A wet-type friction engaging apparatus 10 comprises a friction disk 30 which is fitted by spline with a hub 20 and a mating plate 40 which is fitted by spline with a drum D. The friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40 are arranged alternately, and torque is transmitted when the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40 are engaged with each other. The inner surface of the hub 20 is in a stepped taper shape in order to let lubricating oil B leak from an opening end 26 of the hub 20, and an oil bore 24 is provided in each step in a radial direction of the hub 20. A periphery of an inlet of each oil bore 24 is in a concave shape. During low-speed rotation when centrifugal force is relatively small, the lubricating oil B leaks from the opening end 26 of the hub 20 and drag torque is reduced, and during high-speed rotation when centrifugal force is relatively large, lubricating oil which splashes from a shaft is securely concentrated and then be drained through the oil bore 24.

Conventionally, a wet-type friction engaging apparatus has been used in such as an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle or a transmission for an industrial or construction machinery etc. as a apparatus to transmit torque or to turn off its transmission.
As shown in FIG. 4, a friction disk 30 and a mating plate 40 are arranged alternately in a drum D of a wet-type friction engaging apparatus and the drum D houses a piston P, which is thrust by operating oil A, pressing the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40 to be in press contact with each other, and a spring receiver SR, which receives a spring S driving the piston P away from the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40.
The wet-type friction engaging apparatus 10A transmits torque in its engaging state when the piston P thrusts the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40, and turns off its transmission of torque in its releasing state when the piston P is driven away from the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40.
When the wet-type friction engaging apparatus is in its engaging state, the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40 generate heat to high temperature since they are rubbed against and in press contact with each other. Therefore, the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40 are cooled down by circulated cooling/lubricating oil B.
A projection which is provided on a opening end 22 of an inner surface of a hub 20 prevents the lubricating oil B from leaking from its end regardless of rotational speed, and thus, all lubricating oil B, regardless of rotational speed, drains through an oil bore 24, be circulated.
However, since such a wet-type friction engaging apparatus 10A needs to be supplied a large amount of lubricating oil B in order to heighten the cooling effect of the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40, and it causes a problem such that the driving force of an oil pump (not shown) has to be increased.
In addition, if the amount of supply of lubricating oil B is increased in order to heighten the cooling effect, lubricating oil B is regularly churned by the friction disk 30 or the mating plate 40 in the releasing state of the wet-type friction engaging apparatus 10A, and it causes a problem that fuel efficiency would worsen due to so-called "friction loss".
Moreover, since the cooling of the friction disk 30 and the mating plate 40 by the lubricating oil B is required during high-speed rotation, the lubricating oil is often overly supplied during low-speed rotation, which is a usual state of use. Therefore, in a usual state of use, a drag torque is generated due to the viscosity of the lubricating oil B and this causes drag loss and lowering of efficiency.
On the other hand, there is a lubrication and cooling structure of a wet-type clutch (by way of example, refer to Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. JP 10-9287A), which may sufficiently cool the engaging section of a wet-type friction engaging apparatus only with a small amount of lubricatinq oil.
This comprises a lubricating oil storage and a lubricating oil supply path, characterized in supplying lubricating oil to the lubricating oil storage through the lubricating oil supply path, and draining it through an opening of the lubricating oil storage.
In this connection, although the title of the invention is "lubrication structure," in JP 10-9287A, the object of the lubricating oil is not only to reduce abrasion of a friction section, but also to release heat, in other words, cool the friction section, and thus it should be referred to as a "lubrication and cooling structure" to be more precise.
It is described therein that according to the invention, sufficient cooling/lubricating oil is supplied to a friction surface; heat is sufficiently transmitted to the lubricating oil; the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil storage moves certainly from an outer diameter side of the friction surface to the opening of the lubricating oil storage to be drained; therefore, heat is not stored in lubricating oil; and as a result, the friction surface may be sufficiently cooled down with only a relatively small amount of lubricating oil.
It is also described therein that when the lubricating oil storage has a lubricating oil drain port, which opens and drains lubricating oil in the lubricating oil storage when friction engaging elements are not engaged, the drag torque of a clutch may be lowered at the time when friction engaging elements are not engaged, and thus, the loss of motive power can be reduced and fuel efficiency can be improved.
However, the lubrication and cooling structure of JP 10-9287A has a difficulty of miniaturizing a wet-type friction engagement apparatus since its structure is complicated and a lot of structural elements are required so as to realize its function.
In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lubrication and cooling structure of a wet-type friction engaging apparatus, of which structure is relatively simple, and which may reduce drag torque at the time of a usual state of use.

Lubricating and cooling structure of wet type friction engagement apparatus


An angle sensor system includes a magnetic field generation unit for generating a rotating magnetic field, and an angle sensor for detecting the rotating magnetic field to generate a detected angle value. The rotating magnetic field contains first and second magnetic field components orthogonal to each other. Each of the first and second magnetic field components contains an ideal magnetic field component, and an error component corresponding to the fifth harmonic of the ideal magnetic field component. The angle sensor includes first and second detection signal generation units. Each of the first and second detection signal generation units includes a magnetic layer whose magnetization direction varies according to the direction of the rotating magnetic field. The magnetic layer is provided with a magnetic anisotropy that is set to reduce an angular error resulting from the error components of the first and second magnetic field components.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an angle sensor system that includes a magnetic field generation unit and an angle sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, angle sensors have been widely used in various applications, such as detection of the rotational position of a steering wheel or a power steering motor in an automobile. The angle sensors generate a detected angle value having a correspondence with an angle to be detected. Examples of the angle sensors include a magnetic angle sensor. An angle sensor system using a magnetic angle sensor is typically provided with a magnetic field generation unit for generating a rotating magnetic field whose direction rotates in response to the rotation or linear movement of an object. The magnetic field generation unit may be a magnet configured to rotate, for example. The angle to be detected by the magnetic angle sensor corresponds to the rotational position of the magnet, for example.
Among known magnetic angle sensors is one that includes a plurality of detection circuits for generating a plurality of detection signals of different phases and generates a detected angle value by performing computations using the plurality of detection signals, as disclosed in JP 2011-158488A. Each of the plurality of detection circuits includes at least one magnetic detection element. The magnetic detection element includes, for example, a spin-valve magnetoresistance element including a magnetization pinned layer whose magnetization direction is pinned, a free layer whose magnetization direction varies according to the direction of the rotating magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic layer located between the magnetization pinned layer and the free layer.
For the magnetic angle sensors, ideally, each of the plurality of detection signals has a waveform of a sinusoidal curve (including a sine waveform and a cosine waveform) when the angle to be detected varies with a predetermined period. However, there are cases where the waveform of each detection signal is distorted from a sinusoidal curve. A distortion of the waveform of each detection signal may result in some error in the detected angle value. The error occurring in the detected angle value will hereinafter be referred to as angular error.
When distorted in waveform, each detection signal contains an ideal component which varies in such a manner as to trace an ideal sinusoidal curve, and an error component other than the ideal component. A detected angle value that is calculated with each detection signal consisting only of the ideal component corresponds to a true angle to be detected by the angle sensor. Such a detected angle value will hereinafter be referred to as ideal angle. Angular error is the difference between the ideal angle and any detected angle value.
The causes of distortion of the waveform of each detection signal are broadly classified into a first cause related to the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit and a second cause related to the magnetic detection element. In the case of an ideal angle sensor system, when the angle to be detected varies with a predetermined period, a waveform that represents variation in the strength of a component in one direction of the rotating magnetic field at the position of each detection circuit, which will hereinafter be referred to as a field-strength waveform, is sinusoidal, and the waveform of each detection signal generated by each detection circuit is also sinusoidal. The angular error caused by the first cause is due to distortion of the field-strength waveform from a sinusoidal curve.
The angular error caused by the second cause is due to distortion of the waveform of each detection signal from a sinusoidal curve even when the field-strength waveform is sinusoidal. The angular error caused by the second cause is also experienced when, for example, the free layer of a magnetoresistance element, serving as the magnetic detection element has a magnetic anisotropy. Angular error may also be caused by the combination of the first cause and the second cause.
JP 2011-158488A describes a magnetic sensor capable of reducing the angular error caused by the first cause. The magnetic sensor includes a first detection unit and a second detection unit located at positions different from each other. The first detection unit includes a first detection circuit, a second detection circuit, and a first computation circuit for calculating a first detection angle on the basis of output signals from the first and second detection circuits. The second detection unit includes a third detection circuit, a fourth detection circuit, and a second computation circuit for calculating a second detection angle on the basis of output signals from the third and fourth detection circuits. The magnetic sensor further includes a third computation circuit for calculating a detected angle value on the basis of the first and second detection angles.
The magnetic sensor described in JP 2011-158488A requires a large number of detection circuits and computation circuits, which makes the magnetic sensor complicated in configuration.


A system and method for allowing a wireline or wireless carrier or service provider to transparently provide a virtual private network to wireless callers of the network. The method works in a telecommunications network including a service switch point, a service control point, and a first and second telephone. The method provides a virtual private network for the first and second telephone by performing a series of steps. First, an identifier for the first telephone is stored in a memory accessible by the service control point. Next, a first dialed number is received from the first telephone by the service switch point. The service switch point notifies the service control point to determine if the identifier for the first telephone is in the memory. If so, the service control point converts the number dialed by the first telephone to a second dialed number. The service control point then provides the second dialed number, being assigned to the second telephone, to the service switch point. The service switch point may then connect the first and second telephones using the second dialed number.

As competition intensifies between service providers of telephony services, providers are looking for services which provide greater value and flexibility for their subscribers. A common service for many users of telephony services, or subscribers, is a private network. A private network allows the subscriber to customize billing and network management of their telephone system.
A common feature of a private network is a dialing plan. A dialing plan can reassign one or more extensions to different numbers. For example, a business may establish a private network with each extension of the network having the same area code and same three number prefix. With a private network, one extension in the business may connect with another extension in the business by only dialing the last four numbers of that extension. Also, pressing the number "O" in a private network will connect to the business receptionist/operator instead of a telephone company operator.
The features of a private network are very convenient and practical except for one drawback--they are not available to mobile users. That is, a subscriber using a cellular telephone, for example, cannot use the same features that are normally provided at an extension in the private network. What is desired, therefore, is a system and method for extending the features of a private network to other extensions, including wireless and/or cellular telephones.

Virtual private network for a telephone network


A lens element (40) is formed from a monolithic unit (46) having two sections (46A and 46B) aligned on an optical axis. A selected one of the sections has an axial gradient refractive index, and the other has a homogeneous refractive index. A first surface 42 is generated one section and a second surface is generated on the other. The axial gradient index material may be selected such that third order spherical aberration of the element is zero. The axial gradient index material may be selected such that similarly constructed elements having shape factors between about 0 and 2.0 also have zero third order spherical aberration. Another element (20) may be formed entirely from an axially graded refractive index material. The refractive index preferably varies as a non-linear function of at least distance along the optical axis. The refractive index function and index change may be selected such that a selected third order aberration is zero or some constant value over a wide range of shape factor. An element (98) is formed from a material having an axial gradient dispersion. Shape factor and dispersion gradient may be selected such that the element is achromatic.

It is generally accepted, that incorporating one or more unconventional refractive optical elements in a multi-element lens or optical system may improve performance, reduce element count, or both.
The unconventional elements most often relied on by optical system and lens designers are elements having an aspheric surface. Many of the earliest computer codes used for optical system and lens design were capable of dealing with aspheric surfaces. For several years now, it has been possible to generate aspheric surfaces, relatively inexpensively, on plastic materials. In recent years, fabrication techniques have been developed which permit such aspheric surfaces to be generated on certain optical glasses.
It is also believed that optical elements made from gradient refractive index (GRIN) transparent materials may be effective in improving optical system performance or reducing element count. However, systems employing the gradient index elements, have, heretofore, remained essentially conceptual. It may be said that the idea of using such elements has been less than enthusiastically endorsed by practitioners of the lens design art.
There may be several reasons for this. Optical design codes capable of dealing with gradient index materials, at any level, have not, until relatively recently, been commercially available. Gradient index materials were originally prepared by applying surface treatments to homogeneous materials. Such treatments include chemical immersion, ion implantation and the like. Such methods of preparation are generally not capable of providing a wide range of index values in a material, or providing a material which is actually thick enough to make a practical lens blank. It is widely believed that GRIN optical elements would be most effective if the refractive index gradient of the glass varied radially, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the element's optical axis. An axial gradient material, in which refractive index varies with distance along an element's optical axis, is generally believed not to offer any benefit that could not be achieved by an aspheric element.
It is very difficult to produce a radial gradient material on a practically useful scale, and at an acceptable cost. An axial gradient index material, on the other hand, may now be readily produced.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,065 (Hagerty et al.), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, a technique is described that allows the fabrication of lens blanks having an index gradient varying in a direction parallel to the optical axis of a lens element. A series of thin glass plates, each of a slightly different refractive index, is stacked together and heated to a predetermined temperature. At this temperature, the plates fuse together, and adjacent plates inter-diffuse. Because of the inter-diffusion of adjacent plates, a transparent medium having a continuously and smoothly varying refractive index is produced. The technique has been developed and refined to the point where glass blanks having refractive index variations greater that about 0.4, for example, from 1.52 to 1.95, may be produced in a range of practical diameter and thickness.
Returning now to optical design aspects, in prior art documents, GRIN elements are generally discussed as part of an optical system including one or more homogenous elements. The GRIN property in such cases is considered as providing no more than an additional degree of freedom for an optical designer. System optimization often involves merely a trial-and-error approach, which, unfortunately, is encouraged by the power, speed and availability of modern computers. Because of this, it is often difficult to determine precisely the exact contribution of a GRIN element to the system performance. It is probable that, by considering GRIN elements in this way, the full potential of GRIN elements is not being realized.
A spherical refractive optical element has all common optical aberrations, to some degree, depending on its actual shape and material. To reduce or eliminate a particular aberration, spherical elements are usually combined in groups of two or more. This has led over the years to well known basic element groups as the Cooke triplet, for correcting third order aberrations; the double Gauss system which uses symmetrical element groups to provide low coma, and thick meniscus elements to reduce astigmatism and field curvature; and several doublet groups for providing low chromatic distortion.
Often, in an optical system involving a group of spherical elements, if the shape of one element is varied to improve a particular aberration in the system, another aberration property of the group is affected. This aberration must be corrected by altering one or more other elements.
It would be useful for optical designers if a GRIN material could be formulated that would allow a single lens element to be produced in a wide variety of shapes while still having at least one selected aberration be essentially zero, or, if not zero, at least some substantially constant value. It would be particularly useful if such a GRIN material could be formulated from an axial GRIN material made by the above referenced technique of Hagerty et al..
This would offer the immediate possibility of using a GRIN element, in a system of optical elements, to correct a selected system aberration, without perturbing another system aberration which had been already adequately corrected. In effect, such a GRIN element could be as standard an optical building-block as any of the well-known conventional multi-element groups are at present.
It is believed that formulation of such GRIN elements may lead to more effective reduction in system element count than is presently believed possible. In certain monochromatic systems, such an element may well be used to replace a system of two or more elements with a single element having merely spherical surfaces.
The present invention is directed to providing such GRIN elements.


A new and distinct cultivar of Mandevilla plant named ‘Cotton Candy’, characterized by its upright vining growth habit; glossy, dark green-colored leaves; soft pink-colored flowers with imbricate petals with ruffled margins; and tolerance to low and high temperatures.

The present Invention relates to a new and disctinct cultivar of Mandevilla plant, botanically known as Mandevilla hybrid, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Cotton Candy'.
The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Waynesville, N.C. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new Mandevilla cultivars with attractive flower form and coloration.
The new cultivar originated from a self-pollination of the Mandevilla hybrid cultivar Alice DuPont, not patented, in Waynesville, N.C. in June, 1998. The new cultivar was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny from this self-pollination in a controlled environment in Waynesville, N.C. in June, 1999. The new cultivar was selected on the basis of its flower form and flower coloration.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings in Hawthorne, Fla., since June, 2000, has shown that the unique features of this new Mandevilla are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


Provided is a cartoon content editing method including: displaying, by a controller, at least one of a plurality of cuts included in cartoon content on a display unit; receiving, by an input receiver, a command to generate a still cut, which is a still image, from a motion cut including movement from among the cuts; and generating, by the controller, the still cut by inserting at least one of a plurality of scenes shown during the movement of the motion cut.

1. Field
One or more exemplary embodiments relate to a cartoon content editing method and a cartoon content editing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A cartoon is a picture, or group of pictures, intended to satirize or criticize life or society by exaggerating or omitting the features of an object and using humor, caricature, social commentary, etc. Cartoons may be classified into one or more various genres, e.g., romance cartoons, martial arts cartoons, action cartoons, comic cartoons, sports cartoons, science fiction (SF) cartoons, etc., according to the contents thereof. A cartoon may visually portray complex details using a visual system of images and text and is thus more effective in attracting the attention of readers than a general book containing only alphabetical characters.
Recently, cartoon content is being transferred through a communication medium, such as the Internet, departing from the traditional medium of comic books, and cartoon services enabling users to read cartoons by using an electronic device are provided. As the cartoon services are provided through electronic devices, cartoons having functions that were unable to be realized by traditional comic books, for example, a function of providing sound with a cartoon or a function of providing movement in a cartoon, have appeared.
Information disclosed in this Background section may include information that was already known to the inventors before achieving the inventive concept and/or technical information acquired in the process of achieving the inventive concept. Therefore, it may contain information that should not be considered as prior art that is already known to the public in this country.

Cartoon content editing method and cartoon content editing apparatus


An acid gas recovery method includes removing acid gas from a target gas by bringing the target gas containing the acid gas into gas-liquid contact with an absorbent amine solution and causing the absorbent amine solution to absorb the acid gas; regenerating the absorbent amine solution by releasing the acid gas from the absorbent amine solution that has absorbed the acid gas; causing a chelate resin to adsorb iron ions from the absorbent amine solution by causing the absorbent amine solution to pass through the chelate resin; causing a regenerant solution to pass through a chelate resin having iron ions adsorbed thereon; regenerating the chelate resin and obtaining a regenerant solution containing the iron ions and quantitatively measuring the iron ions in the regenerant solution containing the iron ions and calculating a concentration of iron ions in the absorbent amine solution.

Various methods have been proposed for removing and recovering acid gases, such as CO2 and H2S, contained in exhaust gases from fossil fuel combustion. One such method brings combustion exhaust gas into contact with an absorbent amine solution such as an alkanolamine aqueous solution to remove and recover acid gas from the combustion exhaust gas.
Such absorbent amine solutions are known to cause corrosion of device materials due to degradation thereof. To address this, Patent Literature 1 describes a method of taking a measure that adds a corrosion inhibitor to an absorbent amine solution and maintains the corrosion inhibitor at a predetermined concentration in the following manner. The method measures the potential difference in the absorbent amine solution that changes with the concentration of the corrosion inhibitor and blows oxygen into the absorbent amine solution when the measured potential difference reaches a predetermined range.
Patent Literature 2 describes a water quality measuring device for obtaining pure water or ultrapure water. The device irradiates organic matter in the water with ultraviolet light to decompose and remove the organic matter and then measures ion concentrations of copper ions and iron ions in the water after the ultraviolet irradiation.

Acid gas recovery method and system and iron ion analysis method and system

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, Ltd.


A workspace control unit performs a process on a common work area screen for sharing information, and an information processor display transmission and reception unit transmits to a display of an information processor the common work area screen processed by the workspace control unit. An information processor manipulation detection unit detects manipulation performed on the common work area screen of the information processor. A peripheral control unit controls a peripheral based on control information managed by a peripheral control information management unit according to the result of detection by the information processor manipulation detection unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information sharing system, and particularly to a system in which an information processor or the like such as personal computer (PC) and a peripheral or the like such as printer are connected with a relay device to control the peripheral via the relay device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, workstations, PCs and the like have been downsized and reduced in price, and accordingly an environment where one person can exclusively use one PC has become common. Further, the advancement of the network such as LAN (Local Area Network) allows all PCs to be connected with the network so that data can be exchanged between the PCs, for example.
A system that allows PCs to share one screen, and a system that enables information to be shared by holding a desktop conference, TV (television) conference or the like and communicating image and voice for example, in the environment as described above, are being developed as disclosed for example in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 08-088843.
Even if a system enables PCs to share one screen and accordingly share information, for example, generally the system does not cooperate with peripherals such as scanner, projector, and TV conference system. Thus, if such a peripheral is used, it is necessary to independently manipulate the peripheral according to the purpose and status of the peripheral.
In other words, in the system that enables information to be shared, cooperative process with peripherals is not generally performed.

Information sharing system and relay device capable of controlling peripheral according to user manipulation

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


An automatic analyzing apparatus capable of eliminating static electricity charged in a specimen container at a specimen dispensing position provided. The automatic analyzing apparatus includes a dispensing mechanism having a probe that aspirates a liquid and an arm that holds the probe, and a static eliminator having a generation source of neutralizing ions and a neutralizing ion blowing mechanism for blowing the neutralizing ions generated in the generation source to a target, which are provided in the dispensing mechanism.

Up to now, as a device for automatically analyzing a specimen such as blood and urine, an analyzing apparatus that dispenses a specimen and one or more kinds of reagents into the reaction vessel to cause a chemical change between the specimen and the reagents, and thereafter measures an absorbance of a reaction solution of the specimen and the reagents to automatically analyze the specimen has been known.
Such an analyzing apparatus suffers from problems such as dust adhering to a container caused by charging of the container in which the specimen is accommodated, creeping up of the liquid on an inner wall of the container, malfunctioning of a liquid level detection, and the like. Also, the same problems arise not only in the specimen container but also in the reaction vessel.
For that reason, up to now, there has been proposed an analyzing apparatus in which an ionizer is installed in the middle of a transfer path of a container containing a liquid and air is blown into the container and around the container to neutralize the container (refer to Patent Literature 1). Also, in order to neutralize the reaction vessel itself, there has been proposed an analyzing apparatus in which a neutralizing device installed on a movement path of a react on vessel exposes the reaction vessel to a neutralizing shower to neutralize electricity (refer to Patent Literature 2).


Methods and devices are disclosed for sensing radiation emitted by an object. For example, one device includes a substrate and a movable layer coupled to the substrate. The movable layer is configured to receive radiation from the object and move relative to the substrate to a position in response to a change in temperature. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to produce a signal responsive to the position of the movable layer. The signal is indicative of the radiation emitted by the object.

Instruments for detecting and imaging the power of incident electromagnetic radiation, for example thermal or infrared ("IR") radiation, are becoming increasingly important for a variety of commercial and non-commercial applications. For example, thermal imaging has been used to detect changes in temperature in or across physical constructions such as buildings, bridges, and power lines. In such applications, an increase in temperature may be indicative of impending failure. Similarly, thermal imaging has numerous medical applications, military, surveillance, and other imaging applications.
Various devices exist that may be utilized in an instrument to measure incident electromagnetic radiation. These devices may be implemented in infrared detectors, for example, a thermal imaging camera or bolometer. In such devices, incident electromagnetic radiation may be measured via the heating of a material with a temperature-dependent-electrical resistance (e.g., resistive bolometric sensors), or in some cases with a temperature-dependent structural deformation characteristic (e.g., thermomechanical bolometric sensors). One problem with the existing approaches is that ambient radiation may saturate these conventional bolometers, making it difficult to detect a small change in electromagnetic radiation emitted from an object. Accordingly, it would be advantageous for devices that detect radiation emitted from an object to reduce the effects of the ambient temperatures and thermally isolate the various components of the detectors.

Thermomechanical device for measuring electromagnetic radiation


The present invention involves a method for forming aquarium ornaments including the steps of providing a plastic sheet having a plurality of planar surfaces, cutting a strip from the plastic sheet of a predetermined width and having a plurality of lateral edges and a plurality of planar surfaces, roughening the lateral edges of the strip to form a pitted texture in the lateral edges, causing the strip to become pliable and bending the strip into a non-planar shape whereby an ornament is created having lateral edges with a pitted texture such that the edges refract and reflect ambient light to create a luminescent appearance.

Aquariums can be decorated in any number of ways. Commonly, plants, both artificial and natural, and multi-colored gravels are used to create a visually interesting appearance for an aquarium. Also, injection-molded plastic sculptures have been used to decorate aquariums. These types of ornaments commonly take the form of sunken ships, sea divers, treasure chests and other items one might expect to find on the ocean bottom. Regardless of how aquariums have been decorated, however, in order to make an aquarium visually interesting, it has been necessary to obtain costly, tropical fish whose bright, luminescent colors catch the eye and captivate the viewer.
There is no suggestion in the known prior art to give a more contemporary look to aquariums. While the use of bright, luminescent colors generally has become very popular through use of such colors on clothing made of neon fabrics, toys made of luminescent materials, and even automobiles painted with fluorescent colors, no one has attempted to revamp the appearance of aquariums by manufacturing aquarium ornaments that would likewise add life to an otherwise drab decor.
Brightly colored, luminescent ornaments would be ideal to achieve a more contemporary look for an aquarium. Such ornamentation would serve to make an aquarium itself visually interesting, and complement and support the visual interest created by the fish. Further, using luminescent ornaments would uniquely optimize innate characteristics of an aquarium. Conventional fluorescent and ultraviolet aquarium lighting highlights the luminescent nature of such ornaments. The eye-catching tendencies of a luminescent ornament not only enhance the appearance of an aquarium, but transform an ordinary aquarium into a decorative showpiece.
Conventionally, edges of articles of commerce formed from sheet plastic are smoothly finished and/or polished to give an appearance which is smooth both aesthetically and to the touch. In order for an article formed from sheet plastic to take on a desired luminescent appearance so it forms an eye-catching ornament for an aquarium the light-catching ability of the plastic materials must be enhanced. It is against this background that further significant improvements and advancements have evolved per the present invention in the field of making ornaments for aquariums.

Method of making ornamentation for aquariums


An aspect provides a method, including: playing, on a display device, video content; providing, using at least one speaker, audio content associated with the video content; obtaining, from an external source, data relating to playback context; determining, using a processor, that the data relating to playback context is associated with a reduced audibility context; and providing, on the display device, textual data associated with dialog of the video content. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Information handling devices ("electronic devices" or "devices"), for example smart TVs, flat panel displays, smart phones, tablet devices, laptop computers and the like are regularly used for watching videos (audio and video content). Often times a user will miss audio, for example if a sudden ambient noise occurs or an actor voices dialogue in a low-volume manner.
Content providers attempt to make video content more accessible by providing closed caption data that tracks the dialogue. This is helpful in some respects, although it is often not appropriately tailored to various media consumption situations. For example, the closed caption data is helpful but must be manually enabled. Thus, users often do not turn on the closed caption option until they have missed significant portions of dialogue. Similarly, for a user that is not hearing impaired, leaving the closed caption option on indefinitely, while useful in helping understand inaudible dialogue, often will interfere unnecessarily in the viewing experience.


A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is formed from a conventional STI trench structure formed of first dielectric material extending into the substrate. The conventional STI structure undergoes further processing, including removing a first portion of the dielectric material and adjacent portions of the semiconductor substrate to create a first recess, and then removing another portion of the dielectric material to create a second recess in just the dielectric material. A nitride layer is formed above remaining dielectric material and on the sidewalls of the substrate. A second dielectric material is formed on the spacer layer and fills the remainder of first and second recesses. The nitride layer provides an “inner spacer” between the first insulating material and the second insulating material and also separates the substrate from the second insulating material. An isotropic Fin reveal process is performed and the STI structure assists in equalizing fin heights and increasing active S/D region area/volume.

Single diffusion break (SDB) devices are becoming more desirable due to their improved performance capabilities. However, the present performance of such devices is mainly affected by the resulting shape of the epi source/drain regions. This shape impacts contact resistance, device drive current and leakage current.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a prior art device 10 includes a dummy gate 12 covering a shallow isolation trench 14 between a pair of neighboring FinFETs 16A, 16B (each only partially shown) providing a single diffusion break. Prior art device 10 is also shown with an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) region 18 (for FET 16A) and S/D region 20 (for FET 16B) formed within a substrate 22. Spacers 24 are formed along FinFETs 16A, 16B and the dummy gate 12.
However, patterning for the shallow isolation trench 14 is difficult at small dimensions using conventional lithography and etch techniques presently available. The prior art device 10 may suffer from leakage between the S/D through the dummy gate 12. Also, as shown in FIG. 1B, after cavity etching, the epitaxy (epi) of the S/D regions 18, 20 grows non-ideally resulting in asymmetric growth and a shape that degrades performance. This growth typically results in a slanted epi S/D region slanting downward toward the isolation trench 14 because there is little (if any) substrate 22 available for growth adjacent the isolation trench 14. Because of the small dimensions, the cavity etch for the S/D regions etches away most of the substrate 22 near the isolation trench 14. In addition, the device 10 still provides a potential leakage path through the dummy gate 12.
To alleviate some of these issues, a different trench isolation structure (and methods of manufacture/fabrication) has been proposed that enables a growth of more uniform epitaxial S/D regions to improve active device performance. Such structure and methods for manufacture/fabrication are detailed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/195,988 entitled "Novel STI Process For SDB Devices" and filed on Jun. 28, 2016. One purpose or benefit of the structure(s) and process(es) described in that US patent application is to protect from, or reduce, silicon loss in the SDB structure during epitaxial cavity etch next to the STI region.
In addition to the foregoing issues of the prior art SDB FinFET device(s), when both SDB FinFET devices and double diffusion break (DDB) FinFET devices are fabricated on the same chip, it is desirable to match closely the Fin heights of the two types of devices. When utilizing an anisotropic etching process (or at least partially anisotropic process) for the Fin reveal process, including a two-step process such as etching and chemical oxide removal (COR), this results in a relatively wide recess in the silicon (and the Fin is recessed at the edges), a taller raised STI region, and shorter Fin height (silicon loss from top of fin, e.g., on order of 10 nm) and rounded Fin top.
The wider silicon recess and raised STI height degrade the aspect ratio (AR) in the SDB structure. In addition, the recessed edges of the Fin structure may result in big facets in the source/drain (S/D) region, thereby causing a weaker junction and contact landing problems. Having a short Fin height leads to weaker device performance, and may cause problems when seeking to match Fin heights between SDB structures and DDB structures.
Accordingly, there is a need for a new trench isolation structure (and methods of manufacture/fabrication) that reduces S/D facets and AR degradation in SDB structures. Reducing S/D facets and improving AR in SDB structures can be accomplished by smaller silicon recess widths, shorter raised STI heights, increased Fin heights and/or flatter Fin tops, thereby resulting in improved device performance.

STI inner spacer to mitigate SDB loading


A hydraulic conveyance system serves to level out a spiked, uneven flow of particulate material to a more even flow condition prior to the particles being delivered to a destination. In one particular application, the hydraulic conveyance system permits ice particles to be delivered from a batch discharge ice machine of a thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system to the thermal energy storage tank of the system at a relatively even rate, without the use of any mechanical delivery mechanisms. The hydraulic conveyance system incorporates a flooded hold-up tank which, in the case of particulate ice conveyance, receives the spiked, batch discharge from the ice machine and discharges the ice therefrom to a selected number of destination points at a more even flow condition. A rotational movement is imparted to the water surface in the flooded hold-up tank, thereby causing the floating ice particles to rotate in the tank in proximity to a boundary wall of the tank. Weirs located in the boundary wall permit the ice and a portion of the water in the tank to overflow therethrough. The ice/water mixture from each weir is conveyed by a delivery system to a respective destination point in the thermal energy storage tank. Intermediate ice/water separation tanks may be inserted between each weir and the thermal energy storage tank to further enhance system operation.

The transport of particulate material sometimes requires that a relatively spiked, uneven flow of particles be leveled out to a more even flow condition prior to the particles being delivered to a destination. An example of this situation occurs in connection with recently developed thermal energy production, storage and reclaim systems where an ice machine is utilized to produce ice particles that are conveyed to a thermal energy storage tank that stores the ice. In these systems the ice particles discharged from the ice machine are entrained in a transport water and transported to the thermal energy storage tank. A primary purpose of this thermal energy production, storage and reclaim technology, as discussed in detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,046,551; 5,063,748; and 5,195,850, incorporated herein by reference, is to permit a low power prime mover in the form of an ice machine to be used continuously to produce ice, to store the energy in the form of ice and thereafter withdraw the energy in large quantities when needed. With such a system in place at an installation with high peak time power requirements, the power company has the advantage of providing power continuously to a relatively low power, level load instead of having to meet very high energy demands at peak load periods. More particularly, the above-mentioned commonly assigned patents describe a thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system wherein ice is produced primarily at off-peak times by a vapor compression ice making machine and delivered entrained in a transport water by a sluice conduit to a relatively large thermal energy storage tank. In particular embodiments, the ice is delivered to a point near the bottom of the thermal energy storage tank through a hopper and downpipe arrangement that overcomes the problems associated with delivering a buoyant particle to the bottom of a flooded vessel. The ice particles so introduced into the storage tank agglomerate into a submerged ice mass that generally takes the shape of an inverted cone.
In addition to the above-mentioned problems associated with the transport of buoyant particles such as ice particles, an additional problem has emerged with respect to the use of conventional ice machines. It is well known that many ice machines, rather than delivering ice on a continuous discharge basis, discharge ice in large "slugs" over relatively short spans of time so that there are considerable periods of time during which no ice or little ice is being discharged by the ice machine. This batch ice delivery is a type of spiked, uneven flow condition and presents a problem with respect to matching the ice machine discharge rate with the flow rates that can be accepted by the sluicing system hoppers and downpipes. Stated differently, if the large slugs of ice were to be directly introduced into the sluicing system and thermal energy storage tank without reducing the spikes in the flow rate, the ice slugs would overwhelm the capacity of these delivery systems. Thus, there is a need for a system to level out the spiked, uneven flow rate created by the ice machine to a more even flow condition consistent with the capabilities of the sluicing lines and downpipe delivery system to the thermal energy storage tank.
One proposed solution to the above problem is to use mechanical augers to deliver the ice to the thermal energy storage tank. However, the augers are mechanical systems subject to breakdown. Furthermore, the motors of augers use substantially more energy than the pumps of a comparably sized hydraulic conveyance system. In addition to these disadvantages, and more important, an ice-in-water, two-phase flow regime in the augers can easily result in a bridging of the two-phase system into an almost solid ice mass which would prevent the auger from moving ice. Stated differently, the ice and water mixture in the auger, under certain conditions, can freeze into a solid mass, thereby "clogging" the auger and rendering it useless.

Hydraulic conveyance of particulate materials such as ice particles


A card creation apparatus including a microprocessor which controls operation of the card creation apparatus based on a predetermined card design that specifies positions on a planar surface of a card for layout frames of a video picture and cardholder information fields which are to be printed on the card is provided. An input mechanism is operatively coupled to the microprocessor to input a plurality of user commands and cardholder information corresponding to the cardholder information fields. A video camera is operatively coupled to the microprocessor to obtain a video picture of a subject. A display is operatively coupled to the microprocessor to display an image of the predetermined card design including the video picture and cardholder information within the predetermined card design substantially as can be printed in response to one user command of the plurality of user commands. A method of creating a card also is provided.

Various card creation systems and methods have been used to produce a variety of cards for various applications including employee badges, student identification badges, membership cards, transaction cards, and other photo identification cards.
However most existing systems are rather expensive requiring rather elaborate card production equipment. Most of these systems require specially trained operators to produce cards using these systems. In addition, such systems are not suited for making a card on demand such as is often the case with various membership cards, badges, etc. Moreover, few systems are capable of capturing images and printing them on a card.
Some systems do exist for making a membership card or the like on demand; however, such systems are rather limited in their capability. They typically do not allow storage and/or retrieval of card holder information to and from various database structures. Moreover, such systems do not allow much flexibility in the layout of card designs.
Existing card production systems are often not real user friendly in that they do not provide the user with a "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) display presentation of card layout.
The present invention provides a card creation system and method which offers numerous advantages over existing systems.

Method and apparatus for interactively creating a card which includes video and cardholder information


A shop interface is presented to users in conjunction with presentation of views of an online game, wherein the shop interface is configured to facilitate presentations to users of offers to sell virtual items usable within the game in exchange for consideration. In response to detecting that the online game is systematically unavailable to users, an alternative virtual shop interface is presented to users that is accessed over the Internet separately from the online game, and offers to sell the virtual times usable within the game are presented to users in exchange for less consideration than the offers to sell the virtual items through the shop interface presented in conjunction with the online game.

Applications, including online games, may be systematically unavailable. Such systematic unavailability may include circumstances when the application is taken offline for routine maintenance (e.g., when the server is taken offline) or when the application is unexpectedly unavailable (e.g., when the application server crashes).
When applications are offline those applications cannot generate revenue from users. Additionally, some users may never return to the application, such as an online game, and the opportunity to generate from those users may be forever lost.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for providing virtual items to users of a virtual world


In a method for decarburizing metals and alloys, a two-gas component mixture consisting only of oxygen and carbon dioxide is introduced into molten metals or alloys at least during the first decarburization phase.

This invention relates, in general, to a method for refining molten metals or alloys. Specifically, the invention relates to the particular step of decarburizing metals or alloys, especially stainless steel, carbon steel, low carbon steel, iron, nickel and cobalt based alloys.
It is known from the work of Savard et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,298, that injection of gases, through a tuyere, below the surface of a molten metal in a containing vessel is one method for refining the molten metal. In particular this method is used for refining iron, steel, stainless steel and zinc. The method uses high pressure oxygen, which has a localized cooling effect on the submerged tuyere, to penetrate the bath and affect decarburization.
Nelson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,046,107, and later, Krivsky, U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,790, introduced methods for decarburizing metal baths, without substantial loss of chromium. These methods are known as the argon-oxygen decarburization "AOD" process. The "AOD" process was developed because molten stainless steels containing desirable amounts of chromium could not be decarburized without severe oxidation of the chromium. In the "AOD" process, a molten metal is decarburized by subsurface blowing with an inert gas-oxygen mixture. The presence of the inert gas, usually argon, reduces the partial pressure of carbon monoxide formation in the ga in contact with the metal. This operation results in the oxidation, and thus removal, of carbon preferentially to the oxidation of chrome.
Later, Heise et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,888, disclosed a method which adds CO.sub.2 to an argon-oxygen mixture to form a three-gas component mixture for decarburizing metals.
It now has been found, in accordance with the invention, that argon can be completely replaced by carbon dioxide and a two-gas component mixture used to effect decarburization. Additionally, it has been found that the varying stages of decarburization cannot properly be treated equally as one single process. Each stage of decarburization is differently affected by many variables including the original carbon content of the molten metal, oxygen flow rate, carbon dioxide flow rate, furnace condition, temperature of the injection gases, bath temperature and aim temperature of the melt. By understanding the effect of the many variables on the different stages of decarburization, it is possible to improve the carbon removal efficiency in decarburization of molten metals and alloys.

Replacement of argon with carbon dioxide in a reactor containing molten metal for the purpose of refining molten metal


A method and apparatus for vending a containerized liquid product to a vendee, after an original liquid container has been emptied, by successive refillings of the product and utilizing machine-readable indicia on the container, a discount ticket or coupon being dispensed to the vendee upon completion of the filling of the container.

Commercial establishments, e.g., retailers such as supermarkets, etc., sell a wide variety of liquid products in various types of containers. A specific example of a liquid product is a liquid laundry detergent sold in relatively large plastic containers having a screw-type cap or closure. Vendees or customers, or consumers of such liquid products frequently discard the containers after using the contents thereof The discarded empty containers then migrate into a waste disposal area such as a landfill.
If an alternate system were used whereby the customer would bring back the empty original container to the commercial establishment for refilling the container using a user-friendly method (as will be described below in connection with the present invention), then the following benefits may be attained:
1. The commercial establishment can profitably vend or sell the liquid product for the refilling at a price significantly lower than the original sales price; such lower price will financially motivate the customer to return the empty container for refilling. The commercial establishment will use relatively low cost bulk quantities of the liquid product for the refilling; this will facilitate a strong profit margin for the commercial establishment.
2. The refilling and reuse of the containers breaks the cycle of xe2x80x9cuse and discardxe2x80x9d, i.e., keeps empty containers out of the landfills with the obvious benefit to society.
Thus the present invention provides financial benefits to both the commercial establishment/vendor and the consumer/vendee while also facilitating a reduction in solid waste as a benefit to society.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,818 to Bradbury, et al., discloses a method and apparatus for vending a containerized product on multiple occasions. A customer initially purchases a fluid-filled container with a bar code that indicates the price of the container and fluid. Upon emptying the container, the customer returns to the store and refills the container at a refill station. The refill station modifies the bar code on the container to indicate that the container has been refilled. Thus, when the customer checks out, he or she is only charged for the refill, and not the container. A major disadvantage of the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,818 is that it requires a relatively complex apparatus for modifying the bar code on the container to indicate that the container has been refilled. This complexity has been avoided by my invention.
In broad terms, the present invention provides a method of vending a containerized liquid product to a vendee utilizing an original container for said liquid product. Parenthetically, at the time of the original purchase of the original container of the liquid product, the container had thereon a machine-readable indicia such as a bar code or the like indicative of the liquid product and of the original sales price of the container as filled with the liquid product. After the original container had been emptied of the liquid product, then the invention provides for multiple refillings of the liquid product into the original container. The machine-readable indicia on the container is utilized to actuate the refilling of the container and, after each refilling of the container, the method dispenses to the refill vendee a discount coupon to be presented to the vendor""s check-out station, together with the refilled container, whereby the price charged to the vendee by the vendor is the original sales price, less the value of the discount coupon.
Another important aspect of my invention is that the basic concept can be expanded to provide for the vending of a plurality of containerized liquid products respectively into a plurality of original refillable containers from a single dispensing station. For this case, each of the plurality of liquid products having been originally vended in an original refillable container (which may be of different diameters) having a unique machine-readable indicia thereon indicative of the liquid product in said original refillable container, and the original sales price thereof prior to the first refilling thereof For each refilling of a selected refillable container with the matching liquid product, then a discount coupon is dispensed to the refill vendee which then may be present to the vendors customer checkout station, together with the matching refilled container.
Another important aspect of my invention is that the liquid refilling method includes a vertically oriented liquid filling pipe or probe having an outlet and being positioned over a filling opening in an original container, and further being adapted to be vertically moveable with respect to the original container and being sized to freely enter the filling opening. The filling pipe or probe is inserted into the refillable container through the opening until the outlet is adjacent the bottom of the refillable container, following which the container is filled with a preselected volume of the liquid product. This is an important feature because it tends to prevent any foaming of the liquid as it is being transferred into the container.
Another aspect of my invention is to provide an additional marketing function to the method in connection either with the single product or multiple product versions discussed above by dispensing to the refill vendee, at the time of dispensing said discount coupon, at least one additional coupon or marketing message.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it can be linked to an inventory control management system whereby data is collected on the volume, on a product-by-product basis, of sales of the liquid products to thereby permit either the supplier to automatically restock the product or products at the appropriate time, and/or the retailer to automatically order from the supplier at the appropriate time.

Method and apparatus for vending a containerized liquid product utilizing an automatic self-service refill system


Metallized ceramic modules (MC), which are mounted on printed circuit cards, and multi-layer ceramic modules (MLC), which are mounted on a printed circuit planar board, are combined into one hybrid package. An air cooling distribution system is provided wherein air is first caused to impinge against the multi-layer ceramic modules after which it is directed to flow serially across the metallized ceramic modules.

The current demand for electronic computers having greater speed and higher performance criteria creates stringent price-to-performance objectives which requires the use of existing packaging technologies. Two packaging technologies available today are metallized ceramic modules (MC) and multi-layer ceramic modules (MLC). As is known in the industry, MC modules comprise a ceramic substrate base on which a layer of metallized circuitry, which may be termed as a signal plane, is personalized and integrated circuit chips are conductively bonded to this circuit plane. MC modules are mounted on printed circuit cards and, as a result, they are limited in the number of input-output (I-O) connections that can be made; they introduce relatively large time delays in signal propagation; however, they are considered to be relatively inexpensive.
MLC modules comprise a ceramic substrate base on which more than one layer of metallized circuitry or signal plane is personalized and may also include a power or ground plane. These planes are separated by a dielectric material and plated-thru holes are used to electrically connect the planes to internal wiring. Integrated circuit chips are conductively bonded to the top metallized plane of the module. MLC modules are mounted on planar printed circuit boards and are therefore not limited in the number of I-O connections that can be made. Because MLC modules have relatively many more chips on the same module, lead lengths between chips are short. Therefore, signal propagation time delays are short. However, MLC modules are considered to be relatively expensive.
The packaging strategy for meeting price-to-performance objectives is to put that portion of the computing system which most affects the machine cycle time; namely, the logic, into MLC modules. The portion of the computing system which has less effect on machine cycle tiem; such as, the main memory, may be packaged in MC modules. Since price-to-performance dictates the use of two different types of modules within the same package, it is desirable to provide a special hybrid package configuration which will satisfy both the electrical requirements of planar and card-on-board connections and the mechanical requirements; such as, cooling.

International Business Machines Corporation


House dust mites may be combatted by using a netting structure against a house dust mite habitat such as a mattress or cushion. The surfaces of the fibres of the yarns from which the netting structure is made carry particles of pyrethroid, preferably permethrin or deltamethrin.

The reported growth in house dust mite populations associated with domestic environments in Europe, the Americas, China and elsewhere is causing increasing concern. With the rising number of homes remaining at a constant favourable temperature and humidity, together with changes in house cleaning methods and types of bedding over the years, the numbers and survival of such creatures have risen sharply. House dust mites are scavengers on dead organic matter found in abundance in the home, feeding principally on the shed skin scales of humans. The mites, their faeces and products, are highly antigenic as contact or aero allergens in atopic diseases, e.g. eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis. Mite allergy may trigger severe exacerbation that can be life-threatening in extrinsic asthma.
In addition, house dust mites have, in recent years, become an increased focus of concern as many experts consider them to be instrumental in initiating primary sensitisation leading to clinical asthma in very young children. It is believed that repeated exposure to the allergens produced by the mites can trigger early stages of asthma which will then become established as a chronic disease affected by a large range of different allergens in the environment.
There is also an overwhelming body of evidence that the presence of house dust mite faeces is instrumental in provoking asthma attacks in those with asthma or specific allergies, which cause immeasurable suffering, or even death.
House dust mites are to be found concentrated in many parts of the home, particularly soft furnishing, which provide them with a highly suitable environment. When they live in bedding, however, this brings them into the closest and most prolonged contact with humans. Pillows, duvets and mattresses have been found not only to house large populations of house dust mites, but also copious amounts of their faeces. The infestation cannot generally be removed by standard cleaning methods. The faecal pellets are particularly stable and resistant to removal from the fabric.
House dust mites are members of the family acaria, and one approach which could be contemplated to reduce the population of house dust mite would clearly be the use of an acaricide. However, in a domestic environment, this would cause many problems. For example, a well-known and highly effective acaricide is benzyl benzoate, but this is known to be very toxic to cats.
An alternative acaricide would be an organophosphate compound, some of which are well-know to be highly effective in eradicating mite infestation, particularly in farm animals. However, many such organophosphate compounds are toxic to humans and suspected, even at small exposures, to promote nervous system damage over the long term. Their use in domestic situations is accordingly not recommended.
In terms of the physical means used to reduce dust mite populations, one approach which has been suggested as acceptable in a domestic environment is that of using a dusting power containing suitable acaricide, and preparations have been made available commercially for this purpose, including some containing, as the acaricidal agent, pyrethroid compounds. These are know to be relatively non-toxic to humans, and have been much promoted, especially in domestic horticulture, as "natural insecticides". some (not all) display acaricidal properties as well as insecticidal ones. However, the use of dusting powder does not provide prolonged protection against infestation, and depends particularly on the efficiency of "dusting". In addition, the powder particles themselves may aggravate any asthmatic conditions which people coming into contact with them may have.
Control of insects in domestic environments has long been practised using impregnated textiles. Insecticide-impregnated netting has been used for decades as "mosquito netting", with a view of preventing the spread of malaria and other insect vector borne diseases, not only by denying the insect physical access to the human body, but additionally by killing insects on contact with the insecticide in the netting. Such an approach clearly does nothing to reduce infestation already present in beds and soft furnishings.
A suggestion has been made to incorporate into the fibres used to make synthetic fibre netting a mite-proofing component (Fumiyasu, Japanese Patent Publication 3-220102 published Sep. 27, 1991). However, this approach traps the component within the body of each fibre and although it will have an effect, it will be attenuated, not least because the active acaricidal component will only be released by slow vaporisation, and at very low (and thus ineffective) concentration.

Method of pest control and article useful therefor


A process for the solvent-free production of hydroxy-functional copolymers by copolymerization of unsaturated monomers in a mixture of a polyester component and an unsaturated ester component as reaction medium, the use of the hydroxy-functional copolymers so obtained as binder component in polyurethane powder coatings, a powder coating based on these copolymers and its use for coating any heat resistant substrates.

The invention relates to a new process for the solvent-free production of hydroxy-functional copolymers, their use as a binder component in polyurethane powder coatings, the powder coatings produced using these copolymers and the use of these powder coatings to coat heat-resistant substrates.
Hydroxy-functional copolymers (polyacrylates) have in recent years won a secure position in the coatings sector. For ecological reasons, the reduction of the organic solvents necessarily used in the production and processing of hydroxy-functional polyacrylates is becoming increasingly important.
Hydroxy-functional copolymers are usually produced in inert organic solvents. In the course of the so-called continuous addition process, the bulk of the solvent is charged into a polymerization reactor and heated to the desired polymerization temperature. Subsequently, the monomer mixture and the initiator are charged simultaneously into the reactor at constant temperature and the desired copolymer is formed in the charged solvent by radical-initiated copolymerization. After charging of the monomer mixture and of the initiator is complete, stirring is continued for a certain additional period in order to complete the monomer conversion. The polymer solutions obtained usually have a narrow molecular weight distribution and can be used immediately after their production for the application concerned.
If, however, it is desired to recover and process solvent-free polymers, it is necessary to remove the solvent. The solvent is usually removed by distillation or in evaporation units. This procedure requires a considerable expenditure on equipment. Also, the recovered solvent cannot be used for further polymerization reactions without reprocessing, because it is usually contaminated with residual monomers.
One process for the production of solvent-free, hydroxy-functional polyacrylates is bulk polymerization in continuous reactors. In this process, the high equipment cost is disadvantageous, because the monomers which were not converted in the polymerization process must be distilled off, quantitatively determined and recharged to the polymerization process in the correct proportion. Continuous bulk polymerization processes are described, for example, in EP-A-00 68 024, EP-A-00 96 901, EP-A-01 56 170, U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,370, U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,787 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,160.
Such bulk polymerizations can, however, also be carried out discontinuously with evaporative cooling. Such processes are described, for example, in DE-OS 1 965 740, DE-AS 1 771 374 and DE-AS 2 422 043. The disadvantages of these processes are the restriction of the polymerization temperature and the fluctuation of the polymerization temperature during the polymerization. The highly exothermic reaction presents considerable cooling problems because the dissipation of the heat of reaction is made difficult by the large increase of viscosity.
A further possibility for the production of solvent-free, hydroxy-functional polyacrylates is the use of "reactive solvents", which first serve as reaction medium for the radical polymerization of the monomers and subsequently are added by a polymer-like reaction to the polyacrylate formed (PCT Application, Publication Number: WO 90/03991). In this case, .epsilon.-caprolactone serves as the "reactive solvent". After the radical polymerization, the .epsilon.-caprolactone is added by catalytic ring-opening polymerization to the OH groups of the polyacrylate with formation of new hydroxyl groups. The disadvantages of this process are (1) two consecutive reaction stages are necessary in order to obtain the desired solvent-free final product, and (2) for the second reaction stage, zinc catalysts are necessary. These catalysts are still present in the final product and during combination with, e.g., polyisocyanates, catalyze the urethane reaction and significantly reduce the pot life of the lacquer preparations concerned. As a result of this polymer-like reaction, the molecular weight and the viscosity of the polymers increase and disadvantageously affect the stirrability of the product in the reaction vessel.
Another kind of polymerization reaction in "reactive solvents" is described in EP-A-00 56 971. The reaction medium is a dialkyl maleate, which does not usually tend to homopolymerize. In this process, the low-viscosity dialkyl maleate is gradually incorporated into the polymer chain by reaction with the other monomers charged, so that at the end of the polymerization a nearly 100% product is present. Despite the good stirrability at the start of the polymerization, the formation of the high-molecular weight, almost 100% polymer leads to stirring problems towards the end of the reaction due to high melt viscosities.
The use of saturated or unsaturated polyesters as a reaction medium or grafting backbone provides another option for the production of solvent-free copolymers. Such processes are described, for example, in the patent applications EP-A-02 06 072 and EP-A-03 91 271. In this process, the high viscosity of the "reaction medium polyester" at the start of the process leads to poor dissipation of the heat of reaction and results in products with a very non-uniform molecular-weight distribution.

Process for the production of hydroxy-functional copolymers


Compounds of formula (I, II or III), wherein X is OH; Y is OH, H, lower alkyl of one to six carbons or heteroatoms or F; Z and Z′ are independently H, lower alkyl or Q3Si where Q is lower alkyl or aryl; n is 3-50; n′ is 2-50; A and B are independently a) alkyl of one to ten carbons or heteroatoms, b) aryl of four to seven carbons or heteroatoms, c) cyclic of three to ten carbons or heteroatoms, or moieties of the formulas (d, e, or f); R1-R11 groups are each independently hydrogen, alkyl of one to ten carbons or heteroatoms, aryl of 4 to 14 carbons or heteroatoms, arylalkyl of five to twenty carbons or heteroatoms; unsubstituted carbonyl or substituted carbonyl. Heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen, silicon or sulfur. At least one of A or B, or both A and B are d), e), or f). The compounds of formula (I) inhibit protease enzymes and can be used as pharmaceuticals.

Protease enzymes mediate many biological processes, e.g., by editing a polypeptide to a shorter, active form, or by terminating biological activity through degradation of an active polypeptide. Other protease enzymes are concerned with tissue remodeling.
Proteases hydrolyze the amide backbone of polypeptides and during this hydrolysis, a tetrahedral intermediate is formed as part of the enzyme-substrate complex. Some analogs of the tetrahedral intermediate can inhibit protease enzymes. Elements other than carbon, specifically, phosphorous and boron, have been used to prepare transition state analogs. Phosphorous: Kam, C.M.; Nishino, N.; Powers, J. C. , "Inhibition of Thermolysin and Carboxypeptidase A by Phosphoraridates", Biochemistry 18, 3032-3038 (1979). Boron: Amiri, P.; Lindquist, R. N.; Matteson, D. S.; Sadhu, K. M. "Benzamidomethaneboronic Acid: Synthesis and Inhibition of Chymotrypsin", Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 234, 531-536 (1984). There has been only one attempt, however, to utilize silanols in transition state analogs because silanediols have a strong proclivity to self condense and form siloxanes or silicones. The simplest silanediol, dimethylsilanediol, was tested as an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme and found to be inactive. Galardy, R. E.; Kortylewicz, Z. P. "Inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme containing a tetrahedral arsenic atom", Biochem. J. 226, 447-454 (1985). In addition, known silanediols are virtually all dialkyl or diaryl homologues. Lickiss, P. D., "The Synthesis and Structure of Organosilanols", Adv. Inorg. Chem. 42, 147-262 (1995). Therefore, organic silanols have been absent from the field of protease inhibition.
It is an object of the invention to provide silicon-containing enzyme inhibitors.
It is a further object of the invention to provide silanols and silanediols and their siloxane oligomers as bioactive molecules, particularly as inhibitors of hydrolase enzymes.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a process for the synthesis of silanol and silanediol-based peptide mimics as well as their siloxane oligomers.
It is yet another object to provide a method for inhibiting proteases using silicon-containing peptide analogs.

The Research Foundation of State University of New York


A system and method for controlling a freestream air flow over a surface of an airborne mobile platform, for example an aircraft. In one implementation the system includes a plurality of plasma actuators used on an undersurface of a fuselage of an aircraft upstream of a weapons bay of the aircraft. When the plasma actuators are energized an induced flow is created adjacent the actuators. The induced flow operates to deflect the shear layer created when the freestream air flow moves over the weapons bay (while the bay doors are open), away from the weapons bay. This significantly reduces the oscillating acoustic pressure waves that would normally be produced if the shear layer turns into the weapons bay. The system and method significantly reduces acoustic noise inside the weapons bay and improves separation of ordnance from the weapons bay.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
To meet many modern day performance requirements, airborne mobile platforms, for example with jet powered military aircraft, often have various and highly integrated platform configurations. These configurations can include internal weapons bays, which are typically located on the belly of the fuselage of the aircraft. When a weapon stored within the weapons bay is to be released from the aircraft, typically one hingedly supported door, or a pair of hingedly supported bay doors, are opened and then the weapon is released. However, due to the high speeds at which many jet aircraft are operating at when weapons are released from the weapons bay, the shear layer air flow over the weapons bay can produce high acoustic levels and challenges in releasing weapons when the bay doors are opened. In effect, there occurs a time-dependent separation of the shear layer at the leading edge of the weapons bay that moves in to the bay, thus producing high acoustic noise and loading. Complicating this is that existing weapons are typically qualified to maximum conditions that may not be sufficient for deployment from an internal weapons bay of an aircraft. Modification or re-qualification of the weapons is typically not an option.
Traditionally, to passively counter the high acoustic levels experienced inside the weapons bay and to improve weapon separation characteristics, a flow spoiler is located on the fuselage of the aircraft externally of, and upstream of, the weapons bay. The spoiler operates to "deflect" the approaching air flow, plus "spoil" and reduce the intensity of the bay oscillating pressure waves adjacent the opening in the fuselage. This passive approach is usually limited in optimal performance to performing within a limited portion of the flight envelope (i.e., with a predetermined speed range for the aircraft). The mechanical flow spoiler typically requires mechanical linkage and electromechanical and/or hydraulic actuators, all of which can add significant weight, complexity, and life cycle costs to the air vehicle.

Plasma actuator system and method for use with a weapons bay on a high speed mobile platform


A coding scheme for transmitting messages particularly between computers is described. Messages are transmitted in packets which include at least a data portion and a terminator. Out of a predetermined set of symbols, sixteen data symbols and at least one control symbol is selected. The terminator token is generated to constitute the symbol and a six-bit symbol representing checking bits.

This application is particularly concerned with the transmission of messages between computers, each computer having a link interface which receives messages from its associated computer and encodes these for transmission to a link interface associated with a remote computer. One known format for provision of the messages by the computer is a so-called data/strobe format (DS format) where two wires are provided, one for data and one for strobe signals. This message format is described in the European Application No. 91304711.4.
Each message comprises a plurality of packets. Each packet comprises a header or address portion, a data portion (normally but not always) and a terminator as an end of packet indicator. Where the packet is the last packet in a message, the end of packet indicator is replaced by an end of message indicator as the terminator. The data portion can be made up of data tokens. Data tokens each comprise a flag bit, a parity bit and eight bits representing data to be transmitted (herein data bits). A terminator token comprises a flag bit, a parity bit and two control bits identifying the type of terminator token. In each case the flag bit identifies whether the token is a data token or a terminator token.
Existing coding schemes for encoding messages of this type can have the effect that a single bit error in data received by the remote computer from the transmitting computer can generate a multiple bit error when decoded. In order to avoid this, existing decoding schemes use cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs) which involve the transmission of a set of checking bits for each transmitted packet transmitted at the end of the packet. For long packets, this can be relatively efficient, for example four bytes of checking data for a packet having a length of four kilobytes. However, for small packets this is much less efficient and could in some circumstances double the length of a packet. The present invention is concerned particularly with the transmission of short packets.


A linear peristaltic pump for pumping fluid through a resilient tube has a pair of pumping fingers, a pair of pinching fingers, and a strain gauge to monitor pressure inside the tube. The first pumping finger squeezes the tube at a first location, and the second pumping finger squeezes the tube at a second location. Additionally, the first pumping finger is configured and operated to displace approximately twice the fluid volume displaced by the second pumping finger. The first pinching finger occludes the tube upstream to the first pumping finger and the second pinching finger occludes the tube between the first and second pumping fingers. To monitor dimensional changes in the outer diameter of the tube and thereby indicate pressure inside the tube, the strain gauge is mounted on the pump between the second pinching finger and first pumping fingers. Finally, a leaf spring and photoelectric sensor are associated with the first pumping finger to indicate when the finger is in its fully withdrawn position.

Over the years there have been a number of pumps developed for infusion of medical solutions to patients. Such pumping of fluids has been routinely accomplished through a wide variety of well known pumping mechanisms. In the administration of fluids to a patient, it is desirable that the pump be of the "non-wetting" variety, such as that exemplified by the well known peristaltic pump. A peristaltic pump is a type of pump which uses wave-like motion against the walls of a flexible tube containing the fluid being pumped. The non-wetting-type pump is particularly useful in hospital and medical situations in that the fluid being pumped is not subject to contamination through direct contact with the component parts of the pump. In like fashion, if corrosive fluids are being pumped there is no direct contact of corrosive fluid with component parts of the pump.
Another desirable characteristic of pumping mechanisms in general is for the pump to deliver fluid at a rate which remains reasonably constant. In other words, throughout the pumping cycle, the rate of flow should remain substantially steady, without any surges or significant variations in the flow rate.
Peristaltic pumps of the non-wetting variety are basically of two types, namely rotary peristaltic pumps or linear peristaltic pumps. One disadvantage of rotary peristaltic pumps, however, is that they have relatively poor efficiency. In addition, they impose high shear and tension stresses on the tubing which is used to convey the fluid. Another disadvantage is that because of the high forces typically produced by rotary peristaltic pumps, the tubing eventually experiences spalling of its inner walls. There is also, after a period of time, permanent plastic deformation, or "set", of the tubing. In other words, the tubing's normally circular cross section becomes flattened into a more oval shape.
Linear peristaltic pumps, in comparison, typically use reciprocating parts to provide peristaltic action against the flexible tube in order to move the fluid through the tube. Such peristaltic pumps consist of a plurality of reciprocating pumping fingers, typically twelve (12), that are sequentially urged against the tube to occlude adjacent segments of tubing in wave-like action. Although linear peristaltic pumps overcome some of the above-stated disadvantages associated with rotary peristaltic pumps, they do so at considerable added cost and with the greater complexity added by the mechanism needed to properly synchronize twelve (12) pumping fingers. Since the pumping fingers are urged to sequentially occlude adjacent segments of tubing, the crushing forces imposed on the tubing and fluid are comparable to those encountered with rotary peristaltic pumps. There is less damage, however, than that caused by rotary peristaltic pumps, because the occlusion forces are localized to the area beneath each finger rather than being applied in movement along the whole length of the tubing. Nonetheless, even with a linear peristaltic pump, there is still some damage such as plastic deformation of the tubing. As a consequence, the structural integrity of the tube carrying the fluid is compromised and as the tubing assumes a progressively more oval cross-sectional shape, the volume and flow rate of the fluid delivered in each pumping cycle is affected.
Furthermore, in order to smooth the pumping transition from one cycle to the next, some linear peristaltic pumps have what is called a "wrap" cycle. During a "wrap" cycle, the motor driving the pump is accelerated to quickly move the upstream finger into occlusion. Thereafter, the motor can resume normal speed to sequentially squeeze and occlude adjacent portions of the tube in its wave-like cycle action. Incorporating this "wrap" cycle can require use of a relatively complicated and expensive motor and motor drive circuit with high acceleration capability. Also, because fluid is not delivered during this "wrap" cycle, most linear peristaltic pumps use many fingers (e.g. twelve (12) additional pumping fingers, as mentioned earlier) to minimize the proportionate time of the "wrap" cycle. Maintaining proper alignment and relational movement between such a plurality of fingers also deteriorates the reliability of operation of the device and increases manufacturing costs.
Apart from the specific type of pump being used, and independent of the number of fingers configured in the design of the pump, it is desirable that some means for monitoring fluid pressure within the tube be provided. By so monitoring fluid tube pressure, unwanted systems occlusions, flow blockages, or leaks may be quickly detected and attended to. Moreover, the pump being used can be programmed to react to changes in fluid pressure when fluid pressure is known, in order to provide automatic response to the types of pumping system irregularities discussed above. One example of a peristaltic pump which incorporates a pressure sensor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,014, issued to Cannon. In particular, the Cannon apparatus incorporates a strain gauge assembly with a twelve-finger peristaltic pump for monitoring fluid pressure upstream and downstream of the pump. The strain gauge is used for providing automatic pump control signals in response to fluid pressure in the IV line. The importance of fluid pressure monitoring is underscored by the fact that several other proposals have also been made for monitoring fluid pressure in an IV line of a peristaltic pump. For example, one other such system which correlates changes in the outside diameter of an IV line to fluid pressure within the line is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,752 to Burkett. Like the apparatus disclosed in Cannon, Burkett also uses a strain gage pressure sensor assembly which reacts to changes in the outer diameter of an IV tube to generate control signals which correspond to fluid pressure.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a peristaltic pump of the non-wetting type which is simple and efficient in operation. It is another object of the present invention to provide a peristaltic pump which results in reduced stresses on the fluid-carrying tube and thus longer tube life. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a peristaltic pump which produces a substantially linear, and non-pulsing flow for the fluid being pumped. A further object of the present invention is to provide a peristaltic pump which has fluid pressure monitoring capabilities. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a peristaltic pump which is relatively easy to manufacture, durable and reliable in its operation and comparatively cost-effective.

Two-cycle peristaltic pump with occlusion detector


An integral sensing head includes a single fiber optic faceplate substrate to which are connected photodiode arrays, circuits for selectively controlling the transmission of electronic information signals from the photodiodes and interconnecting conductive lines all disposed on the same fiber optic faceplate substrate which thereby provides the optical lens system for the photodiodes and a supporting substrate to which the active components are mounted and electrically interconnected by conductive lines.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an integral fiber optic sensing head and, more particularly, to a sensing head comprising a single fiber optic faceplate substrate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Light sensing photodiode arrays are well known in the art for sensing or scanning documents, photographs or the like whereby light reflected from the scanned surface is converted to electronic information signals and subsequently transmitted either for immediate conversion to a facsimile of the surface originally scanned or, alternatively, for storage in any of a well-known variety of memories including both optical and magnetic media. In order to achieve high resolution, a large number of light sensing photodiodes are arranged in a linear array and means are included for providing a relative movement between the linear array and the surface to be sensed so as to effect a scanning movement of the linear array over the surface. Thus, the surface to be sensed may be scanned to provide electronic information signals one line at a time as the photodiode array is advanced relative to the surface either continuously or in a stepping motion. Each photodiode in the linear array is used to sense a corresponding area or pixel on the sensed surface and provide a corresponding electronic information signal value determined by intensity of the light reflected from that area or pixel of the surface. Since the light reflected from each pixel of the surface rapidly diverges, an optical system is needed to transmit the reflected light from the surface to the light sensitive area surface of the photosensitive diodes without substantial divergence.
Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an integral sensing head structure in which photoresponsive elements such as photodiode arrays and the control circuits therefor can be mounted on a singular substrate.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an integral sensing head structure in which photodiode arrays are more easily connected to a fiber optic lens array which can further act as a substrate to accommodate the mounting and connection of additional support circuitry.
Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises a structure and system possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure.


Provided are a backup data management system and a backup data management method capable of facilitating the management of backup data that is multiplexed between different storage apparatuses. The backup data management system includes a storage apparatus having a volume to be used by a host computer, at least one storage apparatus having volumes, and a management computer. The management computer creates a copy pair so that a snapshot of the volume included in a backup group is stored in all the volumes included in the backup group, and sets all copy pairs included in the designated backup group to a PAIR status when there is a creation request of the snapshot of the volume.

The present invention relates to a backup data management system and a backup data management method for managing backup data that is multiplexed between different storage apparatuses in a computer system comprising a plurality of storage apparatuses.
Conventionally, a highly reliable memory apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a "storage apparatus") has a storage area (hereinafter referred to as a "volume") in the storage apparatus, and retains a local copy program for creating a replication (hereinafter referred to as a "snapshot") of the volume in another volume of the storage apparatus.
Nevertheless, there are cases where the storage apparatus becomes unavailable due to failure caused by water damage or the like, or maintenance work. Thus, demanded is a highly available storage system that multiplexes a snapshot of a volume used by a business application between different storage apparatuses so that, when the storage apparatus retaining that volume becomes unavailable, the business application is able to continue business operations with the snapshot of the other storage apparatus, and to enable the restoration (hereinafter referred to as "restore" or "restoration") of data to the volume used by the business application.
As a method of multiplexing snapshots between different storage apparatuses (hereinafter simply referred to as a "snapshot multiplexing method"), disclosed is a method of remote-copying a volume used by a business application stored in a first storage apparatus to a second storage apparatus, the first storage apparatus local-copying the volume used by the business application in the first storage apparatus, the second storage apparatus local-copying the remote-copied volume in the second storage apparatus, and coinciding the data content and created time of the snapshots created in the respective storage apparatuses (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-242011).
As another snapshot multiplexing method, disclosed is a method of local-copying a volume used by a business application stored in a first storage apparatus to the first storage apparatus, and replicating the local-copied volume in a volume of a second storage apparatus via remote copy (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-48300).

Backup data management system and backup data management method