A negative-working photosensitive material having formed on a support a photopolymerizable layer containing an addition polymerizable compound having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond, a photopolymerization initiator, and a high molecular weight binder and also having formed on the layer a protective layer containing a water-soluble vinyl polymer and a polymer which does not have a compatibility with polyvinyl alcohol and is water soluble in itself.. The protective layer has a practically sufficient adhesive property to the photopolymerizable layer and the photosensitive layer has a high sensitivity to an Ar.sup.+ laser and a TAG-SHG laser and is suitably used as a photosensitive lithographic printing plate.

Hitherto, many image-forming methods utilizing photo-polymerization systems are known. For example, the following methods are known: a method of forming a negative-working photosensitive material comprising an addition polymerizable compound containing an ethylenical double bond, a photopolymerization initiator, and, if desired, an organic high molecular weight binder, a thermal polymerization inhibitor, etc., on a support as a coating layer, image-exposing the desired image portions of the coating layer to a desired image to harden by polymerization the exposed portions, and dissolving off the unexposed portions to form a hardened relief image; a method of forming a layer of the above-described negative-working photosensitive material between two supports at least one of which is transparent and, after image-exposing from the transparent support side to induce the change of the adhesive strength by light, releasing the support to form an image; a method of forming a photosensitive material having formed a microcapsule layer having a photopolymerizing composition and a coloring material such as a leuco dye, etc., as the content, image-exposing the photosensitive material to photo-harden the microcapsules at the exposed portions, and rupturing the microcapsules at the unexposed portions by a press-treatment or a heat treatment to color by contacting the content and a coloring material developer, whereby colored images are formed; an image-forming method of utilizing the change of a toner attaching property of a photopolymerizing composition by light; an image-forming method of utilizing the change of the refractive index of a photopolymerizing composition with light, etc.
Recently, with the development of an image-forming technique, a photopolymer having a high sensitivity to a light of a visible region as a photosensitive material suitable for, for example, non-contact type projection light-exposure plate making, visible laser plate making, etc., has been demanded. As a light of a visible laser used in this case, the 488 nm light of an Ar.sup.+ laser, the 532 light of a YAG-SHG laser, etc., have been considered to be useful.
In such a photopolymer polymerizing system, a high sensitization is an important factor and many photosensitive systems utilizing a radical polymerization profitable for the high sensitization have been investigated and developed. However, a radical polymerization system tends to receive a polymerization hindrance with oxygen, an attempt of forming a protective layer excellent in the oxygen interceptive property on the polymerization layer has been made. This is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3.458,311 and JP-A-55-49729 (the "term" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). Also, water-soluble polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, acidic celluloses, etc., are known as such a material excellent in the oxygen interceptive property.
However, when a hydrophilic layer comprising such a water-soluble polymer is laminated on an oleophilic polymerization layer, layer separation tends to occur due to lack of an adhesive force, and the separated portions cause the faults such as a poor hardening of the layer by the polymerization hindrance with oxygen. Thus, it becomes important to sufficiently improve the adhesive force between these two layers, and various attempts for improving the adhesive property are proposed. For example, JP-A-47-469 and JP-A-49-70702 describe that a sufficient adhesive property is obtained by mixing 20 to 60% by weight of an acrylic emulsion or a water-insoluble vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer with a hydrophilic polymer mainly comprising polyvinyl alcohol and laminating the mixture on the polymerization layer. However, the method may be effective for the adhesive property with a protective layer, but because the addition amount of the mixture to polyvinyl alcohol is relatively large, the oxygen intercepting power is decreased and the sensitivity is insufficient, or there is a problem that when after light-exposure, the photopolymer layer is subjected to a development treatment with an aqueous alkali solution, the water-soluble polymer is insufficiently released in a suitable development condition, which results in easily causing a poor inking property.


A new tool with interchangeable heads for the selection of a proper tool for the digging or manipulating of a surface for landscaping or construction purposes. The inventive device includes a shaft and interchangeable head members insertable into the shaft including a first head member with an auger head section extending from a rod section, a second head member with an mallet head section extending from a rod section, and a third head member with a chisel head section extending from a rod section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to landscaping tools and more particularly pertains to a new tool with interchangeable heads for the selection of a proper tool for the digging or manipulating of a surface for landscaping or construction purposes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of landscaping tools is known in the prior art. More specifically, landscaping tools heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art landscaping tools include U. S. Pat. No. 5,085,281; U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,409; U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,479; U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,040; U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,424; and U.S. Pat. No. 356,475.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new tool with interchangeable heads. The inventive device includes a shaft and interchangeable head members insertable into the shaft including a first head member with an auger head section extending from a rod section, a second head member with an mallet head section extending from a rod section, and a third head member with a chisel head section extending from a rod section.
In these respects, the tool with interchangeable heads according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of the selection of a proper tool for the digging or manipulating of a surface for landscaping or construction purposes.


The present invention is directed to a continuous supercapacitor. The continuous supercapacitor includes a core of one or more atomic elements, and a one-atomic-layer-thick jacket composed of an atomic element selected from those making up the core. The core and jacket are separated by a gap containing outer valence electrons, with the jacket acting as a Faraday cage for the electrons. The gap is dimensioned such that the outer valence electrons vibrate a frequency, preferably ranging from about 1 to 5 gHz.

The present invention is directed to a continuous supercapacitive device which provides, among other things, an electrical output over a range of frequencies, with an accompanying surface vibration.
There is presently an ongoing need for devices which can be used as sources for electricity over a wide range of voltages and frequencies. The present invention provides a novel device for such purposes.


A computerized method of retrieving data from a relational database stored in a computer memory, using SQL queries, which give rise to result sets derived from data objects in the database. The method includes the steps of capturing an SQL query and corresponding result set, and saving the SQL query and result set. In another feature of the invention, the method includes, before the step of capturing an SQL query and corresponding result set, the step of monitoring the SQL queries. In another feature of the invention, the method includes, before the step of saving the SQL result set, the steps of comparing the SQL query with prior saved SQL queries, determining if an identical prior SQL query already exists in cache, and if an identical prior SQL query does not already exists, saving the SQL query and result set. In another feature of the invention, each data object used by the saved result sets has an associated data object time stamp, and the method of the invention monitors the data object time stamps of all data objects used by the result sets.

This invention relates to retrieval of data from a relational database, and, more particularly, to a method of retrieving data using SQL queries from the DB2 database licensed by International Business Machines Corp. ("IBM"). The Structured Query Language (SQL) is a language for accessing data in a relational database. It was originally created by IBM. In the 1980's, The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO) published SQL standards in 1986 and 1987, respectively. ANSI and ISO jointly worked on an extension to the standards, variously called SQL2, SQL-92, or SQL/92. Another extension to the standards, SQL3, is in progress, to enhance relational capabilities, and add support for object-oriented features.
According to IBM's DB2 glossary, a query to a relational database is a request for information from the database based on specific conditions. For example, a query could be a request for a list of all customers in a customer table who live in Texas.
Also according to IBM's DB2 glossary, in an application host program, embedded Structured Query Language (SQL) statements will reference host variables. Host variables are programming variables in the application program, and are the primary mechanism for transmitting data between tables in the database and application program work areas.
The prior art teaches that in order to reduce response time to SQL queries directed to a relational database, the user must improve his hardware, by buying a faster CPU or adding more space for data storage, or both, or improve his software by providing for more software storage or buffering of data objects. The prior art buffers, or caches, merely raw data. For example, for a query of average salaries, the prior art buffers, or caches, merely the salaries, not the average of those salaries, i.e., the result of the query is not cached.
More specifically, the following limitations exist with DB2: SQL result tables are not saved; the scope of a result table is the program by which it is defined; and result tables can be processed from top to bottom only once.
What is needed is a method of reducing the response time to SQL queries directed to a relational database, without having to increase the hardware requirements, and without having to provide more excessive software caches for data objects. More specifically, what is needed is a program that will eliminate the creation time for all SQL queries except the initial query by saving or caching the results of the query; that will satisfy queries from any source, batch or interactive, from the same cached result tables; that will treat SQL "select into" statements as single-row result tables, and cache them for repetitive availability; and that will save result tables for iterative and multi-source processing.

