An encoding apparatus having a direct mode as a prediction mode, when a pixel with opposite parity from a top field to a bottom field, for example, is referred to for obtaining a reference vector in the direct mode, performs correction by adding or subtracting a value corresponding to a half pixel to or from a value of the obtained reference vector. The encoding apparatus, when a pixel with opposite parity is referred to for obtaining a first and a second direct vector by temporally scaling the corrected reference vector, performs correction by adding or subtracting a value corresponding to a half pixel to or from values of the obtained direct vectors.

H.264 and Moving Picture Experts Group-4 (MPEG-4) Part 10 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) have been standardized as methods for encoding moving image data, and brought to attention. Because the H.264 and the MPEG-4 Part 10 AVC are technologically the same, they will be referred to as H.264/AVC in the following.
The H.264/AVC has five encoding modes including an intra prediction, a forward prediction, a backward prediction, a bidirectional prediction, and a direct mode, as encoding modes for a bi-directional predictive picture (B-picture). In particular, the direct mode is a newly added mode, and is a method to determine a motion vector of a current macroblock from motion vectors of temporally or spatially adjacent macroblocks, by focusing on the continuity of the moving image data.
The principle of a temporal direct mode in the direct modes will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic of a direct vector (frame structure). The temporal direct mode is simply referred to as direct mode.
In the direct mode, a motion vector of a macroblock included in a picture processed immediately before and placed at the same position as the current macroblock is selected as a reference vector, and a motion vector of the current macroblock (hereinafter, referred to as direct vector) is determined by temporally scaling the selected reference vector. In a normal encoding order of moving image data, a certain B-picture is processed subsequent to a reference picture in the forward direction (in the past direction temporally) and a reference picture in the backward direction (in the future direction temporally). Accordingly, a picture processed immediately before the certain B picture is a reference picture in the future direction temporally.
Generally, a reference picture in the past direction is called List0, and a reference picture in the future direction is called List1. In the direct mode, as depicted in FIG. 9, a motion vector of a macroblock (refPicCol is a picture to be referenced) placed at the same position as the reference picture in the future direction (colPic: a picture of Ref_idx=0 of List1) is selected as a reference vector (mvCol). By temporally scaling (at a spacing ratio of picture order count (POC)) the selected reference vector, a direct vector in the forward direction (mvL0) and a direct vector in the backward direction (mvL1) of the macroblock on the current B picture (CurrPic) are determined.
More specifically, the direct mode is performed based on the following principle. Assume that a macroblock placed at the same position as that on the reference picture in the future direction (colPic) has predicted and indicated a region on the reference picture in the past direction, by a reference vector (mvCol). In this case, it is likely to consider that a certain object included in the reference picture in the future direction (colPic) moved from the reference picture in the past direction (refPicCol) along a vector, which is the reference vector (mvCol), in space time. If this is so, the object also passes through the current picture (CurrPic) interposed between the reference picture in the future direction (colPic) and the reference picture in the past direction (refPicCol), along the reference vector (mvCol). Based on the assumption, in the direct mode, the macroblock on the current picture (CurrPic) is predicted from the reference picture in the future direction (colPic) and the reference picture in the past direction (refPicCol), by using a vector parallel to the reference vector (mvCol) in space time. Formulae for calculating a vector parallel to the reference vector (mvCol) that indicates from the reference picture in the future direction (colPic) to the reference picture in the past direction (refPicCol) in space time, between CurrPic and refPicCol, and between CurrPic and colPic are depicted below.
Formulae for calculating a normal direct vector are as follows: mvL0 is a direct vector from the current picture (CurrPic) to the reference picture in the past direction (refPicCol), and mvL1 is a direct vector from the current picture (CurrPic) to the reference picture in the future direction (colPic).mvL0=mvCol×tb/td  (1)mvL1=mvL0−mvCol  (2)where td is the time distance from the reference picture in the future direction (colPic) to the reference picture in the past direction (refPicCol), and tb is the time distance from the current picture (CurrPic) to the reference picture in the past direction (refPicCol). The direct vectors (mvL0 and mvL1) determined here are calculated on assumption that the picture has a frame structure.
The vector in the forward direction and the vector in the backward direction are used as examples for conveniently explaining the direct vector. However, the vectors mvL0 and mvL1 are not fixed to either of the forward direction or the backward direction, in the H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 10 AVC. Accordingly, the similar calculation can be carried out by using a vector of the combination of the forward direction/forward direction or the backward direction/backward direction. In the following description on the direct vector, the vectors mvL0 and mvL1 used for calculation are referred to as a first vector (direct vector) and a second vector (direct vector).
For example, methods of switching coefficients depending on the time distance, if a pixel with opposite parity is referred to, while a picture having a field structure is encoded in the direct mode, have been disclosed.
In the technologies disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2004-048632 and Published Japanese Translation of PCT Application No. 2005-510984.
In the conventional technologies, the encoding efficiency is decreased, when a picture having a field structure is encoded in the direct mode. In other words, in the conventional technologies, if a pixel with opposite parity is referred to, while a picture having a field structure is encoded in the direct mode, an error corresponding to the difference in the parities occurs in the vector. Accordingly, the encoding efficiency is decreased.
FIG. 10 is a schematic of a direct vector (field structure). As depicted in FIG. 10, in a picture having a field structure, pixels in the Bottom_field are shifted in the downward direction by 0.5 pixel across the field, compared with the pixels in the Top_field. Accordingly, with a vector obtained by referring to a pixel with opposite parity, while a picture having a field structure is encoded in the direct mode, the direct vectors mvL0 and mvL1 do not become parallel to the reference vector (mvCol) in space time. Such a direct vector is not the maximum likelihood, thereby decreasing the encoding efficiency.

Encoding apparatus and decoding apparatus


An arrangement for increasing the accuracy in determining the purpose of fields in electronic forms is disclosed in which a form mapping mechanism describes the layout of a form, for example, by identifying the location of objects on a form—such as text-entry fields, drop-down menus and the like that are used to record user data—and further by specifying the purpose of those objects to a form filling client. Form mapping enables the form filling client to locate and understand the purpose of fields in a form so that it may automatically fill out forms for users in an accurate and reliable manner. Illustrative examples include a form mapping that utilizes hidden tags to describe a form layout, a form mapping service provided to a form filling client over a network, and a user interface that enables form mapping creation through user action.

With the increasing popularity of the Internet and World Wide Web to disseminate and facilitate the exchange of information, computer users often need to interact with electronic forms. Such forms are commonly used to automate business transactions in electronic commerce ("e-commerce"), and help to facilitate the streamlined collection of information by all kinds of organizations including government agencies, healthcare providers, financial institutions, schools, libraries and the like.
Users can currently use computer-based form filling software that provides assistance when dealing with a form that is hosted by a website. The form filling software typically examines the form and can help fill it out by using information that the user previously entered and which was stored by the software. These capabilities often let the user save time and can reduce data-entry errors when filling out forms.
While the form-filling software can often perform satisfactorily in many scenarios, it is not always possible for it to accurately and reliably identify all the fields in a form. That is typically because the code used to compose the page, such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language) or XHTML (eXtensible HMTL), does not generally enable the form filling software to determine the purpose of a particular field in the form. Such shortcomings can lead to forms being incorrectly filled out, or some or all fields in a form being missed. While users can sometimes correct or complete the form manually, or the form-filling program can be configured to learn from its mistakes over time, the users' expectations are not necessarily well met by such workarounds. In addition, the organization collecting the information may often incur additional costs in dealing with forms that contain inaccurate or incomplete information which may come about in situations where the user or software do not catch and correct the mistakes.
This Background is provided to introduce a brief context for the Summary and Detailed Description that follow. This Background is not intended to be an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter nor be viewed as limiting the claimed subject matter to implementations that solve any or all of the disadvantages or problems presented above.

