A method for an animation environment includes displaying a first geometric object on a display, wherein the first geometric object comprises a plurality of geometric components, wherein the plurality of geometric components are coupled according to a geometric hierarchy, wherein the plurality of geometric components includes a first geometric component and a second geometric component, and wherein the first geometric component and the second geometric component are not adjacent within the geometric hierarchy, receiving a selection signal from a user, selecting the first geometric component in response to the selection signal, receiving a navigation signal from the user, and selecting the second geometric component in response to the navigation signal by traversing an animation hierarchy, wherein the first geometric component and the second geometric component are adjacent within the animation hierarchy.

The present invention relates to computer animation. More specifically, the present invention relates to enhanced user interfaces for object animation.
Throughout the years, movie makers have often tried to tell stories involving make-believe creatures, far away places, and fantastic things. To do so, they have often relied on animation techniques to bring the make-believe to "life." Two of the major paths in animation have traditionally included, drawing-based animation techniques and stop motion animation techniques.
Drawing-based animation techniques were refined in the twentieth century, by movie makers such as Walt Disney and used in movies such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) and "Fantasia" (1940). This animation technique typically required artists to hand-draw (or paint) animated images onto a transparent media or cels. After painting, each cel would then be captured or recorded onto film as one or more frames in a movie.
Stop motion-based animation techniques typically required the construction of miniature sets, props, and characters. The filmmakers would construct the sets, add props, and position the miniature characters in a pose. After the animator was happy with how everything was arranged, one or more frames of film would be taken of that specific arrangement. Stop motion animation techniques were developed by movie makers such as Willis O'Brien for movies such as "King Kong" (1933). Subsequently, these techniques were refined by animators such as Ray Harryhausen for movies including "Mighty Joe Young" (1948) and Clash Of The Titans (1981).
With the wide-spread availability of computers in the later part of the twentieth century, animators began to rely upon computers to assist in the animation process. This included using computers to facilitate drawing-based animation, for example, by painting images, by generating in-between images ("tweening"), and the like. This also included using computers to augment stop motion animation techniques. For example, physical models could be represented by virtual models in computer memory, and manipulated.
One of the pioneering companies in the computer aided animation (CAA) industry was Pixar, dba Pixar Animation Studios. Over the years, Pixar developed and offered both computing platforms specially designed for CAA, and Academy-Award® winning rendering software known as RenderMan®.
Over the years, Pixar has also developed software products and software environments for internal use allowing users (modelers) to easily define object rigs and allowing users (animators) to easily animate the object rigs. Based upon such real-world experience, the inventors of the present invention have determined that additional features could be provided to such products and environments to facilitate the object definition and animation process.
Traditionally, three-dimensional objects are a collection of sub-objects (components) connected in a manner defined by the modelers. More specifically, these components are connected in a manner specified by an object hierarchy. As an example, FIGS. 1A-B illustrates representations 100 and 105 of a typical object hierarchy. In this example, the hips 110 are defined as the root component, with three branches (children), as shown: torso 120, left leg 130, and right leg 140. In turn, torso 120 has a single branch to the chest 150, and chest 150 has three sub-branches, neck 160, left shoulder 170, and right shoulder 180. In turn, each of these three branches includes child nodes. As shown, right shoulder 180 and left shoulder 170 are coupled via chest 150. Additionally, as shown, a left hand 190 and a right hand 195 are shown. Previously, the object and the object hierarchy were provided to animators for use in the animation process without input from the animators.
The inventors have recognized that drawbacks to the above method includes that if an animator is setting values for an object, such as right hand 195, and wants to set a value for left hand 190, there is no simple way for the user to move from selecting right hand 195 to selecting left hand 190. For example, in FIG. 1, the user must traverse up object hierarchy 100 from right hand 195 to chest 150, and then navigate down and select left hand 190. Such navigation was time consuming.
In light of the above, the inventors of the present invention have determined that improved user interfaces and methods are desired.


A system (10) and method (200) are disclosed for detecting electrical connectivity. The system includes at least one power distribution conductor (18) and at least one electrical power pad (20) comprising a detection pad (28) that is electrically isolated from a remaining portion of the respective at least one electrical power pad (20). A measured parameter at the detection pad (28) provides an indication of electrical connectivity between the at least one power distribution conductor (18) and the respective at feast one electrical power pad (20).

Electrical power car be distributed to computer systems, such as to a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs), so a variety of manners. As an example, electrical power distribution conductors, such-as busbars, may be connected to a PCB using soldered and/or mechanical means to provide high-current power to the computer system(s). The quality and reliability of the electrical contact is dependent on the contact or manner in which the power distribution conductor its connected to the PCB, such as based on specific amounts of solder or screw torque. Thus, sufficient contact of the power distribution conductor with the computer system(s) can be necessary for sufficient operational reliability and safety.

Systems and methods for determining electrical connectivity

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for managing a battery pack, which can rapidly and accurately diagnose the coupling state of a bus bar to battery modules in the battery pack. In accordance with the present invention, provided is an apparatus for managing a battery pack having a plurality of battery modules and a bus bar coupled between the battery modules to electrically connect the battery modules, the apparatus comprising a coupling detection unit for detecting the coupling state of the bus bar to the battery modules; and a controlling unit for determining whether the coupling state of the bus bar has a defect on the basis of the coupling state detected by the coupling detection unit.

Recently, with the rapid increase in the demand for portable electronic products such as notebooks, video cameras and cellular phones and the development of energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. under active progress, numerous studies are being made on high-performance secondary batteries capable of being repeatedly charged and discharged.
Currently, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries or the like are commercially available as secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are at the center of interest because they hardly have memory effects and can be freely charged or discharged in comparison with nickel-based secondary batteries. Advantageously, the lithium secondary batteries also exhibit very low self-discharge rate and high energy density.
Meanwhile, with the gradual exhaustion of carbon energies and the increased interest in the environment, the demands for hybrid and electric vehicles are increasing all around the world, including U.S.A, Europe, Japan and Korea. The hybrid or electric vehicles obtain driving force by means of energy charged and discharged in a battery pack, thereby eliminating or reducing an exhausted pollutant while ensuring excellent fuel efficiency compared to only engine-driven vehicles. Thus, the hybrid or electric vehicles better appeal to many consumers. Accordingly, the battery which is the most fundamental part in such hybrid or electric vehicles is the focus of many interests and studies.
The battery pack, particularly the battery pack used in electric vehicles has a plurality of battery modules to output high voltage, and the battery modules are connected by a connecting member called a bus bar. The bus bar should be strongly coupled with the battery modules therebetween so as to carry out electrical connection between the battery modules. Accordingly, the bus bar is coupled to the battery modules by a connecting member such as a bolt, nut or the like, and its coupling state is securely sustained.
However, since battery packs are generally used in devices and apparatuses that have frequent movement, there is a chance that the coupling state of the bus bar to the battery modules in the battery pack will loosen. For example, in the case of an electric vehicle in operation, the bus bar can loosen from the battery modules which will weaken the coupling state of the bus bar to the battery modules due to the impact and vibration applied to the battery pack. Furthermore, the loose coupling state of the bus bar only worsens over time, and unless artificially repaired, will not get any better.
Meanwhile, as the coupling state of the bus bar to the battery modules in the battery pack worsens, the resistance of the bus bar may increase causing the energy loss of the battery pack and heat generation, thereby leading to the overall temperature rise of the battery pack. This temperature rise of the battery pack may cause the performance degradation of the battery pack, as well as, in a severe case, the ignition or explosion thereof, which may induce a great problem on the stability of the battery pack.

