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This invention relates to the casting of components and in particular to such casting using cores to define passages in the components, e.g. cooling air passages in cast blades for use in gas turbine engines. The invention includes a method of casting components.
In casting such blades it is conventional to use cores of silica, this material being of moderate rigidity and refractoriness but easy leachability. Because of the limited rigidity and refractoriness of silica, it is often necessary, especially in the case of a long core or a core of complex shape, to support the core so as to prevent it from being deflected by the inflow of molten blade material in filling the mold or to prevent it from being distorted at high temperatures.
The problem of core distortion is particularly acute in the casting of directionally solidified and single crystal components wherein the mold and core are heated to a higher temperature (typically in excess of 1500.degree. C.) than in conventional casting, and are maintained at the higher temperature for a longer period of time.
It has been proposed in the past to make the core of tubular form and provide an inner re-inforcement.
For example in UK Pat. No. 1,514,819 a tubular core is lined by a re-inforcing material of greater strength bonded to the inner surface of the core. Such re-inforced cores have been found frequently to break during the casting process leading to an ill-defined passage in the cast component.
It is also known, for example, from UK Patent application No. 2,019,756 to put metal rods inside a ceramic sheath to act as a re-inforcement. The metal disclosed in this Patent application is copper. Clearly such a re-inforced core would be of no use in the casting of superalloy gas turbine engine blades in directionally solidified form, when the casting temperature of the mold is in excess of 1500.degree. C.
Another problem in the casting of turbine blades for gas turbine engines is that the cores are often required to be formed with bends therein, due to the misalignment between parts of the blade aerofoil which require cooling air passages therein, and the root of the blade through which the air is supplied to the aerofoil. This requirement calls for a core material which is deformable enough to be capable of being bent to the appropriate shape but which is rigid enough not to distort at the high temperatures required during its use. However, at temperatures in excess of 1500.degree. C. ceramic cores must be used, but these two requirements are incompatible with present ceramic core materials. This is because in order to provide the strength, the available core materials such as alumina, or silicon nitride are too rigid to be bent without great difficulty, and are considered to be non-leachable from the castings, or only leachable with great difficulty. On the other hand, the leachable and more easily deformable materials such as silica or the glass ceramics are unable to withstand the temperatures required, particularly for casting directionally solidified components, for the required length of time without deformation. | {
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Embodiments of the inventive concept are directed to an integrated circuit, and more particularly, to a computer-implemented method and a computing system for designing an integrated circuit by considering process variations of wires.
An integrated circuit can be designed based on standard cells. Specifically, a layout of an integrated circuit may be generated by placing standard cells that define the integrated circuit and routing the placed standard cells. As a semiconductor device is miniaturized, the size of patterns included in a layout gradually decreases, and accordingly, minute differences between the size of a designed pattern and the size of a pattern implemented by hardware causes degradation in yield of the integrated circuit. Wire process variations include resistance/capacitance variations in metal layers or vias. When the resistance of a metal layer is greater than a nominal value, a clock delay may increase, and accordingly, timing violations can occur. A conventional parasitic component description file includes resistance sensitivity and capacitance sensitivity for each node. As a result, the size of the parasitic component description file is very large, and in a timing analysis operation, the complexity of and time required for a calculation can greatly increase. In particular, due to wire process variations corresponding to a back-end-of-line (BEOL), a delay through a timing path that includes the wire can increase, and thus, a timing constraint violation may occur in the timing path. | {
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Compared to infants who have born following a normal, full term pregnancy, premature infants, particularly babies born before 32 weeks of gestation, are at a considerably greater risk of developing a number of serious health problems including, for example, renal and lung disorders.
For instance, the low birth weight and insufficient physical development of premature infants predisposes them to respiratory complications such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and chronic lung disease (also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia). RDS is associated with irregular breathing difficulties and occurs in approximately 60 to 80 percent of infants born before 28 weeks gestation, and in 15 to 30 percent of those born between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation. Treatment of such infants typically involves supplemental oxygen, but in some cases, also requires the use of a mechanical ventilator and continuous positive airway pressure. Moreover, in severe cases, treatment will additionally involve the administration of an artificial lung surfactant. While such treatments are very successful, long-term ventilator treatment is undesirable since this can lead to lung deterioration, which in turn, can lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
It is also known that premature infants are born with reduced numbers of nephrons (filtration units of the kidney), an outcome that may be associated with increased risk of developing hypertension and reduced renal function following injury later in life.
Lung Development: Analogies Between Human and Mouse:
The human lung is derived from the foregut at about 4 weeks gestation and begins as a diverticulum. The lung diverticulum is covered with splanchnic mesoderm that gives rise to the tissue components of the mature adult lung such as cartilage, smooth muscle and blood vessels. Lung development is characterised by branching morphogenesis that gives rise to the primary, secondary and tertiary bronchi. The stages of foetal lung development are classified into three distinct phases, namely; the pseudoglandular, canalicular and saccular phases. Some aspects of alveolar lung development including epithelial cell differentiation begin in the canalicular phase. However, approximately 15-18% of alveoli form late in gestation, with most of the alveoli formed after birth. Shortly after birth, the surface area of the air-blood interface increases with the formation of the alveolar ducts and sacs.
Premature infants can survive with lung development in the late canalicular or early saccular phase. This is a phase when the conducting airways have stopped branching and are enlarging at their distal termini. There is a progressive loss of extracellular matrix and mesenchymal cells that separate the capillaries from the sites of alveoli. These premature infants survive without alveoli by treatment involving mechanical ventililation and the administration of an artificial lung surfactant, although, as mentioned above, they are at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
In mice, the lung also arises from the ventral foregut, but at approximately embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5). Subsequently, the respiratory tree develops through the pseudoglandular (E9.5-16.5), canalicular (E16.5-17.5), and saccular (E17.5-postnatal day 5) phase. While mouse and human lung development is highly analogous from an embryological point of view and while the same genes are critical in both organisms, in contrast to the human lung, alveolarisation is not complete before birth in the mouse. At birth, the mouse lungs consists of immature terminal saccules with some secondary septa, with alveolarisation and alveolar separation occurring during the during the first 1-3 postnatal weeks. The alveolar surfaces increase through the enlargement of pre-existing alveoli with formation of new alveoli.
Kidney Development: Analogies Between Humans and Mice:
The development of the kidney is highly analogous between human and mouse with respect to the embryological origin of the tissues involved, the morphogenetic processes and the genes regulating these processes.
In the human (as for the mouse), both the renal and genital systems originate from the intermediate mesoderm. Development of the kidney undergoes three distinct stages before resulting in the mature adult kidney. The process begins with the formation of the pronephros, then the mesonephros and finally the metanephros, after which the pronephros and mesonephros regress, and the metanephros remains to form the functional adult kidney. Metanephric development begins with the outgrowth of ureteric bud, originating from the Wollfian duct, invading the surrounding metanephric mesenchyme. The functional units within the kidney responsible for filtration of the blood, concentration of the filtrate to form urine and reclamation of water and ions are the nephrons. The formation of these functional units is referred to as nephrogenesis. Human nephrogenesis (development of kidney nephrons) is completed before birth. The number of nephrons in normal human kidneys ranges from approximately 300,000 to more than one million. After birth, the nephron number is complete and no new nephrons are able to be formed. In humans, development of the permanent kidney begins around gestational week 5. In the third trimester, 60% of nephrons are formed and continue to form until approximately 36 weeks. No new nephrons are formed after this time.
In the mouse (as with humans), there are three embryonic kidneys, the pronephros, mesonephros and metanephros, and the development of the final permanent kidney, the metanephros, begins with the outgrowth of ureteric bud, originating from the Wollfian duct, invading the surrounding metanephric mesenchyme. This occurs at around embryonic day 9-10.5 (E9-10.5) and requires inductive signals from the metanephric mesenchyme to initiate bud development. The induced mesenchyme sends reciprocal signals to induce growth and branching of the ureteric bud. Nephron formation (nephrogenesis) is induced when factors secreted by the ureteric bud cause the induction, condensation and aggregation of the mesenchyme. Each aggregate undergoes epithelialisation and then proceeds through the developmental stages of the polarised vesicle stage, the comma and the S-stage. There is continued branching with new aggregates forming at the tips, and this process continues with the induction of new nephrons. By the end of nephrogenesis, there are more than 26 terminally differentiated cell types with distinct location, morphology and function. Unlike the human, in the mouse kidney development continues in mice until around 7-10 days after birth.
Growth Factors in Kidney and Lung Development:
Growth factors, aside from their influence in cell growth, contribute greatly to many processes including cell migration, morphogenesis, differentiation and proliferation. The roles of growth factors in branching morphogenesis in the lung and nephrogenesis in the kidney are controlled by an array of inductive and inhibitory signals. The crucial roles of factors including insulin-like growth factor-I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and epithelial growth factor (EGF) have been well established in the developing lung and kidney. It is, however, considered that there may be numerous other growth factors which play significant roles in development of the lung and kidney.
In has been found that in warm blooded animals, usings the embodiments disclosed it is possible to promote organ development (as reflected in, for some organs, an increase in organ weight), and more particularly, increased growth and/or enhanced nephrogenesis and lung maturation. It has also been found that promoting organ development and/or maturation in a warm blooded premature infant or foetus is possible. | {
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The present specification relates to power supplies and driver circuits that can supply power to loads, such as motors, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and other devices.
Various types of electrical devices include power supply circuits to provide the power needed for operation. Different electrical devices have different voltage and current needs. Motors, LEDs, and other components may operate using direct current (DC) power, but operating these components from an alternating current (AC) power source may be desirable. LEDs are semiconductor light sources that are used in a variety of applications. LEDs are general more efficient than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, and different types of LEDs can produce different colors. | {
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A continuing effort to more cost efficiently manufacture furniture of different kinds has led to continuous improvements in the production of spring coils. Further, there is a continuing effort to improve the quality and comfort of furniture in which spring coils are used, for example, seating cushions and mattresses. In particular, in order to support a human body in the proper posture when lying on a mattress, in many mattresses, it is desired to provide a mattress with spring coils at different locations having differing stiffness or spring constants to conform with the loading imposed by a human body.
In order to change the stiffness of a spring coil, a different diameter or gage wire is sometimes used to form the coil, for example, a thicker wire is used to make a stiffer coil and a thinner wire is used to make a less stiff coil. The tooling of known spring coiling machines is made to handle a specific wire diameter. Therefore, if it is desired to use a wire of a different diameter, the wire specific tooling of the spring coiling machine must be replaced with tooling made to handle wire of the different diameter. Obviously, the requirement of physically switching the tooling on a spring coiling machine so that it can work with a different size of wire is time consuming and expensive. Not only is there the added cost of skilled labor required to modify the spring coiling machine, but there is a significant cost in the production lost from the spring coiling machine while it is shut down for the tooling changeover. In addition, the further cost to manufacture and store different sets of wire specific tooling is also burdensome.
It is known to be able to automatically and continuously manufacture spring coils of different diameter and pitch from the same wire, thereby providing spring coils of differing stiffness or spring constants. However, the limitation of making spring coils from only a single wire severely limits the range of spring coil stiffness that can be provided. Further, the end product, for example, a mattress, is a fixed size and is normally designed to use a predetermined number of spring coils. Changing the diameter of selected spring coils to change the coil stiffness causes the number of spring coils used in the mattress to also change. Adding another variable, that is, the number of spring coils, substantially complicates the mattress design and manufacturing processes; and therefore, in the production of mattresses and other seating furniture, it is not practical to change spring coil stiffness by changing the spring coil diameter.
Consequently, there is a need for a spring coiling machine having a wire feed that permits coil springs to be automatically and continuously manufactured from different sizes of wire. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ceiling fans and more particularly pertains to a new decorative ceiling fan assembly for providing decorative lighting effects on walls and ceilings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of ceiling fans is known in the prior art. More specifically, ceiling fans heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,870; U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,264; U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,480; U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,226; U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,12*; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 364,223.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new decorative ceiling fan assembly. The inventive device includes a housing couplable to a ceiling of a structure, a motor assembly positioned substantially within the housing, a plurality of fan blades each having a first end coupled to the motor, and a plurality of lamps each positioned substantially within the housing.
In these respects, the decorative ceiling fan assembly according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing decorative lighting effects on walls and ceilings. | {
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The present invention relates to a surveillance camera that is mounted onto a for-surveillance-camera rotary base capable of performing a pan (i.e., transverse oscillation) rotation and a tilt (i.e., longitudinal oscillation) rotation. Moreover, the surveillance camera is a one which, in order to protect privacy, includes a mask storage unit and a mask display unit for masking only a privacy-protected range photographed in part of an image.
In the surveillance camera, a video camera is fixed onto the for-surveillance-camera rotary base that is freely rotatable in the pan direction and the tilt direction. This surveillance camera is the following system: An external controller unit operates the for-surveillance-camera rotary base, zooming of the camera, and the like, thereby freely changing an image spot to be photographed by the camera. This surveillance system, in general, includes a sequence function for storing a plurality of image spots so as to project in sequence these stored image spots at a constant point-in-time, an alarm function that, if an unusual event happens, causes the camera to instantaneously direct toward that direction, and the like. Here, the alarm function is implemented by setting up a human-sensitive sensor or the like in a surveillance area. When setting up the surveillance system like this in public places such as a street, there exists a problem of dealing with such a spot as a private house that is undesirable to be photographed from the viewpoint of the privacy protection. As a solving method for this problem, there exists a one of masking, with another image, a spot that necessitates the privacy protection. Hereinafter, the explanation will be given below concerning conventional privacy masking methods.
In JP-A-6-181539, the following method has been described: A privacy-protected range is stored in advance by the central angles and the range widths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Next, if division areas, which result from dividing an image output into M-row and N-column areas, overlap partially with the privacy-protected range, the division areas are masked. In this method, the image output is masked on the M-row and N-column division basis. This eventually masks the portion that need not be masked, thereby lowering the surveillance function. Also, the range to be masked is managed using the angles in the vertical and the horizontal directions. This causes a difference to occur between a rotation displacement of the photograph-target, which, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, is caused by the pan rotation near a location directly below or above the camera's direction, and vertical and horizontal displacements of the mask. As a result, there exists a problem that the mask deviates from the privacy mask.
In JP-A-2001-69494, the following method has been described: The privacy-protected range is stored in advance by the coordinates on the absolute coordinate system, the size thereon, or the like. At the time of displaying the mask, the absolute coordinate system is converted into the picture coordinate system, then causing the mask to be displayed. In this method, a tilt angle at which the camera's direction is directed toward near a location directly below or above the camera-mounted position, the rotation displacement of the photograph-target becomes larger, and accordingly the masking exhibits no significant effect. On account of this, the above-described method has applied no masking near the location directly below or above the camera-mounted position where the rotation displacement becomes larger. Also, when setting up the privacy-protected range, the masking exhibits no significant effect on photograph-targets which, as illustrated in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8C, exist at the picture edges and thus whose images have been distorted. On account of this, the method has set up the privacy-protected range at the picture center. | {
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The present invention relates to an improved pickup mechanism for electric pianos, and more particularly relates to improvement in mounting of a pickup unit such as a piezoelectric element to the bridge for purposes of generating sounds whose damping characteristics is very close to that of natural sounds generated by non-electric pianos.
In the construction of electric pianos, vibrations of strings are picked up by a pickup mechanism whose corresponding electric output signals are passed to speaker device after suitable electric amplification. In the case of the conventional pickup mechanism, the pickup unit such as a piezo-electric element is directly coupled to the bridge in order to pick up the string vibrations. This direct coupling of the pick unit does not allow sufficient mixing of vibrations from different strings and, accordingly, it is difficult to compose tones close to the natural tones generated by the non-electric pianos. In addition, since the pressure caused by string tension is imposed via the bridge upon the pickup unit in the form of static load, permanent strain may develop in the construction of the pickup unit which seriously degrades sensitivity of the pickup unit.
The above-described static load on the pickup unit causes lowering in frequency characteristics thereof while resulting in degraded tone volume and tone quality during long use of the pickup mechanism. | {
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The present invention relates to computers for automotive vehicles and more particularly to a firewall for protecting vehicle functions from unauthorized access.
It is known to provide a vehicle with a personal computer or "auto PC" which provides a user interface to vehicle functions, such as climate control, audio system, power windows, windshield wipers, etc. In order to provide these features, the auto PC must have access to the vehicle bus. Many vehicle components, including the engine control module, send and receive information and commands via the vehicle bus. Since the auto PC will permit the installation of third party software, unauthorized access to the vehicle bus is a concern. Unauthorized access to the vehicle bus could cause undesirable control of vehicle components. More importantly, unauthorized access to the vehicle bus could impair critical functions of the vehicle, such as the engine control system or braking system. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device and method for displaying the string tension of a racquet and in one embodiment for acting as a vibration dampener and more particularly relates to a device and method of use that has code indicia thereon to indicate the original string tension of the racquet.
2. History of the Prior Art
Racquets are utilized in many sports such as tennis, badminton, squash, racquet ball and the like and for serious players it is desirable to preserve the information as to the original string tension of a racquet. This information is important to players who may own many racquets and choose the racquet having a particular string tension for any given game based on such factors as weather and court conditions as well as other playing conditions.
It is also well known in the prior art to have devices which fit between the strings of the string bed for vibration dampening. These devices can have advertising on them. An example of such prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,007 to Boschian which is typical of the prior art wherein a circular or slightly oblong disk-like device made of an elastic material having grooves on the sides thereof is inserted within an opening formed by the longitudinal and transverse strings such that it is maintained in place by its engagement to the strings. Such devices can have weights therein to act as a vibrating element to aid in the cancellation of vibrations in the racquet. Other vibration-dampening devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,411 to Bianchi; U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,324 to Nashif et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,409 to Kimoto; U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,545 to Nashif et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,143 to Hillock. Typical of these vibration dampeners is that they attach on a generally unused area on the strings near the throat grommet of the racquet.
Also well known in the prior art is the fact that the original string tension of a racquet can be printed on a label and attached to racquet. There are limitations as to where such stickers can be placed on a racquet; and some racquets, such as badminton, squash and some racquet ball racquets, have frames that are too narrow to receive attachable labels.
Many players seek ideal racquet string tension in their racquets, and achieving an ideal string tension can often be a long and complicated process based on a fine tuning method. The process can consist of a lot of trial and error and requires substantial experience. Each player starts off stringing his racquet within a “recommended tension” range provided for each racquet by the manufacturer. For example, the common range for tennis racquets is 55-65 lb. of tension; for badminton racquets, 20-25 lb. of tension; for squash racquets, 25-30 lb. of tension; and for racquet ball racquets, 30-35 lb. of tension. Tennis racquets potentially can be strung at tension ranges from a low of 40 lb. of tension to a high of 80 lb. of tension. However, string tension is altered by many factors such as heat, cold and humidity. For example, a tennis racquet that is strung at 65 lb. of tension which is left inside a car on a hot summer day will have its tension lowered by several pounds. Most serious players have multiple racquets and have their string tension set within a limited range. For example, a tennis player may choose to string one of his racquets at 62 lb. of tension, another at 64 lb. of tension, and yet another at 66 lb. of tension, such range of string tensions allows the tennis player to choose a racquet having an appropriate string tension depending on his style of play, court conditions, and/or weather conditions for a given day. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an unlubricated bearing structure supporting a rocking arm to be swingable and to an IC socket using the same.
2. Related Art
FIG. 9 shows a conventional unlubricated bearing structure 100 of the type mentioned above. The unlubricated bearing structure 100 shown in FIG. 9 includes a bearing mount member 102 having an axial bearing hole 103, a cylindrical bush 101 which has an outer peripheral portion and which is pushed into the bearing hole 103, and a support shaft 104 which is fitted into the cylindrical bush 101 so that a clearance 105 exists between an inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical bush 101 and an outer peripheral portion of the support shaft 104 to thereby support the support shaft 104 to be rotatable by the bush 101 fixed to the bearing mount member 102 (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. SHO 62-242129, and JIS Machine Engineering Handbook (new edition), published on Mar. 15, 1968, pp. 8-319 to 8-324)
Such an unlubricated bearing structure 100 is applicable to be disposed between relatively rotatable two members of a device to which a lubricating agent (lubricant) is not usable (such as electrical testing device of an IC package requiring an insulating property).
However, such unlubricated bearing structure 100 has provided the following defects.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in which the conventional unlubricated bearing structure 100 is applied to a central portion of the rocking (swinging) motion of the rocking arm 106, and one end side of the rocking arm 106 corresponds to the bearing mount portion 102 shown in FIG. 9.
With the conventional bearing structure 100 shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, when a force F1 other than self-weight pressing the rocking arm 106 toward the center of rocking motion acts, the support shaft 104 made of metal (stainless steel) slidably contacts the cylindrical bush 101, also made of metal (stainless steel), which results in causing of problem of significant wearing of the support shaft 104 as represented by oblique lines in FIG. 10B and the rocking arm is hence hardly driven or operated smoothly and easily, thus being defective and disadvantageous. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process providing a variable visual display for electronic equipment such as a personal computer and, more specifically, to a process and variable visual display apparatus for promoting the effective use of desk space.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Usually, a personal computer system using a Braun tube monitor is largely divided into three is basic parts: a monitor, a keyboard and a mainframe. The monitor, which is seldom moved after being initially positioned on a user's desk, must be situated in front of the user, i.e., within eyesight, and relatively close. The keyboard, which is frequently moved, is positioned in the user's immediate work space, i.e., closer than the monitor. The mainframe, which is often remotely positioned, is very rarely moved after installation.
Since the computer's auxiliary equipment however, such as floppy disk drives, compact disk read-only memory drives and digital video device drives, is directly connected to the mainframe or internally contained inside the housing of the mainframe, the mainframe must be placed such that access to the mainframe by the user is not prohibitively inconvenient.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 313,405 for a Computer Display With Adjustable Stand to Barry et al discloses the ornamental design for a computer display with an adjustable stand. However, the computer display is not a flat panel display. U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,570 for a Desktop Computer With Adjustable Flat Panel Screen discloses a display screen position ajustable in inclination angle, aximuth angle and elevation translation movements. The support arms employed lack structural stability, however.
What is needed is a sturdy mechanism that performs adjustments to a flat panel screen of a computer so that the user can easily see the screen while having the mainframe out of the way. | {
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This invention generally relates to polyimide resins. More specifically, the invention relates to such resins, and articles comprising the same, useful in high temperature and/or dielectric applications.
Over the last decade, significant increases in capacitor reliability have been achieved through a combination of advanced manufacturing techniques and new materials. Greatly enhanced performance has been obtained particularly in so-called film capacitors. Film capacitors can be classified into three types based on the manufacturing technology, namely, film and foil capacitors, metallized film capacitors and mixed technology film capacitors.
Generally, metallized film capacitors consist of two metal electrodes separated by a layer of plastic film. The metallized plastic film is constructed by vacuum depositing metal film onto a layer of plastic film. This would offer compact capacitor structure, self-clearing capability, longer lifetime, and higher energy density. Some of the commonly used plastic films are polypropylene and polyetherimide films. The metal film layer is typically extremely thin, in the order of about 200-500 angstroms and is typically aluminum, zinc or alloys of the same. Compared to other types of capacitors, metallized film capacitors provide advantages in size, simplicity, and cost of manufacturing, and hence have been widely used in the power electronics industry.
While significant improvements have been made in metallized film capacitors, certain issues, such as thermal stability and reduced lifetime continue to present challenges to their widespread use. For example, polyimides, such as polyetherimides, made from dianhydrides and diamines have been used in the past for the manufacture of thin film capacitors, as have polypropylene, polycarbonate and certain polyesters. Although polyimides and polyetherimides have relatively high glass transition temperatures (217° C. and higher) the glass transition temperatures of polypropylene, polycarbonate and polyesters are lower (usually less than 150° C.) and can limit the continuous-use, working temperatures of articles made from these resins to about 120° C. or less. Further, the relatively low dielectric constant of each of these resins limits the stored energy capacitors made from them to about 1 Joule/cc.
New polymeric resins would thus desirably be provided, having higher dielectric constants, and capable of operating at temperatures in excess of 120° C. Such resins would be expected to be useful in a wide variety of articles, including thin film capacitors, and metalized thin film capacitors in particular. | {
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The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner bag as well as a method of producing a vacuum cleaner bag.
Conventionally, vacuum cleaner bags have been constructed of paper. Paper bags are low cost and generally acceptable for removing and holding the large particles picked up by a vacuum cleaner. However, vacuum cleaners have become more effective at picking up fine particles and paper bags are typically quite inefficient at removing these fine-type particles from the vacuum cleaner air stream. These fine particles tend to remain in the air stream and are passed through the paper bag sidewalls with the exiting air creating significant amounts of indoor fine respirable particulate pollution. In order to reduce the amount of fine particulate discharged from the vacuum cleaner bag sidewalls, it has been proposed to employ a nonwoven fibrous filter layer in forming the vacuum cleaner bag. U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,894 proposes a filter layer that comprises a web of random synthetic polymeric microfibers, less than 10 microns in diameter on average. This filter layer web has a specific range of basis weights and air permeability. Further, in order to protect this relatively fragile filter layer, the filter layer is sandwiched between two more resilient outer nonwoven layers, for example, spun bond nonwoven webs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,942 also addresses the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner bag with improved filtration efficiency against fine particles. The filter material comprises a microfiber web of synthetic polymers which web has been directly adhered to a support web. The microfiber web is charged to induce electrets, which provides a filter media having high capture efficiency for fine submicron particles with a low pressure drop.
Following the above two approaches are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,080,702 and 5,306,534 in the name of Bosses. The '702 patent describes a disposable vacuum cleaner bag filter material which, like the '894 patent, comprises a microfiber web and a support layer. Like the '894 patent, the microfiber filter layer is not charged, however, unlike the '894 patent there is no inner support web. Like the '942 patent, no inner support layer is described as needed, however, unlike the '942 patent the filter web is not described as being charged. The patent examples exemplify that the melt blown microfiber web liner does not clog as rapidly as a standard cellulose (paper-like) liner. The examples also tested for resistance to tearing of the seams and of the paper when the filter was folded or flexed.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,534 describes a charged filter web, which is attached to a textile fabric to form a reusable vacuum cleaner bag with high filter efficiency. The electret filter web material is a charged melt blown microfiber web (like the '942 patent) placed between two outer support layers (like the '894 patent), for example, described as spun bond materials. The charged melt blown microfiber filter web layer(s) and spunbond layers are pattern bonded together.
PCT Publication WO 93/21812 (Van Rossen) describes a vacuum cleaner bag, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,942, which is provided with a scrim layer on the face opposite the vacuum cleaner hose inlet to provide specific abrasion resistance against large sand particles and the like. The scrim layer is bonded to the filter layer only at the vacuum cleaner bag end seams simplifying manufacturing.
Also commercially available is an industrial dust bag having an inner layer of a melt blown web (about 20 gm/m.sup.2) that is bonded only to the periphery of the bag. This bag is used as a copy machines toner particle bag and has an outer composite filter layer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,942, above.
The above patents all primarily address overall filter efficiency, particularly with respect to fine particles of a vacuum cleaner bag under normal-type operating conditions where a steady low concentration stream of particulates are being discharged into the bag. The present invention is directed at providing a filter bag with good fine particle removal efficiency over an extended period of time without filter blinding, which also has superior fine particle removal efficiency under shock loading conditions. Shock loading conditions occur when high concentrations of particles are discharged into the vacuum cleaner bag over a short period of time, such as where a vacuum cleaner is used to pick up a large pile of dust or debris. The invention is also concerned with providing a vacuum cleaner bag which displays a long service life without significant reduction in air flow or increase in pressure drop. | {
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The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of aligning a vehicle's axles and especially to a method and apparatus for aligning a fixed axle relative to the frame and suspension elements of the vehicle.
A proper aligned front end of a vehicle has long been a necessity for long tire life, handling ease and for achieving optimal fuel economy. The vehicle wheels need to travel in a straight line, with all wheels pointing in the same direction. That is, all four wheels must be square to each other and square to the road surface. All four wheels need to be parallel to one another and perpendicular to a common center line with the wheels straight up and down.
Full attention has generally focused on the alignment of the front wheels. However, a misaligned rear axle also results in reduced tire life and reduced fuel economy. A misaligned rear axle causes excessive tire drag and creates undesirable lateral forces. Even in new trucks, studies have shown that most are in need of rear axle alignment to align the rear axle relative to the suspension element and rear tires relative to each other and frame of the vehicle. The vehicle wheels need to be parallel to one another. Because of the increased tire wear and reduced fuel economy, even small misalignments of the rear axle become particularly important for freight carrying vehicles that must travel long distances. However, obtaining the proper alignment in an assembly line setting is difficult as are the minute adjustments that must be made quickly and accurately.
The present invention is directed towards the correction of fixed axle skew which is when the rear axle cocks slightly sideways causing both the rear tires of the vehicle to point slightly in the wrong direction or in a slightly different direction from the front wheels. In addition, if a fixed axle housing is slightly bent, one wheel will have skew relative to the other wheels which will also increase tire wear on the one wheel while reducing fuel economy in the vehicle.
The thrust line in a vehicle is an imaginary line created by the direction in which the rear wheels are pointing. The difference between an imaginary line drawn down the center of the vehicle and the thrust line equals the thrust angle. The thrust angle or axle offset causes both rear tires to point in the wrong direction and creates skew in the rear wheel assembly.
It has been common to perform a front end alignment using laser based wheel alignment systems. The axis about which the front wheels of an automobile or truck turn as it travels down the road must be carefully set to minimize tire wear, for safety and for stable handling characteristics. The orientation of these axes is determined by three angles. The toe-in angle, which specifies the angle between the rim of the wheels and a line drawn parallel to the direction in which the vehicle is pointed and the camber angle, which specifies the angle between the rim of the wheels and vertical and the caster angle, which specifies the angle between the vertical and the axis about which individual wheels turn when changing direction. These angles are specified individually for each wheel for each model and make of a vehicle. It must be periodically tested and reset to ensure continued economic and safe vehicle performance. However, in addition to front wheel alignment, it is desirable to set the thrust angle of the rear axle to avoid rear axle skew and also to ascertain that the rigid axle is not slightly bent to thereby cause skew in one of the rear wheels. In addition, the rear toe can also be adjusted.
The present invention is directed to correcting the thrust of a rear or any fixed axle to reduce small amounts of skew in the wheels and to thus prolong tire wear and improve fuel economy. A laser alignment system is used for aligning both the front wheels and the rear axle in which a laser is attached to each vehicle wheel spindle or hub, as set forth in the Loescher U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,598. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an X-ray mask which is capable of making stress of an X-ray mask for use in X-ray lithography to be zero throughout the X-ray mask so as to pattern the X-ray mask with a required positional accuracy, and to a heating apparatus for heating the X-ray mask.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 33 is a cross sectional view showing steps of a conventional method of manufacturing an X-ray mask disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 5-138104. Referring to FIG. 33, reference numeral 1 represents a silicon substrate, 2 represents a membrane (synonym with X-ray permeable substrate) formed on the silicon substrate 1, having a thickness of 1 .mu.m to 2 .mu.m and made of light elements, 3 represents a reflection preventive film formed on the membrane 2 and made of, for example, an indium tin oxide, 4 represents an X-ray absorber formed on the reflection preventive film 3 and made of a tungsten-titanium film, 5 represents a resist and 6 represents a support ring having a bonding adhesive 7 for bonding and supporting the silicon substrate 1.
A method of manufacturing an X-ray mask having the foregoing structure will now be described. Initially, the membrane 2 is formed on the silicon substrate 1 see FIG. 33A!. Then, a portion of the silicon substrate 1 is removed (etched back) see FIG. 33B!. Then, the reflection preventive film 3 is applied to the membrane 2, followed by being baked so as to be formed into a film see FIG. 33C!. Then, the X-ray absorber 4 is formed on the reflection preventive film 3 by, for example, a sputtering method. The mean membrane stress of the thus-formed X-ray absorber 4 is measured to determine temperatures with which the mean stress can be made to be zero. Then, annealing is performed uniformly in, for example, an oven, at 250.degree. C. to adjust the mean thin film stress of the X-ray absorber 4 to be zero see FIG. 33D!.
Then, the resist 5 is applied, and then baking is performed at, for example, 180.degree. C. see FIG. 33E!. Then, the silicon substrate 1 is bonded to the support ring 6 with the bonding adhesive 7 see FIG. 33F!. Then, electron beam drawing or development is performed to pattern the resist 5. The patterned resist 5 is used as a mask when the X-ray absorber 4 is dry-etched so that the X-ray absorber 4 is patterned. Then, the resist 5 is removed so that the X-ray mask is formed see FIG. 33G!. Note that the process for etching back the silicon substrate 1 and the process for bonding the silicon substrate 1 to the support ring 6 are not always performed in the foregoing sequential order.
