A battery exchange apparatus having a structure which allows a battery to be easily taken in or out of the battery exchange apparatus and to provide a small-size battery exchange apparatus suitable to be used in an indoor facility. The battery exchange apparatus has a plurality of slots, and batteries inserted in the slots are charged by chargers. The battery thus charged is rented to a user in accordance with instructions. Upon rental of the battery, a battery lock provided on a retaining mechanism is released, and the battery projects forwardly more than an adjacent battery not to be rented. The slot holding the battery includes a first interior section, innermost in the slot for securing the battery, and a second interior section that is wider than the first interior section. The second interior section allows a user to easily hold the end portion of the battery. Further, the battery itself has a palm-size cross-sectional shape, allowing a user to easily hold the battery.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery exchange apparatus, and particularly to a battery exchange apparatus suitable for collectively controlling the charging and rental of a battery to be mounted on a motor-driven vehicle using a motor as a drive source. In addition, the present invention relates to a chargeable battery, and particularly to a chargeable battery mounted on a motor-driven vehicle as a power source of the motor-driven vehicle.
2. Description of Background Art
In recent years, a bicycle on which a motor is mounted as an auxiliary power source for assisting a force produced by the legs of a user (hereinafter, referred to as xe2x80x9ca motor-assisted bicycle) has been available. A battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery that allows repetitive recharge is used as a power supply of the motor.
If a user of a motor-assisted bicycle possesses a battery personally, there occurs an inconvenience in that the charging of the battery must be performed by the user himself. To solve such an inconvenience, there may be considered a system for collectively controlling the charging of batteries. For example, there may be considered a battery exchange system for a user of a motor-assisted bicycle in such a manner that the user rents a battery from the system that collectively controls the batteries, returns the battery after the battery is exhausted, and rents a new full-charged battery.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-293874 discloses a battery exchange apparatus for automatically renting a battery to a registered user and for receiving the returned battery from the user. By deploying such battery exchange apparatuses at a number of locations, it is possible to solve the inconvenience of the battery management in which a user must perform the charging, storage, and the like of the battery and also to utilize a motor-assisted bicycle in a wide range with no attention paid to exhaustion of the battery.
The installation of the above-described battery automatic exchange apparatus is very convenient, and therefore, a number of persons will come to use the exchange apparatus. Under such circumstances, it is required that many and unspecified persons can easily operate the battery exchange apparatus. In particular, it is essential to improve the operability upon taking out a relatively heavy battery of the battery exchange apparatus.
The above-described automatic battery exchange apparatus has a structure suitable to be used in an outdoor facility in order to enhance the convenience of a user in the course of cycling on a vehicle such as a motor-assisted bicycle. However, in consideration of the applicability of the battery exchange apparatus and comfortableness for use by a user, the installation of the battery exchange apparatus in an indoor facility should be examined. The battery exchange apparatus adapted to be used in an outdoor facility, however, requires an air conditioning system for allowing the battery exchange apparatus to keep up with various environmental conditions such as a particular installation area, weather, and climate and for removing heat generated upon charging the battery. As a result, there occurs a problem that the battery exchange apparatus is enlarged and is not suitable to be used in an indoor facility.
The prior art battery is provided with a handle for allowing a user to easily carry the battery, or formed into a shape and a size suitable for the battery to be mounted on a motor-assisted bicycle or the like. The prior art battery, however, fails to consider the containment of the battery in a battery exchange apparatus collectively controlled as described above, or the workability and usability in handling the battery, particularly, when containing the battery in the battery exchange apparatus.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem and to provide a battery exchange apparatus capable of easily taking a battery out of the battery exchange apparatus.
To achieve the above object, according to a first feature of the present invention, there is provided a battery exchange apparatus having a containing portion for containing an approximately square pole shaped battery, and a charger for charging the battery, characterized in that the containing portion is configured as a cylindrical body with a bottom capable of containing the battery in the longitudinal direction; and the containing portion includes a first interior section for retaining the battery, and a second interior section which is spread from the first interior section to the opening portion side of the cylindrical body to allow one end of the battery contained in the containing portion to project from the second interior section.
According to a second feature of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first feature, the battery exchange apparatus includes: lock means for locking the battery in the cylindrical body with a bottom at a position near a bottom portion thereof; and lock releasing means for releasing the locking by the lock means and projecting the battery to the opening portion side more than another battery adjacent to the battery.
According to a third feature of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second feature, a plurality of the cylindrical bodies with bottoms are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions; and a door is provided commonly to each group of the plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged in both the vertical or horizontal direction. Furthermore, according to a fourth feature of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first, second and third features, the battery to be contained in the containing portion is formed into an approximately rectangular shape in transverse cross-section, and the short side of the battery has a palm size.
With the first feature, since one end of the battery contained in the containing portion projects in the second interior section, it is possible for a user to easily hold the one end of the battery and hence to easily take the battery in or out of the battery exchange apparatus. With the second feature, since the battery projects more than other batteries adjacent thereto when the locking is released by the lock releasing means, it is possible for a user to more easily hold the one end of the battery.
With the third feature, it is possible to take necessary batteries in or out of those of a plurality of the containing portions arranged in each row or in each stage by opening the door provided for those of a plurality of the containing portions arranged in each row or in each stage. With the fourth feature, it is possible to improve the workability in taking the battery in or out of the battery exchange apparatus as its configuration allows the user to easily hold the battery.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a small-size battery exchange apparatus suitable to be used in an indoor facility.
To achieve the above object, according to an additional feature of the present invention, there is provided a battery exchange apparatus for providing an already charged battery, the battery exchange apparatus having a containing portion for containing batteries and a charger for charging each of batteries, characterized in that the battery exchange apparatus is installed in an indoor facility, and an atmosphere in the battery exchange apparatus is maintained depending only on ventilation with an atmospheric air in the indoor facility; and the total height of the battery exchange apparatus is set to be in a range of 80 to 120 cm. With this first feature, the battery exchange apparatus of the invention is suitable to be used in an indoor facility. In particular, since the total height is set to be in a range of 80 to 120 cm approximately, a battery can be easily inserted in or removed from the containing portion, and the upper surface of the exchange apparatus can be effectively used as a surface on which an article is to be placed.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the number of batteries arranged in the horizontal direction in the battery containing portion is larger than that of batteries arranged in the vertical direction in the battery containing portion. With this second feature, although the height of the apparatus is set at a value being as low as about 120 cm, the number of batteries contained in the containing portion can be increased.
According to a still further feature of the present invention, the battery exchange apparatus includes a power-supply unit and a control unit; and the control unit includes a lock control means for retaining a battery received in the containing portion, a charging control means for charging the battery received in the containing portion, and a lock releasing means for releasing the battery, which has been charged, that is retained by the containing portion in accordance with a user""s demand. With this third feature, the received battery is locked in the containing portion, on the other hand, the locking state of an already charged battery is released and the already charged battery is taken out of the containing portion.
According to another feature of the present invention, the containing portion includes a plurality of cylindrical bodies with bottoms; and the battery exchange apparatus includes a display means for recognizably displaying those in a vacant state and those in the state containing charged batteries of the plurality of cylindrical bodies with bottoms. With this fourth feature, a user can recognize the presence or absence of batteries in the containing portion and the presence or absence of an already charged battery by means of the display means.
According to an additional feature of the present invention, the power-supply unit and the control unit are disposed in the lowermost stage; the containing portion is disposed in an intermediate stage; and a guiding means including the display means is disposed in the uppermost stage. With this additional feature, the guiding means is disposed to an easy-to-view position, and a battery is disposed at an easy-to-reach position.
According to a still further feature of the present invention, the battery exchange apparatus includes a fan for ventilating the inner atmosphere of the battery exchange apparatus. With this feature, the inner atmosphere is ventilated with atmospheric air at a location where the battery exchange apparatus is installed. According to another feature of the present invention, the indoor facility is a convenience store. With this still further feature, since the height of the battery exchange apparatus is set to a value 120 cm, even if the apparatus is arranged together with other commodities on shelves, it is possible to ensure a high visibility of the interior of the store when it is installed in combination with other article show cases and to desirably place an article or product on the upper surface of the exchange apparatus.
An additional object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem and to provide a chargeable battery suitable to be contained in a battery exchange apparatus.
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a chargeable battery used for a battery exchange apparatus capable of exchanging an exhausted battery for an already charged battery, the chargeable battery being composed of a plurality of battery cells contained in an approximately square pole shaped battery pack, characterized in that the battery pack is formed into an approximately rectangular shape in transverse cross-section, and the short side of the approximately rectangular shape has a palm size. The battery pack is approximately symmetrical with respect to a parting plane set at a position bisecting the short side. The battery pack has an engagement hole to be engaged with locking means moved forward and backward with respect to a plane including the short side, the engagement hole being formed symmetrically with respect to the parting plane.
With this feature, since the battery has a palm size, it is possible for a user to easily carry the battery without the provision of any additional member such as a handle. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability not only in mounting or dismounting the battery on or from a motor-assisted bicycle but also in taking the battery in or out of a battery exchange apparatus for charging the battery. Since the battery has no portion projecting outwardly from the outer surface thereof, it is possible to simplify the shape of a battery containing portion of a battery exchange apparatus. Since the engagement hole is formed in the battery pack, if locking means is provided on a battery exchange apparatus, the battery can be certainly held by engaging the locking means with the engagement hole. Since the battery pack is formed symmetrically with respect to the parting plane, it is possible to reduce the steps of designing a mold used for production of the battery pack by molding.
According to another feature of the present invention, the chargeable battery has a pair of terminals connected to the battery cells; and the pair of terminals are disposed on one end in the longitudinal direction of the approximately square pole shaped battery pack in such a manner as to be symmetrical with respect to the parting plane, and are held by the battery pack. With this feature, it is possible to more easily form the symmetrical battery pack, and hence to promote the first feature.
According to a further feature of the present invention, a second engagement hole is formed in a surface opposed to the surface in which the engagement hole is formed; and the engagement hole and the second engagement hole are set to be fitted to an adapter for supplying power to equipment which uses the battery as a power source. With this configuration, in the case of connecting the battery to equipment using the battery as a power source via an adapter, the adapter can be certainly held by the engagement hole provided in the surface, facing to the adapter, of the battery pack.
According to a still further feature of the present invention, projecting stripes extending in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack are formed on the surface opposed to the surface in which the engagement hole is formed in such a manner as to be symmetrical with respect to the parting plane. With this feature, since the surface, on which the projecting stripes are formed, of the battery pack is easily brought into slide-contact with another member, for example, with a battery containing portion of a battery exchange apparatus, it is possible to improve the operability in taking the battery in or out of the battery containing portion.
According to another feature of the present invention, a design seal is stuck between the projecting stripes symmetrically formed. According to this feature of the present invention, the design seal is a seal providing a notification that a battery is recyclable. Since the design seal is protected by the projecting stripes, it is prevented from being damaged or contaminated. In addition, it is possible to easily inform a user that the battery is a recyclable product.