Increasing accuracy in determining purpose of fields in forms


A printing apparatus includes a first acquiring unit configured to acquire a print target document; a second acquiring unit configured to acquire update history information about update history of the document acquired by the first acquiring unit; a third acquiring unit configured to acquire print history information about print history of the document, a generating unit configured to generate print image data based on the document, a receiving unit configured to receive a command to print the document, an identifying unit configured to, when the receiving unit receives a command to print the document, identify, as print target image data, the print image data that includes an image of an updated page in the document, based on the update history information acquired by the second acquiring unit and layout information included in the print history information acquired by the third acquiring unit, out of the print image data generated by the generating unit; and a printing unit configured to execute printing based on the print image data identified by the identifying unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus configured to perform difference printing to produce an updated page and a control method for the printing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
After a document has been printed prior to a conference, which is to be passed out in the conference, it is often necessary to make some amendments to the document and print copies again before the conference.
In this case, if amendments are made to certain pages, in order to reduce waste of resources, only pages that have been updated are printed and used to replace corresponding pages (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-330658).
However, if a document before a revision was printed in a two-sided printing or in a specific print layout, such as a reduction layout, even if only revised pages are printed, since they are in a different printout layout, they cannot be used as replacement pages.
Another problem is that if one tries to print update portions in a manner that suits the specific print layout used in printing before the revision, very complicated setting is required in specifying print target pages, which is quite troublesome.

Printing apparatus and control method to produce updated pages


An improved container provides a container body and a closure. In some embodiments, a scooping utensil retainer is disposed on the closure. The scooping utensil retainer includes opposing flanges protruding from the closure surface. A flange rib protrudes from the first flange into the flange gap, extending from the closure surface to the distal end of the flange. A tapered retainer gap is provided between flanges for resiliently clamping the handle of a scooping utensil. In some embodiments, the closure can include an annular ridge shaped for engaging a downwardly extending skirt on a like container when two like containers are vertically stacked. In some embodiments the container body includes an in-mold label affixed to a substantially straight side wall, the in-mold label covering at least about 95% of the exterior surface area of the container body.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an improved container for storing materials, especially a container having a closure that can be opened for accessing stored content.
2. Background Art
Containers having a lid, or closure, with a structure for retaining a scooping utensil are known in the art, especially containers of the type used for storing consumable materials like food products or dietary supplements. Typically, consumable products of this type are provided in powdered, particulate or granulated form for mixing by the user into an ingestible solution. Conventional containers for storing such content typically include a lid that is opened by the user to access a portion of the stored product. Generally, only a fraction of the stored product is used at any given time, while the remainder is intended for future use. Upon retrieval of a desired amount, the lid is closed against the container to prevent leakage or contamination of the remainder until the next usage. In many applications, the container may be accessed multiple times each day.
In practice, a metered dose is typically dispensed from the container upon opening by scooping the desired amount of product from the container using a scooping utensil such as a spoon, spatula or scoop. Some conventional storage containers known in the art provide a scooping utensil packaged loosely inside the container. Placement of the scooping utensil inside the container conveniently ensures that the user will have a scooping utensil at hand when the stored content is first accessed, eliminating the need for the user to carry an additional spoon or other scooping utensil.
When using a container with a loosely stored scooping utensil, a user typically must first remove the lid and retrieve the scooping utensil from the interior of the container. A loosely stored scooping utensil will often become buried in the stored product. Thus, to retrieve the scoop for measuring and dispensing the desired amount, the user is forced to make contact with the stored product, either directly with the user's hand or indirectly with another object for retrieving the scoop. This aspect of conventional storage containers having loosely stored scooping utensils has several disadvantages. First, the stored content may be contaminated by foreign substances, including bacteria, chemicals or foreign debris present on the user's hand or on the retrieving object. Contamination of the stored product is especially undesirable where the stored content is intended for human consumption. Second, retrieval of the scoop from a buried position exposes the user's hand to the stored content. This is particularly undesirable where the stored content contains ingredients that may cause the stored content to stick to the user's hand. Third, retrieval of the scooping utensil prior to each use is a nuisance to the user, requiring additional time and effort to simply dispense a desired amount of the stored product. When repeated several times each day, retrieval of a buried scooping utensil prior to each use can waste a significant amount of time.
Others have attempted to overcome the problems of conventional storage containers having loosely stored scooping utensils by including mounting structures on the inside of the container or lid for retaining the scooping utensil between uses. Conventional mounting structures for securing a scooping utensil include clasps or locking structures that can make removal of the utensil from the retaining structure difficult. Other conventional retaining structures known in the art provide one or more flanges extending from the container or lid dimensioned for directly engaging the bowl portion of the scoop. However, conventional retaining structures of this type do not allow interchangeability between scooping utensils having varying bowl shapes or dimensions.
Conventional containers for storing material are also often molded from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material. Typically, an injection molding process is used to form the container and/or the lid. During injection molding, a heated thermoplastic or thermosetting material is forced into a mold cavity having a desired container or lid shape defined therein. The heated material fills the contours of the mold cavity and is allowed to cool, producing a continuous, solid three-dimensional structure. The container is then removed from the mold for packaging and labeling.
In-mold labeling is a technique for the injection molding of thermoplastic containers, where during an in-mold labeling process, a label is typically inserted into the injection mold cavity prior to injection of the heated material into the cavity. The label is inserted with the front, or face, of the label oriented toward the outer cavity wall, and the back of the label is oriented toward the interior of the mold cavity. During molding, the label can be secured to the outer wall of the mold cavity using a releasable means, for example by a vacuum or electrostatic force between the in-mold label and the mold cavity wall. The molding material is then forced into the mold cavity to fill the space between the back of the label and the inner mold cavity wall. The mold material fills the space behind the label and bonds directly to the label, forming a container having a label integrated on the exterior surface. One characteristic of a container with an in-mold label is that the container generally includes a label affixed to the container surface prior to filling the container with the stored product.
Conventional in-mold labeling configurations for injection molding containers require the mold cavity to include an angled side wall or a relatively large draft angle, i.e. greater than about five degrees, for reliably inserting a label into the mold cavity before each injection step. Additionally, using conventional in-mold labeling configurations, if a substantially straight side wall or lower draft angle is desired, the label height must be reduced, as taller labels tend to become stuck in a low draft angle mold cavity. Yet further, in-mold labeling configurations having substantially straight or low draft angle mold cavities typically do not accommodate glossy exterior label surfaces because the glossy finish can cause the in-mold label to cling to the mold walls during insertion, resulting in undesirable folding of the label or misalignment.
There is a continuing need for improvements in various aspects of the containers discussed above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Eyewear is disclosed for use in sports and the like which allows the wearer to attach a removable sealing member to prevent the ingress of particulate matter when active sports are engaged in which require both ventilation and sealing to keep dust, dirt and the like out of the eyes. The sealing member is removable so that when the user is engaged in more casual activities, the frame may be worn like ordinary glasses or sunglasses without the sealing member. The eyewear includes a frame shaped to fit a wearer's face, one or two lenses mounted in the frame, and a temple bracket mounted on each side of the frame. A ventilation opening can be provided on the front surface of the frame to provide an airstream which is channeled by the removable insert to provide a filtered airflow across each lens.

Eyewear used for sports is typically designed to wrap around the user's face and sufficiently seal against the skin to create a dead air space between the glasses and the user's face (hereinafter referred to as the "dead space"). As the user engages in strenuous activity, the heat and moisture can build up in the dead space, making the glasses uncomfortable to wear and producing condensation on the inside surface of the lenses which can partially or entirely obstruct the vision of the wearer. This phenomenon is commonly known as "fogging."
There have been many prior art methods attempted to reduce or eliminate fogging. Some devices, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,863, describe chemical coatings which can be applied to the inside surface of a lens to alleviate fogging. Such coatings, however, tend to enhance fingerprints caused by handling, and are typically not durable, tending to wear off when the user cleans the lenses.
Therefore, different types of ventilation have been relied upon to alleviate fogging. Many prior art sunglasses and protective glasses or goggles provide openings in the frame above and below the lenses to allow air to flow in and out. These are not believed to be particularly effective at preventing fogging when a wearer is engaged in particularly strenuous activity, since there is nothing to cause the air to actually flow through the dead space, unless the wearer tilts his head downward towards the ground as he is moving forward to allow the passing air to flow through the perforations in the frame. This is not particularly desirable when the wearer is moving forward at great speed (for example, when riding a motorcycle) because such action will take the wearer's eyes off the space in front of his vehicle and may result in an unfortunate accident. Moreover, open apertures will typically allow the ingress of dust and particulate matter into the dead space where it can be blown into the unprotected eyes by the flow of air, which is also very undesirable.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,191,364 and 5,428,411 substantially reduced or eliminated the ingress of dust and particulate matter into the dead space by covering the ventilation apertures with permeable foam, and further addressed the fogging problem with coated and/or double lenses. However, these glasses still suffer from the lack of a motivating force for causing a flow of air through the ventilating apertures without causing the wearer to take his eyes off his direction of travel. Moreover, when the wearer is no longer engaged in active sports, and wishes to simply wear a pair of casual sunglasses to protect the eyes from the effects of sunlight while walking or driving in a closed vehicle, the foam surrounding the eyes combined with decreased airflow may cause an uncomfortable heat build up which discourages the user from wearing such eyewear for casual purposes.
British Patent Specification 364,970 addressed the problem of controlling a flow of air through the dead space by providing a valve which may be adjusted by loosening a screw, rotating an inlet regulating disc to a desired position, and then tightening the screw. This device is not desirable because the user must remove the glasses, produce a screw driver, loosen the screw, rotate the disc, tighten the screw, put the glasses back on and use them at the desired speed to determine if the disc has been rotated to a position which will produce the desired flow under the specific conditions of use. If not, the procedure must be repeated over and over again until the desired flow is obtained.
Accordingly, the need exists for sunglasses and protective glasses which automatically generate a flow of filtered air through the dead space and protects the eyes from particulate matter in the airstream when the user is engaged in active sports, and in which the seal which filters and protects the eyes can be removably detached when desired for casual wear.

