A system and method that quantifies a sound into dynamic pitch-based graphs that correlate to the pitch frequencies of the sound. The system records a sound, such as musical notes. A pitch detection algorithm identifies and quantifies the pitch frequencies of the notes. The algorithm analyzes the pitch frequencies, and graphically displays the pitch frequency and notes in real time as fluctuating circles, rectangular bars, and lines that represent variances in pitch. The algorithm comprises a modified Type 2 Normalized Square Difference Function that transforms the musical notes into the pitch frequencies. The Type 2 Normalized Square Difference Function analyzes the peaks of the pitch frequency to arrive at a precise pitch frequency, such as 440 Hertz. A Lagrangian interpolation enables comparative analysis and teaching of the pitches and notes. The algorithm also performs transformations and heuristic comparisons to generate the real time graphical representation of the pitch frequency.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention is a system and method for quantifying a sound into dynamic pitch-based graphs by recording a sound, such as musical notes, and then provides a pitch detection algorithm that quantifies the pitch of the sound by generating a graphical representation of variances and durations in the pitch through artistic, data-driven formats in real time.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that pitch, in the musical sense, is the degree of height or depth of a tone or of sound, depending upon the relative rapidity of the vibrations by which it is produced. Often, pitch is a perceptual property that allows the ordering of sounds on a frequency-related scale. Pitches are compared as "higher" and "lower" in the sense associated with musical melodies, which require sound whose frequency is clear and stable enough to distinguish from noise. Pitch is a major auditory attribute of musical tones, along with duration, loudness, and timbre. In music the pitch of a note means how high or low a note is. The pitch of a note can be measured in units of Hertz.
Typically, in music, a note is a unit of fixed pitch that has been given a name, or the graphic representation of that pitch in a notation system, and often specifies a duration of time. A scale is an ascending or descending series of notes or pitches. Scales are described in many types such as tonal, modal, diatonic, derived or synthetic, and by the number of tones included. In the chromatic scale there are twelve pitches, and in the English language, these pitches are traditionally assigned the following primary letter names: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Modifiers are given to the letter names to complete the remaining five pitches. The two main modifiers are sharps and flats, and which respectively raise or lower the pitch of a note by a semitone.
In many instances, the basic ability required of a student of music is to produce and sustain a musical tone of defined pitch. This task is easy on an instrument like a piano which mechanically quantizes pitch. A singer, however, must dynamically adjust their vocal muscles to control pitch based on their aural perceptions. Similarly, a violinist must adjust their bowing and fingering based on their aural perceptions.
Typically, in music instruction, a student's aural perceptions are typically developed through collaboration with a music teacher who points out, by verbal comment and audible example, the pitch and timing errors of the student. Teaching musical skills is complicated by the fact that sound, unlike paintings, cannot directly be seen and only exist when played. Audio tape recorders allow a student to review their performance, but do not provide any analysis. Furthermore, teaching proper pitch requires minute observations of variances in the pitch.
It is known that the Fourier transform is a mathematical transformation employed to transform signals between time (or spatial) domain and frequency domain. This can have many applications in physics and engineering. For example, an audio signal from an instrument can be converted into an oscillating pitch frequency. This helps partially to quantify the sound. This pitch frequency is, however, insufficient for analyzing whether the pitch is correct or off key. Furthermore, Fourier Transformations do not produce a good speed versus accuracy trade off. Also, Fourier transformation by itself cannot determine pitch frequency. Another algorithm layered on top of the Fourier transformation is needed for this function. If the windows were long enough, the Fourier transformation could, however, quantify the sound to a reasonable degree.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

Systems and methods for quantifying a sound into dynamic pitch-based graphs


Glasses are provided having one temple which is clipped to a cap, preferably to the brim or visor of a cap. The temple is associated with at least one joint which permits the lens portions to be pivoted from a use position before a user's eyes to a storage position along the user's head over one ear.

Conventional sunglasses have tinted glass or plastic lens portions which, when in a use position before the wearer's eyes, are typically supported both medially by the ridge of the wearer's nose and also on opposite sides by the wearer's ears through a pair of so-called temples that each extend from a different side region of the lens portions to engage an ear.
Such conventional sunglasses suffer from various difficulties. For one thing, when in a use position before the wearer's eyes, the sunglasses can move or shift, for example, when the wearer perspires, so that the sunglasses slide downward on the wearer's nose.
For another thing, when not positioned over the wearer's eyes, the sunglasses must be removed, the temples folded inwards on hinge members for storage relative to the lens portions, and then deposited in a pocket, case or the like which operations typically require the use of both the wearer's hands, causing inconvenience and interruption or disruption of the wearer relative to another task at hand or in progress. When stored, sunglasses are placed in a use orientation, a reverse procedure must be used that likewise typically requires use of both the wearer's hands, and that likewise causes inconvenience, interruption or disruption of tasks in progress.
To avoid such problems, various efforts have previously been made to support the lens portions of sunglasses by a cap worn by the user. For example, Gatchalian U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,812 discloses the medial region of the lens portion pivotably supported by the brim or visor of a cap wearable by the user. For another example, Chung U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,586 discloses a bracket that interconnects a cap visor with an edge portion of a pair of sunglasses so that the sunglasses are pivotable either about a horizontal axis from a vertical use location to a horizontal storage location, or about a vertical axis from a vertical use location to a side storage location. However, with these assemblies, the sunglasses can seem to be unstable both when in a use location, and in a storage location. Also, these sunglasses can interfere with the user's visibility or maneuverability, thereby rendering these assemblies unsatisfactory and sometimes unsafe.
A new and improved sunglasses structure is needed which is cap supportable and which permits the lens portions to be located either in a use position or in a storage position where the lens portions are positioned so as to extend lengthwise along one side of the user's head.


