A test device and a test method for testing a machine tool or production machine are disclosed. A control and monitoring unit processes at least one predefined instruction sequence and generates control commands for operating the machine controller in order to test the machine. The control commands are transmitted to the machine controller, where they are executed. The instruction sequence also includes control instructions. This results in a relatively simple test device and method for automatically and reproducibly testing a machine tool or production machine.

The present invention relates to a device for testing machine tools and production machines, whereby a machine controller is connected to a simulation system that simulates the characteristic of the machine for exchange of process data therebetween. The present invention is also directed to a method for testing machine tools and production machines, wherein process data are exchanged between a machine controller and a simulation system.
Nothing in the following discussion of the state of the art is to be construed as an admission of prior art.
The quality of system software and application software can be improved and control systems and applications for machine tools or production machines can be better parameterized by systematically executing and analyzing function tests and/or regression tests. To execute these tests for testing the system software and application software as well as for the parameterization, an operator manually operates the machine controller and monitors the response of the machine controller to the operation. Also, a simulation system connected to the controller can simulate and confirm the machine response to the performed operation.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a conventional test device for testing machine tools or production machines. A machine controller 1, subsequently also referred to as controller 1, is connected via a bus link 3 with a simulation system 4 that is implemented on a computer 2 in form of software. The simulation system 4 is used to simulate the kinematics and/or logical (interaction between actuators and sensors) and/or the mechanical and/or the control characteristics. For example, desired values (e.g., the desired rotation speed) generated by the controller 1 and control signals are transmitted to the simulation system 4. The simulation system 4 determines based on a simulation the kinematics and/or logical (interaction between actuators and sensors) and/or the mechanical and/or the control characteristics of the machine. The actual values (e.g., the actual rotation speed) that include desired values and/or signals of the simulated sensor system and the operations are fed back to the controller 1 via the bus link 3. The quantities transmitted via the bus link 3 are referred to as process data. The term "process data" hereby includes not only the actual values, but also the desired values and control signals. The computer 2 is connected via a link 15 with an input/output (I/O) unit 16, which in an exemplary embodiment includes a display screen, a keyboard and a data carrier. The I/O unit 16 is used to operate the simulation system 4 and to control the process flow of the test and the generated data. The controller 1 includes an operator console 5 with a display screen 6 and a keypad 7.
The controller 1 of a conventional test device of this type is operated manually, i.e. the software is loaded manually into the controller 1, and the controller 1 is manually initialized, booted and reset by an operator. The execution of the application software or system software is also initiated by a manual operation. In addition, the tests are evaluated by having an operator observe the controller and the process signals generated by the simulation system 4, in order to verify the correct operation of the machine and to identify a faulty operation. In a simple test, the operator can manually pressing a key on a keypad 7, whereafter a symbol is displayed on the display 6. The symbol on the display disappears when the same key is pressed a second time. The time between the two key activations is not precisely defined for a manual operation. When the test is repeated, the time interval between the two operations can be shorter or longer, which can alter the test result. It is therefore more difficult to conduct comprehensive tests using this conventional manual approach, which also significantly limits the reproducibility of the test results.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved device and an improved method for testing machine tools or production machines, which obviate prior art shortcomings and are able to automatically and reproducibly test a machine.

Device and method for testing machine tools and production machines


An information reporting method includes: determining that a secondary cell group (SCG) failure occurs; reporting SCG failure-related information to the base station, the SCG failure related information including location information of user equipment (UE).

With the rapid development of wireless communication technologies, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) introduces Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) technology to facilitate network troubleshooting. The MDT technology supports idle state and connected state. For user equipment (UE) in a connected state, the network can configure the UE to report the location information of the UE while conducting the measurement report to help the network know the signal quality at each location. Furthermore, the UE in the connected state also needs to report the location information of the UE when a Radio Link Failure (RLF) or a handover failure occurs in a Master Cell Group (MCG).

Information reporting and configuration method and device, user equipment and base station

BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.


A memory device verify system determines a state of memory cells in a memory. The memory includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells coupled to bit lines. A verify circuit is coupled to the bit lines to determine if memory cells have a erase level that is within predetermined upper and lower limits. The verify circuit can include first and second comparators. In one embodiment, the first comparator is used to compare a bit line current with an upper first reference current. The second comparator is used to compare a bit line current with a lower second reference current. The comparator circuit is not limited to reference currents, but can use reference voltages to compare to a bit line voltage. The verify circuit, therefore, eliminates the need for separate bit line leakage testing to identify over-erased memory cells.

The use of non-volatile memory systems that maintain data integrity when a power supply is removed are expanding rapidly in integrated circuit technology. A class of non-volatile memory systems having memory cells which has a source, a drain, a channel, a floating gate over the channel and a control gate are widely used. Two popular types of non-volatile memory designs in this class is the electronically erasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROM) and the FLASH erasable-programmable read only memory (EPROM). The FLASH EPROM or flash memory system allows the simultaneous erasure of multiple memory cells.
The floating gate of the memory cell stores data and the control gate of the memory cell controls the floating gate. The floating gates are generally formed from polysilicon members completely surrounded by an insulator. A memory cell is programmed when a charge is stored on the floating gate. Moreover, a memory cell is unprogrammed, or erased, when the charge is removed from the floating gate.
One method of programming a memory cell is accomplished by applying a potential (e.g., 4-7 V) to its drain and a potential (e.g., 10-15 V) to its control gate programs. This causes electrons to be transferred from the source to the floating gate of the memory cell. One method of erasing a memory cell is accomplished by applying a positive potential (e.g., 10-15 V) to its source while grounding the control gate and letting the drain float. This action removes electrons from the floating gate.
A problem that may be encountered in erasing a memory cell is over-erasure. This occurs when too many electrons are removed from the floating gate during an erase operation. A memory cell whose floating gate has too many electrons removed is called an over-erased cell. An over-erased cell has a slight positive charge that biases the memory cell thereby causing a small current leak. This current leak can cause a false reading. Moreover, during the read mode, an over-erased memory cell may disable a whole column of memory cells in a memory array. Therefore, it is important to locate over-erased cells and correct them. One method of correcting an over-erased cell is accomplished by applying a soft program that applies a predetermined voltage pulse to the control gate of the cell while the bit line is biased. This action eliminates the slight positive charge on the floating gate.
Another problem that may be encountered is under-erased memory cells. Under-erased memory cells occur when not enough electrons are removed from the floating gate during an erase procedure. An under-erased memory cell is corrected by performing another erase procedure.
Currently two separate steps are taken to determine if a memory cell is over-erased or under-erased. First the memory cells are individually checked to determine if they are all erased. Once that step is completed, the memory cells are then checked to see if any cells have been over-erased by checking bit line leakage current. The completion of both steps takes a significant amount of time.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a system to determine over-erased and under erased cells using less processing time.

Erase verify for non-volatile memory using a bitline current-to-voltage converter


An iron golf club head includes a head main body and an FRP body. The head main body includes a face portion, a first face along the face portion, second faces, and a recess behind the head portion. The second faces continue from a rear face of the face portion to the first face. The recess is defined by the first face and the second faces. The hollow FRP body is disposed in the recess, overlaps the first face and the second faces, and closes an opening portion of the recess. At least a part of crossing corner portions between the first face and the second faces has a curved face.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club head for batting the golf ball, and particularly to an iron golf club head. More particularly, the invention relates to an iron golf club head including a head main body having a recess (cavity) opening at the rear face, and an FRP body provided in the recess.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, the iron golf club heads were made of metal material alone such as stainless steel or cast iron. Recently, the iron golf club heads with an FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) material disposed behind the head main body have been available on the market.
For example, JP-A-Sho. 62-97570 discloses an iron club in which a CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) layer is attached on the back face of a hitting face to enhance the feeling of batting.
Also, JP-A-Sho. 63-19169 discloses that the CFRP layer is attached on the back face of the hitting face and covered with a plastic backup member. FIG. 5 of JP-A-Sho. 63-19169 shows an iron golf club head in which the entrance portion of cavity is closed with the backup member to make the FRP member a hollow structure.
FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 5 of the JP-A-Sho. 63-19169. A head main body 1 of this iron club head includes a recess 4 behind a hitting face portion 2, and a rising portion 8 standing from the rear edge of a sole face portion 3.
A fiber reinforced member 5 is intimately affixed on the inner face of the recess 4. The fiber reinforced member 5 has a hollow shell structure. JP-A-Sho. 63-19169 is silence on how the fiber reinforced member 5 with the hollow shell structure is disposed or formed within the recess 4. A backup member 6 is formed by filling a constituent resin material into the recess 4 to cover the fiber reinforced member 5 and conducting a curing process (left upper column and left lower column in page 5 of JP-A-Sho. 63-19169).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A hamstring exercise device is provided that allows a user to apply variable resistance to the hamstring muscles during exercise. The hamstring exercise device has a user sled, upon which a user may rest, slidably mounted on an angulation slide. The angulation slide is pivotably adjustable to varying degrees of inclination or declination relative to the horizontal. The user's body weight, resistance of the sled toward moving and an optional biasing means all contribute to an adjustable degree of exercise difficulty.

