A method for automatically detecting table data in a document that is described by a page definition language and converting the table data into a markup language representation. The document may have one or more pages. The page definition language description of the document provides a list of words, the position of the each on a page with respect to a predetermined reference point, and the size of each word. The present invention automatically identifies table data in the document by utilizing one or more table-identifying features. A first table-identifying feature may be the number of word clusters on a line. A second table-identifying feature may be the vertical alignment of word clusters between lines. A third table-identifying feature may be the changes in text density or space density between lines.

The present invention relates to a method for recognizing tables within a document, and more specifically, to a method for automatically detecting tabular data in semi-structured documents using text coordinates.
In a time when documents can exist in many forms and formats, the need for automatic document conversion software that can convert between these different formats has increased dramatically. One type of information in documents that is difficult to detect and convert accurately are tables. As explained herein below, the prior art approaches to convert tables offer only tolerable solutions that have much to be desired.
This is unfortunate since tables are useful in conveying much information in a compact format. One reason for the effective nature of conveying information through tables is that part of the information is presented by the structure of the table and is in fact inherent in the table structure. For example, column headings, row headings, table title, and the grouping of the information all can convey important information.
Since tables by their very nature convey information by their structure, it is important that any document conversion software accurately reflect the original structure in the converted form. As will be described herein below, some conversion software cannot handle the table structure and presents the table data as regular text, thereby stripping the structure that existed in the original table. As can be appreciated, much information is lost in such an approach. Other software attempts to convert the table and retain the structure, but do so poorly. For example, if a conversion software handles tables poorly, information can be presented inaccurately. For example, if a converted table has values that actually belong in a first column (i.e., the values are in the first column in the original document) mistakenly transported to another column, then the converted table provides incorrect data. In the best case, the information is obviously wrong and can be easily detected as such, and ignored by one who reads the document. However, in a more detrimental case, if the error is not obvious, then the one reading such a document can rely on the erroneous information to his or her peril. From the above, it can be seen that the accurate detection and conversion of tables from a document in a first format to a document in a second format are important tasks that, unfortunately, pose challenging problems to existing conversion software. There are currently several unsatisfactory approaches to this problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,900, entitled xe2x80x9cMethod for Graph-Based Table Recognition,xe2x80x9d describes a bottom-up approach for recognizing tables in documents. In this approach, the document is first transformed into a layout graph with nodes and edges that represent document entities and their interrelations, respectively. Next, the layout graph is re-written using a set of rules based on apriori document knowledge and general formatting conventions. The graph is then utilized to locate tables in documents.
This bottom-up approach has several disadvantages. First, although the ""900 patent provides a more efficient way of transforming documents into corresponding layout graphs, this approach is nevertheless more computationally intensive than an approach that does not need a layout graph. In addition, segmenting every document into a corresponding layout graph with its objects is a generally complex programming process and is not easily implemented. Second, the step of re-writing the graph requires access to a set of rules and formatting conventions that consume additional memory.
Some document conversion programs attempt to perform automatic document conversion from one format to another. For example, there are commercial products that attempt to convert text in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) to Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) Unfortunately, these products handle tables very poorly. In fact, these products xe2x80x9cflatten the tablexe2x80x9d (i.e., these products represent tables as straight text with no structure whatsoever). For example, a table having four rows and four columns would be converted to four lines of straight text. As discussed previously, it is undesirable to remove the table structure since removing the structure causes important information conveyed by the table structure or inherent therein to be lost.
Other document conversion software programs require a user to manually identify where the tables are in a document so that the tables can be converted to a structured form. For example, document conversion software programs, such as Gemini from Iceni Technology Limited of Norwich, England or Redwing from Datawatch, Inc. of Lowell, Massachusetts both require manual intervention in order to perform table conversion. Manual intervention is undesirable for at least two reasons. First, manual intervention consumes a user""s time and effort. Second, manual intervention prevents the ability to process document conversion off-line, such as by utilizing batch processing. Batch processing is particularly important in instances where there are numerous documents to convert from one form to another.
Based on the foregoing, it is clearly desirable to provide an apparatus and method for efficiently and automatically detecting and converting tables in documents. In particular, it is desirable to provide a method for efficiently and automatically detecting tables in documents that are semi-structured (i.e., described by a page description language) and for converting these tables into a markup language.
The present invention provides a method for automatically detecting table data in a document that is described by a page definition language and converting the table data into a markup language representation while preserving the structure of the table. The document may have one or more pages. The page definition language of the document, which can be the Portable Document Format, provides a list of words, the start position of each word on the page with respect to a predetermined reference point located on that page, and the size of each word.
According to the method, the present invention automatically identifies table data in the document by utilizing one or more table-identifying features. A first table-identifying feature may be the number of word clusters on a line. A second table-identifying feature may be the vertical alignment of word clusters between lines. A third table-identifying feature may be the changes in text density or space density between lines. In addition, the automatic identification technique of the present invention may also use one or more heading rows at the top of the table as a fourth table-identifying feature. Also, a fifth table-identifying feature can be the drawing lines that separate different data elements in the table.
In the presently preferred embodiment, the alignment of word clusters between lines is utilized to automatically generate a table bounding box for each table. Next, the table bounding box is then expanded in a first direction based on changes in word density among the lines immediately preceding the top edge of the table. For example, the table bounding box can be expanded in a first direction to encompass a previously marked line that had a significant change in text density.
The table bounding box is also expanded in a second direction based on changes in word density among the lines immediately succeeding the bottom edge of the table. For example, the table bounding box may be expanded in a second direction to encompass a previously marked line that had a significant change in text density.
This step expands the table bounding box in the positive and negative y-directions to more accurately reflect the true beginning and end of the table. The text that is encompassed by the expanded table bounding box is then converted to a markup language representation with table tags, thereby preserving the structure of the table.

Automatic table detection method and system

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A separable food and beverage combination has an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber is formed by a first circumferential wall and a first bottom wall attached to the first circumferential wall. A first lid is releasably connected to the first circumferential wall and opposes the first bottom wall. The first lid has a hinged spout hingingly movable from a closed position and an open position. The lower chamber is formed by a second circumferential wall and a second bottom wall attached to the second circumferential wall. A lid plate, threadingly connected to the first bottom wall and threadingly connected to the second circumferential wall, opposes the second bottom wall. A bowl is removably placed within the lower chamber. A removable partition forms separable compartments in the bowl. A pair of first and a pair of second handle locking recesses in the first and second circumferential walls, respectively, have a first handle locking groove in a perimeter of each of the first handle locking recesses and second handle locking groove in a perimeter of each of the second handle locking recesses respectively. A removable handle has a pair of locking arms and a locking ring on each of the locking arms. Each of the locking arms and the locking ring thereon are releasably locked into one of the first handle locking recesses or into one of the second handle locking recesses. A second lid is releasably connected to the second circumferential wall only when the lower chamber is used.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, in general, to an insulated food and beverage container and, in particular, to a food container and a beverage container that can be fastened together and used as a set or carried separately as individual pieces.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lunch buckets and thermos bottles have accompanied people carrying their lunch to remote location for ages. Difficulties arise in attempting to transport certain hot foods and in keeping a beverage from ruining certain bulk foods if the container storing the beverage leaks and is in close proximity to the other food.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,105 to B. E. McFarlin on Mar. 02, 1971 for a Combined Food and Drink Container describes a box with flexible walls and a closable top. The box has a flexible fluid-impervious collapsible pouch attached within. The box will hold a bulk consumable like popcorn and the pouch will hold a beverage to consume with the bulk item.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,872 to J. G. Donnelly on Oct. 19, 1971 for a Receptacle Device for Food and Beverage Products or the like shows a lunchbox having a heat-insulating housing with a first container to store hot fluids and a second container suspended above the first to store food. There is an open space above the second container to store utensils.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,581 to R. Sedlacek on Sep. 27, 1977 for a Lunch Bucket and Beverage Bottle Combination describes a lunch bucket having a separate compartment for storing a beverage bottle. The door to the bottle compartment provides a friction lock to hold the bottle in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,867 to H. M. Alfredson on Nov. 19, 1991 for a Hot and Cold Lunch Box for Automobile Travel shows a lunch box that has two compartments. Both compartments are insulated to enable them to maintain their contents at either a hot or cold temperature. The upper section of the lunch box can also be placed over the door handle and lock of an automobile to protect them from ice.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,612 to Y. W. Liu on Jan. 26, 1993 for a Compact Collapsible Lunch Box describes a lunch box with a lower section that has collapsible walls. There is beverage container and a thermal gel pack to cool the food and the beverage container.
The above patents attempt to solve these storage and transportation problems but do not offer the convenience and complete separability of the present invention.

