An artificial cartilage is provided whereby a fixed negative charged hydrogel has been infused within a restrictive swelling network, which limits and restricts the thickness of the artificial cartilage. At least 60% of the volume of the artificial cartilage is composed of the restricted and swollen hydrogel. The restrictive swelling network restricts the hydrogel to swell not more than 10% with respect to its maximum swelling capacity, i.e. a swelling capacity to swell 10-fold more is retained. The hydrogel within the restrictive swelling network has an equilibrium stiffness between 0.5 and 2 MPa to resist external loads applied to the top surface layer or the bottom surface layer of the artificial cartilage. The hydrogel has a fixed negative charge density of −0.17 to −0.23 mEg/ml and is capable of swelling between 2-15 times compared to the volume of the hydrogel without being restricted.

Defective articular cartilage frequently occurs, is painful and requires treatment. Current clinical solutions have average success rates of 40-80%. Several of these approaches are based on replacement of damaged cartilage by an implant while others aim to regenerate native cartilage. Although some approaches are effective for specific defects in certain patients, a general solution for cartilage replacement/regeneration does not yet exist and each approach comes with significant limitations.
Limitations of available implants are that their mechanical properties do not mimic those of natural cartilage, create damaging high stress/strains in adjacent and opposing cartilage, their size is predefined and cannot be adjusted intra-operatively, and they do not allow post-operative MRI.
Regenerative techniques, e.g. micro-fracturing and (M)ACI (Matrix-associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation), are not immediately load-bearing and only successful in young patients with considerable regenerative potential, while transplantation techniques, such as mosaicplasty, have the disadvantage that it requires damaging healthy cartilage at another location in the joint.
The present invention is intended to provide a general and functional solution for the repair of defective cartilage.

Biomimetic functional and regenerative cartilage implant


A USB (Universal Serial Bus) OTG (On-The-Go) controller device and more generally a serial bus control circuit chip are provided which have improved port handler implementations. In one example, different port handler units may be provided which selectively support host and device functionality at the respective ports. In another example, a first port handler for providing host functionality and a second port handler for providing device functionality are provided which are of substantially the same hardware structure. In a further example, at least one port handler is provided that has a low level protocol module for handling packet assembly and/or disassembly, a transfer buffer module for buffering incoming or outgoing data to average out system memory latencies, and a memory access module for generating memory requests in compliance with host and/or device functionality.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to USB (Universal Serial Bus) OTG (On-The-Go) controller devices and more generally to integrated circuit chips having circuitry for controlling data transfer to and/or from at least one peripheral device which selectively has device or host functionality and which is connected to a serial bus.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Universal Serial Bus was originally developed in 1995 to define an external expansion bus which facilitates the connection of additional peripherals to a computer system. The USB technique is implemented by PC (Personal Computer) host controller hardware and software and by peripheral friendly master-slave protocols and achieves robust connections and cable assemblies. USB systems are extendable through multi-port hubs.
In USB systems, the role of the system software is to provide a uniform view of the input/output architecture for all applications software by hiding hardware implementation details. In particular, it manages the dynamic attach and detach of peripherals and communicates with the peripheral to discover its identity. During run time, the host initiates transactions to specific peripherals, and each peripheral accepts its transactions and response accordingly.
Hubs are incorporated to the system to provide additional connectivity for USB peripherals, and to provide managed power to attached devices. The peripherals are slaves that must react to request transactions sent from the host. Such request transactions include requests for detailed information about the device and its configuration.
While these functions and protocols were already implemented in the USB 1.1 specification, this technique was still improved in order to provide a higher performance interface. FIG. 1 illustrates an example USB 2.0 system that comprises a host controller 100, a number of USB devices 115, 120, 125, 130, and two hubs 105, 110. In the system of FIG. 1, the hubs 105, 110 are introduced for increasing connectivity, but in other USB systems, the USB devices can be connected directly to the host controller 100.
As mentioned above, USB 2.0 provides a higher performance interface, and the speed improvement may be up to a factor of 40. Moreover, as apparent from FIG. 1, USB 2.0 is backwards compatible with USB 1.1 because it allows for connecting USB 1.1 devices 120, 125, 130 to be driven by the same host controller 100. There may even be used USB 1.1 hubs 110.
As can be seen from FIG. 1, a USB 1.1 device 120 can be connected directly to a USB 2.0 hub 105. Moreover, it can also be connected directly to the host controller 100. This is made possible by the capability of USB 2.0 host controllers and hubs to negotiate higher as well as lower transmission speeds on a device-by-device basis.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the system software and hardware of a USB 2.0 system is illustrated. The system components can be organized hierarchically by defining several layers as shown in the figure.
In the uppermost layer, the client driver software 200 executes on the host PC and corresponds to a particular USB device 230. The client software is typically part of the operating system or provided with the device.
The USB driver 205 is a system software bus driver that abstracts the details of the particular host controller driver 210, 220 for a particular operating system. The host controller drivers 210, 220 provide a software layer between a specific hardware 215, 225, 230 and the USB driver 205 for providing a driver-hardware interface.
While the layers discussed so far are software implemented, the uppermost hardware component layer includes the host controllers 215, 225. These controllers are connected to the USB device 230 that performs the end user function.
As apparent from the figure, there is one host controller 225 which is an enhanced host controller (EHC) for the high speed USB 2.0 functionality. This host controller operates in compliance with the EHCI (Enhanced Host Controller Interface) specification for USB 2.0. On the software side, host controller 225 has a specific host controller driver (EHCD) 220 associated.
Further, there are host controllers 215 for full and low speed operations. The UHCI (Universal Host Controller Interface) or OHCI (Open Host Controller Interface) are the two industry standards applied in the universal or open host controllers (UHC/OHC) 215 for providing USB 1.1 host controller interfaces. The host controllers 215 have assigned universal/open host controller drivers (UHCD/OHCD) 210 in the lowest software level.
Thus, the USB 2.0 compliant host controller system comprises driver software and host controller hardware which must be compliant to the EHCI specification. While this specification defines the register-level interface and associated memory-resident data structures, it does not define nor describe the hardware architecture required to build a compliant host controller.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the hardware components of a common motherboard layout are depicted. The basic elements found on a motherboard may include the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 300, a northbridge 305, a southbridge 310, and system memory 315. The northbridge 305 is usually a single chip in a core-logic chipset that connects the processor 300 to the system memory 315 and the AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port) and PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) buses. The PCI bus is commonly used in personal computers for providing a data path between the processor and peripheral devices like video cards, sound cards, network interface cards and modems. The AGP bus is a high-speed graphic expansion bus that directly connects the display adapter and system memory 315. AGP operates independently of the PCI bus. It is to be noted that other motherboard layouts exist that have no northbridge in it, or that have a northbridge without AGP or PCI options.
The southbridge 310 is usually the chip in a system core-logic chipset that controls the IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) or EIDE (Enhanced IDE) bus, the USB bus, that provides plug-n-play support, controls a PCI-ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bridge, manages the keyboard/mouse controller, provides power management features, and controls other peripherals.
USB functionality is often implemented in a southbridge device or in other companion chips that may be part of a personal computer's chipset. As described above, this functionality provides a popular interface for exchanging data between the computer that has built in the southbridge or companion chip, and peripherals.
In order to allow low-power devices to have limited host capabilities, the "On-The-Go Supplement to the USB 2.0 Specification" has been drafted. The supplement defines two protocols: SRP (Session Request Protocol), which lets a peripheral device ask the host to turn on the USB power, and HNP (Host Negotiation Protocol), which lets a peripheral device become the USB host. Thus, the supplement to the USB 2.0 specification allows a portable device to take on the role of a limited USB host without the burden of supporting all of the USB functions of a personal computer.
Besides others, the OTG supplement specifies dual-role devices that may be operated in full speed (and optionally in high speed) as peripheral, and further in full speed (and optionally in low and high speed) as host. Further, an A-device is specified to be a host at the start of a session. Under certain conditions, the A-device will relinquish the role of host to a dual-role B-device. A B-device is a peripheral at the start of a session. If the device is dual-role, it may be granted the role of host from the A-device.
One way to create a USB 2.0 OTG dual-role device controller has been described in the German patent application number 10 2004 057 756.0 entitled "USB On-The-Go Controller", filed Nov. 30, 2004. A similar arrangement is shown in FIG. 4.
The USB controller device 400 of FIG. 4 has host control units 225, 215, a device control unit 410, a bridge 405, and an OTG controller 415. The host control units form an EHC/UHC/OHC combination and the OTG controller 415 implements OTG functionality to the USB controller device 400. Further, there is a port router 420 for controlling access of the host control units 225, 215 and the device control unit 410 to the shared physical port.
This bundle approach has specific advantages since it may use well-defined, partially even silicon-proven blocks and it allows the use of existing driver software with just some additional OTG controller driver modifications. Further, the arrangement of FIG. 4 may be potentially implemented in a quite short development time.
However, this approach may lead to a non-integrated, non-coherent cluster of designs with different bus interfaces for each part, and may further have a higher degree of redundancy resulting in a considerable size penalty. For instance, the total size of the USB controller device shown in FIG. 4 may be estimated to be in the range of 330 to 390 kgates. Further, as far as the approach of FIG. 4 uses existing designs which have not been optimized for low power consumption, this device may require further circuit development to reduce the power consumption. Moreover, at least the conventional EHCI software interface may create a significant amount of redundant traffic on the system bus, and the bundle approach of FIG. 4 may further lead to long combinational paths in certain situations.