The three muscles of the posterior thigh generally known as the "hamstrings" (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris long & short head) flex, i.e., bend, the knee; while all but the short head of biceps femoris extend (straighten) the hip. The first three "true" hamstrings cross both the hip and the knee joint and are therefore involved in knee flexion and hip extension. The short head of the biceps femoris crosses only one joint (knee) and is therefore not involved in hip extension. With its divergent origin and innervation it is sometimes excluded from the "hamstring" characterization. A portion of the adductor magnus muscle is sometimes considered a part of the hamstrings.
The hamstrings cross and act upon two joints, the hip and the knee, and as such are termed biarticular muscles. The semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles extend the hip when the trunk is fixed; and they also flex the knee and medially, i.e., inwardly, rotate the lower leg when the knee is bent. The long head of the biceps femoris extends the hip, as when beginning to walk; both short and long heads flex the knee and laterally (outwardly) rotate the lower leg when the knee is bent.
The hamstrings play a crucial role in many daily activities such as walking, running, jumping, and controlling some movement in the trunk. In walking, they are most important as an antagonist to the quadriceps in the deceleration of knee extension.
Because the hamstrings cross the knee and hip joints, they act to bend the knees and draw the hips backwards. The hamstrings contribute to motion, such as walking, and they help an athlete to achieve speed, power and agility in many sports. When executing explosive movement, these muscles play an important part in shifting the load from the knees to the hips. For example, a sprinter's ability to launch off the blocks and accumulate speed depends on strong hamstrings. They also contribute to the ability to absorb the shock of movements involving high velocity or force.
It is well known to those in the art that the exercise and development of the hamstrings is frequently neglected, even by those otherwise dedicated to strength and fitness training. This has been, at least in part, due to the paucity of effective exercise machines that are dedicated to hamstring development. The instant invention, in all of its embodiments, is directed to solving this problem.

Hamstring exercise device and method of using same


A mounting table is provided. The mounting table includes a base having a first flow path, a recess, and a second flow path connected to the recess, and a variable control mechanism configured to variably control a contact area between a target object disposed on the base and a mounting surface for mounting thereon the target object by filling and discharging fluid into and from the recess through the second flow path.

A technique for improving in-plane uniformity of wafer processing by making the in-plane temperature of a wafer uniform has been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-195047 discloses a structure for controlling the in-plane temperature of a wafer by setting the density of dot-shaped protrusions formed on the mounting surface of a mounting table for mounting thereon the wafer to be different at a central region and a peripheral region.
The present disclosure provides a technique capable of variably controlling a contact area between a mounting surface and a target object.

Mounting table, substrate processing apparatus, and control method


A method and system that uses an anticipatory signal to pre-adjust the output of the power supply to compensate for an upcoming load change, thereby minimizing the voltage deviation at the load. A control circuit, such as a processor, controlling the system generates an anticipatory signal indicating an upcoming change in the load that is input to the power supply. The power supply, in response to the signal from the processor, adjusts the output of the power supply accordingly to compensate for the upcoming load change. When the system performs the operation that results in the load change, the power supply output has already been adjusted accordingly and the deviation of the load voltage caused by the change in the load is minimized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system that uses an anticipatory signal to regulate the output of a power supply in the system, and more particularly to a memory test system that utilizes a signal which anticipates a load change to regulate the power supply output to compensate for the load changes before they occur, thereby minimizing voltage deviation at the load.
2. Description of the Related Art
Memory tests on random access memory (RAM) integrated circuits, such as DRAMs and RAMs and the like are typically performed by the manufacturer during production and fabrication and also by a downstream manufacturer of a computer or processor controlled system at the fabrication manufacturer level to determine if the circuits are operating as intended. The testing is typically performed by a memory controller or processor (or a designated processor in a multi processor machine) which runs a testing program.
Random access memories include an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. After packaging, a plurality of tests are typically performed on the device in order to determine whether there is an actual or latent defect in one or more of the memory cells which would render a memory unreliable. For example, to determine if a hidden defect exists, random access memories are typically subjected to data retention tests and/or data march tests. In data retention tests, every cell of the memory is written and checked after a pre-specified interval to determine if leakage current has occurred that has affected the stored logic state. In a march test, a sequence of read and/or write operations is applied to each cell, either in increasing or decreasing address order. To determine if there is a defect in the array of bits that may fail over time, burn-in testing is typically performed to accelerate failure using voltage and temperature stress. When a failed memory cell is detected through testing, the column or row in which the failed memory cell is located is typically substituted by a redundant column or row of memory cells.
In order to reduce the time required to perform the testing of memory chips, the testing process is performed on a plurality of memory devices simultaneously. In addition, automated testing systems have been developed to further reduce the time required and simplify the testing process of memory devices.
FIG. 1 illustrates in block diagram form a conventional testing system used to perform tests on integrated circuits such as memory devices. Test system 20 generally comprises a processor 22, which controls a test device 24. Test device 24 is connected to a device under test (DUT) 26. DUT 26 contains the memory devices being tested. DUT 26 is connected to test device 24 by a communication path 28, and can be placed separate from test device 24 in order to perform environmental testing. For example, burn-in testing is typically performed at an elevated ambient temperature in a thermal chamber. Power supply 28 supplies power (Vload) to DUT 26 for operation via conductor 30.
The typical operation of test system 20 is as follows. The memory devices desired to be tested are placed onto DUT 26. Typically, a plurality of memory devices, such as for example, a group of 256 memory devices, will be tested together at the same time. Processor 22 executes a program to control test device 24 to run through a test sequence. Test device 24, in response to the signals from processor 22, performs various tests on each memory device on DUT 26, such as data retention, data march, and burn-in tests previously discussed. Typically, each test is performed on every memory device on DUT 26 simultaneously. Based on the results of the tests performed, test device 24 determines if a memory device on DUT 26 is faulty. Power is supplied to DUT 26 by power supply 28, since it is necessary to have the memory devices powered in order to properly test them.
There are some problems, however, with the conventional test system 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Each memory device on DUT 20 has a required power supply rating, i.e. operating voltage, with a certain tolerance. To prevent malfunctioning of the memory device, or in some cases even damage to the memory device, it is important to maintain the supply voltage within the tolerance of the rated supply voltage. Power supply 28 is typically designed to provide the proper voltage to the memory devices on DUT 26. Additionally, power supply 28 typically includes some type of feedback circuit or circuits, as are known in the art, to compensate for changes in the load current which may cause deviations in the supply voltage. There are several dynamic variables that may influence the load current required by DUT 26 during a test sequence, such as the number of devices under test and the specific test being performed. In addition, static variables such as the impedance of the conductor 30 between power supply 28 and DUT 26 can also contribute to a deviation, such as a voltage drop, in the supply voltage. Although the impedance of conductor 30 is typically very small, for example less than 0.01 ohms, when large currents are passed through conductor 30, there will be an associated voltage drop across conductor 30. While the voltage drop across conductor 30 may only be in the range of tenths or hundredths of a volt, this may be significant enough to adversely impact upon the supplied operating voltage to the memory devices.
Sudden changes in the load current cause the output voltage of power supply 28 to deviate for a short period of time until a negative feedback circuit of power supply 28 can adjust the output voltage. The greater the increase or decrease in the load current, the greater the deviation in the output voltage of power supply 28. Thus, the feed back circuit provided in power supply 28 monitors the output voltage and adjusts it accordingly should an increase or decrease in the output voltage, caused by a change in the load current, be detected. Such a feedback system, however, may not be suitable to adequately adjust the output voltage when a relatively large change in the load current is experienced over a short period of time. In test system 20, up to several hundred memory devices may be under test simultaneously. During the performance of the tests, since each memory device performs the same test operation simultaneously and each memory device requires power to operate, the load current required by DUT 26 can increase from 0 to 20 Amperes in as little as 100 .mu.s.
FIG. 2 illustrates a waveform for the output voltage Vload of power supply 28 that is applied to DUT 26. Vload represents the operating voltage rating of each memory device on DUT 26, and may be for example 3 V .+-.0.2 V. Thus, the minimum input voltage, represented by Vmin, would be 2.8 V in this example and the maximum input voltage, represented by Vmax, would be 3.2 V in this example. At time t.sub.1, a test is initiated by test device 24 that requires each memory device on DUT 26 to perform some operation that requires an increase in its drawn current. While the increase in drawn current by each memory device on DUT 26 is relatively small, the increase in the current drawn by DUT 26 is the sum of drawn currents for every memory device on DUT 26 and can be significant, such as the 20 A noted above. As the load increases, the output voltage Vload of power supply 28 will decrease. The feedback circuit of power supply 28 will sense the decrease in Vload, and at some time t.sub.2 will operate to adjust Vload in response. However, if there is a significant load change in a short period of time, the feedback system may be unable to adjust in time to prevent output voltage Vload from falling below Vmin, as illustrated. Additionally, the feedback circuit of power supply 28 may overcompensate for the load change, and at some time t.sub.3 the output voltage Vload may increase above Vmax. At time t.sub.4, the output voltage Vload levels off to the proper level.
Thus, there exists a need for a test system and power supply that are capable of compensating for large changes in the load in a short time period while maintaining the supply voltage within acceptable tolerance levels.

