A multi-color harmonic synthesized laser system for laser processing and a laser processing method using multi-color harmonic synthesized laser are disclosed. The multi-color harmonic synthesized laser system includes a laser source for providing a single laser wave, a converter for converting the single laser wave into a plurality of harmonic waves with different frequencies, and a modulating unit for modulating amplitudes and relative phases of the harmonic waves to form a plurality of modulated harmonic waves, so as to synthesize the modulated harmonic waves as a single synthesized laser wave, wherein the single synthesized laser wave is focused on an object to perform a laser processing. The converter includes a plurality of non-linear crystals for converting the single laser wave into a fundamental harmonic wave and a plurality of multi-frequency harmonic waves. The harmonic waves are coherent and collinear, and the phases of the harmonic waves are related to one another.

A microlaser system includes an optical source, a microlaser, an actuator switch, and a photovoltaic power source. The microlaser, which includes a control element, is optically pumped by at least a portion of light emitted by the optical source. The actuator switch is configured to be activated by a triggering event. Furthermore, the photovoltaic power source is coupled in a series connection with the actuator switch and the control element, the series connection configured to connect the photovoltaic power source to the control element of the microlaser when the actuator switch is activated by the triggering event.

A conduction cooled high power semiconductor laser and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The conduction cooled high power semiconductor laser comprises a heat sink (2) and one or more semiconductor laser units (1). The semiconductor laser unit consists of a laser chip (3), a substrate (4) bonded to the laser chip for heat dissipation and electrical connection, and an insulation plate (5) soldered to the substrate for insulation and heat dissipation. The semiconductor laser unit is soldered on the heat sink with the insulation plate therebetween. The semiconductor laser unit may be tested, aged, and screened in advance, and thereby the yield of the lasers can be improved and the manufacturing costs can be reduced. The laser has desirable heat dissipation performance, high reliability, and is applicable to high temperature and other complex and volatile environments.

A temperature-compensated laser driving circuit for driving a laser component is provided. The temperature-compensated laser driving circuit includes: a temperature compensation circuit, configured to generate a second current based on a first current and a temperature-independent current; and a modulation current generating circuit, configured to generate a modulation current based on the second current, and calibrate optical power output of the laser component based on the modulation current. The first current is proportional to the absolute temperature. The second current and the first current have a slope relative to the absolute temperature respectively, and the slope of the second current relative to the absolute temperature is larger than of the slope of the first current relative to the absolute temperature.

The invention relates to solid state light source, a use of a driver circuit for driving a light emitting element (150) of a solid state light source, a method for driving a light emitting element (150) of a solid state light source and a corresponding computer program. The invention provides that for a large amount of an AC period the light emitting element (150) is directly supplied with the AC input directly forwarded by the driver circuit, wherein nevertheless it is prevented that power exceeding a desired level reaches the light emitting element (150). The invention is aimed at a realization with simplified components and/or reduced costs in comparison to known techniques.

A method of manufacturing an optical semiconductor device including: forming a mesa structure including a first conductivity type cladding layer, an active layer and a second conductivity type cladding layer in this order on a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate, an upper most surface of the mesa structure being constituted of an upper face of the second conductivity type cladding layer; growing a first burying layer burying both sides of the mesa structure at higher position than the active layer; forming an depressed face by etching both edges of the upper face of the second conductivity type cladding layer; and growing a second burying layer of the first conductivity type on the depressed face of the second conductivity type cladding layer and the first burying layer.

A manufacturing method for an excimer laser that includes a reflective Echelle diffraction grating includes obtaining information of a wavelength of a light source, a blazed order, a repetitive pitch of the grating, a material of the grating, and a predefined orientation ratio B/A that is a ratio between that a diffraction efficiency A of the blazed order and a diffraction efficiency Bb of an order lower by one order than the blazed order, and determining an initial value of a blaze angle based upon these pieces of information.

A terahertz light generation device 1 comprises a resonator structure 12 for intensifying incident light and outputting the intensified light and laser oscillation units 10, 11 for feeding the incident light into the resonator structure 12. The incident light comprises first and second incident light components having polarization states different from each other and frequencies different from each other. The laser oscillation units 10, 11 feed the resonator structure 12 with the first and second incident light components at an angle inclined from a principal surface in the resonator structure 12. The resonator structure 12 outputs light having a frequency corresponding to the difference between the respective frequencies of the first and second incident light components.