A method for managing packet traffic in a data processing network includes collecting data indicative of the amount of packet traffic traversing each of the links in the network's interconnect. The collected data includes source and destination information indicative of the source and destination of corresponding packets. A heavily used links are then identified from the collected data. Packet data associated with the heavily used link is then analyzed to identify a packet source and packet destination combination that is a significant contributor to the packet traffic on the heavily used link. In response, a process associated with the identified packet source and packet destination combination is migrated, such as to another node of the network, to reduce the traffic on the heavily used link. In one embodiment, an agent installed on each interconnect switch collects the packet data for interconnect links connected to the switch.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention is in the field of data processing networks and more particularly to managing the routing of network packets in multiprocessor networks.
2. History of Related Art
In a multiprocessor system where multiple nodes are interconnected through an interconnect, the interconnect can be used to transfer a variety of data including data related to computation as well as data related to I/O requirements. In a conventional network, where no special attention is paid to the mapping between processes or threads and their corresponding nodes, the utilization of the system interconnect may be less than optimal. Certain physical links within the interconnect may used extensively while others are used scarcely. If the number of packets traversing the more heavily used links approaches the bandwidth limitations of the link, network performance or response time may degrade under circumstances where there may be ample bandwidth on other links. It would be desirable to implement methods, systems, and networks that could migrate processes when interconnect usage becomes unbalanced to distribute packets over physical links more equitably.
If the network consists of a relatively few number of nodes and interconnect links, the task of determining which, if any, processes might beneficially be migrated may be quite manageable. As the number of nodes and interconnect links increases, however, the difficult of identifying and correcting undesirable interconnect usage patterns increases dramatically. Any system or technique attempting to address unbalanced network utilization should, therefore, be scaleable such that the solution is relatively indifferent to the number of nodes and the number of switches within the interconnect itself.

Optimal interconnect utilization in a data processing network

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus and method for enhanced encoding and decoding of Bayer images is presented. The use of intra-plane prediction, which relies on correlation between neighboring pixels of the same color, is enhanced by adding inter-plane prediction that relies on correlation between neighboring pixels in different color planes (i.e., different colors). The inter-plane prediction is performed within either a single residual computation, or across multiple residual computations, such as generating an intra-predicted set of residuals which are then utilized in computing inter-predicted residuals.

1. Field of the Technology
This disclosure pertains generally to digital imaging, and more particularly to Bayer color encoding and decoding of digital images.
2. Background Discussion
Numerous color camera systems (e.g., digital cameras, camcorders, and scanners) utilizing single-chip digital image sensors make use of a Bayer filter mosaic including a color filter array (CFA) for arranging RGB color filters on/over a grid of photosensors. This particular (Bayer) arrangement of color filters, having 50% green, 25% red and 25% blue, is utilized to create a color image, and is alternately referred to as RGBG, GRGB, or RGGB. It should be appreciated that since the human eye is more sensitive to green there are more green pixels because more content in the green portion of the spectrum enhances image appearance.
Bayer color images are typically encoded with only 8-bit resolution, as opposed to the typical 24-bit (RGB) representation. By assigning each pixel either a Red, Blue, or one of two Green values (i.e., Gr, Gb), one can then utilize the color information in the vicinity of each pixel to specify the actual color for that pixel, or assign colors for that pixel group. Bayer encoding utilizes a color mosaic in which the colors alternate so that the colors in a neighborhood can be used to determine the value for each color component of the pixel in question.
FIG. 1 depicts a Bayer color mosaic, showing a total of 8 pixel groups, R1, B1, Gr1, Gb1, through to R8, B8, Gr8, Gb8. It can be seen that every position has a particular color component and is surrounded by at least two of each of the other color values. It will be noted that a Bayer image has four color planes (1) R-plane, (2) Gr-plane, (3) Gb-plane, and (4) B-plane. References to image "planes" in Bayer encoding refer to a "color-plane".
Typically, residuals are generated for these pixels based on a difference between the pixel and an average of neighboring pixels of the same color. Generally, the averaging process in Bayer encoding exploits spatial correlation within the same color, and is referred to as intra-plane correlation. This averaging takes into account that closely neighboring samples with the same color tend to have more similar values compared to distant samples. For example, it is more likely that |R1−R2|<|R1−R4|.
However, it would be beneficial to enhance prediction during Bayer color encoding to increase encoding efficiency.
Accordingly, the present technology extends Bayer encoding benefits and overcomes shortcomings of previous approaches.

Intra-plane and inter-plane predictive method for Bayer image coding


The invention relates to an electronic device offering a plurality of menu items to a user. In order to enable a user friendly selection of the menu items, the electronic device comprises a screen, user input means, storing means adapted to store parameters for a virtual model of a user and processing means. The processing means are adapted to generate a visual representation of a virtual user model on the screen based on the stored parameters for the virtual model of a user, to cause a movement of a visually represented virtual user model depending on a user input, to detect a movement of a visually represented virtual user model that is associated to a particular menu item, and to call a function that is assigned to the particular menu item.

Most electronic devices require some kind of interaction with a user for their operation. In order to enable a fast access to a plurality of functions of an electronic device, the functions can often be accessed by means of a menu structure.
A menu structure comprises a plurality of layers, and each layer comprises one or more menu items. Only the menu items of one layer are offered at a time to a user. Each menu item of a current layer offers a certain function to a user. A first type of functions is accessing the menu items of a next layer, which are logically associated to the menu item of the current layer. A second type of functions is controlling the electronic device. The menu items of one layer can be arranged in any suitable form, for example in a list, in a grid structure, or distributed on a desktop in the form of icons, etc.
For a good user experience, the path through the menu structure should be simple and intuitive.
Due to many reasons, such as costs, usefulness etc., many technical devices do not have elaborated graphical user interfaces. Instead, these devices may be controlled remotely. In particular simple technical systems having a simple user interface can benefit from exporting their user interface functionality in a more comprehensive format to a connected electronic device. An example in this category is a printer, which is normally remotely controlled, for example by means of a personal computer (PC).
Mobile terminals are becoming increasingly powerful, and they are available at any time and at any location for a user. Therefore, mobile terminals have the potential to become the primary means of interaction between a user and various technical devices. In view of the increasing number of features that are implemented in mobile terminals themselves, the total number of functions that may be controlled by mobile terminals can thus be expected to become quite extensive.
With an increasing number of functions that are controlled via a single electronic device, an intuitive handling of the menu structure is of particular importance.