Separable food and beverage container combination


An apparatus and method for the direct reduction of iron oxide utilizes a hearth furnace having a vitreous hearth layer of conditioning materials, with the vitreous hearth layer introduced onto a refractory surface of the furnace. The vitreous hearth layer may have upper layers of coating compounds including carbonaceous materials, onto which iron oxide feed material is placed with the carbonaceous materials assisting with segregating the reduced molten iron nuggets from the vitreous hearth layer. The conditioning materials may include compounds such as silicon oxide, magnesium oxide, iron oxides, and aluminum oxide. The conditioning materials are placed in solid or liquid form on the refractory surface, which allows the conditioning materials to raise the melting temperature of the vitreous hearth layer onto which the coating compounds and iron oxide materials are placed. The iron oxide materials form molten metal nuggets of high purity iron and residual carbon, which remains separate from the vitreous hearth layer due to the layer of coating compounds. The invented apparatus and method of operation provide a solid iron and carbon product having high iron purity, which is discharged from the furnace without significant loss of iron onto the interior surfaces of the hearth furnace, and with limited buildup of hardened films of metallized iron product within the hearth.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for introducing materials into an ore processing furnace for improved reduction of iron oxide. More particularly, this invention relates to the composition of materials introduced into a furnace for increasing/controlling the melting point of hearth compounds and for coating the hearth surface to improve the reduction and metallization of iron oxide.
Steel, by definition, is a combination of iron with a small amount of carbon and other materials. Iron does not occur in nature in its useful metallic form. Metallic iron, from which steel is derived, much be extracted from iron ore. Generally, the ratio of metallic iron to total iron is termed metallization.
All steelmaking processes require the input of iron bearing materials as process feedstocks. For making steel in a basic oxygen furnace, the iron bearing feed materials are usually blast furnace hot metal and steel scrap. A broadly used iron source is a product known as Direct Reduced Iron (xe2x80x9cDRIxe2x80x9d) which is produced by the solid state reduction of iron ore to highly metallized iron without the formation of liquid iron.
A common problem with current methods for producing metallized iron product is the loss of purified metallized iron within the furnace at elevated temperatures. Additionally, the current methods for obtaining increased volumes and a higher quality of metallized iron product from rotary hearth furnaces involve significant expenditures, increased processing time, and/or excessive furnace temperatures.
In 1987, Midrex received U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,214, that taught reduction in a rotary hearth furnace and a method of operation in which finely divided iron oxide and carbonaceous material is devolatized, with a substantial portion being reacted, forming hot, highly reduced iron containing some carbon for feed material for additional smelting and refining.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,775 teaches a method and apparatus for producing direct reduced iron from dry iron oxide and carbon compacts that are placed no more than two layers deep onto a rotary hearth, and are metallized by heating the compacts to temperatures of approximately 1316xc2x0 to 1427xc2x0 C., for a short time period. For a general understanding of the recent art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,775 is incorporated herein by reference.
Because of the problems of the prior art, a need therefore exists for an apparatus and method of operation for efficiently producing increased volumes and a higher quality of metallized iron product from rotary hearth furnaces without significant increases in cost, processing time, or excessive furnace temperatures.
While there are numerous methods and means for producing increased volumes and higher quality metallized iron product from rotary hearth furnaces, none are known to have a similar structure to, or to function in the manner of the present invention.
Direct reduction of iron oxide in furnaces utilizing the invented apparatus and method improves the utilization of a hearth furnace by providing a moving hearth with a refractory base layer thereon and a vitreous hearth layer on the refractory base layer. The vitreous hearth layer is composed of conditioning materials that increase the melting point of the vitreous layer onto which iron oxide pellets are placed. The conditioning materials may be provided as multiple layers on the base layer, with an upper layer or coating of non-wetting graphite compounds. Multiple vitreous hearth layers may contain components that increase the melting point of the vitreous hearth layers, and may include upper layers of carbon or carbon compounds that reduce the adherence of liquified iron and carbon to the vitreous hearth layer, thereby improving the efficiency of the direct reduction of iron oxide feed material to metallized iron discharged from the furnace.
The present invention is an improved hearth apparatus and a method of operation that provides conditioning materials that may include compounds such as magnesium oxide compounds, silicon oxide compounds, aluminum oxide compounds, iron oxide compounds, and a carbon compound source that are introduced in layers onto a refractory base layer, and are melted to form vitreous hearth layers. An additional upper coating layer of carbonaceous materials is added and iron oxide pellets are placed for reduction. The invention provides for the production of increased volumes of product and a higher quality carbon-containing metallized iron product than previously available. The iron product is separated from slag in the furnace without significant increases in costs, processing time, or excessive furnace temperatures over prior known processes.
The principal object of the present invention is to provide a method of achieving efficient reduction of iron oxide to metallized iron at elevated temperatures in a processing and reducing furnace having a hearth surface, preferably a moving hearth.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a method of achieving efficient reduction of iron oxide at elevated temperatures in a processing and reducing furnace which allows ease of removal of metallized iron oxide from the hearth surface.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved furnace apparatus for introducing refractory surface conditioning material onto the base layer of the furnace.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hearth furnace method of operation which provides hearth conditioning materials forming solidified vitreous hearth layers at high temperatures utilized for producing metallizing iron material.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a method of operation of a rotary hearth furnace including applying conditioning materials on a refractory surface, with placement of coating layers providing ease of removal of metallized iron product from the vitrified hearth surface.
The objects of the invention are met by a method for producing direct reduced, purified, metallized iron at elevated temperatures within a furnace, including the step of providing a furnace having a refractory layer, introducing conditioning materials on the refractory layer, heating the conditioning materials to form a vitreous layer on the refractory layer, and placing a coating layer on the vitreous layer. Iron oxide materials are placed on the coating layer, exposed to elevated temperatures, and reduced to purified metallized iron nuggets, which are discharged from the furnace.
The objects of the invention are also met by an apparatus for producing direct reduced metallized iron at elevated temperatures within a furnace, the furnace having a refractory layer with a means for introducing conditioning materials on the refractory layer. The conditioning materials include carbonaceous materials including a mixture of magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide compounds, iron oxide compounds and a carbon source, placed in multiple layers on the refractory layer. The conditioning materials are heated to form vitreous hearth layers. A carbon coating layer is applied to the vitreous hearth layers, and iron oxide feed materials are placed on the coating layer. The iron oxide materials are heated by a radiant heat source within the furnace to form purified metallized iron nuggets, which are discharged from the furnace.

Furnace hearth for improved molten iron production and method of operation

Midrex International, B.V., Rotterdam, Zurich Branch


An OTP bit cell includes a latch circuit of cross-coupled inverters. A floating gate PMOS transistor is inserted in each of the inverters. One or the other of the floating gate PMOS transistors is programmed through an included programming circuit so that a differential output of the latch circuit provides a corresponding logic state that is the same each time when read. To program a selected floating gate PMOS transistor, appropriate write inputs are applied to the programming circuit while a high reference voltage to the OTP bit cell is raised to a level such that the selected floating gate PMOS transistor is programmed.

