A pipe freezing apparatus 2 has pipe freezer heads 12a, 12b supplied with refrigerant by a compressor 4. The freezer heads 12a, 12b comprise expansion chambers in which the refrigerant expands, to cool the heads. A valve 10 alternately diverts flow of the refrigerant to the freezer heads 12a, 12b. When a supply to a head 12a, 12b is shut off, the compressor lowers the pressure in the head, resulting in enhanced cooling when supply to the head is restored. The compressor 4 can be run continuously while the cooling at the heads is controlled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pipe freezing apparatus, and in particular to a valve or switching unit for controlling the flow of refrigerant through a freezer head.
2. Description of the Related Art
EP-A-0145114 describes a pipe freezing apparatus which is particularly suited to freezing water in pipes, to enable a pipe to be cut without draining the system. A freezer head is attached to the pipe to each side of the region to be worked on, and plugs of frozen water are formed in the pipe, at the location of the freezer heads. The freezer heads constitute expansion chambers, liquid refrigerant being pumped (or drawn) into the chamber and evaporating in the chamber to cool the chamber walls. This arrangement is well known.
Typically a refrigeration system is controlled by a thermostat or pressure switch which turns the compressor off at the required setting. An adjustable thermostatic expansion device may also be used. These controls are not suitable or not convenient for pipe freezing apparatus because the freezer heads are on flexible hoses and at some distance from the compressor.
Some known types of pipe freezing apparatus require periodic manual operation thereof in order to effectively freeze the liquid in a pipe. Thus, for example, it may be necessary to release refrigerant into the freezer head (or jacket surrounding the evaporation chamber) for 90 seconds and then a further 60 seconds after a delay of 2 minutes. Further variable periods of refrigerant release may be required after varying delay times have elapsed, depending upon many factors, including pipe diameter. In fact, this sequence of varying periods required to effect a freeze, can take a relatively long time, during which an operator must be in constant attendance.
Furthermore, after the freeze has been effected, and an ice plug has been formed, some types of pipe freezing apparatus require the operator to return to the freezer head (or jacket) to release an extra burst of refrigerant, otherwise the ice plug may thaw. This manual maintenance of the ice plug is again time consuming and often necessitates inconvenient interruptions of an operator's work schedule.


The disclosure relates to a control system for at least one motor vehicle, including a first control unit having a data interface for coupling the first control unit to a vehicle data bus, as well as having a first network interface for coupling the first control unit to a second control unit via an internet-protocol-based network. The control system also includes the second control unit having a second network interface for coupling the second control unit to the first control unit via the internet-protocol-based network. The second control unit is designed to send or receive at least one control signal that can be transmitted via the vehicle data bus by the first control unit via the vehicle data bus.

A number of electronic control units may be found in motor vehicles, wherein the control units may include a control device in the form of an embedded system, for example. The electronic control units are frequently connected or coupled to a vehicle data bus, such as, for example, the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus, or the FlexRay bus. The control units coupled to the vehicle data bus may send and/or receive messages with one or a plurality of control signals as a data signal via the appropriate vehicle data bus. However, one or more additional control units that are not coupled to the specific vehicle data bus may also be present. Instead, another control unit may be connected, for example via an internet-protocol-based (IP) network, for example via Ethernet, to a control unit coupled to the vehicle data bus. If a control signal is now to be sent or received from the other control unit via the vehicle data bus, a special forwarding application program, a so-called routing application, must be present in the control unit coupled to the vehicle data bus. This routing application prepares control signals received from the other control unit via the IP network for transmission via the vehicle data bus.
All control signals that are to be sent and/or received in the future must already be known at the time the forwarding application program is developed, and must also already be adjusted to the corresponding vehicle data bus. Thus, the forwarding application program is very specialized with respect to each specific case and may not be re-used in other control units or control devices without adjustment, and, where necessary, re-compiling.
US 2012/0185876 A1 discloses a control device in which an inter-layer is used between an application program and a platform program in order to enhance efficiency in a development process.
DE 10 2010 004786 A1 describes a computer-aided method for providing a development environment to implement safety applications in a vehicle architecture. A plurality of safety modules, each having safety applications, are provided, wherein the safety applications of each safety module may be retrieved via one or a plurality of interfaces using external applications.
US 2012/0179730 A1 discloses a method and a device for a system for data storage in which a so-called mountpoint is allocated to an application layer in order to release files.

Direct access to bus signals in a motor vehicle


In a cryptographic module, a User Defined Function (UDF) facility is provided which provides users with the capability of defining and creating custom functions to meet their cryptographic processing needs. The cryptographic module is contained within a physically and logically secure environment and comprises a processing unit and memory connected to the processing unit. The memory includes code for translating User Defined Functions (UDFs) into a machine-readable form and at least one command for operating on the UDFs. The UDFs are loaded into and executed in the secure area of the cryptographic module without compromising the total security of the transaction security system.

In the finance and transaction processing industry, there is often a need to protect data contained within a computer system and transmitted over a computer network. Over the years, a number of mechanisms have been developed to meet this need.
One of the mechanisms that has been developed to protect data being transmitted over a computer network is the cryptographic processor. A cryptographic processor accomplishes this by transforming the data to be protected into an unrecognizable form using a cryptographic scheme and a key. Even with knowledge of the cryptographic scheme, the recognizable form of the data is inaccessible while the data is being transmitted over the computer network so long as the key is kept secret. Cryptographic processors can be created to implement a variety of cryptographic schemes for the encryption and decryption of data.
However, since it is necessary for the keys used by a cryptographic processor to be stored and transmitted within the computer system, additional protection is required to prevent unauthorized access to and copying of the keys. A mechanism that has been developed to further protect data from copying is electrical circuitry such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,271 to Levien. The electrical circuitry disclosed in Levien enables access to data in a protected memory only if the access is in response to an instruction that was previously fetched from the same memory or if the microprocessor is in an input/output cycle. Thus, the circuitry prevents unauthorized access to data within the protected memory.
While these types of mechanisms protect data from electronic attacks, they are insufficient to protect data from physical attacks. Some well known forms of physical attack are mechanical or chemical intrusion, temperature modification, and radiation exposure. One mechanism that has been developed to protect data against physical attack is an intrusion barrier such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,397 to Double, of common assignee with this application. The intrusion barrier disclosed in Double includes a screen material surrounding the electronic assembly which screen material has formed thereon fine conductive lines and an electrical supply and signal detection means to detect a change in the resistance of the conductive lines. The intrusion barrier disclosed in Double further includes temperature sensing means and radiation detection means to detect a predetermined decrease in the temperature or increase in the radiation, respectively.
Using a cryptographic processor in conjunction with the electrical and physical protection devices of Levien and Double, a secure cryptographic module can be created. However, a major drawback of such a cryptographic module is its lack of flexibility. The erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) used in the cryptographic module is programmed with a set of defined cryptographic functions. The particular cryptographic functions that are programmed into the EPROM are selected by determining what functions would be desirable to most users of the cryptographic module. However, there may be additional cryptographic functions which a particular user would like to have added to a cryptographic module. These additional functions may be unknown at the time the EPROM is programmed, they may be user specific and only required by a few users, or they may involve proprietary steps or processes that the user does not want disclosed. In any event, it is not commercially feasible to add all of these additional functions to the functions that are programmed into the EPROM. Using present cryptographic modules, the EPROM would have to be removed from the module, erased, and then reprogrammed to include the additional functions. These additional steps can be costly and time consuming, and maybe even impossible, because the physical protection is specifically designed to inhibit such activity.

International Business Machines Corporation


A process and system for processing a thin film sample (e.g., a semiconductor thin film), as well as the thin film structure are provided. In particular, a beam generator can be controlled to emit at least one beam pulse. With this beam pulse, at least one portion of the film sample is irradiated with sufficient intensity to fully melt such section of the sample throughout its thickness, and the beam pulse having a predetermined shape. This portion of the film sample is allowed to resolidify, and the re-solidified at least one portion is composed of a first area and a second area. Upon the re-solidification thereof, the first area includes large grains, and the second area has a region formed through nucleation. The first area surrounds the second area and has a grain structure which is different from a grain structure of the second area. The second area is configured to facilitate thereon an active region of an electronic device.

