A display system includes display terminals (1-1-1-4) that display pictures, a display control apparatus (3) that controls the display of pictures on the display terminals (1-1-1-4), and optical shutters (2-1-2-4) that are provided corresponding to each of the display terminals (1-1-1-4) and that enter a state of transmitting incident light in intervals in which private pictures are displayed on corresponding terminals and enter a state of blocking incident light in other intervals. The display control apparatus (3) controls the display terminals (1-1-1-4) such that private pictures are not simultaneously displayed on display terminals (1-1-1-4).

In recent years, flat panel displays such as liquid crystal displays and plasma displays are being widely applied to various devices from mobile equipment such as portable telephones to large-scale devices such as public displays.
In this development of displays, emphasis has been placed on such factors as wide angle of field, high luminance, and high picture quality, and displays have been sought that provide superior display of images to users at any angle.
On the other hand, in the current state of ubiquitous computing that has come with the development of information equipment, the prevention of viewing by others of data of personal information or confidential information that is shown on displays has become an important problem.
In portable telephones of recent years, optical screens (louvers) have been provided to produce displays that allow viewing of display content only from a specific direction, but other people at locations substantially directly opposite the display such as directly behind the user are able to view the displayed data, rendering such displays inadequate from the standpoint of protecting confidentiality.
A picture display device has been proposed that allows viewing of a specific picture only by a viewer that is wearing viewing glasses having a picture-selection capability (refer to JP-A-S63-312788 (hereinbelow referred to as Patent Document 1)).
The picture display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays both pictures (hereinbelow referred to as private pictures) that can be viewed only by a user that is wearing viewing glasses having a picture-selection capability and other pictures (hereinbelow referred to as the public pictures) that can be viewed by a person not wearing these viewing glasses.
As shown in FIG. 1, the picture display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is composed of picture information storage memory 402, synthesis circuit 405, saturation/brightness conversion circuit 406, picture display 408, viewing glasses-shutter timing generation circuit 409, and viewing glasses 411.
Based on frame signal 403, picture information storage memory 402 stores picture signal 401 that is received as input in frame units. The picture signal that is stored in picture information storage memory 402 is read two times at the frame period.
The picture signal that is read first is supplied to synthesis circuit 405 as first picture signal 404 that is compressed by one-half. The picture signal that is read second is supplied to synthesis circuit 405 as second picture signal 407 after undergoing a saturation and brightness conversion process by saturation/brightness conversion circuit 406.
The output of synthesis circuit 405 is supplied to picture display 408 as a display signal. Picture display 408 alternately displays a picture that is based on first picture signal 404 and a picture based on second picture signal 407.
Based on frame signal 403, viewing glasses-shutter timing generation circuit 409 generates viewing glasses-shutter drive signal 410 for driving a shutter that is equipped in viewing glasses 411. Viewing glasses-shutter drive signal 410 is a timing signal such that the shutter of viewing glasses 411 is ON (blocked state) in the interval in which a picture is displayed based on second picture signal 407. By driving the shutter of viewing glasses 411 based on viewing glasses-shutter drive signal 410 that is supplied as output from viewing glasses-shutter timing generation circuit 409, the user that is wearing viewing glasses 411 views only the pictures that are based on first picture signal 404.
A person other than the user who is not wearing viewing glasses 411 sees a gray picture in which the picture based on first picture signal 404 and the picture based on second picture signal 407 are merged due to the visual integral effect (afterimage) over time. This gray picture is a completely different picture from the picture based on first picture signal 404, and as a result, a person not wearing viewing glasses 411 is unable to view the picture that is based on first picture signal 404.

Display system, control apparatus, display method, and program


Method, system, and graphical user interface for enabling optimal colorant job programming. A graphical user interface displays a plurality of gamut mode selectable features. One or more of the gamut mode selectable features can be selected for image processing of an image. A graphical image can be displayed within the next of the user interface based on image processing of the image, and in response to selection of a gamut mode selectable feature. The resulting displayed graphical image with the user interface can demonstrate to a user the benefit of utilizing additional colorant on the image particular pixels in the graphical image, which can benefit from the additional colorant.

The color gamut of a printer is a multi-dimensional space of a given volume with the axes of the space being set or defined initially by the pigments used in the colorants of the primary colors. Each set of color primaries: red, green, blue (RGB) or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) defines a "color space" that includes all colors that can result from any combination of these primaries. The "color space" or "color gamut" may be quite different for different sets of primaries. A CMYK color gamut can intersect an RGB color gamut. Such gamuts, however, are different from one another. That is one gamut or a set of gamuts is not a subset of the other. Thus, RGB may not cover all CMYK colors and vice versa.
In forming multi-color output images on an image-receiving medium, each of the primary colors can be transferred to the image-receiving medium in turn. The color gamut is defined by the interaction of the primary colors and is limited by the total amount of colorant in any combination that can be effectively deposited on the image-receiving medium.

Method and system for enabling optimal colorant job programming


A hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and an external manifold surrounded by and in contact with air for connecting the hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. The external manifold facilitates heat transfer from hydraulic fluid flowing therein to the surrounding air. The design of the hydrostatic transmission with external manifold also allows virtually any desired relative orientation of the pump and motor to be achieved by only changing the shape of the manifold.

Hydrostatic transmissions have many uses, including the propelling of vehicles, such as mowing machines, and offer a stepless control of the machine's speed. A typical hydrostatic transmission system includes a variable displacement main hydraulic pump connected in a closed hydraulic circuit with a fixed displacement hydraulic motor. The closed hydraulic circuit includes a first conduit connecting the main pump outlet with the motor inlet and a second conduit connecting the motor outlet with a pump inlet. Either of these conduits may be the high pressure line depending upon the direction of pump displacement from neutral. For most applications, the pump is driven by a prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine or an electrical motor, at a certain speed in a certain direction. Changing the displacement of the pump will change its output flow rate, which controls the speed of the motor. Pump outflow can be reversed, thus reversing the direction of the motor. In a vehicle, the motor is typically connected through suitable gearing to the vehicle's wheels or tracks.
Fluid connections between the pump, motor and conduits should generally be leak free. However, as is often the case, the hoses or other conduits connecting the pump and motor can leak causing a loss of hydraulic fluid and a decrease in transmission performance. In response to the leakage problem, prior art hydrostatic transmissions were created which generally prevent leakage of fluid from the pump and motor by containing the leakage and returning it to the closed hydraulic circuit as needed.
Hydrostatic transmissions generate heat as the hydraulic fluid is circulated between the pump and the motor. Friction between moving parts of the pump and/or motor also generates heat. As hydrostatic transmissions become more compact, heat related issues become more of a problem due to the decreased surface area of the hydrostatic transmission available for dissipating heat.

Hydrostatic transmission with external manifold


An apparatus for beta-emission two-dimensional imaging including: a beta ray detector configured to receive, from an imaging target containing a first nuclide and a second nuclide, a beta ray based on the first or second nuclide and thereby detect the beta ray, the beta ray detector outputting a beta ray detection signal including location information indicating a detection location of the beta ray on a two-dimensional basis; a gamma ray detector configured to detect a gamma ray, the gamma ray detector detecting the first and second peculiar gamma rays in a discriminable manner; and an imaging processor configured to be capable of generating a distribution image of the first nuclide and a distribution image of the second nuclide in a discriminable manner.

As one type of diagnostic equipment, positron emission tomography (PET) systems are in practical use. A PET system employs the type of positive beta decay (β+ decay) that emits positrons (also called positron emission decay): it detects the two gamma rays that are emitted when an emitted positron annihilates with a neutron in a material, and thereby estimates the distribution of the radioactive nuclide that undergoes such beta decay. For example, a drug that concentrates in cancerous cells can be labeled with a positron emitting nuclide; then a living body administered with the drug can be, as an imaging target, imaged on a PET system to acquire a three-dimensional distribution image of cancerous cells in the living body.
As life science and medicine progress, more and more light is shed on how a vital function or a focus of disease manifests itself through complicated intertwining of different kinds of molecular behavior. In keeping with that, research is being carried out on methods (hereinafter referred to as multiple molecular simultaneous imaging) involving administering a living body with a plurality of drugs labeled with different radioactive nuclides so that the distribution of nuclides in the living body is imaged at once in a manner that permits discrimination among the different nuclides. A configuration for performing multiple molecular simultaneous imaging on a PET system is seen in Patent Document 1.
On the other hand, in radiography using radiation such as X-rays, there is used, as a substitute for photographic film, what is called a flat-panel detector, that is, an imaging apparatus that has an array of semiconductor-based imaging elements disposed on a flat face. The flat-panel detector can directly read radiation-induced ionization inside a material, and is becoming increasingly widespread in the medical scene.
In addition to the flat-panel detector just mentioned, also widespread in the field of basic research is an imaging plate, which allows read-out, with laser light or the like, of the two-dimensional distribution of chemical changes brought about, according to the amount of, radiation exposed to. With the imaging plate, two-dimensional information on an imaging target can be acquired with a simple configuration. Compared with the film, the imaging plate is more sensitive, and is reusable, after read-out, with the acquired information erased through, for example, exposure to white light. Thus, the imaging plate is used to survey the distribution of beta-ray emitting nuclides in tissue sections and cultured cells. Inconveniently, however, all these apparatus are configured to measure the integrated amount of energy of all radiation incident on a given spot during the imaging duration; they do not give the energy and the time of incidence of different types of incident radiation individually.
Meanwhile, recent years have seen the emergence of a technology, directed to radiation imaging detectors, that can calculate energy and time of incidence through event-by-event signal processing (the technology being called "photon counting" when it reads out photons in particular). This technology is applied to CT systems and the like where, for X-rays of different energies, their energies are, at every event, discriminated and converted into an image to identify a material based on the fact that a material absorbs X-rays of different energies at different absorptances.
In photon counting-type measurement, unlike in integral measurement of the total energy within the imaging duration, it is necessary to perform, on an event-by-event basis, signal processing on information at each imaging element. This requires as many on-line one-event signal processing circuits as the number of imaging elements. Imaging elements with a high resolution have an accordingly large number of channels. Thus, developing a signal processor with a high degree of integration combined with a high throughput is a challenge toward higher resolutions in photon counting imaging. In fact, in recent years, integrated circuits are becoming increasingly dense, and the number of channels that can be handled is increasing. Thus, even higher resolutions are expected in imaging relying on photon counting.
According to another technique for improved resolution, an enlarged image is acquired by use of, for example, a lens that exploits refraction or reflection of scintillation light (visible light).