Unified controller having host and device functionality


In an example, an apparatus includes a level-shifting circuit and a ramp detector. The level-shifting circuit has a current choke and a transistor coupled across the current choke, the level-shifting circuit adapted to be coupled to a first voltage source. The ramp detector has a ramp detector input adapted to be coupled to the first voltage source and a ramp detector output coupled to the transistor, the ramp detector adapted to be coupled to a second voltage source.

A level shifter is a circuit, component, or device that translates a received input signal from a first voltage domain or logic level to a second voltage domain or logic level for providing as an output signal. The output signal may be greater in value than the input signal or lesser in value than the input signal. A level shifter may be uni-directional or bi-directional and may facilitate compatibility between components or devices that may otherwise not be compatible based on their respective voltage specifications (e.g., such as the respective voltage domains in which the components operate).


An electronic endoscope includes a white light source, an excitation light source, an imaging device, and a light amount controller. The white light source emits white light for illuminating a subject. The excitation light source emits excitation light for generating fluorescent light on the subject. The imaging device generates first image signals by receiving reflected light of the white light, and generates second image signals by receiving the fluorescent light. The light amount controller controls the amount of the white light to lower the difference between a reflected light luminance and a fluorescent light luminance, so that a normal image corresponding to the first image signals and a fluorescent image corresponding to the second image signals that are both real-time images representing the same subject at the time of receiving the reflected light and the fluorescent light can be generated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope, especially to an electronic endoscope that can display a fluorescent image.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, an electronic endoscope that enables a so-called fluorescence observation is known. In such an electronic endoscope, the property is utilized that when excitation light is emitted, a normal part of an observation subject generates fluorescent light; on the other hand, a diseased part, such as a cancer part, generates no fluorescent light. In certain such electronic endoscopes, a plurality of imaging optical systems are provided, so that a fluorescent image and a normal image based on reflected light of white light are generated and displayed on a monitor simultaneously.
On the other hand, in a current electronic endoscope that enables a fluorescence observation and that has a single imaging optical system, obtained normal images and fluorescent images are once stored, then processes are carried out on each of them. After carrying out the processes, a normal image and a fluorescent image are displayed on a monitor. The reason for carrying out different processes for a normal image and for a fluorescent image is that the fluorescent light from a body organ based on the excitation light is weaker than the reflected light of the white light, so that image signals based on the fluorescent light should be amplified; on the other hand, amplifying image signals based on the reflected light of the white light may cause halation in a normal image, so a subject may not be observed.
Providing a plurality of imaging optical systems in an electronic endoscope complicates the device, increases the manufacturing cost. On the other hand, in a current electronic endoscope having a single imaging optical system, a normal image and a fluorescent image as real time images of the same subject can not be generated by brightness control, and can not be displayed.


A fuel tank isolation solenoid valve for a vehicle includes: a plunger disposed in the isolation solenoid valve to be vertically moved and has first vent holes for releasing overpressure or over-negative pressure; a valve body disposed in the isolation solenoid valve to be vertically moved and has second vent holes for releasing overpressure or over-negative pressure.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Referring to FIG. 1, a fuel tank 10 for a vehicle is connected to a canister 20, which is configured to collect evaporation gas of fuel and to purge the evaporation gas to the combustion chamber in an engine 30 such that the evaporation gas is burned in the combustion chamber.
To this end, the inlet 21 of the canister 20 and the fuel tank 10 are connected to each other via a discharge line 13 disposed therebetween, and the outlet 22 of the canister 20 and an engine intake duct are connected to each other via a purge line 14 disposed therebetween.
The canister 20 is provided therein with a collector (not shown), configured to adsorb and collect evaporation gas, and is provided with a discharge port 23 through which the remaining purified air excluding the evaporation gas collected at the collector is discharged to the outside.
Consequently, the fuel in the fuel tank 10 is supplied to the engine 30 through a fuel supply line 12 so as to be burned by operation of a fuel pump 11 mounted in the fuel tank 10, and the evaporation gas from the fuel in the fuel tank 10 is collected in the canister 20 through the discharge line 13, and is supplied to the engine 30 through the purge line 14 so as to be burned due to the negative intake pressure of the engine.
Hybrid vehicles, particularly plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) travel in an EV traveling mode using a drive motor. However, when evaporated gas is maximally collected in the canister 20, the collection of the evaporation gas which is continuously introduced from the fuel tank 10 is limited.
Although the evaporation gas collected in the canister 20 is purged to the engine so as to be burned when the hybrid vehicle is converted into an HEV traveling mode in which the engine is operated, the evaporation gas is continuously introduced from the fuel tank 10 beyond the collection capacity of the canister 20 in a parked or stopped state or an EV traveling mode.
Accordingly, when the evaporation gas is continuously introduced into the canister 20 from the fuel tank 10 in the state in which the evaporation gas is maximally collected in the canister 20, the evaporation gas exceeding the collection capacity of the canister 20 is not collected in the canister, but is discharged to the atmosphere through the discharge port 23, thereby causing a problem of air pollution.
A fuel tank isolation solenoid valve (FTIV) 200 is mounted on the discharge line 13 connected both to the fuel tank 10 and to the inlet 21 of the canister 20 such that isolation solenoid valve 200 is closed or opened so as to block or permit flow of the evaporation gas to the canister 20 from the fuel tank 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
The isolation solenoid valve 200, which is a solenoid-type isolation solenoid valve configured to be opened upon application of power, is normally maintained in the closed state but is opened only when the engine is operated or the fuel tank is refueled.
More specifically, the isolation solenoid valve 200 is maintained in the closed state in a normal situation, in which the engine is not operated, as in a parked or stopped state or an EV traveling mode. However, the isolation solenoid valve 200 is opened by application of power in response to a signal from a controller (for example, an engine control unit; ECU) upon operation of the engine or by application of power in response to a signal from a controller (for example, a body control unit; BCM) upon refueling.
Consequently, when the isolation solenoid valve 200 is maintained in the closed state, the evaporation gas in the fuel tank 10 is hermetically stored in the fuel tank 10 without flowing into the canister 20, thereby inhibiting the evaporation gas from being discharged to the atmosphere through the canister 20.
Meanwhile, when the isolation solenoid valve 200 is opened upon operation of the engine, the evaporation gas in the fuel tank 10 is collected in the canister 20 through the opened isolation solenoid valve 200, and the evaporated gas collected in the canister 20 is purged to the engine so as to be burned due to the negative intake pressure of the engine.
In addition, when the isolation solenoid valve 200 is opened upon refueling of the fuel tank, the evaporation gas in the fuel tank 10 is collected in the canister 20 through the opened isolation solenoid valve 200, and the internal pressure in the fuel tank 10 is released, thereby allowing the fuel tank to be easily refueled.
At this time, when a refueling button in the vehicle is pushed by a user, the controller (for example, the body control unit; BCM) performs control to check whether the isolation solenoid valve 200 is opened for release of the internal pressure in the fuel tank and to open an electrical fuel door 40.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the isolation solenoid valve 200 is further provided at one side thereof with a positive and negative pressure relief valve 210, which is a kind of safety valve.
The relief valve 210 is normally maintained in the closed state. However, when overpressure (positive pressure), which is higher than a reference pressure, acts on the isolation solenoid valve 200 from the fuel tank 10, the relief valve 210 operates to open the bypass path provided therein toward the canister 20 so as to release the overpressure. Furthermore, when over-negative pressure, which is lower than the reference pressure, acts to the isolation solenoid valve 200 from the canister 20, the relief valve 210 operates to cause the bypass path to be opened toward the fuel tank 10 so as to release the over-negative pressure.
However, we have discovered that because the conventional isolation solenoid valve is further provided with the relief valve, the conventional isolation solenoid valve has the following disadvantages.
First, because the relief valve is provided at one side of the isolation solenoid valve so as to project laterally, the overall size of the isolation solenoid valve is increased and package layout to mount the isolation solenoid valve including the relief valve to a vehicle body is desired.
Second, because the relief valve is additionally mounted on the isolation solenoid valve, the number of components and manufacturing costs increase.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Fuel tank isolation solenoid valve for vehicle


An organic light-emitting diode display is disclosed. The display includes a scan line formed over a substrate and configured to carry a scan signal. First and second data lines are adjacent to each other and crossing the scan line. The first and second data lines are configured carry a data voltage. A driving voltage line crossing the scan line is configured to carry a driving voltage, and a switching transistor is electrically connected to the scan line and the data line and includes a switching drain electrode configured to output the data voltage. A driving transistor includes a driving gate electrode and a driving source electrode electrically connected to the switching drain electrode. An OLED is electrically connected to the driving drain electrode of the driving transistor, and a connector is connected to the driving gate electrode of the driving transistor and interposed between the first and second data lines.