Sunglasses with removable sealing member


A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to: generate a set of qualitative assessments; convert the set of qualitative assessments into a set of quantitative assessments; produce a quantitative forecast from the set of quantitative assessments; and translate the quantitative forecast to a qualitative forecast.

Business Intelligence (BI) generally refers to software tools used to improve business enterprise decision-making. These tools are commonly applied to financial, human resource, marketing, sales, customer and supplier analyses. More specifically, these tools can include: reporting and analysis tools to present information, content delivery infrastructure systems for delivery and management of reports and analytics, data warehousing systems for cleansing and consolidating information from disparate sources, and data management systems, such as relational databases or On Line Analytic Processing (OLAP) systems used to collect, store, and manage raw data.
There are a number of commercially available products to produce reports from stored data. For instance, Business Objects Americas of San Jose, Calif., sells a number of widely used report generation products, including Crystal Reports™, Business Objects OLAP Intelligence™, Business Objects Web Intelligence™, and Business Objects Enterprise™. As used herein, the term report refers to information automatically retrieved (i.e., in response to computer executable instructions) from a data source (e.g., a database, a data warehouse, a plurality of reports, and the like), where the information is structured in accordance with a report schema that specifies the form in which the information should be presented. A non-report is an electronic document that is constructed without the automatic retrieval of information from a data source. Examples of non-report electronic documents include typical business application documents, such as a word processor document, a presentation document, and the like.
A report document specifies how to access data and format it. A report document where the content does not include external data, either saved within the report or accessed live, is a template document for a report rather than a report document. Unlike other non-report documents that may optionally import external data within a document, a report document by design is primarily a medium for accessing and formatting, transforming or presenting external data.
A report is specifically designed to facilitate working with external data sources. In addition to information regarding external data source connection drivers, the report may specify advanced filtering of data, information for combining data from different external data sources, information for updating join structures and relationships in report data, and logic to support a more complex internal data model (that may include additional constraints, relationships, and metadata).
In contrast to a spreadsheet, a report is generally not limited to a table structure but can support a range of structures, such as sections, cross-tables, synchronized tables, sub-reports, hybrid charts, and the like. A report is designed primarily to support imported external data, whereas a spreadsheet equally facilitates manually entered data and imported data. In both cases, a spreadsheet applies a spatial logic that is based on the table cell layout within the spreadsheet in order to interpret data and perform calculations on the data. In contrast, a report is not limited to logic that is based on the display of the data, but rather can interpret the data and perform calculations based on the original (or a redefined) data structure and meaning of the imported data. The report may also interpret the data and perform calculations based on pre-existing relationships between elements of imported data. Spreadsheets generally work within a looping calculation model, whereas a report may support a range of calculation models. Although there may be an overlap in the function of a spreadsheet document and a report document, these documents express different assumptions concerning the existence of an external data source and different logical approaches to interpreting and manipulating imported data.
The present invention relates to the analytical and reporting aspects of BI. Analyzing and predicting the effect that business records have on an enterprise has become increasingly more valuable and complex. A business record or business data value is a measure of the performance of an enterprise (e.g., commercial, governmental, non-profit, etc.). The business data value may be quantitative (e.g., revenue, headcount, customer satisfaction index, etc.) or qualitative (e.g., strategic initiatives, strategic projects, action plans, etc.). While there are existing tools that exploit quantitative business records as a predictive driver to evaluate the future performance of an enterprise, these tools do not utilize qualitative business records.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a new technique that efficiently utilizes qualitative business data values as a predictive tool in assessing the future performance of a business. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a method to forecast future qualitative business records for an enterprise.

Apparatus and method for forecasting qualitative assessments


A vehicle includes a music signal processing system having a loudspeaker disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle and emitting audible music into the passenger compartment. A microphone is disposed within the passenger compartment and converts the audible music and noise within the passenger compartment into an analog electrical microphone signal. An analog-to-digital converter is connected to an output of the microphone and receives the analog electrical microphone signal and converts the analog electrical microphone signal into a digital electrical microphone signal. A sample rate down converter is connected to an output of the analog-to-digital converter. A narrow band adaptive noise control is connected to an output of the sample rate down converter and receives an engine speed signal. A sample rate up converter is connected to an output of the narrow band adaptive noise control. An adder device adds an output of the sample rate up converter to a music signal. A digital-to-analog converter is connected to an output of the adder device. An amplifier has an input connected to an output of the digital-to-analog converter. An output of the amplifier is connected to an input of the loudspeaker.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical application of an Adaptive Noise Canceler (ANC) 10 for an automotive application. H(z) represents the transfer function through the digital to analog converter (DAC) 12, amplifier 14, loudspeaker 16, cabin, microphone (MIC) 18, and analog to digital converter ADC 20. The output of H(z) is the error e(n) which is the input to ANC 10. RPM is the revolutions per minute of the engine. Boom(n) represents the periodic engine noise whose dominant frequency is directly related to RPM. Music(n), which represents program content, is added digitally to the ANC output before it is converted to analog. A problem is that Music(n) can be distorted before it reaches the listener's ears if Music(n) is strongly correlated to Boom(n). Many music compensation techniques have appeared in the literature, but their costs to implement have always been prohibitive.

Music compensation for active noise control systems

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America


An injection system for an internal combustion engine comprises a valve arrangement (26), connected to an inlet (24) to a high pressure pump (8), which regulates the flow of fuel for lubricating and cooling the high pressure pump (8) and bleeds the injection system. The valve arrangement 926) comprises at least one displaceable actuator and a first and second throttle device (30, 32). The actuator (36) is regulated according to a pressure of the fuel flow between a feed supply pump (6) and the high pressure pump (8), such that a first connection to, the high pressure pump (8) is opened, by means of the first throttle device (30), or the feed (24) to the high pressure pump (8) is interrupted, or a second connection to the high pressure pump (8) is opened, by means of the second throttle device (32). The invention further relates to a method of bleeding and/or regulating said injection system.

