An adaptor system to facilitate use of eyewear with an audio processor for a cochlear hearing implant. The system includes an audio processor adaptor configured to mount to the audio processor and an eyewear adaptor configured to mount to the eyewear. The audio processor adaptor and the eyewear adaptor can be selectively connected to join the eyewear and the audio processor. The audio processor adaptor may include an ear hook portion that allows the audio processor to be worn over a wearer's ear even when separated from the eyewear. The adaptor system may be provided as a kit including a plurality of audio processor adaptors configured to mount to different audio processors and/or a plurality of eyewear adaptors configured to mount to different eyewear. The adaptors may include universal connectors that allow any audio processor adaptor to be interconnected with any eyewear adaptor.

The present invention relates to cochlear implants, and more specifically, to accessories intended to facilitate the use of cochlear implants with eyewear.
Cochlear implants are devices that help users who have significant hearing loss. Unlike hearing-aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants stimulate the cochlea with electrical impulses to mimic sound. The user undergoes surgery that installs the implant under the skin. A conductor link bridges the gap between the implant and the electrode contacts. The electrode contacts are inserted into the cochlea and stimulate the area. The electric impulses created by these electrodes allow the user to hear sound.
A conventional cochlear implant-based hearing system includes a number of components located outside the body to collect sound and wirelessly send corresponding signals from outside the body to the cochlear implant disposed under the skin. For example, a conventional cochlear-implant hearing system includes an audio processor and a coil. The audio processor includes a microphone that captures sound data and a processor that processes captured sound to create electrical signals corresponding to the sound. The electrical signals representing the captured sound are conveyed to the coil by a cable. The coil is disposed on the outside of the skin adjacent to the cochlear implant. As the electrical signals pass through the coil, the coil generates an electromagnetic field representative of the electrical signals. The electromagnetic field radiates wirelessly through the skin to the cochlear implant where the electromagnetic field is stimulates electric signals representative of the sound captured by the audio processor.
In many conventional systems, the audio processor is located on the user's ear and is kept in place by a hook that wraps around the front of the ear. This is an ideal location for many users as the ear is well-suited for supporting the audio processor. It also allows the user to put on and remove the audio processor with limited effort. Unfortunately, when the user wears glasses or other eyewear, the audio processor competes with the temple for the same space. As a result of the interference between these components, pain, swelling, irritation, rashes, and various other ailments can occur.
For some individuals, the solution is to use an audio processor that does not mount to the ear. A number of cochlear implant hearing systems have an "off-the-ear" audio processor that mounts at a location other than the ear. Some off-the-ear processors mount to the user's head, for example, by a magnet. Although this type of processor does not interfere with eyewear, it can interfere with hats, headbands and other headwear. Other off-the-ear processors have more diverse mounting options. For example, some conventional systems allow the audio processor to be mounted essentially anywhere on the wearer's body. While this gives more mounting options, a connecting cable extends between the processor and the coil and the cable capable must be long enough to accommodate the desired mounting position. The longer the cable, the more risk it can catch on things and otherwise be inconvenience to the user. Off-the-ear processors not only have their own unique disadvantages, but they are also extremely expensive, and are priced out of reach for many without sufficient insurance. As a result, some users have implemented a home fix that eliminates interference between eyewear and audio processors. These users cut the temple of the eyewear short enough so that the temple and the audio processor do not overlap. Although this avoids interference, it can make the eyewear uncomfortable and unstable.
As a result, there remain a long-felt and unmet need for an accessory capable of effectively and inexpensively joining the audio processor for a cochlear implant with an item of eyewear.

Adaptor system for eyewear and cochlear implants


This invention is related to a point of sales system that integrates a fuel dispensing controller with POS terminals. The primary purpose of this invention is to provide a POS system which can continue to operate despite a malfunction in the hardware or software associated with the in-store controller. The POS system of the present invention comprises an in-store controller, at least one POS terminal connected to said in-store controller, a fuel dispenser controller connected to at least one fuel dispenser, a switching device connecting said fuel dispenser controller to either said in-store controller or said POS terminal, and control programs for controlling said fuel dispenser controller, and the in-store controller and the POS terminal have the control program respectively.

In general, a POS system refers to a computer-connected terminal used in place of a cash register in a store, for processing customer checkouts and such additional functions such as recording processing inventory data, transferring funds from a customer's bank account(s) to the store, and checking credit on charged or charge-card purchases. Years ago, fuels were sold primarily at service stations which limited their products to fuel and some auto accessories. For this type of retail operation, a simple cash register was all that was needed to record sales.
Today, however, many fuel stations have expanded their product lines to include grocery items, household goods, novelty items, prepared foods and the like. These retail operations are usually referred to as convenience stores. These large retail operations need a more sophisticated cash register, like a POS system to record sales, manage inventories, and the like. Referring now to the FIG. 1, a conventional POS system, which integrates a fuel dispenser controller and several POS terminals is explained below. An in-store controller 6 and a plurality of POS terminals 7,8 are electrically connected. The POS terminals serve the function of a cash register and generally comprise a key board, bar-code reader, display, printer and the like. The in-store controller 6 is provided usually in a management room separated from the retail space. The plurality of POS terminals are provided on the sales counters of the store. A fuel dispenser controller is connected electrically to a plurality of fuel dispensers (not shown) and controls the operation of each fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser controller 5 is also electrically connected to the in-store controller 6. Information Data as to the fuel dispensing operation are transferred between the in-store controller 6 and the fuel dispenser controller 5. Further, the in-store controller 6 has control program that is recorded on a memory device 3, such as floppy disk, for controlling the fuel dispenser controller 5. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a fuel dispenser controller and POS terminals are integrated into a POS system. This arrangement provides effective sales management, such as recording sales data, and managing of the fuel inventory. However, in such integrated POS system, if the in-store controller 6 suffered malfunction, the sales operations in the service station would be stopped entirely. Such a stoppage would result in a serious disadvantage to the fuel sales, especially in the large scale service stations. For example, a problem may occur in the hardware associated with the in-store controller, such as a disconnected cable or other mechanical or electrical trouble, or in the software associated with the in-store controller, such as over flow, program error and the like. However, if the other POS terminals 7, 8 and fuel dispenser controller 5 remain functional, it would be advantageous to enable the POS system to continue to operate through the available POS computer terminals 7, 8. The primary purpose of this invention is to provide a POS system having POS terminals and fuel dispenser controller, which can continue to operate despite a malfunction in the hardware or software associated with the in-store controller.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A system of determining three-dimensional information from the information that is contained into discrete two-dimensional images. The two images may be obtained from two uncalibrated cameras. The information from the two uncalibrated cameras is first rectified, and then used to form a disparity surface indicating the third dimensional information. Various techniques are used to increase the speed of conversion.

Many different applications exist for three-dimensional imaging. While many current image-viewing media, such as display screens and photographs, display only in two dimensions, the information from the third dimension may still be useful, even in such two-dimensional displays.
For example, teleconferencing may be used to allow several geographically separate participants to be brought into a single virtual environment. Three dimensional information may be used in such teleconferencing, to provide realism and an ability to modify the displayed information, to accommodate facial movement.
Facial orientation and expression may be used to drive models over the network to produce and enhance the realism.
Three-dimensional information may also be usable over a network, using, for example, the concept of cyber touch. Those people browsing the web page of a certain server such as a museum may be allowed to touch certain objects using a haptic device. One such device is available at http://digimuse.usc.edu/IAM.htm.
Work along this line has been carried out under the names aerial triangulation, and binocular stereo.
Three-dimensional models may be obtained using a laser scanner. Other techniques are also known for obtaining the three-dimensional models. Practical limitations, however, such as cost, complexity, and delays may hamper obtaining an accurate three-dimensional model.
If two cameras are completely calibrated, then obtaining a full 3D model from 2D information is known. See the book "Multiple View Geometry in Computer Vision", Richard Hartley and Andrew Zisserman, Cambridge University Press, June 2000. Calibration of cameras includes internal calibration and external calibration. Internal calibration refers to the characteristic parameters of the camera such as focal length, optical center, distortion, skew, . . . External parameters which describe the relative position and orientation of the cameras with respect to each other. It is known to go to 3D from a disparity map if cameras are both internally and externally calibrated.
Internal calibration of cameras is a well understood problem in the literature, with packages freely available to perform this step. Intel's OpenCV Library at http://www.intel.com/research/mrl/research/opencv/, for example, can be used. These techniques such as these may be used to internally calibrate the cameras offline. However, the present system does not require calibration.