Field
The described technology generally relates to an organic light-emitting diode display.
Description of the Related Technology
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) includes two electrodes and an organic emission layer positioned therebetween. An electron injected from one electrode and a hole injected from the other electrode are coupled with each other in the organic emission layer to generate an exciton, and the exciton emits energy in the form of light. An OLED display includes a matrix of pixels each including i) an OLED which is a self-emissive device, ii) a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) for driving the OLED and iii) a storage capacitor. These transistors and the storage capacitor are connected via multiple wiring lines including a semiconductor, a gate line, or a data line.
Horizontal line patterns can be easily generated in a displayed image by a parasitic capacitance caused by overlapping wiring lines. In the presence of parasitic capacitance, a gate signal to the driving transistor will vary according to changes in the data signal. This unexpected change in gate signals across the display results in degraded image quality.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it can contain information that does not constitute the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Organic light-emitting diode display including a shielding electrode with reduced crosstalk


An electronic component (100) comprising a matrix (102) and a plurality of islands (103) embedded in the matrix (102) and comprising a material which is convertible between at least two states characterized by different electrical properties, wherein the plurality of islands (103) form a continuous path (104) in the matrix (102).

In the field of non-volatile memories, flash memory scaling to lower dimensions has become a real issue. Technologies to face this challenge are ferroelectric, magnetic and phase change memories, the latter one being promising for the replacement of flash and showing characteristics that may allow replacement of other types of memories such as DRAM. Phase change memories are a possible solution for the unified memory being an important step in the electronics art. OTP ("on time programmable") and MTP ("multiple times programmable") memories open a field that may present a great opportunity for phase change memories as well.
Phase change memories are based on a reversible memory switching using, for instance, chalcogenide materials. The ability of these materials to undergo fast phase transition has led to the development of rewritable optical media (CD, DVD). The chalcogenide phase change materials may be divided in two classes that are slightly different compositions, based on their crystallization mechanism. The "nucleation dominated" material GeTe—Sb2Te3 tie line such as Ge2Sb2Te5 are generally used in ovonic unified memory (OUM) devices. In this concept, the phase change material may be in contact with a bottom-resistive electrode to switch reversibly to a small volume of phase change material. "Fast growth material", known in optical storage application (CD-RW/DVD+RW), enable very fast switching (for instance 10 ns) with proper phase stability.
Thus, phase change materials may be used to store information. The operational principle of these materials is a change of phase. In a crystalline phase, the material structure is, and thus properties are, different from the properties in the amorphous phase.
US 2005/0212024 A1 discloses a method for producing a memory device, and a memory device having an active material adapted to be placed in a more or less conductive state by means of appropriate switching processes, wherein the active material is embedded in electrically insulating material.
However, the demand of a high value of an electric current required for switching between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase according to US 2005/0212024 A1 may be problematic.

Electronic component, and a method of manufacturing an electronic component


A spinner assembly for a board game includes a counterweighted spinner arm. The counterweighted spinner arm is rotatably and pivotably mounted on a spindle which is mounted to a game board. The spinner arm includes an elongated arm portion which extends, outwardly from the spindle, a platform member on the elongated arm and a counterweight portion which extends outwardly from the spindle in an opposite direction from the elongated arm. The counter weight portion includes a weighted ball element which centrifugally rolls outwardly in the counterweight portion away from the spindle when the spinner arm is rotating about said spindle to pivot the arm portion upwardly and counterbalance the platform member above the game board. The ball element gravitationally rolls inwardly in the counterweight portion towards the spindle when rotation of the spinner arm is reduced to a level sufficient to cause the weight of the ball element to overcome the centrifugal force applied thereto, whereby the platform member is caused to slowly descend onto the game board.

The instant invention relates to board games and more particularly to a board game assembly and a spinner assembly therefor.
Spinner apparatus and spinning devices are well known in the toy art, and in this regard a wide variety of toys and board games have been heretofore available which have included such devices. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 1,538,889 to Farnum is illustrative of such a device. The Farnum device comprises a base having a plurality of concave depressions in the surface thereof and a spinning arm which is operative for holding a ball by centrifugal force when the arm is spinning rapidly and for dropping the ball onto the base when rotation of the arm slows to a point where the centrifugal force on the ball is no longer strong enough to hold it in the arm.

Board game apparatus and spinner assembly


Disclosed is a mixer consisting of a receptacle and an agitator capable of agitating material in the receptacle and conducting material to and from the receptacle. The agitator includes an engine, at least one agitator element disposed in the receptacle, and a drive shaft coupling the engine to the agitator element. The drive shaft carries a conduit, which is capable of conducting material to and from the receptacle. The conduit has an open proximal extremity disposed outboard of the receptacle and an open distal extremity disposed in the receptacle. The engine consists of radial vanes attached to the drive shaft and the drive shaft rotated to a chassis having a chamber substantially enclosing the vanes, an inlet leading to the chamber and an outlet leading from the chamber, in which the drive shaft is made to rotate in response to a flow of fluid acting on the vanes passing through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet.

This invention relates to mixers and to apparatus and methods for mixing slurries and high purity chemical solutions.
Industries such as the semiconductor industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the paint industry, to name but a few, use mixers for mixing various kinds of slurries and other mixtures. Given the different mixing needs among the various industries, skilled artisans have devoted considerable effort developing efficient and highly effective mixers. Nevertheless, existing mixers are expensive, complicated to build and hard to clean. Existing mixers, especially those used for mixing highly pure mixtures, are also difficult to use, especially in applications in which mixed solutions and slurries must be transferred to and from mixing receptacles and when mixing processes require the introduction of various constituents at different times during the mixing process. Given these and other deficiencies in the art, the need for certain new and useful improvements is evident.
The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes and others realized in various new and improved mixing apparatus and methods. In one preferred apparatus embodiment, provided is a receptacle and an agitator capable of agitating material in the receptacle and conducting material to and from the receptacle. The agitator consists of an engine, at least one agitator element disposed in the receptacle, and a drive shaft coupling the engine to the agitator element. The engine drives the drive shaft, which transfers the mechanical power from the engine to the agitator element. The agitator is furnished with a conduit, which is associated with the drive shaft. The conduit is capable of conducting material to and from the receptacle, and has an open proximal extremity disposed outboard of the receptacle and an open distal extremity disposed in the receptacle. The engine consists of radial vanes attached to the drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotated to a chassis, which has a chamber that substantially encloses the vanes, an inlet leading to the chamber and an outlet leading from the chamber. The drive shaft is made to rotate in response to a flow of fluid acting on the vanes passing through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The chassis supports an adjustable baffle, which is capable of being adjusted for regulating a fluid flow through the chamber at one of the inlet and the outlet. A fixture secures the engine to the receptacle, and the agitator element consists of a collar attached to the drive shaft and radial blades pivoted to the collar. Preferably, a fluid pump is coupled in fluid communication to the open proximal extremity of the conduit, facilitating material transfer through the conduit.
Another preferred apparatus embodiment of the invention consists of a receptacle, an engine, at least one agitator element disposed in the receptacle, a drive shaft coupling the engine to the agitator element, and a conduit associated with the drive shaft that is capable of conducting material to and from the receptacle. The conduit has an open proximal extremity disposed outboard of the receptacle and an open distal extremity disposed in the receptacle. The engine drives the drive shaft, which transfers the mechanical power from the engine to the agitator element. The engine consists of radial vanes attached to the drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotated to a chassis, which has a chamber that substantially encloses the vanes, an inlet leading to the chamber and an outlet leading from the chamber. The drive shaft is made to rotate in response to a flow of fluid acting on the vanes passing through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The chassis supports an adjustable baffle, which is capable of being adjusted for regulating a fluid flow through the chamber at one of the inlet and the outlet. A fixture secures the engine to the receptacle, and the agitator element consists of a collar attached to the drive shaft and radial blades pivoted to the collar. Preferably, a fluid pump is coupled in fluid communication to the open proximal extremity, facilitating material transfer through the conduit.
Yet another preferred apparatus embodiment of the invention consists of a receptacle, an engine, at least one agitator element disposed in the receptacle, and a drive shaft coupling the engine to the agitator element. The engine drives the drive shaft, which transfers the mechanical power from the engine to the agitator element. In this embodiment, the engine consists of radial vanes attached to the drive shaft, in which the drive shaft is rotated to a chassis having a chamber substantially enclosing the vanes, an inlet leading to the chamber and an outlet leading from the chamber. The drive shaft is made to rotate in response to a flow of fluid acting on the vanes passing through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The agitator is furnished with a conduit, which is associated with the drive shaft. The conduit is capable of conducting material to and from the receptacle, and has an open proximal extremity disposed outboard of the receptacle and an open distal extremity disposed in the receptacle. The chassis supports an adjustable baffle, which is capable of being adjusted for regulating a fluid flow through the chamber at one of the inlet and the outlet. A fixture secures the engine to the receptacle, and the agitator element consists of a collar attached to the drive shaft and radial blades pivoted to the collar. Preferably, a fluid pump is coupled in fluid communication to the open proximal extremity, facilitating material transfer through the conduit.
Yet still another preferred apparatus embodiment of the invention consists of an engine, at least one agitator element, a drive shaft coupling the engine to the agitator element, and a conduit associated with the drive shaft that is capable of conducting material therethrough. The engine drives the drive shaft, which transfers the mechanical power from the engine to the agitator element. The conduit has an open proximal extremity disposed adjacent the engine and an open distal extremity disposed adjacent the agitator element. The engine consists of radial vanes attached to the drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotated to a chassis, which has a chamber that substantially encloses the vanes, an inlet leading to the chamber and an outlet leading from the chamber. The drive shaft is made to rotate in response to a flow of fluid acting on the vanes passing through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The chassis supports an adjustable baffle, which is capable of being adjusted for regulating a fluid flow through the chamber at one of the inlet and the outlet. A fixture is also provided, which is capable of securing the engine to a receptacle. The agitator element consists of a collar attached to the drive shaft and radial blades pivoted to the collar. Preferably, a fluid pump is coupled in fluid communication to the open proximal extremity, facilitating material transfer through the conduit.
Yet a further preferred apparatus embodiment of the invention consists of, an engine, at least one agitator element, and a drive shaft coupling the engine to the agitator element. The engine drives the drive shaft, which transfers the mechanical power from the engine to the agitator element. In this embodiment, the engine consists of radial vanes attached to the drive shaft, in which the drive shaft is rotated to a chassis having a chamber substantially enclosing the vanes, an inlet leading to the chamber and an outlet leading from the chamber. The drive shaft is made to rotate in response to a flow of fluid acting on the vanes passing through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The agitator is furnished with a conduit, which is associated with the drive shaft. The conduit is capable of conducting material therethrough, and has an open proximal extremity disposed adjacent the engine and an open distal extremity disposed adjacent the agitator element. The chassis supports an adjustable baffle, which is capable of being adjusted for regulating a fluid flow through the chamber at one of the inlet and the outlet. A fixture is also provided, which is capable of securing the engine to a receptacle. The agitator element consists of a collar attached to the drive shaft and radial blades pivoted to the collar. Preferably, a fluid pump is coupled in fluid communication to the open proximal extremity, facilitating material transfer through the conduit.
The invention also contemplates associated apparatus embodiments and methods.

