Measured EER and COP are affected by the load under which an air conditioning, refrigeration or heating system is running; the load is a function of the evaporating and condensing temperatures. The invention makes adjustments for the purpose of maximizing measured EER and COP in a feedback loop utilized to optimize cooling or heating capacity relative to power consumed. The maximum EER is continuously achieved by incrementally adjusting each operating parameter to realize an incremental increase in EER, even as conditions such as ambient temperature are changing.

The thermodynamic method used in nearly all air conditioners, refrigerators and heat pumps is the vapor compression cycle also called the refrigeration cycle. The basic cycle uses four primary components: a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator; some systems may use additional components such as a receiver, additional heat exchangers, two or more compressors, and/or an accumulator and other specialized components such as a liquid-vapor separator or a vortex separator and/or a surge tank or refrigerant reservoir or vessel. The four primary components are piped in series to form a closed loop system that carries out the changes in temperature, pressure and state of the working fluid refrigerant that form the basic vapor compression cycle. Furthermore, within air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pumps outside of the refrigeration cycle there are typically ancillary components that move the desired heat transfer medium, such as the blowing of air or of flowing of water that is to be cooled or heated, across the primary heat exchangers being the condenser coil and the evaporator coil. In addition there is typically a control circuit that energizes and de-energizes the driven components including the compressor and such as fan motors, pump motors, damper actuators, and valves accordingly to meet a desired temperature, ventilation and/or humidity or other set points and operating parameters.
The present invention makes adjustments to an air conditioning, refrigerating or heating system for the purpose of maximizing measured EER, COP and/or IEER in a feedback loop utilized to optimize cooling or heating capacity relative to power consumed. The efficiency of vapor compression cycles is numerically described by an energy efficiency ratio (EER) and/or a coefficient of performance (COP). The EER generally refers to the air conditioning, refrigerating or heating system and is the ratio of the heat absorbed by the evaporator cooling coil over the input power to the equipment, or conversely for heat pumps, the rate of heat rejected by the condenser heating coil over the input power to the equipment. EER is defined as the ratio of cooling or heating provided to electric power consumed, in units of Btu/hr per Watt. EER varies greatly with cooling load, refrigerant level and airflow, among other factors. The COP generally refers to the thermodynamic cycle and is defined as the ratio of the heat absorption rate from the evaporator over the rate of input work provided to the cycle, or conversely for heat pumps, the rate of heat rejection by the condenser over the rate of input work provided to the cycle. COP is a unitless numerical ratio. In addition, there is a standard weighted average of EER at four conditions known as the integrated energy efficiency ratio (IEER), which relates to an estimation of the energy efficiency over conditions experienced during a cooling season. Also, there is the seasonal energy efficiency ration (SEER) that is used instead of the IEER for smaller air conditioning units. Either effect of lowering capacity or increasing power manifest in reduced energy efficiency and a reduced EER, COP and IEER while making adjustments to increase capacity without increasing power, or reducing power without decreasing capacity, or both increasing capacity and reducing power will manifest in an increased EER, COP and IEER.
The actual operating EER or COP is key to maximizing efficiency, because it provides an absolute, realistic and continuous assessment of operational efficiency with feedback so a harmonized adjustment of operating parameters can be conducted. Measuring the EER, COP and IEER of systems based on the vapor compression cycle is difficult, more so while operating in a field environment rather than a test laboratory. An accurate heat absorption or heat rejection measurement for these systems is quite complex and requires measurement of the mass flow rate of fluid through the heat exchanger along with enthalpies entering and leaving the heat exchanger; a detailed description of EER and COP measurement is provided for a related invention that is disclosed separately.
The measured EER and COP are affected by the load under which the air conditioning, refrigeration or heating system is running; the load is a function of the evaporating and condensing temperatures. An increase in evaporating temperature will raise the measured EER and COP, as will a decrease in condensing temperature; as can be predicted by the thermodynamic cycle parameters. Likewise, lower evaporating temperature will reduce the measured EER and COP, as will higher condensing temperature.
The prior art does not make adjustments to the operating parameters or the components of the air-conditioning, refrigeration or heat pump system according to the measured EER or COP, neither to increase the evaporating temperature or decrease the condensing temperature, nor to adjust other parameters that effect the refrigerant subcooling or superheat, or the refrigerant composition in the case of systems using mixtures of two or more refrigerants, or of the refrigerant mass flow rate, or the refrigerant pressures, to maximize the EER or COP. An energy management system for refrigeration systems by Cantley (U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,223) relies on inference of energy efficiency rather than a direct measurement; the inference is based on relative comparison of compressor power data and other system parameters stored in memory; and the system does not make control adjustments according to the system energy efficiency ratio, rather it controls evaporative cooling. An invention by Spethmann (U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,559) applies to chilled water systems rather than direct expansion (DX) systems; and simply balances the trade-off between colder chilled water versus faster fan airflow using ratio relays. A method by Enstrom (U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,470) also applies only to chilled water systems; the described method for performance control of heat pumps and refrigeration equipment depends on the chilled water temperature and does not mention refrigerant temperature or pressure measurements. The purpose of an invention by Bahel, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,834) is diagnostics and fault correction, rather than energy efficiency optimization; and only the fan speed and thermostatic expansion valve are controlled based on relative comparison of two temperatures and the thermal load calculated via a thermostat. Two patents by Cho, et. Al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,108) disclose methods for separating components of refrigerant mixtures to increase energy efficiency or capacity, however, energy efficiency ratio is neither measured nor is it a basis for adjustments. Chen, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,413) discloses control of a refrigeration system to optimize coefficient of performance, yet there is no detailed description of how COP is calculated. Adjustment is carried out to achieve a reference COP stored in memory rather than being an optimization process. Also, the primary application of Chen, et al. is transcritical systems using carbon dioxide refrigerant; an embodiment for measurement of the refrigerant flow rate is not described; and only water flow rate and the expansion valve are adjusted. Automatic refrigerant charge adjustment methods by Kang, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,557), Murakami, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,348), and McMasters, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,272,227) simply adjust charge to match published charging tables or reference temperature or pressure values, which are not optimized values, rather they are non-optimal compromise values that work under a wide range of operating conditions and load.

Optimizing energy efficiency ratio feedback control for direct expansion air-conditioners and heat pumps


It is intended to automatically correct for ignition timing of the engine and fuel injection timing of the engine even if they changed in the case where the attached position of a cam angle sensor is offset after change of distributors and therefore the reference angle is offset. The crank angle and the cam angle of an engine are detected. The phase difference between these angles is computed. The result is reflected in the ignition timing and the fuel injection timing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an engine control apparatus that controls the ignition timing and the fuel injection timing of an engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional engine control apparatus detects the angle of revolution of the camshaft which makes a 1/2 revolution with relation to one revolution of the crankshaft of the engine, by a signal from a cam angle sensor attached within the distributor. From the angle of revolution of the camshaft (cam angle), predetermined angles before top dead center (TDC) of the crankshaft angle (e.g., BTDC 75.degree. and BTDC 5.degree.) are obtained indirectly as reference angles, and based on the reference angles, the ignition control of the engine is performed and the injection control of the fuel is performed.
In such an engine control apparatus, when the attached position of the cam angle sensor is offset due to removal of the distributor for example, reference angle adjustment is performed as a state of fixed ignition timing regardless of the operating state of the engine by moving the distributor to adjust the attached position of the cam angle sensor by a person, as is disclosed for example in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-308947.


A fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber such as a microstructured bend performance optical fiber disposed within a protective covering. The protective covering is highly flexible and the fiber optic cable has extremely low delta attenuation when aggressively bent compared with the conventional fiber optic cable designs. By way of example, the delta attenuation of one fiber optic cable design is about 0.33 dB or less when wrapped 3 turns about a 7.5 millimeter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers. Other variations of the present invention include a connector attached to the fiber optic cable.