Semiconductor films, such as silicon films, are known to be used for providing pixels for liquid crystal display devices. Such films have previously been processed (i.e., irradiated by an excimer laser and then crystallized) via excimer laser annealing ("ELA") methods. However, the semiconductor films processed using such known ELA methods often suffer from microstructural non-uniformities, which manifest themselves in availing a non-uniform performance of thin-film transistor ("TFT") devices fabricated on such films. The non-uniformity generally stems from the intrinsic pulse-to-pulse variations in the output energy of the excimer lasers irradiating the semiconductor films. The above-described non-uniformity could manifest itself in, for example, a noticeable difference in a brightness level of the pixels in one area of the display as compared to the brightness in other areas thereof.
Significant effort has gone into the refinement of "conventional" ELA (also known as line-beam ELA) processes in the attempt to reduce or eliminate the non-uniformity. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,989 issued to Maegawa et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, describes the ELA methods for forming polycrystalline thin film and a method for fabricating a thin-film transistor. This publication attempts to address the problem of non-uniformity of characteristics across the substrate, and provide certain options for apparently suppressing such non-uniformities.
However, the details of the beam-shaping approach used in conventional ELA methods make it extremely difficult to reduce the non-uniformities in the semiconductor films. This is especially because the energy fluence described above may be different for each beam pulse, and thus non-uniformity may be introduced into sections of the semiconductor thin film upon irradiation, solidification and crystallization.
Techniques for fabricating large grained single crystal or polycrystalline silicon thin films using sequential lateral solidification are known in the art. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,625 issued to Im and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/390,537, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, and which is assigned to the common assignee of the present application, particularly advantageous apparatus and methods for growing large grained polycrystalline or single crystal silicon structures using energy-controllable laser pulses and small-scale translation of a silicon sample to implement sequential lateral solidification have been described. In these patent documents, it has been discussed in great detail that at least portions of the semiconductor film on a substrate are irradiated with a suitable radiation pulse to completely melt such portions of the film throughout their thickness. In this manner, when the molten semiconductor material solidifies, a crystalline structure grows into the solidifying portions from selected areas of the semiconductor film which did not undergo a complete melting. This publication mentions that the small grain growth in regions in which nucleation may occur. As is known in the art, such nucleation generates small grained material in the area of the nucleation.
As was previously known to those having ordinary skill in the art of a sequential lateral solidification ("SLS") as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,625, which utilizes the irradiation of a particular area using beam pulses whose cross-sectional areas are large, it is possible for the nucleation to occur in such areas before a lateral crystal growth is effectuated in such area. This was generally thought to be undesirable, and thus the placement of the TFT devices within these area was avoided.
While certain TFT devices do not require a high performance level, they require good uniformity in certain applications. Accordingly, it may be preferable to generate substrates which include the semiconductor films that allow uniform small-grained material to be produced therein, without the need for a multiple irradiation of the same area on the semiconductor thin film.

Process and system for laser crystallization processing of film regions on a substrate to provide substantial uniformity, and a structure of such film regions


A load monitoring system for a mobile work platform including a load cell having at least one strain gauge and a sensing circuit connected to receive a strain signal from the strain gauge. The sensing circuit includes a first sensing device for sensing the strain in the strain gauge, and a second sensing device for sensing a negative shift in the strain signal.

Mobile work platforms typically include a cage or platform that is designed to receive one or more human operators. The cage is mounted on a lift mechanism, such as a hydraulic boom or a scissor lift mechanism, that allows its height to be adjusted. The mobile work platform also includes a wheeled or tracked chassis, which allows it to be moved easily to a desired location. Various types of mobile work platform are available, including self-propelled, self-drive, trailer and vehicle-mounted platforms.
A load monitoring system is generally included to provide cage overload protection. Cage overload protection is required on mobile elevating work platforms as defined by European standard EN280:2001 Amendment 1. European standard EN954 is cited by EN 280 and describes the requirements for safety switches in electrical systems providing overload protection. EN954 Category 3 requires that common mode faults resulting from damage to the protection system are taken into account, if the probability of such a fault occurring is significant.
One such fault may occur if the mechanical structure of the load protection system is damaged, causing the zero position of the load cell to shift in an unsafe direction. The resulting load measurement may then be inaccurate. There is currently no requirement for on-going calibration of load monitoring systems. It is thus possible for damage to the load monitoring system or the structure on which it is mounted to go undetected. This may allow the cage to be overloaded without triggering the protection system, causing the work platform to become unstable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile work platform and a load monitoring system for a mobile work platform that mitigate at least some of the aforesaid disadvantages. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention seeks to provide a detector within the load monitoring system for detecting any unsafe damage to the load monitoring system that may result in an unstable work platform.


An oil deflector is provided comprising a ring-shaped body having a first face and an axial projection extending from the first face. The projection has a radially inwardly facing deflection surface. An oil deflector-bearing assembly includes a bearing, the oil deflector, and a carrier with a plurality of radial oil grooves. The second face of the oil deflector is arranged adjacent to an axial face of the bearing and the carrier is arranged adjacent to the oil deflector so that the projection is at least partially received in one of the oil grooves for deflecting an axial flow of oil.

In some bearing systems, it is desirable to lubricate both a drawn cup bearing and a coaxially aligned carrier with the same axial oil flow. For example, in some automotive transmissions an axial flow is partially diverted to a radial flow to a carrier for a clutch plate by an end of a bearing-supported shaft. It has been observed that the oil flow may be non-uniformly diverted, with a disproportionally large volume of oil, in some cases all of the flow, directed to the carrier with the bearing receiving an insufficient amount of oil.
Accordingly, a need exists for a bearing system with improved oil flow.

Oil deflector and oil deflector-bearing assembly


A fire monitoring system detects a plurality of types of detection information using a plurality of fire phenomenon detectors for detecting physical quantities caused by fire phenomena or using a plurality of detectors each including at least one fire phenomenon detector and at least one environment detector provided in association with the fire phenomenon detector. The plurality of types of detection information undergo consolidated signal processing for obtaining one or more types of fire information for realizing fire monitoring. The fire monitoring system includes a table for storing a specific set of values one for each type of detection information and a corresponding set of values for each type of fire information to be obtained when the specific set of values of detection information is supplied, and a signal processing net having a multilayer structure responsive to the input of respective values for the types of detection information to thereby impart corresponding weights to each value of the input detection information in accordance with the degree of contribution thereof to each value of fire information and to arithmetically determine each value of fire information on the basis of the weighted detection information values. In a learning mode, the weights are adjusted that a value for each type of fire information determined arithmetically when the specific set of values of detection information placed in the table is supplied to the signal processing net approximates the value for each type of fire information contained in the table.

There have heretofore been numerous proposals concerning methods of making decisions as to the occurrence of a fire by comprehensively judging data which is available from a plurality of similar or different types of fire detectors or a method of making the fire decision by comprehensively judging all the data produced by individual sensor parts of multi-element fire detectors each incorporating a multiplicity of sensor elements for detecting heat, smoke or gases. For example, as a system or equipment embodying the above method, there is known one in which the fire decision is made when a value resulting from integration or multiplication of individual elementary sensor outputs exceeds a predetermined value. According to another known system, the fire decision is validated when a predetermined value is exceeded by substituting output values of individual sensors in a specific function. Additionally, there is known a method in which a table defining relations between inputs and outputs is previously prepared, which table is searched for determining whether any value contained therein coincides with the outputs of the individual sensors, whereon the value for which the coincidence is found is read out from the table to be subsequently checked whether that value exceeds a predetermined value, in dependence on which the fire decision is then made.
The methods enumerated above suffer from the shortcomings mentioned below.
(a) Method based on the integration or multiplication of individual sensor outputs:
Although the principle underlying this method is plain, it is too simple for dealing with fire phenomena and lacks reliability to a disadvantage.
(b) Method using functions:
For monitoring all the fire phenomena inclusive of incipient or smoldering fires to conflagrations, a plurality of functions have to be employed, since a single function is insufficient. In that case, the functions must be exchanged in response to the output of a certain one of the sensors, which means that the finally obtained output becomes discontinuous. Further, because the output of the function can represent no more than one result, a number of functions corresponding to the number of possible results are required such as, for example, the probability of a fire and degree or level of danger. Also, great difficulty will be encountered in quickly obtaining a desired function when definitions of the input and output are to be altered or added to.
(c) Table method:
Since the input values from the individual sensors and the results are defined by employing a ROM or the like, there may arise such problems that when only some of the sensor outputs can fulfill the input conditions, blanks in the definition table have to be interpolated by resorting to a partial pattern matching method, although such interpolation is naturally unnecessary when all the input conditions are met. The interpolation becomes very complicated when the number of sensor inputs is great. Also, the table per se must be defined accurately and elaborately.

Fire alarm system and method employing multi-layer net processing structure of detection value weight coefficients


The present subject matter describes system (100) for magnetic enrichment of magnetically marked analytes. The system has capture chip (102) comprising a sample chamber (104) for holding sample having magnetically marked analytes, and a recovery chamber (106) connected to the sample chamber by a channel (202). The volume of recovery chamber is smaller than volume of sample chamber (104). The system has magnetic arrangement (108) comprising a set of magnets (110) in which each two adjacent magnets have opposite polarities facing sample chamber. Set of magnets has dimensions that at least conform to coverage area of sample chamber. The magnetic arrangement also has at least one recovery magnet (112) having dimensions conforming to coverage area of recovery chamber and on alignment, the at least one recovery magnet (112) is at a distance farthest away from the recovery chamber. The system has a linear positioner (114) for moving the magnetic arrangement.

