To provide a simple and economical process for producing 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, which does not require purification of the raw material component obtained in the form of a mixture of isomers, and a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from the product thereby obtained.

1,1-Dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (CFO-1214ya) is a compound useful as a synthetic raw material for 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) which is expected in recent years as a new refrigerant to be substituted for 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) being a greenhouse gas. In this specification, with respect to a halogenated hydrocarbon, the compound name may be followed by an abbreviated name of the compound in parenthesis, but in this specification the abbreviated name may be employed instead of the compound name, as the case requires.
As a method for producing such 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (CFO-1214ya), a method has been known wherein, as a raw material, 1,1-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-225ca) is dehydrofluorinated by an aqueous alkali solution in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst or by a gas phase reaction in the presence of a catalyst such as chromium, iron, copper or activated carbon (Patent Document 1).
Here, 1,1-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-225ca) to be used as a raw material in the above method is usually produced in the form of a mixture with 1,3-dichloro-1,2,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-225cb), 2,2-dichloro-1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-225aa) and/or other dichloropentafluoropropane isomers (Patent Document 2, Non-Patent Document 1), and therefore, one separated and purified from such a mixture of isomers has been employed as a raw material in the above production method.
However, with respect to the above dichloropentafluoropropane isomers, their boiling points are rather close to one another, whereby their separation and purification are difficult by a usual separation/purification technique (such as distillation), and in order to produce highly pure 1,1-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-225ca) on an industrial scale, a multi-stage distillation, etc. are required.
When the production is comprehensively considered including the preparation of the raw material, etc., the above-mentioned conventional method for producing 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (CFO-1214ya) can hardly be regarded as a simple and economical production method.

Processes for producing 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene

Abstract: A process for producing 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, characterized by bringing a mixture of dichloropentafluoropropane isomers which contains 1,1-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane into contact with an aqueous alkali solution in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, and thereby selectively dehydrofluorinating only the 1,1-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane in the mixture, and a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from the 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene thereby obtained.


Processing mid-dialog SIP messages by receiving a mid-dialog SIP message from a SIP user agent client, creating a new SIP session, associating the new SIP session with the mid-dialog SIP message, identifying an application that is associated with the mid-dialog SIP message, providing to the application the mid-dialog SIP message in the context of the new SIP session, receiving an acknowledgement from the application that the application will accept the mid-dialog SIP message, and responsive to receiving the acknowledgement, providing to the application the mid-dialog SIP message in the context of the new SIP session.

The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is used to establish, manage, and terminate computer-network based communications. Such communications, including IP telephony, presence, and instant messaging, may be provided in one or more SIP application sessions. A SIP application server includes one or more SIP containers that invoke and terminate SIP application sessions, and manage messages and responses that are sent and received in the context of SIP application sessions. Each participant in a SIP application session is represented by a separate SIP session. Thus, for example, a SIP application session representing a computer network-based conference call having multiple participants would have multiple SIP sessions associated with it, where a separate SIP session is associated with each participant in the conference call.
Once a SIP container has created a SIP session for a participant in a SIP application session, the SIP container and the participant conduct their SIP session communications as part of a SIP dialog. Normally, mid-dialog SIP messages sent by the participant are routed only to the SIP container that is managing the SIP session, as the SIP container and any application instances that are associated with the related SIP application session maintain state information in connection with the SIP session. In some systems such state information is continuously replicated to a backup site that enables management of a SIP session to be taken over mid-dialog by a SIP container that did not create the SIP session. However, such mechanisms are often costly or otherwise impractical due to performance constraints.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Managing mid-dialog session initiation protocol (SIP) messages

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


In a touch panel device comprising a panel main body (4) including a grid array of transmission electrodes (2) and reception electrodes (3) and defining a touch surface (51), the transmission electrodes are connected to a transmission unit (5) for sequentially applying a drive signal to the transmission electrodes. A time constant element is connected to each transmission electrode via the corresponding lead wire to adjust an overall time constant of the transmission electrode, the time constant of each time constant element being selected to be greater as the length of the lead wire for the corresponding transmission electrode increases. Thereby, the induction noises induced in the reception electrodes owing to the drive signal conducted through the lead wires leading to the transmission electrodes can be minimized and homogenized among the different transmission electrodes, and the positional variations in the distribution of the sensitivity of touch position detection owing to the variations in the lengths of the lead wires leading to the transmission electrodes can be minimized.

Various types of touch panels based on different working principles are known, and there are those using a large number of electrodes arranged in a panel for detecting a touch by using a resistive membrane or electrostatic capacitor sheet. In such cases, as the electrodes may function as aerial antennas, interferences from external electromagnetic noises may become a problem. In particular, in the case of capacitive touch panels, as the touch location is detected by a minute change in the capacitance near the corresponding electrodes caused by the approach or contact of a conductive object (such as a human body), noises may prevent accurate identification of the touch location, and an effective countermeasure against the problem of noises is desired.
JP 63-174120 (patent document 1) and JP 2010-009439 (patent document 2) disclose a technology for removing noises caused by the display device that is used in conjunction with the capacitive type touch panel device. It was also proposed in JP 2009-237637 (patent document 3) to use a shield wire to protect a capacitive type touch panel device from the influences of external noises. JP 02-176922 (patent document 4) discloses a technology for removing induction noises caused by the induction voltage induced by the user's finger.
The touch panel device is widely used in conjunction with personal computers and personal digital terminals, but may also be used in interactive white boards that are used for presentations and lectures for a large number of audiences in combination with a large screen display device. In such a case, if the touch panel device is of the capacitive type, in particular mutual capacitive type, a plurality of touch positions or multiple touch positions can be detected at the same time, and this enhances the convenience of the touch panel device.
However, as the mutual capacitive type touch panel device is susceptible to external noises as it is designed to detect a touch position by detecting an extremely small current generated in the reception electrode, and therefore involves a high impedance. In particular, as the length of the electrodes is increased owing to the increase in the size of the touch panel device, the problem of external noises become even more acute.
Also, the transmission electrodes are grouped into a number of groups, and each group is connected to an individual transmission circuit board via lead wires. The length of each lead wire increases as the size of the touch panel device increases. If the number of the transmission electrodes in each group is increased with the aim of reducing the number of the transmission circuit boards, a large part of the lead wires inevitably extend in parallel with the reception electrodes. As a result, the electric current of the drive signal that is conducted by the lead wires to be applied to the transmission electrodes may induce an undesirably high induction noises in the reception electrodes. The induction noises that are generated in the reception electrodes caused by the electric current conducted by the lead wires cannot be effectively removed by the conventional arrangement.
Also, the length of each lead wire varies from one another depending on the positions of the transmission electrodes and transmission circuit boards. The greater the distance between the transmission electrode and transmission circuit board is, the greater are the induction noises that are caused in the corresponding lead wire.


A roller bit comprises a plurality of legs each of which has a longitudinally extending pin. A cutting cone is rotatably mounted on each of the pins and a prefabricated sealing insert is fixedly connected at a longitudinally inner end of each of the pins. A sealing element is positioned between the cone and a sealing surface of the insert. The insert is formed of a material having a hardness greater than a core hardness of the pin.

The present invention relates to a roller bit including a number of legs, preferably three, that has a pin rotatably journalling a cutting cone, that bearing races for the cutting cone are arranged on the pin, and that a sealing site for a sealing element, preferably an O-ring, is arranged at the inner end of the pin and means for locking the cutting cone relative to the pin in its axial direction. The invention also relates to a leg and a cutting cone separately.
According to prior art the sealing site of the pin for an O-ring is usually integral with the leg. However, it is also known to design the sealing site for the O-ring as a separate element, see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,539. The aim of this structural design is to avoid corrosion of the sealing surfaces for the O-ring, i.e. sealing surfaces that according to prior art are designed integral with the leg. To solve this problem the arrangement of separate sealing surfaces for the O-ring is indicated. What is characterizing for these separate sealing surfaces is that they consist of an anti-corrosive material that is higher in the electromotive series than the surfaces of the pin that the separate elements are attached to.
The separate sealing surfaces can either be provided through plating with an anti-corrosive material or through a separate element being welded thereto, e.g. by gas-plasma welding.
The aim of the present invention is not primarily to avoid corrosion of the sealing site for the sealing element but the primary aim of the present invention is to design the sealing site as a separate sealing insert, that in a simple way can be attached to the pin.
An essentially great advantage of the present invention, including a separate sealing insert, is the freedom of material, i.e. one can choose a material selection having the wanted characteristics.
A further advantage of a separate sealing insert is that the abrasion particles can not propagate to the sealing site as easily as if it is integral with the leg.
A further advantage of a separate sealing insert is that a more even compression of the sealing element can be achieved.
A further advantage of a separate sealing insert is that it can be subjected to a number of different treatments, e.g. surface treatment, deep rolling, hardening, without one having to consider the leg. This in its turn means that the manufacturing of the leg can be carried out without considering the specified claims of the sealing insert.


