A non-inverting buffer circuit device suited for an input buffer circuit of a semiconductor memory is provided so that the number of logic gate stages can be reduced to realize a high speed operation. The circuit is designed in such a way that an MOS transistor at an input stage drives a bipolar transistor at an output stage to produce an output. An n-channel MOS transistor and a p-channel MOS transistor connected in parallel between the base and the collector of the bipolar transistor are on/off controlled by an inverted signal of the input digital signal and a non-inverted signal thereof, respectively. In another aspect, the input buffer circuit includes an inverted signal outputting circuit, and a non-inverted signal outputting circuit in the set mode the input signal in the non-inverted state and outputting in the reset mode the signal at the prescribed potential. The inverted signal outputting circuit includes a bipolar transistor producing an output signal at its collector potential, a first switching circuit for controlling supply of a collector current to the bipolar transistor, an n-channel MOS transistor, connected in parallel between the base and the collector of the bipolar transistor, for supplying a base current to the bipolar transistor in accordance with the input signal, and a second switching circuit for controlling supply of the base current to the bipolar transistor, wherein the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit are selectively on-off controlled.

The present invention relates to a non-inverting buffer device and a semiconductor storage device, and more particularly to a non-inverting buffer circuit device and a semiconductor storage circuit device with a high operation speed.
A general dynamic type semiconductor memory (hereinafter referred to as DRAM) to which the present invention can be applied would typically include an input buffer circuit, a row decoder circuit, a column decoder circuit, a memory cell array, an amplifier circuit and an output buffer circuit. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example of such a DRAM. In FIG. 8, in accordance with an addressing signal Ai, an input buffer circuit 10 supplies a signal for addressing to both the row decoder circuit 11 and the column decoder circuit 12. An amplifier circuit 13 and an output buffer circuit 14 are also provided. A row address decoder circuit 11 and a column decoder circuit 12 supplies a row address and a column address to a memory cell array 15, respectively.
The memory cell array 15 is composed of memory cells arranged in a matrix shape of 2.sup.M .times.2.sup.N (M, N are positive integers). The amplifier circuit 13 amplifies the signal from the memory cell array 15 to send the amplified signal to the output buffer circuit 14. The output buffer circuit 14 sends an input signal from the memory cell array 15 to a succeeding stage circuit.
Generally, high speed operation has been demanded for semiconductor memories. The operation speed is defined by the time taken from when the address signal Ai is inputted to the input buffer circuit 10 to the time when the information stored in the memory cell selected by the address signal Ai is read out from the output buffer circuit 14 (now called `delay time`), i.e., an access time.
The access time can be shortened by enhancing the operation speed of each of the components of the semiconductor memory. Particularly, realizing the high speed operation of the input buffer circuit 10 is very effective because it contributes to the high speed operation of each of the succeeding stage circuits (the row decoder circuit 11, column decoder circuit 12 and memory cell array 12) as well as the high speed operation of itself.
The input buffer circuit for a DRAM, as described later with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, is required to have, as its characteristic functions, (1) a complementary signal outputting function, (2) an output latch function, (3) a set/reset function and (4) a refresh function.
(1) The complementary signal outputting function is to output two output signals AN and AP (hereinafter, as the case may be, both output signals AN and AP may be expressed as a complementary signal) indicative of different logic levels.
(2) The output latch function is to latch a complementary signal outputted in accordance with the address signal Ai to fix the output regardless of a change in the address signal Ai.
(3) The set/reset function is a switch over function to either send the complementary signals according to the address signal Ai to the respective succeeding stage decoder circuits 11 and 12 to output desired data at a memory cell (set mode) or, on the contrary, to send fixed signals both of which are at a `H` (or `L`) level regardless of the address signal Ai to the respective decoder circuits 11 and 12 so that selection of the memory cell by the decoder circuits is inhibited to place DRAM in a standby state (reset mode).
(4) The refresh function is to rewrite the storage contents of a memory cell (e.g. for 2-3 ms) to prevent the stored data from being destroyed.
FIG. 2A shows the circuit structure of the input buffer circuit 10 for the conventional DRAM in its block form, and FIG. 2B is the corresponding timing chart.
The input buffer circuit for DRAM is mainly composed of a level inverting circuit section, a complementary signal creating circuit section, an isolation circuit unit, a refresh address input circuit stage (section), a self-latch circuit stage (section) and a driver circuit stage (section).
The level inverting section is constructed by a two-input NAND gate IC1 for inverting, in response to input signals of an address signal and a control signal .phi., the logical level (e.g. 0-3 V) of the address signal Ai to that suitable for the DRAM (e.g. 0-5 V) so that if the control signal .phi. is at a logical low `L` level, the output signal is fixed at a logical high `H` level regardless of the value of the address signal Ai and if the control signal .phi. is at the `H` level, the inverted signal of the address signal Ai is outputted.
The complementary signal creating circuit is composed of an inverter IC2 and two NAND gates IC3a and IC3b. In the set mode, the control signal .phi. is at the `H` level so that the inverting signal of the address signal Ai is outputted from IC3a and the non-inverting is outputted from IC3b. In the reset mode, the control signal .phi. is at the `L` level so that both outputs from IC3a and IC3b are at the `H` level regardless of the value of the address signal Ai. Incidentally, the circuit structures after IC3a and IC3b are entirely the same on both sides of the inverting output and non-inverting output so that the explanation will be given of only the inverting output side.
The isolation circuit section is a clocked inverter IC4 composed of p-channel MOS transistors (hereinafter referred to as pMOS) Q1, Q3 and n-channel MOS transistor (hereinafter referred to as nMOS) Q2, Q4. If a control signal .phi.2 is at the `H` level (.phi.2 is at the `L` level), Q3 and Q4 turn on so that the separation circuit serves as an inverter, whereas if the control signal .phi.2 is at the `L` level, Q3 and Q4 turn off so that the separation circuit serves as an isolation circuit. The control signal .phi.2 falls (i.e. `L` level) during the period when the control signal .phi.1 is at the H level. Thus, the output potential of the separation section on the inverting output side is held at the non-inverting output potential of the address signal Ai while that on the non-inverting output is held at the inverting output potential of the address signal Ai.
The refresh address input circuit section N3 produces an address signal corresponding to a refresh address.
The self-latch circuit N4 latches the output potential of the isolation circuit section after the control signal .phi.2 has fallen and sends the latched potential to the driver circuit section.
The driver circuit section N5 converts the signal inputted in accordance with the address signal Ai. Thus, it outputs the inverted signal of the address signal Ai from the inverting output side and the non-inverted signal of the address signal Ai from the non-inverting output side. Additionally, a capacitor having a relatively large capacitance of 2-3 pF is connected with the output from the driver circuit for the DRAM. In comparing of the delay times due to the different load capacitances for a MOS transistor and a bipolar transistor, as seen from FIG. 3 as disclosed in the pending application U.S. Ser. No. 462,986 filed Jan. 10, 1990, if the load capacitance is relatively large, the BiCMOS circuit, the output stage of which is constructed by a bipolar transistor, provides a higher operation speed. For this reason, in most cases, the driver circuit section N5 DRAM is designed in a BiCMOS structure composed of, e.g., a CMOS inverter and a bipolar transistor Tr1 as shown in FIG. 2.
The above prior art has the following problems to be solved.
The delay time generated in the input buffer circuit is the sum of the time required for the gate insulating film of each of logic gates constituting it to be charged/discharged by an input signal and to charge/discharge the output load capacitance by an output signal. The delay time generated in the entire input buffer circuit, therefore, is substantially determined by the number of logic gates. Accordingly, by reducing the number of logic gates from the input section to the output section of the input buffer circuit, the operation speed can be improved.
On the inverting output side, the input buffer circuit of the above prior art has the following 5 (five) logic gates from its input section to output section:
the first stage: the level converter circuit section IC1: PA0 the second stage: the complementary signal creating circuit IC2: PA0 the third stage: the complementary signal creating circuit IC3a: PA0 the fourth stage: the isolation circuit unit IC4: PA0 the fifth stage: the driver circuit IC5. PA0 the first stage the level converter circuit section IC1: PA0 the second stage: the complementary signal creating section IC3b PA0 the third stage: the isolation circuit section IC4; and PA0 the fourth stage: the driver circuit section IC5
On the other hand, on the non-inverting output side, the inverter IC2 of the complementary signal creating circuit section is not required in contrast to the inverting output side, the input buffer circuit has only to have the following 4 (four) logic gates:
Now it should be noted that the delay time of the entire input buffer circuit is determined by the number of logic gates on the inverting output side having more logic gates so that the prior art input buffer circuit substantially has five logic gate stages. Therefore, if the input buffer circuit is designed to have the smaller number of logic gates than 5, an input buffer capable of operating at a higher speed than before can be realized.
Further, the above prior art, in which the inverting output side and the non-inverting output side have different numbers of logic gate stages, provides a difference in the delay time between complementary signals AN and AP. The presence of this difference in the delay times for the complementary signals, which are supplied to the decoder circuits, may generate a hazard in the decoder circuit, thereby badly influencing the circuit operation.
The difference in the number of logic gates can be obviated by inserting an non-inverting buffer of one stage of a logic gate on the non-inverting output side having a smaller number of logic gates without substantially increasing the number of logic gates in the input buffer circuit.
However, the operation speed of the non-inverting buffer circuit of one logic gate stage is slower than that of the inverting buffer circuit, as described below in detail. Therefore, coincidence in the number of logic gates does not lead to that in the delay time; on the contrary, the delay time will be increased.
Now, the problem attendant on the conventional non-inverting buffer will be explained in connection with the case where the driver circuit N5 is designed in the non-inverting buffer circuit in a BiCMOS structure in which a pMOS Q51 is connected between the base and the collector of a bipolar transistor Tr 51 as shown in FIG. 5.
In FIG. 5, when an input signal V.sub.IN shifts from the `H` level to the `L` level, Q51 also shifts from the off-state to on-state. Then, the base current is supplied to Tr51 so that Tr51 turns on and so the collector current IC flows. Thus, the collector potential (output potential V.sub.OUT) approaches the `L` level. However, when the collector potential approaches (VBE+Vth) (sum of the base-emitter voltage and the threshold potential of Q51), Q51 performs a sub-threshold operation to greatly reduce the capability of supplying the base current. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the gradient of the collector potential V.sub.OUT becomes moderate in the neighborhood of the `L` level. This increases the delay time and also generates the through-current in the logic gate of a MOS transistor connected with the succeeding stage thereby to increase current consumption.