Along with the increase in the deployment of "Fiber-to-the-Premises" (FTTP) optical networks, a need has arisen for increasing the performance, manageability, handleability and flexibility of fiber optic cables, cable assemblies and network components in general. With respect to outdoor installation environments, cables, cable assemblies and other network components are being developed that are more easily interconnected and installed within their environment, such as within aerial installation environments or through small diameter conduit. With respect to indoor environments and multi-dwelling units, cables, cable assemblies, connection terminals and other network components are being developed to improve installation aesthetics and handle the interconnection of an increasing number of subscribers. Within both environments, it would be desirable to develop components that perform better, are more flexible to installation stresses and are more robust and long lasting, thus saving time and costs.
Conventional cables, cable assemblies, fiber optic hardware and other network components typically define structure that accommodates, and is in part, limited by the physical characteristics of the optical fibers contained therein. In other words, it is oftentimes the case that the physical and performance limitations of the optical fibers partly define assembly structure and processes associated with manufacturing said assemblies. Thus, optical fibers are one limiting factor in the evolution of fiber optic networks.
Accordingly, what is desired are fiber optic cables and jumper assemblies that include bend performance optical fiber having improved bending performance characteristics over conventional cables and assemblies. It would be desirable to provide cables and jumper assemblies capable of being significantly bent or wrapped, either stand-alone or around network structure, without suffering appreciable loss. Such cables and assemblies including bend performance fiber would be more accepting of handling without damage.

Fiber optic cables and assemblies and the performance thereof


There is provided a low profile valve assembly for controlling flow of air and the like. The valve assembly includes a housing defining inlet and outlet ports and a valve operator located within the housing. The operator includes a body portion seated in the housing with an axis of rotation and defining an internal passage with inlet and outlet ends. An actuator rotates the body portion a first predetermined distance to a fill position to allow flow through the internal passage and a second predetermined distance opposite the first direction to a vent position to allow flow to vent from the valve assembly through the outlet end. A spring extends from the valve operator adjacent the body portion between the axis of rotation and the valve housing. The spring extends partially about the axis of rotation to bias the body portion to an off position to substantially prohibit flow through the valve operator when the body portion is not being actuated to the fill and vent positions. The spring operates substantially within an internal space in the operator about the axis of rotation. The valve assembly includes an orifice to reduce volume flow through the valve assembly and an exhaust passage portion to reduce flow pressure between the inlet and outlet ends.

As flow control devices, valves are commonly employed to regulate the flow of gases in a variety of machinery systems. One such application is to control the flow of air to adjust a lumbar support system found in seating systems in tractor trailer trucks. These lumbar systems typically include bladders that are inflated and deflated to adjust the lumbar support. For use in trucks of this nature, it is important that the valve be capable of performing as a high/low pressure valve to reduce the truck's supply pressure so as not to damage the bladder of the lumbar support during inflation. The operating air system of a truck of this nature is typically running in the range of 90 to 120 psi, and a conventional bladder has a maximum operating pressure of about 15 psi. Thus, it is necessary to significantly reduce the truck's pressure supply for use in the lumbar support of the seating system.
Further, valves used in seating systems must be reliable and durable enough to withstand heavy and repeated use. Therefore, for a valve to last at least five years, it must be durable enough to operate for many thousands of actuations.
Furthermore, these valves must be relatively compact for incorporation in the limited space allocated to seating systems. For instance, in a truck seating system, the control valve is typically located along the side of the seat below seating surface. Thus, the valve must be sufficiently compact in order to be effectively mounted for convenient operation at this location.
Moreover, in addition to these necessary functional and size requirements, cost is of significant consideration in vehicle seating design and manufacturing. It is important that the cost of each component of the seating support system be considered closely. As a consequence, the desired valve design would incorporate as few parts as necessary, while still meeting the durability levels and being cost effective to assemble and manufacture.
Slide valves are a common type of air valve being used to control the lumbar support of truck seating systems. A typical slide valve includes a slide mounted for linear movement in a valve body, and during operation, the passenger shifts the slide manually in one direction to allow air to flow through the valve to inflate the bladder and in an opposite direction to allow the air to flow to deflate the bladder. The slide is naturally biased to an off position to retain the latest setting for the lumbar support bladder. Typically, a coil type spring is used to provide the biasing force to automatically shift the slide linearly to the off position between the fill and vent position. An advantage of being biased automatically to the off position is that the operator does not have to consciously shut off the valve, which, consequently, precludes the accidental introduction and release of air as a result of a failure to shut off the valve. Examples of slide valves are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,178, issued to Gabrlik et al., on Sep. 5, 1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,951, issued to Green et al., on Jun. 25, 1985.
Rotary valves are another type of valve commonly employed for controlling air flow. A typical rotary valve assembly includes a valve disk mounted for rotation in a valve body. The disk includes a number of passages and rotates in the valve body to interconnect the passages to control air flow through the valve assembly. An example of a rotary valve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,592, issued to Felmlee, on May 13, 1969, which discloses a spring for biasing a sealing arrangement between the stacked components, and not for biasing rotation.
A known shortcoming found with both the slide and rotary valves is the tendency to be relatively expensive to manufacture and assemble. This is due, in part, to the inclusion of a relatively significant number of independent, delicate components, including spring arrangements where the spring requires its own operating space adjacent the valve operator and preloading during assembly. Further, this renders the valve assembly bulky. Moreover, it has been found that these intricate valve designs are significantly more susceptible to failure, such as spring fatigue, and requiring repair or replacement.
Thus, the present invention is directed to providing a valve assembly which is less expensive to manufacture and that has a compact design with a more integral spring design that is durable and reliable in heavy use situations, such as tractor trailer truck seating systems.


The semipermeable membrane of polysulfone resin is formed of a continuous structure of a homogeneous skin layer part having an average thickness of 5 to 1000 nm and a porous layer which is made of the same material as that of the homogeneous skin layer and is thicker than the homogeneous skin layer, and the porous layer is formed of a structure having voids having an average pore diameter less than 3 .mu.m. Therefore, a gas separation membrane that has high permeation flux and requires practically satisfactory cost can be provided. Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether was added to polysulfone for dissolution, and the resultant solution was defoamed for preparation. The solution was cast on a support layer of polyester non-woven fabric using an applicator, dipped in water as a solidifying liquid, and dried. As a result, a semipermeable membrane comprising a homogeneous skin layer part and a porous layer is obtained. A crosslinking silicone resin solution may be applied to the surface of the membrane to form a protective film.

The present invention relates to a polysulfone semipermeable membrane that has a specific membrane structure and a method of manufacturing the same by a wet phase conversion method using a specific solvent. More particularly, the invention relates to a membrane for gas separation, especially a polysulfone semipermeable membrane used for separating and concentrating specific components such as hydrogen, methane, carbonic acid gas, oxygen, nitrogen, steam, and acid gas from industrial mixed gases, or used for water processing, etc., and a method of manufacturing the same.
Polysulfone and a derivative thereof, etc. have been known as separation membrane materials that are inexpensive, chemically stable, and excellent in various properties such as mechanical strength and resistance. Such materials also have been examined in various fields of the separation membranes. Examples of the materials are disclosed in Laid-open Japanese Patent Application No. (Tokkai hei) 3-196824, Laid-open Japanese Patent Application No. (Tokkai hei) 3-72927, Laid-open Japanese Patent Application No. (Tokkai hei) 3-154625, Laid-open Japanese Patent Application No. (Tokkai hei) 1-81823, Laid-open Japanese Patent Application No. (Tokkai hei) 1-58324, U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,169, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,448.
Furthermore, considering a separation membrane having practical mechanical strength, a method of manufacturing a thin film or an asymmetric membrane has been examined. Examples of methods of manufacturing a thin film of polysulfone resin include methods of coating to a porous support membrane disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,678, U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,893, etc., and methods of manufacturing an asymmetric membrane disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,441, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 40, 1557 (1990), J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 40, 1575 (1990), J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 41, 713 (1990), etc. However, when polymers having a high performance separation factor are formed on a suitable porous support membrane as a thin film, the thickness of the thin film should be desirably 0.1 .mu.m or less so as to increase the permeation speed of gas to a practical level. Manufacturing such a thin film industrially results in complicated manufacturing processes, low yield, and high cost, and therefore it is not suitable for industrial practice. While sputtering etching (Laid-open Japanese Patent Application No. (Tokkai-sho) 57-140608) and a method of manufacturing an asymmetric membrane are also described in the above literature, it was difficult to industrially manufacture a membrane having a required thickness of 0.1 .mu.m or less without a pinhole. U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,405 discloses a method in which the thickness of a homogeneous membrane of aromatic polyimide containing fluorine is controlled to 400 angstrom (40 nm) or less, which is a required thickness of 0.1 .mu.m or less, by a method of spreading on a water surface (Langmuir-Blodgett). However, manufacturing such a membrane industrially was difficult.
In the above conventional methods, when manufacturing a semipermeable membrane practically and industrially using an inexpensive polysulfone resin to perform efficient separation operation, the above problems arose. Therefore it was difficult to obtain a satisfactory membrane structure, especially a gas separation membrane structure. Particularly, for a composite membrane, a thin film is formed on a porous support membrane, so that the dynamic strength at the interface is not enough. Therefore, in order to form a thin film without a defect which has gas separation function, filling in the pores of the porous support membrane, the thickness must be thick. For an asymmetric membrane, the membrane is integrally formed of a skin layer and a porous layer, so that no separation occurs at the interface, and the dynamic strength is enough. However, it was difficult to industrially form a skin layer without a defect which has gas separation function and has a thickness of 100 nm or less.
In order to solve the conventional problems as mentioned above, the present invention provides a polysulfone semipermeable membrane in which a gas separation membrane that has high permeation flux and can be produced for a satisfactory cost is formed by a more simple method. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the same.