Apparatus and method for managing battery pack


A process and device for removing a sprayed asbestos layer are provided, in which the asbestos is simultaneously cut and suctioned by a scraper and a suction air duct, and then transported into a carrier container for collection through primary, secondary and tertiary collection steps, in order to maintain a safe and sanitary operational environment for those who are engaged in removing the asbestos layer.

The present invention relates to a process and device for removing an object to be cut. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for collecting an asbestos layer by suction and simultaneously cutting the same, and further carrying the asbestos to a carrier container in order to maintain a sanitary and safe operational environment for individuals engaging in removing the asbestos layer. In removing the asbestos layer, dust and waste generated exert a bad influence upon the human body, which causes serious problems.
Previously, in removing the sprayed asbestos, a work field for removing the asbestos was closely covered with a vinyl sheet in order to prevent scattering of asbestos dust. Additional load was applied to the inside thereof. Thereafter, the asbestos was scraped onto a floor by means of a scraper, brush and large aspirator for use, while spraying or sprinkling water or wetting material thereon in order to reduce the fugacity of the asbestos thus cut. Therefore, according to the conventional removing process of the asbestos, asbestos dust hangs over the work field, which caused a considerably poor operational environment. Furthermore, in employing the large aspirator, scraping and suctioning of the asbestos layer were separately carried out, complicating the operation while suspended dust density within the work field increased. As a result, a worker or any other person standing in the vicinity of said worker was thereby adversely affected. Furthermore, since no apertures in the shape of a window are perforated in the wall surface of an attachment connected to the conventional aspirator
through a hose, it is difficult to easily move or shift the face of said attachment due to close suction of a suction inlet onto the wall surface.

Process for removing asbestos and the device for removing the same


The illustrative embodiments include update determination programmed logic circuitry operable to determine that a map data tile stored in a vehicle database is in need of updating. The illustrative embodiments further include update qualification programmed logic circuitry operable to qualify the permissibility of an update. Also included in the illustrative embodiments is update provision programmed logic circuitry operable to, contingent on the qualifying, provide an updated version of the map data tile. The update determination, update qualification and update provision programmed logic circuitry are operable to repeat the determining, qualifying and providing for at least all tiles included in a route within a predetermined proximity of a vehicle's current location along the route.

Navigation systems are prevalent in many vehicles and on many nomadic devices, including, but not limited to, cellular phones, smartphones, personal data assistants (PDAs), etc. These systems, generally, will use global positioning system (GPS) coordinates to determine the present location of a user, and can also have a destination entered therein.
Navigation systems are prevalent in many vehicles and on many nomadic devices, including, but not limited to, cellular phones, smartphones, personal data assistants (PDAs), etc. These systems, generally, will use global positioning system (GPS) coordinates to determine the present location of a user, and can also have a destination entered therein.
The destination is typically, although not necessarily, entered in the form of an address, a location name, or a cross-roads. While original GPS systems were used by hikers and outdoorsmen, modern GPS are generally used to navigate from one location to a predetermined address or spot that usually corresponds with a map location.
Accordingly, most modern GPS systems incorporate the usage of some form of map data in planning directions. That is, instead of making a bee-line route or just giving a heading for the user to follow, the systems incorporate map-data so that the route to be followed will generally be set along existing roadways. This is because of the prevalent usage in vehicles, the traveling of which is typically confined to accepted pre-defined roads.
Of course, construction, road changes, new roads, demolition of roads, etc. is constantly ongoing throughout the world. Data that is days, weeks, months or even years old may simply no longer be accurate. A good example of this is found in Washington D.C., following the attacks of Sep. 11, 2001.
As a result of increased security concern, roadways were closed down, made one-way, blocked by barricades, and an entire highway running near the Pentagon was moved to be further away from the Pentagon. Old map data pre-dating this event, however, would have shown all the old roads, and it would be easy for a user to become confused using this data, since the GPS would show them as driving in a field, or instruct them to go down a road that no longer exists.
In a more general sense, new subdivisions are constantly being built, and all the roads created therein are not present on outdated maps. Thus a user moving into a new home may find that their entire subdivision is nothing more than a blank-spot on the GPS.
Many companies that provide map information to users also provide an option to update map information. This information, however, could be very vast in its entirety, and not all that useful. For example, a user who generally travels in south-east Michigan may have little or no use for a map-update of the roads of Hawaii.
Further compounding potential update issues are bandwidth concerns. The entire United States roadway system is an extremely complex network of highways, roads, streets, courts, etc. Adding to this complexity are varying speed limits, detours, stop signs, street lights, elevations, traffic patterns, etc. If all of this information were updated at this level of detail, the bandwidth requirement for useful transfer could be immense.
Additionally, if several tens of millions of users were trying to update the data at the same time, this could further strain the servers serving this data.
Finally, when new roads are created, there isn't a general "clearing house" to which these roads are submitted, so there could be an instance where a road is created and the only way to discover the road is for an actual person to either travel to that location, or a satellite image to reflect the creation of the road.

Advanced map information delivery, processing and updating


A method includes receiving a plurality of audio signals. Each of the plurality of audio signals includes audio packets, wherein one or more audio packets from each of the plurality of audio signals is coded with an audiometric, the audiometric including an acoustic measurement from a conference site. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of audio signals, extracting an audiometric from one or more audio packets and selecting an active audio signal based on the extracted audiometrics. In addition, the method includes determining a change in the active audio signal and in response to determining a change in the active audio signal, updating a media forwarding table, the media forwarding table including a directory for routing one or more of the plurality of audio signals. The method further includes distributing audio packets to one or more conference sites in accordance with the media forwarding table.

There are many methods available which allow groups of individuals located throughout the world to engage in conferences. Such methods generally involve transmitting information and other data from communication equipment located at one conference site to communication equipment located at one or more other locations. A multipoint control unit (MCU) (sometimes referred to as a multipoint conference unit) may be used to couple communication equipment used at the various conference sites, thereby allowing users from distributed geographic locations to participate in a teleconference.
With respect to videoconferencing, a MCU may receive and distribute multiple audio and video signals to and from multiple conference sites. In certain situations, a conference site may not have sufficient equipment to broadcast or display each of the signals generated by the remote conference sites participating in the videoconference. Accordingly, it may be necessary to switch between the audio and/or video signals broadcasted at a local conference site.

Media detection and packet distribution in a multipoint conference


The present invention relates to a colored soda-lime glass which comprises iron in a quantity which, expressed in weight of the oxide Fe2O3 in relation to the total weight of glass, is greater than or equal to 0.5%, and less than or equal to 1.0% (quantity of total iron), a ratio of Fe2+/total Fe (redox ratio) in the range of between 20 and 65%, cerium in a quantity which, expressed in weight of CeO2 in relation to the total weight of glass, is greater than or equal to 0.1%, and titanium in a quantity which, expressed in weight of TiO2 in relation to the total weight of glass, is greater than or equal to 0% and less than 0.2%. This glass has a light transmission (TLA4) in the range of between 15 and 55%, a total transmission in the ultraviolet (TUV4) of less than or equal to 30%, and a dominant wavelength in transmission (λD) of less than or equal to 491 nm. This glass can be used, for example, as side glazing, rear-view window, roof glazing or opening roof of a motor vehicle.

