Instruction cache behavior and branch prediction are used to improve the functionality of a computing device by profiling branching instructions in an instruction cache to identify likelihoods of proceeding to a plurality of targets from the branching instructions; identifying a hot path in the instruction cache based on the identified likelihoods; and rearranging the plurality of targets relative to one another and associated branching instructions so that a first branching instruction that has a higher likelihood of proceeding to a first hot target than to a first cold target and that previously flowed to the first cold target and jumped to the first hot target instead flows to the first hot target and jumps to the first cold target.

The present invention relates to instruction caches, and more specifically, to how instructions are organized in the instruction caches in relation to branching instructions in the instruction path. When executing instructions in an instruction cache, having each instruction flow to the next address in the instruction cache is more efficient than jumping to a remote location in the instruction cache. Branching instructions add flexibility to the code, allowing the code to flow to a next instruction held at a subsequent address in the instruction cache, or jump to a different address in the instruction cache to execute a different instruction. However, jumping to a remote address can decrease the efficiency of executing code in the instruction cache, particularly when data (e.g., values for variables) are pre-cached for execution and need to be discarded (if not needed) or pulled from memory (if the remote destination is outside of the pre-caching window).

International Business Machines Corporation


Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing improved ophthalmic lenses, particularly intraocular lenses (IOLs), include features for reducing dysphotopsia effects, such as haloes and glare. Exemplary ophthalmic lenses may include a central zone with a first set of two echelettes arranged around the optical axis, the first set having a profile in r-squared space. A middle zone includes a second set of two echelettes arranged around the optical axis, the second set having a profile in r-squared space that is different than the profile of the first set. A peripheral zone includes a third set of two echelettes arranged around the optical axis, the third set having a profile in r-squared space that is different than the profile of the first set and the profile of the second set, the third set being repeated in series on the peripheral zone.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to diffractive ophthalmic lenses, and particular embodiments provide methods, devices, and systems for mitigating or treating vision conditions such as presbyopia, often by determining a desired multifocal power profile and selecting a geometry of the diffractive profile that results in a diffractive lens shape according to the desired power profile and to various parameters of the patient's eye. Embodiments also relate to vision treatment techniques and in particular embodiments, to ophthalmic lenses such as, for example, contact lenses, corneal inlays or onlays, or intraocular lenses (IOLs) including, for example, phakic IOLs and piggyback IOLs (i.e. IOLs implanted in an eye already having an IOL).
Presbyopia is a condition that affects the accommodation properties of the eye. As objects move closer to a young, properly functioning eye, the effects of ciliary muscle contraction and zonular relaxation allow the lens of the eye to change shape, and thus increase its optical power and ability to focus at near distances. This accommodation can allow the eye to focus and refocus between near and far objects.
Presbyopia normally develops as a person ages, and is associated with a natural progressive loss of accommodation. The presbyopic eye often loses the ability to rapidly and easily refocus on objects at varying distances. The effects of presbyopia usually become noticeable after the age of 45 years. By the age of 65 years, the crystalline lens has often lost almost all elastic properties and has only limited ability to change shape.
Along with reductions in accommodation of the eye, age may also induce clouding of the lens due to the formation of a cataract. A cataract may form in the hard central nucleus of the lens, in the softer peripheral cortical portion of the lens, or at the back of the lens. Cataracts can be treated by the replacement of the cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens. An artificial lens replaces the natural lens in the eye, with the artificial lens often being referred to as an intraocular lens or "IOL".
Multifocal IOLs may, for example, rely on a diffractive optical surface to direct portions of the light energy toward differing focal distances, thereby allowing the patient to clearly see both near and far objects. Multifocal ophthalmic lenses (including contact lenses or the like) have also been proposed for treatment of presbyopia without removal of the natural crystalline lens. Diffractive optical surfaces, either monofocal or multifocal, may also be configured to provide reduced chromatic aberration.
Diffractive monofocal and multifocal lenses can make use of a material having a given refractive index and a surface curvature which provide a refractive power. Diffractive lenses have a diffractive profile which confers the lens with a diffractive power that contributes to the overall optical power of the lens. The diffractive profile is typically characterized by a number of diffractive zones. When used for ophthalmic lenses these diffractive zones are typically annular lens zones, or echelettes, spaced about the optical axis of the lens. Each echelette may be defined by an optical zone, a transition zone between the optical zone and an optical zone of an adjacent echelette, and echelette geometry. The echelette geometry includes an inner and outer diameter and a shape or slope of the optical zone, a height or step height, and a shape of the transition zone. The surface area or diameter of the echelettes largely determines the diffractive power(s) of the lens and the step height of the transition between echelettes largely determines the light distribution between the different add powers. Together, these echelettes form a diffractive profile.
A multifocal diffractive profile of the lens may be used to mitigate presbyopia by providing two or more optical powers; for example, one for near vision and one for far vision. The lenses may also take the form of an intraocular lens placed within the capsular bag of the eye, replacing the original lens, or placed in front of the natural crystalline lens. The lenses may be in the form of a contact lens, most commonly a bifocal contact lens, or in any other form mentioned herein.
Multifocal (e.g. diffractive) intraocular lenses (IOLs) are intended to provide a patient with improved vision at different distances, such as near, intermediate and far. The near vision may generally correspond to vision provided when objects are at a distance of equal or less than 1.5 feet from a subject eye. Intermediate vision may generally correspond to vision for objects at a distance between about 1½ feet and about 5-6 feet from a subject eye. Far vision may generally correspond to vision for objects at any distance greater than about 5-6 feet from a subject eye. Such characterizations of near, intermediate, and far vision correspond to those addressed in Morlock R, Wirth R J, Tally S R, Garufis C, Heichel C W D, Patient-Reported Spectacle Independence Questionnaire (PRSIQ): Development and Validation. Am J Ophthalmology 2017; 178:101-114.
Since multifocal IOLs provide multiple focal lengths, the focused image on the retina originating from the focal length that corresponds to the particular viewing distance is overlapping with unfocused images originating from the other focal lengths. This can create visual artifacts for the patient. Furthermore, conventional approaches typically provide for near and far vision, but achieve unsatisfactory visual performance at intermediate distances. Relatedly, increasing the number of focal lengths in an IOL can exacerbate the aforementioned visual artifacts. Therefore, multifocal conventional ophthalmic approaches may fail to adequately improve visual performance at intermediate distances.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Intraocular lenses for presbyopia treatment


A gate wire including a gate line extending in a transverse direction and a gate electrode connected to the gate line is form on an insulating substrate. A storage capacitor wire including a storage capacitor electrode line extending in the transverse direction and a storage electrode connected to the storage capacitor electrode line and located at the edges of a pixel area is formed. A semiconductor layer is formed on a gate insulating film covering the gate wire and the storage capacitor wire. A data wire is formed on the gate insulating film or the semiconductor layer and includes a data line intersecting the gate line to define the pixel area, a source electrode connected to the data line and located on the semiconductor layer, a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor layer and located opposite the source electrode with respect to the gate electrode, and a first storage capacitor conductor overlapping the storage capacitor electrode via the gate insulating film to form a storage capacitor. A pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode and the first storage capacitor conductor is formed on the protective layer covering the data wire.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor array panel and a liquid crystal display having a thin film transistor array panel, and in particular, to a thin film transistor array panel including a storage electrode overlapping a pixel electrode to form a storage capacitor and a liquid crystal display having a thin film transistor array panel.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display ("LCD") is one of the most widely used flat panel displays. An LCD includes two panels having field-generating electrodes, a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween and two polarizing plates polarizing light and attached on outer surfaces of the panels, respectively. The LCD controls the transmittance of light passing through the liquid crystal layer by realigning liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer with voltages applied to the electrodes. The LCD uses one of the properties of the liquid crystal material that the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is changed by applied voltages. However, the LCD using transmission and reflection properties of light needs a light source since the liquid crystal is not self-illuminant.
Generally, a thin film transistor ("TFT") array panel for a liquid crystal display ("LCD") is used as a circuit board for driving the respective pixels in an independent manner. The TFT array panel includes a scanning signal wire or a gate wire transmitting scanning signals, an image signal wire or a data wire transmitting image signals, TFTs connected to the gate and the data wire, and pixel electrodes connected to the wires through the TFTs for displaying images. The TFT array panel also includes storage electrodes overlapping the pixel electrodes to form storage capacitors having storage capacitance. The storage electrodes may be formed by modifying the shapes of the gate lines or formed separated from the gate lines.
The LCD, which displays images by transmitting light from a light source, has to ensure high aperture ratio.
The storage electrodes overlapping the pixel electrodes have to large areas for giving sufficient storage capacitance, but in this case, the aperture ratio is decreased.

