An interlinked chain of exclusive-or (XOR) logic gates and registers is formed by connecting a first input of each XOR logic gate to an output of a preceding register, and by connecting an input of each register to an output of a preceding XOR logic gate. Each XOR logic gate has a second input connected to receive an output from a respective data source. The interlinked chain further includes an originating XOR logic gate having its first input connected to an output of an originating data source rather than to a preceding register. The interlinked chain includes a terminating XOR logic gate having an output defined to provide an encrypted signature for the various data source outputs. Destructible bypass connections are provided to enable direct access to each data source in a secure environment and permanently disable direct access to each data source prior to release from the secure environment.

In modern electronic devices circuitry is often defined with scan capability. More specifically, a particular portion of circuitry can be defined to have a scan input chain and a scan output chain. Each of the scan input and output chains is defined by a set of serially connected registers, wherein each register is typically defined to store a single bit signal. Scan input data can be clocked through the various registers in the scan input chain. The scan input data represents binary input signals for the portion of circuitry to be tested by the scan input and output chains. Once the scan input chain is loaded, the scan input data is clocked through the circuitry to be tested. Various output signals generated by the circuitry based on the scan input data are then clocked out to the registers that define the scan output chain. Then, the scan output data is clocked out in a serial manner to be compared with expected scan output data. If the scan output data matches expectation, the circuitry is considered to be operating correctly. If the scan output data does match expectation, the circuitry is considered to be malfunctioning.
With direct access to the scan output chain, a malevolent entity may be able to decipher the logical function of a portion of circuitry by analyzing the scan output data resulting from a large number of scan input data combinations. The malevolent entity could then exploit the deciphered logical function of the circuitry. For example, if the circuitry in question were defined to provide a security feature, the deciphered logical function of the circuitry could be used by the malevolent entity to bypass the security feature.
Additionally, in the context of a programmable logic device (PLD), circuitry of the PLD is configured based on configuration data stored in a configuration memory. The configuration data is used to control a number of configuration devices within the PLD. A controlled state of the various configuration devices serves to establish circuitry connectivity and associated logic functions within the PLD. Thus, with direct access to the configuration data and knowledge of the underlying PLD structure, a malevolent entity may be able to ascertain the logic function of the configured PLD. The malevolent entity could then exploit the deciphered logic function of the configured PLD.
In view of the foregoing, a solution is needed to ensure that security sensitive data, such as scan output data and PLD configuration data, is protected from direct access and exploitation. Additionally, the solution for protecting the security sensitive data should not interfere with legitimate access to the security sensitive data.

Apparatus and method for encrypting security sensitive data


A cam is eccentrically journaled at one end of a compound archery bow and a pulley is journaled at the other end of the bow. A cable passes around the pulley to form a bowstring section and a second cable section, both sections forming a dual feed single cam compound bow. The amount of feed out to both ends of the bowstring is approximately the same. One embodiment of the cam provides a large radius cam groove and a smaller radius cam groove which are designed to synchronize the rate of cable feed out at both ends of the bowstring section during the drawing operation. An anchor cable is provided to tie the two limbs of the bow together during the flexing of the bow.

In the past, compound bows have used two cams, respectively mounted on the limb tips of opposite ends of the bow, to provide the means to store more energy in the draw cycle and to reduce the holding force at full draw. These eccentric cam elements must be accurately synchronized with respect to the radii of eccentricity so that the rate of feed-out will be approximately equal at both ends of the bows. This requires synchronized indexing of the two cams when the cams and cable elements are being assembled. Such a double cam compound bow construction is illustrated by the bows disclosed in the following prior art patents.
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Issued To Date Issued ______________________________________ 3,486,495 Allen Dec. 30, 1969 3,890,951 Jennings, et al June 24, 1975 4,060,066 Kudlacek Nov. 29, 1977 4,079,723 Darlington March 21, 1978 4,112,909 Caldwell Sept. 12, 1978 4,300,521 Schmitt Nov. 17, 1981 ______________________________________
The early compound bows utilized cams consisting of eccentrically mounted circular shaped elements. As the desire for more stored energy and greater arrow velocities developed, special shaped cam elements were designed to provide these characteristics. These shaped cam elements, like the circular shaped elements, were mounted on the limb tips. It is well known in the art that to obtain the best bow performance, the cam elements at each end of the bow should be properly synchronized with each other. Patents disclosing various means to accomplish proper cam synchronization include the following:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Issued To Date Issued ______________________________________ 3,841,295 Hunter Oct. 15, 1974 3,958,551 Ketchum May 25, 1976 4,103,667 Shepley, Jr. Aug. 1, 1978 4,178,965 Groner Dec. 18, 1979 ______________________________________
The more modern compound bows have reverted back to the more simplistic design of the original U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,495 Allen patent, but the requirement for cam synchronization is still present as noted, for example, by the teachings of the following patents:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Issued To Date Issued ______________________________________ 4,372,285 Simonds Feb. 8, 1983 4,440,142 Simonds Apr. 3, 1984 4,909,231 Larson Mar. 20, 1990 ______________________________________
It is obvious, of course, that the use of a single cam avoids the problem of cam synchronization and, in fact, there are single cam bows known in the prior art. One such bow, popularly referred to as the "DynaBo" was invented by Len Subber. The original Dynabo design had one working limb located at the upper end of the bow handle. A single cam element was mounted on a rigid pylon at the lower end of the bow. The single cam element functioned in the same manner as the cam elements on the previously mentioned two cam bows. As the Dynabo was drawn, one track of the cam element payed out line to the bowstring which was fixed to the upper limb tip and the other track on the cam element acted as a take-up reel for a second line that was also anchored at the tip of the upper working limb.
Since there was only a single cam element, there was not a synchronization problem between two cams. There was, however, a problem in synchronizing the rate that the cam fed out cables to the bowstring at the lower end of the bow and the rate that the flexing of the upper limb fed out cable to the bowstring at the upper end as the bow was drawn. The result was a rather unpleasant feel to the bow as it was drawn and there was a drastic movement of the nocking point and the rear end of the arrow as the bow was drawn and released. This, in turn, made it very difficult to achieve good arrow flight from the bow under normal conditions. An early version of the DynaBo was described in the September 1976 edition of "Archery World" beginning at page 28.
The Dynabo single cam concept was offered in at least three different versions from as many manufacturers during the 1970's, and at least one manufacturer, Graham's Custom Bows, employed the Dynabo concept, with two working limbs. A description of the Graham bow is contained in the June/July edition of "Archery World" magazine. The Dynabo bow, however, never did become an acceptable alternative to the two cam bows and, in fact, appears to have lost whatever popularity it had achieved by the late 1970's.
Another known prior art device that had the capability of providing a solution to the previously mentioned problems of cam synchronization and synchronized bow string feed out (the latter being desirable to enable the nock end of the arrow to travel in a smooth, consistent path upon draw and release of the arrow) is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,824 issued to Jennings. This patent teaches the use of a single multiple grooved cam mounted on a pylon attached to the bow handle. The cam had one string track feeding cable attached to an idler pulley mounted in the limb tip at one end of the bow and a second track feeding line to a second idler pulley mounted in the second limb tip at the other end of the bow. The cam also has two additional tracks, each of which take up line while the string tracks feed out line to the bow string. One take-up track is taking up a line which is anchored at one limb tip while the other take-up track is taking up a line which is anchored at the opposite limb tip. Thus, the '824 patent teaches a highly complicated system, as compared to the present invention, that is composed of considerably more parts resulting in a compound bow having greater mass weight than the more conventional two cam compound bow.
A single cam bow developed by Larry D. Miller in the late 1970's or early 1980's was the subject of a U.S. patent application titled "Archery Bow Assembly" (hereinafter referred to as the "Miller application"). The Miller application discloses the use of a single pulley, having two grooves thereon for feeding out line to the bow string. The primary groove is circular and concentric with the axle of the circular pulley. The secondary groove, also circular, may be slightly eccentric for the purpose of maintaining the nocking point of the bowstring perpendicular to the handle section of the bow. A third eccentric groove carries a take-up cable to provide the entire means of compounding (i.e. achieving the desired reduction in holding weight at full draw and storage of energy).
The Miller application, the serial number of which is not known, may be considered material to the examination of the subject application.


Software on an image-capturing device iteratively captures a visual code in a series of visual codes displayed in a repeating progression on a screen of a mobile device. The visual code was generated from a display block that resulted from a partition of an original data file into a series of display blocks of at least a specified size. The software converts the visual code back into a display block and reads a header for the display block, discarding the display block if it has already been captured, as determined by the ordered identifying block number in a header. The software stops the iterative capturing when all of the display blocks in the series have been captured, as determined by the count in the header and coalesces the captured display blocks into the original data file, using an order determined by the ordered identifying block numbers.

