Described herein is a method (30) of rendering an audio signal (17) for playback in an audio environment (27) defined by a target loudspeaker system (23), the audio signal (17) including audio data relating to an audio object and associated position data indicative of an object position. Method (30) includes the initial step (31) of receiving the audio signal (17). At step (32) loudspeaker layout data for the target loudspeaker system (23) is received. At step (33) control data is received that is indicative of a position modification to be applied to the audio object in the audio environment (27). At step (38) in response to the position data, loudspeaker layout data and control data, rendering modification data is generated. Finally, at step (39) the audio signal (17) is rendered with the rendering modification data to output the audio signal (17) with the audio object at a modified object position that is between loudspeakers within the audio environment (27).

Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
The new Dolby Atmos™ cinema system introduced the concept of a hybrid audio authoring, a distribution and playback representation that includes both audio beds (audio channels, also referred to static objects) and dynamic audio objects. In the present description, the term 'audio objects' relates to particular components of a captured audio input that are spatially, spectrally or otherwise distinct. Audio objects often originate from different physical sources. Examples of audio objects include audio such as voices, instruments, music, ambience, background noise and other sound effects such as approaching cars.
In the Atmos™ system, audio beds (or static objects) refer to audio channels that are meant to be reproduced at predefined, fixed loudspeaker locations. Dynamic audio objects, on the other hand, refer to individual audio elements that may exist for a defined duration in time and have spatial information describing certain properties of the object, such as its intended position, the object size, information indicating a specific subset of loudspeakers to be enabled for reproduction of the dynamic objects, and alike. This additional information is referred to as object metadata and allows the authoring of audio content independent of the end-point loudspeaker setup, since dynamic objects are not linked to specific loudspeakers. Furthermore, object properties may change over time, and consequently metadata can be time varying.
Reproduction of hybrid audio requires a renderer to transform the object-based audio representation to loudspeaker signals. A renderer takes as inputs (1) the object audio signals, (2) the object metadata, (3) the end-point loudspeaker setup, indicating the locations of the loudspeakers, and outputs loudspeaker signals. The aim of the renderer is to produce loudspeaker signals that result in a perceived object location that is equal to the intended location as specified by the object metadata. In the case that no loudspeaker is available at the intended position, a so-called phantom image is created by panning the object across two or more loudspeakers in the vicinity of the intended object position. In mathematical form, a conventional renderer can be described by a set of time-varying panning gains gi,j(t) being applied to a set of object audio signals xj(t) to result in a set of loudspeaker signals si(t):si(t)=Σjgi,j(t)xj(t)  (Eq 1)
In this formulation, index i refers to a loudspeaker, and index j is the object index. The panning gains gi,j(t) result from the loudspeaker positions Pi in the loudspeaker set P and time-varying object position metadata Mj(t)
                                          M            j                                          (            t            )                          =                  [                                                                                X                    j                                                                          (                    t                    )                                                                                Y                    j                                                                          (                    t                    )                                                                                Z                    j                                                                          (                    t                    )                                                                                ]                                    (                  Eq                                                              2                )
based on a panning law or panning function :gi,j(t)=(P,Mj(t))  (Eq 3)
A wide range of methods of specifying  to compute panning gains for a given loudspeaker with index i and position P1 have been proposed in the past. These include, but are not limited to, the sine-cosine panning law, the tangent panning law, and the sine panning law (cf. Breebaart, 2013 for an overview). Furthermore, multi-channel panning laws such as vector-based amplitude panning (VBAP) have been proposed for 3-dimensional panning (Pulkki, 2002).
Amplitude panning has shown to work well when applied to pair-wise panning across loudspeakers in the horizontal (left-right) plane that are symmetrically placed in terms of their azimuth. The maximum azimuth aperture angle between loudspeakers for panning to work well amounts to approximately 60 degrees, allowing a phantom image to be created between −30 and +30 degrees azimuth. Panning across loudspeakers lateral to the listener (front to rear in the listening frame), however, causes a variety of problems:                When the listener is not exactly positioned in a desired audio 'sweet spot', or whenever loudspeakers are not exactly delay aligned at the listener's position, combing artifacts will arise when an object is panned across two loudspeakers. This combing effect deteriorates the perceived timbre of the phantom source, and results in a collapse of the spaciousness of the overall scene. Moreover, small changes in the orientation and position of the head will cause comb-filter notches and peaks to shift in frequency. As a result, the sweet spot in a multi-channel loudspeaker setup is often small and the perceived timbre strongly depends on the head orientation and position. This is sometimes referred to as 'the rocking chair' problem.        In pair-wise panning using symmetrically-placed loudspeakers in front of the listener, the contribution of the two loudspeakers results in sound-source localization cues at the level of the listener's eardrums that closely correspond to those arising from the intended sound source location. This process does not work reliably for panning across loudspeakers in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the perceived phantom source location can be ambiguous, or may be very different from the intended source location.        Downmixing of rendered audio content (for example from Dolby Digital 5.1-ATSC A/52 standard-to stereo) causes an increase in the audio level of audio objects that are panned across front and surround loudspeakers. This is caused by the fact that panning laws are typically energy preserving, i.e.:1=Σigi,j2  (Eq 4)
When the corresponding loudspeaker signals are downmixed electrically, a gain buildup will occur because for any gains 0≤gi,j≤1:Σigi,j≥√{square root over (Σigi,j2)}  (Eq 5)
The limitations of existing audio systems are particularly relevant for Dolby Digital 5.1 playback, and/or for loudspeaker configurations with 4 overhead loudspeakers such as 5.1.4 or 7.1.4. For such loudspeaker configurations, (dynamic) objects with metadata indicating a position in the middle of the room, or in the middle of the ceiling plane will typically be phantom-imaged between pair-wise remotely placed front and rear loudspeakers. Furthermore, side-surround channels may be produced as phantom images as well. An example of such phantom-imaging problem is visualized in FIG. 1, which illustrates a square room with four corner loudspeakers labeled 'Lf', 'Rf', 'Ls', and 'Rs', which are placed in the corners of the square room. A fifth center loudspeaker labeled 'C' is positioned directly in front of a listener's position (which corresponds roughly to the center of the room). An audio object with metadata coordinates (x=0, y=0.4) as depicted by the circle labeled 'object' is typically amplitude panned between loudspeakers labeled 'Lf' and 'Ls', as indicated by the arrows originating from 'object'. Furthermore, if the content comprises more than five channels, for example also comprising a right side-surround channel (dashed-line loudspeaker icon labeled 'Rss' in FIG. 1), the signal associated with that channel may be reproduced by loudspeakers labeled 'Rf' and 'Rs' to preserve the spatial intent of that particular channel.
Amplitude panning as depicted in FIG. 1 can be thought of as compromising timbre and sweet spot size against maintaining spatial artistic intent for sweet-spot listening.
Note that with a 7-channel loudspeaker setup (e.g. including 'Lss' and 'Rss' loudspeakers), the content depicted in FIG. 1 would have significantly less phantom-imaging applied. In particular, the 'Rss' channel would be reproduced by a dedicated 'Rss' loudspeaker, while the object at y=0.4 would be reproduced mostly by the 'Lss' loudspeaker, with only a small amount of leakage to the 'Lf' loudspeaker.
There is a desire to mitigate the limitations imposed by prior-art amplitude panning.

Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation


When a first motor MG1 cranks and starts an engine 150 that is in the cold, the revolving speed of the engine does not increase quickly 150. It is accordingly required to control the first motor MG1, in order to prevent electric power 194 stored in a battery from being wasted. A starting control apparatus does not cause the first motor MG1 to output a torque corresponding to a difference between a target revolving speed N* and an actual revolving speed Ne of the engine 150, but gradually increases a target torque STG by the open-loop control and restricts the magnitude of the target torque STG to a preset maximum torque STGMAX, which depends upon a cooling water temperature Tw of the engine 150. When the engine 150 is in the cold, the high viscosity of lubricant causes the revolving speed of the engine 150 not to quickly increase in response to the high target torque set to the first motor MG1. In this case, the maximum of the target torque is restricted to a smaller value, so as to prevent the electric power stored in the battery 194 from being wasted. The injection allowable revolving speed, at which the fuel injection to the engine 150 is allowed to start, is also set equal to a small value. This causes the engine 150 to start self driving at an earlier timing, thereby saving the electric power consumed by the first motor MG1.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus that starts an internal combustion engine that is linked with a rotating shaft of a motor via a damper, a starting control method, and a starting control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a motor mounted thereon.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical structure to start an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle cranks the internal combustion engine with a self-starting motor, which is specifically used for starting and linked with a rotating shaft of the internal combustion engine, and simultaneously feeds a supply of fuel. The self-starting motor is a small-sized motor for starting the internal combustion engine and enables the internal combustion engine to be rotated only to a significantly lower revolving speed (several hundred rpm) than an idle speed. The internal combustion engine is driven to a certain level of revolving speed that enables subsequent self starting and driving, through combustion of the supplied fuel.
In a hybrid vehicle which has an internal combustion engine and a motor mounted thereon and outputs a power for driving at least from the motor, some proposed systems do not have a self-starting motor specifically used for starting but uses a motor that is linked with a rotating shaft of an internal combustion engine to start the internal combustion engine (for example, JAPANESE PATENT LAID-OPEN GAZETTE No. 6-144020 and No. 9-222064. In this system, the rotating shaft of the internal combustion engine is linked with a rotating shaft of a first motor via a first clutch, whereas the rotating shaft of the first motor is connected via a second clutch with a drive shaft that is mechanically linked with wheels. A second motor is further connected to the drive shaft. At the time of starting the internal combustion engine, while the first clutch is engaged and the second clutch is released, the first motor cranks or motors the internal combustion engine prior to a supply of fuel. When the revolving speed of the internal combustion engine becomes equal to or greater than a preset value, the supply of fuel is fed to the internal combustion engine, which subsequently starts through the compression and combustion of the air/fuel mixture. After the start of the internal combustion engine, the first motor is driven as a generator with the power output from the internal combustion engine to charge the battery or to output the power directly to the drive shaft and drive the vehicle while the second clutch is engaged.
In the conventional starting control apparatus for the hybrid vehicle, however, a large load is applied to the battery. The battery is exposed to an excessive load especially when the internal combustion engine has poor startability. This is ascribed to the following reasons:
(1) In the hybrid vehicle, the motor is larger in size than the conventional self-starting motor and consumes a greater amount of electric power;
(2) In the hybrid vehicle, the rotor of the motor, which has a significantly larger mass than that of the self-starting motor, is connected to the rotating shaft of the engine. This often causes torsional resonance. A large torque is output from the motor, in order to enable the revolving speed of the internal combustion engine to quickly pass through the range of possible torsional resonance. This increases the electric power consumed by the motor.
(3) In the hybrid vehicle, the motor can increase the revolving speed of the internal combustion engine to a higher level than that in the conventional vehicle. The supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine and the combustion of the air/fuel mixture accordingly start at the higher revolving speed, since the start of combustion at the higher revolving speed improves the emission. The increase in revolving speed of the internal combustion engine to the higher level, however, increases the amount of electric power consumed by the motor.
Among these problems, (2) and (3) are not negligible especially when the internal combustion engine is cold. When the internal combustion engine is cold, the high viscosity of lubricant causes the revolving speed of the internal combustion engine not to quickly increase, in response to supply of electric current to allow output of a large torque from the motor. A large electric power is accordingly consumed before the revolving speed reaches a preset level (for example, 800 rpm). The problems (1) through (3) are not only observed in the hybrid vehicle but in any other structures that use a large-sized self-starting motor.
One proposed countermeasure uniformly limits the supply of electricity from the battery according to the elapse of time (for example, JAPANESE PATENT LAID-OPEN GAZETTE No. 63-297767). This uniform limitation is, however, not practical, since a little more continuance of cranking may start the internal combustion engine. Especially in the case of the large-sized self-starting motor, one cranking operation consumes a large amount of electric power. Several tries of starting with limitation of the cranking time cause the battery to be exposed to a greater load.
The object of the present invention is to start an internal combustion engine without causing a battery to be exposed to an excessive load even when the internal combustion engine is cold.
The present invention realizes at least part of the above and the other related objects, based on the following two principles. The first principle is that the output torque of the motor for rotating the internal combustion engine is restricted to a smaller value in response to the lower startability of the internal combustion engine. The second principle is that the supply of electricity is restricted when the output torque of the motor does not have a negative value during a starting control operation. These principles are favorably applicable to the internal combustion engine having a starting motor, as the starting control apparatus for the internal combustion engine or the method of starting the internal combustion engine especially in the hybrid vehicle, as discussed below.
The present invention is directed to a first starting control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that rotates the internal combustion engine, which is connected via a damper with a rotating shaft of a motor driven by a battery, with the motor so as to start the internal combustion engine. The first starting control apparatus includes: a startability detection unit that detects a parameter relating to startability of the internal combustion engine; and an output torque restriction unit that restricts an output torque of the motor for rotating the internal combustion engine to a smaller value, in response to lower startability of the internal combustion engine specified from the parameter detected by the internal combustion engine startability detection unit.
The present invention is also directed to a first method of starting an internal combustion engine, which corresponds to the first starting control apparatus. The first method rotates an internal combustion engine, which is connected via a damper with a rotating shaft of a motor driven by a battery, with the motor so as to start the internal combustion engine. The first method includes the steps of: (a) detecting a parameter relating to startability of the internal combustion engine: and (b) restricting an output torque of the motor for rotating the internal combustion engine to a smaller value, in response to lower startability of the internal combustion engine specified from the parameter detected in the step (a).
In the first starting control apparatus for the internal combustion engine and the corresponding first method, in response to the lower startability of the internal combustion engine, the output torque of the motor for rotating the internal combustion engine is restricted to a smaller value. This arrangement effectively prevents the electric power from being wasted when the internal combustion engine has poor startability and the revolving speed of the internal combustion engine is not quickly increased by application of the torque from the motor.
It is preferable that the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine starts at the lower revolving speed in response to the lower startability of the internal combustion engine. This arrangement effectively prevents the motor from being driven over a long time period prior to a start of the fuel supply and excessively consuming the electric power of the battery. The internal combustion engine that receives the supply of fuel tries self rotation through the combustion of the air/fuel ratio. In the state of full combustion, the internal combustion engine starts self driving.
In the first starting control apparatus for the internal combustion engine and the corresponding first method, the parameter relating to the startability of the internal combustion engine may be a temperature of the internal combustion engine. The startability of the internal combustion engine is affected by the adhesion of the supplied fuel to an intake port or the viscosity of lubricant, so that the temperature of the internal combustion engine is a preferable parameter relating to the startability of the internal combustion engine. The cooling water temperature, the temperature of lubricant, or the intake air temperature may be used as the temperature of the internal combustion engine.
In accordance with one preferable application, the first starting control apparatus further includes: a full combustion determination unit for determining that the internal combustion engine is in a state of full combustion, based on a driving condition of the internal combustion engine; a time count unit for determining that a predetermined time period has elapsed since a start of cranking the internal combustion engine by the motor; and a starting control discontinuance unit that cuts off a supply of electricity from the battery to the motor and once stops starting control of the internal combustion engine, when the full combustion determination unit determines that the internal combustion engine is not in the state of full combustion while the time count unit determines that the predetermined time period has elapsed.
The starting control apparatus of this preferable structure determines that the internal combustion engine is in the state of full combustion, and cuts off the supply of electricity from the battery to the motor and stops the starting control of the internal combustion engine, when the internal combustion engine does not fall into the state of full combustion within the predetermined time period. This arrangement effectively prevents the electric power of the battery from being consumed over a long time period without causing the internal combustion engine to fall into the state of full combustion.
In accordance with one preferable structure, the full combustion determination unit includes a torque measuring unit that measures an actual output torque of the motor as the driving condition of the internal combustion engine. The full combustion determination unit determines that the internal combustion engine is in the state of full combustion when the actual output torque measured by the torque detection unit has a negative value. The output torque of the motor is regulated at the time of starting the internal combustion engine. The measurement of the actual output torque thus assures the determination of whether or not the internal combustion engine is in the state of full combustion.