Three-dimensional modeling based on photographic images


A low burning rate, high temperature incendiary composition having a reactive material of titanium, a second reactive material of boron, an oxidizer of polytetrafluoroethylene in an amount of from about 20 weight percent or greater of the composition and a binder of paraffin wax in an amount of from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent. The composition is safe to handle, ignites readily, burns at a low and controlled rate and produces a very high flame temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to incendiary compositions. More particularly, the incendiary composition of the present invention contains a paraffin wax as a binder to improve ESD sensitivity of titanium/boron/polytetrafluoroethylene compositions. Most particularly, the paraffin wax is present in amounts of from about 5% to about 20%.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Reducing the electrostatic discharge sensitivity (ESD) for dry metals is particularly important in the manufacture of incendiary devices. Highly reactive metals provide an excellent source for high burn temperatures, however, the more reactive the metal powders are, the more ESD sensitive they become. ESD sensitive metal powders are likely to ignite during handling or mixing, increasing hazards to personnel and manufacturing equipment.
Combinations of titanium and boron potentially possess extremely high ESD sensitivity, with ignition of approximately 0.0084 joules possible. Other types of metallic mixtures that are less ESD sensitive, such as iron oxide and aluminum, i.e., Thermite, burn too quickly and with relatively low flame temperatures. Some combinations of magnesium, teflon and Viton A, i.e., MTV, high a high flame temperature, but they don""t have the slow burning rate.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved incendiary compositions having a reduced burning rate, low ESD sensitivity and high flame temperature. The present invention addresses this need.
The present invention includes a high temperature incendiary composition comprising a reactive material of titanium, a second reactive material of boron, an oxidizer of polytetrafluoroethylene in an amount of from about 20 weight percent or greater of the composition and a binder of paraffin wax in an amount of from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, wherein the ratio of titanium to boron ranges from about 81/19 to about 69/31.
Additionally, the present invention includes a high flame temperature product from the process comprising the steps of providing a composition of titanium, boron, polytetrafluoroethylene in an amount of from about 20 weight percent or greater of the composition and paraffin wax in an amount of from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, wherein the ratio of titanium to boron ranges from about 81/19 to about 69/31 and igniting the composition.
The present invention provides an incendiary composition having a slow burn rate and high flame temperature that is safer to handle and mix because of a reduced sensitivity to ESD.
The present invention relates to incendiary compositions with improved electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitivity. The incendiary compositions contain a paraffin wax binder to improve ESD sensitivity of titanium, boron and polytetrafluoroethylene composition mixtures. The incendiary compositions are safe to handle, ignite readily, burn at a low and controlled rate and produce a very high flame temperature.
Safe ESD for manufacture and handling of the present invention is in a range greater than 0.023 joules. The human body is capable of producing up to approximately 0.0084 joules. The high temperature incendiary composition of the present invention contains a reactive material of titanium, a second reactive material of boron, an oxidizer of polytetrafluoroethylene, which further includes a binder of paraffin wax that increases the ESD resistance for the titanium/boron/polytetrafluoroethylene combination to a value of more than 0.023 joules and a burning rate of from about 1.0 inch per minute or less.
The composition preferably comprises fine or integrated mixtures of the titanium and boron metals, rather than mere individual aggregates, granules or pellets of the separate metals. The metals are preferably pure form, containing no oxides or other chemical forms. On ignition, the titanium and boron react exothermically together to result in intermetallic compound with a heat energy release of from about 1000 calories per gram. As the purity of the two metals increase, the energy release from the exothermic reaction also increases. Impurities promote side reactions, create stoichiometric imbalances, and dissipate released energy.
Calculations show the mixture of the two reactive metals or titanium and boron forms an intermetallic compound together upon ignition. Solid titanium and boron react to form a liquid, i.e., molten, intermetallic compound, indicated by the formula:
Ti+2Bxe2x86x92TiB2
Other by-products occur, most significantly with the reaction of boron with polytetrafluoroethylene, and the reaction of the paraffin wax with titanium.
The titanium preferably comprises a particle size of from about 44 microns to about 150 microns, with ESD sensitivity increasing to unsafe levels below from about 44 microns and burn rates increasing beyond a slow burn rate above a particle size of from about 150 microns. Particle sizes from about 200 microns provide a burning rate of approximately 4.7 inches per minute or 321 grams per minute. Appropriate particle sizes for the titanium within the particle size range of from about 44 microns to about 150 microns may be used as determined by those skilled in the art for a given purpose in light of the disclosure herein. Boron particles may include any acceptable size, such as from about 0.5 microns to about 1 micron in size, as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. The chemicals are commercially available in finely divided powders. Titanium powder metal is available from Atlantic Equipment Engineers of Bergenfield, N.J. under the catalog number TI-109 having a purity of approximately 99.7%. Boron is available from Callery Chemical Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. under the tradename SB 95 having from about 95% to about 97% boron and from about 5% to about 3% magnesium oxide (MgO) or SB 90 having from about 90% to about 92% boron and from about 10% to about 8% magnesium oxide (MgO), with both products having an amorphous state with an average particle size of approximately 0.6 microns.
The weight ratio amount of titanium to boron needed for a high flame temperatures ranges from about 81/19 to about 69/31. Preferably within this range, the titanium and boron are present in the composition in substantially stoichiometric proportions for forming the intemetallic compound. As the ratio of titanium to boron decreases, the combination metal becomes increasingly more difficult to ignite, with the proper ratio of titanium to boron for a given incendiary composition determinable by those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein.
The incendiary composition includes an oxidizer of polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon(copyright), in an amount of from about 20 weight percent or greater of the composition. Preferred amounts of polytetrafluoroethylene range from about 20 weight percent to about 30 weight percent, with more preferred amounts of polytetrafluoroethylene ranging from about 20 weight percent to about 25 weight percent. The particles of the polytetrafluoroethylene may be any suitable size, such as from about 20 microns to about 450 micron, with little affect on the burning rate or slag percentage. For example, a polytetrafluoroethylene particle size between 20 microns and 450 microns in a given composition may vary in burning rates between from about 163 grams per minute to about 161 grams per minute with a slag percentage varying between from about 36% to about 40%. As the amount of polytetrafluoroethylene increases, the reaction energy of the titanium/boron ignition decreases, with the proper amount of polytetrafluoroethylene for a given incendiary composition determinable by those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. Polytetrafluoroethylene is available from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del. under the tradenamexe2x80x94Teflon(copyright) 7C.
The paraffin wax binder is included within the incendiary composition in an amount of from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent. Preferred amounts of paraffin wax range from about 5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent, with more preferred amounts of paraffin wax ranging from about 5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent. Paraffin wax has a melting point of from about 73xc2x0 C. to about 80xc2x0 C., permitting ease of handling. Other waxes of similar characteristics, preferably with at least as high melting point, such as from about 80xc2x0 C. or greater, i.e., 83xc2x0 C., may be used in place of the paraffin wax binder. This permits storage and handling in areas with limited or uncontrolled environments, i.e., storage compartments on ships. As the amount of paraffin wax increases, the flame temperature and burning rate decrease, with the proper amount of paraffin wax for a given incendiary composition determinable by those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. Paraffin wax is available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wis. under catalog #411671, high temperature paraffin wax with a melting range of from about 73xc2x0 C. to about 80xc2x0 C.
The incendiary composition may be manufactured in a safe manner by decreasing the electrostatic discharge hazard during handling and mixing. The preferred method for preparing the composition of the present invention includes adding the non-binder components, i.e., titanium, boron, an polytetrafluoroethylene, into a bowl before mixing. After the component powders are added, the electrostatic field (E-field) is measured. A commercially available electrostatic fieldmeter is used and measurement is determined according to the manufacturer""s directions. E-field measurements of 3 kilovolts per inch or less permit the method to proceed, with the addition of the paraffin wax. Prior to adding the paraffin wax, the paraffin wax is pre-softened with toluene, or other suitable solvent such as benzene, chloroform, warm alcohol and other like solvents, with the proper selection of solvent determinable by one skilled in the art. Once the paraffin wax has been added, the components are mixed for a total of approximately two and one-half hours. Every halfhour, during the first two hours, the mixing is stopped and the blades and sides of the bowl are scrapped with a conductive spatula. During the last half-hour, the temperature of the mixture is increased from about 90xc2x0 F. to about 140xc2x0 F. by circulating hot water through the mixing bowl, and a stream of air and/or a vacuum is used to remove the solvent.
A high flame temperature product results with the ignition of the incendiary composition of the 81/19 to 69/31 ratio of titanium and boron, 20 weight percent or more polytetrafluoroethylene and 5 weight percent to 20 weight percent paraffin wax. Temperatures of the incendiary composition igniting may range from about 3500xc2x0 F. or higher, with temperatures from about 4000xc2x0 F. to about 5000xc2x0 F. possible, such as approximately 4500xc2x0 F. As the incendiary composition comprises lesser amounts of paraffin wax, such as 5 weight percent to 10 weight percent, the flame temperature increases. As the incendiary composition comprises less polytetrafluoroethylene, such as from 20 weight percent to 30 weight percent, the reaction energy increases.