System with anticipatory power supply load signal


A turbofan gas turbine engine includes low pressure (LP) motor-generator operable in either a generation mode or a drive mode, an high pressure (HP) motor-generator operable in a either a generation mode or a drive mode, and a power control module for selectively operating the LP and HP motor-generators according to operational conditions of the engine.

Gas turbine engines are used to power aircraft, watercraft, electrical generators, and the like. Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The compressor compresses air drawn into the engine and delivers high pressure air to the combustor. In the combustor, fuel is mixed with the high pressure air and is ignited. Exhaust products of the combustion reaction in the combustor are directed into the turbine where work is extracted to drive the compressor and, sometimes, an output shaft, fan, or propeller. Portions of the work extracted from the turbine can be used to drive various subsystems such as generators.

Control of low pressure generator for gas turbine engine

Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.


A system for monitoring intracranial pressure by an implantable cavity resonator unit and an associated externally located transceiver unit. The resonator unit includes a dielectric-filled cavity having a predetermined resonance frequency for high frequency electromagnetic waves. The cavity is bounded by a wall having a pair of intersecting slots forming a slot antenna and a deflectable diaphragm in communication with the interior of the cranium to deflect as a function of intracranial pressure. The deflection alters the resonance frequency of the cavity. The transceiver unit includes a linear wave guide having a pair of electrically conductive probes located in it. At least one of the probes is arranged to transmit an electromagnetic excitation wave from an associated transmitter through the slot antenna to cause the cavity to resonate at an altered resonance frequency, whereupon a resonance wave is reflected out of the cavity through the slot antenna. At least a second of the probes picks up the resonance wave and provides it to a receiver which provides an electrical signal indicative of the reflected wave. This signal is representative of the intracranial pressure. The cavity is sealed to prevent the ingress of body fluids therein.

This invention relates generally to medical devices and more particularly to systems for monitoring intracranial pressure of a living being.
Numerous patents have been issued disclosing various means for monitoring intracranial pressure by means of an implant to sense such pressure and provide a signal representative thereof to some externally located means. The following constitutes United States Patents relating to such technology:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,117 (Murr) discloses a pressure-sensing system and method which makes use of ultrasound to interrogate a deformable, implantable device.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,943,915 (Severson) discloses an intracranial pressure monitoring device which incorporates a lumped-constant tuned circuit, with a capacitor whose plate separation varies as a function of pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,391 (Fleischmann) discloses a pressure sensor apparatus which uses a radionuclide source in an arrangement with shielding that provides for variable ionizing radiation output with applied pressure. The device includes a mechanical or hydraulic motion amplification system, with associated moving parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,141 (LeRoy) discloses several intracranial pressure sensors, including an implantable one that is based on the external detection of a change in a magnetic field when an implanted sensor incorporating a magnet is deformed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,319 (Favre) discloses an intracranial pressure transducer using an implanted magnet to vibrate in an externally applied magnetic field, the frequency of vibration varying according to the pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,276 (Chubbuck) discloses an intracranial pressure monitor in the form of an implantable intracranial sensor using a metal bellows containing a gas as the deforming element. This element is linked to one plate of a capacitor in a lumped-constant tuned circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,354 (Taylor et al.) discloses an intracranial pressure transducer system using an implanted active circuit including a power receiver and tunnel-diode oscillator.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,606 (Seylar) discloses a monitoring apparatus for resonant circuit intracranial pressure implants. The apparatus includes a resonance-detection device for use with implantable resonant circuits, like those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,276. An external monitoring circuitry in the form of an RF sweep generator is provided to monitor its own output.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,110 (Bullara) discloses an implantable pressure transducer incorporating a sliding bearing and a fluid-filled link to the intracranial space.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,749 (Fryer) discloses an induction powered biological radiosonde in the form of a variable capacitor pressure transducer as part of a tuned circuit. The tuned circuit varies the frequency of an induction-powered oscillator.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,761 (Cosman) discloses a pressure-balanced telemetric pressure sensing method.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,762 (Cosman) discloses a telemetric differential pressure sensing method using a flexible polymer membrane and a sliding bearing. Most of the embodiments described require that the scalp transmit atmospheric pressure faithfully to the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,908 (Inagaki et al.) discloses an intracranial pressure transducer based on a piezo-electric or semiconductive pressure sensor. This device is not a permanently implantable, nor a remote device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,252 (Chubbuck et al.) discloses an intracranial pressure implant using a bellow and a capacitive pressure sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,667 (Cosman) discloses a single diaphragm telemetric differential pressure sensing system which appears to be an improvement of the system of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,206,761 and 4,206,762.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,506 (Sakaguchi et al.) discloses an intracranial pressure gauge. This patent describes both variable capacitor and variable inductor methods of detecting the deflection of a diaphragm using a lumped-constant tuned circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,809 (Cosman) discloses audio-telemetric pressure sensing systems and acoustic methods of interrogating the sensors like those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,281,667, 4,206,761 and 4,206,762.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,786 (Inagaki et al.) discloses a telemetering intracranial pressure transducer which requires an internal battery for power, a pressure-transmitting flexible plastic membrane and a complex active circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,411 (Koschke et al.) discloses a pressure detector comprising a cylindrical cavity resonator having a front surface made as a diaphragm and using a coaxial cavity with a helical winding and ceramic core. The device requires an active circuit within it and a highly elastic, conductive metal diaphragm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,703 (Cosman) discloses a telemetric differential pressure sensor with the improvement of a conductive shorted loop tuning element and a resonant circuit, e.g., an implantable tuned circuit having a deflectable diaphragm with the inductive element coupled to the diaphragm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,508 (Cosman) discloses a pressure-balanced telemetric pressure sensing system and method. The system requires the placing of a pressure transducer against a detection chamber which has been implanted just under the scalp. The detection chamber is connected via a fluid path to the intracranial space.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,568 (Cosman) discloses a telemetric differential pressure sensing system and method making use of an implanted flexible plastic membrane, a fluid channel, and a sliding bearing. In some embodiments, capacitive or inductive coupling through the scalp is used.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,255 (Cosman) discloses a telemetric in-vivo calibration method and apparatus using a negative pressure applicator. This patent discloses a way to calibrate an implanted sensor of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,660,568, 4,378,809, 4,281,667, 4,206,761 and 4,206,762.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,267 (Lazorthes et al.) discloses an implantable, intracranial-pressure sensor, in the form of a resistive strain gauge which is not self-contained.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,696 (Haritonidis et al.) discloses an optical micropressure transducer which requires a clear optical path to and from the sensing element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,529 (Tenerz et al.) discloses a miniaturized sensor for physiological pressure measurements which utilizes external illumination delivered by an optical fiber and returns its signal through that fiber.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,917 (Dufour) discloses a resonant pressure transducer in the form of a mechanical resonant circuit whose characteristic frequency of mechanical vibration varies according to ambient pressure.
While the prior art intracranial pressure sensing devices and equipment like those described above, may be generally suitable for their intended purposes, they never the less leave much to be desired from the standpoints of complexity, cost, durability, range, sensitivity and reliability.


A method and a device for controlling knocking in an internal combustion engine. A knock signal of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine is measured by a knock sensor and from that, a knock feature is generated. The knock feature is compared to a reference level in order to classify a combustion as a knocking or non-knocking combustion. The reference level is formed in consideration of a plurality of corrected knock features, the corrected knock features being formed from the knock features by determining map values from a program map as a function of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and linking them additively, or by carrying out a low-pass filtering, or by determining map values from a program map as a function of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and linking them additively and carrying out a low-pass filtering.

German Patent Application No. DE 10 2014 224 800 A1 describes a method for controlling knocking, in which a knock signal of a cylinder is measured by a knock sensor, and from that, a knock feature is generated. In order to judge whether a combustion is knocking or non-knocking, the knock feature is compared to a reference level. In this case, the reference level is calculated from previous knock features by sliding-mode mean value generation.

Method and device for controlling knocking in an internal combustion engine


A device (30) for feeding working fluid to an assembly (14) requiring working fluid includes at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) extending from a surface (16a) and at least one screw element (22, 24) capable of being screwed from the surface (16a) into the at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) for feeding working fluid into the fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) or for closing the fluid channel (20, 20a-20d), the at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) having a first section (32) directly adjacent to the surface (16a) with a larger width, a second section (36) with a smaller width and, between the first section (32) and the second section (36), having a first transition region (34) with an annular surface (34a), and the screw element (22, 24) having at least one sealing surface (22c, 24c) capable of being brought into sealing engagement with the annular surface (34a). The fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) is deformable in the second section (36) by a pressure applied by the screw element (22, 24) to the annular surface (34a) in the sense of reducing the volume of the fluid channel in the second section (36).