Thin film transistor array panel and liquid crystal display including the panel


An insulated wall system and related methods of installing walls is set forth. The system includes a plurality of metal purlins (10), a plurality of outer panels (2), a plurality of thermal insulation blocks (4), cleats (14), and fasteners (12). The metal purlins (10) can form a parallel array of purlins. The outer panels (2) can be attached to the metal purlins (10) in the parallel array. The thermal insulation blocks (4) can be disposed between the metal purlin (10) and the outer panel (2). The cleat (14) can be disposed between the thermal insulation blocks (4) and the outer panel (2) and has a protrusion which is capable of securing the thermal insulation block (4) and inhibits lateral movement between the thermal insulation block (4) and the cleat (14).

Metal roofs and walls are well known and have been used for many years in commercial and industrial-type buildings. Typically, such roofs and walls are constructed of parallel spaced joists or purlins over which are placed the various other components of the roof or wall, including the outer layer of the roof or wall. As energy efficiency standards have increased, new government requirements have forced manufacturers and installers of these types of systems to increase the amounts, types, and location of insulation used in these systems, including the requirement of placing a thermal insulation block between the metal purlin and the outer layer of the wall or roof. Unfortunately, some new insulation requirements can weaken or lessen the lateral strength of these systems. Accordingly, research continues into structural systems, particularly wall systems, which comply with all government requirements but which do not suffer from reduced lateral strength.

Insulated metal wall systems and related methods


The method for controlling a rotating electric machine according to the invention comprises a step of controlling the phase currents of the machine by means of a full-wave control (C). According to the invention, the full-wave control (C) is generated via a pulse width modulated signal of which the signal frequency is greater than an electric frequency of the machine. According to another feature, ascending or descending fronts (24, 25) of the pulse width modulated signal are synchronised with first and second crossings of first and second angular switching thresholds (S1, S2) by an electric position (θ) of the machine and a duty ratio (α) of the pulse width modulated signal is periodically refreshed to the signal frequency.

Considerations of energy-saving and reduction of pollution, in particular in an urban environment, are leading motor vehicle manufacturers to equip their models with an automatic starting/stopping system such as the system known by the term stop and go.
A typical stop and go situation is that of stoppage at a red light. When the vehicle stops at the light, the thermal engine is automatically stopped, then, when the light turns green, the motor is restarted by means of the reversible electrical machine, further to detection by the system that the driver has pressed the clutch pedal, or any other action which indicates the wish of the driver to restart his vehicle.
A three-phase alternator which can function as a starter, i.e. as an electric motor, is described by the company VALEO ELECTRONIQUE in French patent application FR2745445.
A rectifier bridge at the output of the alternator armature also acts as a bridge for control of the phases of the electric motor, with power transistors of the arms of the bridge being controlled by square signal sequences emitted by a control unit.
An "all or nothing" type full-wave control of this type is well known to persons skilled in the art, and is very simple to implement.
In the most recent reversible electrical machines, a polyphase synchronous rotary electrical machine is connected to a reversible direct current-alternating current converter, or inverter, which is supplied by the on-board battery in motor mode and by the electrical machine in generator mode.
The development of digital techniques makes it possible to control the inverter with pulse width modulation, commonly known as PWM, in order to obtain accurate control of the electrical machine in each particular operating condition.
Examples of PWM controls generated by a microprocessor executing programmes are described in the French patent application FR2895597 in the name of the company VALEO EQUIPEMENTS ELECTRIQUES MOTEURS.
However, the inventive body has been faced with the problem of limitation of the switching frequency of the inverters on electrical machines with a large number of poles per phase which rotate quickly.
In fact, the software processing which leads to the development of the duty cycles of the PWM controls requires a signal frequency of the PWM signals which is far higher than an electrical frequency corresponding to the speed of rotation of the machine (typically higher by an order of magnitude).
Because of the limitation of frequency of switching of the inverters, it is difficult to comply with these cycles if there is a large number of pairs of poles per phase (the electrical frequency is equal to the speed of rotation multiplied by the number of pairs of poles per phase).
A solution which is habitually adopted in these circumstances consists of controlling the phases in a conventional manner with full wave, i.e. by generating a square wave form at the electrical frequency of the machine.
This control has variable frequency by nature, since it is synchronous with the speed of the machine, and must be particularly accurate as far as the switching instants are concerned.
If it is wished to remain within a modern system based on a microprocessor executing programmes, and wherein the measurements, processing operations and commands are carried out in a constant cycle time, there is genuine difficulty in obtaining the required waveform whilst being accurate in terms of the switching instants.
In fact, only low temporal resolution is available for the position (since the ratio of calculation frequency to electrical frequency is low), and this does not make it possible to ensure the required precision concerning the form of the control voltage.

Method and device for controlling polyphase synchronous rotary electrical machine, and corresponding reversible electrical machine for motor vehicle


A roller segment (14) is held for the purpose of machining a spherical internal bearing surface (10). Its toric external surfaces (18) is supported against two fixed seats (17), immobilized with respect to rotation about an axis (VV') passing through the centers (c) of the profiles of the fixed seats (17) by a third seat (19), which is radially movable. Claws (21) hold the segment against the seats and circumferentially position the segment about the axis (UU') of its toric surface (18).. The bearing surface (10) is ground with a slight eccentricity (e) relative to the toric surface, and by grinding a surface suitable for hydrodynamic lubrication is obtained.

The present invention relates to methods for holding in position, for the purpose of machining a concave pivoting bearing surface, a roller segment having an external rolling surface with a rounded transverse profile, said roller segment being intended in particular to form part of a motor vehicle transmission joint.
The present invention also relates to a device for holding a roller segment of this kind in position for the purpose of the machining.
The invention relates in particular, but not limitatively, to roller segments intended to form part of a transmission joint comprising three spherical trunnions forming a tripod at the end of one of two shafts connected together by the joint. Depending on the direction of the movement to be transmitted, each spherical trunnion bears, through a roller segment, against one or another of two respective longitudinal rolling tracks provided inside a bowl fixed to the other of the two shafts connected together by the joint. Six roller segments are thus interposed, each between one of the rolling tracks and the respective trunnion. Each roller segment has a concave spherical bearing surface pivoting on the spherical trunnion, and an external toric rolling surface which is able to roll on the rolling track and to be inclined laterally relative to the rolling track, which has a concave cylindrical profile. These sliding homokinetic joints possess the properties of comfort and compactness required for equipping modern motor vehicles. They are described in French Patent Application No. 86 17 044 of the 5th Dec. 1986 now GB 2199113.
The remarkable performance of these joints is to a a large extent due to the hydrodynamic lubrication of the spherical articulation between the spherical trunnion and the concave spherical bearing surface of the segment. This hydrodynamic lubrication practically cancels out the resultant slide drag, while accepting high pressures for the load transfer. The constitution of the extremely thin film of lubricant--taking into account the low speeds of sliding--entails perfect complementarity of the surfaces.
Methods are known for the machining of the concave pivoting bearing surface which enable only an approximate complementarity to be achieved. These methods therefore entail additional stages of grinding in of the two surfaces, one against the other, by a method used in the production of optical lenses. The need for such grinding in is incompatible with the imperatives of cost price and production rates of the motor vehicle industry.
In order that the machining of the pivoting bearing surface may attain the desired precision, it is necessary to hold the segment accurately in position during the machining.
The following technical requirements must in fact be complied with:
(a) Accurate achievement of the radial thickness dimension of the segment, which in large-scale series production permits assembly of joints with minimum clearance without risk of seizing;
(b) Accurate positioning of the axis and/or center of the pivoting bearing surface, which may be slightly eccentric relative to the center of the external rolling surface if it is desired to create the effect of a return of the segment to a neutral position in which the section bearing against the rolling track is situated at a circumferential mid-length of the segment. This effect is obtained if the radial thickness of the segment increases slightly from the section towards each end of the segment.
(c) Where necessary, correction of the concave bearing surface by the application to the segment appropriate forces during the machining so that the effective contact between the trunnion and the concave bearing surface under load will be as extensive as possible, despite the deformation of the segment through the action of the load. French Patent Application 87 13 976, unpublished, teaches that the behaviour of the segment under a real load can be simulated by applying, to the two ends of the segment, tangential compressive forces which are balanced by a force directed radially inwards and applied at circumferential mid-length of the external rolling bearing surface of the segment. Consequently, if the pivoting bearing surface is machined while the segment is thus artificially loaded, the bearing surface of the segment will be exactly complementary to the trunnion when the segment is subjected to its real nominal load.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a device for holding a roller segment in an accurate position appropriate for the machining of its concave pivoting bearing surface, despite the fact that the shape of the roller segment is complex and relatively unfavourable for such precision.

Methods and device for accurately positioning a roller segment for the purpose of finishing its pivoting bearing surface, and a method for machining the seats of device of this kind


The present invention realizes an efficient superscalar instruction issue and low power consumption at an instruction set including instructions with prefixes. An instruction fetch unit is adopted which determines whether an instruction code is of a prefix code or an instruction code other than it, and outputs the result of determination and the 16-bit instruction code. Along with it, decoders each of which decodes the instruction code, based on the result of determination, and decoders each of which decodes the prefix code, are disposed separately. Further, a prefix is supplied to each decoder prior to a fixed-length instruction code like 16 bits modified with it. A fixed-length instruction code following the prefix code is supplied to each decoder of the same pipeline as the decoder for the prefix code.