Fluid driven rotary agitator with suction conduit


The present invention provides a resin composition for stereolithography that, with its low consistency, enables easy fabrication while ensuring good shape accuracy and desirable color masking properties in the cured product. The present invention relates to a resin composition for stereolithography comprising: an 80 to 99 mass % polymerizable monomer (a); a 0.1 to 10 mass % photopolymerization initiator (b); a 0.1 to 5.0 mass % inorganic particle (c) having an average particle diameter of 5 to 200 nm; and a 0.01 to 10 mass % metal oxide particle (d) having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 10 μm, the inorganic particle (c) being different from the metal oxide particle (d).

Patent Literature 1 discloses a photo-solidification technique, a method that produces a solid object through repeated exposure of controlled, necessary amounts of light energy to a liquid light-curable resin to cure the resin layer-by-layer as it is supplied onto the previously cured layer. Patent Literature 2 proposes a basic method for practical application of this technique, and, since its proposal, many other photo-solidification techniques have been proposed.
Vat stereolithography is a technique commonly used for optical fabrication of a solid object. In this technique, a computer-controlled ultraviolet laser is selectively applied to draw the desired pattern on the surface of a liquid light-curable resin composition placed in a vat. By being cured, the resin forms a layer of a predetermined thickness, and another cured layer is continuously formed on the cured layer by applying an ultraviolet laser to the liquid light-curable resin composition supplied onto the previously cured layer in an amount necessary to form a single layer. The layering process is repeated to produce a solid object of the desired shape. This technique has attracted great interest because it enables easy and precision production of the desired solid object in a relatively short time period, even when the product has a very complex shape. Traditionally, vat stereolithography has adopted a mode whereby an object being formed is lowered down in a vat filled with a large quantity of liquid light-curable resin composition. However, this type of vat stereolithography is being replaced by what is generally called the "lifting mode", which is becoming mainstream because it requires less liquid light-curable resin composition and is less wasteful.
Solid objects produced by stereolithography are used in an increasingly wider range of applications, from simple concept models to more complex models such as test models and prototypes. This has created a demand for higher shape accuracy in these solid objects. In addition to satisfying such properties, these products are also required to have properties that are suited for their intended use. The required levels of shape accuracy (conformity) are particularly high in the field of dental materials, which are thought to greatly benefit from stereolithography because prostheses such as crowns and bridges require shapes that vary from patient to patient, aside from being complex in shape. Use of stereolithographically created solid objects for modeling applications is expanding in fabrication of crowns and bridges. In such modeling applications, the solid object needs to have high color masking properties for easy visual recognition and observation of its surface, and inorganic particles are typically added to improve color masking properties. However, a drawback of adding inorganic particles is that it increases viscosity, and makes fabrication difficult. Another drawback is that inorganic particles block light. This leads to poor shape accuracy. The viscosity increase becomes even more problematic in lifting mode because the liquid, which is used in smaller quantities in this mode, has trouble reaching the surface of the object being created.
Against this background, for example, Patent Literature 3 proposes a technique that mixes a specific amount of inorganic fine particles to enable appropriate fluidity and curability to be imparted to a liquid composition for vat stereolithography.


Unsaturated ketones are produced from ketones and paraformadehyde under mild reaction conditions utilizing a catalyst comprising a halogen acid salt of a secondary amine and a nonsoluble solid oxide of an element selected from groups IB, IIIA, IVA, IVB, VA, VB, VIB and VIII of the periodic table. Temperatures of 120-150 and pressures of 700-1200 kpa are preferred; by-products may include di-unsaturated ketones such as divinyl ketone. Unsaturated ketones such as methyl vinyl ketone are useful in imparting ultraviolet sensitivity to plastics which enhances degradability.

Prior to the present invention, it has been known to react acetone with formaldehyde to obtain methyl vinyl ketone. See Ember U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,457. This patent asserts that "yields of up to 82% methyl vinyl ketone, based on formaldehyde, can be expeditiously obtained." Efficiencies with respect to acetone, however, are not as good. The '457 patent requires a catalyst of phosphoric or sulfuric acid.
A general reaction for the preparation of an alpha, beta unsaturated ketone by catalytic vapor phase condensation of formaldehyde and a ketone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,458. In Table VI, the use of acetone is shown; the catalyst is a silica gel.
Alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones have been prepared by reacting ketones with formaldehyde or methanol at elevated temperatures in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. See equation 1. ##STR1## Both vapor-phase and liquid-phase processes have been used to accomplish this. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,702 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,451,351, the latter employing a catalyst which contains oxides of metals from Groups II and V of the periodic table to react ketones with aliphatic aldehydes; see also British Patent No. 993,389.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,508, Example V, methyl ethyl ketone is reacted in the vapor phase with formaldehyde in the presence of a solid mixture of zinc oxide and zirconium oxide to form methyl isopropenyl ketone.
However, these processes are generally uneconomical because of short-lived catalyst activity which results from the tendency of MVK and/or formaldehyde to polymerize on the surface of the catalyst. Consequently, frequent replacement or regeneration of the solid catalysts is necessary.
There are other liquid-phase processes for producing MVK discussed in the literature. One process relates to initially generating 3-keto-1-butanol from acetone and aqueous formaldehyde. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,544,634. MVK is produced by dehydration in the presence of aluminum oxide.
This particular process is limited because MVK is not formed directly and a mixture of polymethylol compounds is formed along with the desired keto-alcohol which must be separated. Another disclosure concerns generation of MVK from acetone, aqueous formaldehyde and a strong acid (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, HCl, HBr, HI or p-toluenesulfonic acid). See previously mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,928,457 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,499. The U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,499 method requires relatively harsh reaction conditions of temperature, pressure and acid dissociation constant (10.sup.-4 or greater) while still only resulting in acetone conversions of less than 10%.
The literature also teaches the separate use of secondary amines and strong acid or weak acid salts of secondary amines for the reaction of ketones and, primarily, aldehydes, with aqueous formaldehyde (monomeric) to form the corresponding vinyl aldehyde and ketones (see Ai, M. J., Catal., 1987, 106, 2734; Ueda, W. Yokoyama, T., Moro-Oka, Y., Ikawa, T., J. Chem. Soc., Chem., Commun , 1984, 39.; Gutsche, D. C., Nam., K.C., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1988, 110, 6153; U.$. Pat. Nos. 4,275,242, 4,343,239, 4,406,079 and 4,496,770). A tertiary amine is used in U.S. Pat. No. 3,077,500.
The reader may also be interested in reviewing U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,374,374, 3,928,450 and 3,701,798. The '798 patent uses an oxide of a rare earth metal as a catalyst.
The inventors herein have recently (on June 19, 1989) filed a U.S. patent application Ser. No. entitled "Preparation of Unsaturated Ketones" on the use of paraformaldehyde as a reactant with various ketones to add one or more unsaturated groups thereto, noting particularly that paraformaldehyde has not been used in such reactions in the past. Said application is incorporated herein by reference. It should be noted that the catalyst employed in that case is different from the catalyst herein, being an acid salt of a secondary amine in combination with a small amount of carboxylic acid. As will be seen below, the catalyst we employ herein is an acid salt of a secondary amine in combination with certain nonsoluble oxides. The oxide may be used on an adsorbtive support.