Enrichment refers to the process of increasing the concentration of a particular type of analyte present in a sample. The enrichment of analytes, also referred to as target analytes, may be done by reducing the volume of the solvent of the sample, while maintaining the initial number of target analytes in the sample. The enrichment of analytes may also be done by removing other background materials, such as cells, proteins, and toxins, which are present in the sample alongside the target analyte. Enrichment of target analyte to smaller volume increases the concentration of target analyte in the sample, thereby improving sensitivity of detection of target analytes by existing detection methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), lateral flow assay, and agglutinations assay. Further, the enrichment of target analyte to smaller volume removes background materials that might interfere with detection assay.

Magnetic enrichment of magnetically marked analytes


The present invention can provide an optical device, an optical uniform device, an optical sheet and a backlight unit and a display apparatus. In the present invention, a lamp image can be removed by uniformly emitting incident light from a plurality of light sources. Further, even if a distance between a light source and an optical device and between a light source and an optical uniform device are short, warpage due to heat generated from a light source does not occur.

In a recent large scale liquid crystal display, a direct-lit type backlight has been adopted, wherein a plurality of Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFLs) or LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) are arranged. A diffusion plate having strong light scattering properties is used between an image display device and a light source so that CCFLs or LEDs can not be visually recognized. A diffusion plate diffuses light in all directions by a light diffusion effect darkening a liquid crystal display device. In addition, a plate thickness of a diffusion plate is usually required to be 1-5 mm in order that light scattering properties are improved and the diffusion plate supports an optical film arranged on the diffusion plate. Therefore, light is absorbed by a diffusion plate, and a liquid crystal screen display is darkened.
In addition, year by year, liquid crystal televisions are becoming thinner. Thereby, a diffusion plate also becomes thin and further improvement of diffusion property is required.
Conventionally, the purpose of a diffusion plate used for a direct-lit type backlight is to diffuse light from a CCFL of a light source and to reduce brightness non-uniformity (a lamp image). However, it is difficult to perfectly remove the lamp image.
In the case where diffusion particles are increased too much in order to perfectly remove the lamp image, Total Luminous Transmittance is significantly reduced causing a reduction in brightness. In addition, if diffusion particles of a diffusion plate are reduced in order not to reduce Total Luminous Transmittance, a diffusion effect is also reduced.
In patent documents 1-3, an example is disclosed as a means for improving diffusion performance. In the example, a lens shape is provided to a light outgoing surface of a diffusion plate. For example, a lens having a convex curved surface is arranged on a diffusion plate. In such a diffusion plate, it may be necessary that a shape of a lens is designed so as to correspond to an arrangement of a light source, and determine the alignment of the lens. Therefore, a manufacturing process may become complex. In addition, if a lens shape is provided to a light outgoing surface of a diffusion plate, Total Luminous transmittance of a diffusion plate may be reduced, thereby a liquid crystal display screen may be darkened. Further, a lens sheet arranged on a diffusion plate and a liquid crystal pixel may cause moire interference.
As means to improve brightness of a liquid crystal display screen, a brightness improving film (Brightness Enhancement Film: BEF, a registered mark of 3M (Amerika)) is broadly used as a lens sheet. FIG. 17 is a schematic cross sectional diagram showing one example of the arrangement of a BEF. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a BEF. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, BEF 185 is an optical film in which a unit prism 187 having a triangle cross sectional shape is periodically arranged in one direction on a member 186. This unit prism 187 has a large size (pitch) compared with a wavelength of light.
BEF 185 collects light from "off-axis", and can redirect or recycle this light "on-axis" toward a viewer. That is, BEF 185 can increase brightness on an axis by reducing brightness off an axis when a display is used (viewed). Here, "on axis" is a direction corresponding to a view field direction F of a viewer, and, in general, is the side of a direction of a normal line of a display screen.
However, in the case where BEF 185 is used, the light component due to reflection/refraction may simultaneously be emitted toward a lateral direction without progressing towards a viewing direction F of a viewer. Line B in FIG. 19 shows the characteristics of BEF 185. Light intensity in a direction on axis (the angle to a view field direction F′ is 0°) is increased the most. However, there is a small light intensity peak (side lobe) around 90° (the angle to a direction F′ is 90°). Light emitted in a lateral direction is increased without progressing to a viewer.
In the case where a lens sheet represented by a BEF 185 is used, a diffusion filler is applied to a transparent base material, a diffusion film (hereinafter, called "an under diffusion film") having both functions of diffusion and light collection is arranged between a diffusion plate and a lens sheet, thereby diffusion light emitted from a diffusion plate is effectively collected while visibility of a light source which can not be perfectly removed just by a diffusion plate can be controlled.
Further, in the case where a light diffusion film is arranged between a lens sheet and a liquid crystal panel, a side lobe can be reduced while moire interference occurring between a regularly arranged lens and a liquid crystal pixel can be prevented. However, in a type using an under diffusion film and a light diffusion film, the number of components is increased, thereby processes in manufacturing a display become complex and dust becomes mixed between optical sheets.
In patent document 4, the following are disclosed as a means for solving such a problem. Without using an optical film comprised only of the unit prism, an optical film having an array structure in which a unit lens is arranged in a two dimensional direction with a constant pitch is used for a backlight unit. The optical characteristics of this optical film are shown by the line A in FIG. 19, a side lobe is not shown, and light intensity in a viewing field direction F′ is improved more than a line B.
However, in a backlight unit using such an optical film, because it is necessary that a light outgoing surface of a diffusion plate is flat in order to laminate an optical film to form one body, it was difficult to improve a diffusion effect and a light collecting effect by providing a light outgoing surface of a diffusion plate with a lens.    Patent document 1: JP-A-2007-103321    Patent document 2: JP-A-2007-12517    Patent document 3: JP-A-2006-195276    Patent document 4: JP-A-2007-213035


An image forming apparatus that forms a first image in an image region of printing paper and forms a second image in a non-image region of the printing paper that is outside the image region includes an enlargement/reduction ratio specification unit that enables an enlargement/reduction ratio to be specified for the second image; and an image forming unit that forms the first image in the image region of the printing paper without enlarging/reducing the first image and forms the second image and the non-image region on the printing paper after enlarging/reducing the second image and the non-image region by the enlargement/reduction ratio specified through the enlargement/reduction ratio specification unit.

1. Technical Field of Invention
The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses, image forming systems, and image forming methods for forming images by printing them on printing paper.
2. Related Technology
An image forming apparatus of this kind forms an image first on the front side of printing paper and then on the back side of the same printing paper. During a process in which an image is formed on the front side of the printing paper, the printing paper could shrink or expand, leading to a deviation between the image forming position on the front side of the printing paper and the image forming position on the back side of the printing paper.
To address this potential issue, Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2007-206667 (hereinafter, "Patent Document 1") matches the image forming position on the front side of the printing paper with the image forming position on the back side of the printing paper through the following process. A reference mark is formed on the front side of the printing paper upon forming an image on the front side, and the position of the reference mark is detected twice, once before fixing and once after fixing. Subsequently, when an image is printed on the back side of the printing paper, the position and enlargement/reduction ratio are determined and specified for the image to be printed on the back side based on the deviation between the two detected positions of the reference mark, and the apparatus is set up accordingly. An image, enlarged/reduced (scaled up and/or scaled down) by the enlargement/reduction ratio, is then formed at the specified position on the back side of the printing paper.
Image quality could, however, suffer depending on the enlarging/reducing method being used. The quality of the image formed on the back side of the printing paper may fall if the image is enlarged/reduced when it is printed on the back side of the printing paper as in Patent Document 1.
Incidentally, a deviation between the image forming positions on the front and back sides of the printing paper is generally not a problem provided that the deviation is small in comparison to the image size. But, in cases where marks along which the printing paper is to be cut are formed on the front and back sides of the printing paper, a deviation in position of the cutting marks on the front and back sides of the printing paper is a problem: cutting the printing paper along those cutting marks formed on one side may leave uncut the cutting marks formed on the other side of the printing paper.
The present invention, conceived in view of these conventional problems, has an object to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming method that are capable of matching the positions of cutting marks and like indicators on the front and back sides of printing paper without sacrificing the quality of images formed on the printing paper.

Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image forming method


The invention provides a drum shaker apparatus for use in seed or vine crop harvesters with improved effectiveness in removing seeds or fruit from the plant portion of the crop. The drum shaker includes a rotatable drum to which is mounted a counterweight mechanism having at least three rotatable counterweights, each counterweight having an axis of rotation spaced apart from its center of mass, and means for rotating the counterweights in a phased relationship. Usually, the drum is rotated at a constant angular speed, onto which is superimposed the oscillatory movement caused by rotation of the counterweights. The drum shaker further includes tines extending outward from its surface for engaging the crop. The present invention provides tines of varied stiffness arranged on the drum so as to create relative movement of adjacent tines, which tends to shear the seeds or fruit from the plants. The drum shaker of the present invention offers greater harvesting efficiency, compact size, reduced maintenance and longer life than known shaker-type harvesters.