Today's processors are broadly divided into a PC/server processor whose performance has been assigned the highest priority, and a built-in processor that requires the compatibility of high efficiency and high performance. As the built-in processor that needs high efficiency, an RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) type built-in processor using a 16-bit fixed-length instruction set, which is capable of realizing high code efficiency, is in widespread use. The high code efficiency is essential to the effective use of an on-chip cache, a RAM and a ROM even at the present time that greater capacitance in an on-chip memory has been advanced. In the 16-bit fixed-length instruction set, however, a program size can be reduced, but on the other hand the number of instructions increases. In particular, the number of register-to-register transfer or immediate transfer instructions increases due to a restriction on operand designation. In order to obscure the latency of the increased transfer instructions, source forwarding for forwarding the value of a transfer source register instead of a transfer destination register has been commonly used. An increase in the number of instructions leads to performance degradation and an increase in electric power. The source forwarding for making up for the performance degradation contributes to a reduction in operating frequency and an increase in power through increases in both the critical path and the logic scale.
Such a problem arises from the fact that instruction code space for the 16-bit fixed-length instruction set is 216B=64 kB, which is much smaller than 232B=4 GB corresponding to instruction code space for a 32-bit fixed-length instruction set. Therefore, in an ARM Thumb-2 instruction set described in, for example, a Non-patent Document 1, a 16-bit fixed-length instruction and a 32-bit fixed-length instruction are allowed to exist in mixed form to thereby expand instruction code space. On the other hand, in a processor described in a Patent Document 1, a 16-bit prefix is added to a 16-bit fixed-length instruction set to thereby expand instruction code space. The prefix described herein is of an instruction code having the function of changing the meaning of an instruction code to be followed up and adding information to the followed-up instruction code. The prefix does not assume an instruction by itself. Incidentally, the prefix was used when the Intel's i386 processor published in 1985, which was used under the 16-bit architecture up to now, is brought to a 32-bit architecture while maintaining upward compatibility, and has been known for more than 20 years. In the i386 processor, the prefix is used to change the meaning of an operand size of the following instruction code. Since the i386 processor and its succeeding models are all CISC (Complicated Instruction Set Computer) type processors each using a variable-length instruction set, it can be said that an instruction decode circuit is originally complicated and the influence thereof on a realization circuit with the addition of the prefix is relatively small.
The prefix described in the Patent Document 1 has been used for a case in which an operand is added to a two-operand instruction to form a three-operand instruction, a case in which an index is added to an instruction of register indirect addressing to make a change to an instruction of register relative indirect addressing, and a case in which a source operand of a two-operand modify type instruction is altered to make a change to a three-operand instruction. The Patent Document 1 has disclosed a realization system with a scalar processor for decoding each instruction code in 16 bits being taken as an example. Since the prefix is also one instruction code, two cycles are required for decoding of a prefixed instruction, and two cycles are required even for its execution.
A processor in which the processor disclosed in the Patent Document 1 has been improved has been disclosed in a Patent Document 2. The Patent Document 2 discloses that as prefix's functions, a destination operand of a two-operand modify type instruction is altered to make a change to a three-operand type, and a bit width of a literal operand is expanded. Of the decoding of the prefixed instruction having required the two cycles in the Patent Document 1, the prefix's decoding is performed simultaneously with a preceding instruction to thereby obscure a prefix's decode cycle and realize one-cycle execution of the prefixed instruction.
As a system for coping with the problem that a register designation field cannot be secured at a 16-bit fixed-length instruction set, there is known an implicit fixed register designation. An SH-4A described in each of Non-patent Documents 2 and 3 defines an instruction under which one register R0 of sixteen general registers is used as an implicit fixed register. In compiler's register allocation, such an implicit fixed register use instruction is assigned R0 on a priority basis. This instruction is utilized to thereby reduce the demerit that the corresponding register is used as the fixed register. However, a reduction in the degree of freedom of a register designation by the fixed operand designation is not necessarily obscured sufficiently. In particular, a compiler's provider for a plurality of processors which intends to handle a variety of instruction set architectures with the same compile system, has a strong tendency not to use the merit of a specific architecture. There is therefore a case in which the utilization of the fixed register use instruction is insufficient. Namely, the fixed register use instruction is not necessarily sufficient as a countermeasure taken against the problem that a register designation field cannot be ensured. It can be said that a further improvement is necessary.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-284962    [Patent Document 2] (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-030015)    [Non-patent Document 1] Markus Levy, "ARM Grows More Thumbs," Microprocessor Report, 6/17/03-02, June 2003.)    [Non-patent Document 2] SH-4A Software Manual, [retrieved on Oct. 19, 2009], Internet URL http://documentation.renesas.com/jpn/products/mpumcu/rjj0 9b0090_sh4a.pdf, p. 3-9˜p. 3-19, Tables 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.9, 3.10 and 3.13    [Non-patent Document 3] SH-4A Software Manual, [retrieved on Oct. 19, 2009], Internet URL http://documentation.renesas.com/eng/products/mpumcu/rej09b0003_sh4a.pdf, pp. 33-42, Tables 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.9, 3.10 and 3.13

Semiconductor device with instruction code and prefix code predecoders


An electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp having a sealed discharge vessel filled with a metal and a rare gas and having a cavity. An inductive device is disposed in the cavity for generating a high-frequency electric field inside the discharge vessel during lamp operation. The inductive device includes a winding of metal wire surrounding a cylindrical core of magnetizable material. A cooling body is in contact with the cylindrical core for removing heat generated in the core during lamp operation. The cooling body is closed in a gastight manner and includes a condenser, an evaporator, a liquid, and a capillary structure (T, U) which comprises a winding (U) of gauze surrounding a vapor channel (V) for transporting the liquid from the condenser to the evaporator. The capillary structure has a central partition wall (T), which divides the vapor channel in two, and is connected along two opposing longitudinal sides thereof to the gauze winding (U). The cooling body has very good cooling properties, so that the electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp has a high luminous efficacy.

The invention relates to an electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp having
- a radiation-transmitting discharge vessel which is sealed in a gastight manner and is filled with a metal and a rare gas, which discharge vessel includes a cavity,
- a circuit arrangement for generating a high-frequency current during lamp operation,
- inductive means in the cavity of the discharge vessel during lamp operation and are coupled to the circuit arrangement, the inductive means including a winding of metal wire surrounding a cylindrical core of magnetizable material for generating a high-frequency electric field inside the discharge vessel from the high-frequency current during lamp operation, and
- a cooling body in contact with the cylindrical core for the removal of heat generated in the cylindrical core during lamp operation, the cooling body including a vessel which is closed in a gaslight manner and comprises a condenser, an evaporator, a liquid, and a capillary structure which comprises a winding of gauze surrounding a vapour channel for transporting the liquid from the condenser to the evaporator.
The invention also relates to a cooling body for use in such an electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp.
Such an electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp is known from Netherlands Patent 8900406.
The cooling body removes part of the heat generated in the cylindrical core and in the plasma of the electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp during lamp operation.
As a result, the temperature of the wall of the cavity and the temperature of the cylindrical core remain comparatively low, so that power losses are limited. The heat absorbed by the cooling body is absorbed for the major part by the liquid, which evaporates as a result. This process takes place in the evaporator. The created vapour condenses in the condenser, so that heat is transferred to the condenser. The condensed liquid is then transported to the evaporator, so that there is a continuous circulation of liquid in the cooling body. Especially if the evaporator is arranged above the condenser, the transport from condenser to evaporator takes place mainly through capillary channels in the capillary structure formed from gauze. In addition to the capillary channels in the gauze itself, capillary channels may be formed inter alia between the wall of the gastight vessel of the cooling body and the gauze. If the capillary structure is built up from more than one layer of gauze, capillary channels may also be formed between layers of gauze. It is necessary for the formation of these capillary channels that the gauze lies securely against the wall of the cooling body, and that the various gauze layers lie securely against one another, as applicable. A good contact between the wall of the cooling body and the gauze also promotes the transfer of heat from the evaporator wall to the liquid transported by the capillary structure. In practice, the capillary structure is often obtained in that the gauze is rolled up so as to form a winding, and the gauze winding is inserted into the cooling body. It was found that a good contact between the gauze and the wall of the cooling body, and between the different layers of gauze lying against one another in the cooling body of the known electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp is often not realised. As a result, the cooling properties of the cooling body are comparatively bad and at the same time poorly reproducible.

Electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp having a cooling body with a partitioned vapor channel


In a bus system in which a node identifier is allocated to each node, when a data file is transmitted from a transmission node 1 to a reception node 2, a control node 3 issues, to the node 1, a command including an identifier of the node 2 and a field value representing a number of data files to be transmitted to execute the data transfer, and in the case where the number of the data files is 1 or more, after the transmission of the data files of the number specified in the field is completed, the node 1 directs the node 2 to complete the transfer to thereby complete the data transfer, and in the case where the field value is 0, the transmission of the data files is continued, and thus an automatic disconnection mainly led by the data transmission node is adopted after the data transmission, which reduces issuance of commands to the minimum, attaining a high efficiency in processing.