The present invention comprises a platform for an aluminum extension ladder which platform is adjustable upwardly and downwardly, and is pivotable between a pair of side frames, to permit a user's foot a comfortable support, in addition to the ladder rung to which it is attached.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to ladders and more particularly to devices for ladders so as to provide an adjustable broader step thereon.
2. Prior Art
There are several different types of extension ladders. Initially they were made of wood, but more recently extension ladders have been made of aluminum or fiberglass. These extension ladders are inherently difficult to stand on for any extended period of time. The newer extension ladders however may have thereacross rungs made into a "D"-shape, in cross section, wherein a flattened side may be disposed across the upper surface thereof. Nonetheless, it is very tiring for a user's leg, to be standing with ones feet disposed across the rung by itself.
The prior art contains a number of patents all of which have a fault wherein the platform upon which the user may place his feet, extends either in front of the rung, or immediately over it, presenting a potential hazard by which the user may trip. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,820,315 to Miller shows a step attachment for ladders with a platform which hangs off of the rung, and in front thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,486,783 to Hartman et al shows a platform attachment for rung type ladders also is disposed upon the front side of the ladder and over the rung. And the platform itself raises the tread for the user above the rung. This could be dangerous in as much as the user might inadvertently miss that spot.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,899,011 to Babits shows a ladder step, with a pair of flaps which extend around behind the ladder rails, with fingers which also are disposed around the front side of the ladder rung. A platform portion extends out in front of each rung. Again this is inherently dangerous as the user may trip thereover.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,067,836 to Carnicelli shows an adjustable platform step for extension ladders, again disposed both above the rung and out in front of it. The platform means has a complicated locking device to secure it to the rung, and has an adjustable platform to compensate for the angle of the ladder.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,115,214 to Roberts shows a portable step attachment for extension ladders which hang out in front of the ladder and is secured to a rung thereon. This platform has a central portion which is swingable up and out of the way to permit the user some access therearound. Roberts thereby acknowledges the difficulty with getting over a platform on a ladder, however he fails to deal with the inherent problem of having the platform in front of the ladder rung.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,586 to Canals shows a work step for an extension ladder having a platform which is articulable about a rung thereadjacent. The platform has a complicated locking mechanism in which the platform may be held parallel to the side frame of the ladder. The platform extends onto the rung of the ladder and extends slightly forward of it.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,265 to Skaggs shows a ladder platform with a rung securing mechanism having a rather complicated locking mechanism which holds the platform onto the next highest rung.
Lastly, my U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,808, incorporated herein by reference, shows a platform which overcame the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art. My present invention improves yet further upon my earlier platform as described hereinbelow.


An apparatus for emitting a selectively adjustable laser beam for illuminating a target at various distances from the apparatus, whereby the width of the laser beam may be broadened or narrowed selectively, so as to maintain the diameter of the beam imprint at a constant on targets of various distances. A mechanism is provided for selectively sliding the laser source with respect to a lens system, to thereby achieve a particular distance between the laser source and the lens system, this particular distance determining the width of the laser beam. The apparatus is mounted directly to a weapon for sighting purposes, and further comprises a windage and elevation adjustment mechanism; a remote control system whereby the laser beam can be narrowed or broadened without having to directly access the main housing; and a drop compensation mechanism whereby projectile drop is compensated for automatically.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for emitting a selectively adjustable width bore sighted laser beam for illuminating a target at various distances from the apparatus, and in particular, where the width of the laser beam can be increased or decreased selectively.
Examples of prior patents which disclose aiming devices are U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,801 to Downes, Jr et al.; No. 5,040,885 to Simms; No. 4,939,863 to Alexander et al.; No. 4,627,183 to Stuckman; No. 4,266,873 to Hacskaylo et al.; No. 4,212,109 to Snyder; No. 3,867,764 to Dunmire et al.; No. 3,656,845 to Koch-Bossard et al.; No. 3,803,399 to Smith et al.; and No. 3,464,770 to Schmidt et al. The foregoing patents fail to provide, among other things, a laser beam having a selectively adjustable beam width.

Laser beam sighting apparatus with a selectively adjustable beam width


Original YC data is converted to Bayer data, and the converted Bayer data is inversely gamma-converted. Picked-up YC data which is a synthesis object is also converted to the Bayer data, and the converted Bayer data is inversely gamma-converted. These inversely gamma-converted original Bayer data and picked-up image data (Bayer data) are added together, and an upper limit value of the added Bayer data is clipped. The added Bayer data whose upper limit value is clipped is subjected to pixel interpolation and gamma conversion, and the gamma-converted Bayer data is converted to the YC data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image synthesis apparatus and image synthesis method for synthesizing images.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a digital camera has generally spread which has a function of synthesizing obtained and recorded image data with one another to generate and record the synthesized image data. In this digital camera, data output from a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) as one type of a solid-state image pickup device is subjected to color processes such as a pixel interpolation process, gamma correction process, white balance process, edge emphasis process, and YC data conversion process (process of converting the CCD output data into YC data including a luminance signal Y and color difference signal C). Thereafter, the image data is recorded in recording media such as a flash memory in predetermined formats such as a joint photographic expert group (JPEG). To synthesize the image data, first and second image data which are synthesis objects are read from the flash memory and extended. The extended image data are synthesized with one another to generate the synthesized image data.

Image synthesis apparatus and image synthesis method


This invention relates to a process for adjusting the strain in a strained layer on a substrate. The process steps include identifying one or more regions of the strained layer wherein the strain is to be adjusted; implanting elements into at least one of the regions thus identified in the strained layer; annealing the substrate with the strained layer to a temperature maintained for a sufficiently long time to cure crystalline defects caused by the implantation in the implanted region or regions.

The invention relates to a process for adjusting the strain of a strained layer on the surface or inside a substrate made of a semiconductor material. For example, the invention relates to a process for locally adjusting the strain in one or several layers on a substrate made of a semiconductor material.
The invention also relates to a process of adjusting the strain on a part of the surface or on the entire surface of a substrate made of a semiconductor material with a surface or buried strained layer. In general, the invention is applicable to all types of strained layers on a substrate made of a semiconductor material and with a non-homogenous strain, on the surface of the layer or within the depth of this layer.
The process according to the invention is particularly suitable for making a local adjustment to the strain in a layer obtained by epitaxy on a substrate. The invention also relates to a strained layer on a substrate made of a semiconductor material having less defects by being obtained by the process according to the invention. Finally, the invention relates to a wafer made of a semiconductor material comprising at least one such layer.
The use of a strained layer on a substrate is particularly attractive because it can increase the mobility of charge carriers within semiconductor structures. A person skilled in the art will be familiar with several techniques and processes for creating a strain within a layer on a substrate. For example, a silicon layer may be strained by epitaxy on a substrate for which the elementary mesh parameter in the epitaxy plan is not the same as the mesh parameter for silicon. Such a process is better known under the name of pseudomorphic epitaxy. With this process, the surface of the strained layer is analyzed to show that there is a non-homogeneity in the strain of the order of 1% of the maximum strain, measured between the centre and the edge of the substrate.
With this process, the sources of this non-homogeneity of the strain in the substrate layer may be:                a non-homogeneity in the composition of the alloy (for example SiGe) used in the pseudo-substrate obtained by epitaxy on the solid substrate (homogeneity of the temperature on the pseudo-substrate during epitaxy, constant gas flows in the reactor); or        relaxation of strain due to heat treatments (thermal oxidation, post-epitaxy heat treatments, etc.).
Thus, the precision of existing processes for obtaining the required strain in the layer concerned is limited, and it would be advantageous to improve this precision to achieve good mobility of charges within the strained layer.
Obviously, existing processes could be improved by carrying out more frequent checks of the temperature of heating lamps and gas flows in the reactor, and the precision of these installations could also be improved. Another possibility is to provide an additional treatment process carried out after a known process for producing a strained layer. The purpose of this invention is to provide such a process.