The present invention generally relates to one-time-programmable (xe2x80x9cOTPxe2x80x9d) bit cells and in particular, to an OTP bit cell with a latch circuit having selectively programmable floating gate transistors.
OTP bit cells are commonly used for permanent or durable programming of bits in a system. OTP memory cells are a particularly popular type of OTP bit cell. OTP memory cells, however, are generally current sensing devices employing references and sense amplifiers. Therefore, they are prone to erroneous readings due to degradation of cell current over time. To avoid failure, or at least prolong the period of time before such failure, multiple OTP memory cells are sometimes placed in parallel to store a single bit of information. Although this arrangement may protect against charge loss from a single OTP memory cell causing a functional failure, the added OTP memory cells increase circuit size and consequently, device cost.
The use of latch circuits in OTP bit cells is advantageous, because they amplify current differences in generating differential voltage outputs rather than sensing current magnitudes. Consequently, latch circuits are not as readily prone to errors due to degradation of cell current, do not require the same reference and sense amplifier circuitry that OTP memory cells do, nor do they require the redundancy employed in OTP memory cells to reduce the effects of cell current degradation. Therefore, the use of latch circuits as OTP bit cells promise enhanced reliability and cost savings as compared to OTP memory cells.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an OTP bit cell with a latch circuit that provides reliable and predictable results throughout its operational life.
Another object is to provide such an OTP bit cell that is cost effective to manufacture.
Still another object is to provide a method for programming such an OTP bit cell that is easy to perform in the field, as well as in the factory.
These and additional objects are accomplished by the various aspects of the present invention, wherein briefly stated, one aspect is an OTP bit cell including floating gate transistors, and transistors coupled to the floating gate transistors so as to act as a latch circuit. After one of the floating gate transistors is selectively programmed by increasing a voltage across its source and drain so as to reduce its threshold voltage, a current differential is generated through the floating gate transistors and consequently, a differential voltage output of the latch circuit results having a logic state that corresponds to that selection and is the same each time when read.
Another aspect is a method for programming an OTP bit cell including first and second floating gate transistors, first and second PMOS transistors, and first and second NMOS transistors coupled together and to high and low reference voltages so as to form a latch circuit, and third and fourth NMOS transistors coupled to the first and the second floating gate transistors, the method comprising: applying write input voltages to the third and fourth NMOS transistors while raising the high reference voltage so as to program one, but not the other of the first and the second floating gate transistors.

One-time-programmable bit cell with latch circuit having selectively programmable floating gate transistors


A rail-guided apparatus-carrying system for conveying and moving an apparatus such as a loudspeaker or a spotlight along a predetermined path defined by the system when fixed in a wall or roof of a housing, the system comprising a rail-like stationary holder to be fixed to the roof and a movable carrier including a driving motor unit for moving the carrier along the holder and an apparatus actuating unit for moving the apparatus relative to the carrier, the apparatus being connected to the carrier by an apparatus hanging member, the carrier being supported in the holder by a supporting-guiding-estabilizing mechanism including damping-resilient devices for obtaining steady and smooth movements for the carried apparatus, an electrical system being provided to supply electricity to the units.

The present invention relates to a rail-guided apparatus carrying system particularly for moving with steady and smooth movements, at least one apparatus which is applied to a roof, to a wall of a housing, or to any other structure of a building, wherein the apparatus may be moved along a predetermined path. The term "apparatus or apparatuses" refers to the general concept of any kind of articles, objects, apparatuses, devices, appliances, like loudspeakers, spotlights, tools, etc., but particularly refers to light articles like a lighting apparatus which may be rotated and or moved along a wall or a roof, in housings, structures, offices, supermarkets, etc.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to a system that may be applied to a roof of a house. The invention can be applied to any kind of wall, floor or roof surface and it may be used embedded in a wall, in inclined walls, beams, profiles, etc. The system is also useful for showing objects in expositions, lectures, conferences, etc. The system proposed is connected to a house surface. The house surface defines a support surface and in the case of a floor or an inclined roof or wall, adapting means may be added to support the rail in which the system runs. The rail is connected to the house surface by means of adjustable brackets.
For some considerable time, attempts have been made to provide simple, easy-installation, agreeable systems for installing for example, spotlights or loudspeakers in houses with the possibility of moving them along a predetermined path within a room, like a living-room, a bath-room, etc.
Most of the existing systems consist of a mere rail for supporting the spotlight in a stationary manner, while it is necessary to move the spotlight by hand in order to locate it in a desired position.
It is generally necessary the use of ladders for this operation, what is cumbersome and dangerous.
Even when these spotlights may be moved by hand, generally the power supplying wires that receive the electricity from the power line has a length insufficient to move the spotlight to extreme positions or, otherwise, when the spotlight is moved to a position closed to the place the wires enter the roof, or the electrical wall boxes, the wire in excess hangs out from the roof.
Particularly for lighting apparatuses, like spotlights, it is very important that the movement thereof be smooth and uniform to avoid disturbing illumination of the room.
Other wire-less devices, however, may be moved and kept stationary in predetermined locations of the rail while electrical connectors are provided for supplying electricity to the device.


A hybrid swellable material employs an oleophilic elastomer as a matrix admixed with an organic material derived from soy that is water swellable in brine, as well as fresh water. Various downhole tools may be made using this hybrid swellable material.

In the fields of wellbore construction and intervention, swellable tools are used to provide isolation between two regions in an annulus formed between an exterior surface of a tubular and an interior surface of well casing or a wellbore. A swellable member is formed from an elastomeric material selected to swell when placed in certain fluids. Where the swellable member swells in oil, the member may comprise an oleophilic polymer such as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). Where the swellable member swells in water, the member may comprise a polymer such as an N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide-base cross-linked resin and a water swellable urethane in an ethylene-propylene rubber matrix.
Hybrid swellable materials have been developed that swell in both oil and water. Such hybrid swellable materials typically use EPDM or other similar oil-swellable materials mixed with acrylate copolymers, commonly designated as super absorbent polymers (SAPs), that swell in water. Other types of swellable materials have been used, including various clays, salts, and other absorbents. Swellable materials are relatively recent in the oil and gas industry, and no industry standard exists.
However, SAP-based hybrid swellable materials have vastly different swell rates in fresh and salt water, because of the ionic nature of the SAP. The industry has desired a swellable material that will perform better in salt water conditions. In addition, SAPs have a tendency to extrude from the elastomer matrix, and a material that would reduce extrusion from the elastomer matrix would be desirable.

Swellable material using soy spent flakes


A cable assembly includes a cable including a wire and an insulator surrounding the wire extending a length between a first end and a second end and being conductive, where the wire having a first stiffness. The cable assembly includes a sleeve surrounding the cable between the first end and the second end having an interior surface facing the cable and an exterior surface facing an exterior environment of the cable assembly. The cable assembly includes a cable stiffener coupled to the sleeve extending along at least a portion of the length of the cable. The cable stiffener is formable into shape retaining shape and has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness to hold the cable in the shape retaining shape.

The subject matter herein relates generally to cable assemblies.
Cable assemblies are used in connector systems to electrically connect various components. The cable assemblies include one or more cables that are routed between the various components. The cables may be routed around or between other components, such as through boxes, panels, walls, around other cables and the like. Some known cable assemblies include sleeves that surround the cables to secure the cables in a safe environment away from damage, dust debris and the like. The sleeve is bendable with the cables and routable with the cables between the components and around other components within the system.
In some systems, the cables are bent and manipulated around various components. The cables do not tend to hold their shape and tend to straighten over time, pressing against the other components or generally working themselves out of position over time.
A need remains for a cable assembly configured to retain shape over time that may be manufactured in a cost effective and reliable manner.


A system for protecting an inverter in a vehicle from an overvoltage may include an inverter including a plurality of switching elements and converting energy supplied from an energy storage into AC power, a motor driven by the AC power converted by the inverter, a capacitor connected in parallel between the inverter and the energy storage and storing regenerative energy of the motor during regenerative braking, and a controller turning off a relay that connects the energy storage and the motor, when a voltage (DC-link voltage) of the capacitor measured by a voltage sensor is equal to or greater than a preset first voltage, and operating the switching elements in the inverter in response to a pre-stored current command (Id*, Iq*) to apply a zero vector to the motor.

Recently, in response to the crisis of air pollution and oil depletion, technologies related to eco-friendly vehicles that use electric energy as the power of a vehicle are being actively developed. The eco-friendly vehicles include a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell electric vehicle, and an electric vehicle.
Meanwhile, the electric vehicle includes an inverter system so as to drive a motor as shown in FIG. 1. However, the electric vehicle including the conventional inverter system turns off a relay 50 that connects a high voltage battery 10 and a motor 40, when a DC link voltage (voltage on both ends of a capacitor 20) of the inverter 30 exceeds a predetermined voltage level. In this case, the electric energy flows excessively from the motor towards the capacitor 20, so that the DC link voltage applied to both ends of the capacitor 20 designed in the inverter system rises sharply. Consequently, the burn-out of the inverter may be caused by the overvoltage.
Accordingly, there is a need to develop a technology that can prevent the burn-out of the inverter due to an overvoltage.
The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and is not intended to mean that the present disclosure falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

System and method for protecting inverter in vehicle from overvoltage


The present invention relates to a system of multi-beam antennas comprising a network of N radiating elements, N being an even whole number, the elements of the network being connected two by two via transmission lines. The system comprises in addition M radiating sources, M being a whole number greater than or equal to 1, the radiating source(s) each being positioned at a distance Li from the center of the network such that the distance Li is strictly less than the distance of fields called far fields and i varies from 1 to M. This system can be used notably in MIMO devices.