Lower burning rate, reduced hazard, high temperature incendiary

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A dynamic pressure bearing is provided with a moving side bearing member and a fixed side bearing member so as to support a rotor for rotation by generating a fluid dynamic pressure between the moving side bearing member and the fixed side bearing member. The dynamic pressure bearing includes a high-frequency exciting device for applying a high-frequency vibration to the fixed side bearing member at the time of at least one of start-up and shutdown of the rotor. In this way, both bearing members are kept almost free from contact with each other and a frictional resistance at start-up and/or shutdown is minimized.

1. Field of the Art
The present invention relates to a dynamic pressure bearing.
2. Prior Art
A bearing such as a ball bearing or the like operating on a greased lubrication base has been used prevalently hitherto as a bearing for rotary equipment. However, it is considered preferably that a dynamic pressure pneumatic bearing be used instead of the ball bearing to improve rotation precision and lifetime in such rotary equipment which operate at high speeds and with high precision. However, in a conventional dynamic pneumatic bearing, or thrust bearing, since a frictional resistance between bearing members is so great at the time of start-up, it requires a large starting torque, thus entailing the problem that an excessive motor performance is required, a lifetime of the bearing is limited due to the wear at the time of start-up and so forth.


Methods, systems, and devices are provided that may include Stirling cycle configurations and/or linear-to-rotary mechanisms in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a Stirling cycle device that may include a first hot piston contained within a first hot cylinder and a first cold piston contained within a first cold cylinder. A first single actuator may be configured to couple the first hot piston with the first cold piston such that the first hot piston and the first cold piston are on different thermodynamic circuits. The different thermodynamic circuits may include adjacent thermodynamic circuits. The Stirling cycle configuration may be configured as a single-acting alpha Stirling cycle configuration. Some embodiments include a linear-to-rotary mechanism device. The device may include multiple linkages. The device may include a cam plate coupled with the multiple linkages utilizing a cam and multiple cam followers. The linkages may include Watt linkages.

This application relates generally to Stirling cycle and/or linear-to-rotary methods, systems, and devices.
Stirling cycle devices generally involve the use of pistons reciprocating in cylinders for changing a working volume of gas trapped therein and for moving the gas through heat exchangers that may add or remove heat. While different Stirling cycle designs may be known, there may still be the need for new tools and techniques with respect to Stirling cycle design. Furthermore, there may be a need for tools and techniques for converting linear motion, such as from the one or more pistons of a Stirling cycle device, into rotary motion.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Stirling cycle and linear-to-rotary mechanism systems, devices, and methods


An apparatus for CVD is disclosed. Processing gas is injected to an upper center portion of a wafer supporting member by a gas focus ring installed at an inner side surface of a reaction chamber. The processing gas is prevented from coming down to a lower space of the reaction chamber by purge gas supplied from a lower surface of the reaction chamber. Accordingly to this, a particle source is minimized and a period to check an equipment is prolonged. Also, the purge gas is prevented from mounting to an upper space of the reaction chamber by a pressure of the processing gas, thereby not influencing to a process for CVD. The processing gas and the purge gas are exhausted through a gas outlet installed at a lateral wall of the reaction chamber as a ring shaped recess. A shielding layer for preventing the processing gas and the purge gas from being mixed each other is horizontally installed at a middle portion of the gas outlet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and more particularly, to an apparatus for CVD which can prevent a thin layer unexpectedly deposited in a lower space of a reaction chamber from working as a particle source.
2. Description of the Background Art
In an apparatus for CVD in accordance with the conventional art, a gas outlet is generally installed at a lower surface of a reaction chamber. Accordingly, when gas which does not contribute to a thin layer deposition is exhausted outwardly through the gas outlet, the gas is deposited at the lower space of the reaction chamber, so that the lower space works as a particle generating source.


A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston and a solenoid configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. A flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a piston valve into a diaphragm flush valve body includes a rigid piston and solenoid configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to flush valves and, in particular, to a rigid piston with a solenoid for use in a flush valve.
2. Description of Related Art
Valves are used throughout many fluid transfer systems and in various applications, such as in the transfer and control of water conduit systems, and, in particular, in connection with plumbing fixtures in both residential and commercial settings. For example, flush valves are typically used for control and operation of toilets, urinals, and the like, such that when a user actuates a handle, water flows through the flush valve into a basin portion and out the drain.
A common type of flush valve is a diaphragm flush valve. Such a diaphragm flush valve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,891 to Allen et al., herein incorporated by reference. The Allen patent discloses the use of a diaphragm in a flush valve, where the diaphragm is made of molded rubber and serves to effectuate the flow of water from a water inlet, through the valve, and to a water outlet. Further, the Allen patent sets forth various components and sub-components of a conventional flush valve.
Such diaphragm flush valves have several drawbacks. For example, the relatively small by-pass orifice positioned in the diaphragm can become clogged with debris, which prevents water from flowing into an upper chamber located in the flush valve. This causes the flush valve to remain open, resulting in constant water flow. In addition, the flushing cycle of the diaphragm flush valve takes approximately seven seconds to complete, depending upon the flow rates and pressure of the water entering the valve, due to the design of the diaphragm of the flush valve. Since an upper chamber fills slowly, the valve is slowly "shutting off". Therefore, a significant amount of water is wasted through the trap and sewer line during the sealing process of the valve. Yet another drawback is that conventional diaphragm flush valves are impacted at water pressures below 35 psi, since sealing of the valve based on the water pressure against the diaphragm is difficult with such lower water pressure. A need, therefore, exists for a valve replacement element that can effectively be retrofitted into a flush valve that does not have the drawbacks associated with conventional diaphragm flush valves. A further need exists for a flush valve having improved sealing features. Further still, it would be desirable to incorporate a solenoid into the flush valve for electronic operation.

Rigid piston valve incorporating a solenoid


A kind of rotatory emergency stop cover with plug-in unit includes lock cover 11 having shutter 9 that contains raised block b and return spring inside, lock base 15 having groove a, stop button 4 having torsional spring; lock cover has cam 8 and torsional spring, stop button 4 has retainer 3 and plug-in unit that is passing through stop button 4 to go into cam 8 for the connection of stop button 4 to cam 8. Shape and size of unit 1 are adjusted to woke in with that of cam 8 for only use in plug-in unit 1. Plug-in unit is operable to actuate and separate synchronously stop button 4 from cam 8 to ensure that stop button 11 won't open if plug-in unit is not inserted after locking. Support plate 13 has additional hole b, with rectangular hole c being on lock cover 7; it is convenient for user to secure with a lock without removal of unit when lock cover 11 is operated. Stop button 4 has retainer 3, retainer is used to cover hole g to prevent foreign objects from falling into after removal of plug-in unit 1.

A kind of rotatory emergency stop cover with plug-in unit includes lock cover having shutter, lock base having groove, stop button; lock cover has cam, movement of stop button will bring shutter to move. Front end of shutter is inserted groove for together connection of lock cover to lock base when emergency stop cover is in the lock position. Because unit is not available for existing emergency stop cover, users need another lock to lock it, ensuring that emergency stop button won't open after shutter is secured to groove of lock base. In addition, existing groove is through-hole type. Emergency stop cover opens by means of directly pushing shutter at the time when it's not locked up with a lock, so it's not convenient and safe for existing emergency stop covers.

Rotatory emergency stop cover with plug-in unit


A fusible resistor and method of fabricating the same is provided. The fusible resistor has a very low resistance of 20 to 470 mΩ. by depositing thin films as a fusible element made of a material with low resistivity such as copper having a temperature coefficient of over 2,000 ppm/° C. The fusible resistor comprises a resistor body, a fusible element layer formed to surround the resistor body, caps formed to surround ends of the fusible element layer, lead wires attached to the caps, and an insulating layer for insulating the fusible element layer and the caps from outside. The thus-fabricated fusible resistor performs all functions of a use without generating excessive heat.

In general, fusible resistors are used to protect circuit elements of electronic devices. A fusible resistor functions as an ordinary resistor at normal loads, but as circuit breakers in an abnormal, overload state, due to its fusible characteristics.
Conventional fusible resistors are fabricated by coating a resistor body with a thin film made of a compound consisting of carbon, tin-nickel, and nickel-chrome by electroless plating and by performing a spiral cut on the surface of the coated resistor body (hereinafter, the spiral cutting will be referred to as "trimming"). While inexpensive fabrication of conventional fusible resistors is possible, manufacturing a fusible resistor with a resistance lower than 0.1 Ω is difficult due to limitations of the manufacturing process. Further, fabricating a fusible resistor with a resistance below 0.22 Ω is very difficult since the trimming causes an increase of the resistance of the fusible resistor.
Where a current exceeding a predetermined range flows through the circuit of an electronic device, a conventional fusible resistor generates excessive heat. To overcome this drawback, increasing the rated current of a fusible resistor or using a micro fuse instead of the fusible resistor have been proposed. However, increasing the rated current results in an increase of the size of the fusible resistor. Further, using a micro fuse is not cost effective because mass-production of micro fuses is limited due to the structural characteristic of a micro fuse and expensive raw materials required.

