The catalyst according to the present invention can be utilized effectively as an ozone decomposing catalyst for catalytically decomposing to eliminate ozone contained in a gas and/or an ozone deodorizing catalyst for decomposing offensive odor ingredients contained in a gas by catalytic oxidation under the pretense of ozone, and it contains at least manganese carbonate as the essential component in the catalyst composition. Further, the catalyst contains, particularly preferably, MnO.sub.x (in which x=1.6-2.0) in addition to manganese carbonate and such a catalyst is obtained by applying a heat treatment to a catalyst raw material containing manganese carbonate in an oxidative atmosphere at 100.degree.-420.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a catalyst used as an ozone decomposing catalyst for catalytically decomposing to eliminate ozone contained in a gas and/or an ozone deodorizing catalyst for catalytically oxidizing to decompose and eliminate offensive odor ingredients contained in a gas under the presence of ozone, as well as a method of preparing such a catalyst.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since ozone has a strong oxidizing performance and converts itself into harmless oxygen when it is decomposed, it has generally been utilized in various fields with aims for deodorizing, sterilization, bleaching, reduction of COD in effluents or the like. However, since part of ozone utilized in the above-mentioned application use is released as it is, being unreacted, into atmospheric air, it may possibly cause secondary public pollution such as a photochemical smogs. Further, if an aircraft flies through the stratosphere since air containing ozone is drawn into the interior of the aircraft, it may resultant a danger of giving undesired effects on passengers and crews. Furthermore, various kinds of high voltage generation devices, for example, dry process copying machines have been used widely in recent years and ozone released from such devices, though little, may contaminate the inside of rooms and brings about an undesired situation not negligible from a circumstantial sanitary point of view.
Ozone not only gives uncomfortable feeling by its odor but also shows a strong toxicity to a human body, which attacks a respiratory organ at a concentration above a certain level and it is extremely harmful when inhaled for a long period of time even if it is in a trace amount. In view of the above, it has been demanded for the establishment of a technique for decomposing to eliminate spent ozone released from various generation sources.
As existent methods of disposing spent ozone, there have been known, for example, (I) a treating method with activated carbon, (II) a treating method by liquid chemical cleaning, (III) a treating method by thermal decomposition and (IV) a treating method with an ozone decomposing catalyst. Among them, treatment by using the ozone decomposing catalyst is considered most advantageous for the ozone decomposition since it is free from ignition or explosion danger, requires no waste water treatment and can decompose to eliminate ozone at a reduced cost.
As the ozone decomposing catalyst, manganese oxides have been well-known so far and various methods have been developed for the preparation thereof. For instance, there has been known a method of forming manganese oxides, for example, by immersing an inorganic support such as metal, asbesto or ceramic or activated carbon with a solution of manganese compound such as manganese nitrate and, subsequently, applying a heat treatment (Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication Sho 63-197524) or a method of coating manganese oxide such as an activated manganese dioxide or electrolysis manganese dioxide on a support material (Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication Sho 61-101230). However, it has been necessary to use such existent ozone decomposing catalysts by elevating temperature by heating or removing moisture since their activity is low at low temperature or the activity is reduced remarkably upon use in a highly humid condition. Further, since the performance is low only with manganese oxide, it has been used at present while enhancing the catalytic activity by adding a transition metal such as Co, Cu, Ni or Ag or a platinum group such as Pt, Pd or Rh as a cocatalyst. In particular, in recent years in which circumstantial problems have attracted an attention, it has been demanded for a catalyst having a higher activity than in the existent products also in the ozone decomposing catalyst.
On the other hand, public pollution caused by offensive odor has been closed-up as a social problem and a deodorizing technique for removing ingredients attributable to the offensive odors have been investigated from various aspects. As deodorizing methods practiced so far, there are, for example, (I) water washing, (II) chemical cleaning, (III) adsorption, (IV) direct combustion, (V) catalytic combustion and (VI) ozone oxidization, but they have merits and demerits respectively. Among them, the ozone oxidization method of disposing the offensive odor ingredients by making use of the powerful oxidizing effect of ozone is advantageous since it can be practiced at a relatively low temperature about at a room temperature and at a reduced running cost as compared with the various methods described above. However, the method involves a drawback of requiring a long and voluminous reaction zone since the rate of reaction between ozone and offensive odor ingredient in a gas phase is low. Further, since unreacted ozone is released in atmosphere, it also suffers from a drawback of causing secondary public pollution such as a photochemical smog.
As a means for overcoming the foregoing drawbacks in the ozone oxidization, there has been proposed a method of utilizing a catalyst. In this method, offensive odor ingredients are disposed through decomposition by means of a catalyst under the presence of ozone (hereinafter referred to as ozone deodorizing catalyst). According to this method, ozone reacts with the offensive odor ingredients rapidly requiring no large reaction space and the deodorizing efficiency is improved outstandingly, as well as ozone is decomposed completely to eliminate the worry that unreacted ozone is released into the atmospheric air.
For the ozone deodorizing catalyst, various techniques have been developed so far, but their effects can not be attained to a full extent depending on the working conditions. That is, there is a drawback that the activity of the catalyst is reduced in an early stage if the catalyst is used continuously for a long period of time or used under a high humidity condition. In view of the above, a catalyst having a higher activity than the existent catalyst has been demanded.

Catalyst and a method of prepare the catalyst


A distribution server 103 distributes a content via a network, and a KIOSK terminal 105 receives the content via the network and records the content in an SD memory card 100. A customer device 111 receives a content via the SD memory card 100, checks out the content and records a copy on a recording medium. SD-Audio players 122 to 124 receive a copy of the content and play back the copy. Here, the KIOSK terminal 105 records a Usage Rule that certifies the right to control recording of content on the SD memory card 100. Move Control Information showing the number of times that moving of rights is permitted is set in the Usage Rule.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a distribution system realized by a service for distributing copyrighted digital material such as Electronic Music Distribution (EMD), a semiconductor memory card, a receiving apparatus, a computer-readable recording medium and a receiving method.
2. Description of the Background Art
A distribution system includes a distribution server, a device for purchasing contents, and a playback apparatus for playing back contents, and gives people living around the world the opportunity to purchase copyright material via various global networks. If a personal computer owned by a user is used as the purchasing device, contents are purchased in the following way. The user operates the personal computer, and transmits a purchase request to the distribution server. Upon receiving the purchase request, the distribution server bills the user, and then transmits the copyrighted digital material. The personal computer operated by the user receives the transmitted copyrighted material, and writes it onto the hard disk (HD). If writing is performed correctly, the purchase of the copyrighted material is completed.
The purchasing device performs processing called check-out and check-in. Check-out refers to the process of recording copyrighted material (a first-generation copy) onto a portable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory card or a mini disc. The number of times check-out is performed by the purchasing device can also be limited to a predetermined number, such as three or four. If copyrighted material is recorded onto a portable recording medium using check-out, this copyrighted material can be played back using the playback apparatus. However, once check-out has been performed the predetermined number of times, the copyrighted material can be set in a state in which check-out is not permitted. Check-in, on the other hand, is the process of returning copyrighted material recorded on a portable recording medium to the personal computer. If check-in is performed on a copyrighted material that has been set so that check-out is not permitted, check-out of the copyrighted material becomes possible once more. Check-out and check-in are prerequisites for copyright protection, which prevents reduction in the copyright owner's profits.
The following is a brief explanation of how copyright is protected when check-out and check-in are being performed. A unique identifier, called a Media-ID, is recorded in an area of the recording medium onto which a copy of the copyrighted material is to be recorded, the area being one that cannot be read by a normal user operation. When check-out is performed, contents are encrypted using the media ID unique to the recording medium. Thus, even if an ill-intentioned user copies contents that have been checked out onto one recording medium onto another recording medium, the media ID of the recording medium onto which the contents are copied differs from the media ID that was used to encrypt the contents (the media ID of the original disc). As a result, decryption cannot be properly performed, and copyright is protected.

