking the seal in the roof rib and upper rib panels surmounting the roof above the pouring spout. This will be referred to as foldback, or Stage I opening. Second, the edges of the roof panels are pushed forward and toward each other. The forces are communicated through spout panels to the tip of the pouring spout, breaking the seal between the gable rib panels and the underside of the roof rib panels and snapping the spout outward to a pouring position. This will be referred to as extension, or Stage II opening. For purposes of this invention, Stage II opening forces are the more critical, because the seal at and near the pouring spout tip is completely separated during Stage II opening
It is difficult to form consistently a gable-top container that is both adequately sealed and easy to open. The difficulty is due in large measure to the circumstances attendant the sealing of the container. When the pouring spout is folded into a closed position, the container panels comprising the edge of the pouring spout are directly adjacent each other, resulting in an area of double thickness cardstock. However, in the area proximate the tip of the pouring spout, the cardstock has been deformed by buckling and its thickness is greater than a double thickness of cardstock. For example, in a conventional gable-top container with the spout in a closed condition, the area of double thickness cardstock adjacent the pouring spout tip has been measured at 0.050" thick. The pouring spout tip itself has been measured at 0.071" thick, an increase of 42% due to buckling in the tip region.
When conventional sealing means are applied to the upper panels of the carton, planar sealing jaws apply a force against the roof rib and upper rib panels that is equally distributed over the area of each jaw. However, because the area proximate the pouring spout tips is thicker than the remainder of the roof rib and upper rib panels, the application of sealing force results in higher pressure in the area surrounding the pouring spout tips. The result is a pinching action in the area proximate the pouring spout tips, which renders the carton more difficult to open. Furthermore, the increased thickness in the center of the carton top is compressed during sealing, and when the sealing pressure is released the panels have a tendency to spring back into position, which pulls the seal apart. This problem is particularly prevalent in cartons incorporating a stiffening fillet on one or more of the pouring spout panels, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,726,234; 4,813,548; 4,872,562; 4,756,426; 4,792,048; 4,869,372; 4,712,727; 4,813,547; and 4,869,373.
One possible solution to the problem presented would be to reduce the overall force applied to the sealing jaws. While this would certainly reduce the pressure in the area proximate the pouring spout tips, the pressure reduction would compromise seal integrity in the remainder of the upper panels. Abhesives have found some application in gable-top container sealing, and the pouring spout tips could also be coated with such an abhesive to prevent or reduce effective sealing in designated areas. However, abhesives are typically very temperature sensitive, and because sealing temperatures cannot always be accurately controlled, abhesives are also an unacceptable solution.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a gable-top container having a reduced opening force, while not allowing carton spring back to separate the seal, or damaging the pouring spout in any way. This problem is not adequately solved by any of the conventional gable-top container designs, and in particular with gable-top container constructed from higher strength laminates.

Method and apparatus for sealing a gable-top container

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


Disclosed herein is an improved switch mechanism suitably fashioned for providing an indicator in one embodiment of an automobile's acceleration, deceleration, or coasting. Further, a second switch mechanism which operates as a function of a command from a second circuit and its associated induction coil has been provided. In one form, the side to side translation of a bar having a contact element thereon causes electricity to be transferred from a current source or battery to two or three contact points which are selectably engageable and provide a current to the circuits associated with these engageable contacts so as to activate a circuit.

The ensueing specification deals with improvement over U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,596,020 and 3,937,909 said patents being held by the current inventor. In the earlier patent, the switching mechanism can be seen to be substantially different structurally from that which is now under consideration, whereas the latter patent, while more closely similar to the instant application, provides structural dissimilarities to such an extent that the current disclosure constitutes an improvement thereover and will be made manifest when considered with the ensuing specification and claims.

Oil filled switch mechanism and uses therefore


An air conditioning system (10) for an aircraft, the air conditioning system (10) having a separator (14) located between the high pressure side of a compressor (12) and a condenser (18). A timer (34) activated normally open solenoid (32) is located on a separator drain line 28 to periodically dump the lubricant accumulated in the separator (14) back into the compressor (12).

