An internal combustion engine includes hydraulically-controlled cylinder deactivation and has an engine block with a plurality of cylinders formed therein. At least one-half of the cylinders are deactivatable by collapsible lifters. An individual hydraulic circuit module is positioned adjacent each deactivatable cylinder. Each hydraulic circuit module includes a valve and is configured to receive a supply of oil from the engine block and to selectively provide pressurized oil to the respective collapsible lifters for cylinder deactivation. A solid cover plate is positioned adjacent each cylinder which is not deactivatable.

The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine having individual hydraulic circuit modules for hydraulically controlling cylinder deactivation in individual cylinders of the engine.
Valve deactivation is used for improving fuel efficiency in engines. Valve deactivation cuts off one-half of the available cylinders by deactivating valve lift in those cylinders so that such cylinders remain closed after a combustion cycle of the engine, and the burnt gases remain trapped within the cylinder during deactivation.
Some valve deactivators are used in internal combustion engines having a push rod type valve gear train in which there is a rocker arm, with one end of the rocker arm engaging a push rod, and the other end engaging the engine poppet valve. Typically, a central portion of the rocker arm is fixed relative to the cylinder head by a fulcrum arrangement in which the fulcrum normally prevents movement of the central portion of the rocker arm in an xe2x80x9cup and downxe2x80x9d direction. At the same time, the fulcrum permits the rocker arm to engage in cyclical, pivotal movement, in response to the cyclical motion of the push rod, which results from the engagement of the push rod with the lobes of the rotating camshaft.
There are a number of known valve deactivator assemblies which are operably associated with the fulcrum portion of the rocker arm and which, in the latched condition, restrain the fulcrum portion of the rocker arm to move in its normal cyclical, pivotal movement. However, in an unlatched condition, the valve deactivator assembly permits the fulcrum portion of the rocker arm to engage in xe2x80x9clost motionxe2x80x9d such that the cyclical, pivotal movement of the push rod causes the rocker arm to undergo cyclical, pivotal movement about the end which is in engagement with the engine poppet valve. In other words, the rocker arm merely pivots, but the engine poppet valve does not move, and therefore is in its deactivated condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,175 discloses a valve deactivator which is incorporated into a cam follower assembly, and is hydraulically actuated. This device includes an outer body member which engages and follows the cam, and an inner body member disposed within the outer body member and reciprocable relative thereto. The inner body member includes means for transmitting the cyclical motion of the cam to the remainder of the valve gear means when the outer and inner body members are in a latched condition. A latch assembly is positioned within the inner body member when in the unlatched condition, and includes a radially movable latch member. A source of pressurized fluid, such as oil, is operatively associated with the latch assembly, and is operative to bias the latch member toward the unlatched condition.
A hydraulically-actuated valve deactivator, such as that described in the ""175 patent, requires pressurized oil for operation. A hydraulically-controlled cylinder deactivation system typically uses this pressurized oil to control the switching member of the system in a manner to deactivate cylinders through lost motion of the inlet and exhaust valves. A single custom module is generally provided to receive the pressurized oil from an engine and to provide the hydraulic supply, exhaust and control of the oil which is needed to operate the switching member (such as the valve deactivator of the ""175 patent) for all deactivatable cylinders.
In the single custom module, the system of channels used to supply the hydraulic oil to all of the switching members can be complex and difficult to package within an engine. Also, such devices typically include a three-way valve, which may be slow in actuating a valve deactivator.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved valve deactivation system with reduced complexity and improved speed of operation.
The present invention provides an individual hydraulic circuit module for each engine cylinder having deactivation capability. These single cylinder modules have the advantage of simplifying the hydraulic circuit. They allow any cylinders to be deactivated, and the design allows sharing between different engine families because the individual hydraulic circuit module could be fit onto any engine. These modules also reduce the cost of service because a bad module can simply be removed for repair or replacement.
More specifically, the invention provides an internal combustion engine having hydraulically-controlled cylinder deactivation, including an engine block with an oil supply gallery and a plurality of cylinders formed therein. At least one-half of the cylinders are deactivatable by collapsible lifters. The engine block includes first and second lifter openings adjacent each deactivatable cylinder and includes the collapsible lifters in the lifter openings. First and second deactivator feed channels communicate the first and second lifter openings, respectively, with a top surface of the engine block. A supply channel communicates the top surface with the oil supply gallery. An individual hydraulic circuit module is connected to the top surface adjacent each deactivatable cylinder and includes a hydraulic plate with a flow channel formed therethrough in communication with the respective first and second deactivator feed channels and with the respective supply channel. The individual hydraulic circuit module also includes a solenoid valve for selectively blocking oil flow from the flow channel to an exit port of the module to selectively build oil pressure in the flow channel and in the lifter openings to actuate the collapsible lifters to enable cylinder deactivation.
Another aspect of the invention provides that each solenoid valve is a two-way, on/off valve which is operative to selectively discommunicate the flow channel from an exit port to cause oil pressure to build up in the flow channel to actuate the collapsible lifters.
Preferably, the flow channel in each hydraulic plate is configured to slope upwardly in a direction toward the respective solenoid valve to assist in purging air from the hydraulic circuit module.
Another aspect of the invention provides a solid cover plate covering the respective supply channels and deactivator feed channels adjacent those cylinders which are not deactivatable. Preferably, each hydraulic plate and cover plate is substantially the same size and has similarly situated attachment holes to facilitate interchangeability of hydraulic plates and cover plates.
Preferably, a flow control orifice is positioned between the supply channel and the flow channel to increase fluid flow velocity and reduce parasitic losses. The flow control orifice may be integral with a filter positioned in the supply channel.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved hydraulically-controlled cylinder deactivation system which employs individual hydraulic cylinder modules for each deactivatable cylinder to provide hydraulic control of cylinder deactivation for such cylinders.

Individual hydraulic circuit modules for engine with hydraulically-controlled cylinder deactivation


A system for receiving and supporting a plurality of devices connected to a network. The system comprises a rack having a front side providing access to a plurality of chassis bays for receiving a chassis and aligning a back end of the chassis for blind docking with an electrical power source. The chassis includes a power supply, a fan, and a front side providing access to a plurality of module bays for receiving a module and aligning a back end of the module for blind docking with the power supply. A compute module is received in a module bay and directly blind docked to the power supply. The system further includes at least one other module received in a module bay within the same chassis as the compute module and directly blind docked with the same power supply along with the compute module. The at least one other module is interchangeably selected from the group consisting of a second compute module and an expansion module, wherein the one or more components of the expansion module are controlled by the motherboard of the compute module within the same chassis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the configuration of computer systems into a rack for efficient use of space in a data center.
2. Description of the Related Art
A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (air conditioning, fire suppression, etc.), and special security devices. Datacenters concentrate large amounts of processing systems within a small area in order to provide an efficient and optimal environment to operate the systems. Power, cooling and other management services can be provided more efficiently in a datacenter than if the systems are decentralized.
Continuing demands for increasing processing system capacity require that the data center must be designed for efficient power management, thermal management, configurational flexibility, and maintenance. These competing design considerations have led to the development of numerous systems, but the most common of these systems include the use of racks that support large numbers of components and are arranged side by side in rows. In a typical data center, cold aisles supply chilled air to the front sides of two adjacent rows of racks and hot aisles exhaust warmed air from the back sides of two adjacent rows of racks. Alternating hot and cold aisles enable relatively efficient air flow management and cooling, while providing access aisles along the front and back of each row of racks to facilitate installation, reconfiguration and maintenance.
However, there remains a need for even more efficient rack systems that make more efficient use of the space in a given data center while still providing thermal management and configurational flexibility. It would be desirable to have a more efficient rack system that utilized many standardized components, such as motherboards, hard disk drives, and PCI cards. It would be even more desirable if the rack system increased the density of the processing system without overloading existing cooling systems and without complicating the configuration and reconfiguration of the components.

Rack system providing flexible configuration of computer systems with front access

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed is an off-line user authentication system, which is designed to present a presentation pattern to a user subject to authentication, and apply a one-time-password derivation rule serving as a password to certain pattern elements included in the presentation pattern at specific positions so as to create a one-time password. An off-line authentication client pre-stores a plurality of pattern element sequences each adapted to form a presentation pattern, and a plurality of verification codes created by applying a one-time-password derivation rule to the respective presentation patterns and subjecting the obtained results to a one-way function algorithm. A presentation pattern is created using one selected from the stored pattern element sequences, and presented to a user. A one-time password entered from the user is verified based on a corresponding verification code to perform user authentication. The present invention provides an off-line matrix authentication scheme with enhanced security.