Distribution system, semiconductor memory card, receiving apparatus, computer-readable recording medium and receiving method


The present invention provides a shielding shell structure for an electrical connector. The shielding shell encloses the terminal seat formed by a housing and terminals to constitute the electrical connector. The shielding shell has flanges on its bottom, which could engage with the circuit board so as to intensify the shielding shell and to prevent the shielding shell of the electrical connector from deforming for the outer force during plug/unplug process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shielding shell structure for an electrical connector, more particularly to a shielding shell structure for an electrical connector having flanges, which could engage with the circuit board to prevent the shielding shell from deforming for the outer force during plug/unplug process.
2. Description of Related Art
With the advancement of technology, digital products are filled in our daily life gradually, but digital products with large volume are not convenient to the users. Therefore, because of the advancement of technology, more and more digital products make reduction in size to provide more light service to the users. Consequentially, the electrical connectors connecting the digital product and its peripheral device are also miniaturized in size constantly with the development of digital products; the applying range of the Mini-USB receptacle connector is wider and wider. For its high using value and large demand quantities, there are still issues of how to enlarge its applying range and how to heighten its using effect in creating or manufacturing the product. And there are still issues of how to achieve a convenient and stable plug/unplug applying effect. These issues are always the problems to be solved when manufacturers enlarge the product markets and are also objects when manufacturers seek for being to heighten competitive ability.
The existing Mini-USB receptacle connector usually comprises a housing, a terminal seat and a shielding shell enclosing around the housing. For the volume of the Mini-USB connector is small, the range enclosed by the shielding shell is consequentially small, relatively the engaging portion thereof is inevitably small, but the received plug/unplug force doesn't reduce with the reduction of the connector volume. Therefore its durability is tested considerably and the engaging portion of the shielding shell also confronts with an embarrassment of less engaging force. A general convention Mini-USB connector as shown in FIG. 1, although there are fastening leg structures on the peripheral, the matching insertion hole area still doesn't get appropriate reliable structure support. After times of plug/unplug, the insertion portion of the shielding shell may deform and shorten the using life of the product if there is no stable structure.
As the mentioned above, the Mini USB receptacle connector is used extensively and frequently, therefore, to strengthen the engaging force of the shielding shell life of the product when the connector volume is reduced is particularly needed.


A task-based learning using task-directed prediction network can be provided. Training data can be received. Contextual information associated with a task-based criterion can be received. A machine learning model can be trained using the training data. A loss function computed during training of the machine learning model integrates the task-based criterion, and minimizing the loss function during training iterations includes minimizing the task-based criterion.

The present application relates generally to computers and computer applications, and more particularly to machine learning, training machine learning models such as neural network models, and a configurable tool utilizing method of operation thereof on a computing environment such as a cloud-based computing environment.
Machine learning techniques have been widely used in various areas. The specific tasks in various domains often have their customized performance metrics. For instance, portfolio management tools may include forecasting of key finance indicators, such as the quarterly revenue of public companies. In forecasting public company's quarterly revenue or earnings, the customized metrics may include both the directional errors, absolute errors and their combinations compared with a set of benchmarks. For inventory management tools, which perform demand forecasting, the customized metrics that directly relates to cost may include directional accuracy (over/under forecast), absolute errors (miss sale amount/overstock amount) and their combinations. Power generation planning tools, which may perform load forecasting also has a similar complicated customized metrics.
Classical machine learning methods use differentiable performance metrics such as mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE), and root mean square error (RMSE). However, these common losses are not necessarily aligned with customized metrics. In addition, customized metrics are not necessarily differentiable, and may present challenges for applying machine learning or deep learning models.

Task-oriented machine learning and a configurable tool thereof on a computing environment

International Business Machines Corporation


A method of notifying a user about the existence of relevant software and facilitating the installation of such software using a browser. A user's interactions with the browser are monitored to determine a context for a given browsing session, and it is determined whether software relevant to the context is available. If such software is available, it is recommended to the user, and if the user wishes to install the software, the installation can be performed via the browser. The software can be recommended to the user through a variety of means, including incorporating the recommendation in a static web page, incorporating the recommendation in a dynamic web page, and delivering the recommendation as part of advertising content. The recommendation may include a link to installation scripts or the like which facilitate the installation of the software by the browser.

With the prevalence of news reports about computer security problems, many of which are effectuated by the installation of malicious computer software on an unsuspecting user's computer, users are understandably wary about installing any new software. In addition, for a large section of the population, installing new software is a daunting task—they are prompted to confirm installation paths, installation options, and other attributes that may be difficult for novice users to understand. As a result, computer software companies frequently compete for the opportunity to have their software installed on new computers as those computers are distributed by the manufacturer. By having the software pre-installed, the computer software companies can obviate the need for the user to subsequently install the software. As a result, those computer software companies are able to realize higher adoption rates for their software than computer software companies that do not have their software preinstalled.
Some in the prior art have attempted to address these shortcomings by simplifying the computer software installation process. By way of example, the InstallShield installation tool, distributed by Macrovision Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., and the Wise Installation Studio, distributed by Altiris, Inc. of Lindon, Utah, provide means through which much of the software installation process can be automated. However, such installation tools require that new installers be created for each application, and application version. The installers package the entire installation into one or more compressed, digitally signed files, which are subsequently extracted by the installer. The installer then removes at least a portion of itself after the software is installed.
Others in the industry have attempted to address the issue by simplifying the installation of program updates, thereby at least reducing the number of times a user must install a program. By way of example, Microsoft Corporation, or Redmond, Wash., provides the ClickOnce deployment technology. ClickOnce is a deployment technology that allows software developers to create self-updating applications for the Microsoft Windows™ family of operating systems. The self-updating applications can be installed and run with minimal user interaction. More information about the ClickOnce deployment technology can be found at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/142dbbz4.aspx.