The present invention relates to a coloured soda-lime.
Soda-lime glass can be dear or coloured, for example, green, grey or blue in transmission.
The expression "soda-lime glass" is used here in the wide sense and relates to any glass which is likely to contain the following principal glass-forming constituents (in percentages by weight):
SiO260 to 75%Na2O10 to 20%CaO0 to 16%K2O0 to 10%MgO0 to 10%Al2O30 to 5%BaO0 to 2%BaO + CaO + MgO10 to 20%K2O + Na2O10 to 20%.B2O30 to 5%
In some cases, soda-lime glass can have a total percentage by weight of BaO, CaO and MgO greater than 10%, and even greater than 12%.
This type of glass is very widely used in the field of glazing for automobiles or buildings, for example. It is usually manufactured in the form of a ribbon by the float process. Such a ribbon can be cut into sheets which can then be bent or can undergo treatment to improve their mechanical properties, e.g. a thermal toughening step.
It is generally necessary to relate the optical properties of a glass sheet to a standard illuminant. In the present description, two standard illuminants are used: illuminant C and illuminant A defined by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (C.I.E.). Illuminant C represents average daylight having a colour temperature of 6700 K. This illuminant is especially useful for evaluating the optical properties of glazing intended for buildings. Illuminant A represents the radiation of a Planck radiator with a temperature of about 2856 K This illuminant describes the light emitted by car headlights and is essentially intended to evaluate the optical properties of glazings intended for automobiles.
The Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage has also published a document entitled "Colorimétrie, Recommandations Officielles de la C.I.E. [Colorimetry and Official Recommendations of the CIE]" (May 1970) which describes a theory in which the colorimetric coordinates for light of each wavelength of the visible spectrum are defined so that they can be represented on a diagram having orthogonal axes x and y, called the C.I.E. trichromaticity plot 1931. This trichromaticity plot shows the locus representative of light of each wavelength (expressed in nanometers) of the visible spectrum. This locus is called the "spectrum locus" and light having coordinates lying on this spectrum locus is said to have 100% excitation purity for the appropriate wavelength. The spectrum locus is closed by a line called the purple boundary which connects the points of the spectrum locus, the coordinates of which correspond to wavelengths of 380 nm (violet) and 780 nm (red). The area lying between the spectrum locus and the purple boundary is that available for the trichromaticity coordinates of any visible light. The coordinates of the light emitted by illuminant C, for example, correspond to x=0.3101 and y=0.3162. This point C is regarded as representing white light, and consequently has an excitation purity equal to zero for any wavelength. Lines may be drawn from point C to the spectrum locus at any desired wavelength and any point lying on these lines may be defined not only by its x and y coordinates, but also as a function of the wavelength corresponding to the line on which it lies and of its distance from point C relative to the total length of the wavelength line. Consequently, the colour of the light transmitted by a coloured glass sheet may be described by its dominant wavelength (λD) and its excitation purity (P) expressed as a percentage.
The C.I.E. coordinates of light transmitted by a coloured glass sheet will depend not only on the composition of the glass but also on its thickness. In the present description, as in the claims, all the values of the excitation purity P and the dominant wavelength λD of the transmitted light are calculated from the spectral specific internal transmissions (SITλ) of a glass sheet 5 mm in thickness with illuminant C from a solid viewing angle of 2°. The spectral specific internal transmission of a glass sheet is governed solely by the absorption of the glass and can be expressed by the Beer-Lambert law:SITλ=e−E.Aλ
where Aλ is the absorption coefficient (in cm−1) of the glass at the wavelength in question and E the thickness (in cm) of the glass. In a first approximation, SITλ may also be represented by the formula:(I3+R2)/(I1−R1)
where I1 is the intensity of the incident visible light on a first face of the glass sheet, R1 is the intensity of the visible light reflected by this face, I3 is the intensity of the visible light transmitted from the second face of the glass sheet and R2 is the intensity of the visible light reflected by this second face towards the interior of the sheet.
The following are also used in the following description and the claims:                for illuminant A, the total light transmission (TLA) measured for a thickness of 4 mm (TLA4) from a solid viewing angle of 2°. This total transmission is the result of the integration between the 380 and 780 nm wavelengths of the expression: Σ Tλ.Eλ.Sλ/Σ Eλ.Sλ in which Tλ is the transmission at wavelength λ, Eλ is the spectral distribution of illuminant A and Sλ is the sensitivity of the normal human eye as a function of wavelength λ;        the total energy transmission (TE) measured for a thickness of 4 mm (TE4). This total transmission is the result of the integration between the 300 and 2500 nm wavelengths of the expression: Σ Tλ.Eλ/Σ Eλ. The energy distribution Eλ is the spectral energy distribution of the sun at 30° above the horizon with an air mass equal to 2 and an inclination of the glazing of 60° relative to the horizontal. This distribution, called "Moon distribution", is defined in the standard ISO 9050;        the selectivity (SE) measured as the ratio of the total light transmission for illuminant A to the total energy transmission (TLA/TE);        the total transmission in the ultraviolet, measured for a thickness of 4 mm (TUV4). This total transmission is the result of the integration between 280 and 380 nm of the expression: Σ Tλ.Uλ/Σ Uλ in which Uλ is the spectral distribution of the ultraviolet radiation that has passed through the atmosphere, defined in the standard DIN 67507;        the Fe2+/total Fe ratio, sometimes called the redox ratio, which represents the value of the ratio of weight of atoms of Fe+2 to the total weight of iron atoms present in the glass and is obtained by the formula:Fe2+/total Fe=[24.4495×log(92/τ1050)]/t−Fe2O3
where τ1050 represents the specific internal transmission of the 5 mm thick glass at the 1050 nm wavelength, t−Fe2O3 represents the total iron content expressed in the form of oxide Fe2O3 and measured by X-ray fluorescence.
Coloured glass can be used in architectural applications and as glazing for railway carriages and motor vehicles. In architectural applications, glass sheets 4 to 6 mm in thickness are generally used, while in the automotive field thicknesses of 1 to 5 mm are normally employed, particularly for the production of monolithic glazing, and thicknesses of between 1 and 3 mm in the case of laminated glazing, especially for windscreens, two glass sheets of this thickness then being bonded together by means of an interlayer film, generally made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A multi-function key system for use with an electronic device can include at least one key (230) and an optical film (255) optically coupled to the key. The optical film (255) can include a first optical filter (260) corresponding to a first color of light and a second optical filter (265) corresponding to a second color of light. The multi-function key system further can include a first light source (275), disposed below the key, that emits the first color of light and a second light source (280), disposed below the key, that emits the second color of light. A controller (215) can selectively activate the first light source (275) or second light source (280) responsive to an event detected within the electronic device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to keys and keypads for use with an electronic device and, more particularly, to multi-function keys and keypads.
2. Background of the Invention
Electronic devices, and particularly mobile devices, are becoming increasingly complex. This increased complexity often is at odds with the need to maintain a small form factor, thereby placing a strain on the man-machine interface of the device. It is not uncommon for a mobile phone, for example, to include a camera, a digital media player, scheduling functionality, and the like. The number of available user-selectable options tends to increase with device complexity. At the same time, a mobile device must retain a relatively small form factor so that carrying the device is not unduly burdensome.
To maintain a small form factor, the number of keys provided on a device usually is limited. Multi-function keys are an enhancement to the man-machine interface that allows a user to access more than one function from a single key. More particularly, a multi-function key can refer to a key that, when activated, causes the electronic device to perform a particular function. When the electronic device is placed in a different operating state, that same key, when activated, can cause the electronic device to perform a different function. As a result, the user can access more functions than the number of keys provided on the device.
Conventional multi-function keys usually bear a label or symbol corresponding to each function assigned to that key. For example, one function assigned to the key may be written above the key while another function also assigned to the key is written below. The function descriptions tend to be static, i.e. the descriptions are usually inked or inscribed on the device housing proximate to the key. Accordingly, the user is able to view both key labels simultaneously. It is the user's responsibility to understand the workings of the device to know which key function, and corresponding label, is assigned to the key at any given time.