The present invention relates to a data transfer method and data transfer system used when data which does not necessitate real time processing such as still image data, document data and the like is transferred between a plurality of apparatuses.
Apparatuses which deal with a still image such as a digital still camera or a printer have been more widely and more increasingly marketed in recent years. These apparatuses are conventionally used in an environment in which a personal computer is present. However, needs for easy handling of such apparatuses in an environment in which a personal computer is not present, is increasing recently.
Conventionally, as a data transfer method when data which does not necessitate real time processing and which is represented by the aforementioned still-image data and document data is transmitted/received between a plurality of apparatuses, a data transfer method in which a control node commands a transmission node and a reception node respectively to control starting/completion of data transfer is proposed in AV/C Compatible Asynchronous Serial Bus Connections, Draft 1.11, Sep. 1, 1998, and xe2x80x9cAV/C Management of Asynchronous Serial Bus Connections, Sep. 21, 1998, in 1394 Trade Association. These method use IEEE Std 1394-1995, Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus, which will be referred to as xe2x80x9cIEEE 1394-1995xe2x80x9d hereinafter, as a bus system, and proposes an asynchronous data transfer method in a form of extending the conventional data transfer control method for transferring/receiving data which necessitates real time processing. According to this data transfer method, when asynchronous data is transferred from a first node to a second node on a bus system in which a node identifier is allocated to each node, a control node sends a command for transfer to the first node and the second node respectively, to thereby improve the command/data processing efficiency.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram which shows a structure of a still image data transfer system using a conventional data transfer method. In FIG. 15, 101 is a data transmission node (a first node) as a device for transmitting an image such as a digital still camera, 102 is a data reception node (a second node) as a device for receiving an image such as a printer, and 103 is a control node such as a personal computer or a set top box, and these devices are connected to the same bus system 100 (IEEE 1394-1995).
FIG. 16 is a system block diagram which describes the operation of transferring data from the data transmission node 101 to the data reception node 102 under the control of the control node 103 in the conventional data transfer method.
Here, an arrow mark 104 represents a data reception command which the control node 103 issues to the data reception node 102, and an arrow mark 106 represents a data transmission command which the control node 103 issues to the data transmission node 101. An arrow mark 105 is a data reception command response by which the data reception node 102 reports the execution result of the data reception command 104 to the control node 103, and an arrow mark 107 is a data transmission command response by which the data transmission node 101 reports the execution result of the data transmission command 105 to the control node 103.
The data transmission node 101 and the data reception node 102 receive the data transmission command 106 and the data reception command 104 issued from the control. node 103, respectively, and by each notifying the execution result to the control node 103, establish the connection and start the transmission of data. Herein, 108 represents data which is transferred from the data transmission node 101 to the data reception node 102.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram which describes the operation of completing the transfer of data from the data transmission node 101 to the data reception node 102 under the control of the control node 103 in the conventional data transfer method.
Here, an arrow mark 109 represents a data reception completion command which the control node 103 issues to the data reception node 102, and an arrow mark 111 represents a data transmission completion command which the control node 103 issues to the data transmission node 101. An arrow mark 110 is a data reception completion command response by which the data reception node 102 reports the execution result of the data reception command 104 to the control node 103, and an arrow mark 112 is a data transmission completion command response by which the data transmission node 101 reports the execution result of the data transmission command 106 to the control node 103. Here, an arrow mark 108 represents data which is transferred from the data transmission node 101 to the data reception node 102.
The data transmission node 101 and the data reception node 102 receive the data transmission completion command 111 and the data reception completion command 109 issued from the control node 103, respectively, and by each notifying the execution result to the control node 103, complete the transfer of data and are disconnected.
However, in the conventional data transfer method above described, the connection between the data transmission node 101 and the data reception node 102 is not disconnected unless the control node 103 gives such a completion command. Therefore, even when the control node 103 has already determined the sheet number of still image to be transmitted, the control node 103 must follow steps of periodically giving commands for asking the situation to the data transmission node 101 or the data reception node 102, and of receiving command responses to the commands, in order to recognize the completion of data transfer which is currently being carried out and command the disconnection thereof. Due to this, an extra command needs to be issued in order to detect completion of the transfer and a command for directing disconnection from the control node 103 is also required, resulting in a poor processing efficiency.
As described above, when a system in which still image data is transferred using the conventional data transfer method is considered, there exists a problem that timing at which data transfer is to be terminated and disconnected is not easily known.
Further, there exists another problem that, as disconnection process is always carried out under the control of the control node, a number of commands has to be issued, resulting in a poor processing efficiency.
The present invention intends to solve these problems and a first object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer system and method thereof in which the automatic disconnection after data transfer directed by the data transmission node or the data reception node is achieved compatible with the conventional disconnection method directed by the control node, whereby the number of commands to be issued is curbed at the minimum, and thus the processing efficiency can be improved.
In addition, a second object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer system and method thereof in which control process can be simplified in a data transfer which is carried out continuously because the completion of the data transfer is easily detected by the control node.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, the present invention is characterized in that, in a bus system in which a node identifier is allocated to each node, when a data file is transmitted from a transmission node to a reception node, a control node issues, to the transmission node, a command including an identifier of the reception node and a field value representing a number of data files to be transmitted to execute the data transfer, and in the case where the number of the data files is 1 or more, after the transmission of the data files of the number specified in the field is completed, the transmission node directs the reception node to complete the transfer to thereby complete the data transfer, and in the case where the field value is 0, the transmission of the data files is continued, and thus an automatic disconnection mainly led by the data transmission node or data reception node is adopted after the data transfer.
Thus, there can be obtained an improved data transfer method compatible with a conventional data transfer method, facilitating to confirm a timing of completion of data transfer, reducing issuance of commands to the minimum, attaining a high efficiency in processing.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a data transfer method of transferring at least one data file from a first node outputting a data file to a second node inputting a data file under a control of a control node in a bus system in which a node identifier is allocated to each node, said data transfer method characterized in that: the control node transmits to the first node a first command including the node identifier of the second node, and transmits to the second node a second command including the node identifier of the first node, wherein the first command includes a field which represents a specified number of data files to be transmitted by the first node, and in the case where the filed value is 1 or more, when the first node has completed the transmission of the number of the data files specified in the field, the first node directs the second node to complete the transfer to thereby complete the data transfer, and in the case where the field value is 0, the transmission of the data files is continued.
Thus, in a case in which the number of data files to be transmitted from the first node to the second node has been determined, the timing at which data transfer is to be completed is easily known and the disconnection process is automatically carried out between the transmission node and the reception node, allowing the number of commands issued on the bus at the minimum level. That is, by setting the number of the data files for transmission and reception in the command field, the issuance of the commands is reduced to the necessary minimum by the automatic disconnection mainly led by the data transmission node or data reception node, improving the efficiency in processing.
A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the case where the field value representing the number of the data files to be transmitted by the first node is 1 or more, when the first node completes the transmission of the data files of the number specified in the field and directs the second node to complete the transfer, the completion of the transfer is notified to the control node.
Thus, the control node can easily detect the completion of the data transfer, and in the case of executing the data transfer continuously, it is possible to smoothly proceed to the next data transfer. That is, after executing the automatic disconnection mainly led by the data transmission node or data reception node, by responding a second response to the control node, the control node easily to detect the completion of the data transfer, and the control process can be simplified in the continuous data transfer.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a data transfer system for transferring at least one data file from a first equipment outputting a data file to a second equipment inputting the data file in a bus system via which a plurality of equipments each having an identifier allocated thereto are connected, said data transfer system characterized by: comprising a third equipment for control which transmits to the first equipment a first command including the identifier of the second equipment, and transmits to the second equipment a second command including the identifier of the first equipment, wherein the first command includes a field which represents a specified number of data files to be transmitted by the first equipment, and the second command includes a field which represents a specified number of data files to be received by the second equipment, and in the case where the filed value representing the number of the data files to be transmitted and received is 1 or more, when the transmission and reception of the data files of the number specified in the fields is completed between the first equipment and the second equipment, the completion of the data transfer is directed to each other between the first equipment and the second equipment, whereby the data transfer is completed without intermediation of the third equipment, and in the case where the field value is 0, the transmission and reception of the data files is continued.
In this construction, the first equipment notifies the second equipment of the completion of the data transfer and the second equipment notifies the first equipment of having recognized the completion of the data transfer, whereby the connection between the equipments is automatically disconnected and the address spaces for transmission and reception of each equipment are cleared.
In this construction, in the case where the field value representing the number of the data files to be transmitted and received is 1 or more, when the transmission and reception of the data files of the number specified in the fields is completed and the completion of the transfer is directed to each other between the equipments, the first equipment or the second equipment notifies the third equipment for control of the completion of the transfer.