The conventional method has been arranged such that the mean thin film stress of the X-ray absorber 4 is adjusted to be zero by changing the annealing temperature after the X-ray absorber 4 has been formed. A problem occurring when the film stress is not adjusted as described above will now be described with reference to FIG. 34. An assumption as shown in FIG. 34A is performed that the size of the window region of the silicon substrate 1 is 30 mm.times.30 mm and the stress of the X-ray absorber 4 at a position corresponding to the window region of the silicon substrate 1 is 10 MPa because no adjustment has been performed, as shown in FIG. 34B. If a 15 nm.times.15 nm region of the X-ray absorber 4 is patterned relative to the center of the window region of the silicon substrate 1 as shown in FIG. 34A, the stress of 10 MPa of the X-ray absorber 4 results in patterning of the X-ray absorber 4 being shifted for 15 nm from the center of the membrane 2. Thus, there arises a problem in that the X-ray absorber 4 cannot be patterned as required. The shift takes place outward when the stress is tensile stress, while the same takes place inward when the stress is compressive stress.
Accordingly, the X-ray absorber 4 has been heated by annealing to make the mean thin film stress of the X-ray absorber 4 to be zero so that unintentional shift occurring in patterning has been prevented.
The conventional method of manufacturing an X-ray mask has been performed as described above to prevent the patterning shift of the X-ray absorber 4 of a type shown in FIG. 34. However, since the actual distribution of the thin film stresses of the X-ray absorber 4 is not uniform, a problem as shown in FIG. 35 arises.
FIG. 35A shows a state where a 15 nm.times.15 nm region of the X-ray absorber 4 in a 30 mm.times.30 mm window region of the silicon substrate 1 has been patterned similarly to FIG. 34A. FIG. 35B is a graph showing stress distribution over the X-ray absorber 4 realized after the X-ray absorber 4 has been heated by annealing and, thus, the mean thin film stress of the X-ray absorber 4 has been made to be zero. Although the mean film stress of the X-ray absorber 4 has been made to be zero as shown in FIG. 35B, stress has not been zero throughout the X-ray absorber 4 in actual. Therefore, patterning of the X-ray absorber 4 shown in FIG. 35A is shifted similarly to the case shown in FIG. 34. Thus, there arises a problem in that the X-ray absorber 4 cannot be patterned as required.
In case of the X-ray absorber as shown in FIG. 35B, although the mean stress is equal to 0, the stress distribution in the thickness direction changes from -10 MPa to +10 MPa, so that the X-ray absorber has various stress not equal to zero at many points in the thickness direction. Therefore, when an overetching process is applied to where the mean stress is equal to zero, the mean stress moves to the compress stress side and becomes totally several MPa. Therefore, patterning of the X-ray absorber 4 shown in FIG. 35A is shifted similarly to the case shown in FIG. 34. Thus, there arises a problem in that the X-ray absorber 4 cannot be patterned as required. | {
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Transmit and receive antennas are now being used on the exterior surfaces of commercial aircraft to provide broadband interconnectivity with ground based stations via one or more satellite-based transponders. Such antennas are often electronically scanned phased array antennas; mechanically augmented phased array antennas; mechanically scanned reflector antennas summarized herein as antennas from the group including single reflector antennas, reflector arrays or planar arrays configured in a planar or elliptical shape; or other forms of antennas which are disposed on an exterior surface of the fuselage of the aircraft. Except for non-mechanically scanned phased array antennas, the antenna is typically mounted within a radome and radiates its beam through the radome when in a transmit mode of operation. Non-mechanically scanned phased array antennas normally do not require a radome due to their low aerodynamic cross section.
An undesirable consequence of mounting the antenna within an aerodynamically shaped radome is the creation of reflections of electromagnetic energy caused by the radiated electromagnetic energy impinging the radome at angles other than normal to the interior surface of the radome. However, when electromagnetic energy impinges the radome at an angle normal to the surface of the radome, the great majority of the energy passes through the radome. A mechanically scanned antenna system is required to point the transmit-receive antenna beam over 360 degrees in azimuth and nearly 90 degrees in elevation during aircraft to satellite communications operation. Aerodynamic radomes are frequently designed with multilayered dielectric walls to minimize the loss of transmit and receive electromagnetic energy passing through the radome. The radome design performs effectively for antenna radiated energy angles within plus or minus 50 degrees from normal incidence to the interior surface of the radome. However, as the angles of incidence increase from 70 to 90 degrees, reflection losses increase significantly. Interior radome surface reflections are highest near the radome wall transition from vertical to horizontal, when the antenna system is pointed at elevation angles from 0 to 30 degrees, and in particular, aft towards the tail of the aircraft. This is due to the common flattened teardrop shape used for the aerodynamic radome, which tapers both in width and in height towards the aft direction. In this region, the electromagnetic energy emanating from the antenna impinges on the wall of the radome at incident angles ranging from 80 to 90 degrees. Reflected energy is highest at these large angles of incidence.
The problem with reflected energy is also acute when the main beam from the mechanically scanned antenna is scanned along an axis which is close to parallel to the exterior of the fuselage of the aircraft. At this scan angle, the electromagnetic energy impinges an interior surface of the radome which is tapering toward the fuselage. Electromagnetic energy impinges the interior surface at an angle which is not normal thereto, thus causing a significant degree of energy to be reflected by the interior surface of the radome back toward the fuselage.
Reflected energy is highly undesirable as this energy can be directed into the skin of the aircraft, wherein the skin can act as an antenna to further radiate the energy towards other RF receivers or transceivers in the vicinity of the aircraft, and particularly transceivers located on the ground below the aircraft. It is also undesirable for a communications system to have its high level radiated transmit power reflected back into the antenna aperture and into the low noise receiver. Since the radome must have a highly aerodynamic shape, it becomes impossible to avoid the problem of reflections within the radome because at such angles as described above, the main beam radiated by the antenna will always be impinging the walls of the radome at angles that are not normal to the interior surface of the radome.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide some form of attenuation apparatus within the radome which at least partially circumscribes the antenna to reflect and/or absorb a portion of the radiated electromagnetic energy from the antenna toward the interior surface of the radome such that the reflected electromagnetic energy is absorbed or impinges the interior surface of the radome at an angle normal thereto, thus minimizing the reflections that occur within the radome when the antenna is scanned.
It would also be highly desirable to provide such an attenuation apparatus as described above that does not interfere with operation of the antenna, whether the antenna is a mechanically scanned phased array antenna, a mechanically scanned antenna including reflectors, reflector arrays or planar arrays, or other form of reflector antenna, and further which does not require modifications to the shape of the radome or necessitate non-aerodynamic modifications to the contour of the radome.
It would also be highly desirable to provide additional attenuation of reflected energy within a radome perimeter where an attenuation apparatus cannot totally shield the fuselage surface under the radome. | {
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A cellular or wireless communication system can support bi-directional communication for multiple users by sharing the available system resources. Cellular systems are different from broadcast systems that can mainly or only support unidirectional transmission from broadcast stations to users. Cellular systems are widely deployed to provide various communication services and may be multiple-access systems such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) systems, Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) systems, etc.
A cellular system may support broadcast, multicast, and unicast services. A broadcast service is a service that may be received by all users, e.g., news broadcast. A multicast service is a service that may be received by a group of users, e.g., a subscription video service. A unicast service is a service intended for a specific user, e.g., voice call. Group communications can be implemented using either unicast, broadcast, multicast or a combination of each. As the group becomes larger it is generally more efficient to use multicast services. However, for group communication services that require low latency and a short time to establish the group communication, the setup time of conventional multicast channels can be a detriment to system performance.
Additionally, broadcast/multicast services, such as LTE eMBMS does not offer a mechanism to support access channel congestion avoidance and ACK/uplink TCH suppression for UEs multicast applications. Accordingly, in a high density group call, there will be many responders contending for the same access slots, which can lead to excessive collisions and delays due to the collisions on the reverse link common access channel. | {
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In various computing systems, such as the eServer zSeries, S/370-XA, ESA/370 and ESA/390 systems, offered by International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., each system footprint, referred to as a central processing complex (CPC), is limited to a maximum configuration of 256 I/O paths, such as, for example, 256 channel paths. One of the reasons for the constraint is that the unique identifier for each channel path configured to the CPC, referred to as the Channel Path Identifier (CHPID), is defined as an 8-bit binary number, which provides 256 unique CHPID values from zero to 255. Since this value is only 8-bits, only 256 paths with unique identifications are possible. One solution is to increase the size of the CHPID; however, this has serious consequences for the many programs that use the CHPID.
This 256-channel path limitation has restricted the ability to provide significant increases in the overall CPC in terms of the maximum processing capacity of the central processors provided by the CPC. Further, computing systems are being created in which the total computing capacity of the systems is increasing past the point where 256 channel paths are sufficient in order to provide adequate I/O bandwidth and I/O configuration flexibility necessary to fully utilize the increased numbers of central processors.
Thus, a need exists for a capability to extend the functionality of an input/output subsystem. In one example, a need exists for a facility that can provide more than 256 I/O paths in a manner that is minimally disruptive to the programs using the paths. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic sheet, which is capable of suppressing undesirable electromagnetic waves emitted from an electronic equipment, and inhibiting electromagnetic disorders caused due to the interference of the undesirable electromagnetic waves, and also relates to a production method thereof which is efficient and low cost.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with developments of electronic equipments, e.g. personal computers and mobile phones, such as down sizing and higher frequency, these electronic equipments suffer from a noise interference due to outer electromagnetic waves and interference of noises occurred within the electronic equipment. In order to suppress such interferences, various countermeasures have been taken for the noises. For example, a magnetic sheet (noise depressing sheet) is disposed adjacent to a noise emitting source or a noise receiving source.
The magnetic sheet is formed by adding alloy (magnetic powder) such as Fe—Si—Al to an epoxy resin, acryl resin, or the like, and then being cured to formed into a sheet by hot pressing.
As a recent trend in the art, radio communication using a coil antenna in a electromagnetic induction method, which is represented as mobile information terminals having IC tags referred as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), has been widely used. For example, in the mobile information terminal, various conductors (metals) such as a metal casing or metal parts are disposed adjacent to an antenna element for transmitting and receiving due to downsizing of the mobile information terminal. In this case, a magnetic field usable for the transmission is largely attenuated because of the metal present adjacent to the antenna element, and as a result, a distance for RFID transmission in an electromagnetic induction system may be shorten, or transmission or receiving of a radio frequency may become difficult because a resonance frequency is shifted. To prevent these electromagnetic disorders, a magnetic sheet is placed between the antenna element and the conductor.
However, there is a case where a thickness of the magnetic sheet is increased as a battery pack is expanded due to the repetitive charging. In this case, the magnetic sheet is adhered to a cover of the battery pack of the mobile phone, and it is difficult to open and close the cover.
To solve this problem, there has recently been proposed a magnetic sheet in which an insulating support is bonded to a surface of a magnetic layer with an adhesive. With this magnetic sheet, the insulating support is present in between a cover of a battery pack and a magnetic layer, and thus the insulating support exhibits lubricity performance to prevent an adhesion between the cover of the battery pack and the magnetic layer when the magnetic layer is expanded with heat, and the opening and closing failure of the cover is prevented.
For this reason, many magnetic sheets having a structure in which a magnetic layer and an insulating support are bonded to each other with an adhesive (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) Nos. 2007-165701, 2007-123373, 2006-301900, and 2001-329234).
However, as these magnetic sheets use a binder or an adhesive, a magnetic sheet (a magnetic layer) needs to be thinner by the thickness of the adhesive. Moreover, when heat is accumulated in an electronic equipment, the adhesive and the like may be bleed out inside of the electronic equipment, causing the failure of the electronic equipment.
Moreover, a magnetic sheet formed by boning a magnetic layer and an insulating support with an adhesive is produced in its production process by curing by hot pressing to form a magnetic sheet, then forming an adhesive layer on the magnetic sheet, and furthermore laminating an insulating layer on the adhesive layer. Therefore, the production process is complicated and may be resulted in high production cost.
Moreover, an insulating support is scratched by opening and closing of a cover, and appearance thereof is impaired.
Therefore, it has been strongly desired to develop an easy and simple production method of a magnetic sheet at low cost without using an adhesive, and a magnetic sheet which has an excellent surface lubricity and high magnetic permeability without an adhesive layer. | {
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A {100}<001> texture has a stable recrystallization orientation of relatively high purity copper, which is texture orientation that is relatively easy to develop. When copper is rolled so as to be recrystallized, cube orientation is obtained, in which the <100> orientation is aligned with the rolling direction (RD), the normal direction (ND), and the transverse direction (TD) which is orthogonal to RD and ND.
Although it is not easy to stably form a high-density cube texture, it is attempted that a high-density cube texture is industrially utilized for flexible circuit board copper foil (Patent Literature 1 and 2) and rectangular copper wire for solar cell connection (Patent Literature 3 and 4) in recent years. Such cube texture has been realized in practice in some cases. A cube texture is formed on a material, in order to improve fatigue characteristics (Patent Literature 1 and 2) and reduce Young's modulus (Patent Literature 3) and yield strength (Patent Literature 4) for softening.
In general, strain is repeatedly loaded on a metal material that constitutes such flexible circuit board copper foil or rectangular copper wire for solar cell connection. For a flexible circuit board, strain is caused by bending at a hinge portion, a slide portion, or a folding portion of a mobile phone. For a solar cell conductor, heat strain is caused by a difference in the thermal expansion coefficient between silicon and copper.
For both purposes, a case of a fatigue failure of copper that is a metal material has been reported, which would be solved by increasing fatigue strength of copper material. Patent Literature 2 teaches to utilize the fact that a cube texture is excellent in terms of the improvement of fatigue characteristics of copper foil to which a high degree of bending with a small radius of curvature is applied when, for example, copper foil is incorporated into a thin device such as a mobile phone for use. Patent Literature 2 also teaches that anisotropy of mechanical characteristics of such cube texture was utilized to create an idea of a pattern in which the stress direction is aligned with the orientation of high breaking elongation.
In order to improve fatigue characteristics of metal material, it is common to improve metal strength and enhance breaking elongation. For such a purpose, it is common to refine crystal grains. In this regard, although coarsening of grain sizes through cube texture formation is contrary to the above from the viewpoint of material texture, for example, Patent Literature 2 proves that fatigue characteristics may improve by coarsening of crystal grains. It is therefore predicted that when a copper material may have a texture including an advanced cube texture and further have enhanced strength or breaking elongation, the copper material may have enhanced excellent fatigue characteristics.
It is difficult to improve strength and breaking elongation of a material having a highly developed cube texture. As stated above, a cube texture is usually formed by using a stable recrystallization orientation of relatively high-purity copper. This suggests that the number of dislocations or grain boundaries that originally act to increase strength is small. In addition, when it is tried to improve strength by the action of enhancing solid solution or promoting precipitation of alloy elements via alloying, changes in stacking-fault energy might cause the stable recrystallization orientation to vary or precipitates to inhibit grain growth, thereby inhibiting cube texture formation. For such reasons, a copper material having an advanced cube texture is limited in terms of types or concentrations of alloy elements added. In particular, no copper alloy with a highly advanced cube orientation, which contains elements at high concentrations that would promote precipitation, has been found.
As an aside, since a copper material having a developed cube texture is produced by rolling and recrystallization upon industrial production, the <100> main orientation may be in the rolling direction. In other words, the longitudinal direction of a rectangular copper wire for solar cell connection corresponds to the <100> orientation and the stress direction of a flexible circuit board corresponds to the <100> orientation without specific intention. However, when stress is applied in the <100> orientation, the orientation results in the smallest breaking elongation, among possible orientations. Therefore, a material having an advanced cube texture is excellent in terms of fatigue characteristics while the orientation which is most likely to be used (i.e., <100>) is undesirable in terms of fatigue characteristics. For such reasons, it is desirable to improve strength and enhance breaking elongation when stress is applied to a copper material having a highly developed cube texture in the <100> direction. | {
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Serial communication links have become indispensable in data transfer, primarily in chip-to-chip communications over printed circuit boards and backplanes. Data rates of 10 Gbps may be common and rates as high as 30 Gbps may be feasible. Multi-Gigabit SerDes transceiver devices may be utilized in many backplane environments such as optical switching and chip-to-chip communications.
A Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) is a pair of transmitting and receiving functional blocks commonly used in high-speed data communication. SerDes may run over long distances, use few wires, and thus may have lower costs than parallel interfaces with equivalent data throughput.
In a typical communication system, integrated circuits (ICs) may be chosen to support the system cost and performance targets. In the case of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), the semiconductor vendor and SerDes macro designs may be chosen. These communication systems may contain multi-vendor chips interconnected through electrical links. Each SerDes link may be individually calibrated or tuned by providing values for calibration parameters specific to type of transmitter and receiver SerDes channels of a link.
A typical hardware device may have a plurality of SerDes transceivers. The individual transmitter and receiver SerDes channels contained in a device may be accessed through an application programming interface. The software interface may consist of a set of operations that can be performed on individual SerDes channels contained in a device. SerDes interface functions take a channel number to identify a particular channel.
SerDes hardware designs may use several equalization techniques in various combinations in order to provide channel equalization for multi-gigabit SerDes links. Each SerDes design uses its own hardware specific parameters for calibrating its transmitter or receiver blocks. The calibration parameters values are determined based on link loss measured at a particular rate for each individual link. A calibration or tuning procedure includes configuring appropriate parameter values into transmitter and receiver blocks of a SerDes link.
In order to calibrate a SerDes link, a series of operations needs to be performed on transmitter and receiver channels of the link. The sequence of operations, which may include configuring specific calibration values into the link's transmitter and receiver SerDes channels, is performed to bring up a link for error free data communication and is called a tuning algorithm.
Currently within the art, SerDes tuning is typically implemented using custom product dependent application code. Product specific code contains data such as number of SerDes links, types of transmitter and receiver SerDes channels for each link, an interconnect map of links between devices containing those SerDes channels, and calibration parameters values for each individual link. The tuning algorithm for calibrating a SerDes link may depend on the type of SerDes transmitter and receiver blocks. Custom tuning code is tied to a particular product and is generally not reusable in other products. When a product has multi-vendor SerDes macros, common operations on SerDes links with different endpoint types are duplicated and code is not shared. Also, the algorithm used for tuning a set of links is hard-coded in the application and cannot be replaced or re-used. Testing and debugging link issues is laborious and repetitive and costs hours of engineering time. Diagnostics tools and application software used to bring up the links cannot share code resulting in longer development cycles. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an analog amplifier and an analog filter for amplifying an analog signal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for controlling the gain and cutoff frequency exponentially in the variable gain amplifier and variable frequency filter that is capable of changing the gain and cutoff frequency.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typically, a digital variable resister used in an analog amplifier or an analog filter includes one or more segments, each of which connects to a switch, such that the total resistance of the variable resister is programmed depending on the connection states of the switches by a digital control signal.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a binary variable resister programmed according to a digital control signal according to the related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, the binary variable register 100 is composed of a plurality of segments 101 and a plurality of switches 102 respectively interposed between the segments 101. The connection states of the switches 102 between the resister segments 101 are controlled by N-bit control signals b0 to bN-1. Assuming that the resistance of the smallest unit resister of the resister segment 101 is R, the resistances of the resister segments 101 of the binary variable resister are set to R, 22R, . . . , 2N-1R. The connection states of the switches 102 are determined according to the N-bit control signal to change the resistance of the entire binary variable resister 100.
In the case of the binary variable resister 100 depicted in FIG. 1, the total resistance of the binary variable resister 100 is determined in proportion to an integer generated by combining N bits of b0 to bN-1 of the control signal. Here, k satisfies (k+b0+21b1+22b2+ . . . +2N-1bN-1, 0≦k≦2N−1). In a case of applying the binary variable resister 100 to an operational amplifier (not shown) as its input resister or to a feedback resister, the gain value is determined in proportion to the input resister or feedback resister so as to obtain the gain value proportional to or inversely-proportional to the integer k.
FIG. 2 illustrates relationships among voltage gain of a variable gain amplifier formed with a variable resister and an operational amplifier, decibel (dB) of the voltage gain, and the control signal k according to the related art. Assuming that the gain obtained in the case that the integer k generated by combining N bits of the control signal is 1, the total gain of the variable gain amplifier increases linearly as k increases (G, 2G, 3G, . . . ).
FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a relationship between the decibel value of the gain according to the frequency of a normal loss pass filter and the frequency to explain the cutoff frequency according to the related art. The size of most signals existing in nature such as electric wave, sound, and light increases exponentially such that it is advantageous to express the gain and cutoff frequency on a log scale in an analog circuit for the following signal processes. In the case of expressing the gain value on a log scale, the unit of decibel obtained by applying log to the gain and multiplying by 20 (10 in case of voltage) is used in general. A normal filter varies in output gain to input as the frequency value increases, and there are the pass band and stop band. The cutoff frequency (fc) denotes the boundary frequency between the pass band and stop band. In a case of low pass filter, the frequency having the gain value lower by as much as 3 decibels as compared to the gain of the direct current or low frequency of the pass band is defined as fc. As shown in FIG. 3, the gain value in direct current is Adc (dB), and the gain value at the stop frequency fc is Adc−3 (dB), i.e., lower by as much as 3 decibels as compared to the gain value in direct current.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating an amplifier using the variable resister of FIG. 1 according to the related art.
Referring to FIG. 4, the amplifier 150 is capable of changing the gain and cutoff frequency by adjusting the resistance of the variable resisters 160 and 170. The gain and cutoff frequency of the amplifier of FIG. 4 in direct current are as follows.
Gain : R b R a , f c : 1 2 π R b C
Here, Ra denotes the resistance of the input variable resister 160, Rb denotes the resistance of the feedback variable resister 170, and C denotes capacitance of the capacitor 180.
At this time, the following process is performed in order to change the cutoff frequency on the log scale linearly in dB under a predetermined gain value.
The ideal resistance of the feedback variable resister 170 is calculated to obtain a specific cutoff frequency value and set the value closest to the idle resistance among the resistance values available for the feedback variable resister 170 to Rb.
The ideal resistance of the input variable resister 160 is calculated to maintain the gain regularly and set the value closest to the ideal resistance among the resistance values available for the input variable resister 160 to Ra.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the resistances of the variable resisters 100, 160, and 170 vary linearly and their cutoff frequencies are inversely proportional to the resistances. Referring to FIG. 2 in which the resistances of the variable resisters 100, 160, and 170 are depicted on a log scale, the resistance values of the variable resisters 100, 160, and 170 vary fast (on a log scale) with a low value of k while they vary slowly (on a log scale) with the high value of k.
In a case where the resistance Rb of the feedback variable resister is lowered to increase the cutoff frequency, a failing configuration of the value for determining an accurate cutoff frequency may occur. That is, since the accuracy of the change of the cutoff frequency linearly on a log scale is limited by changing the resistance of the feedback variable resister 170, it is difficult to find the ideal resistance and thus an approximate value is taken. This is the case for the input variable resister 160 in which it is ideal for the resistance to vary in proportion to that of the feedback variable resistance 170, such that the approximate value rather than logically calculated value is taken, resulting in a problem of variation of the cutoff frequency fc and gain. That is, a significant quantization error occurs.
Also, another problem occurs in the bandwidth of the cutoff frequency. The cutoff frequency varies according to the resistance of the feedback variable resister 170 such that, although it is easy to obtain the approximate value close to the ideal resistance since the change of cutoff frequency becomes sensitive to the unit resistance variation with the high resistance in the low frequency bandwidth, there is a shortcoming in that it is difficult to obtain the approximate value close to the ideal resistance since the total resistance is low in the high frequency bandwidth.
FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating variation of gain according to frequency in a case of using the amplifier of FIG. 4 according to the related art. Due to the aforementioned causes, although it is necessary to be constant on a log scale, the cutoff frequency shows a difference of intervals and also the gain value which should be maintained constantly varies.
For these reasons, it is difficult to control the variable gain amplifier or filter using the binary variable resister of the related art and thus there is a need of a variable resister formed in a new structure to control the cutoff frequency precisely in high frequency band and to reduce the quantization error. | {
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(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of producing a microwave filter which comprises a body of gyromagnetic material and a source of a pre-polarizing magnetic field whose resonant frequency is a predetermined function of the temperature.
Such filters provided with one or more spheres of a gyromagnetic material such as yttrium iron garnet (YIG) are used in the microwave devices for realizing bandpass and bandstop filters having a high Q-factor.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,210 issued on January 30th, 1973 to James M. Schellenberg discloses a method of stabilizing the resonant frequency of a YIG filter having a permanent magnet which acts as a source of the pre-polarizing magnetic field.
In accordance with this method, a YIG sphere is disposed in the field of a permanent magnet and the change in the resonant frequency across a given temperature range is measured.
With this data and the knowledge of the variation of the anisotropic field with temperature a correctional resonant frequency f.sub.b is calculated such that the change of the prepolarizing magnetic field with temperature is eliminated by the change with temperature of the anisotropic field.
This correctional resonant frequency can be expressed as: ##EQU1##
In this expression f.sub.a1 is the resonant frequency at the temperature T.sub.1, .DELTA.f.sub.a is the change in the resonant frequency when the temperature changes from T.sub.1 to T.sub.2, and Ha1 and Ha2 are the values of the anisotropic field at temperature T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, respectively.
The following numerical example illustrates an extreme case starts from an YIG filter having a permanent magnet consisting of an aluminium-nickel-cobalt alloy having a high Curie point.
At a given temperature range of, for example, 20.degree.-65.degree. C., the change .DELTA.H.sub.a in the anisotropic field may be approximately 20 Oersted (Ha1 = 45 Oersted, Ha2 = 25 Oersted) and the change .DELTA.Ho of the field of the permanent magnet may amount to approximately 4 Oersted. The change .DELTA.f.sub.a in the resonant frequency which occurs may be 120 MHz depending on the orientation of the field of the permanent magnet in the crystal lattice of the YIG sphere. The second term in the right hand portion of the equation (1) may then become 275 MHz.
The correctional resonant frequency may thus deviate considerably from the initiated adjusted resonant frequency f.sub.a1. This renders it imperative to make several adjustments to obtain a temperature stabilisation at a predetermined resonant frequency. | {
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Accelerometers are used in down-hole drilling operations, e.g., oil, gas and geothermal, to navigate the drill in off-vertical directions. Because of the depths involved, the operating temperature for these accelerometers is very high and can exceed 200° C. for oil and gas drilling and can reach 300° C. for geothermal drilling. Developing drive mechanisms for accelerometers that can operate between 200° C. and 300° C. with the required performance is difficult. Microelectro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) vibrating-beam devices offer the accuracy and stability at high temperature that are needed but, because of the damping requirement, operation of these devices using electro-static means requires high-voltage electrostatic comb drives. Typically, the voltage necessary can reach 200V. The electronics needed to achieve this high voltage are not reliable within this high-temperature environment. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to surgical devices for closing surgical access sites or other wounds and, more particularly, to surgical devices and methods suitable for use in the closure of gastric or colonic incisions.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Endoscopic or minimally invasive surgical approaches utilize small incisions. Surgical instruments of various kinds are guided through these small incisions. Typically, when performing tissue approximation during endoscopic surgery, the incision is closed with sutures, surgical staples, or clips.
Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) represents a new phase of minimally invasive surgery. The secure closure of the gastrotomy or colotomy site in transluminal surgery is difficult. NOTES has the potential to eliminate complications associated with traditional surgery, such as postoperative abdominal wall pain, wound-related and pulmonary complications, hernias, adhesions, and possibly impaired immune function. Challenges to the advancement and clinical acceptance of NOTES include the need for secure enterotomy closure.
The secure closure of gastric or colonic incisions in endoscopy and transluminal endoscopy is important. A need exists for surgical devices suitable for closure of wounds and incisions such as gastric or colonic incisions. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to a method of forming an axle and, more specifically, to such an axle which can be utilized with a central tire inflation system.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
While there have heretofore been a number of methods employed for providing central tire inflation systems, there remains the problem of providing a proper means for providing the inflation air from a fixed source of inflation air on the vehicle to a rotating wheel and tire configuration at the ends of the axles. It has been found that the hub element of such a wheel and tire configuration can be installed on a rigid spindle portion of the axle or axle housing in a manner which will provide a sealed intermediate cavity between the inner and outer bearing elements for the hub. With the intermediate cavity serving as a reservoir for the inflation air for the tire or tires to be mounted thereon, the spindle supporting the hub must be provided passage means for allowing air to be transmitted from the central tire inflation system to the reservoir within the hub.
Although U.S. Pat. No. 3,705,614 discloses a central tire inflation system employing a region intermediate of the bearings of the hub for receipt of the inflation air, the method employed for sealing and transmitting the air is different from that mentioned hereinabove. Nevertheless, the air passages provided in the spindle portion of the axle disclosed therein do adequately and properly allow air from a central tire inflation system to be supplied to this region. However, the type of spindle employed on the axle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,705,614 is one which includes a large flange portion to be bolted to a flange on a central portion of the axle housing. The bolt holes in the spindle flange can be used as pilot holes when forming the air passages to insure that an air fitting inwardly of the hub is at a predetermined circumferential location to mate with a supply line from the central tire inflation system. While this configuration is acceptable for some axle installations, it is not uncommon for such a bolted flange arrangement to be undesirable and unacceptable because of both weight and space considerations. Accordingly, in such installations, the spindles are initially formed hollow and friction welded or butt welded to a center portion of the axle.
However, in any such axle configuration wherein the spindles are friction welded to a center portion to form the axle, it has been found that the eventual circumferential location of the spindle relative to the center portion is unpredictable. A similar problem of manufacturing control could exist even if the spindles are butt welded to the center portion. Accordingly, in one prior art axle, the inflation air passageways are formed after the spindles are secured to the center portion in order to insure that the inwardly positioned air fitting on the spindle will properly mate with the central tire inflation system. Formation in this manner has required critical drilling of axial passageways and produced stress risers in the axle spindle when drilling the primary radial passageway. As a result, it was not uncommon for axles being formed in this manner to be relatively expensive and subject to quality control problems which could result in some of the axles being rejected as unqualified for use.
Accordingly, there remains a need for providing an axle which is formed by the welding of spindle portions to a center portion and includes passageways therein which can be reasonably formed in a manner which will insure proper mating with a central tire inflation system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lanthanum boride sintered bodies and methods for producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
As proposed in the art (see, for example, Patent Literature 1), conventional lanthanum boride sintered bodies are produced by mixing lanthanum boride powders having an average particle diameter of 1 to 5 μm, a carbon content of less than 0.1 mass % and an oxygen content of less than 1.0 mass % with lanthanum boride powders having an average particle diameter of 50 to 500 nm, and sintering the mixture by hot pressing at a temperature of not less than 1800° C. and a pressure of not less than 20 MPa. Such sintered bodies allegedly have a high purity and exhibit an increased density, and a relative density of 93% has been obtained. It is also proposed that lanthanum boride green compacts are pressed in a hot press furnace and are thereafter subjected to an HIP treatment to further reduce the porosity; a relative density of 93% has been obtained (see, for example, Patent Literature 2). It is further proposed that a metal powder such as Fe, Co or Ni is admixed with a lanthanum boride powder having an average particle diameter of 1 to 20 μm, and the mixture is compacted, subjected to a pressure of 1 to 100 MPa and sintered at a temperature of about 1500 to 2000° C. in a spark plasma sintering furnace; a relative density of 99.3% has been obtained (see, for example, Patent Literature 3). It is furthermore proposed that a green compact of lanthanum boride and metallic silicon is sintered at a pressure in the range from 1.33×104 Pa to atmospheric pressure; a relative density of 91% has been obtained (see, for example, Patent Literature 4). Sintered bodies obtained by such a method allegedly exhibit higher stability and improved thermionic emission characteristics. [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-063487 [PTL 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-195337 [PTL 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-250725 [PTL 4] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 04-228474 | {
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The present invention relates generally to collar supports and protectors, and more particularly, to a generally unitary shaped collar protector fabricated or molded from a resilient material such as a plastic which is easy to install and remove from the collar section of a shirt or other garments and which holds and protects the collar in assembled position and prevents the collar from being distorted or wrinkled during all times that the shirt is stored, stacked and/or displayed.
In the storing, packing or stacking of shirts for display, cleaning, inventory and other purposes relating to all clothing, where such shirts have collar sections, the collar sections often become distorted, creased and misshapen. This affects both the appearance of the shirt for display purposes, its presentation to customers by cleaners who launder such shirts, and more importantly affects the utility of the shirt for its regular and ordinary purposes.
Various efforts have been made to overcome these problems as is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,777,814; 1,876,814; 1,879,918; 2,275,098; 2,518,300; 2,560,684; Norwegian Patent No. 87090 (1956); Sverige Patent No. 160,936 (1957) and Italian Patent No. 620,627 (1961).