Preparation of unsaturated ketones from acetone and paraformaldehyde (II)


The invention concerns a method and a system for identifying tires of a vehicle, tire pressures of the tires of the vehicle being measured and analysed for the driving-dynamic states of the vehicle with the use of parameters which indicate the driving-dynamic states. Individual tires of the vehicle are unambiguously identified on the basis of the analysis of the measured tire pressures or their variations.

The invention concerns a method and a system for measuring and processing driving-dynamic parameters of a vehicle. In particular, the invention concerns a method and a system for identifying a tyre of a vehicle by using the tyre pressures of the tyres to be identified.
Known systems for monitoring tyre pressures of different tyres of a vehicle comprise pressure sensor elements which are normally mounted on the rims and are surrounded by the corresponding tyres, or are mounted on the insides of the tyres, or are integrated into the tyres or the valve. The pressure sensor elements are respectively connected to a transmitter by which both the signals/data indicating the measured tyre pressures and an identification (ID information) which is characteristic of the corresponding pressure sensor elements are transmitted to a receiver. The receiver evaluates both the signals/data indicating the tyre pressures and the characteristic identifications.
Since the receiver does not obtain or receive any information in respect of which characteristic identification and which tyre pressure signals belong to which tyre, it is necessary to calibrate the tyre pressure monitoring system in such a way that the receiver can assign the information obtained from the transmitters to the corresponding pressure sensor elements.
Only on the basis of these assignments can the receiver and/or a control/monitoring unit connected to it provide information on which tyre pressure is present in which tyre and assign any drop in pressure to the corresponding tyre. Even in the event of a failure or malfunction of a pressure sensor element, the defective pressure sensor element can be identified in this way.
This calibration operation (which is also termed the learn mode) must be performed both when the wheel or tyre is first fitted on a factory-new vehicle and upon each subsequent wheel, tyre or valve change, since it cannot be ensured that, following changing, the wheels or the tyres are mounted according to the previous assignment.
The calibration operation is normally performed with the use of transponders which are integrated into corresponding sensor circuits of the sensor elements. Each of the transponders is individually activated, in a defined sequence, to transmit data, so that the characteristic identifications and the transmitted pressure information can be unambiguously assigned to the corresponding pressure sensor elements. In the case of a passenger car with four wheels and one spare wheel each having one tyre, the sequence for activating the individual transponders of the tyres can be defined as follows:
left front tyrexe2x80x94right front tyrexe2x80x94left rear tyrexe2x80x94right rear tyrexe2x80x94spare wheel tyre.
This procedure for identifying individual tyres of a vehicle and for assigning to the corresponding tyres sensor information which is measured at the corresponding tyres and transmitted to a receiver has various disadvantages. The recalibration of such tyre pressure monitoring systems is time-consuming and requires additional facilities for activating the transponders assigned to the individual pressure sensor elements. These facilities for activating the transponders are generally only available to the various specialist vehicle firms. For this reason, in order to ensure faultless functioning of the tyre pressure monitoring system, a tyre change should not be performed without recourse to a specialist vehicle firm, i.e., a tyre change performed by the driver/owner themselves. If, nevertheless, a tyre change is performed without recourse to a specialist vehicle firm, i.e., if it is performed privately or if no calibration operation is performed when a tyre is changed, faultless functioning of the tyre pressure monitoring system is no longer assured. Moreover, malfunctions of the tyre pressure monitoring system can occur if, for example, the tyre pressure monitoring system can no longer be provided with the current assignment. This can occur, for example, if a memory in which the current assignment is stored is inadvertently/accidentally erased. In such cases, it is necessary to repeat the calibration operation with such tyre pressure monitoring systems, this normally requiring the vehicle to be brought into an appropriate specialist firm. In any case, the operation of the vehicle has to be interrupted, since the recalibration of the tyre pressure monitoring system cannot be performed independently/automatically by the latter and/or during the driving operation of the vehicle.
A method is known from DE 196 32 150 A1 for monitoring the air pressure in the tyres of motor vehicle wheels, in which long-wave units, which are respectively assigned to a tyre and transmit long-wave signals, are used for identifying the individual tyres. The long-wave signals are respectively received by a long-wave receiving unit of a wheel module assigned to a tyre, and are processed to generate a long-wave identification signal. Each of the wheel modules transmits the corresponding long-wave identification signal together with a data signal, which indicates the respective tyre pressure, to a receiving unit located on the vehicle. The positions of the motor vehicle wheels can be unambiguously assigned to the data signals transmitted by the wheel modules on the basis of the long-wave identification signals contained in the data signals. A disadvantage in this case is that, in addition to the components for measuring the tyre pressures, it is necessary for components to be located on the tyres or wheels and on the vehicle for the purpose of transmitting the long-wave signals, as well as generating the long-wave identification signals, embedding them in the data signals and extracting them from the data signals again following their transmission.
Proceeding from this, the invention is intended to provide a method and a system which render possible, without time-consuming and cost-intensive recalibration, unambiguous identification of tyres of a vehicle and unambiguous identification of sensor signals, relating to the corresponding tyres, measured at the tyres. Furthermore, the invention is intended to provide a solution which avoids the need to use additional devices (e.g., transponders, long-wave transmission units) for the calibration operation. In addition, malfunctions of a tyre pressure monitoring system are to be reduced, and corrected in a simple manner.
To achieve these objects, the invention provides a method according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 12.
In the case of the method, according to the invention, for identifying a tyre of a vehicle, a tyre pressure of a vehicle tyre is measured for at least two different driving-dynamic states of the vehicle and the measured tyre pressures are compared for the purpose of determining a tyre pressure variation on the basis of this comparison. The determined tyre pressure variation is analysed using driving state parameters which are determined by the at least two different driving-dynamic states. The vehicle tyre at which the tyre pressures were measured is identified on the basis of the analysis of the tyre pressure variation.
This procedure is based on the fact that the dynamic tyre circumferences vary in dependence on the respective prevailing driving-dynamic state of the vehicle. This variation of the dynamic tyre circumferences results in a tyre pressure variation in the corresponding tyre. If the tyre pressures of a tyre, or its variations, are determined and if information is available which permits description/definition of the driving-dynamic state of the vehicle causing the tyre pressure variations, the vehicle tyre at which the tyre pressures were measured can be unambiguously identified.
In addition, the measurement and comparison of the tyre pressures can be performed for at least one tyre of at least two different wheels of the vehicle. In this way, several, preferably all, tyres of the vehicle can be identified. Furthermore, it is possible thus to identify several tyres assigned to one wheel of the vehicle. This is the case, for example, in the case of lorries with twin tyres.
In addition, it is possible to measure and compare with one another the tyre pressure of all tyres at which tyre pressures have been measured. Analysis of the tyre pressures can then be performed using information which comprises the previously recorded tyre pressures or tyre pressure variations, reference tables and information used for the application of neural networks or chaos-theory methods. In this way, the identification of the individual tyres of the vehicle can be performed more rapidly and with greater exactness, since not only driving state parameters, but also information resulting from the comparison of the tyre pressures of all wheels is used for analysing the at least one pressure variation. This additional information permits a more accurate description of the driving-dynamic state of the vehicle in which the tyre pressures are determined. Moreover, there is a reduction of the number of different driving-dynamic states of the vehicle in which tyre pressures of the tyres have to be measured in order for individual tyres of the vehicle to be unambiguously identified.
In order to simplify the method according to the invention, the measurement of the tyre pressures can include at least one measurement of the tyre pressures for a predetermined driving-dynamic state of the vehicle. In this case, a tyre pressure is preferably measured, for one, several or all tyres of the vehicle, in a predetermined driving-dynamic state of the vehicle. Such a predetermined/predefined driving-dynamic state of the vehicle can be, for example, straight forward travel of the vehicle at a constant speed or predefined constant acceleration. Furthermore, it is also possible in this case to measure tyre pressures of tyres when the vehicle is operated but not in motion (e.g. when the vehicle is in a parked position and the ignition is switched on or the engine is started).
In addition, the method can also include a measurement of driving state parameters that are determined by driving-dynamic states of the vehicle. In this way, it is no longer necessary for the required driving state parameters to be provided by other components of the vehicle which perform corresponding methods for measuring driving state parameters. The measurement of driving state parameters can also be thus optimised, in that the measurement of the driving state parameters is specially adapted to the identification of tyres.
Driving-dynamic states of the vehicle are preferably determined from the corresponding driving state parameters. This enables information that comprehensively represents the driving-dynamic states of the vehicle to be used in analysis of the tyre pressure variations, without the need to use individual driving state parameters. To determine the driving-dynamic states of the vehicle from the corresponding driving state parameters, it is possible to use known algorithms, reference tables, calculation methods used on neural networks or a fuzzy logic, and data/information, provided in the use of other methods, for determining driving-dynamic states of the vehicle, which are performed by vehicle components specially designed for this purpose.
Furthermore, data can be stored which is used for identifying individual tyres or all tyres of the vehicle. This data for identifying tyres can be used during the operation of the vehicle, so that it is not necessary to repeat performance of the method according to the invention for identifying tyres.
Since it cannot be assured that no tyre change has been performed between a termination and a resumption of operation of the vehicle, it is preferable that the method be performed upon each restarting of the vehicle.
In order that unambiguous identification of tyres is also assured during driving operation of the vehicle in every situation (e.g. in the case of a malfunction of electrical/electronic vehicle components), it is preferable that the method according to the invention be performed at predetermined times or at predetermined intervals of time, i.e., repeatedly, during a driving operation of the vehicle.
An object of the invention is also achieved with a system for identifying a tyre of a vehicle. For this, the system includes a device located at a tyre of a vehicle for the purpose of measuring tyre pressures, and a transmitting device, connected to the device for measuring the tyre pressures, for the purpose of transmitting tyre pressure signals. These tyre pressure signals of the transmitting device are received by a receiver device and transmitted to a processor device which is connected to the receiver device for the purpose of processing the tyre pressure signals. The system according to the invention also includes at least one device for measuring driving state parameters which characterize the driving-dynamic states of the vehicle. The at least one device for measuring the driving state parameters is connected to the processor device for the purpose of transmitting these parameters. The processor device is designed, according to the invention, in such a way that it determines tyre pressure variations for the tyres from the tyre pressure signals and evaluates them, using the driving state parameters, for the purpose of providing data/information which serves to identify the tyre at which the device for measuring the tyre pressure is located.
A device for measuring the corresponding tyre pressures is preferably respectively located at each of at least two tyres which are each respectively assigned to a wheel of the vehicle, each of the devices for measuring the tyre pressures being connected to a corresponding transmitter, and the receiver device being set up to receive pressure signals of all transmitting devices.
The processor device should also be designed so that it determines tyre pressure variations for each tyre at which one of the devices for measuring tyre pressures is located, and evaluates them using the driving state parameters. In this way, it is possible to assign tyre pressure variations to the corresponding tyres, so that each tyre is identified.
The device for measuring tyre pressure variations preferably comprises a pressure sensor.
The at least one device for measuring the driving state parameters should also comprise at least one sensor for measuring driving-dynamic state quantities.
The device for measuring tyre pressures or the transmitting device can also have a characteristic identification which is transmitted to the receiver device by the transmitting device before, after or isochronously with the tyre pressure signals.
In order that the system according to the invention can be used in vehicles with a different number of tyres and/or a different number of devices for measuring tyre pressure variations and corresponding transmitting devices, the receiver device comprises receiving units respectively assigned to a transmitting device for the purpose of receiving signals from the latter. This permits a modular construction of the system according to the invention, which can be adapted to the particular application instance (e.g. vehicle type).
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following, with reference to the appended FIG. 1.