In the starting control apparatus that carries out the full combustion determination, it is preferable that a greater value is set to the predetermined time period, which is a target of the determination by the time count unit, in response to the lower startability of the internal combustion engine specified from the parameter. As is known, the lower startability results in extending the time period required for the full combustion. In this case, the uniform discontinuance of the starting control after the elapse of the preset time period may cause the electric power of the battery to be wastefully consumed. This preferable arrangement extends the time period for the full combustion determination in the case of the lower startability, thereby enabling the accurate and efficient determination of starting the internal combustion engine. The predetermined time period for the full combustion determination may be based on the time or the integrated revolving speed of the internal combustion engine.
Another preferable structure estimates an amount of electric power suppliable from the battery and sets a greater value to the predetermined time period, which is a target of the determination by the time count unit, for the greater amount of estimated electric power. When it is assumed that the large electric power is suppliable from the battery, the time period for stating control is extended. The starting control can be continued in the case where the suppliable electric power is sufficient. This arrangement effectively prevents the supply of electricity from the battery from being cut off while a little more continuance causes the internal combustion engine to fall into the state of full combustion. This prevents the electric power from being wasted.
The electric power suppliable from the battery is generally estimated in the process of control of the battery. Another available technique measures the suppliable electric power directly. Still another available technique measures the temperature of the battery and corrects the estimated value of suppliable electric power to a higher value at the higher observed temperature.
Still another preferable structure integrates electric power consumed by the battery since the start of cranking and determines that the predetermined time period has elapsed when the integrated electric power reaches a preset reference value. This structure enables the electric power of the battery to be efficiently used for cranking without causing excessive discharge.
In this case, one preferable structure measures the temperature of the battery, and corrects the preset reference value, which is used for the full combustion determination, to a smaller value at the lower observed battery temperature. When a decrease in performance of the battery is expected, for example, when the vehicle is cold, the full combustion determination is carried out at an earlier timing. This arrangement discontinues the consumption of electric power when the internal combustion engine is not in the state of full combustion. This prevents the battery from being exposed to the excessive loading.
Another preferable application of the first starting control apparatus adjusts an open-close timing of an air intake valve of the internal combustion engine, in order to lower an effective compression ratio of the internal combustion engine, at a time of starting the internal combustion engine. The decrease in effective compression ratio decreases the loading seen from the motor and enables the revolving speed of the internal combustion engine to quickly increase.
The starting control apparatus for the internal combustion engine is applicable to the conventional structure that starts the internal combustion engine with a self-starting motor, but is especially effective in the hybrid vehicle where the motor, which adds a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine and regenerates electric power from the output of the internal combustion engine or the braking force, is attached to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine. In the hybrid vehicle, it is required to quickly increase the revolving speed of the internal combustion engine at the time of starting the internal combustion engine, because of the possibility of torsional resonance, as described below.
The crankshaft or output shaft of the internal combustion engine is generally a resilient body, which has a mass distribution, and thereby forms a vibrational system of infinite degree of freedom. A torque variation due to the combustion or the reciprocating motions of the piston causes torsional vibrations. When the natural frequency and the forced frequency of the axis coincide with each other, torsional resonance occurs. An increase in amplitude of the torsional vibration causes a foreign noise or wear of the gear in the crankshaft system and, in some cases, a fatigue of the crankshaft. The torsional resonance often occurs when the revolving speed of the crankshaft is less than an idle speed. In the apparatus that motors the internal combustion engine with the motor that is connected to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine via a damper, the torsional resonance accordingly occurs at the time of starting the internal combustion engine.
In the hybrid vehicle where the torsional resonance often occurs, the high torque is output from the motor, in order to enable the revolving speed of the internal combustion engine to quickly pass through the range of possible torsional resonance at the time of starting the internal combustion engine. This causes the large power consumption of the battery. The above structures accordingly have significant effects on prevention of wasteful power consumption.
As described above, there is a unique problem in the hybrid vehicle where the motor, which adds a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine and regenerates electric power from the output of the internal combustion engine or the braking force, is attached to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine. The present invention is accordingly directed to a second starting control apparatus that starts an internal combustion engine with a motor, in a hybrid vehicle having the internal combustion engine, which is connected via a damper with a rotating shaft of the motor driven by a battery. The second starting control apparatus includes: a torque control unit that controls an output torque of the motor, based on a relationship between an output torque of the internal combustion engine and a torque required for the drive shaft; a torque detection unit for detecting that the output torque of the motor has a negative value; and an supply of electricity limiting unit that causes the torque detection unit to carry out the determination while the motor cranks the internal combustion engine, and limits a supply of electricity from a battery to the motor when the output torque of the motor does not have a negative value.
The present invention is also directed to a second method of starting an internal combustion engine, which corresponds to the second starting control apparatus. In a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, which is connected via a damper with a rotating shaft of a motor driven by a battery, the second method rotates the internal combustion engine with the motor so as to start the internal combustion engine. The second method includes the steps of: controlling an output torque of the motor, based on a relationship between an output torque of the internal combustion engine and a torque required for the drive shaft; determining that the output torque of the motor has a negative value while the motor cranks the internal combustion engine; and cutting off a supply of electricity from a battery to the motor when the output torque of the motor does not have a negative value.
In the second starting control apparatus and the corresponding second method, it is determined whether or not the output torque of the motor has a negative value. In the case where the output torque does not have a negative value, it is determined that the internal combustion engine has not started yet, and the supply of electricity to the motor is restricted. This structure readily and accurately carries out the full combustion determination based on the output torque of the motor, thereby ensuring the appropriate starting control without causing the battery to be exposed to the excessive loading.
In accordance with one preferable application, the second starting control apparatus further includes a time count unit for determining that a predetermined time period has elapsed since a start of cranking the internal combustion engine by the motor, wherein the supply of electricity limiting unit causes the torque detection unit to carry out the determination at a specific time point when the time count unit determines that the predetermined time period has elapsed, and cuts off a supply of electricity from the battery to the motor, so as to stop the cranking of the internal combustion engine, when the output torque of the motor does not have a negative value at the specific time point.
This arrangement enables the full combustion determination to be carried out at a desired timing. When the output torque of the motor does not have a negative value, this structure cuts off the supply of electricity and thereby prevents the battery from being exposed to the excessive loading.
The preferable structures of the first starting control apparatus discussed above are also applicable to the second starting control apparatus. One possible structure detects a parameter relating to the startability of the internal combustion engine and adjusts the predetermined time period for the full combustion determination. Another possible structure estimates the electric power suppliable from the battery and extends the predetermined time period based on the estimated value. It is also preferable to correct the estimated value of suppliable electric power to a higher value at the higher observed battery temperature.
Still another possible structure integrates electric power consumed by the battery since the start of cranking and determines that the predetermined time period for full combustion determination has elapsed when the integrated electric power reaches a preset reference value. In this structure, it is preferable that the preset reference value is specified by taking into account the battery temperature.
Another preferable application of the second starting control apparatus adjusts the open-close timing of the air intake valve of the internal combustion engine, in order to lower the effective compression ratio of the internal combustion engine, at the time of starting the internal combustion engine.
The first starting control apparatus for the internal combustion engine is applicable to the hybrid vehicle. The present invention is accordingly directed to a first starting control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, which starts an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle that takes out power of the internal combustion engine in an electrical form and outputs power of a motor at least to a drive shaft of the vehicle. The first starting control apparatus for the hybrid vehicle includes: a motor that cranks the internal combustion engine at a start of the internal combustion engine; a starting-time fuel supply unit that controls a supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine, simultaneously with cranking of the internal combustion engine by the motor; a startability detection unit that detects a parameter relating to startability of the internal combustion engine; and an output torque restriction unit that restricts an output torque of the motor for rotating the internal combustion engine to a smaller value at the time of cranking, in response to lower startability of the internal combustion engine specified from the parameter detected by the internal combustion engine startability detection unit.
The present invention is further directed to a second starting control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, which corresponds to the second starting control apparatus for the internal combustion engine. The second starting control apparatus starts an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle that takes out power of the internal combustion engine in an electrical form and outputs power of a motor at least to a drive shaft of the vehicle. The second starting control apparatus includes: the motor that cranks the internal combustion engine at a start of the internal combustion engine; a starting-time fuel supply unit that controls a supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine, simultaneously with cranking of the internal combustion engine by the motor; a torque control unit that controls-an output torque of the motor, based on a relationship between an output torque of the internal combustion engine and a torque required for the drive shaft; a torque detection unit for detecting that the output torque of the motor has a negative value; and an electricity cut-off unit that causes the torque detection unit to carry out the determination while the motor cranks the internal combustion engine, and cuts off a supply of electricity from a battery to the motor when the output torque of the motor does not have a negative value.
These apparatuses can start the internal combustion engine in the hybrid vehicle without causing the battery to be exposed to an excessive load.
These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