Data transfer method and data transfer system

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A mono-fork assembly for a front wheel of a wheelchair. The assembly includes a mono-fork member, an axle, and a retaining member. The mono-fork member has a single tine with a threaded aperture formed therein. The front wheel is rotatable on the axle. The axle has a distal end and a threaded proximal end. The proximal end is configured to be threaded into the threaded aperture of the tine and may be permanently bonded therein. A retaining member is coupled to the distal end of the axle to retain the front wheel on the distal end as the front wheel rotates about the axle. The mono-fork member may include a collar portion aligned along a steering axis for rotation thereabout. The mono-fork assembly may include a bumper configured to extend circumferentially about the collar portion within a circumferential groove formed in the collar portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to front wheel caster mount assemblies for use with a wheelchair and more particularly to angle adjusting front wheel caster mount assemblies for use with a wheelchair.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical wheelchair includes a seat supported by a frame resting upon four wheels. A front wheel and a rear wheel are disposed on each side of the wheelchair. The pair of rear wheels may be located under or behind a seat upon which the occupant of the wheelchair is seated. The front wheels are located in front of the rear wheels and pivot to facilitate steering. Generally, the rear wheels are mounted to opposite sides of the frame by an axle assembly.
Generally, the front wheels are mounted to opposite sides of the frame by a bearing fork assembly.
In many wheelchair designs, the front wheels have a significantly smaller radius than the rear wheels. Therefore, the axles of the rear wheels are typically mounted to the frame at locations that are elevated from the locations of attachment of the axles of the front wheels to the frame. In this manner, an angle of the frame relative to the ground may be determined by the locations in which the front and rear wheels are mounted to the frame and the diameter of the front and rear wheels.
An angle is defined between the frame and the ground. For front and rear wheels each having a predetermined and substantially constant diameter, the angle may be determined by the attachment location of the front wheels relative to the attachment location of the rear wheels. Because it may be desirable to level the seat relative to the ground (i.e., adjust the angle of the seat relative to the ground to approximately zero degrees) in some wheelchair designs, the vertical and/or horizontal positions of the rear and/or front wheels relative to the frame may be adjusted to achieve a level seat position.
Each of the front wheels is mounted to the longitudinal frame member by a bearing fork assembly. In many wheelchair designs, the bearing fork assembly includes a bearing fork and an upright pivot pin, which may be implemented as a stem bolt. The bearing fork is coupled to an axle about which the front wheel rotates. The upright pivot pin pivotably couples the bearing fork to the frame. To steer the wheelchair, the bearing fork pivots about the upright pivot pin.
As a general rule, it is desirable to orient the upright pivot pin generally perpendicular to the ground. If the upright pivot pin is not perpendicular to the ground, the front wheels may not pivot properly. Further, because the front wheels typically pivot to facilitate steering the wheelchair, if the upright pivot pin is not perpendicular to the ground, the front wheel may not rotate properly and the steering of the wheelchair may be impaired.
A wheelchair may require adjustment to fit a particular user. For example, many wheelchairs allow the user to adjust the height of the seat by vertically moving the location where the frame attaches to the rear axles. This adjustment will typically modify the angle of the seat relative to the ground.
Similarly, some wheelchair designs allow a user to move the rear wheels longitudinally forward and backward relative to the seat, which may also modify the angle of the seat.
The ability to change the angle of the seat is important to proper positioning of the wheelchair occupant. Increasing the angle of the seat (i.e., increasing the height of the front of the seat relative to the back of the seat) allows gravity to help prevent the occupant of the wheelchair, who will likely have limited or no lower extremity function and perhaps limited trunk muscular control, from sliding out of the seat.
Often, finding the correct angle of the seat is a matter of trial and error. Over time, the most desirable angle may change. For example, a particular wheelchair user may have a degenerative disease that requires increasing the angle over time. Alternatively, as people age they become more susceptible to pressure sores. By reducing the angle of the seat, it is possible to reduce the pressure on the buttocks.
Unfortunately, if the angle of the frame relative to the ground is changed, the angle of the upright pivot pins of the bearing fork assemblies may require adjustment to reorient the upright pivot pins perpendicular to the ground. Therefore, a need exists for devices that rotate the upright pivot pins to which the bearing forks are mounted to position the upright pivot pins perpendicular to the ground.
The bearing fork may have one tine (a mono-fork) or two tines. In many prior art mono-fork designs, a proximal end of an axle is connected to the tine by a fastener that passes through a transverse hole formed in the proximal end of the axle. Unfortunately, the transverse hole weakens the axle and is often the location of a failure. Therefore, a mono-fork design that does not include a transverse hole is desirable.
The present application provides these and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.

Mono-fork for a front caster of a wheelchair


A water separator comprises an axially extending airflow passage, an airflow mixer, a plurality of electric plates of alternating charge, and a mechanical separator. The airflow mixer, the plurality of electric plates, and the mechanical separator are disposed within the airflow passage. The airflow mixer imparts a non-axial flow component on airflow through the airflow passage. The electric plates are situated downstream of the mixer, and create an electric field region within the airflow passage. The mechanical separator is situated at or downstream of the electric field region, and is disposed to separate water droplets from air.

The present invention relates generally to dehumidification systems, and more particularly to a water separator for aircraft cabin air dehumidification.
Aircraft cabin environmental control systems typically include dehumidification equipment to remove water from ingested atmospheric air. Dehumidification is of particular concern at lower altitudes, and/or while aircraft are grounded. Dehumidification systems for aircraft cabin air commonly include coalescer bags and/or air mechanical swirlers situated in annular passages to coalesce and separate water from air. These systems more readily separate out large water droplets than fine, mist-like droplets. At lower pressures and higher humidities, airborne water tends to form very small droplets that are difficult to efficiently separate and remove from air.


The bulk bag comprising a bottom wall, double layer end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, double layer side wall portions extending upwardly from the bottom wall and perpendicularly to the end walls, double layer pivotally supported side walls hingedly secured to the side wall portions, stiffening panels received between the double layers of the end walls, the side wall portions, and the pivotally supported side walls, and fasteners for securing the pivotally supported side walls in alignment with the side wall portions.

Historically, flexible intermediate bulk containers (bulk bags) have been used for receiving, storing, transporting and discharging flowable materials of all types. Bulk bags are typically constructed in square, vertically rectangular, or circular shapes with lift straps attached to each of the uppermost corners of the square, rectangle or circle.
By way of example, flexible intermediate bulk containers are used for handling flowable materials in granular or powder form such as chemicals, minerals, fertilizers, foodstuffs, grains and agricultural products, etc. The advantages of such receptacles include relatively low weight, reduced cost, versatility and, in the case of reusable receptacles, low return freight costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,859 discloses a bulk bag adapted for use with liquids. The bulk bag of the '859 patent comprises four double layer side walls. Stiffeners formed from cardboard are inserted between the layers of the side walls thereby imparting sufficient rigidity to the container to permit its use with liquids. Although the bag of the '859 patent has been generally well received, its utilization is somewhat limited by the fact that it cannot be stacked to facilitate the transportation and storage of the bags and the contents thereof.
The present invention comprises an improved bulk bag design which overcomes the foregoing and other problems long since associated with the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, a bulk bag comprises four double layered side walls. The side walls receive stiffener panels which are formed from wood. Sleeves provided at each corner of the bulk bag receive stiffener rods also formed from wood. The bulk bag is provided with a double layered top which also receives a stiffener panel formed from wood.
When the bulk bag of the present invention is used to receive, store, transport and discharge liquids, it is typically provided with a liner comprising film formed from a plastic material such as polyethylene. In such instances, the bulk bag may be provided with baffles extending diagonally across each interior corner of the bulk bag to prevent the liner from pinching into the corners. When used, the baffles are preferably provided with stiffener panels formed from wood.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, double layer dividers extend across the interior of the container from the midpoints of the side walls, thereby dividing the interior of the container into four quadrants. When employed, the divider panels are preferably provided with stiffener panels formed from wood.
The use of the present invention is highly advantageous in receiving, storing, transporting, and discharging liquids. For example, the present invention is readily adapted to receiving, storing, transporting and discharging orange juice, tomato paste, and other foodstuffs. Containers constructed in accordance with the invention are adapted for stacking. For example, certain embodiments of the invention can be stacked one on top of the other to a total height of six containers. The stackability of the container of the present invention is highly advantageous in facilitating transportation and storage of the containers and the materials contained therein.