The invention relates to an injection system for an internal combustion engine, according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a method for regulating and/or bleeding an injection system for an internal combustion engine, according to the preamble of claim 9.
Such injection systems for internal combustion engines conventionally have a pre-feed pump which feeds the fuel to be injected out of a fuel tank via a fuel line and transfers it to a high-pressure pump which generates the injection pressure necessary for injecting the fuel into the combustion spaces of the internal combustion engine. In the case of a common-rail injection system, the high-pressure pump is connected on the outlet side to a high-pressure accumulator, from which the injectors assigned to the individual combustion spaces of the internal combustion engine procure the fuel to be injected.
The known injection systems also make it possible to scavenge the high-pressure pump with the fuel to be injected, with the result that a lubrication and cooling of the high-pressure pump are brought about. For this purpose, a feed branches off, between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump, from the fuel line connecting the pre-feed pump to the high-pressure pump and issuing on the outlet side into the casing of the high-pressure pump. Via the feed, part of the fuel conveyed by the pre-feed pump is branched off and used for scavenging the high-pressure pump. The fuel used for scavenging purposes is subsequently returned to the fuel tank via a fuel return line.
As a result of the scavenging of the high-pressure pump by the fuel stream branched off from the feed stream, however, when the internal combustion engine is started the pressure build-up on the intake side of the high-pressure pump is delayed or even prevented, so that the internal combustion engine starts only with a retard or not at all. A regulating valve is therefore arranged in the feed branching off between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump, said regulating valve releasing the scavenging stream in the feed only when the fuel pressure necessary for operating the high-pressure pump is reached on the intake side of the high-pressure pump.
In the known injection systems, the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump are driven via a mechanical connection by the internal combustion engine of the common-rail system, so that the rotational speed of the pre-feed and the high-pressure pump is proportional to the engine rotational speed. Since the rotational speed of the high-pressure pump is a function of the engine rotational speed, at low engine rotational speeds, which occur, for example, during starting, the high-pressure pump conveys only a relatively low volume flow into the high-pressure accumulator. For a rapid start of the engine, however, a rapid pressure build-up in the high-pressure accumulator is necessary. It is therefore necessary for the entire injection system to be constantly filled completely with fuel and contain as far as possible no air bubbles or gas bubbles. However, by the fuel tank being emptied, due to maintenance work on the system or as a result of leaks, air may infiltrate into the system. In order to prevent a delayed pressure build-up during the starting operation due to the included air in the system, therefore, bleeding devices are provided.
Normally, for bleeding the injection system in this way, individual bleeding valves or throttles are installed, in addition to the regulating valve for the scavenging stream, in the feed in the low-pressure region between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump. What is to be achieved thereby is that the air can be discharged via the bleeding valves or throttles and cannot pass into the displacement spaces of the high-pressure pump. When a throttle is used, on the one hand, it is necessary, for a rapid escape of air, that the throttle has a relatively large throughflow cross section. On the other hand, the selected size of the throughflow cross section of the throttle must be sufficiently small, so that as little fuel as possible can escape through the throttle. A satisfactory dimensioning of the throttle in terms of the size of the throughflow cross section is therefore difficult to achieve. By contrast, when nonreturn valves are used as a bleeding device, it is always necessary to build-up a specific pressure in the fuel line, in order to open the nonreturn valve and thus bleed the injection system. In this case, however, at low starting rotational speeds of the engine, problems arise with regard to the build-up of a corresponding pressure which is sufficient for opening the nonreturn valve. The bleeding of the injection system is therefore not always ensured.
Furthermore, it is known to install a bleeding valve, in which a closing body is guided in a guide of the bleeding valve. Between the guide and the closing body is provided a capillary gap, via which the air included in the system is discharged during the bleeding operation. After bleeding, the fuel flows into the capillary gap. In this case, due to the high flow resistance of the fuel in the capillary gap, the closing body is taken up, so that the bleeding valve is closed by the closing body. Where a wetted capillary gap is concerned, however, there is the problem that the closing body is moved into its sealing position even during bleeding and the air can no longer escape completely through the capillary gap. Sufficient bleeding of the injection system is consequently difficult to achieve.
The object on which the invention is based is therefore to provide an injection system which can be bled simply and reliably, a rapid pressure build-up in the high-pressure accumulator being ensured at the same time, and a method for regulating and/or bleeding such an injection system.
This object can be achieved by an injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising a pre-feed pump, a high-pressure pump, a high-pressure accumulator and at least one injector, which are connected to one another via a fuel line, in order to convey fuel out of a fuel tank via the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump into the high-pressure accumulator and to inject said fuel out of the high-pressure accumulator via the injector into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, a feed for the high-pressure pump, said feed being connected to the fuel line between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump, in order to supply fuel for lubrication and cooling to the high-pressure pump, and a valve device connected to the feed, which regulates the fuel stream for lubricating and cooling the high-pressure pump and/or bleeds the injection system, wherein the valve device comprises at least one movably arranged actuator and a first and a second throttle device, the actuator being set as a function of a pressure of the fuel stream between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump, in such a way that a first connection through the first throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released or the feed to the high-pressure pump is interrupted or a second connection through the second throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released.
The object can also be achieved by an injection system for an internal combustion engine, with a pre-feed pump, a high-pressure pump, and a high-pressure accumulator which are connected to one another via a fuel line, in order to convey fuel out of a fuel tank via the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump into the high-pressure accumulator, a feed for the high-pressure pump, said feed being connected to the fuel line between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump, in order to supply fuel for lubrication and cooling to the high-pressure pump and to bleed the injection system, and a valve device connected to the feed, which regulates the fuel stream for lubricating and cooling the high-pressure pump and which bleeds the injection system, and wherein the valve device comprises at least one movably arranged actuator and a first and a second throttle device, the actuator being set as a function of a pressure of the fuel stream between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump, in such a way that a first connection through the first throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released or the feed to the high-pressure pump is interrupted or a second connection through the second throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released.
The first and the second throttle device may have different throughflow cross sections. The first and/or the second throttle device can be designed to be integrated in the actuator. The actuator may have at least one passage duct. The actuator can be designed as a throughflow-cross section actuator or pressure actuator. The valve device may comprise at least one directional valve and/or at least one pressure limiting valve. The throttle devices, the directional valve and/or the pressure limiting valve can be assembled in the valve device. The actuator can be set in such a way that the first connection through the second throttle device and the first throttle device is released.
Consequently, the injection system according to the invention has a pre-feed pump which supplies the high-pressure pump additionally with fuel for lubrication and cooling by means of a feed branching off from the fuel line to the high-pressure pump. In this case, the feed has arranged in it a valve device which, on the one hand, regulates the fuel stream for the lubrication and cooling of the high-pressure pump and, on the other hand, bleeds the injection system. Thus, before or during an operation to start the engine, the air included in the injection system can be discharged from the injection system via the valve device. Furthermore, the valve device ensures, preferably in interaction with an admission-pressure regulating valve and a high-pressure regulating valve, that the feed is interrupted, after bleeding, during the operation of starting the internal combustion engine. As a result of the interruption, it is possible that a pressure builds up in the fuel line to the high-pressure pump during the starting operation and that the high-pressure pump is filled completely with fuel. Moreover, in the event of a further pressure rise downstream of the pre-feed pump, there is provision for the valve device to release a scavenging path to the high-pressure pump. For this purpose, the valve device comprises at least one integrated actuator arranged movably in the valve device and also a first and a second throttle device.
As a function of a pressure of the fuel in the feed upstream of the valve device, the actuator in each case assumes a position in which either a first connection through the first throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released or the feed to the high-pressure pump is interrupted or a second connection through the second throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released. The combination according to the invention of the two throttle devices with the actuator in the valve device affords the great advantage that the fuel stream supplied from the pre-feed pump to the high-pressure pump is both regulated and at the same time bled via the valve device. The valve device according to the invention reacts automatically to the respective operating states of the engine via the pressure prevailing in each case in the fuel line downstream of the pre-feed pump. This ensures the bleeding of the system, a rapid pressure build-up in the high-pressure accumulator and therefore also an easy restarting of injection systems which contain included air.
It is preferred that the first and the second throttle device have different throughflow cross sections. It is thereby possible to adapt the throughflow cross sections of the individual throttles to a respective application. In this case, the first throttle device, which is preferably provided for bleeding the injection system, has, for example, a relatively small throughflow cross section, so that as little fuel as possible can escape. By contrast, the throughflow cross section of the second throttle device, via which the fuel stream for scavenging the high-pressure pump is conducted, is dimensioned sufficiently large for a reliable delivery of fuel for scavenging the high-pressure pump to be ensured. The throttle devices are thus in each case to be suitably dimensioned individually for the respective application.
For a compact form of construction of the valve device, advantages are afforded when the first and/or the second throttle device are designed to be integrated in the actuator of the valve device. As a result, even under confined conditions of space, the respective throttle device can be positioned at a desired point in the valve device.
For connecting a valve inlet to a valve outlet of the valve device, it has been shown to be advantageous for the actuator to have at least one passage duct, through which the fuel stream flowing through the valve device is conducted. The passage duct may be designed in a structurally simple way as a bore through the actuator.
It is further preferred for the actuator to be provided as a throughflow-cross section actuator or pressure actuator. As a result, in the event of a change in the pressure in the fuel line, a diversion of the throughflow paths of the fuel through the valve device can be achieved quickly and reliably. Thus, a double function of the valve device as a bleeding valve and a scavenging valve can be implemented in a simple way. Advantages are afforded, in this respect, when the valve device comprises at least one throughflow-cross section regulating valve or pressure regulating valve. For example, by providing at least one directional valve and/or at least one pressure limiting valve in the valve device, an adjustment of the throughflow path in the valve device can be achieved particularly simply and easily.
Furthermore, for a compact form of construction of the valve device, advantages are afforded, when the throttle devices, the at least one directional valve and/or the at least one pressure limiting valve are assembled in the valve device. The valves are in this case integrated in a structural element designed as a combination valve. As a result, even when the installation space in the high-pressure pump is restricted, the valve device can be connected reliably to the feed.
The object can also be achieved by a method for regulating and/or bleeding an injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising a pre-feed pump, a high-pressure pump, a high-pressure accumulator and at least one injector, which are connected to one another via a fuel line, the method comprising the steps:
conveying fuel out of a fuel tank via the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump into the high-pressure accumulator,
injecting the fuel out of the high-pressure accumulator via the injector into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine,
branching off fuel for lubricating and cooling the high-pressure pump via a feed from the fuel line between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump, and
regulating the fuel stream in the feed and/or bleeding the injection system by means of a valve device, and
moving at least one movably arranged actuator of the valve device essentially between three different positions in the valve device as a function of a pressure of the fuel stream between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump.
In an initial position of the actuator, a first connection through a first throttle device to the high-pressure pump can be released and, with an increasing dynamic pressure of the fuel flowing through the valve device, the actuator can be moved out of its initial position into a second position, in which the first connection to the high-pressure pump is essentially interrupted, and subsequently into a third position, in which a second connection through a second throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released. In the initial position of the actuator, the first connection may run both through the second throttle device and through the first throttle device to the high-pressure pump. The fuel flow through the first connection can be lower than the fuel flow through the second connection. The fuel flow through the first connection can be lower than the fuel flow through the second connection.
As can be seen from the foregoing, according to the method, fuel for lubricating and cooling the high-pressure pump is branched off via a feed from the fuel line between the pre-feed pump and the high-pressure pump, the fuel stream being regulated and/or the injection system bled by means of the valve device in the feed. In this case, both the regulation of the fuel stream in the feed and the bleeding of the injection system are achieved by means of at least one actuator which is arranged movably in the valve device and which is adjusted essentially between three different positions in the valve device as a function of a pressure of the fuel stream in the feed. The pressure acting on the actuator in the valve device affords the great advantage that the valve device reacts automatically to the respective operating states and to the resulting pressures in the fuel line. This considerably simplifies the control and regulation of the fuel stream in the injection system. Furthermore, the movement of the actuator in the valve device also ensures the bleeding of the fuel system, so that a delayed pressure build-up due to air included in the injection system is effectively prevented.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention for regulating and bleeding the injection system, in a position of rest of the actuator a first connection through a first throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released. In the position of rest of the actuator, the bleeding of the injection system takes place, the air being discharged out of the low-pressure region to the high-pressure pump via the first throttle device. After bleeding, the actuator is moved, with an increasing dynamic pressure of the fuel stream flowing through the valve device, out of its position of rest into a second position, in which the connection to the high-pressure pump is essentially closed. In the second position, the feed is interrupted, that is to say essentially no scavenging stream flows to the high-pressure pump, so that the entire bled fuel stream is conveyed from the pre-feed pump to the high-pressure pump via the fuel line and a rapid pressure build-up in the high-pressure pump is ensured. Since the entire fuel stream is available for the pressure build-up, a delayed starting of the internal combustion engine is prevented. In the event of a further pressure rise, the actuator is moved into a third position, in which a second connection through a second throttle device to the high-pressure pump is released. In the third position, the fuel volume flow branched off from the fuel line via the feed flows to the high-pressure pump, in order to cool and lubricate the latter.
In a further embodiment, there flows through the first throttle device, in the position of rest of the actuator, a fuel stream which amounts to between ⅓ and ⅔ of the fuel quantity conveyed overall by the pre-feed pump. For example, during starting, the pre-feed pump conveys about 150 ml, about 5-10 ml flowing through a scavenging duct for bleeding. In the third position, several 100 ml can flow through the scavenging duct and consequently through the second throttle device for cooling through the high-pressure pump. In this case, at the changeover from the position of rest to the second position, the dynamic pressure preferably amounts to 0.2-0.4 bar. The changeover between the second position and the third position of the actuator is preferably between 1.5 and 2 bar. In this case, the inlet valve or inlet valves of the high-pressure pump open at about 0.7 bar. In embodiments with a higher opening pressure of the inlet valve, the changeover points between the position of rest and the second position or the second position and the third position of the actuator are displaced correspondingly.