Starting control apparatus for internal combustion engine


A novel arrangement of light cells on a flexible or solid background into a multi-dimensional light source capable of unlimited configuration, which comprises of a mother cell that is connected to one source of electrical power and gets charged, subsequently charging all the other light cells and thus illuminating the entire light source with unlimited configuration.

Light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), Electroluminescence (EL), and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have paved the way for energy efficient lighting means. Oleg Vladimirovich Losev independently reported on the creation of an LED in 1927. Rubin Braunstein of the Radio Corporation of America reported on infrared emission from gallium arsenide (GaAs) and other semiconductor alloys in 1955. Braunstein observed infrared emission generated by simple diode structures using gallium antimonide (GaSb), GaAs, indium phosphide (InP), and silicon-germanium (SiGe) alloys at room temperature and at 77 kelvin.
In 1961, American experimenters Robert Biard and Gary Pittman working at Texas Instruments, found that GaAs emitted infrared radiation when electric current was applied and received the patent for the infrared LED. The first practical visible-spectrum (red) LED was developed in 1962 by Nick Holonyak Jr., while working at General Electric Company. In 1976, T. P. Pearsall created the first high-brightness, high efficiency LEDs for optical fiber telecommunications by inventing new semiconductor materials specifically adapted to optical fiber transmission wavelengths.
The first commercial LEDs were commonly used as replacements for incandescent and neon indicator lamps, and in seven-segment displays, first in expensive equipment such as laboratory and electronics test equipment, then later in such appliances as TVs, radios, telephones, calculators, and even watches (see list of signal applications). These red LEDs were bright enough only for use as indicators, as the light output was not enough to illuminate an area. The invention and development of the high power white light LED led to use for illumination
Electroluminescence (EL) or the generation of light by the electrical excitation of light emitting phosphors has been around for many years. Electroluminescence was first observed in silicon carbide (SiC) by Captain Henry Joseph Round in 1907 who reported that a yellow light was produced when a current was passed through a silicon carbide detector. The first thin-film EL structures were fabricated in the late 1950s by Vlasenko and Popkov who observed that luminance increased markedly in EL devices when they used a thin film of Zinc Sulfide doped with Manganese (ZnS:Mn). Luminance was much higher in thin film EL (TFEL) devices than in those using powdered substances. Such devices however were still too unreliable for commercial use.
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are transparent when turned off the devices could even be installed as windows or skylights to mimic the feel of natural light after dark—or to serve as the ultimate inconspicuous flat-panel television. In 2006 scientists studying OLEDs made a critical leap from single-color displays to a highly efficient and long-lived natural light source.
Despite various improvements and progress in the field, some of the major obstacles that still exist to effective use of light sources such as LEDs, ELs and OLEDs are problems of configuration in novel sizes, shapes and patterns, problems in easy connectivity between different light segments, low light output, susceptibility to moisture, problems of easy installation without many peripherals, cost effective manufacture, maximum utilization of minimal power sources and short life.
Accordingly, improvements are needed in the existing methods and structures that negate the above shortcomings in the existing systems.
The relevant prior art methods, which will deal with light sources, are as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,620 describes a multi panel electroluminescent panel assembly in which an area extending over several panels may be uniformly illuminated by light produced by the panels, and over which non-illuminated areas, stripes or the like resulting from electrode contracts are eliminated. Each panel is constructed such that the light produced per unit area is substantially uniform throughout the panel, including that from an area immediately adjacent at least one edge thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,035 describes a flexible lighting strip including a circuit of modular construction formed thereon, light emitting diodes connected to said circuit, and the circuit being connectable to control circuitry which provides selected energization to said circuit and the light emitting diodes for effecting a moving light.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,273 describes a flexible conductor of strip configuration including a pair of copper conductors laminated between a pair of insulating material layers. Illuminating comprising a plurality of miniature or sub-miniature light bulbs assembled in a longitudinal array along a preferably flexible and flat conductor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,086 describes an electroluminescence light emission apparatus based on a switch circuit formed of a switch element and a thyristor connected in series across a DC power source. Electroluminescence light emission apparatus having a simple configuration and a low level of power consumption, while providing a satisfactory level of emitted light brightness and utilizes an electroluminescence element functioning to emit light in response to applied voltage pulses.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,345 describes an elongate electroluminescent light strip. An electroluminescent light element which has a semitransparent film is encapsulated in a moisture impervious material. A process for extruding such a strip is also provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,355 describes a cable like electroluminescent light source comprises at least two electrodes mutually disposed in such a way as to crate between them an electric field when a voltage is applied to them; at least one type of pulverulent electroluminophor dispersed in a dielectric binder and disposed in such proximity to the electrodes as to be effectively excited by the electric fields when created and to emit light of a specific color, and a transparent polymer sheath encasing the electrodes and the electroluminophor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,679 describes an illumination system with a panel that is capable of producing electroluminescence function of the panel. An illumination system can emit electroluminescence light as well as reflect incident light received from an outside light source. A layer of phosphor is excited by a power source, and a reflective layer disposed on top of the phosphor layer reflects.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,613 describes a flexible thick film electroluminescent lamp and method of construction in which a single non-hygroscopic binder is used for all layers thereby reducing delamination as a result of temperature changes and the susceptibility to moisture. Thick film electroluminescent lamps comprise a phosphor between an optically transparent front electrode layer, and a back electrode layer, all covered by protective electrode layer. The two electrodes are generally planar layers, but may be grids of electrically conductive material disposed at right angles to each other so that the phosphor at selected grid coordinates can be excited.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,869 describes the luminous efficiency and radiance of light emitting diodes (LEDs) fabricated with conjugated organic polymer layers.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,661 describes an electroluminescent light emission system having electroluminescent light emitting layer containing electroluminescent light emitting elements. The AC electric field forming material on the one surface side enables an AC electric field to be generated in the electroluminescent light emitting layer with an AC voltage applied between the first electrode layer an the second electrode layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,785 describes an electroluminescent device having light emitting layer containing phosphor particles which protrude from a light emitting layer, and an electrode layer which conforms to the protrusions. Methods of constructing a lamp using a temperature above the softening temperature of the insulating layer of the device are also disclosed.
US Patent Publication no. 20010043472 describes a ribbon light string is formed from a reinforced ribbon carrying a light string. The ribbon may be reinforced with peripheral reinforcing wires so that it may be shaped in decorative ways.
US Patent Publication no. 20020145873 describes a ribbon light assembly comprising a substrate and at least one light string releasably intertwined with the substrate. Each light string is formed of a plurality of lamp sockets and a plurality of lamp sockets and a plurality of wires connecting the lamp sockets. Each of the lamp sockets is substantially disposed on one substrate surface, and each of the wires is substantially disposed on an opposite surface. An opposite surface which receives at one element thereto, maintain the lamp sockets in a fixed pattern on the substrate.
US Patent Publication no. 20060244377 describes an electroluminescent light source has an elongated insulating transparent polymer sheaths having longitudinal axis of the sheath and connectable to a power source; a plurality of elongate electroluminescent layers partially surrounding one of the electrodes. Each electrodes having outer surface is partially surrounded by a respective one of the electroluminescent layers and being provided with a light reflecting coating.
US Patent Publication no. 20070210321 describes an edge light-emitting device having, on a light permeable substrate, a stacked structure including a pair of electrodes and at least one light emitting layer interposed between the electrodes, in which light emission is taken-out from a light emitting edge other than the light emitting edge of the stacked structure.
US Patent Publication no. 20090296395 describes that the present invention provides a light strip comprises an elongate core layer of insulating material having a plurality of light mounting apertures extending through the core layer. A light strip comprising of light emitting diodes connected at longitudinally spaced positions between a pair of longitudinally extending conductive elements of forming the light strip. A core layer spans in the longitudinal direction adjacent each one of the two opposed faces of the elongate core layer to enclose opposing ends of the light mounting apertures with the light emitting diodes therein.
US Patent Publication no. 2010057584 describes a light emitting strip structure with light guiding effect, which is hallow light guide strip body made of transparent material. A light guide strip body is formed with an axial internal chamber. Multiple recessed/raised sections are formed on a wall of the internal chamber for deflecting or reflecting light projected into the internal chamber from a light source.
US Patent Publication no. 20100061089 describes a flexible light strip includes an electrical-conductive layer, a plurality of light emitting units, an insulating layer and a heat-conducting layer. The light emitting units are adhered to the electrical-conductive layer and are electrically connected thereto. The insulating layer is overlapped on one surface of the electrical-conductive layer. The insulating layer is provided with a plurality of through holes for allowing the light emitting units to pass through. The heat conductive layer is adhered on the electrical-conductive layer.
However the purpose and methodology of all the above inventions that are part of prior art do not envisage the unique embodiment of several light cells that are in LED, or Electroluminescence (EL) or any other efficient light source that constitute a multi-dimensional light source consisting of a mother cell and several sister cells as required that can be arranged in a continuous manner and is capable of unlimited configuration.
Thus it is desirable to provide a system of light cells that can be effectively used without using PCB motherboard, hard connection electrical wires or welding that could be placed on an adhesive tape, cloth, or hard surface of unlimited dimensions and powered using a single power source.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing mobile terminal with a spin menu, which is unique in nature, unlike existing menu selection models in mobile terminals that are suited only for limited purposes. Various changes may be made in and without departing from the concept of the invention. Further, features of some stages disclosed in this application may be employed with features of other stages. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the terminology of the following description, claims, drawings and the legal equivalents thereof.