The present invention relates generally to harvesters for tomatoes and other vine crops as well as to harvesters for seed crops such as wheat, barley, oats, rice, corn, milo, soybeans, sorghum, black-eyed peas, dried beans, safflower, Sudan grass seed, alfalfa seed and others. More specifically, the present invention relates to oscillating drum shaker apparatus utilized in the aforementioned harvesters for separating the seed kernels, fruits or vegetables from the plants of such crops.
Most seed crops have the characteristic that the crop for each plant comprises a relatively large number of small, lightweight seeds, grains or kernels (hereinafter collectively "kernels") which are attached to relatively bulky plant growths, frequently referred to as straw. To harvest the kernels they must be separated from the plants and the two are then segregated, the kernels being collected for subsequent transportation to points of use while the plants may be left on the field, burned or bundled as fodder for other uses.
Seed crop harvesters, now most commonly used in the form of self-propelled or pull-type combines, incorporate threshers which generally have a rotating cylinder the periphery of which is fitted with axially-oriented beater wings, usually provided with peripheral teeth, and a cooperating concave. The concave is trough-shaped and is defined by a multiplicity of axially-oriented, parallel bars carried by circumferential supports which are constructed to form relatively large, typically square openings through which loose kernels and chaff gravitationally drop for collection beneath the concave. Threshing is effected by passing the seed crop through a typically adjustable, closely-controlled, narrow gap between the beater wings of the cylinder and the rasp bars of the concave. As the seed crop passes through this gap the beater wings and the rasp bars mechanically strip the kernels from the straw.
A known variation on this technique of separating seed kernels from straw proposes threshing seed crops by moving them at a leisurely pace along a conveyor and subjecting the crops to vibrations, i.e., to a large number of cyclical accelerations and decelerations. The vibrations separate the kernels from plant growth by taking advantage of inertial forces between them which pull the two apart without the need for physically contacting them and stripping one from the other.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,671 to Johnson, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an apparatus and method for threshing seed crops wherein the crop is fed onto a trough-shaped screen with openings through which seed kernels can pass, the crop being moved circumferentially along the screen by a rotating hub having a multiplicity of tines projecting radially therefrom. Superimposed on the rotational movement of the hub is a cyclical vibrational movement of rotational accelerations and decelerations. This causes the free tine ends to momentarily reverse their direction of movement as they rotate in an overall forward direction, creating a shaking action which separates the kernels from the plant and permits the kernels to work their way in a downward direction through the mass of plant growth until they reach the screen where they pass through openings for subsequent collection. The vibrational threshing device was found to enhance the yield of kernels, reduce the percentage of cracked kernels, and consume less power than was required for conventional thresher combines of comparable capacity. Further, the overall size and weight of the thresher could be reduced resulting in cost reductions in manufacturing and use.
The vibrational movement of the hub described in the '671 patent is accomplished by a vibratory drive having two counterweights secured to and rotating with corresponding shafts, which are driven by pulleys and belts from a hydraulic motor. A second hydraulic motor drives the rotation of the hub. The rotation of the counterweights superimposes onto the constant rotation of the drum a vibratory or oscillating motion which cyclically accelerates and decelerates the angular velocity of the drum.
A device similar to that described in the '671 patent has been proposed for use in tomato harvesters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,506 to Studer, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method and apparatus for mechanically removing tomatoes from their vines after the vines have been severed from the roots and lifted above ground. The severed and lifted vines are fed in between a rotary drum with radially outwardly projecting rods, and stationary arcuate guide rods around the drum. The vines are shaken by subjecting them to angular acceleration and deceleration while the vines are transported around an arcuate path. The tomatoes shaken from the vines are collected, and the stripped vines are dropped back on the ground. The superposition of acceleratory motion on the constant angular velocity rotation of the drum is achieved through the rotation of two counterweights coupled to pulleys and driven by a motor.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,570 to Fitzmaurice describes a harvester for vine crops such as tomatoes having a shaker head capable of being rotationally oscillated about its axis and tines adapted to engage the vines of the crop to be harvested. A support conveyor moves the vines under the shaker head while the tines of the shaker head shake the fruit therefrom. The oscillation of the shaker head is achieved using a two-counterweight mechanism, the counterweights rotationally driven by a chain coupled to a drive shaft. The shaking action is imparted by tines directly to the tomato vines causing tomatoes to separate from the vines and fall to the collection conveyors below.
While oscillating shaker-type devices like the aforementioned are relatively effective for removing the seed or fruit from the plant, it has been found that such devices impose a significant amount of undesirable vibrations on the frame of the harvester. Such vibrations vary with the speed at which the harvester is driven, and the frequency and amplitude of oscillation, but can become particularly pronounced as the resonant frequency of the harvester structure is approached. The vibration problem is further complicated by the tires and suspension on which most harvesters are carried, which act as springs, and can cause the harvester to gyrate vertically and laterally with respect to the ground.
In addition, it is generally known that for certain types of crops, a shaker-type harvester will more effectively remove the seed, fruit or vegetable from the plant if the amplitude of oscillation of the drum is increased. Oscillation amplitude is a function of the angular momentum of the rotating counterweights employed in such systems. Angular momentum is in turn dependent upon the mass of the counter-weights and their position relative to their axis of rotation. However, the mass of the counterweights is constrained by several factors. First, increasing the mass of the counterweights worsens the vibration problem discussed above. Second, the size and position of the counterweights is limited by the structural configuration of the harvester. In some harvesters, radial and/or axial clearance limits prohibit enlarging the counterweights or repositioning counterweights so as to increase angular momentum. In addition, harvester height and width must be kept within certain limits for highway transport. Further, the width of the counterweights is preferably minimized, since the counterweight mechanism and motor typically extend laterally outward from the harvester, where fast-moving, heavy machinery poses a safety hazard for people working on or near the harvester. Moreover, the overall weight of the harvester is sought to be minimized, since the ground on which the harvesters work is frequently soft. Such weight considerations further limit the size of the counterweights.
Because of these limitations on counterweight size, mass and position (and therefore oscillation amplitude), shaker performance is improved in known shaker mechanisms by raising the speed of counterweight rotation, and therefore oscillation, by running the shaker motor at a higher rpm. However, running the shaker at a higher speed accelerates wear and tear on the harvester, requiring more frequent maintenance, increasing part failures, and shortening harvester life.
Along with decreasing vibration and increasing the amplitude of shaker oscillation, improvement has been sought in the radially extending tines on the shaker drum. In known shakers, the tines are oscillated by the drum in accelerating/decelerating motion relative to the surface beneath the drum on which the plants are carried. Some plants manage to pass through the shaker without being stripped of all seeds, fruit or vegetables.
For these reasons, an improved drum shaker is desired which would eliminate the vibrational problem associated with known shakers. It would be desirable if the drum shaker provided increased oscillation amplitude without worsening vibration problems. Further, the drum shaker should not require substantial additional space for the motor and counterweight mechanism than that required for existing drum shakers. It would be further desirable if the drum shaker permitted lower speeds of operation and reduced wear and tear on components of the harvester. The drum shaker should more effectively separate seeds, fruit or vegetables from the plants to improve yield. Further, the drum shaker should not impair the safety of those working on or near the harvester.


A class D amplifier capable of compressing a dynamic range and reproduction by changing on a real time basis a modulation ratio to a non-linear ratio in accordance with amplitude of an input signal. The class D amplifier including a triangular waveform generation circuit that generates a deformed triangular waveform used as a comparison waveform for amplitude modulating an analog input signal, the triangular waveform generation circuit comprising a pulse generation circuit for generating a plurality of first pulse signals, a plurality of pulse extraction circuit for extracting said first pulse signals selectively, and for outputting second pulse signals during the time according to extracted first pulse signals, a plurality of three state buffers to which a clock pulse signal for basic cycles is provided as an input signal, one of said second pulse signals is provided as a control signal, and said clock pulse signal for basic cycles is output during a period for said one of second pulse signal is provided, and a integration circuit, having a time constant thereof changing in accordance with the output of said three state buffer, for generating said deformed triangular waveform corresponding to the time constant based on the clock pulse signal for basic cycles.

