An air bag module assembly wherein an air bag and an inflator device are housed within a cylindrical container and the installation of such an assembly within a vehicular steering shaft.

This invention relates generally to systems for the passive restraint of motor vehicle occupants and, more particularly, to module housings and assemblies used therein.
Safety restraint systems which self-actuate from an undeployed to a deployed state without the need for intervention by the operator, i.e., "passive restraint systems", and particularly those restraint systems incorporating inflatable bags or cushions, as well as the use of such systems in motor vehicles have gained general appreciation.
It is well known to protect a vehicle occupant using a cushion or bag that is inflated with gas, e.g., an "air bag", when the vehicle encounters sudden deceleration, such as in a collision. During deployment, the rapidly evolving gas with which the bag is typically filled is an inert gas, e.g., nitrogen. In such systems, the air bag is normally housed in an uninflated and folded condition to minimize space requirements. In an emergency, gas is discharged from an inflator to rapidly inflate the air bag. The air bag, upon inflation, serves to restrain the movement of the vehicle occupant as the collision proceeds. In general, such air bags are commonly designed to be inflated in no more than a few milliseconds.
Vehicular inflatable restraint systems generally include multiple crash sensors generally positioned about or mounted to the frame and/or body of the subject vehicle and serve to sense sudden decelerations by the vehicle. In turn, the sensor sends a signal to an air bag module or assembly strategically positioned within the riding compartment of the vehicle to actuate deployment of the air bag.
In general, an air bag provided for the protection of a vehicle driver, i.e., a driver side air bag, is mounted in a storage compartment located along the steering column of the vehicle. In driver side air bag installations, it is common that the air bag is housed outside the plane of the steering wheel, resulting in the hub of the steering wheel assembly being larger than otherwise needed as well as in the displacement of items such as horn switches and cruise controls that otherwise may have more easily and/or desirably been centrally located at the steering wheel hub. Further, though driver side air bags are generally circular, oval or elliptical in shape, largely as a result of the practical limitations in the folding of air bags, such driver side air bag installations are commonly covered with a rectangularly shaped cover. Thus, rather exact and complex folding of the air bag is generally required to better ensure proper deployment of the air bag from such an assembly.
While the inclusion of air bag module assemblies in motor vehicles has become relatively common, there is an ongoing desire to improve the functioning of such assemblies, a desire for the provision of arrangements which result in greater design flexibility not only for the assembly but also for placement and location of items such as horn switches and cruise controls in the surrounding vehicle interior, as well as a need to reduce the manufacture and/or material costs associated with such arrangements.
Also, as weight minimization is an especially important concern in modern vehicle design as a result of the impact the weight on vehicular fuel mileage, air bag module assemblies which facilitate incorporation within a vehicle without significantly impacting the weight and mileage capability of the resulting vehicle are desired.


The invention relates to a hot-briquetting or hot-compacting installation, in particular for directly reduced iron, having at least one first row (1) of presses with one or more first roll presses (2), and having at least one second row (3) of presses with one or more second roll presses (4), having at least one first cooling conveyor (7) beneath the first row (1) of presses, and a second cooling conveyor (8) beneath the second row (3) of presses, and having a plurality of material lines (6), which are assigned in each case to the individual roll presses (2, 4) and via which the briquetted or compacted material exiting from the roll presses (2, 4) is discharged to the cooling conveyors (7, 8). The material lines (6) are provided with one or more diverters (9), which can be adjusted such that the material from the roll presses (2, 4) of the first row (1) of presses and of the second row (3) of presses is discharged optionally in each case to the first cooling conveyor (7) or to the second cooling conveyor (8).

Directly reduced iron, or DRI, is also referred to as iron sponge or sponge iron. It is produced through the direct reduction of iron ore. The directly reduced iron can then be further processed by hot-briquetting or hot-compacting.
In a hot-briquetting installation the directly reduced iron is pressed in one or more roller presses embodied as briquette presses into briquettes that are then suitable for transport or storage, for example. The briquettes generally emerge from the press in the form of a strand, for which reason a separator is arranged downstream that then separates the briquettes interconnected in a strand from one another.
Alternatively, in a hot-compacting installation pre-reduced or completely directly reduced iron is also pressed in a roller press, but not into briquettes; instead, compaction is (first) performed in which an extrudate emerges from the press as an intermediate product that is referred to as "slug."
This extrudate is then disaggregated, after which the material finally takes the form of a granulate that is generally processed further immediately, for example in another reduction process or in an immediately adjacent smelting furnace.
Since the material emerging from the presses has very high temperatures, the material, particularly if in briquettes, is first discharged to cooling conveyors on or in which the material is flowed around by a cooling medium, for example a liquid coolant (such as water) or a gaseous coolant.
To increase production capacity, several roller presses are generally used for briquetting or compacting.
Such an installation for hot-briquetting directly reduced iron of the type mentioned at the outset is known, for example, from WO 2000/055379. The known installation has four roller presses or four briquetting lines connected in parallel, for example, each of which is supplied from a storage bin with iron sponge in the form of fine particles via a respective "feedleg." Between two respective briquetting lines or roller presses, a bucket conveyor and hence a transport device is provided for returning fine particles separated from the product by screens beneath the briquette presses. A respective cooling conveyor belt for cooling and delivering the briquettes is provided for two briquetting lines or roller presses. Alternatively, a space-saving arrangement of four briquetting lines or roller presses in a rectangular arrangement is described. Four feedlegs go from one storage bin to the individual briquetting lines. One common screen is provided for two respective converging briquetting lines. A line extends, in turn, from the each of the two screens to a single cooling conveyor belt that consequently receives all of the material.
An installation is known from DE 38 06 861 for transporting hot iron sponge from a direct-reduction system to the hot-briquetting system to the side of the shaft furnace. The hot-briquetting presses are located beneath a feed hopper for the material to be briquetted. They deliver the iron sponge as briquettes to screening, cooling and conveyor systems. EP 2 132 344 [U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,882] describes a method in which directly reduced iron can be delivered via supply conduits either to briquette presses or directly to a transport means. A material diverter is provided above the roller presses for this purpose. Finally, EP 2 641 981 describes an installation for manufacturing molten iron from directly reduced iron in which the directly reduced iron is compacted presses and then reduced to small pieces. The material emerging from the compacting presses or from disaggregators can either be conveyed via an upstream conveyor to a smelting furnace or stored on an interim basis in storage containers via a second conveyor. Diverters are beneath the disaggregators, so that the material can be optionally delivered to the smelting furnace on the first conveyor or to the storage container on the second conveyor. In such installations for hot-briquetting or hot-compacting directly reduced iron, the constant need exists to optimize capacity. Moreover, safety considerations are at the forefront when the installation is designed. For instance, during the processing of hot material from directly reduced iron, one must ensure that the briquettes are reliably transported away while simultaneously cooling, particularly including when system parts fail. This is where the invention comes in.


A system and method is provided for measuring the electrical resistivity of a member without physically contacting the member. The system includes an electromagnetic energy transceiver having a transmitting and receiving antenna. The antenna is positioned in close proximity to the member being tested. Electromagnetic energy, such as microwave energy, is transmitted by the transceiver at the member being tested. Reflected electromagnetic energy is received at the antenna that has been reflected by the member hack to the antenna. The transceiver then generates an output that is proportional to the reflected electromagnetic energy and, thus, is proportional to the non-reflected electromagnetic energy absorbed by the member being tested. The output signal can thus be used to indicate resistivity of the member to electrical transmission. The output signal can be connected to a drive or controller of a high temperature coating system to increase or decrease electrical resistivity of the member while it is being manufactured to thereby control or maintain a predetermined electrical resistivity of the member at a desired quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for measuring electromagnetic properties of a member and, more particularly, to a system and method that does not physically contact the member being tested.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,595 (Darling, Jr.) discloses a method and apparatus for coating of refractory substrates with a highly uniform layer of graphite or other material. Electrical pick-ups are used with an electronic control and transport motor for physically altering substrate transport velocity, or other parameters, to adjust the coated substrate's properties. U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,156 (Veys) discloses the use of microwave radiation to detect thin conductive fibers placed on a sheet article of nonconductive material for identification purposes. The system computes the difference between transmitted, and reflected radiation. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,500,835 (Heikkila) and 4,607,212 (Jakkula) disclose the use of microwave radiation for detecting grain direction and knots in lumber. U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,335 (Stungis et al.) discloses use of probes to monitor and detect the applied amounts of conductive material on a moving non-conductive web, after moving. U.S. Pat. No. 2,940,040 (Rosenthal) discloses the measurement of direct current resistivity of plastic materials for quality control purposes.