When two devices are incompatible or lack access to a connecting network, data transfer between them might still be possible using displayed and captured visual codes such as a QR code, a PDF417 code, etc.
However, the standards for visual codes employ maximum data limits which are smaller than the size of many image files or files containing non-image biometric data, which are often used to prove identity, e.g., to law enforcement officials or airlines.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Transferring data files using a series of visual codes


A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a program for a terminal device. The terminal device includes a storage, an operation unit, a display, and a controller. The program, when executed by the controller, causes the terminal device to perform, based on receiving an input from a user via the operation unit, sending a signal to image processing devices, including a particular image processing device, that are on the same network as the terminal device; receiving responses to the signal from the image processing devices; and based on receiving a response to the signal from the particular image processing device that is identified by device identification information stored in the storage, displaying, in the display, a device list listing device information of the particular image processing device in an emphasized manner.

A known data processing apparatus executes a print-and-scan application, thereby transmitting a scan request to a scanner connected to the data processing apparatus via a network, or a print request to a printer connected to the data processing apparatus via a network. The data processing apparatus sets a device as a default device for executing a particular function among a plurality of functions. To set a default device, the data processing apparatus searches for devices that are on the same network as the data processing apparatus, using a broadcast method. A user selects and sets one of the searched devices as a default device.

Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program for terminal device configured to connect to image processing devices on network, and terminal device


An information processing apparatus generates a scanning instruction to send to a device for forming visible information by scanning a recording medium with a laser beam. The information processing apparatus includes an extracting unit for reading line information in which a scanning speed and a radiation output value of the laser beam are registered in advance for each line, and extracting all lines which are overlapping a target line in a line direction and positioned within a predetermined distance from the target line; and an adjusting unit for performing at least one of removing an extracted line from a scanning object, changing the radiation output value of an extracted line to a value lower than an initial value, and changing the scanning speed of an extracted line to a value greater than an initial value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for generating a scanning instruction for visible information which is formed on a recording medium by scanning a laser.
2. Description of the Related Art
A technology of writing characters and symbols onto a medium such as a paper sheet with a laser is put in practical use. As it has become possible to render characters on a medium such as a sheet, it has become easy to render characters onto labels of containers at factories. Furthermore, rewritable type heat-sensitive paper (hereinafter, "rewritable paper") on which rendering and erasing can be repeatedly performed, is put in practical use. For example, considering a container used in physical distribution, the destination of the same container may not always be the same, and therefore if characters on a label are erased and new characters are rendered while the label remains pasted on the container, the need of replacing labels can be significantly reduced.
However, rewritable paper is characterized in that a color is erased by heat of a certain temperature, and a color appears when heat of a higher temperature is applied. However, when excessive thermal load is applied, the rewritable paper becomes altered, and deterioration may occur, such as the shelf life may be reduced or the erasing may not be completely performed. Excessive thermal load is applied when heat is additionally applied to a part that already has high temperature. On a label, excessive thermal load is apt to be applied at parts where characters and symbols intersect or where adjacent parallel lines are formed for filling in an area.
FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a character rendered on rewritable paper. In FIG. 24, a Japanese katakana character "nu" is rendered. The Japanese character "nu" includes a turning edge point 320 and an intersection point 310. At the intersection point 310, the laser is radiated again at the same position while there is remaining heat of the stroke rendered immediately before the present stroke, and therefore the temperature of the intersection point 310 is further increased. Furthermore, at the turning edge point 320, due to the impact of the inertia of the mirror for controlling the direction of radiating a laser, the laser is radiated for a relatively long time, and therefore the temperature at the turning edge point 320 increases.
Accordingly, when a laser radiating device radiates a laser beam on rewritable paper, there are cases where control is implemented to prevent an excessive thermal load from being applied (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 through 3). Patent document 1 discloses a recording method of scanning a laser beam so that a subsequent line is rendered after passing the line previously rendered, at portions where lines overlap each other. Patent Document 2 discloses a record erasing device for reducing at least one of the power and the radiating time of the laser beam radiated onto an intersecting render point when there are two lines that intersect each other. Patent Document 3 discloses a recording method by intersection point removal, which involves not radiating a laser beam for one of overlapping render lines at a portion where render lines of a character overlap.
On rewritable paper, at portions other than portions where a laser beam has been radiated, a color may also be formed due to residual heat.
FIG. 25 illustrates the impact of residual heat when the intervals between lines are narrow. Arrows in FIG. 25 indicate the scanning positions and scanning directions of laser beams. The light spots (radiation parts) of laser beams are extremely small, but at portions other than the radiated portions, a color may also be formed due to residual heat. As shown in FIG. 25, the space between line 1 and line 2 is narrower than the space between line 2 and line 3. When a space is as narrow as the space between line 1 and line 2, the lines contact each other due to residual heat, which reduces the legibility of the render object. Furthermore, the temperature may increase at the portions where color is formed due to the residual heat of the two lines.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-306063    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3990891    Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-179135

Information processing apparatus, system, and information processing method


A camshaft having a tubular steel shaft and a sintered cam piece joined to the shaft. The sintered cam piece has iron tetroxide film at its surface. The camshaft is produced by assembling a powder compact to the steel shaft to provide a camshaft assembly, sintering the assembly to provide an integral assembly, correcting bending to the assembly, annealing the assembly, grinding the cam piece and effecting vaporization treatment to the assembly at a temperature lower than the annealing temperature.

The present invention relates to a sintered camshaft for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for producing the camshaft.
A sintered camshaft is known in which a sintered cam piece is joined to a steel pipe in order to provide a light weight structure with having high wear resistance and capable of sustaining high planar pressure and high load.
In this case, in order to improve initial break-in property and wear resistivity of the cam portion, a phosphate film treatment is effected at relatively low temperature, or nitriding treatment is effected or vaporization treatment at relatively high temperature.
In the above described sintered camshaft, if a large amount of alloy components such as Cr is contained in order to improve the wear resistivity, formation of the phosphate film may be interrupted by the alloy component when performing the phosphate film treatment, and therefore, the desired effect is not attained.
On the other hand, if nitriding treatment or vaporization treatment is effected in the cam shaft production process, two separate bending correction steps must be required. That is, in the sintered camshaft, after the cam piece formed of ferrous sintering compositions is assembled to a steel pipe, the assembly is subjected to sintering and diffusion bonding which is simultaneously carried out between the pipe and the cam piece within a sintering furnace. In this case, since the camshaft assembly is positioned within the high temperature furnace, deformation or bending may occur in the pipe. Therefore, after sintering in the sintering furnace, bending correction must be carried out to provide a linear orientation of the shaft. However, after the nitriding treatment or vaporization treatment at high temperature subsequent to the sintering step and grinding step to the cam piece, the bending is again provided since an internal stress remains in the pipe due to the first bending correction step. Therefore, additional bending correction is required after the grinding step. The second bending correction after the termination of the camshaft production requires high accuracy. And if it is impossible to effect the second bending correction, the finally obtained camshaft provided through the various production steps is deemed to be unacceptable commercial use, so that productivity of the cam shaft becomes remarkably lowered.
In order to remove internal stress due to the first bending correction step, an annealing and subsequent nitriding treatment has been proposed as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 63-162852. This annealing is carried out for the purpose of removing the internal stress without application of any physical force such as the first bending correction. However, in the case of the sintered camshaft, a surface layer of the cam piece may be peeled off at high load operation if the camshaft is subjected to the nitriding treatment.
Therefore, a camshaft is provided in which a film of iron tetroxide (Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4) is formed by the vaporization treatment. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 58-3901, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,563 discloses a method for forming a film of iron tetroxide on a cam shaft which employs ferrous alloy powders containing relatively large amounts of Cr and Cu. In this method, thin films are sufficiently formed under a reduced pressure condition on a surface of the sintered body and around sintering pores. However, the cam may be easily worn out if an excessive amount of iron tetroxide film is formed.


An electromechanical switch mounted on head gear at an angle to the horizontal and wired to a control unit placed adjacent to a golfer's ear, adjustable for each particular golfer based on personal golf swing, capable of producing an audible sound at a predetermined time during a golfer's swing and self resetting after the tone is sounded to teach consistency of swing and optimum head movement during swing. The audible sound is produced only upon proper rotational movement of the golfer's head due to the angled positioning of the switch.

This invention relates to a device for monitoring the movement of a golf player during a golf swing for the purpose of enabling a golfer to improve such swing.
The provision of devices mounted on the headdress of a golfer to monitor angular motion while executing a golf swing is already well known in the art. Motion monitoring devices mounted on a hat or cap worn by the player are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,025,064, 3,156,211, 4,272,764 and 4,502,035. Head-mounted motion sensing devices are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,191,683 and 3,063,721. The devices disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,272,764 and 4,502,035 to Hare et al and Openouf et al respectively function to inhibit sleep and inform the golfer that corrections are needed during the swing.
The prior art in general and the disclosures in all of the foregoing prior patents in particular lack facilities for accommodating the swing dynamics peculiar to each individual golfer in order to inform the golfer that an optimum head motion profile has been achieved based on parameters affected by speed, strength, rotation and swing style of the individual golfer.
It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide a head-mounted motion monitoring device for golfers which is infinitely adjustable so as to accommodate golf swing parameters for the individual golfer in order to provide an indication of the establishment of an optimum motion profile for the individual golfer.