1. Field of the Invention
In a class D amplifier for driving highly efficiently speakers in an acoustic apparatus, this invention relates to a class D amplifier equipped with a circuit for generating a deformed triangular wave as a comparison waveform necessary for conducting pulse amplitude modulation of an analog input waveform.
2. Description of the Related Art
The class D amplifier according to the prior art uses a triangular wave as a comparison waveform necessary for conducting pulse amplitude modulation of an analog input waveform and this triangular wave is generated from a rectangular wave by using an integration circuit (refer to JP-A-6-319197).
When the triangular wave is used, however, a modulation ratio is likely to get into saturation when pulse amplitude modulation of an input signal having amplitude exceeding the crest of the triangular wave is conducted. Because the input/output characteristics are linear, a large number of odd-numbered order harmonics develop at a large amplitude output reaching the saturation level and DC components are applied for a long time to the speakers as a load. These drawbacks become more remarkable when a power source voltage of the amplification portion is lower.


An image forming apparatus includes a receiving device which receives data to be printed. a reading device which reads a document, a selecting device which selects one of a print function of printing the data received by the receiving device and a copy function of printing the data read by the reading device, in accordance with an operation of a user, and a control device which inhibits printing by the copy function even if the document is set in the reading device, and changes a state of the receiving device from a state of not receiving the data to a state of receiving the data, when the print function is selected by the selecting device.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an image forming apparatus and to its control method.
2. Related Background Art
In association with the digitalization of copying apparatuses, a hybrid apparatus having a plurality of functions, such as a facsimile function for performing facsimile transmission and reception by using a scanner function, a printer function, a PDL (Page Description Language) printer function, and the like, has been put into practical use. Such a hybrid apparatus can operate not only as a single function, such as a copy function, facsimile function, PDL printer function, or the like, but also, among a plurality of functions, such that a PDL developed image is facsimile transmitted, and the like. Further, by connecting the hybrid apparatus via a LAN, the functions of the hybrid apparatus can be used by computer apparatuses, and the like.
In a copying apparatus, an apparatus having a function for performing a charging process in accordance with a paper size of a copied image, a kind of paper, the number of papers, color/monochrome, or the like, has been put into practical use. In such a copying apparatus, the user can set a copy irrespective whether sufficient coins have been inserted or not, and a control, such that the copying operation is not started or is interrupted, if the coins are insufficient at a stage when the copy is actually executed in accordance with the setting, is performed.
If a charging system of the coin throw-in type, in the same format, is applied to a PDL printer or a hybrid apparatus having a PDL printer function, there are the following problems.
If print data can be sent from a computer before the coins are thrown in, another user cannot use such an apparatus until coins are thrown in.
Even if there is no user who wants to use the apparatus, the received data has to be stored until coins are thrown in. This results in an increase in the capacity of a memory and causes an increase in costs. A timing control of erasure of data, and the like, also has to be performed, and the control becomes complicated.
In the case of a copy, unless a necessary amount of money is paid, an original is not read. In the case of the PDL printer function, however, a necessary amount of money is unknown until sufficient data is received and analyzed. Therefore, when data of a plurality of pages is received at one time, there is a possibility that the amount of money paid by the user is insufficient, before all of the data which has already been received, is printed. However, such a situation is not presumed in the charging system of the coin throw-in type used in a conventional copying apparatus.
During the printing of the data of a plurality of pages, if the printing cannot be performed at the halfway point due to convenience of an amount of money, or the like, possessed by the user, and there is data remaining in the hybrid apparatus without being printed, there is a concern that when another user intends to make a copy by using the copy function and throws coins into the apparatus, the remaining data is outputted as unusable data.
In a state when a user forgets to remove an original, and there is a copy original on a copyboard, if another user intends to print a copy by using the printer function, throws coins into the apparatus, and presses a start key, there is also a concern that a copy of the original on the copyboard is outputted as being unusable data.
In the conventional copying apparatus, since the originals are read one by one (every single side) in a both-side copying mode, each time a single side is printed, a process is interrupted, and the copy is executed while charging. The reason why there is not trouble, even if the printing to a single side is interrupted mainly at the time of a platen, as mentioned above, is because the user himself who requested the both-side printing performs the printing by inserting coins while perceiving the progress of the operation.
In the case of the PDL data, in the both-side printing mode, since the printing of the data for both sides is requested in a group, the charging process of the conventional copying apparatus, which performs the charging process for every single side, cannot be used as it is, in common.
That is, if only the data for a single side is printed due to an insufficient fee (coins), or the like, in spite of a fact that the data for both sides has been received, a complicated process is requested of the user. For example, when the user sends data for two pages, if only a single side is printed, in order to print the second side, the user has to edit the data and send the data of only the second side again.
As mentioned above, if the conventional copy charging system of the coin throw-in type is applied to the PDL printer or the hybrid apparatus having the PDL printer function, various problems arise.

Image forming apparatus, control method and storage medium in which a selecting device selects a print function or a copy function


A sanitary connector apparatus includes first and second tubular members coaxially aligned such that a first member end of the first tubular member is positioned toward a second member end of the second tubular member. First and second sealing components radially extend from the first and second member ends, respectively. An annular groove is formed into the first end face of the first sealing component and a corresponding resilient rib is integrally formed with the second end face of the second sealing component. A clamp band, secured around the outer perimeter of the first and second sealing components, has two extension members that apply compressive force to the sealing components in a direction coaxial to the tubular members. The compressive force applied is sufficient to compress the resilient rib into the corresponding groove and position the first end face against the second end face.

Traditionally, sanitary connectors used in fluid handling systems and storage devices, such as pipes and bottles, are four-piece connectors. The most common such connector includes a resilient O-ring retained between two metal flanges. Each metal flange typically includes an annular ring within which outwardly protruding ribs on each side of the O-ring are compressed. A clamp secures the flanges and provides the force required to compress the protruding ribs into the annular flanges and seal the connection. The groove-bearing flanges are machined from metal and may then be brazed, bonded, welded, soldered, or otherwise attached to tubular members. The O-ring is formed from a resilient material that compresses to fit within the aligned grooves when pressure is applied to the flanges.
While this four-part design has continued to be used to provide a sealed connection between adjoining pipes and to seal storage devices, the machined metal components add both cost and weight to the fluid handling device or storage container. Additionally, the labor required to assemble the connector includes assembling four pieces to ensure the connection is sealed.
To reduce the labor component of assembling sanitary connectors to a fluid handling device or storage container, it would be an improvement to the art to have a connector with fewer pieces to assemble. Fewer parts results in less assembly time, lower labor costs, and improved quality.
To reduce the weight of fluid handling devices and storage containers that include sanitary connectors, it would be a further improvement to the art to provide a connector that may have one or both flanges formed from a material that weighs less than the traditional machined flanges.
To reduce the cost associated with the producing machined and welded connector components, it would be an improvement to the art to have a connector that may be formed from a molding process. Despite this need, there exists an absence of devices designed to address the above noted desired improvements.

Sanitary sealed connector for fluid handling systems and storage devices


A method for making an electrical connector (10,170) formed by molding a plastic septum (50) transversely across an axially extending connector cavity (22) defined between the axial connector walls about the array of contacts (60) extending axially within the cavity (22) from one connector face to another. The contact sections (62) extending from the connector are initially straight prior to molding and are then subjected to a forming step to define right angles for example, with portions (66) of the contacts (60) embedded with the plastic septum (50) being of irregular cross-section to establish resistance to the stresses of such forming and maintain the sealed nature of the connector (10). The connector may comprise an integrally molded plastic housing (174) or a metal shell (20) with the plastic septum (50) molded therewithin such as about an inner flange (34) for sealing and retention.

Certain connectors are known having a molded plastic housing having an array of axial passageways into which are then inserted and retained respective electrical contacts. Where the connector is a pin header fabricated for later connection of the contacts to corresponding contact means of another electrical article such as circuit termini of a circuit board, it may also be important to provide sealing of the passageways about the contacts after insertion and retention by applying an amount of sealant material such as epoxy resin which will then be cured to close off the passageways; sealant application is usually a tedious skill sensitive manual operation even if circular preforms are used which are then melted and cured. For example, when the contacts are to be soldered to circuit termini of a circuit board, it would be desirable to prevent solder flux from wicking along the contacts through the connector to the opposed mating face; flux along the contacts would tend to cause corrosion and would remain after flux cleaning operations if within the plastic housing. Other materials such as conformal coating sprays of dielectric material similarly could wick along the contacts and interfere with assured electrical connections with contacts of a mating connector. One example of such a sealed pin header connector is sold by AMP Incorporated of Harrisburg, Penn. under Part No. 531122-5. It is desirable to provide a sealed pin header which is fabricated in an economical way.
Insert molding is generally known in the making of certain electrical connectors in which an array of contacts is held by tooling to extend into a mold cavity, and a plastic body is injection molded around body portions of the contacts intermediate opposed contact section ends, which then extend outwardly from two faces of the plastic body. One example of such a connector is sold by AMP Incorporated of Harrisburg, Penn. under the designation AMP-BLADE Connector, Part No. 582843 Series.