A drug delivery device for placement in the eye includes a drug core comprising a pharmaceutically active agent, and a holder that holds the drug core. The holder is made of a material impermeable to passage of the active agent and includes an opening for passage of the pharmaceutically agent therethrough to eye tissue. The device includes a layer of material permeable to passage of the active agent. In assembling the device, a pin or weight, having a shape similar to the drug core, is used during curing of the permeable material.

Various drugs have been developed to assist in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and diseases. However, in many instances, such drugs cannot be effectively administered orally or intravenously without the risk of detrimental side effects. Additionally, it is often desired to administer a drug locally, i.e., to the area of the body requiring treatment. Further, it may be desired to administer a drug locally in a sustained release manner, so that relatively small doses of the drug are exposed to the area of the body requiring treatment over an extended period of time.
Accordingly, various sustained release drug delivery devices have been proposed for placing in the eye and treating various eye diseases. Examples are found in the following patents, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. 2002/0086051A1 (Viscasillas); U.S. 2002/0106395A1 (Brubaker); U.S. 2002/0110591A1 (Brubaker et al.); U.S. 2002/0110592A1 (Brubaker et al.); U.S. 2002/0110635A1 (Brubaker et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,475 (Smith et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,019 (Ashton et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,598 (Chen et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,386 (Ashton et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,895 (Guo et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,972 (Guo et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/403,421 (Drug Delivery Device, filed Mar. 28, 2003) (Mosack et al.); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/610,063 (Drug Delivery Device, filed Jun. 30, 2003) (Mosack).
Many of these devices include an inner drug core including a pharmaceutically active agent, and some type of holder for the drug core made of an impermeable material such as silicone or other hydrophobic materials. The holder includes one or more openings for passage of the pharmaceutically agent through the impermeable material to eye tissue. Many of these devices include at least one layer of material permeable to the active agent, such as polyvinyl alcohol.
Various prior methods of making these types of devices involve the step of heat curing one of the materials from which the device is fabricated, such as the layer of permeable material, after insertion of the drug core in the device. This invention recognized that some active agents are heat sensitive, however, and such a heat curing step could deleteriously affect the active agent. This invention provides improved methods that avoid exposing the active agent in the drug core to excessive heat.


A system for sampling a surface includes a sampling probe having a housing and a socket, and a rolling sampling sphere within the socket. The housing has a sampling fluid supply conduit and a sampling fluid exhaust conduit. The sampling fluid supply conduit supplies sampling fluid to the sampling sphere. The sampling fluid exhaust conduit has an inlet opening for receiving sampling fluid carried from the surface by the sampling sphere. A surface sampling probe and a method for sampling a surface are also disclosed.

The automated sampling of surfaces for analytes is an area of continuing interest. Recent methodologies have utilized surface sampling probes and various forms of automation as a means of improving sampling efficiency and accuracy. Examples include those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,117,929, U.S. Pat. No. 7,995,216, U.S. Pat. No. 7,295,026, U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,013, U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,566, U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,439, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,593, US 2012/0079894, and US 2012/0080589. The disclosures of these patents and publications are hereby incorporated fully by reference.

Ball assisted device for analytical surface sampling


A fuse adapter kit for a fuse of a switch-fuse module and a switch-fuse module. The fuse adapter kit includes: a fuse canister having an axially elongated fuse receiving portion adapted to receive the fuse; and at least one terminal having i) an axial fuse receiving opening for receiving an axial end portion of the fuse, ii) a lateral protrusion forming a mechanical male connector, and iii) an electrical terminal connector laterally arranged within the mechanical male connector for electrically connecting the fuse to an electrical canister connector; wherein the fuse canister has a fuse mounting wall portion extending axially along a back side of the fuse receiving portion, the fuse mounting wall portion having at least three fuse mounting openings at different axial positions along the fuse mounting wall portion, each of the fuse mounting openings forming a mechanical female connector matching the mechanical male connector of the terminal to form a mechanical plug connection, and wherein the fuse canister further includes the electrical canister connector arranged at at least one of the fuse mounting openings for electrically connecting to the electrical terminal connector.

A large number of area secondary substations including medium- or high-voltage equipment is required to distribute power to end customers in urban and rural areas. Due to the increasing or fluctuating population of many cities and the associated change in urban areas, public supply companies are confronted with the challenge of adapting fast to varying conditions.
In the context of such demands from customers of medium- or high-voltage equipment, there is a significant need for an easy and flexible adaptation of the equipment to changing urban requirements in a cost-effective manner.

Fuse adapter kit for a fuse of a switch-fuse module


Apparatus and methods for deactivating bronchial nerves extending along the secondary bronchial branches of a mammalian subject to treat asthma and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (11) is inserted into the bronchus as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (10) bearing the transducer into the secondary bronchial section to be treated. The ultrasonic transducer emits circumferential ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout circular impact volume (13) as, for example, at least about 1 cm3 encompassing the bronchus to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual bronchial nerves. The apparatus and methods utilized for lung tumor ablation.

Lung tumors represent a significant health issue with reduced quality of life due to prolonged and complicated treatment regiments. While procedures to successfully perform tumor-biopsies are established (Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy, ENB), tumor removal or ablation is being performed in separate procedures putting the patient under enormous psychological stress.
For many years ultrasound has been used to enhance cell repair, stimulate the growth of bone cells, enhance delivery of drugs to specific tissues, and to image tissue within the body. In addition, high-intensity focused ultrasound has been used to heat and ablate tumors and tissue within the body. Ablation of tissue has been performed nearly exclusively by high-intensity focused ultrasound because the emitted ultrasound energy is focused on a specific location to allow in-depth tissue necrosis. However, surrounding tissue and intervening structures that the ultrasound energy must pass through are often exposed to significant energy levels causing collateral damage.
How to selectively target, predominantly lung tumor tissue, without affecting the surrounding tissue by ablating the tumor from its inside is not taught in the prior art. There is a need for a device and method to selectively ablate lung tumor tissue without the risk of causing damage to intervening structures and surrounding tissues. If this can be achieved, treatments would be much easier and faster to perform. Today's multiple diagnostic and therapeutic procedures could be reduced to a one-time diagnosis/treatment, much better tolerated by patients.
Successful treatment of pulmonary diseases such as asthma and COPD are important since these diseases represent a significant global health issue with reduced quality of life. While drug therapy (Bronchodilators, Anti Inflammatories and Leukotrines Modifiers) can be used to treat asthma, it is not always successful and is very expensive. Asthma is a disorder characterized by airway constriction and inflammation resulting in breathing difficulties. Wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing are typical symptoms. These symptoms are caused by increased mucus production, airway inflammation and smooth muscle contraction resulting in airway obstruction. This obstruction can be treated by injuring and scaring the bronchial walls. This remodeling of the bronchial walls stiffens the bronchia and reduces contractility. Mechanical means and heat application have been proposed, as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,094. Other approaches focus on destruction of smooth muscle cells surrounding the bronchia as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0143099A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,906,124. European Patent No. 2405841 describes applications of heat shocks through infused agents. Other techniques include applying RF energy to the bronchial wall and thereby directly widening the bronchia through a process which is not disclosed as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,740,017 and 8,161,978. Whatever the process, the bronchial wall will be damaged, and the procedure therefore has to be staged as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,017.
Inactivating conduction of nerves surrounding the bronchia by mechanical action, i.e., puncturing, tearing, cutting nerve tissue, has been proposed in US Patent Application Publication No 2012/0203216. In US Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0000118 nerve tissue ablation occurs by applying energy (RF, HIFU, microwave, radiation and thermal energy) directly to the nerves percutaneously. It is not taught how to identify the nerve location in order to align the energy focal point (e.g. HIFU) with the nerve location. This is an issue since nerves are too small to be visualized with standard ultrasound, CT or MRI imaging methods. Therefore, the focal point of the energy field cannot be predictably aligned with the target or nerve location. U.S. Pat. No. 8,088,127 teaches to denervate by applying RF energy to the bronchial wall with the catheter positioned inside the main bronchial lumen. This is a time intensive treatment approach since the RF ablation is limited to the electrode contact area. Therefore, numerous ablation zones need to be pieced together to obtain a larger ablation zone with increased probability of affecting nerves. Efficacy might be severely limited due to the cooling action. In addition, by performing this RF ablation in the main bronchi safety measures need to be implemented to protect the esophagus and peri esophageal vagus nerves. Typically, ablation in the main bronchi requires fluoroscopic imaging and introduction of an esophageal protection/detection balloon to monitor the distance of the esophagus from the treatment site in the main bronchi. There is a need for a device and method to selectively ablate bronchial nerves without the potential of causing damage to bronchial walls and surrounding structures like peri esophageal vagus nerves. This can be achieved, by performing the denervation in the secondary bronchi instead of the main bronchi. This makes the treatments much easier to perform not requiring fluoroscopic imaging or ultrasound measurements to determine esophageal distance from the main bronchial treatment site.
In US Patent Application Publication No. 2016 220851 mechanical means and overlapping ultrasound beams are proposed to seat the ultrasound source, so ultrasound energy is applied between or behind cartilage rings. Except for the mechanical seating no apparatus or method is taught as to how ensure optimal inter cartilage positioning. There is a need for a device and method to easily ensure energy source positioning between cartilage rings. It would be desirable to know whether the ultrasound treatment volume is actually deployed between cartilage rings in particular in secondary bronchi with wider cartilage gaps, or whether the ultrasound is reflected by cartilage rings. Also, enablement of complete circumferential ultrasound transmission with diameter dependent dose optimization is necessary for successful performance of ultrasound lung denervation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for pulmonary interventions