Golf swing head movement monitoring apparatus


A head-mounted device (HMD) is configured to perform depth detection with a stereo camera pair comprising a first camera and a second camera, both of which are configured to detect/capture visible light and IR light. The fields of view for both of the cameras overlap to form an overlapping field of view. The HMD also includes an IR dot-pattern illuminator that is mounted on the HMD with the cameras and that is configured to emit an IR dot-pattern illumination. The IR dot-pattern illuminator emits a dot-pattern illumination that spans at least a part of the overlapping field of view. The IR dot-pattern illumination adds texture to objects in the environment and enables the HMD to determine depth for those objects, even if they have textureless/smooth surfaces.

Mixed-reality systems, including virtual-reality and augmented-reality systems, have received significant attention because of their ability to create truly unique experiences for their users. For reference, conventional virtual-reality (VR) systems create a completely immersive experience by restricting their users' views to only a virtual environment. This is often achieved through the use of a head-mounted device (HMD) that completely blocks any view of the real world. As a result, a user is entirely immersed within the virtual environment. In contrast, conventional augmented-reality (AR) systems create an augmented-reality experience by visually presenting virtual objects that are placed in or that interact with the real world.
As used herein, VR and AR systems are described and referenced interchangeably. Unless stated otherwise, the descriptions herein apply equally to all types of mixed-reality systems, which (as detailed above) includes AR systems, VR reality systems, and/or any other similar system capable of displaying virtual objects.
The disclosed mixed-reality systems use one or more on-body devices (e.g., the HMD, a handheld device, etc.). The HMD provides a display that enables a user to view overlapping and/or integrated visual information in whatever environment the user is in, be it a VR environment or an AR environment. By way of example, as shown in FIG. 1, a mixed-reality system may present virtual content to a user in the form of a simulated vase resting on a real table surface.
Continued advances in hardware capabilities and rendering technologies have greatly improved how mixed-reality systems render virtual objects. However, the process of immersing a user into a mixed-reality environment creates many challenges, difficulties, and costs, particularly with regard to determining three-dimensional spatial information around the user and tracking a user's movement so the visual display information can be correctly presented to the user.
For instance, by way of example, conventional HMD systems require separate/additional hardware for performing depth detection, from the hardware that is required to perform head tracking. This additional hardware adds to the overall cost, weight, battery consumption and size of the HMD systems.
Additionally, conventional passive stereo depth detection systems fail to adequately determine the depth of a textureless (aka smooth) surface (e.g., a wall) in a mixed-reality environment because those systems fail to adequately distinguish one part of the textureless/smooth surface from another part. As such, there is a substantial need to improve how depth is detected, especially for textureless/smooth surfaced objects in mixed-reality environments.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided only to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Active stereo matching for depth applications


A control method and apparatus to reduce current through a DC capacitor linking two converters causes the value of the DC-side current output of the first converter to approach the value of the DC-side input current into the second converter, thus minimizing the DC capacitor current which is equal to the difference between the output current from the first converter and the input current into the second converter.

The invention relates generally to AC power converters, typically in AC power supplies used to drive AC motors which use one or more power cells having a first converter to convert input AC power into an intermediate DC link, a capacitor connected across the intermediate DC link for smoothing, and a second converter to convert the DC power into output AC power. More particularly, the invention relates to a control method to reduce the current through the capacitor in the link between the two converters.
A power supply to control the flow of energy between a first AC system at a first frequency and first voltage and first phase count and a second AC system at a second frequency and second voltage and second phase count is commonly required in a wide variety of industrial applications, often to control the operation of an AC motor. Conventionally, such a power supply is often implemented using one or more power cells consisting of two solid state converters connected by an intermediate DC link, typically including a DC filter capacitor for smoothing. Most commonly, the phase count in both AC systems is three, but the phase counts can have any integral value, and can be different in the two AC systems.
The size of the DC filter capacitor is dependent on two factors. First, the capacitor chosen must be capable of carrying the r.m.s. current imposed on it. Second, the capacitor chosen must provide enough capacitance to hold the ripple on the DC voltage within the design limits for the application. Both of these factors can be reduced if the capacitor current is reduced. Since the DC filter capacitor is usually one of the largest and most expensive components in the power cell, it is very desirable to minimize its size and cost.
A control method and apparatus according to the invention can reduce the current through the DC filter capacitor in the link between two static converters within a power cell, thus permitting the size and cost of the capacitor to be reduced. Each static converter controls the flow of power between its AC-side and its DC-side. The capacitor current is equal to the difference between the DC-side current from the first converter and the DC-side current into the second converter. Therefore the capacitor current will be minimized if the two converter DC-side currents are caused to be as nearly equal as possible. The DC-side current into the second converter is normally determined by the requirements of the application, and therefore cannot be controlled. In such cases the capacitor current will be minimized if the DC-side current from the first converter is caused to be generally equal to the DC-side current into the second converter. Each of the two converter DC-side currents contain a steady component and one or more alternating components. The steady components will automatically be equal because no steady current can flow through the DC filter capacitor. Therefore, the alternating components should be caused to match as closely as possible. Some of the alternating components of the second converter DC-side current will be related to the switching frequency of the semiconductors in the second converter. If the first converter has a similar switching frequency, it generally may not be possible to match these components. This is because the control bandwidth of a switched-mode converter is always significantly lower than the switching frequency. However, other alternating components of the second converter DC-side current will generally be related to the operating frequency of the second AC system. If these components are sufficiently lower in frequency than the switching frequency of the first converter, then it can be possible to match these components.
The switching frequency of the first converter generally must be significantly greater than the operating frequency of the second AC system. A circuit for the first converter can be a pulse-width modulated (PWM) converter, which has a switching frequency that is independent of the operating frequency.
Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrating certain embodiments thereof.

Control method and apparatus to reduce current through DC capacitor linking two static converters


The present disclosure is directed generally to switch mode power supplies operating in a master-slave configuration and provides a method of synchronizing the PWM outputs from the master and slave devices to avoid problems such, for example, as the generation of beat frequencies.

There is a general demand for lower voltage, increased efficiency, high resolution and faster responses from power supplies. A generally recognized solution to this problem is the provision of multiple power supply devices on a single circuit board or more generally across multiple locations, for example, within a single computing device such as a server.
It is generally recognized that it is advantageous to have these multiple power supplies synchronized together to avoid problems such as beat frequencies and large output current ripple. To achieve synchronization between devices a number of different techniques have been developed.
These developed techniques include the approach of driving all the of the power supplies with a common clock. A problem with this approach is that it necessitates the provision of a relatively high speed clock signal possibly over a significant distance on a circuit which may be subject to noise and interference and/or indeed may generate same for other devices on the circuit board.
Another approach is to reduce the clock frequency of the master by a particular integer divisor to generate a sync signal and to multiply the sync signal by a corresponding integer multiple upon arrival at the slave side. A disadvantage of this approach is that in the event that there is no sync signal, e.g. where the master device malfunctions, then the slave circuit will not function. Another disadvantage is that an additional signal is required to phase align the master and slave PWM signals.
To solve this problem, it is known to employ a clock circuit within slave devices and to switch between the clock of the slave device and the clock signal generated from the master. This switch between the slave clock and the clock signal generated from the master may occur in response to the detection of the presence of the sync signal. The difficulty with this approach is that the transition between the two modes of operation is unpredictable and glitches such as the generation of multiple switching pulses in a given switching cycle from the slave PWM circuit may occur at the time of switchover. Another difficulty that can arise in these configurations is that if the sync signal from the master is lost or strays outside its normal operating range the slave circuit may fail to function either for a brief period or until the power is reset.

Pulse width modulation synchronization of switched mode power converters


Techniques are described herein for improving performance of machine learning model(s) and thresholds utilized in determining whether automated assistant function(s) are to be initiated. A method includes: receiving, via one or more microphones of a client device, audio data that captures a spoken utterance of a user; processing the audio data using a machine learning model to generate a predicted output that indicates a probability of one or more hotwords being present in the audio data; determining that the predicted output satisfies a secondary threshold that is less indicative of the one or more hotwords being present in the audio data than is a primary threshold; in response to determining that the predicted output satisfies the secondary threshold, prompting the user to indicate whether or not the spoken utterance includes a hotword; receiving, from the user, a response to the prompting; and adjusting the primary threshold based on the response.