Fusible resistor and method of fabricating the same


In a resource allocator (106), a reserved resource group comprising at least one communication resource is maintained for use in supporting non-queued services. When a request for the at least one non-queued service is received, a communication resource from the reserved resource group is allocated to the request (305). When the reserved resource group becomes depleted, at least one more communication resource is assigned to the reserved resource group with greater preference relative to allocation of communication resources to requests for at least one queued service (307). In a preferred embodiment, a communication resource is assigned to the reserved resource group prior to allocating resources to any queued service requests. Additionally, communication resources (200) having varying grades of service can be accommodated.

Wireless communication systems capable of supporting multiple types of communication services are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,631 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AT LEAST TWO COMMUNICATION SERVICES IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, issued Aug. 20, 1996 to Krebs et al. and assigned to Motorola, Inc., describes a communication system that supports both telephone and dispatch services. Dispatch services and telephone services differ in a variety of ways from one another, and certain problems can be encountered when providing common infrastructure to support both services. For example, regardless of which service is requested, sufficient communication resources (typically, radio frequency (RF) channels, time slots, etc.) may not be available to immediately support the request. When this occurs in a dispatch context, the request is typically queued indefinitely and the dispatch user is notified upon subsequent availability of the required resource. Contrary to this, a request for a telephone call is typically not queued and the telephone user is not subsequently advised of resource availability. Although these methods of operation are in accordance with user expectations, they can lead to inefficiencies in system resource utilization.
In particular, in a wireless communication system using shared resources in which one or more services are queued and one or more services are non-queued, over time the queued service(s) will tend to monopolize system resources as they become available. As a result, the perceived quality of service for the non-queued services, particular with regard to service availability, decreases. To illustrate using the dispatch/telephone system described above, because dispatch requests are queued, they will tend to occupy all available system resources given that the "persistence" of telephone requests is negligible in comparison. U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,735 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUEUING RADIO TELEPHONE SERVICE REQUESTS, issued Oct. 10, 1995 to Erickson and assigned to Motorola, Inc., describes a solution to this problem in which telephone requests are queued for a finite period of time, thereby increasing the probability that such requests will be provided resources. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,415 entitled DYNAMIC CONTROL OF TELEPHONE TRAFFIC IN A TRUNKED RADIO SYSTEM, issued Sep. 16, 1986 to Zdunek et al. and assigned to Motorola, Inc., describes another solution in which dispatch access delay is continuously measured over succeeding 15 minute intervals. Based on the dispatch access delay measured during a prior 15 minute interval, a number of communication resources reserved to support dispatch service is adjusted for the next 15 minute interval. This process is continuously repeated while the system is in service.
Still another approach to this problem is to partition the system resources in a predetermined manner so that no one service can dominate the resources at the expense of the other services. In one approach referred to as "hard" partitioning, the resources are partitioned in accordance with historical usage of the respective services such that requests for each type of service can only be fulfilled from the designated portion of resources. For example, if, in a given system, 70% of system capacity is historically used to service dispatch requests, with the remaining 30% used to service telephone requests, the system resources will likewise be partitioned on a 70/30 basis. This works well so long as the actual system load stays at 70% dispatch and 30% telephone. However, should the amount of dispatch requests decrease, the otherwise unused resources assigned to support dispatch cannot be used to support an increase in telephone services. Conversely, should the amount of dispatch requests increase, the system cannot assign additional resources to support the increased requests. These inefficiencies likewise apply to increases and decreases in telephone requests.
A somewhat "softer" variant of hard partitioning is to always maintain a minimum number of resources for a given service. For example, at system set-up, the resource allocator in the system would be configured to ensure that no less than N resources (where, typically, N>1) are available and/or in use to support a given service. As a result, the given service will always be guaranteed a minimum level of resources for use in supporting requests for that service, thereby ensuring at least a minimum level of service at all times. Should the number of requests for that service increase such that the N resources are not enough to support all requests immediately, the system is free to assign additional resources, if available, to service the additional requests. However, it is still possible that there are more than enough reserved idle resources to meet the demand for that service at any given time. As a result, resources that may be put to better use in support of other services remain unused in order to maintain the required minimum number for the given service. In effect, both the hard partitioning and minimum number methods work well so long as the offered system load at any given time matches the historical load upon which the partitioning/minimum thresholds are based, but both introduce inefficiencies when the offered load varies from the historical basis.
The problems described above are further exacerbated when the communication resources themselves provide varying grades of service and where different services require communication resources having minimum grades of service. This is particularly true where requests for non-queued services must be fulfilled using resources having a higher grade of service and where requests for queued services may be fulfilled using either lower or higher grade resources. Therefore a need exists to better accommodate the ability of non-queued services to obtain requested resources in a multi-service shared infrastructure communications system.

Method and apparatus for allocating resources between queued and non-queued services


A method detects a lane for a transverse guidance of a vehicle. The transverse guidance of the vehicle is based on a roadway model. The method has the steps of ascertaining one or more features which are suitable for influencing the detection of the lane; detecting a lane on the basis of a sensor system of the vehicle; and ascertaining the roadway model on the basis of the detected lane and the ascertained one or more features. The method optionally has the steps of additionally receiving navigation data and transversely guiding the vehicle on the basis of the ascertained roadway model.