Polysulfone semipermeable membrane and method of manufacturing the same


Butterfly-type wringer mops each include a mop handle having an elongated direction, a receiver immovably coupled to one longitudinal end of the handle and a mop head pivotally attached to the receiver The mop head includes a central member pivotally mounted to the receiver. First and second paddles are pivotally coupled with opposing lateral sides of the central member. The central member and paddles can receive and support an elongated absorbent element. The mop further includes a wringer having one end pivotally coupled to one of the receiver and the central member so as to pivot between a retracted position and an extended position. The wringer includes a pair of spaced apart arms which deflect the paddles from initial positions generally coplanar with one another and transverse to the elongated direction of the mop handle to rotated positions generally side by side parallel to one another as the wringer moves between retracted and extended positions. The mop head can be pivoted on the receiver at least 45 degrees and preferably at least about 90 degrees or more from an initial position in which the elongated direction of the mop head is at least generally perpendicular to the elongated direction of the mop handle, so as to be parallel or at least more closely parallel with the elongated direction of the mop handle. The mop head can be pivoted in different ways. An upper portion of the central member of the head can be formed into a handle to be directly grasped or formed into an arm coupled by a rigid link to a lever pivotally mounted on the mop handle or provided with gear teeth engaged by teeth on the end of a shaft on or in the mop handle. Also the wringer can be used as a handle. An absorbent element that can be used on the mops has at least one and may have two tapered longitudinal tips, which may be of different material(s) from the main body of the element.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,791 discloses a roller-type wringer floor mop with a pivoting head. This type of mop is normally symmetric with the handle positioned exactly perpendicular to the head. That is, the elongated central axes of the handle and of a sponge element on the head together generally define a single plane that divides both the head and the handle in half along their long dimensions. The elongated sponge element has a curved outer surface to provide a continuous contact surface when either side of the mop handle and head are pitched or inclined towards the user while being used. The mop handle is also pivotally mounted to the mop head so that the handle may be tilted from its original position exactly perpendicular to the mop head towards one of the long ends of the mop head so that the handle is inclined in the long direction of the head. This enables the user to more easily maneuver the head into narrow places.
Another type of wringer mop is known as the "butterfly" type. A butterfly-type mop normally includes an elongated handle fixedly attached to a central bracket member of the mop head. The central bracket member pivotally supports a pair of paddles on its opposing lateral sides. Collectively the central bracket member and the paddles mount and support an elongated sponge element. The elongated direction of the sponge element is generally perpendicular to the elongated direction of the mop handle. However, unlike the roller-type wringer mop, the sponge element of a butterfly-type wringer mop is generally square and flat and the handle extends from the head at an angle to the flat bottom of the sponge element and plane of the mop head to enable the full bottom surface of the sponge element to contact a floor surface with the handle of the mop pitched toward the mop user.
Butterfly-type mops are often equipped with a wringer in the form of a bent wire member having a pair of arms. Ends of the arms are pivotally attached to either side of the central bracket member in positions where, when the wringer is pivoted down, the arms ride over and cam the paddles down from their normal, generally coplanar positions to deflected, generally side-by-side parallel positions with the sponge element folded over between them. The wringer is typically operated by a collar which is slidably mounted on the mop handle and a link having one end pivotally coupled with the slide collar and a remaining end pivotally coupled with the wringer.
The utility of a butterfly-type wringer mops could be substantially increased if the head were made to pivot so that the handle lies in a common plane with the elongated direction of the head in the same way that the aforementioned roller-type wringer mop can be configured. However, differences in construction and operation preclude butterfly-type wringer mops from being able to use the construction of the aforesaid roller-type wringer mop with tilting handle.


Disclosed is a heat-shrinkable polyester film having a heat shrinkage initiation temperature of 60° C. or lower, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 77° C. or lower and a heat shrinkage rate of 2% or more at 60° C. which has relatively low glass transition temperature and heat shrinkage initiation temperature, and thus can be useful as a label for a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) container and the like.

Various types of labels are currently used to display names and information about contents on a glass bottle, a plastic bottle, and the like. Conventionally, paper labels, each of which is attached to an object by an adhesive, have been used. Recently, however, full wrapping labels are used in order to print a variety of contents or display a lot of information. For this reason, heat-shrinkable films have attracted considerable attention.
A heat-shrinkable film is referred to as a film which is contracted to an original state at a predetermined temperature or more after being stretched and oriented, and is used in packaging various shapes of containers.
A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) container is generally used for household supplies (e.g., shampoo, lotion, etc.), and is characterized in that it has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than those of other materials, and it starts to expand at 50° C. Owing to such characteristics of HDPE, when a conventional heat-shrinkable polyester film that starts to expand at 70° C. is used, the HDPE container starts to expand before the heat-shrinkable polyester film is contracted. As a result, this heat-shrinkable polyester film is labeled on the expanded HDPE container. However, when the temperature of the HDPE container labeled with the heat-shrinkable polyester film drops down to room temperature, the HDPE container contracts back to its original size, the film becomes loose, resulting in lose adhesivity of the heat-shrinkable polyester film to the HDPE container.
Therefore, it is required to develop a novel heat-shrinkable polyester film having excellent adhesivity when applied to a HDPE container.


The robot comprises: —a controller (C), including power modules (22) for supplying the motors (10) of the arm (A) of the robot (R), a CPU unit (26), for calculation and processing and connection means (52, B), between the arm (A), the power modules (22) and the CPU unit (26). The connection means (52, B) comprise a single functional bus (B) which connects a control unit (30), associated with the CPU unit (26), firstly to the power modules (22) and, also, to the digital interfaces (14) with the sensors (12) of the arms (A). Said interfaces (14) are either integrated with the arm (A) or located in the immediate vicinity thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a multi-axis robot provided with a control system.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
It is known that multi-axis robots can be controlled by supplying their electric motors with control signals generated from a calculation and processing unit in which the path of the robot is determined. For the path computation to be effective, to have the abovementioned unit work in closed loop mode, by using feedback signals originating from position sensors carried by the arm of the robot, is known, for example from U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,847. In the known robots, a large number of cables must be installed between the arm and its control unit, which leads to long connection and wiring times and not inconsiderable risks of error resulting in complex and costly debugging operations.
The use of an optical fiber bus to connect a digital controller to amplifiers each linked to an encoder by a conventional line is known from EP-A-0 777 167. These links between the amplifiers and the coders make the job of installing these devices lengthy and complicated.
Moreover, JP-A-10 178 437 provides for encoders to be linked by a bus to an external computer, independently of the power part of the installation.
It is these drawbacks that the invention seeks in particular to remedy by proposing a novel architecture for a robot provided with a control system which simplifies the production of the controller, on the one hand, and of the arm, on the other hand, and the installation of this robot in its place of use. The invention also seeks to improve the quality and speed of transfer of the control and feedback signals.