Compressors are employed within air conditioning systems for compressing refrigerants and circulating them through a condenser and an evaporator. In the condenser the gaseous refrigerant is condensed at high pressure. The liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator where the liquid evaporates and removes heat from the air conditioned space. The vapor is then returned to the suction or inlet side of the compressor to repeat the cycle.
Conventionally, some lubricating oil from the compressor invariably escapes to the refrigerant circuit. To insure proper lubrication, this lubricant must be returned to the compressor oil sump. The return of this lubricant by normal circuit gas flow is accomplished if circuit factors such as length and elevation of circuit and gas flow are favorable. Conventionally, when the above mentioned circuit conditions are not favorable, an oil separator (located at or near the compressor discharge) separates the oil from the refrigerant. The accumulated oil from the separator is then returned by various means into the compressor inlet gas stream where it returns to the compressor oil sump. The efficiency and means of the oil return to the compressor oil sump is dependent on internal compressor design.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,937 (Nakamura 1990) discloses an air conditioning system with an oil separator which shunts oil discharged from the compressor back to the suction end of the compressor. A switch in the separator signals a solenoid when the accumulated oil reaches a predetermined maximum. The solenoid opens the drain line to allow the return of lubricating fluid to the compressor inlet.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,280,576 (Endress 1966) discloses a complex refrigeration system which includes a method and apparatus for lubrication that is designed to prevent oil foaming due to oil sump pressure changes when system is operated after a shut-down. The system provides for an oil pump to maintain positive oil pressure. Thus, Endress discloses a lubricating system that, to prevent foaming, isolates the sump oil from the remainder of the system during shut-down periods.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,986 (Shaw 1980) discloses a constant operation refrigeration system employing a compressor by-pass to reduce compressor capacity. Evaporator conditions control the reduced capacity cycle and at the same time call for a reduced oil flow by engaging a solenoid which places a restrictor in the oil supply line to the compressor. Upon return to full capacity operation, the solenoid circuit returns the lubrication system to full flow. The primary function of such a system is to conserve oil during reduced system loads for use when increased system loads are required. Evaporator pressures reflect refrigeration load conditions and are thereby used to signal reduced compressor capacity and reduced oil flow cycle.
None of the present systems provide "fail-safe" lubrication under conditions peculiar to aircraft air conditioning systems, specifically: (1) limited compressor weight (five to thirteen pounds); (2) limited compressor cooling capabilities (one to three tons); (3) relatively long circuits (generally exceeding 15 feet between the compressor/condensor and the evaporator); (4) extreme elevation variations; (5) variable gravity conditions (both positive and negative "g" loads); (6) use of hose instead of pipe; (7) limited compressor lubricating oil capacity (generally three to ten ounces). These factors require long reach aircraft air conditioning systems with only a few ounces of lubricating oil, a compressor mounted high relative to other circuit components, utilized under variable gravitational conditions. Moreover, the use of hosing instead of pipe produces a greater potential for residue and traps. These conditions demand that almost no oil be permitted to enter the circuit because such escaped oil will not readily return to the compressor oil sump. An oil separator must be employed in the gas discharge line adjacent to the compressor to provide for the return of the separated oil back to the compressor crankcase by the most direct means.

Air conditioning system having timed oil drain separator


The present invention relates to a method for treating plant pests or pathogens. The disclosed method of protecting plants against pests includes a plant protection composition, wherein the plant protection composition comprises a water-soluble activator and a benefit active precursor. The composition is applied externally to the plant where a benefit active species is generated in situ, thus mitigating the pest.

