The ink jet recording apparatus includes an ejection head for ejecting ink droplets toward a recording medium by exerting electrostatic force onto ink containing charged colorant particles, an ink tank for reserving the ink to be supplied to the ejection head, a circulation path for circulating the ink between the ejection head and the ink tank, and a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the ejection head and the circulation path using cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid circulated through the circulation path at a time of cleaning by the cleaning mechanism is obtained by adding a charge control agent to an ink dispersion medium.

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus including an ejection head for ejecting ink. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus including a cleaning system for cleaning an ejection head.
There has been known an electrostatic ink jet recording apparatus in which ink obtained by dispersing fine particles containing colorants in a carrier liquid is ejected as ink droplets through exertion of electrostatic forces onto the ink, to thereby perform drawing (image recording). In addition, as one type of the electrostatic ink jet recording apparatus, there has also been known an electrostatic concentrated ink jet recording apparatus which uses ink obtained by dispersing charged particles containing colorants in a carrier liquid, causes the colorant particles to move to ejection portions (nozzles) through migration by means of electrostatic forces or the like, and ejects ink droplets under a state where the ink is concentrated.
In the electrostatic ink jet recording apparatus, ordinarily, the ink is circulated through a predetermined ink circulation system including a main ink tank (main tank) for reserving the ink and an ejection head, to thereby supply the ink to the ejection head to perform drawing.
In an ink jet recording apparatus in which ink is circulated and is supplied to an ejection head, which is not limited to the above-mentioned electrostatic ink jet recording apparatus, when the apparatus is left under a state where the ink circulation is stopped and the ink (the carrier liquid) is evaporated, there may occur a problem in that the ink is dried in ejection ports (nozzles) and in the ink circulation system to adhere thereto, which leads to clogging, a circulation failure, or the like.
In order to solve the problem inherent to the ink jet recording apparatus, various techniques are proposed.
In JP 2002-1989 A, for instance, there is disclosed an ink jet printer including an ink circulation system and a cleaning liquid circulation system, in which a three-way solenoid valve is provided on an ejection nozzle side to alternately supply ink and a cleaning liquid, and a three-way solenoid valve is provided on a side for capturing unnecessary particles with a gutter to separately recover the ink and the cleaning liquid, where a cleaning-side solenoid of the three-way solenoid valve on the recovery side is delayed to drive upon a switching instruction to the three-way solenoid valve on the supply side to thereby prevent a cleaning waste liquid from being mixed into an ink tank.
Also, JP 3286209 B discloses an ink jet recording apparatus that leads ink and a solvent held in an ink container and a solvent container provided in an apparatus main body into a print head through an ink jet tube and a solvent tube respectively, and performs printing and cleaning by selectively supplying the ink and the solvent to each nozzle using a control valve provided in the print head, where an ink chamber located inside an ink jet port of the nozzle is connected to an ink container in the apparatus main body through a circulation tube to form a circulation passage, and the solvent is supplied to the ink chamber of the nozzle by operating the control valve for cleaning, to let a part of the solvent in the ink chamber flow through the circulation path by causing the ink in the ink chamber to jet from the ink jet port.
Here, with consideration given to contamination of the ink, the dispersion medium of the ink has conventionally been used as the cleaning liquid for the cleaning. However, a solvent used in the dispersion medium has a high intrinsic resistance value, which causes an insulating material (resin or rubber-made tube) in the circulation path to be charged through friction with the cleaning liquid when the cleaning liquid is circulated. When the circulation path is charged through the cleaning liquid circulation in the manner described above, this leads to a problem in that a charge amount of the ink circulated through the circulation path changes after the cleaning as compared with that before the cleaning.
In particular, in the case of the electrostatic ink jet recording apparatus that performs ink ejection by exerting electrostatic forces onto the ink, the unstable charge amount ink leads to a problem in that the ejection characteristics of the ink jet head fluctuate and image reproducibility is deteriorated.
A method for preventing the circulation path from being charged includes a method in which a conductive tube is used as the piping of the circulation path. However, the cost of the conductive tube is twice as high as that of a Teflon (registered trademark) PFA tube, which leads to a problem in that the cost of the apparatus is inevitably increased.
Alternatively, for preventing the circulation path from being charged, it is also possible to use a method in which metallic piping is adopted for every piping of the circulation path, however, in the case of using a head of head scanning type or the like, or in a case where the circulation path is not fixed, the piping needs to be flexible and therefore it is impossible to use the metallic piping.


Deformed wire for a submarine optical fiber cable used for the pressure-proof layer of the submarine optical cable and having a high strength, that is, having a tensile strength of 1800 MPa or more, is provided, which deformed wire for reinforcing submarine optical fiber cable is characterized by including, by wt %, C: more than 0.65% to 1.1%, Ceq=C+1/4Si+1/5Mn+4/13Cr satisfying 0.80%≦Ceq≦1.80%, having a number of shear bands cutting across an L-section center axial line of 20/mm per unit length of the center axis, having an angle formed by the center axis and shear bands in the range of 10 to 90°, having a tensile strength of 1800 MPa or more, having a sectional area forming an approximately fan shape, a plurality of the approximately fan shapes being combined to form a circular hollow cross-section for accommodating optical fibers, having at its surface a pebbled surface comprised of relief shapes of depths of 0.2 to 5 μm, and having a weld at least at one location in the longitudinal direction.

As a structure of a submarine cable having optical fibers as transmission lines, for example, ones of the structures shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 have been proposed.
These structures will be explained below. 1 is a bundle of optical fibers obtained by twisting together a plurality of optical fibers 1a or such a bundle buried in an ultraviolet curing synthetic resin (ultraviolet curing urethane) or such a bundle buried in a thermoplastic synthetic resin with a tension-bearing member 1b passed through the center of the optical fibers. 2 is a pressure-proof layer for protecting the optical fiber unit 1 from water pressure, while 3 is a tension-bearing layer mainly formed by twisting together steel wire (piano wire) so as to be able to handle the tension applied to the cable.
This tension-bearing member layer 3 is made a single-layer or multiple-layer structure, has a tension-bearing ability enabling it to withstand the tensile load due to the weight of the cable itself at the time of laying or retrieving the cable, and acts to protect the cable from outside damage.
4 is a metal layer air-tight with the bundle of the tension-bearing member layer 3 and forming a power feed conduit to a repeater. Normally, it is comprised of a metal tape made of copper, aluminum, etc. attached longitudinally, welded together, and reduced in diameter (shrunk) to form it into a tube.
Further, 5 and 6 are insulating layers (sheaths) meant for insulation from the seawater and formed by low density and high density polyethylene etc.
Among these cables, the one shown in FIG. 1 uses a combination of three approximately fan-shaped deformed wires as the pressure-proof layer 2. Further, in FIG. 2, the tension-bearing member layer 3 is configured to form a pressure-proof shell by the interaction of the tension-bearing wires wound in two layers.
The tension-bearing ability of the submarine optical cable is mainly provided by the pressure-proof layer 2 and the tension-bearing member layer 3. The tensile strength of the steel wire (piano wire) used for the tension-bearing members 3 is of a level of 2200 MPa. On the other hand, for the approximately fan-shaped deformed wire used for the pressure-proof layer 2, as high strength deformed wire for submarine optical cable using for example wire rod for long, high tension steel wire superior in weldability and cold workability, Japanese Examined Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 7-65142 proposes deformed wire with an approximately fan-shaped cross-section having a tensile strength of at least 1226 MPa produced from steel wire defined as Ceq=C+(Mn+Cr)/5≧0.57%. However, the maximum value of the tensile strength achieved is on the level of 1520 MPa. This is currently lower than the tensile strength of piano wire.
In recent years, an increased communication capacity has been demanded from submarine cable systems. To meet with the increase in communication capacity, higher performance of optical fibers and an increased number of optical fibers accommodated in submarine optical cable have been demanded.
Along with the increase in the number of optical fibers accommodated, the optical fiber units have increased in outside diameter. Therefore, the inside diameter of the pressure-proof layer 2 has become greater. To prevent the cable outside diameter from increasing along with this, the thickness of the pressure-proof layer 2 has to be made smaller, so the tension-bearing ability of the cable drops. If the tension-bearing ability drops, since the tension-bearing ability is designed to handle the tensile load due to the weight of the cable itself at the time laying or retrieving the cable, there is the problem that the tension-bearing ability of the cable has to be kept from being exceeded by making the depth of use of the cable shallower.
On the other hand, if not changing the thickness of the pressure-proof layer 2, the outside diameter of the pressure-proof layer 2 becomes larger. In this case, there is the problem that along with the increase in the outside diameter of the pressure-proof layer 2, the tension-bearing ability of the cable has to be kept from being exceeded by making the depth of use of the cable shallower.
Further, along with an increase in the communication capacity and an increase in the number of fibers, the processing capability and number of amps required in the repeaters increase and the amount of power supplied to the repeaters increase. A repeater is supplied with power from a station on land through the metal layer 4 serving as the power feed conduit. Along with an increase in the amount of fed power, the voltage applied at the station also becomes high, so a reduction in the conduction resistance of the metal layer 4 forming the power feed conduit is required. To reduce the conductor resistance of the metal layer 4, it is necessary to increase the cross-sectional area of the metal layer 4. This means an increase in the thickness of the metal layer 4, so the weight of the cable increases.
To solve the problem of an increase in the weight of the cable or a decline in the tension-bearing ability being accompanied with the depth of use of the cable becoming shallower, the tension-bearing members of the cable have to be raised in strength.