One object of the present invention is to provide a medical container with multiple chambers and a production method thereof, where respective medicaments housed in a plurality of chambers can be separated without fail until performing the infusion and when performing the infusion, the respective medicaments can be easily mixed while keeping the sterile state. In order to achieve this object, a medical container (1) with multiple chambers is provided, where a container (10) having a chamber (11) for housing a liquid medicament (12) and a container (20) having a chamber (21) for housing a solid medicament (22) are integrated, a partitioning member (30) for partitioning these containers (10, 20) is provided, a hollow part (31) for connecting two adjacent containers (10, 20) to allow communication therebetween and a lid (32) for sealing at least one end of the hollow part (31) are formed in the partitioning member (30), and a thin-wall part (34) is formed in the connection part between the lid (32) and the partitioning member body (33).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a medical container, particularly a medical container for use in instillation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a medical container with multiple chambers, where a plurality of medicaments are housed in multiple chambers, and the respective medicaments are prevented from leaking or mixing until the infusion, and the respective medicaments can be easily mixed at the time of infusion.
2. Description of Related Art
In the case of preparing an infusion medicament by mixing a plurality of medicaments immediately before the administration of the infusion medicament, it is necessary to prevent foreign bodies or miscellaneous bacteria from mixing into the infusion medicament.
An example of a medical container capable of mixing a plurality of medicaments in a sterile environment is a medical container with multiple chambers, where the inner wall surface of a bag container formed of a synthetic resin-made film is heat-sealed and a plurality of medicaments are housed in multiple chambers partitioned by sealed parts within the bag container. According to this medical container with multiple chambers, the sealed part partitioning respective chambers is peeled open to unite the chambers within the container into one chamber, whereby the respective medicaments can be mixed.
In such a medical container with multiple chambers, the medicaments must be separated from each other without fail until the infusion. Therefore, it is required that the sealed part in the medical container with multiple chambers not be readily peeled open as a result of ordinary handling before the infusion, for example, during washing, partial filling or sterilization of the medical container with multiple chambers. On the other hand, it is necessary that, when the sealed part is peeled open, it opens by itself, without damaging the container body.
Examples of medical containers with multiple chambers, of which the fused part satisfies such requirements, have been proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication Nos. Sho 63-19149, Hei 1-240469, Hei 2-4671, Hei 6-39018 and Hei 8-24314. The fused part proposed in these patent publications includes a type where the inner surface of a bag container formed of a mixture of two or more kinds of synthetic resins having poor compatibility is thermally bonded to form an easily peelable part, a type where a separate film as a layer having the welding and peeling function is laminated on the inner surface of a container, and a type where the heating and pressurizing conditions from the outer surface are strictly controlled to form a weak seal part.
However, if the adhesion strength in the fused part of these types of fused part is controlled to fall within the range of the desired low adhesion strength, the latitude in selecting the sealing conditions for the fused part becomes very narrow. Accordingly, if the sealing conditions depart from the predetermined range and the adhesion strength attained is less than the desired low adhesion strength, the fused part is likely to show partial peeling as the result of handling before the infusion, for example, during washing, partial filling or sterilization, whereas if the adhesion strength exceeds the objective low adhesion strength, the fused part may not be peeled open when mixing the respective medicaments.
In order to solve these problems, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication Nos. Hei 4-364851 and Hei 7-155361 have proposed a medical container with multiple chambers, where a pipe or hollow plug closed at one end is provided in the partition part of each chamber. In this type of medical container with multiple chambers, respective chambers may be communicated to mix the medical solutions by breaking off the pipe or hollow plug in the partition part.
However, the pipe or hollow plug provided in the partition part may be damaged due to folding or the like of the container before the infusion. Furthermore, for forming a pipe or hollow plug which can be easily broken off, the pipe or hollow plug itself must have a small diameter but this requirement is accompanied with a limitation in the flow of a medicament passing through the pipe or hollow plug and a problem arises in that the operation of mixing the medicaments takes time.
One object of the present invention is, accordingly, to provide a medical container with multiple chambers, in which respective medicaments housed in a plurality of chambers can be separated without fail until the infusion and at the time of infusion, these medicaments can be easily mixed while keeping the sterile state. Another object of the present invention is to provide a production method of the medical container with multiple chambers.
More specifically, the medical container with multiple chambers of the present invention is obtained by integrating a plurality of containers each having a chamber for housing a medicament, wherein the medical container has a partitioning member for partitioning the plurality of containers; in the partitioning member, a hollow part for connecting two adjacent containers to allow communication therebetween and a lid for sealing at least one end of the hollow part are formed; and in the connection part between the lid and the partitioning member body, a thin-wall part is formed.
In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the plurality of containers has a chamber for housing a powder medicament, another container has a chamber for housing a liquid medicament, and a heat-seal part is provided between the partitioning member and the chamber for housing a powder medicament, which can be peeled open by the inflow pressure of the liquid medicament.
In another preferred embodiment, the partitioning member is elongated in the width direction of the container and narrow in the thickness direction of the container and both end parts of the partitioning member in the width direction of the container are shaped like the prow of a boat.
In another preferred embodiment, the lid has a ribbon shape and ribs running in the cross direction of the lid are provided on the lid surface in the hollow part side.
In another preferred embodiment, an inclined surface is formed on each lateral surface of the lid to incline from the lateral side to the inner side along the direction toward the hollow part side.
In another preferred embodiment, the partitioning member may have cross sections of any of rhombic, elongated ellipse, and circular shape.
The medical container with multiple chambers of the present invention may also have a construction such that the partitioning member comprises a sealing member having formed therein a hollow part and a lid for sealing one end of the hollow part, and a communicating member in the hollow form joined to the end face of the sealing member in the opening side; the sealing member is provided at the end part of a first container having a chamber for housing a liquid medicament; and the communicating member is provided at the end part of a second container having a chamber for housing a powder medicament.
The method for producing a medical container with multiple chambers containing medicaments according to the present invention comprises inserting a support, from the opening of a partitioning member having formed therein a hollow part and a lid for sealing one end of the hollow part, into the hollow part so as to maintain the shape of the hollow part; inserting the partitioning member into the opening end of a first bag container having a chamber for housing a liquid medicament and a filling port for filling a liquid medicament from the outside of the container into the chamber and being open at the end part opposite the end part having the filling port, so that the opening side of the partitioning member faces the outside of the first container, followed by welding of the first container and the partitioning member; inserting the other end of the partitioning member into the opening end of a second bag container having a chamber for housing a powder medicament and being opened at one end, followed by welding of the second container and the partitioning member; heat-sealing the space between the chamber in the second container and the partitioning member to form a heat-seal part which is peelable by the inflow pressure of a liquid medicament; filling a liquid medicament into the chamber of the first container from the filling port of the first container; sealing the filling port of the first container, followed by high-pressure steam sterilization; opening the end part of a second container opposite the end part welded to the partitioning member, followed by filling of a powder medicament into the chamber of the second container in a sterile room; and sealing the opening end of the second container filled with the powder medicament.
In another embodiment, the method for producing a medical container with multiple chambers containing medicaments of the present invention comprises inserting a support, from the opening of a sealing member having formed therein a hollow part and a lid for sealing one end of the hollow part, into the hollow part so as to maintain the shape of the hollow part; inserting the sealing member into the opening end of a first bag container having a chamber for housing a liquid medicament and a filling port for filling a liquid medicament from the outside of the container into the chamber and being open at the end part opposite the end part having the filling port, so that the opening side of the sealing member faces the outside of the first container, followed by welding of the first container and the sealing member; removing the support inserted into the hollow part of the sealing member; filling a liquid medicament into the chamber of the first container from the filling port of the first container; sealing the filling port of the first container, followed by high-pressure steam sterilization; inserting a support, from the opening of a communicating member having formed therein a hollow part, into the hollow part so as to maintain the shape of the hollow part; inserting the communicating member into the opening end of a second bag container having a chamber for housing a powder medicament and being open at one end part, so that the hollow part of the communicating member allows communication between the interior and the exterior of the chamber of the second container, followed by welding of the second container and the communicating member; removing the support inserted into the hollow part of the communicating member; heat sealing across the width of the second container in the space between the chamber in the second container and the communicating member to form a heat seal part which is peelable by the inflow pressure of a liquid medicament; opening the end part of the second container opposite the end part welded to the communicating member, followed by filling of a powder medicament into the chamber of the second container in a sterile room; sealing the opening end of the second container filled with the powder medicament; and welding the end face of the sealing member of the first container to the end face of the communicating member of the second container, thereby integrating the first container and the second container.
The medical container with multiple chambers of the present invention is obtained by integrating a plurality of containers each having a chamber for housing a medicament and has a partitioning member for partitioning these containers. In the partitioning member, a hollow part connecting two adjacent containers to allow communication therebetween and a lid for sealing at least one end of the hollow part are formed. In the connection part between the lid and the partitioning member body, a thin-wall part is formed. Therefore, respective medicaments housed in a plurality of chambers can be separated without fail until performing the infusion, and at the time of infusion, the respective medicaments can be easily mixed while keeping the sterile state.
In the case where at least one of the plurality of containers has a chamber for housing a powder medicament, another container has a chamber for housing a liquid medicament and a heat-seal part peelable by the inflow pressure of the liquid medicament is provided between the partitioning member and the chamber for housing the powder medicament, the chamber for housing the powder medicament can be improved in its isolation property and the powder medicament housed in the chamber can be insulated from the atmosphere outside the container.
In the case where ribs running in the cross direction of the lid are provided on the hollow part side of the lid, the lid can easily open by a deformation operation applied to the partitioning member and the lid can be prevented from rising to close at the time of mixing of medicaments.
In the case where inclined surfaces inclining from the lateral side to the inner side along the direction toward the hollow part side are formed on the lateral surfaces of the lid, the lid can be prevented from swinging open towards the hollow part side by the deformation operation applied to the partitioning member.
In the case where the partitioning member is elongated in the width direction of the container and narrow in the thickness direction of the container, and each end part of the partitioning member in the width direction of the container is shaped like the prow of a boat, the two sheets of synthetic resin-made films constituting the container can be welded to the partitioning member without generating any gaps.
Furthermore, according to the production method of a container with multiple chambers of the present invention, the container and the partitioning member can be welded without generating any gaps, so that in the medical container with multiple chambers obtained, the respective medicaments housed in a plurality of chambers can be separated without fail until performing the infusion.
In particular, according to the medical container with multiple chambers and the production method thereof, where the partitioning member comprises a sealing member having formed therein a hollow part and a lid for sealing one end of the hollow part and a hollow communicating member joined to the opening side end face of the sealing member, the sealing member being provided at the end part of the first container having a chamber for housing a liquid medicament and the communicating member being provided at the end part of the second container having a chamber for housing a powder medicament, the first container and the second container can be prepared in separate places and medicaments can be filled into respective containers in separate places.