Method for measuring electromagnetic properties


In a high voltage inverter device switching an input voltage to apply an exciting current to an excitation winding of a transformer and output an alternating-current high voltage from an output winding to supply the high voltage to a load from output lines, a point on the output line is connected to a frame ground. Each of a first and a second winding of the electrical leakage detecting transformer is interposed in series with the output line on a side where current flows out of the point and a side where current flows into the point respectively. A detection voltage Vd outputted from an amplifying winding is compared by a comparison voltage Vref, and an electrical leakage detection signal Sd is outputted when Vd>Vref. The first and second winding are opposite in winding direction to each other and equal in number of turns.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electrical leakage detector for an output in a high voltage inverter device such as a switching regulator, an inverter or the like used in a high voltage power supply unit, a power supply unit for discharge or the like, and a high voltage inverter device including the electrical leakage detector.
2. Description of the Related Art
To supply a high voltage to various devices such as a discharge tube for a large-size plasma display, a plasma generator and the like, a high voltage inverter device such as a switching regulator or the like is used.
Generally, an inverter device with an output power value of about several W is often used, while a high voltage inverter device having an alternating-current output with an output voltage of over ten KV and a power value of several tens W or higher is used for the plasma generator or the like.
Such a high voltage inverter device having an alternating-current output of over ten KV is apt to discharge because the output is alternating-current at a high voltage and the discharge to the surrounding of the output line is dielectric discharge. Therefore, it is necessary to install the high voltage inverter device in an environment where it hardly discharges, but the output current needs to return through one path when returning to a frame ground such as a casing of the inverter or the like passing through a load.
Leakage (electrical leakage) of a high voltage along a power feeding path to the load due to an abnormal discharge or the like not only decreases the power supplied to the load but also possibly causes a serious problem on a human body due to electrical shock or causes ignition to lead to a fire. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly monitor the output voltage or current of the inverter to detect abnormality such as electrical leakage or the like and stop the operation of the inverter to thereby avoid danger.
Conventionally, in an inverter for lighting a discharge lamp, the voltage at an output end is detected and compared to the voltage at normal time to detect occurrence of abnormal discharge or the like. For example, as described in JP 2008-186615 A, the voltage on the output side of an inverter is divided by a resistor and the divided voltage is rectified and smoothed to detect the peak value or the effective value of the output voltage of the inverter. This value is compared to the normal value to monitor the presence or absence of abnormal discharge so that when abnormal discharge is detected, the operation of the inverter is stopped.

High voltage inverter device and electrical leakage detector thereof


An improvement to a measuring table for fabricated plate products, such as sheet metal and the like. A measuring table having legs for support of flat table surfaces with opposite sides and ends is equipped with a straight reference gauge extending squarely across the table surfaces near one end and a slot extending at right angles to the straight reference gauge. The improvement to such a measuring table comprises a linearly stationary yet pivotal contact mounted in the slot adjacent to the reference gauge, a pivotal contact movable in the slot by a carriage slide mounted to the underside of the table, and a microprocessor operatively connected to the contacts to receive, store, process and display the measurements therebetween. The method of this invention comprises the steps of spreading the contacts to accommodate between them a plate laid on the table surface, positioning one corner of the plate against the linearly stationary yet pivotal contact, sliding and pivoting the movable contact against an opposing corner to generate a first measurement of the plate's diagonal, repeating the above steps to generate a second measurement across another diagonal, and comparing the deviation between the first and second measurements to a predetermined acceptable limit. Those plates having excessive deviations between the diagonals are rejected as out of square.

The field of this invention includes methods and equipment for measuring fabricated plate structures. Sheet metal and other structural plate products are conventionally cut to size and shape. Apertures in the plate are punched or otherwise created. Such processing proceeds according to predetermined design considerations. Quality control requires that the finished plates be remeasured to confirm the accuracy of their length, width, precise location of the apertures, and squareness.
Heretofore, it has been a practice in such quality control operations to utilize a table surface having an elongated slot extending at right angles from a straight gauge means. A movable carriage conveys a protruding pin in the slot. A suitable electronic measuring device is associated with the pin and a digital display.
A plate having a straight edge is abutted against the straight gauge means (hereafter stop) after the pin has been moved longitudinally in the slot to provide space between the pin and the stop to permit the plate to rest on the table surface. By bringing the pin to the edge of the plate opposite to the stop, and actuating the measuring device, the precise length of the plate can be confirmed.
If there are one or more apertures in the plate that need to have their locations verified, the plate must be tilted upward so the pin can be moved under the plate and inside the aperture. The plate is laid back flat on the table surface to take the desired measurement. Having to raise the plate for such measurements is time-consuming, hazardous and laborious for the user.
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,078 brought an improvement to the art of measuring plates with a selectively retractable pin in the slot of a measuring table. This improvement made the measuring table a more powerful, convenient tool for industrial quality control. However, some types of dimensional conformities are still difficult to verify on a conventional retractable pin measuring tables without repositioning and measuring the plate several times. For these reasons, squareness of plate edges is difficult to verify on retractable pin measuring tables.
Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a convenient and economical method and means for measuring the squareness of plate edges on a measuring table.
It is a further object of this invention to provide table attachments for measuring the squareness of plate edges.
It is a further object of this invention to provide squareness checking attachments which allow the existing pin, slot and digital readout of a conventional measuring table to be utilized.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a gauge generating a digital signal indicative of squareness capable of being processed by either the gauge itself or an existing digital readout on the table.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a measuring device which minimizes the number of measurements required on the measuring table to verify squareness.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of measure squareness which is quickly completable.
It is further an object of this invention to provide attachments for performing additional functions on a measuring table so that squareness can be conveniently measured.
It is further an object of this invention to provide attachments for measuring squareness on a measuring table so that the handling of plates is minimized.
It is further an object of this invention to provide attachments for measuring squareness on a measuring table whereby off-table measurements are avoided.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Method and means for measuring squareness of two opposing corners on plate structures


A movement vector detecting apparatus includes an area decision circuit for calculating a movement vector from a signal filtered through a first preprocessing filter and deciding an image area for obtaining a target movement vector, and a movement vector operation circuit for calculating a movement vector associated with the image area in accordance with a signal filtered through a second preprocessing filter and under the control of the area decision circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a movement vector detection apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus for detecting movement vectors from an image signal.
2. Related Background Art
In the field of image pickup apparatuses for correcting vibrations of a video camera, detecting panning of a video camera, or detecting and tracing a movement of a specific image in a video camera, movements and kinds of movements of images must be accurately detected from image signals output from an image pickup means such as an image pickup device.
For example, an image vibration detection apparatus cannot distinguish a local movement of an object from a vibration of the entire field of view. In order to make it possible to distinguish a local movement from a vibration of the entire field of view, different detection sensitivities for image vibration amounts must be distributed within a frame area.
A conventional image vibration detection apparatus proposed in consideration of the above drawback is exemplified as an image vibration correction apparatus described in the Society of Television Techniques, Technical Report Vo. 11, No. 3, pp. 43-48, PPOE, '87-12 (May, 1987). In this apparatus, the entire frame is divided into 140 blocks, vibration detection blocks are arbitrarily turned on/off, and a representative point matching is performed for only vibration detection ON blocks.
The present applicant filed a movement detection apparatus as U.S. and EPC applications on Mar. 6, 1989 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 319,658).
Movement vector detection methods using image signal processing are exemplified as a time and spatial gradient method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-46878 and J. O. Limb and J. A. Murphy, "Measuring the Speed of Moving Objects from Television Signals", IEEE Trans. Com., Com-23, 4, p.p. 474-478 (April, 1975), or a matching method described in "MUSE Movement Vector Detection Apparatus", the Society of Television Technics, Technical Report p.p. 25-30 (issue date: May 24, 1985, Friday).
According to the time and spatial gradient method, a movement amount of each point is calculated by the following equations: EQU .alpha.=.SIGMA..sub.B d.multidot.sign(g'.sub.x)/.SIGMA..sub.B .vertline.g'.sub.x .vertline. EQU .beta.=.SIGMA..sub.B d.multidot.sign(g'.sub.y)/.SIGMA..sub.B .vertline.g'.sub.y .vertline.
where .alpha. and .beta. are the movement amounts in the x and y directions, respectively, d is the concentration difference between two continuous images as a function of time at the same position, i.e., a time gradient, and g'.sub.x and g'.sub.y are the spatial gradients in the x and y directions when the image is given as g. Note that .SIGMA..sub.B represents a total sum operation within a block, and sign() is a function of outputting signs of the gradients g'.sub.x and g'.sub.y.
A movement vector is calculated by the following equation according to the representative point matching: EQU P(i,j)=.SIGMA..sub.B .SIGMA..sub.B .vertline.g.sub.0 (x-i,y-i)-g.sub.1 (x,y).vertline.
where g.sub.0 (x,y) and g.sub.1 (x,y) are two continuous images as a function of time, and i and j are the movement amounts of the images, respectively.
More specifically, a cumulative value of the absolute values of the differences between the two images upon shifting of the image g.sub.0 (x,y) by the amounts i and j is obtained within a block as a unit operation area. A movement amount (i,j) which minimizes the vector P(i,j) is defined as a movement vector of the corresponding block. The calculation of P(i,j) may be performed by using a square of a difference or a nonlinear function in place of use of the absolute value of the difference.
When the time and spatial gradient method or the representative point matching method is used, a low-pass filter, having characteristics which prevent detailed information in an image from being lost, is used as a preprocessing filter. The use of the low-pass filter aims at smoothing a sharp edge portion of the image or reducing input image noise. The size and shape of blocks obtained by dividing an input image are normally predetermined and are decided independently of the characteristics of the preprocessing filter.
In the conventional example described above, a detection range is narrowed by a high-frequency component of an input image, and it is difficult to apply this conventional technique to an image having a large movement amount. In order to solve this problem, a low-pass filter having a sufficiently large mask is used, and the image is divided into large blocks including spatial gradients in various directions, thereby widening the detection range. According to this technique, however, the use of large blocks undesirably causes a decrease in resolution.
According to the above method, the detection range is narrowed by the high-frequency component of the input image, and it is difficult to apply this method to an image having a large movement amount.
A relationship between the total sum .SIGMA..sub.B within the block and the detection block will be taken into consideration. The size and shape of each block for the total sum .SIGMA..sub.B are generally predetermined. When the size of the block is increased, the detection range is increased accordingly. When the block is large, a possibility for including edges in various directions within one block is increased, and clear signals can be obtained against noise, and vector synthesis can have higher precision. These advantages are described in the above literatures and Shingaku Giho IE78-67 "Measurement of movement amount or speed of a moving object by image signals".
When the block size is increased in the conventional example, the number of blocks constituting one frame is reduced, so that the number of vectors to be detected is reduced. Therefore, slight pattern movements cannot be easily detected.