Continuous arrangement of light cells into a multi-dimensional light source


Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, device and computer program product for container deployment. By comparing the target libraries required by a target container to be deployed and the libraries that have been loaded on the candidate hosts, the costs of deploying the target container on the candidate hosts can be estimated. Then a target host is selected from among the plurality of candidate hosts based on the determined costs.

Virtual machines (VMs) are widely used to create virtualization. VMs operate based on the computer architecture and functions of a real or hypothetical computer. A VM is a software implementation of a machine that executes programs like a physical machine. A single physical machine may support multiple VMs executed thereon and manage these VMs using a program called "hypervisor." Traditional VM architecture causes resource waste because a guest operating system (OS) has to be deployed for each VM.
Containers provide lightweight virtualization that allows for isolating processes and/or resources without the need of providing instruction interpretation mechanisms and/or other complexities of full virtualization. Container technology, such as Linux Container (LXC), provides lightweight virtualization that allows isolating processes and resources without the need to provide instruction interpretation mechanisms and other complexities of full virtualization. Containers effectively partition the resources managed by a single host operating system (OS) into isolated groups to better balance the conflicting demands on resource usage between the isolated groups. That is, the container technology allows sharing a common OS and possibly some appropriate binary files or libraries.
Docker is an open-source project that automates the deployment of applications inside software containers by providing an additional layer of abstraction and automation of operating-system-level virtualization on Linux. (Note: the term(s) "Docker" and "Linux" may be subject to trademark rights in various jurisdictions throughout the world and are used here only in reference to the products or services properly denominated by the marks to the extent that such trademark rights may exist.) Docker uses resource isolation features of the Linux kernel such as cgroups and kernel namespaces to allow independent "containers" to run within a single Linux instance, avoiding the overhead of starting and maintaining virtual machines.

International Business Machines Corporation


Method for localization of the lateral position of the wheels of a vehicle equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. Each wheel of the vehicle includes an electronic unit fixed onto a rim of radius R. Each unit notably includes two accelerometers, disposed perpendicular to one another and one measuring a radial component F1 of the acceleration, and the other a tangential component F2 of the acceleration. These components are out of phase by a predetermined phase-shift angle α. The method includes:                I) measuring, per wheel rotation, at given intervals of time (Tmeasurement), a number (N) of acceleration values by each of the accelerometers (5a, 5b),        II) calculating a physical value (P) representative of the sign of the phase-shift angle α between the two accelerometers,        III) determining the lateral position of the wheel, based on the physical value (P) representative of the sign of the phase-shift angle.

For safety reasons, automobile vehicles are increasingly being fitted with tire pressure monitoring systems comprising sensors, mounted on each of the wheels of the vehicle, dedicated to the measurement of parameters, such as pressure and/or temperature of the tires equipping these wheels and designed to inform the driver of any abnormal variation of the measured parameter.

Method for lateral localization of the wheels of a vehicle


A portable degasser, flare tank and fluid storage system for use during oil well exploratory drilling which when connected to the fluid blow-out prevention hardware of an active drilling operation prevents the accidental spillage of liquid ejected under pressure from the drill bore hole.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, conventionally during the process of drilling, fluid 2 is pumped through the drill pipe 4 into the bore hole 6 for the purposes of cooling the drill bit 8 and packing or sealing the wall of the bore. It is common in the industry to use diesel fuel as an easily accessible and efficient fluid for this purpose. As drilling proceeds to depth a considerable volume of such fluid will be contained within the bore which is nominally 10 inches (254 mm) in diameter. Pockets of pressurized gas are normally encountered at intervals during the drilling process. If the fluid pressure of the gas exceeds the pressure of the drilling fluid 2, a so-called 'gas kick' will enter the bore hole 6 and the contents of the bore hole 6 including any diesel fuel/oil mixture or such other liquids commonly used in the industry, as well as fragments of rock, loose soil, etc. will be ejected as ejecta from the surface opening of the drill bore hole 6 under considerable pressure.
Environmental contamination is an obvious concern resulting from the expulsion of such mixture from the bore hole as is the health and safety of workers at the drilling site. Blow-out prevention hardware is commonly utilized near the ground surface surrounding the bore hole site to ameliorate such contamination and safety concerns. It is common practice for such hardware to simply contain and direct such expelled fluid by suitable pipe-work to nearby storage areas, which may simply be one or more shallow open pits excavated nearby. At suitable intervals the contents of these pits are ignited and volatile materials burnt off. It is obvious then that with this practice there is little regard of the recovery and subsequent re-use of the fluid used during the drilling process or for the burning of the volatile materials in an efficient manner.
The portable degasser, flare tank and fluid storage system of the present invention, once it has been situated in proximity to an exploratory drilling rig, may be more easily connected to the fixed length lines extending from the blow-out prevention hardware than was heretofore possible, without the need for accurate positioning of the portable degasser.
In the prior art the applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,930 which issued Aug. 10, 1976 to Burgess for a Drilling Mud Degasser Apparatus and Method where a tank for receiving mud from a drilling operation incorporates a centrifugal separator mounted therein for separating gas, liquid and solids.
Further, the applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,284 which issued Dec. 19, 2000 to Mitchell, Gladue and Corb for a Separator For Gasses, Liquids and Solids From a Well by directing ejecta from a bore hole 6 created by 'air drilling' and foam extraction, to a vortex for centrifugally separating gas, liquid and solids, thus permitting separated gas to be flared off, the solids to be disposed and the liquid to be reused in the further drilling process.
The applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,786 which issued Feb. 27, 2001 to Henderson for a Portable Oil Degasification Apparatus where oil containing a volatile dissolved combustible gas is infused with an inert gas having a lower equilibrium vapor pressure to transfer the combustible gas into the inert, then separating the volatile/inert gas combination from the oil.
The teaching in the prior art does not reduce the necessity for, and difficulty associated with, repositioning the degassing apparatus, which is heavy and thus only transported by means of heavy equipment, so that the fixed-length pipes extending from the blow-out prevention hardware on the drilling rig can be attached to the degassing apparatus.

Portable degasser, flare tank and fluid storage system


In an embodiment, the compiler infrastructure allows execution of multidimensional analytical metadata from various databases by providing a generic transformation. A compilation request to execute a multidimensional analytical metadata is received. A type of the compilation request is determined to identify an associated transformation and corresponding transformation rules. Based upon the type of compilation request, a database of an application server is queried to retrieve the corresponding multidimensional analytical metadata. Based upon the identified transformation rules, the multidimensional analytical metadata is transformed into a generic metadata that is executable by any desired engine. An instance of a calculation scenario is generated based upon the transformation. The compiler infrastructure is generated by deploying the instance of the calculation scenario in the desired engine (e.g. in-memory computing engine.)

In computing, Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) tools enable users to interactively analyze multidimensional data from various perspectives. Applications of OLAP include business reporting for sales, marketing, management reporting, business process management, budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting and the like. OLAP processors use data stored in in-memory databases for analytical processing. An in-memory database is a database management system that primarily relies on volatile memory for computer data storage. A plurality of data sources may be associated with such an in-memory database, and each of the data sources may have unique properties. To execute operations on the in-memory database, the properties of the data present in the database may need to be modified.


An improved gas vent having a body defining a float chamber. A float is positioned within the float chamber. The float chamber defines a passageway for gas to flow from an first port to an outflow port. A float is positioned within the float chamber. The float is configured to move toward a closed position as the fluid level within the float chamber increases. As the fluid level increases the float raises and seals against an interior of the gas vent, preventing further fluid flow through the vent. A shield is positioned between the float and the first port. The shield is configured to deflect gas flow around the shield and float to prevent the float from raising prematurely in response to high velocity gas flow on the float.