Method and system for identifying a tyre of a vehicle


An automatic detection device and method for determining the access data necessary to access an existing electronic mail account. Further, the automatic detection device and method can determine whether an electronic mail account can be accessed according to a specific electronic mail protocol. With the detection device and method, the user provides the password and address for an existing electronic mail account. From this information, the automatic detection device and method determines the user name and the server name for the server hosting the electronic mail account. The device and method then employs the user name, server name and password to determine whether the electronic mail account can be accessed according to a particular electronic mail protocol, such as the post office protocol, and, if possible, to access the electronic mail account.

Electronic mail is becoming a common form of communication in our modern society. It advantageously permits a user to retrieve text or even voice messages from almost anywhere in the world. Accordingly, some electronic mail systems employ protocols that will allow an electronic mail account to be accessed from a variety of different electronic mail capable devices. The post office protocol (referred to by the acronym POP), and more particularly its third version (i.e., POP3), is one such commonly used protocol.
To make electronic mail even more convenient, a variety of portable communication devices are currently being developed that will allow an electronic mail account user to access that account from any location in range of a wireless communication transceiver. These portable communication devices include wireless telephones, personal digital assistants, pocket computers and specialized electronic mail access devices. In order to access existing electronic mail accounts, however, the user must typically link a new electronic mail account associated with the portable device to the existing electronic mail account. In addition, some organizations, such as Internet service providers (ISPs), offer aggregated electronic mail services that allow a subscriber access to multiple electronic mail accounts maintained by different parties and at different locations through a single gateway.
One problem that has arisen with the use of such portable communication devices and aggregated electronic mail services, however, occurs with the process of initially configuring them to access an existing electronic mail account maintained by another party. Typically, the device user will be a layman who is unaware of the information that is needed by the communications device or aggregate electronic mail service provider to access an existing electronic mail account maintained by another party. For example, the user will typically not know the name of the server computer that hosts his or her existing electronic mail account. Also, the user may not even know the actual user name associated with his or her account.
This lack of knowledge makes it difficult for a communications device or aggregate electronic mail service provider to configure a new electronic mail account for access to an existing electronic mail account maintained by a third party without assistance. Instead, the user is generally required to obtain assistance from an expert familiar with the existing electronic mail account, which may be time consuming, expensive, and inconvenient. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system that will allow a communications device or aggregate electronic mail service provider to determine the information necessary to access an existing electronic mail account from the information that will generally be known by a typical electronic mail account user.

Method and system for determining information to access an electronic mail account


A network management system and method is disclosed for providing an intelligent decision support system for assisting human operators monitor, maintain, and diagnose and solve problems with a network. According to one embodiment, a system and method is provided that uses a partial order planner and a knowledge base to implement intelligent decision support using knowledge stored as plan and goal graphs, concept graphs, and/or scripts.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates to the monitoring and management of voice, video and data networks, and more particularly, to the use of decision support systems to assist operators in managing network devices and network interconnections. The present invention provides an intelligent decision support system for management of distributed data and voice networks using a partial order planner.
Communication (voice, data, and video) networks are increasingly becoming mission critical components of businesses. As companies become more dependent on their networks, the cost of network outages increases tremendously in lost revenue and lost productivity.
Today, various network management packages such as Hewlett-Packard OpenView(trademark) and LeCroy Vigilant Networks(trademark) provide tools to monitor computer networks, alerting operators when problems are detected. Most of the available systems use the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to monitor various network devices, periodically polling the devices by pinging the devices or by sending out a SNMP request. If a device fails to respond, then the system notifies an operator and the device is identified as unreachable on the network management console.
Vigilant Networks(trademark) provides some added features that help to identify certain network problems such as network congestion and network errors. This system is superior to previous network management systems in that it is able to monitor additional information that may identify problems that are slowing down a computer network regardless of whether a failure occurs. Basically, the Vigilant Networks(trademark) system works by providing additional network information and statistics related to the physical network layer to the management console.
As networks become larger and more complex, operators are increasingly deluged with unmanageable amounts of data. At the same time, network quality of service goals require rapid response to any degradation or hostile network traffic. There is a great desire for an intelligent network management solution that assist network operators in monitoring and managing large complex networks.
As communication networks increase in size, so to does the complexity of network management. It was once easy to visualize the components of a network so that a single operator could quickly determine a likely point of failure of a device and fix the problem. Today, networks are becoming too large for operators to ponder all of the interrelations between thousands of network components to determine the cause of a problem. There is a desire for a system and method that can assist a user in narrowing down the possible causes of a performance problem and suggest or implement potential solutions beyond mere fault detection.
Modern networks are often critical to the successful operation of a business or industrial process. When degradation or malfunctions within network devices have been diagnosed, it is often necessary to reconfigure the network devices and their data as rapidly as possible so that quality of service can be maintained. There is a desire for an intelligent network management solution that assists in performing network reconfigurations in order to rapidly carry out a planned network response to a disturbance.
Additionally, using such services as the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), operators can monitor large amounts of data from a central console. As networks grow, the amount of data becomes unwieldy. Data only becomes information to a user by virture of its relevance to the user""s active goals and methods for achieving them. The modem network operator finds himself data rich, but information poor. There is a desire to provide a system and method for assisting a human operator by displaying the information most pertinent to the operator""s goals or plans.
The large size, complexity, and distributed nature of networks often result in the need to employ many human network technicians, who are simultaneously interacting with different network devices at remote locations and with different intentions. These activities can produce unexpected network degradation and outages due to unexpected interactions between the separate technical activities. There is a need for an intelligent network management solution that can detect potential degrading interactions between network operations and activities before they occur.
Finally, there is a desire to provide a network management console that interprets the intentions of a human operator and adjusts the information displayed on the network management console based on the user""s intention.
Several patents disclosing network management systems have been issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,649 issued to Rosu et al. (the ""649 patent) discloses a system for optimizing the traffic capacity of a telecommunications network by receiving traffic data from each exchange in the network and dynamically fine tuning the congestion condition. The ""649 patent does not disclose an intelligent decision support system that can determine the intention of the user and adjust a display console based on that intent. In addition, it describes how to tune for traffic capacity but not for revenue, which is a completely different need for modem network managers.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,715 issued to Azarmi et al. (the ""715 patent) discloses a network management application that receives data from a network, analyzes it, and acts on it by issuing reports and control outputs appropriately. This system does not provide for active, goal-directed planning nor conflict detection across multiple independent actors as does the present invention.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,447 issued to Kohn et al. (the ""447 patent) discloses a system of distributed agents working together in a network to control complex distributed processes. This system shows one way in which a collection of intelligent agents can interact and cooperate to achieve goals; however, the ""447 patent discloses using the technology to build control systems and not an intelligent decision support system that assists multiple human network controllers and operators such as that provided by the present invention.
There is a need for an intelligent decision support system that improves on the prior art by providing user intent inferencing so that system can update displays and make suggestions based on the current intent of a user. There is a need for a system that is able to detect conflicts between the intentions and operational plans of multiple network operators. There is also a need for a system that uses a partial-order planner to provide real-time intelligent decision support to a user across very large network systems.
In accordance with the invention, a method for providing intelligent decision support in a network management system is provided. The method includes monitoring actions received by a network management console. The actions received are used to interpret the intent of a human operator. Finally, the method includes updating the network management console display based on the determined intent of the human operator. More specific embodiments include monitoring for one or more key presses, mouse clicks, and mouse movements to assist in determining the intentions of a network operator. A more specific embodiment also includes determining a plan for carrying out a determined intention. In some embodiments, the plan is created using an inference engine which can include a non-monotonic truth maintenance system, and a partial-order planner. Finally, a more specific embodiment includes monitoring communications networks used to transport data communications, voice communications, and video communications.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an intelligent decision support system is provided for managing a communications network. The system includes a knowledge base encoding expert knowledge about communication networks, an inference engine, a network management system, and a graphical user interface. The inference engine is coupled to the knowledge base and is used to determine the intent of a network operator. The network management system is used to collect data from a plurality of network devices, and the graphical user interface displays information regarding the communications network. The intelligent decision support system modifies the information displayed by the graphical user interface based on the determined intent of the network operator.
Further, more specific embodiments of the present invention represent knowledge as plan and goal graphs, concept graphs, and/or scripts comprising sequences of partially-specified primitive network control actions. Some embodiments use an inference engine including a partial order planner, and/or a nonmonotonic truth maintenance system.
Embodiments of the present invention can be used to manage communications networks transporting data communications, voice communications, and video communications.