The present invention relates to a device for feeding working fluid to an assembly requiring working fluid, including at least one fluid channel extending from a surface, and at least one screw element capable of being screwed from the surface into the at least one fluid channel for feeding working fluid into the fluid channel or to close the fluid channel.
The at least one fluid channel includes a first section directly adjacent to the surface having a larger width, a second section having a smaller width and, between the first section and the second section, a first transition region with an annular surface. The screw element includes at least one sealing surface capable of being brought into sealing engagement with the annular surface.
Working fluid feeding devices of this type are used, e.g., on the end faces of guide carriages of linear guide devices, the end faces of screw nuts of rolling element screw drives or similar devices based on rolling-contact bearing technology. The working fluid used is a lubricant, e.g., a lubricating grease or lubricating oil, e.g., in the form of oil-air or oil-mist lubrication. With regard for the related art, reference is made, e.g., to publication DE 198 30 140 A1.
An attachment capable of being attached to the assembly is provided with the known working fluid feeding device, the attachment including a total of four working fluid feed holes. The upper feed hole is provided for the case in which the guide carriage is installed underneath a table board and working fluid, e.g., lubricant, must be fed through the table board. The other three fluid channels are typically used to receive screw elements, e.g., stoppers, or elements for connecting a working fluid reservoir. With the known working fluid feeding device, problems with the seal integrity of the fluid channels occur repeatedly in practice, even when screw elements are used that cut the associated counterthread themselves in the attachment with the fluid channel.
Publication US 2003/0160450 A1 makes known a screwed connection for tubular parts, with which a cylindrical screw element has a front side on which an annular ridge is formed. In the screwed-in state, the annular ridge penetrates the material at the base of a cylindrical counternut and displaces it into a groove formed between the front side of the screw element and the base surface of the nut. In the screwed-in state, this results in a labyrinth-type seal. The disadvantage, however, is that an adequate seal can be ensured only the first time the screw element is screwed in.
Publication DE 8320655 U1 makes known a threaded pipe coupling for connecting pipes, with which an inner flange of the coupling has a circumferential sealing ridge on its axial end faces that deform plastically when the front edges of a screwed-in pipe are tightened, thereby creating a seal.
Systems also exist with which the seal between the screw element and the nut element is attained using a deformable element supported between two sealing surfaces, e.g., a rubber ring. Reference is made to publication U.S. Pat. No. 1,889,689 for example purposes only.


An apparatus and a method for installing and maintaining elevator system controls includes a storage card (1) having a storage element (2) in which elevator control data is stored. An elevator installation becomes operational upon inserting the storage card (1) into a control point (10) of an elevator control system (11). The storage card (1) can fulfill further functions, such as.sub.1 for example, the monitoring of maintenance utilizing a trip recorder for indicating that maintenance is due after a predetermined number of trips of the associated elevator car.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for installing and maintaining controls for elevator systems.
A method for the storage and display of control data for elevator installations is shown in the European Patent No. 0 615 945. In this method, a storage card that is carried by the service engineer is used. The storage card can contain data such as installation data for the configuring of the elevator, fault-reporting text, and instructions for carrying out service operations, the type of data depending upon the respective degree of authorization of the service engineer. The storage card does not remain permanently in the elevator installation, but the requisite data is transferred into the installation from the storage card in each case by way of an interface terminal and, at the end of the operations, the storage card is removed by the service engineer.
In the case of the method described in the foregoing document, the service engineer must carry such a storage card for each separate elevator installation in order to transfer the individual data for an elevator on the occasion of installing an elevator system. So as to be able to actually deal with the storage cards, a costly interface terminal must be provided in each elevator control, in order to read data from and write data to the card. Also, with use of this card, an individual matching of customer-specific requirements of the respective installation is necessary on site.

Method and apparatus for installing and maintaining elevator system controls


An connector assembly includes a male connector (100) having a male housing (10) and a plurality of male contacts (12); and a female connector (200) for mating with said male connector including a female housing (20) and a plurality of female contacts (21) retained in said female housing. Each female contact defines a pair of mating plates (211) spaced away from each other for said male contact locating therebetween. Each pair of said mating plates (211) have a pair of spring leaves (22) connecting therewith and defining a plurality of spring fingers (221) resiliently clamping the corresponding male contact (12) therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector assembly for transmitting high-voltage power or the like.
2. Description of Related Art
The connector assembly for transmitting high-voltage (HV) power is widely used in hybrid, battery and/or fuel-cell vehicles, and connected electrically to devices such as batteries, electric motors, etc. The connector assembly comprises a male connector connecting to a cable and a female connector mounted onto a PCB, the male connector and the female connector join together to transfer high-voltage energy between different components of the vehicle. High-voltage power transmission is very dangerous when a poor contact occurs between the male connector and female connector, thus it is very important and necessary to ensure a reliable electrical connection between the male connector and the female connector.
Hence, a connector assembly with reliable electrical connection is desired to improve those disclosed in the aforementioned proposal.

Connector assembly with reliable electrical connection


In one embodiment, the present invention provides a collapsible hopper bin having a dispensing portion and a storage portion. The dispensing portion includes first and second opposing side walls and first and second opposing end walls. The storage portion includes first and second opposing side walls and first and second opposing end walls. The storage portion first and second side walls are hingedly attached to the dispensing portion first and second side walls. The storage portion first and second end walls are hingedly attached to the dispensing portion first and second end walls. The collapsible hopper bin has a collapsed position and a filled position. The storage portion first and second end walls and first and second side walls are substantially horizontally flat along the top of the dispensing portion in the collapsed position.

Dry goods such as seeds are often shipped and stored in hopper bins. An example of such a hopper bin is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,022 to Deaton. Deaton discloses a hopper bin with a base and a ring. The ring is secured to the base for in a position for containing a material and detached and inverted so that the ring slides over the base. Deaton does not show a hopper bin with collapsible side walls.
It is important for a hopper bin to be compatible with a number of different types of equipment such as seed tenders and fill stations. The bins must be able to be filled with seed or other dry goods, be shipped with the goods therein, and then dispense the goods upon reaching the intended destination. The bins must also be collapsible to allow for easier and more compact return shipment when empty.


A demodulator and a demodulation method are designed so as to reduce the load of a CPU. A host CPU controls a digital demodulation circuit, an error correction circuit, a transport circuit and an MPEG decoder through a bus. The host CPU outputs a control signal to a format conversion circuit via a CPU interface when it instructs a tuner to perform tuning. The format conversion circuit converts the format of this control signal into a 3-wire format and outputs the converted signal to a frequency divider of the tuner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a demodulator, a demodulation method and a digital circuit for digital communication and, more particularly, to a digital communication demodulator, a digital communication demodulation method and a digital demodulation circuit designed so as to reduce the load on a central processing unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a conventional receiver for receiving broadcasts via a broadcasting satellite. An antenna 1 receives electric waves from the broadcasting satellite (not shown) and outputs received signals to a converter 2. The converter 2 converts the signals from the antenna 1 into signals having predetermined lower frequencies, and outputs the converted signals to a tuner 3. The tuner 3 is controlled by a host central processing unit (CPU) 8 and receives a signal in a predetermined frequency band from the signals supplied from the converter 2, and outputs the baseband signal of the received signal to a digital demodulation circuit 4. The digital demodulation circuit 4 demodulates the baseband signal input from the tuner 3 in a digital demodulation manner (quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) manner) and outputs the demodulated signal to an error correction circuit 5.
The error correction circuit 5 corrects errors in the demodulated digital signal supplied from the digital demodulation circuit 4 by Viterbi decoding, reed solomon decoding or the like and outputs the corrected signal to a transport circuit 6. The transport circuit 6 separates groups of audio data and image data each formed as an independent packet, descrambles the scrambled video data and thereafter outputs the data to a Moving Picture Coding Experts Group (MPEG) decoder 7. The MPEG decoder 7 decodes each of the video data and the audio data encoded by the MPEG system on the broadcasting side, and outputs the decoded data.
The host CPU 8 controls each component according to commands from an input section 9 having switches provided on a front panel of the receiver. The host CPU 8 controls the digital demodulation circuit 4, the error correction circuit 5, the transport circuit 6 and the MPEG decoder 7 through an 8-bit bus by using control signals in a CPU format, which includes a read/write signal, a chip select signal and an address signal.
The tuner 3 is formed of a PLL synthesizer tuner and is controlled with control signals in a three-wire format. In the three-wire format, serial clock, serial data and an enable signal are used. Therefore, the host CPU 8 also generates control signals in the three-wire format other than control signals in the CPU format.
The clock rate with respect to the three-wire format for control of the tuner 3 by the host CPU 8 is a low frequency not higher than the MHz order. Therefore, when the host CPU 8 is controlling the tuner 3 so that the tuner 3 receives a signal in a predetermined frequency hand, it is occupied exclusively in the control of the tuner 3 and cannot control the other circuits.