Multi-axis robot provided with a control system


A system for conveying a radio frequency (RF) signal from a base station to a detached integrated circuit (IC) has an intermediate resonant circuit and an IC. The intermediate resonant circuit is configured to resonate in response to the RF signal from the base station, reproducing the RF signal. The IC has an integral resonant circuit configured to resonate in response to the reproduced RF signal. The IC and the intermediate resonant circuit are affixed proximate each other. Both are separate from the base station and each other. Either or both of the intermediate resonant circuit and the integral resonant circuit may contact a high magnetic permeability layer. The intermediate resonant circuit may be formed of conductive ink.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponders (tags) are generally used in conjunction with an RFID base station, typically in applications such as inventory control, security, access cards, and personal identification. The base station transmits a carrier signal that powers circuitry in the RFID tag when it is brought within a read range of the base station. Data communication between the tag and the station is achieved by modulating the amplitude of the carrier signal with a binary data pattern, usually amplitude shift keying. To that end, RFID tags are typically integrated circuits that include, among other components, antenna elements for coupling the radiated field, rectifiers to convert the AC carrier signal to DC power, and demodulators to extract the data pattern from the envelope of the carrier signal.
If fabricated at sufficiently low cost, RFID tags can also be useful in cost-sensitive applications such as product pricing, baggage tracking, parcel tracking, asset identification, authentication of paper money, and animal identification, to mention just a few examples. RFID tags could provide significant advantages over systems conventionally used for such applications, such as bar code identification systems. For example, a basket full of items marked with RFID tags could be read rapidly without having to handle each item, whereas they would have to be handled individually when using a bar code system. Other advantages of RFID tags over bar codes include higher read speed, less susceptibility to problems such as dirt obscuring a portion of the code, no requirement of exact alignment with the label, and no requirement of line of sight. Unlike bar codes, RFID tags provide the ability to update information on the tag. Nevertheless, conventional RFID technology is too expensive for dominant use in such applications.
RFID tags may be active or passive. While active RFID tags contain their own power source, passive RFID tags obtain their power from an RF field radiated by the base station. Passive RFID tags are substantially less expensive than active RFID tags, making passive RFID tags a good choice for low cost applications. However, passive field powered RFID tags require at least an order of magnitude more power in the interrogation signal from the base station than an active RFID tag.
Even conventional passive RFID tags are too expensive for dominant use in applications dominated by bar codes today. A major factor driving up fabrication costs of RFID tags is the size of the silicon integrated circuit that makes up the tag. Passive RFID tags generally have an external antenna element for coupling the radiated field. Conventionally, the external antenna element is physically bonded to the RFID tag. Conventional RFID tags require at least two pads large enough to bond wire for the attachment of the external antenna coil. Since RFID tag chips are generally relatively small compared to the size of a bond pad, these bond pads consume a significant percentage of the integrated circuit area of a conventional RFID tag.
One prior solution for reducing the number of bond pads on a passive RFID tag chip includes a thin film antenna included on the integrated circuit. This method eliminates the need for the bonding pads, thereby decreasing the silicon surface area and consequently the fabrication cost. Eliminating the wire bonding process further reduces fabrication costs. However, since such integrated antennas are form-factor constrained and are necessarily small, the coupling efficiency to the radiated field substantially reduced in RFID tags with an internal antenna. Consequently, this method often results in exceedingly short operating read distances from the base station.
Increasing the transmitted power of the field radiated by the base station can increase the operating read distance. However, maximum levels permissible are limited by government regulation.

Integrated circuit with enhanced coupling


A method performed by a network node in a communication network is disclosed for controlling connectivity of a radio resource unit (RRU) to a baseband unit (BBU) in the communications network. The communication network comprises a plurality of RRUs and a plurality of BBUs, each RRU being connected to a BBU via a distribution network. The method comprises receiving information indicating that a connection of a first RRU to a first BBU is to be controlled and triggering a user equipment (UE) connected to the first RRU to perform measurements on signals from neighboring RRUs and to send a report of the performed measurements to the communications network. The method further comprises receiving the report of the performed measurements, and selecting a BBU, out of the plurality of BBUs, to which the first RRU is to be connected, based on the report of performed measurements and on information regarding to which of the plurality of BBUs the neighboring RRUs are connected.

A radio base station (RBS) of a communication network comprises antenna, radio frequency (RF) units for analogue to digital conversion of signals received at the antenna and for digital to analogue conversion of signals to be transmitted from the antenna, frequency conversion units, base band (BB) signal processing units etc. Historically, the RF units, frequency conversion units and BB signal processing units are placed physically together, but divided from the antenna. For a macro RBS, for example, the antenna may be placed on the roof of a building, for transmitted signals to be able to reach rather far away, and the rest of the RBS, e.g. RF units, frequency conversion units and BB signal processing units, may be placed in the basement. For leading analogue signals received at the antenna, and analogue signals to be transmitted from the antenna between the antenna and the rest of the RBS, rather expensive coaxial cables are needed. If, for example, cheaper twisted-pair wires are used, there is a risk that the signal will be degraded. This means that the distance between the antenna and the rest of the RBS cannot be especially long.
In more recent development, the RBS has been divided into a radio resource unit (RRU) and a base band unit (BBU), wherein the RRU comprises the RF units and the BBU comprises BB signal processing units. The RRU could be made rather small and is therefore placed together with the antenna. The BBU could be placed in a central station, such as in a basement of a building. Since signals between the RRU and the BBU can be sent digitally, transmission lines such as twisted-pair copper cables or optical fibers can be used, with techno-economic gains compared to heavy and expensive coaxial cables. This also means that there can be a longer distance between the RRU and the BBU, 10's of km, and therefore many BBUs can be placed together in fewer spots, with potential site simplifications for operators.
Especially, in dense urban areas, a larger amount of small cell RRUs need to be deployed as well as macro cell RRUs. An economically advantageous solution is then to concentrate the BBUs even more to hub sites. The hub sites then have a number of BBUs that can serve a larger number of RRUs. Normally one BBU serves more than one RRU. The concentration of BBUs in a hub site can vary, a hub site serving anything from a dozen to hundred of RRUs, or even thousands of RRUs, as suggested in the Chine Mobile concept of a centralized Radio Access Network (RAN) solution. In order to be able to connect such a large amount of RRUs to BBUs, and not the least, to achieve a scalable solution, i.e. such that it is possible to dynamically add or delete RRUs to the network, a distribution network is suggested between the RRUs and the BBUs. The distribution network may be an optical distribution network (ODN). For an architecture wherein RRUs are connected to BBUs via a distribution network, it is necessary to control connectivity of RRUs to BBUs, or connections between RRUs and BBUs.

Network node and method performed by a network node for controlling connectivity of a radio resource unit to a base band unit


A snap on wheel cover that includes a plurality of finger elements that cooperate with a locking ridge on lug nuts that are used to secure a wheel onto a vehicle hub. The plurality of finger elements include first finger elements that engage a first surface of the locking ridges of the lug nuts when the wheel cover attached to the wheel and second finger elements that engage and apply a biasing force to a second opposite surface of the lug nuts when the wheel cover attached to the wheel. Third finger elements can also be provided which are configured to be deflected inward when contacted by either the first or second side of the locking ridges of the lug nuts.

It is known to provide and attach wheel ornamentations such as wheel caps and wheel covers on the wheels of vehicles in order to enhance the overall appearance of vehicle wheels and wheel assemblies. Wheel ornamentations are less expensive to manufacture than one-piece wheels. In addition, wheel ornamentations provide various types of appearances and styling variations, all of which may be combined with a single wheel design.
It is also known to manufacture the wheel ornamentations from plastic materials and attach the plastic wheel ornamentations to lug nuts that are used to secure wheels on vehicles. An example of such a wheel ornamentation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,081 to Hauler et al. In this patent, an ornamental wheel cover is provided with a number of elongated tubular extensions axially projecting from an inboard side of the cover that are each partially slotted to provide cantilevered fingers. Each finger has an undercut groove that has a shoulder, which positively positions the cover to an upper shoulder of the lug nuts of the wheel. Below the undercut groove is a bulbous portion that contacts the lug nut below the flange or locking ridge and engages the underside of the flange or locking ridge, thereby retaining the cover on the lug nut.
One disadvantage of the plastic wheel ornamentation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,081 to Hauler et al. is that, as the lug nuts become heated by the wheel as the wheel rotates, heat is transferred to the extensions of the plastic wheel ornamentation. The heating of the extensions of the extensions causes a decrease in the retention force of the extensions. The decreased retention force of the extensions tends to result in the wheel ornamentation disengaging the wheel.
Patent application Publication No. 2003/0184146 to Jensen et al. is directed to a wheel ornamentation assembly that includes a wire retainer that cooperates with retention legs which axially extend from an inboard surface of a wheel ornamentation. The wire retainer provides mechanical support to the retention legs and prevents the wheel ornamentation from disengaging lug nuts of the wheel assembly.
Other design configurations for securing wheel ornamentations to wheels are exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,635 to Brown et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,035 to Kondo et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,339 to Roulinson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,780 to Eshler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,739 to Stanlake, U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,281 to Ladouceur, U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,570 to Wiecorek, U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,461 to Hauler, U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,330 to Bruce and U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,151 to Van Houten et al.
The present invention provides mechanical systems for securing wheel covers to wheel assemblies which mechanical systems include a plurality of differently configured finger elements that cooperate so as to compensate for thermal effects that tend to loosen the attachment of a wheel cover to a wheel assembly.
The wheel covers of the present invention together with the mechanical systems for securing wheel covers to wheel assemblies can be molded from plastic materials using conventional processes. The outboard side of the wheel covers can also be finished using conventional techniques and processes.