Medical container with multiple chambers and method of producing the same


A solid weld-metal-producing material is formed by agglomerating weld metal material powder. An igniter may be integrally formed in or on the agglomerated weld metal material. In addition to typical components of a weld metal material mixture, such as a reductant metal and a transition metal oxide, the agglomerated weld metal mixture may include a binder material, such as sodium silicate. In addition to functioning as a binder to help hold the agglomerated weld metal material together, the binder material may aid in the exothermic reaction that occurs when the weld metal material is ignited. The agglomerated weld metal material may be made by mixing together a reductant metal powder, a transition metal oxide powder, and possibly a binder solution. A slurry of the components may be pressed together, for example, using a die and a ram, and then may be dried.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to welding apparatus and methods, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for forming weld connections, and for initiating self-propagating exothermic reactions, such as in the process of forming the weld connections.
2. Description of the Related Art
Exothermic welding has become recognized as a preferred way to form top quality high ampacity, low resistance electrical connections.
Exothermic welded connections are immune to thermal conditions which can cause mechanical and compression joints to become loose or corrode. They are recognized for their durability and longevity. The process fuses together the parts or conductors to provide a molecular bond, with a current carrying capacity equal to that of the conductor. Such connections are widely used in grounding systems enabling the system to operate as a continuous conductor with lower resistivity.
Examples of self propagating exothermic reactions for exothermic welding are found in the CADWELD process and the THERMIT process. CADWELD is a trademark of ERICO International Corporation, Solon, Ohio, U.S.A., and Thermit is a trademark of Th. Goldschmidt A G, Essex, Germany. Exothermic welding mixtures are basically a combination of a reductant metal and usually a transition metal oxide. An example is aluminum and copper oxide, which upon ignition supply enough heat to propagate and sustain a reaction within the mixture. It is usually the molten metal product or the heat of this reaction, which is then used to produce a desired result. The CADWELD process produces, for example, a mixture of molten copper and aluminum oxide or slag. The higher density of the molten copper causes separation from the slag, with the molten copper usually directed by a mold to join or weld copper to copper, copper to steel, or steel to steel. The aluminum oxide slag is removed from the weld connection and discarded. Another common mixture is iron oxide and aluminum. Where only the heat of the reaction is used, the heat may be used to fuse brazing material, for example.
The exothermic reaction produces a large amount of heat. The most common way to contain the reaction, and to produce the weld or joint, has been to contain the reaction in a split graphite mold. A prior art welding apparatus 10 utilizing such a split graphite mold 12 is shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the mold 12 includes an upper mold body section 14, a lower mold body section 16, and a mold cover 20. The conductors or items to be joined, such as the bars 22 and 24, are thoroughly cleaned and then placed in the appropriate location to project into a weld chamber 26 defined by the body sections 14 and 16 of the mold 12. The upper mold body section 14 includes a crucible chamber 30 above the weld chamber 26, connected to the weld chamber 26 by a tap hole 32. The mold body sections 14 and 16 are then securely closed and locked usually with a toggle clamp, and a metal disk 34 is positioned in the crucible chamber 30 over a tap hole 32. An appropriate amount of powdered exothermic material 36 is emptied into the crucible chamber 30 on top of the disk 34, and a traditional starting powder or material 40 is sprinkled over the top of the exothermic welding material 36. The starting powder 40 is essentially a much finer exothermic material. The mold cover 20 is then closed and the reaction initiated by igniting the starting powder 40 by the use of a flint igniter.
The starting powder or material 40 sprinkled on top of the exothermic material 36 has a lower ignition temperature and is easily ignited by the flint gun while the flint gun cannot normally ignite the exothermic material 36 directly. The exothermic reaction of starting powder 40 subsequently ignites the exothermic material 36. When the exothermic material 36 is ignited, the molten metal phase separates from the slag and melts through the metal disk 34. The molten metal then is directed via the tap hole 32 to the weld chamber 26 and the conductors 22 and 24 to be joined. Once the metal has solidified, the mold body sections 14 and 16 are opened and the slag is separated from the weld connection. The mold 12 may then be cleaned and readied for reuse for the next connection.
As suggested by the above, exothermic mixtures of this type do not react spontaneously and need a method of initiating the reaction. This initiation method involves generating enough localized energy to enable the reaction to begin. One method of initiating reaction is that described above, use of a starting powder and an ignition source such as a flint igniter. However, because of the starting powder's low ignition temperature and difficulties in handling and shipping, much effort has been made to find a reliable and low cost alternative ignition system for the exothermic material. A number of electrical systems have been devised which range from simple spark gaps to bridge wires or foils, to much more esoteric devices such as rocket igniters. Such efforts are seen, for example, in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,881,677, 4,879,452, 4,885,452, 4,889,324 and 5,145,106. For a variety of reasons, but primarily because of power requirements, dependability, and cost, such devices have not succeeded in replacing the standard starting powder/flint gun form of initiating the self-propagating exothermic reactions. Another electrical ignition system is the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,911, owned by the assignee of this application, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In addition, there are other difficulties inherent with the welding apparatus and method described above. Aside from the difficulties in handling and shipping the starting powder 40, there may be problems in handling and shipping the bulk exothermic material 36 itself. Properly measuring the exothermic material 36 may be both time consuming and susceptible to error. Further, the graphite molds utilized in prior art apparatuses, such as the mold 12 utilized in the welding apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, may be costly because of the amount of graphite involved, and because of the amount of machining need to produce the passages shown in the mold 12 of FIG. 1. Finally, a process such as that described above produces undesirable residues on surfaces of the mold 12. The residues require periodic cleaning of the surfaces of the mold 12, a labor-intensive process. Even with periodic cleaning, the formation of the residues may reduce the operational life of the mold 12. Finally, the cleaning itself may cause damage to the mold, also leading to reduced operation life of the mold 12.
One alternative prior art device for containing weld material is a sealed crucible assembly 50, shown in FIG. 2. The crucible assembly 50 includes a container 52 having sidewalls 54 and a fusible bottom 56. A refractory material 60 lines the sidewalls 54 of the container 52. A pre-measured amount of weld material 64 is in the container 52. An igniter 66 has a first end 68 situated above or partially within the weld material 64, and a second end 70 protruding from the container 52. The second end 70 may be coupled to a voltage supply to produce a voltage sufficient to cause a plasma or spark at the first end 68. The plasma or spark from the igniter 66 ignites the weld material 64, causing the same type of exothermic chemical reaction as described above. A cover 74 may be placed over the top of the container 52, to maintain weld material 64 within, and/or to prevent ingress of dirt, moisture, or other undesirable substances. The crucible assembly 50 may be used in place of the metal disk 34 (FIG. 1), the exothermic material 36 (FIG. 1), and the starting powder 40 (FIG. 1), in a graphite mold similar to the mold 12 (FIG. 1), to make a weld connection. A device such as shown in FIG. 2 is sold by ERICO International Corporation under the trademark CADWELD PLUS. Further details of such a device are given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,835,910, the drawings and detailed description of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that improved welding apparatus and methods would be desirable.