Humans can engage in human-to-computer dialogs with interactive software applications referred to herein as "automated assistants" (also referred to as "digital agents," "interactive personal assistants," "intelligent personal assistants," "assistant applications," "conversational agents," etc.). For example, humans (which when they interact with automated assistants may be referred to as "users") may provide commands and/or requests to an automated assistant using spoken natural language input (i.e., utterances), which may in some cases be converted into text and then processed, by providing textual (e.g., typed) natural language input, and/or through touch and/or utterance free physical movement(s) (e.g., hand gesture(s), eye gaze, facial movement, etc.). An automated assistant responds to a request by providing responsive user interface output (e.g., audible and/or visual user interface output), controlling one or more smart devices, and/or controlling one or more function(s) of a device implementing the automated assistant (e.g., controlling other application(s) of the device).
As mentioned above, many automated assistants are configured to be interacted with via spoken utterances. To preserve user privacy and/or to conserve resources, automated assistants refrain from performing one or more automated assistant functions based on all spoken utterances that are present in audio data detected via microphone(s) of a client device that implements (at least in part) the automated assistant. Rather, certain processing based on spoken utterances occurs only in response to determining certain condition(s) are present.
For example, many client devices, that include and/or interface with an automated assistant, include a hotword detection model. When microphone(s) of such a client device are not deactivated, the client device can continuously process audio data detected via the microphone(s), using the hotword detection model, to generate predicted output that indicates whether one or more hotwords (inclusive of multi-word phrases) are present, such as "Hey Assistant," "OK Assistant," and/or "Assistant." When the predicted output indicates that a hotword is present, any audio data that follows within a threshold amount of time (and optionally that is determined to include voice activity) can be processed by one or more on-device and/or remote automated assistant components such as speech recognition component(s), voice activity detection component(s), etc. Further, recognized text (from the speech recognition component(s)) can be processed using natural language understanding engine(s) and/or action(s) can be performed based on the natural language understanding engine output. The action(s) can include, for example, generating and providing a response and/or controlling one or more application(s) and/or smart device(s)). However, when predicted output indicates that a hotword is not present, corresponding audio data will be discarded without any further processing, thereby conserving resources and user privacy.
Some automated assistants additionally or alternatively implement a continued conversation mode that can be enabled. When enabled, the continued conversation mode can process any spoken input that is detected via microphone(s) of a client device within a threshold amount of time of a prior spoken utterance directed to the automated assistant and/or within a threshold amount of time after the automated assistant has performed action(s) based on the prior spoken utterance. For example, a user can initially invoke the automated assistant (e.g., via hotword, a hardware or software button, etc.) and provided an initial utterance of "turn on living room lights", then shortly after provide a follow-on utterance of "turn on the kitchen lights". The follow-on utterance will be acted upon by the automated assistant when continued conversation mode is enabled, without necessitating the user again invoke the assistant.
Continued conversation mode can discriminate between follow-on utterances of a user that are intended for processing by the automated assistant and utterance(s) that are not so intended (e.g., utterances that are instead directed to another human). In doing so, audio data capturing the follow-up utterance can be processed using a machine learning model, optionally along with recognized text from the follow-up utterance and/or representation(s) thereof (e.g., natural language understanding data generated based on the recognized text). Predicted output is generated based on the processing, and indicates whether the follow-up utterance is intended for the automated assistant. Further automated assistant function(s) are activated only when the predicted output indicates the follow-up utterance is intended for the automated assistant. Otherwise, the further automated assistant function(s) are not activated, and data corresponding to the follow-up utterance is discarded. The further function(s) can include, for example, further verification that the follow-up utterance is intended for the automated assistant and/or performing action(s) based on the follow-up utterance.
The above-mentioned and/or other machine learning models (e.g., additional machine learning models described below), whose predicted output dictates whether automated assistant function(s) are activated, perform well in many situations. However, there are still occurrences of false negative determinations and false positive determinations based on the machine learning model(s).
With a false negative, the predicted output dictates that the automated assistant function(s) not be activated, despite the audio data (and/or other data), processed to generate the predicted output, being appropriate for activating those function(s). For example, assume the predicted output generated using a hotword detection model is a probability and the probability must be greater than 0.85 before the automated assistant function(s) are activated. If a spoken utterance indeed includes the hotword, but the predicted output generated based on processing audio data is only 0.82, the function(s) will not be activated and this will be considered a false negative. Occurrences of false negatives can prolong the human/automated assistant interaction, forcing the human to repeat the utterance (and/or perform other action(s)) that were initially intended to activate automated assistant functions.
With a false positive, the predicted output dictates that the automated assistant function(s) be activated, despite the audio data (and/or other sensor data), processed to generate the predicted output, being inappropriate for activating those function(s). For example, assume the predicted output generated using a hotword detection model is a probability and the probability must be greater than 0.85 before the automated assistant function(s) are activated. If a spoken utterance does not include the hotword, but the predicted output generated based on processing audio data is 0.86, the function(s) will still be activated and this will be considered a false positive. In addition to privacy concerns, occurrences of false positives can waste network and/or computational resources by needlessly activating the function(s).

User mediation for hotword/keyword detection


A field device for determining or monitoring a physical or chemical process variable in automation technology, comprising at least one transmitting/receiving element, wherein an FPGA component is provided, the transmitting/receiving element is configured in the form of a spiral from existing internal connecting lines of the FPGA component, and the spiral of the transmitting/receiving element transmits data inductively to a second transmitting/receiving element in the form of a spiral.

In automation technology, data transmission often occurs via electrical current circuits, which are galvanically isolated from one another, respectively galvanically decoupled. Since, in the case of galvanically isolated connections, electrical potentials are isolated from one another, one speaks also of potential-free connections. Important is the application of galvanically isolated, electrical current circuits especially in field devices, such as sensors, actuators, valves, etc., in explosion endangered areas.
A known method for data transmission involves the so-called print transformer. In the case of print, or also spiral or planar, transformers, used as transformer are two spiral shaped, conductive traces arranged lying opposite one another in or on a circuit board. Transmission of the data occurs via inductive coupling, whereby galvanic isolation is assured. A corresponding solution is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,852,186 B2.
Print transformers are often also applied in integrated circuits. They can be integrated relatively simply into the metal plies.

Field device for determining or monitoring a physical or chemical process variable in automation technology


A graphics system comprises a rendering unit, a sample buffer and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The rendering unit receives graphics data specifying three triangle vertices, generates sample positions, and determines which samples reside inside the triangle. The rendering unit computes an axial rate of change of an ordinate based on the positions and ordinates of the vertices, and, for each sample residing inside the triangle, (a) multiplies the axial rate by a edge-relative sample displacement resulting in a first product, (b) interpolates a projection value for a projection point on a first edge of the triangle, and (c) adds the first product to the projection value resulting in a sample ordinate value. The sample buffer stores the sample ordinate value the samples inside the triangle. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit reads sample ordinate values from the sample buffer and generates a pixel value by filtering the sample ordinate values.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of digital signal processing and, more particularly, to a system and method for interpolating sample values based on known values at the vertices of a triangle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art graphics systems have typically partitioned objects into a stream of triangles. Each triangle may comprise three vertices with assigned color values. To generate color values for pixels residing inside a triangle, an interpolation may be performed based on the position of each pixel with respect to the triangle vertices. Many prior art techniques for this interpolation have operated under the assumption that the pixel positions lie on a rectangular grid. If the pixels do not lie on a rectangular grid, such prior art techniques may not be as useful or may operate with degraded efficiency. Therefore, a graphics system and method are desired which may provide interpolation of ordinate values (e.g. color values) for pixels (and/or samples) which do not necessarily lie on a rectangular grid.
A graphics system may, in one embodiment, comprise a rendering unit, a sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The rendering unit may comprise one or more processors (e.g. DSP chips), dedicated hardware, or any combination thereof. The rendering unit may be configured to receive graphics data including three vertices defining a triangle. The rendering unit may generate sample positions in a two-dimensional screen space, and may determine which of the samples resides inside the triangle. The samples positions may be generated according to a perturbed regular sample-positioning scheme, a pseudo-random perturbed regular sample-positioning scheme, etc.
In some embodiments, the rendering unit may be configured to compute a first axial rate of change of a first ordinate based on the three vertices, and, for each sample residing inside the triangle, (a) to multiply the first axial rate by an edge-relative sample displacement resulting in a first product, (b) to interpolate a first projection value for a projection point on a first edge of the triangle, and (c) to add the first product to the first projection value resulting in the sample ordinate value. The projection point on the first edge may have the same major axis coordinate as the sample point. The first edge may be the edge of the triangle which has the largest major axis displacement.
The sample buffer may be configured to store the first sample ordinate value for each of the samples inside the triangle. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit may be configured to read one or more of the first sample ordinate values from the sample buffer, to generate a pixel value by filtering (e.g. convolving) the one or more first sample ordinate values, and to supply the pixel value to a display device.
The rendering unit may compute the first axial rate by (1) determining a change in the first ordinate between an opposing vertex not on the first edge and an auxiliary point on the first edge having an identical first axis coordinate as the opposing vertex, (2) determining a coordinate change along a second axis between the opposing vertex and the auxiliary point, and (3) multiplying the first ordinate change by the reciprocal of the second axis coordinate change.
The first ordinate change of (1) above may be determined by interpolating an auxiliary ordinate value for the auxiliary point based on a first vertex and a second vertex terminating the first edge and, and subtracting the auxiliary ordinate value from an opposing ordinate value of the opposing vertex.
The rendering unit may interpolate the first projection value for the projection point by (i) computing a first difference between a first coordinate of the projection point and a first coordinate of a first vertex of the first edge, (ii) multiplying the first difference by a first scaling factor resulting in a second difference, and (iii) adding the second difference to a root ordinate value corresponding to the first vertex. The first scaling factor may be computed by determining an ordinate change between a second vertex of the first edge and the first vertex, determining a second difference between a first coordinate of the second vertex and the first coordinate of the first vertex, and multiplying the ordinate change by the reciprocal of the second difference.
The rendering unit may be configured to determine if each sample resides inside the triangle by computing edge-relative displacements between the sample and the three edges of the triangle. Thus, the first sample displacement mentioned above may be the edge-relative displacement for the first edge.
In one set of embodiments, the rendering unit may be configured to compute a first minor axis ordinate difference along a minor axis of the triangle. The rendering unit may compute a sample ordinate value for each sample inside the triangle by:
(a) computing a minor axis positional fraction corresponding to the first sample;
(b) multiplying the minor axis positional fraction by the first minor axis ordinate difference to generate a first product; and
(c) adding the first product to one or more ordinate adjustment values to generate the first sample ordinate value.
The rendering unit may compute the first minor axis ordinate difference by interpolating an auxiliary ordinate value for an auxiliary point on a first edge of the triangle, and subtracting the auxiliary ordinate value from an ordinate value of an opposing vertex not on the first edge. The auxiliary point may have the same major axis coordinate as the opposing vertex.
The minor axis positional fraction corresponding to the first sample may be computed by subtracting a minor axis coordinate of the auxiliary point from the minor axis coordinate of the opposing vertex to generate a minor axis positional difference; and multiplying a first minor axis sample displacement corresponding to the first sample by a reciprocal of the minor axis positional difference to generate the minor axis positional fraction. The first minor axis sample displacement may equal a minor axis coordinate of said first sample minus a minor axis coordinate of a projection point on the first edge.
The rendering unit may be further configured to compute a first edge ordinate difference for a first edge of the triangle, and to compute the first sample ordinate value for the first sample inside the triangle by: (d) computing a major axis positional fraction corresponding to the first sample; and (e) multiplying the major axis positional fraction by the first edge ordinate difference to generate a first one of said one or more ordinate adjustment values. The ordinate value of a first vertex bounding the first edge may be a second one of said one or more ordinate adjustment values.
The first edge ordinate difference may be computed by subtracting an ordinate value for the first vertex from an ordinate value of a second vertex bounding the first edge. Furthermore, the major axis positional fraction corresponding to the first sample may be computed by: subtracting a major axis coordinate of the first vertex from a major axis coordinate of a second vertex bounding the first edge to generate a first edge major displacement; subtracting a major axis coordinate of the first vertex from a major axis coordinate of the first sample to generate a sample-relative major axis displacement; and multiplying the sample-relative major axis displacement by the reciprocal of the first edge major displacement.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cordinatexe2x80x9d refers to any attribute value such as red, green, blue or alpha which is to be determined at sample (or pixel) positions internal to a polygon based on the corresponding attributes values assigned to the polygon vertices.