Movement detection apparatus for detecting movement vectors from an image signal


Monitoring parameters of memory modules is described. According to certain embodiments, one or more parameters on respective memory modules are monitored. Corresponding parameter information is transmitted away from the respective memory module to a device that is external to the respective memory modules.

Individual assembly of one's own personal computers may be achieved by purchasing and assembling motherboards, power supplies, video cards, disk drives, memory modules and other components, to which a keyboard, display monitor, and mouse may be connected. In such an assembly, many of the computer's internal operating parameters may be monitored. Monitoring such parameters can be especially important to the builders of high performance systems where such parameters are used to optimize overall system performance. One such parameter to monitor is the activity of one or more memory modules which represents how much use a particular memory module is experiencing in various computing tasks. Other parameters include the temperature or the power supply voltage of the memory module. Indicators can be placed on the printed circuit board of each memory module to monitor such parameters of the memory module. However, there is often limited room on the circuit board, and the cost of adding one or more of these indicators to each memory module along with the associated display electronics can be prohibitive.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a cost-effective device, system and method for remotely monitoring memory module parameters.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Monitoring memory module parameters in high performance computers


An integrated circuit device includes a package and an externally accessible signal lead attached to the package. An integrated circuit chip is mounted in the package and connected to the signal lead. The integrated circuit chip includes a mode-selective signal generating circuit configured to receive a mode control signal and an internal signal and coupled to the externally accessible signal lead. The mode-selective signal generating circuit is operative to produce an output signal responsive to one of the internal signal or an external signal applied to the externally accessible signal lead based on the mode control signal. According to an embodiment, the integrated circuit chip further includes a memory circuit including a sense amplifier that senses a bit line voltage in response to a sense enable signal. The internal signal includes a sense enable control signal having a timing adapted for sensing a bit line voltage in a memory cycle of the memory circuit. The mode-selective signal generating circuit is operative to generate the sense enable signal responsive to one of the sense enable control signal or the external signal based on the mode control signal. In another embodiment, the internal signal includes an internally-generated reference signal produced at a reference signal bus, and the mode-selective signal generating circuit includes a transfer gate coupling the externally accessible signal lead to the reference voltage node and operative to apply a voltage applied to the externally accessible signal lead to the reference signal bus responsive to the mode control signal. Related operating methods are also provided.

The present invention relates to integrated circuit devices and methods of operation thereof, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for testing integrated circuit devices.
In order to ensure reliability and proper operation of integrated circuit devices, such as memory devices, manufacturers typically perform a variety of tests on internal circuits in the devices. An example of such a test is a bit line sensing test, which is usually important in verifying proper operation of an integrated circuit memory device such as a DRAM.
A typical bit line sensing process is performed as follows. Data stored in a memory cell is transmitted to a bit line through a charge sharing operation performed by the activation of the word line connected to the memory cell. A difference between the voltage of the bit line to which the data of the memory cell is transmitted and the precharge voltage of a complementary bit line is amplified by a sense amplifier, producing a signal with a logic xe2x80x9chighxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9clowxe2x80x9d value. The time at which the sense amplifier operates typically is critical to the operation of the memory device. In order to improve the operating characteristics of the semiconductor device, it is generally important that the sense amplifier operates at an optimal or near optimal time. Therefore, memory devices commonly include a test mode for determining the time at which the sense amplifier operates in response to a test signal applied to a pad of the integrated circuit memory device.
Another common test for a memory device involved determining whether voltage generating circuits of the device operate appropriately. Many kinds of internal voltage generating circuits may be used in memory devices. Test pads may be also be provided in the integrated circuit chip for testing the various internal voltage generating circuits at the wafer stage.
It generally is infeasible to connect such internal test signal pads to external leads when the integrated circuit device is packaged, however, due to limitations on the number of available external leads. Consequently, pads for applying test signals or for monitoring signals may not be connected to external leads of the packaged device.
In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide packaged integrated circuit devices and operating methods that allow for testing of internal functions from external signal leads.
This and other objects, features and advantages are provided according to the present invention by integrated circuit devices and operating methods in which an external signal lead of a packaged integrated circuit device is coupled to an integrated circuit chip including a mode-selective signal generating circuit that is operative to generate a signal responsive to either an external signal applied to the external signal lead or an internal signal generated by a signal generating circuit on the chip. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sense enable signal for a memory sense amplifier is generated responsive to one of an external signal applied to an external lead or an internal sense enable control signal generated on the chip. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a reference voltage is generated responsive to one of an external signal applied to an external lead or an internally generated reference voltage.
In particular, according to the present invention, an integrated circuit device includes a package and an externally accessible signal lead attached to the package. An integrated circuit chip is mounted in the package and connected to the signal lead. The integrated circuit chip includes a mode-selective signal generating circuit configured to receive a mode control signal and an internal signal and coupled to the externally accessible signal lead. The mode-selective signal generating circuit is operative to produce an output signal responsive to one of the internal signal or an external signal applied to the externally accessible signal lead based on the mode control signal.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the integrated circuit chip further includes a memory circuit including a sense amplifier that senses a bit line voltage in response to a sense enable signal. The internal signal includes a sense enable control signal having a timing adapted for sensing a bit line voltage in a memory cycle of the memory circuit. The mode-selective signal generating circuit is operative to generate the sense enable signal responsive to one of the sense enable control signal or the external signal based on the mode control signal. The mode-selective signal generating circuit may be operative to generate the sense enable signal responsive to the sense enable control signal when the mode control signal is in a first state and to generate the sense enable signal responsive to the external signal when the mode control signal is in a second state.
According to a related aspect of the present invention, the chip further includes a conductive pad electrically connected to the mode-selective gating circuit. The mode-selective signal generating circuit is operative to generate the sense enable signal responsive to one of the sense enable control signal or a signal applied to the conductive pad based on the mode control signal.
According to yet another embodiment, the mode-selective gating circuit includes a selective test signal generating circuit connected to the externally accessible signal lead and to the conductive pad and operative to generate a test signal responsive to one of an external signal applied to the externally accessible signal lead and a signal applied to the conductive pad. A gating circuit configured to receive the test signal, the sense enable control signal and the mode control signal, and operative to generate the sense enable signal responsive to one of the test signal and the sense enable control signal based on the mode control signal. The selective test signal generating circuit may include a first NAND gate configured to receive the mode control signal and the external signal at inputs thereof and to produce an output signal therefrom at an output of the first NAND gate, a second NAND gate having a first input connected to the output of the first NAND gate, a pulldown transistor connected between the conductive pad and a signal ground, and an inverter having an input connected to the conductive pad and an output connected to a second input of the second NAND gate. The second NAND gate generates the test signal at an output thereof.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the chip further includes a mode control signal generating circuit operative to generate the mode control signal. The mode control signal generating circuit may be responsive to a reset signal, a test reset signal, and an address signal. The mode control signal generating circuit may be operative to reset the mode control signal to the first state in response to the reset signal and to latch the mode control signal to a value dependent upon a value of the address signal when the test reset signal is asserted.
In yet another embodiment, the internal signal includes an internally-generated reference signal produced at a reference signal bus, and the mode-selective signal generating circuit includes a transfer gate coupling the externally accessible signal lead to the reference voltage node and operative to apply a voltage applied to the externally accessible signal lead to the reference signal bus responsive to the mode control signal.
Related operating methods are also provided.