For emerging applications such as wireless domestic networks, intelligent networks or similar type networks, the use of directive antennas, that is antennas able to focus the radiated power in a particular direction of the space are proving particularly attractive. However, the laws of physics impose a minimum size for antennas, this size being all the more significant as the antenna is more directive or as its operating frequency is low.
Up until now, the use of directive antennas has remained limited to applications operating at very high frequencies, often with fixed beams, and do not have size constraints such as those of radar applications or satellite applications. Thus, for these application types, antenna devices are known that generate multiple beams but are composed of numerous modules that are often complex and costly. Conversely, antenna devices called retro-directive antennas enable directive beams to be formed very simply in a privileged direction of the space. Retro-directive antenna networks are based on the fact that each antenna of the network receives the incident signal of a source with a characteristic path-length difference, that is to say a different phase. This phase difference is characteristic of the direction of the emitting source. In fact, so that the signal to be sent is emitted in the direction of the source, it suffices that the phase difference between each antenna at transmission is opposite to that in reception so as to anticipate the path-length difference on the return path.
Among retro-directive antennas, the most well known network is the network call the "Van-Atta" network which is described, notably, in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,002 of 6 Oct. 1959. As shown in FIG. 1, a Van-Atta type retro-directive network is constituted of a number of radiating elements 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b that are symmetric with respect to the central axis Oy of the network. The radiating elements are connected by pairs, the radiating element 1a being connected to the radiating element 1b, the radiating element 2a connected to the radiating element 2b, the radiating element 3a connected to the radiating element 3b, via transmission lines 1, 2, 3 having equal electrical lengths, the antennas being symmetrically opposed with respect to the central axis of the network. In this case, the phase difference induced by the transmission lines is thus the same on all the radiating elements and the phase difference between two consecutive radiating elements is the same in reception of the signal and in transmission of the signal retro-directed to the closest sign. The phase differences between the signals of radiating elements of the transmitting network are thus opposed to the phase differences between the signals of the radiating elements of the receiving network. A retro-directivity of the transmitted signal is thus obtained.
However, this method has a certain number of significant disadvantages. To obtain the retro-directivity of the signal, the front of the incident wave must be flat. In addition, the antenna network must be flat or more or less symmetric with respect to the network centre. As the front of the incident wave must be flat, it is necessary that the network of radiating elements is positioned in the field area far from the transmitter source. As a result, the applications of Van-Atta type networks have only been, up to now, satellite or radar type applications.
As a result of studies made on these types of retro-directive networks, the present invention proposes to use the principle of a network of radiating elements to produce a system of multi-beam antennas that can be used in wireless communications, notably in wireless domestic networks or in peer to peer type networks communicating via wireless links, more specifically, in the scope of MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) systems but also in antenna systems with a single antenna associated with processing systems operating with directive antennas.


For a two-piece trailer hitch, a secure locking device is formed with a U-shaped member and a compatible bar for the U-shaped member. The U-shaped member has a female threaded end and female locking end. The bar has a male threaded end and a female key receiving end. A holding pin may provide additional strength for holding the bar in the U-shaped member. A key removes the bar from or attaches the bar to the U-shaped member.

Well known in the art of trailer hitches is the two piece trailer hitch With the two piece trailer hitch, a vehicle member is mounted on the vehicle and does not protrude beyond the bumper of the vehicle. In order to make this trailer hitch effective, a removable member is slidably mounted within the first vehicle member and held therein by a pin. In this manner, a vehicle can have trailer towing capability added or removed as desired. This factor protects the trailer hitch from undesired weather wear.
This trailer hitch removability factor also improves the aesthetic appearance of a vehicle. While a trailer hitch is utilitarian, the presence of the hitch without a trailer detracts from the aesthetic appearance of a vehicle. The two-piece trailer hitch thus provides both a utilitarian and aesthetic function.
While this structure provides for a convenient method and apparatus for providing the joinder of the two-piece trailer hitch or the separation of the two-piece trailer hitch, many problems are presented. It becomes very easy to duplicate the vehicle member of that two piece trailer hitch and provide for a simple method of stealing the trailer and the item thereon by simply removing the cotterpin and separating the removable member of the trailer hitch from the vehicle member In this fashion, the removable member of trailer hitch can be easily mounted in a similar device of the vehicle member mounted on a thief's vehicle. Then the trailer is towed away together with whatever is on the trailer.
This problem is well recognized in the art, because a number of locking devices have been provided to avoid this problem. However, these locking devices have a tendency to be cumbersome and bulky, and not easily operated. It is highly desirable to provide a simple locking mechanism which is easily operable while at the same time strong enough to provide protection.
A threaded locking device is useful for solving some of the protection problems, but not strong enough to provide all of the desired protection. These devices can also be bulky and cumbersome. Additionally, the pressure of towing can release the threaded locking device. If the strength and simplicity of the threaded locking device can be achieved, while avoiding an undesired release of the locking device when in use, great advantages are obtained in trailer security.


A system and method for payment notification using blockchain. The system and method relate to real-time monitoring and updating of a list of accounts that have not satisfied a minimum payment amount due. The real-time monitoring and updating of the list occurs through the use of a blockchain monitoring payment information by a user to the account. The blockchain is continually updated every time a payment is made. A notification system receives each update and is aware, in real-time, whether a user has satisfied a minimum payment amount due and thus whether an account is current or in need of a collections notification.

Payment notifications are sent to users of credit accounts. Payment notifications may be collections notifications that are sent to a user after the payment due date when the user has not satisfied the minimum payment due by the due date. Currently, a batch process is performed to generate a list of accounts associated with users who have not remitted payment that satisfies the minimum payment due by the due date. The user may then receive a collections notification that the payment has not been received by the due date. If a user makes a payment after the batch process is performed but before the collections notification is sent, the user may still receive the collections notification. This is due to the fact that the batch process is static and only run a single time. Thus, for any payments submitted after the batch process is performed, the list of accounts that receives the collections notification is not updated. That is, the collections notification is not updated between the batch process and the sending of the collections notification to remove or otherwise reflect that a credit account is up to date because the user has submitted a payment that satisfies the minimum payment amount due.


Techniques are described for a lighting system in which light sources are controllable using signals sent over a wireless mesh network. During a commissioning process, a user interface (UI) may present a representation of nodes (e.g., light sources, sensors, controllers, etc.) that are broadcasting a wireless advertising signal. In response to a selection of a particular node, a wireless message may be sent to instruct the selected node to provide a visual indication of its presence, such as a flashing light. The visual indication may enable a user to discern the physical location of the node, such that each node may be added to the mesh network and, in some instances, to a group of nodes. The UI may also enable the definition of scenes, where each scene describes the brightness level or other operating characteristics of particular light source(s) and/or group(s) of light sources when the scene is active.

The lighting controls in a typical commercial space generally provide two settings: on and off. All of the lights in a room may be controlled as a unit from a wall switch, or different banks of lights may be controlled by different dedicated switches. Additionally, the electrical systems in many commercial buildings are not compatible with standard dimmer switches; accordingly, dimming often requires specialized wiring. This can leave some areas over lit while others are under lit. Moreover, lights get left on in unoccupied spaces or someone might find themselves walking into a dark room searching for the switch. Existing lighting control systems often require expensive and disruptive installations and, because of their complexity, they are often disabled or ignored after they are set up. This leaves users with too much or too little light much of the time.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An information processing apparatus includes a memory, and circuitry. The circuitry acquires a plurality of images divided from original image data, the plurality of images including at least a first image data and a second image data, predicts a size of a storage-use region in the memory, the storage-use area to be used for storing the plurality of image data to be merged based on image information of the acquired first image data, secures the predicted size of the storage-use region in the memory, merges the plurality of image data in the storage-use region secured in the memory based on image information of the acquired first image data, and stores the merged plurality of image data in the storage-use region secured in the memory.