Apparatus and method for beta-emission two-dimensional imaging


A metal photoetching product comprising at least one large cavity of minor axis W1S, major axis W1L and depth D1 in a surface of the product, wherein one or more cavities are included inside at least one of the at least one large cavity, and a smallest hole among the cavities has minor axis of W2S, major axis W2L, and depth D2; and the product satisfies the following dimensions, D1+D2=plate thickness D, 0.02 mm≦D≦2 mm, 0.4×D<W1S<D, and 0.2×D<W2S<0.8×D.

A method such as described below is normally adopted for the formation of wet etching components. An alkaline-soluble photoresist film is formed to a desired pattern on an iron-based or copper-based metal material, followed by etching a metal portion which is not covered with the aforementioned photoresist using an acidic ferric chloride etching solution or cupric chloride etching solution. In wet etching methods that use an etching solution such as described above, etching proceeds isotropicly from the holes of the photoresist to directly beneath the photoresist film. Consequently, side etching (in which etching occurs directly beneath the photoresist as a result of etching penetrating isotropicly below the photoresist film as well) occurs, which causes difficulty in microprocessing. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of etched processed portions becomes roughly semi-elliptical due to the progression of the aforementioned isotropic etching. For reasons as those described above, even if it is desired to give a high aspect ratio to the etched portions of metal etching products and decrease the pitch between adjacent patterns, problems occurred such that desired ratio and patterns can not be achieved.
An example of a method proposed to solve these problems is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 1-188700. In this method, after protecting the sides of a primary etched (it may be called as "half-etched") portion with an insulating protective film, electrolytic etching is conducted again. As a result, the unnecessary portions of the layer subjected to primary etching is removed, and a high-density pattern is formed.
In the aforementioned document, an insulating protective film is formed over the entire surface of a primary etched portion (hole portions), after which the bottom corresponding to the deep portion of the insulating protective film of the primary etched portion is dissolved simply by spraying with an acidic solution. Consequently, if variations occur in the flow of spray of the acidic solution within the surface of the metal plate, dimensional variations occur easily in the protective film within the primary etched portion. This results in a very serious problem particularly in the case of formation of high-definition patterns having a narrow pitch between adjacent patterns. In addition, in the case of high-definition patterns, since the amount of side etching is small and overhangs (overhanging portions formed at the corners of the surface and etched portion) formed by primary etching are minute, the problem occurs in which the insulating protective film is completely removed. In addition, in the case of forming a pattern which provides a large amount of etching in the vertical direction and the deep holes are formed by primary etching, removal of only deep bottom portion of the insulating protective film cannot be achieved by the aforementioned method. As a result, contrary to what is desired, etching proceeds over the entire surface during second etching.
In addition, a method is also adopted like that described in Japanese Examined Patent Application, Second Publication No. S 58-15537. In this method, the overhang of a photoresist formed by primary etching is used as a photomask, and a positive photoresist coated again on the primary etched surface is exposed and developed. The unnecessary portion of the layer subjected to etching is removed, and the positive photoresist remains on the sidewall formed by primary etching, resulting in the formation of a high-density pattern.
In the aforementioned method, if chipping or running occurs even in a portion of the photoresist overhang formed by primary etching, that deformation ends up being transferred to the shape of the resist of the second etching. Accordingly, a sharp shape is unable to be obtained, thus making this unsuitable for forming a fine pattern. This presents a serious problem particularly in the case of formation of high-definition patterns having a narrow pitch between adjacent patterns. In addition, in this method, it is difficult to uniformly coat the second photoresist in the holes formed by primary etching. Thus this method is particularly unable to accommodate to formation of high-definition patterns and patterns having a large amount of etching in which deep holes are formed by primary etching.
Moreover, an other example of a method that attempts to solve the aforementioned problems is described in Japanese Examined Patent Application, Second Publication No. S 62-37713. In this method, after filling a low molecular weight solvent-based adhesive into a surface formed by primary etching, the adhesive is allowed to dry. As a result, the overhangs of the softened resist are forcibly adhered to the primary etched surface, and the unnecessary portion of the etched layer is removed to form a high-density pattern.
In this method, there is the problem such that the resist components of the primary etching resist is dissolved by the adhesive and sporadically remained in the bottom of the primary etched portion to cause sporadic treatment in next etching. There is also the problem of the adhesive causing swelling of the resist overhangs, and a sharp shape of the overhangs is not reproduced in the drying step. These problems cause variations in the etching dimensions in the surface. In addition, since the resist overhangs of primary etching are minute in the case of high-definition patterns, the effect of adhering the overhangs is unable to be obtained and merely the adhesive comprising adhesion liquid is completely evaporated. In addition, even when attempting to obtain holes having a high aspect ratio, since side etching can only be prevented at the overhangs, this method is incompatible with patterns having deep primary etching holes that have a large amount of etching.
As has been described above, since it is difficult to carry out second etching processing both stably and with high accuracy using technology like that described in the aforementioned patent documents, and since half-etched holes of the primary etching resist is used to form the second etching resist, it is difficult to carry out processing of a different shape than primary etching in second etching and beyond.

Metal photoetching product and production method thereof


A system and method for processing an access request by a wireless device to access an IP data network is provided. An access request from a wireless device is received and denied a predetermined number of times, and the wireless device is granted a limited access to the IP data network. When the access request from wireless device is authenticated, the wireless device is granted an unlimited access to the IP data network.

A wireless device may connect to a network wirelessly. The wireless device can then send and receive data over the network using RF or other similar wireless communication. Such data communication can take the form of data packets, and the data communication can convey voice, media, or other information.
Prior to establishing a network connection, a wireless device must be authenticated by the network to determine that the wireless device is authorized to access the network. Typically, a wireless device transmits an access request with authentication credentials to a wireless network, and the network uses the credentials to determine if the wireless device is authorized, and thereafter an authorized device is granted access to the network. Such authentication processes are usually transparent to a wireless device user.
In some situations, a wireless device may not be authenticated and authorized to access the network. For example, a wireless device may lack a valid credential because a user account has been suspended or inactivated. Furthermore, the data of a device credential may have become corrupted. In such cases, the wireless device will not be authorized to access the network. Wireless devices are typically configured to repeatedly transmit an access request if the wireless device is denied authorization to access the network. Repeated attempts to access the network consume system resources including radio and backhaul bandwidth and processor load at network nodes.

Processing an access request in a wireless communication system


A method for replacing a vessel in a piping system utilizes a template to determine the relative spatial positions of the pipe connections to the vessel in the existing system. The template is then removed from the existing system and reassembled on the new vessel in a remote location to determine the relative spatial position of the new pipe connections to the new vessel to ascertain if alignment will exist between those new pipe connections and the existing pipes in the system. If not, the pipe connections on the new vessel are initially reworked in the remote location to achieve alignment within connection tolerances. The pipes are then cut at their respective connections to the old vessel, the old vessel is removed, the new vessel is put in place in the system and the cut ends of the pipes are connected to new connections on the new vessel to complete the installation of the new vessel in the piping system. This method, which may be utilized, for example, in replacing a steam generator in the primary system of a nuclear energy plant, allows most of the rework to be performed outside a radioactive environment and minimizes the amount of maintenance downtime for the plant.