Method of making an electrical connector


The invention is a flue gas scrubber for removing carbon dioxide from the emissions of coal fired furnaces by induced draft of said emissions into a scrubber barrel which is positioned within the facility smoke stack. The flue gases pass through electrically charged plates and enter said scrubber barrel tangentially through a connecting duct and pass upward and through a sorbent mist containing a dissolved salt that is generated as the diffused horizontal discharge from a plurality of longitudinally aligned ejectors. The sorbent liquid from the said ejectors containing the captured effluent carbon dioxide passes upward and coalesces on the cooling surfaces of a condenser positioned in a sonic resonant field and then passes downward into a sludge basin where it is further processed to remove particulate mater and to reclaim the scrubber water.

The invention is a facility for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the flue gases of coal fired furnaces by absorption in a water spray or dilute aqueous alkaline spray. The use of basic alkaline solutions for the absorption of carbon dioxide has been well established from the earliest chemical studies and has been in use for many years, as in the instance of the Orsat laboratory test apparatus. However, the sequestering of larger quantities of carbon dioxide on a commercial scale from a coal burning furnace by such methods would be financially impractical. This impracticability can be readily appreciated by considering the magnitude of gaseous products produced in the combustion of coal.
If one assumes a completely saturated bituminous chain (hydrogen saturation) comprising methylene intermediate structure and complete combustion to carbon dioxide and water it can be shown that the proportion by weight of carbon reaction product (CO2), relative to reactant carbon (CH2) is about 3 to 1. In other words, the combustion of one ton of coal will produce 3 tons of carbon dioxide. To react 3 tons of carbon dioxide with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) would be financially impractical in considering the general formula, CmHn+(m+n/4)O2→mCO2+n/2H2O, where m is the number of carbon atoms present in the coal, and n is the number of hydrogen atoms. The reactant product would be sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and as indicated this material imbalance would be further exacerbated by the fact that it would require two sodium atoms to neutralize each carbon atom, and thus prohibitive in cost. The amount of alkaline material available in today's market product flow would not be sufficient in quantity to carry out the neutralization of carbon dioxide in coal fired furnace emissions. The problem is only partly alleviated by the use of calcium hydroxide (CaOH) which reacts on a one for one basis with carbon dioxide to produce calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The primary novelty of this invention is the proposed use of spent electrolyte from electrolytic fuel cells that will be available in sufficient quantities to carry out these reactions. The spent electrolyte is obtained as a by-product of the fuel cell operation discussed in the above Cross References.
It is estimated that the Electrolytic Transportation fuel systems described in the above Cross References will produce about 5 gallons of NaOH solution from the combined initiator reactions (hydrolysis of Na) and calcium moderator reactions (hydrolysis of Ca) from one pound of the alloyed metals (NaCa). This material will be collected at vehicle service stations in tank car quantities to be shipped to coal burning electrical generating facilities for emission control. Noteworthy of this process for the removal of carbon dioxide from coal flue gas is the fact that the sequestered material produced is a saleable value-added commodity which will support the cost of the scrubbing treatment and material recovery operation.
Because of the huge volume of flue gas to be treated as compared with the smaller liquid volume of alkaline spent electrolyte available from the electrolytic fuels program, a unique method of efficiently bringing the two reactants into intimate contact is by use of a liquid to gas ejector system. This effectively improves the material surface contact and mixing characteristics between the two systems which react chemically as a function of the area of the reacting interface and turbulent agitation during the absorption.
Ejectors are used extensively in power generating facilities and have found wide application in the chemical industry. Ejectors may be operated with liquids, gases, or vapors. In the present invention air and water, and in other instances air and spent electrolyte are used as ejector nozzle driving fluids in the formation of absorbent spray in the sequestering process. The momentum exchange energies of these fluid masses passing through the nozzle are used to effect carbon dioxide entrainment by impact with intervening flue gases at the inlet of an axially opposed diffuser section. The resultant force of this impact carries the reacting fluids through the diffuser where they exit as a diffused mixture in a misting zone. At the diffuser exit the gaseous components expand and the liquid components form micron size droplets that have a high surface to volume ratio which increase the absorption rate of carbon dioxide. The small droplets diffuse rapidly in the turbulent system and sequester carbon dioxide in the upward draft of flue gases in the scrubber barrel. At the upper end of the scrubber barrel the diffused droplets are cooled and coalesce into condensed liquid form and pass downward on both sides of the scrubber barrel carrying the sequestered carbon dioxide into the sludge basin where it is pumped to the reclamation facility for further processing into saleable value added substances.
Compared with other gases carbon dioxide is quite soluble in water. The aqueous solutions created in these reactions are acid with a pH of about 4, which are generally considered as being carbonic acid H2CO3 formed by the reaction of the CO2 with the water H2O, although this reaction is only theoretical. However it is generally assumed a small amount of carbon dioxide does react to produce the said carbonic acid H2CO3 and it can be assumed to dissociate to form protons and bicarbonate ion (H2CO3H++HCO3−) which permit the charged reactants to be held in place by electrical charges that are placed on the ejectors and on charge plates immediately adjacent to the induced draft fan.
During an interim period, when electrolytic material is not available, the scrubber can be operated on water alone to produce the said carbonic reaction in the removal of carbon dioxide from flue gases.


A headrest adjustment assembly is disclosed for adjusting the position of a headrest relative to a seatback. The headrest adjustment assembly includes a guide disposed in the seat back, at least one holding bar disposed within the guide, the guide and holding bar being configured with sufficient clearance to allow selective relative longitudinal and transverse sliding, the holding bar being fixed to the headrest, and a clamping element mounted to the seat back for selectively applying a transverse force to the holding bar to thereby fix the position of the holding bar within the guide and prevent relative transverse or longitudinal sliding.

In order to hold to the lowest possible level the force necessary for the elevation or lowering of a rear seat headrest, whether this be done manually or by remotely actuated, automatic means, it is of advantage if the holding bars of said head rest move within a guide component wherein a radial clearance is present. Counter to this concept, the danger is present, that where such play exists between a holding bar and its support, that the headrest will wobble during driving periods and emit rattling noises. A secure retention of the headrest in the reclining seat back requires, further, auxiliary aids such as springs or motor powered drives, in order to be able to remotely allow the headrest to move into its lowest position. In a backseat arrangement made known by DE 195 32 260 C2, the holding bar of a headrest is held by force in its lowest position of elevation by means of a compression spring acting in that direction. The spring becomes active, if an arresting means, in the form of a spring projection obstructingly resting within a notch in the holder rod is removed therefrom by remote action. The problem which arises is that a wobble-free seating of the headrest is dependent upon friction, whereby high adjusting forces become necessary. From this situation, a large adjustment force of the spring is required, which in turn demands a spring of correspondingly large dimensions. This disadvantage brings in turn, the problem that the user, upon the lifting of the headrest by hand, must overcome not only the frictional resistance between the holding bar and the support, but also force of the spring, which exercises this force in a downward direction. Yet another problem in the described arrangement, and also in the case of a motor powered lowering, is that the active connection between the spring or the drive must finally be dismantled, when the headrest is to be removed from the reclining seat back.

Vehicle seat with a headrest and headrest adjustment assembly

Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen


Compositions and methods for treatment of a condition associated with disease stem cells, and especially cancer stem cells are disclosed. In one aspect, a patient is treated with a stem cell differentiating agent and/or teratogenic pharmaceutical compound to induce one or more destructive pathways in the disease stem cells. Most typically, the destructive pathways include apoptotic pathways, necrotic pathways, and autophagy pathways.

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present inventive subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed inventive subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Billions of dollars are spent annually on research and development of new cancer drugs or treatments. Typically such R&D covers broad spectrum of development activities including identification of new chemical entities, determining viability of such entities, testing for toxicity, animal testing, creating formulations, scaling production, seeking regulatory approval, and more. Beyond the outlay of money, in practice, a company could easily spend 10 or more years in developing a new compound of use in the market. At any point along the complex R&D path, the new compound might result in a dead end. Even in view of the high risks and costs associated with drug development, the return on investment could be quite high if a market-viable compound is found. However, the loss of the investment could be quite high should the results be a dead end.
In many cases, the development of a new drug is abandoned or simply not pursued because the drug fails one or more regulatory requirements. Consider, for example, a new compound that has been found to be teratogenic. Such a drug would not be pursued because it might cause birth defects. In fact, significant effort has been applied toward determining if a compound is teratogenic, as can be seen from US 2015/0133340 or WO 2014/071137. All patent applications and publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual patent application or publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
Similarly, certain differentiation agents have been reported as being successful treatment modalities for an already existing malignant cell. For example, all-trans retinoic acid was shown to be effective in many cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia to push promyelocytic cells in to downstream maturity and so reduce or even eliminate cancerous population growth (Oncogene 2001; 20, 7140-7145). However, such treatment is limited to specific lineage committed cells and thus not contemplated for other types of malignancies.
Next to differentiation agents, thalidomide was reported as an angiogenesis inhibitor in androgen-independent prostate cancer when administered at low dose of 200 mg/d (Clin Cancer Res. 2001) while inconclusive results were reported for thalidomide in non-small cell lung cancer (Contemp Oncol (Pozn). 2014; 18(1):39-47). In yet another report thalidomide plus radiation was shown to reduce VEGF levels in esophageal cancer patients (World J Gastroenterol 2014 May 7; 20(17):5098-103), leading the authors to speculate that treatment outcome may improve using thalidomide in such malignancy. In addition, immune modulating effects were also proposed as mechanism for thalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma (Science 2014 Jan. 17; 343(6168): 256-257; PLoS One. 2013 May 14; 8(5):e64354). However, despite these limited mechanistic insights, these observed effects have not led to effective cancer treatment.
Therefore, even though various compositions and methods for cell treatment are known in the art, all or almost all of them suffer from one or more disadvantages. Therefore, there is still a need for improved pharmaceutical intervention for malignant diseases, and especially malignant diseases cause by cancer stem cells.