Weld metal material apparatus and method


A composition which is a blend of at least two different polyetheramide copolymers, one having predominantly hard polyamide segments and one having predominantly soft polyether segments. When formed into a film and attached to a textile fabric, forms a laminate which is suitable for the production of surgical gowns, and the like. Such films are strong, have good moisture barrier properties while allowing the transmission of air therethrough and have a softness to which provides a clothlike feel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to polyetheramide copolymers and more particularly to blends of different polyetheramide copolymers, which when formed into a film and attached to textile fabrics form laminates which are suitable for the production of surgical gowns, and the like. Such films are strong, have good liquid barrier properties while allowing the transmission of moisture vapor therethrough and have a softness to which provides a clothlike feel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known in the art to prepare polyetheramide block copolymers. Such are useful for preparing a wide variety of useful articles such as moldings, fibers and films. In this regard, please see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,273,898; 5,166,309 and 5,213,891. Blends of these materials with other polymers such as nylons produce compositions which have high impact strength, excellent heat deflection temperature and are useful as tough engineering plastics. Blends of polyetheramide copolymers with nylons are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,416,171; 4,970,274 and 5,153,275. U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,171 recognizes that these copolymer materials are comprised of hard polyamide segments and soft polyether segments. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,970,274 and 5,153,275 teach that prior art blends of polyamides and polyetheramide copolymers are exceptionally stiff This latter reference teaches certain blends of polyamides and polyetheramides with improved softness and film drape, however, it does not teach blends of different polyetheramide copolymers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,142 teaches a laminate of a polyetheramide copolymer and a layer of a textile material for use in producing water resistant garments, tents and tarpaulins. While these materials are water resistant, they are considered to be too stiff for applications requiring a soft feel, such as for the manufacture of garments like surgical gowns.
It would be desirable to produce compositions based on polyetheramide copolymers which produce films that have a soft clothlike feel, are water resistant, and allow moisture vapor passage therethrough. It would also be is desirable to provide films formed from such compositions, which when laminated to textile and nonwoven materials form soft fabrics suitable for the manufacture of garments.

Films of blended nylon resins and laminates therefrom


An adapter for a disposable water bottle for an endoscope having a cap with threads suitable for attachment to threads on a neck of the water bottle, an outer tube affixed to an opening in the cap, an inner tube extending through the outer tube so as to form an air passing annulus on the interior of the outer tube, and a fitting affixed to an end of the inner and outer tubes opposite the cap. The fitting is adapted for attachment to the air and water connections of the endoscope. A first gasket member is affixed to an interior surface of the cap and a second gasket member is affixed to the first gasket member such that the first gasket member is sandwiched between the second gasket member and the interior surface. An annular member is secured within a hole formed in the fitting and has a slot receiving a protrusion formed in the hole of the fitting.

The present invention relates to endoscopic systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to water bottles as used with endoscopic systems. Furthermore, the present invention relates to delivery tubes for passing the water from a water bottle to the optical head of the endoscopic instrument.
Endoscopic instruments have been developed to provide surgeons with an internal view of the organ or body passage requiring treatment. Such endoscopes typically have channels through which a miniaturized forceps, commonly called flexible instruments, are inserted and advanced. The endoscope assembly includes an elongated flexible cable equipped at one end with an eyepiece or other viewing means and at the other end with an optical head. Only the head is directly and externally connected to the instrument. The cable transmits images or image-producing signals from the illuminated operative site to the viewing means so that the surgeon will have visual confirmation of the action of the instrument""s working end. A coherent optic bundle extends from the head and through the flexible cable through the eyepiece for providing the surgeon with visual confirmation of the instrument""s tip or jaw action. The illuminating means may take the form a light-transmitting waveguide extending through the cable to illuminate the operative area. The waveguide is connected at its proximal end to a suitable high-intensity light source. The cable also provides a flow passage for the delivery of fluid (liquid or gas) for irrigation or other purposes. Typically, the flow passage and the illuminating means are disposed on opposite sides of the coherent image-transmitting waveguide. In conventional practice, it is necessary to provide the optic head with a flow of sterile water. The passage of the sterile water across the optic head prevents the buildup of materials on the optic head. This flow of water operates, in a sense, like a windshield wiper/washer assembly.
In normal practice, the endoscopic instrument has a control body which is connected by a light guide tube to a light guide connector. The connector will include a plurality of connectors that can suitably receive various fittings. For example, the light guide connector can include a connector orifice that receives a grounding lug, a suction port, an air inlet, and a water inlet. As such, the air and water are delivered through the light guide connector, through the light guide tube and into the control body. Alternatively, the control body can also include a water port so as to allow water to be directly provided to the control body. Suitable valves are provided on the control body so as to control the flow of water through the control body and over the optic head of the instrument.
Unfortunately, there is usually a great expense associated with the delivery of such sterile water to the control body. In past practice, the sterile water has been provided from a water bottle that is directly connected to a tube. The tube will have a fitting at one end so as to allow the tube to be connected to the air/water inlet of the light guide connector or to the auxiliary water port on the control body. Typically, the fitting will include an inner tube and an outer tube. The outer tube extends into the water bottle. The outer tube is connected to the cap of the water bottle. In normal practice, air is delivered through the area between the inner tube and the outer tube so as to pressurize the interior of the water container. This will force water to flow through the tube and into the endoscope at a desired rate.
After usage, the water bottle, the tubing, and the associated fittings are sterilized. This creates a considerable wasteful expense to the hospital. If the water is sterilized, there is a considerable labor expense associated with the autoclaving of the bottle. There is also the possibility of residual contaminants residing in the area of connection between the tubes and the bottle.
In the normal hospital environment, sterile water is conventionally provided in one liter bottles. Virtually all of the bottles have the same size of threaded opening. These water bottles are very different, in configuration, from the water containers associated with the prior art water delivery systems for the endoscopic instrument. Typically, existing one liter water bottles in hospitals will be sealed closed by threadedly connecting the interior threads of a cap over the exterior threads on the neck of the bottle.
A new system of endoscopes has been provided which has an unusual adapter for connecting the water bottle to the endoscope. The new 140 series of endoscopes has a pair of female fittings on the adapter for the delivery of air and water to the male fittings of the endoscope. FIGS. 5-7 show this existing prior art system of connection to the 140 series endoscopes.
In FIG. 5, it can be seen that there is a specialized water bottle 60 which has a lid 62 having a tube connection 64 thereon. The tube connection 64 connects to tube 66 which extends to the metal tip 68. A cleaning cap is provided on the metal tip 68. The tube 66 and the tip 68 serve to deliver sterile water from the container 60 to the endoscope.
FIG. 6 shows the 140 series endoscope 72 having a water supply connector 74 and an air connector 76. The water supply connector 74 is a male connector. The air connector 76 is also a male connector. Connector 74 serves to pass water from the water bottle to the interior of endoscope 72, connector 76 serves to pass air from the endoscope to the water bottle.
FIG. 7 shows an end view of the metal tip 68. As can be seen, the metal tip 68 has a female water connector 78 and a female air connector 80. The female water connector 78 is suitable for connection to the male water connector 74 on the endoscope 72. The female air connector 80 is suitable for connection to the male air connector 76 on the endoscope 72.
The new configuration of water container system as shown in FIGS. 5-7 serves to make obsolete the existing expensive water containers and associated tubing and adapters which are used for other endoscopes. As such, as hospitals purchase the new 140 series endoscope 72, they are required to also purchase the new water container 60, the new tubing 66, and the new metal tip 68. The water containers that have been used for prior endoscope systems must also be supplied for any prior endoscope systems that the hospital may have in use. As a result, hospitals are required to manage and maintain inventory of water bottles such as those shown in FIGS. 5-7 and also water containers for their existing endoscope systems. As such, a need has developed so as to allow for the standardization of the water containers for the various endoscope systems which are offered. Any standardization that can be achieved will eliminate the need to maintain inventory for each of the various types of endoscopes which a hospital employs.
Presently, the disposable water bottles are manufactured in 250 milliliter, 500 milliliter and 1,000 milliliter sizes. These water bottles have slightly varying diameter necks of slightly varying lengths. The thread structure on the neck of each of these water bottles is slightly different. The difference in length of neck and configuration of threads is the result of water bottles being manufactured by several different companies. For example, the BAXTER ((trademark)) water bottle has a thread with a pitch of 0.104 inches, an annular ring around the neck below the thread and a seal at the bottom of the neck. The ABBOTT ((trademark)) water bottle has a thread having a pitch of 0.96 inches and a neck length of 0.844 inches. The MCGAW ((trademark)) water bottle has a neck length of 0.70 inches and a thread pitch of 0.88 inches. As such, a need developed so as to have a single cap which is adaptable to the varying thread configurations and neck lengths of the brands of water bottle.
Under certain circumstances, the water bottle is connected to the heater/probe unit of an endoscope. Under such circumstances, only water is drawn into the heater/probe unit. As water is being drawn into the heater/probe unit, air must enter the water bottle so as to allow pressures to equalize. Under existing practice, a hole is formed in the cap so as to allow air to freely enter the cap. Unfortunately, the air in the hospital environment can be contaminated with airborne bacteria and pathogens. Since the hospital air is being drawn into the water bottle, this air can contaminate the sterile water within the water bottle. As such, a need developed to develop an adapter cap wherein the airborne bacteria is prevented from entering the sterile liquid on the interior of the water bottle.
Under existing practice, the fitting which connects the water bottle to the air and water connections of the endoscope is formed so as to have a metal ring around the water connection. In existing practice, this metal ring is adhesively secured within a hole formed in the end of the fitting. Unfortunately, after repeated use, this metal fitting can become loosened. This is particularly the case when the metal fitting is secured by epoxy within the hole. The epoxy is subject to fracturing upon the exertion of torque and twisting forces. When the metal ring is loosened, the fitting is unsuitable for use with the air and water connections of the endoscope. As such, a need developed so as to assure a secure and permanent connection between the metal ring and the hole of the fitting.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a water bottle adapter for an endoscopic instrument which eliminates the need for the specialized water bottle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such an adapter which can be used with conventional one liter water bottles existing in the hospital environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such adapter which does not require the disposal or sterilizing of both the adapter and the water container.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an adapter which is easy to use, which significantly reduces costs, and is easy to manufacture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adapter which allows for the water bottles to be properly connected to the new 140 series of endoscopes.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an adapter which allows for the water container systems of existing endoscopes to be adapted and fitted to the new 140 series of endoscopes.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adapter which allows for connection to the water bottle which assures that the water transmitting tube has an end residing at the bottom of the water bottle.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an adapter which is transparent for easy viewing of the interior of the adapter.
It is a further object of the present invention to minimize costs associated with the sterilizing of existing water bottles.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cap for the adapter which is suitable for attachment to the various brands of disposable water bottles.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cap for the adapter which establish a secure seal against the opening of the neck of the various water bottles.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cap for use with the adapter which prevents the introduction of airborne contaminants into the sterile environment of the water bottle.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fitting for the adapter which will prevent dislodgment of the metal ring and assure a long life for the fitting.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and the appended claims.
The present invention is a water bottle adapter for use with an endoscopic instrument. The water bottle adapter of the present invention includes a cap having threads suitable for attachment to the threads on the neck of the water bottle, a first gasket member affixed to an interior surface of the cap, a second gasket member affixed to the first gasket member, an outer tube affixed to an opening in the cap, an inner tube extending through the outer tube and a fitting affixed to an end of the inner and outer tubes opposite the cap. The inner tube forms an air passing annulus on the interior of the outer tube. The inner tube extends outwardly of the end of the outer tube and through the opening in the cap. The fitting is adapted for attachment to the air and water connections of the endoscope.
In the present invention, the first gasket member is sandwiched between the second gasket member and the interior surface of the cap. The first gasket member is of a different material than the second gasket member. The first gasket member is more compressible and has a greater thickness than the second gasket member. The first gasket member is formed of a foam material. The second gasket member is formed of a rubber material. The first gasket member is adhesively fastened to the interior surface of the cap. The second gasket member is adhesively fastened to the first gasket member. A hole is formed in each of the gasket members so as to expose the opening in the cap and to allow the inner tube to extend through the hole and the gasket members.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cap has an orifice formed therein. An air filter is affixed within the orifice. This air filter is a HEPA filter. The gasket members will have an elongated slot so as to allow the inner tube to pass therethrough and to allow the air filter to communicate with the interior of the cap.
In the present invention, the fitting has a first hole and a second hole formed at an end opposite the inner and outer tubes. The fitting has an annular member secured within the first hole. The annular member has a slot formed in a wall thereof. This slot engages a protrusion formed in the first hole. The annular member has an end which is flush with the end of the fitting opposite the inner and outer tubes. This slot is formed so as to open at an end of the annular member and through the wall of the annular member. The slot slidably receives the protrusion therein. The annular member is adhesively secured within the first hole.