A method for quasi-synchronous tuning of wavelength or frequency of grating external-cavity semiconductor laser and a corresponding semiconductor laser are provided. A grating or mirror is rotated around a quasi-synchronous tuning point (Pq) as rotation center, so as to achieve the frequency selections by grating and resonance cavity in quasi-synchronous tuning, wherein the angle of the line between the quasi-synchronous tuning point (Pq) and a conventional synchronous tuning point (P0) with respect to the direction of light incident on the grating is determined according to the angle difference between the incidence angle and diffraction angle of light on the grating. According to present invention, approximately synchronous tuning of laser is achieved with a simple and flexible design.

A method for generation of electromagnetic radiation has the following method steps: generation of electromagnetic radiation at a useful frequency,division of the electromagnetic radiation into a useful beam and a secondary beam,frequency shift of the electromagnetic radiation of the secondary beam,control of the useful frequency as determined by a manipulated variable, wherein the manipulated variable is derived from the frequency-shifted radiation of the secondary beam.

A method for fabricating a group-III nitride semiconductor laser device stably supplies laser cavity mirrors having a low lasing threshold current through the use of a semi-polar plane. A blade 5g is forced down through a first region ER1 to keep the first region ER1 squeezed between a support member H2 and a movable member H1 together with a part of a protective sheet TF in contact with the first region ER1 while the tension generated in the area of the protective sheet TF in contact with the first region ER1 with the movable member H1 increases until the semi-polar principal surface SF at an end face EG1 of the first region ER1 tilts by a deflection angle THETA from the semi-polar principal surface SF of a second region ER2, and a force is thereby generated in the first region ER1 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the blade 5g toward the first region ER1. For example, an angle ALPHA is within the range of 71 degrees to 79 degrees, and the deflection angle THETA is within the range of 11 to 19.

A method to tune an emission wavelength of a laser diode (LD) finely is disclosed. The method first controls a temperature of the etalon filter in T1 or T2, where the transmittance of the etalon filter becomes 40 to 50%, assuming a height between the peak and the bottom of the periodic transmittance to be 100%, at the grid wavelength λ1 or λ2, respectively. Then, the temperature of the LD is adjusted such that the intensity of light emitted from the LD and transmitted through the etalon filter becomes 40 to 50%.

Various embodiments of a photonic device and fabrication method thereof are provided. In one aspect, a device includes a substrate, a current confinement layer disposed on the substrate, an absorption layer disposed in the current confinement layer, and an electrical contact layer disposed on the absorption layer. The current confinement layer is doped in a pattern and configured to reduce dark current in the device. The photonic device may be a photodiode or a laser.

Improved brightness and feedback multi-emitter laser diode modules and methods are provided. A plurality of laser diode emitters emit broad-area light beams in a beam direction. In cross-section, each beam is broad in its slow axis and narrow in its fast axis. Groups of downstream optical components collimate, shape, stack and direct the beams along a light path towards a beam spot (which may be fiber-coupled). After collimating, stacking and directing, the beams are Fourier transformed in the fast-axis through a lens feature having a fast-axis focal length less than about 3 millimeters. In some embodiments, the fast-axis focal length is between about 0.1 and 2.0 millimeters. Astigmatism may be introduced between the fast axis and the slow axis in the beams upstream of the lens feature and in accordance with the fast axis focal length of the lens feature. The emitters may receive feedback including wavelength locking feedback.

A method of using a folding apparatus to form an outsert having product information printed thereon comprises making a plurality of folds in a first direction in a sheet of paper; aking a plurality of folds in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to form folded articles; making another fold in said second direction to form an outsert including causing a movable member of a folding apparatus to make contact with and move an intermediate portion of a folded article towards a pair of adjustably-spaced folding members, at least one of said adjustably-spaced folding members having a position that is adjustable to allow said adjustably-spaced folding members to be adjustably spaced apart from each other by a distance that is within a range defined by a lower boundary of 0.25 inches and an upper boundary of 0.45 inches.

The present invention relates to a system and method for creating customized products using a product identification device. In some embodiments, the process involves receiving an aggregate order for yearbooks, creating a master list associated with the aggregate order and including single orders, associating at least one number with each single order, manufacturing a first portion of a yearbook for each single order with a first identifier associated with that portion and also being associated with the at least one number, manufacturing a second portion of the yearbook for the single order with a second identifier associated with that portion and also being associated with the at least one number, and combining the first portion with the second portion.