In user authentication systems, a one-time password-based system using a single-use password usable only once for user authentication purpose has become popular as one scheme having higher security than fixed password-based schemes. The one-time password-based system includes a token-based scheme using a token for creating a one-time password in accordance with a one-time-password generation rule synchronous with an authentication server, and a challenge/response scheme designed such that an authentication server transmits to a client a so-called "challenge" which is a value to be varied every time, and the client returns to the authentication server a response created by applying a client's fixed password to the challenge in accordance with a given rule. While the token-based scheme has an advantage of being able to reliably identify a user who owns a token, it forces the user to carry around the token, and has problems about cost of the token and security in the event of loss of the token. In this respect, the challenge/response scheme offers the convenience of being not necessary to use a token. On the other hand, due to a process of generating a one-time password using a client's fixed password which is highly likely to be analogized, the challenge/response scheme involves problems about poor protection against stealing during a password input operation and the need for installing dedicated software to allow a client to generate a response.
In recent years, a new user authentication system has been developed based on a so-called "matrix authentication" scheme to improve the above problems in the conventional challenge/response scheme, (see, for example, the following Patent Publication 1 and Non-Patent Publication 1). This matrix authentication scheme is designed to arrange a plurality of random numbers in a given pattern format so as to create a matrix-form presentation pattern to be presented to a user subject to authentication, and apply a one-time-password derivation rule serving as a password of the user to certain pattern elements (a part of the random numbers) included in the presentation pattern so as to create a one-time password. Specifically, the presentation pattern is shared in common between a server and a client. Then, instead of a direct comparison of password, the sever carries out user authentication by comparing between a one-time password created on the client side as a result of applying the one-time-password derivation rule or the user's password to the presentation pattern, and a verification code created on the server side as a result of applying the one-time-password derivation rule or the user's password to the presentation pattern. In the matrix authentication scheme, a one-time-password derivation rule serving as a password is information about respective positions of certain pattern elements to be selected on a matrix-form presentation pattern and a selection order of the certain pattern elements, and characterized in that it is easily storable in the form of an image and cannot be figured out as a specific password even if being stolen during a password input operation.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an online user authentication system 100 based on a typical conventional matrix authentication scheme. In this conventional matrix authentication scheme, information for creating a presentation pattern 191 is transmitted from an online authentication server 101 to an off-line authentication client 151 in the form of a pattern element sequence 190 (see, for example, the Patent Publication 1). Further, in the conventional matrix authentication scheme, the online authentication server 101 is operable to receive an authentication request from the off-line authentication client 151 of a user subject to authentication and authenticate the user online (see, for example, the Patent Publication 1). Specifically, the online user authentication system 100 generally comprises the online authentication server 101 for carrying out user authentication, and the off-line authentication client 151 serving as a terminal for allowing each user to request authentication. The online authentication server 101 includes a one-time-password-derivation-rule storage section 102, user-ID receiving means 103, pattern generation means 104, pattern transmission means 105, verification-code creation means 106, one-time-password receiving means 107 and user authentication means 108. The off-line authentication client 151 includes user-ID input means 152, user-ID transmission means 153, pattern receiving means 154, pattern display means 155, one-time-password input means 156 and one-time-password transmission means 157.
The off-line authentication client 151 includes user-ID input means 152, user-ID transmission means 153, pattern receiving means 154, pattern display means 155, one-time-password input means 156 and one-time-password transmission means 157.
In the online authentication server 101, the one-time-password-derivation-rule storage section 102 pre-stores respective user IDs 102a and one-time password rules 102b of users in associated relation with each other on a user-by-user basis. The user-ID receiving means 103 is operable to receive the user ID 181 of the user subject to authentication, from the off-line authentication client 151. The pattern generation means 104 is operable, in accordance with a given generation rule, such as a pseudorandom-number generation rule, to generate a pattern element sequence 190 which is a sequence of pattern elements to be included in a matrix-form presentation pattern 191. The pattern transmission means 105 is operable to transmit the generated pattern element sequence 190 to the off-line authentication client 151.
In the off-line authentication client 151, the user-ID input means 152, such as a keyboard, allows the user subject to authentication to enter his/her own user ID 181 therefrom. The user-ID transmission means 153 is operable to transmit the entered user ID 181 to the online authentication server 101. Thus, in the online authentication server 101, the user-ID receiving means 103 receives the transmitted user ID 181. Then, in accordance with the given generation rule, the pattern generation means 104 generates a pattern element sequence 190 or a sequence of random numbers for forming a matrix-form presentation pattern 191. The pattern transmission means 105 transmits the generated pattern element sequence 190 to the off-line authentication client 151. In the off-line authentication client 151, the pattern receiving means 154 is operable to receive the transmitted pattern element sequence 190. The pattern display means 155 is operable to arrange the respective pattern elements included in the received pattern element sequence 190, in a given pattern format 191p, so as to create a presentation pattern 191, and display the presentation pattern 191 on a screen.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory conceptual diagram showing a process of creating a presentation pattern 191 in the conventional online user authentication system 100. FIG. 16 shows a presentation pattern 191 as one example in which one-digit numerals of "0 (zero)" to "9" are used as pattern elements, and sixty four of the pattern elements are arranged, respectively, at element positions in a pattern format consisting of four 4×4 matrixes. In this example, the online authentication server 101 is operable to generate, in accordance with a random-number generation algorithm, sixty four of the one-digit numerals which are pattern elements to be included in the presentation pattern 191, and then transmit a pattern element sequence 190 created by sequencing the generated pattern elements, to the off-line authentication client 151. The off-line authentication client 151 is operable to receive the pattern element sequence 190, and arrange the pattern elements included therein, respectively, at element positions on the given pattern format 191p (consisting of four 4×4 matrixes, in this example) in order in conformity to the order in pattern element sequence 190, so as to create the presentation pattern 191, and display the created presentation pattern 191 on the screen.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory conceptual diagram showing a process of entering a one-time password in the matrix authentication scheme. The user selects certain ones of the numerals displayed at given positions on the matrixes in order by applying the one-time-password derivation rule 102b of the user to the presentation pattern 191, and enters the selected numerals as a one-time password from the one-time-password input means 156. Further, a certain number of numerals may be additionally entered without being based on the presentation pattern 191. Specifically, a fixed password of the user may be included in the one-time password. These numerals are entered using a pointing device, such as a mouse or a touch panel, or a keyboard 196. The arrows and circles indicated by broken lines in FIG. 13 show that the one-time password based on the presentation pattern 191 is entered from the key board 196. Then, the one-time-password transmission means 157 is operable to transmit the entered one-time password 192 to the online authentication server 101. In the online authentication server 101, the one-time-password receiving means 107 is operable to receive the transmitted one-time password 192. The verification-code creation means 106 is operable to create a verification code as a result of applying the one-time-password derivation rule 102b associated with the received user ID 181, to certain pattern elements of a presentation pattern formed from the transmitted pattern sequence 190 on the server side. The user authentication means 108 is operable to compare the received one-time password 192 with the created verification code 193, and successfully authenticate the user if they are identical to one another.    [Parent Publication 1] Pamphlet of International Publication WO 03/069490 (lines 2 to 3, page 10)    [Non-Parent Publication 1] Taizu Ohnishi & Associates IT Conference, "Learn from Base Technologies—Mobile Management—", IT SELECT, Mediaselect Inc., Feb. 1, 2002, pp 56 to 60
In the conventional online user authentication system 100, the online authentication server 101 is designed to receive an authentication request from the off-line authentication client 151 of a user subject to authentication and authenticate the user. That is, the conventional online user authentication system 100 is designed to essentially perform user authentication by the authentication server connected to the client via a network, but not to allow the client to perform user authentication by itself. Therefore, the conventional matrix authentication scheme has been utilized on an online basis primarily for authorizing users to use resources on a network, but it has never been utilized on an off-line basis for authorizing users to use resources of a computer itself. On the other hand, there is a strong need for such off-line authentication.
From this standpoint, even if components corresponding to the one-time-password-derivation-rule storage section 102, the pattern generation means 104, the verification-code creation means 106 and the user authentication means 108 are simply shifted from the server to the client, the client cannot perform off-line authentication with reliable security. The reason is that, differently from a usual password, a one-time-password derivation rule 102b serving as a password cannot be hashed using a hash function algorithm when it is stored in the client. Specifically, the process of applying a one-time-password derivation rule 102b to a presentation pattern 191 is necessary to create a verification code 193. However, if a one-time-password derivation rule 102b is hashed and stored, the original one-time-password derivation rule 102b cannot be restored from the hashed one-time-password derivation rule, resulting in failure of creating a verification code 193. Thus, there is the need for an off-line matrix authentication scheme free of the above problem.