Injection system for an internal combustion engine and method for regulating and/or bleeding of said system


A system and associated methods for dynamically authenticating an at least one object are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, upon a user desiring to verify the authenticity of a given object via an at least one user device, a public identifier of a corresponding rewritable memory device attached to the object is obtained by the user device and transmitted to a central computing system. Upon determining that the public identifier is present in an at least one database maintained by the central computing system, select details related to the object, as stored in the at least one database, are transmitted to the user device. Additionally, a new public identifier is generated and transmitted to the corresponding rewritable memory device of the object so as to overwrite the previous public identifier stored thereon.

The subject of this patent application relates generally to authentication systems, and more particularly to an authenticity verification system and associated methods of use for dynamically authenticating a given physical or virtual object via a rewritable memory device attached to said object.
Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference any and all patents and published patent applications cited or referred to in this application.
By way of background, in today's highly competitive global marketplace, counterfeiting has become a sad reality. With the ever increasing availability of technological means to malicious entities, many items in our everyday life have become targets for counterfeiting. To name a few, currencies, name brands, general consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, foods, beverages, legal documents, certificates of achievements, and personal identification cards are all targeted and successfully reproduced by such malicious entities to their financial benefit and the deception of the general public.
The ability to determine the genuineness of an item or product has become a requirement in modern commerce. For example, there are many companies, especially high-end name brand companies, whose products are purchased mainly because of consumer recognition of the company name. Consumers trust that products manufactured by a well-known, established companies will meet a certain level of quality. As a result of this, unscrupulous or criminal companies and individuals make copies or knock-offs of these name brand products. Therefore, the actual name brand companies/manufacturers must take measures to establish that products sold under their name are genuine.
This phenomena leaves the average person unaware and vulnerable to counterfeits. In cases of ingestibles, such as pharmaceuticals and food products, counterfeits pose real public health risks, in addition to financial waste for consumers and manufacturers.
Intellectual property is up for the grab of the criminal entities, leaving the honest and creative companies with enormous financial loss and frustration that hinders further innovation.
This problem is even more prevalent in second and third world countries where labor and materials are less expensive and intellectual property laws are looser and frequently not enforced. The counterfeit items are often extremely hard to distinguish from originals, making the unaware consumers victims of fraud.
There have been numerous attempts to solve this counterfeiting problem. One such method is the attachment of a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag to an item. The RFID tag contains a unique ID that can be scanned by an authenticating device and verified against a database to establish its authenticity. While this method has been somewhat effective, there is still an inherent problem associated with the use of RFID tags. The tag itself can be reverse engineered and cloned an infinite number of times. All fraudulent copies would still be recognized by the authenticating device as authentic, thus implying that the underlying item is authentic as well. While it may not be a simple task to hack and clone a protected RFID tag or other rewriteable memory device, it is technically feasible. The process of hacking and cloning is a "one-time investment" for the malicious entity. Once it has been done, it can be an easily repeatable process, making the initial investment worthwhile. Thus, there remains a need for an effective authenticity verification system capable of preventing such workarounds.
Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

Authenticity verification system and methods of use


A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal has a main body with a window; a display area having a first substrate configured to couple the window on a first face and couple a touch detection unit on a second face, a second substrate configured to face the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer arranged between the second substrate and the touch detection unit; an exposed area configured to have at least one end extend in a lateral direction beyond the display area and electrically connect to a circuit board; and a first contact point and a second contact point each arranged between the display area and the exposed area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of detecting a touch input.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, terminals may be mobile terminal or stationary based on whether they can be moved. Mobile terminals may be handheld or vehicle-mounted based on whether a user can carry or use it outside of a vehicle. A mobile terminal can support complicated functions, such as capturing images or video, reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcast signals, among other similar functions. By comprehensively and collectively implementing such functions, the mobile terminal may be embodied in the form of a multimedia player or device.
Efforts to support and increase the functionality of mobile terminals include improvements to software, hardware and structural components that form the mobile terminal. A structural improvement to terminals may include an improvement to the performance and structure of a signal transmission mechanism in relation to a touch sensor. A current signal transmission mechanism generally has a structure comprising a circuit board and a touch sensor electrically connected by a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and a driver integrated circuit mounted on the FPCB. This structure, however, may require connection structures for electrically connecting to a common electrode constituting a liquid crystal display and for electrically connecting to electrodes constituting a touch sensor. The need for such connection structures may hinder a reduction in the physical size of terminals.