Technical Field
This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus that merges a plurality of image data, an image processing method that merges a plurality of image data, an image processing system including the information processing apparatus and storage medium of a program for executing the image processing method.
Background Art
When an application or operating system (OS) divides or splits an original image data having a greater data size into a plurality of sub-image data, the plurality of sub-image data is compared line by line or row by row to determine whether the plurality of sub-image data have an overlapping portion, and then reconfigures the original image data by merging the plurality of sub-image data.
However, since the image size of the original image data (i.e., data before dividing) is not known, one storage-use region secured in a memory may not be sufficient to merge the plurality of the sub-image data, and thereby another storage-use region is required to be secured in the memory instead of the one storage-use region, which means two storage-use regions are required to set in the memory, and thereby the efficiency of memory resource use becomes lower.

Information processing apparatus configured to predict a size of a storage-use region , method, image processing system, and storage medium


The self securing suture includes a suture having at least one terminal end and a toggle, formed of suture material, at the suture""s terminal end. In one embodiment, the suture toggle is a bar. In another embodiment the suture is a wire and the toggle is a wire element toggle. The wire element toggle is a double strand segment or an open loop segment. The suture delivery system includes a slotted needle configured such that a protruding tab or leg of the toggle bar fits within slot of the needle. For wire sutures, the open loop wire element toggle fits within the slotted needle. In another embodiment, a depending wire tip, from the wire element toggle, fits within the slot in the needle. In either situation, after the needle pierces the bodily structure, tissue or organ, the tab, leg, depending wire tip or open loop wire segment coacts with the inboard portion of the bodily structure, tissue or organ, and, as the delivery needle is withdrawn, the toggle at the terminal end of the suture remains in the bodily structure, tissue or organ. The toggle is then fully deployed being generally normally disposed (perpendicular) to the length or axial center line of the suture. When the suture has two suture toggles, one at each terminal end of a suture thread or suture wire body, the physician can easily deploy the suture toggles on either side of an arterial puncture site (for example), tie off the suture thread or suture wire body and thereby close the puncture.

In order to pass a suture through a tubular organ or other structure in a body (a human body or an animal), it is necessary to traverse the bodily structure, tissue or organ completely and encircle the area where the physician or medical technician wishes to place the suture. This traverse and encircle method works well in situations where easy access is available to the structure, tissue or organ and the item to be sutured is easily viewed by the physician. In limited access situations (for example, in laposcopic surgery, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery), the traverse and encirclement by sutures is often times difficult, dangerous and at other times impossible.
As a further example, an attempt to suture a blood vessel through a small puncture wound is almost impossible. The direct suture of the arterial puncture is not possible.
The increasing utilization of minimally invasive surgical techniques has created a need for improved methods, suture systems and suture placement devices under adverse conditions of limited access and limited visibility of the suture site.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,046 to Janese discloses a dural sealing needle. The dural sealing needle includes a gelatin sealing compound that swells and sits between an impact cone cavity and an impact cone protrusion. Wings spread out based upon the swelling of the gelatin seal and assist in the retention of the suture seal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,990 to Nobles et al. discloses a suturing device which includes sutures having needle points at terminal ends of the suture wire. The sutures are made of NITINOL memory shape metal material. When the memory shape metal is freed from the lumen of a needle, the needle points, at the terminal ends of the metal sutures, flare out laterally beyond the lumen of the needle and the needle points are captured by suture catches which are also laterally disposed outboard of the needle. The catches pull the needle points and draw in the sutures. U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,364 to Kensey discloses a tubular body at the end of a suture thread which expands after being pushed out from the lumen of a delivery needle. In the lumen, the body is contracted or compressed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,330 to Hayhurst discloses an apparatus for anchoring cartilage. The anchor is deformed in the lumen of a delivery tube, is thereafter pushed from the tube and springs laterally outward upon exiting the tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,040 to Mueller et al. disclose a T-shaped bar, having a length of 0.25 inches, at the end of a suture. The bar is held in place by a melted ball of material at the terminal end of the suture.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a suture which can be self secured on a bodily structure, tissue or organ with a toggle at the terminal end of the suture.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a generally T-shaped toggle which latches on an interior or inboard surface of a bodily structure, tissue and organ thereby permitting the balance of the suture to be drawn in and wherein the toggle grasps the bodily structure, tissue and organ.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toggle configured as a bar at the end of a suture.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a metal wire suture with a T-shaped toggle or a toggle wire element attached to the terminal end of a suture wire.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suture and a suture toggle wherein the suture toggle includes a protruding leg or tab which is utilized by a needle delivery system to insert the suture toggle into the bodily structure, tissue or organ.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suture delivery system including a slotted needle, within which is seated the leg or tab of the suture toggle, which assists in the process of inserting the suture toggle into the bodily structure, tissue or organ.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a self securing suture with a suture toggle which can be used for minimally invasive surgical techniques.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suture delivery system and toggle sutures utilized in laproscopic procedures.
The self securing suture includes a suture having at least one terminal end and a toggle, formed of suture material, at the suture""s terminal end. In one embodiment, the suture toggle is a bar. In another embodiment the suture is a wire and the toggle is a wire element toggle. The wire element toggle is a double strand segment or an open loop segment. The suture delivery system includes a slotted needle configured such that a protruding tab or leg of the toggle bar fits within slot of the needle. For wire sutures, the open loop wire element toggle fits within the slotted needles In another embodiment, a depending wire tip, from the wire element toggle, fits within the slot in the needle. In either situation, after the needle pierces the bodily structure, tissue or organ, the tab, leg, depending wire tip or open loop wire segment coacts with the inboard portion of the bodily structure, tissue or organ, and, as the delivery needle is withdrawn, the toggle at the terminal end of the suture remains in the bodily structure, tissue or organ. The toggle is then fully deployed being generally normally disposed (perpendicular) to the length or axial center line of the suture. When the suture has two suture toggles, one at each terminal end of a suture thread or suture wire body, the physician can easily deploy the suture toggles on either side of an arterial puncture site (for example), tie off the suture thread or suture wire body and thereby close the puncture.


A holding down plate for fastening a fuel injector in a location orifice of a cylinder head of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine includes on one end a fastening bore, which is penetrated by a fastening element which fastens the holding down plate to the cylinder head, and the opposite end of the holding down plate has a location orifice for receiving a fuel injector, the location orifice being divided by an insertion recess and delimited by a first and a second fork end, which exert a force on the fuel injector thereby pressing the fuel injector against a pressure shoulder located in the location orifice of the cylinder head. The first and the second fork end are bent in a shape that is undulated in cross-section and is oriented toward the fuel injector, a radius of the undulated bending each forming a support area.

The present invention relates to a holding down plate for fastening of a fuel injector.
For receiving a fuel injector, direct-injection internal combustion engines usually have a location bore in a cylinder head in which a pressure shoulder is formed, against which the fuel injector is pressed using a clamping claw or a holding down plate. Such a clamping claw is known from Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 08-31 25 03.
Due to the non-symmetry of the applied force, transverse forces occur in the fuel injector, resulting in stresses which may cause interference and even failure of the system during operation of the fuel injector.
The holding down plate according to the present invention has the advantage over the related art in that the force is applied symmetrically due to the bent fork ends. The force is applied along a support line which is symmetrical with regard to the longitudinal axis of the fuel injector.
The linear support areas of the bent fork ends lie on a common straight line, so that the holding down plate may be oriented in any desired way with regard to a symmetrically designed fuel injector. By introducing a slot which starts at the location orifice it is possible to produce two independently formed bending bars whose elasticity determines the support force in the support area. By introducing the slot asymmetrically, it is further possible to influence the spring constant of the particular bending bar according to the length of the bending bars up to the support area, so that the same force is always applied to the fuel injector in the support area. Thereby the introduction of transverse forces into the fuel injector can be prevented. The spring-elastic fork ends make an axial length compensation possible. Thus tolerances occurring during manufacture as well as the elongation due to temperature differences occurring during operation can be compensated for.

Hold-down metal plate for securing a fuel injection valve


An apparatus for estimating a parameter includes: an optical fiber including at least one core configured to transmit an interrogation signal and including a plurality of sensing locations distributed along a measurement length of the optical fiber and configured to reflect light; a reference optical path configured to transmit a reference signal, the reference optical path disposed in a fixed relationship to the at least one core and extending at least substantially parallel to the at least one core, the reference optical path including a reference reflector that defines a cavity length corresponding to the measurement length; a detector configured to receive a reflected return signal; a reference interferometer configured to receive at least a reference signal and generate an interferometric reference signal; and a processor configured to apply the interferometric reference signal to the reflected return signal to compensate for one or more environmental parameters.