Deformed wire for reinforcing marine optical fiber cable


This invention relates to an ion-conducting binder used for a membrane electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, the assembly consisting of a polymer electrolyte membrane and two gas diffusion electrodes stuck to the polymer electrolyte membrane with the membrane put between the electrodes, which binder comprises a block copolymer which comprises a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit whose α-carbon is quaternary carbon, and a flexible polymer block (B), and has ion-conducting groups on the polymer block (A), and a solution or suspension thereof, and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

In recent years, as a power generation system which is mild to the global environment and clean, fuel cells have drawn attention. Fuel cells are classified into a phosphoric acid type, a molten carbonate type, a solid oxide type, a polymer electrolyte type, etc. Among them, polymer electrolyte fuel cells are tried to be applied as power sources for electric automobiles, power sources for portable apparatuses, and, further, applied to domestic cogeneration systems utilizing electricity and heat at the same time, from the viewpoints of workability at low temperatures, miniaturization and lightening, etc.
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell is generally composed as follows. First, on both sides of an electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity, catalyst layers comprising a platinum group metal catalyst supported on carbon powder and an ion-conducting binder (the ions are usually protons) comprising a polymer electrolyte are formed, respectively. On the outsides of the catalyst layers, gas diffusion layers as porous materials through which fuel gas and oxidant gas can pass are formed, respectively. As the gas diffusion layers, carbon paper, carbon cloth, etc. are used. An integrated combination of the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer is called a gas diffusion electrode, and a structure wherein a pair of gas diffusion electrodes are stuck to the electrolyte membrane so that the catalyst layers can face to the electrolyte membrane, respectively is called a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). On both sides of the membrane electrode assembly, separators having electric conductivity and gastightness are placed. Gas passages supplying the fuel gas or oxidant gas (e.g., air) onto the electrode surfaces are formed, respectively, at the contact parts of the membrane electrode assembly and the separators or inside the separators. Power generation is started by supplying a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas or methanol to one electrode (fuel electrode) and an oxidant gas containing oxygen such as air to the other electrode (oxygen electrode). Namely, the fuel gas is ionized at the fuel electrode to form protons and electrons, the protons pass through the electrolyte membrane and transferred to the oxygen electrode, the electrons are transferred via an external circuit formed by connecting both electrodes into the oxygen electrode, and they react with the oxidant gas to form water. Thus, the chemical energy of the fuel gas is directly converted into electric energy which can be taken out.
Further, in addition to such proton exchange-type fuel cells, anion exchange-type fuel cells using an anion-conducting membrane and an anion-conducting binder (the anions are usually hydroxide ions) are also studied. It is known that in anion exchange-type fuel cells, overvoltage at the oxygen electrode is reduced, and the improvement of energy efficiency is expected. Further, it is said that, when methanol is used as fuel, methanol crossover wherein methanol passes through the electrolyte membrane between the electrodes is reduced. The constitution of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell in this case is basically the same as in the proton exchange-type fuel cell except that an anion-conducting membrane and an anion-conducting binder are used in place of the proton-conducting membrane and the proton-conducting binder, respectively. As to the mechanism of generation of electric energy, oxygen, water and electrons react at the oxygen electrode to form hydroxide ions, the hydroxide ions pass through the anion-conducting membrane and react with hydrogen at the fuel electrode to form water and electrons, and the electrons are transferred via an external circuit formed by connecting both electrodes into the oxygen electrode and react again with oxygen and water to form hydroxide ions. Thus, the chemical energy of the fuel gas is directly converted into electric energy which can be taken out.
In both proton exchange-type fuel cells and anion exchange-type fuel cells, the above electrode reactions take place at the boundary of the three phases of the catalyst surface, the fuel gas or oxidant gas and the ion-conducting binder as a polymer electrolyte, with the catalyst layer as a reaction site. The ion-conducting binder is used for the purpose of binding the catalyst and heightening the utilization efficiency of the catalyst by mediating the transfer of protons or hydroxide ions from the catalyst layer to the electrolyte membrane. Therefore, catalyst particles not covered with the ion-conducting binder cannot take part in the formation of the three-phase boundary, and it is hard for such particles to contribute to the reaction. Further, in order to obtain high efficiency, the minute structural design of the catalyst layer including pore structure for diffusing fuel gas or oxidant gas, the dispersion state of the catalyst, etc. becomes important. Further, at the gas diffusion electrode part, there arises a case where the catalyst surface is covered with water contained in the reaction gas or formed at the oxygen electrode and the fuel gas or oxidant gas cannot contact with the catalyst surface, and as a result, power generation is stopped, or a case where such water prevents the fuel gas or oxidant gas from being supplied or discharged to stop the electrode reaction. Therefore, the water repellency of the gas diffusion electrode part is required.
As to the joint of the gas diffusion electrode and the electrolyte membrane, a method wherein the joint is carried out by hot press is known. However, since it is hard to obtain good joint strength and good electric contact state by mere hot press, it is preferred to heighten the adhesion between the gas diffusion electrode and the electrolyte membrane by applying an ion-conducting binder as an adhesive resin on the catalyst layer surface of the gas diffusion electrode. In such application, the ion-conducting binder is used generally in a solution sate.
As ion conducting binders used in proton exchange-type fuel cells (cation-conducting binders), Nation (registered trade mark of Dupont Co., as is the same hereinafter) which is a perfluorosulfonic acid-type polymer as mentioned in JP-B-2-7398 and JP-A-3-208260 is generally used because it is chemically stable. However, Nation is a fluoropolymer and very expensive. Further, fluorine-containing polymers contain fluorine and consideration to the environment is necessary at the time of synthesis and disposal.
In view of these problems, cation-conducting binders in place of fluoropolymers have been developed. For example, aromatic engineering plastic type resins in which an ion-conducting group such as a sulfonic acid group is introduced is studied. Besides aromatic engineering plastic-type resins, cation-conducting binders comprising styrene type thermoplastic elastomers have been proposed (JP-A-2002-164055 and JP-Tokuhyo-2000-513484). For example, sulfonated SEES (SEBS is an abbreviation of polystyrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene tri-block copolymer) is proposed, and it is disclosed that it is sparingly soluble in water, and has good joint strength with an electrolyte membrane.
On the other hand, as anion-conducting binders used in anion exchange-type fuel cells, one wherein the sulfonic acid groups of perfluorosulfonic acid-type polymers are converted to anion exchange groups is known. For example, one obtained by copolymerizing tetrafiuoroethylene with CF2═CFOCF2CF(CF3)O(CF2)2SO3F and then making N,N,N′-trimethylethylenediamme act thereon is disclosed in JP-A-2000-331693 (paragraph 0026). However, this ion-conducting binder has the same drawback as Nafion. As another anion-conducting binder, an anion exchange resin obtained by chroromethylating a copolymer of an aromatic polyethersulfone with an aromatic polythioethersulfone and then aminating the resulting compound is disclosed in JP-A-11-273695 (paragraph 0046). As still another anion-conducting binder, an anion-conducting binder obtained by introducing a quaternary ammonium group into a polystyrene-poly (ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene tri-block copolymer or the like is disclosed in JP-A-2002-367626 (paragraphs 0041 and 0045).

Ion-conductive binder membrane-electrode assembly and fuel cell

Abstract: The ion-conducting binder, membrane electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte fuel cell of this invention are economical, mild to the environment and excellent in moldability and oxidation stability.


An apparatus for endobronchial ablation of a tumor is provided. The apparatus has an ablation catheter and a guide facility to be inserted into the bronchial system, a sheath defining a guide channel for the ablation catheter, a closing apparatus for a bronchial arm, and an aperture allowing airtight insertion of the ablation catheter into a bronchial arm blocked by the closing apparatus. The ablation catheter and/or the guide facility have a suction apparatus for sucking air out of a bronchial arm blocked off by the closing apparatus.