Interpolating sample values from known triangle vertex values


A system may include a sensor having a variable phase response, a dummy impedance having a known phase response, and a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to measure first phase information associated with the sensor, measure second phase information associated with the dummy impedance, and determine a phase response of the measurement circuit based on a comparison of the first phase information to the second phase information.

Many traditional mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, personal digital assistants, video game controllers, etc.) include mechanical buttons to allow for interaction between a user of a mobile device and the mobile device itself. However, such mechanical buttons are susceptible to aging, wear, and tear that may reduce the useful life of a mobile device and/or may require significant repair if malfunction occurs. Also, the presence of mechanical buttons may render it difficult to manufacture mobile devices that are waterproof. Accordingly, mobile device manufacturers are increasingly looking to equip mobile devices with virtual buttons that act as a human-machine interface allowing for interaction between a user of a mobile device and the mobile device itself. Similarly, mobile device manufacturers are increasingly looking to equip mobile devices with other virtual interface areas (e.g., a virtual slider, interface areas of a body of the mobile device other than a touch screen, etc.). Ideally, for best user experience, such virtual interface areas should look and feel to a user as if a mechanical button or other mechanical interface were present instead of a virtual button or virtual interface area.
Presently, linear resonant actuators (LRAs) and other vibrational actuators (e.g., rotational actuators, vibrating motors, etc.) are increasingly being used in mobile devices to generate vibrational feedback in response to user interaction with human-machine interfaces of such devices. Typically, a sensor (traditionally a force or pressure sensor) detects user interaction with the device (e.g., a finger press on a virtual button of the device) and in response thereto, the linear resonant actuator may vibrate to provide feedback to the user. For example, a linear resonant actuator may vibrate in response to user interaction with the human-machine interface to mimic to the user the feel of a mechanical button click.
However, there is a need in the industry for sensors to detect user interaction with a human-machine interface, wherein such sensors provide acceptable levels of sensor sensitivity, power consumption, and size.

Phase compensation in a resonant phase detector


The invention pertains to an aqueous cross-linkable polymer composition comprising: W