An electromechanical linear-motion actuator includes a rotary shaft, a stationary outer race member, and planetary rollers between the rotary shaft and the outer race member to rotate about their own axes and revolve around the rotary shaft axis. A helical rib is on the radially inner surface of the outer race member or the radially outer surface of the rotary shaft. A helical groove or circumferential grooves are formed in a radially outer surface of each of the planetary rollers in which the helical rib is engaged. A planetary carrier axially faces the planetary rollers, and thrust ball bearings are between the planetary carrier and the respective planetary rollers 16 for preventing rotation of the respective planetary rollers 16 from being transmitted to the planetary carrier 17. Each of the thrust ball bearings comprises a raceway formed on an axial end surface of the corresponding planetary roller.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to an electromechanical linear-motion actuator for converting the rotation of a rotary shaft driven by an electric motor to axial movement of planetary rollers, and an electromechanical brake system in which this electromechanical linear-motion actuator is used.
2. Background Art
Conventional vehicle brake systems are mostly hydraulic systems, of which brake pads are driven by hydraulic cylinders and pressed against a brake disc. But with an introduction of anti-lock brake systems (ABS) and other brake control arrangements, electromechanical brake systems, which use no hydraulic circuit, are gathering attention these days. An electromechanical brake system includes an electromechanical linear-motion actuator mounted in a caliper body to convert the rotation of a rotary shaft driven by an electric motor to axial movement of planetary rollers. The axial movement of the planetary rollers is transmitted to brake pads to press the brake pads against a brake rotor, thereby producing braking force.
FIG. 25 shows such an electromechanical linear-motion actuator, which comprises an electric motor 90 having a rotary shaft 91, a stationary outer race member 92 provided around the rotary shaft 91, a plurality of planetary rollers 93 disposed between the radially outer surface of the rotary shaft 91 and the radially inner surface of the outer race member 92 so as to be rotated about their own axes while revolving about the rotary shaft 91 when the rotary shaft 91 rotates. A helical rib 94 is provided on the radially inner surface of the outer race member 92, and a helical groove 95 is formed in a radially outer surface of each of the planetary rollers 93 in which the helical rib 94 is engaged. The actuator further includes a planetary carrier 96 axially facing the planetary rollers 93, thrust ball bearings 97 disposed between the planetary carrier 96 and the respective planetary rollers 93 for preventing the rotation of the respective planetary rollers 93 from being transmitted to the planetary carrier 96, a moving member 98 axially facing the planetary carrier 96, and a thrust rolling bearing 99 disposed between the moving member 98 and the planetary carrier 96 for preventing the revolving motion of the planetary carrier 96 from being transmitted to the moving member 98 (JP Patent Publication 2007-37305A).
In this electromechanical linear-motion actuator, when the rotary shaft 91 rotates, the planetary rollers 93 rotate about their own axes while revolving around the rotary shaft 91. Simultaneously, the planetary rollers 93 are moved axially with their helical grooves 95 guided by the helical rib 94 of the outer race member 92. The axial movement of the planetary rollers 93 is transmitted through the thrust ball bearings 97 and then the planetary carrier 96 to the moving member 98.
It is desired that such an electromechanical linear-motion actuator is as short in axial length as possible. The shorter the axial length of this actuator, the more it is possible to reduce the axial length of the electromechanical brake system. This in turn makes it possible to increase the freedom of layout of component parts around the electromechanical brake system (such as a suspension). But actually, the above-mentioned conventional electromechanical linear-motion actuator has a rather long axial length.

Electromechanical linear-motion actuator and electromechanical brake system


A method of controlling tilt-trim position of a trimmable device on a marine vessel includes receiving an engine speed, a vessel speed, a vessel pitch, and/or a vessel acceleration. A trim rate is then determined based on the engine speed, the vessel speed, the vessel pitch, and/or the vessel acceleration. The trim rate specifies a rate of rotation of the trimmable device about a horizontal axis, and the trim rate is determined such that the rate of rotation is minimized at high vessel speeds and high engine speeds and the rate of rotation is maximized at low vessel speeds and low engine speeds. A variable speed trim actuator is then controlled to rotate the trimmable device based on the trim rate so as to adjust a trim position of the trimmable device.

The following U.S. patents and/or patent applications are incorporated herein by reference, in entirety:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,699 discloses a sensor that responds to the operation of a marine transportation system to sense on-plane and off-plane conditions of a boat to operate a trim control to automatically position a trimmable drive for a desired boating operation. The preferred embodiment senses engine speed while an alternative embodiment senses fluid pressure opposing boat movement. The drive is moved to an auto-out position at high speeds and to a trimmed-in position at lower speeds.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,120 discloses a hydraulic system for trimming and tilting an outboard propulsion unit, which includes both trim piston-cylinder units and a trim-tilt piston-cylinder unit. The flow of hydraulic fluid from the reversible pump is controlled by a spool valve. A pressure relief valve is mounted in the spool to maintain pressure on one side of the spool when the pump is turned off to rapidly close the return valve and prevent further movement of the piston-cylinder units.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,818 discloses an electrical control system for trimming a pair of stern motors or drives mounted side-by-side on a boat. The two drives are both jointly and independently movable through a plurality of trim positions. The system includes two trim cylinders, each coupled to one associated drive, to move its associated drive to different trim positions both jointly as well as independently of each other. An operator controlled mechanism energizes and de-energizes the two trim cylinders simultaneously to jointly vary the trim position of the two drives. Two lines, each coupled at its first end to one associated drive, independently detect both the angular trim position of its associated drive with respect to the other drive as well as detect the trim position of the two drives jointly. Automatic control means coupled to the second end of each of the two lines is responsive to the two lines, when the two drives are not in the desired equal trim position with respect to each other, and controls switches to inactivate one of the trim cylinders and thereby move the other of the trim cylinders with respect to the inactivated one trim cylinder until the desired equal trim position is achieved between the two drives.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,292 discloses a system for optimizing the speed of a boat at a particular throttle setting that utilizes sensed speed changes to vary the boat drive unit position vertically and to vary the drive unit trim position. The measurement of boat speed before and after an incremental change in vertical position or trim is used in conjunction with a selected minimum speed change increment to effect subsequent alternate control strategies. Depending on the relative difference in before and after speeds, the system will automatically continue incremental movement of the drive unit in the same direction, hold the drive unit in its present position, or move the drive unit an incremental amount in the opposite direction to its previous position. The alternate control strategies minimize the effects of initial incremental movement in the wrong direction, eliminate excessive position hunting by the system, and minimize drive unit repositioning which has little or no practical effect on speed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,391 discloses an automatically adjustable trim system for a marine propulsion system that provides automatic trimming of the propeller in response to increased loads on the propeller. A propulsion unit is attached to a boat transom through a tilt mechanism including a transom bracket and a swivel bracket. In a first embodiment, the transom bracket is clamped to a flexible transom which flexes in response to forces exerted on the transom during acceleration. In a second embodiment, the transom bracket is clamped to a transom bracket mounting platform that is generally parallel to and pivotally attached to the transom. A trim angle biasing mechanism is mounted between the transom and the transom bracket mounting platform for automatically adjusting the trim angle. A third embodiment includes a trim angle biasing mechanism incorporated into the transom bracket or swivel bracket. A fourth embodiment includes a spring-loaded pawl assembly between the swivel bracket and transom bracket.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,753 discloses a hydraulic system for a sterndrive marine propulsion device that directs the flow of hydraulic fluid through the body and peripheral components of a gimbal ring in order to reduce the number and length of flexible hydraulic conduits necessary to conduct pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump to one or more hydraulic cylinders used to control the trim or tilt of a marine drive unit relative to a gimbal housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,456 discloses an automatic trim control system that changes the trim angle of a marine propulsion device as a function of the speed of the marine vessel relative to the water in which it is operated. The changing of the trim angle occurs between first and second speed magnitudes which operate as minimum and maximum speed thresholds.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,919,781, is assigned to the Applicant of the present application, discloses systems and methods for controlling position of a trimmable drive unit with respect to a marine vessel. A controller determines a target trim position as a function of vessel or engine speed. An actual trim position is measured and compared to the target trim position. The controller sends a control signal to a trim actuator to trim the drive unit toward the target trim position if the actual trim position is not equal to the target trim position and if at least one of the following is true: a defined dwell time has elapsed since a previous control signal was sent to the trim actuator to trim the drive unit; a given number of previous control signals has not been exceeded in an attempt to achieve the target trim position; and a difference between the target trim position and the actual trim position is outside of a given deadband. The method may include sending a second control signal for a defined brake time to trim the drive unit in an opposite, second direction in response to a determination that the actual trim position has one of achieved and exceeded the target trim position.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,751,605, is assigned to the Applicant of the present application, discloses a method for controlling a trim system on a marine vessel includes receiving an actual trim position of a trimmable marine device at a controller and determining a trim position error by comparing the actual trim position to a target trim position with the controller. The method also includes determining an acceleration rate of the marine vessel. In response to determining that the trim position error exceeds a first error threshold and the magnitude of the acceleration rate exceeds a given rate threshold, the controller commands the marine device to the target trim position. In response to determining that the trim position error exceeds the first error threshold and the acceleration rate does not exceed the given rate threshold, the controller commands the marine device to a setpoint trim position that is different from the target trim position. An associated system is also disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,694,892 discloses a method for controlling a trim system on a marine vessel includes receiving an actual trim position of a trimmable marine device at a controller and determining a magnitude of a trim position error by comparing the actual trim position to a target trim position with the controller. The method also includes determining a magnitude of an acceleration rate of the marine vessel. The controller determines the activation time of a trim actuator coupled to and rotating the marine device with respect to the marine vessel based on the magnitude of the trim position error and the magnitude of the acceleration rate. The controller then sends a control signal to activate the trim actuator to rotate the marine device toward the target trim position. The method includes discontinuing the control signal once the activation time expires to deactivate the trim actuator. A corresponding system is also disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,000,267 discloses a method for a trimmable marine device includes determining a target trim position of the marine device. A trim actuator is activated for an activation time that is calibrated to move the marine device from a current trim position to the target trim position. After activating the trim actuator for the calibrated activation time, a difference between an actual trim actuator condition and a desired trim actuator condition is calculated. An activation-time adapt value is determined based on the difference. The calibrated activation time is adjusted using the adapt value, and the trim actuator is activated for the adjusted activation time in response to subsequent changes in the target trim position. The adapt value is configured such that activating the trim actuator for the adjusted activation time moves the marine device closer to the target trim position than does activating the trim actuator for the calibrated activation time.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,059,415 discloses a system for controlling a tilt-trim position of a propulsion device on a marine vessel includes a user input device generating a command to rotate the propulsion device to a desired tilt-trim position, a position sensor sensing a current tilt-trim position of the propulsion device, a control module receiving the user command and the current tilt-trim position, and a tilt-trim actuator rotating the propulsion device. In response to determining that the propulsion device's engine is not running, the control module rotates the propulsion device until the desired tilt-trim position is achieved, and starts the engine in response to determining that the current tilt-trim position does not exceed a threshold. In response to determining that the engine is running, the control module determines whether a vessel and/or engine speed condition is met, and if so, rotates the propulsion device about the tilt-trim axis until the desired tilt-trim position is achieved.