Conventionally, on a subject in which range, refocus can be performed at the time of image capturing or at the time of editing an image is not specified clearly, and therefore, it is difficult for a user to capture an image or to edit an image in a manner the user intends. An image processing apparatus has an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image including a plurality of subject areas and distance information corresponding to the plurality of subject areas and a generation unit configured to generate a shifted image in which positions of the plurality of subject areas are shifted in the image based on the distance information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image capturing apparatus, an image processing method, and a storage medium for obtaining information on focus control of a subject.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an image capturing apparatus, such as a digital camera, there is known an apparatus that makes focus adjustment of a subject included in a captured image by a user specifying the subject by a touch panel operation etc. (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-39457).
Further, the technique is also proposed, which makes it possible for a user to easily grasp an object in focus the image of which is to be captured (subject) by displaying a map image for indicating a depth position representing a position of the object the image of which is to be captured in the depth direction and a focus position representing the position of focus (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-177741).
In recent years, the light field photography technique is also known, which acquires information of the orientation and intensity of a light ray (light field data) and makes adjustment of the focus position (refocus) and adjustment of the depth of field by the later image processing (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-515110).
By using this technique, there is an advantage that a failure in focus adjustment at the time of image capturing can be made up by image processing because it is possible to make focus adjustment after image capturing. Further, there is also an advantage that it is possible to obtain a plurality of images in which arbitrary subjects are brought into focus in an image from one captured image by changing the image processing method, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of times of image capturing.
In light field photography, from data of images captured from a plurality of viewpoints, the direction and intensity of a light ray that passes through each position (light field) in a plurality of positions in the space are calculated. Then, by using the information of the obtained light field, an image on the assumption that light passes through a virtual optical system and forms the image on a virtual sensor is calculated. By appropriately setting such a virtual optical system and a virtual sensor, refocus described previously is enabled. As an image capturing apparatus for acquiring the light field, a plenoptic camera (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-124213) in which a microlens array is arranged behind a main lens and a camera array in which compact cameras are arranged side by side are known. It is possible for both to obtain data of subject images from a plurality of viewpoints captured from different directions by one-time image capturing. In other words, it is possible to represent the light field photography as calculation of an image to be acquired by a virtual sensor under virtual optical conditions from data of images from a plurality of viewpoints. In the following, the processing to calculate an image acquired by the virtual sensor is referred to as "refocus processing". As refocus processing, there is known a method in which acquired data of images from a plurality of viewpoints is subjected to projective transformation onto a virtual sensor, and added and averaged (for example, WO2008050904).
As a method for displaying an image having been subjected to refocus processing (hereinafter, a refocus image) while changing the focus position, mention is made of, for example, the method disclosed in United States Patent No. 2008/0131019. In the method disclosed in United States Patent No. 2008/0131019, the user interface (UI) to adjust the focus position is prepared on the screen on which a refocus image is displayed and the focus position is changed via the UI. Further, in United States Patent No. 2008/0131019, the method is disclosed, which displays a refocus image whose focus position is adjusted to a subject which a user desires to put to a focus position and has given instructions through a screen on which the refocus image is displayed.
In the display of captured image data or light field data, an object to be brought into focus exists on a plane at a fixed distance from the position of image capturing. However, in the case where focusing is performed by specifying a specific subject, it is not possible for a user to grasp which subject other than the specific subject is brought into focus.
Further, by the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-177741, it is possible to grasp which subject is brought into focus by the map image in which marks indicating objects the image of which is to be captured are arranged in order in the depth direction, however, the map image is quite different from the captured image (actual image), and therefore, it is difficult to grasp the subject intuitively.
That is, by the conventional methods disclosed in the above-described Patent Literatures etc., on a subject in which range, refocus can be performed is not specified clearly at the time of photographing or at the time of editing an image, and therefore, there is such a problem that it is difficult for a user to perform image capturing or image edition in a manner the user intends.

Image processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium for obtaining information on focus control of a subject


A cartridge case includes a first case and a second case that are fitted together to form a cartridge body capable of housing an information recording carrier therewithin. The first case is constructed by attaching a reference hole forming member, in which a positioning reference hole is formed, to a main plate of the first case.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cartridge case that includes a first case provided with a positioning reference hole and a second case and is constructed so as to house an information recording carrier, and to an information recording medium where an information recording carrier is included inside such cartridge case.
2. Description of the Related Art
As one example of an information recording medium where an information recording carrier is housed inside a cartridge case, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-195864 discloses a magnetic tape cartridge (hereafter, simply "tape cartridge"). The tape cartridge is constructed with a reel, around which magnetic tape (an information recording carrier) is wound, rotatably housed inside a cartridge case that includes a lower case (first case) and an upper case (second case). When the tape cartridge is loaded in a recording/reproducing apparatus, the magnetic tape is pulled out of the cartridge case and subjected to recording and reproducing. Reference holes for positioning the cartridge case at a predetermined recording/reproducing position in the recording/reproducing apparatus are formed in a baseplate of the lower case. During the recording/reproducing process, in a state where positioning pins are inserted into the reference holes to position the cartridge case at a recording/reproducing position inside the recording/reproducing apparatus, the magnetic tape is pulled out from the cartridge case and the magnetic tape is wound back from inside the cartridge case.
On the other hand, by investigating the tape cartridge (cartridge case) described above, the present inventor discovered the following problem. That is, with this type of tape cartridge, the reference holes are formed in the cartridge case so that when the cartridge case is loaded into a recording/reproducing apparatus during the recording/reproducing process, positioning pins are inserted into the reference holes after the cartridge case has been conveyed to the recording/reproducing position by a loading mechanism. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, due to extremely small displacements of the cartridge case 2x (in the following description, component elements of the conventional tape cartridge are indicated by attaching "x" to the reference numerals) relative to the loading mechanism (not shown), a front end portion of a positioning pin Px may contact and catch on a rim portion of a reference hole 27x as shown by the broken line in FIG. 5. As this type of tape cartridge is easy to mold and resistant to thermal deformation and the like, the cartridge case 2x(the upper case and lower case 2bx) is injection molded using polycarbonate, for example. This means it is difficult for the positioning pins Px to slide on the cartridge case 2x.
Accordingly, when the tape cartridge is used repeatedly, there is the problem of damage being caused to the rim portions of the reference holes 27x(i.e., the surface of the baseplate 2cx) of the lower case 2bx due to the positioning pins Px catching thereon. If the positioning pins Px catch on the surface, the loading mechanism repeatedly carries out the conveying process (loading process) for the cartridge case 2x until the positioning pins Px are properly inserted into the reference holes 27x. As a result, there is a problem of a long time being required from the loading of the tape cartridge into the recording/reproducing apparatus until the start of the recording/reproducing process. Also, the recording/reproducing apparatus described above is constructed so that when the number of repeated executions of the loading process reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that a "loading error" has occurred and the recording/reproducing process on the tape cartridge is suspended. Accordingly, when a backup process for recording data is carried out on a data server using a tape cartridge as a backup medium, for example, there is the risk of a major accident where the occurrence of a loading error prevents the backup process from starting at a predetermined time.
On the other hand, when the entire cartridge case 2x (the lower case 2bx) is made of a metal material, for example, to avoid damage to the rim portions of the reference holes 27x of the lower case 2bx, there is the problem of a large increase in the manufacturing cost. To prevent loading errors from occurring, the entire cartridge case 2x (the lower case 2bx) may be molded using various types of resin materials on which the positioning pins Px can slide favorably when the positioning pins Px contact the reference holes 27x, but doing so carries the risk of a fall in strength and also of thermal deformation of the cartridge case 2x (the lower case 2bx) when the cartridge case is exposed to high temperatures inside the recording/reproducing apparatus or the like.