Method and system for providing intelligent network management


Disclosed is a method for improving copper corrosion performance of a lubricating oil composition containing (a) a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) one or more dispersants containing one or more basic nitrogen atoms. The method involves adding to the lubricating oil composition an effective amount of one or more copper corrosion performance improving agents of the general formula Si—X4 or a hydrolysis product thereof, wherein each X is independently a hydroxyl-containing group, hydrocarbyloxy-containing group, acyloxy-containing group, amino-containing group, monoalkyl amino-containing group or dialkyl amino-containing group.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a method for improving copper corrosion performance of a lubricating oil composition.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lubricating oil compositions used to lubricate internal combustion engines and transmissions contain a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity, or a mixture of such oils, and one or more lubricating oil additives to improve the performance characteristics of the oil. For example, lubricating oil additives are used to improve detergency, to reduce engine wear, to provide stability against heat and oxidation, to reduce oil consumption, to inhibit corrosion, to act as a dispersant, and to reduce friction loss. Some additives provide multiple benefits such as, for example dispersant-viscosity modifiers.
Among the most important additives are dispersants which, as their name indicates, are used to provide engine cleanliness and to keep, for example, carbonate residues, carboxylate residues, carbonyl residues, soot, etc., in suspension. The most widely used dispersants today are products of the reaction of succinic anhydrides substituted in alpha position by an alkyl chain of polyisobutylene (PIBSA) type with a polyalkylene amine, optionally post-treated with a boron derivative, ethylene carbonate and the like.
Among the polyamines used, polyalkylene-amines are preferred, such as diethylene triamine (DETA), triethylene tetramine (TETA), tetraethylene pentamine (TEPA), pentaethylene hexamine (PEHA) and heavier poly-alkylene-amines (HPA).
These polyalkylene amines react with the succinic anhydrides substituted by alkyl groups of polyisobutylene (PIBSA) type to produce, according to the molar ratio of these two reagents, mono-succinimides, bis-succinimides or mixtures of mono- and bis-succinimides
Such reaction products, optionally post-treated, generally have a non-zero basic nitrogen content of the order of 5 to 50, as measured by the total base number or TBN, expressed as mg of KOH per gram of sample, which enables them to protect the metallic parts of an engine while in service from corrosion by acidic components originating from the oxidation of the lubricating oil or the fuel, while keeping the said oxidation products dispersed in the lubricating oil to prevent their agglomeration and their deposition onto metal parts.
Dispersants of mono-succinimide or bis-succinimide type are even more effective if their relative basic nitrogen content is high, i.e. in so far as the number of nitrogen atoms of the polyamine is larger than the number of succinic anhydride groups substituted by a polyisobutenyl group.
However, these dispersants such as succinimide dispersants are also known to cause some corrosion of heavy metal bearings, for example, copper and lead components. However, before certifying a crankcase lubricant for use in their engines, engine manufacturers (oftentimes referred to as "original equipment manufacturers or "OEMs") require passage of a number of performance tests, including a copper corrosion test.
Therefore, it would be desirable to develop lubricating oil compositions which exhibit improved copper corrosion performance.

Method for improving copper corrosion performance


Systems, methods, and programs for reducing edge effects, the systems, methods, and programs include inputting an image mask, the image mask defining the location of a boundary to receive a coating , modifying an edge of the image mask to reduced the thickness of the coating at the modified edge; creating a printing plate base on the modified image mask; and using the printing plate to print the coating on a substrate.

Related technical fields includes spot coating systems and methods.
Graphic professionals generally use spot varnishes or coatings to emphasize graphical elements in high-end collaterals. For example, a catalog might include pictures of a product on the page with a spot varnished and/or coating applied only on the product pictures. This imparts a higher gloss just to the pictures that gives them added visual impact on the viewer.
Further, by using a coating, for example, bindery (off-press) coatings, such as ultraviolet coating (UV coating) over an image and/or printed piece, the UV coating can be used, for example, as a spot covering to accent a particular image on the sheet or as an overall coating (flood coating). The UV coating may protect the printed piece by providing, for example, an additional covering which protects the ink from scuffing. In addition, the UV coating may, for example, draw the reader's eyes to particular items and to add depth and interest to the printed piece or image.
In traditional lithographic offset printing, spot coatings are often applied in a separate unit on the press. For example, cyan, magenta, yellow and black might be printed with the first four units of the press. A spot coating, for example, might be applied with the fifth unit, with a printing plate, for example, which allows the coating to be applied in the same manner as one of the color inks.

Systems and methods for reducing edge effects


The disclosure relates to a method for processing video data, apparatus, electronic equipment, and storage medium. The method for processing video data can include switching to a target anti-shake shooting mode in response to acquiring a switching operation in a video shooting interface; acquiring a video editing operation corresponding to the target anti-shake shooting mode; obtaining target video data by processing video data collected in real time based on the video editing operation; and outputting the target video data in the video shooting interface.

In the process of shooting video, an anti-shake shooting function that makes captured video pictures clearer and more stable has become one of indispensable functions of shooting video applications. However, the anti-shake shooting function provided by existing applications has a single processing method for video pictures. With the emergence of shooting devices with multiple cameras, focal lengths of different cameras are often different, and the video pictures captured are also different. The single processing method of application for the video pictures causes the stability and definition of the captured video pictures to be greatly reduced, and the anti-shake shooting performance is poor.

Method and apparatus for processing video data

BEIJING DAIJA INTERNET INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Delivering an audio video asset in a way that makes best use of different delivery mechanisms available.