Method of retrieving data from a relational database


A multi-bit digitizer for a bar code reader for detecting and reading bar code symbols, which are generally printed on a label or on the surface of an article. The multi-bit digitizer detects the presence of edges of a scanned bar code symbol, and also measures the strength of each detected edge therein. During a scanning operation, a sensor senses light reflected from a bar code symbol and produces an analog scan signal representative thereof. Positive and negative edges in the analog scan signal are detected, and timing signals are developed representative thereof. The strength of each detected edge in the analog scan signal is also measured, and digital signals are developed representative thereof. The timing signals and digital signals are directed as inputs to a decoder which performs multiple threshold processing on each individual analog scan signal by processing each analog scan signal a multiple number of times at different detection threshold levels. The ability to perform multiple thresholding on a single scan is significant for the development of very aggressive wands in which only a single scan is available for processing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a multi-bit digitizer for a bar code reader which detects bar code symbols which are generally printed on a label or on the surface of an article. More particularly, the subject invention pertains to a multi-bit digitizer as described which detects the presence of edges in a bar code symbol and also measures the strength of each detected edge.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Various optical readers and optical scanning systems have been developed heretofore for reading bar code symbols appearing on a label or on the surface of an article. The bar code symbol itself is a coded pattern of indicia comprised of a series of bars of various widths spaced apart from one another to bound spaces of various widths, the bars and spaces having different light-reflecting characteristics. The readers and scanning systems electro-optically transform the graphic indicia into electrical signals, which are decoded into alphanumerical characters that are intended to be descriptive of the article or some characteristic thereof. Such characters are typically represented in digital form and utilized as an input to a data processing system for applications in point-of-sale processing, inventory control, and the like. Scanning systems of this general type have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,251,798; 4,369,361; 4,387,297; 4,409,470; 4,760,248; and 4,896,026, all of which have been assigned to the same assignee as the instant application.
As disclosed in some of the above patents, one embodiment of such a scanning system resides, inter alia, in a hand-held, portable laser scanning head supported by a user, which is configured to allow the user to aim the head, and more particularly, light beam, at a target and a symbol to be read.
The light source in a laser scanner is typically a gas laser or semiconductor laser. The use of a semiconductor device such as a laser diode as the light source in scanning systems is especially desirable because of their small size, low cost and low power requirements. The laser beam is optically modified, typically by a lens, to form a beam spot of a certain size at the target distance. It is preferred that the beam spot size at the target distance be approximately the same as the minimum width between regions of different light reflectivity, i.e., the bars and spaces of the symbol.
Bar code symbols are formed from bars or elements that are typically rectangular in shape with a variety of possible widths. The specific arrangement of elements defines the character represented according to a set of rules and definitions specified by the code or "symbology" used. The relative size of the bars and spaces is determined by the type of coding used, as is the actual size of the bars and spaces. The number of characters per inch represented by the bar code symbol is referred to as the density of the symbol. To encode a desired sequence of characters, a collection of element arrangements are concatenated together to form the complete bar code symbol, with each character of the message being represented by its own corresponding group of elements. In some symbologies a unique "start" and "stop" character is used to indicate where the bar code begins and ends. A number of different bar code symbologies exist. These symbologies include UPC/EAN, Code 39, Code 128, Codabar, and Interleaved 2 of 5.
For the purpose of our discussion, characters recognized and defined by a symbology shall be referred to as legitimate characters, while characters not recognized and defined by that symbology are referred to as illegitimate characters. Thus an arrangement of elements not decodable by a given symbology corresponds to an illegitimate character(s) for that symbology.
In order to increase the amount of data that can be represented or stored on a given amount of surface area, several new bar code symbologies have recently been developed. One of these new code standards, Code 49, introduces a "two-dimensional" concept by stacking rows of characters vertically instead of extending the bars horizontally. That is, there are several rows of bar and space patterns, instead of only one row. The structure of Code 49 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,239, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
A one-dimensional single-line scan, as ordinarily provided by hand-held readers, has disadvantages in reading these two-dimensional bar codes; that is, the reader must be aimed at each row, individually. Likewise, the multiple-scan-line readers produce a number of scan lines at an angle to one another so these are not suitable for recognizing a Code 49 type of two-dimensional symbols.
In the scanning systems known in the art, the light beam is directed by a lens or similar optical components along a light path toward a target that includes a bar code symbol on the surface. The scanning functions by repetitively scanning the light beam in a line or series of lines across the symbol. The scanning component may either sweep the beam spot across the symbol and trace a scan line across and past the symbol, or scan the field of view of the scanner, or do both.
Scanning systems also include a sensor or photodetector which functions to detect light reflected from the symbol. The photodetector is therefore positioned in the scanner or in an optical path in which it has a field of view which extends across and slightly past the symbol. A portion of the reflected light which is reflected off the symbol is detected and converted into an electrical signal, and electronic circuitry or software decodes the electrical signal into a digital representation of the data represented by the symbol that has been scanned. For example, the analog electrical signal from the photodetector may typically be converted into a pulse width modulated digital signal, with the widths corresponding to the physical widths of the bars and spaces. Such a signal is then decoded according to the specific symbology into a binary representation of the data encoded in the symbol, and to the alphanumeric characters so represented.
Laser scanners are not the only type of optical instrument capable of reading bar code symbols. Another type of bar code reader is one which incorporates detectors based upon charge coupled device (CCD) technology. In such readers size of the detector is larger than or substantially the same as the symbol to be read. The entire symbol is flooded with light from the reader, and each CCD cell is sequentially read out to determine the presence of a bar or a space. Such readers are lightweight and easy to use, but require substantially direct contact or placement of the reader on the symbol to enable the symbol to properly read. Such physical contact of the reader with the symbol is a preferred mode of operation for some applications, or as a matter of personal preference by the user.


A process for the preparation of taxane derivatives by reacting 10-deacetylbaccatin III protected at the 7-and 1-positions with trichloroacetyl groups with a compound of formula

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of taxanes from 10-deacetylbaccatin III.
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of taxanes from 10-deacetylbaccatin III.
Paclitaxel is a known antitumor drug with taxan structure, whose industrial preparation is particularly complex.
Paclitaxel was first isolated by extraction from the trunk barks of Taxus brevifolia, and it is at present synthesized starting from 10-deacetylbaccatin III, an intermediate present in the leaves of different species of taxus, particularly in those of Taxus baccata L., thereby overcoming the environmental problems connected with the availability of bark of T. brevifolia.
A number of synthetic methods are reported in literature: U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,277 (reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,011) discloses the. semi-synthesis of Paclitaxel starting from 10-deacetylbaccatin III protected at the C-7 hydroxyl group with a trialkylsilyl group, in particular triethylsilyl, and at the 10-position with an acetyl group. In WO 98/08832, the protection of the C-7 hydroxyl group is carried out using a trichloroacetyl group. The thus protected baccatin III derivative is reacted with acetyl bromide and, subsequently, with the suitable phenylisoserine derivative to obtain Paclitaxel, following deprotection of the hydroxyl groups at 7 and 2xe2x80x2 and benzoylation of the amine.
In WO 93/06094, Paclitaxel is prepared by reacting a beta-lactam-type compound with 7-triethylsilyl-baccatin III. The desired product is obtained by deprotection in acid medium.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,954, the synthesis of Paclitaxel is carried out starting from 10-deacetylbaccatin III, protecting the C-7 hydroxyl with 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl(Troc) and the C-10 hydroxyl with Troc or with an acetyl group.
It is therefore evident that the critical step for the synthesis of Paclitaxel is the selective esterification at C-7 with a group easily and selectively removable. Until now, 7-triethylsilyl-deacetylbaccatin III has been considered the key intermediate. The yield reported for the derivatization of 10-deacetylbaccatin III to 7-triethylsilyl-10-deacetylbaccatin III is about 85%, using 5 to 20 mols of silylating agent. The yield of the subsequent acetylation to give 7-triethylsilylbaccatin III is also about 85%.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,121 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,723 disclose the synthesis of taxanes, including Paclitaxel, by reacting suitably protected baccatin III or 10-deacetylbaccatin III with oxazolidine-5-carboxylic acids bearing at the 2-position a phenyl group substituted with alkoxy groups (U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,121) or with trihaloalkyl groups, in particular trichloromethyl (U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,723), followed by deprotection by opening of the oxazolidine ring.
The protective groups considered particularly suitable comprise silyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl or 2-(2(trichloromethyl)propoxy)carbonyl groups.
Substantially the same methods can also be used for the preparation of Docetaxel, another known taxan derivative widely used in clinics.
It has now been found a process for the preparation of taxanes, in particular Paclitaxel and Docetaxel, which attains higher yields than the known methods.
It has now been found a process for the preparation of taxanes, in particular Paclitaxel and Docetaxel, which attains a higher yield than known methods.
The process of the invention, shown in the following Scheme, comprises:
a) simultaneous protection of the hydroxyl groups at the 7- and 10-positions of 10-deacetylbaccatin III with trichloroacetyl groups.
b) subsequent esterification of the hydroxyl at the 13-position by reaction with a compound of formula (VII):
xe2x80x83wherein R is tert.butoxycarbonyl, benzoyl or the residue of a straight or branched aliphatic acid and R1 is phenyl or a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl;
c) removal of the trichloroacetic protective groups;
d) optional selective acetylation of the hydroxyl at the 10-position, for those compounds in which R2 is acetyl;
e) acid hydrolysis of the oxazolidine ring.
The process of the invention differs from those of the prior art in the that the reaction sequence used provides a simpler route than those processes cited above and a remarkable improvement in the obtained yields.
The process of the invention differs from those of the prior art in that the reaction sequence used provides a simpler route than the known processes cited above and a remarkable improvement in the obtained yields.
Step a) is conventionally effected with trichloroacetic anhydride in suitable solvents and in the presence of bases such as pyridine, triethylamine and the like.
The esterification with the oxazolidine-5-carboxylic acid derivative is carried out in the presence of a condensing agent such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or other known reagents, in an anhydrous organic solvent, preferably aliphatic, aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbons, at temperatures ranging from room temperature to the boiling temperature of the solvent.
The resulting oxazolidine ester is then deprotected by removing the 7- and 10-trichloroacetyl groups by treatment with NH4OH/NH4Cl in aliphatic alcohols, preferably methanol.
The selective acetylation of the hydroxyl at the 10-position is carried out with acetic anhydride in the presence of cerium III, scandium or ytterbium salts, in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, at temperatures ranging from 5 to 40xc2x0 C.
The treatment with organic or inorganic acids in solvents such as methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, at temperatures ranging from about xe2x88x922 to +2xc2x0 C., yields the desired taxane derivatives. The use of formic acid in tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 0xc2x0 C. is particularly preferred.
The oxazolidine intermediates are known or can be prepared with known methods, by reaction of an isoserine ester with 4-methoxy-benzaldehyde.
The choice of anisic aldehyde proved to be particularly important for the formation of the oxazolidine, in that oxazolidine acid, contrary to the methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,621,121, 5,637,723 (Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc Rorer), and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,363 (UpJohn), can easily be crystallized and adjusted to a 95:5 isomer ratio, which is extremely useful and advantageous for the subsequent step. Furthermore, the oxazolidine carboxylic acid obtainable with anisic aldehyde is particularly stable during the deprotection of the trichloroacetic ester and the subsequent acetylation step. In these conditions, 2,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,363 or chloral or p-trichloromethyl-benzaldehyde as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,621,121 and 5,637,723 (Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc Rorer) are not sufficiently stable.
The process of the invention, in addition to Paclitaxel (R=benzoyl, R1=phenyl) and Docetaxel (R=tert.butoxycarbonyl, R1=phenyl), also provides other taxane derivatives efficiently and conveniently.
The compounds of formula IV have never been described before and are therefore a further object of the invention, as intermediates useful for the synthesis of taxane derivatives.
The following Examples illustrate the invention in greater detail.