Fiber-optic sensors have been utilized in a number of applications, and have been shown to have particular utility in sensing parameters in various environments. Optical fiber sensors can be incorporated into environments such as downhole environments and be used to sense various parameters of an environment and/or the components disposed therein, such as temperature, pressure, strain and vibration.
Parameter monitoring systems can be incorporated with downhole components as fiber-optic distributed sensing systems (DSS). Examples of DSS techniques include Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR), which includes interrogating an optical fiber sensor with an optical signal to generate reflected signals scattered from sensing locations (e.g., fiber Bragg gratings) in the optical fiber sensor.
Swept-wavelength interferometric-based sensing systems, frequently used for distributed fiber-optic sensing, are so-called because they rely upon interferometry to encode the sensor information. In some applications, however, the sensing fiber (the fiber containing or consisting of the sensor(s)) is subject to vibrations. These vibrations can result in a smearing of data, and can ultimately reduce data fidelity or inhibit the ability to make a measurement altogether.

System and method of distributed fiber optic sensing including integrated reference path


A process distributing video streams to a plurality of addressees, comprising a marking step comprising adding at least one visual element to a video stream, which marking step is applied to an original video stream common to all the addressees and which is personalized for each addressee by addition of a visual element specific to the addressee that allows rapid visual identification of the addressee, wherein the added visual element replaces part of the original video stream that is stored in complementary information on a multimedia server.

Tattooing effects are known that permit the insertion into a video stream of visual elements that can not be detected by the human eye, but can be recognized by a computer program, even after several manipulations of the video stream. These visual elements can also be personalized for one or several users. The disadvantage of the existing solutions is that they do not allow for detection of a fraudulent copy without employing complex techniques for the analysis of the video stream.

Process and device for the protection and display of video streams


A method, apparatus, and computer program for cognitive radio communications are provided. A reference signal is received from a transmitter of a primary system, and the received reference signal is received with an arbitrarily selected beamforming setting. Then, a signal quality metric is calculated from the received and beamformed reference signal. If the signal quality metric indicates that a reception power of the received signal is low, transmission of a data signal to a wireless communication device of a secondary system is scheduled. In the scheduled transmission in the secondary system, the same beamforming setting as was used in the reception of the reference signal is employed.

Recently, a field of cognitive radio communications has become an interesting topic in the development of future radio communication systems and networks. A cognitive radio communication device is capable of sensing a radio environment and adapting its communication parameters to the sensed environment. The sensing typically extends beyond conventional radio channel estimation and comprises sensing other users in the same radio spectrum. The other users may use the same or even different radio access technologies. The communication parameters are then adjusted so as to avoid interference towards/from other users.

Avoiding interference in cognitive radio communications


An automatic channel selection (ACS) process enables an access point to determine a best channel available, i.e., the channel with a least amount of interference, for it operation. When ACS is enabled, the access point scans frequencies for all neighboring access points and their signal strengths. Based on this data, the access point then determines which frequency is least likely to be interfered with by these other access points. The access point switches itself to this frequency and begins operation. During normal operation, the access point may periodically rescan the air space and reevaluate its current operating channel. Preferably, every neighboring access point has its own channel, and the co-channel interference levels should be low enough so that there is a maximum coverage and high throughput for the network. If these characteristics cannot be achieved, the access point may then adjust its power automatically to reduce the interference level in the network. This automatic power adjustment (APA) feature preferably operates across a set of access points, each of which has the function. In this manner, the transmitting power of the neighboring access points in the wireless network is “cooperatively” adjusted to minimize the channel interference and maximize the coverage and throughput for the network. A method of determining optimal access point locations for access points that perform the ACS and APA functions is also described.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to creating and managing wireless networks.
2. Background of the Related Art
An access point is a device that acts as a central point between a wireless and a wired network. When multiple access points are installed within close proximity, installers must choose proper radio channels to minimize inter-access point interference, which can degrade the performance of a wireless LAN. Access point devices that include automatic channel selection are known in the art. The access point senses the presence of other access points and attempts to adjust to a quieter channel.
Wireless LAN technologies operate according to a family of IEEE specifications known as 802.11. In particular, the basic 802.11 standard specifies an over-the-air interface between a wireless client and a base station or between two wireless clients. 802.11a is an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANs and provides up to 54 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. 802.11b is an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANs and provides 11 Mbps transmission (with a fallback to 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz band. In 802.11b, the frequency band is 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The first channel (Channel 1) is placed at center frequency 2.412 GHz, and subsequent channels are at 5 MHz multiple from the first channel (except channel 14, which is not a multiple of 5 MHz). This arrangement gives a total of 14 channels. In the United States, only channels 1 through 11 are allowed by the FCC. Channel 10 is allowed by all (world) regulatory authorities, and most manufacturers use this channel as the access point default channel. In the United States, the 802.11a channels are channels: 52, 56, 60, 64, 149, 153, 157, 161, and 165. These channels are separated by at least 20 MHz. This is also true for 802.11a channels in other parts of the world.
There are two possible modes of operation for an access point: 802.11b/g channel mode, and 802.11a channel mode. The signal interferences in these 802.11 modes are much different from each other, primarily because of differences in channel spacing and radar signal presence or lack thereof. In 802.11a mode, the channels are spaced far apart from each other; therefore, there is little co-channel interference. As noted above, the spacing between two adjacent channels is 20 MHz. FIG. 1 shows a transmit spectrum mask where a transmit signal's frequency beyond 22 MHz off center is −50 dBr (meaning that its power is reduced by 100,000). Because of this characteristic, finding a radar free channel that has a least amount of intra-channel interference is a problem in 802.11a. Note, however, that 802.11a avoids interference from cordless phones and microwaves because these devices operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. In 802.11b mode, as also illustrated in FIG. 1, the channels are only 5 Mhz apart; as a result, there is a strong possibility of adjacent channel interference. To achieve non-overlapping channels in 802.11b, channels 1, 6 and 11 are often used to provide the necessary 20 MHz separation.
In practice, however, access points may be configured to operate on any channel. It would be desirable to provide automatic channel selection algorithms that are not dependent on given assumptions, such as that all access points belong to certain channels, or that otherwise takes into account that all channels are likely to be used by neighboring access points.
The present invention addresses this need in the art.

Wireless access point (AP) automatic channel selection and automatic power adjustment


As an improvement on conventional brake systems of the type having a multiple-chamber vacuum brake force booster, a modification is disclosed to the effect that, in the brake releasing position, there is a pressure medium communication between a booster chamber and a simulator chamber. A modulator chamber requires only one external connection, thereby substantially simplifying the construction of the brake force booster and readily permitting an extension of the system's use to include traction slip control.

The present invention is concerned with a brake system for use with automotive vehicles, including a vacuum brake force booster operatively located between a brake pedal and a master brake cylinder. The brake force booster comprises at least two working chambers separated from one another by a diaphragm plate, with one of the working chambers being in communication with a vacuum source via a master electro-magnetic valve, and the other working chamber being capable of being vented via a control valve actuable by the brake pedal to generate a brake force in proportion to the brake pedal force.
The inventive brake system includes wheel brake cylinders in communication with the master brake cylinder and sensors associated with the wheels for detecting the rotational behavior of the wheels and determining a locking tendency, the output signals of such sensors being applied to a central electronic controller which, in response to the sensor signals, supplies a switching signal to the master electro-magnetic valve so that the first working chamber is placed in communication with the atmosphere rather than with the vacuum source.
The brake force booster further comprises an auxiliary diaphragm plate fixed to a simulator housing and separating an additional simulator chamber from the booster chamber, the simulator chamber being in permanent communication with the vacuum source and capable of being vented. The brake force booster also includes a piston rod transmitting the brake pedal force which is supported, through a spring, on the simulator housing. The diaphragm plate for generating the brake force is freely displaceable away from the simulator housing.
The present invention further discloses a brake force booster including a front chamber capable of being vented and a rear chamber to which controlled pressure is applied, the chambers being defined by a movable wall and separated from one another by a rolling diaphragm in an air-tight manner, and the rolling diaphragm being in abutment with the side of the wall facing the control pressure chamber.
A brake system and a brake force booster of the above-described type have been taught elsewhere. Venting of the booster chamber has previously been accomplished in a manner such that, through actuation of a control valve by means of a pedal, the communication between a booster chamber and a modulator chamber is initially interrupted and, subsequently, a communication between the booster chamber and the atmosphere is established. Because the control valve is located within a simulator housing, this arrangement requires that a pressure fluid connection be provided between the modulator chamber and corresponding chambers within the control housing. This has been achieved in that the control housing is open towards the front and is sealingly passed through a partition or diaphragm plate between the modulator chamber and the booster chamber.
The above-described design involves a number of disadvantages. For example, two seals are provided for the diaphragm plate, to wit, one for sealing against the housing of the brake force booster and the other for sealing against the simulator housing.
It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to reduce the number of seals required and to thereby attain a system which is less susceptible to said failure.