One standard procedure for removing lung tumors is surgical excision. Such operations require a thoracotomy and can require very major lung resections, depending on the position of the tumor in the lung and the size of the tumor. This puts a considerable strain on the patient.
As an alternative it has been proposed that tumors should be ablated, generally using high-frequency ablation. However this is currently only performed for tumors that have developed in the bronchi. Ablation is then palliative and only the bronchus is opened up by ablation so that a gas exchange can take place. Peripheral lung tumors can be punctured by means of a transcutaneous puncture and then ablated. However opening up the bronchi in this procedure can cause a pneumothorax, which causes the lung tissue to collapse.
Ablation, in particular high-frequency ablation, is only used palliatively in the prior art as an alternative to irradiation. This is because larger ablations, which could potentially be curative, produce large pulmonary fistulas, which cannot be controlled therapeutically. This is discussed for example in the articles by T. Suzuki et al., Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for lung tumors beneath the rib under CT fluoroscopic guidance with gantry tilt, Acta Radiol. 2010 (4), 389-395 and M. Nomura et al., Complications after lung radiofrequency ablation: risk factors for lung inflammation, British Journal of Radiology, 81 (2008), 244-249. Also inadequate evaluation of the ablation result means that total ablation is only achieved in 39% of patients with a tumor larger than 3 cm (see also M. Akeboshi, Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Lung Neoplasms: Initial Therapeutic Response, J Vasc Intery Radiol, 2004 (15), pages 463-470). Only one solution for avoiding pulmonary fistulas during and after ablation is described in the cited article.

Apparatus for endobronchial ablation of a tumor


A heddle frame having two uprights and two cross-rails interconnected by at least one brace extending in a direction generally parallel to the uprights. The brace includes a rod provided with a screw fastener at opposite ends thereof, two threaded members for being screwed onto one of the opposite ends of the rod, and first and second clamping members mounted to the opposite ends of the rod and the threaded members, respectively, for exerting a clamping locking force on a portion of each cross-rail wherein the locking force results from screwing the threaded members onto the opposite ends of the rod.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heddle frame for a loom, and to a loom fitted with at least one such frame.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of weaving, it is known to use a heddle frame in which the top and bottom cross-rails are mounted on uprights that are parallel to the travel direction of the frame. Each cross-rail is fitted with a bar on which the ends of the heddles carried by the frame are threaded or hooked. The heddles must be capable of moving parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cross-rails in order to adapt their positions to the positions of the warp threads passing through them. To do this, the heddle-carrying bars must remain parallel and accurately spaced apart relative to each other, in spite of dynamic forces, in particular inertial forces, and in spite of static forces, in particular forces due to the warp threads being under tension, all of which are applied to the frame in operation.
In order to guarantee that the bars and the cross-rails remain spaced apart, it is known to use one or more braces that must be capable of being received in the empty volume between the cross-rails. A first technique consists in placing a rod between the cross-rails, which rod is secured to the facing sides of the cross-rails by strips through which screws pass. When action needs to be taken on such braces, in particular in order to adjust their positions along the cross-rails, the operator must take action on the cross-rails in zones that are difficult of access, thus making the work difficult and tiring, and increasing the risk of damaging the warp threads.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,147 teaches using a rod that is threaded at one of its ends and that has a drive head at its opposite end, the rod passing through the top cross-rail of a frame and being screwed into a socket secured to the bottom cross-rail. That rod is necessarily small in section since it must be operated in the space occupied by the frame, including in the vicinity of the heddle-carrier bars, thus requiring a flat to be formed on the rod, with such a flat weakening the rod. Creating a flat on a heddle-carrier bar requires the rod to have a particular angular orientation, which means that it is not necessarily screwed by an amount that matches the intended spacing between the cross-rails. Finally, the device for fastening the rod to the bottom cross-rail requires access on the heddle side, thus leading to the same tiring nature and risk of damaging the warp threads as in the above-mentioned device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,916 teaches using a rod of small section, that is threaded at one of its ends and that carries a strip in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped at its other end. It is not possible to adjust the position of the threaded rod parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cross-rails. In addition, while the loom is in operation, opposing deformations of the cross-rails can lead to slack between the thread of the rod and the tapping in the strip, running the risk of inducing contact rust at that level.

Heddle frame and a loom fitted with such a frame


A conduit end cap structure (e.g., a floor drain assembly) that is securely attached to the conduit and aesthetically pleasing. The end cap of the conduit comprises a perforated plate. Anchor supports extend from the substantially concealed underside of the plate, each providing support for an anchor that is received by an anchor receiving structure on the conduit to securely attach the plate to the conduit near its opening. The anchor may be in the form of a fastener (e.g., a set screw), and the anchor receiving structure is in the form of a channel provided on the inside wall of the conduit opening. The fastener extends into the channel, thereby securely retaining the plate to prevent it from dislodging from the conduit end.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to capping structure at the terminating ends of ducts or conduits (e.g., floor drains), in particular capping plates having substantially concealed anchor attachment structures (e.g., a grid for capping a drain).
2. Description of Related Art
Ducts and conduits in building structures extend and terminate at openings of finished surfaces. These openings are usually covered with a capping plate. For example, a drain pipe terminates at an opening in the shower floor, which is typically covered with a perforated cover (e.g., a strainer, grid, grate, etc.) that allows liquid to flow therethrough but to prevent larger debris from entering the drain pipe. A ventilation duct terminates at an opening in the wall or floor, and the opening is typically covered by a vent plate having baffled openings to direct and distribute air out of the opening (in the case of a ventilation outlet), or by a grate that protects a filter element (in the case of a ventilation inlet). In the past, conduit covers are attached to the terminating ends of conduits by snap attachments or screw fasteners. However, snap attachments are not secure, and screw fasteners leave an unsightly appearance for covers that are exposed to view.
It is therefore desirable to provide a secure and aesthetic conduit end cap structure.

Aesthetic conduit end cap structure having concealed anchor attachments


A method to provide information from a first information storage and retrieval system to a second information storage and retrieval system, where the first information storage and retrieval system comprises (N) PPRC adapters and information. The method generates and saves an Established Path Bitmap which recites the (N) PPRC adapters, and generates an Available Path Bitmap. If a PPRC adapter is in communication with the secondary storage system, then the method adds that adapter to the Available Path Bitmap. The primary information storage and retrieval system generates a PPRC task comprising a flag set to “off”. The method copies the Available Path Bitmap as a Working Bitmap, and generates a PPRC request comprising a flag set to “on”, selects one of the adapters recited in the Working Bitmap, and provides the PPRC request to that selected adapter. The method then once attempts to provide information to the second information storage and retrieval system using the selected adapter.

In hierarchical computer storage systems, fast and intensively used storage are paired with arrays of slower and less frequently accessed data devices. One example of high-speed, expensive memory is a direct access storage device file buffer (DASD). Slower storage devices include tape drives and disk drive arrays, which are less expensive than a DASD.
Data disaster recovery solutions include various "peer-to-peer" copy routines where data is backed-up not only remotely, but also continuously (either synchronously or asynchronously). In order to communicate duplexed data from one host processor to another host processor, or from one storage controller to another storage controller, or some combination thereof, a substantial amount of control data is required for realizing the process. A high overhead, however, can interfere with a secondary site's ability to keep up with a primary site's processing, thus threatening the ability of the secondary site to be able to recover the primary in the event a disaster occurs.
Disaster recovery protection for the typical data processing system requires that primary data stored on primary DASDs be backed-up at a secondary or remote location. The physical distance separating the primary and secondary locations can be set depending upon the level of risk acceptable to the user, and can vary from several kilometers to thousands of kilometers.
In order to assure data consistency at both the primary information storage and retrieval system and the secondary information storage and retrieval system, particularly when using an asynchronous PPRC copy methods, it is desirable to communicate information expeditiously from the primary storage system to the secondary system.
Applicants' method evaluates one or more established communication pathways interconnecting a primary information storage and retrieval system with a remote information storage and retrieval system, identifies functional communication pathways, and, initially, sequentially attempts a single information transfer using each of those functional communication pathways until information transfer is successful. If information transfer is not successful using the known functional pathways, Applicants' method then selects an established communication pathway to transfer the information using a retry algorithm which, if the communication pathway is not stable, waits a prescribed period of time to allow the pathway to stabilize, and then makes one attempt to transfer the information using each selected established pathway.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method to implement retry algorithms when providing information from a primary storage system to a remote storage system

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony, wherein the system includes a location manager and an IP telephony proxy server. The location manager includes an interface to a legacy telephony service control entity and the IP telephony proxy server includes an IP interface to the location manager. If the IP telephony proxy server requires intelligent network services, then the IP telephony proxy server sends an IP telephony session initiation request to the called party at the location manager. The location manager uses the information to query the legacy telephony service control entity for routing information. When the location manager receives a routing response from the service control entity, the location manager maps the response to an IP telephony session control message back to the IP telephony proxy server.