Non-inverting buffer circuit device and semiconductor memory circuit device


A system and process for communicating between at least two different objects, such as vehicles is disclosed. The system can include a portable communication device, as well as a central communication server. This system can also include a plurality of databases which are disposed on or in communication with the servers. The databases can include a plurality of tables with the tables being used to monitor the activities and track the habits of the objects.

The invention relates to a system and process for communicating between at least two different vehicles. The system can include a portable communication device, as well as a central communication server. This system can also include a plurality of databases which are disposed on or in communication with the servers.

System and process for communicating between two vehicles


According to the invention, a wheel identifying apparatus includes a plurality of transmitters and a receiver. Each of the transmitters is mounted on one of wheels of a vehicle with a given distance from a rotation axis of the wheel. Each of the transmitters is configured to transmit a signal when an angular position thereof coincides with a predetermined angular position. The receiver includes a receiving antenna located at such a predetermined position on a body of the vehicle that all distances from the receiving antenna to the rotation axes of the wheels of the vehicle are different from each other. The receiver works to receive all the signals transmitted from the transmitters, detect the received signal levels of the signals, and identify, for each of the signals, the wheel on which the transmitter having transmitted the signal is located, based on the detected received signal level of the signal.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tire location detecting apparatuses for automatically detecting the locations of tires on a vehicle and tire inflation pressure detecting apparatuses for detecting the inflation pressures of tires on a vehicle.
More particularly, the invention relates to an efficient tire location detecting apparatus which is integrated into a direct-type tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional direct-type tire inflation pressure detecting apparatuses generally include a plurality of transmitters and a receiver.
Each of the transmitters is directly installed to one of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle and includes a pressure sensor working to sense the inflation pressure of a tire mounted on the wheel. Each of the transmitters is configured to transmit a pressure signal representative of the inflation pressure of the tire sensed by the pressure sensor.
The receiver is installed to the body of the vehicle and includes at least one antenna. The receiver is configured to receive the pressure signals transmitted from the transmitters via the antenna and determine the inflation pressures of the tires based on the respective received pressure signals.
In the above arrangement, in addition to the pressure signals sent out from the transmitters, the receiver may also receive pressure signals that are sent out from external transmitters. However, it is impossible for the receiver to determine whether a pressure signal received thereby has been sent out from one of the transmitters or from an external transmitter. Moreover, it is also impossible for the receiver to detect the locations of the transmitters (i.e., the tires) on the vehicle. In other words, the receiver cannot identify the wheel on which the transmitter having sent out a pressure signal and the tire whose inflation pressure is indicated by the pressure signal are located.
To solve the above problems, each of the transmitters may be configured to transmit an identification signal (to be referred to as ID signal hereinafter) representative of the identity thereof along with the pressure signal. On the other hand, the receiver may be configured to have registered therein reference ID signals, each of which coincides with the ID signal of one of the transmitters and is associated with the location of that transmitter.
Thus, the receiver may work to compare an ID signal received thereby with the reference ID signals registered therein and identify the transmitter which has sent out the ID signal when the ID signal coincides with one of the reference ID signals.
Consequently, the receiver can identify the wheel on which the identified transmitter is mounted. More specifically, the receiver can determine whether the wheel is a FR (front-right), a FL (front-left), a RR (rear-right), or a RL (rear-left) wheel of the vehicle. Further, the receiver can determine the inflation pressure of the tire fitted on the identified wheel based on the pressure signal received along with the ID signal.
However, with the above configuration, it is required to previously register the ID signals specific to the respective transmitters as reference ID signals in the receiver through associating the ID signals with the locations of the respective transmitters on the vehicle (i.e., the wheels on which the respective transmitters are mounted). Moreover, as tire replacement or rotations are performed, it is required to update the reference ID signals in the receiver.
However, the registration of the ID signals in the receiver is a time-consuming task, and thus it is required to automatically perform the registration task. Further, for automatically performing the registration task, it is required to automatically detect the locations of the transmitters (i.e., the locations of the associated tires) on the vehicle.
To meet the above requirements, U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,524 proposes a method, according to which a triggering device is provided for each of the wheels to transmit a trigger signal, one of the transmitters transmits the ID signal specific thereto to the receiver upon being triggered by the trigger signal, and the receiver associates the ID signal and the location of the triggered transmitter and registers therein the ID signal as a reference ID signal.
However, with this method, a triggering device is required for each wheel, thus increasing the parts count and manufacturing cost of the tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus.
Moreover, European Patent Application No. 1172656 proposes a method, according to which two accelerometers with different sensing directions are employed to detect the rotation direction of a vehicle wheel.
However, with the detected rotation direction of the wheel, it is only possible to determine the right/left location of the transmitter on the wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,993 proposes a method, according to which the receiver records the intensities (i.e., levels) of the signals received from the transmitters via the respective receiving antennas and determines the locations of the transmitters based on the recorded intensities of the signals.
However, with this method, it takes time to record the intensities of the signals. Moreover, an additional means (or device) is required to perform the recording task, increasing the manufacturing cost of the tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,489,888 proposes a method, according to which the receiver determines the locations of the transmitters based on the respective distributions of RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) values for the signals transmitted from the transmitters.
However, with this method, it takes time to obtain the distributions of RSSI values. Moreover, an additional means (or device) is required to obtain the distributions of RSSI values, increasing the manufacturing cost of the tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus.

Tire location detecting apparatus with transmitters configured to transmit signals at predetermined angular positions


A baby monitor system comprises: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: obtain a sleep schedule of a baby; obtain vitals of the baby, wherein the vitals are based on pulse oximetry; and cause a first sound or a first light to emit in response to the sleep schedule and the vitals. A method comprises: obtaining a sleep schedule of a baby; obtaining vitals of the baby, wherein the vitals are based on pulse oximetry; and causing a first sound or a first light to emit in response to the sleep schedule and the vitals.

Baby monitors have existed for almost a century. Originally, baby monitors used one-way audio from a baby to a parent so that the parent could monitor sounds from the baby. Subsequent baby monitors incorporated two-way audio so that the parent could also speak to the baby. Eventually, baby monitors added one-way video from the baby to the parent so that the parent could monitor movement and other behavior of the baby. The next generation of baby monitors is incorporating features to ensure baby safety.

Baby monitor system sound and light delivery based on vitals


An acrylate-based curable printing medium is disclosed. Acrylates, in the form of monomers, dimers, trimers and oligomers, as well as resins, form an interpenetrating polymer network by crosslinking, which is effected by heat, and optionally peroxide curing agents. Formulations can be tailored to achieve desired properties of the cured polymer including film hardness, burnout properties, and adhesion to glass. Such properties are adjusted by manipulating the relative proportions of the acrylic monomers, oligomers and resins that are used as a ceramic medium or vehicle.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to organic (acrylate based) printing mediums that can be cured using free-radical initiators without the use of low boiling solvents, and which accordingly release low levels of volatile organic compounds.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional mediums for screen-printing and roll-coating useful for ceramic applications include solvents and organic binder resins. Some may require ultraviolet light to cure. Solvent-based systems accordingly exude high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in the range of 300-400 grams per liter or greater. Ultraviolet curable coatings are limited to a film thickness of about 30 microns and require ultraviolet lamps to cure. The curable acrylate-based printing medium of the invention overcomes these drawbacks, both with respect to VOC release and film thickness.


Method in the manufacture of an elevator, in which method the parts of a platform, more particularly its support structure, are used for forming the structure that supports the machinery of the final machine room of the elevator, which platform has earlier been in its position in a position disposed lower in the elevator hoistway, and which platform was used in the aforementioned lower disposed position for supporting the machinery.