The present invention pertains to aqueous cross-linkable polymer compositions for use in coatings and to a process for preparing the same.
Due to increasingly stringent environmental regulations concerning the allowable content of volatile organic compounds in coatings, major efforts have been made to minimize the use of organic co-solvents in water borne coatings based on acrylic binders. However, in water borne coatings that use acrylic polymers as the main binder, the final hardness after curing of an applied coating film is often limited by the amount of organic co-solvent in the coating formulation. The organic solvent is required to lower the film-formation temperature in order to ensure proper coalescence of the polymer particles during the film-forming process. For some coating applications a minimal hardness is required, for example, if a high blocking resistance or scratch resistance is important. The hardness can be increased by raising the glass transition temperature of the acrylic polymer. However, when this coating is applied and dried at ambient temperature this often leads to poor film formation because of the limited amount of coalescing aid allowed. This poor film formation results in reduced gloss, low chemical resistance, and weathering.
Attempts have been made to lower the necessary content of volatile organic compounds in coatings by using two-component coating systems. In order to increase hardness, the two components should cross-link, for which a cross-linker is needed. Such cross-linkers, e.g., polyaziridine or polyisocyanate, often have a toxic nature. Two-component coating systems also show the general drawback that after mixing of the two components the pot life is limited.
A composition and a process of the type according to the opening paragraph are known from PCT patent application WO 95/29944. This publication discloses a process for the production of an aqueous polymer composition for use as a coating with improved hardness and low film forming temperature. Use is made of a cross-linking agent which links the first, water-soluble polymer with the second, hydrophobic polymer. The cross-linking agent reacts by condensation. The lower the water concentration, the more this reaction takes place. It was found that the cross-linking reaction proceeds relatively slowly and begins only after evaporation of all the water in the film. As a result, the early hardness and water resistance are relatively low.
European patent application EP-A 0 587 333 discloses a water-resistant polymer dispersion containing a carboxylated water-soluble polymer which is neutralized and solubilized with, e.g., ammonia. An alkali-insoluble emulsion polymer is prepared in the presence of the water-soluble first polymer. The alkali-insoluble polymer may contain an amine functionality. The composition may comprise a water-soluble polymer with an amine functionality, which serves to neutralize the soluble polymer, as an alternative for the ammonia. During preparation, the two stages are grafted together. Metal ions may be incorporated into the monomer mixture so as to create ionic metal/carboxylate cross-links. The water-soluble stage polymer remains susceptible to bases, which may cause resolubilization when a second layer of paint is applied. The hydrophobic polymer remains thermoplastic and does not cross-link, so that after application the resulting coating film shows a limited hardness.
A common problem with aqueous polymer compositions comprising polymer dispersions with polymers having carboxylic acid-functional groups, is their poor water resistance and poor recoatability, since the water-soluble polymer will easily redissolve in the presence of water or, when a second layer of water-borne paint is applied, under the influence of the present neutralizing base.
The object of the present invention is a polymer composition which can be used as a binder in water borne coatings with a low content of volatile organic compounds, which shows rapid hardness development and good film formation. Another object of the present invention is a process for making such a composition.
This object of the invention is achieved with a composition of the above-described type, wherein the composition further comprises a water-soluble third polymer with an amine functionality.
One embodiment of the invention relates to an aqueous cross-linkable polymer composition comprising:
a) a water-soluble first polymer comprising acid groups, wherein said first polymer is at least partially neutralized with a volatile base;
b) a dispersion of a substantially water-insoluble second polymer, said second polymer comprising carbonyl-functional groups; said second polymer produced by emulsion polymerization in the presence of an aqueous solution of the first polymer;
c) a cross-linking agent capable of undergoing a condensation reaction with the carbonyl-functional groups of the second polymer; and
d) a water-soluble, amine-functional third polymer.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing such an aqueous polymer composition.
More specifically, the present invention pertains to an aqueous cross-linkable polymer composition comprising:
a) a first polymer, which comprises acid groups and is made water-soluble by the addition of a volatile base;
b) a dispersion of a second polymer, which comprises carbonyl-functional groups and which is water-insoluble;
c) a cross-linking agent which can react by condensation with the carbonyl-functional groups of the second polymer; and
d) a third polymer, which is water-soluble and has an amine functionality.
As a result, two different cross-linking reactions will occur after application of the composition according to the invention as a coating. Upon evaporation of the volatile base used to at least partially neutralize the acid groups of the water-soluble first polymer, the amine functionality of the water-soluble third polymer will form ionic bonds with the acid groups of the first polymer. The second cross-linking reaction takes place after evaporation of the water via reaction of the carbonyl-functional groups of the hydrophobic second polymer with the cross-linking agent. The first curing reaction is fast and is responsible for rapid initial hardness development. The second curing reaction is a slow covalent cross-linking and is responsible for the ultimate mechanical properties of the coating. Using a polymer composition according to the present invention, clear as well as pigmented coatings with volatile organic contents below 100 g/liter can be formulated, which have a high hardness, high gloss, high chemical resistance, and good weathering properties after curing.
Coatings comprising a polymer composition according to the present invention can be applied to various substrates, such as metal, wood, paper, cardboard, gypsum, concrete, plastic, etc. Various known application methods may be used, such as brushing, spraying, rolling, dipping, printing, etc. In particular, a polymeric composition according to the present invention can be used in pigmented coating compositions for application directly onto metal (self-priming systems) or as a primer or a top coat for metal, or as a primer, clear coat, or top coat for wood.
The object of the invention is also achieved with a process comprising the steps of:
a) preparing an aqueous solution of an acid-functional first polymer, which is made water-soluble by the addition of a volatile base;
b) preparing by emulsion polymerization in the presence of the aqueous solution of the first polymer, a dispersion of a substantially water-insoluble second polymer comprising carbonyl-functional groups;
c) adding a cross-linking agent which can react with the functional groups of the second polymer,
d) adding a third polymer with an amine functionality to the polymer dispersion after the preparation of the dispersion of the second polymer, optionally after addition of volatile base to the dispersion of the first polymer, the second polymer, and the cross-linking agent, until the pH has a value between 8 and 11.
Alternatively, after the preparation of the water-insoluble second polymer dispersion and the addition of a cross-linking agent which can react with the functional groups of the second polymer, also a third polymer with an amine functionality and a cross-linking agent can be added.
The first polymer may be obtained from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, preferably esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid such as n-butyl (meth)acrylate, methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, cycloalkyl (meth)acrylates, e.g., isobornyl (meth)acrylate and cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, or an ethylenically unsaturated compound such as styrene, e.g., normal styrene or substituted styrenes, for instance xcex1-methyl styrene or tert-butyl styrene; vinyl toluene; dienes such as 1,3-butadiene or isoprene, or mixtures thereof. Also vinyl esters, such as vinyl acetate, vinyl alkanoate or their derivatives or mixtures thereof can be used in the monomer composition. Nitriles, such as (meth)acrylonitrile, or olefinically unsaturated halides, such as vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, and vinyl fluoride can also be used. The monomer composition also contains unsaturated monomers with acid-functionality. The acid groups of the first polymer are preferably carboxylic acid groups. Unsaturated monomers with one or more carboxylic acid groups are very useful. Optionally, the acid groups are latent as, for example, in maleic anhydride, where the acid-functionality is present in the form of an anhydride group. Also macromonomers comprising one or more carboxylic acid-functional groups can be used. Preferably, monomers such as (meth)acrylic acid are used. Other possible carboxylic acid-functional monomers are oligomerized acrylic acids such as xcex2-carboxyethylacrylate and its higher analogues (commercially available from Rhodia as Sipomer B-CEA), itaconic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, citraconic acid, dimeric acrylic acid, or the anhydrides thereof. Besides monomers having carboxylic acid-functionality also monomers possessing a further acid-functional group besides the carboxylic one can be present in the monomer composition, such as sulfonic acid groups, by the copolymerization of monomers such as ethylmethacrylate-2-sulfonic acid or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, phosphoric or phosphonic groups obtained from monomers such as 2-methyl-2-propenoic acid ethyl-2-phosphate ester (HEMA-phosphate), (1-phenylvinyl)phosphonic acid, or (2-phenylvinyl)-phosphonic acid. Other monomers possessing a further functional group besides the acidic one can also be present in the monomer composition. Examples of such monomers are hydroxy-functional monomers such as hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylamide or derivatives of (meth)acrylamide such as N-methylol (meth)acrylamide and diacetone acrylamide. Also the adducts of hydroxy-functional monomers with ethylene or propylene oxide can be present in the monomer composition.
Preferably, the water-soluble first polymer is a copolymer obtainable by emulsion polymerization of styrene, (meth)acrylic acid, and one or more other (co)monomers, e.g., (meth)acrylic esters and/or (meth)acrylamide derivatives. The term xe2x80x9c(meth)acrylxe2x80x9d means xe2x80x9cacrylxe2x80x9d and/or xe2x80x9cmethacryl.xe2x80x9d
Preferably, the water-soluble first polymer further comprises carbonyl-functional groups, which may be keto or aldo groups. As a result, covalent cross-linking will take place with the water-soluble first polymer as well as with the water-insoluble polymer. Preferably, the carbonyl-functional groups are introduced into the water-soluble first polymer by copolymerizing diacetone acrylamide.
The preparation of the water-soluble first polymer can be carried out by means of various techniques, such as solution polymerization, bulk polymerization or emulsion polymerization.
The number average molecular weight of the water-soluble first polymer preferably is between 750 and 15,000. More preferably, the number average molecular weight is between 2,000 and 12,000, most preferably between 5,000 and 9,000. Chain transfer agents, such as mercaptans, can be used to control the number average molecular weight of the polymer.
Preferably, the volatile base is ammonia. Other suitable bases are, for example, volatile amines, such as aminomethylpropanol, dimethylethanolamine or 2-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1-propanol, triethylamine or monoethanolamine. Optionally, a mixture of different volatile bases can be used.
The water-insoluble second polymer may be a homo- or copolymer prepared using esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid such as methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)-acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, isobornyl (meth)-acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate or an ethylenically unsaturated compound such as styrene, vinyl toluene or xcex1-methyl styrene, o-, m-, and p-methylstyrene, o-, m-, and p-ethylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene, and p-bromostyrene. Also vinyl esters such as vinyl alkanoates (for example the vinyl esters of versatic acids, which are commercially available under the trademark VeoVa 9, VeoVa 10 and VeoVa 11, ex Shell Chemicals), and vinyl acetate and its derivatives; vinyl halides such as vinyl chloride; vinylidene halides such as vinylidene chloride; dienes such as 1,3-butadiene, and isoprene can be used in the monomer composition. The monomer composition can also contain minor amounts of carboxylic acid-functional monomers such as (meth)acrylic acid and monomers possessing a second functional group such as amino or ethylene ureido groups. The carbonyl-functional groups of the hydrophobic second polymer are preferably based on aldo or keto groups for imparting cross-linking through the formation of covalent bonds. Specific monomers that can be used in the copolymerization to introduce these groups include, but are not limited to, (meth)acrolein, diacetone acrylamide, formyl styrol, diacetone acrylate, acetonitrile acrylate, diacetone methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate acetyl acetate, butanediol-1,4 acrylate acetyl acetate, or a vinyl alkyl ketone, e.g., vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone or vinyl butyl ketone.
Very good results are obtained if both the water-soluble first polymer and the water-insoluble second polymer are prepared by copolymerizing diacetone acrylamide monomer with the other monomers. In this case, the carbonyl-functional groups of the first and the second polymer will be the carbonyl groups of the polymerization product of diacetone acrylamide monomer with the other monomers, such as those mentioned herein.
The hydrophobic second polymer may be, and is preferably, prepared by emulsion polymerization in the presence of an aqueous solution of the water-soluble first polymer. Additional emulsifying agents can be used.
Emulsifying agents that can be used for the emulsion polymerization of the water-soluble first polymer and/or the water-insoluble second polymer are, for example, anionic and/or non-ionic emulsifiers. Anionic emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, alkylethoxylate sulfate and sulfonate, alkylphenolethoxylate sulfate and sulfonate, alkylsulfate and sulfonate, alkylethoxylate phosphates, alkylphenol ethoxylate phosphates, alkyl phosphates, alkylaryl sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, and mixtures thereof. Non-ionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alkylphenol ethoxylates, alkyl ethoxylates, ethylene oxide block copolymers, propylene oxide block copolymers, polyethylene oxide sorbitan fatty acid esters, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the amount of emulsifying agent used is between 0.3 to 2% by weight, based on the weight of the total amount of monomer. More preferred is the use of an amount of emulsifying agent of 0.3 to 1% by weight. Preferably, no additional emulsifiers are used in the emulsion polymerization of the water-insoluble second polymer if the water-soluble first polymer is also prepared by emulsion polymerization.
In a preferred embodiment of the composition according to the invention, the weight ratio of the first, water-soluble polymer to the second, hydrophobic polymer is between 60/40 and 5/95, more preferably between 35/65 and 15/85.
If the water-soluble first polymer and/or the water-insoluble second polymer are prepared by emulsion polymerization, the polymerization can be initiated with free-radical forming initiators such as alkali persulfate, ammonium persulfate, azo-bis-isobutyronitrile, 4,4xe2x80x2-azo-bis-cyanovaleric acid, organic (hydro)peroxides or peresters, such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide or tert-butyl perpivalate. The radicals can be formed, for instance, by heating the reaction mixture or by the use of a reducing compound, optionally combined with a metal salt. Reducing compounds are sodium pyrosulfite, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, ascorbic acid, and the like. Depending on the initiation system that is used, the reaction temperature generally is between 20 and 95xc2x0 C.
The amine-functional third polymer can be prepared, for example, by ring opening polymerization of heterocyclic monomers, such as ethanimine, 1-propanimine, azetidine, azetidine derivatives, or mixtures thereof. A suitable polyethylene imine that can be used is commercially available under the trademark Lupasol(copyright) FG or Lupasol(copyright) FC ex BASF. Alternatively, the third, amine-functional polymer can be prepared by radical polymerization of xcex1,xcex2-ethylenically unsaturated amine-functional monomers, such as dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, tert-butyl aminoethyl methacrylate, or mixtures thereof. A third possible method to produce the amine-functional third polymer is by using monomers containing a blocked amine group such as aldimine, ketimine, enamine or, preferably, oxazolidine. Mixtures of monomers containing a blocked amine group may also be used. These compounds can be hydrolyzed into primary and secondary amines. Preferably, the amine-functional third polymer is poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate). It is also preferred that the amine-functional third polymer has a number average molecular weight from 500 to 100,000, more preferably from 1,000 to 80,000. The amount of amine-functional third polymer preferably ranges from 0.1 to 5%, based on the weight of the first and second polymers.
The cross-linking agent can be a hydrazine-functional agent, preferably a hydrazide-functional agent, more preferably a dihydrazide, e.g., a dicarboxylic acid dihydrazide such as oxalic acid dihydrazide, malonic acid dihydrazide, succinic acid dihydrazide, glutaric acid dihydrazide, adipic acid dihydrazide, sebacic acid dihydrazide, maleic acid dihydrazide, fumaric acid dihydrazide, itaconic acid dihydrazide, phthalic acid dihydrazide, or terephthalic acid dihydrazide. Alternatively, the cross-linking agent can be a water-soluble aliphatic dihydrazine, such as ethylene-1,2-dihydrazine, propylene-1,3-dihydrazine, and butylene-1,4-dihydrazine, or a polyamine such as isophorone diamine or 4,7-dioxadecane-1,10-diamine. Preferably, the cross-linking agent is adipic dihydrazide.
If so desired with regard to the end use, the aqueous polymer composition of the present invention may further contain various additives such as dispersants, lubricants, anti-foaming agents, solvents, film formation aids, plasticizers, anti-freezing agents, waxes, preservatives, thickeners, etc.
The polymer composition may be used as a clear varnish or may contain pigments. Examples of pigments suitable for use are metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide or iron oxide, or other inorganic or organic pigments.