System, method and program for off-line user authentication


A method for generating a minimized combined scenario for use in simulation, from a post-silicon validation test that includes a combined scenario, may include obtaining a failed scenario loop of a scenario of the combined scenario that includes combined action scenarios that were executed in loops during a post-silicon validation test of a system on chip; and adding any loops of other scenarios of the combined scenario that were executed at least partially concurrently with the failed scenario loop, while discarding any loops of other scenarios of the combined scenario that were completed during the post-silicon validation test before the failed scenario loop or did not commence before the failed scenario loop was completed.

Design verification is a common process for testing a newly designed integrated circuit board, or system-level architecture, to confirm that it complies with the requirements defined by the specification of the architecture for that device. Design verification for a device under test (DUT) may be performed on the actual device, but usually a simulation model of the device is tested.
Verification of electronic designs has typically three forms. At an early stage, before the electronic design is implemented in hardware, simulation is conducted on a model of the design. Another form is emulation, in which one electronic hardware is used to mimic the behavior of another (tested) electronic hardware. At more advanced stages of design development a system on chip is validated, in a process which is typically referred to as post-silicon validation. Post-silicon validation is the last stage in the electronic design development, before it is manufactured.
Post-silicon validation tests are carried out on actual devices running at speed on realistic system boards, the results of which are assesed by a logic analyzer and other validation tools.

Method and system for generating post-silicon validation tests


An arrangement for converting a multi-track container stream supplied by a feed mechanism into a plurality of parallel container rows in a withdrawal mechanism. The container rows are separated from one another by a lane separation or separating elements. A transition zone is provided between the feed mechanism and the withdrawal mechanism. To increase the output and/or to provide a protective processing of the containers, a lane separation formed by lanes is already provided at the transition zone. In particular, the width of each lane in the transition zone has a conveying width that corresponds to a multi-track container stream yet is several times less than the conveying width of the feed mechanism. Furthermore, the lanes of the transition zone narrow in a direction toward the withdrawal mechanism.

The present invention relates to an arrangement for converting a called-for multi-track, densely packed stream of containers into a plurality of parallel container rows that are separated from one another by separating elements. The arrangement includes a feed mechanism that serves to supply the containers and is formed from at least one conveyor band means. The arrangement also has a withdrawal mechanism that, via separating elements that extend in the conveying direction, is divided into a plurality of lanes, each of which serves to accommodate a respective container row. The arrangement furthermore has a transition zone with an entry region that adjoins the feed mechanism and with an exit region that opens into the withdrawal mechanism. The transition zone is formed from the upper runs of a plurality of conveyor band means, with the upper runs being disposed in the conveying direction and with the conveyor band means being disposed adjacent one another when viewed transverse to the conveying direction. These conveyor band means diverge in a fan-shaped manner in the entry region to distribute the supplied stream of containers to the individual lanes.
In the context of the present invention, the phrase "multi-track, densely packed stream of containers" means a stream of containers in which the containers are actually tightly packed in a plurality of tracks or rows, i.e. their peripheral surfaces rest against one another, or at least as a result of the construction of the transport means that convey this stream of containers, the possibility exists that the peripheral surfaces even of containers of different rows or tracks directly contact one another. In such a multi-track and densely packed stream of containers, the containers then have a honeycombed formation. This refers to a formation or arrangement in which the containers of respective adjacent rows or tracks are offset relative to one another by half of the diameter of the containers, i.e. in a direction transverse to the conveying direction, the containers form "short transverse rows" that form an angle of about 60.degree. with the conveying direction.
In the context of the present invention, "container rows that are separated from one another" refers to container rows that extend in the conveying direction, with the containers of each row being respectively accommodated by a lane, with the containers of a given lane being separated from the containers of an adjacent lane by separating elements, which can be formed, for example, by guide railings.
An arrangement of the aforementioned general type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,234, and serves in particular to form, from a supplied stream of containers, the container rows required for a container packing machine. Unfortunately, this known arrangement has the drawback that the maximum capacity (number of converted containers per unit of time) that can be achieved therewith is often inadequate. This limitation of the output is due in particular to the very high conveying speed or speed of the conveyor belts, also at the entry region of the transition zone, at high outputs, in other words due to the fact that at high conveying speeds, a high collision speed of the containers results at the separating elements that are provided for the lane separation, and above a certain output or capacity this collision speed leads to destruction of the containers, or at least to disruptions of the container flow.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve an arrangement of the aforementioned general type in such a way that it is possible to provide a conversion at increased capacities in an impact-free and pressure-free manner.

Arrangement for converting a called-for multi-track, densely packed container stream into a plurality of parallel container rows separated from one another by separating elements

Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft


An improved alphanumeric keyboard 10 is illustrated for use in lap top or notebook personal computers 12. The keyboard 10 has a plurality of full travel, self leveling keyswitches 14 for actuating printed circuit electrical contacts 22 and 26 when the keyswitch is depressed. The keyboard 10 includes an integral keyswitch structure 40 that has an integral keytop 42 and keytop support substructure 44 supported on a common integral base sheet 46. Each of the keytop support substructures 44 includes hinge members 50a50b, 50c and 50d that are positioned in a rectangular orientation about the keytop 42. Each hinge member has a rigid upper hinge panel 52 and a lower hinge panel 58 that are integrally interconnected to the keytop 42 and the base sheet 46 for maintaining the keytop in a parallelogram orientation as it is depressed to prevent the keytop from moving laterally or wobbling during depression. The hinge panels 52 and 58 are interconnected by resilient webs 54, 60 and 64. In one embodiment, the resilient webs return the keytop to its elevated non-actuating position. In the last-mentioned preferred embodiment, a leaf spring 208 is provided to urge the keytop back to its non-actuating rest position.

Conventional keyboards generally include high profile, full-travel keyswitches that included a plunger that is slidably mounted within a housing. The plunger is designed to slide downwardly in a linear path when the keytop is depressed. Downward pressure on the keytop actuates an electrical switch beneath the plunger.
In many applications, including alphanumeric keyboards for notebook and lap top computers, it is desirable to have keyboards with keyswitches having a shorter overall height, generally referred to as "low profile" keyswitches. One problem which has been encountered in designing low profile keyswitches is that it has been difficult to incorporate desirable characteristics of the prior high profile keyswitches while reducing the keyswitch height. Such desirable characteristics included full-travel so that the amount of downward movement of the keytop would be substantially the same in the "low profile" design as in the "full profile" design. Other favorable features included a tactile feel and overtravel. In the past, low profile keyboards have been associated with low quality keyswitches that were undesirable for high speed data entry.
A full-travel keyboard generally refers to a substantial movement of the keytop so that an operator will only activate a keyswitch through intentional movement of the keytop over a desired depression distance. Generally, a "full-travel" keyboard has keyswitches that require downward movement of approximately four millimeters in travel. A "low profile" keyboard generally refers to the height of the keyswitch assembly from the top of the keytop to the lower part of the keyswitch structure. Preferably it should be approximately eight millimeters or less in total height.
A further desirable feature is that of overtravel in which the electrical contact is made before the keytop is fully depressed. An overtravel feature provides for more reliable switch operation because keyboard operators often inadvertently fail to press the keyswitch down the entire distance, particularly when typing at high rates of speed. When an over-travel feature is provided, the keyswitch will remain activated or "turn on" as long as the plunger is depressed at least to the point where electrical contact is made. The structure provides that the key may be pressed beyond the electrical contact point while maintaining the switch in a closed condition.
It is particularly desirable in notebook and lap top personal computers to minimize the size and weight of the entire computer. The size and weight of the keyboard is very important since it is generally built in or intimately attached to the housing of the personal computer. However, the use of low profile keyboards in notebook and lap top personal computers give the impression that such computers are inferior for high speed data entry.
It is further desirable to minimize the number of keyboard components to reduce the costs of manufacture and assembly.
One suggested way to reduce the number of components is to use unitary molded rubber keyboards such as illustrated in the Calder U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,865 granted Sep. 10, 1985 and the Church U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,770 granted Aug. 16, 1988. Molded rubber keyboards have been used in combination with overlying printed circuit boards to provide a keyboard structure which is less expensive than those keyboards having full travel and a separate push button member separately mounted in a frame. The molded rubber keyboards generally comprise a elastomeric sheet integral with upwardly projecting rubber keys. Each elastomeric key is located above a recess in the sheet and has a depending projection to actuate the keyswitches on the printed circuit board located directly below.
A principal disadvantage, besides not being able to provide a full-travel keyboard, is a tendency of each individual keytop of the unitary rubber key structure to wobble or move laterally as it is depressed. The user feels that the keyswitch lacks precision in operation and thus identifies the keyboard as being of a low quality.
To overcome such disadvantages, U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,865 provides guides 38 intermediate the keytops to maintain the keytops substantially level as the keytop is depressed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,770 provides an interconnecting membrane 40 for maintaining the keytops in a linear path as the keytops are depressed.
One of the objects of this invention is to provide a keyboard that overcomes the above-identified problems in providing a full-travel keyboard having tactile feel and overtravel features utilizing an integral key structure.
These and other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