Brake system for automotive vehicles and brake force booster therefor


A ratchet wrench has a drive-stud element with a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end. The drive-stud element is coupled with a one-way drive transmitting wheel to rotate in unison therewith about an axis. The wrench can have a centering element that resists movement of the one-way drive transmitting wheel in at least one direction away from the axis. The drive-stud element and the one-way drive transmitting wheel can be separately formed. A method is also disclosed for operating a ratchet wrench with a drive-stud element with a drive stud at a first end and a drive recess at a second end.

Ratchet wrenches that contain a drive stud shaped and dimensioned to be received by an opening in a tool such as a socket are well known in the art. In addition to having a drive stud, the ratchet wrench disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,069 to White contains an exposed drive recess in its ratchet wheel. The drive recess can be connected to a drive stud of a non-ratcheting tool with a screwdriver-type handle, which is used to turn a nut, screw, or bolt when it becomes difficult or impractical to use the primary handle of the wrench for a ratcheting operation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,536 to Roberts et al. discloses another tool that has a drive stud and an exposed drive recess.
Other ratchet wrenches have components that resist movement of the ratchet wheel away from the axis of rotation. For example, in the wrench disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,995 to Roberts, a ratchet wheel is provided with an annular raised boss on the side of the ratchet wheel opposite the drive stud, and this boss fits within a recess in the head of the wrench. The boss resists forces tending to decenter the ratchet wheel with respect to its axis of rotation. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,140 to Roberts et al. discloses a centering element that extends from the head of a wrench into an annular recess on a face of a ratchet wheel opposed to a drive stud.


The present disclosure relates to system(s) and method(s) to generate alerts while monitoring a machine learning model in real time. The system is configured to receive, in response to a first input parameter, a first output parameter generated by a first function of a learning model corresponding to a machine learning model. The system is further configured to receive, in response to a second input parameter, a second output parameter generated by a second functionality of a real-time model corresponding to the machine learning model. Further, the system is configured to compare the first output parameter with the second output parameter and the first input parameter with the second input parameter to generate tuning and rebuilding alerts.

Machine learning is an elusive and elite subject demanding special skill and steeper acquisition curve. Current machine learning engines target to build offline learning models and deploy them when they are acceptable and accurate. With streaming data and demand for real time analytics, it is imperative to monitor machine learning models in real time and take appropriate actions based on the continuous monitoring.
State of the art academic research and commercial analytics tools available are configured to address the problem of updating ML Model in some use cases such as fraud detection, sales forecast and failure prediction. However, these solutions are not real-time monitoring solutions and require a lot of human intervention in order to monitor the ML model. Further, with the introduction of new live data, there are chances that tuning of the ML model is necessary. Further, there are no means by which, a user of the ML model can determine the accuracy of the ML model in real-time. Further, there is no set process in order to determine accuracy of an ML model which is functioning in real-time.

Generate alerts while monitoring a machine learning model in real time


A card slot apparatus of a card and an electronic machine includes a slot body having a slot in which a card is inserted, and a heat radiating unit movable between a first position spaced apart from the card and a second position contacting the card. A moving unit moves the heat radiating unit to the second position while moving in an opposite direction to an inserting direction of the card in combination with an inserting operation of the card into the slot body. An elastic unit elastically urges the moving unit in a moving direction thereof. The heat radiating unit includes a heat sink, and an elastic member to press the heat sink when the heat sink is moved to the second position. The elastic unit elastically urges the moving unit in the moving direction thereof when the heat sink is moved to the second position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic machine having a slot for mounting a dismountable card therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a card slot apparatus having an improved structure for easy mounting of the card, and an electronic machine having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An integrated circuit (IC) card (referred to as a card below), such as a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card, is mountable in a card slot apparatus in an electronic machine, such as a lap top computer or a slim digital television, for use therein. When the card is inserted in the card slot apparatus, it is electrically connected to the electronic machine to carry out a desired operation.
Recently, such cards are tending toward increased high level functionality and integration of circuit chips in a large scale. Accordingly, during operation, the card radiates a large amount of heat. Because the heat radiated during the operation of the card may increase temperature in the card, which can result in abnormal operation of the card, it is necessary for the card slot apparatus to be equipped with a heat radiating unit.
An example of a card slot apparatus having a heat radiating unit is disclosed in a Japanese patent publication No. H10-198462. FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating the card slot apparatus disclosed in the Japanese patent publication No. H10-198462.
As illustrated in the drawing, the card slot apparatus has a heat radiating unit 20 installed in a slot. When a card C is inserted in the slot, the heat radiating unit 20 comes in contact with the card C and radiates heat generating from the card C.
However, according to the card slot apparatus as described above, when the card is inserted in the slot, the heat radiating unit 20 and the card C come in contact with each other. Accordingly, a problem may occur in that it is difficult to insert and eject the card into and from the slot, and a surface of the card can be scratched.
To address the problem, a structure that shelters a heat radiating unit (that is, a heat sink) in an upper part of a slot before the card is inserted has been proposed and disclosed in a Japanese patent publication No. 2005-222537. When the card is inserted in the slot, the heat radiating unit gradually goes down by a cam unit and comes in contact with the card.
The card slot apparatus (Japanese patent publication No. 2005-222537) as described above presents a problem in that at an early stage of inserting the card, the card and the heat radiating unit do not contact each other, thereby allowing the card to be easily inserted. However, from a certain point of time, the card and heat radiating unit contact each other, thereby resulting in an increase in insertion resistance of the card. Even though the card is not completely connected with an electronic machine, some users may determine that the card is completely inserted and quit the inserting operation of the card, due to the increased insertion resistance of the card. As a result, a connection error of the card may occur.
Also, a technique that lowers a heat radiating unit using a cam unit like the Japanese patent publication No. 2005-222537 has been proposed and disclosed in a Japanese patent publication No. 2005-285522. In the Japanese patent publication No. 2005-285522, a structure that automatically lowers the heat radiating unit after a card is completely inserted is employed. According to the structure, because the heat radiating unit and the card do not contact each other while the card is inserted, there is almost no insertion resistance of the card. However, a unit is required to independently lower the heat radiating unit after the card is completely inserted. Accordingly, a problem may occur in that such structure is complicated or the number of parts is increased, thereby increasing mechanical troubles and fabrication costs.
Accordingly, a need exists for a card slot apparatus having an improved heat radiating unit that is movable in response to insertion and removal of a card.

Card slot apparatus having a movable heat radiating unit and electronic machine having the same


The transformer heating unit can be transformed into six different modes, namely:. a stove, a cooking oven, a roaster, a barbecue grill unit, a foodstuff smoking unit, and an indoor space heating furnace.. The whole transformer unit is enclosed into a compact, box-like casing, which can be deployed into either of the six modes. In its furnace mode, its combustion gas outlet port is coupled to an exhaust flue pipe, for controlled escape of combustion gases outwardly of the room where the occupants are located, whereby smoke intoxication is prevented.