A disc cartridge 1 for installing a rotary disc has a write inhibit tab 57 which is provided to be slid and indicates a writable or nonwritable status of the disc by its position. The write inhibit tab is comprised of a main body 58, upper and lower slide portions 65 through 68 formed respectively on upper and lower side ends of the main body, groove shaped intermediate slide portions 69 and 70 formed between the upper and lower slide portions, first projections 63 and 64 formed at distal ends of elastic arms extended from the main body, and second projections 71 and 72 formed on the intermediate slide portions. When the write inhibit tab is used for a disc cartridge of an unremovable disc, the upper and lower slide portions and the first projections are used, and when the write inhibit tab is used for a disc cartridge of a removable disc, the intermediate slide portions and the second projections are used.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a write inhibit tab of a disc cartridge for protecting stored data by inhibiting to write, and particularly, to the write inhibit tab of the disc cartridge which is provided for both of disc cartridges of a removable disc and an unremovable disc.
2. Description of the Related Art
A disc cartridge for holding a disc, such as a photo-disc, has a write inhibit tab indicating whether the disc may be written or not. FIG. 1 shows a disc cartridge used for the prior art.
In FIG. 1, the disc cartridge 1 is (comprised of upper and lower cases 2 and 3, which are integral with each other. A recording medium of a disc shape (not shown) is rotatably held in the disc cartridge 1. Each of the upper and the lower cases 2 and 3 has a spindle hole 4 and a head window 5, through which an optical beam emitted from an optical pick-up (not shown) irradiates the disc. When the disc is not operated, the spindle hole 4 and the head window 5 are closed by a shutter 6 for preventing the disc from dust or touching. The disc cartridge 1 cannot unload (remove) a disc, because it has no open-close shutter for loading and unloading the disc from the disc cartridge.
When the disc cartridge 1 is installed in a disc driving system, the shutter 6 is slid in the arrow indicated direction for disclosing the spindle hole 4 and the head window 5, then a center hole (not shown) of the disc and a part of the recording medium are exposed.
The write inhibit tab 7 is assembled to the disc cartridge 1 for detecting whether the disc may be written or not. The upper case 2 has a check hole 8 of ellipse, and the lower case 3 also has a check hole 9 of ellipse, positions of which correspond with each other.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a write inhibit tab 7 of the prior art. The write inhibit tab 7 of the prior art is comprised of a main body 10, a column 11, slide parts 12 and 13 of the respective sides of the main body 10. The main body 10 has a small hole 14. The main body 10 further has two elastic juts 15 and 16 extending parallel with each other. At the ends of the elastic juts 15 and 16, there are formed projections 17 and 18.
FIG. 3 shows a magnified view of a holder 19 formed on the lower case 3. The disc cartridge 1 has the holder 19 which is provided for holding and allowing the write inhibit tab 7 to slide in the arrow indicated direction as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holder 19. The holder 19 is comprised of first, second and third walls 20, 21, and 22. The first and the second walls 20 and 21 are formed in parallel, and have slits 23 and 24 respectively for engaging with the projections 17 and 18. The third wall 22 restricts the movement of the write inhibit tab 7. The write inhibit tab 7 is inserted to the holder 19 from the upper direction thereof, as shown in FIG. 4. The write inhibit tab 7 is installed in the disc cartridge 1 by assembling the upper and the lower cases 2 and 3 as one body. The column 11 is inserted to the check hole 9, and the small hole 14 on the main body 10 is visible through the cheek hole 8 of the upper case 2. A vertical movement of the write inhibit tab 7 is restricted by the upper and the lower cases 2 and 3.
The write inhibit tab 7 is displaced manually by inserting a pin into the small hole 14 through the check hole 8 and moving it. The write inhibit tab 7 is tentatively positioned by engaging the projections 17, 18 with the slits 23, 24 or upper ends of the walls 20, 21, as shown in FIG. 3. When the disc cartridge 1 is loaded on a disc drive system, the disc drive system senses the position of the write inhibit tab 7 by a sensing device such as a photo-sensor or a mechanical sensor, and discriminates whether data writing on the disc is possible or not.
Some of the disc cartridges have open-close shutters coordinated with loading and unloading of a disc in disc drive systems. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the disc cartridge 27 having such an open-close shutter 25. A write inhibit tab of a disc cartridge 27 having the open-close shutter 25 is installed in the shutter 25, for allowing loading and unloading of the disc. A support area 26 of arched shape for supporting an under side of the disc edge, an elastic protrusion 28 for engaging the open-close shutter 25 with a body of the disc cartridge 27, a front cover 29, and a holder 30 for installing the write inhibit tab 7 therein are formed on the open-close shutter 25. The open-close shutter 25 is rotatably supported by a hinge 31. When closed the open-close shutter 25 is contained within the disc cartridge 27 except the front cover 29 which is exposed.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show magnified partial views of the holder 30. The holder 30 has first, second and third walls 20, 21 and 22. Slits 23 and 24 are formed on the first and the second walls 20 and 21 respectively. An elliptical check hole 37 is formed on the open-close shutter 25. The disc cartridge 27 has check holes 8 and 9 on the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 respectively corresponding with an elliptical check hole 37, as shown in FIG. 5. The write inhibit tab 7 is installed in the holder 30 from the upper direction of the open-close shutter 25. When the open-close shutter 25 is contained in the disc cartridge 27, the vertical movement of the write inhibit tab 7 is restricted, which is same to the case of the disc cartridge 1 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. The write inhibit tab 7 may be displaced manually by inserting a pin into the small hole 14 through the check hole 8 of the upper case 2 and by manually moving it. When the disc cartridge 27 is loaded on a disc drive system, the disc drive system senses the position of the write inhibit tab 7 by a sensing device, and discriminates whether data writing on the disc is possible or not.
As mentioned before, the write inhibit tab 7 of the disc cartridge 27 is installed in the holder 30 from the upper direction of the open-close shutter 25, as shown in FIG. 7. When the open-close shutter 25 is opened for removing a disc from the disc cartridge 27, the write inhibit tab 7 has no restriction in its vertical direction, which may cause that the write inhibit tab 7 may change its position, or may drop therefrom. In this case, the position of the write inhibit tab 7 may change from "writable" to "nonwritable", then, the stored data of the disc which is reloaded thereon may be erased erroneously.
In order to solve the problem, it is conceivable that structures of the write inhibit tab 7 and the holder 30 are changed so as to prevent the movement or drop of the write inhibit tab 7, when the open-close shutter 25 is open. To change the structures of the write inhibit tab 7 and the holder 30 means that they could be used interchangeable with the disc cartridges having no open-close shutter 25, and further means increase of the number of parts of the disc cartridge, of the number of dies for producing the parts and of the production cost.


An auxiliary heat dissipation device for a liquid crystal display includes a housing having an internal space for receiving a liquid crystal display module, and a cover plate assembled to cover a front of the housing. The housing has a plurality of air inlets at a bottom thereof and a plurality of air outlets at a top thereof. A plurality of discharge fans each is mounted at the corresponding air outlet in the housing. A plurality of intake fans each is mounted at the corresponding air inlet in the housing, wherein a central axis of each of the intake fans keeps an appropriate included angle with respect to a central axis of the corresponding air inlet, so as to be able to efficiently dissipate the heat generated from the liquid crystal display module to the outside of the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an auxiliary heat dissipation device which can be used to receive a liquid crystal display therein and can efficiently dissipate out the heat generated from the liquid crystal display.
2. The Prior Arts
Due to the advantages of having a small, thin and lightweight structure, a small space occupation, and an increasing technology maturity, LCD TVs are being increasingly popularized. Most users tend to directly place the LCD TV on a TV stand or other furniture, or mount it on a wall. Although the LCD TV may affect the overall home decoration, it is more convenient for the users to operate and watch the LCD TV.
In order not to affect the overall home decoration, some people mount the LCD TV inside a wall in such a way that the LCD TV can be rotated, or moved horizontally or vertically, to a preset place from the inside of the wall by means of a drive mechanism.
Another placement way of the LCD TV is to assemble the LCD TV inside a cabinet. The cabinet can be placed at a proper location in the home and also used as a table or a stand. The LCD TV can be exposed out of the cabinet when the LCD TV is in use state.
No matter what the LCD TV is mounted inside a decorative wall or in a cabinet, it generally has bad heat dissipation effectiveness that may reduce the life span of the LCD TV.

Auxiliary heat dissipation device for liquid crystal display


Stalk separator for the de-stalking of small fruit picked in bunches, in particular for the de-stalking of grapes. The invention includes a conveyor belt and a de-stalking device positioned above this conveyor belt. The de-stalking device includes at least two spaced assemblies positioned opposite each other, each assembly featuring a number of stacked separator arms. The mechanical drives communicate a high frequency oscillating movement to the assemblies of stacked separator arms.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a linear stalk separator with alternating oscillating movements.
More precisely, it concerns a stalk separator for the de-stalking of small fruit harvested in bunches, in particular, for the de-stalking of grapes.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
In most applications of wine-making or vinification, grapes are first de-stalked before the crop is mashed. The aim of this operation is to detach the berries from the bunches of grapes, thereby, to separate berries from the stalks to which they are attached. In this way, the presence of bitterness and of herbaceous and plant material taste in the wine is avoided.
Various types of apparatus are known which allow de-stalking of small fruit presenting themselves in the form of bunches, likes grapes in particular.
French Patent Document FR-2 669 193, for instance, describes a grape stalk separator-sorter which includes a rotating cylindrical drum with a horizontal or slightly inclined axis. This rotating drum is provided with perforations so as to form a sieve capable of letting the berries pass which have been stripped off the stalks by the action of a rotating scraper roll mounted in said drum and consisting of a shaft on which are fastened radial pegs that are helicoidally implanted along said shaft.
The drum and the spiked roll rotate in the same direction at different speeds or in opposite directions. This rotation allows separating the grapes from the stalks. The grapes are fed into one of the ends of the drum. The berries and the juice pass through the perforations of the drum and are ejected at the other end of the drum.
European Patent Document EP-1 002 467 describes a machine that is specifically made for de-stalking grapes and consists of a linear or plane de-stalker, consisting on the one hand of an endless open conveyor belt on which the fruit to be de-stalked is transported and, on the other hand, a succession of spiked rolls (generally three or four in the machines produced according to this document) that are positioned transversally above said conveyor belt. These spiked rolls turn at a speed proportional to the forward travel speed of the open conveyor belt. The effect of these two movements is to separate the berries from the stalks. The berries and the juice pass through the screen formed by the open conveyor belt, whereas the grape stalks are ejected at the end of said conveyor belt.
The devices described in the two aforementioned documents present several major drawbacks, such as:                excessive crushing of the berries which produced juice;        a fairly large space requirement;        constructive complexity;        high cost; and        limited reliability.
Also known (see French patent documents FR-2.511.849 and 2.516.755) is a grape de-stalking machine operating through the agitation of the grapes on an oscillating grid, by means of agitator fingers located along the travel of the grapes moving back and forth in the cross direction.
The drawback of such a machine, aside from its low output, is to turn the grapes into pulp which hinders the separation and elimination of various debris contained in it (fragments of leaves, small pieces of wood, leaf stalks, small insects, etc. because of the sticky consistency of the pulped grapes.