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,876,814 a collar support is shown made of a one-piece, generally V-shaped design of stiff cardboard material for attachment under the collar section of a garment and in engagement with the neck portion of the collar so that spaced relatively small wing portions on opposite sides of the centerline of the collar support can be pushed out to engage and overlie the front ends of the collar to hold them from being distorted and wrinkled.
Norwegian Patent No. 87,090 shows a collar support having an arcuate portion which slides under the collar portion of a garment. In the center of the upper edge of the arcuate portion a V-shaped notch is formed. When the collar support slides under the collar, the V-shaped notch will engage the collar button at the neck portion of the collar. The V-shaped notch coacts with a downwardly extending, generally narrow flat member, which is connected at one end to the center of the lower edge of the arcuate portion. At the free end remote therefrom, the flat member has a V-shaped notch which engages the spaced shirt button below the collar button to hold the collar support in assembled position.
Italian Patent No. 620,627 also shows a collar support with a V-shaped notch in the upper edge for engagement with the collar button in the neck portion of the collar to act as an attachment for the collar support shown.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,518,300 and 1,879,918 disclose collar supports having an arcuate portion which slides under the collar portion of a garment. A portion of the collar support is provided with spaced apart cutouts to allow for the formation of tabs which may be positioned over a portion of the collar for protecting same.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,275,098 discloses a collar support having an arcuate portion which slides under the collar portion of a garment. An extending lateral wing is foldable about the arcuate portion to overlie a portion of the collar. The wings have a pair of spaced apart slots through which a portion of the collar may be inserted for securing same.
From the foregoing, there is known a variety of collar protectors constructed for attachment by various means to a collared garment. These designs have a number of disadvantages such as difficulty in assembling of the collar support into its intended configuration, difficulty in manipulating the collar support when attaching to the collar portion of a garment, complexity of removing the collar support and/or time consumption for constructing the collar support and its attachment to a garment. Accordingly, there is the need for improvements in collar supports for use with garments having a collar for the protection of same. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved catalyst and its use for the conversion of hydrocarbons, particularly for the isomerization of alkanes.
2. General Background
The isomerization of light naphtha is an increasingly important process for the upgrading of petroleum refiners' gasoline pool. The widespread removal of lead antiknock additive from gasoline and the rising demands of high-performance internal-combustion engines are increasing the need for "octane," or knock resistance, in the gasoline pool. In the early years of lead removal, refiners relied principally upon increasing the octane of products from catalytic reforming and fluid catalytic cracking operations. Refiners have largely capitalized on these relatively low-cost upgrading options, however, and attention has turned in recent years to upgrading the relatively low-octane high-naphtha component.
There is a long history of catalyst and process technology for the isomerization of light alkanes. The recent expansion of interest, however, has led to significant improvements in this technology. Catalyst and process developments have led to lower operating temperatures, wherein product octane is favored by isomer equilibrium. Substantial reduction in the hydrogen requirement for a stable operation has resulted in a significant cost reduction, principally through elimination of the need for a hydrogen-recycle system. Both of the aforementioned developments have led toward a predominance of liquid in the isomerization reactor feed, in contrast to the vapor-phase operation of the prior art.
Catalysts exhibiting dual hydrogenation-dehydrogenation and cracking functions are applied widely in the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries to the reforming and isomerization of hydrocarbons. Such catalysts generally have the cracking function imparted by an inorganic oxide, zeolite, or halogen, with a platinum-group component usually imparting the hydrogenation-dehydrogenation function. A catalyst useful in isomerization should be formulated to balance its hydrogenation-dehydrogenation and cracking functions to achieve the desired conversion over a prolonged period of time, while effectively utilizing the expensive platinum group metal component.
The performance of a catalyst in isomerization service typically is measured by its activity, selectivity, and stability. Activity refers to the ability of a catalyst to isomerize the reactants into the desired product isomers at a specified set of reaction conditions. Selectivity refers to the proportion of converted feed reacted into the desired product. Stability refers to the rate of change of activity and selectivity during the life of the catalyst. The principal cause of low catalyst stability is the formation of coke, a high-molecular-weight, hydrogen-deficient, carbonaceous material on the catalytic surface. Workers in the isomerization art thus must address the problem of developing catalysts having high activity and stability, and which also either suppress the formation of coke or are not severely affected by the presence of coke.
Catalysts for paraffin isomerization containing a platinum-group metal component and a halide on an alumina support are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,643 (Germanas et al.) teaches a method of manufacturing a catalyst useful in the isomerization of paraffins by compositing a platinum-group metal with gamma or eta alumina and reacting the composite with a Friedel-Crafts metal halide and a polyhalo compound. U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,891 (Travers et al.) teaches a catalyst consisting of chlorine, Group VIII metal, and a support consisting essentially of 85-95% eta alumina and the remainder gamma alumina and its use for benzene reduction and isomerization. However, the art does not suggest a catalyst having the particular characteristics of the present catalyst or the surprising benefits of using this catalyst in the context of modern, primarily liquid-phase, isomerization operations. | {
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Along with increased practical uses of variable voltage variable frequency inverter devices and other devices, application fields of various kinds of power converter have been developed.
For example, technologies applied to a boost/buck converter have been actively developed for a power converter in recent years. Meanwhile, wide band-gap semiconductor elements and other elements containing silicon carbide or other materials as its material have also been actively developed. In regard to such novel elements, elements having a high breakdown voltage but a small current capacity (permissible current effective value) have been put into practical use mainly for rectifiers (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). | {
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In a traditional printing environment, users operating computers interconnected via closed computer networks such as local area networks (LANs) may submit documents generated by applications running on their computers to be rendered on output devices connected to the networks, such as printers, plotters, and the like. In today's fast-paced mobile business environment, this limited printing solution is no longer satisfactory. While legacy printing technologies certainly have advanced to output document faster with higher resolution, improved quality, and color, there has been little effort to develop a printing technology that fits today's mobile workforce.
In today's mobile business environment, many printing scenarios occur that were not considered or addressed by developers of traditional printing environments. For example, consider the following situations. Can a business developer submit a needed agreement stored on his company's home network to a printer in a partner's network while preparing to discuss a business deal at the partner's office? Can a traveling sales representative print her presentation slides to a nearby printer rather easily, even if she doesn't even have the presentation slide document with her? Can a Bluetooth handset user walk into a room, detect the presence of a Bluetooth capable printer, and print a document by reference to a nearby printer even though the printer is not Bluetooth-enabled? Can an instant messaging user drag and drop a document to his buddy's printer list to print the document? Can a venture capitalist in an airport print a needed document at his home office using only his cell phone? It would be advantageous to provide a printing solution for each of these situations, and other similar scenarios. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention is related to equipment which includes a drum upon which an elastic member, normally called a snake, can be wrapped and from which the same can be unwound and fed into a cable protecting pipe or a similar empty pipe. An end of the elastic member exits the pipe and the cable is attached to this end with subsequent rotation being imparted to the drum effecting the rewinding of the elastic member upon the drum and the cable being pulled into the cable protecting pipe. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for generating a pixel clock in a laser printer, a digital copying machine, and other image forming apparatuses, and for generating a pulse modulation signal as a laser drive signal.
2) Description of the Related Art
FIG. 16 is a general configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer and a digital copying machine. As shown in FIG. 16, a semiconductor laser unit 1001 emits a laser beam, a rotary polygon mirror 1002 scans the laser beam, and laser beam passes a scan lens 1003 to form a light spot on a photosensitive element 1004 as a scanned medium, thereby exposing the photosensitive element 1004 to form an electrostatic latent image. Here, based on a signal output for each line from a photodetector 1005, a phase-synchronized image clock (a pixel clock) is generated for each one line, and is supplied to an image processing unit 1006 and a laser drive circuit 1007 respectively. The semiconductor laser unit 1001 controls the time of emitting a semiconductor laser beam in this way, following image data generated by the image processing unit 1006 and the image clock of which phase is set for each one line by a phase synchronizing circuit 1009. With this arrangement, the semiconductor laser unit 1001 controls the electrostatic latent image on the scanned medium 1004.
In this scan optical system, a variance in the distance from a polarizer such as a polygon scanner to a rotation axis of a polarization reflection plane generates unevenness in the scan speed of a light spot (a scan beam) that scans a scanned surface. This scan speed unevenness generates fluctuation in the image, and degrades image quality. When high-definition image is required, it is necessary to correct the scan unevenness.
In a multi-beam optical system, when oscillation wavelengths of lights emitted from various light sources are different, an exposure positional deviation occurs in the optical system in which chromatic aberration of the scan lens is not corrected. When a spot light from each light emission source scans the scanned medium, scan widths of lights become different between those from different light emission sources. This difference in scan widths degrades the image quality, therefore the scan widths must be corrected.
Conventionally, to correct scan unevenness and the like, a light spot position along a scan line is controlled by changing a frequency of a pixel clock. Such a technology is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. H11-167081 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-228415. In another method, a scan variance is corrected by controlling a phase of a pixel clock. Such a technology is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-98465. There is also a method of achieving fine and high gradation of an image even when an operation speed is fast, by optionally generating a pulse modulation signal having a desired pattern as a laser drive signal. Such a technology is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-103831.
However, according to the conventional system (the frequency modulation system) of changing a frequency of a pixel clock, configuration of a pixel clock controller is generally complex. This complexity increases along a gradual fining of a frequency modulation width, therefore a fine control can not be carried out. According to the conventional system of controlling a phase of a pixel clock or the conventional system of generating a pulse modulation signal in a desired pattern, the control is carried out individually, therefore the length of one pixel can not be controlled in high precision. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radiation image detector, in particular, to a moisture prevention structure of the detector.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of direct type radiation image detectors is proposed and put into practical use in the medical and other industrial fields. These detectors are constructed to receive radiation transmitted through a subject to generate charges, and to record a radiation image of the subject by storing the charges therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,901 proposes an X-ray imaging device that uses amorphous selenium as a photoconductive layer, and X-rays are irradiated on the photoconductive layer with a bias voltage being applied thereto, thereby charges generated therein are detected. Such detectors are preferable to be fully covered by a moisture-proof structure, since sensitivity of the detectors is gradually degraded due to environmental moisture, in addition to increased image defects.
One such moisture-proof structure is proposed as described, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-286183, in which a frame-like spacer is provided on the detector, and hardening synthetic resin is filled between the frame and an accessory plate disposed thereon, thereby a moisture-proof structure is formed.
Forming the frame-like spacer, however, is difficult depending on the material used, and simpler moisture-proof structures have been demanded.
Further in a radiation image detector used for mammography, for example, it is preferable that the amorphous selenium layer or the like be extended (provided), as close as possible, to the edges of the detector, so that mammography is performed to a portion as close to the chest wall as possible. But, it has been difficult to satisfy both the requirement related to the arrangement of the amorphous selenium layer or the like and moisture proof capabilities. | {
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The invention relates to a process for the surgical treatment of the eye by perforation, by laser radiation, of a tissue or inner wall of the eyeball having a resistance to the free circulation of the aqueous humour. Such a method may be utilized for the treatment of eyeball diseases such as glaucoma in which the perforation of an inner wall of the eyeball is able to give the patient a substantial and swift improvement in health.
Glaucoma is an eye disease which is characterized mainly by an increase in the intra-ocular pressure. As is known, the intraocular pressure for the eye of a human in good health is comprised between 15 and 16 mm of mercury. In the case of a disease of the glaucoma type, the intra-ocular pressure of the eye afflicted by such a disease is more often above 20 to 21 mm of mercury and in the course of daily variations can reach, more often than not, pressures that are higher than the above mentioned pressures and variable according to the type of glaucoma. This excess pressure and its variations have as a consequence, in the end, the destruction of the optic nerve. The clinical symptoms, which are not very pronounced in the early stages of such a disease, are characterized mainly by a generally slow and progressive narrowing of the field of vision and by an insular degradation of the latter, ending in a total loss of vision in the absence of treatment.
Recent studies of epidemiology of glaucoma have shown that in the majority of industrial countries such a disease was the main cause of blindness. In Western Europe and the United States an ailment of this type attacks an average percentage in the order of 2% of individuals aged 40 years or more. In 60% of the cases of such a disease the outcome, if not treated, is inevitably blindness.
Other recent studies have revealed that in patients affected by diabetes, the average percentage of the existence of a disease of the glaucoma type was 16%.
The main different forms of glaucoma can be listed in the following way, their common primary cause appearing to be a localised resistance to the free circulation of the aqueous humour on the level of a determined location of the usual circuit of the aqueous humour between the posterior chamber and the anterior chamber of the eye or in the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye, the aqueous humour then normally reaching at this stage the vein system. The first effect of this increased resistance is an increase in the intra-ocular pressure of the eye and finally the appearance of the symptoms of glaucoma.
The primary glaucomas are:
Chronic glaucoma simplex or glaucoma angulo aperto which is generally characterized by an open irido-corneal angle. The zone of localized resistance to the free circulation of the aqueous humour is in this case situated on a level with the inner wall of the canal of Schlemm, the so-called trabecular meshwork, which separates the canal of Schlemm from the anterior chamber of the eye nearby the irido-corneal angle. The intra-ocular pressure in this case is above 22 mm of mercury and can exceed 40 mm of mercury. This kind of glaucoma also includes glaucoma capsulare and pigment glaucoma; PA1 glaucoma with closed angle or glaucoma acutum angulo obstructo which is generally characterized by a closed irido-corneal angle, the iris on a level with the irido-corneal angle exerting a pressure on the inner wall of the canal of Schlemm causing, by closure, a resistance to the flow of the aqueous humour. This kind of glaucoma includes intermittent glaucoma in which closure is not permanent, the increase or decrease of the aqueous humour pressure occuring according to the iris-root position relative to the irido-corneal angle; PA1 mixed glaucoma which is a combination of the above two types; PA1 infantile glaucoma (Hydrophtalmus, Buphthalmus) which are to be related with congenital "failure". Generally this congenital failure consists of an abnormal deposition of embrionary substance on the irido-corneal angle inner walls. PA1 Some of them are to be related to an inflammation of the supraciliary space and of the iris, such an inflammation leading generally to a sticking of the iris-root with the inner walls of the anterior chamber of the eye thereby giving use to a possible increase of the aqueous humour pressure. PA1 Others are to be related to the inflammation and swelling of the inner walls of the anterior chamber of the eye which leads also to an increase of the resistance to the free circulation of the aqueous humour. PA1 Others one, the so-called glaucoma by obstruction of the pupillary block, arise from the peripheral sticking of the iris on the crystalline lens or on the front part of the vitreous humour when the crystalline lens has been removed. PA1 Closing of the pupil through a membrane due to an inflammation (occlusion pupillae) will also lead to a particular secondary form of glaucoma.
Other forms of glaucoma can also be analysed; these are often so-called secondary forms as they are linked to other illnesses.
Different approaches of therapeutic treatment of glaucoma have been proposed until now.
One method of therapeutic treatment by medicaments consists in controlling the intra-ocular pressure of the eye by local, oral or parenteral administration of medicaments as for example the medicament known by the name "Diamox". These methods have a limited use because on the one hand their effect is often not certain and, on the other hand, this effect is often not lasting in the long term.
Another method of therapeutic treatment by direct surgical intervention can also be envisaged. However, such a technique presupposes a first class hospital sub-structure, a very high qualification on the person carrying out the operation, and in any case allows success to be achieved in only a percentage of cases varying between 40 and 92% according to the type of intervention. | {
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For centuries, people have been sleeping on mattresses to get a more comfortable rest, in order to be elevated off of the floor, and to gain protection from the elements. Several challenges face designers of mattresses including how to provide a reasonably priced high quality mattress, how to provide sufficient ergonomic support, how to reduce the amount of the sleeper's perspiration that is absorbed and retained by the mattress, and how to make the springs of the mattress last longer and provide more comfort. Two common types of mattresses are the metal spring mattress and the foam mattress. Although both the metal spring mattress and the foam mattress provide a more comfortable rest than sleeping on the floor, neither adequately reduces the absorption and retention of moisture and perspiration by the mattress. Moisture and perspiration absorption and retention is bad, because dust mites thrive on the moisture and perspiration retained by the mattress. Excessive dust mite dander and waste causes an allergic response in many people. Additionally, metal spring mattresses fatigue from use, start to sag, and become increasingly less comfortable. Metal spring mattresses that are inexpensive do not sufficiently protect the sleeper from pressure points caused by the metal springs. Metal spring mattresses are also very heavy and very difficult to move or even flip over. Finally, metal spring mattress cause electro-magnetic fields, which can interfere with sleep. There is a need in the art for a mattress that is light, free of metal, ergonomic, comfortable, and allows proper ventilation to reduce the amount of perspiration and moisture that is absorbed and retained by the mattress.
In the field of Belleville springs, some springs have been developed that function as a support system for separate cushions. One such Belleville spring is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,826,791 to Fromme (hereinafter “Fromme 1”), which discloses a spring element for supporting a seat cushion or a mattress. The Fromme 1 spring elements connect to a rigid platform in an array that supports a separate cushion on which a user sits or sleeps. Although Fromme 1 discloses an optimal type of spring, it fails to disclose attaching these springs back to back on a flexible grid and inserting that spring grid array into the core of a double-sided mattress. In fact, Fromme 1 specifically recites that the springs, when arrayed on a rigid platform, act similar to a box spring, and not as a mattress core. This is a fundamental difference.
Another Belleville spring cushion support system is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,533 to Fromme (hereinafter “Fromme 2”), which discloses a cushioning support system for a mattress comprising a plurality of springs forming a grid structure. Fromme 2 specifically discloses and claims a box spring system that supports a foam chair cushion or a mattress. Although Fromme 2 discloses an optimal type of spring, it fails to disclose attaching these springs back to back on a flexible grid and inserting that spring grid array into the core of a double-sided mattress. In fact, Fromme 2 specifically recites that the springs, when arrayed on a rigid platform, act similar to a box spring, and not as a mattress core.
Another Belleville spring cushion support system is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,727 to Fromme (hereinafter “Fromme 3”), which discloses support structure for a cushion or a mattress comprised of intersecting support structure elements (under-crosses or grid sections) with bearing (spring) elements connected on top. See FIG. 7a and Col. 7 lines 29-31. Although Fromme 3 discloses an optimal type of spring and a grid with a Belleville spring array, it fails to disclose attaching these springs back to back on a flexible grid and inserting that spring grid array into the core of a double-sided mattress.
In the area of mattress ventilation systems and structures, several systems and structures have been developed that allow ventilation in an effort to avoid moisture absorption and retention. One such mattress ventilation system is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,315 to Lee, which discloses a three layer nylon and steel fiber mesh structure that is placed on top of a cushion or mattress. Although Lee's structure does promote ventilation, it fails to disclose a mattress with Belleville springs attached back to back on a grid support or that spring grid array inserted into the core of a double-sided mattress. Further, Lee's ventilation structure is more concerned with allowing perspiration to evaporate from the user's body, rather than allowing perspiration and moisture to ventilate out of the mattress itself.
In the area of internal cushion layers adjoining a spring layer in mattresses, numerous mattresses feature cushions that enclose a spring core. One such mattress is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,982 to Freeman, which discloses a quilted internal cushion directly adjacent to a spring array core of a mattress. Although Freeman recites a cushion layer or layers that enclose a spring core of a mattress, it fails to disclose a mattress with a core comprised of Belleville springs attached back to back on a grid support.
In the field of two spring arrays making up the core of a mattress, several mattresses feature mattresses cores with dual spring arrays. One such mattress is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,007 to Dabney et al. (hereinafter “Dabney 1”), which discloses a wire spring mattress core wherein two separate spring arrays that snap fit together in a front to front connection. The Dabney 1 mattress core specifically recites that each of the spring arrays attaches to a separate grid support. As such, the Dabney 1 mattress core has two separate grid supports and the springs are connected in a face to face manner. Although Dabney 1 discloses a double-sided mattress core with two spring arrays, it does not disclose a non-wire Belleville spring, or springs that are attached back to back on a single grid support. Further, Dabney 1 recites that the base of the springs are adjacent to the enclosing cushioning layers. Thus, Dabney 1 does not disclose a mattress core wherein the distal end of the springs are adjacent to the enclosing cushioning layers.
Another type of dual spring array mattress cores is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,097 to Dabney et al. (hereinafter “Dabney 2”), which discloses a wire spring mattress core wherein two separate spring arrays nestably fit together in a distal end to distal end connection. The Dabney 2 mattress core specifically recites that each of the spring arrays attaches to a separate grid support. As such, the Dabney 2 mattress core has two separate grid supports and the distal end of the springs contact or attach nestably to the base end of opposite grid support. Although Dabney 2 discloses a double sided mattress core with two spring arrays, it does not disclose a non-wire Belleville spring, or springs that are attached back to back on a single grid support. The reversed orientation of Dabney I or Dabney 2 is integral to those inventions and it would not be an obvious improvement merely to reverse the orientation because to do so, the entire structure of the mattress would be affected and changed thereby.
In the area of non-wire springs, numerous types have been developed that allow mattresses to be made with non-wire springs. One such non-wire spring is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,082 to Fujino, which discloses a non-wire spring that is shaped similar to traditional wire springs for mattresses. Fujino recites a resin or plastic spring wherein the springs are arrayed parallel between two grid supports. Although Fujino discloses a non-wire spring array inserted into the core of a double-sided mattress, it fails to disclose a Belleville spring, or springs that are attached back to back on a single grid support.
Thus, there remains a long-felt need in the art for a mattress that is light, free of metal, ergonomic, comfortable, and allows proper ventilation to reduce the amount of perspiration and moisture that is retained by the mattress. | {
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A typical concentrating solar energy conversion system includes a field of sun-tracking mirrors (heliostats) that focus a solar flux onto a tower mounted thermal receiver. The receiver is heated by the solar flux and transfers that heat as thermal energy to a heat transfer fluid such as water, oil, or molten salts. In other cases, solar energy is transferred to solid particles, or a gas such as carbon dioxide, which then serve the role of a heat transfer media. Some solar energy conversion plants also utilize a steam-Rankine system, which creates steam by transferring energy from a hot heat transfer fluid or media to a working fluid (e.g. water) by use of a heat exchanger. The steam is then used to drive one or more steam turbines to produce electricity. Alternatively, some solar energy conversion plants directly use a heat transfer fluid also as the working fluid to drive a turbine to produce electricity, thus eliminating the need for a heat exchanger.
Some thermal receivers are able to operate at high temperatures (e.g. 650° C. or above). However, such high temperature systems typically utilize air or solid particles as the heat transfer medium, and may suffer from low thermal efficiencies when compared to lower-temperature thermal receivers. Other receivers, such as those utilizing molten salts or steam as the heat transfer medium can achieve higher thermal efficiencies, but are unable to operate at the high temperatures found in the typical air or solid particles systems.
Of considerable interest, is supercritical carbon dioxide (s-OO2) as the working fluid in concentrating solar power systems. S—CO2 concentrating solar power systems are projected to operate with working fluid temperatures that exceed 650° C. are capable of operating as both a heat transfer fluid and a working fluid, and CO2 is a readily available, low toxicity compound. However, most concentrating solar power receivers currently available suffer from low thermal efficiencies, largely due to radiant and convective heat losses from the receivers' various hot surfaces to the environment. Thus, there remains a need in the art for higher efficiency, higher temperature thermal receivers for next-generation concentrating solar power plants. | {
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The present invention generally relates to belt conveyor equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable belt conveyor system for creating an easy to assemble and disassemble overland bulk material belt conveyor assembly.
Belt conveyors are employed to transport material from one end of a conveyor to another end of the conveyor. To transport material over a relatively long distance at a desired work site, one approach is to construct a belt conveyor assembly that is permanently mounted on the ground. A limitation of such belt conveyor assemblies is the cost and time associated with constructing the conveyor assembly, as well as the lack of mobility of the conveyor system in the event there is a need or desire to relocate to a new work site. There is a need for a portable belt conveyor system that is relatively fast, easy and inexpensive to set up for long distance transport of material and yet is also relatively fast, easy and inexpensive to transport to a new location. | {
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The present invention relates to chimeric G proteins, expression constructs therefor, yeast cells expressing such constructs and methods of making and using them.
G protein-coupled receptors are integral membrane proteins, characteristically with 7 transmembrane domains, which convey hormonal and sensory signals to the cell interior (see (1) for review). These receptors are commonly referred to as 7TM receptors or 7TMRs. The receptors respond to ligand binding by activating heterotrimeric G proteins composed of xcex1, xcex2 and xcex3 subunits. The Gxcex1 subunit is bound to GDP in the G protein trimer, and interaction with an activated (ligand bound) receptor induces the replacement of GDP with GTP. Accompanying conformational changes result in the dissociation of Gxcex1-GTP and the Gxcex2/Gxcex3 particle, either of which can modulate ion channel or enzyme effectors to cause signal propagation. The signal persists until Gxcex1, which has GTPase activity, hydrolyses the bound GTP, allowing reassembly of the heterotrimer. Members of the RGS (Regulator of G protein Signalling) protein family regulate signal duration by acting as GAPs (GTPase activating proteins) for the Gxcex1 subunit (38) (17). The G protein signalling system appears to be common to all eukaryotes.
A well-characterised example of the trimeric G protein signalling system is the pheromone response pathway of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (20). Cells of the MATa mating type express a receptor encoded by the STE2 gene. This receptor becomes activated upon binding of the xcex1-factor mating pheromone, a peptide secreted by cells of the opposite (MATxcex1) mating type. The yeast G protein is assembled from the products of the GPA1 (Gxcex1), STE4 (Gxcex2), and STE18 (Gxcex3) genes. The Gxcex2/Gxcex3 (Ste4p/Ste18p) particle released upon activation of the Ste2p receptor conveys the signal to a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) module. This leads to activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor Far1p, causing cell cycle arrest and transcriptional induction of a set of genes involved in the mating process, including FUS1. The pathway is desensitised by Sst2p, a member of the RGS family. Cells of the opposite mating type (MATxcex1) express a different receptor (Ste3p) and thereby respond to the pheromone (a-factor) secreted by MATa cells; otherwise the signalling apparatus utilised in the two mating types is the same.
At present, at least 16 Gxcex1 subunits, 5 Gxcex2 subunits and 11 Gxcex3 subunits have been identified in mammals, which can assemble a wide diversity of trimeric G proteins. On the basis of sequence homology, the Gxcex1 subunits fall into at least four families, related to Gxcex1i, Gxcex1s, Gxcex1q, or Gxcex112. Typically, a given 7TM receptor activates only a single or small subset of Gxcex1 subunits. Thus even in cells which express multiple Gxcex1 subunits, signalling may be specific to particular G proteins and their downstream signalling pathways. A combination of approaches has defined several specific regions of the Gxcex1 subunit as key determinants of receptor/G protein specificity. These include regions in the N-terminus, the switch II to switch III regions (21) which are primarily responsible for binding Gxcex2/Gxcex3, and particularly regions of the C-terminus. For example, a cluster of mutations occurring in the C-terminal region of Gxcex1 have been found to cause defects in receptor coupling ((29)(13) and references therein). Also, peptides modelled on the C-termini of Gxcex1t (transducin) and Gxcex1i2 compete for binding to rhodopsin and the xcex2-adrenergic receptor, respectively (9)(30)(35) and antibodies directed against the Gxcex1 C-terminus can also block interaction with receptors (6)(10)(36). The normal response to agonist stimulation of the adenosine A1 receptor in cultured mammalian cells (e.g. COS cells) is the activation of Gxcex1i-family proteins, resulting in inhibition of adenylate cyclase. Gxcex1q-containing heterotrimers in contrast do not normally respond to A1 activation. However, Gxcex1q subunit can be induced to interact with the A1 receptor by exchanging the C-terminal four amino acids of Gxcex1q for the corresponding amino acids of Gxcex1i2 (7). Hence, phospholipase C (an effector of activated Gxcex1q) can be activated by adenosine A1 receptor agonists when signalling is mediated by a chimeric Gxcex1 subunit (7). The somatostatin SST3 receptor is incompatible with Gxcex1s, but can be coupled to the activation of adenylate cyclase in COS cells by replacement of five C-terminal amino acids of Gxcex1s with corresponding residues from either Gxcex1i2, which is known to interact with the SST3 receptor, or from Gxcex116(18). Gxcex115 and Gxcex116 interact with a wide range of 7TM receptors (26), and are unusual in this respect. In crystal structures which have been solved for Gi1 (41) and Gt (19) trimers, the Gxcex1 C-terminal tail lies on a flat, largely uncharged surface of the G protein trimer which also includes two lipid groups covalently attached to the Gxcex1 N-terminus and the Gxcex3 C-terminus. This surface is believed to face the membrane and to be involved in interactions with the intracellular loops of the 7TM receptor.
Several reports have demonstrated that the yeast G protein signalling system can be coupled to heterologously expressed mammalian G protein-coupled (7TM) receptors. Some receptors, including the rat somatostatin SST2 receptor (33), and the rat adenosine A2areceptor (34), can interact directly with the yeast Gxcex1 protein Gpa1p, whereas other receptors, including the human growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR)(12), are incompatible with Gpa1p. In order to allow coupling of these receptors, the yeast Gxcex1 subunit can be deleted and the heterologous receptor co-expressed with a full-length mammalian Gxcex1 subunit. Alternatively, chimeric Gxcex1 subunits have been used in which the C-terminal domain (approx. one third of the peptide sequence) of Gpa1p is replaced with the equivalent region of a mammalian Gxcex1 subunit. See WO95/21925 (American Cyanamid Company) for both approaches. Chimeras, or other modified or heterologous Gxcex1 subunits must satisfy several criteria to be useful in a yeast coupling system. Most importantly, they must bind efficiently to yeast Gxcex2/Gxcex3 to prevent signalling in the absence of activated 7TM receptor, and they must effectively interact with agonist-bound activated receptors to be capable of signal propagation.
Such heterologous or chimeric Gxcex1 components can facilitate the coupling of a heterologous 7TM receptor to the yeast signalling system (the pheromone response pathway) so that the effects of ligands such as potential new drug molecules on the receptor can be observed in phenotypic responses of the yeast cells. For example, cells may be induced to grow, and/or to convert an indicator dye compound in response to receptor agonists by introducing reporter genes downstream in the signalling pathway. However, chimeric constructs such as those described in WO95/21925 commonly show reduced affinity for the yeast G protein xcex2xcex3 subunit pair and show increased background signalling. Because of the specificity of a given receptor for one or a small number of the known Gxcex1 subunits, different Gxcex1 constructs have been required to demonstrate functional coupling activity with the majority of receptors tested.
The discovery of new drugs able to act via 7TM receptors requires screens of high efficiency, yet high specificity. Currently, the yeast coupling system is constrained by receptor/G protein specificity which imposes a requirement for a wide variety of Gxcex1 constructs to be tried for each receptor tested for coupling. For receptors which fail to couple, there is uncertainty as to whether failure is due to receptor/G protein incompatibility, or other reasons such as inappropriate receptor conformation, for example. It would be desirable to be able to couple a number of different receptors to the yeast G protein signalling pathway using a single Gxcex1 construct. This can be beneficial in the study of orphan receptors, of which nothing is known of receptor/G protein specificity. Alternatively, an array of Gxcex1 constructs could be used in the study of orphan receptors.
Surprisingly, we have found that certain chimeric G proteins, which we refer to as G protein xe2x80x9ctransplantsxe2x80x9d can be at least ten-fold more efficient than previously known chimeras in coupling mammalian 7TM receptors to the yeast mating pathway.
Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides a chimeric Gxcex1 protein having yeast Gxcex1 (Gpa1p) amino acid sequences modified by a minimum of 3 amino acids positions within the C-terminal 10 amino acids by substitution with alternative amino acids. Preferably the chimera includes at least 5 such substitutions.
Accordingly, in a second aspect the present invention provides a chimeric Gxcex1 protein having yeast Gxcex1 (Gpa1p) amino acid sequences modified at a minimum of three amino acid positions within the C-terminal 10 amino acids by substitution with amino acids from a heterologous Gxcex1 protein. Preferably the chimera includes at least 5 substitutions. In preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the chimera includes at least 3, desirably at least 5 consecutive amino acids corresponding to an amino acid sequence derived from the C-terminal 10 amino acids of a heterologous Gxcex1 protein. For example, the C-terminal 5 amino acids of a mammalian Gxcex1 protein, for example Gxcex116, but feasibly any Gxcex1, may replace at least the C-terminal 5 amino acids of the endogenous yeast Gxcex1 protein to provide a chimera according to the invention. We have designated such chimeras xe2x80x9ctransplantsxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ctransplant chimerasxe2x80x9d.