Process for the preparation of taxanes from 10-deacetylbaccatin III

Abstract: and subsequent removal of the protective groups and hydrolysis of the oxazolidine ring.


A container refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circuit configured to perform a refrigeration cycle and including a main circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are connected together in this order, and a hot gas bypass circuit in which compressed refrigerant of the compressor is supplied to the evaporator by bypassing the condenser and the expansion valve; and a compressor control section configured to, in a defrosting operation in which the compressed refrigerant of the compressor returns to the compressor through the hot gas bypass circuit and the evaporator and the evaporator is defrosted, control an operating speed of the compressor such that a pressure of the compressed refrigerant of the compressor reaches a target value.

A container refrigeration system configured to cool an inside of a container has been known as a refrigeration system configured to perform a refrigeration cycle. Patent Document 1 discloses the container refrigeration system of this type.
The container refrigeration system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are connected together. The evaporator is provided inside the container. In the evaporator, refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from air inside the container. In such a manner, the air inside the container is cooled.
In the refrigerant circuit of the container refrigeration system, a bypass circuit configured to supply refrigerant (so-called "hot gas") compressed in the compressor to the evaporator without passing through the condenser is provided. Specifically, the bypass circuit includes two bypass pipes and two opening/closing valves provided respectively for the bypass pipes. Each of the bypass pipes allows communication of a gas line between the compressor and the condenser with a liquid line between the expansion valve and the evaporator. In the container refrigeration system, the foregoing bypass circuit is used to perform a defrosting mode for defrosting the evaporator.
Specifically, in the defrosting mode, a defrosting capacity is adjusted to two levels depending on an opening/closing state of the two opening/closing valves. That is, when only one of the opening/closing valves is opened in the defrosting mode, hot gas is supplied to the evaporator only through corresponding one of the bypass pipes. Thus, the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the evaporator is relatively low. A heating capacity (defrosting capacity) inside the container is also relatively low. On the other hand, when both of the opening/closing valves are opened in the defrosting mode, hot gas is supplied to the evaporator through the two bypass pipes. Thus, the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the evaporator is relatively high. The heating capacity (defrosting capacity) inside the container is also relatively high.


A latching inertial reel temporarily holds an inertial reel in a locked position during a lateral acceleration and resetably holds the reel in a latched position as a result of a vertical acceleration. The reel is latched when a latching sensor experiences a vertical acceleration above a threshold. A latch holds the reel in the latched position after the acceleration reduces to prevent subsequent injury from secondary impacts of a vehicle occupant with objects or surfaces in the vehicle. The latch may later be reset to release the reel. A vehicle seat may further include a seat inertial reel to provide support to the seat during a crash. The seat inertial reel may be attached to a floor mounting point, or to an elevated mounting point.

The present invention relates to restraint systems and in particular to a latching restraint system which latches during a crash, and remains latched until a release is actuated.
Generally, automotive and FM shoulder strap type Inertial Reels (IRs) are of the lock/unlock type. That is, the IR will lock to protect the occupant at the onset of either vehicle motion or shoulder strap acceleration above a first higher preset acceleration level, and automatically unlock when the acceleration level drops below a second lower preset acceleration level. The acceleration levels are usually set at very low thresholds. The low thresholds insure consistent IR locking in crash situations. After the acceleration level event passes, the IR automatically unlocks to allow normal operation of the restraint system with flexibility for the occupant to move within the constraints of the maximum extension bounds of the restraint system.
Unfortunately, a problem may occur with lock/unlock type restraint systems in certain crash or other scenarios. The onset of multiple discreet lock (or crash) events and the ability to unlock between events could allow the occupant to move away from a protected position where his shoulders are held tightly to the seat back. A typical event is an extended crash scenario where second and third impacts occur following the initial impact, for example, a military vehicle involved in a bomb blast from underneath. The initial concussion causes the restraint to lock. The trajectory of the vehicle will allow the restraint system to unlock as the vehicle ascends and then returns to earth. While the restraint system is unlocked, the occupant may become displaced from the protected position. When the vehicle impacts the ground, the occupant is free to impact the vehicle interior. The risk of injury is significantly higher in such situations. Similar scenarios may be predicted for multiple independent crash events with civilian vehicles, particularly after an airbag deflates.
Additionally, vehicle seats often have occupant restraint systems mounted to the seat. As a result, the seats must bear crash loads through the structure of the seat. The resulting forces on the seat structures, and the forces at the seat to vehicle mounting points, are often significant, and substantial displacement of the vehicle occupants may result.


A mobile communication device that comprises a fashion accessory and a signaling assembly is provided. The signaling assembly may be configured to provide sensory stimuli such as a flashing LED light and a vibration. These stimuli may vary depending on the signal received from a remote communication device or from gestures made by a user or from information stored in the mobile communication device.

Mobile communication devices such as smartphones and personal digital assistants have become commonplace in the twenty-first century. People rely on these devices to communicate with business associates, friends and family, and society has recognized that they are an integral part of the ways in which people do and will continue to connect with each other.
At the same time, there is recognition that in certain situations overt displays of these types of devices can be distracting, disrespectful to others or otherwise undesirable. For example, the vibration of a smartphone on a conference table during a meeting and the ringing of a device during a movie are occurrences upon which society frowns, despite the recognition that most people at meetings and leisure activities carry with them at least one mobile device that is capable of communicating with remote parties.
Moreover, in certain situations, even when no communications are being received, a person may feel compelled to check his or her device for messages, which can be considered disrespectful to other people who are in the presence of that person. Furthermore, the mere clutching of a mobile device while in the physical presence of other persons can be distracting to others or cumbersome to the owner. Still further, many owners elect to keep their mobile devices in a bag such as a purse or a briefcase, or in a holster or a pocket, but when doing so, they run risk of missing one or more communications because they do not hear the ring or feel the vibration. Thus, there is a need for new ways and new technologies for persons to be notified of communications on their wireless devices while minimizing the need to hold or to be immediately proximate to them.