Aqueous cross-linkable polymer composition for use in coatings and process for producing the same

Abstract: a) a water-soluble first polymer comprising acid groups, which is at least partially neutralized with a volatile base;

Abstract: b) a dispersion of a substantially water-insoluble second polymer, which comprises carbonyl-functional groups, which may be produced by emulsion polymerization in the presence of an aqueous solution of the first polymer;


A projection apparatus for data eyeglasses. The projection apparatus encompasses at least one light source for emitting a light beam; and at least one holographic element, disposed or disposable on an eyeglass lens of the data eyeglasses, for projecting an image onto a retina of a user of the data eyeglasses by deflecting and/or focusing the light beam onto a eye lens of the user.

A trend expected in the future is the wearing of data eyeglasses, which can introduce virtual image information into a user's field of view. While current data eyeglasses, for example, are not transparent and thus block out the outside world, more recent concepts are taking the approach of superimposing virtual image content onto the outside world. The superimposition of virtual image content onto the outside world, which moreover is still being perceived, is referred to as "augmented reality." One application, for example, is overlaying information in the context of performing work-related activities. For example, a mechanic could view a technical drawing, or the data eyeglasses could label specific regions of a machine in color. The concept is also utilized, however, in the field of computer games or other leisure activities.

Projection device for data eyeglasses, data eyeglasses, and method for operating a projection device for data eyeglasses


Communications between a host and a peripheral may be initiated by the peripheral transmitting data at the highest support data rate to the host. If the host is able to recognize the data, the host can so indicate to the peripheral. Otherwise, the peripheral may try a lower data rate progressively decreasing the data rate until the best possible data rate is identified under current conditions. In this way, a communication link may be established in a relatively straightforward fashion that is optimal for the given current conditions.

This invention relates generally to data communications and particularly to providing relatively high speed serial communications between a receiver and a transmitter.
A variety of techniques exist for enabling a receiver and a transmitter to settle on a data communication rate between the two devices. For example, in technology currently used with 56K telephone modems, the transmitter starts at a lower data rate which is guaranteed by an applicable specification to be acceptable to the receiver. After communications have been initiated, the transmitter may step up the data rate if possible. Similarly, if in the course of data communications the receiver begins to perceive that the error rate is too high, the receiver may request that the transmitter lower the data rate. In this situation, the data communications are established at a relatively lower speed rate and then, in the course of communications, the rate may be increased or decreased.
One problem that arises in establishing the desired data rate is that prior to the establishment of the communication channel, the available communications between the receiver and the transmitter are particularly limited. This means that the receiver is unable to provide very much information to the transmitter about its ability to handle the data being provided by the transmitter until after communications have been established. This may explain why the protocol described above in connection with 56K telephone modems is utilized.
Another problem that arises in establishing the data communication rates between a transmitter and a receiver is that while the devices may have a nominal or specification data transmission rate, particular circumstances may arise at any given point in time that may change the ability of the devices to proceed at the nominal rate. For example, the receiver may be experiencing considerable line delays at a particular point in time because of operations going on at the receiver. Similarly, other conditions may affect the ability to communicate at the nominal rate. Existing techniques generally set a desired rate and only adjust that rate if, after communications have been established, it is determined that the error rate is unbearably high. Of course, this is the situation of xe2x80x9ctoo little, too latexe2x80x9d because the communications have already been impaired.
Thus, it would be desirable to have a communication protocol which enables communications to proceed at the highest possible rate as soon as possible and which accounts for the conditions which may exist at any given point in time when a communication is being initiated.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes transmitting a predetermined data pattern to a receiver at a first data rate. If the receiver does not recognize the pattern, the pattern is transmitted at a second data rate that is lower than the first data rate.
Other aspects and advantages are set forth in the accompanying detailed description and claims.


The system reuses the classic User ID & Password combination for authentication and adds a third component called a USE code for additional authorization check, as an example. This method allows access to a system when it is requested with correct User ID and Password (i.e., with correct pass code) but with an unauthorized USE code, the system identifies it as an unauthorized access and triggers the proper security measures to minimize the damage and monitor the actions in a way not to alarm the unauthorized user who is using the owner's credential to access the system. The USE Code is an extension to the pass code to raise various alarms and have a stepwise access level control based on different inputted values.

Usual secured system access is based on the requirement of two codes from the user, his/her username affected to a specific user account and a corresponding password or pass code. Both the username and the pass code define the two components of the system access data affected to a user account from that secured system. The access to the system is granted if the combination of username and pass code is valid irrespective of the situation how and/or who entered that access data.
System access data of usual pass code-secured systems are built from a 2-tuple of the components user accounts and pass code:
System access dataold=(user account, pass code)
There is no possibility to differentiate the use of system access data like avoiding a misuse of the user account once both components are disclosed.
After the disclosure of the valid system access data to the unauthorized person, misuse of the user account happens and security actions will not start until the owner is able to trigger them.
If it was a fake disclosure to avoid loss of property by providing an invalid user account/pass code combination, the owner (disclosing person) risks health, because the unauthorized user will find the access failure immediately and as a reaction the disclosing person may face immediate danger.

Method and system for identifying and processing an unauthorized access request

International Business Machines Corporation


Liquid, aqueous disinfectant preparations containing a combination of. (a) at least one microbicidal quaternary ammonium compound PA0 (b) at least one microbicidal biguanide compound and PA0 (c) at least one microbicidal phenolic compound,. components (a) and (b) being present in a ratio by weight a:b of (16 - 2); 1 while components (a) and (c) are present in a ratio by weight a:c of (16 - 2):1.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improved disinfectant preparations containing microbicidally active quaternary ammonium compounds and biguanide compounds.
2. Statement of Related Art
There are already a number of commercially available disinfectants which contain an activecomponent combination of microbicidal quaternary ammonium compounds and microbicidal biguanide compounds of the chlorhexidine type and of the oligomeric hexamethylene biguanide type. However, it has been found that there are gaps in the antimicrobial spectrum of these known disinfectants with respect to certain gramnegative bacteria and fungi. In addition, disinfectant preparations of the above type are susceptible to bacterial growths in storage and during periods of standing at the locus of use.
The problem which the present invention seeks to solve is to find improved disinfectants based on quaternary ammonium compounds and biguanide compounds which are not attended by any of the disadvantages mentioned above. This problem is solved by the disinfectant preparation described hereinafter.