The present invention relates generally to the field of IP telephony, and more particularly to providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony.
Internet telephony is the real-time delivery of voice, and other multimedia data, between two or more parties across a network using Internet protocols (IP). Internet telephony began in the mid-1990s with the introduction of Internet phone software, Internet phone software is designed to run on a personal computer equipped with a sound card, speakers, microphone, and modem. Software compresses the voice signal and translates it into IP packets for transmission over the Internet. This basic PC-to-PC Internet telephony works, however, only if both parties are using Internet phone software.
Internet telephony offers the opportunity to design a global multimedia communications system that may eventually replace the existing circuit switched telephony infrastructure. In a relatively short period of time, Internet telephony has advanced rapidly. Many software developers now offer PC telephony software.
Internet telephony is session based rather than connection based. Generally, a first Internet protocol, such as H.323 or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is used to establish the session and negotiate the capabilities for the session, and a second Internet protocol, such Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), is used to transport the actual media across the IP network.
While IP telephony offers benefits to both users and carriers in terms of cost and variety of media types, there is a substantial installed base of traditional telephones served by the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Moreover, in addition to its widespread nature, the PSTN offers a rich set intelligent network services such as "800" number services, Virtual Private Network (VNET) services, call forwarding, and the like. Accordingly, IP telephony is not likely, anytime soon, to replace the PSTN. However, there is a desire to integrate the PSTN with IP networks, including the Internet and private intranets. Thus, there are instances when a call originated by a phone on the PSTN will be required to be carried through an IP based network for eventual delivery to a second phone on the PSTN. There is a further desire to provide all of the intelligent network services that currently exist in the PSTN to IP telephony calls.

Method of and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony


A back light apparatus comprises a base having a container, a lamp module, a diffuser, and at least one elastic device. The inside surface of the base are coated a reflection layers. The lamp module consists of CCFLs disposed in the container. One end of the elastic element is fixed on the bottom surface of the container; the other end supports the diffuser. The elastic device reduces the deformation of the diffuser to avoid forming the uneven surface on the diffuser. That is, it can provide the high and even brightness for a liquid crystal display panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a back light apparatus for use in a liquid crystal display.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A back light module is the key component for liquid crystal display (LCD). By means of the brightness and uniform light source being provided by the backlight module, the LCD panel can display images.
The backlight module can divide into a sidelight mode and a direct light mode according to the position of the light source. The sidelight mode places lamps of the light source on the side edge of a LCD panel and, then, uses a guiding-panel to control light path so that light beams project to a diffuser below the panel and provide uniform light beams. Because of the position of the light source, it suits being used in a light, thin, and power saving display equipment, e.g. a monitor of a notebook. But for big size display and brightness occasions, e.g. TV and desk PC. The sidelight mode cant provide enough brightness. Hence, it needs the direct light mode to directly place the light source below the display panel. The contain space for the light source is bigger, and has a capacity for over two lamps to increase the brightness of the light source and satisfy what's need.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a direct light back light module 10 comprises a rectangular frame 11 having a container 111, a light source module 12, a diffuser 13, and a supporting rod 14. The surface of the container 111 has a reflection layer 112 to reflect the light beam provided by the light source module 12 to the diffuser 13. The light source module 12 comprises a plurality of light tubes 121 side by side inside the container 111. The two ends of the diffuser 13 fix on a top surface 113 of the rectangular frame 11 and, then, the supporting rod 14 properly is placed on the bottom of the rectangular frame 11, which has one end holding the diffuser 13 to support the diffuser 13.
Due to the supporting rod 14 directly contacting the diffuser 13, the contact part hinders the light from passing. For avoiding the diffuser 13 forming bigger dark area, the supporting rod 14 generally uses a cone having a smaller cross-section on top point and, thus, the top of the supporting rod 14 directly contacts the diffuser 13 with a pointed tip. As the size of the back light module 10 increasing or the inside temperature of the frame 11 raising that causes by the light source module 12, the deformation of the diffuser 13 is increasing and makes downward indentation. Meanwhile, the pointed tip of the supporting rod 14 easily protrudes the diffuser 13 so the diffuser 13 forms a uneven surface or even causes the unequal interval between the diffuser 13 and the light source module 12 such that the diffuser 13 has uneven brightness. The LCD panel display images have light and shade phenomenon. In addition, the supporting rod 14 is placed inside the container 111. As the light source providing light beams impinging onto the surface of the supporting rod 14, the light beams cant effectively reflect or transmissive and, hence, cant project to the surface of the diffuser 13, which easily causes illumination light source loss.


The present invention discloses an electronic system including a peripheral device whereon a barcode is formed, and a host device. The peripheral device is detachably installed on the host device. The host device includes a housing, a barcode reading module installed on the housing and for reading the barcode on the peripheral device as the peripheral device is installed on the housing of the host device, and a control module installed inside the housing and electrically connected to the barcode reading module for establishing connection between the host device and the peripheral device according to the barcode read by the barcode reading module.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic system capable of establishing connection between a host device and a peripheral device, and more specifically, to an electronic system capable of establishing the connection between the host device and the peripheral device by barcode scan.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Nowadays, consumer electronics products, such as tablet computers, smart phones, speakers and earphones, are in widespread use in daily life and progressing. Different electronic devices need to be paired with each other to establish connection therebetween, for example, by performing Bluetooth paring, which conforms to short-distance wireless communication technique. However, it requires a process of operating software to actuate Bluetooth function, searching surrounding devices automatically, choosing a paring object manually, and final confirmation for the pairing, resulting in inconvenience of operation. Therefore, it is an important issue to design a rapid pairing mechanism for different electronic devices so as to enhance efficiency of pairing and connection establishment.

Electronic system with connection establishment by barcode scan


The subject invention pertains to the isolation of nucleotide sequences of the 2S albumin gene and its promoter from grape. Promoter sequences of the invention provide for seed-specific transcription of operably linked polynucleotide sequences. Seed-specific expression activity of the subject promoter was also characterized by using transient green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression analysis in transformed somatic embryos (SE) of grape (cv. Thompson Seedless). The subject invention also concerns expression constructs comprising a promoter of the present invention. Plants, plant tissues, and plant cells bred to contain or transformed with a polynucleotide of the invention are also contemplated by the present invention.

Promoters regulate gene transcription and provide sophisticated controlling mechanisms for gene expression. Based on their functionality, promoters can be generally grouped into tissue-specific promoters, developmentally regulated promoters, constitutive promoters and inducible promoters. Tissue-specific promoters become functionally active only in a particular type of cell, tissue or organ, while developmentally regulated promoters mainly function at a certain stage of plant development. Constitutive promoters, on the other hand, are active in all types of tissues and at all stages of plant development, providing a relatively constant level of gene expression. Lastly, inducible promoters, increase activity greatly when they come in contact with associated chemical or physical signals. Thus far, numerous promoters with a wide range of functionalities have been isolated from organisms ranging from viruses to plants to mammals. These promoters are potentially important for the successful application of genetic engineering techniques to crop plants in efforts to introduce resistance characteristics to biotic and abiotic stresses, to improve crop yield and quality, and to create novel traits with added value.
Currently, the majority of promoters being successfully utilized in plant genetic engineering are mainly derived from a few plant viruses, including cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and cassava vein mosaic virus (CsVMV). These viral promoters tend to support strong and often constitutive transgene expression in plant cells (Li et al., 2001). Hence, they are normally used for expressing selectable marker genes to facilitate the selection and identification of transgenic plants. In addition, due to their unusually stable and high-level of activity, these promoters are often used to drive expression of transgenes such as those conferring resistance to disease pathogens, insects and herbicides (D'Halluin et al., 1993; Lonstaff et al., 1993; Perlak et al., 1990; Ger et al., 2002). However, viral promoters generally lack the capability to promote tissue-specific expression and some show unpredictable expression patterns in different host plants (Li et al., 2001; Kloti et al., 2002). In addition to viral promoters, several promoters isolated from plants have also been successfully used in genetic engineering programs (An et al., 1996; Dharmapuri et al., 2002). These plant-derived promoters are capable of supporting tissue-specific and developmentally-regulated transgene expression, but more often display unexpected changes in promoter activity and expression patterns in heterologous host plants (Li et al., 2001). The use of plant-derived promoters for efficient transgene expression has been somewhat under-exploited. More needs to be done in the discovery, isolation and characterization of novel plant-derived promoters from different plant species and in the utilization of these promoters in order to diversify and enhance our ability to achieve effective transgene expression in transgenic plants.
Promoters are a key component in the application of genetic engineering techniques aimed at improving the survivability and value of crop plants. In spite of tremendous efforts made to isolate and characterize promoters from various sources, the number of promoters capable of providing a strong and tissue-specific activity in a particular host plant is still limited mainly due to the sophisticated mechanisms employed by different promoters to control gene expression (Li et al., 2001). Thus, there is a great need for discovery and exploration of new promoters in order to diversify our approach to supporting transgene expression in various plant species for different purposes.
2S albumins are a group of small proteins (1.7 to 2.2S) synthesized and stored in plant seeds of a wide range of dicotyledonary species and are well known for their conserved pattern of placement of cysteine residues that are involved in disulphide bond formation (Shewry et al., 1995; Rico et al., 1996). These proteins vary greatly in amino acid composition but often contain a high percentage of nitrogen- and sulfur-rich amino acid residues consistent with significant nutritional functions of storage proteins (Boutilier et al., 1999). Due to their important role as a nutritional supply source for human food and animal feeds, 2S albumins and associated genes have been isolated from a number of plant species and characterized in great detail to facilitate endeavors in protein manipulation and improvement (Raynal et al., 1991; Shewry et al., 1995; Rico et al., 1996; Cahtthai and Misra 1998; Muntz 1998; Scarafoni et al., 2001; Galili and Hofgen 2002). Several glutamine (Q)-rich 2S albumins have also been shown to possess potent antimycotic and antibacterial activities. These proteins provide useful characteristics for the development of novel disease resistance in crop plants using transgenic strategies (Terras et al., 1993; Barciszewski et al., 2000; Koo et al., 2002).
The production and accumulation of 2S albumins during seed development are strictly controlled by their gene promoters. Over the years, extensive molecular analysis of 2S albumin promoters from different plant species revealed that several unique DNA motifs within these promoters interact directly with well-characterized transcriptional regulatory proteins leading to spatial and temporal activation of gene transcription (Dasgupta et al., 1993; Stalberg et al., 1993; Conceicao and Krebbers 1994; Rockel et al., 1997; Vincentz et al., 1997). Knowledge gained from these studies greatly facilitated efforts to improve yield, quality and nutritional value of seed storage proteins by using genetic engineering techniques (Molvig et al., 1997; Muntz et al., 1998; De Lumen et al., 1999; Scarafoni et al., 2001; Jaeger et al., 2002).
A cDNA clone from a grape berry library of cv. Pinor Noir was published previously in the form of an expressed sequence tag (EST) (Ageorges 2000). This partial cDNA was shown to have sequence homology to a gene encoding a 2S albumin seed storage protein precursor from Juglans regia (U66866) and thus was proposed to belong to a 2S albumin-like gene in grape. Although the isolation and utilization of 2S albumin genes and promoters from other species has been disclosed in the art, none have sequence homology to the gene and promoter of the subject invention (Arntzen et al., 2002; Vandekerckhove et al., 1997; De Clercq et al., 1996; Vandekerckhove et al., 1996).