An adjustable-width panel assembly for the construction of fences, walls, and other structures incorporating panels, which minimizes the need for separate fasteners to inter-connect successive panel members.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an adjustable-width panel assembly having first and second panel members which include connecting means that provide lateral movement of the panels relative to one another, whereby the cumulative width of the panel members is laterally adjustable to provide an efficient and effective means of construction for fences, privacy walls, and similar structures incorporating panels.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fences and privacy walls constructed using numerous, inter-connected panels have been in use for many years. Typically, such structures utilize a plurality of panels fabricated from metals, alloys, and thermoplastic materials. A number of means for connecting the panels to one another have been utilized, including rivets, screws, nails, and similar fasteners.
Fences are typically constructed from wooden materials, with wooden fence posts, typically 4 inches by 4 inches square in cross-section. A stringer, typically also 4 inches in width, is provided between posts near the upper and lower portions of the fence posts, as by the use of connectors such as nails. Panel members, also typically of wooden construction, are nailed to the stringers on one either one side of the fence, the other side of the fence, or through various alternating patterns.
In typical fence construction using wooden materials, the panel members are mounted substantially coplanar with an outside surface of the fence post. This allows for continuous nailing of the wooden panel members to the stringer, even over the fence post, as the panel members are attached along numerous sections over the entire length of the fence. One advantage of such construction is that precise placement of the posts is not necessary. Because the panel members are connected to the face of the stringers (which is substantially coplanar with an outside surface of the fence post), exact spacing is immaterial to a successful installation or construction. However, wooden fences and other types of fences that require separate fasteners to fasten the panel members to the fence may have a number of disadvantages, as further described below.
Other types of fence construction may involve the use of assemblies of inter-connected panel members. However, it has been found that attachment of the final panel member of each post-to-post section may require special attention, such as by cutting and trimming excess material, when the fence post wasn't located properly on, for example, 8 foot centers.
Further, use of separate fasteners may add additional, undesirable expense to construction costs and may also contribute to failure of the integrity of the structure, due either to wear at the point of connection and/or misapplication of the fasteners by relatively unskilled workers. Additionally, use of such fasteners may not provide for expansion and/or contraction of the panel members due to changes in temperature or other factors. Moreover, use of such fasteners may be time consuming and increase the time for construction, also allowing a tendency for error, which may reduce the quality of construction.
Other means have been utilized for inter-connecting panel members that eliminate the need for separate fasteners, including elaborate flange members provided at opposite sides of the panels that matably fit with one another, as well as simple, arcuate portions which slidably engage one another to connect the panels. However, a number of such connection means may require that long panels be located lengthwise, end to end, taking care to maintain generally planar alignment between the members as the members are slidably moved to a side-by-side relation. Further, such means may not provide for expansion or provide for adjustability of the width of the panel assembly. Such slidable means may further increase the time and effort required for the construction, thereby increasing construction costs and fatigue of the workers.
Other connection means incorporating flange members may eliminate some of the problems associated with slidable engagement and allow for snapable or rotatable connection. However, such connection means may not provide adequate tolerances at the point of connection for expansion of the panel members, may require an undesirable degree of care in calculating the dimensions involved and in the placement of certain supporting structures that may be used in the construction of the fences, privacy walls, and similar structures. Such panel connection means may further require additional labor such as for cutting or trimming of a portion of the panel member to be connected to the supporting member where relatively close tolerances were not observed or where precise calculations were not done, and/or when supporting structures, such as fence posts, were not carefully located.
Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no adjustable-width panel assembly which: is simple and economical to manufacture; is easily and quickly utilized; is effective to inter-connect successive panel members without separate fasteners; and provides lateral adjustability of a structure comprised of inter-connected panel members. Therefore, the art has sought an adjustable-width panel assembly which: is simple and economical to manufacture; is easily and quickly utilized; is effective to inter-connect successive panel members without separate fasteners; and provides lateral adjustability of a structure comprised of inter-connected panel members.


[Objectives] The present invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery in which a material containing Si and O as constituent elements is used in a negative electrode. The present invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery having good charge discharge cycle characteristics, and suppressing the battery swelling associated with the charge and the discharge. Also, the present invention relates to a negative electrode that can provide the non-aqueous secondary battery. [Solution] The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material, including a composite of a material containing Si and O as constitution elements (atom ratio x of O to Si is 0.5≦x≦1.5) in combination with a carbon material, and graphite. The graphite has an average particle diameter dg (μm) of 4 to 20 μm. The material containing Si and O as constitution elements has an average particle diameter ds (μm) of 1 μm or more. The ratio ds/dg (i.e., ds to dg) is 0.05 to 1. The material containing Si and O as constitution elements has a crystallite diameter of 50 nm or less, the crystallite diameter is calculated from a half width at a (220) plane of Si obtained by an X-ray diffraction method, using Scherrer Formula. In 100 mass % of the composite of the material containing Si and O as constitution elements, and the carbon material, a ratio of the material containing Si and O as constitution elements is 70 to 95 mass %.

A non-aqueous secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery is known as having a high voltage and a high capacity. From these reasons, it is widely adopted as a power source of various portable equipments. In addition, recent years have been spreading into medium-scale or large-scale size applications, including power tools such as electric power tools, and electric vehicles and electric bicycles.
Especially, it is used in cellular phones or game machines that have advanced its development in miniaturization and multifunction. The batteries in such applications are further demanded to increase their capacity. One approach is in the research and development to focus on the electrode active materials exhibiting a high charge discharge capacity. Among other things, a focus has been made on a material that allows more absorption and desorption of lithium (ions), such as silicon (Si) and tin (Sn) as a negative electrode active material, instead of a carbonaceous material such as graphite which is adopted in conventional non-aqueous secondary batteries. In particular, SiOx was reported to have showed excellent load characteristics in a structure of ultrafine Si particles dispersed in the SiO2. See Patent Publications Nos. 1 and 2.
However, SiOx exhibits large volumetric expansion and shrinkage associated with the charge and the discharge reaction. Therefore, the particles can be crushed during each cycle of the charge and the discharge of the battery. As a result, it is known that exposed surfaces of Si can react with the solvent of the non-aqueous electrolyte, causing the problems that increase an irreversible capacity or brings about the battery swelling due to the charge and the discharge. Also, SiOx has a fine shape, so that it can attain a certain level of improvements in the load characteristic of the battery. It is, however, noted that SiOx per se is a material having a low conductivity. Therefore, there is still a room to make further improvements.
Under the circumstances as explained above, it was proposed to restrict the use rate of SiOx to suppress the volumetric expansion and shrinkage associated with the charge and the discharge reactions. It was also proposed to coat the SiOx surfaces with a conductive material such as carbon to improve the load characteristics. It was also proposed to use a non-aqueous electrolyte including a halogen-substituted cyclic carbonate (e.g., 4-fluoro-1,3-dioxolane-2-one). Using these technical proposals, the batteries have been proposed to improve the charge discharge cycle characteristics thereof. See Patent Document No. 3.

Negative electrode for non-aqueous secondary battery, and a non-aqueous secondary battery


Disclosed here is a method to determine a user intent when a user device initiates an interactive voice response (IVR) call with a wireless telecommunication network. A processor can detect the IVR call initiated with the network and determine whether the user device is a member of the network. Upon determining that the user device is a member of the network, the processor can obtain user history including interaction history between the user and the network. Based on the user history, the processor can predict the user intent when the user initiates the IVR call. The processor can detect whether user device is a 5G capable device. Upon the determining that the device is 5G capable and based on the predicted user intent, the processor can suggest to the user an application configured to execute on the user device and configured to address the predicted user intent.

Interactive voice response (IVR) allows users to interact with a company's host system via a telephone keypad or by speech recognition, after which services can be inquired about through the IVR dialogue. Usually, the IVR systems can respond with pre-recorded audio containing static menus to further direct users on how to proceed. The static menus can be complex, and after a few selections, the user can forget all the selections made, and feel lost in the labyrinth of options.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Interactive voice response using intent prediction and, for example a 5G capable device


Level-shifting circuitry having a level shifting section and an enable/disable section. The level shifting section is responsive to an input logic signal. The input logic signal has a first voltage level representative of a first logic state or a second voltage level representative of a second logic state. The level-shifting section provides an output logic signal having a third voltage level representative of the logic state of the input logic signal. The enable/disable section is coupled to the level shifting section and is responsive to an enable/disable signal for driving the output terminal of the level-shifting section to a predetermined voltage level during a disable mode. A switch is responsive to the enable/disable signal for preventing current to the level shifting section during the disable mode.