Digital communication demodulator, digital communication demodulation method and digital demodulation circuit


A stereoscopic image displaying device includes an outer surface that a detection target object approaches; a stereoscopic image generating unit that generates a three-dimensional stereoscopic image based on an input video signal, and a proximity sensor unit that is disposed on a side of the outer surface that is opposite to a side that the detection target object approaches and detects proximity of the detection target object to the outer surface based on a height that is a distance from the outer surface and is set based on parallax information included in the video signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image displaying device that can display a stereoscopic image and has a proximity sensing function for detecting an operation on the stereoscopic image and the like and an electronic apparatus that has the function of displaying a stereoscopic image. In addition, the present invention relates to an object proximity detecting device capable of detecting proximity of an object.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the number of liquid crystal display devices for mobile use that use touch panels for input functions has become large. In such a device, a touch panel of the electrostatic capacitance type, the resistance film type, or the optical type is disposed on the front surface of the liquid crystal display device.
In addition, there are some devices displaying a stereoscopic image that are available as products for mobile use. In a case where display is performed by using parallax, a method of arranging a light shielding portion, a method using a lenticular lens, or the like may be used. The technology of displaying a stereoscopic image by using parallax is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 3,101,521.
In addition, operation devices such as touch panels that input information in accordance with image information after displaying a stereoscopic image have been reviewed (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-272354, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-161987, and PCT Publication No. WO06/035816).

Stereoscopic image displaying device, object proximity detecting device, and electronic apparatus


A wireless ad hoc network is established so that communication terminals performing random access do not interfere with one another. A radio communication device grasps the existence of a surrounding radio communication device using a predetermined method, and when a new radio communication device is detected, an authentication verification operation of the new radio communication device is performed. When the authentication is successful, the new radio communication device is registered in a neighbor connection list. If the authentication fails, it is registered in a neighbor non-connection list. As a result, the wireless ad hoc network can be established without having the radio communication devices sharing the same space interfering with one another.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radio communication system, a radio communication device and a radio communication method for mutual communication among a plurality of radio stations such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and a computer program for implementing the method, and in particular to a radio communication system, a radio communication device and a radio communication method for a radio network in which terminals asynchronously and directly communicate with one another, and a computer program for implementing the method.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a radio communication system, a radio communication device, and a radio communication method in which a radio network is established by ad hoc (Ad-hoc) communication without particularly arranging a device as a control station, and a computer program for implementing the method, especially to a radio communication system, a radio communication device, and a radio communication method in which communication terminals performing random access may not interfere one another among networks under a communication environment where a plurality of ad hoc networks adjoin one another, so as to form a radio network, and a computer program for implementing the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a system which releases a user from LAN wiring by means of cables, the wireless LAN has attracted attention. According to the wireless LAN, most wiring cables may be omitted in working spaces such as an office, so that the communication terminals such as a personal computer (PC) can be moved comparatively easily.
In recent years, as wireless LAN systems have improved in speed and cost, their demands have remarkably increased. In particular, in order to establish a small-scale radio network among a plurality of electronic devices existing in the environments and to perform information communications, an introduction of a personal area network (PAN) has been considered. Different radio communication systems are defined by means of frequency bands which do not need any license from the controlling authorities, such as for example, 2.4 GHz band, and 5 GHz band.
In order to constitute a local area network using wireless technologies, it is usual to employ a method in which one device as a control station called an "access point" is provided in the area, so that the network is established under the general control of the control station.
In the radio network having an access point, when information is transmitted from a certain communication device, an access control method based on bandwidth reservation is widely employed in which a bandwidth required for the information transmission is first reserved to an access point so that a transmission channel may be used to avoid a collision with information transmission of another communication device. In other words, by arranging the access point, synchronized radio communications may be carried out in which the communication devices in the radio network synchronize with one another.
However, when asynchronous communication between the communication devices on a transmission side and a reception side are carried out in the radio communication system in which the access point is detected, the wireless communication through the access point is always required, so that there is a problem that performance of the transmission channel is considerably reduced.
In contrast, as another method of constituting the radio network, a so-called "ad hoc (Ad-hoc) communication", in which the terminals communicate with one another directly and asynchronously by radio has been proposed. Amongst these, in a small-scale radio network constituted by a comparatively small number of clients located in proximity, it is considered that the ad hoc communication is appropriate in which arbitrary terminals can mutually perform the direct and asynchronous wireless communication without using a specific access point.
On the other hand, nowadays, a method called "ultra wideband (UWB) communication" which puts information on a very weak impulse train and performs wireless communication has received attention as a radio communication system which allows short-distance ultra high-speed transmission, and such method is expected to be realized (see "Ultra Wideband, Delivering Child of Revolution in Radio Communications," Nikkei Electronics 11 Mar. 2002, pp. 55-66, for example).
There are two types of UWB transmission systems. One is a DS-UWB system in which a spread rate of an information signal of DS (direct sequence) is increased to the maximum. The other is an impulse-UWB system in which an information signal is constituted by using an impulse signal train of very short period, approximately a few hundred pico seconds so that the signal train may be transmitted and received. Both systems spread the signal train over an ultra wide frequency band of 3 GHz through 10 GHz, for example, so as to transmit and receive the signal trains and realize high-speed data transmission. The occupied bandwidth is on the order of GHz such that a quotient of the occupied bandwidth divided by its center frequency (for example, 1 GHz-10 GHz) is substantially 1 (one), and therefore the bandwidth is wider than those which are usually used in the so-called W-CDMA system, the so-called CDMA2000 system, as well as a wireless LAN using the SS (Spread Spectrum) system or the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) system.
For example, in the standardization process of IEEE 802.15.3, a method of communicating by forming a piconet among radio communication devices which perform ultra wideband wireless communication, for example, is being standardized.
Now, considering that information devices, such as a personal computer (PC), become popular and there is a communication environment where many devices are mixed in an office and the devices are connected to one another by means of the radio network, two or more radio networks may be crushed within a small operation space so that their communication service areas may overlap with one another.
Under such a wireless communication environment, one radio network uses a certain frequency channel and other radio networks use different frequency channels, so that they can coexist even if they overlap with one another in space.
However, in a wireless ad hoc network system, since a network is (i.e. not via the control station) established simply between a radio communication device and another radio communication device within its own service area (distance) in the same frequency channel, it is difficult for them to coexist by means of different frequency channels. For example, when expanding ad hoc radio networks within a predetermined space domain, a radio communication device installed in an area which overlaps an adjoining ad hoc radio network can communicate with a radio communication device included in another ad hoc network. Therefore, the radio communication device might repeat an unnecessary authentication process with a radio communication device outside its network.
The UWB transmission system (as mentioned above) expected as a radio communication system for realizing short-distance ultra high-speed transmission performs high-speed data transmission by spreading a transmission data in a very wide frequency band, so that it is quite likely to overlap an adjoining wireless communication network and it is difficult to realize the coexistence by means of the different frequency channels.
Alternatively, a plurality of radio networks may coexist by performing the time division multiplexing with respect to one frequency channel to be utilized, even if the networks spatially overlap one another.
For example, a communication system is envisaged in which a plurality of radio communication devices are grouped, a representative wireless communication terminal is provided for each group, the representative wireless communication terminal specifies time to be used in the group, and a beacon signal is transmitted so as to notify another terminal in the group and an adjoining representative wireless communication terminal in another group (see Japanese Laid Open Patent 2000-165930, for example).
However, when the method in which the representative wireless communication terminal thus specifies the time to be used within the group is employed, the representative wireless communication terminal in the group is specified in advance, which can be a problem that it should be notified to all the wireless communication terminals in the group. Therefore, it may not be applied to the ad hoc network in which the wireless communication terminals operate on an equal basis, and the terminals in the service area are asynchronously and directly connected to one another.
When another group approaches an adjoining area, the surrounding groups need a process for synchronizing one another, which can be a problem that operations become complicated in an environment where many groups exist.
On the other hand, a network system is proposed in which a transmission frame is divided into a plurality of slots, at least one of which is assigned to a control slot so that information is transmitted suitable as a network status or content of information to be transmitted (see Japanese Laid Open Patent 2000-299670, for example). Each terminal station informs the control station of the transmission slot which is being interfered, so that the control station avoids the transmission slot and uses another transmission slot.
However, in this case, when a specific control station is established in each network, if the synchronization is not achieved among networks via the control station, the slot can not be avoided so as to use another transmission slot continuously. In other words, the network system can not be applied to the ad hoc network system in which any specific control station is provided.
In the case of the UWB transmission system as described above, since the impulse signal train to be used does not have a specific frequency carrier, it is difficult to perform career sensing. Therefore, when a UWB radio communication system is applied as a PHY layer of IEEE802.15.3, as a specific carrier signal does not exist, the access control of the section may not be performed by using the standardized carrier sensing and there is no other way but to depend on access control by means of the time division multiplexing system.
According to the standard IEEE802.15.3, a mechanism which makes neighboring piconets coexist is proposed by devising the time division multiplexing process. As the standard IEEE802.15.3, a structure is envisaged in which a plurality of networks are synchronized so as to perform the time division multiplexing, for example (see Japanese Laid Open Patent 2003-143644, for example).
In this case, as to each radio network, the control station (coordinator) assigns a band to each predetermined transmission frame period. Then, on receiving beacon information from another network, the network control station decodes the beacon information, sets up its band allocation area (time domain) as an unused domain in its network, based on the bandwidth allocation information written there. Further, the band allocation domain (time domain) used in another network is excluded, so that the band allocation area (time domain) used in its network can be set up again. As a result, while performing a network operation on a mutually equal basis, each of the radio networks may avoid a collision with other networks, to thereby realize the coexistence on the same frequency channel.
However, also in this case, networks coexist in the same frequency channel, so that it is necessary to achieve the time synchronization among the networks. In other words, since the system cannot be managed if the synchronization is not achieved among networks via the control station, so that it may not be applied to the ad hoc network system which does not prepare any specific control station.