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for lane detection. The disclosure relates in particular to systems and methods for lane detection for the purpose of transverse guidance of automated vehicles.
Lane keeping systems and methods for vehicles, in particular automated vehicles, that use optical sensors, such as for example cameras, to detect lanes on the basis of road markings and structural elements are known in the prior art. The systems and methods are geared to output a warning or even to actively intervene in the steering if the vehicle threatens to leave a lane currently being used. The term vehicle covers automobiles, trucks, buses, motor caravans, motorcycles and the like that are used to convey people, goods, etc. In particular, the term covers motor vehicles for conveying people.
The term "automated driving" can be understood within the context of the document to mean driving with automated longitudinal or transverse guidance or autonomous driving with automated longitudinal and transverse guidance. The automated driving can be for example driving for a relatively long time on the freeway or driving for a limited time during parking or maneuvering. The term "automated driving" covers automated driving with an arbitrary level of automation. Exemplary levels of automation are assisted, semiautomated, highly automated or fully automated driving. These levels of automation have been defined by the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) (see BASt publication "Forschung kompakt", issue November 2012). Assisted driving involves the driver continually performing the longitudinal or transverse guidance while the system undertakes the respective other function within certain boundaries. Semiautomated driving (SAD) involves the system undertaking the longitudinal and transverse guidance for a certain period of time and/or in specific situations, with the driver needing to continually monitor the system as in the case of assisted driving. Highly automated driving (HAD) involves the system undertaking the longitudinal and transverse guidance for a certain period of time without the driver needing to continually monitor the system; however, the driver must be capable of undertaking the vehicle guidance within a certain time. In the case of fully automated driving (FAD), the system can manage the driving automatically in all situations for a specific application; this application no longer requires a driver. The aforementioned levels of automation correspond to SAE levels 1 to 4 of the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineering) J3016 standard. By way of example, highly automated driving (HAD) corresponds to level 3 of the SAE J3016 standard. Furthermore, the SAE J3016 also provides SAE level 5 as the highest level of automation, which is not contained in the definition by the BASt. SAE level 5 corresponds to driverless driving, wherein the system can automatically manage all situations like a human driver during the entire journey; a driver is generally no longer required.
Driver assistance functions typically require information about the current profile of usable lanes (e.g. the vehicle's own lane, or lanes situated to the left or right thereof) in order to allow transverse guidance (also "lane keeping") of the vehicle.
Under certain circumstances, for example in poor visibility or weather conditions, when road markings intersect, are completely or partially missing or poorly visible, or in the case of special routes (e.g. hill, valley, tight curves), problems with lane detection can arise, with corresponding consequences in particular for the transverse guidance of a vehicle.
Typical examples of such cases are entrances and exits or road widenings and narrowings, in which there are sometimes additional lane markings and these lead away from the actual lane (also "ego lane"). Depending on the quality of the detected lane markings, they can lead to a different profile for the created route guidance curve. To counter such problems, navigation data, among other things, are used to interpolate the continuing profile of the road.
DE 10 2013 220 487 A1 discloses for example a lane detection system having an optical lane detector and a GNSS-based position detector (GNSS—Global Navigation Satellite System). The GNSS position detector is designed to determine information pertaining to a lane profile from digital map data on the basis of a detected position, a known position detection accuracy and known accuracy limits of the digital map data and to convey data pertaining to the determined lane profile to the optical lane detector. The optical lane detector is in turn designed to take into consideration the data pertaining to the determined lane profile from the position detector during lane detection. The system is substantially geared to take very accurate map material and corresponding position statements as a basis for determining an interpolated lane profile and to convey the latter to the optical lane detector so that the latter can perform lane detection for the entire route section even in poor visibility, with only sometimes detected road markings.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,498,782 B2 also discloses a lane keeping system that also evaluates information from a GNSS in addition to the information from optical and distance measurement sensors. The GNSS information in this instance is used to determine an approximate position of the vehicle on a road. The precise vehicle position on the road is then determined on the basis of further information from the optical sensors and distance measurement sensors. In other words, the position is first determined approximately and then refined further.
DE 10 2013 003 216 A1 discloses a method for determining a lane for the purpose of controlling the steering of a vehicle with automated control. One lane is determined using a first system on the basis of captured environmental data and another lane is determined using a second system. Starting from a current position, a digital map and data obtained by odometry are taken as a basis for rendering the second lane determinable independently of the first lane. Process data calculated by the first and second systems for the purpose of determining the lanes are continually matched to one another, and failure of one of the two systems results in the lane being determined solely on the basis of the remaining, operational system. According to the method described, a matching means that the data determined in the past are taken as a basis for making a statement about the quality of the currently determined data of the two systems, and this statement is taken as a basis for determining new data, optimized in respect of accuracy, from the current data, the new data being taken by both systems as a basis for further calculation. While both systems are operational, the process data are matched, which means that signals output from both systems by a lane controller for the purpose of controlling actuators are substantially concordant. The matching ensures that both systems calculate a concordant specified lane requirement before one of the systems fails. If one of the system fails, lane planning can be continued by one of the two systems without sudden changes in the specified requirement. The orientation of the method in this instance is continuous matching of the two systems, so that steering control can continue without sudden changes in the specified requirement in the event of failure of one of the systems.
Known systems and methods can have one or more of the following disadvantages. Some systems are sometimes or completely reliant on the visibility of lane markings or of features characteristic of lanes. The optical sensors can reliably detect lane markings only if they are also visible to the human eye. In particular lane soiling, worn lane markings, poor light conditions and weather conditions can therefore lead to the lane markings not being able to be detected reliably and the underlying system or method being able to be operated only with limitations or not at all in some situations.
A disadvantage of GNSS-assisted lane keeping systems is, among other things, that GNSS-based position determination is often too inaccurate to provide sufficiently precise position determination for a lane keeping system. The GNSS accuracy of navigation systems currently available in mass produced vehicles is typically not sufficient for a lane keeping system, which means that systems and methods based thereon can assist optical systems only to a limited extent. This also has the associated problem that mass produced navigation systems are frequently based on map data that have too low an accuracy for a lane keeping system. In total, the position of the vehicle within a lane often cannot be determined sufficiently accurately on the basis of the GNSS data; this would require greater accuracy from both the position determination and the map data, for example with a resolution in the region of a few centimeters.
On the basis of the aforementioned limitations and shortcomings, erroneous lane detection can therefore occur in specific situations in particular, for example if erroneously detected or incorrect lane markings are used for the road model and the lane detection. This can happen, even with good visibility, in particular in the region of entrances and exits on freeways, widenings or narrowings (i.e. changes in the number of available lanes), at junctions having numerous road markings for different directions of travel, at underpasses or overpasses, in the case of hills or valleys and in the region of roadworks. In particular roadworks can be problematic in this regard, on account of changed traffic routing and other factors, which often occur in the region of roadworks. Typically, changed road markings in addition to already existing markings are present in the region of roadworks, a distinction usually being able to be drawn by color (e.g. yellow as opposed to white) in this instance. Furthermore, changed signage, often in addition to sometimes temporarily disguised existing signage, is used in the region of roadworks. Special arrangements need to be observed in this regard (e.g. changed lane widths, route prohibitions, shortened exits and entrances, exits and entrances for special vehicles) and/or soiling must be expected more frequently.
As a result, unwanted or incorrect control impulses can be triggered, in particular if a vehicle cannot perform reliable lane detection and/or positioning, or if the lane was at times determined only inaccurately and then a correction needs to be made within a relatively short distance. Such control impulses can lead to comparatively jerky or unclear changes of direction, in particular to what is known as "missteering". Ultimately, this can lead to dangerous driving situations and/or to situations that have a negative influence on an effective or perceived driving behavior.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide systems and methods for lane detection that avoid one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages and/or allow one or more of the described advantages.
This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements are specified in the subclaims.
In a first aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for detecting a lane for transverse guidance of a vehicle is specified, the transverse guidance of the vehicle being on the basis of a road model. The method comprises determining one or more features, wherein the one or more features are suitable for influencing a detection of the lane; detecting a lane on the basis of a sensor system of the vehicle; determining the road model on the basis of the detected lane and the determined one or more features.
In a second aspect according to aspect 1, the method also comprises receiving navigation data. The one or more features are determined on the basis of the navigation data.
In a third aspect according to one of the preceding aspects, the navigation data comprise one or more of the following data: map data, in particular Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) data; data on the basis of collective driving behavior of a multiplicity of vehicles; and data on the basis of a detection of road signs, in particular an optical detection of road signs.
In a fourth aspect according to one of the preceding aspects, the method also comprises determining a weighting of one or more elements of the lane that are detected by the sensor system of the vehicle. The road model is also determined on the basis of the determined weighting.
In a fifth aspect according to one of the preceding aspects, if the one or more features indicate the presence of an entry or exit on a road section being used by the vehicle, determining the road model comprises: weighting elements present on a side of the lane that is remote from the entry or exit using a first factor; and weighting elements present on a side of the lane that faces the entry or exit using a second factor; wherein the first factor indicates a higher weighting than the second factor.
In a sixth aspect according to one of the preceding aspects, if the one or more features indicate the presence of a widening or narrowing on a road section being used by the vehicle, and the widening or narrowing relates to a lane that is beginning or ending, determining the road model comprises: weighting elements present on a side of the lane that is remote from the beginning or ending lane using a first factor; and weighting elements present on a side of the lane that faces the beginning or ending lane using a second factor; wherein the first factor indicates a higher weighting than the second factor.
In a seventh aspect according to either of the two preceding aspects, the first and second factors are configured to optionally indicate a weighting in the range from 0% to 100%, preferably wherein the first factor indicates a weighting of 100% and wherein the second factor indicates a weighting of 0%.
In an eighth aspect according to one of the preceding aspects, the method also comprises transversely guiding the vehicle on the basis of the determined road model.
In a ninth aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for detecting a lane for transverse guidance of a vehicle is specified. The system comprises a control unit configured to carry out the method according to the embodiments described here.
In a tenth aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a vehicle is specified. The vehicle can comprise the system according to the embodiments described here. Preferably, the vehicle comprises means for semiautonomous or autonomous control of the vehicle, wherein the means for semiautonomous or autonomous control of the vehicle are optionally configured to carry out the transverse guidance of the vehicle.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the lane detection in particular in the region of roadworks, at widenings/narrowings and at entrances/exits is improved by virtue of an intelligent fusion of additional navigation data, for example map data, detecting the respective situation in advance already and then, depending on the situation, only specific information or sensor data being used for the lane detection, or a special weighting of such information or data being performed in order to produce a robust model of the road.
In particular, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, missteering is effectively prevented and potentially dangerous situations are effectually avoided. Furthermore, the objective driving behavior and the subjective feeling of safety of vehicle occupants are improved.

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


It is disclosed a connecting device for the manufacture of ducts for heating, conditioning, ventilation comprising a plate-like element (2) which is provided, on a face (2a) thereof at opposite positions, with at least two hooking points (3) adapted to penetrate contiguous portions to be joined of a duct (4) segment or of two consecutive duct segments. Also provided is a connecting process comprising a step of applying at least one connecting device (19 on either side of a junction line (4a) defined by two opposite longitudinal bands of a panel (5) adapted to form a duct (4) segment.