Linear stalk separator with alternating oscillating movements


A pulse modulator generates a pulse modulation signal SPM having a duty ratio which is adjusted according to a feedback voltage Vfb that corresponds to the output voltage VOUT of a DC/DC converter. A second oscillator generates a second cyclic signal which is asserted with each of a predetermined second period. A light load detection circuit generates a light load detection signal which is asserted when the feedback voltage Vfb becomes lower than a first threshold voltage. A driving circuit drives a switching transistor according to the pulse modulation signal SPM. Furthermore, the driving circuit suspends the driving of the switching transistor during a period until the second cyclic signal is next asserted after the light load detection signal is asserted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a DC/DC converter.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various kinds of consumer electronics devices such as TVs, refrigerators, etc., are each configured to operate receiving commercial AC electric power from an external circuit. Also, electronic devices such as laptop computers, cellular phone terminals, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are each configured to operate using commercial AC electric power, and/or to be capable of charging a built-in battery using such commercial AC electric power. Such consumer electronics devices and electronic devices (which will collectively be referred to as "electronic devices" hereafter) each include a built-in power supply apparatus (inverter) configured to perform AC/DC conversion of commercial AC voltage. Alternatively, such an inverter is configured as a built-in component included within an external power supply adapter (AC adapter) for such an electronic device.
Related techniques are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-098571, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H02-211055, for example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an inverter investigated by the present inventor. An inverter 1r mainly includes a fuse 2, an input capacitor Ci, a filter 4, a diode rectifier circuit 6, a smoothing capacitor Cs, and a DC/DC converter 10r.
The commercial AC voltage VAC is input to the filter 4 via the fuse 2 and the input capacitor Ci. The filter 4 is configured to remove noise included in the commercial AC voltage VAC. The diode rectifier circuit 6 is configured as a diode bridge circuit configured to perform full-wave rectification of the commercial AC voltage VAC. The output voltage of the diode rectifier circuit 6 is smoothed by the smoothing capacitor Cs, thereby generating a converted DC voltage VH.
The insulated DC/DC converter 10r is configured to receive the DC voltage VH via an input terminal P1, to step down the DC voltage VH thus received, and to supply an output voltage VOUT stabilized to the target value to a load (not shown) connected to an output terminal P2.
The DC/DC converter 10r includes a control circuit 100r, an output circuit 200, and a feedback circuit 210. The output circuit 200 includes a transformer T1, a first diode D1, a first output capacitor CM, a switching transistor M1, and a detection resistor RS. The output circuit 200 has a typical topology, and accordingly, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
An output terminal (OUT terminal) of the control circuit 100r is connected to the gate of the switching transistor M1 via a resistor Rg. The control circuit 100r is configured to perform switching of the switching transistor M1 so as to step down the input voltage VH, thereby generating the output voltage VOUT. Furthermore, by adjusting the duty ratio of the switching operation of the switching transistor M1, the control circuit 100r is configured to stabilize the output voltage VOUT to a target value, and to control a coil current ILp that flows through a primary winding W1 of the transformer T1.
The detection resistor RS is arranged in series with the primary winding W1 of the transformer T1 and the switching transistor M1. A voltage drop (detection voltage) VCS, which is proportional to the current ILp that flows through the primary winding W1 and the switching transistor M1, develops across the detection resistor RS. The detection voltage VCS is input to a current detection terminal (CS terminal) of the control circuit 100r. The control circuit 100r is configured to control, based on the detection voltage VCS, the current ILp that flows through the primary winding W1.
The feedback circuit 210 is configured to generate a feedback voltage Vfb that corresponds to the output voltage VOUT, and to supply the feedback voltage Vfb thus generated to a feedback terminal (FB terminal) of the control circuit 100r. The feedback circuit 210 includes a shunt regulator 212 and a photocoupler 214. The shunt regulator 212 is configured as an error amplifier, and is configured to generate a feedback signal S11 having a level adjusted such that the difference between the output voltage VOUT and a predetermined target value approaches zero, and to supply the feedback signal S11 thus generated to a light-emitting diode of the photocoupler 214. A phototransistor (or otherwise a photodiode) of the photocoupler 214 is configured to convert a light signal S12 received from the light-emitting diode into the feedback voltage Vfb that corresponds to the feedback signal S11.
On the primary winding side, the transformer T1 includes an auxiliary winding W3, in addition to the primary winding W1. The auxiliary winding W3, a second diode D2, and a second output capacitor CVCC form a second DC/DC converter. At the second output capacitor CVCC, a DC voltage Vcc develops according to the switching of the switching transistor M1. The DC voltage VCC is supplied to a power supply terminal VCC (VCC terminal) of the control circuit 100r. A start resistor Rstart is arranged between the VCC terminal and the input terminal P1. In the starting operation, the capacitor CVSS is charged via the start resistor Rstart, thereby supplying the power supply voltage VCC to the control circuit 100r.
The control circuit 100r is configured as a so-called peak current mode pulse modulator. Specifically, the control circuit 100r includes an edge blanking circuit 102, a pulse modulator 110, a driving circuit 130, and a light load detection circuit 140.
Immediately after the switching transistor M1 is turned on, the detection voltage VCS temporarily jumps. In order to prevent undesired turning-off of the switching transistor M1 due to such a jump in the detection voltage VCS, the edge blanking circuit 102 is configured to mask the detection voltage VCS during a mask period immediately after the switching transistor M1 is turned on.
A capacitor Cfb is connected to an FB terminal as an external component. Furthermore, the FE terminal is pulled up via a resistor R11. The feedback voltage Vfb is divided by means of the resistors R12 and R13.
The pulse modulator 110 is configured to generate a pulse signal SPM having a duty ratio which is adjusted according to the feedback voltage Vfb. The pulse modulator 110 is configured to control the timing at which the switching transistor M1 is turned off, according to the detection voltage VCS which is proportional to the coil current ILp that flows through the switching transistor M1. Known examples of such a pulse modulator 110 include an average current mode modulator, a peak current mode modulator, and a fixed off-time mode pulse modulator. A driver 104 is configured to perform switching of the switching transistor M1 according to the pulse signal SPM.
The pulse modulator 110 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a peak current mode modulator, and includes an error comparator 112, an oscillator 114, and a logic unit 116. The error comparator 112 is configured to compare a divided feedback voltage Vfb′ with a detection voltage VCS′. The error comparator 112 is configured to generate an off signal SOFF which is asserted when the detection voltage VCS′ reaches the feedback voltage Vfb′.
The oscillator 114 is configured to generate an ON signal SON which is asserted with a predetermined cycle. The logic unit 116 is configured as an SR flip-flop. The logic unit 116 is arranged such that the ON signal SON is input to its set terminal, and an OFF signal SOFF is input to its reset terminal. An output signal (which will be referred to as a "pulse modulation signal") SPM of the logic unit 116 transits to the on level (high level) that corresponds to the on state of the switching transistor M1 every time the ON signal SON is asserted. Furthermore, the pulse modulation signal SPM transits to the off level (low level) that corresponds to the off state of the switching transistor M1 every time the OFF signal SOFF is asserted.
The driving circuit 130 is configured to perform switching of the switching transistor M1 according to the pulse signal SPM. The driving circuit 130 includes a pre-driver 132 and a driver 134.
The light load detection circuit 140 is configured to detect a light load state in which the DC/DC converter 10r outputs a reduced output current. The light load detection circuit 140 is configured to generate a light load detection signal S140 which is asserted (set to low level) when the DC/DC converter 10r enters the light load state. The light load detection circuit 140 includes a burst comparator 142 and an inverter 144.
When, in the light load state, the output current of the DC/DC converter 10r falls, the output voltage VOUT rises, and the feedback voltage Vfb drops. Thus, the burst comparator 142 is configured to compare the feedback voltage Vfb′ with a predetermined threshold voltage Vth. Furthermore, the burst comparator 142 is configured such that, when Vfb′ becomes smaller than Vth, it judges that the DC/DC converter 10r has entered the light load state. The inverter 144 is configured to invert the logic level of the light load detection signal S140.
The pre-driver 132 is configured to suspend the switching of the switching transistor M1 during a period in which the light load detection signal S140 is asserted.
In the heavy load state, the DC/DC converter 10r shown in FIG. 1 operates at a switching frequency that is the same as the frequency of the ON signal SON generated by the oscillator 114. Typically, the frequency of the ON signal SON is set to a frequency that is sufficiently higher than the audible band. For example, the frequency of the ON signal SON is set to a frequency on the order of 50 to 100 kHz.
In the light load state, the switching transistor M1 performs a burst switching operation according to the light load detection signal S140. In this state, the switching rate of the switching transistor M1 is reduced. This reduces the charge/discharge current that flows to/from the gate capacitance of the switching transistor M1, thereby providing improved efficiency.
With such an arrangement, the period in which the light load detection signal S140 is asserted in the light load state, i.e., a period in which the switching operation is suspended, becomes longer as the supply of electric power to the load becomes smaller. Thus, in the light load state, the effective switching frequency of the switching transistor M1 becomes lower as the period of suspension of the switching operation becomes longer, and at length it enters the audible band, which is equal to or below 20 kHz, leading to acoustic noise. In particular, such acoustic noise ranging between 4 kH and 20 KHz is also referred to as "mosquito noise", which is very unpleasant. Thus, there is a demand for reducing such acoustic noise.
Also, the length of the switching noise suspension period, i.e., the switching frequency in the light load state, depends on the capacitance of the capacitor CM and the input voltage VH, in addition to the electric power supplied to the load. The capacitance of the capacitor CM and the input voltage VH differ according to the platforms on which the control circuit 100r is operated. Thus, it becomes necessary to provide noise countermeasures according to the platform.