Process for adjusting the strain on the surface or inside a substrate made of a semiconductor material

S.O.I.Tec Silicon on Insulator Technologies


A kettle for heating water or other liquid has a lid and lid actuator to move the lid between open and closed positions. The lid actuator may be connected to the container and movable relative to the opening about a pivot that is below a pivot about which the lid may move between the closed and open positions. The lid actuator may also lock the lid in position, such as in the open or closed position. The lid and lid actuator may also be arranged for movement independent of each other.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a kettle for heating liquid, such as water.
2. Description of Related Art
Tea kettles are widely used for heating a liquid, such as water, on a stovetop or other heat source. Some tea kettles have a built-in heat source, such as an electric resistance heating element, and need not be heated by an external heat source. Regardless of the heating mechanism, water or other liquid must be placed in the kettle for heating. In some kettles, water is introduced into the kettle through a spout that is also used to dispense the water from the kettle. Other kettles have an opening separate from the spout that is used for filling the kettle. Often, the spout opening is covered by a lid that has a whistle or other noise making feature that indicates when the water in the kettle is sufficiently heated. The lid in some kettles is manually removed from the spout; in others a mechanism is provided to open and close the lid.

Kettle having movable spout lid and actuator


In one embodiment, a method includes applying, by a transimpedance amplifier at a receiving end of a communication link, equalization to a signal carried by the communication link at the receiving end of the communication link.

A transimpedance amplifier is an amplifier that converts current to voltage. A transimpedance amplifier may include an amplifier and a feedback resistor. A transimpedance amplifier can be used as a receiver for optical communication to convert an electrical current generated by a photodiode to a voltage signal for further processing.
An equalization circuit may adjust a relative amplitude of frequency components of an electrical signal. For example, an equalization circuit may adjust an electrical signal carried over a communication channel such that a frequency response of the communication channel is substantially flat over a specified range of frequency.

Transimpedance amplifier with equalization


An adapter includes a waterproof container, a photoelectric conversion device housed in the waterproof container and connected to an optical cable, and an attachment structure provided at the waterproof container, for use in detachably attaching the adapter to an ROV.

Known in the art is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for unmanned use in underwater exploration. Commonly, a ROV is connected to a surface device via an optical cable. An image signal generated by a camera mounted to the ROV is converted to an optical signal by a correspondent photoelectric conversion device, and the optical signal is sent to the surface device (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Adapter, electronic device, and method for transporting electronic device


Solid freeform fabrication systems, powder supply bins for solid freeform fabrication systems, and methods of solid freeform fabrication are disclosed. One exemplary solid freeform fabrication system includes a powder supply bin, a build bin, a roller, and a print head disposed above the build bin that deposits a binder onto the powder in the build bin in a preselected pattern, the supply bin and/or the build bin translating in a x- and/or y-direction relative to the print head.

Conventional powder supply and build bins in solid freeform fabrication (SFF) systems include vertical walls attached to the working surface of the SFF machine and a permanent bottom plate that is height-controlled throughout the build process. The bottom plate of the powder-source bin increments upward during the build process to provide additional powder that can be spread above a build plate in the build bin. The build plate is simultaneously incremented downward to accept a new layer of build powder. Regardless of the size of the desired prototype, or build, a volume of powder to fill the entire build bin to the height of the parts being built is required. This can sometimes limit the ability of a user to produce parts with limited powder on-hand.
Current SFF systems have powder bins that are stationary in the x- and y-axes (when viewing the system from above). In current systems, the printing mechanism moves in both the x- and y-axes in order to deposit a binder and/or ink in the desired location on the build plate. In order to translate the printing mechanism, SFF systems have large servo and translation mechanisms, which can by heavy and take up more space than desired. As such, SFF systems have utilized printing mechanisms that are specially manufactured for such systems, rather than the types of printing mechanisms that are manufactured in high volume for convention inkjet printers.
It would be desirable to have a SFF system that is lighter, smaller, and easier to use, and would have less down-time for set up, powder dig-out, and powder change-out processes.

Systems and methods of solid freeform fabrication with translating powder bins

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A rotary dresser is provided with a roll having an outer circumferential surface which includes an arc portion or inclined portion differing in diameter in dependence on the axial position thereof, and a plurality of diamond abrasive grains embedded on the outer circumferential surface of the roll. The number of the diamond abrasive grains in the circumferential direction is fixed even at any axial position on the outer circumferential surface of the roll.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary dresser having diamond abrasive grains arranged on an outer circumference of a roll.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Rotary dressers with a plurality of the diamond abrasive grains embedded on an outer circumferential surface of a rotatable roll are well-known as described in, e.g., JP 2009-285776 A. In the rotary dressers of this kind, diamond abrasive grains are usually arranged spirally at a predetermined interval on an outer circumferential surface of a roll, so that the distribution density of the diamond abrasive grains per area is made to be fixed.
As shown in FIG. 7, in a rotary dresser having a roll 4 with cylinder portions 1, 2 at both axial end portions and with a concave arc portion 3 between the cylinder portions 1, 2, the distribution density of diamond abrasive grains 5 is set to be fixed at the arc portion 3. Thus, the number of the diamond abrasive grains 5 which are arranged on the concave arc portion 3 in the circumferential direction differs in dependence on the circumferential length at each of axial positions of the concave arc portion 3. That is, as shown by the graph in the same figure, the number of the diamond abrasive grains 5 in the circumferential direction (i.e., the quantity of diamond in the circumferential direction) becomes smaller at a small-diameter portion of the arc portion 3, while the number of the diamond abrasive grains 5 in the circumferential direction becomes larger as the axial position comes close to each of both end portions on the arc portion 3.
As a result, the number of the diamond abrasive grains which act on a grinding wheel per rotation of the dresser is increased at a portion that has a large number of the diamond abrasive grains in the circumferential direction. This results in increasing the dressing resistance at that portion and hence, in causing grinding burns to be liable to be generated on the grinding wheel. On the other hand, the number of the diamond abrasive grains which act on the grinding wheel per rotation of the dresser is decreased at another portion that has a small number of the diamond abrasive grains in the circumferential direction. Thus, the diamond abrasive grains at such another portion become larger in wear than those at the portion having the large number of diamond abrasive grains, and this gives rise to a problem that local wear or abrasion are liable to occur.


A method for moderating forums with anonymous but traceable contributions, comprising the steps of: establishing and conducting a moderated forum; receiving from any anonymous contributor an anonymous message and data identifying the contributor's actual user name and an anonymous designation; displaying the data identifying the actual user name and the anonymous designation only to at least one of a moderator and an administrator of the forum, the moderator having an opportunity to authorize or refuse publication of the anonymous message in accordance with rules of the forum and the at least one of the moderator and the administrator having an opportunity to attribute authorship of the anonymous message to the user for further reference; and, upon authorization of publication, publishing the anonymous message to the forum anonymously as to all other contributors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of managing moderated forums on the Internet and/or the world wide web (WWW), and in particular, to a method providing for anonymous, but moderator-traceable contributions to such moderated forums.
2. Glossary of Terms and Trademark Notices
An administrator is a person who sets up and maintains forums.
Asynchronous refers to an event or sequence of events which do not occur in real time.
An authenticated user is an Internet discussion forum participant or contributor whose identity has been verified by entry of a password, which was previously assigned when the user was registered for the discussion forum.
A forum is an asynchronous Internet discussion.
A moderator is a subject-matter expert appointed to monitor the messages being posted to a particular forum.
A moderated forum is a forum for which the publication of messages is dependent on a moderator.
A newsgroup is a synonym for forum which is usually used to describe discussions found in the USENET portion of the Internet hierarchy.
To publish or post a forum message is to have the message included in a forum.
Registration is the process of assigning a user identification (userID) and password to a new user of a particular Internet service after the user has supplied the necessary information, for example name, e-mail address and the like. Users are either registered automatically by a program set up to handle such requests, or by the service administrator manually adding their information to the user database for the service.
HealthVillage and Lotus Notes Domino are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation. WebBoard is a registered trademark of O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. Netscape and Netscape Navigator are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications.
3. Description of Related Art
Asynchronous discussions have long been in existence on the Internet, particularly implemented in the newsgroups found within the USENET hierarchy. Newsgroups tend to focus on a particular area of interest (for example, rec.music.beatles is a newsgroup in the recreation section of the USENET hierarchy for music fans of the Beatles). Participants in these Internet newsgroups submit messages to the newsgroup, as new topics for discussion (for example, "I think the White Album is brilliant!"), as responses to previously submitted topics (for example, "I agree with you!") or as responses to responses (for example, "Me too!").
USENET newsgroups are meant to be a free benefit to the Internet community, so access to USENET newsgroups is open to any Internet user. Accordingly, no user registration takes place prior to participation. This openness can be detrimental to these newsgroups, however, as mischievous or inconsiderate users can deluge newsgroups with messages inappropriate due to language, subject matter, purpose and the like. While USENET newsgroups have general and group-specific rules for participation, enforcement of these rules is difficult since the lack of authentication of participants allows problem users to falsify logon names and e-mail address information at any time. Certain designated USENET newsgroups are actually moderated, that is, messages are read and approved by a moderator prior to being posted to the newsgroup. A moderator's job can be made much more difficult by an unknown participant repeatedly submitting inappropriate messages to such a newsgroup.
Forums for registered participants, such as those offered by Internet-based services, for example a Web site for Lotus Notes support, have fewer problems with users failing to observe the rules, since "repeat offenders" can always have their registrations revoked by the forum's administrator. These types of discussions usually require authentication of users, contributors or participants, these terms being used herein interchangeably, if not for reading the forum's messages, then certainly for composing messages to submit to the forum. Once authenticated, the contributor's identity is known to the system and appears on every message submitted by this contributor, so anonymous posting is precluded by this scheme. As useful as this might be to the forum moderators and administrators, it could prove to be a damper for discussions on sensitive topics (for example, substance abuse and AIDS), where a contributor may wish for anonymity for legitimate reasons of privacy, as opposed to providing a cover for causing mischief.
In a moderated forum package such as O'Reilly's WebBoard application anonymity is possible for such a discussion newsgroup by employing a false userID, but this renders the user untraceable to the moderator of such a group. WebBoard therefore allows for anonymous authors, or contributors, but moderators of these forums are unable to trace anonymous problem-users.
The problem therefore is how to balance the legitimate need some contributors can have for anonymity with the moderators' need to be able to carry out their duties and maintain order in a particular forum. There is a long-felt, but unsatisfied need for a methodology for Internet forum contributors to post messages to a moderated forum in such a way that the identity of the forum contributor is hidden from readers of the anonymous contributor's messages, but at the same time, is known to the moderator.