In connection with so-called jump-lifts, the bottom part of an elevator hoistway is taken into use already before the building has been completed. In this case the top part of the elevator hoistway can be constructed at the same time as an elevator moving in the bottom part of the elevator hoistway already serves people on the lower floors of the building. Generally in jump-lifts the elevator car moving in the lower parts of the elevator hoistway is supported and moved during construction-time use with a hoisting machine supported on a platform in the elevator hoistway. The installation work in the parts of the elevator hoistway above this machine room platform is performed from a movable platform or corresponding in the elevator hoistway, which installation work comprises, among other things, the installation of guide rails and electrification in the elevator hoistway. When the elevator hoistway under construction above the machine room platform has reached a sufficient stage of completion, the completed part of the elevator hoistway can be taken into use. In this case a jump-lift is performed, wherein the machine room platform is raised to a higher level in the elevator hoistway. A worksite crane used in the construction of the building has conventionally been used for the lifting. One problem with this type of arrangement is that the worksite crane is not always available when needed. Another problem is that the elevator hoistway must be open at its top end so that the hook of the worksite crane that is on the roof of the building can be lowered into the hoistway. When the elevator hoistway has reached its final height, a machine room has conventionally been built at the end of the elevator hoistway and after that the final machinery of the elevator has been brought there. Thus to support the final machinery it has been necessary to construct a structure above the elevator hoistway from scratch. Another problem has been that a separate final machinery has been needed in addition to the construction-time machinery. Otherwise the final phase would have been complex and slow to perform, and the time during which the elevator is out of use would be long.
The weight of the machine room platforms combined with the weight of the parts of the elevator supported by the machine room has increased owing to, among other things, buildings that are taller than before. Owing to the very great travel heights of modern elevators, the machine size and rope masses, among other things, are so great that the hoisting capacity needed to perform the last jump-lifts is large. For the same reason, the support needed for the lifting must be robustly made. Finding advantageous support, particularly in the final phase of the manufacturing process, has been a problem, and it has been necessary to use complex solutions or a worksite crane.


A portable telephone case structured to retain at least a portion of a portable telephone on an interior thereof and including a housing having a display portion disposed and structured to permit viewing of a display face of the telephone within the case, while the case is secured to the person of a user. A cover panel is movably secured to the housing and selectively disposable between a closed orientation, in covering relation to the display portion, and an open orientation, wherein the housing and the cover panel are separated, thereby allowing the display face of the telephone to be viewed through the display portion of the case without disconnecting the case or removing the telephone from their secured position on the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable telephone case of the type structured to hold and contain a portable telephone, such as a compact cellular telephone and achieve effective and convenient securement thereof to the person of a user, such as by being clipped to a belt, chain or other portion of the user's person. Moreover, the portable telephone case of the present invention is configured to provide for substantially rapid and convenient access to the display of the portable telephone without requiring removal of the portable telephone case from its secured position on the user. The user is thereby allowed to monitor incoming messages and telephone calls without the need to continuously remove and re-secure the portable telephone.
2. Description of the Related Art
Use of portable telephones and in particular cellular telephones is prevalent in all aspects of society and is a virtual necessity in almost all business and personal environments. The wide spread use of portable cellular telephones has served to increase technological advancements and capabilities thereof including, but not limited to, their compact size. Certainly, a primary reason for their compact nature is to facilitate their carriage and possession without significant inconvenience to the user. Users are thereby able to mount or position their portable telephones in a variety of different and comfortable locations as it suits their needs.
One primarily preferred means of holding a portable telephone is through the use of a clip or other type of securement mechanism that effectively secures the portable telephone to the person of the user, such as to their belt or other article of clothing. Accordingly, many portable telephones come with a pre-positioned belt clip type of structure on the rear of the telephone, thereby allowing the telephone to be effeectively secured by the user when not in use. As many models of cellular telephones do not necessarily include exteriorly mounted securement structures, and for various other reasons such as design, comfort and/or protection of the portable telephone, portable telephone cases have also become prevalent in the industry. These cases are structured to effectively and removably secure the portable telephone to the user.
Traditionally, portable telephone cases are generally small and compact and are configured to snugly and securely contain the portable telephone on an interior portion thereof, while permitting visibility and actuation of the appropriate display face of the cellular telephone. In particular, most portable telephones include a primary display face on which control or function buttons, such as the number dialing buttons, answer buttons, etc. are positioned. Typically, the display structure provides a visual indication of a variety of information, such as the time of day, caller I.D. information, text messages information, etc. for the user. In addition to the protective aspect of the portable telephone cases presently available, the need to provide a means of securement to the user have also been addressed. Essentially, however, existing portable telephone cases merely replicate the securement structures and configurations that are conventionally available by including a fastening element, such as the clip or other element on the rear of the case, leaving a front of the case open to expose the display and function buttons of the portable telephone.
One primary inconvenience associated with the presently available telephone cases and the clipping type structures relates to the inconveniences associated with the repeated use of the telephone during incoming and/or outgoing calls. For example, a common occurrence is for a user to receive a telephone call, and look at the display of the telephone so as to identify the caller and thereafter determine whether they will actually take the telephone call. In order to do this utilizing currently available structures, when the telephone call is received, a user must unclip the portable telephone case, properly orient the portable telephone and observe the display. If the caller does not wish to take the telephone call, the user must then re-secure the portable telephone and the case as desired. While this may be a seemingly simple task, having to perform it on repeated occasions can certainly become an inconvenience especially if the user is in a seated location which can make it difficult to remove and/or re-secure the portable telephone.
As a result, it would be highly beneficial to provide a portable telephone case which not only provides a protective covering and an effective means of securing the portable telephone to the user, but which does so in a manner which effectively allows the user to quickly and conveniently monitor the display of the portable telephone without requiring removal of the portable telephone from its secured location. Moreover, such a portable telephone case should provide convenient and easily visible access to the display of the portable telephone in an orientation of the telephone and/or casing which is easily obtainable.


A method for preparing an inhibited starch, wherein it comprises the steps of a) providing a slurry containing a native granular starch obtained from a starch containing raw material, b) alkalizing the slurry by adding ammonia or by adding one or more compounds having the ability to release or produce ammonia in the slurry, c) adjusting the pH of the slurry to a value between 7 and 10, d) adding at least one oxidant being a source of active chlorine to the slurry for a reaction with said ammonia, e) adding at least one organic acid or a bisulfite to the slurry with a view to eliminating any residual oxidant, off-taste, and undesired smell, and f) adding at least one antioxidant to the slurry with a view to stabilizing the achieved inhibition of the starch during prolonged warehouse storage, is disclosed, as well as a starch having increased viscosity when cooked in hard water compared to when cooked in distilled water; an inhibited starch prepared with the method according to the present invention; use of said inhibited starch in a food product; and a food product containing said inhibited starch.