Nucleotide sequences of 2S albumin gene and its promoter from grape and uses thereof

University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


The present invention provides a method of producing high-purity hydroxypivalaldehyde and/or dimer thereof, including: reacting isobutyl aldehyde with formaldehyde in a presence of a basic catalyst; distilling a low boiling point component including unreacted isobutyl aldehyde to obtain an aqueous solution; adding a diluent to the aqueous solution; cooling the aqueous solution to crystallize the hydroxypivalaldehyde and/or the dimer thereof; and subjecting the aqueous solution to a solid-liquid separation, followed by washing with an organic solvent and/or water, in which the diluent and a basic compound are added to the aqueous solution containing the hydroxypivalaldehyde and/or the dimer thereof obtained by distilling the low boiling point component off so that a concentration of the hydroxypivalaldehyde and/or the dimer becomes 5 to 23% by mass, the concentration of formaldehyde becomes 0.2 to 2.5% by mass, and a pH value becomes 5.0 or more, the solution is crystallized at a temperature of 20 to 45° C. and subjected to the solid-liquid separation. In this method, handling of a high-viscosity slurry and carrying out any complicated operation such as regeneration of an ion exchange resin are not required, so the high-purity HPA and/or the dimer thereof can be obtained in high yield with an energetically advantageous manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of producing hydroxypivalaldehyde and/or a dimer thereof by subjecting isobutyl aldehyde to reaction with formaldehyde. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of efficiently and simply producing high-purity hydroxypivalaldehyde and/or the dimer thereof by separating the hydroxypivalaldehyde and/or the dimer thereof from a reaction solution by a crystallization process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, hydroxypivalaldehyde (3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl propanal, hereinafter referred to as HPA) is synthesized by an aldol condensation reaction of isobutyl aldehyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst. The aldol condensation reaction can proceed either in acidic conditions or basic conditions. However, HPA has a carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group in a single molecule thereof, so the condensation of dimers into tetramers occurs under acidic conditions. Thus, the aldol condensation reaction is generally carried out under basic conditions as mentioned above (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-215904 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-26356).
After the reaction is completed, low boiling point components, such as unreacted isobutyl aldehyde and formaldehyde, are distilled off to thereby obtain an HPA-containing aqueous solution. HPA has been often used as a synthetic intermediate of an organic compound such as neopentylglycol or spiroglycol, and such the liquid resulting from the reaction is often used in subsequent steps without being purified (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No-01-299239 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-29563).
As for HPA, there is an equilibrium relationship between a monomer and a dimer as represented by the chemical formula (I) (Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions II, vol. 3, page 189-192, 1978). HPA obtained as a crystal by crystallization and purification is a dimer. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 01-299239 and the like disclose that the dimer is as reactive as the monomer.

In addition, methods of obtaining high-purity HPA are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 51-68514 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 06-29206, in which the HPA-containing aqueous solution is diluted with the addition of water and then purified by crystallization, followed by solid-liquid separation to thereby obtain the high-purity HPA.
In other words, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 51-68514 discloses that the crystallization process is carried out such that water is added to a reaction solution for aldol condensation to keep the total content of the HPA and/or the dimer thereof within the range of 23 to 30% by mass after distilling isobutyl aldehyde off from the reaction solution. However, when crystallization was carried out at such high concentrations after the reaction solution was cooled down to 15 to 20° C., it produces a slurry product with an extremely high viscosity or one without fluidity. Therefore, there arises a disadvantage that it is very difficult to be handled industrially. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 51-68514 discloses that a large amount of the HPA and/or the dimer thereof remain/remains in a liquid obtained by the solid-liquid separation of the slurry, so the HPA and/or the dimer thereof can be recovered by extracting with isobutyl aldehyde and circulating an organic phase in the step of low-boiling distillation, while isobutyl aldehyde dissolved in an aqueous phase is also recovered by distillation. However, because of a large amount of isobutyl aldehyde distilled in a distillation column, it is energetically disadvantageous.
Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 06-29206 discloses that part of filtrate and wash solutions obtained in the steps of solid-liquid separation and washing is circulated into an aldol condensation reactor and the distillation column, while the remaining part is subjected to a deamination processing to utilize it as addition water and rinse water in the crystallization process. In this case, however, formic acid, which is a by-product from the aldol condensation, is accumulated by circulation, causing a decrease in a pH level of the solution to be subjected to the crystallization. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that the HPA and/or the dimer thereof are/is not easily crystallized. Further, even in the method of Japanese Patent Publication No. 06-29206, because a large amount of the liquid is circulated in the step of distillation, there are disadvantages in that the distillation step is highly loaded, it is energetically disadvantageous, and the steps are complicated since regeneration of the ion exchange resin used in a deamination processing is necessary.

Method of producing high-purity hydroxypivalaldehyde and/or dimer thereof


A DIMM is described. The DIMM includes circuitry to simultaneously transfer data of different ranks of memory chips on the DIMM over a same data bus during a same burst write sequence.

The performance of computing systems is highly dependent on the performance of their system memory. Generally, however, increasing memory channel capacity and memory speed can result in challenges concerning the power consumption of the memory channel implementation. As such, system designers are seeking ways to increase memory channel capacity and bandwidth while keeping power consumption in check.


A system and method are disclosed for dynamic preamble detection. A subset of the bits comprising the synchronization portion of the preamble are decoded, de-scrambled, and analyzed to determine dynamically which preamble format is being used. The source data values for the synchronization bits for a first preamble format are different than the source data values for the synchronization bits for a second preamble format and the receiving system uses the difference to determine which preamble format has been used. The information concerning which format has been used may be used to extend a synchronization operation.

Packet switched network protocols, in which data is sent from one network node to another in the form of one or more discrete packets, have long been used in conventional wired networks to manage the exchange of data between network nodes. In wireless communications, it is sometimes advantageous to employ a protocol that allows for the transmission and receipt of data packets. One such environment is the wireless local area network (LAN) environment.
To facilitate the development and use of wireless LAN ("WLAN" or "WiLAN") technology, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has promulgated a series of standards, the IEEE Standard 802.11 series, to provide standardized specifications for the medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) for such a wireless LAN. IEEE Standard 802.11b provides the specifications for extending the PHY layer in the 2.45 GHz band.
IEEE Standard 802.11b prescribes a packet format in which each packet comprises a preamble portion, a header portion, and a data portion, transmitted in that order. In general, the preamble portion is used by the receiving system to recognize that a packet is being received and to perform synchronization operations to enable the receiving system to reliably receive and interpret the incoming packet. The header portion typically is used to provide to the receiving system information concerning the data portion that will follow, such as by indicating how much data is being sent in the packet and what signaling method is being used to transmit the data portion. The data portion, sometimes referred to as the "payload" of the packet, comprises all or a part of a message the sending system is communicating to the receiving system. The message may comprise, for example, a request for data available from the receiving system or data sent by the sending system in response to a request received from the receiving system. How the data is processed at the receiving system may be dictated, for example, by an application layer protocol or application program running on the receiving system.
In certain environments, such as in a wireless LAN environment operating under IEEE Standard 802.11b, more than one packet format may be used. For example, IEEE Standard 802.11b specifies a long preamble format and a short preamble format. The long preamble format may be needed, for example, for use with legacy or other systems that employ the 1 Megabit per second (Mbps) mode of operation under IEEE Standard 802.11b. The short preamble format, on the other hand, may be suitable for use with higher data rate modes of operation, such as for 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, and 11 Mbps modes of operation.
Under IEEE Standard 802.11b, for both the long preamble format and the short preamble format the preamble comprises a first set of bits to be used for synchronization operations and a second set of bits, termed the "start frame delimiter" (SFD), which second set of bits the receiving system uses to recognize that the end of the preamble has been reached and the header portion of the packet is about to begin.
In certain implementations under IEEE Standard 802.11b, for example, or under other wireless communication protocols comprising more than one preamble format, it may be advantageous to determine dynamically, while the preamble is being processed (e.g., while synchronization operations are being performed), which preamble format is being used. For example, under IEEE Standard 802.11b, it may be advantageous to determine dynamically, during synchronization, that the long preamble format is being used. Under IEEE Standard 802.11b, the long preamble format comprises 128 bits for synchronization and a 16-bit SFD. By contrast, the short preamble format comprises just 56 bits for synchronization and a (different) 16-bit SFD. Therefore, based on dynamic detection of the preamble type the receiving system would know whether it could perform more extensive synchronization operations—because more bits would be available in the longer preamble format—in order to achieve better synchronization and channel sensitivity and thereby ensure more reliable interpretation of the received signal. This may be particularly important under a protocol such as IEEE Standard 802.11b, under which the long preamble format must be used with the lower data rate mode of operation (1 Mbps), which typically exhibits a lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) such that better synchronization may be required than for the higher data rate modes of operation, which typically have a higher SNR. Therefore, for situations in which a system may be required to be configured to receive and process data packets having more than one type of preamble, there is a need for a way to detect dynamically which preamble format is being used.