Moderated forums with anonymous but traceable contributions


An integrated optical head records and reproduces information to and from optical discs of different types, including CD and DVD, with use of a single information recording/reproducing apparatus. The optical head has a plurality of semiconductor lasers of different wavelengths integrated by index alignment onto a substrate formed with an optoelectric integrated circuit, photodetection patterns, and a reflecting mirror.

The present invention relates to a laser module or an optical head. For example, the invention relates to a laser module or an optical head in which a semiconductor laser beam modulated by an electric signal is applied to an optical information recording medium such as an optical disc to record information on the medium or reproduce a recorded information from the medium. In particular, the invention is concerned with a laser module or an optical head each using a plurality of light sources.
In an optical head mounted on an optical disc recording and read-out apparatus, light sources and photodetectors are separated from each other. Consequently, it is impossible to attain a high fabrication integration density of light sources and photodetectors and hence it has so far impossible to attain the reduction in size and thickness of the entire optical disc apparatus. In an effort to solve this problem, a hybrid integration of photodetectors and semiconductor lasers in a reproducing head of an optical disc has been tried heretofore as is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 1-150244.

Optical head with lasers and mirrors in a recess formed in a substrate


A system is provided for displaying an audio/video signal in an elevator car. The system includes a signal storage assembly for storing the audio/video signal to be displayed, a display supported on the elevator car for displaying the audio/video signal, and a sensor fixed to the elevator car for sensing a condition indicative of the presence of a user in the elevator car. A controller is also provided which is connected to the signal storage assembly and to the first sensor for initiating display of the audio/video signal in response to the sensed condition of the first sensor.

The present invention relates generally to elevators and, more particularly, to an elevator apparatus incorporating a system for displaying an audio and/or video signal in response to a sensed condition in an elevator car.
It is conventional to construct a building with an elevator apparatus having a car suspended in a shaft by a plurality of cables for translational vertical movement between the floors of the building. The shaft includes a doorway at each floor, and a door that opens when the elevator car is positioned to load and unload passengers at the floor.
The car of a conventional elevator apparatus includes an interior compartment sized for receipt of several passengers, a doorway through which the passengers can board the car, and a door that opens when the elevator car is positioned at one of the floors of the building. The car also includes an input keypad that permits passengers to control operation of the elevator by inputting the floor numbers of the building at which stops are desired, stopping operation of the car, and signaling an emergency situation. A display is also provided for displaying the location of the car and the direction in which it is headed.
Sensors are provided on the elevator apparatus for sensing the location of the car, the direction of travel, and/or the presence of a passenger or other obstruction in the doorway of the car. These sensors are connected to the controller of the apparatus, which operates the elevator doors and the motor to move the car between floors and to allow the loading and unloading of passengers.
A technical problem unaddressed by the conventional construction resides in the inability in such apparatuses to deliver information to passengers of the elevator in an effective manner during travel between floors. Specifically, it would be desirable to display audio/video signals for passengers on an elevator car, whereby useful information, e.g. advertising or marketing information, could be conveyed to the passengers when the passengers are detected. In addition, it would be beneficial to tailor the signal displayed in the car to the location and direction of travel of the passengers in the building.

Elevator advertising system and method for displaying audio and/or video signals


A color filter array is provided. The color filter array includes a plurality of basic filter blocks arranged in all directions. Each of the basic filter blocks include one or more color filters. The color filters include a first type color filter that passes through all light without filtering it or has a higher light transmittance than a second type color filter, a third type color filter, and a fourth type color filter. The second through fourth color filters being a red, green or blue filter. Accordingly, the color filter array increases sensitivity to incident light or increases brightness of outgoing light.

Example embodiments relate to optical technology, and more particularly, to a color filter array for selectively filtering incoming or outgoing light, an image sensor including the same, and an electronic device including the color filter array.
Example embodiments relate to a color filter array including color filters which filter light in a particular range. The color filter array is used to filter incoming light to receive light in a particular range or filter outgoing light to emit light in a particular range.
A representative use of color filters filtering incoming light to receive light in a particular range is a color filter included in image sensors. A conventional color filter array included in image sensors includes a plurality of red color filters, a plurality of green color filters, and a plurality of blue color filters to allow through only red, green, and blue which are three primary colors of light. Each of the red, the green, and the blue color filters passes through only about ⅓ of all incoming light, and therefore, an image sensor receives ⅓ of the incident light, which decreases the sensitivity of the image sensor.
A representative use of color filters filtering outgoing light to emit light in a particular range is a color filter included in liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Because a color filter array included in an LCD also includes a plurality of red, green, and blue color filters to pass through only red, green, and blue light in outgoing light, ⅓ of all outgoing light is emitted from the LCD, which decreases the brightness of the LCD.

Color filter array having plural filter layers, image sensor including the same, and electronic device including the color filter array