The chimeric Gxcex1 proteins of the present invention are believed to adopt a conformation which is more compatible with signal transduction in yeast (and is presumed to be closer to the native yeast Gxcex1 conformation) than that of previously known chimeras in which the C-terminal domain of the yeast protein was exchanged for that of a mammalian Gxcex1 protein. Thus the chimeras of the present invention have the advantage of changing receptor specificity and permitting the coupling of diverse receptors to the yeast signalling pathway with only minimal changes to the Gpa1p sequence. As a result of the close similarity to wild-type Gpa1p, these chimeric Gxcex1 subunits retain a similar affinity for Gxcex2/Gxcex3 as Gpa1p, and expression can be directed by the GPA1 promoter to achieve an optimal stoichiometry of Gxcex1. Expression from various other promoters is also compatible with receptor coupling.
In a third aspect, the present invention also provides a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric Gxcex1 protein according to the present invention. Also provided is an expression vector comprising said nucleotide sequence and capable of expressing the nucleotide sequence on transfection into a suitable host cell. The construction of expression vectors including suitable promoters, transcription termination sequences and marker genes will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. The host cell may desirably be a yeast cell of the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae and represents a further aspect of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention also provides a transformed yeast cell comprising a nucleotide sequence which encodes a chimeric Gxcex1 protein according to the present invention, for example a heterologous G protein-coupled receptor including receptors for which the ligand is unknown, and a nucleotide sequence which encodes a chimeric Gxcex1 protein comprising yeast Gxcex1 (Gpa1p) amino acid sequences and at least 3 amino acids derived from the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal 10 amino acids of a Gxcex1 protein according to the present invention for example a heterologous Gxcex1 protein, such as the mammalian, Gxcex116 protein. The heterologous receptor may be a 7TM receptor. Such receptors include those for acetylcholine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, histamine, melatonin, serotonin, angiotensin, prostaglandins, cannabinoids, neuropeptide Y, substance P, opioids, glucagon, angiotensin, bradykinin, chemokines, thrombin, glycoprotein hormones, adenosine, nucleotides, and somatostatin.
Transformed yeast cells according to the present invention may also comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a reporter gene operatively associated with a promoter responsive to the G protein signalling pathway. Such reporter genes may include HIS3 or other auxotrophic markers (such as URA3, LEU2, or TRP1) or genes which confer resistance or sensitivity to drug selections, such as CYH2 or G418R or other genes such as those encoding intracellular enzymes such as xcex2-galactosidase (LacZ) and luciferase, or green fluorescent protein (GFP), or genes encoding secreted enzymes such as a phosphatase such as PHO5, or a kinase. Desirably, yeast cells may contain combinations of multiple reporter genes, such as FUS1-HIS3 and FUS1-lacZ. In preferred embodiments the transformed yeast cells will also include mutations in at least one of the GPA1, SST2 or STE2 genes. Preferably such mutations will be deletions. Desirably, FAR1 is also deleted when a reporter gene is used to monitor activity in the G protein signalling pathway. This ensures that growth can continue even under conditions which activate the pheromone response pathway. In alternative embodiments of this invention, the FAR1 gene may remain intact so that agonist stimulation causing activation of the signalling pathway may be monitored as resulting in growth arrest.
Preferred yeast strains will have deletions of SST2 and GPA1 (yeast Gxcex1)xe2x80x94the former to prevent down-regulation of the signal by Sst2p activation of GTP-ase, the latter to prevent signal quenching, which occurs when Gxcex1 is present in stoichiometric excess to Gxcex2/Gxcex3, due to rapid reassociation of the actively signalling Gxcex2/Gxcex3 moiety into the inactive heterotrimer.
We have designated the chimera between the N-terminal 467 amino acids of Gpa1p and the 5 C-terminal amino acids of Gxcex116 as the Gpa1-Gxcex116 transplant. Similarly, the chimera containing the C-terminal 5 amino acids of Gxcex1q is designated as the Gpa1-Gxcex1q transplant, and the chimera containing the C-terminal 5 amino acids of Gxcex1s is designated as the Gpa1-Gxcex1s transplant. In addition, the following transplants have also been constructed. They are identical to those described above, ie. they comprise the N-terminal 467 amino acids of-Gpa1p and the C-terminal 5 amino acids from a Gxcex1 protein as follows: Gpa1-Gxcex112, Gpa1-Gxcex113, Gpa1-Gxcex114, Gpa1-Gxcex1i1, Gpa1-Gxcex1i3, Gpa1-Gxcex10 and Gpa1-Gxcex1z.
A further transplant was prepared between the yeast Gxcex1, Gpa1p and Gpa3, a Gxcex1 subunit from the yeast Ustilago maydis. This transplant is designated Gpa1-Gpa3. These transplants illustrate that by changing the 5 C-terminal amino acids of Gpa1p the specificity of the Gxcex1 subunit for receptors can be altered. Also the results indicate that the effectiveness of the xe2x80x9ctransplantsxe2x80x9d in coupling to foreign receptors in yeast is unexpectedly good compared to chimeric subunits with longer heterologous Gxcex1 regions.
In mammalian cells, the purinergic nucleotide P2Y2 receptor is coupled to the activation of phospholipase Cxcex2 (PLCxcex2) via Gxcex1q. We have found that the Gpa1-Gxcex1q transplant substantially improves the weak response to agonist observed with wild-type Gpa1p. Similarly, coupling of the somatostatin SST2 receptor achieved with the Gpa1-Gxcex116 transplant was enhanced ten-fold compared to either wild-type Gpa1p or the Gxcex1i/0 family chimeras, which is remarkable considering this receptor interacts with Gxcex1i/0 proteins in mammalian cells. Also the 5HT1A receptor can interact with the Gpa1-Gxcex116 transplant, even though it fails to stimulate wild-type Gpa1p in MMY9 yeast cells. Minimal amino acid substitutions can confer on yeast Gpa1p the properties of a generic G protein (Gxcex116) which was not possible under previously described approaches to chimera construction. Therefore this invention presents for the first time the possibility of a system comprising a single Gxcex1 subunit and able to couple a wide variety of 7TM receptors.
Moreover, we have found that the approach of substituting the five C-terminal amino acids of Gpa1p to generate the transplants is widely applicable, in that we have generated transplants of representative members of all four Gxcex1 families: Gxcex1i, Gxcex1s, Gxcex1q and Gxcex112. This was not possible in previously described approaches to chimera construction. Furthermore, all of the transplants can be expressed from the promoter of the GPA1 gene to achieve optimal stoichimetry for efficient coupling. This was not possible in previously described approaches to chimera construction, as some of these chimeras required expression from stronger promoters, as in the case of Gpa1/Gxcex1s (ref:12). Lastly, the pheromone response pathway is not activated in cells which express integrated versions of the transplants in the absence of activated receptors. This indicates that manipulations to the C-terminal amino acids do not interfere with the interaction with Gxcex2/Gxcex3; this was not true with previously described approaches to chimera construction. Together, our data suggest that the approach of creating transplants will be applicable to any newly discovered mammalian Gxcex1, or to Gxcex1 subunits not described herein (Gxcex1t or Gxcex1olf) or to Gxcex1 subunits derived from any other metazoan species. | {
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1. Field
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a technique associated with die casting.
2. Description of the Related Art
A die-casting die of the cold-chamber die casting system is provided with a fan gate for guiding molten metal to a product section (i.e., section in which a product is to be cast) inside the die. The fan gate includes a biscuit section for receiving molten metal from an injection apparatus of a casting machine, a runner section for guiding the molten metal from the biscuit section to the product section, and a fin section for accelerating the flow speed of the molten metal by sharply reducing the thickness.
The product section includes a product central section corresponding to a region straightly downstream from the biscuit section in the direction of the flow of the molten metal, and product side sections out of the product central section. The fan gate is provided with a delta section for supplying the flow of the molten metal liable to concentrate in the product central section to the product side sections
This delta section is a convex section provided, for example, between the biscuit section and the product central section. The molten metal flowing from the biscuit section toward the product central section collides against the delta section to be apportioned to the right and left product side sections. if the delta section is not provided, the flow of the molten metal concentrates in the product central section, and the product central section becomes overfilled. On the other hand, in the right and left product side sections, there is the possibility of shortage of filling, uneven filling, or a crack being caused resulting from incomplete fusion.
In Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-45956, a fan gate of a die provided with a delta section is disclosed. This fan gate includes a biscuit section, runner section, and gate sections (corresponding to the fin section). The runner section is partially provided with the gate sections, and only several specific parts of the runner section are connected to the product section. In other words, parts which are not provided with the gate sections serve as delta sections.
By the way, when such a delta section is provided, the molten metal liable to concentrate in the product central section is caused to branch into the product side sections, and the shortage of filling at the product side sections is improved. However, the molten metal divided by the delta section is joined together in the product section again, and in that process, collision between the molten metal components occurs. At this time, there is the possibility of a phenomenon in which air inside the die is rolled up in the molten metal (so-called gas inclusion) being caused. If this gas inclusion occurs, there is the possibility of defective casting called a mold cavity, defective filling, or a molten metal wrinkle being caused. The molten metal wrinkle is also called cold shut, which is a pattern left on the surface of a cast product. | {
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The use of simple sleds is known, of course, for sliding down short courses. They are not equipped with brakes and are not suitable for long high speed courses, where the need for stopping is important. German publication DT-OS 2 233 097 discloses a sled with a front steering runner pivoting around a horizontal axis, the rear part of which is equipped with a brake shoe which, when changing direction of the sled, is pressed down onto the surface below. The rear part of this sled is equipped with an additional brake shoe which is pressed down by tilting the seat by the operator. To operate the rear brake, therefore, the operator has to shift toward the back, which cannot always be done in difficult situations, particularly if he has not prepared for this by proper placement of the feet.
Moreover, hard and prolonged braking is impossible using this type of rear brake as the braking force causes the operator to slide forward on the seat, thus rendering the rear brake ineffective. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism for a lock. In particular, the present invention relates to a clutch mechanism for a lock that allows the outer handle to rotate freely when the lock is in a locked state so that the internal parts of the lock will not be damaged.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional door lock generally includes an outer handle and an inner handle respectively attached to the outside and the inside of a door so that the latch bolt can be retracted by turning either one of the outer handle and the inner handle. When in a locked state, the outer handle could not be turned for retracting the latch bolt. It is, however, not uncommon that the user still applies force to the outer handle to an extent that is normally sufficiently large enough for retracting the latch bolt if the user is not aware of the locked state of the lock. Thus, the inner parts of the lock connected to the handle could be damaged by a torque resulting from the force applied to the outer handle. The situation worsens for a lock with lever type handles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,630 discloses a lock having a clutch mechanism to solve this problem. The lock includes an inner handle having a locking bar received therein and an outer handle connected to a spindle with a retaining base received therein which has two first grooves defined therein. A cam is connected to the retaining base and has two second grooves which communicate with the first grooves so that a locking piece is movably received between the retaining base and the cam with a spring biased between the locking piece and the retaining base. The locking piece has two flanges movably received in the first grooves and the second grooves. A slide is movably received in the cam and contacts the locking piece at one end thereof and the locking bar at the other end thereof so that the two flanges of the locking piece are disengaged from the second grooves when the locking bar is pushed. Therefore, the outer handle can be freely rotated. Nevertheless, there are too many elements for the clutch mechanism. The assembly procedure is too complicated and the overall cost is increased. Further, the lock can only be mounted to a door with a standard thickness.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,383 discloses a door lock that allows adjustment of longitudinal position of an outside rose and an adjusting sleeve relative to the outside seat to suit a thickness of a door to which the door lock is mounted. The door lock also provides a burglar-proof effect for the outside rose assembly by means of providing an anti-torque ring.
The present invention is intended to provide a clutch mechanism for a lock that allows the outside handle to turn freely when the lock is in a locked state.
An object of the present invention is to provide a clutch mechanism for a lock that allows the outside handle to rotate freely when the lock is in a locked state so that the internal parts of the lock will not be damaged even though an excessive force is applied to the outside handle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a clutch mechanism for a lock that allows the outside handle to rotate freely while allowing adjustment of the lock to suit a thickness of a door to which the door lock is mounted.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a lock comprises:
a latch;
a retractor for retracting the latch;
an inside handle;
an inside spindle having a first end fixed to the inside handle to turn therewith and a second end, the inside spindle being operably connected to the retractor such that rotation of the inside spindle causes retraction of the latch;
a locking bar extending through the inside spindle;
an inside hub for rotatably receiving the second end of the inside spindle;
an outside handle;
an outside spindle having a first end and a second end fixed to the outside handle to turn therewith;
an outside hub for rotatably receiving the first end of the outside spindle;
a cam received in the first end of the outside spindle, the cam including a first end and a second end, a lug being formed on the first end of the cam and operably connected to the retractor, an elastic element being received in the cam, a peg being mounted in the cam; and
a sleeve received in the cam and slidable along a longitudinal direction of the outside spindle, the sleeve including a longitudinal slot having an enlarged section, the peg being received in the longitudinal slot of the sleeve, the sleeve being engaged with the outside spindle to turn therewith while allowing the sleeve to move longitudinally in the cam;
wherein when the locking bar is moved to a locking position, the peg is located in the enlarged section such that the sleeve and the outside spindle turn freely without causing rotation of the cam when the outside spindle is turned.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first end of the outside spindle includes a slot in an end face thereof. The slot extends along the longitudinal direction of the outside spindle. The sleeve includes an arm extending therefrom, with the arm extending into the slot of the outside spindle and longitudinally slidable along the slot.
The outside hub includes a restraining recessed portion and the arm extends into the restraining recessed portion. The restraining recessed portion has two ends for limiting rotational movement of the arm. The first end of the sleeve includes a hole for securely engaging with an end of the locking bar.
The cam includes an engaging portion and the outside handle includes a cylinder mounted therein. The cylinder includes a cylinder bar engaged with the engaging portion of the cam, allowing joint rotation of the cylinder bar and the cam.
The outside hub includes an outside seat that has an outer threading with two diametrically disposed flat surfaces. A reinforcing ring includes two positioning posts extending outward therefrom and two diametrically disposed flat sections in an inner periphery delimiting a hole thereof. The reinforcing ring is mounted around the outside seat, with the flat sections of the reinforcing ring being in contact with the flat sections of the outside seat. An adjusting sleeve includes an inner threading threadedly engaged with the outer threading of the outside seat. An outside rose is mounted to the outside handle. The adjusting sleeve is securely engaged with the outside rose such that rotation of the outside rose causes longitudinal movement of the adjusting sleeve and the outside rose until the retractor is located in a center of a thickness of a door to which the lock is mounted.
Each positioning post of the reinforcing ring has a screw hole. An inside rose liner is mounted around the inside hub and includes at least one pair of positioning holes, with two screws extending through one pair of the positioning holes of the inside rose liner into the screw holes of the positioning posts of the reinforcing ring. The inside rose includes a threaded inner periphery for engaging with an outer threading on the inside hub. The outside rose includes a central stepped portion having a central through-hole. The adjusting sleeve has an end securely engaged with the central stepped portion of the outside rose.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention concerns hand-held label dispenser and applicator apparatuses designed to dispense photograph-mounting stickers that are adhesive on both faces thereof, adhesive marking labels that are adhesive on one of the faces thereof, or other such adhesive elements that are adhesive on at least one of the faces thereof, from a supply of such adhesive elements adhesively arried on a carrier tape, and furthermore designed to apply such adhesive elements to photo-album pages or to photographs, to documents, cartons, or to other such workpieces.
West German Pat. No. DE-PS 2,116,984, commonly owned, discloses a hand-held dispenser and applicator apparatus for dispensing, for example, photo-mounting stickers that are adhesive on both faces thereof and applying them to the backs of photos or to photo-album pages, for mounting photos in such albums. This is likewise the area of chief concern in the present disclosure, although self-evidently analogous singly- or doubly-adhesive elements can be dispensed and applied within the scope of the present disclosure.
In the apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned West German patent, an adhesive-element-bearing carrier tape is guided over a deflection or peel-off edge, the adhesive elements becoming peeled from the carrier tape and then, by means of an applicator roller, being applied to the workpiece. This applicator roller also serves to effect transport or feeding of adhesive-element-bearing carrier tape when the applicator roller is rolled across the surface of a workpiece. Of disadvantage is the fact that exact positioning and application of the adhesive element to a predetermined location on the workpiece can be successfully performed only if the user of the apparatus has had considerable practice. The same applies to the hand-held dispensing apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 2,569,140, in which it is furthermore a disadvantage that adhesive elements can be applied only to a smooth workpiece surface, inasmuch as the transport rollers for the carrier tape can only be driven by frictional engagement of the roller against a workpiece. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a suction device used for an internal combustion engine for distributing intake air to each cylinder of the internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a suction device used for an internal combustion engine capable of enlarging an amount of compaction for absorbing an impact.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, the prior art related to a suction device used for an internal combustion engine is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-193546 and Japanese Patent No. 2887873. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-193546 discloses a technique by which intake air is evenly distributed to each cylinder of an internal combustion engine and the generation of suction noise, that is, the generation of a rumbling noise, which is an unpleasant noise transmitted into a passenger compartment when an automobile is accelerated, is reduced. Further, Japanese Patent No. 2887873 discloses a technique by which a necessary intake air passage length is ensured when a suction manifold is formed into a U-shape.
In this connection, the technique disclosed in the above Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 8-193546 has the following disadvantages. Since the profile and state of connection of a throttle passage (first chamber) connected with a throttle body are complicated and also the profile and state of connection of a surge tank (second chamber) are complicated, the number of components is increased in the process of resin molding. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. Further, since an air current is not smooth, the air resistance is so high that a loss of the engine output occurs. Furthermore, as it is necessary to provide a space for arranging a suction device in a cylinder head portion of an internal combustion engine (multiple cylinder engine), it is impossible to decrease the height of an engine compartment. Furthermore, it is difficult to provide a suction manifold passage length variable control system by which the air charging efficiency can be enhanced, in the engine speed range from low to high, when a passage length of a suction manifold is varied according to a running state of the internal combustion engine.
Japanese Patent No. 2887873 has the following disadvantages. Each lower branch tube of the suction manifold is formed into a U-shape, from the surge tank. Therefore, length of the passage of the suction manifold is extended. However, since the space in which components are arranged is limited, it is impossible to gently curve the U-shaped portion. Accordingly, the air resistance becomes high, which causes a loss of the engine output.
The present invention has been accomplished to solve the above problems. It is a task of the present invention to provide a suction device used for an internal combustion engine characterized in that: intake air can be evenly distributed to each cylinder of the internal combustion engine while the resistance of a current of intake air is being reduced, the suction device can be easily mounted on a vehicle; and the air charging efficiency can be enhanced according to a running state of the internal combustion engine.
Also, there is conventionally provided an independent fuel injection system in which an injector (fuel injection valve) and a fuel tube are arranged close to a connecting section of a suction manifold of a suction device with an internal combustion engine and fuel is independently injected from a respective injector (fuel injection valve) into each cylinder of the internal combustion engine, which is called MPI (Multi Point Injection).
In this case, the following situation is envisaged. A suction manifold of a suction device used for an internal combustion engine is arranged laterally with respect to the running direction of a vehicle and connected onto the front side of the internal combustion engine, and an impact force is given to the suction device from the front of the vehicle. In this case, the following problems may be encountered. When the suction manifold is deformed, an excessively large deformation is generated in the connecting section of a fuel tube. Therefore, an engagement section of the injector with the suction manifold is damaged or the leakage of fuel is caused by the buckling of the fuel tube.
In order to solve the above problems, Japanese Patent No. 2699915 discloses the following technique. A suction device (suction manifold block) of an internal combustion engine is connected with an outside of the internal combustion engine which arranged laterally with respect to the running direction of a vehicle. There is provided a fragile section, which extends in the axial direction of the suction manifold, in this suction device. In the case of a car collision, this fragile section of the suction manifold is broken, so that an impact force of the car collision is absorbed, and a horizontal cross section of the suction manifold is crushed, so that an occupied cubic volume is decreased and the amount of compaction of the suction device is increased.
That is, in the case of a car collision, the fragile section of the suction manifold is broken, so that the impact force can be absorbed, and the horizontal cross section is crushed and the occupied cubic volume is decreased. In this way, the amount of compaction can be increased.
In this connection, the above structure has the following disadvantages. Since the fragile section is arranged in a portion of the suction manifold which is easily broken by an impact force caused by a car collision, the mechanical strength of this fragile section of the suction manifold is not sufficiently high against external vibration and internal pressure fluctuation when this suction device is normally used.
The present invention has been accomplished to solve the above problems. It is a task of the present invention to provide a suction device used for an internal combustion engine characterized in that the mechanical strength for external vibration and internal pressure fluctuation, which are caused when the suction device is used in a normal state, is sufficiently high while a partial fragile section is not provided in the suction device; and a predetermined portion of the suction device is broken in the case of a car collision so that an impact force caused by the car collision can be absorbed.
A suction device used for an internal combustion engine of the first embodiment of the present invention is composed as follows. The suction device includes a throttle passage, a surge tank and suction manifolds which are arranged from an upstream side to a downstream side. On the downstream side of the throttle passage, there is provided an air connector which is arranged in the longitudinal direction on a side wall face of the surge tank. This air connector is arranged on a wall face corresponding to a position which is substantially a center of the suction manifold which opens to the surge tank. Due to the above structure, intake air can be evenly distributed from the air connector to each suction manifold via the surge tank. In the suction device of the internal combustion engine, when the position of the opening section of the air connector with respect to the surge tank is determined as described above, the length of the passage of the suction manifold including the surge tank can be made equal. Therefore, a rumbling noise (suction noise) can be suppressed.
In the suction device used for an internal combustion engine of the second embodiment of the present invention, the air connector is embedded on a wall face corresponding to a position which is substantially the center of an opening at which the suction manifold is open to the surge tank. Therefore, a total height of the air connector and the surge tank can be reduced.
In the suction device used for an internal combustion engine of the third embodiment of the present invention, the suction manifold is formed from the surge tank to the suction port in such a manner that the suction manifold substantially encircles the outer circumferential wall faces of the air connector and the surge tank. Therefore, in the suction manifold, it is possible to ensure a passage of an appropriate length for obtaining the air charging efficiency corresponding to a running state of the internal combustion engine. Due to the above structure, it is possible to increase an output of the internal combustion engine.
In the suction manifold of the suction device of the internal combustion engine of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, at least one portion on the wall face of the suction manifold is commonly used in the suction manifold and the surge tank. Therefore, volumes of the surge tank and the suction manifold can be increased. Due to the above structure, air resistance can be reduced without increasing the size of the suction device. Therefore, the air charging efficiency for each cylinder of the internal combustion engine can be enhanced.
In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the suction manifold is open inward on one of the side walls of the surge tank and extended in such a manner that the suction manifold encircles at least an outer circumferential wall face from the side wall face to the other side wall face on the opposite side. Therefore, the radius of curvature of the suction manifold can be made sufficiently large. Accordingly, air resistance can be reduced to as small as possible. Due to the foregoing, the suction device used for an internal combustion engine can be easily mounted on a vehicle, and an engine output of the internal combustion engine can be increased.
According to the suction device used for an internal combustion engine of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, wall thickness in the circumferential direction of the wall section forming the suction passage is substantially uniform, that is, the suction device does not have a partial fragile portion. Therefore, a sufficiently high mechanical strength can be exhibited with respect to external vibration and fluctuation of internal pressure when the suction device is normally used. Since wall thickness in the circumferential direction of the wall section which is substantially perpendicular to the running direction of the vehicle is smaller than wall thickness in the circumferential direction of the wall section which is substantially horizontal to the running direction of the vehicle, an impact force can be absorbed by a breakdown of the wall section which is substantially perpendicular to the running direction of the vehicle in the case of a car collision. Therefore, deformation of the wall section which is substantially horizontal to the running direction of the vehicle can be reduced to as small as possible. For example, damage given to the injector and the fuel tube, which are attached to the wall section of the connecting section with the internal combustion engine, can be reduced.
In the wall section in the suction device used for an internal combustion engine of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, when the suction device is given an impact force from the front in the case of a car collision, a breakdown is caused in a transition region which is formed from a portion substantially perpendicular to the running direction of the vehicle, the cross section of which is formed into a substantial semicircle, to a portion substantially horizontal to the running direction of the vehicle. Due to the foregoing, deformation of the wall section of the connecting section of the suction device with the internal combustion engine can be reduced to as small as possible.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the description of preferred embodiments of the invention set forth below, together with the accompanying drawings. | {
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle safety apparatus and, in particular, relates to an air bag module with a fluid venting capability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to inflate an air bag slowly at first, then more rapidly, to provide a "soft start" inflation of the air bag. This effect can be achieved by selectively venting a portion of the inflation fluid which would otherwise flow into the air bag, thereby reducing the rate of inflation of the air bag. The "soft start" can help to minimize potential injury to an out of position vehicle occupant, that is, an occupant who is closer than desired to the module at the time of actuation. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a tonneau cover unit that is used to cover-a luggage floor within a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent No. 3227640 describes a retractable tonneau cover that covers a luggage boot (luggage floor) between a rear seat and a hatch of a vehicle. To cover the luggage boot, a cover sheet is pulled out of a housing case, which is arranged on the front side in the luggage boot, to the rear of the luggage boot.
When luggage is loaded into or unloaded from a luggage boot of a vehicle provided with a conventional tonneau cover, a hatch of the vehicle is opened, and a cover sheet is retracted into a housing case by a retracting force of the housing case. Then, loading or unloading of the luggage is performed in a space that is obtained after the cover sheet is retracted into the housing case. After loading or unloading of the luggage is completed, a handle member of the cover sheet is slid toward the rear of the vehicle to cover the luggage boot with the cover sheet. After that, the hatch is closed. As a result, the luggage placed in the luggage boot is invisible from the outside of the vehicle.
To load luggage into or unload luggage from the luggage boot, the hatch needs to be opened and closed. In this case, a user needs to apply a great force and a large space needs to be kept behind the vehicle in order to open and close the hatch. Therefore, it is considerably troublesome for the user to open and close the hatch each time luggage is loaded into or unloaded from the luggage boot.
To alleviate such inconvenience of opening and closing the hatch, a rear window may be provided in the hatch. The rear window is opened in order to load luggage into the luggage boot from the outside of the vehicle. However, the conventional tonneau cover causes the following inconvenience even if the rear window is provided in the hatch. To place the luggage into the luggage boot, the rear window of the hatch is opened, and the cover sheet, which has covered the luggage boot, is retracted into the housing case by a retracting force of the housing case. However, the housing case is usually arranged at a position which the user cannot reach even if he or she reaches his or her hand into the vehicle from the outside of the rear window for the housing case. Therefore, in order to cover the luggage boot with the cover sheet again, the user needs to open the hatch, enter the vehicle up to a position at which he or she can reach the housing case, and pull the cover sheet out of the housing case. After all, provision of the rear window does not save the user from having to do heavy work, that is, opening and closing the hatch. | {
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IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a standardised and established architecture for delivering IP multimedia services to end users. IMS is to a large extent agnostic concerning the access network used by the end users: access networks may be wireless or fixed line. In the context of IMS, it is important to allow end users to seamlessly move between access networks and access technologies, e.g. to allow voice and video call continuity during such movements.
3GPP TS 23.237 v11.4.0 specifies Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) as a functionality defined for the Long Term Evolution (LTE) architecture to allow voice and video calls to be transferred or “handed over” from the LTE packet switched (PS) domain to a legacy circuit switched (CS) domain, in the case where a mobile terminal has only a single radio interface available to it. Such a transfer might be required, for example, when a call is established by a user terminal over a packet switched (PS) LTE connection and it becomes necessary, due to a deterioration in the LTE radio quality, to transfer the call to a 3G UMTS circuit switched (CS) connection. FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the reference architecture for SRVCC (using the Access Transfer Control Function, ATCF, enhancements).
SRVCC relies upon a network (LTE) determination that a PS to CS handover for a given UE is required. The UE is instructed to perform the handover by way of a (SIP) message sent to it over the PS access (i.e. over the Gm interface), and as a result disconnects from the PS access and connects instead to the CS access. A serving MSC within the CS network is caused to send a setup signal to the UE over the now established CS access in order to establish a CS voice call between the UE and the MSC, whereupon the call is transferred to the CS access. A special case arises when handover is required at the call terminating side during the call alerting phase, i.e. after an INVITE has been received by the UE but prior to the user answering the call. This special case is considered in 3GPP TS 23.237 v11.4.0 section 6.3.2.1.4c.
3GPP TS 23.237 also specifies Dual Radio VCC (DRVCC) as a mechanism analogous to SRVCC but concerned with mobile terminals that have dual radio interfaces, i.e. radio interfaces that can be used in parallel. As with SRVCC, DRVCC makes provision for handover of a voice or video call from a PS to a CS access following call establishment. [In contrast to SRVCC, a determination to perform such a handover in the case of DRVCC is made by the UE rather than within the network.] However, the DRVCC specifications have not previously provided a means to handle a PS to CS handover during a voice or video call alerting phase and in particular have not addresses the call terminating side case.
In the context of DRVCC, FIG. 2 illustrates a possible mechanism for handling PS to CS handover of a voice or video call at the call originating side, during the alerting state. An originating user UE-A sends an INVITE towards a terminating user (not shown) and receives a Ringing response: this exchange uses the PS access. At this point, UE-A determines that the quality of the PS access is not suitable for the call, and a DRVCC process is initiated by UE-A in order to transfer to a CS access. UE-A sends a setup request, via the CS access, to the MSC on the originating side. The request includes a Session Transfer Number (STN), a number statically configured on the UE which is used to route the transfer to the SCC AS. The MSC in turn sends an INVITE to the SCC AS (serving UE-A), with the STN being included within the INVITE. [NB. FIG. 2 assumes that the MSC comprises some interworking function able to provide interworking between the IMS side and the CS signalling side.] The SCC-AS uses the STN contained within the INVITE to detect that the request is a request to transfer the session from PS access to CS access, and uses additional information in the signalling (such as the calling party number) to correlate the transfer request with the INVITE previously sent over the PS access. As a result of sending the INVITE, the MSC knows to expect an Answer. When the Answer is received from the SCC AS, the MSC sends an Answer to UE-A and call set up over the CS access proceeds as usual.
FIG. 3 illustrates a problem that might arise when handling DRVCC on the terminating side during a call alerting phase. In this case, the called party, UE-B, which is initially connected to a PS access, receives an INVITE from UE-A, and sends a Ringing response. At this point, UE-B determines that the quality of the PS access is not suitable for the voice call, and a DRVCC process is initiated by UE-B in order to transfer to a CS access. UE-B then sends a Setup message (standard CS signalling) to the MSC to initiate the transfer. The MSC reacts to the Setup message by sending an INVITE towards the SCC AS. [NB. The MSC may alternatively use CS trunk signalling, e.g. ISUP, in which case the trunk signalling setup message will be routed via a Media Gateway Controller]. At this point, the MSC is awaiting an Answer from the remote end, i.e. from the SCC-AS. In the event that a user answers at UE-B, causing an Answer to be sent to the MSC, this unexpected answer causes an error case to arise at the MSC due to un-matched states existing at UE-B and the MSC.
Whilst it would be possible to solve this problem by introducing new logic into the MSC, this is in practice difficult to achieve due to the large number of already deployed MSCs. A preferred solution is one that involves modifications at only the mobile terminals and the SCC-AS. On the one hand, it is relatively easy to upgrade and deploy terminal software whilst on the other relatively few SCC-ASs have been deployed and it will be a relatively easy task to update those ASs. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a convertible vehicle having a roof kinematic system which movably couples a roof to the vehicle body to be movable between a closed position in which the roof extends over and covers the vehicle interior and a storage position in which the roof is lowered into and stored within a storage compartment of the vehicle.
2. Background Art
DE 103 31 987 A1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,386) describes a convertible vehicle having a multiple part roof. A roof kinematic system moves the roof between a closed position in which the roof parts extend over and cover the vehicle interior and a storage position in which the roof parts are lowered into and stored within a storage compartment of the vehicle. A cover is movably connected to the vehicle to open and close the compartment. The cover is lowered to close the compartment with the roof stored therein. The cover is raised to provide access for the roof to be moved into and out of the compartment. The cover is kinematically connected, through a connecting link and a transfer link, with a main link of the roof kinematic system. The connecting and transfer links form a kinematic chain such that movement of the main link about its vehicle body-side joint transfers movement to the cover and the cover is raised about its vehicle body-side joint. The cover has along its side edges, extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a guide slot in which a pin of the connecting link is slidably supported. As an actuator moves the roof kinematic system, the connecting link swivels about a vehicle body-side joint and the pin is guided along in the guide slot on the cover thereby raising the cover. The transfer of movement from the roof kinematic system through the coupling kinematic system to the cover presumes a sliding block guide in the side area of the cover.