Adapter for the connection of a water bottle to an endoscope


The present disclosure relates to methods of enhancing a navigation solution about a device and a platform, wherein the mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform, and wherein the navigation solution is provided even in the absence of normal navigational information updates (such as, for example, GNSS). More specifically, the present method comprises utilizing measurements from sensors (e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers etc.) within the device to calculate and resolve the attitude of the device and the platform, and the attitude misalignment between the device and the platform.

Inertial navigation of a platform is based upon the integration of specific forces and angular rates measured by inertial sensors (e.g. accelerometer, gyroscopes) by a device containing the sensors. In general, the device is positioned within the platform and commonly tethered to the platform. Such measurements from the device may be used to determine the position, velocity and attitude of the device and/or the platform.
The platform may be a motion-capable platform that may be temporarily stationary. Some of the examples of the platforms may be a person, a vehicle or a vessel of any type. The vessel may be land-based, marine or airborne.
Alignment of the inertial sensors within the platform (and with the platform's forward, transversal and vertical axis) is critical for inertial navigation. If the inertial sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes are not exactly aligned with the platform, the positions and attitude calculated using the readings of the inertial sensors will not be representative of the platform. Fixing the inertial sensors within the platform is thus a requirement for navigation systems that provide high accuracy navigation solutions.
For tethered systems, one known means for ensuring optimal navigation solutions is to utilize careful manual mounting of the inertial sensors within the platform. However, notwithstanding such careful mounting, existing portable navigation devices (or navigation-capable devices) cannot achieve accurate attitude and position of the platform unless at least one of the following three conditions are known:
1) absolute attitude angles for the device and the platform;
2) absolute attitude angles for the device and the misalignment between the device and platform;
3) absolute attitude angles for the platform and the misalignment between the device and platform.
Some known portable navigation devices that are designed for in-vehicle navigation attempt to use the platform's velocity or acceleration along with at least one or more additional constraints to estimate the mounting misalignment between the device and the platform. A known method uses the acceleration measurements and the steering rate of the platform to estimate the misalignment. The three attitude angles are determined when the platform is accelerating or turning. This method also uses the physical constraint that the user must mount the device in approximately forward orientation within the platform to make the display of the device facing the user. Similarly, it is known to provide a method where the misalignment can be resolved if the platform velocity satisfies certain criteria and the device is not moved during the trajectory. This method utilizes non holonomic constraints which are based on the fact that during normal operation a platform, such as a land vehicle, will not skid or jump. Both of these methods calculate absolute heading for the platform using GNSS velocities.
The above methods, however, are not applicable for circumstances where the movement of the platform may not satisfy the required criterion, for example, where the platform is a person walking. Several attempts have been made to find methods that can resolve the common misalignment cases for such circumstances (e.g. mobile/smart phone based inertial navigation), such as for example, application of principle component analysis to determine the forward motion for specific orientation of the device in addition to the gravity axis to find the vertical axis of the device (the one measuring the biggest component of gravity).
For navigation, mobile/smart phones are becoming very popular as they, come equipped with Assisted Global Positioning System (AGPS) chipsets with high sensitivity capabilities to provide absolute positions of the platform (e.g. user) even in some environments that cannot guarantee clear line of sight to satellite signals. Deep indoor or challenging outdoor navigation or localization incorporates cell tower ID or, if possible, cell towers trilateration for a position fix where AGPS solution is unavailable. Despite these two positioning methods that already come in many mobile devices, accurate indoor localization still presents a challenge and fails to satisfy the accuracy demands of today's location based services (LBS). Additionally, these methods may only provide the absolute heading of the platform without any information on the device's heading.
As WiFi hotspots are present in abundance in indoor environments, fingerprinting and signal strength mapping may be implemented to determine the platform's position and heading for the challenging navigation scenarios. This is an attractive new method to avoid the shortcomings of AGPS and cell phone based positioning solution. However, frequent access point (AP) surveys are required to keep the WiFi related information up to date for acceptable positioning accuracies of mobile devices within the network of APs. Furthermore, the current available techniques need pre-knowledge about the environments and there are no known techniques for WiFi positioning in any new or user-unknown environment. WiFi based positioning and localization also provides absolute information for the platform with no information for the device.
Many mobile devices, such as mobile phones, are equipped with Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors that are used predominantly for screen control and entertainment applications. These sensors have been considered unusable to date for navigation purposes due to very high noise, large random drift rates, and frequently changing orientations with respect to the carrying platform or person.
Magnetometers are also found within many mobile devices. In some cases, it has been shown that a navigation solution using accelerometers and magnetometers—may be possible if the user is careful enough to keep the device in a specific orientation with respect to their body, such as when held carefully in front of the user after calibrating the magnetometer.
Some known methods to provide navigation solutions utilize the mobile device sensors and digital maps of the buildings for pure indoor navigation. Again, however, these methods require that the mobile device be kept in a specific orientation to utilize the magnetometer-based heading and the indoor maps have to be available for the buildings that the user is entering. The maps are not only used to display the positions but they may also be used to get the heading of the user and help getting the user's position.