The primary system of a nuclear energy plant includes steam generators, a reactor vessel and core, pipes interconnecting the same and pumps to move water therethrough. Over years of use, the steam generator tubes may undergo degradation necessitating selective plugging of those tubes, which decreases the thermal and hydraulic performance of the steam generator. As the number of plugged tubes increases, the potential for unit derating and for additional licensing restrictions increases. Therefore, a decision must be made as to whether it is more economical to replace the steam generator or to continue with reduced efficiencies. The replacement of a steam generator theoretically restores the plant to its initial condition to allow performance at or near the intended specifications.
Several methods have been used to replace steam generators in nuclear energy plants. The first method included removing sections of inlet and outlet pipes in the primary system to allow the steam generator to be removed. The steam generator was then either replaced in whole or in part, and the new steam generator lowered back into place. The pipe sections were then reinstalled to complete the system. This method required at least two cuts to be made on each inlet and outlet pipe in a radioactive environment for steam generator removal. This method for reinstallation also required pipe realignment and reworking to be made in a radioactive environment followed by at least two welds on each pipe in that environment. This process required the entire plant to be shut down for a relatively extended period of time and resulted in the workers performing most of the replacement work in a radioactive environment.
Another replacement method, developed by the assignee of the present invention, utilized a template to assist in aligning the new vessel with the old pipes. In this method, the new steam generator had its support base and its inlet and outlet nozzles finish machined. The template was constructed on the new steam generator with rings centered on the inlet and outlet nozzle weld center lines and a base structure centered about the support base. A framework was then built to interconnect the rings and base structure to rigidly hold the same in their respective, centered locations. The relative positions of the nozzle weld center lines to the rings therearound was then measured and recorded.
The template was then removed from the new steam generator for placement on the cut ends of the existing primary system coolant pipes after the old steam generator had been disconnected and removed from the system. Measurements were then made of the cut end pipes of the primary system relative to the respective rings of the templates positioned therearound. These measurements were then compared to the measurements on the new steam generator to determine if alignment within weld tolerances existed between the new steam generator nozzles and the pipe ends of the primary system. If not, the cut ends of the primary system pipes were then reworked and/or remachined to achieve the required dimensional alignment to allow the new vessel to be lowered into the containment chamber and connected to the reworked pipe ends. This method was preferable to the earlier method since only one cut was made on each steam generator pipe in the primary system to reduce exposure to radioactivity and to reduce maintenance down time. However, the reworking of the primary system pipes was still being done in a radioactive environment on radioactive pipes, with this work being done while the plant was shut down.

Template method for replacing a vessel in a pipe system


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor module is provided. The method includes forming semiconductor chips on a bare substrate, performing a burn-in process on the bare substrate including the semiconductor chips, sorting semiconductor chips that exceed a predetermined level of operability determined by testing electrical driving in the semiconductor chips on the burned-in bare substrate, separating the semiconductor chips from one another by cutting the bare substrate, and directly mounting the module semiconductor chips on a module substrate.

The present inventive concept relates to methods of manufacturing semiconductor modules, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor module using a wafer level package.
Semiconductor modules may be manufactured through a fabrication process (FAB) for forming semiconductor chips on a substrate, an electrical die sorting (EDS) process for testing electrical characteristics of the semiconductor chips, a process of cutting the substrate to divide and assemble the semiconductor chips, a process of testing electrical characteristics of separated semiconductor chips and a process of mounting the separated semiconductor chips on a module substrate. Since semiconductor modules are manufactured through various processes, manufacturing time increases and production costs increase due to higher facility and material investments.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor module


A waveform observation system includes two communication nodes, a waveform observation apparatus, and a signal generation portion. The two communication nodes execute a full-duplex communication by a differential signal through a transmission line. The waveform observation apparatus observes a communication signal waveform in the transmission line in response to an input of a trigger signal. The signal generation portion outputs the trigger signal. One of the two communication nodes generates a clock signal, and transmits a signal in synchronization with the clock signal. Remaining one of the two communication nodes reproduces the clock signal included in the signal received from the one of the two communication nodes, and transmits a signal in synchronization with the clock signal that is reproduced. The signal generation portion outputs the trigger signal when equal to or more than two symbols indicated by the signal output to the transmission line consecutively coincide with one another.

A high speed communication may be executed by a differential signal through a transmission line. In this case, as described in Patent Literature 1, a method for evaluating a quality of a communication signal waveform, which is affected by jitter or the like, includes a method using an eye pattern or an eye diagram.

Waveform observation system and method for waveform observation


Techniques are described for sum address compare (A+B=K) operation for use in translation lookaside buffers and content addressable memory devices, for example. Address input signals A and B are supplied as input to the A+B=K operation and K is a previous value stored in a plurality of memory cells. In each memory cell, a single logic gate circuit output and its inversion are generated in response to updating the memory cells, wherein each single logic gate circuit has as input an associated memory cell output and a next lowest significant bit adjacent memory cell output. In each of the memory cells, a portion of the A+B=K operation associated with each memory cell is generated in a partial lookup compare circuit wherein the corresponding address input signals A and B are combined with the associated memory cell output and the generated single logic gate circuit output and its inversion during a read lookup compare operation.

Many portable products, such as cell phones, laptop computers, personal data assistants (PDAs) and the like, utilize a processing system that executes programs, such as, communication and multimedia programs. A processing system for such products may include multiple processors, complex memory systems using virtual memory hardware and techniques for storing programs and data, controllers, peripheral devices, such as communication interfaces, and fixed function logic blocks configured, for example, on a single chip. At the same time, portable products have a limited energy source in the form of batteries that are often required to support high performance operations from the processing system. To increase battery life it is desired to perform these operations as efficiently as possible. Many personal computers are also being developed with efficient designs to reduce overall energy consumption.
Virtual memory is a technique that presents a very large "virtual" memory space for program development and use while providing for the management of that virtual memory space in a complex memory system having less physical capacity. A complex memory system is conventionally organized in a hierarchy based on capacity and performance of cache memories, with the highest performance and lowest capacity cache located closest to the processor. For example, a level 1 instruction cache and a level 1 data cache would generally be directly coupled to the processor. A level 2 unified cache is in turn connected to the level 1 (L1) instruction and data caches. Further, a system memory is connected to the level 2 (L2) unified cache. The level 1 instruction cache commonly operates at the processor speed and the level 2 unified cache operates slower than the level 1 cache, but has a faster access time than that of the system memory. In addition, virtual memory cache subsystems may include translation look aside buffers (TLBs) to provide fast translations of virtual to physical memory addresses for both instructions in an instruction TLB (ITLB) and data in a data TLB (DTLB). Caches and TLBs generally utilize content addressable memories (CAMs) to store, for example, an address or portion of an address that would be used in the translation process. For TLBs, the CAM may store previously translated virtual page numbers. A virtual page number presented for translation would cause a TLB CAM address tag compare operation in parallel with all of the previously stored address tags. When a match is detected, the output of the TLB would be a physical page number that corresponds to the presented virtual page number. The physical page number is then concatenated with a page offset from the virtual address to be translated to generate the translated physical address that can then be used to address the caches in the memory hierarchy.
In a TLB, for example, to access a value stored in the TLB's CAM generally requires an effective address, such as generated by a base plus offset calculation, which is compared against address tags stored in the CAM. The operation is generally described as an A+B=K operation, where A+B is a virtual address and K is a virtual address or portion thereof that was previously stored in the address tags. Such A+B=K operations may be used in instruction and data caches and instruction and data TLBs. In one approach, an adder is utilized to generate the A+B value and then comparators are provided in a CAM to compare the A+B value with each of the CAM entries. However, this approach is slowed by having dependencies on the carry generation path in the adder.

Methods and apparatus for sum of address compare write recode and compare reduction


A heat treatment apparatus includes a processing container extended in a vertical direction; a heater provided around the processing container; a temperature sensor provided along a longitudinal direction of the processing container either in the processing container or in a space between the processing container and the heater; and a pair of first partitions provided in the space across a half line that extends from a central axis of the processing container and passes through the temperature sensor, and extending along the longitudinal direction of the processing container.

A heat treatment apparatus is known in which a ring plate formed with a circular thin-plate ring shape is provided along a circumferential direction of a processing container in a heating space between the processing container and a heater provided on the outer circumference thereof in order to suppress the occurrence of convection in the heating space (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2014-096453).


A reactor cartridge includes a plurality of spaced-apart monoliths, formed along a tube or other mandrel. Each monolith is formed of a pair of flat and corrugated metal strips, spirally wound around the tube. These strips could be made of solid or screen material. The corrugations are skewed, such that the monolith imparts a swirl to gases flowing through it. The corrugations of the strips in adjacent monoliths are oriented differently, so that successive monoliths impart different swirls to the gases, so as to promote mixing of gases and better heat transfer from the exterior to the interior of the cartridge. An insertion and removal tool simplifies the procedure for stacking such cartridges in a long pipe, or for removing cartridges from the pipe. The all-metal construction facilitates heat transfer through the entire reactor, and avoids the problems associated with packed ceramic beds.