Cartridge case and information recording medium


Compounds of formula I:

The use of compounds which bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors for the treatment of a range of disorders involving reduced cholinergic function such as Alzheimer's disease, cognitive or attention disorders, anxiety, depression, smoking cessation, neuroprotection, schizophrenia, analgesia, Tourette's syndrome, and Parkinson's disease is discussed in McDonald et al., (1995) "Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacology", Chapter 5 in Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 30, pp. 41-50, Academic Press Inc., San Diego, Calif.; and in Williams et al., ( 1994) "Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors," Drug News & Perspectives, vol. 7, pp. 205-223.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I:

Abstract: and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein Ar and R are as defined in the specification, compositions containing such compounds and the use of such compounds and compositions for use in therapy.


A speech to visual display translator assembly and method for converting spoken words directed to an operator into essentially simultaneous visual displays wherein the spoken words are presented in phonems and variations in loudness and tone, and/or other characteristics of phonemes displayed, are presented visually by the display.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an assembly and method for assisting a person who is hearing impaired to understand a spoken word, and is directed more particularly to an assembly and method including a visual presentation of basic speech sounds (phonemes) directed to the person.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Various devices and methods are known for enabling hearing-handicapped individuals to receive speech. Sound amplifying devices, such as hearing aids are capable of affording a satisfactory degree of hearing to some with a hearing impairment.
Partial hearing loss victims seldom, if ever, recover their full range of hearing with the use of hearing aids. Gaps occur in a person's understanding of what is being said because, for example, the hearing loss is often frequency selective and hearing aids are optimized for the individuals in their most common acoustic environment. In other acoustic environments or special situations the hearing aid becomes less effective and there are larger gaps of not understanding what is said. An aid optimized for a person in a shopping mall environment will not be as effective in a lecture hall.
With the speaker in view, a person can speech read, i.e., lip read, what is being said, but often without a high degree of accuracy. The speaker's lips must remain in full view to avoid loss of meaning. Improved accuracy can be provided by having the speaker "cue" his speech using hand forms and hand positions to convey the phonetic sounds in the message. The hand forms and hand positions convey approximately 40% of the message and the lips convey the remaining 60%. However, the speaker's face must still be in view.
The speaker may also convert the message into a form of sign language understood by the deaf person. This can present the message with the intended meaning, but not with the choice of words or expression of the speaker. The message can also be presented by fingerspelling, i.e., "signing" the message letter-by-letter, or the message can simply be written out and presented.
Such methods of presenting speech require the visual attention of the hearing-handicapped person.
There is thus a need for a device which can convert, or translate, spoken words to visual signals which can be seen by a hearing impaired person to whom the spoken words are directed.

Speech to visual aid translator assembly and method

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


A motor controlled poppet valve is provided of the type including a valve body, a valve seat mounted at one end of the valve body, and a valve element that comprises a threaded shaft having one end engaged to a nut driven by a stepper motor, and a free end reciprocably moveable into a valve opening or a valve closing position, wherein the free end of the shaft assumes a substantially nonvarying distance from the drive nut or the stepper motor when moved into the valve closing position, and a resilient linkage assembly including a constant force spring that interconnects the free end of the shaft with the valve element. The resilient linkage forcibly depresses the valve element into the valve seat when the shaft is moved into the valve closing position with a force that remains substantially constant regardless of variations in the distance between the free end of the shaft and the valve closing position due to thermal expansion and contraction of the valve body. Additionally, the extreme control of the extent to which the valve element is moved toward the valve seat afforded by the combination of the stepper motor and threaded shaft allows the poppet valve to perform not only a gas isolation function, but throttling and soft start functions as well, thereby obviating the need for separate throttling or soft start valves in a vacuum system.

This invention generally relates to poppet valves, and is specifically concerned with a stepper motor controlled valve having a resilient linkage assembly for depressing the valve element into the valve seat with a constant force regardless of variations in the distance between the valve element and valve seat caused, for example, by thermal expansion or contraction of the valve body. The poppet valve of the invention advantageously provides not only positive shut-off, but throttling and soft-start capabilities as well.
Control valves for the precision regulation of gas flows and maintenance of vacuum and near-vacuum conditions are well known in the prior art. Such control valves are used, for example, in devices for manufacturing semiconductor components and integrated circuits on silicon chips. In such applications, three different types of control valves are frequently necessary, including a shut-off valve for positively isolating the vacuum system for the ambient atmosphere, a throttling valve for modulating a flow of gas from one part of the system to another, and a soft-start bypass valve for facilitating slow pump-downs from atmospheric pressures to minimize turbulence and particle disturbance within the vacuum system. The ability to positively isolate the vacuum system from the ambient atmosphere is a necessary precondition if vacuum or low pressure integrity is to be maintained. The ability to precision modulate a flow of gas in such systems is particularly important in the implementation of manufacturing processes such as chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, and ECR deposition. The ability to implement slow pump-downs in such systems is also important, as a turbulent flow of gas through the valve can cause the dislodgement of particulate matter in the system onto the silicon chips, thereby spoiling the final product.
Thus far, no one single valve structure has been discovered which can satisfactorily perform all three functions of positive isolation, gas throttling, and soft-start capabilities. While prior art poppet-type valves are capable of providing excellent isolation between the vacuum system and the ambient atmosphere, they are not capable of providing the type of precision throttling and soft-start capabilities required in such systems, largely due to the fact that once the valve element is withdrawn a short distance from the valve seat, such valves instantly become highly conductive to gas flow. While it is conceivable that improved throttling characteristics might be obtained with improved distance control between the valve element and the valve seat, the required degree of the precision control of such small distances has in the past been rendered near impossible due to the dimensional changes of the valve body and valve stem due to thermal expansion or contraction as heated gases flow through the bodies of such valves. Specifically, the applicant has observed that when the body of the valve is heated (as may be done to prevent the condensation of silicon nitride out of a gas during a flow forming process) such heat typically does not raise the temperature of the valve stem at the same rate as the valve body due to the isolating bellows which typically circumscribes and contains the valve stem in such valves. The resulting thermal differential expansion of the valve body relative to the valve stem can not only alter the flow characteristics of such valves; it can (under certain conditions) actually jeopardize the integrity of the positive seal desired when such valves are used solely for isolation purposes.
While other types of prior art control valves are known which are capable of providing adequate throttling characteristics, such valve designs (which may include, for example, butterfly-type valves, vane valves, gate valves or angle valves) typically employ wiping seals whose outer surfaces continually wear down with use. The wearing down of these seals continually changes the flow characteristics of these valves, which must be compensated for by either the use of relatively expensive control mechanisms or the constant adjustment of a simpler control mechanism by the operator of the valve. In many cases, wiping the seal against contamination renders the seal useless as a vacuum seal.
Clearly, there is a need for a single type of valve which is capable of performing all three functions of positive shutoff, throttling, and soft-start in order to obviate the need for three separate kinds of valves in such vacuum systems. Ideally, such a valve should be simple in construction and controllable by means of relatively simple and inexpensive control circuits. Finally, it would be desirable if such a valve did not employ wiping seals so that all of the problems associated with the wearing down of such seals over time would be avoided or at least minimized.

Motor controlled throttling poppet valve


A server motherboard diagnosis method, system, and related circuit system. A management module of the server motherboard and peripheral devices managed by the management module are capable of being powered by a server power source and a USB port. In response to the management module and the peripheral devices being powered by the USB port, a power supply line of the server power source is isolated, as by: identifying the peripheral devices, in response to the management module and the peripheral devices being powered by the USB port; for each of the identified peripheral devices, initializing the peripheral device, and then shutting down the power supply of the peripheral device; establishing a communication between the management module and a diagnosis host through the USB port; and executing a command in response to the command being received from the diagnosis host.

Generally, a server is powered by a power source of the server. A management module of the server is responsible for the management function. For accomplishing the management function of the server, such as hardware upgrade or log collection, the management module of the server needs to be initialized to some status with the use of the power source of the server. The entire procedure of the initializing to some status includes complicated user operations, such as configuring a web connection and user authentication, all of which need the cooperation of a power module.
When there is a problem of the server, generally, a maintenance staff will replace the server motherboard with a new motherboard, and bring the original motherboard back to a lab for diagnosis, so as to find the problem. The power source configured for the lab is essentially the same as the power source of the power module configured for the server. In doing so, however, it is time-consuming. The maintenance staff usually wishes to diagnose in the field, in order to determine if the server motherboard is problematic.
It is necessary to conduct a series of installations and configurations to collect logs or update/recover hardware, so as to diagnose a piece of problematic server motherboard to locate problems. When there is a problem with the server in the field, the power source of the server might not be able to supply power; usually, there is no spare power source of the server in the field, and it is very inconvenient for maintenance staff to carry a spare power source of the server with them. Some problems of the server may also cause firmware of the management module to not work properly, and the maintenance staff cannot diagnose the problems with the managing functions provided by the firmware of the management module.

Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) PTE. LTD.


In one embodiment, a first network device receives a control message in a first protocol from a client, the control message in the first protocol being addressed to a second network device. The first network device identifies an existing connection in a second protocol that is associated with the second network device. The first network device establishes a connection in the first protocol with the client according to a status of the existing connection in the second protocol that is associated with the second network device.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for establishing a network connection.
2. Description of the Related Art
Network connections are often time consuming to establish. More particularly, protocols such as TCP typically require that specific control messages be sent and acknowledged before a network connection can be established. As a result, connection establishment is delayed.
Moreover, network bandwidth is consumed by the control messages that are transmitted to establish these network connections. Similarly, network bandwidth is consumed by the control messages that are transmitted to tear down an established connection. Accordingly, valuable bandwidth is consumed to transmit these control messages.

Optimizations for TCP connection setup and teardown


A horizontal synchronization signal generating circuit self-generates a horizontal synchronization signal if an actual horizontal synchronization signal fails to be detected in a composite video signal. Each time an edge-detection circuit detects an actual horizontal synchronization pulse, a counter and decoder are reset. An actual horizontal synchronization signal has a period of 63.5 .mu.s. If the edge detection circuit fails to detect the actual horizontal synchronization signal, then the decoder outputs a self-generated horizontal synchronization signal at 64 .mu.s and a selector circuit disables the edge detection circuit for approximately 35 .mu.s. In contrast, if the edge-detection circuit detects an actual horizontal synchronization signal, the decoder is reset before it can output the self-generated signal and the selector disables the edge detection circuit for approximately 60 .mu.s. Accordingly, a period of 35 .mu.s exists during which an edge-detecting signal is disabled after a horizontal synchronizing output produced by self-generation has been outputted. The disabling period allows detection of horizontal synchronizing inputs when narrow pulse signals are lost during vertical synchronous periods, and allows immediate extraction of the horizontal synchronizing inputs regardless of the difference of the odd/even fields and allows outputting of the corresponding horizontal synchronizing output.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuit and, more particularly, to a horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuit for separating and generating horizontal synchronizing signals from composite synchronizing signals for television or video tape recorder (VTR) images and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Composite synchronizing signals generally include horizontal synchronizing ("sync") signals and vertical synchronizing signals. Each of these synchronizing signals is a signal for indicating a timing for television (hereafter "TV") systems to scan pictures on cathode ray tubes (CRTs).
Specifically, the baseband signal for television is a composite of the visual information signals and synchronization signals. The visual information is transmitted as three signal components including a Y-luminance component, an I-chrominance component, and a Q-chrominance component. The I-chrominance and Q-chrominance components together convey information on the hue or tint and on the amount of saturation of the coloring which is present (assuming a color receiver/monitor). Monochrome receivers only require the Y-component.
The synchronization signal consists of narrow pulses at the end of each line scan for horizontal synchronization, and a sequence of narrower and wider pulses at the end of each field scan for vertical synchronization. Additional synchronization for the color information demodulation in the receiver is superimposed on the horizontal pulses as mentioned below.
Horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuits are circuits for separating horizontal synchronizing signals from such composite synchronizing signals.
Referring to FIG. 6 which illustrates waveforms of composite synchronizing signals, the composite synchronizing signals include the above-mentioned horizontal synchronizing signals H and vertical synchronizing signals V. These horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals are for initializing horizontal (e.g., side-to-side) scanning with a timing provided by the horizontal synchronizing signals H, and for initializing vertical (e.g., up-and-down) scanning with a timing provided by the vertical synchronizing signals V.
The composite synchronizing signals (e.g., H and V) are extracted from composite picture signals received and decoded by TV tuners. Occasionally, disturbances occur depending on the state of the radio waves at the time of reception, including superimposition of noise, loss of some synchronizing signals, etc. This is an important consideration when the configuration and the function of a horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuit are designed.
Besides horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals, composite synchronizing signals also include additional signals referred to as "serrated pulses P" and "equalizing pulses Q" near (adjacent) the vertical synchronizing signals V. Serrated pulses P are for indicating the horizontal pulses, whereas equalizing pulses Q are for recognizing the vertical synchronous period (e.g., they are input only around (adjacent) the vertical synchronous period). The equalizing and serrated pulses serve to stabilize the horizontal synchronizing inputs and may be set to a predetermined (e.g., two times) value of the frequency of the horizontal synchronizing inputs. Thus, these pulses serve to provide continuity to the horizontal inputs during a blanking period.
Additionally, there are two patterns of composite synchronizing signals referred to as an "odd field" and an "even field" due to a phase difference between the horizontal synchronizing signals H and the vertical synchronizing signals V. For purposes of this application, an "odd field" pattern is the pattern represented by the odd-numbered lines scanned, whereas an "even field" pattern is the pattern represented by the even-numbered lines scanned. As mentioned above, horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuits have the function of extracting horizontal synchronizing signals from composite synchronizing signals.
Hereinafter, for convenience and brevity, the horizontal synchronizing signals, inputted as components of composite synchronizing signals, and the extracted and outputted horizontal synchronizing signals, are referred to simply as "horizontal synchronizing inputs" and "horizontal synchronizing outputs", respectively. Further, the periods during which vertical synchronizing signals are inputted are referred to simply as "vertical synchronization periods". The Q pulses are output only around (e.g., adjacent) the vertical synchronizing period.
Referring to FIG. 7, a conventional horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuit includes a trailing-edge detecting circuit 1 which detects a transition of composite synchronizing signals from a high-level (e.g., a "1") to a low-level (e.g., a "0"), thereby to output a pulse-like, edge-detecting signal E. A counter 6 counts up the pulse number of a count clock CK and initializes the count number to zero by a counter-clearing signal CC.
A count number decoder 7 monitors the count of the counter 6, and sets an H-output reset signal A, a mask-canceling signal B and a self-generated output signal C, respectively, when the count number N has reached first through third settings ("1").
Briefly, the first setting is a value such that matching occurs 5 .mu.s after initialization of the counter 6, since the pulse width of the horizontal synchronizing inputs of the composite synchronizing signal SY is on the order of 5 .mu.s, as mentioned below.
The second setting is for preventing false inputting of the composite synchronizing signal SY due to noise, etc., and as mentioned below is usually set to approximately 93-95% of the cycle of the horizontal synchronizing inputs (e.g., an "approximate" horizontal synchronization signal).
The third setting is a value indicating the cycle of the horizontal synchronizing inputs (e.g., approximately 63.5 .mu.s or 64 .mu.s as shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B)).
The count number decoder 7 resets the signals A, B and C in response to the counter-clearing signal CC ("0").
A flip-flop 5 masks signals (hereafter termed "the F/F for masking signals") from the trailing-edge detecting circuit 1 and the count number decoder 7. Specifically, flip-flop 5 sets an input-masking signal MI in response to the generation of the mask-canceling signal B, and resets the input-masking signal MI in response to supply of the trailing edge-detecting signal E.
After generation of SH, there is no masking signal generated so that an outside SY may be input to create noise. The conventional circuit takes the first trailing edge after the vertical synchronous period which may be an H or Q signal. Then, the detector detects Q for the H synchronizing signal until a pulse is lost and the circuit resynchronizes itself.
An AND gate 2 performs a logical-AND operation between the edge-detecting signal E and the input-masking signal MI. An OR gate 3 performs a logical-OR operation between the output of the AND gate 2 and the self-generated output signal C from the count number decoder 7.
A flip-flop 4 for H-signals (horizontal sync signals) (hereafter termed "the F/F for H-signals") sets the horizontal synchronizing output SH of the output in response to a high-level output through the OR gate 3, and resets the horizontal synchronizing output SH in response to the high level of the H-output reset signal A.
Below, the operation of the conventional horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuit will be explained with reference to FIG. 7 and to FIGS. 8(A)-8(B) which is a time chart illustrating waveforms at individual sections of the conventional circuit.
The trailing-edge detecting circuit 1 generates an edge-detecting signal E upon detection of a trailing edge of the composite synchronizing signal SY.
With this edge-detecting signal E, the output through the AND gate 2 is switched to a high level "1" (assuming that the input-masking signal MI is at a high level "1"), and the counter-clearing signal CC outputted through the OR gate 3 is switched to a high level ("1") as well. The counter-clearing signal CC initializes the counter 6 to zero, and simultaneously sets the F/F for H-signals 4 to switch the horizontal synchronizing output SH to a high level.
Simultaneously (e.g., in parallel), the edge-detecting signal E resets the F/F for masking signals 5. Therefore, the input of the edge-detecting signal E is disabled from this time until generation of a mask-cancelling signal B. Additionally, the counter-clearing signal CC initializes the outputs A, B and C of the count number decoder 7 to respective low levels simultaneously with the initialization of the counter 6. It is noted that the FF 5 has a certain delay therein which allows MI to go high substantially instantaneously with the trailing edge detection signal.
The counter 6, after having been initialized by the counter-clearing signal CC, restarts counting-up upon input of a counter clock CK pulse from a clock (not illustrated). Then, the count number decoder 7 begins monitoring to detect whether the count number N of the counter 6 is equal to the first setting. When a match is detected (e.g., count number N of the counter 6 is equal to the first setting), the count number decoder 7 switches the H-output reset signal A to a high level.
In response to the H-output reset signal A, the F/F 4 for H-signals is reset, and the horizontal synchronizing output SH of the output is switched to a low level (e.g., "0"). As mentioned above, since the pulse width of the horizontal synchronizing inputs of the composite synchronizing signal SY is on the order of 5 .mu.s, the first setting is set to such a value that matching occurs 5 .mu.s after initialization of the counter 6.
When the above operation is completed, a first horizontal synchronizing input is extracted from the composite synchronizing signal SY.
When the counter 6 continues counting up, and the count number N matches the second setting, a mask-canceling signal B is generated, and the F/F 5 for masking signals sets an input-masking signal MI.
It is noted that the relationship between the counter 6 and the outputs A, B, and C is determined by whether they match or not. For example, when the output of the decoder "matches the second setting" "B" is output. Thus, the respective first, second and third settings of the clock counter (e.g., the first second or third clock counts) triggers outputs A, B, and C.
Here, the edge-detecting signal E outputted through the trailing-edge detecting circuit 1 is enabled. That is, as mentioned above, the second setting is the period during which the edge-detecting signal E is disabled, to prevent false inputting of the composite synchronizing signal SY due to noise, etc. As further mentioned above, the second setting is usually set to approximately 93-95% of the cycle of the horizontal synchronizing inputs (e.g., approximately 63.5 .mu.s), or 60 .mu.s in this case.
When the composite synchronizing signal SY has no loss of horizontal synchronizing input, the trailing-edge-detecting circuit 1 detects a trailing edge of the composite synchronizing signal SY and outputs a trailing-edge-detecting signal E before the count number N attains the third setting.
In response to the output of the edge-detecting signal E, the OR gate 3 sets a counter-clearing signal CC to initialize the counter 6 to zero. The initialization of the counter 6 results in resetting the respective output signals A-C of the count number decoder 7 as well. Subsequent operation is the same as described above, and thus reference thereto is omitted. The disablement period allows the horizontal synchronizing inputs to be identified immediately after the vertical synchronous period.
The composite synchronizing signal SY may lose some portions when the receiving state of the respective radio wave is temporarily impaired. To counter such a loss, self-generation of the horizontal synchronizing output SH may be performed, as discussed below and as shown in the waveform of FIGS. 8(A) and 8(b).
Specifically, since no edge-detecting signal E is generated even after the input-masking signal MI has been switched to a high level, the AND gate 2 remains at the low level, and no counter-clearing signal CC is generated. Therefore, the counter 6 continues the counting operation.
Then, when the count number of the counter 6 matches the third setting of the count number decoder 7, the self-generated output signal C is switched to a high level, and thus the output of the OR gate 3 is switched to a high level as well.
This results in almost the same state as when an edge-detecting signal E has been generated, and the counter-clearing signal CC initializes the counter 6 and the count number decoder 7, while the F/F 4 for H-signals switches the horizontal synchronizing output SH to a high level. The only difference between the above-described state and when an edge-detecting signal E is generated is that the F/F 5 for masking signals is not reset. Accordingly, trailing edges of the composite synchronizing signals SY inputted after this point in time are received without error.
Thus, when the composite synchronizing signal SY has some lost portions and self-generation of the horizontal synchronizing output SH is performed, the composite synchronizing signals SY inputted thereafter are not ignored and are received preferentially.
As described above, the conventional horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuit, including the trailing-edge detector 1, detects trailing edges of composite synchronizing signals SY from an external source, and outputs horizontal synchronizing outputs SH. Further, after detection of the edges, the process enters input-masking terms to prevent malfunction due to noise, radio wave impairment, etc. Additionally, the circuit self-generates the horizontal synchronizing outputs SH in preparation for times when the composite synchronizing signals SY lose some portions thereof (or are completely lost).
However, when VTR sets are actually used (as well as broadcast TV signals), horizontal synchronizing signals, serrated pulses, equalizing pulses, etc. are sometimes not inputted during periods of vertical synchronizing signals. This is a problem.
Specifically, the waveform of inputted composite synchronizing signals becomes flat (e.g., even) due to great attenuation of the above pulse level during vertical synchronous periods, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), depending on the method of establishing a connection between the output device (not shown) for the composite synchronizing signals and the input terminal TI for the composite synchronizing signals.
For example, when the composite synchronizing signal-transmitting signal line is connected to a power supply via a pull-up resistor, the impedance at the output end changes at the low level as well as the high level, and since this results in a longer transition time from the low-level to the high-level than the transition time from the high-level to the low-level, the narrow pulses at the high-level become flat.
Further, due to the phase relationship between the vertical synchronous terms and the horizontal synchronizing inputs, the composite synchronizing signals are of two types, the odd field and the even field, as shown in FIG. 6.
The above considerations (e.g., the narrow pulses at the high-level becoming flat and the composite synchronizing signals being of the odd field-type and the even field-type) cause the following problems.
Namely, input of composite synchronizing signals of waveforms with loss of narrow pulses such as horizontal synchronizing signals and equalizing pulses during vertical synchronizing signal periods as described above, always results in output of horizontal synchronizing outputs SH by self-generation during the vertical synchronous periods, and thus in receipt of trailing-edges of later-inputted composite synchronizing signals SY as horizontal synchronizing inputs.
However, since the vertical synchronous terms and the horizontal synchronous inputs have two phase relationships, equalizing pulses are erroneously received as horizontal synchronous inputs only in the case of the odd field. The "even field" will not face such problems since the first pulse immediately after the vertical synchronous period is always the horizontal pulse for the "even field".
Since composite synchronizing signals of waveforms with lost narrow pulses, including horizontal synchronizing inputs, are inputted during vertical synchronous periods, self-generated horizontal synchronizing inputs are outputted during vertical synchronous periods without exception. Additionally, the trailing-edges of the later-inputted composite synchronizing signals are always recognized as the horizontal synchronous inputs to erroneously receive equalizing pulses as the horizontal synchronous inputs in the case of the odd field.
Referring to FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), the relationship among the composite synchronizing signal SY with lost narrow pulses during the vertical synchronous periods, the input-masking signal MI and the horizontal synchronizing signal SH for each of the odd/even fields, and the operation for extracting the horizontal synchronizing inputs is shown for the odd field and the even field. As shown and as mentioned above, with the conventional circuit, horizontal synchronizing inputs may be extracted erroneously immediately after the vertical synchronous periods.
In view of the foregoing, the above conventional horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuit cannot extract the horizontal synchronizing inputs immediately after the vertical synchronous periods, and the corresponding horizontal synchronizing outputs cannot be outputted. As a result, horizontal synchronization is not efficiently performed and indeed may be improperly performed.
Moreover, after generation of the SH signal, there is no masking signal MI generated so that an outside SY signal may be input to create noise.