Radio communication system, radio communication device, radio communication method and computer program


A plurality of golf club heads wherein the difference in spin is minimized is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a plurality of fairway wood type golf club head with a volume of between about 110 cubic centimeters (cc) and about 250 cc, wherein the change in backspin between any two clubs within the plurality of metal wood type golf club heads is less than about 600 revolutions per minute (rpm). A plurality of golf clubs in accordance with the present invention may generally have all of its clubs maintain a center of gravity (CG) location that is less than about 8.0 mm away from a neutral axis of the golf club head regardless of the difference in loft of the specific golf club head within the plurality of golf club heads.

In order to successfully navigate through the challenges of a golf course, a golfer may utilize different golf clubs designed to achieve different objectives encountered throughout the golf course. For example, one of the major objectives of a golfer during a round of golf is to drive a golf ball as far as they can. A driver type golf club is generally used to accomplish this objective by maximizing the distance of a golf shot from a tee box utilizing a golf tee that improves the quality of contact with the golf ball. On the opposite end of the spectrum, one of the other objectives of golf is to accurately get the golf ball into a cup to complete a hole. A putter type golf club is generally used to accomplish this second objective by gently guiding the golf ball into the cup, thus requiring a maximum emphasis on accuracy. Between the two above mentioned objectives are numerous other objectives requiring a golfer to use a multitude of different clubs. Generally speaking, one of the other major objectives within the game of golf is to get a golf ball as close to the cup as possible, thus requiring a balance between distance and accuracy for the specific distance range required. Iron type golf clubs have been the predominant golf club of choice for a golfer that wishes accomplish this third objective mentioned above, as iron type golf clubs strive for a balance of accuracy and distance of a golf shot depending on the exact distance needs of the golfer.
However, even with the existence of driver type golf club heads, iron type golf club heads, and putter type golf club heads, golf courses present numerous other challenges that may or may not be capable of being addressed by the above mentioned clubs. For example, in addition to the difficulties in getting the golf ball from the tee box to the cup, golf courses may offer numerous additional challenges such as sand traps, tall roughs, trees, lakes, rivers, oceans, waterfalls, long par 5's, or even stone walls in the middle of a golf course that may require specialized golf clubs to help a golfer overcome these additional challenges. In order to address these additional challenges of the golf course, specialized golf clubs have been created to help a golfer tackle these additional challenges of the golf course. The sand wedge, with its heavy weight, sharper edges, and higher lofts, is one example of such a club that makes it a easier for a golfer to escape the sand traps of a golf course. Fairway woods, on the other hand, have been developed to help the golfer address the difficulty encountered when he or she needs to hit a golf ball over a significantly long distance, especially when the golfer finds the golf ball at a location that does not allow the use of a golf tee.
Fairway woods are a particular type of golf club that, similar to drivers, places an emphasis on maximizing the distance of a golf shot. Fairway woods, however, are different than drivers in that they may be used to hit a golf ball resting on the ground with or without a golf tee. Fairway woods, because of their need to be able to maximize performance off the ground without a golf tee, may generally have a smaller size, allowing the club to effectively get under and engage a golf ball resting on the ground.
Because of the success and wide acceptance of fairway wood type golf clubs in helping the golfer overcome one of the most common challenges of a golf course as mentioned above, numerous attempts have been made improve the performance of the fairway wood type golf club by lowering the center of gravity of the club to provide a better ball flight and allow the golf club to better get under and engage a golf ball. U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,310 ('310 Patent) to Ota provides one example of this by disclosing a golf club head defining a face, a lower sole portion, an upper portion, and a side wall. The sole portion of the '310 patent is generally thicker than the upper portion, and preferably approximately one and one-third to six times as thick, resulting in a lower center of gravity that allows a golfer to more easily swing the face of the club head under a golf ball.
Another way to improve the performance of a fairway wood is to create a fairway wood type golf club head with a higher moment of inertia to provide even more forgiveness. More specifically, the prior art technology could utilize strategic weight placement at extreme ends of the fairway wood type golf club head to prevent twisting of the golf club head. This ability of a golf club head to resist twisting upon impact may generally increase the moment of inertia of a golf club head, yielding a fairway wood type golf club head that is more accurate regardless of the impact location.
Due to the versatility and enhanced performance capabilities of fairway wood type golf clubs, fairway woods have gained prominent acceptance with golfers. In fact, golfers have found fairway woods so appealing, the golfing industry have expanded their fairway wood offerings to include multiple fairway woods with different lofts to help golfers achieve different types of golf shots all within the realm of maintaining the basic premise of hitting the golf ball a significant distance. Because of the multiple offerings as well as their increased performance benefits, it is not uncommon for a golfer to carry multiple fairway woods to help him or her navigate the difficulties of a golf course. However, because of the inherent design limitations of fairway woods stemming from their smaller size, fairway woods that vary from one another in terms of loft may generally be accompanied by significant changes in terms of its size, volume, and shape that could alter the performance of the fairway wood.
Despite tremendous technological advancements within fairway wood technology to help the golfer navigate the added length of a golf course, the advancements within the fairway wood technology have been in a vacuum, focusing on individual clubs instead of controlling the variables that deprive the entire set of fairway type golf clubs from achieving the maximum distance that the club is capable of. More specifically, because of the difference in size, volume, and shape, the amount of spin generated by the higher lofted fairway wood type golf clubs may generally be significantly higher, robbing the higher lofted fairway wood type golf clubs of distance.
Hence, it can be seen from above there is a need in the field for a plurality of fairway woods that maximizes the distance of each and every single club within the set. More specifically, there is a need in the field for a set of fairway woods that minimizes the spin variation between the different fairway wood type golf club heads despite the fact that each of the individual fairway wood type golf club heads may have different lofts.

Golf club heads with similar C.G.-neutral axis distance


The invention provides an improved process for the preparation of 17-esters of 9.alpha.,21 -dihalo-pregnane-11.beta.,17.alpha.-diol-20-ones, and in particular for the preparation of 17-esters of anti-inflammatory steroids according to the following scheme: ##STR1## wherein RCO, R.sup.1, X, Y and the dotted line are as defined in the specification. The novel process is especially suitable for the preparation of Mometasone Furoate.

Mometasone Furoate, otherwise known as 9.alpha.,21-dichloro-11.beta.,17.alpha.-dihydroxy-16.alpha.-methyl-1,4-pre gnadien-3,20-dione 17-(2'-furoate), is a potent anti-inflammatory steroid having the structure: ##STR2##
It is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,393, specifically in Example 12. Example 12 describes two processes for the preparation of Mometasone Furoate, Methods I and II, which use as starting materials 9.beta.,11.beta.-epoxy-17.alpha.,21-dihydroxy-16.alpha.-methyl-1,4-pregnad ien-3,20-dione and 21-chloro-17.alpha.-hydroxy-16.alpha.-methyl-1,4,9(11)-pregnatrien-3,20-di one, respectively. Only Method I therein is relevant to the present invention; it can be illustrated as follows:
METHOD I in Example 12 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,393: ##STR3## (where 4-DMAP is 4-dimethylaminopyridine). The process of Example 12, Method I, is carried out in three separate and distinct stages, as indicated in the above scheme.
Further study of this process has indicated that a number of steroidal by-products are formed at each stage, so that yields are reduced and elaborate purification is required. Thus, the first stage (introduction of the 21-chlorine atom) yields also a hydroxysultone (see below), a 9.alpha.,11.beta.-chlorohydrin, and a 21-pyridinium salt (this last compound amounting to some 5% of the product by NMR analysis). The second stage, esterification to introduce the 17-(2-furoyl-oxy) group, typically produces about 4-6% yield of the enol difuroate epoxide (a 21-chloro-9.alpha.,11.beta.-epoxy-20(21)-en-17.alpha.,20-diol 17,20-difuroate). We have determined that the sultone and the enol difuroate epoxide have the following structures: ##STR4##
The third stage (opening the epoxide ring) typically yields about 7-8% of two degradation products having an aromatized Ring A with the 9,10-bond broken. All these steps, therefore, introduce impurities, so that the yield of desired product is thereby reduced, and the final product needs careful purification, resulting in further losses.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved process for the preparation of Mometasone Furoate and related 17-esters of 9.alpha.,21-dihalo-pregnane-11.beta.,17.alpha.-diol-20-ones, especially anti-inflammatory steroids.