The present invention relates to a connecting device and process for the manufacture of ducts for heating, conditioning, ventilation and similar applications.
It is known that a great number of types of conditioning/heating ducts are present on the market which differentiate from each other in terms of manufacturing methods, materials, sizes and assembling and hooking systems. Among these types there is one contemplating manufacture of ducts of suitable section starting from flat sandwich panels consisting of a core of insulating material interposed between two thin metal sheets.
Manufacture of ducts for the above mentioned applications is carried out following a sequence of operating steps comprising a starting step of suitably arranging the panels of insulating material cut to size to form the different segments of the expected ducts.
In particular, in the case of straight ducts of a rectangular section and consisting of a single panel, two bevels inclined at an angle of 45° are first of all formed at longitudinal and opposite edge bands of the same panel, which bevels are designed to form a junction line of the duct segment defining one of the longitudinal edges of the duct itself. In addition, formed within the panel are three V-shaped notches with a 90° opening and adapted to define longitudinal bending lines.
In accordance with the known art, the above mentioned 45° bevels and V-shaped notches are provided to be fully and uniformly covered with a layer of glue by a brush spreader or a spray gun, for example, after setting them free of any residual material resulting from cutting operations.
Before carrying out bending of the panel along the V-shaped notches to shape the segment into a duct it is necessary to wait for about 15 minutes to enable the glue solvent to evaporate. This period of time varies depending on the temperature and humidity and can become much longer under particular unfavorable weather conditions. Practically, the gluing operation terminates when the glue is dry to the touch and is to be carried out in a very ventilated area and in compliance with all measures provided by the regulations in force concerning environmental sanitation and safety.
The connecting process briefly described above for the manufacture of ducts for heating, conditioning, ventilation through use of glue has many limits and drawbacks.
In fact, first of all, it contemplates a stop in the duct building process for a period of time that is sometimes rather long and often cannot be exactly foreseen, due to the fact the glue drying time is not always the same.
In addition, the special glues used to obtain a steady and safe union of the duct sides are very expensive and therefore greatly affect the overall costs for manufacturing said ducts.
Finally, it is to be pointed out that the operations for glue application and assembling of the glue-coated parts are characterized by a non negligible complexity of execution and all expedients, measures and safety precautions prescribed by the regulations in force are required to be complied with because the glue may contain inflammable or toxic components.

Connecting device and process for the manufacture of ducts for heating, conditioning, and ventilation


A customer central location (CCL) communicates with multiple remote wireless devices employing mutually incompatible data formats or short message service (SMS) protocols. A communication, from the CCL to a remote device or from a remote device to the CCL, passes through a short message arbitrator (SMA), which determines the identifying characteristic(s) of the device receiving the communication. From the identifying characteristic(s), the short message arbitrator determines the expected data format and the transmission path to the device. The SMA converts the communication into the expected data format and transmits the communication over the appropriate transmission path.

Short Message Service (SMS) is an inherent capability of most digital wireless telecommunications systems. The radio technologies associated with each of the digital wireless telecommunications system's are technically incompatible at the radio signal layer, but most are compatible at the intersystem SS7 transport layer. Currently, the differing RF technologies, e.g., time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), and global system for mobile telecommunications (GSM), have at least partial technical compatibility over the IS41 industry standard that is currently carried over the telephone industry's SS7 inter-networking system. The partial compatibility of these RF technologies is possible because the basic transport format is specified in the IS41 standard; however, many of the messaging details are implementation specific.
Even though it is possible for current short message service center platforms (SMSC) to support all of these multiple protocols, typically, an installed SMSC only supports the protocol of the cellular telecommunication system into which it is installed. For example, if the SMSC is installed into an IS136 type TDMA system, the SMSC supports only the TDMA protocol. Similarly, if the SMSC is installed into a GSM system, then the SMSC supports only the GSM protocol. In other words, although most current SMSC's can interface with any of the currently popular digital cellular systems, the SMSC's do so on an individual basis, not all simultaneously.
For example, in one network, the nodes communicate using different data formatting standards, such as integrated services digital network (ISDN) and the Japanese X.50 standard. Each of the nodes is connected to a format converter. The format converter acts as a bi-directional converter for converting between two data formats and thus allows communication between the two nodes.
The format converter reformats the data formatted in the X.50 standard into the ISDN format. The format converter accomplishes the conversion by storing the incoming X.50 data in an aligned data RAM with offsets, to provide an appropriate alignment among the frames of the data. Then, a format conversion module reformats the data into the ISDN format one byte at a time.
In another network, a subscriber in an electronic messaging network can access messages in a variety of formats. A subscriber may receive messages through a variety of types of equipment, such as a voice mail system, an e-mail system, a facsimile machine and a telephone, all connected to a wireline network. The subscriber may access these messages through a pager, a cellular telephone, or a personal digital assistant, each connected to a different wireless network. The subscriber selects the wireline or wireless network and media format to be used for delivering messages or notifying a subscriber that a message has been received.
For example, the subscriber may elect to have notification of a voice mail or facsimile receipt directed to the personal digital assistant (PDA) in the form of an e-mail message. In accordance with the method of the network, the subscriber's selection is implemented through the personal intercommunications inter-networking system, which performs the appropriate data conversion from one protocol to another and delivers the e-mail message.
In yet another network, an intelligent signaling transfer point (ISTP) is included in a telephone network with a database for storing call processing control information. Calls from one station on the network to another are either passed through or intercepted at the ISTP and screened in accordance with criteria stored in the database, such as time of day, a certain originating area or caller, or a specified call count value.
In still another network, a data collection device is provided for use with any one of the following: TDMA; CDMA; frequency division multiple access (FDMA); GSM; and personal access communications systems (PACS) technologies. But, the data collection device does not use multiple such technologies in a single system.
Thus, there is a need for a system in which a central location can communicate with several remote stations, which use different digital cellular or personal communications system (PCS) formats. The systems and methods discussed above only teach conversion between two specific formats.

Interconnect system and method for multiple protocol short message services


The invention relates to first, second and third glasses for wavelength division multiplexing optical filters. The first glass contains 50–65 wt % of SiO2, 5–25 wt % of Na2O, 4–20 wt % of K2O, 0–20 wt % of CaO, 0–10 wt % of MgO, 0–10 wt % of BaO, 0–10 wt % of Al2O3, and 0–10 wt % of TiO2. The second glass contains 35–55 wt % of SiO2, 10–30 wt % of TiO2, 4–20 wt % of ZrO2, 5–25 wt % of Na2O, 0–10 wt % of Al2O3, 0–20 wt % of CeO2, 0–5 wt % of Li2O, 0–20 wt % of K2O, and 0–3 wt % of at least one metal oxide selected from MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, and ZnO. The third glass contains 35–55 wt % of SiO2, 0–20 wt % of Al2O3, 0–10 wt % of B2O3, 1–35 wt % of TiO2, 1–15 wt % of CeO2, 0–10 wt % of Li2O, 5–25 wt % of Na2O, and 0–20 wt % of K2O.

The present invention relates to a glass that is required to have a high thermal expansion coefficient as a material of optical filers used for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) in optical communication to allow the passage of only a certain predetermined wavelength region.
In general, optical filters can be classified into those for cutting and transmitting certain predetermined wavelengths and those for lowering light transmittance. Examples of the former filters are (a) bandpass filter for transmitting only certain predetermined wavelengths, (b) notch-pass filter for cutting only certain predetermined wavelengths, (c) low-pass filter for transmitting only wavelengths shorter than a particular wavelength, and (d) high-pass filter for transmitting only wavelengths longer than a particular wavelength. A typical example of the latter filters is ND filter.
In wavelength multiplexing optical communication, bandpass filter is used for combining lights having slightly different wavelengths or for selectively taking a particular wavelength light out of a light containing a plurality of wavelength components.
Narrow bandpass filter has been proposed along the development of WDM system and is referred to as "WDM optical filter".
Japanese Patent Unexamined (Kokai) Publication 10-339825, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,717, discloses a multiplexing device having a multilayer film formed on a substrate.
Japanese Patent Unexamined (Kohyo) Publication 10-512975, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,989, also discloses a dielectric multilayer film bandpass filter.
In course of the development of high-precision WDM systems, it is required to narrow the transmission wavelength bandwidth of a WDM optical filter in order to conduct a high-density wavelength multiplexing optical communication. Narrowing the transmission wavelength bandwidth leads to a narrowed band center wavelength. Therefore, even the wavelength center deviation caused by a slight temperature fluctuation may interfere with the bandpass filter performance. Thus, it is required to prevent a WDM optical filter from having a refractive index fluctuation caused by the temperature fluctuation upon its use. In other words, it is required to make the wavelength temperature shift close to zero.
It is known that the temperature shift depends on thermal expansion coefficient of the glass and that of the dielectric multilayer film of a WDM optical filter.
Japanese Patent Unexamined (Kokai) Publication 2001-89184, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,465,105, discloses a glass substrate for use in WDM optical filter. Japanese Patent Unexamined (Kokai) Publication 2001-66425, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,733, discloses a glass for a light filter. The glasses of these publications may be brittle due to their glass compositions. Thus, it may be possible that the glass substrate having such composition is broken at its corner portion when the glass substrate is cut by a diamond cutter into a chip, thereby lowering its yield.
Japanese Patent Unexamined (Kokai) Publication 2001-48584, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,466, discloses glass ceramics (crystallized glasses) for a light filter. It is naturally necessary to provide a crystallization step by conducting a long-time heating treatment in the production of glass ceramics. Such step may increase the production cost. Furthermore, it may be difficult to spot or notice the final product (filter chip) due to its small size (e.g., 1 mm square) and its colorlessness and transparency.