Patient treatment via teratogenic pharmaceutical compounds


A semiconductor device is disclosed. A gate electrode is provided above a semiconductor substrate. A sidewall insulation film is provided to the gate electrode. Source and drain regions are provided in the substrate and contain first conductive impurities. A first semiconductor region is provided in the substrate, is on a source region side, and has a concentration of the first conductive impurities lower than the source region. A second semiconductor region is provided in the substrate, is on a drain region side, and has a concentration of the first conductive impurities lower than the drain and first semiconductor regions. A channel region is provided between the first and second semiconductor regions. A third semiconductor region is provided under the channel region, and includes second conductive impurities higher in concentration than the channel region. Information is stored by accumulating charges in the sidewall insulation film.

One type of semiconductor devices is a non-volatile memory. For instance, a non-volatile memory is known, in which a Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) type field effect transistor is included to store information by accumulating charges (hot carriers) in a sidewall insulation film on a sidewall of a gate electrode as a memory transistor.
In the non-volatile memory including a memory transistor group that stores information by accumulating the hot carriers in the sidewall insulation film, a program speed of the entire non-volatile memory depends on a program speed of each of memory transistors. If the program speed of each of memory transistors is not sufficient, depending on the capacity of the non-volatile memory, a predetermined program is not executed within a time allowed on a system including the non-volatile memory.
Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a semiconductor device, in which the program speed of a memory transistor is improved. According to this semiconductor device, it is possible to achieve an intended purpose.
However, it is desired to improve an endurance of a program operation and an erase operation by multiple cycles with respect to the non-volatile memory. According to the semiconductor device described in Patent Document 1, an excellent endurance is obtained as compared with conventional semiconductor devices; however, it may be difficult to obtain a sufficient endurance to meet recent demands.

Semiconductor device and method for fabricating semiconductor device


Disclosed are methods of making a modified lecithin by conducting an enzymatic conversion of a naturally derived lecithin to form a modified lecithin, e.g., having an enhanced level of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, or a combination thereof. Compositions prepared from the modified lecithin and use to inhibit lipid oxidation are described.

Oils are susceptible to lipid oxidation that causes off flavor, loss of quality and nutrients, and the formation of potentially toxic compounds such as acrolein, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE), oxidized sterols, and other toxic lipid oxidation products (LOPs). Lipid oxidation is a major challenge faced by the food industry since it causes loss of quality in lipid-containing foods which results in a decrease of shelf life and thus causes food waste. Methods used to inhibit lipid oxidation include metal chelators, control of oxygen concentration, and scavenging of free radicals. Free radical scavengers are one of the major methods of inhibiting lipid oxidation in bulk oils.
In order to delay the oxidation of lipids, food companies make use of free radical scavengers such as BHA (t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole), BHT (t-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene), and TBHQ (tert-butyl-hydroxyquinone). However, these antioxidants are chemically synthesized and consumers desire simpler and cleaner labels without artificially synthesized antioxidants. Tocopherols are naturally occurring free radical scavengers found in vegetable oils, fish oils and animal fats. Natural antioxidants such as tocopherols provide inherent antioxidant protection to foods and can be added to the food to provide additional protection against lipid oxidation. Unfortunately, natural antioxidants are often not as effective as synthetic antioxidants due to issues such as thermal instability and lower radical scavenging efficiencies, meaning that they must be used at significantly higher concentrations to achieve the same effectiveness as synthetic antioxidants. When tocopherols interact with free radicals, they are consumed and eventually their ability to inhibit lipid oxidation is lost. Adding more tocopherols into oils to prolong antioxidant protection is not effective because tocopherols are pro-oxidative at high concentrations.
The activity of tocopherols can be increased in the presence of compounds that can regenerate oxidized tocopherols back to their original state. Biologically this is done by ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) but this is not possible in food oil applications because ascorbic acid is not lipid soluble. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) can also regenerate tocopherols and increase shelf-life, but PE is very expensive, particularly for use as a food additive.
There remains a need in the art for an inexpensive, non-artificial antioxidant product that can significantly improve the shelf life of oils and other lipid-containing materials.

Modified lecithin, preparation thereof, and use as an antioxidant


In an engine braking method for a supercharged internal combustion engine, wherein combustion air, which is under boost pressure and is supplied to the cylinders under the control of engine inlet and outlet valves, is compressed in the cylinders and is subsequently discharged into the exhaust tract, engine braking takes place in a two-stroke operating mode.

The invention relates to an engine braking method for a supercharged internal combustion engine.
An engine braking method is known from DE 196 37 999 A1. The internal combustion engine is equipped with an exhaust gas turbocharger, the exhaust gas turbine of which is provided with a variable turbine geometry for variably setting the effective turbine inlet flow cross section. To achieve high engine braking power, the variable turbine geometry is adjusted into a blocking position reducing the cross section, with the result that the exhaust back pressure between the cylinder outlets and the exhaust gas turbine rises. The engine braking power is regulated via a controller in the internal combustion engine as a function of current engine and operating variables and also of the driver's instruction by a variation in the opening curve of a throttle valve on the cylinders. This throttle valve opens toward the end of the compression stroke and maintains its opening position until the end of the expansion stroke, whereas, during the inlet stroke, the throttle valve remains closed. The engine braking method is in the form of a four-stroke method in which the pistons in the cylinders have to perform expulsion work counter to the exhaust gas backpressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,248 B1 discloses a two-stroke engine braking method for a supercharged internal combustion engine. In this braking method, combustion air which is under boost pressure is supplied to the cylinders by the control of charge exchange valves, that is to say of inlet and outlet valves, is compressed there and is subsequently discharged into the exhaust tract. This takes place in that, shortly before top dead center is reached, the outlet valve is opened and, after top dead center is overshot, is closed again. Before the outlet valve is closed, in the expansion stroke, the inlet valve is opened, so that, during an overlap phase, both the inlet valve and the outlet valve are open. The inlet valve remains open over a relatively long crank angle range, specifically over and beyond bottom dead center into a middle piston lift range of the compression stroke. Only approximately in the middle between bottom and top dead center is the inlet valve closed during the compression stroke, so that, also only thereafter, all the valves are closed and the maximum pressure build-up can be achieved in the cylinder. However, because of the late inlet closing time point and the already shortly following outlet opening time, the angular range in which all the valves are closed during the compression stroke is restricted to a relatively small crank angle range. Correspondingly, only a low maximum pressure built up can be achieved.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an engine braking method for a supercharged internal combustion engine, by means of which a high braking powers, along with a relatively low mechanical and thermal loads, can be implemented.