Methods and systems for controlling trim rate of trimmable marine devices with respect to a marine vessel


A device for selecting a transmission path in a wireless network includes a radio frequency (RF) module, a base band (BB) module, and a control module. The RF module is coupled to a plurality of antennas, for processing a packet of a wireless signal respectively received by the antennas. The BB module generates signal strengths (SSs) corresponding respectively to the antennas according to the packet received by each antenna. The control module is coupled to the BB module, for receiving the SSs and respectively controlling the antennas so that they may be enabled or disabled according to a difference between the SSs.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to a wireless network, and more particularly to a device and a method for selecting a transmission path in a wireless network.
2. Related Art
In a wireless network system, a plurality of transceiver antennas has many advantages, for example, enhancing the receiving stability and improving the data throughput (TP). Therefore, a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) technology formed by the plurality of antennas has been widely applied to the wireless network system.
In the MIMO mechanism, a difference of signal strengths (SSs) between the plurality of transceiver antennas may easily become too large. Examples are given as below.
In a first example, the signal transmission is easily affected by the wireless channel, for example, multipath, fading, and mobility, which could lead the varied SSs between the plurality of transceiver antennas.
In a second example, antenna modules have different conditions (such as different receiving paths corresponding to different antennas), and thus the gains of the antennas are different.
When the SSs of the antennas are different, the receiving capabilities of other antennas would be affected if the SS of a certain antenna is too low, thereby decreasing the overall data throughput. Transmission paths of the MIMO must therefore be appropriately controlled in order to enable the MIMO wireless network to achieve the advantages.