An indoor dust collecting system includes an air conditioner having an indoor unit that generates an air current, a dust collector, and a controller for controlling the air current from the indoor unit. A moving body detector is provided to detect a moving body such as, for example, a person, a pet, a cleaning robot, and the like. The air current from the indoor unit is controlled by the controller based on the position of the indoor unit, the position of a spot of occurrence of dust detected by the moving body detector, and the position of the dust collector such that the air current from the indoor unit reaches the dust collector via the spot of occurrence of dust in order for the dust collector to effectively suck the dust.

A conventional dust collecting system has been proposed having a temperature control apparatus as typified by an air conditioner and a dust collector such as an air cleaner, both of which are disposed inside a room to cooperate with each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In the dust collecting system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a signal from a dirt sensor mounted on the temperature control apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "air conditioner") is sent to the air cleaner (hereinafter referred to as "dust collector") via a communicative means so that the dust collector may be brought into operation based on the signal from the dirt sensor for cooperation with the air conditioner.
Because the dust collector is provided with its own dirt sensor positioned adjacent a floor face, the dust collector can obtain information on dirt at a high level where the air conditioner is normally installed, in addition to information on dirt at a low level close to the floor face. Accordingly, the dust collector can be operated upon detection of the degree of dirt at different levels.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-267795


The present invention provides for compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing a lysosomal storage disease by administering to a patient suffering front a lysosomal storage disease a P97 conjugated with an enzyme which is capable of transportation into the lysosomes of cells on either sides of the blood brain barrier.

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) result from the absence or reduced activity of specific enzymes within the lysosomes of a cell. A large number of these enzymes have been identified and correlated with their related diseases. Once the missing or deficient enzyme has been identified, treatment can be reduced to the problem of delivering replacement enzyme (drug) to a patient's affected tissues. Within cells, the effect of the missing enzyme can be seen as an accumulation of undegraded "storage material" within the intracellular lysosome. This build-up causes lysosomes to swell and malfunction, resulting in cellular and tissue damage. As lysosomal storage diseases typically have a genetic etiology, many tissues will lack the enzyme in question. However, different tissues suffer the absence of the same enzyme differently. How adversely a tissue will be affected is determined, to some extent, by the degree to which that tissue generates the substrate of the missing enzyme. The types of tissue most burdened by storage, in turn, dictate how the drug should be administered to the patient. While intravenous enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is beneficial for LSDs (e.g. MPS I, MPS II), means for enhancing the delivery of the therapeutic enzyme to the lysosome in such diseases would be advantageous in terms of reduced cost and increased therapeutic efficacy.
In addition, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) blocks the free transfer of many agents from blood to brain. For this reason, LSDs that present with significant neurological affect (e.g. MPS III, MLD, GM1) are not expected to be as responsive to intravenous ERT. For such diseases, a method of delivering the enzyme across the BBB and into the lysosomes of the affected cells would be highly desirable.
In the early 1980's, melanotransferrin (MTf) or p97 was identified as an oncofetal antigen that was either not expressed, or only slightly expressed in normal tissues, but was found in much larger amounts in neoplastic cells (especially malignant melanoma cells) and fetal tissues (Woodbury, et al., P.N.A.S. USA, 77:2183-2187 (1980)). More recently, there have been additional reports of human MTf being identified in normal tissues, including sweat gland ducts, liver endothelial cells and the endothelium and reactive microglia of the brain (Jefferies, et al., Brain Res., 712:122-126 (1996); and Rothenberger, et al., Brain Res., 712:117-121 (1996)). Interestingly, normal serum contains very low levels of soluble circulating MTf, but increased soluble serum MTf has been found in patients with advanced Alzheimer's Disease (Kennard, et al., Nat. Med., 2:1230-1235 (1996); U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,194).
The biochemical role and metabolism of MTf has proven difficult to elucidate. Based on appearances, MFt is deceptively similar to transferrin (Tf) and lactotransferrin (lactoferrin or Lf). In humans, these proteins share a 37-39% amino acid sequence homology. In particular, each of these proteins reversibly binds iron, and their N-terminal iron binding domains are quite similar (Baker, et al., TIBS, 12:350-353 (1987)).
However, functional parallels between these proteins have not been confirmed. For one thing, unlike Tf and Lf, MTf exists in both a membrane bound form and a serum soluble form. Further, in contrast to Tf and Lf, no cellular receptor for MTf has been identified. Serum soluble Tf is known to be taken into cells in an energy-dependent process mediated by the transferrin receptor (Tf-R) (Cook, et al., Annu. Rev. Med., 44:63-74) (1993)). Lf internalization is also likely to be mediated by a receptor mediated process (Fillebeen, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 274(11):701-7017 (1999)). Two known receptors for Lf are LRP-1 and RAGE, although others may exist (Melinger, et al., FEBS Letters, 360:70-74 (1995); Schmidt, J. Biol. Chem., 269(13):9882-9888 (1994).
With respect to the central nervous system (e.g., brain, spinal cord), there are at least three ways to enhance delivery: direct injection, permeabilization of the BBB, and modification of the drug. Direct injection involves injection of drug into brain tissue, bypassing the vasculature completely. This method suffers primarily from the risk of complications (infection, tissue damage) incurred by intra-cranial injections. This risk is compounded when considered in the context of a regular treatment regimen applied over the course of to the patient's life. It is also difficult, using a limited number of single site injections, to match the penetration that blood vessels (and hence, potentially, drug) have throughout the brain.
The second method entails non-specifically compromising the BBB with concomitant injection of intravenous drug. Permeabilization of the BBB is accomplished chemically. This method suffers from a lack of specificity. All those components in the blood that are necessarily excluded by the BBB will enter the brain along with the drug. The brain is left vulnerable under these conditions and damage would be anticipated over the course of a life-long regimen of treatment.
The third means of increasing brain availability of blood borne drug entails specific functionalization of the drug with moieties that facilitate transport through an uncompromised BBB. This method has the advantages of specific BBB infiltration and convenient intravenous administration. A method of increasing the ability of a therapeutic agent to cross the blood brain barrier is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,455,494, incorporated herein by reference its entirety, which discloses the use of p97 as a carrier for delivering a therapeutic drug across the blood brain barrier.
p97 (melanotransferrin) is a naturally occurring human protein. p97 was discovered and characterized as a cell surface marker for human melanoma (melanoma-associated antigen), but has more recently been found in other tumor types, as well as in normal human brain and liver tissue, in trace amounts in other body tissues and in serum. The role of p97 in the body is unknown, but based on its structure and binding properties, it is thought to be involved in the transport of metal ions (e.g. iron) into cells. Jefferies, et al. have been working with p97 since 1992 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,194). These investigations have focused on p97 as a diagnostic marker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Synapse has developed a blood (serum) test for AD that is based on the finding that the p97 serum level increases with the progression of the disease. During the development of this test, it was discovered that p97 is actively transported from the blood into the brain tissue of normal individuals. This discovery was the impetus for the development of p97 as a potential transport system to deliver molecules from the blood, across the BBB to reach brain interstitial fluids.
The key event for the successful delivery of therapeutic agents into brain is the transport of these large molecules across the tight network of capillary endothelial cells that comprise the BBB. During the last few years, it has been demonstrated both in vitro and in animal models that small synthetic molecules, large glycoprotein enzymes, and large inorganic particles (5 nm colloidal gold particles) chemically linked to p97, can be transported across the BBB to brain cells. Such transport of large molecules across the BBB involves a process known as transcytosis. This is a mechanism whereby molecules are picked up from the blood and transported through the capillary cells of the otherwise intact BBB to the brain tissue.
Transcytosis pathways are distinct from other vesicular traffic within the capillary endothelial cell and transit occurs without alteration of the transported materials. Transcytosis is a cell-type specific process mediated by receptors on the BBB endothelial surface. The transport of p97-conjugates (i.e., p97 chemically linked to macromolecules) across the BBB occurs by transcytosis. p97 conjugated to the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (an example of an enzyme "payload") can be transported across the BBB.
For an effective treatment of LSDs, a therapeutic agent (e.g., the deficient enzyme, or another enzyme or protein having a desired therapeutic or missing enzyme activity) must be taken up by the affected cells and routed to the lysosome where it acts upon the excessive or harmful amount of storage material residing therein. Applicants provide below compositions and methods for treating LSDs involving the use of p97 proteins to target delivery of therapeutic agents, including proteins or enzymes deficient in LSDs, to the lysosomes of cells.

Use of P97 as an enzyme delivery system for the delivery of therapeutic lysosomal enzymes