Keyboard with full-travel, self-leveling keyswitches and return mechanism keyswitch


Rigid isocyanurate based foam laminate product is provided wherein the foam cells, which are normally inherently somewhat anisotropic as formed, are re-ordered in the finished laminate product to produce a multicoordinate, uniformly random pattern, cell axis orientation that enhances the physical properties of the finished product. A method of causing the multicoordinate cell axis re-ordering to occur during product manufacture is disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject matter of this invention concerns improvements in laminates comprised of polymer foam core sandwiched between facing sheets, and a method of producing such laminates which enhances their physical and thermal properties.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known to produce laminate products on a continuous conveyor processing line, wherein the laminates have a polymer foam core flanked by opposed facing sheets adhered to the upper and under surface of the core. Many arrangements are used commercially for this but generally involve advancing a bottom sheet, which may be of flexible material such as paper, plastic film, metal foil, sheet metal and the like, along a conveyor surface while depositing on that sheet a reactive liquid polymer mix. The mix foams as it ages during further progress with the sheet along the conveyor, gradually rising into a blanket covering the entire facing sheet. An upper facing sheet is also applied after laydown of the foam mix, to complete the laminate, both upper and lower sheets becoming bonded to the foam as this continues to develope during advance along the conveyor, thus providing a finished product such as wallboard having a foam core sandwiched between facing sheets.
Examples of this general procedure are illustrated in prior patents of which Carlson et al Nos. 3,215,581, Edwards 3,453,168, Wooler 3,702,274, Kolakowski et al 3,837,771, Anderson et al 3,933,548, Forrester 4,019,938, Hipchen et al 4,028,158 and Tippmann 4,149,840, are the most pertinent to this invention known to the inventors herein. The objective of the prior patents in each case is to obtain continuous production of panelboard having various types of facing sheets bonded to an expanded polymeric form core, wherein the surfaces of the finished panelboard are smooth, planar, the finished board is of uniform thickness and the foam core is well adhered to the facing sheets and is of uniform density. Achieving this desired result presents very real practical problems in large scale continuous production, since many variables such as changes in foam mix formulation, ambient temperature conditions, as well as programmed altering of physical dimensions (e.g., thickness) of the panelboard are commonly involved. Maximizing the physical properties of the product, while coping with the numerous variables mentioned above, requires considerable skill on the part of personnel controlling the process and uniformity is not always achieved even by highly skilled personnel. Improvements in the process which assist an operator in getting consistently uniform product are accordingly of considerable commercial importance.

Oriented cell polyisocyanurate foam laminate


In a single-component developer system, the charge of the developer is controlled despite changes in relative humidity by determining or predicting the relative humidity and adjusting the bias on a device for charging said toner, such as, a toner-adder roller or doctor blade.

Development of electrostatic images using a developer that does not include a carrier has become popular in low-cost printers and copiers. This system does not require a toner monitor. The rest of the mechanism for applying toner is generally less expensive than that used in two component systems. This approach provides substantial development latitude of textural subject matter but is generally not able to reproduce gray scale or continuous tones reliably.
A typical development device using single-component nonmagnetic developer includes a developer roller which is rotated to move in the same direction as an electrostatic image to be developed. A toner-adder roller both applies toner to the developer roller and charges that toner utilizing both a difference in applied potential between the toner-adder roller and the developer roller and substantial triboelectrical effect from rubbing contact between the two rollers. A doctor blade controls the thickness of the layer of developer on the developer roller and can also be used to increase or control the charge on the toner. The developer roller contacts or nearly contacts the electrostatic image bearing number while developing the image under the influence of an electric field having DC or both DC and AC components.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,940 Ishikawa et al, issued Oct. 17, 1989, shows a developing device using single-component magnetic toner in which transportation of the developer is assisted by a magnetic development roller but in which charging of the toner is accomplished similarly to the nonmagnetic type of system. In this system the bias between the toner-adding roller and the development roller can be switched in order to make the toner positive or negative with respect to the electrostatic image.
These systems are affected by changes in relative humidity which may account in part for their nonuse in gray scale toning applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,103 shows an attempt to compensate for problems in a single component magnetic development system by varying the bias on a developer roller with respect to the electrostatic image as a function of measured conditions, including temperature and relative humidity.
Control of the bias on the development roller with respect to the electrostatic image as a function of relative humidity can help prevent problems at one end of the exposure scale or the other depending on whether the humidity is high or low and may be an acceptable compensation in developing text material. However, such a system is still inadequate when toning "gray scale images" in which there is interest in toning potential differences across a full range of potential.


A roll-up shutter is formed of numerous, identical, horizontally elongated slats each having a pair of oppositely and downwardly extended hooks formed on its upper edge and a downwardly opening groove on its lower edge for receiving the hooks of the next adjacent slat. The lower edges of the walls forming the groove in each slat are bent inwardly and upwardly to provide inner channels. The pair of hooks of one slat are normally engaged within the corresponding pair of channels of the next adjacent slat. The hook and channel on one side of each slat are arranged at a higher level than the corresponding hook and channel on the other side of each slat. When the shutter is opened, to cover a window or doorway opening, the engaged hooks and slats, which extend substantially along the full width of the shutter, form horizontally arranged, bar-like reinforcements for the shutter. When the shutter is rolled-up, the slats pivot about the hook and channel engagements located at the inner curvature of the rolled shutter while the hooks and channels located on the outer curvature of the rolled shutters move apart to permit pivoting.

This invention relates to an improved roll-up shutter formed of horizontally elongated slats which are pivotally connected together along their upper and lower edges. The improvement relates to shutter edge connections which provide reinforcing, bar-like strips extending along the width of the shutter to resist penetration by forcefully hurled objects.
Roll-up shutters are conventionally made of relatively thin, narrow, horizontally elongated slats which are connected together along their adjacent edges. Typically, these slats are formed of aluminum or plastic extrusions. In such extrusions, the body of each slat is formed in a roughly rectangular cross-sectional shape to provide a hollow interior. The upper edge of each slat is provided with a hook-like bend which fits into a channel formed in the lower edge of the next adjacent slat for pivotally connecting the two slats together.
When the shutter is opened, so that the slats are in a generally vertical plane for providing a closure, each slat is suspended from the slat next above it by the connection of their respective hook bends and channels. The shutter is rolled-up, around an axis, which may be in the form of an interior axle or shaft, so that the adjacent slats pivot relative to each other during the rolling procedure.
Roll-up shutter slats as described above are common and generally operate on the same principle. The cross-sectional shapes of the slats may vary from one shutter to another. Also, conventional slats, which are usually formed in a hollow box-like cross-section, may contain interior reinforcing ribs or other interior structures for rigidifying each slat to some extent.
Although these conventional roll-up type shutters are relatively strong, they are susceptible to penetration or breakage if a sufficiently forceful impact is applied against them. That is, a rapidly moving object, such as wind-hurled debris thrown by a high-velocity, hurricane force winds, might penetrate or break apart the shutter, particularly at the connections between its slats. Thus, it is desirable, especially in areas which are subject to hurricane strength winds where wind-hurled objects are a danger, to provide a means for reinforcing each shutter to resist penetration by such flying objects.
The invention herein relates to an improved slat connecting pivot configuration which functions to provide reinforcing strips along the width of the shutter.


In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a link to a video program; obtaining metadata that relates to the program and that defines, for a specified time point in the program, annotations to be invoked at the specified time point; wherein the annotations comprise: a graphic image; one or more filters, each of the filters comprising a key and one or more matching values; and optionally a reference to a video segment, an electronic document, program code statements, or a programmatic call; during playing the video, detecting that the video program is playing at the specified time point; in response to the detecting: for each particular annotation for the specified time point, retrieving a current value for the key, and causing to display the graphic image associated with that particular annotation only when the current value of the key matches one of the matching values of one of the filters.

Commercial television broadcasting has been supported by advertising revenue since its inception. More recently, providers of video programs and video clips in Internet sites have embedded advertising within video programs or next to video programs in web pages at which the video programs are viewed. However, a continuing problem involved in these technologies is that the advertisements are not closely personalized for the viewer. Instead, commercial broadcasters attempt to define, in terms of rough demographic characteristics, a sub-population of a mass audience that is expected to be interested in a particular program; advertisers who believe that their products appeal to the same rough demographic will purchase advertising slots in the program. Unfortunately, a continuing result of this system is that at least some viewers, who do not fit the rough demographic, are shown advertisements that are irrelevant to the viewers' interests.
Internet technologies also have attempted to tailor advertisements, displayed in World Wide Web sites, more closely to the preferences of Internet users, based on collecting explicitly-specified preference data, based on a user profile, or by inferring preferences through collecting metadata that is derived as the Internet user selects pages or performs online actions. However, these technologies are not fully accurate because they rely on algorithms that attempt to match known characteristics of ads with user preferences that can be only roughly inferred from the data that the users provide.
Video editors such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro enable users to select multiple video clips, join the clips, and annotate the clips by defining cue points and associating text notes with the cue points.
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.