This invention relates generally to level-shifting circuitry.
As is known in the art, level-shifting circuitry is used to shift lower voltage signal levels to higher voltage signal levels. One example of such circuit is shown in FIG. 1. Such circuit is formed on a semiconductor chip and includes a pair of N type Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) N1 and N2 and a pair of P type MOSFETs P1 P2 arranged as shown. The P type MOSFETs have the bulk silicon connected to an external +2.5 volt power source. The N type MOSFETs have the bulk silicon connected to ground. The N type MOSFET N1 is a low threshold voltage transistor having. The gate of transistor N1 is connected to an internal +2.1 volt source. The input voltage (IN) is a logic signal having logic 1, here represented by +2.1 volts or a logic 0 state, here represented by ground potential. Here, the level-shifter also provides an inversion in the logic state of the input signal as well as shifting the input signal logic 1 state from +2.1 volts to a higher voltage output signal logic 1 state, here +2.5 volts. Thus, in operation, when the input voltage is logic 0, transistors N1, and P2 are xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d and transistors P1 and N2 are xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d, thereby providing a logic 1, here a +2.5 volt level, at the output OUT. Thus, the input logic 1 condition of a +2.1 volt input signal has been shifted to a +2.5 volt output logic 1. On the other hand, when the input voltage IN is logic 1 (i.e., here +2.1 volts), transistors N1, and P2 are xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d and transistors P1 and N2 are xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d, thereby providing ground potential (i.e., an output logic 0) at the output OUT.
In accordance with the present invention, level-shifting circuitry is provided having a level-shifting section responsive to an input logic signal. The input logic signal has a first voltage level representative of a first logic state or a second voltage level representative of a second logic state. The level-shifting section provides an output logic signal having a third voltage level representative of the first logic state of the input logic signal. The level-shifting circuitry also includes an enable/disable section responsive to an enable/disable signal for driving the output logic signal to a predetermined voltage level during a disable mode.
In one embodiment, the level-shifting section includes: an input transistor having a control electrode, a first electrode coupled to the input logic signal, and a second electrode. An output pair of serially coupled complementary type transistors is provided. A first one of the pair of transistors has a first electrode coupled to a source of the third voltage level and a control electrode coupled to the second electrode of the input transistor. (it should be noted that in the case of a FET, the terms first and second electrode refer to source and drain electrodes, it being understood that while each transistor has a source and drain electrode, the terms may be used interchangeable. Further, in the case of a FET, the term control electrode refers to the gate electrode). A junction between the output pair of transistors provides an output terminal for the level-shifting circuitry. A control electrode of the second one of the pair of transistors is connected to the first electrode of the input transistor.
In one embodiment, the level-shifting section includes an additional transistor. The additional transistor has a control electrode connected to the junction, a first electrode coupled to the source of the third voltage level and a second electrode connected to the second electrode of the input transistor. In one embodiment, the input transistor and the additional transistor are of opposite conductivity type.
In one embodiment, the enable/disable circuit includes a gating transistor having a first electrode connected to the junction and a second electrode connected to the second electrode of the second one of the pair of transistors. An inverter is included coupled between the first electrode of the input transistor and a control electrode of the gating transistor.
In one embodiment, a switch is responsive to the enable/disable signal for preventing current to the additional transistor when in the disable mode.
In one embodiment, the switch is responsive to an output of the inverter and is coupled between the source of the third voltage level and: (1) the output terminal; (2) the first electrode of the additional transistor; and, (3) the first electrode of the first one of the pair of transistors.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Level-shifting circuitry having xe2x80x9clowxe2x80x9d output during disable mode


A power converter having a parallel resonant circuit, includes an inverter, a resonant circuit, a transformer comprising a primary circuit and a secondary circuit, control means for the inverter, the inverter being connected to the resonant circuit, which is intended to be connected to an output load via the transformer, the power converter wherein the inverter comprises a first half-bridge and a second half-bridge in parallel with the first half-bridge, a first inductor between the first half-bridge and the resonant circuit, a second inductor between the second half-bridge and the resonant circuit, and in that the first and second inductors have the same inductance and are coupled in the opposite direction to one another.

Generally, the function of the output of a power converter is to provide the target with the voltage and current required for its operation.
Resonant converters are designed for a given range of input voltages and output currents. In a conventional resonant structure, operation is ensured at the resonant frequency or for a frequency that is close. Under these conditions and for a sufficiently high level of selectivity, the current in the structure is in sinusoidal or quasi-sinusoidal form.
The input voltage or the load is often varied by changing the operating frequency of the power supply for a resonant converter. Now, changing the operating frequency affects the ratio between active power and reactive power and does not permit optimization of the output over the whole range of operation of the resonant converters.
Changing the operating frequency of the power supply for a resonant converter also makes it difficult to size the magnetic elements and the filters around the resonant power converter.
Moreover, for very extensive operating ranges, it becomes difficult to ensure efficient operation in all use scenarios.
FIG. 1 shows a structure known from the prior art. Conventionally, a resonant power converter 1 comprises:
an inverter 10 provided by two switches Qi1 and Qi2,
a series resonant circuit LC containing an inductor Lr and a capacitor Cr,
a transformer T1, comprising a primary circuit 2 with a winding containing N1 turns and a secondary rectifier circuit 3 with a winding containing N2 turns, that allows the DC isolation function to be performed,
and control means 4 for the inverter 10.
The inverter 10 here allows a (DC) input voltage Vin to be chopped and thus a square-wave signal to be generated. If this square-wave signal is at the right frequency, i.e. at the resonant frequency or at a frequency close to the resonant frequency of the Lr, Cr pair, the current can be considered purely sinusoidal for a sufficiently high level of selectivity. The current then flows through the transformer T1 permitting DC isolation and is transmitted to an output load Rout by way of the secondary rectifier circuit 3.
The addition of an inductor Lm in parallel with the transformer T1, as shown in FIG. 1, allows two resonances to be separated. Operating between these two resonances by changing the frequency makes it possible to vary the output load Rout and to adapt to input and output voltage variations.
The greater the difference between these loads, the greater the difference between the required gains, and the greater the need to change the frequency in order to sweep the desired output voltage range Vout. This has four drawbacks. The first drawback lies with the magnetic elements, that is to say with the inductors and the transformer, which are designed for a precise operating frequency and which can bring about losses in the event of operating frequencies that are removed from their operating area.
The second drawback lies with the dynamic range. Sweeping a large frequency range involves reducing the dynamic range of the system.
An increase in reactive power in the cell can bring about an increase in currents (exchange of energy between the converter and the source) and therefore an increase in losses.
Finally, changing the operating frequency can bring about discontinuities in the output current, increasing the value of the current transmitted to the secondary and therefore increasing losses.


The breakdown voltage of an MIS field effect transistor having an SOI structure is improved by forming a gate electrode on the top surface and two side surfaces of a channel region of the SOI layer and by partially extending the gate electrode toward the inside under the bottom of the channel region such the gate electrode is not completly connected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, more specifically a MIS (Metal Insulator Semiconductor) field effect transistor having a thin film SOI (Silicon On Insulator / Semiconductor On Insulator) structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent improved performances of semiconductor devices largely depend on improved performances of unit transistors and reduction of their size. One of the high performance transistors that has attracted attention is a MIS field effect transistor having a thin film SOI structure.
One of the typical MIS field effect transistors having a thin film SOI structure is the mesa type transistor, in which an island of a silicon or semiconductor layer formed on an insulating layer, such as an SiO.sub.2 layer, comprises a channel region of one conductivity type at the center of the island and source and drain regions of opposite conductivity type adjacent to and sandwiching the channel region. A gate electrode is formed on and covers the top and two side surfaces of the channel region. The source and drain regions are connected to contacts or source and drain electrodes.
In this type of MIS field effect transistor having a thin film SOI structure, the breakdown voltage between the source and drain is low, at highest 4.5 V, because a parasitic bipolar transistor involved in this structure is activated at a low voltage.
An all round type MIS field effect transistor having a thin film SOI structure is also known. In this type, a gate electrode covers not only the top and two side surfaces but also the bottom surface of the channel region, that is, all around the channel region of the island of silicon or a semiconductor. Of cource, the gate electrode does not exist on the interfaces between the channel region and the source and drain regions.
This all around type MOS field effect transistor having a thin film SOI structure also has a low breakdown voltage between the source and drain, at highest 4.5 V, as a result of the concentration of an electric field in the drain region.
Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide MIS field effect transistors having a thin film SOI structure which may have an improved breakdown voltage between the source and drain.