One or more content sequences are created from a store of video content, which could simply be broadcast content which has been captured and stored at a server within a network. The content sequences are generated according to the viewer's specified, or demonstrated, viewing preferences. The viewer preferences are captured form entry by the user themselves, or by observation of their viewing habits. Multiple ‘users’ per household and multiple content sequences per viewer are possible. A content sequences is then streamed to the viewer, and looks to him/her just like a TV channel: when one program ends, another starts automatically. It is also possible for a viewer to select an item within the content sequence using an interactive program controller.

As the consumer electronics migrates from analog to digital technologies and from narrowband to broadband networks, the value of the business models that incorporate software and services is growing relative to the value of business models based on hardware alone. This shift towards services has already taken place in the computer world; it is now emerging in the TV world with development of technologies that enable digital TV.
There are various ways to deliver video content to viewers, depending on the consumer hardware interface (personal computer or TV set) and the type of access network. Thus, video content may be delivered today using data broadcasting (for example via satellite or UHF/VHF wireless), two-way broadband networks (e.g. Via DSL lines), and two-way proprietary broadband networks (digital cable networks). Viewers can also obtain video content via physical media such as videocassettes and DVDs.
Revenue from video delivery services and pricing of services is also collected in a number of ways. 'Free-to-air' broadcast RF signals are paid for by advertisers. Satellite and cable-based broadcast service providers charge a subscription and often 'bundle' a number of TV channels together. The consumer can opt for one or more such 'bundles'; choosing more channels is more expensive. 'Pay-per-view' pricing allows customers to selectively view premium content (movies, special sports events, etc.) for which viewing/descrambling is only enabled for a fee. Finally, 'video-on-demand' allows selected content to be delivered to viewers when they want it this may be priced as a monthly subscription or as a price per item. Although the latter is the more common delivery mode for video-on-demand today, this invention relates primarily to the delivery of content in a subscription model.
Three principal modes of content delivery exist: broadcast, multicast, and unicast. In the broadcast delivery mode, the content is sent to all viewers on the network and is often used in conjunction with some form of 'conditional access' at the customer end, which prevents them from accessing content they have not paid for, even if it has been physically received. In the multicast delivery mode, the content is sent to a set of viewers at the same time; for example is sent to all viewers who have requested a particular channel. In the unicast delivery mode, the content is sent to a particular viewer and is most often associated with 'video on demand' which enables a viewer to access any piece of content from a server, at any time.
Unicast delivery along with physical media distribution (videocassettes, DVDs), offer the viewer a high degree of control; the viewer can pause, rewind, or fast-forward the content. Over networks which are not capable of supporting unicast traffic, the convenience of this mode is simulated with 'Near Video-on-Demand' delivery mode, in which particularly desirable content (like recent movies) is presented on multiple channels with sequential start times, so that the viewer can choose the most convenient time from multiple start times.
One of the perceived virtues of television is that one does not have to engage proactively in choosing the content to be watched; you just turn the TV set on, and start surfing through the channels. However, this perception is slowly changing. At the subscriber site, the TV screen evolved from being only an entertainment screen to an interactive terminal through a programmable user-interface, commonly an infrared remote control, although infrequently a keyboard is also available.
To increase viewer's flexibility in choosing a specific content at a time if his/her liking, the modern set-top boxes are increasingly incorporating memory or hard disk storage that allows content to be recorded at one time and viewed at another time. The content information can be time-shifted, time-warped (for example to fast-forward through advertisements), and edited through recording equipment such as personal video recording (PVR) systems with built-in decoders. The recording of content information has also become user-programmable through on-screen electronic program guides; the viewer either enters a date, time and channel of the program desired to be recorded, or enters an identification code of the desired program. This features and the availability of a large local storage now allows broadcast networks to have some of the control advantages (pause, rewind, fast-forward) of unicast networks, with the notable precondition that the PVR must have first been programmed to save that content item in advance.
In most areas with cable or satellite TV, surfing for content has become increasingly unrewarding, since it has became increasingly difficult to decide which programs to watch and when. There are so many cable and satellite channels to surf through that it often takes too long for some viewers to find any content of interest; most viewers may not have the time to choose which programs they may or may not like, and to program a recording device which can record the programs that cannot be viewed at the time of broadcasting. The content search and programming tasks can take a considerable amount of time and are likely to cause many desirable programs to be overlooked. Even the electronic program guide has not substantially reduced the burden of this 'content search' task, since the viewer could be some time past the beginning of a selected program by the time he/she finds it among the hundreds of channels presented on the slowly scrolling program guide. So great is the quantity of information associated with displaying those hundreds of channels across multiple future time periods that the program guides are now compressed down to describing a content item in as little as 25 alphanumeric characters. This may not provide enough information for a viewer to decide if the content is interesting or not.
The cost (in time) to the viewer of searching for desirable content also exists in current 'video on demand' networks, where thousands of content items may exist on a server. Current trends are to an ever increasing number of broadcast channels and stored content items, making better means for finding desirable content ever more useful to customers.
Another disadvantage of the current status quo in the video entertainment field is that, if a viewer is not interested in a program that is currently playing on a broadcast channel, or is forced through a bundle to subscribe to a channel they are never interested in, then this creates a perception among customers that they are being forced to pay to receive content that they don't want.
With a mechanism to automatically determine accurately personal preferences of a viewer, a very personal TV viewing environment can be presented to the viewer. In case of households with multiple members, by correctly identifying individual members and their preferences, an apparatus can provide an entertainment experience which is most pleasurable to the individual viewer.
U.S. Patent Application 20030172378: "Method and apparatus for creating a personal commercials channel" describes a method and apparatus for providing a selected commercial to display on a video terminal. The method includes defining a viewer reference profile with respect to at least one descriptive attribute of a commercial. The viewer profile is then used to automatically select a 'personalized' commercial from a plurality of commercials stored in a database. A virtual channel is allocated from available channels in a channel list and the selected commercial is then associated with the virtual channel. The selected commercial is displayed when the virtual channel is accessed by the viewer.
However, this patent application does not disclose or suggest creating a sequence of program content for allowing the viewer to select the current program being displayed from that sequence.
U.S. Patent Application 20030067554 entitled "System and method for personalized TV" describes a personal TV system whereby a viewer receives a plurality of video segments constituting a TV program, information describing each segment, and controls with the description of each segment. Segments may be omitted or replaced with substitute segments. The viewer may review his preferences and edit or replace them. In a multi-viewer household, the system may prompt a viewer to confirm her/his preferences. When the viewer chooses to interact with a particular segment, the system automatically stores all subsequently received segments for later viewing while the viewer interacts with the selected segment. The system may also present TV program choices to the viewer selected and arranged in accordance with her/his preferences.
However, this Patent Application 20030067554 does not address the aspect of selecting video content from a database of stored video content, it rather addresses storing content selected according to viewer preferences for later viewing.
The ability to make video content personalized and convenient for viewers provides value to end customers, and differentiates unicast capable networks such as DSL relative to broadcast oriented networks like satellite.


An electrical connector includes a terminal (11) fixed to a connector housing (10). The electrical connector includes a conductor (23) exposed from a covering (22) and having a connection portion connected to a connection portion of the terminal (11). The electrical connector includes a foam element (31) at a predetermined foam ratio located around respective connection portions of the conductor (23) and the terminal (11).