Code execution in complex audiovisual experiences


A hydrotreating catalyst for heavy hydrocarbon oil, which comprises a boron-containing alumina carrier containing from 1 to 12 wt %, in terms of an oxide, of boron based on the catalyst, having supported thereon a metal in the Group VI, wherein the catalyst has an average pore size of from 19 to 25 nm, a pore volume of from 0.65 to 0.8 ml/g, a catalyst strength of 3 lb/mm or more, and a specific surface area of from 70 to 130 m.sup.2 /g; a process for producing the hydrotreating catalyst; and a method for hydrotreating heavy hydrocarbon oil, which comprises conducting a catalytic reaction of heavy hydrocarbon oil in the presence of the catalyst composition at a temperature of from 300 to 500.degree. C., a pressure of from 3 to 20 MPa, a hydrogen/oil ratio of from 400 to 3000 Nl/l, and LHSV of from 0.1 to 1.5 hr.sup.-1.

In recent years, the need for low-sulfur fuel oil has ever been increasing for prevention of environmental pollution. On the other hand, as crude oil has become heavy globally, there is a tendency that crude oil having a high content of sulfur, asphaltene, metal and the like should be treated, and the conditions of hydrotreating atmospheric residual oil or vacuum residual oil to obtain low-sulfur fuel oil have been getting stricter. The prolonged demand structure involving a shortage of middle cuts is also a background of this tendency. As a result, improvements in activity and deactivation of a hydrotreating catalyst have been studied intensively, aiming at increase of production of low-sulfur fuel oil by hydrotreating heavy hydrocarbon oil.
Heavy hydrocarbon oil often contains metal compounds, mainly nickel, vanadium, and the like. If such heavy hydrocarbon oil is used as a raw material in a catalytic treatment step, these metal compounds deposit on the catalyst to diminish the catalyst activity and to shorten the catalyst life. Therefore, the metal content should be removed from the heavy hydrocarbon oil before catalytical treatments.

Hydrotreating catalyst for heavy hydrocarbon oil, process for producing the catalyst, and hydrotreating method using the same


A signal recording device comprises information means for introducing frequency-modulated information signals, generator means for generating control signals corresponding to the frequencies of the information signals introduced by the information means, control means for varying the level of signals applied thereto in accordance with the output of the generator means, input means for applying the information signals to the control means, modulator means for applying, as modulation signals, the level-varied information signals provided by the control means, and beam generating means for generating a beam the intensity of which is to be varied by the modulator means.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a signal recording device in which signals such as TV signals are frequency- or pulse-frequency-modulated and, after such modulated signals are applied as modulation signals to a modulator, a beam is applied to the modulator to cause the modulator to provide a recording beam having signal components, such beam being applied to a recording medium to thereby record signals on the recording medium
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has commonly been practised to record information on a recording medium by applying to the recording medium a beam modulated by the information. However, although a drive signal voltage applied to a light intensity modulator for varying the intensity of beam energy in accordance with signals is proportionate to the intensity of the modulated beam energy, and although the intensity of the modulated beam energy may be sufficiently responsive to variations with time of the drive signal voltage, the amplitude with which the record pattern is recorded on the recording medium cannot be maintained constant because of the non-uniform energy distribution throughout the beam applied to the recording medium, and because of the limited diameter of the beam. Thus, reproduction of the signals from such recording medium does not result in exact reproduction of the information which is to be recorded.


An N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine salt of a phosphoric acid selected from the group consisting of ortho-phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acid. Such a phosphate is incorporated as a color developing agent in a liquid packaged developer concentrate which subsequently is mixed with other materials contained in a multi-package receptacle and the mixture is diluted with water to form a color developer working solution (bath) for developing a colored film. The developer concentrate has the advantage that the color developing agent therein does not tend to deteriorate upon standing, as do present-day widely used commercial N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine color developing agents in developer liquid concentrates, e.g. 4-amino-N-ethyl, N-beta methanesulfonamidoethyul-m-toluidene sesqui-sulfate monohydrate and 4-amino-N-ethyl, N-beta methanesulfonamidoethyl-m-toluidene hydrochloride; nor do the new phosphate color developing agents require the presence in the developer liquid concentrate of an anti-oxidant such as a sulfite or ascorbic acid, as do the present-day commercial color developing agents, although the presence of such anti-oxidants with the new color developing agents is not harmful and, indeed, is of some slight assistance. The new color developer liquid concentrate may contain conventional photographic adjuvants and is characterized by its ability to incorporate large percentages of the color developing agent without rendering the concentrate physically unmanageable for packaging and admixture with other materials to form a working color developer solution whereby the volume and weight of a kit employing such a concentrate is reduced thereby lowering production, storage and shipping costs. The new color developing agent, because of the minimal deterioration upon standing, provides true color values upon developing, which values are as good as those obtainable with freshly prepared presently used color developing agents that are not of the phosphate type. The invention also embraces the use of the new color developing agent for color developing of colored film.