This invention relates to the field of catalytic combustion and/or heat exchange. The present invention provides a cartridge that can be used as a heat exchanger or a catalytic or non-catalytic reactor, and which can be stacked with similar cartridges in a long tube or pipe. The invention also includes a method of moving a cartridge into or out of a pipe, and a tool for accomplishing such transfer.
The cartridge of the present invention achieves the same objectives as that of the catalyst support described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/896,302, filed Jul. 21, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
One of the objectives of the above-cited application is to avoid the problems associated with the use of ceramic materials in the manufacture and operation of catalytic reactors. Packed bed ceramic catalysts have the disadvantage that they have low thermal conductivity, making it difficult to transfer heat from the periphery of the reactor to the inside. Also, the thermal mismatch between the metal and ceramic portions of prior art reactors eventually leads to pulverization of the ceramic material, thus limiting the useful life of the reactor. Like the device described in the above-cited application, the present invention also comprises an all-metal structure which inherently avoids these problems.
Another object of a catalytic reactor or heat exchanger is to provide adequate mixing of gas streams so as to promote heat transfer between the wall of the reactor and the gases flowing therein. Thus, in the application cited above, skewed or angled corrugations define curved paths which impart a swirl to gases as they exit the reactor. The present invention also provides a structure that promotes mixing and/or swirling of gases.
The cartridge of the present invention can be used, for example, in the field of catalytic fuel reforming, to make hydrogen, which is then used in generating electricity through a fuel cell, or in other industrial processes such as oil and gas refining, ammonia and fertilizer production, hydrogenation of oils and chemicals, and iron ore reduction. The cartridge could be used as a catalytic or non-catalytic combustor. The cartridge could also be used as a simple heat exchanger.

Tool for insertion and removal of a catalytic reactor cartridge


A port assembly for a non-metallic pressure vessel is joined to a boss which is molded into or otherwise joined to the vessel wall. A bayonet type accessory mount is insertable therein for sealing passage through the vessel wall. The mount includes a simple semicircular locking snap ring with easily manipulable handles. The locking snap ring is configured for retaining and locking an accessory such as a heating element in any desired rotational position within the port. An o-ring is sealingly compressed in a radial direction between the mount and the port assembly. A specific application includes the positioning of a non-linear electrical heating element within a non-metallic water heater.

1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates generally to connection port assemblies for closed vessels. More particularly, this invention pertains to electrical heating elements and apparatus for inserting and retaining such elements in non-metallic pressure vessels.
2. Description of the Prior Art:
Electrical water heaters have been widely used in homes as well as in business places. Such water heaters comprise a metallic pressure vessel into which electrical heating elements are fixed. Typically, the pressure vessel has one or more flanged openings. The elements are fixed to a gasketed flange cover which is bolted to the flange on the pressure vessel. A leakproof seal requires that the elastomeric element between the flange cover and the vessel be highly compressed. Thus, the two are typically joined by multiple screws which are installed to provide the required high axial compression.
As is well known in the prior art, metal water heaters are susceptible to corrosion, and generally have a limited life.
The use of non-metallic materials such as plastics in the construction of water heaters has recently been established. In one exemplary water heater, the two-part vessel wall comprises an outer shell which overlays an inner liner. The shell is typically formed of a composite of a reinforcing fiber and a thermoset resin, and the liner may be formed of a thermoplastic material by blow molding or other method. The construction of ports for inlets, outlets, probes, heating elements, drains, etc. in non-metallic vessels is of special concern when the vessel is to contain liquids at elevated pressures and temperatures. Such is exemplified in the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,507 of Yavorsky et al. which teaches a tank port passing through a reinforcement insert .joined to the vessel wall between the shell and the liner. The fitting is swaged into a collar, and the port has internal screw threads for mounting threaded elements. The element is screwed into the port until an o-ring is sealingly compressed.
One disadvantage of such a threaded screw fitting is that elements requiring a particular rotative attitude in the port are difficult to install in the required position while simultaneously ensuring a positive seal against leakage.
In addition, salts in tile water typically become deposited on the thread surfaces, making subsequent removal of the element difficult. The high torque required to remove the threaded element necessitates extra strength to be built into the vessel wall.

Electrical heating element assembly for water heater


An automated vehicle diagnostic navigation system and method includes a diagnostic computer having a diagnostic application program operable to perform a diagnostic evaluation of a vehicle by performing a diagnostic scan of an electronic system of the vehicle, where the diagnostic application program includes a hierarchical structure for initiation of a diagnostic scan of the vehicle based on the make, model and year of the vehicle, and includes a diagnostic navigation program configured to interface with the diagnostic application program, with the diagnostic navigation program configured to receive an input of the make, model and year of the vehicle. The diagnostic navigation program is operable to provide automated sequential inputs to the diagnostic application program based on the make, model and year of the vehicle to navigate the hierarchical structure of the diagnostic application program to initiate and perform a diagnostic scan of the vehicle.

The present invention is directed to a vehicle diagnostic system and method, and in particular a system and method utilizing an automated diagnostic navigation system for operating the hierarchical structure of diagnostic applications to obtain vehicle diagnostic data information from a diagnostic evaluation for various vehicles.
Vehicle diagnostic systems employing diagnostic scan devices or tools are used in automotive repair facilities to diagnose and repair computer-based vehicle systems, where vehicles may have differing computer-based systems depending on the configuration and options installed on the vehicle. Vehicle diagnostic scan systems may include or use one or more diagnostic software scanning programs or applications, such as applications developed by an original equipment automotive manufacturer ("OEM"), or an aftermarket diagnostic company. The diagnostic software scanning programs are used to diagnose the electronic system of a vehicle and result in a scan log file that includes information of faults in the system. Different diagnostic applications are used with different makes of vehicles, with different models of vehicles including particular engine control units ("ECU") such that different procedures are used to perform diagnostic evaluations, including depending on the make, model and year of vehicle, as well as based on other parameters.

Automated vehicle diagnostic navigation system and method


In a diffusion sheet (46), first reflection areas (AR1) with high reflectance and second reflection areas (AR2) with low reflectance are alternately arranged parallel to each other on a light receiving surface (46R), and third reflection areas (AR3) with high reflectance and fourth reflection areas (AR4) with low reflectance are alternately arranged parallel to each other on an light emitting surface (46F). In the diffusion sheet (46), the first reflection areas (AR1) and the fourth reflection areas (AR4) are opposed to each other, and the second reflection areas (AR2) and the third reflection areas (AR3) are opposed to each other.

There have conventionally been developed various types of backlight units that supply light to a liquid crystal display panel (a non-light-emitting display panel) for a liquid crystal display device. Among light sources included in an area light-type backlight unit and the like is a fluorescent tube such as a hot cathode tube or a cold cathode tube.
In a case in which such fluorescent tubes are used, the brightness is high in portions over the fluorescent tubes, but in contrast, the brightness is low in portions over gaps between adjacent ones of the fluorescent tubes. This leads to a comparatively significant difference in brightness (light amount nonuniformity) between portions over the fluorescent tubes and portions over gaps between adjacent ones of the fluorescent tubes. Such light amount nonuniformity is called a lamp image, which is one of factors that degrade the quality of light (backlight light) from a backlight unit.
There have been invented various types of backlight units for eliminating the lamp image (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Among the simplest ones of such backlight units is a backlight unit 149 as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 10. In the backlight unit 149, reflection areas 'ar' are formed in a light receiving surface 146R of a diffusion sheet 146 located the closest to fluorescent tubes 142.
Most part of light traveling upward (directly upward) from the fluorescent tubes 142 is reflected by the reflection areas 'ar', and does not directly enter the diffusion sheet 146. This prevents the portions over the fluorescent tubes 142 from becoming excessively bright, leading to elimination of the lamp image.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-279979

Diffusion sheet, diffusion unit, illuminating unit, and display device


The technology disclosed relates to methods usable for determining measurements for custom clothing manufacture, including receiving a raw image of a clothing article and a scale reference, and applying perspective correction to adjust the raw image to produce an adjusted image. The method also includes determining a scale reference from the adjusted image, for use with a line measurement tool; and receiving user inputs that positions ends of the line measurement tool on measurement reference positions on the adjusted image of the clothing article. The method further includes generating multiple clothing article distances between the measurement reference positions on the adjusted image of the clothing article using the line measurement tool; and storing at least three clothing article distances for use in producing a custom clothing article with a fit based on the favorite clothing article in the raw image.

The subject matter discussed in this section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in this section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in this section or associated with the subject matter provided as background should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in this section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
There are number of different ways individuals can obtain custom-manufactured clothing. One is to work with a tailor. Visiting the tailor in person allows that professional to take the necessary measurements and ask the appropriate questions in an attempt to create a garment which will please the customer insofar as fit, fabric, color, structural features such as the type and size of buttons, plackets, and pockets, and ornamentation such as beads, sequins and piping.
Instead of visiting a tailor in person, custom-manufactured clothing can be ordered from a custom clothing manufacturer. This can be done by answering various questions and providing necessary information and mailing the information to the custom clothing manufacture. Alternatively, the information can be provided orally by telephone or provided through a computer connection. In some cases the information can be provided to the custom clothing manufacturer through a personal visit. A combination of methods can also be used. However, in any event the customer must take all the required measurements and provide the custom clothing manufacturer with the appropriate measurements for the article of clothing being created.
Therefore, an opportunity arises to provide methods for determining measurements for custom clothing manufacture. Efficient determination of measurements for use in producing a custom clothing article with a fit based on a user-provided image of a favorite clothing article may improve the user experience.
The disclosed technology relates to providing methods for determining measurements for custom clothing manufacture.