Integrated circuit devices with mode-selective external signal routing capabilities and methods of operation therefor


A rotary combination module for a tablet computer, which includes a pad and a dock, to engage the pad with the dock, the rotary combination module comprising: a rotation part, disposed on the back of the pad, for rotating on the pad as a rotation plane; an extension part, connected with the rotation part, for shifting in the rotation part and positioning at a predetermined location; and a stand, connected to the extension part, for turning away from the extension part and positioning at a predetermined angle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure for combining a pad and a dock of a tablet computer, and more particularly to a non-directional combination structure for combining the pad and the dock.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Current combination structure for two-in-one tablet computer adopts single-side combination manner to combine the pad and the dock, hence the user can use the pad only by horizontal, such as an ordinary laptop. However, the horizontal pad is suitable for watching videos, but not appropriate for reading documents (e.g., electronic books) or browsing webpages. The vertical pad is the most suitable mode for reading documents and browsing webpages. Besides, as to the pad of the two-in-one tablet computer, wide viewing angle and non-directional pads are generally chosen to satisfy multi-directional utilization. Thus, one directional or single-side combination structure cannot take the multi-directional advantages of the pad.
In addition, the current commercial tablet computer is applied with tenon and mortise structure to combine the pad and the dock, but the position of the tenon and mortise structure usually locates at the bottom of the pad. There is no tenon and mortise structure at lateral or other sides. Therefore, the pad cannot be used by vertical and combined with the dock.

Rotary combination module for tablet computer


We describe a method of manufacturing a plurality of electronic devices. The method comprises manufacturing a multi-device motherboard bearing programmable device circuit boards, each of these with an electronic device comprising a processor and programmable memory and being detachable from the motherboard except for one of more frangible links, at least one of these links comprising a programming connection. A device programming region bears a motherboard processor and program memory for programming the device circuit boards. Code for at least one application program for said electronic device is stored in said motherboard program memory. A user interface for the multi-device motherboard allows a user to configure each of the electronic devices to perform a defined function.

There is a general need in the field of civil engineering to instrument structures such as roads, bridges, tunnels and the like with sensors such as wireless sensors, to monitor movement/integrity of the structure. This facilitates, among other things, efficient maintenance and improved safety. It is helpful if such a sensor has wireless communications; it may be battery powered or powered solely by, or supplemented by, energy harvesting. However it is also desirable to be able to achieve a long battery life, although the RF environment is often challenging, with poor signal propagation. Current devices are physically large, with a typical dimension of order 10 cm, and have a limited battery life, for example of order 2-3 months. Considerable improvement is possible by judicious selection of RF frequency (for example 400-900 Mghz is helpful), and selective sensor activation, providing sleep and deep-sleep modes. The use of low power processor technology, such as that available from ARM Ltd (UK) can also help to reduce power consumption. However even when all of these techniques are combined significantly losses still remain, with surprising origins.
The use of miniature, low power technology to instrument civil engineering structures brings other difficulties: it is generally desirable to provide a large number of sensors so that a structure can be closely monitored and relative motion of various parts of the structure identified for assessments/action. This often entails programming individual sensors indifferent ways—some may sense motion, some temperature, some humidity, some a combination of all three. These different types of sensors may be arranged over the structure in an optimum manner so that, for example, readings from different sensors may be interpolated/extrapolated. Such an approach generally entails programming different sensors with different software, depending upon the measurement made. However programming each individual sensor may take a significant amount of time, for example of order half an hour (depending upon various factors). When instrumenting a structure with a large number of sensors this programming time constitutes a significant practical problem.
New techniques have therefore been developed to address these difficulties. Although they are particularly useful when instrumenting a structure with sensors, the techniques we describe are not limited to such applications and, potentially, have more general value.

Manufacturing methods for printed circuit boards


The present invention relates to a composition for the prevention or treatment of arthritis, the composition containing a Sargassum serratifolium extract as an active ingredient. The extract of Sargassum serratifolium according to the present invention has an excellent activity to reduce or inhibit the activity of IL-1β, IL-6, or TNF-α, which is an inflammatory cytokine, and has an excellent effect alleviating arthritis in an arthritis animal model so that it can be usefully used as a composition for treating arthritis. In addition, there is no cytotoxicity, and toxicity to the drug and side effects are avoided so that it can be safely used even for long-term use, and it is stable in the body.

The human body is made of about 200 joints. The bones meet each other in the joints, which are composed of cartilage, joint capsule, synovial membrane, ligament, tendon, muscle, etc. in order to smoothly move between the bones and play a role in absorbing the impact caused by the movement.
Inflammatory diseases that occur in these joints can be divided largely into chronic rheumatoid arthritis, which is understood to be caused by autoimmunity, infectious arthritis caused by bacterial infection, deformed arthritis caused by degeneration or destruction of articular cartilage or bone due to various causes, and crystalline arthritis caused by deposition of soluble metabolites as crystals in the connective tissue around the joints due to degenerative changes of the connective tissue.
Degenerative arthritis, that is, osteoarthritis, is a disease caused by the destruction of joint tissue due to the increases of synthesis and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), which degrades the joint matrix in joint cells by the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, while the degeneration of chondrocytes forming joints occurs due to aging, thereby inhibiting the synthesis of type II collagen and proteoglycan, which are matrix materials of joints in chondrocytes.
Further, the arthritis is worsened by the production of nitric oxide because of inflammatory cytokines and by the production of self-amplifying cytokines due to the produced nitric oxide, which leads to the synthesis of more MMPs and promotes the degradation of the joint matrix. At the same time, inflammatory cytokines increase the production of prostaglandin E2 that is a lipid metabolite, and thus, lead to an inflammatory response in arthritis.
Various biochemical phenomena are involved in the inflammatory reaction in vivo. Particularly, the inflammatory reaction is initiated or adjusted by various enzymes, which are related to the inflammatory response produced by immune cells. Specifically, the immune cells migrate to the injured site through the blood vessels with the help of histamine, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), etc., and then, begin the inflammatory reaction. The immune cells migrated to the injured site secret cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), or interleukin-6 (IL-6) or chemokines such as MIP-1, IL-8, or MCP-1 to destroy direct external invaders or collect other immune cells, thereby initiating the inflammatory response.
In the case where being exposed to inflammatory-inducing substances such as interferon-λ, lipoteichoic acid, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which induces the inflammatory reaction, or various inflammation-inducing cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) are expressed, thereby producing the excess NO and PGE2. The several inflammatory initiators (iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, etc.) promote transcription by activated NF-κB, so that NO is produced more than was needed, thereby causing vasodilation due to shock, tissue damage caused by inflammatory response, mutagenesis, damage of nerve tissue, and the like.
Nitric oxide (NO) is produced from L-arginine and molecular oxygen by NO synthase (NOS). In mammals, there are three types of NOS: neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS). nNOS and eNOS are constitutively expressed in nerve cells and endothelial cells. However, iNOS is inductively produced in macrophages or monocytes by exposure to LPS-induced or pro-inflammatory cytokines (Vane et al., 1994). NO produced in iNOS causes inflammation or an immune response, and thus acts as a proliferation inhibitor or a cytotoxic agent of a pathogen that invades the cell. However, it is known that excess NO produced by overexpression of iNOS causes pathological conditions (Kim et al., 2005; Pan et al., 2011). The deleterious effect of excess NO in the cell not only acts as an inflammatory mediator itself, but also reacts with superoxide to produce peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite may not only cause oxidative damage of intracellular molecules such as proteins, fats and DNA, but also modify normal gene regulation. Thus, overexpression of iNOS as well as large amounts of NO is closely related to pathological conditions associated with various inflammatory diseases (MacMicking et al., 1997; Maeda and Akaike, 1998).
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a major role in immune and acute inflammatory responses as well as cell growth (Li and Verma, 2002; Makarov, 2001). NF-κB activation promotes the expressions of iNOS and several pro-inflammatory genes (Kim et al., 2005; Makarov, 2001). The activation pathway of NF-κB is such that the inhibitor of κB (IκB)-α kinase is phosphorylated by LPS followed by phosphorylation of IκB-α, and IκB-α phosphorylated by ubiquitin is degraded to cause free NF-κB to move the nucleus, thereby adjust inflammatory related genes (Chen et al., 1995). Activation of another NF-κB occurs via mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (Guha and Mackman, 2001) or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway (Sheu et al., 2005). MAPKs have extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs), and p38 MAPKs, which are involved in transcriptional regulation of inflammatory genes through NF-κB activation (Bhat et al., 1998; Kao et al., 2005; Shin et al., 2010). PI3K is also involved in the production of inflammatory cytokines through NF-κB activation (Cremer et al., 2011; Sheu et al., 2005). PI3K activation phosphorylates the phosphatidylinositide to activate the Akt protein. The activated PI3K/Akt plays a major role in the activation of macrophages (MacMicking et al., 1997; Sheu et al., 2005). Therefore, in order to develop an anti-inflammatory agent, many studies have been carried out to find a substance that inhibits the activation of NK-κB or inhibits activation of MAPKs and Akt which activate NF-κB.
MMPs are proteolytic enzymes that destroy bone and cartilage matrix components and are expressed in cartilage tissues stimulated by inflammatory cytokines in inflammatory disease states, resulting in increased activity. MMPs constitute at least 21 enzymes, being classified into subclasses including collagenase (MMP-1, 8, and 13), stromelysin (MMP-3, 10, and 11), gelatinase (MMP-2 and 9), and matrix type-1 metalloproteinase (MMP-14). Among them, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are gelatinase subfamily, which is an important enzyme for collagen degradation of cartilage tissue. These two enzymes break down other substrates, such as fibrous collagen I and II, which are abundant in cartilage, and aggrecan.
Rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis are characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration into synovial tissue, which is mediated by chemokines. It is known that chemokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) are expressed in the synovial tissue, and they are produced in synovial fibroblasts and the like. Excessive MCP-1, produced by arthritis, causes monocytes and macrophages to come in inflammatory sites and activates these cells to promote the production of inflammatory cytokines, thereby further aggravating the inflammation.
The expression of adhesion molecules such as vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and E-selectin in vascular endothelial cells was increased by cytokines in synovial tissues of rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis to induce infiltration of inflammatory cells. Overexpressed ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are associated with chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis.
Rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis are chronic systemic inflammatory diseases that cause symmetrical, multiple arthritis, resulting in joint damage and deformation. In the absence of treatment for these arthritis, the progression is poor, indicating a disability of the joint function, and if persistent, disability of the joint function interferes with daily life. In Korea, it is estimated that about 1% of the total population is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. It is known that the incidence ratio of rheumatoid arthritis is three times higher in women than in men, and it occurs mainly in the 20s and 40s.
The main causes of rheumatoid arthritis have been increasingly revealed, and genetic factors, infections, hormonal abnormalities, etc. are thought to be causative factors. Because of these causative factors, "autoimmune" phenomenon occurs. The autoimmune is a phenomenon that chronic inflammation occurs multiply and lastingly in many parts of the body due to abnormality of immune regulation function of our body.
Meanwhile, drugs used in the treatment of arthritis can be categorized on the basis of the main mechanism of action such as reduction of inflammation, delay of disease progression, and decrease of uric acid concentration. Many neuroarthritis treatment drugs act to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a pathological process that causes pain, swelling, fever, seizures, and stiffness. Drugs that rapidly relieve inflammation include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including cortisone.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have the effect of relaxing nerve joints and relieving inflammation by reduction of pain. However, because gastrointestinal disorders may occur or abdominal pain may be induced, use thereof is preventive for some people with active peptic ulcer or hemorrhagic lesions in the gastrointestinal portion. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not used well for degenerative arthritis due to severe side effects such as weight gain and hypertension compared to their effects.
In particular, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have nothing to do with the causative treatment of the disease, and may simply induce excessive use of joints by temporarily reducing the pain, which causes destruction of the nerve joints and deterioration of the disorder so that it requires attention in use.
Therefore, conventional therapies used for joint damage such as arthritis have limited effectiveness, involve obvious toxic side effects, cannot be used continuously for a long period of time, and thus their effectiveness is limited. Thus, there is a desperate need for a novel therapeutic method or a therapeutic agent that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional therapeutic methods.