1. Field of the Invention
N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine color developing agents, their incorporation as a principal functional component of a liquid packaged developer concentrate, their incorporation in color developing working solutions (baths) and their use in the color development of colored film.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The formation of colored negative or positive images from exposed sensitized silver halide color emulsions is a demanding process which requires a high degree of purity in the color developing solutions. The chemistry and physics of the process are described by J. R. Thirtle and D. M. Zwick in Kirk-Othmer "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology", Volume 5, pages 812-845 (2nd edition). The process is applicable to the developing of photographic color negatives, photographic color positives, photographic color plates and colored cinematographic films. The developers currently and for many years past used in the trade to process such emulsions contain as the color developing agent N,N disubstituted p-phenylenediamines. In the course of color development, the color developing agent reacts with phenolic or active methylene couplers that are incorporated in sundry layers of the emulsion on a transparent base or paper and forms non-diffusing dyes that constitute the final image.
Such color developing agents, when in contact with exposed silver halide, distributed in three separate emulsion layers, undergo oxidation to quinone diimines which, in turn, condense with the three different color couplers, each of which is present in a different emulsion layer. The amount of quinone diimine formed is directly proportional to the amount of silver halide that has been exposed and, therefore, determines the amount and, hence, the intensity, of dye that is formed. This process is known as oxidative coupling. The combination of the layers of yellow, cyan and magenta dyes in amounts determined by the exposed silver halide can be made to reproduce with a high degree of faithfulness the colors of the photographed subject.
Any degradation of the color developing agent affects the amount of dye formed and the degradation products may adversely affect the color of the dye formed and also the degraded color agent may diffuse throughout a given layer to develop color in non-exposed areas. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamines as color developing agents are characterized by their ability to condense with color couplers in the immediate vicinity of exposed silver halide grains and not to diffuse, whereas degradation products may not be characterized by such non-diffusibility and, hence, can result in non-selective dye formation.
From a practical point of view, the choice of developing agents is limited because of the characteristics demanded of the dyes, among others, optimum spectral characteristics and resistance to fading, bearing in mind that the most widely distributed color films are made by and under the control of a single manufacturer, so that the color developing agents are specifically tailored to the existing color couplers present in such emulsions in order to form the correct dyes, or because of characteristics demanded of the color developing agents such as non-allergenicity.
One particular N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine color developing agent has gained wide acceptance in the trade and is the color developing agent recommended by the single manufacturer for color developing its color film. This is 4-amino-N-ethyl, N-beta methanesulfonamidoethyl-m-toluidene, hereinafter denominated as AEMT. This compound also is known as 4-amino, 3-methyl,N-ethyl,N-beta methanesulfonamidoethyl aniline. AEMT has the following structural formula: ##STR1## As a sesqui-sulfate monohydrate of the aforesaid free base, the color developing agent is marketed under the designation CD-3 and is used in a majority of color photographic processes developed by Eastman Kodak Company. Other N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine color developing agents have been proposed, but none has found as wide an acceptance as CD-3 and, in the present market, CD-3 is the color developing agent of choice despite the fact that other N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamines are well known for the sample purpose. Typical of other N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine color developing agents that form non-diffusing dyes with phenolic and active methylene couplers are N,N diethyl-p-phenylenediamine monohydrochloride [known in the trade as CD-1]; 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-beta hydroxyethyl aniline sulfate [the free base, as distinguished from the sulfate salt, is known as AMEHEA, the sulfate salt is known in the trade as CD-4]; 2-amino-5-diethyl-amino-toluene [known as ADAT, the hydrochloride salt is known in the trade as CD-2]; and similar N,N, disubstituted p-phenylenediamine color developing agents such, for example, as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,552,241; 2,566,271 and 3,658,525, and in an article entitled "CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION, ELECTROMECHANICAL, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ALLERGENIC PROPERTIES OF p-AMINO-N-DIALKYL-ANILINES" (sic) published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Volume 73, Pages 3100-3125 (1951).
As mentioned above, the color developing agent of primary commercial interest is, and for some time past has been, the sesqui-sulfate monohydrate of AEMT. This salt is itself a color developing agent. However, it does not constitute, as such, a color developer, that is to say, a working bath for the color development of a color film, but is a necessary ingredient of a color developer. In some commercial color processes it is the practice to segregate different constituents of a working color developer bath into separate components (compositions), each of which is concentrated as far as is practical, and each of which is liquid to facilitate mixing and dilution with water (upon occasion some of the components may be dry), and each of which is compartmented, that is to say packaged in a receptacle separate from other packaged components, all of the packaged components of a developer usually being contained in a single box. Any given component need not be, and usually is not, composed of a single ingredient such, for example, as a color developing agent. It is common, for example, to include a liquid solvent which may be water and/or an organic solvent and/or a solubilizing agent and/or a mixture of different liquids as an ingredient of each component. The organic solvent and/or solubilizing agent, if present, may have as their sole function that of a carrier or they also may have a photographic function such, for example, as boosting the dye formed when the color developing agent reacts with a color coupler. Additionally, there are various adjuvants which are used in a working color developer bath, examples of which are pH buffering systems, preservatives, sequestrants, anti-foggants, enhancers, and the like. Some of these require different solvent systems and, for such reason, are separately compartmented. Others tend to be unstable when kept for periods of time in the same compartment with different ones of the compounds used. Others have a tendency to react with different ones of the compounds used. Others require the presence of co-solvents, etc. Hence, separate compartmenting of different components is an accepted practice in the art. The principles involving separate compartmentation and concentrating and allocation of different compounds to different compartments, as well as the concept of mixing the different compartmented compounds and diluting the same with water at the time of use, are well known.
In connection with the color developing agent of principal interest, CD-3, the color developing component which includes the color developing agent is, in its concentrated form, dissolved in water and pre-packaged; subsequently, the concentrated color developing component is, as indicated above, added to other concentrated components and diluted with water to form a working bath. It has been found that when CD-3 is used, a protective agent must be employed in the color developing component (concentrate) containing the same to prevent immediate initiation of the decomposition of the color developing agent by aerial oxidation. Conventionally, this has been done by adding an alkaline bisulfite or sulfite, usually an alkaline metal bisulfite or sulfite, to the color developing component as an element thereof. The term "alkaline" includes such moieties as alkali metals, quaternary ammoniums, amines, etc.
A color developing concentrated component so composed and stored in a fully closed container undergoes slow decomposition and this decomposition is accelerated if the concentrate has its temperature raised by storage in a warm or even hot environment. Such slow decomposition is inevitable in commercial practice because, after the concentrate is prepared at a factory, it is conventional to store the same at a warehouse near the point of manufacture, then to ship it to distribution points where, again, it is stored until withdrawn upon order. Thereafter, it is trucked to a retail outlet where it is put in a back room for a considerable time, after which it is moved onto retail shelves where it awaits purchase by members of the public or by photographic processors. The prevailing temperature at each of its points of repose obviously is beyond the control of the manufacturer and, because of extremely wide geographic distribution, the color developing concentrate inevitably is subjected to warm and hot environments so that decomposition, if it is to take place, must occur. The exact nature of such decomposition is not fully understood by the present inventors, but it is theorized that it involves reactions between the sulfur/oxygen moieties present in the concentrate which, in turn, may in part turn upon the proportions between the color developing agent and the preservative. In any event, the photographic consequences of the decomposition are easily measured and it is these consequences which limit the shelf life of such concentrates, to wit, of a CD-3/sulfite concentrate.
When a container having such a CD-3/sulfite concentrate is opened and exposed to air, two disadvantageous reactions occur in addition to the previous in-package slow decomposition. One of these further reactions is that the liquid concentrate immediately evolves sulfur dioxide gas and, at the same time, the sulfite (or bisulfite) in the solution starts to decompose continuously and rapidly at a rate much faster than decomposition took place in the closed container. This decomposition proceeds until the sulfite or bisulfite is fully depleted. The second reaction is that exposure to air causes oxidation of the color developing agent. Initially, decomposition is comparatively slow due to the protective effect of the sulfite or bisulfite, but as this anti-oxidant depletes, the oxidation of the developing agent accelerates quite quickly until the decomposition proceeds very rapidly when the bisulfite/sulfite in the container diminishes to zero.
The decomposition of the color developing agent leads to the production of false colors, non-selective dye formation and fog in any color emulsion which is developed therewith. The evolution of sulfur dioxide gas from the concentrate when the container is opened is considered highly objectionable due to both the sharp pungent odor of the gas and to its lacrimating action.
The decomposition of the color developing agent and of the preservative could be somewhat reduced if the color developing component were not highly concentrated, but manufacturers and users find it advantageous, for reasons mentioned earlier, to make and use a color developing component which is as concentrated as it is reasonably possible to make. The concentration is limited practically by factors such as increase in viscosity to the point that the concentrate cannot be poured out of its container with ease, or there is too much of a tendency to retain some of the concentrate as a thick film on the walls of the container, or the viscosity becomes so high that dilution with water to form the working bath becomes overly difficult. Increase in concentration is also limited by the decomposition just discussed.

N,N Disubstituted p-phenylenediamine phosphates to form a color developer working solution, a color developer concentrate containing such a phosphate and a method of using said working solution for color development of color film


Some illustrative embodiments of a system for estimating forage growth at an area of interest may include a mobile support, a laser sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor. The laser sensor and the ultrasonic sensor may each be supported by the mobile support, and may each be configured to sense the forage growth at the area of interest. The laser sensor may generate laser forage data corresponding to the forage growth, and the ultrasonic sensor may generate ultrasonic forage data corresponding to the forage growth. A measured forage growth value may be determined as a function of the laser forage data and the ultrasonic forage data.

Non-destructive methods for estimating dry biomass have been developed using plant or canopy measurements. For example, vegetative mass may be considered a function of canopy or plant height. An estimate of canopy or plant height may be recorded, and an empirical relationship can be created between height and dry matter. Devices such as, for example, the rising plate meter, capacitance meter, and meter stick may facilitate physical measurements of vegetation height. Limitations associated with these techniques may include the labor and time needed to collect the measurements. Additionally, challenges can be encountered in obtaining accurate height measurements due to variations based, for example, on vegetation growth characteristics and spatial variability. These factors may present difficulty in creating a robust estimation model that is representative of a comprehensive range of dry biomass volumes that may be encountered in a given area or sample.
Remote sensing strategies employing various types of electronic sensors may overcome some of the limitations encountered with physical measurement strategies. In general, electronic sensors may permit more measurements to be taken in a considerably smaller amount of time enabling the user to collect a larger data sample. This increased magnitude in data collection may provide the foundation for development of a statistically robust estimation model that is a more comprehensive and accurate representation of vegetative mass at a sampling area or area of interest. However, the accuracy of electronically sensed data can be affected by a variety of factors, such as when vegetation growth reaches partial or full canopy closure. At partial or full canopy closure, a point of reflectance saturation in some sensors may occur, which may reduce the accuracy of the sensed data. Thus, improvements to devices, systems, and methods enabling more efficient and accurate acquisition of data for estimating forage growth may be desirable.