Multi-function keypad using colored light sources and optical films


A method of transmitting a signal over a physical random access channel, wherein the signal comprises a plurality of symbols forming a symbol group. The method comprises applying scrambling to a plurality of symbols within the symbol group.

In Release 13, the Third Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, developed a concept known as Narrow-Band Internet of Things, NB-IoT. This new radio access technology is dedicated to provide connectivity to services and applications demanding qualities such as reliable indoor coverage and high capacity in combination with low device complexity and power consumption.
In Release 14, 3GPP expanded the NB-IoT platform to provide positioning services, as well as support for multicast, and device output power as low as 14 dBm to cater for even lower device complexity. Also, incremental improvements such as support for system access on non-anchor carriers and improved uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) throughput are specified.
Despite the fact that NB-IoT supports indoor coverage in the most extreme scenarios through support for a high maximum coupling loss, the feature has not been designed to support more than 40 km cell radius. In Release 15 it is now proposed to introduce extended cell range for NB-IoT, for example to facilitate usage also in rural areas without any limitations.
In NB-IoT it is the random access procedure (RA) that provides the means of synchronization to the uplink frame structure. A device (e.g. UE) initiates the RA procedure after synchronizing to the downlink frame structure. In a first step of the RA process a device transmits a preamble. In a second step the eNB detects the preamble time of arrival (TA) and signals the TA value to the UE. The UE will thereafter use the TA value to align its transmission to the UL frame structure.
Referring to FIG. 1, for NB-IoT a random access preamble corresponds to a random access symbol group that is constructed of 5 identical symbols and a cyclic prefix (see Technical Specification, TS 36.211, section 10.1.6). Each symbol corresponds to an unmodulated sinus wave of frequency 3.75 kHz and periodicity 8192 Ts=266 μs, where Ts equals 1/(15000×2048) seconds. The preamble is transmitted over a 3.75 kHz channel. Two cyclic prefix (CP) lengths are supported, i.e. 66 μs (Format 0) and 266 μs (Format 1). For the 266 μs choice the CP is identical to a symbol.
FIG. 1 illustrates a random access symbol group of length 1.4 ms or 1.6 ms.
The NB-IoT minimum system bandwidth of 180 kHz is dividable by 48 sub-carriers, or tones. For a single NB-IoT physical random access channel (NPRACH) transmission the symbol group of FIG. 1 is hopping four times across at most seven sub-carriers, as shown in FIG. 2 below. This physical signal, also called a preamble, is uniquely defined by the first sub-carrier in the hopping pattern, i.e. the starting sub-carrier. Therefore, in total 48 orthogonal preambles can be defined, one for each available starting sub-carrier.
FIG. 2 illustrates a random access frequency hopping symbol group, illustrating an example configuration where a symbol group is 1.6 ms long.
FIG. 2 illustrates a NPRACH resource intended for UEs in good radio conditions, where the random access frequency hopping symbol group is sent a single time. An eNB may configure two additional NPRACH resources to be used by UEs in extended and extreme coverage. Each NPRACH resource is associated with a set of repetitions of the random access frequency hopping symbol group. The number of repetitions is increasing with the coverage intended to be supported by the NPRACH resource. A UE can measure, for example, the downlink received power and makes, based on this, and for example a set of broadcasted signal level thresholds, a selection of the NPRACH resource to use for its system access, i.e. the number of times the random access frequency hopping symbol group should be repeated.
FIG. 3 provides an Illustration of a typical NPRACH configuration with three resources for Coverage Enhancements level 0 (CE0), 1 (CE1) and 2 (CE2).
In this example at most 128 repetitions of the above depicted random access frequency hopping symbol group is supported. In case of repetitions, a pseudo random frequency hop is performed between two frequency hopping symbol groups. In this example, the signal generated over a set of repetitions will at most hop across 12 sub-carriers.
The NPRACH configuration information discussed herein may be transmitted, for example, in the RadioResouceConfigCommonSIB-NB-r13 information element (IE), that is contained in SystemInformationBlockType2-NB (SIB2-NB).
As noted above, the current NPRACH preamble basic waveform is a sinusoid of 3.75 kHz with periodicity 266 μs. This means that, a UE located 40 km from an eNB will have a round trip time of 2×40000/c=266 μs, i.e. corresponding to the NPRACH preamble periodicity. Here "c" equals the speed of light, i.e. 3×108 m/s.
This implies that an eNB receiver which e.g. detects a received preamble and its TA based on a correlation between a known reference waveform and the received waveform, will have difficulties to distinguish a preamble received from a UE at a distance of 40.000+x meters from the eNB and from a UE at a distance x meters from the eNB. This ambiguity is a consequence of defining the preamble as a periodic waveform. Although proprietary solutions can be developed to resolve the ambiguity, solutions with explicit standards support will likely be introduced in Rel-15 for NB-IoT.
There is, however, another issue related to false alarm, which occurs if the post-processing statistic of a potential NPRACH preamble exceeds some predetermined threshold when the NPRACH preamble is not present. With a false alarm, the consequence is that the eNB would respond a vain message (MSG2) that corresponds to the non-existent NPRACH preamble. There are several tools for avoiding false detection events in NB-IoT. But there is also room for improvement especially in the case of highly loaded and/or asynchronous networks where NPRACH interference from devices in neighboring cells may trigger false alarms. This is mainly due to that the Random access frequency hopping symbol group definition (see FIG. 2) is the same in all cells. So if a strong interfering NPRACH appears at the eNB receiver it may be mistaken for a valid NPRACH, and trigger a false alarm.

Apparatus and method for transmitting signals over a physical random access channel


A transition metal compound represented by the formula (1-1) or the formula (1-2) (M is a transition metal atom) and a process for producing a catalyst for olefin polymerization comprising a step of bringing the transition metal compound into contact with a co-catalytic component for activation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application claims the Paris Convention priority based on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2010-147335 and 2010-147338 filed on Jun. 29, 2010, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference
The present invention relates to a transition metal compound, a process for producing a catalyst for olefin polymerization, and a process for producing an olefin polymer.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an olefin polymer which is polymerized using a metallocene catalyst, an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer polymerized using a metallocene catalyst comprising racemic-ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride (JP-A-9-151210, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,982); an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer polymerized using a metallocene catalyst comprising racemic-ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium diphenoxide (JP-A-2004-149761, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 7,141,639); and an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer polymerized using a metallocene catalyst comprising crosslinked bisindenyl complex in which a particular site of an indenyl ring is modified (JP-T-2008-505932, corresponding to US Patent Application Publication 2006/0009595, and Organometallics 1992, Vol. 11, No. 6, 2115-2122) can be exemplified.