Glass for wavelength division multiplexing optical filter


A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for employing a catadioptric optical system in a Head-Up Display (“HUD”) system are disclosed. A catadioptric optical module is configured to produce a large image size within a small space envelope by folding the optical path back through module and separating the paths by use of a beam splitter. Such module comprised of a beam splitter, collimating mirror, and correcting lens produces collimated beams of light from an image source providing either polarized or non-polarized beams of light. If polarized beams are provided, the module includes a quarter-wave retarder, and the configuration of the module permits the image source to provide either s-polarized or p-polarized beams. A combiner arm assembly comprising of at least one combiner receives the collimated beams, where the employment of a plurality of combiners extends the relatively small instantaneous field of view.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of Head-Up Displays ("HUDs") that provide images in the field of view of a person viewing the scene outside of a vehicle such as an aircraft or automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
A HUD is typically any transparent display that presents an image without obstructing the viewer's view or requiring the viewer to look away from the scene outside of a vehicle such as an aircraft or automobile while flying or driving. Initially developed for use in military aircraft, HUDs are used in commercial and private aircraft, automobiles, and other applications. HUD systems may be comprised of a plurality of components including, but not limited to, an image projection unit and a partially transparent and reflective optic commonly referred to as a combiner.
In general, a HUD uses a combination of lenses to create a collimated image. Lens designs that achieve the necessary optical performance tend to be complex and expensive, especially when the field of view ("FOV") is high and the diameter of the lens is large. For example, FIG. 1 shows an optical layout of a HUD with a wide FOV, which consists of an image projection unit that employs a relay lens assembly mounted over the viewer's head and a combiner unit located forward of the viewer that may be mounted in an aircraft such as a commercial aircraft. As shown, the relay lens assembly is used to form an intermediate image one focal length away from a transparent combiner, which, in turn, functions as a collimating mirror forming collimated beams of light.
In another example, FIG. 2 shows a HUD assembly comprised of an image projection unit and combiner unit that may be mounted in the glareshield of an aircraft such as a military fighter aircraft. As shown, beams of light leave a group of field flattening lenses, strike a reflecting mirror or prism, and pass through convex and concave lenses to form collimated beams of light.
As shown in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the HUD projection units consist of a complex array of lenses, prisms, and/or mirrors. Examples of other complex arrangements are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,178,074 and 4,232,943. It is not uncommon for these HUDs to contain more than 5 lenses, to have diameters greater than 13 cm (5 in), and to weigh more than 13 kg (28.5 lbs). Generally, the size, weight, and complexity of these optical systems detrimentally affect the costs for an operator to employ them.
Attempts to reduce the cost, size, weight, and complexity have been made by others. For example, a reflective HUD system such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,432 which "utilizes a single block of transparent acrylic resin with the upper surface curved and coated to form a collimating mirror. The block itself is comprised of two major portions cemented together with a transparent bonding material wherein the resulting interface forms a combining surface." By its very nature, this block of acrylic is extremely large due to the long eye relief and lack of multiple combiners. Also, a collimating mirror is employed therein, but it is not catadioptric, i.e., does not employ a corrector lens in conjunction with the collimating mirror. If such system were to attempt to employ a corrective lens, such lens would cause a significant distortion of the real world scene because it would have to be placed between viewer and the combining surface of the block. Also, these are large and bulky conventional optics which are heavy and utilize considerable installation space.
Multiple combiners have also been employed. Previous HUD systems may have used multiple combiners to expand the viewer's FOV. In such systems, dual combiners could form two mirror images of a collimating lens, one slightly above and slightly behind the other. Such configuration allows for the use of a smaller collimating lens for the same vertical FOV. In addition, more than two combiners may be used to expand the field. An example of such use is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,841.

Catadioptric system, apparatus, and method for producing images on a universal, head-up display


A highly pure monoalkylphosphine which is useful as a starting material for producing a compound semiconductor, and a method for producing same in high yield are provided. A highly pure monoalkylphosphine represented by the general formula RPH.sub.2 (wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms) has a purity of not less than five nines, and is substantially free of sulfur and silica. In the method of producing said highly pure monoalkylphosphine, anhydrous hydrofluoric acid is used as a catalyst for a reaction between phosphine and an alkene, and the reaction is carried out in the presence of an organic solvent having a boiling point higher than that of the resulting monoalkylphosphine; the resulting reaction mixture is contacted with an alkali solution so that the remaining catalyst is removed into an aqueous phase in the form of a fluoride salt; next, the obtained reaction mixture is contacted with an alkali hydride and the impurities are removed, then distillation is carried out.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a highly pure monoalkylphosphine which is useful as a starting material for use in epitaxial growth by a Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) method and the like, and a method for producing same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a highly pure monoalkylphosphine which is substantially free of sulfur or silica, and a method for producing same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, compound semiconductors have been widely used in various fields such as light emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers, and high electron mobility transistors (HEMT). An epitaxial crystal-growth technique, such as a Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) method, has often been used as a method for preparing compound semiconductors. Compound semiconductors produced by such an epitaxial crystal-growth technique include Group III-V compound semiconductors, and phosphine which contains phosphorus atom is used as a source of Group V elements.
However, phosphine has a safety problem since it is highly toxic and is in a gaseous form at ordinary temperatures. Accordingly, when phosphine is used for producing a compound semiconductor, it is necessary to use it under high pressure.
Recently, use of monoalkylphosphine in place of conventional phosphine has been proposed in order to avoid the dangers associated with phosphine. Although it is not desirable for the epitaxial growth film to contain carbon as an impurity, monoalkylphosphine allows only a small amount of carbon to be mixed in the epitaxial growth film, and it has a lower toxicity than phosphine; thus, monoalkylphosphine has been catching attention as a substitute for phosphine.
As methods for preparing monoalkylphosphines, there have been known, for instance, those comprising reducing phosphonium chloride and phosphonous acid, such as described in Z. anorg. allg. Chem. 433, 42 (1978) and the like. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos.4-9392 and 4-9391 disclose methods in which phosphonium chloride is produced by the Grignard method or the Friedel-Crafts method respectively, and is reduced by the use of a reducing agent such as lithium aluminium hydride to give a monoalkylphosphine.
In these methods, it is very difficult to obtain a highly pure monoalkylphosphine since the metallic reducing agents used for the reduction reaction, a magnesium compound in the Grignard method and an aluminium compound in the Friedel-Crafts method, tend to become included as metal impurities. In addition, the production processes are multistage processes which result in decreased yield and disadvantages in the practice thereof on an industrial scale.
In the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,918, it is described that an alkanesulfonic acid, such as methanesulfonic acid, is used as a catalyst to produce phosphine and olefin. In this patent, the methanesulfonic acid catalyst used is mixed in an organic solvent containing monoalkylphosphine. Thus a step to remove the catalyst, comprising, for example, washing with an alkali aqueous solution such as sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, becomes necessary. Nevertheless, even after such procedures are carried out repeatedly, a trace amount of methanesulfonic acid remains and it is difficult to remove the methanesulfonic acid completely by subsequent purification processes such as distillation and precision distillation.
If a trace amount of sulfur or silica is mixed in the monoalkylphosphine, the carrier concentration of the compound semiconductor formed from crystals prepared through the epitaxial growth of the monoalkylphosphine is lowered, and the product cannot be used for applications requiring a high purity, such as an embedded laser.

Highly pure monoalkylphosphine and method for producing same


A content output system includes a content output apparatus; and an information display apparatus, the content output apparatus and the information display apparatus being capable of communicating with each other. The content output apparatus includes a selection section configured to select, in response to a selection instruction, one piece of content from among a plurality of pieces of content that can be output, as content composed of a video signal and/or an audio signal; and an output section configured to output the content selected by the selection section. The information display apparatus includes a display section; and a control section configured to allow the display section to display, as content information display, information on the plurality of pieces of content that can be output from the content output apparatus in a state in which content that is output from the output section of the content output apparatus is displayed so as to be distinguished from remaining pieces of content that can be output.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a content output system, an information display apparatus, a content output apparatus, and a content information display method. More particularly, the present invention relates to display of information about content of television broadcast programs, recorded broadcast programs, and various other kinds of video and audio.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, household appliances, such as television receivers, video recorders, personal computers, and audio players, have been configured as a networked system in a house and the like, so that each device can function in such a way as to be synchronously operated in an organic (cooperation of constituent elements forming a whole) manner.
In such a network, functions for enabling a user to enjoy various kinds of content, such as a television broadcast program that is being received, a recorded program, video/audio recorded on a medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or music, with a high degree of freedom, are realized.
Examples of such networks include a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and a wired LAN. Examples of specifications for transmitting or receiving data on a LAN include a protocol that is formed as a specification by DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance).
Regarding a television broadcast, information about program content can be electronically obtained by means of an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and can be then presented to a user. This EPG can also be effectively used in the above-described home network. For example, by performing an operation on an EPG displayed on a television receiver, a remote controller or the like, it is possible for the user to select a desired program and to perform a scheduled program recording with a video recorder for use therewith.
Examples of the related art include Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 1996-22653.