Starch is an important ingredient for the food industry and is commonly used in multiplicity of food applications and food production processes. Natural, non-modified starch, known by skilled persons in the art as "native starch", is sometimes used as such but has several drawbacks in terms of maintaining short texture in food products industrially processed. To overcome the negative cohesive and long stringy textures after such processes it is common to inhibit the starch granules so that they keep the granular structure when these swell during a cook, after they have reached the gelatinization point, until the full heating in the process is reached. This is done today by use of chemical crosslinking agents reacted onto the starch before it is used by the food industry, thus making the starch an additive and rendering it to be declared as such under the term "Modified starch" or "Food starch-modified", eventually with its E-number.
In recent years' the consumer's attitude towards additives and E-number have become more and more negative and the food industry wants to switch over to use ingredients which do not need to be declared as an additive on the package of the final consumer product, rather only ingredients.
The primary technical function of starch in food applications is as thickening agent with a view to provide the requested viscosity, texture and mouth feel for the food products. The texture and viscosity property are built up by hydration of the granular starch achieved when the granular starch is heated in an aqueous suspension. The granular starch absorbs water when the temperature is increased above the gelatinization temperature, i.e. the starch granule is being hydrated and swollen, and its viscosity is considerably increased. In the case of using native starch the hydrated and swollen starch granules are fragile and, consequently, if the temperature is kept for longer time or is increased to higher temperatures the viscosity will reach its so called "peak viscosity". Accordingly, the granular shape will be disrupted and disintegrate. The viscosity will be significantly reduced. Besides the reduced viscosity, another unwanted result will be an unpleasant long and cohesive texture. When the cook is performed in an acid environment and/or together with mechanical shearing actions the breakdown process of the granular structure is further accelerated.
As a result of the above mentioned problem the most important parameters to control or to avoid are high temperatures, shear forces, and, particularly, acidic conditions. It is desirable to change the starch property so that the viscosity is stable or that it even increase over the cooking time, thus avoiding viscosity decrease and granule breakdown when treated under high heat, strong shear force, and/or acidic conditions to maintain the starch granule in a hydrated and highly swollen and intact state.
The requested effect is often referred to as increased starch robustness. Thus, such a granular starch is more resistant to high temperatures, to longer heating times, to strong shear forces, and to acidic conditions or combinations of these parameters.
The most commonly used method to give starch increased process tolerance is to use the technique known as chemical cross-linking, a starch modification process.
Chemical cross-linking inhibits the starch granule so that when it is heated in water the granule swelling, after reaching the gelatinization point, is inhibited. If the level of cross-linking is too low a continued heating combined with strong physical force will end up in a total or partial starch solution. Chemical cross-linking prevents granular breakdown under such treatments. The chemical cross-linking is achieved by substituting the starch with bi-functional reagents, resulting in a covalent bond between the starch molecules. This can be done with certain approved methods and chemicals for food additives, e.g. phosphorus oxychloride, STMP (sodium trimetaphosphate), adipic-acetic mixed anhydride, and epichlorohydrin (nowadays not used for food purposes anymore, but have been so in the past). The different approved methods for chemical cross-linking are well described in literature and are commonly used in the starch industry to inhibit the starch. In practice, this means that by cross-linking of the starch granule it will be capable of maintaining its granular integrity when exposed to temperatures and high shear force or at high temperatures without or together with a degree of shear. The higher the degree of cross-linking, the more robust the starch will be against high temperature, shear forces and acidic conditions or combinations of those parameters.
In practice, these cross-linking techniques for modification of the swelling of the starch granules can be adapted to the application and the process which the starch is to be used in, so that optimal properties in the form of viscosity and texture are obtained due to the starch as such.
In the food industry, there is a great desire to replace chemically modified starches with starches that are not chemically modified, due to the trend to go "natural" among food ingredients. The starch shall still have equal properties as the chemically modified ones, i.e. rendering the native starch properties to become like the same properties obtained with the chemically modified starches.
Inhibition of starch granules without chemical reagents is known before and can be performed with dry heat inhibition at alkaline condition, also called alkaline dry roasting, similar to the manufacturing of so called British Gums. In this method the starch is subjected to high temperatures at almost moisture free condition in combination with an alkaline pH, which is reached by addition of e.g. sodium hydroxide or soda. Temperatures of 120-160° C. at a pH of 8-11 and a reaction time of 2-120 hours give different inhibition levels. This technique is well known and disclosed in the literature (Cross-linking of starch by Alkali Roasting, Journal of Applied Polymer Science Vol. 11 PP 1283-1288 (1967); IRVIN MARTIN, National Starch & Chemical Corporation), and also in several patents (U.S. Pat. No. 8,268,989 B2; EP 0 721 471; EP 1 0382 882; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,977,897; 4,303,451; Japanese Patent No 61-254602; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,303,452; and 3,490,917).
The problem with dry heat inhibition of starch is that side reactions takes place and gives an undesirable taste and color to the starch. Discoloration of the dry starch at alkaline pH occurs at temperatures above approximately 130° C. To avoid problems with side reactions the temperature can be reduced, but this causes the reaction time to be prolonged and thereby increase the production cost significantly. Furthermore, the heat inhibition technology requires high energy costs as almost all moisture has to be driven away and this step absorbs a lot of energy. On top of this high investment costs are needed as special equipment need to be used.
Another variant on the above patent is disclosed in WO 2013/173161 A1 which uses alcohol to dehydrate the starch and heat the starch/alcohol suspension under high pressure and temperature in an alkaline environment. The color of the starch is improved as the colored compounds formed are extracted with the use of alcohol, but as it uses flammable solvents under high pressure and temperatures it is a hazard for creating an explosion during the treatment. The process also needs very expensive pressure reactors to keep the alcohol in a liquid state at the very high temperatures used which makes it costly.
It is further known that weak inhibition can be achieved by subjecting the starch granule with low concentrations of a bleaching agent, i.e. an oxidant (oxidizing agent) at an alkaline pH together with protein residuals. In some cases, the residual protein in the starch granule remaining after extraction can be used, but it generally needs less pure starches than the nowadays commercial starches have, i.e. above 0.4% protein content of starch dry matter. This inhibition technology is known and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,317,752 and in the UK Patent Application GB 2506695. However, the latter two methods for inhibiting the starch can be performed only to limited levels. If higher levels of oxidants are added the starch will be oxidized instead, leading to a de-polymerization which results in reduced viscosity and an easier disruption of the granular structure during the cook of it.
It is also known that inhibition of granular starch can be achieved by combining an oxidant and the amino acid glycine. This process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,668. However, this method results in an unstable, temporarily inhibition and is thereby not capable of replacing chemically cross-linked granular starches as used in the food industry as it will be stored for a time in the warehouses before being used.
How to stabilize an inhibited starch using the described procedure in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,668 during an extended warehouse storage time until it is used by the food industry, i.e. not changing its swelling behavior over time when being stored, is described in WO 2016/133447 A1. In this application the use of residual proteins in the starch and/or added amino acids or other low molecular weight peptides is used for making the inhibition together with low level of sodium-hypochlorite so that the obtained inhibition is stabilized during the storage time in the warehouse by adding antioxidants to the starch and thus changing the temporarily inhibition described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,668 to become stable.
Adding foreign protein sources to the starch or relay upon its own residual protein content is a hazard for obtaining a starch which needs to be labelled as an allergen on the food products label as it is difficult to fully being capable of washing it away. This shows that there is still a need to develop a method for inhibiting starches to higher levels without any need to add proteinaceous- or protein derived materials, i.e. a method which results in inhibited starch with improved properties like taste, smell and color, and, at the same time are more cost effective than traditional techniques to produce and overcome the drawbacks with earlier described techniques. Proteins, peptides and amino acids are also costly materials so eliminating these ones will automatically reduce production costs.
Using hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid to oxidize or bleach a starch in water solution at alkaline pH, i.e. a pH>7, needs to be used in order to control the hazard of forming toxic chlorine gas, which otherwise will be formed in an acid environment. The alkaline agent used is generally some kind of hydroxide solution, even though hypochlorite salt solutions are alkaline on its own. This is due to that pH drops after addition when using only hypochlorite as an alkali agent. The reason is that the produced carboxylic acids in the starch which forms from the oxidation by the used hypochlorite and this gives acids which lowers the pH during the reaction.

Method for preparing an inhibited starch

SVERIGES STÄRKELSEPRODUCENTER, FÖRENING U.P.A.


Provided is an aerial vehicle, including: a package carrier including a plurality of vertical members being changeable in relative positions in a horizontal direction and surrounding a package in the horizontal direction to prevent falling of the package. A plurality of rotary wings are changeable in relative positions in the horizontal direction. The relative positions of the plurality of vertical members and the relative positions of the plurality of rotary wings are changeable. The package carrier is changed in shape in the horizontal direction in accordance with the relative positions of the plurality of vertical members. The change in the relative positions of the plurality of rotary wings is in conjunction with the shape of the package carrier.

A drone includes a holding mechanism configured to hold a package, and is capable of dropping the package after landing. In order to stably convey a large package, it is preferred that rotary wings be increased in size or that a plurality of rotary wings be significantly separated apart from each other in a horizontal direction, with the result that the drone is increased in size.


An artifact caused by secondary reflection is reduced. An imaging device according to an embodiment includes: a diffuser (110) that converts incident light into scattered light whose diameter is expanded in accordance with a propagation distance and outputs the scattered light; and a light receiver (132) that converts light diffused by the diffuser into an electric signal.

An electromagnetic sensor such as an image sensor has been housed within a housing provided with an aperture for an incident wave to reduce an influence caused by undesired electromagnetic radiation (EMR). For example, a common camera has a structure in which an image sensor that generates image data by converting incident light into an electrical signal is housed within a housing including a light shielding material.

Imaging device and solid-state imaging device


A connecting structure is provided. The structure includes a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end, a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to the first end, extending toward the second end in a V-shape.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to connectors and more specifically to connectors for moveable, wing-like appendages for novelty items and for methods of using them. Assembled objects such as birds having extending wings are difficult to ship because of the amount of room they take, in assembled form, in shipping cartons. Because so many objects are now manufactured abroad, it is desirable to have as compact shipping as possible. Therefore, it becomes desirable to be able to ship articles in an unassembled state yet still allow easy assembly of the article, for example a bird novelty with extending wings once delivered to the vendor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally winged, push-through type connectors are well known in the art. They are used for applications from seating circuit boards to securing light fixtures to a ceiling. The prior art connectors are rigid and typically fasten nonmoveable objects together. In contradistinction, applicants' invention is intended to couple a moveable object in an unassembled state in secure assembled fashion.


A spinning decoy device for use by hunters to attract birds, such as ducks and geese, has at least one decoy deployed in an elevated position, and a motorized system for spinning the decoy(s) so as to attract the birds. The motorized system, in a preferred embodiment, spins the decoy(s) in a circular motion. To further add realism to the device, the wings of each decoy are rotatable.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spinning decoy device to be used by hunters and more particularly to a spinning decoy device that has one or more decoys which are spun in a circular motion to attract birds flying overhead.
(b) Prior Art
A wide variety of devices have been used by hunters to attract birds such as waterfowl. These devices have included a number of different devices for deploying decoys on a body of water and imparting motion to the decoys. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,660,313 to Bauernfeind et al.; 2,547,286 to Sabin; 1,376,282 to Kauffman; 6,079,140 to Brock IV; 2,726,469 to Becker; and 4,422,257 to McCrory exemplify such devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,863 to Krug illustrates a duck decoy system for simulating a landing duck.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,649 illustrates a decoy mobile.
Also known in the prior art is a motorized bird repellent apparatus which causes a flying body imitating a raptor to scare away birds. Such an apparatus is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,880 to Sugimoto.
Despite the existence of these decoys, there still remains a need for motion decoys which better attract birds flying overhead.