Transition metal compound and catalyst for olefin polymerization


Disclosed herein are catalyst devices for removing formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants from an air flow stream, A catalyst device includes a housing, a solid substrate disposed within the housing, and a catalyst layer disposed on the substrate. The catalyst layer includes a base metal catalyst at a first mass percent and a rare earth metal catalyst at a second mass percent.

Atmospheric pollution is a concern of increasing importance as the levels of various atmospheric pollutants continue to increase. One primary pollutant of concern is formaldehyde (HCOH). It is regarded as a major indoor pollutant emitted from widely used building and decorative materials. Long term exposure to formaldehyde is considered to be carcinogenic.
Several cities in China, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, and Chengdu, were inspected in 2011 by the Indoor Environment and the Health Branch of China Environmental Science Institute with respect to the formaldehyde concentration present therein. Although the national standard sets a formaldehyde concentration limit of 0.1 mg/m3, each of the cities inspected had a formaldehyde concentration level significantly higher than the national limit. The levels ranged from 15% to 40% higher than the national standard.
Among the market solutions currently available to control formaldehyde pollution is the use of active carbon, possibly in combination with potassium permanganate as a stoichiometric oxidant. However, these methods have become impractical since active carbon could potentially release the formaldehyde through desorption, or the capacity of the solution to remove formaldehyde is too low.
Catalytic oxidation is another technology currently used in the market for controlling formaldehyde pollution. Complete catalytic oxidation of hundreds of parts-per-million (ppm) of formaldehyde has only been achieved with noble metal supported catalysts. However, the high costs and lack of availability of noble metals limit their widespread application.
There continues to be a need for systems, methods, and compositions for effectively treating pollution from formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These methods and compositions should exhibit long term performance, efficient manufacturing operations, and reduced production costs.

Catalyst device for treatment of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds


The present invention is directed to a system and method for assessing interference to a signal caused by magnetic field. The system includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field. The system further includes a first magnetic field sensor configured to detect a magnetic field and to generate a first signal representative of the magnetic field detected thereby. The system still further includes a second magnetic field sensor. The second magnetic field sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field and to generate a second signal representative of the magnetic field detected by the second magnetic field sensor. The system yet still further includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive and process the second signal to determine whether said magnetic field detected by said second magnetic field sensor may cause distortion to said first signal, as well as the magnitude of such distortion.

a. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for assessing interference to a signal caused by a magnetic field. More particularly, in an exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to a system and method for assessing interference to a positioning signal generated by a magnetic field-based medical positioning system caused by a magnetic field within which the medical positioning system operates.
b. Background Art
Systems and methods for determining and/or monitoring the positioning (i.e., position and orientation) of medical devices within the anatomy of a patient using magnetic fields are generally known in the art. A description of one such system can be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,339 entitled "Medical Imaging and Navigation System" to Strommer et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Strommer et al. disclose a magnetic field-based medical positioning system (MPS) for ascertaining the position and orientation of one or more MPS sensors. More particularly, the MPS is configured to acquire positioning (localization) data (i.e., the position and orientation) of one or more MPS sensors located on or within a medical device or tool. The position and orientation of an MPS sensor may be based on capturing and processing signals received from the MPS sensor while in the presence of a controlled AC magnetic field. Accordingly, the MPS sensor(s) may comprise one or more magnetic field detection coil(s).
Known MPS systems, such as that referenced above, may include a magnetic transmitter assembly (MTA) and a magnetic processing core for determining position and orientation readings. The MTA is configured to generate a magnetic field(s) in and around a certain area or region of a patient's body, such as, for example, the chest cavity, in a predefined three-dimensional space. Each MPS sensor is configured such that when disposed within the magnetic field(s), it senses or detects one or more characteristics of the magnetic field(s), and generates a signal corresponding to the detected characteristic(s). The signal generated by the sensor is provided to the magnetic processing core, which is responsive to the generated signals and is configured to calculate three-dimensional position and orientation readings for each MPS sensor. Thus, the MPS enables real-time tracking of one or more MPS sensors in three-dimensional space, and therefore, the real-time tracking of the corresponding medical device or tool with which the one or more MPS sensors are associated.
These magnetic field-based systems are not without their drawbacks, however. For example, because the medical device or tool with which the MPS sensor is associated operates in an environment with a magnetic field-based MPS, it inherently operates in a volume with a relatively strong magnetic field generated by the MPS. As such, the magnetic field generated by the MTA, for example, or a parasitic magnetic field, may cause interference with the signals transmitted by the MPS sensor(s) to the processing core of the MPS. This interference may cause distortions in the transmitted signals, thereby potentially compromising the fidelity of the transmitted signal and potentially rendering the position and orientation determinations using the distorted signals unacceptably inaccurate.
One attempt to combat this interference and its effects has been to protect the positioning signal. More particularly, one conventional method of protecting the signal generated by the MPS sensor is to twist the conductors or wires used to connect the MPS sensor with the processing core into a twisted-pair. This arrangement of the conductors has a cancellation effect on the interfering magnetic field, thereby preventing, or at least substantially reducing, the distortion to the positioning signal. One inherent limitation to this technique or methodology is that there are places between the MPS sensor and the processing core where it cannot be applied. For example, in connection areas, such as, for example, in the handle or proximal portion of the medical device or tool wherein two segments of conductors (e.g., two segments of twisted-pair conductors) are connected via a connector, the twisted-pair cannot be used. If this connection area is disposed within a magnetic field, and the magnetic field is strong enough, it will interfere with the positioning signal as it travels therethrough, thereby distorting the signal.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that will minimize and/or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies.

System and method for assessing interference to a signal caused by a magnetic field


A constructional system comprises a plurality of building blocks and one or more connectors. In order to propose an improved constructional system, the building block (1) is characterized by a square assembly opening (2) which is surrounded by an assembly funnel (3)(FIG. 1).

The invention relates to a building block, to a connector for building blocks of this kind, to a constructional system consisting of a plurality of building blocks, namely at least two building blocks, of this kind and at least one connector of this kind, and to an assembly and disassembly tool for connectors of this kind. The constructional system in accordance with the invention is in particular suitable as a toy. It can however also be used for constructional purposes, in particular for building and/or covering buildings or building parts. Structures of versatile shapes and sizes can be built with the constructional system in accordance with the invention. These structures can be used as toys. It is, however, also possible to use the structures which can be made with the constructional system for other purposes, for example as game landscapes, architectural models or the like.
The object of the invention is to propose a building block, a connector, a constructional system consisting thereof and an associated assembly and disassembly tool which can be used in a versatile manner.


A reliable method for discriminating between a plurality of edges in a region of interest of an edge feature video tool in a machine vision system comprises determining a scan direction and an intensity gradient threshold value, and defining associated gradient prominences. The gradient threshold value may be required to fall within a maximum range that is based on certain characteristics of an intensity gradient profile derived from an image of the region of interest. Gradient prominences are defined by limits at sequential intersections between the intensity gradient profile and the edge gradient threshold. A single prominence is allowed to include gradient extrema corresponding to a plurality of respective edges. A gradient prominence-counting parameter is automatically determined that is indicative of the location of the selected edge in relation to the defined gradient prominences. The gradient prominence-counting parameter may correspond to the scan direction.