An energy output measuring device including a main body having a light reflecting exterior and a window portion formed in the main body and produced from infrared-reflecting glass. At least one visible light sensor is disposed adjacent the window. The energy output measuring device is configured to pass through a heating device. An energy output of the heating device is determined from measurements taken by the heating device.

Blow-molded plastic containers are commonly used for storing various products. In order to produce blow-molded plastic containers, blow molding ovens are used to heat preforms and condition the preforms for subsequent blow molding. Blow molding ovens typically include heating elements that are disposed within the oven. The heating elements are arranged to form a path by which the preform passes. The heating elements are typically arranged side-by-side and stacked one atop another to ensure that an entire length of the preform is heated. As preforms travel along the path formed by the heating elements, the desired portions of the preforms are heated.
Heating elements such as lamps, for example, are operated at temperatures where the heating elements emit energy which is characterized within the visible and invisible spectrum during the blow molding process. It is well known that sensors may be used to measure the overall intensity of energy emitted from such lamps. However, within the context of blow molding ovens and the preform heating process, technology relating to the measurement of the energy emitted from the heating elements is lacking. Over time, blow molding ovens and corresponding heating elements lose efficiency, and there is a need to quantify oven wear and aging and, more specifically, the loss of efficiency of the heating elements within blow molding ovens in order to optimize the blow molding process overall.
It would be desirable to have an energy output measuring device configured to travel through an oven to collect information relating to the oven age, wear, efficiency, energy output, and other important parameters related to the oven performance.

Energy output measuring device for infrared heating device


Examples described herein include systems and methods for providing network insights on a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The GUI can visualize network errors to help administrative or information technology users more quickly identify issues with an enterprise application. The enterprise application can report network request information to a server. Then the GUI can present visual overlays that compare error metrics between different time cycles of the application. The visual overlay can graphically display these errors on top of one another for immediate relative visualization. Additionally, a grouped list of host destinations can be simultaneously provided. The destination addresses can be abbreviated, and errors grouped accordingly in a manner that provides advantageous error visualization.

Increasingly, corporations are building their own corporate applications for specific enterprise-related purposes. These applications commonly make network requests to corporate servers and other services. However, administrative users and corporate application developers have limited insight into whether network requests and other network functionality is impacting application performance. Often, the application can perform less than optimally due to errors that occur with network requests. Network errors can delay application functionality or cause the functionality to fail. Network errors can also have application security implications. If these problems are not detected, then employee work performance or even enterprise security can suffer.
Corporate application development teams have limited tools at their disposal to identify network problems and their impact on the application. Because an application can make many different network requests to many different destinations, it can be difficult to identify which network errors are meaningful. For example, many calls to a destination can be successful so it is not immediately clear when undesirable error rates exist. The performance degradation due to network request errors may not actually crash the application, allowing the problems to remain latent. The applications themselves can also be complex, resulting in context-dependent anomalies that are difficult to identify. As a result, performing root cause analysis ("RCA") for such errors can be difficult.
More particularly, existing technologies do not easily visualize network errors to engineers in a way that allows for actionable improvements. While network request errors can be tracked or logged, a list of hundreds or thousands of such errors is not enough for a user to determine which errors are most responsible for poor performance. Additionally, it can be difficult to understand which network errors are related when the uniform resource locators ("URLs") for network destinations are long and not identical. Hundreds of unique URLs can exist for a single host or service. For example, different identifiers or subdomains in the URLs can result in unique URLs for the host or service. Listing hundreds or thousands of these URLs makes network troubleshooting unwieldy and is also uneconomical from a computing power standpoint. Finally, current interfaces also do not allow for easily comparing improvement or degradation between different cycles of application usage.
Consequently, a need exists for systems and methods that utilize visual overlays for network insights, giving development teams enough diagnostics information to resolve application problems.


A pumping system frame assembly for use in supporting a horizontal pumping system on a platform includes a central body assembly, a motor plate connected to the central body assembly and a plurality of platform support assemblies connected to the central support member. The central body assembly includes a central support member that has an upper face and a pair of side rails connected to the upper face. In particularly preferred embodiments, each of the pair of side rails extends downward from the upper face at approximately a 45 degree angle.

Horizontal pumping systems are used in various industries for various purposes. For example, in the oil and gas industry horizontal pumping systems are used to pump fluids, such as water separated from oil, to a selected destination, such as a tank or disposal well. Typically these horizontal pumping systems include a pump, a motor, and a suction chamber positioned between the pump and the motor. Often a thrust bearing chamber is also included between the motor and the suction chamber.
Each of these components is typically supported on the surface by one or more large frames. Specialized adapters have been used to connect the components of the horizontal pumping system to the frame. These adapters would match the frame to the motor plate and raise the motor into proper alignment with the pump. Prior art frames are designed for use with a wide range of motors, so these frames are often larger, heavier, and more expensive than required for applications involving smaller pumps and motors.
In view of these and other shortcomings in the prior art, there is a need from an improved system for supporting and aligning horizontal pumping systems. It is to these and other deficiencies in the prior art that the present invention is directed.

Horizontal pumping system with bent plate frame


A first dispersion phase is dispersed in a first continuous phase comprising a solidifying component so as to prepare a primary emulsion, and this primary emulsion s ispersed in a second continuous phase as a second dispersion phase so as to prepare a secondary emulsion. The solidifying component in the secondary emulsion is then solidified, and the first dispersion phase is removed leaving pores so as to form porous particles.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of preparing porous particles and porous hollow particles by forming an emulsion, and to the porous particles and porous hollow particles prepared by this method.
2. Description of the Related Arts
It is known that porous particulates can be prepared by in situ copolymerization and other methods. For example, microcapsules of a copolymer comprising isocyanate may be prepared by in situ copolymerization, and the microcapsules are heated to expand them so as to obtain hydrophilic porous particulates (e.g. Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication no. Hei 1-207133).
However, higher quality porous microcapsules are continually being sought. Good quality porous particles and porous hollow particles may be obtained by a suitable method.

Porous particles, porous hollow particles and method of preparing such particles


A method and system for testing a two-phase compressible composition, such as a foamed cementing composition, enables testing for mechanical properties while maintaining original pressurized gas volumes in the composition. A specimen of the composition can be prepared, transferred and tested without disrupting the dynamic status of the specimen. This allows for testing of the composition under conditions in which the composition will be placed in an oil or gas well. A related specimen test device is also disclosed. The method includes pressurizing the two-phase compressible composition in a first vessel to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure; pressurizing a second vessel to the pressure; transferring at least a portion of the composition from the first vessel to the second vessel while maintaining at least substantially the pressure on the transferred portion of the composition; and testing the portion of the composition transferred to the second vessel, which testing is performed while maintaining at least substantially the pressure in the second vessel.

This invention relates generally to methods for testing two-phase compressible compositions having gas under pressure. Examples of these compositions are foamed cementing compositions used in the oil and gas industry. This invention also relates to systems and devices which can be used in such methods.
A growing trend in the oil and gas industry is the use of foamed cementing compositions, which are made by foaming a Portland-based cementing composition with a gas (preferably an inert gas), a foamer and a foam stabilizing agent. Such compositions have mechanical property advantages and operability advantages over conventional, non-foamed Portland-based cementing compositions. For example, conventional compositions undergo shear failure whereas foamed cementing compositions undergo plastic failure under stress/stress cycle loading. Susceptibility to plastic failure as opposed to shear failure is preferred because of the prolonged well life expected or provided as a result of increased resiliency/stress resistance. Shear failure of an annular cement sheath generally results in loss of zonal isolation, annular pressure build-up, collapsed casing, etc.
With all types of cementing compositions, the ability to test them is desired. For example, a conventional composition can be tested in any of various types of equipment. Two particular test units are the MACS Analyzer and the triaxial load cell, both from Halliburton Energy Services. If both of these devices are used to test a conventional cementing composition, a sample of the composition is put into or made in a pressurizable chamber of the MACS Analyzer and tested there for properties such as compressibility, thickening time, and static gel strength. A portion of this sample or another sample of the composition can be allowed to harden into a core and separately put in the triaxial load cell for testing of mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. It would be desirable to perform the same tests on foamed cementing compositions so that the same test data can be developed for this class of material. These tests can be performed as described above; however, there has been a shortcoming which can adversely affect the significance of such testing as applied to foamed cementing compositions, or other two-phase compressible compositions having entrained gas under pressure.
The entrained gas contained in the pore spaces within the matrix of the composition is allowed to escape to the atmosphere as a function of the specimen's permeability if it is not kept under suitable pressure. The shortcoming of prior test methods and systems is that they have not enabled a specimen to be made under pressure, such as in the MACS Analyzer, transferred under pressure to another test device, such as the triaxial load cell, and then tested under pressure whereby the two-phase integrity of the specimen is maintained throughout the entire process. Because the actual composition used in an oil or gas well will remain under pressure in the wellbore, such prior techniques which allow for the gaseous phase to escape before testing may not produce meaningful test data relative to the actual composition that will exist in the well. Accordingly, there is the need for a method and system for testing such a composition while maintaining the integrity of the test specimen.