A print bar color printing system wherein exposure occurs through previously deposited color toner is compensated for light absorption in the previously deposited toner by selectively increasing the output of the print bar during a pixel time interval. Each time interval is divided into sublines which are available for applying image data. One subline transmits image data corresponding to the color of the image to be exposed at the photoreceptor surface, while the second subline carries information as to previously exposed and developed color images which overlap the subsequent image. The print bar is then selectively addressed to form the main color image with a pulse of relatively long duration, or duty cycle, followed by a pulse having a relatively short duty cycle. The second or third pulses represent the additional exposure level needed to compensate for light absorbed by previous color toners formed on the belt during the earlier development process.

The present invention relates to plural, color image exposures formed on a photoreceptor belt by at least one LED print bar and, more particularly, to improvements in image exposure through previously exposed and developed images.
Image print bars used in xerographic recording systems are well known in the art. The print bar generally consists of a linear array of a plurality of discrete light emitting sources. Light emitting diode (LED) arrays are preferred for many recording applications. In order to achieve high resolution, a large number of light emitting diodes, or pixels, are arranged in a linear array on a common substrate. Each LED in the linear array is used to expose a corresponding area on a moving photoreceptor to an exposure value defined by the video data information applied to the drive circuits of the print bars. The photoreceptor is advanced in the process direction to provide a desired image by the formation of sequential scan lines.
Color digital LED printers may operate in either a single pass or multiple pass mode. In a single pass, process color system, three imagers are positioned adjacent to a moving photoreceptor surface and are selectively energized to create successive image exposures, one for each of the three process colors, cyan, magenta an yellow. A fourth black imager is usually added. A color digital printer may also operate in a highlight color mode wherein one or two colors and black are exposed. In a multiple pass system, each image area on the photoreceptor surface must make at least three revolutions (passes) relative to the transverse scan lines formed by the modulated beam generated by the imagers.
In one prior art embodiment of a single pass color xerographic printer shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of LED print bars are positioned adjacent to a photoreceptor belt surface and selectively energized to create successive image exposures. For full color, four bars are used, one for each of the three basic colors (cyan, magenta and yellow) and a fourth print bar for black images. FIG. 1 shows a color printing system having four exposure stations 10, 12, 14, 16, each station including an LED print bar 10A, 12A, 14A, 16A. Each print bar is selectively addressed by video image signals processed through Electronic Sub System (ESS) 15 and controlled by drive circuit 14 to produce a modulated output from each print bar which is coupled through a gradient index lens array 10B, 12B, 14B, 16B, onto the surface of previously charged photoreceptor belt 17. The length of belt 17 is designed to accept an integral number of full page image areas. Upstream of each exposure station are charge devices 18, 19, 20, 21, which place a predetermined electrical charge on the surface of belt 17. As the belt moves in the indicated direction, each image area moves past each of the print bars, with each bar providing an exposure pattern in response to the video data input. The exposure pattern begins when the leading edge of an image area reaches a transverse start-of-exposure line. The exposure pattern is formed of a plurality of closely spaced transverse scan lines. Downstream from each exposure station, a development system 26, 27, 28, 29, develops a latent image of the last exposure without disturbing previously developed images. A fully developed color image is then transferred at a transfer station 33 to an output sheet. Further details of xerographic stations in a multiple exposure single pass system are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,661,901; 4,791,452 and 4,833,503, whose contents are hereby incorporated by reference. It is understood that the image exposures formed by print bars 12A, 14A, 16A must be formed through toner deposited by developer stations 26, 27, 28.
A problem in prior art systems where sequential exposures are made through previously developed images is that some light energy is absorbed in exposing through previously applied toner material. Data in a color printer is applied in plates or color separations. Each color separation is imaged and developed in sequence and the second image station must image through areas of toner where the first image was developed. Thus, for example, if exposure station 10 in FIG. 1 formed a first color image (cyan) which was developed with a cyan toner at development station 26, portions of the exposure of the second (magenta) image at exposure station 12 which overlap the cyan image, would have to be made through the previously laid down magenta toner. Continuing, a third color image (yellow) printed at station 14 would have to be made through the cyan and magenta toner, to the extent that portions of the yellow image would overlap the previously formed cyan and magenta images. Since the prior art binary print bars can only write a line of data with the on pixels at one exposure, successive exposures would have more light from the print bar absorbed by the previous toner images, reducing the amount of light penetrating to the recharged surface of the photoreceptor and hence reducing the efficiency and faithfulness of the color rendition. According to a first aspect of the invention, circuitry is provided for the second and subsequent exposure stations which would generate signals to the print bars of the second and subsequent print bars to increase exposure to these print bars so as to compensate for the absorption of light due to the previous exposure(s). Thus, in a modification to the FIG. 1 embodiment, color plate information input to print bar 10A would also applied to print bar 12A and 14A in such a way as to increase the output energy needed to efficiency image through the previously applied toner. More particularly, the present invention relates to a color printer for forming successive color latent images on the surface of a photoreceptor belt, moving in a process direction, each latent image subsequently developed with a color toner with successive image exposures accomplished in superimposed registration with previously developed color images, the printer including:
means for charging the photoreceptor belt surface,
print bar means for producing a plurality of exposure patterns on the belt in accordance with binary image data signals representing a plurality of colors, said exposure patterns formed by addressing selective pixels in said print bar means during a pixel time interval defining a color image line,
means for developing each exposure pattern with a color toner,
means for recharging each developed image, said print bar means being successively addressed to form subsequent color exposure patterns by exposing the recharged photoreceptor through said previously developed color toner, and
image data processing circuit means for recognizing that at least a portion of a subsequent color exposure pattern is to be formed through a previously developed color toner and including means for increasing exposure in at least said portion.


A method for making a lithium battery cathode composite is provided. A mixed solution including a solvent, an iron salt, and a phosphate is provided. An alkaline solution is added in the mixed solution until the mixed solution has a pH value in a range from about 1.5 to about 5. The mixed solution is stirred to react the iron salt with the phosphate to form a number of iron phosphate precursor particles. The iron phosphate precursor particles are heated. A lithium source solution, a reducing agent, and the iron phosphate precursor particles are mixed to form a lithium iron phosphate precursor slurry. Outer surfaces of the lithium vanadium phosphate particles are coated with the lithium iron phosphate precursor.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to cathode material of lithium batteries and methods for fabricating the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Lithium batteries are used in various portable devices, such as notebook PCs, mobile phones, and digital cameras because of their small weight, high discharge voltage, long cyclic life, and high energy density compared with conventional lead storage batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries.
Among various cathode materials, transition metal oxides and mixed transition metal oxides have received much attention because of their relatively high charge/discharge capacities in the lithium batteries. Lithium iron phosphate (e.g. LiFePO4), and lithium vanadium phosphate (e.g. Li3V2(PO4)3) are two widely used cathode active materials. Lithium iron phosphate has the advantage of high specific capacity, but has the disadvantage of bad performance at low temperatures. Lithium vanadium phosphate has good performance at low temperatures, but low specific capacity. As such, there is a composite cathode material including both lithium iron phosphate and lithium vanadium phosphate provided in, "Improving electrochemical properties of lithium iron phosphate by addition of vanadium," Yang M R, Ke W, Wu S H. J Power Sources, 2007, 165: 646-650. However, in the composite cathode material, lithium iron phosphate and lithium vanadium phosphate are disorderly disposed, which means that some of the lithium iron phosphate cannot contact with the electrolyte when used in a lithium battery. As such, lithium iron phosphate cannot be dispersed in the electrolyte easily and quickly, thereby negatively impacting electrochemical properties of the electrode material of the lithium battery.
What is needed, therefore, is a lithium battery cathode composite material and method for making the same that can overcome the above-described shortcomings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for making lithium battery cathode composite material of lithium iron phosphate/lithium vanadium phosphate composite


The two-channel top device for a spray can for making two different spray patterns is provided with an operating rod (11) having two connecting ducts (21,22) associated with the respective spray patterns, a manually-operated spray activating button (14) arranged on the operating rod (11) which is provided with two different nozzles (15,16) for the respective spray patterns, the connecting ducts (21,22) being connected with the respective nozzles and having respective inner openings at different axial positions on the operating rod (11) and a self-locking sealing member (29) slidably mounted on the operating member and movable between stops in the spray can.