A cover applier is provided. The cover applier includes a transport system transporting a book, a cover delivery delivering a cover to a book, the cover delivery driven by a servomotor, a book sensor detecting an image printed on the book prior to the cover being delivered to the book and a cover sensor detecting an image printed on the cover prior to the cover being delivered to the book. The servomotor adjusting the position of the cover with respect to the book as a function of the book sensor and cover sensor. A method is also provided.

A wire-bound product using a double type laminated paper board and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The wire-bound product employs a structure in which inner paper sheets are turned over in the rightward and leftward directions on front plates of a frame, instead a structure in which a plurality of inner paper sheets is turned over toward the rear surface of a frame, thereby allowing a user to see both surfaces of the inner paper sheets. Further, rear plates of the frame are inserted into various positions of a spring to support the front plates, thereby allowing a standing angle of the front plates of the frame to be adjustable.

A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.

An adhesive applicator is disclosed for the application of a hot melt adhesive to the spine of a book block so as to adhesively bind the book block to its respective cover so as to form a perfect bound book. The applicator has a heated head in which a small quantity of a hot melt adhesive sufficient to bind at least one book block to its cover is quickly heated to a temperature such that it may be applied to the spine. The head is brought into operative engagement with the spine and is moved with respect to the spine so that the melted adhesive forced (dispensed) out of the head onto the spine. This applicator is particularly well suited for use with print on demand book printing and binding apparatus. A method of applying the adhesive to the spine of a book block is also disclosed.

In an embodiment, a booklet conveying device includes: a pair of conveying units; a positioning unit; a pressing unit; and a conveying-force changing unit. The pair of conveying units convey a booklet made of a stack of folded sheets, and change a distance therebetween. The positioning unit positions the booklet by making a leading-end portion of the booklet abut thereto. The pressing unit presses the booklet positioned by the positioning unit onto one of the conveying units in order to fix. The conveying-force changing unit changes the conveying force exerted by the conveying units.

Method and device for manufacturing adhesively bound printed products composed of a book block and a cover, in which the book block is conducted past processing stations of the adhesive binding device for processing and applying glue to its back. A cover is supplied to the back to which glue has been applied in a synchronously timed controlled manner. After merging of the cover with the book block, a measuring procedure for measuring a mutual actual position of cover relative to book block. Subsequently, this actual position is compared to a predetermined desired position, and, in the case of deviations, a correction value is determined and stored. Prior to the renewed occurrence of the pairing of drive member and clamp, an appropriate change of the mutual positions of clamp and drive member is carried out.

Theres is disclosed a device (10) for manufacturing a notepad (15) comprising a stack of sheets, a first side of each sheet having an adhesive to attach the first side to a reverse face of a sheet immediately facing said first side in said stack. The device (10) including a sheet feeder (20) for loading one or more loose sheets (24) of similar dimensions with the reverse face of each sheet (24) in said stack facing in the same direction and feeding each said sheet downstream of said device (10). A cutting means (40) is provided to cut each sheet (24) or a number of said sheets (24) to predetermined dimensions. An adhesive applicator (60) applies adhesive to a portion or portions of the first side of each sheet (24). A stacking means (100) stacks the cut sheets one on top of the other whereby a forming means (120) forms the cut sheets together to form the notepad (15).

In order to form stacks, of which each forms a book block, folded sheets are provided with an adhesive application or layer of adhesive before they are placed on one another. Said adhesive application is applied to the sheets adjacent to the folded edge of said sheets and extends in the direction of said folded edge which comes to lie in the spine of the book block. The adhesive can be applied as a continuous track or as a track which is interrupted multiple times, or else in a punctiform manner. The sheets are joined to one another in the stack by means of said adhesive application, with the result that they maintain their position within the stack during further transport of the stack.

Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the depth of a layer of a layer of adhesive on a peripheral surface of a rotary member (e.g., a wheel) for the application of the adhesive to an object. The apparatus comprises a heated reservoir containing a supply of hot melt adhesive maintained within a desired temperature range, where the rotary member is partially immersed in the adhesive and is rotated by a motor such that the as the rotary member is rotated up out of the peripheral surface of the rotary member has the layer of adhesive thereon. A computer controls system controls the motor such that the speed of the rotary member may be increased or decreased so as to vary the depth of the adhesive on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.