Irrigation systems are typically drained during the off season. Many of these irrigation systems have a main line with distribution lines emanating from the main line. Water distributors, such as sprinkler heads are positioned on or emanate from the secondary lines. When the irrigation lines are filled, air must be vented from the irrigation lines (also called pipelines). Accordingly, vents are typically positioned along the irrigation lines. These vents typically have a float that raises and seals the vent once the air has been released from the vent and the vent has filled with water. However, these vents have a tendency to close before all the air has been released because the float will often raise and seal in response to high velocity air being forced through the air vent due to the sudden inflow of water into the system in large volumes when the system is initially turned on. This high velocity air creates a force on the float by impinging directly on the bottom of the float and on any non-smooth surfaces on the sides of the float, and by drag created by the air flowing along the side of the float. The vent prematurely closing can lead to the problem of air being stuck in the line which leads to decreased water flow and can cause damaging water hammer to occur in the system. Attempts have been made to prevent the float from blowing closed prematurely by limiting the amount of air that can pass through the vent which can severely affect the performance of the vent, or by shielding the bottom of the float which still leaves the float susceptible to blowing closed due to shear force from the air and impingement on any non-smooth surfaces. Accordingly, what is needed is an improved vent that does not prematurely close due to airflow (or generically, gas flow) forcing the float into the closed position.


A method and apparatus for determining a health of the system. Groups of vibration data are identified for the system. A group of vibration data in the groups of vibration data comprises data for vibrations of the system at different frequencies over time. The groups of vibration data for the system are stored in a number of associative memories in a computer system. The health of the system is identified based on the groups of vibration data in the number of associative memories. The groups of vibration data include images of the vibrations of the system.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for evaluating the health of complex systems and, in particular, to using spectrographic images to evaluate the health of complex mechanical systems that are subject to vibration.
2. Background
Health monitoring systems may be used for monitoring the health of various types of systems. Monitoring the health of a system may include, for example, recording sensor data that has been generated for the system, analyzing the sensor data, assessing the health of the system based on the analysis of the sensor data, managing the health of the system based on the assessment, and/or other suitable operations.
As used herein, the term "health" of a given system is defined as an assessment of the operational parameters of the given system with respect to either an ideal system having similar characteristics or a standard system having similar characteristics. A system may be "healthy" when the given system operates within one or more specified tolerances of the operational parameters of the ideal or standard system. For example, if a given automobile engine is operating within one or more specified tolerances of the operational parameters of an ideal or standardized automobile engine having similar characteristics, then the given automobile engine may be characterized as "healthy".
The different types of systems that may be monitored may include, for example, without limitation, manufacturing systems, control systems, communication systems, satellite systems, propulsion systems, vehicles, and/or other suitable types of systems. For example, health monitoring systems may be used in evaluating and managing the health of vehicles, such as automobiles, aircraft, spacecraft, rotorcraft, watercraft, and other types of vehicles.
As one illustrative example, an integrated vehicle health management (IVHM) system may be used to evaluate and manage the health of a rotorcraft. A rotorcraft may be, for example, a helicopter. However, other types of rotorcraft exist. Rotorcraft may include multitudinous integrated moving components that are designed to operate together for a common purpose. For example, the nose gearbox assembly that connects the engine transmission of the helicopter transfers energy to a vast number of moving and interacting gears, shafts, and possibly other components. In some cases, it may be advantageous to monitor the health of this gear assembly, of other components of the helicopter, or possibly of the rotorcraft as a whole.
Currently-used integrated vehicle health management practices for managing the health of a rotorcraft may include, for example, processing sensor data generated about the rotorcraft, performing statistical analysis of the sensor data, and/or performing other operations. Further, these practices may require that the operator performing the analysis for the rotorcraft have an understanding of a physics-based model of the rotorcraft and/or the statistical approach used to analyze the sensor data.
Oftentimes, when evaluating the health of a vehicle, such as a rotorcraft, a health monitoring system may generate indications when components in the vehicle are identified as having an undesired health status. However, with currently-available health monitoring systems, indications are oftentimes generated when the components do not actually have the undesired health status. These indications may be referred to as "false positives".
For example, a health monitoring system may generate an indication that a part on a rotorcraft needs further maintenance. However, this part may not actually need any further maintenance. In other words, the health monitoring system may generate a false positive for the part. False positives may increase the cost, time, and/or effort needed in performing maintenance for the rotorcraft. For example, inspections, repairs, replacements, and/or other operations may be performed for the part when these operations are not actually needed.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus that takes into account at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as possibly other issues.

Evaluating the health status of a system using groups of vibration data including images of the vibrations of the system


An error correction encoding rate selection table is provided in an error correction processing unit of a packet transfer apparatus, and the table stores an error correction encoding rate preset to maintain a desired QoS in correspondence with a protocol type and an application type. When a transmission packet is transferred to a wireless transmission path, an encoding control unit judges the protocol type and application type of a transmission packet from a header of the transmission packet, in accordance with a judgment result and the error correction encoding rate selection table, an error correction encoding rate is selected, and the transmission packet is subjected to error correction encoding and transferred.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit switched wireless communication system such as an anti-disaster wireless communication system, and more particularly to a wireless packet transfer apparatus for transferring a packet by wireless by using Internet Protocol (IP).
2. Description of the Related Art
With the recent advancement of IP networks, various applications are provided by using IP. It is expected that seamless communications of IP are realized even among different types of networks such as wired and wireless networks, by adopting new technologies such as mobile IPv6 (IP version 6).
A public utility wireless communication system such as an anti-disaster wireless communication system generally adopts a circuit switching system. Using IP for wireless communication systems of this type is associated with the following problems. The first problem is that it takes a long time for data transmission because a transmission bandwidth is narrow (about 25.6 Kbit/s at a maximum transmission speed). The second problem is a throughput lowered by re-transmission caused by packet loss and a reduction in a window size of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the like, because of a high bit error rate (10−3 to 10−4) of a transmission line. The third problem is a fixed error correction encoding rate of each call because of circuit switching. Since a predetermined error correction encoding is performed for data transmission even in a good quality state of a wireless propagation path, the transmission bandwidth cannot be used efficiently. If moving image transmission is performed by using, for example, Moving Picture Experts Group 4 (MPEG4), this transmission is processed like file transfer which does not permit any error, although MPEG4 itself has an error proof function of about 10−3 to 10−4. The communication service quality such as a moving image display rate is therefore degraded. The fourth problem is that if a router or the like is used as an interface between wireless apparatus and a network, an error packet is unconditionally discarded because of a data link protocol of the router. Therefore, even if an application having a bit error permission function, such as MPEG4, is used, the whole packet is lost because of a bit error so that the image quality is degraded.
As technologies capable of solving the first problem, header compression technologies are known. The header compression technologies are described in the documents Request for Comment (RFC) compiling standardized specifications of Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). TCP/IP header compression technologies are written in RFC1144, and IP/UDP/RTP header compression technologies are written in RFC2508. Although these header compression technologies are effective for Voice over IP (VoIP) packets having a short packet length, they provide less compression effects for long packets used in most of communications. As the technologies for solving the second problem, wireless TCP has been proposed. In a gateway apparatus disposed between a wired section and a wireless section, the wireless TCP performs division of a TCP connection and proxy re-transmission of TCP by mounting an agent. However, the wireless TCP cannot provide a TCP connection of end-to-end and the mount of an agent is complicated.
In mobile communications, the technologies have been proposed in which wireless parameters for error correction, modulation and the like are adaptively set in accordance with Quality of Service (QoS) (e.g., refer to JP-A-2003-259447).
The technologies described in JP-A-2003-259447 are directed to wide band mobile communications over 2 Mbps or faster ultra high speed mobile packet transmission systems, and do not consider a circuit switched wireless packet transmission system having a relatively low transmission speed to which the present invention is applied.