Process for the preparation of 17-esters of 9 .alpha., 21-dihalo-pregnane-11 .beta., 17 .alpha.-diol-20-ones


A liquid racing game is described. The game preferably includes a liquid outlet such as a water spout and a vessel to catch a flow of a liquid, such as water, from the spout. A player controls the lateral motion of the vessel by a joystick. The spout moves laterally at speeds and patterns which may be programmed on a control board. The object is to fill the vessel with water from the moving spout. The game is a race to fill the vessel. Coin operated versions are possible which dispense tickets or tokens to redeem for prizes. Operator versions are possible in which an operator starts the race and distributes a prize to the winner. The game may also be played as a video game version.

The present invention relates generally to a liquid racing game.
The racing game involves manipulating the position of a vessel at a source of a liquid for filling the vessel in order to attain a certain level of the liquid within a given amount of time, or to be the first among a group of players to fill the vessel with the liquid to a certain level. The object of the game is to control the movement of the vessel in order to catch a quantity of a liquid sufficient to determine a winner or the achievement of the capture of a required quantity of a liquid in the vessel. In addition, the movement of the outlet for the delivery of the source of liquid may be separately controlled, thus presenting an additional challenge to the player of the game by requiring their manipulation of their vessel's position to match their respective liquid outlet in order to receive liquid into the vessel.
The outlet for the liquid delivery is controlled to operate at variable speeds and variable directions in variable sequences. The vessel may be independently controlled in its direction and speed by a respective player. Multiple players may race against one another to determine which player is able to capture a sufficient quantity of liquid that would activate a liquid detection device and signal a winner. Additionally, the game may be used by one player to race against a given time interval. A predetermined quantity of liquid captured by the single player may signal the award of a prize, tokens, or tickets that relate to the player's achievement level. Another variation of the present invention allows for a multiple player game wherein opposing players would independently control the positions of a liquid outlet and a vessel, respectively.
Another variation of the game involves a plurality of fixedly mounted liquid outlets. In this example, the object of the game would be for the player to fill his vessel by positioning the vessel under the appropriate one of the plurality of liquid outlets that would be delivering a quantity of a liquid at that moment. Liquid could be delivered by more that one outlet at any particular time. A processor running a computer program may control the liquid delivery through the plurality of liquid outlets. Alternatively, the delivery of the liquid could be randomly controlled by a processor or a mechanical valve. In the usual course of game play, no single delivery of liquid through an outlet would normally be sufficient to fill the vessel, thus requiring a player to move his vessel to several positions in an attempt to fill his vessel quickly within a given time frame. Alternatively, a player may be playing in order to be the first to fill his vessel when playing against other players playing their respective vessel under the plurality of liquid outlets. Another variation would include other players playing their respective vessel under each of their respective plurality of liquid outlets. Another variation of the game may include the delivery of the liquid through the plurality of liquid outlets to be controlled by a second game player.
The present invention also includes versions of the games that may be played as a video game. Such versions of the present invention may include a video game machine comprised of a monitor, a processor, and at least one player interface. This example of the present invention would use the monitor for displaying a playing field image and at least one player controllable image such as the vessel or the liquid outlet. A processor would be utilized to generate the images on the monitor and also for managing game play. The player interface is intended to be any of the typical variations of equipment used by a player for the input of player control into the game. The interface may be comprised of a button, a joystick, a ball, a steering wheel, finger-on-glass, or a touch sensitive interface. For example, the player interface could be a three dimensional replica of the player controlled image found on the video game screen, such as a pitcher, a mug, or the handle on a beer tap.
In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned above, other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and preferred embodiments.


The medicine containing angiotensin-converting enzyme or its peptidase-inactivated mutants that specifically releasing GPI-anchored proteins from the cell surface, for preventing or curing diseases, such as prion-related diseases, inflammatory diseases, bacterial infectious diseases and male infertility due to sperm-egg binding insufficiency.

The angiotensin-coverting enzyme [ACE, dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase (EC 126.96.36.199)] is a member of rennin-angiotensin system regulating blood pressure. It is known that ACE leads some physiological changes (blood pressure elevation, for example) by converting angiotensin I to active angiotensin II and inactivating bradyskinin (Non-patent Document 1). So, there are so many inventions about medicine (blood pressure-lowering drug, for example) of which action mechanism is down regulation of blood pressure by inhibiting ACE (Patent Documents 1-4).
The cell membrane is consisted with proteins and lipids, where many biological processes, such as energy production, signal transduction, cell-to-cell interaction and secretion, take place. The GPI-anchored protein is a main component of cell membrane, which bounds there via GPI-anchor, crucial for many biological processes. However, the normal prion protein also binds the GPI-anchor and when the pathogenic form of prion binds to the normal counterpart, prion-related diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Gerstmann-Straussele syndrome and kuru disease, may occur. A bacterial toxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binds to its receptor CD14, which is also a GPI-anchored protein, and exhibits cytotoxicity.
In addition, when the sperm binds to zona pellucida of egg, GPI-anchored proteins (ex. PH-20 and TESP5 in mouse; Non-patent Documents 2, 3) should be released from the sperm surface and, if not, male infertility might occur.
The release of GPI-anchored protein from the cell surface is effective for relieving or curing prion-related diseases, bacterial infection and some kind of male infertility. As a protein showing GPI-anchor-cleaving activity (GPIase activity), GPI-PLD is only enzyme known so far in mammals. However, GPI-PLD has been reported to exhibits the GPIase activity only when it is expressed intracellularly in culture cells (Non-patent Document 4). Therefore, GPI-PLD might not be useful as medicine in the light of use of GPIase activity for medication.
It has been reported that ACE cleaves numbers of substrates other than angiotensin I and bradykinin, such as enkephalin and pre-enkephalin such as heptapeptide and octapeptide. Further, ACE is known to hydrolyze tridecapeptide and neurotensin, as well as to inactivate substance P by digesting. However, the GPI-anchored protein releasing activity of ACE has never been reported.
Patent Document 1: JP10-036391 A
Patent Document 2: JP2001-064299 A
Patent Document 3: JP2001-233789 A
Patent Document 4: JP2002-138100 A
Non-patent Document 1: Hooper et al., Int. J. Biochem. 23:641-647, 1991
Non-patent Document 2: Honda et al., J. Biol. Chem. 277:16976-16984, 2002
Non-patent Document 3: Lin et al., J. Cell Biol. 125:1157-1163, 1994
Non-patent Document 4: Tujioka et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 251:737-747, 1998
Non-patent Document 5: Skidgel et al., Neuropeptides and Their Prptidases, Turner A J Ed., Chichester, UK, 1989


A biosensor measuring an analyte contained in a sample is provided, including: an insulative lower substrate that has at least one electrode on which an enzyme reaction layer reacting with the analyte is formed; an upper substrate that faces the lower substrate and is made of a conductive material; and an adhesive layer that has a sample feed with a predetermined height on the enzyme reaction layer and attaches the upper and lower substrates to each other, where an end of the upper substrate acts as an electrode in which an electron-transfer mediator contained in the enzyme reaction layer is oxidized or reduced, and the other end acts as an electrical contact part that electrically contacts a measurement unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biosensor and, more particularly, to a biosensor that electrochemically detects an analyte contained in a bio-sample.
2. Discussion of the Background
It is important in clinical diagnosis that an analyte contained in a bio-sample should be analyzed in a quantitative or qualitative manner. For example, a blood glucose level is measured from a blood sample of a patient suffering from diabetes, or a cholesterol level is measured to check adult diseases. Patients suffering from diabetes should measure their blood glucose levels at regular intervals. A number of companies have been releasing products for blood glucose measurement into markets.
In general, most of the products for blood glucose measurement measure blood glucose levels of blood extracted from patients using biosensors. However, since it causes pain to a patient to extract blood from the patient, a minimum amount of blood should be extracted from the patient so that the patient feels the pain less.
According to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,156,173, 6,616,819 and 5,437,999, it is configured such that electrodes face each other to extract a minimum amount of blood required for measurement. In a conventional biosensor, working electrode, reference electrode and/or counter electrode are formed on a single substrate. In the above-mentioned U.S. Patents, however, the electrodes are formed on upper and lower substrates to face each other, thus minimizing the amount of blood required for measurement.
However, in the above-mentioned U.S. Patents, additional electrodes should be formed on the upper and lower substrates made of insulating material so that the electrodes can face each other. In addition, the electrodes formed on the upper and lower substrates should be made of conductive material to be connected to each other. As a result, there is a problem in that the fabrication process becomes complicated and the production cost increases relative to the conventional method in which the electrodes are formed on a single substrate.