DE 101 17 767 A1 describes a cover kinematically coupled to the roof kinematic system. The cover functions as a rear parcel shelf that extends within the vehicle interior beneath the rear roof part when the roof is in the closed position. A coupling kinematic system couples the cover to the roof kinematic system. The coupling kinematic system is an over-center kinematic system which crosses a dead-center position when the roof moves between its closed and storage positions, after which the swinging up movement of the cover to open a passage into the compartment reverses and the cover is closed again. However, the coupling kinematic system is complicated, having six links which control the movement of the cover. At first, the swinging movement of the main link of the roof kinematic system is transferred through a torsionally rigid lever to another intermediate lever, which makes a swinging connection with a body-mounted coupling lever, which in turn is articulately connected to a transfer lever of the cover kinematic system. Moreover, a body-mounted control lever makes a swinging connection with the transfer lever of the cover kinematic system. | {
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1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to point of sale terminals, and more specifically to the tilting mechanisms for the monitors of a point of sale terminal.
2. Background of Art
Point of sale terminals are used in a wide variety of retail and hospitality establishments. While traditional POS terminals included a cash register and/or a computer monitor and keyboard used by the worker entering the transaction, in more recent times POS terminals have been equipped with monitors for both the worker and the consumer who can either simply see the entry of the transaction details on a dedicated monitor or may further have the ability to enter part or all of the transaction himself or herself.
For ergonomic reasons, the monitor(s) in the POS system are often equipped with a mechanism that permits them to tilt. Most often the tilt mechanism consists of a frictional pivot wherein the worker simply applies sufficient force to the monitor to overcome the frictional retention of the monitor's position. While such frictional tilt mechanism provide a wide range of tilt angles and ease of use, they also tend to wear over time and lose their frictional retention quality, thus becoming less useful and perhaps even requiring replacement of the mechanism or the entire monitor.
3. Objects and Advantages
It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a tilt mechanism for a POS monitor that permits selective tilting of the monitor and is durable.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and in par appear hereinafter. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Field
The present disclosure relates to telecommunications apparatus and methods.
Description of Related Art
The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.
The present disclosure relates to wireless telecommunications systems and methods.
Mobile communication systems have evolved over the past ten years or so from the GSM System (Global System for Mobile communications) to the 3G system and now include packet data communications as well as circuit switched communications. The third generation partnership project (3GPP) is developing a fourth generation mobile communication system referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE) in which a core network part has been evolved to form a more simplified architecture based on a merging of components of earlier mobile radio network architectures and a radio access interface which is based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) on the downlink and Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) on the uplink.
Third and fourth generation mobile telecommunication systems, such as those based on the 3GPP defined UMTS and Long Term Evolution (LTE) architectures, are able to support a more sophisticated range of services than simple voice and messaging services offered by previous generations of mobile telecommunication systems.
For example, with the improved radio interface and enhanced data rates provided by LTE systems, a user is able to enjoy high data rate applications such as mobile video streaming and mobile video conferencing that would previously only have been available via a fixed line data connection. The demand to deploy third and fourth generation networks is therefore strong and the coverage area of these networks, i.e. geographic locations where access to the networks is possible, is expected to increase rapidly.
The anticipated widespread deployment of third and fourth generation networks has led to the parallel development of a class of devices and applications which, rather than taking advantage of the high data rates available, instead take advantage of the robust radio interface and increasing ubiquity of the coverage area. Examples include so-called machine type communication (MTC) applications, some of which are in some respects typified by semi-autonomous or autonomous wireless communication devices (MTC devices) communicating small amounts of data on a relatively infrequent basis. Examples include so-called smart meters which, for example, are located in a customer's home and periodically transmit data back to a central MTC server relating to the customer's consumption of a utility such as gas, water, electricity and so on. Smart metering is merely one example of potential MTC device applications. Further information on characteristics of MTC-type devices can be found, for example, in the corresponding standards, such as ETSI TS 122 368 V11.6.0 (2012-09)/3GPP TS 22.368 version 11.6.0 Release 11)[1].
Whilst it can be convenient for a terminal such as an MTC-type terminal to take advantage of the wide coverage area provided by a third or fourth generation mobile telecommunication network there are at present disadvantages. Unlike a conventional third or fourth generation mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a primary driver for MTC-type terminals will be a desire for such terminals to be relatively simple and inexpensive. The type of functions typically performed by an MTC-type terminal (e.g. simple collection and reporting/reception of relatively small amounts of data) do not require particularly complex processing to perform, for example, compared to a smartphone supporting video streaming. However, third and fourth generation mobile telecommunication networks typically employ advanced data modulation techniques and support wide bandwidth usage on the radio interface which can require more complex and expensive radio transceivers and decoders to implement. It is usually justified to include such complex elements in a smartphone as a smartphone will typically require a powerful processor to perform typical smartphone type functions. However, as indicated above, there is now a desire to use relatively inexpensive and less complex devices which are nonetheless able to communicate using LTE-type networks.
With this in mind there has been proposed a concept of so-called “virtual carriers” operating within the bandwidth of a “host carrier”, for example, as described in GB 2 487 906 [2], GB 2 487 908 [3], GB 2 487 780 [4], GB 2 488 513 [5], GB 2 487 757 [6], GB 2 487 909 [3], GB 2 487 907 [8] and GB 2 487 782 [9]. One principle underlying the concept of a virtual carrier is that a frequency subregion (subset of frequency resources) within a wider bandwidth (greater range of frequency resources) host carrier is configured for use as a self-contained carrier for at least some types of communications with certain types of terminal device.
In some implementations, such as described in references [2] to [9], all downlink control signalling and user-plane data for terminal devices using the virtual carrier are conveyed within the subset of frequency resources associated with the virtual carrier. A terminal device operating on the virtual carrier is made aware of the restricted frequency resources and need only receive and decode a corresponding subset of transmission resources to receive data from the base station. An advantage of this approach is to provide a carrier for use by low-capability terminal devices capable of operating over only relatively narrow bandwidths. This allows devices to communicate on LTE-type networks, without requiring the devices to support full bandwidth operation. By reducing the bandwidth of the signal that needs to be decoded, the front end processing requirements (e.g., FFT, channel estimation, subframe buffering etc.) of a device configured to operate on a virtual carrier are reduced since the complexity of these functions is generally related to the bandwidth of the signal received.
Other virtual carrier approaches for reducing the required complexity of devices configured to communicate over LTE-type networks are proposed in GB 2 497 743 [10] and GB 2 497 742 [11]. These documents propose schemes for communicating data between a base station and a reduced-capability terminal device whereby physical-layer control information for the reduced-capability terminal device is transmitted from the base station using subcarriers selected from across a full host carrier frequency band (as for conventional LTE terminal devices). However, higher-layer data for reduced-capability terminal devices (e.g. user-plane data) is transmitted using only subcarriers selected from within a restricted subset of carriers which is smaller than and within the set of subcarriers comprising the system frequency band. Thus, this is an approach in which user-plane data for a particular terminal device may be restricted to a subset of frequency resources (i.e. a virtual carrier supported within the transmission resources of a host carrier), whereas control signalling is communicated using the full bandwidth of the host carrier. The terminal device is made aware of the restricted frequency resource, and as such need only buffer and process data within this frequency resource during periods when higher-layer data is being transmitted.
The terminal device buffers and processes the full system frequency band during periods when physical-layer control information is being transmitted. Thus, the reduced-capability terminal device may be incorporated in a network in which physical-layer control information is transmitted over a wide frequency range, but only needs to have sufficient memory and processing capacity to process a smaller range of frequency resources for the higher-layer data. This approach may sometimes be referred to as a “T-shaped” allocation because the area of the downlink time-frequency resource grid to be used by the reduced-capability terminal device may in some cases comprise a generally T-shape.
Virtual carrier concepts thus allow terminal devices having reduced capabilities, for example in terms of their transceiver bandwidth and/or processing power, to be supported within LTE-type networks. As noted above, this can be useful for to allow relatively inexpensive and low complexity devices to communicate using LTE-type networks. However, providing support for reduced capability devices in a wireless telecommunications system which is generally based around existing standards can require additional considerations for some operational aspects of wireless telecommunications systems to allow the reduced-capability terminal devices to operate in conjunction with conventional terminal devices.
One area where the inventors have recognised a need for new procedures concerns the acquisition of system information. In broad summary, system information, or at least some aspects of system information, in existing wireless telecommunications systems, such as LTE-based telecommunications systems, is transmitted for all terminal devices in a broadcast manner. This system information is transmitted in blocks of data called Master Information Blocks (MIBs) and System Information Blocks (SIBs). In the context of coverage enhancement, it is sometimes difficult for a terminal device (whether reduced capability or not) to receive large MIBs and SIBs. There is therefore a need for schemes which allows system information to be communicated to terminal devices operating in a coverage enhancement situation. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Fast search techniques are needed in many computing and network applications such as search engines and network addressing. Regular search of a string in a dictionary of strings of fixed sizes is rather simple, using for example binary search. With a dictionary of variable-size strings, the matching process becomes more intricate. A string of arbitrary size in which each character is uniquely defined in an alphabet is colloquially called an “exact string”. A string of arbitrary size in which at least one character may be replaced without changing the purpose of the string is colloquially called an “inexact string”. The search for an inexact string is complicated. For example searching for a name such as “John Winston Armstrong” in a dictionary of names is much simpler than searching for any name in the dictionary that contains a string such as “J . . . ton.Arm”, where ‘.’ may represent any of a subset of characters in the alphabet. In the latter, each of a large number of strings such as “Jane Clinton-Armbruster” and “Jack Newton Armstrong” is considered a successful match.
Numerous software-based techniques, suitable for implementation in a general-purpose computer, for fast matching of exact strings in which each character is uniquely defined and corresponds to a pre-defined alphabet are known. The Aho-Corasick algorithm, for example, is known to be computationally efficient and may be used in real-time applications, see, e.g., a paper by Alfred V. Aho and Margaret J. Corasick “Efficient String Matching: An Aid to Bibliographic Search” published in the Communications of the ACM, June 1975, Volume 18, Number 06, p. 333-340. Software-based techniques for matching “inexact strings” are also known, but are too slow for certain real-time applications such as network security applications which require fast execution, see, e.g., a paper by Ricardo A. Baeza-Yates and Gaston H. Connet “A New Approach to Text Searching” published in Communications of the ACM, 35, October 1992, p. 74-82.
Regular Expressions, as described, for example, in the paper written by Ken Thompson “Regular Expression Search Algorithm” published in Communications of the ACM, Vol. 11, Number 6, June 1968, p. 419-422 are commonly used for representing inexact strings. Regular expressions can be implemented efficiently using special-purpose hardware. However methods for efficient implementation of regular expressions in a general-purpose computer are yet to be developed. Software implementations of regular expressions either require a memory of extremely large size or execute in a non-bounded time which is a function of the number of such inexact strings to be considered, the complexity of the individual inexact strings, and input data to be examined.
One solution adopted in prior art is to use a two-stage algorithm where an algorithm for simple search, such as the Aho-Corasick algorithm, is used to efficiently find parts of packet data, which contain some part of the patterns of interest, and then a slower regular-expression-based algorithm is applied to a potentially lesser number of patterns to detect inexact patterns. Such a solution can handle a large variety of inexact patterns but has significant drawbacks including: (a) unpredictable computation effort to determine the existence, or otherwise, of a matching inexact string, the processing time being a function both of the data content and of the size and complexity of the patterns; (b) incomplete pattern identification where only a part of a pattern may be found without readily defining the boundaries of the pattern in an examined data stream—verifying a match with regular expressions may require access to a large amount of preceding data up to the possible start point, and may require waiting for data that has not yet been received; c) a requirement for post-processing to detect patterns in order of occurrence as neither the start nor end points may be known in advance, forcing ensemble matching and sorting.
Network intrusion detection and prevention is concerned with protecting computer systems from unintended or undesired network communications. A fundamental problem is in determining if packets in a data stream contain data strings of specific patterns (also called signatures) which are known to exploit software vulnerabilities in the computer systems. The number of such signatures of practical concern is very large and their structure is rapidly changing. Many of these signatures cannot practically be expressed as ordinary sequences of characters. For example a credit-card number uniquely identifies a specific credit card while a string comprising common digits of the numbers of all credit cards issued by one bank does not uniquely identify a specific credit card.
A string inserted in a data stream may be harmful to a recipient of the data stream and, hence, the need to locate the string to enable further corrective actions. Clearly, any means for detecting strings of special interest in a continuous data stream has to be sufficiently fast. One approach for fast detection is to devise special-purpose hardware circuitry with concurrent processing. However, considering the fast pace of network changes, a solution based on special-purpose hardware may be impractical.
A software solution is highly desirable because of its low cost, ease of deployment, and ease of adapting to the changing communications environment. There is therefore a need for a software-based algorithm that can detect a large set of strings under execution-time constraints and memory limitations in order to enhance Intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and intrusion detection systems (IDS). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Biopsy devices utilizing needle aspiration to extract tissue samples are well known to those skilled in the art. Such devices are extremely useful to obtain samples of tissue suspected as being cancerous so that such tissue may be examined to confirm such suspected diagnosis. Such devices are especially used when sampling suspected cancerous tissue in the lungs, breasts, and prostate, as well as other body organs. Numerous other applications have also been found for these devices.
Generally, such biopsy instruments extract a sample of tissue from a tissue mass by either drawing a tissue sample into a hollow needle via an external vacuum force or by severing and containing a tissue sample within a notch formed on a cannula. Typical of such devices utilizing a vacuum force are U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,011 issued to Cailouette and U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,052 issued to Terwilliger. Such devices contemplate the use of advancing a hollow needle into a tissue mass and applying a vacuum force to draw a sample into the needle and hold the same therein while the tissue is extracted. Such devices, however, fail to adequately sever and contain such tissue samples as the vacuum force may not be sufficiently strong enough to sever and hold the sample within the biopsy needle.
Alternatively, other prior art biopsy instruments alternatively utilize a biopsy needle with a tissue sample recovery notch formed thereon to extract a specimen, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,423 issued to Griffith, often referred to as the TRU-CUT needle and U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,346 issued to Beraha et al. Such devices, however, have the drawback of not effectively drawing a tissue sample of sufficient size into the biopsy notch on the cannula. Accordingly, such samples extracted by such biopsy needles may not provide sufficient tissue to perform an examination and thus require additional biopsies to be taken. Additionally, such needles have the disadvantage of having to be advanced into the desired tissue site such that the needle may possibly extend beyond the tissue site, thus resulting in the recovery of an inaccurate or non-usable tissue sample.
Further attempts in the art have tried using specially designed cannulas to enhance the cutting and recovery of tissue samples as well as combining the application of a vacuum force to draw in a tissue sample into a biopsy cavity and then cutting the tissue contained therein. U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,147 issued to Haaga discloses a cannula for a biopsy needle designed to cut a sample of tissue and then applying a vacuum to the cannula such that the tissue is drawn into the cannula and thus retained therein for recovery. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,272 issued to Banko discloses a biopsy device wherein a suction force, created by a vacuum, draws a sample of tissue into a receiving compartment whereby two coaxial members are rotated relative to each other so that the members essentially coact to cut off the specimen and place it into a compartment. Such combination devices, however, fail to either sufficiently isolate a sample or fail to draw in a sample of sufficient size into a biopsy compartment. Additionally, such instruments typically are difficult to maneuver and manipulate and are not necessarily accurate or effective enough to achieve their desired purpose.
Accordingly, there exists a substantial need in the art to provide a tissue sample extractor capable of effectively and efficiently drawing in a suitable sample of tissue and isolating the tissue sample within the biopsy instrument. Additionally, there is a need for a biopsy device that is easy to use and can effectively be manipulated by one hand in light of the fact that it is advantageous to perform such biopsy procedures wherein the physician user is allowed to have an additional free hand. Furthermore, there is need in the art to provide a tissue sample extractor that not only provides tissue samples of sufficient size, but allows the user to take multiple tissue samples without having to repeatedly puncture and penetrate the tissue mass. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Embodiments of the inventive concept relate generally to optical modulators. More particularly, embodiments of the inventive concept relate to optical modulators formed on a bulk-silicon substrate.
Traditionally, electrical and optical components of electronic devices have been fabricated separately and then connected to each other on a printed circuit board (PCB). These separate fabrication processes, however, tend to drive up the cost of the electronic devices. Accordingly, recent efforts have been dedicated to incorporating optical and electrical components into a single integrated circuit (IC). An IC comprising optical components can be referred to as an optical IC.
The optical components in an optical IC can be roughly classified as active devices and passive devices. Active devices are devices supplied with power, such as a light source, an optical modulator, or an optical receiver. Passive devices are devices not supplied with power, such as a waveguide, a coupler, an optical filter, or a multiplexer.
Optical modulators can be further classified into interferometer-type and resonant-type optical modulators. Interferometer-type optical modulators typically operate at high speeds, have a broad operating spectrum band, and are stable in the presence of temperature changes. However, interferometer-type optical modulators are relatively large compared to resonant-type optical modulators. Resonant-type optical modulators are generally smaller than interferometer-type optical modulators, but they typically have a narrower operating spectrum band and are more sensitive to temperature changes.
Optical modulators are commonly formed in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, with a waveguide formed by a high refractive index silicon core surrounded by a low refractive index cladding layer. A buried oxide (BOX) of the SOI substrate can be used to form a bottom portion of the cladding layer. This can simplify the process of manufacturing the waveguide. Unfortunately, however, the SOI substrate is significantly more expensive than other types of substrates, such as a bulk-silicon (bulk-Si) substrate. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a driving technique for a discharge lamp lit by an electric discharge between electrodes.
2. Related Art
A discharge lamp such as an extra-high pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp is used as a light source for an image display apparatus such as a projector. The discharge lamp is driven by, for example, a driving method for supplying a high-frequency alternating current. With the driving method, it is possible to stabilize an electric discharge, prevent so-called blackening, devitrification, and the like of a discharge lamp main body, and suppress a decrease in the life of the discharge lamp (e.g., JP-A-2007-115534).
As another driving method for the discharge lamp, there is a driving method for supplying a low-frequency alternating current having a rectangular waveform (a square wave alternating current). With the driving method, when the discharge lamp is lit, since protrusions are formed and grow at distal end portions of a pair of electrodes, it is possible to maintain a narrow electrode interval state (e.g., JP-A-2010-114064).
In light emission of the discharge lamp in the alternating-current driving, plasma density in the vicinity of the pair of electrodes changes according to positive and negative polarity switching of the alternating current. The change in the plasma density appears as a decrease or an increase in internal gas density, changes to vibration, and is propagated from the vicinity of the pair of electrodes to an inner wall. When the vibration is reflected on the inner wall and returns to the vicinity of the pair of electrodes, the vibration and the reflected vibration sometimes intensify each other according to the resonance phenomenon. A part of coil sections provided in the electrodes is damaged or the electrodes are broken by the resonance phenomenon. A basic frequency at which the resonance phenomenon occurs is referred to as an acoustic resonance frequency. The resonance phenomenon occurs not only at the acoustic resonance frequency but also at a frequency fc/2n (n is a natural number) when the acoustic resonance frequency is represented as fc. The amplitude of the vibration decreases as n increases.
In the driving method for supplying the high-frequency alternating current, when the discharge lamp is lit, the electrodes are heated by an arc discharge that occurs between the electrodes. The electrodes melt and the distance between the electrodes gradually increases. Further, the driving method for supplying the high-frequency alternating current is easily affected by the resonance phenomenon compared with the driving method for supplying the low-frequency alternating current.
On the other hand, with the driving method for supplying the low-frequency alternating current, blackening, devitrification, or the like of the discharge lamp main body occurs and the life of the discharge lamp decreases.
In the driving method for supplying the high-frequency alternating current, when the discharge lamp is lit, the electrodes are heated by an arc discharge that occurs between the electrodes. The electrodes melt and the distance between the electrodes gradually increases. On the other hand, with the driving method for supplying the low-frequency square wave alternating current, blackening, devitrification, or the like of the discharge lamp main body occurs and the life of the discharge lamp decreases.
Therefore, a driving method was attempted in which the supply of the high-frequency alternating current and the supply of the low-frequency square wave alternating current were combined. However, various problems occurred in the driving method. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Computer memories may be classified as either volatile, that is memories that lose their stored information when power is removed, or non-volatile, that is memories that retain their stored information when power is removed. One type of nonvolatile memory uses a ferroelectric dielectric layer within the device. The direction of polarization of these ferroelectric capacitor memory devices, commonly called FeRAM, is used to determine its binary storage state.
FeRAM is considered an ideal memory because of its low power consumption, low operation voltage, high writing speed and high endurance. Traditionally, the ferroelectric capacitor is fabricated before the CMOS interconnect process because ferroelectric materials, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and SrBi2TaO9 (SBT), require high temperature treatment (>600° C.) to crystallize into ferroelectric phases. However, the plasma and hydrogen-containing atmospheres used in CMOS interconnect processes damage the ferroelectric capacitor and decrease the reliability of FeRAM (Takashi Hase, Takehiro Noguchi and Yoichi Miyasaka, “Analysis of The Degradation of PZT and SrBi2TaO9 Thin Films with A Reductive Process,” Integrated Ferroelectric, 16, pp. 29-40, 1997). The COI (Capacitor Over Interconnect) process is attractive because it eliminates the backend process damage to the ferroelectric capacitor. However, since interconnect cannot withstand high temperature required for crystallizing PZT into the perovskite phase, COI can only be implemented if PZT can be crystallized at low temperature. Recently, lower temperature processes have been proposed, such as MOCVD-PZT (S. Kobayashi, K. Amanuma, H. Mori, N. Kasai, Y. Maejima, A. Seike, N. Tanabe, T. Tatsumi, J. Yamada, T. Miwa, H. Koike, H. Hada and Toyoshima, “64 Kbit CMVP FeRAM Macro with Reliable Retention/Imprint Characteristics,” IEDM'00 Tech Digest, pp. 783-786, 2000), or O2 free sputtering (Naoya Inoue, Takeshi Nakura and Yoshihiro Hayashi, “Low Thermal-budget Fabrication of Sputtered-PZT Capacitor on Multilevel Interconnects for Embedded FeRAM”, IEDM'00 Tech Digest, pp. 797-800, 2000), but even these improvements still require processing temperature in the range of 430° C. to 475° C. which is still too high for CMOS interconnect, especially for advanced low k application.
See S. L. Lung, C. L. Liu, et al, “Low Temperature Epitaxial Growth of PZT on Conductive Perovskite LaNiO3 Electrode for Embedded Capacitor-Over-Interconnect (COI) FeRAM Application”, IEDM 01 Tech Digest, pp 275-278, 2001. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus which facilitates minimized thickness by innovatively removing a case and some portions of a set cover, which have been regarded as indispensable structures for the display apparatus, and simultaneously facilitates to realize good aesthetic exterior appearance of the display apparatus by a novel design.
Discussion of the Related Art
Recently, various flat-type display devices have been actively developed and researched to decrease heavy weight and large volume which correspond to disadvantages of Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), for example, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices, Plasma Display Panels (PDP), Field Emission Display (FED) devices, Light Emitting Display (LED) devices, etc. Especially, among these devices, the LCD device has attracted great attention owing to its advantages such as ability to be mass produced, simple driving means, and high picture quality.
In addition to the technical aspects of the flat-type display apparatus, there is an increasing demand for research and development of flat-type display apparatus design. This research includes steady efforts toward minimization in thickness of the display apparatus (for example, slimness) while simultaneously increasing satisfactory designs which are capable of arousing customer's interest.
However, the existing design for slimness and good aesthetic exterior appearance of the display apparatus has been developed by changing a structure of components included in the display apparatus under the circumstances that all components are used for the display apparatus. Thus, it makes a limitation in the slimness of the display apparatus and the development of the new design.
For instance, a related art LCD device necessarily uses lower and upper cases to receive a liquid crystal display unit and a backlight unit therein. In addition, front and rear set covers are additionally used in the related art LCD device to manufacture notebook computers, monitors, mobile devices, or televisions. As the lower and upper cases and the front and rear set covers for the manufactured device are inevitably used in the display device, these limit the slimness of the display device and the development of the new design. Especially, the upper edges of the liquid crystal display panel are covered with the upper case and front set cover, whereby the liquid crystal display device is increased in its thickness. Also, the edge width of the liquid crystal display device is increased so that step coverage of the edge is increased, which might be an obstruction to the development of innovative design. | {
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The invention relates to a reducer coupling useful for connecting conduit sections of different sized, i.e. diameters and a positioner tool for moving the coupling into a desired position for making the connection. The positioner tool also provides a means for turning the reducer coupling to thread it into a conduit section.
There are many industrial operations in which a reducer coupling is used as a connection for joining two conduit sections of different sizes. The usual conduit connections are those where two sections of pipe are connected, or a pipe is connected to a valve connection, or a pipe is connected to a pump, or the like. For example, in oil field operations such as well stimulation and completion, it is common practice to use fittings known as swage nipples to connect the production casing with smaller piping. In these operations fluids are delivered from the smaller piping, usually under high pressure, through the nipple and into the production casing. To set up for such an operation, the usual procedure is to first lift the fitting into a "hook-up" position above the production casing. The large end of the nipple is then threaded into the production casing and turned down tight with a strap wrench, which fastens around the nipple just below the small end. Following this, the small end is connected into the delivery pipe with a conventional union fitting.
Swage nipples now in use have several drawbacks, which make them less than satisfactory for the operations described above and for other commercial applications. One problem is that swage nipples are structurally weak, particularly at the point where the wrench clamps around the fitting. The weakness is caused by severe deformation of the construction material during fabrication of the fitting. As the strap wrench is tightened on the nipple, it tends to slip and score the metal surface, causing further weakness at this point on the fitting. This weakness is particularly undesirable because of the high pressure conditions the fitting must endure during normal use.
The structural weakness of swage nipples, plus the fact that the small end of each fitting defines a "neck" portion, creates another problem. Sometimes, particulaly after an operation is completed, the fittings are dropped or otherwise mis-handled. Frequently, such treatment causes the neck of the fitting to break off, so that it must be repaired or replaced for the next operation. This is both costly and inconvenient.
The reducer coupling of this invention avoids the problems described above and it is much cheaper to make than the swage nipples now available. For example, the present reducer coupling is a one-piece structure which can be easily lifted into the "hook-up" position described above, and coupled to the production casing using a tool designed for that purpose. In addition, the present coupling is a much more durable structure than the prior swage nipples, and the smaller end of the fitting has a hub connection which is protected from breaking off, or sustaining other damage during handling of the fitting. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The field of the invention is the hydraulic systems of a gas turbine engine of an aircraft.
2. Background Art
A gas turbine engine of an aircraft conventionally comprises several hydraulic systems for conveying fuel or oil to supply the members of the engine.
By way of example, a gas turbine engine includes a hydraulic system through which the fuel runs. In a known manner, the hydraulic system includes a fuel filter set up to catch impurities in the fuel circulating in the system. The fuel filter can only catch a limited quantity of impurities. Once the fuel filter reaches its saturation threshold, the filter is deemed to be obstructed.
In order to ensure the reliability of the hydraulic system, patent application FR2927003A1 filed by the company SNECMA introduced a method for detecting the obstruction of a filter using pressure measurements. Furthermore, an obstruction sensor for monitoring the fuel filter to detect obstruction is known.
Conventionally, an obstruction sensor includes a deformable membrane and a set of strain gauges, also known as strain gauge resistors, which are built into the deformable membrane to form a Wheatstone bridge, known to the person skilled in the art, enabling detection of the pressure difference between the two faces of the deformable membrane and therefore an obstruction of the filter.
In a known manner, the obstruction sensor of the fuel filter is linked to the monitoring input of a processor on board the engine of the aircraft, the processor being known to the person skilled in the art by the English acronym FADEC “Full Authority Digital Engine Control”. The processor thereby makes it possible to continuously monitor the state of the fuel filter using the obstruction sensor.
The fuel supply system includes, in addition to the first fuel filter, known as the main fuel filter, a second fuel filter, hereinafter referred to as the auxiliary fuel filter, set up to catch impurities upstream and downstream of the pump in the hydraulic fuel supply system. | {
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Trucks and trailers loaded with cargo and products move across the country to deliver products to commercial loading and unloading docks at stores, warehouses, and distribution centers. Trucks can have a trailer mounted on the truck, or can be of a tractor-semi trailer configuration. To lower overhead costs at retail stores, in-store product counts have been reduced, and products-in-transit now count as part of available store stock. Unloading trucks quickly at the unloading docks of warehouses and regional distribution centers has attained new prominence as a way to refill depleted stock.
Trucks are typically unloaded with forklifts if the loads are palletized and with manual labor if the products are stacked within the trucks. Unloading large truck shipments manually with human laborers can be physically difficult, and can be costly due to the time and labor involved. Consequently, a need exists for an improved unloading system that can unload bulk quantities of stacked cases and cargo from truck trailers more quickly than human laborers and at a reduced cost. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to a karaoke device with built-in microphone and karaoke microphone therefor. More specifically, this invention relates to a karaoke device with built-in microphone, and more particularly, to a novel karaoke device with built-in microphone which accommodates a high speed processor incorporating a sound processor in a microphone body, and processes voices inputted from the microphone by the high speed processor, and to an additional microphone for karaoke device with built-in microphone with built-in microphone, in which a microphone plug of the additional microphone into a microphone jack of the karaoke device with built-in microphone, if required, a microphone plug of another additional microphone into a microphone jack of the additional microphone, thereby render all microphones available simultaneously.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Karaoke devices with built-in microphone have already been put in practical use. In conventional karaoke devices with built-in microphone, a karaoke reproduction device was mounted in a microphone body, and karaoke (music) was reproduced by the karaoke reproduction device, and singing voices in tune with the karaoke are inputted from the microphone. However, in the conventional karaoke devices with built-in microphone, it was not possible to process the singing voices inputted from the microphone.
Furthermore, in the past, when singing a duet song, for example, two microphones were made available simultaneously by inserting each microphone plug of the two microphones into two microphone jacks of the main body.
In conventional karaoke devices, the number of microphones to be used simultaneously were restricted by the number of microphone jacks provided in the main body. Therefore, when it was intended to use as many microphones as possible, it was not possible to accept this request. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Various types of collapsible frame structures for a juvenile product, such as a playpen, cot or bed, are known.
One known frame structure, for example, is for a portable playpen. The frame structure includes top rails, a plurality of rods arranged in X-shaped pairs equal in number to the sides of the playard, and a locking hinge arranged between each respective top rail of the playpen and a pivot point of the respective rod pairs.
Another known frame structure, suitable for a playpen or cot, includes four upper frame joints and four lower frame joints pivotably connected to frame legs, where the upper frame joints and lower frame joints are respectively located in the upper and lower corners to form a box structure. The box structure also includes a bottom base frame with four legs radially extending from a central coupling joint that allows the four legs to fold relative to the central joint and that facilitates the collapse of the entire structure.
There is a need in the art for a frame structure that may be unfolded to encompass a relatively large area, yet also provides sufficient protection and containment for a child inside the playard and remains light weight for good portability. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to transactions. Specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating purchases or other monetary transactions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Systems for facilitating purchases are employed in various demanding applications including credit card, Automated Teller Machine (ATM), checking account, and brokerage account transactions. Such applications demand efficient and secure systems to facilitate the transactions.
Conventionally, devices such as checks, credit cards, check cards, and ATM cards facilitate monetary transactions. Unfortunately, such devices, called tokens, are susceptible to loss or theft. As identity theft increases, lost or stolen tokens become increasingly problematic.
The proliferation of identity theft and credit card fraud has helped spawn increasingly complicated and expensive smart cards. Smart cards often incorporate additional authentication mechanisms to thwart fraud. Unfortunately, smart cards, which may contain additional user information, such as medical records and user photos, may actually increase user vulnerability to fraud and identity theft, since a successful thief may have access to more information. Furthermore, as users increasingly rely on additional functionality afforded by smart cards, such as accommodating electronic cash, users may be more inconvenienced when the cards are lost or stolen.
Systems and methods for implementing tokenless transactions address some problems associated with token use. An exemplary system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,042, by Pare, Jr., et al., entitled TOKENLESS BIOMETRIC ELECTRONIC CHECK TRANSACTIONS. Generally, the system employs an identification apparatus that accepts biometric input from a user. A data processing center, which is part of a third party identicator, then identifies the user and facilitates selecting a checking account associated with the user based on the biometric input. A user then inputs a transaction amount, which is employed by the data processing center to initiate an electronic checking transaction via an automated clearing house to pay the transaction amount.