Methods of attitude and misalignment estimation for constraint free portable navigation


A system and method for adaptively providing a power supply voltage. The system includes an oscillator configured to receive an output voltage and generate a firs signal. The first signal is associated with a first frequency and a first period. Additionally, the system includes a frequency comparator configured to receive the first signal associated with the first frequency and a second signal associated with a second frequency and to generate a third signal if the first frequency and the second frequency are not equal, and a voltage regulator coupled to the frequency comparator and configured to generate the output voltage based on at least information associated with the third signal. The output voltage is received by a powered system, and the powered system is configured to receive a clock signal associated with a clock frequency. The clock frequency is equal to the second frequency.

The present invention is directed to integrated circuits. More particularly, the invention provides a system and method for adaptive power supply. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to an adaptive power supply loop. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability.
Integrated circuits or "ICs" have evolved from a handful of interconnected devices fabricated on a single chip of silicon to millions of devices. Current ICs provide performance and complexity far beyond what was originally imagined. In order to achieve improvements in complexity and circuit density (i.e., the number of devices capable of being packed onto a given chip area), the size of the smallest device feature, also known as the device "geometry", has become smaller with each generation of ICs. Semiconductor devices are now being fabricated with features less than a quarter of a micron across.
Increasing circuit density has not only improved the complexity and performance of ICs but has also provided lower cost parts to the consumer. An IC fabrication facility can cost hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars. Each fabrication facility will have a certain throughput of wafers, and each wafer will have a certain number of ICs on it. Therefore, by making the individual devices of an IC smaller, more devices may be fabricated on each wafer, thus increasing the output of the fabrication facility. Making devices smaller is very challenging, as a given process, device layout, and/or system design often work down to only a certain feature size.
An example of such a limit is power consumption of an integrated circuit system. The power consumption has increased as the performance of the integrated circuit system has improved. But the integrated circuit system is often required to consume a low level of power. For example, the integrated circuit system is portable and thus relies on battery power supply. The portable system may be a laptop computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a cell phone, a digital camera, a camcorder, or any other device.
These competing demands for high performance and low power consumption have placed significant constraints on system design. Consequently, certain conventional techniques have been used to reduce power consumption. For example, the system turns off some parts that are not in use. In another example, the clock frequency for the system is reduced when the system does not have to perform many tasks. The clock speed often needs to be high enough to support the system for necessary functions. In yet another example, the clock frequency for the system is adjusted based on at least information associated with a workload of the system. In yet another example, the design architecture of the system is modified in order to efficiently utilize the current. In yet another example, the circuit design or device layout is modified to reduce the unused current. In yet another example, the device design is changed to lower the leakage current. But these techniques often increases system complexity with limited effectiveness.
From the above, it is seen that an improved technique for power supply is desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for adaptive power supply to reduce power consumption

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation


In order to accommodate either a loose lift of signatures or, alternatively, a signature log for the purpose of stream feeding a supply of signatures to a packer box on a binding line in an effective and efficient manner, a signature stream feeding apparatus is disclosed which includes an upstream conveyor, an intermediate conveyor, and a down stream conveyor. The upstream conveyor receives and supports signatures in a generally upright position on the fore edges or backbones thereof, and it is downwardly inclined relative to the horizontal in the direction of signature travel therealong. The intermediate conveyor then receives the signatures from the upstream conveyor and conveys them toward the packer box, and it is inclined upwardly and away from the upstream conveyor in the direction of travel of the signatures therealong. The downstream conveyor finally receives the signatures from the intermediate conveyor and conveys them toward the packer box, and it extends between the packer box and the intermediate conveyor. By utilizing an upstream conveyor, an intermediate conveyor, and a downstream conveyor having these characteristics, the conveyors may be controlled to transform the signatures into a shingled stream at the intermediate conveyor and into a thinner shingled stream at the downstream conveyor at a point in advance of the signatures reaching the packer box on the binding line.

In recent years, many large circulation periodicals have appeared which require rapid handling of portions of the periodicals consisting of signatures which are gathered for binding, trimmed, bundled for minimal shipping costs and shipped. A typical operation utilizes a multitude of packer boxes, each of which receives signatures from a supply, and those signatures are then delivered to a gathering chain or other conveying means by which complete collections of gathered signatures are carried to a location for further processing to complete the binding process. Moreover, because of the need for highly efficient plant operations, there has been a constant effort to increase the speed at which machines operate which has required the development of new techniques for handling the signatures at all stages of the binding process.
In order to achieve these objectives, there have been a variety of attempts to develop an apparatus for feeding the signatures in a shingled stream. Specifically, it is generally known that equipment has been proposed which would hold a large supply of signatures and feed those signatures to a packer box in a stream thus reducing the need for and consequent cost of significant numbers of binding line personnel to continuously supply the packer boxes with signatures. Unfortunately, despite the attempts to achieve such results, there have been a variety of problems that have not to date been fully solved by the various proposals.
In particular, it is generally known that signatures oftentimes are delivered to a binding line in a so-called "signature log." This signature log usually comprises a stack of signatures having boards at opposite ends thereof around which a band or bands are placed to hold the log together for shipment and delivery to a binding line. In many instances, it would be desirable to place the signature log on a stream feeder for delivering the signatures to a packer box.
Currently, it is known that there are several different types of horizontal log feeders of various lengths which are available. These devices typically take up considerable space inasmuch as they are often designed to accept a plurality of such signature logs. Obviously, the need to provide this space is detrimental to the objective of enhancing the efficiency of overall plant operations.
With the horizontal log feeders which have multiple log capacity, it is usually common practice for the last of several logs to remain uncut so as to maintain downstream signature stock in place. The few inadequate attempts to provide a "short" horizontal log feeder have failed inasmuch as a significant number of signatures at the far upstream end of the log typically f all over when the band or bands that hold the log together are cut. As a result, it has remained to provide an apparatus for feeding signatures in a shingled stream from either a loose lift or a single log in a manner that overcomes the problems that are noted in the foregoing.
Thus, the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the foregoing problems and achieving one or more of the resulting objects.


A ROM circuit that can be modified via the alteration of any one of a set of substance layers is described. The ROM circuit includes a set of ROM cells each of which provide one bit of data used to construct the fixed binary number. Each ROM cell includes a set of circuits that can be placed in either a first or second state via modification of a single substance layer that is different for each circuit, and generates a signal in a logic state that depends on whether the number of circuits in the first state is odd or even. When a design revision occurs the state of one of the circuits from the set of circuits is modified to update the fixed binary number using one of the substance layer already being modified during the course of the design revision.