Methods of determining measurements for custom clothing manufacture


The invention relates to a method of preparing chemical pulp and xylose by the use of alkaline or neutral cooking and post hydrolysis of the pulp by performing the post hydrolysis directly on the pulp by means of acid treatment. In the method of the invention, the xylan in the pulp is utilized as completely as possible, resulting in a good xylose yield and, simultaneously, acceptable characteristics for the pulp.

The invention relates to the preparation of chemical pulp and xylose, and particularly to recovering xylose from pulp, such as sulphate pulp, prepared by alkaline or neutral cooking, and simultaneously achieving the desired characteristics for the pulp. The method of the invention utilizes a direct acid hydrolysis of the pulp, resulting in a good xylose yield. At the same time, the obtained pulp is usable as paper pulp or dissolving pulp.
In a plurality of plants, the main portion of hemicellulose is xylan, which can be hydrolyzed to xylose. The foremost starting material for xylan is hemicellulose from hardwood, particularly birch, mainly composed of xylan.
For example birch sulphate pulp typically contains about 15 to 25% xylan, which is usable as a raw material of xylose. When xylose is prepared from pulp, the problem involved has been to achieve sufficient xylose yields and to simultaneously achieve acceptable characteristics for the pulp.
Finnish Patent 55516 (Kemi Oy) discloses a method of preparing pure xylan, suitable for the raw material of xylose and xylitol, in particular. The method uses bleached or unbleached hardwood cellulose as the raw material. The cellulose is treated with an alkali solution, whereby the hemicelluloses are dissolved. The alkali solution containing hemicellulose is pressed and filtered from pulp. The dissolved hemicellulose is precipitated by the addition of carbon dioxide to the solution, whereby the xylan precipitates. In the method, most of the xylan in the pulp, the xylan being in principle usable as the raw material of xylose, is, however, not utilized. Moreover, the method uses much alkali.
Several methods are also known in which enzymatic hydrolysis is used to separate hemicellulose components from the pulp. For example Paice, M. G. and Jurasek, L., Removing Hemicellulose from Pulps by Specific Enzymic Hydrolysis, J. Wood Chem. and Tech., 4 (2), 187 to 198, 1984, describes a method of separating hemicellulose from aspen pulp by xylanase treatment. The most important hemicellulose products thus obtained were xylan and xylobiose. However, the enzyme dose is uneconomically large.
WO 98/56958 (Xyrofin Oy) discloses a method of preparing xylose by first extracting xylan from a cellulose pulp or its alkali solution with an aqueous solution of a xylanase enzyme and by then using acid to hydrolyze the xylan in the solution to xylose. However, the acid hydrolysis is not performed directly on the chemical pulp, and therefore all the xylan in the pulp cannot be utilized.
Acid hydrolysis is also applied as pre-hydrolysis in the separation of xylose from wood material. In this case, the acid hydrolysis is performed directly on wood chips before the pulp is prepared. One such method is disclosed in Guangyu, Yao et al., Production of Pulp and Recovery of Xylose from Hardwood. II. The Optimal Process Conditions for Prehydrolysis of Eucalyptu Citriodora Chips with Dilute Sulphuric Acid and Sulfate Pulping, Journal of Nanking Technological College of Forest Products, No. 4 (1988), p. 32. The publication relates to a method of preparing sulphate pulp with simultaneous recovery of xylose. As raw material is used Eucalyptu Citriodora chips, on which prehydrolysis is carried out with dilute sulphuric acid. A xylose-containing solution and prehydrolyzed wood chips are obtained. Sulphate pulp is then prepared from the prehydrolyzed wood chips. The pulp is said to be suitable for the preparation of viscose, for example.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,285 (Melaja, A. J. and Hxc3xa4mxc3xa4lxc3xa4inen, L.) discloses a method of recovering xylitol from a xylan-containing raw material, which may be for example wood material, such as birch chips. The birch chips are first hydrolyzed with for example acid, the hydrolysate is purified and the purified hydrolysate is subjected to chromatographic fractionation to provide a solution containing a high level of xylose. However, the pulp is not recovered in this method.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method of recovering xylose from pulp prepared by alkaline or neutral cooking with a sufficient xylose yield, and, simultaneously, preparing paper pulp or dissolving pulp so as to obtain acceptable characteristics for the pulp. The objects of the invention are achieved by a method, which is characterized in what is disclosed in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
In accordance with the present invention, it has now been surprisingly found that high-quality paper pulp and dissolving pulp can be prepared by first subjecting the pulp to alkaline or neutral cooking and then, as post hydrolysis, to acid hydrolysis in order to recover the xylose. In the method of the invention, simultaneous extraction and hydrolysis of xylan are achieved, and extensive use of alkali in the extraction of xylan can be totally avoided.
In the context of the present invention, the expression xe2x80x98sufficient xylose yieldxe2x80x99 refers to a xylose yield of at least 5% (50 g xylose/1,000 g pulp), preferably at least 10% (100 g xylose/1,000 g pulp), calculated on the dry substance of the pulp.
In the context of the present invention, the expression xe2x80x98acceptable pulp characteristicsxe2x80x99 means that the viscosity of the acid-treated pulp remains sufficient for paper pulp or dissolving pulp. Typically, the viscosity of paper pulp or dissolving pulp should be at least 300 ml/g, preferably at least 450 ml/g, and most preferably at least 600 ml/g. The acceptable viscosity values depend on the final purpose of use of the pulp. If the pulp is used for the preparation of paper whose strength characteristics have to be good, a higher viscosity is required for the pulp, typically at least 600 ml/g. Pulp having a lower viscosity is feasible particularly when acid-treated pulp obtained by the method of the invention is used in a mixture with non-acid-treated pulp in the production of paper, for example.
The expression xe2x80x98post hydrolysis is performed directly on the pulpxe2x80x99 means that the acid treatment for hydrolyzing xylan to xylose is performed on the pulp itself, not for example on a xylan solution extracted from the pulp (such as in the method of WO 98/56958, for example). In this case, xylan is hydrolyzed into xylose in connection with the acid treatment of the pulp.
The present invention relates to a method of preparing paper pulp or dissolving pulp and a xylose solution by the use of alkaline or neutral cooking and post hydrolysis of the pulp. The method is characterized in that the post hydrolysis is performed directly on the pulp by the use of an acid.
In the method of the invention, the pulp is typically post-hydrolyzed with an acid until the xylose yield is at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, while the viscosity of the pulp remains at a value of at least 300 ml/g, preferably 450 ml/g.
When the hydrolysis of xylan is performed directly on the pulp in connection with the acid treatment of the pulp without pre-treatment steps, the xylan contained by the pulp can be utilized as completely as possible. In this case the xylan can be hydrolyzed as efficiently as possible into xylose, and the xylose yields can be optimized.
In the present invention, alkali cooking refers to a sulphate process, soda process, soda/anthraquinone process and alkali sulphite process, and neutral cooking to a neutral sulphite process. Post hydrolysis is thus typically performed on pulp prepared by alkaline or neutral cooking, typically the sulphate process, the soda process, the soda/anthraquinone process, the alkali sulphite process or the neutral sulphite process. Sulphate pulp is the most preferably used.
In the cooking, hardwood or herbaceous plants can be used as the raw material. Examples of usable hardwood include birch, aspen, alder, oak, poplar, beech, gum tree and acacia tree. Especially important are birch and beech, for example. Examples of herbaceous plants include reed, reed canary grass, bagasse, bamboo and straw, such as corn straw.
An especially preferable raw material is birch, whereby acid hydrolysis is performed on birch sulphate pulp.
In the cooking, the pulp is cooked to the desired kappa number, which is typically in the range between 20 and 40. After the cooking, the pulp may be further subjected to oxygen delignification (to a kappa number of about 10, for example) and bleaching (typically to a kappa number of about 0).
The acid hydrolysis can be performed immediately after the cooking, oxygen delignification or bleaching (ECF bleaching, for example).
In order to make the xylan hydrolyze as efficiently as possible to xylose, the pulps can be subjected to liquor exchange before the acid treatment, whereby the solution affecting the pulp is as close as possible to the adjusted concentration. In liquor exchange, the aqueous solution contained by the pulp is replaced by the acid to be used, for example by concentrated formic acid. The liquor exchange can also be carried out by evaporating the water contained by the pulp and replacing it with the acid to be used in the acid treatment.
In the acid treatment, xylose is preferably recovered in monomer form. However, xylose can also be recovered in oligomer form.
The acid treatment can be carried out with a mineral acid or an organic acid.
The acid treatment is preferably carried out with formic acid. The concentration of the formic acid solution is typically in the range between 50 and 100%, preferably between 75 and 90%. The treatment temperature is typically between 90 and 130xc2x0 C., preferably between 100 and 120xc2x0 C. The duration of the formic acid treatment is typically from 15 min to 4 h, preferably from 20 min to 1.5 h.
The acid treatment can also be carried out with for example a bisulphite solution, which is usually readily available in sulphate pulp processes. In the present invention, a bisulphite solution refers to a partly neutralized aqueous solution of sulphur dioxide (SO2) containing bisulphite ions. The SO2 content of the bisulphite solution is typically in the range of about 1 to 5%, preferably about 3%, of which the amount of bound SO2 is typically about 10%. When a bisulphite solution is used, the acid treatment temperature is typically about 110 to 150xc2x0 C., preferably about 125 to 145xc2x0 C. The duration of the bisulphite treatment is typically about 1 to 3 h.
Other usable acids include sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid and hydrochloric acid.
The treatment with formic acid is preferably carried out after bleaching (for example ECF bleaching), but it also can be carried out after oxygen delignification, or even immediately after cooking, on unbleached pulp.
The treatment with bisulphite solution is preferably carried out before oxygen delignification/bleaching, but can also be carried out after oxygen delignification or bleaching, for example ECF bleaching.
After the acid treatment, the pulp is typically washed to recover the xylose as completely as possible from the acid-treated pulp.
After the acid treatment, the obtained xylose solution and the pulp are separated, typically by filtration. The acid used, for example formic acid, is then separated from the xylose solution, typically by distillation. The separated acid is recycled and reused in hydrolysis.
The obtained xylose solution is usable for the preparation of xylose. From the xylose, xylitol can be further prepared by catalytic reduction, for example.
The xylose is usable as such, for example as a flavour and an aroma intensifier. The xylitol is usable as a special sweetener, for example.
The paper pulp or dissolving pulp obtained from the acid treatment is recovered. The pulp thus obtained is usable, when bleached, for the preparation of paper and viscose, either as such or in combination with non-acid-treated pulp.
The invention also relates to a xylose solution and to a pulp product obtained by the method and to xylose obtained from the xylose solution. The invention also relates to the use of the xylose solution thus obtained for the preparation of xylose and xylitol, and to the use of the obtained paper pulp and dissolving pulp for the preparation of paper or viscose. The invention also relates to the use of the xylose thus obtained for the preparation of flavours and/or aroma intensifiers.
The following detailed examples illustrate the present invention.
In the examples, the kappa number, viscosity, pulp yield (on dry substance of the pulp) and brightness were determined by the following methods:
Kappa number SCAN-C 1:77
Viscosity SCAN-CM 15:88
Pulp yield (on dry substance of the pulp) SCAN-C 3:78
Brightness SCAN-C 11:75.
The xylose yields (as % of dry substance of the pulp) were calculated by means of the xylose content analyzed from the cooking liquor by HPLC and by the consistency of the cooking.