Unfortunately, the system has various shortcomings. The system is optimized for use with a single registered checking account and does not address credit card or other transaction types. Furthermore, both the payee (seller) and payor (buyer) are authenticated by a third party identicator. Accordingly, the seller must register with the identicator by providing information, such as hardware identification codes, phone numbers, email addresses, payee financial accounts, and so on. Furthermore, the seller must obtain digital certificates or other authentication data for use with the system. This registration step and subsequent seller authentication steps are undesirably time consuming and cumbersome.
Furthermore, the above-referenced system apparently lacks efficient mechanisms to enable a user to alter data maintained by the third party identicator. Altering data maintained by the third party identicator may require cumbersome re-registration. In addition, information such as transaction amounts, seller identities, lists of buyer checking accounts, lists of seller accounts, and/or other transactional information is displayed using a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, which may be vulnerable to eavesdropping by identity thieves.
Furthermore, users with plural checking accounts must provide manual input to enable the system to determine which account to employ for each transaction. Manually selecting from among plural checking accounts is error prone, especially when users are shopping and lack immediate access to account balances and other information that may be required to select the appropriate account. Requiring additional user input via a keypad at the point-of-sale may further delay shopping lines while users decide which checking accounts to employ for the electronic transactions.
To display the list of available buyer and seller checking accounts via the LCD display, an electronic message is sent from a data processing center or other processor back to the personal identification apparatus. This additional signal transmission, which occurs for each transaction, is time consuming and represents inefficient use of network bandwidth, as this extra messaging may further clutter already congested networks.
Alternatively, to select an account, a user employs the keypad to enter a code, corresponding to a desired account. However, requiring users to remember and enter index codes is relatively user-unfriendly, awkward, error-prone, and slow.
Patents related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,042 include the following by Pare, Jr., et al.: U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,348, entitled, TOKENLESS BIOMETRIC ELECTRONIC DEBIT AND CREDIT TRANSACTIONS; U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,812, entitled TOKENLESS BIOMETRIC TRANSACTION AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM; U.S. Pat. No. 5,764,789, entitled TOKENLESS BIOMETRIC ATM ACCESS SYSTEM; U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,142, entitled TOKENLESS BIOMETRIC ELECTRONIC STORED VALUE TRANSACTIONS; and associated parent patents. Generally, these systems suffer from many of the aforementioned shortcomings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,042 and may further require use of an additional Personal Identification Number (PIN) that is manually entered via a keypad or other data-entry device. Unfortunately, users often forget pin codes, especially when users have several accounts, each having different codes.
Hence, in addition to requiring that users provide biometric samples, existing biometric transaction systems often require buyers and sellers to manually enter input identification codes and to manually select accounts and to approve or cancel transactions. However, such additional user input may be inconvenient and may delay shopping lines.
Furthermore, existing systems may require excessive additional infrastructure, such as processors, devices, and communication lines. The systems often do not maximize use of existing credit and ATM networks, terminals, machines, and other infrastructure. Furthermore, existing authentication and payment systems, ranging from smart cards to tokenless systems, often lack mechanisms to significantly reduce overall time required to transact business. Consequently, implement.
Hence, a need exists in the art for an efficient system and method that facilitates transactions, such as purchases, while minimizing data entry requirements and reducing overall shopping time and effort. There exists a further need for a system that helps minimize identity theft and that efficiently leverages preexisting infrastructure. | {
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Marine vessels have long been used for commercial and military purposes. For example, commercial ships transport goods and tourists. As another example, military surface ships project power and deliver ordnance to targets, deliver military supplies and logistics, and transport military personnel. Further, military submarines deliver ordnance to targets and provide strategic deterrence from stealthy platforms. Finally, civilian and military marine vessels engage in scientific research of the ocean environment.
In some applications, it would be desirable to accomplish some of the objectives listed above through use of unmanned marine vessels. For example, use of an unmanned marine vessel to deliver ordnance, such as a torpedo, to a target would permit the ordnance to be delivered to the target without putting sailors in harm's way. However, currently known unmanned delivery vehicles produce large amounts of noise. As a result, currently known delivery vehicles may not bring significant amounts of stealth to a tactical situation. Thus, a target may gain a tactical advantage. Accordingly, effectiveness of currently known delivery vehicles may be diminished.
In order to maximize Mission effectiveness of unmanned marine vessels, it would be desirable to increase the amount of stealth enjoyed by the unmanned marine vehicle. Currently known submersible gliders, such as the Seaglider, can be considered stealthy submersible vehicles. The submersible gliders have high aspect ratio wings that impart a forward gliding to the glider as the glider experiences changes in ballast and their resultant changes in buoyancy.
Currently known underwater gliders can propel themselves for an extended period of time by modulating buoyancy through controlled ballasting. That is, gliders trade potential energy into work against drag. An underwater glider that is designed to be nearly-neutrally buoyant at the surface sinks very slowly. Therefore, the glider can attain extended range via its high lift-to-drag ratio that is largely achieved by its lifting surface. Once the glider attains its desired depth, internal air volume of the glider is increased, thereby lowering its density. This increases buoyancy force above weight of the glider, and the glider buoys upward to the surface of the sea. This phenomenon of using buoyancy to energize an underwater glider functions until ballasts are exhausted. That is, underwater gliding refers to motion in which the force of gravity provides propulsion, while steering is maintained typically by controlling location of the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Many currently known underwater gliders are used for oceanographic research, meteorology research, and deep-sea surveying. These currently known gliders used fixed wings for glide and pitch control and internal ballasts for depth and altitude control. For example, the “Slocum” glider uses ballast tanks to provide pitching moment's joint upward and downward glides and a sliding battery mass for fine adjustment of pitch and roll. With an operational range of 40,000 km, Slocum obtained its propulsive energy from thermal gradients in the water using a thermal engine that draws energy from ocean thermal clients (that is, temperature differences between warm surface water and cooler, deep water). Another currently known glider, “Spray,” has a range of 6000 km and has been developed and demonstrated under similar gliding principles to the Slocum. Apart from saving energy for propulsion, Spray lasts longer and operates more quietly than Slocum because of a lack of moving surfaces.
However, currently known gliders have limited glider range and applicability. For example, the Seaglider can attain speeds up to 0.5 knots at glide angles from 8° to 70° (1:5–3:1 slope). Because of the Seaglider's limited speed and glide capabilities, the Seaglider is limited to oceanographic research.
It would be desirable for an unmanned marine vehicle to provide for delivery of ordnance, supplies, personnel, or the like. However, internal capacities of currently known gliders are limited due to extensive components for ballasting and steering. Therefore, there is an unmet need in the art for an unmanned submersible transport system that provides desired stealth, speed, and other performance characteristics. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a controlled gasification of agricultural waste products for utilization of the ash residue and gaseous exhaust.
2. Description of the Related Art
The disposal of waste or by-products from the processing of agricultural food crops often involves the burning of such by-products to create many problems for the food producing industry. By-products such as rice and peanut hulls, wood chips, cotton seed, etc. are tough, woody, and abrasive. Furthermore, such by-products are variable in density and have a high silica content. Incineration or combustion of such by-products is expensive, consumes large quantities of energy, and creates air pollution problems.
The controlled combustion or incineration of the foregoing type of waste or by-products or similar waste or by-products has heretofore been attempted with little success from either an economic standpoint or from an ecological standpoint. Because of feed density variation, overfiring or underfiring often occurs during combustion resulting in unstable heat generation and exhaust gas quality that is not satisfactory for heat recovery purposes. For example, the introduction of a feed with high silica content into the combustion chamber of a burner generates an exhaust stream with excessive fly ash, causing damage to and deterioration of boiler tubes because of silica related abrasiveness. Prior burners are also unable to control the degree of burn and therefore lack flexibility for control of the ash content of the combustion residue as a marketable product.
It is therefore an important object to provide an economical gasification system for a variety of feeds without requiring pretreatment or prior expensive processing and to accommodate a wide variation in feed bulk density.
Another object is to provide a gasification system for such waste products whereby the ash content of the combustion residue may be controlled and the fly ash content of its gaseous exhaust minimized.
A problem with typical combustion or gasification systems exists with respect to the accumulation of ash residue within the combustion or gasification system. The accumulation of the ash residue at non-discharging locations causes slagging, or hardening of the ash residue on the bed of the combustion or gasification system, due to overheating of the stagnant ash residue at the non-discharging locations. The gasification operation is often completely stopped (or at least slowed) by this build-up of ash residue at non-discharging locations. Thus, slagging of the ash residue is costly and time-consuming, as the operation of the gasification system must often be halted and personnel must be paid to remove the build-up of ash residue from the system. Furthermore, slagging of the ash residue is often costly because the parameters of the resulting ash residue product as well as the efficiency of the gasification system may be negatively impacted by the hardened build-up of the ash residue. The ash residue slagging problem is particularly acute when gasifying fuels having excessive amounts of potassium phosphates or low fusion temperatures, such as sewer sludge, distillery residues, sansa, straws, and other high alkaline fuels.
A further problem with currently utilized gasification systems involves the efficiency of the gasification process. The efficiency of the process is often compromised by the low temperature of the air within the gasification chamber. The efficiency and carbon conversion rate are often adversely affected by the air temperature and other variable operating parameters within the gasification system.
Yet a further challenge with the typical gasification system relates to the residence time of the fuel within the gasification chamber. The typical gasification system is only capable of gasifying a fixed quantity of fuel within the chamber at a time because of the fixed volume of the gasification chamber. Increasing the speed of the existing agitator arm to gasify more fuel per period of time causes the contents of the gasification chamber to become more volatile and as a result causes fuel or ash to entrain into the gas stream. Additionally, even when the gasification system is operated at the desired agitator arm speed, fuel or ash often entrains into the gas stream.
Also problematic with the current gasification systems is the bowing of the agitator arm. When the agitator arm within the gasification chamber is overheated, the agitator arm tends to bow upward and downward relative to the gasification chamber, compromising the efficiency and performance of the gasification system.
There is therefore a need for a gasification system where slagging of the ash residue at non-discharging locations within the gasification chamber is better controlled.
There is a further need for a gasification system with increased efficiency and greater carbon conversion as compared to currently utilized gasification or combustion systems.
Moreover, there is a need for a gasification system which is capable of maintaining the residence time of the fuel present in prior gasification systems even when slowing down the agitator arm to prevent entrainment of the fuel or ash into the gas stream. There is a further need for a gasification system which is capable of processing more fuel in a given time period without entrainment of the fuel or ash into the gas stream.
Finally, there is a need for a gasification system which reduces or eliminates possible damage to the agitator arm. | {
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1. Field of the Preferred Embodiment(s)
This invention generally relates to resistors for electronics. Specifically, the invention is a group of impedance matching or terminating resistors mounted in a high density network or array package using spherical solder connections and having low noise characteristics.
2. Description of the Related Art
Resistor networks are commonly used to terminate high speed digital signal lines to minimize unwanted reflections back through the transmission structure which is typically a printed circuit board. In most applications, the terminations are made by placing a resistor with a resistance matching the impedance of the transmission line, at the end of the transmission line. One end of the resistor is connected to a common termination voltage and the other end is connected to the signal line. For these applications a bussed resistor network is a convenient solution, since one end of the termination is common to all signal lines.
The previous resistor network designs including surface mount, SIP and DIP versions have had resistors and conductor arrangements with individual conductor lines running for a length of some distance on the network before being tied to a common point. This is necessitated because all the external off resistor network connections are made at the periphery of the device and a conductor must be run from the periphery of the device to the individual resistor. The lengthy line length causes each resistor/conductor pair to have a higher mutual inductance between adjoining resistor/conductor pairs and leads to significant cross-talk noise being coupled between the resistor/conductor pairs when the resistor network is employed in its typical use as a terminating or impedance matching resistor for simultaneously switching transistors in an electronic device. As the transistor density and speed of semiconductor devices increase, the problem of cross-talk noise causing an erroneous signal becomes more of a problem in all areas of the electronic package and must be taken into consideration when designing electronic packaging. Further, at high frequencies, the high inductance of the common termination lines can cause a high impedance to appear at the end of the transmission line.
Despite the advantages of each type of prior art resistor network, none have been easily or economically manufactured with a high density of interconnects per unit area on a printed circuit board. In particular, providing the electrical connections only on the periphery of the resistor network causes the electrical leads to be tightly spaced on the edge of the device, while the area in the interior of the device is unused for electrical interconnections.
Therefore, there is a current unmet and heretofore long felt need for a resistor network with higher density, low cross-talk noise and improved signal integrity. | {
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This document relates to a mission planning interface, for example, use of a mission planning interface to specify and monitor an unmanned vehicle mission.
Modern cryptography offers a variety of effective schemes for the protection of data. However, for many applications, the lack of usability of cryptographic protection impedes its adoption. Thus, cryptographic protection is often not employed in applications because of the lack of easy to use interfaces that enable users to apply cryptographic protection through intuitive means.
One example of such an application in which there is a need for protection of data relates to use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to broadcast tactical data (e.g., a video stream) to receivers on the ground in a war zone. In the absence of cryptographic protection, any compatible receiver would be capable of receiving and benefitting from the data. Thus, unintended receivers (e.g., enemy combatants) can have access to the same data as the intended receivers (e.g., friendly forces), thereby providing the unintended receivers with the same advantage as the intended receivers.
There is a need for an intuitive and user friendly user interface for specifying and enacting cryptographic protections for such applications. | {
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Many workers in the computer and computer peripheral arts are today trying to push the price/performance/reliability envelope of computer systems further than ever before. State of the art systems require ever increasing on-line storage capacity and reliability without a corresponding detrimental impact on speed. In order to provide access to such ever increasing volumes of data at a reasonable speed and cost, many new technologies have been developed. One very popular storage technology is redundant arrays of inexpensive disks (RAID).
The technology behind RAID includes both a general hardware architecture and a disk array controller firmware architecture. With respect to the disk controller firmware architecture, one of the more popular architectures is RAID Level 5. The RAID Level 5 architecture, as well as RAID generally and the various RAID Levels, are described in detail in Patterson et al., "A Case for a Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)", ACM SIGMOD Conference, Chicago, Jun. 1-3, 1988, incorporated herein by reference.
As described therein, disk data are divided into stripes. See also FIG. 3, which illustrates a RAID Level 5 disk set including four disks, DISK1 -DISK4, and a stripe width of five blocks. Stripes 301, 302, and 303 contain data of two kinds, host data D and meta-data P. Host data D, which is the information stored, retrieved and manipulated by the host computer, is for convenience referred to hereinafter simply as data D. Meta-data P is used exclusively by the disk array controller and perhaps other disk subsystem components for the control and maintenance of the disk array system. For example, one type of meta-data P may be parity information. Stripes are recorded as sequential blocks on a plurality of different disk drives. Each stripe includes a plurality of data blocks D and one additional set of blocks called parity blocks P. The parity blocks P contain the logical exclusive-OR (XOR) of the plurality of data blocks D, and is recorded on an additional disk drive. Conventionally, the parity blocks P are distributed among all the disk drives of an array, as shown in FIG. 3, in order to avoid drive contention during write operations. The use of parity blocks P improves availability of all of the data in a stripe. When one drive is unavailable, for example, the missing data block from a stripe can be reconstructed from the parity block and the available data blocks. The contents of the parity block is simply XORed with the data blocks remaining. The result of this XOR operation is the data from the missing drive. Once such a drive has been repaired, data can be restored to the repaired drive using the parity blocks and data blocks from each good drive in similar fashion.
A typical RAID-based disk controller 101 is shown in FIG. 1. The controller is connected to a host computer (not shown), through a host port 103. Input/output (I/O) transactions are received through the host port by a host I/O processor 105. The host I/O processor is responsible for receiving commands from the host computer to the RAID array and for transferring data and command status responses from the RAID array back to the host computer. Commands from the host computer are typically requests to perform an operation on a number of blocks, i.e., a logical block count (LBC), beginning with a specified logical block address (LBA) within the RAID array.
The RAID disk controller also has a disk array interface port 107 which communicates with a plurality of physical disk drives 109. Data I/Os and other commands to be executed by the physical disk drives of the RAID array are processed by a disk array I/O processor 111 executing RAID Level 5 algorithms. The host commands relating to logical locations (LBA, LBC) are processed into a plurality of physical I/O operations which are in turn processed by a physical disk handler 115 into physical I/O commands for specific physical disk drives 109. For example, a disk write of several blocks may be organized into stripes and divided into individual disk I/O operations. Such common operations are described in detail in Patterson et al.
In order to improve the efficiency of RAID controllers, it has become a common practice to provide a cache 113, logically disposed between the host I/O processor 105 and the disk array I/O processor 111. For example, Row et al. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,131, issued Nov. 10, 1992, describe an architecture for a large file server including a front end cache. Goodlander et al. disclose a front end caching system in the context of a data storage system including a plurality of disk drives, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,367. The caching system 113 is typically a separate software process or set of subroutines using the same system logical block references as the host I/O processor 105 because the data cached is that data frequently requested by the host computer. Therefore, use of logical block references by the cache 113 is most efficient. Caching of data is helpful because the host may request data from the same logical location many times without modification. When such frequently requested data is found in the cache 113, it may be sent to the host port by the host I/O processor 105 without having to perform a physical I/O to the RAID array. Such a cache 113 may also be helpful during write operations because valid old data which has been previously cached need not be retrieved from the physical disks to be XORed with the parity stripe before overwriting. The valid old cached data can be XORed with the parity stripe and then the new data both cached and written to the physical disks. Also caching of write operations permits the disk array controller to report command completion very quickly, an operation referred to as "fast writes".
One problem with conventional RAID disk controller design is that a write operation is usually preceded by at least one disk drive read operation in order to retrieve the parity stripe from the RAID array. Sometimes this problem is solved by consolidating writes into full-stripe writes, wherein a new parity is generated for the full stripe. However, there is no assurance that a full-stripe write, or optimized write, as it is known in the art, will always be obtained from consolidations of host write commands.
As discussed above, systems with no caching and systems with only front end caching are known. Systems with only back end caching are also known. However, front end caches have never been combined with back end caches. Workers in this field of art have not combined front end caches and back end caches in a single RAID disk controller system because such a combination was not thought to provide an advantage warranting the additional cost and complexity of the resulting system. It was recognized that the front end cache would improve the host I/O performance and the back end cache would improve the disk array I/O performance during write operations, but the advantages are outweighed by the cost and complexity of additional cache memory, separate cache control systems and potential negative interactions between the front end cache system and the back end cache system. Potential negative interactions include referencing a block multiple times during a single operation, resulting in additional cache look ups. | {
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When a semiconductor device is manufactured, various substrate processing apparatuses are used for subjecting a substrate to be processed, such as a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter also referred to simply as “wafer”), to a film-deposition process, a diffusion process, an annealing process, an etching process, and so on. Given as an example of such a substrate processing apparatus is a heat processing apparatus that heat-processes a wafer to deposit thereon a thin film such as an oxide film. For example, in a vertical heat processing apparatus including a vertical heat processing furnace, a holder called “wafer boat” holding a number of wafers in a tier-like manner is loaded into the heat processing furnace, and a film deposition process is performed therein.
The film deposition process of a wafer is performed according to a process recipe (set values of process parameters) including various process conditions such as a set pressure, a set temperature of a heater, a gas flowrate, and so on, in accordance with a kind of thin film to be deposited and a thickness thereof, for example. The process recipe is optimized by repeating the following operation. That is to say, a film deposition process is performed for adjustment wafers (dummy wafers) placed in a wafer boat, and the process recipe is adjusted based on a process result.
More specifically, the process-recipe optimizing process includes the steps of: measuring a thickness of a thin film deposited on a wafer by a film-thickness measuring apparatus, importing the film-thickness data into a heat processing apparatus, by an operator, through a storage medium such as a flexible disc, or automatically sending the film-thickness data to the heat processing apparatus; and calculating a process recipe such that a deviation between the measured film-thickness data and a target film thickness is resolved (see, for example, JP2001-217233A and 3P2002-43300A).
However, a substrate processing apparatus such as a heat processing apparatus has to bear a heavy calculating load, when the apparatus itself performs a data computing operation for optimizing a process recipe. This invites deterioration of throughput in processing wafers in the substrate processing apparatus. In order to cope with the problem, there has been conventionally provided a data processing unit for this computing operation (e.g., advanced group controller) which is separated from the substrate processing apparatus. By connecting the data processing unit and the substrate processing apparatus through a network, all the required data are sent from the substrate processing apparatus to the data processing unit, so that the data processing unit conducts the calculation for optimizing a process recipe (see, for example, JP2003-217995). | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an active sensor, a multi-point active sensor, a method of diagnosing deterioration of a pipe, and an apparatus for diagnosing deterioration of a pipe, capable of judging existence of a malfunction such as a pipe wall-thickness reduction caused by a high-temperature steam in an atomic power plant and a heat power plant, and a pipe corrosion in a chemical factory and an incineration plant, and capable of identifying the part having a trouble.
2. Description of Related Art
A pipe wall-thickness reduction and a pipe corrosion are conventionally inspected on periodic inspections by using an ultrasonic flaw detecting method and an X-ray transmission method. In the ultrasonic flaw detecting method, a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves is brought into contact with a surface of a pipe, for example, and ultrasonic waves of various frequencies are propagated to an inside (pipe wall part) of the pipe. Then, by receiving the ultrasonic waves that have been reflected on a flaw in the pipe wall part of the pipe or a rear surface of the pipe and returned therefrom, a state of the pipe wall part of the pipe can be grasped.
A position of the flaw can be obtained by measuring a time period between the transmittance of the ultrasonic waves and the reception thereof. A size of the flaw can be obtained by measuring a height of the received echo (intensity of the ultrasonic waves that have been reflected and returned) and a range where the echo appears.
Such an ultrasonic flaw detecting method is mainly used in an atomic power plant, for detecting a plate thickness and a lamination (side cutting appearing in a cut surface of the plate) of a material, and detecting a fusion deficiency of a fused part and a base material by welding, and a crack generated in a thermally affected part. In addition, with respect to a build up welding for reinforcing a nozzle opening, a branch, and a pipe joint, which are disposed around a pressure vessel of an atomic reactor, the ultrasonic flaw detecting method is applied to a base material directly below a build-up welded part, a fused part, and a build-up deposited part (see, Atomic Energy and Design Technique, Okawa Shuppan, (1980), pp. 226 to 250 (Giitiro Uchigasaki, et al.)).
On the other hand, the X-ray transmission method can detect a pipe wall-thickness reduction, without detaching a heat insulation material from the pipe. In the X-ray transmission method, data, which haven been provided by a serial radiographic apparatus such as an X-ray CT scanner, are subjected to a high-speed image processing by using a powerful computer, so as to make an image of the overall object with a fault image showing different X-ray transmittances.
Recently, there is known a method capable of simultaneously taking a picture of substances of different X-ray transmittances, by a simple system including only a sheet-like color scintillator (fluorescent screen) and a CCD camera. The color scintillator emits three primary colors of light, i.e., red (R), green (G), and blue (B), with a luminescent ratio changing in accordance with a transmission amount. This method is used for observing a pipe wall-thickness reduction and for inspecting foreign matters in a thermal/atomic power plant and an oil/chemical complex.
However, in the above ultrasonic flaw detecting method, it is necessary to measure the thickness of a pipe at not less than 1000 positions, and thus it is difficult to conduct the method during a periodic inspection. Further, when the thickness of the pipe is measured, it is necessary to stop the plant in consideration of a temperature constraint, which results in decrease in availability factor.
On the other hand, in the X-ray method capable of detecting a malfunction through the heat insulation member of the pipe, although the method can measure a distribution of the thickness of the pipe, the method is not widely used because an apparatus therefor is expensive. | {
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It is known that information may be transmitted over an optical link having a light transmitter, a light conducting element and a light detector. Typically, the radiation output of the light transmitter is modulated in accordance with an input signal and the modulated light is transmitted over a light conducting element, such as an optical fiber, to a detector, for example a photodiode, that converts the modulated light to corresponding electrical signals that are proportional to the input signal. The input signal may be generated by a transducer that is employed to measure some physical quantity.
In a measuring device, the signal of the transducer may be applied to modulate the radiation of a light transmitter, such as a light emitting diode on a transmission side of the device. The radiation of the light emitting diode is then transmitted over an optical fiber to a receiving side of the device, wherein the modulated light signal is converted to a corresponding electrical output signal by a photodiode.
The optical transmission of data between a transmitter side and a receiver side of a measuring device is advantageous in that the transmitter and receiver are not electrically connected and, therefore, may be operated at different potential levels. In addition, a data transmission over an optical link cannot be blocked by electromagnetic radiation, while an electrically conducting signal line is sensitive to such radiation. Also, since an optical link does not transmit electrical energy, sparks or short circuits cannot occur and, therefore, an optical link will be much safer than an electrical signal line when used in an environment having combustible or explosive material.
It is highly desirable to reduce the power consumption on the transmitter side of a measuring device as much as possible, since it is often difficult and expensive to supply a great deal of power to the transmitter, especially if the transmitter is located at a remote measuring location where electrical power is not readily available. The requirement of low transmitter power makes it particularly difficult to transmit digital measuring data over an optical link, since a digital transmission normally requires high power digital-to-analog converters and high power light modulators on the transmitter side.
Conventional analog transmissions also have a disadvantage in that the accuracy of a transmission is dependent upon signal attenuation in the optical link, and the attenuation is known to vary for many reasons. For example, a change in the radius of curvature of a light conductor will attenuate a transmitted signal and changes in the amplification of light emitters and light detectors, due to temperature conditions and aging, will also attenuate the signal. Another disadvantage of an analog transmission scheme is that the dynamic range of the analog signal will tend to be small if available power on the transmitter side is low.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a measuring device having a high accuracy, a large dynamic range and a large band width, and utilizing a low power transmitter that is connected to a receiver by an optical link.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a measuring device including means for automatically compensating for variations in signal attenuation along the optical link.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a review of the detailed specification which follows and a consideration of the accompanying drawings. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a photo-electric conversion device having a photo-electric conversion section.
2. Description of Prior Arts
The photoelectric conversion type information processing device having a solid state photoelectric conversion section is applicable to a television image pick-up device, an input device for facsimile, digital copier, or other reading devices for characters, picture images, etc., the development of which has progressed remarkably in recent years.
Such photoelectric conversion type information processing device includes a group of image elements having a photoelectric conversion function, and a circuit having a scanning function to take out an electric signal output from the image element group in the form of a time sequential arrangement. For such information processing device, there are various types such as one including a photo-diode and MOS FET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor--Field Effect Transistor (hereinafter abbreviated as "MOS type")) as constituent elements, or one including the so-called CTD (Charge Transfer Device) such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and BBD (Bucket Brigade Device), and so on as the constituent elements.
However, since the MOS type and CTD use a mono crystalline silicon wafer (hereinafter abbreviated as "C-Si") as the substrate, the area of the light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section is inevitably restricted by the size of the C-Si wafer. In other words, at the present stage, it is only possible to manufacture the C-Si wafer having a size of a few inches or so at best in consideration of uniformity in the entire region of such wafer. On account of this, the light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion element cannot be larger than the size of the C-Si substrate in the photoelectric conversion type information processing device using such C-Si wafer and including MOS type or CTD as its constituent element.
Accordingly, when the information processing device having the photoelectric conversion section, the light receiving surface of which has such limited area, is used as the input device for the digital copier, for example, it is inevitably necessary that an optical system having a large image reduction ratio be interposed between an image original to be reproduced and the light receiving surface so that an optical image of the image original may be formed on the light receiving surface through the optical system. In this case, however, there exist technical restrictions against increase in image resolution to be described in the following.
When an image original in A4 size is to be reproduced with the photoelectric conversion section having its image resolution of, for example, 10 lines/mm and a length of the light receiving surface in the longitudinal direction of 3 cm, the optical image of the image original to be focussed on the light receiving surface is reduced to about 1/6.9 with the consequence that the substantial image resolution of the photoelectric conversion section to the A4 size image original reduces to about 1.5 lines/mm. Thus, the substantial image resolution of the photoelectric conversion section lowers at a rate of (size of the light receiving surface)/(size of the image original) according as the size of the image original to be reproduced becomes larger.
In order, therefore, to solve this problem in this type of information processing device, there is required a manufacturing technique for increasing the image resolution of the photoelectric conversion section. However, for such high resolution to be obtained with such limited small area, the manufacture of the photoelectric conversion section should be so conducted that its integration density may be made extremely high and its structural elements may be free from any defect. Such manufacturing technique, however, has its own limitation.
On the other hand, there has been proposed a new system, in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections are arranged in such a manner that the length of the entire light receiving surface in its lengthwise direction and the length in the scanning direction of the maximum size of the image original to be reproduced may be in a one-to-one relationship, and that the optical image of the image original focussed on the light receiving surface is divided into small fractions corresponding to the number of the photoelectric conversion sections, thereby preventing substantial lowering of the image resolution.
Even such system, however, has some inconveniences to be described as follows. That is, when a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections are arranged, there inevitably occur those boundary regions where no light receiving surfaces are present between adjacent photoelectric conversion sections, as the result of which the light receiving surfaces are lacking in continuity, when viewed generally, and the optical image of the image original to be focussed is split, and the portions of the image original at these boundary regions are not forwarded to the photoelectric conversion section as the input signal. In this consequence, the reproduced image has such incompleteness in its image-formation that it includes whitened lines in some parts thereof, or the image portions where those white lines to be formed are removed and the entire portions are joined together. Also, the optical image which has been focussed on the plurality of light receiving surfaces in division is an optically reversed image on each of the light receiving surfaces, so that the overall image differs from the optically reversed image of the image original. Accordingly, reproduction of the optical image focussed on the light receiving surface, as it does not lead to reproduction of the image original.
Thus, it is extremely difficult with the photoelectric conversion type information processing device provided with the photoelectric conversion sections to reproduce informations with high resolution, since its light receiving surface is small in area. It has therefore been desired to have such information processing device provided with the photoelectric conversion section having the light receiving surface of a sufficiently large area which does not necessitate size-reduction in the image original and having excellent image resolution. In particular, for the input device facsimiles and digital copiers, or the reading device for characters and images on the image original, the photoelectric conversion type information processing device should be indispensably provided with photoelectric conversion sections having a light receiving surface equal in size to the image original for reproduction and being capable of faithfully reproducing the image original without lowering the image resolution required of the image as reproduced. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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One possible deployment scenario for fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) system architecture uses high frequency (HF) (6 gigahertz (GHz) and above, such as millimeter wavelength (mmWave)) operating frequencies to exploit greater available bandwidth and less interference then what is available at the congested lower frequencies. However, pathloss is a significant issue. Beamforming may be used to overcome the high pathloss. Beamforming uses directional beams in transmission or receiving to increase signal gain, and therefore, compensate for pathloss.
Beam information, such as beam quality information (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), received signal strength, signal to noise ratio (SNR), signal plus interference to noise ratio (SINR), and so on), beam failure information, and so forth, is useful in beamformed communications. As an example, beam quality information may be used in beam selection or beam refinement, while beam failure information may be used in beam failure detection or recovery.
Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods for reporting beam information. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Server system racks are provided for housing equipment, such as network servers, telephone switches, power supplies, and the like. Various components have been rigidly secured to the server system racks by use of fasteners. One type of such components which are secured to the server system racks are cable management arms for securing cables between the rack frames of the server system racks and equipment drawers which move relative to the server system rack frames. The cable management arms are secured to the server system racks such that linkages of the cable management arm are pivotally secured to the server system rack frames to allow the linkages of the cable management arm to fold and unfold as the equipment drawers are moved into and out of the server system racks. Cable management arms have been secured to the rack frames using threaded fasteners, which have included bolts and screws that require hand tools to secure the various components to the server system racks. Components can be assembled to server system racks much more quickly and efficiently without using fasteners that require hand tools.
A pivot mounting bracket is provided for mounting a cable management arm to a rack fame of a server system rack. The pivot mounting bracket mounts directly to a rack frame of a server system rack. Preferably, the rack frame is of the type having connected members in which are formed mounting apertures which are spaced apart in a regular pattern that runs the length of the connected members of the rack frame. The regular pattern of the apertures in rack frame preferably has different spacings between various ones of the apertures, in a repeating pattern. The pivot mounting bracket includes a bracket plate, a pivot member and a clasp member which are pivotally mounted to a pin member. The pin member provides a hinge pin which defines a hinge means that is common to the bracket plate, the pivot member and the clasp member. A thumb screw secures the pivot member and the clasp member together to clamp against opposite sides of a portion of the rack frame, with the bracket plate pivotally mounted to the pivot member and the clasp member by the hinge means. The bracket plate and the clasp member have tab portions which are formed into hinge loops for fitting around of the periphery of the pin member to pivotally secure the bracket plate and the clasp member to the pin member. The tab portions forming the hinge loops extend from singular ends of respective ones of the bracket plate and the clasp member. The pivot member has two mounting tabs that extend on opposite ends of a main body portion of the pivot member to define two lugs or mounting ears. The two mounting ears have respective apertures which are spaced apart and face one another for receiving the pin member. Two fasteners pivotally secure the pin member within the respective apertures of the mounting ears of the pivot member, with the hinge loops of the clasp member and the bracket plate fitting around the pin member and captured between the mounting ears of the pivot member.