There is provided a decoloring device including a decoloring unit, a first sheet conveying unit, a first sheet feed unit, a thickness detecting unit, a decolorability determining unit, and a second sheet feed unit. The first sheet conveying unit conveys the sheet to the decoloring unit. The first sheet feed unit feeds the sheet to the first sheet conveying unit. The decolorability determining unit determines whether or not the sheet which is subject to thickness detecting is decolorable by the decoloring unit based on a detection result in the thickness detecting unit. A second sheet feed unit is disposed at a downstream side in relation to the thickness detecting unit and at an upstream side in relation to the decoloring unit in a sheet conveying path by the first sheet conveying unit and feeds the sheet to the first sheet conveying unit.

A book binding machine includes a collating machine, a perfect binder and a transfer device disposed between the collating machine and the perfect binder. The collating machine and the perfect binder are actuated by a common control device. In each case, one transport segment is assigned to a respective book block clamp by the control device. The control device also has a program which, if a defective or missing book block clamp is detected, actuates the collating machine in such a way that no book block is collated for that book block clamp. A method for operating a book binding machine is also provided.

Methods for creating customized children's storybooks with fingerprint art using fingerprint-ready templates stored in association with a software application on a desktop computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone. The methods include the use of preconfigured templates and prompted discussions that elicit responses from the child to create text for the storybook. The text may be generated by speech recognition software processing digital audio recordings of the child's responses. A digital image of the child's fingerprint is acquired and the fingerprint image and/or the storybook scenes are scaled to fit each other. Fingerprint-ready image templates are used to facilitate the creation of fingerprint art. A completed page image is formed by digitally inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-shaped area, and if desired, coloring the image or drawing a scene around the image. When the scenes are completed the software application compiles the book pages and prints the same.

A method and a device for pressing a book block over the rounded back of a book block having a longitudinal axis extending in the center and along the back. The book block is clamped between two clamping jaws of a clamping device, in a region adjacent to the back of the book block, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back. A pressing device presses a pressing member against the back, wherein the pressing member is placed approximately in the center of the back onto the book block back. At least a section of the pressing member is then moved across the back. Once the pressing member, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back, is placed onto the back it then moves along at least one continuously preselected movement path over the back.

The blind rivet for fastening together a plurality of mounted components with mounting holes comprises a rivet body having a sleeve, a flange and a through hole; a mandrel having a slender stem and a head; and a washer. The head of the mandrel is adjacent to the sleeve-side end portion of the rivet body, the stem of the mandrel extends through the rivet body from the flange-side end portion, and the washer is mounted near the flange on the outer periphery of the sleeve of the rivet body. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve adjacent to the flange is swaged to form a recessed portion so that the diameter in the other position is enlarged. The washer is pushed onto the enlarged-diameter portion and secured. The mounted components are fastened together between the enlarged end portion of the sleeve and the washer.

A manufacturing method and device for supporting conductors. Using a non-metallic insulating material extending beyond one or both parallel legs of a staple the thumb and forefinger may grip this extension while the staple is being driven into a supporting structure. This finger grip allows for a small, insulated staple to be held with increased safety to thumb and forefinger during penetration of staple into support.

Bushing assemblies include a first tubular end portion, a second tubular end portion, and a middle tubular portion. The middle tubular portion has a longitudinal compressive strength that is less than that of the end portions. In some embodiments, the middle tubular portion is constructed of braided sleeving. Also disclosed are bushing assembly kits, apparatuses that include bushing assemblies, such as aircraft, and associated methods of utilizing bushing assemblies.

A method for applying compression to a joint includes providing an intramedullary fixation assembly having a proximal screw member positioned at a proximal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly and a lag screw member positioned at a distal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly. Medullary canals are drilled in a first and second bone and the medullary canals are reamed. The proximal screw member is inserted into the first bone and a drill is used create a dorsal hole in the first bone. The lag screw member is slideably coupled to the dorsal hole and to the proximal screw member and into the second medullary canal. A torque is applied to the lag screw member to apply compression to the joint.

A nut assembly and a holddown assembly using the nut assembly are described, including methods of manufacture and assembly. The nut assembly may include a body portion having first and second openings with an internal wall extending between them. A rotation-inhibiting wall may be included between the first and second openings. A nut portion configured to move axially within the internal wall of the body portion includes structures for co-acting with a rotation-inhibiting wall to limit or prevent rotation of the body portion and the nut portion relative to each other. A nut portion and a body portion extending around the nut portion have limited axial movement relative to each other due to axial engagement between adjacent surfaces on the nut portion and the body portion.