Method, system and device for testing two-phase compressible compositions having gas under pressure


A manufacturing method for an automotive vehicle component that includes the steps of: arranging at least a first skin capable of solidifying on a first half-mold of a mold; closing a second half-mold of the mold to form the first skin; then solidifying the first skin in the molding cavity defined between the first half-mold and the second half-mold. The second half-mold has a piercing element with at least one point-shaped end, and the method includes piercing by the piercing element of at least one through-hole in the first skin before solidification of the first skin.

Such a method is used, in particular, to manufacture composite panels for the production of loading floors of a motor vehicle. These panels consist, for example, of two skins based on long flax fibers bonded by a thermosetting resin. The skins are arranged on both sides of a cardboard spacer with a honeycomb structure.
These panels are usually functionalized. In particular, they must allow the attachment of handles, luggage retaining rings or other elements applied to the panel.
Generally, this attachment is obtained by perforating the panel after manufacture to make a through hole. An attachment element, such as a pin, or a screw-nut system is introduced into the through hole.
Such a method is not entirely satisfactory. The edge of the hole made in the component is often weakened by the piercing because the fibers are cut locally. This decreases the mechanical strength of the assembly over time.
In addition, the method requires strengthening of the hole after piercing. This may require significant operator time and high piercing accuracy.

Manufacturing method of a component of automotive vehicle equipment and associated component of equipment


An ink cartridge using an ink bag capable of being mounted in a carriage, comprising: a container having a body unit 1 and a cover unit 3 to form an internal space therebetween, at least one of said body unit and said cover unit being provided with valves 10 and 11 openable for communication between the internal space of said container and the atmosphere according to pressure change in said container; a cap 21 connecting with an ink supply needle of a recording head mounted in a carriage; and an ink bag, the periphery of which is held by said cover unit 3 and body unit 1. A constant negative pressure can be maintained by valves 10 and 11, and the periphery of ink bag 20 is held by body unit 1 and cover unit 3, ensuring as constant a shape as possible and preventing pressure changes caused by oscillation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink cartridge suitable for mounting on a carriage carrying an ink jet type recording head.
2. Related Art
An ink jet printer is constructed in such a way that an ink jet type recording head--wherein pressure is applied to pressure-generating chambers communicating with a common ink chamber and nozzle apertures, and ink is discharged from nozzle apertures--and an ink cartridge supplying ink to a recording head-are mounted on a carriage; and -ink drops matching printing data are discharged onto a recording sheet while the carriage is moved reciprocally.
Incidentally, because the nozzle apertures of the recording head are positioned in a location lower than the liquid level of the ink cartridge, and positive pressure acts on the nozzle apertures, normally a porous flexible member such as foam rubber is accommodated within the ink cartridge and it is constructed in such away that due to surface tension from the porous flexible member the pressure in the ink cartridge is a little lower than that in the nozzle apertures; and measures are taken to prevent ink bleeding from the nozzle apertures.
However, when ink consumption continues, the amount of ink absorbed in the porous flexible member becomes less and the capillary force of the porous flexible member becomes greater; the supply of ink to the recording head becomes easily delayed, the ink within the cartridge is not completely consumed and the actual volume of the porous flexible member only makes the ink cartridge larger because the amount of ink which can be accommodated in the cartridge becomes smaller.
In order to solve these kinds of problems, inventions have been considered utilizing ink accommodated in a bag member maintaining negative pressure by normal expansion force being supplied by a flexible member, wherein the bag member is mounted on a base with ink being supplied to a recording head through a tube as disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publications Nos. Sho. 56-67269, and Hei. 6-183023 etc. However, because members such as springs etc. for generating negative pressure are necessary, the size becomes larger, and also because changes in pressure occur caused by ink oscillation due to the movement of the carriage, and there is the problem that it is not suitable to mount them in the carriage.


Disclosed herein is a hair dyeing composition. The composition induces swelling of hair to expand the cortex by the use of arginine, which is a constituent ingredient of hair, and as a result, effectively allows a colorant to infiltrate into the cuticle, thereby increasing the dyeing rate. Therefore, the composition can markedly decrease the dyeing time to 1˜5 minutes from 20˜30 minutes required in conventional hair dyeing compositions. In addition, the combined effects of aloe vera gel, ceramide and hair keratin enables prevention of damage to the hair during dyeing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hair dyeing composition, and more particularly to a hair dyeing composition which induces swelling of hair to expand the cortex by the use of arginine, which is a constituent amino acid of hair, and as a result, effectively allows a colorant to infiltrate into the cuticle, thereby shortening the dyeing time to reduce damage to the hair caused by chemical factors, and which can prevent damage of the hair due to the combined effects of aloe vera gel, ceramide and hair keratin during dyeing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hair dyeing is an artistic act of human desire to seek beauty by applying science to the color of natural hair. Hair dying is generally performed to return grey hair to an original hair color, alter an original hair color into more attracting color tone or brightness or exhibit hair decorative effects by coloring natural hair with an artificial colorant, and to restore an original natural hair color by coloring already dyed hair or already discolored hair with an artificial colorant.
Hair dyeing agents (so-called "hair dyestuffs") are largely classified into three groups, i.e., temporary hair dyeing agents, semi-permanent hair dyeing agents and permanent hair dyeing agents, depending on the characteristics of particular dyes used and color fixation period of the hair. Of these, permanent hair dyeing agents are most widely used at present. Examples of dyes used in the permanent hair dyeing agents include vegetable dyes, metallic dyes, compound dyes, and oxidative dyes (organic synthetic dyes). Oxidative dyes are most widely used.
As permanent hair dyeing agents using oxidative dyes, there are currently used double-formulations consisting of a first functional agent containing an oxidative dye precursor, a coupler and an alkalizing agent, and a second functional agent containing an oxidizing agent. More specifically, the first functional agent contains a colorless or substantially colorless oxidative dye precursor, such as an aromatic amino compound or a phenol derivative, a coupler and an alkalizing agent, and the second functional agent contains an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide.
The oxidative dye precursor and the coupler used herein are colorless or pale compounds, and are polymerized in the presence of an oxidizing agent to form a colorant, which is a coloring compound capable of exerting adequate hair dyeing power on the hair. As the oxidative dye precursor and the coupler, meta-phenylenediamine, meta-aminophenol, meta-diphenol and specific heterocyclic compounds are widely used. Ammonia is widely used as the alkalizing agent because it is highly volatile and leaves no residue. Ammonia is associated with problems of unpleasant odor and irritation to parts of the human body, such as eyes. To solve these problems, monoethanolamine and monoisopropanolamine are used instead of ammonia.
When a mixture of the first and second functional agents is applied to the hair during dyeing, the alkalizing agent contained in the first functional agent decomposes the oxidizing agent contained in the second functional agent to generate oxygen. The oxygen decomposes melanin of the hair to bleach the hair. At the same time, an oxidative dye consisting of the oxidative dye precursor and the coupler contained in the first functional agent is polymerized by the oxidative power of the oxidizing agent in the hair to form a colorant. The colorant thus formed is deposited on the cuticle and dyes the hair.
In the hair dyeing agents using general oxidative dyes, the alkalizing agent swells the epidermis of the hair and infiltrates the colorant into the hair, thus advantageously improving hair dyeing effects. However, since the alkalizing agent damages the hair and readily decomposes keratin proteins present on the hair surface, the hair feels bad to the touch after dyeing. Particularly, since conventional hair dyeing agents using oxidative dyes require long periods of time for dyeing, the hair is exposed to alkalizing agents for a long time, causing great damage to the hair.