Wireless packet transfer apparatus and method


A receiver for receiving an amplitude shift keying signal includes: a threshold signal generating circuit that has a first diode to which a received amplitude shift keying signal is inputted and generates a threshold signal which practically follows a peak value of the amplitude shift keying signal; an input circuit including a second diode to which a received amplitude shift keying signal is inputted; a first comparator to which the amplitude shift keying signal that is outputted from the input circuit through the second diode is inputted, the first comparator acting with the threshold signal that is outputted from the threshold signal generating circuit through the first diode as a first threshold; a detection circuit for detecting output from the first comparator; and a second comparator to which output from the detection circuit is inputted, the second comparator acting with a second threshold that is a predetermined fixed value.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a receiver for receiving an amplitude shift keying signal (ASK signal).
(2) Description of the Related Art
As a conventional technology for receiving an ASK signal, there has been proposed a technology, in which a clock extract circuit of data carrier for receiving a signal subjected to ASK modulation, that is, a resonance circuit for receiving an ASK signal is connected to a full-wave rectifying circuit, then its output is discriminated with a threshold (i.e. threshold value) near to a peak value by using a comparator, then the discriminated output is provided to charge and discharge circuit, a time constant of which is selected to be about a carrier frequency, and then the output from the charge and discharge circuit is discriminated by a comparator, thereby extracting a clock (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-327794).
Further, as another conventional technology for receiving an ASK signal, there has been proposed a technology, in which a received signal is amplified by an amplifier, then the amplified signal is inputted into a comparator having an adjustable threshold, thereby outputting high-frequency rectangular wave from the comparator (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-36591).
However, in the former, upon providing the signal to the comparator the threshold is a fixed value, therefore when the level of the signal changes, its way of influencing the threshold changes, thereby causing a problem that the output from the comparator is changed.
In the latter, when the inputted signal is weak (for example, several tens of mV), if the frequency of the signal is high (for example, equal to or higher than 100 kHz), it causes a problem of insufficient gain of an amplifier, thereby not enabling amplification with an amplifier having a simple circuit construction, needing high-performance components or a complicated circuit construction, thereby causing a problem of an increase in electric current consumption.

Receiver for receiving amplitude shift keying signal


A vector image drawing device has the following configuration. A contour generation unit (104), based on vector data, generates contour data that represents the starting pixels on a scan line in a drawing area where fill-in starts, and the ending pixels where fill-in ends. An outline buffer (106) stores the number of starting or ending pixels in the contour data for fill-in for each drawn pixel. An error judgment unit (2), when storing the contour data in the outline buffer (106), determines in which pixel there is overflow in the outline buffer of contour data. A pixel position transfer unit (3) adds the numerical value of the overflow portion of a pixel that the error judgment unit (2) determined to have overflow to the numerical value of contour data that corresponds to a pixel.

Of the image data that are displayed by a general-purpose display device, there are raster images that are represented by a 2-dimensional array of pixels, and vector images that have information of line. Vector images are represented, for, example, by starting points and ending points of line segments, a combination of the degree of functions and points that define a curved line, or data that specifies an arc, etc.
A raster image maintains the color and brightness for each pixel as data, so that there is no need to calculate them when displaying an image; however, when enlarging the display of the image, the image is enlarged in the unit of pixel, so that roughness of the image stands out. On the other hand, vector image data (vector data) is expanded in a 2-dimensional pixel array in accordance with the resolution of the display, so that when enlarging or reducing an image, it is possible to display the image at that resolution. For example, there is an outline font that maintains the character type face (called a font) in the form of vector data, so that a smooth display can be obtained.
A raster image maintains the color and brightness of all pixels as data, so even when filling in a figure, it can be displayed as is. On the other hand, for a vector image, an area that is filled with color is represented by a closed shape, and only the fill-in color and brightness are specified by data, so that when displaying a filled in area, it is necessary to set the pixels that are included in that area, and to set the pixels in that area to the specified color and brightness. When there are overlapping shapes, the points of intersection and overlapping areas are calculated from the vector data, and the fill-in pixels are set.
In a vector image drawing device that generates contours, an outline buffer is used for storing contour information; however, when it is desired to reduced the capacity of the outline buffer, this is often accomplished by reducing the number of bits in the unit of pixel. Technology for improving improper color values of an image when encoding and decoding image data is disclosed in Patent Literature 1. In the encoding and decoding device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, an encoding unit extracts the difference between an original image and average image, and creates difference data, then performs vector quantization of the difference data to create vector quantization code. Then, the encoding device attempts decoding from the vector quantization code and average image to the original image, and checks whether overflow occurs, and depending on the result, creates exception judgment information. A decoding unit creates difference data from the vector quantization code, and together with decoding the image by adding the difference data and average image, performs exception processing according to the exception judgment information that was created by the encoding processing device when decoding the image.
Patent Literature 2, which is related to technology for improving improper color values in an image, discloses a method of preventing white out in an image due to CCD overflow that occurs because of reflected light in a copier. The technology in Patent Literature 2 set in advance the white level and black level when a CCD read a document, and of the output from a 10-bit A/D converter that digitizes the CCD output, up to the set value of the white level is handled as an 8-bit video signal, and the upper two bits are an overflow detection signal. When overflow is detected, the data of that object pixel is corrected by an image correction circuit using surrounding image data.

Vector image drawing device, vector image drawing method, and recording medium


The identification and cloning of histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) is disclosed, and in particular full length HCAC9 polypeptides and HDAC9 polypeptides which have deacetylase activity, and to nucleic acid molecules encoding these polypeptides. The uses of these polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, for example for screening for compounds that are capable of modulating HDAC9 biological activity.

Eukaryotic DNA is packaged into chromatin in a precise and highly regulated manner. This level of organisation is fundamental to many processes in the cell including replication, repair recombination, chromosomal segregation and transcriptional regulation. DNA is wrapped around the core histone octamer (H2A, H2B, H3 and H4) to form nucleosomes, which are the basic repeating units of chromatin. The crystal structure of the nucleosome has been solved and this has provided much information but there is still a great deal to learn about the mechanisms by which distinct functional domains of chromatin are formed and maintained. The most important changes in chromatin structure are thought to be influenced by post-translational modifications of N-terminal tails of the histones, which protrude from the nucleosome. These are highly basic when unmodified and interact with negatively charged DNA phosphate backbone. Specific amino acids within these tails are targets for a variety enzymes which can produce diverse modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, poly(ADP-ribosylation), and ubiquination. Acetylation is thus far the most widely studied and is catalysed by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and involves substitution of the ε-amino group of specific lysines.
This leads to a more acidic residue and an overall decreased affinity for DNA by the histone octamer. It appears that the histone tails also mediate interactions between nucleosomes to form higher order chromatin structures and they could be disrupted by acetylation. The packaging of DNA into nucleosomal arrays presents a major physical obstacle to the transcriptional machinery when trying to gain access to the DNA template and there is strong evidence that unwinding of nucleosomes due to the acetylation of histone tails plays a fundamental role in the activation of gene transcription. In contrast to histone acetylation in transcriptional activation, enzymes which remove these modifications would be expected to have an important role in down-regulation and gene silencing. This has indeed been shown to be the case and recent studies have also implicated abnormal histone deacetylase function in a number of human cancers.
To date eight histone deacetylases have been characterised which may broadly divided into two related classes which share homology through their deacetylase domains with yeast histone deacetylases Rpd3 and Hda1. Class II HDACs 4, 5 and 7 may be differentiated from the Class I HDACs as they contain an additional N-terminal, non catalytic, region which is homologous to a protein previously characterized as a co-repressor, MEF2-Interacting Transcription Repressor (MITR/HDRP).
Zhou et al (PNAS, 98(19):10572-10577, 2001) purports to disclose the sequence of histone deacetylase HDAC9. However, the protein disclosed in the paper is incomplete and the level of deacetylase activity reported in the paper is below the negative control.


The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to memory topologies. An apparatus may include a first plurality of clam-shell paired memory devices arranged in a star connection topology, each clam-shelled pair of the first plurality of memory devices being coupled by a respective matched branch to a first common command address signal trace. The apparatus may include a second plurality of memory devices coupled to a second common command address signal trace.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatile memory can require power to maintain its data and includes random-access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), among others. Non-volatile memory can provide persistent data by retaining stored data when not powered and can include NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, read only memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), and resistance variable memory such as phase change random access memory (PCRAM), resistive random access memory (RRAM), and magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), among others.
Memory is also utilized as volatile and non-volatile data storage for a wide range of electronic applications. Non-volatile memory may be used in, for example, personal computers, portable memory sticks, digital cameras, cellular telephones, portable music players such as MP3 players, movie players, and other electronic devices. Memory cells can be arranged into arrays, with the arrays being used in memory devices.
Memory can be part of a memory module (e.g., a dual in-line memory module (DIMM)) used in computing devices. Memory modules can include volatile memory, such as DRAM, for example, and/or non-volatile memory, such as Flash memory or RRAM, for example. The DIMMs can be utilized as a main memory in computing systems.