Strong oxidants, including hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and chlorine dioxide, are effective antimicrobials, including efficacy against bacterial and fungal plant pests. When the pesticide's mode of action is oxidation, for example oxidation of the target organism's cell wall, the target organisms are not likely to develop resistance to the pesticide. Oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and chlorine dioxide readily decompose in the environment to harmless products. A pesticide should preferably have a long residence time; that is, it should remain effective after application to the plant for several days or longer, to minimize the cost and labor of re-application.
There are commercial pesticide products using hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid. However, their utility is limited by their relatively short residence time on the plant surface. Chlorine dioxide could potentially be an active component in a plant pesticide formulation, however limitations have prevented its use. A solution of chlorine dioxide in water may be generated by combining water solutions of sodium chlorite and an acid or transition metal. The acid may be a mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid, or an organic (carboxylic) acid, including hydroxycarboxylic acids such as ascorbic acid or citric acid.
One drawback that has prevented the use of chlorine dioxide as a plant pesticide is the fact that it readily decomposes in the environment, limiting the residence time on the plant. In addition, chlorine dioxide is a gas at room temperature; but it is very soluble in water, and is commonly used in water solution. However, when a water solution of chlorine dioxide is sprayed, for example to apply the solution to a plant surface, the chlorine dioxide can disperse (vaporize) into the atmosphere. This is undesirable for two reasons: first, loss of chlorine dioxide decreases the antimicrobial activity; second, chlorine dioxide in the atmosphere produces an inhalation hazard. The permissible exposure level (PEL) for human workers for chlorine dioxide in air is 0.1 ppm. Chlorine dioxide in the atmosphere is hazardous and may require workers to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Plants require protection from harmful organisms (pests) including pathogens (that result in plant diseases), bacteria, fungi, viruses, mollusks, worms, arthropods, and arthropod eggs. Existing plant protection products can mitigate the damaging influences of plant diseases and insects using various mechanisms. It is desirable for plant protection products to mitigate a threat, but also to minimize damage to the plant, to minimize the development of resistant microorganisms, to minimize toxicity to humans and other species, and to not harm the environment.
Current practice recognizes the efficacy of activated halogen species as a disinfectant to protect plants against pathogens. For example, Bliss and Bliss (2015; U.S. Pat. No. 9,018,239) describe addition of an anti-pathogen composition based on halogens to irrigation water. Similarly, Yao et al. (2010) show that ClO2 in irrigation water was effective in protecting calla lilies and other flowers against bacteria and fungi.
Yet another attempt at eliminating microorganisms on surface and in biofilms is through the use of a water-insoluble photoactivator to produce chlorine dioxide. Specifically, it is known to use titanium dioxide (TiO2) and a chlorine dioxide precursor in conjunction with exposure to ultraviolet light to generate chlorine dioxide. However, such processes are undesirable due to the use of an insoluble inorganic photoactivator. In addition, titanium dioxide forms particulates which leave undesirable residue. Averett and Averett (2015; U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,751) describe application of a photocatalytic composition comprising zinc-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles to the surface of plants to treat or prevent plant diseases.
Riggs et al. (2014, U.S. Pat. No. 8,748,347) describe application of materials to plant surfaces to filter out UV light, for the purpose of protecting plants against harmful fungi and bacteria. More specifically, Riggs et al. describe "methods and compositions for controlling, preventing, or treating plant pathogens using UV filters for combating phytotoxin-producing fungi and/or bacteria."
US 2015/0210964, published Jul. 30, 2015, teaches product compositions that include one or more photoactivators to generate one or more benefit active agents, effective as a bleaching agent, stain remover, or antimicrobial and/or in eliminating biofilm. 2015/0210964 also relates to methods for cleaning and/or bleaching surfaces, and for providing a method of disinfecting or sanitizing surfaces and/or removing biofilm. 2015/0210964 is incorporated by reference herein.
To control diseases, growers predominantly use chemical fungicides (Coyier and Roane, 1986; Chase et al., 2005). In 2009, 870 thousand pounds of fungicides (22.4% of the total pesticides) were applied to floriculture and nursery crops (USDA, 2011). Potential adverse impacts of chemicals on the environment and emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogen strains have put pesticides under increased public scrutiny.
These above references contain at least one of the following limitations in regard to protecting plants from harmful organisms: inability to kill or mitigate the harmful organism or its negative effect on the plant, inability to avoid the development of resistant organisms, inability to use non-toxic or environmentally friendly compounds, inability to generate a suitable benefit species within a controlled concentration range for an extended period of time, inability to generate the benefit active species in situ and minimize volatilization, and inability to treat the pest without degrading the commercial value of the plant.


A microphone is provided with sensors to detect pitch and roll of the microphone and pressure applied to the microphone. The sensor signals are mapped by control circuitry to control desired effects such as reverberation, vibrato and tremolo to be applied to the audio signal from the microphone or to control effects or other parameters such as volume and tempo in an accompaniment musical instrument. Both the effect to be imparted and the degree of the effect can be controlled based upon signals from the sensors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to microphones and more particularly to microphones having the capability to impart special effects to the audio signal which is outputted from a microphone.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, microphones perform the function of transducing a performer's voice or other sound into an electrical audio signal for amplification and sounding through a speaker system or for recording on a tape recorder or the like.
It is often desirable to impart various special effects to an audio signal which has been picked up by a microphone, particularly in a live performance situation. For example, a performer may wish to add a special effect such as reverberation or tremolo so as to add interest to the performance. Typically, this is accomplished by providing the audio signal from the microphone to an effects device and operating various switches and controls on the special effects device to impart the desired effects to the audio signal. It is also known to provide switches on the body of a microphone to enable the performer to select the effect to be imparted. Providing switching capability on the body of the microphone eliminates the need for the performer to go to an effects unit each time it is desired to change effects.
Although microphones with switches to control the imparting of effects eliminate the need to manipulate controls on a separate effects unit, they do not provide any improvement in the actual manner in which effects are imparted, i.e., they simply control the switching of effects.

Sound parameter controller for use with a microphone


An automatic spring-reset shank for agricultural use has a high retaining force and an improved trip clearance. The field use position of the shank is defined by a saddle in the mount weldment. The raised position of the shank is defined by the upper edge of a slot in a vertical guide plate for the shank assembly, located in the mounting weldment. The shank assembly pivots about a location which is below and forward of the transverse frame member or toolbar to which it is mounted. The action line of the spring is located at an angle of approximately 65xc2x0 above the horizontal, and it is inclined rearwardly and upwardly, never crossing the horizontal axis (i.e., center) of the main pivot.