An imaging system has a microscope having an objective lens and a projection device configured to project spatially modulated light in one of several preselected predetermined pattern through the objective lens and onto tissue. The system camera configured to record an image of the tissue through the microscope and objective lens as illuminated by the spatially modulated light, and an image processor having a memory with a routine for performing spatial Fourier analysis on the image of the tissue to recover spatial frequencies. The image processor also constructs a three dimensional model of the tissue, and performs fitting of at least absorbance and scattering parameters of voxels of the model to match the recovered spatial frequencies. The processor then displays tomographic slices of the three dimensional model.

While surface features are readily seen when a surgeon views human or other mammalian tissue, whether through a microscope or with the unaided eye, subsurface features may be hidden. Locating and understanding subsurface features may, however, be important for treatment and operative decisions. While light of some wavelengths can penetrate much mammalian tissue, including human brain and breast tissue, to a greater depth than that at which features are readily discernible, the tissue is turbid, scattering the light such that subsurface features may not be easily seen.
There are other fields, from meat inspection and navigation of vehicles through fog, to noninvasive testing of plastic parts including composite aircraft parts, where improved visualization of subsurface features in turbid material may also be of use.
A mammalian, including human, brain 100 typically has a network of blood vessels 102 on the brain surface 104. Generally, brains have a network of fissures 106, known as sulci, and are covered by membranes 108, known as the meninges and including the dura-mater. Beneath the brain surface 104 is typically a layer of grey matter 110, often containing cell bodies of neurons with supporting glia cells, over white matter 112, containing interconnect nerve axons. The brain includes many nerve tracts and nuclei 114 that have particular functions, including the substantia nigra, corticopontine tracts, and many others.
All too many brains may have a tumor 116, cystercerci, or foreign objects for which surgical removal may be desirable. Tumors, especially malignant tumors, also often have invasive processes 118 that can penetrate white and/or grey matter for a considerable distance from the main body of the tumor 116. Brains may also have fluid-filled cavities 120, such as ventricles. Some of these structures have color, turbidity, or other optical characteristics, that differ from other surrounding tissues.
The gray-white matter boundary, tumors 116, processes 118, cavities 120, cystercerci, nerve tracts, and nuclei are inhomogeneities within the brain—regions that have one or more absorbance or scattering parameters that differ from other regions within the brain.
Even after opening of the meninges 108, only brain surface 104, sulci 106, and surface blood vessels 102 may be visible to the unaided eye.
When a tumor 116 is removed, high quality surgery involves removing as much of tumor 116 body and processes 118 as possible, while avoiding removal of excessive normal white or gray matter, and avoiding excessive, unwanted, or unintended collateral damage to underlying structures such as nerve tracts and nuclei 114. A system providing enhanced visibility of subsurface features, including tumor 116 body, tumor processes 118, tracts and nuclei 114, without exposing surgeons and other operative personnel to x-ray radiation, may improve surgical quality.
Andrea Bassi, et al., Spatial shift of spatially modulated light projected on turbid media, Opt Soc Am A Opt Image Sci Vis. 2008 November; 25(11): 2833-2839, have proposed that processing images of tissues when illuminated by structured, or spatially modulated, light can be of use in determining the absorption (pa) and the reduced scattering (μ's) coefficients for diagnostic applications. In this article, Andrea fails to describe incorporation of imaging under structured light into a surgical microscope, and fails to describe using such processing in real time during surgery.
"Structured light" generally refers to light patterns exhibiting some type of periodicity over the field of view.

Operative microscope having diffuse optical imaging system with tomographic image reconstruction and superposition in field of view


A bedside table is arranged to include a support base plate arranged for mounting to a side wall of an associated bed, with the support base plate having a bifurcated mount to rotatably position a support plate thereto, with the support plate hingedly mounting a table at an upper distal end of the support plate spaced from the bifurcated mount. The table includes a support link, with the support link pivotally mounted to the table and received through the support plate in a selectively locked manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to bedside table structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved bedside table apparatus wherein the same is directed for the mounting of a table structure relative to a bed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various support table structure is available in the prior art for positioning various books and the like relative to the bed, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,543,312; 5,022,327; 4,910,816; 4,938,153; and 4,286,525.
The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing for a table structure readily and conveniently mounted to a bed structure in a manner not addressed by the prior art and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A method for obtaining physiological data from a medical sensor device includes detecting a proximity of the medical sensor device by an electronic computing device. After the proximity is detected, a message is received from the medical sensor device. A determination is made as to whether the received message includes configuration information for a wireless communication link. When the received message includes the configuration information for the wireless communication link, the wireless communication link is used to receive physiological data from the medical sensor device and the received physiological data is processed at the electronic computing device. When the received message does not include configuration information for the wireless communication link, a determination is made as to whether the received message includes physiological data. When the received message includes the physiological data, the physiological data is processed at the electronic computing device.

In a medical setting, one or more physiological sensor devices may be attached to a patient to obtain physiological data for the patient. One or more of these physiological sensor devices may be wireless devices, permitting a wireless transmission of physiological data from the physiological sensor devices to a patient monitor and to an electronic records system.
A wireless physiological sensor device may include a transceiver, commonly known as a radio, to transmit physiological data using standard wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth. However, the cost of a radio is often excessive for a low cost physiological sensor device.

Using near-field communication both for out-of-band pairing and physiological data transfer


The bouquet holding device includes an outer ring, a plurality of inner rings, a door attached via hinge to the outer ring, a locking clasp, and a track. The track runs along the interior periphery of both the door and the outer ring, and engages a grooved notch located on each end of each inner ring. The hinged door locks in place with respect to the outer ring to ensure that the inner rings are enclosed within the track. The inner rings are capable of rotating freely about the outer ring. The inner rings are capable of securing a single or a plurality of flowers or objects associated with the bouquet.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of flower bouquets, more specifically, a device for holding a bouquet of flowers.
B. Discussion of the Prior Art
As a preliminary note, it should be stated that there is an ample amount of prior art that deals with bouquet holding apparatuses. As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a bouquet holding apparatus that involves a plurality of inner rings that can rotate about the interior of a larger ring, and of which the inner rings can support an individual or a plurality of flowers or items included within the bouquet.
The Specht Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,237) discloses a device for assembling elaborate bouquets including a workholder and support means for supporting the workholder in a cantilever fashion. However, the device is not suited for supporting a flower bouquet in a vase or watering container without being obstructive or otherwise in view of the watering container.
The Miller Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 2,553,103) discloses a standard for preparing hand bouquets. However, the device is directed to hand bouquets and a stand that supports said hand bouquets in a position analogous to when said bouquet is being carried by hand and not a bouquet holding device having an outer ring surrounding a plurality of inner rings that can rotate about the inner circumference of the outer ring in order to enable various flowers or objects of the bouquet to rotate freely.
The Hnedrix at al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,813) discloses a flower arrangement stand with multiple work station blocks for maintaining pew and bouquet holders stable while making up flower arrangements using the holders. However, the stand is suited for use while creating the floral arrangement, and not in addition to supporting the bouquet while in a vase or watering container.
The Van Zuylen Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,365) discloses a device for arranging a bunch of flowers, in particular, a twisted bunch of flowers. Again, the device is suited for use in preparing a bouquet, but not while the bouquet is in use.
The Helgeson Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,261) discloses a flexible grid for use in guiding a person to arrange flowers, and the like, including a number of openings formed therein, by woven-together fully fabric-coated, flexible wires. However, the grid limits movement of the flowers and objects of the bouquet while in use.
The Hasty Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,644) discloses a bouquet holder assembly. However, the bouquet holder assembly does not have a plurality of inner rings that can rotate about a track located along the inner periphery of an cuter ring, and of which the inner rings are free to rotate while in use in supporting the flowers and other objects of the bouquet.
The Krumholz Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 1,775,203) discloses a flower support. Again, the flower support does not have a plurality of inner rings that can rotate about a track located along the inner periphery of an outer ring, and of which the inner rings are free to rotate while in use in supporting the flowers and other objects of the bouquet.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a bouquet holding device that includes an outer ring that supports a plurality of inner rings that can rotate about the inner periphery of the outer ring, and of which enables flowers and objects of the bouquet to rotate freely during arrangement of the bouquet or while the bouquet is in use. In this regard, the bouquet holding device departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.