A mobile station that includes a smart card associated with a mobile host equipment communicates by means of a protocol that is organized in several layers. These layers include at least a data transport layer of the datagram type that is adapted to transmit integral data packets of a maximum size. The transmission method carries out the step of determining the value of the maximum size of data packets that are capable of being integrally transmitted by the transport layer of the mobile host equipment, and storing that value in the card.

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting data in non-connected mode by means of a mobile station comprising a step of determining the maximum data packet transmission size, known by the term MDS, standing for maximum data size in English (or MMDS, standing for Mobile MDS).
The invention relates to the field of communications made from a mobile station in the context of the GSM standard. Such a mobile station is composed of an item of mobile equipment and a smart card known as a SIM (standing for Subscriber Identity Module) card. The mobile equipment may be a telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA, standing for Personal Digital Assistant in English) or the like.
The communications in question in the context of the present invention can be communications between two mobile stations or between a mobile station and a distant server able to communicate with such a mobile station, such as for example a communication gateway, more commonly known by the term OTA (Over The Air in English) server.
Exact knowledge of the MDS may prove to be of great importance in the context of a protocol for communication from a mobile station since the transport layers used in this type of protocol are generally not reliable. These transport layers may in fact reject excessively long messages without sending an error message or segment messages into several data packets without guaranteeing the correct reassembly thereof. In the context of such a communication from a mobile station, it is therefore important to transmit only messages with a length less than or equal to the MDS in order to avoid any risk of segmentation or rejection.
Firstly, it is necessary to give a certain number of definitions and to specify the functioning of certain communication protocols from a mobile station.
The communication protocols in particular used in a wireless communication context (non-connected mode) follow on from WAP protocols (standing for Wireless Application Protocol) which govern data transmissions between mobile stations and a distant gateway (generally referred to as a WAP gateway).
FIG. 1 describes schematically the communication within a mobile station 10 composed of an item of mobile equipment ME, a telephone in the example, and a smart card SIM. The mobile station 10 can communicate with another mobile station 10′ or with a distant server 100. The SIM card makes it possible to procure a subscriber identification and a key in order to allow on the one hand the authentication of the subscriber on the GSM network and on the other hand the decrypting or encrypting of the data received or sent. The SIM card also enables the subscriber to access data peculiar to the GSM network and information on the services accessible.
In the example in question, the communication between the SIM card and the mobile equipment ME is governed according to the BIP protocol (Bearer Independent Protocol) which is an option of the ETSI standard "GSM 11.14" describing the SIM Tool Kit (SKT) and which defines a set of commands and situations. The BIP protocol enables the SIM card to use the communication means of the mobile equipment ME whatever the communication technology used.
Communication protocols are generally organised in several superimposed layers. A conventional configuration consists of a network layer which rests on a physical and connection layer and which supports a transport layer, other layers being able to be added, such as security, transaction, session, application or other layers, according to the protocols in question.
The network layer most commonly used is configured according to the IP protocol (Internet Protocol). This IP network layer manages the interface between the physical transmission architecture and the upper layers, and essentially provides a function of routing data packets (also known as datagrams) as far as the destination, this function also being known by the term router. The IP protocol is not reliable in the event of loss, damage or duplication of data packets: namely the delivery of the datagrams is not guaranteed. It is generally for the upper layers to manage this type of situation.
The transport layer allows complete transfer of the data. There are essentially two protocols for configuring the transport layer. The TCP protocol (Transmission Control Protocol), as a connected mode protocol, guarantees the integrity and reliability of the data transmissions. The UDP (User Datagram Protocol) or WDP (WAP Datagram Protocol) on the other hand are non-connected mode protocols and are not considered to be reliable since they do not guarantee control of the data transfer. Because of their simplicity, they do however have the advantage of allowing a rapid transmission. These UDP or WDP transport protocols act as simple multiplexers/demultiplexers of data packets. These two transport protocols are very close together in their characteristics, or even identical in the case of certain types of connection (GPRS, CSD).
The MDS is a restriction in the transport layer (the UDP layer for example) on the maximum number of data octets which can be accepted in the transmission of a single data packet (a datagram). If a message includes more octets than the size of the MDS, the transport layer destroys it without transmitting it to the upper layers or segments it into a plurality of data packets which the receiver is not able to reconstitute.
Rejection of the messages must obviously be avoided. Likewise, segmentation of the messages must also be avoided as far as possible, in particular in the case where the UDP protocol is used for the transport layer. This is because segmentation often gives rise to data losses without the sending layers being advised of this.
It is therefore preferable for the SIM card to transmit only sufficiently short messages to avoid their segmentation (or rejection) by the transport layer of the host mobile equipment ME. Knowledge of the MDS then becomes important in order to use the capacities of the transport layer to the maximum possible extent without risking alienating the data transmitted. If the information to be transmitted is greater than that able to be contained in a single message, it is necessary for the SIM card to form a data block composed of several messages M.
FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of a message M. Each message M comprises a header H and information P (or payload in English). The header H is necessary for indicating the length of the message and its composition (for example a request to determine the MDS). Other information can naturally be entered in the header H according to the functionalities offered by the message protocol in question (for example its position with other messages in a block, the need for an acknowledgement, or the like). The length of the header H is minimised in order to allow a maximum amount of information transfer P. Thus an optional header can be provided in the case of additional parameters to be transmitted.
FIG. 3 illustrates the principle of segmentation of a message M by the transport layer UDP. The message M will be divided into a plurality of data packets D (datagrams) to the size of the MDS. Each packet D then comprises a header which does not make it possible, once arrived at its destination, to assemble it with the other packets in order to reconstitute the message M. This reconstitution is in fact not guaranteed by the UDP protocol of the transport layer.
Knowledge of the MDS is therefore important in the context of communications with mobile stations using the UDP protocol for configuring the transport layer of the mobile equipment.

Method for transmitting data by a mobile station comprising a step of determining a Maximum Datagram Size (MDS)


A programmable memory address decode array with vertical transistors having single or split control lines is used to select only functional lines in a memory array. The transistor is a field-effect transistor (FET) having an electrically isolated (floating) gate that controls electrical conduction between source regions and drain regions. If a particular floating gate is charged with stored electrons, then the transistor will not turn on and will act as the absence of a transistor at this location in a logic array within the decoder. The decoder is programmed at memory test to select an output line responsive to the bits received via the address input lines. A logic array includes densely packed logic cells, each logic cell having a semiconductor pillar providing shared source and drain regions for two vertical floating gate transistors that have individual floating gates and control lines distributed on opposing sides of the pillar. The control lines are formed together with interconnecting address input lines. The source regions share a common ground while the drain regions are connected to the output lines. Both bulk semiconductor and silicon-on-insulator embodiments are provided. If a floating gate transistor is used to represent a logic function, an area of only 2F.sup.2 is needed per bit of logic, where F is the minimum lithographic feature size.