Preparation of chemical pulp and xylose, utilizing a direct acid hydrolysis on the pulp


Systems and methods for cardiac contraction detection using information indicative of lead motion are described. In an example, an implantable medical device can include a receiver circuit configured to be electrically coupled to conductor comprising a portion of an implantable lead and be configured to obtain information indicative of a movement of the implantable lead due at least in part to a motion of a heart. The device can include a processor circuit configured to determine whether a cardiac mechanical contraction occurred during a specified interval included in the obtained information indicative of the movement of the implantable lead. The processor circuit can be configured to determine information about the cardiac mechanical contraction using the obtained information indicative of the movement of the implantable lead.

An ambulatory medical device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), can be configured for implant in a subject, such as a patient. An IMD can be configured to be coupled to a patient's heart such as via one or more implantable leads. Such an IMD can obtain diagnostic information or generate therapy to be provided to the patient, such as via the coupled implantable lead. Examples of such devices can include cardiac function management (CFM) devices including one or more of implantable pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (CRTs), or one or more other devices. Such devices can include one or more electrodes coupled, such as via the implantable lead, to circuitry located on or within the IMD. Such circuitry can be configured to monitor electrical activity, such as to obtain information indicative of electrical activity of the heart.
A cardiac electrotherapy device to measure cardiac contractions using an elongated lead body that forms a high frequency transmission line is mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,074 entitled "Cardiac Electrotherapy Device for Cardiac Contraction Measurement."
A time domain reflectometry impedance sensor for measuring body impedance along a lead or catheter implanted in a patient's cardiovascular system is mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,776 entitled "Time Domain Reflectometer Impedance Sensor Method of Use and Implantable Cardiac Stimulator Using Same."

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cardiac contraction detection using information indicative of lead motion


A system is provided that promotes ram ventilation for aquatic animals stored therein. The system includes a horizontally oriented container that maintains fluid flow in one predominant direction with a first end of the horizontally oriented container receiving a first volume of fluid and a second end expelling a second volume of fluid. The second end is provided at an opposite side of the horizontally oriented container than the first end. A slot is provided that extends along a lengthwise direction of the horizontally oriented container between the first and second ends. The slot is positioned along an upper portion of the horizontally oriented container. For example, if the horizontally oriented container is tube-shaped, the slot is provided at an uppermost point on the circumference of a horizontally oriented tube directly across from a point on the tube that contacts an underlying surface such a transom of the fishing vessel.

Containers or tanks are commonly used on sport and commercial fishing vessels to keep baitfish and caught fish alive. Bait tanks may be designed to hold large volumes of fluid or water such as several hundred gallons of water. These bait tanks typically are open or non-partitioned containers that allow water stored therein to churn when fishing vessels are subjected to directional changes or vertical motions such as those caused by steering a vessel, navigating surf, and/or maneuvering shifting tidal currents. These bait tanks are usually fed through a pump that continuously circulates new water and includes a drain for removing the old water with metabolic waste to the exterior water source.
Baitfish that are kept in these conventional bait tanks are exposed to adverse conditions including, for example, exposure to circulating currents from the pump and exposure to the churning currents that result from the directional changes and/or vertical motions of the fishing vessel. The baitfish expend considerable amounts of energy breathing and swimming under these adverse conditions. By the time fishing vessels equipped with conventional bait tanks arrive at fishing destinations, many baitfish are exhausted or deceased. The deceased baitfish are discarded to avoid fouling the tank water. The exhausted baitfish are ineffective at attracting desired predators because they produce minimal splashing and movement when bridled to a hook. This leaves only a minority of the original baitfish having sufficient energy to attract desired predators.
One drawback of conventional bait tanks is that baitfish become exhausted and may die due to adverse condition such as changing current flows. Another drawback of conventional bait tanks is that any surviving baitfish are typically exhausted and disoriented, which are not desired qualities for attracting predators. Other drawbacks exist.
Baitfish that are kept in these conventional bait tanks are exposed to adverse conditions including, for example, exposure to circulating currents from the pump and exposure to the churning currents that result from the directional changes and/or vertical motions of the fishing vessel. The baitfish expend considerable amounts of energy breathing and swimming under these adverse conditions. By the time fishing vessels equipped with conventional bait tanks arrive at fishing destinations, many baitfish are exhausted or deceased. The deceased baitfish are discarded to avoid fouling the tank water. The exhausted baitfish are ineffective at attracting desired predators because they produce minimal splashing and movement when bridled to a hook. This leaves only a minority of the original baitfish having sufficient energy to attract desired predators.
One drawback of conventional bait tanks is that baitfish become exhausted and may die due to adverse condition such as changing current flows. Another drawback of conventional bait tanks is that any surviving baitfish are typically exhausted and disoriented, which are not desired qualities for attracting predators. Other drawbacks exist.


The invention provides a system for controlling motion in machine tools, industrial robots, and motion stages over a computer serial port. From a process or listing of coordinate data points which define the path of two (or more) servo axes, a computer outputs serial port data to distributed Control Modules which regulate an analog torque or velocity command signal to control each axes"" servo drive in a manner that implements a precisely interpolated tool path. A digital I/O link is utilized to synchronize the initial serial port data stream and to compensate for the drift of the individual processor clocks within the separate Control Modules, thereby eliminating the need for network determinism and also reducing hardware costs.