The printing cylinder such as a rubber blanket cylinder of a web fed offset printing machine is provided. The printing cylinder includes a rotatable clamping mechanism in a clamping channel. A side of the clamping channel is configured so as to be movable such that the clamping channel can be opened by turning the clamping mechanism. When the clamping channel is open, the ends of the rubber blanket can be inserted. The clamping channel can then be closed by turning the clamping mechanism in the opposite direction such that the ends of the rubber blanket adjoin one another.

In most printing machines, it is still a common practice to utilize printing cylinders having a clamping channel that extends in the axial direction of the cylinder and in which the printing plate or, in the case of offset printing machines, the offset blanket, to be clamped onto the printing cylinder is fixed. When rolling over the cylinder channels, the printing cylinders installed together are disengaged such that vibrations are generated. Among other things, these vibrations have a negative impact on the printing quality as well as on the maximum printing speed of such a printing machine. Consequently, attempts have been made for quite some time to provide arrangements in which only one of the printing cylinders used in an offset printing machine has a channel, in order to minimize the vibrations stimulated by changes in the line force during the channel roll over. For example, only plate cylinders (also referred to as form cylinders) were provided with a clamping channel, while rubber blanket cylinders (also referred to as transfer cylinders) were equipped with so called sleeves that could be slipped on axially. This made it possible to reduce the cylinder vibrations and, among other things, to increase the rotational speeds of the printing units or printing machines, while still achieving an adequate print quality. However, utilizing such sleeves is more costly because the manufacturing cost of these sleeves is much higher than that of conventional rubber blankets.
Another alternative for reducing the vibrations stimulated by changes in the line force consists of fixing finite rubber blankets on metal plates and inserting only the ends of the metal plates into the channels of the rubber blanket cylinders. As compared to the cylinder channels of a conventional rubber blanket clamping mechanism, this arrangement enables the width of the cylinder channels to be significantly reduced. Although these measures also lead to a reduction in vibration, the utilization of rubber blankets with a metal backing significantly increases the cost as compared to conventional rubber blankets.

Printing cylinder with clamping channel and rotatable spindle clamping mechanism


A fastener driving tool includes: a driver blade which is driven by compressed air so as to move in a vertical direction for striking a fastener such as a nail, an injection hole which guides said driver blade and forms a passage for the compressed air to be exhausted along with the movement of the driver blade, and a magazine for supplying the fastener to said injection hole, wherein an exhaust passage through which an interior of the injection hole is communicated with the atmosphere is provided between a lower end of the driver blade when the driver blade is positioned at a top dead center and a head part of the fastener which has been supplied into the injection hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fastener driving tool for driving a fastener such as a nail into an object member by employing compressed air or combustion gas, and more particularly, relates to an art of preventing the fastener from unexpectedly dropping from an injection passage, in the fastener driving tool which is so constructed that the injection passage for injecting the fastener is used also as a passage for exhaust air.
2. Background Art
A first example of a conventional fastener driving tool will be described referring to FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 shows a structure around an injection hole 8 of a fastener driving tool which is driven by compressed air. Other parts than the parts which are shown in FIG. 6 have essentially the same structure as in the fastener driving tool according to an embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.
On a slide face 6a of a nose 6 for guiding a driver blade 4, there is formed an exhaust port 7 through which a piston (not shown) is communicated with an injection hole 8 when the driver blade 4 is positioned at a top dead center. After a nail 5 has been driven into an object member (not shown) by means of the driver blade 4 which is provided continuously from the non-shown piston, the compressed air which has been accumulated in a return chamber (not shown) will be supplied to an area below the non-shown piston, and will push the piston upward, thereby to lift the driver blade 4 up to the top dead center, as shown in FIG. 6. On this occasion, the compressed air existing below the non-shown piston is communicated with the injection hole 8 through the exhaust port 7. The compressed air will be discharged to the injection hole 8 through the exhaust port 7, and exhausted to the atmosphere through a gap between the nail 5 and the injection hole 8. At this moment, a stream of the compressed air will push a nail head 5b downward.
Meanwhile, a nail feeder 31 pushes the nail 5 toward the injection hole 8 by means of a spring which is not shown. In case where a plurality of the nails 5 are coupled together, the nails 5 except the nail 5a which is present inside the injection hole 8 are engaged with a guide groove 11, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, whereby downward movements of the nails 5 are restricted. Because the nail 5a is coupled to the nails 5, the nail 5a will not fall downward, unless it is driven by the driver blade 4.
When only one nail 5 is left, the nail 5a inside the injection hole 8 is held by being pushed by the nail feeder 31 so as to be butted against the injection hole 8. Engagement between the nail 5 and the guide groove 11 no longer exists, and holding force of the nail 5a will be decreased. It sometimes happens that the stream of the compressed air pushes the nail head 5b at this moment, thereby to release the nail 5a, and the nail 5a drops from the injection hole 8 unexpectedly.
A second example of the conventional fastener driving tool will be described referring to FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 shows a sectional side view of a fastener driving tool 1, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, which is described below, for driving a plurality of nails 5 which are coupled together by means of a plastic sheet. The fastener driving tool 1 is provided with a sheet discharge port 27 for discharging the plastic sheet to the exterior, at a side of supplying the nails 5 in the injection hole 8. The sheet discharge port 27 is provided at a position closer to the injection hole 8 than the nail head 5b. During driving operation of the nail 5, a part of surplus compressed air, after the piston 3 has returned to the top dead center, will be exhausted from this sheet discharge port 27 to the exterior.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-2001-198849
(Application No. 2000-14766)
In either of the above described structures, it has sometimes happened that the stream of the compressed air pushes the nail 5a downward, and the nail 5a unexpectedly drops from the injection hole 8, because the holding force is decreased when only one nail 5 is left.


In an image forming apparatus that uses a stackless ADU and executes image formation on both sides of a paper sheet in a facedown mode, a CPU confirms, when double-side image formation is to be executed with two paper sheets, image formation on reverse surfaces of which is finished, being stayed in the ADU, whether monochromatic image formation or color image formation is to be executed on an obverse surface of a first paper sheet that is stayed in the ADU and has a reverse surface on which image formation is finished. When the color image formation is to be executed, the CPU controls the image formation on the obverse surface of the first paper sheet that is stayed in the ADU and has the reverse surface on which image formation is finished. When the monochromatic image formation is to be executed, the CPU controls the image formation on a reverse surface of a second paper sheet that is stayed in the ADU.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, which has a stackless ADU and can execute black-and-white or color 2-sided printing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art, in general, when 2-sided printing is performed using a stackless ADU, alternate circulation of paper sheets is executed if the paper sheets are of short size. Thereby, a decrease in performance is minimized. In the alternate circulation, a path length that can retain two or more short-size paper sheets is secured in the ADU. Two sheets are first fed into the ADU, and then alternate printing is performed between the ADU and the sheet-supply side.
In the 2-sided printing, when color printing requires four rotations of transfer (e.g. revolver-type 4-color transfer), a subsequent paper sheet stays in the ADU for a long time in the alternate circulation.
The upper part of the ADU, however, is located just above the heat roller of a fixing device. Moisture in the paper sheet that stays in the ADU is lost due to the heat of the heat roller. When printing is effected on the paper sheet that comes from the ADU, good secondary transfer of toner could not be performed and toner would disperse.

Image forming apparatus and image forming method


This invention provides a fishing scent delivery system comprising an inflatable bladder, a means for instilling a fishing scent material in said bladder under pressure and a means for allowing said fishing scent material to be released in the vicinity of a fishing lure at a desired, controlled rate.

Fishing techniques have developed from the use of live bait to the use of many different types of artificial lures. Recently, a number of scents have been manufactured to address the highly developed sensory system in fish. The presently employed application techniques use active diffusion or runoff from artificial lures and do not provide a positive continuous release. The bait or lure must be repeatedly sprayed or painted to keep the scent on the bait, as the scent is rapidly lost in running water or from active baits. A recent development has been the use of a pouch to hold the scent longer.


The present invention is a high Q tunable co-axial filter, which maintains a constant absolute bandwidth and a constant Q over the tuning range. The present filter can be tuned by a single rotational mechanism irrespective of the filter order. A plurality of tunable resonators is aligned on a common filter axis. Each resonator has a casing having an inner wall and a cavity. The resonators are coupled by an iris opening. A pair of end plates completes the filter casing. A rotating rod placed on the common axis of the resonated, that has a tuning post attached to it, and each post located in each resonator, is used to tune the filter.