Horizontal synchronizing signal-generating circuit and method therefor


In a front body structure of a vehicle according to the present invention, satisfactory impact absorption can be achieved both at the time of offset collision and at the time of full-lapped collision. When a load applied to an offset-collided front side member from a front side of the vehicle is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the collided front side member is deformed. Thus, a front suspension member rotates. As a result, a bolt passing through the front suspension member fits into a branch of a slit of a rear mounting bracket disposed on the collided front side member, and the state in which the collided front side member is fixed to the front suspension member is maintained.

Conventionally, in a front body structure of a vehicle for reducing the impact acting on occupants at the time when the vehicle such as an automobile comes into frontal collision, a front sub-frame is supported by bolts to brackets which are fixed to a main frame and in which rear-end opening slits are formed, and the bolts on the rear side slip from the rear-end openings of the slits at the time of frontal collision. Accordingly, the main frame can be crushed without the interruption of the front sub-frame. This structure is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 11-171046.
Further, in another front body structure of a vehicle for reducing the impact acting on occupants at the time when the vehicle such as an automobile comes into frontal collision, a front cross member extending on a front edge of the vehicle along the transverse direction thereof is divided at a substantially central portion of the front cross member into right and left two cross members, and a compass mechanism for symmetrically restricting the rotational movement of the right and left cross members with the respective substantially central portions thereof being as a rotational center is provided at a connecting portion between the right and left cross members. This structure is disclosed in, for example, JP-A No. 11-198854.
However, in the structure of JP-A No. 11-171046, even when the vehicle comes into offset collision, the right and left bolts on the rear side slip from the rear-end openings of the slits, and the impact is absorbed only by the collided front side member. Therefore, the amount of impact absorption in the case of offset collision is less than that in the case of full-lapped collision (full collision), and satisfactory impact absorption cannot be achieved. Further, in the structure of JP-A No. 11-198854, the satisfactory impact absorption is limited by the problem of strength of the compass mechanism against a large collision load.