A system and method for positioning a tool. The system includes a base member configured to contact a first decking member and a second decking member; at least one base guide including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end coupled to the base member, the at least one base guide configured to position the base member relative to the first decking member and the second decking member; and an adjustable section coupled to the base member, the adjustable section configured to allow adjustment of at least one of a position and an angle of the tool relative to the base member. The system further includes a fastener configured to secure the first and/or second decking members to a joist.

An improved retention pin assembly and method of forming a pin assembly that uses a melt in a pocket without a metallurgical joint having been formed. The assembly can be generated by a method of forming a joint which includes providing a metal shaft and a member that is operable to receive the shaft. A pocket is formed within the member which operates to receive a melt pool. Next the shaft is inserted into apertures in the member. A welding or melting operation is then performed to create a melted portion that occupies the pocket. A joint is created using a retention pin.

In a mobile terminal having a security function, both convenience and security protection are realized so as to prevent a user from feeling bothersome. A mobile phone has an operation control unit which sets the operation of various functions of the mobile terminal to be unusable at any timing. When a used state determination unit determines that the mobile phone is not in an abnormal state and not left, the operation control unit controls operation of the various functions to maintain usable states.

Panel fasteners, panel assemblies, methods of assembly and installation of panel assemblies and panel fasteners, anchor systems, anchor systems with captive fasteners and assemblies are disclosed.

A shift register and driving method thereof, a gate driving apparatus and a display apparatus, the shift register comprises a pulling-up unit(21), a precharging and resetting unit(22), an output signal terminal at present stage(OUTPUT), a pulling-down unit(23), an input terminal connected to an output signal terminal of a shift register at previous stage(OUTF), an input terminal connected to an output signal terminal of a shift register at next stage(OUTL), and a scan control signal input terminal(INPUT), wherein: the precharging and resetting unit(22) precharges a gate of a first thin film transistor(T1) included in the pulling-up unit(21) and resets its potential; the pulling-down unit(23) pulls down a potential at the gate of the first thin film transistor(T1) and the output signal at present stage after the precharging and resetting unit(22) resets the potential at the gate of the first thin film transistor(T1), so that the pulling-up unit(21) is turned off and the output signal at present stage is at a low level. The present shift register realizes a bidirectional gate driving scan from up to down or from down to up by a conversion control for high-low levels of input signals.

A scan driving apparatus includes a plurality of sequentially arranged scan driving blocks, each including: a first node configured to receive a first clock signal; a second node configured to receive an input signal according to a second clock signal input; a first transistor having a gate electrode coupled to the first node, a first electrode configured to receive a power source voltage, and a second electrode coupled to an output terminal; and a second transistor having a gate electrode coupled to the second node, a first electrode for receiving a third clock signal, and a second electrode coupled to the output terminal. Each scan driving block is configured to receive the first, second, and third clock signals as a corresponding three clock signals among four clock signals sequentially shifted by a first period, and to output the third clock signal by being synchronized with the input signal.

Methods, systems and devices are provided for displaying monitored activity data in substantial real-time on a screen of a computing device. One example method includes capturing motion data associated with activity of a user via an activity tracking device. The motion data is quantified into a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user. The method includes connecting the activity tracking device with a computing device over a wireless data connection, and sending motion data from the activity tracking device to the computing device for display of one or more of the plurality of metrics on a graphical user interface of the computing device. At least one of the plurality of metrics displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in substantial real-time based on the motion data.

Methods, devices and system are provided. One method includes capturing activity data associated with activity of a user via a device. The activity data is captured over time, and the activity data is quantifiable by a plurality of metrics. The method includes storing the activity data in storage of the device and, from time to time, connecting the device with a computing device over a wireless communication link. The method defines using a first transfer rate for transferring activity data captured and stored over a period of time. The first transfer rate is used following startup of an activity tracking application on the computing device The method also defines using a second transfer rate for transferring activity data from the device to the computing device for display of the activity data in substantial-real time on the computing device.