Tunable bandpass filter is one of the vital components of frequency reconfigurable (or frequency agile) wireless systems which facilitate effective utilization of allotted frequency spectrum. Furthermore, frequency reconfigurable wireless systems can be a cost effective solution for wireless base-stations as well as for satellite & aero-space applications. In satellite application, on orbit flexible payload (or programmable payload) is one such encouraging development on the horizon. These systems inevitably require high Q (Quality factor) tunable bandpass filters with a constant absolute bandwidth over the tuning range.
One of the important requirements for tunable filters in most applications is to maintain constant absolute bandwidth over the tuning range. The data rate is bandwidth dependent thus maintaining the same date rate over the tuning range requires maintaining the same bandwidth. In addition, most of communication system applications require maintaining certain isolation requirements outside the band, which cannot be satisfied if the bandwidth is changed. Thus by maintaining a constant bandwidth over the tuning range, the achievable data rate and the filter isolation requirements remain the same over the entire tuning range, which is highly desirable.
Co-axial filters (or Combline or Evanescent mode or inter-digital filters) which are mechanically tuned are capable of achieving high Q (and hence lower loss). Typically, such filters require a tuning mechanism for each resonator to achieve the desired constant absolute bandwidth over the tuning range. In other words, the number of tuning mechanisms utilized in such filters is equal to the filter order, thus making them bulky and expensive. Hence it is highly desirable to achieve filter tuning with a single tuning mechanism yet maintaining constant absolute bandwidth. Ideally, a tunable bandpass filter is desired to maintain constant absolute bandwidth over a reasonably large tuning range with low insertion loss, where the filter is tuned using a single mechanism. A single tuning mechanism not only reduces the complexity of the closed loop control system but also results in enhanced reliability for aero-space applications.
Over the years significant inventions have been developed to realize tunable bandpass filters which have low loss (i.e. high-Quality Factor—high Q), however as will be explored below in detail these inventions utilize multiple tuning elements.
With respect to tunable co-axial filters, US patent application 2016/0049710 disclosed a high Q (lower loss) and constant absolute bandwidth over the tuning range. The invention utilizes mechanism to change the gap between resonator post and tuning disk, thus changing the frequency response of the filter. EP 2 690 702 A1 discloses a frequency tuning by changing the orientation of elliptic tuning disk. This invention does maintain a constant absolute bandwidth however the tuning range is extremely narrow (less than 2%). Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,705,694 B2, discloses a frequency tuning by rotating elliptical dielectric resonators. The invention has considerable bandwidth variation over the tuning range of the filter. U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,577A discloses a tunable ceramic (dielectric resonator) filter which utilizes mechanism to vary the gap at the resonator. Similarly, US 2014/0028415 discloses a tunable bandpass filter which maintains a constant absolute bandwidth over the tuning range. The tuning is achieved by rotating each resonator within the filter. U.S. Pat. No. 7,352,263B2 discloses a variety of method and mechanisms to tune the frequency of a resonator by changing gaps and rotating the resonators. However, all the above inventions require a tuning mechanism for each resonator. Thus, the number of tuning mechanisms required is equal to the filter order.
US 2015/0180105 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,620,836 B2 disclose a waveguide cavity filter with dielectric insert in each cavity. The cavity utilizes two orthogonal modes and has two tuning states which are achieved by rotating the tuning rod either in vertical position or in horizontal position. As a result, the filter cannot be continuously tuned between these two states. Moreover, the tuning range between the two states is also quite low (less than 6%). Furthermore, such a filter at lower frequency spectrum (example around 2.5 GHz) would be extremely bulky. In-addition the filter can tune between only two fixed frequencies and cannot be tuned for frequencies in-between.
The majority of the reported inventions use multiple tuning mechanisms (at-least equal to the filter order) and do not present means to realize tunable filters with a constant absolute bandwidth. In this invention a prototype of a high Q tunable filter is disclosed which maintains a constant absolute bandwidth and insertion loss over the tuning range. Furthermore, the filter can be tuned by a single tuning mechanism. The tuning range of the filter is over at least 30%. The tunability is achieved by rotating a single tuning rod over which all the resonator posts are placed. Furthermore, the invention can be extended to dielectric resonator filters utilizing TM modes.

Tunable filter with minimum variations in absolute bandwidth and insertion loss using a single tuning element


A technique is disclosed for distributed runtime diagnostics in hierarchical parallel environments. In one embodiment, a user is allowed to configure, during runtime, a processing element on which to perform diagnostics, an algorithm for the processing element to execute, a data set for the algorithm to execute against, a diagnostic function for the processing element to execute, a condition for executing the diagnostic function, and visualization parameters for memory local to the processing element. As a result, runtime diagnostics can be performed with sufficient degree of control and customization to aid debugging in a hierarchical parallel environment.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to debugging tools. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a debugging tool for distributed runtime diagnostics in hierarchical parallel environments.
2. Description of the Related Art
In software systems that process data across a wide array of heterogeneous processing elements, the various communication layers may not necessarily provide guarantees of data integrity. An example of such a software system is a distributed parallel application that includes parts executing on multiple x86 processors and parts executing on multiple Cell BE processors. A software developer may have created a complex distributed application that passed unit tests. When the distributed application executes, however, the data returned may differ slightly from expected results.
In such scenarios, identifying the cause of such a data anomaly across a distributed heterogeneous landscape may be very difficult. The cause may be a software bug, a hardware failure, or a design flaw. This poses challenges to ensuring data integrity, to ensuring software system integrity, to performance analysis, and to fast, efficient development of hierarchical parallel software.

Distributed runtime diagnostics in hierarchical parallel environments

International Business Machines Corporation


An authentication server (AS) is provided which stores authentication details of authorised users, and a list of currently-authenticated users. A number of application servers (APS) are connected to the authentication server (AS), to allow the application servers (APS) to check the current authentication status of a user (T1, T2, T3) which requests service by the application servers (APS). There is also provided a method of authenticating a user for access via a terminal (T1, T2, T3) connected by an Internet Protocol connection to a Web server (APS), said method comprising: storing authentication details of authorised users; performing authentication of a user with reference to said stored authentication details; transmitting an identifier for the user's terminal (T1, T2, T3) to said terminal (T1, T2, T3) for storage thereon, the identifier being transmitted in such a manner that the identifier is transmitted by said user terminal (T1, T2, T3) with document requests directed at said Web server (APS); storing status data indicating said identifier to be an identifier of a terminal (T1, T2, T3) of a currently authenticated user; and allowing said Web server (APS) to access said status data in order to check the authentication status of a user on receipt of a document request containing said identifier.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to data communications, and in particular, but not exclusively, to the communication of data via a public data communications network such as the Internet.
2. Description of Related Art
Due to the inherently insecure nature of data communications via the Internet, and due to the sensitive nature of some information which is transmitted, various proposals have been made for the encryption of data for transmission. Thus, although third parties may be able to intercept messages, third parties will only be able to read the data within the message if they are able to decrypt the message using an appropriate encryption key.
In public-key cryptography, such as that used in the RSA cryptography system, each person who is to receive encrypted data has a public key which is made available to anyone wishing to send that person data, and a private key which remains confidential. Data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted with their private key. This system suffers drawbacks in that, in order to send another party an encrypted message, the sending party must know the public key of the receiving party. Also, the authenticity of the sending party cannot readily be identified since the public key is, by definition, available to any other party.
Another type of encryption system is secret-key cryptography, also referred to as symmetric cryptography. In secret-key cryptography, the sending party and the receiving party share a common secret encryption key, which is used both to encrypt data before transmission, and to decrypt the data after reception. One drawback of this system is that the two parties must, before transmission of the encrypted data, have agreed upon the shared secret key to be used.
A further problem encountered in communications over the Internet is that of the authentication of a user. For example, when a conventional Web server contains premium content documents, the Web server checks a username and password, which must be previously established, transmitted with a document request, each time a premium content document is requested. Many Web pages contain a number of documents (e.g. text files, image files, sound files), for each of which the username and password check is necessary. This password-based authentication procedure is resource intensive, particularly when the user wishes to have access to a large number of documents.
WO 96 42041 A describes an authentication server which performs authentication of a client terminal and then issues a Re-direct command to re-direct the client terminal to a desired content server. The Re-direct command provides a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) which, in addition to the normal URL of the content server, also includes what is referred to as a "session identification" (SID), which the content server may validate entirely independently of the authentication server when it receives a Get command, which includes the modified URL, from the client terminal. Therefore, the authentication server in effect issues a "ticket" which is valid for a predetermined amount of time, and which includes self-validating means in the form of a digital signature, whereby, once the client terminal has a ticket, accesses guaranteed to the content server (providing the expiry period of the ticket has not lapsed).


Plasters containing active substance, comprising a backing material and, applied thereon, a hot-melt self-adhesive composition, characterized in that the hot-melt self-adhesive composition comprises at least one hyper-aemic active substance.