An apparatus for mounting a pipe sensor is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pipe and a sensor. The pipe has a pipe wall with a section removed defining a passage through the pipe wall. The sensor has a collar, is disposed in the passage, and is exposed to the interior of the pipe. In one embodiment, the sensor can be welded to the pipe wall. In another embodiment, an insert can be disposed in the passage between the sensor and the pipe wall, with a locking nut engaged with the insert and pressing upon the collar to fasten the sensor to the insert.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to pipe sensors, and particularly to pipe-mounted sensors for detecting characteristics internal to the pipe.
Sensors can be used in determining characteristics inside pipes and piping systems, such as pressure, flow volume, flow rate, temperature, moisture and humidity, and fluid concentration, amongst others. The sensors can be integral in providing measurement and control of fluids in the pipes, and in maintaining efficient and accurate operations. Efficient control and operation in commercial industries can be essential in maintaining human safety, environmental safety, and cost efficiency.
In industries such as the oil industry, the sensors are mounted to the pipes using industry standard pipe connections, which are often large flanges on the end of a length of pipe. These flanges are bolted or screwed together at a union or joint. A sensor is attached to the flange, and the flange is connected to another flange at the end of a jointed pipe, so that the sensor is exposed to the internal area of the pipe. Because the pipe connections used for connecting sensors are also used for connecting other standard pipe equipment (e.g. pipes), the pipe connections (e.g. flanges) are very large relative to the sensors. These pipe connections can be particularly large, or otherwise onerous, in some industries, such as the subsea oil industry or other industries with relatively harsh operating environments that necessitate numerous or strict regulations, and/or stronger or more durable pipe connections.
Because the pipes and other pipe equipment can be very large relative to the sensors, a relatively large amount of space is occupied to connect the small sensors to the pipes. Space to fit sensors attached by large flanges can become very crowded, or be too small, limiting the number of sensors that can be used in a given area, and limiting the control and operation of the pipe system. Adding sensors or relocating sensors after the initial design of a pipe system can be very difficult and expensive. Furthermore, larger pipe connections require a larger amount of material, which is costly.
It would be advantageous to attach sensors within pipes without the limitations of using bulky pipe connections.


According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a selector configured to select one of multiple input terminals and to connect the selected input terminal to a connection terminal connected to one end of an inductor; a low noise amplifier in which an input terminal is connected to a connection terminal connected to the other end of the inductor; and at least one matching circuit. The matching circuit is connected between the two connection terminals and includes a first switch, a second switch, and a capacitor, one end of the capacitor is connected to one of the two connection terminals via the first switch, and the other end of the capacitor is connected to the other of the two connection terminals via the second switch.

In a wireless transceiver, signals in multiple RF (radio frequency) bands received from one or two or more antennas are input to an RF receiver circuit through an RF front-end circuit of an RF transmitter/receiver module. An external inductor for impedance matching is connected to an amplifier (for example, a pre-low noise amplifier) of the RF front-end circuit.
When the number of input frequency bands increases and impedance matching is performed for multiple frequency bands with one RF front-end amplifier, the impedance matching can hardly be performed by only one external inductor, so that one or two or more additional external inductors should be added, resulting in larger area of the receiver module.
Note that formation of the inductor on a substrate of a semiconductor device, that is, in the semiconductor device leads to an increase in signal loss, which is not preferable.

TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION


A roofing stage for pitched roofs includes first and second elongated tracks disposed generally parallel to one another. A base bracket attaches a lower end of each track to roof beams. Padded feet extend from a bottom surface of the tracks for contact with the roof. Hooks extend from upper ends of the first and second brackets for attachment to an apex of the roof. A carriage bracket is slidably attached to each track and has a foot support extending therefrom. A platform bracket is slidably attached to each of the first and second tracks above the carriage brackets for supporting a platform therebetween. The movable brackets enable the roofer to property position himself and necessary tools and supplies.

The present invention generally relates to the process of shingling roofs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a roofing stage assembly for pitched roofs to facilitate the shingling of such roofs.
To protect a house or structure from the adverse elements, shingles are often applied to a roof. This entails covering the rafters/roof beams, such as with plywood sheets or the like. Tar paper is then often tacked onto the plywood sheets. Shingles or the like are then tacked onto the roof. Typically, the shingles are first applied at the base and overlap one another until reaching the apex portion of the roof so that water can cascade over the shingles and off of the roof, and not enter the structure.
These materials must be brought on to the roof surface, and workers properly and safely positioned in location on the roof to nail or glue these materials in place. In the past, strips of wood would be affixed to the plywood sheets to provide foot supports for the roofers while tacking down the tar paper and shingles. These would be removed as the section of the roof were shingled. Alternatively, scaffolding was used to elevate the roofers to the appropriate height of the roof, particularly on very steep pitched roofs.
However, there is a continuing need for a roofing stage which is removably attachable to a roof and which facilitates placement of the roofer and supplies on the pitched roof. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
The present invention resides in a roofing stage for pitched roofs. It comprises first and second elongated tracks which are disposed generally parallel to one another. Base brackets of each track attach the lower end of each track to roof beams. Feet extend from a bottom surface of the first and second tracks and contact the roof. Typically, these feet are padded.
A carriage bracket is slidably attached to each of the first and second tracks. The carriage bracket includes a foot support extending therefrom. Above the carriage brackets are platform brackets which are also slidably attached to each track. A platform extends between the platform brackets for holding tools and materials and the like. Means for attaching the upper ends of the tracks to an upper edge of the roof are provided, typically in the form of hooks which extend from upper ends of the tracks. Preferably, the carriage and platform brackets are automatically moved along the tracks by use of a motor or the like.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.


A system for tracking objects that include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags associated therewith. The system including a structure substantially defining an enclosure, a reflective interior of the enclosure configured for the reflection of radio signals, at least one conveyor belt that transports the objects through the structure, at least one RFID reader panel inside the structure, wherein the at least one RFID reader panel transmits a radio signal into the interior of the structure such that the radio signal will reflect off of the interior of the structure to increase a probability that the RFID tags associated with the objects that enter the structure are read, and an operator terminal that receives and stores information regarding read RFID tags from the at least one reader panel.

The present disclosure relates generally to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, methods, and apparatus. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for improving detection of RFID tags for identification and tracking of baggage.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are electronic devices that may be affixed to items whose presence is to be detected and/or monitored. The presence of an RFID tag, and therefore the presence of the item to which the RFID tag is affixed, may be checked and monitored by devices known as "readers" or "reader panels." Readers typically transmit radio frequency signals to which the RFID tags respond. Each RFID tag can store a unique identification number. The RFID tags respond to reader-transmitted signals by providing their identification number and additional information stored on the RFID tag based on a reader command to enable the reader to determine an identification and characteristics of an item, for example baggage.
Currently, airlines are implementing RFID monitoring capabilities at airports to track baggage to ensure the baggage gets to the correct destination. These implementations have experienced difficulty in achieving 100% read success due the fact the RFID tags are not always oriented in an optimum position on a piece of baggage in order to achieve a successful read. Thus, if an RFID tag is not optimally read, the bag associated with the unread RFID tag must be manually removed from a conveyor belt and manually taken to a proper location, which is extremely time consuming for both the person manually taking the baggage to a destination and the process itself.
An existing solution is to put multiple readers and/or to position baggage in a particular orientation to try to ensure an optimal read is made. However, extra readers and elaborate baggage orientation devices adds cost.
Accordingly, a need is present for a method and apparatus to minimize improper reads of RFID tags or overcome issues discussed above.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for RFID tag detection


An eyeshield for covering an eye that is being treated for some medical problem, so as to shield the eye until such time as it has healed. The eyeshield includes a substantially firm but bendable foraminous member having a concave interior surface that is adapted to be juxtaposed with the eye--to create a kind of shallow "vault" over the eye. The preferred material for the foraminous member is a sheet of 6061 aluminum alloy having a thickness of about 0.025 inch. The member has a peripheral edge or rim having the general shape of an ellipse, with a major axis of about 3 inches and a minor axis of about 2.4 inches. The eyeshield also includes a relatively thick but lightweight border that is permanently mounted around the rim in such a way as to completely envelop the same. The thick border is preferably formed from a flexible material that has rubber-like properties, so that it may yield to any manual bending of the foraminous member that may be accomplished in order to make the member achieve a better fit with the particular bone structure of a given patient. The foraminous member has a multitude of small apertures, preferably 100 or more, that are adapted to foster ventilation of the eye and the nearby facial skin. It also has a plurality of peripheral recesses, to aid in integrally molding the border to the foraminous member. Thus, the border and foraminous member may be permanently affixed to each other--and interlocked in such a way as to prevent any relative rotation therebetween.