Composition for prevention or treatment of arthritis, containing

Pukyong National University Industry-University Cooperation Foundation


Semi-rimless and rimless eyeglass frame assemblies. The semi-rimless frame assembly includes an eyewire extending along the upper and side edges of a lens, a nose bridge, and a pair of endpiece assemblies. The endpiece assemblies have channels for receipt of the eyewire and the lens, and through holes on each side of the channels, aligned with apertures in the lens, for receipt of means to secure the lens to the frame assembly. The endpiece assemblies are pivotally connected to temples.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved semi-rimless eyeglass frame assembly and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many types of rimless or semi-rimless spectacle or eyeglass frames are available to the public for many types of eyeglasses, including corrective, sunglasses, or safety eyeglasses. So-called "rimless" eyeglasses support the lenses at selected points, instead of having the edges of the lenses held in grooves in a surrounding plastic or metal frame. This type of construction generally provides the user with lighter weight and resulting comfort, as well as the ability to modify the lens dimension, or simply to replace a damaged lens. Eyeglass frames of this type also provide a more aesthetic appearance.
A rimless spectacle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,566 to Shelton. This reference discloses the importance of each element used in the construction of the spectacle to provide the style and light weight desired. The disclosure specifically provides for a rimless spectacle front lens supporting assembly which includes a pair of lenses residing in a contiguous relationship, connected to a bar which extends across the brow of the wearer, and a novel nose bridge assembly which includes front and back members joined together to support the lenses.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,616 to Kurosaka discloses a frame for a pair of spectacles which allows for adjustments in the dimensions of the frame to accommodate a wide range of lens sizes and shapes. Kurosaka teaches the use of a spectacle frame wherein the lenses are retained within rims by thin wires. A groove is formed around the outer peripheral edge of each lens and a protrusion on the rim engages the groove on the upper edge as the wire engages the groove on the lower edge.
Other rimless or semi-rimless eyeglasses provide users with the ability to interchange lenses easily. U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,915 to Evans discloses an interchangeable eyeshield which enables outdoor enthusiasts, who wear protective glasses in a variety of weather conditions, to shield their eyes from the various elements such as rain, overcast, sun and wind. Evans discloses an all weather eyeshield system comprising a plurality of interchangeable, frameless lenses, a pair of bows for holding a lens selected to be worn for a specific weather condition, and a means for releasably engaging each bow to the selected lens.
Although providing for interchangeability, light weight, comfort, and a stylish appearance, none of the foregoing, or similar frames would be suitable in safety eyewear applications. For safety eyeglasses, all of the advantages of a rimless or semi-rimless frame are desired, along with the requirement for safety eyeglass frames to be durable and provide a sturdy connection to safety lenses.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a rimless or semi-rimless eyeglass frame assembly. A further object of the invention is to provide a rimless or semi-rimless eyeglass frame assembly which can be used with corrective eyeglasses, sunglasses, as well as safety eyeglasses.


A storage system for heat and cold exchange with a fluid from a solar collector. The system comprises a large block of earth material which is defined at its outer perimeter by a trench. The block of earth material has an outer zone of vertically downwardly extending channels into the block of earth material and an associated inner zone of vertically downwardly extending channels into the block of earth material. Each of the channels holds a conduit for passage of heat exchange fluid to provide heat exchange between the fluid and the block of earth material. The earth is used for storage of heat from a solar collector. The invention also relates to a manner of use of the heat storage system wherein heat which is withdrawn from the system is selectively withdrawn from the outer zone of vertical channels in order to provide more efficient heat withdrawal and storage.

This invention relates to a storage system for heat and cold which utilizes the natural storage capabilities of the soil. The system is primarily adapted for use with solar collectors of the type which provide for heat exchange in the collector between solar radiation and a heat exchange fluid passing through the collector.
One of the problems with solar heat collection systems is that when potential collection is greatest, need is none or minimal and no economical use of the surplus heat has been available, so as to have summer collected heat available for winter use. Expensive storage structures and more expensive insulation materials have made such storing generally uneconomical.
This invention relates primarily to a heat storage sink and method which utilizes the natural heat storage value of the soil. More particularly, the natural heat storage value of soil is utilized in a manner which promotes greater heating efficiency by continual selective withdrawal of heat from a perimeter zone, which is described hereinafter.
Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a new and efficient heat storage sink so that the entire annual heat requirement may be supplied by the system at low cost.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and efficient heat storage sink which is economical of manufacture in that it utilizes as the primary storage sink earth material.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method of heat storage, and withdrawal from earth material such that the storage capabilities of the earth can be most efficiently maximized to minimize heat loss.
The method of accomplishing each of the above objects as well as others will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention.


In the rear of a collimator lens there is disposed a reflector having a bulb serving as a light source, and a shade is interposed between the collimator lens and bulb. The reflector is mounted by means of a guide engagement mechanism, which is arranged such that guide pins provided in the front edge portion of the reflector are pivotally and slidably engaged with a plurality of guide grooves formed in a guide plate fixed on the side of the collimator to thereby be able to deflect an optical axis. The guide engagement mechanism controls or displaces the reflector by use of a control motor. The shade is fixedly secured on the side of the collimator lens.