Precision machine vision inspection systems (or "vision systems" for short) can be utilized to obtain precise dimensional measurements of inspected objects and to inspect various other object characteristics. Such systems may include a computer, a camera, and optical system, and a precision stage that is movable in multiple directions to allow workpiece inspection. One exemplary prior art system that can be characterized as a general-purpose "off-line" precision vision system is the commercially available QUICK VISION® series of PC-based vision systems and QVPAK® software available from Mitutoyo America Corporation (MAC), located in Aurora, Ill. The features and operation of the QUICK VISION® series of vision systems and the QVPAK® software are generally described, for example, in the QVPAK 3D CNC Vision Measuring Machine User's Guide, published January 2003, and the QVPAK 3D CNC Vision Measuring Machine Operation Guide, published September 1996, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This type of system is able to use a microscope-type optical system and move the stage so as to provide inspection images of either small or relatively large workpieces at various magnifications.
General purpose precision machine vision inspection systems, such as the QUICK VISION™ system, are also generally programmable to provide automated video inspection. Such systems typically include GUI features and predefined image analysis "video tools" such that operation and programming can be performed by "non-expert" operators. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,180, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, teaches a vision system that uses automated video inspection including the use of various video tools. Exemplary video tools include edge location tools, which are sometimes referred to as "box tools," which are used to locate an edge feature of a workpiece. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,627,162, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, teaches various applications of box tools.
The machine control instructions, including the specific inspection event sequence (i.e., how to acquire each image and how to analyze/inspect each acquired image), are generally stored as a "part program" or "workpiece program" that is specific to the particular workpiece configuration. For example, a part program defines how to acquire each image, such as how to position the camera relative to the workpiece, at what lighting level, at what magnification level, etc. Further, the part program defines how to analyze/inspect an acquired image, for example, by using one or more video tools such as edge/boundary detection video tools.
Video tools (or "tools" for short) and other graphical user interface features may be used manually to accomplish manual inspection and/or machine control operations (in "manual mode"). Their set-up parameters and operation can also be recorded during learn mode in order to create automatic inspection programs or "part programs". Video tools may include, for example, edge/boundary detection tools, auto focus tools, shape or pattern matching tools, dimension measuring tools, and the like.
Various methods are known for locating edge features in workpiece images. For example, various algorithms are known that apply brightness gradient operators to images that include an edge feature to determine its location, e.g., a Canny Edge detector or a differential edge detector. Such edge detection algorithms may be included in the machine vision inspection systems that also use carefully configured illumination and/or special image-processing techniques to enhance brightness gradients or otherwise improve edge location accuracy and repeatability.
Some machine vision systems (e.g., those utilizing the QVPAK® software described above) provide edge location video tools that have adjustable parameters for an edge detection algorithm. In certain implementations, the parameters may initially be determined for an edge on a representative workpiece during a learn mode operation and then utilized during a run mode operation to find the corresponding edge of a similar workpiece. When desirable edge detection parameters are difficult or impossible to determine automatically during the learn mode, the user may choose to adjust the parameters manually. However certain edge detection parameters (e.g., thresholds such as TH, and THS, outlined herein) are considered to be difficult to understand for the majority of users (e.g., relatively unskilled users), and how their adjustment affects a particular edge detection operation is considered difficult to visualize. The adjustments of the parameters may be further complicated by the variety of edge conditions and workpiece materials in part-to-part variations encountered when programming and using general purpose machine vision inspection system. An improved method and system that allows relatively unskilled users to adjust the parameters of edge location video tools so that they can be used to reliably inspect a variety of types of edges would be desirable. More specifically, a method and system are desirable for improving the reliability of edge detection in a region of interest that includes a plurality of edges.

Edge measurement video tool with robust edge discrimination margin


A stroker device for use in a borehole in the ground includes an actuator arranged for displacing a tool in a longitudinal direction of the borehole, and grippers arranged to anchor the stroker to the wall of the borehole, alternatively to a pipe wall, wherein the stroker is provided with driving wheels or driving belts for propulsion.

The present invention relates to a stroker. The invention relates more particularly to a stroker for use in a borehole in the ground, the stroker at least comprising an actuator arranged for being able to displace a tool in the longitudinal direction of the borehole, and grippers arranged to anchor the stroker to the wall of the borehole, alternatively to a pipe wall.
The English term stroker is used in the original description as the term is common in the petroleum industry.
During downhole work operations, especially in so-called deviated wells, it is common practice to connect a wireline tractor to a stroker to enable displacement of the stroker to the work location.
A stroker is typically four to six meters long, while a wireline tractor is generally about five to seven meters long. The overall length can therefore be up to thirteen meters, which might lead to sluicing problems at the surface valve and complicate downhole operations.
A further disadvantage with prior art stroker-wireline tractors is that the control system for one of the units must be switched off in order to operate the other. This is because the two machines utilize the same cables in the wireline for power supply and control. It is known that this lack of simultaneous control, due to gravitation and forces from fluid flowing in the borehole, may result in displacement of the wireline tractor during the time span between disconnection of the wireline tractor's control system and the anchoring of the stroker, which might cause failure of the downhole work operation.


An improved knitting method for joining together a front body part and a back body part of knitwear at the shoulder parts. In the knitting method in which groups of stitches comprising a plurality of wales of the body located at a widthwise lateral end portion thereof on the side on which a course is formed are moved toward a center of the body by loop transfer and by racking, to form double stitches, the groups of stitches at the lateral end portion comprise at least four wales, the at least four wales being separated into three or more inside wales and at least one outside wale, and the narrowing process is performed by moving the inside wales one stitch and moving the outside wale two stitches.

A variety of knitting methods called a seamless knitting technique have been invented for knitwear knitted by using a flat knitting machine having at least a pair of front and back needle beds extending in a transverse direction, disposed opposite to each other in a cross direction, and being capable of being racked in the transverse direction so that loops can be transferred between the front and back needle beds. When the knitwear such as a sweater, for example, is knitted using the flat knitting machine described above, its body is knitted in the form of a tubular knitted fabric whose front body part and back body part are continuously joined at both ends thereof, starting at hem parts thereof toward shoulder parts thereof, while also its sleeves located at right and left sides of the body are also knitted in a tubular form, respectively, Then, the sleeves are joined to the body while being moved toward the body, and further the front body part and the back body part are joined together at the shoulder parts. This knitting method known as the seamless knitting technique can provide the result of eliminating or simplifying the post-process such as a sewing process after completion of the knitting.
This knitting technique is disclosed by Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, for example. FIG. 9 is a view showing a right half of a sweater 20 knitted by the method described by those Patent Documents, when viewed from the back body part side. FIG. 10-A shows a stitch structure of the back body part in an area of a joining line 23 of the shoulder part, and FIG. 10-B shows a view showing the knitting steps schematically. Shaded portions of FIG. 10-A indicate groups of stitches in the wale at the lateral end portion, and framed portions of the same figure indicate double stitches. Arrows in FIG. 10-B indicate loop transfer in which stitches of the front body are transferred to be overlapped with stitches of the back body. In FIG. 10-B, the groups of stitches in the wale at the lateral end portion are indicated by black circles, and the stitches held after the knitting for the narrowing stitch are depicted at the upper side. The Patent Documents cited above describes that the knitwear is made in the following processes. The body and the sleeves are respectively knitted in a tubular form, starting at hem parts thereof, and are united with each other at armhole parts thereof. Thereafter, every time that a proper number of courses are knitted, the sleeves are overlapped with the body to be joined to each other. This knitting proceeds up to the shoulder parts. When the knitting comes at the shoulder parts, the knitting of the front body part is stopped and the joining of the front body part and the back body part starts from the shoulder tip to the collar part sequentially while the shoulder part of the back body part is knitted in a trapezoid form. By knitting the shoulder part in the trapezoid form, a silhouette slanting downwardly from the collar part toward the shoulder tip is formed. The shoulder part is knitted by a so-called inside narrowing process that every time that the back body part is knitted by a predetermined number of courses, the stitches of the front body part at the lateral end portion thereof are overlapped with the stitches of the back body part at the lateral end portion thereof to be joined thereto, while at the same time, groups of front stitches comprising a predetermined number of wales of the back body part at the lateral end portion thereof are displaced so that the back body can be narrowed in knitting width. As a result of this, a fashion line 25 extending in parallel with the joining line is formed by the groups of stitches of the wales of the back body part at the lateral end portion.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 09-273051
Patent Document 2: International Publication No. WO00-12799