A method and system customize and thus extend a fixed mapping between a computer program code language and a code-model notation. Given a fixed mapping, the invention method and system define customization points in the mapping based on known/predefined relatively over rigid points. For each customization point, there is a respective mapping key that enables a piece of the computer program code to be derived from a corresponding piece of the code-model, and vice versa. The code-model reflects the customizable perspective, and contents of the code-model can be tailored to elide implementation details.

Different notations are used to describe systems from particular perspectives. To describe software systems, modeling languages such as UML, programming languages themselves such as C++, or even machine code are a few examples of notations used frequently.
Notations at a similar abstraction level often carry a great portion of overlapping information. For example, source code can also be represented as a UML model. Similarly, representing the same system, a general platform-independent model (PIM) and a model which specifically targets a particular platform would also have a large overlap.
Even for overlapping notations, each of them captures unique aspects of the system. Therefore using both is desirable. This results in a burden, to maintain the consistency and integrity of the overlapping descriptions. Such maintenance can be automated, if a formal bi-directional transformation exists between the overlapping parts of the two notations. An automatic transformation can "transfer" changes from a description in one notation into the other. A formal bi-directional transformation is called a "mapping" in the following description.
In OMG MDA the term "mark" is used to select a transformation to be applied. However, no particular mechanism to specify the transformations themselves is suggested. There are also general-purpose techniques such as XSLT to describe transformations between XML documents. These techniques are targeted to programmers not end users. In addition most methods don't address creating mappings; they are only concerned with one-directional transformations.
Mappings which are predefined such that users cannot change them are called "fixed" in the following. Fixed mappings are commonplace. For example, the JSR-026 standard specifies a fixed mapping between UML models and java code. A fixed mapping has the benefit that it is comparatively easily supported by software tools. Fixed mappings however have severe non-obvious weaknesses:                I. Their arbitrary mapping choices are either too simplistic or too complex.        II. They tend to not use existing information to derive content.        III. They tend to disconnect the mapped content.        IV. They result in a fixed perspective.These weaknesses are best explained using examples.
In UML two classes can be related via an AssociationEnd. The quality of this relationship is captured with properties such as Kind (Aggregation, Composition or Simple), its Ordering (Unordered, Ordered) and Multiplicity. There are many different ways how two classes related by an AssociationEnd can be mapped to code. A fixed mapping will have to arbitrarily select a particular bidirectional transformation.
With respect to I and II above, the JSR-026 introduces additional tags such as JavaCollection and JavaDimension. These tags are used instead of the already defined AssociationEnd's properties. If the JavaCollection's tagged value is set it defines the Type used to implement the AssociationEnd in code. JavaDimension is used to augment the type found in the AssociationEnd's TypeExpression with Java array brackets. Both replace the existing properties TypeExpression, Multiplicity and more.
A better mapping uses model information when deriving code. However this burdens every user with the complexity to understand the transformation even if they don't benefit from the additional complexity. This is probably the reason why most fixed mappings stop using relevant modeled information in favor of relying on introducing tagged values at some point.
This conflict is emphasized in complex mapping situations that don't naturally have a bi-directional transformation which users would universally accept as natural. For example consider possible mapping of an AssociationEnd to the C++ code "mylist<Foo*, N, HeapAllocator>".
With respect to III above, the JSR mapping uses a default transformation if neither JavaDimension nor JavaCollection are set. This default transformation generates the code based on the AssociationEnd's Supplier. The code will change as the Supplier is changed. However once JavaCollection is set the AssociationEnd's Supplier is not considered. The code becomes disconnected from the native UML properties of the AssociationEnd. This is highly undesirable and has a side-effect of not deriving the code from existing UML properties. This issue is impossible to resolve with a fixed mapping when there is no universally agreed upon mapping without becoming highly complex.
With respect to IV above, using a fixed mapping results in a fixed perspective. For example consider the model when mapping the C++ code "mylist<Foo*, N, HeapAllocator>Foos;. A fixed mapping will result in a model capturing mylist, Foo, N, HeapAllocator somewhere with the AssociationEnd. Therefore the AssociationEnd will be unable to capture the code in UML spirit using the UML properties (Multiplicity, Ordering, Supplier, etc.) as much as possible.

Method and apparatus for customizing model to code transformations

International Business Machines Corporation


An antenna system electronically searches for a satellite signal by beginning at the current pointing angle of an antenna. The antenna system sweeps a tuner frequency of the receiver by electronically commanding the receiver to tune to different transponder frequencies. By scanning through transponder frequencies, the antenna system can locate a satellite signal without mechanical movement. As a result, the satellite signal can be acquired more quickly than in some conventional systems.

The vast majority of vehicles currently in use incorporate vehicle communication systems for receiving or transmitting signals. For example, vehicle audio systems provide information and entertainment to many motorists daily. These audio systems typically include an AM/FM radio receiver that receives radio frequency (RF) signals. These RF signals are then processed and rendered as audio output.
Vehicle video entertainment systems are gaining in popularity among motorists who want to provide expanded entertainment options to rear seat passengers, such as children. Rear seat passengers in vehicles equipped with video entertainment systems can watch movies or play video games to pass time during lengthy trips.
Some vehicle video entertainment systems incorporate tuners capable of receiving broadcast signals in the VHF and UHF frequency bands. Such systems allow passengers to watch broadcast television, further expanding their entertainment options. However, programming is limited to local broadcast stations. In addition, picture and sound quality is limited by the analog nature of the broadcast signals. Further, signal quality may be poor in some areas, such as remote locations.
Satellite-based broadcast systems, such as Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), provide subscribers with digital television programming. Because the signals used by DBS systems are digital, picture and sound quality is enhanced relative to traditional analog broadcasting systems. In addition, a DBS transmitter can provide coverage for a much larger geographic area than the terrestrial-based transmitters used by analog broadcasters. For example, it is possible to travel across a large portion of the United States without needing to change channels as different metropolitan areas are entered and exited.
A conventional DBS receiver employs a satellite tracking system to detect the position of a satellite transmitter. By orienting or pointing a receiver antenna toward the detected position, good reception can be promoted. Satellite tracking systems typically produce imperfect information to effect initial antenna pointing. To identify the correct pointing angle toward the satellite, the antenna beam is swept in azimuth and elevation or in some combination of azimuth and elevation until the strongest satellite signal is received. This beam sweeping can be produced mechanically by physically moving the antenna. Alternatively, beam sweeping can be produced electronically by adjusting the phasing of the outputs of the antenna elements or segments. Electronic beam sweeping typically produces faster response times and higher achievable slew rates than mechanical beam sweeping.
Phased array antennas are commonly employed in the design of satellite tracking systems in which a low antenna profile is sought. Additionally, with phased array antennas, beam steering may be induced by applying a phase shift between the receiving segments of the antenna. Many phased array antennas incorporate arrays of slotted waveguides or patches, e.g., 1-D patch arrays, on a common microstrip feed. Applying phase shifts between the outputs of the slotted waveguides or the 1-D patch arrays implements beam steering along a rotational plane that is orthogonal to the orientation of the slotted waveguides or the 1-D patch arrays. With this technique and in this plane of movement, essentially any pointing angle required to track a satellite can be realized.
While applied phase shifts can realize a variety of pointing angles in the plane of movement, the technique is not as readily applied to realize pointing angles in other planes. In particular, in the plane described by the signal path and the orientation of the slotted waveguides or 1-D patch arrays, phase shifts cannot easily be applied between receiving and radiating elements of the antenna. The slots in a slotted waveguide or the patches on a 1-D patch array have a fixed spacing slightly above or slightly below one wavelength of the anticipated incident frequency, and it is difficult to impart variable phase shifts between these slots or patches. As a result, the slotted waveguide or 1-D patch array exhibits a frequency-dependent pointing angle that is offset from a plane orthogonal to the orientation of the slotted waveguide or 1-D patch array. This offset may cause the system to search for the satellite in the wrong direction and track the wrong satellite, resulting in significant acquisition and reacquisition delays and poor signal quality.
One approach to adjusting the pointing angle to a higher or lower value involves dividing the slotted waveguides or 1-D patch arrays into smaller segments. Variable phase shifts are then applied to the input or output ports of the slotted waveguides or 1-D patch arrays as appropriate to the desired angular change. This design, however, involves added complexity and, as a result, increased cost.
Another alternative involves splitting the phased array antenna into two subarrays along the orientation of the slotted waveguides or 1-D patch arrays and summing and differencing pattern signals. This technique results in the formation of an angle discriminant that makes it possible to track satellites and measure pointing offsets in a way not afforded with a single beam pattern. This approach has been effective in reducing tracking error. However, the approach does not afford sufficient beam visibility to compensate for poor open loop beam positioning.

Search algorithm for phased array antenna