Increasingly, devices designed to enable the consumption of video content feature a large persistent store; and support both broadcast and networking technologies.
An operator wishing to make video content available to devices equipped with multiple reception capabilities has a number of transmission methods and technologies to choose from, including unicast (via a managed network or via the Internet), broadcast (via satellite, terrestrial or cable systems) or multicast (via a managed network).
Broadcast capability will generally involve leasing transponders for an agreed period. Unicast delivery via the Internet can be provisioned in a variety of ways, including deploying content servers in a suitable facility, making use of media hosting services, making content available via a pay-as-you-go 'cloud' service or enlisting the services of a regional or global content delivery network (CDN). Internet Protocol television (IPTV) multicast or video on demand (VOD) capability may exist if the provider is able to make use of a managed IP network, for example if delivering content to the customers of a single internet service provider (ISP).
Each of these mechanisms can be used to deliver content at varying rates and times relative to viewing. For example, content could be delivered by broadcast transmission over a period before viewing time (as is typically the case with broadcast push delivery), or could be delivered by unicast transmission at a higher rate commencing at viewing time (as is typically the case with progressive download).
Each approach incurs cost in different ways. For example, satellite transponders are normally leased for long periods for relatively large sums, typically millions of Euros annually, whereas a typical Internet based CDN charges for the delivery of video content on the basis of quantity delivered, typically a few cents per gigabyte (GB). Meanwhile, wholesale bandwidth purchased at a co-location facility is charged on the basis of peak utilization, typically tens of Euros per megabit per second (Mb/s).
The cost of delivery also depends on the nature of the delivery method. For example, content broadcast by satellite can be acquired by any tuner within its geographical footprint, typically a large area that may include millions of delivery destinations. By contrast, delivery from a CDN by unicast transmission requires a distinct copy of the content to be sent to each destination, causing delivery cost to increase proportionally with the number of viewers.
Each potential path between delivery source and destination has associated capacity bounding the content that can be delivered within a given time frame. For example, in the case of broadcast this capacity is determined by both the available transponder bandwidth and the number and type of tuners available at the destination. In the case of Internet or IPTV delivery this capacity is determined partly by broadband access connectivity but may also depend on one or more points of shared capacity between source and destination, for example an ISP's connectivity with the wider Internet.
Internet delivery resources are often provisioned by capacity on the basis of expected peak utilization. However, demands on capacity over time are rarely constant and thus resources are often underutilized during off-peak periods. Online video services such as the iPlayer (available from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), United Kingdom) have been shown to exhibit a usage profile with a relatively high peak-to-mean ratio, similar to that of broadcast television viewing. Therefore, there is a relatively high likelihood of such capacity being used inefficiently for this type of service.
Each delivery to be made may be associated with business criteria such as delivery deadlines, priorities or cost targets.
CDN overlay networks are a technology focused on Internet delivery mechanisms, typically combining multiple CDNs and a peer-to-peer (P2P) capability of some kind (see http://blogs.gartner.com/lydia_leong/2008/10/21/cdn-overlays-and-more-on-mediamelon)
Minimizing the weighted sum of objective functions is a well known technique from the field of multiple objective optimization and used in situations where other types of optimization are computationally infeasible.
The following references are believed to represent the state of the art:    European Patent Application EP 1 476 992 to Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha;    United States Patent Application US 2008/0025222 to Nikolova et al.;    United Kingdom Patent Application GB 2 418 267 to QinetiQ Ltd.;    United States Patent Application US 2009/100459 to Riedl et al.;    European Patent EP 1 563 669 to Nokia Corporation;    International Patent Application WO2009/087550 to Alcatel Lucent;    U.S. Pat. No. 7,423,973 to Qualcomm, Inc.;    International Patent Application WO2006/072825 to Nortel Networks Limited; and    International Patent Application WO2009/076121 to Cisco Technology, Inc.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A device for electrically interconnecting one or more semiconductor devices to provide for flexibility in wiring and preventing long or shorted leads and methods for fabricating and using same. The device has a substrate with a plurality of substantially concentric electrically-conductive paths, each of the plurality of electrically-conductive paths being electrically isolated from each other and formed on a first surface of the substrate. At least one of the plurality of electrically-conductive paths is arranged concentrically so as to substantially span a width of the first surface of the substrate. A plurality of bonding pads is electrically coupled to each of the electrically-conductive paths. The plurality of bonding pads is coupled to one of the electrically-conductive paths and is electrically isolated from bonding pads located on any other electrically-conductive path. The entire interconnect device may be mounted in a standard leadframe product.

Design and manufacturing of semiconductor devices requires cooperative application of a number of diverse technologies. On a macro-scale, a number of these technologies are aimed at first creating the semiconductor devices. Another group of technical disciplines is aimed at packaging the devices. As devices become more complex and need to be integrated with additional devices and other apparatus, a universal interconnection scheme becomes more difficult.
Typically, a semiconductor device has fixed input/output (I/O) lines and interconnection with an external package can be difficult. This difficulty may lead to a redesign of an entire integrated circuit to avoid long lead wires from the device to the package. Additionally, any lead lines that cross over each other have a potential for developing an electrical short. Therefore, the interconnection of semiconductor devices with device packages is a major challenge in the art.
The process of packaging semiconductor devices typically starts with a substrate that is, for example, ceramic, plastic, or a metal leadframe. The devices are mounted on the surface of the substrate and layers of interconnect lines and vias are formed that connect the devices to surrounding circuitry. Many different packaging approaches are known and have been used for mounting and interconnecting semiconductor devices, such as Dual-In-Line Packages (DIP), Pin Grid Arrays (PGA), Plastic Leaded Chip Carriers (PLCC) and Quad Flat Packages (QFP). Multi-layer structures have further been used to connect physically closely spaced integrated circuits with each other. The chip wiring contains layers of interconnect metal that are interconnected with interconnect vias, layers of dielectric (such as polyimide), or insulating layers separate metal layers that make up the interconnect network and the vias and contact points that establish connections between the interconnect networks. The design of overlying and closely spaced interconnect lines is subject to strict rules of design that are aimed at improving package performance despite a high density packaging that may be used. For example, electrical interference between adjacent lines is minimized or avoided by creating interconnect lines for primary signals that intersect under 90 degree angles.
The active component or device integration and densification process in integrated circuits has motivated a continuous and ongoing migration of interconnect wiring and connections from boards, cards, and multichip modules to the chip itself. A surface of the chip, with its multilayer wiring, has become a microcosm of the conductor and insulator configurations that were common on previous multilayer printed-circuit boards and multilayer ceramic packages. A logic chip with 700 circuits and three layers of wiring has approximately 5 m of aluminum wiring on a chip less than 5 mm square. There are over 17,000 via connections from level to level through a micron-thick insulator film of SiO2. Yet, the conductor capacity in the chip greatly lags behind the densification of the silicon devices. Most of the area of the chip (approximately two-thirds), still serves as a platform for wiring.
Therefore, what is needed is a way to provide for flexible wiring techniques between semiconductor devices and packages while avoiding problems associated with long lead lines and potentially shorted devices. Additionally, universality of the package, where the package can be used to package a variety of different semiconductor devices, is desirable.


A computer-implemented method and system for identifying terms in a document in electronic form which includes: obtaining a document having title cased terms and defined terms; determining the location of each title cased term; accessing a library; comparing the title cased terms to the library of predetermined terms, wherein the title cased term is classified by a first predetermined identifier if the title cased term is not in the library, and wherein the title cased term is not classified by the first predetermined identifier if the title cased term is in the library; and determining each title cased term which is a defined term and a location and frequency of each defined term, wherein each defined term having a frequency value greater than one is reclassified by a second predetermined identifier and wherein each defined term having a frequency value of one is reclassified by a third predetermined identifier.

In many complex documents, such as contracts, corporate charters, insurance policies or disclosure statements, authors of such documents utilize "defined terms" so that a concept can be described in detail once, and thereafter be easily invoked by using such defined term. Such practice promotes verbal economy by reducing redundancy, clarity of meaning by simplifying sentence structure, and amendability and portability by encapsulating the concept in a single instance. In the US, the defined terms are frequently (but not always) denoted in title case. For example, in an asset purchase agreement, the assets that are being sold and purchased may be described as "Acquired Assets." Once defined, it is easy to discuss it and assign attributes to it, such as price to be paid or the date of transfer of such Acquired Assets, without having to reiterate its description.
Although the "defined terms" are useful for the aforementioned reasons, they raise additional challenges brought forth from their usage. Since authors of such complex documents frequently assimilate provisions from a multitude of precedents, each of which may use a similar or different set of defined terms, certain portions of the document may end up with human-induced errors, including but not limited to, when: (i) a "defined term" was defined (i.e. assigned a concept), but never used in the document; or (ii) a Capitalized Term was invoked, suggesting that it was previously defined elsewhere in the document, but it was, in fact, never defined in the document. For example, "Acquired Assets" may be defined in a contract, but not used elsewhere in the document; instead, the document may use the term "Acquired Property" throughout, which is not defined. Alternatively, "Acquired Assets" may be defined, but not used; instead, a lowercased term "acquired assets" may be used in the document. One cannot be certain whether the author meant to write "Acquired Assets".
Such errors are problematic because they lower the quality of presentation of the document, and more importantly, they create ambiguity, which may result (and indeed have resulted) in litigation. Therefore, many legal professionals are trained to proofread the document to detect such problems, typically using a notepad while reading through the document to track each defined term's usage; however, this method is time consuming and subject to inevitable human error.

Method and apparatus for analyzing defined terms in a document