The present invention relates generally to motion control, and, more particularly, the control of interpolated motion for machine tools, industrial robots, and motion stages using a network architecture.
Motion control systems are well known in the art. They enable much of the automated manufacturing that exists today, especially for machine tools, industrial robots, and xe2x80x9cPick and Placexe2x80x9d material handling systems. In general, they allow the precise rotational control of a servo motor which is coupled to a mechanical device that translates rotary motion into linear movement to facilitate the positioning of a work tool, another device, or product.
It is common for these types of systems to require interpolated motion, or coordinated and simultaneous motion of a plurality of servo motors (axes) which work together to move a tool, device, or product along a path defined within a three dimensional coordinate system.
The conventional state of the art system includes a central motion controller card which usually plugs into a computer bus adapter and processes a proprietary command set. Machine tool motion controllers, also known as Computer Numerical Controllers (CNC), are specialty computers with internal motion controller cards which process the RS-274D command set. There are also non-computer based multi-axis motion controllers, but, in general, they do not readily lend themselves to interpolated motion control at the level required for sophisticated machine tool processes.
Additional components of a motion control system typically include sensors, servo drives, servo motors, and encoders. The integration of these components with the central controller may easily require hundreds of feet of wire/cable and have hundreds of connection points. These large amounts of wire and numerous connection points increase the integration cost and decrease the reliability of a conventional motion control system.
To offer improved integration costs and system reliability, many controller manufacturers are providing alternative systems which distribute control over a network. The three dominate network protocols which support interpolated motion control are Sercos (IEC-61491), MACRO (Motion And Control Ring Optical), and Firewire (IEEE 1394). They are able to support interpolation because they are high bandwidth networks (up to 10 Mbit/sec) and implement deterministic network protocol. These require costly controller boards and specialized electronics within the servo drives. They do simplify integration and increase reliability, but suffer from increased component costs over the conventional approach. Additionally, the controllers are not compatible with the vast installed base of servo drives, so they do not provide an upgrade path, other then full system replacement.
There is a serial network protocol incorporated within all computers commonly known to as RS-232. This is a much slower network then those listed above and non-deterministic. When the serial output is distributed using the common RS-485 (multi-drop) parallel connection method, a bandwidth of approximately 115,200 bits/sec can be achieved. Therefore it has been used for utility or configuration purposes and non-interpolated motion sequencing. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system and methodology which would enable this freely available serial network to be utilized for interpolated motion control. It would further be desirable that this system and methodology to be compatible with the existing installed base of machine tool servo drives and the low cost, commercially available, servo drive products having the standard analog signal control option.
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,132 (Irie) describes how a path to be followed by the point of a tool may be described as line segments specified by beginning and ending points. These beginning and ending points are input to a controller which interpolates all of the intermediate points on a real time basis and instructs the servo motors such that the point of the tool is commanded to pass though each of the intermediate points. An article by C. Wilson, xe2x80x9cHow Close Do You Have to Specify Points in a Contouring Application?xe2x80x9d, Motion Control, May 1993, relates how the modern controllers of today have become much more sophisticated since Irie. As described by Wilson, it is desirable to achieve more carefully tailored control of the motion of the tool then is possible by a single electronic circuit controller. To accommodate both the high travel rates and the ability to process typically 2,000 points per inch, a second circuit controller is used. The first acts as a course interpolation points generator and the second acts to add additional, or finer, points in between those points, the number of which is subject to the real time constraints of the process. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system and methodology which would allow for xe2x80x9clook aheadxe2x80x9d and preprocessing of a portion of the path points by software and avoid the constraints of a real time system and the added cost of the resultant control electronics.
As shown in FIG. 6, the present invention controls a machine tool directly from the computer without add in cards by using a Control Module for each axis. The Control Module is attached near, or onto, each servo drive in the motion control system. Alternately, an embodiment of the invention can be incorporated within the servo drive as shown in FIG. 7 or within an integrated servo motor as shown in FIG. 8.
The Control Module may be developed using Digital Signal Processor (DSP) hardware. It is designed to communicate interactively with a computer via an RS232/RS485 network link to receive a control set point data stream. This data stream is generated by a Master Control program which resides in the computer""s memory. The DSP, or alternative processor type, is equipped to receive quadrature encoder feedback data which is compared to the set point data stream. Using a common PID based algorithm, it continuously updates an analog output signal which is able to control almost any commercially available servo drive. An optional feature includes a further aspect: A voltage controlled oscillator coupled to the analog output could interface the Control Module to step motor drives which require a step and direction pulse stream to control motion.
A set point buffer within each Control Module accumulates a backlog of control set points in a queue which enables the invention to operate within a non-deterministic operating system environment, like Windows. The computer serial port feeds data to the buffer on an irregular, but continuous basis and the Control Module provides the necessary real time functionality to control the servo drive.
With this system it is possible to process any length file because the path can be converted to set point data while the previous set point commands are being acted upon. Conversely, it is possible to pre-process a file and then send data out to the buffer as it is required to support motion.
To accomplish these features, a Control Module interfaces each axis"" servo drive to the computer via the RS-232 serial port which is connected using an RS-485 (multi-drop) network configuration. Each module has a unique address and ignores any information not having its"" identifier appended to it. The Master Control Program resides in computer memory and reads in the file containing the path information selected by the operator. This file can be a standard RS-274D CNC program file, DXF drawing file, HPGL plotter file, operator generated points list, or alpha numeric ASCII text commands. The path geometry is translated by a Master Control Program function into coordinate positions, or set points, having a spacing dependant upon an operator specified chord height tolerance (path departure maximum). Elapsed time values are calculated and added to each set point command line to provide the Control Module with the information necessary for it to calculate the required velocity and acceleration to apply to the servo motor. The set point command line string is transmitted through the serial port to each axis sequentially.
To begin the actual motion in the synchronized manner required for interpolation, and thereby compensate for the non-determinism of the RS-485 network, a digital start/synchronization circuit is used. The Control Module specified as the master has a high speed digital output connected to the inputs on each of the other Control Modules in the network. When the operator initiates a start command, after at least two set points have been sent to the Control Modules"" buffers, the start/synchronization circuit is strobed (on/off transition) by the master, causing all the axes to begin in precise unison. Any programmatic pauses in motion allow the individual Control Module internal clocks to be resynchronized with the master, again using the start/synchronization circuit. An embodiment of this invention could also maintain continuous path synchronization for an extended path length (or time) even if very inexpensive clocking electronics are utilized (which are more subject to non-determinate time drift) by strobing the start/synchronization circuit while motion is in process to re-synchronize the slaves"" internal clocks to the masters"" internal clock.
Another feature of the invention is that it provides a method in which existing motion control systems and machine tools can be retro fitted with the a network control methodology without the costly requirement of having to also replace the servo drives, as would be required if using the existing embodiments of the art. The savings can approach $8000 in a typical system.

Interpolated motion control over a serial network


Disclosed are a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) symbol structure for a PLC code for automatically generating an input/output model, and a simulation apparatus and a simulation method for testing the PLC code using the same. In one embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium records a PLC code including a plurality of PLC symbols, wherein each of the PLC symbols includes a plurality of levels identified by an identifier, and a computer automatically generates an input/output model using the structure of each of the PLC symbols, thereby performing a simulation for testing the PLC code. The PLC symbol structure according to one embodiment systematically contains information required for automatically generating the input/output model, making it possible to automatically generate the input/output model for testing the PLC code in an easier manner without knowledge of simulation and modeling, and reducing the time consumed and the labor required for generating the input/output model.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a programmable logic controller (PLC) symbol structure of a PLC code for automatically generating an input/output model, and a simulation apparatus and method for testing a PLC code using the PLC symbol structure, and more particularly, to a PLC symbol structure that systematically includes information required to automatically generate an input/output model, and a simulation apparatus and method for testing a PLC code using the PLC symbol structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
As industries have been rapidly developed and highly advanced, an automated manufacturing system has been evolving fast than ever. With the development of industries, a conventional automated manufacturing system needs to be changed into a new automated manufacturing system, and the delay in introducing a new automated system may cause a great loss of profit and credibility.
Various automated facilities which constitute an automated manufacturing system are controlled and operated by a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC stores therein ladder diagram information as a control program in the form of Boolean logic.
The automated facilities of the automated manufacturing system are operated in response to PLC output signals output from the PLC. The process state during operation or after operation may be monitored by a sensor and transmitted to the PLC in the form of a PLC input signal. The PLC input signal is a signal containing information on the updated process state.
The PLC re-performs an internal logic operation in response to the PLC input signal to output a PLC output signal. The PLC output signal is a signal that instructs the automated facilities to perform the next process according to the updated process state. The automated equipment performs processes, which accord with the updated process state, in response to the PLC output signal.
To run an automated manufacturing system in practice, a process control operator may write in person a control program for the automated manufacturing process by including PLC code, and make a test run of the control program by applying it to real facilities of the system. However, since the control program is apt to have inherent human error, the manufacturing control operator needs to test the automated manufacturing system prior to the test running with respect to ladder diagram that includes the PLC code.
For immediate introduction of an automated manufacturing system, it becomes general to test the automated manufacturing system, and control engineers thus have paid growing attention to the test of the control program for the automated manufacturing system. In addition, verifying the control program after satisfactory design of PLC is a prerequisite for introducing an automated control system.
In the course of testing a PLC code, a model to virtually execute functions of real automated facilities is required, and is referred to as a plant model. The plant model operates the virtual facilities in response to a received PLC output signal, and transmits, to the PLC, a virtual facility operating state and sensor values in the form of PLC input signals wherein the sensor values are updated according to a process state that is updated based on the result of operating the virtual facility operation.
A typical method of testing a PLC code is to test using the aforementioned virtual plant model. To construct such a plant model, a process control operator needs to thoroughly analyze a PLC code. In some cases, the process control operator may have to gain such a level of knowledge that is required for writing a PLC code.
Such analysis and achievement of the knowledge take a substantial amount of time and effort, and accuracy and integration of a plant model constructed accordingly cannot be completely assured. Thus, when an error is detected in the course of testing a PLC code, it may not be possible to identify whether the detected error is a plant model error or a PLC code error.