MOS FET having a thin film SOI structure


A high power amplifier system includes an on-line adaptive predistorter for generating predistorted complex data signals to a high power amplifier in response to receiving incoming complex data signals from a remote source. The predistorted complex data signals enable the high powered amplifier to output signals corresponding to the incoming complex data signals. The amplifier system includes an off-line adaptive predistorter which has an adaptive parametric forward filter for combining predistorted complex data signals and demodulated complex data signals, produced from the output of the high power amplifier, to produce an optimized forward amplitude filter that emulates the forward amplitude response of the amplifier, and an optimized inverse phase filter that emulates the inverse phase response of the amplifier. An adaptive parametric inverse filter combines random amplitude data and the optimized forward amplitude filter of the amplifier to produce an optimized inverse amplitude filter that emulates the inverse amplitude response of the amplifier. An off-line to on-line converter combines the optimized inverse amplitude filter, the optimized inverse phase filter and exemplary complex data to produce the predistorted complex data utilized by the on-line adaptive predistorter for generating the predistorted complex data signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to adaptive predistorters for compensating time varying nonlinear amplitude and phase distortion of high power amplifiers used for transmission of data in digital communication systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Digital transmission application, such as wireless and wireline video, multimedia, audio and data transmission, have created the need for high data throughput in bandlimited channels. To obtain the required throughput, multi-amplitude and multi-phase modulation schemes such as Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), Vestigial Sideband Modulation (VSB), and Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (COFDM) are being utilized. These modulation schemes increase the order of modulation thereby providing the required throughput. However, increasing the order of the modulation also increases the sensitivity of these modulation schemes to distortion. Typical sources of distortion include, for example, High Power Amplifier (HPA) nonlinearity, multipath distortion, additive noise, and analog circuit imperfection. Moreover, digital transmission applications, such as, digital television, are subject to stringent out-of-band emission requirements. The sensitivity to distortion and the stringent out-of-band restrictions require that the output of HPAs not be contaminated with nonlinear amplification products.
In HPAs, these nonlinear amplification products include nonlinear amplitude-dependent phase distortion (AM/PM) and nonlinear amplitude-dependent amplitude distortion (AM/AM). The AM/PM and AM/AM distortions are produced by the transistors of the HPA operating in nonlinear regions of their operation. For example, very large input signals may cause the transistors to saturate and very small input signals may have insufficient amplitude to cause the transistors to conduct.
One approach to eliminate this distortion includes limiting the amplitude of the input signal so that the HPA operates within its linear operating range. This approach, however, fails to utilize the full amplification capability of the HPA. Another approach is to predistort the input signal so that the HPA produces a desired, undistorted output.
Signal predistortion typically includes pre-amplifying and pre-phase shifting the input of the HPA to compensate for the saturation and phase shift thereof. One method of predistortion includes mapping predistorted data, comprised of an in-phase portion and a quadrature portion of a complex data signal, into a lookup table. In response to the input of a complex signal from a remote source, predistorted data are selectively retrieved from the lookup table, modulated and passed through the HPA. If the predistorted data are properly selected, the demodulated output of the HPA will be a linearly amplified version of the input complex signal from the remote source. However, the manner in which the inverse of the HPA nonlinearity is estimated and implemented affects the creation of the lookup table.
One problem with prior art predistortion methods is that input signals undergoing the most severe distortion are the signals having the largest or smallest amplitude. Moreover, signals having the largest or smallest amplitudes are also signal levels which are least likely to occur. Hence, prior art predistortion methods which utilize the output of the HPA to determine the best inverse to the output of the HPA have the least data where it is most needed. Another problem with prior art predistortion methods is that they do not take advantage of the correlation between distortion experienced by signals of similar power levels. Specifically, distortion created for one input signal amplitude is highly correlated with distortion created for a similar, but distinct, input signal amplitude. The lookup table values of prior art predistorters are continuously updated as a function of input signals being amplified immediately preceding update of the lookup tables. Hence, different input signals having similar input signal amplitudes may produce different lookup table values. These different lookup table values are caused by measurement distortion of the signal output by the HPA. Typical sources of measurement distortion include thermal noise, frequency response and group delay response of analog filters in the modulation and demodulation conversion process, phase noise of local oscillators utilized in the modulator and demodulator, and timing errors in the conversion of analog signals to digital signals.
Another problem with prior art predistortion methods is the absence of determining the gradient of the AM/AM distortion of the HPA. Not including the gradient of the AM/AM distortion of the HPA in the determination of the optimal inverse AM/AM HPA predistorted data increases the error in the AM/AM inverse estimate.

Adaptive parametric signal predistorter for compensation of time varying linear and nonlinear amplifier distortion


A new and distinct Hosta plant named ‘Coast to Coast’ characterized by large, cordate, golden-yellow foliage, light lavender flowers beginning in early July on compact scapes just above foliage and upright habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Hosta plant, Hosta 'Coast to Coast' hereinafter also referred to as the new plant or just the cultivar name, 'Coast to Coast'. Hosta 'Coast to Coast' was hybridized by the inventor, Olga Petryszyn, in the June of 1998 in a trial garden at a personal Hosta garden in Chesterton, Ind., USA. The new plant originated from a breeding program conducted by the inventor with the specific intention to improve the garden worthiness and was later the subject of further trials in the inventor's garden in Chesterton, Ind. The female or seed parent was Hosta 'Manhattan' (not patented) and the male or pollen) parent was Hosta 'Golden Gate' (not patented). The new plant has been asexually propagated by division at the same garden in Chesterton, Ind. and also by careful whole shoot tip tissue culture propagation since 2011 with all resultant asexually propagated plants having retained all the same unique traits as the original plant. Hosta 'Coast to Coast' is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
There are nearly 5,000 registered Hostas with The American Hosta Society, which is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for the genus Hosta. The most similar Hosta cultivars known to the applicant are the female and male parents. Other similar cultivars include Hosta 'Zounds' (not patented). Compared to 'Zounds' the instant cultivar has larger, more elongated and pointed leaves with a more glaucous underside, plant habit is more upright and larger, and the flower is more light lavender compared to the near-white flower of 'Zounds'. 'Coast to Coast' differs from the female patent, Hosta 'Manhattan', in that the new plant has more gold yellow foliage, the leaves are larger and the leaf margins are less undulated and flowers that are lavender compared to the purple of 'Manhattan'. In comparison to the male parent, Hosta 'Golden Gate', the new plant has more upright habit, heavier substance, lighter gold coloring and more rugose foliage with deeper pigmented flowers.
Hosta 'Coast to Coast' differs from all other Hostas known to the applicant, by the combination of the following traits:                1. Large, long, golden-yellow leaf blades with acute apexes, cordate bases and rugose upper surface;        2. Medium lavender buds opening to large lavender flowers beginning in early July in northern Indiana and effective for 3 weeks;        3. Numerous lavender flowers held close together and subtended by large lavender-pigmented bracts; and        4. Large upright habit.


A data recorder for a digital video disc includes a first-in, first-out buffer memory. The memory is responsive to an input data signal for sequentially storing in a first-in, first-out manner a running, data of Video Object Units (VOBU's), defined in the Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) Specification for Read Only Disc (the specification), prior to recording the data. In a first embodiment of the invention, the values of each address pointer of a first sub-set of address pointers contained in a field VOBU Search Information (VOBU_SRI), are established in accordance with the VOBU's contained in the buffer memory. The value of each address pointer of a second sub-set of the address pointers, associated with VOBU's positioned further behind, in a sequence of presentation, than each of the VOBU's contained in the memory is not made to conform to the Specification. Thereby, a storage capacity requirement from the buffer memory is reduced. In a second embodiment of the invention, the size of each Cell in the data format is constrained to only 59 VOBU's. The entries for each address pointer of the second sub-set, is made to contain a “does not exist” code.