The great appeal of outdoor activities during warm summer months means that there is a demand for related commodities. A preferred such activity is cooking foodstuff outside of the house, in the garden for example, over a barbecue grill. Typically, the heating fuel for these barbecue grills is charcoal; or, if trekking in isolated areas, locally available wood chips, or propane fuel (carried by the trekker) may be used.
Those seeking better value for their investment have developed the concept of transformer heating units, i.e. a single integral unit that can be easily transformed into various alternate modes. Typical of these modes are: foodstuff cooking units; radiating space heaters; frying, baking, steaming, roasting, and smoking units; for charcoal broiling; and including complementary means to serve with the cooking mode as a windbreak, as a dishpan or as a washpan.
Transformer heat-generating portable units have been known for a number of years. Such transformer units date back at least as early as the heating unit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,237,081 issued Apr. 1, 1941 to the Owens Smokeless Orchard Heater inc. corporation.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,907,316 issued in 1959 to Frank Windust further discloses a camp stove which can be transformed into a cooking unit or as a stove for use inside a tent.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,368 issued in February 1974 to William HUNT discloses a multi-purpose cooking assembly, which can be alternately used as a stove, as a griddle, as a toaster, as a pressure cooker, as a charcoal broiler, and for baking, steaming, roasting, or smoking foodstuff. This cooking assembly can be easily transported like a suitcase. It boasts a propane burner assembly for connection to a propane fuel reservoir, and/or alternate fuel source such as charcoal briquet in a suitable carrier, and/or prepackaged wood chips used when smoking the food. As suggested in FIG. 3 of the drawings in this latter patent, a variety of griddle, grill, carriers, pans, and other paraphernaliae are included as prepackaged detachable elements inside this cooking assembly, for use when necessary. For transport, these elements are generally nested into one another, as illustrated in FIG. 2, whereby support means 34, 38, 60 releasably interconnect these elements.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,855 issued in January 1974 to Vann NEWINGER, there is disclosed a heat-radiating unit 12 pivotally mounted into a drawer-like casing. One face 62 of the unit 12 forms a grate made of heavy wire mesh, while the opposite face 58 of unit 12 forms a flat panel. When radiator 12 is pivoted to a first position where face 58 becomes horizontal and faces upwardly, foodstuff can be heated or fryed thereon; when radiator 12 is pivoted half a turn to a second position whereby face 62 becomes horizontal and faces upwardly, a barbecue surface is formed; and when radiator 12 is oriented vertically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it becomes a space heater.
As we have seen, these transformer heating/cooking units are usually destined for outdoor use. Indeed, the combustion gases generated by the combustion of the fuel (charcoal or propane) are simply released to the air, without being channeled out through specific flue means. In the garden or in the woods, this has no drawback; but if one would like to use such a cooking/heating transformer unit inside a house or inside a flexible sheet tent, very real safety hazards would result, namely, severe intoxication (and possibly even death) from combustion gases (e.g. carbon monoxyde) smoke inhalation.


A virtual circle included in the through-hole as viewed from the axial direction is assumed in the through-hole. An inner peripheral surface of the through-hole includes a first side that is located on a radial inside with respect to the virtual circle and extends along the circumferential direction, a second side that is located on one side in the circumferential direction with respect to the virtual circle and extends along the radial direction, and a third side that is located on another side in the circumferential direction with respect to the virtual circle and extends along the radial direction. The second side and the third side contact with the virtual circle. The first side extends linearly or extends radially outward in a curved manner when viewed from the axial direction.

A rotor having a shaft and a rotor core, which are fixed to each other, is known in a motor. A structure fixed by key fitting, a structure fixed by press fitting, and the like are known as a fastening structure between the shaft and the rotor core. For example, a structure in which the shaft and the rotor core are key-fitted has been known.
When the fixing structure by the key fitting is adopted, a gap is circumferentially provided in a fitting unit between the shaft and the rotor core. For this reason, vibration during high-speed rotation may be generated. When the fixing structure in which the shaft is press-fitted into the rotor core is adopted, a crack may be generated in the rotor core.
When a plurality of rotor cores are fixed to one shaft, each rotor core is circumferentially positioned with respect to the shaft. In this case, it is necessary to provide a reference in order to position the rotor core in the circumferential direction.


Disclosed is an access point (AP) for a network that includes security features for interacting with devices on the network. The other devices on the network may be other APs, client devices, or a backend configuration server. The access point includes a private key that is used to verify signals to and from (the private key may be different for different functions). In the case of other APs, the private key is used to verify control signals sent between the APs to identify and prevent a hijacked AP from taking control of the network by sending false control signals. In the case of a client device, the client device may use the subject AP's private key to identify that the subject AP is a trusted member of the network that may receive data. In the case of the backend server, the subject AP may verify configuration updates via use of the private key to prevent loading of malicious firmware.

Wireless access points broadcast information to a number of devices using a number of communication protocols. One such protocol is IEEE 802.11, better known as WiFi. WiFi provides Internet access to wireless devices and also provides in-network communication between devices. In order to increase the range of WiFi networks, multiple access points are often employed. Multiple access points within a given network communicate to one another wirelessly to transmit configuration data and firmware updates.
Another protocol type available to access points are machine-to-machine protocols. The most famous of such protocols is commonly known as Bluetooth. Machine-to-machine protocols enable communication on similar frequency bands as WiFi, though machine-to-machine protocols tend to have significantly lower power and frequency channel sizes.
Problems inherent in wireless networks supported by access points include security concerns of communications between devices on a given network.

Secure communication in network access points


A stacked die package includes a package substrate, a first die mounted on the package substrate and electrically connected to the package substrate, a second die electrically connected to the package substrate, and an interposer mounted on the package substrate and including a plurality of vertical electrical connection means electrically connecting the package substrate to the second die. At least part of the first die is disposed between the second die and the package substrate in a vertical direction.

This disclosure relates to circuit packaging, and more particularly, to a stacked die package for reducing die packaging cost, a system including the same, and a method of manufacturing the same.
A semiconductor wafer includes several hundred or thousand chips on which the same electrical circuit is printed. The chips cannot communicate with external devices by themselves. Accordingly, electrical wiring is connected to a chip to enable the chip to communicate with external devices and they are hermetically packaged in a semiconductor packaging process so as to endure external impact such as physical impact or chemical impact. The semiconductor packaging process, also known as a die packaging process, is often one of the last steps in the semiconductor manufacturing processes.
When a plurality of dies are stacked on a package substrate using wire bonding, each of the dies includes a redistribution layer (RDL) which connects a center pad with an edge pad. When the distance between the center pad and the edge pad increases, the capacitance and the resistance of the dies also increase. In addition, since an RDL process is added, packaging cost increases.
When dies are stacked on a package substrate using a through-silicon via (TSV), a process of forming the TSV in the dies may be required, resulting in an increase in the packaging cost.

Stacked die package, system including the same, and method of manufacturing the same

Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


A deposit detection device according to an embodiment includes a detection module and an identification module. The detection module detects a small region as a candidate region for a deposit region corresponding to a deposit adhering to an imaging device, based on brightness information for each of small regions into which a predetermined region in an image captured by the imaging device is divided. The identification module identifies the candidate region as the deposit region when undulation change in brightness distribution of pixels included in the candidate region detected by the detection module is within a predetermined range.

Conventionally, a deposit detection device is known which detects a region (hereinafter referred to as a deposit region) corresponding to a deposit adhering to a lens of an imaging device by calculating brightness information for each of small regions into which a predetermined region of a captured image is divided, and extracting a small region having variation in the calculated brightness information in a predetermined range (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2019-106644).
Unfortunately, the conventional technique has room for improvement in detecting a deposit with high accuracy. For example, in a case of an image captured at night, the entire image is dark and variation in brightness information is small, so that a deposit region may be erroneously detected.

Deposit detection device and deposit detection method


A user-operated mobility apparatus includes a base unit having a drive assembly and wheels mounted thereto for enabling selective movement of the base unit along a surface. A plurality of support members extend from the base unit, define an interior area therebetween that is configured to receive a user, and each includes a plurality of spaced-apart engagement features for releasably engaging at least one accessory at various different positions along the support member. A user support assembly is mounted adjacent the free ends of the support members and includes a support cord extending into the interior area. The support cord is configured for releasably engaging a user to support the user within interior area.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to mobility apparatus and, more particularly, to user-operated mobility apparatus that safely allows the user to maintain independent mobility.
2. Background of Related Art
Numerous individuals are limited in their ability to safely move around without assistance or supervision, whether at home, in a hospital setting, at an extended care facility, in public, etc. In particular, the elderly, infirm, handicapped, injured, etc. may be at risk of falling and injuring themselves when moving around without assistance or supervision. As a precaution, such individuals are typically closely monitored and/or restrained. Although monitoring and/or restraining such individuals helps keep them safe, it takes away their ability to be independently mobile, which can be both mentally and physically debilitating.