The present invention relates to a two-channel top device or spray head for a spray can or container for a composition to be sprayed for the purpose of making two different spray patterns.
This sort of top device for a spray can is known from German Patent Application DE 29 45 600 A1. This known spray head or top device is used to make two different width sprays with a spray valve for a self-maintaining spray. The two-channel top device is designed so that a narrow or bunched stream results when the spray activating button is first pressed down which facilitates combating a single individual When the spray activating button is pressed further down a fan-shaped spray is formed which is usable against several attackers.
In the known two-channel top device the selection of the spray pattern is controlled by a sliding element arranged slidably in the spray activating button, which is slidable inside the button against a compression spring integrated in it. The top device sits with the sliding element on the valve stem of the spray can, which is conveyed again into an open position from a closed position against a compression spring in the interior of the spray can. In an initial position of the sliding element maintained by action of the compression spring in the absence of downward pressure on the spray activating button a liquid duct in the sliding element is connected with a first outlet orifice of the top device and an emission of liquid through the valve of the spray container is prevented.
Since the spring integrated in the spray activating button is stronger than the spring acted on by the valve stem of the spray container, when the spray activating button is pressed down the main valve of the spray container opens first and the sprayed liquid passes to the first orifice or nozzle through the liquid duct via the valve stem. With additional stronger pressure on the spray activating button, the sliding element is then displaced against the action of the compression spring in it, whereby the connection between the liquid duct and the first orifice is broken. Finally the liquid duct is connected with the second spray orifice arranged next to the first orifice, so as to produce another spray pattern.
When the spray activating button is partially released, the sliding element returns again into its initial position, whereby sprayed liquid issues once again from the first orifice. However on completely releasing the spray activating button the valve stem is closed in the container whereby the top device is sealed and all spraying ends.
For head care sprays, e.g. hair spray, a coarse spray with comparatively large aerosol particles and a fine spray comprising a fine spray or mist can be employed as the spray patterns. In this application the different spray patterns should be as selective as possible and should be selected independently of each other. In this connection the top device for the spray can disclosed in DE 29 45 600 A1 is disadvantageous, because a spray process with the first spray pattern--e.g. a coarse spray--necessarily occurs at the beginning and end of the other or second spraying process, e.g. a fine spraying process, because of the way in which the top device is designed.
Furthermore the known top device is comparatively large, since the slider and spring mechanisms are accommodated in it. Also the possible shapes for the spray activating button are limited because of these functioning parts, which is particularly disadvantageous in regard to the trends in packaging style for high priced head care products.

Two-channel top device for a spray can for making two spray patterns


Various embodiments are directed to a heterogeneous processor architecture comprised of a CPU and a GPU on the same processor die. The heterogeneous processor architecture may optimize source code in a GPU compiler using vector strip mining to reduce instructions of arbitrary vector lengths into GPU supported vector lengths and loop peeling. It may be first determined that the source code is eligible for optimization if more than one machine code instruction of compiled source code under-utilizes GPU instruction bandwidth limitations. The initial vector strip mining results may be discarded and the first iteration of the inner loop body may be peeled out of the loop. The type of operands in the source code may be lowered and the peeled out inner loop body of source code may be vector strip mined again to obtain optimized source code.

General-purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) is the technique of using a graphics processing unit (GPU), which typically handles computations only for computer graphics, to perform computations for applications traditionally handled by the CPU. GPUs are increasingly being used for general purpose computing. GPUs are well suited for throughput-oriented workloads with abundant parallelism such as task parallel (coarse grained) or data parallel (fine grained) computing. By contrast, CPUs are better suited for applications that are latency-sensitive and have implicit instruction-level parallelism.
One particular example that may benefit from GPGPU is RSA processing. RSA is an algorithm for public-key cryptography. The acronym RSA stands for Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman who were the individuals to first publicly describe the algorithm. RSA encryption and decryption is a computationally expensive algorithm. More research efforts are focusing on accelerating RSA decryptions because decryption is significantly more expensive computationally than encryption. The best CPU implementations of RSA decryption on the latest CPU still cost about 0.7 million cycles. Offloading such an expensive operation to the GPU can increase efficiency and free the CPU for other tasks. However, straightforward porting of a CPU RSA implementation to a GPU would lead to poor performance without utilizing the parallel processing power of the GPU. Accordingly, there may be a need for improved techniques to solve these and other problems.

Efficient implementation of RSA using GPU/CPU architecture


Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) comprises circuitry to configure a scheduling request (SR) transmission based on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and combine the scheduling request with a buffer status report (BSR). The UE transmits the combined SR and BSR in a single subframe to a network entity, receives uplink resource scheduling from the network entity in reply to the combined SR and BSR, and transmits uplink data to the network entity according to the uplink resource scheduling.

In one or more embodiments, a network may operate in accordance with a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard or a Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A). In such a network, a scheduling request (SR) may be used for user equipment (UE) to request an uplink resource. The UE may send its SR in a non-contention based manner based on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). First, the UE sends its scheduling request (SR) to an evolved Node B (eNB) in the PUCCH. The UE waits for the eNB to send an uplink (UL) grant before the UE sends its buffer status report (BSR) to the eNB. In response, the eNB may schedule the uplink resource for uplink data transmission for the UE based on the received BSR wherein eNB sends the schedule at a next UL grant. The UE may then transmit its UL data to eNB according to the scheduled resources. Such an arrangement may have high latency since the SR and the BSR are transmitted in different subframes, especially if the UE has a short buffer.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and/or clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, if considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding and/or analogous elements.

Non-contention based low latency scheduling request transmission


The disclosure provides an image-forming apparatus which can remove deposits on the filter. If there is input via operation buttons indicating that ink supply paths are closed off, a CPU drives a pump while a nozzle cleaning valve and an exhaust waste fluid valve are open, and an atmospheric valve and a nozzle waste fluid valve are closed. The pressure in an exhaust waste fluid flow path and inside an exhaust cap becomes negative, such that cleaning fluid flows from a cleaning fluid bottle into a cleaning fluid flow path, a nozzle cleaning valve, a cleaning fluid flow path, a nozzle cap, a filter, an ink supply flow path, and an exhaust flow path. Therefore, deposits adhered to the filter from the ink passing through the filter separate from the filter due to the cleaning fluid passing through the filter, and these deposits flow into the exhaust flow path.

The present disclosure relates to an image-forming apparatus, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions, and a method for discharging deposits on a filter of an image-forming apparatus.
An image-forming apparatus provided with a filter in a flow path for supplying ink from an ink cartridge to a head is known. The filter is made of non-woven cloth, for example, and removes settled pigment components, gas, and foreign matter mixed in with white ink passing through the flow path.

Image-forming apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions, and method for discharging deposits on a filter of an image-forming apparatus


A rack which can completely expel air remaining in treating solution passages. The rack has a rack body formed with a downward feed path and an upward feed path. A rack plate is provided on the outer side of each feed path. Each plate has treating solution passages extending in a width direction of the plate, and nozzles for blowing treating solution fed into the treating solution passages into the feed paths. An air reservoir is formed in the longitudinal central portion of each treating solution passage. An air vent passage is connected to the top of each air reservoir. If there is any air remaining in the treating solution passages when the rack body is set, such air can be urged into the air reservoirs by treating solution flowing into the treating solution passages and expelled from the air vent passages.

This invention relates to a rack for feeding photosensitive material to be developed in an automatic developing device.
An automatic developing device has a plurality of tanks arranged in one direction and filled with developing, bleaching, fixing, stabilizing and other solutions. Photosensitive material is developed by being immersed in these tanks one after another. A rack is mounted in each tank and photosensitive material is fed through the rack.
Such a rack has a guide path for guiding photosensitive material, and a feed device for feeding photosensitive material through the guide path.
To save natural resourses and protect the environment, the amount of treating solution used in an automatic developing device should be limited to a minimum. For this purpose, there has been proposed a hollow rack having a body formed with a slit-shaped feed path, and rack plates provided on both sides of the rack body to define the feed paths. The rack plates are formed with a plurality of treating solution passages elongated in a width direction of the plates and arranged in a vertical direction. A slit-shaped nozzle is connected to each treating solution passage. Treating solution is blown from the nozzles against the photosensitive material which is being fed through the feed path.
When this slit type rack is immersed in the treating solution of each tank, air is inevitably trapped and remains in the treating solution passages. Such air is mostly expelled from the passages together with treating solution flowing through the passages. But it is difficult to completely expel air in the passages. Any remaining air tends to disturb the flow of treating solution discharged from the slit, making difficult uniform spraying of developing solution on photosensitive material. Thus, photosensitive material is developed partially quickly and partially slowly, so that the quality of the developed material tends to be unstable.
Also, by contact with the remaining air, treating solution tends to deteriorate.
In such an automatic developing machine, treating solution is circulated between the treating solution tank and a sub-tank communicating with the top of the treating solution tank to keep the solution temperature uniform. A heater is provided in the sub-tank to keep the solution temperature at a predetermined level.
A conventional slit type rack has its feed paths open at the bottom of the rack body. Treating solution in the rack body is discharged through the bottom openings into the treating solution tank. Thus, treating solution in the rack body cannot flow smoothly into a gap between the treating solution tank and the rack body. Due to poor circulation of treating solution in the rack body, it was difficult to uniformly develop photosensitive material with stable quality.
An object of this invention is to provide a slit type rack which can completely expel air remaining in the treating solution passages, thereby stabilizing the quality of developed material.
Another object of this invention is to provide a slit type rack which can smoothly circulate treating solution in the rack body, thereby improving the quality of developed material.