Engine braking method for a supercharged internal combustion engine


An apparatus and method capable of diluting nasal sprays containing addictive compounds. The user can safely and gradually withdraw from use of nasal sprays with successive dilutions using the apparatus having at least one indicia and a pre-selected level on the container. The spray is administered by the user using the method by depleting the nasal spray to the pre-selected level and replenishing with a diluent. The method steps are repeated until the concentration of the nasal spray is substantially reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for diluting nasal sprays containing addictive compounds which substantially reduces the strength of the spray.
2. Description of Related Art
Millions of people suffer from the symptoms of the common cold or other sinus-related problems, such as sinusitis and hay fever. Included among these symptoms is "rhinitis," a medical term for blocked or clogged sinuses. Seeking relief from these symptoms, symptomatic persons use nasal decongestants which are available over-the-counter without a prescription. The most popular of these decongestants contain oxymetazoline or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Other nasal preparations available over-the-counter contain compounds such as xylometazoline, naphazoline, phenylephrine and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
Nasal decongestants containing oxymetazoline, for example, offer fast and effective relief from nasal congestion. Unfortunately, oxymetazoline has undesired side-effects, one of which includes addiction if used beyond the recommended dosage period. Since many people who use nasal sprays remain symptomatic beyond the recommended dosage period, and despite warnings that the spray should not be used for more than three or four days, usage generally continues beyond the dosage period. Thus, a person using the spray in an effort to seek relief from their continued symptoms will subsequently become addicted.
Addiction or habitual overuse of nasal spray has a long and documented history in medical literature. "Rhinitis Medicamentosa" used in identifying the addiction or habitual overuse is discussed in a 1994 article from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Soder Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, entitled "Overuse of Oxy- and Xylometazoline Nasal Sprays" by Peter Graf.
As described in the article, a compensatory vasodilation remains after the vasocontrictive effects of the drug have disappeared. The pathophysiology of this "rebound" swelling caused by use of nasal spray is not known. After repeated use, a person will find that their sinuses become clogged due to this "rebound" reaction to the spray. This leads a person to use the nasal spray repeatedly, causing increasing congestion. In time, the spray becomes increasingly less effective to the user. Alleviating this rebound swelling altogether requires that the use of the nasal spray be ceased.
One approach in treating the problem is immediate cessation, or stopping "cold turkey." This type of withdrawal is very difficult for people addicted to the habit, as it causes extreme discomfort. Other approaches in treating the problem include prescribing topical steroid nasal inhalers or oral systemic steroids which have a multitude of undesired side effects. Relief from congestion in many cases takes days or weeks and often sedatives are needed to help with the resulting insomnia.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,970,240 and 5,114,979 describe an aqueous topical nasal decongestant containing oxymetazoline or a salt thereof to which a fruity flavor is added to mask the aftertaste of the composition. No provision is made for assisting the user in withdrawing from addiction to these compositions.
Methods and compositions for treating addiction to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,272,149; 5,219,858; 5,198,230; 4,496,545; 3,885,027; 4,582,705; 4,500,515; 4,596,825; 5,656,255; 5,688,804; and 5,594,030 are of possible general interest.
For those who are unable to stop using nasal sprays completely, there remains a need for a device and method which is easy to use and effective for the withdrawal from addictive use of nasal sprays without the need for immediate cessation or steroids and accompanying side effects.

Apparatus and method for diluting nasal sprays containing addictive compounds


An electronic keyboard instrument that emits sounds in both upward and downward directions from speakers solely for upward sound emission and from speakers solely for downward sound emission to realize acoustics similar to that of acoustic piano, and constitutes rear parts of resonance chambers in a speaker box by a common partition plate to prevent the speaker box from becoming complicated in construction. Woofers directed downward are disposed at a lower part of the speaker box, and squawker directed upward are disposed at an upper part of the speaker box. The internal space of the speaker box is partitioned by one horizontal partition plate into an upper space where resonance chambers for the squawkers are defined by vertical partition plates and a lower space where resonance chambers for the woofers are defined by vertical partition plates. Rear parts of the resonance chambers are constituted by the horizontal partition plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic keyboard instrument having a speaker box.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, it has been known to provide an electronic keyboard instrument with a speaker box so as to ensure ample sound volume and produce musical tones with nuances close to those of acoustic piano (see, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3644356).
In the keyboard instrument disclosed in this patent publication, speakers are mounted on an instrument main body so as to be directed upward and open holes are formed in and extend through an enclosure that covers rear surfaces of the speakers, whereby sounds are radiated upwardly and downwardly from the speakers and the open holes. Sounds radiated from the speakers are reflected by a reflector board of the keyboard instrument and transmitted to the audience, whereas sounds passing through the open holes are reflected by the floor and transmitted to the audience.
However, the downward sound radiation in this keyboard instrument made by causing air vibration produced by the upwardly directed speakers to propagate downward via the open holes of the enclosure is insufficient in realizing ample acoustic sounds as provided by a grand piano. In mounting the speaker box on the electronic keyboard instrument, there is a demand to prevent the construction from being complicated.


Technology that achieves high integration of a semiconductor device employing TSV technology is provided. A through electrode is configured by a small-diameter through electrode having a first diameter and being formed on a main surface side of a semiconductor wafer, and a large-diameter through electrode having a second diameter larger than the above-described first diameter and being formed on a back surface side of the semiconductor wafer, and the small-diameter through electrode is arranged inside the large-diameter through electrode in a planar view so that a center position of the small-diameter through electrode and a center position of the large-diameter through electrode do not overlap with each other in the planar view.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and technology of manufacturing the same and, for example, can be suitably utilized for TSV (Through Silicon Via) technology required for the manufacture of a three-dimensional multifunction device.
There is known TSV technology as important technology for achieving a three-dimensional multifunction device. The TSV technology is the one to form a through electrode that penetrates a semiconductor substrate perpendicular to a thickness direction.
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-294582 (Patent Document 1) discloses a semiconductor device including a through electrode constituted of a small-diameter plug and a large-diameter plug. A projecting portion (lower surface) of the small-diameter plug that projects from a silicon (Si) substrate penetrates into a top surface of the large-diameter plug, and a top surface of the small-diameter plug is coupled to a first wiring.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same


A packaged semiconductor device has an integrated circuit (IC) die and a heat spreader. The heat spreader has a first portion with holes formed entirely therethrough. The first portion is attached to the die using thermally-conductive adhesive that fills the holes. The holes enable the heat spreader to be attached to the die without placing excess pressure on the IC die that could cause the die to crack.

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor packaging, and more particularly, to assembling a semiconductor device with a heat spreader attached to the integrated circuit die.
It is well known that integrated circuits, especially high power integrated circuits generate heat. If too much heat is generated and such heat is not adequately dissipated, then the integrated circuit could overheat, resulting in decreased performance and possibly even failure. To help dissipate heat, a packaged semiconductor device may include a heat spreader such as a thermal slug. In general, a heat spreader disperses heat emitted from an integrated circuit to an area of the package that is away from the integrated circuit. However, while heat spreaders are important, if they are attached directly to the die, the attachment force can crack the die and damage the integrated circuit. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to attach a heat spreader to a die without damaging the die.

Semiconductor device with die attached heat spreader


A method performed by a network device comprises egressing data from a port of the network device at an egress rate over a link connected to the port, ingressing data into the port at an ingress rate over the link, monitoring at least one indication with respect to the egressing data in order to determine whether the at least one indication is indicative of egress congestion at the port of the network device, and upon determining that the at least one indication is indicative of the egress congestion at the port, limiting the rate of ingress via the port.

Egress congestion at a port of a network device such as a switch may occur when data (e.g. in the form of packets and/or frames) that is supposed to be sent via the port to another device such as an end device, is not being sent in an appropriate manner. A low utilization or a high utilization of a link between the network device and the other device (e.g. an end device) may be associated with egress congestion at the port, depending on whether or not other data that is supposed to be sent to the other device is being sent in an appropriate manner and/or the rate of sending such other data, if such other data is being sent. Data that is not being sent via the port in an appropriate manner may be queued in the network device and/or dropped, and additional data that is destined for the other device and has not yet arrived at the network device may be throttled. Back-pressure may be exerted back through the network to the one or more sources of data for the other device. Therefore egress congestion occurring at a port of the network device, may lead to other network congestion, e.g., network congestion anywhere between the source and the other device.
In accordance with common practice the various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may not depict all of the blocks and/or stages, etc. of a network, method, and/or network device, etc.

Ingress rate limiting in order to reduce or prevent egress congestion


A virtual image display apparatus includes a video image display element which generates video image light, a light guiding member which includes a plurality of optical surfaces and guides the video image light by reflecting on inner surface side, and an optical device portion such as a projector lens through which the video image light passes when the video image light is made to foe incident on the light guiding member. Here, the light guiding member is a block-shaped member including a pair of facing first and third surfaces which extend substantially in parallel with each other and fully reflect the video image light, and first reference optical axis of the optical device portion on a light emitting side extends in a direction in which the first reference optical axis forms an obtuse angle with respect to a traverse reference axis corresponding to an eye alignment direction.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a virtual image display apparatus which presents a video image formed by an image display element and the like to a viewer, and particularly to a virtual image display apparatus which is preferably applied to a head mount display designed to be mounted on the head of the viewer.
2. Related Art
Various optical systems to he embedded in a virtual image display apparatus such as a head mount display (hereinafter, also referred to as an HMD) designed to be mounted on the head of a viewer have been proposed. For example, an optical system which displays a virtual image and enables viewing of an external image by using a video image optical system including an image display element and the like and a relatively thick prism member arranged in front of the eyes is known (see JP-A-2013-200553, for example).
In the case of the virtual image display apparatus using the prism member as described above, it is not easy to achieve a decrease in thickness and weight while implementing an optical system including the video image optical system and the prism member, which can be fitted to a face surface, due to restriction of optical design. If priority is placed on the decrease in thickness, a degree of freedom in design is limited.
In contrast, it is also possible to consider that the shape of the prism member is set to a simple plate shape. However, it is not easy to achieve the decrease in thickness and weight while implementing the entire system which can be fitted to the face surface.