The invention relates to plasters containing active substances, comprising a backing material and, applied thereon, a hot-melt self-adhesive composition which comprises the active substance or, if appropriate, two or more active substances that are delivered to the skin.
Transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) are forms of administration of medicaments which deliver one or more medicaments to the skin over a defined period at their site of use. A distinction is made here between systemic and local administration forms. With systemic administration forms, the active substance passes through the skin into the blood circulation by diffusion and can act within the body as a whole. Local administration forms, on the other hand, act only at the sites of application. The active substance remains in the skin or in the underlying layers.
Numerous embodiments of such plasters have already been described, some of which operate in accordance with the reservoir principle, where the active substance is delivered, for example, by way of a membrane, in some cases also with a matrix system or with a more complex multilayer structure.
It is also known that the adhesive composition of the plaster can be employed as the matrix containing active substance. In addition to self-adhesive compositions applied from solution, hot-melt self-adhesive compositions have also been proposed for this purpose, for example in EP-A 663 431, EP-A 452 034, EP-A 305 757, DE-A 43 10 012, DE-A 42 22 334 and DE-C 42 24 325.
The active substance listed in these cases, if at all, have been systemic ones.
Active substance plasters which promote the circulation belong to the group of local therapeutic systems. The use of such plasters is indicated for treating rheumatic complaints, sciatica, lumbago, stiff neck, shoulder/arm pain and muscular strains and sprains, muscular aching or muscle, joint and nerve pain in the region of the locomotor system.
Capsaicin, belladonna and nonivamide are known active substances in such local, circulation-promoting plasters. Because of their use on the motility apparatus they are in general required to adhere strongly. Usually, the plasters are coated over their full area with a resin-rubber adhesive composition which comprises the active substance.
However, plasters of this kind, which usually have to be applied over a relatively large area, exhibit in some cases distinct mechanical skin irritations after removal in the case of sensitive patients. In some cases there are allergic reactions. After a prolonged period of wear, their removal is to some extent painful.
A further disadvantage of the known thermally active plasters with an adhesive composition based on natural rubber which is applied in the form of a solution with organic solvents to the plaster backing is the comparatively low rate of release of the active substance.
The object of the invention, therefore, was to develop circulation-promoting (hyperaemic) and thus thermally active plasters which should feature good activity, i.e. a relatively high rate of release, and good skin compatibility at the same time as having good adhesion. In addition, they should be able to be prepared with little technical complexity and in an environmentally compatible manner.
This object is achieved by active substance-containing plasters according to claim 1.
It has been found that hot-melt self-adhesive compositions are also suitable for the release of substances having a hyperaemic action and just a local action.
These active substances are primarily the known substances of cayenne pepper and also the synthetic capsacinoid NVA (nonivamide), and also nicotinic acid derivatives, preferably benzyl nicotinate or propyl nicotinate.
The concentrations are from 0.01 to about 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 10% by weight.
With particular preference, the hot-melt adhesive compositions are based on synthetic thermoplastic polymers, such as synthetic rubbers, especially block copolymers, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyolefins, polyacrylamides or silicones.
For systems with particularly strong adhesion the adhesive composition is based preferably on block copolymers, especially A-B or A-B-A block copolymers or mixtures thereof. The hard phase A is ideally polystyrene or its derivatives and the soft phase B comprises ethylene, propylene, butylene, butadiene, isoprene or mixtures thereof, with particular preference being given to ethylene and butylene or mixtures thereof.
Polystyrene blocks can also, however, be present in the soft phase B, in amounts of up to 20% by weight. The overall proportion of styrene, however, should always be less than 35% by weight. Preference is given to proportions of styrene of between 5% and 30%, since a lower proportion of styrene makes the adhesive composition more conformable.
The tailored blending of diblock and triblock copolymers is particularly advantageous, with preference being given to a proportion of diblock copolymers of less than 80% by weight.
In an advantageous embodiment the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive composition has the following composition:
from 10 to 90% by weight of block copolymers,
from 5 to 80% by weight of tackifiers, such as oils, waxes, resins or mixtures thereof, preferably mixtures of resin and oils,
less than 60% of plasticizers
less than 15% by weight of additives
less than 5% by weight of stabilizers.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of an adhesive composition of this kind which is additionally provided with the hyperaemic active substance, the adhesive composition is based on an A-B/A-B-A block copolymer of styrene, ethylene and butylene having a styrene content of less than 35% by weight, and contains 0.1-10% by weight of nonivamide, preferably about 0.2% by weight.
Tackifiers used are the hydrocarbon oils, hydrocarbon waxes and hydrocarbon resins. In this context the oils, such as paraffinic hydrocarbon oils, or waxes, such as paraffinic hydrocarbon waxes, have a favourable effect on bonding to the skin owing to their consistency. Plasticizers used are long-chain fatty acids and/or their esters. These additives serve to adjust the adhesion properties and the stability. The addition of mineral fillers in minor amounts is also possible.
The adhesive compositions are adjusted such that at a frequency of 0.1 rad/s they have a dynamic-complex glass transition temperature of less than +10xc2x0 C., preferably from xe2x88x923xc2x0 to xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. and, with very particular preference, from xe2x88x926xc2x0 to xe2x88x9225xc2x0 C.
The tailored reduction in the glass transition temperature of the self-adhesive composition as a consequence of the selection of the tackifiers, the plasticizers and the polymer molecule size, and of the molecular distribution of the components employed, ensures the required bonding with the skin even at critical points of the human locomotor system, in accordance with the required function.
The high shear strength of the self-adhesive composition is achieved by the high cohesiveness of the polymer. The good finger tack is a result of the plasticizers and tackifiers employed.
The distribution of the active substances within the adhesive composition takes place in a thermal homogenizer, for example a thermal mixer, thermal kneader, roll mills or screw systems. The active substance can be added to the fully prepared adhesive composition. Alternatively, for example, the active substance can also be incorporated into an intermediate stage or into the initial mixture.
Product properties such as tack, glass transition temperature and shear stability can be quantified readily using a dynamic frequency measurement. In this case, use is made of a rheometer controlled by shearing stress. The results of this measurement method give information on the physical properties of a substance by taking into account the viscoelastic component. In this instance, at a preset constant temperature, the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive is set in oscillation between two plane-parallel plates with variable frequencies and low deformation (linear viscoelastic region). Via a pickup control unit, with computer assistance, the quotient (Q=tan xcex4) between the loss modulus (Gxe2x80x3, viscous component) and the storage modulus (Gxe2x80x2, elastic component) is determined: Q=tan xcex4=Gxe2x80x3/Gxe2x80x2.
A high frequency is chosen for the subjective sensing of the tack, and a low frequency for the shear strength. A high numerical value denotes better tack and poorer shear stability.
The complex-dynamic glass transition point is the point of transition from the amorphous to the viscoelastic region. It corresponds to the maximum of the temperature function at a given frequency.
In accordance with the invention, preference is given to pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive compositions for which the ratio of the viscous component to the elastic component at a frequency of 100 rad/s at 25xc2x0 C. is greater than 0.7, or to pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive compositions where the ratio of the viscous component to the elastic component at a frequency of 0.1 rad/s at 25xc2x0 C. is less than 0.4.
The adhesive composition containing an active substance can be applied to the entire area of an appropriate conformable backing material, such as wovens, knits, films, nonwovens, paper, foam or laminates thereof, and advantageously can also be applied with areal restriction, for example by halftone printing, thermal screen printing, thermal flexographic printing or intaglio printing. This leads to particularly good air and water vapour permeability of the adhesive film.
In the case of screen printing, preference is given to application in the form of domes, especially those where the ratio of diameter to height is less than 5:1. Printed application of other forms and patterns on the backing material is also possible, for example a printed pattern in the form of alphanumeric character combinations or patterns such as matrices, stripes and zigzag lines.
In addition, the adhesive composition can also be sprayed on, for example, producing a more or less irregular applied pattern.
The self-adhesive composition can be distributed uniformly over the backing material; alternatively, it can also be applied with varying thickness or density as appropriate for the function of the product.
The principle of thermal screen printing consists in the use of a rotating, heated, seamless, drum-shaped, perforated, cylindrical screen which is fed via a nozzle with the pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive composition. A specially shaped nozzle lip (circular or square doctor blade) presses the self-adhesive composition, which is fed in via a channel, through the perforation of the screen wall and onto the backing web that is conveyed past it. This backing web is guided by means of a counterpressure roller against the external jacket of the heated screen drum at a rate which corresponds to the peripheral speed of the rotating screen drum.
Using this printing technique it is possible to lay down the size and shape of the domes in a defined manner. The base diameter of the domes can be chosen from 10 xcexcm to 5,000 xcexcm, the height of the domes from 20 xcexcm to about 2,000 xcexcm, preferably 50 xcexcm to 1,000 xcexcm, the low-diameter range being intended for smooth backings and the range of greater diameter and greater dome height being intended for rough or highly porous backing materials. The positioning of the domes on the backing is laid down in a defined manner by the geometry of the applicator unit, for example the gravure or screen geometry, which can be varied within wide limits. The backing material is preferably coated at a rate of more than 2 m/min, more preferably from 20 to 100 m/min, the chosen coating temperature being greater than the softening temperature of the adhesive system.
The pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive composition can be applied to the backing material with a weight per unit area of more than 15 g/m2, preferably between 90 g/m2 and 400 g/m2 and, with very particular preference, between 130 g/m2 and 300 g/m2.
The percentage area that is coated with the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive composition should be at least 20% and can range up to about 95%, for specific products preferably from 40 to 60% and from 70% to 95%. This can be achieved, if desired, by means of multiple application, with the possible use if desired of adhesive compositions having different properties.
Depending on the backing material and on its temperature sensitivity, the self-adhesive layer can be applied directly or first applied to an auxiliary support and then transferred to the ultimate backing. Subsequent calendering of the coated product and/or pretreatment of the backing, such as corona irradiation, may be advantageous for better anchoring of the adhesive layer.
After coating, the backing material is usually covered on the adhesive side with an anti-adhesive backing material, such as siliconized paper. The plasters are then punched out in the desired size and, if desired, are sealed individually and sterilized, preferably by means of gamma rays.