A mask generator circuit includes at least first and second mask generator circuits coupled to receive most significant and least significant sections of the pointer and to generate masks therefrom, and a plurality of circuits each configured to generate a region of the output mask from the mask generator circuit. The mask generated from the most significant bits section of the pointer (the most significant bits (MSB) mask) includes bits corresponding to various regions of the output mask. The plurality of circuits receive the MSB mask and the least significant bits (LSB) mask generated from the least significant bits section of the pointer and generate the output mask therefrom.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the field of digital devices and, more particularly, to mask generators.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mask generators have a wide variety of uses in digital devices. For example, in processors, mask generators are used to generate masks to identify valid instruction bytes fetched from an instruction cache (e.g. the bytes in the cache line which are subsequent to the fetch address offset with the cache line or prior to a predicted-taken branch within the cache line), to identify cache memory array columns which are selected for use (e.g. programming the redundant columns in the array), etc.
In the past, mask generators which generate masks having a single transition between a binary one and a binary zero (e.g. a set of consecutive binary ones on one side of the transition point and a set of consecutive binary zeros on the other side of the transition point, such as 0011 or 1110 for a four bit mask) have been simple ripple designs. Generally, such a mask generator receives a pointer indicating the location of the transition within the mask. The pointer is decoded to generate a set of output bits corresponding to each mask bit, with the bit corresponding to the location indicated by the pointer being set and the other bits being clear (or vice versa). A particular mask bit is then generated as a logical OR of the decoder bits corresponding to all less significant mask bits than that particular mask bit. While such a circuit may be useful for small masks, generating wider masks in this fashion leads to large and slow circuits for performing the wide OR functions.
Another type of mask generator is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,239, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The mask generator in this patent generates a mask from the least significant bits of the pointer and provides the mask to a set of multiplexors which also receive a range of all binary zeros and all binary ones. Each of the multiplexors provides a portion of the output mask. Selection controls for the multiplexors are generated from the most significant bits of the pointer to select the appropriate multiplexor input for each portion of the output mask. Unfortunately, even this solution may be cumbersome and slow, limiting its usefulness as operating frequencies of digital devices increase.
A mask generator circuit includes at least first and second mask generator circuits coupled to receive most significant and least significant sections of the pointer and to generate masks therefrom, and a plurality of circuits each configured to generate a region of the output mask from the mask generator circuit. The mask generated from the most significant bits section of the pointer (the most significant bits (MSB) mask) includes bits corresponding to various regions of the output mask. The plurality of circuits receive the MSB mask and the least significant bits (LSB) mask generated from the least significant bits section of the pointer and generate the output mask therefrom. The number of levels of logic required to generate the mask may be reduced, which may provide for mask generation at higher clock frequencies than previously possible. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the number of gates used and the fanout on the signals may be limited, which may provide for scalability and low area usage.
Broadly speaking, a mask generator for generating an output mask having a transition between a binary one and a binary zero at a location in the output mask identified by a pointer provided to the mask generator is contemplated. The mask generator includes a first mask generator, a second mask generator, and a plurality of circuits coupled thereto. The first mask generator is coupled to receive a plurality of most significant bits of the pointer and is configured to generate a first mask in response thereto. Each bit of the first mask corresponds to a respective region of the output mask and is indicative, in a first state, that the transition either occurs in a less significant region than the respective region or occurs in the respective region. The bit is further indicative, in a second state, that the transition occurs in a more significant region of the output mask than the respective region. The second mask generator is coupled to receive a plurality of least significant bits of the pointer and is configured to generate a second mask in response thereto. The plurality of circuits are configured to generate the output mask responsive to the first and second masks. The plurality of circuits includes a first circuit configured to generate a first region of the output mask. The first circuit is coupled to receive a first bit of the first mask, the first bit corresponding to the first region of the output mask. The first circuit is further coupled to receive a second bit of the first mask, the second bit corresponding to a neighboring region to the first region, the neighboring region being a less significant region of the output mask. Additionally, the first circuit is coupled to receive bits of the second mask. The first circuit is configured to generate the first region of the output mask responsive to the first bit, the second bit, and the bits of the second mask.
Additionally, a method for generating an output mask having a transition between a binary one and a binary zero at a location in the output mask identified by a pointer is contemplated. A first mask is generated responsive to a plurality of most significant bits of the pointer. Each bit of the first mask corresponds to a respective region of the output mask and is indicative, in a first state, that the transition either occurs in a less significant region than the respective region or occurs in the respective region, and is further indicative, in a second state, that the transition occurs in a more significant region of the output mask than the respective region. A second mask is generated responsive to a plurality of least significant bits of the pointer. A first region of the output mask is generated responsive to: (i) a first bit of the first mask, the first bit corresponding to the first region of the output mask; (ii) a second bit of the first mask, the second bit corresponding to a neighboring region to the first region, the neighboring region being a less significant region of the output mask; and (iii) bits of the second mask.


A method of filtering a plurality of DNS queries, wherein each DNS query includes a query name and a resource record type, includes defining a filter rule including a domain name, a filter type, and a throttle percentage and forming a filter file including the filter rule. The method also includes transmitting the filter file from a server to a plurality of filter proxies, transmitting the filter file from each of the plurality of filter proxies to one or more processing engines, and receiving the plurality of DNS queries at one of the one or more processing engines. The method includes determining a match between the domain name and the query name and between the resource record type and the filter type for a subset of the plurality of DNS queries, and blocking a predetermined percentage (equal to the throttle percentage) of the subset of the plurality of DNS queries.

The internet is an increasingly international network of computers that supports various forms and levels of communication. For instance, on the world wide web (WWW), information can be presented on universally available pages commonly known as websites. The internet also supports one-on-one communication between end-users via electronic email, instant messaging, and voice over IP (VoIP) communication.
Because of the open nature of the internet, security issues involving network communications have presented themselves. As an example, hackers have attempted, and often succeeded, in disrupting and disabling computer systems via the Internet. An example of such harm is a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, in which multiple compromised systems flood the bandwidth or resources of a targeted system, usually one or more web servers. In addition to malicious network attacks, errors in network routing data may result in undesirable network traffic. For example, popular sites having misconfigured DNS servers can direct traffic to unexpected targets or top-level domain (TLD) operators
In order to counteract malicious attacks on the network, packet filters have been used to increase network security and decrease undesirable traffic. Filters can be used to limit certain kinds of communications by denying the passage of packets through network interfaces. An example of packet filters are the filters used with the PortMaster network interface available from Portmasters.com of Houston, Tex. Filters for restricting network traffic are applied by the PortMaster network interface. As packets attempt to pass through the network interface, filters created by a system operator analyze the header information in the packet and either allow the packet to pass through the network interface or cause the packet to be discarded.
Despite the functionality provided by currently available systems for filtering traffic transmitted through a network, there is a need in the art for improved methods and systems to filter network traffic.

Method and system for filtering of network traffic


Disclosed is a wireless relay device wherein the number of stream multiplexes between a wireless transmission device and a wireless reception device can be increased without increasing the number of antennas for the wireless transmission device or the number of antennas for the wireless reception device. Specifically disclosed is a wireless relay device (100) for relaying and transmitting a signal between a wireless transmission device and a wireless reception device, which has Nrelay number (Nrelay is a natural number of 2 or more) of antenna ports, wherein a diversity reception unit (106) diversity-receives the signal which is transmitted from the wireless transmission device, and which has been modulated by the modulation multi-value number of M (where M=Nrelay 2) via the Nrelay number of antenna ports, a stream generating unit (112) divides the signal so as to generate Nrelay pieces of streams, modulation units ((114-1) to (114-Nrelay)) QPSK-modulate the Nrelay pieces of streams, and transmission RF units ((115-1) to (115-Nrelay)) transmit the N pieces of streams after modulation to the wireless reception device via the Nrelay number of antenna ports.

In recent years, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system has attracted a great deal of attention as a technique of enabling high-capacity data communication. In the MIMO system, a radio transmission apparatus spatially multiplexes the transmission data (stream) and transmits the multiplexed transmission data through a plurality of transmission antennas, and a radio reception apparatus receives original transmission data by spatially demultiplexing reception data in which a plurality of transmission data are mixed on a propagation channel (for example, see Non-Patent Literature 1).
In the MIMO system, when Ntx is the number of transmission antenna ports and Nrx is the number of reception antenna ports, the number of streams that can be multiplexed is obtained by equation 1.[1]min(Ntx,Nrx)  (Equation 1)
Here, the function min(x, y) refers to a function that returns a smaller value between x and y. That is, the number of multiplexable streams is set to a smaller number between the number Ntx of transmission antenna ports and the number Nrx of reception antenna ports. Further, the number of actually multiplexable streams is decided according to the rank indication of a channel matrix of the transmission antenna ports and the reception antenna ports. As the channel correlation between the transmission antenna ports and the channel correlation between the reception antenna ports increase, the rank indication of the channel matrix decreases, whereas as the channel correlation between the transmission antenna ports and the channel correlation between the reception antenna ports decrease, the rank indication of the channel matrix increases.
As an extension system of the MIMO system, a multipath multiplexing system has been suggested that increases the number of streams by using multipath occurring on a propagation channel when the number of transmission antenna ports is larger than the number of reception antenna ports (for example, see Non-Patent Literature 2). Specifically, when Ntx is the number of transmission antenna ports, Nrx is the number of reception antenna ports, and L is the number of paths, the number of multiplexable streams is obtained by equation 2.[2]min(Ntx,Nrx×L)  (Equation 2)
Similarly to the MIMO system, even in the extension system of the MIMO system, the number of streams that can be multiplexed actually is decided according to the rank indication of the channel matrix of the transmission antenna ports and the reception antenna ports. That is, as the channel correlation between the transmission antenna ports and the channel correlation between the reception antenna ports increase, the rank indication of the channel matrix decreases, whereas as the channel correlation between the transmission antenna ports and the channel correlation between the reception antenna ports decrease, the rank indication of the channel matrix increases.