Two clinch nuts are fixedly secured to in a main body of the clasp member. The two clinch nuts each have a threaded hole, and are secured to the clasp member in a spaced apart alignment to define two spaced apart, threaded holes in the clasp member. The clasp member further has two locating tabs which are spaced apart and extend at right angles to a plane of the main body of a clasp member. The two locating tabs are spaced apart for fitting into respective ones of two spaced apart mounting apertures of the server system rack frame to locate the pivot mounting bracket relative to the rack frame. At least one intermediate mounting aperture of the rack frame is disposed between the respective mounting apertures which receive the two locating tabs. The spacing between the clinch nuts is narrower than the spacing between the two locating tabs of the clasp member. The clinch nuts are positioned relative to the two locating tabs, such that one of the regularly spaced, intermediate mounting apertures in the rack frame will align with at least one of the threaded holes in the clinch nuts when either end of the clasp member is located in an upwards position relative to the other end of the clasp member. Whether the pivot mounting bracket is mounted in a right-hand position, to a right side of the server system rack, or in a left-hand position, to the left side of the server system rack, at least one of the threaded holes in the two clinch nuts will be aligned with one of the intermediate, regularly spaced mounting apertures in the rack frame when the two locating tabs of the clasp member are disposed in the two spaced apart mounting apertures.
A slot is formed in the pivot member for receiving the thumb screw, which is preferably captured within the slot. The slot in the pivot mounting bracket is located such that the captive thumb screw may be moved in the slot for selectively aligning with either one of the two clinch nuts, for passing a threaded end of the captive thumb screw through the intermediate mounting aperture and into the threaded hole of the respective one of the clinch nuts that is registered with the intermediate mounting aperture. The thumb screw is then threadingly engaged with the clinch nut. The slot in the pivot mounting bracket allows the thumb screw to move between two positions, a first position for registering with the threaded hole in a first one of the two clinch nuts and a second position for registering with the threaded hole in the other of the two clinch nuts, such that the pivot mounting bracket may be used in either a right-hand mounting position or a left-hand mounting position with respect to the rack frame of the server system rack. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to a novel derivative of 11-aza-10-deoxo-10-dihydroerythromycin A useful as an antibacterial agent, to intermediates therefor, and to processes for their preparation. More particularly it relates to the N-methyl derivative of 11-aza-10-deoxo-10-dihydroerythromycin A, to pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, and to certain alkanoyl derivatives thereof useful as antibacterial agents, to intermediates therefor, and to processes for their preparation.
Erythromycin A is a macrolide antibiotic produced by fermentation and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,653,899. Numerous derivatives of erythromycin A have been prepared in efforts to modify its biological and/or pharmacodynamic properties. Erythromycin A esters with mono- and dicarboxylic acids are reported in Antibiotics Annual, 1953-1954, Proc. Symposium Antibiotics (Washington, D.C.), pages 500-513 and 514-521, respectively. U.S. Pat. No. 3,417,077 describes the cyclic carbonate ester of erythromycin A, the reaction product of erythromycin A and ethylene carbonate, as an active and antibacterial agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,334, issued May 4, 1982, describes 11-aza-10-deoxo-10-dihydroerythromycin A, certain N-acyl- and N-(4-substituted benzenesulfonyl) derivatives thereof having antibacterial properties, and a process for their preparation.
The alkylation of primary and/or secondary amine groups of compounds which include a tertiary amine group is generally complicated. However, it is common practice to protect tertiary amine groups in such compounds by converting them to N-oxides prior to alkylation (Greene, "Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis", John Wiley & Sons, Inc., N.Y., 1981, pg. 281). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Due to the very high value of resource licensing (processor performance, processor metering, memory licensing, IO licensing) on large, multi-processor computing systems, a license is intended to run on one and only one system. To do this, both the resource licenses and the physical hardware must contain some type of ID that ties both together. Previously this licensing ID (aka MCN) has been the physical serial number of a cell 0 module that contains hardware components like processors, memory, and IO components. This cell 0 serial number would be created uniquely across the corporation, and would be visible across the entire system even if the system was further subdivided into separate OS instantiations or partitions. Thus all OS partitions could see this ID even if the cell 0 was not part of the current active OS partition.
Thus licensing uniqueness is guaranteed and resource licensing keys linked to this licensing ID are not transferable to other systems. Furthermore on metering systems, this unique licensing ID is used to identify customers when monthly metering reports are automatically sent by a metering system to a corresponding billing system.
Problems occur when there is a problem retrieving the licensing serial number from cell 0. The system immediately becomes unusable if a hardware problem renders cell 0 unusable because the system identity no longer matches the serial number in the system resource keys. If cell 0 is replaced, it will have a new cell serial number and all of the resource licensing keys will have to be replaced. For metering systems, related billing systems will have to be aware that the new identity for the replacement cell 0 is associated with an existing customer and may have to coalesce multiple metering reports to create a unified metering report for the period when the cell was replaced.
In all, it is a usability, support, and billing nightmare when cell 0 and its associated system identity fail. Details regarding this multi-workload processor based computing system is described in more detail in concurrently filed and commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING MULTIPLE WORKLOADS PROCESSING IN A SINGLE COMPUTER OPERATING ENVIRONMENT,” by Thompson et al., Attorney Docket No. TN472, filed 27 Apr. 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Functionality of multi-workload metering system is described in more detail in concurrently filed and commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING MULTI-WORKLOAD PROCESSOR UTILIZATION ON A METERED COMPUTER SYSTEM,” by Thompson et al., Attorney Docket No. TN471, filed 27 Apr. 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Liquid electrolyte containing a flammable organic solvent is used for a presently commercialized lithium battery, so that a safety device for restraining temperature rise during a short circuit is necessary therefor. In contrast, an all solid lithium battery in which the liquid electrolyte is replaced with a solid electrolyte layer may intend the simplification of the safety device by reason of not using the organic solvent.
Various studies have been made in the field of the all solid lithium battery. For example, in Patent Literature 1, a cathode membrane for an all solid lithium secondary battery containing lithium ion conductive material particles including sulfur, phosphorus and lithium, in which a membrane thickness is 10 to 300 μm and a voidage is 30% or less, is disclosed. In addition, compressing at a pressure of 30 MPa or more is disclosed as a manufacturing method of the cathode membrane.
On the other hand, with regard to a technique on a lithium secondary battery using liquid electrolyte, in Patent Literature 2, active material particles having a shell part composed of a lithium transition metal oxide, a hollow part formed inside the shell part, and a through-hole for piercing through the shell part are disclosed. Similarly, in Patent Literature 3, a storage element using an active material as secondary particles formed so that plural primary particles assemble to have a hollow area inside is disclosed. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Terminal devices which have found significant acceptance for use by consumers to enter information into computer systems are the self-service terminals using touchscreen technology. The use of touchscreen technology for user input into computer systems provides a system which is user friendly to customers. One reason for this acceptance is that each screen in the application running on the system can be provided with just the number of keys and options needed by the user at that time for a particular transaction. Other keys and functions which are not needed do not appear on the screen, thereby eliminating potential confusion and inconveniences to the user of the terminal. If there is a need for the user or customer to input text into the system, such as a name or address, a full screen keyboard can be displayed on the touchscreen for the customer to enter the required information. This full screen keyboard can appear similar to a physical computer keyboard with which a typical user would have some familiarity. Such systems are self-functioning normally and do not require an operator in regular attendance.
Touchscreen technology is well known and terminals implementing such technology are available from various manufacturers. Examples of such terminals include IBM 5990 Consumer Transaction Machine, Interbold 1055 Interactive Marketing Terminal and NCR 5682 Self Service Terminal.
Consumer interface touchscreen systems exist today and are often implemented for user input in the English language as well as other single byte character languages such as French, Italian and Spanish. An example of such a system is the Service Ontario Kiosks which allow customers to obtain government services and products seven days a week with extended hours of operation. These kiosks have been designed and supplied by IBM Canada Ltd. to the Government of Ontario and are located at major shopping centres throughout Ontario. These kiosks function like sophisticated automated bank machines and allow the public to conveniently receive services including purchase a vehicle license sticker, purchase a driver/vehicle or carrier abstract, order a personalized or graphic vehicle license plate, purchase a used vehicle information package, pay fines to the Ministry of the Attorney General resulting from vehicular infractions, pay parking tickets in certain major cities, and change an address for such things as Ontario Health Card, Ontario driver's license, and Ontario vehicle registration. Similar self service systems providing the same or similar services exist in many other jurisdictions and geographies.
A key component to the operation and functioning of the aforementioned Service Ontario Kiosks is the IBM.RTM. Consumer Device Services which is a computer program intended primarily for use in multimedia self-service kiosk environments. A specific example of the IBM Consumer Device Services (CDS) product is the IBM Consumer Device Services for OS/2.RTM. which is a licensed program for operation on all Intel.RTM. architecture personal computer systems that support OS/2 and available from IBM. Further discussion and more details of the CDS product are contained in the subsequent description provided in this application with respect to a preferred embodiment of the subject invention.
For multi-byte character language inputs from a physical keyboard into a computer system, the operating system performs the handling of multiple keystrokes per character on behalf of an application program running on the computer system. The module of the operating system which performs this task is referred to as an input method editor (IME). Input method editors are also referred to as front end processors as the editor immediately manipulates the entered information to display the desired text on the screen. The IME module, or applet, of the operating system, allows the user to enter the thousands of different characters used in Far Eastern written languages such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean, using a standard 101-key keyboard. IMEs can be used when text is entered that doesn't involve typing each character directly and are widely used in operating systems for entering ideographs and other characters phonetically, or component by component, into computer systems. The user composes each character in one of several ways, including by radical, that is, a group of strokes in a character that are treated as a unit for the purpose of sorting, indexing and classification, by phonetic representation or by typing in the numeric codepage index of the characters, which is a standard index for characters of all national languages, promulgated by the International Standard Organization. IMEs are widely available and Windows.RTM. and OS/2 operating systems include an IME module with the operating system that handles physical keyboard inputs.
An IME consists of an engine that converts input keystrokes into phonetic and ideographic characters to be displayed, plus a dictionary of commonly used ideographic words. As the user enters keystrokes, the IME engine functions by attempting to guess which ideographic character or characters the keystrokes should be converted into. Since many ideographs have identical pronunciation, the first guess of the IME engine may not always be correct and the user may then be provided an opportunity to choose from a list of homophones. The homophone that the user selects then becomes the IME engine's first guess for that ideograph the next time around.
Further details and understanding of IMEs may be obtained from the reference "Developing International Software for Windows 95 and Windows NT", copyright 1995 by Nadine Kano.
Although inputs of multi-byte characters from physical keyboards are handled by computer operating systems having input method editors, prior to the present invention, no such capability existed for handling multi-byte character inputs entered from touchscreen keyboards. Touchscreen keyboards only presently exist for handling single byte characters such as inputs in the English language. With multi-byte character languages such as Chinese, Korean and Japanese, a problem arises in trying to implement the touchscreen keyboard in presently available computer operating systems. A single touch of a touchscreen keyboard can no longer represent a full character. Multiple symbols or entries are needed to be inputted in order to form a single character. No solution or support presently exists in popular operating systems such as OS/2, Windows 95 or Windows NT to allow for touchscreen keyboard input for multi-byte character languages.
An indication of existing prior art is provided by Robert A. Rose in U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,261 entitled "Method and System for Translating Keyed Input Within a Data Processing System". This patent issued Apr. 22, 1997 and is assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. This reference provides for the processing of data input resulting from the selection of keys on a computer input device. A method and system is disclosed which provides for the converting of keyboard keystrokes into character and function input codes for processing and, more particularly, for translating keyboard scan codes into function and character input codes which may be utilized by data processing systems having diverse operating systems and keyboard hardware. Although various national languages and use of touchscreens as input devices are alluded to in this reference, the problem of handling multi-byte character language inputs by means of a touchscreen is not addressed.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improvements in data processing systems for the handling of inputs from touchscreens.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for the handling of multi-byte character languages entered into a computer system by a touchscreen keyboard.
It is another object of the invention to provide for the handling of multiple multi-byte character languages entered into computer systems using touchscreen keyboards.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide for self-service terminals which include touchscreens for entering into a computer system text and information consisting of multi-byte characters or multiple multi-byte characters of human languages as well as single byte character languages.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for the processing and displaying of multi-byte characters on a display of a touchscreen keyboard. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention pertains generally to radar seekers for use in guided missiles, and particularly to active seekers operating at frequencies wherein optical techniques may be used to reduce the size, lower the cost, and improve the performance of such seekers.
Anti-armor weapon systems, employing terminally guided submunitions, are being developed to autonomously seek, identify and attack armored targets in a high ground clutter background. In order to provide all weather capability such submunitions will generally employ millimeter-wave radar seekers, and in order to attain the requisite degree of target discrimination the millimeter-wave seeker must employ a relatively sophisticated radar system as, for example, a synthetic aperture radar system or a polarimetric radar system. Either such type of radar is, however, relatively complex. The complexity of such radar system will be appreciated when it is recognized that at an operating frequency of, say, 94 GHz, conventional waveguide dimensions are in the order of 0.050 to 0.100 inches, with tolerances of better than 0.001 inches required in many critical assemblies. Although it may be possible to fabricate such millimeter-wave hardware at somewhat reduced cost using modern robotic techniques, the expense associated with tuning and testing such critically toleranced hardware may well prove to be prohibitive.
The problems of packaging and tuning an active millimeter-wave seeker in a conventional submunition will be appreciated when it is recognized that a polarimetric or dual polarization monopulse seeker without a monopulse tracking capability utilizing waveguide components may well require in excess of twenty different waveguide components to control the routing and diplexing of the various signals coming from the transmitter and returning to the receivers. If a monopulse tracking capability were required, then all of the foregoing waveguide components would be required to track each other in both amplitude and phase. At an operating frequency of 94 GHz, each one thousandth of an inch in a waveguide assembly is equivalent to about 2.degree. of phase. It should therefore be appreciated that obtaining the requisite phase and amplitude tracking between the various channels is extremely difficult at best.
Another problem inherent in active millimeter-wave radar seekers utilizing waveguide devices is that of providing sufficient isolation between the transmitter and receiver. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that waveguide switches and circulators providing a high degree of isolation are not generally available at an operating frequency of 94 GHz. Consequently, it is generally required to turn the transmitter off during the interpulse periods of the radar to realize the requisite isolation. This approach, however, requires the use of a complex phase lock control loop, such as that described in copending U.S. application (now U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,049 issued Sept. 4, 1984) Ser. No. 356,696 filed Mar. 3, 1982 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application, to insure that the phase of the transmitter is properly controlled during the pulse transmission periods.
Another problem inherent in millimeter-wave radar systems utilizing waveguide components is that of a relatively low operating bandwidth due primarily to the critical waveguide tolerances. A relatively narrow operating bandwidth increases the susceptibility of the millimeter-wave radar to electronic countermeasures. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
In recent years, golf club heads and golf clubs have been designed to improve a golfer's accuracy by assisting the golfer in squaring the club head face at impact with a golf ball. A number of golf club heads have at least some weight of the golf club head positioned so as to alter or control the location of the club head's center of gravity. The location of the center of gravity of the golf club head is one factor that determines whether a golf ball will be propelled in the intended direction. When the center of gravity is positioned behind the point of engagement on the contact surface, the golf ball follows a generally straight route. When the center of gravity is spaced to a side of the point of engagement, however, the golf ball may fly in an unintended direction and/or may follow a route that curves left or right, ball flights that often are referred to as “pulls,” “pushes,” “draws,” “fades,” “hooks,” or “slices.” Similarly, when the center of gravity is spaced above or below the point of engagement, the flight of the golf ball may exhibit more boring or climbing trajectories, respectively.
While the industry has witnessed dramatic changes and improvements to golf equipment in recent years, some players continue to experience difficulties in reliably hitting a golf ball in an intended and desired direction and/or with an intended and desired flight path. This is particularly true for clubs used to hit the ball long distances, such as drivers and woods. Accordingly, there is room in the art for further advances in golf club technology. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Peer to peer communication, and in fact all types of communication, depend on the possibility to establish connections between selected entities. Entities may have one or several addresses. Indeed, these addresses often vary as the entities move in the network, because the topology changes, or because a lease cannot be renewed. A classic architectural solution to this addressing problem is thus to assign to each entity a stable name, and to “resolve” this name when a connection is needed. This name to address translation must be very robust, and it must also allow for easy and fast updates.
There are two classic types of name services, to wit, those based on the multicast, and those based on centralized servers. Recently, the pure peer-to-peer networks Gnutella and Freenet have tried to perform the naming function using distributed algorithms. Unfortunately, all of these algorithms have limitations, which limit their ability to provide a universal solution in networks approaching the size of the Internet.
In the multicast architecture, the requests are sent to a multicast address to which all the stations in the group listen. The target recognizes its name, and responds. Examples of such services are SLP and SSDP. Unfortunately, multicast services involve a high networking overhead, since the network must transmit many copies of any request. Additionally, they also involve a high computing overhead, since all the members of the group will receive and process all queries, only to discard those in which they don't recognize their own name. Because of these overheads, the multicast architecture is typically only used in very small networks that contain a limited number of nodes and a small number of links. In order to scale, the multicast protocols often include a provision for the insertion of centralized servers, and a transition to a centralized mode when a server is present.
In such a centralized architecture, the requests are processed by a centralized server whose database contains the mapping between names and addresses. The domain name service (DNS) used today in the Internet combines a centralized root with a network of servers, organized to solve hierarchical names. Unfortunately, centralized and semi-centralized services have proven to have several kinds of weaknesses. First, because all trust relies on the central server, updating information requires strong controls. In practice, centralized servers have difficulties coping with the load, and can only work if a large fraction of the queries are solved by means of caches. Old copies of the name to address resolutions linger in these caches, however, which makes fast updates difficult. Further, the centralized server is a point of political, legal and commercial control. These controls can interfere with the reliability of the service. One may be tempted to dismiss these weaknesses as mere scaling issues, but it is very clear that they derive directly from the use of centralized services.
In Gnutella, the database is fractioned into a large number of components. A global search is performed by executing parallel searches on a copy of each component and merging the results. This form of spreading trades memory, the footprint of the database on each node, for messages and computation. If the database is partitioned in P components, for example, then each request will request at least P messages and fill trigger searches in at least P nodes. If the dataset is limited in size, then the number of components P is entirely a function of the relation between the size of the dataset and the maximum size S that a given node can store. In that case, the system scales if the number P of components is basically a constant. However, as the number N of nodes increases, the number of copies of a given component grows as 0(N/P), which is equivalent to 0(N). As such, the number of searches grows as the number of nodes, 0(N). Therefore, the number of searches that a given copy of a component must process scales as the number of searches divided by the number of copies. As both numbers grow linearly with N, the number of searches per copy remains constant.
Unfortunately, in a name server application both the size of the database and the number of searches grow linearly with N, the number of members. This presents a scaling problem. Specifically, there will be 0(N/P) copies of any components, and 0(N) searches per unit of time. As such, each node will have to send 0(P) message per search. Since each component will be searched 0(N) time, each copy will be searched (0(N)/0(N/P))=0(P) times. If there is a maximum size S for a given component, limited by the available memory, then P must grow as 0(N/S). If we assume that S is constant, then P must grow as 0(N). Thus, the number of searches that each node processes and the number of messages that each node sends and receives will both grow as 0(N). In short, if the dataset grows as the number of nodes, then a simple partitioning strategy cannot be sustained. In fact, a surge in demand during the NAPSTER trial caused the system to collapse. Later, the surge in demand caused the average traffic to exceed the capacity of modem links, which in turn caused the Gnutella system to splinter in a set of disconnected networks.
Freenet is a “peer to peer” network that organizes itself with an organic algorithm. The purpose of the network is to distribute documents, identified by a binary identifier. A search for a document will result in a request, propagated to a neighbor of the requesting node as illustrated in FIG. 8. If this neighbor does not have a copy of the document, it forwards the request to another neighbor, and so on. If the document is found, each node in the path, in turn, gets a copy, until finally a copy arrives at the initial requester. Also, there are cases in which no copy will be found, and the search will fail. Nodes that forward searches do not select a neighbor entirely at random. They compare the document's identifier to other identifiers that where previously served by the neighbors and stored in their routing table. Information stored includes a unique number, the address, and a certificate for these neighbors. The node then selects the “closest” neighbor which previously served documents whose identifiers were most similar to the searched identifier. According to the authors of this algorithm, nodes that receive successive requests for similar documents will accumulate a “cluster” of such documents. As such, the most popular documents will tend to be copied near the place where they are needed.
Freenet nodes maintain a “routing table” that associates document identifiers and the identification of neighbors from which a document was received. The routing tables are updated as a by-product of the retrieval process, i.e. when a request is successful, each node in the path enters in the table an entry linking the document identifier and the neighbor node from which the document was received. In a real life environment, there are limits to the practical size of the routing table. Once the limit is reached, nodes will have to select the entries that they intend to keep, or drop. When the limit is reached, a new input will replace the least recently used entry.
When a document is sought, the node looks up the nearest key in its routing table to the key requested and forwards the request to the corresponding node. In Freenet, the key is a 160-bit number. The routing table to find the best suited neighbor. If this neighbor is already listed in the path, the next one is selected, etc. If the search in the routing table is inconclusive, and if there are neighbors that were not already visited, one of these neighbors will be selected. If there is no available neighbor, the request is sent back to the previous node in the path, which can then try a better fit. If the request has rolled back all the way to the sender and there is no new neighbor, or if the maximum number of hops has been exceeded, a failure is declared.
The use of the Freenet algorithm to provide name service in networks containing, in first approximation, exactly one name per node in an environment in which each node publishes exactly one document illustrates the learning effect and its limitations. For example, the learning process is quite slow. Indeed, the learning effect varies widely based on several factors. First, the shape of the graph influences this process. A graph that is more connected yields better results. The number of hops allowed for a given request also plays a substantial role in the learning process. If that number is too small, the results are dramatically worse. The size of the cache in each node is a factor as is the size of the network.
The success rates achieved through the use of the Freenet algorithm vary for various network sizes, after allowing time for network learning. If the average number of neighbors per node is assumed to be 5, the requests are allowed to visit up to 256 nodes, and each node is able to cache up to 512 entries, the effect of the network size becomes quite dramatic. Past a certain size, the learning process stops working all together. On a 10,000 node network, for example, the success rate drops to about 40%. In short, the Freenet algorithm does not scale well.
There exists, therefore, a need in the art for a naming protocol, to the scale of the Internet, which can define the management of at least 10 billion name-to-address mappings. A preferred solution should be fully decentralized, self-tuning and efficient. It should also provide a high level of security. However, as the above discussion makes clear, none of the existing technologies provides such a protocol. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
A user of an electronic device may install a rich-client application on the electronic device to add new functionality. However, the application may become out-of-date. Sometimes the user may be required to update the application, such as by installing a new version, to obtain new features, address deficiencies in a prior version and/or to preserve the functioning of existing features. Update notifications and installation may become annoying for the user as well as requiring the use of valuable bandwidth. Available storage space on the electronic device may be another potential issue. Therefore, in some cases, the user may elect to stop using the application. In other cases, the user may decline to perform the updates to the application, thereby compromising its long term effectiveness and applicability. As an alternative, a web-client centric application may be utilized. However, such an application has its own deficiencies including, for example, potential performance, functionality, network bandwidth or latency, and device interfacing. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to television receiving apparatus and more particularly to a television receiving apparatus wherein a video buzzing sound is prevented from being produced by a video signal turning round into a power source system.
2. Description of the Related Art
As sound receiving systems of television receiving apparatus, there are a split carrier (or separate carrier) detecting system and intercarrier detecting system.
The intercarrier detecting system is a system wherein a sound intermediate frequency (for example, of 54.25 MHz) and a video intermediate frequency (for example, of 58.75 MHz) converted by a tuner are amplified by the same intermediate frequency amplifying circuit and are detected and a beat component (4.5 MHz) of the video intermediate frequency (58.75 MHz) and sound intermediate frequency (54.25 MHz) included together with a video signal in the output of the detecting circuit is utilized as a sound intercarrier signal.
FIG. 6 shows an essential part of a television receiving apparatus of a conventional intercarrier detecting system.
In FIG. 6, an RF television signal input into an antenna 1 is input into an electronic tuning tuner (mentioned as an ET tuner hereinafter) 2 in which a desired channel signal is selected from among the RF signals. An intermediate frequency signal (mentioned as an IF signal hereinafter) from the ET tuner 2 is amplified and video-detected by a video intermediate frequency circuit (mentioned as a video IF circuit hereinafter) 4. The video-detected video signal is fed to a sound intermediate frequency circuit (mentioned as a sound IF circuit hereinafter) 7 and video amplifying circuit 8. The video signal is amplified by the video amplifying circuit 8 and is output. At the same time, a sound intercarrier signal included in the video signal is amplified and sound FM-detected by the sound IF circuit 7. In the here shown apparatus, the power source for the local oscillating circuit of the ET tuner 2, the power source of the video IF circuit 4 and the power source of the video amplifying circuit 8 are obtained from the same power source circuit 9.
Now, in case the power source for the local oscillating circuit of the ET tuner 2, the power source of the video IF circuit 4 and the power source of the video amplifying circuit 8 are driven by the same power source circuit 9 as mentioned above, with the variation of the video signal current, a slight ripple voltage will be produced in the power source line, the local oscillation output of the ET tuner 2 will fluctuate because of this ripple voltage, the sound IF signal in the output of the ET tuner 2 will be also influenced by the video signal, as a result, the sound intercarrier signal obtained from the video IF circuit 4 will be influenced and, when this is sound-detected, a video buzzing sound will be generated in the television sound to disadvantage.
On the other hand, the split carrier detecting system wherein a sound intermediate frequency (for example, 54.25 MHz) and a video intermediate frequency (for example, 58.75 MHz) converted by a tuner are amplified respectively by exclusive amplifying circuits and are detected is different from the intercarrier detecting system wherein a sound signal is detected from a beat component (4.5 MHz) of a video intermediate frequency (58.78 MHz) and sound intermediate frequency (54.25 MHz). In the split carrier detecting system, fundamentally no buzzing sound is generated by the video signal. Therefore, this system is extensively used as a high quality sound detecting system.
In FIG. 7 is shown an essential part of a television receiving apparatus of a conventional split carrier detecting system.
In FIG. 7, an RF television signal input into an antenna 1 is input into an ET tuner 2 in which a desired channel signal is selected from among RF signals. An IF signal from the ET tuner 2 is input into a filter 3 and is here separated into a video IF signal and a sound IF signal. Then, the video IF signal is amplified and video-detected by a video IF circuit 4. The sound IF signal is mixed in a mixing circuit 6 with a local oscillating signal from a second local oscillating circuit 5 and is converted to a second sound IF signal (4.5 to 10.7 MHz) and is amplified and sound-detected with a sound alone in a sound IF circuit 7. The video signal video-detected in the video IF circuit 4 is amplified in the video amplifying circuit 8 and is output. In the apparatus shown here, the power source of the local oscillating circuit of the ET tuner 2, the power source of the video IF circuit 4 and the power source of the video amplifying circuit 8 are obtained from the same power source circuit 9.
The same as in FIG. 6, in FIG. 7, too, in case the power source of the local oscillating circuit of the ET tuner 2, the power source of the video IF circuit 4 and the power source of the video amplifying circuit 8 are driven by the same power source, a slight ripple voltage will be produced in the power source line with the variation of the video signal current, the local oscillating output of the ET tuner 2 will fluctuate because of this ripple voltage, the sound IF signal in the output of the ET tuner 2 will be modulated in the frequency by the video signal and, when it is sound-detected, a video buzzing sound will be generated in the television sound to disadvantage.
Thus, in the television receiving apparatus, the video buzzing sound is generated because the local oscillating output of the local oscillating circuit of the ET tuner 2 has a sensitivity fluctuating under the influence of the ripple voltage of a .mu.V order and the video signal turns round as a power source ripple into the ET tuner 2 side through the power source system and, as a result, influences the sound signal.
In order to reduce the above mentioned ripple voltage, briefly the capacity of a decoupling condenser for removing ripples usually connected to a power source line may be made large but, in the general circuit apparatus in which power source lines are connected to various load circuits, the load impedance is so low that the effect of removing ripples for the increase of the condenser capacity is small and the desired characteristics are hard to obtain.
Therefore, the ripple removing filter is strengthened exclusively for the power source for the local oscillating circuit of the ET tuner or another power source circuit 10 is provided besides the power source circuit 9 as connected to the main power source as shown in FIG. 8 and is made a power source for the local oscillating circuit of the ET tuner 2. The power source of the ET tuner 2 is separated from the power sources of the video IF circuit 4 and video amplifying circuit 8, the video signal is prevented from turning round into the ET tuner 2 side through the power source system and the video buzzing sound is prevented from being generated.
However, in the above mentioned method, the power source system is divided into two systems of power sources, an excess filter for removing power source ripples is required and therefore there have been problems that the space on the circuit substrate increases and the cost is high. | {
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There are various nacreous and synthetic pigments which can impart an appearance of "pearlescence" or shimmery luster to cosmetic products. However, incorporation of these components in hair conditioning vehicles presents formulation difficulties. Specifically, the pearlescent effect often is only short-lived, and the materials settle out of the vehicle.
Accordingly, it is the purpose of the present invention to disclose hair conditioning formulations which contain cosmetically stable materials producing pearlescent effects. The system disclosed allows for the formulation of pearlescene without the settling normally observed; and the pearlescent effect is achieved in the absence of conventional pearlescing agents.
The hair conditioning compositions revealed are capable of providing not only a pearlized appearance, while at the same time rendering superior conditioning properties to the hair. The essential feature of these conditioning components is their ability to provide body, manageability, and detangling properties without displaying the greasiness, coating or gumminess normally associated with conventional conditioners. This causes the hair to retain its degree of cleanliness over a longer period of time.
The present formulations have been found cosmetically acceptable through an accelerated aging period of 3 months at 110.degree. F., equivalent to an acceptable shelf-life expectancy. Furthermore, "beauty lab half-head tests" have indicated good response with regard to body, manageability, and detangling, as well as a lack of greasiness normally associated with hair conditioners. | {
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Recently, devices having touch panels are widely used. As an authentication method using such a device, the authentication method has been known such that a user draws a pattern (an authentication pattern) that is desired by the user on a touch panel, and a comparison is made as to whether the pattern matches a pattern that is pre-registered.
In the authentication method, an input operation during an authentication process is simplified compared with known authentication methods in which a character string, such as a password, is input. | {
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This invention relates to an evaporator unit particularly suited for use in a small bus or the like and, in particular, to a compact ceiling mounted evaporator unit for efficiently cooling the passenger compartment of a small bus.
Small buses, shuttle buses, or mini-buses are finding widespread use because they are a convenient way to transport small groups of people from place to place that would be uneconomical to transport in a large vehicle. Many of the present day air conditioning units that are available for use in buses involve relatively complex systems utilizing a number of evaporators that are spaced apart along the length of the passenger compartment. Each evaporator is arranged to circulate a band of air across the width of the bus. The evaporator units are typically suspended directly over the head of passengers seated along one side of the bus or other congested areas such as door areas and the like, leaving little room for passengers to move about and they also prevent the installation of overhead baggage racks in these locations. Carrying condensate away from these side mounted units has also presented problems and the units oftentimes sweat or leak over the passenger seats causing unwanted passenger discomfort and damage.
In other bus applications which employ a single evaporator, the bus must generally be considerably modified to house the evaporator heat exchanger and the air handling equipment associated therewith. The cooled air from the evaporator in many cases must be ducted over some distance before it is discharged thereby increasing the cost of the unit while lowering the efficiency of the system. Ducting of the comfort air can also, under certain conditions, produce uneven cooling within the passenger compartment. | {
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This invention relates to a semiconductor memory devices and more particularly to an improved negative-voltage charge pump for integrated circuits, including electrically-erasable, electrically-programmable, read-only-memories (EEPROMs).
An EEPROM memory cell typically comprises a floating-gate field-effect transistor. The floating-gate of a programmed memory cell is charged with electrons, and the electrons in turn render the source-drain path under the charged floating gate nonconductive when a predetermined voltage is applied to the control gate. The nonconductive state is read by a sense amplifier as a "zero" bit. The floating-gate of a nonprogrammed cell is neutrally charged (or slightly positively or negatively charged) such that the source-drain path under the non-programmed floating gate is conductive when the predetermined voltage is applied to the control gate. The conductive state is read by a sense amplifier as a "one" bit.