The present invention relates to a reflector drive mechanism applicable to a headlamp system of so called a variable light distribution type headlamp which, when an automobile is running in a winding road, deflects the illuminating light of the headlamp to a side toward which the automobile is going to turn.
There has been demand for a headlamp for use in an automobile which, when the automobile is running on a winding road, is capable of deflecting the illuminating light of the headlamp to a side toward which it is going to turn in accordance with the angle of rotation of a steering wheel to thereby secure a good visibility in a road ahead. Thus, conventionally, there has been used a variable light distribution type headlamp using a projection lamp, as shown in FIG. 1.
In other words, in the above-mentioned conventional variable light distribution type headlamp, a bulb 51 serving as a light source is disposed at a first focal point F1 of a reflector 50 consisting of an ellipsoidal reflecting mirror surface and having an optical axis L, a collimator lens 52 having the optical axis L in common with the reflector 50 is fixedly disposed in front of the optical axis L of the reflector 50 with the focal point of the lens 52 substantially identical with a second focal point F2, and a shade 53 pivotally disposed at the position of the second focal point F2 and extending across the optical axis L can be driven or displaced by an actuator such as a motor 54 or the like, that is, the shade 53 can be turned (in a direction of an arrow A shown in FIG. 1) by means of the motor 54 so that the shade 53 corresponds to the angle of rotation of a steering wheel of an automobile. That is, by changing the cut-off position of the illuminating light by the shade 53, the light distribution pattern of the illuminating light is controlled so as to match the running direction of the automobile.
However, in the conventional variable light distribution type headlamp, due to the fact that the illuminating light of the headlamp is previously diffused so as to correspond to the angles of the headlamp when the headlamp is swung right and left and the illuminating light is cut off by the shade 53 to thereby obtain a necessary light pattern, the amount of the light to be cut off is large and the thermal efficiency is poor so that the amount of light of the bulb 51 serving as the light source must be large. As a result of this, not only there arise economical disadvantages due to the poor thermal efficiency and due to use of the large bulb 51, but also there is required a countermeasure on the heat storage of the headlamp.
Also, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, in addition to the problem of heat storage in the headlamp, since a drive mechanism serving as a drive mechanism portion of the shade 53 must be disposed within the headlamp, there arises a further problem in heat. Further, in the conventional structure, since the light is cut off by the shade 53 to thereby form an illuminating pattern, only the two-dimension change on the optical axis L of the shade 53 can be reflected on the pattern change, with the result that the light swung right or left provides a dazzling light against an oncoming automobile.
In addition, in the above-mentioned variable light distribution type headlamp, the illumination distribution of the illuminating light depends on the projection of the illumination distribution on the focal plane of the collimator lens, with the result that the illumination distribution of the illuminating light is influenced by the distribution condition of the light on the focal plane to be collected by the reflector. Therefore, in the structure of the above-mentioned variable light distribution type headlamp, when the optical arrangement of the collimator lens and shade is fixed, the shape of the cut-off line in the pattern of the illuminating light can be maintained however, if the optical arrangement of the reflector with respect to the shade is changed, then the illumination distribution of the cut-off line is caused to vary. In other words, if the reflector is displaced along the optical axis thereof, then the light collecting condition of the illuminating light is caused to vary. Also, if the reflector is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, then the illumination pattern is changed in the opposite direction.

Variable light distribution type headlamp


To perform a motion picture format conversion at high speed in a motion picture converting apparatus, the apparatus comprises: input device 101 for inputting a digital image signal constituted of blocks, each block being orthogonally transformed; a frame memory 102 for storing the digital image signal; block reading device 103 for reading the blocks or a macro block from the frame memory in response to a request; region dividing section controlling device 109 for sending a read request to the block reading device; component extracting device 104 for extracting a low-frequency component alone of the captured image signal; two low-resolution frame memories 105 for storing extracted information; motion detecting device 106 for detecting a motion in accordance with the information in the low-resolution frame memories; a region dividing section 113 including macro block classifying device 107 for labeling the macro block in response to a motion detection result by the motion detecting device and label storing device 114 for storing a label of the macro block; decoding device 110; an encoding section 111 for changing an encoding of the macro block in response to the label in the label storing device; and output device 112 for outward outputting the coded signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motion picture converting apparatus for a motion picture compression format conversion. More specifically, it relates to a motion picture converting apparatus which is intended to improve a speed of a motion picture format conversion by reducing an amount of operation for a motion vector detection.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, a digitization of a telecommunication technique has been advanced, and a plan is also in progress to digitize a current analog broadcasting system such as NTSC/PAL/SECAM. A new broadcasting service, which a digital technique is applied to, is a direct broadcasting by satellite for providing a multi-channel service, a ground wave broadcasting for a high definition television broadcasting (ATV: Advanced Television), a video on demand or the like. However, when such a motion picture is communicated by a digital signal, a common problem is a large amount of information. A motion picture image compression technique is essential in order to perform a real-time reproduction at a high frame rate and to suppress a traffic of a network.
In order to efficiently compress motion picture image data having a large amount of information, an approach for reducing redundancy by the use of a time-axis direction or a correlation in the time-axis direction is used. A typical approach is an MPEG (Motion Picture Image Coding Experts Group) system. This is discussed by ISO-IEC/JTC1/SC2/WG11 and is proposed as standards. In this system, adopted is a hybrid system of a combination of a motion compensating coding, a DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) coding and a variable length coding (VLC). A constitution of a typical MPEG coding apparatus is shown in FIG. 15. A current frame is input to a motion vector detecting section and a subtracter. In the motion vector detecting section, the current frame is divided into rectangular blocks. By calculating the correlation between each block and a previous frame previously held in a frame memory, a motion vector is detected for each block. A predicted image generated by shifting the previous frame from the location of the current frame block to the point which the motion vector indicates is then input to the subtracter. In the subtracter, a differential image between the current frame and the predicted image is calculated. The differential image is then discrete-cosine transformed and quantized by DCT means and quantizing means respectively. The data is variable-length coded by variable length coding means and is then output outward. At this time, the motion vector detected by the motion vector detecting section is also coded by motion information coding means and is then output outward together with the data. At the same time that the quantized data is input to the variable length coding means, it is also input to inverse quantizing means. The data is restored into the differential image via inverse DCT means. In an adder, the current frame predicted image and the differential image are added to each other, so that the current frame is reconstituted. The reconstituted frame is stored in the frame memory in preparation for the subsequent frame coding.
In such a series of coding processing, it takes much of time for the motion vector detecting section to perform an operation. A study has been heretofore undertaken to reduce or simplify this processing. However, since this reduction or simplification is adapted in an equivalent manner to all macro blocks, a motion vector detection precision is deteriorated. The motion vector is defined so that the processing unit thereof may be set to the macro block (16.times.16 pixels). The macro block is classified into three types (Intra: the block itself is used because of a large motion; Non-MC coded: a simple difference between frames is operated because of less motion; and MC coded: a normal motion compensation) in accordance with the motion vector thereof. Known is a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 4-181888 in which a block determining circuit is provided before the motion vector detecting section whereby the macro block is classified so that the processing is changed in response to a classifying result. However, when the motion is determined by this method, the block is compared to the block alone positioned in the macro block itself (corresponding to the motion vector 0) in the previous frame. The blocks are simply classified by whether or not there is motion. When a block is determination as having no motion, the motion detection is not performed for this block.
On the other hand, a digital VTR is one of important factors of a digital broadcasting communication technique as described above. An uncompressed digital VTR has been heretofore used as the digital VTR for a broadcasting station in the broadcasting station or the like. The digital VTR has an advantage in that it has a high quality and a deterioration is not noticeable during a dubbing. However, the digitization causes a problem in which recorded information is increased. Moreover, since the digital VTR is large-sized and expensive, it is less generally used. However, recently, advance in a band compression technique and improvement of recording density allow a small-sized/household digital VTR to be developed. A DVC (Digital Video Cassette) format standardized by HD digital VTR conference is used for this digital VTR. DVC data is characterized by the following manner. That is, the data is compressed in a spatial direction by the use of DCT, the data is then variable-length coded by Huffman coding. Although the DVC data has a large amount of information because of compression without the use of a time-direction correlation, it has the high quality and it is easily edited for each frame. Furthermore, since the DVC data is adapted so that it may be captured into a computer, it is expected that the DVC data is more frequently used in the future. In the system such as the video on demand for exchanging the motion picture image through the network, it is difficult to transmit/receive the DVC data at real time depending on a transmission performance of the network. In this case, the method, in which the motion picture image is stored as the DVC data and the data is converted into an image format such as MPEG when required, is effective in view of an effective use of a disk resource. Although a motion picture format conversion has been heretofore performed by the use of an exclusive hardware, it is desired that the motion picture format conversion is performed by the use of a software in consideration of an image quality, a cost, a flexibility toward various formats, a labor of implementing into a computer, a compatibility with the computer, an ease-to-distribute or the like.
However, there is a problem in which it takes a long processing time for the software to decode the DVC data and encode into MPEG at one time. In view of the above problem, it is an object of the present invention to reduce a load applied to a motion vector detection in MPEG encode and to improve a conversion speed of a motion picture conversion. As the prior-art motion vector detection processing, known is a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 4-181888 in which a block determining circuit is provided prior to the motion vector detection in the MPEG encode whereby a macro block is classified so that the processing is changed in response to a classifying result. However, this method involves the following problems:
1. A classifying by a block determining circuit is of two types alone (non-MC coded and others). Although macro blocks are classified into three types of blocks in MPEG, classification is not performed in connection with Intra where motion vector is not found in previous frames.
2. A determination of the block determining circuit as to whether or not the motion is detected is made in accordance with a simple difference between blocks, which causes the problem about detection precision of a motion vector whose length is 0.
As described above, since the classification of the macro block is insufficient and the classifying method is not effective, the problem remains about a less reduction of the processing and a deterioration of the motion vector detection precision.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A reaction arm for use with a torque generating device, the reaction arm including a reaction bar, and a body portion having a first internal diameter, and having formed on an internal surface thereof a female spline having a second internal diameter and a guide bushing having a third internal diameter, the first, second, and third internal diameter being distinctly sized.