Wireless relay device and wireless relay method


A high frequency power amplifier with reduced power loss and improved power amplification efficiency has an output matching circuit providing an open circuit to a second harmonic and a short circuit to a third harmonic of a high frequency signal. This is accomplished by, for example, adjusting lengths of a drain bias line and a plurality of signal lines so that the phase of S parameter S11 (input reflection coefficient) to the second harmonic is from -80.degree. to 140.degree., and the phase of S parameter S11 to the third harmonic is from 160.degree. to 220.degree.. The line length of each line in an input matching circuit is also adjusted so that the phase of S parameter S22 (output reflection coefficient) at the fundamental frequency is between +5.degree. to -75.degree..

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor amplifier comprising, for example, field-effect transistors or bipolar transistors for high frequency amplification, and relates more specifically to a high efficiency amplifier used, for example, in mobile communications devices and microwave band communications devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
B-class amplifiers are commonly used for high frequency power amplifiers in mobile communications devices and microwave band communications devices.
A typical B-class amplifier circuit according to the related art is shown in FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 26, the source of field-effect transistor (FET) 201 in this amplifier is grounded. A drain bias voltage is applied to the drain of FET 201 via a drain bias line 204 from a drain bias power supply terminal 203, and a capacitor 202 is inserted between the ground and drain bias power supply terminal 203. A high frequency signal to be amplified is input to the gate of FET 201 from a signal input terminal 205. The signal amplified by FET 201 is output through a fundamental wave matching circuit 206 from a signal output terminal 207. In this B-class amplifier, the gate bias point of the FET 201 is set so that the dc drain current goes to zero.
FIG. 27 is a graph showing the waveforms of the drain current and drain voltage in the FET 201 shown in FIG. 26. The drain voltage is indicated by a solid line in FIG. 27, and the drain current is indicated by a dotted line. Note that the drain voltage has a sine wave shaped waveform, and the drain current has a half-wave rectified waveform. Note, further, that the shaded area indicates power loss.
As will be known from FIG. 27, a problem with an amplifier as shown in FIG. 26 is that power loss occurs, and efficiency therefore drops, when the drain current is greater than zero and the drain voltage is also greater than zero.
It should be further noted that high harmonic processing wherein even harmonics are short circuited and odd harmonics are open circuited is taught in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos.7-94974, 8-130424, and 9-246889.
An FET mixer comprising a low pass filter connected between an FET and IF band matching circuit is also taught in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.2-94908.


The present invention relates to methods for reducing the threshold voltage difference between an n-type field effect transistor (n-FET) and a p-type field effect transistor (p-FET) in a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit located on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. Specifically, a substrate bias voltage is applied to the CMOS circuit for differentially adjusting the threshold voltages of the n-FET and the p-FET. For example, a positive substrate bias voltage can be used to reduce the threshold voltage of the n-FET but increase that of the p-FET, while a negative substrate bias voltage can be used to increase the threshold voltage of the n-FET but reduce that of the p-FET. Further, two or more substrate bias voltages of different magnitudes and/or directions can be used for differentially adjusting the n-FET and p-FET threshold voltages in two or more different CMOS circuits or groups of CMOS circuits.

In CMOS circuits, it is desirable to tune the threshold voltages of the n-FET devices and the p-FET devices to achieve substantially the same magnitude, which provides a balance between the n-FET and p-FET drive currents and, in turn, leads to improved device performance and circuit speed.
However, actual n-FET and p-FET threshold voltages in a CMOS circuit can be different due to various reasons. For example, if the n-FETs and the p-FETs contain metal or metal silicide gate electrodes, their threshold voltages will be significantly different, because the work function of metal or metal silicide is asymmetric with respect to the n-FETs and p-FETs. Although differentially doped polysilicon electrodes can be used in place of metal or metal silicide electrodes to reduce the threshold voltage differential between n-FETs and p-FETs, the process variations for n-FETs and p-FETs may affect the threshold voltages of the n-FETs and p-FETs differently, therefore still resulting in a certain degree of threshold voltage imbalance therebetween. Further, depending on specific transistor designs, the threshold voltages of n-FETs and p-FETs may have different temperature sensitivities. Thus, even if the threshold voltages are balanced at room temperature, imbalance may be generated subsequently during operation, because the operating temperature of the integrated circuit (IC) chip is typically 60-80 degrees higher than room temperature.
There is therefore a need for dynamic, post-fabrication adjustment of the threshold voltages of the n-FETs and p-FETs in a CMOS circuit in order to reduce the threshold voltage difference therebetween or more preferably, to achieve a substantial threshold voltage balance.

Methods of applying substrate bias to SOI CMOS circuits

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus for utilizing a wheelbarrow as a garden tractor, wherein the organization includes an elongate frame rail rotatably mounting a wheel at each end thereof. An elongate tongue is orthogonally mounted to the frame member utilizing removable pins, and wherein the frame member is secured to or adjacent "U" shaped frame supports of the associated wheelbarrow, wherein the tongue is provided with an aperture at a remote terminal end thereof for securement to a coupling hitch of an associated tractor vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to wheelbarrow apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved wheelbarrow conversion kit wherein the same permits utilization of the organization as a garden tractor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Wheelbarrow implements are frequently utilized in gardening and utilitarian endeavors. The prior art has provided wheelbarrow type constructions of mounted rear wheel structures to enhance stability of such organizations. Resultant organizations, however, are of a relatively awkward and bulky configuration. The instant invention attempts to overcome disadvantages of the prior art by providing a wheelbarrow construction wherein the same provides for a removable wheel dolly assembly to permit conversion of the wheelbarrow from a conventional wheelbarrow construction to a utilitarian organization as a garden cart as needed. Examples of the prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,128 to Terhune wherein a wheelbarrow construction includes a mounted rear wheel organization to provide enhanced mobility and support of the construction in use, but as in other typical prior art devices, the additional wheels provide for a construction of a more elaborate configuration than a conventional wheelbarrow.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,023,021 to Fricke, et al, providing for a garden type cart with a single pivotal rear wheel and spaced parallel forward wheels.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,728,585 to Walline sets forth a garden wheel cart with a single forward wheel and a plurality of spaced rear wheels mounted upon a single axle.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,481,002 to Ferries sets forth a support vehicle utilizing a similar three-wheel configuration as the patents set forth above.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,818,271 to Saeli sets forth a refuse container support vehicle, wherein a circular framework receives a receptacle and wherein a single pivotal wheel is mounted forwardly of a spaced axle to provide mobility to the organization.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved wheelbarrow conversion kit in association with a wheelbarrow which permits convertability of the wheelbarrow of the instant invention to a garden trailer, as required.


A video recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a variable delay circuit for delaying an input video signal which is to be newly recorded on a recording medium and a delay controller for controlling a delay provided by this variable delay circuit. At the time of edit, the delay controller controls the delay so that the phase of a video signal reproduced from a position immediately before an edit entrance point of the recording medium coincides with the phase of an input video signal delayed by the delay circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing a video signal, and, more particularly, to a video recording/reproducing apparatus for use in electronic edit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In producing a work or program using a video recording/reproducing apparatus, it is likely that data recorded on a recording medium by this apparatus is properly edited to complete the work or program. Particularly, with the above video recording/reproducing apparatus for professional use, e.g., for preparing broadcasting, commercial and educational works or programs, edit is one of the essential processes. In present video recording/reproducing apparatuses for professional use today, it is typical to use a rotary head type video tape recorder (VTR) for effecting data recording/reproducing on a magnetic tape as a recording medium by a rotary video head, and most of the apparatuses have an editing function.
In a video tape recorder, an editing operation, called Electronic Edit, is generally performed. In principle, the electronic edit is carried out by erasing portions of video and audio signals, which have already been recorded on a magnetic tape, part of the way and then recording new video and audio signals on the erased region on the magnetic tape.
In result of such edit, discontinuity of a signal occurs mainly around the edit entrance point. Particularly, discontinuity of the phase of a video signal causes disturbance on a video display screen and significantly deteriorates the quality of a video image.
To reduce the phase discontinuity of a video signal occurring on a magnetic tape in edit, conventional video tape recorders with an editing function for professional use generally utilize the following two methods.
(a) In initiating the edit, the rotational phase of a video head drum is compared with the sync signal of an input video signal that is to be newly recorded and the rotation of the video head drum is servo-controlled in such a way that the drum rotates in synchronization the sync signal of the input video signal.
(b) The magnetic tape having video signals already recorded thereon is reproduced from the position before the edit entrance point, the vertical sync signal in a reproduced video signal acquired in this reproduction period (called a preroll period) is compared with the vertical sync signal in the input video signal, and the rotational phase of the video head drum is servocontrolled in such a way that both of the vertical sync signals are synchronized with each other and the phases of these vertical sync signals coincide with each other.
The first method (a) is influenced by a mechanical mounting error of a tach pulse generator, which detects the rotational phase of the video head drum and generates a tach pulse in accordance with the detected rotational phase, with respect to the mounting position of the video head in the drum. In other words, with the magnetic tape being previously recorded by another video recording/reproducing apparatus, the phase of the video signal already recorded on the tape cannot accurately be coincident with the phase of a newly-input video signal, so that a significant phase discontinuity is more likely to occur in edit. As a solution to this problem, a tach phase controller (e.g., trimmer) for controlling the phase of a tach pulse indicating the rotational phase is normally adjusted for each edit to compensate for the mounting error so that the phase discontinuity of the video signal around the edit entrance point does not result in a large disturbance on the display screen.
As the second method (b) compares the phase of a video signal reproduced from a previously-recorded magnetic tape directly with that of an input video signal and controls the rotational phase of the video head drum based on the comparison result, the phase discontinuity of the video signal occurring in the edit is improved as compared with the method (a).
However, either method involves servo-control of the rotational phase of the head drum and thus has the control response speed and response accuracy limited.
According to the editing technique in conventional video recording/reproducing apparatuses, therefore, due to the limitation of the response speed and response accuracy of the servo control, it is difficult to always attain a good phase continuity of a video signal at the time of edit.