Technological advances have permitted semiconductor integrated circuits to comprise significantly more circuit elements in a given silicon area. Reducing and eliminating defects in the circuit elements has, however, become increasingly more difficult with the increased number of circuit elements. To achieve higher population capacities, circuit designers strive to reduce the size of the individual circuit elements to maximize available die real estate. The reduced size makes these circuit elements increasingly susceptible to defects caused by material impurities during fabrication.
Nevertheless, defects are identifiable upon completion of the integrated circuit fabrication by testing procedures, either at the semiconductor chip level or after complete packaging. Scrapping or discarding defective integrated circuits when defects are identified is economically undesirable, particularly if only a small number of circuit elements are actually defective.
Relying on zero defects in the fabrication of integrated circuits is an unrealistic option. Therefore, redundant circuit elements are provided on integrated circuits to reduce the number of scrapped integrated circuits. If a primary circuit element is determined to be defective, a redundant circuit element is substituted for the defective primary circuit element. Substantial reductions in scrap arc achieved by using redundant circuit elements without substantially increasing the cost of the integrated circuit.
One type of integrated circuit device using redundant circuit elements is integrated memory circuits, such as dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), static random access memories (SRAMs), video random access memories (VRAMs), and erasable programmable read only memories (EPROMs). Typical integrated memory circuits comprise millions of equivalent memory cells arranged in arrays of addressable rows and columns. The rows and columns of a memory cell array are the primary circuit elements of the integrated memory circuit. By providing redundant circuit elements, either as rows or columns, defective primary rows or columns can be replaced with functional ones.
Decoders perform an essential task by selecting the functional rows and columns of the integrated memory array. The memory cells within an integrated memory array are coupled to an electronic system through the address and data lines. Decoder circuits interface between the address lines and the array of memory cells.
A conventional decoder circuit of a semiconductor memory device comprises one or more separate decoder units which supply decode output signals according to an input address signal. A row decoder selects the appropriate row and the column decoder selects the appropriate column corresponding to a particular memory cell within the memory array. The pair of decoder output signals are also referred to wordlines, which corresponds to a row decoder, and bitlines, which correspond to a column decoder.
Decoders contain the required logic functions required to properly address desired memory cells within a memory cell array. Traditionally, decoder circuits are masked with a logic configuration for selecting rows and columns. Once the logic function has been masked, it is very difficult to make a correction. An improperly programmed decoder results in an integrated memory device functioning incorrectly.
A technique used to correct a decoder after it has been masked is to use ion beams or lasers. Making corrections to a decoder after it has been programmed is a very time consuming and cumbersome process using these common techniques.
To provide some level of programmability in a decoder, antifuses are used. To program an antifuse "on," a large programming voltage is applied across the antifuse terminals, breaking down the interposed dielectric and forming a conductive link between the antifuse terminals. An unprogrammed "off" state, in which the antifuse is fabricated, presents a high resistance between the antifuse terminals. The antifuse can be reprogrammed to an "on" state in which a low resistance connection between the antifuse terminals is desired, but only for a very limited number of times.
Therefore, a problem with current row and column decoders is that once they are programmed with a particular logic function, changes are often difficult and complex to make. If a decoder is not properly programmed, the integrated memory circuit will likewise not function properly, which defeats the purpose of having redundant circuit elements on an integrated memory array. There are elaborate techniques to reprogram a decoder, but these techniques are cumbersome and time consuming. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a decoder that can be easily reprogrammed.
Another problem with decoders is that as integrated circuit technology advances, the size of individual circuit elements decreases. Designers can include more storage cells in a memory array on a semiconductor substrate. As the number of storage cells increases, the number of components in a decoder likewise need to increase.
Increasing the storage capacity of a decoder array requires a reduction in the size of the transistors and other components in order to increase the decoder's density. However, memory density is typically limited by a minimum lithographic feature size (F) imposed by lithographic processes used during fabrication. For example, the present generation of high density decoders require an area of 8F.sup.2 per bit of data. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide even higher density decoders in order to further support the increased storage capacity of integrated memory circuits.

Programmable memory address decode array with vertical transistors


An HTTP server for an image input device is provided in which when an image is input and a file for the image is created for access by the server, an HTML link to the file is automatically generated by which a web browser can retrieve the file over a TCP/IP network. An HTTP server for an image input device is provided, in which an identification code is obtained for an image file created for an image input by the image input device. An HTML page which includes an HTML link to the image file created for the input image is automatically generated upon receipt by the server of a TCP/IP packet which includes a request to retrieve an identified web page, the identified web page having a predetermined relationship to the identification code for the image file. A TCP/IP packet which includes the generated HTML page is caused to be sent over a TCP/IP network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an HTTP server, and specifically to an HTTP server for use with a facsimile or scanner or other image input device, in which when an image is input and a file for the image is created, an HTML link to the file is automatically generated by which a remote web browser can retrieve the file through the HTTP server over a TCP/IP network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Use of electronic image input devices, such as scanners, facsimile machines, digital cameras and video cameras, has become increasingly common in recent years. As their use has increased, different techniques have been utilized for distributing image files created by each different type of image input device.
For example, a scanner scans a paper copy of an original document to generate a computerized image file which contains digital binary or multilevel image data representative of the document. Conventionally, the image file is input to a computer workstation and then stored either on the workstation's hard drive or on a computer diskette. Storage on a computer workstation, however, severely limits the accessibility of the scanned image. That is, in order to retrieve the scanned image, a user must physically go to that particular workstation or physically obtain the computer diskette.
Another conventional technique for distributing a scanned image file is to use the workstation to store the file in a directory on a file server which is connected to the same local area network (LAN) as the workstation. In this way, assuming appropriate read access has been granted by the user who created the file, other workstations on the same LAN can also retrieve the scanned image file. Although this technique somewhat increases the pool of users who can easily retrieve the file, as well as the number locations from which it can be retrieved, it too has significant limitations.
One limitation is that a user generally must be on the same LAN as the file server. Thus, for example, a user might only be able to retrieve the file while in his office, but not while at home or while travelling. In addition, it might be desirable to share the file with other people who are geographically distant from the LAN or simply do not have access to it. However, delivering such image files to remote users conventionally has been relatively difficult. Finally, whoever accesses the image file must know the exact name and location of the file on the file server.
Similarly, when a facsimile machine receives a facsimile transmission of a document, one conventional method for distributing the document is to print the document on paper and than manually distribute the paper copy to the intended recipient. Such a distribution system is relatively cumbersome and often results in significant delays between when the facsimile document is received by the facsimile machine and when the paper copy of the document actually reaches the recipient.
An electronic technique for distribution of incoming facsimile documents has recently been proposed. According to this technique, upon receipt of an incoming facsimile transmission, a file containing the facsimile data is created in a commonly accessible or shared directory in a file server.
Although the foregoing technique eliminates problems associated with printing and manually distributing facsimile documents, it also has the problems described above, one of which is the need to know the exact name and location of the file on the file server, before access to the file can be obtained.

Upload and retrieval by an image device of a scanned image to and from a web file server


Systems and methods are provided for extracting parasitics in a design of an integrated circuit with multi-patterning requirements. The method includes determining resistance solutions and capacitance solutions. The method further includes performing parasitic extraction of the resistance solutions and the capacitance solutions to generate mean values for the resistance solutions and the capacitance solutions. The method further includes capturing a multi-patterning source of variation for each of the resistance solutions and the capacitance solutions during the parasitic extraction. The method further includes determining a sensitivity for each captured source of variation to a respective vector of parameters. The method further includes determining statistical parasitics by multiplying each of the resistance solutions and the capacitance solutions by the determined sensitivity for each respective captured source of variation. The method further includes generating as output the statistical parasitics in at least one of a vector form and a collapsed reduced vector form.

An IC is a device (e.g., a semiconductor device) or electronic system that includes many electronic components, such as transistors, resistors, diodes, etc. These components are often interconnected to form multiple circuit components, such as gates, cells, memory units, arithmetic units, controllers, decoders, etc. An IC includes multiple layers of wiring that interconnect its electronic and circuit components.
Design engineers design ICs by transforming logical or circuit descriptions of the ICs' components into geometric descriptions, called design layouts. IC design layouts typically include circuit modules (e.g., geometric representations of electronic or circuit IC components) with pins, and interconnect lines (e.g., geometric representations of wiring) that connect the pins of the circuit modules. A net is typically defined as a collection of pins that need to be connected. In this fashion, design layouts often describe the behavioral, architectural, functional, and structural attributes of the IC. To create the design layouts, design engineers typically use electronic design automation ("EDA") applications. These applications provide sets of computer-based tools for creating, editing, analyzing, and verifying design layouts.
A process traditionally performed in the design of the IC is called parasitic extraction. Parasitic extraction is the calculation of parasitic effects (e.g., parasitic capacitances, parasitic resistances and parasitic inductances) in both the designed electronic components and the required wiring interconnects of the IC. The purpose of the parasitic extraction is to create an accurate analog model of the circuit, such that detailed simulations can emulate actual digital and analog circuit responses. Digital circuit responses are often used to populate databases for signal delay and loading calculation such as timing analysis, circuit simulation, and signal integrity analysis. Analog circuits are often run in detailed test benches to indicate if the extracted parasitics may allow the designed IC to function within predetermined specifications.
The manufacturing requirements at advanced process nodes, such as multi-patterning lithography at 0.02 μm, are advancing newer parasitic modeling techniques to achieve signoff accuracy and performance. Multi-patterning lithography is an important technique for ensuring printability of device and interconnect layers in advanced process node manufacturing. However, splitting layers into multiple masks can introduce timing variations because of mask misalignment in the manufacturing process. For example, the misalignment of the layout masks may cause variations in coupling capacitances between the polygons that are on different masks, which in turn affects both the couplings and the total capacitances of the nets.
Errors introduced into the parasitic extraction by multi-patterning depend on mask displacement amount. Impact on coupling capacitance can be large, even while it is smaller on total capacitance, due to the different impact on coupling capacitances at the opposite sides of conductor segments. To enable successful advanced process node manufacturing, a multi-patterning aware modeling solution for parasitic extraction is needed to account for the timing impact and to address the multi-patterning in the physical implementation and signoff design flow.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described hereinabove.

Parasitic extraction in an integrated circuit with multi-patterning requirements