In a Digital Video Disc (DVD) for read-only disk type application, packetized video data, conforming to the Motion Picture Expert Group #2 (MPEG-2) standard for compression, and/or audio data are multiplexed onto a DVD disc. The data are recorded in a manner compliant with Part 3, VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS of the existing DVD Specifications for Read-Only Disc (the Specification). The read-only DVD data format employs a sub-set of the MPEG-2 format and is defined by a proprietary standard adopted by a consortium of consumer electronics companies and described in available literature such as "DVD Demystified—The Guidebook of DVD-Video and DVD-ROM", 1997, by Jim Taylor published by McGraw Hill. Further, MPEG-2 compatible data is encoded in accordance with the "MPEG standard" comprised of a system encoding section (ISO/IEC 13818-1, 10th Jun. 1994) and a video encoding section (ISO/IEC 13818-2, 20th Jan. 1995).
Multiplexed data are segmented into logical blocks referred to as Video Object Units (VOBU's) forming a presentation sequence. FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a normal forward presentation sequence that includes, for example, VOBU (n−m), VOBU(n) and VOBU (n+m) in that order. The number represented by the symbol "n" provides the position of the VOBU within the sequence. Current VOBU (n) represents, for example, the VOBU that currently provides the video and audio information for playback or for recording, in accordance with the context. Similarly, future
VOBU(n+m) provides the video and audio information following current VOBU (n) and is separated from current VOBU (n) by a number of intervening VOBU's determined by the numerical value of the symbol "m". In the same manner, past VOBU (n−m) provides the video and audio information prior to current VOBU (n).
FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the data structure within VOBU (n). Similar symbols and numerals in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate similar items or functions. The video information of VOBU (n) of FIG. 2 is encoded in accordance with the MPEG-2 standard and recorded in data fields, each occupying a single sector on the disc, for example, a data field or portion Video Pack (V-PCK) 202. Similarly, audio information is recorded in data fields, each occupying a single sector on the disc, for example, a data field or portion Audio Pack (A-PCK) 203.
Additionally, the data structure of VOBU (n) includes a single data field or portion Navigation Pack (Nav_Pack) 201, containing information concerning the presentation control of VOBU (n) and occupying a single sector on the disc. Data field Nav_Pack 201 includes a data field referred to in the specification as Data Search Information (DSI), not shown, that includes a data field VOBU Search Information (VOBU—SRI) 201a having a length of 168 bytes. Field VOBU—SRI 201a contains information selectively used for searching data in either future or past VOBU's relative to current VOBU (n) in order to perform "trick" play operation such as fast reverse or fast forward. In the trick play operation, a sub-set of the pictures VOBU's in the presentation sequence provide content information for achieving a look that is faster than in the normal presentation sequence.
The table of FIG. 3 includes FIGS. 3A and 3B. A given 4-byte address pointer or data word FWDI(m), shown in the table of FIG. 3 and contained in field VOBU—SRI 201a of current VOBU (n) of FIG. 1, identifies a start, logical sector address of a corresponding future VOBU, not shown, associated with data word FWDI(m). Similar symbols and numerals in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 indicate similar times or functions. In normal forward presentation mode, a future VOBU such as, for example, future VOBU (n+m), associated with data word FWDI(m) is presented for display, following an interval measured from the presentation start time of current VOBU (n) that has a duration, in seconds, equal to 0.5 multiplied by the value of "m". The parameter "m" is selected from the consecutive integer values, 1 through 15 and the integer values 20, 60, 120 and 240. For example, word FWDI(m=20) refers to a future VOBU which is presented in the normal forward presentation sequence 20 VOBU's following current VOBU (n).
Similarly, each 4-byte address pointer or data word BWDI(m) in the table of FIG. 3 identifies the start, logical sector address of a corresponding past VOBU, for example, VOBU (n−m), associated with data word BWDI (m). The past VOBU associated with data word BWDI (m) is presented for display, in normal forward presentation mode, before the presentation start time of current VOBU (n) by an interval having a duration, in seconds, equal to 0.5 multiplied by the value of "m". The parameter "m" can be selected from the same integer values. For example, word BWDI(m=20) refers to a VOBU which appears is in the presentation sequence 20 VOBU's before current VOBU (n).
In a trick mode operation, a DVD player, not shown, conforming to the Specification, may obtain the address of the next VOBU for processing from the corresponding entry, word FWDI(m) or BWDI(m), in field VOBU—SRI 201a of current VOBU (n) of FIG. 2. Thereby, the presentation of the video information contained in intervening VOBU's is omitted or skipped over to provide for fast forward or fast reverse trick mode operations. For example, when, in the fast trick mode the 21th future VOBU is presented immediately after current VOBU (n), the presentation of the 20 VOBU's, interposed between them, are skipped over. When displaying 1-only pictures for 10 fields per 1 picture, the result is a fast trick mode operation that is approximately 60 times faster than in the normal presentation mode.
It may be desirable to perform a real-time recording of audio and video content on discs compatible for playback operation with existing read-only DVD players, intended for discs conforming to the Specification. That means that data words FWDI(m) and BWDI(m) have to be provided in the data stream. Recording data words BWDI(m) in current VOBU (n) does not necessitate the usage of a large buffer memory in the recorder. This is so because the sector addresses of past VOBU's associated with data words BWDI(m) could be computed prior to receiving the data of current VOBU (n).
On the other hand, accumulating appropriate values for recording data word FWDI (m) might, disadvantageously, require a large buffer memory. Because of a variable bit-rate in MPEG encoding, without extensive data buffering, it cannot be known at the time the video data, for example, of current VOBU (n) is produced by the MPEG encoder what addresses the future VOBU will have.
In order to record in field VOBU—SRI 201a, for example, word FWDI(m=240) of FIG. 3, related to the 241th future VOBU, all the video information of the intervening VOBU's has to be encoded, assembled and stored for computing the starting sector address of the 241th future VOBU. The 241th future VOBU appears 240 VOBU's after current VOBU (n). Therefore, the information associated with each of the intervening 240 future VOBU's might have to be stored in a memory prior to recording on the disc the information of field VOBU—SRI 201a of current VOBU (n). After each of the 241 future VOBU's has been produced, words FWDI(m) of the table of FIG. 3 could be generated. Disadvantageously, storing such a large number of VOBU's requires an excessively large storage space in the memory in the range of 100 Mega-Byte.
In carrying out an inventive feature, the address pointer for each of the 61th, 121th and 241th future VOBU's, ahead of current VOBU (n) of FIG. 1, that, according to the Specification, should be contained in words FWDI(m=60), FWDI(m=120) and FWDI(m=240), respectively, instead, is set to a value that need not conform to the Specification. Whereas, the address contained in each of words FWDI(m=1) through FWDI(m=20) is made to conform to the Specification. Consequently, the maximum fast forward trick mode, that corresponds to word FWDI(m=20), is 60 times faster than in the normal presentation mode, as indicated before. Advantageously, such an arrangement reduces the memory requirement significantly, to the order of 8 Mega-Byte.
In carrying out a further inventive feature, in each of words FWDI(m=60), FWDI(m=120) and FWDI(m=240), respectively, the value of, for example, word FWDI(m=20) associated with the 20th future VOBU is, instead, recorded. Thereby, a DVD player having the capability of operating in a fast forward trick mode, faster than 60 times the normal presentation mode, will be limited to the 60 times faster trick mode.
The logical sector addresses provided in field VOBU—SRI 201a are valid, in accordance with the Specification, for a predetermined group of VOBU's referred to as a "Cell" such as Cell 206 of FIG. 1. Cell 206, for example, is a logical association of VOBU's that includes, for example, VOBU (n−m), VOBU (n) and VOBU (n+m), and the intervening VOBU's. Cell 206 is delineated by two sector addresses containing a start logical sector number and an end logical sector number, respectively. In the Specification, Section 4.5.4, subsections 2 and 4, it is stated that if a given word FWDI (or BWDI) were to point to an address of a VOBU outside the range of a Cell, such as Cell 206, then, instead, it should contain a bit combination referred to as "does not exist" code, rather than an address pointer of an actual VOBU.
In accordance with another inventive feature, each Cells is constrained in size to only 59 VOBU's. As a result of constraining each Cell in size to only 59 VOBU's, the entries for each of words FWDI(m=60), FWDI(m=120) and FWDI(m=240) need only contain the aforementioned "does not exist" code. Therefore, advantageously, the need for a large buffer memory is diminished.

Arrangement for recording navigation information in a data recorder


A plurality of first missions (mission A (M 1A), mission B (M1B), and mission C (M1C)) are set corresponding to different battle areas in a game space 2. The operations of NPCs are automatically controlled so that friend NPCs 8 and enemy NPCs 9 involved in each first mission simultaneously fight a battle in parallel. A player character 6 is automatically determined to have participated in the first mission for which the player character 6 has approached the battle area or the first mission in which the enemy NPC 9 which has been shot down by the player character 6 is involved, and individual mission support contribution points Pa, Pb, Pc, and total support contribution points Pt are increased when the player character 6 has shot down the enemy NPC 9. When the player has performed a support request operation input, the total support contribution points Pt are decreased by given points. A support character 8s is selected from surviving friend NPCs 8a and 8b involved in the first missions which have been accomplished. The support character 8s is controlled to approach the present position of the player character 6 and support the player character 6 corresponding to the type of support request.

A game classified as a combat flight simulation has been known in which the player operates an aircraft such as a fighter aircraft and attacks an enemy. The player enjoys the game by operating a fighter aircraft (i.e., player character) as a mercenary pilot or a regular force pilot, and attacking an enemy aircraft or an enemy ground weapon to accomplish operations assigned to the player.
In recent years, technology has been known in which a fighter aircraft (player character) operated by the player and a plurality of friend aircraft automatically controlled by a computer organize a military force, and the player plays the game while issuing instructions to the friend aircraft (see JP-A-2005-224281, for example). Specifically, the friend aircraft are normally controlled to be distributed in a game space and to search for and attack an enemy. When the player has performed a gather instruction operation input, the friend aircraft are controlled to gather around the player character. When the player has performed an attack instruction operation input, the friend aircraft are controlled to selectively search for and attack an enemy within an attack range in front of the player character. Specifically, the player can not only enjoy a fighter aircraft flight simulation, but also enjoy a realistic situation in which the player fights a battle while receiving support from the friend aircraft.
In order to make the combat flight simulation game more realistic, it is desirable to employ large-scale military operations in which a number of weapons deployed over a wide area participate. It is also desirable that the player fight a battle while cooperating with friend characters instead of taking independent action in the operation area.
The technology disclosed in JP-A-2005-224281 may be applied to a number of friend non-player characters (NPCs) deployed over a wide area so that the player can cooperate with friend characters. According to the technology disclosed in JP-A-2005-224281, the friend aircraft operate based on instructions from the player. Therefore, a situation in which the player and the friend aircraft help each other in a battlefield cannot be implemented.

Calculation control method, storage medium, and game device


The object of the invention is a method of control of an ammunition or submunition, and in particular of the control of initiation of fire and/or of control of a trajectory correction and/or of a direction of fire, from a target detection. The method consists of the following steps: (1) a field zone (2) is sweeped from the ammunition (6) or submunition using a laser beam (10), (2) a potential target (1) located on the field is spotted using a passive surveillance means (4), and (3) when the means of passive surveillance (4) detects the laser beam (10) transmitted by the ammunition or submunition, the transmission of an order of confirmation is controlled and/or of at least one off-target data via the means of surveillance (4) and towards the ammunition or submunition.