This invention relates generally to a relatively firm eye cover that is adapted for use in the treatment of eye problems caused by disease, injury, etc.; more specifically, it relates to a mostly metal eyeshield that is adapted to shield either one of a wearer's eyes from errant contact with undesirable objects--as well as to foster wearer comfort while an eye is healing.
During the medical treatment of many kinds of eye problems, including injuries and the like, a patient is often required to wear a protective eyeshield over the eye that is healing or being treated. Obviously, the eyeshield is intended to protect the eye while it is healing without causing additional risk or discomfort for the wearer. Unfortunately, quite a few of the eyeshields that are currently being used are not only uncomfortable but they are also somewhat awkward to wear. And many of these devices are not constructed in such a way as to foster the kind of cleanliness that is preferred by medical personnel; and although many eyeshields of the prior art can be sterilized, the task of doing so is often rather time-consuming.
One such eyeshield is made from a thin piece of metal, typically aluminum about 0.027 inch thick; it is generally elliptical in shape, with its length being about three inches and its height being about two and three-eighths inches. Because its very thin edge can be felt by the sensitive area around a person's eye, and the sensation is that of skin being pressed by something that is relatively sharp, a kind of thin cloth "cushion" in the form of a narrow edge guard (somewhat like a garter) is often used to surround the periphery of the shield. Another form of peripheral "cushion" is a strip of foamed plastic tape, typically about an inch wide, that is manually folded over the edge of the metal shield before it is installed over the eye. The combination of a metal shield and some kind of attached cushion is strapped to a person's head in such a way as to securely hold the eyeshield in a fixed position over the injured eye. It will be readily apparent that with this system of eye protection, two distinct and separable pieces are required to create the total eyeshield. In terms of cleaning (or sterilizing) the eyeshield, such a two-piece system is not ideal, because the metal shield and separable cushion cannot be thoroughly cleaned as a unit. That is, a cloth edge guard or "garter" must generally be cleaned in a washing machine or the like, and then dried in a dryer, before it can be used again. Of course, the metal shield could not be conveniently cleaned in the same way; instead, a shield must generally be separately sterilized by steam autoclaving or the like. Furthermore, after the two pieces have been separately cleaned, significant manual handling of the shield in order to install a peripheral cushion can introduce the risk of again contaminating the shield--a shield that is supposed to be kept as clean as possible.
One other problem with a separable, two-piece eyeshield is that the metal shield is susceptible to being rotated inside its smooth cloth sheath; that is, when an elliptical shield is subjected to a glancing blow, there is nothing to prevent the shield from becoming repositioned so as to allow its edge to escape the cloth sheath in such a way as to cause wearer discomfort or injury. Furthermore, if such a metal eyeshield were accidentally pushed forcefully against the wearer's face, it is questionable that a thin cloth sheath could provide enough protection to preclude the sharp metal rim from pressing uncomfortably against or causing injury to the wearer's flesh.
Another eyeshield that is sometimes used in the treatment of eye injuries is referred to as the "Universal Eye Shield." It is made of a rigid polycarbonate material and is available from Trident Medical Products Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas. Although this type of eyeshield (having a thickness of about 0.065 inch) may be used without peripheral cushions or the like, it has not found widespread acceptance--apparently because it cannot be bent or manipulated in order to make it conform to the individual bone structure of the patient who is to wear it. And a rigid, plastic eyeshield is considered by some persons to be uncomfortable if it does not provide a peripheral structure that is adapted to flex so that it can be shaped to bear gently against the soft and supple flesh around the eye.
An additional problem with a polycarbonate (or other rigid plastic) eyeshield is that it will sometimes tend to slide with respect to the skin around a person's eye--when subjected to lateral loads. When compared to materials such as soft rubber, the relatively low coefficient of friction between the hard plastic material and the smooth (and often oily) facial skin that surrounds an eye would not effectively tend to inhibit sideward movement of the eyeshield over the skin. Under sideward impact, such an eyeshield might readily slip over the wearer's skin and fail to remain in place where it is supposed to protect the wearer's eye.
While the above-described eyeshields might be useful in the treatment of some eye problems, it seems that the designers of these prior art eyeshields have neglected the importance of easy sterilization or cleaning, as well as wearer comfort. Accordingly, there has remained a need for a unitary eyeshield which may be conveniently and thoroughly sterilized without disassembly, and which also has a border that is adapted to lie directly--and more comfortably--against the skin surrounding an eye. It is an object of this invention to provide such a protective eyeshield.
Another object is to provide a unitary and integrally formed eyeshield that is made from two different materials: one material being adapted to provide a suitable compromise between rigidity (for protecting the eye) and moldability (for matching the geometry of the face), and the second material being adapted to provide an adequately soft border to make comfortable contact with the wearer's face, while not comprising hygiene.
It is a further object to provide a protective eyeshield that is formed from two pieces that are permanently interlocked in such a way that they cannot be moved relative to each other, either deliberately or accidently.
Still a further object is to provide a two-piece eyeshield that is integrally formed in such a way that the seams between the two pieces are essentially gapless, so as to foster sanitation by minimizing the possibility of accumulating significant quantities of dirt, debris, facial oils, etc., on the eyeshield.
Another object is to provide a protective eyeshield having a border (i.e., a face-to-shield interface) that may be contoured and configured so as to lie in intimate contact with the facial area surrounding an eye, said border being formed from a material having a coefficient of friction that inhibits unwanted sliding movement of the eyeshield over the wearer's skin.
These and other objects will be apparent from a reading of the specification and the claims appended thereto, together with reference to the figures of the drawing provided herewith.


A wafer-level array camera includes (i) an image sensor wafer including an image sensor array, (ii) a spacer disposed on the image sensor wafer, and (iii) a lens wafer disposed on the spacer, wherein the lens wafer includes a lens array. A method for fabricating a plurality of wafer-level array cameras includes (i) disposing a lens wafer, including a plurality of lens arrays, on an image sensor wafer, including a plurality of image sensor arrays, to form a composite wafer and (ii) dicing the composite wafer to form the plurality of wafer-level array cameras, wherein each of the plurality of wafer-level array cameras includes a respective one of the plurality of lens arrays and a respective one of the plurality of image sensor arrays.

Wafer-level array cameras are growing in popularity and importance. Wafer-level array cameras may be made for different purposes. Wafer-level cameras may be manufactured with reduced camera height, as compared to a non-wafer-level cameras. Hence, the imaging lens of the wafer-level camera may have a shorter focal length. However, the imaging lens may cover less area in the image plane. To maintain the resolution, i.e., the total number of pixels, an extra lens or several extra lenses may be needed to cover additional area in the image plane. A wafer-level array camera may provide such a solution while maintaining the low camera height, made possible by wafer-level manufacturing, and maintaining a certain number of total pixels covered. In addition, a wafer-level array camera may be aimed for other purposes than to achieve reduced camera height, such as stereo camera functionality, visible and infra red dual camera functionality, array camera having multiple view angles functionality, etc. It is common practice singulate image sensor arrays from an image sensor wafer prior to disposing a wafer-level lens or a wafer-level lens array thereon.

Wafer-level array cameras and methods for fabricating the same


A rotary position sensor includes a rotatable disk, a first light sensor configured to generate a first opacity signal, a second light sensor configured to generate a second opacity signal, and a comparator. The opacity of the rotatable disk is substantially unique at each radial angle value. The comparator is configured to generate a disk position signal as a function of the first opacity signal and the second opacity signal.

Determining the position of rotary devices in work machines both during operation and at start-up may enable better control of the devices. For example, knowing the position of a crankshaft in an engine, and thus top dead center in engine cylinders, may enable more effective engine controls. Some types of motors and generators, such as switched reluctance and permanent magnet, control the relationship of the rotor to stator fields. Knowing the position of the rotor is necessary to this type control. Knowing the speed of a rotor may also be necessary and/or desirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,820 to Osajda discloses a steering wheel shaft position sensor including a light emitter fixed with respect to the shaft and a pair of light detectors fixed with respect to the emitter. A disk is mounted for rotation on the shaft between the emitter and the detectors and has a grey scale track extending circumferentially on the disc between the emitter and one of the detectors. The grey scale varies from opaque to transparent to the light emitted by the emitter. A second, transparent track extends circumferentially on the disc between the emitter and the other detector. The outputs of the two detectors are compared to provide an indication of the movement of the shaft.