Video recording/reproducing apparatus and method of editing video tape


A communication system including first, second, and third nodes interconnected via interconnect links, a primary path composed of an interconnect link between the first node and the third node, and a secondary path composed of an interconnect link between the first and second nodes and an interconnect link between the second and third nodes, wherein                when the first node and the third node function as a transmitting node and a receiving node respectively, having a path multiplexing function to communicate with each other using bandwidths of a plurality of paths simultaneously, the first node transmits, to the second node, a path multiplexing request message for requesting communication with the third node,        and when receiving the path multiplexing request message, the second node functions as a relay node and determines whether the primary path and the secondary path can be logically multiplexed by providing, to the first node, the bandwidth of the interconnect link between the second and third nodes, and if path multiplexing is possible, the second node returns a path multiplexing acknowledgement message to the first node, and        the first node, in response to the path multiplexing acknowledgement message, multiplexes the primary and secondary paths to communicate with the third node.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a path multiplexing communication system, a communication node, and a communication method.
2. Description of the Related Art
When there are two or more paths available between two communication nodes, higher speed communication, compared to the case using single path, is possible since the bands of plural paths are multiplexed by load distribution of the traffic between both nodes among these paths. As techniques for multiplexing the bands of plural paths in a stable wired network, a round-robin system disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 and a weighted round-robin system disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2 are known. A round-robin system is a technique to input data to each of paths in sequence, and a weighted round-robin system is a technique to decide the weight of load distribution depending on the difference of communication speeds among the plural paths. Further, as a technique for multiplexing the bands of plural paths including a more unstable wireless link, a Mobile Inverse Mux disclosed in Non-Patent Document 3 is known.
In these path multiplexing techniques, suppose that there is a node having path multiplexing function on a path to be multiplexed by other two nodes. In FIG. 8, nodes 1, 2, and 3 all have a path multiplexing function. In this case, if the node 1 communicates with the node 3, there is a path consisting of only link 13, which make it possible to communicate directly with each other. On the other hand, they can communicate with each other via a path consisting of link 11, node 2 and link 12. Multiplexing of these two path can be realized by configuring the node 2 to function as a mere relay node for the traffic between the nodes 1 and 3. Similarly, by configuring the node 1 to function as a mere relay node for the traffic between the nodes 2 and 3, the two paths between the nodes 2 and 3 are multiplexed. Thus, if there is a node having a path multiplexing function on a path to be multiplexed, by configuring each node to act according to the traffic, it is possible to share part of the paths to be multiplexed among different nodes, and hence to improve the efficiency of utilization of network resources.    [Non-Patent Document 1] "Striping Within the Network Subsystem," IEEE Network, July/August 1995.    [Non-Patent Document 2] M. Katevenis, S. Sidiropoulos, C. Courcoubetis, "Weighted Round-robin Cell Multiplexing in a General-Purpose ATM Switch Chip," IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 9, Issue 8, pp. 1265-1279 (October 1991).    [Non-Patent Document 3] T. Nakata et al., "Efficient Bundling of Heterogeneous Radio Resources for Broadband Internet Access from Moving Vehicles," Proceedings of Global Mobile Congress 2004, Oct. 11-13 2004, Shanghai, China.    [Non-Patent Document 4] Dovrolis, Ramanathan, and Moore, "What Do Packet Dispersion Techniques Measure?" IEEE INFOCOM 2001.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-320420.
Suppose that traffic is given to both the node 1 and the node 2 to be transmitted to the node 3 at an instant. If both nodes transmit traffic to the node 3 using plural paths, they need to have a path multiplexing function in addition to a relay function. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the link 11 has a wider band than the other links. For example, if the node 1 communicates with the node 3 via the node 2, the link 12 is a bottleneck on the path. Here, if a fixed weighting information is given to node 1 as shown in Non-Patent Document 2 or load distribution is performed by node 1 based on the bandwidth estimation result as shown in Non-Patent Document 3, each according to the bandwidth of the link 12 and the link 13 which can form a path for direct communication, since traffic between the nodes 2 and 3 also exists on the link 12, an actually available bandwidth of the link 12 for communication between node 1 and node 3 is narrower than the case where there is no such traffic sharing link 12.
Since Non-Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 3 do not consider the existence of traffic among nodes as mentioned above, they cannot perform optimum load distribution. In general, as shown in Non-Patent Document 4, it is difficult to estimate an available bandwidth by the method using packet dispersion, disclosed in Non-Patent Document 3, if traffic exists in a section other than the section between endpoints to be measured, which is called 'cross traffic', when the bandwidth of a path is estimated only at the endpoint of one path.
The above-mentioned problem does not arise if each traffic rate is low enough not to cause congestion in each of the links, when the nodes 1 and 2 perform load distribution to both the links 13 and 12. Since the traffic between the node 1 and 3 and the traffic between the nodes 2 and 3 are both low rates, the deficiency of bandwidth does not occur even without load distribution to the plurality of paths. However, the bandwidth of the link 11, included only in the paths which use node 1 or 2 as a relay node, is consumed although the bandwidth is unnecessary for the purposes of bandwidth supply between the nodes 1 and 3 and bandwidth supply between the nodes 2 and 3.
On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses other technique for load distribution, which is realized by calculating load based on collected traffic characteristics information and by determining whether a transmission path should be added or deleted based on the calculated load.
However, by the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the amount of communication data among each of nodes becomes large since traffic characteristics information themselves are transmitted/received among each of nodes for collecting information. Here, for example, parameters like queue length and the number of flows can be such traffic characteristics. However, if these variables are transmitted/received among all of the nodes, the amount of data can become enormous as the number of nodes increases. Flexibility in determining whether a transmission path should be added or deleted also can be a problem. Further, if information on other than traffic, such as, for example, the reliability of the path, the possibility of a cyberattack, or the degree of battery drain (if it is a mobile node) should be considered as a criterion, not only does the protocol become complicated, but also does the amount of communication increase according to the number of criteria by the technique described in Patent Document 1 since communication among each of nodes has to be defined corresponding to all the criteria. Further, as the technique described in Patent Document 1 requires that each node collects and transmits only the status and all of the determination are conducted by a transmitting node, there is a problem that calculation load for determination is concentrated on the transmitting node.

Path multiplexing communication system, communication node, and communication method


A method, performed by a computer device, may include identifying Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance nodes associated with a customer's network; querying particular pairs of the identified Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance nodes for physical rates to obtain reported physical rates for the particular pairs of the identified Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance nodes; and querying particular ones of the identified Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance nodes for supported Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance versions. The method may further include determining a maximum bandwidth for the customer's network based on the reported physical rates and based on the supported Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance versions.

A customer may have multiple multimedia devices in the customer's home. The multimedia devices may be connected with coaxial cables and multimedia content may be sent or received over the coaxial cables based on the Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance (MoCA) standard. The MoCA standard may include different versions and different multimedia devices in the customer's home may support different versions of the MoCA standard. Management of resources in a network, which includes devices associated with different MoCA versions, may be challenging.