Systems and methods enable a virtual machine, including applications executing thereon, to quickly start executing and servicing users based on pre-staged data blocks supplied from a backup copy in secondary storage. Substantially concurrently with the ongoing execution of the virtual machine, a virtual-machine-file-relocation operation moves data blocks from backup to a primary storage destination that becomes the virtual machine's primary data store after relocation completes. An enhanced data agent, operating in conjunction with an enhanced media agent in a storage management system, coordinates restoring the virtual machine and launching the relocation operation. The enhanced media agent pre-stages certain backed up data blocks based on predictive analysis pertaining to the virtual machine's operational profile. The enhanced media agent also pre-stages backed up data blocks for the relocation operation, based on the operation's relocation scheme. The media agent tracks read requests and maintains the contents of an associated read cache.

Businesses worldwide recognize the commercial value of their data and seek reliable, cost-effective ways to protect the data stored on their computer networks while minimizing impact on productivity. A company might back up critical computing systems such as virtual machines, databases, file servers, web servers, and so on. The company may similarly protect computing devices used by each of its employees.
Companies also seek innovative techniques for managing the costs associated with explosive data growth. For instance, companies often migrate data to lower cost storage over time and employ data reduction techniques for reducing redundant data and pruning lower priority data, etc. For example, virtual machines that are backed up but rarely used may reside in lower-cost secondary storage at any given time, yet may need to be quickly restored to service.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Efficiently restoring execution of a backed up virtual machine based on coordination with virtual-machine-file-relocation operations


A display system for a working machine displays warning information while also displaying a high-quality camera image. The display redisplays a reduced camera image at a reduction scale of 60% according to an abnormality information signal. An open area 44 outside the area displaying the camera image. The display control device displays a warning icon (large size), corresponding to abnormality information regarding a filter of a DPF device, in the open area. The operator recognizes the warning and immediately stops the operation, moves to a place where the filter regeneration is possible while checking the safety of the surroundings by viewing the camera image, and then carries out the filter regeneration. After finishing, the operator confirms that the warning icon has disappeared, moves to the site of the operation while checking the safety of the surroundings by viewing the camera image (for normal times), and then restarts the operation.

In the cab of a hydraulic shovel (as an example of the working machine), various types of instruments (indicators) are arranged to let the operator check basic information on vehicle body status of the hydraulic shovel. Such instruments include a coolant temperature indicator, a hydraulic fluid temperature indicator, a fuel level indicator and an engine revolution speed indicator, for example. In addition to these indicators, an hour meter indicating the operating time of the hydraulic shovel, switching position information on the gate lock lever, etc. are also displayed as needed.
In recent years, hydraulic shovels are adapted to display various types of information on the hydraulic shovel (including the information on the above instruments) all together on a monitor such as a liquid crystal display. In normal times, such a monitor displays basic information on the vehicle body status such as the coolant temperature and the fuel level. However, in cases where an abnormality has occurred to the hydraulic shovel, for example, it is necessary to notify the operator of warning information (indicating the occurrence of the abnormality, the contents of the abnormality, countermeasures to be taken, etc.) by displaying the warning information.
Further, since the rearward visual field for the operator manipulating the machine in the cab is insufficient, a monitoring camera is attached to the rear part of the hydraulic shovel and a camera image acquired from the camera is displayed on the monitor. This secures an auxiliary visual field in back of the hydraulic shovel and enables safe operations.
Incidentally, such a monitor is desired to be as compact as possible in order to secure the operator's visual field. Further, the amount of information displayed on the monitor is on the rise in these years with the increase in the functions of hydraulic shovels. It is therefore necessary to efficiently display a larger amount of information in a limited display area.
It is also possible to manually or automatically switch the displayed image among the basic information, the warning information and the camera image. However, the manual switching of the displayed image is undesirable since it forces the operator to perform the switching during the operation and can disturb the operator's concentration. The automatic switching of the displayed image is also undesirable since automatic switching against the operator's intention can occur. In such cases, the operator cannot view a necessary image and that can obstruct the operation.
As a conventional technique for addressing this problem, Patent Literature 1 has proposed a display system which superimposes the basic information and the camera image together in a style allowing the camera image to be viewed through. This superimposition of the basic information and the camera image allows the operator to check the safety with a sufficient rearward visual field while also checking the vehicle body status of the hydraulic shovel. However, even this technique has a problem in that the image quality of the superimposition area in the camera image deteriorates in some degree and the area becomes hard to see. To deal with this problem, the superimposition area is set in a part of the camera image corresponding to the left rear view from the hydraulic shovel. For the left rear range, the operator checks the safety by performing both the direct visual check (by turning around) and the visual check via a rearview mirror.
There has also been proposed a display system which superimposes the warning information (instead of the basic information) and the camera image together in a style allowing the camera image to be viewed through.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.


An apparatus for automatically supplying long-continuous blanks comprises a hopper formed with a front wall having a V-shaped cut-off, a rear wall and an open bottom portion; a disk provided at its circumferential portion with at least one notch to receive a single blank, the disk being rotatable with an angular rotation of 90 degrees; and rollers and drum rollers for transferring the single blank to a subsequent machining station. The apparatus may further be provided with a pusher for pushing up and down the blanks in the hopper and a sensor interlinked with the pusher for carrying out efficiently the feeding operation of the blanks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for taking out a single long-continuous blank such as metal pipe or rod of a small diameter, from a bundle of long-continuous blanks stacked in a hopper and feeding it from its tip to a subsequent machining station such as a straightening device.
2. Description of Prior Art
It has been proposed to provide the apparatus for automatically taking out a single long-continuous blank from bundle of 50 to 100 long-continuous blanks (each having a diameter of less than about 20 mm ). The conventional apparatus have been used limitatively for taking out the single long-continuous blank from a bundle of long-continuous blanks. When used for taking out the single long-continuous blank from the bundle containing bent long-continuous blanks, it has been difficult to take out the single long-continuous blank, since the bent long-continuous blanks were a cause of entangling the blanks with one another in the bundle and such entanglement barred the single blank to be automatically taken out from the bundle.
In using the conventional apparatus for a bundle of long-continuous blanks each having a length of, for example, exceeding 7 m., the bundle of which containing the bent blanks, it is required to be attended by an operator to each apparatus to take out manually the single blank from the bundle when the entanglement of the blanks occurs and to always watch smooth operation of the apparatus for taking out the long-continuous blanks. In addition, the conventional apparatus require a manual operation for feeding the long-continuous blanks to the subsequent machining station.

Apparatus for automatically supplying long-continuous blank


An inband signaling modem communicates digital data over a voice channel of a wireless telecommunications network. An input receives digital data. An encoder converts the digital data into audio tones that synthesize frequency characteristics of human speech. The digital data is also encoded to prevent voice encoding circuitry in the telecommunications network from corrupting the synthesized audio tones representing the digital data. An output then outputs the synthesized audio tones to a voice channel of a digital wireless telecommunications network.

A cellular telephone allows a user to talk to another user without being tethered to a "land line." The cell phone includes circuitry that samples the audio signals from the user's voice. These voice signals are converted into a digital form using an A-D converter. The digitized voice signals are encoded by a voice coder (vocoder) and then modulated onto a carrier frequency that transmits the voice signals over a cell network. The voice signals are sent over the wireless cellular network either to another phone in the wireless cell network or to another phone in a land-line phone network.
Different coders/decoders (codecs), modulators, vocoders, Automatic Gain Controllers (AGC), Analog to Digital converters (A/D), noise reduction circuits, and Digital to Analog converters (D/A) are used in the cellular and landline phone networks. These telephone components can implement different coding schemes for encoding and decoding the voice signals.
These telecommunication components are designed to efficiently transmit voice signals over wireless and landline voice communication channels. For example, a digital vocoder uses predictive coding techniques to represent the voice signals. These predictive coders filter out noise (non-voice signals) while compressing and estimating the frequency components of the voice signals before being transmitted over the voice channel.
A problem arises when voice communication equipment, such as the vocoder, are used for transmitting digital data. The vocoders may interpret signals representing digital data as a non-voice signal. The vocoder might completely filter out or corrupt those digital data signals. Therefore, digital data can not be reliably transmitted over the same digital audio channel used for transmitting voice signals.
It is sometimes necessary for a user to transmit both audio signals and digital data to another location at the same time. For example, when a cellular telephone user calls "911" for emergency assistance, the user may need to send digital location data to a call center while at the same time verbally explaining the emergency conditions to a human operator. It would be desirable to transmit this digital data through a cell phone without having to use a separate analog wireless modem.
Accordingly, a need exists for transmitting digital data over a voice channel of a digital wireless communications network.

Synchronizer for use with improved in-band signaling for data communications over digital wireless telecommunications networks