Rack for feeding photosensitive material


One or more embodiments, relate to a field effect transistor, comprising: a substrate; a gate stack disposed over the substrate, the gate stack comprising a gate electrode overlying a gate dielectric; and a sidewall spacer may be disposed over the substrate and laterally disposed from the gate stack, the spacer comprising a polysilicon material.

In order to direct high-voltages from the on-chip charge pumps to the appropriate Flash cell in an embedded Flash technology, special transistors over and above the standard logic CMOS transistors may be required which are robust in the face of such high voltages. These transistors may suffer from gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) constraints in the off-state which may be avoided through offsetting the source/drain implants from the gate stack edge. Such offsetting may be accomplished through lithographic means and the accuracy of the offset may thus depend on the overlay of the lithographic process. A new way to provide offsetting is needed.

Semiconductor device and method for making same


A lid for a container having an open top with a rear wall having a snap slot and a hook slot, the lid having a latch mechanism with a snap member and a hook member projecting downward for positioning in the snap slot and the hook slot, respectively, when the lid is in position on the container, and having a key slot adjacent the snap and hook members. Each of the snap member and the hook member has a cam surface adjacent the key slot for engagement by a key member pushed downward through the key slot to pivot the snap and lock members away from the snap and hook slots, respectively, for removal of the lid from the container. The hook member has an upward and rearward projecting hook adjacent the lower end of the hook member for entering the container hook slot, and the snap member has a rearward projecting shoulder adjacent the lower end of the snap member for entering the container snap slot.

This invention relates to new and improved lids for containers, and is especially suited for use with plastic molded containers and lids. Containers of this type are widely used, one example being in dispensers for soaps and lotions in public washrooms.
Containers of this nature require ease of access for refilling, while at the same time providing a degree of security for protection from vandalism and the like. Another desirable feature of such lids and containers is that the products be relatively inexpensive and at the same time durable. Since containers of this type ordinarily are filled by relatively low skilled employees, the procedure and equipment required for removing and replacing lids needs to be simple, yet effective.


A pulp digester includes a vessel having an inlet, an outlet and a wall extending between the inlet and the outlet, the wall of the vessel having a curved interior surface. The digester includes a screen assembly positioned inside the vessel adjacent to the curved interior surface of the wall for removing liquid from pulp material. The screen assembly is movable relative to the curved interior surface of the vessel wall. The digester includes at least one support element permanently attached to the vessel wall for limiting movement of the screen assembly relative to the curved interior surface of the vessel wall. In certain embodiments, the at least one support, such as a ledge permanently attached to the vessel wall, supports a portion of the screen assembly. The screen assembly may have an inner face that is concave in a horizontal direction and convex in a vertical direction.

The present application is generally directed to making pulp and is more specifically directed to screen assemblies for pulp digesters.
Continuous digesters are used in the paper and pulp industry to remove lignin from wood chips. The digesters generally include a series of tubular reactors that are arranged in a vertical orientation. The digester is made up of a plurality of reaction and extraction stages for carrying out the pulp-making process in a specific sequence. In certain stages, chemicals are introduced into the digester for chemically treating the woodchips. These chemicals may include hydrosulfide and sodium hydroxide, commonly referred to as liquor. In other stages, the chemicals are removed from the reactor through screens provided inside the digester.
FIGS. 1A and 1B show a conventional pulp digester 20 having a vessel wall 22 with an interior surface 24 and an exterior surface 26. The vessel 22 has a step out section 28 and a straight section 30 located below the step out section. The step out section 28 diverges outwardly for expanding the diameter of the vessel 22 between an upstream section of the digester and a downstream section of the digester.
The digester 20 includes a bar screen 32 having an upper end 34 and a lower end 36. The bar screen 32 includes a plurality of vertically extending, cylindrical bars 38 that are spaced from one another. The upper end 34 of the bar screen 32 is attached to the vessel via an upper support element 40 and the lower end 36 of the bar screen 32 is attached to the vessel via a lower support element 42. The bar screen is permanently fixed to the vessel wall 22, such as by welding the upper and lower ends 34, 36 of the bar screen 32 to the upper and lower support elements 40, 42. The bar screen 32 has a diameter that remains substantially constant between the upper and lower ends 34, 36 thereof.
The digester also includes an upper cover plate 44 having an upper end 46 and a lower end 48. The upper end 46 of the upper cover plate 44 is secured to the interior surface 24 of the vessel at a location above the step out section 28. The lower end 48 of the upper cover plate 44 is secured to the upper support element 40. The digester also has a lower cover plate 50 having an upper end attached to lower support element 42. The lower cover plate 50 extends downwardly from the bar screen 32 to a downstream section (not shown) of the digester. The digester has an outlet 52 for removing liquid from the vessel.
Permanently fixing the bar screen to the wall 22 involves a significant amount of work when assembling the digester. For example, when welding is used, the manufacturing process requires hundreds of welds to attach one bar screen to the vessel wall. For a vessel having many bar screens, the number of required welds may be in the thousands. The large number of welds increases the chances that one or more of the welds will crack, which may adversely affect operation of The digester or may require the digester to be taken off-line for repairs.
The production of quality pulp involves introducing and removing liquor from the digester at certain time periods. The liquor is typically removed from digesters by passing the liquor through screens in a radial direction. The radial removal of the liquor causes compression of the wood chips onto the screen. This may prevent the wood chips from continuing to move toward the bottom of the digester, which is critical for the proper treatment of the chips. Extreme radial compression may also limit the amount of liquor that can be removed from the digester. Both of these situations may adversely affect the quality of the pulp produced using the digester.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a pulp digester having a diverging screen assembly. The digester 120 has a vessel wall 122 with an interior surface 124 and an exterior surface 126. The vessel 122 has a step out section 128 and a straight section 130 located below the step out section. The step out section 128 diverges outwardly for expanding the diameter of the vessel 122 between an upstream stage and a downstream stage of the digester.
The digester 120 includes a diverging bar screen 132 having an upper end 134 and a lower end 136. The bar screen 132 includes a plurality of vertically extending, cylindrical bars 138 that are spaced from one another. The upper end 134 of the bar screen 132 is attached to the vessel via an upper support element 140 and the lower end 136 of the bar screen 132 is attached to the vessel via a lower support element 142. The bar screen continuously diverges between upper and lower ends thereof for reducing the compression loading of the wood chips on the screen. The digester also includes an upper cover plate 144 having an upper end 146 and a lower end 148. The upper end 146 of the upper cover plate 144 is secured to the interior surface 124 of the vessel at a location above the step out section 128. The lower end 148 of the upper cover plate 144 is secured to the upper support element 140. The digester also has a lower cover plate 150 having an upper end attached to lower support element 142. The lower cover plate 150 extends downwardly from the bar screen 132 to another downstream stage (not shown) of the digester. The digester has an outlet 152 for removing liquid from the vessel.
In spite of the above advances, there is a need to provide continuous digesters that more efficiently introduce and remove liquor from the digester vessel at various stages of the pulp making process. There also remains a need for simplified methods for building digesters. Specifically, there remains a need for simpler methods for assembling screen assemblies inside digesters that minimize the number of welds needed for securing the screen inside the digester. Further, there remains a need for screen assemblies that are less subject to breakage during digester operations.


A light-emitting module has better white light color rendering index to provide white rendering effect in accordance with the requirements of various application sites. The light-emitting module includes a (circuit) substrate board and at least one ultraviolet ray emitter and at least one blue light emitter disposed on the substrate board. The light wavelength of the ultraviolet ray emitter ranges from 380 nm to 420 nm. The light wavelength of the blue light emitter ranges from 440 nm to 470 nm. A wavelength conversion layer is laid on the substrate board. The wavelength conversion layer includes a first wavelength conversion material and a second wavelength conversion material for receiving and converting the light emitted from the ultraviolet ray emitter into visible light and the light emitted from the blue light emitter into white light. After the lights are mixed, a white general output optical spectrum is achieved.