I. Field of the Invention
The described invention relates generally to the field of integrated circuits. More particularly, the described invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing permanent read-only memory storage in an integrated circuit that can be updated via the modification of any one of a set of substance layers used to fabricate the integrated circuit.
II. Description of the Related Art
Integrated circuits often incorporate the use of read-only memory (ROM) for storing information used during the operation and testing of the integrated circuit. This makes the information readily available when such operation and testing take place. Examples of the type of information commonly stored in this manner include device revision numbers that indicate the design revision used during fabrication of the integrated circuit and signature codes that are the results produced when a standard testing operation is performed on a properly operating sample of the integrated circuit. After receiving the information stored in ROM other systems interacting with the integrated circuit can respond in various predetermined ways that will increase the likelihood of proper testing of the integrated circuit and of proper operation of a system in which the integrated circuit is incorporated.
The usual method for incorporating ROM into an integrated circuit is to "hard-wire" a set of nodes within the integrated circuit to power and ground via one of the conductive substance layers used to manufacture the integrated circuit. Hard-wiring is preferred over other non-volatile methods of storage because it requires minimal circuit area. Any one of the conductive substance layers used to manufacture the integrated circuit can be used to perform this hard-wiring including any of the metal layers, usually labeled metal one, metal two, etc., as well as the poly-implant layer, often called the "poly" layer. When power is applied to the integrated circuit a binary number is generated on the set of nodes through the hard-wired connections. This binary number is then applied to output circuitry within the integrated circuit such that it may be received by other circuits and systems located externally.
The use of a metal or other conductive substance layer to hard-wire a binary number as described above, however, can cause problems when changes are required during the design and development of the integrated circuit. This is because a design revision often requires revision of the information stored within ROM as well, and revising ROM may make it necessary to modify an additional substance layer that would not otherwise require modification when the design revision is performed. For example, if the design revision only requires modification of a metal three layer, but the ROM was generated by hard-wiring with the metal one layer, the overall revision would require modification of both the metal one layer and metal three layer, as opposed to just the metal three layer.
Modifying an additional substance layer within the integrated circuit increases the cost of a design revision because a photo-lithographic mask ("mask") must be generated for each modified substance layer and mask generation is an expensive process. Additionally, once a particular mask has been determined defect free it is undesirable and risky to replace that mask. Although the process of updating the revision numbers and other information permanently stored within ROM may be foregone to avoid this increase in cost and risk, the stored information will then become less accurate and provide less utility, which in turn will decrease the reliability and testability of the integrated circuit. An improved method of permanently storing information within an integrated circuit would allow modification of that information during the course of a design revision to be performed without requiring modification of substance layers not already being altered. Additionally, since the number of design revisions or updates an integrated circuit will go through is indeterminable, this improved method should allow multiple updates to be performed in series. Thus, it is highly desirable to provide a ROM that can be updated an infinite number of times via modification of any one of a set of substance layers used to fabricate an integrated circuit.

Method and apparatus for providing ROM in an integrated circuit having update through single substance layer modification capability


According to the invention, navigational information for a vehicle is displayed intuitively and in an easily comprehensible manner in the form of a virtual pilot vehicle, superimposed on an image of the vehicle environment. The display mode and/or position and/or orientation and/or size of the virtual pilot vehicle are determined for example in accordance with the route information, speed, reference points for a recommended route, position and orientation of the vehicle or the camera that records the vehicle environment.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and a device in which navigational information for a vehicle is superimposed on an image of the vehicle environment, this graphic representation of the navigational information being transformed by a perspective transformation.
2. Description of Prior Art
Such a method or such a device is known from European patent application EP 0 406 946 A1.
In addition, there are navigation systems today which display to the driver the recommended route at a junction by means of pictograms and emit acoustic information, e.g. "Take the second turning on the right" or "Drive straight on at the roundabout". Some systems also additionally show the recommended route on a map.
A vehicle is deemed below to refer not just to land vehicles but also to watercraft and airplanes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to indicate a method and a device for displaying navigational information for a vehicle such that the route through road traffic to a defined destination is displayed to a vehicle driver in an intuitive and easily comprehensible manner.
According to the invention, this object is met by a method for displaying navigational information for a first vehicle to a driver of the first vehicle, including the steps of displaying navigational information for the first vehicle in the form of a virtual pilot vehicle superimposed on an image of the vehicle environment of the first vehicle, determining a position, an orientation and a size of the displayed virtual pilot vehicle based on a current speed of the first vehicle, reference points for a recommended route, a position and orientation of the vehicle, a position and orientation of a camera for recording the first vehicle environment and an eye position and a line of sight of the driver, and using the virtual pilot vehicle to display a route or action recommendation indicating to "keep minimum distance from the vehicle ahead in accordance with the current driving speed" by positioning the virtual pilot vehicle on the image of the vehicle environment such that it appears to be proceeding in front of the driver at precisely the minimum distance currently required. Driving too close to a second vehicle in front of the first vehicle is shown by the second vehicle being located in the image between the driver and the virtual pilot vehicle.
The further claims relate to preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention.
The invention will be described below with reference to embodiments represented in the drawings, in which:

Method and device for displaying navigational information for a vehicle


An underwater vehicle comprising an electrical power generation system that converts thermal energy from a body of water into electrical energy is disclosed. The vehicle comprises the electrical power generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The vehicle is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The electrical power generation system generates electrical energy based on the difference between the temperature of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The electrical power generation system is able to generate electrical energy when the temperature difference is negative as well as when the temperature difference is positive.

Underwater vehicles, such as unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV's), submarines, autonomous buoys, and the like, include propulsion systems that move them through a body of water. In addition, these vehicles often include on-board electronics, such as sensors for monitoring environmental conditions or detecting other vehicles. As a result, such vehicles require a power source that provides energy for the propulsion system and/or their payloads.
Conventional power plants for such vehicles include battery systems, radio isotope generators, solar-cell systems, or combustion-based power supplies. There are significant drawbacks to such power plants, however.
Battery systems are characterized by a limited lifetime, particularly for small form-factor systems suitable for many undersea vehicle applications. Further, high power density battery systems represent a significant environmental hazard since they typically include hazardous materials. Leakage of such material into the water can contaminate an area and harm local marine life.
Radio isotope generators also represent a potential environmental hazard. Further, radio isotope generators tend to have a readily detected energy signature that makes them undesirable for use in applications that require stealth.
Solar-cell based power plants are capable of generating electrical energy only when environmental conditions are favorable (e.g., sunny, clear skies, etc.). Further, such power plants only operate on the surface.
Combustion-based power plants can only carry a finite fuel supply. As a result, the length of operation is limited by the fuel capacity of the vehicle. Applications such as loitering sensor systems, therefore, are not well-suited to the use of a combustion-based power plant. Further, combustion-based power plants also represent an environmental hazard and typically emit a characteristic acoustic signature.
A power generation system for providing power to an underwater vehicle that is eco-friendly, stealthy, and long-lasting would represent an advance in the state-of-the art.


A magnesium alloy according to the present invention comprises: Al in an amount of from 2 to 6%; Ca in an amount making a compositional ratio (i.e., Ca/Al) being from 0.5 to 1.5; Mn in an amount of from 0.1 to 0.7%; strontium (Sr) in an amount of from 1 to 6%; and the balance being magnesium (Mg), and inevitable impurities and/or a modifying element; when the entirety is taken as 100% by mass. By means of this setting, Mg alloys, which are also good in terms of high-temperature characteristics, such as creep resistance and heat conductivity, in addition to ordinary-temperature characteristics, are obtained.

Due to the recent heightening need in weight saving, magnesium alloy (or Mg alloy), which is more lightweight than aluminum alloy is, has been gathering attention. Magnesium alloy is about to be used widely for material for automobile, and the like, in addition to material for air craft, because it is the lightest in practical metals. A member comprising an Mg alloy (or Mg-alloy member) is lightweight, and is good in terms of functionality. Moreover, since using an Mg-alloy member leads to making vehicle, and so forth, lightweight, it is possible to intend energy saving.
In reality, however, in a case where an Mg-alloy member is utilized in vehicle, and the like, it is often the case that it has been required to have high-temperature characteristics, such as the heat conductivity, heat-resistance strength and creeping properties, that are suitable for employment in high-temperature environments. Although it is often the case that AZ91D, and so forth, have been used in common Mg-alloy members, such Mg-alloy members are not suitable for employment in high-temperature atmospheres because the creep strengths have been very low. Hence, a variety of Mg alloys whose high-temperature characteristics are improved have been proposed in the following: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 6-279,906; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 2000-319,744; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 2001-316,753; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 2002-327,231; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 2004-162,090; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 2004-232,060; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 2005-113,260; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 2006-291,327; Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) Gazette No. 2007-70,688, and so on.

Magnesium alloy and magnesium-alloy cast product