Device and method for selecting transmission path in wireless network


According to embodiments of the present invention, in a case where a ground for security is laid in difficulty in executing an inverse function operation of a trapdoor one-way function, represented by an RSA problem, even when a signature order advances, an increase of a size of a key can be inhibited. For example, when the first partial data σi−1,L exceeding (k0+k1) bits when concatenating a random number ri of k0 bits is excluded from an input of binary operation on an input side of a signature generation function. Accordingly, a size of an operation result si of the binary operation is set to be constant at (k0+k2) bits, and, as a result, an input size (key length k bits) of an RSA signature generation function is set to be constant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multisignature method in which a plurality of signers successively perform a signature generating process with respect to a certain document to thereby generate one signature, apparatus, program, and system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a cryptosystem can be classified into two types: a common key cryptosystem; and a public key cryptosystem. The public key cryptosystem has an advantage that a necessity for key distribution raising problem in a common key system is obviated.
For example, in the public key cryptosystem, users A, B, . . . generate a set of a public key and a secret key, and register the public key in a public list. The respective users A, B, . . . may prepare one set of keys regardless of the total number of users. At the time of use, for example, the user A generates a ciphertext using the public key of the user B in the public list, and transmits the ciphertext to the user B. The user B decodes the received ciphertext with self secret key. Thus, the public key cryptosystem obviates the necessity for the key distribution between the users A, B. Examples of a representative public key cryptosystem include a Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) cryptosystem, an ElGamal cryptosystem, an elliptic curve cryptosystem and the like.
In the above-described public key cryptosystem, a trapdoor one-way function is utilized. The trapdoor one-way function is such a function that operation in a certain direction can be easily executed, whereas it is difficult to execute operation in an opposite direction without any confidential information.
Therefore, the public key cryptosystem has a property that an arbitrary user can easily execute the generation of the ciphertext (operation in the certain direction) using the public key in the public list, and a property that it is difficult to execute the decoding of the ciphertext (operation in the opposite direction) without any secret key.
When the properties are used in a manner opposite to that of the cryptosystem, a signature system is realized. In the signature system, an only signer who has confidential information can generate a signature which can be verified by the third party. For example, the respective users A, B, . . . generate a set of the public key and the secret key, and register the public key in the public list. At the use time, for example, the user A generates a signature from the document using the self secret key, and transmits the document and the signature to the user B. The user B allows the public key of the user A in the public list to act on the signature and the document, and verifies validity of the signature. Examples of a representative signature system include RSA signature, digital signature algorithm (DSA), elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA) and the like.
Examples of a technique to which such signature system is applied include a multisignature system. In the multisignature system, a plurality of signers successively perform a signature generation process with respect to a certain document, and generate one signature. The multisignature system is considered, for example, as a technique which electronically realizes a system for circulating the document in an organization to successively put approval seals.
As a technique which brings about an effect similar to that of the multisignature system, a concatenating signature system is considered in which the respective signers generate signatures with respect to a certain document, and the obtained respective signatures are concatenated together.
Here, the multisignature system refers to a system in which a size of the generated multisignature can be set to be smaller than that of the concatenated signature. Next, outlines of the multisignature system and the concatenating signature system will be described. FIG. 1A shows the outline of the multisignature system, and FIG. 1B shows the outline of the concatenating signature system.
In FIG. 1A, User 1 who is a first signer generates Signature 1 with respect to Document x, and thereafter sends Document x and Signature 1 to User 2 who is a second signer. User 2 generates "Signatures 1•2" utilizing Signature 1 as the signature with respect to Document x. "Signature 1•2" is a signature which assures that Users 1, 2 have both approved Document x, and is generated with a size smaller than that of data obtained by concatenating Signature 1 of User 1 to Signature 2 of User 2. Subsequently, a similar operation is successively executed by User 3 who is a third signer to User N who is an N-th signer to thereby generate "Multisignature 1•2 . . . N".
As shown in FIG. 2, validity of "Multisignature 1•2 . . . N" is verified. A device for verifying the multisignature executes a verification process with respect to Document x and "Multisignature 1 . . . N" based on public keys 1, . . . , N at the time of the generation of the multisignature, and accepts or rejects the multisignature in accordance with verification results.
In the multisignature system, several additional functions have been proposed. Examples of a representative function includes message flexibility, order flexibility, and order verifiability.
The message flexibility refers to a property that a plurality of users can update or change a message while generating the multisignature during circulation of the message. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, User 1 whose order is first generates Signature 1 with respect to Document x. User 2 whose order is second updates or changes Document x1, obtains Document x2 as difference information, and then generates "Signature 1•2" utilizing Signature 1 with respect to Documents x1 and x2. "Signature 1•2" ensures that User 1 has approved Document x1, and User 2 has approved Documents x1, x2. Subsequently, the users to User N who is the N-th signer similarly successively execute the updating or the changing Document x1 and signature generation to obtain "Multisignature 1 . . . N".
The order flexibility refers to a property that signature order can be freely changed till a stage of signature generation.
The order verifiability refers to a property that the order of the signer can be verified in the verification process of the multisignature. When there is the order verifiability, a verifier can confirm that the second signer has approved the document, and the second signer has approved the signature process of the first signer with respect to the multisignature generated by N signers. It is to be noted that the multisignature system in the present specification comprises the message flexibility, the order flexibility and the order verifiability.
On the other hand, active and passive attack methods exist in the multisignature system. In the passive attack method, an attacker utilizes public information only, and forges the multisignature with respect to an arbitrary document. In the active attack method, the following conditions (i) to (iii) are satisfied in the process of the forging of the multisignature with respect to the arbitrary document utilizing the public information.
(i) The attacker can prepare own public key or a set of the public key and secret key based on another signer's public key, and participate in the multisignature system as a regular signer.
(ii) The attacker can receive signers' secret keys in collusion with some signers.
(iii) The attacker can ask an arbitrary regular signer to sign on the arbitrary document chosen by the attacker.
Moreover, in the active attack method, a signer who the attacker pretends to be, and a signer who colludes with the attacker will be referred to as illegal signers. A time when the signature output by the attacker is a forged signature indicates a time when at least one signer is not an illegal signer, and is not asked to generate the signature with respect to the document corresponding to the signature in a group of signers who are supposed to have participated in the signature.
Furthermore, in the active attack method, especially a method of setting own key using another signer's public key at the time of the generation of the key to thereby generate the multisignature without using any signer's secret key is known as adaptive insider attack.
This active attack method is an attack method more powerful than the passive attack method. Therefore, the constituting of a multisignature method which is safe even against the active attack method means that higher security can be assured.
With regard to this type of security, the multisignature system is classified into two systems. In a first system, difficulty in operation of discrete logarithm is regarded as a ground for the security, and the security is proved by concept of zero knowledge proof. Examples of a representative system include Ohta-Okamoto System, and Micali-Ohta-Reyzin System. The first system is characterized in that the size of the multisignature does not depend on the number of signers, and is equal to that of the signature by one signer, and costs of the signature verification process can be suppressed. However, since the grounds for the security are based on zero knowledge dialogue proof in the first system, efficiency of resolving is bad, and the system does not have any tight security. The tight security indicates that divergence between difficulty in operation for solving a certain problem and difficulty in operation for solving another problem is low.
In general, to indicate the security of the multisignature system, a problem to break a one-way property of a trapdoor one-way function is reduced to a problem to break the multisignature system. That is, when the multisignature system is broken, it is indicated that the one-way property of the trapdoor one-way function is broken, and the security of the multisignature system is proved.
In detail, it is indicated that the one-way property of the trapdoor one-way function is broken at a high probability, if the multisignature system is broken. In this case, difficulty in breaking the multisignature system is considered to be equal to that in breaking the one-way property of the trapdoor one-way function, represented by a discrete logarithm problem or an RSA problem. At this time, it can be said that the multisignature system has a tight security with respect to the one-way property of the trapdoor one-way function.
Conversely, it is said that the multisignature system does not have any tight security against the one-way property of the trapdoor one-way function if, even when the multisignature system is broken, the one-way property of the trapdoor one-way function is not broken only at a low probability.
Here, it is assumed that there are two systems whose security are based on a certain problem, one of the systems has a tight security with respect to the problem difficult to operate, and the other system does not have any tight security. In the system which does not have any tight security, to assure the security equal to that of the system having the tight security, a key having a larger size is used, and a problem occurs that operation cost and storage region are increased. The above-described first system corresponds to this.
On the other hand, in the classification of the multisignature system, the second system has the tight security, and therefore solves the problem of the first system. In detail, in the second system, the difficulty in operating prime factorization is regarded as the ground for the security. Representative examples include Mitomi-Miyaji system in which difficulty in operating the RSA problem is regarded as the ground for the security (S. Mitomi and A. Miyaji, "A General Model of Multisignature Schemes with Message Flexibility, Order Flexibility, and Order Verifiability", IEICE Transaction of fundamentals, 2001, E-84-A, pp. 2488 to 2499), and Kawauchi-Tada system (K. Kawauchi and M. Tada, "On the exact security of multisignature schemes based on RSA", The Eighth Australasian Conference Information Security and Privacy (ACISP 2003), Springer-Verlag, 2003, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2727, pp. 336 to 349).
Here, in the system of Mitomi, et al., as shown in FIG. 4, i-th signer applies a hash function Hi to a document x, and inputs exclusive OR of the obtained hash value and the previous signature σi−1 into an RSA signature function to thereby obtain an i-th signature σi.
In the system of Kawauchi, et al., as shown in FIG. 5, an i-th signer applies a first hash function Hi to a document x, previous signature σi−1, and random number ri, and applies a second hash function Gi to the obtained first hash value wi to obtain a second hash value. Next, exclusive OR of the second hash value, and the previous signature σi−1 and random number ri is operated to obtain an operation result si. Furthermore, this operation result si and the first hash value wi are input into the RSA function to thereby obtain i-th signature σi.
In any case, unlike the first system based on zero knowledge dialogue proof, the second system has a tight security with respect to the difficulty in the operation of the RSA problem.
However, the security of the system of Mitomi, et al. is not sufficiently tight with respect to the difficulty in the operation of the RSA problem. Furthermore, in the system of Mitomi, et al., as signature order advances, the size of a signer's signature key needs to be increased. Therefore, there are a problem that the signature order of the signer is limited, a problem that an operation amount increases with an increase of the size of the signature key and the like. Furthermore, to eliminate the limitation of the order, there is a problem that each signer has to store and register keys having different sizes.
On the other hand, the security of the system of Kawauchi, et al. is sufficiently tight with respect to the difficulty in the operation of the RSA problem. However, in the system of Kawauchi, et al., in the same manner as in the system of Mitomi, et al., as the order advances, the size of the signer's signature key needs to be increased. Therefore, there are a problem that the order is limited, a problem that the operation amount increases with the increase of the size of the signature key and the like.
As described above, in the multisignature system, when the ground for the security is laid in the difficulty in the operation of the RSA problem as in the second system, the size of the key needs to be increased as the order advances. Therefore, there are a problem that the order is limited, a problem that the operation amount increases and the like.

Multisignature method, apparatus, program, and system


An object of the present invention is to provide a new method for treating an exhaust gas, which can effectively treat an exhaust gas containing a nitrogen oxide and metal mercury over a long term, and also can be applied to treatment of a large volume of an exhaust gas. As a means of achieving this object, a method according to the present invention for treating an exhaust gas comprises performing a reaction of changing metal mercury into mercury halide in the presence of a halogen compound and treatment of a nitrogen oxide, using a Ti—V-containing catalyst, upon treatment of an exhaust gas containing a nitrogen oxide and metal mercury.

A. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method for treating an exhaust gas, which can effectively treat an exhaust gas also containing metal mercury together with a nitrogen oxide.
B. Background Art
Conventionally, as a method for treating a nitrogen oxide (NOx) in an exhaust gas, there is known a selective catalyst reducing method (so-called SCR method) of catalytically reducing a nitrogen oxide in an exhaust gas on a denitration catalyst using a reducing agent such as ammonia and urea, to decompose a nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen and water, and an exhaust gas treating system adopting this has been put into practice.
However, mercury which is a harmful substance likewise a nitrogen oxide (NOx) is contained as metal mercury (Hg0) or mercury halide such as mercury chloride (HgCl2) in an exhaust gas in some cases.
Since when mercury is present as mercury halide, it is easily absorbed into water, it is relatively easy to capture and remove mercury. However, since when mercury is present as metal mercury, it is hardly absorbed in water, it is difficult to remove mercury.
As the technique of removing mercury (including metal mercury) from an exhaust gas, with consideration given to such behavior of the mercury, there have hitherto been known, for example, an active carbon adsorption method and a sodium hypochlorite absorption method (for example, see patent documents 1 and 2 below). More particularly, as an active carbon adsorption method, for example, a method of blowing an active carbon powder into an exhaust gas, and recovering mercury with a bag filter has been put into practice. On the other hand, as a sodium hypochlorite absorption method, for example, a method of directly adding sodium hypochlorite to cooling water in a cooling tower in an exhaust gas treating system, an absorbing solution of a desulfurization absorption tower, supply water of a wet electrostatic precipitator or circulating water has been put into practice.
However, in the active carbon adsorption method, since active carbon with mercury adsorbed thereon cannot be used repeatedly by regenerating the active carbon, substantial cost is required for active carbon and, moreover, disposition of used active carbon becomes a problem. On the other hand, since the sodium hypochlorite absorption method adds sodium hypochlorite to a main equipment of an exhaust gas treating system, corrosion in an apparatus is feared and, at the same time, substantial cost is required for sodium hypochlorite and, moreover, there is a possibility that secondary environmental pollution due to the sodium hypochlorite, and disposition of produced waste water also become a problem. For this reason, both of the active carbon adsorption method and the sodium hypochlorite absorption method are put into practice only in treatment of a small amount of an exhaust gas such as a trash incineration exhaust gas and, thus, it is difficult to apply them to treatment of a large volume of a gas such as an electric power station.
Therefore, there is demanded a new method which can be also applied to treatment of a large volume of an exhaust gas without using active carbon or sodium hypochlorite for the purpose of removing mercury (including metal mercury), and can effectively treat metal mercury together with a nitrogen oxide.                [Patent Document 1] JP-A-031323/1993 (Kokai)        [Patent Document 2] JP-B-046270/1972 (Kokoku)