A prismatic secondary battery includes a prismatic hollow outer body having a mouth and a bottom; a flat electrode assembly, a positive electrode collector, a negative electrode collector, and an electrolyte, all of which are stored in the prismatic outer body; a sealing plate sealing up the mouth of the prismatic outer body; and a positive electrode terminal attached to the sealing plate in an electrically insulated manner. The sealing plate includes a gas release valve and an electrolyte pour hole and further includes, on the front face, a concaved flat face having an identification code. With the prismatic secondary battery of the invention, a jig for assembly or the like is unlikely to come into contact with the identification code during an assembly process of the prismatic secondary battery, hence the identification code is unlikely to be abraded, and the traceability is unlikely to be lost.

Alkaline secondary batteries typified by a nickel-hydrogen battery and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries typified by a lithium ion battery are widely used as power supplies for driving portable electronic equipment such as cell phones including smartphones, portable computers, PDAs, and portable music players. In addition, alkaline secondary batteries and the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries are also widely used for power supplies for driving electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs, PHEVs) and in stationary storage battery systems for suppressing the variation in output power of photovoltaic generation, wind power generation, and the like, and for peak shifts in system power in order to store electric power during the night time and to use the electric power during daytime.
In particular, the batteries for EVs, HEVs, and PHEVs and for the stationary storage battery system are required to have high capacity and high output characteristics, and hence each battery is upsized and a number of batteries are connected in series or parallel when used. To address this, in these applications, prismatic secondary batteries are generally used from the viewpoint of space efficiency. A prismatic secondary battery that further needs physical strength commonly employs, as an outer body of the battery, a metal prismatic outer body having a mouth and a metal sealing plate for sealing up the mouth.
Such a prismatic secondary battery, for example, a prismatic nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, is produced as follows. For example, both faces of a positive electrode substrate made from, for example, a long sheet of aluminum foil, are coated with a positive electrode active material mixture containing a positive electrode active material to prepare a positive electrode sheet. Separately, both faces of a negative electrode substrate made from, for example, a long sheet of copper foil, are coated with a negative electrode active material mixture containing a negative electrode active material to prepare a negative electrode sheet.
Next, the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are stacked interposing a separator made from, for example, a microporous polyethylene film therebetween, and the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are spirally wound on a cylindrical winding core while insulating the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet from each other through the separator to prepare a cylindrical wound electrode assembly. Then, the cylindrical wound electrode assembly is pressed with a pressing machine to form a flat wound electrode assembly. Next, a positive electrode collector electrically connected to the positive electrode sheet is electrically connected to a positive electrode terminal that is insulated from a sealing plate, while a negative electrode collector electrically connected to the negative electrode sheet is electrically connected to a negative electrode terminal that is insulated from a sealing plate. Then, the flat wound electrode assembly is wrapped with a member having insulating characteristics and stored in a metal prismatic outer body; a mouth portion of the prismatic outer body is sealed with a sealing plate; an electrolyte is poured from a electrolyte pour hole provided on the sealing plate; and finally the electrolyte pour hole is sealed to produce the prismatic nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
Such a prismatic secondary battery required to have high capacity and high output characteristics is required to have much higher safety than that of secondary batteries for portable small equipment. Especially, in the case of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that uses a material having very high reactivity, for example, as shown in US Patent Publication No. 2010/0233529 (US2010/0233529 (A1)) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,781,088 specification (U.S. Pat. No. 7,781,088 (B2)), this nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is equipped with a gas release valve for releasing internal pressure when the pressure in a battery outer body is increased and a current interruption mechanism for interrupting electrical connection between an external terminal and an electrode assembly in the outer body.
The metal sealing plate used for the prismatic secondary battery includes at least a mouth for attaching a positive electrode terminal, a mouth for attaching a negative electrode terminal, a gas release valve, and an electrolyte pour hole. The metal sealing plate commonly has a rectangular shape, a chamfered rectangular shape, a rounded rectangular shape, or an oval shape. The mouth for attaching a positive electrode terminal and the mouth for attaching a negative electrode terminal are arranged on both end sides in a longitudinal direction of the sealing plate, and each of the gas release valve and the electrolyte pour hole is provided between the negative electrode terminal and the positive electrode terminal on the sealing plate.
Meanwhile, the prismatic secondary battery is mass-produced and thus is preferred to have a sealing plate with any identification code for providing traceability during an assembly process and after the assembly. Such an identification code can be easily formed by printing, laser marking, or seal-affixing on the sealing plate. However, the sealing plate is required to be subjected to an attachment process of a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, an attachment process of a negative electrode collector and a positive electrode to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal, respectively, an attachment process of the collectors to a prismatic outer body, a pouring process of an electrolyte, and the like until the completion of a prismatic secondary battery. Due to these processes, even when an identification code is simply applied by printing, laser marking, seal-affixing, or the like onto a surface of the sealing plate, such an identification code is abraded by the contact of a jig for assembly or the like during the assembly process of the prismatic secondary battery, and this increases the possibility that the identification code cannot be read thereby causing traceability to be lost.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Sealing plate for prismatic secondary battery and prismatic secondary battery using the sealing plate


A hermetically sealed device comprising a spacing unit and a resistive heating element desirably having a closed-loop structure and process for hermetically sealing a device by using such heating element and spacing unit. The frit can form multiple closed-loops to prevent crack propagation. The heating element can be advantageously made of a metal such as Invar® and/or Kovar®. The invention enables hermetic frit sealing with low residual stress in the seal for large-area displays. The invention is particularly advantageous for hermetic sealing of OLED display devices having a large area, such as those above 10 inches (25 cm).

Many optical and/or electrical devices comprise a chamber defined by multiple components, with additional optical and/or electronic elements housed and protected inside the chamber. Hermetic sealing of such chambers of such devices may be desired depending on the included components to extend the life span of the device. Hermetic sealing can be a challenge.
For example, OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display is on the horizon of next generation display market, but hermetic sealing technology becomes one of the hurdles for its commercialization. The diodes are in general very sensitive to oxygen and moisture. Thus hermetic sealing is required for the chamber housing them. Various frit sealing methods have been developed to join and seal glass plates to form such hermetic chambers. One exemplary method utilizes electromagnetic irradiation, such as an infrared laser beam, to heat and soften the frit material to achieve the hermetic sealing.
Another method involves direct resistive heating of the frit materials to achieve a bonding of the components to be sealed together. United States Patent Application Publication Serial No. 2007/0096631 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,282,393 disclose direct resistive heating of frit materials to join two substrates. However, the direct resistive heating approaches as disclosed therein suffer from various drawbacks and need improvement. One of the drawbacks is non-uniform heating of the frit material between the substrates, which can lead to stress and crack formation in the seal, and possibly delamination.
Frit sealing of devices having an enclosure with a large area, such as flat panel TV based on OLED display, poses significant technical challenges. Traditional frit sealing using a layer of frit material between the large base substrate and the cover substrate as the bonding agent and the physical spacing component cannot be used effectively for such large sizes. The bonding strength and the separation can both fall short. Sagging of the glass substrates can cause unwanted contact between the cover plate and the substrate bearing electronic components.
The present invention provides a direct resistive heating method capable of achieving a robust hermetic sealing for large size devices.