A conventional light-emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source or illumination device. The LED is widely applied to various sites or environments. In conventional technique, a light-emitting module is often used to project white light onto an exhibited environment or product. The light-emitting module includes blue light LED. The light emitted from the blue light LED energizes yellow fluorescent powder or phosphor to produce white light emitting module. Also, red, blue and green LED can be combined into a white light emitting module.
In conventional technique, a wavelength conversion material (such as fluorescent powder or phosphor with a wavelength ranging from 500 nm to 780 nm) is disposed on blue light LED with a wavelength ranging from 440 nm to 460 nm. The wavelength conversion material serves to convert the light emitted from the blue light LED into colored light of green to red. The colored light is mixed with the light emitted from a deep blue light LED with a light wavelength ranging from 400 nm to 440 nm to achieve a white light output effect.
In the above technique, the wavelength conversion material converts the light emitted from the blue light LED into colored light of green to red. The colored light is mixed with the deep blue light emitted from the deep blue light LED with a certain wavelength or short wavelength to achieve a white output light. The light emitted from the deep blue light LED is not converted by the wavelength conversion material to change the wavelength. Moreover, the light emitted from the deep blue light LED is not a normal blue light so that the light-emitting module as a whole can output the white light.
With respect to the structure and application of the conventional white light emitting module, the conventional technique cannot adjust the white light rendering effect according to the product attribute, environment or application condition. The conventional technique cannot solve the problem of non-uniform mixing of the light.
It is therefore tried by the applicant to provide a light-emitting module in which the combination of the LED and the wavelength conversion material is redesigned in use form and structure to distinguish the light-emitting module from the conventional technique and improve the application thereof and enhance the white light rendering effect. Also, the light-emitting module of the present invention minimizes the possibility that the light is non-uniformly mixed as happening in the conventional technique.


In a gearbox control system (8) for detecting systematic errors and long-term changes, the behavior of a real gearbox (1) is compared to the behavior of an ideal gearbox (7), which is implemented in the form of a gearbox model in the gearbox control system (8).

Gearboxes can be individually adapted to different types of vehicles with the aid of gearbox control systems. In doing so, the gearbox control system makes possible the integration of functions that are relevant to comfort, safety, and service. The shifting comfort is generally in the foreground, even though it is directly felt by the driver. Other important functions concern the shift point control, safety, and diagnosis. Shifting comfort is still quite important. An excellent shifting comfort, which remains constant during the entire service life of the gearbox, is the main duty of the gearbox control system.
The shifting comfort is influenced by a variety of parameters which are described in the ATZ Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift 93 (1991). By means of an optimal combination of friction elements, such as multi-plate clutches and brake band and the corresponding gearbox oil, a constant friction value level can be achieved. The shifting pressure of the multi-plate clutches or of the brake band is controlled in dependence upon parameters such as gear stage, engine speed, throttle flap angle for thrust-traction recognition, gearbox output speed, engine speed, gearbox temperature, and engine temperature in such a way that a uniform shifting operation always takes place. Furthermore, an adaptive pressure control takes place; that is, the deviations from specific parameters are automatically corrected during the operation time of the gearbox.
For this reason, the response times or gliding times are permanently measured and average response times are determined from several shifting operations. If there is a deviation of the average response time from desired response times dependent from the load and engine speed, the clutch pressure is changed until the desired response time is reached.
In this solution, which is known from the state of the art, it is not possible to detect, however, and correct systematic errors and long-term changes, since gearbox transmission errors cannot be detected.
In EP 0 531 567 A1 a gearbox control system for a motor vehicle drive with an automatic gearbox is described, which makes it possible to adapt shifting characteristic lines. The control system has a characteristic line storage in which the shifting points of the gearbox are stored, and additional devices can be modified by means of which the shifting points in dependence upon the driving parameters. Based on an evaluation of the output speed of the gearbox, carried out at successive time in intervals, the shifting arrangement generates an output signal by means of which the shifting characteristic lines can be adapted to the load condition of the motor vehicle. This control system does not make possible, however, a shifting pressure change and thus also the gearbox torque transmission behavior cannot be adapted to the long-term changes.
It is an object of the invention to present a gearbox control sys tem which can detect gearbox transmission errors and thus can compensate for systematic errors and long-term changes.
The basic object of the invention is attained by means of a gearbox control system of the type described above.


A sandwich press and grill apparatus. The apparatus comprising a lower housing and an upper housing, each hingedly interconnected. The lower housing is adapted to releasably engage a lower cooking plate, the lower housing including a first temperature sensor adapted to be in thermal communication with the lower cooking plate when engaged. The upper housing is adapted to releasably engage the upper cooking plate, the upper housing including a second temperature sensor adapted to be in thermal communication with the upper cooking plate when engaged. The lower housing has a first releasable power coupling element for providing electrical power to a lower heating element integrally formed with the lower cooking plate, and the upper housing has a second releasable power coupling element for providing electrical power to an upper heating element integrally formed with the upper cooking plate. A temperature controller adapted to receive at least one temperature set point signal and to independently control the temperature of the lower cooking plate and the upper cooking plate.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.
A sandwich press typically has a lower housing that supports a lower cooking surface. The upper cooking surface is carried by an upper housing that pivots about a 'U' shaped frame. The 'U' shaped frame further comprises a transverse handle that allows the user to raise and lower the upper housing. In a typical sandwich press, the upper and lower cooking surfaces are flat.
Similar configurations are used in electric grills. However, the operating temperature of an electric grill is higher than that of a typical sandwich press. In these types of grills, both the top the upper and lower cooking surfaces include parallel ribs, which provide cooked meat with characteristic sear marks and also promote the run off of cooking juices.
Typically, a sandwich press and electric grill are each configured to perform their one specific task.


A method and system for transferring subscriber information required for implementing an intelligent network (IN) service in a radio telecommunications network. The method begins by a G-MSC sending a signaling message requesting a location of the subscriber to a HLR. The HLR then recognizes that the subscriber has requested an IN service. Next, the HLR sends an indication that the subscriber has the requested IN service to the G-MSC. The next step includes sending a signaling message from the G-MSC to a service control point (SCP) identifying the IN service requested. Subsequently, the SCP requests from the HLR the subscriber information required for implementing the requested IN service. The HLR then sends a data message containing the requested subscriber information to the SCP. If the HLR does not have the requested information, but the information is available in a visited mobile switching center (V-MSC) where the subscriber is operating, the HLR requests and obtains the information from the V-MSC, and then forwards the information to the SCP.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to radio telecommunication systems and, more particularly, to a method and system for transferring subscriber information for wireless Intelligent Network services in a radio telecommunications network.
2. Description of Related Art
In existing radio telecommunication networks, there exists an increased demand for advanced services Intelligent Network (IN) services have recently become available to a mobile subscriber to meet this demand. However, with the introduction of IN services, several problems have arisen in overlaying these IN services into the radio telecommunications network. A Service Control Point (SCP), which is a new logical node necessary to support IN services, has been developed. In order for the SCP to provide support for the telecommunications network, the SCP requires subscriber information (e.g. subscriber profile) from a Home Location Register (HLR)
In existing systems, messages are sent using modified IS-41 Intersystem Signaling messages through the various nodes in order to provide the necessary subscriber information to the SCP. The existing system sends subscriber information from the HLR to a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (G-MSC). Subsequently, the G-MSC sends the subscriber information to the SCP.
There are several disadvantages, however, in the existing system and method of supplying subscriber information to the SCP. First, all three nodes (the HLR, the SCP, and the G-MSC), must be modified to support the additional subscriber information in messages sent between these nodes. In addition, the messages carrying the subscriber information must all be modified to carry this additional subscriber information. The subscriber information must also be added to a TERMREQ message used to pass the subscriber information to the SCP. Therefore, implementing the existing system has a large impact on the radio telecommunications network. Additionally, the existing system does not allow for future upgrades of IN services, without implementing several modifications to the radio telecommunication system, and therefore lacks flexibility and growth potential.
Although there are no known prior art teachings of a solution to the aforementioned deficiency and shortcoming such as that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are International Publication Number WO 95/26114 (Publication '114), European Patent Number 0630165 (Patent '165), and International Publication Number WO 95/20299 (Publication '299). Publication '114 discloses an intelligent mobile telecommunications network arrangement providing IN services. The network provides for a means for communicating between a Mobile Network and an Intelligent Network. The network comprises separate protocols for communication between the logical nodes of the Mobile telecommunications network and the logical nodes of the Intelligent Network.
However, Publication '114 does not disclose a system or method for transferring subscriber information directly from a HLR to a SCP. Additionally, Publication '114 does not disclose the messages needed to support the direct transfer of subscriber information between a HLR and a SCP.
Patent '165 discloses a mobile radio network in which toll charges are deducted from a credit account. Additionally, Patent '165 discloses a separate intelligent network system with a service exchange point (SSP) and a SCP. The network allows for switching and toll charging using simple protocols without changing the conventional network protocol (Mobile Application Part). However, Patent '165 does not disclose any means for communicating directly between the SCP and the ULR. Additionally, Patent '165 does not disclose the use or transfer of subscriber information from the HLR directly to the SCP.
Publication '299 discloses a cellular mobile communications network providing individual subscriber services. Additionally, Publication '299 provides a HLR to make routing decisions pertaining to supplementary services. The routing decisions made by the HLR are sent to a MSC for implementing the action dictated by the HLR. Publication '299 does not disclose the use of any new logical node, such as a SCP. In addition, Publication '299 fails to disclose any direct communication between the HLR and a node of the Intelligent Network. Rather, Publication '299 allows only for communication between the MSC and the HLR.
It would be a distinct advantage to have a system and method for transferring subscriber information from a HLR to a SCP, while reducing the impact on the radio telecommunications network. It would also be advantageous for such a system to have increased flexibility and growth potential. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a system and method.

Method and system for transferring subscriber information in a radio telecommunications network