Patent FR2747185 reports on an attack system implementing a submunition equipped with a detector and a ground-based target designator.
This submunition spots the ground along a spiral curve during its descent path. When the submunition detects a laser pulse transmitted by the designator, initiation of the warhead is automatically triggered.
This device indicates a major disadvantage in that the performance of the designator is limited to the implementation of an ammunition or submunition with negligible sweep speed of detection (in the range of 50 meters per second).
To make this type of designator compatible with higher performance ammunitions or submunitions, therefore with higher sweep speeds, the transmission frequency of the laser pulse as well as its power should be increased in such proportions that operational use would hardly be possible.
Moreover, the ground-based designator described in patent FR2747185 is an active designator. It can therefore be easily spotted by the designated target.

Method of control of an ammunition or submunition, attack system, ammunition and designator implementing such a method


A tilt lift bathing system includes a central support having a chair mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis between a lowered upright position adjacent one side of the central support and a raised recumbent position above the central support. The chair is rotatable about a vertical axis in its raised recumbent position so that upon mounting of the central support adjacent one wall of a bathtub, the chair is pivotable upwardly by a powered device to the raised recumbent position rotatable over the tub wall and pivotable downwardly to the lowered upright position in the tub for bathing an occupant of the chair.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to bathing systems to assist the elderly or infirm and, more particularly, to a tilt lift bathing system having a chair positioned adjacent one end of a bathing vessel or tub, the chair being tilted upwards about a substantially horizontal pivot axis to provide sufficient clearance to allow the chair to be rotated to a position above the tub for lowering the occupant into the tub.
2. Description of the Prior Art
To the elderly or infirm, the act of bathing can present serious difficulties as it is often difficult or impossible for such persons to enter or exit a bathing vessel without some form of assistance. Even with such help, entering and exiting a bathing vessel may still present serious challenges merely due to the weight of the elderly or infirm individual. Therefore, various mechanical forms of bathing assistance have been developed to aid the elderly or infirm in the act of bathing. Without exception, however, these prior art devices suffer from various shortcomings.
The major shortcoming not addressed by the prior art is that when an elderly or infirm patient is lifted above the ground to allow the supporting structure to be placed in a bathtub, the vertical lifting action can cause anxiety or fear in the patient. This is especially true in dealing with very old patients who may already have a great fear of falling due to the brittle nature of their bones, be it real or perceived. Without exception, the prior art discloses bathtub lift systems which vertically lift the chair on which the patient is placed to allow the chair to enter the bathing vessel.
It has been found that the anxiety of an elderly or infirm patient may be greatly decreased if the vertical lifting action of the prior art is replaced by a tilt lift action where the base of the patient's chair is tilted upwards such that the patient may eventually be in a reclining position. There is therefore a need for such a tilt lift bathing system.
Known prior art apparatus for lifting a chair into a from a bathtub fail to teach the tilt lift bathing system of the present invention. For example, Dueth, U.S. Pat. No. 2,697,475, discloses an apparatus for lifting a chair into and from a bath tub, the apparatus including a parallelogram linkage connected to one side of the chair for simultaneously lifting and tilting the chair relative to the linkage. This mechanism, however, is designed for use at the middle of one side of the tub, rather than at the end, and the chair is never rolled upwardly to a position above the vertical pivot axis.
Grant, U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,770, is another example of the known prior art wherein the chair is lifted straight up, rotated into position above the tub and lowered. A patient using the Grant apparatus would thus experience great anxiety due to the vertical lifting process in a seated position, which is undesirable.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tilt lift bathing system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tilt lift bathing system which tilts the seated patient upwards about a substantially horizontal pivot axis to provide clearance for rotation of the seated patient over the bathtub.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tilt lift bathing system which will substantially reduces the risk of a patient falling from the chair when the chair is elevated above the bathtub.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a tilt lift bathing system which substantially eliminates or decreases the fear and anxiety experienced by persons lifted by the system of the present invention.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a tilt lift bathing system which is durable in construction and safe in use.


A mop air dryer combination comprising: a mop head; an air dryer, wherein the air dryer is positioned above the mop head; an adjustable clip extending from the air dryer; and a handle inserted into the adjustable clip extending from the air dryer. In one particular embodiment, the handle further includes an audio player or a radio integrated into the handle. Alternatively in another exemplary embodiment, the air dryer may be used in conjunction with a broom.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a mop/broom that includes an air dryer to assist in drying the floor surface after mopping.
Description of Related Art
Many individuals utilize mops to clean the floor surface of a building or residence. Further mops may also be used exterior areas but principally on the interior of buildings and homes. The conventional mop includes a handle and a grouping of strands of cloth attached at one end of the handle. The strands of cloth comprise the essential functioning portion of the mop. During use an individual dampens the strands of cloth and then applies the strands of cloth onto the floor for cleaning. The strands of cloth must normally be squeezed to release any excess moisture. Also mopping involves a bucket or container that is available to the user to insert the strands of cloth and dampen the cloth then apply the mop head over the surface of a floor. The mop provides a means to clean a floor surface, however once the floor is wet then a period of time needs to elapse before the floor's surface is completely dry. Normally the mopping leaves a wet film over the floor and therefore creates a slip and fall hazard for anyone that may transverse the floor after mopping. Many times individuals that clean buildings place warnings signs of a wet floor after mopping the floor to ensure individuals have an opportunity to avoid the wet floor or to proceed with caution over the wet floor. In certain instances individuals will employ the use of fans in order to assist in drying the floor after the mopping of the floor surface. Consequently, it would be advantageous to have a fan handy for the user of a mop in order to speed the drying time of the floor after the mopping thereof.


A method of forming a seamless cylinder shell in which a nickel sheet is clad to a steel sheet so that the sheets are uniformly bonded throughout and a composite sheet is formed. The cladding is preferably effectuated by explosive cladding. The composite sheet is then preferably cut into a circular blank before further processing. The circular blank is subjected to an oxalic acid pretreatment to retain a lubricant on the two opposed surfaces thereof and is thereafter lubricated with the lubricant. The circular blank is preferably cupped, relubricated, and drawn into the seamless cylinder shell. The seamless cylinder shell can be finished into a seamless gas cylinder by spinning one end of the cylinder into a cylinder head, internally threading the formed cylinder head, and then heat treating the cylinder.

The present invention relates to a method of forming a seamless cylinder shell that is suitable for finishing into a seamless gas cylinder to store ultra-high purity gases at high pressure. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a method in which the cylinder shell is provided with an internal layer of nickel.
Gas cylinders are widely utilized in the art for storing gases at high pressure. Ultra-high purity gases used in the electronics industry present a particular storage problem in that corrosion product present on the inside of a gas cylinder can degrade the purity of the gas to be stored. This corrosion can be caused by the ultra-high purity gas itself if it is corrosive etching gas such as HCl.
Gas cylinders used in containing ultra-high purity gas are specially designed in order to maintain the purity of the gas by being fabricated entirely of nickel or by being formed with a layered construction having an outer layer composed of steel and an inner layer of nickel plated to the outer steel layer. As can be appreciated, gas cylinders formed solely of nickel are expensive and hence, layered construction is preferred from a cost standpoint. Additionally, pure nickel cylinders are not used where the intended service pressure exceeds 500 psig.
Nickel plated gas cylinders are constructed by cold drawing or billet piercing a steel blank to form a cylinder shell and then electroplating the inside of the cylinder shell. Thereafter, the cylinder shell is finished by spinning a cylinder head into the open end of the cylinder shell, threading the cylinder head, and heat treating the cylinder.
The drawback of nickel plated gas cylinders is that the nickel plating can contain cracks, voids and openings through which ultra-high purity gases can be contaminated or contaminants can be formed through a reaction of steel with the gas itself. In addition, the nickel plating produces a rough surface that is extremely susceptible to the retention of contaminants.
As will be discussed, the present invention solves the problems in the prior art that are attendant to the production of gas cylinders that are suitable for the storage of ultra-high purity gases at high pressure by fabricating the gas cylinder in accordance with a method of the present invention.


An air-inlet assistor has a hollow base seat, a hollow main body disposed on the hollow base seat, a hollow upper cover disposed on the hollow main body, an adjustment device disposed on the hollow upper cover, an operation device disposed in the hollow upper cover, a connection connected to the hollow upper cover, an inlet pipe connected to the connection, and an air cleaner disposed in the hollow base seat.

The present invention relates to an air-inlet assistor for a vehicle engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air-inlet assistor which has an upper magnet and a lower magnet to be adjusted
U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,112 has disclosed an air inlet assistor for a vehicle engine This patent was invented by the same inventor of the present invention. However, the distance between the upper magnet and the lower magnet of U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,112 cannot be adjusted by the user.