Opacity-based rotary position sensor and method


A frequency conversion system includes a mixer, which is coupled to mix an input signal with a Local Oscillator (LO) signal, so as to produce an output signal. Control circuitry is configured to adjust an actual level of the LO signal provided to the mixer, so as to maintain the actual level substantially constant. A nulling signal generator is coupled to inject a nulling signal into the input signal prior to mixing with the LO signal adjusted by the control circuitry.

Frequency conversion devices, such as mixers and quadrature modulators, convert the frequency of an input signal by mixing it with a Local Oscillator (LO) signal. In some cases, the LO signal may leak to the output of the device and appear as a spurious signal. This effect is referred to as LO leakage, and is generally undesirable.
Various techniques for reducing LO leakage are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,208, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a quadrature modulator comprising a circuit for compensating for an LO leak signal in an output signal of the modulator. The circuit adds different compensation voltages to two modulation signals. To provide automatic compensation of the LO leak signal, the quadrature modulator comprises a regulating circuit that regulates the intensity of the compensation voltages irrespective of each other, on the basis of the correlation between the amplitude variation in the output signal and the corresponding modulation signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,396, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for reducing LO leakage in radio frequency mixers. Compensating circuits are used to reduce or eliminate unwanted leakage from the mixer output signal by controlling the current in individual branches of a balanced input circuit of the mixer. The compensating circuits are made of different combinations of resistor, transistor and current sink components. By using the compensating circuits with a radio frequency mixer, DC current differential occurring between two output nodes of the input circuit are reduced or eliminated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,420, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a frequency converter having first, second and third terminals that receive a first signal having a first frequency band, a LO signal, and a second signal having a second frequency band. The first signal and the LO signal are mixed to generate the second signal. A first branching circuit is connected between the second terminal and the frequency mixer, for branching part of the LO signal. A first part of the branched LO signal, which is supplied from the first branching circuit, and a first leaked LO signal are applied from the frequency mixer to the first terminal. The phase and amplitude of the first branched LO signal are adjusted so that the first branched LO signal and the first leaked LO signal have equal amplitude and are reversed in phase to cancel each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,247, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for reducing the level of an undesired signal, generated through a frequency converter device. A feedback correction loop, for a radio frequency transmitter or receiver, reduces an undesired LO leak generated through a single-input frequency converter device, such as a mixer. A nulling circuit is also implemented for a multiple-input frequency converter device, such as a quadrature modulator.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,280,805, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for calibrating a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter. The method includes inputting a test tone to the RF transmitter. LO leakage calibration is performed on an output of the RF transmitter with the test tone inputted thereto, in order to determine a minimum LO leakage. Thereafter, sideband image calibration is performed on the output of the RF transmitter with the test tone inputted thereto, in order to determine a minimum sideband image.
Lanschützer et al. describe a technique for adaptive compensation of LO leakage and direct Current (DC) offset, in "A Digital Adaptive Feedback Loop for Local Oscillator Leakage Cancellation and DC Offset Compensation," Proceedings of the 2002 Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference (APMC 2002), Kyoto, Japan, Nov. 19-22, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. The technique is intended for use in direct up-conversion transmitters.

Efficient reduction of local oscillator leakage


A ladder comprises a front leg and a rear leg connected by a slider bracket. The slider bracket comprises a base and a track. The base comprises an aperture therein. The track extends away from the base and comprises a slot therein. The base is rotatably coupled to the front leg by a front pin in the aperture. The track is slidably coupled to the rear leg by a rear pin in the slot. When spreading the rear leg away from the front leg, the base pivots around the front pin as the rear pin slides in the slot of the track until the rear pin reaches the end of the slot in the track. The slot also may include a latch at the end of the slot that engages the rear pin.

Conventional step ladders include foldable spreaders that fold to collapse when moving the legs of the step ladder together for storage. These foldable spreaders also unfold when moving the legs of the step ladder apart to use the step ladder. Conventional foldable spreaders for a step ladder have several deficiencies. For example, the foldable spreaders do not assist in holding the legs together in the collapsed position. Accordingly, when carrying a folded step ladder, the user must hold the legs together to prevent the legs from deploying. Conventional spreaders also do not assist with opening of the legs of the step ladder. The user must manually push the step ladder legs apart to unfold the spreader to the position that supports the triangular shape of the step ladder. Additionally, the user typically must also push down on the hinge of the foldable spreader to completely unfold the spreader to allow safe use of the step ladder. Conventional spreaders also do not assist with folding the legs of the step ladder from the open position to the closed position. To close a conventional step ladder, the user must push up on both spreaders to break the closed hinge position. Then, the user must grab both sets of legs to push the two sets of legs together. Operation of foldable spreaders to open/close a conventional step ladder also creates pinch points that may pinch the user's fingers.


Glass free of surface carbon deposits, such as carbon film and/or carbon occlusions, and a process for removing such carbon deposits from glass. The process is characterized by the application of a plasma to glass to remove the carbon deposits. The plasma used for this purpose contains active specie which reacts with the carbon deposits to form gaseous carbon products.

In reference specifically to optical fibers made from preforms, optical fibers made from heavy metal fluoride glass, such as ZrF.sub.4 -based glasses, possess a theoretical minimum attenuation of about 0.01 dB/km at around 2.5 .mu.m. This is over an order of magnitude lower than the 0.15 dB/km obtained for silica based optical fibers. While short lengths of the fibers made from heavy metal fluoride glass have demonstrated losses approaching theoretical values, fibers longer than 100 m exhibit losses of about 1 db/km. The main reason for this is due to scattering of light from defects such as crystals and bubbles and also particles of crucible material from crucibles used for melting the glass components.
Glass, particularly halide-containing glass, is made by melting high purity glass components in vitreous carbon crucible under an oxidizing gaseous atmosphere. In the case of heavy metal fluoride glass, the melting temperature is about 850.degree. C., the gaseous atmosphere is a SF.sub.6 N.sub.2 gas mixture, and duration of the melting processing in the gaseous atmosphere is about 2 hours. This melting schedule produces zero crystal growth on subsequent heat treatment of the glass and the resulting glass has an extremely low hydroxyl (OH) concentration of less than 3 ppb.
Unfortunately, the use of vitreous carbon crucibles in glass manufacture is deleterious when used to cast fiber preforms due to carbon contamination from the crucible walls above the melt surface. Although such preform melts are initially made in carbon crucibles, they are quenched and the glass is then remelted in platinum crucibles under an oxidizing atmosphere of O.sub.2 /N.sub.2 gas mixture and subsequently cast into preforms for fiber drawing. The oxidizing atmosphere removes a substantial portion of carbon as gaseous CO.sub.2, however, at least some of the carbon remains. It has been observed, however, that some crucibles leave a carbon film and carbon occlusions in sporadic regions on the glass surface. This occurrence is more prevalent in new crucibles which usually exhibit passivation after several melt schedules. However, some crucibles persistently give this problem of undesired carbon deposition.
During remelting of the glass, the undesired carbon deposition is introduced into the bulk of the glass producing carbon occlusions in the preforms or whatever is made from the glass. Subsequent remelting, drawing or any reshaping of the glass, leads to undesirable crystallization if impurities or imperfections are present in the glass. It has been determined that loss per 1 micron in diameter carbon particle is about 2.8.times.10.sup.-4 dB.
Carbon contamination can take place in the crucible in which the glass is made. During cooling of the melt in the crucible, certain regions of the crucible adhere to the side walls of the glass as the glass cools and contracts in volume. The carbon particles that chip off and find their way into preforms from which optical fibers are drawn are on the order of about 1 micron. On remelting the glass, the carbon particles are incorporated into the bulk and lead to a source of scattering in the preform and fibers made therefrom.
The known techniques for removing carbon film and carbon particles include (1) grinding and polishing the glass surface (2) chemically etching the glass surface, and (3) grinding, polishing and then etching the glass surface. These techniques are inappropriate because grinding leaves behind particles which cause light scattering and chemical etching causes water contamination leading to an increase in the OH peak absorbance.

Plasma treatment of glass surfaces to remove carbon

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