Content output system, information display apparatus, content output apparatus, and content information display method


In some embodiments, a cursor interacts with user interface objects on an electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device selectively displays a cursor in a user interface. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays a cursor while manipulating objects in the user interface. In some embodiments, an electronic device dismisses or switches applications using a cursor. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays user interface elements in response to requests to move a cursor beyond an edge of the display.

User interaction with electronic devices has increased significantly in recent years. These devices can be devices such as computers, tablet computers, televisions, multimedia devices, mobile devices, and the like.
In some circumstances, users wish to interact with objects in a user interface on an electronic device. In some circumstances, users wish to use a cursor or other pointing indicator to direct the user inputs, even for devices with touch screens, thus enhancing the user's interaction with the device. Enhancing these interactions improves the user's experience with the device and decreases user interaction time, which is particularly important where input devices are battery-operated.

Cursor integration with a touch screen user interface


A chuck comprising a chuck body and monitoring electronics for detecting chuck faults fitted within the chuck body. A wireless transmission means is provided on the chuck body for transmitting signals from the monitoring electronics. The chuck has a dynamo having a housing fixed in the chuck body and a rotatable rotor having a mass for rotating relative to the housing when the chuck rotates due to an inertial moment of the mass to produce electric energy to power the monitoring electronics. Optionally provided is an electric energy storage means for storing energy from the dynamo and powering the monitoring electronics to provide for constant operation of the monitoring electronics.

The present invention relates to a threading or drill chuck with built-in monitoring electronics for signalling faults via a wireless transmission device, and, more particularly, to a threading or drill chuck with built-in monitoring electronics having a self contained dynamo for powering the monitoring electronics.
During threading, or also in a corresponding fashion during drilling, faults occur as a result of worn tools and other reasons. It is necessary to promptly recognize such faults in order to prevent the manufacturing process from being unnecessarily obstructed and to avoid errors and damage to the machine and tool. For example, during threading a length compensation of the threading chuck is telescoped by faults of this type. Devices exist which can detect such faults and provide an electrical signal to alert operators to the existence of a fault.
The possibility of providing built-in monitoring electronics for externally signalling the types of movements indicative of a fault of a threading chuck via end or proximity switches and cable connections exists. However, the provision of wireless transmission devices has also been proposed. Such wireless devices emit fault signals from the built-in monitoring electronics as electromagnetic or optical signals. The fault signals are then received by an external receiver and correspondingly influence the drive of the threading machine or drill.
Built-in monitoring electronics having a power supply device which operates using coupled electromagnetic shafts have been proposed. However, such a mechanism is structurally very complex and prone to disturbance. Accordingly, built-in monitoring devices having batteries fitted in the drill chuck have conventionally been used for operating the built-in monitoring electronics and the wireless transmission device operating therewith. However, such an arrangement requires that the monitoring electronics also monitor the battery voltage and capacity and that the battery be replaced each time its capacity falls below a given threshold. The replacement of the batteries results in considerable expense and labor.

Threading or drill chuck with wireless fault transmission

Emuge-Werk Richard Glimpel Fabrik fuer Praezisionswerkzeuge


The present invention pertains to novel strains of lactic acid bacteria capable of reducing an individual's tendency to react allergic against a variety of different allergens. In particular, the present invention relates to recombinant strains of lactic acid bacteria that express surface polypeptides which include peptides or antibody fragments acting as mimic for at least a part of the Fc region of IgE-molecules. The invention also pertains to food or pharmaceutical compositions containing said micro-organisms or active fractions thereof.

The present invention pertains to novel strains of lactic acid bacteria capable of reducing an individual's tendency to develop allergic reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to recombinant strains of lactic acid bacteria expressing surface polypeptides which include small and larger peptides acting as mimics for at least a part of the Fc region of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-molecules. The invention also pertains to food or pharmaceutical compositions containing said micro-organisms or active fractions thereof.
The immune system is a complex and multifactorial defense system that protects the body from any invasive biological or chemical agent, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi or simply larger chemical substances. Although being indispensable for maintaining the body's integrity, the immune system may in certain cases be the cause of the illness itself, such as in autoimmune diseases, inflammation or allergies.
Allergies are inappropriate reactions of the immune system to a variety of substances (allergens). Generally, individuals do not generate a significant immune reaction against substances regularly encountered in the environment, such as pollen or food material, which non-reactivity is deemed to be mainly due to a suppressing mechanism of the immune system itself However, in an impaired condition the immune system does not fulfil said suppressing activity resulting in a specific immune reaction against the allergen—the allergic reaction.
A generally established mechanism of allergic reactions involves a sequence of events beginning with the uptake of the allergen which needs to pass the epithelial barrier to reach and activate effector cells, located in the lamina propria or epithelium below the level of the tight junctions. The clinical symptoms associated with allergic reactions are basically the result of an early specific immune response and a late inflammatory reaction. During the early phase immunoglobulines E (IgE) against the allergenic substance are produced by the host's immune system, which are subsequently bound via a receptor protein to e.g. mast cells and basophils. Upon binding and crosslinking the IgE molecules on their surface the cells release histamine and cytokines, which then mediate the late phase by recruiting inflammatory cells into the nasal and upper respiratory tract passages. The influx of eosinophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets subsequently starts the inflammatory cycle amplifying the initial immune response which in turn triggers the release of more inflammatory cells.
In the past, the number of individuals suffering from allergy has increased, which is frequently attributed to an ever increasing atmospheric pollution caused by e.g. exhaust gases. Also, an extended consumption of proteinaceous material is deemed to contribute to said development, in particular to the growing occurrence of food allergy. Further, the deficit in microbial infections encountered in developed countries has also been suggested as another possible cause for the increase of atopic diseases.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art to treat allergy, for which different approaches have been proposed so far.
As for the treatment of food allergy some methods rely on modifying the food material itself such that its allergenic potential is reduced. This may be achieved by altering the chemical structure thereof, or by limiting or banning the food material or components thereof, respectively, which would be the cause of such trouble. Yet, a problem involved often resides in that the specific allergenic substance in the respective food material is frequently not known so that in most cases it is not clear which component should be selectively removed or altered.
A different approach of treating food allergy and food intolerance is directed to restoring and maintaining the intestine's integrity such that food allergens essentially may not pass. In this respect, U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,750 describes the use of N-acetyl glucosamine to enable the mucosa to form the necessary barrier to transmission of food allergens and to maintain normal function.
A most general approach of treating allergy is an immunotherapy which involves repeated injection of the allergen, over a period of several years, to desensitize a patient to the allergen. Proceeding accordingly is, however, time consuming, involves years of treatment, and often fails to achieve its goal of desensitizing the patient.
According to a more recent approach, vaccination of individuals against IgE molecules is suggested which inhibits triggering of mast cells and basophils. To this end, WO 97/31948 proposes specific peptides for vaccination that resemble in their three dimensional conformation parts of the IgE molecule, i.e. the immunoglobulines involved in the release of mediators, that play a part in the regulation of allergic and inflammatory reactions. It is conceived that the individual's own immune system will eventually form antibodies directed to said IgE molecules such that said IgE immunoglobulines are scavenged.
However, said method harbours the disadvantage common to normal vaccination procedures in that the biologically active substance has to be administered by invasive methods, such as e.g. by intraveneous injection, which route of administration is generically disliked by patients. On the other hand, when choosing the oral route, suitable galenic formulas have to be designed to allow the biologically active substance to pass the gastro-intestinal tract without getting destroyed. Another problem encountered in this method resides in that the mimotopes are, in most of the cases, short length peptides, that on their own will not elicit a substantial immune response so that apart from carriers and excipients adjuvantia have to be included in the composition.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide improved means for treating allergy. In particular, an object of the present invention resides in providing means that allow treatment of allergy in an efficient, easy and cost effective manner preferably without requiring a physician and without bringing about the negative associations linked with such treatments.

Lactic acid bacteria as agents for treating and preventing allergy