Knitwear knitted by flat knitting machine and method for knitting the same


A machine powertrain having a transmission includes a control device responsive to selectively vary the transmission ratio in response to a shift signal. A lift sensor associated with a machine implement monitors an implement position and provides a lift signal. A ground speed sensor monitors the ground speed and provides a ground speed signal. A controller monitors the lift and ground speed signals, compares the lift signal to a predetermined position range, compares the ground speed signal to a predetermined ground speed range and, when the ground speed signal is within the predetermined ground speed range and the lift signal is within the predetermined position range, provides the shift signal causing the selectively variable ratio of the transmission to change.

Certain machine applications, such as loaders performing load carrying functions, present unique challenges during operation that can have an effect on machine operating efficiency. For example, a wheel loader that encounters a pile will typically require the operator to downshift the transmission of the loader, unlock the lock-up clutch (LUC) of a torque converter if one is present, and/or otherwise prepare the drive-train or powertrain of the machine in an appropriate fashion before the pile is encountered so as to ensure that sufficient torque will be available to push the bucket into the pile without causing engine underspeed, engine hesitation, excessive transmission load, and/or other powertrain effects.
At present, experienced operators are expected to know to downshift the machine or take other action under such operating conditions. However, relatively inexperienced or inattentive operators may often fail to take action under these or similar operating conditions, such as downshifting the machine, which can cause long-term increases in machine component wear and reduced operating machine efficiency, especially with regard to fuel economy. Thus, operator training, experience and attentiveness are currently relied upon to improve the operating efficiency of machines.

Automatic shift control system for a powertrain and method


A method for transferring a foreign substance includes the steps of: preparing a construct for transferring a foreign substance that contains a carrier peptide fragment including either the amino acid sequence KKRTLRKNDRKKR (SEQ ID NO. 1) or an amino acid sequence formed by the substitution, deletion, and/or addition (insertion) of 1, 2, or 3 amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence, and a foreign substance of interest that is bonded to the N-terminus and/or C-terminus of the carrier peptide fragment; supplying the construct for transferring a foreign substance to a test sample that contains a target eukaryotic cell; and incubating the test sample that has been supplied with the construct for transferring a foreign substance to thereby transfer the construct into the eukaryotic cell in the test sample.

Polypeptides and other foreign substances, particularly biologically active substances, are transferred into the cells of humans and other mammals, etc., (eukaryotic cells) to change the characteristics or to improve and enhance the function of the cells (as well as the tissues and organs comprising the cells).
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a transcellular carrier peptide for transferring polypeptide, DNA or another foreign substance into a cell. This patent indicates that a polypeptide, DNA, or other biologically active substance can be transferred into a cell with high efficiency by using a carrier peptide conjugate comprising a transcellular carrier peptide linked to a xenogenic polypeptide, DNA, and the like.
Still, a method is needed for changing the characteristics and improving (or enhancing) the function of the cells by easily transferring a full-length polypeptide with a relatively large molecular weight as the foreign substance (biologically active substance) to be transferred into a target cell without the use of special equipment.
Alternatively, in place of transferring a polypeptide or a full-length protein, a method is needed wherein the focus is placed on the specific function of the polypeptide, and a partial amino acid sequence that is the minimum unit capable of expressing that function, i.e., an amino acid sequence (foreign substance) constituting a peptide motif, is transferred efficiently into the cell.

Carrier peptide fragment and use thereof


A method and apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery (110) that takes into account the use patterns of the particular battery. A user may only discharge the battery a little and recharge it frequently which is a low capacity high life cycle use pattern, or discharge the battery almost completely and place the battery on charge less frequently indicating a high capacity low life cycle use pattern. Herein, a battery is installed in an electronic device wherein a battery discharge determination circuit and a discharge determination algorithm determine the discharge level of the battery when a charging circuit is placed on the battery. The measurement algorithm determines from the rechargeable battery discharge level measurement how to recharge the rechargeable battery. The measurement algorithm may also determine how to recharge the rechargeable battery based on a plurality of previous measurements stored either in the electronic device or the battery.

There are three basic types of rechargeable batteries: nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and lithium ion. Lithium Ion batteries are a high energy density, 3.6V battery. It uses lithium metallic oxide in its positive electrode, or cathode, and carbon material in its negative electrode, or anode. Lithium ions inside the battery transfer between the positive electrode and the negative electrode during charge or discharge.
Rechargeable batteries can be embedded or removable from the device. Many battery chargers use a dual rate charge sequence in which the battery under charge is charged at a fast rate for a period of time, and then charged at a slower or "trickle" rate once the battery has reached a predetermined charge level.
Rapid charge sequences are terminated by using either an inflection in the battery voltage versus time (V), or inflection in the temperature versus time (T), or when the battery reaches a certain voltage constant current constant voltage (CC-CV). At this point, typically the charger switches to a lower rate of charge. This lower rate of charge could be a fixed lower charge rate, or a variable rate, which is lower than the full rate. This rate is called a trickle charge rate or a top-off charge rate. For Lithium Ion batteries, this rate is adjusted so that the battery voltage does not exceed a predetermined voltage value. This is known as the CV portion of the CC-CV profile.
Lithium Ion batteries are typically charged by using the CC-CV method. A CC-CV method algorithm charges the battery at a fixed current rate up to a predetermined voltage. Once the predetermined voltage is achieved, the charger switches to a trickle or slower charge rate. The predetermined voltage is typically selected by the manufacturer. For this voltage there is an associated battery capacity and charge cycle life.
Charge cycle life is defined as the number of full charge cycles that the battery can withstand before its capacity degrades to a specified percentage of its original capacity (typically 80%).
A user who charges his battery infrequently would benefit from a higher predetermined voltage which corresponds to a higher capacity but lower charge cycle life. This is because the end user doesn't use as many charge cycles and would likely charge the battery even less often if he got a higher capacity to use between charges.
A user who charges his battery frequently would benefit from a lower predetermined voltage which corresponds to a lower capacity but higher charge cycle life. This is because the end user uses many charge cycles and his battery would last longer if it could wear out at a slower rate.
Accordingly, an algorithm is needed to determine the voltage to charge the battery up to based upon a user's battery usage pattern, eliminating the need of the manufacturer to select a predetermined voltage.
The various aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the following Detailed Description of the Invention with the accompanying drawings described below.