An electrical connector has an insulation covered electric wire having the end of a conductor, from which an insulator was removed. The electrical connector has a connection terminal conducted and connected with this end. The connection portion between the end of the conductor and the connection terminal is protected by a plastic connector housing (plastic cover), a polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC) mold, or the like.
With the conductor covered with the insulator, the impedance of the insulation covered electric wire is determined by the permittivity of the insulator. However, the insulator is removed from the terminal of the insulation covered electric wire, and the conductor is exposed to conduct and connect to the connection terminal of the electrical connector. Consequently, the impedance of this terminal becomes different from the impedance of the insulation covered portion.
Even if the connection portion between the end of the conductor and the connection terminal is covered with resin mold, the impedance of the connection portion is determined by complex factors, that is, the shape of the connection portion, the terminal configuration, the permittivity of mold resin material, and the like. Impedance control to a predetermined value is difficult, such as matching of the impedance of the connection portion to the impedance of the insulation covered portion.
Adding to this, a signal transmission cable for high-speed transmission called a high-speed cable is used by virtue of an acceleration of the transmission speed in the interface cable of a computer. This cable requires optimization of the impedance of the electrical connector as a non-conventional electrical characteristic. Thus, the impedance of an electrical connector is controlled to an appropriate predetermined value as needed.


A method for monitoring the volumetric flow of a metering valve (131) of a fluidic metering system (100) of an internal combustion engine, in which at least one feed pump (111) for feeding a fluid is arranged, the feed pump (111) being connected to a feed line (207) and to a return line (160), and it being provided in particular that an inner leakage of the feed pump (111) is determined and that the volumetric flow of the metering valve (131) is monitored on the basis of ascertained (320, 325) pressure values on the basis of the determined inner leakage of the feed pump (350).

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the volumetric flow of a metering valve of a fluidic metering system, in particular a DNOX metering system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, in which at least one feed pump for feeding a fluid is arranged. The invention also relates to a computer program, to a machine-readable data medium for storing the computer program and to an electronic control device, by means of which the method according to the invention can be carried out.
To restrict pollutant emissions of motor vehicles, around the world the permissible limit values are increasingly being lowered. At present, the amended emission legislation (for example Euro 6) and new test cycles (WLTP: Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Test Procedure or RDE: Real Driving Emission, expected from 2017) are reducing these permissible values still further. For all vehicle classes, compliance with these limit values will only be possible with active exhaust treatment.
The Denoxtronic (DNOX) of an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) metering system for exhaust treatment is used for injecting so-called "AdBlue", a urea-water solution (UWS) of 32.5% urea in water, into the exhaust gas flow upstream of an SCR catalyst. The urea is converted into ammonia by thermolysis and hydrolysis. In the SCR catalyst, the ammonia reduces the nitrogen oxides to water and nitrogen.
In modern diesel engines with an SCR exhaust treatment, raw NOx emissions are reduced by means of a said DNOX system by up to 95%. Future DNOX systems will comprise a volumetric feed pump and be operated in a purely open-loop controlled manner. These systems have a return for unused AdBlue solution into the UWS storage tank. The feed pump is usually a positive displacement pump, for example a reciprocating pump, in the case of which the volumetric flow of the feed pump can be determined relatively easily if the swept volume is known.
Said DNOX systems must meet statutory requirements with regard to on-board diagnostics ("OBD") and a warning and request system. This includes that the volumetric flow through the metering valve must be monitored with regard to two system properties, to be specific the capability of supplying UWS (the so-called "reductant delivery performance") and the consumption of UWS (the so-called "consumption deviation"). In the case of these systems, the volumetric flow through the monitoring valve can be monitored on the basis of the volumetric flow through the return that is typically formed by an orifice plate.
A method and a device for determining inadmissible deviations in the metering quantities of an SCR catalyst are disclosed by DE 10 2013 204 686 A1. A possible quantity deviation is assessed on the basis of the data signals recorded by these two different measurement or signal sources. For a predetermined time interval, a metering valve is opened and the resultant pressure drop is measured. The recorded pressure drop is compared with a predetermined threshold value and the value for the quantity deviation is determined from the result of the comparison.

Method for monitoring the volumetric flow of a metering valve of a fluidic metering system of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle


An adaptive pressure control method for synchronous downshifts in an automatic transmission that uses pressure actuated friction elements. The method uses characteristic parameters that determine downshift quality for both power-on downshifts and power-off downshifts. Selected measured variables are monitored to detect changes in the parameters. Adjustments for the friction elements are made in response to changes in the measured variables.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to multiple-ratio automatic transmissions for automotive vehicles wherein ratio changes between ratios involves engagement and disengagement of friction elements that establish and disestablish torque flow paths from a torque input member to a torque output member.
2. Background Art
The control of gear elements of multiple-ratio gearing for an automotive vehicle transmission are controlled typically by friction clutches or brakes, hereinafter referred to as torque transfer friction elements, to establish and to disestablish each of several forward driving ratios and one or more reverse ratios. Examples of automotive transmissions of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,292,731; 5,722,519; 5,553,694; 5,758,302; 6,370,463; and 6,577,939. These transmissions include controls for establishing and disestablishing ratio changes using both nonsynchronous and synchronous engagement and release of the friction elements. An example of a transmission that uses only synchronous ratio changes is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/712,071, filed Nov. 13, 2003, by Steve Cicala et al., which is entitled "Adaptive Pressure Control Method For Achieving Synchronous Upshifts In A Multiple-Ratio Transmission", now U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,647. That co-pending patent application is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
In a transmission characterized by synchronous ratio upshifts and downshifts, the ratio change requires engagement of one friction element as a companion friction element is disengaged. This engagement and disengagement must occur in synchronism. Precise synchronization is required to achieve acceptable shift quality. Precision in the synchronization must be maintained, furthermore, throughout the life of the transmission, notwithstanding the presence of wear of the torque transfer friction elements and changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature changes, lubricant viscosity changes, and changes in coefficients of friction for the friction elements.
Errors in synchronization during ratio changes cause perceptible inertia torque disturbances at a transmission torque output shaft that have an adverse effect on overall shift quality. Shift quality would be affected, for example, if the ratio change were to start as pressure on the oncoming friction element is increased at the start of the event during a synchronous downshift. Other errors in synchronization during a synchronous downshift are slip time errors for the offgoing friction element as the oncoming friction element gains capacity.

Adaptive pressure control method for synchronous downshifts in a multiple-ratio transmission


A method for generating an integrated garment-model simulation is provided. The method includes scanning a human fit model to acquire first shape data representative of a portion of the human fit model; defining a three-dimensional surface simulation based on the first shape data; combining the surface simulation with medical data to define a model simulation; acquiring second shape data and material property data representative of a sample garment; defining a garment simulation based on the second shape data and the material property data; and combining the garment simulation with the model simulation to generate the integrated garment-model simulation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer simulations of a garment and a model. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for generating integrated garment-model simulations.
2. Description of Related Art
Human models are used in the design of garments to test the fit, comfort, aesthetics, and other attributes of the garment-model system. Typically, the human model and designer evaluate these attributes using a trial-and-error process. Here, the designer prepares a first sample garment, which is then worn by the human model. These human models are often referred to as "fit models". Fit models are persons having a predetermined body size and/or shape, which approximates the target wearer of the garment.
The fit model and designer then subjectively determine whether the first sample garment is acceptable as compared to predetermined design and analysis criteria. Any deficiencies in this subjective determination are noted, and a second sample garment is prepared to correct the noted deficiencies.
The trial-and-error process continues until the subjective analysis by the fit model and designer determine that the sample garment is acceptable, a process which is known to require five or more iterations. Thus, the trial-and-error process is generally inefficient and costly. Further, the trial-and-error process is subjective to the particular fit model(s) and designer and is therefore based on two opinions, namely the designer and the fit model.
Moreover, body shape and size of the fit models, as with most people, can change in shape and size on a day-to-day basis. Thus, the trial-and-error process is made even less accurate by the variability in the shape and size of the fit model.
Accordingly, it has been determined that there is a need for computer integrated garment-model simulations, as well as systems and methods for generating such simulations, that overcome, mitigate, and/or eliminate one or more of the aforementioned deleterious effects of the prior art.