PLC symbol structure for a PLC code for automatically generating an input/output model, and simulation apparatus and simulation method for testing the PLC code using same


A universal connector apparatus for a mobile device and in communication with the mobile device, the apparatus comprising: at least one universal serial bus (USB) connector providing at least one connection; at least one USB host controller configured to control the at least one USB connection; a microprocessor configured to control the at least one USB host controller, the microprocessor having an operating system; a USB device control interface on the mobile device configured to communicate and control the universal connector apparatus; and a USB driver configured to operate within the operating system to enable the mobile device to connect to one or more peripherals via the at least one USB connector.

Many mobile data devices, such as wireless data devices, personal digital assistants, smart phones and cellular telephones, include a universal serial bus (USB) interface. The USB is used for a variety of functions but is primarily designed to connect the mobile data device with a computer.
The connection of a mobile data device to a computer allows the mobile data device to be a client and the computer to be the USB server. However, in many cases, it would be also desirable to connect the data device to a USB peripheral. Such peripherals include, for example, input devices, printers, cameras, mass storage devices, projectors, as well as many other peripherals known to those skilled in the art.
The problem with connecting a mobile data device to a peripheral is that the mobile data device would have to become the USB server. In current mobile data devices, the device is configured to connect to a USB host and not to a USB peripheral device. There is therefore a need to enable connectivity between a mobile data device and a USB peripheral device utilizing an existing USB port on the mobile data device.
Attempts have been made to solve the above problem. New data devices may include a technology labelled as USB On-The-Go. The problem with USB On-The-Go is that it requires at least USB 2.0 in order to work. Many existing mobile data devices do not include this version of USB ports and therefore a solution is required that will work with all mobile data devices.


An illumination unit emits a light parallel to a first direction to a measurement space. A light receiving unit outputs a signal indicating a two-dimensional distribution of a light incident on a light receiving surface. An optical system guides the light passing through the measurement space to the light receiving surface. A control unit detects a position of the measurement object in the first direction based on the signal. The light receiving surface is tilted by a predetermined angle around a second direction with respect to a transmission direction of the light. The control unit detects a position where light intensity is changed by a predetermined value in the second direction in the two-dimensional distribution, detects a position where the detected position is located in a third direction, and detects a position where the measurement object is placed in the first direction in the measurement space.

The present invention relates to an optical measuring device.
An optical measuring device that emits a light to a measurement object, receives a transmitted light or reflected light by an image sensor, and measures a received light intensity distribution in order to measure a dimension, a position and a shape of the measurement object has been known.
As the optical measuring device, an optical measuring device capable of detecting the position of the measurement object placed in a measurement space has been proposed (Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2014-6134). In the optical measuring device, an illumination unit emits the light to the measurement space in which the measurement object is placed. The light passing through the measurement space is guided to a first image sensor thorough a first optical system and to a second image sensor through a second optical system. An edge position of the measurement object in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis is calculated based on an output signal of the first image sensor. The optical measuring device is configured in such a manner that a first focal position of the first optical system and a second focal position of the second optical system in an optical axis direction are different from each other in the measurement space. Therefore, based on the output signals of the first and second image sensors, it is possible to determine where the measurement object is located in the optical axis direction with respect to the first focal position.


A density element (12) for use in ruminal delivery devices (10) which is manufactured by partial sintering in such a manner as to fragment upon contact with the many parts in rendering machinery without damage to the blades. The density element (12) has density of at least about 1.5 gm/cm.sup.3 and a transverse rupture strength greater than about 3000 psi no greater than about 30,000 psi. The part is sintered under conditions which do not permit full weld bond strength to be obtained and may thereafter be heat treated or impregnated with an inert hydrophobic material to increase corrosion resistance.

Ruminant animals, including cattle, sheep, giraffe, deer, goats, bison and camels, and more particularly the domesticated species comprise an important group of animals that require periodic administration of medicines, nutrients and other biologically active agents (which are hereinafter referred to in their broadest sense as "drugs") for the treatment and alleviation of various conditions and for better health.
Ruminants have a complex three or four compartment stomach, with the rumen being the largest compartment. The rumen, including the reticulum (hereafter referred to as the "rumen") serves as an important organ for locating dispensing device for delivering medicines and nutrients to such animals over extended periods of time.
There are numerous ruminal delivery devices known in the art which are capable of prolongedly releasing drugs. Typically, these devices are swallowed by the ruminant or otherwise mechanically introduced into the rumen by means of a bolus gun for example, and remain therein for a long period of time without being regurgitated or otherwise eliminated. Typical devices are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,505,711, 4,578,263, 4,595,553, 4,612,186, 4,623,345, 4,642,230, 4,643,393 and 4,675,179 incorporated herein by reference.
In order to insure that these devices remain in the rumen for a prolonged period of time a density element is often incorporated into the device. Typically, the density element is manufactured from a material such as iron or steel, iron oxide, magnesium, zinc, cobalt oxide, copper oxide or mixtures thereof, metal shot or parts which may be coated with iron oxide, zinc, magnesium alloy, copper oxide, mixtures of cobalt oxide and iron powder and unsintered, compacted metal powders, and the like. Such density elements typically have sufficient density to bring the overall density of the delivery device to a level greater than the density of ruminal fluid (approximately 1 gm/cm.sup.3) and typically to an overall density of at least 2 gm/cm.sup.3.
In animals such as cattle raised for slaughter the density element will remain in the carcass after slaughter. The rumen and ruminal contents of animals still containing ruminal delivery devices, including their density elements, are typically processed by rendering plants. Rendering plants comprise a highly automated and continuous operation and though such machinery is typically equipped with magnetic retrieval systems, these systems are not always effective for removing the density elements. As a result, the density elements have caused extensive and costly damage to grinder blades, guillotines, rollers and other equipment.
In addition, it has been found that density elements made from materials such as iron, magnesium or zinc which corrode in water or ruminal fluid and generate gases which interfere with the proper operation of fluid activated delivery devices such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,595,553, 4,612,186 and 4,675,174, for example.

Density element and method of manufacture thereof to achieve a particular transverse rupture strength


A self-developing photo film unit has a photosensitive sheet, first and second spacer rail members, a cover sheet, a mask sheet, a developing solution pod, and a strip-shaped trap member. The mask sheet has a mask portion, first and second bendback edge portions defined by being bent along first and second bend lines, and an aperture. The developing solution pod contains developing solution and is squeezed and enclosed between the first bendback edge portion and the mask portion. After the photosensitive sheet is exposed, the developing solution is spread from the developing solution pod between the photosensitive sheet and the cover sheet while being regulated between the first and second spacer rail members. The trap member is squeezed and enclosed between the second bendback edge portion and the mask portion, and captures a surplus part of the developing solution after the developing solution is spread. In the self-developing photo film unit, the trap member includes non-woven fabric having a porosity of 70% or more, including acid polymer impregnated therein, and having a first surface opposed to the second bendback edge portion, and a second surface having less acid polymer impregnated than the first surface. A securing region is disposed along one of two longer side lines of the trap member nearer to the aperture, and coated with adhesive agent, for securing the trap member to the second bendback edge portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a self-developing photo film unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-developing photo film unit in which a trap member is reliably capable of capturing a surplus part of developing solution without enlarging a size of a portion wrapping the trap member.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
There is a mono-sheet type of self-developing photo film unit for use with an instant camera. The photo film unit is constituted by a combination of a photosensitive sheet, a mask sheet, a cover sheet and the like. After the photosensitive sheet is exposed, a developing solution pod is squeezed and torn by spreader rollers of the instant camera. Developing solution, contained in the developing solution pod, is spread between the photosensitive sheet and the cover sheet. There occurs a surplus part of the developing solution in a small amount. The surplus developing solution remains in a bendback edge portion of the mask sheet. A trap member is enveloped in the bendback edge portion, and traps or captures the surplus developing solution.
There are various examples of photo film units different in size, including Photorama Film (trade name) manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. with a size of 97.times.102 mm, Joycam Film (trade name) manufactured by Polaroid Corporation with a size of 64.times.111 mm, and Xiao Film (trade name) manufactured by Polaroid Corporation with a size of 30.times.160 mm.
Recently there has been an idea of reducing the overall size of the photo film unit in consideration of reduction of the size of an instant camera. At the same time, a frame size of the photo film unit should be kept sufficiently large. Thus it is desired to reduce a width of the bendback edge portion containing the trap member. In the course of taking an instant photograph, the surplus developing solution is absorbed immediately after the developing solution is spread. The developing solution exists in the vicinity of the trap member in a temporary manner with high fluidity. Swelling of the trap member requires comparatively much time. If a user manually grasps the trap member immediately after the development, the surplus developing solution is very likely to flow out of gas vents or air holes.
Although the above-mentioned various sizes exist for the photo film units, there is no known photo film unit easy to be handled for preservation after taking an exposure. To facilitate the handling, the size of the photo film unit should be reduced further. However excessive smallness of a photo film unit causes reduction of the frame size. If a number of people are photographed in a single frame, it is likely that faces of those people cannot be recognized clearly by viewers.

Self-developing photo film unit with trap member for trapping surplus developing solution