The present invention relates to agricultural ground-engaging tools; and more particularly, to an automatic spring reset shank for a ground-working tool, such as a fertilizer applicator unit.
There have been attempts to provide fertilizer shanks with automatic reset features using springs to apply an initial preset force resisting any movement of the shank from the field working position. The preset force is generated through a predetermined preload on the reset spring. Once the preset force is overcome, such as when the shank encounters a bolder or other rigid object, the shank pivots upwardly and rearwardly in an effort to clear the obstruction. The reset spring compresses, applying an increased reset force. Eventually, however, the reset force reaches a maximum as the shank rises; and further displacement of the shank creates a reduced reset force, thereby facilitating clearance of the object. This characteristic is known in the art and is referred to as a parabolic force curve. Upward displacement of the shank is commonly referred to as tripping. The horizontal force required to induce tripping is referred to as the trip force.
One such attempt at providing an automatic reset force having a parabolic force/displacement characteristic is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,813. The design in the ""813 patent, however, has a number of structural characteristics upon which the present invention improves. For example, in the ""813 patent, the depth of the shank is controlled through adjustment of a spring tension bolt, in an effort to alleviate unnecessary stress on the mount when the shank is in the working position. Moreover, the design of the ""813 patent uses intricate, expensive castings to mount and compress the reset spring. Furthermore, the maximum trip position of the shank in the ""813 patent is controlled by means of a spring compression casting. The casting includes a stop member which extends from the main pivot of the shank. In addition, the reset spring of the prior art design is oriented approximately 20xc2x0 beneath the horizontal and extends downwardly and rearwardly relative to the main spring pivot which is mounted to a bracket mounted on the main transverse frame member to which the shank assembly is mounted.
The present invention includes a shank pivot weldment which carries the shank and knife assembly, and is pivotally mounted to a mount weldment. The mount weldment is releasably mounted to a toolbar or transverse frame member of the implement carrying the tools. The present invention is disclosed in the context of a fertilizer applicator, but persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the automatic reset feature on the present invention is applicable to other ground-working agricultural tools.
The mount weldment includes an upright guide plate which is mounted flush with the rear vertical surface of the toolbar, and includes a lower slot, opening downwardly, to receive the shank pivot weldment. A plate attached to the mount side plates spanning the distance between side plates located upward and forward of the lower spring mount provides additional strength to the weldment and slot defines the raised or tripped position of the shank assembly by limiting the motion of the shank pivot weldment in the maximum raised position. The lower position of the shank assembly is defined by a saddle carried by side plates of the mount weldment.
The shank assembly is biased to the lowered or field working position by means of a spring assembly. One end of the spring assembly is pivotally mounted to the rear of the shank pivot weldment, and the action line of the spring extends upwardly and rearwardly at about 65xc2x0 above the horizontal from that lower pivot point of the spring assembly. An upper spring bracket of inverted U-shape mounts the top of the reset spring to the mount weldment and provides an upper spring pivot axis located approximately midway of the length of the spring and intersecting the action line of the spring.
The spring is pre-loaded to provide an initial holding force of approximately 1,000 lbs., and the design of the elements is such that the vertical clearance of the shank is approximately 8 inches.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment accompanied by the attached drawing, wherein identical reference will refer to like part in the various views.


In a decoder, a processor extracts a control map of false contour filtering from a part of a multi-layer video signal that includes a low dynamic range image mapped from an original high-dynamic range (HDR) image. It determines one or more filter parameters for a sparse finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter, where the one or more filter parameters relate to at least in part on the control map of false contour filtering and a predicted image predicted from the low dynamic range image. It applies the sparse FIR filter to filter pixel values in a portion of the predicted image based at least in part on the control map of false contour filtering, and it reconstructs a version of the original HDR image based at least in part on the portion of the predicted image as filtered by the FIR filter.

Multiple layers may be used to deliver video data from an upstream device such as a multi-layer video encoder to downstream devices. For example, visual dynamic range (VDR) video data can be carried in the combination of a base layer and an enhancement layer (EL) of the multiple layers for viewing experience of VDR displays. BL image data may be encoded with low or partial dynamic range (e.g., SDR, etc.) image data derived from VDR images. EL image data may be encoded with residual image data which, along with image data predicted from the BL image data enables a downstream recipient system to reconstruct a version of the VDR images.
Different code words mapped from the VDR images may be collapsed into a same value in the BL image data representing an SDR image at an upstream device. Textual variations and image details represented in the VDR images may be lost in the BL image data. When the recipient system performs a prediction operation from low bit depth BL image data to high bit depth VDR image data, contouring artifacts often occur as a result of one-to-many mappings in the prediction operation.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section. Similarly, issues identified with respect to one or more approaches should not assume to have been recognized in any prior art on the basis of this section, unless otherwise indicated.

Hardware efficient sparse FIR filtering in layered video coding

Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation