A system for detecting unauthorised use of a network is provided with a pattern matching engine for searching attack signatures into data packets, and with a response analysis engine for detecting response signatures into data packets sent back from an attacked network/computer. When a suspect signature has been detected into a packet, the system enters an alarm status starting a monitoring process on the packets sent back from the potentially attacked network/computer. An alarm is generated only in case the analysis of the response packets produces as well a positive result. Such intrusion detection system is much less prone to false positives and misdiagnosis than a conventional pattern matching intrusion detection system.

A known solution for intrusion detection is the so-called protocol analysis technique. Protocol analysis takes advantage of the known structure of communications protocols for tracking all connections in a protected network. For each connection the system retraces the application level flow and simulates the behaviour of a possible victim. An alarm is generated when the system detects the execution of operations that somehow violate or stress the nature of the used protocol. An intrusion detection system based on the protocol analysis technique is illustrated for example in document US2003/0004688A1. The system illustrated is quite complex, as the protocol analysis technique requires high processing power, moreover, in order to efficiently retrace the behaviour of all protected computers, it is necessary to have an exhaustive knowledge of the protected network.
Statistical analysis is another well-known technique used in intrusion detection systems. Such systems try to detect statistical anomalies, triggering an alarm when a deviation from statistical values is detected. Statistical values may include for example the number of connections simultaneously open, traffic activity to/from a particular computer, or the length in time of connections. While the computing power in such systems is not so critical, it is extremely elaborate to identify which parameters are really symptomatic for determining the status of the network and which kinds of variations are to be detected. An example of intrusion detection system based on statistical analysis is illustrated in document WO 02/45380.
A further technique commonly used in intrusion detection systems is the pattern matching technique, which tries to detect the presence of an attack signature in a network packet. Each packet on the network is searched for various attack signatures (an attack signature is a string or a group of bytes), comparing group of bytes taken from the packet in question with a plurality of known attack signatures.
Depending on the choice of detecting algorithm and the frequency with which it is applied, the pattern matching technique may become a performance bottleneck. The problem of streamlining pattern matching techniques is addressed for example in documents U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,632 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,409, which illustrate some methods, not expressly related to network intrusion detection systems, for increasing performances of pattern-matching systems.
An improved intrusion detection system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,651, which illustrates a system having dynamically loaded signatures. The solution proposed simplifies the modification of the system to adapt to new network vulnerabilities, so that the system supports upgrades in a dynamic manner without shutting down the intrusion detection system.
A further attempt to improve reliability of intrusion detection systems based on pattern matching techniques is illustrated in document U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,107. The method disclosed comprises monitoring network data traffic and analysing such traffic for assessing network information; a plurality of analysis tasks are prioritised based upon the network information, the analysis tasks are performed on the monitored traffic in order to identify attacks upon the network. Each signature has therefore an associated priority value, such value is used by the system for regulating the actuation of the corresponding analysis task.
Such systems identify as an attack any data replicating a known signature, either if it corresponds effectively to an attempt of attacking a vulnerable computer or a service, or if it is directed to a destination that does not exist or that is however not sensitive to that kind of attacks, or even in case the match is caused by legitimate data somehow similar to a known attack signature.
As a consequence, intrusion detection systems based on pattern matching techniques are inclined to generate too many false positives, i.e. false alarm warnings. False positives occur when a byte string in a packet matches a pattern signature, but the string is in fact not an attack at all.
The Applicant has tackled the problem of reducing the number of false positives in an intrusion detection system based on pattern matching techniques.
The Applicant observes that the number of false positives can be sometimes so large that the system itself becomes unserviceable, hiding authentic alarms among thousands of useless warnings.
The Applicant is of the opinion that a conventional pattern matching intrusion detection system has no intelligence to determine the true meaning and the ultimate effect of a detected pattern, thus triggering an excessive number of false positives.
In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide an intrusion detection system, based on pattern matching techniques, which is able of filtering alarm warnings for a drastic reduction of false positives.

Method and system for detecting unauthorized use of a communication network


Various embodiments are described herein for an assistive device and associated method for interacting with at least one electronic device. In one example embodiment, the assistive device can include at least one communication interface, a memory, and at least one processing unit. The memory can store a whitelist of the at least one electronic device; and a gesture-to-command map of input signals in linked association with commands, including a selection command and a control command. The processing unit can be configured for sustaining an electronic communication connection to a target electronic device; receiving an input signal generated from user manipulation of a physical interface; searching the gesture-to-command map based on the input signal to determine a command; and using the at least one communication interface to transmit the command to the at least one electronic device thereby allowing the user to use the same assistive device for selecting and/or controlling at least one electronic device.

The daily routine of an individual can involve interacting with multiple home appliances and/or electronic devices. Able-bodied individuals can choose the appliance and/or device that they want to engage with, at any given time, by directly manipulating the appliance and/or device through a variety of standard physical interfaces. Standard physical interfaces can include, but are not limited to, buttons, switches, keyboards, keypads, dials, levers, remote controls, and pointing devices such as touch screens.
However, some individuals can have physical impairments that prevent them from using these standard physical interfaces and they may instead have to rely on simplified switch input devices adapted to their unique physical abilities. A button is an example of a simplified switch input device. A switch interface can be provided to relay switching events from the simplified switch input device to a particular appliance. However, since different appliances often respond to different switching events, switch interfaces must typically be reconfigured for a particular appliance in order to control it. Generally, reconfiguration cannot be performed using the simplified switch input. Therefore, individuals with physical impairments may require the assistance of a third party in order to reconfigure a switch interface for use with an appliance that it is not currently configured to interact with.
Some conventional switch interfaces for able-bodied individuals enable the control of multiple electronic devices. For example, a wireless keyboard can be used to send text and/or commands to a variety of target electronic devices (e.g., mobile devices). However, the selection of a target electronic device is typically performed using an additional selection mechanism, such as a slider switch or selector wheel that is included in the wireless keyboard for the sole purpose of selecting a target appliance. Users who do not have the dexterity to manipulate the slider switch or selector wheel are not able to independently choose which electronic device they want to control with the keyboard.

Configurable device switching mechanism that enables seamless interactions with multiple devices


An operating method of a storage device includes simultaneously buffering first data in a first nonvolatile memory device and a second nonvolatile memory device, simultaneously buffering second data in the second nonvolatile memory device and a third nonvolatile memory device, performing a parity operation on the first data and the second data in the second nonvolatile memory device to generate a parity, and programming the first data, the second data, and the parity into the first nonvolatile memory device, the third nonvolatile memory device, and the second nonvolatile memory device, respectively.

Technical Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to storage devices and operating methods thereof.
Discussion of Related Art
In general, semiconductor memory devices are classified into volatile semiconductor memory devices and nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices. Nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices can retain their stored data even when their power supplies are interrupted. Data stored in a nonvolatile memory device may be permanent or reprogrammable depending memory manufacturing technology. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is used for storing programs and micro codes in a wide range of applications such as computers, avionics, communication, and consumer electronic technologies.

Storage device and operating method thereof


A gaseous carbon dioxide detection sensor comprising a detection electrode and a reference electrode opposed on both sides of an ionic conductor, wherein a mixture comprising one mol of an alkali metal carbonate more than one mol of an alkaline earth metal carbonate is used as the detection material for the detection electrode. The detection sensor has the electromotive force characteristic relative to the gaseous carbon dioxide less undergoing the effect of moisture in the gas to be measured and has a high sensitivity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a solid electrolyte type gaseous carbon dioxide sensor and, more in particular, it relates to an improvement of a humidity proof property for a detection electrode.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Solid electrolyte sensors under development at present usually comprise a detection electrode and a reference electrode disposed on both sides of a solid electrolyte as an ionic conductor.
Generally, in a case of detecting gaseous ingredients present in an atmosphere by using a solid electrolyte sensor, an ionic conductor in which specific ions are movable and, in combination with this specific ion conductor used as the solid electrolyte, a compound containing the specific ions and an aimed gaseous ingredient is used as a detection material being covered on an electrode, for example, made of platinum.
A gaseous carbon dioxide sensor based on such a principle uses, for example, a sodium ionic conductor such as of .beta.-alumina (general formula: Na.sub.2 O.nAl.sub.2 O.sub.3, n=5-11) or NASICON (general formula: Na.sub.1-x Zr.sub.2 P.sub.3-x Si.sub.x O.sub.12). In this case, a platinum gauge covered with sodium carbonate or the like is used as a detection electrode.
A typical reference electrode comprises gold or platinum alone or being covered with sodium carbonate or the like which is tightly sealed in air or gaseous carbon dioxide. Accordingly, while gaseous carbon dioxide as a gas to be measured can be in contact with the detection electrode but not with the reference electrode on the opposite side.
The sensor portion is heated upon operation usually to a constant temperature of about 400.degree. C. to 600.degree. C., in which an electromotive force of sodium ions is caused to the detection electrode corresponding to the partial pressure of the gaseous carbon dioxide in a gas to be detected which is in contact with the detection electrode and sodium ions in proportion with the difference of the electromotive force between both of the electrodes conduct through the ionic conductor. Accordingly, the concentration of the gaseous carbon dioxide can be detected by measuring the electromotive force.
However, in a case of the existent gaseous carbon dioxide sensor using sodium carbonate as the detection material for the detection electrode and using NASICON for the ionic conductor as described above, the characteristic of the electromotive force greatly suffers from the effect of a moisture content in the gas to be detected. FIG. 3 shows the electromotive force characteristic of the device, heated to an element temperature of 550.degree. C., relative to the change of concentration of gaseous carbon dioxide in air at a humidity of 20% and 75% as well as in an anhydrous state. As shown in the figure, if the air contains the moisture content even as low as 20%, the electromotive force relative to the change of the concentration of the gaseous carbon dioxide is reduced, failing to attain satisfactory detection and it can not be discriminated whether the change of the electromotive force is attributable to that of the concentration of the gaseous carbon dioxide or to that of the humidity.
In view of the above, although an improved method has been proposed, for example, of covering the detection electrode with such a gas permeable membrane that allows only the gaseous carbon dioxide but not water content to pass therethrough, preparation of the permeation membrane is extremely troublesome, as well as the effect is not sufficient and it has been difficult to dissolve the foregoing problem in this prior art.


A safety knife comprises a handle, a main blade mounted on the handle with a pointed end part of the cutting edge of the blade projecting from the handle at an obtuse angle, and a guard mounted on the handle to shield the projecting portion of the blade. The guard comprises a further blade which is mounted on the handle in generally the same plane as the main blade and has a concavely curved cutting edge which extends around the projecting point of the main blade. The outer edge of the guard blade is unsharpened so that the guard blade protects and shields the point of the main blade as well as contributing to the cutting action of the knife.

The invention relates to safety knives of the kind comprising a handle, a main blade mounted on the handle with at least a portion of the cutting edge of the blade projecting from the handle, and a guard mounted on the handle to shield the projecting portion of the blade.


A warning system for vehicles detects actual road surface temperature and advises the driver of surface temperatures which indicate the vehicle may be approaching possible ice formation on roadways. The warning system comprises an infrared detector mounted externally on the vehicle and aimed at the road surface, the detector arranged to read only the infrared temperature wavelength emissions associated with concrete and asphalt to eliminate confusing and erroneous readings inadvertently received through infrared emission from other objects in the vicinity. The detector is connected to a processing unit which translates the electric signals from the detector into a temperature readout display for the driver and the processing unit may include an alarm which is activated to attract the driver's attention when road temperatures are detected that are below a set minimum temperature that is selected by the driver's manual adjustment of a temperature select control knob on the unit.

This invention relates to warning systems for vehicles to advise the operator of road icing conditions that may exist, and more particularly to a warning system which uses an infrared detector to determine the temperature specifically of the road surface itself, to advise of road conditions which promote the formation of hazardous ice conditions including black ice on roadways.
Ice warning systems heretofore known in the art have involved the use of basic temperature sensors arranged to inform the operator of a vehicle of the ambient temperature, so that the operator will know when freezing air temperatures are occurring. However, because of so many variables, such as winds, heat stored in the earth, differing road surfaces, road heating from vehicle traffic, etc., air temperature is a very unreliable indicator of actual icing conditions existing on roadway surfaces. Black ice may exist in air temperatures above 32.degree. F. (0.degree. C.), and conversely, wet road conditions may be present at air temperatures below freezing. Moreover, the strikingly different road surface conditions may even alternate from one to the other along a road despite the air temperature remaining relatively constant as the vehicle travels.
Thus, a reliance on air temperature not only does not give an accurate indication of actual driving conditions, it can, and in fact often does give one a dangerously false sense of security in the existing road conditions.
No system heretofore has been available which is arranged specifically to read the temperature of the road surface itself, as a vehicle is traveling, to give an accurate accounting of the condition of the road surface irrespective of the air temperature in the surrounding vicinity.

Method and system for detecting potential icy conditions on roads


A pulse width modulation (PWM) control method for a five-level inverting circuit is provided. The five-level inverting circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a third capacitor and first to eighth switch branches. In this PWM control method, the control logic is set to enable the first and fourth switch branches to be turned on in a complementary manner, the second and fifth switch branches to be turned on in a complementary manner, the third and sixth switch branches to be turned on in a complementary manner, and the seventh and eighth switch branches to be turned on in a complementary manner, and enable the first and second switch branches to be turned on in an interlocking manner, and the sixth and fifth switch branches to be turned on in an interlocking manner.

In recent years, multilevel output has becoming a commonly used technology in the field of middle-high voltage high power frequency conversion. The active neutral point clamped multilevel circuit is a commonly used multilevel inverting circuit. In the active neutral point clamped multilevel circuit, at least one floating capacitor is provided at a certain position, such that the level of the circuit is clamped, thereby generating different output levels.
FIG. 1 illustrates a commonly used five-level inverting circuit, which includes multiple switch transistors and freewheel diodes, where the multiple switch transistors are turned on and turned off according to preset logics, thereby implementing inversion. However, the five-level inverting circuit includes three direct current (DC) capacitors. If some of the switch transistors are turned on simultaneously, the DC capacitor may be short circuited, thereby resulting in a great short-circuit current in the loop, thus the switch transistor may be damaged.
Therefore, providing a PWM control method for a five-level inverting circuit in order to prevent the DC capacitor from being short circuited is a major technical issue to be solved by a person skilled in the art.

PWM control method for five-level inverting circuit, control circuit and inverter


A method of forming a planar silicon nitride layer is disclosed. The method comprises: forming a pad oxide layer; forming a first nitride layer on the pad oxide layer; forming a stop layer on the first nitride layer; forming a second nitride layer on the stop layer; performing intermediate processes that damage the second nitride layer; removing the second nitride layer; removing the stop layer such that the first nitride layer remains as the planar silicon nitride layer.

In the formation of integrated circuits, the manufacture of isolation structures between semiconductor devices for insulating purposes is crucial. In either ULSI or in VLSI, a tiny amount of leakage current can induce significant power dissipation for the entire circuit. Therefore, it is very important to form an effective isolation between semiconductor devices. In addition, with the trend towards higher density integration, effective isolation must be done in a smaller isolation space.
Presently, various isolation technologies have been proposed. These include LOCOS (LOCal Oxidation of Silicon) and shallow trench isolation (STI) technologies. The most widely used method for forming isolation regions is the LOCOS structure. The LOCOS structure involves the formation of Field OXides (FOX) in the nonactive regions of the semiconductor substrate. In the other words, the FOX is created on the portion of the wafer that is not covered by a silicon nitride/silicon oxide composition layer. Unfortunately, the surface topography of the FOX cannot meet the stringent space demands of submicron devices. Additionally, as device geometry reaches submicron size, conventional LOCOS isolation has a further limitation. Notably, the bird's beak effect causes unacceptably large encroachment of the FOX into the device active regions.
Trench isolation is one of the newer approaches adopted and is used primarily for isolating devices in VLSI and ULSI. Trench isolation can be considered as a replacement for conventional LOCOS isolation. As seen in FIG. 1, in the basic STI technology, a pad layer 103 is first formed on the semiconductor wafer 101. The pad layer 103 may be formed by oxidizing a bare silicon wafer in a furnace to grow the pad oxide layer 103 of about 100 to 250 angstroms thickness. The pad oxide layer 103 is most typically formed from silicon dioxide.
Next, a furnace silicon nitride layer 105 of about 1500 to 2000 angstroms thickness is then deposited on the pad oxide layer. The silicon nitride layer 105 is used as a stop layer and is formed on the pad oxide layer 103. Turning to FIG. 2, a masking and etching step is then performed to form trenches 201 about 0.4 to 0.5 .mu.m in depth by anisotropically etching into the silicon wafer.
Next, an oxide is deposited onto the wafer. The oxide may be a CVD oxide or a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) oxide. Typically, the oxide 203 needs to be planarized using a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technique.
The use of silicon nitride in the formation of trenches is a common technique. Indeed, not only is silicon nitride used in the formation of trenches for STI, but also in the formation of trenches for DRAM trench capacitors.
It has been found that when performing the CMP process to planarize the oxide layer 203, a within wafer variation in the planarity of the silicon nitride layer exists. In other words, the silicon nitride layer is not globally planar over an entire wafer. This is believed to be caused by prior steps in the manufacturing process. The variation in the silicon nitride level causes variation in the planarity of the STI structures, which can be a factor device threshold voltage (V.sub.t) variation.
Therefore, a need arises for an improved method of forming a silicon nitride layer that has high global planarity. The silicon nitride layer can then be used in the process of forming trenches for either STI or DRAM capacitors.

Method for improving global planarization uniformity of a silicon nitride layer used in the formation of trenches by using a sandwich stop layer


A particulate deactivator is used to pacify halogen-containing catalyst residues from a medium pressure solution polymerization process. The deactivator is added post-reactor preferably in the form of a suspension. The particulate deactivator may also be used in conjunction with a secondary, soluble deactivator.

Thermoplastic polyethylene is commercially produced by three important classes of catalysts, namely free radical catalysts (such as the peroxides and/or hydroperoxides which are typically used in the so-called "high pressure" polymerization process); chromium catalysts (such as the supported chromium oxides which are used in the so-called "Phillips" polymerization process); and "Ziegler-Natta" type catalysts which are typically used in "gas phase" processes and "medium pressure solution processes".
The polymer solution emerging from the reactor system in the medium pressure polymerization process still contains unreacted monomers and active catalyst which would continue an uncontrolled polymerization reaction in the process equipment down-stream from the polymerization reactor system and thus compromise the quality of the desired commercial polymer. Therefore the catalyst has to be deactivated.
There are many deactivators known including various amines (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,259 to Zboril et al; alkali or alkaline earth metal salts of carboxylic acid (especially calcium stearate, per U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,609 to Machon et al); water (U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,438 to Bernier et al); and hydrotalcites (or synthetic clays) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,882. In fact most polar compounds will deactivate a Ziegler catalyst at the typical temperature at the reactor exit.
However, most Ziegler-Natta catalysts contain halogens (typically chlorine) which remain in the polyethylene and may cause undesirable reactions (especially corrosion of metals which come into subsequent contact with the polyethylene). In a solution polymerization process, these undesirable reactions may occur in process vessels which are immediately downstream of the polymerization reactor so there is a need to employ an effective "deactivator" either in, or downstream from, the polymerization reactor.
Preferred deactivators should also satisfy the following requirements: a deactivator must deactivate the catalyst rapidly; must not deposit on the equipment (particularly on heater surfaces); must not generate color or odor and must be safe and non-toxic. This limits the types of useful deactivators and dictates the way they are added to the reactor effluent. Accordingly, the selection of optimal deactivators and the method of their use depends upon the process in question.
The method of adding the deactivator is affected by the form of the polyethylene product and the type of polymerization reactor. In general, it is not particularly difficult to add a deactivator to the solid product from a gas phase or slurry polymerization process. (See, for example, the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,438 which discloses that water may be added to the solid product from a gas phase polymerization process by simply spraying the water into a purge bin.) Likewise, it is not particularly difficult to deactivate the molten solution product which emerges from a high pressure, plug flow tubular reactor--as the deactivator may be added directly to the end of the reactor tube. (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,744; Huang et al). However, the direct addition of a deactivator at the exit of a back-stirred reactor (such as a CSTR) would kill the reaction.
Conversely, the addition of a particulate deactivator to the polyethylene solution at a point downstream of the reactor is not trivial--particularly with respect to the problem of achieving fast deactivation by adequate dispersion of the deactivation throughout the solution.
Often, it is advantageous to separate the catalyst deactivation and passivation. Thus a soluble deactivator such as methanol may be added first, and a suspension of a passivator second. Methanol mixes well and deactivates quickly, but the so-deactivated catalyst must also be passivated.


The yield of fully substituted, multidimensional aromatic hubs in the condensation of hydroxyl and acid halide functionalities is improved by adding a thallium catalyst, such as thallium ethoxide (T1-OC.sub.2 H.sub.5), in the solvent.

In our earlier applications we proposed the condensation of hydroxyl (--OH) and carboxylic acid (--COOH) or carboxylic acid halides (--COX) on an aromatic hub having at least three such functionalities. The condensation occurred in a suitable solvent, such as DMAC, under an inert atmosphere in the presence of triethylamine (TEA). We have found that, when reacting, for example, phloroglucinol with an acid chloride end cap of the formula: ##STR1## in DMAC and TEA that the resulting product is a mixture of ##STR2## The condensation is difficult to drive to completion (i.e., replacement of all the --OH groups) to yield the desired product (I). The yield of fully reacted multidimensional ester (I) can be improved, however, by replacing the TEA with thallium ethoxide (T1-OC.sub.2 H.sub.5).
The present invention is a method to improve the yield of fully-substituted multidimensional polyesters, particularly polyester oligomers having a trisubstituted phenylene hub and crosslinking hydrocarbon unsaturation at the end of each arm linked to the hub. The method involves conducting the esterification reaction in the presence of a thallium catalyst, such as thallium ethoxide, in a suitable solvent under an inert atmosphere. Preferably, the solvent includes DMAC and TEA.

Method of making multidimensional polyesters


A food warming device assembly supported on legs comprises a stand or a frame having a heater supporting shelf for supporting a tray-like food container, an opening disposed in the heater supporting shelf, a gas burner extending into the opening and supported therein by an annular flange, and a control box containing a fuel cartridge connected to the gas burner by means of an automatic piezo-electronic ignition line and a fuel supply line for automatically igniting and controlling the supply of fuel to the gas burner, whereby the food warming device assembly can be used to maintain food in a warm condition in a controlled manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable food warming device assembly and more particularly, to an improved food warming device assembly such as chafer assemblies, warming cabinet assemblies, and the like for food service use in restaurants, hotels, dining rooms, institutions, and the like, which includes a stand of the chafer assemblies or a shelf of the warming cabinet assemblies for supporting of a tray-like food container above a support shelf such as a counter top or a plate thereof, a portable gas burner extending into an opening disposed in a heater support shelf and supported by an annular flange operatively associated with the stand or the shelf, and a control box containing a fuel cartridge for automatically igniting the gas burner by means of an auto piezo-electric ignition line and controlling the supply of fuel to the gas burner, whereby the food warming device assembly can be used to maintain food in a warm condition in a controlled manner and improve the safety, environment quality, and cost effectiveness of the replaceable fuel cartridge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of food warming device assemblies such as chafer assemblies and warming cabinet assemblies are well known in the art. Some prior chafer or warming cabinet assemblies include a supporting stand below a food container, a gas burner having a fuel tank or a burner having a solid fuel as a composite structure, or an electric burner below the food container. Such warming device assemblies suffer from a number of disadvantages such as, for example, such assemblies have a safety problem, a pollution problem, an unreliable thermostating heat, and a high cost control.
Furthermore, it is difficult for the burners for such food warming device assemblies to be readily associated with the stand and shelf of such conventional warming device assemblies. Some prior food warming device assemblies disclose as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,981 to Burrell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,310 to Milligton, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,722 to Horewitch. Also, automatic piezo-electric ignition system are well known in the art since 1978. Such automatic piezo-electric ignition systems are disclosed as shown in brochures and products of gas ranges, gas burning devices, and gas cookers supplied from Iwatani Co., Ltd. in Japan and Ranee Ind. Co., Ltd. in Korea. However, these references do not disclose and suggest the use of a portable gas burner assembly having an annular flange and connected to an automatic piezo-electric ignition line and a fuel supply line from a control box, whereby the portable gas burner-fuel supply tank assembly can be easily adapted to any food container for heating the same.


Apparatus and method for placing corner protectors upon corner regions of loads or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged comprises a plurality of corner protector magazines and operatively associated corner protector pick-up arm and transfer assemblies which are divided into two groups of diagonally opposed magazines and pick-up arm and transfer assemblies wherein the two groups of magazines respectively house corner protectors having two different height dimensions. Depending upon the sensed height dimensions of the loads or articles, one of the two groups of magazines and pick-up arm and transfer assemblies are selectively activated so as to place the proper dimensioned corner protectors upon corner regions of the loads or articles.

Apparatus for wrapping, banding, or otherwise packaging loads or articles generally comprises a framework defining a wrapping, banding, or packaging station for receiving the articles or load to wrapped, banded, or packaged, and a rotating and vertically reciprocable wrapping, banding, or packaging material dispensing unit supported upon the framework for rotation about the articles or load so as to wrap, band, or package the same. The load or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged usually comprise opposed pairs of vertical sides wherein adjacent sides meet at an angle so as to define a vertically extending corner therebetween. The load or articles also usually have an upper horizontally disposed surface which includes a plurality of horizontally disposed upper edges extending between the upper ends of the vertically extending corners. Prior to wrapping, banding, or otherwise packaging the load or articles, it is often desirable to apply corner protectors to the corner regions of the load or articles, and to apply a top or cap protector to the top region of the load or articles in order to protect the vertically extending corner and upper edge regions of the load or articles from being crushed by the wrapping or packaging film, or the strapping or banding, or from being crushed or otherwise damaged during transportation, shipping, or storage of the wrapped, packaged, or strapped or banded load or articles.
The corner protectors are generally made from paper or paperboard material which are pre-folded so as to define a pair of panels which meet at an angle and have interior surfaces which form interior corners for correspondingly mating with the exterior corners of the load or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged. The apparatus for applying a corner protector onto the load or articles generally comprises, for each corner region of the load or articles, a magazine for storing a plurality or supply of the corner protectors, and a pick-up or transfer mechanism operatively associated with the magazine for removing a corner protector from the magazine and transferring the corner protector to the particular or corresponding corner of the load or articles. One such type of apparatus which has heretofore been proposed, and which is currently well-known in the industry, is that disclosed within the U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,572, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As noted more particularly within the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,572, once the corner protectors are mounted upon or disposed adjacent to or in abutment with the external corner regions of the load or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged, wrapping, packaging, or banding of the load or articles is then initiated, and while the initial stage of the wrapping, packaging, or banding of the load or articles is being accomplished, the corner protector pick-up or transfer mechanisms are withdrawn and readied for a subsequent operational cycle whereby the next set of corner protectors will be applied to external corner regions of a different load or set of articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged.
While the apparatus disclosed within the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,572 has been quite satisfactory from an operational viewpoint, and has been quite commercially successful, it is of course readily noted that such apparatus is operationally programmed or configured in effect to simultaneously apply corner protectors upon all four corners of a palletized load or set of articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged, wherein the corner protectors being applied to the load or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged necessarily comprise substantially the same length or height dimension corresponding of course to the height dimension of the load or set of articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged. Consequently, should different sets of articles or loads, to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged, comprise different length or height dimensions, the apparatus disclosed within the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,572 would not be able to readily accommodate the wrapping, banding, or packaging needs attendant such loads or articles having such differing height or length dimensions due to the fact that the corner protectors have predetermined length dimensions which would obviously correspond to, for example, a first set of the loads or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged, and would not properly correspond to a second set of the loads or articles having height or length dimensions which are different from the first set of loads or articles and the corner protectors corresponding thereto.
Under the foregoing circumstances, the manufacturing or packaging facility would have to necessarily institute alternative or optional modes of operation in order to be capable of utilizing the wrapping, banding, or packaging apparatus disclosed within the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,572. More particularly, one optional mode of operation would be to pre-sort the loads or articles, to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged, into groups of loads or articles having substantially the same length or height dimensions whereby all of the groups of loads or articles having a first common length or height dimension would be conveyed to the wrapping, banding, or packaging station so as to wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged, and subsequently, all of the groups of loads or articles having a second common length or height dimension would then be conveyed to the wrapping, banding, or packaging station so as to be appropriately wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged. Such a mode of operation, however, is not particularly desirable from the viewpoint that the same is time-consuming and inefficient in that the loads or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged must necessarily be pre-sorted and cannot be processed, that is, wrapped, banded, or packaged, in an essentially random manner according, for example, to the timed order in which customer requests or orders are received. A correlated mode of operation might constitute the routing of such pre-sorted loads or articles along two different processing paths leading to separate or different wrapping, banding, or packaging stations and associated equipment which can handle such loads or articles having such different length or height dimensions, however, such a mode of operation obviously entails significantly increased equipment costs, layout space, and the like.
A third mode of operation might constitute the routing of the loads or articles, having the different height or length dimensions, along the single conveyor path to the single wrapping, banding, or packaging station and associated equipment, in a random manner and without any pre-sorting of the articles or loads into groups having a common length or height dimension, and the subsequent wrapping, banding, or packaging of the same. However, when loads or articles having different length or height dimensions are introduced, positioned, or located at the wrapping, banding, or packaging station, the wrapping, banding, or packaging equipment or apparatus would have to necessarily be shut down for a predetermined period of time in order to permit operator personnel to load the corner protector magazines with the appropriately dimensioned corner protectors, and in addition, the equipment may have to be, in effect, re-programmed such that the corner protectors are disposed at proper elevational positions with respect to the loads or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged. Obviously, such a mode of operation would be highly labor-intensive and operationally inefficient.
A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved apparatus, and a method of operating the same, wherein loads or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged, and having different length or height dimensions, can be conveyed to a single wrapping, banding, or packaging station in a random manner and nevertheless be wrapped, banded, or packaged in a continuous flow-through process without the system necessarily being, in effect, temporarily shut down so as to install or exchange corner protectors of the proper or appropriate size, within the corner protector magazines, corresponding to the particular load or article, to be wrapped, banded, or packaged, currently disposed or located at the wrapping, banding, or packaging station.

Apparatus and method for placing corner protectors of different heights on palletized


Disclosed is a lid for containers including one or more liquids. The lid is configured to provide the user with both protection from spillage, and a natural drinking experience. The structural features of the lid include a rim, a top surface, and a reservoir. The reservoir includes one or more drink inlets positioned on a lower wall portion configured to allow the one or more liquids from the container to pass through when the lid is in a drinking position, and to drain the one or more liquids from the lid to the container when the lid is not in a drinking position.

Disposable beverage lids are commonly used to cover beverage cups, and in particular, beverage cups containing hot liquids. Disposable beverage lids are configured to prevent spillage of the liquids contained in the beverage cups while consumers are on the move. The disposable beverage lids perform two central functions. The first function is to protect the user from the spillage of the beverage. The second function is to allow the user to drink in a natural drinking experience, similar to what a user would experience when drinking out of a regular beverage container such as a water glass or coffee mug. The above two functions must be available to users both when they are stationary and on the move.
In order to perform the two central functions discussed above, the disposable beverage lid must both contain the liquid in the container and also provide for easy and comfortable drinking. Although the prior art systems have addressed one of two central functions individually, none have successfully addressed the two central functions in unison.
A common solution in the prior art utilizes spout-based designs that are characterized by a generally horizontal and small drink inlet from which the user receives the beverage. Often the spout-based designs fail to address the first function of disposable beverage lids, protecting the user from the spillage of the beverage. In particular, the spout-based designs fail to significantly inhibit accidental splashing of the beverage. In fact, in spout-based designs the horizontal drink inlet is configured to maximize the direct vertical path of liquid out of the containment, when the container and lid are in use. To prevent accidental splashing of the beverage, the industry's most common solution has been to add a secondary piece to the lid to act as a manual closing flap or plug. Such solutions generally add a significant cost to the manufacturing process and make for an interrupted drinking experience as the user is required to consistently open and close the flap while in use.
The spout-based designs often also fail to address the second function, in that the spout-based designs are unable to provide a natural drinking experience, as the user's drinking experience resembles a child's pacifier in that the user fully covers the drink inlet or spout with their mouth while in use and the user employs suction to extract the beverage. This is significantly different than the natural drinking experience where a larger body of liquid is readily exposed for the user's consumption.
Prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,128 (hereinafter "Russo") provides a spout-based design and attempts to minimize the accidental splashing of liquid through the spout by the reduction and reorientation of the drink inlets. While this may help reduce the spillage, it does so at the expense of providing the flow of liquid necessary for a comfortable drinking experience. As such, Russo provides a solution for one necessary function of the lid, in this case splash resistance, while neglecting the other necessary function of the lid, providing a natural drinking experience.
As a solution to the undesirable drinking experience provided by spout-based designs some prior art solutions have utilized well or reservoir based designs that provide a natural drinking experience by exposing a larger volume of liquid to the surface as the lid is tilted for use. This approach makes for a generally more familiar and comfortable drinking experience, similar to drinking out of a regular mug. In one example, U.S. Pat. App. 2014/0042177 (hereinafter "Fleming") attempts to provide a natural drinking experience. However, like other prior art references, Fleming does not do not fully solve the issue of splashing. In fact, spout-based designs that utilize wells and/or reservoirs often provide larger drink openings that may increase the risk of splashing when the liquid is suddenly jolted in the cup. In such designs, the drink inlet is oriented to face the major axis the liquid waves along in the cup and so that the lid is more prone to spillage. As such, Fleming provides a solution for one necessary function of the lid, in this case a natural drinking experience, while neglecting the other necessary function of the lid, providing splash resistance.
The Russo and Fleming references noted above exemplify other prior art references that provide one of the two desirable functions of beverage lids (i.e., protecting the user from spillage of the beverage, and allowing the user to drink in a natural drinking experience), however, no prior art references provide both desirable functions of beverage lids.
Accordingly, there is a need for a beverage lid that provides the user with both protection from the spillage of the liquid, and a natural drinking experience.
The present invention aims to solve several of the problems necessarily associated with the spout-based and reservoir designs of Russo and Fleming. For one, the present invention provides a user with both protection from spillage of the liquid, and a natural drinking experience.


A suspension control system for feedback-controlling the sprung mass acceleration signal y.sub.m and a method for introducing the unsprung mass acceleration signal y.sub.L into a tuning circuit to tune gain of an FIR filter. In this system, tuning is performed so as to cancel the road surface input y.sub.m close to a reference frequency (around 10-12 Hz). As a result, the sprung mass acts as a dynamic damper upon the road surface input y.sub.m close to the reference frequency (around 10-12 Hz), however, frequency bands other than the reference frequency band do not receive the contribution of the second term in the equation (6). That is, output from the tuning circuit to an adder becomes almost zero, and normal sky-hook control is performed. Though the sprung mass system acts as a dynamic damper, the unsprung mass system exceeds the sprung mass system in mass, and excessive resonance does not occur.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension apparatus and, more particularly, to a suspension apparatus which effectively cancels a vibration input of a predetermined frequency input from a road surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
An active suspension apparatus has been proposed for improving driving stability and comfortability. Since the active suspension costs too much, instead of the active suspension, what is called a semi-active suspension apparatus has been proposed. In the semi-active suspension apparatus, a hydraulic device suppresses the displacement of posture of a vehicle body in a low-frequency band, and a shock absorber (damper) damps posture displacement in a high-frequency band.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-248419 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-72415 disclose a semi-active suspension apparatus comprising a shock absorber (damping device) between sprung mass on the vehicle body side and unsprung mass on the wheel side for damping vertical vibration of the wheels. The shock absorber has variations such as an absorber which changes, in a stepwise manner, a damping coefficient representing a damping force in two steps (large/small), an absorber which changes the damper coefficient in a multi-stepwise manner, and an absorber which changes the damper coefficient in a continuously-stepless manner.
The basic control method for the damper-coefficient variable shock absorber is as follows. The damper coefficient is changed so that damping force generated by the shock absorber becomes the target damper force (what is called "a sky-hook damper force") for preventing displacement of the sprung mass in a vertical direction. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-248419 discloses examining a positive/negative sign of the difference between the sprung mass position and the unsprung mass position and a positive/negative sign of the difference between the sprung mass velocity and the unsprung mass velocity to determine whether or not the signs coincide with each other. If the signs coincide with each other, the shock absorber damper coefficient is increased to raise the damper force; if not, the shock absorber damper coefficient is decreased to lower the damper force.
FIG. 1 shows frequency characteristics of an acceleration signal of the sprung/unsprung mass with respect to road surface input signals in the conventional semi-active suspension apparatus model.
In FIG. 1, a solid line indicates the frequency characteristic when the setting of the shock absorber is "hard"; a dot-dash line, the frequency characteristic when the setting is "soft"; a broken line, the frequency characteristic when the setting is "normal". As shown in FIG. 1, when the shock absorber setting is normal, an acceleration peak appears at around 4-7 Hz, and at this time, a driver feels "jolted". A peak at around 10-12 Hz causes the driver to feel "trembling" or "rattling". If the damping setting is soft, as represented by the dot-dash line the "jolted" and "trembling" feelings are augmented/increased. On the other hand, if the damping setting is hard, the acceleration characteristic exhibits high value from a low-frequency to a high-frequency with a peak at around 10-12 Hz, as represented by the solid line. Changes of acceleration do not appear in both the soft damping and normal settings but appear in the hard damping setting causing the driver to feel "vibrating".
To improve the suspension characteristics in all the frequency bands, hard-setting of the shock absorber damping with respect to a road surface vibration input in the low-frequency band (the hydraulic device is employed for the low-frequency input) and soft-setting of the damping with respect to a road surface vibration input in the high-frequency band (in consideration of the costs when the expensive full-active suspension is used for high-speed response to the high-frequency vibration) can be proposed. For example, in FIG. 1, the damping with respect to the frequency bands I and III may be set as "normal" and the damping with respect to the frequency band II may be set as "hard".
However, this arrangement cannot prevent comparatively high acceleration in the frequency band II, therefore, further prevention is needed. In addition, the phenomenon that the driver feels "trembling" with respect to the road surface vibration input in the 10-12 Hz frequency band also occurs in the full-active suspension apparatus as shown in FIG. 2.
Since a vibration input changes transitionally, prediction of such vibration inputs is difficult. For this reason, there has been no effective solution for the resonance with respect to a vibration input of a specific frequency band. Regardless of full-active suspension or semi-active suspension, the conventional suspension apparatuses have mainly performed feedback control, in which the hydraulic control and shock absorber control are made based on a transitionally variable road surface vibration. However, a time delay occurred in this feedback control rather induces resonance.

Suspension apparatus with driving state feedback for vehicles


A semiconductor device includes first and second electrodes and a silicon carbide layer located between the first and second electrodes. A plurality of gate electrodes is interposed between the first electrode and the silicon carbide layer and extends in a first direction. The silicon carbide layer includes a plurality of spaced apart openings having sidewalls and a base which extend inwardly between the gate electrodes, a first region containing a second conductivity type impurity extending around and under the openings, and a second region containing a second conductivity type impurity interposed between the portion of the first region extending under the base of the openings. The concentration of the second conductivity type impurity is greater in the second region than in the first region. The silicon carbide layer includes a third region containing a first conductivity type impurity extending inwardly of the first region from the sidewall of the openings.

Silicon carbide is expected to be used as a material for a next generation semiconductor device. Silicon carbide has excellent physical properties in which the bandgap is three times as large as that of silicon, breakdown electric field strength is approximately ten times greater than that of silicon, and thermal conductivity is approximately three times as large as that of silicon. It is possible to achieve a semiconductor device with low loss and high-temperature operation using these characteristics.
In an n-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) using silicon carbide, it is preferable to reduce contact resistance between an n-type source region and an electrode in order to reduce on-state resistance. In addition, it is preferable to reduce contact resistance between a p-type body region and an electrode in order to improve avalanche resistance.


A mapping apparatus comprises a mapper that translates from an input key to an output key in one or more storage devices. A pre-mapper for processing update operations comprises a plurality of mapping tablets and an in-memory look-up filter to identify a given mapping table storing a given input key. The mapping tablets comprise at least one dynamic in-memory ingress tablet and a plurality of persisted frozen tablets. For a given update operation, a first entry is added to one dynamic in-memory ingress tablet comprising the input key for the given update operation and a corresponding output key where data for the given update operation is stored; and a second entry is added to the look-up filter comprising the input key of the first entry and an identifier of the dynamic in-memory ingress tablet storing the first entry for the given update operation. The dynamic in-memory ingress tablet is persisted as a persisted frozen tablet. Space accounting accounts for usage of the storage devices by a given write operation of a given data offset as one of a new write operation and an overwrite operation.

Storage systems often employ mapping techniques to map an input key, such as a logical storage address, to an output key identifying a physical storage address in a storage device. Conventional mapping techniques, however, often suffer from map contention issues, as well as metadata write amplification, whereby the number of metadata write operations needed per user data write increases over time. Metadata write amplification can reduce throughput, increase latency and cause extra wear on the physical storage media.
A need therefore exists for improved storage mapping techniques.

Space accounting in presence of data storage pre-mapper


A fully integrated computer rack mount system comprising: at least one shelving unit configured to store computers; at least one electrical panel coupled to at least one of the at least one shelving unit, the at least one electrical panel configured to receive power from an external source; at least one network panel, coupled to at least one of the at least one shelving units, the at least one network panel configured to receive network connectivity from an outside source; a raceway apparatus coupled to the back plane or the front-plane of each of the at least one shelving unit, the raceway apparatus comprising a horizontal raceway and a vertical member, said vertical member comprising a power interface and a network interface; where said raceway apparatus is configured to allow each computer stored in the shelving units to be proximately connectable to the power interface and network interface; where the at least one electrical panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each power interface; and where the at least one network panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each network interface. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understand that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

The present disclosed system relates to a computer racking system and method for mounting computers.
In installations involving a plurality of computers, such as mini-tower, mid-tower, and desk top computers, the individual computers are often placed on a rack mount system, which often essentially consists of shelving units.
However, in many rack mount systems, once the system is installed, power must be routed to the computers and network connections must also be routed to the computers. Such systems may not meet electrical codes, U/L listing requirements and seismic protection requirements. Also, the power cords and network cables providing services to the computers installed on some rack mount systems often times become extremely tangled and disorganized.
A fully integrated computer rack mount system is desired which can be assembled prior to delivery, where computers to be stored on the system may easily plug into the system for power and network connectivity, where external power may need to only be provided to an electrical panel installed on the system, and where network connectivity may need to only be provided to a single network panel installed on the system. Such a system may be a xe2x80x9cturn keyxe2x80x9d system, where the system is delivered to an end user requiring only that the computers be installed on the system, and the computers then plugged into the system, power brought to the system and network connectivity brought to the system.
The disclosed system is directed towards a fully integrated computer rack mount system comprising: at least one shelving unit configured to store computers; at least one electrical panel coupled to at least one of the at least one shelving unit, the at least one electrical panel configured to receive power from an external source; at least one network panel, coupled to at least one of the at least one shelving units, the at least one network panel configured to receive network connectivity from an outside source; a raceway apparatus coupled to the back plane or the front-plane of each of the at least one shelving unit, the raceway apparatus comprising a horizontal raceway and a vertical member, said vertical member comprising a power interface and a network interface; where said raceway apparatus is configured to allow each computer stored in the shelving units to be proximately connectable to the power interface and network interface; where the at least one electrical panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each power interface; and where the at least one network panel is coupled via said horizontal raceway to each network interface.

Fully integrated computer racking system


Disclosed herein is a system for detecting a partial discharge from electrical equipment. The system includes a vest dimensioned for wear by a user. An antenna is associated with the vest, and a receiver is coupled to the antenna and associated with the vest. At least one indicator device is associated with the best. Circuitry is associated with the vest and coupled to the receiver. The circuitry is configured to monitor ambient radiofrequency energy in real time, and determine that the partial discharge has occurred as a function of the ambient radiofrequency energy. The circuitry actuates the at least one indicator device as a function of the determination that the partial discharge has occurred, and transmits the determination that the partial charge has occurred to a control station via the wireless transmitter.

In electronics, a partial discharge is a localized dielectric breakdown of a small portion of an electrical insulation system under a high voltage stress, which does not bridge the space between two conductors. Partial discharges within solid insulation systems are typically caused by a failure in the insulation system, for example due to dirt, contamination, or defects. Another common cause of partial discharges within solid insulation systems is the presence of voids within the insulation systems, which function as capacitors that discharge small amounts of energy to ground at a 60 Hz frequency.
In the field of high voltage, high current electrical system maintenance and repair, a full discharge (and thus an equipment failure) can be deadly to a nearby technician. Since partial discharges typically precede full discharges, a device capable of detecting partial discharges would be useful in the environments in which such technicians work.
Certain methods of detecting partial discharges are known. For example, it is known that partial discharges produce several signatures that can be used to characterize and locate issues. Some signatures that may be checked for in the field are the presence of a transient earth voltage, and a high frequency acoustic signal. By locating these signatures, technicians may locate and diagnose faults in the field, but detection of these signatures requires expensive, specialized equipment. In addition to being expensive, this equipment requires specialized training that technicians may not have.
Therefore, the development of new devices to detect partial discharge that are easy to use as well as relatively economical to produce is desirable.


There is provided a ceiling type air conditioner capable of controlling the operation of at least one of a moving unit for moving a brush assembly or a suctioning unit for suctioning foreign matters stored in the brush assembly based on the position of the brush assembly for collecting and storing the foreign matters filtered by a filter. Therefore, it is possible to properly control the movement of the brush assembly to effectively collect and store the foreign matters filtered by the filter. In addition, since a user does not have to exchange or clean the filter, it is possible to prevent inconvenience from being caused by exchanging or cleaning the filter and to prevent the filter from being contaminated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ceiling type air conditioner, and more particularly, to a ceiling type air conditioner capable of controlling the operation of at least one of a moving unit for moving a brush assembly or a suctioning unit for suctioning foreign matters stored in the brush assembly based on the position of the brush assembly for collecting and storing the foreign matters filtered by a filter.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a ceiling type air conditioner includes an indoor unit provided on a ceiling to perform a cooling function, an outdoor unit for performing heat radiation and compression functions, and a refrigerant tube for connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit to each other. The indoor unit is provided in an internal space on a ceiling.
However, in a conventional ceiling type air conditioner, the foreign matters of the air introduced to the indoor unit are accumulated on the indoor unit so that the components in the indoor unit are not sufficiently protected and that the air in a room to be air conditioned is contaminated.
Furthermore, when the foreign matters in the air suctioned into the ceiling type air conditioner are filtered, the amount of the foreign matters collected by a filter increases so that the flow of the air that passes through the indoor unit is prohibited to deteriorate the function of the ceiling type air conditioner. Since the filter is to be detachably installed in order to exchange and clean the filter, the installation position of the filter, the installation method of the filter, and the layout of the components around the filter are limited. In addition, since a user must exchange and clean the filter, due to the inconvenience caused by exchanging and cleaning the filter and the unpleasant feeling caused by the contamination of the filter, sensitivity quality deteriorates.


The invention relates to a power semiconductor device with a substrate with a cooling device and power semiconductor components connected thereon, having load current terminal elements and a cooling device. Pressure devices have a pressure element is arranged movably in a direction normal (N) to the substrate, and an elastic deformation element between the pressure element and a load current terminal element. The pressure element presses the assigned load current terminal element against an electrically conductive contact area of the substrate via the elastic deformation element and provides electrically conductive pressure contacting of the assigned load current terminal element with the substrate. The electrical connection of the power semiconductor device is improved.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a power semiconductor device comprising a substrate and load current terminal elements.
Description of the Related Art
DE10 2014 104 308 B3 discloses a power semiconductor device system in which a plurality of power semiconductor devices are arranged in a manner stacked one on top of another. The respective power semiconductor device has electrically conductive load current terminal elements connected to the substrate. Such a power semiconductor device system is constructed very compactly and has a very small space requirement on account of this.
DE 10 2009 057 146 A1 discloses a power semiconductor device comprising power semiconductor components, comprising a pressure device, load current terminal elements, comprising a cooling device and comprising a substrate, wherein the pressure device presses the load current terminal elements against the substrate and thereby brings about electrically conductive pressure contacting of the load current terminal elements with the substrate.

Power semiconductor device comprising a substrate and load current terminal elements


Electroreprographic films comprising a support member which are capable of acquiring an electrostatic charge which on passing through a toner bath pick up unwanted toner outside the image area which is not fixed during development. The unwanted toner pick up is minimized by applying a layer of anti-static material to the otherwise uncoated back of the support.

It is well known that film supports for electroreprographic imaging elements or films such as heat-set biaxially-oriented linear polyesters have a tendency to pick up electrostatic charges when being moved with respect to other objects such as the transport means and transport rollers and other parts of the hardware with which it is used. A film support so charged, when exposed to toner, particularly liquid toner, the liquid of which is insulating, pick up a random background or fog of toner which reduces the clarity and elegance of the copy. Toner picked up in this manner is adhered only lightly. When handled, or brushed against by clothing an unpleasant smudge results. The greater the static charge the greater amount of the weakly adherent toner is present which becomes a threat to ones clothing and in addition diminishes usefulness of the imaged film. In the case of a transparent electrostatographic recording element unwanted toner pick up often provides so much background that the contrast between the imaged and unimaged areas is sufficient to make the copy virtually useless.

Toner repellant coating for dielectric film


A musical instrument includes a guitar-shaped housing and a drum rhythms triggering assembly mounted thereon. The guitar-shaped housing has a body and an elongated neck attached at one end of the body and extending outwardly therefrom. The drum rhythms triggering assembly includes a first plurality of trigger pads mounted at selected locations on an exterior surface of the housing body and a second plurality of trigger pads mounted at selected locations on an exterior surface of the housing neck. Also, the drum rhythms triggering assembly includes a plurality of electrical conductors and a connector mounted on the housing body and neck in an arrangement for electrically connecting electro-mechanical transducers of the first and second pluralities of trigger pads with an external electrical signal processing system capable of generating different drum rhythms in response to contact with different selected ones of the trigger pads by a player's fingers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to musical instruments and, more particularly, is concerned with a drum rhythms triggering assembly for mounting on a body and neck of a guitar-shaped housing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various proposals have been made in prior art to construct an electronical drum or to convert a conventional drum into an electronically triggered drum. Some respresentative examples of such proposals are found in U.S. patents to Hoshino (U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,972), Karch (U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,356) and Aluisi (U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,706).
In the Hoshino patent, a drum pad is provided on a plate member which is mounted in an upright position by a mounting structure. A microphone is mounted on the plate member on an opposite side thereof from the drum pad. In the Karch patent, a circular panel supporting a plurality of transducers thereon is supported beneath the drumhead of a conventional drum. Wire leads connect the transducer to jacks mounted in the sidewall of the drum. In the Aluisi patent, a drum assembly includes a housing and a central drum pad and a plurality of drum pads arranged on the housing in an encompassing relation about the central drum pad. Electronic percussion synthesizers are operably connected to each drum pad for producing predetermined percussion sounds in response to the striking of the drum pads.
While the devices of these patents may constitute adaptations of drums that are playable by persons who have been trained to play conventional drums, they do not appear to accommodate the needs of players of other musical instruments, such as guitars, who may wish to make drum musical but are confortable with the conventional techniques of drum playing.
Consequently, a need exists for a different approach to providing a non-conventional drum musical instrument to accommodate players of other musical instruments.

Drum rhythms trigger pads mounted on body and neck of guitar-shaped housing


An espresso tamper including a force calibration means is shown. The tamper is optimally handheld. Upon force of a desired magnitude being applied by a user, at least one discrete signal, such as an audible, visual, tactile or electrical signal is emitted. The tamper handle includes an anti-rotation feature. The handle is flared to avoid pinching the user's fingers during operation and to stop the user's fingers from sliding down the handle or in any way touching the base, thereby rendering the tamper more effective and safe. The tamper and force-calibration kit and method of use optimize espresso making.

The preparation of espresso coffee involves the expression of heated water under pressure through a compressed portion of coffee grounds in order to deliver the desired serving of concentrated espresso coffee. It is known that in order to prepare a desirably high quality espresso coffee end product, the process by which the espresso is made must be carefully controlled. The variables involved in the production of espresso coffee that are known to have a significant effect on the quality of the espresso and which may be desirably controlled to result in a preferred high quality espresso coffee product include the volume of the espresso shot, the water temperature and pressure, the coffee grind dimensions, uniformity of grind dimensions, and quantity of coffee grounds used, and the degree of compression and surface characteristics of the coffee grounds through which the hot, high-pressure water is forced. As each of these variables affect the quality of the espresso coffee produced, it is desirable to be able to simply control each during the espresso-making process. Using commercially available espresso-making equipment, the only variables that are not simply controlled so as to be repeatable in the espresso-making process are the compression and surface characteristics of the coffee grounds prior to the introduction of hot water.
The compression of the coffee grounds in the basket of the portafilter is known as tamping, and may be performed using a variety of devices known in the art, which are generally referred to as espresso tampers. Types of espresso tampers known in the art include handheld manual tampers, fixed tamping surfaces typically mounted on coffee grinding machines, and large tamping machines which typically exert tamping force by means of a lever actuated or mechanized plunger.
Handheld manual tampers are generally solid ornamental objects configured with a lower surface adapted to allow the application of pressure on the coffee grounds in the filter basket, and an upper or outer surface suitable for holding in the hand of the user. Following compression of the grounds, the handheld tamper is typically spun on the surface of the compressed grounds, in order to form a smooth polished surface through which the heated water will be expressed in order to deliver the espresso coffee. Tamping surfaces typically attached to some types of coffee grinding machines are also known in the art. The portafilter is typically held against the underside of the fixed tamping surface such that the coffee grounds may be compressed by the application of upward force exerted manually by the user. The ability of such manually operated-tampers known in the art to deliver a precise predetermined degree of compression of the grounds is limited, as the magnitude of the tamping force applied is determined solely by the tactile judgment of the user. It is therefore very difficult for even a skilled user to obtain precise and repeatable application of any predetermined optimum tamping force using a manual tamper of the types known in the art.
Tamping machines operate by the mechanical application of tamping force to compress the coffee grounds, wherein the tamping force may be generated using a hand lever operated, or otherwise mechanically powered plunger which compresses the grounds in a portafilter basket. Tamping machines of the types known in the art may be controlled to deliver a relatively precise tamping force through the use of complex force measurement mechanisms. However, tamping machines are limited in their use due to their large size and expense, and the fact that they must generally be permanently mounted in a single location, which can be inconvenient for the user. Further, tamping machines known in the art do not allow for the desirable polishing of the surface of the compressed coffee grounds by spinning of the tamper surface, or for desirable tactile feedback to the user regarding the uniformity or lack thereof of the tamping process.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a handheld espresso tamper to overcome some of the limitations of the espresso tampers of the prior art. A further object of the handheld espresso tamper according to the present invention is to enable accurate repeatability of the tamping compressive force applied through the inventive handheld tamper. Additional advantages of several embodiments of the handheld espresso tamper according to the present invention include the ease with which the repeatable tamping force may be applied by a user, the variability of the tamping force applied for use with different espresso applications or equipment, and the safety, comfort, effectiveness and efficiency of use of the handheld espresso tamper by the user.


A method for conditioning food processing waste prior to chemical dewatering comprising the step of treating the food processing waste with an effective amount of at least one hydrophobic polymer coagulant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the treatment of food processing wastes. More particularly, the present invention provides a chemical treatment method that effectively removes fat, blood, tissue and other solids from food processing waste.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Everyday the food processing industry produces many tons of food processing waste. Such food processing waste contaminates the water stream flowing through the food processing system. For example, poultry farm waste water effluents are enriched with fat, oil, blood and other solids from the poultry process. These by-products, such as fat, blood, and tissue, are typically present in the waste water in a range of several hundred to tens of thousands of ppm.
For economic as well as regulatory reasons, the food processing community faces never-ending concerns regarding the disposal and recycling of food processing waste water. The removal of such by-products is critical from an environmental standpoint. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has placed tight restrictions on total oil and solids content in water that is to be discharged into public drinking water supplies or into open bodies of water.
The removal of such solids is also critical to the established discharge limits for total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total organic carbon (TOC) into local sewers and rivers. In addition to the EPA's severe discharge limits, food processing industries must also be concerned with local city ordinances.
As an alternative to discharging treated water into a water stream or the like, recycling of the waste back into the processing system provides a cost efficient system. However, in order to recycle such waste water, the solids content and so forth must be effectively removed in order to provide pure water back into the system. Accordingly, the same concerns that are present with respect to the removal of such solids for EPA standards exist for recycling purposes as well.
One of the most effective methods of removing fat, blood, tissue and other solids in waste waters is through the use of chemical aids. Historically, dry polymers and inverse emulsion latexes have been used to treat food processing water. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. While dry polymers have the benefit of being extremely concentrated, thereby reducing shipping costs, the equipment to dissolve the polymers is expensive and is not available to all end-users on site. Dry polymers also have a large extent of cross-linking; thus, insoluble, gel materials are present.
Latex polymers also suffer from problems but are used quite frequently. Latex polymer preparations include 30-35% solids dispersed in oil. The latex polymer must also be inverted prior to use. Numerous problems associated with this feeding method have caused many customers to avoid latex polymers. In addition, the latexes generally have a very narrow treating range, often resulting in over-treatment at higher dosages.
Chemicals such as polyethylene oxide, polyethylene amine, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride and copolymers of acrylamide and quaternized acrylates are specific types of chemical treatments that have been used in the food processing industry. While these chemical treatments have provided a means for removing food, blood, oil and other solids from the waste water, disadvantages exist with the use of such chemical treatments. For example, the above polymers have been traditionally synthesized in an oil solvent, thereby producing an environmentally unfriendly treatment program as well as presenting a potential fire hazard. In addition, chemical treatments incorporating the above polymers contain surfactants. Still further, these prior chemical treatments have a high toxicity thereby preventing the use of such treated waters for recycling purposes or for public drinking water supplies.
Therefore, a need exists for a treatment system that addresses all the environmental concerns presented by food processing waste, while at the same time being environmentally friendly.

Polymers for treatment of food processing wastes


Composition particularly useful for caring for and/or making up keratin materials, in particular the skin, in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion containing water and:                (i) at least one or more, in particular C7-C14, volatile linear alkane(s), and        (ii) at least one emulsifying silicone elastomer.

Care and/or makeup compositions, in particular foundations, are provided in the form of varied textures ranging from fluid to solid.
Consumers find fluid textures attractive because they are easy to apply and give the feeling of a thin film and a light and natural finish which is forgotten after application.
It is nevertheless difficult to obtain fluid textures in the form of water-in-oil emulsions, with a high content of aqueous phase, desired for its freshness and moisturization benefits and nongreasy effect, which tends towards thickening the composition. Moreover, fluid textures, in particular when they contain pulverulent materials, in particular high-density particles (for example: pigments, inorganic fillers) exhibit problems of stability over time. In addition, when the product is intended to provide mattness and fastness and when it contains a high level of pulverulent materials and, optionally, the presence of a film-forming agent, the drying time is generally very short, which prevents the product from being worked on the skin for a sufficiently long period of time.
It therefore appears to be of interest to be able to develop matting care and/or makeup compositions which ally good fluidity and good stability and which can be worked on the skin for a long time, giving a soft and matting finish.

W/O emulsion with emulsifying silicone elastomer and volatile linear alkane


An object of the present invention is to provide a seat for a vehicle which is capable of smoothly and stably adjusting the reclining of a seat back by driving an electrical reclining motor 34, even if the electrical reclining motor 34 is diagonally mounted on a seat back frame structure in a case where the electrical reclining motor 34 is fixedly connected on a seat back frame structure, or even if the electrical reclining motor 34 becomes inclined due to a deformation of the seat back frame structure after such a fixedly connection.

Conventionally, a seat for a vehicle in which a seat back can be inclined relative to a seat cushion in a desired manner by means of an electrical means has been used.
The Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication 2006-306188, for instance, discloses one example of such a seat for a vehicle.
Such a seat for a vehicle comprises a seat back frame structure a lower end of which is connected to a rear end of a seat cushion frame structure in such a way that the seat back frame structure can be inclined relative to the seat cushion frame structure. The seat back frame structure includes a pair of side frames each of which extends in a vertical direction of the vehicle. A through-hole is provided on a lower end portion of each of the pair of side frames, a connecting rod which extends through each of the through-holes is provided so as to be rotatable about a horizontal direction. An electrical reclining motor which rotates said connecting rod is provided along the one of side surfaces of the one of said pair of side frames. A reclining apparatus is provided on the other of the side surfaces of each of said pair of side frames.
The reclining apparatus comprises an internal teeth gear which includes internal teeth and is fixed to the one of the pair of side frames, an external teeth gear which is concentric to the connecting rod and includes outer teeth whose number of teeth is less than that of the internal teeth, and an external teeth gear which is concentric to the connecting rod so as to mate with the internal teeth gear and is fixed on the seat cushion frame structure, and an eccentric driving means for driving said internal teeth gear in an eccentric manner by being driven by means of the rotation of the connecting rod.
According to the seat for a vehicle including the above structure, the seat back frame structure can be inclined relative to the seat cushion frame structure in a desired manner by rotating the connecting rod about a horizontal direction by driving the electrical reclining motor and using the eccentric driving means of the reclining apparatus to drive the internal teeth gear in an eccentric manner so as to make the external teeth whose number of the teeth is less than that of the internal teeth mate with the internal teeth.
However, in the above seat for a vehicle, a following technical problem arises due to the fact that the electrical reclining motor and the reclining apparatus do not constitute a single unit, but are provided separately from each other.
In a case where the electrical reclining motor is fixedly connected on the one of the pair of side frames of the seat back frame structure, the electrical reclining motor can become inclined due to the fact that the electrical reclining motor is diagonally mounted on a seat back frame structure, or that the seat back frame structure is deformed after such a connection.
In such a case, a stable reclining action becomes difficult, since hammering (foreign sound) is generated between a shaft and the connecting rod, and the shaft or the connecting rod can become worn with time.
In short, it is technically difficult to smoothly adjust the reclining of the seat back by driving the electrical reclining motor.

Reclining apparatus for seat for vehicle and seat for vehicle with reclining apparatus

Abstract: There is provided a seat 10 for a vehicle comprising a seat back frame structure 12 a lower end of which is connected to a rear end of a seat cushion frame structure 14 in such a way that the seat back frame structure 12 can be inclined relative to the seat cushion frame structure 14, said seat back frame structure 12 including a pair of side frames 20A,B each of which extends in a vertical direction of the vehicle, said seat 10 for the vehicle further comprising a through-hole 28 provided on a lower end portion of each of the pair of side frames 20A,B, a connecting rod 30 extending through each of the through-holes 28 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal direction, an electrical reclining motor 34 rotating said connecting rod 30 and provided along the one of side surfaces of the one of said pair of side frames 20A,B, and a reclining apparatus 16 provided on the other of the side surfaces of each of said pair of side frames 20A,B, a bolt through-hole 72 being provided on a non-rotational driven solid portion of said electrical reclining motor 34, a bolt 74 which fits into said bolt through-hole 72 is provided for fixedly bolting said electrical reclining motor 34 on said one of the side surfaces of the one of the pair of side frames 20A,B, said bolt 74 comprising a head portion 76 and a shank portion 78 with a circular cross-section, said shank portion 78 comprises an enlarged-diameter portion 82 on its end portion and a reduced-diameter portion 84 adjacent to the enlarged-diameter portion 82 with being concentric to each other.


A golf ball having a spherical surface is provided. When an imaginary circle with a radius of 5 mm is traced on the spherical surface and centered at any point on that surface, 3-25 raised projections of at least two types which are different in diameter and/or height and 0.01-0.30 mm high are contained in the circle, or raised projections of at least one type and 0.01-0.30 mm high and recessed dimples of at least one type are contained in a total number of 3-25 in the circle. The ball follows a straight trajectory and has an increased run and total distance of travel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf ball which follows a straight trajectory and has a good run and an increased total distance of travel.
2. Prior Art
Golf balls have hitherto been provided on the surface with numerous planar circular depressions, or recessed dimples, in order to enhance their aerodynamic properties. It is well known that, other factors being equal, golf balls with projections fly better than golf balls which are smooth and lack dimples.
When a full shot with a driver is taken with a dimpled golf ball, friction with the club head causes the ball to spin, which tends to lower the launch angle. To increase the distance traveled by the ball, the spin must be reduced so as to afford a higher launch angle.
Golf balls are manufactured in accordance with the Rules of Golf, which are the same throughout the world. The Rules hold that a regulation ball, meaning an official tournament ball, must have a ball diameter of not less than 42.67 mm (large-size ball).
However, a ball with a greater diameter has a larger cross-sectional surface area which, when subjected to the influence of the wind, results in a steeper angle of descent. This shortens the run of the ball after it lands and the total distance traveled. In addition, the trajectory is more likely to deviate laterally.


A personal base station (38) includes a transceiver (38b,38c) coupled to an antenna (38d) for conducting bidirectional wireless communications with a mobile station (10); an interface (38g) to a telephone line; and a controller (38a) that includes a circuit (38f) for sensing that the telephone line is not available for use. The controller is responsive to the telephone line not being available for use for notifying a mobile station that the mobile station is to register with a cellular communication system (32). In a preferred embodiment of this invention the sensing circuit is operable to discriminate between a disconnection of the telephone line and the use of the telephone line. In the first case the disconnect message may be sent immediately, while in the latter case the disconnect message may be sent after some predetermined time delay. In one embodiment the controller formats and transmits a message to the mobile station for notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to register with the cellular communication system, while in another embodiment the controller terminates a transmission of an RF carrier signal to the mobile station for notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to register with the cellular communication system. Methods for operating the personal base station are also disclosed.

In some modern wireless communications systems a mobile station, such as a cellular telephone or wireless communicator, is enable to operate in two frequency bands. In a first frequency band the mobile station is able to make and receive calls through a conventional cellular network having base stations and a mobile switching network. In a second frequency band the mobile station is able to make and receive calls through a local or residential base station, also sometimes referred to as a personal base station. By example, when entering a building (such as a residence or an office) having a personal base station the mobile station automatically switches from the first frequency band to the second frequency band. Appropriate signalling and message formats are used to inform the telephone network that any calls to the mobile station should be routed to a telephone number associated with the personal base station. If an incoming call arrives the personal base station pages the mobile station over a paging channel and thereafter sets up the required voice channel, with the paging and voice channels both being in the second frequency band.
A problem that exists in presently specified systems relates to the occurrence of a failure of the primary power to personal base station, and/or an incoming telephone line failure. By example, as presently specified the personal base station is required to delay for some period of time (e.g., 15 minutes) after an occurrence of a line failure before terminating the RF carrier. As can be appreciated, during this time the mobile station may miss any incoming paging messages and, thus, may not receive an important incoming call.
Another problem that is not adequately addressed in currently implemented or proposed systems relates to the case where a conventional residential telephone shares the telephone line with the personal base station. If the residential telephone is in use, a call to the associated telephone number that is intended for the mobile station will receive a busy signal.

Method and apparatus providing residential base carrier inactivation after line failure or line in use


A display apparatus includes: a variable compression ratio mechanism which is capable of modifying an engine compression ratio of an internal combustion engine and a display displaying a state of a present engine compression ratio. For example, when a driving at an engine compression ratio with a good fuel economy is carried out, a display switching is not unnecessarily carried out even under a vehicular acceleration and the display can cause a driver to be recognized that the driving is carried out in a good fuel economy state. On the other hand, when the driving state is switched from the driving state of good fuel economy to that of a bad fuel economy due to an abrupt depression of an accelerator pedal, the display of the engine compression ratio is accordingly varied.

A patent document 1 discloses a technology such that an instantaneous fuel consumption in a short period of time is calculated on a basis of a traveled distance of a vehicle (or a mobile body) and a fuel consumption (economy) determined on a basis of a vehicle speed and this instantaneous fuel consumption is displayed on a display.
Pre-Published Document
Patent Document 1: A Japanese Patent Application First (Laid-open) Publication No. 2011-257429.