A shift register circuit includes a first shift register string and a second shift register string. The first shift register string is configured to receive a first start signal and output a first-stage control signal. The second shift register string, electrically connected to the first shift register string, is configured to receive the first-stage control signal and a second start signal and output the first pulse of a first-stage scan signal according to the first-stage control signal and the second start signal and consequently output the second pulse of the first-stage scan signal according to the second start signal; wherein the first and second pulses are configured to have different pulse widths. A driving method of a shift register circuit is also provided.

A method and system for synchronizing the output signal phase of a plurality of frequency divider circuits in a local-oscillator (LO) or clock signal path is disclosed. The LO path includes a plurality of frequency divider circuits and a LO buffer for receiving a LO signal coupled to the plurality of frequency divider circuits. The method and system comprise adding offset voltage and setting predetermined state to each of the frequency divider circuits; and enabling the frequency divider circuits. The method and system includes enabling the LO buffer to provide the LO signal to the frequency divider circuits after they have been enabled. When the LO signal drives each of the frequency divider circuits, each of the frequency divider circuits starts an operation. Finally the method and system comprise removing the offset voltage from each of the frequency divider circuits to allow them to effectively drive other circuits.

An open loop clock divider circuit includes (a) a first divider configured to receive an incoming clock signal and output a first divided clock signal, (b) a flying-adder synthesizer configured to fractionally divide the first divided clock signal and output a fractionally divided clock signal, and (c) a second divider configured to receive the fractionally divided clock signal and output a second divided clock signal. The open loop clock divider circuit advantageously provides a fractional divider in which there is no feedback loop between the source frequency (fs) and the destination frequency (fd). Methods of generating a divided clock signal involving the open loop clock divider circuit are also disclosed.

One of the most important RF building blocks today is the frequency synthesizer, or more particularly the programmable frequency divider (divider). Such dividers preferably would support unlimited range with continuous division without incorrect divisions or loss of PLL lock. The inventors present multi-modulus dividers (MMDs) providing extended division range against the prior art and without incorrect divisions as the division ratio is switched back and forth across the boundary between two different ranges. Accordingly, the inventors present MMD frequency dividers without the drawbacks within the prior art.

A display apparatus and a method for generating gate signal thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes a timing controller and a display panel. The timing controller is used for providing a plurality of timing signals. The display panel includes a pixel array and a gate drive circuit. The pixel array has a plurality of pixels. The gate drive circuit is electrically connected to the timing controller and the pixel array and including a plurality of shift register circuits. The shift register circuit includes a first shift register and a second shift register. The first shift register is configured for generating a corresponding primary gate signal. The second shift register is configured for generating a corresponding secondary gate signal. The timing controller adjusts overlapping relations of the timing signals according to a frame rate of the display apparatus.

A counter configured to perform counting at both edges of an input clock to output an additional value or a subtraction value for a previous count value and a next count value includes a first latch circuit that latches the input clock, a second latch circuit that latches an output from the first latch circuit, a holding section that holds data of the 0th bit of a count value, and a correction section that performs count correction on data of the first and subsequent bits of the count value on the basis of an output of the second latch circuit.

A system for optimizing storage in an enclosed transport trailer (6), having transverse bearing beams (2) for supporting a load such as loaded pallets (12, 13) at a mid height of the trailer such that two storage levels are available. The beams have a wheel (10) at each end that runs in a horizontal track (11) attached to each side wall of the trailer, the track enclosing the wheels to prevent them from disengaging from the track. Adjacent beams can be attached together at variable spacings using a spacer bar (15) to suit a particular pallet or load size. The track has a junction adjacent the open end (20) of the trailer that leads up to another track (18) immediately below the roof line where the beams can be moved to an out of the way storage position (19) when not required.

A vehicle restraint system includes a strap assembly configured to be positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle to secure the vehicle to a deck of a transport. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the deck of the transport on a first side of the tire of the vehicle. The system also includes a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly on a second side of the tire of the vehicle, opposite the first side. The system further includes a winch assembly configured to be coupled to the deck of the transport and the mandrel assembly on the second side of the tire of the vehicle, the winch assembly configured to rotate the mandrel assembly to produce a tightening force to tighten the strap assembly around the portion of the tire. The system still further includes a release mechanism disposed between the winch assembly and the mandrel assembly and configured to create a coupling between the winch assembly and the mandrel assembly in a manner that transmits the tightening force from the winch assembly to the mandrel assembly. The release mechanism is configured to release the coupling between the winch assembly and the mandrel assembly when a force greater than or equal to a predetermined force is produced against the release mechanism.