Forage biomass estimation devices, systems, and methods


A drawer rail and a home appliance including the same are disclosed. The home appliance includes a drawer rail configured to withdraw an item accommodation unit provided in a storage chamber and a rail bracket configured to mount the drawer rail to the storage chamber. The rail bracket includes a body configured to be mounted to the storage chamber, and bracket hooks provided at openings formed in a front portion and a rear portion of the body. The drawer rail includes rail holes into which the bracket hooks are respectively inserted.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drawer rail and a home appliance including the same.
Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a home appliance, such as a refrigerator, a dishwasher, etc., includes a drawer, a shelf or a basket in order to accommodate items therein. Such an item accommodation unit is provided so as to be movable forwards and backwards. For example, the item accommodation unit of a dishwasher is a basket. A user may draw out the basket by pulling the same to put or take dishes in or out of the basket. Thereafter, the user may push the basket into the dishwasher.
The movement of an item accommodation unit in the forward-and-backward direction may be realized by various structures. For example, a rail groove may be formed in a cabinet, and a roller, which is configured to move forwards and backwards along the rail groove, may be mounted to the item accommodation unit. Accordingly, the item accommodation unit is capable of moving forwards and backwards along the rail groove. However, this structure has a shortcoming in that the distance that the item accommodation unit can move forwards and backwards is relatively short and in that, when the weight of the item accommodation unit increases, the movement of the item accommodation unit may not be realized smoothly and stably.
In particular, in the case of a basket of a dishwasher, very heavy dishes are accommodated in the basket. Therefore, in order to stably move the basket forwards and backwards, a very firm support structure is needed for the basket. Further, in order to minimize the movement path of a user when the user puts heavy dishes in the basket or removes the same, the basket needs to be drawn as far as possible out of the main body, the cabinet or the tub of the dishwasher. In particular, dishes accommodated in the basket need to be arranged at a regular interval. The reason for this is to effectively and evenly wash the entire area of the dishes. In the case in which the basket is disposed in the tub, it is more difficult to arrange the dishes in the basket. For this reason, it is desirable to draw the entire basket out of the tub of the dishwasher.
Therefore, a very firm support structure is required in consideration of a relatively long movement distance, a relatively distant withdrawal position, and a relatively heavy weight of the basket and the dishes accommodated therein.
U.S. Patent Publication No. US2010/0108109A1 (hereinafter, referred to as a "prior art") discloses a drawer rail of a dishwasher.
The disclosed drawer rail includes an outer rail (a first rail), which is mounted to a tub, and an outer rail (a second rail), to which a basket is mounted. An inner rail (a third rail) is provided between the above outer rails. The inner rail slides relative to the outer rails using ball bearings, which are provided in a retainer.
When the basket is withdrawn, the second rail first slides relative to the third rail. When the second rail, moving relative to the third rail, reaches the end position, the third rail slides relative to the first rail until it reaches the end position. Therefore, the process of withdrawing the basket is performed in two stages, making it possible to increase the withdrawal distance of the basket and to securely support the weight of the basket.
The first rail, the second rail, and the third rail are coupled to one another from the left to the right in such a way as to be spaced apart from one another. In order to allow the relative movement among the first rail, the second rail, and the third rail, these rails are designed to have sufficient gaps therebetween.
For this reason, as the number of times that the basket is pushed in and drawn out increases or when a very large amount of force is applied to withdraw the basket, the possibility of the rails becoming separated from one another may also increase. This is because the gap between the rails may increase when the second rail moves to the end position from the third rail or when the third rail moves to the end position from the first rail. That is, when the length from a stopper for limiting the maximum movement of each rail to the distal end of each rail increases, the gap between the rails in the lateral direction may increase beyond an allowable range.
Further, the basket is mounted to the second rail and is separated from the second rail as needed. However, it is not easy to mount or separate the basket to or from the second rail because the position of the second rail is not fixed.
Furthermore, the drawer rail is mounted to the tub and is separated from the tub as needed. However, it is not easy to mount or separate the drawer rail to or from the tub because the drawer rail is mounted inside the tub.

Drawer rail and home appliance including the same


The system has a variator lens and a compensator lens which are mutually displaceable for varying the focal length of the optical system. In the normal zoom range, the focal length is adjustable between a telephoto condition and a wide angle condition, in accordance with the positions of the variator and compensator lenses. The system has macro capability in both a range beyond the extreme telephoto end of the zoom range and also in a range beyond the extreme wide angle end of the zoom range. In at least the macro range at the telephoto end, the slots in the camming sleeve for the variator and compensator lenses lie substantially in planes.

Currently, a standard zoom optical system for a movie camera has the capability of focusing on objects located at any distance between about five feet and infinity. The focusing function in this range is normally performed by a set of lenses referred to as the focusing group, located at the front end of the optical system.
The desired framing of the scene may be adjusted by adjusting the "zoom" of the lens. This is accomplished by moving a variator lens group and a compensator lens group, which are mutually displaceable in a predetermined relationship. A common zoom range in a zoom optical system for a movie camera is 7-45 millimeters.
It is desirable that the zoom lens be capable of focusing on objects located closer than five feet. There are and have been zoom lenses on the market and patented which can focus on objects in the extreme closeup or "macro" range. These currently available lenses have means selectively to be placed in the normal zoom mode or in a macro mode. In the former mode, the zoom lens can be focused on objects say beyond five feet, while in the macro mode the lens may be focused on objects closer than five feet.
However, all such currently available lenses as far as known by the applicant herein, do not offer what may be characterized as a variable focal length or a variable magnification within the macro range. In other words, an object located at for example three feet may be focused by these lenses, but the reduction ratio is fixed; i.e., the size of the scene for an object located in the macro range is fixed. The reason for this is because currently available zoom lenses have macro capability only at one end of the normal zoom range. Some such lenses have macro capability in the range beyond the wide angle end of the zoom range and others have macro capability in the range beyond the telephoto end of the zoom range.
So as to increase the versatility of a zoom lens and provide for a more selectable framing or reduction in extreme closeup photography, two macro modes have been mentioned in at least one prior U.S. patent, although no such zoom lens having dual macro capability is known to be or have been on the market.
Reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,555, to Suwa et al. which discloses some possible forms in which macro capability exists at both ends of the zoom range. For example, in FIG. 1, such a system is disclosed. The common method of construction is to use camming slots in the sleeves that carry the variator and compensator lens groups. A linear camming slot, that is one whose axis is substantially planar, is much easier to manufacture within the exceedingly close tolerance which is required of lens systems. Thus, the nonlinear movement of the compensator and variator lenses, particularly in the macro ranges as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the Suwa et al. patent, makes it uneconomical to manufacture.
There is currently in the marketplace a zoom lens of the type described herein with a normal range and a macro capability at the wide angle end of the zoom range. This particular system is sold by Bell & Howell Company, the assignee of the present application, but it has no macro capability beyond the telephoto end of the normal zoom range.


A multimeter includes: a rotary switch which selects a measurement function; a common terminal hole into which a connector of a test probe is inserted; selection terminal holes into which the connector of the test probe is selectively inserted; and shutter plates which selectively open the selection terminal holes. The rotary switch includes convex portions. The shutter plate includes a hole corresponding to the common terminal hole so that the shutter plate rotates by using the center of the common terminal hole as the rotation axis and includes a concave portion engageable with the convex portion so that the shutter plate rotates to open the selection terminal holes by the movement of the convex portion. The shutter plate includes a concave portion engageable with the convex portion so that the shutter plate opens and closes the selection terminal hole by the movement of the convex portion.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a multimeter in which a plurality of selection terminal holes for inserting a connector of a test probe thereinto is selectively opened in accordance with a rotation of a rotary switch for selecting a measurement function.
2. Background of the Invention
A multimeter (called a tester) which is a measurement unit with a plurality of measurement functions for measuring a voltage, a current, a resistance, and the like is used in various measurement sites. The multimeter includes a common terminal hole into which a black test probe is inserted and a plurality of selection terminal holes into which a connector of a red test probe is inserted. Then, a measurer selects a desired measurement function by rotating a rotary switch and performs a measurement by inserting the red test probe into the selection terminal hole corresponding to the selected measurement function and inserting the black test probe into the common terminal hole.
In a case where the measurer uses the multimeter by inserting the test probe into the erroneous selection terminal hole, a circuit or a fuse inside the multimeter may be damaged. For example, a maximum current that may flow to the current measurement selection terminal hole is defined. Accordingly, when the current measurement selection terminal hole is used by mistake for the other measurement function, there is a case in which the fuse may be damaged due to the excessive current flowing thereto. For this reason, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3522030, there is known a multimeter with an erroneous insertion preventing mechanism in which a shutter plate is moved by a rotation of a rotary switch so as to open a selection terminal hole corresponding to a measurement function.