Torque reaction devices and arms are designed to be used with torque generating devices or tools to transfer the reaction torque from the device or tool to the designated reaction point and to protect the operator from said reaction torque; overall they prevent rotation of the tool about itself. Typical reaction devices of the prior art are mounted on a small spline-like portion of the torque generating device. As a result, unwanted stress from the side load generated are applied to the torque generating device, causing slight deformation of the torque generating device which leads to great wear and reduction in performance of the torque generating device.
In some prior art devices, there is a distance between a point acting as a pivot point of the reaction arm and the point of reaction where the reaction force is applied. In such cases, an unwanted moment occurs between the reaction arm and torque generating device, when in use. This unwanted moment often creates an angular misalignment between the reaction arm and the torque generating device, which may in turn cause side forces which may actually slightly deform a portion of the torque generating device. Additionally, the unwanted moment and side forces waste energy which fails to go into operating the torque generating device and instead cause significant wear on the device.
There is thus a need in the art for a reaction arm which prevents annular misalignment between the reaction arm and the torque generating device and which directs all the energy generated by the device to the work area requiring the torque.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,322 to Van Bogaert et al discloses a wind turbine drive which is formed of a rotor with a rotor shaft and of a transmission box with a planetary gear unit. The transmission box is provided with a reaction arm which transmits a reaction torque around the rotary shaft from the transmission box to the nacelle so as to prevent the transmission box from turning along with the rotor shaft. It appears that this reference discloses a reaction arm preventing rotation of a transmission gear. However the reaction arm does not surround a significant part of the gear box.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,646,589 to Janson et al discloses a transmission latching mechanism including a component of a transmission gear-set. Two non-rotating housing components which surround a large part of the gear box comprise a reaction component. However, it appears that the reaction device in this case does not comprise a reaction arm per se, and does not prevent annular misalignment between the gear box and the reaction component.
U.S. Patent Application Publication 2013/0324344 to Pohl et al discloses continuously variable transmission devices and systems, including a torque governor comprising two reaction arms. The reaction arms assist the torque governor in adjusting the transmission speed ratio to maintain a constant operating torque. However, two reaction arms are required for operation of the disclosed device, and neither of the reaction arms engages a large portion of the device.

Reaction device for reducing stress on torque generating tools


A supercapacitor comprising a poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) as electrode couples for the capacitor and a pair of gel electrolyte layers disposed between the electrodes. The gel electrolytes are separated by a battery paper and are selected from a group consisting of a lithium salt and an organic electrolyte.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of electroactive polymer devices, and, in particular, to a dual conducting polymer charge storage devices/supercapacitors fabricated from poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) which operate as electrode couples.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electroactive polymer devices, in which the polymers store charge and are switched between redox states, have been the object of intense research over the past several years. As these polymers have the possibility of being switched between their neutral form, a p type doped oxidized form, and an n-type doped reduced form, a variety of electrode configurations are possible and highly desirable. This has been illustrated by the use of electroactive polymers in supercapacitors, rechargeable storage batteries, and electrochromic devices.
As a family of polymers, the poly(3,4-alkylenedioxythiophenes) (PXDOTs) have very useful redox switching properties due to their electron-rich character which yields very low switching potentials. The parent polymer of this family, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), has now been developed to the point of commercialization and is used as a stable conducting material in photographic film, tantalum capacitors, and feed through holes in printed circuit boards. In addition, poly(3)3,4-alkylenedioxythiophenes) switch rapidly and efficiently between their neutral and p-doped forms with a minimum of side reactions and long switching lifetimes. Accordingly, poly(3)3,4-alkylenedioxythiophenes) are being heavily investigated for a number of redox devices including electrochromic applications.
A key component in many electrochromic and other redox switching devices is the formulation of solvent-swollen polymer-supported electrolytes. These electrolytes generally consist of a high-boiling plasticizer, a high molecular weight polymer such as poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), and a lithium salt, such as lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Li-BTI). Although this formulation works well, the speed of electroactive switching device is often limited by the conductivity of the electrolyte formulation and the ability of the ions to move into and out of the electroactive polymer layers.
Since an increase in switching speed of these switching devices is highly desirable for many applications, new electrolyte formulations are needed. One such electrolyte formulation to be considered are the molten salts. Electrolytes using the 1-ethyl-3-methyl-1-H-imidazolium (EMI+) cation have shown promise as high speed switching devices. Because of its organic nature, the fact that the 1-ethyl-3-ethyl-1-H-imidazolium (EMI+) cation is less solvated than Li+, and the fact that the cation exhibits a relatively large electrochemical window, makes the cation an excellent candidate for use in gel electrolytes. Furthermore, EMI-BTI is stable up to 300° C., and has an electrochemical window of 4.3 Volts, both of which are highly desirable properties in electrolytes.
It has been suggested that ion-ion interactions in electrolytes provide the following results: (1) Na+ is in a highly complexing environment with AICI4−, while EMI+ is not; (2) salvation for Na+ is higher than EMI+ (Na+ even distorts the AICI4− anion to some extent); (3) EMI+ interacts only weakly with the PF6− anion; (4) dimethylpropylimidizolium cation complexes (via H-bonding) with the Cl− anion, but not with the larger AICI4− anion; (5) Li+ has a fairly high salvation energy, even approaching that of water; and (6) oxidative intercalation of the organic cation into graphite occurs at a potential that is negative of that predicted for Li+ intercalation. This latter fact might result from lower salvation energy of the organic cation and/or a more stable organic-graphite versus Li+— graphite complex.
Another possible explanation is that since Li+ is a small polarizing cation where as EMI+ is larger and less polarizing, weaker columbic interactions in the EMI+-based electrolytes are present leading to a higher mobility of EMI+. It has been reported that Li+ and other cations have a very strong complexing ability, as evidenced by density, molar volummes and thermal expansion coefficients data.
Not all the above are not direct measurements of salvation energy and columbic interaction differences. However, they do provide compelling evidence that the cations in room temperature liquid electrolytes are either not as solvated as alkali metal cations, or the columbic interactions in EMI+-based electrolytes are weaker. Both of these theories suggest that molten salt cations would tend to have higher mobilities. Accordingly, this suggests that devices constructed using room temperature ionic liquids as the supporting electrolyte would tend to switch more rapidly than devices with lithium as the supporting electrolyte.

Poly (3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene)-based capacitors using ionic liquids as supporting electrolytes

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


A flap-type rotary abrasive device comprising an annular array of abrasive leaves having smooth opposite side edges, and a method of fabricating the same. More particularly, a plurality of leaves of flexible material, each leaf having abrasive particles bonded to at least one face thereof, is arranged in an annular array having a central bore. End caps are provided to seal the central bore. Each end cap forms a centrally disposed aperture, the apertures orienting and making sealing contact with a holding spindle. The end cap outer edges form annular passageways around each of the side edge portions of the array adjacent to the bore, the passageways being connected by a plurality of connecting channels to the central bore. A predetermined amount of a settable securing material having a liquid and a solid state, such as epoxy, is injected while in a liquid state into the central bore of the array so that a portion of the injected material contacts the inner edges of the leaves and a portion is caused to flow between the leaf edges adjacent the annular passageways formed by the end caps. Upon setting or solidification, the securing material, in conjunction with the two end caps, provides a core in which the leaf inner edges are solidly and firmly secured, the leaves thereby being able to withstand the high centrifugal forces encountered during operation.