A disk control apparatus includes a shock sensor detecting a shock applied to a disk portion performing data reading and writing on a hard disk, and a shock log data generation manager creating shock log data concerning the detected shock, based on a predetermined shock determination threshold value relating to the level of the shock.

There is a disk control apparatus storing information to indicate which component is to be diagnosed based on information on the error that occurred, and having the function of outputting information to enable a self-diagnosis of the cause of the occurrence of the error to be performed in a short time without the need for a skilled worker (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H04-264627).
The entire disclosure of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H04-264627 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Moreover, there is a disk control apparatus provided with a shock sensor and having the function of detecting a shock of not less than a predetermined level and stopping writing or the like.
The inventor considers that it frequently occurs that a failure on the disk portion occurs due to a shock applied through carelessness without the user being aware of it, not only in portable disk control apparatuses such as portable hard disk recorders and digital cameras, but also in stationary disk control apparatuses.
However, in conventional disk control apparatuses as described above, information clearly indicating that such a shock is applied cannot be obtained.
The inventor has noticed that for this reason, when a failure on the disk portion occurs, its cause can be correctly diagnosed only in few cases.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A unified arrangement for providing a unique nanofibrous porous media formed as a chemical compound from a water-soluble polymer combined with a cross-linking agent with a balance of water, which chemical compound prevents the polymer from dissolving in water, including a humid environment.

The present invention relates to a unified method, apparatus and product arrangement for producing nanofiber filaments and more particularly, to such an arrangement for producing organic filter media nanofibers.
It is well known in fiber manufacture to produce extremely fine fibrous materials of organic fibers, attention being directed to U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,331 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,404, issued to G. E. Martin et al on August 23 and August 30, respectively, wherein a fibrillar mat product is prepared by electrostatically spinning an organic material and subsequently collecting spun fibers on a suitable surface; U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,918, issued to R. S. Manley on May 12, 1981, wherein a controlled pressure is applied to a molten polymer which is emitted through an orifice of an energy charged plate; and, to U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,525, issued to A. Bornat on Apr. 6, 1982, wherein a water soluble polymer is fed by a series of spaced syringes into an electric field including an energy charged metal mandrel having a sheath of aluminum foil wrapper therearound which may be coated with PTFE (Teflon™) release agent. Attention is further directed to U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,404, issued to G. Ernest on Aug. 30, 1977, U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,390, issued to R. Shoji on Jan. 27, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,743, issued to A. C. Fisher on Apr. 14, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,505, issued to D. Annis et al on Jun. 27, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,879, issued to A. G. Scopelianos on Jun. 4, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,913, issued to F. L. Scardino et al on Aug. 22, 2000; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,590, issued to S. Zarkoob et al on Aug. 29, 2000—all of which use polymer nanofiber production arrangements. Finally, attention is directed to the nanofiber polymer spinning article entitled, "Development of Non-wovens for Protective Clothing: "Nanofiber Membrane Example", by P. Gibson et al, published on 9th Annual TANDEC Nonwovens Conference, Nov. 10–12, 1999 by the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center, Natick Mass.
In all of the above prior art, none—either alone or in combination—recognizes let alone teaches, the novel, unified electro-spinning method, apparatus and product arrangement hereinafter set forth. In accordance with the present invention, it is recognized that solvent recovery is a most critical issue, since solvents for most polymers are organic and harmful. Moreover, the fiber tensile strength has proven to be very low with the produced fibers dissolving in water, including environmentally humid conditions. The continuous, uninterrupted manufacturing process of elecrospinning is an important feature of the present invention. A further feature of the present invention is to provide for uniform coverage across a full width of a product through the novel usage of multiple capillary tubes. To further increase production output, the present invention recognizes the advantages of manufacturing tubular capillary tubes with sharp plural outlet tips and with the application of heat surrounding the capillary tubes to further improve output. The present invention, recognizing these past problems in the electro-spinning of water soluble polymeric material, provides a unique arrangement wherein nanofibers can be significantly reduced to very thin cross-sectional areas and yet be produced under unique alternative pressure steps, resulting in a comparatively stronger and more flexible nanofibers. The nanofibers produced by the unique electro-spinning arrangement of the present invention allow for a safe environment with the produced nanofibers being comparatively stronger and having good adhesion and flexibility when mounted to a substrate, allowing for a minimum increase of pressure drop across the manufactured product. In addition, products produced by the unique electro-spinning arrangement of the present invention maintain a comparatively high porous integrity with such lower pressure drop, resulting in higher product efficiency—particularly of significance in the environmental fluid filtration arts. The unique properties of fibers are arrived at in the present invention by combining selected greater portions by weight of water soluble polymers with a selected lesser portion by weight of cross-linkable agent capable of forming three dimensional structural unit molecules with the balance by weight being water. In accordance with the present invention, a selected acid can be added to increase the rate of chemical cross-linking. In addition, heat or ultra violet (UV) light can be applied to enhance cross-linking reaction as the nanofibers are formed. In some selected instances the novel nanofibers can be collected on an acid-water soaked substrate.
Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth herein.

Method, apparatus and product for manufacturing nanofiber media


An air cell includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and an outer frame member located at outer peripheries of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode and the outer frame member are integrally joined together. An assembled battery includes a plurality of air cells, the air cells being stacked on top of each other. This configuration can increase mechanical strength and improve sealing performance for an electrolysis solution in the positive electrode. In addition, a reduction in thickness of the entire air cell can be achieved so that the assembled battery suitable for use in a vehicle can be provided.

There is known an air cell, for example, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 03-037972. The air cell described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 03-037972 includes a flat battery case composed of a plurality of parts, air cathodes (positive electrodes) placed on front and back surfaces of the battery case, and an anode (a metal negative electrode) housed in the battery case. The air cathodes detachably installed in the battery case push rubber gaskets or the like provided in the battery case so as to be sealed therein. Similarly, the anode detachably housed in the battery case is inserted from a side portion of the battery case so as to be sealed therein in the same manner as the air cathodes. Namely, the air cathodes and the anode push the rubber gaskets or the like to keep the sealing performance for convenience of replacement.


A magnetic recording device write channel includes a write equalization encoder for generating a write equalization level signal and a digital to analog converter for converting the write data signal to analog signals for recording. The write equalization level signal from the write equalization encoding device controls an impedance value at an output of said digital-to-analog converter. The output of the digital-to-analog converter is connected to an input of the data transmission line which transmits the write data signal to a write head of the magnetic recording device. Variation in the output impedance of the digital-to-analog converter by comparison to the input impedance of the transmission line controls the level of the equalization transmitted to the write head of the magnetic recording device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates generally to the field of write channel equalization in a magnetic recording device and in particular to a write equalization level control in a tape drive.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetic recording devices such as magnetic tape drives are used for recording computer data for storage and retrieval. Various techniques have been developed over the years to improve the characteristics of data reading and writing on magnetic media. One such development is write equalization recording.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,130 is disclosed an adjustable write equalization for tape drives wherein a circuit and method are provided for adjusting write equalization pulses in a tape drive to achieve a desired suppression in the read signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,665 discloses a programmable write equalization for magnetic data recording wherein a circuit and a method for generating a write compensated write data signal for magnetic recording is provided. Extra write pulses are generated to adjust the pulse width and pulse spacing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,202 discloses an adjustable write-equalized recording circuit for recording data on magnetic tape wherein the amplitude of write-equalisation pulse data waveform is varied by a preset amount or by a sensed amount.
In general, the effect of write equalization pulses can be controlled either by controlling the amplitude of the pulses or by controlling the width of the pulses.
Write equalization is generally used in tape drives in order to put some of the channel equalization on the write side, thereby reducing the amount required on the read side and improving the channel signal-to-noise ratio. Ideally, a write equalization circuit is a digital linear filter. However, the non-linear nature of magnetic recording processes make it desirable to control and adjust the pulses in order to achieve as linear a filter as is possible, given the magnetic non-linearities. Achieving a linear filter response is particularly important for partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) channels, requiring linear superposition of read pulses.
The high frequency nature of the write equalization generally leads to designing the media from the write driver circuit to the write head as a controlled impedance transmission line.

Write channel equalization level control in magnetic recording device