A device and method for underskin laser treatment that is minimally invasive, versatile and precise, that allows for underskin laser treatment with only minimal insertions into the area of treatment. For example, an entire area may be treated with one insertion. The device and method incorporates a standard insertion component making the system inexpensive and easy for doctors to use. In addition, the the invention allows users to get in direct contact with the treatment site, eliminating deleterious side effects encountered when treatment is administered to the skin surface. The device and method has applications in several areas of treatment. First, underskin treatment of aesthetic skin blemishes such as sagging and wrinkles can be performed with minimal external effects. Laser power is delivered directly beneath the skin, bypassing harmful exposure of the skin surface to the radiation. Second, common vascular abnormalities such as capillary disorders, spider nevus, hemangioma, and varicose veins can be selectively eliminated. The device allows a simple, single insertion per treated structure and specific laser delivery. The needle is inserted into the vascular structure and any abnormalities are eradicated starting from the source and continuing through the entire structure. Third, when coupled with x-ray imaging, the present invention may be used to treat various internal body structures for example during surgery. X-ray imaging allows the user to orient the device within the body structures. Laser delivery treatment can then be administered as described above.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to medical laser treatments performed beneath the skin and more specifically to correction of skin disfigurement, to eradication of vascular abnormalities, and to various operations performed on internal body structures.
2. Invention Disclosure Statement
Underskin laser treatment is an effective way to eliminate many abnormalities. A below the skin application provides a more proximal access to the area of treatment enabling the use of a less powerful and less harmful laser. Straight form surface treatments require laser energy to be focused on the skin surface, commonly leading to undesired side effects such as external discoloration or scarring. The present invention describes an underskin laser treatment system that can be utilized for correcting skin irregularities, eradicating vascular abnormalities, and operating in various parts of the body. Radiation administered below the surface of the skin provides a more proximal application with reduced risks of accidentally exposing surrounding tissue to the laser radiation.
Dermatological laser treatments have been reported to cure skin wrinkles. Laser energy is used to selectively trigger the body's normal healing process. Effectively, the lasing induces fibroblast activity resulting in collagen proliferation. The wrinkle is filled in and thereby reduced. The method involves flashing a laser onto the skin surface above the wrinkle to induce underskin effects. The desired area of treatment however lies beneath the skin surface. The laser energy must penetrate the epidermal layer to reach the derma. This distance of the beam from the treatment site and the loss of energy due to reflection of the beam at the skin surface necessitate using a higher power laser. As a result, potential, undesired surface damage occurs. Such damage may include prolonged erythema, scaring, dyspigmentation, and infection. To prevent these side effects, one laser method employs a cryogen spray that is projected onto the epidermis during treatment to counteract the laser heat energy. The cooling part of the process allows users to selectively effect the derma while protecting the overlying layers. The success and safety of the procedure then depends greatly on the consistent application of the coolant. Further, devices needed to dispense the coolant, for example a coolant reservoir on the laser delivery device, makes the invention more complex and potentially more expensive and cumbersome. [See, e.g., Kristen M. Kelly et. al., "Cryogen Spray Cooling in Combination With Nonablative Laser Treatment of Facial Rhytides," Arch. Dermatol., 135 (1999) 691-694., J. Stuart Nelson, M D, PhD et. al., "Dynamic Epidermal Cooling During Pulsed Laser Treatment of Port-Wine Stain," Arch. Dermatol., 131 (1995) 695-700., Bahman Anvari et. al., "A Theoretical Study of the Thermal Response of Skin to Cryogen Spray Cooling and Pulsed Laser Irradiation: Implications For Treatment of Port Wine Stain Birthmarks," Phys. Med. Biol., 40 (1995) 1451-1465.]
The present invention describes an improved method of wrinkle removal. By allowing laser energy to be delivered subcutaneously, the present invention substantially prevents against surface epidermal injury. Further, the closer proximity of the application of the radiation to the underskin site allows a lower power application reducing the amount of deleterious side effects in general.
Laser treatment below the surface of the skin has also been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,739 to Trelles. There a method is described whereby an optical probe is inserted into the skin adjacent to a vascular abnormality. Introducing laser pulses will serve to collapse and close off the vein. This method requires multiple insertions of the device along the desired vein to treat the abnormality. The procedure has limitations. First, the described method is specific for treatment of veins, primarily in the leg, and is therefore limited to that specific treatment. Second, the procedure requires a low power beam to illuminate and direct the probe to the treatment site under the skin. Treatment is then limited to underskin sites at a depth that the illumination beam can penetrate. Third, the method describes delivery of the laser power to the vicinity of, and outside the vein requiring treatment. Such laser treatment closes off the vein by collapsing its wall, an indirect solution.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,029 to Trelles et. al. describes a device that can be used to perform the underskin laser treatment of veins. The composition of the device described further limits the practicality of the invention. First, the device employs probes specially manufactured for the procedure, increasing the specificity of the equipment needed. Therefore, it may be difficult for users to have on hand all the various sized probes needed for different applications; and it may be costly for them to obtain additional attachments. Second, the special probes used in the treatment are too expensive to be disposed of; therefore they must be sterilized and sharpened after applications. This is both time consuming and cumbersome for the user. Time and effort are required to ensure that each probe is properly sterilized; and suitable sharpening depends on the care and skill of the user.
The method also requires multiple insertions of the device into the patient's skin. Each insertion must be made so that the probe is placed in close proximity to the vein being treated. The treated section of the vein is closed off, the device is removed, reinserted into another section of the vein, and the lazing procedure is repeated. This requirement makes the device more difficult to use. Further, by introducing multiple punctures of the skin the risk of infection is increased, as is the chance for disfiguration of the skin surface.
Therefore, a device that incorporates a standard, less costly and more readily available needle or probe would be beneficial. Further, there exist a vast number of subcutaneous aberrations to which underskin laser treatment may be applied. The aforementioned limitations prevent the device and method outlined in Trelles from being used.
The present invention is designed to employ standard, disposable needles of varying specifications by which to introduce any size laser carrying optical fiber required to a subcutaneous treatment site. The device and method may be used on all body structures that can be affected by laser treatment. Users may therefore apply treatment with the present invention on superficial as well as internal organs and tissues.
An aim of the present invention is to provide a device and method to safely and effectively treat underskin abnormalities through direct contact, without incurring the problems and deleterious side effects associated with the prior art.

Device and method for underskin laser treatments


As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, for providing improved multi-protocol traffic processing includes receiving a data packet, determining if a big processor is activated, deactivating a little processor and activating the big processor if the big processor is not activated and an overflow queue is full, and deactivating the big processor and activating the little processor if the big processor is activated and a current throughput for the big processor is below a first threshold or a sustained throughput for the big processor remains below a second threshold. The big and little processors may be co-located on a single integrated circuit. An overflow queue, managed with a token bucket algorithm, may be used to enable the little processor to handle short burst of data packet traffic. A computer program product and an apparatus corresponding to the described method are also disclosed herein.

The present invention relates generally to the field of integrated circuits, and more particularly to energy conservation when processing network traffic.
Performance coupled with energy consumption and efficiency are important topics when considering a network traffic processing architecture. big.LITTLE™ is a System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture that combines the usage of a pair of processors on a single chip. The larger processor (i.e., big) is a powerful processor for handling high peaks and high volume traffic. The second, a smaller processor (i.e., LITTLE), is a lower power processor for processing lower volume traffic. When the SoC is performing networking operations, the integrated circuit may also be referred to as a Network-on-a-Chip (NoC). What is needed are methods for switching between the larger and smaller processors that conserves energy, particularly when processing variable network traffic.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In a method for programming an implantable device, an input is received at a user interface on a tablet-style clinician programmer. A first display signal is generated on the clinician programmer that updates content on a first display based on the received user input. The first display has a first size. A second display signal is generated for transmission to a secondary unit having a second display separate from the clinician programmer. The second display has a second size larger than the first size. The generating of the second display signal includes enhancing the content of the second display signal to provide a clear image on the second size display. The second display signal is transmitted from the clinician programmer to the second display.

Neurostimulation devices deliver therapy in the form of electrical stimulation pulses to treat symptoms and conditions, such as chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, or epilepsy, for example. Implantable neurostimulation devices, for example, deliver neurostimulation therapy via leads that include electrodes located proximate to the muscles and nerves of a patient.
Clinician programmers are used to control and program the neurostimulation devices with stimulation sequences to treat symptoms and conditions. These clinician programmers and devices of their type are relatively small to allow for easy transportation and storage. The portability has its price, however. It is difficult for more than one person to view the relatively small screen of a handheld programmer. People would have to crowd around the device to be able to attempt to see what is happening on the screen.
Further, even though the clinician programmer is portable, there are some areas where its use may be restricted. For instance, a clinician programmer may be covered under the drapes while a sales representative is talking to the patient. The clinician programmer thus may not be visible to the physician. As another example, the clinician programmer may not be a sterile device and cannot be taken into the sterile field in an operating room. Since the clinician programmer must remain outside of the sterile field, the physician is unable to read the screen while performing the procedure. Accordingly, the physician must verbally interact with and rely on someone (an external operator), who acts as his eyes and hands controlling the programmer outside of the sterile field. The situation could also be reversed, where the physician is doing the programming, and the staff is observing his/her actions, for example, talking to the patient at the head end of the surgery table. In any case, requiring an extra person results in additional time for the procedure to be completed as a result of the verbal communication of the programming device state and adjustments to be made between the physician and the external operator. The verbal interchange may also result in miscommunication which will add additional time to complete the procedure and possibly result in more severe consequences.
The present disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and methods that address one or more deficiencies in the prior art.