Each column and row of an EEPROM array may contain thousands of floating-gate memory cells. The sources of each cell in a column are connected to a source-column line and the source-column line for a selected cell may be connected to reference potential or ground during reading of the selected cell by a sense amplifier The drains of each cell in a column are connected to a separate bitline (drain-column line) and the drain-column line for a selected cell is connected to the input of the sense amplifier during reading of the selected cell. The control gates of each cell in a row are connected to a row line, and the row line for a selected cell is connected to the predetermined select voltage during reading of the selected cell.
Circuits for generating negative voltage pulses by means of a charge-pump circuit are well-known and are used in commercially available flash EEPROMs, such as part number T29F256 manufactured and sold by Texas Instruments Incorporated. The negative-voltage charge-pump circuits used in that EEPROM are open-loop configurations in which the shape of the negative output voltage pulses is not controlled, either during the initial slope or during the final steady-state value.
A problem resulting from the open-loop circuit configurations has been that the output voltage wave-form varies considerably with the load connected to the output of the charge-pump. The output voltage is, for example, affected by phenomena including body effect and breakdown of dielectric material, both of which vary according to the particular process used to fabricate each batch of integrated circuits. In the case of nonvolatile memories having both chip-erase and block-erase capability, the load varies greatly depending upon which erase option is used. Therefore, there is a need for a circuit to provide closed-loop control of the initial slope and the final steady-state value of negative voltage pulses generated by a charge-pump circuit. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drive circuit for a motor rotated in synchronization with synchronizing pulse signals, or a so-called pulse synchronized motor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Such drive circuit for a pulse synchronized motor is utilized, for example, in pulse synchronized projectors or in pulse synchronized movie cameras. In a pulse synchronized projector, the pulse signals determining the projecting speed of film are recorded simultaneously with acoustic signals on an acoustic recording device such as a tape recorder, and thus recorded pulse signals are used at projection, simultaneously with the playback of said acoustic signals, for controlling the rotation of the motor of said projector thereby synchronizing the projected image with the acoustic signal. Also pulse synchronized movie cameras are used for a case of synchronized picture taking with plural cameras, for example three-dimensional motion-picture taking with two cameras or motion-picture taking from plural positions of a phenomenon for the purpose of observing time-dependent change thereof wherein the frames of the films in plural cameras have to be exposed at the same time. For such drive motors there has been proposed a drive circuit as shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1, 1 indicates a flip-flop circuit or a similar bistable circuit provided with two input terminals S and R, and a control output terminal O. A motorcontrol transistor 2 controls the supply of electric current to a direct current motor 3 according to the output signal Sig-3 of said control output terminal O of the bistable circuit 1. Said motor 3 is supplied with an electric current from a direct current supply E.sub.B. Switch 4 is mechanically connected with the rotation of said motor 3 and performs on-off operations of a number proportional to the rotation of said motor 3. A differentiating circuit 5 generates motor speed pulse signals Sig-2 in response to the on-off operations of said switch 4. Thus, upon application of a synchronizing pulse signal Sig-1 to said input terminal S, said bistable circuit shifts to `set` state to release an `on` signal to said transistor 2 thereby permitting the supply of electric current to said motor 3, and upon receipt of a motor speed pulse signal Sig-2 said bistable circuit 1 shifts to `reset` state to release an `off` signal to the transistor 2 thereby interrupting the supply of electric current to said motor 3. By the suitable setting of the voltage of the direct current supply source E.sub.B the cycles of said synchronizing pulse signals Sig-1 and that of said motor speed pulse signals Sig-2 are maintained in a particular mutual phase relationship as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, and the motor 3 attains an average rotation speed proportional to the synchronizing pulse signals Sig-1 to realize synchronized control.
In the synchronized control by means of a circuit as explained above, there stands a certain relationship between the frequency of synchronizing pulse signals Sig-1 and the voltage V.sub.m applied to the motor 3 as shown in FIG. 3, which represents these two variables in abscissa and ordinate, respectively. In case of continuously elevating said voltage V.sub.m with synchronizing pulse signals of a given frequency, the motor 3, which is in an asynchronous state with a low rotation speed while the voltage is excessively low, assumes the synchronized state beyond a certain voltage wherein the average rotation speed thereof is proportional to the frequency of synchronizing pulse signals, and this state is maintained even when the voltage V.sub.m is further elevated within a certain range. Upon further elevation of the voltage beyond a certain limit, the motor 3 again enters an asynchronous state with a rotation speed higher than that instructed by the synchronizing pulse signals. Thus, in order to synchronize the rotation of motor 3 with the synchronizing signals of a given frequency, it is necessary to control the voltage V.sub.m applied to said motor within a range determined by an upper limit and a lower limit.
The lines (a) and (b) in FIG. 3 respectively indicate the upper and lower limit voltages at various frequencies. Stated differently FIG. 3 indicates that the motor 3 is in an asynchronous state with a rotation speed higher or lower than that indicated by the synchronizing pulse signals respectively when the point corresponding to the given frequency of synchronizing pulse signals and to the applied voltage V.sub.m is located above the line (a) or below the line (b), and is in a synchronized state when said point is located within the range between the lines (a) and (b), namely the synchronizable voltage range. In case of the circuit of FIG. 1 wherein the voltage V.sub.m applied to the motor is equal to the supply voltage E.sub.B, a horizontal line (c) of voltage E.sub.B corresponding to the motor voltage crosses said lines (a) and (b) at the frequencies (d) and (e). Thus the portion between the lines (a) and (b), or defined by the upper and lower limit frequencies (d) and (e), represents the frequency range (f) synchronizable with the circuit of FIG. 1. In case of the circuit of FIG. 1, since a wide synchronizable frequency range is required for projectors or movie cameras, it becomes necessary to suitably regulate the motor voltage which is equal to the supply voltage E.sub.B if the synchronizing frequency is located outside said synchronizable frequency range (f). Also eventual fluctuation of supply voltage E.sub.B during the synchronized operation leads to a fluctuation of the motor voltage V.sub.m which may result in a shift from synchronized state to an asynchronous state. | {
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A concept in 3GPP Evolved Packet Core (EPC) architecture is a “Packet Data Network” (PDN). A PDN is an IP network, which is typically, for example, the Internet, but it can also be a closed corporate network or an operator service network, like IMS. A PDN has one or more names, each name represented in a string called an Access Point Name (APN). A PDN gateway (PDN-GW or PGW) is a functional node that provides access to one or more PDNs.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a PDN connection provides a User Equipment (UE) with an access channel to a PDN. The PDN connection is a logical IP tunnel between the UE and PGW. Each PDN connection has a single IP address/prefix. A UE can setup multiple PDN connections, possibly to the same APN. Each PDN connection contains one or more EPS Bearers, where each bearer is defined by a set of IP packet filters and a QoS profile. Each EPS bearer runs end-to-end between UE and PDN GW and is a concatenation of an S5 GTP tunnel (PGW-SGW), an S1 GTP tunnel (SGW-eNB), and a radio bearer (eNB-UE).
FIG. 1 further illustrates an EPC network with LTE as radio access network. This type of access is also called a “3GPP access” because the radio access technology is defined by 3GPP. A non-3GPP access is a radio access network based on a radio technology not defined by 3GPP (e.g., CDMA200 or WLAN). A PDN connection can be setup over a 3GPP access or over a non-3GPP access. FIG. 2 illustrates these concepts. Integration of WLAN as non-3GPP access with the 3GPP Evolved Packet Core (EPC) is specified in 3GPP TS 23.402 section 16.
The UE may connect to the mobile core network and the PDN via a non-3GPP access. If such non-3GPP access is a WLAN, then the UE needs to select a WLAN access point (AP). Also, if the UE is connected to both the 3GPP access and the WLAN access, a method is needed to decide which part of the user-plane traffic to route over which access.
Conventionally, two basic methods are available. In a first method, AP selection and traffic steering is controlled by operator policies received in the UE from the Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF). ANDSF is defined and described in 3GPP TS 23.402 section 4.8. ANDSF is a core network function that is accesses by the UE over an IP-based interface (S14). In a second method, AP selection and traffic steering is controlled from the 3GPP radio access network (RAN).
A basic design principle in LTE is that a UE connected to an EPC via LTE always has an IP connection (i.e., a UE always has at least one PDN connection). If the last PDN connection gets disconnected from a LTE network (e.g., because of a handover from LTE to WLAN), then the UE gets disconnected from the LTE network. Upon a handover of a PDN connection to a WLAN, if the PDN connection is routed to an EPC via WLAN, the UE continues using the PGW in the EPC, but if the last PDN connection was handed over from the LTE network to the WLAN, the UE is disconnected from the LTE network.
In RAN-based network selection and traffic steering, the control signaling goes over the LTE network or any other network compatible with the UE (e.g., 2G, 3G, etc.). If the UE gets disconnected from the LTE (e.g., because RAN steers all traffic for that UE to the WLAN, and all EPS bearers and consequently all PDN connections are moved to WLAN), then subsequent control signaling cannot reach the UE anymore. This is a problem in RAN-based traffic steering.
One solution to this problem is to ensure that there always stays at least one PDN connection over the LTE network (e.g., the PDN connection for IMS voice always stays on the LTE network, while the PDN connection for Internet data traffic can move between the LTE network and WLAN). However, this solution may not always be possible. A common solution may be that the UE only has a single PDN connection carrying all types of traffic. In order to stay connected to the LTE network, even in the case the single PDN Connection is moved to the WLAN, a solution could be to setup a “dummy PDN connection” to the LTE network. Several alternatives exist on when to setup the dummy PDN connection. This could, for example, be done when the UE first connects to LTE, where the dummy PDN connection is never released, or when the UE sets up the dummy PDN connection just before the ordinary PDN connection is handed over to the WLAN. The dummy PDN Connection can then be released when the ordinary PDN connection has returned to the LTE network.
Having a dummy connection is not preferred, for a number of reasons. First, the dummy connection generates control signaling upon initial setup and upon intra-LTE handover. Second, the dummy connection takes resources in the involved network nodes (e.g., memory state). | {
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Field of the Invention
It has become accepted practice in the orthopedic field to use devices known as intramedullary nails to stabilize fractured bones. In particular, intramedullary nails are used for stabilizing fractures of the tibia and of the femur to thereby enable the bones to heal properly.
The nails are adapted for insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone which may be reamed or left unreamed, depending on the situation at hand. Locking screws are often inserted through the bone to lock the nail in place. This method has proven valuable because it reduces the incidence and severity of malunion or displacement of the fracture. It allows the patient to apply weight to and walk on the injured bone earlier, thus, reducing the amount of muscle atrophy.
Various intramedullary nails have heretofore been known and disclosed int eh prior art. Prior art nails can be broken down by category:
First, many intramedullary nails have been proposed which are formed of a slid rod material. These have been found to be much too rigid to follow the usually imperfect intramedullary bone canal, and their insertion has all too often caused chipping of the bone material.
Nails formed of sheet metal have been proposed to provide greater flexibility. Some of these nails have been formed with closed cross-section and others have been formed into open cross-section configurations. To obtain desired flexibility/rigidity characteristics and to provide sufficient area about the nail to allow proper revascularization, such nails are generally formed with other than circular cross-section. This is, grooves on flat walls are often bent into the side walls of the sheet metal. Examples of such nails are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,628 to Brudderman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,585 to Williams, European publication 0273872, U.S. publication 2,114,005, British publication 1,593,440, and Zimmer publication "A More Precise View of Interlocking Nails." Such sheet metal nails have proven to be relatively inefficient in their manufacture, and relatively difficult to modify in their configuration. More specifically, difficulties, inherent in the bending operation necessary to provide sheet metal nails with non-circular cross-section, have placed limitations on the ability to economically provide nails of cross-section which, for example, have grooves which are varied in their depth.
Other nails have been proposed which are formed from a rod material with a central longitudinal bore disposed therethrough. Such a bore provides a flexibility which is improved over that of the solid axis, but remains less than desirable. Examples of such nails are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,683 to Neufeld, U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,857 to Otte, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,959 to Marcus, European publication 0118778 and European publication 0008758.
Although the prior art nails have found varying degrees of success, there remains a need in the field for an intramedullary nail with a more desirable flexibility and with features which allow for easy and efficient modifications to the nail configuration during manufacture. | {
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Polyethylene film based on very low density copolymers of ethylene and 1-octene has a high degree of tear strength and puncture resistance. When large amounts of 1-octene are incorporated into the polyethylene, i.e., amounts sufficient to bring the resin density down to 0.915 gram per cubic centimeter or lower, the film exhibits extraordinary toughness, which is highly desirable for numerous applications such as packaging, geomembranes, greenhouse film, and liners.
An accepted way to produce this very low density copolymer is in the gas phase using a low pressure fluidized bed reactor. However, the relatively low vapor pressure of the 1-octene leads to condensation in the reactor. The condensation of the 1-octene, in turn, results in a swollen or wet resin, which magnifies the inherent stickiness of the low crystallinity polyethylene product. This exceptionally sticky resin impedes the fluidization of the resin particles in the reactor resulting in poor operability, and conveyance and storage of the resin becomes too difficult for a commercial facility. | {
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1. Field
Aspects of the exemplary embodiments relate to a display apparatus and a controlling method thereof, and more particularly, to a display apparatus where a battery is inserted and a controlling method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, even when a user does not use a display apparatus such as a TV, the user keeps connecting the display apparatus to AC power. When a display apparatus is connected to AC power, the display apparatus consumes power even when it remains in a standby mode.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method for reducing standby power which is consumed by a display apparatus in a standby mode. | {
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Basically, rotating memory includes at least one disk capable of storing magnetic data. A magnetic device that includes a gap typically is flown over the surface of the magnetic disk. Current is passed through coils in the magnetic device to produce magnetic lines of flux at the gap of the magnetic device which in turn magnetizes portions of the disk surface. An actuator arm includes the magnetic device and is used to move the magnetic device to various positions over the surface of the disk.
The magnetic device is also used to sense the magnetized portions of the disk. This is commonly called reading the data from the disk. The actuator arm moves the magnetic device to a selected area of interest that contains data needed for a particular computation by a computer. The magnetized portion of the disk produces flux lines or a magnetic field near the surface of the disk. As the magnetic device is flown or passed near the surface of a spinning disk, a voltage is induced within the coils of the magnetic device by the changing magnetic field generated by the rotating disk. This voltage is used to detect transitions in the magnetic field on the surface of the disk. These transitions represent the data stored on the disk.
In some instances, an error in the data read from the disk is detected which in turn triggers some corrective action. An error detected while the data is being read from the disk is commonly referred to as a read error. A soft read error is an error that is possible to correct. In many instances, the correction of the read error is handled without interrupting the computer system which is beyond the rotating disk storage device. The soft read error would also be corrected before the user could become aware of a soft read error.
In all instances,when a read error is encountered, a multistep procedure is attempted called a data recovery procedure. When the steps in the data recovery procedure are unable to correct a read error, then the read error is termed a hard error.
Hard errors mean data has been lost. Once data is read with a high DRP count or lost from a particular portion of a disk such as a sector, the area is reallocated to another spare magnetizable portion on the disk drive. During the process of reallocation, errors may be recovered. Other hard errors may be ultimately recoverable but only after returning the disk drive to the factory. This procedure is time consuming for the people or the system relying on a disk drive and is also expensive for the manufacturer of the disk drive. Thus, sending a disk drive back to the factory to recover errors is usually done only in the rare instance when large amounts of important data are lost. Since read errors are undesirable, there always is a need for any step, process or apparatus which enhances a disk storage device's ability to recover any read errors without allowing them to become hard. Any enhancement in the ability to recover read errors means that the rate of occurrence of hard errors will be reduced which in turn minimizes any loss of data inconvenience for customers relying on the disk drive, and expensive data recovery at the factory.
In the past, various steps have been used to recover data with data recovery procedures. U.S. Pat. No. 4.821.125 issued to Christensen et al. discloses a data recovery procedure at column 8. line 32 and following. The data recovery procedure is also depicted in FIG. 6 of that patent in flow chart form. Basically, the Christensen et al. patent teaches rereading the portion of the disk containing the error several times and then changing a channel characteristic and then again rereading the portion of the disk several times in an attempt to recover data which is in error. The disk is first reread without error correction code. After this certain channel characteristics are changed. The portion of the disk is reread with error correction code, then the head is offset from the track both inwardly and outwardly, then a reread is attempted after changing the variable delta-V detection parameter, and then a second error correction code is used during a reread. The Christensen et al. patent discloses one particular error recovery procedure and the specific step of changing the variable delta-V to recover errors.
There are many different error recovery procedures that feature all sorts of steps other than those shown in the Christensen et al. patent. Other steps that are known in the art of data recovery include electronically varying the timing window used to detect transitions. The timing window can be shifted forward or backward from its on center position to detect transitions which occur either slightly ahead or slightly behind the time which they are supposed to occur in the window.
Another data recovery procedure for recovering read errors is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,165 issued to Cunningham et al. and entitled "Error Recovery Procedure Using Selective Erasure". The Cunningham et al. patent discloses reading and storing the data on the two adjacent tracks on either side of the track containing the error. The adjacent tracks are then each erased and the track containing the error is reread in an attempt to recover the error. This technique allows recovery of data from a track which exhibits consistent errors either because the track was partially occluded by adjoining tracks through writing over a portion of the track of interest due to track misregistration or the data on adjoining tracks was phased and of such a frequency that the lateral readback amplitudes were excessive.
The techniques for data recovery listed above are useful for certain applications. As mentioned previously, there is always a need for a step or apparatus which enhances the ability of a disk drive or magnetic storage unit in recovering data in a track or sector that is difficult to read. | {
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JP 2005-036711A, published by the Japan Patent Office in 2005, discloses a fuel pump which supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine.
The internal combustion engine comprises intake valves and exhaust valves as well as a camshaft which rotates in a fixed relation with the rotation of the engine to open and close the intake valves and exhaust valves. A crank sprocket is fixed to the crankshaft and a valve-driving sprocket is fixed to the camshaft. A timing chain is wrapped around the crank sprocket and the valve-driving sprocket to transmit the rotational force of the crankshaft to the camshaft. Valve-driving cams are fixed to the camshaft to open/close the intake valves and the exhaust valves when the camshaft is rotated by the rotational force of the camshaft.
The fuel pump comprises a pressure chamber delimited by a plunger. A lifter is fixed to the plunger and kept in contact with a fuel-pump-driving cam fixed to the camshaft together with the valve-driving cams.
When the engine operates, the camshaft rotates, and the fuel-pump-driving cam fixed to the camshaft causes the plunger to perform a reciprocating motion via the lifter such that the pressure chamber expands and shrinks alternately. When the pressure chamber expands, fuel is suctioned into the pressure chamber, and when the pressure chamber shrinks, the fuel in the pressure chamber is pressurized and discharged into a fuel passage of the internal combustion engine. | {
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General flat cathode ray tubes are minutely described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,761, 4,710,670, and 4,716,334. The common characteristic of these flat cathode ray tubes is that a foil type shadow mask of the flat faceplate is fixed by a substantially rectangular rim which is bonded to the periphery of the inner surface of the faceplate.
In order to weld the shadow mask to the rim of the flat cathode ray tube, the shadow mask is mounted to an apparatus for tensely stretching the peripheral portion of the shadow mask by extension force applied by the apparatus. Under the condition that the shadow mask is tensely stretched, the shadow mask is welded to the rim which has been bonded to the faceplate.
An example of the aforesaid shadow mask stretching apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, and the related art is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,789.
The conventional stretching apparatus 10 includes a rectangular space 12 confined by a frame 11, and a clamping means 15 of a shadow mask 30 formed at the periphery of the frame 11. The clamping means 15 consists of clamping channel 16 and a clamping clip 17 for being fitted into the clamping channel 16. A pair of opposite jaws 16a are formed at the upper portion of the clamping channel 16, and the clamping clip 17 to be coupled with the channel 16 is a plate bent to be in ".OMEGA." shape.
The process for fixing the shadow mask 30 to the conventional shadow mask stretching apparatus is as follows.
The shadow mask 30 is placed on the stretching apparatus 10. Then, a pair of platens having a heater therein, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,238 for example, are employed for heating the shadow mask 30.
When the shadow mask 30 is sufficiently heated to undergo thermal expansion to a certain extent, a plurality of the clips 17 as a coupling means are respectively inserted into each channel 16 formed in the frame 11 of the stretching apparatus, so that the periphery of the foil type shadow mask 30 is coupled to the frame 11 of the stretching apparatus by the clips 17, as shown in FIG. 1B.
The shadow mask 30 mounted to the stretching apparatus 10 is tensed by cooling to make the periphery of the shadow mask 30 be tightly strained against the stretching apparatus 10 under a constant tensile force.
While the shadow mask is mounted to the stretching apparatus, the faceplate corresponding to the shadow mask is paired together to be processed in a manufacturing process of a phosphor layer.
After the process for forming the phosphor layer on the faceplate is completed, the shadow mask mounted to the stretching apparatus is welded to the rim which is bonded to the faceplate. The shadow mask is then separated from the stretching apparatus, thereby finishing the mounting of the shadow mask to the faceplate.
As shown in FIG. 2, the disadvantages of the conventional stretching apparatus 10 which is employed in the aforesaid process are that the frame 11 of the stretching apparatus is in a rectangular shape, and the clamping means provided thereto is also in a rectangular shape, so that the tensile forces at the center portion and at the corner portion of each side are different from each other. That is, the expansions of the shadow mask along the diagonal direction and along the parallel direction of each side are different from each other by the initial tensile force applied to the shadow mask upon cooling, and the tensile force applied along each direction of the shadow mask is accordingly different from each other. Therefore, the shadow mask is abnormally expanded to result in undesirable deformation of the electron beam passing apertures formed in the shadow mask, or, wrinkling of the shadow mask at the corner portions thereof in some cases. Consequently, the quality of the product is deteriorated, and a realization of a high definition image of television becomes difficult. | {
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The present invention relates to compiling software. More specifically, the invention relates to techniques for reducing the cost of dynamic (i.e., during runtime) class loading and initialization checks in compiled code.
The Java.TM. programming language is an object-oriented high level programming language developed by Sun Microsystems and designed to be portable enough to be executed on a wide range of computers ranging from small devices (e.g., pagers, cell phones and smart cards) up to supercomputers. Computer programs written in Java (and other languages) may be compiled into virtual machine instructions for execution by a Java virtual machine. In general the Java virtual machine is an interpreter that decodes and executes the virtual machine instructions.
The virtual machine instructions for the Java virtual machine are bytecodes, meaning they include one or more bytes. The bytecodes are stored in a particular file format called a "class file" that includes bytecodes for methods of a class. In addition to the bytecodes for methods of a class, the class file includes a symbol table as well as other ancillary information.
A computer program embodied as Java bytecodes in one or more class files is platform independent. The computer program may be executed, unmodified, on any computer that is able to run an implementation of the Java virtual machine. The Java virtual machine is a software emulator of a "generic" computer that is a major factor in allowing computer programs for the Java virtual machine to be platform independent.
The Java virtual machine may be implemented as a software interpreter. Conventional interpreters decode and execute the virtual machine instructions of an interpreted program one instruction at a time during execution, which is in contrast to compilers that decode source code into native machine instructions prior to execution so that decoding is not performed during execution. The Java virtual machine may include both an interpreter and compiler for runtime compilation. Typically, the Java virtual machine will be written in a programming language other than the Java programming language (e.g., the C++ programming language).
At runtime compilation, a Java method may access (for either reading or writing) field of a class that has not been loaded. A Java virtual machine that is compiling the virtual machine instructions into native machine instructions at runtime to increase runtime performance may not have all the information available at the time of compilation. For example, if a class is not loaded then it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine the offset for an instance variable within an instance of the class.
One solution to the problem of unavailable runtime execution information is to generate native machine instructions that check to see if a class is loaded and initialized before fields of classes are accessed. In practice, this solution may do much more harm than good. The runtime checks may degrade the performance of the system much more than the compilation increases the performance.
Another solution to the problem of unavailable runtime execution information would be to load, and possibly initialize, any classes to which runtime execution information is required to compile the virtual machine instructions. Although this may seem like a good solution, it may unnecessarily slow down the system if at runtime execution it is not necessary to load the class. For example, if a statement that modifies a field of an instance of class A is only executed if X=0, then class A may be lazily loaded when X=0 (assuming class A will not be loaded for other reasons). Additionally, it is semantically incorrect to unnecessarily initialize a class because the Java runtime environment is designed to dynamically load classes at runtime only when they are needed. | {
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} |
The present invention relates to a new and distinctive soybean variety designated XB009E11, which has been the result of years of careful breeding and selection in a comprehensive soybean breeding program. There are numerous steps in the development of any novel, desirable soybean variety. Plant breeding begins with the analysis and definition of problems and weaknesses of the current germplasm, the establishment of program goals, and the definition of specific breeding objectives. The next step is selection of germplasm that possess the traits to meet the program goals. The breeder's goal is to combine in a single variety an improved combination of desirable traits from the parental germplasm. These important traits may include, but are not limited to: higher seed yield, resistance to diseases and/or insects, tolerance to drought and/or heat, altered fatty acid profile(s), abiotic stress tolerance, improvements in compositional traits, and better agronomic characteristics.
These product development processes, which lead to the final step of marketing and distribution, can take from six to twelve years from the time the first cross is made until the finished seed is delivered to the farmer for planting. Therefore, development of new varieties is a time-consuming process that requires precise planning, efficient use of resources, and a minimum of changes in direction.
Soybean (Glycine max) is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goal of soybean breeders is to develop stable, high yielding soybean varieties that are agronomically sound. The reasons for this goal are to maximize the amount of grain produced on the land used and to supply food for both animals and humans. To accomplish this goal, the soybean breeder must select and develop soybean plants that have the traits that result in superior varieties.
The soybean is the world's leading source of vegetable oil and protein meal. The oil extracted from soybeans is used for cooking oil, margarine, and salad dressings. Soybean oil is composed of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has a typical composition of 11% palmitic, 4% stearic, 25% oleic, 50% linoleic, and 9% linolenic fatty acid content (“Economic Implications of Modified Soybean Traits Summary Report”, Iowa Soybean Promotion Board & American Soybean Association Special Report 92S, May 1990). Changes in fatty acid composition for improved oxidative stability and nutrition are also important traits. Industrial uses for processed soybean oil include ingredients for paints, plastics, fibers, detergents, cosmetics, and lubricants. Soybean oil may be split, inter-esterified, sulfurized, epoxidized, polymerized, ethoxylated, or cleaved. Designing and producing soybean oil derivatives with improved functionality, oliochemistry, is a rapidly growing field. The typical mixture of triglycerides is usually split and separated into pure fatty acids, which are then combined with petroleum-derived alcohols or acids, nitrogen, sulfonates, chlorine, or with fatty alcohols derived from fats and oils.
Soybean is also used as a food source for both animals and humans. Soybean is widely used as a source of protein for animal feeds for poultry, swine, and cattle. During processing of whole soybeans, the fibrous hull is removed and the oil is extracted. The remaining soybean meal is a combination of carbohydrates and approximately 50% protein.
For human consumption soybean meal is made into soybean flour which is processed to protein concentrates used for meat extenders or specialty pet foods. Production of edible protein ingredients from soybean offers a healthy, less expensive replacement for animal protein in meats as well as dairy-type products. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Radial vibration dampers are used to reduce radial vibrations in rotating shaft systems, and can be mounted internally or externally relative to the shaft with the elastomeric member in direct contact with the shaft. The most desirable radial vibration damper for inside a hollow shaft is one that has a first mode of vibration, as indicated by finite element analysis (FEA), which is sufficiently decoupled from a second mode of vibration. The device must also be easy to insert into the shaft at a designated axial location, and hold its position throughout its operating life. Such a radial vibration damper is typically expensive because the construction is complex and it is unrealistic to invest in expensive injection molds for smaller production runs.
An additional problem encountered while assembling these devices is that the inner diameter of the hollow shaft that receives the radial vibration dampers generally has loose tolerances that do not allow a robust metal-to-metal press-fit. A very effective radial vibration damper of this type is disclosed in Applicants U.S. Pat. No. 9,410,597, issued Aug. 9, 2016. However, the construction comprises a multi-part inertia member with a specially shaped elastomeric member. This complexity of design is required to obtain a proper radial response, i.e., the first mode of vibration being radial with appropriate modal separation between the first mode and the second mode, but it also adds to the overall cost of the damper.
To satisfy cost demands of customers, an internal tube damper that is a torsional vibration damper having a radial mode has been tried, but has proven to be a sub-par solution. The problem with using such a torsional vibration damper is that the axial mode had a lower frequency than the radial mode, as determined by FEA. This is undesirable because the damper could shift location inside the shaft. If the torsional vibration damper moves to a nodal location in the shaft, the damper becomes ineffective.
There is a need for a vibration damper mountable inside or outside of a shaft with the elastomeric member in direct contact with the shaft having the more cost-effective construction similar to the torsional vibration damper discussed above, but being constructed to actually be a radial vibration damper with adequate modal separation between the first mode and the second mode. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to conveying information about events by use of a computer.
A story can be told from several different viewpoints. The different viewpoints can stem from physical differences associated with the viewer's perspective, such as differences in viewer location, lighting, and background noise levels. The differences can also stem from physical differences between different viewers, such as their visual or auditory acuity. The differences can also stem from psychological differences between different viewers, such as their attitudes toward the event or to other events which are distracting them or from cultural differences between different viewers, such as in their interpretation of certain gestures, facial expressions and word usage. The point is that different people will perceive the same event differently.
One of the shortcomings of traditional methods of storytelling is the incapability of the traditional methods to effectively switch perspectives to show a different viewpoint of the same event at the option of the recipient. There is simply no way to switch back and forth between story lines using traditional techniques other than by simultaneously displaying both story lines side by side. Also, little has been done to show how psychological or cultural differences affect a viewer's perceptions.
The conveying of information via computers is a new field. One of the ways in which this new field is different from old methods of conveying information, such as books, movies, television, and video and sound recordings, is in the ability of the user to interact with the information source. Also, accessing particular items of information is nearly instantaneous using the new technology.
A movie technique using a computer to switch perspectives between different viewpoints "on the fly" would be extremely powerful and effective. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Present-day application programs almost never interface directly to the hardware of the computer system in which they execute. Instead, application program interfaces (APIs) call code modules which control the hardware, or which call programmed interfaces at yet lower levels. Most API code modules reside in an operating system (OS), although others may exist in a basic input/output system (BIOS), or in other places. Code modules for API functions typically reside in freestanding dynamic link library (DLL) files each containing routines for carrying out dozens or even hundreds of API functions.
Executing an application program written for one computer processor, operating system, or other platform on another platform requires a program, variously known as an emulator, simulator, interpreter, or translator, to convert instructions, data formats, application-program interfaces (APIs), and other characteristics of the application from those of its original platform to those of the native platform in which the emulator runs. Sometimes the original platform has been replaced, but the old application must still be run on the new platform. Sometimes programs are written to an abstract platform, so that the same application can be executed on numerous different platforms merely by writing an emulator for each native platform that is to host the abstract platform.
An emulator subsystem generally has two major components. The emulator itself converts the original processor instructions from the application into instructions or groups of instructions appropriate to the processor of the new platform, and executes them. An API translation layer "thunks" API calls from the original platform being emulated into calls to APIs written for the native platform; that is, it intercepts API calls made by an application written for the emulated platform, converts their arguments from the calling convention of the original platform to that of the native platform, then calls an appropriate native-platform module for executing the API function. A translation module or "API thunk" is a piece of program code in the translation layer which executes between a particular original API and the operating system running on the native platform.
Conventional practice involves hand-writing thunk code for each new and modified API. However, an API set may change daily during the development of an operating system. Also, the number of APIs can be very large. The Microsoft Windows NT operating system, for example, contains more than 3,500 APIs in 42 different DLL modules. Therefore, manual production of individual API translation code becomes increasingly impractical. Increasingly shorter product cycles compounds this problem.
Some interface modules or thunks have been generated from handwritten descriptors for each separate API. However, these must be maintained separately from the APIs themselves, and thus involve costly additional effort. They also suffer from "synchronization" problems: if one or more modules inadvertently escape an update between one development iteration and the next, their down-level code may mistranslate an API, or may crash the system. Such problems can be difficult to find, thus forcing the entire development effort to wait.
Alternatively, a software tool has been employed to create a set of skeleton API thunks as C-language source files which were then hand-modified. This approach is impractical, in that rerunning the tool destroys all the hand edits. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
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