Providing a subset of de-duplicated data as output is disclosed. The subset of data includes a plurality of data segments. In some embodiments, the output includes segments of data stored across a plurality of containers in a de-duplicated storage system. Each container stores one or more data segments from the subset as well as one or more segments not from the subset. For each container that includes at least one data segment from the subset, the corresponding container data is included in the output in its entirety, including segments that are not from the subset. In the event that container data is included in the output, a value in a data structure that corresponds to the container is updated. The data structure includes a value for each container in the de-duplicated storage system that indicates whether the corresponding container data has been included in the output.

Deduplication storage systems such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,526, entitled EFFICIENT DATA STORAGE SYSTEM, filed Dec. 20, 2002 and issued Aug. 9, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, have been disclosed. In such systems, a stream of data to be stored is divided into segments. Typically a segment is stored on the deduplication storage system only once, even if the segment occurs in more than one file or other object and/or otherwise occurs more than once in the data stream.
On occasion a need arises to generate an output stream comprising a specified subset of a set of data that has been stored in a deduplication storage system. For example, a data owner may wish to create a tape (or other removable or non-removable media) archive of a subset of data stored on a deduplication storage system. One approach that has been used to create a tape archive or other data stream comprising such a subset stored in de-duplicated form, to conserve space on the destination tape or other media, is to "re-inflate" (i.e., reverse deduplication and/or decompress) the data as stored on the deduplication storage system, feed the subset to a second deduplication storage system, then copy the subset as stored in de-duplicated form on the second deduplication storage system to the tape or other media. However, this approach consumes processing resources and time (to re-inflate the data, for example) and the availability of a second deduplication system.


A process for controlling the carbon content in a metallic piece molded by injection or other process comprising,. a) heating the shaped piece under a 100% hydrogen atmosphere up to about 200.degree. C., PA1 b) replacing the 100% H.sub.2 atmosphere by a substantially 100% nitrogen atmosphere and heating the pieces from 200.degree. C. to 450.degree. C., PA1 c) maintaining the temperature in the enclosure at substantially 450.degree. C. while subjecting the pieces to an atmosphere comprising from 15% to 100% vol. hydrogen, the complement being nitrogen, then PA1 d) replacing the atmosphere by a substantially 100% nitrogen and PA1 e) heating the pieces from 450.degree. C. to substantially 700.degree. C. in order to further eliminate the remaining binder.

1. Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of controlling the carbon content in a molded metallic piece and to a method of making sintered metallic pieces from a metallic carbon containing powder.
2. Description of the Background
Control of carbon content is one of the principal issues related to injection molding of metals. The difficulty arises mainly from the binder used for shaping, which decomposes during heat treatment and results in carburization. Residual carbon can be beneficial for materials, such as carbides, but there are instances where an excess of carbon is detrimental; for example, stainless steel, magnetic alloys and steels for which the carbon content must be carefully adjusted. The variation in carbon content may be due to a carburization arising from an incomplete binder degradation, but also from reaction in situ between carbon and the oxygen impurities of the powder or between carbon and the oxygen, or vapor water impurities of the furnace atmosphere. The effect of the atmosphere content on the powder during sintering is disclosed by D. R. Ryan and L. J. Cuddy in "Effect of Atmosphere Composition on the Sintering Behavior of Iron Powder Compacts", Pennsylvania State University.
The carbon content of the parts can be adjusted during a specific step after debinding, before sintering. The gas used for the treatment is usually a mixture of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The carbon content of the compacts, c, is adjusted via the carbon potential of the atmosphere, ac, fixed by the CO/CO.sub.2 ratio, according to the following relation: EQU c (wt. %)=ac with ac<1
It is necessary that the treatment be done in a temperature range where the porosity of the sample is still high (about 20%) to allow rapid equilibrium between carbon content of the parts, throughout all the thickness, and carbon potential of the gas.
In practice, the control of carbon content via the mixtures CO--CO.sub.2 is difficult to achieve because the CO/CO.sub.2 ratio as well as the temperature of the treatment must be adjusted with precision. In an industrial furnace, temperature gradients and oxygen impurities in the flowing gas can shift the CO/CO.sub.2 ratio and modify the carbon content of the parts. Moreover, this type of treatment is done in a batch furnace and is costly because it is difficult to automate and, is, moreover, time consuming.
Ideally, the carbon content of the compacts would be controlled throughout the debinding, wherein the binders are removed. Thus, the debinding should ideally and desirably afford a complete and clean decomposition of the binders and a reduction of the oxides of the powder. Preferably, the dew point and the oxygen impurities of the flowing gas during debinding and sintering could be lowered to a level where they would not influence the carbon content. In such a cased after sintering, the carbon content of the parts would be that of the starting powder.
However, at present, such a process does not exist, yet a need exists for a process for controlling the carbon content of injection molding steels during debinding.

Process for controlling carbon content of injection molding steels during debinding

L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude


The present invention relates to fiber bundles and methods for making fiber bundles. According to one embodiment of the invention, at the endface of the fused fiber bundle, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the endface to the cross sectional area of the plurality of optical fibers is at least about 2.5. According to another embodiment of the invention, a fused fiber bundle includes a plurality of optical fibers, and a glass tube surrounding the terminal segments of the optical fibers, wherein the refractive index of the glass tube is less than the refractive index of the claddings of the optical fibers. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for making fused bundles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices for transporting light. More specifically, the invention relates to fiber bundles and methods for making fiber bundles.
2. Technical Background
In the fields of optical communication, laser machining, an optical sensing, it is often desirable to combine optical power from several sources into a single beam. For example, in sensing applications, a fiber bundle can be used to combine optical power of different wavelengths from different laser or lamp sources into a single beam. In certain high-power applications, a fiber bundle can combine optical power from several identical sources into a single beam of relatively high power. Fiber bundles may also be used to divide light from a single source into a plurality of beams, or to reshape a beam in order to couple it between different optical devices.
A conventional fiber bundle is shown in FIG. 1. Fiber bundle 20 has a terminal section 22, and an endface 24. Fiber bundle 20 includes a plurality of optical fibers 26, each of which has a terminal segment 28 ending with a proximal end 30, and a distal end 32. The terminal segments 28 of optical fibers 26 are arranged substantially in parallel, and are affixed to one another (e.g., with adhesive or by fusion) to form the terminal section 22 of fiber bundle 20. The proximal ends 30 of optical fibers 26 are presented at the endface 24 of fiber bundle 20. In order to reduce the size of the beam, it may be desirable to taper the terminal section of the fiber bundle, as shown in FIG. 1.
However, conventional fiber bundles have certain disadvantages. For example, especially in tapered fiber bundles, the terminal section of the fiber bundle is often very small and very fragile, making it difficult to handle and prone to breakage. Further, the outermost fibers of a conventional fiber bundle can separate from the interior fibers, causing both a physical fraying of the fiber bundle, and a corresponding fraying of the optical beam. Since it is difficult to remove airspace between fibers at the endface of the fiber bundle, polishing and AR coating of the endface can be complicated by the presence of particulate matter in any airspace.
There remains a need for durable, handleable fiber bundles and methods for making such fiber bundles.

Fiber bundles and methods of making fiber bundles