Determining maximum bandwidth in a mixed version MoCA deployment


A method provides for wireless transmission and reception of messages in an asynchronous ad hoc network having multiple network nodes, of which at least a first network node periodically transmits messages with a predefined period length. A second network node carries out: Defining two consecutive time intervals, each having the length of one period and a first time interval being past and a second time interval being future; subdividing the time intervals into two time slots each; calculating an occupancy for each time slot of the first time interval based on the number of messages of other network node(s) received in this time slot; identifying the time slot having the lowest occupancy; and transmitting a message in a time slot of the second time interval that corresponds to the identified time slot. The exact transmission point is defined on the basis of the time stamp derived from the synchronized TSF.

Technical Field
The present subject matter relates to a method for the wireless transmission and reception of messages in an asynchronous ad hoc network having a plurality of network nodes, at least one network node of which periodically transmits messages with a predefined period length. The invention further relates to a network node for such a method.
Background Art
Ad hoc networks for the wireless transmission and reception of messages are used, e.g., in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication; they are highly flexible and, due to the intermeshing of the network nodes, are failsafe. However, since every network node initiates the transmission of messages on the basis of its own internal timing, collisions occur when two or more network nodes attempt to transmit messages simultaneously. For this reason, methods for collision detection (CD) and collision avoidance (CA) are standardized for such networks having Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA). These methods are inadequate, however, in the case of a large number of network nodes and/or messages, in particular: the number of successfully transmitted messages and, therefore, the efficiency of the network decreases as the number of messages increases.
Various improvements for counteracting this are known from the literature. In G. Bansal et al., "Cross-Validation of DSRC Radio Testbed and NS-2 Simulation Platform for Vehicular Safety Communications", 2011 IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Fall), it is proposed to reduce the transmit power of the network nodes or extend the period length of messages to be periodically transmitted in order to reduce the number of collisions. As a result thereof, the number of directly interconnected network nodes of an ad hoc network diminishes, however, and therefore messages can no longer be transmitted directly ("single hop"), but rather must be routed through a plurality of intermediate network nodes ("multi-hop"), which further increases the total number of transmitted messages; another result thereof is that the propagation speed of information is reduced, which is undesired in the case of important messages in particular, e.g., messages related to dangerous situations or accidents.
In S. Sundar et al., "Congestion Control for Vehicular Safety: Synchronous and Asynchronous MAC Algorithms", VANET'12 Conference, Jun. 25, 2012, UK, it is proposed, in contrast, that the network nodes be synchronized, which requires a complex synchronization algorithm, which must also handle the addition or removal of individual network nodes in the entire ad hoc network, and requires a precise, common time base of one GPS receiver in every network node. It is understood that such a method functions only when all participating network nodes of the ad hoc network are gaplessly synchronized, i.e., when the ad hoc network is completely covered with such network nodes.

Method for transmitting messages in ad hoc networks


According to one embodiment, the apparatus of the embodiment of the invention has following modules. A decoder decodes a coded moving image signal to obtain a decoded moving image signal. A coding implementation information acquisition module acquires coding implementation information used when the coding is carried out. A motion detector obtains a motion detection output indicating a motion of an image. A coding distortion reduction module has a plurality of kinds of distortion reducing characteristics which reduce a plurality of kinds of coding distortions included in the decoded moving image signal. A coding distortion reduction controller controls the plurality of kinds of distortion reducing characteristics in accordance with the output of the coding implementation information and the motion detection output.

1. Field
One embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus and method for image coding distortion reduction.
2. Description of the Related Art
When moving images are transferred or recorded, the moving images are coded in order to increase transfer efficiency and compression efficiency. On the other hand, on a receiving or reproducing side where the coded moving images are received, the moving images are decoded. In this case, distortion reduction processing is performed to reduce a coding distortion.
For example, in an image coding distortion reduction apparatus disclosed in PCT National Publication No. 2007-525902, a coding artifact (ringing distortion reduction processing and block distortion reduction processing) is controlled in accordance with a value (global indicator value) which is obtained by a given computation expression using, for example, quantization information and coding amount information. The ringing distortion reduction processing and the block distortion reduction processing are uniformly controlled by the global indicator value.
Another technique for reducing coding distortion is described in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2006-325155. According to this document, image processing using motion compensation is performed in accordance with the appearance of the coding distortion.
According to a conventional method of reducing a distortion resulting from the coding of moving images, even if ringing distortion is generated in a situation where an image is almost static, where a coding amount is reduced by motion compensation and where block distortion is not easily generated, the ringing distortion cannot be sufficiently reduced or unnecessary block distortion reduction processing is performed, so that the image may be deteriorated.
Furthermore, even if the distortion reduction processing is always performed uniformly, the distortion reduction efficiency may vary depending on how moving images are coded.

Image coding distortion reduction apparatus and method


A system for tracing data lineage includes a non-transitory computer readable medium and a processor. The processor is configured to execute an application programming interface (API). The processor executes a first instance of the API to document a first data lineage in a first data transformation process. The processor executes a second instance of the API to document a second data lineage in a second data transformation process. The processor sends the first data lineage and the second data lineage for storage in the non-transitory computer readable medium.

Traditionally, as data moves from one system to the next system in files, streams or APIs, names of elements change, new elements are created, and new file formats are utilized.
Existing data lineage solutions are not fine-grained. Existing solutions require manual documentation to be entered by end users. Existing solutions that document data lineage require end users to enter from and to fields, transforms, and write up transform logic. Sometimes, the manual documentation is never updated when code changes, resulting in data lineage records not matching what is running in production.
Existing solutions log every transformation, resulting in an overwhelming number of logs to be reviewed. End users are not able to review every log with sophistication. When data involved in a transformation process such as input data or output data of the transformation process is incorrect, the existing solutions are not able to determine what causes the problem.
Sometimes, each existing data lineage solution is very specific and limited to one technical implementation of a proprietary software.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists for a data lineage solution that works with multiple environments, provides more fine-grained control to ensure accuracy of data transformation, and performs rule-based, trigger-initiated logging so as to avoid logging of every data transformation.

API and streaming solution for documenting data lineage


A magnetron sputtering system is provided that uses cooling channels in the magnetron assembly to cool the target. The magnetron sputtering system also generates low pressure region in the magnetron assembly such that the backing plate sees a pressure differential much lower than atmospheric pressure. In one embodiment, the backing plate includes a center post to support the backing plate during operation. The backing plate is reduced in thickness and provides less of a barrier to the generated magnetic field.

The deposition of films using a magnetron sputtering system provides enhanced deposition rates through the creation of a magnetic field at the target surface. It is advantageous in magnetron sputtering systems to increase the magnetic field strength at the target surface. This can be especially true when the target is a magnetic material.
One barrier to the strength of the magnetic field is the backing plate upon which the target is bonded. The backing plate serves the purpose of cooling the target and providing part of the chamber wall for forming the vacuum chamber for deposition of the target onto a substrate. In conventional systems, the backing plate experiences a pressure differential from the vacuum chamber to atmospheric pressure. This pressure places limits on the material properties of the backing plate.
Conventional systems have attempted to increase the magnetic field at the target using a number of methods. Some conventional systems have attempted to strengthen the magnetic field at the target by decreasing the thickness of the backing plate. However, bowing, deflection and buckling of the backing plate can be caused by the pressure differential between the vacuum inside the chamber and atmospheric pressure outside the chamber.

Physical vapor deposition system having reduced thickness backing plate


This invention relates to a foamed, cellular crosslinked vinyl lactam polymer and to a formed rigid product obtained therefrom having dimensional stability and a high Tg above 150.degree. C. The invention also relates to the method of preparing said molded cellular polymer.

Crosslinked vinylpyrrolidone polymeric powder has been prepared by proliferous polymerization at high temperatures with vigorous agitation as described for example in copending patent application Ser. No. 057,378, filed May 6, 1993 for COLORLESS, PURIFIED, POLYMERIZABLE COMPOSITION USEFUL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CROSSLINKED POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,089,910; 5,130,388 and 5,015,708 also describe processes for crosslinking vinyl lactam polymers. However, the powder products obtained by these processes are not amenable to molding and do not possess a foamed, cellular structure.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a crosslinked vinyl lactam polymer in the form of a cellular porous product having a high Tg (glass transition temperature) which is molded into a desired shape of high dimensional stability.
Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable shaped product having thermoinsulating properties.
Still another object is to provide an economical and commercially feasible process for preparing a molded cellular product of a crosslinked vinyl lactam polymer.
Yet another object is to provide a strong, durable, molded product having a high Tg temperature.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and disclosure.

Molded cellular crosslinked vinyl lactam polymer gel and method of preparation