Flap-type rotary abrasive devices having annular arrays of flexible abrasive leaves are commonly used in the abrasive finishing art. Most conventional rotary abrasive devices consist of flexible leaves each comprising a piece of sheet material having abrasive particles bonded on one face thereof. Fabrication of such a rotary device conventionally requires that the abrasive leaves have two notches in their opposite side edges near the base end of each leaf. As the leaves are arranged in an annular array, the notches form concentric circular depressions on opposite sides of the array. Suitable circular reinforcement means such as two metallic end caps mounted on opposite sides of the array are provided, each end cap having an inwardly extending lip which engages the circular depressions thereby mechanically gripping the inner ends of the abrasive leaves. For further anchorage, a suitable adhesive is sometimes introduced into contact with the leaves at their base ends to bond them into a unitary core. Although a rotary abrasive device of the conventional configuration, performs suitably, its manufacture is rather expensive and requires two notches to be formed in each leaf prior to assembly, the forming of these notches being both time consuming and costly because they must be aligned properly with respect to each other and to receive accurate placement of the metal end caps.


The present invention relates to an indirect lighting apparatus using an LED, comprising: a case unit provided along the perimeter of the upper part of a wall surface, and having a light emitting opening on a side opposite to the wall surface; a substrate mounted with an LED and provided at the innermost side of the inner bottom surface of the case unit; a light distributing unit for distributing light to the ceiling through the light emitting opening by reflecting the light emitted from the LED; and a cover unit for covering the light emitting opening of the case unit. The present invention uses a simple structure so that the apparatus is fixedly provided on the wall surface, and can be used as main lighting or mood lighting by providing the distributed light capable of selectively illuminating the entire ceiling.

Lighting apparatuses using LEDs as light sources are being developed in consideration of problems of typical light source means, such as high power consumption, short lifetime, and the like. In the case where an LED is used as a light source, it is expected that, because the lifetime of a lighting apparatus is markedly increased compared to that of a typical light source, the amount of waste production is markedly reduced so that environmental contamination can be reduced, and it can contribute to energy conservation thanks to low power consumption.
However, the LED is a point type light source. Thus, to use the LED as a non-dazzling light source, it must have a structure that can realize a surface-emitting device. Typically, for indoor lighting, the lighting apparatus using the LED is installed on a ceiling.
Such lighting is called direct lighting. Indirect lighting refers to a method in which light is emitted onto a ceiling or wall surface and the reflected light is used for indoor lighting.
An example of a conventional indirect lighting apparatus using an LED was proposed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1015257 (registered on Feb. 9, 2011, and entitled "Lamp for indirect lighting apparatus using LED").
The lamp for an indirect lighting apparatus disclosed in Korean Patent Reg. No. 10-1015257 includes a main body having an arc-shaped cross-section, a PCB (printed circuit board) provided in the main body, a fixing bracket capable of adjusting the angle of the main body, and an adhesion member coming into surface contact with a sidewall of a connection frame which is embedded in a ceiling or wall.
That is, the connection frame is embedded in a portion of the wall or ceiling, and a bar-type LED lighting unit (main body) is supported by the fixing bracket fixed in the connection frame by the adhesion member.
However, the conventional indirect lighting apparatus is basically installed in such a way that it is embedded in the wall surface; therefore, it can be installed on only a certain portion of the wall surface. Thus, the conventional indirect lighting apparatus is used only when there is the need for mood lighting or low-luminance lighting in a room with a separate direct lighting apparatus.
In other words, the conventional indirect lighting apparatus must be installed separately from a main lighting apparatus. Accordingly, there is a problem in that the installation cost of a lighting system is increased. Given this, a lighting apparatus, configured such that a single lighting apparatus can be used not only for mood lighting but also for main lighting, is currently required.

Indirect LED lihting apparatus having a reflection configuration


A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin or hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises:. (i) a chemical inhibitor of glycosidase activity chosen from lactams having the structure: ##STR1## where A.sup.1 and A.sup.6 are --H, --CH.sub.3, ##STR2## --CH.sub.2 OT or ##STR3## A.sup.1 and A.sup.6 being the same or different, and at least one of which being the group: ##STR4## in a lactam ring; and where Q is --OT', --NHT' or a lactam linkage to A.sup.1 or A.sup.6 ; PA0 provided that: PA0 (ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle for the chemical inhibitor.. the Q groups being the same or different, and at least one of which is involved in a lactam linkage; PA1 and where T is the same or different and is chosen from --H, --C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1 or a metal ion, PA1 T' is --H or --COC.sub.p H.sub.2p+1, and PA1 p is an integer of from 1 to 22; PA1 where any of the Q groups is --OT' or --NHT', PA1 then that group or groups can be of either stereochemical configuration with respect to the plane of the ring; and. Certain novel lactams are also claimed.

The Hair Growth Cycle
It should be explained that in most mammals, hair does not grow continuously, but undergoes a cycle of activity involving alternate periods of growth and rest.
The initiation of a new anagen phase is revealed by rapid proliferation in the germ, expansion of the dermal papilla and elaboration of basement membrane components. The hair cycle is then repeated many times until, as a consequence of the onset of male pattern baldness, most of the hair follicles spend an increasing proportion of their time in the telogen stage, and the hairs produced become finer, shorter, and less visible; this is known as terminal to vellus transformation.

Lactams, their synthesis and use in cosmetic compositions


The present invention discloses a superpixel classification method based on semi-supervised K-SVD and multiscale sparse representation. The method includes carrying out semi-supervised K-SVD dictionary learning on the training samples of a hyperspectral image; using the training samples and the overcomplete dictionary as the input to obtain the multiscale sparse solution of superpixels; and using the obtained sparse representation coefficient matrix and overcomplete dictionary to obtain the result of superpixel classification by residual method and superpixel voting mechanism. The proposing of the present invention is of great significance to solving the problem of salt and pepper noise and the problem of high dimension and small samples in the field of hyperspectral image classification, as well as the problem of how to effectively use space information in classification algorithm based on sparse representation.

Over the years, remote sensing image classification has played an important role in many applications such as environmental damage assessment, crop growth regulation, land use monitoring, urban planning and reconnaissance. Compared with a single-band full-color image and a multispectral image, a Hyperspectral Image (HSI) can be used for detecting and distinguishing objects with higher accuracy because HSI has higher spectral resolution.
In a hyperspectral image, the spectral data of each pixel is a high-dimensional vector, and hundreds of data dimensions represent the spectral response of hundreds of bands. Hyperspectral image classification is mainly to classify each pixel based on spectral information. To achieve this goal, many pixel-level classifiers have been developed, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), support vector condition stochastic classifier, neural network, etc. Although these classifiers can make full use of the spectral information of HSI, they have not taken into account the spatial context, so noise often appears in the classification results. To solve this problem, and as a result that the pixels in a local area usually represent the same material and have similar spectral characteristics, many methods to obtain classification effect by integrating the information of near space have been developed. However, due to the lack of understanding of the near area, some risks exist in this kind of rough near area selection. Therefore, object-level classification appeared later. Although ground objects are presegmented in object-level classification, the classification effect is not ideal due to the existence of the problem of undersegmentation.
Inspired by the sparse coding mechanism of human visual system, Bruckstein first proposed the concept of sparse representation. In the field of hyperspectral image classification, the research of sparse representation is mainly focused on the acquisition of overcomplete dictionary and sparse solution:
In the field of sparse representation, the completeness of the sparse representation of the original signal is guaranteed by the overcomplete dictionary. The acquisition methods of the overcomplete dictionary are mainly divided into two types: methods based on mathematical models and methods based on training samples, wherein a dictionary acquisition method based on training samples inherently contains rich original signal characteristics, and direct splicing of the original signal is the most classical overcomplete dictionary based on training samples. However, due to the randomness of training samples and the rigidity of the dictionary, the completeness of the dictionary cannot be verified or improved. Therefore, dictionary learning methods have been proposed, among which, K-SVD dictionary learning method aims to minimize signal reconstruction errors, and dictionary update and sparse coding are carried out alternately through Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). Although the K-SVD method has strong universality and popularity, it has not emphasized the characteristics between different classes in the process of classification application.
For the researches on solving the sparse representation of the original signal, the most classic ones are Matching Pursuit (MP) and Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP). In MP and OMP, the solution of sparse representation is based on a signal (pixel) and the influence of spatial context is not considered. Based on this, Joint Sparse Model (JSM) and Synchronous Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (SOMP) appeared subsequently. However, many problems in the selection of near space still exists in these two algorithms: on one hand, the shape of the near space is rectangular, the ground objects in the rectangular window are unknown, and the ground objects in the rectangular window are assumed to be unified in the algorithms, so this assumption becomes very dangerous when the scale is large; on the other hand, the scale of the near space area is single and needs to be set in advance, and different application environments have different optimal scales, so it is very difficult to configure this scale.
Therefore, how to provide a superpixel classification method based on semi-supervised K-SVD and multiscale sparse representation is an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art.

Superpixel classification method based on semi-supervised K-SVD and multiscale sparse representation