Systems and methods of generating integrated garment-model simulations


An electronic apparatus includes an electrical load and a flexible wiring member, on which a circuit element is mounted, and which transmits a signal from an external signal source to the electrical load via the circuit element, by a plurality of electroconductive wires. The flexible wiring member is a band-shaped member, and on one surface of the flexible wiring member, an output electrode for connecting to the electrical load is formed in an area facing the electrical load and a connecting electrode for mounting the circuit element is formed in a drawing area in which the electroconductive wires are drawn from the electrical load. An opening is formed in the drawing area and the flexible wiring member is folded such that the circuit element is exposed, through the opening to a side of the other surface of the flexible wiring member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flexible wiring member on which a circuit element is mounted, and an electronic apparatus which connects an electrical load and an external signal source by the flexible wiring member.
2. Description of the Related Art
A jetting apparatus which jets liquid droplets is an example of an electronic apparatus. The jetting apparatus includes a jetting head in which nozzles for jetting the liquid droplets are formed. The jetting head includes an actuator as an electrical load, and the actuator has a drive portion corresponding to each of the nozzles. The liquid droplets are jetted from the nozzles by applying selectively a jetting pressure to a liquid inside the jetting head by the drive portion, based on a signal input to the drive portion of the actuator from an external signal source via a flexible wiring member. In such a jetting apparatus, when the number of nozzles is increased and the density of the nozzles becomes high, the density of the drive portions also becomes high. Accordingly, a wiring pattern of the flexible wiring member to be connected to the drive portions becomes fine, and a resistance of the wiring pattern becomes high. In the flexible wiring member, a circuit element which drives the actuator is mounted at a position as near as possible to the actuator in order to suppress the increase of the resistance.
As a flexible wiring member, a both-sides wired type, in which a wiring pattern is formed on both surfaces of a base layer, is available. However, there are problems such as a rise in a cost, and limitations on making fine a wiring pitch. Therefore, single-side wired material in which a wiring pattern is formed on one surface of a base layer has been generally used. The one-side wired material has electroconductive wires wired on one surface of a base layer which is made of an insulating resin material, and a covering layer made of an insulating resin is provided to cover the electroconductive wires. In the flexible wiring member, at a mounting position on which the circuit element is mounted, at a position on which an output electrode for connecting to an actuator is formed, and at a position on which an input electrode for connecting to an external signal source is formed, an electrode is formed by partially exposing the electroconductive wire by removing the base layer or the covering layer. Generally, polyimide is used as the base layer, and solder resist is used as the covering layer.
Incidentally, since the circuit element to be mounted on the flexible wiring member generates heat by driving the actuator, as in an ink-jet printer head described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-83707 submitted by applicants of the present application, a damage due to transmission of the heat of the circuit toward the actuator is suppressed by arranging a heat releasing body in contact with the circuit element. In the ink-jet printer head described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-83707, a recording head having an actuator is installed on a lower surface side of a bottom plate of ahead holder, exposing nozzles to a lower surface side. The external signal source is installed on an upper surface side of the head holder, and the heat releasing body is arranged inside the head holder.
Therefore, a flexible wiring member, which is drawn from the actuator, has a lower surface of one end portion overlapping with an upper surface of the actuator. The wiring member has the other end portion rising up along an inner wall on a side surface of the head holder, and is drawn to be extended toward the external signal source. Since the circuit element is mounted on an upper surface of the flexible wiring member, the heat releasing body is arranged at an upper surface side of the flexible wiring member, and is in a close contact with the circuit element.
When the flexible wiring member is drawn around as in the ink-jet printer head described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-83707, an output electrode for connecting to the actuator is formed on the lower surface of the flexible wiring member, and a connecting electrode for mounting the circuit element is formed on the upper surface. Therefore, in the abovementioned one-side wired flexible wiring member, one of the output electrode and the connecting electrode is formed by exposing the electroconductive wire by partially removing the base layer, and the remaining of the output electrode and the connecting electrode is formed by exposing the electroconductive wire by partially removing the covering layer.
However, although polyimide which is used for the base layer has a superior durability, it is not easy to process. Therefore, a high level technology is necessary for forming the electrodes with a fine pitch by removing polyimide, and a manufacturing cost becomes high.

Electronic apparatus and flexible wiring member


A financial instrument is provided that enables investors to invest in depositary receipts based on underlying non-domestic shares of a foreign business entity through a domestic stock exchange even though the underlying non-domestic shares are traded only on a stock exchange with a settlement day that has no substantial temporal overlap with the investor's domestic stock exchange's settlement day. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, an international trading transaction structure and corresponding methodology is provided that enables investment in such financial instruments while guarding against currency market fluctuations during the trade period prior to settlement.

Depositary Receipts (DRs) are negotiable financial instruments that provide domestic investors with a means to invest in foreign companies not traded on domestic exchanges of the investor. DRs are issued by financial institutions and may be redeemed for shares of the underlying foreign business entities they represent. DRs are regularly traded in U.S. and European stock exchanges. Accordingly, DRs can be denominated in U.S. dollars, euros, British pounds, Japanese yen or any other national currency.
Depositary Receipts may be traded in the United States on U.S. stock exchanges. DRs were first introduced in the U.S. in the 1920's in order to streamline the process of investing in business entities not traded on a U.S. exchange. DRs may represent investment in non-U.S. business entities, and, as with other types of DRs, the underlying shares of these non-U.S. businesses. The stock of the underlying non-U.S. businesses is traded on a non-U.S. stock exchange while the DRs themselves trade on a U.S. exchange.
FIG. 1 illustrates a process used by entities to generate and maintain DRs 105. Two financial institutions are generally involved in maintaining DRs 105 on a U.S. stock exchange 110: broker/dealer 115 and a depositary bank 120. The broker/dealer 115 purchases the underlying shares 125 of the foreign business entity and offers them for sale in the U.S. The depositary bank 120 handles the issuance and cancellation of DR certificates 105, backed by the underlying shares held by the investment bank, based on orders 130 placed by investors 145 through brokers 140.
While the underlying shares 125 of the foreign business entity are valued in a foreign currency, the DRs 105 themselves are valued in U.S. dollars. Based on a determined DR ratio, each DR 105 may be issued as representing one or more or a fraction of the underlying shares 125 and the price of each DR 105 will be reflected in the currency in which it is traded. Currency fluctuations have some influence on the U.S. dollar price of the DR 105 because a conversion is needed to compare the price of the DR with the price of the underlying stock. This is because as the foreign currency appreciates the DR appreciates.
To issue a DR 105, the broker/dealer 115 arranges to buy the shares of the non-U.S. business entity on a foreign stock exchange 135 so that the broker/dealer may have the DRs 105 issued on the U.S. stock exchange 140. Accordingly, the DRs 105 may be considered to be repackaged shares, backed by the actual foreign business entity shares 125, but owned by a beneficial owner of the DR investor.
The continual buying and selling of both DRs 105 and the underlying shares 125 on the U.S. stock exchange 110 and the foreign stock exchange 135 works to maintain the prices of the DR 105 and the underlying shares 125 in close parity with one another. Because of this close parity, most DRs 125 are traded by means of intra-market trading.
When a DR 105 is traded, a broker 140 works to find the best price of the underlying shares 125 in question. The broker 140 compares the U.S. dollar price of the DR 105 with the U.S. dollar equivalent price of the underlying share 125 in the home country market 135. If the DR 105 of the underlying share 125 is trading higher then the corresponding quantity of underlying shares 125 (converted from the foreign currency to U.S. dollars), a broker 140 may buy more of the underlying shares 125 and issue DRs 105 on the U.S. market. This action would then, in theory, cause the price of the underlying shares 125 and the price of the DR 105 to reach parity. Therefore, the price of the DRs 105 floats on supply and demand. If the price of the DR 105 is significantly different from the price of the underlying shares 125 in the home country of the foreign business entity (accounting for the currency exchange rate), then an arbitrage opportunity may exist, which is then corrected by the participation of arbitrage investors, who take advantage of the spread and eliminate the opportunity.
A broker 140 may also sell DRs 105 back into the foreign stock exchange 135. This is known as cross-border trading. When this trading occurs, a quantity of DRs 105 is canceled by the depositary bank 120 and a corresponding quantity of the underlying shares 125 are released from the broker/dealer 115.
Types of Depositary Receipts (DRs) include Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), and International Depositary Receipts (IDRs). DRs are traded on a U.S. stock exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the America Stock Exchange (ASE), GDRs are commonly listed on European stock exchanges such as the London Stock Exchange. Both DRs and GDRs are usually denominated in U.S. dollars, but can also be denominated in euros or other national currencies.

Networked method and system for creating and settling financial instruments


Provided is a convergence performance determination device that determines convergence eye movement performance of a user when viewing a stereoscopic video by comparing amounts of convergence information calculated from eye information obtained from the user to predetermined amounts of convergence information. The convergence performance determination device then allows a degree of stereoscopy of the stereoscopic video being viewed by the user to be changed to a degree suitable to the user based on the determined convergence eye movement performance of the user.

A method utilizing the binocular parallax is known as a method for allowing a user to view a video displayed on a flat-panel display as a stereoscopic video. This is a method which utilizes a fact that a user perceives the depth because the user's right and left eyes are positioned away from each other and videos in the left eye and right eye have different viewpoints.
The method utilizing the binocular parallax allows a user to perceive stereoscopy in the user's brain by displaying different videos to the user's right and left eyes. However, such a stereoscopic view achieved by a method apart from reality may give the user visual fatigue or a sense of discomfort.
Thus, a stereoscopic video display apparatus is proposed which estimates the level of fatigue, based on a reduced amount in visual function due to fatigue of the eyes, and adjusts, in accordance with the estimated level of fatigue, the degree of stereoscopy (a value indicative of the degree of stereoscopy) (for example, see PTL 1).

Device and method for determining convergence eye movement performance of a user when viewing a stereoscopic video

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.